JDH wrote to Lindley, asking him to inform WJH of his wellbeing. They have had bad weather & dwindling food stores since JDH last wrote. They are now at the fork of the river immediately above Lachen. The Bhoteas [Bhotias] have reported that Chinese Lepchas are coming to drive them away & they heard that 60 Tibetans seized JDH’s plants. He sent the Coolie Sirdar to retrieve them as Meepo was too afraid & he reported seeing huge Tibetans called Sikars[?]. JDH describes an encounter with the men at camp & is not sure if he had crossed the Tibetan border or not. Their rice finally arrived after his people found a circuitous route to Choongtam & another load came from Darjeeling along with letters from Campbell & Humboldt. JDH’s servant Clements is ill in Calcutta [Kolkata] & Falconer has engaged another man for him named de Cruz[?], probably one of the Del Crusca[?] family. JDH describes some of the plants he has collected & discusses the drawings & specimens he is sending to RBG Kew. JDH writes of the new genera of Rhododendron & has collected woods all along the Teesta River. He requests a new pocket lens; Mr Ward will know the type as he got one for Thomson. The Rajah has sent a man to resolve the difficulties & sends gifts of silk, fine Tibetan cloth & curious fruits named ‘Gundroom’ from Persia, of which he includes a sketch. JDH is sorry WJH cannot get a man for Ceylon [Sri Lanka]; he thinks Thwaites could be suitable & will encourage him to renew his attention to systematic botany to qualify himself. He will write to Frances [Henslow] next mail. The list of unidentified Orchidaceae Smith sent are undoubtedly JDH's.

JDH has written to Frances [Henslow] & since then has stood on the table plateau beyond the Sikkim boundary. He thought the Tchebu Lama’s letter had removed all difficulties, however Campbell had misunderstood. The Singtam Soubah is a good man but JDH describes difficulties with the Lachen Soubah & the Choongtam Lama. Everybody he met denied the existence of the Kongra Lama pass. The Rajah asked him to return to Darjeeling but JDH refused. The Soubah has been in Lhasa Dijauhi[?] & promised to take JDH to Tungu, but JDH had promised not to enter Tibet or 'Cheen'. After JDH treated the Singtam Soubah when he was ill, the man agreed to take him to Kongra Lama & told him that Tungu was actually in Sikkim. Samdong, the bridge, is 8 miles north of the Lachen River. The Soubah of Lachen made his apologies & the Bhoteans are civil to him again. JDH describes their journey. Tibetans use the route to graze their yaks & make butter which they eat with Fagopyrum bread. He discusses the churns they use. JDH describes visiting Peppin’s [the Lachen Soubah] camp with his dog Kinchin. They then travelled between Kinchin –jow & Chomiomo until they reached a ridge connecting the two on which a cairn stood. JDH was finally at the back of the Himalayas; comparing it to Kanglachan &Wallanchoon[?]. He discusses the snow line. He made a sketch of the landscape. The vegetation was sparse but he got good barometer readings. JDH returned on a sure-footed Tartar pony. He cannot stay there long as the road to Choongtam is too poor for food to be collected. His men often fall ill between Choongtam & Darjeeling but he treats them with quinine & calomel. JDH will not return to Darjeeling until Sep or Oct.

JDH is en route to Lachoong [Lachung] Pass but must first dry & send his plants to Darjeeling. He has many from the Lachen valley & wanted to stay longer despite the Rajah. [Archibald] Campbell [AC] writes of a lot of fever between there & Darjeeling but the Lachung road is safer. He wants Astragali, Cruciferae etc. from the Tibetan slopes or the table-land of Lachen. JDH took a Tartar pony up to 17000ft. He is now at 6000ft & describes the varied vegetation. He thinks the dangers are exaggerated, despite the discomfort of leeches. WJH’s letter arrived with PS from Lord Carlisle. He is glad the government has given up the Borneo grant. The Indian troops say Borneo is worse than Hindustan. [James] Brookes defends it only as a Naval depot. JDH is annoyed with AC’s politeness towards the Rajah; he had to rely on the Soubah’s help. JDH & AC also disagree about the location of the Tibet frontier at Neenla[?]. JDH will send seeds & roots of Jatamansi for the museum. Thomson is still at Simla [Shimla]. JDH will not take magnetic observations for the R.H.[Royal Horticultural?] Society unless Sabine sends the insgtruments. He dismisses the aneroid & would rather Newman send another small barometer. Muller has bought the instruments last sent; Hodgson also wants some as does Mr Middlesmiss[?] who cultivates tea at Khersiong. He congratulates WJH on Thwaites appointment & will write to him at Ceylon [Sri Lanka] about the importance of systematic botany & the 'Flora Zeylanica'. He is glad WJH has written to Jenkins & that Stevens does well. The seeds in Wallich’s letter were for WJH. He discusses the oaks & chestnuts there, his opinions on Spruce, Rhododendron formosum & the Palaeontographical Society. He will write to Bentham. JDH complains of Reeves, who has neglected sending copies of JDH's works. All India loves RHODODENDRONS OF THE SIKKIM-HIMLAYA. WJH should beware of Pentland who takes credit for Humboldt’s discovery.

