yet being such a noble Settlement, and a Proof of the Industry of the
_Dutch_ in these Parts; I can’t omit giving the following Account of it.
The Town lies on the N. W. side of the Island of _Java_, Lat. 5°. 50´´.
S. The Time we were here it was not very healthy. The East and West
Winds blow all the Year along the Shore, besides the ordinary Land and
Sea Winds, which qualifie the Air, and makes it pleasant, otherwise it
would be excessive hot. Their Summer begins in _May_, with continual
Breezes from the East, and a very clear Sky till the latter End of
_October_, or Beginning of _November_, when the Winter begins with hard
Rains, which holds sometimes 3 or 4 Days without Intermission. In
_December_ the West Winds blow very violently, so that then there’s
little Trade on the Coast of _Java_. In _February_ ’tis changeable
Weather, with sudden Thunderstorms. In _March_ they begin to sow: _June_
is their pleasantest Month; in _September_ they gather in their Sugar
and Rice; and in _October_ they have Plenty of Fruit and Flowers, Plants
and Herbs of most Sorts: There’s a large fenny plain Country before the
City, but it’s well improv’d by the _Dutch_, and to the Eastward, ’tis
very full of Woods and Morasses. The City is four square, with a River
running through it, and fortified by a Stone Wall and 22 Bastions. About
10 Years past there was an Earthquake, which broke down part of the
Mountains, in the Country, and alter’d the Course of the River, so that
the Canals in and about _Batavia_, are not near so commodious as they
have been, nor the Entrance into the River so deep, and for want of a
strong Current of Water, to keep it open, they are forced to employ a
large Engine work’d with Horses, to preserve the Entrance of the River
navigable for small Vessels to come into the Canals of the City. It lies
on a Bay in and about which there are 17 or 18 Islands, which so break
off the Sea, that tho’ the Road is very large, yet it is safe. The Banks
of the Canals through the City are fac’d with Stone on both Sides, as
far as the Boom, which is shut up every Night, at 9 a Clock, and guarded
by Soldiers; there’s Channels cut out of the main River for smaller
Vessels, and every one that passes the Boom pays Custom. All the Streets
run in a streight Line, most of them being above 30 Foot broad, on each
side clear of the Canals, and pav’d next the Houses with Bricks. All the
Streets are very well built and inhabited, 15 of which have Canals, and
they reckon 56 Bridges on them, most of them made of Stone. The Country
Seats and Buildings round the City, are generally neat and well
contriv’d with handsom Gardens for Fruit and Flowers, and adorn’d with
Springs, Fountains, Statues, _&c._ The vast Quantity of Coco nut Trees,
every where afford delightful and profitable Groves. They have fine
Structures here, particularly the Cross Church, built of Stone, and the
inside very neat. There are 2 other Churches for the _Dutch_, and 2 for
the _Portugueze_ Protestants; who are a mixed Breed of People. There is
one Church also for the Protestant _Malayans_. The Town-house is built
of Brick, in a Square, about the Center of the City; ’tis two lofty
Stories high, and very finely built, where all Courts of Advice are
held, and all Matters relating to the Civil Government of the City are
determin’d, and the Senators and Directors of military Affairs meet.
There’s an inner Court inclos’d with a high Wall, and a double Row of
Stone Pillars, where the Officers of Justice live. Here are Hospitals,
Spin-houses, and Rasp-houses, the same as in _Amsterdam_, with all other
publick Buildings, equal to most Cities in _Europe_. The _Chinese_ have
also a large Hospital in this City for their Aged and Sick Persons, and
manage their Charity so well, that you never see a _Chinese_ look
despicable in the street. The _Dutch_ Women have greater Privileges in
_India_ than in _Holland_, or any where else; for on slight Occasions
they are often divorc’d from their Husbands, and share the Estate
betwixt them. A Lawyer told me at _Batavia_, he has known out of 58
Causes, all depending in the Council-Chamber, 52 of them were Divorces.
Great Numbers of the Natives, who are Criminals, and not executed after
Condemnation, are chain’d by Pairs, and kept at hard Labour under a
Guard, perpetually clearing the Canals and Moats round the City, or any
other Labour for the publick. Three Leagues West from the Town, is the
Island _Unrest_, where all the Company’s Ships are refitted. There are
great Magazines of Naval Stores, defended by Platforms of Guns; and the
Castle at _Batavia_ is Quadrangular, lies in a Level, and has 4 Bastions
and Courtins, fac’d with white Stones, and provided with Watch-houses.
