·GOVERNMBNT OF WBST
BENGAL
Uttarpara Jaikrishna Public Library

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·P A P E R S
IRELATING
TO)
EAST INDIA AFFAIRS:
V I z.
Discussions with the Burmese Government.
In pursuancc of the Orders of the Honourable the House of Commons,
dated the 29th March and 27th May 1825.
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
30 May 1825.

·PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese RETURN to the Orders of the Honourable the House of Commons, dated 29th March and 27th May 1825, for Papers relative to the BURMESE WAR. Return to the Order of 29th March 1825, for, "A Returı) of the number “ of Troops in the service of the East India Company, first stationed in Shapoorce, and at what time." FROM the letter from the Governor Gencral in Council, at Fort William, in Bengal, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, dated 21st November 1823, printed on page 1 of the Papers relating to the Burmese War, which were presented to the House of Commons by Ilis Majesty's command on the 22d February 1825, it appears, that carly in the year 1823, in consequence of the murder of a mug boatman, a guard of provincials, consisting of a jemadar and twelve men, were detached from the adjoining tannah of Tek Naaf, to take post on the Island of Shapoorec, " with the vicw of preventing further outrage, and generally of affording security and protection to “ the peaceable inhabitants of that quarter of the district of Chittagong." Return to the Orders of 29th March 1825, Nºs 3 & 4: “ That there be laid before this llouse Copy of any Document which " has been received in England, to show that the Island of Shapoorce belongs to, or is within the Territory of the Ilonourable East India “ Company;--and froin what period, and in what manner it became on theirs." " That there be laid before this House, a Statement of the cxtent of the “ Island of Shapooree, and of any Revenue which may have been " derived from it by the East India Company, since it came into “ their possession." 19 NO) documents have been received in England, from which any information can be given upon these points, beyond what is contained in the Papers relating to the Burmese War, which have been already laid before the House of Commons by His Majesty's command. Steps have been taken for procuring more ample information from India.

·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 3 Return to the Order of 27th May 1825 ;---viz. COPIES, or EXTRACTS, of DESPATCHES from the Government of Bengal, relating to Discussions which took place between that Government and the Burmese Government, in 1823, and preceeding Years. List of the DESPATCILES referred to. Letter from the Governor General in Council, at Fort William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; dated 230 January 1812 5 Dº Dº Dº 4th March 1812 p. 12 Dº D° yth P. 26 Dº D" Dº 24th do P. 28 D* Dº Dº 25th April P. 34 1) Dº - 25th May P. 30 Dº D" Dº 4th June p. 49 L D? Iº ist August P. 53 Extract of a Letter from D. to the Secret ('onnittee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company; dated 2d October 1812 p. 619 Letter from Dº to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; dated 21st October 1812 p. 70 Extract of a Letter from the Governor General in Council, at Fort William, in Bengal, to the Secret Committee of :he Court of Directors of the East India Company; dated 18th Novenber 1812 P. 79 Letter from D• to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; dated 5th February 1813 P. ib. Extract of a Letter from ! to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company; dated 29th March 1813 p. 85 Letter from Dº to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; dated 24th June 1813 P. ib.

·PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Letter from the Governor General in Council, at Fort William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; dated 1st October 1813 p. 91 1) Dº 5th February 1814 P. 100 Ꭰ . 29th April 1 P. 107 D• Dº 230 June 112 D) • Dº D° 20th December 1817 p. 114 Extract of a Do - Dº 4th June 1818 p. 119 Dº 1)º I) 17th March 18:20 p. 120 D* Do 8th July p. 121 D. Dº 21st October p. ib. . D)' Dº Dº - 9th May 1823 P. 122 Dº Dº 13th June 1823 P. ib. Dº Dº Dº 1 - 31st July 18:23 P. ib. Dº Dº 12th September 1823 P. ib. D* D* D* I oth September 1824 p. 129 India Board, May 30th, 1825. TH(). P. COURTENAY.

·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. < Prillp 11?.!!! DISCUSSIONS IMRAN 18.11 WITH THE BURMESE GOVERNMENT: 1812-1824. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor General in Council at Fort Despatch from Gov.Gen. in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; 23 Jan. 1812. dated 23d January 1812. Hodourable Sirs, HE object of this address is to bring under the notice of your honourable court the circumstances which have rendered it necessary to appoint another mission to the government of Ava. 2. In the early part of the past year a native of Arracan, named Kingberring, whose ancestor as well as himself possessed lands to a considerable extent in that province, near the frontier of Chittagong, and who in consequence of his having incurred the displeasure, and been exposed to the resentment of the king of Ava, took refuge with a number of his followers in the district of Chittagong, about fourtcen years ago meditated the design of embodying those followers, as well as the other Mugs, who many years since emigrated from Arracan, and invading the latter province. This project he actually carried into execution in the month of May 1811, having either by persuasion, or by intimidation, induced a large body of the Mugs, settled in Chittagong, to join his standard. Partly owing to the secrecy and caution with which he pursued his design, and the promptitude with which he carried it into effect, and partly to the negligence of the darogahs of the thannahs on the frontier, his proceedings were unknown to the magistrate until he had crossed the river Nauf, which forms the common boundary of the two countries, followed by a considerable number of the emigrant Mugs. The magistrate, on being apprised of Kingberring's proceedings, employed every practicable endeavour to effect the seizure of his person, but without success. His efforts were likewise directed to prevent the departure of additional parties of the Mugs, whom by means of his emissaries Kingberring continued to entice, or compel by menace, to join his standard. 4. Kingberring however succeeded in collecting a considerable body of these men in a district east of the Nauf, and this body was augmented by inhabitants of the province of Arracan. With a view to increase his force, by compelling the Mugs, who yet remained within the province of Chittagong, to join him, he despatched an armed force into that province. 5. It became necessary therefore for the magistrate to call for the assistance of the British troops, both to protect the Mugs, and to expel the parties despatched by Kingberring, and he accordingly directed the commanding officer of the station to detach to the frontier the whole of the disposable force. Another consideration also rendered this measure advisable, namely, that in the event of Kingberring being foiled in his attempt to effect the conquest of Arracan, he would probably return into the district of Chittagong, followed by his adherents, and pursued by the forces of the Burmese government. To prevent these armed bodies from entering our territory required every practicable measure of precaution. On the same ground we judged it necessary to equip and arm a small vessel adapted to the 360. B navigation ·.* N° 49. 6 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from navigation of the Nauf, placing on board it a detachment of about 40 sepoys under Gov.Gen. in council, an European officer. 23 Jan. 1812. 6. Kingberring having finally collected a force sufficient to enable him to .commence his operations, he advanced into the interior of the province, and in the course of a short time subjected the whole to his authority, with the exception of the capital of Arracan, to which he laid seige. 7. It was reasonable to suppose, and the fact was subsequently confirmed, that the Burmese government would be impressed with a belief that this invasion, headed by a person who had resided for so many years under our protection, and who had drawn the principal part of his force from our territory, was instigated and supported by the British government. This belief the magistrate properly endeavoured to obviate, or remove by a letter to the address of the rajah of Arracan, detailing the real circumstances of the case ; but the country being occupied by persons acting under the authority of Kingberring, the messenger was unable to reach the rajah's presence. In the mean time Kingberring addressed several letters to the magistrate of Chittagong, explanatory of the motives of his conduct, relating his success, and offering to become tributary to the British government : to these letters no answer was returned. 8. For the detail of what is above succinctly related, we beg leave to refer your honourable court to the extract of our proceedings in the judicial department Pol. Cons. 6 Sept. (recorded as per margin), containing copies of the correspondence of the magistrate of Chittagong from the end of January to the end of July 1811, and of the resolutions adopted and orders issued by this government from time to time on the points of communication submitted to it by the magistrate. 9. In the magistrate's letter of the 28th June, your honourable court will observe the evidence of the firm conviction entertained by the local authorities of Arracan, that the invasion of the province was instigated and supported by the British government. Your honourable court will also observe, that with a vicw to obviate this belief on the mind of the king and the rulers of the state of Ava, the vice-president Cons. Sept. 6, addressed a letter to the viceroy of Pegu ; that letter will be found recorded on the proceedings noted in the margin. 10. But government had every reason to doubt the efficacy of a mere narrative of facts conveyed through the medium of a letter, because not only were the circumstances of the case entirely consistent with a belief of our having encouraged the invasion, but (as government was well aware) a predisposition to credit a report of such design, generated partly by ignorance and jealousy, and partly by a suspicion that the British government might meditatc an anticipation of efforts on the part of the court of Ava to enforce its avowed claim to the province of Chittagong, (a claim which was brought forward during the mission of Captain Canning to Ava in the year 1809,) might be supposed to exist in the mind of the king. appeared to the vice-president in council, therefore, that the more impressive and effectual mode of communicativn, through the agency of an envoy, was necessary to undeceive the Burmese court, with regard to our supposed participation in the proceedings of Kingberring. 11. Independently, however, of the importance of this object, founded on the solicitude of government to avoid being placed in a state of war with the kingdom of Ava, it appeared to be essential also with reference to the safety of the British subjects and British property at Rangoon. 12. The vice-president in council considered that the first mcasure of the Burmese government, acting under the conviction of our concern in the invasion of Arracan, might probably be the seizure both of the persons and of the property of the British subjects, whose lives even the vice-president in council conceived might be endangered by the barbarous revenge of the Burmese government. 13. On these grounds, therefore, the vice-president in council adopted the reso. lution, stated at the commencement of this address, of despatching an envoy to Rangoon, and eventually to the court of Ava; and Captain Canning, who was employed in that capacity in the year 1809, and had twice before visited Rangoon and the capital, and who by his talents as well as by his experience was peculiarly qualified for the duty of envoy, was selected for that situation. 14. A salary N° 52. It ·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 14. A salary of 1,500 rupees per mensum, the same as was allowed on Captain Despatch from Canning's last mission, was assigned to him on the present occasion, and he was Gov.Gen. in council, allowed to entertain an establishment somewhat exceeding the scale of the former 23 Jan. 1812. mission; an escort, consisting of 112 sepoys, was appointed to attend him; and the ship Amboyna, the property of government, having been purchased at the Moluccas, was ordered for his accommodation. Presents also, of the value of 10,000 rupees, were provided according to the custom. 15. The detail of these arrangements will be found recorded on the consultations Cons. 2 Aug. N° 1. noted in the margin. 9 Aug. N°• 12 to 44. 16 August, Nº 52. 16. Captain Canning was furnished with copies of all the documents on record 30 August, Nº 43. relative to the late iransactions in Arracan, and with full instructions for the 6 Sept. Ná 47 to 48 (A.) guidance of his conduct, adapted to every occurrence that could be foreseen. For the detail of those instructions, which embrace too inany points to admit of their being comprehensively described, wc beg leave to refer your honourable court to our chiet secretary's letter to Captain Canning's address, recorded as per margin. Cons. 6 Sept. Nº 50. 17. Your honourable court will obscrve, that the vice-president in council took that opportunity of conveying a representation on the subject, generally, of the unjust and unfriendly conduct of the local government of Pegu with respect to British ships and British subjects trading to Rangoon; and especially the unwarrantable proceedings of that government with respect to a ship called the Elephant, which sailed from this port in the month of August 1810 for the purpose of procuring a cargo of teak timbers, bui was prevented from returning until the month of Marcha following, in consequence of the arbitrary measure adopted by the government of Pegu, of seizing the ship, dispossessing her commander, and sending her in charge of another person, with a body of troops, to Tavoy, on which impressed service the ship was detained many weeks, and suffered materially in her cables and stores, and on her return to Rangoon a very inconsiderable sum was offered as a compensation for the injury she had sustained, and for the heavy loss occasioned by her detention. 18. Memorials on this subject were presented to government, in the month of March, by the principal merchants of Calcutta, and by the owners of the Elephant, who carnestly requested that government would adopt such measures as might be julged propier, through the agency of the vakcel of the viceroy of Pegu, then residing at this presidency, to procure indemnification to the owners of the Elephant, as well as general security for the ships, property, and persons of British subjects tading to Rangoon. A letter on this subject was accordingly addressed to the viccroy of Pogu, by his excellency the vice-president, and delivered to the vakeel; but as the viceroy who deputed him was subsequently removed, it was doubtful whether the vakcel, who soon after took his departure, would return to Pegu; and, at all events, whether the mere transmission of a letter would produce any effect. Those memorials, and the letter, will be found recorded on the consultation noted in the Cons. 15 March, margin. N° 106 to 111. Cons. 14 June, 19. The instructions will also be found to advert to other questions between this government and the government of Pegu; one of which related to the seizure of a Burmese vessel and her cargo, at Coringa, in the month of March 1810; the circumstances of which are not of sufficient moment to require detail in this place, but which are contained in documents recorded on the proceedings noted in the margin. 25 Sept. 1810, The other questions had reference to the object of the mission of the above-mentioned N" 212 to 217. vahcel, which were to obtain the recovery of certain military stores, stated to have Cons.5 April 1811, Nº 99 to 101. been seized by the commander of a British ship of war from a brig, on her passage from Cons. 26 April, Junk Ceylon to Tavoy, where she had been captured by the arms of the king of N 48. Ava from the Siamese; and to procure the release of the crew of another brig, Cons. 5 July, which had been detained at Pullicat, in consequence of their being guilty of piracy N° 104 to 106. and murder. For a knowledge of the details of these points, we beg leave to refer Cons. 14 June, your honourable court to the proceedings noted in the margin ; which also contain Nºs 49 and 50. à letter from the vice-president to the viceroy of Pegu, stating all the explanations of which these points were susceptible. 20. Subsequently to the departure of Captain Canning, which took place in the latter end of September, the ship Admiral Drury arrived from Rangoon, bringing a Burmese envoy, despatched for the express purpose of making a represensation to this government on the subject of the transactions in Arracan. The master of the ship 360. brought N° 51. Pol. Cons.

·8 - PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from brought an address to the vice-president in council, signed by all the British inha- Gov.Gen. in council, bitants of Rangoon, and prepared at the requisition of the viceroy, containing a 23 Jan. 1812. declaration purporting to be in reply to questions put to them by the viceroy, that they were fully convinced the invaders of Arracan acted entirely without the aid or countenance of the British government; and stating the expectation of the viceroy, that when the invaders and insurgents should be expelled from Arracan, the British government would take the necessary steps to prevent their finding refuge in the company's territories. 21. It appeared by the report of the master of the Admiral Drury, that in consequence of the suspicions entertained by the viceroy of the participation of the British government in the invasion of Arracan, all the ships in the river of Rangoon, belonging to British subjects, and among them the Admiral Drury, had been seized but po other measure of rigour had been adopted. The Admiral Drury was allowed to depart, only on the condition of the master consenting to convey the Burmese envoy above mentioned to this presidency free of charge. The documents connected Cons. 11 Oct. N° 2. with this subject will be found recorded as per margin. Cons. 15 Nov. N" 30 to 33. 22. The prohibition against the departure of the ships, however, was of short duration, and by the return of the Elephant (one of the detained ships) to this port, the information was received of their having been liberated at the expiration of about twenty days. 23. A continuation of the magistrate's reports respecting the progress of Kingberring's arms will be found in an extract from the proceedings of government in Cons, 11 Oct. N° 3. the judicial department, recorded as per margin. The magistrate on that occasion applied for a reinforcement to provide more effectually against the contingency before noticed, of the defeat of Kingberring, and his retreat into the province of Chittagong, followed by the Burmese forces; and measures were adopted to furnish it. The magistrate also adverted to the emigration of men who formerly belonged to the provincial corps of the station, and others, for the purpose of engaging in the service of Kingberring, and reported the mcasure which he had adopted to prevent the continuance of this practice. He also reported Kingberring's having sent a person with a sum of money to purchase red cloth to clothe his sepoys, his object being supposed to be, to lead the people of Arracan to believe that he was assisted by the British government, a belief which he industriously circulated. 24. The magistrate was directed in reply to instruct the police officers to apprehend all persons proceeding into Arracan to join Kingberring, and to apply to the collector of customs at Chittagong to seize and detain any cloth provided by Kingberring's emissary, and to endeavour to apprehend the latter ; and corresponding instructions were issued to the collector of customs and magistrates at the presidency 25. Further instructions were at the same time adulressed to Captain Canning transmitting to him a copy of the extract of proceedings above mentioned, directing him to counteract, as much as possible, the artful endeavours of Kingberring to promulgate a belief that his proceedings were encouraged and supported by the British government; pointing out to Captain Canning, at the same time, the representations to be made on that topic to the officers of the Burmese government. Cons. 11 Oct. Nº4. Those instructions will be found recorded as per margin. 26. Captain Canning's last report of his proceedings, after his arrival at Cons. 29 Nov. N°4. Rangoon on the 18th October, is recorded as per margin. Captain Canning appears to have been received with the proper marks of distinction. 27. The first part of his report your honourable court will observe relates the circumstance of the viceroy of Pegu having summoned all the British subjects, resident at Rangoon, and informed them that he had good grounds to assert, that the Bengal government had furnished the Mug emigrants with arms and ammunition, to enable them to invade Arracan ; that a numerous party of those emigrants had actually entered the province, and occasioned a general revolt; and that the families of the emigrants had remained at a village in the British territory, where a strong force was appointed for their protection. In consequence of which the viceroy had required them to address a letter to the vice-president in council, adding the circumstance before mentioned, of the despatch of the ship Admiral Drury with that .

·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 9 that letter; and a vakeel, instructed to remonstrate against these supposed measures Despatch from Gov.Gen.in council, of this government. Captain Canning also notices the detention and subsequent 23 Jan. 1812. release of the British ships at Rangoon. 28. Captain Canning adds, that he had not, at the date of his despatch, seen the viceroy, but that the members of the government, with whom he had conversed on the subject, evidently entertained the belief, that a large force of refugee Mugs could not have been collected in a British province, nor the invasion have taken place, without the knowledge and participation of this government. To obviate this impression, he addressed an official note to the government (a copy of which accompanies his despatch), stating in minute detail all the circumstances of the transaction, and the arguments resulting from them, in proof of our having not only had no concern in the invasion of Arracan, but of the British officers having employed every practicable effort to oppose and frustrate the project when known. This paper was to be sent up, with a copy of the vice-president's letter to the king, to the capital, whither Captain Canning expected that he would be summoned. 20. Captain Canning, in his report, notices also the measures adopted by the Burmese government to oppose the invaders, and requests to be furnished with instructions regarding the answer to be given to a question which would probably be ashed, whether in the event of the Burmese forces succeeding in expelling Kingberring and his adherents from the province, and of the latter taking refuge in the Britisli territory, they would be given up. 30. Captain Canning further communicates the wish expressed by the government of Rangoou, that the Burmese vakeel might be permitted to return from Calcutta by the first opportunity, on the ground that the business on which the vakeel was deputed might be better transacted by Captain Canning at Rangoon. 31. In reply to that despatch, Captain Canning was informed that the narrative of facts and circumstances contained in his official note to the government of Rangoon, was considered by us to be accurate and conclusive, in point of argument, with regard to the question of the participation of the British government in the invasion of Arracan; and that our only objection to that note was, that the extreme solicitude for the exculpation of government, which a detail so elaborate was calculated to cxhibit, might have tended to defeat its own object; and that we were disposed to think that it might have been more advisable, in the first instance, to have met the declared suspicions of the Burmese officers by a statement of the most prominent facts, reserving collateral circumstances and arguments for future eventual necessity, instond of at once exhausting the subject, by adducing every minute point of detail that could be brought to bear upon the general question, which we apprehended might be ascribed by the Burmese to a consciousness of the justice of their suspicions, and to a humiliating anxiety to avert thic resentment of their power. 32. In answer to the question expected to be put to Captain Canning by the government of Rangoon, he was desired to signify to the Burmese officers, that Kingberring and his adherents would not be allowed an asylum within the British territories, which, on the contrary, they would not, if possible, be permitted to enter, or having cntered, would be compelled to quit; but that the British government could not consent to seize and deliver up these fugitives to the officers of the Burmese government. Captain Canning was informed in conclusion, that the Burmese vakcel would be permitted to return to Rangoon by the first opportunity, agreeably to the desire of his government. The instructions issued to Captain Canning on this occasion will be found recorded as per margin. N. 33. The second and latest report hitherto received from Captain Canning is dated the 26th of November, with a postscript of the 28th, and recorded as per margin. Cons. 26 Dec. In that report Captain Canning describes the substance of what passed at a conference with the viceroy, on the subject of the invasion of Arracan. Captain Canning, it appears, succeeded in shaking the viceroy's belief of our participation in that event; but his report demonstrates the positive conviction of it entertained at the court of Ummerapoora. He states also, that the detention of British ships was in consequence of orders from the court, founded on that conviction, and ascribes their liberation only to the effect of the personal interests of the viceroy, who, deeply engaged in commercial speculations, was averse to the adoption of measures tending to disturb the relations of amity between the two states. It was satisfactory to us to find, that although government had correctly anticipated the impressions produced 360. Cons. 22 Nov. N° 6. on ·10 N° 35. Cong. 26 Dec. N° 7. PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from on the minds of the king and his officers by the events in Arracan, its apprehension Gov.Gen. in council, of the consequences of them to the British subjects residing in the Burmese territory 23 Jan. 1812. was not realized. The further measures pursued by the Burmese government for the purpose of recovering its authority in Arracan are noticed in this report. 34. Captain Canning relates also in that report his proceedings under the instructions of government, as described in a preceding part of this despatch, in endeavouring to obtain compensation for the owners of the ship Elephant; from which it appears, that the viceroy is disposed to grant the compensation that may be deemed by this government to be equitable. This disposition indeed was declared in his reply to the letter addressed to the viceroy on this subject (noticed in the 18th Cons. 15 Nov. paragraph of this despatch), which reply will be found recorded on the proceedings noted in the margin, and in consequence the whole of the papers on the subject were referred to the marine board, with directions to state what in its opinion would be a fair and equitable rate of freight to be demanded from the government of Rangoon for the period of time that the Elephant was employed in its service. 35. The marine board in its reply to that reference, contained in an extract from the proceedings of government in the public department, recorded as per margin, reported their opinion to be, that instead of the sum of 7,200 sicca rupees, which the government of Rangoon had offered, 15,166 should be demanded. 36. Entertaining some doubt whether this sum did not exceed what, at least, it would be advisable, if not equitable, to demand, we issued the instructions to the Cons. 26 Dec. marine board, which will be found recorued as per margin, for the final adjustment N° 8. of the question in communication with the owners of the ship. 37. Your honourable court will observe in Captain Canning's report, notice of an American, named Davy, who arrived at Rangoon about three years ago, and proceeded to the capital of Ava, with a view to make himself acquainted with the several articles of produce in that country, in which an advantageous commerce might be carried on with America; and who, it scems, ascertained that the government of Ava was disposed to furnish supplies of saltpetrc in return for arms, which Mr. Davy having returned to America, and again come back to India, has lately intimated by letter to the government of Rangoon might now be furnished, stating at the same time that he had been appointed agent on the part of the American government to that of Ava, and proposed proceeding to Rangoon. 38. We are not aware that this species of traffic, or the residence of an American agent with the government of Ava, is incompatible with the provisions of existing treaties. But both will demand counteraction, if the relations of amity between England and America should be interrupted ; at the same time, your honourable court will observe from Captain Canning's report, that this proposed exchange of saltpetre for arms is not likely to have effect. 39. We have not yet replied to this last report of Captain Canning. 40. In continuation of the principal subject of this despatch, it is proper to transmit, enclosed, an extract from our proceedings in the judicial department, under date the 26th ultimo, containing a copy of a further despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong, in which he reports the seizure of two Europeans by the people of Kingberring, and the measures which he adopted to effect their liberation. 41. One of those Europeans named Taylor, is the Englishmen, who appears by Captain Canning's reports to be a commander of a vessel in the service of the Burmese government, which was despatched to the coast of Arracan for the purpose of gaining intelligence of the real state of affairs in that province, and whether or not the invaders had received assistance from the British government. The circumstances of his being in the service of the Burmese government, was of course suppressed by Taylor in the account, which according to the magistrate's report he gave of himself to Kingberring's people, and his real condition was consequently unknown to the magistrate. We judged it proper to acquaint the magistrate of his real condition, enjoining him at the same time not to relax his endeavours to effect his release, and that of his companion, and to conceal the fact of their being in the service of the Burmese government, lest the knowledge of it should endanger their lives. They have, however, been liberated, as appears by the further reports lately received from the magistrate, which we proceed to submit to the notice of your honourable court. 42. Copies 1 ·11 War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 42. Copies of these reports, dated uth and 14th instant, are contained in the Despatch from enclosed extract of our proceedings of the 22d instant, in the judicial department. Gov.Gen. in council, Your honourable court will observe from the tenor of these last advices, that contrary to expectation and appearances, the government of Ava has found the means of collecting a force of sufficient strength to defeat the troops of Kingberring, who, deserted by most of his followers, has become a fugitive. That numbers of his people whom he drew from Chittagong, and of the inhabitants of Arracan, have fled for refuge to our territories, and more are expected. That the magistrate with a view to prevent the probable incursions of the Burmese troops in pursuit of the fugitives, has instructed the commanding officer of the station to proceed with the whole of the disposable force, and take post on the southern frontier, furnishing him with directions for the guidance of his conduct, until our orders should be received regarding the course of proceeding to be observed with respect to the fugitives; for the surrender of whom, it may be expected, that demands will be made on the part of the government of Ava, even if the forces of the latter should not penetrate into the province of Chittagong, for the purpose of seizing or destroying them. 43. The instructions despatched to the magistrate, in reply to his despatches, are contained in the document last referred 10; a mature consideration of these reports has suggested a modification of the resolution, which, as stated in the thirty-second paragraph of this despatch, Captain Canning had been instructed eventually to communicate to the Burmese government, without, however, departing materially from the principle of that resolution. 44. The refugees may be reduced to three classes : ist. The chiefs (of whom Kingberring is of course the principal) by whom the disturbances in Arracan have been excited. 2d. The natives of Arracan who had been established in Chittagong, and who accompanied Kingberring, whether voluntarily or by compulsion in his late expedition. 3d. The natives and residents of Arracan, who may be induced to retire within the limits of our territories, from the apprehension of acts of violence and oppression from the Burmese forces. 45. With respect to the first class of persons above mentioned, we have directed the magistrate to detain any of them in safe custody who may be apprehended, intending to render the final decision respecting them dependent on the result of communications to be made to the government of Ava, regarding them, through the channel of Captain Canning. 46. With regard to the second class, namely, such of the natives of Arracan who had been established in the district of Chittagong, as accompanied Kingberring, the magistrate has been directed to desire the commanding officer of the British troops to permit them to take refuge within the limits of our territories. This order, which forms the chief modification of our original resolution, was founded entirely on a humane desire, not to exclude them from what may probably be their only means of safety, under circumstances of imminent danger and urgent distress. The refugees in question have clearly forfeited all claim to a permanent residence within our territories, by carrying war from thence into the country of a friendly state ; and we accordingly conceive, that agreeably to the principle of our original resolutions, it may be found in the sequel, both just and expedient to require that these persons should retire from our provinces, where after the late occurrences their residence under our protection would probably give umbrage and offence to the government of Ava. 47. We considered the third class of persons above mentioned, that is, the residents of Arracan who may be induced to retire within the limits of our territories, from the apprehension of violence or cruelty from the Burmese forces, entitled for the present to an asylum within those limits. 48. Your honorable court will accordingly observe, fron, the documents last mentioned, that the above is the substance of our instructions to the magistrate of Chittagong, on the point which he referred to our consideration; and that we, at the same time, signified our entire approbation of the measures of precaution which he had adopted, and the tenor of his instructions to the commanding officer of the British troops despatched to the southern frontier 360. 49. We ·12 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese # Despatch from 49. We shall of course frame our further instructions to Captain Canning on the Gov. Gen. in council, basis of the principles above described. 23 Jan. 1812. We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Honorable Sirs, Your most faithful humble servants, Minto, G. Nugent, J. Lumsden, H. Colebrooke. "Despatch from Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor General in Council at Fort Gov.Gen. in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; 4 March 1812. dated 4th March 1812. Honourable Sirs, 1. WE have now the honour to communicate to your honourable court, in continuation of our address of the 23d January, the progress of transactions and events on the eastern frontier of these provinces, and of our measures and proceedings connected with them. Time, however, will not admit of the preparation of copies of all the documents relating to this subject, for transmission by the ticet under despatch, we shall therefore enclosc in this address such only as are most material, reporting at the same time the prominent circumstances of the events to which the rest refer. 2. After the defeat of the insurgents under the command of Kingberring in Arracan, the commander of the forces of the king of Ava and the rajah of Arracan, with a body of troops apparently not exceeding one thousand men, advanced to the southern frontier of Chittagong. The magistrate had despatched with letters to the rajah of Arracan, and the commander of the troops, an emissary, who proceeded to the Burmese camp. The object of the mission was, to caution the Burmese chiefs Translation of a against allowing their troops to enter our territorics. Enclosed is a copy of the letter from Synd Ahmed Bogdade, emissary's report of his reception by and conference with the chiefs ; from which it the messenger de appeared, that they disavowed any intention of entering the province of Chittagong, spatched with letters and merely demanded the surrender of the two principal leaders of the insurrection, to the rajah of Arra- stating, however, their expectation of the arrival of large reinforcements. On the enclosed in a de receipt of this report, the magistrate despatched instructions to the emissary, desiring spatch from the ma- him to explain in general terms to the chiefs, that vo answer could be given to any gistrate of Chitta- propositions on their part, until the orders of government were received ; that the gong, dated 21 Jan. inagistrate had been directed to apprehend Kingberring and the other leader, whose surrender they had demanded, and that he was endeavouring to effect their apprehension. 3. About this time one of the two chieſs named Nakloo, whose surrender had been demandai, took refuge with a large body of armed followers at a place within our frontier. It appcars that this person was not one of those who formerly resided in the district of Chittagong, and left ii in consequence of Kingberring's invasion of Arracan, but lived at Ramree in the latter province, and joined the insurgents after they had gone over. The magistrate properly judging that the Burmese chiefs would have reason to complain if we permitted an armed force of their enemies to obtain protection within our territory, sent instructions to Lieutenant-colonel Morgan, commanding the British troops on the frontier, desiring him to require Nakloo and his followers to disperse, and to compel them if they refused; the magistrate suggested at the same time, that endeavours should be made to apprehend that chief. In reply to the magistrate's report on this subject, we directed him to be informed that it would be proper to modify his instructions to Colonel Morgan, by desiring him to require the refugees in question to deposit their arms, either under charge of Colonel Morgan, or in the custody of the police officers, to withdraw from the frontier, and to disperse wherever they might judge most advisable, whether in our territories, in their own country, or in any of the adjoining states, employing force to compel them to quit the company's territory if they should refuse to conform to that requisition. 4. In the meantime, the magistrate having received the orders of government, relative to the conduct to be observed towards the several classes of refugees (the substance ·War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 13 substance of which is stated in the 44th paragraph of our address to your Despatch from honourable court of the 231 January), recalled his former instructions to Colonel Gov.Gen. in concil, Morgan, and desired him not to take any mcasures with respect to the force 4 March 1812. assembled under Nakloo, until the receipt of further orders from government, unless they should commit any act, as a body of armed men, tending to disturb the tranquility of the frontier ; observing, bowever, that it would of course be requisite that Nakloo should himself be detained, if he could be apprehended; but that no violent measures should be employed for his apprehension. 5. In reply, we pointed out to the magistrate the error of the supposition which he had expressed, that Nakloo came under the description of the refugee chiefs, who, according to our orders of the 21st January, were, if practicable, to be apprehended and detained, as we intended by thosc orders only those chiefs, natives of Arracan, who had not latterly resided within the British territories, which was not the case with Nakloo. After adverting, therefore, to the orders respecting Nakloo and his followers, mentioned in the third preceding paragraplı, ue signified to him that Nakloo himself should only be required (and if circumstances rendered necessary, compelled) to quit our territories, leaving him, however, free to return to Arracan, or to seek an asylum in any of the adjacent states, as he night judge proper. 6. In a letter dated the 8th ultimo, Colonel Morgan transmitted to the adjutantgencral, at this presidency, a copy of a letter to his address from Captain Sibley, commanding the post at Teak Nauf, a point not far from the mouth of the river Nauf, and opposite the Burmese Camp, reporting the arrival at that post of the magistrate's cmissary before mentioned, who related what passed during his mission. He stated that the letters which he carried from the magistrate to the Burmese chiefs, were at first by them decmed to be forgeries, and himself was accused of being a spy; but that Mr. Taylor (who is mentioned in the 41st paragraph of our address to your honourable court of the 230 January, as being in the service of the Ava government, as having been seized by Kingberring, and afterwards released, and who, it appears, attended the Burmese camp), and also another European, of the name of Leach, who accompanied Taylor, having certified the letters to be genuine, the Burmese chiefs intimated 10 the eniissary, that if we would deliver up the insurgent chiefs, and all fugitives, they would not molest us ; but otherwise they would come down with the whole of the Burmese army, and overrun the country, and that they were awaiting the arrival of sonie French ships with ten thousand stand of arms, and number of guns, and Frenchmen, who were to proceed round to the Nauf river. The emissary further stated, that the Burinese chiefs had collected between three and four hundred boats, twenty-five or thirty of them mounted with swivels; that the commander of the Burmese troops also required the surrender of Dr. MʻRae, (a surgeon in the service of the honourable company, long resident at Chittagong), and one of our native subjects, on the ground of their having assisted Kingberring in his invasion of Arracan. The emissary, on this occasion, stated his estimate of the Burmese force to bc about seven thousand men. 7. Colonel Morgan, in his letter to the adjutant-general, states, that as he conceived from this intelligence that the designs of the Burmese chiefs were hostile, and as the effective force on the frontier did not exceed four hundred and forty, rank and file, he had called for a reinforcement of two companies from Dacca, togrther with all the effective force remaining at Chittagong, and some artillery. 8. The intelligence contained in Captain Sibley's letter was, at the same time, comníunicated to us in a despatch of the 10th ultimo from the magistrate, wlio noticed the defenceless state in which the town of Chittagong would be left, and stated the facility with which a Burmese force could approach it, and the temptation arising from the money in the collector's treasury, and from the Burmese commanders probable knowledge of the weakness of the place, suggesting, at the same time, the expediency of having an armed vessel to cruize at the mouth of the Chittagong river, and another off the mouth of the river Nauf. 9. In a subsequant despatch, the magistrate transmitted translations of the letters Translation of a dated respectively 12th February 1812, with which it appears his emissary on his letter from the rajah dismission from the Burmese chiefs, was charged by the rajah of Arracan, and the of Arracan to the commander of the troops. Copies of those documents are enclosed; your honour- tagong, enclosed in able court will observe, that in these letters the Burmese chicfs demand the surren- despatch from the dated der of the insurgent chiefs, and of all the fugitives, and also that Dr. M‘Rae be magistrate, 12 February. 360. given Translation of a а ·same date. enclosed in ditto. 14 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese letter from the com- given up, and threaton in, case of refusal to invade the company's territories with a mander of the Bur- force of eighty thousand men, and pursue the fugitives even to Daccu. mese forces, to Lt. Col. Morgan, en 10. The magistrate, in his despatch, states, that as Mr. Taylor was well versed closed in despatch in the Burmese language, and as it was of importance that the chiefs should be from the magis made fully to understand that he possessed no authority to give them answers on any political points, without a previous reference to government, which together with other points Mr. Taylor would be able to explain more efficiently than was practicable by a letter which must be twice translated, he had addressed a letter to Mr. Taylor, of which, and also of his answer to the rajah of Arracan, he transmitted copies. In the same despatch the magistrate informed us, that Colonel Morgan had taken the family of Kingberring. Copy of a letter 11. Copics of the magistrate's letters to the rajah of Arracan, and to Mr. Taylor, from the magistrate dated February 13th, 1812, are enclosed for your honourable court's information. to Mr.Taylor, dated. The general purport of them is, an intimation that the magistrate possessed no authoclosed in magis- rity to return a decisive answer to the demand for the surrender of the fugitives, trate's despatch of and that the question would be referred to the governor-general in council; that however every possible scarch was making for the insurgent chiefs, who when appre- Copy of a letter hended would be properly secured, until the orders of government should be received ; rajah of Arracan, and that government would, no doubt, act regarding Kingberring consistently with justice; to which the magistrate added the expression of his desire, that the rajah would not order his army to enter the British territory, observing that such circumstance would increase the difficulty of seizing Kingberring, that the violation of our territory would be contrary to the law of nations, and that the British government would never allow any foreign state to invade its dominions with impunity. 12. We shall have occasion to notice some objectionable passages in those letters in a subsequent part of this address. We shall, however, previously report the measures which we judged it necessary to adopt in consequence of the demands preferred by the Burmese chiefs, and the hostile and insulting menaces with which they were accompanied. 13. The first object of consideration was, to convey to Chittagong as large a reinforcement of troops as might be practicable, within a short period of time. deemed it also highly necessary to place with the least possible delay, at the disposal of Captain Canning, the envoy to the Burmese government, the means of withdrawing from Rangoon; Captain Canning being deprived of those means, by his having sent back the Amboyna to convey despatches and obtain supplies to this port, where she arrived in the carly part of the last month. Extraot proceed 14. For a knowledge of the detail of the arrangements which we adopted for ings of government these purposes, we beg leave to refer your honourable court to the enclosed extract in the secret departe from our proceedings in the secret department of the 18th ultimo; from which your honourable court will observe, that by means of cruisers and other vessels in this river, we were enabled to provide for the despatch by sea of a reinforcement to the extent of about five hundred men. The Antelope cruiser having subsequently arrived from China, we were enabled to despatch that vessel also with an additional force of one hundred men ; and at the suggestion of his excellency the commanderin-chief, seven companies of sepoys were afterwards directed to proceed to Chittagong by the route of the internal navigation. The whole of those reinforcements have since actually proceeded. 15. By the extracts from our proceeding above referred to, your honorable court will also observe that the Amboyna, accompanied by the Malabar cruiser, was ordered to sail with the utmost expedition to Rangoon for the purpose before described, and notice of these arrangements was immediately transmitted to the magistrate of Chittagong 16. With a view to add to the means of protection, we also vested the magistrate of Chittagong with authority to call for the services of all or of any of the detachments of the Chittagong provincial battalion wheresoever employed, substituting temporarily an adequate number of barkendauzes, and also to call for the services of the Dacca provincial battalion. 27. We have stated above our intention of noticing some objectionable passages in the magistrate's letters to the rajah of Arracan and Mr. Taylor. Our observations We ment of 18 Feb. on ·on War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 15 those passages were stated in a letter of instructions to the magistrate, founded Despatch from on the several communications from that officer, to which we have already adverted. Gov.Gem intcödcil, 18. It was signified to him on that occasion, that while we entirely approved the principle which he had assumed in his communications to the Burmese chief, of disclaiming any authority to return a definitive reply to his requisition for the surrender of the leaders of the late invasion of Arracan, we apprehended that the general tenor of his letters to the rajah of Arracan and Mr. Taylor, was calculated to encourage on the part of the former a strong expectation that the surrender of the persons in question would be the consequence of their being seized by the officers of the British government; and the particular passages of his letters, on which his apprehension was founded, were pointed out to the magistrate, as well as the embarassment which such an expectation had a tendency to producc. 19. It was further observed to the magistrate, that in consequence of our former orders for securing the persons of the insurgent chiefs, he had attributed to government perhaps, not unnaturally, a greater degree of solicitude for their apprehension than was in reality entertained. It was therefore judged proper to apprise the magistrate, that although we were aware of the necessity of endeavouring to scize them in the event of their taking refuge within the limits of our territories, we were equally sensible that a considerable degrce of embarrassment would attend the possession of their persons, and that we should learn without regret that the necessity of employing means for their apprehension had been precluded by their continuing without the limits of the British jurisdiction. On similar grounds we expressed our wish that circunstances had not led to the scizure of Kingberring's family. 20. With regard to the question of surrendering the fugitives, it was observed to the magistrate, that he would have found by our instructions* of the 21st of January, * Vide 44th para. that it was considered to be a proper subject of negotiation with the British envoy, of the general letter to the honourable and he was desired to make a communication to that effect in reply to the demand court of 23 Jan. of the Burmese chiefs for the surrender of the fugitives. 21. The magistrate was at the same time apprised, that in consequence of the hostile menaces and proceedings of the Burmesc chiefs, instructions were about to be despatched to the envoy, authorizing him to withdraw from Rangoon, if he should consider the liberty of his person to be endangered by the rupture which those proceedings were calculated to provoke; that, in a contrary case, the cnvoy would be authorized to remain until he should reccive orders of recal, which would be despatched to him immediately on the receipt of intelligence of the actual invasion of our territory by the Burmese forces, and which would of course amount to a declaration of war. But that until the envoy was withdrawn, he must be deemed the properest channel of negotiation betwcen the two governments; that at the same time however, if intermediately found convenient, we should communicate to the magistrate our resolution on the subject of the surrender of any of the leaders of the late insurrection, who might fall into our hands, for the purpose of being made known to the Burmese officers on the frontier. A copy of the instructions, of which the above is the substance, is enclosed for your honourable court's more detailed To: magistrate of Chittagong, dated information. 19 February 22. Before we resume the summary of the further correspondence of the magistrate of Chittagong, it is proper to advcrt to the instructions issued on this occasion to the envoy, noticing also the communications above mentioned to have been received from him by thc Amboyna. 23. It is proper however in the first place to refer to the enclosed copy of the To Capt. Canning, instructions issued to Captain Canning, agreeably to the intention expressed in the 25 January. last paragraph of our address to your honourable court of the 23d of January. But as they contain little more than an exposition of the principles of our proposed proceedings relative to the passages which are stated substantially in the preceding paragraphs of that address, we deem it unnecessary to state the several points of those instructions in the body of this letter. 24. The despatches received from the envoy by the Amboyna are dated the 19th and 20th of January. The former being too voluminous to admit of its being transcribed, in addition to the other documents, in time to be forwarded by the present fleet, and the details of it not being of material importance, we shall merely describe the purport of it in general terms. A considerable part of that despatch consists of a narrative 360.

