ABSTRACT
Edward Fleetwood and James Lesly were sent to procure the release of a private trader, the restoration of the goods of another deceased private trader, and the grant of privileges to be enjoyed primarily by private merchants, or Company’s servants trading in a private capacity. Higginson took up the case partly because he was a private loser by the Burmese seizure of the cargo of Bartholomew’s ship. Fleetwood, as chief of the embassy, was requested by Governor Higginson to keep a diary of his “proceedings.” Fleetwood mentioned that in Syriam he had heard that the king could best be approached through his he had come prepared with letters of recommendation to some of her relatives. But Baba strongly dissuaded him from pursuing this course, telling him of the disgrace of a “prince of the country” who had resorted to it.
