of the people of
Afghanistan by the mere announcement of the intention of the
British Government to send a Mission to Kabul, before the
Mission itself had actually started or arrived at Peshawar, have
subsequently been fully justified by the statement in your
Excellency's letter, that I should be held responsible for any
injury that might befall the tribes who acted as guides to the
Mission, and that I should be called upon to pay compensation to
them for any loss they might have suffered; and that if, at any
time, these tribes should meet with ill-treatment at my hands, the
British Government would at once take steps to protect them.

'Had these apprehensions proved groundless, and had the object
of the Mission been really friendly, and no force or threats of
violence used, the Mission would, as a matter of course, have been
allowed a free passage, as such Missions are customary and of
frequent occurrence between allied States. I am now sincerely
stating my own feelings when I say that this Government has
maintained, and always will maintain, the former friendship which
existed between the two Governments, and cherishes no feelings of
hostility and opposition towards the British Government.

'It is also incumbent upon the officials of the British Government
that, out of respect and consideration for the greatness and
eminence of their own Government, they should not consent to
inflict any injury upon their well-disposed neighbours, and to
impose the burden of grievous troubles upon the shoulders of
their sincere friends. But, on the contrary, they should exert
themselves to maintain the friendly feelings which have hitherto
existed towards this God-granted Government, in order that the
relations between the two Governments may remain on the same
footing as before; and if, in accordance with the custom of allied
States, the British Government should desire to send a purely
friendly and temporary Mission to this country, with a small
escort, not exceeding twenty or thirty men, similar to that which
attended the Russian Mission, this servant of God will not oppose
its progress.'

It was ascertained that this messenger had come to Basawal on the
22nd November, when, hearing of the capture of Ali Masjid by British
troops, he immediately returned to Kabul. The Amir's letter, though
date