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



much inconvenience and loss, on account of the long 

 seige, but that this would shortly be remedied ; also that His 

 Majesty has heard from a trustworthy source that Heer 

 Hulft was in the habit of exposing himself frequently to 

 danger, and should he be killed, it would be to His Majesty 

 like losing the apple of his eye ; he therefore besought Heer 

 Hulft to be more careful of his person for the future, and 

 recommended everyone in authority to see that no injury 

 might befall him ; that as the letters of Heer Hulft always 

 treated of matter of great importance, there was no reason 

 to make excuses for their frequency ; that it always gave 

 him pleasure to read the letters of one of the most trust- 

 worthy servants he had ever had, and that His Majesty on 

 his side had always acted upon the articles of peace made 

 with Heer Westerwold, but that in the meantime there had 

 been many Governors of the Island, and Generals of India 

 who had created much trouble about all that was right and 

 just, and had been the cause of estrangement between them, 

 much to his sorrow, and he called God to witness his inno- 

 cence. He finally requested Heer Hulft, who had been such 

 a true servant to his masters, and also to the Candian Court 

 to strengthen that friendship, so that nothing should ever 

 interfere with it. His Majesty also wishes to be informed 

 in what manner it was intended after the taking of 

 Colombo to capture the Kingdom of Jaffanapatnam, and 

 the island of Mannaar ; also whether it would not be advis- 

 able to despatch some of His Majesty's Dessaves to occupy 

 those places at once. His Majesty is also inclined to grant 

 Heer Hulft an interview on the following Sunday or Thurs- 

 day, if His Excellency wishes it : some Courtiers would be 

 sent to escort His Excellency. 



At the same time His Majesty's Dessaves came down 

 bringing with them two letters, dictated by Heer Hulft at 

 His Majesty's desire, in answer to two which had been sent 

 to His Majesty by the Portuguese. 



These letters so much pleased the King, that he requested 

 Heer Hulft to sign them in his own name and to forward them. 



