5. The letter of Phares was sent off by a moslem, who returned at

evening, saying that when he arrived at the convent, he was accosted by

two or three men, inquiring his business, telling him he was a Greek,

and had letters from the English. They then seized him, and took the

letter by force, and, had he not shewn them that he was a moslem, would

have probably sent him to the emir of the district for further

examination. They then asked him some questions about the English, and

assured him that after eight days Asaad would no longer be a living man.

Thus were our hopes of a second deliverance of this sufferer of

persecution, for the present, blasted. After all the threats, which have

been thrown out without being put in execution, we rather hope, that

this last will prove like the rest; yet we cannot tell how far their

hatred of the truth may, with the divine forbearance, carry them. We

leave all with him, in whose hands our life and breath are, and whose

are all our ways, with the humble hope, that light may yet arise out of

darkness, and that much glory may be added to his name, from this

evident work of Satan.

6. Sent word, in a blind hand, on a torn scrap of paper, to Phares

respecting the fate of our message to his brother. He returns answer

that he is coming to Beyroot to-morrow.

7. Phares came, according to his notice of yesterday, saying, that if

the patriarch should get his letter to Asaad, there would be danger in

his staying at Hadet. He should be glad to go to Malta, or almost any

other place out of the Maronite influence, lest his brothers should

seize him, and deliver him up to the fury of the patriarch, as they had

done his brother Asaad. Mansoor, the eldest and most violent of them,

when he heard, yesterday, that a letter had arrived for Phares from

Beyroot, breathed out threatenings and slaughter, not only against

Phares, but against the innocent messenger himself.

8. Wrote to ----, a friendly Maronite bishop, to give me whatever

information he might be able to procure respecting Shidiak.

_May_ 10. A messenger whom we sent to Cannobeen, returned with the

report that he was denied the privilege of seeing Asaad, under pretence

that he was going through a course of confession, during which the rule

is, that the person so confessing, shall pass his time, for a number of

days, alone, and see no company.

14. We were, to-day, credibly informed, that Shidiak is still firm in

his adherence to the gospel, but that he was kept under rigid

inspection, not being permitted to step out of his room without an

attendant.

17. Phares Shidiak informed us to-day, that he had been told that his

brother Asaad had been at the college of Ain Warka. He thought it might

be true, as one object in delivering him up to the patriarch was, to

give the people the general impression, that he had no longer any thing

to do with the English. He had now been a sufficient time absent from us

to give general currency to the report, that he was no longer with us,

and now, perhaps, the patriarch had let him go free.

_Asaad is cruelly treated._

27. The messenger, who went before to Cannobeen, had set out to go for

us a second time, and this morning early returned with the following

story:--Being met by a man near Batroon, whom he suspected to be from

Cannobeen, he inquired him out, and found him to be a messenger sent by

Asaad himself to his uncles and other connexions, to beg them to come

and deliver him. Asaad saw the man, and gave him his commission from the

window of the convent, without the knowledge of the patriarch, or the

others in his service. This messenger said, _that Asaad was in close

confinement, in chains, and was daily beaten_; and that the great cause

of complaint against him was, that he refused to worship either the

pictures, or the virgin Mary.

I had written a letter of mere salutation to Shidiak by my messenger,

which letter he enclosed in one from himself, and sent it on by his

brother, returning himself with the messenger from Asaad. This brother

of his, he is much afraid, may be ill-treated by the patriarch.

28. J., the messenger, called, and said, that he himself should not go

to Cannobeen, but twelve or fifteen of his other relatives would go and

endeavour at least to save him from chains and stripes. J. had been to

the emir Beshir the less, who lives at Hadet, begging him, (with a

present) to save his brother, if it should prove that he had suffered by

the suspicion or the resentment of the patriarch. The emir promised to

interfere--"But why," said he, "should Asaad go and join the English?

they are a people I do not love."

_June_ 2. A youth of the neighbourhood said it was reported that Asaad

was a complete maniac; that he rent his garments, raved, reviled, &c.

and that he had been sent to the convent at Koshia, like other lunatics,

for a miraculous cure. This news was brought by priest Bernardus, of

Gzir, mentioned in Shidiak's statement.

3. The brother of J. about whom he was so solicitous, returned last

evening in safety, with the following letter in Asaad's own hand

writing.

"To our respected brother J. ----. After expressing my love to you, I

have to say, that your letter by your brother ----, arrived in safety,

and I have understood it. In it you and ----, inquire after my health.

May the Lord pour out his grace upon you, and follow you with his

blessings. As to me, I am at present in health, with regard to my

_body_, but as to other circumstances, your brother will give you

information. Love to cousin ----, your wife. Pray send me word

respecting you every opportunity, and may the Lord lengthen your days.

From your brother.

"ASAAD ESH SHIDIAK."

This letter is certainly genuine, and is a full proof of what nature the

insanity is, under which he labours. It has greatly relieved the anxiety

we felt from the report of yesterday.

From the verbal account, given by the lad who brought the letter, the

following are selected as the most important particulars. He entered the

convent on his arrival, and seeing nobody but the keeper of the

prison-room, obtained leave to go in, and see Asaad alone. He found him

sitting on the bare floor, _with a heavy chain around his neck, and

firmly fastened at the other end into the wall_. His bed had been

removed together with all his books and writing materials, and (what is

considered here the extreme of privation,) he was left without a pipe.

The lad continued with him an hour or two, without being discovered by

any one but the keeper. During the conversation, Asaad observed, that

not long since he was sent to Koshia, as a man possessed of a devil, and

that he escaped from that place and had arrived near Tripoli, when he

was taken by a party of Maronites, and brought back to the patriarch. He

had, since that time, been kept regularly at Cannobeen, subject

occasionally to beating and insult, from such as might call in to see

the heretic. We understood the man to say, that the patriarch even

instructed the common people to spit in his face, and call him by odious

names, in order to shame him into submission. Asaad gave his advice that

we should either send some one with a horse, and get him away by

stealth, or get the consul to interfere by writing to the pasha. The

letter written by Asaad was done through the contrivance of his keeper

for a small reward.

_Attempts made to procure his release._

After hearing all this, we went directly to the consul to inform him of

the case, and to urge him to an interference. He consented, that we

should first procure some one to write a firm and consistent letter to

the patriarch, demanding by what right he had taken a man from an

English employer, and under English protection, and imprisoned him

unheard, &c. intimating, that if the man was not soon given up,

something more would be done.

Toward evening, J. came again to inquire what we had concluded on. When

he found what step we had taken, he seemed much alarmed for his own

safety, and begged us not to proceed, for he should be immediately

suspected as the mediator of the affair, and should be in danger of

being persecuted as such. He mentioned, as a justification of his fears,

that the keeper overheard Asaad when he recommended that course to his

brother, and that the keeper, when inquired of, would of course mention

the fact to the patriarch. Instead of the measure we were about taking,

he recommended to apply to the emir, through one of his relatives, who

was our mutual friend, and to this we consented. It is, however,

probable, that the object of J. is not so much to avoid danger, as to

put his friend the emir in a way to get a small present.

5. J. has been to see the emir, in order to persuade him to intercede

with his uncle, the emir Beshir, but the former was not at home, and

therefore the latter was not consulted. J. then went to the emir M. but

found him quite averse to do any thing, saying, that to liberate a man,

who had become English, would never do. He next saw Mansoor, the

brother, and asked him if he knew that Asaad was in close confinement.

"Yes," answered he, "and he may end his days there, unless he can learn

to behave himself better." One characteristic mark of a heathen is, that

he is "_without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful_."

J. says, that his brother has told him in addition, that Asaad himself,

on the whole, wished not to have the consul interfere, but that some one

might, for the present, be sent every week or two, to see how he got

along, and in the mean time, he hoped to make his own escape, for that

only a few days before, he had loosed himself from his chains, and got

out of the convent, but not understanding the path, he became afraid to

proceed, and returned of his own accord.

6. Went again to confer with the consul with regard to Asaad. When we

mentioned the fact, that Asaad was under a sort of oath of obedience to

the patriarch, an agreement which all make who are educated from the

funds of the Ain Warka college, he seemed to think differently of the

case, because, though an oath to bind the conscience, as in this case,

can never be binding, and is neither acknowledged by Turks or English,

yet, in the opinion of all Maronites, it justifies what the patriarch

has done. This English protection, they would say, is of no avail, since

he was under a previous engagement to serve the patriarch. The consul

thinks the case, if presented to the chief emir, would be rejected

without consideration, on the ground, that it was ecclesiastical, and

not civil; and if presented to the pasha, he would exact fines from many

innocent convents, and other wise oppress them, without perhaps, after

all, procuring the release of the prisoner. He would prefer some secret

mode of effecting the object.

Priest Bernardus, of Gzir, already mentioned was on a visit to the

family below, and sent up to beg the favour of a sight at Shidiak's

statement. I at first refused, but on a second application, and being

assured that the priest was a friend of Shidiak, I consented, and

invited the man to come and take with me a cup of coffee, which he did.

It will be observed, that this Bernardus was one of those, who wished

Shidiak to say that his faith was like that of the Roman catholic

church, although it should be a falsehood, saying that the patriarch

would bestow on him a pardon for the lie. The priest acknowledged to the

family below, that Shidiak's statement of that affair was correct.

14. Received a line from the friendly Maronite bishop, to whom I had

written, (April 8,) who says that he has been assured, probably afresh,

that Shidiak is in prison, and suffers beating.

15. The emir A. came and conversed a length of time on the case of

Shidiak. I offered to reward him well for his trouble, if he would

procure his release, which he has promised to attempt.

21. J. came to say, that he had never seen the emir A. who had

endeavoured to persuade his uncle to write to the patriarch. The uncle,

however, refused, but added, "_You_ may write in my name, and say, that

it is my pleasure, that Shidiak should be liberated." The messenger has,

therefore, gone with such a letter.

22. This morning, came Tannoos Shidiak, accompanied by a young emir,

saying, that they had knowledge of our attempt to liberate Asaad,

through the medium of the emir A. "It will not do," said he, "you will

not accomplish your object so." They both said, that the emir A. was a

great liar, had a little mind, and little, if any, influence with his

uncle. In short, _they_ proposed _a more excellent way_, viz. that we

should give _them_ also a good reward to engage in this noble work of

brotherly love.

24. The messenger from the emir A. arrived from Cannobeen, with the

following letter from the patriarch, in answer to his own.

"After kissing the hands of your honourable excellency, &c. &c. With

regard to your slave, _Asaad Esh Shidiak_, the state into which he is

fallen, is not unknown to your excellency. His understanding is

subverted. In some respects he is a demoniac, in others not. Every day

his malady increases upon him, until I have been obliged to take severe

measures with him, and put him under keepers, lest he should escape from

here, and grow worse, and infuse his poison into others. Two days ago,

he succeeded in getting away in the night, and obliged me to send men to

bind him and bring him back; and after he was come, he showed signs of

returning sanity, and begged to be forgiven. But he does not abide by

his word, for he is very fickle; and the most probable opinion

respecting him is, that he is possessed of the devil. However, as he

was, to appearance, disposed to yield me obedience, I treated him kindly

and humanely, and used every means to promote his permanent cure. This

is what I have to communicate to your excellency, and the bearer will

inform you further. Whatever your excellency commands, I obey, and the

Lord lengthen your life.

JOSEPH, _Patriarch of Antioch._"

27. A youth from Ain Warka informed us, that he had seen a letter in

Asaad's own hand-writing, saying, that he had yielded obedience to the

patriarch, and professed again the faith of the Roman catholic church.

This report, excited great joy, he says, at the college. We are rather

pained by the news, because, if Asaad has done this, we are almost sure

it has been done insincerely, and merely to escape the pains of his

persecution. The same person says, that a relative of the patriarch at

Cannobeen, has been in the habit of writing, every week or two, to the

college, to give the news of what was done with Asaad from time to time,

in which he spoke of his _chains_ and _stripes_, and so on. He also

observes, that many people have boldly questioned the right of the

patriarch to proceed to such extremities with the members of his church,

saying, they saw not, at this rate, which was chief governor of the

mountains, the prince, or the patriarch.

