ourselves in twenty-five fathoms, and in 5° S. latitude, and ten leagues
from the coast. And having gone 480 leagues, here the coast goes to the
N.E. I did not reach it, for the bank became very shallow. So we stood
to the north, and in twenty-five fathoms to 4° latitude, where we fell
in with a coast, which likewise lay in a direction east and west. We did
not see the eastern termination, but from what we understood of it, it
joins the other we had left on account of the bank, the sea being very
smooth. This land is peopled by blacks, different from all the others:
they are better adorned: they use arrows, darts, and large shields, and
some sticks of bamboo filled with lime, with which, by throwing it out,
they blind their enemies. Finally, we stood to the W.N.W. along the
coast, always finding this people, for we landed in many places: also in
it we took possession for Your Majesty. In this land also we found iron,
china bells, and other things, by which we knew we were near the
Malucas; and so we ran along this coast above 130 leagues, where it
comes to a termination fifty leagues before you reach the Malucas. There
is an infinity of islands to the southward, and very large, which for
the want of provisions we did not approach; for I doubt if in ten years
could be examined the coasts of all the islands we descried. We observed
the variation in all this land of New Guinea to the Molucas; and in all
of it the variation agrees with the meridian of the Ladrone Islands and
of the Philippine Islands.
At the termination of this land we found Mahometans, who were cloathed,
and had firearms and swords. They sold us fowls, goats, fruit and some
pepper, and biscuit which they called _sagoe_, which will keep more than
twenty years. The whole they sold us was but little; for they wanted
cloth, and we had not any; for all the things that had been given us for
traffic were carried away by the _Capitana_, even to tools and
medicines, and many other things which I do not mention, as there is no
help for it; but, without them, God took care of us.
These Moors gave us news of the events at the Malucas, and told us of
Dutch ships, though none of them came here, although they said that in
all this land there was much gold and other good things, such as pepper
and nutmegs. From hence to the Malucas it is all islands, and on the
south side are many uniting with those of Banda and Amboyna, where the
Dutch carry on a trade. We came to the islands of Bachian, which are the
first Malucas, where we found a _Theatine_, with about one hundred
Christians in the country of a Mahometan king friendly to us, who begged
me to subdue one of the Ternate islands inhabited by revolted
Mahometans, to whom Don Pedro de Acunha had given pardon in Your
Majesty’s name, which I had maintained; and I sent advice to the M. de
Campo, Juan de Esquivel, who governed the islands of Ternate, of my
arrival, and demanded if it was expedient to give this assistance to the
king of Bachian, to which he [Juan de Esquivel] answered that it would
be of great service to Your Majesty if I brought force for that purpose.
On this, with forty Spaniards and four hundred Moors of the king of
Bachian, I made war, and in only four days I defeated them and took the
fort, and put the king of Bachian in possession of it in Your Majesty’s
name, to whom we administered the usual oaths, stipulating with him that
he should never go to war against Christians, and that he should ever be
a faithful vassal to Your Majesty. I did not find these people of so
intrepid a spirit as those we had left.
It must be ascribed to the Almighty that, in all these labours and
victories, we lost only one Spaniard. I do not make a relation of them
to Your Majesty, for I hope to give it at large.
The king being put in possession, I departed for Ternate, which was
twelve leagues from this island, where Juan de Esquivel was, by whom I
was very well received; for he had great scarcity of people, and the
nations of Ternate were in rebellion, and assistance to him was very
unexpected in so roundabout a way.
In a few days afterwards arrived succour from Manila, which was much
desired, for half of the people left by Don Pedro de Acunha were no
more, and there was a scarcity of provisions, for, as I said, the
nations of the island were in rebellion; but by the prudence of the M.
de Campo, Juan de Esquivel, he went on putting the affairs of the island
in good order, although he was in want of money.
I left the _Patache_ here and about twenty men, as it was expedient for
the service of Your Majesty. From hence I departed for the city of
Manila, where they gave me so bad a dispatch, as I have mentioned; and
hitherto, which is now two months, they have not given provisions to the
crew; and so I know not when I can sail from hence to give account to
Your Majesty,
Whom may God preserve prosperous,
For sovereign of the world.
