167 



No. VII, 



The following letter relating to trade, &c, in Amsterdam, 

 was brought here from that city and translated into Sinhalese. 



As it was found impracticable to improve the country of 

 Surinam belonging to the chiefs of Zealand in Holland, it was 

 sold to the chiefs of Amsterdam and to Samuel Deak and the 

 rich merchants of West India. This territory was divided ac- 

 cordingly into three equal parts among the purchasers, and 

 Samuel Deak having built and equipped four ships, proceeded 

 with a great number of men and their families to colonise 

 the said country of Surinam in the West Indies. Some more 

 ships are taking in cargo to sail for that country. These will 

 materially add to the increase of ships, and assist the trade of 

 that place. And inasmuch as this region has fallen into the 

 hands of opulent gentlemen, it will by God's help now thrive, 

 and many and great advantages may be expected yearly, for the 

 sugar and jaggery made in that country now load twelve ships 

 a year ; their profits, which only showed for the last two yeasr 

 at five per cent., have now increased to 80 per cent. Besides this, 

 the trade with Egypt and the city of Cairo has also been develop- 

 ed, and if we be relieved of the troubles of war, everything will 

 conduce to a prosperous end. As it was known that the king 

 of England* had sent a messag e to the fleet which sailed for 

 Bantam not to execute the orders first given, we have reduced the 

 number of ships intended for India, and we now believe that the 

 tumults in Europe will come to an end, and that peace will reign 

 everywhere. Let us pray God for his blessing hereunto. 



* Charles II. 



5 ma 5 



