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



39 



3. That their Excellencies are willing to give up the lands 

 and also to reduce the taxes. 



4. That His Majesty has only to send his Dessaves, who 

 will be received with the honour due to their rank, provided 

 that His Majesty gives orders for the cinnamon and other 

 products of his country to be delivered to us according 

 to contract ; so as to pay off the money advanced by us, all of 

 which could be done in a little time, provided His Majesty 

 gave orders to that effect. 



5. That with regard to Nigombo His Majesty had given 

 strict orders in his letter of February 9, 1645, that the Nether- 

 lands garrison should remain at that fortress at His 

 Majesty's expense. 



6. That it is not advisable to raze that fort, as the 

 Portuguese might afterwards find means to lurk there. 



7. That the new fortifications erected by the Netherlanders 

 could be pulled down. 



8. That the fort of Nigombo should remain in the hands 

 of the Netherlanders for the space of a year at least, for the 

 purpose of watching the Portuguese. 



9. That the garrison ought not to be at once withdrawn, as 

 it would prevent the dispersing . of the inhabitants and non- 

 gathering of cinnamon [required] to pay off the war expenses. 



10. That it is also expected that His Majesty will deliver 

 the prisoners at once, if he desires peace. 



11. Lastly, that a speedy answer is desired upon all the 

 above points, in order to make necessary arrangements: 

 otherwise we declare our intention to wash our hands of all 

 future consequences, being ready to give every satisfaction to 

 His Majesty in the hope of disposing him to peace, and to for- 

 ward the letters and presents received from their Excellencies, 

 whenever His Majesty will be pleased to accept them. 



But it appears that no satisfactory answer was received, 

 as Heer Maetsuycker again wrote to His Majesty on June 21, 

 1646, as follows : — 



His Majesty's letter of the 10th received, but disappointed 

 with its contents. 



