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



time. On receipt of these orders it was agreed to write to 

 His Majesty, stating : — 



1. That their Excellencies were pleased to recommend 

 the Council of Ceilon to beseech His Majesty to lay aside 

 his displeasure and resume the peace and friendship which 

 had been maintained with the Company for so many years. 



2. That, in proof of the sincere affection of the Hon. 

 Company for His Majesty, their Excellencies offer to cede 

 absolutely the Province of Pannoewe and the Five and 

 Three Corles occupied by the Company since 1665, after the 

 receipt of His Majesty's olas, and to comply with all reasonable 

 demands. 



3. That in return it was hoped that His Majesty would 

 abstain from further enmity, release the Netherlander held 

 captive, and conclude a settled peace. 



It was decided in case of His Majesty refusing these 

 generous proposals, and continuing his hostilities, to protest 

 iu friendly but decided terms : should this also have no 

 effect, to gradually retire with the native forces from the 

 mountains to Sitavaque and the lowlands : and if even this 

 failed to pacify the King, as a final effort, to defend the 

 fortress of Sitavaque and the Kolona and Happittigam Corles 

 by every means in our power, they being the necessary 

 frontiers of Colombo, Mature, and Nigombo. 



The Courtiers were now advised of the receipt of the 

 aforesaid letter from their Excellencies, and requested to send 

 one or more persons to the frontier to receive it. Where- 

 upon some messengers arrived, to whom it was delivered 

 by Captain van der Poel, who had gone to Sitavaque for that 

 purpose. 



These same messengers hinted to Captain van der Poel 

 that it would give His Majesty much pleasure, and might 

 favourably incline him to release the Netherland prisoners, 

 if we presented him with some Sourat, Persian, or Arabian 

 horses. It was therefore resolved to send the two best Persian 

 horses in stock, with handsome trappings, and a letter, to 

 prove our friendship and incline His Majesty to peace. 



