POLYGARS. 
365 
immediately succeeds. When we first became acquainted with the 
Poly gars in 1755, they were considered as a wild uncivilized race, 
in whom no confidence could be placed, and whom it was impossi- 
ble to restrain fi:^om plundering their friends, as well as their ene- 
mies. If they ever deserved the reproaches which were cast upon 
them, their character is completely changed at present ; they are 
a brave and active race, but are as peaceable neighbours as any 
others, when treated with liberality and justice, which I am sorry 
to say has not always been the case. 
The proceedings which led to the late Polygar war are a melan- 
cholly proof of this. The Panjalamcourchy Rajahs were young 
men, ruling over a tribe of Polygars of no great consequence, and 
bound to pay a tribute to the British Government. From some cir- 
cumstances a coolness originated between them and the Collector, 
in consequence of which they refused to attend in person to pay 
their tribute, and the Collector refused to receive it in any other 
way. A negotiation took place, and at length it was agreed that 
the eldest should receive a safe conduct from the Collector, and 
should meet him in the fort of Ramnad. He arrived, paid his tri- 
bute, and was going to retire- when, contrary to all faith, an attempt 
was made to arrest him. Irritated by this treachery, one of his 
attendants instantly stabbed the officer to the heart, and then 
escaped with his master. A very respectable deputation was sent 
down from Madras to examine into the circumstances, which re- 
ported that the murder did not appear to have been premeditated, 
but was solely owing to a sudden ebullition of rage on discovering 
the intended treachery. The Government wisely published a decla- 
ration of amnesty to all concerned ; but the Panjalamcourchy chiefs 
