1012 Journal of an expedition from Moutmien to Av a. [Dec. 



should see the whole of the military officers and the Tso-boa at once at 

 the youm. The fact of my having been in Ava at once prevented their 

 saying any thing more about the shoes ; to this proposition I immedi- 

 ately acceded as it got over the difficulty of having the letter to the in- 

 ferior authority, but on sending the Shan interpreter in the evening 

 with my acquiescence, Meng-nay-myo was from home. Next day no- 

 thing was done. The Tseet-kay said he would consult with the other 

 chiefs and let me know. The following day I sent to learn their determi- 

 nation and was told I should see the Tso-boa and all the military chiefs 

 that day at the youm. I consequently took the letter and presents with 

 me. I was not requested to remove my shoes but was obliged to sit 

 with my own coolies, servants, and the people of the town, outside the 

 Coon-tseen (a plank about a foot and a half high which separates the 

 centre from the outer part of the house) within which the Tseet-kay- 

 dau-gyee, second Tseet-kay, two Nakans and two Bodhayeas were 

 seated. My friend Meng-nay-myo seated himself by me and the Tseet- 

 kay- dau-gyee was seated close to me, separated only by the " Coon- 

 tseen." I now begged personally to explain the reason of your having 

 written to the Tso-boa direct.and hoped the mistake would not be allow- 

 ed to have any weight against our good intentions and wish to strength- 

 en the friendship which had so long existed between the two countries, 

 which was the sole intent of my mission, by opening the nearest route 

 between the British possessions on the coast and this place, &c. &c. I 

 concluded by expressing my wish to deliver the letter in the presence 

 of the assembled officers to its address. The Tseet-kay then took it 

 from me, told me the Tso-boa was not present (I had mistaken the 

 second Tseet-kay for him), and commenced his conversation in a most 

 overbearing strain which he kept up during the whole time it 

 lasted ; told me I had no right to come here without an order from the 

 king, through Burney at Ava, said he was the Bo-hmoo-meng-tha's 

 substitute who represented the king here ; he incredulously asked if you 

 did not know the nature of the government here,said I knew nothing and 

 much to the same effect. I told him the treaties of Van- da- boo and Ava 

 stipulated for the free passage of traders into all parts of the kingdom : 

 it was with a view to facilitate trade, equally advantageous to both 

 countries or more in their favour, that I had come so toilsome a march, 

 and little expected such a reception. I complained of his having deceiv- 

 ed me by the promise of seeing the Tso-boa ; he told me the treaty did 

 not say a word about my coming to Monay and that he had never 

 said I should see the Tso-boa. I requested that as he had receiv- 

 ed the Tso-boa's letter, he would give me the permission therein re- 