·16 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from a narrative of the envoy's communication and correspondence with the government Gün Gen. in council, of Rangoon respecting the great delay which had occurred in the arrival of an 4 March 1812. answer from the king of Ava to the reference on the subject of the envoy's proceeding to the capital, which terminated however in the arrival of an order from the king couched in very gracious terms, directing the viceroy of Pegu to forward the mission to the capital with all honour and distinction. Another principal subject of the envoy's despatch is the successful progress of the king's arms against the rebels in Arracan, the details of which as reported to the government of Rangoon are stated in the envoy's letter, with comments on the degree of credit to be given to that intelligence, and remarks on the conduct of the war and the nature and extent of the means employed by the Burmese government for the suppression of the insurrection. 25. Captain Canning further states some observations on the state of the country, which is represented to be overrun by banditti and to be in great disorder, and on the condition of the British subjects residing at Rangoon. Captain Canning also details the circumstances and the result of his communications with the local government in consequence of the officers of the government having broken open packets to his address from Prince of Wales Island, and states the considerations which induced him to send back the Amboyna to Bengal, urging at the same time the expediency of her early return, for the purpose of conveying to him instructions on the points referred to us, (which however our instructions to the envoy of 220 of November, a copy of which was enclosed in our address to your honourable court of the 23d of January, had partly supplied,) of furnishing the provisions of which he stood in need, and of having the benefit of the presence of an armed vessel at his command, both with reference to an eventual change in the then conciliatory disposition of the court of Ava and the viccroy, and as adding greatly to the weight and importance of the mission in all political arrangements and discussions. 26. Captain Canning also relates, that antecedently to the arrival of the intelligence of the successes of the Burmese arms against the insurgents, the viceroy, in a private conversation with the envoy's interpreter, had remarked of what great utility a battalion of sepoys would be in suppressing the insurrection ; intimating, at the same time, that such a force, if furnished by us, would of course be paid for by the Burmese government. The interpreter, in reply, signified to the viceroy, that any such proposition should be made directly to the envoy. Captain Canning adds, that this had not been done; but conceiving it not improbable that some such proposal might be made by the court of Ava, he desired to receive a communication of our sentiments on the subject, stating that without further specific orders from us he should of course decline acceding to such a proposal ; but observing at the same time, that should it enter into the views of government to obtain a preponderating influence in the Burmese dominions, the present was certainly the most favourable moment, as the weakness of the government and general discontent of the people would put the whole country at the disposal of a very small British force. - 27. It is superfluous to state that we should not, under any circumstances, have been disposed to enter into this project ; but the question is of course removed from contemplation by the success of the Burmese arms against the insurgents. 28. It may not be improper to notice in this place the observations of the viceroy in a conference with the envoy, in consequence of the information lie had received of the defeat of the insurgents and the recovery of the province of Arracan, as they correspond so nearly with the actual and subsequent course of events, whilst they exhibit at the same time a very just and reasonable train of reflection on the part of the viceroy. The following is a copy of that part of Captain Canning's despatch of the 19th of January which relates to this subject : “ Should the success of the Burmahs have really been such as is represented, and " the province of Arracan be reconquered, a more fortunate event certainly could not have happened for the Burmah empire than the rebellion of that province, as " the suppression of that rebellion will give a degree of lustre and confidence to the “ Burmah arms, and keep in awe other provinces well inclined to adopt the same measure. The viceroy has, however, expressed great anxiety that the recapture “ of Arracan may involve his nation in a serious dispute with the British government. " In a long conversation with me on the subject, he said that he did not imagine " that Kingberring himself would take refuge in the province of Chittagong, as ·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 17 as well knowing that his person would probably be seized and delivered up; but Despatch from " that he thought it extremely likely that the subordinate chiefs and common people, Gov.Gen. in council, to avoid immediate destruction, would cross the Nauf, and seek an asylum in 4 March 1812. our territory. From the know'n violent temper of the governor of Arracan, “ enflamed and elated by the latc rebellion and his present success and additional “ honours, (a gilt kitsasol has been allowed him by the king,) he thought there “ could be little doubt of his pursuing the fugitives, and seizing and destroying “ wherever he could find them. Such aggression, he said, he well knew would be forcibly repelled by us, and what the consequence would be it was not difficult to conjecture; whereas were mild and peaceable measures resorted to, the business might in all probability be settled to the mutual satisfaction of both states. Ile “ said that a son-in-law of Kingberring had escaped by sea, and was pursued by a large division of Burmab boats, and 10 what place could he fly but to Ramoo or Chittagong, to which places those boats would certainly pursue him? 'Fhat the “ violence and oppression of the governor of Arracan had driven the people to rebellion, and now threatened to excite a war between the Burmah and British governments. Ile added that he should, without delay, write to the general at Prome, and the Engy Praw *, on the subject, and recommended, in the strongest The heir apparent, terms, that recourse be liad to representations and negotiation on the occasion, and who, it appears, is “ stated his wish that the settlement of the business might be altogether left to him. admitted by the " The viceroy ended by saying, tirat at one time it was his wish to have immediately able share in the deputed a person to Bengal, with a letter addressed to the governor-general expressly government. on the subject; but that, at all events, he was most anxious that his sentiments “ should be inade known to the British government with the least possible delay, as “ such a communication might tend in some ineasure to prevent the mischief that “ might otherwise be occasioned by a rash head-strong man. " To this I replied, that iſ in time of profound peace invasion were attempted by the Burmalis, it was very natural to suppose that it would be forcibly repelled by the British, and that what would certainly be granted, if found just on mature investigation, would with equal certainty be refused, if claimed by an “ armed force in our territory. I reversed the question, and asked the viceroy what " the Burmah government would think were a British force to enter their dominions, “: for the purpose of scizing any obnoxious persons that might have taken refuge . there. I assured him, that in any decision that the British government might come to with respect to the transactions in Arracan, strict and impartial justice “ would be adhered to, on peaceable and proper representations being made by the “ Burmah government; but that, at all events, I doubted not that the right “honourable the governor-ycneral in council would feel sensible of and pay due “ regard to his laudable endeavours to preserve peace and harmony between the two) states. I am inforined that the king still continues persuaded of the co-operation of the British government in the invasion of Arracan," 29. The envoy further reported the arrival of a sacerdotal niission on the part of the king of Candy, which the envoy deemed worthy of notice, conceiving that we ought to lie apprised that an intercoirse takes place between the king of Candy and the governinent of Ava. That intercourse, however, is accounted for by the circumstance of the natives of the two countries professing the same religion, both being worshippers of Budha. 30. Captain Canning expressed his request that a party consisting of a llavildar, a Naick and twelve Musselmen sepoys, with ammunition and provisions, might be ordered to proceed to Rangoon in the Amboyna, which request we have complicd with. We have judged it proper, likewise, to place on board the Malabar cruizer a detail of 24 sepoys, to serve as mariners. Captain Canning also desired that provisions for four months for his escort and followers might be sent by the same opportunity, which has accordingly been done. lle further communicated the desire of the viceroy to receive a small quantity of salt-petre, and we accordingly ordered 30 or 40 maunds to be sent. 31. The above is the substance of Captain Canning's despatch of the 19th of January; of his letter of the 20th, stating that he had seen the king's orders for the advance of the mission to the capital, and describing its contents, and reporting that he had received authentic intelligence that his mission was received by the heir apparent with great satisfaction, we have the honour to enclose a copy. 32. We now proceed to advert to the principal points of our instructions to Captain From Captain Canning, despatched by the Amboyna. After referring to enclosed copies of all Canning, dated 360. 20 January 1819, antecedent E ·18 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from antecedent documents relative to the affairs of Arracan, and to our measures and Gov.Gen. in council, orders in consequence of the events and transactions in that quarter, the letter to 4 March 1818. his address proceeded to communicate our sentiments and directions in detail, conformably to the summary of them, described in the letter to the magistrate of Chittagong of the 19th ultimo, to a copy of which the 21st paragraph of this despatch refers. 33. We observed, in the first place, that the principal purpose of immediately despatching to Rangoon the honourable company's ship Amboyna, accompanied by a cruizer of 20 guns, was to provide for the envoy's safety and eventual retreat. That, adverting to the haughty character and barbarous disposition of the government of Ava, we did not feel altogether satisfied of its observance of the sacred rights and privileges of a representative of a foreign state in the actual condition of affairs. That there were two circumstances which we conceived might possibly incline the government of Ava to violate the law of nations, so far as to impose a restraint upon the liberty of the envoy's person ; one, the actual execution of the menaces of the rajah of Arracan, which would most probably occasion an open rupture between the two states; the other, a desire on the part of the government of Ava to possess, in the person of the British cnvoy, a security for a compliance with the demand for the surrender of the fugitive chiefs. That it was the object of government, in expediting the despatch of the Amboyna and Malabar, that if possible Captain Canning should receive an account of the state of affairs on the frontier of Arracan, before intelligence of events and proceedings had reached the government of Ava, of a nature to induce that government to act under the influence of either of the circumstances above described; in which case Captain Canning was to consider himself at liberty, according to his own view of the disposition and intentions of the government of Ava, or of the exigency of circumstances, to withdraw from whatever position the despatch might find him in, and return to Bengal. That in this case, with the reservation hereafter stated, it would be proper to signify the cause of his retreat to be, the menacing and even hostile conduct of the officers of the Burmese government on the frontier of Chittagong, so unprovoked by any act or proceeding of his government, and so utterly unwarrantable on any principle of justice or public law; intimating, however, that notwithstanding what had passed, it was still the resolution of government to maintain the relations of amity and peace with the state of Ava, unless by actual aggression the latter should compel it to pursue a different course. The reservation above alluded to was, that if the envoy's having reason to suppose that by founding the measure of his retreat on the hostile proceedings of the Burmese officers, the government of Ava might be led to apprehend that, notwithstanding his assurance to the contrary, his return would be followed by the prosecution of hostilities on our part. In such an event, Captain Canning was informed he was at liberty to assign any other cause that he might judge expedient and plausible. 34. It was added, that if he should be perfectly satisfied that under any circumstances the sanctity of his public character would be duly respected, he would of course continue in the exercise of his ministerial functions, by the mcans of which the depending questions might most conveniently and satisfactorily be adjusted between the two governments, unless he should receive authentic intelligence of the actual invasion of the company's territories by the Burmese forces, in which case he was desired not to hesitate to withdraw, since such a violation of our territories must be deemed a dissolution of the relations of peace. 35. Ilaving added some further detail of instruction on this subject, we proceeded to observe that another object of the solicitude of government was to provide for the safety of the persons and property of the British subjects residing at Rangoon, and we furnished Captain Canning with directions for his guidance with reference to that object. 36. It was further stated, that we had provided for the possible, though as we conceived highly improbable, case of the government of Ava imposing any degree of restraint upon the liberty of the envoy's person, and refusing to permit his departure if he should have occasion to announce a resolution to withdraw, by instructions which had been given, directing in such case the immediate return of the Amboyna with the intelligence to Bengal, when such measures would be adopted as the exigency of the occasion might appear to require. To Capt. Canning, 37. The remainder of the instructions to Captain Canning consisted of a reply to 01 February the several points of reference contained in his despatch of the 19th of January. AS ·1 War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 19 As the contents of those instructions are important, and are not fully detailed in the Despatch from preceding paragraphs, we deem it proper to put your honourable court in possession Gov.Gen. in council, of their details by enclosing a copy. 38. We deem it proper also to transmit enclosed copies of instructions which To the commander were issued to the commanders of the Malabar cruizer and the Amboyna, for the of the Malabar, guidance of their conduct after their arrival at Rangoon, with reference to eventual 21 February. To the commander occurrences in that quarter. of the Amboyna, 39. We now resume the summary of thic communications of the magistrate of 21 February. Chittagong, and of our instructions and orders in consequence. 40. The magistrate having reported Colonel Morgan's seizure of the family of another insurgent chief, besides that of Kingberring, and solicited instructions with regard to the disposal of them, we directed it to be signified to him, that although, as stated in a preceding letter, we could have wished that circumstances had not led to the seizure of the families of the insurgent chiefs, yet as they had actually been apprehended, that sentiment did not suggest the expediency of their immediate liberation; since, on one hand, that measure might lead the Burmese officers to infer on our part a disposition favourable to the insurgent chiefs, and thereby constitute a new ground of complaint; and on the other, it would probably expose the individuals of those families io danger and distress. That therefore, whilst these unfortunate persons were treated with every degree of delicacy and kindness, we desired that care should be taken to prevent their escape; observing, however, that of course government would not under any consideration authorize their being delivered over to the Burmese officers. 41. On this occasion it occurred to us (adverting to the charge preferred by the rajah of Arracan against Dr. M'Rae, of having patronized Kingherring) to be proper, in justice to Dr. MI'Rac, to afford him an opportunity of replying to that charge, although we were far from supposing it to be well founded. The magistrate was accordingly directed to communicate the accusation to Dr. M‘Rae, in the terms of the rajah of Arracan's letter, in order that he might have an opportunity of explaining the nature of the intercourse, if any, that he might have maintained with Kingberring: 42. In a despatch dated the 18th ultimo, the magistrate transmitted an extract from the journal of his emissary Synd Achmud Bagdadee, relating in detail his conference with the Burmese chiets. Although the substance of those conferences has already been stated in a preceding part of this despatch, yet as the detailed report of the cmissary represents with apparent accuracy the sentiments, disposition, and Synd Achmud deman'ls of the Burmese chiefs, and is, therefore, an important document, we deern Bagdadee's report, enclosed in despatch it proper to enclose a copy of it. from the magistrate 43. In the same despatch the magistrate reported from information transmitted to of Chittagong, dated him by Lieut.-col. Morgan, that a party of the Burmese forces bad entered the dis- 18th February. trict of Chittagong, with an intention of stockading themselves, and that the Burmese troops opposite to our post at Teak Nauf were increasing ; and it appeared from subsequent dispatches, that other detached parties of Burmese troops had also entered our territory, professedly in search of the fugitive chiefs. 44. During these transactions the Burmese chicts suddenly resolved to despatch vakeels for the purpose of negotiating their demands, and having obtained permission, the vakeels actually repaired to Captain Sibley's post, at Teak Naut, on the 18th ultimo. They positively disavowed the Burinese chiefs' knowledge of any parties of troops having crossed the river ino our territory. Captain Sibley explained to the vakeels that the British officers were endeavouring to apprehend Kingberring and his followers; that the entrance of Burmese troops into our territory would be considered as a declaration of war, and signified to them that he would not admit of any further communication with them, until those partics were withdrawn. The vakeels, after declaring their own and their principals ignorance of any such violation of our territory, assured Captain Sibley that it was the wish of the Burmese government to be on the most friendly terms with us, and that they had come for the express purpose of preventing any disagreement between the two states. Captain Sibley having apprised the vakeels that if the Burmese troops should hereafter cross the river and cause alarm to the inhabitants, he should be under the necessity of employing force to repel them, asked them if they proposed to return; to which they replied, that they were instructed to proceed withersoever Captain Sibley might direct them, and even to Calcutta, if necessary. Captain Sibley signified to them that he would not permit them to advance until the parties 360. of ·20 . PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from of Burmese troops, then in the company's territories, should have been withdrawn; Gov.Gen. in council, but that after that he would give them an escort to Ramoo, the head-quarters of 4 March 1812. Colonel Morgan. The vakeels preferring to remain, instead of returning to their masters camp, Captain Sibley placed an honorary guard over their tents to prevent alarm, and their people from going about, expressing to him his intention of sending them to Ramoo, together with Mr. Taylor, who accompanied them, as soon as the parties of Burmese troops should have quitted the company's territory. Captain Sibley stated that these vakeels were persons of rank, the one being second in command, and acting on the part of the commander of the Burmese forces; the other, on the part of Arracan, he styled lord of the revenues of that province. 45. The magistrate, in reporting the preceding intelligence, which appeared to him to afford a certain prospect of an amicable termination of the depending questions between the two governments, ascribes the deputation of the vakcels to the cffect of his letters to the rajah of Arracan, and to Mr. Taylor, before noticed. 46. Colonel Morgan, on receiving the above report from Captain Sibley, directed him to signify to the vakeels his wish for their proceeding to Ramoo, and transmitted, at the same time, a letter addressed to the Burmese chiefs, requiring the immediate recal of the Burmese parties which had entered our territories, and warning them of the consequences of the continuance of those parties within our limits. Colonel Morgan sent the letter to Captain Sibley to be forwarded, desiring him previously to communicate it to the vakeels, and to urge them to write to their masters in corresponding terms. Colonel Morgan addressed and transmitted a letter at the same time to Mr. Taylor, desiring him to represent to the vakeels the urgent necessity of recalling the Burmese partics from our territory, and to signify to them that so long as those parties remained, they were not to expect that any attention would be paid to their demands; whereas the removal of those parties would tend to prove the sincerity of the professions of the Burmesc chiefs, and the wish of the government of Ava, to maintain the relations of amity with the company. Colonel Morgan further desired Mr. Taylor to assure the vakrels, that all clue attention would be paid to them during the period they might remain in the Britisha territories, and that an escort would attend them to the colonel's head-quarters, whither he wished them to proceed at their earliest convenience. 47. Captain Sibley, in replying to the instructions of Colonel Morgan above described, informed him that Mr. Taylor had himself gone to the Burmese camp with the colonel's letter to the commander. Captain Sibley also reported, that in consequence of his communication with the vakeels respecting the impropriety of permitting the Burmese troops to enter our territories, orders were immediately despatched for their recal ; and captain Sibley added, that he understood some of them had actually returned within the Arracan boundary, and the rest were expected immediately to follow. Captain Sibley further stated, that the Burmese commander had sent a verbal message, purporting that the magistrate's letter to the rajah of Arracan (referred to in the 11th paragraph of this address) was satisfactory, and that he left every thing to be adjusted by the vakeels. 48. The magistrate, through whor: the preceding communications were conveyed to us, desired to be intornied whether, as the vakeels had authority to proceed to Calcutta if the points at issue should not be adjusted on the spot, they were to be allowed so to proceed. The magistrate further expressed his regret that the tenor of the letter of the Burmese chiefs should have been of a nature to warrant a belief of their liaving seriously entertained a resolution to invade our territories, observing that if those chiefs had in the first instance adopted the present measure of despatching vakeels instead of menacing letters, it would have saved the inhabitants of Chittagong much alarm, and government some trouble, which latter he hoped there was still time to remedy. This communication is dated the 234 ultimo, previously to his having received information of the measures adopted by us for the purpose of reinforcing the troops in the province of Chittagong. 49. It became necessary, on the receipt of this intelligence, to convey it to Captain Canning, and to furnish both him and the magistrate with further instructions for the guidance of their conduct under this change of circumstances : and as the Amboyna and Malabar had not then departed, we were enabled to avail ourselves of that opportunity for the despatch of the requisite instructions to the envoy. 50. Notwithstanding this change in the conduct of the Burmese officers, from menace and insult to measures of a pacific tendency, we did not judge it proper to countermand ·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 21 countermand any of the arrangements in progress for reinforcing the station of Despatch froin Chittagong; and in the instructions to Captain Canning, the grounds of that reso- Gov.Gen, in council, lution were stated, for the express purpose of being communicated to the court of 4 March 1819. Ava. It was accordingly observed to him, that the prosecution of these arrangements was rendered necessary by the anterior proceedings of the Burmesc chiefs, who advanced all the troops that they could immediately command to the frontier of our territories, and conveyed their demands for the surrender of their fugitive enemies in the language of menaces and of insult, without even ascertaining whether or not the latter were in our hands; and after knowing that they were not, that they ostentatiously declared, in their own letters, the expected approach of 80,000 men, for the express purpose of invading our territory, and extending their hostilities to the utmost practicable limit, unless those demands should be complied with; and that they boasted of their having secured, for the same purpose, the aid of our European cnemies. 51. It was further observed that the absurdity of these declarations, and their consciousness of the visionary nature of these boasted resources, made no alteration in the character of their proceedings : that their measures had been those of menace and aggression to the extent of the resources immediately at their command, and warranted our ascribing to them the disposition which they declareil, to direct against us the whole force of the kingdon, and to call to their aid thc forces of a poner with which we were in a state of war. 52. That assuming the extent of their declarations, we were to consider them as covering not merely an intended but an actual alliance with our enemies, for purposes exclusively hostile towards us, qualified alone by the condition of our acceding to demands which in their nature were a subject of negotiation between the two states, prior not only to such negotiation, but even to u kuowledge of our ability to comply with them, and consequently prior to a rejection of them. 53. That had they actually formed the connection with our enemies which they asserted that they had, by that act alone the Burmese would be placed in a state of war with the Britislı government, and we should be compelled to employ every effort of our power for the subversion of the monarchy. That to the extent of menace, of insult, and an avowal of hostile acts and designs, the Burmese had already placed themselves in that condition; and by abstaining from the prosecution of the mcasures which this state of facts would unquestionably justify, the British government affordeel the most convincing proof of its forbearance, and of its solicitude to preserve the relations of amity with the state of Ava. 54. But that although professing and really entertaining these pacific views, notwithstanding the provocation we had received, it still became the duty of the British government to provide the means of resisting those hostile designs, which having once been menaced might be resumed in the event of our withholding a compliance with demands which we might decm unreasonable, but in which the Burmese government might think proper to persist; and that it was our duty to be prepared to resent a repetition of insults which might eventually be carried beyond the limits of warrantable forbearance. 55. That to rely iinplicitly on the late sudden pacific change in thc mcasures and language of the Burmese officers (who it was to be observed at the sanie tinc haud neither atoned for the past, nor withdrawn their forces from their menacing position on the frontier; neither revoked their avowal of the advanced state of their pre parations for war, nor relaxed in their demands : some of which at least they must be aware of our resolution to reject,) and on the grounds of that precarious reliance to leave the province of Chittagong without adequate protection, would obviously be inconsistent with the ordinary maxims of prudence and precaution. 56. Captain Canning was at the same time desired to assure the court, that our views and measures were pacific and entirely defensive. That it was not to us an object of interest, nor consequently our desire, to be placed ir a state of war with the kingdom of Ava. That such demands as were just and reasonable, we should at all times be prepared to concede on grounds of justice and reason alone. That on the other hand, demands supported by menaces and demonstrations of force and accompanied by insult, however just in themselves, every government was bound to resist; and that consequently the forces of the Burmese government must be removed from their present menacing position, before such demands could be adnitted cven as a subject of negotiation. 360. F 57. It ·22 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from 57. It was further signified to Captain Canning with reference also to our former Cov.Gen.in council, instructions on that point, that as the points in dispute were a subject of negotiation 4 March 1812. between the two states, and therefore to be conducted through the accredited agents of one or other of those states, he, being in the actual exercise of the functions of envoy at the court of Ava, was the proper agent for the conduct of such negotiation; whereas the vakcels despatched to Ramoo, deriving their powers only from subordinate officers of the Burinese government, could not be considered as proper agents for the adjustment of the depending question. That the magistrate of Chittagong would accordingly be directed to communicate these observations to the vakeels, intimating to them as he (Captain Canning) would also intimate to the court of Ava, that the fugitive chiefs if ultimately apprehended by us, would be detained under safe custody to abide the issue of the negotiation between the two governments relative to their surrender. But that circumstances might lead us to deviatc from this course of proceeding; if, for instance, the vaboels or their immediate principals should subsequently be accredited in regular form, by the court of Ava, re might possibly deen it advisable and convenient to authorize the negotiation through the channel of their agency. 58. In the mean time, however, Captain Canning was directed to receive and communicate to this government such demands as might be stated to him by the Burmese government, regulating his proceedings with regard to those demands by the instructions already transmitted to him; and he was informed, that on receipt of such communication our decision would be made known to hiin with the least practicable delay. 59. These instructions to Captain Canning concluded with an intimation of our desirc that the prescribed communications to the court of Ava, should, notwithstanding their importance, be rendered subordinate to a consideration for his personal safety, if he should have reason to apprehend that any part of them were of a nature to endanger it. To Captain Can. 60. Although the whole of what is material in the instructions to Captain ning, dated 29th Canning is above stated, we deem it proper to transmit enclosed a copy of them, February To magistrate of together with a copy of our corresponding instructions to the magistrate of Chitta- Chittagong, dated gong; in which, after referring to a copy of the former as containing directions for his 29th February guidance as well as that of Captain Canning, he was directed, notwithstanding the necessity of signifying to the vakeels that the negotiation of their demands must be rcferred to the British envoy at the court of Ava, neither to opposc, but on the contrary rather to encourage, their proceeding to Calcutta; nor manifest any desire for their return to the chiefs by whom they were accredited. It was observed to the magistrate at the same time, that as the declarations which he was authorized to convey to the vakeels would have a tendency to terminate their mission, during the continuance of which we might rely on the pacific conduct of their principals, it would be desirable to retard, rather than accelerate the prescribed communications, until the arrival of the reinforcements. While he adverted therefore to the channel through which the negotiation of the depending questions ought properly and regularly to be conducted, he was directed not to refuse o receive and forward their demands to the presidency; but at the same time to intimate to them, that they could not rcasonably expect that attention would be paid to those demands so long as the Burmese forces maintained a menacing position on the frontier of our territories, the magistrate being careful also to prevent a supposition on their part that the removal of the forces would necessarily be followed by a compliance with their demands. 61. The magistrate was further instructed to be prepared to counteract the alarm and suspicion which the arrival of the reinforcements, or the rumor of them which would probably precede it, might be expected to excite in the minds of the Burmese chiefs, by endeavouring to convince them of the pacific nature of our views, without however withholding from them a knowledge of the sentiments which we entertained of their conduct; but this communiction, the magistrate was informed, should be combined with the most satisfactory assurances of our amicable views, and of our desire and resolution to maintain the relations of peace and amity, unless by aggression on their part they should compel us to adopt a different course. 62. In a despatch received subsequently to the date of the preceding instructions, the magistrate informed us, that in consequence of all the Burmese troops being withdrawn from our territories, the vakeels, accompanied by Mr. Taylor, had proceeded from Teak Nauf towards the head-quarters of Colonel Morgan at Ramoo. 63. In ·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 23 63. In the same despatch, the magistrate who had then received notice of the Despatch from measures adopted for sending reinforcements, although he considered all cause of Gov.Gen. in council, alarm to have been removed by the late pacific change in the conduct of the Burmesc 4 March 1812. chiefs, expressed his opinion to be, that it would still be advisable to allow such part of the reinforcements as might actually have been despatched at the time of our receiving the intelligence of the arrival of the vakeels, to continue at Chittagong, a point upon which (as shown in the preceding paragraphs) his wishes had been more than anticipated. 64. That despatch is dated the 24th ultimo; on the following day the magistrate had occasion to report a material alteration in the aspect of affairs, he having reccived a report from Colonel Morgan, that notwithstanding the presence of the vakeels and the pacific dcclarations which they conveyed, a body of between 500 or 600 Burinese troops had crossed the Nauf in sight of the Burmese encampment, and on retiring, in consequence of the pursuit of our troops, who took a number of prisoners and arms from small parties detached from the main body, fired upon our sepoys. We deem it proper to enclose for your honourable court's information from magistrate of a copy of the magistrate's despatch, containing the details of this outrage, and of the Chittagong, dated measures pursued in consequence by Colonel Morgan, who very properly addressed 25th February. a demand of explunation to the commander of the Burmesc forces, and directed Mr. Taylor to convey suitable representations to the vakeels. The letter your honourable court will obscrve disavowed on the part of their principals their concern in the outrage, and expressed their regret and indignation at its occurrence, in consequence of which Colonel Morgan had consented to receive a visit from them ; a measure which the magistrate justly remarks was unadvisable until the commander of the Burmese forces should have afforded a satisfactory explanation, which he observes could not probably be expected, since it appeared impossible to suppose that a force of 5 or 6ino men could have entered our territory in the sight of the Burmese camp without the knowledge and the concurrence of the commander-in-chief. 65. The magistrate states, in the same despatch, that subsequently to the occurrence of this event, and not before (for what reason he was unable to discover), the vakeels acknowledged their being charged with letters for him and Colonel Morgan froni the Burmese chicfs. The despatch also contains an explanation of the motives which induced him to insert, in his letter to the rajah of Arracan, those passages which we considered objectionable, because tending to impress the minds of the Burmese chiefs with a bclief of our intention to surrender the leaders of the late insurection, if apprehended. 66. It becomes proper also to transmit for your honourable court's information l'rom magistrate of a copy of the magistrate's next despatch of the 26th ultimo. In that despatch the Chittagong, dated magistrate reports that he had received a letter from Colonel Morgan, informing him 26th l'ebruary. that he had had a conference with the vakeels, who had renewed their declarations of pacific intentions on the part of the Burmese, and had assured Colonel Morgan that thc most peremptory orders had been despatched for the recal of all the Burmese parties within our limits. The magistrate further reports, that he had scen a letter from one of the officers at Ramoo, stating that Captain Sibley had received a letter from the commander of the Burmese forces, requesting that the prisoners might be returned and their chief sent guarded, as he would be beheaded in consequence of his having conducted an armed force into our territories ; an application which the magistrate observes is certainly in terms satisfactory, but is to be received with reserve and doubt, since, as he before remarked, it appears incredible that the outrage could have been committed without the participation of the Burmese chief. 67. The magistrate's despatch contains a copy of a letter which he addressed to Colonel Morgan, desiring him not to permit the vakcels to proceed to Chittagong, if so disposed, as his conduct with regard to them must be regulated by the instructions he might receive from government founded on a knowledge of the late outrage, together with a copy of a letter which the magistrate judged it proper to address to the Burmese chiefs, demanding an explanation of that outrage. 68. Your honourable court will also observe, that the magistrate notices his receipt of the letter to his address from the rajah of Arracan, and of a copy of the letter from the commander of the Burmese forces to the address of Colonel Morgan, with both of which, the vakeels, as above stated, were charged, and reports that their contents are little more than a threat of hostilities if the fugitive chiefs are not surrendered, with a renewal of the charge against the British government of having 360. supported ·24 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from Gov.Gen. in council, Arracan. supported Kingberring, and assisted him with military stores in his late invasion of 4 March 1812. 69. It was of course important, if practicable, to report these occurrences to the envoy, together with such instructions for the guidance of his conduct as the occasion appeared to require. We accordingly, on the receipt of the first of the two despatches above referred to, directed a copy of it to be transmitted to Captain Canning (the Amboyna and Malabar not having yet sailed), with the expression of our desire, that as it was possible that this outrage might be susceptible of explanation and atonement, and as we still maintained our solicitude to preserve the relations of amity with the state of Ava, the envoy would not convey to the court of Ava any representations on the subject of a nature to indicate a resolution on the part of this government to consider itself in a state of war with the former, or to decline even yet an amicable adjustment of all depending questions ; but that he should of course remonstrate in proper terms against the deceitful conduct of the Burmese officers on the frontier, and found upon it an additional argument in support both of the necessity of placing the province of Chittagong in a condition of defence, and of our requisition that the Burmese forces be withdrawn from their position on our frontier antecedently to any negotiation on the subject of the demands of the government of Ava; intimating also, that a repetition of such outrages must incvitably produce a rupture between the two states. To nagistrate of 70. Of the reply which we directed to be returned to the two despatches from Chittagong, dated the magistrate of Chittagong, we have the honour to enclose a copy. Your honour- 30 March. able court will observe from it, that while we intimated our concurrence in opinion with the magistrato, that notwithstanding the professions of the commander of the Burmese forces, this outrage could not have been committed without the sanction of the Burmese chiefs, we declared our willingness to accept a formal disavowal of their concern in it, and the expression of their indignation at the perpetrators, as a sufficient atonement; that. however, in the event of a repetition of similar acts of hostile aggression, it would be necessary to dismiss the vakcels ; observing also, that any parties of the Burmese forces again entering the company's territory, should of course be compelled to retreat by force of arms. 71. It was obvious to remark, that the tenor of the letter to the magistrate's address, brought by the vakeels, was inconsistent with the pacific nature of the measurc of deputing those vakeels for the professed purpose of amicable negotiation, as well as with the pacific intentions declared by the Burmese chiefs, inasmuch as the language of menace and of accusation already refuted, was the language of hostility and insult; and it was observed to the magistrate, that the determination before announced to him, of refusing to admit even of negotiation while the Burmese forces continued to maintain a threatening posture on the frontier of our territory, was of course applicable to the case of the Burmese chiefs continuing to urge their demands in the hostile language of menaces and insult. 72. With reference to this point of our instructions, however, it became necessary to apprise the magistrate of our sentimenis on the question of forcibly dislodging the Burmese troops from the position which they thus occupied, with a declared design of eventually invading our territories ; and accordingly, on the ground of our anxiety to avoid, if possible, an open rupture with the government of Ava, and therefore to observe the utmost practicable degree of forbearance, we directed it to be signified to the magistrate, that although the Burmese chiefs should persist in their hostile declarations, and refuse to withdraw their troops from their menacing position on the frontier, we did not deem it expedient, for the present at least, to authorize the adoption of coercive measures for the purpose of compelling their retreat; that it would be sufficient to act on the defensive, maintaining the requisition for the retreat of their troops, in the qualified form already prescribed, namely, combining with that requisition, a delaration, that so long as their troops should continue to occupy a position professedly directed to the eventual invasion of our territories, their demands would not even be entertained by the British government. 73. We have adverted in a preceding paragraph to the magistrate's explanation (contained in his despatch of the 25th ultimo, whercof a copy is above referred to as an enclosure in this address) of the motives which induced him to introduce into his first letter to the rajah of Arracan, the intimations which we observed were calculated to impress his mind with a belief of our predetermination to surrender the persons of the insurgent chiefs, in the event of their being apprehended. Your honourable court will perceive on a reference to the magistrate's despatch of the 25th ·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 25 25th ultimo, that under a persuasion that the Burmese chiefs were resolved to carry Despatch from their menaces of invasion into effect, he deemed it advisable to frame his letter in Gov.Gen. in council, 4 March 1812. terms which, while they suggested to the rajah the belief above described, should admit of a different construction. 74. We could not of course approve of this disingenuous system of proceeding, and therefore, in reply to that part of the magistrate's despatch, we directed it to be observed, that it was always inexpedient as well as incompatible with the maximns of equity and propriety, to convey intimations, in the course of political correspondence, purposely calculated to suggest to the other party an erroneous construction of their meaning; and that it would have been sufficient, with reference to the object which the magistrate had in view, to have declared his want of authority to decide regarding the surrender of ihe fugitives in the event of their being apprehended, and his ignorance of the sentiments and disposition of government on that subject. 75. The foregoing detail of our mcasures, orders, and instructions will sufficiently explain to your honourable court the course of our deliberations, and the system of proceeding, which it is our intention to pursue with respect to thc late occurrences in the quarter of Chittagong, as far as it is practicable in the present stage of these transactions to form our resolutions. Your honourable court will observe, that while guided on the one hand by the unavoidable necessity of resisting menace, insult and aggression, we are on the other, resolved to practise every practicable degree of moderation and forbearance in pursuance of our solicitude to maintain the long established relations of peace and anity with the state of Ava. It may possibly even appear to your honourable court, that we have allowed this disposition to operate to a greater extent than is compatible with the rights and the dignity of the relative power of the company's government; but an additional motive of caution and forbeurance is suggested by the situation of our envoy, whose personal liberty, and even safely, might be endangered by the vindictive resentment of a barbarous and haughty court in the event of actual hostility between the two states. It might indeed contribute to the future tranquillity of our eastern territory, which has repeatedly been disturbed by the aggressions of the people of Arracan, and to the permanent relief of our government and our subjects from the effects of that arrogance and insolence to which both have so frequently been exposed, and which may, in a great degree, be ascribed to anterior forbearance and concession on our part, if by example and experience that government were led to form a just estimate of the greatness of our power, and the weakness of its own. We state this observation, however, rather as tending in the present instance to alleviate the regret with which we must ever contemplate the recessity of war, than as constitutiny on our part a principle of action. 76. With regard to the question of rejecting or acceding to the demands of the Ava government for the surrender of the insurgent chiefs and other fugitives, great multitudes of whom, we understand, have sought refuge in our territories, it may be sufficient at the present moment to state, that the only branch of those (lemands, which can with us be under any circumstances a subject cven of deliberation, is, whcther or not Kingberring and other insurgent chieſs shall, if apprehended, be delivered up to their enemies. This is a point which will require much discussion and mature delibcration ; but the present inclination of our judgment is, that no principle of public law and justice will require us to do violence to those feelings of humanity which naturally oppose the measure of delivering up any of these unfortunate, though guilty persons, to the cruel and fatal vengeance of thcir enemics, not even Kingberring and others (if others there be) who like him have deprived themselves of all title to our protection by a treacherous abuse of hospitality, in taking advantage of their protected situation to carry arms into the territory of a government at peace with our own, at the hazard of involving us in a war with the former, and exposing us to all the embarrassment and inconvenience which has actually resulted from the invasion of the province of Arracan. 77. We shall add to the communications contained in this despatch any further intelligence that we may receive of the progress of events and transactions on our austern frontier before the departure of the present fleet. We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Honourable Sirs, Your most faithful humble servants, Minto, J. Lumsden, G. Nugent, H. Colebrooke, G 360.

·26 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from Copy of a DESPATCII from the Governor General in Council at Fort Gov.Gen. in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; 9 March 1812. datcd the gth March 1812. Honourable Sirs, SINCE the preparation of our despatch of the 4th instant on the subject of transactions on the frontier of Chittagong, we have received additional advices from that province, extending to the ist instant from the head quarters of the British force at Ramoo, and to the 3d instant from the magistrate. Time will not admit of the preparation of copies of the despatches which contain those advices for transmission to your lionourable court, and we are only enabled briefly to state the substance of them. 2. The first of thein contains a copy of Licutenant-colonel Morgan's report of his first interview with the vakeels of the Burmese chiefs, whom, as stated in the 64th paragraph of our address 10 your honourable court, lie had allowed to visit him, in consequence of their professions of regret and indignation at the late violation of our territories, and their assurances that the designs of their principals were entirely pacific, and that all the parties of Burnicse troops which had entered our territories should be immediately withdrawn. They had also sent to Colonel Morgan a letter, which they had addressed to the commander of the Burmese forces, expressive of their concern at what has occurred since they left the Burmese camp, and stating the requisition of Colonel Alorgan for the retreat of all the parties of Burmese troops which had entered our litnits, with a request that Colonel Morgan would forward that letter. 3. The vakeels commenced their representations to Colonel Morgan, with a recital of the circumstances of the invasion of Arracan by means derived from our territory and subjects, and of the defcat of the invaders, the Icaders of whom having, as they stated, fied into the province of Chittagong withi 40,000 of the inhabitants of Arracan; they demanded that those leaders, and all who had borno arms under them, and should be found in the province, should be delivered up, when the " usual and former friendly intercourse between the two countries would be secured from further disturbances, and the trade and commerce from intcr- “ ruption.” They required also, that all the native inhabitants of Arracan, who had fled into the province of Chittagong, might be " encouraged, permitted and " ordered to return to their former habitations. The vahcels at the same time solemnly engaging, in the name of the commander of the Burmese forces, that no punishment whatever should be inflicted on those who should return into Arracan, but that, on thc contrary, they should meet with every encouragement from the Burmese governinent. The vahcels added, that the commander of the forces only wanted answers to these his reasonable demands and requests, to return with the forces under his command into the interior of Ava. 4. Colonel Morgan further reported, that as a proof of the anxious desire of the vakeels to prevent hostilities, they had requested a small escort to proceed with four of their followers, and orders written by themselves in the presence of Colonel Morgan, to the commanders of the partics which had entered our limits, to retire instantly into Arracan; an application with which Colonel Morgan coinplied. 5. Colonel Morgan did not report his reply to the demands of the vakcels, but mercly stated his own strongest conviction of the desire of the Burmese government to continue on friendly terms with us, and of the solicitude of the commander of the Burmese forces for the speedy and amicable adjustment of depending questions, that chief (as acknowledged by the vakeels) finding it extremely difficult to subsist his troops in consequence of the depopulated and ravaged state of the province of Arracan. 6. In his despatch transmitting a copy of Colonel Morgan's report, the magistrate, adverting to the desire said to have been originally expressed by the vakeels, to proceed to Chittagong, or if necessary, to Calcutta, states his receipt of a private letter from Colonel Morgan, informing him that the vakcels had no intention of proceeding beyond Ramoo, and were anxious to return to the Burmese camp, but that he (Colonel Morgan) had persuaded them to remain until the answer of government to their demands should be received. On this point the magistrate remarks, that ·C. War. ] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 27 that he cannot help entertaining strong suspicions that the vakeels were spies, who Despatch fion had arrived for the sole purpose of ascertaining the extent of our force at Ramoo, Gov.Gen. in council, and that having ascertained it, they were anxious to return and communicate their 9 March 181:. intelligence to their employers. We state this, however, only as the opinion of the magistrate, without hazarding a judgment of our own, on the imperfect grounds hitherto before us. 7. In a subsequent despatch, dated the 29th ultimo, the magistrate transnitted a copy of a letter from Colonel Morgan, enclosing one from the commander of the Burmese forces, in reply to that from Colonel Morgan (noticed in the 45th paragraphs of our address to your honourable court of the 4th instant), which required the Burmese chicfs to recal their parties from our territories. The letter of the Burmese commander being short, we subjoin a transcript of the translation : Kingborring, Larungbage, and Nakloo, have destroyed the four districts of the hing, lave lilled 20,000 and more of the inhabitants of Arracan, and have fled into the company's territories. My people have gone after them, and the above traitors have the il 10 Teaknauſ, and remained near it; my people are forbidden to enter the company's territories, several Burmahsulo did enter them are put into confinement by the English gentlenien ; you will allow them to return. The merchants of the two countries formerly tradel; let them now continue to do so. Let there not be - any inte between the two countries for Kirgberring, L:rungbage, Nakloo, or the others linquents. It is, therefore, better that you deliver them up to us. I under- “ stand from my own people that it is your intention to deliver them up through friends'ij; it is much better that yra malo laste to do so.' &. It may be proper to observe, that the letter from Colonel Morgan, 10 which the above replies, was written before the occurrence of the outrage related in the 64+hı ziara raph of our last despatch. ). On this letter of the Burmese chicſ, Colonel Morgan merely observes, in his address to the magistrate, that it appeared his (Colonel Morgan's) letter to the chiefs hund had the desired cflect, or preventing any more parties of theirs crossing into var ierritories, and the immcdiate recal of such as were within them. The magistrate, however, in his despatch, conveying the above coinmunications, remarks. perhaps with more justice, that the letter of the Burmese commander, instead of oblering any explanations of the outrage above alluded to, or expressing any regret at its occurrence, or declaring that it took place without bis knowledge (which inight naturally have been experted, il' the outrage was not really sanctioned by the Buiniese chicts) merely contained a request (if not dictated in stronger terms than a request usually is), that the prisoners taken might be sent back, and that the leaders of the late insurrection night be given up. 10. It may be proper to state that Colonel Morgan, in reply to the communication transmitted to him respecting the reinforcements ordered to Chittagong, has expressed his hope that his anterior reports would arrive in time to prevent the troops proceeiling by sea to Chittagong, with the exception of the detachment of 100 men embarked on one of the cruisers, which under the apparent emergency of aflairs we had directed to sail, without waiting until the rest of the vessels carrying troops were ready for sca, as he was confident that the reinforcement of two conpanies which (as noticed in the 7th paragraph of our last despatch to your honourable court), he had called for from Dacca, thc troops on board the abovementioned cruiser, and an artillery relief which a considerable time ago left the presidency for Chittagong, would, with the remainder of the troops under his command, be fully competent to repel any force the Burmese could bring towards our frontier before the commencement of the rains, which begin on the castern coast of the bay about the end of next month, when, Colonel Morgan observes, they could not act, but must disperse into the interior of Arracan. Colonel Morgan adus, however, his perfect confidence, that the Burmese chief has received positive orders not to invade our territories, or in any manner act hostilely towards us. 1. In his despatch of the 3d instant, this day received, the magistrate has transmitted a copy of a further letter from Colonel Morgan, in whichi, adverting to his conference with the vakeels (as described in the 3d and 4th paragraphs of this address), Colonel Morgan expresses his perfect conviction of the sincerity of their assurances, that the Burmese commander neither ordered nor sanctioned the late outrage; but that the body of troops, which thus entered our territory, came over 360. merely ·28 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from merely in the hope of obtaining some supplies of grain for their subsistence; observ- Gov.Gen. in council, ing, that when it is considered that the Burmese officers and men of all descriptions 9 March 1819. receive no pay from the state, and are obliged to furnish themselves with all their equipments and provisions wherever they go, the wants of nature may be supposed to constitute an impulse sufficiently strong to place them beyond control; and as a further corroboration of his belief that the late incursion was unsanctioned by the Burmese commander, Colonel Morgan adds, that he had received from Captain Sibley, commanding at Teaknauf, a letter, informing him that a vakcel was sent to him by the Burmese commander, on the morning succeeding the day of the incursion, to assure him of that chicf's entire ignorance of it until after its occurrence, and of his resolution to punish the leaders of the invading party. 12. The magistrate, adverting to the above communication from Colonel Morgan, observes, that notwithstanding the confidence entertained by that officer of the pacific disposition of the Burmese, he sees no reason to alter the different opinion which he himself had formed of their views and proceedings; and as corroborative of that opinion, refers to an enclosed report from the darogah at Teaknauf, from which it appears that one of the parties of Burmesc troops, which entered our territory, set fire to the houses and villages of the Mugs, in a place called Ncela, on their departure. 13. The magistrate states, that it does not appear whether or not this additional outrage was committed after the circulation of the orders of the Vakcels, directing the retreat of the parties of Burmese troops which were within our territory, but justly observes that if it was, the offence is aggravated; and remarks generally, that the circumstances of the Burmese commander having limited his denial of the former outrage to a verbal message, omitting all apology for what had occurred, little reliance could be placed on the sincerity of his pacific professions; and that on the contrary, his conduct evinced a spirit of insolence, and a disposition to aggress. The magistrate concludes his letter in the following terms : “ I trust, however, that " this will be the cxtent of the injury he can do us, when we are provided with one or two cruisers, and even half the force which government has ordered down “ here. We are already out of all apprehension of an invasion by water, as two “ companies of the 12th regiment are arrived from Dacca.” 14. With respect to the whole of the foregoing communications, no other instructions in addition to those already despatched appcar to be necessary, than merely to direct the magistrate to encourage the return of the emigrants, so far as to make known to them the assurances of favour and protection, which, in the event of their return, the vakcels expressed in their conference with Colonel Morgan. 15. From the general tenor of these later advices, we are disposed to think that there is little probability of our being involved in an open rupture with the state of Ava. We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Ilonourable Sirs, Your most faithful humble servants, Mlinto, G. Nugent, J. Lumsden, H. Colebrooke. Despatch from Gov.Gen. in council, 24 March 1812. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Fort William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; dated 24th March 1812. Honourable Sirs, WE have the honour to continue our report of the gth instant, on the subject of transactions on the frontier of Chittagong. 2. The date of our latest advices then received was the 3d instant. In a despatch of the 4th instant the magistrate of Chittagong transmitted a second report from the darogah of Teaknauf, containing further particulars of the conduct of the party of Burmese which burned the houses and plundered the property of the inhabitants of the village of Necla, within our territory, as related in the 12th paragraph of ·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 29 of our despatch of the gth instant. The same report also gave an account of Despatch from a fresh outrage on the part of the Burmese, some of whom crossed the river into Gov.Gen. in council, 24 March 1812. our territory, wounded one woman and seized another. Of this party seventeen werc seized, together with some arms, by our sepoys; the remainder Hed, taking with them the woman whom they had seized. The magistrate naturally and justly observed, that this repetition of outrages precluded all confidence in the faith and pacific professions of the Burmese chiefs and their vakeels, regarding which also these acts would probably induce Colonel Morgan to cntertain an opinion less favourable than hitherto. 3. On the receipt of the preceding communication, we judged it proper to revise our former orders and instructions, with a view to determine respecting the expediency of pursuing some measures more decisive than at the date of the latest of those instructions appeared to us to be advisable, with reference to the limited extent of our force in the province of Chittagong. 4. Wc had heard, as mentioned in our last address, of the arrival at Chittagong of the two companies of sepoys, which Colonel Morgan had called for from Dacca. We had hcard also of the arrival of the Thetis cruiser, with 100 men, which had preceded the other cruisers and vessels conveying reinforcements. The latter had sailed many days before, and the scven companies of the 12th regiment ordered to Chittagong, as stated in our despatch of the 4th instant, had commenced their voyage. The security of the province having thus been provided for, we came to the resolution of conveying to the Burmese chiefs, in a manner more formal, authentic and impressive than belonged to the character of a communication merely addressed to their vakeels, the sense which we entertained of their insults and aggressions, and in the same form to demand the retreat of their forces from the menacing position which they occupy on the frontier of our possessions; apprising them at the same time that any future incursions of their troops would be repelled by force of arms, and that the requisitions which they had urged must be negotiated through the regular channel of an accredited representative on the part of one or other of the + tu'() states. 5. A declaration to this effect was accordingly drawn up, and despatched to the magistrate, with directions to transmit a translation of it to the Burmese chiefs, in a letter purporting that he had been instructed to convey it to them as an authentic declaration of the sentiments and resolutions of this government; requiring them, at the sanie time, in conformity to the tenor of it, to withdraw their forces from the frontier. 6. The magistrate was further directed to transmit a copy of the declaration to Colonel Morgan, desiring him (if it had not been alrcady donc under our former orders of the 34 instant) to be prepared instantly to repel, by force of arms, any parties of the Burmese troops that might again make incursions into the British territories. 7. The magistrate was further informed, that if the vakeels of the Burmese chiefs should still be in the Britislı camp, the immediate retreat of the Burmese forces from the frontier, the restitution of the property plundered by the party at Necla, and of the woman carried off by the other party, must be rendered the conditions of their being permitted to remain. But the magistrate was directed, under any circumstances, to require the restitution of the woman and the plundered property. It was further significd to the magistrate, that the arms and prisoners above stated to have been taken, should not be delivered up until a satisfactory account should be received from Tyndapo of the outrages which occasioned the seizure of them. 8. For your honourable court's more detailed information, we deem it proper to transmit enclosed a copy of the declaration above described. 9. In the 14th paragraph of our address of the gth instant, we observed that with respect to the whole of the communications from the magistrate of Chittagong, as reported in that address, no other instructions in addition to those already despatched appeared to be necessary, than merely to direct the magistrate to encourage the return of the emigrants, so far as to make known to them the assurances of favour and protection which in the event of their return the vakeels had expressed 360. H in ·6th March. 30 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from in their conference with Colonel Morgan. On mature deliberation however we Gov.Gen. in council, deemed it advisable to modifiy this intended instruction. 24 March 1812. 10. In replying to the communications above alluded to, therefore, we caused it to be signified to the magistrate, that although it was highly desirable that our territory should be relieved from the burthen of the numerous emigrants which had entered it, provided that their rcturn to Arracan would not expose them to the barbarous effects of the vindictive resentment of the Burmese government, yet the mere verbal and unauthenticated assurance afforded by the vakeels was not in our judgment sufficient to warrant even that degree of encouragment to the return of these fugitives which would be held out by proclaiming to them the offers of the vakeels, because it would imply a degree of confidence which we were by no means inclined to repose in the validity of those assurances, especially when the opposition between the professions of the vakeels and the acts of their employers was considered. But that iſ some authentic and formal security should be afforded for the safety of the emigrants in the event of their return, by written stipulations under the signature of the rajah of Arracan, we should have no objection to announce to the emigrants by proclamation the receipt of such a document, leaving them however at liberty to act according to their own judgment of the degree of dependence to be placed on the assurances which it might contain; and the magistrate was directed to instruct Colonel Morgan to return to the vakeels a reply to this cffect to that article of their demands (the only one to which any specific reply could bc given) which related to the general body of the emigrants. 11. It consists with the order of transactions to notice in this place the explanation received from Dr. M‘Rae, the surgeon of the station of Chittagong, of the nature and extent of the intercourse which had subsisted between him and Kingberring, which explanation had becn called for, as stated in the 41st paragraph of our despatch to your honourable court of the 4th instant, and we accordingly Froin magistrate of beg leave to refer to the enclosed copies of a despatch from the magistrate of Chitta- Chittagong, dated gong on that subject, and of a letter from Dr. M'Rae, containing the explanation From Dr. M Rae, required, which, as wc anticipated, is in every respect satisfactory. dated 3d March. 12. We have of course caused copies of the material parts of the communications from the magistrate of Chittagong, of the instructions to that officer, and of the doclaration described in the preceding part of this despatch, to be transmitted to Captain Canning, to whom however no additional instructions appeared to be necessary, and the only observation stated to him in transmitting those documents was, that the declaration contained little more than what he had already been authorized to express to the Burmese government, and that as the British government was solicitous to preserve the relations of unity with that of Ava, and as its measures were of a nature strictly and exclusively defensive, a suspension of those relations could alone be occasioned by a perseverance on the part of the Burmese in acts of menace and aggression. 13. A copy of Dr. M'Rae's explanatory letter was at the same time transmitted to Captain Canning, with a view to enable him to demonstrate to the Burmese government that the charge preſerred against Dr. M.Rae by its officers, of having countenanced and encouraged Kingberring in his invasion of Arracan, was utterly devoid of foundation. 14. The next despatch received from the magistrate, and dated the 8th instant, relates to his receipt of a communication from the darogah at Teaknauf, purporting that about 100 people, men and women, Burmese and emigrant Mugs, who had a letter of protection from Colonel Morgan, were proceeding across the Nauf to the Burmese camp, and that a vakcel had arrived at Teaknauf with a letter from the commander of the Burmese forces to the address of Captain Sibley commanding at that post, demanding the restitution of the arnis taken from the Burmese who entered our territory, to which demand Captain Sibley had declined to return an answer without orders from Colonel Morgan. The magistrate adverts also to his knowledge of Colonel Morgan's having several days before thc date of this occurrence, transmitted a letter to the commander of the Burmese forces, and remarks on this occasion the extraordinary circumstance of his not having received any report from Colonel Morgan of any of these proceedings, or even of the outrage committed at Necla. 15. In his next despatch of the gth, the magistrate acknowledges the receipt of our instructions of the 3d instant, the substance of which is stated in the seventieth ·+ War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 31 seventieth and following paragraphs of our address to your honourable court of the Despatch from 4th; and having stated various observations on the conduct of the commander of Gov.Gen. in council, 24 March 1812. the Burmese forces, tending to show that no disavowal of the outrage committed by a party of those forces on the 21st ultimo (the circumstances of which are substantially stated in the 64th paragraph of our last-mentioned address), such as could in any degrec be considered satisfactory or even authentic, had been received, and that the proceedings of the commander and the occurrence of subsequent outrages indicated a disposition on his part which seemed to preclude the expectation of atonement and apology, the magistrate expresses his intention, under the instructions above mentioned, to abstain from entering into any negotiations with the vakeels, unless a sufficient apology should subsequently be received, in which casc he should be prepared to act according to the instructions with which he had been furnisheil. 10. In his next despatch, of the 10th instant, the magistrate transmitted a topy of a letter, which on a review of the instructions he had lately received, and of the reports from the darogah of Tcaknauf, he had judged it necessary to address to Colonel Morgan. The magistate observed, that Colonel Morgan evidently enterlained an opinion of the disposition and proceedings of the Burmese entirely opposite to the light in which they were viewed by him; that this circumstance rendered the part he had to perform somewhat difficult, inasmuch as Colonel Morgan seemed to be carrying on an intercourse with the vakeels and thcir principals, which must be supposed to be regulated by the opinions he himself had formed of their views; whereas he (the magistrate) conceived that it was adverse to our intentions that an amicable negotiation should be maintained with the Burmese chiefs, until the late outrages were satisfactorily explained or disavowed. 17. The magistrate therefore, in his letter above-mentioned, transmitted to Colonel Morgan a copy of our instructions of the 29th ultimo and 3d instant, showing the light in which we considered the outrage of the 21st ultimno; but desired he would not make any conmunication of the contents of those instructions to the vakeels until he should hcar further from him. The magistrate then related the circumstances of the later outrages committed by the Burmesc, and apprised Colonel Morgan that he should suspend the execution of our late instructions until he had received a reply to his despatch reporting those circumstances to government, which might possibly produce orders of a different nature. 18. The magistrate further noticed the intelligence recently received from the darogah of Teaknauf, relative to the intercourse apparently maintained between Colonrl Morgan and the Burmese commander, and requested an explanation of that intercourse, observing to him at the same time, that in his opinion no correspondence ought to take place with the Burmesc commander until the latter should have atförded a satisfactory explanation of past events, and requesting that in future no communication, either by message or by letter, might take place between Colonel Morgan and the Burmese commander, or any of the Burmese chiefs, unless first sanctioned by him (the magistrate); and also that in future Colonel Morgan would communicate to him every circumstance of conscquence that happened. 19. In his despatch last mentioned the magistrate further states, that by the report of an English officer just arrived at Chittagong from the post at Teaknauf, it appeared ihat three ships loaded with provisions for the Burmese camp had lately arrived; that the Burmesc commander in consequence stated his intention to be, to remain in his present position during the ensuing rains, and that in conformity to that intention he had commenced building a house on a large scale. The magistrate adds as follows:-" The officer is one of those who went over to visit the Bur- *, and he computes their force at about 7,000. In the conversation he * N. B. It appears " had with the chiefs, he describes the rajah of Arracan to have expressed himself that on the arrival " in very angry terms respecting our government; but that Tyndapo (the Burmese of the vakeels commander) was more reasonable, and actually reprimanded the rajah before him.” several officers went From the above I think I am warranted in entertaining an opinion that the over to the Burmese Burmahs have some object in view which is not at present avowed. Their remain- very favourably ing encanıped where they are is of no use whatever, unless they intend during the received. rains, when they may think our force cannot remain down there, to take advantage of its absence, and enter the district. Colonel Morgan, however, still seems to think so much of their friendly intentions, that he mentioned to me in a private letter which I received last night, his determination to desire Captain Ross with the two 360. companies " mah camp ·24 March 1812. 16th March. 32 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from companies of the 12th native infantry, to return to the presidency viâ Dacca, not- Gov.Gen. in council, withstanding I imparted to him the resolution of government communicated to me in your (chief secretary's) letter of the 29th ultimo, not to recal any of the reinforcements.” 20. We were concerned to observe the contrariety of opinions and proccedings of the magistratc and Colonel Morgan; and we deemed it necessary to notice the erroneous views and conduct of the latter, who appeared to have supposed that government would not only place confidence in the amicable professions of the vakeels, but be induced by those professions to overlook the various acts of insult and aggression by which they had been preceded, accompanied, and followed ; that the menacing position of a Burmese force on the frontier, avowedly directed to the eventual invasion of our territory, would be no impediment to negotiation, and even that government was prepared to purchase its retreat by a compliance with the demands of the Burmese chiefs. 21. These observations, together with others, having relation to Colonel Morgan's omitting to communicate to the magistrate regular information of transactions, and to his maintaining a separate intercourse with the Burmese chiefs, were stated in a reply to the three despatches from the magistrate, of which the substance is above stated, and as that reply contains some supplemental points of instruction for the Chittagong; dated guidance of the magistrate's conduct, we deem it proper to transmit a copy of it cnclosed. 22. It is proper to add, that corresponding instructions, as far as the former related to the erroneous opinions and proceedings of Colonel Morgan, have since been issued by his excellency the commander-in-chicf to that oflicer. 23. The whole of the reinforcements despatched by sea to Chittagong arrived on the 7th instant, and a part immediately marched to join the force at Ramon; and as it is obviously necessary that the whole of the troops should continue in the province of Chittagong during the rains, we have, at the suggestion of the conimanderin-chief, authorized the immediate construction of the requisite buildings for the European details and native infantry. 24. In a despatch dated the 11th instant, the magistrate transmitted a copy of a letter from Colonel Morgan, reporting that Nakloo, the fugitive chicf, mentioned in the third paragraph of our address of the 4th instant, had surrendered hinıself. In the same letter, Colonel Morgan stated that the vakeels of the Burmese chiefs had repeatedly applied to him to be furnished with supplies and necessaries for themselves and followers at the public charge on the ground of usage, and referred the question to the consideration of the magistrate, who not considering himseli conipetent to decide it, requested orders on the subject. 25. With reference to the first of these points, the surrender of the fugitive chief Nakloo, we considered that the best mode of disposing of him for the present, was to place him under charge of the magistrate of Dacca, to be kept under the degree of restraint necessary to prevent his escape, but to be allowed every indulgence consistent with that object. "We were further of opinion, that it would be proper to dispose in the same manner of the families of the fugitive chieſs, which (as we before reported) had been secured by Colonel Morgan, and the necessary instructions for carrying these arrangements into effect, were accordingly issued to the magistrates of Chittagong and Dacca. 26. With regard to the application of the vakeels to be subsisted at the public charge, we directed the following observations and instructions to be communicated to the magistrate. That it was certainly usual to supply necessaries and accommodation at the public charge for vakeels deputed by the government of Ava to this government, but that the case was different when vakeels were despatched by a subordinate officer of the former to a subordinate officer of the latter. Independently of which consideration, however, the peculiar circumstances attending the deputation of these vakeels afforded the strongest additional grounds for withholding the solicited indulgence. For that the vakeels, although professing amity, were the bearers of demands urged by chiefs at the head of a force, menacing our territory with invasion, in terms of insult and hostility, and that while the vakeels were actually in the British camp on a mission declared by them to be amicablc, parties of the Burmese force were permitted to invade our territory, and to commit outrages and plunder.

·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 33 plunder. That a mission in such a form could not reasonably be considered entitled Despatch from to courtesies applicable to representatives who come to negotiate on a basis of amity Gov.Gen.in council, and concord, and under corresponding demonstrations on the part of their principals, and that for these combined reasons the expectations of the vakeels were totally inadmissible. 27. The despatch to which the above described instructions replied, further stated the arrangements adopted by the magistrate with regard to the cruisers and vessels which had conveyed the reinforcements to Chittagong, from which it appears, that out of two cruisers originally intended, if not wanted at Chittagong, to proceed to the Java station, one had been despatched thither; the other had been detained with a second cruiser for local services, and the remainder are to be returned to Bengal. 28. We have received only two further despatches from the magistrate of Chit- From magistrate tagong, of the 14th and 15th instant, of which we deem it advisable to transmit Chittagong, dated copies, as they report a variety of circumstances not unimportant in the actual state from d', dated of affairs, which it is difficult to comprise in an abstracted form. 15th March. 29. The first of these despatches contains Colonel Morgan's explanation of his intercourse with the Burmese chiefs, adverted to in a preceding paragraph of this address. The most important communication in the magistrate's despatch of the 14th, is the translation of a letter to his adaress, from the Burmese commander, in which, your honourable court will observe, that he disavows the outrage committed by a party of the Burmese forces on the 21st ultimo; asserts that the offenders have been punished, promises that none shall again violate our territories, desires that our troops may not cross into Arracan, and repeats liis demand for the surrender of the fugitive chiefs. 30. Although, as the magistrate has remarked, this explanation or apology cannot be deemed entirely satisfactory, yet, as the outrage in question has been disavowed, we are disposed to think that this disavowal, and the assertions and promises with which it is accompanied, may be accepted; but it does not of course suggest the expediency of any change in the system of proceedings which we have adopted, especially as we must concur in opinion with the magistrate, that the demonstrations of the Burmese chiefs continue, notwithstanding their professions, to be rather hostile than pacific. 31. In his despatch of the 15th, your honourable court will observe, that the magistrate has transmitted a copy of the letter, which in consequence of the Burmese commander's disavowal of thc outrage of the 21st ultinio, he had prepared to the address of the two chiefs, in conformity to our instructions of the 29th ultimo, and 3d instant, but which it was not his intention to despatch until the receipt of a reply to his report of the more recent outrages of the Burmese. The tenor of that proposed letter appears to us to be perfectly proper; but the transmission of it will of course be superseded by our instructions of the 13th, containing the declaration to be transmitted to the Burmese chiefs. 32. We have the honour to inform your honourable court, that by a Portuguese ship which left Rangoon the 4th instant, we yesterday received a despatch from Captain Canning, containing a narrative of his negotiations and transactions from the 10th to the 29th ultimo, as the immediate departure of the ships Lord Eldon and Batavia docs not leave sufficient time for transcribing the whole of that despatch, which is voluminous, in addition to other documents which it is necessary to prepare, we enclose only extracts, consisting of such parts as are most material. 33. Your honourable court will observe, that Captain Canning continued upon the most confidential terms with the viceroy of Pegu, and that he expected that the boats preparing for his journey to the capital, would be rcady by the 12th instant; we hope, however, and we consider it highly probable, that his departure will be delayed till towards the close of this month, by which time, we trust the Amboyna and Malabar will arrive at Rangoon. We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Honourable Sirs, your most faithful, humble servants, Minto, J. Lumsden, G. Nugent, H. Colebrooke, 360. I ·34 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Fort Gov.Gen. in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company, 25 April 1812. dated the 25th April 1812. Honourable Sirs, 1. OUR last despatch on the subject of the affairs of Chittagong, was dated the 24th ultimo. 2. The general tenor of our advices since that date, warrant a belief that the transactions in that quarter will terminate amicably. The correspondence of that interval of time exhibits no incident of material importance, and the above inference is deduced from thc negative circumstance of the Burmese chiefs having abstained from any acts of aggression, or of insult, beyond those related in our preceding despatches, and from any measures and proceedings, as far as we can learn, of a nature to indicate a disposition on their part to provoke a rupture between the two states, and from the information which we have rcason to believe authentic, of their force on the frontier having been reduced to about 2,000 men, including followers, and of that force also, with the exception of a small party, being about to retire. This reduction of their force has been ascribed to the want of supplies, compelling a part to retire and producing descrtion. It may also have been occasioned by orders from the court of Ava, originating in the apprehension inspired by the arrival of our reinforcements, or the prevalence of morc amicable sentiments, as well as in the more exigent cause above mentioned, or in all these motives combined. It may also be, that the Burmese never seriously meditated an invasion of the province, but ignorantly supposed that we should be induced by the menacing advance of their troops, and by their arrogant and vapouring language, at a time when our force was inconsiderable, to comply with their demands. 3. This state of affairs, however, has admitted of our authorizing the return to Chittagong of the greatest part of our advanced troops. This measure was suggested by Lieutenant-colonel Morgan, on receiving intelligence of the reduction of The Burmese forces on the frontier, in a despatch to the adjtuant general of the ist instant; copies of which, and of a further despatch of the 4th, werc, by direction of his excellency the commander-in-chief, submitted to us for our consideration ; From Adjutant and we deem it proper to transmit a number in the packet, a copy of the adjutant- General, dated general's letter on the subject, together with copies of Lieutenant-colonel Morgan's 14 April. two despatches above mentioned. That of the ist instant contains much local N° 16, & inclosures, information, and describes both the arrangement for cantoning the troops, and the system of military measures recommended by that officer, in the event of government deeming it necessary to prosccute measures of hostility against the Burmesc. 4. Your honourable court will observe that the measure of withdrawing the troops from their advanced positions is rendered highly desirable by the unhcalthiness of those positions during the rainy season, and that Lieutenant Colonel Morgan proposed, in the event of our resolving not to prosecute hostilities, that the whole should be remanded to Chittagong, cacepting five companies; three of which should be stationed at a place on the sca side, about nine miles south-west of Ramoo; one company at Tcaknauf, the extreme southern point of the province; and another at Ramoo. Your honourablc court will also observe, that the commander in chief represented the expediency of withdrawing, as far as circumstances might prudently admit, the troops from their advanced positions, and proposed his being authorized to issue provisional instructions to Lieutenant Colonel Morgan, founded gencrally on the plan which that officer had recommended, directing him to carry them into effect, with the concurrence of the magistrate of Chittagong, whenever, in their joint opinion, the reduction of the Burmese force might render the measure advisable with reference to the views and intentions of government. 5. In reply, we signified that we entirely concurred in opinion with the commander in chief, that it was quite consistent with our original views to withdraw the whole of our advanced force as soon as the Burmese chiefs should retire from the menacing position which they had assumed; but that if any part of the Burmese force should be left on the frontier, it was of course expedient to leave a corresponding detachment of British troops --which indeed was the case provided for by Lieutenant Colonel Morgan's plan : and further, that if the whole of the Burmese force (with the exception ·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 35 tion of any part which it might have been the practice to maintain in all ordinary Dispatch from times) should quit the frontier, we were of opinion that the whole of our troops Gov.Gen. in council, might also, with perfect security, return to their proper stations as soon as his 25 April 1813. excellency might think it convenient and advisable. For your honourable court's To Adjutant Genemore detailed information, we have the honour to transmit inclosed copies of the ral, 15th April. reply to the adjutant general's letter, and of the instructions issued in consequence From Adjutant General to Lieutenant by his excellency the commander in chief to Licntenant Colonel Morgan; corres- Colonel Morgan, ponding instructions were also, of course, issued to the magistrate of Chittagong. dated in April. 6. Ilaving noticed in our last despatch the difference of opinion that had unfortunately arisen between the magistrate and Lieutenant Colonel Morgan, and also the latter's having apparently omitted to communicate to the former some occurrences of importance, such as the burning and plundering the village of Ncela, reported to the magistrate by the darogah Teaknauf to have occurred on the 27th or 28th of February, and the wounding one woman and seizure of another (points which, on the authority of the magistrate's information, were included in the manifesto or declaration of this government transmitted with our last address,) together with the circumstances of Lieutenant Colonel Morgan's intercourse and correspondence with the Burmese chief ; having also noticed the censure passed upon Lieutenant Colonel Morgan by his excellency the commander in chief: in these From Adjutant Gerespects we deem it proper, in justice to that cfficer, to transmit inclosed copies of neral, 11th April, two letters from the adjutant general, and that part of their respective inclosures a letter from Lieutewhich consists of transcripts of despatches from Lieutenant Colonel Morgan, con- nant Colonel Mortaining a full explanation of his conduct, omitting the subsidiary documents referred gan, dated 30th to in the latter. It is further proper to transmit a copy of the reply written to the arch. l'rom 16th do, adjutant general, under our orders, which contains a detailed discussion of the merits Nº 20, with copy of of the case, and our judgment upon it. a letter froni Col. Morgan, dated 4th 7. With reference to the explanations contained in Licutenant Colonel Morgan's April. letter of 30th March, it is proper to remark, that they afford reason to doubt whether To Adjutant Genethe burning and plundering of Neela could be considered as a new outrage commit- ral, dated 17 April. ted by tlic Burmese after they had been driven back from our territory on the occasion of their incursion on the 21st of l'ebruary. It had been represented in that light by the magistratc, and had consequently influenced our judgment as well as his own, regarding the disposition and intentions of the Burmesc, as your honourable court will have observed from the tenor of our two last despatches; but the circumstances of that transaction, and other points stated by Licutenant Colonel Morgan, have contributed, in addition to the facts and considerations noticed at the comencement of this address, to impress us with a more favourablc opinion of the conduct and designs of the Burmese chiefs subsequent to the incursion of the 21st of February, and consequently, to support the expediency of the measures recently adopted for withdrawing our troops. 8. It is not necessary, and indeed the pressure of other public labours has rendered it impracticable, to communicate to your honourable court by the present opportunity the whole of the correspondence that has passed with the magistrate and Lieutenant Colonel Morgan since the date of our last despatch; that correspondcnce will be accessible to your honourable court when we transmit the broken set of our proceedings, which we propose to do up to the latest practicable date, by the honourable company's ship Baring, to be despatched in the course of the ensuing month. 9. Nothing, in fact, very material, besides what has already been stated, has occurred in this interval. The Burmese vakeels, who were deputed to the British camp, returned to their employers on the 18th ultimo. The magistrate, pursuant to our instructions, transmitted to the Burmese commander a translation of the manifesto or declaration referred to in the eighth paragraph of our last address to your honourable court on the 23d or 24th ultimo, with a letter, of which an English copy is inclosed. At the date of our latest advices no answer to it. had been received by thc magistrate. We conclude, indeed, that the Burmese chicî has judged it necessary to suspend a reply until furnished with instructions regarding it from the court of Ava. No further representations or demands, excepting an application for the restitution of the arms captured from the Burmese who entered our territory in the month of February, has been made by the Burmese chiefs. 360. 1 10. Wc ·36 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Dispatch from 10. We have not received any advices from Captain Canning in addition to those Gov.Gen.in council, noticed in our last despatch, nor information of the arrival of the Amboyna and 25 April 1812. Malabar at Rangoon. We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Honourable Sirs, Your most faithful humble servants, Minto. G. Nugent. J. Lumsden. H. Colebrooke. Nav Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Fort William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; dated 25th May 1812. Honourable Sirs, A few days after our last despatch of the 25th ultimo, on the subject of the state of affairs on the frontier of Chittagong, the pilot schooner, Cudbert Thornhill, which had been despatched to Rangoon in the early part of the month of • Note. The purpose of despatching March, with letters for the envoy to the * Burmese government, the schooner was to convey a despatch returned with advices from that officer of a very interesting and of the 4th of March to (Captain C'an- iinportant nature, contained in a despatch from the envoy, comprisning, which had been forwarded to the ing a detailed narrative of events and transactions at Rangoon, from reach that ship or the Malabar. The the arrival at that port of the Amboyna and the cruiser Malabar on purport of that despatch (which will be the 18th of March, up to the oth ultimo; a short time before which found recorded on the secret consulta- latter date Captain Canning had found it necessary to remove from tion of the 13th March, Nº 9) was to the town of Rangoon, and take up his residence on board the cruiser tire if the slightest hazard appeared to Malabar, in which situation, however, he continued to maintain an him to exist, of his being exposed, amicable intercourse with the local government. either by the unsuccessful issue of the prescribed negotiations, or by the course 2. We shall advert to the leading points of those transactions, of events which might possibly compel referring your honourable court for details to the enclosed copy of us to adopt coercive measures with re- captain Canning's despatch. gard to the Burmese forces, to personal injury or insult. The despatch of the 3. The arrival of the Amboyna, accompanied by the Malabar schooner also afforded an opportunity of conveying to the envoy copies of our cruiser, it appears, excited an extreme degree of agitation and alarm instructions to the magistrate of Chitta- at Rangoon. The envoy, however, had the address to induce the gong, of the 13th March; and of the viceroy of Pegue to permit a pilot being sent to bring the two ships declaration or nianifesto therein referred In the meantime, many meetings had been held by the to ; a statement of the substance of the up to town, former, and a copy of the latter of members of the government, all of whom, with one exception, had which documents are contained in the expressed the highest dissatisfaction at the conduct of the viceroy address to your honourable court of in permitting the Malabar to come up the river; declaring their conthe 24th of March. The substance of viction, that in sending the cruiser to Rangoon, the British the instructions conveyed to the envoy governon that occasion is also stated in the ment had no other object than to endeavour to obtain possession of 12th paragraph of our address above the town. m. tioned, and the chief secretary's letter conveying them, will be found 4. These declarations ultimately obtained credit with the viceroy, recorded on our secret consultation of who, the day after the arrival of the ships off the town, proceeded the 13th of March, Nº 29. to a retired grove at a short distance, where he mustered his forces, amounting to about 4 or 500 men; and after issuing various orders, directed them to disperse as they had assembled, in small bodies, to prevent discovery and alarm. 5. On the sume evening, the envoy attended the viceroy by invitation, on which occasion the latter (who signified to the envoy the general belief that the two nations were actually at war) requested Captain Canning to give him an accurate relation of what had occurred. Captain Canning accordingly apprised him of the principal transactions which had taken place on the frontier of Chittagong, as communicated to him in the despatches forwarded to the envoy by the Amboyna, which despatches, as our address to your honourable court of the 4th of March will have shown, represented a state of affairs calculated to suggest the probability of a rupture. The envoy, however, stated to the viceroy at the same time, that notwithstanding what had occurred, he still entertained hopes of an amicable adjustment of depending differences;