JDH has received WJH's letter & discusses the sale of [George] Gardner's herbarium & library. He thinks Thomas Thomson would be a large purchaser. If it were valued & put on sale, JDH, WJH, Bentham & Thomson might subscribe with Lindley & Brown to buy the Cingalore portion. JDH is anxious of Thwaites's success as a botanist. He is glad WJH passed Lord Carlisle's note to [Brian Houghton] Hodgson. JDH discusses the Rhododendron books Falconer wrote his opinion of Reeves. He thanks WJH for the copies of his Journal & the Admiralty Manual. Falconer reports that all 150 Rhododendron roots were dead on arrival at Calcutta [Kolkata]. JDH discusses sending more. He cannot get Cupressus funebris; Larch & Abies brunoniana are fruiting . He describes A. webbiana, A. spinulosa does not grow at the Lachoong [Lachung] valley. He has asked [Archibald] Campbell to let him visit Lachen again & talks of the results of his Tibetan cruise & of reaching the Tibetan plateau. He has recently returned from visiting a pass within 10 miles of Pari & Holy Mount Chumalari, which leads to Choombi [Chumbi], though only at the height of Kongra Lama [The end of this letter is missing but a copy of the complete letter can be found at JDH_1_10_201-203 (JHC No.91)].

[This is a more complete manuscript copy of the incomplete original letter found at JDH/1/10 f.200 (JHC90)]. JDH has received WJH's letter & discusses the sale of [George] Gardner's herbarium & library. He thinks Thomas Thomson [TT] would be a large purchaser. If it were valued & put on sale, JDH, WJH, Bentham & TT might subscribe with Lindley & Brown to buy the Cingalore portion. JDH is anxious of Thwaites's success as a botanist. He is glad WJH passed Lord Carlisle's note to [Brian Houghton] Hodgson. JDH discusses the Rhododendron books Falconer wrote & his opinion of Reeves. He thanks WJH for the copies of his Journal & the Admiralty Manual. Falconer reports that all 150 Rhododendron roots were dead on arrival at Calcutta [Kolkata]. JDH discusses sending more. He cannot get Cupressus funebris; Larch & Abies brunoniana are fruiting. He describes A. webbiana, A. spinulosa does not grow at the Lachoong [Lachung] valley. He has asked [Archibald] Campbell [AC] to let him visit Lachen again & talks of the results of his Tibetan cruise & of reaching the Tibetan plateau. He has recently returned from visiting a pass within 10 miles of Pari & Holy Mount Chumalari, which leads to Choombi [Chumbi], though only at the height of Kongra Lama. JDH describes his journey to Kankola, including the vegetation, landscape & weather. He has received letters from Bentham, TT – who intends to join him in November for the Khasya cruise – & Major Madden. Sir James & Miss Colville have gone to Ceylon [Sri Lanka]; Sir Lawrence Peel talks of coming to Darjeeling & AC of joining JDH in October. TT declined Lord Dalhousie’s offer of a medical appointment. JDH discusses his finances. He discusses WJH approaching the Woods & Forests Committee on his behalf & asks to be remembered to Mr Melville of India House. JDH has accepted help from the H.E.I.C.. AC wrote to WJH with 2 copies of JDH's Tonglo Journal from the Asiatic Society's journal. JDH is enclosing a map, seeds & a packet for Falconer.

