No, 37—1888.] capture of Colombo. 



411 



former cowardice, and was equally despised by our countrymen. I 

 have often since conversed on the subject with the Malay officers, who 

 seemed to have embraced entirely the same sentiments with regard to 

 it. They were all highly disgusted with the pusillanimous conduct of 

 the Dutch, particularly in the affair at the Grandpass, where they left 

 them without any assistance to fight by themselves. Their contempt 

 for their former masters, and their admiration of the valour of our 

 troops, has served to render the Malays our most sincere friends, and 

 they are now formed into a steady and well-disciplined regiment in 

 the British service. 



These facts with regard to the easy capture of Ceylon tend to throw 

 the severest reflections on the Dutch garrison there ; but by no means 

 serve to show that the enterprise on our part was not attained with the 

 greatest danger. The opposition of even a very small body of men 

 must have occasioned much difficulty and loss to us, however great 

 General Stewart's military talents, and however brave the troops he 

 commanded. Nature, indeed, seems to have done everything in her 

 power to secure the approaches to Columbo on this side. 



APPENDIX C. 

 [Welsh's " Military Reminiscences," Vol. L, pages 26-40..] 

 Trincomallee. 



The harbour of Trincomallee, situated near the north-eastern 

 extremity of the island of Ceylon, is one of the best in India ; it was 

 defended by numerous works, and might have given us much trouble 

 to take it, but fortunately the garrison were mostly quiet merchants 

 and mechanics, who, by a protracted defence, would have hazarded 

 their all for the bubble reputation, and therefore very speedily surren- 

 dered. The troops destined for the conquest of the Dutch possessions 

 on the western shore of the island, then assembled at Ramiseram, in 

 January, 1796, consisting of three European and five native corps, 

 under the command of Colonel Stewart,* of his Majesty's 72nd 

 regiment. 



* Colonel Stewart was a very old and experienced officer, well known, 

 and at that time much liked by the Madras army ; he went by the fami- 

 liar appellation of " Old Row." Relieved from the government of Ceylon, 

 he afterwards became Commander-in-Chief at Madras, and returned to 

 Europe in 1808. 



