1839.] Capt. Pembertorts Mission to Bootan, 1837-38. 259 



on the plains ; and that a Pillo has no check on himself, that his pro- 

 vince is perhaps remote from the capital, and that he has filled up all 

 his offices with his own relations and friends, it is evident, I think, 

 that the change from governor of a province to that of supreme ruler 

 of the country must be attended with loss of power. Besides, the Deb 

 is only expected to retain office for three years, at the end of which he 

 is expected to retire, provided he be weak enough. 



The present Deb, if indeed he now exists, has no authority out of 

 Punukka, and not too much even in his own palace. He was formerly 

 Tacca Pillo, and this seemed to be the grand source of complaint 

 against him. 



The chief object of the Deb, as is that of all his officers, is to accu- 

 mulate money. The sources of this are plunder, fines, reversion of 

 property to him by death of the owners (and this seems to be carried to 

 a frightful extent), tributes from the Pillos, offerings on accepting office, 

 trading, and the proceeds of lands in the plains ; but this last source 

 cannot yield much, since the occupation of the best part by HerrGovindh. 

 Our Deb, in addition to his usual sources, added another during our 

 visit, by robbing the Dhurma of all his presents. The revenues of the 

 Pillos are derived principally from their Dooars, or territories in the 

 plains, by plunder either of their own subjects, or those of the British 

 government, fines, in short by every possible method. 



Nothing can be said in favour of this many-headed government ; 

 each Deb, each Pillo, each Soobah, -each officer in fact of high or low 

 degree, is obstinately bent on enriching himself at the expense of his 

 subjects or his inferiors ; and their object is to do this as rapidly as 

 possible, as removals are always probable, and are almost sure to 

 depend upon a change of the Deb. There is no security for property, 

 and not much for life, but fines are fortunately deemed more pro- 

 fitable than bloodshed, and, in short, the only safety of the lower 

 orders consists in their extreme poverty. The whole proceedings of 

 this government with the Mission were characterised by utter want 

 of faith, honesty, and consideration. The trickery, intrigue, and false- 

 hood could only be equalled by the supreme ignorance, presumption, 

 and folly exhibited upon every occasion. Procrastination was a trump 

 card in the game they played, mildness of deportment was pretty sure 

 of inducing insolence, and they were only kept in decent order by per- 

 ceiving that you were determined not to be trifled with. 



I am not disposed to assign their behaviour to the nature of the pre- 

 sent temporary government ; it was only natural in an ignorant, very 

 conceited people, who find that they are treated with distinguished 

 consideration by the only power that admits them to an equality. The 



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