graved on a Rock in the wall of the build-its possessing the means of rewarding faith ing, and dated 16 years back. ful service. 5thly. The Temple of Deguldora and Grants made by the late Government its lands, confiscated on the execution of a subsequent to coufiscation and perfected suspected Priest, and afterwards granted by possession on the part of the new Proby the King to the High Priest of Kandy, prietors, ought to be considered as being but now reclaimed by the Pupils of the de-in almost every instance a species of impeceased, on the ground of local custom and the rules of the Budhu Religion. 6thly. A variety of cases between individuals, respecting lauds-on questions of title chiefly originating in confiscations by the King, and subsequent grants. 7thly. Numerous applications to Govern. ment for the restitution of lands confiscated at various periods. In all these cases, and throughout the Sittings, I have to acknowledge the aid of candid and independent opinions, in which natural known motives of attachment and good will were obviously sacrificed to justice and public duty. By such assistance a number of cases, and all which were ready for hearing, have been disposed of, and those which remain in the progress of enquiry have been classed and referred as follows, with the exception of a small number not reducible to any class, and left with Mr. D'Oyly to be put in the proper course. 1st. Such disputes between individuals as concern also the rights of Government, to be investigated by the Resident in pre sence of the Chiefs. diment fatal to the revival of antecedent titles. Chiefs, Headmen, and others who have the British Government during the late distinguished themselves by adherence to troubles, cannot be refused the restitution of Family Property to which they may be Heirs, if lost within any reasonable period back, and if still remaining at the disposal of Government, free from the claims of intermediate Grantees. As it has been understood that the people of Oudinura and Yattinura early discovered a friendly disposition towards the British cause, I am happy to have had an opportunity of acknowledging their attachment by a favourable consideration of the losses sustained by the inhabitants of those districts at the period when the Adikar Pilemy Talave lost his life-which being (comparatively with other confiscations) a recent period, it may be expected by all parties whose estates were then confiscated, that unless opposed by adverse claims of individuals, their lands will be restored to them by the relinquishment of the right of Government, Many curious and valuable facts con2dly. Those which lie eutirely between cerning the institutions, customs, and if private parties, referred to the Chiefs ac- not the laws, at least the principles of juscording to their jurisdiction, namely-totice acknowledged in the Kandyan Coun Chiefs of Provinces and Districts for mat-try, have in the course of these Proceed, ters merely local, to the Adikars in their ings been disclosed and recorded on res, respective divisions for those which arise pectable evidence. in King's villages and other regal jurisdictions, and to the assembled Chiefs for matters of general import or controversies of great families. 3dly. Claims for restitution of forfeited lands have been postponed until the completion of a general Register of such Claims embracing all necessary particulars. To these Claimants of Lands formerly confiscated, it is proper to offer some explanation of the principles which will go vern my opinion on that important subject. In cases of ancient forfeiture, the former Proprietors can hardly be encouraged to expect the recovery of property so long alienated;-Any plan of that kind would form a dangerous opening to indefinite changes of property, and the domains of Government would be reduced below that standard which is absolutely necessary for its independence and respectability, and to It is to me a most pleasing discovery that principles of that nature, and of a leading and comprehensive character, are thus demonstrated to subsist in force, as they will happily afford the grounds of uniform decision as to Civil rights, and se cure the stability of private property. The existence of a body of acknowledged and other principal branches of Civil Ju; usages, regulating the succession of estates dicature, serves also to prove that the mis; fortunes under which these Provinces, have laboured for many years past, are not, as has been supposed, imputable to the absence of legal rute, but to the total disregard of common justice, to the wanton abuse of absolute power, the merciless and precipitate infliction of capital punishment, the rapacious assumption of private pros perty, and the ruin of entire and numerous families for the real or supposed transgression of a single individual. mankind, and laying generations ut obligation, who perhaps scarcely c without difficulty, pronounce the na of their benefactor. In another part of the present nu ber may be seen, the progress of ti Governor of Ceylon to Kandy, the lat residence of the King, and so far, the netropolis of the island. In that tow the Governor staid thirty-three days, chiefly occupied in public sittings; in obtaining a correct view of the state of the newly submitted provinces; in free audience to whoever chose to address him, and in open exercise of that authority of superintendance which is the unquestionable prerogative of a Public Officer bearing credentials from his Britannic Majesty, and representing his Sovereign, under such delegated power. In these audiences his Excellency | was attended by the British Resident, fo by the British Secretary for the Kandyan p Provinces, and by the native Chiefs of si every rank; the Adikars-Dissaves-ca and principal Lekams of the country. as sid At the close of the business of the day, on Monday. May 20, his Excellency addressed the Chiefs, in a speech | feel to the following effect : side cac by I and ADDRESS OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE BRI- dece. TISH GOVERNOR, TO THE ASSEMBLED CHIEFS OF CEYLON. tipol Moll uude of th since 2dl under Dessa recen by K of the 3dly to the pensat in the dy, bu tion of 4thly After listening to every complaint preferred during so considerable a period of free and open audience, justice demands from me the avowal that nothing material Wihare has arisen out of these complaints to be re- private prehended on the part of the Chiefs, and I in a Gra and was ordered to accom to this place, for graved an Bek ing, and date) Sthly. Th its lands, suspected Pres by the King to but now rechend ceased, on the the rules of the 6thly. A varied t viduals, respecting title chiefly origina the King, and subs 7thly. Numerous ment for the restitution d'u at various periods. la all these cases, an Sittings, I have to schuwez candid and independent...... natural known motives d good will were obviously e and public duty. By such assistance a t and all which were ready fa d. self, and in a short | having in consequence risen in value in the referred as follows, with team ma fa small number not reduct dass, and left with Mr. D'O in the proper course. 