590 



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



Portuguese were not masters of the seas, it was the only secure 

 way of preserving them, and for the present that which was 

 most important and which concerned us most was for our 

 arms to protect and keep up our trade, and not to extend our 

 conquests nor to add new kingdoms or dominions. It was 

 better to purify the States we already had from the luxuries 

 and vices which offended so against God, and which prevailed 

 to such an extent in their midst and reduced them to such 

 miserable ruin, and from the corrupt customs which had been 

 neglected and even allowed by the authorities, and in our 

 negligence never punished. But all misery and calamity, ruin^ 

 loss, and afflictions of all kinds which happen to kingdoms 

 are punishments sent by Heaven to awaken them to repen- 

 tance and reform. 



And this reminds me of what I have heard from a very 

 grave personage whom the Hollanders had taken captive on 

 his way from the Indies, that their General, a person held in 

 great respect and a man of repute amongst them, had told 

 him that he might tell His Majesty that he should undeceive 

 himself, that the prosperity and success they had gained 

 were not because of the strength of their forces, since they 

 had confessed the little they could do in respect to Spain ; 

 but all appeared as if it was a punishment sent by Heaven 

 upon that Monarchy for its sins and vices. 



It was rumoured that the Count-Viceroy desiring with this 

 purpose to continue the war with Candia (little knowing 

 the state of affairs in Ceylari), wrote twice to Constantino 

 de Sa in somewhat harsh terms, blaming him for his silence^ 

 which seemed as if he was avoiding the enemy, and telling 

 him that the Generals of the Island should mind war rather 

 than trading. 



The Count showed in this correspondence, if it be true, the 

 little knowledge he had of the valour and disinterestedness of 

 Constantino de Sa. But it is not to be believed that in order to 

 arouse them he made use of such censures ; and from what I 

 know myself of his person, his friendship, his faith, the 

 nobleness, courtesy, gentleness, and the kindness of his 



