No. 62 — 1909.] LETTERS OF R4JA SINHA II. 



265 



The-fifer 31 whom the superiors of the Dutch nation ordered 

 to present me with, and because of being likewise sent by Your 

 Honour, I was very pleased to hear ; but his manner of play- 

 ing the instrument is a little harsh, and I did not find much 

 agreeableness in him (the one they captured in the fortress of 

 Panare 32 , who is now dead, played softly and with sweetness, 

 and I had pleasure in hearing him) ; but because he was sent 

 by his said superiors and through Your Honour with so much 

 love, I granted him leave with very good will that he alsq 

 might go in company with the sergeant. 



In times past I have given warning to the governors of that 

 fortress of mine regarding the war in this my empire of Ceilao , 

 and I now do so to Your Honour in order that you may know it, 

 that at all times when the Dutch nation shall have war with 

 the Portuguese, or with whatever other nation it may be, or 

 shall wish to make any fortification, or place any arrajaP* in 

 any garrison, or shall wish to take any alien territories or towns 

 from the cape of Comorim [or] from the coast of Choromandel 

 on this side 34 , they first consult my royal person, before they 

 make the said war ; and by sea it will be according to the 

 occasions that they shall have, and as it shall appear to them 

 in their council, provided that there be not loss on our side ; 

 because if they shall do thus there will be no distrust or any 

 mistake, but rather it shall be to the profit of both parties, and 

 our fame ; and for these aforesaid reasons I shall esteem it if 

 the Dutch nation give fulfilment to that which I have already 

 enjoined upon it. 



In times past I treated on several occasions with Admiral 

 Coster 35 , and with several other officers of the Dutch nation 

 that came to this my imperial court, of what I had in my royal 

 heart to do on the coast of Coromandel, after that this my 

 empire was free from various commotions ; and so I hope 

 in God, and have great confidence in Him that He will give 

 fulfilment to this my royal wish. 



The persons that bear this letter — one of them is Tenacon 36 , 

 lieutenant 37 , and the other Corupo 38 , lieutenant. They will 

 deliver to Your Honour some gifts that they convey from this 

 court ; and by the list 39 that they carry you will be able to 

 take delivery of them. 



