none but what they catch when it rains. We came to a Resolution to spend
no more Time in search of _Bouro_, nor to wait for a Wind to carry us to
_Amboyna_, but to make the best of our way for the Straights of
_Bouton_, where if we arrived safe, we might get Provisions enough to
carry us to _Batavia_; pursuant to which Agreement we hall’d away S.W.
by S. for ’em, having a fresh Gale of Wind at East; but by 2 in the
Morning we fell in with a parcel of Islands to the Eastward of _Bouton_,
and had infallibly been ashore upon one of ’em, had not the Weather
cleared up at once. We made a Shift, and wore the Ships, then stood off
N. E. from the Land till Day-break, when we saw it trenting from S. by
E. to S. W. by S. about 6 Leagues distant, which made like a fine large
Bay, but as we stood in perceived an Opening, and that there were 2
Islands, with 3 lying thwart the Out-let to the Southward of both. We
hoisted out our Pinnace, and sent her ashore, the _Dutchess_ did the
same; from whence they brought off some Cocoa Nuts, which were very
plentiful here, and told us there were _Malayan_ Inhabitants, who seem’d
to be very friendly. We kept turning in with our Ships, and our Boats
sounding a-head, designing to anchor, if we could find any Ground, but
found none with 60 and 80 Fathom Line. We saw Land to the N.W. of us,
which we took to be the Island _Bouton_, being pretty high, and distant
8 or 10 Leagues. S. Lat. 05. 00. Long. 237. 51.
_May 26._ We could get no Anchor Ground all Yesterday Afternoon, tho’ we
run our Boltsprit almost ashore, and having the Current setting against
us, made it a tiresome Piece of work to fetch within the reach of the
Houses. At last some of the Inhabitants came off in a Canoe to our
Boats, as they were sounding a-head; they brought ’em aboard, and by
Signs we understood there was plenty of Provisions ashore. So I sent the
Pinnace and Yawl to see what they could meet with. In the mean time came
several Canoes full of _Malayans_, with Cocoa Nuts, Pumpkins, _Indian_
Corn, Fowls, _&c._ to truck with our People. Ashore they had Sheep and
Black Cattle in plenty. The Officers I sent were admitted into the
Presence of their King and Nobles, who were all bare-foot, and most
naked, save a Clout about their Posteriors; they seem’d to be very
courteous, and ready to supply us with what we wanted. We lay by and
drove till Morning (having little Wind) that we might be nearer the
other Ships, and resolve what to do. We found no Anchor-ground, but too
near the Shore, and the Current setting strong to the S. W. and driving
us out; which together with our having no Anchor-ground, if the Wind
should take us out of the Sea, made us desist to attempt any farther
here. We agreed to stand over for the Land to the Westward of us, the
Northermost part of which bore W. N. W. distant 9 Leagues, and the
Westermost W. by S. 10 Leagues. The Inhabitants call’d the Eastermost of
these Islands _Vanseat_, the other next to it _Capota_, and the
Westermost _Cambaver_. S. Lat. 05. 13. Long. 238. 11. W.
_May 27._ We stood from these Islands to the Westward, and ran along
Shore as near as we durst, to weather the Westermost Point of Land,
where we expected to find a Harbour, but as we near’d it, found a long
Tract of High Land, trending to the Southward, as far as S.W. by S.
[Sidenote: _At the Island of Bouton._]
We agreed in Opinion that ’twas the Island _Bouton_, but that we had
over-shot the Straights. We made Sail to see if we could discover any
Land further to the Southward; but finding none, we jogg’d on, keeping
the Wind as near as possible, because of the Current, which sets strong
to the S.W. By 2 a Clock in the Morning we were hors’d near a small
Island, that bore S. S. W. of us about 2 Leagues; but having clear
Weather, we stood from it till Day-break, there being no other Land near
it that we saw, except that we came from, which we had open’d 5 Points
farther to the Westward. I was unwilling to act any farther without the
Consent of the Committee; so the major part of us met aboard the
_Dutchess_, where we agreed to stand back and make the Land plain, so as
to be fully satisfied what it was, and withal to find a Recruit of Water
and Wood before we proceed any farther, being in want of every thing. S.
Lat. 05. 50. Long. W. from _London_, 238. 38.
