366 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol. X. 



This information was given to me at Batavia and in the 

 Island of Java by several Dutch officers of rank employed 

 there, who had formed part of the garrison of Colombo- 

 at the time. 



Their own character and the agreement of their accounts 

 convinced me of the truth of the notes which they gave me. 



Attack, Defence, and Surrender of Colombo. 

 July, August, September, 1795. 



After the capture of Trincomalee, the English marched 

 upon Batticaloa, of which they took possession without 

 opposition, and then repaired to Jaffna {Jaffna imtnarn), 

 where the Dutch only left a few invalid officers and a company 

 of Sepoys, having made the Europeans and artillery evacuate 

 it for Colombo. 



All the Malays who were in the Wanni (le Vanille) and at 

 Mannar (Manaar) were also recalled thither, and the defence of 

 that fortress from that time alone occupied attention. For had 



it been retained it would have helped, with assistance from 



t 



the King of Kandy, towards the recapture of Trincomalee and 

 the other posts of which the English were then masters. 



Haste was then made to set on foot in Colombo the defensive 

 arrangements which the circumstances necessitated. 



Two companies were placed in the ravelin of the Delft 

 Gate. 



M. Duperon, second engineer, who had charge of the 

 execution of the exterior works, constructed outside the 

 Galle barrier a fieche, the fire of which covered the lake, the 

 road, the Galle Face (la plaine de Galle), and the sea. Four 

 eighteen-pounders were mounted on it, but it could have 

 held eight. 



A battery for two eight-pounders was constructed outside 

 the Delft Gate, which commanded the coast and the lower 

 town road. Two eighteen-pounders were mounted on the 

 bonnette above the barrier which directed its fire on to the 

 esplanade. 



