54 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON.) [YOL. XI. 



The Government again devolved upon Heer Adriaen van 

 der Meyden. He at once communicated the sudden and 

 important loss to His Majesty, who immediately sent the 

 Dessaves of the Five and Seven Corles to view the body, 

 while the letters of condolence were delivered by His 

 Majesty's Adigaar, the Dessave of Matule and other Courtiers. 

 They wished to be informed whether the sudden death might 

 not be ascribed to a stray shot from our own men or through 

 his own misfortune, rather than to the enemy ; whereupon 

 they were shown the fatal spot, which they approached in 

 fear and trembling and taking a handful of earth with them, 

 desired that the place might never be trodden upon. 



His Majesty gave a further assurance of his sympathy in a 

 letter dated 15th of the same month, and expressed a desire 

 to confer with Heer van der Meyden. 



His Majesty also requested by a letter of the 18th follow- 

 ing, that the presents from His Majesty to the late Heer 

 Hulft might be sent to his friends in the Netherlands : he 

 also desired to be informed in what manner they contem- 

 plated the capture of Colombo, as His Majesty wished to be 

 present if they intended taking it by force, and wished to 

 have private notice of it two or three days beforehand. 



On the 22nd of the afore-mentioned month, His Majesty 

 wrote to Heer van der Meyden, that he hoped the Nether- 

 landers would continue to give him and his successors their 

 true and loyal service ; and that he intended to write to the 

 States General in the Netherlands on the earliest departure of 

 a vessel to that country, and to testify to the great services 

 rendered to him by the late Heer Hulft. In the same letter 

 His Majesty expressed a wish to be informed in time of 

 the carrying out of the resolutions arrived at, to enable him 

 personally to render his assistance. But His Majesty did not 

 think the proposal of Heer van der Meyden that he should 

 come to Camp after the capture of Colombo could be of any 

 advantage, as there would remain nothing to be done, but 

 to execute the treaty, and that according to the promise of 

 Heer Hulft he was to be put in possession of the town. 



