1840.] on the Tenasserim Provinces, fyc. 181 



In the same light the discovery of coal would be considered 

 in Tenasserim. The country densely grown with the finest 

 forest (at Mergui 100 billets of wood 9 feet 6 to 10 inches in 

 circumference, are to be got for9Rs.) the population extremely 

 scanty, in a primitive state, the country without manufactures 

 and without commerce, the discovery of coal is therefore for the 

 present of no use to the country. 



Coal however being indispensable for steam purposes, the 

 discovery of coal becomes highly important to the country 

 indirectly, and to the whole of India directly. 



For steamers navigating the coast, and going from Maulmain 

 to Rangoon, Tavoy, and Mergui, coal is no great benefit. 



Not above a four days voyage in a steamer can be performed 

 with wood ; an eight days trip from Maulmain to Calcutta 

 is impracticable without coal, and the millions of timber trees 

 in Tenasserim could not have contributed any thing to the 

 accomplishment of a steam communication between the different 

 parts of India. 



The accomplishment of the Comprehensive Steam System 

 between the different parts of India and Europe, will in a short 

 time render coal in India a matter of first importance, and 

 Mergui coal, of all hitherto known localities of coal deposits 

 in India, will be the first. 



The peculiar advantages with reference to quality, quantity, 

 and locality, have been pointed out in my previous reports; it 

 is only necessary to add, that the discovery of a new deposit, 

 almost on the banks of the great Tenasserim river, not requiring 

 land carriage (except a distance of 1000 yards) will cause a 

 considerable diminution in the cost of the article, and will 

 cause still larger quantities to be brought to light than previously 

 would have been perhaps the case. 



When Mergui coal is brought into general use, it will exer- 

 cise a great influence over the other coal fields in India. 



The Burdwan coal supply will be limited to the use of 

 steamers on the Ganges and Burhampooter, and in conse- 

 quence, the prices of coal used in inland navigation will 

 rise to make up for the defect caused by the discontinuance 

 of exportation. 



