Nov. 1849. CONFERENCE WITH DEWAN. 221 



Our coolies were released on the 18th, more than half 

 starved, but the Sirdars were still kept in chains or the 

 stocks : some were sent back to Dorjihng, and the British 

 subjects billetted off amongst the villagers, and variously 

 employed by the Dewan : my lad, Cheytooug, was set 

 to collect the long leaves of a Tupistra, called " Purphiok," 

 which yield a sweet juice, and were chopped up and mixed 

 with tobacco for the Dewan's hookah. 



November 20t//. — The Dewan, we heard this day, 

 ignored all the late proceedings, professing to be enraged 

 with his brother and the Amlah, and refusing to meddle 

 in the matter. This was no doubt a pretence : we had 

 sent repeatedly for an explanation with himself or the 

 Rajah, from which he excused himself on the plea of ill- 

 health, till this day, when he apprized us that he would meet 

 Campbell, and a cotton tent was pitched for the purpose. 



We went about noon, and were received with great 

 politeness and shaking of hands by the Dewan, the young 

 Gangtok Kajee, and the old monk who had been present 

 at my examination at Phadong. Tchebu Lama's brother 

 was also there, as a member of the Amlah, lately taken 

 into favour ; while Tchebu himself acted as interpreter, 

 the Dewan speaking only Tibetan. They all sat cross- 

 legged on a bamboo bench on one side, and we on 

 chairs opposite them : walnuts and sweetmeats were 

 brought ns, and a small present in the Rajah's name, 

 consisting of rice, flour, and butter. 



The Dewan opened the conversation both in this and 

 another conference, which took place on the 22nd, by 

 requesting Campbell to state his reasons for having 

 desired these interviews. Neither he nor the Amlah seemed 

 to have the smallest idea of the nature and consequences of 

 the acts they had committed, and they therefore anxiously 



