very summit; there were 101 guns mounted in the different stockades, all of which were new, and must have cost the enemy immense labour in the construction. Extensive and well-filled granaries, a considerable quantity of ammunition, and many boats of different descriptions were found there. The command of the lower provinces, acquired by this capture, inspired the population of the surrounding country with confidence ; chiefs of towns and villages sued for passes of protection; the inhabitants of Prome soon resumed their usual avocations; markets were formed along the river; and the resources of the country began to be fully available both for carriage and support.
After the occupation of Prome, Captain Chads was sent, with part of the flotilla, to Rangoon for supplies; and the light division, under Lieutenant Wilkinson, was despatched up the river, as far as Napadee, to reconnoitre. On the 1st May, the latter officer returned, having succeeded, after a long chase, in capturing eight war-boats, pulling from fifty to sixty oars each, and another, laden with guns, jingals, and spears. This service was performed without any loss, under H heavy fire from 500 musketeers and 50 horsemen, part of the force commanded by the Prince of Sarrawaddy, who was then retreating direct upon the capital, burning and laying waste the villages on his route, destroying all the grain within his reach, and driving thousands of helpless inoffensive people from their houses to the woods. “The capture of these war-boats,” says Captain Alexander, “liberated 3,000 canoes, &c. with families they were driving before them; and all the people claimed protection, and returned with Lieutenant Wilkinson. The boats got up to Meaday, a distance of about 50 miles,” where they met Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, who had been detached in command of all the flank companies, for the purpose of scouring the country; – “at some of the rapids they did not pull a boat’s length in an hour.” On the following day, Sir Archibald Campbell wrote to Mr. Secretary Swinton as follows:–
