183 
Malays of Ceylon. 
ture of Col umbo, the Malays for the first time during our long 
intercourse with India entered into our service. The regiment 
stationed there in the service of the Dutch was brought over 
to the British, and the command given to captain Whitlie, one 
of the East India company’s officers. By his assiduous exer-» 
tions and judicious conduct in the management of them during 
a considerable time, this corps was brought to a very excellent 
state of discipline, and lendered much attached to our govern- 
ment. They have since behaved universally with great respect 
and obedience to their European officers, and from being always 
well used by us have contracted a sincere regard to our service. 
Soon after the arrival of governor North on the island, he 
new-modelled this corps, and put it on a larger and more re- 
spectable establishment. Another European officer besides cap- 
tain Whitlie was assigned to it ; the companies were officered by 
their own native captains and subalterns ; and the governor at 
the particular request of the corps took upon himself the sta- 
tion of their colonel. Another change has since been introduced 
into the establishment of this regiment: tlie command has been 
given to colonel Champagne, officers for it have been sent from 
Europe, and it has obtained a place among our other regiments 
of the line. 
The Malay troops are armed and clothed much in the same 
manner as the European, with the exception of shoes, the wear- 
ing of whicli is contrary to the rules of their religion ; instead 
of them they use a particular species of sandal. Along with 
their other arms they always wear their kreeses or poisoned 
daggers by their sides: in the heat of an engagement they often 
throw down their musket and bayonet, and, rushing upon the 
enemy with these kreeses, carry terror and destruction wherever 
