Louis XVIII. returned to his capital on the 8th of July. It was not, however, until the 7th of October that the two French chambers, corresponding with the British parliament were assembled. At that time a treaty or convention of the allies was formally announced, and on the 20th of November it received the final signature of the contracting powers. By this treaty—seven French fortresses were to be occupied by 150,000 of the allied troops at the expense of France for a period not exceeding five years, and France was to pay 700,000,000 francs as an indemnity. Among the concessions made, was that of the Ionian Islands being declared independent, under the protection of England. On their part, the allies engaged to employ their united forces on any future occasion, should the same revolutionary principles which supported the usurpation of Napoleon under other forms again disturb France, and menace the repose of other states. This was planting an iron foot upon the neck of rebellion, but it was the only means of securing the peace of Europe. The French government and the nation at large felt the bitterness of the terms: but, conscious of their justice, they submitted to them without a murmur. On the re-establishment of the kingly government in France, measures were taken for the punishment of those who had been most active in the late rebellion. Among those who were punished with death was the celebrated Marshal Ney: “he had sown the wind, and he reaped the whirlwind.”
BRITAIN GAINS POSSESSION OF THE ISLAND OF CEYLON.
During this eventful year the sovereignty of Great Britain was extended over the island of Ceylon. The King of Candy, who possessed the interior, by his atrocities, compelled the inhabitants to throw off his yoke. Early in the year, General Brownrigg, the governor cf the British possessions on the coast, issued a proclamation declaring that he made war on the tyrant alone, and that protection would be afforded to his oppressed subjects. He penetrated to the capital amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants; the king-was delivered into his hands; and a treaty was concluded by which the British authority was established in the whole island, the rights and immunities of the chiefs being secured: torture and mutilation were abolished, and no sentence of death was to be executed without a warrant from the British governor. Thus this fine and fruitful island was added to “Britain’s wide domain.”
EAST INDIA AFFAIRS.
In the East Indies some disputes took place this year between the British government and the state of Nepaul, respecting boundaries. Dispute was followed by hostility, and a force of 30,000 men was ordered by the governor-general, Lord Moira, to penetrate that mountainous and intricate country. Several gallant but unsuccessful attempts were made upon the fort of Kalunga, in one of which General Gillespie the commander, was slain. The fort, however, was finally evacuated by its garrison; but a series of warlike operations was continued for several months with great bravery on both sides, and with various success. The final result of the war, however, was favourable to the British. After a campaign of great difficulty, the whole country from Kemaoon to the Sutlej was ceded to the British company.
MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.
A.D. 1816