No. 38.— 1889.] THE DUTCH IN CEYLON, 1602-1757. 99 



3rd. — That His Majesty being driven away from Ray gam- 

 watte had been despoiled of inestimable treasures, &c. 



4th and last. — That the Company, since their possession of 

 the lands, had enjoyed all the income and profits from them, 

 and His Majesty could not consent to grant them the lands 

 mentioned. 



The second objection of His Imperial Majesty was the 

 prohibition against trading with other nations, as requested by 

 the article 5, and the closing of his ports. His Imperial 

 Majesty remarked that even when the Portuguese were still 

 enemies upon these shores this had never been done, and 

 he considered the claim very unjust and to the prejudice of 

 the people. 



The Ambassador, who had listened with patience and atten- 

 tion, said that he had expected this answer in writing that 

 he might reply to it in the same manner ; also to enable him 

 to proceed in better order and obviate all misunderstanding, 

 and to submit a correct report of their views and his 

 answer to the Governor. 



The courtiers replied that not being so ready with the pen 

 as the Netherlanders, they desired him to inform the 

 Governor in the usual way. 



The Ambassador also said that he would in a few words 

 answer them, so far as he was able to do at that time. Com- 

 mencing with their first topic, he said that the Netherlanders 

 had no concern with the doings of the Portuguese ; they had 

 not sent for them, but His Imperial Majesty had invited the 

 former with many promises to expel the Portuguese and 

 free him from their annoyances and vexations ; which, under 

 God's blessing, they succeeded in doing at great cost and 

 much bloodshed. 



That His Majesty had promised by the contract made with 

 Admiral Westerwold, at Batticaloa, in 1638, to accept the 

 Netherlanders as friends, allies, and protectors of his king- 

 dom, and to repay the yearly expenses incurred by the 

 Company in manning and equipping of ships, yachts, and 

 smaller vessels, and for sailors, soldiers, officers, and 



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