126 



her poiitital existence has been several times en- 

 cla tigered, is our natural ally, aod might derive 

 the riiOiit essential advaiitjiges from forming inti- 

 mate relations with the English, but she is by no 

 means sensible of this, and 1 am per!»inaded no 

 overtures on our part would be acceptable to that 

 Government at present that bad not for their ba* 

 sis the proposition of mutual hostilities a<?ainst 

 the Burmans. * A proposition of this kind, I 

 have little doubt, would be favorably listened to; 

 and, if such an occasion should occur, it would 

 be of the highest importance to embrace it, in or- 

 der to procure the complete liberation of the 3Ia- 

 lay Peninsula from the iiiEueuce of Siam. an ar- 

 rangement which migbt be productive of the 

 highe&t political coasequeiices." 



In this extract we perceive at once the master 

 mind uf Sir Stamford Raffles* He not only de- 

 tects ihe shuffling and evasive policy of Siam ; 

 but, adverting to the feckless faithlessness with 

 which she has ever regarded the most solemn 

 treaties, when fehe could infringe them with im- 

 punity, declares that she must be taught both 

 our ability and readiness to punish such inlracti- 

 ons before any reliance could bp placed on her 

 adherence to her engagements. He also points 

 out that, in the event of the British and Siamese 

 coaletcing, in order to huoible Burmah, the for- 

 mer should demand, as an equivalent for their 

 powerful co-operation, the liberation of the Pe- 

 ninsula, from Siamese influence, an event which 

 he confidently anticipated would l>e produc* 

 live of the highest political consequences.'* 



' r btTft almuly atmUd that Siam If too jealonj of the to re*- 



mi\y adopt smk a laeapure. 



