524 Report on the manufacture of Tea, and on the QJune, 



Brought over, . . 1,122 14 



4 Mahouts, at 6 each, 24 



4 Ditto Mates, at 4 each, 16 



Rice for 4 Elephants per month, . . . . . . 18 



4 Sawyers, at 4 each, . . . . . . . . 16 



2 Dak runners, at 3 : 8 : each, 7 



4 Duffadars, at 3 each, 12 



Fixed monthly expenditure in Assam, . . . . 1,215 14 



Cash paid to Chinese families in China, . . . 131 2 6 



Total monthly expenditure, 1,347 6 



or 16,000 a year, not including coolies and other items. It should 

 be remembered that this establishment has been confined to a few 

 tracts as an experiment, and has never been fully worked. The Chinese 

 Green-Tea makers, Canister-makers and Interpreter, have lately been 

 added to the establishment ; their services have not as yet been 

 brought into account. We are just now availing ourselves of them by 

 making Green-Tea ; and as the natives at present placed under them 

 become available, large quantities of excellent Green-Tea will be ma- 

 nufactured. I suppose two Chinamen might qualify twenty-four na- 

 tives for the first process ; the second, as I have already recommended, 

 might be performed in England, which in my humble opinion would 

 effect a great saving, by getting machinery to do the greater part of 

 the work. At all events, it never could be manufactured in Assam 

 without a great expense, and this for want of labourers. However, it 

 is gratifying to see how fast the Chinese acquire the Assamese lan- 

 guage ; for, after they have been a year in the country, they begin to 

 speak sufficiently well for all ordinary purposes, so that an interpreter 

 can very well be dispensed with. Our Chinamen can speak the Assa- 

 mese language much better than the interpreter can the English lan- 

 guage. They are a violent, headstrong, and passionate people, more es- 

 pecially as they are aware we are so much in their power. If the 

 many behave as do the few, a Thannah would be necessary to keep 

 them cool. 



With respect to what are called the Singpho Tea tracts, I am sorry 

 to say we have not been able this year to get a leaf from them, on 

 account of the disturbances that have lately occurred there ; nor do I 

 believe we shall get any next year, unless we establish a post at Nin- 

 grew, which I think is the only effectual way to keep the country 

 quiet, and secure our Tea. The Tea from these tracts is said by the 

 Chinamen to be very fine. Some of the tracts are very extensive, and 



