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BIRMAH. 25
course, their separate interests. The French favoured
the Peguans; the English took the part of the Birmans
; both parties, however, contented themselves
with rendering the petty aid of clandestine supplies.
Early in 1754, the Pegu monarch, now awakened to
a sense of the danger, despatched Apporaza from
Syriam, with a numerous fleet of war-boats up the
Irrawaddy, to reconquer the revolted provinces. The
season at which this expedition was undertaken,
was unfavourable. In the dry months of January,
February, March, and April, the river subsides so as
to be scarcely navigable from shoals and sand-banks,
and the northerly wind, which invariably prevails at
this season, retards all boats of burthen. After sustaining
a series of harassing attacks from the Birmans
on the shores of the river, as they proceeded, Appo-
raza succeeded in advancing as high as the city of Ava ;
but Ava was of sufficient strength to stand a protracted
siege, and Shembuan resolved to defend it to
the last extremity. Alom-praw had, in the meanwhile,
collected in the immediate vicinity, at Keoummeoum,
a powerful fleet, and an army of ten thousand
men; and Apporaza, preferring the risk of a battle
to the tedious and doubtful operation of a siege, left
Ava in his rear, and advanced to attack the Birman
forces. The contest was obstinate and bloody. At
that Shembuan was
length a report, skilfully spread,
advancing on their rear from the fort of Ava, threw
the Peguan force* into total disorder and rout ; num-
bers were slaughtered in the retreat, and Shembuan,
issuing from the fort of Ava, completed their destruction.
This signal victory secured the emancipation of
Ava, Enraged at these repeated defeats and reverses,
the Peguans had recourse to vindictive measures,
which, in the end, proved fatal to themselves. Their
PART I. F