CO882-(1-2) — Page 209

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

inente;

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there was not a man, European or Malay, either absont or drunk, Captain Watson, of the Rifles, is en- titled to my special thanks for the gallant manner he led his men, through the jungle and drove out the natives. He seised one of the first of the insurgents captured in the skirmish, when they first made a stand; at this time one of them made a rush with a spear at Lieutenant Rusher- ford, which he parried with his sword; the man was killed immediately after by a rifleman who was close to Lieutenant Rutherford. From the circumstance of my keeping the 15th Regiment in reserve, they had no oppor- tunity except at the outset, of taking any part in the brush, although most anxious to be in the front. They are entitled to my notice, from their steady and soldier- like conduct while under my short command.

a public

Resolutions unanimously passed at meeting of planters, &c., held in Kandy subsequent

to the insurrection. Sir H. Maddock in the chair:

3rd Resolution—

Moved by Rev. S. O. Glenie, Seconded by A. Adams, Esq.

"That the thanks of this meeting are due to Colonal Drought for the effective and judicious manner in which he has carried out the measures of Government, and for the ready assistance he has given in cases where his aid or protection were solicited."

4th Resolution-

Moved by G. Wall, Esq.

Seconded by T. Hunter, Esq.

"That this meeting views with regret the unworthy attempt lately made by certain parties to charge the late disturbances upon undue display of the milltary, and records its opinion, that the interference of military force wal peremptorily required, and most opportunely and judiciously exercised."

Inclosure in Lord Torrington's

No. 146, August 15, 1848. Papers, February 3, 1849, p. 193.

The conduct of the military was also approved in Committee Papers, 1849, p. 460.

the following letter from Lord Grey to the Duke of Wellington:

Downing Street, October 24, 1848.

I have laid before the Queen the copies which your Grace has directed your military secretary to transmit to me, of a despatch and of its inclosures, from Major-General Sinelt, commanding Her Majesty's forces in Ceylon, report- ing the proceeding of Her Majesty's troops in suppressing certain recent disturbances in that island; and I have it in command from Her Majesty to desire that your Grace will signify to the Major-General, that it has afforded much satisfaction to Her Majesty to receive the very favourable testimony which he has borne to the exemplary conduct

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No. 303, October 24, 1848.

(Extract.) Vide Ceylon Papers, presented by Command, February 1849, p. 389,

Major-General Smelt to Lieute- nant-General Lord Fitzroy Somerset, August 15, 1848, P. 466. Committee Papers, 1849.

November 94, 1848.

Papera, February 1868, p. 289. Inclosure in Lord Frgrington's

Ne. 179, October 10, 1948.

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of the officers and soldiers under his command on this

occasion.

I beg to inclose, for your Grace's information, an extract from a despatch which I have addressed to the Governor of Ceylon on this subject.

The following is an extract from Major-General Smelt's despatch to Lord Fitzroy Somerset, alluded to in the foregoing letter:

It now becomes my pleasing duty to report to your Lordship, for the information of his Grace the Com- mander-in-chief, the exemplary conduct of every indivi- dual, from the highest to the lowest, of my small force. Nothing can exceed the alacrity and goodwill with which every order issued from his Eroellency the Governor or myself has been executed, in perhaps as difficult and un- provided a country for military operations as can be found. Not a single complaint of the most trivial nature has been made against any individual.

Of Lieutenant-Colonel Drought, of Her Majesty's 15th Regiment, commanding in the Central and disturbed pro- vinces, I cannot speak too highly, and to his seal and energy, and to the very judicious and prompt movements he made to oppose the rebels, may in a great massure be attributed the speedy check, if not entire suppresion, of the rebellion: 'Captain Lillie, of the Ceylon Rifle Regi ment, who commanded the party of the 18th and Ceylon Rifles sent out to Mitelle 'on'the'first break out of the insurrection, is entitled to every praise; and of Lieutenant Annealy, of thứ“sakite' corpå, who, withɛa whły wzall de- tachment, was also sent out to Kornsgallo, I cannot speak too highly..

When so much praise is due to all, it may perhaps ba unnecessary for me, to partieslacige any corps; but I should not do justion to Her Majesty's Ceylon Rifle Regi- ment, were 1. not to mention their exellent, sandy, and

I. gallant conduct, in, the most difficult and arcbacus duties they have had to'perform. They are, the best adapted description of mwen, for this s Papa thickly gorgrad na it in with think forest.

Lord Grey subsequently received dampatabies, froni which or their' fisclosures the following are extruota, confrwing whitTM Bad Bent perfionały reported as to the oondiet of the troops in the fold:"

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egislative Cornell sethe Right HonoRT- ur'la reply to his 'Icoaliency's Speech of

the Teď Odlabul, 1868.

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