TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
49 
afternoon of this day, apparently with no other 
view than that of taking upon themselves the 
direction of our movements, and making a dis¬ 
play of such authority as they believed them¬ 
selves to possess. Our predecessors for seventy 
years had been so treated. Our situation, how¬ 
ever, was too independent for this; and, to 
show that it was so, we pursued our course 
this morning at day-break, at least half an hour 
earlier than usual. I reperused this morning 
the account given of Mr. Lester’s mission to 
Alompra in 1757, and could not help contrast¬ 
ing our present situation with that of our 
countryman, and our Indian pow r er now and 
in his time. Our numerous party was now 
pleasantly and independently conveyed on the 
Irawadi by steam navigation, with every con¬ 
venience, and many luxuries, and having Bri¬ 
tish grenadiers for our guard. Mr. Lester pro¬ 
ceeded alone, in a miserable and sinking boat, 
in the worst season of the year, and subjected 
to all the insolence and extortion of the Bur- 
man authorities. “ I meet,” says he, “ with 
many things amongst these people, that would 
try the most patient man that ever existed; 
but, as I hope it is for the good of the gen¬ 
tlemen I serve, I shall put up with them and 
proceed.” Upon another occasion, he observes, 
VOL. I. E 
