50 
JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVIII. 
R. G. Anthonisz, Government Archivist, regarding a stone 
slab at Elie House, Mutwal, bearing the following inscrip- 
tion: — 
Stads Wagt. 
A.D. 1702. 
A. G. Clayton, 
for Colonial Secretary. 
Memorandum. 
The stone has some historical value, as it no doubt marks 
the site of the old Dutch Guardhouse put up by Governor 
Gerrit de Heire. It formed the northern limit of the city, 
which was composed at that time of the Kasteel (Castle) 
and the Oude and Nieuwe Steden (Old and New City). The 
Town or City Council {Stads Raad) had its jurisdiction 
within the Municipal limits,while the rural districts, extend- 
ing as far as Chilaw and Puttalam, were under the authority 
of the Dissava of Colombo. Stads Wagt ("wacht" in 
modern Dutch) means " City Guard." The stone had evi- 
dently been placed over some gateway of the Guardroom. 
It had no connection with the present building, which was 
put up about 1830-1840 as a private residence by Mr. Philip 
Anstruther, then Colonial Secretary. It would seem that at 
the time of the building of Elie House some old structure 
bearing the stone slab had to be demolished, and the builder, 
not to destroy an interesting landmark, had the stone placed 
on the floor of the new building to mark the spot. 
R. G. Anthonisz. 
February 18, 1903. 
Honorary Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, Ceylon 
Branch, to the Hon. the COLONIAL Secretary. 
Ceylon Branch, Royal Asiatic Society, 
No. 60. Colombo, March 2, 1903. 
Sir, — I beg to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the 
Memorandum by Mr. R. G. Anthonisz forwarded with your 
letter dated 28th ultimo, and to inform you that it will be laid 
before the Council of this Society at its next Meeting. 
G. A. Joseph, 
Honorary Secretary. 
