PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE
Reference:-
11C.O. 882
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1
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
128
In addition to this, there were grain and cattle sold to the value of 9271. 78. 6d., making a total of articles seized and sold 1,0211. 178. 10fd.
In ever instance except one, the imperishable property sold belonged to persons deeply impli- cated in the revolt. Some articles, indeed, were found in the jungle, and never were claimed.
Some were the property of persons killed in action.
The same observation applies to all the pro- perty sold.
It was exclusively the property of rebels, with the one solitary exception alluded to by Mr. Morris, in which the property of a priest, who was absent, was seized in consequence of his name bearing an unfortunate similarity to that of a rebel, for whose apprehension a warrant was out.
The entire value was but a few shillings, and it has since been restored to him;
This is the only instance in which property was sequestrated, in any case, except that of an ac- cused and absconded rebel.
Much out-cry has been raised against what has been called the sequestration of the property of "innocent parties, totally unconnected with the rebellion." No such property was interfered with.
The list which I have laid on the table contains all the cases of sequestration, in number 431; and the one accidental case I have particularized, is the only one in which the property of an unsus- pected party was disturbed.
In all the others, the "remarks” attached to ch name in the return, exhibit the circumstances under which the owners had either been arrested or absconded.
Technically, it may be said, that those acquitted were innocent; but their acquittal was owing to the want of legal evidence, not owing to any absence of moral proofs of their guilt.
Of between 200 and 300 persons arrestað and committed to prison on charge of treason, only 34 or 35 ringleaders were selected for trial; the rest were enlarged on bail, but were by no means acquitted of treason; on the contrary, they wars notoriously and confessedly guilty.
On their liberation, however, the property was restored.
(Cinomlar.)
SIR,
Commandant's House,
129
Generally speaking, the value of the household articles seized, exclusive of grain and cattle, was almost nothing. Mr. Sayers, the Deputy Assis- tant Commissary, describes it as "mere rubbish.”
Jewels were not sold. They were placed in the Treasury, and restored.
Some few silver bangles and chains of no value were sold.
The articles sold, so far from being sacrificed or sold below their value, produced fair prices.
The grain sold for 18. uncleaned, whilst cleaned grain was selling for 1s. 3d. The ivory produced 28. 1d., when it was to be had in the Bazaar, for half that sum.
The cattle brought fair prices.
The property of the priest, Kotmalie Unnanse, about which he has made so much noise, on the plea of its being worth 75!., was sold for 71. 58. 3d.; and I have reason to believe that this was nearly about its real worth.
Colonel Drought's Proclamation of 8th August, contemplates only the seizure of property belong.
Kandy, August 8, 1848. ing to persons "absent from their homes and with
I HAVE the honour to furnish you with a copy the rebels, or known to be in arms against Her.
of the circular instructions this day addressed by Majesty's troops."
my orders to officers commanding detachments now
employed at various outposts to maintain the peace
of the country, and to protect the lives and
The civil power are invited by a circular of the
party of Her Majesty peaceful subjects from same date, to lend their assistance to point out the further injury at the hands of the insurgents, who property of persons so implicated; to farnish lists are still assembled in large numbers in arms against of their names, and particulars of their lands and
the State; and I have to request your aid and co-
operation to enable these com fully to carry houses; and send their petty officers to point them out my anden for the seimure and attachment of
the lands, bones, and other property of every per- out, and aid in taking charge of the property. son absent from their homes and with the jawergende, This was done.
or known to have been in armas, against Mor Ma-
jesty's troops.
To this end I request that you will, with the least possible delay, furnish lists of all persona, of whatever rank, known to you to have beển là arms, or to be now absent from their homes, with a spe- silestion of the lands bald by them; and that you will difrook competent servants on your establishment. to be in attendamas on the officers commanding de- tachments to point out the landa, houses, and pre- perty of absent rebels, and to assist them in making over the leads to persons willing and able to take charge of theta, and, so engage for the scope of the present season.
Soch servants of your establishment as may be appointed to this duty may also be employed in "pra. paring the returns sosording to the prescribed forma of lande attached, and of property veined, showing how the latter may kaya boat disposed of. Permit ma, at the same time, te mag
that you will ascertain whether, in those pucir of your districă. which have not been placed under marthit law, thoon who may bo
are any paronen abwant from their suspected of having joined the insurg
to that you
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