In this Castle, or rather Citadel, the _Dutch_ Governour-General, and
most of the Members of the Council of _India_, with the other Officers
of _Batavia_, have their Residence. The Governour’s Pallace is of Brick,
large and well built. In this Pallace is the Council-Chamber, the
Secretary’s Office and Chamber of Accounts. The great Hall is hung with
bright Armour, Ensigns, Flags, _&c._ taken by the _Dutch_ here. The
Governour gives Audience to Strangers who are introduc’d to him by the
_Sabandar_, who is chief Custom-master. Here is also a Church within the
Castle, and an Armory with Apartments for all the Artificers belonging
to the Castle, which has 4 Gates, and all the Avenues well defended, the
whole being surrounded with Ditches and the Works well mounted with
Brass Cannon, as are the Bastions of the Town with Block-houses within
the Walls, so that they can fire upon Mutineers within, as well as upon
an Enemy without. The Out-works of the Town, of which there are several
every way at 4 Leagues Distance, are made of Earth, surrounded with
Ditches and Quick-set Hedges, which render them Arbours for Beauty, and
some of them fac’d with Brick. The Garrison on Duty is generally about
1000 strong, and all the Out-works are said to be furnish’d with a good
Stock of Provisions as well as the Castle; but the Soldiers are kept
much under, except the Governour’s Guards, who have large Privileges,
and make a fine Appearance. The Governour-General lives in as great
Splendor as a King; he has a Train and Guards, having a Troop of Horse,
and a Company of Foot, with Halberds, in Liveries of yellow Satin,
richly adorn’d with Silver Laces and Fringes, to attend his Coach when
he goes abroad. The Guards are as well equipp’d as most Princes in
_Europe_: His Lady has also her Guards and Train. He is chosen but for 3
Years, out of the 24 Counsellors call’d Rads of _India_, 12 of whom must
always reside in the City. The _Chinese_ have the greatest Trade here,
farm most of the Excise and Customs, live according to their own Laws
and idolatrous Worship, and have a Chief that manages their Affairs with
the Company, who allow them great Privileges, and particularly a
Representative in Council, who has a Vote when any _Chinese_ is tried
for Life: But these Privileges are allow’d only to such _Chinese_ as
inhabit here, for others are not admitted to stay above 6 Months in the
Town, or on the Island _Java_. The other Strangers, who inhabit here,
besides _Europeans_, are _Malayans_, with some People from most part of
_India_. The _Javanese_, or ancient Natives are numerous, and said to be
barbarous and proud, of a dark Colour, with flat Faces, thin short black
Hair, large Eye-brows and Cheeks. The Men are strong limb’d, but the
Women small; the former have a Wrapper of Callicoe, 3 or 4 times round
their Bodies, and the latter from their Arm-pits to their Knees. The Men
have 2 or 3 Wives besides Concubines, and the _Dutch_ say, they are much
addicted to lying and stealing: Those on the Coast are generally
_Mahometans_, but the others _Pagans_. The Women are not so tawny as the
Men, and many of them handsom, but in general amorous, and unfaithful to
their Husbands or others, being very apt to give Poison, which they do
very cunningly. It would be too tedious for me to describe all the
remarkable Things I saw at _Batavia_. In short, I was perfectly
surpriz’d, when I came hither, to see such a noble City, and _Europeans_
so well settled in the _Indies_. The Town is very populous, but not one
Sixth of them _Dutch_. The _Chineze_ here go all bare-headed, with their
Hair roul’d up, and long Gowns, carrying Fans in their Hands. The
_Dutch_ say they are more industrious and acute in Trade than
themselves. The Discipline and Order of the _Dutch_ here, both in Civil
and Military Affairs, is admirable. They have all Necessaries for
Building and Careening Ships, as well as in _Europe_, and their Officers
as regular as in her Majesty’s Yards; whereas we have nothing like it in
_India_. They keep the Natives very much in Awe, being perfectly
despotical in their Government over them, because they say the Natives
are naturally so treacherous that they are obliged to punish them
severely, for small Faults; but they are favourable to the _Chineze_,
because of the great Trade they have by their Means, and that they pay
great Rents for their Shops, besides large Taxes, and from 16 to 30 _per
Cent._ for Money, which they frequently borrow of the _Dutch_. I was
told, there are about 80000 on the Island, who pay the _Dutch_ a Dollar
a head, each Month, for Liberty to wear their Hair, which they are not
