Gaptaiia Michael Symes in hfe in tie Birman year one
thousand one hundred and fifty-six, and the Mohammedan year one thousand two
hundred and nine, certain murderers and ■robbem..of. merchants and travellers
having fled from Anacanidptotbe district of Chittagong,-the troops of this
Government, and their leaders, entered the territories of the Company in quest
of the offenders; but the English Government, - being at that time unacquainted
with the Circumstances of-.tbe case, and -uninformed what were the designs
troops, did not think proper to deliver up thefugitives; and tliat, after a deliberate
inquiry into the facts alledged against them, and a thorough knowledge of die
matter, the criminals were apprehended and delivered up; and that,,, hereafter,
upon application, (by letter) delinquents of-this-desciiptibn will be surrendered,
which will promote the welfare of both countries, and contribute to the sadsfac-
tion of their respective Sovereigns.
Captain Symcs also desires, that from the English merchants and'traders who.
come to the ports of this kingdom, only such duties, customs, and charges be exacted
as are duly authorized, and established by ancient usage; and that merchants
he allowed to carry their merchandize wheresoever they may think proper, and
not he molested or prevented by any officer or subject under this Government;
and after having disposed of their goods, they may be permitted to purchase, either
personally or by agent, the produce of the country; and that no person at Rangoon
be suffered to exact from merchants more than what is authorized; - and that if
the Government of Bengal should think fit hereafter to appoint a person to reside
at Rangoon, on the part of the Company, to superintend mercantile,concerns, and
forward letters and presents to the Golden Feet, a right of residence be granted to
such person; and that merchants or traders who think themselves aggrieved,
shall have liberty to prefer their complaints at the Golden Feet, in any manner
they may think most eligible; and that English merchants unacquainted with
the Birman language, be permitted to employ whatever interpreters they choose,
in the management of their affairs ; and that English ships, when dismasted, and
obliged to put into Birman ports by stress of weather, in want of repair and assistance,
be aided by, the officers of Government, and provided with necessaries to
refit at the current prices of the country ; and that on the frontiers of Arracan,
on the borders of the river Naaf, a Chokey, or guard-house, and a village be established.
Moreover, Captain Michael Symes notifies, that whatever Birman
Htëriêbarits-' shall resort tpaEnglisl^portB,4 they'shall be allowed, on paying the
established duties,' ■tohity" ànckSelI, 1 an d*hon’é''shall- moMt for ^hinder them, and
they shall have4rberty,,td|ï^!SçndS®®tae', ândsfbarter at their pleasure ; and that if
any person oppress or act unjustly! towards them, the law will take"Gognizanee
thereof; and punish the offenders and1 that if hi Birman -Majesty shall think fit
to Send*any person-fe’Calcutta or Bengal, oi$taran y ôtheïf’Ehglish port, thereto
reside, for the purpose of superintending1'mercantile concerns,ÿiall representations
made by* suehif'perfoh'lto'tKe‘ English-#b^êratafenVwilI be’duly.attended to,i and
jdsfee- done'*àccdrdrtïg. ttflaw ; and, that; if-any; Birman1-ships1- put, info English -
ports, through's tress of weather, dismasted, and,in'1 Want bf ipj>air',|^|iiy 1.assist-
aâfcë'*shaltbe givewto' such ships/ onkps^ingHhe equitable and^a^^a^fiè^friâ.tes ;.
aridthat the enemies<of the Birman nation shall notbd assisted 4^àthe)English with
guns-and "weapbss? powder, ball, or warlike stores;- and in like m an ner j thjt t'the,,
eiunucsol the E n g l i s h , vu 11 European is Indian, shill not he aidedbsufia.
Birmans, with stores;'provisions? or timber, in ahy*manlier ; and that if Ms -Birv
manM'ajesty shall thinfè’iitî to' sfend any person; txH'ràtif^b theseiiprofi'osalSj such
person will he received’Vrith due regard, and' meet with adequate attention.
These desire st op Captain Michael Sy-fnes, and the^eOfiteritslofthis Memorial-,
the tenor of which has been •detailed, were conveyed to the!igo|l{feùl ears of the.
Sov&eigOiof-Nbbles and Potentates : therefore; \seeing' that the^tllx^tiftqa^Q.oysr^
iior General, the Representative of the King a f England, hastens, manifested his
désiré àjftdfafetfêiffit I, the King Immortal, whose pkiianthmfo is
universal, 'whose anxiety for the benefit and welfare of all mankindj never ceam-^jf,
I DIRECT,
That all merchants of the English,-nafian, who resort toBirman ports, shall
pay customs, duties,-charges, warehouse hire;, séarchér-s ; jkci(agreeably ttfibrmer
established usage.
English merchants are to be- permitted to gp-ito whatever- part-,«®!;the*,-Birman
dominions they think'proper, ‘ eithertolbuy bT-ttolsell, and,they are on,.no .account
to be stopped, molested, or oppressed, aridkhey shalFhave liberty to,go fowhat-
eVér.tôwn, village, iorcity thëy'ehùose, for. the, purpose-of tbuying; .selling&'.or
bartering ; and whatsoever articles of the produce of this coiptry they may he
desirous of put chasing, they shall he âllôwéd to’ do sof éither>in person, or by