No. 50.-1899.] VAN bck's kandyan expedition. 



61 



5. These instructions are not bound to be followed to the letter. 

 For, should it happen that owing to desertion of coolies, sickness among 

 the troops, or other untoward event, you find yourself unable to 

 continue the march to Uva, you will proceed from Matale or Bintenna 

 to Trincomalee direct. Similarly, on reaching Batticaloa, should you 

 be certified of a safe route by the sea coast as far as the District of 

 Matara, not necessitating a stay of over six or seven days in the 

 District of Panawa, which is very unhealthy — you may return by this 

 way to the Company's territory. 



If there is a road leading from Badulla to Sabaragamuwa— which 

 I have had no means of ascertaining — your force can return by 

 Saff regain. 



Broadly speaking, you are empowered to act during the conduct of 

 this expedition as time and place may require — not concerning yourself 

 to carry out the present instruction strictly to the letter, but keeping 

 in view the main object of your mission, viz., to forward by means of 

 your expedition the conclusion of a peace with the Kandyans, as 

 advantageous as lasting. 



6. You will be furnished with certain olas, in Sinhalese, which 

 show that our efforts to avoid the disastrous result of war have failed 

 owing to the obstinacy of the Kandyan Court, and despite the favour- 

 able terms that we have offered it. We have in these warned each and 

 all not to bring on them the resentment of our arms, by an ill-advised 

 resistance ; and we promise to all who remain quiet, and supply us 

 with provisions, or aid us by other means, that we will guarantee them 

 against the loss of property and dwellings ; to those who treat us as 

 enemies we have employed the customary threats. 



7. Following [the intention of] this ola, you will be careful on the 

 march to prevent pillage or sacking in places where you are met by no 

 resistance from the inhabitants, so that when your humanity is noised 

 abroad the Kandyans may be minded to help in provisioning your 

 troops. But this humane treatment concerns the common folk alone ; 

 for, as touching the houses, plantations, stores, and other belongings 

 of the King and the Principal Chiefs, you are under positive orders to 

 sack all, &c. You will in like manner treat all those who set them- 

 selves to hamper the execution of our purpose by hostile acts ; in that 

 case you will make a point of wholly destroying their gardens and 

 fruit trees. 



Colombo, February 13, 1766 * 



* Apparently issued the day before the signing of the Treaty of 

 Peace ! — B., Hon, See. 