allow’d to do at home, since they were conquer’d by the _Tartars_. There
comes hither from _China_ 14 or 16 large Junks yearly, being flat
bottom’d Vessels, from 3 to 500 Tuns a-piece. The Merchants come along
with their Goods, which are lodg’d in different Partitions in the
Vessel, like Ware-houses, for which they pay a certain Price, and not
for the Weight or Measure of their Cargo, as we do; so that they fill
them with what they please. They come in with an Easterly Monsoon, and
generally arrive in _November_ or _December_, and return the Beginning
of _June_, so that the _Dutch_ have all _Chineze_ Commodities brought to
them cheaper than they can fetch them; and being conveniently situated
for the Spice Trade, they have all in their own Hands. _Batavia_ wants
no Commodities that _India_ affords. ’Tis Pity our _East India_ Company
has no Settlement to which the _Chineze_ might resort; which I presume
would turn to a much better Account than our going to _China_ does,
where our Traders are but indifferently us’d. ’Tis about 5 Years since
we quitted _Benjar_, in the Island of _Borneo_, which, by all the
Accounts I had here, might, if well improv’d, have been as serviceable
to our _East India_ Company as _Batavia_ is to the _Dutch_, who have
seldom less than 20 Sail of Ships at the Isle of _Java_, from 30 to 50
and 60 Guns each, with Men enough for them on all Occasions, so that
they might easily drive us out of most Parts, if not all _India_, should
we ever have an unfortunate War with them. Their Soldiers are very well
train’d, and there’s a Company always on Duty at every Gate of the City
and Citadel; and they have 7 or 8000 disciplin’d _Europeans_ in and
about the City, who can be ready for Action, at a very short Warning:
’Tis the Metropolis of their _Indian_ Settlements, and sends Governours
and Officers to all the rest: The late General, before we came hither,
had War with the _Indians_, which, I was inform’d, had like to have
spoil’d their Settlements; but at last, they divided the Natives amongst
themselves, brought them to a Peace on advantageous Conditions, and are
now pretty secure of the Sea-Coasts. There are many pleasant Seats about
the City, and the adjacent Country abounds with Rice, Sugar-Cane-fields,
Gardens and Orchards, Mills for Sugar, Corn, and Gun-powder; so that
this City is one of the pleasantest in the World. I don’t think it so
large as _Bristol_, but ’tis more populous: They have Schools for
_Latin_, _Greek_, _&c._ and a Printing House. They have lately begun to
plant Coffee here, which thrives very well, so that in a little time
they may be able to load a Ship or two; but I am told it is not so good
as that of _Arabia_.
_Octob._ 12. We, according to Order from our Owners to keep our Ships
full mann’d, if the War continued till our Return, ship’t here seventeen
Men, most of them _Dutch_; the _Dutchess_ and _Batchelor_ near the same
Number, so that we are all well mann’d; and tho’ we look’d upon our
Hardships to be over, several ran from us here that came out of
_England_ with us, being stragling Fellows that can’t leave their old
Trade of Deserting, tho’ now they have a good Sum due to each of them,
so that their Shares are by Contract due to those that continu’d.
_Octob._ 17. We got to the watering Place on the Main, within _Princes_
Island to _Java_ Head. The Chief of our Business here, was to get Water
and Wood for our Passage to the Cape of _Good Hope_, which we compleated
in 4 Days Time: But in the Interim a Misfortune befel us, which
occasion’d our Stay longer on Account of a Boat lent us by Capt. _Pike_,
Commander of the _Stringer_ Gally, who followed us hither from
_Batavia_, after a Servant of his who was brought away by Captain
_Dover_ in the _Batchelor_.
_Octob._ 23. The Boat was missing, but came back with all the Men safe,
and we return’d her to Captain _Pike_, who had his Servant, and took his
Leave of us.
We held the following Council just before we came to sail.
In a Committee on Board the _Duke_, _Octob._ 23. 1710. at _Java_
Head.
_It is agreed, that we make the best of our Way from hence to the
Cape of_ Good Hope _; and if through Misfortune any Ship should loose
or part Company, either by bad Weather or otherwise, they are to go
to the Cape of_ Good Hope, _and if they don’t find the other Ships,
to stay there 20 Days: But if within that Time the missing Ship or
Ships don’t appear, then to make their utmost Dispatch for the
Island St._ Hellena _; and if not there, to proceed thence according
to the Owners Orders for_ Great Britain _._
Signed by the Majority of our Council.
