PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882
1
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
That on the 2nd of October the Legislative Council unanimously concurred in an address to the Gove nor, the first paragraph of which is as follows:-
"We beg to express to your Excellency our satisfaction at the speedy and successful sup- pression of the insurrection which has taken place in some districts of the interior, and for which we feel ourselves indebted to the prompt declaration of martial law, and the zealous and able exertions made by the officers, non-commis- sioned officers, and privates of Her Majesty's forces serving in the colony."
VIII. That with these facts before them, the Committee think it due to Lord Torrington to express a general approbation of the measures he adopted with a view to the restoration of tranqui- lity; and though as to his conduct in some respects the evidence before them is conflicting, and that of some witnesses strongly inculpates him, they are of opinion that there is no ground whatever for doubt- ing that throughout these proceedings he acted to the best of his judgment in very difficult circum- stances, with the single object of restoring the public peace, and maintaining the security of life and property.
IX. That while the Committee to this extent approve the public conduct of Lord Torrington, they regret that private communications have been brought under their notice as having passed between him and some of the principal officers of his Govern- ment, of which they are bound to express their very strong disapprobation. That as Lord Torrington has had no opportunity of offering any explanation with respect to these communications, consisting chiefly of letters marked "private and confidential,” and obviously written by him in the expectation that they would be so considered, and as these letters and the evidence connected with them relate entirely to personal matters, not having a direct bearing upon the subject of the present inquiry, the Committee think it inexpedient to report these letters and this evidence to the house; but in abstaining from doing so, the Committee consider it
right to express their opinion that these letters and evidence have brought to light the existence of dissensions amongst the officers of the Ceylon Government highly detrimental to the public ser- vice; that communications of the character of these letters were calculated to aggravate such dissensions; and that this state of things requires the prompt and decided interference of Her Majesty's Govern- ment with a view to its correction.