| Alias. | |
| Don Philip Nellamapane | 57½ |
| Don Diogo Poevenelle Mapane | 23 |
| Peria Meynaar Oediaar | 4¾ |
| Chedoega Welemapane | 1½ |
| Total | 86¾ |
The result proves that all the honour and favours shown to these people do not induce them to pay up their tribute; but on the contrary, as has been shown in the annexed Memoir, they allow them to go on increasing. This is the reason I would not suffer the indignity of requesting payment from them, but told them seriously that this would be superfluous in the case of men of their eminence; which they, however, entirely ignored. I then exhorted them in the most serious terms to pay up their dues, saying that I would personally come within a year to see whether they had done so. As this was also disregarded, I dismissed them. Don Philip Nellamapane and Don Gaspar Ilengenarenne, who owed 57½ alias, made the excuse that these arrears were caused by the bad terms on which they were with each other, and asked that I would dissociate them, so that each could pay his own tribute. I agreed that they should arrange with the Dessave about the different lands, writing down on ola the arrangements made, and submitting them to me for approval; but as I have heard no more about the matter up to the present day, I fear that they only raised these difficulties to make believe that they were unable to pay, and to try to get the Company again to discharge them from the delivery of their tribute of 21 elephants for next year. It would perhaps be better to do this than to be continually fooled by these people. But you have all seen how tremblingly they appeared before me (no doubt owing to a bad conscience), and how they followed the palanquin of the Dessave like boys, all in order to obtain more favourable conditions; but I see no reason why they should not pay, and think they must be urged to do so. They have promised however to pay up their arrears as soon as possible, so that we will have to wait and see; while Don Diogo Poevenelle Mapane also has to deliver his 23 alias. In compliance with the orders from Colombo of May 11, 1696, Don Philip Nellamapane will be allowed to sell one elephant yearly to the Moors, on the understanding that he had delivered his tribute, and not otherwise; while the sale must be in agreement with the orders of Their Excellencies at Batavia, contained in their letter of November 13, 1683. The other Provinces, Carnamelpattoe, Tinnemerwaddoe, and Moeliawalle are doing fairly well, and the tribute for these has been paid; although it is rather small and consists only of 9½ alias (elephants), which the Wannias there, however, deliver regularly, or at least do not take very long in doing so. Perhaps they could furnish more elephants in lieu of the tithes of the harvest, and it would not matter if the whole of it were paid in this way, because this amount could be made up for by supplies from the lands of Colombo, Galle, and Matara, or a larger quantity could be ordered overland.
That the Master of the Hunt, Don Gasper Nitchenchen Aderayen, should, as if he were a sovereign, have put to death a Lascoreen and a hunter under the old Don Gaspar on his own responsibility, is a matter which will result in very bad consequences; but I have heard rumours to the effect that it was not his work, but his father’s (Don Philip Nellamapane). With regard to these people Your Honours must observe the Instructions of Mr. Zwaardecroon, and their further actions must be watched; because of their conspiracies with the Veddas, in one of which the brother of Cottapulle Odiaar is said to have been killed. Time does not permit it, otherwise I would myself hold an inquiry.
[5]. Mantotte, Moesely, and Pirringaly, which Provinces are ruled by officers paid by the Company, seem to be doing well; because the Company received from there a large number of elephants, besides the tithes of the harvest, which are otherwise drawn by the Wannias. The two Wannias, Don Philip Nellamapane and Don Gaspar, complain that they do not receive the tribute of two elephants due to them from the inhabitants of Pirringaly, but I do not find in the decree published by Commandeur Blom on June 11, 1693, in favour of the inhabitants, any statement that they owe such tribute for liberation from the rule of the Wannias, but only that they (these Wannias) will be allowed to capture elephants. These Wannias, however, sent me a dirty little document, bearing date May 12, 1694, in which it is stated that the hunters of Pirringaly had delivered at Manaar for Pannengamo in the year 1693 two alias, each 4–3/8 cubits high. If more evidence could be found, it might be proved that such payment of 2 alias yearly really had to be made, and it would be well for Your Honours to investigate this matter, because it is very necessary to protect and assist the hunters as much as possible, as a reward for their diligence in the capture of elephants. Payment must be made to them in compliance with the orders of His Excellency van Mydregt.
