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Rh espouse the cause of Sháh Shujá, whose popularity in his own country had been clearly proved, and whose power would now be supported 'against foreign interference and factious opposition by a British army.' In accordance with the Tripartite Treaty the integrity of Herát and the independence of the Sind Amírs would be duly guaranteed. As soon as Sháh Shujá 'shall be secured in power, and the independence and integrity of Afghánistán established, the British army will be withdrawn.'

The spirit of truth had little part in the framing of a manifesto which began by stating that Lord Auckland had, 'with the concurrence of the Supreme Council,' ordered the assembling of a British force for service across the Indus. In point of fact the Council had just sent home a formal protest against a measure on which their opinions had never been recorded. Dost Muhammad's 'unprovoked attack upon our ancient ally' may be compared for truthfulness with the wolfs complaint in the fable against the lamb. The accusation must have greatly tickled the bibulous old warrior who had crowned his former winnings from the Afgháns by stealing Pesháwar while the Amír was fighting for his throne at Kandahár. It was British policy which drove the Amír of Kábul to seek elsewhere the help denied him by the Governor-General. The Sháh of Persia had just cause for attacking Herát. Had he succeeded, that city would have been handed over to the Kandahár chiefs, who were ready to hold it for their Bárakzái