1841.] On the Mineral resources, fyc. of Northern Afghanistan. 81 



It need not be supposed, however, that because a portion of the people have 

 hitherto been leading this lawless life, that the hope of establishing useful works, 

 even in the secret haunts of these robbers, is by any means impracticable. It 

 must be remembered, likewise, that a revolution has taken place in the country, 

 and that during the last year, the constant political excitement which was kept 

 up, of itself produced much of this evil. Formidable as the state of affairs may seem, 

 the difficulty of uprooting the evil is much more in appearance than in reality. There 

 is indeed a regular system of robbery carried on, which must be systematically dealt 

 with, to be effectually put down. This I believe may be accomplished without le- 

 velling a single fort, ravaging an acre of ground, or spilling one drop of blood. The 

 Ghilzyes of that district, are about the finest race of people I have seen in Afghanis- 

 tan, and the predatory portion, though wild, are far from being intractable. But 

 they have been long living without the pale of the laws, in a country distracted and 

 torn with feuds and dissensions, without any security of property ; the strong ever op- 

 pressing the weak, and have in a great measure been brought by circumstances 

 into this lawless mode of life. Give them, however, but constant employment, with 

 good wages and regular payment; encourage a spirit of industry, both by precept and 

 example ; let strict justice be dealt out to them without respect of persons ; and we shall 

 shortly see their swords changed into ploughshares, industry take place of licentious- 

 ness, and these people be converted into peaceable and useful subjects. A firm, but just 

 and liberal hand, in my opinion, might mould them into any thing. 



During the late disturbances, it was often remarked to me, what a detestable race these 

 Afghans were ; that a man could not stir a few yards from his house or his tent, without 

 the risk of assassination ; and that three times the amount of military force was scarcely 

 sufficient to keep this unruly country in order ; and yet, I have gone with but a few fol- 

 lowers into the midst of them, have wandered amongst the wildest and most desperate 

 characters, often without a sword at my side or a pistol in my belt ; and even during 

 the very crisis alluded to, when I returned to Cabool, I did so entirely in opposition 

 to my own views and inclination, and only in accordance with an express order 

 to that effect. 



Since I commenced this research, I have made a point of living with the people, and 

 I am of opinion, that in any attempt to develop the resources of a country, an acquaint- 

 ance with the character of the inhabitants is a matter of serious consideration. The 

 result of my observations are these : that if we take advantage of the keen commercial 

 spirit of this nation, and direct its energies into the many useful channels which may 

 be opened to them ; if the conciliatory policy be steadily persisted in, all gloomy suspi- 

 cions as to our future intentions removed, and the Afghans become persuaded that we are 

 really their friends; — there is no quarter of the east where British influence will more 

 rapidly take root, and British power be more readily consolidated— whether the nature 

 of the climate, the wide field for European improvement, or the freedom from pre- 

 judice on the part of the people be considered. 



It is not easy to say exactly, what the rate of payment for labour would be in those 

 Rate of payment for la- mountains, when order is completely restored, and a new 

 bour, &c. state of things brought about ; but there can be no doubt of 



this, that it will be moderate.* 



* Osman Khan, who is a considerable landed proprietor himself, and experienced, is of opinion 

 that only one-third of the available land of Afghanistan is under cultivation, 



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