Gortchacow to Count Brunnow, January 19, 1873

Prince Gortchacow to Count Brunnow.

G.

[Communicated to Earl Granville by Count Brunnow February 5.]

No. 5.]

M. le Comte: Lord Augustus Loftus has communicated to me the reply of Her Britannic Majesty’s principal secretary of state to our dispatch on Central Asia of the 19th of December. I inclose a copy of this document. We see with satisfaction that the English cabinet continues to pursue in those parts the same object as ourselves—that of insuring to them peace and, as far as possible, tranquillity.

The divergence which existed in our views was with regard to the frontiers assigned to the dominions of the Shere Ali. The English cabinet includes within them Badakshan and Wakhan, which, according to our views, enjoyed a certain independence. Considering the difficulty experienced in establishing the facts in all their details in those distant parts; considering the greater facilities which the British government possesses for collecting precise data; and, above all, considering our wish not to give to this question of detail greater importance than is due to it, we do not refuse to accept the line of boundary laid down by England.

We are the more inclined to this act of courtesy as the English government engages to use all its influence with Shere Ali in order to induce him to maintain a peaceful attitude, as well as to insist on his giving up all measures of aggression or further conquest. This influence is indisputable. It is based not only on the material and moral ascendency of England, but also on the subsidies for which Shere Ali is indebted to her. Such being the case, we see in this assurance a real guaranty for the maintenance of peace.

Your excellency will have the goodness to make this declaration to Her Britannic Majesty’s principal secretary of state, and to give him a copy of this dispatch.

We are convinced that Lord Granville will perceive in it a fresh proof of the value which our august master attaches to the maintenance and consolidation of the most friendly relations with the government of Her Majesty Queen Victoria.

Receive, &c.,