256 
JOURNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
runs up a hundred miles from the sea; and to 
this distance the navigation for boats and small 
craft is. extremely safe, easy, and commodious. 
In the most unfavourable season of the year, steam- 
vessels, whose draught does not exceed five or six 
feet water, may navigate them with perfect safety 
for a hundred miles from the sea. The course of 
all three within the Martaban district is through 
a champaign country of great fertility, and pre¬ 
senting unusual encouragement for agricultural 
industry. 
The Wagru, or Kalyen river, is much smaller 
than either the Gain or Ataran, and its source is 
not probably above twenty-five or thirty miles 
from the sea. It passes generally through a hilly 
country. 1 went eighteen miles up this river. 
For ten miles it is navigable for ships of the 
largest burthen; and the lower part of it, which 
is but a mile from the port of Amherst, forms one 
of the finest and safest harbours in India. The 
banks of this river are supposed to be the most 
favourable situation in the provinces for ship¬ 
building, and the construction of dock-yards. 
The river of Ye, the mouth of which is be¬ 
tween the latitude of 15° and 16°, and which is ex¬ 
posed, unprotected, to the ocean, is but an in¬ 
considerable stream. It is accessible but to native 
craft and boats, and this only in the N. E. or fine 
monsoon. 
The Tavoy river has its source near the latitude 