_May 28._ According to Agreement we stood back, and having a fresh
Breeze of Wind at East, came up with the Land, which trended from N. E.
by E. to N. We stood away with the Northermost, and by 6 a Clock brought
it to bear E. by N. distant about 2 Leagues, having open’d Land farther
to the Northward, which made like a Bay, and trimming to the Westward as
far as W. N. W. distant about 10 Leagues. We made little or no Sail all
Night, because the _Batchelor_ and _Marquiss_ were a-stern, and we were
not willing to run too far in with the Land in the Night. In the Morning
’twas calm, and being clear Weather, we made all the Land very plain
from W. S. W. to the E. S. E. making high double Land, with Islands
under it. Most of it look’d as if it was inhabited, being pretty thick
of Wood, and promised fair for other Refreshments, but we could find no
Anchor-ground hitherto.
_May 29._ A Breeze sprung up, and we ran farther in, keeping nearest the
Southern Shore, where we open’d a sandy Spit, off which we could
perceive blue Water like Shold-ground running a-cross the Bay near half
a League. A little to the Westward of this we got Ground in betwixt 30
and 40 Fathom Water, with good gradual Soundings, where we let go our
Anchor. The _Dutchess_ and the rest standing over to the other side of
the Bay, could meet with no Ground, so they came back, and anchored by
us. S. Lat. 05. 41. Long. 238. 34. W. from _London_. A little before
this, our Boat we had sent returned from the Shore, having by Presents
engag’d a Canoe with some _Malayans_ to come aboard with them, but for
want of a _Linguist_ we were little the better. I sent to the
_Batchelor_, who had one, but Capt. _Dover_ refus’d to let him come to
me, altho’ he had no use for him; then I sent a second time, that I
might know the best anchoring Place for our Ships, and treated the
People (who were impatient to be gone) with Sweet-meats and other things
they fancy’d, but could not keep ’em, or send them aboard the
_Batchelor_ to secure her, seeing white Shole Water near us. But they
pass’d by us in danger of running on the Sholes, not knowing the best
anchoring Place, for want of the Linguist I so earnestly desir’d, to
understand the _Malayans_ that had now left us. At parting they made
Signs, and pointed to the Land to the Northward, which they call’d
_Booloo_. Our Pilot, Capt. _Dampier_, says he has been formerly thro’
the Streights, and in his Book tells us of a Town near the South part of
’em, where the King resided, but he knew nothing of it now, except the
bare Story. Upon this we agreed to send one of the Pinnaces along with
him and the Linguist to find out the Town, being willing to venture him
to wait on his Majesty the King of _Bouton_ to solicit for a Supply of
Provisions, which we would gladly pay for; and to make the better
Appearance, we sent Mr. _Vanbrugh_ and Mr. _Connely_ along with him. The
Water flows here above 15 Foot; there are Places near to the Town which
lie to the Northward about 6 Leagues, from whence we rode where a Ship
might, on Occasion, be laid a-shoar to refit; and we should have carry’d
the _Duke_ there to stop her Leak, but were not willing to loose Time,
since we found it did not encrease more than one Pump could vent, which
we had Men enough to keep continually going.
The King of _Bouton_ has several Galleys built after a peculiar Form,
and other small Imbarkations, on which, they say, he can imbark eight
Thousand Men on any Expedition; our People that were upon the Island
tell me, all their Towns are built on Precipices, and hard to get at,
and that the Chief City was built on the Top of a Hill, to which there
was only one Passage very steep. We found a watering Place from a Spring
out of the Rocks, but difficult to fill out of, because of its Ebbing
and Flowing here, almost 3 Fathom, which dries the Rock near the Shoar.
[Sidenote: _At Anchor at the Island of Bouton._]
_May 30._ This Morning a Messenger came from the King, with a Letter
from our Officers that went to wait upon him, who were receiv’d very
courteously, and promis’d a Supply of Provisions, in Case we could come
to an Agreement. We show’d the Gentlemen Samples of what we had to
dispose of, which they seem’d very well pleas’d with, and having made
’em a Present of some odd Things, and entertain’d ’em as well as we
could, we dispatch’d ’em with a Letter of Directions to our Officers
what to do, and at their going off saluted ’em with 5 Guns and 3 Huzza’s
from each Ship. We made a Present to the King of a Bishop’s Cap, being
of little or no Value to us, but what he highly esteem’d and gratefully
accepted of. The Inhabitants began to come off fast enough with _Indian_
Corn, Cocoa-Nutts, Pumpkins, Fowles, _&c._ to truck with our People, but
they were very dear, compar’d with the other Islands we had been at.
