mber, 1878._

'I have much pleasure in communicating to you and the force
under your command the following telegram just received
Her Majesty, and desire at the same time to add my warm
congratulations on the success achieved. Message begins: "I have
received the news of the decisive victory of General Roberts,
and the splendid behaviour of my brave soldiers, with pride and
satisfaction, though I must ever deplore the unavoidable loss of
life. Pray inquire after the wounded in my name. May we continue
to receive good news."']

[Footnote 2: Both officers died of their wounds soon afterwards.]

[Footnote 3:

'FROM AMIR SHER ALI KHAN TO THE OFFICERS OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

'Be it known to the officers of the British Government that this
suppliant before God never supposed, nor wished, that the matters
[in dispute] between you and myself should come to this issue
[literally, "should come out from the curtain"], or that the veil
of friendship and amity, which has for many years been upheld
between two neighbours and adjoining States, should, without any
cause, be thus drawn aside.

'And since you have begun the quarrel and hostilities, and have
advanced on Afghan territory, this suppliant before God, with the
unanimous consent and advice of all the nobles, grandees, and of
the army in Afghanistan, having abandoned his troops, his
realm, and all the possessions of his crown, has departed with
expedition, accompanied by a few attendants, to St. Petersburg,
the capital of the Czar of Russia, where, before a congress, the
whole history of the transactions between myself and yourselves
will be submitted to all the Powers [of Europe]. If you
have anything in dispute with me regarding State affairs in
Afghanistan, you should institute and establish your case at St.
Petersburg, and state and explain what you desire, so that the
questions in dispute between us may be made known and clear to all
the Powers. And surely the side of right will not be overlooked.
If your intentions are otherwise, and you entertain hostile and
vindictive feelings towards the people of Afghanistan, God alone
is their Protector and real Preserver. Upon the course of action
here above stated this suppliant before God has resolved and
decided.']

[Footnote 4: The late Lieutenant-General Sir John Hudson, K.