No. 37—1888.] capture of Colombo. 



365 



A COLLECTION OF NOTES ON THE ATTACK AND 

 DEFENCE OF COLOMBO, IN THE ISLAND 

 OF CEYLON, 



Given over to the English on February 16, 1796. 



Translated from the French of MONSIEUR DE LA Thombe 

 (Voyage aux Indes Orientates) by the late Colonel 

 the Hon. A. B. Fyers, R.E., Surveyor- 

 General of Ceylon. 



[The following translation of Recueil de Notes sur VAttaque et De- 

 fense de Colombo, which appeared in M. de la Thombe's " Voyage aux 

 Indes Orientales," was made for the Society by its President, the late 

 Colonel A. B. Fyers, r. e., Surveyor-General. The translator died in 

 ignorance that a previous version in English had been attempted by 

 Mrs. C. A. Lorenz (nee Nell), some years ago, and printed for private 

 circulation. This translation is now unprocurable. Colonel Fyers' 

 contribution, therefore, so far from being held de trop, will be welcomed 

 as a valuable addition to the historical papers issued by the Society. 



The Appendices have been added by the editor with the object of 

 laying before readers ample material for forming an unbiassed opinion 

 regarding the surrender of Colombo to the British arms. — B., Hon. 

 Sec] 



HE surrender of the Island of Ceylon to the 

 English, and notably the capture of the fortress 

 of Colombo which is its bulwark, having given 

 rise to different versions, I am going to publish 

 some information on the military operations which preceded 

 the occupation, in order that an opinion may be formed as 

 to how much reliance can be placed in the account given by 

 Mr. Percival, an English officer, who, like a good English- 

 man, is far from confessing that treason alone obtained for 

 .his country the invasion and possession of this fine Colony. 



