The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-26
British .Annsxation.n

There is portion OF modern history which is more
generally unknown than that OF British India yet there
is none more curious aordng direct evidence OF
the tyranny and oppression which daily praetsed BY
those sustaining before the world the most unsued repu
atons. We see British naval and military commanders
and civil officers, from time 10 time received in triumph
at London, feted by the Lord Mayor making progresses
through the kingdom, and utterhg speeches and sen
mens most edying and honorable their character as
well to that OF their country Great Britain as thus rep
resented by hem appears always the champion OF hu
many and honor, ever defending the weak and
supporting the right Her conquests when she makes any,
are forced upon her by circumstances and never
deraken except under the dictates of the sernest neces
slty The hand OF God evidently directs the movements
NC &c. TO all this we present, as commentary, the
following summary of the circumstances attending the
GanerGtioa OF Ceylon to the British Empire in 1885, as
gwen IN the London Spectator it, review of MarshalPs
History OF Ceylon in a work recently issued in England
and nnumeabe other instances OF conduct equally afro
cious may be cited
"As regards the judgment pronounced against the Brit
lsh policy, Mr. AlarshalPs views may justly be adopted
In the dealings of civilized states with barbarian peopes
the civilized lose sight Of considerable equiv setting
up their own standard OF public morals and usage as
test IRON which they allow OF appeal either on the
score OF passion necessity, weakness Ii too often
happens that civilized states go beyond this and markedly
substitute might Tor rght as see persons in private
HE conduct themselves towards interiors in manner
they would not do TO their equals Examples of both
these principles Of action may be found in the history of
our Indian empTe-probaby It consists of little else. In
Ceylon the KING governors passed far beyond the usual
boundaries OF politicians; unrestaned by the necessity
under which the companys servants labor of reducing
every plan with their reasons to writing for the directors
inspection and unchecked by the consideration and re-
sponsbility which this process imposes The wit about
town., the Honorable Frederick North engaged in Sc.
nes OF treacherous plots with the Adkar Prime Minis
ter OF the Court OF Handy the object of the British gov
eTnor being TO extend the dominion OF the crown over
the whole island instead OF being confined to the sea-
coasts, which we had conquered from the Dutch The
Adlkar apparently supported this scheme; but his views
to plunge his sovereign and his allies alike into dill
hculty, and then TO ascend the throne himself These
neiarlous designs were defeated OveTweening conf
dence bad arrangements, the difficulties of the country
the slcky season, and want Of promptude, foresight,
decision, and resource, in Major Davie the commandment
OF Handy led TO the destruction retreat OF the British
forces the higher authorities dsaPproyed of the full
y lost his head Eheyapola, his successor having en-
gagged IN ntrigues against his sovereign, being
pected OF them took refuge in Colombo, where he was
Some alleged aronts made the plea Tor another war
Prohtng by the failure of the former attempt the COVER
nor made preparations extended scale; and the
plan Of campaign under the suggestions OF Eheyapola
was better adapted to the nature of the country and 10
the great obec-the capture OF the king. The advance
OF the troops was assisted by the eachery Of the new
minister; and the monarch, betrayed by somebody, was
captured in house where he had taken refuge proc
amaon declared that his crimes had forfeited the crown
and jumping over the rights Of his SUCCESSORS the Kan
dyan people declared that the government remained at
the disposal OF his [Britannic maestys representatives
The farce OF treaty or agreement was gCle through
with IN national convention OF mobiles and he;men the
sovereignty was assumed by the British; and was only
once disturbed by general Instruction. without concert
or plan, which was suppressed after the country had been
rayaged and many OF the nobility destroyed.
In his (ratheT indirect and Impled) cena % of the
British government in Ceyun, most persons ill 60 with
Mr.: Marshall Mr, Nu.lA is found ue~ = ..ausly tam
pering with the minister Of sovereign with whom we
were In alliance and only not sanctioning project for
his assassination General Brownrgg precpites war
on insufficient grounds, and then, Jacobnical or
ly by its occupant but all other claimants And these
crimes seem to have been grautous since events must
have brought about the fall OF the Kandyan monarchy
had the governors possessed comprehension enough to
see into the future, and patience to wait"