INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. kxix 



effects of having troops previously seasoned before they are sent 

 to India. 



It is therefore obvious, if the recruits enlisted for India were 

 to be sent to St. Helena, and exchanged for an equal number of 

 seasoned soldiers, it would be a means of saving many lives that 

 otherwise would fall a sacrifice to the disorders incidental to 

 warm climates. The India recruits might remain from two to 

 live years, in the option of the Governor ; or proceed, at any 

 time within that period, to their destination : or return to Eng- 

 land, after the expiration of their term of service. If this plan 

 were carried into effect, it would moreover check that spirit of 

 insubordination, combination, and discontent, to which some 

 men are liable, when too long kept in one place. 



Knowing from experience, that many abandoned characters 

 still remained in garrison, in 1812, after the mutiny, and knowing 

 their unceasing thirst for spirituous liquors, and the improbabi- 

 lity of some incorrigible drunkards among them ever being con- 

 tented without spirits, after having been so long habituated to 

 intemperance, I suggested to the Court of Directors, that all 

 those who were in the disposition to serve in India should be 

 immediately relieved. This would enable the Governor to weed 

 the garrison, by selecting for India the worst subjects (who 

 could do no mischief there) ; and by such means there would be 

 an end to all discontents and clamours ; and the St. Helena corps 

 in a short time would be composed of a peaceable and sober 

 class of men, on whose fidelity and zeal a perfect reliance might 

 be placed. 



With a garrison composed of such men, placed in the exterior 

 posts, and forming three reserves, with field-pieces, in the inte- 

 rior, so distributed as speedily to reinforce the points attacked, I 

 should feel a perfect confidence, that no external attack, however 

 formidable, could possibly sucoeed. 



