60 EXPEDITION TO MOLUCCA ISLANDS. 



as he honestly confesses himself to have been overruled contrary 



to the suggestions of his own judgment. The troops this day 

 landed from the different ships. The Admiral was somewhat embar- 

 rassed to draw a line between Majors Vigors and Brown, but upon 

 the former, though Senior Officer, agreeing that the Civil Govern- 

 ment should be vested in Major Brown, as supposed to have most 

 information and experience on that subject, reserving to himself 

 the command of the Troops, that medium was accordingly adopted. 



8th. — For some days past was extremely ill, but was this day 

 aide to visit the works of the Fort and Town, which I found in 

 better order and more capable of defence than I could suppose 

 from the facility with which it was gained by so small a force. 

 Had the Dutch been true to their trust and assembled the garrisons 

 of Ehio and Perak. as they were ordered from Batavia to do, they 

 certainly might have occasioned us a? deal of trouble. 



Otli. — Visited Boeca* China and was much surprised at the 

 attempt to fortify such an extensive line as is here intended and 

 partly executed, and which the whole garrison is not more than 

 equal to defend, in case of an attack : and it seemed to me that tin's 

 work- might have been laid out, to much more advantage and effect, 

 in the Fort and round the Town. 



llili. — The Sjjy, schooner, arrived this day from Manila, measured 

 a base line for the survey of Malacca. 



13th. — These two days chiefly employed in surveying the Fort 

 and environs. After restless enquiry concerning the strength and 

 situation of the different islands to the Eastward, learned that 

 there were four Natives of Amboina on board a small brig com- 

 manded by a French Officer, in search of whom I sent my chief 

 Malay Interpreter, who procured two of them for me. 



14th. — The arrangement for the further expedition Eastward 

 having been made, and given to the Admiral for his consideration 

 and approval, he referred it to Major Brown, who made several 

 alterations in it, particularly relative to the Grenadier Companies, 

 two of which he insisted on reserving, as part of his garrison of 

 Malacca; certainly the best men should soonest be employed where 

 set's ice was actually going forward, instead of being reserved for a 

 remote chance of service in garrison. 



16th. — After much enquiry and considerable expense, I had this 



* Eukit. the Malay for Hill. 