[6]. Ponneryn, the third Province from which elephants should be obtained, and which, like Illepoecarwe, Polweraincattoe, and Mantotte, was ruled formerly by an Adigar or Lieutenant-Dessave, was doing fairly well; because the Company received yearly on an average no less than 25 alias, besides the tithes of the harvest, until in 1690 the mode of government was changed, and the revenue of Ponneryn was granted by public decree to the young Don Gaspar by the Lord Commissioner van Mydregt, while those of the other two Provinces were granted to the old Don Gaspar, on condition that the young Don Gaspar would capture and deliver to the Company all elephants which could be obtained in the said Provinces, while the inhabitants of Ponneryn would be obliged to obey the Master of the Hunt as far as their services should be required by the Company and as they had been accustomed to render. This new arrangement did not prove a success; because, during seven years, he only delivered 44 elephants, although in the annexed Memoir it is stated that he delivered 74. Of these 44 animals, 7 were tuskers and 37 alias, viz.:—
| Elephants. | ||
| For | 1690 | 4 |
| 1691–92 | 6 | |
| 1692–93 | 5 | |
| 1693–94 | 16 | |
| 1694–95 | 13 | |
| Total | 44 |
During the last two years he did not deliver a single animal, so that the Company lost on account of this Master of the Hunt, 131 elephants. He only appropriated the tithes of the harvest, and did not care in the least about the hunt, so that the Company is even prevented from obtaining what it would have received by the old method; and, I must say, I do not understand how these privileges have been granted so long where they are so clearly against the interest of the Company, besides being the source of unlawful usurpation practised over the inhabitants, which is directly against the said deeds of gift. The elephant hunters have repeatedly applied to be relieved of their authority and to be allowed to serve again under the Company. For these reasons, as Your Honour is aware, I have considered it necessary for the service of the Company to provisionally appoint the sergeant Albert Hendriksz, who, through his long residence in these Provinces, has gained a great deal of experience, Adigar over Ponneryn; which was done at the request of the elephant hunters. He will continue the capture of elephants with the hunters without regard to the Master of the Hunt, and Your Honour must give him all the assistance required, because the hunt has been greatly neglected. Your Honour may allow both the Don Gaspars to draw the tithes of the harvest until our authorities at Batavia will have disposed of this matter.
[7]. The trade in elephants is undoubtedly the most important, as the rest does not amount to much more than Rds. 7,000 to 9,000 a year. During the year 1695–1696 the whole of the sale amounted to Fl. 33,261.5, including a profit of Fl. 15,137.9.11. We find it stated in the annexed Memoir that the merchants spoilt their own market by bidding against each other at the public auctions, but whether this was really the case we will not discuss here. I positively disapprove of the complicated and impractical way in which this trade has been carried on for some years, and which was opposed to the interests of the Company. I therefore considered it necessary to institute the public auctions, by which, compared with the former method, the Company has already gained a considerable amount; which is, however, no more than what it was entitled to, without it being of the least prejudice to the trade. I will not enlarge on this subject further, as all particulars relating to it and everything connected with it may be found in our considerations and speculations and in the decisions arrived at in accordance therewith, which are contained in the daily resolutions from July 24 to August 20 inclusive, a copy of which was left with Your Honours, and to which I refer you. As to the changed methods adopted this year, these are not to be altered by any one but Their Excellencies at Batavia, whose orders I will be obliged and pleased to receive. As a number of elephants was sold last year for the sum of Rds. 53,357, it was a pity that they could not all be transported at once, without a number of 126 being left behind on account of the northern winds. We have therefore started the sale a little earlier this year, and kept the vessels in readiness, so that all the animals may be easily transported during August next. On the 20th of this month all purchasers were, to their great satisfaction, ready to depart, and requested and obtained leave to do