_Octob._ 24. At 4 in the Afternoon _Java_ Head bore N. E. by E. distant
10 or 12 Leagues, which being the last Sight we had of it, from that we
took our Departure.
_Octob._ 25. A fresh Gale of Wind at S. E. with fair Weather, but an
ugly swelling Sea. This Morning in Stowing our best Anchor, _Joseph
Long_, a Sailor, fell over Board, and being no Swimmer, before we could
get the Boat out to his Assistance, was lost.
Nothing remarkable happen’d till the 27th of _December_, but that my
Ship prov’d so leaky, that on the 31st of _October_ she had near 3 Foot
Water in the Hold, and our Pumps being choak’d, we were in such Danger,
that we made Signals, and fir’d Guns for our Consorts to come to our
Relief, but had just suck’d her as the _Dutchess_ came up. The 10th of
_October_, she sprung a new Leak, which we could not fully stop, tho’ we
us’d all our Endeavours, and at the same time I had been for the most
Part confin’d to my Cabbin by Illness, ever since I left _Batavia_. The
28th of _December_, Mr. _James Wase_ our chief Surgeon died, and we
buried him decently next Day, with our Naval Ceremonies as usual, being
a very honest useful Man, a good Surgeon, and bred up at _Leyden_, in
the Study of Physick as well as Surgery. We made Land the 15th of
_December_, came in with the Shoar the 18th, and had Soundings in 60 and
70 Fathom, the Ground grey Grett, with small Stones and Shells; had a
strong Southerly Current, S. Lat. 34. 2. Lon. W. from _London_ 334. 34.
[Sidenote: At the Cape of Good Hope.]
The 27th of _December_, we came up with Cape _Falso_, betwixt which and
the Cape of _Good Hope_, there’s a deep Bay, and about a 3d over from
the Cape, there’s a Shold which breaks for a good Distance, but plain
enough to be seen. By Noon we were a-breast of the Cape, and saw the
Table-Land S. Lat. 34. 14.
The 28th We had very hard Flaws of Wind off the High Land, till we came
within Sight of the _Lions Head_ and _Rump_, two Hills over the Cape
_Toun_. This Day we arriv’d in the Harbour of the Cape, saluted the
_Dutch_ Fort with 9 Guns, and were answer’d by 7. We anchor’d in 6
Fathom Water, about a Mile off Shoar, and found only one _English_ Ship,
call’d the _Donegal_, Capt. _Cliff_ Commander, homeward bound from
_Mocha_, and 2 _Middleburgers_ outward bound for _Batavia_ in the
Harbour, besides the Guard-Ship, and 2 or 3 Galliots.
The 29th. We moor’d our Ship, and got down our Yards and Topmasts to
guard against the hard Flaws of Wind off the Table-Land, which
frequently blow very fresh betwixt E. S. E. and S. E. We sent 16 sick
Men a-shoar. We spent till the 18th of _January_, 1710-11. in watering
and re-fiting, and then held the following Committee.
On the 18th the Committee met a-shoar, and agreed as follows.
* * * * *
_The Three Ships wanting several Necessaries and Provisions, we agree,
that Captain_ Rogers _and Captain_ Courtney _do bring 100 Weight of Plate
a-shoar from either_ Duke _or_ Dutchess _, and 60 Ounces of unwrought Gold,
with all the coined Gold or Silver that is in both Ships. We likewise
empower them, in Conjunction with Captains_ Dover _and_ Cook _, to purchase
what Necessaries are wanting for the Whole, and to sell what Goods are
fit to be dispos’d of here, if not too much to our Disadvantage, rather
than exchange more Gold or Silver. We also desir’d they would agree for
a Cable and Anchor, now wanting for the_ Duke _, in Place of her Sheet
Anchor and Cable, lately put aboard the_ Batchelor _for her Security._
Tho. Dover, _Pres._
Woodes Rogers,
Steph. Courtney,
Wm. Dampier,
Robert Fry,
John Connely,
Lan. Appleby.
