13 



Narrative of the last outbreak 



[No. 31 



On the death of Mr. Young, in the latter part of 1809, Mr. Hughes 

 succeeded to the lease, as assignee of that gentleman; and on the expira- 

 tion of the Charter, the grant was renewed in 1814, on the same terms, 

 for the period of the next Charter. Mr. Hughes likewise purchased the 

 Colattoor and Cudalgudi Mootahs, and continued engaged in various 

 speculations with fluctuating success, until his death, which took place on 

 the 26th February, 1835.] $ 



The year 1799 is memorable in the annals of Tinnevelly, 

 for a daring rebellion on the part of several of the Poli- 

 gars against the British Government, which was then but 

 of recent establishment. These Chieftains, impatient of the 

 order and restraint which the efficient Government now estab- 

 lished over them, imposed on their turbulent habits, looked 

 forward with keen desire for some opportunity to return to 

 that contumacious attitude, that they had almost always held 

 towards the Nabob's Government. This opportunity was 

 fully opened to them by the absence of the Grand Army 

 against Seringapatam, in the year above-mentioned, and the 

 temptation was not to be resisted. Four months before the 

 fall of that capital, the Southern Provinces were in a most 

 agitated and critical state, and nothing but that great event 

 saved us from general tumult and disturbance. 



At the head of the disaffected Chieftains, stood the Poligar 

 of Panjahlumcoorchey. This person wholly unmindful of the 

 marked lenity which the Government had shown to him for 

 former offences, was engaged many months in exciting a 

 spirit of revolt, and for this purpose, he moved with a large 

 body of armed retainers, first to the southern part of Rani- 

 nad, and then to Shivagherry. Our well remembered Go- 

 vernor, Mr. Lushington, held then the important office of Col- 

 lector of the Peishcush of the Southern Poligars, and by him 

 the Poligar was formally and solemnly warned of the des- 

 perate and criminal course in which he was now engaged. 

 The moment did not admit of a more decided course, and in- 

 telligence of the eventful 4th of May soon reached the south, 

 and all was calm again immediately. 



