Southerly winde, and therefore about noone the Mauritius set saile, and wee
thought likewise to saile, but our men were so weake that we could not
hoyse vp our anker, so that we were constrained to lie still till men came
out to helpe vs, about euening the winde came Southwest, and with so great
a storme, that we thought to haue run vpon the strand, and were forced to
cut downe our maine maste.
The 12. and 13. we had a hard South West wind, and sometimes West, so that
no Pilots came abord our ship, but the 13. day about euening it began to be
faire weather.
The 14. of August about breake of day in the morning, there came two boats
with Pilots and men abord our ship, that were sent out by our owners, and
brought vs some fresh victuailes, which done they hoysed vp our ankers, and
about noone we sayled into the Tessel, and ankered in the channell, where
we had fresh victuailes enough, for we were all weake.
This was a great noueltie to all the Marchantes and inhabitantes of
Hollande, for that wee went out from thence the second of April 1595. and
returned home again vpon the 14. of August 1597. there you might haue
bought of the Pepper, Nutmegs, Cloues, and Mace, which wee brought with vs.
Our saylors were most part sicke, being but 80. men in all, two third
partes of their company being dead, and lost by diuers accidentes, and
among those forescore such as were sicke, as soone as they were on land and
at their ease presently recouered their healthes.
The copper money of Iaua commeth also out of China, and is almost as
thicke, great and heauy, as a quarter of a Doller, and somewhat thicker, in
the middle hauing a square hole, 2000. of them are worth a Riall of 8. but
of these there are not ouer many, they vse to hang them vpon stringes, and
pay them without telling, they stand not so narrowly vpon the number, for
if they want but 25. or 50. it is nothing.
The leaden money of Iaua, (being of bad Leade is very rough) hath in the
middle a foure square hole, they are hanged by two hundred vppon a string,
they are commonly 10. 11. and 12. thousand to a Riall of 8. as there
commeth great quantitie out of China, where they are made, and so as there
is plentie or scarcitie they rise and fal.
* * * * *
A true report of the gainefull, prosperous, and speedy voiage to Iaua in
the East Indies, performed by a fleete of 8. ships of Amsterdam: which
set forth from Texell in Holland the first of Maie 1598. Stilo Nouo.
Whereof foure returned againe the 19. of Iuly anno 1599. in lesse then
15. moneths; the other foure went forward from Iaua for the Moluccas.
[Footnote: At London: printed by P. S. for W. Aspley, and are to be sold
at the signe of the Tygers Head in Paules Church-yard, (1600).]
Whereas in the yeare of our Lord 1595. a certaine company of substantial
merchants of Amsterdam in Holland did build and set forth for the East
Indies four well appointed shippes, whereof three came home An. 1597. with
small profit (as already in sundry languages is declared) [Footnote: See
above.] Yet neuerthelesse the aforesaid company, in hope of better
successe, made out the last years 1598. for a seconde voiage, a fleete of
eight gallant ships, to wit. The shippe called the Mauritius, lately
returned from that former voyage, being of burden two hundreth and thirty
last, or foure hundreth and sixty tunnes, or thereabouts. This shippe was
Admirall of the fleete. The master whereof was Godevart Iohnson, the
Commissarie or factor Cornelius Heemskerck, and the Pilot Kees Collen.
The second ship called the Amsterdam, was of the burden of four hundreth
and sixty tuns. The Master's name was Claes Iohnson Melcknap; The factor or
commissarie Iacob Heemskerck.
The third was named Hollandia, about the burden of sixe hundreth tuns:
which had likewise been in the former voiage. The Master was Symon
Lambertson or Mawe, the Factor Master Witte Nijn, who died in the voyage
before Bantam, and in his roome succeeded Iohn Iohnson Smith.
The name of the fourth ship was Gelderland, of burden about foure hundreth
tuns. Master wherof was Iohn Browne, factor or commissarie Hans
Hendrickson.
The fift was called Zeelandia, of the burden of three hundreth and sixtie
tuns. The Master was Iohn Cornelison, the Commissary or factor N. Brewer.
The sixt ship named Utrecht of the burden of two hundreth and sixtie tuns.
The Master was Iohn Martsen, the Factor or commissary Adrian Veen.
The seuenth a pinnas called Frisland, of burden about seuenty tuns. The
Master Iacob Cornelison, the Factor Walter Willekens.
The eighth a pinnas that had been in the former voiage called the Pidgeon,
now the Ouerijssel, of the burden of fifty tuns. The Master Symon Iohnson.
