Watkins, as in the event of their proving genuine, would greatly enhance the value of the springs and quarries. The salt springs which are 3 in number are situated 250 yards to the north of the Nambur Nuddie, in a small circular space, surrounded by forest, but are neither so hot or apparently so strong of brine as that we first saw. The temperature being as follows. In the shade, 64° air. 95° water. 98° The difference between the larger and smaller springs being doubtless caused by a small stream of water flowing into it. In the time of the Assam Rajahs, it appears, these salt springs were regularly worked, and the water dammed up for the purpose, as the remains of the parts which formed the dams are visible in the stream, which falls into the well, as also in that which carries off the water. The limestone, of which I send specimens, is found in the bed of the Nambur Nuddie, close to the salt spring, where it appears at the clay; as also in the small stream above mentioned, which runs through the larger spring about 200 yards further up, and beyond which, about 1 a mile, is found pipe-clay, some detached pieces of which I saw, but had not time, on a second visit to these wells, to reach the beds. It is a curious fact perhaps, that a large quantity of small fish, inhabit the larger of these wells, and it was a subject of much regret, that I was unable to procure any, as specimens, as it could not but have been satisfactory to ascertain, what description of fish these were, which delighted in such a temperature and in such water. The only drawback to the effectually working these spring, and limebeds, for a certain number of months during the year, appears to be the want of conveyance to the Dhunsiri river, and I think it might be worth the experiment of making an outlay, on the part of Government, of 2 or 300 rupees to effect the same, either by cutting a road through the forest, or by erecting Batahs (or dams) in the river, so as to allow of its becoming navigable for small boats, which might easily be dragged over the slight falls when empty, and as casily taken down when laden, a practice much in use on the Dying river of Cachar, as you have had opportunity of observing. Should such a proposition meet with the approbation of Government, I believe Mr. Herring would be happy to devote a considerable degree of attention and minor expense, so as to render these wells far more valuable than they otherwise can become, by sinking shafts at a little distance from the present springs, with a view of procuring a purer supply of salt water, for the purposes of manufacture, and would also work the lime stone in conjunction with the salt, but without this aid, situated as these productions are, in the midst of an uninhabited forest, and not within 8 miles of any population, I fear there is not inducement, sufficient to render it worth his while attempting it, or incurring the expense which must necessarily attend such an undertaking. I may here observe that these forests abound with the finest Nahor Trees 1 have ever seen, a wood, which, though from its weight and extreme hardness, is perhaps not adapted for all purposes, is most admirably so for beams, posts, &c. where great strength and durability is required, and might be very advantageously used in all Government buildings where obtainable. I left Bar Pathor after seeing all my supplies well off in boats on the 28th ultimo, reaching the mouth of the Duopani Nuddi on that day, the Hurrioghan Mookh on the 29th, the Debopani Mookh on the 30th, and arriving here on the afternoon of the 31st, the road running along the line of the Dhunsiri, though straightened in many of the turnings for 38 miles through the densest forests, the last 10 miles being up the bed of the Dhunsiri itself. Through all the desolate jungles that I have hitherto travelled, and they are not a few, I never met with one so completely abandoned by life as this; no animal of any kind was seen, nor was a bird heard from morning till night, the death-like silence being only broken by the heavy fall of the Otengah fruit, these trees composing the entire forest or nearly so. The marks of the river left on the trees was every where visible from 1 to 9 feet in height, forbidding all idea of making this line, that of communication with this post, save during the cold season, and that too at a late period from the number of impassable swamps, which everywhere intervene, and render all attempts at rendering the present path any shorter, or much more practicable than it is, alike unavailing. Fodder for cattle, especially elephants, is remarkably scarce, my men finding the greatest difficulty in obtaining the smallest supply, and that too of a very poor description. The vast number of trees, which are sunk in the river and on the sands, render the navigation for boats almost impossible, beyond the Daopanî, unless perhaps during the rains, and even then, it is not without the greatest care, that boats can proceed, either up, or still more so, down the river; a very large one last year was swamped close to Bor Pathor, while passing down empty, being entangled in a large tree, one of the men being drowned, and the rest with difficulty saved, the boat being lost. Such being the state of the country on the North side, it will be necessary to open a better communication, than at present exists towards Mohong Dezooah, and for that purpose, I intend engaging a large number of coolies, if possible, from Tuli Ram Senaputti's country, to construct a regular road from Mohong Dezooah to this part, unless a better site can be shortly discoverved, clearing away the jungle, and if he will agree to it, locating 10 or 15 families of Meekirs, at this place who shall be kept up for the purpose of clearing the roads, &c. for the future. Should he agree, I shall further propose, that the revenue of these persons shall be for the present defrayed by government, either by a direct payment to the ryotts themselves, of the amount demandable from them by the Senaputti, or in case of their