TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
1 25 
they described it with some justice, “ heaping 
together unmeaning masses of brick and mortar.” 
The most noted of the Burmese sectaries are known 
by the name of Kolans. I do not know what 
their particular tenets are, but their doctrines have 
been repeatedly proscribed, and some of themselves 
put to death. The spirit of persecution in Ava, 
however, is rather political than religious. Inno¬ 
vation of any kind is considered dangerous to the 
State; and the “ Lord of life and property” can¬ 
not endure that any subject should have the pre¬ 
sumption to differ with him in opinion. 
Among the Burmese, neither the Christian nor 
Mohammedan religions have made any progress. 
These forms of worship have the amplest tole¬ 
ration as far as strangers are concerned; but any 
attempt to convert the natives soon creates in¬ 
superable difficulties, chiefly because it is viewed 
in the light of withdrawing them from their al¬ 
legiance.* The American missionaries, of late 
* The following passage from the journal of Mr. Judson’s mis¬ 
sion in 1823 affords a striking illustration of the sentiments of 
the Burman Government and priesthood on the subject of reli¬ 
gious conversion. It is to be observed, that the tolerant chief 
here alluded to had been long accustomed to an intercourse with 
Europeans. He was the same person who was Viceroy of Ran¬ 
goon during the mission of Colonel Symes. The most im¬ 
portant event (and that relates, of course, to Moung Shway- 
gnong) remains to be mentioned. It will be remembered that 
he w r as accused before the former Viceroy of being a heretic, and 
that the simple reply “ inquire farther” spread dismay among us 
