considerably outnumbered thePeguers, A large force was, notwithstanding,
collected at Syriam, the command of which was'givemto Apporaza, who,j
in the month of January, 1754, sailed up the Irrawaddy,-with a numerous
fleet of war boats,- to reduce the insurgents. At this time d o th the English
and French nations had re-established their factories at Syriam, and, of
course, had their separate interests*. The French favoured the Peguers,
whilst the English leaned to the Birmans; but until the vipjmty-of their
residence again became the seat of war, neither engaged in open hostility:
their partialities were manifested by petty assistance lent in and
supplies clandestinely conveyed, probably more with a view, to private
emolument, than from any enlarged political cmisideration..
When the English last took possession of Negrais, about the'year hi
their affairs were not conducted with prudence. A Mr. Hunterwas-ap-
pointed to the superintendance, who is represented as a man # Acapaci$j
but of an unconciliating and perverse disposition; the settlement, under
his guicbnce, continued in a, state of unceasing ferment; the Caffre slayer,
who had been introduced for the purpose of c u l t iv a t in g ^ TOSe
upon their masters, and seizing on the boats belonging to. the “island,
effected their escape. When Mr. Hunter died, he was .succeeded b £ &
person next in rank, under whose auspices the interests of the infant, colony,
did not improve. In addition to their dificulties, the new settlers became
unhealthy; these discouragements, however, did not induce them to eva
cuate the place, but their exertions were rendered languid by. the diminished
probability of ultimate success.
The season when Apporaza undertook his expedition to reduce Alompra,
was the most unfavourable for making a speedy journey. During the dry
months of January, February, March, and April, the waters of; the: Irrawaddy
tSubsideiintoj-ahsteamj tfhati is^hfc’^^tffajVigSbtei}* .fretpietó: sepals
andibankspffswdy rdtir'd Bhats ófifburthö^ifefidia northerly wihd invariably
prevals -These obstruction , whilst, lher) <J.c laVcd tht^Peguejcsy gave top-
pniijtunily to-their énenriosio.eolleot A ^ |^ te I^ ’o^^édd,förèepaildArt-a h ^ it
jnijihe nfost advarttagfeotis,manner; -,ts,oiayiSf.|he impending danger.
The progress , of Apporazaiwas ünmtermptëditrMbil^he' approached thé
cit®g|Ava, in the neighbourhoods of.Which small jiaFfei'gs.'öf .BirmatiSj from
the adjacent banks* molested thé böatsièf the .Peguersby desultory -attacks;
they, however, did not naUbh impede the ^®t?|whm^ö^t|n;aM>ta-advaafiee.
Appröaching the fort, a- Summons was së6|Sfrpm?iw|§ Pfcgaé general ’to
Shembuan, with a<spïoöiise to spare hjsulifey immediate!^
surrendered," and threatening exOmpfeiiy vengeance sktfctld he refuses -
- The fort of ancient Ava was of sufficient stferigfchtifb maintain a protracted
siege - agairist -an-eiiemy iöê-xpert| in war, and' Ap.phraza biad<' gdPfl
reason to Suppose that .resolution v, ouldjuoc lie „tyagtmg m-tJieibcsAgcd.
Shembuan replied, that he would défendhjs, post, tóithödèst'exffrémi^-
’ in the meanwhile Alompra Was unreffiittmgiiri^isiprepafaïibttS'tö f'&-
-ceit^ifihe enemy j he hacLstoÖécted eönsidkraMé'fleeV
?and;ihfo aimy was recruited to the computed number of tSm tftöibsahd^
whose confidence increased on the approach o f ïd’angêX? vAibt,Hi)¥i!fhè
contrary,- the troops of Apporaza. were disheartened*' by- the accounts -of
theiPafou* and strength o f their .foes'1; the -Pogue Commander,^ therefore,
S "Ehe Ganges, at the same season of the year, experiences;» hkesreductioit oftits. waters.
The head of the Hoogly river continues shut for softle’hi|nth^ vahiing which, Boats,, to resell
the Ganges from Calcutta, are obliged to navigate through the Sunderbunds, and afterwards
surmount the stream with diffitulty, owing to the impediments on numerous-shallows and
sand banks'.