The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-12-25 00:00:00

WAR WITH PERSIA!

We are indebted to the kindness of Mr. Court, of
the Underwriters' Rooms, for the following important
information from the Presidency of Bombay, announ•
cing the declaration of war against Persia :
Despatches have been received at the India House,
via Malta, from Bombay, to the Ist November. Very
few private letters were forwarded. A letter from
Malta, by this conveyance, states that a declaration
of war against Persia was received in Bombay on the
24th October. The troops were to leave Bombay on
the 15th November, under the command of Sir John
Keane, and would meet the Bengal army under the
command of Sir H. Fane, at Shakapoor, and Sir H.
Pane would then take the command of the whole.
Their des:nation was Caboul, the ex-King of which
country would be reinstated on the throne by the Bri-
tish. Dhoust Mahomet, the usurper of the Caboul
throne, had joined Persia. Runjeet Singh would co-
operate with the British. The siege of Herat still
continued, and the Herattees held out most gallantly.
An .(Iditional force of from 6 to 8,000 men would
leave Bombay for the Persian Gulf, to join the British
forces already there.

When we inserted the above article of intelligence
we felt perfectly satisfied of its correctness, for which
we considered the respectability of the source whence
it was derived to be a sufficient guarantee.

On Saturday, however, the editors of the Liverpool
Journal and the Manchester Guardian took occasion,
in terms nearly identical, to question the authenticity
of the extract which we have given above. The Jour-
nal couches its caution in terms not very compliment-
ary to Mr. Court, almost taking it for granted that
either he or his informant must have neglected to look
at the date of the letter from which the extract was
made.

However, the above intelligence, against receiving
which the Manch; Guardian, (perpetrating a punupon
itself) " puts the public on their guard," is proved, by
subsequent accounts, to be substantially correct. The
only difficulty about the matter seems to arise from
the circumstance that the news of the raising the siege
of Herat had not reached Bengal at the date of the
last advices from that presidency. When this circum-
stance is taken into consideration there appears to be
no difficulty or discrepancy whatever in the case.
We have felt called upon to say thus much in vindi-
cation of ourselves against an implied charge of fa-
brication, and to show that it is possible for informa-
tion of the highest importance to find its way from
London into the columns of the LIVERPOOL STANDARD
antecedently to its appearance in the London jour-
nals. The news which we gave on Friday appeared
at length in the London papers of Saturday last. This
is not the first time that we have had to acknowlege
our obligations to Mr. Court for enabling us to fore-
stal our metropolitan contemporaries in articles of
news.

We find, in the Times of Saturday last the following
introductory remarks, prefixed to the official document
conveying the intelligence which we gave in our se-
cond edition on Friday :—" We annex a document of
the highest political importance, which has been re-
ceived from India, being the declaration by the Go-
vernor-General of the grounds on which the expedi-
tion to the frontier of Persia has been undertaken,
and an exposition of our relations with the native
princes in that part of India. At the time it was is-
sued it was not known in Bengal that the siege Of
Herat had been raised, but we are now informed,
which makes the event of infinitely greater conse-
quence to us than was at first imagined, that the chiefs
of Candahar have avowed their adherence to the Per-
sian policy, with the " full knowledge of its opposition
to the rights and interests of the British- nation in
India," and that they have openly assisted in the oper-
ations before Herat. Had the place then fallen before
the power of the Sella!), the means of further advance
were immediately open to him, through the friendship
and do-operation of these chiefs. With Runjeet Singh
a treaty of alliance is stated to have been conelndec!,
to which Schalt.Sopja, the exiled prince-of :Cabnl,
is
made party, and with the aid of tiTio-trifilo. 8111343°

the security of that part of India against hostile inva-
sion is presumed to be complete. Russia is adverted

to in an obscure manner only, and not named in this
Indian manifesto. 'The direct cognizance of her de-
signs is judiciously left to the authorities at home
The following is the document in question :
(From the Delhi Gazette Extraordinary, Oct_ 11, 1838)

