Total 527,625

This then is the loss the Company has suffered through the Wannias,

besides the many annoyances and indirect losses through the inhabitants

and the subjects in Jaffnapatam, which might be pointed out, but

which I will not do here for the reasons stated above.[6]

The trade here is not very important and does not amount to much,

except that in elephants, which was renewed chiefly by His Excellency

van Mydregt since 1689; because the merchants from Golconda and

Tansjouwer [11] had neglected this trade for some years, having driven

up the prices by bidding against each other at the public auctions. The

endeavour to interest them again in this trade has been successful;

the more so because the price for tuskers and elephants without tusks,

as also for that of infirm animals has been limited and regulated

in the letter of April 3, 1690, often previously referred to. The

principal people in Golconda address their payment orders to Philip

Sangere Pulle or the Brahmin Timmersa, whom they have chosen as their

agents, while the Company employs them as brokers in this trade. This

is found to save much trouble in the distribution and selling of the

animals and in feeding and transporting them when sold, because these

brokers procure the provisions and vessels, giving an account to the

merchants. This course was followed from the time the Company took

possession of this territory up to 1696, but Sangere Pulle died in

1695, and the Brahmin Timmersa has been discharged from his office,

because His Excellency the Governor and the Council of Colombo gave

instructions, in their letter of August 23 last, that the trade in

elephants with the Moors at Golconda should be carried on in future

without any agents or brokers. This office was accordingly taken

off the trade accounts in compliance with the said order, after the

accounts with the merchants and between them and the agents had been

settled. This has brought about a great change, as may be seen from

the resolutions of December 17 of the same year, where it is stated

that these people intended to give up the trade for the reasons just

mentioned, as is known to Your Honours; but it is to be hoped that this

new Ordinance which was issued without communication with, or advice

from, the Commandeur of Jaffnapatam, may not have the serious effects

which are feared. Your Honours are also aware with how much bickering,

cavilling, dispute, and vexation, the trade in elephants was kept

up last year, so that about 161 animals were sold on behalf of the

Company for the sum of Rds. 53,357. It is to be hoped that the sale

will increase; but I must seriously advise Your Honours to strictly

adhere to the above-mentioned rule, although it was made without my

advice or opinion being asked; unless their Excellencies at Batavia

should not agree with the view of His Excellency the Governor and

the Council of Colombo and send other orders.

Besides the trade in elephants the Company deals here only in pepper,

about 40,000 or 50,000 lb. of which is sold yearly; some copper,

spiaulter, [12] a little pewter, a small quantity of powdered sugar,

about 300 or 350 ammunams of Ceylon areca-nut, which are sold to the

inhabitants, and a few other articles of little importance which

are sold to the Company's Dutch servants, amounting altogether to

no more than Rds. 7,000 or 9,000 a year. Several endeavours have

been made to extend the trade, and an effort was made to introduce

here the linen manufacture from Tutucorin and Coromandel, but so far

without success, as may be seen from the minutes of the meeting of

the Council of Ceylon of January 22, 1695, where I brought forward

several questions with regard to this matter. It was proposed there

to allow private persons in Jaffnapatam to carry on a trade in cloth

on the payment of 20 per cent. duty, which proposal was approved

by Their Excellencies at Batavia by their letter of December 12 of

the same year, but this subject will be treated of under the head of

Leases. Considering further means of extending the Company's trade, it

struck me that Jaffnapatam was not only better situated than Calpetty

for the areca-nut trade with Coromandel, but also that the roads

through the Wanni to the Sinhalese areca-nut forests are very good,

so that the nuts could be transported from there in Boyados. [13] In

our letter of October 26, 1694, to Colombo, I proposed that this should

be done, which proposal was referred by His Excellency the Governor

and the Council of Colombo to Their Excellencies at Batavia. In

their letter of December 12, 1695, our Supreme Government expressed

themselves in favour of this proposal, but in a later letter of July

3, 1696, this was cancelled, although it is beyond doubt that this

way of transport of the areca-nut would be more advantageous to the

Company. This may be seen from the fact that the Portuguese, when they

were here, followed the same practise, and with good success as I was

told. I will now leave the subject of areca-nut and revert to that of

elephants. Many of these animals have been left here after the last

sale in 1696, because the purchasers were afraid of meeting with a

north wind on their voyage. Many vessels will be required to transport

not only these animals but also those that will be sold during the

next southern season. There being no agent now, the purchasers will

have to look out for themselves. And it will be necessary for Your

Honours to give them all possible assistance in order that they may

not be entirely discouraged and give up this trade. Your Honours

must also inquire whether any suitable vessels are to be procured

here which could be sent to Colombo or Galle in March or April, for

the transport from there of the Company's elephants fit for sale: in

compliance with the proposals contained in the correspondence between

Colombo and Jaffnapatam of April 13 and July 11, 1695, and especially

with the orders from Their Excellencies at Batavia in their letter of

July 3, 1696, wherein this course was highly approved. The fare for

these private vessels is far less than the expenditure the Company is

put to when its own vessels are used to transport the elephants from

Galle round about Ceylon to Cougature. If the latter course has to be

followed, care must be taken that the animals are carefully landed at

Manaar, in order that they may be fit to be transported further by land

to the place of their destination. It will also be necessary to have

some more of these animals trained for the hunt; because at present

the Company owns only about 6 tame ones, while there should be always

about a dozen; not only in order to fetch the elephants from Manaar

and to tame the wild animals, but also to assist the Wannias in case

they should capture a large number of elephants, when these animals

would be useful in the shipping of those sold to the purchasers. This

is not a regular practice, but is followed sometimes at their request

when any animals are to be shipped which are not sufficiently tamed

to be led into the vessels by themselves. Nothing more need be said

with regard to the elephants, except that there are about 6 animals in

the stables besides the 6 for the hunt mentioned above. It is to be

hoped that this number will soon be considerably increased, and the

prices must be regulated according to the instructions contained in

the letter from Colombo of January 16, 1696, and in compliance with

the decision arrived at on certain questions brought forward by the

late Commandeur Blom in the Council of Ceylon on February 17, 1692,

and agreed upon on February 19 following; while also, and especially,

the instructions from Their Excellencies at Batavia contained in their

letter of January 4, 1695, must be observed, where they order that

no animals are to be sold or sent except for cash payment, so that

there may be no difficulty in recovering the amount. (7)

The trade with the Moors from Bengal at Jaffnapatam and Galle has

been opened by order of the Honourable the Supreme Government of India

in terms of their letter of August 20, 1694. It is expected that the

trade with the Moors will greatly benefit this country, because the

inhabitants here are continually in want of grain and victuals, which

are imported by the Moors. Some years ago, when food was very scarce in

Coromandel, the English at Madraspatnam stopped the Moorish vessels on

their way hither, and bought up all their rice, which was a great loss

to Jaffnapatam. If the Moors could be induced to come here in future

with their rice, butter, sugar, cadjang, [14] &c., which are always

very much in demand, it must be seen that they are fairly dealt with,

and not discouraged from coming to this country. Perhaps they also

would buy some elephants if it happened that the Company had too many,

or if too few purchasers should arrive here from Golconda. But if the

demand for these animals at Golconda continues as it has done for the

last few years, we would not need the aid of the Bengal Moors in this

matter, although in compliance with the orders of Their Excellencies at

Batavia they may be accommodated with a few elephants if they urgently

request them. It is the intention besides to sell to them the Ceylon

areca-nut; as we cannot as yet transport it through the Wanni, His

Excellency the Governor and the Council at Colombo must see that the

areca-nut from Calpetty or Trincomalee is sent here, in compliance

with the instructions of Their Excellencies at Batavia as contained

in their letter of July 3, 1696. Your Honours must therefore send in

the orders in due time if the Moors continue to come here, because

we cannot sell to them the Chiankos, [15] it being the intention of

Their Honours at Batavia, according to their letters of January 4 and

February 12, 1695, that this sea-product should be chiefly transported

to Bengal on behalf of the Company. On the other hand the diving for

Chiankos at Manaar is of so little importance that it is hardly worth

while mentioning here, and they are also very small, so that it is

not likely that the Moors would be willing to pay 12 pagodas a Cour,

as was ordered in a letter from Colombo to Jaffnapatam of March 23,

1695. With regard to the further restrictions put upon the trade with

the Moors, Your Honours must observe the instructions contained in

the letter of January 4, 1695. (8)

The inhabitants of this territory, who are really a perverse

race, are far too numerous to be maintained by the produce of this

Commandement. This had been expected at the beginning of the Company's

rule, when the late Commandeur, Anthony Paviljoen, stated in his

Instructions that there were about 120,000 subjects. How much worse

must this be now, when, as shown by the last Census, there were of the

people known alone, 169,299 subjects here and in Manaar. I think there

would be far more if all those who hide themselves in order to escape

from taxes and servitude be included. All these inhabitants are divided

into 40 different castes, which are described in the Thombo, so that

I will not name them here, as this would involve too much prolixity,

especially if I should state what kind of services, impositions,

&c., each one is liable to. All this I imagine to be well known to

Your Honours; because the late Mr. Blom had given a detailed and

accurate account of these matters in his report of August 20, 1692,

and I could only re-write what has been already described by others;

I therefore refer to the said manuscript, where, besides this subject,

much information may be found with regard to other matters concerning

Jaffnapatam. In the same document is also found a comparison between

the revenue of the Commandement, with the taxes and duty it has to

render to the Company, in the payment of which it has been greatly met

by the Honourable the Supreme Government of India as will be shown

below. In order to prevent any misapprehension during my absence,

I will state here the amount of the income of the Company during the

last year, viz., from September 1, 1695, to the end of August, 1696,

inclusive, viz.:--

Rds.

