Sri Wickrema, Brownrigg & Ehelepola

Letter sent to Eheyleypola Great Disave-2

2007-03-21T18:18:00.000+05:30

C. O. 54/42
Copy

A letter written in order that God may grant prosperity and protection to Eheyleypola etc. Great Disave of Saparagamuwa and Pallegampaha Maha Adhikaram Nilame of Kandy.

The ola addressed to me has been received. I am much gratified with the proof of friendship you have shown towards me in sending several species of medicinal herbs found in the forest where Sripade is planted.

Moreover I am desirous not only of seeing those medicinal herbs, but of going myself to visit Sripade and there is a gentleman at Colombo who understands the good and bad qualities of plants, and is anxious to see the nature of their growth in the forests themselves. Therefore I request that you will inform me by writing, whether it is possible for such a journey to Sripade to take place whilst you are resident at Saparagamuwa.

Besdies, because it appeared in the ola that you are in want of some Lokari Birds and some Pattaya, I send here with a pair of Pattaya. Since at present there are no Lakori Birds in Colombo, I will endeavour to have them brought from a Foreign Country and then hereafter.

Written and sent at Colombo on the 22nd of March, 1812.

Thus John D’Oyly Chief Translator to Govt. and Great Disave of Colombo.

(Signed) J. D’Oyly.

The Gentleman here alluded to is a Mr Hooker, a most zealous person of Natural History, well known to Sir Joseph Banks, and whose arrival from England is shortly looked for.

It is hoped that this mention of him to the Disave (who has considerable influence with the King), may pave the way fr Mr. Hooker being permitted to explore Adam’s Peak and the Mountains connected with it, which is a great object of his ambition.

Letter from Eheyleypola Maha Disave-1

2007-03-21T17:59:00.000+05:30

C. O. 54/42
Copy

An ola sent in order that the Gods may grant much prosperity and protection to the Chief Translator to Government and Great Disave of Colombo

In the Forests where Sripade is planted, are medicinal herbs that the Great Disave is desirous to see them, because the persons dispatched by us came and related of the things of which (we) know the names. I have sent several sorts of those medicinal herbs henceforth. Further, also if there be anyone acquainted with those medicinal herbs (I) can send them again. Besides I want a few pair of Lakori Birds* and a Pair of Pattayo**, therefore if you have an opportunity to send them it is very good.

Thus Eheyleypola The Great Disave of Saparagamuwa and Pallegampaha Maha Adikaram Nilame of Kandy.

(No Date, Received March 18th, 1812)

True Translation,

J D’Oyly

Sripade is Blessed Foot or Adams Peak alluding to the impression of a human foot, said to be imprinted on a rock, which forms the summit of that Samanila.
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*Fan Tailed Field Grouse
**Geese

Letter to Pusweylle Disave-1

2007-03-21T17:49:00.000+05:30

C. O. 54/42
Copy

A letter written in order that God may grant prosperity and protection to Pusweylle of the 7 Korales.

In consequence of the message which you sent, I have directed Wattala Appu to attend you. Beside having received information that the English Officer residing in the Kandyan Country is at present indisposed, and there being reason to believe that he would derive benefit from the Provisions and Clothing of this Country to which he was formerly accustomed, I send herewith a few things sent to the purpose and request that by your assistance they may be delivered to him. Moreover accept my assurances that my former Friendship continues unaltered towards you, and that I shall be happy when opportunity offers to meet and confer with you at the Frontiers concerning matters beneficial to both parties.

Written and dispatched at Colombo
On 14th of March 1812.

Thus - - John D’Oyly, Chief Translator
Government and Disave of Colombo

[Signed] J. D’Oyly

Some Wine, Tea, Sugar, Medicines and some articles of European clothing were sent to Major Davy by this opportunity

Letter to the Earl of LIverpool-2

2007-03-17T15:23:00.000+05:30

C. O. 54/42

Kings House
Colombo
29 March 1812

The Earl of Liverpool,
Secxretary of State for the War
And Colonial Department
Downing Street
London

My Lord,

I have the honor to acquaint Your Lordship that I arrived off this place on the 10th instant, after a favourable voyage of fifteen weeks from Portsmouth, and on the following day landed from His Majesty’s ship Africaine and was received with the most flattering marks of respect and distinction by Major General Wilson, the Chief Justice, and the principal officers of His Majesty’s Government.

His Majesty’s Commission appointing me Governor and Commande=in-chief in and over the British Possessions in the Island of Ceylon was immediately read and published in the usual manner in the presence of the Troops in Garrison, of the said officers, and of the principal and inhabitants, of this place, and the prescribed oaths having been administered to me by the Chief Justice, Sir Alexander Johnston, I took my seat in Council.

I have great satisfaction in acquainting your Lordship that the general state of the Colony is prosperous, and that the various branches of public business in the Civil Department appear to be carried on with effect`t, and in strict conformity to the wise and excellent system of arrangement established by my predecessor, General Maitland.

On the 16th insyant, being as soon as proper arrangements could be made, I proceeded to publish His Majesty’s Charter brought out by me of the 30th October last, revoking certain provisions in the former Charter of the 6th August 1810, in doing which I felt it my duty to observe al possible delicacy and respect to the feelings of Sir Alexander Johnston consistent with the due promulgation of the Royal Act. With this view and after consulting with the nadvocate Fiscal as to the necessary forms, I adopted the course of having the Charter opened, read and recorded in the first instance in Council, after which I proceeded with the Members of the Council to the front door of the King’s House when Charter was publicly published by being read under a discharge of twenty one guns. We then returned into the Council Chamber and the Charter was delivered to the Chief Justice to be publ9ished in the Supreme Court, which he has since reported to me to have been done, and the Original Patent remains among the records of that Court.

In acknowledging the several dispatches received from your Lordship previous to my departure from England, the first in importance is (No 2.) dated the 5th November, and which accompanied the Charter of the 30th October, enclosing and referring to a copy of Your Lordship’s letter to General Maitland of the 30th September 1810, the principal part of which the last dispatch is intended to annul - - - This letter and its enclosure was on the same day of the publication of the new Charter, read and recorded in Council, by which the powers granted to the Chief Justice by the Dispatch of the 30th September 1810 became withdrawn and reverted to the Governor as before - - - I forthwith proceeded to new model the Council as thereby directed, referring for further particulars on that subject to the Dispatch of Mr Secretary Dundas dated 13th. March 1811, where the formation of that branch of the Government is first treated of.

