370 
TIBE T. 
whatever is wanting to. the people from a defect in fertility, or in the 
skill of their artists, they possess ample means of obtaining, through 
the abundant riches of the earth. Their mines and minerals are ca¬ 
pable of opening to them such inexhaustible sources of wealth, as to 
be alone sufficient to purchase every thing of which they stand in need, 
though their wants are numerous, as they are ignorant of all but the 
first arts of life, agriculture and clothing. 
The advantages resulting from this trade, were once greatly in 
favour of Bengal. The commotions and disturbances by which the 
kingdom of Nipal was long distracted, until its ultimate subjugation 
under one chief, by destroying the security of merchants, interrupted* 
the commerce between Tibet and Bengal; and that country being then 
the only known channel of communication, Bengal lost ground in 
trade, which it has been since found difficult to regain. The advan¬ 
tages arising from the present limited commerce, are enjoyed by a few 
opulent Goseins, and by an agent residing at Teshoo Loomboo, on the 
joint concern of Cashmeery Mull and Gopal Doss. I beg leave to refer 
to the annexed paper, for a statement of the articles composing it. 
The returns have invariably been made in gold dust, silver, tincal, 
and musk; the value of which articles always bears proportion to the 
quantity in the market. The value of gold and silver in Tibet, is very 
variable, depending on the product of the former from the mines. At 
this time, a pootree 3 of gold dust sells for twenty-one indermillees b . 
A few years ago, during the prevalence of an excessive drought, the 
a Bulse. b A base coin struck in Nipal, of the value of about one-third of a 
rupee, and current in Tibet, where local prejudices prevent the establishment of a mint. 
