when the signal post announced a sail coming from Amboyna. The intelligence she brought proved of an unfavorable nature, the natives having risen in insurrection and committed many excesses. Under these circumstances the Commodore gave up his intention of sending the despatches direct to England, and Captain Newcombe carried them in the Orpheus to Sir George Keith Elphinstone, at Madras[1].
Lieutenant Dobbie was subsequently ordered to convoy a ship with a valuable cargo of spices to China, and to procure there a supply of stores and provisions for the squadron and garrisons at the Moluccas. On this occasion he acquitted himself so much to the satisfaction of the commander-in-chief as to receive the testimony of his approbation in public orders. Lieutenant Dobbie being in bad health when ordered on the above service, the present Captain Arthur Farquhar, C.B. (who had accompanied him in pursuit of the Harlingen) was appointed to serve under him as a supernumerary Lieutenant. On their arrival at Macao it was found necessary to heave the Amboyna down, she having got aground in the Sooloo Seas; and therefore when Lieutenant Dobbie went up to Whampoa he left his friend in the Typa to superintend that service. Whilst in the act of heaving down, the brig was suddenly attacked by a strong party of Ladrones, who expected to carry her by surprise; but fortunately Mr. Farquhar was on his guard, and the pirates took to flight after receiving a severe chastisement for their audacity.
In Dec. 1796, we find Lieutenant Dobbie again serving on
- ↑ The rebellion in Amboyna was raised by the Mahometan natives, witk the intention, as they affirmed, of extirpating the Dutch, whose tyranny they had long impatiently groaned under; and this they would have fully accomplished had Commodore Rainier not undertaken Mynheer’s defence and protection. During the months of April and May 1796, the insurgents remained in arms, and gave the British some trouble, carrying devastation to the very walls of the fort, burning the houses, and murdering every Dutchman they met. At length, however, a few of their chiefs were seized, and immediately executed in their own villages, in terrorem. This measure had the desired effect, and tranquillity was soon completely restored in the island.
