376 On the U'sbek State of Kokan, ' [Aug. 



Khoten, with the Khan's army; he describes Yarkend as a very beauti- 

 ful large city, much like Bombay, and abounding in dancing girls, 

 musicians, &c. They made slaves of all the Chinese they took prisoners. 



The Chinese viceroy resides at Kashgar ; he is generally a Mant- 

 chu* (Mantchu Tartar) appointed from Pekin, as are tbe governors 

 of Turfan, Auksii, Yarkend, and Khoten ; they are all however subject 

 to the Urgarh Wang, or viceroy. These countries have been subject to 

 China about seventy-five years. The distance from Kashgar to Pekin 

 is estimated as two months' journey of a caravan. All these cities 

 contain a considerable population of Chinese colonists, besides the 

 original Muhammedan inhabitants. 



The Jagathai Turki is principally spoken ; but Mantchu and Chinese 

 are also prevalent. 



On the Commercial Intercourse between Kokan and the 

 neighbouring states. 



Free intercourse is allowed by the Chinese government to subjects 

 of Kokar resorting to Kashgar and the other Muhammedan depen- 

 dencies of that empire, for purposes of commerce. Religious mendicants 

 are also admitted ; this permission is however solely extended to those 

 countries. No one of whatever denomination would be allowed to 

 enter China Proper under any pretence whatever, even in case of an 

 embassy : it is necessary for application to be made to the Viceroy 

 Yunis Wang, at Kashgar, and no one is allowed to proceed until an 

 order be received from Pekin. 



The trade between the two countries is conducted as follows : cara- 

 vans come from Southern China by way of Khoten to Yarkend and 

 thence to Kashgar ; they bring tea glued together, and formed int° 

 the shape and consistency of unbaked bricks ; silk piece goods, satin, 

 porcelain, and various other articles. Tea, however, is the principal ar- 

 ticle of import: its consumption being general throughout Central Asia, 

 where it is made much in the same way as in Europe, excepting that 

 butter or fat is mixed with it. The merchandize is carried chiefly on 

 horses, from thirty to forty bricks of tea form a load for a horse. From 

 Kashgar the U'sbek merchants bring them to Kokan, whence they are 

 exported on camels to Bokhara. The returns are said to be made in 

 shawls, European articles, raw silk, horses, &c. No direct intercourse 

 exists betwixt Kokan and India, owing to the jealousy of the Chinese 

 government. The passage through Tibet to Cashmere, &c. is interdict- 

 ed. Shawls and other Indian articles are brought by the circuitous 

 route of Kabul, Balkh, and Bokhara. 



* Many are Muhammedans. 



