No. 38.— 1889.] THE DUTCH IN CEYLON, 1602-1757. 33 



of war in readiness, to enable him, with our assistance, to 

 conquer the above strongholds ; 



7. That His Majesty's Ambassadors return at the same 

 time and will give a further verbal report ; 



8. That Heer Westerwold expects to go over to Ceilon 

 about the end of April with three more ships, men and 

 ammunition, to confer with His Majesty ; 



9. Finally, that he requests His Majesty to have in 

 readiness according to promise one or two cargoes of 

 cinnamon. 



Heer Coster having arrived before Trinconomale with his 

 three ships on April 2, 1638, the King's messengers landed 

 to deliver the letter addressed to His Majesty and to inform 

 His Majesty of the arrival of the ships. 



Meanwhile Heer Coster conferred with the Modliaar of 

 Mataklappe about the position and strength of Batticaloa, and 

 resolved to sail there and land. This he did with 100 

 soldiers and sailors, whom he divided into two detachments, 

 and who, with the assistance of the inhabitants, threw up two 

 batteries, and fortified them with two half mortars and two 

 half metal culverins. His Majesty also arrived there on the 

 14th of the same month with a force of 200 men ; and after 

 entertaining Heer Coster with great honour, they consulted 

 together as to the manner in which the afore-mentioned 

 stronghold should be attacked on the arrival of the ships. 



Heer Westerwold also made his appearance in the roads 

 off Batticaloa on May 10 of the same year, having under his 

 command four ships and one yacht, manned by 840 men, 

 officers, soldiers, and sailors. 



He landed on the following day with this force, and 

 six more half mortars (which were quickly placed upon 

 the aforesaid batteries), and attacked the fortress in such 

 a manner that the Portuguese were obliged to surrender 

 after about four hours' firing, and to march out without arms 

 or accoutrements. 



After the capture, Heer Westerwold made a treaty with 

 his Candian Majesty on May 20 (as mentioned by Heer 



86—90 D 



