1837.] Journal of an Expedition to the Chinese Frontier. 991 



They evidently were embarrassed how to act ; the Kiung Tu'ng 

 Tsaubua had last season sent down a mission to obtain permission 

 for subjects to pass throgh the Zumue territories and trade with us at 

 Maulamyaing ; this officer was well received, and the matter referred 

 to Bankok and he himself detained many months on the plea of their 

 motives being suspected, and eventually sent back with an uncourteous 

 refusal. After this it was doubtful how the court at Bankok might 

 view the present mission. 



More than two-thirds of the inhabitants of Zumue, Labong and 

 Lagon are Talien refugees, or persons from the Burman provinces to 

 the northward, who had either voluntarily settled under the Siamese 

 Shans, having been inveigled to do so by specious promises, which 

 were never kept, or seized and brought away during their former 

 constant incursions into those provinces, chiefly Kiang Tang and 

 Muang Niong. The whole of these are much oppressed and would 

 joyfully avail themselves of any occasion to throw off the Siamese 

 yoke. The authorities are aware of the growing hatred and disgust 

 to their rule, particularly amongst the Kiang Tung and Muang Niong 

 people, and they also well know, that all these people look upon us 

 very favourably, and as their only certain means cf deliverance. 



Their fears and suspicions have been lately much increased by a 

 deserter (and a person of some rank) from one of the Burman towns on 

 the western bank of the Salwen. He has assured them that the king 

 of Ava was bent upon adding Zumue to his kingdom, and that the 

 Kiang Tung Tsaubua had undertaken to effect this with the assistance 

 of his relations in captivity. 



According to the arrangement made with the Chou Raja Wu'n I 

 visited the Tsaubua on the 24th and told him I much regretted that I 

 could not longer delay my departure, and wished to quit the place 

 the next day. He said that I had long patiently waited and as the 

 officers from Lagon and Labong had not arrived, he would take the 

 responsibility on himself and orders should be issued for my being 

 escorted by the road the Chinese caravans came, which was also open 

 to our merchants. I asked whether they had any objection to throw 

 open in like manner the road to China, via Kiang Tung ; this he said 

 Could not be done until the Chou-kona returned. I thanked him for 

 this proof Of friendship towards us, but before taking my leave 

 inquired whether any order had been issued about the tax levied oft 

 cattle sellers, for the ChouRaja. Wu'n had on the 22nd told irie that 

 my propositions had been complied with. To my surprise they now 

 declined to make any alteration until the Chou-kona returned, 

 6 k 2 



