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Point de Galle Fort,
24th. Feby. 1796.
6 O'Clock P.M.
Sir,
I did myself the pleasure
of writing to you a few lines from hence
yesterday, acquainting you that
I took possession of the Town and
Fortress of Galle at Nine O'Clock in
the morning. The British Colours
were immediately hoisted, after taking
down the Dutch Flag, and a Royal
Salute was fired at Noon.
All we could do yesterday was
to see the Public Magazines, Arsenals
and Stores, belonging to the Dutch
Company, in order to Post the
necessary Guards for their Security,
which, of course, was the first thing
attended to after our Troops
entered the Fort.
Mr. Fretz the Dutch
Commandeur very readily gave
me every information I could wish
for, and ordered the different heads
of Departments during the Dutch
Government to do the same, all of
whom I have hitherto found very
accommodating and communicative
with regard to their respective Administrations.
It will not be possible to send you
an accurate state or account of the
Fort, its extent, Public Buildings &c. &c.
for two or three days to come; – as, there
are various Public Buildings which I have
not yet had time to examine; and I do
not wish to send Colonel Stuart an
incorrect account either of them, or
of the extent or state of the Fort, both
of which requires time and consideration
to examine and report upon.
Lieutenant Quayle of the
Royal Artillery, with two other Officers,
as a Committee, assembled this
morning to take an account and
Inventory of all the Guns, Arms,
Ordnance, and Military Stores, in
the Fort of Galle, and the Committee
are to continue to assemble daily
until the Duty is executed.
I have directed Mr. Fretz to
order all those charged with the
various administrations to prepare
their accounts and wait until
called for by you; till which time
they will be held responsible for
all Public Property under their
charge. I have also communicated
to Mr. Fretz your orders respecting
immediately making up the account
of the exact amount of Paper
and Copper Money now in the Treasury,
as well as the other directions
contained in your memorandum
on that Subject; and he has promised to attend to it.
I hope I shall be able in
the course of tomorrow to make
up the Return of the Rank, Situation,
and Country of the Prisoners
of War with the other remarks
required. I have been so busily
employed all yesterday and this day
on other Duties, that I have not had
time to begin it.
The rate of Exchange here
between the Star Pagodas and Copper
Coins is very unfavorable to the
Troops. The Dutch only allow
Thirty Madras Fanams to the Star
Pagoda, instead of Forty five - the
usual Exchange. I have taken
it upon myself, in the meantime,
through the Channel of Mr. Fretz,
to order all the Inhabitants to
receive the Star Pagoda at the
rate of 45 Madras Fanams or 180 [?]
Stivers or Pice. But as I am
told by the Mr. Fretz that the Inhabitants
will lose by this rate of Exchange,
I must request you will mention
the circumstance to Colonel
Stuart, in order that I may
receive his orders and directions how
to act on this subject.
I forgot to report to you, in my
letter of yesterday, that when on
the march hither, and when
halted at Amblangoddam John
Edwards Matross of the 1st. Battn.
of Madras Artillery was brought
to me by a Party of the King of
Candia's Troops as a Deserter;
I brought him on here, and shall
detain him a Prisoner until
I receive your orders respecting
him.
I have the pleasure
to inform you that the Troops
under my Command conduct
themselves with the utmost
regularity, Strict Discipline,
and Subordination.
The Inhabitants of Galle
are a quiet, peaceable
Sort of People, and agree with the
Troops extremely well.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedt. Servt.,
L. Macquarie.
Capt. 77th. Regt.
Comg. at Galle
To:
Major Agnew,
Adjt. Genl. British Forces,
Colombo.
Source:
Lachlan Macquarie to Major Patrick Alexander Agnew: 24 February 1796.
Letterbook copy held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Reference: A788 pp.198-203; microfilm copy available CY Reel 304 frames #436-441.
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