116 



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



[Vol. XI. 



assume his imperial title and be publicly crowned in the 

 capital. 



An important embassy was therefore dispatched to con- 

 gratulate the King on behalf of the Company. 



This peaceful state of affairs continued in the years 1709, 

 1710, and 1711, and there was every reason to feel perfectly 

 satisfied with the friendly behaviour of the young King ; 

 while the respective Ambassadors exchanged expressions and 

 assurances of friendship and good feeling. 



But in the following year, 1712, the courtiers recommenced 

 their underhand practices to effect the opening of the ports. 

 The Governor, however, watched their proceedings closely, 

 and ascertained the fact that the Dessawe and Modliaar of the 

 Gate were the instigators. 



The Governor at the same time intercepted an ola written 

 by some of the principal inhabitants of Cormandel, 

 and directed to the chiefs of the cinnamon peelers, proving 

 that these people of the coast tried to incite these chiefs to 

 nefarious practices highly detrimental to the most important 

 profit and interest of the Company. 



To prevent this or any further attempts, all the faithless 

 servants in any way connected with this perfidy were 

 immediately dismissed : thus everything was restored to its 

 former state, and the following year, 1713, passed off quietly. 



At the commencement of the year 1714 an Ambassador was 

 sent to the Court with the yearly presents, and met with a 

 friendly reception, but he behaved himself in an unseemly 

 manner, giving great offence to the Court. This caused great 

 consternation at Colombo, the more so as, to our surprise, he 

 and his suite were neither punished nor interfered with in 

 Candia. To counteract the effect of his unbecoming conduct, 

 an ola was sent to the Court with our apologies and a promise 

 to punish him severely. 



The Court having accepted our apology, the following year, 

 1715, also ended peacefully. 



But in 1716 the gravets were again closed, without our 

 being aware of any reason for it. This, however, did not 



