So. 55—1904.] RAJA SINHA II. AND THE DUTCH. 215 
tind although Raja Singa drove the Portuguese back from 
around Cottegore, and made them retreat to Colombo,^^^ 
it is nevertheless certain that this w^ould not have befallen 
us if the Dessave of Saffragam had not warned us too late 
(as also happened through the Emperor himself); and 
although the loss of that pagar was communicated by us to 
His Majesty himself, Mr. Van Kittenstein did not however 
fail to thank His Majesty heartily, in writing from Gale on 
January 15, 1653, for the faithful warning (though of no 
use to us). He added that the Portuguese gave out that 
they were in alliance with the King, and that they received 
provisions from His Majesty from the territories of SaflEragam, 
and that they also intended together to attack us unawares, 
which. His Excellency thought, also had some show of 
truth in it." 
Valentyn^^^ adds : " His Excellency having meanwhile 
learnt that a rumour was current of the Viceroy's coming 
from Goa with the Prince Visiapalle to these territories, 
with a strong reinforcement of troops, he informed His 
Majesty on 3rd March that he had received His Majesty's 
letter of 21st February, and that he had thereupon already 
proceeded towards Colombo, in order to prevent their 
entrance there,^^^ as also that to this end he had sent eight of 
our ships along the Malabar coast to meet them in order 
to sink and destroy them on the way ; excusing himself 
further from first capturing Colombo, as it had during 
recent years been strongly fortified, and a greater force 
than he now had was required for that purpose. He was 
also very glad that His Majesty was desirous of releasing 
our captives from Colombo, for which purpose we had in 
our hands several paters and others." 
Valentyn^QO also says : Meanwhile the troops of His 
Majesty and also our people had had a successful encounter 
near Man-Aar, with no loss on our side, regarding which Mr. 
Adriaan van derMeyden,who succeeded Mr. van Kittensteyn, 
after a rule of three years as Governor of Ceylon,29i wrote to 
His Majesty this month in a letter from Caleture, expressing 