1st. Such disputes between invm edly. Those which lie cutirely be ous Trade offers ng to their jurisdiction, IEn Thefs of Provinces and Districts | | | merely local, to the Adikars ar in ective divisions for those which we King's villages and other regal jar and to the assembled Chefs for th of general import or controversies at families. dly. Claims for restitution of foretel, ds have been postponed until the ion of a general Register of such Cam mbracing all necessary particulars. To these Claimants of Lands former fiscated, it is proper to offer some e nation of the principles which will dev the same the ProBulatgam, ed by a the purof this that fine ected as eans of Caltura red by of his In cases of ancient forfeiture, the former th Troprietors can hardly be encouraged himign pect the recovery of property so lang fok manga Yusted;-Any play of that kind words d'emp m a dangernes opening to morate parent hom inges of property, and the dommza offers a manca Gavernment would be reduced below the atandard which is absolutely teresary he independence and respertability, and to jinx d'v ange mana The Province of the seven Korles, and other parts of the Interior adjoining the district of Chilaw and Putlam will benefit by a similar permission in that direction, and the Northern Provinces will enjoy the same liberty of supply from Batticaloa and Trincomalie. By these arrangements His Majesty's Kandyau subjects and those of the Sea Coast are placed with regard to the necessary article Salt, on a footing of exact equality. Amongst the means of facilitating trade the adjustment of the standard of Dutch Challie money ought not to be forgot, but e Cul- as it has been already fully explained at a : ill feel former audience it is only necessary at present to notice it in a summary manner.amily, Ano enced, own the By the effect of that measure, every proprietor of a sum of money in challies in creased the value of his capital at the date of the proclamation by one fourth part. The subsequent issues of the same money, passing in circulation at the appointed rate, and being freely received by GovernIn- ment either as revenue or in exchange for Pro- Bills, could occasion no prejudice any where. But if the old rate had been allowed to prevail, while money of a lower ince intrinsic value passed current for the same amount, the poor people of this country would have been stripped of all their coin by the more experienced Traders from the Coast-and as it would never again have appeared in the shape of currency, the Kandyan provinces must have experienced all those inconveniences and disadvantages which necessarily arise from a want of specie. ore 1 in un OP gst in ed A very poor tribute indeed would be paid to the dominion of our just and merciful Sovereign, by my informing you, that such enormities are no longer to be feared. believe no one of those who surround me is so unacquainted with the principles of British Government, as to require any assurance on that head. their Provinces, and to all Heads of Departments respecting the constitution, duties and management of their several charges. From the short notice at which this quest was made, it would be unfair to ex ect methodical or complete statements; but a variety of information is contained in them, which was much wanted and wished queries which may be found necessary on perusal and consideration of what has thus been furnished, will be answered with equal promptitude, and with the same benefit of this country, by the lights of zealous desire to aid my views for the your local knowledge and experience. But it is undoubtedly somewhat remark-for-Aud I assure myself that any future able, that in the multiplicity and variety of cases in which I have benefited by your presence as my assessors, there has not been a single opinion offered by you to which I have not been able to yield my hearty concurrence, nor any proposition suggested on my part, but has received your acquiescence, as consouant to those immemorial Institutions and Customs on which the rights of the Kandyan People depend. A flattering and happy presage of future cordiality may be drawn from so extraordinary a concurrence of opinion, and a solid ground is thus laid for the hope, that the Chiefs and Inhabitants of this beautiful and fertile country, will place that coufidence in the jus and honor ble intentions of Government, which will most facilitate and best tend to support the public measures Assuring themselves that those measures will be invariably directed to the benefit and improvement of the country, and the happiness of the Chiefs and people, and guided by a strict observance of their native Institutions. The business of the Sittings in criminal matters has, I am happy to say been extremely light.