CHAPTER V.
1856-1857 Lord Dalhousie's Afghan policy--Treaty with Dost Mahomed -- War with Persia--The advantage of the Amir's friendship -- John Nicholson--'A pillar of strength on the frontier' Towards the close of the year 1856, a rumour reached us that the Amir, Dost Mahomed Khan, was shortly expected to arrive at Peshawar to meet the Chief Commissioner, Sir John Lawrence, who had recently been made a K.C.B.
Before describing the Amir's visit and its results, it seems desirable that I should briefly explain how and why the visit was brought about, and then endeavour to show what an important bearing its results had on the great crisis which occurred so unexpectedly a few months later.
It will be remembered that the murdered Mackeson was succeeded as Commissioner of Peshawar by Herbert Edwardes, one of the most remarkable men that the Indian army has ever produced, and who, as I have already mentioned, entirely concurred in my father's expressed opinion as to the great advantage it would be for the Government of India to enter into more friendly relations with the Ruler of Kabul.
They both held that the constant troubles all along our frontier were in a great measure due to the Amir's hostility, and that such troubles would increase rather than diminish unless we could succeed in establishing an _entente cordiale_ with Dost Mahomed.
In 1854 Edwardes had a correspondence with the Governor-General on the subject, and on one occasion expressed himself as follows: 'My own feeling is, that we have much injured Dost Mahomed, and may very well afford to let by-gones be by-gones.

It would contribute much to the security of this frontier if open relations of goodwill were established at Kabul.

There is a sullenness in our present relations, as if both parties were brooding over the past, and expecting an opportunity in the future.

This keeps up excitement and unrest, and prevents our influence and institutions taking root.

I should be very glad to see a new account opened on the basis of an open treaty of friendship and alliance.' Lord Dalhousie was quite in accord with Edwardes.