Ultimately the Amír, as we all know, was sent back by Lord Auckland's successor to Kábul, without conditions; and Sháh Shujá was left to his fate. Had Lord Auckland profited by the occasion of the Board of Control's despatch to make terms with Dost Muhammad, would not all his aims have been attained?
However, for reasons which it it not necessary here to explain, this course approved itself neither to Lord Auckland nor to his Council. They were unanimous for prolonging the occupation of Kabul. A brief despatch was sent to England to that effect, accompanied by three Minutes. Of these, one was by the Governor-General, one by Mr. Prinsep, and one by Mr. Wilberforce Bird. 'The question came before the Council at the end of March,' says Sir John Kaye in his History; 'either by some negligence, or by some juggle, the opinions of the military members of Council were not obtained. Lord Auckland and the civilians decided in favour of the continuous occupation of the country, though it was certain that it could only be done at the cost of a million and a quarter a year.'
In later years, at least, Sir John Kaye had at his disposal the records of the East India Office; among them the despatch in reply to Sir John Hobhouse, dated March 22, 1841, of which the entire text is as follows: —
'With reference to your Honourable Committee's despatch of December 31 last, on the subject of our position and policy in Afghánistán, we have the honour to forward, for
