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CHAP. peace, which Jesus, by suffering and dying for us, has obtained, surely we shall have a good-will towards God and men, and be truly happy.'

1789.

"This happiness I sincerely wish to you and Mr. D, and to all that belong to your house. "I am, constantly,

"Your most obedient humble servant,

"C. F. SWARTZ."

1 This was evidently a favourite train of thought with the venerable missionary. The reader will recognise the similarity of these sentiments with the subject of one of his sermons.

CHAPTER XVII.

Misgovernment of Ameer Sing-Mr. Petrie sent to TanjoreComplaint as to the rajah's treatment of Serfojee-Measures consequent upon it-Result of them--Letter of Swartz to the governor of Madras, and his plan for the better administration of justice in Tanjore-His advice respecting the management of the revenue-His letter to government in vindication of his conduct, in relation to Serfojee--He is consulted as to the adjustment of the revenue accountsHis letters to Sir Charles Oakley, respecting the general management of the country-Confidence of the governor and council of Madras in Mr. Swartz.

XVII.

1789.

It will now be necessary to revert to the public CHAP. - affairs of Tanjore, and the conduct of the new rajah. It has been already stated, that, upon his accession to the throne, the government of Fort St. George addressed to him a letter of counsel and advice, particularly calling his attention to the state of the revenue, and to the administration of justice among his subjects. Notwithstanding this friendly admonition, it appears that, at the commencement of the year 1788, Mr. Swartz

XVII.

1789.

CHAP. reported to the government that Ameer Sing was managing his affairs so injudiciously, that the very worst consequences were to be expected; that he was alienating his lands in an extravagant and improvident manner; that he entirely neglected the administration of justice; and that, unless some means were adopted to check the profusion and folly of the rajah, and of his sirkeel, or manager, Shevarow, the most ruinous results were to be apprehended.

In consequence of this communication, Mr. Petrie, one of the members of the Madras council, proceeded as commissioner to Tanjore, and Mr. Swartz was requested to render him the assistance which his knowledge and influence in the country would enable him to afford. Mr. Petrie's first object, on his arrival, was to procure the dismissal of the obnoxious minister, Shevarow; but, failing in this, he persuaded the rajah to associate with him two other respectable natives, as managers of the revenue, who should become responsible to the Company for the payment of the subsidy, for the more prudent administration of the affairs, and for the allotment of a just proportion of the produce to the inhabitants of the country. It was also agreed that Mr. Swartz should have the superintendence of the court of justice, which, in consequence of his repeated solicitations, the rajah had consented to establish

at Tanjore; that he should be made acquainted with the causes which came under the cognizance of that court, and that a weekly report of its proceedings should be delivered to him, which he should remit to the British resident, whose powers were enlarged, to enable him effectually to secure these important ends.

By these judicious arrangements, considerable advantages were obtained, both in the more regular management of the revenue, and in some slight appearance of a better administration of justice; but these improvements were only temporary, and were unhappily counteracted by the rajah, and his favourite, Shevarow.

Besides his mal-administration of the affairs of government, and his failure in the stipulated payments to the Company, another subject of complaint against Ameer Sing about this time arose, which cannot be better stated than in the following report from the resident to the government of Madras:

"I lament the occasion which obliges me again. to address you on the treatment shown by his excellency to Serfojee, the adopted heir of the late rajah.

66

Though my representations to you on this subject have been no less frequent than forcible; and though your admonitions, in consequence, to

VOL. II.

N

CHAP.

XVII.

1789.

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CHAP the rajah have been such as the situation of the boy demanded; those admonitions have not been attended with the desired effect.

1789.

"In addition to the knowledge Mr. Swartz and myself have of the boy's situation, the widows of the late rajah have stated the condition in which he is held, and have called upon me, as representative of the honourable Company here, to procure for him that protection which has hitherto been refused him by the present rajah.

"He remains still deprived not only of all education, but also of free air, exercise, and attendance. There being no prospect of a favourable change in his situation, humanity induces me to hope that some effectual mode of interposition may suggest itself to you, by which the boy may receive the protection he so well merits from the justice of the honourable Company.

"I beg leave to add, that the Rev. Mr. Swartz (whom Tuljajee, on his death-bed, appointed guardian to Serfojee) might, with propriety, be constituted the judge of his condition; and while he approved of the treatment shown by his excellency, the child would be secure of every protection the honourable Company could desire to obtain for him."

On this communication, the following minute was recorded.