110 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
several, when driven by the violence of the gales from their 
anchorage, have been wrecked here. On this account it is 
not uncommon to fire at vessels approaching too close to it, 
in order to warn them of their danger, and prevent them from 
anchoring within a certain distance. 
Columbo was particularly unfortunate in the loss of its three 
first governors after it came into our hands, all in the space 
of one year. The first was Colonel Petrie, of the seventy- 
seventh regiment. In December 1796, General Doyle arrived 
from England with half the nineteenth regiment, to succeed 
General Stewart in the command, but died on the June fol- 
lowing, sincerely regretted. Colonel Bonnevaux of the Com- 
pany’s service, the next senior officer on the island, succeeded him ; 
but had only arrived three or four days at Columbo, from his 
former command at Point de Galle, when he was killed by his 
curricle up-setting as he drove out through one of the gates ; 
and was buried within a week after his predecessor. After his 
death, General de Meuron, who was sent by the government 
of Madras to investigate into the revenue departments, took 
upon him the command, which he retained, till the Honour- 
able Frederick North was sent out from England as governor 
of Ceylon. The conduct of this gentleman to every class of 
people, since his arrival on the island, is such, as to entitle 
him to their warmest attachment; and to make them wish, 
that his residence among them may be prolonged much be- 
yond that of his predecessors. 
To every fort in India is attached on the outside of the 