JDH wrote to WJH from Yeumtong [Yumthang] & has since been into Tibet by the Donkiah Pass - northwest of Chumalari [mountain] & 30 miles beyond the Himalayan range, like Kongra Lama. The pass is different from the Nepal ones, being very narrow between the mountains Donkiah-lah & Kinchin-jhow. JDH describes the landscape & route of the Lachoong River towards Choongtam & the Lachen River across the Cholamu plains. From the top he could see hills of quartz tinged with iron oxide. He does not doubt that the water north of him & west of the Painomchoo feeds the Arun [river]. The Bhotian people do not distinguish between the ranges. JDH sketches a map of the region. The lakes are inferior to those of Lachong. JDH discusses the elevations of the landscape. He cannot go much further owing to Sikkim opposition & Chinese outposts. They are now cut off from Darjeeling & supplies are dwindling. The Singtam Soubah accompanied him to the pass but has now left. JDH describes the curious flora there, along with the landscape. He compares the valley to the crater of a volcano. JDH describes how a sudden snowstorm smashed his thermometer but the barometer, given to him by Henslow, was miraculously unscathed. The thermometer Sabine sent him arrived just in time. He is also glad of the barometer tubes from Newmann. JDH found rock formations similar to those of Cockburn Island. JDH describes his collections & the local wildlife which includes migratory birds.

JDH tells WJH of his plan for the coming year. He is done with Sikkim & Bhotan [Bhutan], or the 'Dhurmah country', is shut to Europeans; it's Rajah is worse than Sikkim’s. The Mishmis are so unhealthy that Jenkins advises against going there. The northwest is being explored by Captain Strachey – only Nepal remains. JDH describes the best route: straight from Darjeeling to Cattmandu [Kathamandu] via Dunkotah & then to Dawalgeri & Kumaron. He describes the difficulties he will face. The Rajah’s leave could not be refused to the Governor General. The expense would be £600 of which he has £300 from Woods & Forests. He has written to Lord Dalhousie on the matter & hopes Thomson will join him. He has also written to Sir Henry Elliot of his intentions. If Thomson does not join him, he will struggle with navigating by astronomy & languages. He describes orientating himself in Sikkim using an Azimuth Compass, but could not do so in Nepal. The languages spoken, besides Hindustani, are Purbuttyah – Ghoorka [Ghurka] colloquial - & Bhote [Tibetan]. He requests a telescope & one of Newman's short barometers. Should there be any obstacles to his plans for going to Nepal, he will take the Khossya Hills instead. JDH discusses his recent explorations which have included two glaciers, & his collections, including a Cyananthus. He wants WJH to grow the great rhubarb 'Tchuka', which he describes, he thinks it is figured in Royle’s Himalaya Flora. A new Rhododendron & Tsalla are common there at 18,000 ft. He adds that it snows everyday.

JDH informs WJH that regarding Nepal, Hodgson says Sir B. Shakespeare, Resident, will support him with £300. Lord Dalhousie will sanction Government payment of JDH’s expenses, pending application to the Court at Home. Courtenay has written asking about JDH’s prospects in India. JDH is pleased with WJH’s success with cultivating his Rhododendrons at Kew but would like to see the Tchuka rhubarb growing. JDH discusses Lobb & Jenkins. JDH is content about Himalaya vs. Borneo. He asks if Harvey got his letter & comments that Edgeworth is a good fellow. After seeing his Tonglo paper, Edgeworth sent him copies of Ruprecht’s descriptions of Bamboo. Edgeworth asked if WJH grew the 'Cleime' from Aden. JDH will send ferns from Darjeeling. He has heard of McNab’s death in Edinburgh. WJH should see Roxburgh for information on the Toddy Palm at Madras [Chennai], it is Phoenix sylvestris, though other plants also yield toddy. There are two Stracheys: Henry is travelling up the Indus to Neeli Pass & Richard is awaiting him there. He instructs WJH not to be jostled out of the house by Aiton. JDH sends regards to the Deleports. Tayler intends to send JDH’s portrait as a gift for Frances Henslow. Wight has sent JDH his ILLUSTRATIONS [OF INDIAN BOTANY] & JDH wants to give him, & the Rajah of Nepal copies of the RHODODENDROND [OF THE SIKKIM-HIMALAYA]. JDH adds that most of the seeds he sends should be grown as alpines, some may be mislabelled.

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JDH & [Archibald] Campbell [AC] are on route to Lachen Pass [Kongra Lama]. He asks WJH or J.[John] Smith to keep a list of all the fruits & seeds he sends. Jatamansi [Paom peu Bhot] has ripened. JDH sends [Hugh] Falconer duplicates of all his seeds. He describes AC’s altitude sickness & his temperament.

