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DESPATCHES.

DESPATCHES AND PAPERS RELATING TO MILITARY OPERATIONS IN AFFGHANISTAN.

I.-POLITICAL.

SIR W. H. MACNAGHTEN, BART., ENVOY AND MINISTER At the COURT OF SHAH SHOOJA, TO T. H. MADDOCK, Esq., SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.

Cabul, Oct. 26, 1841.

Sir, I have now the honour to report the circumstances attending the recent rebellion of certain of the Eastern Ghilzie Chiefs.

2. The first intimation I received of this rebellion was about three weeks ago, to the effect that the chiefs had suddenly left Cabul; and, the day after, I learnt that they had stopped a caravan on the high road, and had taken the property and its owners to the hills, at a distance from the road.

3. I immediately waited upon his Majesty, and prevailed upon him to send the governor, Humza Khan, with a message to the rebels, inviting them to return to their allegiance, and promising redress of any real grievance they might have sustained. This mission failed of success, because Humza Khan was the chief instigator of the rebellion.

4. Two reasons have been assigned for this rebellion. First, the reduction of the allowances of the Ghilzie chiefs; and, secondly, the engagement that was required of them to be responsible for robberies by the Eastern Ghilzies, wherever committed.

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5. On the first point I may observe that the necessities of his Majesty, and the frequent prohibitions I had received against further reliance on the resources of the British Government, appeared to admit of no alternative. assured that the chiefs had admitted the justice of, and cheerfully acquiesced in, the reduction; moreover, that, after the reduction was effected, the chiefs would, in consequence of the enhanced value of grain, receive larger allowances than they did in the time of Dost Mahomed.

6. On the second point, I am compelled to state that the grievance of the chiefs was well founded. Their liabilities should have been only co-extensive with their respective jurisdictions. Unfortunately they never represented their grievance to me. They have been prohibited from visiting me by the before-named governor, on the part of the Shah (Humza Khan), a worthless man, alike inimical to us and to his Majesty. The good result of the recent rebellion, is the disgrace and imprisonment of this man. His father was killed in the Shah's service; and his

Majesty, an amiable weakness, was unwilling to acknowledge the demerits of the son, of which, however, he is now fully sensible.

7. One of the chief rebels, Mahomed Shah Khan, has very large possessions in the district of Lughman. I therefore urged the Minister to send out a relative of his own with 300 Huzarbash horse to that neighbourhood. This was done without the delay of an hour, and the designs of the rebels were for the time frustrated. They attacked the party, en route, but did comparatively little damage; and the conspirators found it necessary to separate, and each to look after his individual interests, before the plot was matured.

8. There are four thanas, or posts, guarded by Ghilzies, between Cabul and Gundamuk. The first belongs to a chief named Khoda Buksh, a relative, by marriage of the ex-Ameer Dost Mahomed Khan. The second to Sher Mahomed Khan, the third to Allahzar Khan, and the fourth to Gool Mahomed Khan. The second named of these (who has by far the greatest influence) was gained over to our cause at an early period, and the third was always staunch in his allegiance. Khoda Buksh and Gool Mahomed went into open rebellion, and with them was joined Mahomed Shah Khan already mentioned, a Ghilzie chief, possessing extensive property in Lughman, and a relative also, by marriage, of the ex-Ameer.

9. The conduct of Gool Maho med was the most inexcusable of all. On the Shah's arrival in this country, that individual was in a state of destitution, and was placed in power and affluence by his Majesty. He has been indefatigable in his endeavours to stir up the

surrounding tribes to rebellion, but I have much gratification in adding that he has in no instance succeeded, a fact which speaks well for his Majesty's government. Gool Mahomed Khan was immediately deposed, and his place supplied by Burkut Khan, a chief of great influence and respectability.

