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JOUBNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. X. 



precious stones, &c. These Ambassadors remained until the 

 21st. Meanwhile, every honour was done to them that 

 could be thought of, such as parades and other things. Every 

 evening until late they had long audiences with the 

 Governor, and all in secret. A certain Bannok acted as 

 interpreter, who had taken pains to acquaint himself 

 generally with the affairs of the people. These Ambassadors 

 then departed on the 21st with many presents, and were 

 accompanied to the furthest frontier.* 



On 11th May another Ambassador came to speak verbally 

 with the Governor, who being put off with fair words returned 

 the same day that he came, but with the usual ceremonies. 33 



On 4th Julyt came four Ambassadors and brought the rest 

 of the prisoners with their wives and children ; these were 

 received in the most imposing manner. Among others, there 

 came a Lieutenant who had been kept a prisoner there for 

 16 years, having gone there on an embassy. On the 15th, a 

 parade of all the Europeans was held before the Ambassadors, 

 w T hen the King was announced and proclaimed as King from 

 the balcony of the Council-house, whereupon all the people 



* The " Upper Merchant, and Chief Secretary, Claas Alebos" (as he is 

 styled in the D, R,), returned on February 6, 1688, with two Ambassadors, 

 <; Kirewewele Gabbara Rale " and " Mendiwocer Mohotiar," bearing a 

 letter from the Kandy Court, dated January 30. The Ambassadors were 

 sent back February 21, with a reply from G-overnor Pyl. This " Banacke 

 of Colombo " seems to have been privileged to correspond directly with 

 the King's ministers. — B., Hon. Sec. 



% The Bekno'pte Historie says " in June." The actual date was July 

 10 (D. R. Colombo). The captives released (in all 25 men, women, and 

 children, including " Lieutenant Disave Cornelis Blicklant " ) were in 

 charge of " Dewakarre Mahamotiaar," and accompanied by four Ambas- 

 sadors, " Wickeremasinga Modliar," Disava of Sabaragamuwa ; "Tamban- 

 carrewarre Samamaracon Modliar," Disava of Bintenna ; "Herat Modliar," 

 Chief of Udunuwara ; and "Pandite Modliar." The young King had been 

 crowned on May 27 ; and Governor Pyl, in his letter of July 22, offers 

 congratulations and goodwill to the new Emperor " Wimele Daham Soury 

 Maha Ragia." Secretary Alebos returned with the Ambassadors on 23rd. 

 bearing draft of a fresh Contract for the consideration of the King. 



The heads of this proposed agreement, which fell through after some 

 months of useless negotiation, are given in the BeTtnopte Historie. — B. r 

 Jlon. Sec. 



