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



right (agreeably with your recommendation and advice) 

 that the same conquest should be proceeded with. And 

 therefore I write to the Viceroy* and order him to promote 

 the same, and to help you so far as circumstances there will 

 allow, and that he will procure the conclusion of it. Where- 

 fore I particularly expect from you the accomplishment 

 of this ; and after that I recommend you very earnestly to 

 keep this matter in mind, and take it to your charge, 

 resting assured that in respect to it I shall take the same 

 to my consideration, and reckon as you shall act therein, so 

 as greatly to honour you for it and reward you should you 

 possibly be burdened. And as the Bishop of Cochin, with 

 his authority and presence, will be helpful in the affair of 

 the conquest, by encouraging the soldiers and by persuading 

 them with advancements, which I shall grant over and above 

 their ordinary incomes in the distribution of the lands of 

 that Island, so I write to him that he shall proceed for that 

 purpose to Colombo. And I am urged the more to this 

 step in consideration of the particular friendship and good 

 understanding which I have heard exist between you two. 

 And likewise I order the Viceroy that he shall send to that 

 Island as many Christians from St. Thomas and from 

 other places as he shall be able to get together, besides some 

 married Portuguese with their wives, and some orphan 

 girls who might marry there with the soldiers who serve 

 me there, allotting to them some lands whereby they may 

 help and maintain themselves. And that he shall carry into 

 execution what I have ordered with regard to a fleet of 

 six ships which I desire should be stationed there on the 

 coast of the Island, he will keep there the three ships 

 from Manaar referred to, in order to prevent the natives 

 (who stand beyond our jurisdiction) from commerce and 

 trade in every respect, as this will greatly help and facilitate 

 the accomplishment of the conquest. But the chief con- 

 fidence which I have, that this will be completed in a short 



* See ante, p. 201, note f. 



