text:  Whilst therefore we recognize as a policy worthy of an Indian statesman the attempt to raise up a barrier in Affghanistan by way of defensive outwork to India we conceive that all which should have been desired was a barrier against the Affghans themselves by means of guarantees reposing on the structure of the Affghan government and not any barrier against Persia as the agent of Russia; because from the social condition of the Affghans Persia was always sure to raise up barriers against herself in exact proportion as she should attempt to intermeddle with Affghan affairs