TANJORE. 
353 
ing there might be still some doubts on the subject of the adoption, 
they referred the whole business to the Pundits, who, with an in- 
genuity that would have done credit to the Sorbonne itself, decided, 
that though the adoption of Serfagee had been] deficient in every 
necessary formality, yet that it only caused a great sin in Tuljagee, 
but did not vitiate the title of the child to the musnud. Fortified 
by such a decision, Amerring was immediately deposed, but had an 
allowance left him of twenty-five thousand pagodas per annum, and 
a country palace, where he resided under the protection of his 
nephew, with whom he continued on most friendly terms, till 180^, 
whenhe died. Serfagee, in 1799, executed the treaty that had been 
proposed to his uncle, giving up the management of the country to the 
British, reserving to himself several palaces, the Tranquebar tribute 
of two thousand pagodas, a clear allowance of one lac of pagodas, 
and one-fifth of the overplus revenue after the expenses, military 
and civil, are paid, which amounts to nearly two lac more. These 
sums are fully adequate to his necessary expenses, and to keep up 
the dignity of an Asiatic prince. He is in fact more affluent than his 
predecessors, who, though nominally in possession of the revenue, 
had about six lac of pagodas to pay the Company for maintain- 
ing the army, and one lac for the interest of debts, and the religious 
establishment of the pagodas, both of which the Company have 
taken on themselves. The arrangement has been equally advan- 
tageous to the Company, and to the inhabitants. By the prudent 
management of Mr. Harris, the Collector, order and activity has 
been introduced, the people are protected and encouraged to 
labour ; consequently the produce has been greater, and the revenue 
has rapidly increased. No part of India has gained more by 