Rent from lands, trees, and gardens 16,348. 3.4 3/4

Tithes 8,632. 7.3 3/4

Poll tax 5,998. 1.0

Officie 865. 2.0

Adigary 1,178. 3.0 1/2

Total 33,020.10.2

Revenue of Manaar 879.10.2

===============

33,900. 9.0 [16]

From this amount of Rds. 33,020.10.2 the following expenditure must

be deducted, viz.:--

Rds.

Payment of 216 Majoraals at Rds. 2 each 432. 0.0

Payment of 218 Cayaals at Rd. 1 each 218. 0.0

Payment of 8 tax collectors 320. 3.7 3/4

Payment of 8 Sarraafs [17] or Accountants 32. 3.0 1/2

For elephants delivered in lieu of poll tax and

land rent by the tamekares to the value of 373. 4.0 1/2

==============

Total 1,375. 8.1 1/4 [18]

So that Jaffnapatam had from this a clear revenue of Rds. 31,645.2.3/9

last year, which is the second in importance of the sources of revenue

which the Company derives from this Commandement, besides the profit on

the sale of elephants. So far the land rents have only been calculated

in the Mallabaar books. We had therefore to depend entirely on the

native officers who were employed in this work and had to translate

the accounts; but the Hon. the Extraordinary Councillor of India,

Mr. Laurens Pyl, when he was Commandeur of Jaffnapatam, very wisely

introduced the practice of having all the fields, trees, houses, and

gardens of the inhabitants indicated on maps, and of estimating the

impositions of the tithes, and thus compiling a Dutch instead of the

Mallabaar Thombo. Because, when a description was made in Mallabaar,

in compliance with the orders of Their Excellencies at Batavia in 1675

and 1677, the yearly revenue of the Company increased by no less than

Rds. 12,204 and 17/40 fanams. But as the natives were not supposed

to have done the work satisfactorily, it was again undertaken by a

committee of Dutch surveyors, who, however, wrote a great deal but

did not start the work in the right way, and it was never properly

completed.

The new description of lands had however become so urgently necessary

that His Excellency the Commissioner-General left orders that this work

should be started afresh, ignoring what had been done already. During

the government of Commandeur Blom this work was commenced again, some

soldiers who were qualified surveyors being employed in it, as well

as such Cannecappuls [19] as were required by the Thombo-keeper to

do the writing, while one of the surveyors prepared the maps of the

fields which had been surveyed. This was done with a view to obtain

a plan of each particular field and thus recover the proper rents,

and also to fix the boundaries between the different properties. Maps

are also being prepared of each Aldea or village and each Province,

of which our authorities in the Fatherland desire to receive a

copy as stated in their letter to Batavia of August 27, 1694, which

copies must be prepared. On my arrival here from Batavia in 1694, the

Thombo-keeper, Pieter Bolscho, pointed out to me that this description

of land was again unsatisfactory, and that it would not serve its

purpose, as stated by me in the Annual Compendiums of November 30,

1694 and 1695. It was therefore necessary to have this work done for

the third time, and to measure again all the lands which had been

surveyed already. This time a scheme was drawn up with the help of the

said Mr. Bolscho, and the work has succeeded so well that the Province

of Walligamme, which alone extends over about half of this territory,

has been completely surveyed, and will from the last of August yield an

increase of revenue of Rds. 1,509.5.23 or Fl. 4,527.3.4 yearly. I have

already written and sent out the bills, as a warning to the people

to prepare for the payment, and the tax collectors are responsible

for the recovery of the amount; so that the small expenditure of this

new description will be recouped, and the inhabitants have no cause

of complaint, because they are only asked to pay their due to the

lord of the land as they ought to have done long ago. There is also

to be recovered an amount of Rds. 500.2.5 for some small pieces of

land which were sold on behalf of the Company in 1695 in the village

of Copay, which no one appears to have demanded, because I was in

Colombo and the Dessave in Negapatam at the time. This must be done

now, especially as the expenditure of the new description of lands

has, by order of Their Honours contained in the general resolutions

of October 4, 1694, been written off the general revenue, to which

must therefore be now transferred the amount gained thereby, as also

the sum of Rds. 288.7 which has been received by the survey of some

lands in Sjeroepittie, Wallalay, and Nierwely, which were occupied and

cultivated by the inhabitants, but for which they did not pay any rent

while we had the old Thombo, and which we left to them for payment as

they had cultivated them. This was in compliance with the instructions

contained in the reply to our letter to Colombo of August 22, 1695,

received December 15 following. If any one among you should not quite

understand this new description of lands, he may find it useful to

read certain instructions left by Governor Laurens Pyl with regard

to this subject on February 1, 1679, for the Committee appointed

to do this work, which instructions must be still observed so far

as they are applicable to the present circumstances. Your Honours

will most likely be aware also of the extensive Memoir compiled on

my orders by the said Mr. Bolscho, and submitted to the Council on

December 15, 1696, and of the reply thereto, as also of the report by

Mr. Blom of August 20, 1692, on the same subject, to which documents

I here refer. The surveyors are at present at work in the Province of

Waddemoraatsche, where they have with them two Mudaliyars, in order to

settle small differences which might arise among the inhabitants when

their lands are being surveyed. The Mudaliyars act as arbitrators in

the presence of the Majoraals of the villages, but important matters

must be brought before the Dessave, to be disposed of by him or by

the Court of Justice or the Civil Court according to the importance

of the case. The Dessave must see that the Thombo-keeper, Mr. Pieter

Bolscho, receives all the assistance he requires, and also that the

natives who have to serve him in this work are kept in obedience, in

order that he may not be discouraged and lose the zeal he has shown

so far in the service of the Company in this difficult work. Once

this work is completed it will not be required to be done again,

and we will be able then to prepare separate lists not only of each

Province, but also of each village; so that at any time the credits

or the debits of each tax collector may be seen.[9]

The tithes are a tax levied on the harvest, and are paid in money. Last

year it amounted to the sum of Rds. 8,632.7.3 3/4, as shown in the

above account, and treated of at length in the report of August 20,

1692. I need not therefore dilate on this subject, and only wish to

state that I do not agree with the concluding portion of that report,

where it is stated that this tax is too heavy, and might be reduced to

half the amount as requested by the inhabitants, for which many reasons

are given pro and con. I think that it can be proved sufficiently that

the inhabitants are able to easily pay this imposition of the tithes;

not only because they have never complained against it since the year

1690 during the stay of His Excellency van Mydregt, when they knew

His Excellency had the power to grant their request without waiting

for further instructions. On that occasion the people of Jaffnapatam

tried every means of obtaining their wish, but it may be proved that

since that time they have become more prosperous--a subject which

may be dealt with perhaps later on. That the payment of the said

tithes cannot be very difficult for them is proved by the fact that

if half of the amount, viz., Rds. 4,316, be divided over the total

number of inhabitants, the rate for each individual amounts to but

very little. It is stated as a fact that the rich people possess

the largest number of fields, but this shows that they do not need

a reduction of the tithes.[10]

Besides these tithes, one-tenth is also paid for the forests, mud

lands, &c., which have been granted for cultivation by the successive

Dessaves to different persons with the promise of exemption from any

impositions for a period of 3, 4, 6, or more years; on the expiry

of this period taxes must be paid. As I think that the Majoraals

do not look after these matters sufficiently well, and do not give

notice in time, the Dessave will have to investigate the matter and

see that the tenth of the harvest is brought to the Company's stores,

especially because the natives do not hesitate to steal or keep back

their dues if they are not kept constantly in fear of punishment.

The poll tax, shown above to amount to the sum of Rds. 5,998.1,

is of quite a different nature, because the rich and the poor pay

exactly the same rate. His Excellency van Mydregt on February 28,

1690, caused a decree to be issued, by which all the inhabitants

were exempted from the increase of poll tax which they had had to

pay since the year 1675, and which amounted on an average to from

Rds. 10 to 110. But this exemption was only for the period of ten

years, and would have expired therefore in 1699, if the Honourable

the Supreme Government of India had not in a spirit of benevolence

decided by their letter to Ceylon of December 12, 1695, to make the

reduction a permanent one. This was made known to the inhabitants

of this Island on November 8 following. They showed themselves very

grateful for this generosity; but this must be considered sufficient

for the present, and they have not much reason now to insist upon a

decrease of the tithes also. The time for a renovation of the Head

Thombo, which has to be done every three years, has again arrived,

and the Ondercoopman and Thombo-keeper, Mr. Pieter Bolscho, and the

Ondercoopman, Mr. Roos, were sent on circuit on November 19, 1696, in

order to carry out this work. The names of the old and infirm people

and those who have died must be taken off the list, and the names of

the youths who have passed from the schools must be entered, in order

that those who owe Oely service may be known. It would also be useful

if the Dessave were occasionally present at this revision when his

other duties do not interfere with it, because an acquaintance with

this work is very desirable in a land regent. This new Head Thombo

must be completed by the end of next August, in order that the poll

tax and the fines for failure of performing Oely services, called

Chicos money, may be included in the Trade Accounts for each year,

as arranged by me.[11]

The Officie Gelden have also been described at length in the often

cited report by Mr. Blom of August 20, 1692. It is stated there

how these were first levied, as also how they were raised by the

Portuguese, and how they were paid during the rule of the Company. Some

of the castes had besides requested to be exempted from the payment of

these dues, and it is shown how this had been refused. Last year the

aggregate of this tax did not amount to more than Rds. 865.2. It is

also spoken of in the Memoir of the Thombo-keeper, Piet Christiaansz

Bolscho, which was presented to the Council on October 20, 1696,

and the approval of which was conveyed by the letter from Colombo to

Jaffnapatam of November 16 following. The instructions contained in

this Memoir with regard to the Officie Gelden must still be observed,

the chief point being that they must be demanded for each individual

and not in the aggregate for the caste as a whole, as it has been done

thus far, so that the Majoraals and tax collectors had an opportunity

of appropriating a great part of the amount, which could never be

exactly calculated. That they could do this easily may be understood

when it is considered that most of the castes have increased in number,

while the Company has received no more than the lump sum due by each

caste. Knowing the covetousness and avarice of the tax collectors

and Majoraals, it could hardly be expected that they would excuse

any one from the payment; they must, on the contrary, have demanded

the money from each person and appropriated the surplus collected

by the increase in the number of people in each caste. Your Honours

must therefore take note of the matter, and the newly compiled lists

must show at a glance how much each aldea or parish owes; and as the

payment of this tax will be fairly distributed, no one will be wronged,

and the Company will receive its dues.[12]

