372 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
of jutice. While Ceylon remained in the hands of the Dutch, 
its Governor was absolute with regard to the affairs of the 
island, but subordinate to the Governor of Batavia, who was 
considered as Governor-General of all the Dutch settlements 
in India. The Governor of Ceylon was assisted by a coun- 
cil, composed of the most respectable Dutch gentlemen re- 
siding at Columbo. The members of this council were no- 
minated by the Governor, and continued in their appoint- 
ments by the government of Holland. 
For the administration of justice, there was a high court 
established at Columbo, to whom the ultimate decision in all 
capital cases belonged. At Trincomalee, Jafnapatam, and 
Point de Galle, there were subordinate civil magistrates, with 
suitable appointments. In all the inferior forts and stations 
throughout the island, there were petty courts, called 
landraeds , for the more speedy administration of jutice in 
matters of less importance. In these the military com- 
manders of the district usually presided. An appeal lay from 
all these inferior courts to the high court of justice at Columbo. 
The whole Dutch civil establishment, independent of tlie 
military who acted as civil magistrates, was computed to 
amount to four hundred and fifty persons, comprehending 
all who were anywise attached to it. This may seem a small 
proportion for an island of such magnitude, and from 
whence such valuable articles of commerce were exported : 
but according to the computation of the Dutch, Ceylon 
ranked only as their eighth Indian government. 
