Among the Afghan papers submitted to Parliament, is the celebrated
letter from the Ameer received on October 19th, which was demi-officially reported to be so insulting. It is a whine, not an insult. The Ameer complains that before he had received the Viceroy's friendly letter by Gholam Hussein Khan, he had re- ceived another about a Mission, written threateningly, while other letters, written to subordinates, had been laid before him. "None of them have been free from harsh expressions and hard words, repugnant to courtesy and politeness, and in tone contrary to the ways of friendship and intercourse." In his afflicted position (his son Abdoolla being just dead), "patience and silence would have been specially becoming." "Let your Excellency take into consideration this harsh and breathless haste with which the desired object and place of conference have been seized upon, and how the officials of the Government have been led into discussion and subjection to reproach. There is some difference between this and the pure road of friendship and goodwill." The Ameer contends that his officials have shown na enmity to the British Government, nor do they desire with any other Power enmity or strife ; but "when any other Power, without cause or reason, shows enmity towards this Government, the matter is left in the hands of God, and to his will." "I will do nothing, if you bully me,"—that is the worst meaning which can be placed upon the letter, which has been used exactly as the fancied insult to Benedetti was used, to stir up war.
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