By that Dispatch it is signified to be thought advisable that the Council should consist of the Commander of the Forces, The Head of the Law, The Chief Secretary to Government, and the Principal Officer of Revenue, and that a fifth member should be named by the Governor. Major General Wilson not holding the Commission of Commander of the Forces, was not under the terms of Mr Dundas’s Instructions created a Member of Council ex officio, but from the situation of Lieutenant Governor in which I found him under His Majesty’s special appointment, from his high character, and from the eminent services he has rendered this Colony, and from his being by the Constitution of this Government the person entitled to be placed at the head of it in the event of any accident happening to me, I trust Your Lordship will see that I could have no hesitation in exercising in his favor the power of nomination vested in me by the dispatch alluded to.

Anxious under alluding circumstances to mark my respect and deference for the Judges of the Supreme Court, and having found the Puisne Justice, Mr Coke, a member of Council, I felt strongly disposed to continue him in that situation until the pleasure of His Royal Highness, The Prince Regent be declared, as the Council will not by his admission exceed the number of members prescribed.

On the grounds already submitted with regard to Major General Wilson I could not but consider him as entitled to a very leading rank in the Council, and under that conviction nominated him next in order to the Chief Justice. Mr Coke, however, has claimed that place as his by virtue of the Charter of 1807, and lodged a minute in Council containing a representation on that point, which I beg leave to submit through Your Lordship for the pleasure of The Prince Regent. In the meanwhile I have not thought the reason urged by Mr Coke of sufficient weight to overcome those upon which I grounded the resolution already stated, especially as both the appointments were optional on my part.

I must however beg Your Lordship to understand that not the most remote feeling of anger or irritation exists on this subject in any quarter, but that on the contrary the whole proceeding on a point of so much delicacy has passed with the most perfect harmony.

Sir Alexander Johnston brought the Colonial Seal into Council and delivered it to me, and I have committed it to the custody of the Chief Secretary to be used under my direction on such occasions as may be fixed by Regulations, but the description of such acts to which the application of it may be limited has not yet been fully determined on, and therefore I am not enabled to report specifically on this subject as directed by my instruction.

It was next an early object of my attention to make known to the Civil and Military Servants of His Majesty’s Government the arrangement which the goodness of His Royal Highness The Prince Regent had provided respecting the exchange of money, and the substance of Your Lordship’s Dispatch (No. 3) upon that subject, dated the fifth November last, was accordingly made public by a Proclamation of which I have the honor to enclose a copy.

In the Civil Service the latest list of salaries of which the approval has reached the Country is that of the Establishment fixed by General Maitland for the year 1810 and approved by Your Lordship’s letter of 30th September 1810, to which list alone I have determined to apply the new rate of exchange for the present.

Your Lordship is of course aware that there are a variety of salaries in the Civil Branch not comprehended in List, and consequently excluded by the terms of Your Lordship’s mletter from the benefit of the alteration. A few also of the salaries mentioned in the List have been subsequently augmented, to which extent they will remain for the present on the old footing in the rate of payment - - - and it is my intention (subject to any orders which I may receive to a different effect) that the advanced rate should take place in the former instances on the new salaries and in the latter on the recent augmentation, from the date of thus receiving His Royal Highness’ sanction.

With respect to the Military Branch, the subsistence and staff pay of Military Officers and their Island Allowances (answering Your Lordship’s description of field allowances in the nature and lieu of Batta) will all be paid at the rate of 1s 9d for the Rix Dollar - - - Also the pay for the European non-commissioned officer and soldiers, subject to a deduction for provisions (at the same rate) to the full amount fixed by His Majesty’s Warrant of the 6th. February 1799 – viz 6d per diem – Hitherto the stoppage of a private has been two pence a day, making at the old exchange about 4.5 Sterling, and it will be a satisfactory instance of the beneficial effects of the new rate, that it enables the soldier to pay the additional stoppage of very nearly 1.5 d a day, without suffering a decrease of more than 11/14th of piece (about a halfpenny sterling) from the amount he has hitherto received in the currency of the Island - - and further that the deduction from the pay of the soldier as now enforced will cover the expense of victualling the Troops - - Sundry Schedules (specified in the margin) will accompany the letter exhibiting the details of the arrangement in those instances to which it has been applied and pointing out with all necessary observations such cases as are not comprehended under it - - And I am happy to state that it has afforded a very general relief from a grievance universally complained of, and is felt both by Civil and Military as an act of most gracious consideration and attention on the part of His Royal Highness The Prince Regent to the comfort of His majesty’s faithful servants in the distant colony.

No intelligence having yet been received here of the arrival of Sir Samuel Hood in India, nothing has been done on the subject of Your Lordship’s letter of the 5th. November (No. 4) and its enclosures, respecting the formation of a naval establishment at Trincomalee - - Commodore Broughton commanding His Majesty’s Navy in these seas has written to Major General Wilson signifying his intention of visiting Trincomalee in the course oif the ensuing month, accompanied by Commissioner Paget from Madras, on which occasion I should certainly have met them there, but am informed the rains of the South West Monsoon now about to set in would render the roads impassable for my return. I have written to Commodore Broughton mentioning my wish to meet him and the reason which prevents my doing so, and have informed him that Lt. Colonel Hayter, the Commanding Engineer, who is proceeding towards that quarter, for the purpose of inspecting and reporting on the practicability of repairing the Giants Tank for agricultural purposes, would be ordered to proceed to Trincomalee, if the Commodore should think his presence of any service towards promoting the objects under consideration. I have further to acknowledge the receipt of Your Lordship’s letters (5 & 6) of the 5th November respecting the repayment in this country of monies advanced from the Treasury in England - - One of which letters (No. 5) relates to sums advanced sometime ago on account of the Colonial Regiments and Gun Lascars and the other (No. 6) to such sums as maybe advanced hereafter in consequence of Mr Peels letter to Mr Harrison of the 23rd. October 1811 proposing that the Paymaster General should pay to the Agent the amount of sums due annually from the Island of Ceylon in England, recoverable by the Deputy Pay Master in this Island out of the Treasury here.

I have also received your Lordship’s letter of the 7th. November (No. 18) conveying the accounts of the Colonial Agent Mr Huskison for the year 1807 enclosing a letter from Mr Harrison to Mr Peel dated the 21st. October.

The several appointments mentioned in Yourf Lordship’s letter of 2nd. October, not numbered, and your two letters (No. 8 & No. 9) of the 5th. November have been duly notified and taken effect viz; below Mr Charles Brownrigg to be a writer on the Civil Establishment.

