“It is gratifying to me to be able to state, that at the present half-yearly inspection, after a lapse of so many years, I find the regiment in the same high state of moral and military discipline, in which I had the satisfaction of finding it on my arrival to assume this command, and which had previously called forth the highest eulogiums from my predecessor. “To have maintained this character during a period of more than ten years’ service in this colony, is a circumstance which cannot but be considered to reflect great credit on the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of this distinguished corps, and will, no doubt, meet with a just appreciation in their own country, to the shores of which (as the regiment is about to return home) I earnestly wish them a speedy and prosperous voyage. “I cannot conclude without requesting the present commanding officer, Major Simmonds, to accept my best acknowledgments for the zeal and attention displayed by him in the command of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment.” (Signed) “JOHN WILSON, _Lieut.-General_, “_Commanding the Forces_.” _Dated “Kandy, 27th December, 1838.”_ [Sidenote: 1839] On the 12th February, 1839, the regiment marched to Colombo, preparatory to its embarkation for England; and on the 3rd March, Her Majesty’s troop-ship ship “Jupiter” came to anchor in Colombo roads, having on board the service companies of the Ninety-fifth Regiment, under the command of Colonel James Campbell, intended for the relief of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment; but in consequence of disturbances in India, the embarkation of the regiment was directed to be delayed. After performing duty in various parts of the island of Ceylon for eleven years, during which period the regiment lost six officers and three hundred non-commissioned officers and privates, it embarked for England on board of Her Majesty’s ship “Jupiter,” and the following general order was issued by the General Officer commanding, dated “Head Quarters, Colombo, 22nd October, 1839:”-- “In taking leave of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment, which will embark to-morrow for England, Major-General Sir Robert Arbuthnot should not do justice to his own feelings, and this distinguished corps, whose gallantry he has so often witnessed in the field, if he did not express the great satisfaction he felt in assuming the command of this island, to find at his first and last inspection, that the same excellent system, discipline, steadiness under arms, and interior arrangements existed in time of peace, which had been the means of gaining them so great honour in time of war.