_July 1._ One who seemed certain of delivering Shidiak, if he should set

about it, went, with our recommendation to Tripoli, from which place he

hopes to have a convenient communication with Cannobeen.

14. The youth who went to Tripoli to attempt something, came back

unsuccessful.

17. Application has been made by Phares to the emir M., but he refused

to do any thing for Asaad, alleging that it is an affair of religion,

and belongs exclusively to the patriarch. Phares says, that

notwithstanding the superstition and anger, which his mother exhibited

when here, she has more than once said, that the English are better than

the Maronites, for they take an interest in the fate of Asaad, while the

Maronites all seem to care nothing about him, whether he is dead or

alive, happy or wretched.

Phares, as well as others, says, that Tannoos is Asaad's enemy from

jealousy. Asaad is younger than Tannoos, but has been much more noticed.

This Tannoos could not bear, and has therefore been quite willing to see

him disgraced and punished.

Phares observes, that Tannoos was quite as favourably disposed to

protestant principles as Asaad, but the moment Asaad took the start of

him, he fell back, and is a much firmer Maronite than ever. He seemed to

be affected at the death of Mr. Fisk, but inferred from it, that God did

not approve the efforts of the protestants in this country. The death of

Mr. Dalton, also, his former pupil, probably confirmed this feeling.

_Great difficulties in the way of Asaad's release._

18. Tannoos came to converse about his brother Asaad. He had just

received a letter in Asaad's own hand-writing, saying, that he was

reduced to a great extremity of distress, and perhaps had not long to

live, and begging Tannoos to come up and see if nothing could be done to

end or mitigate his sufferings. Tannoos declares that he would be very

glad to get him away from Cannobeen, if he could be safe, but that in

any other place in the dominions of the emir Beshir, he would be killed.

He might be safe at the consul's, but with me, he would _not_ be. "There

are men in these mountains," said he, "that can kill and _have_ killed

patriarchs and emirs, and that in their own houses; and why could they

not kill Asaad with you, if they chose? Is your house more secure than

the convent of the patriarch, or the palace of the emir? A man in

entering your house, would violate all law, but the English would not

make war for the killing of a single man."

I observed, that an application would very possibly be made to the

pasha, by the consul, if Asaad was not soon delivered up. "An

application of that sort," replied T. "would be quite useless. The pasha

would send the application to the emir, and do you not think the emir

would arrange the affair as he pleased? He knows well this sort of

dealing. He has known how to manage these mountains for forty years, and

do you think he would be at a loss about such a trifle as this? For

example, what would be more easy for the emir, if he chose to detain the

man, than to say he had committed murder, and therefore could not be

given up?" "But," said I, "such a charge must be established by

competent witnesses, and under the consul's inspection." "True," replied

he, "and where would be the difficulty in that? _The emir would bring

500 witnesses to-morrow to establish any crime he was pleased to

allege._ And as to his fearing the pasha, though he holds his office

under him, yet his power is even superior to the pasha's."----"The

patriarch," continued Tannoos, "can do just what he chooses, in spite of

the English. You have brought books here, and the patriarch has burned

them in spite of you. He has issued to all denominations a proclamation

full of lies against you, and what have you been able to do? You have

indeed written a reply to the proclamation, and hold it up to the

people, and say, 'Look how the patriarch lies about us;' but what does

he care for all that."

So talks a Lebanon mountaineer, of more sense, information and truth,

than most others, respecting the moral character and godly fear of his

patriarch and prince.

_His family attempt his liberation._

19. Phares brought us a letter, which had just been received by the

family at Hadet, from the patriarch, wishing them to come immediately to

Cannobeen. Tannoos and his mother have gone, and intend, if possible, to

bring Asaad away, either to Kesroan, or to Hadet. The mother insisted on

going, and wished to pass through Beyroot on her way, that she might

consult us before she went; but this was not permitted her.

The above mentioned letter, in English, runs thus:--"After telling you

how much I desire to see you in all health and prosperity, I send you

news respecting the wretch Asaad Esh Shidiak, otherwise called _lord of

hell_. His obduracy, with which you are acquainted, has exceedingly

increased. It is not unknown to you, how much care I have bestowed on

him for his good, how much I have laboured for his salvation, and under

what severe discipline I have put him; and all to no effect. And now, as

might be expected, he has fallen ill, and therefore can no longer run

away, according to his custom, and we have been thus constrained to take

off the severity of our treatment. But fearing lest his disease should

increase upon him, I have sent you word, that you may come and see how

he is, and consult what is best to be done with him. Make no delay,

therefore, in coming, and the apostolic blessing be upon you."

This attempt of his family to effect his liberation failed, for some

reason unknown; and he continued immured in prison, suffering

persecution. He was confined in a small room with an iron collar round

his neck fastened to the wall with a strong chain. In October, 1826,

another attempt was made to effect the liberation of Asaad. The civil

authorities were consulted, but could not be prevailed upon to enlist in

his behalf. In November, 1826, however, he effected his escape, but was

soon arrested, and treated more cruelly than ever.

In the Herald for April, 1828, we find the following history of Asaad

from the time he was betrayed into the hands of the patriarch till the

spring of 1826. It is thus prefaced by Mr. Bird, one of the

missionaries.

"This account of our suffering friend, though by no means complete, may

nevertheless be relied on as authentic, and is by far the most full and

satisfactory account which we have been able to obtain. It was sent us,

as you will see in the journal, by the friendly young shekh, Naami

Latoof, who, some time previous, spent a few weeks in our families, and

whose heart seems to have been touched with the truths of the gospel.

The priest, who has proved so great a benefactor to Asaad, is a relative

of the shekh, and they have grown up together from childhood on the most

intimate terms of familiarity and friendship. Many of the occurrences

here related, the priest found written among the monks, who pass their

time idly with the patriarch, and to many he was an eye-witness. The

account was drawn up under his own inspection. He seems a man unusually

conscientious for an Arab, unusually open to conviction in argument, and

has promised to do his utmost to save Asaad from further abuse, and in

the end to deliver him from his state of confinement. Thus, while all

our own efforts have failed of essentially benefitting the poor man, the

Lord, without any of our instrumentality, has raised up a friend from

the midst of his persecutors, who has already saved him from impending

death, and we hope and pray, will soon open the way for his complete

deliverance from this Syrian Inquisition."

_Brief history of Asaad Esh Shidiak, from the time of his being betrayed

into the hands of the Maronite Patriarch, in the spring of 1826._

=Translated from the Arabic of Naami Latoof.=

When the relatives of Asaad brought him to the convent of Alma in the

district of Kesroan, and gave him up to the patriarch, the latter began

by way of flattery to promise him all the worldly advantages he could

bestow; but withal demanding that he should put away all the heretical

notions, and all the corrupt knowledge, which the Bible-men, those

enemies of the pope, had taught him. He replied, "These things which you

hold out to me, are to me of no value. I no longer trouble myself about

them, for they are vain and of short duration. Every christian is bound

to think, and labour, and strive to be accounted worthy to hear that

blessed welcome, 'Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom

prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' As to rejecting from

my mind those things which I have learned from the Bible-men, I have to

say, that, for many years, I had read, occasionally, the holy

scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation, but could not

live according to them; for I was given to the indulgence of all wicked

passions: but since my acquaintance with these men, I see myself,

through the merits of my Saviour, possessed of a new heart, though it is

not yet, I confess, in all respects such as I could wish it to be."

During the few days they remained in the Kesroan, the patriarch shewed

him every attention, and suffered no one to oppose his opinions saying,

"The protestants, by the great sums they have given him, have blinded

his eyes, and inclined him to join them, and diffuse their poisonous

sentiments, so that he cannot, at once, be brought to leave them. Let

him alone for the present, do nothing to oppose or to offend him, until

we shall arrive at Cannobeen, where we may examine into his faith and

state at our leisure, and if we find that he still clings to his heresy,

we then can do with him as circumstances may require." After a short

time they proceeded with him to Cannobeen, and there began to use

arguments to convince him of his errors, and persuade him to confess and

forsake them, and embrace whatever the councils and the church had

enacted;--requiring that he should surrender his conscience to the holy

catholic church, and bless all whom she blessed, and curse all whom she

cursed; and this they did in the most stern and threatening manner. He

replied, "It has been said, by the mouth of the Holy One, _Bless and

curse not._" They still pressed him to yield his opinions, but he said,

"I can give up nothing, nor can I believe any thing but as it is written

in the holy scriptures; for in these is contained all doctrines

necessary to salvation."--"But," said they, "is every thing then,

worthless, that has been ordained by the councils and the fathers?" He

answered, "The councils may have enacted laws good for themselves, but

we are not bound to follow them."

After urging him, day after day, to no purpose, they finally asked in

despair, "Are you then still of the same sentiment?" "Of the same

sentiment," said he; "I still believe and hold whatever is written in

the holy scriptures, and neither more nor less." "Will every one, then,

who reads the gospel, be saved?" "By no means;--but as it is written,

'he that hath my commands and _keepeth_ them, he it is that loveth me.'"

"It is the duty of every person to possess the gospel, and read it?"

"Yes, it is the duty of every one. 'For,' said Paul, 'if our gospel be

hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this world hath

blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the

glorious gospel should shine unto them.'" They then reviled him, and

spurned him away from their sight, and began to meditate measures of

violence against him. He was separated from all around him, and

compelled to take his meals by himself; and lest he should attempt to

escape, a person was set over him to keep him under a constant watch. He

was made to feel himself in the lowest state of disgrace, all taking the

fullest liberty to reproach and ridicule him.

From this state of debasement he soon began to meditate his escape.

Accordingly, one evening, just as the sun had set, and while his

keeper's eye was off him, he fled. An immediate and diligent search was

made for him, but he could not be found until the second day, when he

was discovered still hiding in a grove near by, for he was totally

ignorant of the way he ought to take. They brought him immediately to

the patriarch. When he arrived, he was met by reproaches and revilings,

and the servants, by order of the patriarch beat him, and put him into

confinement. This was at Diman, a pleasant, airy situation belonging to

Cannobeen, and about an hour's distance from it. Soon after this, he was

taken up to the latter place, when he was left a little more at large,

but was always under the watch of a keeper.

One evening, when all had gone in the chapel for prayers, he lay as if

he had been asleep, and the monk, his keeper, thinking him really so,

went in with the rest, but took with him, as a precaution, Asaad's

silver inkhorn, supposing that if he should wake, and think of escaping,

he would not be willing to leave behind him so valuable an article. When

Asaad saw that all were gone, knowing the length of their prayers, he at

once left the convent, and ran about an hour's distance. People were

despatched in search of him with all diligence, but they returned

without finding him. On account of his ignorance of the way, he remained

secreted near the road till the day broke, when he continued his flight

until he had reached the distance of three hours or more from his

prison, when a couple of men in the service of the patriarch, having

been apprized of his escape by the pursuers during the night, discovered

him, and called out, "Who are you? Are you Asaad?" He replied, "I am

Asaad." They at once took him into custody, and brought him back, but

without any violence or indignity, to the patriarch. A different

treatment, however, awaited him at the convent. He had no sooner reached

it, than they covered him with insult, beating him, and mocking him, and

saying, "fool that you are, why did you answer to your name?" He

replied, "God has laid a curse upon the lying mouth, and therefore I

cannot use it." They said, "If you do not return to your faith, and hold

to all that has been ordained by the church and the fathers, you are

ruined. You will die under your tortures, and go to perdition." He

replied, "Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. I

am willing to expose myself to every indignity and suffering for the

sake of Him who loved us, and shed his precious blood for our salvation.

