1840.] on the Tenasserim Provinces, fyc. 157 



of the population is employed exclusively with hunting, except a 

 few Siamese, who pursue the elephant and rhinoceros, for the 

 sake of the tusk, and rhinoceros' horns. The new comers 

 therefore could only come in collision with the permanent 

 dweller, that is, the planter. 



Four-fifths of the native planters confine themselves to the 

 production of rice, which is their chief alimentary subsistence. 



The new comer would scarcely begin with this mode of cul- 

 tivation, but would turn his attention to other articles which are 

 more valuable, and procure his rice from the natives. 



The existence of this population of husbandmen is an ad- 

 vantage to emigrants, because they furnish them with food ; 

 and it is an advantage to the natives, who find an increased 

 consumption in the emigrant. Another obstacle occurring in 

 countries already occupied, is the spirit of envy and enmity with 

 which the native population is inspired towards the new 

 comers. This spirit of enmity is to be derived either from 

 the principle of self-preservation, or it is founded on religious 

 prejudice, and national aversion. 



If we judge from experience and inference, nothing is to 

 be apprehended from the natives of these provinces in this 

 respect. 



The Chinese wherever they settled in the provinces, though 

 they over-reached the Burmese in every respect, in a short time 

 were always welcomed and encouraged by them. 



They have no more dislike or aversion to European settlers 

 than to the Chinese. Their religion is eminently tolerant ; and 

 as for national prejudices, they are far from disliking the 

 Europeans, whom they consider rather to be a variety of the 

 human species of a higher order. 



II. The first aim of a colony is to give sustenance to an in- 

 creasing number of people ; as culture and produce increase, a 

 surplus is gained, and the next step will be the endeavour to ex- 

 change the surplus for other commodities. 



The Tenasserim Provinces are eminently well situated for 

 commerce ; their extent of sea-coast amounts to 600 miles ; the 

 formation of the country is that of a narrow strip of inland, from 

 which descend numerous navigable rivers, keeping it connected 



