Letter sent to Eheyleypola Great Disave-2

C. O. 54/42
Copy

A letter written in order that God may grant prosperity and protection to Eheyleypola etc. Great Disave of Saparagamuwa and Pallegampaha Maha Adhikaram Nilame of Kandy.

The ola addressed to me has been received. I am much gratified with the proof of friendship you have shown towards me in sending several species of medicinal herbs found in the forest where Sripade is planted.

Moreover I am desirous not only of seeing those medicinal herbs, but of going myself to visit Sripade and there is a gentleman at Colombo who understands the good and bad qualities of plants, and is anxious to see the nature of their growth in the forests themselves. Therefore I request that you will inform me by writing, whether it is possible for such a journey to Sripade to take place whilst you are resident at Saparagamuwa.

Besdies, because it appeared in the ola that you are in want of some Lokari Birds and some Pattaya, I send here with a pair of Pattaya. Since at present there are no Lakori Birds in Colombo, I will endeavour to have them brought from a Foreign Country and then hereafter.

Written and sent at Colombo on the 22nd of March, 1812.

Thus John D’Oyly Chief Translator to Govt. and Great Disave of Colombo.

(Signed) J. D’Oyly.

The Gentleman here alluded to is a Mr Hooker, a most zealous person of Natural History, well known to Sir Joseph Banks, and whose arrival from England is shortly looked for.

It is hoped that this mention of him to the Disave (who has considerable influence with the King), may pave the way fr Mr. Hooker being permitted to explore Adam’s Peak and the Mountains connected with it, which is a great object of his ambition.