212 PHAD0NG. Chap. XXV. 



gathered that their object was to oblige Campbell to accept 

 the Lassoo Kajee as Vakeel, to alter the slavery laws, to 

 draw a new boundary line with Nepal, to institute direct 

 communication between themselves and the Governor- 

 General,* and to engage that there should be no trade or 

 communication between Sikkim and India, except through 

 the Dewan : all of these subjects related to the terms of 

 the original treaty between the Rajah and the Indian 

 government. They told me they had sent these proposals 

 to the government through Dorjiling, f but had received no 

 acknowledgment from the latter place, and they wanted to 

 know the probable result at Calcutta. As the only answer 

 I could give might irritate them, I again declined giving 

 any. Lastly, they assured me that no blame was imputed 

 to myself, that on the contrary I had been travelling under 

 the Rajah's protection, who rejoiced in my success, that I 

 might have visited Yakla pass as I had intended doing, but 

 that preferring to accompany my friend, they had allowed 

 me to do so, and that I might now either join him, or con- 

 tinue to live in my tent s of course I joyfully accepted the 

 former proposal. After being refused permission to send 

 a letter to Dorjiling, except I would write in a character 

 which they could read, I asked if they had anything more 

 to say, and being answered in the negative, I was taken by 



* They were prompted to demand this by an unfortunate oversight that 

 occurred at Calcutta some years before. Vakeels from the Sikkim Durbar repaired 

 to that capital, and though unaccredited by the Governor-General's agent at Dor- 

 jiling, were (in the absence of the Governor-General) received by the president of 

 the council in open Durbar. The effect was of course to reduce the Governor- 

 General's agent at Dorjiling to a cipher. 



t These letters, which concluded with a line stating that Campbell was detained 

 at Tumloong till favourable answers should be received, had arrived at Dorjiling ; 

 but being written in Tibetan, and containing matters into which no one but 

 Campbell could enter, they were laid on one side till his return. The interpreter 

 did not read the last line, which, stated that Dr. Campbell was detained till 

 answers were received, and the fact of our capture and imprisonment therefore 

 remained unknown for several weeks. 



