SECTION XV.

_Eighth Voyage of the English East India Company, in_ 1611, _by Captain

John Saris_.[397].

INTRODUCTION.

Purchas has chosen to place this, and the subsequent early voyages of

the English to the East, in a separate division of his Pilgrims, which

he entitles "English Voyages _beyond_ the East Indies, &c. In which

their just commerce was nobly vindicated against Turkish treachery;

victoriously defended against Portuguese hostility; gloriously advanced

against Moorish and Heathenish perfidy; hopefully recovering from Dutch

malignity; and justly maintained against ignorant and malicious

calumny."

[Footnote 397: Purch. Pilg. I. 884, Astl I. 451.]

The full title of this voyage in the Pilgrims is, "The _Eighth_ Voyage

set forth by the East Indian Society, wherein were employed three Ships,

the Clove, the Hector, and the Thomas, under the Command of Captain John

Saris: His Course and Acts to and in the Red Sea, Java, the Moluccas,

and Japan, by the Inhabitants called _Neffoon_, where also he first

began and settled an English Trade and Factory; with other remarkable

Rarities: The whole collected out of his own Journal." In the preface to

the _4th_ book of his Pilgrims, Purchas makes the following observations

respecting this voyage: "We here present the _East_ Indies made

_westerly_, by the illustrious voyage of Captain John Saris; who, having

spent some years before in the Indies, by observations to rectify

experience, and by experience to prepare for higher attempts, hath here

left the known coasts of Europe, compassed those more unknown coasts of

Africa from the Atlantic to the Erithrean Sea, and after commerce there,

_tum Marte quam Merurio_, compasseth the shores, and pierceth the seas,

to and beyond all just names of India and Asia, penetrating by a long

journey, the islands, cities, and court of the _Japonian_ empire, there

settleth an English factory; and after safe return, is ready to render

to the readers the pleasure of his pain, and [_why stay I thee any

longer_?] by a more pleasant discoursive way, to discover to thee the

rarities of that discovery, and by hand, by the eyes, to lead thee along

with him all the way: and then leave thee to those that shall tell thee

of after accidents and later occurrences in the Japonian, Indian, and

Asian affairs."--_Purch_.

"What Purchas has called _collected out_ of the Journal of Captain

Saris, means probably _abbreviated_ by himself from that source. Saris

was factor at Bantam in 1608, at the time of the third voyage of the

East India Company, and has given an account of occurrences there from

the time Scott left off, as contained in _Section_ II. of this chapter

of our Collection. In this voyage, he went farther eastwards than any

English navigator had gone before, being the first of our nation that

sailed to Japan in an English ship. William Adams indeed had been there

some years earlier, having been carried there in a Dutch ship, by a

western course. The remarks of Captain Saris are generally curious,

judicious, and full of variety. As already noticed in the extended title

by Purchas, Captain Saris had three ships under his command, the Clove,

in which he sailed as general, the Hector, and the Thomas."--_Astl_.

This journal occupies _fifty_ pages in the Pilgrims of Purchas, besides

_eleven_ pages more of observations on various occurrences at Bantam,

during the residence of Saris there from October 1605 to October 1609,

and other circumstances respecting the English affairs in the East,

which will be noticed in the sequel. In the present edition, while we

scrupulously adhere to that of Purchas, we have used the freedom of

abridging even his abridgement, particularly respecting the nautical

remarks, courses, distances, winds, currents, &c. which are now much

better understood by navigators, and which would be quite uninteresting

and tedious to most of our readers.--E.

* * * * *

§ 1. _Incidents of the Voyage from England to Socotora_.

We sailed from the Downs on the 18th April, 1611, passed the equator on

the 6th June, and arrived at Saldanha bay on the 1st of August. Having

well refreshed ourselves there for eight days, we set sail on the 9th

August. The 3d September we made the land of Madagascar, near the bay of

St Augustine. The 10th we made the island of Primeiras; and the 17th we

made the islands of Angoza to the southwards of Mosambique. Finding a

dangerous shoal and bad anchoring ground, with a lee shore and westerly

current, we stood off on the 21st for Madagascar. In the chart we found

these islands of Angoza laid down in lat. 15° 40' S. but by our

observation they are in 16° 20' S.[398] The 24th, in lat. 16° 16', our

course being N.E. we unexpectedly saw land bearing N. by W. five leagues

off, while expecting the island of Juan de Nova to the eastwards, and

being becalmed, we feared the current might set us upon it in the night.

When day-light appeared next morning, we found it to be the northernmost

island of Angoza, whence we had departed on the 21st, to the great

amazement and discouragement of our mariners.

[Footnote 398: The town of Angoza is in lat. 15° 50', and the most

southerly island in the bay of that name is in 16° 30' S.--E.]

The 3d October, after much trouble by currents, we came to anchor

between Mosambique and Sofala, in lat. 16° 32' S. and long. 76° 10'

E.[399] Our anchorage was in thirteen and fourteen fathoms, under an

island near the main, upon which were no people, neither could we find

fresh water, though we dug very deep for it in the sand. We weighed on

the 10th, and stood over E. by N. for Madagascar, in hopes of getting

out of the currents, and on the 26th came to anchor under Moyella,

[Mohilla] one of the Comoro islands, in lat. 12° 13' S.[400] We here

refreshed for eight days, procuring bullocks, goats, poultry, lemons,

cocoas, pine-apples, passaws, plantains, pomgranates, sugar-canes,

tamarinds, rice, milk, roots, eggs, and fish, in exchange for small

haberdashery wares and some money, and had kind usage and plenty of

fresh water, yet stood much on our guard for fear of any treachery. I

invited the king of Moyella, being a Mahometan, aboard the Clove, and

entertained him with a banquet, and with trumpets and other music; but

he refused to eat, as it was then their Lent or Rammadan, yet he carried

off the best part of the banquet for the queen his mother, saying that

they would eat it after sunset. The name of the queen was _Sultana

Mannungalla_, and the king's was _Sharif Abubekr_.[401] He requested me

to give him a letter of recommendation for those who might come

afterwards to his island, having formerly procured one to that effect

from Stephen Verhagen, the admiral of twelve Dutch ships, in 1604, which

he shewed me. I complied with his desire, yet left this caution at the

end, that they ought not to repose too much confidence in this people,

but stand well on their guard, as oft-times weapons preserve peace.

