The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-08-11 00:00:00

PROCLAMATION

Sy BRIGADIER•DENERAL SIR ARCHIRALD CAMPBELL,
AND C.C.T.S. COMMANDER Or THE ENGLISH ARMY IN THE
DOMINIONS or THE RING OF AVA.

INHABITANTS OF THE BURMAN EMPIRE!
The English forces have come amongst you to seek re-
dress for the cruel murders and numerous insults your
arrogant Court had the presumption to inflict upon, and
offer. to the subjects of the British Government, in a time
of profound peace.
A great and generous nation, confident in its own
strength, like that of the British Empire in India, tried
every thing possible by mild and temperate expostulation
to make your Court sensible of the enormity of its con-
duct, anti the inevitable consequence that a perseverance
in it would occasion. These remonstrances tended only to
increase the insolence of the Court of Ava. Recourse to
arms was therefore the only measure left to the English, in
support of their own rights and dignity. What that ap-
peal has already produced, it is unnecessary for me to say—
you all know it. The bravery of my troops has already i
deprived the Court of Ava of its maritime provinces of
Mergui, 'l'avoy, Yeh, Martaban, and the island of Che-
, duha. The ancient kingdom of Pegu has become a desert
from the ravages of war. The most powerful armies, pos-
sible for your Court to get together, have been sent against
us; we have dispersed them like chaff! Since the arrival
of my force at Rangoon in the month of May last, we have
at different periods taken from you more than seven hun-
dred pieces of artillery, and small arms too numerous to be
counted, anti your loss in lives has been, as you all know,
most enormous ; and with lots, on that account, I ltulamt

the tears of aged parents, sisters, widows, and innocent
, children. All this has been endured merely to support the
'folly and obstinacy of your Court, to whom our peaceable
'desires have been made known. Yet, it still abtains from
loffering any reparation for the wanton cruelties and unpro-
voked injuries I have already mentioned. It only, there.
fore, remains for me to carry the victorious English arms
not only to your capital, but to the remotest parts of your
kingdom, till your Court is brought to a proper sense of
that justice, honour, and policy, due from one neighbour.
ing state to another.
Having thus briefly explained the cause of our corning
•in rums amongst you, you will see and fully understand
that to your own King and Government alone have you to
attribute all the past calamities of the war, and such as
may still ensue from its further progress. My most ant-
, ious desire is to alleviate these miseries towards the peace,
able and innocent inhabitants, to the very utmost of my
power. Show yourselves, therefore, deserving of that feel-
ing towards you by keeping, as we advance, yourselves, and
your families, peaceably and quietly in your houses, and
you may depend upon the most inviolable protection of
your persons and property. Bring to my army such arti-
cles of the produce of your farms and industry as you wish
to dispose of, every thing will be paid for with the most
scrupulous fidelity. I ask you not to take up arms, or any
part whatever in the war ; I have troops sufficient for ail
the objects I have in view, without any further aid. May
the spirit of your forefathers direct your hearts to follow
the line of conduct I have laid down for your guidance,
which will insure fcr you, as I have already promised, my
fullest protection, and every respect to your religion and
temples, &c. &c.
Given under my hand and seal at Rangoon, the Ist day
of Feb. 1823.
(signed) A. CAMPBELL, B.G. Ice. be.
. .„

The following is s literal translation of a curious core.
iplimentary epistle just received by the 'Brigadier-Gencval
from Siam, via Martaban.
" The Chief of the Country of Zaky, of Lagoon and
!I Jumtna ; the splendid hero and renowned warrior of great
splendour, dignity and riches ; the Prince, the ruler over
fifty-seven Provinces, possessed by my ancestors from the
remotest generations. The Lord and Chief of the nine
tribes of the Siamese people. The illustrious Prince poss
easing the richest Throne in the East. The name of th-
second Chief is Berns, Agan Loom Vat. The name of the
third, Shoom Zova Banzagan Lan Cheg. These three:
Chiefs were present at Durbar, with three and thirty
Wazeers, and being unanimous, having but one mind and
one object, present this to his Excellency.
" To the Governor over Sixty Tribes, and the Great
Conqueror over Countries, the English Hero—the Chem.
pion of the IVorld—the Tamer of Elephants—the General
victorious over the Burmese—mild and merciful—the
Leader of Leaders--the Inspirer of Bravery,—this request
is written in the year of the Hegira, One Thousand One
Hundred and Eighty-six. A year greater than seen by
any of our ancestors. A year more auspicious than all
former years. In which the Conqueror of Provinces, the
English Hero, lby command of his King, came with an
army to attack the Burmese, over whom he has been vic-
torious ; who lies not molested the inhabitants ; but has
permitted the poor to remain in their dwellings. This in-
telligence having reached us, diffused general joy. We
have likewise heard that many Wazeers and Burmese sol-
diers have been sent to the regions of death by the invin.
cible warriors. The English Hero, who is seated on a
throne, and is exceeding beneficent, has ordered that nei-
ther vexation nor trouble is to be given to the people re-
maining in their houses. Against your power no enemy
can draw an arrow. The poor and the cultivators in )our
prosperity find ease. Further, we are of opinion that if
you continue fighting after this manner for one year, or
one month, neither the name nor vestige of the Burmese
will remain. Then will the poor in tranquillity pass their
lives, and then the name of their merciless enAnie3 will be
obliterated. We are likewise persuaded that to the people
living under the shadow of the standard of your clemency,
not even a cause of trouble can arise. 'Fite great Chief
Leeagat, the second Bungan Khoon, the third Bungsa
Khasan Cheydoo Ghom Thuham. The Chief of the
countries of Labocm and Jamaz, all being assembled and
being unanimous, and having but MIC mind and one object,
I have described it to the great English hero and cot.
queror, and I wish to be infotmeti of your circumstances
and every wish in your mind. This request is addressed
to the presence of the illustrious enthroned English Con-
queror. '
COURT-MARTIAL ON A SERGEANT'S WIFE.
head-Quarters, Calcutta, Bth Feb. 1825.
At an European General Court-Martial assembled at Saugor,
on the 19th January, 1825, of which Major Shaw, of the Artillery,
is President, Martha Stevens. camp-follower, was arraigned upon
She undermentioned charge. vie.:—
•' With having on the 14th November, 1824, at Saugor, wilfully
murdered Sergeant James Stevens, her reputed husband, by stab.
bins him with a knife, of which he died."
Upon which charge the Court came to the following decision :-.-
FINDING AND SENTENCE.—" The Court havirg duly weighed
the evidence for the prosecution, together with wl.at the prisoner
has urged in her deferce, is of opinion that she is no• guilty of
murder, but finds her guilty of manslaughter, and sentences her,
Martha Stevens, to suffer ten months imprisonment "
Confirmed. EDWARD PAGET, General,
Commander-in-Chief in India.
The Officer commanding the Saugor division of the army is di-
rected to send the prisoner, Martha Stevtni, dowr, in custoiy, to
the gaol at Calcutta.