Duchy of Schleswig which are still in a state of siege till the declarations of that State are revoked. The vote of the Duke of Augustenburg in the Assembly of the Provincial Orders for Schleswig is forfeited. The free and unconditional use of the Danish or German languages in the sittings of the future Provincial Diet of Schleswig is guaranteed, and the arrangements thereby rendered necessary we shall direct to be made. "So soon as our Sovereign power in Holstein shall have been fully re-established, the affairs of this Duchy shall be administered according to the legally-existing laws, which shall only be altered in a constitutional manner. For the purpose of introducing a general system of Customs duties for the whole Monarchy, the measures necessary for the abolition of the Customs Frontier on the Eyder shall be taken without delay. The state of siege existing in some districts of the Duchy of Schleswig shall be revoked, and the patent of amnesty for this Duchy of the 10th of May, 1851, shall undergo a comprehensive revision. Those who shall hereafter remain excluded from this amnesty will not be permitted to reside in any other part of the Monarchy; while, on the other hand, those who are not so excluded from it may return to the Duchy of Schleswig, freely and without impediment. "With respect to the administration of our Duchy of Lauenburg, we will, after the previous constitutional consultation with our faithful Ritterschaft and Commons, make known our determination. "Our relations as member of the German Confederation for the Duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg remain unaltered. "We anticipate with confidence, that our faithful subjects in all parts of the Monarchy will see, in the above provisions, a new proof of our Sovereign care that includes them all with equal affection; and we hope that, with the assistance of the Almighty, we shall succeed in securing to the lands united under our sceptre a happy future. Christianborg, Jan. 28, 1852. FREDERICK R." 66 CHAPTER X. SECOND BURMESE WAR:-Causes and Origin of the War-Demands of the Anglo-Indian Government-Description of Rangoon-Departure of the Expedition under the Command of Major-General Godwin— Capture of Martaban and Rangoon-Bassein taken-Expedition up the Irawaddy River to Prome-Arrival of the Governor-General at Rangoon-Second Expedition against Prome-Capture of Prome -Successful Expedition to Pegu, and annexation of the ProvinceProclamation by the Governor-General—Attempts to bring the Burmese Forces to an Engagement in the Neighbourhood of Pegu. CANADA:-Opening of the Canadian Parliament, and Speech of Governor-General. UNITED STATES:-Question of Election of President-The Fisheries Dispute-Sir John Pakington's Dispatch, and Mr. Webster's Comments-Speech of the latter in Massachusetts on the Subject-Amicable Negotiations-Death of Mr. Webster-Election of General Pierce as President-Annual Presidential Message. TOPICS:-The Fishing Grounds-Cuba-Central America-South America, the Lobos Islands-The Pacific-The Treasury-The Tariff and ProtectionThe Frontier and the Indians-The Navy-Miscellaneous-The Policy of the Government-The State of Europe-The Progress of the Union-The Rights of others—Conclusion. WAR AR WITH BURMAH.-In the course of last year, a Mr. Sheppard, the master and owner of a trading vessel of Madras, complained to the Indian Government that he had been seized, imprisoned, and ill-treated by the Governor of Rangoon, upon a false charge of throwing a man overboard; and that his vessel had been detained and Rs. 1005 extorted from him; adding that this was one of many acts of injustice, oppression, and tyranny suffered by British subjects in that port. Shortly afterwards, another master of a British ship made a similar complaint, alleging that he had been subject to extor tions, as well as insult and indignity, by the Governor, on an equally false charge of murdering one of his crew. At the same time a memorial was sent from the merchants of Rangoon to the Governor-General of India, in which they alleged that they had for a long time suffered from the tyranny of the Burmese authorities, that trade was seriously obstructed, and almost suppressed thereby; that the treaty which existed was violated by exactions from vessels, in shape of harbour-dues, &c.; that neither life nor property was safe, as the Governor had publicly stated to his dependants that he had no money to pay them, and had granted them his permission to get money as they could; that he had frequently demanded money without any pretext, and tortured the parties till his demands were complied with; and that affairs had arrived at such a crisis that, unless protected, they should be obliged to leave the country. The Governor-General came to the conclusion that the treaty of Yandaboo made at the conclusion of the first Burmese war had been violated, and the law of nations disregarded, in these cases; that not only had security and protection been withheld, but gross injustice and oppression had been practised by the Burmese authorities; and he stated in answer to the memorial, that "it was incumbent upon the Government of India to accede to the appeal, and demand reparation from the court of Ava, if its officer should refuse to make a proper submission." Accordingly, Commodore Lambert was sent in H. M. S. Fox, with two steamers, to Rangoon to demand reparation. He was likewise charged with a letter from the Governor-General in Council to the King of Ava, setting forth the complaints that had been made of the conduct of the Governor of Rangoon. When the Commodore arrived at Rangoon he sent Captain Tarleton with other officers on shore to present the letter for the King to the Governor. The latter received them without any formality, and his demeanour was almost insulting. As Commodore Lambert could obtain no satisfactory answer from the Governor, he despatched an account of his reception to the Indian Government, who now determined to write in a more imperative tone. Their letter was answered by the court of Ava in a reply addressed to the "Great English War Chiefs," and was upon the whole of a conciliatory character. It stated that orders had been issued that, in accordance with the treaty, the merchants at Rangoon should be treated justly according to law, and that the Governor of the place had been recalled and another appointed; also that strict inquiry should be made as to all cases of alleged ill-treatment. A new governor was appointed, but his behaviour was more insulting than that of the former. Commodore Lambert sent Captain Fishbourne and some other officers to him with a letter stating the nature of the claims of the Indian Government. They were told he was asleep, which was not true, and that they must wait in an open shed until he awoke and could receive them. After remaining for some little time, they returned to the ship without having been admitted to the Governor's presence. Commodore Lambert, conceiving that