all the Burman sea-coast from Rangoon to the eastward, a district ultimately ceded by treaty.
In October, the sickness and number of deaths at Rangoon were greater than in any previous month. In the beginning of November, however, a sensible change in the health of the troops was apparent. At this latter period, four of the Arachne’s crew had already fallen victims to the climate, and forty-four were reported unfit for service ; her total complement was only 100 officers, men, and boys.
On the 7th Nov., Lieutenant Greer, of the Bombay marine, then commanding the Thetis cruiser, being on his way from Elephant Point to Rangoon, in a row-gun-boat, with six sepoys as a guard, succeeded in beating off two war-boats, carrying from 30 to 40 men each, which had come out from the intermediate creeks, with twelve other boats of the same description, purposely to intercept him. The bold and determined conduct of Mr. Greer was duly appreciated by Sir Archibald Campbell and Captain Chads, who were well aware, that the capture of even a single boat would have been a source of the highest exultation to the Burmese, and emboldened them to give further annoyance on the river. Unfortunately, the seeds of jealousy, respecting the command of the Honorable Company’s naval force in Ava, had previously been sown at Calcutta; and Mr. Greer’s gallant exploit was followed by a painful correspondence, in the course of which, however. Captain Chads most firmly and successfully supported the dignity of His Majesty’s service.
On the 29th November, Captain Chads, in company with Lieutenant-Colonel John W. Mallet, of H.M. 89th regiment, visited the ancient capital of Pegu, which was found in melancholy ruins, reduced to a mere village, and deserted by all except a few old men and women. During this reconnoissance, which occupied four days, several large fire-rafts were destroyed by a division of light boats, under Lieutenant Kellett. On his return to Rangoon, Lieutenant-Colonel Mullet called the attention of Sir Archibald Campbell “to the zeal and ability shewn by Captain Chads in conducting
