69 



[Read 3rd February, 1873.] 

 EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS OF THE DUTCH 

 GOVERNMENT IN CEYLON. 



BY R. VAN CUYLENBERG, ESQ. 



I beg to lay before the Society certain notes I bave taken 

 from the Dutch Records preserved in the Government 

 Record Office. They comprise extracts from Minutes of 

 Councils held by the Dutch during some time of their rule 

 in this Island. It may be mentioned that their Council 

 proceedings were always opened with prayer. 



November 13, 1858. — At a meeting held this day it was 

 resolved that the Council do place on record their grati- 

 tude to God for their success in having conquered the 

 Portuguese. They set apart the 20th of that month as a 

 special day of thanksgiving and supplication for His further 

 aid — to be observed by all, under a penalty of one hundred 

 Rix-dollars for neglect of the order. Clergymen required 

 to announce the same from their pulpits. 



My next extract is from a Minute of Council bearing date 

 the 10th June, 1659, where the Council after due delibera- 

 tion on the subject of the welfare and prosperity of the 

 Dutch and Native Burghers come of opinion that it was 

 principally owing to their general apathy that their means 

 were small and accordingly suggest a remedy. They pro- 

 pose that the body of Burghers should have a Captain over 

 them. The qualifications necessary for a person holding this 

 position having been discussed^ it was agreed that George 

 Blume the Captain of the Cinnamon Department be select- 

 ed to fill the post, he being a man of active habits, and one 

 possessing an intimate acquaintance with the people of the 

 country and would be sure to incite them to the pursuit of 

 useful and honest occupations. 



