Commercial Treaty between the East India Company and the King of Ava, 23 November 1826

A Commercial Treaty, signed and sealed at the Golden City of Rata-na-pura, on the 23rd of November 1826, according to the English, and the 9th of the decrease of the Moon Tan-soung-mong 1188, according to the Burmans, by the Envoy Crawfurd, appointed by the English Ruler the Company's Buren, who governs India, and the Commissioners, the Atwenwun Mengyi-thi-ra-maha-nanda-then, Lord of Sau, and the Atwenwun Mengyi-Maha-men-lha-thi-ha-thu, Lord of the Revenue, appointed by His Majesty the Burmese rising Sun Buren reigns over Thu-na-pa-ran-ta-Tam-pa-di-pa; and many other great countries.

According to the Treaty of Peace between the two great Nations made at Yandaboo, in order to promote the prosperity of both countries, and with a desire to assist and protect the trade of both, the Commissioner and Envoy Crawford appointed by the English Company's Buren, who rules India, and the Coy sinners, the Atwenwun Mengyi-thi-ra-maha-nanda-then Kyan, Lord of Sau the Atwenwun Maha-men-lha-thi-ha-thu, Lord of the Revenue, appointed by His Majesty the Burmese rising Sun Buren, who rules over Thu-na-pa-ra-Tam-pa-di-pa, and many other great countries: these three in the conference to the landing place of Ze-ya-pu-ra, north of the Golden City of Rata-na-pura mutual consent completed this Engagement.

ARTICLE 1.

Peace being made between the great country governed by the English Prince the India Company Buren, and the great country of Rata-na-pura, which over Thu-na-pa-ra-Tam-pa-di-pa, and many other great countries, when mere with an English stamped pass from the country of the English Prince and merchants from the kingdom of Burmah pass from one country to the other, selling and buying merchandize, the sentinels at the passes and entrances, the established gatekeepers of the country, shall make inquiry as usual, but without demanding money, and all merchants coming truly for the purpose of trade; with merchandize, shall be suffered to pass without hindrance or molestation. The governments of both countries also shall permit ships with cargoes to enter ports and carry on trade, giving them the utmost protection and security : and in regard to Duties, there shall none be taken beside the customary Duties at the landing places of trade.

ARTICLE 2.

Ships whose breadth of beam on the inside (opening of the hold) is eight Royal Burman cubits of 19 1/10 English inches each, and all ships of smaller size, whether merchants from the Burmese country entering an English port under the Burmese flag, of merchants from the English country with an English stamped pass entering a Burmese port under the English flag, shall be subject to no other demands beside the payment of Duties, and ten takals 25 per cent. (10 sicca Rupees) for a chokey pass on leaving. Nor shall pilotage be demanded, unless the Captain voluntarily requires a pilot. However, when ships arrive, information shall be given to the officer stationed at the entrance of the sea, in regard to vessels whose breadth of beam exceeds eight Royal Burman cubits, and remain, according to the 9th Article of the Treaty of Yandaboo, without unshipping their rudders, or landing their guns, and be tree from trouble and molestation as Burmese vessels in British ports. Besides the Royal Duties, no more duties shall be given or taken than such as are customary.

ARTICLE 3.

Merchants belonging to one, who go to the other country and remain there, shall, when they desire to return, go to whatever place and by whatever vessel they may desire, without hindrance. Property owned by merchants, they shall be allowed to sell ; and property not sold and household furniture, they shall be allowed to take away without hindrance or incurring any expense.

ARTICLE 4.

English and Burmese vessels meeting with contrary winds or sustaining damage in masts, rigging, etc., or suffering shipwreck on the shore, shall, according to the laws of charity, receive assistance from the inhabitants of the towns and villages that map be near, the master of the wrecked ship paying to those that assist suitable salvage, according to the circumstances of the case ; and whatever property may remain, in case of shipwreck, shall be restored to the owner.

J. CRAWFURD.

ATWENWUN MENGYI-THI-RA-MAHA-NANDA-THEN-KYAN,

Lord of Sau.

ATWENWUN MENGYI-MAHA-MEN-LHA-THI-HA-THU,

Lord of the Revenue.

Ratified by the Right Honourable the Governor-General on the first day of September, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-seven A.D.

A. STERLING,

Secretary to Government.

From: C. U. Aitchison, ed. A Collection of Treaties, Engagements and Sanads: Relating to India and Neighbouring Countries. Vol. XII. Calcutta: Government of India Central Publication Branch, 1931, 234-235.