NO. 41—1890.] REBELION DE CEYLAN. 



465 



Lourenzo de Almeida,* who was the first Portuguese to land 

 in the Island sword in hand (his father Don Francisco de 

 Almeida being Viceroy of India at the time), four hundred 

 bares of cinnamon, which is equal to two thousand quintals 

 of our weight, each bar weighing five quintals. But this 

 tribute being nearly all lost, he renewed it twelve years 

 afterwards during his government, reducing it by five bares 

 of cinnamon, and adding in its place twelve surtijas (rings) 

 of rubies and sapphires and as many elephants ; and then he 

 built the Fort of Columbo, and placed in it a captain and 

 officers, more for the protection of the factory and their trade 

 than for any idea of ruling over the land with a garrison. 



The King of Cota with our assistance and friendship 

 grew both in reputation and power ; and Madume 

 his brother, forming an alliance with the Camorin\ and 

 other Malabar princes, never once ceased to molest him, 

 waging continual war on him by sea and by land ; by which 

 Columbo became one of the most dangerous places of arms 

 in India, and a school where military valour was proved and 

 military discipline learnt. For the Zingalas, naturally war- 

 like, had become bolder by the prolonged struggle, had 

 increased in strength and courage, and had acquired dex- 

 terity and knowledge in the use of arms, being equally 

 careless of life and ambitious of honour : on the other 

 hand the Portuguese fought more with the renown of their 

 victories than with the very limited help the State and 



* Don Lourenzo d' Almeida, son of Don Francisco d' Almeida of the 

 blood royal. Don Francisco d'Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of 

 India, was sent out by King Don Manuel, who resolved to govern by his 

 ablest officers, raised to quasi-regal powers. Don Francisco was accom- 

 panied by his son Don Lourenzo as Chief Captain of the Sea. He left 

 Lisbon 25th March, 1505, with 20 keel carrying 15,000 men. 



Mas sis outro, cantava, intitulado 



Vem com nome Real, a tray comsigo 



O filho, que no mar sera illustrado. — Os Lusiados, Canto X., 26. 

 "Behold now! she sang, 'another comes of Royal name, and with him 

 he brings his son, who on the sea will be illustrious.' " 

 t The Zamorin of Calicat. — B., Hon. Sec. 