The Reverend Mr Bisset to be Assistant Colonial Chaplain and Messers Bletterman, Turnour, Sawers, and Tolfrey, to be placed on the Civil Establishment. Of the four gentlemen last named only two are at Colombo, Mr Bletterman and Mr Tolfrey, who have expressed in grateful terms their acknowledgments for the favor conferred on them.

The only other letter from Your Lordship which remains to be noticed, is one of the 5th. Of November (No. 7) authorizing the Governor to retain in the Civil Service for a limited period those servants whose time may have expired, and to pay them in addition to their salaries, the sum they may be entitled to receive from the pension fund - - Mr Boyd at the head of the Revenue Department, is the only person entitled at present, to claim the benefit of this provision, in whose behalf I should certainly wish to exercise the option left to me of granting it, but it happens unfortunately that Your Lordship’s letter by specifying a period of twelve years service, does not in terms apply to Mr Boyd, who came out originally in the First Class of Civil Servants, and by Lord Hobart’s plan of the pension fund, became entitled to retire on a pension after eight years service, which period has expired. As Mr Boyd’s case comes distinctly within the intention of General Maitland’s representation to which Your Lordship alludes, I am led to believe that it did not occur to Your Lordship’s notice that there was still a servant remaining of the First Class, and that there was no intention of limiting the effect of the arrangement in question, to that class whose period of service was originally fixed at twelve years.

Under this conviction t is my intention f Mr Boyd choose to remain n the service, which I sincerely hope may be the case, to allow him the additional payment until I shall have been honored with His Royal Highness The Prince Regent’s pleasure on the subject.

Adverting to the subjects which occur in the Dispatches of Major General Wilson the short period which has elapsed since his last letter, and the recent date of my own arrival here, and do not enable me to add much to what he has communicated.

No event of importance appears to have taken place within the Candian (Kandyan) Territory, since the Capital Punishment inflicted on the First Adigar and other persons high in office reported to Your Lordship by Major General Wilson in his Dispatch of the 15th. July last - - perfect quite prevails on the frontier and if an opinion can be formed of the public feeling towards the British, it might be said to be favorable by the tenor of a recent correspondence between the Disave’s of the Seven Corles (Korales) and of the Saparagamuwa (Sabaragamuwa) and Mr D’Oyley, the Chief Interpreter of Government, of which I have the honor to transmit copies. I beg to assure Your Lordship that I shall steadily pursue the policy laid down by General Maitland, by abstaining from every act which can by any possibility lay the foundation of hostility.

Of Major Davie, no accounts to be relied upon have been received subsequent to those communicated to Your Lordship in Major General Wilson’s letters of the 26th. Of February. It would be most truly gratifying to me if our relations with the Court of Candy (Kandy) could be placed on that footing of good understanding which might enable me to obtain the liberty of that unfortunate officer.

The road projected and partly executed by Major General Wilson along the borders of the Candyan (Kandyan) country from the Caltura (Kalutara) District to that of Chilaw continues in progress.

As Major General Wilson’s letter of the 26th. February contains ample detail of the amount of receipt and Expenditure and actual funds to nthe end of the last year, it will only be necessary for me to furnish Your Lordship with a statement of the money in the Treasury on the 10th of March, the day of my arrival here, with an abstract of the latest returns from the Cutcherries (Kachcheri’s) at outstations, being down to the 29th. of February. The very limited amounts of funds exhibited by these statements, will suggest to Your Lordship the probability of my being obliged to have recourse to some mode of raising money for the exigencies of the current year, beyond what the ordinary Collections of Revenue will supply. A heavy disbursement continues to be made in the Recruitment Service by which also a daily increase arises in the expense of the Colonial Regiments. The alteration in the exchange of money will form a very considerable addition to the amount of expenditure both Civil and Military.

Some expense will also be necessarily incurred on the public works, as I shall have occasion to state more particularly to Your Lordship in a subsequent part of this letter.

From these and some other indispensable objects of Extraordinary Expense, and deprived as we are of the aid of a Pearl Fishery which I fear there is no prospect of undertaking for two or three years to come our expenditure will no doubt greatly exceed the amount of receipt from the ordinary revenues and it will unavoidably arise as a matter of consideration, in what manner the necessary funds can be raised with the least inconvenience to His Majesty’s Government at home.

I do not expect that any aid of consequence will be afforded by the honorable the East India Company’s Governments and as far as I can foresee, the choice will be between raising a loan on Colonial obligations, and drawing on the Lord’s of the Treasury. A subject of s jmuch importance requires more consideration than I have yet had it in my power to give to it, but I request Your Lordship will believe that in adopting any measure for this purpose, I shall be guided by the most anxious attention to the public interest and scrupulously confine myself to that amount which the occasion may absolutely required.

It was the practice of General Maitland to fix the establishment of the various departments for some certain period, and all charges occurring within that time were placed on the contingent list and drawn for by special authority. The last arrangement of this kind made by him was to the end of the year 1810 - - He left the Island to soon afterwards and too much reduced by ill health to have been able to settle the Establishment fr any subsequent period. In the meantime a variety of changes have taken place, and a good deal of detail has arisen in the public offices from the authorities necessary to be issued in those instances. I have therefore directed a present state of the several departments to be collected into a schedule, and have fixed that as the Establishment for the remainder of the present year.

A copy of this schedule I have now the honor to enclose, and as it will bring under Your Lordship’s notice in one view the several new appointments of partial changes made by general Maitland and a few of small consequence made by Major General Wilson, I avail myself of this circumstance to solicit that Your Lordship will be pleased to take an early opportunity of submitting them to the favorable consideration of His Royal Highness. The particulars contained in this enclosure render it unnecessary for me to trouble Your Lordship with any remarks on the changes in question except as to those instances that have occurred in consequence of the new Charter and the Dispatch accompanying it.

On the revival of the Provincial Courts it was of course my wish thatg the gentleman who lately presided in them should be restored to their situations and as I learnt that their characters were perfectly unexceptionable, I have had great pleasure in reappointing them which has accordingly been done as follows.

