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remarks-firmly but prudently insist upon the maintenance of all treaty obligations. The King and his Court are apt to judge us, not so much by our real power, as by our concessions and endurance of wrongs, and our yielding, even in the most trivial matters, is at once looked upon as a sign of weakness.

"The pressure from the mercantile community at home, as well as in this country, will continue unceasingly until we have free and unrestricted trade, not only with Upper Burma, but what is still of much greater importance, with China, and both of these can be obtained without the danger of annexation being thrust upon us, if the terms of the treaty I concluded with the Court of Ava in October, 1867, are carried out in their integrity.

"My belief still continues that there need be no fear of collision with the Court of Ava during the present King's lifetime, such as should require us to act hostilely towards him-but a change in the occupant of the throne is a contingency that may not be overlooked. At such a time the amount and duration of the anarchy, and disorganization and stoppage of all trades that will occur in Upper Burma, will depend greatly on the promptitude with which we might use our preponderating influence, and the weight of that influence would tell in a ratio corresponding with the extent to which it had

previously been acknowledged. The customs collection on the trade of the port of Rangoon increased during the past year more than fifty per cent., and the one per cent. duty leviable under the treaty on all goods declared for export to Upper Burma and overland to China, upwards of 1,000 per cent. over the preceding one, every preparation should therefore be made and precaution used, that such a valuable and marvellously increasing trade receives no sudden check. Individually, I would assure your lordship of the certain absence of any desire on my part to push matters to extremities; on the contrary, my natural inclination would be to preserve Upper Burma intact, and on friendly terms as long as possible.

I have spent many years of my life amongst the Burmese, and whilst aware of the many defects in their character, I am not blind to many good qualities they possess, and I should be sorry indeed to see their nationality extinguished, although the force of circumstances require them, in their own interests, to yield to our more advanced civilization.

"I shall not fail to again press upon Major Sladen the views expressed by your Excellency, and that His Majesty, the King of Burma should be assured of our good faith, and of the friendly disposition of the British Government towards him.

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'Captain Strover is still at Rangoon, of which he

ADDRESS FROM INHABITANTS OF RANGOON. 129

is Town Magistrate, and he will not proceed to Bhamo until I am assured that no danger will result from his doing so.

I am your lordship's obedient servant,
"ALBERT FYTCHE.

"The Right Hon. the Earl of MAYO, K.T.,

"&c.. &c., &c."

In the latter part of 1869 I had the opportunity long desired of discussing the affairs of Burma personally with Lord Mayo. His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh was paying a visit to India; and the heads of the several local governments were entertained for some weeks at the Government House at Calcutta. Under these circumstances I had many conversations with Lord Mayo, sufficient to impress me deeply with his powers as a statesman, and his capacity as Viceroy. I recall with much pleasure the thoughtful interest he took in all matters connected with Burma; and his great social qualities and urbanity as a host. Death allows a survivor to pay a tribute to departed greatness, without the risk of a charge of adulation.

On one occasion I had the honour of presenting an address to his lordship from the European community in Burma. I append his Excellency's reply :

VOL. II.

K

"GENTLEMEN,

"CALCUTTA, 7th January, 1870.

"I have received with great satisfaction your address of the 11th December, which was presented to me by General Fytche, the Chief Commissioner of British Burma, on his arrival in Calcutta.

"The growing prosperity of British Burma is to me an object of special interest. There is no portion of Her Majesty's Indian dominions where the fruits of good government, and the results of British energy and industry, have been so rapidly developed.

"I thank you most sincerely for the expression of the desire that I should visit British Burma, and can assure you that on the earliest occasion that public duty will permit, I shall not fail to comply with the wish that is conveyed to me in your address.

"MAYO."

A melancholy interest appertains to this document. It was the first announcement of a visit, which was delayed until after my departure from Burma, and had such a melancholy ending. I need say no more. The sad death of Lord Mayo at the Andamans will never be forgotten by the present generation.

Besides the treaty concluded with the King of

MY ADMINISTRATION of britiSH BURMA. 131

Burma, and the despatch of the Mission to Western China, there were other important measures carried out during my Administration. A mixed Court of Civil Justice was established at Mandalay, for the trial of cases in which British and Burmese subjects were both concerned.

A railway was proposed and planned between Rangoon and Prome. The country was surveyed, but the rails were not laid down until after I had left the province. Embankments were constructed, and large tracts of swamp and marsh were thereby converted into culturable territory which brings forth teeming harvests. Three new light-houses were also constructed under the able superintendence of Colonel Alexander Fraser, C.B., of the Royal Engineers. Jails and Civil Courts were constructed at every important station in British Burma, in lieu of the miserable huts which had been previously used for such purposes.

The trade and revenues of the province largely increased. One of the subjects which I was much interested in was the education of the rising genera tion of native Burmese. The measures carried out in this direction are closely associated with the Buddhist religion. I will therefore deal with it in the next chapter.

I might dwell upon many other matters; but as an official memorandum on my Administration of

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