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



Our intention, however, is to describe not the past, but the 

 present condition of Ceilon, which the Netherlanders, by the 

 grace and blessing of the Almighty, now possess in peace. 



The following towns, forts, ports, and trading marts are 

 Situated along the coast. 



Galeture (or as we name it for convenience Caltere), lying 

 about twelve miles from Puncto gale northward, and seven 

 southward from Columbo, is a delightful place, situated in a 

 district beautiful, pleasant, and fertile, close to the sea, and at 

 the mouth of a wide and pleasant river, which seems to take 

 its source from the central part of the Island. The fortress 

 was taken by us from the Portuguese previous to the 

 conquest of Columbo by a few men in gallant manner. The 

 inhabitants of the place submitted themselves willingly to 

 the rule of the Honourable Company. 



Columbo (of which we have already spoken in chapter 

 VIII.) is at present the chief town of the Netherlanders in 

 the Island of Ceilon, and here the Governor has his residence. 

 In former times Puncto gale was the chief town of the Nether- 

 landers, where now in our time, the Commandeur Adriaen 

 Roothaes held the chief command. Columbo was likewise 

 the chief station and place of residence of the Portuguese in 

 the Island of Ceilon. This town cost them during its con- 

 struction not less blood in sustaining the attacks and furious 

 assaults of the inhabitants than when they lost it to us, 

 Columbo lies on the west coast of the Island, and possesses 

 ;a harbour capable of receiving fairly large ships, but the 

 very largest generally anchor in the roadstead, a little beyond 

 the bay. The country all around produces the finest cinna- 

 mon, and that in great quantities. 



Negumbo, situated in a country abounding with water, on the 

 sea, and about five miles north of Columbo, is a celebrated 

 fortress built formerly by the Portuguese for the cinnamon 

 trade. It was taken from them on February 9, 1640, 

 through the skill of the Directeur Philippus Lucasz, but 

 recaptured in February, 1643, by a fresh force of Portuguese. 

 They, however, did not long hold it, for in February, 1644, 



