410 



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



The state of discipline in the garrison had also fallen into the most 

 shameful disorder. Drunkenness and mutiny were carried to the great- 

 est height. The old Governor has frequently declared at the tables of 

 our officers, that he was in constant danger of his life from their 

 mutinous conduct. He had resolved to defend the place to the last ; 

 but such was the state of insubordination which prevailed, that he 

 could not by any means induce the Dutch troops, and in particular the 

 officers, to march out against the enemy. Personal safety, an object 

 scarcely ever attended to by our troops either by sea or land, seemed in 

 them to overpower every sense of duty or honour. A few of them 

 went to accompany the Malay troops on the expedition I have already 

 mentioned ; but scarcely had they reached the gates of the Black 

 Town when their courage evaporated, and they left the Malays to 

 their fate. Not above one or two European officers met us in that 

 action besides the brave Colonel Raymond, who was ashamed of being 

 connected with such poltroons, and would have brought their conduct 

 to public censure had not his death fallen a noble sacrifice to his sense 

 of honour. 



This state of total insubordination, the violence of the Jacobin 

 party, and the fear of an internal massacre, induced the Governor to 

 enter into a private treaty for surrender with the English as soon as 

 they appeared before the place. He let his troops, however, know 

 that such a measure was in agitation ; but this produced no effect on 

 their disorders, and he at length signed the capitulation without their 

 knowledge, and I believe without their consent. Our troops were 

 suddenly introduced into the fort, and had nearly entered before the 

 Dutch were aware of it. They were found by us in a state of the 

 most infamous disorder and drunkenness ; no discipline, no obedience, 

 no spirit. They now began to vent the most bitter reproaches against 

 the Governor, accusing him as the author of that disgrace which their 

 own conduct had brought upon them ; and seemed in a tumultuous 

 crowd determined to display a desperate courage when it was now too 

 late. The Malay troops alone kept up any appearance of discipline. 

 Even they, however, were led away by the contagious example of the 

 rest ; and several of them, in concert with the Jacobin party among 

 the Dutch, attacked the Governor's house, and fired it with an intention 

 to kill him, crying aloud that he had betrayed them and sold them to 

 the English. Nor was it without much difficulty that these mutineers 

 were compelled to evacuate the fort, and ground their arms. 



It was grateful to the heart of a Briton to behold the steady 

 conduct and excellent discipline of our troops on this occasion when 

 contrasted with the riotous and shameful conduct of the Dutch 

 soldiers. An officer who was an eye witness assured me that the Dutch 

 soldiers went so far as even to strike at our men with their muskets, 

 calling them insulting and opprobrious names, and even spitting upon 

 them as they passed. This behaviour entirely corresponded with their 



