"تقرير عن البعثة إلى سيستان، ١٨٩٧" [و‎‎٤] (١٣٤/١٢)

From
SURGEON-MAJOR BRAZIER-CREAGH, A.M.S.,
To
The SECRETARY to the GOVERNMENT of INDIA,
FOREIGN DEPARTMENT.
Dated Peshawar, the 12th March 1898.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit herewith a record of my mission to Seistan.
In forwarding this report I beg leave to point out that from the outset
my orders were of a very ambiguous nature, merely stating “I was to proceed
with utmost dispatch to Seistan. My primary duty would be to take and
advise such general measures as may be possible to guard against risk of the
importation of plague from Baluchistan, particularly by the Nushki-Chagai
route.”
It will, therefore, be seen that the above orders nominally appointing me
on plague duty, in other respects gave me no definite instructions or insight
as to what line to pursue.
After due consideration and before reaching Seistan, I fully realised that
my mission, to be successful, involved other duties more important and intri
cate, and that my primary duty would be equalled, if not surpassed, by
political ones in watching British interests, especially commercial interests, and
the doings of the Russian agents in the country.
The diaries and letters forwarded from time to time, copies of which are
attached and form Appendix A of this report, briefly describe all matters of
urgency and importance affecting the mission. The general history of the
mission embodied in this report describes in some detail the circumstances
which guided my line of action throughout our sojourn in the country and
journeys across Baluchistan.
I have had to write this report somewhat hurriedly and under difficulties,
and regret any shortcomings.
I have not now the leisure necessary to properly compile the mass of
intelligence work anent resources, routes, and other important matters col
lected; these will, at a more fitting occasion, be incorporated with the
Gazetteers and Route-books of Seistan, Baluchistan and Afghanistan.