460 



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



Friday, December 25, 1643. 



MS.fol. 115. 



Whereas by experience we find more and more that 

 owing to the protracted rains, all the roads and approaches 

 to the enemy, and the morasses surrounding his camp have 

 become so deep and inaccessible, that our men are unable to 

 pass them, except with extraordinary exertions and to the 

 considerable weakening of our army ; 



To which should be added that the Cingalese who have- 

 followed us from Galle, filled as they are with fear of the 

 Portuguese and of their own king, do not give us proper 

 information touching the roads which we are sure must 

 exist in this country ; 



in consequence of which we greatly fear that on this present 

 footing oar whole enterprise will result in nothing — 

 for from time to time we get knowledge of the different state 

 of the roads along which the Portuguese escape, and which, 

 however, our own army cannot get at, as only this morning 

 we were by the chief of the Cingalese shown the pass leading 

 to Mapouligam, 1 and other passages on the other side of the 

 enemy's camp ; 



All which information and considerations having been 

 closely scrutinized and deliberated on, the Council has con- 

 sidered what had best be done in these circumstances in 

 order to the furthering of the work undertaken ; to wit, 

 whether we shall occupy the pass of Mapouligam in hopes of 

 checking the enemy there, 



or whether it would be more advisable to march away in 

 order to gain time ; also, what shall be done with the 600 

 men encamped near Cosgere, 



and whether we shall wait two days until the dessaves or 

 chiefs of our Cingalese shall have returned from their 

 expedition 



1 Mapalagarna. 



