Letter to Earl of Liverpool-1

C. O. 54/40

King's House, Colombo.
29th September, 1811.

The Right Honorable,
The Earl of Liverpool.

My Lord,

I did myself the honor to address Your Lordship from Jaffnapatanam on the 11th instant during my circuit of the Island which I have now completed.

It was sith satisfaction I observed the thriving aspect of the country and that the natural indolence of the Cingalese was beginning to give way to more industrious habits which it shall be my anxious endeavor to promote and cherish.

The plough had been introduced at Delft with good promise of success as a first experiment of the plan formerly stated to Your Lordship. The number of those concerned is likely to be enlarged, and it is my intention to give every countenance to the undertaking by becoming a subscriber myself. I shall shortly submit the participation of the business to the consideration of Council, and I trust it will appear to Your Lordship of a tendency beneficial to the Colony, and deserving of that support which at first it will necessarily require.

Paddy Mills

In passing Cultura (Kalutara) I tasted sugar of the produce of the farm there and of a very good quality.

It has occured to me as a jmatter of regret that the fine timber of a great variety of kinds, growing spontaneously in almost every part of the Island should not be turned to account by exporting it to the Presidencies of India, which are supplied from Pegu and other distant places and would no doubt be willing to furnish themselves at a more convenient market, if such a one could be established here, by cutting down a sufficicnet quantity of the different sorts of timber, floating it toi the Coast and forming it into stores. Those being constantly increased would in some time be able to supply any demand and would, I am convinced, make a more advantageous return from the expense. As the subject has been mentioned by General Maitland to the late Admiral Drury I urged it again to Commissioner Pagett requeszting he would make a trial of the masts and spars which I hope he will take occasion to do. But the general plan would require rather a considerable establishment and I shall do nothing in it for the present.

A necessary and principle object of my attention was the state of the works and public buildings at the different stations. Respecting the former I have nothing to add to what General Maitland has already reported except that it is impossible for me to think of an undertaking of such magnitude as that of repairing them. The Barracks, Storehouses, and other Public Buildings, at Trincomalee had suffered so severly by the late storm that it was necessary either to submit to the present charge of putting them in repair, or the eventual one of having to build them anew, as the climate sepecially in the stormy season is so destructive of buildings in any degree decayed that there is no other choice but of protecting them or suffering them to fall to ruin. I could have no hesitation between these atternatives, and I consider the expense to be incurred at present as an important saving for the future.

These expenses, however, and others similar though of smaller amount, incurred for the like reasons at other places, will unavoidably fall heavy on the income of the year, and I have deemed it my duty to consider of the means of answering this increased disbursement.

Some help towards it will arise from the disposal of thirty thousand pounds weight of old rejected cinnamon to Messrs. Arbuthnot and Co at one Rix Dollar per pound amounting to Thirty Thousand Rix Dollars. And in order to meet the remainder, as well as with a view to remedy the defect of circulating currency which is every day more felt and has not been effectively checked by the regulation formerly reported to Your Lordship, I have considered of the expediency of coining a number of old Dutch brass guns which I foiund at Colombo, Trincomalee, and other places, having been long since condemned as unserviceable and lying in a state of uselessness. It was not practicable to find freight for them to England; being only fit for dead weight or Kentledge they could find no place in the ships that touch here with cargoes already on board. I therefore hope Your Lordship will approve of their being broke up for the present purpose.

The enclosed statements will explain the quantity of metal and other particulars from which Your Lordship will perceive that the amount of fee to be expected is about 52,000 Rix Dollars and that the whole expense of coinage will be 5,000 Rix Dollars or thereabouts being not more than 9 1/2 per cent.

For the very reduced amount of charges I am obliged to Mr. Bertolacci, Comptroller general of Customs who having paid particular attention to this branch of knowledge volunteered his assistance without any remuneration, and has enabled me to dispose with any contract whatever and thus effected a saving of about one half of the usual expense.