"The Right Hon. the Governor-GeneYal of India having,
with the concurrence of the Supreme Council, directed the
assemblage of a British force for service across the Indus,
his Lordship deems it proper to publish the following expo-
sition of reasons which have led to this important measure.
" It is a matter of notoriety that the treaties entered into
by the British Government in the year 1832 with the Ameers
of Sinde, the Nawab of Bhowulpore, and Maharajah Run-
jeet Singh, had for their object, by opening the navigation
of the Indus, to facilitate the extension of commerce, and to
gain for the British nation in central Asia that legitimate in-
fluence which an interchange of benefits would naturally
produce.
"With a view to invite the aid of the de facto rulers of Af-
ghanistan to the measures necessary for giving full effect to
those treaties, Captain Burnes was deputed, towards the close
of the year 1836, on a mission to Dust Mahommed Khan,
the chief of Cabul; the original object of that officer's mis-
sion was, purely of a commercial nature. 'Whilst Captain
Burnes, however, was on his journey to Cabul, information
was received by the Governor-General that the troops of
Dost Maborned Khan had made a sudden and unprovoked
attack on those of our ancient ally, Maharajah Itunjeet Singh.
It was naturally to be supposed that his Highness the Maha-
rajah would not be slow to avenge this aggression, and it
was to be feared that the flames of war being once kindled
in the very regions into which we were endeavouring to ex-
tend our commerce, the peaceful and beneficial purposes of
the British Government would be altogether frustrated. In
order to avert an act so calamitous, the Governor-General
resolved on authorising Captain Burnes to intimate to Dost
Mahomed Khan, that if he should evince a disposition to
come to just and reasonable terms with the Maharajah, his
Lordship would exert his good offices with his Highness for
the restoration of an amicable understanding between the
two Powers. The Maharajah, with the characteristic confi-
dence which he has uniformly placed in the faith and friend-
ship of the British nation, at once assented to the proposition
of the Governor-General, to the effect that in the mean time
hostilities on his part should be suspended.
`• It subsequently came to the knowledge of the Governor-
General that a Persian army was besieging Herat; that in-
trigues were actively prosecuted throughout Afghanistan, for
the purpose of extending Persian influence and authority to
the banks of, and even beyond, the Indus; and that the
Court of Persia had not only commenced a course of injury
and insult to the officers of her Majesty's mission in the Per-
sian territory, but had afforded evidence of being engaged in
designs wholly at variance with the principles and objects of
its alliance with Great Britain.

"After much time spent by Captain Burnes in fruitless
negociation at Cabul, it appeared that Rost Mahomed Khan,
chiefly in consequence of his reliance upon Persian encou-
ragement and assistance, persisted, as respected his misun•
derstanding with the Sikhs, in urging the most unreasonable
pretensions, such as the Governor-General could not, con-
sistently with justice and his regard for the friendship of
Maharajah Runjeet Singh, be the channel of submitting to
the consideration of his Highness; that he avowed schemes
of aggrandizement and ambition injurious to the security
and peace of the frontiers of India; and that he openly
threatened, in furtherance of those schemes, to call in every
foreign aid which he could command. Ultimately he gave
his undisguised support to the Persian designs in Afghanis-
tan, of the unfriendly and injurious character of which, as
concerned the British power in India, he was well apprised;
and, by his utter disregard of the views and interests of the
British Government, compelled Captain Burnes to leave
Cebu! without having effected any of the objects of his mis-
sion.

" It was now evident that no further interference could be
exercised by the British Government to bring about a good
understanding between the Sikh ruler and Dust Mahomed
Khan; and the hostile policy of the latter chief showed too
plainly, that so long as Cabul remained under his govern-
ment, we could never hope that the tranquillity of our neigh-
bourhood would be secured, or that the interests °four Indian
empire would be preserved inviolate.
"The Governor-General deems it in this place necessary
to revert to the siege of Herat and the conduct of the Persian
nation. The siege of that city has now been carried on by
the Persian army for many months. The attack upon it was
a hp at unjustifiable and cruel aggression, perpetrated and
continued notwithstanding the solemn and repeated remon-
strances of the British envoy at the court of Persia, and after
every just and becoming offer of accommodation had been
made and rejected. The besieged have behaved with gal.
lantry and fortitude worthy of the justice of their cause,
and the Governor-General would yet indulge the hope that
their heroism may enable them to main a successful defence
until succours shall reach them from British India. In the
meantime, the ulterior designs of Persia, affecting the in-
terests of the British government, have been, by a succession
of events, more and more openly manifested. The Governor-
General has recently ascertained, by an official despatch
from Mr. M`Niel, her Majesty's envoy, that his excellency
has been compelled, by the refusal of his just demands, and
by a systematic course of disrespect adopted towards him by
the Persian Government, to quit the Court of the Schab, and
to make a public declaration of the cessation of all intercourse
between the two governments. The necessity under which
Great Britain is placed, of regarding the present advance of
the Persian arms into Afghanistan as an act of hostility
towards herself, has also been officially communicated to the
Schah, under the express order of her Majesty's government.
" The Chiefs of Candahar (brothers of bost Mahomed
Khan, of Cabal,) have avowed their adherence to the Persian
policy, with the same full knowledge of its opposition to the
rights and interests of the British nation in India, and to
have been openly assisting in the operations against Herat.
" In the crisis of affairs consequent upon the retirement of
our Envoy from Cabul, the Governor-General felt the im-
portance of taking immediate measures for arresting the rapid
progress of foreign intrigue and aggression towards our own
territories. .

