TO THE COUliT OF AVA. 
87 
been prepared. In coming up the river, we 
observed, in several places, the same root under 
preparation. It is first sliced, then macerated 
for a couple of days, after which the women 
tread it in tubs with their feet, and when it 
is dried in the sun it is fit for use. We 
noticed that another root, still less palatable, 
was also had recourse to, but were unable to 
determine what it was. During the two years 
that the war continued, no scarcity was felt, 
although undoubtedly agricultural labour was 
greatly interrupted by the flight and dispersion 
of the inhabitants, the depredations of marau¬ 
ders, and the conscriptions which were raised. 
It was not until two or three mouths after the 
cessation of hostilities, that a general scarcity 
began to prevail throughout every part of the 
country, with the exception of the districts 
ceded to the British Government. From this 
it may be inferred, that there had existed in 
the country a stock of corn considerably be¬ 
yond the average consumption of the inhabi¬ 
tants. Independent of this general cause of 
distress, the people of Melloon suffered pecu¬ 
liarly during the war. Mr. Judson, in his 
walk, met a group of the inhabitants, and had 
a long conversation with them, in which they 
informed him, that the levy raised in the dis- 
