weighed, and stood towards it. On the Amherst, which led, letting go her anchor, the natives set fire to the town in several places, and commenced a general plunder; finding that they were destroying, not only their own property, but also that of the Banyan merchants (natives of India and British subjects, who, consequently, had a right to our protection), and considering that if the place were entirely consumed, the chances of obtaining any thing in the shape of restitution from the offending tribe would be much reduced, I judged that it would be best at once to shew them that they were in our power. The ships, therefore, opened an occasional fire of round shot only (over them), and the boats of the Tamar, Pandora, and Amherst, being manned with 240 men, including the marines of H.M. ships and the sepoys of the Amherst, were despatched under the command of Captain (William Clarke) Jervoise, of the Pandora, to take possession of the town, and endeavour to save as much of it as possible.
“The natives were formidable in point of numbers, consisting probably of 2,000 men, armed according to the custom of the country; but on the boats landing many of them dispersed in various directions: the judicious measures taken by Captain Jervoise, who occupied, with the marines, a commanding hill in the centre of the town, and two other positions to the right and left of it, soon reduced the fire, and restored some confidence; the people coming in by parties, and voluntarily giving up their arms. Part of a division, under Lieutenant (Jeffrey W.) Noble, being in advance, was, however, attacked, and a marine belonging to this ship was unfortunately killed; several of the natives also have fallen, which I much regret.
“Two of the Sheiks now came off; and having seen that order was in some degree re-established, our force was withdrawn at eleven o’clock, and a negociation entered into, regarding the retribution to be rendered to us. The Sheiks solemnly promising to use every exertion in their power to bring back the others of their tribe, and to settle the affair as we should direct. They had, however, been so dispersed, that it would require some days to recall them, and to convince them that we did not wish to injure them. Four days were accordingly given them to effect this object; and, as a proof that they were desirous to come to some understanding, they immediately supplied the squadron with fresh provisions from the neighbouring hills.
“I trust, Sir, I may be permitted to avail myself of the little affair of the landing, to express my thanks to Captain Jervoise. The occasion was in itself trifling, but it still may be considered to have been sufficient to display the zeal and judgment of that excellent officer, when it is remembered that he landed in presence of an armed population; decidedly inclined to be hostile, and of eight or ten times the number of his own men; it may consequently be taken as an earnest of what might be expected, when an opportunity more worthy of the display of his gallantry and professional talents
