138 



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



Corle, besides the nine already mentioned, and the King's 

 Wanias at Mannaar robbed the Company's subjects and com- 

 pelled them to leave its service. 



The Governor and Council resolved again to send a friendly 

 but firm letter to the Court, requesting immediate redress, 

 and stating that should their reasonable demands not be 

 complied with, they would repel force by force without 

 further words. 



Although no proper satisfaction was given the depredations 

 ceased, and the Company's Ambassador returned with the 

 King's permission to gather cinnamon on his lands as 

 formerly, and to transport elephants by the usual route to- 

 Jaffanapatnam. 



In the following year, 1747, some Ambassadors came from 

 Candia to Colombo requesting that certain chiefs might be 

 conveyed to Batavia and from thence to Siam, to fetch the 

 aforesaid priests. 



The granting of this request put the Court in the best 

 possible humour, so much so that the King presented the 

 Governor with a pike embossed with silver, a ring with six 

 sapphires, and a knife inlaid with gold and a silver scabbard 

 of the value of 100 rixdollars, and it seemed that the Court 

 occupied itself with nothing but in counting the time when 

 the aforesaid priests might be expected to arrive from Siam. 



In January, 1748, the reigning King of Candia died, 

 having nominated as his successor the eldest brother of his 

 last consort, who ascended the throne, although only fourteen 

 years of age. 



Meanwhile the inland chiefs refused to pay the rents of 

 their lands, and commenced to agitate ; but that movement 

 was nipped in the bud by short and sharp measures. 



During the following year, 1749, the Court continued well 

 disposed, and our Ambassador met with a very friendly 

 reception. 



But some time afterwards the courtiers made a demand for 

 some large-sized pearls and three mares. 



This demand the Company was unable to comply with, and 