Henry Layard Esquire, Provicnial Judge of Matura (Matara)
John Deane Esquire, Provincial Judge of Colombo
James Richardson Esquire, Provincial Judge of Jaffna

The Provincial Court of Galle was vacated even before the establishments of the Landraads, Mr E Tolfrey the late Judge having proceeded to England for his health; General Wilson had intended Mr Scott to succeed him, but on the arrival of the former Charter, he was made Vice-President at Matura (Matara) as the greatest jurisdiction, in which situation I found him and under those circumstances. I have thought it right to appoint him Provincial Judge at Galle. Mr Douning who had been transferred from the office of sitting Magistrate at Trincomalee to be Vice President at Galle remained to be provided for - - and as no situation was open for him, I have on the explanation of General Wilson that a Revenue Officer and Sitting Magistrate had long been much wanted at Mannar , for the purpose of giving him a clerk and interpreter and peons attached to the last mentioned department and thus saving the necessity of an Establishment for the business of Magistrate.

Your Lordship will already have been informed by major General Wilson’s Dispatch of the 26th. February of a deficiency experienced in the sea Customs and General Revenue of the District of Jaffnapatnam (Jaffna) during the late year, occurring to a failure in the usual demands of Tobacco by the Rajah of Travancore and connected with a monopoly which he has found means to establish in that article, and a separate letter of the 1st. March communicated to Your Lordship the receipt of letter from Lt. Colonel Munro the Resident at the Court of Travancore, on the part of the Madras Government by which it appeared that the Rajah had not voluntarily diminished his purchases but had been deceived and disappointed by an Agent who had failed to make the proper provision, and against whose property he solicited the interposition of His Majesty’s Government.

The request was so far complied with by Major General Wilson, that the property of the Agent was stopped at the Custom House, by which a sufficient time was afforded to proceed against it in the Provincial Court - - and I have finally thought it necessary to refer the case to that Tribunal as the pri9ncipal point was purely judicial.

To a certain degree the communication from Lieutenant Colonel Munro serves to throw a favorable light on the intentions of the Rajah, but the principal grievance still remains, and the plan suggested and partly acted on by Major General Wilson of making a trial of small consignments to Java, the Mauritius, and the Cape, with a view of opening new markets for the tobacco of this Island, appears to me a measure of great judgment and expediency, and I have given orders for carrying it into full effect to the consignors, and the directions respecting them will be found in the enclosed copy of a letter from the Chief Secretart to Messers Arbuthnot & Company, the Colonial Agent at Madras.

On the subject of the permission obtained from the Court of Directors of the East India Company for trading from this Island to the Cape of Good Hope and London, I have jnothing to add to the particulars and correspondence communicated to Your Lordship by Major General Wilson’s letter to Mr Peel of the 31st. ctober last, and the further letters added on the transmission of the duplicate.

My impression on the subject collected from the papers alluded to is, that such a privilege in so far as it may be left at the discretion of the Indian Governments is not likely to receive a construction beneficial to the interests of this Colony.

Connected with this observation and one of a similar tendency which I had occasion to make in speaking of the state of art resources it is proper to lay before Your Lordship a correspondence which had lately occurred with respect to a supply of 35,000 bags rice, applied for by General Wilson to the supreme Government of India on the emergency of an expected failure in the rice crops. Instead of affording this accommodation, His Lordship in Council transferred the application to the Agents of the Island at Calcutta by whom the rice is accordingly to be consigned here but will cost more than double the usual price.

The motives of General Wilson’s measure appear to me to have been perfectly correct, and the disappointment expressed in his leller to me very natural, but not wishing the matter to grow into a discussion, I have put an end to it bu enclosing a copy of General Wilson’s letter in a private one from myself to Lord Minto, copies of which are enclosed. This instance will however prepare Your Lordship not to expect in any case of any difficulties occurring here in piint of finance that we shall experience any material support from the neighboring Governments.

The arrangements intimated by General Wilson as intended in lieue of the situation held by Mr Daniel and vacated by his death had not taken place at my arrival and still remains under consideration. To procure of wood likely to be in demand at the Settlements on the Continent and at such an expense as would leave a reasonable profit, is an object of obvious importance to the prosperity of the Colony. The plan also connects itself with the intended naval establishment at Trincomalee, and subject to any objection in practice, which may not yet have appeared deserves in my opinion to be seriously and favorably considered of.

Having had occasion to know while in England that a steam engine of great power is making up to be sent to this Island for the purpose of treating paddy into rice, I have thought it advisable, to put a stop to all further expense and preparation for the erection of paddy mills here.

An experiment of some extent is in progress at the Island of Delft for improving of the culture of Flax, with a further intention, as I understand, of manufacturing into cloth. The result of the present crop will enable the persons concerned to furnish me with more specific information, and proper specimens, to submit to Your Lordship’s consideration on the subject of this undertaking.

Nothing further has been done towards the formation of an Agricultural Society, nor have I yet been furnished with any particular report about the plants sent to the Morua Carle [Morawak Corale?]. Mr Ker appointed from Home to superintend these intended establishments, is not arrived from Canton.

In the suit of the King against Mr. Turnour and his Assignees, I am informed that an answer has lately been filed in the part of the Defendants to the appeal lodged by Government and the papers will be ready for transmission by the October ships.

A subject of the first importance to he retaining of this Colony as a part of the British Dominions, remains to be stated to Your Lordship viz; the dilapidated state of the Fortifications of this place and those of Trincomalee. Which has been repeatedly represented by my predecessors - - as the possession of this Island in the case of an attack from an invading European Force must depend on those Fortresses being held in a respectable state of defence, I must seriously lament that they have been suffered to fall nearly into decay and strongly impressed as I am with the fatal consequences must ensue from further neglect, I shall consider it an imperious duty resting upon me, at least to stop the progress of decay and to put them into a situation so as to gain the time necessary to oblige an enemy to open trenches before them, until succour maybe obtained from the continent of India, which intention I hope will be honored with Your Lordship’s approbation. I shall take the earliest opportunity of personally inspecting the works of Trincomalee as I have done those of this Fortress, and of sending for Your Lordship’s consideration the report of the Commanding Engineer, as to what may be the absolute extent of necessary repairs or new works and the expense of them. In the meanwhile the expense to be incurred shall be kept within the least possible bounds.

I shall address myself particularly to His Royal Highness The Commander in Chief, respecting the state and composition of the military force in Ceylon: as far as my observation and information has yet enabled me to form a judgment in regard to it. I have the satisfaction of saying that the troops are healthy but the amount of effective Rank and File being,

Europeans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,568
Natives or Blacks . . . . . . . . . . . 2,878
(including 296 Gun Lascars). 4,446

falls . . . . short of the number which has always been considered the requisite Military Force of this Island. On referring to the documents already in Your Lordship’s possession I believe it will be found that General Maitland has repeatedly given it as his opinion, that independent of any apprehension of attack from an European Enemy, it never aught to consist to less than two nRegiments of Europeans of 1,000, Rank and File each, of three Regiments of Natives or Blacks of 1,200 each, and of three companies of British Artillery of 100 Rank and File each, and 300 Gun Lascars, making a total of 2,300 European Soldiers and 3,900 Native Troops.

