9 * 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
soon retired very precipitately and with great loss ; their 
brave commander was mortally wounded and died a few 
days after. The loss on our part was not material ; and this 
was the last and only attempt made by the enemy to op- 
pose us. 
Our army was now come to Columbo the capital of the 
Dutch dominions in Ceylon, large, fortified, and capable of 
a vigorous defence ; and here they seemed to have concentra- 
ted their resistance. On our appearing before it, however, a 
capitulation was immediately proposed, and in a few days 
after, this important place was surrendered into our hands-. 
To examine the causes which led to this unexpected conduct 
may be of use to our own nation, and the commanders of 
our garrisons abroad. 
Previous to the British troops appearing before Columbo, 
its garrison had been in some measure weakened by the loss 
of the Swiss regiment de Meuron, which for a long time had 
composed part of it. This regiment, upon the term of its 
agreement with the Dutch having expired a few months before 
General Stewart was sent against Ceylon, had transferred its 
services to our government ; and other troops had not 
hitherto been procured from Holland or Batavia to replace 
it at Columbo. The strength of the garrison was by this 
means impaired ; but the want of numbers was not its prin- 
cipal defect, as upon marching out after the surrender, it 
was found to consist of two battalions of Dutch troops, the 
French regiment of Wirtemberg, besides native troops; 
