NO. 53.— 1902.] GALLE DUTCH RECORDS. 



305 



Whether it would be advisable to effect a landing, to attack 

 the force of the enemy and make an attempt on the aforesaid 

 fortress of Negumbo, or whether, on the contrary, we had 

 better let the matter stand and not undertake anything ; 



The Lord President at the same time urging the members 

 of the Council, together and each of them in particular — 

 having previously represented to them both the perils which 

 might arise out of it, and the eminent service which by it 

 might be rendered to the Honourable Company — duly to 

 weigh the said enterprise and diligently take it to heart, 

 forasmuch as the well-being or miscarriage of the Company 

 in the Island of Ceylon, as well as our credit or dishonour 

 was chiefly dependent on it. 



All which having been duly and attentively weighed by 

 the Councillors and friends assembled, and it having been 

 considered that — 



as in sailing hither we had not been 

 MS. page 58. 



so fortunate and quick as we had wished, the only causes 

 of this being the head winds and counter currents sent us 

 by God Almighty, which have also prevented us from going 

 out of sight of the land (as we had resolved), for fear we 

 should be driven too far out to sea and thus altogether 

 balked of our purpose—- 



The enemy has doubtless closely observed us ; has no 

 doubt followed us with the main body of his forces lying 

 between this place and Columbo, and occupied the coast 

 near the said fortress of Negumbo and the afore-mentioned 

 islet, which is the more likely as we had seen great crowds 

 of people on the aforesaid shore, and many persons lying 

 with boats in the river, cross over to the said islet, from 

 which we concluded that they are w T ell on their guard; that 

 they have no doubt strengthened the garrison in the said 

 fortress ; and that we should not succeed in effecting a 

 landing without experiencing violent resistance and running 



R 21-02 