No change has taken place with respect to Kandy except that every day brings more circumstantial accounts of their preparations. The latest intelligence was of an attempt on the part of the King of Kandy to raise the Moormen inhabiting on the borders of the Wanni District, and finding them unwilling to enlist, he has displaced their Headmen and appointed one who has made some promises to procure their services.

Although from the multiplied appearances of hostile preparations which are daily reported from Kandy, it is hardly possible to be mistaken in supporting that their intention is to attack His Majesty's Territories, yet as they may hereafter deny their having any such object and endeavor to retort to the imputation of having revived the War, I have thought it best nothwithstanding two letters remain unanswered to adress them again postulating on the late proceedings and inviting them to an amicable discussion of any subjects of grievance or alarm they may have to complain of. Every care has been taken to couch the letter in such terms as not to give any cause of offence, at the same time to leave them no room to consider it as induced by any fears on our part. And though I cannot flatter myself that this step will have any great effect on the perverse politics of that Court, I trust it will be considered by Your Lordship ads a proper manifestation of the moderate and conciliatory dispositions by which we are actuated, and that you will not think that the dignity of His Majesty's Government in any degree committed by the measure - - a copy of the letter will go enclosed.

It has already been reported to Your Lordship that every necessary precaution has been taken to render the outposts defensible for the protection of the inhabitants. I have it also in contemplation to cut a road of sufficient breadth and solidity either for Cavalry or Guns along the border of the Candyan (Kandyan) Country within our own limits from the Caltura (Kalutara) River to Chilaw by means of which any incursions into those Districts would be readily checked or more properly altogether prevented from the dread they must have of being intercepted and cut off.

By a proper explanation of the object of this work to the inhabitants through the Headmen, I am in hooe they will be so convinced of its being for their own benefit that I shall be able to accomplish it by voluntary labor, in which case I shall go on with it. - - Upon the whole whatever course the matter may take Your Lordship may be perfectly at ease for the safety of His majesty's Districts, with this additional source of satisfaction that if it comes to a war, we shall have the enemy alone to contend with and rest as on former ccasions on our own people whose fidelity I am happy to say remains unshaken in all quarters.

The Malay Regiment having fallen greatly below its establishment, it is my intention in consequence of the present state of affairs to avail myself of te opportunity of enlisting some fine young men to the number of a hundred and fifty who have volunteered their services, the greater part of whom mean to remain on this side of the Island and attach themselves to the Ceylon Regt. which will enable me to afford more effectual protection than as at present in my power lies to that valuable improving part of the Revenue, the Salt Pans, several of which extend beyond our outposts.

I omitted to mention that in the time of the late disturbances in Kandy about sixty men of the Malay Cast, with their families, fled from that Country and took refuge here. Their leader is a man of some sonsequence and held the Rank of Muhandiram - he is known to have been a great favorite with the late Adigar and to have been kmuch about the person of the King during the War, but incurred his displeasure in the late troubles - - As `he is well acquainted with the Country and with the places to which the King is in the habit of resorting, his services may eventually be of use - - and I conceive there will be no rsk whatever in employing him, as from everything I can learn it is impossible he should ever venture to go back. The party were obliged
to fight their way out of the country, and this man's brother was killed.

The Corps of Cavalry has undergone great reduction - - - a number of the horses having been found nearly worn out and quite unfit for active service, I have sld them off and reduced the Troops to those only which are really effective - - - In this selection I have been assisted by Lieutenant George Stace of the 4th Ceylon Regiment who has served for some months as a Subaltern in the Troop, and to whom I have now given the Command with the Colonial Rank of Captain, in consideration of the great benefit which the Corps has received, and is likely still to receive from his knowledge, attention and zeal for its improvement.

In the Civil Service, I have only to notice the departure of Mr. Edward Tolfrey whose constitution had suffered so severly from his long residence in this country and the frequent recurrence of dangerous attacks of illness, that it was thought absolutely necessary for his recovery to ptroceed to sea. Proper certificates of his case having been laid before Goverfnment, I have granted him a temporary leave of six months with an eventual extension of it to two years in case the shorter voyage should not have the desired effect.

