TO THE COURT OF AYA. 
381 
exhibiting to them maps of the country, and 
affording them every necessary explanation. 
The latter, as one of the negotiators now pre¬ 
sent well knows, read the treaty repeatedly over, 
and signed it, after having had twenty-four 
hours to consider it. 
B. If the Saluen be the boundary, why is it 
stated in the treaty that commissioners should 
be appointed to settle the boundary ?— E. The 
reason of this provision was plain and obvious, 
and I have already explained it in the paper 
given in. It was natural that disputes might 
arise respecting so great a river as the Saluen 
flowing through a champaign country, which 
has more than fifty islands in its bed, which is 
liable to change its course, and which may pos¬ 
sibly be found to have different names as it 
passes through different districts. 
B. Long words will bring on long discussions, 
and be hurtful to friendship.— E. This discus¬ 
sion was of your own seeking. I have done 
nothing more than reply to a paper which you 
gave in to me twice over, once confidentially 
and once publicly, and answering such questions 
as you have put to me. I am ready to furnish 
you with such explanations as I can, but I have 
no power to decide, as I have often said. 
B. Will you, then, consent to withdraw the 
