by the government of India to that of Ava, – thus virtually acknowledging the moderation of the British authorities. It was also pleaded, that in the interruption of trade, and the loss of revenue, the Court of Ava had already suffered sufficiently by the war, and that it became a great nation like the British, to be content with the vindication of its name and reputation, and that they could not possibly be less generous than the Chinese, who, on a former occasion, having conquered part of the Burman territory, restored it on the return of peace. To this it was replied, that the Chinese were the vanquished, not the victors; whilst the British were in possession of half the kingdom, the most valuable portion of which they were still willing to relinquish; but that, as the war had been wholly unprovoked on their part, they were fully entitled to expect such concessions in territory and money, as should reimburse them in the expence they had incurred, and enable them to guard more effectually against any future collision. The manner in which these points were urged, satisfying the Kee-Wongee, &c. of the firmness of the British commissioners, they, at last, waved all further objections, and confined themselves to requesting a prolongation of the armistice till the 2d of November, in order that they might put the court fully in possession of the views of the British negociators, and be empowered to give them a definitive reply. This request was readily acceded to, as, from the continued wetness of the ground. Sir Archibald Campbell found he could not move with comfort to his troops before, perhaps, the middle of November. On the representation of Sir Archibald Campbell, the Kee-Wongee pledged himself, that all British and American subjects detained at Ava, “under the Golden Feet,” should immediately be set at liberty; in return for which, the British were to liberate the whole of the Burmese then confined in Bengal.[1]
- ↑ Among the detenus at Ava were two American missionaries, who remained in close confinement for the space of fifteen months, loaded occasionally with heavy chains. It may be thought incredible, but these gentlemen declared that the principal cause of their detention was their having