_June 1._ We supply’d our selves indifferent well with Wood and Water,
and our Pinnace return’d from the Town, with a mysterious Account of
their Proceedings, and presently after Captain _Dampier_ came with a
small Quantity of Provisions, as a Present to the Commanders, having
left our other two Officers to dispatch away what they could agree for.
_June 2._ This Morning there came 3 or 4 of the better Sort from the
Town, with a _Portuguese_ Linguist that belong’d to _Batavia_, under
Pretence of looking upon Goods, and carrying Samples of ’em to their
King, but by their Trifling, we are afraid we shall get nothing of ’em
at last. We made much of the _Portuguese_, and gave him a small Present,
hoping he would influence the People to dispatch our Business. We sent
the _Dutchess_ Pinnace with a Letter to our Officers, to hurry away as
fast as possible with what Provisions they had got, and to agree if they
could with the _Portuguese_ Linguist for a Pilot, if they should give
him 10 or 20 Dollars or more for a Present.
_June 3_ and _4_. Our Ships have done Watering and Wooding, and the
Country People have brought off much Provisions: so we conclude we are
pretty well supplied for a Fortnight or Three Weeks; which, with what we
had before, may carry us to _Batavia_, without any further Recruit from
the Town; so that if we had our Boat and Men, it would be much more for
our Interest to be gone, than to lie here, and spend time to no Purpose.
An Officer aboard our Ship, and other Officers and Men aboard Capt.
_Courtney_, began to be mutinous, and form a Conspiracy against us; but
we prevented it, by chastising their Leaders, whom we put in Irons, on
board different Ships, to break the Knot, which might otherwise have
ruin’d the Voyage.
_June 5._ The _Dutchess’s_ Pinnace return’d with Mr. _Connely_, who
acquainted us with the dilatory Proceedings of the King of _Bouton_, who
having got a Quantity of Provisions together, would have oblig’d us to
take it at an extravagant Price, and detain’d Mr. _Vanbrugh_, till such
time as the Money was paid. In the Morning, there came some of his
Nobility, with about 4 Last of Rice, which (for Dispatch-sake) we
immediately agreed for, and a Cask of Rack, and after we had entertain’d
’em as well as Time and Place would afford, we sent ’em off in our
Pinnance. This Morning, the _Portugueze_ Linguist came with some
Provisions of his own, to sell, without any News from our People, which
made us suspect they had some ill Design upon us, therefore we design’d
to keep him till the Boat return’d, but he got out of the Ship, before
we were aware, (he being jealous by his cold Reception, that we were
uneasy) and rowed away as fast as possible. I sent the Yawl after him,
which overtaking his Canoe, the Men all jumpt over board, but the
_Dutchess’s_ Pinnace took ’em up, and our Boat brought the _Portugueze_
Linguist aboard us, where seeing he was likely to be confin’d, he sent
the Boat with the Men up to the Town, to desire our People might be
dismiss’d as soon as possible.
_June 7._ This Morning our Pinnace return’d with Mr. _Vanbrugh_, and all
our Men, having parted very friendly with his Majesty, but could not get
a Pilot for Money; however we resolv’d to stay no longer, and to trust
wholly to Almighty Providence for our future Preservation. We dismiss’d
the _Portugueze_ Linguist, and began to unmoor our Ships.
We weigh’d on the 8th, about 4 in the Afternoon, and by six a Clock the
Westermost Land in sight bore W. N. W. 9 Leagues, and the Southermost
S.W. by S. distant 5 Leagues.
Bouton _Describ’d_.
