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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882
1
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
law was owing to a want of power to support it. How comes it that the rebellion of 1818 proved in many re- spects so very disastrous to both the Kandyan and the European? Its commencement did not witness great numbers in revolt; yet, as is well known, the suppression of it cost not only an immense outlay of money, but also occasioned the loss of many lives, and made considerable military assistance from India necessary. In that rebellion the civil power acted for a considerable period sided only by the military, martial law was not at first proclaimed; and the rebellion waxed strong, became alarming and serious. Ultimately, however, recourse was had to this law; it was continued for some months,* and the insur- rection was suppressed.
And that these opinions were generally concurred in by the public of Ceylon the following despatch and correspondence shows. The date is again im- portant:
My Lord,
July 11, 1849, At almost the last moment before the mail is dispatched, I have received for transmission to your Lordship the inclosed letter, with the address which accompanies it, and to which I understand that about 6000 signatures are attached.
I have not even had time to peruse the document, of the contents of which I am therefore unable to speak. I believe the letter addressed to your Lordship with which it is accompanied will sufficiently explain its purport.
My Lord,
(Inclosure 1.)
Colombo, July 11, 1849.
I have the honour to inform you that I am deputed by
the subscribers to the accompanying declaration to place
the same before your Lordship.
I would beg to remark that the only object the origina- tors had in making public this opinion, was simply in contradiction to assertions freely spoken and widely cir- culated, vis, that the measures of his Excellency the Governor Lord Torrington had consummated the ruin of the island. We were anxious that such erroneous and absurd statements should not go forth uncontradicted. It was not, however, our intention to trouble your Lordship in the matter, had we not discovered that many native merchants and landowners had affixed their signatures, under the impression that such declaration of their opinions and expression of their approbation were to be transmitted to your Lordship.
I have, &c. (Signed)
To the Right Hon. Earl Grey.
JAS. SMITH.
* Martial law in 1818 was continued for upwards of a your.
Lord Torrington to Lord Grey,
July 11, 1849.
Parliamentary Papers, 1850,
pp. 12, 13.
(Inclosure 2.)
We, the undersigned, inhabitants of Ceylon, viewing with regret the undeserved censure heaped upon the Governor of this island by certain portions of the press of England, India, and Colombo, as well as with concern the general misconception of his Excellency's acts in sup- pressing the rebellion, feel it to be incumbent on us, in support of truth and justice, to come forward and declare that the commercial and agricultural embarrassments of Ceylon are not attributable to Lord Torrington, nor to
any of his Lordship's own measures; but rather to the resources of the island, particularly of its soil, having been overrated by former Government and by individuals, to over-production of coffee, and to Imperial legislation.
And further, that the late disturbance in the Kandyan districts is attributable to the long-cherished desire of the priests and headmen for a resumption of that power which they possessed previous to 1833, but whose hopes were frustrated by the generally happy condition of the Kandyana under the mild and equitable rule of England, until they became dissatisfied with certain fiscal imposi- tions which the Governor had been authorised to carry out, as a part of the general, commercial, and fiscal policy founded by Earl Grey, upon the recommendation of a Committee appointed by his Lordship to report on repre- sentations from Ceylon respecting its financial condition.
We are moreover of opinion that Lord Torrington is entitled to the gratitude of the people of Ceylon for his promptitude in restoring peace and order in the Kandyan province.
(Signed)
Geo. H. Dundas.
George Steuart.
Jas. Smith.
Geo. Freser.
John J. F. Bowker.
John Murray.
Jan. Swan.
Hen. Steuert.
Arthur Romer.
R. R. Lewis. James Stewart.
H. J. Staples.
W. K. Lancaster.
G. P. Wilmot.
A.-M. Sjolt. Simón Keir.
Josias Lambert.
George Stewart.
P. Chermont.
John Fraser.
Alexr. Keir.
John H. Berry.
F. W. Williaford, M.D.
8. Owen Glenio.
John Cupper. Edgar La Layard. H. Bossell.
J. M. Wilson.
G. H. Burrell.
John Wms Bebekman,
Jain Falecim J. G. MIM
And other signatures. Colombo, May 30, 1849.
Courts-Martial.
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Lord Torrington's defence, then, for the first proclamation of martial law, and for its continuance for ten weeks, rests upon these grounds. To con- demn his acts in these respects, is to condemn his Executive and Legislative Councils, the highest military authorities, his legal advisers, and lastly, the whole planting and mercantile body.
But it has been said that the courts-martial were conducted with precipitation; that their proceedings were irregular; that on one occasion a wrong man was shot, and on another an innocent man and a priest was shot.
It is necessary here to remark, that Mr. Hume, Vide Proceedings of Committee.
on the 18th of April, moved as follows:
"That the Chairman be instructed to move that 'An humble address be presented to Her Majesty, that she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this Committee copy of the proceedings upon the trial by court-martial (of three members) of Nichalle Puncheralle, of Melyitys Appoohammy, of Alutgamme Bandy, and of Allawalle Godde Leortin, on a charge of high treason at Matelle on the 6th September, 1848, who were sentenced to be shot, and which sentence was carried into effect on the following morning: and copy of the proceedings upon the trial by court-martial (of five officers) of the priest Kaddah Polla Unanse at Kandy, on the 25th August, 1848, on a charge of holding correspondence with rebels, and for adminis- tering or conniving at the administration of a treasonable oath, and sentenced to be shot to death, which sentence was carried into effect on the following morning.*"
The Committee divided:
Ayes, 6.
Noes, 4.
His motion was therefore earried by a majority
of two.
Accordingly, on the 29th of April, copies of these Vide Proceedings of Committee;
April 29, 1880. proceedings of the courts thus specially selected by
Mr. Hume, were produced to the Committee by
Mr. Hawes.
They were read by Mr. Hume and by other No farther proceedings members of the Committee. were taken upon them; no motion for printing them was made, and the resolution of April 18th was rescinded in the following terms :
The proceedings on the courts-martial, alluded to in the Resolution of the 18th April, having been laid on the table by Mr. Hawes :