·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 37 differences; but added, that in the present state of affairs it was not in his power Despatch from to proceed to the capital, (for his departure to which place his boats were then in Gov.Gen. in council, readiness, in consequence of the invitation he had received from the court of Ava, 25 May 1819. as stated in our address last mentioned,) and proposing as the most eligible plan, that a war-boat should be despatched to the capital with a letter from him (the envoy) to the heir apparent. To this measure, however, the viceroy strongly objected, and earnestly recommended the envoy's procecling to the capital, where his presence would cffect an amicable adjustment of differences. The envoy persisting in his resolution, the viceroy at length reluctantly consented to equip a war-boat, which, after nunierous cvasions and delays, with the letter from the envoy to the heir Sic in orig. apparent, containing the substance of the representations which in our instructions to Captain Canning of the 21st and 29th February, and ad of March, (copies of the two former, and the substance of the latter of which are contained in our address to your honourable court of the 4th of March,) we had directed him to convey to the Burmese governnient, and stating the grounds of his resolution to suspend his intended journey to the capital, adding that he should adhere to that resolution until he received a written assurance from the court that orders had been despatched to the commander of the Burmese forces, and to the viceroy of Arracan, to desist from their menaces and arrogant demands, and to respect the territories of the honourable company; and that the king had determined to negotiate the adjustnient of all depending questions in an anticable manner through him (the envoy). Captain Canning addressed a similar communication (with the exception of what related to his procceding to the capital) to the viceroy, in conformity to his instruclions : a copy of the above representation is annexed to Captain Canning's despatch. 6. Captain Canning accounted for the viceroy's extreme reluctance to despatch the boat; ist, by his avarice, which disinclined him to the expense; and 2dly, by his drcad of the hing receiving information of the arrival of the Malabar, which rendered him anxious to prevent for the present all communication between Rangoon and the capital. 7. At the conference before mentioned, the viceroy next proceeded to urge, in the most earnest manner, the immediate departure of the Malabar, to which the envoy as firmly refused to consent. 8. The following day was fixed for the envoy to introduce Captain Maxfield, the commander of the Malabar, to the viceroy. In the nieantime the most alarming reports continued to be circulated respecting the object of the British government in sending the Malabar ; and preparatory to the visit of the envoy and Captain Maxfield, the viceroy collected between 3 and 400 men in the vicinity of his residence, and reinforced the guards at his gates, and other military precautions were taken. Further indications of mistrust and apprehension appeared at the visit, but no disturbance ensued. 9. The conference on this occasion turned cntirely on the measure of sending away the Malabar, which the viceroy continued 10 urge with persevering solicitude, but without success. The reasons which properly influenced Captain Canning in resolving to detain the Malabar were, that by sending her away in the then state of things, and previously to his receiving from Bengal a further account of transactions in Chittagong, or previously to the arrival of orders that might be received at Rangoon from the court of Ava in consequence of the late occurrences in that quarter, he should defeat “the wise and successful solicitude of government in " despatching her " to Rangoon, and place himself, in a great measure, at the disposal of the Burmah government, inducing them, perhaps, thereby to make the most ridiculous and unrcasonable demands against the British government; whercas he was now independent of them, and subject the safety of the party, and of all the British subjects at Rangoon, to the caprice of the most tyrannical and arbitrary of governments. 10. The agitation and alarm continued to prevail, with a report that fire-rafts were constructing for the purpose of attacking the ships, and additional troops to the number of 250 arrived from the country. Some of the most respectable of the inhabitants waited on the envoy, entreating him to dismiss the Malabar, as the only means of preventing disturbance; and a principal officer of the government was deputed by the viceroy to reiterate his urgent request to the same effect. - 360. K This ·38 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese The particle framan This emissary finally declared, that the viceroy was resolved that the cruiser should Reex.Gen. in council, leave Rangoon, and positively insisted on her departure ; to which Captain Can- $6 May 1812. ping replied, that if the viceroy thought proper to issue positive orders for the departure of the Malabar, although the late events in Chittagong, and the example set by the Burmese might, perhaps, authorize his opposing force to force, yet being very unwilling that any cause of misunderstanding should proceed from him, those orders should be obeyed, but that in that case he (the cnvoy) must return in her to Bengal. 11. This proposal the envoy knew would not be acceded to, as the situation and property, and even the life of the viceroy would be endangered, if, after having received the king's orders to send the envoy to the capital, he should be the cause of his quitting Rangoon in disgust. 12. The emissary, as Captain Canning expected, declared this proposal to be inadmissible; and after again urging the same topics, and particularly the measure of Captain Canning's proceeding to the capital, all which he resisted on the same grounds as before, the cmissary Icft him. These efforts were repeated by a letter from the viceroy, and by a second deputation of the same emissary, but were finally abandoned. 13. Orders were subsequently issued for every house to furnish a man armed with a lance and sword, to be readiness to appear at his door at three strokes of a gong. The former emissary was again deputed to the envoy to endeavour to induce him to relinquish his design of despatching his letter to the heir apparent, assuring him that the viceroy, by writing to the commander-in-chief of the Burmese army, under whose orders Tyndapo, the commander of the Burmese force on the frontier of Chittagong, was placed, had it in his power to cause all Burmahs that might have crossed into our territory to be recallerl, and that it was therefore useless to write to the court on the subject; after a long conterence, the envoy finally signified to the emissary, that if he was prevented from communicating with the court of Ava, his stay at Rangoon could no longer be of any use, and that he should therefore, without further delay, return to Bengal; on hearing which the emissary gave up the point. 14. Subsequently to these transactions the alarm occasioned by the arrival of the ships subsided, and confidence ap;cared to be restored. In this state of affairs the envoy's personal communication with the viceroy continued principally on the subject of the transactions on the frontier of Chittagong ; in the course of which the viceroy did not scruple to reprobate, in strong terms, the conduct of the Burmese chiefs, promising at the same time that he would send copies of the offensive letters of the Burmese chiefs to the heir apparent and the commander-in-chief of the Burmese forces, and assuring the envoy that atonement should be made for their having been written. The viceroy also, after again endeavouring to persuade the envoy to disiuiss the Malabar, finally signified bis consent to her remaining, but requested that the appearance of carrying on repairs on board the ship might be kept up and protracted, to save him (the viceroy) and the other members of government from censure at court. These cominunications are stated in detail in the envoy's report, together with observations on the then state and disposition of the local government, and on the probability of its being induced under any circumstances to violate the sanctity of his representative character, so far as to detain him against his inclination, a point upon which the envoy was unable to form a conclusive judgment. 15. Such as bas been described was the state of affairs at Rangoon, when the arrival of the Pilot schooner renewed in an augmented degree the ferment which had been occasioned by that of the Malabar, and led to those transactions which (as noticed at the commencement of his address) ultimately compelled the envoy to retire on board of that cruiser. The agitation produced by the appearance of the schooner, which it seems proceeded directly up to the town of Rangoon, without previous notice of her arrival being received, is described by the envoy in these words : “ The schooner had no sooner come to an anchor opposite the wharf, than " it was generally rumoured that the English were now certainly come to take possession of the place; that the Malabar, Amboyna and schooner were already " at hand, that more ships of war were on their way up the river, and that during “ the night the town would assuredly be battered down and destroyed. The " utmost degree of alarm prevailed. The bazars, at that hour much thronged, were “ deserted, ·35 May 1818. War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 39 “ deserted, many of the inhabitants prepared to rise in favour of the English, many Despatele fremgang “ to oppose them, and still more for the purpose of general plunder, and many Gov.Gon. in council “ actually left the town and sought refuge in the jungles. It was really a subject of “ ridicule to think that so harmless an object as a pilot schooner, with only two guns, without a single shot on board, should create such a turmoil and confusion. “ This spirit of ferment and agitation was in the meantime kept up by the ragoon, or deputy governor (a mischicvous old dotard), and the inferior members of government, all of whom wished to avail themselves of the present circumstances “ to destroy the authority of the viceroy, and the latter (meaning the deputy “ governor) to set himself up in his place. A renegade Englishman of the name of Rogers, who holds the situation of shawbunder (or master attendant) at Rangoon, was also most active in sowing the seeds of discord and alarm, and in proposing " the most violent mcasures." 16. The envey judged that the most likely means of putting a stop to this extraordinary agitation, would be for him to visit the viceroy, and he accordingly sent a message stating his intention. Immediately afterwards, however, a person sent by the viceroy came to entreat, ir. the most earnest manner, that Captain Canning should repair to the viceroy's house without a moment's delay, as the only mode of preventing a general insurrection of the people, fomented by the inferior members of the government. Gongs and drums were in the meantime sounded through the streets; some sent by the viceroy to order the people to remain quietly in their houses, and others by the opposite party directing them to arn themselves, and to be in readiness cach man opposite the door of wis house. 17. Captain Canning immediately proceeded towards the viceroy's residence with an escort of thirty sepoys, and in the way received a message from the viceroy requesting that he would leave his escort, or at least that the sepoys should go without their arms; a message to which the envoy paid no attention. Various indications of alarm and suspicion appeared on his arrival at the viceroy's house: the gates were closed, and only opened after a declaration from the envoy that he should otherwise retire. His orderlies were refused admittance into the hall of audience, until the envoy insisted on their obtaining entrance with a similar declaration ; and the viceroy, attended by the deputy governor and other inferior members of the government, themselves in a state of the utmost embarrassment and alarm. Sic. in orig. The envoy represented to them the absurdity of their fears at the arrival of the schooner, and explained the object of her despatch, stating the natural circumstance of a vessel's being sent to convey to him information of what was passing on the frontier of Chittagong, to enable him to conduct his negotiations; and observing, that the two nations were yet at peace, and that he hoped matters might still be settled between them; that at least it depended upon the Burmese government, as the British government was still disposed to listen to their proposals, on their troops being withdrawn from the frontier of the British territory, and the damage they had done made good. 18. The viceroy then desired to see the envoy's despatches, which the latter of course refused, but offered to communicate to him the declaration which this government had ordered to be conveyed to the Burmese chiefs on the frontier (and of which a copy formed an enclosure in our address to your honourable court of the 24th March). This was followed by the exhibition of a fictitious despatch, said to have been received from Arracan, purporting, that the British government had humbly submitted to the demands of the Burmese chiefs. The envoy exposed the fabrication, and repeated his former declarations, that so long as the surrender of the fugitives should be demanded in haughty or menacing terms, such demands would receive no attention : that if the wishes of the Burmese chiefs were stated in proper terms, and our territory completely evacuated by their troops, their claims would be taken into consideration, if negotiated through him (the envoy), or through an accredited agent of the Burmese government. 19. The viceroy then signified to the envoy his wish, and that of the other members of the government to visit the Malabar, to which the envoy assented, and an early day was appointed for the purpose. The object of this desire evidently was to ascertain the strength of the ship. With this, and the renewed discussion of the departure of the Malabar, the conference closed. 20. An act of great indecorum occurred on the arrival of the schooner, which it is proper to notice as indicative of the temper of the local government. It is a rule established ·40 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from established at Rangoon, that the commander or an officer of any vessel arriving at Gov.Gen. in council, the port shall proceed to the custom-house to report the name and description of 25 May 1819. the vessel, conveying thither also the despatches that they may have in charge. The observance of this rule however had not been exacted from the master and the navigator of the schooner, who had proceeded directly to Captain Canning's residence and delivered the despatches. But the person who had brought the message to the envoy entreating him to visit the viceroy, had expressed the latter's wish that the two gentlemen belonging to the schooner should repair to the customhouse, and there agreeably to usage give an account of the vessel and also there exhibit the despatches ; the latter the envoy declined, but stated that he had no objection to these gentlemen proceeding to the custom-house to render an account of the schooner, on an assurance, which was readily given, that they would be treated with all respect, and permitted to return immediately to the envoy's house, or to proceed on board the schooner. It appeared however that contrary to this assurance, these gentlemen after answering the inquiries which were put to them at the custom-house, were treated with the utmost insolence and placed in confinement during two hours. On this outrage the envoy addressed to the viceroy a remonstrance in strong terms, but received no reply. 21. The envoy subsequently received information that a plan was formed on the occasion of his last visit, by the deputy governor and other members of the government, to scize his person as an hostage for the immediate departure of the Malabar, and as the means of obtaining any terms the court of Ava might choose to demand in any pending negotiation with the British government, respecting the surrender of the refugees, or other points. This plan was communicated to the viceroy and reluctantly adopted, or rather not absolutely opposed by him. It was intended, Captain Canning reports, either to seize him in the street, or to detain hiin at the viceroy's house, as circumstances might favour either project, and for this reason the message had been sent to him to proceed unattended. It appeared that the viceroy himself mentioned the fact in confidence to an European gentleman who reported it to the the envoy. The project however Captain Canning observes was defeated by the attendance of his escort. 22. Various other acts and proceedings of a nature incompatible with the privileges of an envoy subsequently occurred, and in a review of the different transactions which had passed at Rangoon since the arrival of the schooner, and particularly the conviction entertained by Captain Canning, that the government had it in contemplation to place his person under restraint, induced him to resolve upon quitting the town. But considerable difficulties appeared to oppose the execution of this design. He was well aware, the envoy observed, that any declaration to that effect to the government, or the least suspicion of any such intention, would immediately occasion the shutting of the town gates; and force would probably be resorted to in order to prevent his departure with his suite and escort. That to have overpowered any suci: force would not have been difficult, but that in such an attempt soinc lives must have been lost, and war most probably have become inevitable between the two states. That the lives of several Europeans and native christians within the town would probably have been sacrificed, and there was also a great likelihood of fire being set to the town in the confusion of a general plunder taking place. 23. Fortunately a favorable opportunity of retreat offered in the intended visit of the members of the government to the Malabar, on which occasion they had requested the envoy to accompany then, and of that opportunity the envoy resolved to avail himself. 24. He immediately commenced his arrangements for his departure with his suite and escort. The sick of the party were sent on board the Ainboyna with the surgeon, and a signal was agreed upon with the European inhabitants of Rangoon for their repairing on board the Amboyna, in the event of circumstances rendering such a measure necessary. Before his arrangements were completed a message was brought to him, that the members of government were waiting at the customhouse to accompany the envoy on board the Malabar, but Captain Canning desired the visit might be postponed till the evening. During the remainder of the day on package whatever was allowed to pass the gates, but it appears that the envoy suspecting that such an exigency might sometimes arise, had before used the ·War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 41 the precaution of sending by degrees on board the ship a considerable part of the Despatch from most valuable property. Gov.Gen. in council, 25 Mlay 1812. 25. In the evening Captain Canning sent a message to the members of government that he was prepared to proceed, and apprchending a change in their resolution to visit the Malabar, he set out without awaiting a reply, attended by his escort and followers. On approaching the gate towards the wharf, it was immediately closed, and as there was no time for delay the party immediately proceeded to force it, which was done with little difficulty, and the whole advanced to the wharf where the boats of the Malabar, Amboyna, and the schooner were in readiness to receive them; and with some show of resistance on the part of the Burmese soldiers, embarked and proceeded towards the ships. 26. An incident subsequently occurred, which secmed to threaten the most serious consequences. The launch of the Amboyna full of sepoys, and towed by one of the boats of the Malabar, had been separated from the other boats by the strength of the tide. Two large war-boats manned with about fifty men each, pushed off fron the shore and made towards them. The people of one of them seized the tow-rope, and were attempting to tow the two boats on shorc, when the midshipman of the Malabar's boat cut the rope, and frustrated the design. Captain Canning observes, that the sepoys were on this occasion entitled to much credit for their forbearance, in obeying the orders they have received, not to commence firing when attempted to be towed on shore by what might certainly have been deemed at that moment enemy's boats. This insult was, however, afterwards amply atoned for, in the manner detailed in Captain Canning's report. 27. After reaching the ships, the signal was made for the British inhabitants to repair on board, which most of them did ; but some time after, when the agitation occasioned by the retreat of the envoy had subsided, they returned to the shore. 28. The envoy lost no time in addressing a letter to the viceroy, assuring him that his intentions were pacific, and that if no violence were offered to his party, none would be used on their side. That he should take an early opportunity of informing the viceroy of the motives that had guided his conduct, and that as a proof of his sincerity, if such were the viceroy's wish, the ships should in the meantime drop below the town. This letter, Captain Canning observes, produced the best effect, as the members of government were endeavouring by every means in their power to instil a belief inio the minds of the people, that as soon as the envoy and his party should have arrived on board, the ships would commence firing on the town. 29. On the day following that of the envoy's cmbarkation, the government interpreter waited on him, on the part of the viccroy, accompanied by an Italian missionary, whom on account of the general respect paid to his character, the riccroy had selected as his messenger upon the occasion. They brought a letter from the viceroy, expressive of the most amicable sentiments, and signifying that the persons who had committed some of the acts of insult of which the envoy had complained, had been confined in irons, denying also that any design had been entertained of imposing a restraint on his person, and adding that what had passed ought not to be the cause of a rupture between the two states. That he did not wish the ships to change their position, desiring that all doubt and suspicion might be banished, and signifying that he proposed ihe following day to send his son to visit the envoy, with other points of a nature entirely conciliatory. To this letter the envoy replied, by stating in general terms the cause of his retiring on board the Malabar, and by demanding an atonement for the outrage conmitted by the war-boats. 30. The following day the missionary again visited the envoy, with a further letter from the viceroy, expressing his intention to suspend the visit of his son, on account of the existing ferment in the city. The missionary, at the same time, signified to the envoy, on the part of the viceroy, that the atonement for the aggression of the war-boats should be made as required. The envoy returned a verbal answer, declining to receive the visit of the viceroy's son, until the required atonement should have been made. 31. A third letter from the viceroy was subsequently brought to the envoy, cos in the same conciliatory terms as the former, disclaimning, op his part, all 360 L doubt ·42 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from doubt and suspicion, soliciting a reconciliation, observing that he had afforded to Gov.Gen. in council, the envoy every satisfaction for the injuries he had complained of, disavowing his 25 May 1819. concern in those acts, and expressing his intention of affording the atonement demanded for the aggression of the war-boats, together with some notice of the measures which he had adopted for the security of the property remaining at the envoy's residence. The envoy desired the messenger to repeat to the viceroy, that until the atonement demanded should have been made, no friendly or confidential intercourse could be resumed; and that if it were refused, he should quit Rangoon. Captain Canning subsequently addressed a further letter to the viccroy, stating in detail the reasons of his quitting his residence in the town, and repeating his solicitude to remain on terins of amity and confidence with the government, but urging the necessity of the required atonement before any friendly intercourse could be established; and after a repetition of messages and delays, that atonement was (as before noticed) finally made in the most formal and public manner; for the details of which we refer to Captain Canning's report. 32. The following day the viceroy's son and nephew visited the envoy, who received them with every mark of distinction; and thus, Captain Canning observes, all points were once more amicably settled, and things resumed their usual course, with the sole difference of his residing on board the Malabar, instead of on shore. 33. The envoy proceeds, in his report, to state the considerations which induced him to adopt the measure of taking up his residence on board the Malabar, rather than return to Bengal, as he at one time proposed. His return under such circumstances, would, as he justly observed, have certainly been considered by the Burmese government as tantamount to a declaration of war, and would have at once annihilated all the commercial dealings and establishments of the British residents at Rangoon, if they had accompanicd him, or have endangered their lives and property iſ they had remained. His object, he states, liad been to preserve, if possible, peace between the two countries, and, at the same time, to vindicate the respect due to the British government, and to his own representative character. 34. The viceroy, he remarked, had during the late transactions showed himself wavering and irresolute, willing to act an upright and friendly part, but not possessing sufficient resolution to oppose the violent counsels of the other members of the government. 35. The envoy transmitted together with his report an original letter, together with a translation of it from the viceroy to Tyndapo, the commander of the Burniese forces on the frontier of Chittagong, on the subject of his violation of our territory, and dissuading him from a repetition of it, which letter the viccroy desired might be transmitted to this government to be forwarded to Tyndapo, which has accordingly been done. 36. The foregoing is the substance of Captain Canning's report, brought up to the 5th ultimo, when he proposed to despatch it by a trading vessel ; but circumstances leading him to think that conveyance unsafe, he resolved to send back the Pilot schooner to Bengal, which determination afforded him an opportunity of subjoining a postscript, dated the oth ultimo, at which time a change in the aspect of affairs had taken place. 37. The envoy stated that during the past three or four days the ferment and agitation which had appeared to have subsided, had again prevailed, and he thought it doubtful whether he should be able to remain much longer on terms with the government. That he was of opinion, however, that they would desire to avoid a rupture until an answer should be received from court to the communication which had been conveyed to the king. That an answer might be expected by the 8th or 10th instant, and that the reply to the letter which he (the envoy) had addressed to the heir apparent, would probably be couched in ambiguous terms, desiring him to proceed to court, as the most expeditious mode of settling all differences, but that in this event how far, in the actual state of affairs, and without the protection of a larger force than his escort, his proceeding would be advisable, must be left to our consideration, adding, that our instructions might probably reach him about the same time as the reply arrived from court. 38. Captain Canning then proceeded to state some observations regarding the nature and extent of hostile operations on our part, in the event of affairs having taken ·25 May 1812. War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 43 taken a decidedly hostile turn on the frontier of Chittagong. He stated, however, Despatch from that if we should not have any intention of carrying on hostilities in the quarter Gov Gen. in council, of Rangoon, it would become a matter of consideration to provide for the safety of the persons and property of British subjects residing there. That to the former sufficient security was aflorded by the presence of the Malabar and Amboyna, but that to provide for the safety of the latter, consisting partly in vessels, which it might be necessary forcibly to bring away, more armed boats might possibly be required than the Malabar could supply, and that for this reason it might be advisable that another cruiser, with an additional company of sepoys, should be dispatched to Rangoon. The envoy then stated the nature of the instructions which, in the event of our despatching a ship of war, it would be proper to give to her commander. 39. Adverting to that part of his original instructions in which he was directed not to use force for the purpose of eflecting the release of any British subjects whom the local government might have confined on account of existing circunstances, the envoy desired to be informed whether or not, in the event of such an occurrence now taking place, that restriction was still to be considered in force ; pbserving, that in the case of any British subject being placed in continement by the local government, his life would probably be sacrificed immediately after the departure of the mission. 40. The envoy took this occasion of reporting the result of his proceedings in endeavouring to recover the compensation which had been demanded on account of the detention of the ship Elephant, he circumstances of which demand, and our original orders on the subject, as well as the envoy's first measures, and our consequent further proceedings and instructions, we had the honour of stating to your honourable court in our despatch of the 28th January, paragraphs 17, 18, 34, 35 and 36. It appears that the viceroy had finally assented to the compromisc, which, by our orders of the 26th of December 18u, (referred to in the 30th paragraph of our address to your honourable court above-mentioned,) the marine board had been directed to propose to the owners of the ship, and which Captain Canning had been authorized by our instructions of the 25th of January, (a copy of which was enclosed in our despatch to your honourable court of the 4th of March,) eventually to propose, namely, to pay half the difference between what he had originally offered, and that which the marine board had suggested to be equitable, in addition to the former; and that the viceroy actually provided the money, but that when the envoy sent his interpreter on shore to receive it, the viceroy signified to him that he might take it, but could not be allowed to carry it on board the Malabar ; thus adding, the envoy observes, the grossest insult in the presence of all the government and Europeans in Rangoon, collected for the express purpose of witnessing it, to the injustice of withholding the sum in question. In consequence of this, the envoy suggested to our consideration the propriety of demanding and insisting on the payment of the larger sum recommended by the marine board, and of his being authorized, (whatever turn atlairs might have taken in Chittagong,) to return to Bengal if the amount were not paid. 41. Captain Cunning notices the return to Rangoon of the European named Taylor, mentioned in our former despatches, with accounts of the adjustment of all differences, and the restoration of tranquillity on the frontier of Chittagong, to which, however, he did not attach entire credit. 42. The envoy concluded his narrative by relating another dispute of a serious nature, which had commenced in consequence of his people being opposed in conveying his tents on board the ships, but which was terminated by an humiliating concession on the part of the local government. 43. On a deliberate consideration of the state of affairs at Rangoon, as exhibited in Captain Canning's report, it was evident to us that 110 advantage whatever, but, on the contrary, considerable embarrassment would arise from the continuance of the envoy at Rangoon, or his proceeding to the capital of Ava; at the same time as Captain Canning had with so much spirit and firmness supported the dignity and privileges of his representative character, and compelled the local government to make concessions and atonement for those acts and proceedings which the public interests or honour might otherwise have rendered it necessary in some 360. degree ·; 44 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from degree or other to resent; and as the conduct and measures of the Burmese Gov.Gen. in council, chiefs on the frontier of Chittagong had exhibited no instances of outrage and 25 May 1812. insult subsequent to those noticed in our declaration or manifesto of the 13th of March, but, on the contrary, indicated a pacific disposition, accompanied with an apparent intention to withdraw their forces, it appeared to us that no motives of public interest or honour required us to consider or declare the relations of amity between the two states to be dissolved, and that the immediate recal of the envoy was entirely compatible with the preservation of them. 44. We considered that the original purpose of Captain Canning's mission had in fact been accomplished by the ample explanations afforded by him to the Burniese government of those circumstances of the late invasion of Arracan, which, not unnaturally, had suggested a belief of the participation of the British government in that hostile act; that whatever ulterior negotiations might be expected to arise from the envoy's continuance at Rangoon, or his proceeding to the Burmese capital, would have reference not to any demand on our part, unless it were the demand for the retreat of the Burmesc forces from the frontier of Chittagong, (a demand already made through another channel,) but to those of the government of Ava; that, according to diplomatic principles and usages, it could not be deemed requisite to continue a mission appointed for a temporary and special object, merely for the purpose of receiving and discussing expected or eventual demands on the part of the government to which the mission was accredited, and that for the prosecution of demands in which that government was exclusively interested, it might reasonably be expected to despatch its own agents. 45. We considered on the other hand (as already observed), that in consequence of the late events at Rangoon much inconvenience and embarrassment must probably arise either from the envoy's continuance at that port or from his advance to the capital ; for that it would not perhaps be possible altogether to eradicate the spirit of mutual distrust which those events had inspired, especially during the presence of a British force capable of overawing the local government, or under the circumstance of the envoy's being attended by an escort manifestly adapted to the purposes of personal security; that negotiations pursued under the impression and reaction of these reciprocal feelings could scarcely be productive of any satisfactory result, whilst, as before observed, those negotiations would have reference exclusively to the claims and expectations of the Burmese government. That it would obviously be more than useless to protract the mission for the sole purpose of receiving and answering demands which would probably be found to be arrogant, unreasonable and inadmissible, and which could therefore only tend to produce irritation, and to augment the existing sources of jealousy, distrust and suspicion, and might possibly lead to acts and proceedings on the part of the Burmese government which we should be compelled to resent. 46. On these grounds we resolved immediately to despatch to Captain Canning orders of recal, directing at the same time the honourable company's cruiser Ariel to be held in readiness to convey them. We were aware that some degree of embarrassment attended this measure, arising from the circumstances of his having been originally authorized to proceed in the capital of Ava, if exacted by the king; of that invitation having actually taken place, and of his having in consequence signified his intention of proceeding, although the late occurrences at Rangoon had properly induced him to suspend his departure and await our instructions, we considered however that the alteration of affairs, independently of those occurrences, would furnish solid grounds for such a change of resolution, without affording to the court of Ava any reasonable cause of offence or alarm. 47. Our object now being to withdraw the envoy, and at the same time to obviate a supposition on the part of the Burmese government that a spirit of resentment had dictated his recal, and to convince that government that we were still desirous of maintaining with it the relations of amity, it appeared to us that this object would be essentially promoted by a formal declaration on the part of this government, framed in conformity to the view and principles above described, to be delivered by the envoy to the viceroy, and also transmitted to the court of Ava. A declaration was accordingly prepared; it commenced by adverting to the friendly object of Captain Canning's mission, and to the accomplishment of that object by the ample explanations which he had afforded relative to the invasion of Arracan. Noticing also the cause of our not having recalled the envoy when apprised of the fulfillment ·25 May 1812. War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 45 fulfilment of the purposes of his mission, namely, that as the Burmese chiefs on Despatch from the frontier of Chittagong had then proceeded to the acts of outrage and insult Gov.Gen.in council, described in our former declaration, the Burmese government might have been led to infer from the envoy's recal a resolution on our part to resent them. Whereas we were anxious to avoid extreme measures, and merely demanded the retreat of the Burmese forces from their menacing position, and restitution of property that had been plundered by them; despatching however a reinforcement of troops to Chittagong for defensive purposes, and under the hostile disposition manifested on the part of the Burmese government, which suggested the possibility of its disregarding the sacred privileges of the British envoy, resolving to place at his disposal the means of withdrawing and also of providing for the removal of the persons and property of British subjects residing at Rangoon, by sending to that post the simboyna and Malabar. 48. We next proceeded to advert to the unnecessary alarm occasioned by the arrival of the Amboyna, the Malabar and schooner at Rangoon, and, in general terms, to the acts and proceedings of the local government, which had compelled the envoy to retire on board the cruiser; adding, however, that whatever reason we had to complain of those acts and proceedings, and of the groundless suspicions entertained by the Burmese government, it was not our intention to render them even a subject of remonstrance; but that, on the contrary, we willingly accepted and cordially reciprocated the viceroy's professions of a desire to preserve unimpaired the long-subsisting friendship and good understanding between the two states. 49. As the envoy's reports represented the disposition of the viceroy to have beon generally friendly, and reasonable, and moderate, although on the late occasion misled or overborne by the persuasion and violence of the other members of the government; and as we conceived it possible that he might be exposed to rigorous treatment, in consequence of the envoy's having been compelled to abandon his residence within the town of Rangoon, and of his recal, we deemed it expedient to introduce into the declaration some remarks tending to exonerate the viccroy from the responsibility of those measures. 50. The declaration then went on to observe, that this government happily found itself enabled to pursue this amicable line of conduct by the tenor of the late advices from Chittagong; from which we had the satisfaction to learn that the Burmese commander had disavowed the outrages committed by the Burmese troops and had punished many of those who had violated our territories; that the number of the Burmesc forces on the frontier had been reduced, and that the remainder were preparing to retire: in consequence of which orders had been issued for withdrawing our troops also from their advanced positions, and for placing the whole in cantonments at their ordinary stations, as soon as information should be received of the actual retreat of the Burmesc forces; but that, as the object of Captain Canning's mission had been accomplished--as we had no demands to make upon the Burmese government, excepting that which had already been communicated, namely, for the removal of its forces from the menacing position which they occupied on the frontier of the British territories-- and as the presence of of the envoy with his escort, and the ships Amboyna and Malabar, tended only to excite uneasiness in the minds of the viceroy and the members of the government of Rangoon, while the distrust which they had manifested necessarily created the same sensation in the mind of the envoy, under all which circumstances no purpose remained to be answered, either by Captain Canning's continuance at Rangoon, or by his proceeding to the court of Ava, we deemed it advisable to direct his return to Bengal; adding, however, that Captain Canning was instructed, previously to his departure, to confirm in the fullest and most satisfactory manner the assurances now afforded of our uniform and anxious desire to maintain and improve the relations of anity and concord with the state of Ava, and to encourage and augment the intercourse of friendship and commerce between the subjects of both governments, 51. The declaration concluded with an intimation that if the state of Ava should have any claims or demands upon the British government, they might be conveniently and satisfactorily adjusted by the despatch of a vakeel duly authorized on the part of the Burmese government, who would be received with satisfaction, and with every mark of attention and hospitality consistent with his rank 360. M and ·46 25 May 1819. 1812. PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from and representative character, and with the friendship existing between the Gov.Geu. in council, two states. 52. Letters from the governor general to the king of Ava and to the viceroy of Declaration to the Pegue, referring to the declaration and couched in corresponding terms, were at Burmese governthe same time prepared. Copies of the declaration and of those letters are ment, 1st May, transmitted, separate numbers in the pacquet, for your honourable court's more To the king of Ava. detailed information. To the viceroy of Pegue. 53. In conveying our instructions of recal to Captain Canning, we had no hesitation to express our high and unqualified approbation of his conduct and proceedings; considering him to have displayed a degree of prudence, ability, fortitude and firmness, which derived peculiar merit from the circumstances of extraordinary delicacy, difficulty and embarrassment which demanded the exercise of those qualities, and to have combined with a due support of the honour of the British government and of the rights and dignity of his representative character a degree of discretion, foresight and forbearance, without which consequences the most undesirable, and, probably, events the most calamitous, might have ensued, from the agitation of the public mind and the acts and proceedings of the government of Rangoon. We also specifically signified our acquiescence in the urgency of the considerations which induced the envoy to retire on board the Malabar; and we expressed our satisfaction that even this important measure had been effected in a manner which, unless some untoward cvent should intermediately have occurred, admitted the amicable course of proceeding which we were anxious to pursue. 54. The instructions then pointed out the system of measures which we had resolved to adopt as already described, and the spirit of the representations which it would be proper for the envoy to make to the Burmese government on the occasion of his delivering the declaration and his departing from Rangoon on his return to Bengal. 55. We judged it necessary to furnish Captain Canning with particular directions relative to the British inhabitants of Rangoon. On that subject it was observed, that if the tenor of our declaration and of the governor general's letter to the viceroy, added to Captain Canning's personal assurances, should satisfy the minds of the viceroy and the members of the government of Rangoon, that his recal was unconnected with any hostile designs on our part, the British inlabitants of Rangoon would have no cause to apprehend that their persons and property would be exposed to danger by his departure: that if however the doubts and apprehensions of the local government should be found immoveable, or if Captain Canning should be under the necessity of leaving Rangoon without the concurrence of the government, and if the British inhabitants mistrusting its designs should consider themsclves insecure in his absence, and should express a desire to quit Rangoon with their property and proceed to Bengal, we deemed it expedient and just to authorize the employment of such means as might prove necessary to secure their persons, and as far as might be practicable their property also, considering it a measure of obligation to enable British subjects to withdraw their effects from a danger resulting from public events, and the adoption of the means necessary for that purpose, to be entirely warranted by the injustice and hostility of any attempt on the part of the government of Rangoon to detain the property by force. We expressed our hope at the same time that the amicable and conciliatory system of proceeding, connected with Captain Canning's recal, by satisfying the Burmese government of our friendly intentions, would obviate any motive on the part of the British inhabitants to retire from Rangoon, as their removal would certainly impress the Burmese government and people very strongly with the opinion that the British government had determined on war. 56. In reply to Captain Canning's reference of the question, whether the former orders of government directing him not to use force for effecting the release of any British subject whom the local government of Rangoon might have confined, wero still to hold good, it was signified to Captain Canning that agreeably to the principle of proceeding already described as being authorized with a view to the security of British subjects residing at Rangoon, it would be proper for him to employ force if absolutely necessary to effect the release of any British subject so confined, and if the means at his command should be sufficient to ensure the succells of the attempt. 57. In ·ing, dº. War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 47 57. In answer to Captain Canning's suggestion, that for the purpose of even- Despatch from tually bringing away the property of the British inhabitants, an additional com- Gov.Gen. in council, pany of sepoys should be despatched to Rangoon, several considerations were 25 May 1812. stated which appeared to us to oppose the expediency of that measure. 58. In reply to Captain Canning's reference on the subject of the demand on account of the owners of the ship Elephant, we stated our opinion that in consequence of the deceitful and even insulting conduct of the government of Rangoon as described in his report, the whole sum recommended by the marine board should be demanded; but that for reasons before made known to him it was not our wish that he should have recourse to measures of compulsion for the purpose of obtaining payment of that demand, and that in the event of his receiving a suitable atonement, he was authorized at his own discretion to accept compensation on the basis of the original compromise. 59. The instructions concluded by intimating that we were aware that at the period of their receipt circumstances might have occurred of a nature to render them in some respects inapplicable to the existing state of affairs, and that in that event the proceedings of the envoy must be regulated by the dictates of his own discretion and the nature of the occurrences which might have taken place; but his discretion would of course be exercised with a due attention to the principles of our instructions, and to the explained views and wishes of government, which did not admit of his proceeding to the court of Ava, or the longer continuance of his mission. For the detail of these instructions we beg leave to refer your honourable court to the enclosed copy of our chief secretary's letter to Captain Cannings To Captain Cam conveying them. ning, 2d May 1812. 60. We have further the honour to transmit copies of the instructions issued to To lieutenant Itanthe commander of the Ariel in conformity to the suggestions of Captain Canning, rott, commanding and of a separate letter to the address of the latter, which for the reasons therein the H.C. cruise Ariel, 2a Play, stated was prepared for the purpose of being transmitted to him by the former 1812. on the arrival of the ship at the entrance of the Rangoon river. To Captain ('an 61. Owing to the adverse winds which prevail at this scason of the year, the Ariel was unable to sail from Saugor before the 16th instant. 62. The despatches received from Chittagong since our address to your honourable court of the 25th ultimo, with one exception, do not contain any matter of sufficient importance to render it necessary to transmit copies of then as enclosures in this letter. A reply has been received by the magistrate of Chittagong to the letter which he addressed to the Burmese chiefs, enclosing our declaration or manifesto of the 13th of March. A copy of the magistrate's despatch, enclos- Froin magistrate of ing a translation of that reply, is transmitted, a separate number in the pacquet. Chittagong, dated The substance of the reply is, that the magistrate's letter had been forwarded to 1st May 1812. the court of Ava, and that the commander of the Burmese forces awaited the orders of the king for his future proceedings, which orders he should obey whatever they might be, whether to retire with his troops, to remain in his actual position, or to pursue the refugees. 63. A further despatch has also been received, containing translations of what may be called a double letter, from the commander of the Burmese forces, being written both in the Burmese and Persian languages, but differing materially in substance. The former was considered by the magistrate as conveying what the Burmese commander really intended to express, he being entirely ignorant of the Persian language, and is of a far more amicable tendency than the latter. It announces his intention to retire in conformity to orders received from the court; and the information received by the magistrate corresponds with that intention, as it appears that no more than 400 of the Burmese troops remained in the position on the Nauf river. 64. Lieutenant-colonel Morgan has carried into effect the arrangement described in the 4th paragraph of our address of the 25th ultimo, for withdrawing our troops from their advanced positions; and the magistrate and Lieutenant-colonel Morgan concurring in opinion, that the seven companies which were sent as a reinforcement to Chittagong might be returned to the presidency, that measure has been authorized. The magistrate has also been directed to permit the Vestal cruiser to prosecute her .voyage to Java, and to return the cruiser Thetis to the presidency 360. 65. Wc ·48 government. PAPERS RELATING TO (Burmese Despatch from 65. We did not omit to convey to the magistrate a communication of the Gov.Gen in council, general nature of the advices from Rangoon, and of the resolution which we 25 May 1812. adopted in consequence, at the time when the viceroy's letter to Tyndapo was transmitted to the magistrate to be forwarded. Before his receipt of that communication, the magistrate had transmitted a despatch to the presidency, reporting the arrival at Chittagong of an English brig named the Providence, which had left Rangoon the 19th ultino, and enclosing a narrative drawn up by her commander, of the general outline of the transactions which had taken place at Rangoon, as detailed in Captain Canning's report. The commander of the brig had proceeded from Prince of Wales Island with a cargo for the Rangoon market, and leaving his vessel at the entrance of Rangoon river, went up to Rangoon to procure a pilot: he there received from Captain Canning an account of all that had passed, and was advised by him to return with his ship and cargo; in consequence of which he rejoined the brig, and sailed to Chittagong. It is of course unnecessary to trouble your honourable court with a copy of the narrative, as it is little more than an abstract statement of the events detailed in Captain Canning's report. 66. The commander of the brig was charged with a private letter from Captain Canning to the address of our chief secretary, dated the 19th ultimo, which has been placed in our records; and of which we dcem it proper to transmit a copy, Private, from as containing the latest intelligence we have received of the state of affairs at Captain Canning, dated 19th April. Rangoon. 67. In that letter Captain Canning states, that were it not for his desire to remain at Rangoon for the receipt of advices from the presidency, he should have taken his departure several days before the date of lis letter, as the government had daily evinced a more unfriendly and indeed hostile disposition since the transaction respecting the payment of the money on account of the ship Elephant; in which he obscrves, “the viceroy and whole government appeared to exult and “glory in the ridicule they cast on the British He adds, that daily scenes of petty aggression had occurred, which had nearly put an end to all friendly communication between him and the viceroy, who had of late acted a double and deceitful part; and your honourable court will observe, that Captain Canning recommends the adoption of some very decisive measures respecting this transaction, observing, that it had certainly lowered us much in the opinion of all classes of people at Rangoon. 08. We were concerned to receive this report from Captain Canning, as the state of affairs represented in his letter may render it difficult for him to pursue the line of conduct prescribed by our last instructions; but it augments the expediency of his quitting Rangoon, and we trust that circumstances may yet admit of bis returning on amicable terms, or at least on such terms as will not impose upon us the inconvenient necessity of prosecuting hostilities against the Burmese state. *69. We should not be disposed to render the mere circumstance of the refusal of the Burmese government to comply with the demand of compensation for the owners of the ship Elephant a ground of war, as we have already intimated to Captain Canning in our former instructions; nor shall we act on the basis of dissolution of the relations of amity between the two states, unless positive outrages on the part of the Burmese government, or a vindication of the rights and dignity of our own should, on the receipt of further information, appear to us to render a change of system unavoidable. 70. It has been indispensable to protect the province of Chittagong against the inroads of a barbarous race of men, whose incursions, openly and distinctly menaced, would have subjected the country to the extreme evils of devastation and outrage, and our government to affront and indignity. It was a branch also of general duty, never to be omitted, to repel insult and maintain inviolate the honour and credit of the British name. For the first of these purposes, the « advance of a small body of troops, and the employment of an armed vessel or two became necessary; and the second object has required occasional remonstrance against insolence, and a firm but always temperate assertion of national dignity, both in language and measures : but every part of our conduct which could bear the character of controversy or contest with the Burmahs, has been limited to those views; and we trust your honourable court will see with satisfaction, the moderate, ·War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 49 moderate, forbearing, and amicable character of the measures which have been Despatch from pursued, both on the frontier of Chittagong and at Rangoon. They have been Gov.Gen. in council, 25 May 1812. perseveringly directed, under 'many provocations from a very contemptible adversary, to the ends of present conciliation, and the maintenance of a good understanding with the government of Ava. We shall continue to act, as long as circumstances admit, on the same principles; and we entertain a reasonable hope that the late occasion of mistrust and jealousy will pass over without having induced a rupture. 71. We cannot, however, refuse to entertain the sentiment, that it may become absolutely necessary at some future time, if not at an early period, to check the arrogance and presumption of that weak and contemptible state. We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Ilonourable Sirs, your most faithful, humble scrvants, Ninto, J. Nugent. J. Lumsden II. Colebrooke Copy of a DESPATCII from the Governor General in Council at Fort Despatch from William, in Bengal, to the Court »f Directors of the East India Company, Gov.Gen. in council, dated 4th June 1812. 4 June 1812. Honourable Sirs, Since closing our address of the 25th ultimo, we have received a further despatch from Captain Canning, dated the oth of May, which was brought to Chittagong by an English ship, and we have the honour to transmit a copy of it for your honourable court's information. 2. That despatch contains a detailed narrative of those additional causes of complaint on the part of Captain Canning to which his private letter of the 19th of April (a copy of which is enclosed in our last despatch) adverts in general terms, and reports the progress of transactions up to the date of the despatch, when, after the occurrence of various events, of a nature tending to augment the distrust and misunderstanding between the envoy of the government of Rangoon, confidence and harinony had in a great measure becn restored. 3. The first occasion of renewed difference was the envoy's directing all the articles of property belonging to the mission, yet remaining on shere, to be conveyed on board of the ships. This arrangement was opposed by the government of Rangoon, on the pretext that as a considerable part of the property consisted of presents destined for the king of Iva, the members of the government could not allow it to go out of their hands. The envoy very properly insisted on its removal; but it was not until after a long protracted negotiation, principally conducted by written correspondence, in the course of which the viccup, acting under the influence of the inferior members of the government, perverted every previous transaction into a ground of accusation against the envoy, who on his part successfully repelled and refuted those gross unisrepresentations, and until the envoy finally declared his resolution to depar!, that the government permitted the property of the mission to be removed to the ships. 4. Another subject of altercation originated in the departure of the Pilot schooner, the real object of lie despatch of which to Bengal was imagined to lo to obtain such an additional force as was calculated to overbear ali opposition. This circumstance, it secins, occasioned a great degree of forment and alarm in the town, fomented by the deputy governor and interior members of the administration, and the expediency of attaching and destroying the Malabar and Amboyna, by means of war-boats and fire-raits, Lecame a subject of deliberation. Batteries were constructed at various points, and gates of masony added to the stockade which surround the town; and for the purpose of obtaining bricks for the execution of these works, the government had recourse to the sacrilegious expedient of dismantling the tombs of every nation in the vicinity of the place; a measure which, Captain Canning observes, struck the whole population with terror and dismay. 360. N ·4 50 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from 8. So long as the tombs of British subjects remained untouched, the envoy did Gov.Gen. in council, not consider it incumbent on him to interfere ; but when these became alike June 18ıb. exposed to violation, justly viewing this act in the light of an insult to the Britisha government, he deemed it his duty to remonstrate, in the strongest terms, to the viceroy, who meanly disavowed his concern in it, and agreed to comply with the envoy's demand, that the tombs and monuments should be rebuilt. 6. Another topic of adverse discussion arose from the circumstance of the envoy having afforded protection, at the time when the European inhabitants of Rangoon repaired on board of the ships, as mentioned in the 27th paragraph of our address of the 25th ultimo, to the family of Mr. Carey, son of the professor of that name in the college of Fort William, who has resided four years at Rangoon in the capacity of a missionary, deputed by the society at Serampore, who married at Rangoon the daughter of an English commander of a ship, by a native Portuguese woman, whose mother and sister resided with Mr. Carey. It seems that a regulation exists in the Burmese dominions, prohibiting females and silver from being taken out of the country,—a regulation which, although by no means rigidly observed, was on this occasion represented by the viceroy to be of imperious obligation, and on the basis of which he required that the family should be delivered up. With this demand the envoy refused to comply, for the reasons which are stated in his despatch, and which appear to us of sufficient force to have justified and required his refusal. 7. The incident mentioned in the 65th paragraph of our address of the 25th ultimo, of the envoy's having advised the commander of the ship Providence to quit the river of Rangoon without discharging his cargo, the details of which transaction are contained in the envoy's despatch now under consideration, formed a further subject of remonstrance on the part of the viceroy, who was irritated at the loss of the profits which he would have derived from the duties on the cargo, and from the purchase of a part of it. 8. The envoy repeats, in his despatch, the observation stated in his private letter, that the disposition and the conduct of the government of Rangoon would have led him to resolve on returning to Bengal, if he had not been anxious previously to receive advices from the capital, and instructions from us; adding, that as the most probable means of restoring, in some degrec, inutual confidence, and thereby enabling himself to remain without a compromise of his public character, he determined on paying a visit to the viceroy, who, it appears, informed the envoy's messenger, who conveyed the proposal of a visit, that individually he should be most lappy to receive it, but that one objection existed, which, if not removed, he would not wish the envoy to fulfil bis intention. This objection he stated to be, that the deputy governor and the inferior members of the administration had long since formed a determination to seize the person of the envoy whenever an opportunity should offer, and that he had reason to suppose they persisted in that determination. The viceroy added, wat he had never approved of this measure (a declaration to which the envoy gave credit,) and that he would on no account permit the attempt, if the envoy came on the faith of a friendly visit ; that he should assemble the men.bers of government, and inquire if they still persisted in that determination, and acquaint the envoy with the result; adding, that if the envoy reccived a message from him requesting his attendance, he might proceed with confidence. This message was accordingly conveyed to the envoy, who in consequence proceeded to visit the viceroy, taking with him, however, a strong escort, and making other precautionary arrangements. 9. The envoy was received in a manner the most satisfactory; and at this visit all the subjects of antecedent dispute and correspondence were discussed. A principal topic of their conference was the demand of the Burmese government for the surrender of the fugitive chiefs from Arrakan, for the details of which, and of the other subjects of discussion and discourse, we must of course refer to the enclosed copy of the envoy's report. It appears that the viceroy himself attri, buted the disturbances in Arrakan principally to the violeuce and oppression of the rajah or governor, whom he was anxious to see removed, as, during his continuance in office, no permanent security would exist for the preservation of friendship between the two states. The envoy discouraged the expectation that the British government would be induced to surrender the fugitive chiefs, even pposing them to have been apprehended, stating arguments in support of the justice ·; War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 51 justice of that disinclination ; and the viceroy finally intimated that the question Despatch from of surrendering the inferior chiefs would not probably create much difficulty, but Gov.Gen. in condicily that he thought the king would not rest satisfied with any thing short of the surrender of Kingberring; and he suggested, in the event of the British government resolving not to surrender that person, that the best mode of proceeding would be to deny that he was in our possession, a proceeding, however, which the envoy declared to be incompatible with the dignity of the British government, which would never condescend to have recourse to falsehood. 10. On this subject thc envoy observes, that from the general tenor of the viceroy's conversation, and from the desire which the envoy believes him really to entertain, that the relations of amity should be maintained between the two states, he is disposed to think that means may be found to bring this question to an adjustment without the surrender of Kingberring; and the envoy proceeds to state his opinion of the considerations which recommend our resisting the demand, and the grounds on which a refusal to surrender him might be justly and successfully maintained, and to state some observations tending to show that even if a war were the alternative of our non-compliance (which, however, he deems improbable,) the hazard to this government would by no means be such as to suggest the expediency of yielding the point in opposition to our judgment, with a view to avoid that extremity. 11. At this conference the viceroy earnestly requested the envoy to resume his residence on shore; and the envoy replied that he had no objection to do so, provided a house were assigned for his accommodation on the river side, as he was deternined not to expose himself a second time to the danger of being seized ; but that, at all events, the first and necessary condition of his returning to reside on shore was the surrender of all the property remaining at his former habitation. The property, as already mentioned, was ultimately given up, and the envoy, finding his residence on board of a ship on many accounts inconvenient, determined to comply with the viceroy's wish, and accordingly took possession of a convenient house which was prepared for him on the bank of the river, in the immediate vicinity of which the Malabar and Amboyna were moved, so that in point of security, he observes, it is not inferior to a residence on board a ship. 12. The envoy adds, that the viceroy accepted of an entertainment at the house, and that confidence and harmony seemed to be for the present, in a great measure, restored; but how long such a state of things might last, the violence, versatility and extreme ignorance of the Rangoon government rendered it impossible to say. The envoy was there also visited by the deputy governor. 13. This last report from Captain Canning is so far satisfactory, as it warrants an expectation that our instructions, despatched by the Ariel, may find him in a situation to admit of his carrying into complete effect the system of proceeding which we have deemed it most expedient to pursue. 14. The envoy's despatch further contains a detailed report of the whole of his discussions with the viceroy on the subject of the demand of compensation for the detention of the ship Elephant; the result of which discussions, anterior to his visit above mentioned, we have already stated in our address of the 25th ultimo. On the occasion of that visit, it appears that the viceroy offered to give him bills on Bengal of the demand, but at the date of the envoy's despatch they had not been received. 15. The envoy has also reported the detail of what passed at his examination in the presence of the viceroy, of the person who was sometime since deputed by the latter to this presidency in the capacity of his vakeel, and who, as stated in Captain Canning's despatch of the 29th of February, (extracts frons which accompanied our address to your honourable court of the 24th of March,) had written to the viceroy, that the British government had threatened to imprison, and had .actually detained him, on account of a ruinour that the ship Elephant had been a second time seized at Rangoon; and who had further conveyed a vcrbal communication to the viceroy, that three Arab ships had been freighteri by this government for the purpose of transporting troops to attack Rangoon, and that those troups were actually embarked, when the arrival of the Elephant at this port caused the cxpedition to be laid aside. Your honourable court will observe, that this vakcel, on his examination, disavowed every part of the communication which he had made 306. ; to ·Political Cons. Nuo 1 & 2. Secret Cons. N° 23 52 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Dorpatch from to the viceroy, (who, however, had himself showed to Captain Canning the original Gov.Gen. in council, letter, and informed him of the verbal communication above mentioned,) and 4 June 1812. acknowledged that he had been treated at the presidency with every mark of hospitality and attention. 10. Observing, on a reference to our address of the 25th of April on the subject of the attairs of Ava, that we omitted to forward with that address a complete copy of Captain Canning's despatch of the 29th of February, extracts from which only (for want of time 10 transcribe the whole) were enclosed in our preceding letter of the 24th of Marchı; and also to notice our reply to that despatch ; it is proper to take this opportunity of supplying those omissions, by referring to the record of our proceedings in the political department, (the broken set of which, froin the 3d of January to the end of April, we now transmit by the Baring,) containing the 26 March 1812, despatch in question, and the reply to it, as recorded in the secret department: both will accordingly be found on the consultations noted in the margin. 10 April, 17. The latter contains little more than the expression of our approbation of the envoy's proceedings, as reported in his despatch of the 29th of February; a communication of the latest advices from Chittagong, and our directions on the subject of the demand of compensation on account of the ship Elephant; his report of his negotiations on which subject formed the extracts from his despatch above mentioned, enclosed in our address of the 24th of March. 18. In our address to your honourable court of the 23d of January, paragraph 36, we referred to the record of our instructions to the Marine Board on that subject, suggesting, for reasons therein stated, a compromise of the claim of the owners by their accepting, in addition to what the viceroy oflered, the ball of the difference between the sum and the amount recommended by the Marine Board (as noticed also in the 40th paragraph of our address of the 25th ultimo); and your honourable court will observe, from Captain Caming's two last despatches, that he has been negotiating on the basis of that suggested compromise. 19. The Marine Board's reply to the above-mentioned instructions was not received till the beginning of March. From that reply it appeared that the owners declined to accede to the proposed compromise, and urged their title to the larger In answer to that report we intimated to the board, that the arguments stated by the owners did not appear to us to effect the grounds on which we had founded our opinion of the equity, as well as the expediency, of reducing the claim; and we urged some additional considerations iending to establish that opinion. 20. We, at the same time, took occasion to state the limitation under which we were disposed to support the claim of the owners to any compensation ; and it was with reference to this limitation, that (as noticed in the 58th paragraph of our address to your honourable court of the 25th ultimo) we prohibited the envoy froņı having recourse to measures of compulsion for the recovery of the demand. 21. la consequence of the sentiments thus conveyed to the owners, they finally 20 March, X® 41, 42 & 4.3. signified their willingness to receive whatever sum we miglit deenı proper. The Political Cons. correspondence abore referred to will be found recorded as per nargill. 10 April, 22. In the letter to Captain Canning last mentioned, copies of those documents were enclosed, and he was directed, in the event of the transaction not haviny been terminated when he received that letter, to endeavour to bring it to a specdy conclusion, by obtaining the utmost practicable extent of compensation within the amount originally rerummended by the Marine Buard. These instructions, lowever, which were dispatched by a country vessel, in the early part of the month of April, do not appear to have reached the envoy at the date of his last despatch. 23. In the 24th and following paragruphs of our address to your honourable court, of the 4th of March, we states only the substance of a despatch from the envov, dated the 19th of January, withoni transmitting a copy of it; the contents of it brid, too voluminous to admit viits being transcribed in time to be forwarded by the fleet then about to sail. 24. It subsequently t-scaped our recollection to transmit a copy of that despatch. 21 February 1814, It will now be sufficient to reler to the record of it as placed on the proceedings noted in the margin. sum. Political Cons. N° 38. & Political Cons. N° 30. 23. It ·100 48 25 31 21 dº 29 5 to 11 . 21 22 - 25 13 March 8 - - 27 11 11 20 19 21 - 66 - 7 . O War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 53 25. It may be proper, on this occasion, to observe that when Judicial Department. affairs on the frontiers of Chittagong began to wear a hostile Political Cons. 10 January 17 appearance, we passed a resolution in the judicial department, 52 that the magistrate of Chittagong should therefore be directed to 15 February correspond with the chief secretary to government in the secret department. From the 21st of February, therefore, the whole Secret Cons. correspondence with the magistrate and the adjutant-general, Secret Cons. 21 February Magistrate of Chittagong. 14 to 17 relative to the transactions on the frontiers of Chittagong, has Secret Cons. 21 February been recorded in that department; but as the considerations which - 30 - 33 rendered this arrangement advisable had reference only to local 29 42 circumstances, and as we had previously addressed our reports on the subject to your honourable court in the political department, we have judged it most convenient to continue the same 7 • 13 channel of communication. 3 April 40 and 26. In our despatches relative to the affairs of Chittagong ard enclosures. Ava, subsequent to that of the 23d of January, we have trans- 53 to 59 mitted copies of all the most material documents comected with it. But to facilitate reference, in the event of your honourable Adjutant General. court being desirous of perusing the whole series of the corres- Secret Cons. 21 lebrudry pondence, or any parts of it, of which copies have not already been transmitted, so far as it is entered on our consultations 23 10 96 & 28 1P the end of April, which is the extent of the broken set of proceedings now forwarded, we dcem it proper «0 note in the margin the 13 March 31 & 35 consultations of both departments on which the correspondence in question is recorded. 65 We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, 3 April llonourable Sirs, Your most faithful humble servants, 07 Alinto, G. Nugent, J. Lumsden, ll. Colebrooke. 17 O 68 • 22 24 24 6 to 10 19 to 29 6 to 16 18 10 21 & 28 20 1 10 24 26 61 49 50 52 17 02 Copy of a DESPATCIL from the Governor General in Council at Fort Despatch from William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; Gov.lien. in council, dated 1st August 1812. 1 August 1812. Honourable Sirs, OUR despatch of the 4th of Junc, transmitted by the bonourable company's extra ship Baring, will have apprised your honourable court of the progress of Captain Canning's negotiations at Rangoon, up to the period, when at the earnest entreaty of the viceroy, he had consented to quit the Malabar (ruizer, and again to reside on shore. We did not touch, in that despatch, on the affairs of Chittagong, as, during the short interval between the date of that despatch and of our letter to your honourable court of the 25th of May, no occurrence of importance in that quarter had come to our knowledge. 2. We propose in this letter to communicate to your honourable court the lates intelligence in our possession on the above-mentioned subjects, and to state to you the resolutions which late events and transactions at Rangoon, and on our castern frontier, have induced us to adopt. 3. A few days after the date of our letter of the 4th of June, we received Cap- 12 June, Nº 24. tain Canning's despatch, Nº 8, dated the 25th of May, which your honourable court will find recorded on our secret consultation, of the date noted in the margin. • 4. It appears, that after Captain Canning had dispatched his last letter to our address of the 6th of May, on the ship Anne, the viceroy had required the commander of that vessel to deliver up the envoy's packets to him, and on his refusal, the vessel had been detained at the Chokey; immediately on learning this intelligence, Captain Canning addressed a letter to the viceroy, who, by a verbal message, disavowed his orders, and at the same time sent directions for the release of the vessel. 360. 0 Secret Cons. 5. About ·1 54 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from 5. About this time the brig Virginia, having despatches from this government Gov.Gen. in council, to the envoy, arrived off the mouth of the river, and the boat which left the brig 1 August 1812. for the purpose of procuring a pilot was forcibly taken possession of by a Burmese war-boat, and the crew carried up to the town. 6. The envoy, on being apprised of the arrival of the Virginia, deemed it necessary to adopt measures for securing the public packets, as the late attempt of the viccroy to seize the envoy's despatches rendered it probable that he would not scruple to intercept the packets by the Virginia. The envoy accordingly sent a boat properly armed towards the Virginia, which in its attempt to reach that vessel (which was driven out to sea by the violence of the weather) was insulted by the Burmese prows, but suffered no molestation. 7. The briç afterwards anchored near the Malabar, and Captain Canning secured his despatches. 8. Your honourable court will observe from Captain Canning's letter, and from his correspondence on the subject with the viceroy, that he did not deem it proper, under the peculiar circumstances in which the Virginia had arrived, that she should be considered subject to the usual duties and regulations of the port; and after some discussion with the viceroy, in which the latter manifested his habitual falsehood and prevarication, the onvoy was compelled to secure the brig by causing her to anchor between the Malabar and Amboyna, and her rudder which on her first arrival had been taken ofl' was afterwards restored. 9. On the 15th of May the Perseverance, country ship, arrived at the mouth of the river, and the envoy deemed it proper to apprise the commander of the state of affairs at Rangoon, and to leave it to his discretion cither to avail hinself of the protection of the honourable company's cruizer, or to carry on his commercial concerns under the usual conditions of the port. The commander of the Perseverance gladly accepted the offered protection, and anchored at a short distance from the Malabar. 10. The viceroy, as Captain Canning expected, sent to inquire the reason why the vessel lately arrived was prevented from trading with the port in the usual manner? Captain Canning expressed a desire to explain his reasons to the viceroy by personal communication, and the following morning was fixed for the conference. 11. The cnvoy commenced the conversation by expressing his regret at being the occasion of interrupting the trade of Rangoon, but observed that until the business of the Elephant were adjusted he could never regard Britisha property at Rangoon as secure, and that therefore he should feel it his duty to recommend to the commanders of all vessels which might arrive, to abstain from all commerce with the port. The envoy then remarked, that the suspension of the commercial intercourse between British ships had, probably, already occasioned a loss to the Burmese government of more than double the amount of the money demanded on account of the ship Elephant. 12. The viceroy appeared to have been misinformed with respect to the value of the cargo of the ship Perseverance, and observed that no great injury could be sustained on that account, as the cargo of the Perseverance consisted only of cocoa nuts, but having ascertained from Captain Canning that it was rich, and consisted of all the articles usually brought to the Rangoon market, le suddenly altered his tone, and with profuse expressions of his friendly intentions again offered the Elephant money, provided the envoy would send Mr. Carey's family on shore. Your honourable court will recollect that in our letter of the 4th of June we stated the circumstance of the envoy having reccived on board the family of Mr. Carey, who had resided for some time at Rangoon in the capacity of a missionary, and who had married there the daughter of an English commander of a ship by a native Portuguese woman, whose mother and sister also resided with Mr. Carey, and that the viceroy's demand that the family should be delivered up in conforinity to the regulation which exists, though by no means rigidly observed, prohibiting females fronı being taken out of the country, had been very properly refused by the envoy. 13. Captain Canning of course decidedly objected to this proposal, and the viceroy at length agreed to pay the Elephant money (being the medium between the sum claimed by the British government and that offered by the Rangoon government ·1 August 1812. War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 55 government to the commander) and the other sums due, on the condition that Despatch front the envoy would permit the Perseverance to hold free commercial intercourse with Gov.Gen. in council, the town. 14. Captain Canning assented to this proposition, provided the reply to the second reference which he had made to Bengal on the subject, should not render it incumbent upon him to demand the full sum originally claimed on account of the Elephant 15. A few days after this conference the envoy received the sum of 12.293.30 tiscals, and the Perseverance commenced the usual intercourse of traffic with the town. 16. In consequence of the conclusion of this arrangement mutual confidenc was in a great mcasure restored ; and Mr. Carey having expressed an anxiety no to quit Rangoɔn, iſ it appeared he could remain there with security to himself and family, the cnvoy accompanied him on a visit to the viceroy, who gave him the most solemn assurances of protection, and furnished hiin with a paper signed by himself and all the members of government, guaranteeing the safety of himself and family. 17. Your honourable court will observe, that Captain Canning mentions that in the course of this conference the viceroy confessed that the ragoon and other members of the government had formed the plan of seizing the envoy $ person, in which project the viceroy partly ywned he had himself, though reluctantly, concurred. 18. During the course of these discussions the envoy's sub-interpreter returned from his mission to the court of Ummerapoora. It appeared that he had been received in the most friendly manner by the ingy Praw, or heir apparent, in whom the principal authority of government is rested. The sub-interpreter had been present at a commeil held in the prince's palace, in which the conduct of the Burmese chiefs in Arracan had been, in tlie strongest terms, reprobated and disavowed, and had been admitted to two audiences of the Engy Praw, in which the prince had evinced great anxiety for the presence of the envoy at court, and the consequent amicable adjustment of all differences. 19. The prince also addressed a letter to Captain Canning, a translation of which is annexed to the envoy's despatch, marked No. 15 of the enclosures, stating that orders had been issued to recal the Burmese forces which had advanced, and conc'uding with an invitation to the envoy to proceed to court; a corresponding order was also transmitted to the viceroy. 20. In the fourteenth and following para rraphs of his letter, the envoy stated his sentiments on the question of the expediency of his repairing to Ummerapoora. 21. Captain Canning was of opinion his presence at court might produce an carly and final adjustment of all subjects of dispute counected with the affairs of Arracan, and that by obtaining decisive orders from the court of Ava relative to many points now undetermined, the recurrence of disputes with that vioicnt and arbitrary government would be obviated. 22. Captain Canning then considered whether the execution of the measure of proceeding to the capital might be contemplated on reasonable grounds of personal safety to the mission. 23. Although the envoy admitted that on the haughty, ferocious, and ungovernable disposition of the king of Ava little reliance would be placed, he observed that the affability and moderation of the heir apparent, who exercised the principal control over the administration of affairs, and who possessed considerable influence over his grandfather, combined with his attachment to the British government, of which Captain Canning adduced an important instance, would counteract any absurd or violent resolutions which the king might he inclined to adopt. 24. Captain Canning also referred to a reply to a letter which he had addressed on this subject to Don Lewis, the Italian bishop of the churches in Ava, the general tenor of which was in favour of the envoy's proceeding to court; and Captain Canning added, that from consulting the best informed natives and others on the 360. subject, N° 18 of the enclosures.