The Adigary amounted last year to Rds. 1,178.3 1/2. It is paid,

like the Officie Gelden, by every person without distinction, but

the only castes which pay it are the Bellales, the Chandes, and the

Tannatare. It dates from the time of the heathen kings, who used to

rule the country through Adigars, who were appointed over the different

Provinces, and the same method was followed by the Portuguese. These

Adigars were not paid by the king, but the inhabitants had to furnish

them with victuals. This was changed in the course of time by their

having to contribute to the payment of the Adigar, which did not

exceed one fanam for each person. Although the Company, which at

first followed the same practice, later on abolished this office,

except in the districts of Mantotte and Ponneryn, yet this imposition

of the Adigary remained in force on the same castes and is still

paid by them. No one however complains of it, but on the contrary,

they consider themselves to be the three oldest castes, and look

upon it as a mark of distinction and honour conferred on them above

the other castes, thinking that only they are worthy to contribute

to the maintenance of the king's Adigars. It is looked upon in the

same light by some other castes who consider themselves equal to

these three, such as the Maddapallys, Agambadys, Paradeesys, &c. I

think, therefore, that the Company could put this point of honour

to advantage and levy this tax from many other wealthy castes, who

would gladly out of jealousy allow the Adigary to be levied on them;

but this is mentioned here only en passant as a suggestion for the

consideration of wiser heads.[13]

The Oely service has, like the Officie Gelden, been described in

detail by the late Mr. Blom in his report of August 20, 1692, so

that I need not expand on this subject here. It may be seen from the

document just mentioned what castes up to this time have been obliged

to perform this service and how many men have to attend daily, as

also how they are classified. The same rules are still observed, but,

as I noticed during my residence, these people are very lazy in the

performance of their servitudes, although they are only required to

attend three days in every three months, or twelve days in a whole

year. I think this may be considered as a sign of their increased

prosperity; because they seem to find the means for paying their

fines for non-attendance without any trouble. This fine is only 2

Dutch stivers for each day, or 1 rix-dollar for the twelve days in

a year for each person, and the account for the year 1695 shows that

on the 24,021 men Rds. 2,001.9 were paid in fines, and for the year

1696 for eight months (January to August) a sum of Rds. 1,053.9 for

12,640 men; so that the Company during the period of 20 months had to

lose the daily labour of 36,661 men. It is therefore to be expected

that the works have been considerably delayed at the Castle, in the

loading and unloading of the vessels, at the wharf, at the gunpowder

mill, at the brick-kiln at Point Pedro, in the burning of lime and

the felling of wood on the borders of the Wanni, the digging and

breaking of coral stones on the islands, the burning of coals for

the smith's shop, &c. I therefore think that the said Sicos [20]

money ought to be doubled, so that they would have to pay 1 fanam

instead of 2 stivers for each day's absence; because I do not think

this must be considered as a tax levied on the inhabitants, but as

a fine and punishment imposed for negligence and as a means to make

them perform the necessary labour in order to prevent delay. But,

as these my Instructions are to be revised by His Excellency the

Governor at Colombo, Your Honours will no doubt receive orders from

him, I not being authorized to issue them. The reason why the last

account of the Sicos runs only over eight months instead of as usual

over a year is that I specially ordered this to be done because the

account used to run from the beginning to the end of each year,

while the Trade Accounts were closed on the last day of August,

which formerly closed on the last day of February, which was always a

source of confusion. In order to correct this I ordered the account of

the Sicos to be made up for the last eight months only. Meantime Your

Honours must not fail to see that these amounts are collected on behalf

of the Company, because out of it only Rds. 180 has been received for

Patchelepalle for 1695; so that out of the above-mentioned amount

for the last 20 months the sum of Rds. 2,975.1 is still due to the

Company. Besides the usual Caltementos received by the Collectors as

a compensation for the loss they suffer on account of those persons

who died or disappeared since the last revision of the Thombo, Your

Honour must also keep in mind that a small amount is to be paid yet

towards the Sicos for 1693. The whole of the amount was Rds. 993.7,

and the greater part was received during my time. I do not know why

this was not collected before; perhaps it was due to the departure

of the late Mr. Blom to the pearl fishery in 1699, and his death

soon thereafter. [21] Because, when I arrived in December of the

same year from Batavia, I found matters in Jaffnapatam very much in

the same condition in which they were on my return from Colombo last

August, namely, many necessary things had been neglected and there was

great confusion. I will not enter into details over the matter here,

as I am not writing with direct reference to them. We will return

now to the subject of the Oely service, with regard to which I have

merely to add that it must be seen that the old and infirm people,

who are exempted from this servitude in the new Thombo, do not fail to

deliver such mats and pannegay [22] kernels for coals for the smith's

shop, as they are bound to according to the customs of the country;

because, although this is only a small matter, yet these things come

in very handy for the storehouses, vessels, pearl fishery, &c., while

otherwise money would have to be spent on these mats, an expenditure

which could be thus avoided. (14)

The tax collectors and Majoraals are native officers appointed by

the Company to demand and collect the poll tax, land rent, tithes,

and the Officie and Adigary rates which I have treated of above. They

also see that the natives perform such servitudes as they owe to

the lord of the land, and collect the Sicos money to which I have

referred, levied for neglect in attending for Oely service. The

expenditure in the appointment of these native officers is very

small, as may be seen from the foregoing account, considering that

these Collectors and Majoraals have to attend once in three months,

or four times a year, at the Castle to hand over one-fourth of the

full amount of the taxes for the year; so that the revenue is usually

received at the closing of the accounts. As this practice has proved

to be successful, the same course must be followed in future. I would

wish at the same time to point out here that the facility with which

these taxes are collected in Jaffnapatam is another evidence of the

improved condition of the inhabitants. In the year 1690 a change

was made in the appointment of the Collectors and Majoraals. Up to

that time all these and many of the Cannecappuls, Arachchies, &c.,

belonged to one caste, viz., that of the Bellales, being the farmers

or peasants. The principal of these belong to the family of Don Philip

Sangerepulle, from Cannengray, a native of evil repute; so much so,

that His Excellency the Extraordinary Councillor of India, Laurens Pyl,

who was at the time Governor of Ceylon, issued an order on June 16,

1687, by which Commandeur Cornelis van der Duyn and his Council were

instructed to have the said Don Philip and several of his followers

and accomplices put in chains and sent to Colombo. He succeeded,

however, in concealing himself and eventually fled to Nagapatam, where

he managed to influence the merchant Babba Porboe to such an extent

that through his aid he obtained during the years 1689 and 1690 all

the advantages he desired for his caste and for his followers. This

went so far as to the appointment of even schoolboys as Majoraals

and Cayaals from the time they left school. His late Excellency van

Mydregt, who had great confidence in the said Babba, was somewhat

misled by him, but was informed of the fact by certain private letters

from the late Commandeur Blom during His Excellency's residence at

Tutucorin. His Excellency then authorized Mr. Blom on July 4, 1690,

to at once make such changes as would be necessary, under the pretext

that some of the Majoraals were not provided yet with proper acts of

appointment issued by His Excellency. This may also be seen in the

answer to some points brought before His Excellency by Mr. Blom on

October 20. These replies bear date November 29 following. Finding,

however, on my arrival from Batavia, that these appointments were

still reserved for the Bellales, through the influence of a certain

Moddely Tamby, who had formerly been a betel carrier to Sangerepulle,

later on a private servant of Babba Porboe, and last of all Cannecappul

to the Commandeur, and another Cannecappul, also of the Bellale caste

and a first cousin of the said Sangerepulle, of the name of Don Joan

Mandala Nayaga Mudaliyar, I brought this difficulty before my Governor

His Excellency the Extraordinary Councillor of India, Thomas van

Rhee, on my visit to Colombo in the beginning of 1698. He verbally

authorized me to make the necessary changes, that so many thousands

of people should no longer suffer by the oppression of the Bellales,

who are very proud and despise all other castes, and who had become

so powerful that they were able not only to worry and harass the poor

people, but also to prevent them from submitting their complaints to

the authorities. Already in the years 1673 and 1675 orders had been

given that the Collectors should be transferred every three years;

because by their holding office for many years in the same Province

they obtained a certain amount of influence and authority over the

inhabitants, which would have enabled them to take advantage of them;

and it has always been a rule here not to restrict the appointment

to these offices to the Bellales, but to employ the Maddapallys

and other castes as well, to serve as a counter-acting influence;

