54 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
The Dutch built a fort on the island of Manaar, with a view 
to command the passage, and the compiunication with the con- 
tinent by Adam’s bridge. It was principally intended to prevent 
the subjects of the king of Candy from smuggling over any of the 
produce of the island, particularly spiceries ; and also to cut oft* 
all intercourse between that prince and those of the continent, 
by which he might have been enabled to form alliances dan- 
gerous to their interests. The protection of the pearl banks 
and pearl fishery, which lie at no great distance from this island, 
was also another principal object for erecting a fort here. It 
also contributed considerably to the revenues of government 
as a station, where certain duties were levied on the vast quan- 
tities of calicoes, coarse muslins, cottons, and other articles, 
brought through this passage to Colombo by the Moors, Ma- 
labars, and other inhabitants of the continent. 
These circumstances evidently render this place of sufficient 
importance, to retain a constant garrison there; and the ex- 
pence of the troops hitherto found sufficient for this service has 
been greatly overbalanced by the advantages derived from it. 
In general the garrison stationed here, consists only of a com- 
pany of Malays or Sepoys, under the command of an European 
officer. During the season of the pearl fishery, an additional 
force is sent from Columbo. It was formerly a subalterns 
command ; but it has been the policy of Governor North to 
appoint field officers to this and other stations. The chief 
trouble to the garrison here arises from collecting the taxes. 
It is not always that this can be done without compulsion; and 
