e. It was in 1851 that the occasion for hostilities was
given by the Birmese, and that the governorgeneral took measures for
reprisal. Various acts of oppression and cruelty to British subjects
were perpetrated by the authorities of Ava.*

* For a minute and extended account of the causes of both
the wars with Birmah, see Nolan's "History of the British
Umpire in India and the East." Virtue: City-road.

It was not, however, until 1852 that the conflict assumed a serious
character, and that tidings reached the English public of this new
Indian war. Early in January, 1852, the King of Ava pretended a
willingness to settle the differences between him and the British
by negotiations. By this means he succeeded in capturing a number
of English residents at Rangoon, whom he subjected to indignity and
suffering. Commodore Lambert, who commanded the naval expedition,
blockaded the Birmese ports. The governor-general despatched from
Calcutta, and the Governor of Madras, from the capital of that
presidency, strong bodies of troops. Preparations of an extensive
nature were made to bring the war to a speedy issue. Several officers of
eminent ability, among them the great and good Havelock, afterwards
Sir Henry, and the saviour of India, joined the force. By the 24th of
February, six steamers left Bombay for Madras, where they embarked the
troops destined for the Birmese campaign, under the command of General
Godwin, viz., two European and four native regiments, with four corps of
artillerymen, chiefly Europeans. These left Madras on the 29th of March,
whilst at Calcutta the armament had been equally hastened. The last of
the force despatched there left the Hoogly on the 25th of March, the
total having been similar to the Madras force--two European and four
native regiments, with their accompaniments of artillery, in four
steamers and four transports. These amounted in the aggregate to about
eight thousand men.

The 1st of April was the clay appointed for the ultimatum. A steamer was
sent to Rangoon, to obtain the king's reply. The English envoy found the
river lined with stockades, and from thence a heavy fire was opened
upon him; this was the only answer to the British ultimatum his Birmese
majesty deigned to give.

Admiral Austin, with the Bengal force, arrived at this juncture, and at
once attacked and conquered Martaban, so that, by the evening of the
5th of April, the British were masters of the place. The M