Mss Eur F126/33, ff 88-96

Neat copy of a letter to Thomas George Canning, Earl Canning, Viceroy of India reporting on his efforts to ascertain 'the real effect which has been produced by the visit of the Russian Officers to Herat'.

The letter reports on the rumoured political advances and lavish expenditure made by these officers, and gives Pelly's observations on what he had learned of Mr Khamkoff's expedition from following the same route through the mountains, and from discussions with Sultan Ahmed Khan and others at Herat.

The letter describes the Russian Mission as a commercial and political one under the patronage of the Geographical Society of St. Petersburg and that Mr Khamkoff's instructions appear to have been to survey the territory contained between Shahood, Meshed [Mashhad], Herat, Furrah [Farah], Laush, Sowain, Kerman and Yizd [Yazd]; to attempt to establish commercial and political relations with Sultan Ahmed Khan between Herat and Russia, and also with Dost Mahomed Khan in relation to his territories; to attempt to take up any opportunity for extending the survey eastwards of Herat towards Cabul and Candahar; and to collect scientific information.

The letter goes on to make observations on the significance of the areas surveyed from a Russian perspective in terms of any military attempts to isolate Herat and reach Candahar, and detailing those areas most carefully surveyed as being ones with strategic routes which could easily supply a military force. The letter also records Sultan Ahmed Khan's reaction to Mr Khamkoff's approaches on discovering Russian intentions of extending their influence through Khiva, Bokhara and Turcomania [Turkmenistan] and that Mr Khamkoff had been obliged to depart without any real success; and that he had also received a flat refusal from Dost Mahomed Khan to the proposal. The letter also states that Mr Khamkoff's motives for remaining in Herat over the winter were not clear, but that the fact that the survey party then arrived in key places in the spring, the same time as an army would arrive could be significant in this. The letter also notes that Mr Khamkoff collected scientific facts on archaeological remains and geological and botanical specimens, which were believed to be complete and valuable.

The letter goes on to discuss the rumours relating to the mission's expenditure, which Pelly believes to have been exaggerated as reports of the missions actions and lifestyle did not suggest any excess, and the gift which they gave to the Sirdar was valued by him at 1000 tomans. It also attempts to account for the reasoning behind the Russian mission, which Pelly believe's followed on from Persia's failed attempt to take Herat and their subsequent desire to determine whether they could reach Hindoostan [Hindustan] from Candahar and avoid the plain of Herat; and the suggestion that in entertaining the Russian mission at Herat the Sirdar's intention was to attempt to make the British court their friendship again.

The letter concludes by asking His Lordship what salary he should draw for the period he has been employed on this special duty, and stating that he had drawn an advance on the salary from Bombay in order to cover expenses incurred en route.