No. 38.— 1889.] THE DUTCH IN CEYLON, 1602-1757. 47 



that being thus deprived of the chance of recouping ourselves 

 for our expenses, that we should of our own accord depart 

 from his dominions. But having noticed his evil designs, 

 we considered it best to appropriate the cinnamon districts, 

 and to keep the King and his ill advisers out of them. 

 Continually acting with this intention, we finally succeeded on 

 this side of Nigombo, and on the other side too ; but without 

 actually breaking the treaty entered into with His Majesty, 

 as we pretended to clear the country from robbers who 

 molested the peaceful inhabitants. This might have con- 

 tinued for some time, as the King dared not acknowledge 

 that the destruction was caused by his orders, but Governor 

 Jan Thysszoon giving credence to false reports of the 

 Portuguese, and, contrary to his instructions, declaring war at 

 Nigombo against His Majesty, caused great disorders in the 

 Seven Corles, which were taken from us by the King's people 

 and laid waste, to the great loss of the Company. 



Heer Maetsuycker, however, affirmed two points, viz. : — 



1 — That the lands situated on this side of Gale are legally 

 in our possession, and as, together with those of Nigombo, 

 they are not yet sufficient to repay our expenses, we should 

 keep them, although we were not strictly entitled to them 

 according to the treaty. 



2 — That we are not to be persuaded, either by threats or 

 promises, to allow the King to appoint Dessaves over them, 

 or to give them any jurisdiction, unless he nominates one of 

 our own people. 



Heer Maetsuycker also recommends his successor to be even 

 more watchful in times of peace than in times of war against 

 treacherous attempts upon our forts and lands, the latter of 

 which he stated extended along the seaboard from the river 

 Alikan to the river Waluwe, a distance of about thirty 

 [Dutch] miles, and from twelve to fourteen or sixteen 

 miles inland, commencing from Alikan and a part of the 

 Walewitte Corle and some villages and places of the Passedum 

 Corle, besides the Jakkawelle, Agras, Belligam Corle, Morrua 

 Corle, and Dolasdas Corle. 