[Sidenote: _Sailing from Bouton to Batavia._]
The Island of _Bouton_ is in Lat. 05. 20. S. and near about 30 Leagues
long; the King, they say, can raise fifty Thousand Men, and has all the
adjacent Islands under him; they boast of not valuing the _Dutch_, but I
am satisfied, their Poverty is their greatest Security; they speak the
_Malayan_ Language, which is universal amongst all the Islands of
_India_. They are a well-set People, of a middle Stature, or rather
small, of a dark Olive Colour, with the most indifferent Features of any
People, that ever I saw; they profess the _Mahometan_ Religion, but know
little of it, save Bathing; a few other Ceremonies, as Forbearance of
Hogs Flesh, keeping many Wives, _&c._ Here were several _Mahometan_
Missionaries that came from _Arabia_ and _Persia_ to propagate their
Doctrine; the _Dutch_ have no Settlement here, but trade for Slaves and
a little Gold, the Climate being near the same with the _Dutch_ Spice
Islands, I admire, they don’t raise Quantities of Spice, but no Sort of
it grows here, save a few Nutmegs.
_June 9._ In the Morning we made Land, from S. W. to N. W. by W. distant
about 8 Leagues, which we took to be the Islands of _Zalayer_ [Salayer],
S. Lat. 5. 45. Long. W from _Lond._ 240°. 21´´. We likewise saw a Sail
to Windward of us, and taking it to be a _Dutch_ Vessel, we hall’d
nearer the Wind, till 8 a Clock, then the _Dutchess_ and we made Sail at
once, to speak with her, but the Wind abating soon after, and she making
the best of her Way from us, we mann’d our Pinnace, and sent it after
her. We made 3 Islands to the Northward of _Zalayer_, and the Looming of
other Land to the Westward of all, which we took to be the Southermost
part of _Celebes_.
_June 10._ Our Pinnaces came up with this small Vessel, who told them
they were bound for _Macassar_, a _Dutch_ Factory on the South Part of
_Celebes_: The Pinnace took the Master of her aboard, (being a
_Malayan_) who promis’d to pilot us not only through the Streights of
_Zalayer_, but to _Batavia_, if we would keep it secret, for fear of the
_Dutch_. He sent his Vessel to lie in the narrow Passage, between the
Islands, till such Time as our Ships came up. About 4 a Clock we enter’d
the Streight, and came betwixt the Islands that are next to _Zalayer_.
And another little one to the Northward of that being the middlemost of
the three; where we found a good Passage, 3 Leagues over, all deep
Water, steering through N. W. by W. to give the Larboard Islands a good
Birth; then we made the Southermost Part of _Celebes_.
_June 11._ The Pilot promis’d to carry us thro’ the Channel the great
_Dutch_ Ships generally went for _Batavia_, and by that Means avoid the
Shoals call’d the _Brill_ and _Bunker_ Ground; the _Brill_ has very
uneven Soundings, and in many Places but 3 Fathom Water and less, so we
hall’d away to the Northward, keeping the Islands _Celebes_ aboard, the
S. W. Part of which trents away in low Land, with high Mountains at the
back of it; and off the Point their lies a Rock pretty high and
remarkable; at 4 a Clock we came into Soundings, and had 10 Fathom the
first Cast; the Rock off the S. W. Point bore then N. distant about 6
Leagues, and we had an Island a head of us, from N. W. by W. to N. N. W.
being low and level, about 3 Leagues long, and near the same Distance
from the main as we enter’d betwixt ’em, it grew narrower. We stem’d
with the North Part of the Island, till we came within a League and half
of it, then steer’d North a little to weather a Spit of Sand, lying off
the Island, by which Means we open’d 3 small Keys; after we were clear
of the Shoal, we hall’d up N.W. about 7, and came to an Anchor under the
Island, behind the Spit of Sand, in 10 Fathom Water, very good clean
Ground. The Rock of _Celebes_ then bore N. E. by N. 4 Leagues; the
Northermost of the Keys, W. 2 Leagues; and the middlemost W. S. W. 3
Leagues: The other being shut in with the long Island. We kept the Lead
going all the way constantly through, and had never less than 6 Fathom,
nor more than 10. As soon as it was Day we weigh’d, and went betwixt the
two small Keys, keeping nearest the Northernmost, sounding all the Way,
and had no more than 10 Fathom. The Water still deepning, being clear of
them, we hall’d away West, and then S. W. having a fresh Gale of Wind at
S. E. and S. E. by E. no Land in sight at Noon but Part of the high Land
of _Celebes_, which bore East, distant about 12 Leagues. It is well for
us, that we met with this Pilot, for having no good Charts, nor any one
acquainted with those Seas, we had run greater Hazards.
_June 13._ We made Land a second time, which bore S. W. by W. distant 6
Leagues.
