Having come across an old _Daily Post_ of Thursday, August 4, 1720, I
send you the following cuttings from it, which perhaps you may think
worth insertion:
"Hague, August 9.
"It was on the 5th that the first of our East-India ships
appear'd off of the Texel, four of the ships came to an anchor
that evening, nine others kept out at sea till day-light, and
came up with the flood the next morning, and four more came in
this afternoon; but as they belong to the Chambers of Zealand,
and other towns, its thought they will stand away for the Maese.
This fleet is very rich, and including the single ship which
arriv'd about a fortnight since, and one still expected, are
valued at near seven millions of guilders prime cost in the
Indies, not reckoning the freight or value at the sale, which
may be suppos'd to make treble that sum."
"We have an account from Flanders, that two ships more are come in
to Ostend for the new East India {99} Company there; it is said,
these ships touch no where after they quit the coast of Malabar
till they come upon the coast of Guinea, where they put in for
fresh water; and as for those which come from China, they water
on the bank of the Island of Ceylon, and again on the east shore
of Madagascar; but that none of them touch either at the Cape de
bon Esperance, or at St. Helena, not caring to venture falling
into the hands of any of the Dutch or other nations trading to
the east. These ships they say are exceedingly rich, and the
captains confirm the account of the treaty which one of their
former captains made with the Great Mogul, for the settling a
factory on his dominions, and that with very advantageous
conditions; what the particulars may be we yet know not."
"Went away the 22d of July last, from the house of William Webb
in Limehouse Hole, a negro man, about twenty years old, call'd
Dick, yellow complection, wool hair, about five foot six inches
high, having on his right breast the word HARE burnt. Whoever
brings him to the said Mr. Webb's shall have half a guinea
reward, and reasonable charges."