-10. On the separation of the rebels, Mahomed Shah Khan retreated to Lughman. Khoda Buksh Khan, with not more than 100 followers, proceeded to occupy the Koord Cabul Pass; and Gool Mahomed Khan went into his own country to raise the tribes. Lughman was already occupied by the Huzarbash horse, and I had no apprehension from that quarter. 1 had the greatest confidence in the new chief appointed by his Majesty to supersede Gool Mahomed, and the first thing to be done was to dislodge Khoda Buskh and his party of rebels from the strong defile which they had occupied. The manner in which this service was performed, has doubtless been reported to Government by MajorGeneral Elphinstone, C.B., and it only remains for me to add, that the prowess displayed by the British troops on this occasion was the admiration of all the Affghans, and there were not a few on our side who witnessed it.

11. Captain Macgregor having in the mean time returned from the Zoomut expedition, I caused him to communicate with the rebels, and he promised, in his Majesty's name, and my own, to inquire into, and redress, all their grievances. Messengers with conciliatory proposals were also sent, but to no purpose. Whilst professing the greatest desire to return to their allegiance, the party of Khoda Buksh and Gool Mahomed,

which latter had joined the former after his expulsion from the pass, made a night attack on the position of the 35th regiment of Native Infantry at Khoord Cabul, the particulars of which also have no doubt been communicated to Government.

12. On this occasion a party of his Majesty's own Affghan horse were present in our camp; and rumours, I understand, are rife that this party (consisting of about eighty persons) were guilty of treachery, and actually fired upon our troops. The particulars of the case have not yet reached me, but it shall be duly inquired into, and his Majesty will, I feel assured, make a signal example of any one who may be proved to have thus offended. But if this party of Affghans suffered themselves to be surprised by a night attack, or even if, in the confusion of the moment, they fired shots in the direction of our own camp, it would be uncharitable in any one familiar with the Affghan character, to form from such premises the conclusion that they were guilty of deliberate treachery. But I merely wish his Lordship in Council to suspend his judgment on this transaction, for I well know the predisposition that exists in certain quarters to condemn, without hesitation and without reason, every Affghan institution, and that even the irreproachable character of his Majesty has not secured him from the attacks of malevolence and calumny.

13. After the night attack, the 35th Native Infantry were joined by her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, the 37th Regiment Native Infantry, with a suitable propor tion of artillery and cavalry, and the rebels were in the meantime

joined at Tezeen by Mahomed Shah Khan, Azeez Khan, and a party from Tugno. Captain Macgregor estimates their united numbers at about seven hundred

men.

14. Our troops moved upon Tazeen on the 22nd instant, and I need not detail the operations which there took place, as they will have been reported to his Lordship in Council by the General commanding in Affghanistan.

15. I have now received information from Captain Macgregor to the effect, that our differences with the chiefs have been amicably arranged. The particulars have not reached me; but when Captain Macgregor submits a statement of his negotiations, a copy of it shall be forwarded without loss of time for the information of Government. From what little I know of the terms conceded to the rebels they would seem to me to be too favourable; but I have the fullest reliance on Captain Macgregor's discretion. The chiefs have furnished hostages, and have consented to the appointment of Burkut Khan, by which means their confederacy has been dissolved.

16. I have been thus particular in detailing the circumstances of this rebellion, from my conviction, that the most false and exaggerated reports regarding it will be circulated by a class of persons whom I have already described to his Lordship in Council, and whose sole pursuit is the dissemination of groundless and alarming reports, through the medium of the public prints.

17. The inconvenience to which we have been subjected, by the interruption of our communications, has been very great, but it only shows how easily annoyance

may be inflicted, by means which would otherwise be contemptible, on a government, which has so long a line of mountainous country to defend, and whose chiefs have been so accustomed to a life of lawless turbulence, that they do not hesitate to array themselves in opposition to authority upon the slightest provocation, and without a hope of ultimate success.

