adopted the best course in giving extensive powers to Mr. Clerk, who is an officer deserving of our high confidence. We have, it will be observed, given a general discretion to Mr. Clerk to act in unforeseen emergencies, as he may think best for the national interest and honor, on the general principles which have uniformly been prescribed to him in regard to our relations with the Sikh government, and we have intimated to him that his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, and the commanders of the British forces within the Punjab, will be prepared to give attention to his wishes, as far as they may feel themselves able to do so, consistently with military considerations, and with the arrangements judged necessary by his Excellency for the protection of our own provinces.

27. We have been careful in our letters to the Commander-inChief, to advert to all those points, which have appeared indispensable for the due support and equipment, in all respects, of a British force, while employed within the Punjab.

28. The dispatch from Mr. Clerk, of the 15th ultimo, conveyed some general observations on the condition of the Sikh government and troops, with reference to the altered and unsettled aspect of affairs in Affghanistan, and we stated to Mr. Clerk in reply, our continued desire to give strength to the existing administration in the Punjab. We have been happy to perceive, from the tenor of different communications from Mr. Clerk, which have extended to the 8th instant, that he appears to rest with some confidence upon the stability of that government, and the prevention of any general disorder in the country or army, as a con

sequence of the more intimate intercourse, which has now been established between the Durbar and Mr. Clerk, as the agent and representative of the British Govern

ment.

29. On the 31st of January, upon receiving the intelligence of the disasters which had happened to our troops in the retreat from Cabul, we thought it proper to issue a brief notification, which we caused also to be officially communicated to the several political residents and agents, expressed in very general terms with regard to the intentions of the Government; but also, in a tone of confidence and firmness, such as is suitable to the power and resources of the British empire in India, and was calculated to allay any impressions of apprehension or mistrust, which might possibly be created by so great a calamity as that which has now been sustained by a portion of the British army. We are happy to state that we have no information, which could lead us to suppose that impressions of this kind have been any where diffused.

30. In our dispatch of the 22nd ultimo, we communicated the grounds upon which it appeared that Sir William Macnaghten had been murdered by Mahomed Akbar Khan. With a letter from Mr. Clerk, of 20th January, your honourable Committee will find the translation of a letter, purporting to be from Mahomed Akbar to a chief near Jellalabad, named Meer Alfyed Khan, which, if it can be assumed as genuine, as there appeared at first to be no reason to doubt that it was, would show that Mahomed Akbar openly avowed and gloried in the horrible outrage. In the letter, however, from Mr. Clerk,

of the 6th instant, and that of Captain Lawrence to his brother, which has been before referred to in this dispatch, there seem to be grounds for at least suspending an opinion upon this point. The entire uncertainty which at present attends the most important circumstances connected with the conduct and purposes of the principal actors in the scenes which have passed, and are passing at Cabul, precludes for the present from forming any clear view, or giving any defined instrcutions in regard to communications with any of those parties. We can, for the moment, do little else than await and watch the development of events and factions; we hope to receive shortly the two letters from Major Pottinger, of which the arrival at Jellalabad has been announced to us. We may, however, state, that it is not our intention on such information as we yet have, to authorise any advances of money to Shah Shooja, for we could have no confidence that such advances would not be employed by individuals who, in his name, exercise real authority at Cabul, in hostility against ourselves.

31. We have to mention that bills upon our treasuries, drawn by Major Pottinger from Cabul, on the 28th of December, the day on which he appears to have made his final arrangement with the hostile chiefs, have been presented, some with, and others without letters of advice, to an amount of about fifteen lacs of rupees. The authorities in the north-western provinces, after giving assurances to the shroffs who hold the bills, that their claims connected with them shall receive a full and just consideration, have referred the question of paying the bills to the

supreme Government. We have stated that such payment must be deferred until a distinct and satisfactory explanation shall be received from Major Pottinger of the circumstances under which they were drawn; and Mr. Clerk has been instructed to endeavour to obtain such explanation without delay.

