TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
81 
before, a party of natives had cut a path quite 
across the highest part of it—a labour of no great 
difficulty, for the ground was firm and level, and 
it was only necessary to clear away a little un¬ 
derwood. The distance measured by the peram¬ 
bulator was found to be only one thousand yards. 
After seeing and examining the banks of the 
Martaban river to the extent of fifty miles, we 
found no difficulty now in fixing upon this spot, 
as by far the most eligible for a commercial town. 
Accordingly, at twelve o’clock, the ceremony of 
hoisting the British flag, and fixing the site of 
the town, in the name of his Majesty and the 
East India Company, took place. Major Mac- 
queen, of the 36th Madras regiment, and his staff, 
with a detachment of Sepoys, who had arrived in 
the Lady Blackwood transport, joined our party. 
The Lady Blackwood fired a royal salute, and a 
party of Sepoys three volleys of musketry. The 
Rev. Mr. Judson pronounced his benediction in 
a feeling prayer.* The new town and harbour 
* The following appropriate scriptural quotations introduced 
by Mr. Judson, may be considered as specimens of the good 
taste and judgment of my amiable friend :—“ The abundance 
of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gen¬ 
tiles shall come unto thee.” “ For brass I will bring gold, and 
for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones 
iron ; I will also make thy officers peace, and thy exactors righ¬ 
teousness.” “ Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, 
wasting nor destruction within thy borders.” 
VOL. II. G 
