CO 54/40 - written by John Wilson in Ceylon in 1811 Jaffnapatnam
11 Sep 1811
(words enclosed in brackets are put in for clearer understanding of some of the terminology used by the Colonial rulers in those times)
The Right Honorable
The Earl of Liverpool
My Lord,
Understanding that there is not to be any despatch of ships from Madras to England this seasn, except one extra ship intended to run home single, I do myself the honor of addressing to your Lordship by that opportunity, a short communication of the principal occurences in His Majesty's Government of this Island since my letter of the 15th of July intended for the "Carmarthen", but in consequence of her non-arrival, forwarded by way of Madras.
On the 20th of August last I commenced my intended circuit of the Island, proceeding to Point de Galle where I embarked on a Goverment Brig for Hambantota, and from thence visited Batticaloa, Trincomalee, and Mullativoe, and arrived here yesterday.
The Batticaloa District has had the misfortune to be twice laid under water this season by an unusual fall of rain. The crops were, in many places, entirely ruined, and, in general, greatly damaged - of course the inhabitants have suffered severely - but I had the satisfaction to find them still thriving and little or nothing in arrears to Government. I cannot in justice but state my convictions, that the active and judicious exertions and general good management of Mr Sawers have contributed materially to alleviate the distress to individuals and public loss which must otherwse have arisen from such serious calamities.
In the District of Jaffnapatnam also, there has been some falling off n the sale of the Tobacco Farm, owing to the restrictions upon that community in Travancore, a subject upon which, I believe it is General Maitland's intention to communicate with your Lordship.
Upon the whole, however, I have no reason to expect that the receipt of the present year will fall short of those of the last, by an amount of consequence.
The aspect of affairs in Kandy has grown more and more threatening since I last had the honor of addressing your Lordship, and on my arrival here I received intelligence that the most active preparations were in the making in the Kandyan Provinces, called the Four Corales (Korales) and the Seven Corales, for the invasion of our Hina, Happitigam and Calloottoor (Kalutara) Districts. - Even since I began the present despatch, a letter has arriuved from Matura (Matara) stating that the first Adigar is at a place called Battoogededar, levying and training men, and strenuously employed in all kinds of warlike preparation - messengers have also been traced from Kandy to a Malabar (South Indian) at Negapatam, who is known to have been the bearer of communications between the King of Kandy and the French Settlements on the Coast - The present messengers are said to have carried a sum of two thousand Pagodas (then currency) with them, and their mission is understood to be for raising Malabar soldiers. - I have thought that the most proper mode of frustrating their intrigues on the Coast was to apply to Sir George Burlow, to whom I have sent an accurate description, both of the Agent and the Messengers, and I have no doubt they will be apprehended - On this side I have taken effectual means to prevent any suspicious persons passing either way.
But what seems more immediately to indicate an intention of attack, is an attempt made to tamper with the Headmen of the Happitigam Corale, an Ola having been lately sent to the Modliar (Mudaliyar) and Vidane Arachy of that District by the Desave of the Four Corales, inviting them to shew (show) their friendship to the King of Kandy, by communicating written intelligence of our measures.
It is possible that these movements may have been excited by some repetition of the old rumor that a French Force is expected in this country - but it seems to me that the preparations have gone a great deal too far to be accounted for by that alone - and I cannot conceal from your Lordship my apprehension that His Majesty's Government will at length be forced into a rupture with that country - but at the same time I have to repeat my assurances, that nothing but an attack on their part, will induce me to have recourse to measures of Force, the ruinous effects which, to the inhabitants, the revenue, and every plan and measure of improvement, I am deeply sensible of - I have therefore strictly confined myself to such measures as appeared necessary for the safety of His Majesty's possessions and notwithstanding the suspicious circumstances daily communicated to me, I have thought it best to pursue my intended journey, as likely to do away the apprehension of my having any offensive operations in view.
The outposts have however been strengthened, both by men and supplies, and in the course of the present war, thus far, I have with the assistance of the commanding officers of Artillery and Engineers, examined the defences, and ammunition at the different stations, which I shall continue to do so as I proceed, - and I trust, hey will at all times be able to maintain themselves, and repel any attack that may be made upon them, or in their neighborhood.
Under the present circumstances I have thought it rght to acquaint Sir G Burlow of our situation with Kandy, and have received his answer, assuring me of every assistance from thence, if it should become necessary. - But I have much confidence in stating to your Lordship that even without the aid of the neighbouring Gvernment, no danger or injury is to be apprehended to His majesty's Settlements, from any attack in the power of Kandy to make, except in the suspension of cultivation and consequent loss of revenue unavidably to be expected from a state of hostility between the two countries, and which I beg leave to repeat, it will be to my most anxious endeavour to avoid.
If however, in spite of every caution on my part, that misguided Court should have the temerity to commence a war, of positive and voluntary aggression, it must then I presume clearly appear that they are actuated by motives of settled enmity to the British Government, and encouraged by assurances, however futile, of foreign assistance - And I trust, His majesty's Ministers will be strongly impressed with the danger of allowing this valuable colony, intended as it would appear to be rendered still more important by the establishment of a Naval Depot at Trincomalee, to be harassed by a treacherous and irreconcilable Enemy, occupying the entire of the Island.
Looking to the unprovoked attack there is now but too much reason to expect, I trust your Lordship will forgive me for expressing my opinion that their conduct towards all the European Powers hitherto established here evinces that there can be no effectual security from their machinations, but by reducing them under His Majesty's Dominion.
Mr Eden, Collector of Jaffnapatnam having been obliged to leave his station from illness I have been under the necessity of incurring some expenses, to provide for the temporary management of that principal District - Conceiving that the surest way to prevent the collection from being prejudiced by this interruption was to put the District at once into the hands of a person well acquainted with it, I proposed to Mr Carrington to take that charge, and that Mr Eden should fill his office at Colombo for the time and as Mr Carrington had recently left Jaffna and established himself at Colombo it was not reasonable that we should suffer the expense f another removal and it was therefore necessary to make an allowance to him on that account of Four Hundred Rix Dollars (dutch currency) per mensem. I need not urge on your Lordship's consideration the importance of taking immediate measures for keeping the collections up, and I hope that it will appear that the effectual arrangement possible has been made for that purpose.
I have much satisfaction in reporting that His majesty's 4th Ceylon Regiment is in good progress - A considerable number of recruits have been rfeceived, and another supply is duly expected at Colombo - Those I have got are remarkably fine men, and I am determined to enlist none but such as are as of that description.
During my stay at Trincomalee, Commissioner Pagett of Madras arrived there under instructions from the Admirality Board to examine the Port - He stayed three days but nothing passed of any consequence to be communicated to your Lordship.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's mostr obedient,
humble servant,
JOHN WILSON
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