410 
JOURNAL OF THE EMBASSY 
jects and the Europeans. At the same time, however, he 
expressed a desire to live on amicable terms with the Bri- 
tish, whose power he acknowledged to be far superior to 
that of the Dutch. Whatever further transpired with regard 
to the objects of the embassy was too much the result of 
conjecture to be set down in an authentic narrative. 
Between this audience and the next audience for the 
purpose of taking leave, several messages and conversations 
took place between General Macdowal and the Adigar on 
political topics. The greatest precaution was employed by 
the Candians to prevent any intercourse between those of 
our escort, particularly the Malays and Malabars, and those 
in the King's service. Our soldiers who attended the Ge- 
neral to the court were prevented by every possible means 
from conversing with the natives. In spite of these pre- 
cautions, however, several pieces of information were pro- 
cured which may be turned to advantage hereafter. Several 
Malays in the King’s service found an opportunity of ex- 
pressing their sorrow at not having it in their power to 
return to Columbo with their old companions. Most of 
those Malays had been slaves to the Dutch, and had on 
account of ill treatment made their escape to the Candian 
territories. They would have gladly returned to their former 
masters, and submitted to any punishment for their deser- 
tion, rather than live in continual apprehension from the 
caprices of a despotic and barbarous court. 
3 
