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60
BIRMAH.
raised, on the spur of the occasion, by the tee-kiens
(princes), chobwas (tributary chiefs), and great lords,
who hold their lands by military tenure, and are
liable to be assessed according to the emergency of
their sovereign. In Birmah, every man is liable to
be called upon for his military services, and war is
deemed the most honourable profession. When an
army is to be raised, a mandate issues from the golden
palace to all maywoons (viceroys) and miou-jees
(heads of districts), requiring a certain number of
men to be at a general rendezvous on a particular day.
As soon as the imperial mandate is issued, Colonel
Francklin "
says, the jugghiredaur (or governor) in.
trigues and employs all his art and interest to get the
number reduced ; hence, various delays and obstruc-
tions to the public service. When his quota is
finally
fixed, he proceeds to his jugghire, and gives the like
orders to the mewdhagees (zemindars), but exceeding
the proportion established by the court, that he may
pocket the commutation for the difference. The
mewdhagees strive to abate their respective proportions,
and impose on the inhabitants from the same
corrupt motives ; and the inhabitants, in like manner,
strive to avoid part of the imposed burthen ; so that
the whole country is thrown into commotion, business
is neglected, and many of the poorer class flee to the
jungles, or totally abandon their country, in order to
avoid these impositions, of which there is no end
They travel by land in squads to the place of general
rendezvous, at their own expense, or are transported
in boats, put in requisition by his majesty's officers.
Every thing wanted for his majesty's service is im-
pressed or put in a state of requisition, without the
smallest indemnification. Captain Cox saw strings of
these miserable recruits, boys under age and decrepit