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BIRMAH. 141,
commodious, and it is reported that vessels of any
size might securely anchor in its stream. The British
factory established here in 1757, was destroyed in the
wars between the Birmans and Taliens in the days of
Alompraw ; and as it has never been restored, Bassien,
though occupying so favourable a position, has not, of
late years, been visited by Europeans, Rangoon having
become the emporium of the empire. It stands in lat.
16 50' N., long. 93 E.
The island of Negrais lies off the mouth of the
Bassien or Negrais river. Its only importance is
derived from the harbour. There is not a single
spring of fresh water, nor any habitation on the
island. The coast is here a barren desert, covered
with an impenetrable jungle. Towards the north,
there is a hill crowned with an old pagoda, from
which the point of Cape Negrais is known under the
name of Pagoda Point. At its foot, a flat has been
cleared of jungle sufficiently to allow of the erection
of a few fishermens' huts. Negrais harbour is said
to be, without exception, the most secure in the Bay
of Bengal, as from hence a ship launches out at once
into the open sea, and may work to the southward
without any other impediment than the monsoon
opposes.
The whole delta of the Irrawaddy, including the
country southward and westward of Tonghoo, and
between Cape Negrais and the Bagoo-kioup, is now
called Henzawaddy. The tract lying between the
Syriam river and the Sittong river, formed the ancient
kingdom of Sittong, which divides Henzawaddy
from Martaban. Exclusive of the delta, there is very
little low land in the Birman dominions. The teak-
tree does not grow here ;
but even at a short distance