They thought the wisest course to pursue was to ask the opinion of the Bishop of Tabraca and the Missionaries, who having no personal interest in the matter ought to be able to give good advice. They replied that to protect a rebel was contrary to all equity and policy. They added that Tavoy had always been a Burmese dependency and that in assisting an ambitious man who had usurped the power, they would become accessories in the rebellion and would expose the Kingdom to the vengeance of a powerful neighbour, who had nothing to lose by defeat and everything to gain by victory. The ministers were satisfied with this answer and asked that it should be given in writing feeling sure that the authority of the Bishop and the missionaries backed up by their wisdom and character would have great weight with the King.
The document was drawn up, and the ministers presented it to the step-brother of the King, who was hankering after the rich presents of the rebellious governor. He made a great show of indignation against those who by their scruples would have deprived him of the objects of his greed. He tore up the document which indicated the line of action on which depended the peace and prosperity of the State.
The intrigues of the favourites were successful and the ambassadors were honourably received and listened to graciously. Urgent commands were sent to the governor of Tenasserim to fit out an expedition for the relief of Tavoy, but nothing came of the project. The governor of this town became the object of public execration; the bloodshed of the leading citizens was the means by which he had wished to consolidate his growing power, and his new subjects became his enemies. Attempts were made on his life in 1762, and as punishments were multiplied, the more unpopular he became.
The Burmese general had arrived at Martaban with his army. From this town he wrote to the governor ordering him to offer no resistance. He uttered dire threats against the inhabitants who refused to help him.
The people of Tavoy seeing an army ready to beseige their town, declared that they had determined to render homage to their legitimate ruler. The usurper surrounded by both foreign and domestic enemies, weak in his defences and threatened by invasion, had no other resource left but flight.
He equipped a vessel for his escape, but the people by whom he was hated, suspected his plan and fired his ship either from motives of revenge, or to prevent him from carrying off his wealth.
He was so unwise as to show himself in public and found out that despots cease to be respected when their power is gone.
His subjects, who before had been trembling slaves, planned to slay him at the city gate. The women, always more excited by popular frenzy vied with each other for the honour of striking the first blow. They were highly delighted to see as a suppliant before them, one who formerly had exacted unquestioning obedience.
The rebel, after many adventures sought sanctuary at Mergui, to which place he was followed by his relatives and a few supporters who had either the nobility of character to wish to share his misfortunes, or perhaps so guilty that they feared the harshness of an angry judge.
His fleet of sixty galleys by no means reassured the inhabitants who were not anxious to shelter an outlaw pursued by a victorious army. Panic was general, some fled to the forests, and others to desert islands fearing death by starvation less than to have to appear before a wrathful conqueror.