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



Columbo in order to treat with the Portuguese 21 . This news 

 is in accordance [ * * * * *] 22 of Your Honour 

 [ * * *] 22 that which I [?] heard. I remind Your 

 Honour, and the whole world, that to those who serve me 

 faithfully the person of my royal quality is not accustomed 

 to do such things. As far as the fifth paragraph of Your 

 Honour's letter written on the 6th of February I have replied 

 to, and to the rest that is contained in it I shall reply in 

 the answer that I shall give to the letter that the sergeant 

 presented at this imperial court, written on the 15th of May 

 [1]652 23 . 



Reply to the third letter that the said sergeant 24 presented 

 to this imperial court, the which was read to me before my 

 imperial person on the 4th of August of this present year. 

 The delay in the reply to Your Honour's letters I have already 

 explained in the first paragraph of the second letter. In this 

 Your Honour tells me not to estimate the value of the present 

 except by the affectionate love and goodwill with which you 

 sent it. As the Dutch nation servesme with great loyalty 

 and good zeal, and because of the affection that my imperial 

 person has for it, for that reason anything that the said nation 

 presents me with I esteem highly. The four plumes 25 are very 

 good, and as such I welcomed them. The surgical instruments 

 are of very good workmanship. The medicines — as I have 

 towards the Dutch nation great love and affection, and it is 

 faithful to me, I well understand that they are sure to present 

 me with only very precious things, as Your Honour tells me in 

 your [letter] that they are ; and that these aforesaid medicines 

 be explained to me 26 , 1 have impressed upon you in the other 

 letter that I wrote to Your Honour on the 1st of August 27 . 

 The three little dogs that came together with the sauguate 28 

 that they presented me with I esteemed on account of their 

 being sent by Your Honours ; but the two mastitis 29 are of no 

 use either for the safety of the gates of the palace or to frighten 

 the people ; neither have they any ability, nor is their posture 

 and appearance pleasing. The black dog is of the breed of 

 hunting dogs, but his fashion 30 and the spots that he has do 

 not appear to me good for hunting, nor as yet have I seen 

 his prowess. 



