314 
CEYLON 
came down to this land of promise, were attended by a swarm of 
native Debashes, who, claiming the rank and title of Aumils, seem 
to have considered the land as given up to them to be devoured. 
It is hardly credible to what a length they carried their extortions. 
The Dutch law was abrogated, and the Madras system was intro- 
duced, which, though possibly more rational in its principles, was 
more violent in its operation, more repugnant to the feelings of the 
people, more destructive of their usages, and more subversive of 
their property. One of these Aumils, on receiving the visits of the 
natives upon his arrival at his station, presented to each a nutmeg, 
and, on their departure, sent to demand a sum of money from each, 
proportioned to his situation. Others sought not even such a pre- 
text for their extortions ; and at Baticaloe imprisoned for more than 
three years the Vidaam, or native head-man, because he would not 
pay them the sum demanded. Their sole object was to accumulate 
money. They impoverished the woods by cutting down all the 
beautiful species of timber; and they laid a general, and most op- 
pressive, tax upon cocoa-nut trees ; the rate being made equal, 
although a tree near a town is double the value of one in the country. 
At length, even the patient Cingalese could bear no more, and the 
whole country burst forth into rebellion. One Aumil paid for his 
crimes with his life ; and the government was so conscious of his 
misdeeds, that no enquiry was ever instituted, or prosecution under- 
taken about it. Mr. Andrews, who held the supreme civil authority 
as Commercial Resident and Receiver General, cannot be acquitted 
of having at least connived at these enormities; and the affair of 
the pearl-fishery during his government, in which double the 
boats were employed for which the Company received payment, 
