signed on the 2nd of January, 1826, the Burmese copy on the 3rd, and an armistice was concluded till the 18th, to allow time for obtaining the ratification of the king. During the quiet interval which ensued, the Burmese visited the British camp in the most friendly manner by day, and by night they worked at their stockades.
The ratification was not received by the appointed time, and the Burmese Commissioners then offered to pay an instalment of five lacs of rupees, and to give hostages for the safe return of the English prisoners so long confined at Ava, provided the British force would return to Prome, or at least agree to a further suspension of hostilities for a few days. The British Commissioners peremptorily refused to retreat, and declined abstaining from hostilities unless the Burmese would evacuate Melloon within thirty-six hours and retire upon Ava; the march of the British army, however, not to be suspended until the receipt of the ratified treaty. This proposal was in return rejected by the Burmese, and hostilities recommenced. Batteries were erected opposite the selected parts of attack in the stockade, the heavy ordnance was landed from the flotilla, and by ten o'clock on the morning of the 19th twenty-eight pieces of artillery were ready to open upon the enemy's defences.
After two hours' cannonading, the troops intended for the assault, who had been previously embarked in boats, under the superintendence of Captain Chads, now senior naval officer, began to move. A brigade under Colonel Sale, formed of H.M. 13th and 38th regiments, was ordered to land below the stockade, and attack it by the south-west angle, while three other brigades were to land above the place to attack it by the northern face. The boats pushed off together, but the current, aided by a strong wind, carried the brigade under Colonel Sale to its destined point of attack before the remaining brigades could reach the shore. The troops landed, and immediately formed under Major Frith, Colonel Sale having been wounded in the boats. This being effected, they rushed
