412 The Question of British Trade with Western China. [No. 4 



The Kakhyens above alluded to are a portion of the vast horde of 

 Singphos that inhabit the mountainous districts of Northern Assam 

 and stretch round the North of Burmah into Western China. These 

 extend not only all along the Northern frontiers, but dip down South- 

 ward wherever the mountain ranges lead them, even to half way 

 between Bammo and the capital. They have ousted many Shan 

 tribes, particularly " Paloungs," from the hill districts, and wherever 

 they appear, they assume the same character of lords of all they can 

 reach, and are only to be appeased by some form of black mail. In 

 proportion as their locations are within reach of Burman troops, the 

 chiefs acknowledge themselves vassals of the Burmese king. How 

 strong the tie was even in vigorous Tharrawaddy's time, may be judged 

 of from an anecdote. One of the chiefs of the hills north of Shoaygoo 

 was honoured with special dignity by that king whose golden foot he 

 had worshipped at the capital itself ; but having some few years after- 

 wards incurred the displeasure of the Burman ministers, they ordered 

 the local governor to call him, take away his chieftainship and give it 

 to another. The chief came to Shoaygoo, but on hearing why he had 

 been sent for, spat on the ground, saying : " When I take that 

 spittle again into my mouth, the king may take back the rank he 

 gave me," and returned to his hills and to his Tsaubwaship, ruling 

 with increased, rather than diminished prestige. 



The tie is at present still more slender. The Kakhyens, as the 

 Burmese call these " Singphos" levy black mail even to within six 

 miles of Bammo, the seat of a Burman governor of the rank of a 

 Woongyee. They inspire such terror, that in the neighbouring plains, 

 no Burman nor Shan will venture alone, or even in company, unarmed 

 along the roads within their reach. 



The communities I have now to remark on, inhabiting the range of 

 hills between the Bammo and Momeit valley, and the plains and 

 valleys of the eight Shan States, are identical in race and language 

 with the Singphos of Assam. They belong to various tribes; 

 they obey no common authority, but are divided into numerous 

 little clans, each with its own chief, and each perfectly independent of 

 the others. Some of these chiefs rule a country of a thousand families, 

 others but a few score. They are frequently at feud with one another, 

 and are habitually ready for strife. Their people invariably carry arms, 

 and have among them great numbers of matchlocks of Chinese and 

 their own manufacture. 



