TO THE COURT OF AYA. 
187 
and we take this opportunity of expressing our 
happiness at being deputed by his Majesty to 
conduct this negotiation. 
Several expressions of civility or compliment 
here passed on both sides. 
E. Have you authority to request a perusal 
of the Governor-General’s letter; for this was 
not the object of the meeting, nor was the matter 
at all intimated to me ?— 13. We are vested with 
such authority—we dare not make the request 
without authority. We come in our official 
dresses, and this is a warranty that we are vested 
with full authority. 
E. I wdll not deliver the letter of the Govern¬ 
or-General, nor permit it to be opened or read ; 
but 1 will exhibit it in its envelope, and allow a 
Burman translation of it to be copied in my pre¬ 
sence. 
The letter of the Governor-General was, after 
this, brought from on board the steam-vessel by 
Lieutenants Cox, Montmorency, and Mr. Jud- 
son, and, preceded by orderlies and Hircanahs, 
introduced, the English gentlemen and Burman 
officers standing up to receive it. The strict 
punctilio of the Burmese in all such matters 
rendered this piece of etiquette necessary. The 
letter being laid upon the table, and a Burman 
translation exhibited, a secretary proceeded to 
