CO882-(1-2) — Page 132

Eastern Av VIII

CONFIDENTIAL.

Ceylon Inquiry.

1849.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

1

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

UPON the motion of Mr. Baillie, February 20, 1849, a Select Committee was appointed to "in- quire into the grievances complained of in the Crown Colonies of Ceylon and British Guiana in connection with the administration and government of those dependencies, and to report their opinion whether any measures can be adopted for the redress of any grievances of which there may be shown just reason to complain; and also whether any measures can be adopted for the better administration and government of those dependencies."

The Committee proceeded, in the first instance, to consider the complaints made against the Home and Colonial Governments in the management of the affairs of British Guiana, on account of the confusion into which the Colony had been thrown

by the refusal of the Local Legislature to vote the supplies, and the urgent necessity which existed

for a speedy settlement of these disputes, which were highly injurious to the Colony.

The complaining parties, however, failed to esta-

blish misgovernment on the part of the Colonial authorities, and the Committee confirmed the policy of the Home Government, which continued unaltered.

The inquiry into the affairs of Ceylon did not, therefore, commence until the session was far að- vanced, viz., June 5, 1849.

It proceeded until July 81 following, when the Committee reported, “that from the termination of the session they had not been able to conclude their inquiry," especially into the causes of the late insurrection, and into the means adopted by the Local Government for its repression;" "and they

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