Looking to Kandy, and the possibility of internal commotion, we can be under no apprehension, with our present means but calculating on the growing Naval Power of France at the period of my leaving England, I must suppose that the British possessions in India will form one of the primary objects of that increased power, should it ever reach a sufficicnet degree of maturity, and as this Island is a poiunt from where an enemy could with most effect subvert the British Dominion in India, I must feel anxious that the deficiency, the European Force should be made good here, and consequently hope that circumstances at home will admit of our being reinforced by an effective Battalion of the Line, and the company of Artillery in lieu of that sent from hence to Java, and this I the more strongly request to urge on Your Lordship’s attention while the two principal places of Colombo and Trincomalee continue in their present almost defenseless state.

In settling the allowance I found myself unprovided with any instructions from His Majesty’s Government in England or any precedent of a General Officer on the staff of this Island not holding the situation of Governor or Lieutenant Governor. I was therefore naturally led to refer to the allowance to His zmajesty’s Officers of similar rank serving under the neighboring Presidency of Madras and I hope to receive the approbation of His Royal Highness The Prince Regent in having fixed the allowances of major General Wilson at the same rate, until His Royal Highness may be pleased to communicate His orders on the case. His Royal Highness will no doubt be aware of the utter impossibility of a Major General maintaining the respectability of his situation in this very expensive Country on the staff pay of his Rank viz; 37s. 11d. a day. His income by the plan I have ventured to adopt will be made up of 400 Pounds a year.

I deem it my duty to report that I have drawn one half of my salary as Governor from the 4th. of October last, the date of my Commission, to the 10th. of March inclusive, being the day of my arrival here. Major General Wilson as being in the exercise of the Civil Government received the remaining half to that period. This measure I rest satisfied will be considered as fair and just by His Royal Highness The Prince Regents Government, the more particularly as Your Lordship will I am sure take into consideration the heavy expense which has attended my outfit, a sum which I can assure Your Lordship has exceeded 7,000 Pounds. - -

Your Lordship will herewith receive the copy of a proclamation issued by my direction on the 18th instant, by wshich the Civil and Military departments are referred to the Regulations established by General Maitland. Also the copy of the Regulation of Government which I intended to publish, respecting the transmission of public letters and the franking of private ones, a privilege hitherto enjoyed by the Members of Council and now confirmed by me, on which subject a copy of my minute in Council is enclosed.

On the occasion of appointing a circuit of the Supreme Court for the Northern Districts, it arose for consideration, whether any measure was necessary on my part, in consequence of that clause of His Majesty’s last Charter, which authorizes me to put an end to the Division of the Supreme Court if after communication with the Judges I should deem it expedient to do so.

The expediency as applied to a permanent Division into separate Districts, seems naturally to follow from the restriction of the powers of the Court in point of Civil Jurisdiction - - But it has been represented to me by both the Judges that the power of dividing the Court for Circuits would effect a considerable saving in expense, at the same time that the Dispatch of Business would be greatly felicitated by their being enabled to act separately - - And as the Charter of August 1810 was not followed by any actual separation of the Judges who had determined to sit together for the Trial of Criminal cases in arrears, it was their idea that the declatory Resolution which the last Charter provides to be made by me was not necessary, and that my withholding it would preserve the power of making separate Circuits.

Being strongly impressed with the solidity of these reasons, it only remains for me to be satisfied that there was no legal objection. And as Mr Gifford, the Advocate Fiscal concurred with the JNUdges in that opinion, and in thinking that the Charter was not mandatory on me to kmake such a Resolution I have determined to withhold it in order that the power of separation which bis understood now to exist may be exercised for the purpose of separate Circuits when occasion may required.

For Your Lordships further information I forward with this Dispatch a coipy of the opinion delivered to me by the Judges on this point. - -

The Circuit about to be undertaken at present will be a joint one, conformably to the intention of the Judges (which I have already mentioned) of trying the old cases by a full Court.

Having had the honor to state to Your Lordship the measures which have arisen out of the Dispatches delivered to me in England, I shall feel extreme gratification if I have been fortunate enough in these early instances to have acted (as has undoubtedly been my anxious endeavor), conformably to the spirit of Your Lordship’s Instructions. And in the General Management of the Great Charge which it has pleased His Royal Highness The Prince Regent to entrust to me I shall think it the surest mode of proving myself worthy of His Royal Highness’s confidence, to pursue with constant attention that Body of Regulations and precedence which has been established for the Government of this valuable Colony by the long experience and distinguished talent of my predecessor General Maitland. The Homeward bound East India ships having sailed from Point De Galle ten days previous to my arrival, no direct conveyance for England is likely soon to present itself. This Dispatch I send to the Mauritius by the return of a Schooner belonging to that Government with a request from me to His Excellency Governor Farquhar, that he will have the kindness to foreward it by the first opportunity.

I have the Honor to be
My Lord,
Your Lordships, Most Obedient,
Humble Servant,

Robert Brownrigg

Letter to the King of Kandy-1

2007-03-10T14:07:00.000+05:30

C. O. 54/40

From the Honorable Brigadier General John Wilson, Lieutenant Governor to the King of Kandy.

From the arrival of His Excellency General Maitland as Governor of His Britannick Majesty’s Territories in this Island, the troubles which then subsisted between the British Government and Your Highness*, began gradually to subside. Military Operations ceased on both sides and habits of confidence arose between the Inhabitants of the two Countries which in course of time matured into a mutual intercourse of trade.

These amicable dispositions were observed with pleasure by General Maitland, and ar Your Highness knows were encouraged by every means in his power. Numbers of the Candian (Kandyan) people resorted to every parts of the British Territories, carried oj their traffic in safety and returned with their merchandize and supplies without suffering any molestation, whatever, and altho’ no actual pacification had been declared His Excellency was willing and thought he had grounds to believe that the two Governments were approaching to a good understanding, and that the devastations of War were at an end.

But before his departure he had reason to remark an unfavourable change in the dispositions of the Court of Kandy, having received credible information that troops were assembling in different parts of the country, the headmen posted at their stations and other movements taking place such as usually were considered as a prelude to hostilities - - And since His Excellency left the Island repeated intelligence down to the present time has confirmed that warlike preparations are going on in Your Highness’s Territories with the greatest activity.