These things I am bound to say and do, and I am bound to exhort you

also, as beloved friends." When he had said this, they all laughed him

to scorn, called him a madman, and were about to beat him for

attempting, as they pretended, to make heretics of them also. When he

saw their anger, he cried out, "Why are you enraged at me, and what are

you about to do to me? I am a dying man like yourselves, and preach unto

you that you should turn from your vanities unto the living God, who

made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that are therein." They

then renewed their cries that he was mad, and thrust him into his prison

room, and locked the door upon him, and strict orders were given that no

one should say any thing to him more or less. In this state he remained

for some days. The patriarch then sent to him to inquire after his

faith, especially respecting his trust in the images of the church,

declaring to him that without faith in these, he could not be saved. He

replied, "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility

and worshipping of angels." They brought him proofs from the councils,

that images were used by the fathers, and ought to be set up and

worshipped in the churches, in honour of the saints, and to obtain their

intercession. He answered, "I will also bring you proof from the

councils, that the worship of images, and all use of them in the

churches, was forbidden and reprobated by the fathers." Here they

contradicted him. "Be it as it may," said he, "it is impossible for me

to follow the opinions of any man or set of men., and leave the word of

God behind me. This word tells me, that 'forasmuch as we are the

offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto

gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art or man's device.'" The

messengers then quit him, and made their report to the patriarch, who

left him in his prison for a considerable time, in the most abject and

suffering state.

In process of time, certain individuals, possessed of a little humanity,

became interested in his situation, sympathized in his sufferings,

interceded for him, and procured liberty to open the prison door, so

that any one who chose could go in and see him without restraint. Again

he began to meditate an attempt to escape, and on a certain evening, set

off from the convent. But, as before, his ignorance of the proper path

to escape in, prevented the accomplishment of his purpose. He soon saw

the lighted torches streaming off in every direction in search of him,

and to avoid his pursuers, turned aside a short distance, and climbed

into a tree. From this situation he did not dare to come down till the

night was fairly gone, when he shifted the position of his clothes,

turning his cloak inside out, using his turban for a girdle and his

girdle for a turban, and took his way. He had, however, not proceeded

far, when one of the patriarch's men discovered him, and called out,

"Asaad is it you?" He answered, "it is I." The man immediately caught

him, like a greedy wolf, bound him, beat him, and drove him before him,

as a slave, or a brute, to Cannobeen. On their way they were met by many

others who had been sent off in quest of him, who all united with the

captor in his brutal treatment. On his arrival, the patriarch gave

immediate orders for his punishment, and they fell upon him with

reproaches, caning him and smiting him with their hands; and so it was,

that as often as they struck him on one cheek, he turned to them the

other also. "This," said he, "is a joyful day to me. My blessed Lord and

Master has said, 'Bless them that curse you, and if they strike you on

the right cheek turn to them the left also.' This I have been enabled to

do, and I am ready to suffer even more than this for him, who was

beaten, and spit upon, and led as a sheep to the slaughter, on our

account." When they heard this, they fell to beating him anew saying,

"Have we need of your preaching, thou deceiver? Of what avail are such

pretensions in one who is in the broad way to perdition?" He replied,

"he that believeth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, hath eternal

life." "Ah," said they, "this is what blinds you. Your salvation is _by

faith alone in Christ_; thus you cast contempt on his mother, and his

saints; you deny the presence of his holy body on earth;"--and they

threw him on the ground, overwhelmed with the multitude of their blows.

For three successive days, he was subjected to the bastinado, by order

of the patriarch, who, after that, summoned him to his presence, and

demanded of him his faith. "I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus of

Nazareth." Those present exhorted him to acknowledge the intercession of

the saints, and to repair to them for help in this hour of trial. But he

refused, saying, "My help is in him who shed his blood for sinners."

"But have the saints," said they, "no intercession, and is it vain to

worship them, and pray to them?" He said, "We are not taught to seek

help or protection from any, but from him who is the Great Shepherd, who

has said with his own blessed mouth, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour

and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' To any other than God,

we are not commanded to pray or seek for refuge."

They then returned him to his prison as before. Those who sympathized

with him, went and begged him to confess that the canons of the councils

were binding on all Christians, and that the images were very properly

made use of in the churches. He answered, "Professing themselves to be

wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God

into an image made like unto corruptible man." At this they turned away

from him in despair and disgust, and reported to the patriarch that he

was in the most settled state of obstinacy, and was doubtless possessed

of a devil.

Upon this, the patriarch ordered him to be put in chains, and the door

to be barred upon him, as formerly, and his food to be given him in

short allowance. In this condition he remained till he was much reduced,

and began to entreat them to have pity on him and take off the irons

from his feet, and open the door of his prison. Some were moved by his

supplications, interceded for him, unbarred the door, took off his

chains, and left him. He arose, walked out, and sat down with one of

them and conversed. He then begged the patriarch to give him some books

to copy, to rid himself of the tedium of his idleness. But he refused,

nor would he suffer any to hold conversation with him.

After some days, there came into the convent two men, in the character

of beggars, and wished to pass the night, but were turned away. That

same night Asaad made another attempt to escape. As soon as it was

discovered that he was gone, a vigorous search was made to find him, but

all to no purpose. The universal cry now was, that the two men already

mentioned had been sent by the protestants to steal him away for a large

reward. Immediately his holiness, the patriarch, sent letters to the

emeer Abdallah informing him of Asaad's escape, and requesting him to

guard the roads of the Kesroan, and search the neighbourhood, if

possibly Asaad might still be found lurking in that district.

Accordingly search was made, Asaad was discovered among his relatives by

a couple of soldiers, was bound, and taken off to the emeer, who sent

him direct to the patriarch.

On his arrival, he was loaded with chains, cast into a dark, filthy

room, and bastinadoed, every day, for eight days, sometimes fainting

under the operation, until he was near death. He was then left in his

misery, his bed a thin flag mat, his covering his common clothes. The

door of his prison was filled up with stone and mortar, and his food was

six thin cakes of bread a day, and a scanty cup of water. In this

loathsome dungeon, from which there was no access but a small loop hole,

through which they passed his food, he lay for several days; and he

would lift up his voice, and cry, "Love ye the Lord Jesus Christ

according as he hath loved us, and given himself to die for us. Think of

me, O ye that pass by, have pity upon me, and deliver me from these

sufferings."

Now when his groans and cries were thus heard, a certain priest, who had

been a former friend of Asaad, was touched with compassion. His former

friendship revived, his bowels yearned over his suffering brother, and

he besought every one who could speak with the patriarch, that they

would intercede and endeavour to soften his feelings towards his

prisoner. By dint of perseverance, the priest at length succeeded, and

obtained permission to open the prison door of his friend and take off

his irons. The first request he made of the priest on his entering, was,

that he would give him a little food, for he was famishing with hunger.

The priest immediately brought him a little bread and cooked victuals,

which he ate, and said, "The name of the Lord be blessed."

Those present began to exhort him to turn to the mother of God, if,

peradventure, she would have mercy upon him, and bring him back to the

way of salvation. He answered, "If she has the power of intercession,

let her intercede for us with her beloved Son." The priest was very

assiduous in supplying him with every thing necessary for his comfort;

in particular he obtained the return of his clothes, of which he had

been partly stripped; for the snow was upon the ground, and the cold

filled him with pains.

Now when the others saw the care and attention of the priest, they said,

"You have become a convert to his heretical opinions." But he replied,

"God has said, 'Blessed are the merciful;'" and continued firm in his

purpose. His assiduity was such, that whenever he left the convent for

any time, he would give money to the cook to prevail on him to supply

Asaad with proper food, and to attend upon him in whatever he might

need. The enemies of the priest accused him to the patriarch, but they

could not succeed in their object, for the priest is of blameless

morals, and has a good name among all.

The priest now passed much of his time in company with Asaad, and

conversed with him freely. On a certain occasion they began to converse

on the subject of the cross, the priest saying it ought to be

worshipped. Asaad replied, "For what reason? and where is the use of

it?" The priest said, "In memory of the Saviour." Asaad,--"Why do you

kiss the cross, and who has commanded it?" Priest,--"We kiss it in

honour of him who hung upon it." Asaad.--"But why then do you not paint

the _ass_ also, and pay it all obeisance, and all honours, for our

Saviour, when he rode upon the ass, was in all honour, and all paid him

obeisance; but when he was on the cross, he was in sorrow and disgrace."

The priest reproved him gently for returning such an answer, and when he

saw that the priest was displeased, he said, "On account of your love to

me, and the favour you have done me, I wish to prove to you this point,

that all religious reverence and worship and service to any but God, is

vain; for it is said, 'He that heareth my word, and believeth on him

that sent me, hath everlasting life,' and I have to beg of you, that you

will continually search the holy scriptures, and pray as David prayed,

'Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within

me.'" During this time, one of their enemies was standing without the

door, and listened to the whole conversation. This man went immediately,

to the patriarch, and told him all that he had heard, and that the

priest was conversing with Asaad in so gentle a manner, that he was

likely soon to be won over to heresy. His holiness was startled at the

intelligence, and hastening down inquired the truth of the report. Asaad

concealed nothing. The patriarch, however, at first, repressed his own

feelings, and exhorted him in the most winning manner he could assume,

promising that if he would but return to the holy church and fathers and

councils, worship the images, and saints, and the mother of God, he

would again immediately make him his secretary. He replied, "With regard

to the opinions which I hold, I assure you I wish to hold none which are

opposed to the word of God; and as to resorting to the virgin Mary, I

say, as I have before said, that if she has any power of intercession,

let her intercede for us. As to giving up my opinions to the church and

councils, how can I do it, so long as I am possessed of satisfactory

evidence that these councils are opposed to one another? We are in no

need of the councils, but have sufficient light without them to guide us

in the way of salvation. Moreover I can say, that _I do_ surrender my

opinions to the holy catholic church, for I profess the faith of the

church of Christ, and unite my conscience with it."

The patriarch could no longer restrain his feelings, but broke out in

the language of reproach, saying, "You are a worthless fellow,

obstinately bent on maintaining your folly. I give you to understand

that I am clear of your guilt. You will not be taught, but love to shew

your contempt of the cross, and of the worship of the images, whose

worship is only in honour of those to whose memory they are set up, and

who laboured and died in the service of Christ." Asaad replied, "With

regard to worshipping such things as these, it is said, 'Thou shalt

worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve;' and as to

those who laboured and shed their blood for the Saviour, they are above

our honours, for they have gone to inherit unspeakable glory in their

master's presence." The patriarch was more angry than ever, and taking

off his slipper, beat both him and the priest, and drove the latter from

the room, and locked the door.

After six days of additional confinement, the friendly priest again

procured his release from his prison, and obtained the favour of taking

the entire oversight of him. In this condition the persecuted man

remains. May the Most High grant him speedy deliverance.

Feb. 15th, 1827.

* * * * *

The latest accounts from Palestine state that Asaad is still in

confinement, but remains firm to the principles he has embraced. In a

letter from Mr. Goodell, dated April, 1830, we find the following

sentence.--"_Asaad Shidiak is still alive, and there is every reason to

believe that he loves and obeys the truth, that he is sanctified by it,

rooted and grounded in it, and ready to suffer for it._" We take our

leave of this interesting narrative, commending the suffering subject of

it to God, and the word of his grace, accounting him more blessed if he

perseveres steadfast unto the end, than if his brows were endowed with

an imperial diadem.

FOOTNOTES:

[E] The Papists receive these books as of equal divine authority with

the books of the Old Testament.--ED.

[F] This he actually proposed, but the patriarch would not listen to the

proposal a moment.

[G] "He causeth all--to receive a mark," &c. "and no man might buy or

sell save he that had the mark or the name of the beast." The patriarch

was also clothed in scarlet, like the woman on the scarlet coloured

beast.

[H] See Rev. xiii. 13

[I] When he first came to Beyroot, this same sentence was dictated to

him, and it appeared in his eyes so much like blasphemy, that he refused

to write it.

[J] We afterwards ascertained, that he was decoyed off to a distance, as

if for walk, and when he would have returned, was prevented by force.

[K] This letter was a mere tissue of testimonies, brought from the

fathers, and from the scriptures, condemning the worship of images.

CHAPTER IX.

PERSECUTIONS OF THE BAPTIST MISSIONARIES IN INDIA, DURING THE YEAR 1824.