[Footnote 399: The longitude of that part of the coast of Africa, in the

latitude indicated in the text, is 38° 30' E. from Greenwich. It does

not appear what might have been the first meridian referred to by

Saris.--E]

[Footnote 400: Mohilla is in 13° 40'. The latitude in the text is nearly

that of Johanna or Hinzuan.--E.]

[Footnote 401: In Purchas Sarriffoo Booboocarree, and afterwards

Sharefoo Boobackar, which comes near the true name.--Astl. I. 454. a.]

The inhabitants are negroes, having short curled hair, and wear painted

cloths round their middles, some having white caps, and others turbans,

by which we knew them to be Mahometans. The king wore a white cotton

coat, with a turban on his head, and a painted calico of Guzerat about

his middle, being little whiter than the rest. He was very lean, with a

round thin black beard and large eyes. His stature was short, and he was

a man of few words, having some knowledge of Arabic, which he had learnt

when on a pilgrimage to Mecca, on which account he had the name or title

of _Sharif_.[402] At this place they chiefly desire money, or Spanish

dollars, rather than commodities. Yet, for crimson broad-cloth, red

caps, Cambaya, or Guzerat cloths, and sword-blades, you may purchase any

commodities that the island produces, which indeed are only fit for

refreshments, and not for traffic. He gave me a note of friendship under

his hand.[403]

[Footnote 402: Haji is the title acquired by the pilgrimage, while

Sharif signifies noble, and denotes being of the posterity of

Mahomet.--Astl. I. 454. c.]

[Footnote 403: This note, in Arabic characters, is inserted in Purchas,

consisting only of two lines, under which the name of John Sarris is

written in the same characters. By this writing, the name of the king

appears to have been as we have put it in the text.--Astl. I. 454. d.]

We sailed from the island of Moyella on the 4th of November, and on the

17th in the morning made the main land of Africa on the coast of

Melinda, the bay or gulf of _Formosa_ being N.W. four leagues distant.

The 29th, in lat. 4° 44', being, as we supposed, twelve leagues off the

shoals called _Baxos de Malhina_, we had a great rippling and over-fall

of water, as if it had been a shoal, yet found no ground with 100

fathoms. The 1st December, in 3° 40', we had a fearful rippling, much

like the fall at London bridge, being then not in sight of land, and

still had no ground with a line of 100 fathoms. When we stood in towards

the land it left us, but standing off again, and when fifty leagues from

the land, we found it very terrible. The 2d, in lat. 2° 55', the rippling

still continued. The 6th, in lat. 5° 5', steering S.E. by E. we had at

times still more fearful ripplings than before, and still no ground at

100 fathoms. These ripplings shewed like shelves or ledges of rocks, not

being always alike, but sometimes more, sometimes less, occurring many

times each day, making as great a noise by the ship's sides as if she

ran at the rate of five leagues in a watch, even when she hardly made

any way a-head. We were much alarmed by them, not knowing whence they

proceeded, and seeing no land. We now supposed ourselves near the

easternmost of the islands which are off the northern end of Madagascar.

[The Maha or Sechelles, to the eastwards of the Almirante islands.] We

had here much rain, with thunder and lightening, and sudden gusts of

wind, which did not continue long.

On the 25th of December, it was just a month and five days since we

reached the equator, having been one minute north close to the shore,

since which we have been forced back to 5° 25' S. Wherefore, those bound

for Socotora at this time of the year must hold 200 leagues to the

eastwards of Pemba, which will enable them to get to the northward.

The 1st of January, 1612, in lat. 3° 58' N. we made the land, being the

main of Magadoxa, Cape das Baxas bearing N.N.E. eight leagues

distant.[404] The whole coast seemed low, sandy, and barren. The 18th,

in lat. 6° 27' N. we again got sight of the main land of Africa called

_Doara_, at about eight leagues distance, seemingly not high, but sandy

and barren. The 1st February we made Cape _Dorfuy_[405] about seven

leagues off, having soundings in twenty-seven and twenty-eight fathoms,

soft sand. The land at this cape is very high and barren close to the

sea. The 10th, in lat. 11° 20', about eight leagues off the high land of

Cape _Gardafui_,[406] we had ground in forty-five fathoms on small black

sand, and found the current setting N. by E. Towards evening we had

sight of Abdal Kuria, bearing E.N.E. about ten leagues off, being high

land rising in two parts, so as to seem two islands at a distance. The

17th at night we came to anchor on the coast of Socotora, one and a half

league to the westwards of the king's town called Tammarin, two miles

from shore, in twenty fathoms water, small white sand. The 18th we came

to anchor in nine fathoms on fine sand in the road of Tammarin, a league

from shore, and right over against the king's house.

[Footnote 404: Cape das Baxas, on the coast of Samhar, is in lat. 5° N.

so that the latitude in the text must be too short by about thirty-eight

minutes.--E.]

[Footnote 405: Cape Orfui is in lat. 11° N.]

[Footnote 406: Cape Guardafui is in lat. 12° 24' N.]

§ 2. _Occurrences at Socotora and in the Red Sea._

I sent ashore Mr Richard Cockes, our cape merchant, well accompanied, to

wait upon the king of Socotora, to acquaint him who we were and the

cause of our coming, and to procure cattle and fish to refresh our men.

Mr Cockes was received and entertained in a friendly manner, and came

back with a present of fresh provisions, together with a letter left

there by Sir Henry Middleton, dated 1st September, 1611, aboard the

Trades-increase in Delisha road, the original of which I retained, and

returned an accurate copy for the information of future ships.[407] The

19th we went ashore in state, and were welcomed by the king, who feasted

the whole company. He was superbly dressed in crimson velvet, richly

decorated with gold lace. His house was built of freestone, in the

fashion of a castle, and he had above an hundred attendants, fifty of

whom were well clothed according to the Moorish fashion, the rest being

natives of the island. His name was _Sultan Amur Bensaid,_[408] being

the son of the king of Cushin [Caixem, Caxem, Kushem, or Kessem] on the

coast of Arabia. After many compliments and courtesies, we took our

leave of him at night, and returned on board. At this place we paid for

cattle twelve dollars each, three shillings for sheep, and a dollar for

goats; which, though dear, were hardly fit for men's meat, being so

vilely and in a more than beastly manner abused by the people, that they

were quite loathsome to see when opened. For rice we paid three-pence a

pound, and the same price for dates. Hens a shilling each. Tobacco 700

leaves for a dollar. Eggs a penny each. And the king, who is universal

merchant, would only take Spanish dollars, refusing our English money.

