216 1 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (OBYLON). [VOL. XVIIL 
his satisfaction at the victory won by his Dessave in the 
7 Corles over the Portuguese,^^^ at the same time thanking 
His Majesty for his present.'* 
On March 18 and April 22 Van Kittenstein wrote to 
Raja Sinha that he had learnt with astonishment that the 
King had been informed that he intended to leave the 
Island without apprising His Majesty of the fact, which 
His Excellency had never had in his thoughts, as he now 
by his letters proved the contrary. The Governor also 
said that the Dutch continued of the same mind regarding 
their promised word with respect to the fortress of Nigumbo, 
and that the King had no need to doubt on that point. 
His Excellency advised His Majesty not to build a fortlefc 
at Reygamwatte for the investment of Colombo, and set 
forth all the difficulties of besieging that city. He thanked 
Raja Sinha for his present, and also informed the King 
that the Ragimade Teuwer,^^* Lord of Rammenacoil, had 
through his ambassadors made known to the Dutch that he 
suffered intolerable affronts from time to time at the hands 
of the Portuguese, and was desirous of giving the Hollanders 
a helping hand against their enemies with boats and men to 
help to capture Man-Aar and Jaffanapatnam. He had, Van 
Kittenstein added, received three tame tigers sent by Raja 
Sinha, and he wished that His Majesty could thus tame 
the proud and haughty nature of the Portuguese.^^^ 
On May 12 Mr. Van Kittenstein sent back the King's envoys, 
accompanied, at Raja Sinha's desire, by a body-guard 
for His Majesty consisting of an ensign, a sergeant, a 
corporal of the cadets, two corporals, a drummer, and 
four-and-twenty soldiers, whom he begged the king to treat 
well, adding that he would write to Batavia for a higher 
officer and for a skilled surgeon, which last, together with a 
common Dutch saddle, was sent to His Majesty with a letter 
of July 19.296 
On August 15 Van Kittenstein received a letter from the 
King, to which he replied on September 2 begging His 
Majesty to take in good part his displeasure regarding 
