[53]. As I have not seen any of these places, I cannot say whether the water tanks are required or not. As the work has to wait for Dutch bricks, it will be some time before it can be commenced, because there are none in store here.
[54]. Manaar is a fortress with four entire bastions. I found that the full garrison, including Europeans and Mixties,[6] consists of 44 men, twelve or fifteen of whom are moreover usually employed in the advanced guard or elsewhere. I do not therefore see the use of this fortress, and do not understand why instead of this fortress a redoubt was not built. Having been built the matter cannot now be altered. It has been stated that Manaar is an island which protects Jaffnapatam on the south, but I cannot see how this is so. The deepening of the moat cannot be carried out so soon, but the elevations may be removed. Lime I consider can be burnt there in sufficient quantities, and my verbal orders to the Resident have been to that effect. The pavement for the canons I found quite completed, but the floors of the galleries of the dwelling houses not yet. The water reservoir of brick, which is on a level with the rampart, I have ordered to be surrounded with a low wall, about 3 or 3½ feet high, with a view to prevent accidents to the sentinels at night, which are otherwise likely to occur. The Dessave must see whether this has been done, as it is not likely that I would go there again, because I intend returning to Colombo by another route.
[55]. Great attention should be paid to the provisions and ammunition. The order of His Excellency van Mydregt was given as a wise precaution, but has proved impracticable after many years of experience, as His Excellency himself was also aware, especially with regard to grain and rice, on account of the variable crops to which we are subject here. However, the plan must be carried out as far as possible in this Commandement, with the understanding that no extraordinary prices are paid for the purchase of rice; while, on the other hand, care must be taken that the grain does not spoil by being kept too long; because we do not know of any kind of rice except that from Coromandel which can be kept even for one year. At present rice and nely are easily obtained, and therefore I do not consider it necessary that the people of Jaffnapatam should be obliged to deliver their rice at half per cent. less to the Company. The ten kegs of meat and ten kegs of bacon must be sent to Colombo by the first opportunity, to be disposed of there, if it is not spoilt (which is very much to be feared). In case it is unfit for use the loss will be charged to the account of this Commandement, although it has to be borne by the Company all the same. Greater discrimination should be exercised in future to prevent such occurrences, and I think it would be well in emergencies to follow the advice of the late Mr. Paviljoen, viz., to capture 1,000 or 1,200 cattle around the fort and drive them inside it, while dry burs, &c., may also be collected to feed them. The arrack must never be accepted until it has been proved to be good. In Batavia it is tested by burning it in a silver bowl, and the same ought to be done here, it being tested by two Commissioners and the dispenser. In future bad arrack will be charged to the account of the person who accepted it. The acceptance of inferior goods proves great negligence, to say the least, and Your Honours are recommended to see that these orders are observed. It is a satisfaction to know that there is a sufficient stock of ammunition. An attempt must be made to repair the old muskets, and those which are unfit for use must be sent to Colombo. Pitch and tar will be sent. The storing away of fuel is a praiseworthy precaution; but on my arrival I found only very little kept here, and the space for the greater part empty.
[56]. The military and the garrison are proportionately as strong here as in other places, the want of men being a general complaint. However, in order to meet this defect in some way, 34 of the military men who came here with me are to remain, and also the three men whom I left at Manaar and appointed to that station. I therefore do not think it necessary to employ any more oepasses,[7] especially as we intend to reduce the number of these people in Colombo to a great extent, so that if they are really required, which I cannot see yet, some of them might be sent here. At present we have nothing to fear from the Sinhalese. We are on good terms with them, and it would be inexcusable to employ any new men whose maintenance would be a heavy expenditure. Strict discipline and continual military drill are very important points, specially recommended to the attention of the Dessave.
[57]. Public Works.—Care must be taken that no more native artisans are employed than is necessary, as this means a considerable daily expenditure. The various recommendations on this subject must be observed. The four old and decayed Portuguese houses, which I found to be in a bad condition, must be rebuilt when circumstances permit, and may then serve as dwellings for the clergy and other qualified officers,[8] but orders from Batavia must be awaited. Meantime I authorize Your Honours to have the armoury rebuilt, as this is indispensable.
[58]. I agree with the recommendations with regard to the horse stables, and also think that they could very well be supervised by the Chief, and that it is undesirable for private overseers to be employed for this purpose. The stable outside the fort has been brought into readiness, and it may now be considered for what purpose the stable in the Castle could be utilized.
[59]. It is well that the floor of the hospital has been raised, but the floor of the back gallery is also too low, so that it is always wet whenever it rains, the water both rising from the ground and coming down from the roof, which has been built too flat. It is also necessary that a door be made in the ante-room and the entrance of the gallery, in order to shut out the cold north winds, which are very strong here and cause great discomfort to the patients. I also think that the half walls between the rooms should be raised by a half stone wall up to the roof, because it is too cold as it is at present for such people. These and other improvements are also recommended to the attention of the Dessave.
