Chapter LXXIX: Appendix: VII (cont.)

_From_ GENERAL KAUFFMANN _to the_ AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, _received at Mazir-i-Sharif on the 17th January, 1879_.

I have received your friendly letter, dated 13th Zel Hijja (=8th
December, 1878). In that letter you asked me to send you as many
troops as could be got ready. I have written to you a letter to
the effect that the Emperor, on account of your troubles, had
communicated with the British Government, and that the Russian
Ambassador at London had obtained a promise from the British
Ministers to the effect that they would not injure the
independence of Afghanistan. Perhaps you sent your letter before
you got mine. Now, I have heard that you have appointed your son,
Mahomed Yakub, as your Regent, and have come out of Kabul with
some troops. I have received an order from the Emperor to the
effect that it is impossible to assist you with troops now. I
hope you will be fortunate. It all depends on the decree of God.
Believe me, that the friendship which I made with you will be
perpetual. It is necessary to send back General Vozgonoff and his
companions. You can keep Dr. Yuralski with you if you please. No
doubt the doctor will be of use to you and to your dependents. I
hope our friendship will continue to be strengthened, and that
intercourse will be carried on between us.

_From_ GENERAL KAUFFMANN _to the_ AMIR SHER ALI, _dated 29th December, 1878 (=17th Muharram, 1296)_.

(After compliments.) The Foreign Minister, General Gortchakoff,
has informed me by telegraph that the Emperor has directed me
to trouble you to come to Tashkent for the present. I therefore
communicate this news to you with great pleasure; at the same
time, I may mention that I have received no instructions about
your journey to St. Petersburg. My personal interview with you
will increase our friendship greatly.

_Translation of a letter from_ MAJOR-GENERAL IVANOFF, _Governor of
Zarafshan, to the Heir-Apparent, _MAHOMED MUSA KHAN, _and others_.

On the 26th of Rabi-ul-Awul, at an auspicious moment, I received
your letter which you sent me, and understood its contents. I
was very much pleased, and at once communicated it to General
Kauffmann, the Governor-General. With regard to what you wrote
about the friendly relations between the Russian and Afghan
Governments, and your own desire for friendship, I have the
honour to state that we are also desirous of being friends. The
friendship between the two Governments existed in the time of the
late Amir, and I hope that it will be increased and strengthened
by Amir Mahomed Yakub Khan.

May God change the wars in your country to happiness; may peace
reign in it; and may your Government be strengthened! I have been
forwarding all your letters to the Governor-General, General
Kauffmann. May God keep you safe!

The Zarafshan Province Governor, MAJOR-GENERAL IVANOFF.

Written and sealed by the General. Written on 29th Mart (March),
1879 (=5th Rabi-ul-Saui, 1296).

_Treaty between the RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT and AMIR SHER ALI KHAN; _written from memory by MIRZA MAHOMED NABBI._

1. The Russian Government engages that the friendship of the Russian Government with the Government of Amir Sher Ali Khan, Amir of all Afghanistan, will be a permanent and perpetual one.

2. The Russian Government engages that, as Sirdar Abdulla Khan, son of the Amir, is dead, the friendship of the Russian Government with any person whom the Amir may appoint Heir-Apparent to the throne of Afghanistan, and with the heir of the Heir-Apparent, will remain firm and perpetual.

3. The Russian Government engages that if any foreign enemy attacks Afghanistan, and the Amir is unable to drive him out, and asks the assistance of the Russian Government, the Russian Government will repel the enemy, either by means of advice, or by such other means as it may consider proper.

4. The Amir of Afghanistan will not wage war with any foreign power without consulting the Russian Government, and without its permission.

5. The Amir of Afghanistan engages that he will always report in a friendly manner to the Russian Government what goes on in his kingdom.

6. The Amir of Afghanistan will communicate every wish and important affair of his to General Kauffmann, Governor-General of Turkestan, and the Governor-General will be authorized by the Russian Government to fulfil the wishes of the Amir.

7. The Russian Government engages that the Afghan merchants who may trade and sojourn in Russian territory will be safe from wrong, and that they will be allowed to carry away their profits.

8. The Amir of Afghanistan will have the power to send his servants to Russia to learn arts and trades, and the Russian officers will treat them with consideration and respect as men of rank.

9. (Does not remember.)

10. I, Major-General Stolietoff Nicholas, being a trusted Agent of the Russian Government, have made the above-mentioned Articles between the Russian Government and the Government of Amir Sher Ali Khan, and have put my seal to them.

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