9? 6 Journal of an Expedition to the Chinese Frontier. [Dec. 



the throne ; the chiefs however were in favor of the son, and to prevent 

 his being made away with secretly conveyed him to China, and feign- 

 ed submission to the self-elected Tsaubua. They managed to assem- 

 ble a large force near the town, and when these plans had ripened, 

 put to death many of his principal adherents, and the Tsaubua him- 

 self had only time to escape with a few of his followers. Parties had 

 been sent out to apprehend him but had not succeeded in discovering 

 him when I was there. The same night they killed his aged father 

 and younger brother, and the Burman Tsutke, who was in disgrace 

 during my visit, was only saved by the interposition of the chief 

 priest of the place. He was father-in-law to the self-elevated Tsaubua's 

 younger brother who was killed, and had been intriguing in favor of 

 his connections. 



This place is the capital of a large province comprising no less 

 than 12 Tsaubuaships whose territories however are not extensive, 

 and through some of which I passed on my journey. 



It is tributary to China but in a greater degree than the term 

 generally implies, and might be almost said to be a Chinese province, 

 for it pays a regular land revenue and other taxes to that kingdom* 

 to collect and regulate which an establishment of Chinese officers and 

 clerks are kept. But at the same time it makes certain offerings of 

 submission and dependence once in three years to Ava, and which 

 kingdom places a Tsutke there to look after its interest. The Tsaubua- 

 ship has always belonged to one family, but the nomination of the 

 individual rests with both the kings of China and Ava ; that is, one ap- 

 points and the other is expected to confirm it ; but should the selection 

 made by one not be approved of by the other, they appear each to 

 appoint a distinct person, and to allow the parties to decide the matter 

 by arms, never interfering themselves ; — this occurred not long ago. 



The town stands in 21° 58 north latitude and about 100° 39' east 

 longitude ; it is built on the face of a hill on the western or right bank 

 of the Me Khong or Cambodia river. It has no fortification and the 

 houses though good do not amount to above 500. I saw the place 

 under great disadvantages, many of the inhabitants had fled and the 

 place was in the occupation of troops from various quarters. 



The average breadth of the river, which is confined between two 

 ranges of hills, is at this season about 300 feet here, and when full 

 from bank to bank about 650, and its rise judging from its high banks 

 must be about 50 feet. It is not at any season fordable. I had no 

 means of measuring its depth unobserved, and I was fearful of excit- 

 ing their suspicions by doing so openly. Its velocity I think ie 





