Ava; in other words, unless we absorb the whole Burmese Empire.' With a clear insight as to the ultimate results of the war which he was now ending, Lord Dalhousie added, 'that necessity may come some day. I sincerely hope it will not come in my day.' He accordingly stayed his hand, and as the Emperor still declined to come to terms. Lord Dalhousie, after the final capture of Pegu, closed the war by a Proclamation annexing Lower Burma to the British territories.
This document, dated the 20th December, 1852, broke down the haughty isolation of the Burmese Emperor by the still more haughty fiat of the English Governor-General.
'The Court of Ava,' it declared, 'having refused to make amends for the injuries and insults which British subjects had suffered at the hands of its servants, the Governor-General of India in Council resolved to exact reparation by force of arms.
'The forts and cities upon the coast were forthwith attacked and captured. The Burman forces have been dispersed, wherever they have been met, and the Province of Pegu is now in occupation of British troops.
'The just and moderate demands of the Government of India have been rejected by the king. The ample opportunity that has been afforded him for repairing the injury that was done, has been disregarded; and the timely submission, which alone could have been effectual to prevent the dismemberment of his kingdom, is still withheld.
