No. 53.— 1902.] GALLE DUTCH RECORDS. 495 



Nor was there any chance of carrying over the soldiers on 

 rafts, first, because it would be hard to obtain the timber 

 required therefor, and secondly, because this river being 

 very wide, very deep near the bank, and having a strong 

 current, is hardly navigable by rafts. 



And if we could effect all this with less labour and more 

 security, to wit, getting the boats and the soldiers up the 

 river without hindrance or molestation, yet at the same time 

 by our so doing our design would become publicly known, 

 and the enemy get every opportunity of encountering us at 

 his pleasure in crossing the river and of attacking us ; 

 the more so since the crossing would require much time and 

 most of the passages and approaches have been found to be 

 narrow and well guarded ; 



Therefore, regard being had to the 

 MS.fol. 158. 



difficulties and obstacles afore-mentioned, the Council has 

 unanimously arrived at the conclusion that the crossing of 

 the said river must be pronounced to be impossible for us. 



In accordance wherewith it has been resolved by majority 

 of votes, that the guns, the mortars, together with all other 

 ammunition, necessaries, and utensils, shall again be sent on 

 board the ships, that the fleet shall return to Negumbo, and 

 the army march thither by land, in order to go on board 

 again there without the least delay, to sail to the river 

 Paneture, mile south of Columbo, where the army shall 

 again be landed, in order to see what advantage the 

 Almighty may be pleased to grant us on that side of the town. 

 It has furthermore been resolved that by the yacht " Sant- 

 voort" 100 soldiers of the garrison of Galle shall be summoned 

 hither, seeing that we have already sent thither upwards of 

 200 sick men, of whom we hope that the greater part may 

 by this time be recovered. 



Thus done and resolved on the north side of the river 

 Moutewael, date as above. (Signed) Francois Caron, Jan 



