^94 
CE YLON- 
determined to protect the King ; and that if any accident should 
happen to hini, he would never recognise the usurper. He seemed 
to feel this, and his answer was clear and unequivocal. He said, 
he was sensible that any such attempt made under the present cir- 
cumstances would be extremely disagreeable to the Governor ; 
and that such constructions might be put upon it, as would injure 
him in the eyes of his great sovereign, the King of England ; that 
nothing could be further from his intentions ; and that he would 
answer for the King's life, and would himself conduct General Mac- 
dowal to the King's presence at Candy. 
In the preceding full and clear account of the several conferences 
held with the chief Adigaar, the whole train of that minister's 
policy is made apparent. Judging of the views and principles of 
the English Governor of Ceylon, by the ideas which the selfish 
conduct of the Dutch had given him of the policy of Europeans, he 
probably entertained little doubt of being able to engage his assist- 
ance in getting rid of the pageant, whom, for a temporary purpose, he 
had placed on the seat of royalty, and in seizing the vacant throne 
for himself. For this intent he did not scruple to propose render- 
ing the crown of Candy tributary, and in a manner feudatory to the 
English ; trusting to events for freeing him from their dominion, 
when their arms should be no longer necessary for his protection ; 
and doubtless foreseeing from experience, the impossibility of long 
maintaining an European force, fit for service, in the deleterious 
climate of the Candian capital. He likewise very explicitly dis- 
closed his plan for involving the King in hostilities with the 
English, by means of a proposed aggression on the part of the 
Gandians, hoping that the Governor would, without scruple, 
