August i, 1893.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
So Boon as Sir Edward Barnes had made such 
Broeress with the great central high road aa to open 
a communication with the hill country, it was obvious 
to his clear and energetic mind that so grand a 
work would be a reproach instead of a trophy, were 
"its uses to be limited to mere military exigencies, 
without conducing to the material prosperity of the 
island Hence, even before its final completion, his 
measures were taken to emulate in Ceylon the in- 
dustrial enterprise of India. The preparation of indigo 
was attempted, but unsuccessfully, near Veangodde ; 
that of sugar was encouraged on the alluvial lands 
of the interior; and, taught by experience the map- 
titude of the lowlands for the profitable cultivation 
of coffee, Sir Edward formed the first upland planta- 
tion about 1825, on his own estate at Gangaroowa, 
adjoining the gardens of Peradenia. 
The example of the Governor was speedily followed ; 
Plantations were opened at Gampola and elsewhere, 
and the first attempt, though begun m a comparatively 
low altitude sufficed to demonstrate the superiority 
of the hill country over the low land, for cultivation, 
both in the quality and the abundance of the produce. 
At this crisis the fate of the experiment was 
decided by the adoption, in 1835, of a measure which 
Sir Edward Barnes had urged on the home Kovern- 
ment in 1826; the duty was equalised upon Bast ami 
West India coffee, imported into the United Kingdom, 
at the moment when the failing supply of the latter 
turned attention eagerly and anxiously towards Leylon, 
In the very next year nearly four thousand acres 
of mountain forest were felled and planted, and in 
an incredibly short time the sale of crown lands 
exceeded forty thousand acres per annum. 
Sir Edward Barnes ^^•as also the means ot 
encouraoinf-- the local preparation of coconut oil 
with a "view to its shipment to Europe :— the 
first shipment being taken away in 1820 by 
Cant Boyd (afterwards of Acland, Boyd & Co). 
In May 1821 Sir Edward Barnes arranged 
for the gradual emancipation of the children 
of certain native castes hitherto held as slaves; 
and here we may give a list of the Proclamations 
and Regulations still retained in the Ceylon 
Statute Book as passed during the rule of Sir 
^Slmation' o7 7th September, 1820.-Whereas 
eood and permanent roads have been and are now 
making in the Kandyan provinces for pubho con- 
venience, and it is highly necessary the same should 
be preserved from any damage or encroachment, &c. 
Proclamation of 14th July, I821.--Sales of land to 
be final unless otherwise stipulated. 
Proclamation of 21st May, 1822.-Application8 to 
register temple lands will be received, if given in 
before 1st September, 1822. 
Eegulation No. 26 of 1822.-Por obligmg the pos- 
sessoM of wells to raise the walls to a sufficient 
height to secure persons from danger of accidentally 
^^Eegulation No. 15 of 1823. -For making a general 
provision in respect to property found. 
Regulation No. 18 of 1823.-Interest. 
Regulation No. 14 of 1824.-For preventing the 
wetting of coffee, the growth of this island, with 
the intent of increasing its apparent weight or 
quantity. 
Regulation No. 8 of 1825.-For declaring the legal 
and established currency of the Island of Ceylon to 
' be the silver and copper current coin of Great 
Britain, and also the Ceylon silver and paper rix 
dollar, and the copper subdivisions thereof, already 
current therein. 
Proclamation of 14th January, 1826.— Fictitious 
Transfers of Lands, 
Regulation No. 5 of 1829.— To remore all doubts 
as to whether the Statute 10 Geo. 4. cap. 7. passed 
•• for the Relief of His Majesty's Roman Oatholio 
subjects," extends to and is in force in Ceylon. 
A more important Regulation than any of 
iheae is that which we iind in " Bennett " and 
which we cannot help transcribing in full:— 
Regulation op Govebnment, 
For promoting the Growth of certciin Articles of 
Agricultural oroduce in the Island of Ceylon, 
and for the encouragement of 
Agricidtuval speculation. 
Whereas it is proper and expedient to afford every 
practicable encouragement to Agricultural speculations 
and pursuits in this Island and more particularly to 
the growth of certain articles of produce hereafter 
specified. And whereas it has been represented to 
His Excellency the Governor that some persons have 
been deterred from engaging in such speculations and 
pursoits by an apprehension that they might be liable 
to pay a proportion, the produce thereby raised as a tas 
due and payable to Government. 
1. For removing therefore all such apprehensions, 
it is hereby enacted by his Excellency in Council, that 
no part of any Coffee, Cotton, Sugar, Indigo, Opium, 
or Silk, of the growth or produce of the Island, or of 
any part of its Dependencies, has hitherto been, or will 
be demanded or claimed by Government for the period 
of twelve years from this date. 
2. And whereas by Regulation of Government, 
No. 9, of 1825, therein referred to, Coffee and Cotton 
are permitted to be exported from any port of thia 
Island, free of duty, but no mention is made of the 
other articles of produce herein enumerated, it ia 
therefore hereby further declared that all Sugar, 
Opium, Indigo, or Silk, the growth or produce as before 
named, may be exported from any port of this Island or 
its Dependencies free of all duties whatever. 
3. And it is further enacted, that all Implements, 
Tools, and Machinery used for tlie purposes of Agricul- 
ture, or of any kind of Manufacture, may from hence- 
forth be imported into this Island free of all duty 
whatever. 
4. And with a view to the further encouragement 
of Agricultural speculations, it is also enacted that all 
Labourers, of whatever nation or description, who shall 
be bona fide employed in any plantation of Coffee, 
Cotton, Sugar, Indigo, Opium, or Silk, or in the manu- 
facture or produce thereof, shall be exempt from 
being called out in the public service during the period 
of such bona fide employ, except during actual war, and 
for the purpose of repelling invasion, or during internal 
commotion. Provided, that in order to exempt from 
such public service those otherwise liable, a certificate 
from the Proprietor of such plantation, or manufacturer, 
or from his Agent, be produced to the Collector of the 
District. And any Proprietor or Agent issuing to any 
Labourer a certificate which shall be wilfully false io 
any particular, shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine 
not exceeding Twenty Pounds ; and in default of 
payment, to imprisonment for any term not less than 
Two calendar months, nor more than Six calendar 
months. 
Given at Colombo, 21st September, 1829. 
By order of the Council, 
T. Eden, 
Secretary to Council. 
The common idea is that Sir Edward Barnea 
confined his attention, cliiefly, to what is now the 
Central Province. But there never was a greater 
mistake, as Forbes, Colonel Campbell, and Bennett 
— all of them contemporaries of Governor Barnes 
— clearly show. Unfortunately there was no 
Legislative Council in existence in those days, 
for the Governor to lay before it once-a-year a 
summary of his works and plans. There are no 
Administration or other Reports available, so that 
we can only here and there gather hints of 
the nianj- and varied schemes for the improve- 
ment of the people and the development of 
indu.stries, ohl or new, in every district of the 
island whicli constantly employed the fertile, 
active brain of Sir Edward Barnes. One of his fii-at 
Regulatiops as Lieut. -Governor was to promote 
a local industry "For encouraging the preparation 
