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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. X. 



heads of corps, who assembled at Government House to 

 consult on the means for an exterior defence, a portion of 

 the trees and shrubs on the Cocoanut Garden Island {Vile 

 du Jardin de Cocotiers) was cut down. All that was 

 on the Galle Face on the side of that island was pulled 

 down, besides a part of the bazaar of the lower town on the 

 seaside. A commencement was also made in demolishing 

 the block of houses situated on the shore of the lake, as well 

 at the front and rear of the cemetery situated at the entrance 

 of the lower town. They were undecided whether they would 

 also raze the half of this lower town, as formerly re- 

 commended by M. de Cipierre, an engineer from Pondicheri. 



The ramparts were furnished with guns, mortars, howit- 

 zers, and all ammunition necessary for a vigorous defence. 



The powder magazine at the Galle Gate, and that 

 situated at the Eotterdam Gate, were masked with three 

 rows of cocoanut trees, on which were placed four feet of 

 sand. Finally, the epaulments of the angles of the bastions 

 were heightened by earth. 



All the sailors were organised into a company, and 

 exercised at the guns on the ramparts. 



Three companies of Moormen (des Maures) were formed, 

 who served as coulis or labourers either to the Company 

 or to private individuals. They were commanded by batta- 

 lion officers. Similar companies were also formed of 

 Sinhalese dependents of the Disave, and were commanded 

 by sergeants or corporals. 



The writers of the Company, too, took up arms and formed 

 another company amongst themselves. Two companies 

 were formed of citizens commanded by the brothers 

 Kulemberg, who agreed to maintain them during the 

 expected duration of the siege. 



In September, 1795, there was grumbling on the part 

 of two companies of the Meuron Regiment (Regiment de 

 Meurori) who were stationed at Galle. They were cudgelled 

 into submission, the punishment which Major Moitie had 

 dealt out to them. 