18. We have learned, by the experience of this rebellion, one important fact, which is, that our regular European and Hindostanee troops fight against Affghans, in their native hills, to a great disadvantage. The superior agility of the latter enables them to evade pursuit, and their fuzils, or long guns, carry with deadly precision to a distance, where our muskets are harmless. There is now no enemy to oppose us in the open plain, and should we hereafter be forced into hostilities, the des ultory mountain warfare will doubtless be that with which we shall have to contend. Should his Lordship in Council therefore resolve on increasing his Majesty's force, with a view of recalling the regular regiments from this coun

try, I would suggest that, instead of organizing any more Hindostanee troops, three infantry corps should be raised from the Eusuf zyes, Suhaks, Undurees, Kohistanees, Kyberries, and the inhabitants of other mountainous regions, to undergo a moderate degree of discipline, and to be armed with the jezzail of the country. By a judicious admixture of different tribes, by attention to their prejudices, and by regular pay, I should have little fear of fidelity. In the meantime, endeavours will be made to impart as great a degree of efficiency as possible to his Majesty's Jezzailchees, who are a very useful body of men. In the above opinion I am supported by the authority of Major-General Elphinstone, C.B., of LieutenantColonel Sir A. Burnes, C.B., and of Brigadier Anquetil.

19. It is my intention to forward a copy of this letter for the information of the honourable the Secret Committee, through the Government of Bomba.

have, &c.

W. H. MACNAGHTEN,

Envoy and Minister.

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN COUNCIL TO GENERAL SIR JASPER NICOLLS.

Fort William, December 3, 1841. Sir, Since addressing your Excellency yesterday we have received an express from Mr. Clerk, of the 23rd ultimo, containing information of the events at Cabul to the 9th, and at Jellalabad to the 15th ultimo.

2. These accounts exhibit a most unfavourable state of affairs at Ca

bul, but they do not lead us to alter the views and intentions which were stated in our yesterday's dispatch. Your Excellency will, therefore, expedite the movement of whatever may be required to complete one brigade, efficiently provided with all necessaries of equip. ment and supply, in the direction of Peshawur, to be stationed there, with orders of the tenor which we yesterday fully explained, so as to

give succour to our troops in the event of their retiring. We do not now desire to send a second brigade in advance, for we do not conceive it to be called for, for the objects of support and assistance which we contemplate; and we think it inexpedient to detach any greater number of troops than may be absolutely indispensable from our own provinces.

3. It would be vain to speculate upon the issue of the contest at Cabul; but in the extreme event of the military possession of that city, and the surrounding territory, having been entirely lost, it is not our intention to direct new and extensive operations for the reestablishment of our supremacy throughout Affghanistan.

4. We can scarcely contemplate in such case that there will be any circumstances or political objects of sufficient weight to induce us to desire to retain possession of the remainder of that country, and, unless such shall be obvious as arising from the course of events, we should wish our military and political officers so to shape their proceedings as will best promote the end of retiring with the least possible discredit. Of course it will be desirable that this retirement shall be deliberate, and the result of arrangements that will leave some political influence in the country; but it is impossible to shut our eyes to the probability that the first impulse of the population in the southern districts, upon hearing of our having suffered disaster at Cabul, will be to rise and surround our different positions, cutting off the communication. In this case the commanding officers will be instructed to make it their first aim to fall back on the nearest support, and so to save

their troops from the risk of being isolated; it being, of course, a paramount consideration to provide for the safety of the different detachments as far as possible. MajorGeneral Nott, or the officer commanding at Candahar, will be directed, in the event of the loss of Cabul, to take the force at Ghuznee under his orders, and to provide Colonel Palmer with suitable instructions. With regard to the regiment at Ghuznee, we shall instruct Mr. Clerk to arrange with the Sikh government for giving every aid in its power, should the retirement of that corps to Dhera Ismael Khan, or other point on the frontier, be determined upon. We shall cause a copy of this paragraph to be conveyed to Major Rawlinson, Major General Nott, and Lieutenant-Colonel Palmer, both through Major Outram in Upper Scinde, and Capt. Mackeson in Peshawur.

5. We doubt not that your Excellency will have felt it desirable to superintend personally the execution of such measures on our frontier as the exigency of events may have rendered necessary, and will, therefore, have proceeded to establish your head-quarters at one of the advanced stations.

6. It is of high importance at this juncture that we should act in a clear and cordial plan of co-operation with the government of Lahore, and a dispatch has been this day in consequence addressed to Mr. Clerk, of which we enclose a copy for your Excellency's information.

We have, &c.,

AUCKLAND,
W. W. BIRD,
W. CASEMENT,
H. T. PRINSEP.

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