This letter was written by a Tibetan government official for a newly-appointed trade official, Khenchung Lobsang Gyeltsen (a khenchung is a monk official of the fourth rank) who was departing Lhasa to take up his new position in Dromo, near the Indian border. The letter serves as a certificate for the provision of corvée labor and services to the official by estates and houses along his travel route. At the bottom are the districts at which the permit was received. The seal is that of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. The rectangular shape indicates this is an official document.
To all the districts and estate headmen and people along the road from Lhasa to Dromo: the newly appointed replacement official in charge of Indian trade, Khenchung Lobsang Gyeltsen, is departing to take up the position. For travel between districts (dzong), as the rules dictate, [he should be provided with] four horses [to ride], five pack animals for food and bedding, two horsemen, two people to care for horses and cooking, firewood for cooking, and use of the yak leather boats, ferries and bridges to cross the rivers. For use of each horse for one day’s travel [Lobsang Gyeltsen] must pay four zho [a traditional monetary unit], and for each pack animal two zho. This payment must be made to the local people without any hesitation. The invoices must be recorded in an expense report to be made every six months. Upon arrival at his final destination, the travel permit must also be returned. Written on the 17th day of the 12th Water Snake Year.
This permit received by the Khashak Secretariat
Received: from Chushur to Pelri
Received: from Pelri
Received: Rinpung to Gyantsé
Received: from Gyantsé to Phakri
Received: from Phakri to Dromo