From GENERAL KAUFFMANN to the AMIR, dated Tashkent, 8th Zekada, 1295 ( = 22nd October, 1878).

(After compliments.) Be it known to you that your letter, dated 12th Shawal, reached me at Tashkent on the 16th October, i.e., 3rd Zekada, and I understood its contents.  I have telegraphed an abstract of your letter to the address of the Emperor, and have sent the letter itself, as also that addressed to General Stolietoff, by post to Livadia, where the Emperor now is.  I am informed on good authority that the English want to come to terms with you; and, as a friend, I advise you to make peace with them if they offer it.

From GENERAL STOLIETOFF to WAZIR SHAH MAHOMED KHAN, dated 8th October 1878.

First of all, I hope you will be kind enough to give my respects to the Amir.  May God make his life long and increase his wealth!  I shall always remember his royal hospitality.  I am busy day and night in his affairs, and, thank God, my labours have not been without result.  The great Emperor is a true friend of the Amir’s and of Afghanistan, and His Majesty will do whatever he may think necessary.  Of course, you have not forgotten what I told you, that the affairs of kingdoms are like a country which has many mountains, valleys, and rivers.  One who sits on a high mountain can see things well.  By the power and order of God, there is no empire equal to that of our great Emperor.  May God make his life long!  Therefore, whatever our Government advises you, you should give ear to it.  I tell you the truth that our Government is wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.  There are many things which you cannot understand, but our Government understands them well.  It often happens that a thing which is unpleasant at first is regarded as a blessing afterwards.  Now, my kind friend, I inform you that the enemy of your famous religion wants to make peace with you through the Kaisar (Sultan) of Turkey.  Therefore you should look to your brothers who live on the other side of the river.  If God stirs them up, and gives the sword of fight into their hands, then go on, in the name of God (Bismilla), otherwise you should be as a serpent; make peace openly, and in secret prepare for war, and when God reveals His order to you, declare yourself.  It will be well, when the Envoy of your enemy wants to enter the country, if you send an able emissary, possessing the tongue of a serpent and full of deceit, to the enemy’s country, so that he may with sweet words perplex the enemy’s mind, and induce him to give up the intention of fighting with you.

    My kind friend, I entrust you to the protection of God.  May God be
    the protector of the Amir’s kingdom, and may trembling fall upon
    the limbs of your enemies!  Amen.

    Write to me soon, and send the letter to the capital.  Please write
    in Arabic characters, so that I may be able to read your letter.