·56 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from subject, and from the certainty of being supported by the protection of the heir Giov.Gen. in council, 1 August 1812. apparent, he felt confident that no danger to the personal safety of the members of the mission was to be apprehended. 25. Your honourable court will also observe, that Captain Canning had found mcans to procure copies of four letters, addressed by the viceroy to the authorities of the capital, from the tenor of which the amicable sentiments so often expressed by the viceroy appear to be sincere. 26. The envoy then adverted to the point which he expected would of course constitute the first subject of discussion after his arrival at the capital; viz. the demand on the part of the court for the surrender of Kingberring and the other fugitive chiefs, and stated his sentiments on the question. 27. We shall communicate to your honourable court, in a subsequent part of this dispatch, the observations which we conveyed to Captain Canning on the contents of his despatch ; but as the occurrences on the frontier of Chittagong reported to us about the period when we received Captain Canning's letter, materially influenced our instructions to that officer, we deem it necessary, in order to preserve the continuity of the narrative, to introduce in this place a short Serre department, relation of those transactions, as detailed in the despatches of the magistrate of Cons. 12 June, Chittagong, recorded on the consultation of the date noted in the margin. N° 9 to 13. 17 to 19. 28. Your honourable court will observe, that from the first of this series of despatches we had just reason to anticipate the permanence of that tranquillity which then appeared to exist on our eastern frontier, but the next letter from the magistrate of Chittagong communicated to us the vexatious intelligence of the renewal of disturbances on the frontier of Arracan, in consequence of the insurgent chief Kingberring having emerged from the place of his concealment, and having succecded, notwithstanding every effort on the part of the civil and military officers in Chittagong to arrest his progress, in making his way into the province of Arracan, where he was joined by a considerable body of Mugs, collected in the southern division of Chittagong by the aid and connivance of the zemindar or manager of that division. Judicious arrangements were adopted by the officer commanding at Chittagong, in concert with the magistrate, for the purpose of providing for the event of the entrance of the Burmese troops into our territory in pursuit of the invaders, and were extended as far as was practicable in the unhealthy condition of the sepoys and the unfavourablc scason of the year. 29. Under the rencwal of disturbances which had occasioned so much trouble and vexation, we felt the experiency of adopting some measures of a decided character, with a view, if possible, to defeat the designs of the insurgents, and to oppose an effectual bar to the repetition of this great evil, as well as to satisfy the minds of the B? rmese chiefs both of our entire disconnection with the projects of Kingberring, and of our solicitude to prevent the invasion of their country, by people residing under the protection of the British government; the latter inuced was a positive obligation which we were anxious to fulfil. 30. For these purposes we desired the magistrate immediately to issue and circulate to the utmost practicable extent a proclamation, strictly prohibiting all persons subject to the authority of this government from affording protection to Kingberring, or any of his chiefs or associates, and from aiding or abetting his present proceedings, either by raising men for his service, or by supplying him with arms, stores, boats, or provisions, or in any manner directly or indirectly assisting his views, intimating also that any persons who should be found guilty of those offences, or should be proved to have omitted to give information of circumstances within their knowledge which might lead to the apprehension of Kingberring or any of his chiefs, or which, if conamunicated, might enable the public authoritics to prevent him from obtaining an accession of force, or any other means of prosecuting his designs, would be dealt with according to law. 31. The magistrate was, at the same time, directed to offer a reward of 5,000 rupees to any person who should seize Kingberring, and deliver him over to the custody of the public officers, or who should give information leading to his apprehension. Mr. Peckale was also authorized to offer a reward of 1,000 rupees, under the same circumstances and conditions, for the seizure of any of Kingberring's chiefs and principal associates. 32. We ·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 57 32. We deemed it proper to desire the magistrate to transmit to the Burmese Despatch fron chiefs in Arracan for their information a copy of the prescribed proclamation, Gov.Gen.in council, apprising them, at the same time, in general terms, that the government had under its consideration the adoption of such further measures, directed to the object of preventing the increase and repetition of the late evils, as were consistent with the principles of British law. 33. The measures to which we alluded were the arrangement for the removal of certain classes of the refugee inhabitants of the province of Chittagong to a distant quarter of the company's territories, and the framing of a regulation calculated to deter and prevent persons residing within the limits of the British territories from invading or assisting the invasion of those of a foreign state. 34. We have the honour to refer your honourable court for further details to Secret Cons. the instructions transmitted to the magistrate of Chittagong on this occasion, which 12 June, will be found recorded as per margin. 35. As we deemed it by no means improbable that the Mug Sidar Makloo, who as before reported, had been apprchended and sent to Dacca, might endeavour to make his escape and join the insurgents, the magistrate of that district was desired to exercise a peculiar degree of vigilance with respect to that chief, and to adopt every precaution, in order to guard against his quitting Dacca without the permission of government. 36. Such was the condition of affairs to the eastward, when we deliberated on the instructions which under these circumstances would be proper for the guidance N30. of the envoy 37. The renewal of Kingberring's invasion of Arracan rendered it expedient in our judgment to revoke the orders of recal, which, as stated in our last report, we had transmitted to the envoy. It revived, in fact, the state of affairs which occasioned his original mission; and revived it under circumstances of additional embarrassment; since the courts of Ava and Rangoon would naturally derive from that event apparent grounds of corroborated belief, that the hostile projects of Kingberring were supported by the British government, and the envoy's immediate return to Bengal would tend still more to confirm that belief; the necessity of removing the British inhabitants from Rangoon would arise; the commercial intercourse between the two countries would consequently cease; we should virtually be placed in a state of war with the Burniese government, and the only efficient channel of explanation and accommodation would be closed. 38. Instructions founded on the basis of these considerations were accordingly prepared on the 12th of June for transmission to Captain Canning, but previously to their despatch intelligence of an alteration in the state of affairs in Arracan was received, which in our judgment rendered the further continuance of the envoy at Rangoon unnecessary. 39. We shall have the honour to detail this intelligence to your honourable court in a subsequent part of this letter. 40. But although these later advices from Chittagong occasioned the change in our resolutions with regard to Captain Canning's continuance at Rangoon, we still deemed it proper to transmit to him our instructions of the 12th of June, which were only partially inapplicable to cxisting circumstances, as it was our wish that he should know and communicate to the local government the full extent of the measures proposed by us under the former state of affairs. 41. We shall therefore proceed, first to abstract for the information of your honourable court, the substance of our instructions to Captain Canning of the 12th of June, which will be found recorded on the consultation of the date noted in the margin, and then state the events in Arracan, which, combined with the information received in a recent despatch from Captain Canning, induced us to .transmit to the envoy modified instructions, which conclusively directed his retreat from Rangoon. 42. We furnished Captain Canning with copies of the magistrate of Chittagong's despatches, describing the renewal of disturbances on the frontier of Arracan, and after stating the substance of the remarks contained in the 37th paragraph of this letter, we observed that the event which thus rendered necessary 360. P the Secret Cons. 12 June, N° 25.

·58 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmeste Despatch from the revocation of the orders of recal, added weight to the considerations stated Gov.Gen. in council, in the chief secretary's despatch of the 2d May, which opposed the expediency of 1 August 1819. the envoy's proceeding to the court of Ava, notwithstanding the circumstances urged in his despatch of the 23d of May in support of that measure. 43. We repeated the observation formerly made, that we had no demands on the court of Ava. We had only to convey to that government explanations which it was certainly entitled to expect, and communications which events had rendered necessary, and that this purpose might be effectually accomplished by Captain Canning's residence at Rangoon, whereas his proceeding to the capital would only serve to involve us in additional difficulties. 44. We expressed our satisfaction at knowing that the acts and proceedings of the Burmese officers were so entirely disapproved at the court of Ava, and that the heir apparent, possessing the principal control over the affairs of government, seemed disposed to abstain from and prohibit any nieasures of a nature calculated to dissolve the amicable relations between the two states; but we observed that there was no reason to suppose that the court of Ava would depart from its demand of the surrender of the insurgent chiefs, and the viceroy having, by a gross violation of truth, led the prince to believe that the envoy had pledged himself to their surrender, the disappointment of his expectations would probably produce discussions unfavourable to the establishment of that confidence and cordiality which could alone lead to a satisfactory adjustment of depending differences, mutual distrust might be generated, and the scenes of Rangoon might be re-acted at Ummerapoorah. 45. We were not encouraged securely to oppose to this contingency the amicable disposition of the heir apparent, since the same disposition predominated in the mind of the viceroy, as was shown by the tenor of his letter to the prince, and the Burmese commander-in-chief, and the Italian bishop at Ava, Don Louis, (these being some of the letters to which, as mentioned in a preceding part of this address, the envoy had obtained access,) but did not withhold him from the adoption of measures directly tending to produce a rupture between the two states, and even from concurring in a project to seize the envoy's person. 46. Wc noticed to Captain Canning that the recent occurrences in Chittagong moreover would furnish new sources of irritation and new grounds for arrogant demands, which, by his presence at the capital, the court would be enabled to urge with all the advantage to be derived from the relinquishment of the independent and commanding position which he had the means of maintaining at Rangoon; and, above all, government and the envoy would be deprived of the benefit of a speedy and regular communication between the mission and the presidency; by his journey to the capital, government would be exposed to the hazard of all this embarrassment and inconvenience for no other purpose than to receive and answer such demands as the pride, the ignorance and insolence of a barbarous court might suggest, on the basis of alleged injuries; it would, in fact, we observed, be placing the British government in the character of an accused party before the tribunal of the king of Ava. The friendly disposition of the heir apparent, and the contingency of his exerting his influence to oppose the intemperate mandates of the king, appeared to us to afford the only security against extravagant and insolent demands, and a violation of the privileges of the envoy's representative character. We expressed our apprehension that perfect dependence could not be placed upon either ; experience had shown that the barbarous governments of Ava and Rangoon were capable of meditating the seizure of the person of a British envoy. The heir apparent, in his letter to the viceroy of Pegu (a translation of which forms an enclosure in the envoy's despatch, referred to at the commencement of this address,) written under the supposition of the envoy being actually arrested and confined, was far from reprobating that outrage in the language which was suited to so monstrous a violation of the laws of civilized nations. His disapprobation was expressed, or rather implied, merely by prohibiting that which he believed to have actually occurred; it simply amounted to an order for the envoy's release, and for his being sent up to the capital; and the opinion which the prince must entertain of the humble sufferance and submissive disposition of the British government might be inferred with sufficient certainty from his arrogant supposition that a British envoy, after the gross indignity of being seized and confined government of Rangoon, would submissively consent, when released from confinement, by the ·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 59 confinement, to proceed to the court of Ava, in obedience to its summons, without Despatch from any atonement for the outrage committed against him and his government. Gov.Gen. in council, 1 August 1819. 47. We then proceeded to state our opinion, that at a court where principles and notions so arrogant and erroneous prevailed, where a violation of the person of the representative of a foreign power was so lightly considered, and where demands which it would be necessary to reject would be urged in a haughty, persevering, and peremptory tone, the envoy's representative character would be exposed to insult, and even his personal freedom to hazard. 48. For these reasons, we signified to the envoy, our conviction of the inexpediency of his proceeding under any circumstances to the capital. 49. Some inconvenience might certainly be expected to arise from the necessity of references to the court of Ava, on points of his negociations; but we observed, that it rested entirely with the court to obviate that inconvenience by vesting the viceroy with sufficient powers to treat with the envoy. 50. The ground which we directed the envoy to assume in his communications with the Burmese government for declining under the above orders to advance to the capital, notwithstanding the revocation of the orders of recal, was the absolute necessity, arising from the renewal of the disturbances in Arracan, of the envoy remaining in the situation which would alone admit of a speedy and regular communication with the presidency. 51. Letters from the governor-general to the address of the king and the viceroy, announcing the revocation of the orders of recal, in consequence of the late events in Chittagong, and intimating at the same time, the necessity of the envoy's continuance at Rangoon, for the reasons above stated, were prepared ; but in consequence of the receipt of later advices from Chittagong, and the consequent renewal of the orders of recal, were afterwards cancelled. 52. We next proceeded to furnish Captain Canning with instructions for the guidance of his conduct under the revocation of the orders of recal, particularly with regard to the communications which were to be made to the Burmese government on the subject of the renewed disturbances in Arracan. 53. In consequence of the renewal of these disturbances by mcans derived from our provinces, we observed to Captain Canning, that we were disposed to think that the Burmese government possessed a title to claim, and that considerations connected with the tranquillity of our own frontier required the adoption of measures of a decided character, which might both tend to extinguish the source of the evil, and afford to the state of Ava the most convincing proof of our solicitude to prevent a repetition of it; we accordingly directed that Captain Canning should be furnished with a copy of the instructions to the magistrate of Chittagong, referred to in the preceding part of this despatch, in which the nature of the measures already adopted, or contemplated by government, was described ; and desired him distinctly to explain to the Burmese government the tenor of the proclamation which the magistrate of Chittagong had been instructed to issue, but to abstain from a communication of the specific nature of the further arrangements in agitation, because circumstances might eventually impede their accomplishment, or require a modification of them on that subject, therefore he was enjoined merely to intimate that such measures directed to the object of permanently tranquillizing the frontier, as were practicable consistently with the principles of the British laws, were under consideration. 54. The envoy was anthorized to signify, that the British government was willing to afford to the extent that might be practicable, the co-operation of its troops in quelling the insurrection, headed by Kingberring; and to intimate that government had only been withheld from directing the immediate pursuit of the insurgents into Arracan by two considerations, first, that the object of despatching our troops into the province of Arracan without previous concert with the government of Ava, might be misinterpreted; and secondly, that the season of the year was particularly unfavourable to military operations in the country which would be the scene of them; but that if the insurrection should not have been quelled at the expiration of the rainy season, government would be ready to accede as far as might be found practicable to any mode of co-operation the government of Ava 360. might ·... 60 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from might propose, and the envoy was accordingly authorized to receive and discuss Gov.Gen. in council; any propositions to that effect, communicating the result for our consideration. 1 August 1818. 55. It was of course, however, to be intimated to the Burmese government, that the adoption of any of these proposed arrangements must depend upon the officers of that government abstaining from all measures and proceedings of the nature of those which had lately formed the subject of our just complaint. 56. It was reasonable to expect, that the communications which Captain Canning was thus authorized to make, would remove all grounds of distrust, and restore perfect confidence and cordiality between him and the Burmese government, and this expectation of course obviated the chief objection stated in our instructions of the ad of May, to the continuance of the mission. 57. The state of Ava had sustained a deep injury at the hands of men who were under our authority and protection, and derived their means of committing it from our territory. The Burmese government had, therefore, some plausible reason for charging us with a participation in that injury. Under this impression, its officers conceived they had a right to demand the surrender of the immediate perpetrators of the outrage, and their ignorance, pride and barbarism had led them to prefer their demand in a tone of menace and insult, and to proceed to acts of a corresponding character. The British government, on the other hand, naturally and necessarily resented this offensive course of proceeding. The action and re-action of these adverse feelings unavoidably generated a disposition naturally hostile and suspicious, and, as recently witnessed at Rangoon, led one party to anticipate the prosecution of hostile designs on the part of the other, and the latter, with more justice, to impute to the former plans of treachery directed to the object of defeating those designs. Hence arose the various irritating acts and proceedings reported in the envoy's late despatches, and hence the impracticability of an approach to accommodation and confidence; since concession on our side, under such circumstances, was obviously inadmissible, and without such concession, suspicion and alarm could scarcely be eradicated from the minds of the Burmese. Captain Canning's able and discreet conduct, however, had ultimately produced a state of affairs which precluded the necessity of adopting the language and measures of resentment towards the Burmese government, and had prepared the way for that conciliatory and co-operative system which recent occurrences had rendered advisable, and which we have already described. The two governments, instead of acting as hitherto under the influence of adverse sentiments and feelings, might (under the vicw of circumstances which we then entertained) now apparently pursue a line of conduct consistent with the views and wishes of both. By the renewal of Kingberring's aggression, therefore, a new source of union between the two states seemed to be created, since the measures which government found itself at liberty and was anxious to adopt, in the hope of suppressing the evils of commotion and disorder on the frontier, and within the limits of its eastern territory, were in unison with the just and legitimate objects of the state of Ava, and were of a nature to demonstrate to the latter the sincerity of our uniform assertions; to obviate the suggestions of suspicion and alarm, and to remove every motive on the part of that state to the commission of acts incompatible with the preservation of harmony and peace. 58. We stated the preceding observation to Captain Canning, for the purpose of placing in a distinct point of view the spirit which should regulate his language and proceedings, we added, however, that if, unfortuately, the anticipated result of the late occurrences in Arracan should be disappointed, if irritated by the renewal of the invasion of Arracan, disbelieving the envoy's explanations, and distrusting the communications and offers of this government, the members of the administration of Rangoon, at the suggestion of their own perverted judgment, or under the orders of the court of Ava, should renew their insults and aggressions in a manner to render his continuance at Rangoon unprofitable to the public service, and incompatible with the dignity of the government which he represented, the envoy might consider himself at liberty to retire, without awaiting the result of a reference to the presidency; but even in that event, we desired that his retreat should, if possible, be conducted in the mode prescribed by our instructions of the 2d of May. 59. After authorizing the envoy's retreat, under the circumstances above contemplated, we proceeded to furnish him with some additional directions for the regulation ·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 61 regulation of his conduct on the receipt, at Rangoon, of the intelligence of King- Despatch frume berring's renewed aggressions, which, as under the subsequent change of affairs Gov.Gen. in council, they became inapplicable, we do not consider it necessary to detail. i August 1813. 60. We then proceeded to communicate to Captain Canning our sentiments and instructions upon such points of his last despatch, and of that of the 6th of May, (the substance of which we stated to your honourable court in our letter of the 4th of June,) as appeared to require particular notice, and had not been considered in the preceding part of our instructions. 61. In the first place, we signified to the envoy generally that we found just reason to ascribe to him, with reference to the transactions reported in these despatches, the same degree of zeal, judgment and discretion, and the same firmness and decision in maintaining the privileges of his representative character, and in supporting the dignity of the British government, which had so eminently distinguished his anterior proceedings; this general observation precluding the necessity of adverting to cach particular transaction related in the despatches now under consideration, and we therefore noticed those only which required some special remark, in addition to the general expression of that unqualified approbation which tho envoy's proccedings so justly claimed. 62. For our sentiments on the three first parts of reference in the order of Captain Canning's report of transactions, viz. the disposal of the presents from the court of Ava, in the event of his not proceeding up the country, his conduct in affording protection to the fanily of Mr. Carey, and his suggestion that some attempt might be made in effecting a final adjustment of affairs betwecn the two states, to obtain the cxemption of female children of Europeans from the operation of the rule which prohibits their emigration, we take the liberty of referring your honourable court to the concluding part of the 230 and following paragraphs of our instructions to Captain Canning. 63. The next subject on which we stated our sentiments and resolutions, was the question of the surrender of the insurgent chiefs, in the cvent of their falling into our hands, which formed a principal topic of Captain Canning's conference with the viceroy at the interview alluded to in his despatch of the 6th of May, on which he had stated some observations and suggestions in both his despatches now under review. 64. We approved the tenor of Captain Canning's replies to the questions and remarks of the viceroy, relative to the surrender of the fugitive chiefs; but we noticed that the viceroy's statement of the case of the three chiefs, Kingberring, Laumboo, and Muckloo, was not altogether correct, at least with regard to the two last, since tluc viceroy's narrative implied that Launboo and Muckloo, as well as Kingberring, resided under the protection of the British government at the period of Kingberring's first invasion of Arracan, whereas, in fact, that assertion was applicable only to the latter, who was joined by the two former after he had entered Arracan. Whether or not Laumboo and Muckloo, as alleged by the viceroy, originally obtained with Kingberring an asylum in the British territories, after being expelled from Arracan by the Burmese forces, and a demand for the surrender of all three was made and rejected, were points not within our recollection at the time of replying to Captain Canning's letter; nor was the determination of them of sufficient importance to require the delay of searching the records for the purpose of determining theni: all that was necessary to establish, in adverting to the viceroy's narrative, was, that Kingberring was the only one of the insurgents residing under our protection at the period of the first invasion, as the demand upon us was therefore the less strong with respect to the other chiefs, for whose conduct we could not in any degree be rendered responsible. 65. We observed that the expedient suggested by the viceroy, and referred by Captain Canning to our consideration, of consenting to the surrender of Kingberring in the event of his seizure, resolving, at the same time, to deny in that event his being in our custody, was insuperably opposed by the observations which Captain Canning stated in his conference with the viceroy; for, as Captain Canning justly and properly remarked, it would be beneath the dignity and power of the British government, if Kingberring were really in our possession, to screen itself hy a falsehood from a line of conduct which it would not pursue unless it 360. Q werc ·62 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from were honourable and just; and the denial of the fugitive chiefs, and particularly Gov.Ben. in council, Kingberring, being in our power, would probably be nugatory and useless, as it 1 August 1812. was not likely that their capture would be effected without the knowledge of the Burmese officers; neither could we judge it advisable to rest a refusal to surrender Kingberring on the conduct of the Burmese government, as suggested by the envoy in the 13th paragraph of his despatch, No. 7. Their conduct, if assumed as the basis of complaint and accusation, would, we observed, require on our part a course of proceeding different from the mere rejection of a demand for the surrender of a delinquent: it could not, indeed, be consistently assigned as the motive of our refusal, unless we acknowledged, independently of that motive, an obligation to accede to the demand, -an obligation which, we observed, we were not prepared to recognize. Supposing the person of Kingberring to have been secured by our officers, we stated that we conceived that the absolute right of the Burmese government, with regard to that chief, extended no further than to expect that he should be effectually prevented from molesting the Burmese territories in future. That argument was founded principally on the barbarous habits and practices of that nation. The question might admit at least of a different practical result, if not of an opposite solution, if a regular and civilized system of judicial administration prevailed in the state of Ava; but we could not but concur with Captain Canning in the sentiment, that humanity revolts at the notion of surrendering a fellow-creature, whatever may be the magnitude of his offence, to the summary decrees of vindictive cruelty, which would in this instance, we were convinced, he inflicted in its most horrid and sanguinary form : still more so in the case of offences which, like those of Kingberring, fall considerably short of crimes of the deepest dye, and are susceptible of palliation; offences, too, which owe their origin to the violence and injustice of the power which desires to punish them. And we added, that a government could not be required, as a matter of right, to be accessary to an act of cruelty and inhumanity. 66. We observed, however, that even under this view of the subject, we should be justified in resolving to surrender the criminal, if the evils and calamities of a war, not otherwise rendered necessary, were to be the certain consequence of a refusal. We could not be required to incur the hazards and charges of a national contest for the sole purpose of protecting an individual whose death could not be deemed an inequitable expiation of his offences. We may here remark, in further support of this sentiment, that by taking advantage of the asylum which he found within our territories, to levy war upon a neighbouring and friendly state, Kingberring committed an act of the highest ingratitude towards the government which protected him. Ile returned injury for benefits received, and consequently forfeited all title to consideration and favour. It can scarcely be considered within the limits of public obligation to expose the state to the evils of a war for the sole purpose of preserving the life of a man who had already so grossly abused its anterior protection. 67. The observations stated by Captain Canning in the 13th paragraph of his letter of the 6th of May, regarding the advantages with which the British government would enter upon a contest with the power of Ava, were unquestionably well founded. The coasts and provinces of that country are certainly exposed to our attack without the means of defence, and the only part of our territory accessible to the Burmese forces might with ease be effectually protected. Of our complete and speedy success in the war, therefore, little doubt could be entertained. We observed, that the expediency or inexpediency of engaging in a contest with the state of Ava did not altogether depend upon the advantages with which it might be undertaken, and the prospect of success; that great inconvenience and embarrassment would attend it with reference to other interests and exigencies of the public service, the details of which it was unnecessary to explain to the envoy; and we should consider the extension of our dominion to the eastward and southward to be more burthensome than beneficial; and that those considerations outweighed on the whole, at least at that time, the object which we allowed to be desirable, of checking the arrogance and presumption of that weak and contemptible state. 68. The considerations above stated suggested the course to be pursued by the envoy in his negotiations with the Burmese government relative to the surrender of the insurgent chiefs. 69. Captain ·63 War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 69. Captain Canning was apprised that the grounds on which we founded our Despatch from aversion to the surrender of Kingberring, and consequently in a still greater Gov.Gen. in council, degree of the other chiefs, might be stated in addition to the arguments which he 1 August 1819. had already employed. He was authorized to admit, in his discussion of the subject, that after what had passed, the Burmese government had a title to expect, in the event of Kingberring and his principal associates being apprehended by the British officers, that effectual measures should be adopted by our government to place them in a condition which should prevent their again molesting the dominions of Ava, and he was empowered to afford the most positive assurances to that effect; but he was instructed to niaintain that the right of the Burmesc government, with respect to those persons, extended no further. 7o. We concluded our instructions on this point by expressing our expectations that these assurances, combined also with the measures and arrangements which the envoy was alıthorized to declare the resolution of this government to adopt, would be sufficient to satisfy the Burmese authorities. If, however, they should still insist on a proniise of surrendering Kingberring, and no alternative should appear to be left but a compliance with that demand, or the prosecution of measures of aggression and hostility on their part, the envoy was directed to refer the case to our consideration, without affording to the Burmese government any reason to infer, from that reference', that its demand would be accorded. 71. We now proceed to advert to the intelligence received from Chittagong, which induced us to alter our resolution with respect to Captain Canning's continuance at Rangoon. 72. On the 17th of June the satisfactory intelligence reached us of the total failure of Kingberring's lately renewed expedition into Arracan. 73. It appears, that at the period of his incursion, a part of the Burinese force remained at a short distance from the frontier, and on the advance of Kingberring's force, attacked and defeated it. The fugitive Mugs were driven back into the province of Chittagong, whither Kingberring himself was also supposed to have retreated. Some of the former were seized by our detachments, together with one of Kingberring's chiefs, called Moonapoo, said to be his cousin. 74. The correspondence relating to these events is recorded on the consultation Secrnt Cons. of the dates noted in the margin; and we beg leave to refer your honourable court 19. June, 18 & 20. Dº d", 25 June, to that correspondence for a more circumstantial account of this satisfactory result 376 43. of Kingberring's renewed attempt to disturb the tranquillity of Arracan, and for the details of the measures which we in consequence adopted, through the authority of the magistrate of Chittagong. 75. Your honourable court will observe, that the Burmese troops did not pursue the fugitives, and that no demand for their surrender, nor any representation on the subject of the late incursion, lad been received by the magistrate of Chittagong from the Burniese chiefs in Arracan. We ascribed this forbearance to the effect of the orders issued from the court of Ava, in consequence of the former proceedings of the Burmese chiefs, which the court had disapproved and disuvowed, and of the viceroy's letter to the commander of the Burmese troops, Tyndapo ; and we concurred in the conjecture of the magistrate, stated by him to the officer commanding at Chittagong, that the letter addressed by the magistrate to the rajah of Arracan, on the subject of the late incursion, had been referred to the court of Ava, and that the Burmese chiefs awaited instructions for their further proceedings. 76. In his letter announcing the discomfiture of the insurgents, the magistrate suggested the issue of a proclamation, offering a reward for the apprehension of Kingberring, a suggestion which had been anticipated by our instructions to him of the 12th June ; but he was of course directed to modify the tenor of the prescribed proclamation, as far as was necessary, to adopt it to the state of affairs existing at the period of his receiving the orders above mentioned. 77. In the event stated by the magistrate in his despatch, referred to in the foregoing paragraph, that of his receiving a letter from either of the Burmese chiefs, demanding the surrender of Kingberring, he was desired to signify in reply, that specific instructions had been transmitted to the British envoy at Rangoon in 360. order ·of Secret Cons. 64 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from order to enable him to adjust the question of the surrender of the fugitive chiefs Gov.Gen.in council, with the government of Ava. 1 August 1812. 78. We signified to the magistrate our desire that such of the Mugs belonging to the province of Chittagong, who joined the standard of Kingberring in his late invasion of Arracan, as might be apprehended, should be kept in confinement with a view (as alluded to in the 30th paragraph of this letter) to their eventual removal to a distant quarter of the company's territories. 79. Your honourable court will observe, that the magistrate was prepared to adopt some very proper measures and arrangements in the case of Burmese troops crossing into our territory. This event, however, we consider to be improbable. 80. The commanding officer at Chittagong, adverting to the sickly state of the treops which had been for precaution stationed to the southward of the province, suggested the propriety of withdrawing them from that advanced position. We had no hesitation in sanctioning that measure, as there appeared little probability any design on the part of the Burmese to violate our territory, a design which, if even meditated, we had no doubt would be laid aside when the chiefs should have received the communication directed to be conveyed to them in the instructions to the magistrate of the 12th of June. 81. We directed the emigrant chief, Moonapoo, to be sent to Dacca, where he will be treated and guarded in the same manner as the other chief, Nuckloo. 82. Shortly after the despatch of our first instructions to the magistrate of Chittagong, consequent to our receipt of the intelligence of Kingberring's discomtiture, we received a further despatch from Captain Canning, dated the 5th of June, 21 June, which will be found recorded as per margin. N 46. 83. The receipt of this despatch enabled us to frame our final instructions to that officer, with the advantage of the most recent information both from our eastern frontier and from Rangoon. 84. That despatch was written subsequently to the envoy's receipt of our orders of the 2d of May, transmitted by the lionourable company's cruizer, Ariel, directing him to return to Bengal. 85. The envoy commences his despatch by cxpressing his gratification at receive ing the approbation of government, expressed in the chief secretary's letter of the ad ultimo, and then proceeds to describe the obstacles which opposed his inmediate departure in compliance with orders of recal, and his resolution to suspend his retreat until the return of the Amboyna, which he had despatched on the 26th May to Bengal for supplies for the mission, and for the purpose of conveying his despatches. 86. We shall advert to Captain Canning's observations regarding the suspension of his return in a subscquent part of this letter, and proceed in the first place to describe the state of affairs at Rangoon at the period of the arrival of the Aricl, and at the date of Captain Canning's letter. 87. A considerable degrec of ferment and alarm was excited by the arrival of an additional vessel of war at Rangoon. Captain Canning, however, concluding that a cruiser would be sent, had anticipated this effect by informing the viceroy of the probable arrival of a vessel of that description, and at the same time assured! him that even supposing the late events at Rangoon, and his refusal to pay the money on account of the ship Elephant, might have excited a degree of irritation on the part of the British government under the existing state of affairs, no hostile measures would be resorted to. 88. A note from the commander of the Ariel to the address of the envoy, announcing his arrival, was carried to the council; some of the inferior and ignorant members of which urgently insisted on its being opened. The viceroy however, . assuming a tone of unusual energy and decision, firmly rejected the suggestion, and sent the note with the seal unbroken to the envoy. He at the same time intimated his wish that the Ariel should not come up to town, stating however, that the envoy was at liberty to despatch a hoat for the packets brought in that vessel. # 89. The ·1 War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 65 89. The envoy sent a suitable reply, informing the viceroy' that as perfect har- Despatch from mony subsisted between the government and the mission, there appeared to be no Gov.Gen.in.council, occasion for the Ariel's proceeding at all up to the town. 1 August 1812. 90. Almost immediately after the arrival of the Ariel the viceroy sent a message to Captain Canning, anxiously inquiring about the nature of the orders he had received from Bengal. 91. Captain Canning, not wishing to give a positive or final answer until the receipt of advices from Bengal by the return of the Amboyna, stato in general terms that the intentions of the British government were entirely amicable, that the governor general in council was disposed to view the late occurrences at Rangoon in the most favourable light, that all matters appeared to have been amicably settled on the frontier of Chittagong by the mutual retreat of the British and Burmese forces, and therefore, as no subject of dispute or contention remained, and as the period of his residence in that country had already been unusually protracted, he saw no occasion for his proceeding to the capital: that the principal object of his mission was to convey an assurance to the Burmese government that the British government was totally unconcerned in the insurrection of Kingberring, and that the fact, he trusted, had been established in the most satisfactory manner: that the question regarding the ship Elephant, which had fornied a secondary object of the mission, had also been adjusted, and that therefore nothing appeared to remain that could require his presence at court. The envoy concluded by pointing out the additional proof of the friendly sentiments of the British government manifested by the order which he had received to forward the governor-general's presents for the king and the engy praw, notwithstanding the envoy did not himself proceed to court 92. The viceroy expressed a desire to know whether the sentiments stated by Captain Canning were merely his own, or whether he had received instructions to return to Bengal. 93. The envoy, not wishing to give a final answer, replied, that such sentiments were entertained by the British government; but that he could not answer the viceroy's question conclusively until the return of the Amboyna; and added further of thic pacific disposition of the British government. 94. The viceroy appeared much surprised and concerned that there was so little prospect of the envoy's advance to Ummeerapoora ; he adverted to the envoy's former intention to visit the capital, to the invitations which he had received, and to the compliance of the government of Ava with his requisitions ; he observed, that the envoy's refusal to proceed up the country would be attributed by the engy praw to no other motive than distrust and suspicion, and that if Captain Canning returned without visiting the court, no future envoy from the British government would probably receive a similar invitation. 95. The envoy replied, that he should certainly not leave the country without distinctly apprising the engy praw hy letter of his motives for so doing, which would cntircly exculpatc the viceroy from any share of blame on the occasion. He then pointed out the satisfactory change of affairs which had taken place, which would render his journey to the capital merely a visit of ceremony. He observed, however, that if he did return to Bengal without repairing to court, it must be ascribed to the conduct of the Rangoon government, which had delayed to supply him with that information respecting the sentiments of the superior government which would have enabled him to proceed to the capital, and to have already returned to Rangoon. With regard to the observation of the viceroy, that no future British envoy would be invited to proceed to court, the envoy remarked, that it was not likely that the British government would have any request to make to the court of Ava; that, should another mission at any future time be deputed, the object of it would be, as on the present occasion, to prevent misunderstanding between the two governments; and that therefore, if the court should refuse to receive it with proper distinction, the consequences would rest with them; but that if the envoy's departure should take place under such an impression, he did not think that a British mission would hastily be exposed to a similar mortification. 96. During this long conference the viceroy only once mentioned in a cursory manner the subject of the surrender of the refugee chiefs, and even then acknow- 360. R ledged, some assurances ·year; that 66 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from ledged, that as they had not sought an asylum within our territory no question could Gov.Gen. in council, arise on the subject of their surrender. 1 August 1812. 97. The viceroy at length appeared satisfied with the reasons assigned by the envoy for his probable return to Bengal; which, he at last said, he trusted might take place without giving offence to the court. To prove that he did not himself entertain the slightest suspicion or mistrust on that account, he accepted the envoy's invitation to assist at an entertainment given the next day in honour of his Britannic Majesty's birth-day. 98. In conclusion of his satisfactory report of the restoration of harmony and confidence, the envoy added, that the presence of the Malabar cruizer no longer excited suspicion or jealousy; and that, at the viceroy's particular request, the gentlemen of the mission had for some time past resumed their usual excursions into the country. 99. The reasons alleged by Captain Canning for suspending his retreat on the arrival of the Ariel were, first, that having despatched the honourable company's cruizer Amboyna to Bengal for supplies, the mcans of transporting the mission to Calcutta would be so circumscribed as to render its return under those circumstances extremely embarrassing, if not dangerous, at that season of the the receipt by government of his despatch of the 230 May might possibly occasion some alteration in the system which we might deem it expedient to pursue with regard to his negotiations; that if his departure were to takс place so immediately after the arrival of the Ariel, it would undoubtedly excite much distrust and alarm on the part of the Rangoon government, which the shortness of the time would not have afforded leisure to dispel, whereas the present delay afforded time for adducing satisfactory reasons, which would, he trusted, remove all jealousy and apprehension; that his abrupt departure would militate against the wish of government with respect to the Europeans settled at Rangoon, who would naturally feel alarmed at so sudden a measure, and be induced to quit the place; but that under his delayed return, he had reason to believe that all, with the exception perhaps of only one person, would continue to carry on their concerns as usual. As a last consideration, the envoy referred to the cordial understanding subsisting between himself and the Rangoon government, which precluded all danger of any offensive or unwarrantable act on their part. 100. We lost no time in furnishing Captain Canning with our final instructions under the improved condition of our relations with the government of Ava. 101. After apprising him of the events which had taken place in Arracan, as reported in the magistrate of Chittagong's despatches, of which we transmitted him copies, we observed that under all those circumstances, affairs might be considered to have reverted to the state which existed at the period of the departure of the Ariel from Bengal, and which suggested the expediency of Captain Canning's recal. This last attempt of Kingberring evidently appeared to have been made with means of preparation and success far inferior to those which the first accounts afforded reason to suppose that he possessed and as it had proved abortive, we were of opinion that the considerations which had suggested the expediency of Captain Canning's continuance at Rangoon had ceased to operate, and those which rendered advisable his return to the presidency had resumed their ascendency in our judgment; for we could not but consider the protracted residence of a British envoy at Rangoon, for purposes which might be termed merely defensive against unjust accusations, or inadmissible demands preferred or expected on the part of the state of Ava, as derogatory to the dignity of the British government. 102. We observed, that under the uncertainty which existed at the date of our recent orders with regard to the result of the late invasion, there were ends to be answered by the envoy’s continuance which divested it of that objection. It would have afforded an assurance of our desire to maintain the resolutions of amity, notwithstanding the occurrence of circumstances apparently tending ta disturb them, whilst his retreat might produce an opposite effect, and his presence would have enabled him to restrain proceedings of a hostile or intemperate character on the part of the Burmese government which might have led to a rupture, and to communicate authentic representations to the local authorities regarding events and transactions as they arose, of a nature to obviate miscanstruction, and compone animosity ;