_June 14._ We ran by the Island _Madura_, which is about 40 Leagues
long, lying East and West, on the N. Side of _Java_, the Land we made in
the Morning, being the N. E. part of it, which agreeing with the Pilot’s
Knowledge made us the more certain.
[Sidenote: _Sailing from Bouton towards Batavia._]
_June 15_. In the Morning we fell in with the Coast of _Java_, near the
high Land of _Japara_, which bore W. by S. distant about 5 Leagues. We
had Soundings betwixt 10 and 20 Fathom good easy Ground, and saw
abundance of Fishing-boats, but all kept at a Distance. We got our Guns
out of the Hold, and scal’d them, in order to be in a Readiness against
we come to _Batavia_, where in all Probability we shall get in 2 or 3
Days more, it being not above 90 Leagues from this Place: By Noon we
brought the Land of _Japara_ to bear S. by E. distant 4 Leagues, having
open’d a large deep Bay, with other high Land, further to the Westward,
which bore W. N. W. distant 9 Leagues, Lat. 6°. 19´´. S. Long. 248°.
47´´. W. from _London_.
_June 16._ We made a small high Hummock to the Westward of the high Land
we set yesterday Noon, which, at 6 a Clock bore W. by S. distant 5
Leagues. We hall’d off N. W. by W. and W. N. W. and in the Morning made
the Islands of _Caraman Java_ [Crimon Java], which bore N. E. by N.
distant 3 Leagues, as also a ragged Island to the Eastward of it,
bearing E. N. E. 5 Leagues, and 5 small Keys to the Westward, which are
all call’d _Caraman Java_ [Crimon Java]. We had Soundings most part of
this 24 Hours, betwixt 20 and 30 Fathom ouzy Ground. Lat. 6. 7. S. Long.
250. 14. W. from _London_.
_June 17._ We made the high Land of _Cheribon_, which bore S. W. In the
Morning we saw a great Ship right a head, and being very eager to hear
News, I sent our Pinnace aboard to know what she was. She prov’d a
_Dutch_ Ship, about 600 Tuns, and 50 Guns, belonging to _Batavia_, and
was plying to some of the _Dutch_ Factories for Timber. They told us of
Prince _George’s_ Death, which we heard of in the _South Seas_, but gave
no Credit to it then; That the Wars continued in _Europe_; and that we
had good Success in _Flanders_, and but little else where. They likewise
told us, that ’twas about 30 _Dutch_ Leagues from hence to Batavia; but
no Danger. We borrowed a large Draft, which was very useful to us, and
left ’em at Anchor. Towards Noon we made the Land, being very low, but
had gradual Soundings, by which we was satisfied in the Night how to
sail by the Sand.
_June 20._ In the Afternoon we saw the Ships in the Road of _Batavia_,
betwixt 30 and 40 Sail, great and small, and got happily to Anchor just
after Sun set, betwixt 6 and 7 Fathom Water, at the long desired Port of
_Batavia_. Lat. 6. 10 S. Long. 252. 51. W. from _London_. By our
Reckoning here, we alter’d our Account of Time, having, as customary,
lost almost one Day in running West so far round the Globe.
_June 22._ We waited on his Excellency the Governour-General, whom we
acquainted with the Necessity we lay under to refit our Ships. He was
pleased to see and approve of our Commissions, as Private Men of War,
and promis’d he would meet the Council, and soon resolve us how far he
could afford such Assistance as we desired.
_June 30._ I am still very weak and thin, but I hope to get Time and
Leisure to recover my Health. During these 10 Days, I was not able to go
much on board, and whenever I went, found, that till then I was a
Stranger to the Humours of our Ship’s Company. Some of them were hugging
each other, others blessing themselves that they were come to such a
glorious Place for Punch, where they could have Arack for 8 Pence _per_
Gallon, and Sugar for 1 Peny a Pound; others quarrelling who should make
the next Bowl, for now the Labour was worth more than the Liquor,
whereas a few Weeks past, a Bowl of Punch to them was worth half the
Voyage. 8 Days ago the Doctor cut a large Musket Shot out of my Mouth,
which had been there near 6 Months, ever since I was first wounded; we
reckon’d it a Piece of my Jaw-bone, the upper and lower Jaw being much
broken, and almost closed together, so that the Doctor had much ado to
come at the Shot, to get it out. I had also several Pieces of my Foot
and Heel-bone taken out, but God be thanked, am now in a fair way to
have the Use of my Foot, and to recover my Health. The Hole the Shot
made in my Face is now scarce discernable. I propos’d the calling of a
Committee to regulate our Affairs, wherein we agreed as follows.
