'296 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVIL 



their nets there, which hitherto it has been impossible for us 

 to prevent, since we had no ship or ships lying out there ; 



It has been approved of and resolved in a full Council of 

 the several ships and war yachts " Bergen op den Soom," 

 " Armuyden," " Bredam," and " Lecq," duly convened by 

 customary signals by the Lord President Jan Thy sen ; 



It having been considered that this state of affairs might 

 easily furnish an opportunity for provisons being smuggled 

 into the place, especially from Bengal, whence the enemy is 

 every day expecting supplies ; 



In order to harass the enemy as much as possible, and 

 prevent them from sending out their fisher craft ; 



To station the yacht " Bredam," which is well equipped 

 and provided with sailors and soldiers, to the south of the 

 town of Columbo, at such distance, however, as to be beyond 

 the reach of the enemy's guns ; 



At the same time earnestly admonishing the commanders 

 of the said yacht " Bredam " to keep a close look out and be 

 well on their guard, that no harm may befall them, but 

 that contrariwise they may do something for the interest of 

 the East India Company, which God grant ; 



The earnest promise of amendments 



MS. page 45. 



and the humble request of the suspended Skipper Hendrick 

 Yckes of the ship " Bergen op den Soom," 



That he may again be reinstated to his previous post, 

 Has been duly weighed by the afore-mentioned Council, 

 And due attention having been paid to the petitioner's 

 good behaviour, and also to the circumstance that the said 

 ship is urgently in want of a skipper, since the Commander 

 Bouwens can no longer be saddled with these duties which 

 do not befit his position ; 



They have reinstated the said Hendrick Yckes in his 

 former capacity of skipper, the delinquent having previously 

 been called before the Council, expostulated with on his 

 misdemeanours, and earnestly admonished that if he 



