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is at this time endeavouring to make his way there by the road I have 
named.* 
We have a British representative in Cashmere, but no troops, and within 
the last few years we have also had an agent at Leh, the principal town of 
the outlying province of Ladak. 
Our chief object at present is to encourage trade from Chinese Turkestan, 
and to enter into political intercourse with the ruler of that country, who 
has lately risen to power. 
The people of Cashmere and Ladak are for the most part poor, quiet, and 
inoffensive. 
There are one or two routes from Ladak to Turkestan, but they lead over 
gigantic mountain chains, the lowest pass being 18,000 feet above the sea, 
and for many days of the journey there is neither food nor forage to be had. 
Consequently the intercourse with China and Thibet is difficult, owing to 
natural obstacles, and our attempts at trade are almost strangled by the 
heavy duties in transit imposed by the ruler of Cashmere. 
Chinese Turkestan for many years past, and indeed until quite lately, has 
been to us a sealed book. This great south-western province of China, 
lying between the Kuen Luen Mountains to the south, the Tian Shan range 
to the north, and the elevated Pamir Steppe closing it to the west, contains 
several large and important commercial cities—namely Koten Yarkund, 
Kashgar, Aksu, and others. The people are for the most part Turkish in 
nationality and Mahomedans in religion, but owing to the distracted state 
of the country, to the cruelty and fanaticism of the rulers and the people, 
it has been rendered quite impossible of approach. 
Within the last few years, however, a great Mahomedan ruler has arisen 
called Yakoob Kushbegi, who has rendered himself independent of the 
Chinese, and who—somewhat perplexed perhaps by the advance of Bussia 
from the north, their outposts now looking down on him from the crests of 
the Tian Shan—has shown a disposition to cultivate our friendship and to 
promote trade. 
Two English gentlemen indeed, within the last year or two, have visited 
Yarkund, and have returned in safety—the first for many years—and there is 
therefore a hope that ere long our political influence, our knowledge of the 
country, and our trade, may increase. 
It is supposed by some that the tide of Bussian advance may develope 
itself in this quarter, and that their troops may thus appear on the flank, 
as it were, of Cashmere; but considering the great difficulties of the mountain 
ranges, any danger to India in this quarter seems out of the question, even 
supposing ideas of aggression were entertained. 
* The latest account, taken from the “Times” of Jan. 3rd, 1870, says:—“Mr Hayward, now 
in Cashmere, has set out to explore the great Pamir Steppe through the Maharajah’s frontier 
country of Gilgit. Unfortunately the Maharajah’s officials do not like Englishmen to penetrate 
into the land, and, while openly proposing assistance, represent the danger as excessive. Still, 
Mr Hayward writes :— c I feel bound to try my best, but the prospects of being able to penetrate 
to the Pamir seem very little. I still believe that I shall eventually accomplish my object, but it 
may take months—nay years, to do so,’ ” 
