No, 55.— 1904.] RAJA SINHA II. AND THE DUTCH. 21H 
which strange thoughts were to be felt, as to what the 
Portuguese might have in view thereanent. Governor Van 
Kittenstein also informed the King that the Dutch had 
already resumed warlike operations against the Portuguese 
in Ceylon, and taken possession of all the territories as far 
as Caliture, which fortress the enemy had already abandoned 
to the power of the HoUanders.^^^ Thus, he added, the time 
had evidently now arrived for the Dutch to render His 
Majesty more faithful services, and to avenge themselves 
for the treachery displayed towards their Government in 
Brazil begging further, that His Majesty would be pleased 
to carry out his design of sending a considerable force 
to Jaffanapatnam, Man-Aar, and Saffragam, not doubting that 
this had also been carried out. And as he had understood 
that the General of Colombo had sent an envoy to his 
Majesty,277 he begged His Majesty to give him no belief, nor 
even any audience, but to be ever mindful of the faithful 
services of the Dutch.^^^ 
From a letter written by the Dutch Governor on Novem- 
ber 9 to the King it appears that the latter was inclined 
to join the Dutch in their conflict with the Portuguese, and 
to send out his troops against them as far as Macucaravare 
for Manicaravare].^''^ 
On December 23 Van Kittenstein wrote to Raja Sinha 
that it seemed as if the Portuguese .intended to bring His 
Majesty's brother Prince Visiapalle from Goa to Ceylon,^^^ 
to prevent which His Excellency advised His Majesty, as 
far as was practicable, to occupy the seaports of Man-Aar, Cal- 
pentyn, and Jaffanapatnam, whilst the Dutch would attempt 
to do the same before Colombo, where they had already 
with their cruisers taken one of the Portuguese frigates.^^^ 
And since His Majesty was inclined to come down with his 
army before Colombo, His Excellency highly appreciated 
this intention, but nevertheless advised the King not to come 
so near, as that city was not to be captured without blood- 
shed.282 