objecting, a trifle more, or by crediting him that amount from the annual tribute paid by him to government in ivory. Should I be able during my present expedition to reduce the Nagah chiefs to any state of order, it would be desirable further, to try and settle a few of these men in the neighbourhood, on the East bank of the Dhunşiri, allowing them to occupy any lands they choose, exempt entirely from all rent or taxation, until such time as matters shall be so changed, as to seem to call for fresh arrangements; as however this is mere speculation, I shall pursue it no further at present. While at Bar Pathor I was visited, on invitation, by the Phokun or chief of the Rengmah tribe of Nagas before mentioned, who complained of the loss he had sustained, together with his tribe, by the abolition of the former establishment of Kutkees, or, I might call them, supercargoes, who were formerly the medium of communication between this race and the merchants, in all their dealings, through whom all orders, and communications to the Nagas passed, begging their restoration, together with the small quantity of lands, &c. which these persons enjoyed as a remuneration for their services. From the short conversation I had with the Phokun, he was anxious not to stay, on account of some religous festival which commenced 2 days afterwards; he stated that the lands and pykes were bestowed on his grandfather and father, for services done in the time of the insurrection of the Muttacks or Moamarriah tribe,in preserving the property, &c. of the then Bor Gohain of Assam; that he had applied to Mr. Scott, on the subject, at Gowhattee in person, and had received assurance that his claims should be considered as good, but that now the whole lands have been taxed, the kutkees abolished, and that his authority and rank have fallen so low, that scarcely his own tribe acknowledge him. I regret that I am not acquainted with the reasons,on which the arrangements now in force were adopted, sufficiently, to enable me to enter into a full detail of the case, but you may be able from what I have stated, to refer to the documents, I have now with me, and form an opinion, whether on payment of a small tribute in ivory, which they are, I was informed ready, and willing to pay, the remission to the extent required might not safely be effected. The Phokun further expressed a desire to be taken under protection from the attacks of the Lotah tribe of Nagas, with whom there has been an enmity existing for a long time, and he asserts, though I fear without any direct proof (he promised to produce witnesses before me at this place to depose to the fact), of the village called Beloo, not far from Mohong Dezooah, having been attacked by a party of Lotahs from the village of Tagdie, last year, and one man and a child murdered. On this subject I shall again address you when the evidence shall have been adduced, but may observe that the trade of the Lotah Nagas being completely in the power of the Principal Assistant Commissioner of Seebpore, some injunctions might be conveyed to the Naga Hazarri of that tribe holding him responsible for any repetition of such acts. Looking at the map of this country, you may observe that the inclination of the lime formation of the Nambur Nuddie will exactly, or within a trifle, correct the points at which it has also been found at the Falls of the Jumoonah, near Mohong Dezooah at Langolar, spelt 'Lowrung' in Captain Pemberton's Map on the Kopili, and so on towards Sylhet, not improbably forming one long line of similar formation throughout. Note on the Brahooees.-By CAPT. HART, Bombay Army. 6 These tribes are the descendants of Braho,' a Bulooche, who emigrated, about the second century of the Hejira from Aleppo to Mukran : some years after his countrymen had settled there, he fixed his abode at Koliva, a few days journey to the westward of Kelot which city was then inhabited by the Tajuks, over whom ruled a Hakim from Herat, the seat of sovereignty. These Tajuks were a turbulent and overbearing race, noted for their hatred to the yoke of Herat. Several of their Hakims had been slain in popular commotions, and at length the part was considered of such danger, that a newly appointed governor exacted an oath from the heads of the tribe, that they would not destroy him by the sword or poison, before he ventured to enter the city. On the strength of his fancied security, he harassed the people by his exactions, and his death was in consequence decided on. To adhere to the letter of their bond while the spirit was evaded, five hundred of the Tajuks baked cakes of bread, in which they mixed up stones and cotton with the dough. These they concealed under their garments, and attended the Hakim's Durbar. A dispute soon arose between him and one of the landholders, and the passions of the assembly being excited, they stood up of one accord, and slew him by blows with the cakes. They then determined on choosing a Governor for themselves, and Braho,' whose countless flocks and herds entitled him to consideration in the country, was solicited to take up his residence in Kelat as their Lord and Master, he declined complying with their request, on the plea of prefering a life in the wilds to the confinement of a city, but offered his youngest son Kumbur' to their notice, as one for whom he had not made any provision, and who was therefore free from those ties which bound his brethren to their homes. After much urging, Kumbur' consented to become their Chief, the Tajuks stipulating to furnish him with eighty horse as a body guard, to build a house, and supply him with every necessary of life. After a few years, Kumbur' forced the several tribes of Moguls and Baloochees in the neighbourhood of Kelat to acknowledge his supremacy, and in process of time the whole of Mukran and Northern Kunchee was ruled over by his descendants. 'Braho' had seven sons: I Meerun, from whom are descended the Meeranees. These are the real Brahoee tribes, but many others subject to them, are now included in that appellation. T |