PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
T། ། ། T TCO.88?
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
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chiefs since the advent of Europeans into the heart of the country, and the formation of coffee estates by the des- traction of forests, which, under the Kandyan dynasty, were considered as a sort of perquisite or royai bounty appertaining to the offices of the high functionaries of the Crown.
Considerable heartburnings also arose from the same cause among the lower orders, as the forests afforded pas- turage for their cattle and game, and produced honey and firewood for them, &c.
A spirit of disaffection had likewise been engendered and fostered by the priesthood, which has increased in intensity since the period when the Government alto- gether dissevered itself from the support of the Buddhist religion.
In the year 1843 I officiated as advocate for prisoners who were tried for high treason, at Badulla (one of which number was the late pretender), and in 1848 for those who were tried for the same offence at Kandy, and from facts that came to my knowledge in my intercourse with them, combined with what transpired of their plans and aimma in 1843, I entertain not the shadow of a doubt that the object of the insurrection was the expulsion of the British from the Kandyan province.
That the enterprise was not successful must be entirely attributed to the prompt and energetic measures of the Government and to the proclamation of the martial law.
The ordinary tribunals of the country were not adequate to the crisis.
The proclamation, therefore, of martial law was impera- tively demanded; nor do I think it remained in force an hour longer than was essentially requisite for the entire suppression of the rebellion.
It ensured the capture of the King, a fact I had from his own lips; and until his capture had been effected, the rebellion might have been indefinitely protracted, to the total cessation of all mercantile and agricultural pursuits, and to the almost certain destruction of life and property.
This sincere and unreserved expression of my opinion I owe to your Lordship as the head of the Government.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
EDWARD P. WILMOT, Advocate for Prisoners.
Insurrection.
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Mr. Selby, the Queen's Advocate, was examined as follows:-
1367. Was there an Executive Council held at the time 7-Yes, an Executive Council was held, at which the proclamation I had drawn up was read.
1368. Who attended that Executive Council?-The Governor (as president), and Major-General Smelt, and myself.
1369. Sir J. Hogg.--Was the propriety of proclaiming martial law acquiesced in by yourself and the General ?— The question of the propriety of proclaiming martial law was not submitted to me: but, as I have already stated, and I think snyself bound so to state, I did conour in the mea- rure; and if the question of the propriety of proclaiming martial law had bom submitted to me, I should certainly have expressed my opinion in favour of proclaiming martial Lato.
1370. As a member of the Executive Council, had you the power of expressing your opinion, either in the way of assent to or dissent from the proclamation of martial law 7-Yea.
1371. Major Blackall.-Your opinion of the propriety of proclaiming martial law was founded upon the docu- ment which the Governor read to you ?—Yes.
1972. Mr. Hume.-Was the question of the propriety of proclaiming martial law a question submitted to the determination of the Executive Council?—It was not.
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say it was not, for this reason, and perhaps the Committee
will allow me to explain myself: I considered, certainly, that having been present at that meeting of the Bascutini Council I did concur in the measure, and I intended the Governor to understand that I concurred in the moɑours, not only in the abstract question of his power to proclaim martial law, but in the prepristy and expediency and mecm- sity of the measure itself, and accordingly, ona ubsequently drawing up a minute for the Executive Council, in which I had occasion to express my opinion very strongly against the continuanos of martial law for so long a period as it had existed, I stated in that minute that I had advised the original proclamation of martial law; the minute is dated the 96th of September, 1948, and will be found entered upon the minutes of the Executive Council, either upon that day or the next day. In that minute, drawn up by me, with reference to the question of the sonain of martial law, being about to express a very opinion against the contkruanos of it for so long w in the introductory part of it I took cocamion to myself, as I thought I was bound to take, san bility as regards the original proclamation,
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