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

4 40 TIBET.was not determined on, without the most prudent circumspectioir.All the roads upon the hills were broken up, the bridges were removedfrom across the torrents, and every possible obstacle was thrown inthe way of the enemy.Thus closely pressed by a victorious army, and destitute of anyimmediate resource, the Nipalese were induced to solicit the interferenceof the British government.Captain Kirkpatriclc, an oHicer in our service, was at this timeappointed ambassador to Nipal, and he was the first of our nation whoever obtained admission into that country.The object of his embassywas considered in different points of view, by the parties that wereeither directly, or remotely, engaged in the present contest. TheChinese commander is said to have made no very favourable reportof the English, at his court, for he viewed our connection with theNipalese in a most inauspicious light.These representations from him,and our declining to afford effectual assistance to the Lama's cause,had considerable weight at the Chinese court ;the similarity of dressand discipline, between the Nipal soldiers and the battalions in theBritish service, is said, also, to have been most forcibly stated, andnot without considerable effect,since the suspicious character of theChinese, could hardly be persuaded to believe, that we had not givenassistance to their enemies.The Chinese troops, however, pursued their fortune with uniform success;and, daunted by their superior conduct and courage, the Nipalesenow began to look upon all further resistance as vain, and immediatelyhad recourse to the most abject and most submissive entreaty.