152 



the Ambassador was sent back to the Rest-house, where he was 

 bade to stay until proper arrangements should be made. In the 

 meanwhile the Dutch in Colombo, who had heard of the arrival 

 of the French Ambassador and armv^, became overwhelmed with 

 grief and terror, and shewed their obsequiousness to the King 

 (who had allowed them several ports for the purposes of trade,) 

 by sending Ambassadors with the presents which they had with- 

 held for some time past, whereby the King understood that they 

 were in great fear. However, His Majesty shewed that he was 

 pleased with this mark of submission, and having thought that 

 the key of the fortress of Colombo could be taken with the aid 

 of the French Ambassador, detained him and his retinue often 

 persons, while the French at Trincomalee, considering that thei r 

 army was not sufficient, went back to return with reinforcements, 

 advising those who remained behind to hold themselves in readiness 

 for war ; and after they had left, the Ambassador received all 

 honors at the hands of the King. For his service five male and five 

 female slaves were given him from the Royal palace, besides the 

 sum of five ridi* a day and rations three times a day. His ten 

 followers were also allowed fifteen ridis per day, contributed from 

 the several districts. When the presents which had been taken 

 care of were produced before His Majesty, the illustrious Sing, 

 His Majesty, privately directed that the same should be kept 

 safely to be produced before His Majesty's successors. 



After the demise of His Majesty, che illustrious Raja Singhaf 

 who had incorporated into one kingdom the three divisions 

 of Lanka,J the most glorious and powerful Wimala Dharma 

 Suriya, supreme Lord of the Universe, succeeded to the throne 

 of Lanka, § when the French Ambassador made known to His 

 Majesty his intention to produce the presents before His Majesty. 



* A ridi is equal to about 4d. of our money, 

 j- According to Valentyn, 6th December, 1687. 



X The three divisions were Ruhunu, Maya, Pihiti, -which together formed 

 Tri-Sinhele. 

 § a,d. 1687. 



