^98 
CEYLON. 
reign in the English territory. He was sent for to Candy, and a 
treaty was made with him, the articles of which are given in the 
Appendix. 
It has since appeared that this Prince was by no means a proper 
person for the occasion. He had undergone a public punishment 
from the late king on account of a fraud, which circumstance legally 
disqualified him for succeeding to the throne. The assurances 
which he gave the Governor of his possessing the attachment of the 
Cingalese nation proved totally deceptive, for his standard was not 
joined at Candy by a single Cingalese. He remained a mere shadow 
of royalty, till the lamentable massacre of the British troops by 
command of the Adigaar ; an event, the causes and circumstances of 
which are still involved in doubt and mystery. As Major Davy was 
apprized, that supplies and succours were on the road to join him, 
it is incomprehensible that he should be induced to capitulate to so 
weak a foe as the King of Candy, and still more, that he should 
afterwards consent to surrender his arms, contrary to the terms of 
capitulation. It is most of all extraordinary that he should deliver 
Mootoo Sawmy to his implacable enemy , who immediately put him 
to death in the presence of those, who ought to have perished with 
arms in their hands, rather than have submitted to an act which 
has impressed an indelible stain on the British character. Major 
Davy should have taken warning by the fate of the Dutch when they 
attempted to retain Candy. Worn out by disease, they had capitu- 
lated, and in consequence had been massacred. We have now pur- 
chased experience, and I trust that European troops will never again 
be permanently exposed to the fatal climate of the interior of Ceylon, 
which renders all superiority of valour and discipline unavailable. 