because by this means the inhabitants were kept in peace, and through

the jealousy of the various castes the ruler was always in a position

to know what was going on in the country. All these reasons induced

His Excellency Thomas van Rhee to give me leave to bring about the

necessary changes, which have now been introduced. I appointed the

Collector of Waddemoraatje as my Cannecappul in the place of Moddely

Tamby, whose place I filled with the new Collector of the Maddapally

caste, while also a new Collector was appointed for Timmoraatsche

in the place of Don Joan Mandala Nayaga, whom the late Mr. Blom had

discharged from his office as Cannecappul of the Gate; because no two

Bellales are allowed to hold office in one place. He agreed with me on

this point, as may be seen from his report of August 20, 1692. I have

further transferred two Collectors in the large Province of Wallegamo,

so as to gradually bring about the desired change in the interest of

the Company and that of the other castes; but I heard that this small

change created so much disturbance and canvassing that I had to leave

the matter alone. The Bellales, seeing that they would be shut out from

these profitable offices and that they would lose the influence they

possessed so far, and being the largest in number and the wealthiest of

the people, moved heaven and earth to put a stop to the carrying into

effect of this plan so prejudicial to their interests. With this view

they also joined the Wannias Don Philip Nellamapane and Don Gaspar

Ilengenarene Mudaliyar in their conspiracies. The latter two, also

Bellales, well aware that they owed many elephants to the Company,

as stated at the beginning of this Memoir, and knowing that their

turn would also come, organized the riots in which the said Moddely

Tamby was the principal instrument. He was a man who first appeared

as a rebel, on the plea that, having been prosecuted by the Fiscaal

for many offences, he had been injured by a long imprisonment and

that this induced him to take revenge, these same two Wannias having

been then the first accusers who came to me complaining against this

man in the latter part of 1694. Perhaps later on they considered the

great assistance they received from him during the time of Babba

Porboe in obtaining the various privileges and favours. They also

probably understood that it was my intention to diminish the influence

of the Bellale caste, and were thus induced to take this course to

promote the welfare of their caste. I think that it was also out of

their conspiracies that the riots arose from which this Commandement

suffered during my absence in the months of May, June, and July. I

cannot account for them in any other way, as I have stated previously

when treating of the Wanni. I am obliged to repeat this here, in

order that Your Honours may be on your guard and watch the movements,

alliances, and associations of these Bellales and the Majoraals of the

Wanni; because although I may have persisted in bringing about the

desired changes, I preferred to leave the matter alone, seeing how

much annoyance this first attempt caused me, and how the obsequious

subjects of this Commandement are not only given audience in Colombo,

but are also upheld against their local ruler, whose explanation is

not only not asked for, but who is even prevented from defending the

interests of the Company at the place he had a right to do. I will,

however, drop this subject, although a great deal more might be said,

because I consider it will be useless to do so. I only advise Your

Honours not to make the slightest alteration in the appointment of the

native officers during my residence at Mallabaar, but to leave them

for the present in the state in which they wish so much to remain,

as this is a matter within the province of the Commandeur. Lascoreens

and Arachchies with their Canganes may, however, be discharged or

appointed according to their merits by the Dessave, in accordance

with the instructions of the late Admiral Rycloff van Goens, dated

February 26, 1661. In the case, however, of any of the Majoraals,

[23] Cayaals, [24] Pattangatyns, [25] Cannecappuls, or Collectors

resigning their offices or of being dismissed on account of misconduct,

the Dessave will be also authorized to provisionally appoint others

in their place without issuing the actens [26] until my return or

until the appointment of another Commandeur in my place, if such be

the intention of Their Excellencies at Batavia. Because no provision

has been made for such cases, which interrupt the regular course of

the administration. (15)

It must be also seen that the lower castes observe the rules with

regard to their costumes, &c., because I hear that here also corruption

has crept in, and that they do not wear their dress in the proper way,

do not cut their hair, and do not wear any golden rings in their ears,

so that they cannot be distinguished from the caste-people or Gonoradas

as they are called, who consider this an insult to them. A plackaat

on this subject was issued by His Excellency Laurens Pyl, Governor

of Ceylon, on August 18, 1686. There will be little difficulty in

enforcing those rules if the Regent in this Commandement is allowed to

assume the authority which is his right, and which he must have if he

is to maintain the discipline required to carry on the operations of

the Company, for the people of Jaffnapatam are conceited, arrogant,

and stubborn. They bring false complaints against their rulers to the

higher powers if they find but the least encouragement, while on the

other hand they are slavish and cringe under the rod of their rulers so

long as they see that their authority is not disputed, but is upheld

by the Government. As they were so strictly held down to their duties

during the time of the heathen and of the Portuguese, not knowing any

other but their own immediate ruler, they often do not understand

the position of a subordinate ruler in the service of the Company,

and are not able to act with discretion when they find a way from

an inferior to a superior. It is not in accordance with the natural

government to which their ancestors had been accustomed. It must not,

however, be supposed that I ignore the fact that the mild government of

the Company always leaves a way of appeal for those of its subjects,

whoever they may be, when they consider themselves unjustly treated;

but I think that on the other hand the Company should likewise allow

their chiefs to punish the delinquents before they are permitted to

appeal to the higher powers. This I have found is not always observed

as regards Jaffnapatam, although it seems to me necessary that it

should be if our officers are not in the course of time to become a

laughing stock to the people. It is a well-known fact that the more

influential natives always try to oppress the poorer classes, and it

will be impossible to prevent their doing this if they are allowed

to become stronger than they already are.

The Lascoreens, who are supposed to be soldiers, appear however to be

more useful in times of peace for the running of errands, the carrying

of letters, the communication of orders to and fro in the country,

and to summon the inhabitants, than they are in times of war for

the carrying of arms, for they have not the slightest idea of drill

or discipline, and are entirely wanting in courage. Yet we have to

employ them in these services, and it will be chiefly the duty of

the Dessave to see that those whose names are entered as Lascoreens

in the Hoofd Thombo are kept under discipline by their officers, and

also that their number is complete, so that they may be easily found

when suddenly wanted. It must also be observed that no men are entered

as Lascoreens who are bound to perform other services. The argument

brought forward by His late Excellency Commissioner van Mydregt in

his Instructions for Jaffnapatam of November 29, 1690, that it is

most difficult to reduce such people afterwards to their more humble

service is undoubtedly true and has been proved by experience. Those

whose names are at present entered in the Thombo as Lascoreens amount

to 834 men, both archers and pikemen, viz.:--

Arachchies 31

Canganas 4

Lascoreens 799

===

Total 834

Of these, only 200 are paid, and sometimes less than that

number, according to circumstances, as may be seen in the monthly

accounts. They are commanded by two Mudaliyars, one over the archers

and one over the pikemen. The Lascoreens are paid only 7 1/5 fanams

per mensem, without rice, and they are required to be ready day

and night to carry orders. Their pay is certainly not too high,

especially in such times of dearth as we have had during the last

three or four years, but I hope that this may be prevented in future

to some extent when the Moors from Bengal come here more frequently

and the rice from Trincomalee and Cotjaar is received in the required

quantities. Otherwise I think that the request of the Lascoreens,

if they strongly urge it, should be complied with, namely, that they

may be paid Rd. 1 per month should the dearth continue longer. But

this can only be done with the special permission of His Excellency

the Governor and the Council of Colombo, although the Commandeur

and the Council here have been authorized to grant this higher pay

by His Excellency Laurens Pyl, Councillor of India, on his visit to

Jaffnapatam on June 14, 1687, when this and other requests of the

natives were submitted to him. But, considering that besides the

180 or 200 Lascoreens there are also employed other native soldiers

in Mannar, Aripo, Calpentyn, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa, who are

also drawn from the above-mentioned 834 men, and that they have to

be transferred every half year, it is desirable that the same rules

should apply to them all, especially because a number of them are

also employed in this Commandement in the felling of wood, some at

Point Pedro under the Vidaan of the Elephants, some at Kayts in the

dyeing industry, some under the Civil Council, others again under

the Collectors of taxes in the various Provinces, at the Passes,

under the clergy, the Fiscaal, and other of the Company's servants;

since in that way they will be best kept under discipline. This would

also prevent fraud, because each person would receive his pay direct

from the Company, while at present the two Mudaliyars mentioned above

have a chance of favouring those whom they prefer. For this and other

reasons Your Honours must see that the Lascoreens are transferred at

least once a year, if not twice.[16]

Slaves from the opposite coast are brought here in large numbers,

because the accounts state that from December 1, 1694, to the end of

November, 1696, no less than 3,589 slaves were brought across, on each

of whom was paid to the Company as duty for admittance the amount of 11

fanams, making a total of 39,424 fanams or 9,856 guilders. The people

of Jaffnapatam import these slaves only for their own advantage, as

they find the sale of these creatures more profitable than the trade

in rice or nely, these grain being at present very dear in Coromandel,

which again is a reason why these slaves are very cheap there, being

procurable almost for a handful of rice. As Jaffnapatam does not yield

a sufficient quantity of rice for its large population, I tried to

induce the inhabitants to import as much nely as possible, but to no

purpose. Therefore, considering that it is likely the scarcity of the

necessaries of life will increase rather than decrease, because the

Moorish vessels loaded with rice remained at Madraspatam, I thought

it best to open the passage to Trincomalee and Batticaloa for the

inhabitants of Jaffnapatam. I did so because I was informed that grain

is very plentiful there and may be had at a low price, and also because

I found that this privilege had been granted to them already by the

Honourable the Supreme Government of India by Resolution of November,

1681. This permission was renewed in a letter of December 12, 1695,

but as this was cancelled in a letter from Colombo to Jaffnapatam

of January 6, 1696, this Commandement continued to suffer from the

scarcity of provisions. However, the price of rice was never higher

than Rd. 1 a parra, and even came down to 6 fanams for a cut parra,

of which there are 75 in a last of 3,000 lb. The question arises,

however, whether the Company might not be greatly inconvenienced

by the importation of these slaves, because it seems to me that the

scarcity of victuals would be thus increased, and I do not consider it

advisable for other reasons also. It is true that the Company receives

a considerable amount as duty, but on the other hand these slaves

have to be fed, and thus the price of victuals will, of necessity,

advance. The people of Jaffnapatam are besides by nature lazy and

indolent, and will gradually get more accustomed to send their

slaves for the performance of their duties instead of attending to

them themselves, while moreover these slaves are in various ways

enticed outside the Province and captured by the Wannias, who in

times of peace employ them for sowing and mowing, and in times of war

strengthen their ranks with them. They also sometimes send them to

officers of the Kandyan Court in order to obtain their favour. Many

of the slaves imported suffer from chicken pox, which may cause an

epidemic among the natives, resulting in great mortality. The amount

derived from the duty on importation of slaves would therefore not

be a sufficient compensation. In my opinion this large importation

of slaves is also another evidence of the greater prosperity of the

inhabitants of this Commandement, as the purchase and maintenance of

slaves require means.[17]

