18 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol. XI. 



Great consternation at the Court at the false report that 

 the Company intends to declare war against the King. 



The cause of the detention of the Ambassadors, who were 

 sent up with presents. 



On their return after a year's absence, they report that 

 His Majesty gave many proofs of his friendship with the 

 Governor. [The King] sends four escaped ringleaders, 

 with the request that they should be pardoned for the nonce. 



One hundred and twenty-three escaped Chalias, with six 

 of their ringleaders, given up. 



The gravets closed by order of His Majesty, who has 

 given orders to negotiate at Putulang. 



This causes great scarcity of provisions, and the falling off 

 of the trade in arecanuts and salt. 



Although the highlanders made their appearance in the 

 Company's territories, they offered nothing for sale, 

 and the Ambassador of last year still remained up-country. 



A Modliaar in the Mature district deserts to Candia with 

 his family. 



The afore-mentioned Ambassador returns from Candia, 

 where he had been courteously entertained : a friendly ola 

 is also received from the Courtiers. 



Heer de Heere dies, and the Political Council assume the 

 Government. 



The condolence of the Court Adigaar and of four other 

 Courtiers is received. 



The gravets are opened and provisions obtained, but Putu- 

 lang remains the headquarters of the arecanut trade. 



Arrival of Governor Simons, who assumes the Government. 



The order of their Excellencies for the closing of the ports 

 carried out, and reported to His Majesty on the pretext that 

 it is on account of the French, with whom the States were at 

 war. 



Of this the Court apparently takes very little notice. 



The year following, 1704, the Court also kept very quiet. 



An Ambassador sent to His Majesty to inform him of the 

 nomination of a new Governor. 



The arecanut trade is not re-established. 



Return of the Ambassador, who reports that the closing of 

 the ports is of very little consequence as long as the price of 

 the arecanuts remains as high as at Colombo. 



Departure of some Chiefs to the Court of Madure, to escort 

 a princess of the so-called " Sun race " to His Majesty : for 

 which purpose accommodation is granted on board a vessel. 



Illness of His Majesty and nomination of a Crown Prince ; 

 followed by His Majesty's death. 



Whereupon an Ambassador is despatched to offer condo- 

 lence and congratulation to the new King. 



