This is a letter from the Desi of Bhutan to the Brigadiers-General (Dunsford) commanding the Force, dated 27th December 1864.

 

This is a letter from the Desi of Bhutan to the Brigadiers-General (Dunsford) commanding the Force, dated 27th December 1864.

" The territory which the Deb Raja has long since governed, although very small, he is contented with, and is never desirous of taking possession of the neighboring kingdoms of Chinese Tartary, China and English territory, nor ever put their peasantry into trouble. The Queen and the Deb Raja are like sister and brother. Last year when Mr. Eden came to me, I paid him such respect as was due to him, and introduced him to the Dhurma Raja, who settled the matter of captives with him. He, Mr. Eden, solemnly promised that he would never break the peace existing between us, or fight with us; but, in spite of this promise, you fight, which I do not like; you also never sent me any notice as to the reason of fighting, nor as to the time when you wish to do so, butt at once began by taking possession of our country, and halve driven out all our people, occupied all the forts, and have done great injury by burning them. I never thought you, who are friends, would do such acts, and I cannot believe that the Queen has ordered you to occupy my country. When two Rajas desire to fight, they send information as to when they will begin to fight. This is the custom of my country, and when any party is vanquished he loses his territory. But if you like robbers take possession of my country, it depends upon your will, and as you have done so, be satisfied yourselves; but I shall never consider that you occupied my country as I did not fight. As for the plains which you have occupied, you will not be able to hold them. I advise you to attend to this; but if you do not, I will not hear it afterwards. If you wish for peace and do not disturb our peasantry, it will be best for you to go back to your own country without doing any more harm to ours. But if you will take possession of my country, which is small, without fighting, and attach it to your own kingdom, which is large, I shall send the divine force of twelve gods, as per margin, who are very ferocious ghosts. Of this force 7,000 stop at Chamoorchee, 5,000 at Doorma, 9,000 at Buxa, and 102,000 at Dhalim Door. You have done great injury to our country, and should not repeat it. For the present it is advisable for you to return to your own country and keep pence with me. I have never broken the ties of friendship and you should not do so, but if you do not like to withdraw your troops, you should write me in reply at once to Poonakha."

 

Source: Rennie, David Field (1866, 2005)