[Footnote 407: This letter was a brief summary of the disadventures of

Sir Henry in the Red Sea by Turkish perfidy; as in his own journal has

already appeared, with a caveat to all English ships, and notice of the

road of Assab.--_Purch._]

[Footnote 408: The editor of Astley's Collection, who appears to have

been an orientalist, gives this name and title, _Soltan Amor

Ebensayd._--E.]

The 27th, I called a meeting of the merchandizing council, to whom I

read the company's instructions, and the letter from Sir Henry

Middleton, received from the king of Socotora. By the instructions, we

were led to expect good store of aloes at this place, but the king was

quite unprovided, and could not furnish any before next August. And as

we were appointed to go from hence to Aden and Mokha, in the Red-sea, in

case the monsoon did not serve for Surat, which we were now strongly

dissuaded from by an account of the wrongs done there by treachery to

Sir Henry, I represented that we should find it very chargeable to

remain here or in Delisha roads for six months waiting the monsoon, as

there was no getting to the coast of Guzerat until the end of September.

My opinion was therefore, notwithstanding the bad tidings from Sir

Henry, that we should proceed for Mokha, having with us the pass of the

Grand Signior, which the former ships had not; by which means we would

be able to certify to the company of what avail the pass might be,

taking, care, however, to stand well on our guard, and not to trust any

one ashore without a sufficient pledge. In this way we might ride

securely, and might obtain trade aboard, if not on shore, our force

being able to defend us, or to offend, upon occasion, against any force

that port could fit out. If therefore we found no means of commerce, we

could then avail ourselves of his majesty's commission, in respect of

the violence used against Sir Henry and his company, and so enforce the

vent of our English commodities, or make spoil of their trade and

custom, by not permitting the entry of the Indian ships which were

expected there on the 5th of March; but, till then, I should be very

unwilling to deal with them by force. I considered this to be our best

plan of procedure, as by it our fleet might remain together, and go in

company to Surat when the monsoon would permit, according to our

instructions, our joint force being better able to resist any inimical

attempts. The council agreed to my proposal, so that we concluded to

keep company together, and to proceed for the Red Sea.

We accordingly weighed anchor on the 1st March, and made sail for the

Red Sea. The road of Tammarin has good anchorage in four fathoms, a

musket-shot from the shore; and farther in are three, and three and

a-half fathoms all along the bay, keeping two cables length from shore,

all fair sand, with some stones, the coast being all bold. A

demi-culverin shot may reach the castle from the anchorage, and the

castle is of no strength. The latitude of Tamniarin bay is 12° 35'

N.[409] The king of Socotora advised us, in sailing for the Red Sea, to

keep to the south of Abdal Kuria, as, if we went to the north of that

island, we should be forced over to the Arabian coast, and would find

great difficulty to fetch Cape Guardafui; and, indeed, by experience, we

found it best to keep the Abyssinian, or African shore aboard. The 4th,

we saw Cape Guardafui, bearing west eight or nine leagues, being in lat.

12° 1' N. [12° 28'.] In the evening, standing in along the land to find

the bay of Feluk, [Filek or Felix] our depths were twenty-six, eighteen,

and seventeen fathoms. We here resolved to go for Mokha, not Aden,

because the latter is merely a garrison town, and has little trade,

besides other inconvenience, such as the exaction of heavy customs, and

the like, as appeared by the _sixth_ voyage under Sir Henry Middleton.

Here, off Feluk, we took good store of mullets with our sein, and other

large and excellent fish with hooks and lines. At this place there are

several sorts of gums, very sweet in burning, as also fine mats, much in

request at Aden, Mokha, and the Indies. Ordinarily the India ships touch

here both going to the Red Sea and returning, purchasing there mats and

gums, as likewise provisions, such as sheep and butter, which are far

cheaper here than at Mokha. Boats from hence go daily with provisions to

sell at Mokha and Aden, but they will only barter for linen-cloth

[cotton.] At Feluk there is plenty of wood and water to be had, but not

in the bottom of the bay. The passage up to the town is so large, that

three ships may go up a-breast without danger. The entry is between a

high hummock and a low sandy point. The masters proposed to steer from

Feluk W. by N. along the African shore, to the island of _Demiti_ or

_Mete,_ and then to shape a course for Aden.

[Footnote 409: In reality, 13° 30' N. in Arrowsmith's great Chart of the

World. In Astley's Collection, V.I. chart vii. it is placed only in 12°

20'.--E.]

The 10th, in the morning, we had sight of two small islands off the high

land of Demiti, about a league from the coast, and about four leagues

distant from each other, the eastermost bearing S. by W. seven leagues,

and the westermost S.W. the same distance. We now stood over for the

high land of Aden, N.W. by N. and N.W. the wind at E. and E. by N. a

stiff breeze, and the current easterly, lat. 11° 58' N.[410] The 11th we

had sight of the high land of Arabia, being that of Darsina, and having

a strong easterly current in coming over, though we steered between

N.N.W. and N.W. we were so carried to the eastwards, that we only made

our course N. by W. But after we were shot about twelve leagues off the

African shore, we found no current, being broken off, as we supposed, by

the point, or head-land of Aden. I now sent instructions to Captain

Towerson and Mr Davis for their conduct on our arrival at Mokha roads,

that our ships and people might be guarded against the treachery of the

Turks. The 12th we were in sight of the high land of Aden, bearing W. by

S. ten leagues off. The 13th, in the evening, we were fourteen leagues

eastwards of the entry of the straits, and sixteen leagues west from

Aden, and came here to anchor on a fine sandy bottom. The 14th, we

weighed in the morning, steering for the straits, having a small gale at

W. by N. with rain, being the first we had seen for four months. In the

evening, believing ourselves off the straits, we stood off and on under

easy sail all night, constantly heaving the lead, being eight or nine

leagues off the Arabian coast. About noon of the 15th we opened the

straits, and at night anchored in fifteen and a half fathom, on black

oose, three leagues from the Arabian, and ten from the Abyssinian shore,

the weather being so clear that we could distinctly see both.

[Footnote 410: The island or islands of Demiti or Mete, are in lat. 11°

45' N.--E.]

