Judson, Adoniram, 1788-1850; Missionaries -- Burma -- Biography; Missionaries -- United States -- Biography
“It was now dark. I retired to an inner room with my four little
Burman girls, and barred the doors. The guard instantly ordered me to
unbar the doors and come out, or they would break the house down. I
obstinately refused to obey, and endeavored to intimidate them by
threatening to complain of their conduct to higher authorities on the
morrow. Finding me resolved in disregarding their orders, they took
the two Bengalee servants, and confined them in the stocks in a very
painful position. I could not endure this, but called the head man to
the window, and promised to make them all a present in the morning, if
they would release the servants. After much debate, and many severe
threatenings, they consented, but seemed resolved to annoy me as much
as possible. My unprotected, desolate state, my entire uncertainty of
the fate of Mr. Judson, and the dreadful carousings and almost
diabolical language of the guard, all conspired to make it by far the
most distressing night I had ever passed. You may well imagine, my
dear brother, that sleep was a stranger to my eyes, and peace and
composure to my mind.
“The next morning I sent Moung Ing to ascertain the situation of your
brother, and give him food, if still living. He soon returned, with
the intelligence that Mr. Judson and all the white foreigners were
confined in the death-prison, with three pairs of iron fetters each,
and fastened to a long pole, to prevent their moving! The point of my
anguish now was, that I was a prisoner myself, and could make no
efforts for the release of the missionaries. I begged and entreated
the magistrate to allow me to go to some member of Government to state
my case; but he said he did not dare to consent, for fear I should
make my escape. I next wrote a note to one of the king’s sisters, with
whom I had been intimate, requesting her to use her influence for the
release of the teachers. The note was returned, with this message: she
‘did not understand it’; which was a polite refusal to interfere;
though I afterward ascertained that she had an anxious desire to
assist us, but dared not, on account of the queen. The day dragged
heavily away, and another dreadful night was before me. I endeavored
to soften the feelings of the guard by giving them tea and cigars for
the night; so that they allowed me to remain inside of my room without
threatening, as they did the night before. But the idea of your
brother being stretched on the bare floor, in irons and confinement,
haunted my mind like a spectre, and prevented my obtaining any quiet
sleep, though nature was almost exhausted.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account