[60]. It is always the case with the Company’s slaves, to ask for higher pay as soon as they learn a trade. I cannot countenance this on my part, because I consider that they already receive the highest pay allowed for a slave. They deserve no more than others who have to do the heaviest and dirtiest work. These also if put to the test would do higher work, as experience has proved. It is true that the number here is small, but I think the rules should be the same in all places. As there are, however, some slaves in Colombo also who receive higher pay, the wages of the man who draws 6 fanams might be raised to 8, 4 to 6, and 3 to 5 fanams, on the understanding that no increase will be given hereafter. The emancipation of slaves and the intermarrying with free people has also been practised and tolerated in Ceylon, but whatever may be the pretext, I think it is always to the prejudice of the Company in the case of male slaves. In the case of women without children the matter is not quite so important, and I would consent to it in the present case of the woman whom a native proposes to marry, provided she has no children and is willing to place a strong and healthy substitute. Until further orders no more slaves are to be emancipated or allowed to intermarry with free people. Those who are no longer able to work must be excused, but those who have been receiving higher pay because they know some trade will, in that case, receive no more than ordinary slaves. It is not wise to emancipate slaves because they are old, as it might have undesirable consequences, while also they might in that case very soon have to be maintained by the Deaconate.
[61]. It is in compliance with our orders that close regard should be paid to all that passes at Manaar. This has been confirmed again by our letter of June 1, especially with a view to collect the duty from the vessels carrying cloth, areca-nut, &c., as was always done by the Portuguese, and formerly also by the Company during the time of the free trade. Further orders with regard to this matter must be awaited from Batavia. Meantime our provisional orders must be observed, and in case these are approved, it will have to be considered whether it would not be better to lease the Customs duty. Personally I think that this would be decidedly more profitable to the Company.
[62]. With regard to the ill-fated elephants, I have to seriously recommend better supervision. It is unaccountable how so many of these animals should die in the stables. Out of three or four animals sent to Jaffnapatam in 1685, and once even out of ten animals sent, only one reached the Castle alive. If such be the case, what use is it to the Company for efforts to be made for the delivery of a large number of elephants? Moreover, experience proves that this need not be looked upon as inevitable, because out of more than 100 elephants kept in the lands of Matura hardly two or three died in a whole year, while two parties of 63 animals each had been transported for more than 120 miles by land and reached their destination quite fresh and well, although there were among these six old and decrepit and thirteen baby elephants, some only 3 cubits high and rather delicate. It is true, as has been said, that the former animals had been captured with nooses, which would tire and harm them more than if they were caught in kraals, but even then they make every effort to regain their liberty, and, moreover, the kraals were in use here also formerly, and even then a large number of the animals died. These are only vain excuses, for I have been assured by the Lieutenant Claas Isaacsz and others who have often assisted in the capture of elephants, both with nooses and in kraals, that these animals (which are very delicate and must be carefully tended, as they cannot be without food for 24 hours) were absolutely neglected both in the stables at Manaar and on the way. An animal of 5 or 6 cubits high is fed and attended there by only one cooly, while each animal requires at least three coolies. They are only fed on grass, if it is to be had, and at most 10, 12, or 15 olas or coconut leaves, whereas they require at least 50 or 60, and it is very likely that those that are being transported get still less, while the journey itself also does them a great deal of harm. How little regard is paid to these matters I have seen myself in the lands of Mantotte and elsewhere, and the Chief of Manaar, Willem de Ridder, when questioned about it, had to admit that none of the keepers or those who transported the animals, who are usually intemperate and inexperienced toepas soldiers or Lascoreens, had ever been questioned or even suspected in this matter. This is neglect of the Company’s interests, and in future only trustworthy persons should be employed, and fines or corporal punishment ordered in case of failure, as the death of such a large number of elephants causes considerable loss to the Company. I think it would be best if the Chief of Manaar were held mostly responsible for the supervision and after him the Adigar of Mantotte. They must see that the animals are fed properly when kept in the stalls during the rainy season; and these animals must always have more than they eat, as they tread upon and waste part of it. During the dry season the animals must be distributed over the different villages in the Island, some also being sent to Carsel. Care must be taken that besides the cornak[9] there are employed three parrias[10] for each animal to provide its food, instead of one only as at present, and besides the Chief and the Adigar a trustworthy man should be appointed, either a Dutch sergeant or corporal or a reliable native, to supervise the stalls. His duty will be to improve the stables, and see that they are kept clean, and that the animals are properly fed. The tank of Manaar, which is shallow and often polluted by buffaloes, must be cleaned, deepened, and surrounded with a fence, and in future only used for the elephants. The Adigar must supervise the transport of the elephants from Mantotte and Manaar to the Castle, and he must be given for his assistance all such men as he applies for. At the boundary of the district of Mantotte he must give over his charge to the Adigar of Pringaly, and the latter transporting them to the boundary of Ponneryn must give them over to the Adigar of Ponneryn, and he again at the Passes to the Ensign there, who will transport them to the Castle. Experience will prove that in this way nearly all the animals will arrive in good condition. The Dessave de Bitter is to see that these orders are carried out, and he may suggest any improvements he could think of, which will receive our consideration. This is all I have to say on the subject. It seems that the Castle, &c., are mostly kept up on account of the elephants, and therefore the sale of these animals must counterbalance the expenditure.