134 
APPENDIX. 
Q. What opinion did the Burman Court entertain of the 
military character of the British nation and power in India 
previous to the war ?— A. The Burmese had no idea either 
of our numbers or strength. When I mentioned the 
amount of our military^ force, they would never believe me. 
They, in fact, thought themselves in war the most coura¬ 
geous and cunning people in the world; they frequently 
talked of their skill in stratagem. They ridiculed the idea 
of soldiers advancing to battle with the noise of drums and 
music, and exposing their whole bodies. 
Q. Did you hear what was thought at Court when the 
news arrived of the capture of Rangoon ?— A. The Bur- 
mans thought that the British had fallen at length into a 
snare, and that they were a sure prey. They were only 
afraid the marauders would escape before their armies 
could reach Rangoon. Throughout the town of Ava there 
was nothing but rejoicing at the event. I was told that the 
King said the arms which the English brought would be 
useful in his meditated conquest of Siam. 
Q. Have you understood that any of the Asiatic stran¬ 
gers residing in Ava were instrumental in exciting the 
Burmans to a war with the British?— A. I can, from my 
own experience, produce no instance of their actually ex¬ 
citing the Burman Court to war ; but of their hostile feel¬ 
ings towards us I have had repeated examples, and have 
but little doubt that, as far as their influence at Court 
extended, it was exerted to the prejudice of British in¬ 
terests. 
Q. Are there many Brahmins residing at the Court of 
Ava?—-A. Yes, a great many. 
Q. Did you ever hear any person connected with the 
Government complain of any specific act of aggression on 
the part of the British ?— A. Yes ; I have heard the occu¬ 
pation of Shapuree imputed to us as an act of aggression. 