On the 1st of _February_, I offer’d some Proposals in Writing to
Captains _Dover_ and _Courtney_, with the rest of the Committee, wherein
I told them ’twas my Opinion we should loose too much Time to stay for
the _Dutch_ Fleet, in order to have the Benefit of their Convoy to
_Holland_, which would not only be out of our Way, but very tedious and
chargeable; and we having large Quantities of decaying Goods on Board,
the Time we should loose by waiting for the _Dutch_, might be
advantagiously imploy’d in _Brazile_, where we could lie in very little
Danger of the Enemy, and vend them at great Rates, and thence get to
_Bristol_ through the _North_ Channel, having the Summer before us.
Continuing in the Lat. of 55 or 56 Degrees, 2 or 300 Leagues, before we
get the Length of the North of _Ireland_, and by that Means might avoid
the Track of the Enemy. I earnestly press’d, that if they could not
agree to this, one of our Privateers might take this Run alone, and the
other keep with the _Batchelor_ and _Dutch_ Fleet, but the Majority was
against any Thing, but going Home with the _Dutch_ Fleet altogether, so
that all I could do more was to remind them of examining the Goods
aboard the _Batchelor_, and to take out of her so much Goods in safe
Package, as would lie in the like Room of _European_ Goods on Board the
_Dutchess_, That if any Accident should happen to the _Batchelor_, we
might have Part of her Value in another Bottom. I desir’d, if any
amongst them were not of this Opinion, they would give their Reasons to
the contrary in Writing; but we could agree to nothing. So I was forced
to yield to the Majority of a Committee to go home with the _Dutch_
Fleet, and having a good Conveyance by two Ships to advise our Owners, I
wrote ’em a full Account of all our Transactions since we left _Grande_,
and other Matters relating to the Voyage. And also sent what we had
agreed in the Committee to our Owners, which was as follows.
Gentlemen,
[Sidenote: _At the Cape of Good Hope._]
_This is to acquaint you of our safe Arrival at the Cape of_ Good
Hope, _December, 29, 1710. with our Prize the_ Acapulco _Ship, call’d
_Nuestra Señora de’l Incarnation y Disengano _, commanded by Monsieur
_John Pechberty _, and now call’d by us the_ Batchelor _Frigat, mounted
with 20 Great Guns, and 20 Brass Pattereroes, and mann’d with 116
Men, a firm Ship, and each of our Ships are mann’d with 120 Men
each, in Company with 3_ English East-India _Ships, and do expect 3
Sail more every Day. The_ Dutch _Ships from_ Batavia _(which are 12
Sail of stout Ships) are expected here every Hour, and six Sail
more from_ Ceilon _, which Fleet we are resolved in Council to
accompany to_ Holland _, except we have an Account of Peace, or
happen to meet with an_ English _Convoy in crossing our Latitudes.
Our Ships are all fitted with every thing necessary, and only wait
for the Fleet, which we expect will sail by the last of_ March _.
Hoping God will so direct us, that we shall come with Speed and
Safety to yourselves, and the rest of our Friends, to whom we
render all due Respects, and remain,_ Gentlemen _,_
Your most humble and most obedient Servants,
Tho. Dover, _Pres_.
Woodes Rogers,
Steph. Courtney,
Edward Cook,
Wm. Dampier,
Robert Fry,
William Stretton,
Charles Pope,
Tho. Glendall,
John Connely,
John Ballett.
We being now likely to spend so much Time here, and the _Duke_ having
been very leaky all the way betwixt _Batavia_ and this Place, and
considering the long Passage we had to _England_, I moved to the Council
that we might go to _Sardinia_ Bay to careen. ’Twas debated some time
before betwixt me and Capt. _Courtney_ _pro_ and _con_; and to be
farther satisfy’d, on the 13_th_ Capts. _Cook_, _Fry_ and _Stretton_
were appointed to come aboard, and we had a Survey of Carpenters
concerning the Leak. After some Rummage, they agreed ’twould be very
dangerous to attempt any thing within-board, and no other way but
Careening would do, which Capt. _Dover_ and the Majority would not
consent to; so that we are forc’d to lie in as bad a condition as ever,
only now and then mitigate the Leak with a Bonnet,[152] which is of no
long continuance in the Harbour, much less when we come to Sea. This Day
about Noon the _Batavia_ Fleet came in, being 11 Sail. The Fort saluted
the Flag with 21 Guns, and all the _English_ Ships saluted likewise,
except mine, which being upon the Heel,[153] could not do it.
