1837.] Journal of an Expedition to the Chinese Frontier, 995 



The Chinese bringdown copper pots, silks, &c. and return with cot- 

 ton and tea. Many make two trips in the year, the second time they bring 

 down rock salt from the neighbourhood of Esnuk (or Muang La of the 

 Shans). I met a great many very respectable merchants, (some of them 

 residing within the palace enclosure, for the Tsaubua and all trade here) 

 all most anxious to visit Maulamyaing. I gave them every encourage- 

 ment to do so, as well as every information they required. But they, 

 like the others, only wish to travel by the Kiang Tung road. 



There is a great demand throughout this province for English goods. 

 Our merchants sold their things at a handsome profit, the market being 

 at present wholly dependent on Ava : many difficulties appear to exist 

 to the trade from Maulamyaing through the Red Karean country and 

 the Burman territories along the Salween. There was a slight attempt 

 made, though in a very friendly way, to delay my departure until 

 instructions could be received from Moue ; however, finding* I was bent 

 on going on without delay, the point was given up and the Tsaubua 

 made an excuse for not having me escorted in a way he could wish, 

 for if he sent an officer of rank with me, umbrage might be taken at 

 Ava. I was surprised that no decided objection was made to my 

 going on, knowing how jealous the Burmese authorities are of any 

 communication with their Shan provinces, and more particularly a3 the 

 Tsuthe or officer stationed in all these states to look after the Burman 

 interest, was absent at Moue where an officer of rank is placed by 

 the government, to whom all the tributary Shan states are obliged to 

 report the most trivial occurrence. 



The merchants who accompanied me hearing of the unsettled state 

 of the country above, and meeting with a good market where they were, 

 decided on remaining. They were promised every encouragement 

 and assistance, and were at perfect liberty to go when they pleased. 

 It was agreed that no duty should be levied on any thing exported or 

 imported by them, but of course a few trifling presents will be expect- 

 ed as is customary amongst the Burmans. 



My elephants being unable to proceed and the road being over 

 mountains and no forage procurable on them, I provided myself with 

 ponies and quitted Kiang Tung on the 1st of March, and after passing 

 through many large villages and some towns the residence of petty 

 Tsaubuas, reached Kiang Hung (the Kien yim gy4 of the Burmans) on 

 the 9th. I found the Kiang Tung Tsaubua had not exaggerated the 

 state of things. The late Tsaubua Maha Wang had been dead some 

 months, leaving a young son of 13 years of age. A nephew of his, son 

 of an elder brother but who never had been Tsaubua, seized upon 



