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Emperor Nicholas to Dost Muhammad, is an event demanding your special attention, but we also agree with you in concluding that Capt. Burnes exceeded the instructions given to him, and manifested an anxiety which might defeat his own objects in entering into premature engagements with the Afghán Princes.

'We approve of your instructing Capt. Burnes to withdraw from Kábul, if contrary to his advice and remonstrance Dost Muhammad should formally accept from the Russian envoy of those offers of assistance which are stated to be contained in the letter of the Emperor Nicholas to Dost Muhammad.

'At the same time we must observe that the letter of the Russian Emperor was an answer to an application made to that sovereign by the Ruler of Kábul, and that in dealing with this matter it will be advisable to avoid any proceedings which may give rise to a controversy with the Russian Ambassador at Teherán, or with the Court of St. Petersburg.

'The last despatches from Constantinople have informed us that Mr. McNeill was about to proceed on March 10 to the Persian headquarters before Herát, from which it may be inferred that he has received satisfaction for the outrage committed on the messenger attached to the British Mission.

'We are anxiously waiting for a detailed account of the circumstances which have induced Mr. McNeill to resolve upon his announced journey, and of all matters connected with the operations of the Sháh against Herát. Until we shall have received these communications, and been informed of the actual state of things in that quarter, it would be premature to come to any decision upon the affairs of Afghánistán. We are aware of the difficulties arising out of the late Treaty, by which we have stipulated not to interfere between Persia and the Afgháns unless at the express desire of both parties; but we do not conceal from you that it may become a question for the British Government to consider