The 16th we weighed in the morning, and stood for Mokha, where we came

to anchor in five and a half fathoms. Not long after anchoring, the

governor sent off a poor old slave in a small canoe, to know the cause

of our coming. I used this man kindly, who told me the English had been

lately here, and were ill used by _Regib aga_, then governor, who was

therefore cashiered, and the government was now in the hands of _Ider_

[Hayder] _aga_, a Greek by birth, who was the friend of strangers and

merchants. Giving him a present of two dollars, I sent him back to his

master to tell him we were Englishmen, and friends to the Grand Signior,

and, upon sending us a worthy person, we should acquaint him farther of

the cause of our coming. Soon afterwards there came off an Italian

renegado, well dressed, with a similar message, and to know if we had

the Grand Signior's pass. I told him we had not only such a pass, but

letters from the king of Great Britain to the pacha, which the Italian

desired to see; but, holding him a base fellow for changing from the

Christian religion, I refused,[411] and desired him to acquaint the

governor with these things, and that we were appointed, in honour of the

said pass, to fire fifty-one pieces of artillery on our arrival in these

roads, which we meant presently to do. The Italian requested he might be

allowed in the first place to inform his master of our intended salute,

which was granted, and the purser directed to give him five dollars, and

one to his boat's crew. His name was _Mustafa Trudgeman_.[412] We shot

off nineteen pieces from the Clove, seventeen from the Hector, and

fifteen from the Thomas, which the town answered with five pieces of

excellent ordnance, and three each from two gallies. These were stout

vessels, having twenty-five oars of a side, and were well fitted, having

their yards up. The name of the captain of these gallies was Mami, and

that of the captain of the town was Mahomet Bey.

[Footnote 411: He might have overthrown his affairs by this preposterous

proceeding, which was the effect of religious malice, not zeal.--Astl.

I. 459. a.]

[Footnote 412: Astley corrects this name to _Tarjiman_; but that word,

variously written, is merely what is usually called _Dragoman_,

linguist, or interpreter.--E.]

The 17th, I received a present from Hayder Aga of three bullocks, twenty

hens, two baskets of plantains, and two of lemons, with many

compliments, together with an invitation to come on shore. I sent back a

handsome fowling-piece, desiring the messenger to say that I would come

ashore to visit the governor if a sufficient pledge were given for my

safe return, and that my reasons for this caution could not be unknown.

The governor at this time sent his secretary aboard with a letter to me,

desiring to know what message I had formerly sent by Mustafa Tarjiman,

for he having, by much entreaty, procured a bottle of wine, had got so

drunk before his return, that he could not speak. On the 18th, Mr

Cockes, our chief merchant, and Bolton, our linguist, went ashore to

inform the governor that the purpose of our coming was to enter into

trade; and whenever the governor thought proper to send a person of

equal rank to remain as a pledge in the ship for my security and safe

return, I was willing to visit him in person, and to say farther, that I

was not ignorant of the wrongs formerly done by Regib Aga to Sir Henry

Middleton and his people; yet, if we might now have quiet trade, all

past matters should be overlooked, and we would treat with him of such

business as the Grand Signior had permitted by his pass or licence,

which we had, which we hoped might extend to the sale of all our goods.

The secretary remained on board as pledge for Mr Cockes and Mr Bolton,

and eat freely of our victuals, which, however, he had cooked for him by

his own people. They returned at night, having been feasted and kindly

used, being carried through the town dressed in silver tissue robes,

with music before them, by way of giving the people to know that we were

made welcome; but, on coming away, they were divested of their robes.

The secretary was now dismissed, with a present of half a piece of

violet-coloured kersey. He was very desirous to learn if I were related

to Sir Henry Middleton, which question was likewise put to Mr Cockes

when ashore.

Mr Cockes brought off a letter from the governor, stating how

handsomely he had treated the messengers; inviting Mr Saris on shore,

with promises of good entertainment, without guile or deceit, offering

to send his secretary, or any other person required, to remain in

pledge; informing him that he had written to Jaffar Pacha, from whom he

expected an answer in fourteen or fifteen days; and that, in the

meantime, any of the English should be made welcome a-shore to buy fresh

provisions, or any thing else the place could afford for their use; as

also to sell any thing they pleased without molestation. This letter,

dated at Mokha, the 25th of Moharem, _ann_. 1021 of the Hejeira, has the

following singular subscription:

_Dus como bono amco_,

Haydar Aga, aga de Mokha.

"This letter seems to have been inserted by Parchas, who informs us

likewise, that he possessed divers letters from Mami, captain of the

gallies at Mokha, to Captain Saris, which he omits, as he says, to avoid

prolixity, being similar to that of Haydar aga. In the Pilgrims he has

inserted figures of three of their seals, by way of novelty, stating

that these seals were stamps in ink, not on wax. He likewise adds a

piece of a letter in the _Banian_ language and character, commonly used

in a great part of India, written to Captain Saris by the sabandar of

Mokha. He likewise gives a facsimile of the Grand Signior's seal, or

superscription rather, together with two lines and a half of the pass,

or licence, in the Turkish language and character, stating that, in the

original, all the larger strokes are gold, the rest being azure,

intermixed here and there with red, the whole very beautifully executed.

After which follows the letters patent, pass, or licence, rendered into

English, of which the following is the substance:"

"You, who are my most laudable, fortunate, wealthy, and great beglerbeys

or viceroys, both by sea and land, under the authority of my most happy

and imperial throne, &c. Hereby you shall understand, that the

ambassador of the king of Great Britain, residing at our most high

_port_, hath informed us by his supplications, that some of the subjects

of his master have discovered, with great cost and labour, a trade in

the East Indies, &c. We do therefore command and charge you all and each

of you, our before-mentioned officers and subjects, kindly to receive

and entertain the said merchants and subjects of the king of Great

Britain, coming to, or passing through, any of our dominions, intending

to trade, especially in our dominions of Yaman, Aden, and Mokha, and the

parts adjoining; assisting and relieving them, their men and ships, in

all things needful; and also freely to permit them, by land or sea, to

go or sail outwards or inwards, as their occasions may require, without

let, hindrance, injury, or molestation. And if, contrary to the

capitulations and league of amity between us and the king of Great

Britain, you offer them the least wrong, or any way molest and trouble

the said merchants in their traffic or otherwise in any respect, you

shall not only incur our high displeasure, but shall be punished for

example to others. Therefore, take care you carry yourselves conformably

to this our imperial command, and give entire credit to this our

imperial ensign. Given at our mansion in Constantinople, this 15th of

Zulhajjeh, in the year of the Hejirah, 1019."[413]

[Footnote 413: The abbreviated passages, marked in the text by inverted

commas, were too long for insertion in a note; and the circumstances

they detail appeared too long and uninteresting in the original for

being given at full length.--E.]