Rice and nely are the two articles which are always wanting in

Jaffnapatam, and, as the matter is one which concerns the maintenance

of life, great attention must be paid to it if we are to continue to

exact from the inhabitants the dues they are paying now. It will be

found on calculation from the notes of the Tarrego [27] taken for

some years that the inhabitants consume on an average no less than

2,000 lasts of rice a year in addition to the quantity produced in the

Provinces, The Islands, the Wanni, Ponneryn, and Mantotte, so that it

is clear how necessary it is that the inhabitants are not only enabled

but also encouraged to import grain from outside. Besides that obtained

from the Bengal Moors, they may now also obtain rice from Tanjauwen,

Oriza, Tondy, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa, as the latter passage has

been re-opened by order of the Honourable the Supreme Government of

India at Batavia in terms of their letter of July 3, 1696, which I

published in a mandate in Dutch and Mallabaar on October 1, 1696. From

this I expect good results in future for this Commandement. I also

hope that this will be a means of preventing the undesirable monopoly

of victuals, with regard to which subject I refer Your Honours to the

letter from Colombo of November 16, 1696, and the reply from here

of December 12 following, and I again seriously recommend to Your

Honours' attention this subject of monopoly, without any regard to

persons, as the greatest offences are undoubtedly those which affect

the general welfare. (18)

The native trade is confined to articles of little importance, which,

however, yield them a considerable profit, as many of the articles

found here are not found elsewhere. Thus, for instance, the palmyra

tree is not only very useful to them, as its fruit serves them as

food instead of rice, but they also obtain from it sugar, poenat, [28]

pannangay, [29] calengen, [30] mats, carsingos, [31] and caddigans [32]

or olas, and besides, the palmyra timber comes very handy whenever they

fell the trees. For all these sundries the inhabitants of Jaffnapatam

obtain good prices in Coromandel and Tondy, where also they sell

coconuts, kayer, [33] oil obtained from coconuts, and margosy, and

many other things which are not found in the places mentioned above,

or in Trincomalee and Batticaloa. These articles are rising in price

from year to year, so that they fetch two and three per cent. more

than formerly, and on this account the number of vessels along the

seacoast between Point Pedro and Kayts has increased to threefold

their number. With a view to prevent the monopoly of grain as much as

possible Your Honours are recommended to follow the same method I did,

viz., to order all vessels which come into Point Pedro, Tellemanaar,

or Wallewitte to go on to Kayts, as the owners often try to land in

these places under some pretext or other. They must be made to sell

their nely at the bangsaal or the public market, which is under the

supervision of this Castle; because if they unload their nely elsewhere

they do not bring it to the market, and the people not finding any

there have to obtain it from them at any price, which I consider to

be making a monopoly of it. Another product which yields a profit to

the inhabitants is tobacco. This grows here very abundantly, and the

greater part of it is sold by the owners without the least risk to the

merchants of Mallabaar, while the rest is sold here among their own

people or to the Company's servants. A part also is sent to Negapatam,

because the passage to Mallabaar is too dangerous for them on account

of the Bargareese pirates, who infest the neighbourhood. They also

make a good profit out of the provisions which the Company's servants

have to buy from them, such as fowls, butter, milk, sheep, piesang,

[34] soursop, betel, oil, &c., on which articles these officers have

to spend a good deal of their salaries, and even the native officers

have to devote a great deal of their pay to the purchase of these. The

inhabitants are also able to obtain a good deal as wages for labour if

they are not too lazy to work, so that, taking all in all, Your Honours

will find that the inhabitants of Jaffnapatam are more prosperous now

than they have been for some time, although it has been urged in some

quarters that they are oppressed and fleeced and are therefore in a

miserable condition. These people do not know or pretend not to know

that those reports have been circulated by some of the wealthiest

Bellales, because endeavours were made to maintain and uphold the

poorer castes against them. Their circumstances being so much better,

the people of Jaffnapatam ought not to hope for a decrease of the

tithes, as spoken of before. Nor did they ask for this during my

time, nor even referred to it, because at the general paresse [35]

of August 2, 1685, they made a unanimous declaration that they had

no request to make and no reason for complaint, and that they were

perfectly satisfied with the rule of the Company. This may be seen

in the Compendium of the last of November of the same year. In my

questions of January 22 of the same year several requests of theirs

had already been submitted, which had been all disposed of to their

satisfaction, as, for instance, that with regard to the free trade

in Batticaloa and Trincomalee already mentioned above, while the

other matters will be treated of later on. It is true that the late

Mr. Blom would seem to recommend the decrease of the tithes in his

report of August 20, 1692, but he did not know at the time that so many

privileges would be granted to them. Although the granting of these is

of little importance to the Company, it is a fact on the other hand

that the prosperity of the inhabitants will also be an advantage to

the Company, because it enables them to pay their imposts and taxes

regularly, as witness the last few years.[19]

The coconut trees are the third source of prosperity granted to the

inhabitants, besides the free trade in Batticaloa and Trincomalee

and the reduced poll tax; because, in compliance with the orders from

Batavia of December 12, 1695, these trees would no longer be subject

to taxes in the new Land Thombo, the owners being obliged to feed not

only the Company's elephants, but also those which have been already

purchased by the merchants, with coconut leaves. Although this no

doubt is more profitable to them, as they are paid for the leaves

by the merchants, yet it is true that the trees yield less fruit

when their nourishment is spent on the leaves. But although Their

Excellencies at Batavia kindly relieved the people of their burden

in this respect, the duty was imposed again in another way when His

Excellency the Governor and the Council decided, in their letter of

October 13, that Jaffnapatam would have to deliver yearly no less

than 24 casks of coconut oil besides that which is required for use

in this Commandement and at Manaar. This, including what is required

at the pearl fishery, amounts according to my calculation to no less

than 12 casks. For this reason it will be necessary to prohibit the

export of coconuts. This order, like the one with regard to the reform

in the sale of elephants, was sent to us without previous consultation

with the Commandeur or the Council of Jaffnapatam; yet in the interest

of the Company I could not abstain from expressing my opinion on the

subject in my reply of November 1, 1696; but as the order was repeated

in a subsequent letter from Colombo as also in one of the 21st of

the same month, although with some slight alteration, I am obliged to

recommend that Your Honours should endeavour to put this order into

execution as far as possible, and not issue licenses to any one. I

do so although I expect not only that the farmer of the Alfandigo

(for the export of all articles permitted to be exported) will

complain on this account, and will pay less rent in future, but also,

and especially that the inhabitants will object to this regulation,

because they receive at least twice as much for the plain coconuts

as for the oil which they will have to deliver to the Company. This

will be so in spite of some concessions which have been made already

in the payment for the oil, upon their petition of June 14, 1687,

submitted to His Excellency Laurens Pyl, then Governor of Ceylon,

in which they stated that it was a great disadvantage to them to be

obliged to give the olas of their trees as food for the elephants,

and that they were now also prevented from selling their fruits,

but had to press oil out of these for the Company.[20]

The iron and steel tools imported by the Company did not yield much

profit, because there was no demand for them. The wealthy people

considered them too expensive, and the poor could not afford to

purchase them for the ploughing and cultivation of their fields and

gardens. They have therefore been stowed away in the storehouses. As

may be seen from the questions submitted by me to the Council of

Colombo on January 22, 1695, I proposed that the inhabitants should

be permitted to obtain these tools direct from Coromandel, which was

kindly granted by the Honourable the Supreme Government of India by

letter of December 12 of the same year. This may be considered the

fourth point in which they have been indulged; another is the license

given to them in the same letter from Batavia (confirmed in a letter

of July 3, 1696) that they may convey the products of their lands and

other small merchandise by vessel to Coromandel, north of Negapatam,

without being obliged to stop and pay Customs duty in the former place,

as they had to do since 1687. They must not therefore be restricted in

this, as I introduced this new rule as soon as the license arrived.[21]

The palmyra timber required by the Company for Colombo and Jaffnapatam

used to be exacted from the inhabitants at a very low price which

had been fixed for them. They had not only to deliver this, but also

that which some of the Company's servants demanded for their private

use at the same low rate, under pretence that it was required for the

Company; so that the owners not only lost their trees and what they

might obtain from them for their maintenance, but were also obliged

to transport this timber and the laths, after they had been split,

from their gardens for two or three miles to the harbours from which

they were to be shipped, either to the seacoast or to the banks of

the river. Besides this they had still to pay the tax fixed for those

trees in the Thombo. Moreover, it happened that in the year 1677

there was such a large demand for these planks and laths, not only

in Colombo but also in Negapatam, that no less than 50,687 different

staves and 26,040 laths were sent to the latter town on account of

the Company. Their Excellencies at Batavia, considering that such

a practice was too tyrannical and not in keeping with the mild,

reasonable, and just government which the Company wishes to carry on,

have lessened the burden of the inhabitants in this respect, and have

desired that in future no such demand should be made from them, but

that they should be allowed to sell this timber in the market. Further

particulars with regard to this matter may be found by Your Honours

in the letter from Their Excellencies to Ceylon of May 13, 1692, and

in the letter from His Excellency the Governor and the Council of

Colombo of April 29, 1695, which may serve for your guidance. This

may be considered as the fifth favour bestowed on the inhabitants,

but it does not extend to the palmyra planks and laths required by

the Company for the ordinary works in this Commandement or for the

Castle. These are to be paid for at the rate stated in the Trade

Account as paid formerly, because this is a duty they have been

subject to from olden times, and it is unadvisable to depart from

such customs without good reason, the nature of these people being

such that they would not consider it a favour and be grateful for it,

but if they were relieved of this they would continue to complain

of other matters. On the other hand they will, without complaint,

pay such duties as have been long customary, because they consider

themselves born to these. I therefore think it will be best to observe

the old customs. With regard to the purchase of planks and laths on

account of the Company, I found on my arrival from Batavia in this

Commandement that this had been done with the greatest carelessness,

the accounts being in a terrible disorder. I therefore proposed in

my letter of December 9, 1694, to Colombo that such purchases should

be made by the Dessave, as he, by virtue of his office, has the best

opportunity. This was approved of in the letter of the 22nd of the

same month, and since then a certain amount of cash, about Rds. 100

or 200, has been handed to him for this purpose, and he accounts for

this money in the Trade Accounts and states how many planks and laths

have been delivered to the Company. In this way it may be always seen

how the account stands, and this practice must be continued. It must

also be seen that as many planks and laths are stored up at the outer

harbours for Coromandel and Trincomalee and at the inner harbours for

Colombo and our own use as will be possible without interfering with

the liberty granted to the inhabitants; because the demand both in

Negapatam and in Colombo is still very great, as may be seen in the

letter of February 10, 1695, to which I have referred.[22]

