hy the British > , 11 7^ 
arrival of the English at this critical moment rescued them from 
impending destruction. 
The state of discipline in the garrison had also fallen into 
the most shameful disorder. Drunkenness and mutiny were car- 
ried to the greatest 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 resolv- 
ed 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 b}/ 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 eva- 
porated, 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 life fallen a noble sacrifice to his 
sense of honour. 
This state of total insubordination, the violence of the jaco- 
bin 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^ 