The 20th of March, according to agreement made the day before, the

governor sent aboard Mahomet aga, admiral of the shore and commander of

the roads, for receiving the Turkish customs and anchorage,[414]

together with a grave old man, named Nasuf and two attendants, to

remain as pledges of my safety. I went accordingly on shore, with all

the merchants, in three skiffs, or boats, well fitted, and had a salute

of fifty-one pieces of cannon fired off at our departure. We were

received at the landing-place by the captain of the gallies and other

principal persons, with music, drums, and trumpets, which played before

us, while the inhabitants followed in such crowds that we could hardly

pass; at the same time several cannon were fired as a salute from the

castle. After passing two guards of very proper men, well clothed, we

were conducted into the governor's house, all built of freestone, having

large handsome stairs, by which we were led to a room spread with rich

carpets, having a bow-window at the upper end, where a silken quilt was

laid on the floor, with two cushions of cloth of silver, on which I was

desired to sit down. Presently the governor entered from another

chamber, himself dressed in a gown of cloth of silver, faced with rich

fur, and accompanied by five or six persons richly apparelled. After

taking me by the hand, he kissed his own hand, and put it to his head,

in token of respect. He then led me to the bow-window, where we sat

down, and, after some compliments, I delivered to him our king's letter,

which was read by Mr Cockes, and interpreted by our linguist, Mr Bolton,

to the captain of the gallies; who repeated it to the aga, such being

their custom by way of state or ceremony. I then gave him the pass, or

licence of the Grand Signior, which was read aloud by the secretary,

after which he kissed it, and laid it on his head, giving it to his

secretary to take a copy of it, after which, it was returned.

[Footnote 414: Probably the person called formerly Mahomet bey, captain

of the town-E. This person seems to have been the person styled Lord of

the Sea, or Amir al Bahr, in the voyage of Sir Henry Middleton, a

different officer from the Shah bandar.--Astl. 1.460. a.]

The governor now bid us heartily welcome, desiring that what had

formerly taken place with Sir Henry Middleton might be forgotten for

that quarrel had originated between two drunken men, and had been

improperly followed up by the former aga, for which he had now been five

months displaced. In regard to trade, he could not permit any great

matter till he received directions from his master, Jaffar Pacha, to

whom he had written, and expected an answer in ten or twelve days;

desiring me to allow my people in the meantime to come ashore freely, to

buy what they wanted, and to sell small matters, that the inhabitants

might see we were in peace and amity, and that the past was forgotten.

These speeches made good what I had formerly suspected, concerning the

doubts the India ships might entertain of our being here, unless they

understood we were friends; and their staying away would prove a great

injury to every officer of the port. Besides, we were purposely so

placed at anchor, that no laden ship could come into the port but must

ride under our guns; by which I reckoned we were sure of trade, either

ashore or aboard, and by thus holding the town in awe, I might venture

our boats and people the more freely on shore, to procure any thing our

ships might need.

We were royally feasted by the governor, the dinner consisting of all

sorts of wild fowl, poultry, goat's-flesh, mutton, cream, custards,

various made dishes, and sundry confections, all served in vessels of

tin, different from our pewter, made goblet-fashion, with feet, and so

placed in piles, one above the other, that they reached a yard high, yet

each dish could be served from without removing the others. All these

meats were served up at once, before we sat down. Our drink was simple

water, or boiled with an herb called _Cauhaw_,[415] giving it a somewhat

bitter taste. Dinner being over, the governor led me into an inner room,

where he was attended by four little boys, who were his catamites. Being

here seated on a crimson velvet carpet, all the rest of the room covered

with rich carpets, one of these boys, having in his hand a linen napkin,

ushered in two other boys, one of whom carried a silver chaffing-dish,

with burning coals, and the other a dish with sundry rich perfumes, as

ambergris, lignum aloes, and others. The governor desired me to permit

the boy to cover my head close with the napkin, after which the other

boy held the chaffing-dish with perfumes under my head, that I might

receive the perfume, which was very pleasant. The governor, and two

principal persons who were with him, then did the like, which seemed a

ceremony much used among them.

[Footnote 415: It ought to be called _Kahwah_, that is, coffee, which

every one knows is a berry; but perhaps it was made of the husk, which

the French say is most delicious, and never exported. See _Voy. de

l'Arabie Heureuse_, p. 243, et seq.--Astl. I.461. d.]

After conversing for some time, three of the boys came in again, one

carrying a vest, or gown, of cloth of gold, wrapped in a covering of

taffety, which was dyed with saffron to preserve the colour of the gold;

another had a sash, or turban, twenty-two yards long, all striped with

gold; and the third bore a _damaskeen_, or Turkish sword, richly mounted

in silver gilt, both hilt and scabbard. The governor himself put the

vest, or gown, upon me, and girt the sword to my side, telling me that

they were not presents from himself, but ordered by the Grand Signior,

whose gifts they were. He then entreated me to ride about the town,

along with the cadi, or chief justice, and the captain of the gallies,

that the people might see the amity there was between us. A horse was

brought for this purpose, very richly caparisoned, all the metal of the

bridle being of silver; but I chose rather to go on foot, that I might

the better see the town, which was agreed to. So, having walked with

these officers all about the town, and having viewed the house proposed

for our factory, I was conducted to the house of the captain of the

gallies, where another costly banquet was prepared. From thence I

returned to the house of the governor, who met me on the stairs, and who

again earnestly entreated, that all the injuries done to Sir Henry

Middleton might be forgotten, and that our perfect amity might be

apparent by my frequent coming or sending ashore. Then taking leave, I

was accompanied to the sea-side by a large train of the principal people

of the town, and I returned on board under a salute of fifteen guns. The

Turks who had remained as pledges were now gratified with sundry

presents, and sent ashore in a friendly manner, giving them likewise a

salute of fifteen guns.

The 21st, I sent Mr Cockes and others ashore, with a present to the aga

of a case of bottles of _rosa solis_, which he had earnestly desired,

and that it should be so wrapped up as not to be known. They were also

directed to make enquiry into the amount of the customs, both inwards

and outwards; the weights, measures, value of coins, and prices of

indigos, calicos, cotton-yarn, and other commodities fit for us to lade

with; also to endeavour to get the Jew to come aboard who was in the

Ascension when cast away near the bar of Surat, who could give us

certain intelligence respecting Sir Henry Middleton. It is to be noted,

that this road of Mokha is very open and dangerous, with very shoal

water a mile off, the town being built on low land, almost even with the

sea. At this time the wind blew strong from the S.S.W. causing so high a

sea that we did not _send_ less than seven feet with every billow,

riding in five fathoms. When the wind is at west there is no shelter;

but the people told us, that when that wind prevails, which begins in

the end of May, the heat is so extreme as to dull the wind, at which

season there is much sickness.

