LETTER CCXI.
To the RÂJAH of PEGU; dated* 17th RUBIYÛL OUWUL, A.H. 1200.
(22d January.)

IT will be sufficient to give the substance of this letter, which is no otherwise of any consequence, than as it adds to the other proofs which we possess, of the Sultan’s desire to establish an intercourse, political or commercial, with the most distant nations.

The writer sets out with observing, “that a long period had elapsed, “since he had had the pleasure of hearing from the Râjah;”* and with expressing a hope, “that the latter will, in future, frequently favor “him with the agreeable tidings of his welfare.”

He then announces “that he has sent, in token of friendship, by the “hands of two of his servants, Mâhommed Kâsim and Mahommed “Ibrâheem, a present for the Râjah, consisting of two horses and a “Mehtâby dress.”*

He states, “his view in sending those persons, to be the opening of a “commercial intercourse between the two states [of Mysore and Pegu], “whereby an exchange of the commodities of each may be established, “to the mutual convenience and advantage of both: he therefore “invites the Râjah to communicate to the agents in question, as also “from time to time, by letter, to himself, what articles he may wish to “be supplied with, from his [the Sultan’s] country, in order that the “same may be forwarded to him.”

He next observes, “that having heard, that rubies of high value, fine “colour, and of a superior kind [perhaps size], are to be had in Pegu, “he had, in consequence, directed his agents to purchase, through the “medium [or by means] of the Bâjah’s ministers,* a certain number of “stones, weighing each from ten to thirty fanams weight.”

Then follows a request, “that the Râjah will accordingly order his “ministers to assist [his agents], in purchasing the rubies required, at “as cheap a price as possible.

OBSERVATIONS.

Whether a second mission was dispatched to Pegu, or the persons first intended to be sent were superseded by others, I am unable to determine: but a letter appears, under date 25th of Byâzy (31st March 1786) addressed, not to Mahommed Kâsim and Mahommed Ibrâheem, but to Shumsûddeen and Kûtbûddeen; in which they are told, “that their departure for Pegu only waits for the equipment “of the ships, which they are accordingly desired to expedite.” It nevertheless appears, that the ships in question were not ready for sailing, so late as the be­ginning of the following June.