1839.] on the Tenasserim Provinces, §c. 983 



most dexterous in their plundering expeditions, and were, besides their 

 greater daring, the most numerous ; for the Burmese in these provin- 

 ces could only be considered as colonies, established partly by force, 

 and kept up by dread. 



Security established since the British occupation.— -When security 

 of person and property were established at the beginning of the 

 British dominion, the Siamese government was given to understand 

 that any such marauding excursions as were kept up under Burmese 

 rule, would be considered as a breach of peace. The Siamese govern- 

 ment released a number of people, about one thousand from Mergui 

 Province, carried away during the last incursion, who were delivered 

 up and returned to their homes. 



The Siamese were of course permitted to come to the provinces 

 on friendly terms. At first they were fearful, but when they per- 

 ceived the difference between Burmese and English management, 

 they gained confidence ; as the Burmese subjects once fled to Siam, 

 to seek shelter under a milder yoke, so the Siamese now seek a refuge 

 in Tenasserim. 



New settlements of Siamese. — The Siamese population, consisting 

 entirely of recent emigrants, increases, and there are settlements of 

 these fugitives in several parts of the country ; their chief resort is the 

 Province of Mergui, where they spread along the banks of the greater 

 and lesser Tenasserim river. 



Great difficulties it is said, are thrown in the way, on the part 

 of the Siamese government, to prevent their migration. If caught r 

 it is affirmed that decapitation is the inevitable consequence. 



To reach the first British Tenasserim settlement, they have (be- 

 sides the danger of being apprehended) great difficulties in passing 

 through the pathless wilds ; whole families not unfrequently lose their 

 way, erring for a month or more in the forests, reduced to the great- 

 est extremities, living upon jungle-fruits, leaves, and barks, before 

 they arrive near the sea-coast. It may be imagined that without these 

 impediments, the influx of Siamese would be much greater than it 

 is at present. 



Their character. — The Siamese are an industrious, hardy race, and 

 more enterprising than the Burmese, besides being easily manageable, 

 quiet, obedient, and orderly. They would be, in greater numbers, 

 a desirable accession in the wilds of Tenasserim. 



They are the only people who have introduced the cultivation of the 

 sugar-cane, for the purpose of making sugar; of course as yet to such 

 a limited extent, that it has not in any degree become important. 



