History of the Kingdom of Siam and of the revolutions that have caused the overthrow of the empire, up to A.D. 1770

by F. H. Turpin

The Burmese were too eager for plunder to be satisfied with the conquest of Mergui. One of their generals set out with the greater part of the army against Tenasserim, the capital of a province of the same name.

This town although strongly fortified did not appear to a sufficient defence against the Burmese rabble, who reached the foot of the walls without meeting any resistance. The gates were wide open and the terrified inhabitants had fled to the forests to avoid a danger that they were unwilling to face. Fear had exaggerated the number of the foemen, and the governor had been the first to desert his post. They were conquered by terror rather than by the arms and the valour of their enemies. The Burmese filled their ships with loot and having seized everything of value, fired the town and returned in triumph to Mergui. Jeanchi, who was anxious for the safety of the missionaries made them embark with their converts. The voyage was only of six days' duration and although they were well-cared for, they had to suffer in various other ways. They were continually threatened with death if the least thing were to be missing from the plunder on their arrival. Twenty soldiers armed with spears and daggers watched all their actions and they were forbidden to get ahead of the war-vessels that were acting as their escort to the harbour.

They were welcomed on their arrival by two Peguan Christians who showed great pleasure at meeting them. They were escorted by a ship belonging to a rich and powerful Mahomedan who did his utmost to protect those in trouble.

He informed them that their master had given him permission to take them on board his own ship where they would be in safety. After this comforting information, they set out to meet the generous Mahomedan, by name Mamasadech, who evinced the greatest sympathy for their sorry plight, and promised to rescue the Christian girls from the arms of their ravishers. As a result, next day an edict was issued forbidding the Burmese of all classes to insult any Christian.

The liberal Mahomedan spared no expense on behalf of the Christians. He gave them much good advice and showed the greatest sympathy towards those in misfortune. The missionaries assured of his good faith, breathed again. But at the moment of their new-found security they were summoned before the commander, who showing them the vases and sacred vessels that had been seized, told them to point out which were their property. Having been satisfied on this point, he enquired how much money had been taken from them. This cunning question caused M. Andrien much embarrassment, who feared to injure his despoilers and those whose vengeance he had to fear. He answered, that as his knowledge of the language of the country was scanty, he was unable to explain.

This reply aroused the suspicion that he had some money concealed. The general ordered that the torture should be applied. There was a cauldron of molten lead close at hand into which the hands of those from whom they desired to extort confessions were plunged. He was led up to the glowing metal and a soldier seized his hand, which he held out over the cauldron awaiting a signal to plunge it in. M. Andrien turned towards his judge with a calm expression and protested that he had concealed nothing, and, at the same instant, Mamasadech hearing of what was happening, ran up to save him from the impending danger. His companion underwent the same examination, but his fate was very different. He was unaware that to conceal money was a heinous offence among the Burmese. He had given some to Captain Jeanchi for the redemption of Christians from death and slavery and had reserved a moderate sum for the relief of his brethren. These facts caused his embarrassment when subjected to the examination that he feared.

He had been brought up in a school where mental reservation and equivocal replies were regarded as being contrary to the simple truth. He warned Jeanchi that he would be expected to answer, and that he did not intend to disgrace himself by uttering falsehoods.

Jeanchi was well aware of the consequences of an avowal that would be equally fatal to them both, and in order to forestall them, gave back the property together with the agreement that all his expenses would be paid, and, a few days after, stirred up a persecution caused by weakness rather than by hatred against his friends. He had been accused of having taken money from a Christian virgin who had laid information before the Viceroy. He feared that the evidence of M. Alari would only make his case worse and so thought he could best clear himself by declaring to the Viceroy that he had just restored the money to the missionary by whom it had been entrusted to him.

The Burman was wrath, and summoned the missionaries before him. They appeared destitute of all human succour. They had no knowledge of the language necessary for the proof of their innocence and had no interpreter other than their betrayer, who fearing to appear in league with them, was able to twist their replies to his own advantage. Their fears were justified by the result. Their defence was badly put, and the Viceroy, in an access of rage, as he had not understood the case, condemned them to death.

Their arms were bound with cords and they were dragged a short distance and prostrated before the seat of the Viceroy. Their fetters were taken off and they thought that they were about to be set at liberty. But suddenly they were surrounded by armed men, who, spear in hand, awaited the signal for their death. Their calmness seemed to bid defiance to their executioners.