Part 6 (1/2)
”Whilst Captain Burnes, however, was on his journey to Cabul, information was received by the Governor-General that the troops of Dost Mahomed Khan had made a sudden and unprovoked attack on those of our ancient ally, Maharaja Runjeet Singh It was naturally to be apprehended that his Highness the Maharaja would not be slow to avenge this aggression, and it was to be feared that the flaions into which ere endeavouring to extend our commerce, the peaceful and beneficial purposes of the British Governether frustrated In order to avert a result so cala Captain Burnes to intimate to Dost Mahomed Khan, that if he should evince a disposition to come to just and reasonable terood offices with his Highness for the restoration of an a between the ters The Maharaja, with the characteristic confidence which he has uniformly placed in the faith and friendshi+p of the British nation, at once assented to the proposition of the Governor-General, to the effect that in the mean time hostilities on his part should be suspended
”It subsequently cae of the Govenor-General that a Persian arues were actively prosecuted throughout Affghanistan, for the purpose of extending Persian influence and authority to the banks of, and even beyond, the Indus; and that the Court of Persia had not only commenced a course of injury and insult to the officers of Her Majesty's mission in the Persian territory, but had afforded evidence of being engaged in designs wholly at variance with the principles and objects of its alliance with Great Britain
”After otiation at Cabul, it appeared that Dost Mahomed Khan, chiefly in consequence of his reliance upon Persian encouragement and assistance, persisted, as respected histhe most unreasonable pretensions, such as the Governor-General could not, consistently with justice and his regard for the friendshi+p of Maharajah Runjeet Singh, be the channel of subhness; that he avowed scherandizement and ambition injurious to the security and peace of the frontiers of India; and that he openly threatened, in furtherance of these schen aid which he could couised support to the Persian designs in Affghanistan, of the unfriendly and injurious character of which, as concerned the British power in India, he ell apprised; and by his utter disregard of the views and interests of the British Govern effected any of the objects of his mission
”It was now evident that no further interference could be exercised by the British Govern between the Sikh ruler and Dost Mahomed Khan; and the hostile policy of the latter chief showed too plainly that so long as Cabul reovernhbourhood would be secured, or that the interests of our Indian empire would be preserved inviolate
”The Governor-General deee of Herat and the conduct of the Persian nation The siege of that city had now been carried on by the Persian army for many months The attack upon it was a ression, perpetrated and continued notwithstanding the solemn and repeated remonstrances of the British Envoy at the Court of Persia, and after every just and beco offer of accoed have behaved with gallantry and fortitude worthy of the justice of their cause, and the Govenor-General would yet indulge the hope that their heroism may enable them to maintain a successful defence until succours shall reach them frons of Persia, affecting the interests of the British Government, have been by a succession of events, more and more openly manifested The Governor-General has recently ascertained, by an official despatch from Mr M'Neil, Her Majesty's Envoy, that his Excellency has been compelled, by the refusal of his just demands, and by a systematic course of disrespect adopted towards him by the Persian Government, to quit the court of the Schah, and to make a public declaration of the cessation of all intercourse between the two Governments The necessity under which Great Britain is placed of regarding the present advance of the Persian arhanistan as an act of hostility towards herself, has also been officially communicated to the Schah, under the express order of Her Majesty's Government
”The chiefs of Candahar (brothers of Dost Mahomed Khan, of Cabul) have avowed their adherence to the Persian policy, with the sahts and interests of the British nation in India, and to have been openly assisting in the operations against Herat
”In the crisis of affairs consequent upon the retirement of our Envoy fro in intrigue and aggression towards our own territories
”His attention was naturally drawn, at this conjuncture, to the position and claims of Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk, a monarch hen in power, had cordially acceded to the measures of united resistance to external ened necessary by the British Govern usurped by its present rulers, had found an honourable asylum in the British dominions
”It had clearly been ascertained, from the inforhanistan, that the Barukzye chiefs, from their disunion and unpopularity, were ill-fitted, under any circumstances, to be useful allies to the British Government, and to aid us in our just and necessaryas they refrained fros injurious to our interests and security, the British Governed and respected their authority But a different policy appeared to be now more than justified by the conduct of those chiefs, and to be indispensable to our own safety The welfare of our possessions in the East requires that we should have on our western frontier an ally who is interested in resisting aggression and establishi+ng tranquillity, in the place of chiefs ranging the to prorandisement
”After a serious and mature deliberation, the Governor-General was satisfied that pressing necessity, as well as every consideration of policy and justice, warranted us in espousing the cause of Schah Sooja-ool-Moolk, whose popularity throughout Affghanistan had been proved to his Lordshi+p by the strong and unani arrived at this determination, The Governor-General was further of opinion that it was just and proper, no less froh, than fro friendshi+p towards the British Govern a party to the contely deputed in June last to the Court of his Highness, and the result of his mission has been the conclusion of a tripartite treaty by the British Governhness is guaranteed in his present possessions, and has bound himself to co-operate for the restoration of the Schah to the throne of his ancestors The friends and ene parties have been declared to be the friends and enemies of all Various points have been adjusted which had been the subject of discussion between the British Governhness the Maharaja, the identity of whose interests with those of the hon Co States A guaranteed independence will, upon favourable conditions, be tendered to the Arity of Herat, in the possession of its present ruler, will be fully respected; whilst, by the ress it eneral freedom and security of commerce will be promoted; that the naain their proper footing a the nations of central Asia; that tranquillity will be established upon thebarrier will be raised against hostile intrigue and encroachhanistan surrounded by his own troops, and will be supported against foreign interference and factious opposition by a British army The Governor-General confidently hopes that the Schah will be speedily replaced on his throne by his own subjects and adherents; and when once he shall be secured in power, and the independence and integrity of Affghanistan established, the British army will be withdrawn
”The Governor-General has been led to thesefor the security of the British Crown; but he rejoices that in the discharge of his duty he will be enabled to assist in restoring the union and prosperity of the Affghan people
Throughout the approaching operations British influence will be sedulously eeneral benefit, to reconcile differences, to secure oblivion of injuries, and to put an end to the distractions by which, for so hans have been is have given just cause of offence to the British Government, it will seek to secure liberal and honourable treat froed the e of their country