APPENDIX. 
117 
ing a war with the British before its commencement ?— A. 
After the conquest of Assam, I heard Bandula say to his 
Majesty, 44 I will also make over Bengal into your hands.” 
The King asked Mr. Lanciego’s opinion on the subject. I 
was then in that gentleman’s employment. Mr. Lanciego 
replied, 44 The conquest of Bengal is not practicable: the 
English are very powerful.” To which the King said, 
44 You know nothing about it; are you afraid of losing the 
duties of the port of Rangoon ? although the English do 
not come to trade, the French, the Chinese, the Telingas, 
the Parsees, and other people, will come/ 5 Upon another 
occasion, at the house of Bandula, this officer, speaking to 
Mr. Lanciego respecting a war with the English, said, 
44 You must go and prepare twenty ships at Rangoon for 
an expedition against Calcutta. I will attack Bengal from 
the side of Chittagong. 55 Mr. Lanciego answered, 44 How 
am I to build twenty ships; it takes a year to build one ?” 
Q . Were you present when this last conversation took 
place?— A. Yes. 
Q. How soon before the war did this take place?— A. 
About two months before Bandula marched to Aracan. 
Q. Have you heard that Bandula marched with an 
army to attack Bengal before the English arrived at Ran¬ 
goon ?— A. Yes; I have. I came down from Ava to 
Rangoon, in 1823, with Mr. Lanciego; and after stay¬ 
ing a month at Rangoon, returned with that gentleman 
with the King’s duties. In going up, I saw the army of 
Bandula at Sembeguen. Mr. Lanciego stayed one day 
there, and had an interview with Bandula. 
Q. Do you know what took place on that occasion ?— 
A. No; I do not. Bandula took Mr. Lanciego into a 
private apartment, and I was not allowed to follow him. 
Mr. Lanciego appeared to have been persuading Bandula 
not to go to war ; for he said, 44 I will petition his Majesty 
