464 



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



Saturday, January 2, 1644. 



MS.fol. 120. 



Whereas we have now come to the place where, in 

 accordance with our resolution of the 28th December last, 

 we have determined to reconnoitre the situation of the coast, 

 the field, and the river, and to collect all possible information 

 touching these points, so as to enable our military forces to 

 land the guns in safety and out of danger from the breakers 

 on the coast and the secret attempts of the enemy, 



Therefore the Lord General has seriously represented to 

 the Council that, since we have arrived before the river 

 Paneture, measures must be taken for investigating the 

 mouth, width, and depth of the said river, — seeing that 

 neither from the President Jan Thysen, nor from any other 

 persons well acquainted with this island, nor even from the 

 Cingalese themselves, we have been able to obtain any 

 definite information as respects this river, 

 upon which, after serious scrutiny and mature deliberation, 

 it has been unanimously resolved that four members of this 

 Council, to wit, the Lord President Jan Thysen, the Skipper 

 Commander Reyndert Weybrantsz, the Skipper Steven 

 Pietersz, and the Uppermerchant Pieter Vinckboous shall 

 immediately set out for the river aforesaid in a small boat 

 protected by the large sloop, the yacht "Wingurla," and 

 the quel 1 " Den Hasewind," shall reconnoitre the said 

 river, together with the places lying thereabouts, and 

 ascertain whether there would be a good opportunity for 



MS.fol. 121. 



landing our army, artillery, &c, there ; 

 which opportunity being (which God grant !) by them found 

 favourable, it is, by these presents, resolved that in the name 

 of God our army shall be landed there, in such order as shall 

 be set forth in the plan therefor drawn up ; 



1 See note on page 429. 



