1837.] Journal of an Expedition to the Chinese Frontier. 999 



orders had been received from Mone not to permit me to proceed 

 towards China until the commands of the King of Ava were received. 

 In consequence of which, orders had been received from the young 

 Tsaubua to escort me back by the road I had come when I wished to 

 return. The minister confessed that he was under obligations to 

 the Kiang Tung Tsaubua, and if he now allowed me to go by any 

 other route, it would certainly get the Tsaubua into trouble ; he hoped 

 therefore I would not press the point, as it was painful to him to 

 disoblige me, and he would be obliged to apply for instructions from 

 the young Tsaubua, if I insisted on it. 1 thought it advisable to 

 wave the question with a good grace, for there can be no doubt that the 

 reply would have been in favor of the Kiang Tung Tsaubua's request ; 

 because that chief has considerable influence with his state, the young 

 Tsaubua being betrothed to his daughter. 



The day before I left I met all the chiefs at dinner at the palace, 

 when they all, and particularly the minister, gave me assurances of 

 their friendship for us, and of their anxious desire to promote a free 

 intercourse between our countries, that no duty whatever should be 

 levied on our traders, and urged me strongly to repeat my visit, and 

 to send up some merchants, and they would, to ensure them a safe 

 passage to China, send people with them. I was likewise told by him 

 that their suspicions had been raised respecting the objects of my visit, 

 by certain reports propagated by the Burman Tsutke and his party, 

 who though in disgrace had sufficient influence over their ignorance 

 to excite their fears, but that my frequent intercourse with them soon 

 removed their mistrust, and he hoped the unreserved and friendly 

 manner they had lately communicated with me had removed any 

 unfavorable impressions I might at first have formed of them. I met 

 there many Chinese merchants settled at the place as well as those 

 belonging to caravans. They were all eager to trade with us, and 

 promised to visit Maulamyaing. They also urged me to send some of 

 our merchants up to them. This however would not answer ; for they 

 would be obliged to transport their goods chiefly on elephants, against 

 which there are many objections. They require from us gold thread, 

 carpets, bird's nest, sea slugs, dates, ivory, &c. &c. Some samples of 

 Pernambuco cotton I showed them pleased them much. Cotton would 

 also be an article of export, for this is what they chiefly carry away 

 from Muang Nan, and the difference of price, which is much in favour 

 of the province, will more than renumerate them for the distance they 

 would have to come for it. Their imports into Kiang Hung are the 

 same as to Kiang Tung. I there met with woollen cloth brought by 

 6l2 



