Translation of the Document which Mr. Eden signed under compulsion

 Translation of the Document which Mr. Eden signed under compulsion

Agreement

THAT from to-day there shall always be friendship between the Feringees (English) and the Bhotanese. Formerly the Dhurma Raja and the Company's Queen were of one mind, and the same friendship exists to the present day. Foolish men on the frontier having caused a disturbance, certain men belonging to the British power, living on the frontier have taken Bulisusan (Julpigorie?) between Cooch Behar and the Kam Raja, and Ambnree, near the border of Sikkim, and then between Banska and Goalparah, Rangamuttee, Bokalibaree, Motteeamaree, Papareebaree, Arioetta, and then the seven Eastern Dooars. Then certain bad men on the Bhoteah side stole men, cattle, and other property, and committed thefts and robberies, and the Feringees' men plundered property and burnt down houses in Bhotan. By reason of these bad men remaining, the ryots suffered great trouble; and on this account the Governor-General, with a good intention, sent an envoy, Mr. Eden, with letters and presents, and sent with him Cheeboo Lama, the Minister of Sikkim and on their coming to the Dharma and Deb Rajas, making petition, a settlement to a permanent nature has been made by both parties. The Dhurma Raja will send one agent to the east and one to the west; when they shall arrive on the frontier of the Company's territory, they shall, after an interview with the Feringees’s agents, receive back the tracts above mentioned belonging to Bhotan, and af'ter these shall be given back, and on full proof being given against persons charged with cattle stealing, &c., the feringees will surrender such offenders to the Bhotanese, and the Bhotanses will in like manner surrender offenders to the feringees. After that each will take charge of his own territory, look after his own ryots, and remain on friendly terms, and commit no aggressions, and the subjects of either State going into the neighbouring State shall be treated as brothers.         

If, notwithstanding, any bad men on either side shall commit any aggression, the rulers of in which the offender lives shall seize and punish him. And as Cheeboo Lama is the interpreter between the Feringees .and the Bhoteahs, the Sikkimese are therefore henceforth to assist the Bhoteahs. We have written above that the settlement is permanent; but who knows, perhaps this settlement is made with one word in the mouth and two in the heart. If, therefore, this settlement is false, the Dhurma Raja's demons (names omitted) will, after deciding who is true or false, take his life, and take out his liver and scatter it to the minds like ashes. The Bhotan army will take possession of Sikkim, and if the Raja of Cooch Behar shall attempt to take any land belonging to Bhotan, the Bhotan Government, the Sikkim Government, and the Company will invade Cooch Behar. If the Feringees attempt to take land from Bhotan, the Bhoteahs, Sikkim, and Beharees will invade the Company's territory; and if the Behar Raja shall invade Sikim, the Bhotanese, Sikkimese, and the Company shall invade Behar. Whichever of the four States, Bhotan, Feringree, Behar, Sikkim, commit the place aggression, the other three, shall punish it; and if, whilst this agreement remains, any other enemy shall arise to any of the States, the others shall all assist him. This agreement is made between the Feringees and the Bhotanese.  And this is the seal of the Dhurma and Deb Rajas.

Seal here attached.

 

(Signed)            ASHLEY EDEN.

(Under Compulsion.)