14 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
commodious station for collecting that staple production of the 
country. Along with this post, the king of Candy also bestowed 
on the Dutch the towns of Nigumbo 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 monarch for 
all these concessions ; they assumed only the humble appellation 
of Guardians of Ins coasts ; and they began to fortify the different 
stations put into their hands, merely, as they said, for his secu- 
rity ; and so well were the Candians convinced of the good in- 
tentions of their new allies, that they gave them every assistance 
in their power to complete their operations. The Dutch took 
this opportunity to increase the strength of their principal post 
at Columbo. They greatly enlarged the town; and were at 
pains to render the fortifications as complete as possible; Their 
post of Trincomalee, on the other side of the island they also 
endeavoured to render secure against any attack either from 
an external or a domestic enemy. Their numbers in the mean- 
time were daily increasing by the addition of fresh adventurers 
from Europe. The parts assigned to them were the best fitted 
for cultivation in the island; and they immediately set about 
turning them to the best account. By means of these prudent 
measures, and persevering industry, the colony was soon brought 
into a flourishing state, and was able to depend upon its own 
internal resources. 
W bile the Dutch were thus strengthening themselves, they 
kept up the most friendly intercourse with the natives; and 
