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



103 



for His Imperial Majesty, and listened with surprise when 

 -the Ambassador had the articles read over to them. Neither 

 -did they seem to have any knowledge of the letters of 1640 

 and those of a later date written by His Imperial Majesty to 

 Colombo. It was therefore useless to argue with them, 

 being full of pride and under the impression that everything 

 depended on their favour. 



A few days afterwards the Gannebandaar sent private 

 information to the Ambassador, that he would be allowed 

 to depart the next day, and that His Imperial Majesty had 

 consented to all the points with the exception of yielding up 

 the full possession of the lands ; that the Governor will be 

 honoured with a gold ola, conferring on him a title of 

 h onour and having engraved on it the grant of a province. 



But everything turned out quite differently, when the 

 Ambassador four or five days subsequently appeared before 

 His Imperial Majesty requesting his dismissal. 



He understood with great surprise that the King, after 

 mature consideration, could not as yet come to a decision, but 

 His Majesty intended shortly to visit the lowlands in order 

 to have a personal interview with his well-beloved and trusty 

 Governor, and His Imperial Majesty intended on that 

 occasion to satisfy him and show him great honour and 

 favour. Meanwhile everything could remain as though the 

 present had already been made and the treaty already con- 

 cluded, both parties living in peace with one another. 



Whereupon the Ambassador complained of his want of 

 success, and particularly that he could not get a written 

 answer. 



He was told that he might consider himself the most 

 fortunate individual, as he had been shown the same honour 

 -as would have been rendered to the Governor, had he been 

 present personally, and that everything would be done to the 

 satisfaction of the Governor as promised. 



After receiving some presents, he was allowed to depart. 



The cause of this sudden change was ascribed to the 

 receipt of a private ola from Colombo, the writer and 