The Factor Arent Hermanson.
Of this fleete was General and Admirall Master Iacob Neck, Viceadmirall
Wybrand van Warwick: and Rereadmirall Iacob Heemskerck.
With this fleet of eight ships we made saile from Texell the first of May
1598. Stilo Nouo, being the 21. of Aprill, after the account of England and
sailed with good speed vnto the Cabo de bona Speranza: as further shal
appeare by a Iournal annexed vnto the end of this discourse.
Being past the Cape, the 7. and 8. of August, by a storme of weather fiue
ships were separated from the Admirall, who afterwardes came together
againe before Bantam.
[Sidenote: They meete with a ship of Zealand.] The 26. of August with three
shippes wee came within the view of Madagascar, and the 29. wee met with a
ship of Zeeland, called the Long barke, which had put to sea before vs, and
now kept aloofe from us, supposing we were enemies: but at length
perceiuing by our flagges what we were, they sent their Pinnas aboord vs,
reioycing greatly to haue met with vs, because that diuers of their men
were sicke, and ten were already dead: and they had in all but seuen men
aboord the shippe that were meat-whole, and eleuen mariners to guide the
shippe. Wee agreed to relieue them with some supplie of men: but through
darkenesse and great winde wee lost them againe.
[Sidenote: The Isle of Santa Maria.] After this, we the Admiral Mauritius,
the Hollandia, and the pinnas Ouerijssel keeping together, came to the
Island of Santa Maria, before the great bay of Antogil in Madagascar: where
wee got a small quantity of Rice. We tooke the King prisoner, who paide for
his ransome a Cow and a fat calfe.
In this Island we found no great commodity: for being the month of
September, the season was not for any fruits: the Oranges had but flowers:
Lemons were scant: of Sugarcanes and Hens there was some store, but the
Inhabitants were not very forward in bringing them out.
[Sidenote: Killing of the whale.] Heere we sawe the hunting of the Whale,
(a strange pastime) certaine Indians in a Canoa, or boate following a great
Whale, and with a harping Iron, which they cast forth, piercing the whals
body, which yron was fastned to a long rope made of the barkes of trees,
and so tied fast to their Canoa. All this while pricking and wounding the
whale so much as they could, they made him furiously to striue too and fro,
swiftly swimming in the sea, plucking the canoa after him: sometimes
tossing it vp and downe, as lightly as if it had been a strawe. The Indians
in the meane time being cunning swimmers taking small care though they were
cast ouerboord, tooke fast hold by the boat stil, and so after some
continuance of this sport, the whale wearied and waxing faint, and staining
the sea red with his bloud, they haled him toward the shore, and when they
had gotten him so neare shore on the shallowe that the most part of him
appeared aboue water, they drew him aland and hewed him in pieces, euery
one taking thereof what pleased them, which was to vs a strange sight. It
is reported that the Indians of Terra Florida vse the like fishing for the
Whale. Our men might haue taken some part thereof, but refused it: the
pieces thereof were so like larde or fat bacon.
[Sidenote: The Bay of Antogill.] From thence we made toward the great Bay
of Antogill and ankered vnder the Island, where wee tooke in fresh water.
Our Indians that were brought from thence by them of the former voiage (the
names of whome were Madagascar the one, and the other Laurence) wee offered
to set there on land, but they refused, chusing rather to tarry with vs and
to be apparelled, then to go naked in their owne countrey: working and
moyling for a miserable liuing, opposing their bare skins to the vehemency
of the sunne and weather: and their excuse was, that in that place they
were strangers and had none acquaintance.
[Sidenote: How long their beere continued good.] Our beere continued good
vntill we were passed the Cape de bona speranza: from thence we began to
mingle it with water hauing a portion of wine allowed vs twise a day, and
this allowance continued vntill our returne into Holland.
We went with our boates vp the riuer seeking refreshing: but the
Inhabitants gaue vs to vnderstand by signes that wee might returne, for
there was nothing to be had. Wee rowed into the riuer about three leagues,
and found their report to bee true. The cause was, that the Kings made
warre there one against an other, and so all the victuals were in manner
destroied, insomuch that the Inhabitants themselues many of them perished
for hunger, and in one of these battailes one of their Kings was lately
slaine. Wherfore after fiue daies abode and no longer, we departed, and in
Gods name made to sea again, directing our course the sixteenth of
September for Iaua. [Sidenote: They arriue at Bantam.] About the nineteenth
of Nouember we came within sight of Sumatra, and the 26. of the same moneth
1598. wee in the three shippes aforesaid, to wit, the Mauritius, our
Admirall, the Hollandia, and the Ouerissell, arriued before the citty of
Bantam in Iaua. Presently vpon this our arriuall, our Admirall and Generall
Master Iacob Van Neck, sought with all friendship to traffique with the
people of the saide towne of Bantam, sending Master Cornelis Heemskerck on
land to shew them what we were, for they thought vs to be the very same men
that had been there the yeare before, and al that while guarded the sea
cost, as being assuredly persuaded that we were pirates and sea rouers.
