pitulated in the
spring of the year, and who had been reduced to slavery, have been
redeemed from bondage.

The splendid victory of General Pollock has been obtained over the
army commanded by Akbar Khan in person, on the very spot where the
greatest disaster had befallen the British Army on their retreat, and
where the last gun had been lost.

On the 16th of September, General Pollock entered Cabul with his
victorious troops and planted the Colours of your Majesty in the Bala
Hissar, on the spot most conspicuous from the city.

An extract from a letter from General Pollock to Lord Ellenborough,
dated at Cabul the 21st of September, gives the most gratifying
intelligence that _all_ the British prisoners, with the exception of
Captain Bygrave, have been rescued from Akbar Khan, and were expected
in the British camp on the 22nd of September.

An extract from a letter from General Pollock announcing the
redemption of the prisoners is also most humbly submitted to your
Majesty, by your Majesty's most dutiful Subject and Servant,

FITZGERALD AND VESCI.

[Footnote 108: The mail, which informed Ministers of the Chinese
success, also brought the news of the capture of Cabul. General
Nott (see _ante_, p. 402 (Ch XI, 'Sale and Pollock')) had by the
end of July completed his preparations, and marched upon Ghuznee,
having arranged to meet Pollock at Cabul, and having transferred
the Scinde command to General England. Nott was before Ghuznee
on 5th September, but at daylight on the 6th found it evacuated;
the citadel was destroyed by him and the Gates of Somnauth
removed, as directed by Lord Ellenborough. Pollock, to whose
discretion Ellenborough had entrusted the policy of advancing on
Cabul, secured supplies at Gundamuck, and on his advance met the
enemy in a strong position in the Jugdulluck Pass and dispersed
them; then at Tezeen, on 12th September, he was attacked by Akbar
Khan with 20,000 men. The Pass was forced, and the Afghans
retired to the Haft Kotal, where they were utterly defeated,
close to the scene of Elphinstone's disaster. Nott arrived at
Cabul on the day after Pollock.]

[Pageheading: AFFAIRS OF PORTUGAL]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

ARDENNE, _24th November 1842._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... I do not think, or I may say I am pretty
certain, because I have often seen Donna Maria's letters, they hardly
ever sp