Your Majesty’s servant,
LUIS VAEZ DE TORRES.
Done at Manila, July 12th, 1607.
EXTRACT FROM THE BOOK OF DISPATCHES FROM BATAVIA; COMMENCING JANUARY THE
15TH, 1644, AND ENDING NOVEMBER THE 29TH FOLLOWING.
TO BE FOUND FOLIO 39.
Instructions for the commodore, Captain Abel Jansz Tasman, the skipper
chief-pilot, Franz Jacobsz Visser, and the counsel of the yachts
_Limmen_ and _Zeemeuw_, and the tender _De Brak_, destined for a nearer
discovery of Nova Guinea, and the unknown coasts of the discovered east
and south lands, together with the channels and the islands supposed to
be situated between and near them.
The several successive administrations of India, in order to enlarge and
extend the trade of the Dutch East India Company, have zealously
endeavoured to make an early discovery of the great land of Nova Guinea,
and other unknown east and southerly countries, as you know by several
discourses, and maps, journals, and papers communicated to you. But
hitherto with little success, although several voyages have been
undertaken.
1st. By order of the president, John Williamsson Verschoor, who at that
time directed the company’s trade at Bantam, which was in the year 1606,
with the yacht the _Duyfhen_, who in their passage sailed by the islands
Key and Aroum, and discovered the south and west coast of Nova Guinea,
for about 220 miles (880) from 5° to 13¾° south latitude: and found this
extensive country, for the greatest part desert, but in some places
inhabited by wild, cruel, black savages, by whom some of the crew were
murdered; for which reason they could not learn anything of the land or
waters, as had been desired of them, and, by want of provisions and
other necessaries, they were obliged to leave the discovery unfinished:
the furthest point of the land was called in their map Cape
Keer-Weer,[14] situated in 13¾° S.
The second voyage was undertaken with a yacht, in the year 1617, by
order of the Fiscal D’Edel, with little success, of which adventures and
discoveries, through the loss of their journals and remarks, nothing
certain is to be found.
From this time the further discoveries of the unknown east and south
countries were postponed until the year 1623, on account of there being
no ships to spare; but in the interim, in the year 1619, a ship, named
the _Arms of Amsterdam_, destined to Banda, drove past that place and
touched at the south coast of Nova Guinea, where some of the crew were
murdered by the savage inhabitants, wherefore they acquired no certain
knowledge of the country.
But in the meantime, in the years 1616, 1618, 1619, and 1622, the west
coast of this great unknown south land, from 35° to 22° S. latitude, was
discovered by outward bound ships, and among them by the ship
_Endraght_; for the nearer discovery of which the governor-general, Jan
Pietersz Coen (of worthy memory), in September 1622, dispatched the
yachts _De Haring_ and _Harewind_; but this voyage was rendered abortive
by meeting the ship _Mauritius_, and searching after the ship
_Rotterdam_.
In consequence of which, by order of His Excellency, the third voyage
was undertaken in the month of January 1623, with the yachts _Pera_ and
_Arnhem_, out of Amboina, under the command of Jan Carstens; with order
to make a nearer friendship with the inhabitants of the islands Key,
Aroum, and Tenimber, and better to discover Nova Guinea and the south
lands, when an alliance was made with the said islands and the south
coast of Nova Guinea nearer discovered. The skipper, with eight of the
crew of the yacht _Arnhem_, was treacherously murdered by the
inhabitants; and after a discovery of the great islands Arnhem and the
Spult (by an untimely separation) this yacht, with very little success,
came back to Amboina.
But the yacht _Pera_ persisting in the voyage, sailed along the south
coast of Nova Guinea to a flat cove on this coast, situated in 10° south
latitude, and ran along the west coast of this land to Cape Keer-Weer,
from thence discovered the coast farther southward as far as 17° S. to
Staten River (from this place what more of the land could be discerned
seemed to stretch westward), and from thence returned to Amboina.
In this discovery were found everywhere shallow water and barren coast;
islands altogether thinly peopled by divers cruel, poor, and brutal
nations, and of very little use to the Company. The journal of this
voyage is not now to be found; but the discovered countries may be seen
in the maps which were made of them.
