No. 38.— 1889.] THE DUTCH IN CEYLON, 1602-1757. 127 



some trustworthy native servants, were sent to Hangwelle 

 to make a strict investigation and try to induce the inhabi- 

 tants by gentle measures to return to their duty, when 

 their complaints would be listened to and redressed ; but 

 should they reject our friendly overtures, they were to be 

 brought to subjection by force. 



Some Commissioners, with a force of 50 soldiers under 

 their officers, were also sent to the villages of the Chalias 

 to curb the rebellion, and the necessary orders were 

 despatched to Gale to bring the disturbances in the Gale 

 and Mature districts to an end. 



Upon the report that the rebels of the Hina Corle, to 

 the number of 400, armed with weapons, had with great 

 parade planted some stakes, and declared by ola as 

 well as by word of mouth that the people of the Hina, 

 Alutkoer, and Happitigam Corles were absolved from their 

 services to the Company, some Commissioners, under an 

 escort of 48 soldiers, were despatched to Calane, to pull the 

 stakes out of the ground and to throw them into the woods, 

 and to station themselves at Mai wane and Attenegale, the 

 principal strongholds of the marauders, to show that the 

 Hina and other revolted Corles were not under the King's 

 rule. 



This decision being acted upon, the detachment of 82 

 men who had posted themselves at Attenegale were 

 surprised by a large number of Candians and Singalese, and 

 were driven away, leaving behind them two pieces of cannon 

 besides ammunition and baggage, and were obliged to retire 

 to Malwane. 



This expedition was undertaken by the Dessawe of the Four 

 and Seven Corles, who came down with some thousands of men 

 to attack the small fort at Malwane, which was razed to the 

 ground, and the guardhouse of the lascoreens burnt. This was 

 the cause of a formal war with the Candian King and his 

 subjects. 



It was considered advisable to send a letter with a small 

 present to the courtiers, to solicit their goodwill with His 



