§ SIR ROBERT H. INGLIS, seeing the President of the India Board in his place, and knowing the deep interest, he would not say anxiety, which was generally felt regard to the war in Burmah, begged the right hon. Gentleman what was the date of the last despatch which had 738 reached him relating to that subject; also, whether there was any reason to suppose that unnecessary delay had taken place in the preparation of the expedition to Burmah; and whether the right hon. Gentleman was prepared, by the command of Her Majesty, to lay any papers relating to the matter upon the table of the House?
§ MR. HERRIESsaid, that in conformity with what he had stated on a former occasion, he had merely to observe that he should be prepared, in a very short time, to lay upon the table of the House such papers as contained a detail of the progress of the events, which, he feared, had led to hostilities between the Burmese empire and the Indian Government. With respect to that part of his hon. Friend's question which related to delay, he had the satisfaction of informing him, notwithstanding the reports which had gone abroad touching such supposed delay, that none had occurred; that all the preparations for the expedition directed by the Governor General had been executed with the greatest exactness, and that the expedition had taken its departure for Rangoon at the time the Governor General intended, and had probably arrived there on the very day on which it was determined that it should roach its destination. He begged to remind the House, that, owing to the erroneous rumours which had been circulated upon the subject, he had stated on a former occasion that the Governor General, in his extreme anxiety to avoid pessible or ultimate hostilities, sent a letter to the King of Ava, warning him of his danger, and giving him to the 1st of April to reconsider his conduct, and make such submission to the British Government as should avert hostilities. Now, the last day fixed for the receipt of an answer from the King of Ava being the 1st of April, if the expedition had arrived there about that day, it would be just in time to execute the orders given to it, or not, as the case might be. Of course every one who was conversant with such matters would see the propriety of not allowing the expedition to arrive at Rangoon before the period when it was determined it should act.