_Feb._ 26. Having been very weak, and kept my Chamber for several Days,
but now something better, I sent for most of my Officers ashore, that I
might be thoroughly satisfied what was wanting aboard, in order to go
home with the _Dutch_ Fleet; and being too weak, and made uncapable of
assisting to get any thing, I deliver’d in the said Account to Capts.
_Dover_, _Courtney_ and _Cooke_, with the rest of the Committee, that
we might not be hurried to Sea without Necessaries for Subsistance.
On the 27_th_ we made a Rummage for Bale Goods to dispose of ashore,
having Leave of the Governour, and provided a Store-house, where Capt.
_Courtney_, with the Owners Agent took their turns weekly during the
Sale of them.
Nothing remarkable happen’d till the 3_d_ of _April_, but that on the
13_th_ of _March_ 4 _Dutch_ Ships came in from _Ceylon_, 3 of them
having lost their Main Masts, and being otherwise much damaged by a
violent Storm they met with in Lat. 18. S.
I took in more Water and Provisions, sent more Goods ashore to the
Storehouse, and disposed of 12 Negroes.
On the 28_th_ of _March_ a _Portuguese_ Ship from _Brasile_ came in with
advice, that 5 Stout _French_ Ships attempted _Rio Janiero_, but were
repuls’d, and had a great Number of Men kill’d, and 400 taken Prisoners
by the _Portuguese_.
_April_ 3. Being in a readiness to sail, the Flag came off Shore, was
saluted first by the _Dutch_, and then by all the _English_ Ships; but a
contrary Wind prevented our sailing. Most of the Goods sold at the Cape
were taken out of the _Duke_, being in much worse Package than those
aboard the _Dutchess_ and _Batchelor_; so that most of our Bales that
could be come at, have been open’d, and we find abundance of Damage, our
Ship having been so long leaky, that we have not a tight Place in the
Ship fit to secure dry Goods.
_April_ 5. At Day-break this Morning the Flag hoisted a blue Ensign,
loos’d his Fore-top-sail, and fired a Gun as a Signal to unmoor: As we
were heaving in our Cable, it rubb’d against the Oakham, which had got
into the Leak, and occasion’d the Ship to be as leaky again as ever, she
having been indifferent tight for some time, and we were in hopes it
would have continu’d. About Noon I came aboard very thin, and in no
better Health than I was when I went first ashore at our Arrival here.
Presently after I went aboard the Flag, there being a Signal made for
all the _English_ Commanders. We had before received our Orders, which
were very particular, and as obligatory to be punctually observed. About
4 in the Afternoon the Flag, Vice and Rear Admirals weigh’d, with part
of the Fleet, and fell down to _Robins_ or _Penguin_ Island, where they
lay for the rest of the Ships.
_April_ 6. In the Afternoon we all weigh’d from _Penguin_ Island, 16
_Dutch_ and 9 _English_ Ships, having a fresh Breeze at S. S. E.
[Sidenote: _At the Cape of Good Hope._]
We buried ashore here, _George Russel_, a Foremast-man, _Dec._ 30. 1710.
_John Glasson_, d^o. 5 _Jan._ Mr. _Carleton Vanbrugh_, Owners Agent, 3
_Feb._ Mr. _Lancelot Appleby_, 2_d_ Mate, 21 d^o. and four deserted.
Here follows a List of the Ships that arrived during our Stay at the
Cape; all those homeward bound are now in company with us, except Capt.
_Opie_ in the _Olie_, and a _Dane_ that sailed in _February_, designed
home before us.
_The Ships that arriv’d at the Cape while we were there._
_Donnegall_, Capt. _Cliff_, found here, from _Mocha_ bound to
_England_.
A _Dutch_ Ship, arriv’d _Jan._ 6, from _Batavia_, and bound
thither.
_Loyal Bliss_, Capt. _Rob. Hudson_, arriv’d _Jan._ 10. from
_Bengall_, bound to _England_.
A _Dane_, arriv’d _Jan._ 15. from _Trincombar_, bound to _Denmark_.
A _Dutch_ Ship, arriv’d _Jan._ 16. from _Zealand_, bound for
_Batavia_.
_Blenheim_, Capt. _Parrot_, _Jan._ 22. arriv’d from _Mocha_, bound
to _England_.
_Oley_, Capt. _Opie_, arrived _Jan._ 25. from _Batavia_, bound for
_England_.
A _Dutch_ Ship, arrived _Feb._ 4. from _Holland_, bound to
_Batavia_.
