1863. | Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 175 
Port Blair, giving an account of further intercourse with the natives. 
Mr. Bayley mentioned that intelligence had since been received, 
that the friendly intercourse here reported had been suddenly inter- 
rupted, and an unfortunate conflict had occurred in which a European 
sailor and a number of the Aborigines had been killed. 
_ 4, From Captain Montgomerie a letter on the subject of employ- 
ing properly trained natives to explore countries beyond the British 
frontier. 
The letter was read by Major Walker as follows :— 
Camp Ladak, July 28th, 1862. 
To THE SECRETARY OF THE Asiatic Socipty, CaLcuTta. 
Sir,—lI have now the honor to address you with reference to my 
proposal, for employing natives in the exploration of countries which 
are not as yet accessible to Huropeans. 
I think that for Central Asia, the Mahomedans from our North 
Western frontier are most likely to supply the best recruits. For 
Great Thibet and other countries, it may, from time to time, be found 
expedient to train a different class. 
The observations, &c. to be made by such natives should be as sim- 
ple as possible. The instrumental equipment should be compact and 
not include anything of a complex character. I should propose the 
following as the primary objects of their explorations. 
1st. —The latitudes of important points. 
2nd.—The heights of ditto. 
3rd.—A rough route survey from point to point. 
4th.—An aceount of each march and of each remarkable place vi- 
sited. 
For the above I think the following instruments would be sufficient, 
ve. >— 
Ist.—A sextant and artificial horizon or some instrument adapted 
for taking the altitude of the Polar Star, Sun, &c. 
2nd.—A small boiling thermometer to determine the lreights of 
places. 
8rd.—A pocket compass with clinometer. 
4th.—A good chronometer watch. 
The above skilfully used, and the results honestly recorded, would at 
any rate give us an intelligible idea as to the whole of Eastern Tur- 
kistan. 
