His choice fell upon the son of a near kinsman, a child ten years of age, whom he named Serfojee.

A day or two after he sent for Mr.Swartz, and said, "This is not my son, but yours.

Into your hand I deliver him." "May the child become a child of God," was the answer of Swartz.

The Rajah was too ill to continue the interview, but he sent for Swartz the next day, and said, "I appoint you guardian to this child; I put his hands into yours." Swartz, however, did not think it right to undertake the state guardianship of the lad, and the administration of the province.

Indeed, he knew that to do so would be absolutely to put the child's life in danger, from the cabals and jealousies which would be excited, and he induced Tuljajee to confide the charge to his brother, Rama Swamey, afterwards called Ameer Singh.
This was done, and the Rajah soon after died, in the year 1787, leaving the boy and Ameer Singh under the protection of the Company.