An Embassy to the Court of the Teshoo Lama in Tibet - Prajna Quest

TIBET. 373a thin cloth resembling frieze, but rather of a more open texture, golddust, and some other commodities procured from Bengal ;which theyiL-'^ exchange for tea, silver bullion, brocades, and fruit. In these articlesan extensive trade is carried on ; and I have been assured that, on theterritory of Teshoo Loomboo alone, tea, to the amount of five or sixlacs of rupees'', is annually consumed.From hence too, Bootan is suppliedwith tea, which is in the same general use there. For furtherparticulars of the commerce with Tibet, I beg leave to refer to theannexed comparative statement-Studious to ensurcj by every possible means, the success of mydeputation, I was extremely desirous of proceeding to Lassa, that Imight endeavour to conciliate the good will of the chiefs in power,towards our nation, and to obtain their sanction, to a free intercoursebetween Tibet and Bengal: but I was prevented, by a considerationof the present state of that government, and strongly dissuaded by theRegent Punjun Irtinnee, from making the attempt. He promised toinform himself of the sentiments and wishes of Dalai Lama, in re2;ardto a connection with the English, and afterwards to communicate themto you. Whenever a regular intercourse takes place, between theagents of the government of Bengal and the chiefs of Tibcl, I shallconsider it as the sure basis of an intercourse with China ; and it will-probably be, by the medium of the former, that we shall be enabled toarrive at Pekin.I have not eagerly urged those secondary advantages, that offeredthemselves to my choice, because I would not, by engaging in any''Sixty or seventy thousand pounds sterling.