" His attention was naturally drawn at this conjuncture to
the position and claims of Schah Sooja-001-Moolk, a Monarch
who, when in power, had cordially acceded to the measures
of united resistance to external enmity which were at that
time judged necessary by the British Government, and who,
on his empire being usurped by its present rulers, had found
an honourable asylum in the British dominions.
"It bad clearly been ascertained from the information fur-
nished- by the various officers who have visited Afghanistan,
that the Barukzve chiefs, front their disunion and unpopu-
larity, were ill fitted, under any circumstances, to be useful
allies to the British government, and to aid us in our just and
necessary measures of national defence. Yet so long as they
refrained from proceedings injurious to our interests and se-
curity, the British government acknowledged and respected
their authority. But a different policy appeared to be now
more than justified by the conduct of those chiefs, and to be
indispensable to our own safety. The welfare of our posses-
sions in the East requires that we should have on our western
frontier an ally who is interested in resisting aggression and
establishing tranquillity, in the place of chiefs ranging them-
selves in subservience to a hostile Power, and seeking to pro-
mote schemes of conquest and aggrandisement.
"After a serious and mature deliberation, the Governor-
General was satisfied that pressing necessity, as well as every
consideration of policy and justice, warranted us in espousing
the cause of Schah Sooja-001-Moolk, whose popularity
throughout Afghanistan had been proved to his Lordship
by the strong and unanimous testimony of the best authori-
ties. Having arrived at this determination, the Governor-
General was further of opinion that it was just and proper, no
less from the position of Maharajah Hunjeet Singh, than from
his undeviating friendship towards the British government,
that his Highness should have the offer of becoming a party
to the contemplated operations. Mr. Macnaghten was ac-
cordingly deputed in June last to the Court of his Highness,
and the result of his mission has been the conclusion of a tri-
partite treaty by the British government, the Maharajah, and
Schap Sooja-001-Moolk, whereby his Highness is guaranteed
in his present possessions, and has bound himself to co-
operate for the restoration of the Schah to the throne of his
ancestors. The friends and enemies of any of the contract-
ing parties have been declared to he the friends and enemies
of all. Various points have been adjusted, which had been the
subject of discussion between the British government and his
Highness the Maharajah, the identity of whose interests with
those of the Hon. Company has now been made apparent to ail
the surrounding States. A guaranteed independence will,upon
favourable conditions, be tendered to the Ameers of Sinde;
and the integrity of Herat, in the possession of its present
ruler, will be fully respected; whilst by the measures com-
pleted, or in progress, it may reasonably be hoped that the
general freedom and security of commerce will be promoted;
that the name and just influence of the British Government
will gain their proper footing among the nations of central
Asia; that tranquillity will be established upon the most int-
poitant frontier of India, and that a lasting barrier will be
raised against hostile intrigue and encroachment.
" His Majesty Schub Soojah-001-Moolk will enter Afghan-
istan surrounded by his own troops, and will be supported
against foreign interference and factious oppositio❑ by a
British army. The Governor-General confidently hopes
that the Schuh will be speedily re-placed on his throne by his
own subjects and adherents, and when once he shall be se-
cured in power, and the independence and integrity of Af-
ghanistan established, the British army will be withdrawn.
The Governor-General has been led to these measures by
the duty which is imposed on him of providing for the secu-
rity of the British Crown ; but he rejoices that in the dis-
charge of his duty he will be enabled to assist in restoring
the union and prosperity of the Afghan people. Throughout
the approaching operations British influence will be sedu-
lously employed to further every measure of general benefit,
to reconcile differences, to secure oblivion of injuries, and to
put an end to the distinctions by which for so many years
the welfareand happiness of the Afghans have been impaired.
Even to the chiefs whose hostile proceedings have given just
cause of offence to the British Government it will seek to se-
cure iiheral and honourable treatment, on their tendering
early submission, and ceasing front opposition to that course
of measures which may be judged the most suitable for the
general advantage of their country.
"By order of the Bight Hon. the Governor-General of
India "W. H. MACNAGHTEN,
"Secretary to the Government of India,
with the Goyernor-General."
"NOTIFICATION.

