50 



MODERN HISTORY. 



[Part VI. 



A.D. 



1G64. 



his fatlier ; and the rebels, unprepared for such a result, 

 dispersed in confusion. Eaja Singha, to prevent a re- 

 currence of the treason, caused his son to be poisoned \ 

 and for some years after this abortive rebellion, the 

 Dutch in the low country were comparatively free 

 from his assaults and excesses. 



Diuring the period which followed then- capture of 

 Colombo, — a period neither of war nor of absolute 

 peace, but involving the expenditure of the one without 

 purchasing the security of the other, — the mihtary pohcy 

 of the Dutch had been purely precautionary and de- 

 fensive. Ceylon was guarded as the gem of the country, 

 " een kostelyk juweel van compagnies,'" ^ every maritime 

 position was strengthened, and fortifications were either 

 constructed or enlarged at Matura, Galle, Colombo, Ne- 

 gombo, Chilaw, and Jafiiia. Batticaloa and Trincomahe 

 were abandoned, not only from the want of troops to 

 protect the east coast of the island, but from the equally 

 prudential consideration that cinnamon was only to be 

 had on the Avest. There every preparation was made for 

 defence ; ammunition was largely stored, each garrison 

 was provisioned for a year, and, in addition to the com- 

 mand of the sea, the inland waters were rendered 

 navigable at various points on the west coast between 

 Bentotte and JSTegombo, and boats were placed on the 

 Kalany Ganga to maintain a communication by the river 

 from the confines of the Kandj^an kingdom. 



Thus prepared for any sudden attack, trade at Galle 

 and Colombo was carried on with confidence ; and, in 

 addition to shipments to Europe, vessels from all parts 

 of the East, from Mocha, Persia, India, and the Moluccas, 

 were laden with the produce of Ceylon ; but only at 

 the government stores ; trade in private hands, either in 

 exports or imports, being rigidly prohibited.^ 



1 Knox, pt. ii. ch. vi. p. 08 ; A"a- 



LENTYN, cil. xiv. p. 108. 



2 Valentyn, ch. xii. p. 148. 



^ Towards the close of the Dutch 

 Government in Ceylon, tliis mono- 

 poly of ti-ade was partially opened, 



