TO THE COURT OF AYA. 
185 
vested with the command of the army, and 
nearly with the powers of a dictator. He was 
a man of bad character, and the same who con¬ 
templated the murder of the European and 
American prisoners. By his insolence in his 
new elevation, he incurred the enmity of se¬ 
veral members of the royal family, and of the 
officers of Government who plotted for his de¬ 
struction. It was given out that he aimed at 
the throne, and that certain insignia of royalty 
had been discovered in his house. In less than 
an hour he was deprived of his dignities, his 
property was confiscated, and he was beheaded. 
The forbearance evinced by the people and 
chiefs during the war, is, I am told, ascribed 
mainly to the popular character of the King, 
who is universally considered by them as a man 
of good dispositions, having the happiness of 
the people at heart, although from weakness 
often misled by bad counsel. A very mode¬ 
rate share of merit, indeed, seems to be suffi¬ 
cient to make an Asiatic prince popular. 
In the evening we anchored a short way 
above the village of Samaikom. This is a 
place from which cotton is exported for the 
Chinese market, and here and at several other 
places within the district of Tarut saltpetre is 
manufactured : the price on the spot is fifteen 
