Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p1.djvu/450

  Campbell shortly after he began his march from Meaday; and it was at the same time stated, that a chief of rank had been sent up to Ava, after the defeats at Prome, for the purpose of representing to “the golden footed monarch,” the hopeless state of his affairs, and the impossibility of the invaders being arrested in their advance upon the capital of the empire, by any military arrangements. On the 26th December, these reports were confirmed by the arrival on board the Diana (which vessel Sir James Brisbane had made his head quarters), of a messenger, under a flag of truce, communicating that Kolein Menghie had arrived at Melloone, deputed by the King of Ava, and with full powers to conclude a treaty of peace. In answer to this message, Sir Archibald Campbell, in concurrence with Mr, Robertson, sent Lieutenant-Colonel Tidy and Lieutenant Smith, R.N., to the Burmese camp, to ascertain what arrangement the envoy proposed making with them. A truce of twenty-five days was requested, and positively refused, the above officers being directed to say, as was afterwards communicated in writing, that nothing beyond twenty-four hours would be given for the first meeting with the Burman deputies, and that the truce was to be considered at an end as soon as the Lieutenant-Colonel and his naval colleague should have left the place. On reaching Melloone, on the morning of the 29th December, Sir Archibald found the place strongly occupied, and the river, on the enemy’s side, covered with boats, which attempted to escape; a few shot, fired over the headmost, shewed the determination of their hostile visitors to prevent it, and the attempt was given up. In the mean time, Sir Archibald Campbell received information that the Diana was seen passing the enemy’s works unmolested, accompanied by two gilt war-boats; and although the Burmese appeared throwing up entrenchments on the opposite shore, and marching and counter-marching, as if making preparations for defence, he accepted their forbearance to the steam-vessel, as a proof of their sincerity and desire to treat. Hostilities here ceased, for the present,