No. 62.— 1909.] 



DUTCH EMBASSY. 



213 



to the latter. The Ambassador expressed his happiness at 

 being entrusted with such a fortunate message. He tendered 

 his humble thanks for the favour which he had received at 

 the hands of His Excellency and the other high dignitaries 

 for a similar gracious message which had been entrusted to 

 him when he was honoured with an audience the previous 

 year, and declared his assurance that this message would 

 ensure to him a repetition of the same favours. His Majesty 

 expressed his pleasure at this and reminded the Ambassador 

 that it was at his own choice that he delayed for a second 

 audience when His Majesty was prepared to give him 

 permission to depart after the first, as his reception had 

 been deferred owing to delays at the Maha Wasala. The 

 Ambassador made a becoming reply, and was asked how long it 

 would be before the new Governador, His Excellency Wouter 

 Hendricksz, would arrive in Colombo. He replied that it was 

 impossible to state definitely, but that if he did not arrive 

 immediately, there might, it was expected, be a delay of a 

 few months. Thereupon he was presented with a kastdna 

 and the other usual articles, while the Secretary and I received 

 the customary presents ; after which we received permission 

 to return to the tdndyama and to start for Colombo the next 

 day. Thereupon, as on the previous occasion, we made our 

 obeisances and retired with the rest of the chiefs. 



We were next conducted to a maduwa where the Gabada 

 Ralas served us with a royal repast, of which we partook. 

 When we emerged from the room the silver tray and shawl were 

 returned to us, and all the chiefs with Pinapaye* Wannaku 

 Ralahamy and Batu watte Brahmana Rala met us, whereupon 

 the Maha Adigar bespoke the earnest attention of the 

 Ambassador to a matter of importance which they desired to 

 communicate to him. Previous kings had invited the Hollanders 

 into the country and settled them in the kingdom owing to 

 the great confidence which they had reposed in them, and they 

 had not betrayed that trust ; they were convinced that their 

 behaviour would remain unchanged. Now the pepper which 



* c 1750, Pinnapaye alias Dunuvila Rajakarunadhara Ekanayaka 

 Dharmmakirtti Mudiyanse, Disava of Matale.— H. W. C. 



