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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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With the exception of the lands and property confiscated by operation of law in the instances of convicted traitors, all lands and houses and other property not sold, have been restored to their owners, to the extent of 7,2701. 198. 3fd.

may deal with such persons as you see fit. And in order to deter the inhabitants of other districts from treasonably assisting the insurgents by supplying them with provisions, or aiding them in other ways, would submit to your consideration the propriety of circulating generally in all parts of the county the pro- clamation which I shall this day issue in the "dis- tricts now under martial law, to warn the inhabitants of the fatal consequences which will attach to them- selves if they are found guilty of aiding and abetting the Queen's enemies. If the people of the country can thus be deterred from assisting the rebels, their bands must shortly be dispersed from want of provi- sions, and general tranquillity may be restored."

I have, &c.

(Signed)

W. DROUGHT, Lieut.-Colonel commanding the troops in the Kandyan provinces.

I earnestly request you won't lose a moment in communicating and co-operating with the officer or officers commanding posts in your district on the subject of this letter, they having received full instruc- tions connected with the same.

J. Caulfield, Beq. Government Agent North Western Province, Putlam.

Sir,

Kornegulla, August 15, 1848.

HAVING informed Major Layard that you are to accompany an officer and party sent out by him to seize and sequester the property of disaffected formation and guidance, copy of a circular letter persons, I have the honour to forward, for your in- from the commanding officer in Kandy, and to re- will be most particular in enumerating you quest that In the case of property sold, the proceeds every article sequestered, in the form herewith sent have been restored to them in full, and with- for that purpose.

I have also to request that you will keep a diary,

out deduction of any kind, to the extent of and note down anything particular that may occur, 1,0211. 178. 10fd.

or any information that you may receive which may

be likely to be of any use in the investigation now being carried on here.”

I have, &c.

(Signed)

It has been said that during the license afforded by martial law, outrages against property and person were perpetrated by the military, under The Acting Assisting Agent,

the pretence of sequestering property.

Kornegulle.

J. CAULFIELD,

Government Agent.

You should also, if necessary, net as a Justice of

Had this been the case, all such complaints the Peace. would have been cognizable by the civil courts, irrespective of the indemnity ordinance, which protects only bonâ fide acts done under the orders of the commandant or his officers.

Every facility and encouragement has been given to make such complaints, and when made they have been promptly investigated.

I have applied to the four police magistrates of the proclaimed districts for a return of all such complaints.

The return is nil from Kandy, Kornegulle, and Madawelletenne.

From Matelle I have got a return, which I put

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in, of twenty complaints, purporting to be of this character.>

They have each been entertained and investi- gated, and found to be frivolous, vexatious, or false.

And in general got up by unscrupulous parties,

by whom the natives have been overpersuaded to make them.

One of these parties, Mr. Tickery Banda, has since been transported for forgery.

In one instance only, has such a complaint been made direct to the Government.

It professed to be on the part of Golahelle Rata- mahatmeya, a powerful chief, and the most emi- nent of the accused traitors. He was arrested, but not put on trial-as Mr. C. Stewart, the Deputy Queen's Advocate has state that although his guilt was notorious, there was a want of such legal and technical proof as would have ensured con- viction-He was therefore enlarged.

A petition was sent to me, by Mr. John Selby, purporting to be a statement of grievances com- plained of by Golabella, and signed with his

name.

It was instantly put in train of investigation- but, on being entered on, Golabella expressed his surprise at such complaints being ascribed to him -denied that he had authorised Mr. Selby to use his name for such a purpose, and repudiated the petition,

I believe that in the instance of this chief, some

of his property was stolen during the insurrect on but it was stated to have been purloined by his own family and servants.

The Police Magistrate of Madawelletenne in the midst of the proclaimed district of Kornegulle, reports to Government, in his return of police cases of this kind, the general belief of the Kan- dyans, that so far from the measure of sequestra- tion by the military leading to pillage, it was an offectual means of protecting the property of the peasantry from destruction and plunder.

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