340 



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



foot the beds where seed had been sown, grievously mal- 

 treating the keepers of the said garden, breaking the head of 

 an old woman, and striking with his rotang the sergeant who 

 by order of the Captain would remove him thence, and thus 

 tried to carry seeds out of the said garden, which he would 

 undoubtedly have done if not the Captain had personally 

 taken the same from him ; 



All which being matters of very hurtful consequence, 

 which should not in the least be tolerated or connived at in 

 a well-disposed Government where justice and the law are 

 administered, but as an example to others should be most 

 rigorously punished ; 



Therefore the Lord President and his Council, having 

 heard the prisoner's free confession, administering justice in 

 the name of the Supreme Authority, nevertheless preferring 

 mercy to the utmost rigour of the law, have condemned 

 and sentenced the said prisoner, as they condemn and 

 sentence him by these presents, to be put in chains and to 

 work on the general earthworks for three successive 

 months ; cum expensis. 



Thus done and sentenced in the town of Galle, this 2nd 

 day of July, 1640, and pronounced the 4th following. 



MS. page 100. 



Whereas Willem Parrier, of Charlefield, soldier in garrison 

 in the town of Galle, at present their Worships' prisoner, had 

 so far forgotten his military duties towards the Honourable 

 Company, that, as has been attested by sufficient evidence, 

 a few days ago he was found at night asleep on his post, 

 whereas we are in such great perils from the outside, and 

 within the town, encompassed by enemies ; 



And as by this misdemeanour the fortress might easily be 

 surprised by the enemy, the whole garrison be murdered, 

 and the Honourable Company be deprived of the fortress 

 which they have bought so dear, and therefore such a thing 

 should not in the least be tolerated and connived at in a 

 well-disposed Government where justice and the law are 



