NO. 53. — 1902.] GALLE DUTCH RECORDS. 269 



Port of Goa a fleet of [ ] vessels and yachts with 



] men on board, with orders to capture or destroy 

 the great reinforcements which the enemy (as they said) 

 expected from Portugal, and also to capture their returning 

 caracks and prevent the same from navigating to Portugal ; 

 that, however, they have received later news from the 

 Netherlands, according to which the whole of Portugal had 

 revolted from Spain, and the Duke of Braganza had been 

 chosen and crowned King of Portugal ; that forasmuch as 



[ ] 



they have ordered the said Mathys Quast, if there were any 

 chance of success, to try his fortune against the town of 

 Goa or one of its chief fortresses (which command the town); 

 but, if he should see no advantage there, or if the enemy, 

 on the approach of so powerful a fleet, should have recalled 

 his men from Oeylon in order to defend Goa, in consequence 

 of which Columbo would not be duly provided and its 

 garrison weakened ; or also, if Galle should have been 

 reduced to extremity ; 



he should have to go to Ceylon with the greater part of his 

 forces in order to assist us and harass the enemy, holding 

 Goa duly blockaded before leaving the same with his ships ; 

 and as 



MS. page 10. 



their Worships urgently recommend and command us not to 

 detain the said yacht "Liemmen," but to despatch it with all 

 convenient speed to the Port of Goa to the Commander Quast 

 and his Council with precise information respecting the 

 position of affairs at Galle and the situation of the enemy at 

 Columbo ; also respecting the chances of success and the 

 number of men that would be wanted in order to conquer the 

 said place without the aid of the King of Candy, and also to 

 assist Galle [ ] 

 just as last year he has had our help at Alycan, 1 and by what 



1 Alutgama. 



