NO. 40.— 1890.] EMBASSY TO KANDY, 1671. 



359 



would also send to the honourable son valuable presents, — yea, 

 he declared that he was so disposed towards Your Excellency 

 and Your Excellency's son, as before this he was towards 

 the late Admiral Hulft, of blessed memory. He said further, 

 that he had heard that Your Excellency was to go to Batavia 

 as General. He wished you every happiness and blessing as 

 such, and said that they must be quite respectable and 

 qualified persons who were sent on such a stately mission 

 from the Fatherland, which was a glory and honour to the 

 Emperor and his kingdom, in which he showed great 

 pleasure. 



But His Majesty was sure, as Your Excellency had so long 

 ruled in his kingdom so faithfully and well, that you 

 would not leave it without previously giving His Majesty 

 notice of your departure. He also said he well knew the 

 disposition of Heer van Goens, Junior, and that he could even 

 now show letters written by him from Saff ragam, from which 

 he had gained sufficient knowledge of his work and adminis- 

 tration. 



Finally, His Majesty asked me to return to my lodgings ; 

 which I did, after the usual courtesies. 



When I appeared for the fourth time before His Majesty, he 

 at once asked me how I was, whether I had everything I 

 desired, and whether I had orders from Your Excellency to 

 bring anything else to his Imperial notice. Whereupon I 

 answered that I was, and still am, well, and disposed to serve 

 His Majesty and the Honourable Company, and that I lacked 

 for nothing, for which I was thankful, — yea, that I had 

 reported everything to His Majesty faithfully and honestly; 

 and that the only thing wanted was that His Majesty should 

 be pleased to send away our imprisoned and Ambassadors 

 without expense and danger, as sought and demanded by 

 Your Excellency. Whereupon the Emperor asked by what 

 road I desired to go to Colombo, and I answered, as it suited 

 the Emperor's will and pleasure. And His Majesty at once, 

 in my presence, ordered a servant of His Imperial court to 

 write and despatch olas, so that the roads should be cleared, 



