An historical relation of the island Ceylon, in the East-Indies together, with an account of the detaining in captivity the author and divers other Englishmen now living there, and of the authors miraculous escape : illustrated with figures, and a map of the island / by Robert Knox.

To the Right Worshipful Sir William Thomson Knight, Governor, Thomas Papillon Esquire, Deputy, and the 24 Committees of the Ho∣norable EAST-INDIA Company hereunder Specified, Viz.

• The Right Honorable George Earl of Berkley,
• The Right Honorable Iames Lord Chandois.
• Sir Matthew Andrews Knight,
• Sir Iohn Bancks Baronet,
• Sir Samuel Barnardiston Baronet,
• Mr. Christopher Boone,
• Iohn Bathurst Esquire,
• Sir Iosia Child Baronet,
• Mr. Thomas Canham,
• Collonel Iohn Clerk,
• Sir Iames Edwards Knight,
• Mr. Ioseph Herne,
• Richard Hutchinson Esquire,
• Iames Hublon Esquire,
• Sir Iohn Lethieullier Knight,
• Mr. Nathaniel Petton,
• Sir Iohn Moor Knight,
• Samuel Moyer Esquire,
• Mr. Iohn Morden,
• Mr. Iohn Paige,
• Edward Rudge Esquire,
• Daniel Sheldon Esquire,
• Mr. Ieremy Sambrook,
• Robert Thomson Esquire.

Right Worshipful,

SInce my return home to my Native Countrey of England, after a long and Disconsolate Captivity, my Friends and Acquaintance in our Converse together have been Inquisitive into the State of that Land in which I was Captivated; whose Curiosity I indeavour to satisfie. But my Relations and Accounts of Things in those Parts were so strange and uncouth, and so different from those in these Western Nations, and withal my Discourses seeming so Delightful and Acceptable unto them, they very frequently called upon me to write what I knew of that Island of Ceilon, and to digest it into a Discourse, and make it more Publick; unto which motion I was not much unwilling, partly that I might comply with the Desires and Councels of my Friends, and chiefly that I might Publish and Declare the great Mercy of God to me, and Commemorate before all Men my singu∣lar Deliverance out of that Strange and Pagan Land, which as often as I think of or mention, I cannot but admire and adore the goodness of God towards me, there being in it so many no∣table Footsteps of his signal Providence.

I had then by me several Papers, which during my Voyage homeward from Bantam at leisure times I writ concerning the King and the Countrey, and concerning the English there, and

of my Escape; which Papers I forthwith set my self to Peruse and draw into a Method, and to add what more might occur to my Thoughts of those Matters, which at length I have finished, contriving what I had to relate under four Heads. The first con∣cerning the Countrey and Products of it. The second concerning the King and his Government. The third concerning the Inhabi∣tants, and their Religion and Customs, and the last concerning our Surprize, Detainment and Escape; In all which I take leave to Declare, That I have writ nothing but either what I am assured of by my own personal Knowledge to be true, and wherein I have born a great and a sad share, or what I have received from the Inhabitants themselves of such things as are commonly known to be true among them. The Book being thus perfected, it re∣quired no long Meditation unto whom to present it, it could be to none but your selves (my Honoured Masters) by whose Wisdom and Success the East-Indian Parts of the World are now near as well known, as the Countries next adjacent to us. So that by your means, not only the Wealth, but the Knowledge of those Indies is brought home to us. Unto your Favour and Patronage there∣fore (Right Worshipful) I humbly presume to recommend these Papers and the Author of them, who rejoyceth at this opportunity to acknowledge the Favours you have already conferred on him, and to profess that next unto God, on you depend his Future Hopes and Expectations; being

Lond. 18th. March, 16••••/••••.

Right Worshipful,

Your most obliged and most humble and devoted Servant to be Commanded, Robert Knox.