[Sidenote: They present their letters and gifts.] But we, to make them
vnderstand the contrary, sent on lande one Abdoll of China, a captiue of
theirs, whom we brought from them in our first voyage; by whose meanes we
got audience and credite: and so we presented our gifts and presents to the
King, which was but a childe: and the chiefe gouernour called Cephat,
hauing the kingly authority, most thankfully receiued the same in the name
of his King. The said presents were a faire couered cup of siluer and gilt,
certaine veluets and clothes of silke, with very fine drinking glasses and
excellent looking glasses, and such other gifts more. Likewise we presented
our letters sealed very costly with the great seale of the noble and mighty
lords the Estates generall of the united Prouinces, and of Prince Mauritz,
whome they termed their Prince. [Sidenote: Trade licensed.] Which letters
were by them receiued with great reuerence, creeping vpon their knees: and
(the same being well perused, read and examined) they found thereby our
honest intent and determination for traffike: insomuch that a mutuall
league of friendship and alliance was concluded, and we were freely
licensed to trade and traffike in such wise, that euen the fourth day of
our arriuall we began to lade; and within foure or fiue weekes all our
foure ships hauing taken in their full fraight, were ready to depart.
When our three shippes aforesaid had remained there welnigh a moneth, about
Newyears-tide arriued the other fiue shippes of our company before
mentioned in very good manner, and well conditioned. [Sidenote: The whole
fleet meet before Bantam.] And so our whole fleete of eight ships ioyfully
met together, and had none or very fewe sicke persons among them, hauing
lost by death in the whole fleete but 35. men in all, of which number some
perished through their own negligence. Vpon this happy meeting we displaied
our flags, streamers and ensignes after the brauest manner, honouring and
greeting one another with volleis of shot, making good cheere, and (which
was no small matter) growing more deeply in fauour with the townesmen of
Bantam. Vnto vs were daily brought aboord in Prauwes or Indian boats great
quantity of hens, egs, Cocos, bonanos, sugar-canes, cakes, made of rice,
and a certaine kinde of good drinke which is there made by the men of
China. Thus the people daily bartered with vs for pewter and other wares,
giuing so much victuals for a pewter spoone, as might well suffice one man
for an whole weeke. Wee trucked likewise for diuers other things, as for
porcellan dishes and such like. [Sidenote: The price of pepper inhanced.]
Howbeit, that which our Indian Abdoll declared (namely, that more ships
were comming besides the three aforesaid, and that others beside them were
also sent out of Zeland) little tended to our commodity: for thereupon the
Iauans tooke occasion to inhance the price of their pepper, insomuch that
we were forced to pay for 55. pounds of pepper first three, and afterward
four Reals of eight: neither did they demaund or call for any thing so much
as for the said Reals of eight. Mercery or haberdashers wares were in no
such request as money. Also we much marueiled, how the Iauans should tell
vs of more shippes to come, making signes with their foure fingers and
thumb, that foure Lyma (which word in their language signifieth shippes)
were comming.
And here you are to vnderstand, that our Generall Master Van Neck, together
with the commissaries or factors, thought good, besides the three forsaid
ships that came first, to lade one other, to wit, the greater pinnasse
called Frisland, whereof was Master Iacob Cornelison, and factor Walter
Willekens. [Sidenote: Foure ships laden.] These foure ships hauing receiued
their ful freight, and giuen notice on land of their departure (to the end
that none of their creditours might bee vnpaid) and also having well
prouided themselues of rice and water, departed the thirteenth of Ianuary
1599. and sayled to Sumatra, where they tooke in fresh water; for that the
water of Bantam first waxeth white, and afterward crawleth full of magots.
Vpon the land of Sumatra we bartered kniues, spoones, looking-glasses,
bels, needles and such like, for sundry fruits, to wit, melons, cucumbers,
onions, garlike, and pepper though little in quantity, yet exceeding good.