32. We need not assure your honourable Committee that the painful situation of the officers, families, and European and native soldiers, who are prisoners in Affghanistan, engages our most anxious thought, and that any measures which we can adopt with fair and honourable prospect of advantage for their comfort or release, will be eagerly adopted by us.

33. With respect to the other posts in Affghanistan, it will be seen, that in the letter from Lieutenant Conolly of the 17th of January, it is stated that the garrison of Ghuznee still maintained possession of the citadel, though the town was in the occupation of the enemy.

34. From Kelat-i-Ghilzye we have no direct tidings, but it is believed that no disaster can have have happened to that stronglyfortified post.

35. The latest date of a private letter from Candahar is of the 9th of January, when Major Rawlinson reported that the Prince Sufter-Jung, a son of Shah Sooja, who had at one time been governor of that province, and who had been dispossessed in favour of the Shahsada Timor, had fled from the city, and joined the camp of the insurgents at a place some thirty or forty miles distant.

36. Collision appeared then, to Major Rawlinson, to be unavoidable; and from letters received from

Lieutenant Hammersley, the political Assistant at Quetta, it would appear probable that some engagement had actually occurred, in which the insurgents had been defeated; but the communication between Candahar and Quetta has, for some time, been effectually closed, and we are without any authentic information of events, of which, however, we trust that you may be apprised to a later period, through Bombay.

37. Major-General Nott had under his orders, and concentrated in strength at Candahar, a force of about 8,700 men, with at least eighteen pieces of artillery. This force is believed to be well supplied, and defective only in having but a small body of trustworthy cavalry, and very scanty means of carriage for any distant move

ment.

38. Your honourable Committee is already aware, that upon first hearing of the serious difficulties that threatened our troops at Cabul, we sent instructions to Major Rawlinson and General Nott at Candahar, preparing them, in the event of extreme disaster at Cabul, for the ultimate result of a withdrawal from Affghanistan, with the least possible amount of dis. credit: but so also as to make the union and safety of our troops a paramount object of attention. These instructions, we know, reached Candahar towards the end of December. Upon learning the order given by Major Pottinger and Major-General Elphinstone, for the evacuation of Jellalabad, and assuming that similar orders would also have been issued in regard to Candahar, we stated to the Commander-in-Chief that we did not doubt that Major-General Nott would have rejected the authority VOL. LXXXIV.

of these orders, and we requested his Excellency to instruct the MajorGeneral to act for himself, independently of such orders, upon his own distinct military responsibility.

39. We desired, also, that his Excellency would communicate to Major-General Nott, that it was of the highest importance that he should maintain his position at Candahar, in concentrated strength, until he should receive the further instructions of the Government. This last intimation was made in the same view as that with which we have before said that we looked to the retention, if possible, of the post of Jellalabad, and it was dispatched to the Commander-inChief on the 28th of January.

But having on the 31st of January received information in regard to the actual state of affairs at Candahar, we addressed Major Outram, instructing him to communicate with Major-GeneralNott, and to arrange in concert with Brigadier England; and if the condition of the tracts under his immediate charge should admit of it, for having the disposable part of the troops under the orders of that officer moved above the Bolan Pass as early as possible, in order that if Major-General Nott should decide upon withdrawing from Candahar, the troops in question might be marched forwards to the foot of the Kojuck Pass on the Quetta side, so as to facilitate and support such withdrawal. We have since, on the 10th instant, issued the instructions to Major-General Nott, which your honourable Committee will find in our secretary's letter to him of that date. He has there been distinctly informed that it is our desire that he should act solely so as may best, in his judgment,

2 E

secure the paramount object of the safety of his troops, and may uphold at the same time the honour of the British arms. The Major General will, of course, make to the utmost, every effort in order to relieve also the garrison of Kelat-iGhilzye and that likewise of Ghuznee, should it be in any manner within the compass of his means to give succour to the last named post.

