The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-14
From the Boston Atlas
BRITISH POWER IN INDIA.

We referred, week two since, to the important
consequences that may result, both TO Europe and
this country from the position of the British forces in
Afghanistan. As our readers may not all be fam-
liar with the circumstances that have placed the Br
fish troops at point remote from their Indian pos
sessions, they will not perhaps object part-
cular notice than have heretofore given AS early
1885, Persia having shon indications of those de-
signs against Afghanisan, afterwards put into XXI ecu
ton, Mr. Ellis. an agent Of tho British Government
wrote to Lord Palmerston from Teheran that he
could not, with due regard to the tranquility of In
dia permit the extension of the Persian power in that
directi on the effect would be to bring Russian in
fuence to the very threshold of the BRUSH Empire
The event seemed TO justify the warning of Mr.. Ellis
In Persia the influence of Mr.. M Neill the British
Minister, far declined that common satisfaction
was refused for attack servant ofthe embassy,
and In spite Ut his strongest Inconsistencies the Shah
obeying Russian advice and assisted by Russian off
GERS, proceeded to invest Herat. Mr.. M'Neill then
wrote to England
"lf Herat should fall, and if the treaty between
Persia and the Srdars of Candahar has really been
guaranteed by Russia, and not by Count Simonich
personally Russia becomes by indispuabIe mistress
OF the destines political and commercial of all Cen
trail ASIA for Great Britain having been forced back
to the Indus Khiva and Bokhara must submit if they
ale attacked, while Persia and Afghanstan will al
ready be entirely at her disposal" august i,
1889
In the meantime, Russian emssaries, in every kind
OF disguise, were visiting all the countries of Asia
Balkh, Bokl ara, Cahul Lahore, Calcutta examin-
ing with the greatest care the passes of the Hndoo
Koosh.
Dost Mahomed, then ruler of Cabul, finding that
the English were faithful to their ally Runiee Singh.
and anxious for the maintenance of peace thai
they would not purchase his alliance by allowing him
to attempt 10 recover Peshawur from the Skhs, ad-
dressed letter to the Emperor of Russia in 1886 stat
ing that
The Bril- sh Government exhibited no favorable
opinions towards him and that if his Imperial Ma
Jesy would graciousy be pleased to arrange matters
IN the afghan country, and assist this nation he
would place him (Dosi Mahomed) under obligations
hope your Imperial Majesty will do me the favor
by allowing me to be received like the Persaps I'M
der the protection of the Government of Russia un-
der your Royal protection can perform along with
my Ahghans various praiseworthy services
In answer Dost Mahomed was assured that he
should be assisted against his enemy, Runeet Singh
and that the Russian Government would furnish eve
ry thing wanting. In fulfment of this promise,
soon after Russian agent, M. Vicovich, arrived at
Cabu, and treaty was ultimately signed between
the Sirdars of Candahar and the Shah of Persia qua
ranteed by Count Simonch, the Russian Minister at
Ieheran by which the influence of Russia in the Aft
ghan provinces was made complete as it then was
in Persia.
This movement was at once noticed bv Cantain
Burnes whose death we lately heard Of He wrote
in the following manner to the secret Committee
early in May, 1888. "Wth reference 10 Russia her
proceedings are open to so much remark after Count
Nesserode's disavowals, that presume she must Ell
Their dsavow Captain Vicovich and M Goutte as her
emissaries be made responsible for their proceed
ngs have only again to repeat my most deliberate
conviction, founded much reflection regarding the
passing events in Central ASIA that consequences of
the most serious nature must in the end flow from
them unless the British Government applies prompt
active and decided counteractionn
1t will be seen, therefore, that it was principally
against Russian influence, and the danger threatened
from it, that the well known afghan expedition was
under AIKEN For this it was, that the most daring
expedition in modern times was undertaken and for
while carried through with success almost ncre-
dibe. For this it was, that British cannon and Bri-
fish arms forced their way, in the midst of enemies
and through country supposed mpervious and mac
cessable They feared not the Afghans they feared |
,ot the Persans but they had proof that the policy
If Russia was sufficiently formidable to demand |
'rompt, active, and decided counteracton" But the
question to the nature of that counteraction, and
to the best measures to be adopted for the purpose
quite distinct matter. Was it wise for a mari
me power to select the deserts OF Central Asia for
,e of operations intended to repel the aggres
on Of Russal Was it polite to act belligerent
over mourning all the outlay, and much Of the dan