No. 38.— 1889.] THE DUTCH IN CEYLON, 1602-1757. 55 



A letter to the Sabandaar of Galle from His Majesty 

 dated April 23, mentioned amongst other things, that 

 Heer van der Meyden is requested to put the most favourable 

 construction upon any doubtful or obscure passages in His 

 Majesty's letters. 



Meanwhile it was considered advisable in order to arrange 

 some confidential matters to send a messenger to His Majesty. 

 For this mission the merchant Ysbrand Godskens was selected. 

 On his return with three Courtiers he reported to Heer van 

 der Meyden that His Majesty wished the storming of Colombo 

 postponed until the 30th of the month, as he intended to be 

 present. 



But on the 27th everything was prepared for the storming, 

 which it was unanimously resolved should take place on the 

 following night. 



His Majesty was immediately informed thereof, and there 

 remained nothing to be done, but to allow things to take 

 their usual course ; which would undoubtedly have been 

 done had it not been that at a later Council of War the differ- 

 ence of opinion of some of the members caused the attack 

 to be postponed to the 7th of May. On that day a furious 

 assault was made upon the bastion St. Jan, which was taken 

 from the Portuguese after a protracted resistance, [the 

 Netherlanders] having been three times repulsed. 



The Singalese soldiers, and the Dessaves of Saffregam 

 and the Seven and Four Corles took refuge in the trenches at 

 the commencement [of the assault]. His Majesty also sent 

 four Courtiers and a great number of Lascaryns, who took up 

 much room and were very noisy, but of little help. 



On the 8th of May the Prince's flag was planted upon the 

 aforesaid bastion, and on the 10th our forces had advanced 

 far enough to make use of the cannon placed there. This not 

 only kept the enemy in check, but induced them to send out 

 the same day a bearer of a flag of truce to request a free 

 passage for three other Commissaries ; who, on the following 

 morning appeared before Heer van der Meyden and submit- 

 ted to him some peace proposals for his consideration. 



