TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
455 
the Wim of Bassein, and the Commander of the 
Guard of Swordsmen, formed a group, and con¬ 
sulted together for near half an hour without 
being able to come to any determination. I 
was afterwards informed that various projects 
were started and discussed to induce us to pro¬ 
long the period of paying the money, such as 
paying interest, and even conceding one or both 
of the articles heretofore refused; but they 
finally came to no determination, and conclud¬ 
ed by saying that they would renew the discus¬ 
sion upon some other occasion. I renewed the 
subject of taking my departure, stating that my 
business was completed. I requested the boats 
which had been promised, and begged that a 
day might be fixed for paying our respects to 
the King, and taking leave. The officers of the 
Burman Government were aware that we could 
not quit without boats, and that no one dared 
to give them without their sanction. They were 
therefore anxious to throw delays in the way of 
our departure, hoping they might gain some ad¬ 
vantage by having us thus in some measure in 
their power. They would have considered it a 
weakness and want of political sagacity not to 
have availed themselves to the fullest extent of 
such opportunities. A like conduct was syste¬ 
matically pursued during my mission to Siam; 
