JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XI. 



He also informed the King that for two successive years 

 the Portuguese had peeled the cinnamon which rightly- 

 belonged to the Netherlanders, that His Majesty always said 

 that this would be prevented in future by sending an armed 

 force, which fact His Excellency had before brought to His 

 Majesty's notice ; and requested that a free departure 

 should be granted to his Ambassador. 



Thereafter he received a letter from His Majesty the same 

 day, and replied to it on the 20th following, to the effect, 

 that he was surprised at His Majesty's objecting to anything 

 being brought to Nigombo, that fortress being held against 

 his will, as according to his own writing of February 16, 1645 

 (which His Majesty is requested to peruse attentively), the 

 contrary is the case. 



His Excellency further insists that His Majesty should be 

 pleased to order the return of the inhabitants of the Pittegal 

 Corle and the gathering of the cinnamon ; but thanks His 

 Majesty for the concession of allowing him to bring an armed 

 force in the field against the Portuguese in order to protect 

 the peelers ; also for the free passage of the Netherlanders 

 through his territories, and the promised assistance in case of 

 shipwreck in His Majesty's ports ; adding that he wished 

 that the orders of their Honourables would permit him to 

 personally confer with His Majesty, when His Majesty 

 would gain a better opinion of the Netherlanders, and could 

 then establish his authority over the whole of the Island, 

 whilst we could retire from Nigombo and Gale. 



Heer Maetsuycker repeated his request to have a resident 

 Ambassador at Court. This being granted in a letter from 

 His Majesty dated April 28, His Excellency expressed his 

 thanks by letter of May 24, stating that such an Ambassador 

 will be despatched as soon as the Ambassador at present 

 residing at the Court is sent out with the tidings, and the 

 conditions of peace. 



In the meantime His Majesty again wrote to Heer Maet- 

 suycker on May 14, a letter accompanied by some presents ; 

 for which he returned thanks on July 7, sending not only 



