TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
307 
says Captain Baker, 44 he looked at me for some 
time, and at length said, 4 How does your King 
do ?’ I answered, he was well, when we had the 
last accounts from Europe.— 4 How old is he ?’ 
Seventy-two years.— 4 Is he at peace with his 
neighbouring princes?’ Yes; and has been since 
the last war with our old enemy the French, 
which is now about six years.” A curious con¬ 
versation then ensues. The King charges the 
English with aiding the Peguans. Captain Baker, 
in reply, hopes it will in the event appear clearly 
to his Majesty, that if such assistance was given, 
it must have been through the force of the Pe¬ 
guans, or the fraud and device of our inveterate 
enemies the French. The King then ordered 
a letter from the English Chief of Negrais to be 
read; 44 to which,” says Baker, 44 he gave calm 
attention, until coming to these words, 4 As you 
will, by this means, obtain an alliance and friend¬ 
ship with so great a power as the Honourable 
East India Company, who can send you such as¬ 
sistance as will support your Majesty’s throne 
against all future rebellions, domestic feuds, and 
foreign enemies.’ At which he affecting a very 
hearty laugh, (and his officers in attendance, like 
true courtiers, joined in the chorus,) said, 4 Have 
I asked? or, do I want any assistance to reduce 
my enemies to subjection ? Let none conceive 
such an opinion ! Have I not, in three years’ 
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