1840.] on the Tenasserim Provinces, fyc. 187 



goods of little bulk, such as opium, piece goods, cotton yarn, 

 and bullion, and they could be sent into the interior parts of China 

 in this way more direct than at present, for all articles imported 

 by British vessels must be from the sea ports to the distant in- 

 land provinces of China ; and though it seems at first sight to 

 be a very long journey from Maulmain to China, yet it is a 

 shorter one for the western provinces of Yunan, Mungfan 

 Kahang, and Amdoa, than through Canton ; and several of these, 

 which are unable at present to get these goods at all, could be 

 provided with them in this way. 



If the Chinese import from Burmah now almost nothing but 

 raw cotton of an inferior quality, which is very bulky, how 

 much more would they be inclined to transport the above 

 mentioned articles. 



The Russians set an example in their trade with China ; their 

 communication embraces the longest known commercial over- 

 land road — from Astracan over great part of Siberia, to Kaichta, 

 from whence they have to pass the Duary Mongalian steppes, 

 before they reach the great wall, the entrance to China Proper. 



The distance from Maulmain to the southern parts of China 

 is trifling, compared with the Russo-Chinese road of commerce. 

 The southern parts of Tenasserim are well situated to carry 

 on a commerce with Bankouk. The British intercourse with 

 Siam has been greatly neglected, which is the more to be 

 wondered at, as that country abounds in most precious articles, 

 and its ruler seems to patronize commerce. The treaty concluded 

 with Siam does not preclude British Indian subjects from 

 trading overland ; there has been however hitherto no in- 

 ducement to do so. Mergui would be the place to carry on a 

 trade across the isthmus, which in a straight line does not 

 there exceed eighty miles, thirty at least of which, as far as is 

 known, can be accomplished by water on this side. The 

 country does not present any great difficulties, and a road 

 formerly existed from Tenasserim across the country, which 

 Alompra followed with his army, marching to besiege Bankouk. 

 Should such a road be opened again, it would call into operation 

 the coal mines discovered last year — which are situated on this 

 road, not far from the Siamese frontier, which for the present 



