It was under a high and chivalrous sense of duty to his government that Colonel Stoddart continued to face the dangers of his position at Bokhara, after he might have escaped from them; and it was under an equally strong sense of duty that Captain Conolly made his way to the inhospitable city. To describe them officially as “innocent travellers,” was clearly a misapplication of language; and yet, when on the famous 1st of October, 1842, Lord Ellenborough addressed the following letter to the Ameer of Bokhara, he so described them both:
Simlah, October 1st, 1842.
A. C.
The Queen of England, my royal mistress, has sanctioned my coming to India, to conduct its government, and direct its armies.
On my arrival, I found that great disasters had befallen those armies, and much injury had been inflicted on my countrymen and the people of India by the treacherous Afghans, under Mahomed Akbar Khan.
In forty days from the time when I directed to British armies, reinforced from India, to move forward, three great victories have been gained over the Afghans; the city and citadel of Ghuznee have been destroyed, and now the Balla Hissar of Caubul is in my power.
Thus, by God’s aid, have I afflicted with merited punishment the murderers of their own king and of a British minister. In this I have avenged the cause of all sovereigns and of all nations.
The wife and family of Mahomed Akbar Khan are prisoners, and my soldiers are now conducting them to the sea.
Thus are the wicked punished, even in their wives and families.
I hear that you, too, have gained great successes, at which I rejoice, if you had just ground of complaint against your enemy.