_Account of the Scenes at Ava during the War._

Mr. and Mrs. Judson were among the number of the first missionaries who

left this country for India. After labouring for some time in Hindostan

they finally established themselves at Rangoon in the Burman Empire, in

1813. In 1824 war broke out between the British East India Company and

the emperor of Burmah. Mr. and Mrs. Judson and Dr. Price, who were at

Ava, the capital of the Burman Empire, when the war commenced, were

immediately arrested and confined for several months. The account of the

sufferings of the missionaries was written by Mrs. Judson, and is given

in her own words.

The sufferings of the missionaries, during this long and disastrous

period, surpassed all that the most alarmed and fertile imagination had

conceived. Of the dreadful scenes at Ava, a minute account was written

by Mrs. Judson to Dr. Elnathan Judson. It will be read with strong and

painful interest. Fiction itself has seldom invented a tale more replete

with terror.

"_Rangoon, May 26, 1826._

"My beloved Brother,

"I commence this letter with the intention of giving you the particulars

of our captivity and sufferings at Ava. How long my patience will allow

my reviewing scenes of disgust and horror, the conclusion of this

letter will determine. I had kept a journal of every thing that had

transpired from our arrival at Ava, but destroyed it at the commencement

of our difficulties.

"The first certain intelligence we received of the declaration of war by

the Burmese, was on our arrival at Tsenpyoo-kywon, about a hundred miles

this side of Ava, where part of the troops, under the command of the

celebrated Bandoola, had encamped. As we proceeded on our journey, we

met Bandoola himself, with the remainder of his troops, gaily equipped,

seated on his golden barge, and surrounded by a fleet of gold war boats,

one of which was instantly despatched the other side of the river to

hail us, and make all necessary inquiries. We were allowed to proceed

quietly on, when he had informed the messenger that we were Americans,

_not English_, and were going to Ava in obedience to the command of his

Majesty.

"On our arrival at the capital, we found that Dr. Price was out of

favour at court, and that suspicion rested on most of the foreigners

then at Ava. Your brother visited at the palace two or three times, but

found the king's manner toward him very different from what it formerly

had been; and the queen, who had hitherto expressed wishes for my speedy

arrival, now made no inquiries after me, nor intimated a wish to see me.

Consequently, I made no effort to visit at the palace, though almost

daily invited to visit some of the branches of the royal family, who

were living in their own houses, out of the palace enclosure. Under

these circumstances, we thought our most prudent course lay in

prosecuting our original intention of building a house, and commencing

missionary operations as occasion offered, thus endeavouring to convince

the government that we had really nothing to do with the present war.

"In two or three weeks after our arrival, the king, queen, all the

members of the royal family, and most of the officers of government,

returned to Amarapora, in order to come and take possession of the new

palace in the customary style. As there has been much misunderstanding

relative to Ava and Amarapora, both being called the capital of the

Burmese Empire, I will here remark, that present Ava was formerly the

seat of government; but soon after the old king had ascended the throne,

it was forsaken, and a new palace built at Amarapora, about six miles

from Ava, in which he remained during his life. In the fourth year of

the reign of the present king, Amarapora was in its turn forsaken, and a

new and beautiful palace built at Ava, which was _then_ in ruins, but is

_now the capital_ of the Burmese Empire, and the residence of the

Emperor. The king and royal family had been living in the temporary

buildings at Ava, during the completion of the new palace, which gave

occasion for their returning to Amarapora.

"I dare not attempt a description of that splendid day, when majesty

with all its attendant glory entered the gates of the golden city, and

amid the acclamations of millions, I may say, took possession of the

palace. The saupwars of the provinces bordering on China, all the

Viceroys and high officers of the kingdom, were assembled on the

occasion, dressed in their robes of state, and ornamented with the

insignia of their office. The white elephant, richly adorned with gold

and jewels, was one of the most beautiful objects in the procession. The

king and queen alone were unadorned, dressed in the simple garb of the

country; they, hand in hand, entered the garden in which we had taken

our seats, and where a banquet was prepared for their refreshment. All

the riches and glory of the empire were on this day exhibited to view.

The number and immense size of the elephants, the numerous horses, and

great variety of vehicles of all descriptions, far surpassed any thing I

have ever seen or imagined. Soon after his majesty had taken possession

of the new palace, an order was issued that no foreigner should be

allowed to enter, excepting Lansago. We were a little alarmed at this,

but concluded it was from political motives, and would not, perhaps,

essentially affect us.

"For several weeks nothing took place to alarm us, and we went on with

our school. Mr. J. preached every Sabbath, all the materials for

building a brick house were procured, and the masons had made

considerable progress in raising the building.

"On the 23d of May, 1824, just as we had concluded worship at the

Doctor's house, the other side of the river, a messenger came to inform

us that Rangoon was taken by the English. The intelligence produced a

shock, in which was a mixture of fear and joy. Mr. Gouger, a young

merchant residing at Ava, was then with us, and had much more reason to

fear than the rest of us. We all, however, immediately returned to our

house, and began to consider what was to be done. Mr. G. went to prince

Thar-yar-wa-dee, the king's most influential brother, who informed him

he need not give himself any uneasiness, as he had mentioned the subject

to his majesty, who had replied, that 'the few foreigners residing at

Ava, had nothing to do with the war, and should not be molested.'

"The government were now all in motion. An army of ten or twelve

thousand men, under the command of the Kyee-woon-gyee, were sent off in

three or four days, and were to be joined by the Sakyer-woon-gyee, who

had previously been appointed Viceroy of Rangoon, and who was on his way

thither, when the news of its attack reached him. No doubt was

entertained of the defeat of the English; the only fear of the king was,

that the foreigners hearing of the advance of the Burmese troops, would

be so alarmed, as to flee on board their ships and depart, before there

would be time to secure them as slaves. 'Bring for me,' said a wild

young buck of the palace, 'six kala pyoo, (white strangers,) to row my

boat;' and 'to me,' said the lady of a Woongyee, 'send four white

strangers to manage the affairs of my house, as I understand they are

trusty servants.' The war boats, in high glee, passed our house, the

soldiers singing and dancing, and exhibiting gestures of the most joyous

kind. Poor fellows! said we, you will probably never dance again. And

it so proved, for few if any ever saw again their native home.

"As soon as the army were despatched, the government began to inquire

the cause of the arrival of the strangers at Rangoon. There must be

spies in the country, suggested some, who have invited them over. And

who so likely to be spies, as the Englishmen residing at Ava? A report

was in circulation, that Captain Laird, lately arrived, had brought

Bengal papers which contained the intention of the English to take

Rangoon, and it was kept a secret from his Majesty. An inquiry was

instituted. The three Englishmen, Gouger, Laird, and Rogers, were called

and examined. It was found they had seen the papers, and were put in

confinement, though not in prison. We now began to tremble for

ourselves, and were in daily expectation of some dreadful event.

"At length Mr. Judson and Dr. Price were summoned to a court of

examination, where strict inquiry was made relative to all they knew.

The great point seemed to be whether they had been in the habit of

making communications to foreigners, of the state of the country, &c.

They answered, they had always written to their friends in America, but

had no correspondence with English officers, or the Bengal government.

After their examination, they were not put in confinement as the

Englishmen had been, but were allowed to return to their houses. In

examining the accounts of Mr. G. it was found that Mr. J. and Dr. Price

had taken money of him to a considerable amount. Ignorant, as were the

Burmese, of our mode of receiving money, by orders on Bengal, this

circumstance, to their suspicious minds, was a sufficient evidence, that

the missionaries were in the pay of the English, and very probably

spies. It was thus represented to the king, who, in an angry tone,

ordered the immediate arrest of the 'two teachers.'

"On the 8th of June, just as we were preparing for dinner, in rushed an

officer, holding a black book, with a dozen Burmans, accompanied by

_one_, whom, from his spotted face, we knew to be an executioner, and a

'son of the prison.' 'Where is the teacher?' was the first inquiry. Mr.

Judson presented himself. 'You are called by the king,' said the

officer; a form of speech always used when about to arrest a criminal.

The spotted man instantly seized Mr. Judson, threw him on the floor, and

produced the small cord, the instrument of torture. I caught hold of his

arm; 'Stay, (said I,) I will give you money.' 'Take her too,' said the

officer; 'she also is a foreigner.' Mr. Judson, with an imploring look,

begged they would let me remain till further orders. The scene was now

shocking beyond description. The whole neighbourhood had collected--the

masons at work on the brick house threw down their tools, and ran--the

little Burman children were screaming and crying--the Bengalee servants

stood in amazement at the indignities offered their master--and the

hardened executioner, with a hellish joy, drew tight the cords, bound

Mr. Judson fast, and dragged him off, I knew not whither. In vain I

begged and entreated the spotted face to take the silver, and loosen

the ropes, but he spurned my offers, and immediately departed. I gave

the money, however, to Moung Ing to follow after, to make some further

attempt to mitigate the torture of Mr. Judson; but instead of

succeeding, when a few rods from the house, the unfeeling wretches again

threw their prisoner on the ground, and drew the cords still tighter, so

as almost to prevent respiration.

"The officer and his gang proceeded on to the court house, where the

Governor of the city and officers were collected, one of whom read the

order of the king, to commit Mr. Judson to the death prison, into which

he was soon hurled, the door closed--and Moung Ing saw no more. What a

night was now before me! I retired into my room, and endeavoured to

obtain consolation from committing my case to God, and imploring

fortitude and strength to suffer whatever awaited me. But the

consolation of retirement was not long allowed me, for the magistrate of

the place had come into the verandah, and continually called me to come

out, and submit to his examination. But previously to going out, I

destroyed all my letters, journals, and writings of every kind, lest

they should disclose the fact that we had correspondents in England, and

had minuted down every occurrence since our arrival in the country. When

this work of destruction was finished, I went out and submitted to the

examination of the magistrate, who inquired very minutely of everything

I knew; then ordered the gates of the compound to be shut, no person be

allowed to go in or out, placed a guard of ten ruffians, to whom he gave

a strict charge to keep me safe, and departed.

"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 endeavoured 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

afterwards 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 endeavoured to soften the

feelings of the guard by giving them tea and segars 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.

"On the third day, I sent a message to the governor of the city, who has

the entire direction of prison affairs, to allow me to visit him with a

present. This had the desired effect; and he immediately sent orders to

the guards, to permit my going into town. The governor received me

pleasantly, and asked me what I wanted. I stated to him the situation of

the foreigners, and particularly that of the teachers, who were

Americans, and had nothing to do with the war. He told me it was not in

his power to release them from prison or irons, but that he could make

their situation more comfortable; there was his head officer, with whom

I must consult, relative to the means. The officer, who proved to be one

of the city writers, and whose countenance at the first glance presented

the most perfect assemblage of all the evil passions attached to human

nature, took me aside, and endeavoured to convince me, that myself, as

well as the prisoners, was entirely at his disposal--that our future

comfort must depend on my liberality in regard to presents--and that

these must be made in a private way and unknown to any officer in the

government! What must I do, said I, to obtain a mitigation of the

present sufferings of the two teachers? 'Pay to me,' said he, 'two

hundred tickals, (about a hundred dollars,) two pieces of fine cloth,

and two pieces of handkerchiefs.' I had taken money with me in the

morning, our house being two miles from the prison--I could not easily

return. This I offered to the writer, and begged he would not insist on

the other articles, as they were not in my possession. He hesitated for

some time, but fearing to lose the sight of so much money, he concluded

to take it, promising to relieve the teachers from their most painful

situation.

"I then procured an order from the governor, for my admittance into

prison; but the sensations, produced by meeting your brother in that

_wretched, horrid_ situation, and the affecting scene which ensued, I

will not attempt to describe. Mr. Judson crawled to the door of the

prison--for I was never allowed to enter--gave me some directions

relative to his release; but before we could make any arrangement, I was

ordered to depart, by those iron hearted jailers, who could not endure

to see us enjoy the poor consolation of meeting in that miserable place.

In vain I pleaded the order of the governor for my admittance; they

again, harshly repeated, 'Depart, or we will pull you out.' The same

evening, the missionaries, together with the other foreigners, who had

paid an equal sum, were taken out of the common prison, and confined in

an open shed in the prison enclosure. Here I was allowed to send them

food, and mats to sleep on; but was not permitted to enter again for

several days.