·67 that we War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. animosity; that these were offices of friendship due from a powerful state towards Despatch froth a weaker one, and the envoy’s continuance at Rangoon for the Gov.Gen. in council, of rendering purpose those offices would have been compatible with the dignity of the government 1 August 1812. which he represented, but that the expediency of the envoy's remaining had ceased with the occasion which suggested it. We therefore informed the envoy deemed it advisable that he should return forthwith to Bengal. 103. Your honourable court will perceive, as we noticed to Captain Canning, that from the tenor of his last-mentioned despatch, no inconvenience or embarrassment is likely to attend the measure of his recal, as, under the circumstances which prevented his retreat on the arrival of the Ariel, thc exigency of which we entirely admit, the envoy with great propriety prepared the minds of the viceroy and the public to expect his recal on the return of the Amboyna, and with considerable address succeeded in reconciling the former to that measure, and the late attempt of Kingberring having terminated without the least probability of its renewal, no obstacles scem likely to arise from that occurrence. 104 We then adverted to the reasons stated in the 40th paragraph of this letter which rendered it proper to transmit to Captain Canning the instructions of the 12th ultimo, nothwithstanding the present change of resolution with regard to his continuance at Rangoon, and the alteration in the state of affairs in Arracan. We were of opinion that the communication to the government of Rangoon of the measures contemplated in that despatch would tend still more to reconcile it to tlie envoy's return, and that it would not fail to remove all suspicion, if any were entertained, of our having encouraged or assisted the second incursion of Kingberring. 105. We signified our wish that the envoy should take leave of the viceroy and the government of Rangoon as soon as practicable after he had made the requisite and prescribed communications relative to the late events in Arracan, to the measures pursued by this government in consequence, and to his recal. We stated our expectation, that the question regarding the surrender of the fugitive chiefs, would probably be revived before the envoy's departure, but that it did not appear 40 us to be necessary that he should primarily bring it under discussiɔn. 106. Under the continual vicissitude of events, we were aware that at the period of the envoy's receipt of our present despatches, a state of affairs might exist at Rangoon which might render his immediate return unadvisable with reference to the views and expectations on which his recal was founded, but we cnjoined the envoy to understand it to be our earnest desire that his mission should terminate, and that therefore he was not to protract his continuance at Rangoon excepting under circumstances of absolute and urgent necessity; and even if that exigency should arise, we prohibited him from consenting to proceed to the capital, as the objections to that measure, stated in the instructions of the 12th Junc, were not in our judgment materially weakened by the issue of the late disturbances in Arracan, and indeed any events that could require the prolongation of his mission, would add to the force of those objections. 107. These instructions concluded with some directions regarding the disposal of the money received by the envoy on account of the ship Elephant; for particular information concerning which, and for some observations of inferior importance not noticed in this abstract, we beg leave to refer your honourable court to the consultations of the annexed date, on which those instructions are recorded. 25 June, 108. In reply to the orders of the 12th of June, the magistrate of Chittagong stated his reasons for having issued two proclamations, framed according to those instructions; one prohibiting all persons from harbouring or assisting Kingberring, the other offering the prescribed reward for the apprehension of himself or his principal adherents. The magistrate's motive for issuing distinct proclamations was, that he did not judge it necessary to apprise the rajah of Arracan of the reward offered by government for Kingberring's apprehension ; but it should be construed by the rajah into a pledge on the part of government for the surrender of the person of Kingberring to the Burmese power, if apprehended. 109. The precaution, however, which suggested to the magistrate the expediency of withholding a communication on the latter subject to the rajah appearing us to be quite unnecessary, we desired Mr. Pechell to take an early opportunity of transmitting to the rajah a copy of the second proclamation. 306. Secret Cons. N° 47 210. do ·68 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatcb from 110. As the above-mentioned letter from the magistrate of Chittagong is not Gov.Gen. in council, included in the record of the broken set of our proceedings, transmitted in the 1 August 1612. honourable company's freighted ships now under despatch, we have the honour Magistrate of to enclose copies of that document, and the reply written to your chief secretary, Chittagung, 22d of separate numbers in the packet. June; to dº, 4th of July 111. We have also the honour to enclose for the information of your honourable Magistrate of Chit- court, copies of a despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong, dated the 4th ultimo, tagong, 4th July. transmitting the rajah of Arracan's reply to the letter addressed to him on the 1st of June by Mr. Pechell. 112. The letter commences with an assertion that Kingberring and his chiefs, after their first discomfiture, retreated into the company's territory, where they were protected by the magistrate and the British officers. It then adverts to the letters which had been written on this subject by the magistrate, as containing a positive promise to seize and surrender Kingberring and his accomplices ; quotes the demand for the retreat of the Burmese troops from the frontier; and states, that the troops did retire agreeably to that requisition, and because of the approach of the rainy season. It then refers to Kingberring's second invasion, and alleges that the magistrate and the commanding officer of the British troops had written to the rajah declaring their inability to seize Kingberring, because of the number of men he had collected. Charges then, therefore, with inconsistency, and with a breach of faith ; and concludes with a declaration that this matter must produce a war between the two nations. Sic in orig: 113. We considered the answer of the rajah of Arracan to be not merely unsatisfactory, but insolent; and we therefore deemed it necessary that a reply should be written by the magistrate, in substance to the following effect. 114. In the first place the magistrate was directed to point out to the rajab his perversion of the terms of the magistrate's letter. He was then to observe to the rajah, that the British government having repeatedly declared and demonstrated that the invasion of Arracan was undertaken without even the knowledge of its officers, and that far from encouraging, it was anxious to prevent the occurrence of such outrages, the British Government could not induce the rajah's perseverance in assertions of an opposite tendency. That it had afforded the convincing proofs of its desire to maintain the relations of amity and good understanding between the two states, since it had borne aggression, insult and menace, without retaliation. That when the British officers were apprised of the incursions of Kingberring into Arracan, they employed, on both occasions, every effort in their power to prevent that chieftain from deriving the means of prosecuting his designs from the inhabitants and the resources of the British territory; and that especially on the last occasion, the British government pursued the additional measures for that purpose which the magistrate communicated to the rajah in his last letter; a communication which the rajah, instead of receiving as he ought, with acknowledgements, he had answered in the language of insolence, accusation, and menace. That his letter was considered as affording such provocations as would induce the British government to seck immediate reparation, and adopt, without further remonstrance, measures calculated to assert and maintain its own honour, but at the same time productive of an open rupture between the two states, if it were not convinced, agreeably to recent experience, that the unbecoming and irritating language employed by the rajah of Arracan and Tyndapo in their communications to our government were entirely unauthorized by the king of Ava, and directly contrary to his majesty's sentiments and commands. That for these reasons the British government still maintained its desire for peace and amity, and would still pursue such measures as were practicable, consistently with its laws and principles, with a view to prevent the territory of the king of Ava from being disturbed by the inhabitants of its own. That the efforts employed for the apprehension of Kingberring and his chief associates would still be continued, but that it apprehended the question of their surrender would be determined by negotiatior between the two courts, and that the magistrate, therefore, would not enter into any further correspondence on it with the rajah or Tyndapo. Mr. Pechell was moreover directed to state distinctly to the rajah, that however anxious the British government was to preserve the long-established friendship with the state of Ava, any actual attempt to carry the threats so often made by him and Tyndapo into Jet that ·War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 69 into execution would be repelled by force, and would be considered as a signal Despatch fra given by himself of open and general hostilities between the two governments. Gov.Gen.in cou... 1 August 1819 The magistrate was instructed to add, that no answer would in future be returned to any letter from either, which, like that now acknowledged, might be couched in offensive terms. The magistrate was further to state, that measures would be taken to communicate copies of the rajah's last letter, and of the magistate's present reply, to the court of Ava. 115. We also desired the magistrate to intimate to the rajah that he had addressed him in the terms prescribed by the above instructions, by the express directions of his government. 116. As our instructions to the magistrate on this occasion contain little more than what we have detailed in the preceding paragraphs, we deem it unnecessary to transmit a copy of it in this letter. 117. The last document to which we shall have occasion to refer in this despatch Magistrate of Chitis a letter from the magistrate of Chittagong, dated the 7th of July, reporting his tagong, 7th July. proceedings under the instructions of government of the 12th of June, with a view to ascertain the place of Kingberring's concealment antecedently to his late invasion of Arracan. It appears that the magistrate had not been enabled to ascertain with precision the place where Kingberring was concealed during the period above mentioned, nor the persons by whom he was harboured. 118. Kingberring was stated by the last accounts to be still in the Burmese territories, but was expected shortly to cross over the Nauf river into the province of Chittagong 119. The magistrate's letter concludes with the communication of some additional measures which he proposed to adopt for the purpose of effecting the apprehension of Kingberring. Copies of his last letter, and of our instructions To magistrate of in reply, we have the honour to enclose, for the information of your honourable Chittagong, dated 24th July. court. 120. Such is the state of these long-protracted and troublesome transactions between the two states. As it is not at all probable that the Burmese troops will now commit aggressions on our territory, we do not anticipate the probability of our being compelled to prosecute any hostile measures against that nation; and we hope by the return of Captain Canning, which may be expected before the expiration of the present month, to be relieved from the repetition of those vexativus occurrences and altercations which have hitherto occupied so large a portion of our time and attention. We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Honourable Sirs, Your most faithful humble servants, Minto, J. Lunisden, W. Colebrooke. Extract from a DESPATCH from the Governor General in Council at Despatch from Fort William, in Bengal, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Gov.Gen. in council, Directors of the East India Company; dated 2d October 1812. 9 October 1818. 8. REFERRING to our last address of the 1st of August on the affairs of Ava, we have the satisfaction to report to your honourable committee the return of Captain Canning, the envoy to the Burmese government, after having successfully carried into execution our instructions of the 12th and 25th of June; the details of which we communicated in our address above mentioned. Captain Canning's narrative of transactions and events up to the period of his quitting Rangoon is interesting and important; and we shall have the honour of adverting to the details of it, as well as of transmitting a copy of it, in our next despatch on this subject. On the present occasion, we shall briefly state, that although the government of Ava manifested the most anxious solicitude to obtain the presence of the envoy at the court of Ummeerapoora, and even went so far as to transmit repeated orders to the viceroy of Pegu, directing him to send the envoy up to court by compulsory 306. S means, ·It 70 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Duitpatch Mort Droitiden.in countil, means, with an evident design of placing his person under restraint; yet the firm- October 1812. ness, ability and discretion of Captain Canning, enabled him to elude the efforts of persuasion and of art employed for his detention, without compromising the dignity of the British government, or incurring the hazard of a rupture with the state of Ava, and to quit the port of Rangoon on terms of cordiality and friendship with the local government, whilst he conveyed such representations to the superior authorities of Ava as were calculated to obviate, on their part, any apprehension that his departure was connected with intentions inconsistent with the preservation of the relations of amity between the two states, and were otherwise also adapted to the maintenance of those relations. For as the orders above alluded to were secret, and not supposed to be known to the envoy, he was not under the necessity of noticing them in his communications with the two courts ; he therefore prudently abstained from any representation on the subject, leaving us entirely at liberty either to resent this gross violation of the laws of international intercourse, or to suffer it to pass unnoticed. It is superfluous to add, that as the dignity and interest of the British government do not of necessity require the manifestation of our resentment, we do not propose to adopt any measure that can lead to the interraption of the amity subsisting between the two states. 9. may be proper to add, that previously to Captain Canning's depurture from Rangoon, the viceroy signified to him his confident expectation that the court of Ava would despatch an envoy to Bengal, principally for the purpose of negotiating for the surrender of such of the insurgent chiefs who had invaded Arracan as should fall into our hands. 10. We learned with concern that the viceroy oi Pegu had been removed from his station, principally, it was understood, in consequence of the failure of his endeavours to effect the departure of Captain Canning for the capital. Ile was, however, to be succeeded by a person who had formerly held that station, and who is considered to be well affected towards the British Government. 11. On the whole we consider this mission to have been productive of material benefit. The presence and communications of Captain Canning have probably prevented the arrogant and ignorant government of Ava from pursuing measures which would have produced the inconvenient necessity of having recourse to arms for the vindication of our honour from insult and injury, or for the security of our possessions from the incursions of the Burmese troops, and the able, judicious, and resolute conduct of the envoy appears to have left impressions of the British character and power, calculated to repress the arrogance, and awake the caution of the weak and contemptible government of Ava in future. 12. The immediate object of the mission has been accomplished, by removing from the minds of the chief authorities of that government the belief of our participation in the invasion of Arracan by Kingberring, and producing the retreat of the Burmese armny from the frontier of Chittagong, as well as by inclining that government to depend for the attainment of its primary object, the surrender oſ the insurgent chiefs, rather upon negotiation than upon the measure or employment of its arms. 13. Since the discomfiture of Kingberring, reported in our last despatch, he has emerged from his concealment, and collecting some followers has committed depredations in the southern parts of the province of Chittagong. The utmost activity has been employed by the magistrate to effect his apprehension, but hitherto without success, we still however entertain the hope of accomplishing that desirable object. Since the retreat of the Burmese army, no Burmese troops have re-appeared on the frontier. Sic in orig. Despatch from Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor General in Council at Fort Gov.Gen.in council, Williain, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; , 21 October 1812. dated 21st October 1812. Honourable Sirs, IN our letter to the honourable the secret committee, dated the ad instant, transmitted by His Majesty's ship Modeste, we had the honour to report the return of Captain Canning from his nuission to the Barmese government, after having successfully ·71 War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. cessfully carried into execution our instructions of the 12th and 25th of June, and Despatob frana briefly adverted to the state of our relations with Ava at the period when Captain Gov.Gop, in council, Canning quitted Rangoon. Our letter of the 1st of August to the address of your honourable court communicated to you the latest intelligence of affairs at Rangoon, and on our eastern frontier, then in our possession, and apprised you of the peremptory instructions which we had transmitted to Captain Canning, directing his immediate retreat from Rangoon. We shall now have the honour to advert to Captain Canning's last letter, recorded on the consultation noted in the margin, Secret Cons. reporting the course of events and transactions from the date of his preceding 25 Sept. Nº 1 despatch of the 5th of June, to the period when he finally left the Rangoon river. 2. A few days after the despatch of his last letter, the envoy received a confidential message from the viceroy, stating, that although he himself acquiesced in the validity of the reasons adduced by Captain Canning in support of the propriety of his recal, he was extremely apprehensive that the question would be received in a very different light by the court ; that if after the repeated invitations which he had received, Captain Canning returned to Bengal without visiting the capital, the viceroy would be held responsible for his departure, and most probably be removed from office. We, therefore, solicited the envoy to concert such measures with him as might render the envoy's return compatible with the viceroy's security. The viceroy then proposed that Captain Canning should address a letter to him, stating, that severe illness prevented him from leaving Rangoon at the present moment, but that if his health should improve, he would not fail to proceed to Ummeerapoora : that he should despatch a gentleman belonging to the mission to the capital in charge of the presents for the king and the engy praw; and lastly, that the Rangoon government should address a letter to the envoy, animadverting in rather harsh terms on his not having sooner proceeded up the country, to the style of which letter the envoy was to pay no attention. The viceroy concluded by requesting a personal conference. 3. The envoy in reply, after expressing his desire to afford the viccroy every degree of assistance compatible with his duty and consistent with truth, stated the impracticability of his fcigning indisposition, or of despatching a gentleman of the mission to the capital, though he had no objection to the transinission of the presents; and that with regard to the Rangoon government writing a letter couched in harsh and improper terms, he should be constrained to return such a reply as would little promote the viceroy's views. 4. In consequence of this communication, the letter which the viceroy actually addressed to Captain Canning was framed in unobjectionable terms ; it merely referred to the frequent invitations which the king had sent to him, and intimated the viceroy's wish to be informed when Captain Canning would be enabled to lcave Rangoon and prosecute his journey towards the capital. 5. On the 15th of June, the day appointed for the conference, the envoy waited on the viceroy. 6. The viceroy commenced the conversation by observing, that the king of Ava considered his will as absolute, and disregarding the forms and usages of other nations, expected his commands to be unreservedly obeyed; that the king had sent Captain Canning three invitations (or orders, as the viceroy termed them,) to proceed to court, and would hold the viceroy responsible for their being declined ; that he should regret that matters should proceed to extremity, which would involve a war between the two countries ; that he must therefore rely upon thc envoy's co-operation for the purpose of preserving undisturbed the relations of peace and harmony, and at the same time of securing the viceroy from the danger to which their interruption would subject him; that an opportunity now offered of effecting these objects in the reply which the envoy might return to the viceroy's letter, which would be forwarded to the court; that if the envoy objected to his proposal of counterfeiting sickness, he should permit one of the gentlemen of his suite to proceed to court in charge of the presents, or at least an officer or midshipman of the Malabar, and countenance pretended indisposition on the part of his interpreter and a proportion of his attendants. The viceroy likewise suggested some other excuses for the suspension of Captain Canning's departure. 7. Considerations of humane regard for the viceroy, and an anxiety to obviate every possible ground of misunderstanding between the two states, to prevent agita- 360. tion ·91 October 1812. 72 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from tion at Rangoon, and to insure the safety and welfare of the Europeans residing there Gov.Gen, in council, after his departure, induced Captain Čanning to neglect no means of announcing to the court with caution and circumspection his resolution to return without visiting Ummeerapoora ; after some conciliatory expressions therefore he observed, that he would hardly believe that the king could entertain the supposition that an envoy from a great and powerful state would be influenced rather by the king's orders than by the instructions of his own government, or that his majesty would be offended at orders of recal being sent to the envoy when the motives of them were explained in the most friendly and satisfactory manner, or would impute blame to the viceroy for not carrying into effect commands which he had not the power to enforce. Captain Canning then proceeded to point out the consequences which must result from an attempt on the part of the local government to execute any violent orders, in the possible event of any such being received from the court,--the destruction of the town by the guns of the Malabar, the loss of numerous lives, inevitable war between the two nations, and all these hazards, the envoy added, would be incurred, with a very faint if any prospect of success, in seizing the individuals belonging to the British mission. The cnvoy concluded as he had begun, with conciliatory assurances, and stated, that as his chief interpreter was in fact seriously indisposed, several of his people ill, and his provisions and medicines nearly exhausted, he would not object to state those circumstances to the local governnent as reasons for not proceeding immediately up the country, without however affording cause for the supposition that his visit to the capital depended upon the removal of those obstacles. The cnvoy also consented to send his sub-interpreter to Ummeerapoora in charge of the presents, the adoption of which measure the envoy conceived would convey most unequivocally and with the greatest delicacy his intention of not proceeding thither himself. The viceroy appeared satisfied with this discourse, and the envoy on the following day addressed a letter in the spirit of it to the viceroy, by whom a copy of it was shortly after despatched to Ummeerapoora. 8. Copies of the letters above referred to, marked Nº 1 & 2, are annexed to Captain Canning's report. 9. The viceroy's conduct continued to be marked by temperance and propriety until the arrival of an Arab ship in the river, the boat of which, according to the practice observed by the envoy's orders since the attempt to seize his despatches by the Anne, had been taken alongside the Malabar cruizer, for the purpose of securing the earliest intelligence of the arrival of vessels in the port. The viceroy on this occasion addressed a very intemperate letter to Captain Canning, asserting that the detention of the boat was a violation of the rules of the port. Captain Canning, anxious to fulfil the pacific views of the British government, directed the commander of the Malabar to abstain in future from carrying boats close to the cruizer, and to be satisfied with the information which he might obtain from them in open streain. 10. A translation of the viceroy's letter to the envoy is annexed to Captain Canning's report, Nº 4; and your honourable court will obscrve, that the prudent and dignified reply returned by Captain Canning, had the effect of inducing the viceroy to express his contrition for the exceptionable style of his letter. 11. On the 26th of July the honourable company's cruiser Amboyna arrived at the entrance of the river, and her commander Captain Syell having embarked in a boat for the purpose of delivering his despatches to the envoy, was detained at the Chokey. 12. On learning this intelligence, the envoy addressed a spirited remonstrance to the viceroy, and despatched an armed boat in order to effect Captain Syell's release; the envoy reflecting however that the detention of Captain Syell might possibly have taken place without the orders of the viceroy, instructed the officer in charge of the boat not to proceed immediately to release Captain Syell by absolute force, but, in the event of the Burmese chokeydars refusing to liberate him, to limit his exertions to the protection of Captain Syell's person, and the securing of his despatches until further orders. 13. On receiving the envoy's message the viceroy manifested a resentment against the conduct of the people of the Chokey, which Captain Canning had every reason to believe sincere, and immediately issued orders for the release of Captain ·War ] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 73 Captain Syell, and directed that the persons in charge of the Chokey should be Despateh front sent up to the town for punishment; as however the viceroy had publicly Gov.Gen. in council, disavowed their proceedings, and offered every atonement, the envoy did not think proper to demand any further satisfaction. 14. When the envoy visited the viceroy for the purpose of communicating to him the positive orders of recal, which our instructions of the 25th of June, transmitted by the Amboyna, conveyed to Captain Canning, and from the letters from the governor-general to the address of the viceroy and the king, which accompanied our instructions of the ad of May, forwarded by the honourable company's cruizer Ariel, the viceroy manifested great uneasiness on hearing the intelligence, asserted that Captain Canning's departure would be the signal for his own removal from office, or even greater punishment; he again solicited Captain Canning's aid to relieve him from some share of responsibility, by consenting to adopt his former suggestion with respect to pret to pretended indisposition; he stated that he daily expected the arrival of a fifth order from the court, which might possibly be of a violent nature, and convinced that he could not eaforce compliance on Captain Canning's part, he requested that Captain Canning would not take offence at a few shots being fired at the departing vessel, by which he should establish his own exculpation, and he and Captain Canning part with niutual satisfaction and advantage. 15. In reply to this ridiculous proposal the envoy observed, that the execution of the viceroy's scheme would produce all the evil effects of which he had before warned him, in the same degree as if real opposition were intended, and having pointed out to him its absurd and pernicious tendency, the viceroy abandoned the project. 16. Captain Canning then proceeded to communicate to the viceroy the intelligence of Kingberring's second invasion of Arracan, and the measures which had been adopted by the British government, in order to defeat his designs; the viceroy appeared wholly ignorant of Kingberring's renewed aggressions, but manifested great reluctance to believe that every practicable exertions had been employed by the British government for his apprehension. The expression of these doubts drew from Captain Canning a full explanation of the circumstances of the case, and the viceroy adverting to the reward offered for the apprehension of Kingberring and his principal associates, inquired whether they would be delivered up if apprehended; to this question the envoy replied by the recapitulation of his former arguments on the subject, and by stating the insuperable objection entertained hy the British government to deliver up their fellow-creatures to torments, at the contemplation of which human nature revolted. 17. To the question of the viceroy, wly a reward had been offered for the apprehension of Kingberring and his associates, when it was not our intention to deliver them up? the envoy replied, that a regard for the tranquillity of its own dominions, and a desire to secure, as far as practicable, the security of the territory of its ally, the king of Ava, froin aggression, were the objects of the British government, in endeavouring to obtain possession of Kingberring's person. The envoy added, however, that he had reccived no authority to discuss that point and that if the king of Ava had claiins on that or any other subject to make on the British government, it was expected that he would send an ambassador to Bengal for that purpose; but Captain Canning took the opportunity of advising the viceroy, in the event of such a project being contemplated, to depute a person of rank and respectability, as no beneficial end would be obtained by the mission, as in a recent instance, of a person of low and mean degree. 18. The viceroy answered, that it was his intention to depute an envoy on the part of the king, to demnand the surrender of the rebel chiefs, and that he would certainly select an officer of proper rank. 19. On the 31st of July two of the principal officers of the heir apparent arrived at Rangoon from the capital, bearing the fifth order expected by the viceroy, they were stated to have been deputed for the purpose of ascertaining the cause which occasioned the delay in the envoy's proceeding to court, and to have brought an order to the viceroy, simply expressing surprise at the mission not having reached the capital, and directing him to send the envoy and suite up without further loss of time. 20. The deputies waited on Captain Canning, and with an appearance of great secrecy and caution, delivered to him a letter to his address from the engy praw, notifying that the king had removed the present viceroy for having refused to pay 300. T the ·74 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch free the amount demanded by the envoy on account of the ship Elephant, and the Gov.Gen. in council, 11 October 1812. reappointment of his predecessor Meendy Tekein in his room. The deputies alleged as a reason for tireir injunctions of secrecy, that it had not been deemed expedient as yet to communicate even to the viceroy himself the information of his supercession, and they added that they were authorized to make a communication to the envoy on the part of the engy praw, which they desired should be considered as equally confidential. 21. The communication however was merely a repetition of their previous message, and a renewed expression of the high regard and esteem which the heir apparent entertained for Captain Canning. 22. On the envoy's inquiring whether the deputies were apprised of the attempt on the part of the viceroy to seize his person, they replied that they had heard that the envoy being anxious to proceed to the capital before the receipt of orders, expected by the viceroy, the latter had ordered the gates of the town to be closed in order to prevent him from carrying his design into execution. The deputies added that this conduct on the part of the viceroy operated as an additional motive with the engy praw for superseding him. 23. The envoy, although he had no reason to be entirely satisfied with the conduct of the viceroy, yet as he had latterly manifested a friendly and cordial disposition towards the mission, felt reluctant to complain of his behaviour ; Captain Canning therefore expressed in general terms his acknowledgments for the kindness of his majesty, and the prince's wish for his presence at the capital, and apprised the deputies that circumstances prevented him from availing himself of their invitation. 24. With respect to the money on account of the ship Elephant, the envoy observed that that affair had long since been satisfactorily adjusted, and with relation to the report stated to have prevailed at court, that the viceroy had prevented him from proceeding to the capital, Captain Canning assured the deputies that it was totally false and unfounded. 25. The deputies listened to the first part of the envoy's reply with indifference, but when he apprised them that the mandate of the king and the heir apparent would occasion no change in his determination to return to Bengal without visiting the capital, they appeared to be equally surprised and confounded. 26. The envoy afterwards discovered the cause of the extraordinary emotion evinced by the deputies to be, that they were charged with secret orders to the viceroy, directing him to send up the envoy by force if persuasive means should fail, as will appear in the sequel of this narrative. 27. From what passed at this conference, and from the intelligence collected from other quarters, the envoy ascertained that the renewed aggression of Kingberring was either not known at the period of the departure of the deputies from the capital, or had excited little or no sensation at the court. 28. On the 3d of August the envoy received a letter from the viceroy and the members of government, (inarked Nº 8 of the enclosures annexed to Captain Canning's report,) stating that the communications of the governor-general were perfectly satisfactory to the local government, and that they had no doubt that the tenor of them would excite a similar sentiment in the mind of the king. 29. The 4th of August and the following days were occupied in conferences and ceremonies, which it does not appear necessary to describe in this place, we beg leave, therefore, to refer your honourable court to the 19th and following paragraphs of Captain Canning's report for a detail of them. 30. The envoy having for some days suspected that the orders brought by the deputies contained some particulars of which he had not been apprised, either by them or the viceroy, successfully exerted his endeavours to attain an accurate knowledge of the nature and extent of the orders in question, and ascertained that the engy praw, by command of the king, had, through the deputies, conveyed a positive injunction to the viceroy, directing him, if possible, to send up, without delay, the envoy and his chief interpreter by persuasive means, but in the event of their failure to use force. Captain Canning learned, at the same time, that the viceroy had communicated the above orders to the ragoon and two members of the ·'War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 75 the government only, and after dwelling on the danger with which any attempt to Denpatele fruit seize the individuals of the mission would be attended, declared his determination Gov.Gen. ia connoll, to dismiss the envoy with every mark of friendship and regard, taking on himself 21 Oatober 1819. the whole responsibility of the procedure. The members whom he consulted signified their concurrence in the measures which he proposed to adopt. 31. On the 11th of August Captain Canning paid his last visit to the viceroy, employing his usual precautions to prevent treachery, and to defeat any open attempt to detain him; no such atternpt, however, was made, which may be attributed, in a great degree, to the precautions adopted by the envoy. 32. After some friendly couversation, Captain Canning apprised the viceroy that he was acquainted with the full extent of the orders brought by the deputies, and stated that, as a mark of confidence, he expected an account of them from the viceroy himself. The viceroy appeared surprised at Captain Canning's communication, but acknowledged the accuracy of his intelligence, admitting that the orders even went so far as to authorize the imposition of manacles on Captain Canning and the head interpreter, in the event of resistance. He repeated, however, his conviction of the folly of any such attempt, and his resolution to maintain his promise of abstaining from any act of violence. He added, that he was aware he hazarded the displeasure of his superiors; but that he was convinced that his majesty and the prince would hereafter approve his moderation. 33. To a question addressed to him by the envoy, relative to the probable situation of the British inhabitants at Rangoon after the departure of the mission, the viceroy replied that Captain Canning need be under no apprehension for the security of the British inhabitants, for as long as the viceroy remained at Rangoon the British residents might rely on the most friendly protection. 34. The next day the viceroy transmitted to the envoy a copy of the letter which he proposed to address to the governor-general, in reply to his lordships letter to his address received by the Amboyna. 35. That document is marked No 9 of the enclosures annexed to Captain Canning's report, and we entirely concur in the opinion expressed by Captain Canning of the sincere and satisfactory tenor of it. 36. On the 14th of August the appointment of Meendy Tekein (the former viceroy) to be viceroy of Rangoon was formally promulgated, and on the 16th, after some delay in procuring pilots, the mission quitted, without opposition, the Rangoon river. 37. Captain Canning's report concludes with some judicious observations on the relative state of affairs between the British government and the kingdom of Ava, and conveys much interesting information respecting some recent occurrences which have taken place in that country, submitting at the same time, for our consideration, the expediency of putting a stop to the trade between the two countries, as a measure calculated to humble the pride of the Ava government, without proceeding to hostilities, if, notwithstanding the provocations we had received, we should be averse to that extreme proceeding. 38. For the details of those communications, we beg leave to refer your honourable court to the document itself. 39. It is sufficient to observe, with respect to Captain Canning's proposition, that have not judged it necessary to render thc proceedings of the court a ground of war, and that the modified hostility suggested by the envoy, does not by any mcans appear to us to be expedient. 40. In our address to the secret committee of the ad instant, we have already stated our sentiments on the result of Captain Canning's mission; it only remains, therefore, to notice the reply, which was addressed to Captain Canning, under our orders to the report of his concluding proceedings. 41. We did not consider it necessary to advert specifically to all the various events and proceedings to which the report related, since none of them suggested any observations inconsistent with the renewed expression of that high approbation of his conduct, which we bad repeatedly had occasion to record during the continuance of Captain Canning's mission, and as no further measures founded on 360. them we ·76 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from them were in our contemplation. But we intimated to Captain Canning our Gov.Gen, in council, opinion, that he had observed the same system of vigilant and successful attention to the honour and interests of the government in the course of the transactions described in his final report which distinguished his anterior proceedings, and that he had carried into execution our last instructions on the subject of his recal from Rangoon with a degree of judgment and ability, rendered highly conspicuous by the obstacles which opposed his departure, on terms compatible with the maintenance of amity between the two states, but which his prudence and address succeeded in surmounting, without compromising the dignity or interests of the British government, or hazarding the occurrence of ulterior evils. 42. We observed, that we considered Captain Canning not only to have accomplished the objects of his mission in the utmost degree practicable under the disadvantages and difficulties arising from the ignorance and arrogance of the barbarous government to which he had been accredited, by establishing at the courts of Ummeerapoora and Rangoon the belief which, independently of his mission, they could not easily have been induced to admit, that the British government had no concern in the invasion of Kingberring, and by obtaining in consequence the recal of the Burmese troops from the frontier of Chittagong; but to have rendered his mission subservient to purposes of a more gencral and comprehensive nature, by inspiring the Burmese authorities with juster notions of the character, principles, and power of the British government, by exacting the respect which was due to it, by supplying to those authorities motives of conduct calculated to restrain the ebullitions of their accustomed insolence and haughtiness, and to render practicable, a continuance of the intercourses of amity between the two states, and by acquiring that intimate knowledge of the internal condition of the dominion of Ava, the character of its government, and the state of its power and resources, which future events may render essentially important to the interests of the public service. 43. The reply then proceeded to notice with approbation some particular points of Captain Canning's conduct, and acknowledged, with due commendation, the envoy's report of the meritorious behaviour of the gentlemen attached to or connected with the mission, and of the troops composing his escort. 44. The reply above quoted, is recorded on the consultation of the annexed 35 Sept. Nº 19. date. 45. On a review of the several reports of Captain Canning's proceedings in the course of his arduous mission, your honourable court will doubtless concur in the opinion which we have the honour to state, that under circumstances of singular difficulty and embarrassment, and even of personal danger, Captain Canning has successfully maintained the honour of the British name, and the dignity of the British government, and has manifested a degree of firmness, resolution, and judyment, equally creditable to his personal and his official character; that he has defeated the efforts of intiinidation, and counteracted the arts of treachery; that he has vindicated the rights of the British government, by maintaining the credit of its assertions and its principles, and by exacting atonements for every violation of the privileges of his ministerial office, and amidst the provocations of an ignorant, weak, and uncivilized court, has precluded the inconvenient necessity of chastizing its presumption, and preserved, unimpaired, the relations of peace, without any sacritice of interest or of honour. 46. In our letter to the honourable the secret committee of the ad instant, we adverted to the circumstance of Kingberring having emerged from his concealment, and his haviny, with a few followers. committed depredations in the southern parts of the province of Chittagong; little change has taken place in the state of affairs in that quarter since the date of that despatch. The exertions of the magistrate for the apprehension of Kingberring, have not yet proved successful; but one of the detachments employed against the insurgents, had obtained possession of the person of Masoom Shekdar, the manager of an estate on the southern frontier of Chittagong, who espoused the cause of Kingberring, and was instrumental in collecting from that estate a body of Mugs, which enabled the latter to undertake his last unsuccessful expedition into Arracan. 47. We shall now proceed to advert, in detail, to such parts of the correspondence with the magistrate of Chittagong as appear to require particular notice, in continuation of our despatch dated the 1st of August last. 48. On Secret Cons.

·Secret Cons. persons; the present 5 dº War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 77 48. On the consultation noted in the margin, are recorded two despatches from Despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong, on the subject of the increased audacity of King- Gov.Gen, in council, 21 August 1812. berring's depredations in the southern part of that district, and reporting the additional measures which the magistrate had adopted for the purpose of seizing his person and expelling his followers from the company's territory. 21 Aug. 17 to 25. 49. It appears that two of the civil native officers had been obliged to quit their stations in consequence of the approach of numerous bodies of armed Mugs. 50. Mr. Pechell judiciously despatched a detachment of the provincial battalion stationed at Chittagong, to the quarter infested by the marauders, and intimated the eventual necessity of employing a body of regular troops against the Mugs; but adverting to the unhealthy scason of the year for military operations, the malignant climate which the troops would encounter in advancing to the southward in pursuit of Kingberring, and the little prospect of success which could be expected from the operations of regular troops in a close and pestilential country against a body of plunderers possessing the advantage of superior local knowledge, we did not deem it advisable to authorize the march of a body of regulars for that purpose. 51. The reinforced party stationed to the southward, fell in with a body of Cons. 25 Sept. Kingberring's adherents, and after a slight skirinish seized twelve N° 14 & 15. rest sought their safety in flight. Adverting to past transactions, and the state of affairs on the frontier of Chittagong, we deemed it proper to reinforce the troops at that station, and arrangements have accordingly been made for that purpose. 52. The despatches from the magistrate, copies of which are transmitted scpa- l'rom magistrats: of rate numbers in this despatch, contain the latest intelligence we have received of Chittagong, the state of affairs in that quarter. dated 28 September, i October, 53. We have alrcady noticed the seizure of Masoon Sheekdar, for whose apprehension a reward of 1,000 rupees had been offered. The circumstances of another skirmish between the force stationed to the southward and a party of Kingberring's people, and the particulars of the burning and plunder, by a body of Mugs, of the village belonging to Mooruntwunga, the proprietor of the estate of which Masoom was manager, are reported in these despatches. 54. The magistrate, in reporting the seizure of Masoom, requested instructions with respect to the assignment and distribution of the reward promised for the apprehension of that person, and the disposal of the prisoners who had lately been taken by the detachment posted to the southward. 55. We directed the magistrate to be informed that we should suspend our decision relative to the appropriation of the reward, until he should have furnished a detailed report, specifying the number and description of persons concerned in the apprehension of Masoom, and the circumstances under which it was effected. We authorized himn to exercise his discretion regarding the disposal of the prisoners taken in the first skirmish, alluded to in the preceding paragraphs, but with respect to the three surviving prisoners who were seized after the audacious outrage perpetrated on the village of Mooruntwunga, we desired him to commit them for trial according to the usual process. 56. In the course of these transactions we received a despatch from the magis- Cons. 11 Sept. trate, recorded as per margin, enclosing copies of instructions, which, in consequence of his having learned that a body of Mug chiefs at Con's bazaar meditated the project of joining Kingberring, he had issued through the commanding officer of the Chittagong provincial battalion, to the native officer commanding the party stationed to the southward, directing him to endeavour to seize them by a most unwarrantable stratagem, which in the sudden emergency of the case the magistrate suggested without due reflection. 57. It appeared that the magistrate had devised and sanctioned the project of inviting those chiefs to an amicable conference with the soubadar of the detachment of the provincial battalion, Mooruntwunga, and the chief native civil officer, for the ostensible purpose of hearing read a proclamation which had lately been issued under the orders of government, but with the rcal design of seizing their persons. 306. N° 23. 58. The ·178 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Dorpatek from 58. The formation of this project excited in our minds the utmost degree of Dov.Gen. in-council, concern, as we could not but consider it to be in its nature highly disgraceful to 81 August 1812. the character of the British government, and we deemed it indispensably necessary to manifest our disapprobation in the most unqualified inanner. 59. In reply to the notification of this indiscreet and highly exceptionable project, therefore, we desired our chief secretary to state, that we could not express in terms too forcible our utter disapprobation of a system of proceeding so adverse to the principles of a British administration, so injurious to the British character, and so inconsistent with the maxims of public faith and honour, that to entice persons under the mask of amity, and consequently under an implied pledge of security, to meet the officers of government with the deliberate intention of seizing them, was a proceeding that no degree of guilt on their part, no considerations of expediency, advantage or security, on the part of government, could justify--that it was a proceeding which could alone be classed among the insidious practices of rude and barbarous states, which by every civilized nation were contemplated with sentiments of detestation. 60. It was observed to Mr. Pechell, that we were the more surprised at his adopting a measure of this description, because he had been already apprised, by instructions transmitted to him in the month of March last, of tlic solicitude of government to abstain from the slightest deviation from the straight path of candour and fair dealing in all its transactions; on that occasion we had signified our disapprobation of his having adopted even the language of ambiguity in a letter to the rajah of Arracan, for the avowed purpose of deception, although the object of it was to prevent the irruption of the Burmese army into the province of Chittagong, at a time when the province was destitute of adequate defence. 61. Having adverted to those instructions we observed, that if unfortunately the stratagem described by the magistrate should have been carried into successful execution, the evil would not be confined to the degradation of the British character; that the persons so seized must be immediately released, and their release would not only afford them the opportunity of joining the insurgents, but would add to the belief which the officers of the Burmese government already entertained, and which we liad so diligently laboured to counteract, that we indirectly supported and encouraged the hostile projects of Kingberring. 62. It was then added, that in the event contemplated, the necessity of disavowing in a manner the most public a proceeding so injurious to the character of the British government, would impose upon us the painful obligation of removing the magistrate from his situation. In a contrary case, we observed, that we should be guided in our determination of this point by the circumstances which might be found to have attended the progress and result of that imprudent transaction. Cons. 25 Sept. 63. We were happy to learn from e subsequent despatch written by Mr. Pechell previously to the receipt of our instructions above noticed, that an accidental delay in the soubadar's receipt of his orders, directing the soubadar to endeavour to secure by that unwarrantable stratagem the persons of the Mug chiefs at Con's bazaar, having taken place, circunstances had induced him to revoke those orders. Shortly Cons. 2 October, afterwards we received the letter from Mr Pechell, recorded as per margin, expressing his extreme concern at having incurred our displeasure in ordering the seizure of the Mug chiefs by stratagem, and affording some explanations of the motives which had influenced him to adopt a measure so highly repugnant to our wishes, and earnestly soliciting that our sentence of removal might be revoked. 64. It was intimated to the magistrate in reply, that our resolution eventually to remove him from his office was not adopted as a measure of punishment, but for the purpose of vindicating the character of the government, which, by the actual execution of the project devised by him for the apprehension of the persons in question, would have sustained an injury that the most public disavowal and the most marked disapprobation of the act could alone have repaired; we thelefore stated, that it was highly satisfactory to us to find that the circumstances which fortunately prevented the execution of that project had precluded the necessity of carrying into effect our provisional resolution of removing him from office. 65. In extenuation of his conduct, Mr. Pechell had endeavoured to establish a distinction between the admissibility of measures of deception pursued with respect to N° 14. N 1.

·War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 79 to a foreign state, and of stratagems adopted in matters of police. We could not Despatch from however admit the solidity of this distinction. We observed, that the obligations Gov.Gen. in council, 21 August 1818. of faith and probity were equally binding in the foreign and domestic transactions of a government; and that the orders which we had conveyed to him in the month of March last were considered by us to have furnished a rule of conduct applicable to the cases of the Mug chiefs, because those orders referred to general principles of probity which could not vary with their object. 66. We gave Mr. Pechell full credit for motives of public zeal, and for purity of intention, in the adoption of the mcasure which we had condemned, and expressed our willingness to admit, that with a mind intent on the importance of the object in view, the emergency of the occasion excluded from his contemplation those fundamental principles of conduct which under other circumstances would doubtless have occurred to his recollection. 67. It is superfluous to add, that as the project devised by the magistrate had not been carried into effect, we did not find it necessary to remove him from his office. 68. According to the latest accounts from Chittagong, Kingberring was reported to be in the vicinity of Con's bazaar with a force of about 120 men. We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Honourable Sirs, your most faithful humble servants, Minto, J. Lumsden, H. Colebrooke. Extract from a DESPATCH from the Governor General in Council at Fort Despatch from William, in Bengal, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of Gov.Gen. in council, 18 November 1812. the East India Company; dated 18th November 1812. 69. WE have no particular information to state with regard to the frontier of Chittagong; Kingberring and his followers continue to commit depredations, and their numbers are said to be increasing. It seems to be the continued object of his policy to compel the Mugs residing in Chittagong to join hin, and he has actually succeeded in forcing many of the Mugs of Con's bazaar to do so. The season of the year will shortly admit of the adoption of more vigorous measures than have been practicable for some months past, for the repression of these petty disturbances. 70. The post of Ramoo has been reinforced to the utmost extent practicable in the present limited strength of the military force in Chittagong, and will be commanded by an European officer. We have every reason to be satisfied with the attention and activity of the magistrate. No other subject occurs to us as requiring the particular attention of your honourable committee at the present moment. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor General in Council at Fort Despatch from William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; Gov.Gen. in council, dated 5th February 1813. 5 February 1813. Honourable Sirs, IN our letter to your honourable court under date the 21st October last, we transmitted the latest intelligence which we had received from the magistrate of Chittagong, of the state of affairs in that quarter. At that period the insurgent chief, Kingberring, who had shortly before emerged from his concealment, was again employed in collecting a force for the purpose of making another descent on Arracan. Parties of the insurgents were actively engaged in carrying off the Mug inhabitants of the villages in the southern parts of Chittagong, whom they compelled to join Kingberring's standard, and had possessed themselves of most of the hills and jungles below Con's bazaar. On one occasion a party which had-pro- 360. ceeded ·N° 55. Secret Cons. 80 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from ceeded in their boats up to Hurrung, headed by a son-in-law of Kingberring, Gov.Gen. in council, named Charipo, was surprised by a naick and eight sepoys, who succeeded in 5 February 1813. securing the person of the leader. Cons. 13 November 2. In a letter received from the magistrate, recorded as per margin, Mr. Pechell expressed his suspicions of the proceedings of the Mugs residing at Con's bazaar, who, it appeared from the reports transmitted to the magistrate by the darogah stationed at Jeiknauf, were secretly supplying Kingberring with the means of prosecuting his designs against Arracan. 3. The increasing force of Kingberring, and the new system which he adopted, of committing depredations within our own territories, having suggested to the magistrate the necessity of adopting active measures against him, he recommended that a cruizer of a small size should be stationed at the mouth of the nauf, in order to prevent his entering the province of Arracan with any considerable body, and that the party at Ramoo should be reinforced. The magistrate, at the same time, stated his intention of eventually applying to the officer commanding the station to depute an European officer to command at that post. 4. Adverting to the obvious necessity of reinforcing the detachments to the southward without any delay, we authorized the magistrate, on the 13th of November, to engage berkandazes to perform the duty of the stationary guard, by which means the details of the provincial battalions employed on that duty would become available, until the arrival of the right wing of the second battalion ninth regiment, which was then in progress towards Chittagong. We also approved of the magistrate's intention to apply to the commanding officer to depute an European officer to the post at Ramoo. 5. On the consultation noted in the margin are recorded four clespatches from 25 Nov. 71 to 79. the magistrate of Chittagong, containing details of the proceedings of the insurgents at Ramoo, and other places to the southward of the district, together with the several measures adopted by him in concert with the commanding officer of the troops, for the suppression of those disturbances. A European officer having been detached to that quarter with reinforcements, according to the intention stated by the magistrate as above reported, Lieutenant Young, the officer commanding the party, proceeded against the insurgents, and having come up with them at Con's bazaar, attacked them with great spirit, and compelled them to take to flight, leaving behind them a number of boats and stores, which they had collected for the purpose of renewing their attempts on Arracan. The circumstances of this affair are stated in a letter from the magistrate, recorded as per margin. 4 Dec. N° 30 10 32. Kingberring, who commanded the insurgents in person, made his escape with about 1,000 followers, in the jungles to the south of Con's bazaar, from whence he proceeded along the sea coast to the Raizoo river, where he had some boats, in which he crossed to the opposite side, when he destroyed his boats to prevent a pursuit. In a letter also recorded on the same consultation, the magistrate reported that the Mugs were deserting Kingberring in great numbers, and stated his 4 Dec. N° 33. opinion that he would soon be left by all tut his own actual partizans. 6. By subsequent despatches received from the magistrate under date the 28th and 30th December last, it appears that after his overthrow by Lieutenant Young's party, Kingberring had attempted to penetrate with the followers who remained attached to him into Arracan, and that he had been attacked and defeated by the Burmahs, who had destroyed his stockade at Mangallagonce, which he considered as his only place of sufety, and compelled him to seek refuge in the hills and jungles to the northward and eastward. It being supposed that he might proceed in the direction of the Tipperah hills, and obtain protection from the rajah of Tipperah. Mr. Pechell stated his intention of addressing the magistrate of that district on the subject. 7. Our last accounts received from Mr. Pechell since that period afford no information of the place of Kingberring's concealment, but measures continue to be employed for his discovery and apprehension. 8. In the beginning of the month of January the magistrate of Chittagong received information from the officer commanding to the southward, that a party of the Burmahs who had driven back Kingberring, and destroyed his stockade at Mangallagonee, had entered the British territory in pursuit of the fugitives, and Secret Cons. Secret Cons. were ·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. Si were committing acts of depredation and violence in the villages in that quarter. Despatch froin The magistrate further reported, that the rajal of Arracan was proceeding with Gov.Gen. in council, a force under his command to the stockade at Mengdoo, on the frontier. 5 February 1813 9. On the receipt of this information, the principal object of our attention was to reinforce the troops in Chittagong to the utmost practicable extent. For this purpose we issued orders to the officer commanding the left wing of the second batallion, ninth regiment, which had marched from Birhampore, to push on to Chittagong, either by land or water, as might be best suited to the object of the expedition. 10. As a further measure of reinforcement under the actual difficulty of sending regular troops to Chittagong, orders were issued for as large a proportion of the Dacca provincial battalion as could be considered available, by substituting burkendazes and armed peons for the guards, to proceed immediately to Chittagong, where it was to be at the disposal of Licutenant-colonel Dick, commanding the station. With the increased means of defence which these reinforcements would place in the hands of Lieutenant-colonel Dick, that officer would have it in his power to detach such a force to the southern parts of the district as would effcctually prevent the further incursions of the Burmese, and be able to repel any force which might be expected to be brought against it. We, at the same time, apprised the magistrate in the most distinct manner, that it was our intention that the operations of our force should be confined to attacking and driving beyond the frontier any parties of Burmese who might enter the company's territory, and that no attempt should be made on our part to enter Arracan without further orders from us. We observed, that although we had repeated experience of the inutility of correspondence with the Burmese chiefs, yet the violation of our territory in the present instance could not be suffered to pass unnoticed, and that therefore it was proper again to warn the rajah of Arracan of the inevitable and immediate consequences of a repetition of acts of outrage similar to that which had recently occurred, previously to undertaking offensive operations against him. 11. We directed the magistrate to address a letter to the rajalı, remonstrating in strong terms against the unjustifiable violation of the British territory by the advance of a party of Burmese troops into the district of Chittagong, apprising him of the orders which had been already issued for repelling them by force, espressing to the rajah our surprise and displeasure at his advancing to the frontier and taking up a threatening position, apparently with no other object than to support and encourage the troops which had entered the province of Chittagong, maling upon him not only to issue immediate orders to the advanced parties to withdraw, but to retire liniself with the force under his command, and finally signilying to him in the most decided terms that his continuing to menace and to execute similar acts of aggression, would be considered as an indication on his part that the two countries are no longer at peace, for the consequences of which he alone would be responsible. 12. We stated to the magistrate that we conceived that a remonstrance of the nature above described might produce some impression upon the rajah. II, however, the rajah should persist in the hostile and insulting line of conduct which he had lately pursued, we signified our determination to adopt active and decided measures for bringing him to a sense of the duty which he owed equally to his own sovereign and to a state on terms of friendship with him, and for preventing the repetition of those vexatious, insulting aggressious, on the part of the Burmese. 13. Subsequently to the despatch of the above instructions to the magistrate, we had the satisfaction to receive further reports from that officer, stating that the parties of the Burmese who had entered our territory had retired, and that vakeels had been deputed from the rajah with letters to his address and that of the oficer commanding at the advanced station to the southward ; communicating also intelligence which warranted a belief that the act of the party of Burmese troops who entered our territory was disavowed by the rajalı, and had been punished by liim in the persons of their leaders. The rajah's letter to the magistrate was couched in morc civil and friendly terms than he had ever before employed in his correspondence, and related principally to a request that we should co-operate with line and his people for the seizure of the insurgent chiefs. 360. х 14. The ·82 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from 14. The tenor of the information contained in the magistrate's despatches above Gov.Gen. in council, alluded to, and especially the comparatively moderate and conciliatory tone of the 5 February 1813. letter addressed to him by the rajah, leading to the hope of an amicable and satisfactory termination of the affair in question, we concluded that the magistrate, on his reccipt of the rajal's letter to his address, would have thought it proper to suspend the transmission of the remonstrance which we had directed him to address to the rajah, as being conceived in a more peremptory style than it would be necessary, under the actual circumstances of the case, to employ, the rajah appearing to manifest a disposition to forbear from future aggression, and to disavow and atone for the acts of violence recently committed by the Burmese troops within our territory. 15. We informed the magistrate, however, that it would still be necessary to renew, but in conciliatory language, the protest of the government against the late incursion of the Burmese, stating our belief that it was done without the authority or knowledge of the rajal, and that he would readily disavow it, and employ such means as he might judge effectual to prevent the occurrence of outrage similar to what had taken place. We further directed the magistrate to apprise the rajah distinctly that we viewed Kingberring as a rebel and an outlaw, and to explain to him generally the measures which had been adopted for the dispersion of Kingberring's followers, and the scizure of his person and of his principal adherents. We also desired the magistrate to signify to the rajah our willing consent to his proposition, that the forces of both governments should co-operate in measures for the apprehension of Kingberring; observing, however, that that. co-operation must be limited to the operations of the troops of cach state within its own territories, and that the Burmese troops must not on any account cross the frontier, without a specific invitation to that effect; and declaring that the Britisha government would continue, as hitherto, scrupulously to observe that forbearance with respect to the Burmese territory. We at the same time cautioned the magistrate to be careful, in his communications with the rajalı, to avoid any expression which might be construed into an intention to deliver Kingberring or his adherents, in the event of their apprehension, into the hands of the Burmese government; and to disclaim explicitly the engagement to that purport which the rajalı had again, it appeared, attempted to fisten on the British government; stating to him that the disposal of those persons, when apprehended, was a point which could alone be determined by negotiation between the two states. 16. On the 29th ultimo, a despatch was received from the magistrate, reporting that the Burmahs had continued to remain quiet, and appeared to have relinquished all intention of committing further aggression on our territory, but that the rajah still maintained his position at Mungdoo stockade, on the frontier; and that notwithstanding the civil terms in which the rajah's letter to his address had been couched, he had not deemed it proper to suspend the transmission of the remonstrance which he had been instructed by our former orders to make to the rajah. 17. In the reply which we directed to be written to the despatch above alluded, we informed the magistrate that it would have been satisfactory to us if it had occurred to him to suspend the transmission of the remonstrance which he had been instructed to make to the rajalı, until he had been apprised of the impression which the rajah's letter had produced on our minds, it being obvious that the instructions alluded to had been prepared under a very different view of the conduct and disposition of the rajah from that which his last letter was calculated to suggest. We expressed our expectation, however, that the rajah would be brought to understand that the orders of government under which the magistrate's letter to his address was framed, had been issued previously to the receipt by us of the rajah's letter to the magistrate. 18. A further consideration of the tenor of the recent communications from Arracan, led us to be of opinion that the tone of the representation to the rajah might be still further moderated, by omitting the requisition for his retirement from the frontier, and simply requiring an assurance that he would restrain his followers from any attempt to violate our territory, under the colour of pursuing the insurgents, or on any pretence whatever. We observed to the magistrate that a requisition to the rajah to withdraw his troops would not be altogether consistent with our acquiescence on the rajal's proposition, for the co-operation of the troops of both governments ·N° 2. War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 83 governments in measures for the scizure of Kingberring and his associates, neither Despatch from did the amount we remarked of the rajah's force, which appeared on credible au- Gov.Gen. in council, thority not to exceed 3,000 men, and probably was considerably short even of that 5 February 1813. number, possess that imposing strength which would render a requisition for its retirement a measure necessary for the security of the frontier, or for the vindication of the dignity of our government. 19. Adverting to the considerations stated in the preceding paragraph, we desired the magistrate in answering the rajab's letter to state to him, that in consequence of the friendly tenor of his letter, and the confidence of the British government in his sincerity, as well as with a view of enabling him more effectually to allord the co-operation of the Burmese forces in the pursuit of Kingberring, if he should return to that quarter, he (the magistrate) had been instructed to waive the requisition for the retirement of the troops from their advanced position. 20. In the 33d paragraph of our despatch of the 1st of August, we apprised your honourable court, that we had contemplated an arrangement for the removal of certain classes of the Mug refugees from Chittagong, to some other quarter of the honourable company's territories. 21. The report which we have received from the magistrate of Chittagong, on the several points regarding the different occupations, conditions, and modes of life of the Mugs residing in the district, and of which a copy is enclosed for the information of your honourable court, having enabled us to form a judgment on the list of Pacquet, practicability and expediency of the measure in question, we were satisfied that it could not be carried into execution in a manner to answer the end proposed, and we therefore resolved to suspend all further proceedings with reference to the prosecution of our views in that respect. The obstacles which chiefly opposed the execution of this design were, as your honourable court will observe from the magistrate's report, the prejudices of the Mugs themselves in favour of that part of the district of Chittagong in which they reside, from its vicinity to their native country, with which they continue at times to keep up an intercourse, and from its similiarity in climate, soil and appearance to Arracan, abounding in bills and jungles, which are adapted to their habits and modes of life; a vicinity to the seil is also started to be considered by them to be essential to the preservation of their health, and they are said to entertain a great dislike to quitting it for any length of time. If these prejudices continue to maintain a powerful influence over the minds of the Mugs, the magistrate stated his opinion, that when the meditated arrangement should be made public, nunibers of them would return into Arracan, and would probably make a more desparate attempt than ever to recover their country. 22. With reference to the magistrate's remarks on what he terms the feudal syster cxisting among the Mugs, we observed that we doubted the practicability of any sudden or violent change of that system, even if it were altogether certain that such a change were desirable. At all events we did not deem it necessary to authorize any active measures for the purpose of weakening or destroying the influence which the sudars pay at present possess over the rest of the Mug community, and which may be expected generally to decline of itsell, as the inferior classes acquire more settled habits of life, addict themselves to the pursuits of agriculture and trade, and obtain a knowledge of their rights, under the laws and regulations of the British government. A severe example of such of their leaders as were principally connected with Kingberring, and most active in seducing those under their influence to join the standard of that insurgent, appeared to be the only measure which could be adopted with the best hopes of success, in deterring the Mug emigrants from again assisting in similar attempts, tending to disturl) the peace and amity subsisting between the two states; and we entertain a contident persuasion that when those leaders shall have been apprehended ind punished, no further measures of severity or cocrcion will be required to maintain the future tranquillity of the province, and that that object will be fully attained by means of tht ordinary military and police arrangements. A copy of our instructions to the magistrate on this subject is enclosed for the information of your honourable court. List of Pacquet, 23. In the 53d and two following paragraphs of our letter to your honourable court of the 21st of October last, we adverted to the scizure of a Mug sudar, named Masoom Sheckdar, for whose apprehension a reward of 1,000 rupees had been offered, and stated that we had informed the magistrate that we should sus- 360. pend N° 3.

·84 N" 27. PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from pend our decision relative to the appropriation of the reward until he should have Gov.Gen. in council, furnished a report specifying the number and description of persons concerned in 5 February 1813. thc seizure of that person, and the circumstances under which it was effected. Cons. 4 December, 24. On the proceedings noted in the margin is recorded a despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong, in reply to our instructions, requiring the report alluded to in the preceding paragraph. The seizure having been effected by a party of sepoys, we informed the magistrate that it did not appear to government (an opinion sanctioned by the recorded sentiments of the late commander-in-chief on a similar occasion) that any objection existed to permitting the native officers and soldiers, who effected the apprehension of Masoom Sheckdar, to participate in the reward. It was considered, also, to be obviously just and proper that a fair proportion of the amount of the reward should be paid to the person or persons who gave the information which led to the seizure of the offender. We directed the magistrate to exercise his judgment on the proportion to be appropriated in that manner; and in concert with the commanding officer of the provincial battalion, to which corps we understood the party belonged, to proceed to a division of the remainder among the soubadar, havaldar and twelve sepoys, who actually apprehended Masoom Sheckdar, in the established proportion and scale of prize money to the different ranks. At the same time we stated to the magistrate that we had not overlooked the suggestion contained in Captain George's letter of the 28th October to the magistrate's address, a copy of which is included in the magistrate's despatch above referred to, that the whole of the party on duty at Ramoo should participate in the reward ; but that it did not appear to us, that in such a case as the present, in which none of the party, except those actually employed, contributed, either by direct exertion, or by any species of co-operation to the accomplishment of the service, any should share except the individuals on whom the duty fell, either by rotation or selection. 25. In the 5th paragraph of this despatch, we informed your honourable court of the successful result of the attack on the collected force of Kingberring, under the personal command of that chief, which was made by the party under Licutenant Young at Coxe's bazaar, on which occasion almost the whole of the boats and stores of Kingberring were taken possession of by Lieutenant Young's party. An application having afterwards been submitted by that officer, through the magistrate, soliciting that the captured property should be disposed of for the benefit of the captors, we instructed the magistrate to inform Lieutenant Young, in reply, that as a mark of the sense which we entertained of the zealous and active exertions of his detachment, in the service on which it had been employed, we had resolved that the grain found in the boats should be presented as a bounty to the captors, and we accordingly authorized the magistrate to direct it to be sold for their benefit, and the amount to be distributed according to the established proportion and scale of shares. We did not, however, judge it proper to authorize the grant of the boats and military stores, and we directed them to be reserved for the disposal of government. We have since determined that such of the boats as may not be usefui in the service of the commissariat, or in any other department of the public service, and the disposal of which, by sale, may not be attended with the hazard of their falling into the hands of persons who will make an improper use of them, shall be sold, and the amount of the proceeds paid to the captors. We have the honour to bc, with the greatest respect, Honourable Sirs, Your most faithful humble servants, Minto, N. B. Edmonstone, Arch. Seton. P.S. We have received information that an envoy from the viceroy of Pegu to this government was preparing to embark at Rangoon, and may shortly be expected to arrive. The object of his mission is to deniand the surrender of Kingberring and his principal adherents, whom the Burmese government persists in believing, or at least asserting, to be in our possession. It would be premature to offer to your honourable court any remarks on the nature or probable result of this mission.