Through the little success of this third voyage, but mostly because no
ships could be spared, the discovery was again omitted until 1636; but
in the interim, in the year 1627, the south coast of the great south
land was accidentally discovered by the ship the _Gulde Zeepard_,
outward bound from Fatherland,[15] for the space of 250 miles (1000);
and again accidentally in the year following, 1628, on the north-side,
in the latitude of 21° S., by the ship _Vianen_, homeward bound from
India; when they coasted about 50 miles (200) without gaining any
particular knowledge of this great country, only observing a foul and
barren shore, green fields, and very wild, black, barbarous inhabitants;
all which, by the loss of the ship _Batavia_, and the cruelties and
miseries which followed from that, is fully proved, and was experienced
by the crew of the yacht _Sardam_, in their course along this coast.
At last the fourth voyage was undertaken (in our government) in the
month of April 1636, from Banda, with the yachts _Clyn Amsterdam_ and
_Wesel_, under the command of Gerrit Tomasz Pool, for the discovery of
the east and south lands; when they first discovered the coast of Nova
Guinea in 3½° south latitude, and coasted about 60 miles (240´) to the
eastward to 5° S.; when the commodore Pool, with three of the crew (by
the barbarous inhabitants) was murdered, at the same place where the
skipper of the yacht _Arnhem_ was killed in the year 1623.
Notwithstanding which the voyage was assiduously continued, under the
supercargo Pieter Pietersz, and the islands Key and Aroum visited; by
very strong easterly winds they could not reach the west coast of Nova
Guinea, but shaping their course very near south, descried the coast of
Arnhem or Van Diemen’s Land, in 11° south latitude, and sailed along the
coast for 30 miles (120), without seeing any people, but many signs of
smoke; when, turning towards the north, they visited the unknown islands
of Timor Laut,[16] and the known islands of Tenimber, Kauwer, etc., but
without ever being able to converse with the inhabitants, who were a
very timid people; when, after three months cruising, they returned in
July to Banda, without (in this voyage) having done or discovered
anything of consequence; which may be seen by the journals and maps.
After the little success in these voyages, nothing further was attempted
on discovery to the eastward; but last year (under your direction) the
discovery of the remaining unknown south lands was assiduously
re-attempted; and in that remarkable voyage was that great unknown
Staten[17] and Van Diemen’s Land discovered from 35° to 43° south
latitude, and at the same time the (so long wished for) passage to the
South Sea; but it is unnecessary to relate more here, as you are
perfectly acquainted with all particulars.
But to obtain a thorough knowledge of these extensive countries, the
discovery whereof has been begun (in consequence of the intention of the
Company and the recommendation of our masters), now only remains for the
future to discover whether Nova Guinea is one continent with that great
south land, or separated by channels and islands lying between them; and
also whether that New Van Diemen’s Land is the same continent with these
two great countries, or with one of them; or, if separated from them,
what islands may be dispersed between Nova Guinea and the unknown south
land, when, after more experience and knowledge of all the said known
and unknown countries, we shall be better enabled for further
undertakings.
After considering well what is above related, and by our estimate of the
present strength of the Company’s naval forces, it is found that,
without prejudice to the ordinary trading and warlike expeditions, two
or three yachts could be spared, it is therefore resolved in the Council
of India, to equip the yachts _Limmen_, the _Zeemeuw_, and the _Brak_,
for the further discovery of the east and south lands, to furnish them
well with all necessaries, and to commit them to your conduct, in
confidence that you will with courage, vigilance, prudence, good order,
and the requisite perseverance, skilfully direct this important voyage,
in such a manner as to be capable to give an account, on your return,
fully to our contentment.
1st. You shall early to-morrow morning, after mustering your men,
proceed to sea in company, and steer your course to Macassar, Amboina,
and Banda; as the service of the Company shall require, and by separate
instructions you are commanded, by which you are entirely to regulate
your voyage to the above places.
