No. IV.
Translation o f the Royal Mandate, accompanying the Letter to the Governor Generali
To all Commanders ofGarrisons andGovernors of JSea Pprte, in like Virtue
as to the May woon of Henzawuddy (Pegue). ■
T he Source of Greatness and Dignity Celestial, whose threshold is as the firma-,
mente, and whose suppliants, when he places the.Golden Foot of Majesty'‘on’
their fortunate Heads, like the blooming lotos, expand with confidence unbounded:
— m e Ministers of exalted rank, the Guardians of the Empire, from
among whom the High and transcendant Woongee proclaims these orders.
Governor of Henzawuddy, whose title is Mein, Lla, Noo, Retha; SoveriM^of
the Waters, whose title isRaywoon; Collector of the King’s "revenues, whose"
tide is AckawitonjTSnmtenderöf die Troops, whose title is Cfhekey :
Whereas English merchants resort to the port of Rangoon to carry on Trade in
friendship, good feidi, and confidence in die Royal protection, AefeF^fwHen'
merchants come to the port of Rangoon, duties for Godown_[warehouse)Rabeal
(searchers or appraisers), and other charges, shall be regulated according- to'thé
former established rates, and no more on any pretence shall be taken.
English merchants who have paid the port duties, shall be allowed tqgö to
whatever part of the country they dunk fit, having obtained a certificate and order
from the May woon, or Governor of the province"; and whatever goods English
merchants wish to purchase in return, they shall not be impeded, or molësted, or
prevented in their barter, bargain, or purchase; and if it should be judged expedient
to establish any person, on the part of the English Company* at Rangoon^
for the purpose of trade, and to forward-letters or presents to the King, to such
person a right of residence is granted.
.If any English merchant be aggrieved, or think that he suffers oppression, he
may complain either through the governor of the province, by petition to the
Throne, or prefer his complaint in person; and as Englishmen are, for the most
• The word Company is omitted in the Persian, but inserted in the original Birman.
APPENDIX. 4 9 5
’ part, unacquainted wi tli the Birman tongue, they may employ whatever interpreters
they think piopei, puA icnisly Inc King’s principal interpreter,
what person' theynledjp;;to employ. |
English-ships driven into Ru nini,nonstbv* sticss of ncithci, and ,‘ini want’ of
repairs, on dug;Uotiee of tlieii distress being g um lofthcjiflkii vof Go\eriiment,
Such vessels shall pe' expemtjfo^sly‘ supplied wrtbfcworkmeh, \ ti’mlieprj iron, and
evciy requisite, ind the woikshall’ be done, apdl the1 supplies gi Intal, it the
rent rates o f 'gquntry.,
As the Etiyish'hiye.lprig had compter(|ial>cqnnectionsiwith'vthe Birman nation,
and arc d< nous of ixt(uding it, tin\ arc to be allowed to conit anildf part'Jf shair’
pleasure-without haijcpatlcfc and seeing i h it the lllustMiyis/CgOvemilqot Calcutta..
in Bengdlj^on the part of.the King of England, 11 a s Ac-nj., tuh yisp p Is i r iVud si u p to
the Golden Feet; these orders are therefore issued for the benefit, welfare, and
. pro tec tion of the English people; . ,
.‘‘Theoriginal in Birman'authentidated'-q^^i^G'reafcSealvl’