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



second ola His Majesty expressed his desire that the Singa- 

 lese should have the free exercise of their religion, and 

 sought the restitution to His Majesty of the pagodas situated 

 about the coasts, as well as the opening of the ports. 



These requests gave ample evidence of the King's senti- 

 ments and purpose. In reply, delay and patience were soli- 

 cited until their Excellencies could be communicated with . 



At the same time news arrived from Calpetty that a vessel 

 flying a white flag charged With a red lion, and loaded with 

 arecanuts, was about to leave for Putulang : whereupon the 

 officers at Calpetty were instructed to prevent its departure, 

 as otherwise the rapacious Singalese and others would 

 presume to navigate under the flag of the King, and would 

 use that opportunity to export, besides the arecanuts, as much 

 cinnamon and other prohibited goods as they desired. 



It thus appeared that every effort was being made to compel 

 the opening of the ports without making a contract, under 

 the presumption that the Company was their vassal, notwith- 

 standing the frequent evidence to the contrary. 



As this made it clear to the Governor Pyl and his Council 

 that these malicious Chiefs were not to be propitiated, they 

 resolved to ask for assistance from their Excellencies. 



Governor Pyl reported in greater detail to His Honour the 

 Commissary van Rheede all that had happened before and 

 after the mission of Alebos, on which His Honour made the 

 following observations : — 



That the evident purpose of the present Candian Court 

 was the determination to make the Company submit them- 

 selves to their wishes, as was testified at Trinconomale and 

 Batticaloa, and as was evident from the summoning and 

 granting of honours to various Singalese Chiefs, the granting 

 of the village and port of Belligam to the Basnaike, the claim 

 to have the port of Putulang open, the export of the Calpetty 

 arecanuts, and finally the disquieting of the whole Mature 

 Dessavony, the unceremonious conge of the Ambassador 

 Alebos, besides the little gratitude shown for the surrender 

 of some lands and provinces. 



