1922] MADRAS PEARL FISHERIES 1 5 



" proceeded with, they would all be ruined, on which account they 

 "urged on the people to commit irregularities; and made the 

 ' Parruas fear that the step was a preliminary one to the making 

 "'all of them slaves ; and they therefore raised such hindrances to 

 " the work that it never could be completed. 



' We have considered it worth while to prefix to our narrative 

 "this notice of old times, because it may throw some light on the 

 " present difficulties, and afford also a clear proof of the right which 

 " the Honourable Company at present claims over the Christian 

 "natives and all that relates to them. 



'The Netherlands East India Company began about the year 



' 1644, when it had obtained possession of some places in Ceylon, 



" to carry on trade and commerce with the countries of Madura, 



"and made a treaty for that purpose with the abovementioned 



" Naick, stipulating, 



' That the Honourable Company might trade in his territories 

 " with security and freedom, to which end a dwelling or lodge at 

 " Cailpatnam was allowed them, as may be seen by the treaty or 

 " contract in possession of the Company— and on this word and 

 '* faith of the Naick their trade began, and their goods, merchandize 

 " and servants were confidently left in protection of their ally — but 

 " where there is no firm ground of integrity, treachery and faith- 

 " lessness find easy entry. 



'This the Company soon experienced, for it was not long ere 

 "this evil-minded and wicked people, deceived by appearances, 

 " and induced by hope of rapine and profit, forgot their faith and 

 " promises, suffering themselves to be seduced by a sum of money 

 "to demolish the Company's lodge, seize its goods, and murder its 

 "servants; in which last attempt however they failed by the 

 " unexpected appearance of a ship in which the men took refuge 

 " and thus wonderfully escaped. This dastard villany. detestable 

 " in any prince or chieftain, the Portuguese had contrived, and 

 "effected by means of the Parruas and the Naick's servants who 

 "thought the neighbourhood of the Company injuricus to their 

 "interests. And although in the year 1649, a signal vengeance 

 "fell as well upon Tritchenadoor as Tutucoryn, yet the people, and 

 " their master, the Naick and his Government remained equally 

 " base, taking every opportunity to exercise oppression. Even the 

 ' Portuguese whom they had assisted to do harm to the Company 

 ' began soon to perceive that the renters and chiefs of the lowlands 

 " wronged the Parruas on all sides and diminished the right of the 