We had to deale with a notable Merchant of Bantam, named Sasemolonke, whose
father was a Castilian, which sold vs not much lesse then an hundreth last
of pepper. He was most desirous to haue traueiled with vs into Holland: but
misdoubting the displeasure and euil will of the king, and fearing least
his goods might haue bin confiscated, he durst not aduenture vpon the
voiage.
[Sidenote: The four other ships sent to Moluccas.] Certaine daies before
our departure from Bantam were the other foure shippes dispatched to go for
the Moluccas, and ouer them was appointed as Admirall and Generall Master
Wybrant van Warwicke in the shippe called Amsterdam, and Iacob Heemskerck
Viceadmirall in the shippe Gelderland, the other two shippes in consort
with them being Zeland and Vtrecht before mentioned.
These foure made saile towards the Moluccas, and parted from vs the 8. of
Ianuary in the night, and in taking of our leaues both of vs together, made
such a terrible thundering noise with our ordinance, that the townsemen
were vp in alarme, vntill they knewe the reason thereof. The people were
glad of their departure, hauing some mistrust of vs, remaining there so
strong with 8. ships. And they asked daily when we should depart, making
great speed to help vs vnto our lading, and shewing themselues most
seruiceable vnto vs.
The 11. of Ianuary 1599. we in the foure shippes laden with pepper departed
from Bantam homeward. The 13. we arriued at Sumatra. The 19. we shaped our
course directly for Holland. The 3. of April we had sight of Capo de buona
esperanza. The 8. of Aprill we doubled the said Cape, proceeding on for the
Isle of Saint Helena, whither we came the twenty sixt of the same month,
and there refreshed our selues for the space of eight daies.
In this Island we found a church with certaine boothes or tents in it, and
the image of Saint Helena, as likewise a holy water fat, and a sprinkle to
cast or sprinkle the holy water: but we left all things in as good order as
we found them.
Moreouer here we left behinde vs some remembrances in writing, in token of
our being there. At this place died of the bloody flixe, the Pilot of our
Admirall Kees Collen of Munickendam, a worthy man, to our great griefe.
This Island (as Iohn Huighen van Linschotten describeth it) is replenished
with manifold commodities, as namely with goates, wilde swine, Turkies,
partridges, pidgeons, &c. But by reason that those which arriue there vse
to discharge their ordinance, and to hunt and pursue the saide beastes and
fowles, they are now growen exceedingly wilde and hard to be come by.
Certaine goates whereat we shotte fled vp to the high cliffes, so that it
was impossible to get them. Likewise fishes wee could not catch so many as
wee needed; but wee tooke in fresh water enough to serue vs till our
arriuall in Holland.
[Sidenote: A man left on land at Saint Helena.] Here we left on land as a
man banished out of our society, one Peter Gisbrecht the masters mate of
the great pinasse, because hee had stroken the Master.
Very penitent hee was, and sorie for his misdemeanour, and all of vs did
our best endeuour to obtain his pardon: but (the orders and ordinances
wherevnto our whole company was sworne being read before vs) we were
constrained to surcease our importunate suit, and he for the example of
others to vndergo the seuere doome that was allotted him.
There was deliuered vnto him a certaine quantity of bread, oile, and rice,
with hookes and instruments to fish withall, as also a hand gun and
gunpowder.
Hereupon we bad him generally farewell, beseeching God to keepe and
preserue him from misfortunes, and hoping that at some one time or other he
should finde deliuerance; for that all shippes sailing to the West Indies
must there of necessity refresh themselues.
Not far from this place we descried a saile which wee iudged to be some
Frenchmen, by whom peraduenture the saide banished party might bee
deliuered.
The fourth of May we set saile from Saint Helena, and the tenth of the same
moneth wee passed by the Isle of Ascension. The 17. day wee passed the
line. The 21. we saw the Polle-starre. The 10. and 11. of Iune we had sight
of the Canaries. About the Azores wee stood in feare to meete with some
Spanish Armada, because our men were growen faint and feeble by reason of
their long voiage. The 27. of Iune we entered the Spanish sea. The 29. we
found our selues to be in fortie foure degrees of northerly latitude. The
6. of Iuly our Admirall the Mauritius had two of his mastes blowne
ouerboord: for which cause we were contrained to towe him along. The 11. of
Iuly we passed the sorlings. The 13. we sayled by Falmouth, Dartmouth, and
the Quasquets. The 17. we passed by Douer. The 19. meeting with some
stormes and rainy weather we arriued at Texell in our owne native countrey,
without any great misfortune, saue that the Mauritius once stroke on
ground.
