372 



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



[Vol. X. 



which its head (V Oprohoffte) had abandoned, and their men- 

 of-war and transports anchored there. 



Four eight-pounders had been placed at the Passebetal, but 

 orders were subsequently received to withdraw them. 



The English Major Agnew, who had already once sum- 

 moned the Governor of Colombo, van Angelbeck, to surrender 

 the Fort, and to place himself under the protection of the 

 English flag, came and made a second summons, and handed 

 over to the Colonel of the Meuron regiment letters from his 

 brother [with the offer] of a Brigadier's commission, if he 

 would join the English service. This he accepted, and it 

 appeared to have been arranged beforehand, as he announced 

 at the same time that the whole regiment would pass over 

 to the same service with its Colonel, who claimed it. 



This treason happened most inopportunely, as the European 

 garrison was inconsiderable. 



As this regiment was composed partly of Frenchmen 

 devoted to their country and to the Dutch, our allies, their 

 services were counted upon. 



The English Major arrived in the frigate U Heroine, but 

 had left her in the offing, and come on shore alone in 

 a canoe. He landed at the inn, where, for form sake, a 

 sergeant was placed near him. He remained for several days 

 and had his meals daily at Government House, from the 

 balconies of which he could easily inspect the preparations 

 which were made. 



A show was made of refusing the protection of the English 

 flag, but the Meuron regiment was allowed to leave, and 

 the Dutch Governor even countenanced [its departure] ; for as 

 there were no vessels fit to transport them, he furnished them 

 with sloops belonging to the Company, at twenty rupees a 

 head. Pierre Monneron also freighted one of these vessels 

 for this service. 



Colonel de Meuron wished to take his field-pieces away 

 with him, but this was not allowed, on the plea that they 

 belonged to the Company. The Frenchmen belonging to 

 this regiment, the contract term of many of whom had expired, 

 asked to be permitted to remain, on the ground that they had 