By the established Custom of Nations such measures are considered as announcing hostile intentions against the neighboring countries - - and as Your Highness’s Government can can have no object of a military expedition except against the British Dominions, and as you have declined answering General Maitland’s last letter, thereby cutting off the means of explanation, and at the same time giving countenance to the most unfavorable construction of the late proceedings. I have been laid under the necessity of adopting certain measures which I should otherwise not have thought of, in order to project the people inhabiting the limits - - I am also preparing to open a road of communication along the interior of our Horles (Korales) from Cultura (Kalutara) to Chilaw.

But in order to manifest to Your Highness that any movements of a warlike nature already adopted or about to be so on our part have no foundation in any design of attaching you, but are merely rendered necessary by the threatening appearance of your proceedings, I have determined notwithstanding the . . . . . . last dispatch remain unanswered to address you again and invite you to an amicable discussion and the motives which may have induced you to put your people in arms, solemnly disclaiming in the name of the King ny Master, any intention whatever of commencing a War of aggression against Kandy, promising also the most candid explanation of any circumstances which Your Highness may have considered as acts of grievance or alarm, and finally assuring you of my readiness to meet with mutual cordiality every disposition on your part to re-establish between our respective countries those relations of amity which lately subsisted.

I trust that these conciliatory offerds made under circumstances of no small provocation will be received by Your Highness as convincing proofs of the mnoderate and pacific views of His Majesty’s Government, and that no pernicious counsels will prevail on you to doubt the assurances to which his Majesty’s name is pledged, or to admit for a moment the supposition that the Representatives of so powerful a Monarch would propose terms of conciliation from any motives of fear.

It cannot but be well known to Your Highness that no attack can be made on the British Districs without the most severe retaliations - - that the troops already here are sufficicent for every purpose defence and are so well acquainted with the Candian (Kandyan) Country that their operations can be directed with the most fatal effect - - and that if circumstances should render it expedient to undertake the War on a more extensive scale I can receive from the Coast any number of troops that may be necessary.

From some intelligence I have received, and also from not being able to account for Your Highness’s late proceedings by any measures on our side, I am induced to suspect that our Enemies the French, conquered and almost annihiliated as they are in every part of India, have nevertheless found the means to reach Your Court with malicious representations respecting the British Government and incited you to rise up in opposition to it by fabulous promises of assistance. - - It is therefore proper and greatly for Your Highness’s interest to put upon your guard against such dangerous friends whose practice it is ruin every Country with which they form any Connexion.

A tragical insistence of their perfidy in India Your Highness no doubt has often heard of in the fall of the great Empire of Mysore and the untimely death of Tippoo Sultan slain on his own walls by the arms of the British Government whom he had been prevailed on to insult and defy, misled by the false tales of the French and deluded by idle promises of assistance which they were perfectly aware they had no power of affording.

That they have been driven successively from all their settlements in the Continent of India and the surrounding Ocean, even from their ancient and most favorite possession the Isles of France and Bourbon - - and that Batavia their last place of refuge is at this time attacked or more probably subdued by His Majesty’s Fleets and Armies Your Highness has already been informed that by the latest accounts from Europe it appears they have been equally unsuccessful there - - that they have been expelled from Spain and Portugal principally by the British Troops, and that the several nations on the Continent whom they had inveigled first into their alliance and into their power being nable any longer to endure their tyranny are combining and rising up to destroy them. Your Highness must therefore see the futility of expecting any benefit to Your country from a people who are unable to defend their own, and may be convinced that they have no object in their communications to Your Court but that of embroiling two Governments, to both of which they are equally Enemies.

In Europe where they are best known they are universally considered as the disturbers of the World and the Enemies of all Nations, sacrificing the treasures, the people and the Government of every Country where they are admitted to their own insatiable ambition or rapacity.

I am therefore hopeful that Your Highness upon mature consideration will not hesitate whether to prefer empty promises, a helpless alliance and ruinous association with people of ntheir description or the friendship of a Monarch equally renowned for his justice and of good faith as for his power and whose arms instead of oppressing other States are at this moment employed in the defending from the Common Enemy the Dominion of unfortunate Princes - - that you will regard this letter in a proper light and give due consideration and a favourable answer without any unnecessary delay.

But if unfortunately I should be disappointed in my hopes of inspiring Your Highness with pacific sentiments - - if you continue to neglect the friendly communications of His Majesty’s Representative here and persist in measures of that threatening endency which no Government can view without mutuqal preparations it will become my duty to represent to the King ny Master in strong terms the unprovoked annoyance which his dominions are suffering from the proceedings of Your Highness - - And I cannot conceal my opinion that His Majesty will be led to consider the Candian (Kandyan) Court as actuated by a spirit of enmity impossible to be reconciled. To enlarge on the power and resources which in that case Your Highness must expect to be put in movement against you would only be to repeat what you well know - - For what nation so remote and uninformed as not to have heard of that Navy which Commands the Ocean and of those Armies which pervade every quarter of the globe.

Independent of His European Forces altogether he could at the shortest notice transport from His West India Colonies to this Island a numerous body of Caffres (Kaffirs) such as the two Battalions already here. Men trained to War and habituated to the woods and regardless of climate or fatigue - - and these perhaps His Majesty may consider as the proper description of Troops to be employed if Your Highness should persist in such measures as must oblige him to the resolution of invading the Candian (Kandyan) Territory.

I offer my sincere wishes that Your Highness’s country and people, your person and your Crown may remain safe from the desolating ravages of such a War by a prudent adoption of the suggestions equally honourable to yourself as beneficial to your interests conveyed by this letter - - And on a subject of such importance I have thought it best to address Your Highness directly myself, which I trust you will consider as the surest pledge of my intentions and a mark of my respect for your high dignity.

King’s House, Colombo
29th September, 1811

*The title will be rendered in the Native Language according Custom.

Letter to Earl of Liverpool-1

2007-03-07T17:00:00.000+05:30

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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Letters to General Brownrigg-3

2007-03-07T16:26:00.000+05:30

C. O. 54/40

Downing Street,
5th Nov 1611.

General Brownrigg
No. 5.

