504 



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



Monday, March 7, in the afternoon, 1644 A.D. 

 MS.fol. 169. 



Although by the coming on board of the Portuguese 

 Deputy from Columbo, Lorenso Ferreira de Britto, we have 

 learnt that all the Dutch prisoners of war have voluntarily 

 left the Company's service and passed over to the service of 

 the king, and would be unwilling to come back to us, even 

 if Dom Philipo Mascarenhas should be found willing to let 

 them go free, which is not the case, 



Yet, in conformity with the preceding resolutions, it has 

 notwithstanding been resolved, that in exchange for the said 

 prisoners, we shall by letter offer to Dom Philipo as many 

 Portuguese as the number of our men he has with him in 

 Oolumbo, 



in order to show that we have the liberation of the said 

 Dutchmen greatly at heart, and that we are willing, whenever 

 an opportunity offers, to use our utmost endeavours for that 

 purpose : 



On the understanding that if the said Dom Philipo cannot 

 be prevailed on to set them free, we shall not use any further 

 exertions in this matter but leave the same alone, awaiting 

 the pleasure of the Lord Governor-General. 



We shall furthermore write to the recreant Dutchmen a 

 last letter of warning and exhortation, in which we shall 

 represent to them their misdemeanours, and by which all 

 ground for ulterior complaints shall be taken from them. 



Thus done and resolved in the ship " Prins Hendrick," date 

 as above. (Signed) Francois Caron, Jan Thy sen, Willem 

 van der Beecq, Marten Vinck, Reyndert Weybrantsz, Steven 

 Pietersz, Pieter Vinckboous, Johannes Burgers. 



Friday, March 11^ 1644 A.D. 



MS.fol. 170. 



Regard being had to the orders given us by the Lord 

 General touching the despatch of the ships of the fleet 



