An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 438 pages of information about An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies.

An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 438 pages of information about An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies.

[How the Rebellion began.] The time appointed to put their design in action was the one and twentieth of December 1664. about Twelve in the night.  And having gotten a select company of men, how many well I know not, but as is supposed, not above two hundred, neither needed they many here, having so many Confederates in the Court; in the dead of the night they came marching into the City.  The Watch was thought to be of their confedracy:  but if he were not, it was not in his power to resist them.  Howbeit afterwards, whether he were not, he was executed for it.  The said men, being thus in the City, hastened and came down to the Court; and fell upon the great men, which then laid without the Palace upon Watch:  since which by the Kings order they lye allways within the Palace.  For they were well informed before who were for them and who not.  Many who before were not intrusted to know of their design, were killed and wounded; and those that could, seeing the slaughter of others, got in unto the King.  Who was walled about with a Clay-wall, thatched:  that was all his strength.  Yet these people feared to assault him, laying still until the morning.  At which time the [The King Flyes.] King made way to flee, fearing to stay in his Palace, endeavouring to get unto the mountains, and had not with him above fifty persons.  There were horses went with him, but the wayes were so bad, that he could not ride.  They were fain to drive an Elephant before him, to break the way through the Woods, that the King with his followers might pass.

[They pursue him faintly.] As he fled, they pursued him, but at a great distance, fearing to approach within shot of him.  For he wanted not for excellent good Fowling-pieces, which are made there.  So he got safe upon a Mountain, called Gauluda, some fifteen miles distant, where many of the Inhabitants, that were near, resorted to him.  Howbeit had the people of the Rebel-party been resolute, who were the major part (almost all the Land;) this Hill could not have secured him, but they might have driven him from thence; there being many ways by which they might have ascended.  There is not far from thence a high and peaked hill called Mondamounour, where there is but one way to get up, and that very steep, at the top are great stones hanging in chains to let fall when need requireth.  Had he fled hither, there had been no way to come at him.  But he never will adventure to go, where he may be stopped in.

[They go to the Prince and Proclaim him King.] The People having thus driven away the old King, marched away to the City of Cande, and proclaimed the Prince, King:  giving out to us English who were there, that what they had done they had not done rashly, but upon good Consideration, and with good advice; the King by his evil Government having occasioned it, who went about to destroy both them and their Countrey:  As in keeping Ambassadours, disanulling of Trade, detaining of all people that come upon his Land, and killing of his Subjects and their Children, and not suffering them to enjoy nor to see their Wives.  And all this was contrary to reason, and as, they were informed, to the Government of other Countries.

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An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.