The 31st, I understood from the captain of the town, that letters had

come the night before from the pacha to the governor, ordering him to

allow us free trade, both on shore and with the India ships, and to

furnish us with all we might need, as he should answer at his peril to

the contrary. I was very doubtful of the truth of these good news, as Mr

Cockes had been with the governor only half an hour before, and had not

heard a word of the matter. The captain said, that the reason why the

governor had not mentioned it was, that there was a _jelba_ in the port

bound for Mecca, and ready to depart, and that the governor was

unwilling it should be known the pacha had granted us free trade, lest

on its coming to the ears of the sharif of Mecca, he might write to the

Grand Signior and have the grant revoked. But our opinion rather is,

that the pacha has returned a harsh answer, with directions for the aga

to do with us what he cannot yet effect, by reason of our being so

watchful over him, and therefore conceals his having an answer from

Zenan till a more favourable opportunity. At this time, one _Ashraf_,

who had secretly sent a letter of Mr Femell's, testifying their

treacherous conduct here, gave notice to our linguist, that I ought to

beware of coming on shore myself unless with good pledges, when I might

come boldly, otherwise to put no trust in them, even though the governor

should swear upon the Alcoran; for all the Turks here were soldiers, who

cared little for oaths, and he had heard that the news from the pacha

did not tend to our benefit, as the copy of the Grand Signior's pass had

not yet reached him: After which, it would be seen fully what was meant

to be done, and that would now be in other six days.

The 2d April, the caravan from Grand Cairo in Egypt arrived at Mokha,

and on the 3d two ships arrived from India, one of Chaul and the other

of Cananor, laden with indigo, calicos, chintzes, ambergris, and

cotton-yarn, and at the least 400 passengers, who had much wealth along

with them. We saluted them with nine pieces of cannon from our fleet,

which they returned with three _chambers_ each, being all they had. I

sent my skiff aboard one of them to enquire what were the news on the

coast of Surat, and got back word that three English ships were trading

there; but they knew nothing more. This day the captain of the town came

aboard with five chiefs of the janisaries, being sent by the governor to

inform me that the pacha had sent orders to use us kindly, and give us a

free trade; and desiring me therefore to come ashore next morning, when

I should learn the particulars: But, remembering the caution given by

Ashraf, I begged to be excused. Yet, as Captain Towerson wished to go on

shore, I requested Mahomet Bey to tell the aga, that I would send my

brother on shore next morning, on good pledge for his safety. Mahomet

took this well, and being feasted with his retinue, besides giving them

several presents, I saluted him when he went ashore with twenty pieces

of cannon; on which he sent me word that he was so much gratified by my

attention, I might rely on his best assistance at all times.

Though the pledges did not come off next morning, the 4th of April, yet

Captain Towerson was so desirous of learning the orders of the pacha

that he went ashore, considering that the two India ships, being

absolutely in our power, were sufficient pledges if any injury should be

offered. The governor used him kindly, and presented him with a handsome

vesture; but nothing was effected in the business on which he went, the

Turks not performing their promise. The governor however sent word, that

it would be proper to send two of our men of consequence to wait upon

the pacha at Zenan, with the king's letter and a present; after which we

might depend upon speedy dispatch to our entire satisfaction. I approved

of this, and even intended next day to have looked out a proper present;

but next day, being the 5th April, the captain of the gallies sent

aboard three letters, which the governor had received the night before,

written by Sir Henry Middleton and Captain Sharpey, who were then at

anchor at Bab-al-Mondub. The purport of these was, that Sir Henry had

come from Surat, where he had little or no trade: That Captain Hawkins,

disgusted with Agra, was aboard with his wife; and that Sir Henry had

brought all the English away, except one man who had gone for England by

land: And, finally, that Sir Henry was come back to be revenged of the

Turk, and wished me to get off my people and goods in all haste. I

therefore altered my determination of last night, and immediately sent

off one of my merchants with a letter to Sir Henry, giving an account of

the proceedings of my voyage, and of our entertainment here; and if he

had not come thus to the Red Sea, I meant to have sent two of my

principal men up to Zenan.

It may be proper to note, that the two India ships, formerly mentioned,

discharged the following goods at Mokha. Lignum aloes, 60 quintals:

Indigo, 600 _churles,_ out of both ships: Sashes of all sorts, or Jong

narrow cloths for turbans, a great quantity: Cinnamon of Ceylon, 150

_bahars_, each bahar being three churles and a half: _Osfar_, which is a

red dye, a large quantity: A great store of cloves: A great quantity of

_bastas,_ or white calicos, from 20 to 40 dollars the _corge_, a corge

being twenty pieces. The price of indigo was from as low as 30, to 35,

40, and 50 dollars the _churle._

I wrote on the 7th to the captain of the town, Mahomet Bey, desiring him

to induce the India merchants to barter with me at reasonable rates, for

such commodities as suited us, so as to load one of our ships; by which

Sir Henry Middleton would be satisfied they now meant to deal in a

friendly manner with us, and would be induced to forbear hostilities. At

this time there was a report in the town, that Sir Henry had taken a

_jelba_ or two, coming over with provisions from the Abyssinian side, so

that we durst hardly venture our skiff and gang on shore. This day I had

a letter from the _Mami_, or captain of the gallies, saying that the

answer from the pacha to the governor was in these words: "Haydar Aga,

You write me that three English ships are come to Mokha for trade,

having the pass of the Grand Signior. Give them from me a faithful

promise to come on shore, to take a house, and to buy and sell till the

monsoon be past. You likewise write, that they mean to send up two men

to me: Give them all things fit for their journey, &c." The Captain

_Mami_ said farther, that whatever I chose to propose, the aga and he

would underwrite; and that as for traffic and bartering, they would do

much for love, but nothing for force, and were as willing to load all

our three ships as one of them.