The _Batavia_ Fleet, 11 Ships, arrived _Feb._ 22. bound to
_Holland_.
The _Ceilon_ Fleet, 4 Ships, arrived _March_ 7. bound for
_Holland_.
_Loyal Cook_, Capt. _Clark_, arrived _March_ 12. from _China_,
bound for _England_.
_Carleton_, Capt. _Litton_, arrived _March_ 17. from _Batavia_,
bound for _England_.
King _William_, Capt. _Winter_, arrived _March_ 26. from _Bengall_,
bound to _England_.
_A Short Description of the Cape of_ Good Hope.
I Shall not trouble the Reader with what has been writ by others
concerning this noted Place: And since I had neither Time, Health, nor
Permission to ramble the Country, I can relate no Adventures that we had
with Bears, Tygers or _Hottentots_; but what I shall say is from my own
Observation.
[Sidenote: _A Description of the Cape of Good Hope._]
The _Dutch_ have here a well built small Town, containing about two
hundred and fifty Houses, with a Church, and several fine Gardens and
small Vineyards near it. There are divers Villages in the Country, from
10 to 30 Miles distance, and scattering Plantations near a hundred Miles
from the Cape; so that from the whole they are supposed to be capable of
raising 3000 well armed Horse and Foot at a short warning. The Climate
being in about 35 S. Lat. is excellent and healthful, and the Soil very
fruitful. They have many pleasant Seats in the Neighbourhood, with
Gardens, Vineyards, and Plantations of young Oaks, and other Trees
raised by themselves; there being no large Timber nearer than 50 Miles
off the Cape. I was inform’d that these Farms and Plantations bring in
their _East India_ Company a considerable Sum _per Annum_, besides
Maintenance for the Garrison. They let the Land so cheap, for
Encouragement of Planters, and it produces such a large Increase of
Corn, Wine and Cattle, that it enables the People to pay a great Excise
for their Commodities, which are also continually exported for the
_Dutch_ Settlements in _India_, and spent in recruiting their Fleets
that stop here; so that in a few Years they hope this Place will be so
considerable, as to afford them Recruits on any Occasion for their
Garrisons in _India_; and if they be pressed by a War there, they may
always lodge such a Number of Men at this noble Settlement, which they
esteem a second Fatherland, as may arrive at _India_ in so good a
Condition, that no _European_ Power can be so capable of holding the
_India_ Trade as themselves. This makes me think it to have been a great
Omission in our _East India Company_ to quit this Settlement for _St.
Hellena_, which is no way comparable to it, nor able to answer the same
End. Amongst other Advantages, the _Dutch_ have here a noble Hospital,
furnished with Physicians and Surgeons as regularly as any in _Europe_;
and this Hospital is capable of entertaining 6 or 700 sick Men at one
time; so that as soon as the _Dutch_ Ships arrive here, their
distemper’d Men are put ashore, and they are supplied with fresh Men in
their stead. They have all sorts of Naval Stores here, with proper
Officers to attend on all Occasions, which is a mighty Addition to their
Strength, and enables them to preserve their _India_ Trade. An Express
comes hither annually from _Holland_ by a small Ship, to meet their
homeward bound _E. India_ Fleet, which is generally from 17 to 20 great
Ships. The Express brings a private Order to the Commander in chief, who
is appointed by the Government in _India_; so that none knows where they
are to meet their Convoy in the North Seas, but himself; and he gives it
sealed up to each Ship, to be open’d in a proper Latitude near home. By
this Method their Fleets have for many Years escaped the Enemy, and
arrived safe in _Holland_. Their Form of Government, their Industry and
Neatness abroad, is justly to be admired, and worthy to be imitated. I
saw nothing I could blame, unless it be their Severity, for which no
doubt they have very good reason, tho’ it seemed harsh to me, who was
born with _English_ Liberty. They have an Island call’d _Robin_, which
lies at the Entrance of the Cape Bay, about 3 Leagues from the Town,
where they confine Mutineers, or other heinous Offenders, to hard Labour
during Life, by Sentence of the Fiscal.
The _Dutch_ generally send a Ship every Year from hence to _Madagascar_
for Slaves, to supply their Plantations; for the _Hotentots_, who are
very numerous, and love their Liberty and Ease so much, that they cannot
be brought to work, even tho they should starve.