40. We learn that the post of Quetta has also been threatened with attack; but Major Outram writes with confidence of its strength and of the preparations made there, and we have not heard that any enemy has actually approached. Tranquillity has not been interrupted in Beloochistan, or Sinde, and your honourable committee is separately addressed upon details connected with those countries.

42. The Ameer Dost Mahomed Khan, and his family, have been placed under a strict surveillance and restraint at Saharunpore and Loodiana. On the 31st ultimo we

authorised and directed Mr. Clerk, unless he should be confident that the Ameer and his family could be kept in perfectly secure custody at those places, to take measures for sending him and his male relatives to the fortress of Allahabad.

43. If this removal should be carried into effect, it will be accompanied with every reasonable indulgence consistent with safety, and a letter has been addressed by the Governor-General to the Ameer, to be delivered to him if necessary, in which the motives of his removal are stated to him with courtesy and kindness.

44. On our relations with Nepal and Ava, and on the question of the military and financial arrangements which it may be proper at present to adopt, your honourable Committee have been addressed in separate letters.

We have, &c.

AUCKLAND.
W. W. BIRD.
W. CASEMENT.
H. T. PRINSsep.

Fort William, January 31, 1842. Intelligence having been received which leaves no room to doubt that, after the British force at Cabul, had maintained its position against overpowering numbers of insurgents for more than six weeks, the officer commanding had judged it necessary, in consequence of a failure of provisions, to agree to a convention of the enemy, and to retire, in reliance on the faith of that convention, towards Jellalabad, when the troops, exposed to the worst rigours of

cold and privation in the mountain defiles, and harassed by treacherous attacks, suffered extreme disaster,

the Governor-General in Council deems it proper to notify, that the most active measures have been adopted, and will be stedfastly prosecuted, for expediting powerful reinforcements to the Affghan frontier, and for assisting such operations as may be required in that quarter for the mainten ance of the honor and interests of the British Government.

The ample military means at

the disposal of the British Government will be strenuously applied to these objects, so as at once to support external operations, and to ensure efficient protection to its subjects and allies.

A faithless enemy, stained by the foul crime of assassination, has, through a failure of supplies, followed by consummate treachery, been able to overcome a body of British troops, in a country removed, by distance and difficulties of season, from the possibility of

succour. But the Governor-General in Council, while he most deeply laments the loss of the brave officers and men, regards this partial reverse, only as a new occasion for displaying the stability and vigor of the British power, and the admirable spirit and valor of the British Indian army.

By order of the Right Honorable the Governor-General of India in Council, T. H. MADDOCK.

Fort William, February 24, 1842. Sir,The great uncertainty which must attend all speculations formed at a distance from the scene of action on the probable course of events, military and political, with which you will have to deal, precludes the possibility of Government providing, by previous precise instructions, for many contingencies which may arise in your intercourse with parties within Affghanistan. The consideration of many important points may well be deferred till they come before Government with such illustration and suggestions as you, and the political officers acting in concert and under you, may see reason to submit. There are others on which it would be satisfactory to you to be in possession of the general sentiments of Government as to the principles on which it would act, even though it may not be easy to lay down very precise rules for your guidance; and it is to provide you with such general instructions that I am now directed to address you.

2. The Governor-General in

Council has for some days, in order that he might be enabled to prepare these instructions with greater certainty, awaited the receipt of the two despatches from Major Pottinger, the transmission of which was announced in Captain Macgregor's letter of the 24th of January, but these papers have not been received, and his Lordship in Council does not deem it proper to admit of further delay in communicating his views to you.

3. You will of course have been put in possession of the correspondence which has passed between Shah Shooja-ool-Moolk, and Captain Macgregor, and which was communicated to Government by Captain Mackeson in his letter to my address of the 27th ultimo. Captain Macgregor has promised to reply to the Shah's application for pecuniary aid as soon as he may have received the orders of Government on the subject.

4. On this point you will instruct Captain Macgregor to reply to the application, that the British Government, while it is yet dis