authorized channel' of intercourse -bëtwee»-*the respective governments*
To prevent;the recurrence o f a like-misunderstanding’; to form a.cqmmermnnptmn,
pnfeqnbahle and fixed principles, and ta,gstabhs'h a conh-
correspondence, .such as ought t<freuk»st,'between
two great and contiguous nations; Sir. John Shore (now Lord Teignmouth)
drought proper, tp.send a formal deputation to the Birman,court.^|£pr. were
these the only e p # tftifes answered by jhe embassy». theih^uenArwIiich
thenafural enemies ofGmat Britainhadacquired in t&ab q u a r t e r - , t o
be-combated, and, if possible, overcome; whilst; tfe ftö a tiv e s li^ ib fc iiu *
pressed with a n .adequate sense; of the. power, the
aUt.tHp equity of the British character, in,_such;.& mimisiemas to.conyahcei
them,that .their real interests were connected with a ,state that neither
meditated, nor Would .sufferfencroachment; .and.soughtdbrnothingAeypJld
an interchange of merchandize, on termsmutually,beoieficiaL. -.The-result
of this mission,, through the various stages of its progress and completion,
will be detailed in the -subsequent pages; thus far it has realised the
expectations of the British government, and gives a flattering promise, o f
national advantage, except it should hereafter be obstructed-by impediments,
which no penetration can foresee, and against which no human
compact can provide.
The Birmans, under their present monarch, are certainly rising fast in
the scale of Oriental nations; and, it is to "be hoped, that a long respite
from foreign wars, will, give them leisure to improve their natural advantages.
Knowledge increases with commerce; and as they are not shackled
by any prejudices of casts, restricted to hereditary occupations, or forbidden
from participating with strangers, in every social bond, their
advancement will, in all probability be rapid. At present, so far from
being in a state of\,iïft el/e%l ual^dm kn ess, ajlthouiubfehey ba\e not explored
the d&pjhs* ofrsqience, orèd&jbuljjttfl lA^ellijncfSj irw^hq. finer ans,
thoj^ft,ét li'n’q a n jj.inifcmialafpiclaun.tu^öié cli uaetet sof s 'c isilued, md
y^fMhstriiCtedv’people. vkllcir., la‘\\ s ai ejrivi*c^ a rid ^ i|i,c u fit>£,\ 1111 sound
morality ; theu^mie^ri:;] heifer-*icgufatid ih uViTWn'ios.fr't u}.ope in>vfrqnn.-
tries; their natural, disposition is friendly, and hospitable, lo-stianguts;
and' th u r manners lather cx.piessi\e of manly eancJoim^tMni^(i'd^;Caq^j^,
dissimulation: the gradations of rank, 'ajidtllle. rtspeeS,
are*maintaine 1 mUr a> s o i u p u l o s i t y A knowledge
oflclicis is-MAviflely ‘dillusèd, tint theri^aie'nq mechanics*,''feWm! ?tn3
pe'ks^fitryj^pr even, the common, watermen (usuall) tlitS* nios^iUitcWtel
'tlass^w ho1* cannot read and write n r thguihdg uj.tqnn.ue lYw^lfttHevei,
firet versed- in the d io^e rndite .volumes.ofei'eienee^wbic^\ pqntaming many
,j§®anscrit terms, andL,often written in the Pali text, arc (ldk'c the Hincldo
SKasters) above the comprehension of the multitude,* but the feud d system,
^hfl||,cherishes ignorance, and renders man thq-property ofman, still opera
te s as a -check to civilization and- improvement. T h i s ' b a r which.
|g |m M Iy weakens, as their acquaintance with the customs.'and manners
Jöftötlfer nations extends; and unlesgitke? r.age o f civil _ discord be again
excited^brisome foreign power impose an alien yoke, the Birmans bid fair
to be a prosperous, wealthy, and enlightened people.