56 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol. XI. 



But the Portuguese were obliged to assent to some of our 

 objections concerning them, and Colombo finally surrendered 

 on May 12, 1656. 



After this conquest a letter was received from His Majesty 

 dated the 11th of the same month, stating that he was informed 

 that not only were the Portuguese in treaty with us about the 

 surrender of the town, but that the surrender had actually 

 taken place ; this he did not believe, as we had not informed 

 him of it, as we were in duty bound to do. If true, however, 

 he requested us to communicate to him immediately the 

 terms of peace, and to remember what was written to Heer 

 Hulft on behalf of His Majesty and the promises made by 

 Heer Hulft. Subsequently there was another letter received, 

 plainly denoting His Majesty's displeasure. 



Some news arrived from Matuaal, that on the request of 

 the Corporal then on guard at the Pas Naklegam, a sergeant 

 and ten Mardykers were sent there to disperse three of His 

 Majesty's Dessaves, who had collected there with some 

 soldiers. Heer van der Meyden and his Council, however, 

 considered this a great blunder, and immediately sent orders 

 to the Corporal to send the men back to their original 

 station, and not to interfere with the movements of His 

 Majesty's subjects, as it might give further grounds for 

 His Majesty's jealousy and displeasure which were daily 

 increasing, and as he was also cutting off our supplies. 



His Majesty still insisted on our handing over Nigombo 

 and Colombo to him, stating in a later letter that Heer Hulft 

 had solemnly promised in the names of His Imperial 

 Highness the Prince of Orange and the Honourable Com- 

 pany to surrender to him the fortress of Nigombo when 

 taken, and that he had rendered assistance to his Hollanders 

 for that purpose, but that the promise still remained unful- 

 filled. 



His Majesty in a letter dated 21st of May complained that 

 no notice had been taken of his interests, in a letter which 

 had been written to one George Blom, Dutch interpreter 

 in Candia, that they may please other people, with soft 



