742 
A Defcripion 0/ G E Y L O N. 
O"/)^ ' " neverthelefs not as yet appear'd in our 
T^ii^^ " Prefence, which we eafily pafs by in 
" regard of the AfFeftion our Imperial 
^' Majefty bears to your Perfon. We 
have fent the Dijjaves of Ouve and of 
" the Four Corks to condud you hither. 
" When they are arrived, your Excellen- 
cy may order the Dijfaves of the Four 
" Corles^ and of the Seven Corles^ and of 
Saffragamme^ to take care in the mean 
" while of the Forces, and what elfe 
" you ftiall find moft requifite for our 
Service, and to chufe one of them 
" ( whom you pleafe) for your Con- 
'^'^ duftor, not queftioning, but that (ac- 
" cording to your Wifdom and Expe- 
rience) you will provide for the Secu- 
" rity of our Forces, and our dear Hol- 
" landers. God condud your Excellen- 
" cy with his Blefling, that our Imperial 
" Eyes may fee your Perfon, which hap- 
" py Hour and Day I expeft with joyful 
Eyes ^ afluring your Excellency, that 
" whatever you fliall propofe to us will 
" be as acceptable to our Ears as the molt 
harmonious Mufick in the World. 
Coiifiilta- 
tiotts a- 
bout th; 
Oeiieral's 
g^o'mg to 
Tm more 
Cannon 
planted sn 
a Battery. 
Sixteen 
Deferters. 
Reygamwatte, Jprili. 16^6. 
It was then confulted what Method was 
moll convenient to be taken, and what 
Preparations were neceflary in order to 
attend the Emperor with the utaioft 
, Splendour , his Dtffave having ( by his 
Majefty's Orders ) appointed the next 
following Wednesday for the General's 
reception. But before his Departure he 
order'd two twelve Pounders to be plant- 
ed upon the Battery againft: St. JohrPs Ba- 
ftion, where the next day a Seaman was 
kill'd, and a Souldier fhot by the fame Ba 11 
thro the Hat, without touching his Head, 
or any other part. The fame day 16 Laf- 
caryns well arm'd coming over to us from 
the Baftion of St. Stephen^ were over- 
taken by fome Portuguefe Forces, with 
whom there happen'd a fmart Skirmiili 
before they could get clear, two of them 
being wounded. They were employed 
in our Works near the Gate of Rajuha. 
In the Afternoon the Dijjaves of Ouve 
and the Four Corles came with a numerous 
Retinue to attend the General, leaving it 
to his choice whom of the two he would 
pitch upon to conduct him to his Majefty. 
After Tome Difcourfethe P/jf^wof Saf- 
fragar^me was named by his Excellency 
for tb^t purpofe, and order'd to get e- 
very thing in readinefs for their depar- 
ture againfl; the next Morning. News 
was brought at the fame time that feven 
€anarym were taken by fome of the Em- 
peror's Forces above Negombo, coming in 
a Filher-boat from Columho, 
T\\t^thoi y^pn/ in the Afternoon, Ad- 
vice being given that his MajeHy was 
come on Horfeback to the Pafs of Wele. 
cande^ the General was preparing to meet 
him there but as they were juft ready to 
take Horfe, certain Dijfaves came Poll 
with a Meflage from the Emperor, defir- 
ing the General not to come till tomor- 
row, becaufe his Majefty was returned 
immediately. 
Accordingly the '^th of Jpril the Gene- The Cem- 
ral fetout on his Journy, in order to wait ''^^ 
on his Majefty, attended by the two Fac- 
tors Edward Ooms and Tsbrand Gotskens ^ iheELj>l 
the Fifcal Lucas van der Dujfen^ Cornelius ror, 
Valkenburgh Secretary, jamcs van der Khce, 
the Interpreter George Bhom^ andDow John 
de Cojla j accompany'd by the Imperial 
Dijfaves of Ouve and Sajfragamme^ and a 
Company of Firelocks under Capt, John 
Hartman-^ Mr. Adrian van da Meyden^ 
Major van der Laan^ the Dijjave of the 
Four Corles., befides feveral Officers of 
Note j conducing them as far as to the 
Pafs of Nacolegamme^ his Majefty being 
then encamp'd upon the River of Reygam- 
watte. 
The firft Teftimony of Refpeft fliew'd ^-Anourubls 
to the Diredor General of his Majefty, ^'""P^"^ 
was the offer of three fine and well-ac- "^Jj^ 
coutred Horfes, for the Courtiers to 
make ufe of them at pleafure. Thefe 
were follow'd by five tame Elephants, 
with their Guides, who were orderM to 
keep in the Van. Then camea confider- 
able number of Noblemen and Officers, 
at the head of their refpeftive Troops, 
paying their Refpeds to his Excellency, 
and asking after his Health. As they ap- 
proached the Imperial Head Quarters, 
they were met by fome of the chief Men of 
his Majefty's Court, accompany'd by a vaft 
number of Soldiers, Umbrello-Carriers, 
Trumpets, Muficians, 11 Elephants, and 
two fine Horfes, with Saddles, Bridles, 
and other Ornaments befet v/ith Gold 
and precious Stones, to complement his 
Excellency in his Majefty's behalf. Thus 
they marched on thro a Guard of Fufi- 
leers and Bowmen ranged on both fides, 
for a quarter of an hour together, till 
they came to a Houfe prepared for the 
General's Reception, neatly furni/h'd, 
the outward Rooms being hung with 
Hanging of a white Linen Cloth, and the 
Bed-Ghambers with Gold Stuffs. Here 
the General entred with his Retinue un- 
der a Salvo of Fire-locks, placed on the 
other fide of the River near the Imperial 
Palace. They had fcarce arrived here 
* two 
