to the privilege, Teshoo Lama made, in the same manner, suitable
returns to each; an occupation which lasted near forty days. Many
importunities were used with Dalai Lama, to prolong his stay at
Teshoo -Loomboo, but he excused himself from incumbering the capital
any longer, with so numerous a concourse of people, as attended
on his movements; and deeming it expedient to make his absence ais
short as possible from the seat of his authority, at the expiration of
forty days, he withdrew, with all his suite, to Lassa. The Emperor’s
ambassadors also received their dismission to return to China; and
thus terminated this famous festival.
With respect to the lately established commercial intercourse, Poo-
rungheer informs me, that though he returned so early, he found himself
not the first person, who had arrived at Teshoo Loomboo from
Bengal. Many merchants had already brought their commodities to
market, and others followed, before he left the place. He heard from
no quarter, complaints of impediment or loss; and concludes,therefore,
that all the adventurers met the same easy access, and ready aid,
which he himself had experienced. The markets were well stocked
with English and Indian articles, yet not in so great a degree, as to
lower the value of commodities, below the prices of the two or three
last preceding years. Bullion was somewhat reduced in worth, in
comparison with the year 1783. A pootree, or bulse of gold dust, the
same quantity that then sold for twenty, or twenty-one indermillees,
was now procurable, of a purer quality, for nineteen and twenty
indermillees.
A tarreema, or talent of silver, which was then five hundred, was
now four hundred and fift'jjdnc^pijl^pg,, jSQ,4hat Jhq ^change was
much in. favour of the t^gde^,:|.
Poorungheer, during hisfejfeidence at Tqshop ^oqm^o^jJjad;frequent
interviews with .the, Regent and; a$d ho ..assures
me, that he found the hearifest:disppsijj$ns, jp them, -encourage the
commercial intercourse & £^t^fish,ed .under the anipjegs, of, theb.lgte
Governor General, m hose departure,,however;, the Regeirt regretted^as
fhe loss of the first friend, and ally ijagj Jsqqanae. acquainted, wit-h, I bec';
liew it may be said, in any foreign? nation. In him, w«)> acknowledged,
also, the original cause of opening the communication, and common?
sing a correspondence between the governments °f Bengal apd ^ib^fo
But though, in consequence of the Regent’s hayjng,).|rqnp .the [beginning,
been used exclusively to address himself Jo the agents of Mr,
Hastings, his. attachment to the English natipjj,, during, a long interchange
of conciliating offices, had been ndxed'withi a great degree qf
personality, yet, free from all unworthy, o^prieippsjmss, of temper, he
descended not, to take advantage of the opening pjlqred him, to clo§p
the new connection. The respect he had learned Jo entertain for^ouj;
national integrity of character, was deep and ripcefe,; an^jrparently,
from a conviction, that our views tended Jo no scheme of atnbrtign.,
bu fwere confined merely to objects ,qf utility and cpr^sityPoorung^
heer assures me, he expressed an anxious desire for continuing, with tho
succeeding Governor General, ffie exercise qf tto^ofi^es o|fi|endl|Èip,
so long supported .byi,ly.s predecessor. And, in t-bqjjgge. tfiat^his-own
would be met with equal good wisfies qp your part, he ,determjqa4(tq
invite you to join him, in preserving .beJween TibcJ. and Bengal, the