On your arrival at Amboina and Banda, you shall plentifully stock your
yachts with water, fuel, and all other necessaries; in the time you are
there the crews are to be supplied with all sorts of fresh provisions,
and well provided for the voyage; for which purpose this shall be an
order to the vice-governors[18] Gerrit Demmer and Cornelis Witzen, to
whom you have to communicate your instructions, and demand, in writing,
the further knowledge they may have of the countries situated to the
east of Banda; and particularly the journal of the commodore Carstens,
which we think may still be found there, and be of some service to you
on the voyage.
But by this we by no means intend you shall spend any time unprofitably,
but dispatch everything so assiduously that you may leave Banda in the
latter end of February, when the west monsoon has set in, fixing, with
the advice of the council, instructions for the signals at the beginning
of your voyage, in which particularly is to be inserted by what method
the yachts may join, in case (which God prevent) they by storm or other
accidents were separated, upon which event the good success of the
intended voyage chiefly depends.
After fulfilling your orders at Amboina and Banda, you shall (as is
mentioned) in the latter end of February (or sooner, if possible)
undertake, in the name of God, the voyage you are ordered upon, and
steer your course eastward, between and in view of the islands Tenimber,
Key, and Aroum, to the point Ture, or False Cape, situated in 8° on the
south coast of Nova Guinea: from which place you are to continue
eastward along the coast till 9° south latitude, crossing prudently the
cove at that place; looking about the high islands or Speult’s River
with the yachts for a harbour, and to inspect into the state of the
country; dispatching the tender _Brak_ for two or three days into the
cove, in order to discover whether, within the great inlet, there is not
to be found an entrance into the South Sea; which soon may be determined
by the current of the streams. From this place you are to coast along
the west coast of Nova Guinea, to the farthest discoveries in 170° S.
latitude, following this coast farther as it may run west or southward.
But it is to be feared you will meet in these parts with the S.E. trade
winds, by which it will be difficult to keep the coast on board, if
stretching to the S.E.; but notwithstanding this, endeavour by all means
to proceed, by reason that we may be sure whether this land is divided
from the great known south continent or not, which by the great and slow
swell from the S.E. may well be perceived; in which case you shall try
(if possible) to run so far to the S.E. as the New Van Diemen’s Land,
and from thence to the islands of St. Peter and St. François, to learn
the situation of these to the northward, and at the same time to be
assured (which is much wished for) of a passage to the South Sea,
between them and the known south land, which found (as we presume, and
hope) you ought, returning through the discovered passage, to steer
along the east coast of the known south land, according to its trending;
following its direction to the westward, to De Wit’s Land and William’s
River, in 22° south latitude, when the known south land would be
entirely circumnavigated, and discovered to be the largest island of the
globe.
But if (as we presume) the land of Nova Guinea is joined to the south
land, and in consequence is one continent; you will be enabled by the
S.E. trade wind to run along the north coast from 17° to 22° S., and
thus entirely to discover this land, from whence (if wind and weather by
any means will permit) you shall steer along the land of De Endragt to
Houtman’s Abrolhos, and come to an anchor at a fit place thereabout; and
endeavour to find a chest containing eight thousand rixdollars, that
remained in the wreck of the ship _Batavia_, a brass half cartow[19]
having fallen on that chest when it foundered at that place in the year
1629, and which the crew of the yacht _Sardam_ dragged for in vain. At
the same time you shall (if possible) recover that piece, by this you
will render service to the Company, for which reason be not negligent in
the discharge of your duty.
Likewise inquire, at the continent thereabout, after two Dutchmen, who,
having forfeited their lives, were put on shore by the commodore
Francisco Pelsert, if still alive, in which case you may make your
inquiries of them about the situation of those countries; and, if they
entreat you to that purpose, give them passage hither; on this occasion
you ought to search for a good water and refreshing-place, about the 26°
or 28 S. latitude, which would be a desirable thing for the outward
bound ships.
But if the late time of the year and the appearance of storms will not
permit you to reach Houtman’s Shoal, which after experience we leave to
yours and the council’s own judgment, consider how you have to sail
again from William’s River to the east, along the coast of the south
land and from De Wit’s Land, by the help of the S.E. trade wind, to run
across very near eastward to complete the discovery of Arnhem’s and Van
Diemen’s Lands; and to ascertain perfectly whether these lands are not
one and the same island, and what these places produce; likewise what
other islands besides Baly, Sumbava, and Timor, may be situated about
the south land.
