150 
Description of the Country around Columho. 
•u’ith a sort of harbour formed by a projection of land where 
the river rims into the sea. This is almost the only place where 
tlie high surf and rocky shore on this coast permits ship-boats 
of the European construction to land. 
This place was signalized by a shocking catastrophe which 
took place here in 1795, A boat from his Majesty’s ship Or- 
pheus having been sent in here to procure fresh provisions, the 
sailors, confiding in the peace which then subsisted between the 
British and Dutch governments, came ashore without any ap- 
prehension, and began to look out for water, a few fowls, and 
vegetables. They were at first received with much apparent 
civility, and many promises that they should be plentifully sup- 
plied with the articles they required. This, however, was only 
intended to amuse them, ivhile a party of Malays stole unper- 
ceived between them and the boat, and fell upon them unex- 
pectedly. Few of our men escaped this shocking treachery, 
wdiich was of a piece with the jealous and barbarous policy 
usually practised by the Dutch towards strangers who ap- 
proached their colonies. The Malays, who were the instru- 
ments of their cruelty on this occasion, were afterwards in 
dread of its being revenged upon them when our troops came 
before Columbo. Indeed it was a fortunate thing for them 
tl'iat the town was taken by capitulation, as our men were very 
much exasperated against them both on this account, and their 
repeated attempts to surprise our camp before Trincomalee and 
Columbo. 
At Barbareen there is a principal - manufactory for making 
cordage and cables from the cocoa-tree. Large quantities are 
sent from hence to Columbo and Point de Galle to supply the 
vessels which trade to these ports. 
