1SG2.] 
2S5 
Literary Intelligence , Sfc. 
should have been on my way towards Bamo, long ere this. The 
chief “ Inner” minister, a personal friend of the king, and having 
authority over the Bamo district, has told me that there would be 
no objection to my going to Bamo. The Maguee Minggyee, how¬ 
ever, who is the virtual Prime minister and whose “ veto” is sufficient 
to prevent any step being taken, has heard of the English wanting, 
to send an expedition to Bamo and will say nothing about it, till he 
is furnished with the particulars of the “ personnel,” as well as objects 
of the said expedition. He is also offended by an article in the 
Rangoon papers, which 'preceded my arrival here. 
I have to send you by the next mail an account of a trip to the 
Shan hills to the Eastward of this; I went up among these mountains 
to see some tea plantations the king wants to work, in order to 
know how best to recommend His Majesty to proceed. I had never 
seen a tea plant in my life before (!) I must tell you ; but the idea gave 
me a very pleasant trip with every advantage of safety and comfort 
and a week’s mountain air and exercise. Although a special guide, 
the Governor of the district, and about thirty men accompanied me, 
I had no opportunity of transporting either plants or rocks, and the 
spoil was therefore trifling. The king insisted on my recommending 
what course to pursue in order to get tea fit for European markets 
from these old plantations. I advised that a superintendent be ob¬ 
tained from Calcutta with a few natives to manufacture tea, and 
another to form fresh plantations. He enquired the cost and salaries, 
&c., and on my preparing a rough estimate, His Majesty requested 
me to get the men here, offering to give the money first into my 
hands if I wished. I have acceded to their real wish, however, and 
advance the money myself leaving a copy of the contract by which 
the Burmese Government on one side and the workmen on the 
other, will be bound, in the hands of the “ Inner minister.” 
I write to Grindlay and Co. by this opportunity to endeavour to 
get these people. There is no reason against the encouragement of 
Burman tea growing ; if they do their utmost they can grow but a few 
thousand pounds, and this utmost they will not do. If the tea fields 
do become productive, all the better for us, both ultimately, and in 
the meanwhile, that it is by English aid, the advantage is gained. 
His Majesty has asked me about several other industrial enter¬ 
prises. Among other things he wants to increase and encourage 
