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A Defcriftion of CEYLON. 
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queftioning but that after you have 
given fufficient Proofs of your Cou- 
rage, you will now confider how un- 
able you are to refift our Force. 
Don't therefore obftinately refift God's 
Will, and our Strength, fince we 
offer you fuch Conditions as are ge- 
nerally allow'd to brave Soldiers. 
But in cafe you will be obftinate in 
making trial of our Strength, we pro- 
teft before God and the Chriftian 
World, that we are innocent of all 
the fatal Confequences and Miferies 
that are likely to befal you ^ being 
refolved on our fide (if God grants 
us Vidory) to treat you after the 
fevereft manner, according to the 
Cuftom of War, and not to hearken 
to any Conditions. You have given 
fufficient Proofs of your Courage to 
admiration , it is time therefore you 
fhould now aft with Prudence, and 
confult your fafety. We expeft your 
poutive Anfwer within three hours 
by the Bearer of this, or whom 
your Excellency fliall think fit to 
fend to us, who fhall return fafely 
upon onr Word and Honour: Sub- 
*^ fcribing my felf (as you think fit) 
either your Friend or Enemy, 
From the Camp, 
The Admiral and Ge- 
neral of the Dutch 
Forces, both by Sea 
and Land. 
This Letter being tranflated into 
Portuguefe^ was fent into the Fort ; the 
Commander whereof remembring the 
old Verfe, 
Fiflula duke canity mlucnm dum decipit 
auceps^ 
fent the follov/ing Anfwer. 
" That the Fort belonging to nobody, TkAnfwer 
" but to the King of Portugal his Mafter, thmupm. 
" he was oblig'd to maintain the fame 
for his Majefty till the laft drop of 
his Blood. That he could do no 
" more than what pleafed God to per- 
" mit him, but neither he nor his Mert 
" were to be terrified by Threats. 
* This 
