A History of the Mahrattas v2.c33.25

v2.c33.25

² His wounds were most painful, but rather singular to occasion death. A cannon shot struck the sand close to him, and drove the particles into his body. [The diary of the Bombay Government of December 28, 1774, records that ‘the body of the late John Watson, Esquire, was interred this morning in the burying-ground without the town (i.e. Sonāpur cemetery on the modern Queen’s Road), being attended by the principal inhabitants.’ The Bombay cathedral contains a tablet to the memory of Watson with the following inscription : ‘To the memory of John Watson, Esq., Superintendent of the Marine at the Presidency, and Commander-in-Chief of the naval force employed in the reduction of Salsette in the year 1774. An officer who manifested an unremitted zeal for the interest of the East India Company and the honour of his country at the siege of Thana. He was mortally wounded the 21st December 1774, and died in this town the 27th following, in the 52nd year of his age. As a testimony of his distinguished merit and eminent services, the United East India Company erected this monument.’ (Forrest’s Selections (Marāthā Series), vol. i, p. 201.)]