"My next object was to get a petition presented to the queen; but no

person being admitted into the palace, who was in disgrace with his

Majesty, I sought to present it through the medium of her brother's

wife. I had visited her in better days, and received particular marks of

her favour. But now times were altered: Mr. Judson was in prison, and I

in distress, which was a sufficient reason for giving me a cold

reception. I took a present of considerable value. She was lolling on

her carpet as I entered, with her attendants around her. I waited not

for the usual question to a suppliant, 'What do you want?' but in a

hold, earnest, yet respectful manner, stated our distresses and our

wrongs, and begged her assistance. She partly raised her head, opened

the present I had brought, and coolly replied, 'Your case is not

singular; all the foreigners are treated alike.' 'But it is singular,'

said I, 'the teachers are Americans; they are ministers of religion,

have nothing to do with war or politics, and came to Ava in obedience to

the king's command. They have never done any thing to deserve such

treatment; and is it right they should be treated thus?' 'The king does

as he pleases,' said she; 'I am not the king, what can I do?' 'You can

state their case to the queen, and obtain their release,' replied I.

'Place yourself in my situation,--were you in America, your husband,

innocent of crime, thrown into prison, in irons, and you a solitary,

unprotected female--what would you do?' With a slight degree of feeling,

she said, 'I will present your petition,--come again to-morrow.' I

returned to the house, with considerable hope, that the speedy release

of the missionaries was at hand. But the next day Mr. Gouger's property,

to the amount of fifty thousand dollars, was taken and carried to the

palace. The officers, on their return, politely informed me, they should

_visit our house_ on the morrow. I felt obliged for this information,

and accordingly made preparations to receive them, by secreting as many

little articles as possible; together with considerable silver, as I

knew, if the war should be protracted, we should be in a state of

starvation without it. But my mind was in a dreadful state of agitation,

lest it should be discovered, and cause my being thrown into prison. And

had it been possible to procure money from any other quarter, I should

not have ventured on such a step.

"The following morning, the royal treasurer, prince Tharyawadees, chief

Woon, and Koung-tone Myoo-tsa, who was in future our steady friend,

attended by forty or fifty followers, came to take possession of all we

had. I treated them civilly, gave them chairs to sit on, tea and

sweetmeats for their refreshment; and justice obliges me to say, that

they conducted the business of confiscation with more regard to my

feelings than I should have thought it possible for Burmese officers to

exhibit. The three officers, with one of the royal secretaries, alone

entered the house; their attendants were ordered to remain outside. They

saw I was deeply affected, and apologized for what they were about to

do, by saying, that it was painful for them to take possession of

property not their own, but they were compelled thus to do by order of

the king. 'Where is your silver, gold, and jewels?' said the royal

treasurer. 'I have no gold or jewels; but here is the key of a trunk

which contains the silver--do with it as you please.' The trunk was

produced, and the silver weighed. 'This money,' said I, 'was collected

in America, by the disciples of Christ, and sent here for the purpose of

building a kyoung, (the name of a priest's dwelling) and for our support

while teaching the religion of Christ. Is it suitable that you should

take it? (The Burmans are averse to taking what is offered in a

religious point of view, which was the cause of my making the inquiry.)

'We will state this circumstance to the king,' said one of them, 'and

perhaps he will restore it. But this is all the silver you have?' I

could not tell a falsehood: 'The house is in your possession,' I

replied, 'search for yourselves.' 'Have you not deposited silver with

some person of your acquaintance?' 'My acquaintances are all in prison,

with whom should I deposit silver? They next ordered my trunk and

drawers to be examined. The secretary only was allowed to accompany me

in this search. Everything nice or curious, which met his view, was

presented to the officers, for their decision, whether it should be

taken or retained. I begged they would not take our wearing apparel, as

it would be disgraceful to take clothes partly worn, into the possession

of his majesty, and to us they were of unspeakable value. They assented,

and took a list only, and did the same with the books, medicines, &c. My

little work table and rocking chair, presents from my beloved brother, I

rescued from their grasp, partly by artifice, and partly through their

ignorance. They left also many articles, which were of inestimable

value, during our long imprisonment.

"As soon as they had finished their search and departed, I hastened to

the queen's brother, to hear what had been the fate of my petition;

when, alas! all my hopes were dashed, by his wife's coolly saying, 'I

stated your case to the queen; but her majesty replied,--'_The teachers

will not die: let them remain as they are._' My expectations had been so

much excited, that this sentence was like a thunderbolt to my feelings.

For the truth at one glance assured me, that if the queen refused

assistance, who would dare to intercede for me? With a heavy heart I

departed, and on my way home, attempted to enter the prison gate, to

communicate the sad tidings to your brother but was harshly refused

admittance: and for the ten days following notwithstanding my daily

efforts, I was not allowed to enter. We attempted to communicate by

writing, and after being successful for a few days, it was discovered;

the poor fellow who carried the communications was beaten and put in the

stocks; and the circumstance cost me about ten dollars, besides two or

three days of agony, for fear of the consequences.

"The officers who had taken possession of our property, presented it to

his majesty, saying, 'Judson is a true teacher; we found nothing in his

house, but what belongs to priests. In addition to this money, there are

an immense number of books, medicines, trunks of wearing apparel, &c. of

which we have only taken a list. Shall we take them, or let them

remain?' 'Let them remain,' said the king, 'and put this property by

itself, for it shall be restored to him again, if he is found innocent.'

This was an allusion to the idea of his being a spy.

"For two or three months following, I was subject to continual

harassments, partly through my ignorance of police management and partly

through the insatiable desire of every petty officer to enrich himself

through our misfortunes. When the officers came to our house, to

confiscate our property, they insisted on knowing how much I had given

the governor and prison officers, to release the teachers from the inner

prison. I honestly told them, and they demanded the sum from the

governor, which threw him into a dreadful rage, and he threatened to put

all the prisoners back into their original place. I went to him the next

morning, and the first words with which he accosted me, were, 'You are

very bad; why did you tell the royal treasurer that you had given me so

much money?' 'The treasurer inquired; what could I say!' I replied. 'Say

that you had given nothing,' said he, 'and I would have made the

teachers comfortable in prison; but now I know not what will be their

fate.' 'But I cannot tell a falsehood,' I replied. 'My religion differs

from yours, it forbids prevarication; and had you stood by me with your

knife raised, I could not have said what you suggested.' His wife, who

sat by his side, and who always, from this time, continued my firm

friend, instantly said, 'Very true--what else could she have said? I

like such straight-forward conduct; you must not (turning to the

governor) be angry with her.' I then presented the governor with a

beautiful opera glass, I had just received from England, and begged his

anger at me would not influence him to treat the prisoners with

unkindness, and I would endeavour, from time to time, to make him such

presents, as would compensate for his loss. 'You may intercede for your

husband only; for your sake, he shall remain where he is; but let the

other prisoners take care of themselves.' I pleaded hard for Dr. Price;

but he would not listen, and the same day had him returned to the inner

prison, where he remained ten days. He was then taken out, in

consequence of the Doctor's promising a piece of broad cloth, and my

sending two pieces of handkerchiefs.

"About this period, I was one day summoned to the Tlowtdan, in an

official way. What new evil was before me, I knew not, but was obliged

to go. When arrived, I was allowed to _stand_ at the bottom of the

stairs, as no female is permitted to ascend the steps, or even to stand,

but sit on the ground. Hundreds were collected around. The officer who

presided, in an authoritative voice, began; 'Speak the truth in answer

to the questions I shall ask. If you speak true, no evil will follow;

but if not, your life will not be spared. It is reported that you have

committed to the care of a Burmese officer, a string of pearls, a pair

of diamond ear-rings, and a silver tea-pot. Is it true? 'It is not,' I

replied; 'and if you or any other person can produce these articles, I

refuse not to die.' The officer again urged the necessity of 'speaking

true.' I told him I had nothing more to say on this subject, but begged

he would use his influence to obtain the release of Mr. Judson from

prison.

"I returned to the house, with a heart much lighter than I went, though

conscious of my perpetual exposure to such harassments. Notwithstanding

the repulse I had met in my application to the queen, I could not remain

without making continual effort for your brother's release, while there

was the least probability of success. Time after time my visits to the

queen's sister-in-law were repeated, till she refused to answer a

question, and told me by her looks, I had better keep out of her

presence. For the seven following months, hardly a day passed, that I

did not visit some one of the members of government, or branches of the

royal family, in order to gain their influence in our behalf; but the

only benefit resulting was, their encouraging promises preserved us from

despair, and induced a hope of the speedy termination of our

difficulties, which enabled us to bear our distresses better than we

otherwise should have done. I ought, however, to mention, that by my

repeated visits to the different members of government, I gained several

friends, who were ready to assist me with articles of food, though in a

private manner, and who used their influence in the palace to destroy

the impression of our being in any way engaged in the present war. But

no one dared to speak a word to the king or queen in favor of a

foreigner, while there were such continual reports of the success of the

English arms.

"During these seven months, the continual extortions and oppressions to

which your brother, and the other white prisoners were subject, are

indescribable. Sometimes sums of money were demanded, sometimes pieces

of cloth and handkerchiefs; at other times, an order would be issued,

that the white foreigners should not speak to each other, or have any

communication with their friends without. Then again, the servants were

forbidden to carry in their food, without an extra fee. Sometimes, for

days and days together, I could not go into the prison till after dark,

when I had two miles to walk, in returning to the house. O how many,

many times, have I returned from that dreary prison at nine o'clock at

night, solitary and worn out with fatigue and anxiety, and thrown myself

down in that same rocking chair which you and Deacon L. provided for me

in Boston and endeavoured to invent some new scheme for the release of

the prisoners. Sometimes, for a moment or two, my thoughts would glance

toward America, and my beloved friends there--but for nearly a year and

a half, so entirely engrossed was every thought with present scenes and

sufferings, that I seldom reflected on a single occurrence of my former

life, or recollected that I had a friend in existence out of Ava.

"You, my dear brother, who know my strong attachment to my friends, and

how much pleasure I have hitherto experienced from retrospect, can judge

from the above circumstances, how intense were my sufferings. But the

point, the acme of my distresses, consisted in the awful uncertainty of

our final fate. My prevailing opinion was, that my husband would suffer

violent death; and that I should, of course, become a slave, and

languish out a miserable though short existence, in the tyrannic hands

of some unfeeling monster. But the consolations of religion, in these

trying circumstances, were neither 'few nor small.' It taught me to look

beyond this world, to that rest, that peaceful, happy rest, where Jesus

reigns, and oppression never enters. But how have I digressed from my

relation. I will again return.

"The war was now prosecuted with all the energy the Burmese government

possessed. New troops were continually raised and sent down the river,

and as frequent reports returned of their being all cut off. But that

part of the Burmese army stationed at Arracan, under the command of

Bandoola, had been more successful. Three hundred prisoners, at one

time, was sent to the capital, as an evidence of the victory that had

been gained. The king began to think that none but Bandoola understood

the art of fighting with foreigners; consequently his majesty recalled

him with the design of his taking command of the army that had been sent

to Rangoon. On his arrival at Ava, he was received at court in the most

flattering manner, and was the recipient of every favour in the power of

the king and queen to bestow. He was, in fact, while at Ava, the acting

king. I was resolved to apply to him for the release of the

missionaries, though some members of government advised me not, lest he,

being reminded of their existence, should issue an immediate order for

their execution. But it was my last hope, and as it proved, my last

application.

"Your brother wrote a petition privately, stating every circumstance

that would have a tendency to interest him in our behalf. With fear and

trembling I approached him, while surrounded by a crowd of flatterers,

and one of his secretaries took the petition, and read it aloud. After

hearing it, he spake to me in an obliging manner--asked several

questions relative to the teachers--said he would think of the

subject--and bade me come again. I ran to the prison to communicate the

favourable reception to Mr. Judson; and we both had sanguine hopes that

his release was at hand. But the governor of the city expressed his

amazement at my temerity, and said he doubted not it would be the means

of destroying all the prisoners. In a day or two, however, I went

again, and took a present of considerable value. Bandoola was not at

home; but his _lady_, after ordering the present to be taken into

another room, modestly informed me that she was ordered by her husband

to make the following communication--that he was now very busily

employed in making preparations for Rangoon; but that when he had

re-taken that place and expelled the English, he would return and

release all the prisoners.

