Untitled - Sabrizain.org

30 BIRMAH.
of Birmah from Rangoon, by the river, is about 500
miles ; but although so far from the sea,
its noble
breadth of stream, aided by the inundation, placed the
royal forces far beyond the reach of any annoyance
from the walls of Ava, which they passed to effect a
junction with the king; and this union of strength
finally enabled him, after an obstinate defence, the
result of despair, to reduce the city, and exterminate
the rebels.
Two other unsucessful revolts occupied the attention
of Namdojee-praw during his short reign of three
years ; but the only event requiring notice was the
tacit agreement of both parties to bury in oblivion
the circumstances connected with the expulsion of
the English from their factory at Negrais, and the
grant of as much ground as they could occupy at
Persaim. Namdojee-praw had the character of a
severe and rigorous judge, punishing slight immorali-
ties with the severities due only to atrocious crimes.
A second conviction even of drunkenness, incurred
the inevitable penalty of death; and any offences
against the tenets of religion or its ministers, were
inflexibly punished. He left one child, an infant ;
but the throne was immediately seized by Shembuan,
his brother, whom he had formerly so generously pardoned.
The reign of this monarch, which lasted for
twelve years, was a scene of active and successful war-
fare, and proved him to be possessed of distinguished
abilities. Pursuing the plans of his parent, Alom-
praw, against the Siamese, Shembuan, in the beginning
of the year 1766, advanced against the capital,
which soon surrendered, and the king became his
prisoner. Shembuan appointed a governor over the
country, and exacted an oath of allegiance ; but so
inveterate is their national hatred of the Birmans,