TO THE COURT OF AYA. 57 
place, which is in other respects a more accessible, 
safe, and convenient port, it has the advantage 
of an uninterrupted communication at all seasons 
with the upper provinces—a circumstance which 
has naturally diverted to it nearly the whole fo¬ 
reign trade of the kingdom. 
The site of Rangoon has many advantages for 
ship-building. At neaps, there is a rise and fall 
of the tide of about eighteen feet; and at springs, 
of twenty-five to thirty. The distance of the 
principal teak forests is at the same time com¬ 
paratively inconsiderable, and there is a water 
conveyance for the timber nearly the whole way. 
Ship-building has in fact been conducted at Ran¬ 
goon ever since the year 1786, and in the thirty- 
eight years which preceded our capture of it, there 
had been built one hundred and eleven square- 
rigged vessels of European construction, the total 
burthens of which amounted to above 85,000 
tons. Several of these were of from 800 to 1000 
tons burthen. Under the direction of European 
masters, the Burmese were found to make dex¬ 
terous and laborious artisans; in this respect, 
greatly surpassing the natives of our Indian pro¬ 
vinces. Of the commerce conducted at Rangoon, 
I shall take occasion to render an account in ano¬ 
ther place. 