"Thus again were all our hopes dashed; and we felt that we could do

nothing more, but sit down and submit to our lot. From this time we gave

up all idea of being released from prison, till the termination of the

war; but I was still obliged to visit constantly some of the members of

government, with little presents, particularly the governor of the city,

for the purpose of making the situation of the prisoners tolerable. I

generally spent the greater part of every other day at the governor's

house, giving him all the information relative to American manners,

customs, government, &c. He used to be so much gratified with my

communications, as to feel greatly disappointed, if any occurrence

prevented my spending the usual hours at his house.

"Some months after your brother's imprisonment, I was permitted to make

a little bamboo room in the prison enclosures, where he could be much by

himself, and where I was sometimes allowed to spend two or three hours.

It so happened that the two months he occupied this place, was the

coldest part of the year, when he would have suffered much in the open

shed he had previously occupied. After the birth of your little niece, I

was unable to visit the prison and the governor as before, and found I

had lost considerable influence, previously gained; for he was not so

forward to hear my petitions when any difficulty occurred, as he

formerly had been. When Maria was nearly two months old, her father one

morning sent me word that he and all the white prisoners were put into

the inner prison in five pairs of fetters each, that his little room had

been torn down, and his mat, pillow, &c. been taken by the jailers. This

was to me a dreadful shock, as I thought at once it was only a prelude

to greater evils.

"I should have mentioned before this, the defeat of Bandoola, his escape

to Danooboo, the complete destruction of his army and loss of

ammunition, and the consternation this intelligence produced at court.

The English army had left Rangoon, and were advancing towards Prome,

when these severe measures were taken with the prisoners.

"I went immediately to the governor's house. He was not at home, but had

ordered his wife to tell me, when I came, not to ask to have the

additional fetters taken off, or the prisoners released, for _it could

not be done_. I went to the prison gate, but was forbid to enter. All

was as still as death--not a white face to be seen, or a vestige of Mr.

J.'s little room remaining. I was determined to see the governor and

know the cause of this additional oppression; and for this purpose

returned to town the same evening, at an hour I knew he would be at

home. He was in his audience room, and, as I entered, looked up without

speaking, but exhibited a mixture of shame and affected anger in his

countenance. I began by saying--Your Lordship has hitherto treated us

with the kindness of a father. Our obligations to you are very great. We

have looked to you for protection from oppression and cruelty. You have

in many instances mitigated the sufferings of those unfortunate, though

innocent beings, committed to your charge. You have promised me

particularly, that you would stand by me to the last, and though you

should receive an order from the king, you would not put Mr. J. to

death. What crime has he committed to deserve such additional

punishment? The old man's hard heart was melted, for he wept like a

child. 'I pity you, Tsa-yar-ga-dau, (a name by which he always called

me) I knew you would make me feel; I therefore forbade your application.

But you must believe me when I say, I do not wish to increase the

sufferings of the prisoners. When I am ordered to execute them, the

least that I can do is, to put them out of sight. I will now tell you

(continued he) what I have never told you before, that three times I

have received intimations from the queen's brother, to assassinate all

the white prisoners privately; but I would not do it. And I now repeat

it, though I execute all the others, I will never execute your husband.

But I cannot release him from his present confinement, and you must not

ask it.' I had never seen him manifest so much feeling, or so resolute

in denying me a favour, which circumstance was an additional reason for

thinking dreadful scenes were before us.

"The situation of the prisoners was now distressing beyond description.

It was at the commencement of the hot season. There were above a hundred

prisoners shut up in one room, without a breath of air excepting from

the cracks in the boards. I sometimes obtained permission to go to the

door for five minutes, when my heart sickened at the wretchedness

exhibited. The white prisoners, from incessant perspiration and loss of

appetite, looked more like the dead than the living. I made daily

applications to the governor, offering him money, which he refused; but

all that I gained, was permission for the foreigners to eat their food

outside, and this continued but a short time.

"It was at this period that the death of Bandoola was announced in the

palace. The king heard it with silent amazement, and the queen, in

eastern style, smote upon her breast, and cried, ama! ama! (alas, alas.)

Who could be found to fill his place? who would venture since the

invincible Bandoola had been cut off? Such were the exclamations

constantly heard in the streets of Ava. The common people were speaking

_low_ of a rebellion, in case more troops should be levied. For as yet

the common people had borne the weight of the war, not a tickal had been

taken from the royal treasury. At length the Pakan Woon, who a few

months before had been so far disgraced by the king as to be thrown into

prison and irons, now offered himself to head a new army that should be

raised on a different plan from those which had been hitherto raised;

and assured the king in the most confident manner, that he would conquer

the English, and restore those places that had been taken, in a very

short time. He proposed that every soldier should receive a hundred

tickals in advance, and he would obtain security for each man, as the

money was to pass through his hands. It was afterwards found that he had

taken, for his own use, ten tickals from every hundred. He was a man of

enterprise and talents, though a violent enemy to all foreigners. His

offers were accepted by the king and government, and all power

immediately committed to him. One of the first exercises of his power

was, to arrest Lansago and the Portuguese priest, who had hitherto

remained unmolested, and cast them into prison, and to subject the

native Portuguese and Bengalees to the most menial occupations. The

whole town was in alarm, lest they should feel the effects of his power;

and it was owing to the malignant representations of this man, that the

white prisoners suffered such a change in their circumstances, as I

shall soon relate.

"After continuing in the inner prison for more than a month, your

brother was taken with a fever. I felt assured he would not live long,

unless removed from that noisome place. To effect this, and in order to

be near the prison, I removed from our house and put up a small bamboo

room in the governor's enclosure, which was nearly opposite the prison

gate. Here I incessantly begged the governor to give me an order to take

Mr. J. out of the large prison, and place him in a more comfortable

situation; and the old man, being worn out with my entreaties, at length

gave me the order in an official form; and also gave orders to the head

jailer, to allow me to go in and out, all times of the day, to

administer medicines, &c. I now felt happy indeed, and had Mr. J.

instantly removed into a little bamboo hovel, so low, that neither of us

could stand upright--but a palace in comparison with the place he had

left.

_Removal of the prisoners to Oung-pen-la--Mrs. Judson follows them._

"Notwithstanding the order the governor had given for my admittance into

prison, it was with the greatest difficulty that I could persuade the

under jailer to open the gate. I used to carry Mr. J's. food myself, for

the sake of getting in, and would then remain an hour or two, unless

driven out. We had been in this comfortable situation but two or three

days, when one morning, having carried in Mr. Judson's breakfast, which,

in consequence of fever, he was unable to take, I remained longer than

usual, when the governor in great haste sent for me. I promised him to

return as soon as I had ascertained the governor's will, he being much

alarmed at this unusual message. I was very agreeably disappointed, when

the governor informed, that he only wished to consult me about his

watch, and seemed unusually pleasant and conversable. I found

afterwards, that his only object was, to detain me until the dreadful

scene, about to take place in the prison, was over. For when I left him

to go to my room, one of the servants came running, and with a ghastly

countenance informed me, that all the white prisoners were carried away.

I would not believe the report, but instantly went back to the governor,

who said he had just heard of it, but did not wish to tell me. I hastily

ran into the street, hoping to get a glimpse of them before they were

out of sight, but in this was disappointed. I ran first into one street,

then another, inquiring of all I met, but none would answer me. At

length an old woman told me the white prisoners had gone towards the

little river; for they were to be carried to Amarapora. I then ran to

the banks of the little river, about half a mile, but saw them not, and

concluded the old woman had deceived me. Some of the friends of the

foreigners went to the place of execution, but found them not. I then

returned to the governor to try to discover the cause of their removal,

and the probability of their future fate. The old man assured me that he

was ignorant of the intention of government to remove the foreigners

till that morning. That since I went out, he had learned that the

prisoners were to be sent to Amarapora; but for what purpose, he knew

not. 'I will send off a man immediately,' said he, 'to see what is to be

done with them. You can do nothing more for your husband,' continued he,

'_take care of yourself_.' With a heavy heart I went to my room, and

having no hope to excite me to exertion, I sunk down almost in despair.

For several days previous, I had been actively engaged in building my

own little room, and making our hovel comfortable. My thoughts had been

almost entirely occupied in contriving means to get into prison. But now

I looked towards the gate with a kind of melancholy feeling, but no wish

to enter. All was the stillness of death; no preparation of your

brother's food, no expectation of meeting him at the usual dinner hour,

all my employment, all my occupations seemed to have ceased, and I had

nothing left but the dreadful recollection that Mr. Judson was carried

off, I knew not whither. It was one of the most insupportable days I

ever passed. Towards night, however, I came to the determination to set

off the next morning for Amarapora; and for this purpose was obliged to

go to our house out of town.

"Never before had I suffered so much from fear in traversing the streets

of Ava. The last words of the governor, 'Take care of yourself,' made me

suspect there was some design with which I was unacquainted. I saw,

also, he was afraid to have me go into the streets, and advised me to

wait till dark, when he would send me in a cart, and a man to open the

gates. I took two or three trunks of the most valuable articles,

together with the medicine chest, to deposit in the house of the

governor; and after committing the house and premises to our faithful

Moung Ing and a Bengalee servant, who continued with us, (though we were

unable to pay his wages,) I took leave, as I then thought probable, of

our house in Ava forever.

"On my return to the governor's, I found a servant of Mr. Gouges, who

happened to be near the prison when the foreigners were led out, and

followed on to see the end, who informed me, that the prisoners had been

carried before the Lamine Woon, at Amarapora, and were to be sent the

next day to a village he knew not how far distant. My distress was a

little relieved by the intelligence that our friend was yet alive, but

still I knew not what was to become of him. The next morning I obtained

a pass from government, and with my little Maria, who was then only

three months old, Mary and Abby Hasseltine, (two of the Burman children)

and our Bengalee cook, who was the only one of the party who could

afford me any assistance, I set off for Amarapora. The day was

dreadfully hot; but we obtained a covered boat, in which we were

tolerably comfortable, till within two miles of the government house. I

then procured a cart; but the violent motion, together with the dreadful

heat and dust; made me almost distracted. But what was my disappointment

on my arriving at the court house, to find that the prisoners had been

sent on two hours before, and that I must go in that uncomfortable mode

four miles further with little Maria in my arms, whom I held all the way

from Ava. The cart man refused to go any further; and after waiting an

hour in the burning sun, I procured another, and set off for that never

to be forgotten place, Oung-pen-la. I obtained a guide from the governor

and was conducted directly to the prison-yard. But what a scene of

wretchedness was presented to my view! The prison was an old shattered

building, without a roof; the fence was entirely destroyed; eight or ten

Burmese were on the top of the building, trying to make something like a

shelter with the leaves; while under a little low projection outside of

the prison sat the foreigners, chained together two and two, almost dead

with suffering and fatigue. The first words of your brother were, 'Why

have you come? I hoped you would not follow, for you cannot live here.'

It was now dark. I had no refreshment for the suffering prisoners, or

for myself, as I had expected to procure all that was necessary at the

market of Amarapora, and I had no shelter for the night. I asked one of

the jailers if I might put up a little bamboo house near the prisoners;

he said no, it was not customary. I then begged he would procure me a

shelter for the night, when on the morrow I could find some place to

live in. He took me to his house, in which there were only two small

rooms--one in which he and his family lived--the other, which was then

half full of grain, he offered to me; and in that little filthy place, I

spent the next six months of wretchedness. I procured some half boiled

water, instead of my tea, and, worn out with fatigue, laid myself down

on a mat spread over the paddy, and endeavoured to obtain a little

refreshment from sleep. The next morning your brother gave me the

following account of the brutal treatment he had received on being taken

out of prison.