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JDH writes to WJH, informing him that he & [Archibald] Campbell [AC] are prisoners of the Sikkim Rajah, but JDH does not fear for their safety. He describes their imprisonment & speculates as to the reasons for it. JDH has been copying out AC’s dispatches to Government & sends a copy of his journal for [Brian Houghton] Hodgson to forward to WJH. His friend Meepo remains loyal & will hopefully get this to Darjeeling so the military can bring about their release. JDH reassures WJH about his situation, & asks him to write to France Henslow & Aunt Palgrave. He has letters for Bentham, Berkeley & Darwin. He sympathises with AC’s wife. JDH asks if his Meconopsis have grown. He adds that Thomson will be at Darjeeling on the 20th.

JDH & Brian [Houghton Hodgson] [BHH] have both written to WJH about his situation. He explains the reason for [Archibald's] Campbell’s [AC] imprisonment: the Tartars & Bhothias believed that by capturing an authority they can bend him to their will. When this did not work, they invented offences in order to hold AC, but the Government have now intervened. The accusations are now of trespassing on the Thibet [Tibet] frontier. JDH & AC went there with the assent of the Chinese Lepchas & the Lachen Peppin who is the Sikkim authority. JDH’s Sirdars are in chains & his party disbanded, only Hopenar[?] remains. He discusses his seed collections & botanical matters, including Balanophora polyandra. The Nepal Terai is impassable until 15 Nov due to malaria & JDH will not travel to Calcutta [Kolkata] or Bombay [Mumbai] any earlier. [Nathaniel] Wallich will verify this. Lord Dalhousie will assist JDH & [Thomas] Thomson [TT] in applying to the Nepal Durbar. BHH is looking out for TT who has not yet arrived. JDH is glad Lindley liked his letter & thinks Klotzsch will make a mess of the collections of Prince Vladmier [Vladimir?]. With Wallich, Don & Hamilton working at cross-purposes, the whole Himalayan Flora is in the hands of JDH & TT. It can only be elucidated with Bogden & Wallich’s herbaria. JDH is sorry to hear of the Bishop of Norwich’s death & suggests Owen, if Brown will not take the position. Lord Derby was useless in the role. Bentham will offer sound advice. JDH discusses the wisdom of the Geological & Geographical Society in selecting men such as Hamilton, Lyle & Murchison.

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As a result of Rajah's tricks & climate JDH lost many parts of collections, now replacing. Thomas Thomson [TT] & Maxwell are surveying Rumman river. Lord Dalhousie has not settled TT & JDH's future route. Madden & J.M. Grant are leaving. JDH has sketch book for WJH, a Mrs Lydiard[?] insists on making a large coloured drawing for WJH. Discusses expenses for the FLORA ANTARCTICA. Sceptical of Mr Archer's plant, supposes it cannot be female Huon pine. Discusses leaving West Park for Aiton's house. Discusses instruments; telescope, azimuth compass, theodolite, barometer, actinometer, sextent watch, chemical box & mentions Thuillier's kindness. Parcels sent to Calcutta [Kolkata] containing seeds, items from Snows, Lhasa purses, Larch, Brunoniana, Khutrow cones, & whole specimens of R. nivale. Tchuka rhubarb & Rhododendron manuscript will go next mail. Falconer planted Webbiana seeds in Calcutta & the boxes go to England with JDH's 1848 dried collection & museum specimens. Vegetable bellows to follow & also 100 kinds of wood. Mentions bulky specimens, gunny cloth, lutea fibre, knife & cloth died red with munjeet from the Rajah, cloth died yellow with Symplocos, & fibres of Sterculia. Thinks Lushington & General made inconceivable mess of Sikkim affair & discuses this in detail. Hodgson delighted with 'Hodgsonia'. JDH sorry he cannot send drawings of anthers, has written to ask Cathcart. Discusses Wightia. Has recommended Thwaites to Wight. Royle[?] sent Tea pamphlet. Sends fragment of Cypress unlike Staunton's drawings. Thanks WJH for offer of money to travel in Nepaul [Nepal]. Mentions Bellender Ker [Kerr]. Thinks Greenough[?] very kind & will work on Geographical Society map. Discusses: the Donkiah [Dongkha La] pass, excellent coloured sketch of Thibet, Bhotia servant & profits for the Linnean Society. Has no acorns so far. Sends more Larch seeds by Secretary India House & has planted some.