Thus hauing attained to our wished home, we gaue God thankes for this our
so happy and prosperous voiage: because their neuer arriued in Holland any
shippes so richly laden.
[Sidenote: The particulars of their rich lading.] Of pepper we brought
eight hundreth tunnes, of Cloues two hundreth, besides great quantity of
Mace, Nutmegs, Cinamom, and other principall commodities. To conclude this
voiage was performed in one yeare, two monethes, and nineteene daies.
We were sailing outward from Texell to Bantam seuen moneths, we remained
there sixe weekes to take in our lading, and in six monethes we returned
from Bantam in Iaua to Holland.
The performance of this long and daungerous voiage in so short time we
ascribed to Gods deuine and wonderfull prouidence, hauing sailed at the
least 8000. leagues, that is to say, twenty four thousand English miles.
The ioye of the safe arriuall of these shippes in Holland was exceeding
great: and postes were dispatched to euery principall towne and citty to
publish these acceptable newes.
The merchants that were owners of these ships went straight toward Texell
for the refreshing of their men, and for other necessary considerations.
[Sidenote: Friendly letters and presents from the King of Iaua.] The
Commissary or Factor master Cornelis Heemskerck together with Cornelis
Knick, hied them with all speed towardes the Estates generall and prince
Mauritz his excellency, not onely to carry the saide good newes, but withal
to present the letters of the King of Iaua importing mutuall alliance,
friendship and free intercourse of traffike in consideration of their
honourable, liberal, and iust dealings: They brought gifts also from the
said King of great price and value.
The 27. of Iuly the Mauritius our Admirall together with the Hollandia came
before Amsterdam: where they were ioyfully saluted with the sound of eight
trumpettes, with banqueting, with ringing of bels, and with peales of
ordinance, the Generall and other men of command being honourably receiued
and welcommed by the citty.
The merchants that aduentured in these voyages being in number sixeteene or
seuenteene (notwithstanding the foure shippes gone from Iaua to the
Moluccas, as it is before mentioned) haue sent this last spring 1599.
[Marginal Note: A new supply of foure Hollandish ships sent this last
spring 1599. to the East Indies.] foure ships more to continue this their
traffique so happely begun: intending moreouer the next spring to send a
newe supply of other ships. [Marginal note: An intent of the marchants of
Amsterdam to send more ships the next spring 1600.] And diuers other
Marchants are likewise determined to enter into the same action.
Of them that departed from Zeland these bring no newes, otherwise then is
aforesaide. Neither doe they report any thing of the two fleetes or
companies, that went from Roterdam the last sommer 1598, shaping their
course for the streites of Magellan.
Wee haue before made mention of an Indian called Abdoll, which was brought
from Bantam, in the first voiage, and had continued an whole winter or some
eight months at Amsterdam in Holland.
Where during that space (being a man of good obseruation and experience,
and borne about China) hee was well entreated, cherished, and much made of.
[Sidenote: The relation of Abdull an Indian, concerning the Netherlands.]
This Abdoll vpon his returne to Iaua being demanded concerning the state of
the Netherlands, made vnto the principall men of Bantam a full declaration
thereof, with all the rarities and singularities which he had there seen
and obserued.
Which albeit to the greatest part of readers, who haue trauailed those
countries may seeme nothing strange, and scarce worthy the relation: yet
because the report was made by so meere a stranger, and with the Iauans
that heard it wrought so good effect, I thought it not altogether
impertinent here in this place to make rehearsall thereof.
First therefore he tolde them (to their great admiration in that hoat
climate) That hee had seene aboue a thousand sleds drawen, and great
numbers of horsemen riding vpon the frozen water in winter time, and that
he had beheld more then two hundreth thousand people trauailing on foote
and on horseback vpon the yce, as likewise that the said sleds were by
horses drawen so swiftly, that they made more way in three houres than any
man could go on foote in tenne. And also that himselfe for pleasure had
beene so drawen, the horses being brauely adorned with bels and cymbals.
Howbeit they would hardly be induced to beleeue that those countries should
be so extreamely colde, and the waters so mightely frozen, as to beare such
a hugh waight.
Hee tolde them moreouer, that Holland was a free countrey, and that euery
man there was his owne Master, and that there was not one slaue or captiue
in the whole land.
Moreover, that the houses, in regarde of their beautifull and lofty
building, resembled stately pallaces, their inward rich furniture being
altogether answerable to their outward glorious shew.