No. 55. — 1904.] RAJA SINHA II. AND THE DUTCH. 229 
Baldaous adds that Hartman had been presented with a 
tame elephant by the King, who had privately hinted to him 
that a gift from Hulft to the young prince would be 
acceptable. On February 21 the disavas came for the 
GeneraPs letter, which they were told was not yet ready, 
and they were consulted as to what present should be sent 
to the prince. They replied that they did not know, but 
would consider. In the afternoon they received the letter, 
and departed with it amid the usual ceremonies. 
On the following day Raja Sinha, seeing the great smoke 
caused by the furious firing of the Portuguese batteries, sent 
a messenger to the Dutch camp to inquire what was forward ; 
and in the evening two envoys from His Majesty arrived in 
the camp and informed Hulft that the King had received his 
letter with much satisfaction ; that he was at present at 
Walewitty and that as soon as his palace was ready he 
would send for the General. 
A letter written by an ultra-loyal arachchi to the vidana 
and headmen of the three pattus of Pasdun Korale, ordering 
them to send provisions to the King, led to his arrest and con- 
demnation to be beheaded (which was not, however, carried 
out), and the letter was sent to His Majesty by Hulft on the 
last day of February. Three envoys brought to the Dutch 
General a present of an elk which Raja Sinha had himself 
hunted and killed that day, and as a return compliment 
Hulft sent the King some grapes. 
On March 14, the King having intimated his desire that 
a person of standing should be sent to confer with him 
privately, Ysbrand Godsken^^^ was chosen for the mission. 
A few days later General Hulft received the following 
letter^^^ from His Majesty : — 
Raja Singa Rajou, &c. 
My imperial person has given orders to send these few lines to 
Your Honour because the present occasion requires it. Day-bef ore- 
yesterday, being Wednesday, the 15th of March, I broke up my camp 
at Guiramibula, and coming by way of Walewitty, on the other side of 
the river to the place mentioned, I have at once dispatched some 
