APPENDIX VII (cont.)

From GENERAL KAUFFMANN to the AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, received at Mazir-i-Sharif on the 17th January, 1879.

I have received your friendly letter, dated 13th Zel Hijja (=8th December, 1878).  In that letter you asked me to send you as many troops as could be got ready.  I have written to you a letter to the effect that the Emperor, on account of your troubles, had communicated with the British Government, and that the Russian Ambassador at London had obtained a promise from the British Ministers to the effect that they would not injure the independence of Afghanistan.  Perhaps you sent your letter before you got mine.  Now, I have heard that you have appointed your son, Mahomed Yakub, as your Regent, and have come out of Kabul with some troops.  I have received an order from the Emperor to the effect that it is impossible to assist you with troops now.  I hope you will be fortunate.  It all depends on the decree of God.  Believe me, that the friendship which I made with you will be perpetual.  It is necessary to send back General Vozgonoff and his companions.  You can keep Dr. Yuralski with you if you please.  No doubt the doctor will be of use to you and to your dependents.  I hope our friendship will continue to be strengthened, and that intercourse will be carried on between us.

From GENERAL KAUFFMANN to the AMIR SHER ALI, dated 29th December, 1878 (=17th Muharram, 1296).

(After compliments.) The Foreign Minister, General Gortchakoff, has informed me by telegraph that the Emperor has directed me to trouble you to come to Tashkent for the present.  I therefore communicate this news to you with great pleasure; at the same time, I may mention that I have received no instructions about your journey to St. Petersburg.  My personal interview with you will increase our friendship greatly.

    Translation of a letter from MAJOR-GENERAL IVANOFF, Governor of
    Zarafshan, to the Heir-Apparent, MAHOMED MUSA KHAN, and others.

On the 26th of Rabi-ul-Awul, at an auspicious moment, I received your letter which you sent me, and understood its contents.  I was very much pleased, and at once communicated it to General Kauffmann, the Governor-General.  With regard to what you wrote about the friendly relations between the Russian and Afghan Governments, and your own desire for friendship, I have the honour to state that we are also desirous of being friends.  The friendship between the two Governments existed in the time of the late Amir, and I hope that it will be increased and strengthened by Amir Mahomed Yakub Khan.

May God change the wars in your country to happiness; may peace reign in it; and may your Government be strengthened!  I have been forwarding all your letters to the Governor-General, General Kauffmann.  May God keep you safe!

    The Zarafshan Province Governor, MAJOR-GENERAL IVANOFF.