From the same, to the same, Sept. 7, 1812.
“I have great pleasure in fulfilling the commands of my Lords Commissioners, by expressing to you their Lordships’ high approbation of the zeal, gallantry, and good conduct, displayed by yourself and the officers and men employed under your orders in the distinguished services at Batavia, and at the assault of Meester Cornelis.”
After the subjugation of Java, Captain Sayer was left, as senior officer of a squadron, to secure and garrison its numerous valuable dependencies. The manner in which he executed this important duty may be inferred from the following testimonial:
The Government of Java, to the Government of India, June 25, 1812.
“The Honorable the Lieutenant-Governor cannot omit expressing the very high sense he entertains of the services rendered by Captain Sayer, since the capture of the island, while exercising the chief naval command. His ready compliance with every requisition, and the zealous co-operation of his Majesty’s navy under his command, on all occasions, have claimed the particular acknowledgments of this Government.”
In January, 1813, when the late Sir Samuel Hood, who at that period commanded on the East India station, received intelligence of the war between Great Britain and America, Captain Sayer was again detached to the Eastern seas. In the course of the same year it was found necessary to send an expedition against the Sultan of Sambas, in the island of Borneo, whose lawless depredations had become so daring and extensive as to threaten the extinction of our commerce in that quarter, and who had some time before repulsed a respectable force sent to check his piracies. Captain Sayer commanded the vessels employed on this occasion; and, in conjunction with Colonel James Watson, succeeded in taking the town, and subduing the whole province of Sambas. During this trying service, the British naval and military forces proceeded seventy miles up the principal river, and stormed several batteries and redoubts, mounting in the whole 40 guns. Previous to their separation, Captain Sayer received the following letter from his colleague, Colonel (now Major-General) Watson:
