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



The Candian Court now became more and more unreason- 

 able, and tried under various pretences to pick a quarrel. 

 The cause of this was apparently the question of the pearl 

 fishery. 



This became clearer, when on our Ambassador's arrival at 

 the Court, two Mohandirams came to him and informed 

 him in the King's name that His Majesty intended to have 

 the reefs of Chilauw and Caymelle surveyed. 



This project was actually carried out : two principal chiefs 

 came down with a number of armed men and twenty-one 

 boats, and were diving at Chilauw for two or three days, but not 

 finding a single oyster they departed greatly disappointed. 



Shortly after this the Dessawe of the Three and Four Corles 

 informed the Governor by ola that His Majesty had thought 

 fit to send down with him a sick chief priest, who wished 

 to put himself under the treatment of the Dutch doctors at 

 Colombo. The said chief priest shortly after came down 

 quite unexpectedly through the Hina Corle, accompanied 

 by 32 inferior priests and a considerable escort of 

 lascoreens, standard bearers, and drummers, with music and 

 flags, and took up his abode with the Ambassadors present 

 at that time at Colombo. He requested that suitable 

 accommodation might be provided for him and his retinue 

 at Calanie, as he had chosen that place for his residence. 



This request was, however, refused, under the pretence that 

 the inhabitants of that place might perhaps treat this priest 

 with disrespect. He was given instead a convenient 

 residence on the road to the Pas, as we apprehended diffi- 

 culties in getting him away when once settled at Calanie ; for 

 at that place there was a heathen Pagoda, and the Holland 

 doctors had given their unanimous opinion that the chief 

 priest was in perfect health, and was only simulating illness. 



The Chiefs continued their unfavourable attitude towards 

 the Company, with the exception of the Dessawe of the 

 Three and Four Corles, who in a very civil letter to the 

 Governor promised to assist in amicably settling the differ- 

 ences with the Court ; in consequence of which a favourable 



