translating these documents,' I carefully collated the Persian version with
t$I Birman original, which I was enabled to do by the assistance of persons
on fhfe'spot, who understood'-both «languages, and found the Persian
to be as literal a translation,- as the different idioms would- admit. | .
The letter of-His’fiirman Majesty to the Governor-General (Appendix,
No. III.) is a curious specimen of-the extravagant phraseology of orient»}
composition: a greatvpaffefit is die diction of the.mipist^r, which,^pay
be considered as the preamble of the letter. ' In th k pardon aye em w ra fed
the royal tides, the honours c^& rre d on the British r^rus^tativfijrWaththe’r
presents that were, delivered ; it next details the heads t&jCgttajn.pyqppsi-
tions., which I had made with a view to. advance the commercial interests
of both nations ; his Majesty then speaks in his. own person, and in the
pompous style of an order, ratifies immunities o f .considerable; importance
to British merchants, and mariners.
The paper which accompanied the letter (Appendix, No. IV.) is an order
delivered by the principal Woongee, to'carry into, effect thehnpsriahtRan-
date, and is addressed to the Maywoon of Pegue in particular; as holding
the jurisdiction of Rangoon, and to the governors, of se.a-port towns in
general. It, however, became necessary, in order torgive full operation to
his Majesty’s good intentions, to obtain several subsidiary papers, which, by
. .expressing in clear detail, the regular dues of government, and specifying
the authorized perquisites of office, might'prevent in, future any arbitrary
exactions, and put an end to impositions, which had long been practised
on British merchants trading to Birman ports, from whom, loud complaints
had at different times reached the supreme government. These papers I
found no difficulty in obtaining: it was determined by them, that all goods
of Europe and British India manufacture, imported in British ships, should
femsahjeie! ^ a-dUty’^Pten-’per^eati A^lfae Cing; the price of anchorage
andffdl&Uage, for ships wf every -rate^ was |le tw iB » d ^ dmieas of the fain
viueial'an#pefrt officers, charges forwserehouse room, for interpreters and
clearance, .fhe^eustcms iSoiiie devied a t each- #qjtee.M ccdlectian on goads
conVey^Bfg'Xip'it&vrteE, wfere! ascGUratelf L^ijfeisd; an d teak tamher,'to us
by far th e most valuable «©mmodety was » »
dered1 K ip p a d u ty Wf^e'pfet ieeu&iad valorem, atwfrafeverpsrt i t might
be Shipped,' and aM fetheriexactioins on that artido werepTahibited. The
several demands-of-the port .and'provincial offiaers-on the masters, o f ships,
yftiicti had heretbfbfe-'beea .paid mTouai,1 or pure.silver,;were directed to
beTafeeri indhe-omrency :of*the place,-which; at Rangoon, isjnowpd*Q,-.or
MlVW'^tepredated twentyfrveperGeht; 1
These- regalawons, expressed:in separate instruments withmleamess aa*d
precision, were -equally l l t e a f mid satisfactory; and, on the part
’Birman government, were voluntarily granted, from a icoiwfetion ;ofi >the
equity on whidhtheywere founded, ancksthe reciprocal .advantages they
were ifk-ely to produce. Tipm two propositfoas which Imfiered,|tke:5eqp^t
thought priqjm^to'withhdd,i«s acquiescenCes; abut f t certainly was •tfaeriii-
tetition df the d a g and his chief ministers, A a t €he .atttiales ..whieh’Were
thus conceded, should -'be. earned lintomompfete effect. fffitereouiise, frow-
ever, was pot yet perfectly established:; tnrany-obstacles still impeded ithp
Way; th e road was onlyfrpened, and mrnce® depended-on >tbe*^^mt»oh
those, who should-first pursue the track th a t wasnowpointed out. - '
Having thus obtained ^he'Objedts foriwfeMii’fead .been deputed; to an
»extent that-equalled my'Utmost^xpeetaftienyd ;pespared tOidbpafts The
waters Of the great'river had feeen^subsidang^re'ome time,'by which the
!lake'becaffleiso:iHuChi,edaced,!tMfboats;Of:bufthen'were-obliged to leave it,