wider the Dutch 
39 
of these tyrannical invaders, and their gratitude to their deli- 
verers, at first knew no bounds. The King of Candy willingly 
paid the expences of their armaments in cinnamon ; and con- 
ferred upon his new allies the principal possessions, from which 
he had by their assistance expelled the Portuguese. Among 
these were the port of Trincomalee, and the fortress of Co- 
lumbo. The former of these, which lies on the north-east 
part of the island, is that harbour which renders Ceylon tlie 
most valuable station in the Indian ocean. Columbo Avas built 
originally by the Portuguese in the south-west of the island, 
in the heart of that tract most celebrated for the production 
of cinnamon, as the most commodious for collecting that sta- 
ple production of the country. Along with this post, the 
King of Candy also bestowed on the Dutch the towns of Ni- 
gombo and Point de Galle in the same quarter, together with 
a large tract of rich land adjoining to them. 
The Dutch appeared exceedingly grateful to the ATonarch for 
all these concessions ; they assumed only the humble appellation 
of Guardians oJ[ his coasts; and began to fortify the different 
stations put into their hands, merely, as they said, for his secu- 
rity ; and so Avell were the Candians convinced of the good in- 
tentions of their new allies, that they gave them every assis- 
tance in their poAver to complete their operations. The Dutch 
took this opportunity to increase the strength of their principal 
post at Columbo. They greatly enlarged the toAvn ; and AA^ere 
at pains to render the fortifications as complete as possible. Tlieir 
post of Trincomalee, on the other side of the island, they also 
endeavoured to render secure against any attack either from 
an externa! or a domestic enemy. Their numbers in the mean- 
time Avere daily increasing by the addition of fresh adventurers 
