In this article I intend to show that the overriding aim of Frederic North, Governor of the Maritime Provinces of Ceylon from 1798 to 1805, was to contract a subsidiary alliance with the independent Kingdom of Kandy modelled on those being established at the same time in India by the Governor-General, the Marquess of Wellesley. The role of the latter in this episode will also be assessed. Moreover I attempt to furnish evidence challenging the prevailing view that Pilima Talavuva, adigar of the Kingdom of Kandy, or for that matter any other of its officials, committed treachery against the King of Kandy.