ar as possible, consider your own interests, and do not lose
your independence. For the present come to terms with the British
Government. If you do not want to go back to Kabul for this
purpose, you can write to your son, Mahomed Yakub Khan, to make
peace with the English as you may direct him. Do not leave the
soil of Afghanistan at this time, because it will be of benefit
to you. My words are not without truth, because your arrival in
Russian territory will make things worse.

* * * * *

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 wit