At a Committee, held on board the _Batchelor_ Frigat, _June 30. 1710._
in the Road of _Batavia_.
Impr. _It is agreed to pack and repack all Goods that appear
damag’d, and to let other Bails, that are not, nor have not been
apparently damag’d, to be only new cover’d with Wax cloth, or
Tarpawlins, if necessary, in every Ship, and that Mr._ Vanbrugh
_and Mr._ Goodall _be at every Place, and the rest of the Agents be
accountable to ’em, and they to leave a Duplicate of the whole with
the other two, and be always ready to give an Account to a general
Committee._
[Sidenote: _Transactions in Batavia Road._]
2dly, _That Capt._ Courtney _do provide the Ships with all manner
of Necessaries, as fast an wanting; and as soon as Captain_ Rogers
_is in Health, that he assist in it, and that every one give a List
to ’em of what they want from time to time; that Mr._ Charles Pope
_do continue a-shore, and send off Provisions for all the Ships,
and keep a Book of the whole. Let every Ship take their daily turn
to divide the Meat, and send it off as early as possible, in a
Country Boat, and as near at he can no more nor less than_ 350 lb
_weight; every other Day, or as often as he can conveniently. Let
him send off Greens, Carrots, Eggs, or any other small Refreshment,
more than the common Allowance, to be equally divided with the
Meat._
3dly, _That a suitable Quantity of Rack and Sugar be sent aboard
each Ship, to give a Quart a Mess to the Ships Companies, but
whilst on the careen, the Allowance may be enlarg’d as the
commanding Officers think convenient._
4thly, _If any thing not included is necessary to the Dispatch and
Out-set of our Ships, considering the Trouble and Loss of Time, to
meet in a whole Committee, we to prevent dilatory Proceedings,
unanimously leave such things to Capt._ Thomas Dover, _Capt._
Woodes Rogers, _Capt._ Stephen Courtney, _and Capt._ Edward Cooke,
_who are to agree on a Time and Place to meet, and have the same
Power in this Affair as a whole Committee. That if any thing
required such Dispatch that the four cannot be present at a time,
then any three of them together, agreeing and signing what they
have done for the Satisfaction of the rest shall be sufficient; but
otherwise we desire them to act in conjunction._
5thly, _We agree to continue Mr._ Carleton Vanbrugh _Agent of the_
Duke. _Mr._ James Goodall _Agent of the_ Dutchess, _to make Mr._
John Viger _Agent of the_ Batchelor, _and Mr._ Joseph Parker _Agent
of the_ Marquiss, _to keep a strict Account of what they can in
each Ship, and to preserve and take Care of the general Interest,
to the utmost of their Power._
6thly, _We likewise agree to divide the Plunder on board the_
Batchelor, _and in order thereto, we appoint Capt._ William
Dampier, _and Mr._ Thomas Glendall, _to be Judges what ought to be
divided as Plunder, who are to govern themselves as near as
possible by our Resolutions, in a Committee of the 9th of_ July,
1709. _And in order to dispatch Matters quietly without loss of
time, we appoint Mr._ John Ballett, _Mr._ Lancelot Appleby, _Mr._
Alexander Selkirk, _and Mr._ Joseph Smith, _to act for the
Officers, in apprising and dividing the said Plunder, and we allow
the Sailors to agree on a Man from each Ship, who is to act in
conjunction with them, and in the whole to promote the general Good
with the utmost Sincerity and Dispatch. We also appoint Mr._
Carleton Vanbrugh, _and Mr._ James Goodall _to be in the Place when
the Plunder is open’d or divided, and to receive what belongs to
the Cargo._
7thly, _It’s farther resolved for our general Safety that all
trading be prohibited by any of us with the Inhabitants of this
City of_ Batavia, _or this Island of_ Java, _or any part of_ India.
_And to the End that no Person may plead Ignorance, a Protest shall
be drawn up and published at the Mast of each Ship, prohibiting the
aforesaid Commerce, and protesting against all Damages arising
through the same, and the Person found guilty of it._