The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-18 00:00:00

INDIAN AFFAIRS.

BOMBAY, Oct. 14.—Despatches from Mr. P.
Thomson, the British Charge d'Affaires at Teheran,
to the Home Government,have arrived at Bombay,
under a flying seal. Mr. Thomson confirms the re-
port (current during the last four months) of the
capture by a Russian force of Tashkend, a town on
the Upper Jaxartes, a little north of Kokan
and Samarkand. I have also private letters from
an officer at Cashmere to the same effect, and the
report is confirmed at Cabul, and directly by mer-
chan is from Kokan. That Russian forces are
established on the Lower Oxus and Upper
Jaxartes is now an historical fact, as certainly
ascertained as the presence of the Austrians in
Wallachia. Nothing is known regarding the con-
stitution or strength of the Russian forces at Ur-
ghendji or Tashkend ; they are probably composed,
like the greater portion of the army of the Caucasus,
of provincial corps,' merely officered by Russians,
but they are evidently stronger than any force that
either the Khivans or Usbecs have been hitherto
able to bring against them. Kokan is cele-
brated in Indian history as the birth-place and
patrimony of the Emperor Baber. A few
years ago Kokan was invaded by Nusseroolla,
the ferocious Ameer of Bokhara, who took
the capital, put the Khan and all his family to
death, and ' annexed' the country. There our in-
formation stops regarding tho recent history of the
principality, but it has apparently recovered its
independence.
" It is reported, and generally believed, that the
Shahzada of Kokan has arrived at Peshawur to
ask the assistance of the British Government against
the Russians.
The following is the latest news from Cabul, dated
Septersber 10. Major Edwardes' letter is considered
authentic.
"I have already informed you that communications had
passed between Sirdar Mahomed Azeem Khan, the Dost's
son, and the Commissioner of Peshawur, on the subject of
the establishment of friendly relations between the British
Government and D,,st Mahomed, and that Rehmut Khan,
Oorukzaiee of Peshawar, was the medium of these com-
munications. Herewith I send you a copy of a letter ad-
dressed by Rehmut Khan to Sirdar Mahomed Azeem
Khan, enclosing a letter front Major Edwardes to that
Sirdar. Both letters were sent here for the consideration
of the Ameer.
" Translation of a letter from Rehmut Khan at Peshawar
to Sirdar Mahomed Azeem Khan.
"I have received your letter, enclosing one for the Com-
missioner Sahib, to whom I have delivered them both. He
read them attentively, and translated them jute English
literatim (hurfan ba hurfun). He told me verbally that
the Governor-General and the Ameer of Cabul were august
personages ; that he, Major Edwardes, has great esteem
for the Sirdar Mahomed Azeem Khan, and corresponded
with him as a brother and a friend. But it would be
better for the Sirdar to send him a letter from the Ameer,
achlressed direct to the Governor-General. He hoped that
this would load to an amicable understanding. This is
what the Commissioner said to me :
" ' Now you know, Salleba, that the English are reso-
lutely aiding the Turks, and have entered apone.ta =made
(Jahad) against the Russians.' If you will her come
here yourself or send down one of your brothers, w, e shall
speedily be upon good terms with the English. The gun
which you write about shall bo sent shortly.orukzaiee.' "
" REHMUT KHAN, O

---
" Translation of a le ter from Major Edwardes, Com-
missioner of Peshawar, to Sirdar Mahomed Azeem
Khan. Dated July 22d, 1854.
" (After compliments.) Your friendly letter request-
ing me to endeavour to negotiate an alliance between the
respected Ameer your father, and the British Government,
and intimating that you will do your best to see amicable
relations established, reached me through our mutual friend
RehmutKhan,Oorukzaieo. Your communication hasgiven
me infinite satisfaction, and I take pleasure in replying to
it without hesitation or delay.
" You say you are very anxious that there should be
an alliance between the Cabul and the British Govern-
ments. Believe me that my desire for the same is no less
than yours. But this is an affair of States,State of
andt not of
individual friendship. The rulers of the Sa
the
Hindostan and the State of Cabul are respectively
most noble the Governor-General Bahadoor and the re-
spected Amer Sahib. Before the Punjab war a good
understanding existed between the two States, and it was
the Amen himself who interrupted the friendship, joined.
_