.No. 61. — 1908.] PORTUGUESE IN CEYLON. 



9] 



captured and their garrisons taken as prisoners to the moun- 

 tains ; and the condition of the Island as depicted in the 

 letters despatched to Goa from Europe was of the gloomiest. 

 Bitter and well-grounded complaints were heard on every 

 side against the oppression and tyranny exercised over the 

 natives by the Portuguese officials, from whom they had been 

 led to expect purer justice than they had received at the hands 

 of their own chiefs. The action of the captain of Mannar in 

 imposing unusual taxes was creating dissatisfaction ; the 

 revenue derived from the pearl fishery was not properly 

 accounted for ; munitions of war were being systematically 

 smuggled into the enemy's country, not only from the ports 

 of Jaffnapatam, but even from the Portuguese settlements of 

 Negapatam and St. Thome. Moreover a new danger was 

 threatening the Portuguese power, for seven of the Hollanders' 

 ships had appeared off Batticaloa and captured four Portuguese 

 vessels ;* the Sinhalese king had gone in person to meet the 

 new comers,f and though disagreements arose which seemed 

 likely to render the negotiations abortive . a reconciliation 

 had been effected and the question of the capture of Galle 

 seriously discussed. 



But the work of conquest had already consumed so much 

 blood and treasure that it was no longer possible to draw back. 

 A strict inquiry was ordered into the conduct of the peccant 

 officials and of the general himself ; the despatch of ships 

 from the suspected ports was to be closely supervised, and 

 they must touch only at Portuguese ports ; three boats were 

 detailed off to blockade the coast from Mannar to Galle, so as 

 effectively to prevent any intercourse with the Sinhalese from 

 outside, and to intercept the supplies of salt, cloth, and opium 

 which were sent into the country ; and the fortifications of 

 Colombo and Galle were to be immediately strengthened, 

 for the possible capture of the latter port would prove a 

 serious impediment to the commerce of the southern seas. 

 There was one cause for encouragement : at the very time of 

 the Hollanders' arrival Sinhalese ambassadors had been sent to 

 Goa with an offer of peace, on condition of the prince who was 



* Spilbergen arrived in Ceylon on May 28, 1602 (Ind. Or.), 

 t This refers to Seebalt de Weert's visit, 



