APPENDIX. 
137 
of a political agent will tend to this object ?— A. In many 
ways. The Burman Court is fickle and capricious, and 
easily acted upon by intriguers. A British agent, there¬ 
fore, will have it in his power to counteract the bad 
effects of machinations and evil counsels; besides, he will 
have it in his power to explain satisfactorily many little 
disputes and misapprehensions which might arise, and 
which might be followed by serious consequences, if not 
early adjusted. 
Q. Do you conceive that the presence of a British agent 
at the Court of Ava will be useful towards the protection 
of our commerce?—A. Yes; most certainly. Heretofore, 
British merchants residing at Rangoon have possessed no 
means of getting their grievances redressed, except by 
personally repairing to the Court, at an enormous loss of 
time and money. Over the Viceroys of Rangoon there was 
no control whatever, and they could proceed to acts of 
oppression which they would not dare to venture upon, 
were a British agent residing at the Court, who could 
make known to their Government any acts of injustice 
committed on the persons or properties of British subjects. 
Q. Do you consider that the presence of a consul, or other 
British agent, at Rangoon, is necessary or likely to be use¬ 
ful?— A, Yes; I conceive such an appointment would be 
very useful. 
Q. Have you had extensive means of gaining informa¬ 
tion respecting the trade of the Burman dominions ?— A. 
Yes, I have. 
Q. In what branch of the trade were you chiefly en¬ 
gaged ?— A. I imported British cotton-goods, and made 
returns to Calcutta chiefly in timber. 
Q. What quantity of British piece-goods did you sell 
from your first arrival in the Burman dominions, in June, 
182&, until the breaking out of the war?— A. I sold, to the 
