544 Journal of a Visit [Dec. 



II. — Extracts from a Journal kept by Mr. J. Emmott, Master 

 Attendant at Mergui, whilst visiting the Sapan Forests. 

 [Communicated by G. Swinton, Esq. Chief Secretary to Govt.] 



I quitted Mergui on the 22nd August, 1830, and proceeded up the 

 Tenasserim river, with the view to inspect and report upon the forests 

 of Sapan-wood. 



After passing the old city of Tenasserim and numerous islands, 

 sand-banks, rocks, and creeks, the names of which I have noted, and 

 many of which are described, I reached the first sapan forest on the 

 8th September, and continued ascending the river till the 11th, when 

 being taken ill, as also most of the boat's crew, we were obliged to re- 

 turn. 



From that date to the 1st October, I returned to Tenasserim, and 

 then re-ascended the river to the place I quitted on the 1 1th September. 



I find, that there are no less than four ranges of the Tenasserim hills, 

 instead of one, as is marked in all the maps of the country which I 

 have seen. 



From the 2nd October to the 17th, I was employed in examining 

 the forests. 



The forests of Sapan-wood are considerably exhausted ; the wood- 

 cutters no longer meet with it on the banks of the Tenasserim 

 river, but are obliged to proceed about one day's march inland, before 

 they can meet with it in any quantity. Many of them cross the 

 boundary, and obtain it from the Siamese territory. 



August 23rd, 1830. — At one r. m. arrived at the old city of Tenas- 

 serim. It is situated on the bank of the river, and was originally sur- 

 rounded by a brick wall, which is now much dilapidated, and over- 

 grown with jungle. The west side was strengthened by a ditch 

 and breast-works. The town at present consists of two streets, run- 

 ning parallel with each other, east and west. The population amounts 

 to about six hundred souls. A few miles beyond Tenasserim, the banks 

 of the river become steep, with moderate soundings : frequent hills rise 

 on the west, from five hundred to one thousand and three hundred 

 feet high ; in the middle of the river are turtle banks ; along its side 

 are seen extensive Karian and Durian plantations: the maps of this 

 part of the country shew only one range of hills, but four distinct 

 ranges were observed. 



August 26M, 1830. — It is generally reported, that the Karian tribes 

 usually reside on the mountains and hills ; but what I have seen of 

 these people, I find they invariably occupy table land, or the base oi 



