APPENDIX. 
89 
at the place of his destination, and had sent the Burmese 
Government a plan of some meditated attack on the 
British territory. This was stated to me by a person 
who had heard the King mention this circumstance at 
one of the morning levees. I cannot recollect the person 
who gave me this information, but think it was Dr. Price, 
who was then more in habits of visiting the Palace than 
myself. 
Q. During your residence at the Court, have you 
ever observed any disposition on the part of the officers of 
Government to enter into a war with the British ?— A. 
From the first visit I made to Ava, such a disposition has 
always been manifested whenever an occasion presented 
itself to express it. I heard such sentiments expressed 
by the principal officers of Government, but more particu¬ 
larly by the members of the Royal family. 
Q. Did such a disposition exist during the late reign ? 
— A. I have understood that it did ; but cannot speak 
from personal experience on this subject, not having, al¬ 
though in the country, visited the Court of Ava until the 
accession of the present King. 
Q. What, according to your opinion, led to the late war 
between the British and Burman Governments ?— A. A 
jealousy of the British power on the part of the Burman s, 
confidence in their own prowess on account of the recent 
conquests of Cassay and Assam, and a desire to extend 
their territory. 
Q. What opinion did the Burmese Court entertain of 
the military character of the British nation and power in 
India, previous to the war ?— A. They thought the British 
power formidable to the Hindus only; but considered 
themselves a superior order of men, whom the British 
could not withstand in battle, both on account of personal 
courage, skill in stratagem, and the practice of desultory 