-No cases of that kind deserving of particular notice have appeared excepting two-Oue a charge of murder against Kerolageddete Mohottale of the Village of Vialua in the Province of Walapane, who having at first disobeyed the summons of Mr. Wright the Agent of Government at Badula, has since abscond ed, and cannot at present be discovered The other is the complaint of a man of Ouwa, who being suspected of theft by a Relation of his own, was cruelly scorched on various parts of the body, and lamed in one hand. The complainant was ordered to accompany me from Badula to this place, for the purpose of having the case tried during my stay here, but it has not been possible to assemble all the witnesses. I will now take occasion to notice some to the Kandyan country, and shall also measures of Government having reference offer a few practical remarks as to the course of the public business best adapted for the present state of affairs, and finally advert in a summary manner to certain objects material to be held in view by the Chiefs in general, but more especially those entrusted with the charge of Provinces and Districts, as calculated to secure the happiness and improve the coudition of the People. which the Kandyan Country became In the public Act of Settlement by joined with the Maritime Provinces, under the dominion of His Britannic MajestyI thought it consonant to the spirit of His Majesty's Government, to engage (by an article of the Convention) that an early consideration, would be given "to make "such dispositions in favour of the Trade "of the Interior Country, as might facili"tate the Export of its Products and in 66 prove the returns, whether in money, or "in commodities, such as Salt, Cloths, or "other things useful and desirable to the "Inhabitants"-This object I have been unceasingly anxious to effect, and trust ! may now state that it has been accomplished, and that the pledge of Government has been fairly fulfilled. The restrictions and custom duties heretofore in force in passing from one district to another in the low country, have been withdrawn as an impediment to Trade, and a Proclamation is now ready to be published here for abolishing the graveti duties between the Maritime Settlements and the Interior.-By these means the muIn the Civil and Political branches, Itual exchange of commodities between the am also indebted to your assistance for a number of important particulars, in answer to enquiries which I took this occassion to address to the Dessaves, on the subject of two countries is facilitated and promoted in the way of Trade (that rich source of wealth and prosperity) a branch hitherto little understood in these Provinces.-But having in consequence risen in value in the bazar, so that the exchange in kind was rather unfavourable to them. This complaint I trust will have been relieved, by an order which I issued yesterday, directing a Sale of Salt from the Government it will daily extend itself, and in a short time be felt in the ready and cheap supply of all articles desirable here, also in the increasing wealth of the trading classes, who when duly sensible of these advantages, will occupy the Trade and secure the profit at present enjoyed by other Mer-Stores for money, at the rate of five doochants; the benefit resulting from the measures just noticed will then fully appear and be properly appreciated. In the three Korles a vigorous Trade offers itself both by land and water conveyance; but at the accession of the present Government was found cramped and nearly suppressed by a restrictive monopoly of ArekaNut; this emolument was early relinquish ed on the part of Government, and the restriction withdrawn, in consequence of which, the people of that and the adjoining Province of the four Korles are rapidly enriching themselves. A similar restriction and on the same grounds has hitherto existed in the Provinces of Saffragam and lower Bulatgam, but will be immediately removed by a Proclamation already prepared for the purpose. The happy consequences of this change will immediately appear in that fine and fertile Province, closely connected as it is with the Sea Coast, in the means of commercial intercourse by the Caltura river. It will quickly be discovered by every owner of land, that the value of his Estate is materially increased and the Cultivator who shares the Produce, will feel his means of subsisting himself and family, improved in a cousiderable degree. Another class, hitherto few and inexperienced, the Traders, will also find (in daily increasing numbers) a comfortable and independent subsistence in the business of exporting the commodities of their own Province to the Sea Coast, and bringing back such articles as are wanted in the Interior from that quarter, whether of Produce or Import. The adjoining but more remote Province of Ouwa will not fail to experience the benefits of these privileges, both in a more advantageous market for its Grain—and in a cheaper, more various, and more abundant supply from the low country. During my visit at Badula, I had an opportunity of informing myself (amongst other particulars of the state of that country,) that the Inhabitants experienced some disadvantage in the supply of Salttheir stock of grain, for which Salt was exchanged, being nearly exhausted, and does one challie, or 16 challies for the mea. sure. That rate is strictly calculated on the price at which Salt is issued by Government to the Inhabitants of the Sea, Coast, namely, 15 fanams the parrah, adding only the exact amount of the charge of carriage. A free permission has also been intimated to the people of Ouwa to supply themselves with Salt at the Stores of Hambantotte and Palletoopane, on the same terms above mentioned, viz. at 15 fanam the parrah. The Province of the seven Korles, and other parts of the Interior adjoining the district of Chilaw and Putlam will benefit by a similar permission in that direction, and the Northern Provinces will enjoy the same liberty of supply from Batticaloa and Trincomalie. By these arrangements His Majesty's Kandyan subjects and those of the Sea Coast are placed with regard to the necessary article Salt, on a footing of exact equality. Amongst the means of facilitating trade the adjustment of the standard of Dutch Challie money ought not to be forgot, but as it has been already fully explained at a : former audience it is only necessary at present to notice it in a summary manner. By the effect of that measure, every proprietor of a sum of money in challies in creased the value of his capital at the date of the proclamation by one fourth part. The subsequent issues of the same money, passing in circulation at the appointed rate, and being freely received by Government either as revenue or in exchange for Bills, could occasion no prejudice any where. But if the old rate had been allowed to prevail, while money of a lower intrinsic value passed current for the same amount, the poor people of this country would have been stripped of all their coin by the more experienced Traders from the Coast-and as it would never again have appeared in the shape of currency, the Kandyan provinces must have experienced all those inconveniences and disadvantages which necessarily arise from a want of specie. The measures here enumerated have had the good of this country for their direct and single object. |