84 



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



[Vol. XI. 



He was informed of the manner in which that event 

 had been celebrated here, and that an Ambassador would be 

 sent to congratulate the young King, &c. 



Some time af tersome Candian courtiers arrived at Colombo 

 as Ambassadors from the Court, and being admitted to audience 

 delivered two olas from the young King. The first contained 

 nothing of importance ; but in the second His Majesty 

 mentioned that he had presented the large village of Belli- 

 gam (a seaport between Gale and Mature) to the Basnaike. 

 In reply to this the Governor informed the King that whoever 

 had advised him to this action must surely be one of the 

 greatest enemies of the Company, as His Majesty ought 

 to be aware of the great offence thus given to their Excel- 

 lencies ; therefore this grant must be null and void. His 

 Majesty had besides by his act renounced some of his 

 privileges, as one of his titles was Count of Belligam. The 

 question was also asked whether His Majesty had also 

 conferred that title upon the Basnaike ; whereupon the 

 courtiers made no answer, but looked at one another. 



The Governor referred to the respect shown by him during 

 the past eight years to the late King, and said that His 

 Majesty had promised to bestow many favours upon him 

 as his loyal and affectionate Governor. Whilst his (the 

 Governor's) predecessors had given much displeasure to 

 the deceased King (which was now at an end) they yet 

 peaceably gathered the cinnamon in the Pittigal Corle, while 

 he, wishing to do the same again, was prohibited. He 

 therefore protested in respectful terms, and requested to be 

 allowed the same facilities. The promise was given, but not 

 carried out. 



It appeared that by reason of the death of the old King, 

 and the young King not having so much experience of 

 affairs, the enemies of the Company, knowing that we could 

 not assent to the afore-mentioned grant, had thereby found 

 the means of exasperating the King against the Company. 



His Excellency asked the courtiers whether they knew 

 who we and our masters were according to the treaty, at 



