No. 55—1904.] RAJA SINHA II. AND THE DUTCH. 275 
See Ceij. Lit, Reg., IV., p. 285. 
See Cetj. Lit, Reg,, IV., pp. 292, 293 ; C.A.S. Jl., IX., p. 62 ; 
Captain Robert Knox, p. 13 n ; Bat. Dagh-Reg., 1663, pp. 130, 329, 412, 
580 ; Valentyn, Ceylon, 182. 
See Knox, Hist. Rel.. pp. 58-60 ; C.A.S. JL, XL, p. 63 ; Captain 
Robert Knox, pp. 15, 59, 60 ; Valentyn, Ceylon, p. 249. 
According to Valentyn, Ceylon, pp. 303, 343 (see also C.A.S. Jl., 
X., p. 149). The Rdjdvaliya incorrectly says that Kaja Si^ha " died 
at the expiration of the year 1614 of the Saka era," i.e., 1614 + 78 = 
1692 A.D. 
See C.A.S. JL, XI., p. 63 et seq. (See also the Bat. Dagh- 
Registers, and Valfentyn, Ceylon, passim). 
Discussion being invited by the Chairman, Mr. C. M. Feenando said 
that it was an interesting point that the Paper contained letters written 
by a Sinhalese king in the Portuguese language. 
The Chairman : I know I have written letters in the Maldivian 
language in the sense that I only signed them, so that does not show 
you have a knowledge of the language. 
Mr. Fernando said that Don Juan Dharmapala, the first Christian 
King of Ceylon, gave over his Crown to the King of Portugal, and 
made Portuguese the Court language. 
Mr. R. G-. Anthonisz said that he believed Knox mentioned that 
Raja SiiTiha knew Portuguese and objected to Dutch being used. 
There were some Dutch records which brought that history up to the 
date of Raja Sinha^s death which appeared to have been removed from 
the Record Office.* 
The Chairman : Is that so ? This is the first time I hear of it. I 
feel grateful for my attention being drawn to it and will inquire 
into it. 
* H. White, Esq , to the Honorary Secretary, Ceylon Branch of the 
Royal Asiatic Society. 
Colombo, May 24, 1904. 
Dear Sir, — With reference to the discussion at the last Meeting as to 
Raja Siigha's knowledge of Portuguese the following quotation from letter 
22, page 77, of Mr. Donald Ferguson's Paper shows that the king knew 
Portuguese very well. 
The king writes thus to G-overnor Van der Meyden : " The letter that 
your honour sent to this Imperial Court has been given to be translated into 
the Portuguese language ; and when it is translated, after it has been 
read in my imperial presence, conformably thereto I shall send you the 
answer." Also the following passage from Knox, Part IV., ch. IV.: 
" There was much other discourse between the King and him (Mr. Vassal) 
at this time in the Portuguese tongue." 
Yours faithfully, 
H. WHITE. 