The felling of timber is a work that must receive particular attention,

as this is required for the repair of the Company's vessels, at

least such parts of them as stand above the water level. For repairs

under water no timber has so far been obtained in the Wanni that is

serviceable, as the timber there is liable to be attacked by a kind of

worm under water. Timber can be transported to the Castle only once

a year during the rainy season, when the rivers swell so much that

the timber which has been felled during the dry season can be brought

down to the Passes and from there to the Fort. Sometimes also timber

is felled near the seashore, when it is brought down along the coast

to Kayts or Hammenhiel by pressed Carrias or fishermen. Occasionally

some timber is also felled near the seacoast between Manaar and

Jaffnapatam, which is suitable for door posts, window frames, and

stocks for muskets and guns, while here also is found the timber for

gun-carriages, which comes in very useful, as the Fort must be well

provided with ammunition. In the Memoir left by Mr. Laurens Pyl for

this Commandement, bearing date November 7, 1679, [36] it is stated

in detail how the felling of timber is conducted and what class of

people are employed in this work. This subject is also dealt with

in the report by the late Mr. Blom of August 20, 1692, so that I

merely refer to these documents, and recommend that another and an

experienced person ought to be trained for the supervision of this work

in addition to the sergeant Harmen Claasz, who has done this work for

the last 25 years, and has gained much experience during his residence

in the forests of the Wanni, and knows exactly when the timber ought

to be felled, when it can be transported, and what kinds of trees are

the most suitable. Because it must be remembered that like all human

beings he also is only mortal. I therefore some time ago appointed the

soldier Laurens Hendriksz as his assistant. He is still employed in

the same capacity. As these forests are very malarious, there are but

few Dutchmen who could live there, and this is the more reason why Your

Honours should always see that an able person is trained to the work,

so as to avoid inconvenience some time or other. It is impossible to

employ a native in this work, because the Wannias would not have the

same regard for a native as for a European, and one of their caprices

to which they are so often subject might interfere with the work.[23]

Charcoal, made from the kernel of the palmyra fruit, is used here

for the smith's forge. In the Memoir referred to Your Honours will

also find stated by whom this is furnished to the Company. As I

noticed that the work in the smith's forge had to be discontinued

sometimes for want of charcoal, especially during the months of

August, September, and October, which causes great inconvenience to

the Government, I proposed to His Excellency the Governor and Council

that a quantity of smiths' coals from Holland should be provided. This

has been approved of. It must be used in times of scarcity, and the

people who are bound to collect and burn the kernel must be kept

to their duty, and compelled to deliver up the full extent of their

tax. The coals from Holland must be looked upon as a reserve supply,

to be used only when no pannangay kernels are to be had, as happens

sometimes when the inhabitants plant these seeds in order to obtain

from them a kind of root, called calengen, which they use as food.[24]

Bark-lunt is another article which the Company receives from the

inhabitants here without any expense. All inhabitants who go yearly

to the Wanni to sow and mow, consisting of about 6,000 or 7,000

and sometimes even 10,000 persons, and who pay 10 of these lunts to

the Wannias, have on their return at the Passes to pay a piece of

lunt each, 4 fathoms long, and for each cow or bull they have with

them and have employed in the Wanni for ploughing or have allowed

to graze there they also have to pay the same. This amounts to a

considerable quantity yearly, nearly 60,000 lunts. It is a matter

of little importance, but a great convenience, because not only the

garrison in this Commandement is thus furnished, but a large quantity

may also be sent to other places when required, as is done usually to

Negapatam and Trincomalee, for which a charge of 1 stiver a piece is

made, which amount is entered here with the general income and charged

to the said stations. Care must be taken that this duty is paid at

the Redoubts, but on the other hand also that not too much is charged

to these people, because I have heard complaints that sometimes more

than 4 fathoms of the lunt is demanded. This is unfair, because the

surplus is appropriated by persons who have no right to it.[25]

Coral stone, used for building purposes and for the burning of lime,

is found here in abundance. This also the Company obtains without any

expenditure, because it is dug up and broken by ordinary Oeliares. It

is also found at Point Pedro, where it is burnt into lime or otherwise

sent to the Castle in tonys or pontoons, where it is then either burnt

into lime, used for foundations or for the filling up of the body of

walls, which are then covered on the outside with cut coral stone,

as this makes them strong and durable. For some years the cut stone

has also been sent to Negapatam for the fortifications. This must be

continued until we receive notice that it is no longer necessary,

which I think will be soon, because I noticed that lately not so

much stone was asked for. From 1687 up to the present about 52,950

cut stones have been sent to this place.[26]

It may be understood from the above that lime is easily obtained here,

and without great expenditure. That which is required for the Company

here is delivered free of charge. For the lime sent to Negapatam 7

fanams are paid in place of 5 light stivers. [37] This is paid to the

lime burners at Canganture, who received an advance on this account,

of which a small balance is left. Meanwhile the Dessave de Bitter

informed us on his return from Coromandel that no more lime was

required there, but in order that the Company may not lose by the

advance made, a quantity of 8,000 or 9,000 parras of lime is lying

ready at Canganture, which must be fetched by the Company's vessels

in March or April and brought to Kayts. This, I think, will make up

the amount, and if not, they must reimburse the difference. It will

be seen from this that we have tried to comply with the wishes of

His late Excellency van Mydregt, who wrote from Negapatam on July 10,

1687, that the new fortifications there were to be supplied with lime

and all other building materials which are to be found here. The lime

sent there since that date has amounted to 4,751 31/75 lasts.[27]

The dye-root is a product found in this territory which yields the

Company a considerable profit. The best kinds are found in Carrediva,

but the largest quantity in Manaar. The other kinds, found in the

Wanni and The Islands, are so inferior that they cannot be used for

dyeing unless they are mixed with the kinds obtained from Manaar

and Carrediva, and are found in small quantities only. The inferior

kinds are used in this way so that they may not be lost, because it

is to be feared that there will be a greater scarcity of root than

of cloth. I will not enter into detail here as to how, by whom,

where, and when these roots are dug out, or how they are employed

in the dyeing of cloth, or again how much is received yearly; as

all these matters have been mentioned at length on other occasions,

making it unnecessary to do so here. I therefore refer Your Honours

to an account by the late Commandeur Blom, dated April 25, 1693,

with regard to the cultivation and digging of this root, and another

by the same Commandeur of November 12 of the same year with regard to

the dyeing of red cloth and the use of dye-root, while Your Honours

might also look up the document sent to Colombo on December 29, 1694,

by Your Honours and myself, and another of September 16, 1695, where

an estimate is made of the quantity of cloth that could be dyed here

yearly with the root found in this Commandement. An answer will also

be found there to the question raised by the Honourable the Supreme

Government of India in their letter to Ceylon of December 12, 1695,

as to whether the dye-roots found in Java costing Rds. 5 the picol

[38] of 125 lb. and sent here might be employed with profit in the

service of the Company, and whether these roots from Java could not

with advantage be planted here. The reply from Colombo of January

6, 1696, in answer to our letter of September 16, 1695, must also

be considered, in order that Your Honours may bear in mind all the

arguments that have been urged on this subject. Experiments have been

made with the Java roots to see whether they could be turned to any

account, and with a view to compare them with the Jaffna roots. It

seems to me that good results may be obtained from the Brancoedoe

roots, according to the experiments made by myself and afterwards by a

Committee in compliance with the orders of Their Excellencies, but as

we cannot be quite sure yet another quantity of Java roots for further

experiments has been sent, as stated in the letter from Batavia of July

3, 1696. Your Honours must pay great attention to these experiments,

so that the result may be definitely known. This was prevented so

far by the rainy season. Besides the above-mentioned documents,

Your Honours will also find useful information on the subject in two

reports submitted by a Committee bearing date July 29 and December

10, 1695. Experiments must also be made to find out whether the

Wancoedoe roots used either alone or mixed with the Jaffna roots will

yield a good red dye of fast colour, this being the wish of Their

Excellencies. Meantime the red cloth ordered in 1694, being 142 webs,

and the 60 webs ordered lately, must be sent as soon as the required

linen arrives from Coromandel. This cloth must be carefully dyed, and

after being examined and approved by the members of Council must be

properly packed by the Pennisten of the Comptoiren who are employed

in this work, on both which points complaints have been received,

and which must be guarded against in future. During my residence

96 webs of cloth have been sent out of the 142 that were ordered,

so that 46 are yet to be sent, besides the 60 of the new order. No

more cloth and dye-roots must be issued to the dyers at a time than

they can use in one dyeing, because otherwise the cloth lies about in

their poor dwellings and gets damaged, while the roots are stolen or

used for private purposes, which is a loss to the Company, of which

many instances might be quoted. There is no doubt the Administrateur

Abraham Mighielsz Biermans, who has been entrusted with the supervision

of this work for many years, will endeavour to further the interests

of the Company in this respect as much as possible and keep these lazy

people to their work. For the present there is a sufficient quantity

of material in stock, as there were in the storehouses on the last

of November, 1696, 60,106 lb. of different kinds of dye-root, with

which a large quantity of cloth may be dyed, while a yearly supply is

delivered at the Fort from Manaar, Carrediva, &c. In Carrediva and "the

Seven Places" as they are called, much less is delivered than formerly,

because at present roots are dug up after the fields have been sown,

while formerly this used to be done before the lands were cultivated,

to the disadvantage of the owners. This practice was abandoned during

the time of Commandeur Blom, as it was considered unfair; because the

fields are already heavily taxed, and on this account the delivery

is 20 to 25 bharen [39] less than before.[28]