so. This year the Company sold at four different auctions the number of 86 elephants for the sum of Rds. 36,950, 16 animals being left unsold for want of cash among the purchasers, who are ready to depart with about 200 animals which they are at present engaged in putting on board. The practice of the early preparation of vessels and the holding of public auctions must be always observed, because it is a great loss to the merchants to have to stay over for a whole year, while the Company also suffers thereby, because in the meantime the animals do not change masters. It is due to this reason and to the want of ready cash that this year 16 animals were left unsold. In future it must be a regular practice in Ceylon to have all the elephants that are to be sold brought to these Provinces before July 1, so that all preparations may be made to hold the auctions about the middle of July, or, if the merchants do not arrive so soon, on August 1. Meanwhile all the required vessels must be got ready, so that no animals need be left behind on account of contrary winds. As we have now cut a road, by which the elephants may be led from Colombo, Galle, and Matura, as was done successfully one or two months ago, when in two trips from Matura, Galle, Colombo, Negombo, and Putulang were brought here with great convenience the large number of 63 elephants, the former plan of transporting the animals in native vessels from Galle and Colombo can be dropped now, a few experiments having been made and proving apparently unsuccessful. It must be seen that at least 12 or 15 elephants are trained for the hunt, as a considerable number is always required, especially if the animals from Putulang have to be fetched by land. For this reason I have ordered that two out of the 16 animals that were left from the sale and who have some slight defects, but which do not unfit them for this work, should be trained, viz., No 22, 5⅜ cubits high, and No. 72, 5½ cubits high, which may be employed to drive the other animals. Meanwhile the Dessave must see that the two animals which, as he is aware, were lent to Don Diogo, are returned to the Company. These animals were not counted among those belonging to the Company, which was very careless. As is known to Your Honours, we have abolished the practice of branding the animals twice with the mark Ⓥ, as was done formerly, once when they were sent to these Provinces and again when they were sold, and consider it better to mark them only once with a number, beginning with No. 1, 2, 3, &c., up to No. 100. Ten iron brand numbers have been made for this purpose. If there are more than 100 animals, they must begin again with number 1, and as a mark of distinction a cross must be put after each number, which rule must be observed in future, especially as the merchants were pleased with it and as it is the best way of identifying the animals. We trust that with the opening of the King’s harbours the plan of obtaining the areca-nut from the King’s territory by water will be unnecessary, but the plan of obtaining these nuts by way of the Wanni will be dealt with in the Appendix.
[8]. The trade with the Moors from Bengal must be protected, and these people fairly and reasonably dealt with, so that we may secure the necessary supply of grain and victuals. We do not see any reason why these and other merchants should not be admitted to the sale of elephants, as was done this year, when every one was free to purchase as he pleased. The people of Dalpatterau only spent half of their cash, because they wished to wait till next year for animals which should be more to their liking. His Excellency the High Commissioner informed me that he had invited not only the people from Golconda, but also those of Tanhouwer,[1] &c., to take part in that trade, and this may be done, especially now that the prospects seem to all appearances favourable; while from the districts of Colombo, Galle, and Matura a sufficient number of elephants may be procured to make up for the deficiency in Jaffnapatam, if we only know a year before what number would be required, which must be always inquired into.
As the Manaar chanks are not in demand in Bengal, we have kept here a quantity of 36½ Couren of different kinds, intending to sell in the usual commercial way to the Bengal merchants here present; but they did not care to take it, and said plainly that the chanks were not of the required size or colour; they must therefore be sent to Colombo by the first opportunity, to be sent on to Bengal next year to be sold at any price, as this will be better than having them lying here useless.