deep scar down his left cheek, and has a way of winking his right eye, and sometimes both. Although he promised he would immediately return to Caubul, he may have gone on to Candahar, and I see no object to be gained in his being allowed to have intercourse with the Prince. We are strengthening ourselves more and more daily.

The letters from the Shah Soojah to his son, referred to by Major Leech, duly reached Rawlinson, and in the following communication we have his sentiments upon the subject. The letter of the King is an interesting historical document.

SIR,

Candahar, March 14th, 1842.

I do myself the honour to submit copies of translations of two letters, which were yesterday received by Prince Timour, from His Majesty the Shah, at Cabool, and which His Royal Highness, immediately on their arrival, voluntarily placed in my hands.

2. The letter, No. 2, is in His Majesty's own hand-writing, and was concealed about the person of the messenger. We may consider it, therefore, a confidential document, indicating the true state of His Majesty's feelings; and it is thus not a little curious to observe, that while His Majesty insinuates that he has been placed in his present position contrary to his inclination, he still expresses no hope that he may be restored to the independent exercise of his authority by the support of our arms. It appears to me, from a careful perusal of the document, as well as from an examination of the messenger, that His Majesty is under a strong appre

hension of being considered and treated by us as an enemy; and when I connect the reports mentioned by Major Leech, of the nature of the messenger's errand, with the anxiety expressed by His Majesty to see his son at an early period, I am thus led to think it far from impossible that an attempt will be made to remove Prince Timour from Candahar with a view of relieving His Majesty from embarrassment on his son's

account.

3. At the same time Prince Timour himself certainly acts with all apparent sincerity, and if he could be assured that his father would receive a continuance of our support, or even that our hostility to Shah Shuja would not in any way act prejudicially to his own future interests, I should feel pretty confident that he would remain true to us, notwithstanding the present trying circumstances in which he is placed. I have the honour to be,

Translation of a dustkhat from His Majesty Shah Shuja, to His Royal Highness Prince Timour.

Be it known to our noble and well-beloved son, Prince Timour, that a long time has now elapsed since we sent two foot messengers and one horseman to you at Candahar, and yet, up to the present day, we are without any intelligence of your proceedings in that quarter. The people of Cabool raised a religious war against the unbelievers, and, as the Chiefs pledged their allegiance to us with oaths upon the Koran,

we did no attend to the wishes of the others (the English). These people (the Caboolees), were, in the first instance, disinclined to us, but afterwards, as we knew them to be true servants of the State, we conducted ourselves in a becoming manner to them, and they all returned to their allegiance. We are intent upon the general good. We direct you to send instantly, and without delay, for our information, full accounts of your own proceedings and of those of the gentlemen (Sahiban), together with all particulars regarding the province of Candahar. Rest assured of our favour and protection.

Given at Cabool on the 25th Zil Huj.

(True translation.)

Translation of an Autograph Letter from His Majesty Shah Shuja to His Royal Highness Prince Timour.

This is to inform my beloved son, Prince Timour, that I have sent three foot messengers to you,-one of them was stripped and returned-of the others I have no intelligence. I also sent a horseman, but I am still without information of what is going on in that quarter. Here we have had a repetition of those scenes which the people of this place have so often before enacted. I frequently warned those (the English) of what would take place-but they paid no regard to me. Fate had decreed that those scenes, which I had hoped never again to see, should take place. The people of this place sounded a war-cry of Unbelievers and Mussulmans, and got up this revolution. They even withdrew themselves from me, saying, the Shah is with the Euglish ;-they turned themselves altogether away from me. By the blessing of God, I tried a great number of expedients, and spent a large

sum of money. I was engaged from sunset during the whole night, even to sunrise, in swearing oaths to these people upon the blessed Koran, until at last I persuaded them to return to me. They still declared, however, that I would not separate myself from the English. I remarked to themyou yourselves say, what have not the English done for you, what support have they not rendered you?-and then you add-for the love of God, join the Mussulman cause. You have said it yourselves. I am a Mussulman. What of course can the English be to me? They certainly treated me with kindness, and I was a long time a guest of the nation-but what else? This even was unworthy of me-may God shield me from the shame I feel. If, by the blessing of God, I should ever see you again, I will unfold to you the secrets of my heart. It was my fate to act as I have done. The wealth that I had amassed has been entirely expended. money at command I would still, perhaps, bring heart's desire. Alas! that I am destitute. Do not you grieve a better state of things is now in progress. I keep a careful eye upon you. Be happy and contented-we shall still attain the objects of which we have been disappointed. I cannot send you particulars as I could wish, the road is full of danger. Let this be a token that you were sitting with me one evening when I gave you a shawl, and said, I know the character of these men, they have always acted in this manner. There is much to communicate,-if matters should turn out happily, and according to my heart's desire, you will know all very soon. Send back the bearer with an answer speedily— do not delay him.

(True translation.)

If I had about my

(Signed)

Candahar, March 14, 1842.

H. C. RAWLINSON,

Political Agent.

After England had joined him, Nott sent off to the officer commanding at Quettah, desiring him to forward to Candahar all the camels that could possibly be collected, under an escort of 800 men, and to garrison the fort at Killah Abdoollah for one month. On the same day the General directed Colonel Wymer to march to Khelat-i-Ghilzie to bring away the garrison. The force sent with Wymer was considerable, for the General had ascertained that 5,000 Ghilzies had surrounded Khelat, and stout opposition was therefore expected. It was on the 19th of May that Wymer marched to the rescue; but before he could reach

How eagerly Nott seized upon every opportunity of rendering justice to the sepoys is markedly evident in the letter to his daughters of the 22nd of May.

"I have sent a force under Wymer of four infantry regiments, some cavalry, and two batteries of Bombay artillery. There are said to be 6,000 Ghilzies assembled. If Wymer meets them, have I any fears of the result? None! I sit writing here in full confidence that if he is at this moment engaged, my beautiful, my noble regiments will give them a good licking; but they will not face them. I tell you I never saw troops in such high trim, full of zeal, in high spirits-cheerful, laughing dogs. Looking at them the last time I was in the field with them, believe me, I felt the tear of joy and pride dim my eye. And these are the men whom it has become the fashion to reflect upon! that they cannot face the Affghans! Not face the Affghans, indeed! Why, I am now about sending to Government, begging a reward for a Subadar of the 43rd Regiment, who, some time back, at the head of only 40 of these abused sepoys, formed his tiny square, and beat off upwards of 400 Affghan horsemen, though they charged his square three or four different times. This he did, and brought off safely the camels he had in charge, as well as the arms and clothing of his comrades who fell. Yet even the Press whine forth the sepoys cannot