Letter received by Charles Francis Greville from Francis Buchanan, 23 April 1809 (Series 20.26) - No. 0001

[Page 1]

Dear Sir

     Last rainy season I passed at Gualpara on the frontier of Assam, and when the dry weather began, I visited the hilly countries in that vicinity.  I was in great hopes that I should have found something worthy of your acceptance, but was disappointed.  The hills consist entirely of granite or silistone mica, and contain no minerals, marine [indecipherable], nor any thing of the smallest curiosity.  I was very anxious to have procured Lord Mintos permission to pass the ensuring rainy season among the Alps of Bootan, and, before I left Gualpara, wrote to his Lordship on the subject, but, as I have received no answer, I have reluctantly been under the necessity of giving up my plan of a personal visit, and to content myself with training up a native