We were informed that the weight in use at Mokha is called _Incu_, which

is two _rotulas_. Ten _incus_, or twenty rotulas, make 23 pounds English

_haberepoize_, sometimes 24, as the weigher chuses to befriend you. A

_churle_ of indigo is 150 _rotulas_, and of our weight between 166 and

170 pounds. Cotton-wool is sold by the _bahar_, which is 300 rotulas, or

between 332 and 334 English pounds averdupois, and is sold very good and

clean at 18 dollars the _bahar_. Their measure of length is called a

pike, containing 27 inches, or 3/4 of our yard. According to the report

made by the governor to Mr Cockes, the custom of this port of Mokha is

worth yearly to the Grand Signior, 150,000 chekins; which, at five

shillings each, amount to £37,500 sterling.[416]

[Footnote 416: It is proper to mention, that in Purchas it is said, _The

customs are worth fifteen hundred thousand chicqueens yearly, which, at

five shillings each, are thirty-seven thousand five hundred pounds

sterling_.--In our correction we have used the most moderate rate, by

reducing the 1,500,000 chequins to 150,000, to correspond with the rated

sterling money; which otherwise must have been increased to L.375,000

sterling; assuredly immensely too much.--E.]

On the 9th the governor sent off a canoe, entreating me to send ashore

next morning, when I should both have the pacha's answer, and a warrant

to detain all such junks as might pass Sir Henry, or be forced to Mokha,

and to trade with them for such goods as we desired, &c.; and entreating

that I would allow my people to come ashore, as the merchants were

become fearful in consequence of Sir Henry having detained some of the

ships. The 10th, Mr Cockes went ashore, and had a conference with the

governor and Captain _Mami_, who said they could not now perform what

they had formerly promised, as the cadi said their lives would be in

danger by so doing. They said likewise, that neither merchant nor broker

would come aboard our ships, as I had requested, they were all so

disconcerted by the conduct of Sir Henry: That the merchants of Cairo

had their factors resident in Mokha, who purposely lay by to engross

indigos and other Indian commodities, which they refused to purchase

till they saw what quantities might come to market this season; and that

the _Banians_, or Indian residents, who held all the indigos, and other

commodities, refused to sell, under the impression of a scarcity in the

market this season. He also brought word that those ashore were resolved

not to buy any of our goods, unless we landed them in the first place.

* * * * *

§ 3. _Adventures along with Sir Henry Middleton in the Red Sea, and

other Observations in those Parts, with our Arrival at Bantam_.[417]

The 13th May, 1612, understanding that Sir Henry Middleton was very

desirous to confer with me, I resolved to go to him at the Bab, for

which place I desired the master to sail with the first fair wind; and

wishing to keep still on friendly terms with the Turks at Mokha, I gave

information of this intention to the aga, from whom I took a letter for

Sir Henry. The 14th, in the morning, we arrived at the Bab, where we

found the Trades-increase riding, with four ships, or junks, of India,

which she had detained. I went that day on board Sir Henry's ship, and

remained with him till night, but no agreement could be formed between

us that day. The 15th Sir Henry spent with me aboard the Clove. Seeing

Sir Henry determined to proceed in a hostile manner with the Turks, I

called a meeting of our commercial council on the 16th, and informed

them, that owing to these disputes between Sir Henry and the Turks and

Cambayans, our hopes of trade at Surat was now as small as what we had

hitherto experienced at Mokha, for which reason our best plan would be

to join Sir Henry in his intentions of forcing trade with the India

ships. Wherefore I proposed that the Hector and Thomas should ply

between Aden and the Bab, while the Clove kept the Abyssinian channel to

take care that no vessels should pass that way in the night, by which

means we might intercept as many India ships as possible, to which we

might put off our broad-cloth, lead, tin, iron, and elephants teeth, the

commodities we had provided for those parts, receiving in barter such

articles as we knew would answer for those countries where we intended

afterwards to proceed; besides, if we should procure indigo, that would

answer towards our home investment. I informed the council that I had

intelligence of two great ships expected daily, called the _Rhemi_ and

the _Hassam_; the smallest of which, by report, was able to load the

Hector with suitable commodities.

[Footnote 417: As the adventures with Sir Henry Middleton have been

already narrated with sufficient amplitude, these are here only slightly

mentioned, to avoid prolixity and unnecessary repetition.--E.]

My proposals being agreed to, I went aboard the Trades-increase, where I

agreed with Sir Henry that our two fleets should unite in trading with

as many of the India ships as we could intercept, making exchange of our

English commodities for such as they had suitable for us; Sir Henry to

dispose of two-thirds of all the goods that should be bartered from this

day forwards, and I to have the other third, paying, however, the

customs to the Grand Signior. Accordingly, the Hector and Thomas were

directed to ply between the north end of the island of Bab-al-Mondub and

the Habesh shore, to intercept all ships that came that way, but with

strict charges that no one should take from them the value of a penny,

or offer them the slightest violence or injury.

The 18th I set sail for Mokha, where we arrived in five hours. The 20th

the governor desired a list of our commodities, which Mr Cockes carried

him. He picked several colours of our broad-cloth, promising to purchase

to the extent of 1000 dollars, besides some quantity of lead and tin.

Many others desired to have lead and iron, wherefore the governor

requested some quantity might be brought ashore next morning, saying,

that when he once began to trade with us, the merchants would certainly

follow. He sent three samples of indigo, but none of the Lahore kind,

which is round, and the best. The price asked was 100 dollars the

_churle_, or 127 _rotulas_ of Mokha, or about 150 pounds English. This

price was quite unreasonable, as we estimated the three sorts to be only

worth respectively thirty, forty, and forty-five dollars the _churle_.

The 21st, we sent ashore eight pieces of cloth, one ton of iron, a ton

of lead, and two chests of tin, of six cwt. For four of the best cloths

they offered one and a half dollar the _pike_, which ought to be

twenty-seven inches, but proposed to measure by a pike of thirty-one

inches. They likewise offered 120 dollars for the _bahar_ of tin, twelve

for the bahar of iron, and fifteen for the lead, prices which we could

not accept, and therefore our merchants returned aboard with their

commodities at night.

The 25th we went for Assab, where, on the 27th, we found the

Trades-increase and the Hector, with eleven sail of junks, or India

ships, from various parts. On coming into the road, or harbour of Assab,

it is proper to keep the northern shore aboard, leaving a little rock or

hummock on the starboard side, when we have twelve, eleven, ten, nine,

eight, and seven fathoms, on a sandy bottom. We anchored in seven

fathoms, about half a mile from the shore. The 30th, the _nakhadas_, or

Indian ship-masters, requested that such of their goods as we wanted

might be sorted immediately, that they might not lose the monsoon for

returning to India, offering to bring aboard our ships any packages we

pleased, to be there examined, and to carry back what we refused. The

9th May, I caused two large India ships to be measured, which were of

the following scantlings:--The _Rhemi_ from stem to stern-port, was 153

feet long, her rake aft from the post being seventeen feet, the top of

her sides in breadth forty-two, and her depth thirty-one feet. The

Mahamudi was 136 feet long, her rake aft twenty, her breadth forty-one,

her depth twenty-nine and a half, and her main-yard 132 feet.

