532 



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



From the actions of Governors invariably result the great 

 love of their subjects, and that which the Zing alas bore 

 towards Constantino de Sa was so great that they called 

 him their " father," and looked up to him as their shield and 

 buckler ; for he alleviated the hard lot of servitude that 

 is suffered from Governments in times when often for 

 salvation from the evils of infidelity so much innocent blood 

 is shed : whereby Governors make themselves feared, and 

 thus being indebted so much to fear, get to be feared, and 

 for that reason are not loved. But Empires which are 

 governed through fear are of no long duration ; for fear 

 begets hate, and hate desires the adversary's death. 



Constantino de Sa was aware of this difficulty, and had to 

 face it to bring over the Zing alas to our love and allegiance. 

 He made use of their services as he did of the Portuguese, 

 and gave them positions of the greatest trust and confidence 

 in the State, and even about his own person. He also 

 made them chiefs (headmen) of aldeas ; and that there 

 might be no lack of rewards in order to bind them over to 

 him, he obtained from His Majesty that these appointments 

 might be given for life, which was a thing greatly praised 

 and esteemed by the natives. 



Aldeas. in Geylan are what in Europe are called encomien- 

 das (Commanderies). 



It has already been told how Manuel Homem Mascarenas, 

 when he was General, marked out their boundaries, and how 

 he regulated them by the arbitration of the Governors and 

 the officials of the Island. They afterwards usurped this 

 privilege from his jurisdiction and constituted a council of 

 the Veedores de hazienda, the Captains of Columbo, and the 

 Superiors of the Convent of San Francisco, over which 

 presided the General. The aldeas were provided by general 

 vote, although the right of possession passed over on the 

 Governor's ola ; the provisions of which usually gave to the 

 Portuguese for three lives, and to the natives for one, which 

 is gWhat Constantino de Sa introduced. He reserved the 

 pensions for His Majesty, who always recommended his 



