PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference:
C.O. 882
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ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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cipally against the new-born liberties of their
country."
The Chief Justice from the Bench in 1848 de State Trial, 1834, p. 83. · clared that the "priests and the headmen took the most active part in inciting the people,
were driven in like a flock of sheep..
who The
priests have a growing cause of discontent in the decline of their religion; and it is quite natural that this should raise discontent in their minds, and the headmen have been always discontented, and the reason is as follows:-The remembrance of - their former power and authority over the common people, which is not altogether gone, as appears from the evidence; their word appears to have operated as a law upon all inferior men in this affair, but they see the day is fast approaching when this state of things cannot continue, and those perquisites of office which they formerly con- sidered as rights are nothing but oppression and wrong. They find that their power over the com- món people is decreasing.”
In 1834, as in 1848, the neglect and threatened
danger to the national religion was put forward by
both parties. But this arose in 1834 more from State Trials, 1834, pp. 10, 22, 25, apprehension than from any actual grievance; for 29, 30, 38, 52, 57, 68.
the only interference that had then taken place
with the Buddhist religion was “the rèfusal of the Government any longer to be parties to the mon-
strous absurdity of compelling the attendance of the people at religious festivals." — (Judge's Charge, p. 84.)
On both occasions, both in 1834 and in 1848, State Trials, 1834, pp. 12, 15, 19, the chiefs complained of the elevation of the lower 26, 30, 38, 44, 57.
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castes, and their appointment to offices formerly monopolized by the higher-caste chiefs; and of the abolition of slavery and compulsory labour, from which they had formerly derived both profit and power.
In 1834 the chiefs complained that their ancient State Trials, 1894, pp. 34, 41, 44.
State Triale, 1834, pp. 18, 19.
titles of Adigar and Dessave were to become ex- tinct with the present holders; and that in the con- struction of courts of justice, higher seats were not State Trials, 1894, pp. 12, 104.
provided in the jury-box for the higher-caste Kan-
dyans, instead of sitting on the same benchi with
the lower-caste jurors.
In 1834, as in 1848, there was a general com- Stade Triala, 1834, pp. 97, 46, 14. plaint of the gradual decline of national customs
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State Trials, 1834, pp. 19, 29, 30, and habits, and the discontinuance of Kandyan
33, 41.
State Trials, 1834, p. 30.
See also State Trials, 1884, pp. 39, 30, 51, 58.
State Trials, 1834, p. 35.
State Trials, 1834, p. 41.
State Trials, 1884, pp. 14, 15, 16, 19, 27, 29, 33, 44, 50.
usages and forms.
And the witnesses who detailed their grievances as they had listened to them from the chiefs, re- lated as follows:
Ratnapalle Unanse (a priest) related that he went to the house of Danuwelle Dessarc, a chief, and one of the prisoners, who told him "that the ancient customs and usages (of the Kandyans) had been discontinued by the English gentlemen. They have deprived us of the authority of the Buddhist religion; and the prosperity of the chiefs, and con- ferred power upon low-caste people. That it was the intention of the Government to increase the taxes on the lands, and on cocoa-nut, coffee, and fruit trees, and unless steps were taken to remove the British Government, we should meet but more hardships and injustice."
Mullegame, 2nd Adigar, a chief of high rank who gave evidence for the Crown, stated it was the language of the other chiefs of the conspiracy, "We cannot endure these things-if there are no slaves--no religion-no respect (for chiefs)-how can all this be endured? and we must look for something to destroy the Government.”
Arrawawelle Ratemahatmeya, another high chief, who gave evidence for the Crown, said he had been in league with the disaffected chiefs, and that one of the prisoners, the Basnaike Nilleme, or temporal chief of one of the temples, exacted an oath of secresy from him—I then paid “thère is an elder brother of mine who is a Buddhist priest, and that I would swear on that priest that I would tell ne one. I swore by my brother as a priest. Then he said it had come to his knowledge that the Go- vernment was going to abalish alavery—that it had takan away the powers formerly enjoyed by the chiefs and inferior headmen—and now according to the rules of the Government, if a man beats his own wife, he is Nable to punishment—a stata af things thaż was not to be endured.”
These were die grievancós and objects which rendered the Kandyan chiedi impatient of British Government,, and eager to being back national independence and a Kandyan King.
And if the Commities will look to the Hut of öwert aety of treason in 1854, all set out in the in- dichtent of the prisdnérs, they will þéresire that,