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



I had sought the honour for myself ; but that day was also 

 put off and messengers were sent to tell me that His Majesty 

 was hindered, and that the days were not good. This delay 

 lasted three and half weeks, and the messengers who, 

 within this period, came day by day, to make excuses for the 

 Emperor, remained in my house to await further orders. 



In the meantime there were sent to me (as the chief said, on 

 the orders of the Emperor) a silver inkstand and hour glass, 

 with pen and penknife, and all other belongings to write 

 with. And I had to receive the same as being, the chief 

 said, a Secretary of the Emperor. Whereupon I resolved to 

 accept the inkstand and its belongings, but as I said for the 

 honour of the king and to the service of the Honourable 

 Company. The chiefs replied that it was well and good, 

 and that they would report the same to the Emperor. 



But these same chiefs being two Adigaars, two Dessaves, 

 three Mohoterales, with two Hollanders, and two Portuguese, 

 also said that they had orders to read and interpret to me an 

 ola through the Hollanders and Portuguese ; which was done. 

 The Cingalese first held Council one with another, and after 

 consultation, and listening, sat close together. The contents 

 of the ola was as follows : — Signor Dom Joan de Costa 

 Monamperij Rajapasse Modiace has written this on the orders 

 of His Honour (Governor) to the chief of Hijtewaeche called 

 Bemmewatte Tinneconnerale,the said Dom Joan advising that 

 Golahelle would within a few days be sent with a letter from 

 His Honour to present the same to the high and mighty 

 Emperor ; and that His Honour and Council were well, and 

 His Honour remained a faithful servant of the Emperor, and 

 Dom Joan was and remains one of the most obedient servants 

 of the same Emperor ; ending with compliments to me. 

 The ola was dated Monday, September 5, 1671, in the Imperial 

 Fort, Colombo. Having informed me of the contents of this ola r 

 they returned to report what had taken place to the Emperor. 



Nevertheless I was summoned with all the messengers 

 who had been sent, as before stated, three and a half 

 weeks after the appointed day. I had to take my letter 



