230 
JOURNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
these, the most convenient, in reference to a com¬ 
mercial intercourse with the interior of Ava, is 
Rangoon. This is situated on the most eastern 
branch of the Irawadi, or rather upon an arm of 
the sea, into which a branch of that river falls. 
It has at all seasons an uninterrupted intercourse 
with the main river; a circumstance which con¬ 
stitutes its principal advantage, and has naturally 
rendered it the emporium of the foreign trade. 
The river of Bassein is the most westerly branch 
of the Irawadi. This quits the main trunk of the 
river, a little way below the town of Henzada, 
and pursuing a south-south-westerly course, dis¬ 
embogues itself at Cape Negrais. The navigable 
portion of this river, however, like that of Ran¬ 
goon, is more correctly an arm of the sea. It is 
practicable for vessels of burthen up to the town 
of Bassein, and for native trading-vessels to La- 
men a. Beyond this, however, it is a trifling 
stream, dry and impassable from November to 
May; during which period there is, of course 
no communication with the main body of the 
Irawadi. This is the only inconvenience of the 
Bassein river, which is a more accessible, safer, 
and centrical port for foreign trade, than that of 
Rangoon. The harbour of Negrais, towards its 
entrance, at which the English once had a factory, 
is particularly convenient; and there is a safe 
channel for ships both to the east and west of the 
island which forms it. 
