40 



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



[Vol. XI. 



His Majesty says that it is not right to ask for peace from 

 Kings under threats of war, but if His Majesty be high and 

 mighty, are we fallen so low as not to be permitted to tell the 

 truth ? 



His Majesty was of a different opinion, when in 1640 he 

 accepted us as the protectors of his dominion. 



We use no threats, only warnings : neither do we sue for 

 peace from a feeling of insecurity ; but offer it as an alter- 

 native to just war, being perfectly satisfied that we have not 

 given any cause for the latter. 



We are inclined to surrender Nigombo, according to the 

 orders we have already received ; but under present relations 

 with His Majesty, this will never be done unless His 

 Majesty drives us out of the place by force. 



To this day nothing has been repaid us towards the 

 expenses of our capture of Nigombo ; therefore its surrender 

 is an unreasonable request and unbecoming such a King. 



His Majesty does not mention ought concerning the prisoners 

 in his letters ; without their release we cannot make peace. 



Our intentions are, to abide by the contract of Wester- 

 wold, to maintain the peace and alliance, on condition that 

 His Majesty first releases our people and issues his order that 

 the cinnamon, &c, be delivered to us : this being effected, 

 we are willing to leave the Government of the country in 

 His Majesty's hands. 



This letter also had no effect : not only did the King pass it 

 over in silence, but made it appear as though he had not 

 received any letter. This being reported to Heer Maet- 

 suycker through the Netherlands prisoners, His Excellency 

 again wrote the following letter to His Majesty dated 

 September 11, 1646 :— 



1. That he was surprised to learn from the letters of the 

 aforesaid prisoners of His Majesty's complaint that Heer 

 Maetsuycker fails to answer His Majesty's letters, as he has 

 never received any reply to his of the 21st of June last ; 



2. That we are still willing to conform to the contract 

 made with Heer Westerwold. 



