JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [Vol. XXI. 



had been despatched to Kalpitiya by the Wannakurala and 

 the other minor Gabadaralas was being delayed there. 

 Should His Excellency take over the same at the usual price 

 of the Company, and add somewhat to it for the honour of its 

 being the property of the Maha Gabadawa, it would be a matter 

 of satisfaction to the chiefs, and also the gratitude of the 

 Company towards the Maha Wasala would be demonstrated. 

 The Disava of Sabaragamuwa added that it would be 

 well if the full amount of the money should be delivered 

 with a talpata to the parties who would be despatched to 

 receive the same. He further requested that any other 

 commodities sent to Kalpitiya by the Maha Gabadawa might 

 be taken over at the Company's usual price without so much 

 delay : when these delays were talked about among other 

 races they would lose their respect towards the Maha Wasala. 

 The customs of the Company in affairs of trade were not 

 unknown ; but there was no necessity for any one to remind 

 the Hollanders of such matters. The Disava therefore requested 

 that all this might be communicated to His Excellency 

 without delay. 



The Ambassador in reply referred them to the explanation 

 which had already been given on the 13th instant. Though 

 the Company had no urgent need for the pepper, yet had 

 the Wannias been prepared to accept the customary price 

 it would, out of respect to the Maha Gabadawa, have 

 been taken over as directed by His Excellency. The pepper 

 in question and other commodities which were brought, and 

 which were suited to the requirements of the Company, would 

 be taken over without any delay at the customary prices, 

 while the request for enhanced prices in the case of the 

 property of the Maha Gabadawa would be laid before His 

 Excellency. 



The chiefs expressed themselves as satisfied, and continued 

 that during the time of the previous kings, and of his present 

 Majesty too, the Governadors who held office from time to 

 time had supplied several good horses with auspicious marks, 

 such as were suited for the State carriage. These animals 

 had been obtained from Europe, Turkey, and Persia : the 

 majority of them had died, and those which still survived 