·War'.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 85 Extract from a DESPATCH from the Governor General in Council at Fort Despatch from William, in Bengal, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of Gov.Geu. in council, the East India Company; dated 29th March 1813. 29 March 1813. 53. WE submitted to the honourable the court of directors, in a despatch under date the 5th of February, a narrative of transactions in Chittagong and on the frontier of Arracan, and up to the date of our latest advices we are happy to state that every thing in that quarter continues tranquil, and that thc conduct and proceedings of the rajah of Arracan have assumed a friendly and pacific appear- Two more of the principal insurgents, named Larungbaze and Meeza, have been apprehended, and the magistrate expresses his hope that the scizure of Kingberring will shortly be effected. 54. The march of reinforcements to the southward has been suspended, and the advanced period of the season will probably render it expedient shortly to recal all the regular troops to Chittagong; the same causes will, however, necessarily suspend any hostile operations on the part of the Burmese. We have not thought it necessary to address the honourable committee on this subject by the present despatch. ance. . Despatch from Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor General in Council at Fort Gov.Gen. in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; 24 June 1813. dated 24th June 1813. Honourable Sirs, IN our despatch to the honourable the secret committee, dated the 29th of March last, we had the honour to report the tranquil state of affairs on the frontier of Chittagong, and the friendly and pacific appearance which the conduct of the rajah of Arracan had assumed. 2. We propose, in the present address, to resume the narrative of events and transactions in that quarter from the 5th of February last, the date of our last letter in this department on the subject of Chittagong afliirs up to the present time, premising, for the satisfaction of your honourable court, that nothing, since the date of our despatch to the honourable the secret comniti love adverted, has occurred to disturb the tranquillity which we had then the honour to report, although soine circumstances tend to discourage an absolute confidence in the amicable and satisfactory adjustment of the questions existing between the two states. Secret Cons. 3. On the consultation of the uth February last is recorded a despatch from 11 Feb. N° 17. the magistrate, communicating the answer of the rajah of Arracan to the letter of remonstrance which the magistrate had addressed to him, under our orders, as stated in the 16th paragraph of our address to your honourable court of the 5th of that month. 4. The rajah's reply, although written in a style of civility, contains little more than a request for the surrender of the rebel chiefs. It was, however, so far satisfactory, in comparison with the rajah's former aduiresses, that he no longer accused the British government of countenancing the designs of the insurgents; but, on the contrary, he appeared to give us credit for using our endeavours to apprehend them. The magistrate stated, in the same despatch, that the Burmese continued quiet, and that the trade from Arracan to Lackpore and Dacca was reviving. 5. Although the tenor of the rajah's communications was satisfactory, and no parties of Burmese had attempted to cross the frontier since the month of January last, the magistrate nevertheless thought it proper, in communication with Colonel Dick, the officer commanding in the district of Chittagong, to proceed in reinforcing the troops stationed to the southward, so as to be ready to repel any further incursions which the Burmese might again attempt to make into our territory. Mr. Pechell reported, in the despatch in which the above intention is announced, the apprehension of Larangbhye, the chief surdar attached to Kingberring's party,--an event which he considered to be fatal to the success of any attempts which that insurgent might again make against Arracan. Larangbhye 306. Y was ·86 'PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from was one of the sirdars for whose apprehension we had offered a reward of 1,000 Gov.Gen. in council, rupees. Mr. Pechell recommended that a similar reward should be offered for 24 June 1813, the seizure of Meizah, another of the insurgent sirdars; an object, in his opinion, of importance only inferior to that of Kingberring himself. We approved of Mr. Pechell's proposition, and authorized him to offer a reward to that amount in the same terms as for the other sirdars. Cons. 19 February, 6. On the proceedings of the annexed date is recorded a despatch from the N 58 & 59. magistrate, enclosing a translation of the letter which he had addressed to the rajah of Arracan, under the instructions conveyed to him in our secretary's letter Como. 29 January, of the 27th and 29th January last, the substance of which has already been reported to your honourable court in the 17th and following paragraphs of an address of the 5th February. Mr. Pechell transmitted, at the same time, a copy of his letter to Lieutenant-colonel Dick, suggesting the suspension of the advance of a reinforcement of troops to Ramoo, with reference to the pacific appearance which the proceedings of the Burmese had assumed, and from a wish not to excite suspicion or distrust in the minds of their chiefs. 7. Notwithstanding the tenor of the rajah of Arracan's recent conduct and language, we thought it advisable to maintain a respectable force to the southward as long as the Burmese troops should continue on the frontier. We accordingly signified to the magistrate, that we did not consider it to be expedient to suspend the measures which were in progress for strengthening the post of Ramoo, and assembling an efficient force in that quarter of the district; observing to Mr. Pechell, that it did not appear to us to be probable that the advance of the remainder of the force to Ramoo would excite suspicion or apprehension in the mind of the rajah, "since the measure must appear the natural consequence of the recent events, and Ramoo was at a sufficient distance from the frontier to preclude any just ground of alarm from the presence of a force at that station. We therefore directed that the arrangements for collecting the force at Ramoo should proceed as formerly concerted between Mr. Pechell and Lieutenant-colonel Dick. Cous. 26 Februn, 8. The despatch from Mr. Pechell, recorded on the consultation of the annexed Nº 12 & 1.'. dlate, contains a translation of the letter from the rajah of Arracan, in reply to Mr. l'echell's letter to his address, adverted to in the 6th paragraph of this despatch. In that letter the rajah denies that thic Burmese troops had committed tlic outrages in the British territory with which they were charged in Mr. Pechell's letter to the rajah, and ascribes them to the Mugs; the fact, however, was too notorious to admit of a doubt, and the magistrate justly remarked, that it would have been much more satisfactory if the rajah had disclaimed its having been committed by his sanction, and expressed his regret at its continuance. 9. On the proceedings noted in the margin is recorded a letter from Captain 26 Feb. Nº 16. Canning, reporting intelligence received by two boats arrived from Arracan, of preparations which were said to be making by the Burinese, for sending a large force to the frontier, for the purpose of seizing Kingberring, Although the credibility of the intelligence was discountenanced by the tenor of the more recent information transmitted to us by the magistrate of Chittagong, we deemed it proper to communicate it to Mr. Pechell, that he might be apprised of the reports in circulation in the territory of Ava, and might direct his attention to the means of ascertaining their correctness or probability. 10. Your honourable court will observe, by the magistrate's reply recorded as 12 March, Nº 32. per margin, that similar reports to those received by Captain Canning had been propagated at Chittagong. Mr. Pechell expressed his disbelief of the truth of those rumours, and stated, that he had been informed that they were circulated by the government of Ava with a view to facilitate the surrender of the insurgent Mugs, by exciting the fears of the British government; a measure which, he observed, might be resorted to by such a government is that of Ava as one likely to be attended with success, from its lynorance of our principles and power. Cons. 19 March, 11. On the proceedings of the consultation of the annexed date your honour-" able court will observe a despatch from the magistrate, in which he adverts to the pacific and conciliatory conduct of the rajah of Arracan; and observes, with respect to the return of the Burmese troops into the interior, which had frequently been reported to the magistrate as about to take place, that he was disposed to hope that thc rajah's protracted stay on the frontier was occasioned by his having Secret ('ons. Secret Cons. N° 6o. to ·87 1 N° 43 I'ar.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. to wait for the orders of his government; but that, at all events, with reference to Despatch from the advanced state of the season, were the Burmahs inclined for liostilities, the Gov.Gen. in council, time would not admit of it. Their general conduct and the tenor of their recent 24 June 1813 communications, however, did not warrant, in the magistrate's judgment, any apprehensions of that nature. 12. The despatches from Mr. Pechell, of the 13th and 18th March last, contain Cons. 26 March, further reports of the peaceable disposition of the Burmese, and of the return of the 23 & 26. principal chiefs from Mungoo's stockade into the interior, in consequence of the King of Ava's orders. 13. On the proceedings of the annexed date is recorded a despatch from Secret Cons. Mr. Pechell, enclosing a translation of a letter from the rajah of Arracan to 2 April, 37 & 38. Lieut.-colonel Dick, renewing the demand for the surrender of the Mug sirdars ; and in a subsequent despatch Mr. Pechell transmitted a letter to the same effect, which the rajah bad addressed to himself, and in reply to which he had signified Cons. y April, to the rajah, in conformity to our former instructions, that the surrender of the insurgents was a question to be discussed between the two governments, and that he had no authority to give them up. In the same despatch Mr. Pechell reported the arrival of a new chief in the Burmese camp, apparently a man of consequence, and said to be in the confidence of the king of Ara. 14. In reply to the several despatches from M:. Pechell, above adverted to, we observed that the real views and intentions of the Burmese government could not be collected froin their late proceedings in Arracan. It did not appear to us, however, that any serious ground of beliet existed that they meditated an attack on the company's territory during the present season ; and we stated our opinion, that any such design would probably be suspended until the result of the inission which was expected from Ava (to which we shall advert in the sequel) should be known to the Burmese government. We significd, at the same time, to Mr. Pechell, the propriety of his continuing carefully to observe the proceedings of the Burmese force on the Nauf, and to be prepared, as far as possible in the present season, to repel any aggression which they might venture to inake. 15. The despatch from the magistrate, recorded on the consultation noted in the margin, contains a translation of a deposition by a person employed by Mr. Pechell 21 May, Nº 15. to obtain intelligence in the Burmah camp, across the Nauf, stating, that a letter had been received there from the rajal of Arracan, with the information of the king of Ava's intention to make a pilgrimage to Gya and Benares, attended by an army of 40,000 men. The probability of some extravagant scheme being in the contemplation of the Burmese government was in some measure supported by the narrative of a merchant of Chittagong, who had lately returned to that station from Arracan, accompanied by the shakbunder of Arraciun. The sum of the information collected from the merchant, for the particulars of which we refer your honourable court to the proceedings noted in the margin, was, that a plan had been formed by the Burmese government for uniting the principal states of India in a confederacy against the British government, with a view to expel the British force from Indii, and that the shakbunder was proceeding on a mission to the several courts to negotiate and arrange the confederacy. 16. Visionary and absurd as are the schemes ascribed to the king of Ava, we were not disposed to discredit the report of their being actually entertained by the ignorant, arrogant, and barbarous government of that country. It appeared to us, however, most probable, that the plan alluded to, of expellmg the English from India, had been proposed to the king of Ava, or encouraged, by the shakbunder of Arracan, or other interested persons, for the purpose of forwarding their corrupt views. The merchant above mentioned having stated that the shakbunder had actually received, by order of his Burmese majesty, the sum of 20,000 rupees truz?! the rajah of Arracan for his personal expenses, and that the money was on board his ship, and that he believed the shakbander was also furnished with letters for the governor-general and the king of Delhi, we intimated to the magistrate that It would be proper to take such steps as were in his power to ascertain the fact of the money being actually on board the ship, or of the shakbunder having in his possession letters to any of the chiefs and princes of India. We also directed the magistrate to intimate to the shakbunder, that, as the public officer of a foreign state, it would be necessary for him to obtain the previous permission of the British government for proceeding from Chittagong to the presidency, or elsewhere. 360. Secret Cons. Cons. of June, N° 2ti. personal 17. The ·N° 18. A private N 17. 88 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burincse Despatch from 17. The despatch from the magistrate of the 2d instant contains the latest Gov.Gen. in council, intelligence we have received of the proceedings and supposed views of the 24 June 1813. Burmese government. A fakeer, deputed by Mr. Pechell to the capital of Arracan, Cons. 11 June, for the purpose of obtaining information, having returned to Chittagong, Mr. Pechell transmitted to us his deposition, which your honourable court will find recorded with the magistrate's despatch above referred to, and of which the substance is, that he had conversed at the capital of Arracan with two musselmans, who had made their escape from Ummeerapoora, and who informed him that two sirdars had set out from the capital, one with an army of 30,000, and the other with an army of 50,000 men; that after having marched five days journey from Ummeerapoora, a letter had been received from the rajah of Arracan, in consequence of which the sirdars, with the armies under their command, had halted, and that their orders were, that if Kingberring was not delivered up during the present rains, they were to proceed, for war had been determined on. letter from Mr. Pechell, dated the 31st ultimo, contains some further communications respecting the designs ascribed to the Burmese government, in corroboration of the magistrate's report of the information received by him from the merchant before alluded to, bui which does not require particular notice; your honourable Cons. 11 June, court will find Mr. Pechell's letter recorded on the proceedings of the consultation last referred to. 18. Your honourable court will observe, that notwithstanding the vague and uncertain nature of the inforınation which has been collected ou this subject, and the extravagance and improbability of the designs ascribed to the Burmese government, it all concurs to establish the belief that that government has not abandoned the design of insisting on, and perhaps atteinpting to enforce by its supposed power, the surrender of the insurgents. Without meaning to express any decided expectation of such an event, we shall think it prudent to be prepared at the close of the rains to resist any attempt which may be made by the Burmese government to molest our territory, and we shall consider the best means of effectually putting an end to this unsettled and vexatious condition of affairs, and 10 the repetition of these insults and aggressions to which, during so long a period of time, we have been exposed. 19. We do not conccive it to be probable that any att.mpt will be made until the Burmese government shall be apprised of the result of the mission to this {"overnment, to which we have above referred. 20. That mission was preceded by the arrival at the presidency of an agent attended by thirty followers, sent by the viceroy of Pegu, by order of the king of Ava, for the ostensible purpose of proceeding to Benares to obtain copies of certain religious writings, and to carry back with him to Rangoon a certain Burmah, now in Bengal, stated to have rendered himself an adept in sacred and other learning. For further particulars on this subject, we beg lcave to refer your honourable court to the despatch from Captain Canning, late envoy at Ava, Political Cons. recorded as per inargin, reporting the arrival of the agent at the presidency, and 19 Feb. Nº 77. to the letter from the Persian sccretary in reply, communicating to Captain N° 78. Canning our free permission for the agent to proceed to Benares, and our resolution to provide him with a house and furniture during his stay at the presidency. The agent has subsequently left the presidency, and proceeded on his destination. 21. Another private mission of a similar nature has accompanied the public mission from Rangoon. 22. The political mission arrived at the presidency in the month of April last. Secret Cons. Your honourable court will observe from ihe translation of the letter from the 7 May, Nº 29. viceroy of Pegu, recorded us per margin, that the mission is not immediately from the king of Ava, as we had reason to expect it would be, but from the viceroy above-mentioned, and consists of three members, one of whom is Anthony George, the government interpreter at Rangoon, an Indian Portuguese of low Secret Cons. condition. Your honourable court will also observe from the report of the Persian 7 May, Nº 23. secretary, recorded as per margin, that the business of the mission is confined to delivering the viceroy's letter to the governor-general, and receiving and carrying back his lordship's answer. The only point of business contained in the viceroy's letter is the renewal of the demand for the surrender of the insurgents, Kingberring ·89 Success. War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. Kingberring, Larungbaze, Balaguin, and Naleklon. The deputies have stated Despatch from that the object of the king of Ava in demanding the surrender of the fugitives in Gov.Gen.in council, question, is not to inflict any punishment on them, but merely to keep them in the 24 June 1813. power of the Burmese government, so as to prevent them from engaging in further attempts to subvert bis Burmese majesty's authority in the province of Arracan. 23 We propose, at an early period, to deliver to the deputies the answer to the viceroy's letter, on which subject we shall have thc bonour to report to your honourable court hereafter. No opportunity has yet occurred for the return of the mission to Rangoon. 24. We now return to the correspondence with the magistrate of Chittagong. 25. In the despatch recorded as per margin, Mr. Pechell reports the death of Şecret Cons. Larungbaze, one of the chief insurgent sirdars, of whose apprehension we had the 28 May, N 75. honour to apprise your honourable court in the fifth paragraph of this address. Mr. Pechell also states that he has received information of Kingberring being in the hills, on the uninhabited part of the Chittagong district, and that he had renewed his correspondence with the Mugs at Coxe's bazaar. Accounts have also been received by Mr. Pechell of a battle having taken place between Kingberring and one of his chieftains who had lately separated from him, an event which the magistrate observes, if confirmed, will warrant a hope that the adherents of that insurgent chief are beginning to grow weary of a mode of life, which produces nothing but present hardship and personal deprivation, and will entail on them future punishment and ruin. 26. Your honourable court will find in Mr. Pechell's despatches, reports of the attempts which had been made at different times to seize Kingberring without It is satisfactory to observe, however, that in his present state of weakness and distress he cannot renew his schemes for disturbing the tranquillity of the frontier. Mr. Pechell has not abandoned the hope of effecting his apprehension. 27. The magistrate in his despatch, recorded as per margin, has suggested the Cons. 15 May, N° 86. expediency of holding out to Kingberring a promise that he would not be delivered up to the Burmese, in the belief that, under such an assurance, he would surrender himself to the British government. Mr. Pechell has also suggested that the Burmese might be permitted to send parties into our territory in search of Kingberring, observing that their fitness for service in the sort of country in which he is concealed would give them a fairer prospect of success than our own troops. The first of these propositions appeared to us to be nugatory, as we felt assured that Kingberring would not surrender himself; and to the latter we expressed a decided objection, grounded on the inexpediency of inviting or permitting the Burmese to enter our territory on any consideration whatever. 28. In one of his despatches above referred to, the magistrate reported the apprehension of an adherent of Kingberring, named Jannoo, who had been concerned 9 April, Nº 44. in disturbing the public peace at Harrung. in the months of September and October last, and solicited our instructions whether he should be dealt with according to regulation 4th, of 1799, for the trial of persons charged with cffences against the state. 29. Under all the circumstances of this person's case, we were of opinion that he should not be brought to trial in the manner prescribed by the regulation above mentioned, since, although there could be no doubt of his criminality, or of his being a fit object of punishment, it was very uncertain that the Mohammedan law of treason, by which he must be tried under that regulation, would reach his case. The consequence would be his acquittal; and the right which we now possessed of treating him as a state prisoner, and imposing such a degree of restraint on his person as might be judged expedient for the public interests, would be greatly embarrassed if not superseded. Such a result of his trial would also be inconsistent with the repeated declarations of this government, that the surrender of Kingberring and his associates might be made a subject of negotiation between the British government and the state of Ava, and might form a ground of just complaint on the part of the Burmese; our resolution was communicated to the magistrate in a despatch from our secretary, recorded on the proceedings of the 15 April, Nº65. annexed date. 360. Z Secret Cons. Secret Cons. 30. In ·go N° 84. PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese N 08. 30. In another letter recorded on the same consultation, we signified to the magistrate our resolution to carry into effect a plan which we had for some time had in contemplation ; viz. to remove the Mug sirdars, their families and followers, who were in the predicament of state prisoners, from Dacca and Chittagong, where they are at present confined, to a distant station, where the chance of their escape and the means of maintaining an intercourse with their countrymen, detrimental to the peace of the country, would be diminished, and the fortress of Chunar appeared to us to be the most proper place for their confinement. On this subject we directed the commandant of the garrison to correspond with Mr. Pechell and the magistrate of Dacca, with respect to their accommodation and removal. Cons. 15 May, 31. On the proceedings of the consultation of the 15th ultimo is recorded a despatch from the magistrate, in reply to the instructions regarding the proposed measure of removing the Mug sirdars and their families under the magistrate's charge to Chunar, enclosing a complete list of all the sirdars and their adherents, amounting to 102 persons, with a statement of the grounds of their apprehension, in order to enable us to determine whether it was expedient that the whole should be despatched to Chunar, or whether some of them from defect of proof, or circumstances of extenuation, should be exempted from the operation of that Monsure. 32. In reply to the magistrate's despatch, we signified to Mr. Pechell that we did not contemplate the removal to Chunar of the numerous class of persons comprehended in the list transmitted by him; that arrangement was not intended to be extended beyond the sirdars and others, whose residence near the frontier of Arracan might tend to revive disturbances in that quarter, including, eventually, their families. Being desirous of being more distinctly apprised of the nature and degree of guilt of each individual, as far as it could be ascertained, we directed Mr. Pochell to institute an inquiry, in each particular case, into the grounds of suspicion against the party, and to report the result, with his opinion, for our consideration and decision; commencing with the sirdars and others principally implicated. We intimated to the magistrate that a similar course of proceeding would be necessary with respect to the Mugs, who were under restraint at Daoca, and we directed the magistrate to report whether the investigation of the case of those persons would not be carried on more conveniently by him than at Daoca, without however removing them from thence. We directed the magistrates, both of Chittagong and Dacca, to delay the removal of the Mugs till further orders. We are sorry to add that our counter-orders did not reach the magistrate of Dacca till after the Mugs had been embarked and sent away, but we have despatched onders to the intermediate stations directing their return to Dacca, where they will Cons. 11 June, await our further orders. The correspondence on this subject is recorded on the N" 19 & 22. proceedings noted in the margin. 33. As being compacted with the subject of the late mission to Ava, we shall here advert to some correspondence with Captain Canning since his return to the presidency, which it may be proper to bring under the notice of your honourable court. 34. A memorial having been received from Captain Luck, commander of the ship Admiral Drury, praying the interference of the British government to obtain compensation from the government of Ava for the detention of his ship at Rangoon, Political Cons. and for bringing a Burmese mission to Bengal, we directed the Persian secrctary 15 Nov. 1811, to transmit copies of the memorial in question and the papers connected with it to N° 34 & enclosures. Captain Canning, then proceeding on his mission to Rangoon, and to desire that under the authority with which he was invested, to inquire into and redress, as far as circumstances might render practicable, grievances complained of by British subjoots against those of the king of Ava, he would direct his attention to the injuries complained of by Captain Luck and endeavour to procure redress. Political Cons. 35. On the proceedings of the consultation of the annexed date is recorded 2 October 1813, Captain Canning's report of his proceedings under those orders, stating his regret N° 56. that the avarice, duplicity and falsehood of the viceroy had proved an invincible obstacle against his obtaining any compensation for the act of injustice which Captain Luck had suffered at the hands of the Rangoon government. For the details of Captain Canning's conferences with the viceroy on that subject, we beg to refer your honourable court to the dospatch itself, as exhibiting a most remarkable instance ·Political Cons. · War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS 91 instance of gross falsehood and palpable and absurd contradiction, which the Despatch from viceroy did not hesitate to employ on that occasion. Gov.Gan. in council, 24 June 1813. 36. On the consultation of the annexed date is recorded a letter from the late -- envoy, transmitting a memorial from Mr. Rowland, the Burmese interpreter to Cons. 19 February, government, soliciting the grant of the extra allowance, which he received during N° 74 & 75. ħis attendance on Captain Canning on his late mission to Rangoon, as a permanent addition to the fixed salary of his office as Burmese interpreter to government; we directed the Persian secretary to intimate to Captain Canning that we could not discern in the memorial any grounds on which Mr. Rowland could justly found a pretension to the solicited augmentation of salary; at the same time we signified our satisfaction at the favourable testimony borne by Captain Canning to Mr. Rowland's merits and services, and observed that the continuance of the same laudable conduct on his part would give him a claim to our consideration whenever he might be compelled, by age or infirmity, to retire from the duties of his situation. 37. On the consultation of the date noted in the margin, is recorded a letter from the late envoy on the subject of remuneration to Edward Dr. Cuize, the sub- 2 April, Nº 43. interpreter to the late mission, for arrears of pay, presents to several persons on his way to Ummeerapoora, whither he had been deputed with the presents from the governor-general to the king of Ava, and for the losses which he had sustained by plunder and robbery on his way thither. A further letter from Captain Canning on the same subject is recorded on the consultation of the date noted in Political Cons. the margin. 15 April, Nº 26. 38. Under all these circumstances of the case, we considered it to be equitable that Dr. Cuize, and the servants who were with him, should be reimbursed in the value of the property of which they had been plundered during the deputation of the former on the public service to Ummeerapoora, amounting to sicca rupees 244. We also authorized the payment of the amount of the arrears on account of wages, and the charge incurred by Dr. Cuize in presents, amounting to sicca rupees 314. 39. Captain Canning having referred to a journal kept by Dr. Cuize of his proceedings on his journey to Ummeerapoora, which may contain useful or interesting information, we desired Captain Canning to furnish us with a copy of it. 40. We have also authorized the payment of sicca rupees 2,189 to Captain McCarthy, commander of the brig Virginia, on account of nineteen days demurrage of the brig, and the loss of a cable in the service of the government of Rangoon. Captain M«Carthy's application for reimbursement to that amount, and the reply which we directed to be addressed to him, are recorded on the proceedings of the Political Cons. date noted in the margin. 5 November 1811, We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Honourable sirs, your most faithful humble servants, Minto, N. B. Edmonstone, Arch. Seton. N 36 & 37. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor General in Council at Fort Despatch from Gov.Gen. in-council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; 1 October 1813. dated ist October 1813. Honourable Sirs, IN our despatch of the 24th of June last, on the subject of Chittagong affairs, and our recent transactions with the Burinese, we had the honour to apprise your honourable court of the arrival of a political mission at the presidency from Rangoon, with a letter from the viceroy of Pegu, renewing the demand for the surrender of the principal Mug insurgents, and we stated that the business of the mission was understood to be limited to the delivery of the viceroy's letter to the governorgeneral, and to receiving and carrying back his lordship’s answer. 360. 2. The ·92 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Dupatch from 2. The viceroy's letter being confined to a requisition on the part of his Burmese October 1813. majesty for the surrender of the persons of the insurgents, Kingberring, Larungbaze, and certain of their associates, and his excellency having stated, as the grounds of his demand, that " if they be left to their own liberty they will ruin our (his “ Burmese majesty's) poor subjects, and be the cause of the bloodshed of millions; the governor-general,' in the answer which his lordship returned to the viceroy's letter, stated, that the British government was no less impressed with the inexpediency of leaving the insurgent chiefs at large than the government of Ava, and that the viceroy must be well aware of the exertions which it had made to apprehend them. Our efforts, however, his lordship observed, had unfortunately not yet been attended with complete success; for although some had been apprehended, others continued to elude the vigilance and activity of the British officers and troops. Among the latter was Kingberring, but he was reduced to the condition of an outlaw and a fugitive, and it might be hoped that he would not be able to renew his evil practices, and might either be taken prisoner or compelled, by his necessities, to give himself up. Larungbaze, his lordship stated, had been apprehended by the officers of the British government; but he was in a state of extreme misery, and had since died in confinement. Nukeloo was in custody, with other inferior chiefs. 3. His lordship proceeded to state, that it must be obvious to the viceroy's mind, that with every desire to gratify his excellency's wishes, the measures of the British government must be regulated by those maxims and principles on which its institutions, laws, and usages are founded. It would be contrary to those principles, his lordship observed, to surrender to a foreign state persons who, being settled in the territories of the British government, had become its subjects, and whose offences against that government, amongst which was comprised the disturbance of the peace of other states, were properly cognizable only by its own institutions. His lordship expressed his persuasion, therefore, that the viceroy would perceive and acknowledge the justice of the grounds on which this governmentfelt it to be its duty to decline surrendering the persons of those of the rebel Mug chiefs who were in the custody of the British government, assuring the viceroy at the same time of the determination, dictated no less by the interests of the British government than by its friendship for the Burmese state, to keep them in the most strict confinement, as well as to exert every effort to seize the persons of those who were still at large, and to prevent the renewal of those practices which had disturbed the tranquillity of the frontier, and hazarded the interruption of the friendship between the two states. 4. In reply to the declaration contained in the viceroy's letter, that the object of his Burmese majesty in demanding the surrender of the fugitives was not to inflict punishment on them, but to keep them in the power of the Burmese government, so as to prevent their engaging in further attempts to subvert his Burinese majesty's authority in Arracan, his lordship stated, that as that object could be equally attained by their being kept in custody by the British government, he felt confident that the assurances which he had now given would afford the fullest satisfaction to the mind of his Burmese majesty. 5. His lordship's letter to the viceroy is recorded on the consultation of the 30 July, N 91. annexed date. 6. By the official note of the Persian secretary, recorded as per margin, your 20 August, Nº 32. honourable court will observe, that on the 16th August that officer offered 10 deliver the governor-general's letter to his excellency the viceroy into the hands of the Burmese deputies; but that they hesitated to receive it, observing that it would become public; that they had received their final despatches, and that they had no immediate prospect of being able to return to Rangoon; and that if the viceroy should hear that they had delayed their departure after their receipt of those despatches, they might incur bis excellency's displeasure. The Persian secretary stated to them, in reply, that he had no objection to suspend the delivery of it, provided it was distinctly understood that their return to Rangoon was not retarded in consequence of the letter not having been committed to their hands. With this understanding on the part of the deputies the delivery of the governor-general's letter continues to be suspended. Sacret Cons. Secret Cons. 7. On ·Secret Cons. Secret Cons. War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 93 7. On the proceedings of the date noted in the margin, your honourable court Despatch from will observe a memorial addressed by the Burmese deput'es at the presidency to Gov.Gen. in council, 1 October 1813. the governor-general, stating their request, that as they had been informed íhat of the three insurgent chiefs, Kingberring, Larungbaze and Nukeloo, the latter only was in custody of the British government at Dacca, he might be delivered up 30 August, Nº 80. to them, that they might carry him back with them to their master. 8. In transmitting the memorial above referred to, Captain Canning, in his letter, which is recorded as per margin, observed, that the chief object of the 20 August, Nº 19. deputies appeared to be to consult their own safety, and to screen themselves in some degree from persecution on their return to their own country. They had uniformly expressed the utnost dread of returning without having effected the object of their mission. Captain Canning further stated, that by entering into a correspondence with government, the deputies wished to make it appear that no effort had been wanting on their part to obtain the surrender of the rebel chiefs ; and suggested, that as such a measure might prove a benefit to them, it might be deserving of our humane consideration to make a reply to their memorial, previously to the delivery of the letter to the viceroy's address. 9. Captain Canning further stated, that he had been requested by the deputies to submit to the consideration of government the deficiency of their funds, which they stated to have been exhausted by a longer residence at Calcutta than they had calculated on, and to solicit some pecuniary assistance from the government. On this point Captain Canning observed, that although the deputies could have no positive claim on the liberality of government, yet, when the peculiar situation in which they were placed, and by which they would be exposed to great probable difficulty and embarrassment on their return to their own country, should be taken into consideration, it might be consistent with the munificence of the British government to grant a moderate donation to each of the members of the Burmalı mission of 1,000 rupees. 10. Concurring in the propriety of returning an answer to the memorial from the Burmese deputies, as recommended by Captain Canning, we directed the secretary to address a note to them, corresponding in substance with the letter addressed to the king by the governor-general, to be delivered to them by Captain Canning 11. Your honourable court will find the note, which was accordingly delivered Cons. 20 August, to the deputies, recorded on the proceedings of the consultation above referred to. 12. We also resolved to adopt Captain (anning's suggestion, for the reasons stated by him, with respect to granting the deputies a donation of 1,000 rupees each, and he was accordingly authorized to receive the amount from the treasury for that purpose. 13. We have also directed the Persian secretary to prepare presents to the amount of 2,000 rupees, accompany the governor-general's letter to the viceroy, in return for some presents of inconsiderable value which accompanied the viceroy's letter to his lordship's address. The deputies lave not yet left the presidency, but they propose to returu by an early opportunity to Rangoon. 14. With respect to the Burmese agent, who was deputed by the viceroy of Pegu for the ostensible purpose of purchasing religious writings at Benares, as reported to your honourable court in the 20th paragraplı of our letter from this department of the 24th June last. we have receivedl notice from Captain Canning of his return to the presidency, and have directed that officer to intimate to him that it is time for hijn to return to Ava, since the professed object of his journey is accoinplished. It appears that the agent, while at that city, made no attempt 10 obtain any sacred writings, but was engaged in secret conferences with some Bramins at that place, who carry on an intercourse with Ava; as we were of opinion that that intercouse could not be attended with any mischief, and as we had no means of convicting them of any traitorous corresponde:ce, there being nothing against them but suspicions of a nature not sufficient to form the ground of a proceeding, we did not deern it necessary to institute any inquiry into thic contemptible intrigues which the Burinese and their Bramin confederate, glit te carrying on. 360. 15. Having N" 92. to Аа ·94 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Dicapatch from Gov.Gen.in council, 15. Having learned by a private communication from Captain Canning that the i October 1813. aceat proposed to carry with him to Ava, as a present to the king, so:n: young Hindnostanee females; we have, in the same form, directed Captain Canning to inquire into this mitter, with a view to interpose our authority to prevent the agent fro.n carrying those persons away against their will. 16. In the 15th and 10th paragraphs of our letter of the 24th June last, we apprised your honourable court of the arrival at Chittagong of the shahbunder of Arracan, charged, as was alleged, with a mission to the several courts of India, to negotiate and arrange a co:federacy among the native powers to expel the English nition from the country; and we stated that the magistrate had been directed to intimate to the shahbun:ler, that, as the public officer of a foreign state, he inust obtain the permisson of the British government before he should leave Chittagong to proceed to the presidency or elsewhere. Socret Cons. 17. On the proceedings of the date inserted in the margin are recorded two *5 June, No despatches from the magistrate, communicating some further particulars respecting 16 July, Nº 17. the supposed designs of the shahbunder, which had been collected from a merchant, in whose vessel the shahbunder had come to Chittagong, and from a person employed Secret Cons. to navigate that ship. Mr. Pechell having reported that the shahbunder had in 13 July, Nº4. his possession a letter for the governor-gencral from the rajah of Arracan, we directed that he should be required to deliver it up to Mr. Pechell, for the purpose of its being forwarded to the presidency. Secret Cons. 18. The object of that letter, which is recorded as per margin, is to request per 17 Sept. N. 16. mission for the shahbunder to proceed to Delhi, in quest of sacred writings and a few articles of curiosity, as suitable presents for his Burmese majesty; however contem;ptible these plans of the Burmase must be considered to be, your honourable court will, we doubt not, concur with us in opinion, that the emissaries of that goverameat ought not to be perunitted to travel through our provinces for such purposes. 19. Hiving, as already reported to your honourable court, permitted an agent from the Burinese government to proceed to Benares, for the ostensible purpose of purchasing religious writings, whøse return to the presidency is adverted to in a preceding paragraph, we did not feel disposed to repeat this indulgence, especially when the king had already the agent, abɔve alluded to, in Bengal, who might be employed on this service, even if the mission of an agent to Delhi to purchase Hindoo writings were not itself altogether absurd, and a manifest pretence intended to cover some other object; and we resolved therefore to refuse permission to the shahbunder to proceed thither. 20. The governor-general accordingly addressed a letter to the rajah of Arracan in reply, stating that it was not consistent with the practice of this government to permit the agents of foreign states to travel through the provinces subject to its dominion, for purposes such as described in the rajah's letter; and observing, that the relaxation of that rule in the instance of the agent lately deputed from Rangoon by command of the king of Ava, and permitted to proceed to Benares, was a special mark of respect and consideration for his Burmese majesty, and that similar permission could not be granted in other cases without suspending altogether a general observance, to which it formed a remarkable exception. His lordship, at the same time, stated, that no inconvenience would result in consequence of the return of the agent without accomplishing his proposed journey, as on the rajah's furnishing a statement of the writings and other articles required, they would be procured through the agency of proper persons employed by the British government. Snorer Com. 21. The governor-general's letter to the rajah will be found recorded on the 17 Sept. N° 17. proceedings of the date noted in the margia. 22. We now resume the narrative of events and transactions connected with the proceedings of Kingberring and his followers since the close of our despatch to your hanourable court of the 24th June. 23. In the 26th paragraph of that address, we reported to your honourable court that 'Kimyberring was reduced to such a state of distress as to be unable to renew his schemes for disturbing the tranquillity of the frontier; and that the magistrate had not abandoned the hope of effecting his apprehension. That hope, however, has ·Secret Cons. N° 19. War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 95 has hitherto heen disappointed : Kingberring has continued to lurk in the hills and Despakke fren jungles in the south-eastern part of Chittagong, and the unhealthiness which pre- Gov.Geq. in coudott vails in that quarter during the season of the rains, has rendered it impossible to 1 October 1813. detach parties of scpoys in pursuit of him. 24. By a letter which we have lately received from Mr. Pechell, recorded as per margin, it appears that as the fair season is approaching, Kingberring is again medi 10 Sept. Nº 16. tating a renewal of his attempts against Arracan. The darogah stationed at Ramoo has reported, that a letter has been sent by Kingberring to the Mug inhabitants of Coxe's bazuar apprising them of his intention, and desiring them to hold themselves in readiness to join him in his expedition ; Mr. Pechell observing in that despatch, that the people of Coxe's bazaar are favorable to Kingberring's cause, and provided they can escape detection, are but too ready to assist him in the designs which he may form against Arracan. 25. In the same despatch Mr. Pechell stated, that the emigrants who came over from Arracan last year, and who have resided principally in the hills and jungles, have commenced a system of plundering the inhabitants of the plains, in the manner of dakoits, attacking the houses of the inhabitants in armed bodies of 40 or 50, and again retreating with their booty into their fastnesses in the hills and jungles, where all trace of them is lost. 26. A further despatch from the magistrate of the 31st August last, recorded on Secret Corn. the proceedings noted in the margin, contain a copy of a letter from the officer 10 Sept. Nº 18. commanding a party at the advanced post of Ramoo, enclosing a translation of a letter addressed to him by Kingberring ; your honourable court will observe that, in that letter, Kingberring openly avows his intention of invading Arracan, and desires that the British government may not interpose to prevent the prosecution of his designs, as they are not directed against its interests. The magistrate stated his opinion, that it was probable that Kingberring would make the attempt, and that it appeared that he had gained over to his cause some of the hill savages called Hoipees, but who would be able to render him little effectual service. 27. Adverting to the persevering obstinacy with which Kingberring has continued to pursue his views on Arracan, and to prolong by that means the disturbances which have so long agitated that country, and the contiguous district of Chittagong, and have exposed to interruption the friendly relations subsisting between the British governinent and the state of Ava, we were decidedly of npinion that this pertinacious conduct on the part of Kingberring, justificd and required a departure from that lenient and considerate course of conduct towards him which the British government had hitherto 'pursued. The great benefit which Kingberring and his family had enjoyed for a course of years, previous to the latc disturbances, from the protection of the British government, and the extraordinary forbearance which had been manifested towards him by that government under circumstances of the highest provocation, ought to have produced on his part a confidence in its justice, apd a disposition to make some sacrifice in order to conciliate its goodwill. 28. Your honourable court is fully aware that the uneasiness which has for some years subsisted between the state of Ava and the British government, was created and has been inflamed by the enterprize of Kingberring alone ; and the unwillingness of the British governinent to acquiesce in the repeated requisitions of the king of Ava for the surrender of his person, with his principal adherents, in the event of their apprehension, has mainly contributed to keep alive the jealousy entertained of our designs by the king, and induced him, notwithstanding the most solemn assurance to the contrary, and the evident absurdity of the supposition, to suspect us of encouraging Kingberring's proceedings. 29. We are confident that your honourable court will concur with us in the inexpediency of our submitting to be exposed to the hazard of incurring those inconveniences any longer, from consideration for a person whose general conduct and systematic infringement of the laws of the British government, and aggressions against a friendly state, show him to be so little entitled to regard; and that you will approve the resolution which we have taken, to declare to .Kingberring in express terms our determination, if he shall renew his attempts against Arracan, and hereafter come into the hands of the British government, to surrender him to the Burmese. A declaration of a similar resolution regarding those who may engage in 360, his ·96 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from his designs will be communicated to his followers, and a proclamation to the same Gov.Gen. in council, effect circulated among the Muys, settled at Coxe's bazaar, and in other parts of 1 October 1813., Chittagong. 30. We are disposed to hope, that a menace to this effect may induce Kingberring to reflect on the consequences in which he may involve himself by a prosecution of his designs, and that it will deter the Mugs from joining in his enterprizes. There can be little doubt, that he and his followers are encouraged to persevere in their schemes, by a conviction that the British government will not, under any circumstances, deliver them to their enemies ; and are tempted to abuse the known lenity of the English character, under a persuasion that the utmost punishment that they will suffer, will not extend beyond personal restraint, the dread of which cannot be supposed to be any counterpoise to the delusive hope of re. gaining their native country, and retrieving their fortunes. 31. The resolution which we have now announced to your honourable court has been adopted with great reluctance, and only under a firm belief that such a measure is become absolutely necessary; and that the conduct of Kinyberring and his followers has been of that criminal nature which amply warrants the resort to a measure adverse to the usual practice of the British government, and not to be employed in ordinary cases. We felt, however, that we were required by the most powerful motives of duty and public principle to relieve the subjects of the honourable company from the evils to which they continued to be exposed by the repeated enterprizes of Kingberring, and to endeavour to avert the extremity of a war with the Burmese government, which would be a probable consequence of the renewal of the designs of that person, and of the erroneous view which the king of Ava would unquestionably continue to take of the conduct and principles of the British government, with relation to the Mug emigrants. 32. Under all the circumstances of the case, the surreniler of Kingberring and his principal associates cannot but be considered to be amply justified in the event of his renewing his designs after the warning which he will receive, if such a measure shall be found necessary to secure the peace of the country. 33. While, however, we have determined to declare this resolution to the parties, in the most public and impressive manner, we have taken care not to put it out of our power to recede from it if circumstances should render such a proceeding expedient; and we have accordingly resolved in abstain from conveying any communication of that resolution to the Burmese authorities, which inight have the effect of tying up our hands, and giving to the goverament of Iva a pretext for demanding, on the ground of our own official declaration, the surrender of Kingberring and his followers, should they come into our power. 34. We have instructed the magistrate, to whom this resolution has been communicated, to be careful to regulate his correspondence or communication with the Burmese upon the principle above adverted to; and although we are aware that the Burmese officers may obtain information of the intention of the British government, on the subject of delivering up the insurgents, by means of the proclamation to which we have alluded in a preceding pura zraph, yet there is a wide difference in effect between a knowledge of our intentions so obtained, and a formal declaration of them : our measures will not be embarrassed by the former. Secret Cons. 35. On the proceedings of the annexed date, your honourable court will find 10 Sept. Nº 81. recorded a draft of the proclamation, which we have deemed it expedient to furnish to the magistrate for the purpose of being circulated among the Alugs, settled in different parts of the districts of Chittagong. We have instructed the magistrate to take measures for sending copies of it to Kingberring's present station, or adopting such other means as may appear to him best adapted to ensure Kingberring's early knowledge of the intentions of the British government. 36. Mr. Pechell having stated in his despatch last referred to, his intention of addressing the rajah of Arracan on the subject of Kingberring's meditated invasion, we directed the secretary to signify our approbation of that intention, and to transmit to him the draft of a letter, according to the terms of which we were desirous that he should address the rajah. Your honourable court will tind the Secret Cons. 10 Sept. N° 21 (A.) draft of the letter recorded on the date noted in the gin. 37. By ·Secret Cona, 1 October. War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 97 37. By the despatch, however, subsequently received from Mr. Pechell, and recorded as per margin, your honourable court will observe that Mr. Pechell had fulfilled his intention of addressing the rajah of Arracan previously to his receipt of the draft of the letter adverted to in the preceding paragraph. As the tenor of Mr. Pechell's letter to the rajah corresponded to a certain extent with that draft, and was otherwise unexceptionable, we signified to Mr. Pechell that it would not be necessary to address a secoud letter to the rajah for conveying to him what had been omitted. 38. Mr. Pechell having recommended that the intercourse, which it appears subsists between some of the Mugs, in the district of Chittagong, and Kingberring's post in the hills, should be restrained, we approved of the measure, and directed him to communicate on the subject with Lieutenant-colonel Dick, and in concert with that officer to establish posts at such places as might be considered best adapted for the purpose. 39. Mr. Pechell having called our attention to the probability, under the supposition of Kingberring's invading Arracan, of his being beaten back and followed into Chittagong by the Burmese troops, and the eventual expediency of augmenting the military force in that district, we signified to Air. Pechell that we were aware that in the event of Kingberring's renewing his attempts on Arracan, the Lurmese might have the temerity to enter the British territory in pursuit of him ; but that we considered the force at present in Chittagong, including the augmentation of the provincial battalion, which it has recently been found indispensably necessary to order, to be sufficient to protect that province from any desultory incursions of the Burmese. If their conduct hereafter shall compel the British government to adopt a more comprehensive system of measures, we shall be prepared to provide for the defence of Chittagong, which, in such a contingency, will of course be a primary object of attention. 40. We also approved of the intention of the magistrate to select an intelligent person to convey the letter which he had addressed to the rajalı, with a view of obtaining accurate information of the state of affairs in Arracan, and the proceedings and probable designs of the Burmese in that quarter. 41. With a view to check the outrages committed by the late emigrants from Arracan, adrerted to in a preceding paragraph of this despatch, the magistrate suggested an arrangement which he conceived might be attended with beneficial cffects, namely, the establishment of a tannah at Coxe's bazaar, the darogah of which should be a Mug of respectability, and denominated sirdar of the place, to be vested with the power of cxercising the usual duties of a police darogah : on this point we have informed Mr. Pechell that we are rather disposed to try the effect of the measure of the proclamation to the purpose above described, as the most likely to tranquillize the country, and which will probably supersede the necessity of an arrangement of the nature suggested by Mr. Pechell, and afford the means of settling the Mugs, and encouraging them to follow peaceful and industrious pursuits. The letter to the magistrate, containing an exposition of our sentiments, and conveying our instructions to the effect above described, will be found recorded on the proceedings of the date noted in the margin. 42. We shall now advert to the progress of the arrangement which we had the honour to report to your honourable court in our despatch of the 24th June, with respect to removing the Mug sirdars, with their families and followers, who were in the predicament of state prisoners, to a distance from the frontier. In that despatch we stated to your honourable court, that the fort of Chunar appeared to us to be the most proper place for their confinement; we have since determined to select Bunar, it having been ascertained that they could be more conveniently accomodated there than at the former place, and without incurring further expense in repairing buildings for their reception. 43. In the 32d paragraph of our address to your honourable court, last adverted to, we informed your honourable court that we had instructed the magistrate of Chittagong to institute an inquiry into the grounds of suspicion against cach individual in continement; and we apprised your honouratle court that we had sent orders to the intermediate stations, directing the return to Dacca of the Mug sirdars who had previously becn ordered to be despatched to Chunar, until such investigations should be made. 360. Bb Secret Cons 10 Sept. Nº 20. 44. Those ·98 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese 44. Those counter-orders were received at Moorshedabad in time to prevent the chet Coma. further progress of the Mug sirdars above alluded to, and the magistrate of that 9 July, Nº 15. city, in his despatch recorded as per margin, reported their return to Dacca. Secret Cons. 45. On the proceedings of the annexed dates is recorded a series of despatches 18 July, Nº 3, &c. from the magistrate of Chittagong, reporting on the cases of the Mug prisoners ; 30 Aug. 23 & 27. for the details of which, and for our decision on each case, with the grounds of 8 Sep. 12 & 33. those decisions, we must refer your honourable court to the despatches themselves, 24 d. 17 & 25. and our resolutions communicated to Mr. Pechell in reply. 46. Your honourable court will be pleased to observe, that we have determined to remove to Bunar such of the Mug prisoners only as come within the description of sirdars, whose delinquency has been established to our conviction, and whose release or residence in Chittagong, or the vicinity, would be attended with inconvenience and hazard to the public tranquillity. Some persons of inferior rank we have directed to be retained in confinement at Chittagong till the troubles in that quarter shall have subsided, provided the magistrate shall be aware of no objection to the arrangement; and others, against whom no criminating facts were established, and whose liberation was not likely to be attended with any inconvenience, have been released on security for their peaceable behaviour, or under written engagements not to join or afford assistance to the insurgents. 47. We have applied the same principles to the case of the sirdar Nukeloo and other prisoners at Dacca. Secret Cons. 48. On the proceedings noted in the margin is recorded a petition, which was 90 August, Nº 28. presented to us by an emissary from the sirdar Nukeloo, sent by him from Dacca. Although we attached no credit to the petitioner's statement of the manner in which Lieutenant-colonel Morgan obtained possession of his person, yet, as it was desirable that the actual circumstances attending his arrest should be distinctly placed on: record, we directed the magistrate of Chittagong to report for our information whatever might be known to him on the subject. Secret Cons. 49. On the proceedings of the annexed date, your honourable court will find 10 Sept Now.. recorded the magistrate's report on the circumstances stated in Nukeloo's petition. The result of Mr. Pechell's inquiries satisfied us of what indeed we entertained no doubt, that the assertion in the petition relative to the manner in which he was made prisoner by Lieutenant-colonel Morgan was incorrect, and that the charge against that officer of having invited him to his camp by promises which were not fulfilled, was altogether unfounded. We accordingly directed the magistrate of Dacca to communicate to the petitioner the opinion which the result of that reſerence had produced on our minds. 50. The whole of the cases, with one exception, having been investigated, the persons destined to be removed to Bunar, will be sent to that station in pursuance of our orders to the magistrates of Dacca and Chittagong. We have taken this occasion to issue instructions to the officer commanding that fortress, for the regulation of his conduct in the custody of the Mug prisoners; for which, and for the subsidiary instructions issued at the same time to the magistrates of Shahabad, Secret Cons. Dacca and Chittagong, we beg leave to refer your honourable court to the proceed- 14 Sept. 26 to 28. ings of the annexed date. 51. Your honourable court will observe, that we have signified in our instructions to the officer commanding at Bunar above reſerred to, that it is not our wish that any further restraint should be imposed on the Mug sirdars than is necessary for the security of their persons, and that there will be no objection to his permitting them to enjoy a certain degtee of freedom, accompanied by proper precautions to prevent their escape. Political Cons. 52. We now beg leave to solicit the attention of your honourable court to 3 Sept. N° 51. a minute recorded by the governor-general on the proceedings of the date inserted in the niargin. 53. In the month of May last a letter was received from the magistrate of Chittagong, recorded in the judicial department, representing the disproportionate scale of the salary attached to that office, to the duties which the judge and magistrate had to perform. On that occasion we signified to the magistrate that it was not 5 ·Hør.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 99 not thought advisable to make any permanent augmentation to the salary of the Despatch to judge and magistrate of Chittagong; but that, in the adjustment of our differences Gov.Chen. Via sunett, with the government of Ava, we should be ready to consider any claims which he 1 October 1818. might have to remuneration for his services in the political department, and the mode in which such remuneration could most properly be made. 54. Although that period his lordship, in his minute above adverted to, observed, had not yet arrived, yet he stated that it appeared to him, on further reflection, that the extraordinary increase of business of a nature entirely foreign to the ordinary duties of his office, which had been imposed upon the judge and magistrate of Chittagong since the commencement of the troubles excited by Kingberring, rendered it an act of fairness and equity to the officer filling that situation, whose vigilance, zeal and application had been conspicuous throughout a long and laborious course of highly meritorious exertions in a very delicate and arduous service, to take into consideration at the present time his claims to some remuneration for his political duties. 55. His lordship observed, that while the pressure of business not of a judicial nature, nor relating to the internal police of the district, might be supposed to be only of temporary or occasional occurrence, he should not have thought it incumbent on government to confer on the magistrate an additional remuneration for such services. They might, his lordship stated, be justly considered to be a part of the duties of the chief civil officer of the district; and in every frontier situation, occasions more or less frequent must and do occur for employing the services of the magistrate in political and other transactions not coming exactly within the limits of his functions, as described by the terms used to designate his office, for which no extraordinary remuneration is ever expected or bestowed. 56. But since the commencement of the troubles on the borders of Chittagong and Arracan, his lordship remarked, the magistrate of Chittagong had been incessantly and laboriously occupied in delicate and arduous political transactions, which demand the appropriation of a large portion of his time and of his thoughts, and augmented his regular labours to a very considerable extent; nor did the present state of our information warrant a hope that they would be diminished at an early period. 57. The salary of the magistrate of Chittagong (sicca rupees 2,000 per mensem,) his lordship observed, was on the lowest scale of allowance received by officers of that class, and was certainly not more than a remuneration for the performance of the ordinary duties of the office, and very inadequate to the additional labour and responsibility imposed on it by recent events. Mr. Pechell's rank and length of service cntitled him to expect, in the ordinary course of promotion, to be advanced to a judicial office of larger emolument; and his laborious, able and meritorious services in Chittagong, formed a powerful additional claim to early cousideration. The Board, his lordship stated, he was persuaded, would feel sensible of the detriment which would be occasioned to the public service by the removal of Mr. Pechell from Chittagong, while there was a chance of the renewal of the troubles which have disturbed that district. A mere reference to the voluminous correspondence on record on this subject would be sufficient to show the importance of retaining the services of an officer of local knowledge and experience, independently of the other qualifications possessed by Mr. Pechell, to conduct the measures of goveroment, with relation to the Burmese and Mug emigrants, and gencrally to watch over the public interests in Chittagong. On these several grounds, his lordship observed, he felt himself warranted in proposing that an extra allowance of 500 rupees per mensem be granted to Mr. Pechell, as a remuneration for his political duties ; to continue until the occasion of the grant shall cease to exist, by the restoration of tranquillity on the frontier of Chittagong, and by the consequent practicability of removing Mr. Pechell to an office of higher emolument, without hazarding the public interests in that district. If this proposition should be adopted by the Boaril, his lordship proposed that the additional allowance should commence from the date of Mr. Pechell's letter above adverted to; namely, the 14th of May. 58. We entirely concurred in the sentiments expressed in the governor-general's mipute, and authorized the magistrate to draw the extra allowance of 500 rupees, 'as proposed by his lordship; subject, of course, to the revision of your honourable court; and we trust, that as the grant is in its nature merely temporary, and strongly 360. supported ·100 PAPERS RELATING TO (Burmese Show contacto council, supported by considerations of justice and expediency, it will receive the sanction of 1 October 1813. your honourable court. 59. The expense of the additional allowance will be carried to account as a political charge. We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Honourable Sirs, Your most faithful humble servants, Minto, G. Nugent, N. B. Edmonstone, Arch. Seton. . Deopatch from Gov.Gen. in council, February 1814. -- Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor General in Council at Fort William, ip Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; dated 5th February 1814. Honourable Sirs, OUR last address to your honourable court on the subject of affairs in the district of Chittagong, and of our transactions with the government of Ava respecting Kingberring and the other insurgent Mugs, was dated the 1st of October 1813. 2. In that despatch we had the honour to state to your honourable court, that as the season favourable to Kingberring's operations was approaching, it appeared that he was again meditating an expedition into Arracan, but that his force was much reduced, in consequence of the measures which had been adopted by the British government for cutting off his communication with the Mug sirdars in the Chittagong district, who might be disposed to assist him with supplies ; and that he was compelled to lurk in the hills and jungles in the south-eastern parts of the Chittagong frontier. 3. We were not without hopes that the exertions of the magistrate of Chittagong for the apprehension of Kingberring would have been attended with success; but although we have as yet been disappointed in that respect, we are happy to apprise your honourable court, that Kingberring continues to be unable to collect a force sufficient to execute his designs against the Burmese government, and that the tranquillity of our frontier has suffered comparatively little disturbance. 4. The magistrate of Chittagong having transmitted to us translations of letters from Kingberring, in which he avowed his intention of invading Arracan, and complained of the interruption to his views on that country which he experienced from the repented attacks made on his parties by the British troops, it occurred to us that it would be expedient, with a view to demonstrate to the Burmese authorities the sincerity of our declarations with respect to Kingberring and his associates, to transmit the original letters above mentioned to the persons administering the affairs of Arracan. We accordingly instructed the magistrate to convey those documents to Arracan, with a letter from himself, stating, that they were communicated with the view of putting the Burmese government more fully in possession of Kingberring's designs to renew his enterprizes against Arracan, and observing that the perusal of them would satisfy that government of the little encouragement which that person expects, or has received from the British power. The despatch Secret Cons. from Mr. Pechell and our instructions in reply to the purport above stated, will be 1. Nov. 1813, N° 15 to 99. found recorded on the proceedings of the annexed date. Secret Cobs. 5. By the despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong, recorded as per margin, 17 Dec. 1813, your honourable court will observe the success with which the measure of detaching N° 56. small parties of troops to the southward of Chittagong had been attended, the officer commanding the advanced posts in that quarter having reported that it was generally understood that Kingberring had been compelled, at that time, to abandon his designs against Arracan, in consequence of his not having been joined, as he expected, by the Mugs in the honourable company's territory, who were either kept in check by the sepoys, or protected by them from being compelled by the insurgents to follow Kingberring's standard. Mr. Pechell reported, in the despatche above referred to, the arrival at his capital of the new rajah of Arracan, the former rajah having died some time previous to that event, as stated in Mr. Pechell's letter of ·Secret ('ons. "("Crit ( oui, "ract (ops War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 101 of the 6th October. Mr. Pechell also reported, in his letter of the ist of December, Secret ('ons." that serious excesses were committed by a body of Mugs, ainounting, it was stateci, 22 October, Nº :32. to the number of 5,000, who had fled from their habitations in the hills and jungles through fear of Kingberring and his party, and were, in many instances, driven by necessity to seek the nicans of supporting themselves by plunder; and he proposed for our consideration a plan for enabling those unfortunato people to obtain a livelihood by settling on the cstate of a hill chicf, named Durun Buksh Khan, whither it appeared that a number of refugee Mugs from Arracan had laiely been encouraged to proceed. In the reply which we directed the secretary to return to Mr. Pechell, ue significd our approbation of the plan which he had submitted to us, 17 Dec. 10:7. and which appeared not only to be unexceptionable but highly experient, cautioning him, at the same time, to be careful in the measures which lie might concert with the guardian of Durun Bukshi Khan (who is a minor) for carrying it into effect, to avoid aft"rding to the Burmese governnent any colour or pretent of complaint that the British government was holding out encouragement to the emigration of the Mugs from the province of Irracan. 6. The despatches from the magistrate of Chittagong, recorded on the proceedings of the annexed date, contain further details of the state of atlairs in that dis. 43 Dec. 10) * 22. trict, the viens and intentions of Kingberring, and the measures, which Mr. Pechell was carrying on for the settlement of the Mug insurgents, as above adverted to. Mr. Peclicll at the same time transmitted a translation of a letter which he had received from the neuly appointed governor of Irracan, which your honourable court will be happy 10 oliserve evinces in friendly dispositio. towards the British government, and siated that the rajab bad despatched an agent for the purpose of ondeavouring 10) prevaril on the Mugs who had lately cmigrated from Arracan tu return to that country. We instructed Mr. Pechell to return a smtable reply to the rajili, congratulating him on his appointment to the government of Arracan, and 3 Derisi cvillaining corresponding professions of friendship and wil, with assurances that the liritish govermeni would continue to atiru every facility to the commercial intercourir. Mich lie was desirous should be carried on lietucen the two countries. We signified also to the magistrate', our satisfaction at the really disposition manifested by the guardian of ile bill chiet, Durun Buksli, to facilitate the execution of Mr. Pechell's plan for the settlement of the Mugsa hobad been driven from their fornier places of abode liy Kingberring; but with respect to those who had emigrated in the course of the precerling year, he expresseri our opinion that it would be espedient to suspend any arrangement regarding them until the ctiect of the rajalis proposed invitation tu them 10 roiurn to Aracan had been trice. The success of that plan, we observed, woull superseile the necessity of any measures on the part of this government; and an attempt to carry the plan proposed by Mr. Pechell into citect at that moment, would naturally give unbrage to the rajali as interiering with the accomplishment of his own scheme'. Mr. l'ecbell was accordingly desired to signity to the rajali's agent his readiness to assist him in any way which might conduce to ihe succe is of his mission. 7. The despatches from the magistrate of Chittagong, recorded on the proceed Sporel ('ous iros of the annexcid dlate, contain reports of the sticccsstul attacks on parties of the 14 May, . insurgent Mugs in their stochades to the castward of Ramoo, and of the destruction of their stores of grain by small detachments of sepoys. On a reference to those documents your honourable court will observe that Mr. Pechell las expressed an opinion, that the Burmese troops might be led to enter the Britishi territories in scarch of the insurgents; and with a view to put an end to the outrages which parties of those insurgents continued to commit, he recommended that such of them as were actually taken in arnis should be triced on the spot by a military conmission, and exemplary punislıment intlicted upon them. 8. We signitied to Mr. Pechell, in reply to his despatches above referred to, that the spirited and decisive attacks on considerable bodies of the insurgents by small parties of the British troops, and the destruction of their stockades and magazines of grain, demanded the expression of our approbation ; and we directed him to cause it to be signified through Lieutenant-colonel Dick, the commanding officer of the district, to the oflicers and non-commissioned officers and sepoys engaged in those affairs. 9. With respect to the magistrate's suggestion, that a summary mode of trial by a military commission should be adopted, with respect to such of the insurgents 360. Cc as ·102 Secret Cous. N° 23. PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from as might be taken in arms, or in other words, that martial law should be substituted (iow.Cien. in council, for the operation of the established law of the country, we were of opinion, that, 5 February 1814. under all the circumstances of the case, it would be inespedient to adopt the measure recommended by Mr. Pechell. In forming this decision, we adverted to the difficulty of assigning to the offences of which the insurgents had been guilty any exact definition, marking the nature and degree of their criminality, to the uncertainty which exists regarding their allegiance to the British government, and to the hope also, that the repeated checks which they had lately met with and might be expected still to reccive, would speedily repress their deprecations. 10. Under this impression, we signified to Mr. Pechell our desire that the prisoners who had been taken, or who might fall into our hands, should be committed to trial in the ordinary manner before the court of circuit, except in cases where he might entertain doubts of their being amenable to the laws and regulations of the government, or of there being evidence sufficient to convict them, in either of which cases we directed him to apply for the special orders of government, retaining the prisoners in custody. 11. In deliberating on the means of putting it out of the power of Kingberring to renew his enterprizes against Arracan, l'e adverted to a proposition submitted to 29 January 1813. us in a despatch from the magistrate of the 16th Januar: 1813, for offering a free pardon to the insurgent Mugs, with the exception of the sirars. The situation of affairs at that time, and the apprehension that such a incasure might excite the suspicions and jealousies of the Burniese, our relations with whom were then on a very delicate footing, bad induced us to decide against the adoption of that suggestion at the moment, although we stated at the same time that it might be a question for consideration at a future period. 12. It occurred to us that the measure now alludel to miglit be resorted to at the present time with advantage, and without the fear of incurring the inconvenience above stated. We determined at the same time to authorize the magistrate to make an offer to the rajah of Arracan 10 admit small parties of the Burmese troops to cross the frontier in search of the insurgents; on which subject we shall state our sentiments more at large in the sequel of this despatch. And we observed to Mr. Pechell, that the inconvenience above alluded to would be rendered still less likely to arise by the coincidence of the proposed promise of pardon to the insurgents in point of time with the offer above alluded to by the rajalı. 13. We accordingly transmitted to the magistrate a draft of a proclamation, recorded as per margin, with instructions, that if he should continue to be of opinion 14 January, N° 19. that the measure was advisable, he would publish it in the usual manner, taking incasures for having copies of it conveyed to Kingberring's present station. We stated 10 Mr. Pechiell at the same time, that lie was at liberty to suspend the publication of it, if he should have any reason to apprehend that it was likely to be productive of inconvenience or embarrassmeat; in which case, we have desired him to refer the question for our further consideration. 14. The advance of the Burmese to the stockade of Mungdoo with the trifling 14 Jan. N° 12. force stated in Mr. Pechell's despatch of the 6th ultimo, did not induce us to apprehend that they entertained any design beyond that of eventually availing themselves of any opporiunity of seizing the insurgent leaders by unobserved incursions into our territory. Experience having shown that no exertions of our own troops could effect the capture of Kingberring, whilst be confined himself to the remote and insalubrious part of the country which he has lately occupied, it becanie necessary to consider whether some more efficient plan might not be adopted. We accordingly recurred to a suggestion contained in a despatch from the magistrate of the 30th April 1813, for 15 May 1813 inviting the Burmese troops, under certain restrictions, lo enter our territories in pursuit of the insurgents; a measure which we were unwilling to adopt while there was a hope that the object could be attained by the unaided operations of our troops. It appeared to us, therefore, to be advisable, under the actual circumstances of the case, to permit small bodies of the Burmese troops to enter the bills and jungles where Kingberring resides, in search of that person and his associates, under a solemn promise that they shall, on no account, enter the plains and cultivated parts of the country; and that they shall, in all cases, make a previous application to the magistrate for permission to cross the frontier. Secret ('ons. Secrot ('ous. Secret Cons. Nº 86 to 88 15. On ·Secret (ons, Par.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 103 15. On these conditions, we signified to Mr. Pechell that we would not object Despatch from to the Burniese troops passing into our territory; but as objections of a local nature, Giov.Gen. in council, which did not present themselves to our mind, might have occurred to the magis- 5 february 1814. trate since the period of his original proposition, we have desired him, in that event, to refer the requisition for our consideration. If, however, he coutinued to think the incasure expedient, we have authorized him to convey to the rajah an intimation, that in conformity to the desire entertained by the British governinent to effect the early apprehension of Kingberring and his associates, he had been awhorized by us to assure the rajah, that in the event of his being desirous to employ his troops in endeavouring to scize the insurgents in their lurking plares in the hills, any application which he should make to him for permission to pass the frontier would be com. plied with. Mr. Pechell was instructed to add, that the rajah must, in such case, give assurance that the bodies of troops so to be employed should not exceed in number what might be necessary for the purpose of the expedition; and that they should, on no account, enter the plains, but contine their operations to the hills and jungles, where Kingberring was known to be posteri : should Kingberring venture to appear in the open country, the British troops, Alr. Pechell wis instructed to state, would use cvery cflort to seize him; and the co-operation of the Burmese troops, in that case, would not be required. 10. The rajalı of Arracan having addresseel it letter to the governor-general, Secret Cons. a translation of which is recorded in the annexed date, announcing his assumption 14 January, Nº 17. of the government, and stating his intention to invite the refugees 10 return to Arracan, and, in the event of their refusal, o pursue and puni-h theni, his lordship took vccasion to write a letter to the rajah in reply, recorded as per margin, applauding the gracious and indulgent consideration manifested by him for those 14 January, N" 18. persons; and stating the satisfaction which it would afford the British government to learn that they accepted the invitation which the rajal proposed to convey to them, to throw themselves on the clemency of the king of Aval. His lordship further promised the rajalı, that (very facility would be afforded by the British government to the communication of his wishes to the Mugs; and observed, that it would be unnecessary to repeat his assurances that no countenance had ever been, or would bo viven, by the British government, to the designs of the insurgents against Arracan,-- esigns no less offensive to this government than to his Burmese majesty himself. On the contrary, his lordship stated it would always be our anxious desire to co-operate with the government of Arracan in the most cffectual manner, in the desirable object of apprehending the insurgent chiefs. 17. We have instructed Mr. Pechell to send an intelligent person to Arracan, to deliver the letter from the governor-general, the substance of which has been stated above, as well as the letter which Mr. Pechiell may himself address to the rajah under the instructions detailed in the preceding paragraph of this despatch, with orders to the person whom he may select for that purpose, to explain the proposition contained in the letter, and to see that the rajalı fully understands it, and to obtain a proper answer from him, explicitly stating liis compliance with the prescribed conditions and limitations to the Burmese troops passing the frontier. 18. We have further signified 10 Mr. Pechell, that if he should deum it proper to make a reference to us on the subject of the passage of the Burmese troops into our territories, it will nevertheless be necessary to despatch tie kutter addressed by the governor-general to the rajah, as soon as he receives it, without awaiting a reply to his reference on the point adverted to. 19. Observing by the magistrate's despatches, that the Burmese oficer, in command of the detachnient of their troops enibarked on the Nauf river, is stated to be the same who beaded the party which plundered the village of Gurgunecat in January 1813; we have directed Mr. Pechell to report whether the inhabitants of that village are stated to have been restored, in order that in the opposite case ne may take into consideration the measures proper to be pursuell Your honourable court will find the instructions to Mr. Pechell, on the several points detailed in the preceding paragraphs, recorded on the proccedings of the annexed date. Tot January, NO 20. We have the honour to enclosc as numbers in the packet, the several Magistrate of despatches received from the magistrute of Chittagong of the dates noted in the Chaitagong, dated margin, and a translation of a letter from the rajul of Arracan to the governor- 3 January 1814. general. Those documents will attord your honourable couit the latest intelligence i 360. which 23 27 Secret (ons.

