1836.] 



Tartary and Afghanistan* 



35 



same facility we ascend the Ganges, or greater, as the current in the 

 former river is less rapid than in the latter. Her army will be per- 

 fectly free from all fears regarding the conduct of Persia, where the 

 most trifling circumstance might bring on a rupture with the tribes 

 who care but little for the royal authority, and which no precaution 

 can always prevent. The length of the march would most materially 

 be diminished, and the extent of desert to pass not much increased. 

 One flank of the army will be covered by the double barrier of a great 

 river and considerable desert 3 and the force, which under all circum- 

 stances she must leave at Khiva, would sufficiently protect her against 

 any attempts of Persia, even if she were inclined to oppose the enter- 

 prise ; in fact she would have nothing whatever to do with that king- 

 dom. 



On ascending the Amoo, or Oxus, to the point nearest Balk, a consider- 

 able corps must be established in an entrenched position, and the real 

 land journey commenced, entirely through the countries subject to the 

 Afghans. Their own vast empire, and the parts of Tartary through 

 which they will have passed, abound in camels, horses and other cattle, 

 so no difficulty need be anticipated regarding carriage. Balk is a con- 

 siderable province where provisions would be obtained, and the coun- 

 try between it and Cabul, with the exception of the Hindu Cush, is 

 partially cultivated, and generally travelled by caravans and numerous 

 bodies of people. 



From Balk all the influence Russia may possess in Tartary ceases s 

 and she must either obtain a passage through the territory of the 

 Afghans by treaty, or be prepared to fight her way ; to the last mode 

 of proceeding, there appear difficulties so great, that they might be 

 considered insurmountable, had we not seen Nadir Shah overcome 

 them with apparent ease, and in a short space of time, even when the 

 Afghan monarchy was in its power. The actual state of that country 

 appears to favour such an enterprise. Herat, and the principal part of 

 the great tribe of Dooraney, still adhere to Kamraun Mirza, or any 

 other member of the Soddozye branch, whilst Candahar, and the prin- 

 cipal of the other provinces, are held by Doost Mohamed Khan, chief of 

 the Baurikzyes division of the same tribe (Dooraney). He again, is 

 pressed on his eastern frontier by the Seiks. It appears to me, nego- 

 tiation could hardly fail to gain the assistance of one or other of these 

 chiefs. By the aid of her army the Afghans would probably soon 

 recover all they have lost by their internal dissensions, and it would be 

 equally certain of crushing the opposite faction. So supported, their 

 march to the Indus appears to me, though difficult, not doubtful. 



Informing an opinion of the probable result of the approach of an 

 army, by the route I have mentioned, it is necessary to take into parti- 

 cular consideration, not only the political relations which exist between 