Sir,

I transmit to you herewith the copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Admiralty dated the 8th ultimo enclosing an Extract from the Instructions given to Vice Admiral Sir James Hood respecting the formation of a Naval Establishment at Trincomalee and I am to signify to you the pleasure of His Royal Highness The Prince Regent, that you are to give every assistance in your power for carrying into effect their Lordships' instructions.
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C. O. 54/40

Downing Street,
5th Nov 1811.

To: General Brownrigg
No. 6.

Sir,

I herewith enclose the copy of a letter which has been addressed by my directions to the Secretary of the Treasury and I am to desire that you will consider a certificate from the Paymaster General of the Forces of the issue of the sum of money in this country to the Agent of the Island a sufficient authority for you to imprest the sum to the Deputy Paymaster in the Island of Ceylon.
-----------------

C. O. 54/40

Downing Street,
5th Nov 1811.

To: Lieut. Genl. Brownrigg
No 7.

Sir,

In a dispatch addressed to Lord Castlereagh on the 17th Aug 1808 General Maitland has stated that he conceived it essential to the efficicnet execution of the Civil Service in Ceylon that some alteration should be made in those regulations which fix the period at which the Civil Servant is entitled to retire upon his pension, and which do not as at present constituted enable the Governor to hold out to him those inducements by which his continuance in the public employment might be secured.

As a remedy to the inconvenience occasioned by these restrictions General Maitland has proposed that the Governor should be authorized should he think fit to retain in the Civil Service for a period not exceeding three years, or during the duration of his own Government, those servants who might be willing to remain after having served the period of 12 years and to continue to them the payment of their salaries in addition to the amount which they are entitled to receive from the Pension Fund.

As no additional expense will be incurred and no new obligations imposed upon the Civil Servant under this arrangement, I have no difficulty in recommending it to your adoption in the first instance in which you may deem it expedient to avail yourself of it.
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C. O. 54/40

Downing Street,
5th Nov 1811.

To: General Brownrigg.
No 8.

Sir,

I herewith transmit to you the copy of a letter which has been addressed to Mr Pulmy, Under Secretary, by Gov. Maitland. From the strong representations which are therein made in favor of Messrs. Bietterman, Turnour, Sawers and Tolfrey, I can have no hesitation in expressing my concurrence in the opinion of General maitland that the above four gentlemen should be entitled to be placed upon the regular establishment from the beginning of the present year.
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C. O. 54/40

Downing Street,
5th Nov 1811.

To: General Brownrigg
No 9.

Sir,

I herewith transmit to you a memorandum receibed by me from Lt. General Maitland on the present state of the clerical establishment in the Island of Ceylon.

His Royal Highness has been graciously pleased to approve of Gov. Maitland's recommendation that an additional Chaplain should be borne upon the Establishment of Ceylon in order that the Funds and Registers of Marriages, Births, etc. may be more regularly kept, and has also approved of the appointment of the Revd. Bisset to this situation.

You will consider yourself authorized to carry into effect the regulations prepared by General Maitland in this memorandum for the payment in future of the military and assistant Chaplains.
--------------------------------------

C. O. 54/40

Downing Street,
7th Nov 1811.

Lieut. General Brownrigg.
No 10.

Sir,

I herewith transmit for your information the copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury dated the 21st inst. enclosing a state of the account of William Husskinson as agent for the Island of Ceylon for the year 1807.
---------------------------

Letter to Gen Brownrigg-2

2007-03-05T20:46:00.000+05:30

C. O. 54/40

Downing Street,
5th Nov. 1811

General Brownrigg
No 3.

Sir,

The representations which have been made to me by General Maitland since his return from the Island of Ceylon of the embarassment which was occasioned during his administration of the Government of that Island in consequence of the difference that existed between the nominal and the current value of the Rix Dollars, has made me anxious that you should receive such instructions previously to your departure from this country, as may enable you on your arrival to obviate that part of the difficulty to which it appears the most requisite that an immediate remedy should be applied - You are doubtless aware that the accounts nof the Island of Ceylon when that Settlement was subject to the Government of the East India Company were kept, as those at Madras at present are, in Star Pagodas and that on its annexation to the Dominion of the British Crown, the Rix Dollar vwas substituted by Mr North in the place of the Star Pagoda, and a relative fixed value was established by him between those respective coins which has been since observed in the payment of all public monies in the Island.

As`there can be no doubt that the value so fixed upon the Rix Dollar is much greater than that which it intrinsically bears it is the intention of His majesty's Government to reduce the difference which now exists between the real and nominal value of that coin and consequently by such reduction to make a proportionate increase to these salaries and allowances, which were originally computed in this country in Pounds Sterling, and which are now paid in Ceylon in Rix Dollar at their present nominal value. In determining the rate at which the Rix Dollars shall hereafter be issued, it is essential for obvious reasons to provide that the pay of the Troops shall not be liable to fluctuate with the possible fluctuations of the Exchange between Colombo and Madras, and therefore that in the payment of the subsistence and staff pay and field allowances of the European Officer and soldier the Rix Dollar shall be issued at a fixed and uniform rate.

It is already ordered in His Majesty's Regulations that His Troops when engaged in Foreign Service out of Europe shall be paid in Spanish Dollars at the rate of 4s 8d each Dollar; now the relative value of the Ceylon Rix Dollar: to the Spanish Dollar, reckoning the latter at 4s 8d, is very nearly 1/9 at the rate of 2 1/4 Rix Dollars for One Spanish Dollar: it will there fore be most comfortable to the spirit of the above mentioned Regulations that the subsistence and staff pay and Field Allowances of the European Officer and soldier serving in Ceylon, should be paid in Rix Dollars at the fixed rate of 1s 9d each as most nearly corresponding to the rate at which the Spanish Dollar is directed to be issued to the Troops.

A new value of the Rix Dollar being thgus established in the payments of the European Military servants, it has been determined, that in order to prevent that confusion which might arise from the issue of the same coin at different rates at the same period, it would upon the whole be most advisable to pay the salaries of the Civil Servants in Rix Dollars, at the same fixed rate, namely that of 1s 9d to the Rix Dollar instead of the present one of 9 3/8 Rix Dollars to the Pound Sterling.

From the time therefore of your arrival, the Rix Dollar will be issued, at the rate above specified in the payment of the salaries of the Civil Servants and of the subsistence of the European Troops (Iofficers and men) of all staff pay and field allowances which they are entitled to under His Majesty's Regulations. All stoppages for rations or otherwise which are now made upon a different principle are thenceforth to be made in strict conformity to the said Regulations, their amount being calculated and deducted in Rix Dollars at the rate above specified.

