No. 38.— 1889.] THE DUTCH IN CEYLON, 1602-1757. 65 



same year lie expressed his satisfaction in no measured terms, 

 and considered the advance guard of Ruanelle as being 

 already in his power. He also communicated to His 

 Excellency Van Goens a letter which he had received from 

 the English, 



In acknowledgment of this friendly disposition, and in 

 order to compensate His Majesty somewhat for the loss 

 of the lowlands, he was granted the taxes upon the arecanuts 

 transported to Colombo. 



At the commencement of 1667 Calpetty came into the 

 possession of the Company. They also captured some persons 

 whom the King had sent as Ambassadors to the English, then 

 enemies of the Honourable Company, at Madraspatnam, and 

 brought them to Colombo. 



The Netherlander could judge by these treacherous pro- 

 ceedings on the part of the King Raja Singa how little 

 worthy of trust he was in reality, as during this time he was 

 professing the kindliest feeling towards his trusty Hollanders. 



In the year following, 1668, the road by Waluwe towards 

 Batticaloa was opened and occupied by our troops, the in- 

 habitants appearing before the Company's Dessave. 



To prevent any jealousy at the Court, a letter or ola was sent 

 to the Courtiers, with the assurance that the only motive 

 for this [occupation] was the interest of both the King and 

 the Company. 



At the same time Ooetjaar was also occupied, and in the 

 meantime a letter received from the King stating, inter 

 alia, that Batticaloa and Coetjaar were occupied by the 

 Company at His Majesty's express desire, as can be seen 

 in the Minutes of the Council of Ceilon dated September 

 18, 1668. 



Although the Company in this state of atfairs was strong 

 enough to make important conquests, it was not considered 

 advisable to dispossess the Singalese of the Seven Corles, 

 notwithstanding their close vicinity to Nigombo, or to peel 

 cinnamon north of the river of Caymelle against the 

 King's will, as it would arouse His Majesty's displeasure ; 



86—90 F 



