From, GENERAL KAUFFMANN to the AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, dated 30th Zekada (=26th November, 1878).

(After compliments.) I was much pleased to receive your letter, dated 24th Zekada, 1295 (=18th November, 1878), and to hear of your good health.  I have also received a copy of the letter which you sent to the Governor-General.  May God be pleased with you.  The British Ministers have given a pledge to our Ambassador in London that they will not interfere with the independence of Afghanistan.  I am directed by His Majesty the Emperor to communicate this news to you, and then, after forming friendship, to go to His Majesty.  I intend to go to the Russian capital after I have arranged the affairs of this country (Turkestan).  As I do not consider it advisable to keep your trusted officials, whom you are in want of, here any more, I send Mahomed Hassan Khan, Kamuah (Deputy-Governor), and Gholam Haidar Khan, with two officers, back to you.  I hope you will consider me a well-wisher of your kingdom, and write to me now and then.  I have given instructions that, until my return, every letter of yours which they receive at Turkestan should be forwarded to the capital.  Your good fortune is a cause of happiness to me, and if any troubles come upon you, I also shall be grieved.  Some presents have been sent by me through Mirza Mahomed Hassan, Kamuah; perhaps they may be accepted.

Translation of a letter from, GENERAL KAUFFMANN to GENERAL VOZGONOFF, dated Zel Hijja, 1295 (=December, 1878).

The Amir knows perfectly well that it is impossible for me to assist him with troops in winter.  Therefore it is necessary that war should not be commenced at this unseasonable time.  If the English, in spite of the Amir’s exertions to avoid the war, commence it, you must then take leave of the Amir and start for Tashkent, because your presence in Afghanistan in winter is useless.  Moreover, at such a juncture as the commencement of war in Afghanistan, you ought to come here and explain the whole thing to me, so that I may communicate it to the Emperor.  This will be of great benefit to Afghanistan and to Russia.

From GENERAL KAUFFMANN to the AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, dated 25th December, 1878 (Russian, 13th Muharram, 1296).

Your letter, dated 27th Zel Hijja (=20th November), 1878, has reached me.  I was pleased to hear tidings of your good health.  The Emperor has caused the British Government to agree to the continuance of Afghan independence.  The English Ministers have promised this.  I earnestly request you not to leave your kingdom.  As far as possible, consider your own interests, and do not lose your independence.  For the present come to terms with the British Government.  If you do not want to go back to Kabul for this purpose, you can write to your son, Mahomed Yakub Khan, to make peace with the English as you may direct him.  Do not leave the soil of Afghanistan at this time, because it will be of benefit to you.  My words are not without truth, because your arrival in Russian territory will make things worse.

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