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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XIV. 



conviction in capital cases by breaking on the wheel and 

 other barbarous modes of execution, were abolished . Capital 

 punishment by hanging was ordained, but the privilege was 

 reserved to those who: preferred it of petitioning the Governor 

 to be allowed to suffer decapitation instead. The same Pro- 

 clamation abolished the practice of procuring confession 

 by torture. 



By the Proclamation of January 30, 1800, branding on 

 the hand with a hot iron was ordained as the punishment 

 for certain offences. 



The following is an excellent specimen of the minatory 

 exhortations. It is dated January 20, 1800 : — 



Whereas we have heard with great astonishment* and displeasure 

 that, notwithstanding our Proclamation of November 19, 1799, none 

 of the inhabitants of the Marendhan have produced their titles, and 



whereas we will not allow our orders to be slighted or disobeyed 



We do further declare that all persons convicted of deluding the said 

 inhabitants and encouraging them to persist in their disobedience will 

 feel the weight of our severest displeasure. 



Here is another dated June 13, 1800 :— 



Whereas we have heard with the greatest surprise and concern that 

 certain inhabitants of the District of Mannar, instigated, as we suppose, 

 by evil-minded persons, have assembled together and declared their 

 intention not to obey our just authority in the payment of the light 

 and equitable tax which we have imposed on those persons who choose 

 to wear joys and ornaments. We hereby make known and declare 

 that to curb so wicked and refractory a spirit, and to support, as we 

 always shall, the authority with which we are duly invested, we have 

 ordered a military force to march into the said district, and that it is 

 our intention to take exemplary vengeance on such as (after the 

 promulgation of these presents) do not disperse and return to their 

 own homes and submit as good and peaceable subjects to the operation 

 of the aforesaid tax, and of the wholesome and salutary laws which we 

 have enacted for the good of the inhabitants of these settlements, and 

 which we are determined to enforce by the full exercise of the power 

 which is lodged in our hands. 



These fulminations are signed by William Boyd, Acting 

 Secretary to Government, and not, as one would expect from 

 the text, by Queen Elizabeth. 



