XVIL 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. 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. 1789. XVII. 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. XVII. 1789. "The board approve the suggestion of Mr. CHAP. Macleod respecting the appointing the Rev. Mr. Swartz guardian to the adopted son of the late rajah of Tanjore; and it is accordingly agreed that a copy of the foregoing letter be sent to Mr. Petrie, and that he be desired to pay every attention to the subject contained in it.” In consequence of this recognition of Mr. Swartz, as guardian of the adopted son of the late rajah, he had access to him from time to time, and acquainted the resident with his state; who, in a letter to the government secretary, dated 12th of August, 1789, reported it as follows:- "You will be pleased to acquaint the honourable the President and Council, that on the 8th inst. Mr. Swartz and myself had an interview with the adopted son of the late rajah. He appeared to be in good health, though a gloom hung upon his countenance. His place of confinement is spacious, though I believe he is never permitted to come out of it. He told us, upon inquiry, that he had no masters given him to instruct him, complained of his confinement, and wished to go to the house of his mother,—so he calls the widow of the late rajah. “I had before told Shevarow, that at least he should be permitted to have the exercise of riding XVI. 1789. CHAP. at Dindegal. Colonel Stewart is ordered to form a camp at Warriore to be in readiness if Tippoo should commence hostilities. We are but ill prepared in respect of provision. And though we have suffered much formerly by our neglect, nothing will make us wiser. And as it is in that respect, so in other articles likewise. "But oh, if God were with us, we might be confident, trusting in his Almighty arm. But Him and his word we disregard shamefully, as if we needed him not. However, we are in his hands, to save or to chastise us. May we seek and find mercy in and for Jesus' sake! "I hope you go on well in your female asylum, where Mr. Gerické, as I understand, has the inspection. But I cannot learn who has the management of the male asylum. "God bless you and us all! May he be our light and salvation in all circumstances!" Sept. 25. "We all here rejoice at the happy change which has made. We join with you in wishing that she and her husband may be one in seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness; for then he will direct and bless all other things. That divine pursuit of the best thing makes that state truly happy. Tell, therefore, our friend to persuade her husband by all gentle methods to |