"With reference to the preceding declaration the follow-
ing appointments are made:—
"Mr. W. H. Macnaghten, secretary to government, will
assume the functions of Envoy and Minister on the part of
the government of India at the Court of Schah Sooja-00l-
Moolk; Mr. Macnaghten will be assisted by the following
officers :
"Captain Alexander Burnes, of the Bombay establish-
ment, who will he employed, under Mr. Macuagliten's direc-
tion, as Envoy to the Chief of Kelet or other states.
" Lieutenant E. D'Arcy Todd, of the Bengal Artillery, to
he political assistant and military secretary to the Envoy and
Minister.

"Lieutenant Eldred Pottinger, of the Bombay Artillery,
Lieutenant R. Leech, of the Bombay Engineers, Mr. P. B.
Lord, of the Bombay Medical Establishment, to be political
assistants to ditto.
" Lieutenant E. R. Conolly, of the 6th Regiment Bengal
Cavalry, to command the escort of the Envoy and Ministet,
and to be military assistant to ditto, ditto.
"Mr. G. J. Berwick, of the Bengal Medical establishment,
to be surgeon to ditto, ditto.
"W. H. MACNAGHTEN,
"Secretary to the Government of India,
with the Governor General."
•
In addition to the above able document, which
scarcely admits of abridgment, we find in the Standard
of Saturday, the following extracts, furnished by the
editor of the United Service Journal:—
(From the Bombay Gazette of Oct. 15.)

The Aura Pc War of the -4lth inst. Mentions, as the latest
intelligence connected with the• expedition to Cabool, that
our division of the force for foreign service will proceed up
the Indus under Sir John Keane, and join the Bengal troops
at Shikarpoor. The utmost harmony is said to prevail at
present between the Governor General and Sir Henry Fane,
but its continuance cannot long be depended upon, from the
diversity of their tempers, the one being represented as rather
obstinate, the other a leetle hasty in his decisions, as well as
hot in his temper. The army when assembled will proceed
in two columns through Beloochistan and Candahar, but its
final destination is yet unknown, and, as it is supposed, will
depend upon the next dispatches from home. The whole
. force, however, regular and irregular, are to be at Feroze-
pore on the Sutledge by the 27th proximo, from %%hence his
lordship proceeds to Lahore to meet ltunjeet Singh. After
this meeting, the Commander.in-Chiel will review all the
troops ititenited for the expedition into Afghanistan. Her
Uokeito mth- Light infotry drt3 ordopq 404 for snort
tiatti dut.y, .

The price of provisions had considerably risen in the north-
western provinces, in consequence of the exertions of the
Commissariat, in collecting supplies i❑ a country in which a
scarcity of grain had previously existed. Subordinates have
been sent into the Punjub to raise 1000 camels fur the public
service. From the same authority we learn that considerable
disaffection exists upon the north-western frontier; and many
natives, impressed with an idea front seeing the removal of
the several battalions, that the Feringees are about to quit
the country altogether, seemed prepared for any outbreak.
The British resident up to the 191 h ult. had not left Kat-
mandhoo, and was on the most friendly terms with the
Nepaulese government. An army of observation under the
command of General Oglander is about to be stationed on
the 'farce frontier, and Kummon placed in a state of complete
defence.

(From the Bombay Gazette of Oct. 19.)
We learn upon good authority that a force of 6000 men
will be dispatched to the south of Persia so soon as the ne-
cessary materiel can be collected, but the regiments likely to
be sent from Bombay are not yet known. Ail her Majesty's
vessels of war in India are ordered here, and the Ceylon go-
vernments have received instructions to furnish two regiments
of European infantry and a large detachment of Ceylon
Rifles to aid in the approaching contest. The object of this
expedition will be to press upon the rear of the Persian army
so as to compel them to withdraw from before Herat. Those
skilled in the secrets of diplomacy say that Timour Meerza
will be proclaimed King of Persia should such a measure be
found expedient:

(From the Bombay Gazette of' Oct. 22 )
On Saturday last a snake-boat, to be manned w►th 28 oars,
was finished in the Fort Duck-yard. She is 80 feet in length,
and has a cabin beautifully decorated and fitted up with yellow
damask and silver. Her external ornaments are composed
of greets and gold. She is intended as a present from the
British government to Runjeet Sing, and was open for the
inspection of the curious on Saturday, when she was visited
by the Governor and his family.

(From the Bombay Gazette of Oct. 29.)
We understand that the greater part, if not all, of the troops
destined for service in Affghanistan, from this presidency,
will commence moving on the 15th ►nst. The commander-
in-chief, it is expected, will take his departure early next
month. We suppose he will proceed in a steamer, if one can
be available at the time, probably in the Atalanta, which
vessel may be expected about the 12th.

(From the Bombay Gazelle of Oct. 31.)
We have reason to believe that the following is a correct
list of appointments in the Sinde Army, which will appear
immediately in orders.