'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎237] (346/496)

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clay, there is a probability of its remaining more permanent and steady
** in its course. Under this view, it seemed to me worth the trouble to make
a rough draft of this river’s channel, which I shall prepare for transmis
sion on returning down from the highest point reached: being without
chronometers, &c., astronomical points of correction, if thought advis
able, can afterwards be determined. I shall note all principal towns, and
the course of the river between .them; their several distances being esti
mated from the vessel’s progress, and checked by the accounts of intel
ligent natives,—the compass always taken on shore for the principal
connecting bearings, to avoid local attraction in the steamer.
The natives of all classes and sexes, young and old, follow the vessel
for miles along the bank : seldom one posse of villagers are out of view
before others are seen hurrying down. From the abundance of cultiva
tion, no jungle for fuel is seen from the river.
Sept. 9th .—The steamer has come on to-day without any stoppage,
except for fuel, which was ready prepared and good. The channel of the
river was particularly favorable ; the current, however, somewhat strong
er than the Sutlej, being three miles an hour at this season. Arrived at
H Mooltan bunder at 5.30 p. m., having made thirty-five miles during the
day over the current.
Sept. 10th .—The Kalb of Mooltan having proposed to visit the ves
sel on her return voyage, quitted the ferry at noon, and proceeded up.
The natives are very suspicious of our intentions : the Naib, or Dewan
Moolraj, repeatedly asked me if more steamers were not coming. I
could only reply that to the best of my knowledge and belief others were
not coming at the present; but this appeared to dwell on his mind, and
in a short interview he three several times referred to the subject. Finding
that another officer, a Lieutenant Anderson, travelling up this way, had
been presented with 125 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. in common with myself, as an honorary
gift, we agreed to write in the same spirit, a letter, stating that, as British
Officers, we could not accept any gift of the kind, but merely paid the
Dewan the compliment of a visit, and requested he would allow us to re
turn the money. We sent separate letters in English, with transla
tions in Persian, having our names affixed, but the great man would not
so lower himself in the eyes of his retainers, and court, as to accept the
returned cash, but insisted, for his own honor, that we would receive it.
On this, presents were given from it to his servants, and the balance will
be paid, in the way I may be ordered, to the credit of Government. In