"ROBERT KNOX. 



149 



3 in the King's court. 



3 in Bulatgamme, a third division of Kandy. 

 23 in all, both of officers and common people. Of our 

 people there are living 18 or 20 persons out of 64, the rest 

 . having been put to death, after being distributed, like your 

 own people, in the King's Court and in other places round 

 about Kandy. One of your people was lately put to death 

 for having broken a porcelain dish in the palace. We 

 hope that God will at length be moved with compassion, 

 and make provision for the release of these wretched men. 

 We shall all take great pains to attain this end, seeing that 

 we are now, (praise God) arrived so far by our outposts 

 that we can reach both your people and ours in two days. 

 But the whole of the way lies through dense jungles, and 

 over wild mountains, which we may pass more by wariness, 

 consideration, and secrecy, than by violence. Let me assure 

 you that we will not be remiss, but attempt every thing in 

 our power to bring out both your people and ours, without 

 distinction, from their captivity. May God Almighty, 

 whom we ought to pray to and call upon, bless this resolu- 

 tion ! A copy of the letter which we have written to your 

 people in reply to their ola note in our tongue, with its 

 translation into English, accompanies this. God preserve 

 your Excellency. I remain, Sir, 



" Your Excellency's good Friend and obedient Servant, 

 (Signed) Rykloff Van Goens." 



" Colombo, 23rd October, 1669. New style." J 



J It was necessary for the Dutch Governor to subjoin new 

 style, as the English were using the old style, and did not adopt 

 the new till the year 1752. According to the old system, the 

 date would have been 13th October. 