During the absence f Mr George Atkinson, the duties, both, of Civil Engineer and Surveyor General are fulfilled by Captain Henderson of the Royal Engineers, who in fact from the connexion which all the public buildings here have with military purposes, has already has had a considerable share of trouble and responsibility in this branch. I have thought it reasonable to grant him the pay of the subordinate situation held by Mr Joseph Atkinson, being Rix Dollars Two Hundred and Fifty per mensem.

Official intimation having been received from the Colonial Agent in England that the Court of Directors had approved of a plan proposed by him fr opening a commercial intercourse between this Island and the Cape of Good Hope, I have given public notice by advertisement of that permission, and as the letter of the Directors referred to the Madras Government, I some time since communicated the business to Sir George Burlow with a view to settle such preliminary forms, and regulations as might be necessary for carrying the new arrangement into effect, but I have not yet received his answer.

The Supreme Court has just completed its circuit of the Island for the trial of criminal cases - - For reasons formerly mentioned those of murder have been deferred until the arrival of Sir Alexander Johnston with the New Charter- - - but the greater part of these prisoners have been admitted to bail in cnsideration of their long confinement.

In my letter of 15th July I mentioned a reference made to this Government by General Warde under instructions from Your Lordship and that I had endeavoured to take the utmost of my power to fulfil Your Lordships intentions - - - A copy of my Letter to General Warde on the occasion was also forwarded and a duplicate copy ought to have accompanied my letter of the 11th Instant from Jaffnapatanam but not having had the papers with me there, the duplicate copy will accompany this.

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This Extract sent to General Maitland 31 March 1812:
[An unsettled account having long depended between Government aznd the Hon'ble George Turnour who some years ago and previous to his bankruptcy had farmed the Chank Fishery, General Maitland had directed a suit to be commenced against Mr Turnour and his Assignees for bringing the matter to a close. By the account stated on the part of Government a balance of upwards of twelve thousand Rix Dollars with growing interest stood against Mr Turnour or his Estate, but was opposed by two ites of claim, which with corresponding credit of interest, would turn the balance about seven thousand Rix Dollars against Government. One claim was for remission of the Chank Farm Rent, in consequence of a Pearl Fishery at Tutecoreen. The other was for difference of exchange upoin the price of a quantity of rice imported by Mr. Turnour from Bengal and delivered to Government on account of his debt. The decree of the Supreme Court having been against the Crown on both these points, I have judged it proper to interpose an appeal until the merits of the case can be stated to Your Lordship by General Maitland who had, as I am informed, the same intention with a view that the loss on the Chank Revenue (if finally established) might be recovered against the East India Company. I enclose a copy of my Minute in Council on this occasion. The Proceedings will be forwarded as soon as they are completed by the answer of the Defendants to the Petition of Appeal]*
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*The opprtunity of being at Batticaloa with two Members of Council, the Supreme Court being also there and Mr Boyd, the Sole Commissioner of Revenue appeared favourable for taking into consideration the most effectual means of realizing the Public Revenue of that district a subject which had anxiously occupied the attention of Genl. Maitland. It was particularly brought to my mind by an offer then lately made by Mr Schneider, Colonel Lieutenant of Engineers, to adopt an Oil Mill of his to the beating of paddy. I therefore convened a Council for this purpose, the result of which is Continued in the enclosed Extract and since my return.
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Since my return to Colombo I have had trial made of the Mill before Mr Bertolacci, Capt. Henderson and Mr Maitland, Garrison Storekeeper, whose report of its efficicnecy is highly favourable. I shall therefore complete the purchase of this machine and give orders for the erection of those intended to be established at Batticaloa. I have it also under consideration to build one at Mullaitivoe for the Vanny District, where the growth of paddy is very extensive and yearly increasing.

Nothing further occurs at present as of consequence to be cmmunicated to Your Lordship, and I have only to add that every exertion on my part will be used to meet the exigencies of the present time with efficiency and with all possible attention to the saving of expense.

I have the honour to be
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant,

JOHN WILSON