The farming out of the various duties in this Commandement may

be considered as the third source of revenue to the Company in

Jaffnapatam, and next to that of the sale of elephants and the revenue

derived from the poll tax, land rents, tithes, Adigary, and Officie

Gelden mentioned before. The farming out of the said duties on the last

of February, 1696, brought to the Company the sum of Rds. 27,518 for

the period of one and a half year. The leases were extended on this

occasion with a view to bring them to a close with the close of the

Trade Accounts, which, in compliance with the latest instructions from

Batavia, must be balanced on August 31. The previous year, from March

1 to February 28, 1695-1696, the lease of the said duties amounted

to Rds. 15,641, which for 18 months would have been Rds. 23,461 1/2,

so that the Company received this year Rds. 4,056 1/2 more than last

time; but I believe that the new duty on the import of foreign cloth

has largely contributed to this difference. This was proposed by me

on January 22, 1695, and approved by the Hon. the Supreme Government

of India in their letter of December 12 of the same year. It yielded

the first year Rds. 7,100, including the stamping of native cloth with

a seal at 25 per cent., while for the foreign cloth no more than 20

per cent. was paid. As Their Excellencies considered this difference

unfair, it has pleased them, at the earnest request of the natives,

or rather at the request of the Majoraals on behalf of the natives, in

a later letter of July 3, 1696, to consent to the native cloth being

taxed at 20 per cent. only, which must be considered in connection

with the new lease. Meantime the order from Batavia contained in

the Resolutions of the Council of India of October 4, 1694, must be

observed, where all farmers are required to pay the monthly terms

of their lease at the beginning of each month in advance. This rule

has been followed here, and it is expressly stipulated in the rent

conditions. Whether the farming out of the duty on native and foreign

cloth will amount to as much or more I cannot say; because I fear

that the present farmer has not made much profit by it, in consequence

of the export having decreased on account of the closing of the free

passage to Trincomalee and Batticaloa. The sale of these cloths depends

largely on the import of nely from the said places, and this having

been prevented the sale necessarily decreased and consequently the

farmer made less profit. The passage having been re-opened, however,

it may be expected that the sale will increase again. With a view

to ascertain the exact value of this lease, I sent orders to all

the Passes on February 27, 1696, that a monthly list should be kept

of how many stamped cloths are passed through and by whom, so that

Your Honours will be able to see next August how much cloth has been

exported by examining these lists, while you may also make an estimate

of the quantity of cloth sold here without crossing the Passes, as

the farmer obtains his duty on these. Your Honours may further read

what was reported on this subject from here to Colombo on December 16,

1696, and the reply from Colombo of January 6 of this year.[29]

The Trade Accounts are closed now on August 31, as ordered by the

Supreme Government of India in their letter of May 3, 1695. Last

year's account shows that in this Commandement the Company made a

clear profit of Fl. 121,795.2.9. It might have been greater if more

elephants could have been obtained from the Wanni and Ponneryn, or if

we were allowed the profits on the elephants from Galle and Colombo

sold here on behalf of the Company, which are not accompanied by an

invoice, but only by a simple acknowledgment. Another reason that it

was not higher is that we had to purchase the very expensive grain

from Coromandel. Your Honours must also see that besides observing

this rule of closing the accounts in August, they are submitted to

the Council for examination, in order that it may be seen whether the

discharges are lawful and whether other matters are in agreement with

the instructions, and also whether some items could not be reduced

in future, in compliance with the order passed by Resolution in the

Council of India on September 6, 1694. These and all other orders

sent here during the last two years must be strictly observed, such

as the sending to Batavia of the old muskets, the river navigation

of ships and sloops, the reduction of native weights and measures to

Dutch pounds, the carrying over of the old credits and debits into

the new accounts, the making and use of casks of a given measure,

and the accounting for the new casks of meat, bacon, butter, and

all such orders, which cannot be all mentioned here, but which Your

Honours must look up now and again so as not to forget any and thus

be involved in difficulties. [(30)]

The debts due to the Company at the closing of the accounts must be

entered in a separate memorandum, and submitted with the accounts. In

this memorandum the amount of the debt must be stated, with the name

of the debtor, and whether there is a prospect of the amount being

recovered or not. As shown by Their Excellencies, these outstandings

amounted at the closing of the accounts at the end of February, 1694,

to the sum of Fl. 116,426.11.19. This was reduced on my last departure

to Colombo to Fl. 31,948.9.15, as may be seen in the memorandum by the

Administrateur of January 31, 1696. I will now proceed to show that on

my present departure no more is due than the amount of Fl. 16,137.8,

in which, however, the rent of the farmers is not included, as it is

only provisional and will be paid up each month, viz.:--

Fl.

The Province of Timmoraten 376. 2.8 [40]

The Province of Pathelepally 579.10.0

Panduamoety and Nagachitty 2,448.13.0

Company's weavers 167.15.0

Manuel van Anecotta, Master Dyer 9,823. 6.0

The Caste of the Tannecares 1,650. 0.0

The dyers at Point Pedro and Nalloer 566.14.0

Don Philip Nellamapane 375. 0.0

Ambelawanner Wannia 150. 0.0

===========

Total 16,137. 0.8

With regard to the debt of the weavers, amounting to Fl. 2,616.8,

I deem it necessary here to mention that the arrears in Timmoratsche

and Patchelepally, spoken of in the memorandum by the Administrateur

of January 31, 1696, compiled by Mr. Bierman on my orders of November

30, 1695, after the closing of the accounts at the end of August,

of which those of Tandia Moety and Naga Chitty and that of the

Company's weavers which refer to the same persons, may, in my opinion,

be considered as irrecoverable. It would therefore be best if Their

Excellencies at Batavia would exempt them from the payment. This debt

dates from the time when it was the intention to induce some weavers

from the opposite coast to come here for the weaving of cloth for the

Company. This caste, called Sinias, [41] received the said amount in

cash, thread, and cotton in advance, and thus were involved in this

large debt, which having been reduced to the amount stated above, has

remained for some years exactly the same, in spite of all endeavours

made to collect it, and notwithstanding that the Paybook-keeper was

appointed to see that the materials were not stolen and the money not

wasted. It has been, however, all in vain, because these people were

so poor that they could not help stealing if they were to live, and it

seems impossible to recover the amount, which was due at first from

200 men, out of whom only 15 or 16 are left now. When they do happen

occasionally to deliver a few gingams, these are so inferior that

the soldiers who receive them at the price of good materials complain

a great deal. I think it unfair that the military should be made to

pay in this way, as the gingams are charged by the Sinias at Fl. 6

or 6.10 a piece, while the soldiers have to accept the same at Fl. 9

and 9.15. The same is the case with the Moeris and other cloths which

are delivered by the Sinias, or rather which are obtained from them

with much difficulty; and I have no doubt Your Honours will receive

instructions from Batavia with regard to this matter. Meanwhile they

must be dealt with in the ordinary way; but in case they are exempted

from the payment of their debt I think they ought to be sent out of

the country, not only because they are not liable to taxes or services

to the Company, but also because of the idolatry and devil-worship

which they have to a certain extent been allowed to practise, and

which acts as a poison to the other inhabitants, among whom we have

so long tried to introduce the Dutch Reformed religion.

The debt of the dyers at Annecatte, entered under the name of Manoel of

Annecatte, dyer, which amounted at the end of August to Fl. 9,823.6,

has been since reduced by Fl. 707.10, and is still being reduced

daily, as there is sufficient work at present to keep them all busy,

of which mention has been made under the heading of Dye-roots. This

debt amounted at the end of February, 1694, to Fl. 11,920.13.6, so

that since that time one-third has been recovered. This is done by

retaining half the pay for dyeing; for when they deliver red cloth

they only receive half of their pay, and there is thus a prospect

of the whole of this debt being recovered. Care must be taken that

no one gives them any money on interest, which has been prohibited,

because it was found that selfish people, aware of the poverty of

these dyers, sometimes gave them money, not only on interest but at

a usurious rate, so that they lost also half of the pay they received

from the Company on account of those debts, and were kept in continual

poverty, which made them either despondent or too lazy to work. For

this reason an order was issued during the time of the late Commandeur

Blom that such usurers would lose all they had lent to these dyers,

as the Company would not interfere on behalf of the creditors as long

as the debt to the Company was still due. On this account also their

lands have been mortgaged to the Company, and Mr. Blom proposed in

his questions of December 22, 1693, that these should be sold. But

this will not be necessary now, and it would not be advantageous to

the Company if the weavers were thus ruined, while on the other hand

this debt may on the whole be recovered. (31)

The Tannekares are people who made a contract with the Company during

the time of Mr. Blom by a deed bearing date June 7, 1691, in terms

of which they were to deliver two elephants without teeth in lieu

of their poll tax amounting to Fl. 269.4.17/60 and for their Oely

service. It was found, however, last August that they were in arrears

for 11 animals, which, calculated at Rds. 50 or Fl. 150 each, brings

their debts to Fl. 1,650, just as I expected. As all contracts of this

kind for the delivery of elephants are prejudicial to the Company,

I proposed on January 22, 1695, that this contract should be annulled,

stating our reasons for doing so. This proposal was submitted to Their

Excellencies at Batavia in our letter of August 12 of the same year,

and was approved by them by their letter of December 12, 1695, so that

these people are again in the same position as the other inhabitants,

and will be taxed by the Thombo-keeper for poll tax, land rent, and

Oely service from September 1, 1696. These they must be made to pay,

and they also must be made to pay up the arrears, which they are quite

capable of doing, which matter must be recommended to the attention

of the tax collector in Waddamoraatsche.

