This was agreed to; the reinforcements were sent up by degrees, and a second division was formed at Kabul, to the command of which Major-General J. Ross,[*] C.B., was appointed.]

  [Note *:  Now General Sir John Ross, G.C.B.]

[Footnote 2:  As the deportation of Yakub Khan was believed to be one of the chief causes of recent disturbances, and as a powerful party in the country still looked forward to having him back as their Ruler, I was directed to make it clear to his adherents that the ex-Amir would never be allowed to return to Afghanistan, and that his abdication must be, as he himself at the time wished it to be, considered irrevocable.  In support of this decision, I was informed that the unanimous verdict of guilty of murder, recorded against Yakub Khan by Colonel Macgregor’s Commission, was substantially endorsed by the Chief Justice of Calcutta and the Advocate-General; and that, although other authorities who had considered the evidence did not quite go so far as these two high legal functionaries, the general conclusion come to was that, if the Amir did not connive at the massacre of the Mission, he made no attempt whatever to interpose on its behalf, and that his whole conduct on that occasion betrayed a culpable indifference to the fate of Sir Louis Cavagnari and his companions, and a total disregard of the solemn obligation which he had contracted with the British Government.]

[Footnote 3:  I had released the Mustaufi from confinement when the general amnesty was published on the 26th December, and he had subsequently been usefully employed assisting the political officers in revenue matters.  I did not suppose that he had any great love for the British, but he was anxious to see us out of the country, and was wise enough to know that no armed opposition could effect his purpose, and that it could only be accomplished by the establishment of a stable government, under a Ruler that we could accept.]

[Footnote 4:  Now Colonel Sir West Ridgeway, K.C.B.]

[Footnote 5:  Abdur Rahman’s letter is given in the Appendix.] (See Appendix VIII.)

[Footnote 6:  This letter from the Foreign Secretary to Mr. Griffin is given in full in the Appendix. (Appendix IX.)]

* * * * *

CHAPTER LIX. 1880

  Jenkins attacked near Charasia—­Sir Donald Stewart reaches Kabul
  —­Difficulties with Abdur Rahman—­Abdur Rahman proclaimed Amir

Sir Donald Stewart’s division, which, I have mentioned, it had been decided should be sent to Kabul to take part in the pacification of northern Afghanistan, left Kandahar[1] on the 30th March, and was expected to arrive at Ghazni about the 21st April.  On the 16th I received a letter from Sir Donald, dated six days before, asking me to send supplies to meet him.  I, therefore, that same day despatched a small column, under the command of Major General Ross, C.B., with