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



account of having caused great damage to the Company, 

 with the assistance of the inhabitants of the Corles, upon 

 the advice of his father the Basnaike ; that he and his 

 father the Basnaike were again intriguing at the Candian 

 Court, advising them of the means by which they might 

 attain commercial benefits and a free port, and inciting the 

 inhabitants of the Corles to revolt for that purpose, erecting 

 magazines all through the country, throwing up some dams 

 in the rivers, and distributing arms and ammunition 

 amongst the people, &c. 



In the following year, 1756, the Candian Ambassadors once 

 more demanded, in the King's name, a share in the profits of 

 the elephant trade, if only once in two or three years. 



This unpleasant demand was again politely refused by the 

 Governor, according to his instructions from their Excellen- 

 cies at Batavia. 



Notwithstanding this refusal, [the demand] was repeated 

 again in May and refused as before ; but the Governor pro- 

 mised to again communicate with their Excellencies. This 

 he did, adding for the information of their Excellencies that 

 the Dessawe of the Three and Four Corles had, after the last 

 audience, declared through the Modliaar of the Gate that 

 the last requests had been made at the instigation of 

 insinuating Malabars, Naikers, or relations of His Majesty 

 at the Court, who were always intent upon their own interests 

 and on depriving the Company of its prerogatives and 

 benefits. 



At the same time a Naiker at Jaffanapatnam made himself 

 conspicuous by his arrogant behaviour, and refused to go back 

 to the Court, although he was often urged. He even arrested 

 the Modliaar, Aratchies, and lascoreens who brought him 

 paddy, and maltreated them. The Commandeur was obliged 

 to send a sergeant with twelve soldiers to obtain their release. 



The Dessawe of the Three and Four Corles was advised of 

 this, and requested to institute inquiries, and to prevent a 

 repetition of acts so much to the prejudice of the Company ; 

 but no answer was received to this message. 



