The National Register.
London, England, 1815-08-06 00:00:00

TUE NATIONAL REGISTER,

he could succeed in at once cutting him off from escaping to
the mountains His letter a the 18th stated, that the King
had fled fl om his last known place of halting, and that the
inhabitants of two villages had appealed, and promised to
co-operate in searching for him. The latest report that Mr.
D'Ovlev could then communicate was, that the King was
concealed in a forest about a league and a half from Fildinya,
and he had sent a detachment to endeavour to intercept

On the 19th, in the morning, I had the satisfaction to
know, by a letter from Mr. D'Oyley of the same date, that
the King was in our hands ; he had been surrounded the
preceding evening in the precincts of Medda Malta Nuwera
(the place from whence he was reported to have fled) by the
people of Dombera, in conjunction with some armed Kan-
dians, sent by Ere3lapoia Adikar, and taken prisoner, with
two of hjs wives, in the house of an Aratchy (a subordinate
Headman), at a place called Gallehewatte, about a mile
beyond Mudda Malta Nuwera. His two remaining wives
and his mother were known to be at llanweyllc, a short dis-
tance off, and being sent for, with conveyances and an es-
cort, were brought to Fildinya.
I have since learnt, that the few Malabar attendants re-
muininz with the King, made some resistance, and wounded
one of the assailants, on which the party retired a few paces,
and fi ed upon the house, that the King then came out and
delivered himself up. It further appears, that his prisoners
bound him and reviled him, and, I fear, plundered him of
some articles of value.

As no regular troops or any British Officer was present, it
was impossible to give full relief; such of the cloaths as
could he recovered were returned. The Adikar claims, and
with seeming justice, considering the sentiments he must
entertain towards the King, some merit in having, by strict
Hiders, saved his life ; and great probability arises, from
what did pass, that nothing less than high authority could
have induced them to spare him. In another view, this is
one of the many facts which concur to shew, that the feel-
ings of the people towards him (exemplified in this his fa-
ourite province) to be, when divested of the terrors of ty-
rannical power, no other than those of hatred and contempt.
Besides the property taken by Major Kelly, further cap-
tures to a considerable amount have been made, and infor-
mation has been received of many places where more trea-
sure is hid.

In a military view, the resistance, and consequently the
danger, has been comparatively trifling, but it would be the
highest injustit e to estimate, by the inadequate opportunities
which have presented themselves, what might hive been
achieved lithe occasion had called forth the full exertions of
the troops. Of fatigue and hardship of weather, they have
had considerable trials, the roads being indiscribably rugged,
with frequent interruptions, both of mountain and morass,
atici every difficulty that -marching can possibly admit.
These, however, with ti.te dispi►iting addition of frequent
rain, only served to display their ardour, which no obstacles,
no discouragements could subdue. Rut that for which I
hold myself principally indebted to the army which 1 have
.had the honour and good fortune to cOt»mand in this under-
taking is, their orderly behaviour, and abstaing from all acts
of plunder, violence and irregularity. They have in conse-
quence been every where received by the Chiefs and inha-
bitants with unfeigned welcome, assisted with supplies and
nieatis of cal riam and their camp frequented by all classes of
the wives, bsith extraordinary freedom and familiarity.
Yuisi Lordship will readily perceive the happy tendency of
this kind of heltaviour, in encouraging and propagating that
cpptidenccf on I.lle part of thy inhabitants of tlicsc provinces,

AUG. g.

in the justice and moderation of his Majesty's Government
and the protection of his arms, which served to invite
and attach them to the cause in which they were engaged
and led, under Providence, to a conquest, the attempting of
which has in former instances proved so fatal, as to leave
terrific lessons of caution and forbearance of future invaders;
an enterprise whieli,l have no hesitation in saying, could
not, with any common pi udencc, have been entered upon,
except with the most credible assurances of the concurring
wishes of the Chiefs and people, nor could ever have been
brought to a successful issue without their acquiescence and
aid.

Tl►e army has enjoyed in a surprising degree the blessings of
health. Our returns sick are much below the number which might
be expected in the same force, stationed in any of the garrisons of
the colony.
I am now occupied in returning to their stations such parts of the
troops as will not be required to remain for the maintenance of the
British Government in the interior.
I am notyet prepared to pi esent to your Lordship any connected
view of the complicated and impoi taw considerations, ofa political
and civil nature, which arise out of this peat change : these I shall
therefore reserve for a separate dispatch, and conclude the present
with soliciting your Lordship to do me the honour of presenting to
his Royal Highness the Pi ince Regent the expressions of my
humble congratulations in being enabled by the speedy and happy
issue of a campaign, ending with the unparalleled good fortune of
not losing a single life, to tender for his Royal Highness's accep•
tance the duties of a new and industrious hardy race of people, and
the possession of a territory bountifully en:lowed with natural gifts,
and requiring; only the blessings of a just Government, and an equit-
able administration of justice, and the indulgent cart• and comae.
notice of a humane and eraeions Prince.

I consider the circumstances which have taken place to be of so
much national interest and importance, as to warrant my entrusting
them to the care of a confidential Staff Officer. My Son, Major
Itroworigg, Deputy Adjutant• General to this army, will therefore
have the honour of delivering this dispatch, and as lie has a perfect
knowledge of all the occurrences of our short campaign, l►e is
enabled to afford such information as your Lordship may be pleased
to require of him.
He will be charged with the banner or standard of Kandy, to be
laid, with my most respectful duty, at the feet of his Royal Highness
the Prince Regent.

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