THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
373 
For some time after we took possession of Ceylon, the 
government was necessarily a military one, until tranquillity 
was completely established. From the arrival of Governor 
North, the civil establishment has its date. lie abolished 
the office of Provost Martial, and the jurisdiction of the mi- 
litary courts, and restored the civil establishment to near the 
same form it bore under the dominion of the Dutch. He 
re-established the supreme court of justice at Columbo, with 
a civil magistrate to superintend the police of the Fort, and 
another in the Black Town. The various officers necessary 
for the service of these departments were at the same time 
appointed ; and similar regulations were adopted through the 
other parts of the island. The petty courts in the distant 
parts of the country still continue to be presided over by the 
commanding officer of the nearest post. The government 
of Ceylon was for some time dependent on that of Madras, 
but is now only subject to that of the mother country, and 
entirely unconnected with the East-India Company. 
For the better ordering of military affairs, there is a mi- 
litary board established at Columbo. It consists of six mem- 
bers taken from among the commanding officers of the se- 
veral corps stationed in Ceylon. The commander in chief 
of the forces in the island is president of this board, the 
Commandant of Columbo for the time being Vice-pre- 
sident. It has attached to it a secretary, clerks &c. with 
suitable salaries. 
I have now brought my account of Ceylon to a con- 
