Judson, Adoniram, 1788-1850; Missionaries -- Burma -- Biography; Missionaries -- United States -- Biography
“It was on a cool, moonlight evening, in the month of March, that with
hearts filled with gratitude to God, and overflowing with joy at our
prospects, we passed down the Irrawaddy, surrounded by six or eight
golden boats, and accompanied by all we had on earth. The thought that
we had still to pass the Burman camp would sometimes occur to damp our
joy, for we feared that some obstacle might there arise to retard our
progress. Nor were we mistaken in our conjectures. We reached the camp
about midnight, where we were detained two hours; the woon-gyee and
high officers insisting that _we_ should wait at the camp, while Dr.
Price, who did not return to Ava with your brother, but remained at
the camp, should go on with the money, and first ascertain whether
peace would be made. The Burmese Government still entertained the idea
that, as soon as the English had received the money and prisoners,
they would continue their march, and yet destroy the capital. We knew
not but that some circumstance might occur to break off the
negotiations. Mr. Judson therefore strenuously insisted that he would
not remain, but go on immediately. The officers were finally prevailed
on to consent, hoping much from Mr. Judson’s assistance in making
peace.
“We now, for the first time for more than a year and a half, felt that
we were free, and no longer subject to the oppressive yoke of the
Burmese. And with what sensations of delight, on the next morning, did
I behold the masts of the steamboat, the sure presage of being within
the bounds of civilized life! As soon as our boat reached the shore,
Brigadier A. and another officer came on board, congratulated us on
our arrival, and invited us on board the steamboat, where I passed the
remainder of the day; while your brother went on to meet the general,
who, with a detachment of the army, had encamped at Yandabo, a few
miles farther down the river. Mr. Judson returned in the evening, with
an invitation from Sir Archibald to come immediately to his quarters,
where I was the next morning introduced, and received with the
greatest kindness by the general, who had a tent pitched for us near
his own, took us to his own table, and treated us with the kindness of
a father, rather than as strangers of another country.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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