1835.] Tea Plant in Upper Assam. 43 



indigenous in our north-eastern frontier provinces ; and taking into 

 consideration the close affinity between the two genera, we were dis- 

 posed to expect, that the alleged tea would prove nothing else but 

 some sort of Camellia. We have at length obtained the fruit of the 

 Sadiya plant from Lieut. Charlton, and we are now enabled to state 

 with certainty, that not only is it a genuine tea, but that no doubt can 

 be entertained of its being the identical tea of China, which is the 

 exclusive source of all the varieties and shades of the tea of commerce. 

 With the view of exhibiting the peculiarities in the structure of the 

 fruit, on which depends entirely the difference between the Tea and 

 Camellia, we have desired our officiating secretary to annex to this 

 letter a sketch of the fruit of both, with explanatorv remarks. 



4. We beg leave most respectfully to submit the preceding facts 

 to the particular consideration of Government, and earnestly to recom- 

 mend, that in the first instance, and as early as may be practicable, 

 one or more scientific gentlemen properly qualified for the investiga- 

 tion may be deputed into Upper Assam for the purpose of collecting 

 on the spot the greatest variety procurable of botanical, geological and 

 other details, which, as preliminary information, are absolutely neces- 

 sary before ulterior measures can be successfully taken with regard to 

 the cultivation of the tea shrub of that country. We also beg to ex- 

 press our opinion, that it would be highly desirable to adopt forth- 

 with the plan suggested in Lieut. Charlton's last letter, of the 5th 

 of November, of establishing a communication with Yunnamby means 

 of a land-road, at least as far as Hookam, since, independent of all 

 other advantages, it would materially facilitate the operations of the 

 scientific deputation, which we have recommended should be sent to 

 Upper Assam with as little delay as possible. 



5. We anticipate that the execution of the recommendations we 

 have made, need not be attended with any considerable expense ; but 

 it appears to us, with reference to the very great importance of the 

 occasion, that the only consideration which should have weight is, that 

 the money which may be required should be faithfully and economically 

 applied to the purposes for which it may be granted. 



We have, &c. 

 Calcutta, Dec. 24, 1834. Signed by the Committee of Tea Culture. 



From Captain F. Jenkins, Agent to the Governor General on the N. E. 



Frontier, to G. J. Gordon, Esq. Secretary of the Committee of Tea 



Culture, dated Gowahatty, 7th May, 1834. 



I regret the delay that has occux-red in acknowledging your circular, 

 dated the 3rd March, to my address : it has been occasioned by un- 

 avoidable circumstances which I have further to regret will prevent 



