Page:John Russell Colvin.djvu/135

officer of rank to each of those Princes, conveying to them your final demands; and, in case the Sháh of Persia should be in possession of Herát, or should still be engaged in the siege of that city, a notification of the probable advance of the British force into Afghanistan, and the objects of it, might be also conveyed to that sovereign.

'20. But immediate compliance should be required from Dost Muhammad Khan and his brothers of Kandahar, and, in case of refusal, the army should cross the frontier without delay.

'22. You should, moreover, declare your fixed determination to maintain the integrity and independence of the restored monarchy against all encroachments of whatever Power, and during the progress, and after the accomplishment of your enterprise, all your measures should have a manifest tendency to accomplish that design.

***

'26. We are aware that we have recommended to you a course of policy and a series of measures which may require great exertions, and entail upon your revenues sacrifices only to be justified by the difficulties of your position. We are also aware that in carrying our arms beyond the Indus we may appear to contemplate schemes of aggrandizement which every consideration both of justice and policy would induce us to condemn. But, in truth, there is nothing aggressive in that which we propose. The same wise precaution which prompted your recent proceedings in Sind, and the measures now in progress for opening and securing the navigation of the Indus, dictates also the establishment of a permanent British influence in Afghánistán.

'29. The retreat of the Shah from Herat, a renewal of friendly relations between him and the British Minister, and full reparation for the indignities of which Mr. McNeill has complained, may render these measures unnecessary; but