Journal of an Embassy from the Governor General of India to the Court of Ava (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1834. Excerpt: ... No. X. DEPOSITIONS OF EUROPEAN AND OTHER CAPTIVES IMPRISONED BY THE BURMESE GOVERNMENT DURING THE LATE WAR. The following depositions, taken before me at Rangoon, in the month of May 1826, shortly after the cessation of hostilities, illustrate in so interesting and striking a manner the character of the Burmese and their Government, as well as the history and incidents of the war, that I deem them worth insertion. Several of the parties examined, it will soon be discovered, were individuals of much acuteness and intelligence; and all of them were, not only, well acquainted with the country and people, but had been placed under circumstances, in many respects, extremely favourable. "The Burmese have numerals extending to ten millions. JOHN LAIRD. Question. What is your name, and of what country are you a native?--Answer. My name is John Laird; I was born in the town of Forfar, county of Angus, North Britain. Q. When did you first come into the Burman dominions?--A. I came first to Rangoon in command of the ship Mahomed Shah in March 1820. After a stay of about one month, I returned to Bengal; I came back again to Rangoon in August or September of the same year, and have continued in the Burman country ever since, with the exception of a short absence of two months, when I visited Calcutta. Q. How have you been employed during your residence in this country?--A. As a merchant and agent. Q. Have you resided any time at the Burman capital?---A. I went to the Burman capital, then Amarapura, for the first time, in December 1820, and resided there on that occasion about three months, when I returned to Rangoon, having disposed of the goods which I took up. I visited the capital again, then Ava, in the beginning of 1823, and stayed there about three months. I lef...