, THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 249 
himself, deposed and put to death his master, and then 
procured a stranger to be elected in his room. 
What may seem as inconsistent with the despotic powers 
of the king of Candy, the monarchy is completely elective 
by the fundamental laws of the country, and where a depo- 
sition takes place, these laws are usually acted upon. It is 
in the power of the people to put aside the next branch of 
the royal family, and to elect the more distant, or even a 
stranger. The present king, who was elected through the 
influence of the Adigar, I have already mentioned, is a na- 
tive of the island of Ramiseram, on the Malabar coast, 
opposite Manaar. His only claim to the succession, except 
the power of the minister, was his descent from a female 
branch of the royal family. When the last king has no 
immediate descendents, and where the hereditary right lies 
between equi-distant males and females, the preference by the 
Candian laws, is given to the female branch. In the present 
instance, however, there were two other of the native princes 
who advanced claims of nearer alliance to the crown. 
They came during my residence at Col umbo to lay their 
pretensions before Governor North, and to implore his inter- 
ference and protection. It is evident, however, that as long 
as we can preserve terms of amity with the ruling prince, it 
is by no means our interest to enquire into the merits of 
any claims which may be advanced to his crown. 
The people do not consider themselves in their election 
K K 
