"No. 37. — 1888.] capture of Colombo. 



377 



came, — the soldiers saw with mortification the enemy 

 continually setting them at defiance, without being able to 

 retaliate. The Malays encamped on the seashore at the 

 foot of the Flag battery, being too exposed were put into 

 barracks in the storehouses of the Harbour Master outside 

 the Water-gate (de la porte d'eau), and some small guns, 

 three or f our-pounders, were placed at the base of the Flag 

 battery under the apprehension that an armed sloop might 

 approach on that side. They also lodged the Sepoys and 

 Moors in some storehouses. 



A part of Colonel de Meuron's house was rented to 

 accommodate the Council of Justice and also for an office. 

 The Town Hall served for the armed townsfolk and the 

 clerks. The goods in the offices were placed at Government 

 disposal. 



By the advice and invitation of the Governor, several ladies 

 betook themselves to Galle. 



At the Governor's house there is a small platform, 

 and under it a vaulted cellar ; the Governor had it 

 covered with four rows of fascines and sand, which 

 rendered it bombproof, and there he deposited his plate 

 and furniture. 



A ship bearing the King of Achem's flag (red) appeared 

 before the roadstead with the intention of entering. One of 

 the two brigs cruising about left its mate and gave 

 chase, pouring in broadsides which rent all the sails. 

 This vessel very fortunately escaped under the Water-Pass 

 battery, mounted with guns of large calibre, which, for the 

 first time, were ordered to be fired. It was supposed that the 



■ Governor only made up his mind to give this order because he 

 hoped this vessel might bring despatches which he daily 



■ expected from Batavia. The enemy's brig went about, stood 

 away, and the vessel arrived safely in port. It was the 

 French corsair Le Jupiter, from Batavia, which had been 

 previously captured by Commodore Mitchel, and subsequently 

 retaken. The Captain who commanded her was a Dutch- 

 man named Backer : he had only a Malay crew, but offered 



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