]Sfo. 55.-1 904.] RAJA SINHA II. AND THE DUTCH. 235 
became untenable ; and on May 10 an envoy appeared in the 
Dutch camp to treat for terms of peace, which were actually 
signed on the Vlth.^^^ While these negotiations were taking 
place the Dutch commander received the following letter^^^^ 
from Raja Sinha : — 
[16.] 
[I] Eaja Singa Raju, Most Exalted Monarch, Greatest and Most 
Potent Emperor of this far-famed Empire of Ceilao, to 
Adriaen Yan der Meiden, Governor of my Imperial 
Fortress of Gale, who is at the siege of the city 
of Columbo, send much greeting. 
In a letter that I wrote to Your Honour from this camp of Ragam- 
vata on the 22nd of ApriP^^^ I dealt with the reason why my imperial 
person had refrained from writing to that city of Columbo, which was 
through fear that they might send forth from their stinking mouths 
some wicked words (as is the custom of that nation) which should be 
to the discredit of this imperial court ; but if, on account of their 
great ill-fortune and the evil of their sins, these Portuguese enemies 
should send some wicked reply (if it should be so), this is the time to 
give them the punishment for it as they deserve. For this reason, 
along with this my imperial letter there go two, one to the General of 
Columbo, the other to the citizens of the said city, and the copy 
of them I send to Your Honour that you may see them ; and if 
it seem good to you and to your Council to send the said imperial 
letters, Your Honour will treat with the dissavas who are there, and 
ask them for two persons who shall be capable and trustworthy 
to take them ; and if, on the other hand, in the said Council of Your 
Honours it appears to you that it is not prudent to send the draft 
of the said imperial letters on this occasion, let Your Honour 
retain them in your possession, and Your Honour will advise this 
imperial court of the cause for which you have refrained from doing 
it, at which my imperial person will be much gratified. The reason 
why I say this is simply that we may make an end with all speed, and 
to relieve my Hollanders from the fatigue that for so long a time past 
they have been suffering through this war. At present nothing 
further suggests itself. Our Lord, &c. From this great camp and 
court of Ragamvata, on the 11th of May, in the year 1656. 
After I had written this imperial letter there arrived at this court 
an ola from my dissavas written at 3 o'clock in the morning and 
presented between 6 and 7 of the said day. In it they stated 
that three Portuguese officers had come from that city of Columbo to 
speak with Your Honour : one named Louren9o Fra, the second 
Diogo Leitao, and the third Hieronimo de Lu9ena,^^^ and what they 
came to discuss with Your Honour and the reply that you gave them, 
