No. 38.— 1889.] THE DUTCH IN CEYLON, 1602-1757. 43 



Meanwhile, Heer Maetsuycker informed their Excellencies 

 at Batavia on November 18, 1647, that no lasting peace 

 can be expected with Ragia, notwithstanding all his profes- 

 sions of friendship and courtesy. 



Afterwards Heer Maetsuycker wrote another letter to His 

 Majesty, dated March 25, 1648 ; but received no reply for a 

 long time. He therefore resolved to write again on the 

 10th of the following September ; and communicates 

 to His Majesty, that having waited eleven months in 

 vain for tidings from his Commissioner Maerschalck, and 

 having received information from the Portuguese that His 

 Majesty had concluded a treaty with them and purposed 

 commencing hostilities against us, he wished, if such 

 was the truth, that the aforesaid Commissioner should be 

 sent back. 



But understanding afterwards that this was a mere inven- 

 tion of the Portuguese, and that His Majesty had resolved to 

 release Heer Maerschalck and the Netherland prisoners, Heer 

 Maetsuycker expressed his thanks by letter to His Majesty 

 dated October 27. But when the release was delayed, he 

 thought it advisable to remind His Majesty by letter of 

 March 30, 1649, that a horse was waiting for him at Galle, 

 asking permission to forward it. 



Heer Maetsuycker also complained of the partiality of His 

 Majesty's Dessave for the Portuguese, in supplying all their 

 wants, while he did everything to harm the Netherlanders. 



On April 10 of the same year His Excellency informed 

 His Majesty by letter that having visited the Cattoegampelle 

 Corle to ascertain what progress was being made with the 

 gathering of the cinnamon, he did not find a living soul in 

 Pittegal and at Madampe Corle, only an Appoehamy and a 

 few Lascaryns, who plainly told him they had been com- 

 missioned by His Majesty to prevent anyone from settling 

 there, as it was His Majesty's desire to lay waste all these 

 lands, and thus prevent the Netherlanders from having the 

 benefit of the services of the natives, in breach of the 

 contract made with Heer Wester wold. 



