No. 38—1889.] THE DUTCH IN CEYLON, 1602-1757. 17 



The Singalese consider it against their dignity to be 

 reasonable ; it is therefore better not to be too conciliatory. 



His Excellency maintains that the lands in the possession 

 of the Company should not be surrendered, but on the con- 

 trary an attempt should be made to conquer thePittegal Corle. 



Things thus remain without any appearance of a suitable 

 arrangement with Candia, a rumour being prevalent of an 

 attempt to oust the Company altogether. 



The French Ambassador causes much mischief by inciting 

 the Courtiers to send off another vessel with arecanuts. 



They had already granted a pass to a different vessel laden 

 with 200 amunams for Cormandel. 



A vessel with three flags charged with red lions detained at 

 Calpetty. 



Arrival of a vessel with curiosities from the coast for His 

 Majesty, which after discharging cotton goods was granted 

 a clearance. 



The peeling of the cinnamon and the sending of the annual 

 present are carried on, although the Singalese caused us delay. 



The King desires that Heer Pyl should continue in the 

 Government : otherwise he would not enter into a treaty of 

 peace ; but if His Excellency remained he would confer with 

 him about it. 



His Excellency therefore resolves to remain in order to 

 advance the peace. 



Notwithstanding this there was nothing effected with the 

 Courtiers. 



The only desire being for free permission to peel cinna- 

 mon, &c. 



The present sent up remained on the way. The King 

 sends off several of the lascars and subjects who had deserted 

 to the up-country. He considers himself affronted because 

 no Netherlander is sent with the presents. 



Heer Pyl is relieved and succeeded by Heer van Rhee, 

 under whose rule, of five years duration, the land remained 

 quiet, and the cinnamon was peeled in peace. 



With the exception of the escape of a great number of the 

 Chalias, who were sent back and appeared before the Governor 

 and gave the greatest assurance [of future good behaviour]. 



Heer de Roo becomes Governor, but dies at Suratte ; so that 

 van Rhee remains until the arrival of Heer de Heere. 



Harmony continues with the Court. A party of runaway 

 lascars are sent back, the ringleaders being put in chains. 



The Chalias peel the cinnamon as far inland as ever. 



Fresh proofs of the ill-feeling of the Courtiers,who send two 

 impertinent olas to the Governor. 



Replied to in strong terms, and a resolution made not to 

 send the required contract. 



86—90 C 