"As soon as I had gone out at the call of the governor, one of the

jailers rushed into Mr. J's little room--roughly seized him by the

arm--pulled him out--stripped him of all his clothes, excepting shirt

and pantaloons--took his shoes, hat, and all his bedding--tore off his

chains--tied a rope round his waist, and dragged him to the court house,

where the other prisoners had previously been taken. They were then tied

two and two, and delivered into the hands of the Lamine Woon, who went

on before them on horseback, while his slaves drove the prisoners, one

of the slaves holding the rope which connected two of them together. It

was in May, one of the hottest months in the year, and eleven o'clock in

the day, so that the sun was intolerable indeed. They had proceeded only

half a mile, when your brother's feet became blistered, and so great was

his agony, even at this early period, that as they were crossing the

little river, he longed to throw himself into the water to be free from

misery. But the sin attached to such an act alone prevented. They had

then eight miles to walk. The sand and gravel were like burning coals to

the feet of the prisoners, which soon became perfectly destitute of

skin; and in this wretched state they were goaded on by their unfeeling

drivers. Mr. J.'s debilitated state, in consequence of fever, and having

taken no food that morning, rendered him less capable of bearing such

hardships than the other prisoners. When about half way on their

journey, as they stopped for water, your brother begged the Lamine Woon

to allow him to ride his horse a mile or two, as he could proceed no

farther in that dreadful state. But a scornful, malignant look, was all

the reply that was made. He then requested captain Laird, who was tied

with him, and who was a strong, healthy man, to allow him to take hold

of his shoulder, as he was fast sinking. This the kind-hearted man

granted for a mile or two, but then found the additional burden

insupportable. Just at that period, Mr. Gouger's Bengalee servant came

up to them, and seeing the distresses of your brother, took off his head

dress, which was made of cloth, tore it in two, gave half to his master,

and half to Mr. Judson, which he instantly wrapt round his wounded feet,

as they were not allowed to rest even for a moment. The servant then

offered his shoulder to Mr. J. and was almost carried by him the

remainder of the way. Had it not been for the support and assistance of

this man, your brother thinks he should have shared the fate of the poor

Greek, who was one of their number, and when taken out of prison that

morning was in perfect health. But he was a corpulent man, and the sun

affected him so much that he fell down on the way. His inhuman drivers

beat and dragged him until they themselves were wearied, when they

procured a cart, in which he was carried the remaining two miles. But

the poor creature expired in an hour or two after their arrival at the

court house. The Lamine Woon seeing the distressing state of the

prisoners, and that one of their number was dead, concluded they should

go no farther that night, otherwise they would have been driven on until

they reached Oung-pen-la the same day. An old shed was appointed for

their abode during the night, but without even a mat or pillow, or any

thing to cover them. The curiosity of the Lamine Woon's wife, induced

her to make a visit to the prisoners, whose wretchedness considerably

excited her compassion, and she ordered some fruit, sugar, and

tamarinds, for their refreshment; and the next morning rice was prepared

for them, and as poor as it was, it was refreshing to the prisoners, who

had been almost destitute of food the day before. Carts were also

provided for their conveyance, as none of them were able to walk. All

this time the foreigners were entirely ignorant of what was to become of

them; and when they arrived at Oung-pen-la, and saw the dilapidated

state of the prison, they immediately, all as one, concluded that they

were there to be burnt, agreeably to the report which had previously

been in circulation at Ava. They all endeavoured to prepare themselves

for the awful scene anticipated, and it was not until they saw

preparations making for repairing the prison, that they had the least

doubt that a cruel lingering death awaited them. My arrival was in an

hour or two after this.

"The next morning I arose and endeavoured to find something like food.

But there was no market, and nothing to be procured. One of Dr. Price's

friends, however, brought some cold rice and vegetable curry, from

Amarapora, which, together with a cup of tea from Mr. Lansago, answered

for the breakfast of the prisoners; and for dinner, we made a curry of

dried salt fish, which a servant of Mr. Gouger had brought. All the

money I could command in the world, I had brought with me, secreted

about my person; so you may judge what our prospects were, in case the

war should continue long. But our heavenly Father was better to us than

our fears; for notwithstanding the constant extortions of the jailers,

during the whole six months we were at Oung-pen-la, and the frequent

straits to which we were brought, we never really suffered for the want

of money, though frequently for want of provisions, which were not

procurable. Here at this place my personal bodily sufferings commenced.

While your brother was confined in the city prison, I had been allowed

to remain in our house, in which I had many conveniences left, and my

health continued good beyond all expectations. But now I had not a

single article of convenience--not even a chair or seat of any kind,

excepting a bamboo floor. The very morning after my arrival, Mary

Hasseltine was taken with the small pox, the natural way. She, though

very young, was the only assistant I had in taking care of little Maria.

But she now required all the time I could spare from Mr. Judson, whose

fever still continued in prison, and whose feet were so dreadfully

mangled, that for several days he was unable to move. I knew not what to

do, for I could procure no assistance from the neighbourhood, or

medicine for the sufferers, but was all day long going backwards and

forwards from the house to the prison, with little Maria in my arms.

Sometimes I was greatly relieved by leaving her, for an hour, when

asleep, by the side of her father, while I returned to the house to look

after Mary, whose fever ran so high as to produce delirium. She was so

completely covered with the small pox, that there was no distinction in

the pustules. As she was in the same little room with myself, I knew

Maria would take it; I therefore inoculated her from another child,

before Mary's had arrived at such a state as to be infectious. At the

same time, I inoculated Abby, and the jailer's children, who all had it

so lightly as hardly to interrupt their play. But the inoculation in the

arm of my poor little Maria did not take--she caught it of Mary, and had

it the natural way. She was then only three months and a half old, and

had been a most healthy child; but it was above three months before she

perfectly recovered from the effects of this dreadful disorder.

"You will recollect I never had the small pox, but was vaccinated

previously to leaving America. In consequence of being for so long a

time constantly exposed, I had nearly a hundred pustules formed, though

no previous symptoms of fever, &c. The jailer's children having had the

small pox so lightly, in consequence of inoculation, my fame was spread

all over the village, and every child, young and old, who had not

previously had it, was brought for inoculation. And although I knew

nothing about the disorder, or the mode of treating it, I inoculated

them all with a needle, and told them to take care of their diet,--all

the instructions I could give them. Mr. Judson's health was gradually

restored, and he found himself much more comfortably situated, than when

in the city prison.

"The prisoners were at first chained two and two; but as soon as the

jailers could obtain chains sufficient, they were separated, and each

prisoner had but one pair. The prison was repaired, a new fence made,

and a large airy shed erected in front of the prison, where the

prisoners were allowed to remain during the day, though locked up in the

little close prison at night. All the children recovered from the small

pox; but my watchings and fatigue, together with my miserable food, and

more miserable lodgings, brought on one of the diseases of the country,

which is almost always fatal to foreigners. My constitution seemed

destroyed, and in a few days I became so weak as to be hardly able to

walk to Mr. Judson's prison. In this debilitated state, I set off in a

cart for Ava, to procure medicines, and some suitable food, leaving the

cook to supply my place. I reached the house in safety, and for two or

three days the disorder seemed at a stand; after which it attacked me so

violently, that I had no hopes of recovery left--and my only anxiety now

was, to return to Oung-pen-la to die near the prison. It was with the

greatest difficulty that I obtained the medicine chest from the

governor, and then had no one to administer medicine. I however got at

the laudanum, and by taking two drops at a time for several hours, it so

far checked the disorder, as to enable me to get on board a boat, though

so weak that I could not stand, and again set off for Oung-pen-la. The

last four miles was in that painful conveyance, the cart, and in the

midst of the rainy season, when the mud almost buries the oxen. You may

form some idea of a Burmese cart, when I tell you their wheels are not

constructed like ours; but are simply round thick planks with a hole in

the middle, through which a pole that supports the body is thrust.

"I just reached Oung-pen-la when my strength seemed entirely exhausted.

The good native cook came out to help me into the house but so altered

and emaciated was my appearance, that the poor fellow burst into tears

at the first sight. I crawled on to the mat in the little room, to which

I was confined for more than two months, and never perfectly recovered,

until I came to the English camp. At this period, when I was unable to

take care of myself, or look after Mr. Judson, we must both have died,

had it not been for the faithful and affectionate care of our Bengalee

cook. A common Bengalee cook will do nothing but the simple business of

cooking: But he seemed to forget his cast, and almost his own wants, in

his efforts to serve us. He would provide, cook, and carry your

brother's food, and then return and take care of me. I have frequently

known him not to taste of food till near night, in consequence of having

to go so far for wood and water, and in order to have Mr. Judson's

dinner ready at the usual hour. He never complained, never asked for his

wages, and never for a moment hesitated to go any where, or to perform

any act we required. I take great pleasure in speaking of the faithful

conduct of this servant, who is still with us, and I trust has been well

rewarded for his services.

"Our dear little Maria was the greatest sufferer at this time, my

illness depriving her of her usual nourishment, and neither a nurse nor

a drop of milk could be procured in the village. By making presents to

the jailers, I obtained leave for Mr. Judson to come out of prison, and

take the emaciated creature around the village, to beg a little

nourishment from those mothers who had young children. Her cries in the

night were heart-rending, when it was impossible to supply her wants. I

now began to think the very afflictions of Job had come upon me. When in

health, I could bear the various trials and vicissitudes through which I

was called to pass. But to be confined with sickness, and unable to

assist those who were so dear to me, when in distress, was almost too

much for me to bear; and had it not been for the consolations of

religion, and an assured conviction that every additional trial was

ordered by infinite love and mercy, I must have sunk under my

accumulated sufferings. Sometimes our jailers seemed a little softened

at our distress, and for several days together allowed Mr. Judson to

come to the house, which was to me an unspeakable consolation. Then

again they would be as iron-hearted in their demands, as though we were

free from sufferings, and in affluent circumstances. The annoyance, the

extortions, and oppressions, to which we were subject, during our six

months residence in Oung-pen-la, are beyond enumeration or description.

"It was some time after our arrival at Oung-pen-la, that we heard of the

execution of the Pakan Woon, in consequence of which our lives were

still preserved. For we afterwards ascertained, that the white

foreigners had been sent to Oung-pen-la, for the express purpose of

sacrificing them, and that he himself intended witnessing the horrid

scene. We had frequently heard of his intended arrival at Oung-pen-la;

but we had no idea of his diabolical purposes. He had raised an army of

fifty thousand men, (a tenth part of whose advanced pay was found in his

house,) and expected to march against the English army in a short time,

when he was suspected of high treason, and instantly executed without

the least examination. Perhaps no death in Ava ever produced such

universal rejoicings, as that of the Pakan Woon. We never, to this day,

hear his name mentioned, but with an epithet of reproach or hatred.

Another brother of the king was appointed to the command of the army now

in readiness, but with no very sanguine expectations of success. Some

weeks after the departure of these troops, two of the Woongyees were

sent down for the purpose of negotiating. But not being successful, the

queen's brother, the _acting king_ of the country, was prevailed on to

go. Great expectations were raised in consequence; but his cowardice

induced him to encamp his detachment of the army at a great distance

from the English, and even at a distance from the main body of the

Burmese army, whose head-quarters were then at Maloun. Thus he effected

nothing, though reports were continually reaching us, that peace was

nearly concluded.

"The time at length arrived for our release from that detested place,

the Oung-pen-la prison. A messenger from our friend, the governor of the

north gate of the palace, who was formerly Koung-tone, Myoo-tsa,

informed us that an order had been given, the evening before, in the

palace, for Mr. Judson's release. On the same evening an official order

arrived; and with a joyful heart I set about preparing for our departure

early the following morning. But an unexpected obstacle occurred, which

made us fear that _I_ should still be retained as a prisoner. The

avaricious jailers, unwilling to lose their prey, insisted, that as my

name was not included in the order, I should not go. In vain I urged

that I was not sent there as a prisoner, and that they had no authority

over me--they still determined I should not go, and forbade the

villagers from letting me a cart. Mr. Judson was then taken out of

prison, and brought to the jailer's house, where, by promises and

threatenings, he finally gained their consent, on condition that we

would leave the remaining part of our provisions we had recently

received from Ava. It was noon before we were allowed to depart. When we

reached Amarapora, Mr. Judson was obliged to follow the guidance of the

jailer, who conducted him to the governor of the city. Having made all

necessary inquiries, the governor appointed another guard, which

conveyed Mr. Judson to the court-house in Ava, to which place he arrived

some time in the night. I took my own course, procured a boat, and

reached our house before dark.

