468 



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



On the other hand, as we have been confidently informed 

 by the President Jan Thy sen and the Uppermerehant 

 Marten Yinck, the town must necessarily be attacked by 

 artillery on two sides, for which our forces are not deemed 

 sufficient, seeing that for this purpose it would be necessary 

 to divide them into two bodies ; 



furthermore the enemy has so strongly fortified himself on 

 the north side and strengthened himself on all parts that 

 there would not be the least chance in the event of our landing 

 there ; our great solicitude in this matter being that we 

 cannot from any runaway obtain the least certainty or 

 information touching these points and the constitution of 

 the enemy, beyond that which has been roughly set forth 

 in the above ; 



regard being also had to the orders which the Lord Governor- 

 General has been pleased to give us by his instructions, 



MS.fol. 126. 

 to wit, 



that we shall refrain from undertaking anything hazardous ; 

 this undertaking as yet not holding out any security of 

 success, but numerous difficulties being indissolubly con- 

 nected therewith ; 



Therefore we have seriously weighed all these inconve- 

 niencies and difficulties, and after calling on the name of God 

 Almighty, have found advisable and accordingly resolved 

 that for the present the attempt against Columbo shall be 

 deferred ; 



that with the forces we shall march against Negumbo, and 

 first endeavour to take the latter fortress with the help of 

 God, to the end that after capturing the same we may have 

 an opportunity of getting better acquainted with the position 

 and strength of Columbo, which opportunity we hope will 

 not fail us ; after which we shall with the greater security 

 and confidence be enabled to undertake our greater design,, 

 which we have now put off until that time, and in which 



