31
Sir E. Tennent.
April 15, 1850
have in my hand, shows that it amounted to 37,809,950 lbs.; ita declared value in Ceylon was 456,6637. 100. 8d. its average value in the London market would be 748,3112 3a. 4d, and the duty which it paid into Her Majesty's Treasury on arrival here was 661,5517. 124. 6d· I may add with regard to the state of public feeling, that a very few days after the intelligence arrived of the out- break in Matelle and Kornegalle, a public meeting was held of merchants and planters in Colombo; it was held in the Chamber of Commerce. At that meeting the editor of the “Observer” attended; and on his way to it he spoke to a planter,, Major. Parke, who stated to me the circumstanco, and that he weed the expression that of that enormous crop, not one single pound was ever likely
to be gathered, such was the extent of the danger and apprehension at that, time. ‹
[The paper was delivered in, and is ne follows:]
A RETURN of Coffee exported from Ceylon between the 11th October, 1848, and 10th October, 1849, being crop of 1848.
Cor.
Quantity.
Declared Valse
Average Value Duty to which the
in London
in Oxylon.
Market.
quantity trould be llable in England.
1ba
4
dJ
Native ...
Owt qra. The
0595,486 18 4 630,049 3 4
05... 81,509 92
Plantation $10,186 8 2=23,540,918 | 843,088 15
187,339 28 14,262,082 | 113,579 15 8299,844 5
Total...$37,526 1 10—37,802,950 456,853 10 8748,811 84
061,551 12 6
30.
(the Europeans) one and all heartily approve of his Excel- lency's endeavours to put down insurrection, let them not be entrapped into an apparent countenance of the policy with reference to the obnoxious taxes." On August the 10th a private letter was inserted in a leading article of the "Observer," which says, "Things are now assuming a more quiet appearance, but I suppose all is not the thing yet, as I do not hear of martial law being repealed. If this be the end of the row, I must say that a disturò- ance that was likely to have proved of a most serious nature, has been most promptly and judiciously repressed; the military who have been called upon to act have behaved extremely well, having done their work most efficiently, and at the same time having shed as little blood as pos- sible," On August the 21st, the editor of the "Observer,” in alluding to the meeting which took place in Kandy, which was presided over by Sir Herbert Maddock, states with reference to a speech which had been made by Mr. Wail," Though Mr. Wall says certain parties charged the military during the late outbreak with an undue dis- play of severity, we believe that the opinion is universal that great credit is due to the head of the Government and all concerned, for the energy of the measures adopted in putting down the Rebellion, and we therefore entirely concur in the deserved praise of his Excellency and Colonel Drought and the military generally. Sir Herbert Maddock has done all branches of the public service ample justice, and we have no disposition to detract one iota from the compliment passed upon them. Though we differ from Government in opinion as to the propriety of certain public measures, we should consider the person who refused his countenance and aid if necessary, in the endeavour of Government to repress revolt, as insane.”
2856. Then generally the opinion of the people and the press for some weeks after the proclamation of martial law was concurrent in favour of the proceedings of Govern- ment-lt was so, and the alarm which prevailed was extreme amongst the European population; both mer- chants and planters had every reason to apprehend the entire loss of the crop which was then pending upon the
trees.
+
state
will 2867. As you have referred to the crop,
you what was the quantity of coffee at that time ready to gather, and if you can do so, also state the value of it, all of which would have been endangered if the insurrection had progressed?—I have stated that before. The crop, which was then upon the trees, was of course gathered in the September following, and therefore the amount of imports from the 10th of October, 1848, to the 10th of October, 1849, represents the coffee crop which was then
Lipon
the different estates in Ceylon. The return which I
Sir E. Tennent.
April 15, 1860.
Continuation of
Martial Law,
Tannoni, 2001.
May 9, 1850.
But though the necessity for the proclamation of martial law rests upon this broad basis-the full concurrence and support of all the civil and mili- tary authorities, and generally of all classes of the inhabitants of the island, native and European, it has been contended that it was continued for too and long a period after all danger had passed away, all apprehension of future danger was dissipated.
This has been made a heavy and principal charge against Lord Torrington.
When the first proclamation of martial law, July 29, 1848, was agreed upon, the Executive Council, summoned at, the moment, consisted only af the Goramar, Major finngral Spelt, and the Queen's Advocate, Mr. Zolky. Upon the second comsion, July 91, 1848, all the Merabert of the Exonutive Cuanoël attended and were unanimous. Mr. house was one of the number.
K
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O. 882
Reference :-
1
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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