A EEASSUEING LETTER 315 
bitter foe of the English. All the summer he spent in 
Thibet, vainly trying to incite the Chinese to make common 
cause with him and drive me out of Sikkim and bapk to 
Darjeeling. This was the origin of his conduct to me at 
the Zemu river in May, June, and July. The Rajah is an 
old, timorous, and inoffensive being. The priests are all 
friendly, and hold Campbell and the British name in high 
respect ; and the Lepchas are fond of us to a man, and 
would gladly transfer their allegiance to us if we would only 
protect them. 
Force had first been used against Hooker to prevent him 
from giving help to Campbell ; he was offered good treatment 
and presents, but refused such marks of respect so long as his 
friend was ill treated, and warned the Soubah of the conse- 
quences that must follow. 
Writing in the first days of his captivity (November 12 : 
the letter was not despatched till considerably later),' in the 
forlorn hope that this letter may reach England,' he tried to 
reassure his father : 
My bonds are not very heavy, and I am under no appre- 
hension either on my own or Campbell's account. I was 
seized in the hope of extracting information from me (by 
intimidation and otherwise) as to what course these stupid 
people should pursue. In this, I am happy to say, they 
have utterly failed ; and I think they are so nonplussed, 
that they will not detain me much longer. Campbell is 
very strictly guarded. I am much better off ; and have 
so very many friends among these poor people (to an evil 
faction among whose rulers this is attributable) that I hope 
and believe I can be useful. ... I ain altogether prohibited 
from approaching or comnmnicating with Campbell, but 
he and I keep up a capital correspondence. My hand 
is so fatigued with copying out his Despatches to Govt., 
for I dare not send the originals by this opportunity, 
and sending a copy of my Journal for Hodgson to forward 
to you, that I can write no more. The said Journal H. 
will send you a copy of at once. I also so very much doubt 
this reaching you that I do not care to write much hereby. 
My old friend Meepo sticks well to me, and will I hope get 
