TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
85 
effect of embarrassing our future administration 
of the province, or our political relations with the 
Burman Government. 
“ ‘ The Commissioner of the Governor-General 
of British India to the Talains, Burmans, and other 
tribes of people. In conformity with the treaty 
of peace, between the Governor-General and the 
King of Ava, the English Government takes pos¬ 
session of the places beyond the Saluen river, and 
at the entrance of the sea, in the district of Ky- 
aikami, founds a new town. 
“ c The inhabitants of the towns and villages 
who wish to come to the new place, may come 
and settle; those who come shall be free from 
molestation, extortion, and oppression. They shall 
be free to worship as usual temples, monasteries, 
priests, and holy men. There shall be no inter¬ 
ruption of free trade, but people shall go and come, 
buy and sell, do and live as they please, conform¬ 
ing to the laws. In regard to employing the la¬ 
bouring people, they shall be employed on the pay¬ 
ment of customary wages, and whoever compels 
their labour without reward shall be punished. In 
regard to slavery, since all men, whether common 
people or chiefs, are by nature equal, there shall 
be under the English Government no slaves. Let 
all debts and engagements contracted under the 
Burmese Government previous to the war, be 
discharged and fulfilled according to the written 
documents. Touching the appointment of officers 
