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against Ava, took the place in 1740, these strangers were not molested. Three years later Sirian was retaken by Ava, and subsequently was burned by the Peguans, when the British, whose Resident, Mr. Smart, had acted, as be. fitted his name, with duplicity in his dealings with both parties, were obliged to retire. Negrais was settled from Madras in 1753, while war was once more raging be- tween Ava and Pegu, and two years later the British factory at Bassein was destroyed by the former. A mis-, sion under Captain Baker was sent to Ava to ask for redress and to offer the support of the Company, which had been prudently withheld until the defeat of the Peg- uans had become a manifest certainty. Baker was badly received, and when he spoke of "assistance" the King bared his thighs, smote them with his palms, laughed in- sultingly in the envoy's face and asked him what he thought such a king as he had to do with aid from any man! In 1757 another envoy, Ensign Lister, was sent up the Irawadi to Ava, and as the result of a most hu- miliating interview, a new factory was opened at Bassein. In 1759 Negrais was practically abandoned, only a small staff remaining there in charge of the buildings, and the entire population of the island, including ten Europeans, was treacherously murdered very soon afterwards by the Burmese. The weakness which characterised the deal- ings of the Company with Burma was never better ex- emplified than by the action taken on this occasion, for the envoy sent to plead for redress was received with con- tempt and insult, and there the matter ended. Bassein was now abandoned, but some trade was carried on with Ran-