1836.] Iging north of the Tenasserim Provinces. 705 



least uncertain. The pith of his story was, that we were all originally descend- 

 ed from Pha-bee, a lady who lived at Ava. Who our other venerable progeni- 

 tor was, he did not know, or how the lady happened to come into the world : 

 however, she had three sons, the elder the father of the Chinese, the second of 

 the Kulas (all people Dot Chinese, Shans, Burmans, or Kayens), and the third 

 of the Kayens. Of the country from which these ancient gentlemen obtained 

 helpmates, he was ignorant. This story was altogether imperfect, and the in- 

 terpreter a wretched one. However, there is a pagoda some days from this to 

 the northward, on which no nation has yet appeared with sufficient power to 

 put the Tee M2 or ornamental covering, on the top ; but there is to be a great 

 feast and gathering of all the nations to take place, which he expects every day 

 to be called to attend, when this will be achieved, and a Nattharnee, or female 

 spirit, will descend, to whom the Chinese, Kulas, and Kayens will each believe 

 their claims equal, and will fight till they are up to the knees in blood. The 

 demi-goddess will then inquire what is the matter. On its being explained, she 

 will end the contest by espousing the chief who can draw her sword : it will 

 then be known which is chief amongst nations, till which time he will not be- 

 lieve that we are much more powerful than the great nations named above, espe- 

 cially the Chinese. The magnificence of my tent and brass-bound bullock 

 trunks had, however, their weight with him. He did me the honor to remain 

 four of the longest hours I have spent amongst many very protracted ones 

 in my present mission. He, however, as an equivalent, promised his protection 

 to traders from Maulamyne and to people (Chinese included) from the northward, 

 but was afraid they would not find provisions, which will be somewhat difficult, 

 even if he has sufficient influence with his savages to prevent their molesting 

 them. Some of our traders from Maulamyne came in to-day (ten) who had gone 

 into the Shan territories subject to Ava to the north-east, where they had dis- 

 posed of their cotton goods to some profit in exchange for horses. They met 

 the Chinese traders who annually visit the town of Mank Maie U3 , (which is only 

 four days' journey from this,) who had expressed a wish to come to Maulamyne, 

 and probably would accompany any of our people who may be there in proper 

 time next year, unless deterred by the terror with which these detestable savages 

 have inspired their neighbours, though I am convinced they are equally despi- 

 cable and detestable. 



" 16th. Several of the head people came out to the tent this morning, and 

 in the evening I went to take leave of the head-man. They were vociferously 

 discussing the propriety of returning a present to the Commissioner. As soon 

 as I could obtain a hearing, I repeated all I had previously said about the 

 traders, and was begged to explain to the traders coming here that they must not 

 take forcibly what did not belong to them ; they promising to do all on their part 

 to protect them if their conduct was correct, but could not be answerable for of- 

 fences beyond their jurisdiction. They would tell them where they might go with 

 safety ; if they went beyond that, it must be at their own responsibility. The 

 discussions were renewed more loudly than before, and I took my departure with 

 a head-ache, partly from the noise, partly from the vile smell of the house. As 

 the grand distinction between the chief and others is his not eating rice, the half 

 of the room was filled with yams, some growing, some putrid and highly offensive 

 After I had returned some time, the old Shan came out and said, the chief wish 



