________________
MAY, 1902.]
A Detachment of one Sarang one Tandal, and Forty experienced Gun Lascars to be Drafted from the Artillery Lascars.
THE ANDAMANS IN THE XVIIITH CENTURY.
249
A proportion of Artillery and Stores, (of which there is accompanying a List) to be got in readiness if your Lordship approves of it, and for which I have prepared the necessary Indents.
As many Bildars and Coolies as can be sent in the next vessels, that can be dispatched, with a proportional addition of Provisions - these are the Classes of people that will be most wanted for some time to come, I beg leave to Observe that the greatest care should be taken, that stout and healthy men are chosen.
As independant of the present Situation of Affairs, it would certainly be expedient to arm the Vessels on the Andaman Establishment, from their being liable to be sent to Pedeir Aracan and Other piratical and Hostile Coasts I beg leave to transmit an abstract of the Expense of an Establishment of people for them, which on consulting with the Commanders appeared more suitable than the old one an Abstract of which I also send by which your Lordship will perceive that the additional expense is small.
Fort William
25th July 1798.
I imagine also it will be necessary that the Officers commanding the Vessels on the Andaman Establishment, should have some Commission or letter of Marque granted them, to act against the Enemy, and authority to inforce the necessary Discipline on board their Vessels, and as they are all Lieutenants in the Bombay Marine I take the liberty of proposing as the easiest mode, that they may be directed to act by the instructions they will have received from the Bombay Government, which it is probable have been drawn out with every legal Caution.
I have the honor to be &ca. (Signed) A. Kyd Superintendant at the Andamans.
(Copy) To Ensign Stokoe of Engineers.
Sir, I have already communicated myself so fully to you on what appears to me to be the best and Speediest means of putting this Settlement in a State of Defence, so as to be able to repel any attack of privateers or small armament that the French nation, said to be at war with Great Britain might fit out, which although I do not think it is an Event that is probable, is yet what it is our Duty to guard against I have therefore Sketched such works on a plan of the point of this Island, which accompanys this expressing the ground in its present state as appears to me the best adapted for the present Occasion, considering the slender means we have of putting much in execution.
It is fortunate that so very little ground has yet been cleared of trees, and that the woods are of so very impervious a nature, that although they would not be an insurmountable impedement to an Enemy well provided with Workmen and tools, would yet be a great obstruction but [? which] a force only provided with their arms would certainly find it impossible to penetrate. We are thus left to pay our Chief attention to the defence of that ground which is cleared and to making all Tracks, which the Settlers have made as impassable as possible, which last will not be attended with much labour.
The hill A presents itself happily on a part on which a work will command the whole cleared Space, and which will admit of being of a Capacity to contain a considerable Body of Men and which from its height and Commanding Situation may certainly be made a very respectable post.
It was my first intention to Occupy it with a large round Redoubt but on a more minute inspection and consideration of the ground, think the present figure holds out more advantages.