·104 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Letter from Gov. which we have received of the proceedings of the Mug insurgents in Chittagong, of Arracan, recoril. and the views and disposition of the Burmese government. ed 17 January 21. In reply to Mr. Pechell's letter of the uth of January, in which your honourable court will obscrve, that the letter from the rajal of Arracan was enclosed, we have directed our secretary to state that an answer to the rajal's letter will be liereafter transmitted with such instructions as the tenor of it may suggest. It will be satisfactory to your honourable court to observc, by the translation of the rajah's letter lo Mr. Pechell, enclosed in the inagistrate's despatch last referred to, that the letter from the governor-general of the 14th January, and the instructions issued to Mr. Pechell under the same date, if, under the discretion allowed to the inagistrate, they be ultimately carried into effect, will have anticipated the rajali's application to the utmost practicable extent. The assurance conveyed to Mr. Pechell by the rajalı's vakeel, that the Burmese troops have been prolibited from crossing the boundary, must be considered to be very satisfactory, as indicating an improved teniper and disposition on the part of that government, which is indeed also manifested, as your honourable court will observe, by the tenor Toile magistrate, of the rajali's letter to Alr. Pechell. A copy of the secretary's letter to Nir. Pechell 21 January. is also transmitted a nunber in the pachet. 2:2. In the despatch from Mr. Pechul of the 27th January, your honourable court will however observe, that notwithstanding the prohibition stated 10 lave been issued to the Burmese: troops by the rajoli, regarding the violation of the British territory, a party of Burmahs, consisting of 300 men, had made its appearance at the village of Gurgunceah, and carried oil four of the inhabitants of that place, one of whom had since made liis cscopre: the magistrate', at the same time, expresses liis opinion that this outrage is rather to be ascribed to an indiflorence on the part of the Burmese to the pleasure of the British government, than to any hostile intentions ; and is disposed to believe, that the absence of the rajalı at his capital, las been taken advantage of buy the interior officers at yung loo's stuciade, as a favourable opportunity to commit the act of aggression alluded to. Nir. Ferrell states, that he has addressed a letter to the rajalı on the subject, and is not without hopes that it will produce an apology from the rajalı for the misconduct of the Burmese oflicers, wnd the restoration of the persons who have been carried away. 23. Your honourable court will also observe, by the magistrate's despatch of the 23d ultimo, that some of the principal Alug sirdars, resiling at Coxe's bazaar, have been seized by the officer conmanding in tliat quarter, on suspicion of aiding and abetting Kingberring. We are disposed to concur with the magistrate on the doubts uhich he has expressed of the criminality of those sirilars, and lowever happy we are to achnowledge our sense of the zcal which actuated Captain Foge in the proceedings described in his correspondence on that subject, we are compelled to remark, that the seizure of those persons, without previous communication with the magistrate, appears to have been precipitate and irregular. We reserve our further sentiments, however, for the report which we expect to receive from the magistrate of the result of the investigation, which lie proposes to institute into the justice of the complaints which have been preferred against those sirdars, and which led to their apprehension. 24. In the 16th and following paragraphs of our address to your honourable court of the ist October last, we adverted to the arrival at Chittagong of the shahbunder of Arracan, and to the objects of the clandestine mission with which it was said that he was charged. The magistrate having subsequently reported, in his despatch recorded as per margin, his doubts with regard to the professed intention of that person to return to Arracan, and his suspicion dat he meant to proceed to some part of the coast of Coromandel, with a view to dispose of a cargo of ricc, as well as to endeavour to prosccute the olject of his mission, solicited our instructions with regard to the delivery of the letter with which he had furnished him to the address of the rajalı, as specified in the 20th paragraph of our address to your honourable court above adverted to. Being disposed to attach little importance to the procceilings of the shahbunder on the coast of Coromandel, we did not think it necessary to prohibit his prosecuting his voyage ; but approved of the intention signified by Mr. Pechell, to ascertain and report surh further information as he might be able to collect with regard to the name of the vessel and the description of her crew. We, at the same time, instructed Mr. Pechell to deliver to the shakbunder the letter from the Secret ('ous. 31 Dec. 1813. N° 30.

·105 Secret Cons. N° 17. Secret Cons. N° 255. Secret Cons. War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. the governor-general to the rajah of Arracan, observing, that as the subject of it Despatch fiuni related to the shahbunder himself, its receipt by the present rajah previously to the Gov.Gen. in council, return of the shahbunder, supposing it to be his real design not to proceed forthwith 5 February 1814. to Arracan, was a matter of no conscquence, and that it was better, therefore, that the shahbunder should himself be the bearer of it as originally proposed. 25. On the proceedings of the date inserted in the margin your honourable court will find recorded a letter from Captain Canning, late envoy at Ava, submitting an 8 October 1813 extract from the Italian missionary at Rangoon, Don Ignacio, containing an account of the state of affairs at that city and its vicinity in the month of August last, and relating a change that had taken place in the commercial systein of the country, by the abolition of all the duties which had been established since the year 1788; the king of Ava having issued an order, to be circulated throughout the wholc Burmal empire, stating, that all new duties and chokeys have been abolished in the present reign, and that merchants will enjoy, as heretofore, entire liberty to carry on their concerns agreeably to their own will and pleasure. 26. This intelligence, your honourable court will observc, is confirmed by a letter from the viceroy of Pegu to the governor-gencral, recorded on the proceedings of the annexed date. The letter in question was brought to the presidency by a vakeel from the Burmah government, whose arrival, and the circumstances attending his mission, 29 October 181.3, are reported in a letter from Captain Canning, recorded as per margin ; to which we beg leave to refer your honourable court for a knowledge of the causes which, 29 Oct. Nº...4. in Captain Canning's opinion, led to the adoption of thic mcasure announced in the viceroy's letter. 27. Captain Canning on that occasion obscrved, that the refusal of the supreme government to deliver up the refugee Mugs appeared to have rendered prevalent a supposition among the merchants of Calcutta, that when, on the faith of the king of Ava's proclamation respecting the abolition of duties at Rangoon, a certain number of vessels should have proceeded hitherto, the Burmese government might probably seize both ships and commanders as hostages for the surrender of the Mug insurgents; Captain Canning accordingly suggested, that if we should deem it expedient to ground any public notice to the merchants on the intelligence conveyed in the viceroy's letter, it might be advisable not to pledge, in any manner, the interposition of the British government, but to allow the matter merely to rest on the authority of the letter in question. We accordingly directed an extract from the translation of the viceroy's letter, relative to the new commercial regulations of the Burmese government, to be published for general information, Icaving it to the merchants and traders who might be disposed to engage in coinmercial speculations in that country to act as they thought proper. The letter from the viceroy contained also a renewal of the demand for the surrender of Kingberring and the other Mug refugees; on this point we considered it to be sufficient to refer the viceroy, for a knowledge of our sentiments, to the letter from the Earl of Minto in reply to the former demand on that subject. 28. Previously to the receipt of the letter from the viceroy above adverted to, we had reccived, through Captain Canning, an application on the part of thie Burmese vakeels, whose mission was reported in our address to your honourable court from this department of the 24th June last, representing that, adverting to the practice of their own country, in which every change of governor usually produces a change of measures and the reversal of his predecessor's proceedings, they had been led to entertain a hope that the arrival of his excellency the Earl of Moira, might possibly effect a change in the determination of government with respect to the refusal to surrender the refugee Mugs. In conveying their application for a further communication of the sentiments of government on this subject, Captain Canning observed, that as their own security and future exculpation with their government might depend on their receipt of a communication of the sentiments of the present governor-general, a humane regard to the precarions situation in which they might be placed by the unsuccessful result of their deputation, on their return to their own country, might render it proper to comply with their wishes. 29. The vakeels having subsequently presented a memorial to the effect above stated, under their own signature, we directed the secretary to address an official note to them in reply, stating, that the letter from the Earl of Minto to the viceroy, and the note which the secretary had formerly addressed to them by his lordship’s 360. Dd command, ·Secret Cons. was very Secret ('ons. 106 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from command, being entirely conformable to the sentiments and resolutions of the present sov.Gen. in council, government, he was instructed to refer them to those documents, as containing the 5 February 1814. deliberate and final resolutions of the British government on the question of the surrender of Kingberring and his associates ; your honourable court will find the 5 Nov. N° 25. official note from the secretary recorded on the proceedings of the annexed date. 30. The vakecls were accommodated with a passage to Rangoon at the public expense, and have proceeded on their return in the month of November last. Captain Canning, 31. We have since received accounts of their safe arrival at Rangoon, and for the 27 January 1814. satisfaction of your honourable court we enclose as a number in the packet, the letter from Captain Canning, in which those accounts are contained, by which your honourablc court will observe, that the refusal of this government to surrender Kingberring, was not received by the local authorities in Pegu with any apparent degree of irritation. It is further stated in the same despatch, that the Burmah envoys in question were to proceed without delay to the capital, in company with the viceroy of Pegu who lead been directed to repair to court. Captain Canning observes on this occasion, that it is pleasing to observe, that the conduct of the enroys in giving a candid statement to their own government of the friendly and hospitable treatment which they had experienced while in the company's dominions, different from that of their countryınen, on more than one occasion, when placed in a similar situation. 32. Your honourablé court will also observe in Captain Canning's letter above quoted, that the ackoonroon, who had lately visited Benares for the ostensible purpose of collecting religious writings, had returned to Arracan, and would appear 10 have succeeded in the design to which we alluded in the 15th paragraph of our letter to your honourable court of the 1st October last, of carrying away some Hindoostavnec females, one of whom is probably the person represented by him to the king as a daughter of the rajal of Arrucan, sent by the rajal as a token of respect for his Burmese majesty. 33. We beg leave to call the attention of your honourable court, to another letter also 31 Dec. 1813, received from Captain Canning, recorded on the annexed date, as containing some account of the state of atlairs at Pegu. With reference to the effect of the king's orders noticell in the paragraph of this despatch for the abolition of the new duties, it appears by the intelligence which Captain Canning has received, that upwards of twenty vessels from the different presidencies in India had resorted to Rangoon, and were carrying on their commercial concerns on the faith of the abolition of monopolics, and the promised restoration of trade to its former footing ; Captain Canning remarks, that it did not appear that the amended systein of trade was likely to be rigidly adhered to, as on finding their vessels began to frequent the port, the governinent of Pegu had made known its intention of adding a duty of two per cent on those formerly collected, declaring, at the same time, the ships even which had left the place to be liable to that duty, and taking security from those persons who had transacted their concerns for the payment of it. 34. Captain Canning having been detained at the presidency, since the 18th September 1812, to await the arrival of the expected mission from Ava, whose subsequent departure has been announced in a preceding paragraph of this despatch, it being judged that his presence would be materially conducive to the public interests with respect to the conduct of the communications which would take place on the questions depending between this government and the state of Ava, we deem it equitable that a reasonable remuneration should be allowed to him for any loss incident to his absence from his corps, and to the nocessary increase of expense attending his residence in Calcutta. Pol. Department, 35. The late governor general accordingly, recorded a minute on this subject, 1 Oct. 1813, Nº 95. proposing that an allowance of sicca rupees, 250 per menscm for house rent, and an equal sup to cover the difference of allowapce, occasioned by his absence from his corps, and by any extra expense incident to his residence at the presidency, should be granted to him. His lordship further proposed to permit Captain Canning to charge daring the same period the sum of 100 rupees for a writer, whom he had foundi necessary to maintain.. Concurring entirely in the justice of his lordship's proposition, we have authorized the payment: of the allowance in question to Captain Canning, as a remuneration for the duty parformed by: him, and he has, accordingly N” :3 .

·Despætch from Gov.Gen. in council, 5 February 1814. War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 107 accordingly received it up to the date of the departure of the Burmese vakeels in the month of November last. We huve the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Honourable Sirs, Your most faithful humble servants, Moira, G. Nugent, N. B. Edmonstone, Arch. Scton. LAU . Secret Cons. 25 Feb. 4.3. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor General in Council at Fort Despatch from William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East Iudia Company; Gov.Gen.in council, dated the 29th April 1814. 29 April 1814. Honourable Sirs, WE propose in thic present address, to communicate to your honourable court a further report on the affairs of Chit-agong, in continuation of the narrative of events and transactions in that quarter, submitted to your honourable court in our address from this department under date the 5th of February last. 2. On the proceedings of the annexed date is recordeci a despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong, in reply to our instructions of the 14th January last, submitting some observations on the proclamation, which, as reported to your honourable court in the 13th paragraph of our address of the 5th of February, we had transmitted to Mr. Pechell, containing an offer of pardon to the insurgent Mugs, with the exception of the sirdars, leaving Mr. Pechell at liberty to suspend the publication of it, if he should think that it was likely to be productive of inconvenience or embarrassmeni, in which case he was desired to refer the question for our further consideration. Mr. Pechell hud accorlingly availed himself of the discretion above stated to suspend the publication of the proclamation, and the grounds on which he had deemed it expedient to do so were as follow: When he first submitted for our consideration the plan of offering a free pardon to the insurgent Mugs in January 1813, le observed that he had proposed it under the idea that the total defeat of the insurgents, licaded by Kingberring, and the capture of nearly all their boats and stores by Licutenant Young at Coxe's bazaar, as also the subsequent attack, defcat, and dispersion of the shattered remains of their force by the Burmese troops at their stockade at Mungaliagcence, had necessarily extinguished every hope of success with regard to their scheme of reconquering Arracan. For sone time after those occurrences, Mr. Pechiell stated, nothing was heard of the insurgent Mugs, excepting the apprehension of parties of them in the attempt to skulk back to their homes, nearly in a statc of starvation. This latter circumstance had deterred, according to Mr. Pechell's conjecture, many other of the insurgents from returning home, and not having any mcans of honest subsistence in their places of conccalment in the hills and jungles, they were driven to the necessity of plundering as the only alternative of perishing with hunger. Mr. Pechell had hoped that the miseries which those people had thus entailed on themselves by joining Kingberring's standard, combined with the experience which they must have acquired of the utler inadequacy of their means to the object in view, would induce those parties who still adhered to Kingberring, and those who were subsisting by plunder, to return to their homes and follow honest and peaceable vccupations, provided they received an assurance that thcir past offenccs would, in that event, be forgiven, and that thus an end would be put to their wild schemes against Arracan. Since that period, however, it was stated by Mr. Pechell, so far from being discouraged by their late disasters, Kingberring had become more daring than before, and the proclamation which was published on the 10th of September last (threatening to deliver them up to the Burmesc government) appeared to have had little or no effect but that of provoking insolent letters from Kingberring. Mr. Pechell further observed, that it had been suggested to him at different times, and from a consideration of all the events of the last two years, he was himself strongly inclined to believe it, that the Mugs despaired of regaining Arracan by their own means, but that their object was, by working upon the unreasonable jealousies and arrogance of the Ava government by a continuance of their periodical incursions into Arracan, ultimately to embroil the British government in a war with the state of Ava, the consequence of which might possibly be 360, the ·Despatch from 29 April 1814. 108 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese the expulsion of the Burmese by the British power, and the re-establishment of themselves in Arracan under a government of their own. Mr. Pechell stated that he believed that the hope of regaining Arracan by this course was prevalent among the Mugs; and he observed, that the quantities of grain found in the different stockades of Kingberring, which had been attacked by our sepoys, amounted, in his opinion, to a proof, that Kingberring was more strongly supported than had hitherto been known. From this circumstance, and other observations which he had made, Mr. Pechell stated that he was afraid that the whole of the Mugs were secretly assisting Kingberring, and urging him to persist in his schemes, notwithstanding their professions to the contrary. 3. For the above and further considerations, tending to show that lenient measures with the Mugs would not avail, Mr. Pechell stated in his despatch last referred to, that he had suspended the publication of the proposed offer of free pardon ; understanding that Kingberring was then meditating another attempt against Arracan, where it was to be expected that he would meet with his usual defeat, Mr. Pechell observed, that such of his followers as might escape would probably take advantage of the pardon, if it were to be published, and return to their homes, to await a more favourable opportunity of promoting Kingberring's views. Instead, therefore, of adopting the lenicnt course proposed, of the success of which Mr. Pechell stated that his experience of the character and conduct of the Mugs would not admit of his entertaining any sanguine hopes, he suggested to us a plan, the adoption of which might lead, he believed, to the apprehension of Kingberring, or to the entire expulsion of the insurgent Mugs from the British territories. This was, to issue a proclamation to all the Mugs, stating that if Kingherring and his sirdars were not apprehended by a certain day, the Mugs were to be considered to have forfeited the protection of the British government, and would bc cxpelled from its dominions. Mr. Pechell at the same time stated some objections which might be made to the above plan, to which it is unnecessary specifically to advert; they related principally to the difliculty which the Mugs, though willing to deliver up Kingberring, might experience in attempting to obtain possession of his person, by his retiring to a grcat distance to the north-east of Chittagong; as also the difficulty which might attend the execution of the menace to expel the Mugs from our territories, if that measure should be resolved on. Mr. Pechell also stated his intention of suspending the transmission of the letter from the governor-general to the rajah of Arracan, on the subject of our readiness to co-operate with the rajah in the most effectual manner in the object of apprehending the insurgent Mugs, alluded to in the 16th paragraph of our address to your honourable court of the 5th February. 4. We signified to Mr. Pechell in reply, our cntirc approbation of his having suspended, for the reasons stated in his despatch, the issue of the proclamation, containing the offer of free pardon above adverteil to, and also of his intention to defer the transcission of the governor-general's letter to the rajah of Arracan. We intimated to him, that under the considerations submitted by him, we had determined to withhold the proclamation altogether; at the same time, we stated that we discerned objections to the measure which he had proposed to substitute, namely, to hold out to the Mugs a menace of cxpulsion from the British territory, if Kingberring should not be seized and delivered up to government: it appeared to us, that such a proceeding would not be just towards the Mugs, who, supposing them to have the inclination to deliver up that chief, would probably not have it in their power to effect the purpose, and that the penalty annexed to the failure would necessarily involve in the same punishment the innocent and the guilty, those who were well-affected to government, and willing, yet unable, to gain possession of Kingberring's person, and of those who were desirous of screening him. We adverted also to a suggestion which was submitted by Mr. Pechell, that a proclamation should be issued, declaring the proposed amnesty in favour of those who might wish to avail themselves of it by the performance of the prescribed condition, and threatening the guilty with expulsion; on this suggestion, we observed to Mr. Pechell, that even a measure of this nature would be of dubious efficacy; and as the expulsion or punishment of the guilty was a power which we already possessed, and would doubtless exercise, we were disposed to think it better that the measure in question should not be adopted. 5. We intimated to Mr. Pechell, that the reasons assigned by him for suspending the transmission of the governor-general's letter to the rajah of Arracan were satisfactory;

·War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 109 satisfactory; but that under the resolution which we had now adopted, and which we Despatch from shall proceed to state in the following paragraph of this address, we considered Gov.Gen.in .council, 29 April 1814. it to be desirable that the letter should be forwarded without delay, unless the answer which Mr. Pechell might receive from the rajah to a remonstrance against a late incursion of the Burmese to Gurgunecah within the British territory, should unexpectedly be of a nature to render a different course of procceding necessary. In the latter case Mr. Pechell was desired to continue to suspend the transmission of the governor-general's letter until he should receive our further instructions. 6. The resolution above adverted to was, that Mr. Pechell should accompany the governor-general's letter to the rajah with one from himself, stating his desire under the instructions of his government to depute a confidential person to confer with the rajah, and proposing to the rajah to receive Mr. Pechell's agent either at Arracan, or at any other station most convenient to the rajah. Mr. Pechell was further in. structed to state, in the letter which he should send to the rajah, that the object of the mission was to concert with the rajah some combined measures for effecting the seizure of Kingberring and his principal adherents by the joint operations of the troops of both countries. 7. We stated to Mr. Pechell that if the rajah should agree to receive his agent, it would be proper to select a proper person for the service, and to chispatch lini to the rajah with instructions to the following purport: that he should state to the rajah the concern with which the British government had seen all its cfforts to seize Kingberring, disappointed by the impracticability of attacking him on the hills and jungles ; that while the severe checks which all the parties of the insurgents who had ventured to descend into the plains had received from the British troops, must have considerably impaired their means of offence, especially against the British territory, yet that the British government was equally anxious as before to unite its efforts with those of the officers of the king of Ava for the purpose of seizing Kingberring; and that, for the purpose of concerting with the rajah the most effectual means of accomplishing this desirable object, the magistrate of Chittagong had deputed his agent, under our instructions, to confer with the rajah on those points. S. W'c further desired Mr. Pechell to instruct his ageut to inform the rajah, that it had occurred to us that the employment of a Burniese force, to act in the hills on both sides of the boundary between the territories of the two states, while the British troops should act in the low and open country of Chittagong, would afford the most likely means of seizing Kingberring and his principal sirdars. Mr. Peckell has been further instructed to desire his agent to state, that if this plan meets the approbation of the rajah, the magistrate of Chittagong will be prepared to admit the Burmese troops into the British tcrritory, under the restrictions and limitations cominunicated to Mír. Pechell in our instructions of the 14th January last, to which Mr. Pechell is to direct his agent to obtain the rajah's consent in writing. 9. We have intimated to Mr. Pechell, that the agent must be instructed to receive any proposition which the rajah may make with a view to the same object, but not to coinmit either Mr. Pechell, or the British government to its adoption, by any declaration of assent; any proposition which may be made is to be communicated to us in the first instance for our consideration. For a inore detailed knowledge of the instructions which we issued on this occasion to the magistrate at Chittagong, we bey leave to refer your honourablc court to the letter addressed to that officer, recorded on the annexed date. 85 Feb. Nº 51. Secret Cona. 10. On the proceedings of the date noted in the margin is recorded a despatch Secret Cons. from the magistrate of Chittagong, reporting his receipt of an answer to the letter 5 March, Nº 40. which he had addressed to the rajah, respecting the incursion of the Burmesc to Gurgunneeah; although the letter from the rajah was far from being satisfactory on some points, we did not consider it to be of a tcnor to require any deviation from the proceeding pointed out to Mr. Pechell in our instructions of the 25th of February last, above adverted to, with respect to the transmission of the governor general's letter, and the eventual deputation of an agent on the magistrate's part to the rajalı, and we accordingly directed Mr. Pechell to proceed to carry those instructions into execution. We also desired Mr. Pechell, in the event of the rajah agreeing to the proposition which was to be made to him to receive an agent, to add to the instructions with which we had already desired him to furnish his agent, directions to revive the subject of the attack on Gurguneeah in the past year, and endeavour to obtain the 360. Ec liberation ·110 Secret Cons. Secret ('ous. PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from liberation of the inhabitants who had been carried away on that occasion by the Cov.Gen. in council, Burmese. The agent was further to demand the release of some Mugs, who had been 29 April 1814. made prisoners, and carried away by the Burmese on their recent incursion to the same village; we stated to the magistrate on this point, that the violent and unjustifiable seizure of the company's subjects, could not be allowed to pass without every effort to effect their release, and if application and remonstrance to the rajah should fail, we should consider what further measures it might be advisable to pursue ; 25 March, Nº 43. our instructions to the magistrate above stated are recorded as per margin. Secret Cons. 11. The despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong recorded on the annexed 7 April, Nº 33. date, contains intelligence of a report which had reached Mr. Pechell, that the insurgent Mugs had actually carried into execution their meditated design of again i nvading Arracan. We observed to the magistrale in reply, that the renewal of those enterprizes on the part of the Mugs against Arracan must always be received by us with concern, as under any result they must tend to expose to interruption the tranquillity of the district of Chittagong, and perhaps lead to a revival of unpleasant discussions between the British government and the state of Ava. 12. The course of measures which it might be proper to pursue under the state of circumstances which the invasion of Arracan might produce could not be decided on until we should receive further reports from the magistrate of the course of events; but it occurred to us, that the absence of the principal body of the insurgents might afford the opportunity of attacking and destroying their great stockade in the eastern hills, and thus depriving them of an immediate and secure retreat, and 7 April, Nº 35. materially crippling their means of action. We were aware, at the same time, that physical and local difficulties of a nature to obstruct the execution of this plan might exist, and accordingly, in suggesting it to the magistrate of Chittagong, we directed him to consult with Colonel Dick, the officer commanding at that station, and left it to their judgment to take measures for carrying it into effect, if it should appear to be practicable. We signified to Mr. Pechell, at the same time, that the formation of a plan of co-operation with the rajah of Arracan against the insurgents had become more than ever desirable by the occurrence above adverted to, of their incursion into that country, and we desired him to avail himself of the first opportunity of carrying our instructions on that subject into effect. Secret c'ons. 13. A subscquent despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong of the 13th instant, 15 April, Nº 36. contains the information that the party which Kingberring had detached into Arracan had been met by a Burmese force and put to the route, and that Kingberring himself, with his main force, on hearing that the Burmese troops were advancing to attack him at his grand stockade, called Tyn, had abandoned his position, and that his adherents had dispersed. This intelligence, the magistrate stated, had been confirmed from many quarters. Mr. Pechell has observed, in the same despatch, that he did not suppose that the Burmese would enter the plains in pursuit of the insurgents, even if the latter were to come into the British territory, but would content themselves with destroying the Tyn stockade, which was the grand rendezvous of Kingberring, and where they might expect to find some plunder. In the event, however, of the Burmese entering the plains, Captain Fogo, the officer commanding to the southward of Chittagong, was already furnished with instructions for his guidance. This last defeat of Kingberring by the Burmese, in Mr. Pechell's opinion, is likely to lead to the apprehension of that chief by the Mugs, who rather than incur the hazard of being exposed to the resentment of the Burmahs under the proposed plan of their admission within the British frontier, will concert among themselves the means of securing the person of Kingberring, and delivering him up. For a more detailed account of the grounds on which the magistrate is disposed to believe that the Mugs will be induced to obtain possession of Kingberring's person for the purpose of surrendering him to the British authorities, we beg leave to refer your honourable court to the magistrate's letter last mentioned. 14. We have since received two despatches from the magistrate, recorded on our 22 April, 34 & 38. proceedings of the 22d instant, in reply to our instructions of the 25th February, submitting the drafts of a letter which he proposes to address to the rajah of Arracan, relative to the contemplated arrangement for admitting the Burmese troops into the hills within the British territories, and of the instructions which he has prepared for the agent whom he proposes to depute with it to the rajah. The tenor of the drafts has appeared to us to be very proper ; but adverting to the little advantage to be obtained by correspondence with the rajah, we have recommended Mr. Secret Cons.

·111 Nu 39. War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. Mr. Pechell to confine lis letter to the rajah to a concise and general statement of Despatch from the object in view, referring the rajah for the details as they are now contained in Gov.Gen.in council, Mr. Pechell's draft to the verbal representations which are to be made by the agent. 29 April 1814. We have left, however, to Mr. Pechell's discretion, to adopt the mode suggested by us, or to make a direct communication at length to the rajah, in the terms of the draft as it now stands. Mr. Pechell having also in his letter of the 13th instant, one of those last referred to, submitted his sentiments on the practicability of destroying the Tyn stockade of the insurgents, during their absence, alluded to in the 13th paragraph of this despatch, we have signified to him in reply, that under the circumstances stated by him, we are satisfied of the inexpediency of employing British troops to destroy that stockade; and that we concur with him in opinion, that that object will be best effected by the Burmese, if it have not been already accomplished by them, in the event of their proceeding in pursuit of the insurgents into the hills in that quarter under the permission which they may receive to enter our territories. Our instructions to Mr. Pechell, in reply to his letter last referred Cons. 22 April, to, are recorded on the proceedings of the annexed date. 15. We have this day received despatches from Mr. Pechell, reporting the particulars of an incursion to Gurguneeah by a party of Burmese troops. The Burmese began to erect a stockade; but on the advance of Captain Fogo, they retreated towards the frontier. We do not think it necessary to trouble your honourable court with the details, which are of no importance; and we propose to instruct Mr. Pechell not to suspend his negotiations with the rajah of Arracan, but to remonstrate with the rajah on this renewed aggression of his troops, which, we have reason to think, has been committed without his sanction. 16. In the 230 paragraph of our address of the 5th February we reported the circumstance of some Mug sirdars, residing at Coxe's bazaar, having been seized on a charge of aiding and abetting Kingberring. We have since received a despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong, recorded in the annexed date, reporting the result Secret Cons. of his investigation of those charges, which has entirely satisfied us of their being 15 April, 2.5 to 28. totally without foundation. 17. Under this conviction, we have directed the magistrate to release the parties immediately from all restraint, and to permit them to depart for their respective places of residence. 18. On the proceedings of the annexed dates are recorded three despatches on Secret Cons. the subject of charges which had been preferred by a person named Nusseeraolla 11 February, agains, tuo hill chiefs, for supplying the insurgents with fire-arms, and reporting March, the result of his investigation ; by which it appeared that the charges had been falsely and maliciously brought forward. We therefore directed Mr. Pechell to Cons. 18 March, release those chiels, and to proceed against the informant, Nusseeraolla, in the mode prescribed by the regulations. 19. The magistrate also reported, in the last of the three despatches above referred to, that he had released thirty-eight hill people, who had been seized at the same time with one of the hill chiefs alluded to in the preceding paragraph, no evidence having been brought against them of having offered resistance to the troops who were employed to secure the hill chief in question. We have approved of the magistrate's proceedings on this occasion, and of his resolution to dismiss from his employment Shahhamut Ally, the person who had transmitted exaggerated reports respecting the hill chiefs and their dependents, including the thirty-eight persons above mentioned ; intimating, that that person's conduct appeared to be such as would perhaps warrant Mr. Pechell in proceeding against him according to law, as an accomplice of Nusseeraolla. We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Honourable Sirs, Your most faithful humble servants, Moira, G. Nugent, N. B. Edmonstone, Arch. Scton. No 26 & 27. Cons. N° 36. N® 30 ·112 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Secret Cons. 6 May, Non 26 to 29. Despatch from Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Fort Gov.Gen. in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; 23 June 1814. dated the 23d June 1814. Honourable Sirs, OUR last address to your honourable court relative to the affairs of Chittagong and the Mugs was dated the 29th April last. We now propose to resume the narrative of events and transactions in that quarter, from the date of our despatch above referred to, to the latest period to which our advices from the magistratc of Chittagong extend. 2. In the 15th and subsequent paragraphs of our address of the 29th April 1814, we adverted to an incursion which had been made by a party of Burmese troops at Gurguņecah, within the honourable company's dominions, and to the instructions which we had issued on that occasion to the magistrate of Chittagong. Mr. Pechell's Secret Cons. despatch on that subject, and the letter which was addressed to him in reply, will be 29 April, found recorded on our proceedings of the date noted in the margin. Some further N 8 & 15. particulars respecting this outrage by the Burmese troops, when it appears that iwo inoffensive Mugs, who were engaged in the peaceable occupation of husbandry, werc barbarously murdered, are detailed in a subsequent despatch from Mr. Pechell, recorded on the annexed date, to which we do not consider it necessary more parti- N° 30. cularly to advert. We intimated to Mr. Pechell, in reply, that it would be proper, in the communication which he was about to make to the rajah of Arracan, to notice the barbarous and wanton attack on the two Mugs; treating it, however, as an act which could not fail to excite the indignation and displeasure of the rajah against the perpetrators of the murder. Secret Cons. 3. On the proceedings of the annexed date is recorded the despatch from the 87 May, magistratc of Chittagong, in reply to our instructions of the 29th April and 6th May, yºs 24 & 25. submitting for our approval the draft of a letter which he proposed under those instructions to address to the rajah of Arracan. We approved the draft as being entirely conformable to the sentiments which we had expressed to Mr. Pechell on the subject to which it related. 4. With reference to the resolution stated in the 6th paragraph of our address of the 29th of April last, to permit the Burmese troops under certain restrictions and limitations to enter the British territory in search of Kingberring, we have now the honour to solicit the attention of your honourable court to the despatch from Political Cons. the magistrate of Chittagong recorded on the annexed date, reporting the return of 17 June, Nº 71. the messenger whom he had sent to the rajah of Arracan, and enclosing a translation of the rajah's letter in reply to Mr. Pechell's proposal, for deputing an agent to Arracan for the purpose of arranging the plan for the co-operation of the Burmese troops within our frontier. On a reference to that document, your honourable court will observe, that the rajah has avoided giving a written answer to the proposal in question, a circumstance which Mr. Pechell states has excited his surprise, particularly as he had learnt from the messenger that the rajah had verbally expressed to him his willingness to receive any person whom Mr. Pechell might desire to send. A narrative of the transactions which passed at the rajah's court during the mossenger's stay, is also enclosed in the despatch from Mr. Pechell, last referred to; and with reference to that statement, Mr. Pcchell observes, that the cause of the rajah's not noticing the point in question, may be ascribed to his desire to postpone the settlement of the proposed plan until the expiration of the periodical rains. Mr. Pechell at the same time suggested the propriety of his being authorized to address another letter to the rajah, requesting in distinct terms that the rajah would give a written answer to the proposal for deputing an agent to him, and informing him that no parties of Burmese troops would be permitted to cross the frontier until the agent had been received, and the rajah's assent obtained to the limitations and conditions under which the eventual admission of the Burmese troops was to take place. The magistrate requested to be furnished with our instructions on the point above stated, of again addressing the rajah, and also with regard to an expectation expressed by the rajah, that on the Burmesc troops entering the British territory they should be provided by this government with arms, ammunition and provisions. We signified to Mr. Pechell in reply, that we entirely approved his suggestion of addressing another letter to the rajah to the effect above stated, and that it would be expedient to notice at the same time that part of the rajah's Ictter which adverted to the ·for the purpose War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 113 the Burmese troops being furnished with arms, &c. by the British government, by Despatch from observing to the rajah that, in the event of the proposed plan being finally settled, Gov.Cien. in council, it would of course be the duty of the Burmese government to render its troops effi- 23 June 1814 cicnt by furnishing them with the necessary equipments, as otherwise their co-operation with the British troops in the pursuit of Kingberring could be of no avail. and that no military stores, &c. could be provided for their use by the British government. 5. The despatch from the magistrate above referred to, contains the satisfactory information of Kingberring's cause having been greatly weakened by the dcath of two of the principal sirdars attached to his party. It would also appear that a rival chicf had started up in opposition to Kingberring, and it is not improbable that the magistrate of Chittagong may, in the dissensions which may be expected to take place between the rival parties, find the means of obtaining possession of Kingberring's person, an object, the failure of which hitherto is in a great meastire to be attributed to the secret attachment which the whole body of Mugs is believed to bear to the cause of the insurgents. The letter to the magistrate, of which the substance has been stated above. is recorded on the proceedings of the annexed Political Cons. date. 17 June, N° 74. 6. The latest accounts received from the magistrate of Chittagong, respecting the views and proceedings of the government of Ava, are contained in a private letter from Mr. Pechell to our secretary, recorded on the proceedings of this day's Political Cons. date, by which your honourable court will observe, that that barbarous and ignorant 23 June, Nº court is apparently meditating a renewal of the wild and extravagant scheme, of ſorming a confederation of all the native princes of this country for the of expelling the English from India, to which subject we had the honour to call the attention of your honourable court, in our addresses of the 24th June and 1st October 18-3, in reporting the circumstances of the clandestine mission of the shahbunder of Arracan. In the reply which we have directed our secretary to transmit to Mr. Pechell, we have repeated the sentiments which we formerly expressed to him with respect to the little importance which we attached to those paltry intrigues. We have not, therefore, deemed it necessary to betray any jealousy or suspicion of the designs of the Burmese, by interdicting their commercial intercourse with the city of Dacca, with which place a considerable traffic is carried on, and to which, in the first instance, the clandestine mission alluded to by Mr. Pechell in his letter above noticed, proposed to proceed in the character of merchants, with the supposed ulterior design of penctrating through the honourable conipany's territories, collecting information by the way, to the dominions of the Sikh chicf Runjeet Sing; we have, however, instructed M1r. Pechell to apprise the magistate of Dacca of the supposed views of the party of Burmals in question, with a view to their motions being watched, and in the event of their attempting to prosecute their journey in land, to arrest their progress, and send them back to Arracan. The letter to Mr. Pechell, of which the substance has been here given, is recorded on the proceedings last referred to. 23 June, Nº 7. On the proceedings of the date noted in the margin, is recorded a correspondence with the acting magistrate of Dacca, and the officer commanding N° 31 & 32. at Bunar, respecting the arrangements required for the safe custody, dieting, and medical treatment of the Mug prisoners, despatched from Dacca, to be confined 27 May, in that garrison, agreeably to the plan already reported to your honourable court in our address from this department of the 1st October 1813. We do not consider Political Cons. 17 June, Nº 75. it to be niccessary to trouble your honourable court with the details of that arrangement, and it will be sufficient to refer your honourable court to the letter to the commanding officer at Bunar, recorded on the proceedings last mentioned, by which Political Cons. it will appear that the expense of feeding and guarding the prisoners, to the 17 June, Nº 77. number of forty-six persons, will amount to about 390 rupees per menseni. . 8. Your honourable court will not have failed to observe. that the late correspondence relative to the affairs of Chittagong, and to our transactions with the Burmesc government, is recorded in the political department. We have been induced to transfer the correspondence in question to this department, from which, indeed, our addresses on the subject to your honourable court have hitherto been transmitted, not conceiving that any further necessity existed for recording it in the secret department. 360. Ff Political Cons. Secret Cons. 6 May, Secret Cons. N° 96 to 28. 9. We ·Political Cons. 3 Jane, N 60 & 61. Nº 62. Political Cons. 3 June, Nº 63. 114 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmesc 9. We have the honour to refer your honourable court to a despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong, recorded as per margin, enclosing a letter from Captain Fogo, commanding at Ramoo, submitting a plan for forming a local corps of Mugs, and describing the advantages which may be expected to be derived from its adoption. Mr. Pechell having transmitted that document without any comment, we have signified to him, that it would have been satisfactory to have received his observations and remarks on Captain Fogo's proposition, founded on the local knowledge and experience which Mr. Pechell has acquired of the character and habits of the Mugs, and we have accordingly called on him to submit a report on the subject. We have also referred a copy of Captain Fogo's letter for the consideration of his excellency the commander-in-chief, with a request that his excellency will be pleased to communicate his sentiments regarding the plan in question in a military point of view, and we shall have the honour to report our determination on the subject in our next report to your honourable court on Chittagong affairs. We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Ilonourable Sirs, your most faithful humble servants, Moiru, J. Nugent, N. B. Edmonstone, Arch. Soton. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Fort Despatch from Gov.Gen. in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; 20 Dec. 1817. dated 20th December 1817. Honourable Sirs, THE object of this address is to submit to your honourable court a report on the affairs of Chittagong, in conformity to the intention intimated in a despatch of the late vice-president in council, under date the zyth of October. 2. The governor-general in council, in his letter of the 230 of June 1814, adverted to the resolution acopted by the British government, of permitting the rajal of Arracan to send troops under certain restrictions and limitations into the company's territories in search of Kingberring and the insurgent Mugs, his associates ; and the invitation which the magistrate of Chittagong was directed to address to the rajah, to concert a system of combined measures with the officers of the British government for effecting the seizure of Kingberring and his adherents. The rajah of Arracan postponed giving a written reply at the time to Mr. Pechell's agent, but he Pol. Department, subsequently addressed an evasive letter to the magistrate in reply to his communi- Cons: 4 Oct. 1814, cation, notifying his intention in consequence of the commands of the king of Ava Nº 35 to 37. to send an ambassador to Calcutta. N° 38. ; Cons. 7 Marth, 1815 N° 188. 3." The magistrate's agent was forcibly detained at Arracan for twenty days under a guard ; in consequence therefore of this insult to the British government, the magistrate was instructed to cease to correspond with the rajah of Arracan. 4. A few months posterior to the return of the magistrate's agent, two cnvoys specially deputed by the rajah of Arracan, brought to Calcutta a letter from the rajah to the address of the governor-general. The rajah did not advert to the proposition which had been made to him on the part of the magistrate of Chittagong, but confined his communication to complaints against the officers of the British government for protecting the insurgents from interested motives, and to a demand that the rebellious Mugs might be surrendered to his authority. 5. The vice-president, in the absence of the governor-general, returned a suitable reply to the rajah's letter, vindicating the company's officers from the charge of corrupt conduct which had been imputed to them, and assuring the rajah that no means should be neglected in order to apprehend such of the Mugs as should continue their lawless course of life. 6. In the concluding part of the governor-general's letter of the 28th of June 1814, his lordship in council stated his intention to report in a future despatch, his determination relative to Captain Fogo's proposition for raising a corps of Mugs for the preservation of tranquillity in that.quarter of the district of Chittagong, bordering N° 189. on ·115 War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. on Arracan. The communication of the sentiments of the government on the question Despatcte from was suspended until the opinion of the commander-in-chịcf should be known, and Gov.Gen. in council, 20 Dec. 1817. his excellency having expressed a decided opinion of the inexpediency of the plan, the local government declined to carry it into execution. 7. The correspondence on this subject is recorded on the consultation of the Cons. 12 july, annexed date. 1814, Nº 3 to 10. Cons. 26 July, 8. Your honourable court will not desire at this distance of time to receive a de- Nº 27 to 39. tailed narrative of the operations of the various detachments who were employed against the insurgent Mug chief Kingberring, whose mischievous proceedings so long disturbed the tranquillity of the frontier of Chittagong, and who was the principal occasion of so much unpleasant discussion with the government of Ava. The death of Kingberring however, which took place at the commencement of the year 1815, produced a highly favourable change in the state of affairs in that quarter ; the event of Kingberring's decease was followed by the dispersion of his adherents, and having been deprived of their leader, they manifested a disposition to return peaceably to their homes. 9. Under these circumstances the magistrate was informed, that it would not be cons. 21 March, advisable to prosecute any search after these misguided men, which, as the magis 1815, Nº 75. trate justly observed, might deter them from their purpose of returning home and resuming habits of industry, and lead them to unite their fortunes to Rynyzing (a Mug chief who had not submitted), or form themselves into plundering parties, for which they would find a secure retreat in the hills and jungles of Chittagong. 10. As the dcath of Kingberring was an occurrence of considerable interest to the Burmese government, the vice-president in council was of opinion that a communication of the intelligence to the governor of Arracan from the British government would not fail to be regarded as an acceptable act of friendship, as well as a proof of the sincerity of the disposition which the British government had uniformly professed to discountenance the proceedings of the insurgents : the magistrate of Chittagong was therefore desired to prepare a suitable address to the governor of Arracan on the subject. 11. The tranquil state in which affairs in the district of Chittagong had continued since the deccase of Kingberring, led the local government to contemplate the expediency of adopting some arrangement for liberating the Mug prisoners confined at Buscar (as reported to your honourable court in the governor-general in council's letter of the 1st of October 1813). Without hazard of inconvenience on this point, however, the magistrate of Chittagong was desired to communicate his sentiments. 12. The magistrate's reply is recorded on the consultation noted in the Cons, 20 Sept. margin. N° 159 (A.) 13. From Mr. Pechell's letter the vice-president in council learned, with great satisfaction, that the adherents of Kingberring had in general returned to their habitations, and resumed their peaceable occupations and pursuits; and Mr. Pechell, not apprehending any inconvenience from the liberation of the prisoners at Buscar, immediatc orders were issued for their release from continement, and for sending them to their respective homes. Four persons, however, who had rendered themselves conspicuous by their activity in the late disturbances, were, for the purpose of greater security, retained in confinement for a few months after the liberation of the rest of the prisoners. 14. The vice-president in council had indulged the hope that the tranquillity of Chittagong was perfectly re-established ; but before the orders for liberating the Mugs in confinement at Buscar could take effect, intelligence reached the presidency Cons. 4 Oct. 1816. of the renewal of disturbances on the frontier of Chittagong, and of a Mug village having been plundered by a large party of the adherents of Rynjunzing, an insurgent chief, who had actively resumed his lawless practice. 15. The necessary measures were of course adopted with the view of suppressing this new insurrection, and the magistrate from tine to time reported the proceedings of the detachments employed in thc pursuit of Kynjunzing and his associates. 16. The despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong, recorded as per margin, Cons. 10 Feb. 1816, Nº 69. describes the occurrence which took place during a tour which he made to the southern part of his district, and his exertions for the restoration of tranquility. 360. The N° 34.

