Rebellion of Mohammad Yaqub Khan [‎205r] (99/174)

J ?r} FURTHER correspondence between gen. yon kaufemann and ameer. 141
be afforded by them to your enemies; that, in pursuance of tlie counsel and advice reoeatedlv
given you by the British Government, you have instructed your frontier officers that while
they should firmly defend your border and maintain your authority, they must not permit anv
aggressions to be made on their neighbours, and that they must abstain from interference in
the political affairs of countries and tribes beyond the legitimate borders of Afohanistan • and
further, that you are determined to adhere to this policy, not only because you have 'been
advised thereto by the Viceroy of India, whose Sovereign is in strict alliance with the Czar
but also because you are convinced that it is in accordance with the best interests of your
kingdom and the welfare of your people. ^
“ ^ will be sufficient to reply to General Von Kauffmann in Persian, with which lan
guage he or his officers are, doubtless, familiar/'’
[Sent to Secretary of State under cover of No. 3V Secret, dated 24th Jhne. S I 1870
Nos. 283 to 290.] ^ '
544. The Ameer readily accepted the suggestion ; in a letter to the Vice
roy, dated 16th July, S. I. 341, expressed his thanks for the re-assuring effect of
the Viceroy’s communication ; and, making two verbal alterations, sent off on
the 15th July the following reply :
After titles, compliments, &c.,—I beg to.acknowledge the receipt of your two friendly
Diary ending 18th July 1870. letters,—the one through the Kimr of B -khara, and
the other by the hand of a messenger of the Meer
of Samarkund. I am highly gratified with your promises that no officer of His Imperial
Majesty the Emperor of Russia will make any inroads into Afghanistan, nor will any
assistance or counsels be given by you to its enemies. In consultation with the British
Government, I have ordered all border rulers to guard their frontiers strictly, and to
uphold my authority, but not to give shelter to any person who attacks my neighbours,
and to abstain from interference with the matters of any territory or tribe beyond the
limits really belonging to, in possession of, or occupied by, Afghanistan. I desire and
intend to keep this rule always in force, not only because I have consulted with the Viceroy
of India, whose Sovereign has great friendship with the Emperor of Russia, but because I am
quite sure that it will tend to the strengthening of my kingdom and the tranquillity of my
subjects. 1 hope you will consider me always wishing for your good health/’
545. On the 20th December General Von Kauffmann replied, saying—
This is a translation of a translation into French kindly
made by Mrs. Biddulph from the Russian version.
“ I have read with attention the friendly letter which I received from you at Tashkund
on the 29th of August of the present year. I have
observed with pleasure that the contents of this
letter and the adoption of the resolution to which
you have come with regard to your relations towards your neighbours, answer my expecta
tion, and naturally merit the approbation of my august master. Believe me, you will never
have reason to regret your frank and kindly action towards the Russian power, and with the
protector of its territorial neighbours, i hope that time and circumstances will fortify the
friendship between us.
“ it has long been shewn by perpetual experiments that each diseord, each act of hostility,
never fails to lead nations into misery alom; while, on the contrary, peace and amicable relations
between Sovereigns will advance their nations into a most flourishing condition.
“ For this reason my great master, who is always occupied with the prosperity of his sub
jects, desires (his servants) to live in peace and in harmony with the neighbouring people, not
to meddle in their internal affairs, and justly looks for the same frankness and friendly conduct
on the part of the reigning Princes of other States.
“ I offer prayers to God for your health, for your renown, and that He may cause you to
guide your people with wisdom/’
546. The Ameer, on the 7th of March, sent on General Von Kauffmann’s
letter in Persian and Russian to the Viceroy, begging him to suggest the cha
racter of the reply which it was advisable to send. 547
547. On the 9th May the Viceroy complied with this request by sending
a correct translation in Persian and English of General Von Kauffmann’s letter,
and suggesting that the Ameer should briefly reply .by expressing in general
terms his gratification at General Von Kauffmann’s friendly assurances, and at
the determination of his Government to cultivate harmonious relations with
its neighbours (S. I. No. 801).