APPENDIX. 
107 
but I am of opinion that it will be highly useful in 
maintaining and extending your commercial relations. 
Q. Do you consider that the presence of a consul, or 
other British agent, at Rangoon, is necessary, or likely to 
be useful?— A. If a resident be appointed at Ava, an in¬ 
ferior agent, depending upon him, will be necessary at 
Rangoon, as well for the purpose of protecting British 
commerce, as for maintaining a free intercourse between 
the resident and the British possessions. 
Q. Do you consider that an annual mission from the 
Governor-General to the Court of Ava would be equally 
useful as a permanent resident ?■— A. No; I do not. A 
public officer, coming in this manner, would gain no know¬ 
ledge of the country or people, and therefore would have 
less influence, and of course be less useful, than an agent 
residing permanently. The Court also will have no knowr 
ledge of him, a matter equally necessary. I am of opinion 
that the residency should, at all events, be permanent; 
and that when the chief authority is not present, a subor¬ 
dinate one should be there acting for him. 
Q. Are you of opinion that a public agent of the 
British Government residing at Ava, is likely, with good 
management, to obtain an influence beneficial to his own 
Government at the Court?— A. Yes; I am fully of that 
opinion. Every thing, however, will depend on the cha¬ 
racter of the individual. I can conceive that the conduct 
of many men in that situation might, with the best inten¬ 
tions, be mischievous, rather than beneficial. 
Q. What sort of demeanour, on the part of the British 
officers residing at Ava, do you consider would tend most 
to conciliate the Burmans, to maintain peace, and to pro¬ 
mote the legitimate interests of the British Government ? 
— A . I think the demeanour of the British resident and 
other officers ought to be mild and unassuming. The 
