54 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVI. 



that, though His Excellency the Governor arrived in good health r 

 he was not as before, and wished to be much alone, and was full 

 of thought. And it appears that if there existed a grief, it may indeed 

 almost be guessed, and will become public later on. 



On the 28th March Colonel Feber set out from Candia with the 

 companies of Europeans, Malays, and Sepoys, and withdrew all the 

 posts up to Wisetiawe, so that the road to Candia is now occupied for 

 thirty leagues by the foes. The garrison in Candia, 1,600 men, strong 

 enough in men and position, if God only grants them health and 

 strength, to keep off the enemy who attack them every day, is very 

 poorly provided, and that for no long time. 



Mr. Rein was ill, Storh dangerously ill, and almost all the officers 

 and many privates, so that there is some apprehension, and the present 

 is little better than before for the Company ; though some servants 

 have fared well, yet all this will create some alarm. 



The rest you can well comprehend ; it goes on according to your 

 prediction. If Candia can be held, and we^are somewhat strengthened 

 with men, the coming Governor can yet make a peace such as was 

 offered. Would that we had it even now ! In my humble opinion it 

 was better than to have spent much blood and money on that wild- 

 goose chase. 



May God, who rulest all things, so I direct it that our eyes may 

 behold your Excellency's person as Governor of this place,* to the 

 advantage of the Honourable Company and of the inhabitants of 

 Ceylon ! 



Letter G. 



Extract from a letter from Colombo by the above to a Principal Minister 

 at Mature, dated Colombo, April 11, 1765. 



The Colonel departed from Candia on March 28 with some companies 

 of Malays, Europeans, and Sepoys, leaving there the Commandant 

 Rein slightly ill, the Under Merchant Storh dangerously ill, almost 

 all the officers sick, and many privates. He has left there 1,600 men 

 in all, but very poorly provided with food. Moreover, all the posts 

 from Candia up to Wisenawe have been withdrawn, so that • the 

 line of communication for 20 to 25 leagues is again occupied by 

 the enemies. Great anxiety of mind prevails regarding Candia. 

 May heaven be gracious to us and grant our men health and strength^ 

 otherwise it would be a dreadful calamity, and the situation would be 

 somewhat worse for the Company than that of the past year. As for 

 the booty of Candia, I hear there is nothing at all for the Company, 

 though some of the servants have fared well. Think often of 

 f It seems as if he had a prophetic spirit, because the present 



* The writer shows his concern about it ! — Marginal note. 

 t Lacuna in manuscript. — A. E. B. 