"My first object the next morning, was to go in search of your brother,

and I had the mortification to meet him again in prison, though not the

death prison. I went immediately to my old friend the governor of the

city, who now was raised to the rank of a Woongyee. He informed me that

Mr. Judson was to be sent to the Burmese camp, to act as translator and

interpreter; and that he was put in confinement for a short time only,

till his affairs were settled. Early the following morning I went to

this officer again, who told me that Mr. Judson had that moment received

twenty tickals from government, with orders to go immediately on board a

boat for Maloun, and that _he_ had given him permission to stop a few

moments at the house, it being on his way. I hastened back to the house,

where Mr. Judson soon arrived; but was allowed to remain only a short

time, while I could prepare food and clothing for future use. He was

crowded into a little boat, where he had not room sufficient to lie

down, and where his exposure to the cold damp nights threw him into a

violent fever, which had nearly ended all his sufferings. He arrived at

Maloun on the third day, where, ill as he was, he was obliged to enter

immediately on the work of translating. He remained at Maloun six weeks,

suffering as much as he had at any time in prison, excepting he was not

in irons, nor exposed to the insults of those cruel jailers.

"For the first fortnight after his departure, my anxiety was less than

it had been at any time previous, since the commencement of our

difficulties. I knew the Burmese officers at the camp would feel the

value of Mr. Judson's services too much to allow their using any

measures threatening his life. I thought his situation, also, would be

much more comfortable than it really was--hence my anxiety was less. But

my health, which had never been restored, since that violent attack at

Oung-pen-la, now daily declined, till I was seized with the spotted

fever, with all its attendant horrors. I knew the nature of the fever

from its commencement; and from the shattered state of my constitution,

together with the want of medical attendants, I concluded it must be

fatal. The day I was taken, a Burmese nurse came and offered her

services for Maria. This circumstance filled me with gratitude and

confidence in God; for though I had so long and so constantly made

efforts to obtain a person of this description, I had never been able;

when at the very time I most needed one, and with out any exertion, a

voluntary offer was made. My fever raged violently and without any

intermission. I began to think of settling my worldly affairs, and of

committing my dear little Maria to the care of a Portuguese woman, when

I lost my reason, and was insensible to all around me. At this dreadful

period, Dr. Price was released from prison; and hearing of my illness,

obtained permission to come and see me. He has since told me that my

situation was the most distressing he had ever witnessed, and that he

did not then think I should survive many hours. My hair was shaved, my

head and feet covered with blisters, and Dr. Price ordered the Bengalee

servant who took care of me, to endeavour to persuade me to take a

little nourishment, which I had obstinately refused for several days.

One of the first things I recollect was, seeing this faithful servant

standing by me, trying to induce me to take a little wine and water. I

was in fact so far gone, that the Burmese neighbours who had come in to

see me expire, said, 'She is dead; and if the king of angels should come

in, he could not recover her.'

"The fever, I afterwards understood, had run seventeen days when the

blisters were applied. I now began to recover slowly; but it was more

than a month after this before I had strength to stand. While in this

weak, debilitated state, the servant who had followed your brother to

the Burmese camp, came in, and informed me that his master had arrived,

and was conducted to the court-house in town. I sent off a Burman to

watch the movements of government, and to ascertain, if possible, in

what way Mr. Judson was to be disposed of. He soon returned with the sad

intelligence, that he saw Mr. Judson go out of the palace yard,

accompanied by two or three Burmans, who conducted him to one of the

prisons; and that it was reported in town, that he was to be sent back

to the Oung-pen-la prison. I was too weak to bear ill tidings of any

kind; but a shock so dreadful as this, almost annihilated me. For some

time, I could hardly breathe; but at last gained sufficient composure to

dispatch Moung Ing to our friend, the governor of the north gate, and

begged him to make _one more effort_ for the release of Mr. Judson, and

prevent his being sent back to the country prison, where I knew he must

suffer much, as I could not follow. Moung Ing then went in search of Mr.

Judson; and it was nearly dark when he found him in the interior of an

obscure prison. I had sent food early in the afternoon, but being unable

to find him, the bearer had returned with it, which added another pang

to my distresses, as I feared he was already sent to Oung-pen-la.

"If I ever felt the value and efficacy of prayer, I did at this time. I

could not rise from my couch; I could make no efforts to secure my

husband; I could only plead with that great and powerful Being who has

said, 'Call upon me in the day of trouble, and _I will hear_, and thou

shalt glorify me;'" and who made me at this time feel so powerfully this

promise, that I became quite composed, feeling assured that my prayers

would be answered.

"When Mr. Judson was sent from Maloun to Ava, it was within five

minutes' notice, and without his knowledge of the cause. On his way up

the river, he accidently saw the communication made to government

respecting him, which was simply this: 'We have no further use for

Yoodathan, we therefore return him to the golden city.' On arriving at

the court-house, there happened to be no one present who was acquainted

with Mr. J. The presiding officer inquired from what place he had been

sent to Maloun. He was answered from Oung-pen-la. Let him then, said the

officer, be returned thither--when he was delivered to a guard and

conducted to the place above-mentioned, there to remain until he could

be conveyed to Oung-pen-la. In the mean time the governor of the north

gate presented a petition to this high court of the empire, offered

himself as Mr. Judson's security, obtained his release, and took him to

his house, where he treated him with every possible kindness, and to

which I was removed as soon as returning health would allow.

"The rapid strides of the English army towards the capital at this time,

threw the whole town into the greatest state of alarm, and convinced the

government that some speedy measures must be taken to save the golden

city. They had hitherto rejected all the overtures of Sir Archibald

Campbell, imagining, until this late period, that they could in some way

or other, drive the English from the country. Mr. Judson and Dr. Price

were daily called to the court-house and consulted; in fact, nothing was

done without their approbation. Two English officers, also, who had

lately been brought to Ava as prisoners, were continually consulted, and

their good offices requested in endeavouring to persuade the British

General to make peace on easier terms. It was finally concluded that Mr.

Judson and one of the officers above-mentioned, should be sent

immediately to the English camp, in order to negotiate. The danger

attached to a situation so responsible, under a government so fickle as

the Burmese, induced your brother to use every means possible to prevent

his being sent. Dr. Price was not only willing, but desirous of going;

this circumstance Mr. Judson represented to the members of government,

and begged he might not be compelled to go, as Dr. Price could transact

this business equally as well as himself. After some hesitation and

deliberation, Dr. Price was appointed to accompany Dr. Sandford, one of

the English officers, on condition that Mr. Judson would stand security

for his return; while the other English officer, then in irons, should

be security for Dr. Sandford. The king gave them a hundred tickals each,

to bear their expenses, (twenty-five of which Dr. Sandford generously

sent to Mr. Gouger, still a prisoner at Oung-pen-la,) boats, men, and a

Burmese officer, to accompany them, though he ventured no farther than

the Burman camp. With the most anxious solicitude the court waited the

arrival of the messengers, but did not in the least relax in their

exertions to fortify the city. Men and beasts were at work night and

day, making new stockades and strengthening old ones, and whatever

buildings were in their way were immediately torn down. Our house, with

all that surrounded it, was levelled to the ground, and our beautiful

little compound turned into a road and a place for the erection of

cannon. All articles of value were conveyed out of town and safely

deposited in some other place.

"At length the boat in which the ambassadors had been sent was seen

approaching a day earlier than was expected. As it advanced towards the

city, the banks were lined by thousands, anxiously inquiring their

success. But no answer was given--the government must first hear the

news. The palace gates were crowded, the officers at the Tlowtdau were

seated, when Dr. Price made the following communication: 'The general

and commissioners will make no alteration in their terms, except the

hundred lacks (a lack is a hundred thousand) of rupees, may be paid at

four different times. The first twenty-five lacks to be paid within

twelve days, or the army will continue their march.' In addition to

this, the prisoners were to be given up immediately. The general had

commissioned Dr. Price to demand Mr. Judson and myself and little Maria.

This was communicated to the king, who replied, 'They are not English,

they are my people, and shall not go.' At this time, I had no idea that

we should ever be released from Ava. The government had learned the

value of your brother's services, having employed him the last three

months; and we both concluded they would never consent to our departure.

The foreigners were again called to a consultation, to see what could be

done. Dr. Price and Mr. Judson told them plainly that the English would

never make peace on any other terms than those offered, and that it was

in vain to go down again without the money. It was then proposed that a

third part of the first sum demanded should he sent down immediately.

Mr. Judson objected, and still said it would be useless. Some of the

members of government then intimated that it was probable the teachers

were on the side of the English, and did not try to make them take a

smaller sum; and also threatened if they did not make the English

comply, they and their families should suffer.

"In this interval, the fears of the government were considerably

allayed, by the offers of a general, by name Layarthoo-yah, who desired

to make one more attempt to conquer the English, and disperse them. He

assured the king and government, that he could so fortify the ancient

city of Pagan, as to make it impregnable; and that he would there defeat

and destroy the English. His offers were heard, he marched to Pagan with

a very considerable force, and made strong the fortifications. But the

English took the city with perfect ease, and dispersed the Burmese army;

while the general fled to Ava, and had the presumption to appear in the

presence of the king, and demand new troops. The king being enraged that

he had ever listened to him for a moment, in consequence of which the

negotiation had been delayed, the English general provoked, and the

troops daily advancing, that he ordered the general to be immediately

executed! The poor fellow was soon hurled from the palace, and beat all

the way to the court-house--when he was stripped of his rich apparel,

bound with cords, and made to kneel and bow towards the palace. He was

then delivered into the hands of the executioners, who, by their cruel

treatment, put an end to his existence, before they reached the place of

execution.

"The king caused it to be reported, that this general was executed, in

consequence of disobeying his commands, '_not to fight the English_.'

"Dr. Price was sent off the same night, with part of the prisoners, and

with instructions to persuade the general to take six lacks instead of

twenty-five. He returned in two or three days with the appalling

intelligence, that the English general was very angry, refused to have

any communication with him, and was now within a few days' march of the

capital. The queen was greatly alarmed, and said the money should be

raised immediately, if the English would only stop their march. The

whole palace was in motion, gold and silver vessels were melted up, the

king and queen superintended the weighing of a part of it, and were

determined, if possible, to save their city. The silver was ready in the

boats by the next evening; but they had so little confidence in the

English, that after all their alarm, they concluded to send down six

lacks only, with the assurance that if the English would stop where they

then were, the remainder should be forthcoming immediately.

"The government now did not even ask Mr. Judson the question whether he

would go or not; but some officers took him by the arm as he was walking

in the street, and told him he must go immediately on board the boat, to

accompany two Burmese officers, a Woongyee and Woondouk, who were going

down to make peace. Most of the English prisoners were sent at the same

time. The general and commissioners would not receive the six lacks,

neither would they stop their march; but promised, if the sum complete

reached them before they should arrive at Ava, they would make peace.

The general also commissioned Mr. Judson to collect the remaining

foreigners, of whatever country, and ask the question before the Burmese

government, whether they wished to go or stay. Those who expressed a

wish to go should be delivered up immediately, or peace would not be

made.

"Mr. Judson reached Ava at midnight; had all the foreigners called the

next morning, and the question asked. Some of the members of government

said to him, 'You will not leave us--you shall become a great man if you

will remain.' He then secured himself from the odium of saying that he

wished to leave the service of his majesty by recurring to the order of

Sir Archibald, that whoever wished to leave Ava should be given up, and

that I had expressed a wish to go, so that he of course must follow. The

remaining part of the twenty-five lacks was soon collected; the

prisoners at Oung-pen-la were all released, and either sent to their

houses, or down the river to the English; and in two days from the time

of Mr. Judson's return, we took an affectionate leave of the good

natured officer who had so long entertained us at his house, and who now

accompanied us to the water side, and we then left forever the banks of

Ava.

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 Woongyee, 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 steam-boat, 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 steam-boat, 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 Yandaboo, a few

miles further 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.