The debt due by the dyers of Nalloer and Point Pedro, which arose

from their receiving half their pay in advance at their request,

as they were not able to pay their poll tax and land rent (which

amounted to Fl. 566.14), has been paid up since.

The debt of Don Philip Nellamapane, which amounts to Fl. 375, arose

from the amount being lent to him for the purchase of nely in the

latter part of 1694, because there was a complaint that the Wannias,

through a failure of the crop, did not have a sufficient quantity

of grain for the maintenance of the hunters. This money was handed

to Don Gaspar Ilengenarene Mudaliyar, brother-in-law of Don Philip,

and at the request of the latter; so that really, not he, but Don

Gaspar, owes the money. He must be urged to pay up this amount,

which it would be less difficult to do if they were not so much in

arrears with their tribute, because in that case the first animals

they delivered could be taken in payment. There is no doubt, however,

that this debt will be paid if they are urged.

The same is the case with the sum of Fl. 150 which Ambelewanne Wannia

owes, but as he has to deliver only a few elephants this small amount

can be settled the first time he delivers any elephants above his

tribute. (32)

The Pay Accounts must, like the Trade Accounts, be closed on the

last day of August every year, in compliance with the orders of the

Honourable the Supreme Government of India contained in their letter

of August 13, 1695. They must also be audited and examined, according

to the Resolution passed in the Council of India on September 6,

1694, so that it may be seen whether all the items entered in the

Trade Accounts for payments appear also in the Pay Accounts, while

care must be taken that those who are in arrears at the close of the

books on account of advance received do not receive such payments too

liberally, against which Your Honours will have to guard, so that no

difficulties may arise and the displeasure of Their Excellencies may

not be incurred. Care must also be taken that the various instructions

for the Paybook-keeper are observed, such as those passed by Resolution

of Their Excellencies on August 27 and June 29, 1694, with regard to

the appraising, selling, and entering in the accounts of estates left

by the Company's servants, the rules for the Curators ad lites, those

with regard to the seizure of salaries by private debtors passed by

Resolution of August 5, 1696, in the Council of India, and the rules

passed by Resolution of March 20, with regard to such sums belonging

to the Company's servants as may be found outstanding on interest

after their death, namely, that these must four or six weeks after

be transferred from the Trade Accounts into the Pay Accounts to the

credit of the deceased. (33)

The matter of the Secretariate not being conducted as it ought to

be, cannot be dealt with in full here. It was said in the letters

of November 17 and December 12, 1696, that the new Secretary,

Mr. Bout (who was sent here without any previous intimation to the

Commandeur), would see that all documents were properly registered,

bound, and preserved, but these are the least important duties

of a good Secretary. I cannot omit to recommend here especially

that a journal should be kept, in which all details are entered,

because there are many occurrences with regard to the inhabitants,

the country, the trade, elephants, &c., which it will be impossible to

find when necessary unless they appear in the letters sent to Colombo,

which, however, do not always deal very circumstancially with these

matters. It will be best therefore to keep an accurate journal,

which I found has been neglected for the last three years, surely

much against the intention of the Company. The Secretary must also

see that the Scholarchial resolutions and the notes made on them by

the Political Council are copied and preserved at the Secretariate,

another duty which has not been done for some years. I know on the

other hand that a great deal of the time of the Secretary is taken up

with the keeping of the Treasury Accounts, while there is no Chief

Clerk here to assist him with the Treasury Accounts, or to assist

the Commandeur. This was felt also by Mr. Blom, and he proposed

in his letters of February 12 and March 29, 1693, to Colombo that

the Treasury Accounts should be kept by the Paybook-keeper, which,

in my humble opinion, would be the best course, as none of the four

Onderkooplieden [42] here could be better employed for this work

than the Paybook-keeper. It must be remembered, however, that Their

Excellencies do not wish the Regulation of December 29, 1692, to be

altered or transgressed, so that these must be still observed. I would

propose a means by which the duties of the Cashier, and consequently of

the Secretary, could be much decreased, considering that the Cashier

can get no other knowledge of the condition of the general revenue

than from the Thombo-keeper who makes up the accounts, namely, that

the Thombo-keeper should act as General Accountant, as well of the

rent for leases as of the poll tax, land rent, tithes, &c., in which

case the native collectors could give their accounts to him. This,

I expect, would simplify matters, and enable the Secretary to be of

more assistance to the Commandeur. In case such arrangement should be

made, the General Accountant could keep the accounts of the revenue

specified above, which could afterwards be transferred to the accounts

of the Treasury; but Your Honours must wait for the authority to do

so, as I do not wish to take this responsibility. I must recommend

to Your Honours here to see that in future no petitions with regard

to fines are written for the inhabitants except by the Secretaries

of the Political Council or the Court of Justice, as those officers

in India act as Notaries. This has to be done because the petitions

from these rebellious people of Jaffnapatam are so numerous that the

late Mr. Blom had to forbid some of them writing such communications,

because even Toepasses and Mestices take upon themselves to indite

such letters, which pass under the name of petitions, but are often so

full of impertinent and seditious expressions that they more resemble

libels than petitions. Since neither superior nor inferior persons

are spared in these documents, it is often impossible to discover the

author. Whenever the inhabitants have any complaint to make, I think

it will be sufficient if they ask either of the two Secretaries to

draw out a petition for them in which their grievances are stated,

which may be sent to Colombo if the case cannot be decided here. In

this way it will be possible to see that the petitions are written

on stamped paper as ordered by the Company, while they will be

written with the moderation and discrimination that is necessary in

petitions. There are also brought to the Secretariate every year all

sorts of native protocols, such as those kept by the schoolmasters

at the respective churches, deeds, contracts, ola deeds of sale,

and other instruments as may have been circulated among the natives,

which it is not possible to attend to at the Dutch Secretariate. But

as I have been informed that the schoolmasters do not always observe

the Company's orders, and often issue fraudulent instruments and thus

deceive their own countrymen, combining with the Majoraals and the

Chiefs of the Aldeas, by whom a great deal of fraud is committed,

it will be necessary for the Dessave to hold an inquiry and punish

the offenders or deliver them up for punishment. For this purpose

he must read and summarize the instructions with regard to this and

other matters issued successively by Their Excellencies the Governors

of Ceylon and the subaltern Commandeurs of this Commandement, to be

found in the placaats and notices published here relating to this

Commandement. The most important of these rules must be published in

the different churches from time to time, as the people of Jaffnapatam

are much inclined to all kinds of evil practices, which has been

the reason that so many orders and regulations had to be issued by

the placaats, all which laws are the consequence of transgressions

committed. Yet it is very difficult to make these people observe

the rules so long as they find but the least encouragement given to

them by the higher authorities, as stated already. It was decided in

the Meeting of Council of October 20, 1696, that a large number of

old and useless olas which were kept at the Secretariate and were

a great encumbrance should be sorted, and the useless olas burnt

in the presence of a committee, while the Mallabaar and Portuguese

documents concerning the Thombo or description of lands were to be

placed in the custody of the Thombo-keeper. This may be seen in the

report of November 8 of the same year. In this way the Secretariate

has been cleared, and the documents concerning the Thombo put in their

proper place, where they must be kept in future; so that the different

departments may be kept separately with a view to avoid confusion. I

have also noticed on various occasions that the passports of vessels

are lost, either at the Secretariate or elsewhere. Therefore, even so

lately as last December, instructions were sent to Kayts and Point

Pedro to send all such passports here as soon as possible. These

passports, on the departure of the owners, were to be kept at the

Secretariate after renovation by endorsement, unless they were more

than six months old, in which case a new passport was to be issued. In

case Your Honours are not sufficiently acquainted with the form of

these passports and how they are to be signed as introduced by His

late Excellency Governor van Mydregt, you will find the necessary

information in the letters from Negapatam to Jaffnapatam of 1687 and

1688 and another from Colombo to Jaffnapatam bearing date April 11,

1690, in which it is stated to what class of persons passports may

be issued. The same rules must be observed in Manaar so far as this

district is concerned, in compliance with the orders contained in

the letter of November 13, 1696.(34)

The Court of Justice has of late lost much of its prestige among the

inhabitants, because, seeing that the Bellale Mudaly Tamby, to whom

previous reference has been made, succeeded on a simple petition sent

to Colombo to escape the Court of Justice while his case was still

undecided (as may be seen from a letter from Colombo of January 6,

1696, and the reply thereto of the 26th of this month), they have an

idea that they cannot be punished here. Even people of the lowest caste

threaten that they will follow the same course whenever they think

they will not gain their object here, especially since they have seen

with what honours Mudaly Tamby was sent back and how the Commissioners

did all he desired, although his own affairs were not even sufficiently

settled yet. A great deal may be stated and proved on this subject, but

as this is not the place to do so, I will only recommend Your Honours

to uphold the Court of Justice in its dignity as much as possible,

and according to the rules and regulations laid down with regard to

it in the Statutes of Batavia and other Instructions. The principal

rule must be that every person receives speedy and prompt justice,

which for various reasons could not be done in the case of Mudaly

Tamby, and the opportunity was given for his being summoned to Colombo.