THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
217 
revenues. A body of the Cinglese took up arms and retired 
into the woods at the distance of a few miles from Columbo: 
several of the corles and districts at the same time declared 
openly in favour of the rebellion. A detachment of Sepoys 
was sent against them : several severe combats ensued ; and it 
was not till after a considerable loss of men on both sides 
that the insurgents were completely subdued. Such is the 
nature of the country, full of thick woods, narrow passes, and 
rivers, that our troops often wanted a proper opportunity to 
act, and were frequently attacked before the rebels were per- 
ceived, or even suspected to be near them. 
It may not be improper here to observe, that although 
in this and another commotion which happened two years 
after, our troops were ultimately successful, yet much incon- 
venience and danger might eventually be incurred from a 
general revolt among the Cinglese. The preventives against 
it are, however, no less obvious than certain. A mild and 
equitable government with a strict administration of justice, 
cannot fail to conciliate the minds of these people, who have 
already been trained to submission and an unbounded reve- 
rence for Europeans. As a sure precaution, however, against 
all contingencies, every effort should be made to clear the 
woods and improve the roads, so as to enable troops with 
ease and without risque to watch over the security of our 
plantations. It was suspected that these unusual commotions 
among the Cinglese might be connected with a more exten- 
sive plan concerted among the natives for the assertion of 
F F 
