500 



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



able-bodied sailors, besides those who are left in charge of 

 the ships ; the said force to approach the town on two sides, 

 enclose it, and gradually to reduce it by strength of men and 

 cannon ; for which purpose our present army is insufficient 

 and the time too short ; the more so as this fortress 1 must be 

 above all things fortified, and it is high time that this work 

 should be taken in hand ; 



Therefore, for all the reasons and motives aforesaid, the 

 resolution taken on the 24th of this current month is, by these 

 presents, declared null and void by the Council. 



In accordance wherewith it has on the contrary, with the 

 advice of the dessaves of his Majesty of Candia, been 

 resolved, that this fortress of Negumbo shall be fortified in 

 accordance with the plan and drawing made for this purpose., 

 for which purpose our soldiers shall be used by turns divided 

 into three gangs ; on condition that each of them that work 

 shall, over and above his ordinary pay and rations, get 

 a remuneration of 6 stivers daily ; the said 



MS. fol. 165. 



dessaves also promising to contribute 150 of their men 

 towards this work, which shall now be taken in hand as 

 quickly as possible. 



Whereas, furthermore, we have been informed by the said 

 dessaves that seven frigates with reinforcements of soldiers 

 for the use of Columbo, are arrived from Tutecorin and 

 Nagepatnam, at Calpatin, 10 miles from here to the north- 

 ward, 



it has been resolved that in order to keep off the said 

 frigates the ship " Den Engelsehoop " shall sail from here 

 for the bay of Columbo, having on board 30 soldiers over and 

 above her usual ship's crew, and that in order to harass the 

 said frigates off Calpatin aforesaid, the yachts " Ackersloot" 

 and "Wingurla," together with the fluyt "Den Engeland," 

 the large sloop having also on board in all a reinforcement 



1 Neg'ombo. 



