THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
1(31 
which could unite them with this country. At present it is 
very uncomfortable for Europeans to be as much afraid of 
their servants and attendants as of a mad dog. 
The Dutch Government at Ceylon had always a regiment 
of Malays in their service. That corps for a considerable 
time past seemed to form the strength of their garrisons, 
and were the only troops which either kept up discipline, or 
displayed any sort of bravery in the field. I have already men- 
tioned that it was from them alone our troops met with any 
opposition, either at Colombo or Trincomalee. They seemed, 
indeed, to have imbibed such a rooted aversion for the 
English, that there was at first little appearance of their 
ever becoming our friends. This hatred had been inspired 
by the ungenerous policy of the Dutch, who endeavoured to 
secure their colonies by cherishing among the natives an 
implacable detestation of the other European nations, and 
in particular by representing the English as a nation of 
cruel and inhuman tyrants, who carried destruction and op- 
pression wherever they came. These base and unjustifiable 
arts were not however always confined to mere misrepresenta- 
tion ; but the massacre of foreigners was at times had recourse 
to as a measure of precaution. The infamous affair at A 111 - 
boyna lias through the whole world circulated the eternal 
disgrace of the Dutch name. There is another instance of 
their abominable policy which is less known in Europe, but 
has excited general indignation in the Eastern world. In the 
year 1798, Captain Packenham of the Resistance happening 
Y 
