and, in the course of the same day, a correspondence commenced, and led to negociations which Sir Archibald hoped would render it unnecessary for him to write another military despatch upon the war in Ava.
On the 3rd January, 1826, a letter, of which the following is a copy, was addressed to Sir James Brisbane, by the Supreme Government:
“Sir,– By the despatches received from Major-General Sir Archibald Campbell, announcing the highly gratifying intelligence of the success which has attended the British arms in the engagements with the enemy on the let, 2d, and 6th ultimo, we are apprised that the boats of H.M. squadron and the Hon. Company’s flotilla, under the personal directions uf your Excellency, bore a distinguished share in the operations of those days, and, acting in conjunction with the land forces, afforded most important aid and support, the value of which is acknowledged by Sir A. Campbell in the warmest terms.
“We desire to avail ourselves of this occasion to express our high sense of that zeal for promotion of the public interests, which has distinguished nil your Excellency’s proceedings, since you first assumed the chief naval command in these seas, and which induced you to repair in person to Prome, with a view to the more effectual direction and superintendence of the river part of the service in the enemy’s country. The beneficial effects of your Excellency’s presence have been strikingly manifested, in the success which has attended the late combined attack on the Burmese positions, as well as in the uniform spirit of harmony, cordiality, and gallant devotion prevailing in both services.
“It is to us a source of high gratification to learn from your communication to Major-General Sir Archibald Campbell, that the conduct of the officers and men of the flotilla belonging to the H.C. has merited and received your approbation.
“Of the zealous and important services which the officers of the royal navy have performed in conjunction with the land forces employed in Ava, we have repeatedly signified our warmest acknowledgments, and we gladly seize this opportunity of renewing the expression of them to your Excellency, as the naval commander-in-chief. We beg also that you will notify, in such manner and at such time as you may deem suitable, the sense which the Supreme Government entertain of their gallant and distinguished exertions in the late conflicts with the enemy.
“We deeply lamented the loss which the service sustained by the untimely death of Captain Alexander, of H.M.S. Alligator, who fell a victim to fever, induced by the exposure in the zealous discharge of his duties; and we have again to deplore the fall of another brave officer,
