| caption: |
Thomson's coolies ordered to bolt once they reach Kezakenomah; letter from the Rajah withdrawing assistance |
| note: |
inaccurate spelling in the original text |
| text: |
19th January. Austin having turned up last night at about half past 8 o'clock, we arranged to march today to Kezakenomah and actually struck our tents this morning to do so, but owing to Austin's coolies not arriving until after 11 a.m., and the weather looking very like rain, we finally decided upon halting here for another day. After breakfast, whilst we were smoking our cheroots waiting for Austin's coolies to arrive, I was astounded to hear Colonel Thomson's Chaprassi Aishon Sing come up and report that his (Thomson's) coolies threatened to bolt if we went on to Kezakenomah unaccompanied by the "Major", and shortly after this Mohun Sing, the Soobadar in charge of his Escort, came up and reported that the "Major" had given him (Mohunsing) strict orders that after escorting the Political Agent as far as Kezakenomah he was to abandon him there and march at once into Manipur, on hearing which Colonel Thomson sent for the "Major" and asked him in the presence of both Austin and myself whether he had given any such orders, and he replied in the affirmative adding that he had done so under the orders of the Rajah, and as Thomson read a letter this morning from the Rajah in which the latter informs him that he is unable to give me any assistance whatever in carrying on the survey work to the East of Tellizo owing to his having incurred a large expenditure on account of the late Lushai Expedition, as well as in having furnished Colonel Thomson with an escort on his late tour towards the Burmah side. I am afraid I shall now have to try and push on alone. |
| text: |
In the afternoon I accompanied Austin and Laitambah (a Manipuri Subadar who is most anxious to be made Governor of these parts) up to Tehrenumah (one of the Sopoomah group) and got the latter to point out the whereabouts of a hill the Manipuries called Koliah. From what Laitambah told us this afternoon, it appears that Koliah is the name the Manipuries have given to the range of hills lying to the East and North of Tellizo, for he pointed out 3 peaks on the watershed all of which he called Koliah. I may however add that a few days ago this same Laitambah (evidently a most zealous servant of the Rajah) told me in the presence of Colonel Thomson that the Telligo Hill was called Koliah. |