·Nº yo. ; 116 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese The same consultation contains some instructions issued on the occasion to Mr. Pechell, but to the particulars of which it is not necessary in this place to advert. Cons. 2 March, 17. We beg leave also to refer your honourable court to the despatches from 1816, Nº 3 & 13. the magistrate recorded on the annexed date, describing the voluntary surrender and subsequent flight of Choopoo, one of the principal insurgent chiefs of Rynjunzing's party. The measures pursued by Mr. Pechell, although they were not attended with final success, were considered by the government to be proper and judicious. 18. In the meantime the pursuit of Rynjunzing was urged without relaxation; but it was not until the month of May 1816 that the insurgent in question was compelled, by distress and want, to surrender himself to the magistrate. Cons. 19. The particulars of the case of Rynjunzing, the circumstances which led to his 6 April, 44. surrender, and the examination of the delinquent by the magistrate, are described in 1 June, 1816. the despatches from Mr. Pechell, which are recorded as per margin. 48 & 49. 20. With respect to the disposal of Rynjunzing, the magistrate was desired to treat him as a state prisoner, in common with those Mug chiefs whose relcase it had been determined to postpone until their adherents should have returned to their peaceful occupations, and the tranquillity of the district should have assumed that settled state which would afford sufficient security against its being liable to be interrupted by any disturbances on the part of the Nug population ; but the governorgeneral in council desired the magistrate to be apprised that Rynjunzing bad manifested a strong confidence in the character of the British government for clemency and mercy, in consenting to deliver himself up to the civil authority of the district: he was entitled, in his lordship in council's opinion, to some degree of indulgence; and that therefore, while every precaution was observed against his effecting his escape, it was not his lordship in council's wish that he should be confined with too much rigour. Cons. 27 July, 21. On the consultation of the date inserted in the margin is recorded a letter 1816, N“ 19 & 20. from the magistrate of Chittagong, reporting his proceedings regarding the disposal of Rynjunzing, and the other prisoners connected with that insurgent. 22. The magistrate proposed that a distinction should be made, for the sake of example, between the generality of Rynjunzing's aclherents and a few of the most notorious of his chiefs, by confining the latter for a certain period. The governorgeneral in council approved Mr. Pechell's suggestion, and accordingly authorized him to detain the six chiefs selected by him, including Rynjunzing himself, as prisoners of state ; and it was left to the magistrate's discretion to propose the release of all, or such as he might consider to be the least dangerous or guilty, at sach period as he should deem advisable. Cons. 10 May, 22 a. In the month of May last a despatch was received from the magistrate of N" 34 & 35. Chittagong, reporting the arrival at that station of the son of the rajah of Rumré, as the bearer of a letter from the rajah purporting to be written under the immediate orders of the king of Ava, and containing a demand for the surrender of the Mug insurgents. 23. The magistrate very properly replied on his own part, at a conference which took place between the young rajah and himself, that the demand for the surrender of the Mug refugees had been repeatedly made by the governor of Arracan, and a compliance with it declined, on the grounds of its being inconsistent with the principles of the British government to deliver up a race of people who had sought protection in its territory, and had resided in it upwards of thirty years; but that he had no anthority to discuss the question, which must be referred to the governorgeneral in council. 24. Mr. Pechell was desired to address an answer to the rajah of Rumré, to the effect of his own reply to the rajah's son; observing a conciliatory and firm tone, and stating his answer to be written under the orders of the governor-general in council. 25. The governor-general at the same time addressed a letter to the viceroy of Pegu, referring to the mission of the rajah' of Rumre's son to Chittagong, and explaining to the viceroy, for the information of the king of Ava, the impracticability of our delivering up the emigrants, and the inutility of renewing the subject. 26. The ·Nº 5 to 7. N°8. N° 37. War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 117 26. The draft of the governor-general's letter to the viceroy is recorded on the Cong. 10 May, proceedings of the annexed date. N° 36. 27. The magistrate had been directed to use his endeavours to discover the motives and objects of the court of Ava in reviving the question of the surrender of the Mugs; and, if possible, to ascertain from the agent whether any preparations or arrangements were in progress in Arracan indicative of a design to attempt the seizure of the Mugs by violence, or of any other hostile purpose ; and his subsequent communications with the rajah of Ramree's son satisfied his mind that projects of this nature were in contemplation. 28. The intelligence obtained by the magistrate was of a description which appeared to require secrecy, and the despatches which contained it were accordingly Secret Department recorded in the secret department, and will be found on the consultation noted in Cons. 28 June, the margin. 29. The general tenor of that intelligence, combined with the knowledge possessed by government of the arrogant spirit of the court of Ava, and the extreme jealousy which it has always entertained of our protection of the emigrant Mugs, induced the governor-general in council to deem it by no means improbable that, on receiving intimation of the refusal of the British government to comply with the demand conveyed in the rajah of Ramree's letter, a: attempt might be made on the district of Chittagong, or the neighbourirg British possessions, by the Burmese. The governor-general in council, therefore, judged it expedient to adopt precautionary measures for the security of the honourable company's territory against a sudden irruption ; and orders were accordingly issued for reinforcing the post of Chittagong without delay. A cruiser and two gun-boats were accordingly ordered to be stationed on the coast, so as to provide against a sudden descent by sea. 30. The magistrate was also furnished with suitable instructions on the occasion, Cons. 28 June, and in consequence, however, of subsequent despatches from the magistrate of c'ons. 22 Aug. Chittagong, intimating his opinion that the probability of a hostile attack on our territories by the Burmese government, was considerably diminished, the vicepresident in council was led to believe that the reports of projected invasion of the eastern provinces arose more from the presumption and ambition of interested individuals, than from any real manifestation on the part of the higher authorities of Ava, of intentions inimical to the existing tranquillity of the company's territories. 31. Impressed with these sentiments, the vice-president in council resolved to suspend the departure of the naval force which had been prepared for the protection of the coast of Chittagong, retaining however at disposal the means of having recourse to the projected system of defensive arrangements, if events should subsequently requirc the resumption of it; it was not however considered by the local government to be advisable to make any alteration in the military arrangements which had been resolved upon for the better security of the eastern provinces. 32. By a reference to the despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong, recorded Pol. Department Cons. 12 Sept. as per margin, your honourable court will observe that the intelligence contained in N° 54 & 53. it was such as to warrant the conclusion, that the information which had suggested extraordinary measures of defensive solid foundation, arrangement was devoid of any and that there was not the least reason to suspect the existence or the future contemplation of any hostile designs on the part of the Burmese government; under those circumstances the vice-president in council submitted to the governor-general, whether it might not be expedient immediately to countermand some of those augmentations and dispositions of military force which were founded on a contrary supposition. 33. In suggesting this course of proceeding the vice-president in council was guided not merely by a solicitude to avoid unnecessary expense, and to obviate inconvenience to the public service, but also by the alarm on the part of the Burmese government, which the measures of defence already in progress appeared, from the last despatch of the magistrate of Chittagong, to have excited respecting the designs of the British government. 34. The governor-general having signified his entire acquiescence in the Cons. 14 Nov. sugges- N 10 & 1. tion of the vice-president in council, that the extraordinary preparations of defence against the Burmese should be abandoned, the necessary orders were immediately issued for carrying it into execution. ვნა. G& 35. We ·PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese 35. We are happy to state to your honourable court that at the period of our Gow. Gut. in douacil, latest advices from Chittagong, there was no manifestation on the part of the Mug O Dec. 1819. population, of a disposition to disturb the existing tranquillity; the merchants of Arracan and Ava continued to resort to Chittagong and the neighbouring districts for the purposes of trade, and the reports of meditated aggression by thc Burmese against our possessions in those quarters had entirely subsidcd. Cool 15 August, 36. The magistrate of Chittagong having at length succeeded in again securing N° 34 & 35 the insurgent chief Chauripo, and in apprehending about eighty of the Mugs who had been his associates, submitted to government a report containing his suggestions relative to the disposal of those prisoners, with reference to his classification of their Cons. 17 Oct. delinquency. The report of the magistrate is recorded on the consultation on the Nº 56 to 58. date noted in the margin. •37. Mr. Pechell stated his conviction of the expediency of delivering up to the Burmese government such of the prisoners as should be proved to have been most active in committing hostility in the province of Arracan, as being the only means of deterring the Mugs from attempting in future such lawless and atrocious enterprizes. 38. The vice-president in council was satisfied that the measure proposed by the magistrate was the only onc calculated to make a salutary and permanent impression upon the Mug settlers, while they continue in a position presenting so many facilities for the indulgence of their predatory habits, and their rooted hostility against the Burmese. But although the surrender of the offenders to the Burmese seemed to be the most efficient course of proceeding, yet when the vice-president in council contemplated the barbarous punishment which the Burmese might be expected to inflict on the wretches who might be delivered up to their vengeance, the vice-president in council felt that it would be repugnant to the merciful character of the British nation to expose so many persons to the vindictive resentment of their enemies, exasperated as they justly were by repeated aggressions ; the local government was anxious therefore to devise some other means by which the ends of retributive justice might be answered, and the repetition of similar outrages effectually prevented, without resorting to that extreme measure, to which nothing but the failure of every other expedient would induce the government to have recourse. 39. In the resolution to abstain from the surrender of any of the prisoners, the vice-president in council was influenced also by the consideration, that it would probably constitute an encouragement to a repetition of demands, on the part of the Burmese authorities, for the surrender of fugitives, and a precedent which on such occasion might create a considerable degree of cmbarrassment. 40. With reference to the great number of prisoners, and to the additional labour which a necessary separate examination of each, and a detailed statement of the part which each of the accused persons took in Chauripo'a criminality would involve, the vice-president in council determined to associate another gentleman with him to form a special committee for the perforniance of the above-mentioned duties, and to report for the consideration of government, on the proper mode of disposing of the prisoners in question. The 4th judge of the Dacca court of circuit was accordingly appointed to officiate as chief member of the committee, when the regular course of his judicial duty should lead him to Chittagong. As the offenders however could only be regarded as state prisoners, the 4th judge was desired to understand that his duties as a member of the committee were considered to be entirely distinct from his functions as a circuit judge. We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, Honourable Sirs, your most faithful humble servants, G. Dowdeswell, Jas Stuart, A. W. Ricketts.

·Wur. EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 119 100 & 101. Extract from a DESPATCH from the Governor General in Council at Fort Despatct from William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; Gov.Ger.in connait, dated 4th June 1818. 4 June 1818, 23. OUR last communication to your honourable court relative to the affairs of Chittagong, was conveyed in our separate letter to your address under date the 20th of December ; but as neither the bulk nor the importance of the late correspondence with the magistrate of Chittagong on that subject requires a separate address on the present occasion, we shall notice the few points connected with it under the appropriate head. 24. In the month of October last a despatch was received from the magistrate, Cons. 16 Jan. 1818, Nº containing his examinations of a person named Devy Dutt, who, with two others, by name Shaik Daoud and Namerozia, appeared to the magistrate to have been engaged in an intrigue at the court of Ava, and who were shortly expected at Calcutta. The acting Persian secretary was in consequence desired separately to interrogate those persons on their arrival here, regarding their late proceedings at Ava, and to endeavour to ascertain the real object and intention of the mission on which, according to Devy Dutt's statement, they were deputed to Lahore. 25. On the arrival, however, of Shaik Daoud and Namerozia in Calcutta, the necessity of acting upon the preceding instructions was superseded, as it appeared that they were accredited as envoys from the court of Ava to this government. 26. The two last-mentioned persons presented two letters from the minister of the king of Ava, one requiring the delivery up of the Mug insurgents; the other notifying the mission of the bearers, logether with Devy Dutt to the Tangab, of procuring religious books. Devy Dutt did not report his arrival in Calcutta, nor did cither of the envoyz inake any allusion to him; but it was discovered that he had arrived at the presidency, and that he was studious to conceal himself from the notice of government. 27. The suspicious conduct of this person, and the circumstances stated in the letter from the magistrate of Chittagong, determined us not to permit the Burmese envoys to proceed to the upper provinces without the sanction of the governorgencral ; independently, however, of the particular circumstances of suspicion which attached to those persons, the number of missions which had been previously sent from Ava for this ostensible purpose, could not but induce a strong belief that it had been in every instance a mere pretext; and however unimportant and extravagant the projects of the Burmese government might be, we conceived that it would not be advisable to allow of their being further prosecuted without interruption. We accordingly stated these sentiments for the consideration of his excellency. 28. The governor-general entirely approved our resolution not to permit the envoys to proceed to the upper provinces in prosecution of their mission; and his lordship not having been apprised, through inadvertence, that Shaik Daoud and Namerozia had already been recognized in the character of political cnvoys, in consequence of the production of their credentials, expressed his opinion that they should not only not be received as envoys, or be acknowledged as agents of the Burmese government, cither in a public or private capacity, but should be detained in custody as impostors until they could be sent as prisoners to the government of Rangoon. 29. Under the circumstance, however, of their having been already recognized as envoys, we conceived that the precise course pointed out by the governor-general, of sending those persons back to Ava under restraint, would be objectionable. At the same time it occurred to us that the object which his lordship had in view would be fully attained by simply dismissing the envoys with a letter to the court of Ava, stating, that the government had thought it proper, and an act of friendship towards that court, to prevent their prosecuting their journey to Lahore, as it had been discovered that their mission to that country originated in a false representation which had been made to the king of Ava regarding the character of Devy Dutt. We accordingly determined to pursue this course. With regard to the repetition of the demand for the surrender of the Mugs, we deemed it proper to refer the minister to former communications on tliut subject made to the viceroy of Pegu. 30. It ·120 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch fron 30. It having been ascertained that Devy Dutt, though a native of Lahore, had Gov.Gen. in council, resided since his childhood within the British territories, we did not judge it neces- 4 June 1818. sary to impose any restraint upon him. Cons. 30 Jan. 31. The correspondence with the governor-general on this occasion, and the Nº 84 to 88. COMS. 6 Feb. Nº76. reply returned to the ministers of the king of Ava, are recorded on the consultations of which the dates are noted in the margin. 32. The government having received information that a boat laden with arms and other stores was lying at the Baliagaut destined for Arracan, the magistrate of the suburbs of Calcutta was directed to seize and detain the boat, and to furnish without loss of time an account of her cargo. The magistrate was also desired to proceed in person in the discharge of the above-mentioned duty, accompanied by such a force as might obviate all attempt at resistence on the part of the boat people. Cons. 13 Feb. 33. The magistrate's report of his proceedings is recorded on the consultation of N 69. the annexed date. 34. The stores being inconsiderable both in quantity and value, we did not consider it advisable to direct the confiscation of the articles seized; conceiving that the seizure of them, accompanied by a declaration that any attempt hereafter to pass articles of such a description without the permission of government would subject them to confiscation, would be sufficient to prevent the surreptitious exportation of military stores to the Burmese dominions. We accordingly ordered the articles in question to be restored. 35. Several despatches from the magistrate of Chittagong are recorded in the secret department, in which he reported the intelligence which had rcached here regarding the appearance of a large Burmese force on the frontier of the district of Sylhet ; the rumoured hostile projects of the king of Ava to be directed against the eastern borders of our territories, and the measures of precaution which he had adopted under the uncertain and doubtful information which had been communicated to him. -36. The intelligence contained in the magistrate's despatches was generally too inconclusive to render necessary the immediate adoption of measures suggested by him in his letter marked Nº 69, of the consultation last quoted, of sending a naval force for the protection of the coast of Chittagong, with reference to the possible irruption of the Burmese into that district. We approved, however, the precautionary measures adopted under the magistrate's own authority. 37. In conformity to Mr. Pechell's suggestion, we authorized him occasionally to disburse small sums of money, not exceeding fifty rupees, for the purpose of obtaining such intelligence as might be depended on relative to the state of affairs at Arracan, and the projects of the Burmese government, which might be contemplated against the tranquillity of the honourable company's eastern provinces. N 69 to 73 Despatch. Extract from a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Fort Gov.Gen. in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; 17 March 1830. dated 17th March 1820. Pol. Depart. 1818. 134. ON the proceedings noted in the margin is recorded a translation of an extra- Cons. 10 July, ordinary letter from the rajah of Ramree to the address of the governor-general, N" 10 & 134. making a demand on the part of the king of Ava, for the cession of Ramoo, Chittagong, Moorshedabad and Dacca, on the alleged ground of their being dependencies of the Burmese government, and filled with extravagant and absurd menaces in the event of a refusal to comply with the requisition. The governor-general on this occasion addressed a letter to the viceroy of Pegu to the following effect: That if the letter had really been written by order of the king of Ava, his excellency lamented that persons so incompetent to form a just notion of the state of power of the British nation in India should have been able to practise on the king's judgment; that any hopes which the king might have been induced to entertain that the British government would be embarrassed by contests in other quarters, were entirely delusive ; that we were indifferent to attack from the king of Ava, further than as we should regard with concorn the waste of lives in an unmeaning quarrel; that ·121 War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. that his excellency trusted, however, that the king would perceive the folly of the Despatch froun counsellors who would plunge him into a calamitous war, by which the commerce of Gov.Gen. in council, his empire would be wholly destroyed ; and that if, as the governor-general could 17 March 1890 not but believe, the rajah of Ramrè had for some unworthy purpose of his own assumed the tone of insolence and menace exhibited in his letter, without the authority of the king of Ava, he hoped that a procedure so calculated to breed dissentions between two friendly states, would be visited by the king with the severe displeasure which it deserved. 13.5. There is no way of accounting for this extravagant step on the part of the court of Ava, but by supposing it to have originated in a secret agreement with the Mahrattas. The governor of Mergheye, a Burman chief of great eminence, had Leen permitted to visit the upper provinces for professed purposes connected with religion. There is reason to surmise that lois real object was to ascertain the real strength and determination of the Mahrattas, in consequence of previous overtures from them; and it is probable that lie had adopted delusive notions of both. The king of Ava, iminediately after the transmission of the message, which was really a declaration of war, would learn that the views of his expected allies had been anticipated, and that the Mahrattas were crushed. Thence his hostile intentions subsided without further explanation. 136. Referring your honourable court 19 the twenty-third and cight succeeding paragraphs of the letter addressed to you on the 4th of June 1818, by the late vice president in council, we have the honour of reporting that a letter was received from the rajah of Arracan, demanding on the part of the king of Ava the delivery of Debec Duti, together with Shackh Daoud and Namerozia, into the hands of military officers deputed by the rajah to receive then. We immediately directed the surrender of Shackh Daoud and Namerozia to those appointed to receive them; but at the same time a communication was made of the confident hope of the British government, that as it had in this instance, purely as an act of friendship tuwards the king of Ava, departed from its established practice, the punishment inflicted on them would not be of a capital nature; and that on this expectation alone had it consented to deliver them up. It was also intimated to the rajah of Arracan, that we expected him to use his influence with his court to the same ond, and a similar application was made to the ministers of the king of Ava. With regard to Debce Dutt, the rajah was informed, that he, being a British subject, could not be given up to be punished for his offence by a foreign state, but he was assured that when Debee Dutt was apprehended, the British government would tahe upon itself the care of his punishment. Extract from a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Despatch front Fort William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Gov.Gen in onuncil, Company; dated the 8th July 1820. 8 July 1820. 77. ON the proceedings of the annexed date we have recorded a correspondence Pol. Depart. 1819. Cons. 17 July, between Mr. Scott and the magistrate of Rungpore, relative to some disturbances which had taken place on the frontier of Assam ; but the subject does not require Cons. 14 Ang specific notice. N• 45 & 48. N° 33 Extract from a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Fort Despatch fron William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; Gov.Gen. in council dated 21st October 1820. 21 Oct. 1820. 100. ON the proceedings of the annexed date is recorded a report from the Pol. Depart. 1819. magistrate of Chittagong respecting the state prisoners confined in the gaol of that Cons. 24 July, No 71 & 72. station ; the magistrate recommended the release of these persons, but stated it to be advisable, that the principal inhabitants of Coxe's bazaar should be called upon to give their opinions, as to how far the tranquillity of that part of the country might be affected by their enlargement; and in the event of their entertaining any fears, he suggested that the prisoners should be obliged to reside at the station of the magistrate, and present themselves to him from time to time, until such 360. Hh apprehensions ·122 N 73. PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmest apprehensions should have subsided. We desired the magistrate to make these and other inquiries suggested by him, and again to submit his opinion upon the cases of the several prisoners for our further consideration. In his reply to these orders, the magistruto submitted a statement of the circumstances of each individual prisoner, and of his opinion with regard to the course to be pursued towards him. Pol. Depart. 1820. We complied generally with his suggestions and recommendations ; for the details of which, we have the honour to refer to the correspondence cited in the margin. Pol. Depart. 1819. 101. The despatch from the magistrate of Chittagong, noted in the margin, Cons. 28 Aug announced the report of the death of the king of Ava. N° 98. Cons. 22 Jan. Nº 119. Despatch from Extract from a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Fort Gov.Gen. in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; 9 May 1823. dated oth May 1823. ('ons. 29 July, 140. TIIE correspondence with the joint rnagistrate of Rungpore, recorded on N° 88 & 89. ('ons. 16 Sept. our consultations of the dates noted in the margin, relates to questions arising out Non 95 & 96. of the expulsion of the former rajalı of Assam, who, with the bura goloeen, or Cons. 7 Oct. principal minister, sought an asylum in the Britislı territories; and of the elevation * 53 & 54. of rajah Chunder Kaunt, by the aid of a Burinesc army, to the musnud of that country. Any special advertence on our parts to the subject must be unnecessary at this distant period from the date of the occurrences. 7 () Nº 52. N" 39 N° 24 Despatch from Extract from a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Fort Gov.Gen. in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of thc East India Company; 13 June 1823. dated 13th June 1823. Cons. 12 May, 80. TIIE subject of Assam affairs, referred to in the correspondence cited in cons. 26 May, the margin, will be brought to the notice of your honourable court in another place, in connection with an account of the late proceedings of the Burmese government Cons. 13 Oct. in that country. Cons. 28 July, 149. We purpose in a subsequent despatch to furnish a full and connected Nos 30 & 31. account of the late revolutions in Assam, and the complete introduction of the ('ons. 1 Sept. authority of the king of Ava into that province, and shall not thcrefore notice in this N 43 & 44. Cons. 31 (ct. place the letters from the magistrate of Rungpore, which relate to those events. Nº 114 & 115. Cons. 24 Nov. N*89 & 9o. Extract from a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Fort Despatch from Gie v.Gen. in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; 31 July 1823 dated 31st July 1823. 5. WE are gratified to find that the tencr of our replies to the applications from the rajah of Assam for assistance to settle the affairs of his dominions, was approved by your honourable court; at the same time we think it proper to remark, that our continued refusal to interfere in the affairs of Assam, has by no means prevented the troubled and distracted state of that country from proving a source of embarassment to the British government: your honourable court will be apprised by our regular reports, that the government of Ava has taken advantage of the dissensions prevailing in the Assamese territory, to obtain military occupation of the country, and to set aside its native princes; thus the Burmese nation has come in contact with our territories, at another and most inconvenient point, and by the possession of Assam they have’acquired the command of the upper part of the Burrampooter. - Despatch from Extract from a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Fort Gov.Gen.in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; 12 Sept. 1823. dated the 12th of September 1823. JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES. 90. THE’most important part of the correspondence under this head relates to the occupation of Assam by the Bormese, and the discussions which arose between the local authorities of the two states, in consequence of the partial violation of our boundary ·N° 79. Nº 8o. I'ar.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 123 boundary by thc troops of the latter. To place the subject in a distinct point of view Despatch from bctore your honourable court, it will be necessary to advert briefly to the state of Gov.Gen.in council, parties and the course of events in Assam prior to 18:22, as indicated by corres- 12 Sept 1823. pondence which has not yet been regularly brought to your notice. 91. On the 26th June 1819, Mr. Scott, commissioner in Cooch Behar, reported to Pol. Depart. 1819. the government, that the party in Assam acting under the influence of the principal Cons. 17 July, hereditary officer of state, called the booda or bura goheyn, and the nominal autho- N° 33 & 34, rity of rajalı Poorunder Singh, had been driven froin Gohutee or Gowalatcc, by the 7 July, u Cons. 14 Aug. opposite faction headed by Chunder Kaunt, a competitor for the raj, who was Nº 45 & 48. supported by the Burmese power, and an army composed of the subjects of the Man Rija, with other rude tribes bordering on Assam). 92. In September following the ex-rajah Poorunder Singh, addressed a letter to Pol. Depart. 1820, the governor-general, stating that lie had been driven from his territories Cons. 29 July, tribe called Minn, and had taken refuge at Chilmarec in the district of Rungpore ; he solicited the protection and assistance of the honourable company, and offered to become tributary, and to pay the expense of the detachment that would be necessary 10 cffect lois restoration to the inusnull of liis ancestors; this application was repeated Cons. 29 July 1820, in the following month. 9.). About the same period the bura golicyr, or prime minister of the Assam rej, Pol. Depart. 1820. cuncto ('alcutta and presented several successive memorials, soliciting the inter- Cons. 29 July, N"* 81 & 8.4. scrence of the British goverument for the restoration of himself and Poorunder Singlı, the rightful rajah (or suryco) to authority, and stating that the king of Ava had been induced to support Chunder Kaunt, through false representations made to him of his title to the musnud: we should remark that there is some confusion and obscurity in the petitions presented by the bura gobeyn; be sometimes represented Himself as the adherent and supporter of l’oorunder Singh, and at other times seemed 10) state the supreme authority as vesting in his own person, owing to the default of legal heirs to the rej. 91. In reply to these several applications, we informed the ex-rajah and the bura Cons. 29 July, Goleyn, that the British government does not interfere in the internal affairs of foreign 1 820, Nº 85. states, nor pronounce on disputed titles to the musnud; but maintains with the reigning prince the relations of friendship and concord. Inder these circumstances we declined taking coynizance of the disputes between themselves and rajah Chunder kaunt, who haul obtained the musnud of Assam ; but assured them, that whilst they should conduct themselves in a quiet and peaceable manner, and conform to the orders of governnient, they would find an asylum within the honourable company's territories, 95. In the meantime repeated applications were made to us by Chunder Kaunt, Pol. Depart. 1820. the successful competitor, for the seizure of the ex-rajalı, and the bura goheyn and ('uns. 29 July, his followers, with their property and eflects, which he claimed as the property of the state : le replied to the rajali's letter by stating, that as it is contrary to the principles of the British governmeni to interiere in the affairs of foreign states, we did not pretend to a r'glit of pronouncing on the disputed title to the musnud of Assain, lout should be ever disposed to maintain the most friendly intercourse with the reigning princa of the country, and under this exposition of our sentiments should be happy to cultivate with him the relations of anity, and to pay every attention to his wishes, so long as a compliance with them was not at variance with our established lisage and policy. We met his request for the surrender of the heads of the defeated party, hy informing him that as it is not the practice of this government to deny an assylum to political refugees, so long as they conduct themselves in a quiet and peaceable manner, the governor-general felt precluded from complying with his wishes for their apprehension and punishment. 96. The governor-general was addressed likewise by one of the ministers of the king Political Cons. 29 July 1890, of Ava on the subject of the intervention of that state to support Chunder Kaunt, and N° 86 & 87. to re-establish tranquillity in Assam ; and requesting that curtain refugees, who continued to disturb the frontier, might be apprehended and delivered over to the military officers of his Burmese majesty, for the purpose of being conducted to Arracan. llis lordship's reply was couched in generally amicable and complimentary terms, and professed every disposition to promote the friendship and harmony so happily subsisting between the two governments. With respect to the expelled from Assam, who had sought refuge within th British territories, it was 360. N° 88 to 96 persons stated ·3 N';2. 124 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese stated that a letter had been written on the subject to rajah Chunder Kaunt, and the minister was referred to him for particulars. Pol. Depart. 1821. 97. In the despatch recorded on our consultations as per margin, Mr. Scott Conso March, reported, that the ex-swerg deo, or rajah Poorunder Singh, was employed in collecting troops in the Bhooban territory, for the purpose of invading Assam; and that it was reported his force was to be headed by Mr. Bruce, a native of India, who had long resided at Ingigopa. He added, that Chunder Kaunt, the reigning rajah, was supposed to be very desirous of getting rid of his allies, the Burmahs, and was understood to be treating with the bura gohayn and other refugees of consequence for their return, with a view to a combination of the whole means and strength of the country against the Burmese. 98. On the 30th of April Mr. Scott made known to us that the bar barwah, or Assamese minister, who was an adherent of the interests of the Burmese party, had been murdered, as was supposed, with the connivance of rajah Chunder Kaunt; Pol. Depart. 1821. that the latter had in consequence retired from Jorahawt to Gowahati; and that it Cons. 12 May, was generally believed an army from Ava would soon invade the country to avenge D', 26 May, Nº 39. the death of the bar barwah, and to depose the reigning prince. The above communication was followed almost immediately by information that the Burmahs had set up another rajah in Assam, and that it was supposed Chunder Kaunt would shortly be compelled to fly the country. 99. Applications having been received by us from the bura gohayn and the exrajah Poorunder Singh for the restoration of certain arms left by them in deposit at Chilmaree in 1819, and also for permission to purchase arms at thc arsenal at l'ort Cous, 12 May William, we declined compliance with the latter request; and to enable us to decide 1821, N° 88. on the former, we called upon the joint magistrate at kungpore for more particular information regarding the existing state of affairs in Assam. In replying to the above call, Mr. Scott took occasion to remark, that with reference to the arrogant character of the Burmah government, and the spirit of conquest by which it is actuated, it seemed to him probable that, in the cvent of its authority being esta - blished in Assam, it would become necessary to station a considerable force on that unhealthy frontier; and he submitted, thercforc, whether the interests of the British government would not be best consulted by permitting the Assam refugees to obtain the necessary nieans for the expulsion of the invaders. lle added, that the crueltics practised by the Burmese, and the devastation of property that had taken place since they first entered Assam, had rendered all classes of people desirous of being relieved from them; and that all that secmed necessary to enable either Poorunder Singh or the bara guhayn to establish their authority, was a supply of fire-arms. Though there inight be objections to furnishing them with muskets from the arsenal of Fort William, there could be nonc, he conceived, to permitting them to transport such arms as they might be able to obtain by private purchase into the Boolan territories, with the consent of the local authorities. We stated, in reply, that we were aware of no objection to the several parties struggling for ascendancy in Assam procuring muskets and stores by private means, in order to carry them across the frontier and arm their adherents. For other less important points comprised in the above corre- Cons. 16 June spondence, we must beg leave to refer your honourable court to the record of our 1821, Nºrto 71. proceedings as per margin. 100. Towards the end of May, the ex-rajah Poorunder Singh having entered Assam from the Bhoolan territory, or the northern part of Bignee, was attacked by a party detached by Chunder Kaunt, and his force entirely defeated and dispersed. His commander also, Mr. Bruce, was inade prisoner, and sent to Gowahati. Pol. Depart. 1891. 101. On the 30th of September the joint magistrate of Rungpore reported, that Cans. 27 Oct. 1821, Chunder Kaunt had been expelled from Assam by the Burmese party, and had fled to the chokey opposite to Gowalparch. The above communication was succeeded Cons. 28 Nov.1891, by reports of various outrages committed on the British frontier villages by parties N3&4 of the Maun or Burmese troops, and by suggestions from the joint magistrate that a small force should be detached from Pitalaga to protect our territory from further insult. 102. With reference to the measures which Mr. Scott stated himself to have adopted for obtaining reparation on account of the above aggressions, we, in reply, informed him, that we entirely approved his having called on the commander of the Burmese troops, and the Assam minister who accompanied them, to deliver up the perpetrators N° 69. 8 Dec. N° 70.

·War.) N 71. EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 125 perpetrators of the outrages alluded to, whose acts appeared to have been disavowed Despatch from by their chiefs. In the event of the requisition not being complied with, the Gov.Gen. in council, governor-general in council authorized him to accept the offer which there was reason to 12 Sept 1823. believe the Burmese commander might make to punish the offenders himself. We expressed ourselves satisfied of the necessity for strengthening the military force in the north-east quarter of Rungpore, and apprised Mr. Scott that the officer commanding at Titalza would be directed to detach a party of sufficient strength to repel by force any further violation of our boundary, but not to follow the aggressors into the Assamese territory. We instructed the joint magistrate likewise to warn the principal authorities in Assam of the necessity of restraining their followers from the commission of any similar outrages in future. 103. In the meantimc a letter had been received by the joint magistrate from the commander of the Burmese troops, stating that his soldiers had by mistake plundered the villages of Habbraghat within the British boundary, thinking that Cons. 8 Dec. 1821, they belonged to Assam; that he had no intention of molesting the inhabitants of Bengal, and that he would afford satisfaction for whatever had occurred, on the receipt of orders to that effect from the swerg deo or rajah at Gowahati. 104. In a letter, recorded on our consultations of the annexed date, the joint Cons. 8 Dec. 1881, magistrate of Rungpore reported that he had signified his compliance with a request N° 81 & 82. preferred by rajah Chunder Kaunt, through Mr. Bruce, for permission to transport gunpowder and military stores into Assam, and suggested that orders should be issued to the proper authority at the presidency for the grant of passes. 105. We informed Mr. Scott, in reply, that we had directed the sanction of government to be conveyed to Mr. Bruce for the transport of three hundred muskets and ninety maunds of gunpowder, intended as a supply to rajah Chunder Kaunt. 106. We pointed out to liim, that the government licence only protected the arms as far as Rungpore, beyond which place they were not to be carried without his permission. This condition the governor-general in council thought it necessary to introduce under existing circumstances; and Mr. Scott was directed to use his discretion in allowing supplies of arms to be furnished under passes from the officers of government to any of the parties who contested the sovereignty of Assam. 107. The necessary orders, we informed him, would be issued through the territorial department to give effect to any pass that he might himself hercafter grant ; and in case of application being made at the presidency, the sanction of government would be given, as in the present instance, subject to the condition of his deeming the transport across the frontier unobjectionable at the time and in the manner proposed. It is perhaps unfortunate, we added, that arms should, under the existing regulations, require a government pass for their protection during transport through the country, as such a document is open to be misconstrucd into a support or countenance of the particular party to whom the arms may be supplied ; whereas while government itself is a neutral party, and no way involved in the contests and disturbances which make a supply of arms desirable to the inhabitants of a country, there is no reason, as far as it is concerned, for any difference between these and other articles of traffic which any party having the means may purchase without obstruction. 108. At the end of 1821 the cause of Chunder Kaunt became again temporarily triumphant: he defeated the Burmese in severil skirmishes, and advanced into the interior nearly as far as Gowahati. These successes, and the continued attempts of Poorunder Singh and the bura goleyn from the side of Boolan and Bignee, to recover thcir lost dominion, drew forth a letter from the Burmese general Menjee Maha Silwa (who had arrived some months before to take the command of the troops in Assam) to the address of the governor-general, which your honourable court will Pol. Depart. 1899 Cons, 11 Jan. find recorded as Nº 23 of our consultations referred to in the margin. The docu. N" 99 & 25. ment may be consulted as a curious specimen of the Burmese style of official correspondence, and of the arrogance and lofty pretensions of the court of Ava. Its object was apparently to request that assistance might not be afforded to rajah Chunder Kaunt (or Shundraganda) by any persons residing within the British dominions; and to suggest the expediency of his being surrendered, with all other refugees, who might seek refuge or had already taken shelter there. A letter was also addressed to Mr. Scott on the same occasion, to which he very properly 360. I i returned ·136 PAPERS RELATING TO [Burmese Despatch from returned for answer, that it is not the custom of the British government to deliver Gov.Gen.in council, up persons who may take refuge in its territories on account of political disturbances. 19 Sept. 1883. 109. We do not think it necessary to enter here into any particular account of the bura goheyn's misconduct, who, whilst hanging on the frontier, had contrived to intercept and for a time to detain the above letters from the Burmese party. The relation of that circumstance, and of the orders which we issued in consequence to detain him for some time in confinement, will be found in the papers already cited. Cons. 26 Jan. 1891, 110. A letter having been addressed to the governor-general by the pretender to N" 76 & 78. the sovereignty of Assam, last set up by the Burmese, named Phunzader, we referred him to the joint magistrate at Rungpore for a knowledge of our sentiments, and directed Mr. Scott to keep us apprised of the countenance which the new claimant of the musnud might receive from the people of the country. 111. Mr. Scott informed us in reply, that Phunzadur had no better title to be considered ruler of Assam, than his adversary Chunder Kaunt, and that the interests of the latter for the moment predominated, as he was in possession of nearly all the country between Gowahati and the company's frontier. Such being the case, Mr. Scott suggested the expediency of the refugees being prohibited from returning to Assam with any body of armed followers, whether natives of the country or others, except under the sanction of the latter. We concurred in the propriety of the measure, and desired him to instruct the officer on the frontier to carry it into cffect accordingly, but not to molest individuals proceeding in the direction of Assam, whether armed or otherwisc. Cons. 30 March, 112. We instructed the joint magistrate likewise to call on rajah Chunder Kaunt 1822, N" 93 & 94. to indemnify the inhabitants of the British pergunah lubragat for the plunder of their villages and property between 1819 and 1821, by the Burmese troops attached to his party; and authorized him, in the meantime, to disburse on that account from his own treasury a sum not exceeding sicca rupees 5,800. Cons. 31 May, 113. In a despatch recorded on our consultations of the annexed date, the joint 1822, N* 44 & 45. magistrate of Rungpore brought to our notice the distressed situation of many of the Assam emigrants, who to the number of several thousands took refuge in the British territory in 1819, and had been deterred from returning to their own country by the continuance of disturbances there, and the dread cxcited by the excesses committed by the Burmese. He suggested that permission should be granted him to farm the small estate of Singeemarec, which lies rather remote from the frontier, and to settle the cmigrants upon it, under the protection of government. We approved the scheme, and authorized him to obtain a lcase of the estate, al a rent of about rupccs 523 per annum. 114. The Burmese party in Assam received a considerable reinforcement in the month of April or May, commanded by an officer of high rank from the court of Ummeerapoora, named Mengee Maha Bandoola. Chunder Kaunt soon gave way before the new force, and in June was reported to have sustained a decisive defeat, and to have disappeared altogether from the field. This event was followed by a representation of rather a threatening character on the part of the Burmese officers to Lieutenant Davidson, the officer commanding the small post of Goalparch, stating, that their army consisted of 18,000 fighting men, commanded by forty rajahs; that they had every wish to remain in friendship with the company, and to respect cautiously the British territories ; but that should protection be given to rajah Chunder Kaunt, they had received positive orders to follow him wherever he might go, and to take him by force out of the company's dominions. A letter was, at the same time, written by Mengee Maha Silwa to the chief British local authorities, setting forth that Chunder Kaunt had rebelled against the sovereign of Ava; that it behoved them not to permit him to enter their territories, and that if he did so, it was the wish of the Burmese authorities to follow and apprchend him. The despatches detailing the above particulars, and describing the insecure and disturbed state of the British frontier, in consequence of the anarchy and civil war which raged in Assam, and the augmentation of the Burmese force in that quarter, will 5 July 1882, be found on our proceedings of the annexed date. 125. On a consideration of the above circumstances, we signified to the joint magistrate, that should Chunder Kaunt or any of his party appear within our territrories after their late defeat, they must be disarmed and sent to a distance from the frontier. Co No 97 to 106.

·N° 18 & 91. Nº bo. War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 127 frontier. We stated that we did not consider it probable that the Burmese would Dapatch from attempt to follow up the ex-rajah into the British dominions; but that should the Gov. Gea: in council, attempt be made, it must instantly be repelled by force. Instructions were accord- 12 Sept. 1823. ingly issued to the officer commanding at Dacca to detach such reinforcement as Mr. Scott might require to the extent of his means. Rajah Pooncadur, or Phunzadar, being now the nominal ruler of Assam, we directed the joint magistrate to acquaint him with our demand upon his government, for restitution of the property plundered at Hubraghat by his allies the Burmese, and to renew the hitherto unsuccessful application for the punishment of the individuals by whom certain murders and outrages had been committed at the time of the plunder of the villages. 116. In July, Mr. Scott reported that a vakcel, said to be a person of rank, had cons. 26 July 1819, been deputed by the Burmese authority in Assam to the presidency, with a letter N* 48 & 49. addressed to the governor-general. llc recommended strongly that he should be allowed to proceed on, to which we signified our assent. This person stated to Mr. Scott that nearly two months before, the wuzeer Mengee Maha Bandoola was sent with an army of 20,000 men, for the purpose of supporting Mengee Maha Helorah (or Silwa), the commander previously employed in Assam, and who had been contending unsuccessfully against Chunder Kaunt for more than a year, and that his orders were to seize the refugees wherever they were to be found. The above accounts of the Burmese force we believe to have been greatly exaggerated. 117. The Burmese vakcel Yazoung Zabo Noratha reached the presidency at the end of the same month, and was received with civility and attention. He delivered letters from the two chiefs, reqresting the surrender of Chunder Kaunt and other Assamese refugees, and complaining of the conduct of the British authorities on the frontier in sheltering them; but containing nothing offensive or objectionable, cither in style or matter. They will be found recorded as per Cons. 6 Sept. 1822, margin, with a note by the acting Persian secretary on the subject of the vakcel's reception and behaviour. 118. In a despatch referred to in the margin, the joint magistrate of Rungpore Cons. 26 July 1822, laid before us extracts of private letters from Lieutenant Davidson, describing the equipment of the Burmese force in Assam, and reported that several robberies had been committed by large parties of depredators on the border villages of Rungpore; to check which, he suggested, that guard boats should be stationed for the protection of the navigation of the Burrampooter river. Mr. Scott's letter, as above, contains some remarks on the subject of the occupation of Assam by the Burmesc, which will, doubtless, attract the attention of your honourable court. 119. Ile observes, that the Burmese having obtained complete possession of Assam, and a person of that nation (Mengee Maha Silwa) having been appointed to the supreme authority, the country may now be considered as a province of the Burmah empire; and although it appeared from Lieutenant Davidson's last letter, that he was satisfied in regard to the amicable disposition of their commander, and that he did not consider any immediate reinforcement to his detachment necessary, yet the substitution of a warlike, and comparatively speaking, powerful government, in the place of the feeble administration that formerly ruled Assam, in a situation so commanding, and with such extensive means of offence, would, no doubt, renıler it necessary that some permanent measures should be adopted for the future security of the Rungpore frontier, and of the country on the lower parts of the Burrampooter, Mogna and Ganges. 120. From the account of the equipment of the Burmese forces furnished by Lieutenant Davidson, he conceived it obvious, that if inclined at any time to assert their claim to the Dacca province, or to plunder that rich country, it will in future be impossible for the British power, either effectually to oppose them, or to overtake them on their retreat, without some other description of force than troops unwilling, or unaccustomed to act both as boatmen and soldiers. Adverting to this consideration, he submitted whether, in addition to the usual equipment of any body of troops stationed in the Rungpore quarter, it might not be expedient to fit out a certain number of gun-boats, adapted to the navigation of the Burrampooter. 121. With reference to the unhealthy climate of the frontier, and to the trifling value of the country above Dhobree, he stated his opinion that the most advantageous situation for a permanent cantonment on the north-east frontier would be 360. somewhere ·1 per- N" 14 & 17. 128 PAPERS RELATING TO (Burmese Dematch from somewhere between that place and Chalmaree, on the right bank of the Burram- Gov.Gov.in .council, pooter, or on some of the navigable rivers connected with it on that side; as such 7.19 Sept. 1893. a position would cover all the valuable part of our possessions in Rungpore, and in the Dacca province, without exposing the troops to the noxious influence of the climate on the borders. 122. We have recorded also, as Nº 51 of the consultations of the above date, a private letter from Mr. Scott on the same subject, the remarks and information contained in which, your honourable court may consider not unworthy of notice. Cons. 26 July 1822, 123. Being entirely of opinion that the permanent maintenance of a respectable N° 52. force on the castern frontier, to keep in check any attempt on the part of the Burmese to enter the British territory in pursuit of the Assamese fugitives, or otherwise to commit aggressions, had become indispensably necessary, we communicated on the subject with his excellency the commander-in-chief. Your honourable court will find an account of the measures which it was determined to adopt for strengthening the line of defence on the Assam frontier, in the Cons. 9. Aug. 1822, extract of our proceedings in the military department, recorded as Nº 56 of our N° 56. political consultation of the gth of August. 124. With respect to the fugitives, we desired that they should be disarmed and removed from the frontier, with a distinct intimation that if they assembled again in force, for the purpose of exciting fresh disturbances, they would not be mitted to find an asylum within our territories. Cons. 6 Scpt. 1822, 125. On the date noted in the margin, the joint magistrate of Rungpore reported, that the Burmese army, under Mungec Maha Bandoola, was supposed to be on its return to Ava, with the exception of 2,000 men, under the command of Maha Silwa, and that the chiefs had invited several of the principal refugees to a conference, under the pretence that they wished to select some native of Assam for the government of the country, which would in future be held as a dependency of the Burman empire. From subsequent accounts, it appeared that the retirement of Bandoola with his troops was occasioned, in a great measure, by sickness and scarcity of provisions, Cous. 27 Sept.1822, 126. On the date cited in the margin, Mr. Scott submitted to us a copy of N° 67. a letter from Lieutenant Davidson, with his own remarks, respecting a certain island near Goalparch, upon which, as it was considered to appertain to the British territory, a flag had been erected at the time of the arrival of the Burmese at the chokey, in order to distinguish it from the Assam dominions. The Burmese threatened to take forcible possession of the island, as belonging to them, and were represented to have assumed a haughtiness of tone and demeanor on the occasion, which Mr. Scott considered to furnish a very unpromising prognostic of what was to be expected in future from such neighbours. It also suggested to his mind the expediency of some regular agreement being entered into for the settlement of all cxisting boundary disputes, as well as for the disposal of all chars or islands that may hereafter be thrown up in that part of the Burrampooter which forms the boundary between the two states. Questions of the kind, he observed, had frequently occurred in past times; but under the late peaceable government they generally admitted of adjustment, whe of minor importance, without even the necessity of the matter being referred for the orders of the governor-general in council. As the object of dispute in the above case was a mere worthless sand-bank, and we saw reason to believe that the Burmese were disposed to settle the question of right amicably, from their having requested, in a letter to Lieutenant Davidson, that a person acquainted with the boundary might be deputed to discuss matters with them, we did not consider it expedient to commit ourselves by taking any serious notice of the affair ; nor indeed was the information before us of a sufficiently positive and distinct character to admit of our issuing specific instructions in reply. Cons. 11 Oct.1822, 127. Your honourable court will find recorded on the consultations, as per N"S 53 & 54. margin, the reply, returned by the governor-general to the letters with which the Burmese vakeel was charged, and our instructions to Mr. Scott on the occasion of dismissing that individual from the presidency. 128. After adverting to the friendly relations which had so long subsisted between the honourable company and the state of Ava, the governor general expressed ·Any 7 War.) EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 129 expressed his anxiety for preserving the peace and tranquillity of the British Despatch from frontier adjoining Assam, and disclaimed explicitly all right or intention of inter- Gov.Gen. in council, fering with the proceedings of his Burmese majesty in the latter country. His 12 Sept. 1893. lordship then, in general terms, declined violating the rights of hospitality, by delivering up the exiled princes and chiefs of Assam who had sought refuge within the company's dominions, but assured the maha silwa that they would not be permitted to abu..e the kindness and hospitality of the British government, by making the asylum they had found within its territories a means of recruiting their strength to disturb the tranquillity of any country which might have been annexed by conquest to the dominions of his majesty the hing of Ava. attempt of that nature would be instantly repressed, and if persevered in, would be attended with the certain forfeiture to Chunder Kaunt and others, of the British protection. On the other hand, the governor-general stated liis persuasion that Malia Silwa would feel the necessity of cxerting lus utmost endeavours to restrain the Burmese troops from the further commission of excesses within the British boundary, and warned him that the repetition of such aggressions must be instantly met as an act of positive hostility, for the consequences of which the Burmesc authorities in Assain would be held responsible to their sovercign. In conclusion, lis lordship took occasion to advert to the recent misconduct of the Burmese authorities in Arracan, in seizing and detaining in custody subjects of the honourable company, employed in catching elephants within the proper limits of the Chittagong district, and to express his persuasion that the fact need only be known to his Burmese majesty to be immediately remedied. In explanation of this part of the governor general's letter, we beg leave to refer your honourable c'ons 7 June 1822, court to the documents recorded on our consultations as per margin. Nos 43 & 45. copy of the above letter was forwarded to the joint magistrate of Rungporc, whom we apprised that in pursuance of the assurances therein conveyed to the Burmese authorities, it would be necessary to issue public notice to the Assamese refugees that they must refrain in future from all attempts to disturb the peace of the frontier, under pain of forfeiting the protection of government. Your honourable court will observe, that all this time it was quite uncertain what had become of the late rajah of Assam, Chunder Kaunt, and whether he had really sought shelter within our territories or not, but our instructions provided that in the event of his appearing in Rungpore, he should be compelled to abstain from collecting any body of armed followers, and to withdraw to a distance from the frontier. 13. The despatch recorded as per margin, relates to a vague rumour of an Cous... Nov. 1822, intention on the part of the Burmese commander to invade Bootan for the purpose of obtaining possession of certain gold mines supposed to exist in that country, and of the occurrence of disturbances on the side of Cochar. It was reported also, that an engagement had actually taken place between the Burmese and the Booteas, respecting a boundary, in which the former were defeated. Mengec Maha Bandoola was said to be proceeding against the Booteas, in consequence, with an army of 4,000 men and 2 or 300 boats, whilst another detachment had been sent off' in the direction of Cochar. 131. A negotiation between the Burmese and Poorunder Singh, which was said to have for its object the restoration of the latter to the government of Assam, under certain terms and conditions, having failed, the ex-rajah submitted to us a further application for assistance, offering to pay a yearly tribute of three lacks, and to defray all expenses in the event of his restoration to the throne of his an- Cons. 14 Nov.1822, cestors. We of course declined compliance with this request, conformably with the policy which we have always adhered to, of avoiding interference with the affairs of Assam. 129. A X 42. Nos 38 to 40. Extract from a DESPATCH from the Governor-General in Council at Fort Despatch from Gov.Gen. in council, William, in Bengal, to the Court of Directors of the East India Company; 10 Sept. 1824. dated 1 oth September 1824. 27. ON our consultations of the annexed date, your honourable court will fod Pol. Depart. 1823. recorded a despatch from the commissioner in Rungpore, reporting on the actual Cone. 27 June, N° 58. strength of the Burmese force in Assam, which was then reduced very low; and 360. Kk they ·PAPERS RELATING TO 130 [Burmese amphalch from they were supposed to be placed in a situation of some difficulty from a rising of Dav.Gen. in council, the Mohammeries and other native tribes, who, unablu any longer to endure their 10 Sept. 1824. tyranny, had united together, and successfully attacked their oppressors on several occasions. 28. The conmissioner considered it proper, however, to state for our information, that such is the nature of the country, and the facility of bringing down the largest army by means of the river with the utmost celerity, that should the Burmese at any time determine upon invading the British territory by way of the Barhampooter, previous intelligence of their designs, supposing them to act with common prudence, could not be obtained in his quarter in sufficient time to be of any avail, for, on the supposition of an army being sent into Assam for the above purpose, they might reach Dacca in fifteen days from the time of their arrival on the banks of the upper part of the river, and m five from that of their appearance on our frontier at Gowalpara. 29. No previous extraordinary collection of boats, Mr. Scott stated, would be required, nor any extensive preparations near our froutier that might excite suspicion, as the Burmese soldiers carry nothing with them but their arms, subsisting upon what they can find in the country they pass through, and proceedmg, after they reach the streams flowing into the Parhampooter, upon rafts made of bamboos, uutil they may be able to seize a sufficient number oí boats for their accommodation; which is very easily eftected in a county whert, for tour months m the vear, the communication from house to house is by water, and where a canoe is as necessary a part of the husbandınan's establıshment as a plough or a pan of oxen 30. Mr. Scott further took the opportunity of bringing to the notice of govern ment, that no redress had yet been afforded for the plunder of the villages in the pergunnah of Hulbraghat, reported in his former letters We had agam addressed Menjee Maha Thelooa on the subject, but had no expectation of his reimbursing the ryots for the loss sustained, unless government should be prepared to compel him thereto, either by a show of taking possession of the chokey, or by laying an embargo on the trade; which latter measure might be adopted after giving due notice to our merchants, without any permanent loss to them, and might mdeed be rendered highly advantageous to their future interests, by bindmg the Burmese authorities, amongst other conditions for the re-establishment of the trade, to reduce the duties on imports to the rates fixed by the treaty of 1703, or at least to what was usually paid under the late government, double and treble the amount having lately been levied, to the great detrimnet in particular of those concerned in the commerce in salt. 7 June 1843 31. On the same date, Mr. Scott submitted an application from Mumgee Maha Thalooa, the Burmese governor of Assam, requesting permission to return to his own country, via Chittagong, with 300 armed followers, 2,150 muskets, and a number of Assamese slaves, both men and women. The letter containmg the application simply stated, that it being customary with the Burmans to pay homage triennially to their sovereign, the writer, after an absence of three years, was desirous of placing his head under the golden feet, and that the route from Ava to Assam being obstructed by numerous niountains and rivers, and the rains having set in, he wished to proceed through the British provinces to Arracan, and proposed to return in about twelve months. 32. In reply to the above, we informed Mr. Scott that we had long been sensible of the evil resulting from the conquest of Assam by the Burmese, and should view, with much satisfaction, any successful attempt on the part of its oppressed inhabitants to expel that people; but in the present state of our relations with Ava, no countenance could be given by us, directly or indirectly to the efforts of the Assamese to recover their independence. 33. We stated, that we had not before heen apprised of the serious depredations committed by the Burmesc troops within the British frontier at Doopgoory, and elsewhere, when property was destroyed to the value of 21,998 rupees, and called for a more detailed and circumstantial report on the subject. 34. With regard to the request preferred by the governor of Assam, to be permitted to return to Ava, vid Chittagong, with a number of armed followers and cuptive Assamese reduced, to a state of slavery, we observed, that we did not feel ourselves N 59 4 ·-- War.] EAST INDIA AFFAIRS. 131 ourselves bound to entertain any such application, at all events, until our just Despateb feroma demand for compensation, on account of the British villages plundered by the Gov.Gen.In council, governor's troops, should have been attended to. We directed that a reply to this 10 Sept. 1894 cffect should be returned to the Maha Thelwa's letter, and that it should, at the same time, be intimated to him, that, even were liberty of passage granted, the number of luis followers must necessarily be restricted (conformably to our local police regulations) to a small guard of armed men, sufficient for purposes of state, say twenty oi thuty, and further, that it would be totally repugnant to the laws and customs of the British nation to allow of his bringing slaves into the honourable company's teritories 35. In the letters noted in the niargın Mr. Scott brought to ou notice the con- Pol. Depart. 1843, duct of the Assainen emigrants, who were stated to be engaged in collecting Cons. 13 June, troops from all quarters, with the view to the recovery of their native country from Nº 93&get Cone 25 July, the Buimest, and togested the expediency of removing them altogether from the N° 88 & 89. trontier, experience havmg shown that so long as they remained there, no precautions on las part could prevent them from plotting and preparing for fresh invasions of .Issan lhe great wealth possessed by many of the emigrants, enabled them, Mi Scott observed, to purchase with case the connivance of the police officers and zeemind u umilali, and were it not for the exertions of the European officers commanding on the frontili, there would be little security against then assembling ined in the jungles round Ciowalpara, in defiance of the orders of government. On recent (<ulsion thes were believed to have paid to the soobadar, then conmanding the post of Gowalpald, and the police others, money and valuables to the amount of 4,00 101 1000 rupees, and one of them had oftered even to Lieutenant Davidson, « bube of rupees, 21,000, to permit them to continue unmolested in 1etting man and sending them off to Bhootan 36 I nder all the car umstances the commissioner submitted to us the expediency of notifying to the Insam emigiants, publicly and generally, that they were at liberty toquut the honouable company territories, but that such of them as might remam theiem alte the cypiration of the nionths, would be subject to be removed to some places for down the Borhampootar as Singiemaree, and required to enter into engagements, unde a suutable penalty, not again to proceed further up the HIVI Wout the magistrate - permission 37 In conclusion Vi Scott reported, that he had made an angements for farming the small estate of Singemaiee for seven years, and such of the chuet persons among the engiants as might preto remaining at that place to settling at Chulcouud le al commodited with land for then houses 38 Hp approved the whole of M. Scott proceedings and suggestions as abova detailed and authonzer] hum to issue a notification of the nature proposed nidri ܐ ܝ ܐ 83 lig & 70 The papers noted m the margin relate to the violence and Cons 11 Ipul 182.1, N° aggression of the Bunnah chiefs of rracan, in cariying ofi and 27 Puma 192 06 imprisonng the honourable company's s elephant hunters, whilst 097 & 08 4 July pursuing then occupati na anu tually within the Butiskı boundary, 31 d 187 and likewise to the discussions between the Burmese and British 15 Aug 48 & 55. authorities touching the island of Shahpuice. When these differences began to assume a serious aspect, in consequence of the insolent language and hostile preparations of the officers of the Burman government, the magistrate in Chittagong was ordered to make his reports to the political department, and the tuin which events took towards the close of the yeai under * consideration, induced us to address our correspondence on the subject of these papers to the honourable the secret comunittee. We presume, therefore, that it is not necessary for us to submit any details to your honourable court in this place # 1821

·PAPERS
RELATING
LAST INDIA
AFFAIRS:
V IZ
Discussions with the Burmese Government.
.
Orderobe by The House of Commons, to be Priruend,
30 May 1825.
360.

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·THE MAN WHEE LUCK