No. 38.— 1889.] THE DUTCH IN CEYLON, 1602-1757. 41 



3. That before the absolute surrender of Nigombo, we 

 wish to have security for our war expenses. 



4. That, as a compromise, it would be advisable for the 

 Netherlanders not only to remain at Nigombo six or eight 

 months longer, but to keep possession of Ceilon for two or 

 three years, in order to recoup themselves by the cinnamon, 

 and largely reduce His Majesty's indebtedness to them. 



5. That meanwhile the potential outturn of cinnamon in 

 the Nigombo district should be ascertained. 



6. That the assurance is given to His Majesty in the 

 name of their Honourables, that at the expiration of the 

 terms stated, all the lands will be evacuated, and only the 

 fortress of Gale retained by the Netherlanders. 



7. Finally, that on His Majesty's acceptance of these 

 proposals, he is requested to send an answer to that effect, 

 and also to release some of our people, and more especially 

 a clerk named Nicolaus Loenius. 



Not receiving any reply to this letter, Heer Maetsuycker 

 despatched a letter dated January 8, 1647, to His Majesty. 

 In it he complained strongly that his letters remained 

 unanswered, mentioning at the same time that his proposals 

 were too favourable to be disregarded, and that it was his 

 belief that His Majesty had either not received them, or that 

 he had been prejudiced by tale bearers ; but that in order to 

 satisfy himself, Heer Maetsuycker had despatched the 

 merchant Maerschalck as his Commissioner, for whom (if 

 His Majesty was pleased to grant an audience) a passport 

 was requested to enable him to depart unmolested, whether 

 the decision was for peace or war. 



Whereupon Heer Maetsuycker received a letter from His 

 Majesty dated July 12, 1647, the contents of which (although 

 the letter itself is not forthcoming) can be guessed by the 

 reply of August 11 of the same year. This states : — 



1. That Heer Maetsuycker heard with regret of the 

 continued indisposition of the King. 



2. That the Commissioner mentioned in his last letter 

 will start shortly by way of Batticaloa. 



