1 7
2 PREFACE. / xxxiii
3 “ I have, however, heard it stated by men of great general
4 knowledge in Calcutta, that little extension of commerce in the
5 direction I have taken is reasonably to be expected, because
6 the intercourse of the Cis and Trans-Himalayans, though of
7 long standing, has never been so active as to countenance a
8 supposition that there exists much reciprocal demand for the
9 articles of their respective countries. And it is argued that if
10 European merchandise were desirable to the Trans - Himalayan*,
11 it would, ere this, in some maimer have made its way amongst
12 them. I shall wait upon this opinion with the issue of the
13 present expedition ; but it may be not irrelevant, en attendant ,
14 to observe, that the scanty commerce hitherto carried on from
15 British Hindustan across the Himaleh to Hither Tatary, from
16 Lhassa up to Yarkand, is almost wholly in the hands of Kash¬
17 mir, and of border traders, whose views, suited to their capitals,
18 proceed in a regular routine, undisturbed by foreign competi¬
19 tion, or by the influx of new articles of merchandise.
20 “ These traders have effected a monopoly, and draw their
21 profits from high prices upon a very limited import of foreign
22 manufactures, and from comparatively low prices upon grain
23 and raw materials.
24 “ favoured by local and political peculiarities, they have
25 hitherto succeeded in keeping up a closed barrier against the
26 extension of commerce except by their own channel.
27 “ And it would seem that they would, even now, be satisfied
28 with their usual trade, rather than let in a foreign trader,
29 though, he should tender to them increased profits. At least,
30 I am most strongly impressed with this opinion by collating
31 circumstances, which occurred in my former and present jour¬
32 neys, and the influence of which has had a share in my tempo¬
33 rary disappointment. Under this impression 1 consider the
34 measure most essentially conducive towards speedily establish¬
35 ing a free intercourse betwixt Hindustan and Hither Tatary,
36 to consist in a British agent presenting himself at a trading
37 town in the latter country, with an assortment of British mer¬
38 chandise, and attempting to effect so good an understanding
39 VOL. I.
40 e