232 
JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VoL. XVIIL 
sent the fleet purposely to be destroyed. He also expressed 
pleasure at learning that Nicolao de Moura,^^^ a Portuguese 
captain, had come over to the Dutch. The King also desired 
that the jewels which he had bestowed on Hulft might be 
sent to the deceased General's relations.^^^ Finally, he stated 
his intention of coming to inspect the siege works as soon as 
his illness permitted. 
On the same day a summons was sent to the Commander of 
Colombo to surrender, but this was answered by a firm 
refusal. On the 23rd another letter^^^ reached Van der 
Mey den from RajaSipha, in which the royal writer referred 
in flattering terms to the services of Major Jan van der Laan, 
expressed his intention of sending a letter to the States- 
General on the termination of hostilities, testifying to the 
services of Hulft ; referred to his coming to the Dutch camp ; 
and animadverted unfavourably on the answer of the Portu- 
guese to the summons to surrender. In this letter was 
enclosed one for the Sabandaar of Galle, Don Joan de Costa, 
which ended with a request for an anvil and bellows, some 
white paper, and some porcelain. 
Shortly afterwards Ysbrand Godsken was again dis- 
patched to confer with His Majesty, apparently respecting 
an assault on Colombo ; for he returned with the message 
that the King would like it deferred until the last day of the 
month, when he hoped to be present as an eyewitness. 
The assault was, however, fixed for tlie night of the 
27th, but, owing to differences in the council of war, 
postponed. 
On May 2 Raja Sinha sent Van der Meyden a brief 
letter^^i acknowledging one from the Dutch Governor, and 
returning unread another written on a half sheet of paper, 
the sending of which he considered an affront. 
On the 4th the king sent another letter,^^^ referring to the 
removal of Joris Hervendonk from the royal service, the 
substitution of Frans Has,^^^ and the subsequent restoration 