I spoke with an _English_ and an _Irish_-man, who had been several Years
with the _Madagascar_ Pirates, but were now pardoned, and allowed to
settle here: They told me, that those miserable Wretches, who had made
such a Noise in the World, were now dwindled to between 60 or 70, most
of them very poor and despicable, even to the Natives, among whom they
had married. They added, that they had no Embarkations, but one Ship,
and a Sloop that lay sunk; so that those Pirates are so inconsiderable,
that they scarce deserve to be mentioned; yet if Care be not taken after
a Peace to clear that Island of them, and hinder others from joining
them, it may be a Temptation for loose stragling Fellows to resort
thither, and make it once more a troublesome Nest of Free-booters.[154]
The _Dutch_ have seldom less than 500 Soldiers in the Cape Castle, which
is very large, built with Stone, and has 70 Guns well mounted on its
Ramparts, with convenient Dwellings for the Officers and Soldiers; but
it lies too deep in the Bay to protect the Ships in the Road; therefore
they talk of erecting a Battery on the Starboard sandy Point, as you
enter the Bay. The Road is so much exposed to the sea, that in the
Winter Months, when the Wind blows strong from thence, it is unsafe
Riding, and Ships are very often lost here; so that whoever comes hither
in that Season, ought to be well provided with Cables and Anchors to
ride out a Storm: But in the Summer it seldom blows from the Sea; yet
scarce a Day passes without very strong Flaws at S. E. which come down
from the Table Mountains that lie over the Fort, so violently, that
Boats cannot go to or from the Ships, but in the Morning and Evening,
when it is generally very moderate and calm.
The _Dutch_ have found out a noble hot Spring of Water above 100 Miles
up in the Country, which is of excellent virtue against all Distempers
contracted in _India_; so that few have been carried thither, tho’ in a
desperate Condition, but they have recover’d to admiration by drinking
and bathing in that Water.
This Place having been so frequently describ’d by others, I shall only
add, that I found the Character of the _Hotentots_ to be very true, and
that they scarce deserve to be reckon’d of the Human Kind, they are such
ill look’d stinking nasty People: Their Apparel is the Skins of Beasts,
their chief Ornament is to be very greasy and black, so that they
besmear themselves with stinking Oil, or Tallow and Soot, and the Women
twist the Guts of Beasts or Thongs of Hides round their Legs, which
resembles a Tobacco-roll. Here’s plenty of all sorts of Beasts and Fowl,
wild and tame; and in short, there’s nothing wanting at the Cape of
_Good Hope_, for a good Subsistence; nor is there any Place more
commodious for a Retirement to such as would be out of the Noise of the
World, than the adjacent Country in possession of the _Dutch_.
Nothing remarkable happen’d till the _1st_ of _May_, only I continued
very ill, as my Ship did leaky, and sometimes we
[Sidenote: _Sailing from the Cape towards Europe._]
had Thunder, Lightning, Rain, and Squalls of Wind. Yesterday Afternoon
we had sight of the Island _St. Hellena_, bearing N. W. by N. about 6
Leagues, lying in S. Lat. 16.
On the _7th_ we made the Island of _Ascension_, S. Lat. 8. 2. Longit. W.
from _London_ 13. 20.
On the _14th_ at Noon we found we had just cross’d the Equator, being
the _8th_ time we had done so in our Course round the World. There was a
strong Current setting to the Northward, after the rate of about 1 Mile
an Hour, Longit. W. from _London_. 21. 11. So that we have run much
continually to the Westward, over and above the Circumference of the
Globe.
The _17th_ in Lat. 3. 13. we found the Current still continuing to set
to the N.W. 20 Miles in 24 Hours. The _Dutch_ Commadore was very civil
to us, and because our Prize sailed heavy, he allow’d her to keep a-head
in the Night, which he did not to any other Ship. We and the _Dutchess_
often tow’d her in the Day, to keep her up with the Fleet.
_June 7._ In the Lat. of 24°. 55´´. The 3 Admirals hall’d down their
Flags, and hoisted Pennants at their Main topmast Heads, to appear more
like Ships of War, every _Dutch_ Ship doing the same. Now we draw near
home, they scrape and clean their Ships, bending new Sails, so that they
look as if newly come out of _Holland_.
_June 13._ Yesterday Afternoon the Flag made a Signal for all the
_Dutch_ Commanders to go aboard with their Latitude and Longitude. We
took the _Batchelor_ in towe this Morning, having a fine moderate Gale
at E. by N. with smooth pleasant Weather.