544 Some account of the Wars between Burmak and China. [Jult, 



presents, then Men:tha'-ya'za'-gy6's boat, thentbe boat of the other ambassadors, 

 then the boat of the Chinese envoys, and last the governor of Ba-md's phaung with 

 the war and other paddle and row boats. 



At each halting-place the sheds and provisions which have been built and collect- 

 ed, are to be allotted and distributed by the head men of the place, who will, agree- 

 ably to the orders issued by the ministers, calculate the number of men, and deli- 

 ver provisions sufficient for each man from one halting-place to another. 



On arriving at Ba-mo, the 215 boatmen with the phaungs and other boats must 

 be sent back to Ava, the governor and officers of Ba-mo supplying the men with 

 provisions sufficient for their journey back. Letters reporting the day of arrival 

 there and every other particular, must also be sent down by these men for the in- 

 formation of the king and ministers. 



Menitha'-ya'za'-gyo, and some of the officers with him, will have a shed with a 

 square roof built at Ba-mo, and lodge the royal letter and presents in the same. 

 For the more easy conveyance of the royal letter the governor of that place will con- 

 struct a plank Ta-zaung (a portable pyramidical structure) having three roofs, and 

 an umbrella and other ornaments, with a door on one side with a lock and key, and 

 varnish and gild the whole. In this the royal letter must be placed, the lock fas- 

 tened and care taken that no rain is admitted and it must be carried carefully by men 

 whom the town of Ba-mo will furnish. 



The four male elephants and one female, intended as presents for the emperor of 

 China, will proceed by land to Ba-mo, so that they may travel with ease and be fully 

 supplied with grass. 



Two hundred men being expeditiously supplied to proceed from Ba-mo, to the 

 Chinese boundary, the ambassadors will travel by the usual stages, and having in. 

 front two men with rods. 



On your arrival at Maingrtshi via Mo:myin, you will represent that you are to 

 promote the advantage of both sovereigns ; that friendship has existed between the 

 countries of the two kings (here some of the long titles of the two kings are given), 

 from the time of their ancestors ; and that you have been deputed and are come as 

 ambassadors with a royal letter and presents. That in the eastern empire Yuen- 

 ta'-yain the Tsoun-tu of Maingdshi, and in the western Menth'a-ya'za' the go- 

 vernor of Ba-mo are placed like boundary flags and out-posts, and are required to 

 promote the advantage of both countries, conformably to the qualifications essential 

 to governors and generals*. 



Do not remain long at Maing:tshi : request that the royal letter and presents and 

 the elephants may be conveyed, so as to reach Pekin properly ; speak boldly, and as 

 persons who are well acquainted with what is due to kings, to religion and to this 

 world, and then proceed. 



Speak also on the subject of Ma-ha-weng, and Maha-nui of Kyain-youn-gyih, in 

 the manner you have been instructed, following the memorandum given you on this 

 point, and taking care that much discussion may not arise, and that you may per- 

 suade and overcome. 



Prepare and transmit a report to Ava of all that may be proper to be submitted 

 without any omissions, once from Mo:myin, and once from Maing:tshi. 



After leaving Maing:tsh{, and when you reach Pekin, observe and record every 

 thing carefully and unreservedly, so as to justify the confidence and favor of his 

 majesty, who has selected you, and speak daily with firmness. 



You must note and bring back with you, after making inquiries secretly and as- 

 certaining, what the emperor of China worships in order to obtain Neibban ; what 

 he practises and worships in order to obtain advantages in this world ; as well as an 

 account of his queens, concubines, kinsmen, children, nobles and officers, and of 



* The Burmese have lists of the qualifications required from, or characteristics of 

 every public officer and condition of life. Those appertaining to a general are nine, 

 namely: 1st. Skill in overcoming the enemy. 2nd. Knowledge of good ground or post 

 in which to defeat an enemy, 3rd. Not deserting his army in adversity, or when de- 

 feated. 4th. Sharing good or evil with his army. 5th. Possessing great physical 

 powers. 6th. Possessing purity of mind. 7th. Well versed in the The-nen-ga-byuha- 

 kyan (a work on tactics). 8th. Ability to direct an army without fatiguing or dis- 

 tressing it. 9th. Full of activity and courage. 



The qualifications of an ambassador are these eight. 1st. Expert in hearing intel- 

 ligence. 2nd. Expert in conveying intelligence. 3rd. Clever in learning and observ- 

 ing every thing. 4th. Clever in repeating the whole of a communication. 5th. Ready 

 in comprehending the object and meaning of a communication. 6th. Clever in mak- 

 ing a communication fully understood. 7th. Clever in comprehending the advantage 

 or disadvantage of any communication. 8th. Keeping a guard over his mind, words 

 and acts, so as to prevent disputes and misunderstandings. 