After all this (by the help of God) shall be fortunately transacted,
which we hope can be done before the end of the month of June (having
either reached Houtman’s Abrolhos or Van Diemen’s Land), you have to
steer your course to the south coast of Java, and along the coast
through the Strait of Sunda, to return to Batavia: at which place we
shall expect you in July following attended with good success.
Of all the lands, countries, islands, capes, points or coves, inlets,
bays, rivers, shoals, reefs, sands, cliffs, rocks, etc., which you meet
with and pass in this discovery, as well upon the coast of Nova Guinea
and the south land, as in the Indian Ocean and the inland seas, you are
to make accurate maps and circumstantial descriptions, and to draw
perfectly the views and form, for which purpose a draughtsman is to go
along with you.
Be particularly careful about longitude and latitude, in what direction
and at what distances the coasts, islands, capes, points, bays and
rivers are situated from one and other, and what are the marks by which
they may be known, as mountains, hills, trees, or buildings to be seen
thereupon.
Take a thorough survey of the depth of the water near shore, and of the
sunken rocks, the rapid current of the rivers at the points, how and by
what marks they are to be avoided, and if the bottom is hard, soft,
sharp, flat, sloping, or steep, and if they may be approached or not, by
the soundings; upon what marks the best anchoring places in harbours and
bays are to be found, how the inlets and rivers are to be entered, what
winds usually blow in the different parts; the course of the streams,
whether ebb and flood are regulated by the moon or wind; what
alterations of monsoon, rain or dry weather you experience; and observe
farther diligently to remark and note down (which is the duty of all
able pilots) whatever may be of service in future voyages to the
discovered countries.
The time of the year will doubtless not permit, by the shortening of the
days, to lose any time, but carefully and diligently to proceed; for the
above reason it is of consequence to discover as much, and in as short a
time as possible.
Nevertheless, to discover in a proper manner the coasts of the east and
south lands, it will be necessary in good time, now and then, to anchor
in proper places, always looking for and choosing such bays and harbours
as with the least danger may be entered and left, where you may lye in
safety, and which by accidental winds, or for other reasons, you may
soon quit.
But be particularly careful, circumspect and prudent in landing with
small craft, because (as above is mentioned) at several times Nova
Guinea has been found to be inhabited by cruel wild savages, and as it
is uncertain what sort of people the inhabitants of the south lands are,
it may rather be presumed that they are also wild and barbarous savages,
than a civilized people, for which reason you ought always to be upon
your guard and well armed; because in all countries of the globe
experience has taught us no savages are to be trusted, by reason they
always suppose people who appear so unexpectedly and strangely to them,
are only come to invade their country: all which is proved in the
discovery of America and the Indies, by the surprize and murdering many
careless and unwary discoverers, many times to the ruin of their
voyages.
When you meet and converse with any of these savages, behave well and
friendly to them; do not take notice of little affronts or thefts which
they practise upon you, because resentment might create disgust; but try
by all means to engage their affection to you, the better to learn from
them the state of their country, particularly if any thing for the
service of the Company may be done there.
You are also to inquire, as much as time will permit, into the
productions of their country, the fruits and animals, the buildings, the
shape and faces of the people, their clothing, arms, morals, manners,
food, trade, religion, government, war, and everything worthy of remark;
particularly whether they are peaceable or malicious.
You are to show the samples of the goods which you carry along with you,
to inquire what materials and goods they possess, and what is wanted of
ours; all which you are closely to observe, well to annotate, and
correctly to describe; for which reasons you are to keep a very
circumstantial journal, wherein all particulars may be perfectly
inserted, by which, upon your return, you may give a satisfactory report
to us.
If any country be discovered peopled by a civilized nation (as
apparently will not be the case), you may depend more upon them than
upon the wild savages; try to converse with their governors and
subjects, and to establish an acquaintance; inform them you come there
to trade, show them the goods in proper order; for this purpose laden on
board of both the yachts and the tender, amounting to the sum of 2,809
guilders, 17 stivers, and 3 penningen, of all which the junior merchants
have to keep books in proper order, by which they (when called upon) may
be enabled to give a satisfactory account.