Our recent rupture with Sher Ali has, in fact, been the means of unmasking and checking a very serious conspiracy against the peace and security of our Indian Empire.
6.

The magnitude of Sher Ali's military preparations is, in my opinion, a fact of peculiar significance.

I have already touched upon this point in a former letter, but I shall perhaps be excused for noticing it again.

Before the outbreak of hostilities last year the Amir had raised and equipped with arms of precision 68 regiments of Infantry and 16 of Cavalry.

The Afghan Artillery amounted to nearly 300 guns.