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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

༑།། ། ། lcO. 882

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

1 ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE

BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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reply, enclosing the memorandum of Colonel Fraser.

My dear General,

Elei House, November 6, 1849.

I find that in the Committee of the House of Commons now sitting to inquire into the affairs of Ceylon, it has been imputed to Lord Torrington as a grave omission, that he had failed, on the outbreak of the recent insurrection in the Kandyan provinces, to consult Colonel Fraser, the Quarter- master General, and to ascertain the sentiments of an officer of his standing and experience, as to the necessity for proclaiming martial law to facilitate its suppression.

This is so far contrary to the fact, that I well recollect, on the first morning of my arrival in Colombo, after the intelligence of the outbreak had reached the Governor, I found both Colonel Fraser and you in Lord Torrington's room, and that Colonel Fraser then spoke to me of the dangerous and uncertain nature of such ebullitions on the part of the Kandyans, and of the prudence of the decision to proclaim martial law. I remember in particular on that occasion my being struck with a remark of Colonel Fraser in reply to an obser- vation of mine, that the measures already taken, and the movement and centralization of troops around Kandy, would speedily put an end to the revolt; upon which he remarked that revolts of that kind were never speedy in Ceylon, and that we might think ourselves very lucky if we were not in for eighteen months or two years of it, as Sir Robert Brownrigg had been in 1818, when he had 10,000 men under his orders, whereas we had at the moment one-fifth of that strength; but that if anything could ensure a speedy termination of the affair, it would be the expedients and move- ments resolved on and adopted by Lord Torrington and yourself.

I think I am right my recollection, that at that time Colonel Fraser was in almost daily com- munication with Lord Torrington on this engros- ing subject, as I met him frequently in the confer- ences between you and the Governor in relation to the rebellion. And if I am not mistaken, the proclamation of martial law not only mut with his

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concurrence, but was, I may almost say, suggested by him for the consideration of the Executive Council.

Of course, when I allude to Colonel Fraser's communications with his Excellency, I do not imply any interference on the part of the former incon- sistent with his position as a military officer under your orders, and bound to assist you and the Go- vernor by his knowledge of the Kandyans and his great experience in the island. Besides, living as he does so very near to his Excellency's residence, and in friendly intercourse with Lord Torrington on all occasions, he was a natural person for his Lordship to refer to at such a crisis.

The Committee of the House of Commons are obviously of the same opinion, when they dwell on it as an objection to Lord Torrington's proceedings, that he should have overlooked the assistance which such an officer as Colonel Fraser was qua- lified to afford.

You will see the importance of setting the Com- mittee right in this matter; and if you have no ob- jection, I would feel much obliged if you would. communicate that feeling to Colonel Fraser, and ask him to favour me with a letter, which I could produce, if necessary, to the Committee, stating whether I am correct in what I have here stated regarding his interviews and assistance at the period in question; his concurrence in the mea- sares adopted by Lord Torrington for the up- premion of the rebellion; and his opinion as to what might probably have been the result, had measures lem prompt and decisive been resorted to.

I remain, &c. (Signed)

My dear Sir James,

J. E. TENNENT.

Gallo-Face House, Colombo, December 19, 1849.

I lost no time in forwarding your letter ad- dressed to me of November 6th to Colonel Framer, requesting him to give answers to the queries charsin oletined. I have now the pleasure to send Qink to jớu, and as they are so satisfhssory and so fully tend to fuluify and refute the very

... sved malicious evidence that has be givet before the Committee of the House of Com

sheing on the affairs of Ceylon they need

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