The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-19
The Commercial Advantages OF the Annex
alton or the Punjaub to English Indian

Territory.
In connection with the annexation of the Pun
jaub the most interesting point OF inquiry Is Its
commercial value summary OF such few de-
tails as are known, and for which we are chiefly
indebted to the recent works OF Colonel Stelnbach
and Captain Cunningham, will, therefore, prove
useful. Extending between the 18th and Both
aiallels of north latitude, and between the list
and 18th meridians Of east longitude, the country
has medium position corresponding nearly with
that of Northern Africa and the American States.
With mountain ranges in its northern portion,
which reach elevation of two or three miles,
and with broad plains descending towards the
south till they scarcely above the level of the
sea- all varieties Of climate are obtanable, well
as every description of natural produce. The five
rivers-the Indus, the Jhelum the Chenab, the
Ravee, and the Sutlej-whence the territory de-
five, and anb, water,) afford navigation Of not
less Than 800 miles, together with such facilities
of irrigation may be turned to account even by
the simplest methods. Regarding climate, il ap-
pears that in Cashmere, and the northern district
generally, the thermometer during. winter often
falls several degrees below the freezing point that
In the centre, at Lahore, 1t is seldom below 40 or
so, and has been known to rise in the month OF
June, the period of greatest warmth, as high as
liz, In tent artlclally cooled; and that further
south, towards Mooltsn, the heat and dust storms
are oppressive. During the principal part OF the
year the heat is accompanied with great dryness,
except at midsummer, when there is rain for some
weeks, especially in the northern districts. The
diseases common TO the country are the same
those observed throughout British India, fevers,
liver complaints, and dysentery, being the most fire.
quent. The readiness with which change of tenn
perature may be Obtained presents, however, valu
able means OF mitigation, and the climate of Cash
mere, asregards healthfuness is asserted. not with
some show of proof to be the finest in the world
With respect 10 the products Of the Punaub, those
OF the northern portion, including Cashmere, with
IT'S haryesis OF saffron and It's important manufac
ture ct shawls, estimated at G300, 600 annually,
together with the plains Of Attock and Peshawur,
which are covered with rich crops Of rice of wheat,
and OF barley, are extremely varied. The msun-
tains, moreover, yield drugs and dyes, and
fruits, while their sides are covered with gigantic
pines. There is also mineral wealth, although, of
course, under Sikh rule and an especial jealousy
Of European interference, it has never been de-
veloped. Iron, copper, lead, salt, coal, nitre,
plumbago, and even gold mines abound, and pro-
pery worked, would furnish it is alleged, an enor-
nous revenue. The Central Punjaub is mostly
bushyjungle or pastoral waste, rescued from the
desert by its rivers and by primitive system of
irrigation, while its dryness keeps it free from
beasts of prey. Under these circumstances, large
herds OF cattle constitute Its wealth The plains,
however, in the immediate vicinity of the Indus
and is tributaries are not surpassed in fertility,
salubrlty, or loneliness by any in the East. The
chief products which are cultivated, are wheat
ana o,her descriptions of grain, indigo, sugar in
abundance, rice, opium, cotton, hemp, assafntda,
and various sorts OF oil seeds. The gardens yield
guavas, dates, mangoes, lines, lemons, peaches,
aaprcots, bgs, pomegranstes, plums, oranges, null
berries, grapes, almonds, melons appes beans
cucumbers, carrots, turnips, and great variety of
fruits unknown even by name to Europeans
Flowers, too, are produced IA beautiful proiusion
There are also trees valuable for their wood but
those adapted for fuel are rare Amongst animals
deer and cames are numerous. Builaloes and
sheep are also found in large herds and focks
The flesh OF cattle Is, however, respected by the
Sikhs, who only use the milk Of the COW and the
wool OF the sheep, in addition to the skins or hides
Of either animal, which form an article OF export.
The Sikhs are extensive breeders of horses. Com
mon domestic fowl as well as game exist in abun-
dance, and the rivers swarm with fish, such as
mullet, carp, NC, and great variety Of unknown
species. The bee and the skworm thrive, and the
fruits of their industry constitute valuable articles
OF trade and OF home consumption.
In quiet times the commerce Of the Punaub has
been extensive. II reached its highest point du-
ring the latter years of the rule of Runleet Singh
since when it has declined, owing to numerous
robbcriee, vexatious exactions and the withdrawal
OF money TO places of security. The manufac-
lures consist chiefly of silks cottons, leather,
arms and shawls. Next to Lahore, the chef
manufacturing towns are Umritsur, Mootan Shoo-
Jabad, and Leia. Most of their productions are
remarkably Tor quality, and nothing but misgovern-
ment could have kept the commerce of the country
from rapidly augmenting.
The transit OF goods through the Punjaub from
countries beyond the Indus TO Hindostan and pice
ye7s0, forms larger source of mercantile revenue
than the returns upon the home manufactures: but
this again. from the absence of security and of n
fair system of tolls, has been far less than would
have been secured by wise and liberal govern
ment. The goods imported from British India,
and carried through the Punjaub TO Afghanstan
and other parts of Central Asa, in proportion
10 the good understanding that may exist be-
tween the respective countries, are cotton, woo-