The pay of the Natives in the Colonial Corps and all pecuniary allowances to the European Servant, whether Civil or Military, except the Field Allowances ro the latter in the nature and in lieu of Batta, will in no respect be affected or varied by this arrangement as it is fairly to be presumed that all such allowances whether granted under the Head of Local Establishment, Island Pay, contingencies, or for any other purpose not arising out of His Majesty's General Regulations as to the Military and not forming a part of the salaries which have been fixed by His Majesty's Government at home as to the Civil, must have been settled with a reference to the real current value of the Rix Dollar at the time and not to the artificial value which had been assigned to it as the measure of its exchange for the Pagoda and the Pound Sterling by the Regulations of Mr North.

It must be distinctly understood that the addition made to the salary of the Civil Servant by the arrangement now proposed is to be received by him in lieu of all advantages of which he may hitherto have derived from the issue of debentures, of Accomodations, Bills, from permission to land, wine, or any other articles free from Duty at the Custom House.

Mail to Lieut-Gen Brownrigg

2007-03-05T20:00:00.000+05:30

C.O. 54/40

Downing Street,
5th Nov, 1811.

To Lieut. Govn. Brownrigg
No. 2

Sir,

An opportunity has been afforded to His Majesty's Ministers, by the return to this country of Lieut. General The Rt. Hon. Thos Maitland, of entering into a full consideration of every circumstance connected with the Administration of Government in the British Settlements on the Island of Ceylon; and the local knowledge and experience of that officer have pointed out in the Instrument prepared in August 1810 for making further provision for the Administration of Justice in those Settlements, certain clauses which it is apprehended might lead to much practical inconvenience, and to changes in the system of Colonial Government altogether unnecessary and unadvisable. In consequence of the information and explanation which have been obtained in the course of this deliberation, the expediency of revoking the provisions alluded to has been submitted to His Royal Highness The Prince Regent, and you will herewith receive a new Instrument prepared by His Royal Highness Command in which the exceptional provisions have been corrected.

It becojmes therefore necessary that I should in transmitting to you the Patent containing these amendments, point out such parts of the Instructions conveyed in my letter to Lt. General Maitland of the 30th. Sept. 1810 and which accompanied the former Patent, as under the present circumstances become either inapplicable or unnecessary.

I annex a copy of my letter above mentioned with references more distinctly to mark the passages to which it will be requisite to refer.

Those which first claim observation are Paragraphs 4, 5, and 6, included under reference A concerning the reference of the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the powers of the Chief Justice.

The Jurisdiction of the Court is by the New Patent restrained within its former limits, and the power of the Court to act in matters of revenue remains restricted as under the original Charter of the 18th April 1801 to cases in which warrants shall for that purpose be issued by the Governor, and the power of re-establishing Courts of Land Raad, of fixing the extent of their Jurisdiction, and of appointing their respective officers vested as heretofore in the Governor, who will of course in all judicial arrangements confer with the Judges of the Supreme Court upon any points on which it may be proper to consult their opinion.

The Chief Justice being conswequently furnished with no new authority in these respects I am commanded to signify to you the pleasure of the Prince Regent that the Instructions contained in paragraphs 4, 5, and 6, are to be considered null and void. he Instructions contained in paragraphs 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, included under reference B, which relate to the formation and functions of the Great Seal - the framing of Legislative Acts, and the passing of Grants of Land, are also to be considered void and of no effect and it is His Royal Highness's pleasure that every matter and thing therein mentioned should be ordered and regulated by the sole authority of the Governor according to the practice which has obtained in the Colony during the administration of Lt. Gen. Maitland, founded on the orders and instructions furnished to him and his predecessors.

His Majesty having been pleased to direct that a Public Seal should be provided for the use of the Colonial Government and the same having been forwarded to Ceylon under the charge of Sir A Johnston - it is the pleasure of His Royal Highness The Prince Regent that the custody thereof shall belong to the Governor for the purpose of being affixed under his authority to such a publick (public) Instrument as he shall judge proper to direct.

I am to desire that a Regulation of Government may be forthwith framed, wherein shall be particularly specified all such acts and Instruments as it may be deemed adviseable hereafter to issue under the Seal of the Colony, and you will as soon as conveniently may be transmit to me a copy of the said Regulation.

Response to Major General Wilson-1

2007-03-05T19:07:00.000+05:30

C.O. 54/40

Downing Street
19th Sept. 1811

To: Major General Wilson.

Sir,

His Majesty's Government, having judged it expedient, previously to the departure of Lieutenant General Brownrigg to assume the Governor of Ceylon, to enter into a particular consideration of the affairs of that Colony, they have not failed to avail themselves of the opportunity which the presence of General Maitland afforded of reviewing with the additional lights his local knowledge and experience could so well supply, the several Regulations and Arrangements which have been adopted or proposed for the improvement of the Colonal Administration.

On this occasion the new Cgarter of Justice and the Instructions with which it was accompanied have naturally claimed particular attention, and some of the provisions of the Charter appear, from the information with which Government has een furnished by General Maitland, to lead to s much practical inconvenience and to such a change in the Administration of Government i points in which no change appears to be necessary, that it has been determined immediately to revoke or modify it, and to prepare a new instrument freed from those objectionable provisions to be caried out to the Colony by the Governor.

It is scarcely to be expected that this letter can reach you in time to prevent the publication in the Colony of the Charter of which Sir Alexander Johnston was the bearer. Should the publication however not have taken place at the receipt of this Dispatch, I am to signify to you the pleasure of His Royal Highness The Prince Regent that it should be postponed. In the more probable event of the actual publication of the Charter it is His Royal Highness's pleasure that the introduction of any new Regulations or Arrangements, either under the authority of the Charter itself or of my Instructions to the Governor of the 30th of September 1810 should as far as possible be avoided and that the former system should be preserved and acted upon with as little variation as circumstances will admit until the arrival of Lieutenant General Brownrigg, who will certainly sail n the course of the next month and who will be fully possessed of the final decision and arrangements of His Majesty's Government and furnished with the necessary authorities for carrying them into execution.
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C.O. 54/40

Downing Street,
5th Nov 1811.

To: General Brownrigg
No: 1

Sir,

Herewith I transmit to you His Majesty's Commission under the Great Seal appointing you as Governor and Commander in Chief in and over he Settlements on the Island of Ceylon together with the Instructions under the Royal Sign Manual for your guidance in the execution of the duties of that appointment.
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Letter from John Wilson-1

2007-03-05T15:10:00.000+05:30

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