96 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
our most sincere friends, and they are now formed into a 
steady and well disciplined regiment in the British service. 
These facts with regard to the easy capture of Ceylon 
tend to throw the severest reflections on the Dutch garrison 
there, but by no means serve to shew that the enterprise 
on our part was not attended with the greatest danger. 
The opposition of even a very small body of men must have 
occasioned much difficulty and loss to our men, however 
great General Stewart’s military talents, and however brave 
the troops he commanded. Nature, indeed, seems to have 
done every thing in her power to secure the approaches to 
Columbo on this side. 
