WD540(105)

‘Major A.P. Phayre. Envoy, and Commissioner of the Pegue Provinces.’

MAJOR PHAYRE, of the 7th Bengal Native Infantry, was appointed to the old Taline Corps in the Tenasserim Provinces, and subsequently to the Civil Department in Arracan, where he rose to be Principal Assistant to the Commissioner. From Arracan he was transferred as Principal Assistant to the Commissioner of the Tenasserim Provinces, whence he volunteered for the Punjab campaign, and was subsequently preferred as Commissioner to Arracan. On the annexation of Pegue he was nominated by Lord Dalhousie to his present high position of Commissioner and Governor General’s Agent in that Province; a position for which his kindly disposition — urbanity of demeanour, and general qualifications, — his studied knowledge of the people, and perfect familiarity with their character and language, peculiarly fit him. With these advantages it is not surprising that Major Phayre should have acquired the respect, not only of the European community, but of all classes of the Burmese also. In Maulmain, throughout Arracan, and also in Pegue, he is said to be universally beloved; and it is declared that to him, in the Mission to Ava, and administration of the Pegue Provinces, are chiefly due the good will and footing which the European has secured in Burmah.

‘Future observers may enjoy much more extended opportunities of research, and thus add largely to our knowledge of the state of the Burman Empire; but they will scarcely find it possible to look back with greater pleasure on the time spent within the dominions of ‘The Golden Foot’ than can the Members of the Mission which visited Burmah under the guidance of Major Phayre in 1855.’ ‘Introduction to Professor Oldham’s Report’.