NO. 53. — 1902.] GALLE DUTCH RECORDS. 377 



with the help of God was noways doubtful, since the said 

 vessel had not yet passed this bay, and could not have made 

 much progress by the time the yacht "Limmen " had put to 

 sea ; 



All which having been duly weighed by the Council, and it 

 having been considered that we ought nowise to let slip so 

 favourable a chance and opportunity which up to this time 

 had never presented itself, were it only — setting apart all 

 other considerations— to become acquainted with the enemy's 

 position ; 



that the said yacht " Limmen " is an excellent sailer, and that 

 in the first time we shall not be able to send her to Columbo 

 in order to cruise there ; 



It has been unanimously resolved to send out the yacht 

 *' Limmen " on the said expedition in the manner proposed 

 and without the least delay. 



Furthermore, that in case the said vessel 



MS.fol. 5. 



should run into the bay of Biligam, 1 the said " Limmen " 

 shall also be free to run in there, in order to destroy it, if it 

 cannot be taken ; 



that, if it should go further southward and try to continue 

 its voyage to Jaffnapatnam, the yacht " Limmen" shall be 

 allowed to pursue it as far as Battecaloa or so far as the chiefs 

 on board the " Limmen " shall deem advisable. 



In case the said yacht "Limmen" should not attack the said 

 vessel, which however we hope she will do, forasmuch as 

 it is almost impossible to sail from Battecaloa seeing that 

 about this season of the year north-easterly winds may 

 confidently be daily expected to begin to blow there, or 

 perhaps are blowing there already, — we trust that off 

 Battecaloa the said vessel will fall into the power of our other 

 yachts expected every hour from the Coast of Coromandel — ■ 

 which God grant ! 



1 Weligama. 



