870 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
great effect to join the troops serving against the Poligars 
and the Nairs in the Cotiote. 
It is impossible to estimate the establishments intended to 
be placed in Ceylon by government, from their situation 
when I left the island, as at that time it had not been 
ceded by treaty to the British crown, nor had circumstances 
as yet permitted any regular plan of appointments to be 
fixed upon with regard to it. The force, according to the 
latest accounts, stationed there, consists of the 19th and 
51st regiments, three native battalions, and about 200 of 
the Bengal artillery, besides the Malays who entered into our 
service on the capture of the island. The policy of our 
government in raising native troops who are enured to the 
climate and acquainted with the country, promises to be 
productive of the happiest effects, and seems the best that 
can be employed to secure a distant colony. The officers 
very properly are Europeans. 
The force though perhaps sufficient in times of profound 
peace for the preservation of tranquillity in the island it- 
self, is by no means fit to be entrusted with the defence 
of such a valuable colony, and far less to render any effec- 
tual assistance to our other possessions in the event of 
any commotions. The smallest establishment which can be 
appointed to this must consist of at least three European 
regiments, and seven or eight battalions of native troops 
for the garrisons of Trincomalee, Columbo, and Point 
de Galle alone ; without including the fort of Jafnapatam, 
3 
