1841.] Despatch from Lieut. H. Bigge, 135 



the men being drowned, and the rest with difficulty saved, the boat 

 being lost. 



Such being the state of the country on the North side, it will be neces- 

 sary to open a better communication, than at present exists towards 

 Mohong Dezooah, and for that purpose, I intend engaging a large number 

 of coolies, if possible, from Tuli Ram Senaputti's country, to construct 

 a regular road from Mohong Dezooah to this part, unless a better site 

 can be shortly discoverved, clearing away the jungle, and if he will agree 

 to it, locating 10 or 15 families of Meekirs, at this place who shall be 

 kept up for the purpose of clearing the roads, &c. for the future. 



Should he agree, I shall further propose, that the revenue of these 

 persons shall be for the present defrayed by government, either by a 

 direct payment to the ryotts themselves, of the amount demandable from 

 them by the Senaputti, or in case of their objecting, a trifle more, or by 

 crediting him that amount from the annual tribute paid by him to govern- 

 ment in ivory. 



Should I be able during my present expedition to reduce the Nagah 

 chiefs to any state of order, it would be desirable further, to try and 

 settle a few of these men in the neighbourhood, on the East bank of 

 the Dhunsiri, allowing them to occupy any lands they choose, exempt 

 entirely from all rent or taxation, until such time as matters shall be so 

 changed, as to seem to call for fresh arrangements; as however this is 

 mere speculation, I shall pursue it no further at present. 



While at Bar Pathor I was visited, on invitation, by the Phokun or 

 chief of the Rengmah tribe of Nagas before mentioned, who complained 

 of the loss he had sustained, together with his tribe, by the abolition of 

 the former establishment of Kutkees, or, I might call them, supercargoes, 

 who were formerly the medium of communication between this race and 

 the merchants, in all their dealings, through whom all orders, and commu- 

 nications to the Nagas passed, begging their restoration, together with 

 the small quantity of lands, &c. which these persons enjoyed as a remu- 

 neration for their services. 



From the short conversation I had with the Phokun, he was anxious 

 not to stay, orf account of some religous festival which commenced 2 days 

 afterwards ; lie stated that the lands and pykes were bestowed on his 

 grandfather and father, for services done in the time of the insurrection 

 of the Muttacks or Moamarriah tribe, in preserving the property,&c. of the 

 then Bor Gohain of Assam ; that he had applied to Mr. Scott, on the sub- 

 ject, at Gowhattee in person, and had received assurance that his claims 

 should be considered as good, but that now the whole lands have been 



