CEYLON. 
^97 
taining the concurrence of the EngHsh in his ambitious designs were 
hopeless, determined upon his long-meditated expedient of bringing 
on hostilities by aggression on the part of the Candians. Accord- 
ingly, collections of armed men soon appeared on the frontiers of 
the British territories ; and in the month of April, 1 80^, some inha- 
bitants of Putalom, subjects of Great Britain, being upon a trading 
journey in the Candian country , were forcibly despoiled of a quan- 
tity of areka or betehnut, which they had purchased at a fair market. 
Satisfaction for this outrage was demanded by the English govern- 
ment, but, upon various frivolous pretexts, was delayed ; and, in 
the mean time, the hostile preparations of the Candian Court became 
more and more manifest. 
These circumstances were thought a sufficient justification of an 
attempt, by force of arms, to compel that Court to a reasonable 
accommodation; and accordingly, in the beginning of 1803, two 
divisions of the British army marched from the opposite ports of 
Columbo and Trincomalee, under General Macdowal and Colonel 
Barbut, which formed a junction before the capital of Candy. No 
effectual resistance was made by the Cingalese. The King and the 
chief Adigaar fled with precipitation, after setting fire to the palace 
and temples, and the British troops, without opposition, possessed 
themselves of the deserted capital. General Macdowal made various 
attempts to procure an interview with the King, but they were con- 
stantly eluded ; and as he now appeared to have forfeited all claim 
to regard from the British Government, it was resolved to place on 
the throne a competitor. This was Prince Mootoo Sawmy, already 
mentioned as brother of the late Queen, and a near branch of the 
royal family, who had taken refuge from the tyranny of the new 
