CEYLON. 
^79 
placed on the throne a son of the late King, by a Cingalese mother, 
and consequently a bastard, since the King of Candy can marry 
only a Malabar, which is his own cast. The young man, therefore, 
had no rightful claim to the crown; and the Adigaar did not 
scruple to avow that he raised him to the throne, with the intention 
of removing him when convenient, and restoring the Cingalese 
line, that is, of usurping the crown himself. The Adigaar was at 
that time invested with the whole power of the government, being 
moreover Dessave * of the provinces ofJatenouven and Oodoono, 
which are the most populous of the island, and, with three others, 
have the right of electing the King. Immediately after this 
measure took place, the Queen, and all the kindred of the late King, 
were thrown into prison, and the second Adigaar, who would not 
concur in these nefarious transactions, was beheaded. The Queen's 
brother, Mootto Sawmy, with others of the royal race, having 
afterwards found means to escape from their confinement, took 
refuge in the English territory, and were placed under the superin- 
tendence of the British Government ; their persons being rendered 
secure, but no power being given them to disturb the Candian 
Government. 
This was the state of things when the Hon. Frederick North 
assumed the government of Ceylon in October 1798. The well 
known honour and benevolence of his character, and the pacific 
principles wilh which he entered upon his administration, will 
acquit him of any design of bringing on those hostilities which un 
fortunately took place during his continuance in office ; and the 
following detail of the negotiations with the Candian court, derived 
from the most authentic sources, will irrefragably prove that so far 
* Military governor. 