a studied affront was intended by this conduct, declared the mouths of the river to be in a state of blockade, and received on board his ships all persons at Rangoon who claimed British protection. He also seized a vessel belonging to the King of Ava. Four days afterwards, on the 10th of January, a brisk cannonade was opened on the Fox from a stockade on the river. This was speedily returned with shot and shell, and the battery was silenced. Commodore Lambert then proceeded to Calcutta to report the state of affairs. The Indian Government again sent a written remonstrance to the Go vernor of Rangoon but received only an evasive reply; and on the 18th of February the GovernorGeneral in Council addressed a formal demand of reparation to the King of Ava preparatory to a declaration of war if our claims were not complied with. In his letter he stated: 66 The reply which your Majesty addressed to the letter from the Government of India was, in all respects, worthy of a just and sagacious ruler. It admitted the justice of the claims which had been advanced, directed the removal of the Governor of Rangoon, and promised redress by the hands of a new governor, fully armed with powers to afford it. That redress has not been granted by your Majesty's servant at Rangoon; on the contrary, gross and repeated insults have since been offered by him to the British Government, in the persons of its officers, and every amende has been evaded or refused. 66 When Commodore Lambert, on the arrival of the new Governor, proposed to renew negotiations relative to the merchants who had been oppressed, the Governor intimated his readiness to receive, at any time, a communication from Commodore Lambert upon the subject. On the following day, a letter, written on behalf of the British Government, was addressed by the Commodore to the Governor of Rangoon. Although the present Governor and his predecessor had not observed the respect which was due, nor the custom of their own country, and had sent their letters by the hands of men of no rank or consideration whatever, yet those persons were not rejected by the Commodore. And when he despatched his letter to the Gover nor of Rangoon, it was sent, not by the hands of any such inconsiderable persons, but by the officer next in rank to himself, accompanied by officers of the army and of the fleet. Yet the Governor of Rangoon presumed to refuse all admittance to these officers, bearing a letter to him on the part of the British Government. He not only presumed to refuse to them admittance, but he offered to them insult and indignity. The Deputy Governor did not approach them, as your servants have falsely reported to your Majesty. No officer was deputed to them. They were approached only by the lowest; they were compelled to remain beyond the door; and were publicly subjected to disrespect and insolence, such as would have been regarded as ignominious by the meanest subordinate in your servant's durbar. The Governor of Rangoon aggravated the injury he thus offered to the British Government, by the audacious and offensive assertion that British officers, thus deputed on an important duty to a high officer, at noon-day, presented themselves at his residence in a state of intoxication. A deliberate insult can never be offered with impunity to the British Government, or to its servants. The Governor of Rangoon having persisted in refusing to express his regret for the conduct of which he had been guilty, Commodore Lambert rightly considered that the negotiations were at an end, that the demands of the British Government had been refused, and he proceeded (as your Majesty had been informed he would do, if the demands of this Government should not be complied with) to take such measures as should enforce the rights conferred by trea ties, should effectually protect the interests of the subjects of the British Government, and should fully vindicate its honour and power. "The Government would thereafter have been justified in rejecting all communication with the Governor of Rangoon; but having no secret intentions, and seeking no pretext for war or conquest, it once more endeavoured to effect an adjustment of the differences that had arisen. The Government of India added nothing to its demands. It required only the reparation it originally specified, together with the indispensable condition that the Governor of Rangoon should express his deep regret for the insult he had put upon the officers of this Government. These most moderate and just demands have been rejected by your Majesty's servant, whom you deputed with power to settle the differences between the States. "Its demand having thus been rejected by your Majesty's servant on your behalf, the Government of India resolved at once to enforce its rights, and to vindicate its power. For that purpose, large preparations were at once commenced, and are now in progress. The receipt of your Majesty's letter has not interfered with, and will not delay or diminish these preparations." The letter then stated what were the specific demands of the Indian Government : 1. Your Majesty, disavowing the acts of the present Governor of Rangoon, shall, by the hands of your Ministers, express great regret that Captain Fishbourne and the British officers who accompanied him were exposed to insult at the hand of your servants at Rangoon, on the 6th of January last. "2. In satisfaction of the claims of the two captains who suffered exactions from the late Governor of Rangoon; in compensation for the loss of property which British merchants may have suffered in the burning of that city by the acts of the present Governor; and in consideration of the expenses of preparation for war, your Majesty will agree to pay, and will pay at once, ten lacs of rupees to the Government of India. "3. Your Majesty will direct that an accredited agent, to be appointed in conformity with the 7th Art. of the treaty of Yandaboo, and to reside at Rangoon, shall be received by your Majesty's servants there; and shall, at all times, be treated with the respect due to the representative of the British Go vernment. "4. Your Majesty will direct the removal of the present Governor of Rangoon, whose conduct renders it impossible that the Government of India should consent to any official intercourse with him. 66 If, without further delay, negotiation, or correspondence, these conditions shall be consented to, and shall be fulfilled on or before the 1st day of April next, hostile operations shall be stayed, peace between the States shall be renewed, and the King's ship shall be restored. But if-untaught by former experience; forgetful of the irresistible power of the British arms in India; and heedless of the many additional proofs that have been given of its might, in the successful fall of the powerful Sovereigns of Bhurtpore, of Scinde, of the Sikhs, and of many other princes, since last the Burman rulers vainly attempted to resist the British troops in war-the |