TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
53 9 
before the two boats were finally procured; the 
lot of course falling at length on the most mi¬ 
serable of the boatmen, or those who could not 
pay in money or influence for exemption. 
As our people were embarking, the Burmese 
officers sent word that there were three persons 
among our followers who had not come up with 
the Mission, and who therefore ought not to go 
down with it. I stated, on receiving the neces¬ 
sary information, that the persons in question 
were natives of Bengal and subjects of our Go¬ 
vernment, who had been forcibly carried away, 
and were now unjustifiably detained. This re¬ 
monstrance had no effect: one of the Atwen- 
wuns immediately came over, and stated that it 
was the King’s peremptory order that no one 
should go back with the Mission except the 
persons who had actually come with it. I was 
compelled reluctantly to give up the point, after 
taking a list of the names of the individuals, 
and stating that they would be claimed in due 
course along with the other prisoners. 
Late last night, messengers came on board to 
us, with a royal order, requiring the attendance 
at the Palace, on the following morning, of the 
gentlemen who were to be honoured with titles. 
They repaired thither accordingly to-day. after 
breakfast. There was a pretty full attendance 
of courtiers, and they were received respect- 
