808 
JOURNAL OF AN EMBASSY 
time, extended my conquest three months jour¬ 
ney on every quarter, without the help of cannon 
or muskets ? Nay, I have, with bludgeons only, 
opposed and defeated these Peguans, who destroy¬ 
ed the capital of this kingdom, and took the 
Prince prisoner; and, a month hence, I intend to 
go with a great force in person to Dagoon (Ran¬ 
goon), where I have an army now lying, when I 
will advance to the walls of Pegu, blockade and 
starve them out of it; which is the last town I 
have now to take to complete my conquest; and 
then I will go in quest of Bourno.’* Then, the 
Secretary proceeding on to these words, 4 These 
gentlemen may be witnesses to your Majesty’s 
placing your signet to the contract on your part, 
&c.’—he again affected the same mirth, and was, 
too, again joined by his courteous attendants, say¬ 
ing, 4 What madman wrote that? 5 The letter 
being gone through, he says, 4 Captain, see this 
sword: it is now three years since it has been 
constantly exercised in chastising my enemies ; it 
is, indeed, almost blunt with use; but it shall b e 
continued to the same till they are utterly dispers¬ 
ed. Don’t talk of assistance, I require none : the 
Peguans I can wipe away as thus,’ drawing the 
palm of one hand over the other.” 
44 I told him,” says Captain Baker, 44 1 was con- 
* The French Chief of Syrian, afterwards treacherously put 
to death by Alompra. 