The 15th May, the king of Rahayta, a petty prince on the African coast

of the Red Sea, came to Assab to visit Sir Henry and me, riding upon a

cow. He had a turban on his head, from which a piece of periwinkle shell

hung down on his forehead instead of a jewel. He was entirely naked,

except a piece of painted cloth about his loins, and was attended by 150

men, armed with darts, bows and arrows, swords and targets. Sir Henry

and I went ashore, taking with us a guard of 100 men, shot and pikes, to

prevent treachery, lest the Turks might have planned any trick through

his means, under cover of courtesy, and we were loth to let him go back

without an interview, lest we might lose his friendship, and the

refreshments we procured at the port of Assab, which is in his

dominions. We gave him several presents, and, at his particular

entreaty, gave him his fill of aquavitae, so that he could hardly stand.

These people are Mahometans, being black and hard-favoured, with crisp

hair. The king presented us with five bullocks, and promised every

assistance in his power.

This day I got a note of the prices of commodities, as lately bought and

sold at Surat, of the following tenor:--Broad-cloth of twenty pounds

each piece, of several colours, twenty _mahmudies_ the _conido_, of

thirty-five inches; five _mahmudies_ being equal to one rial of eight,

or Spanish dollar. Kersies, eighty-four mahmudies the piece, being less

than ours cost in England. Lead; the _great maund_, of thirty-three

pounds, seven one-third _mahmudies_. Tin, the _small maund_, of

twenty-five pounds, five and a half dollars. At Dabul, iron sold for

twenty-one dollars the _bahar_, of 360 pounds. Damasked pieces,[418]

from twelve to eighteen dollars each. Elephants teeth, sixty-five

mahmudies the great maund, of thirty-three pounds. Indigo

_cirkesa_,[419] three sorts, the best at fourteen rupees, each worth

half a dollar; the second sort, twelve rupees, and the third, eight

rupees for the great maund, of thirty-three pounds. Three sorts of

Lahore indigo, being the best of all, the best, thirty-six, the second,

thirty, and the third, twenty-four rupees for a maund weighing

fifty-five pounds. Charges of bringing it to the water-side, ten in the

100 for the _cirkesa_, and twenty in the 100 custom for the _lahore_

indigo.

[Footnote 418: Perhaps these were damasked gun-barrels.--E.]

[Footnote 419: Cirkesa, by others named Serkes and Sherkes, is a village

near Ahmedabab, the capital of Cambaya, or Guzerat, where indigo is

made.--Astl. 466. d.]

The 23d May, the Thomas, having forty-nine men all in health, set sail

for Socotora for aloes, and to go thence for Priaman and Tekoo in

Sumatra, for pepper. The 8th August the Hector sailed for Priaman and

Tekoo, having eighty-eight Englishmen aboard in perfect health, the

monsoon being now favourable. The 10th and 11th all reckonings were

cleared between us and the junks Hassani, Caderi, Mahmudi, Rehemi, and

Salameti. Our whole cargo, including commodities and dollars, bartered

for at this place, did not exceed 46,174 dollars. The two following

acquittances on this occasion will enable the reader the better to

understand the nature of the dealings at this place, in this forced

trade with the India ships.[420]

[Footnote 420: These appear to have been translated by or for Purchas,

the former from Arabic, and the latter from Malabar, as the one has a

subscription and seal in Arabic, and the other a subscription in some

Indian character, yet considerably different from that formerly inserted

in Purchas under the name of Banian.--E.]

_In Mokha Roads, in the Red Sea, 10th August, 1612._

Be it remembered, that I, _Mahomed Hassan Comal Adin Ashen_, captain of

the _Hassani_ of Surat, have bartered and sold to Captain John Saris,

general of the eighth voyage to the East Indies, for the sum of

7400-11/48 rials of eight, in the following goods, viz.

Indigos of all sorts, 86 bales, amounting, with profit,

to rials 3046-7/48

Cambaya cloth, 316 _corges_, 7-1/2 pieces, amount, &c. 4136

Three carpets, valued at 20

Two cotton quilts, at 80 rials a _corge_, 8

Rice, butter, ginger, and sugar, amount 53-7/24

For 18 yds. broad cloth, received back in account, 96

Four bales gum-lac, with profit 40-10/24

----------

Sum total of merchandise sold, Rials 7400-11/48

And I have received in payment these following goods,

viz.

Broad cloths, 28-1/2 pieces, amounting, in rials, 4574-30/48

Ten pieces of kersies, 501-1/3

Thirty _bahars_ of lead, 720

Twenty bahars of iron, 480

Four and a half bahars of tin, 679-1/2

Fifteen fowling-pieces, 445

----------

Sum total of these goods received, Rials 7400-11/48

* * * * *

_In Mokha Road, in the Red Sea, the 12th August, 1612._

Be it remembered, that I, Nakhada Hassan, captain of the good ship

Caderi of Diu, have bartered and sold to Captain John Saris, &c. for the

sum of 2947-9/10 rials of eight, in these following goods, _viz_.

Indigo of both sorts, 31 bales, amounting, with profit,

to rials 1694-11/16

Brought over, Rials 1694-13/16

Spikenard, one bale; turbith,[421] one bale; cinnamon,

five bales; amount, with profit, 64-1/4

Cambaya cloth, 137 _corges_ and 3 pieces, amount,

with profit, 1188-1/2

________________

Sum total, Rials 2947-9/16

And I have received in payment these goods following,

viz.

Broad cloths, six pieces, amounting, in rials, 890-2/3

Kersies, ten pieces, 477-1/3

Lead, 31-3/4 bahars, 762-17/48

Iron, 10 bahars, 240

Tin, 1-1/2 bahar, 226-2/3

Fowling-pieces, fourteen, 350

Received in money to balance 0-17/24

Sum total of goods received, Rials 2947-9/16

The 13th of August, 1612, we set sail from Mokha in the Clove, having on

board seventy-five men, all in perfect health. The 14th we got sight of

the _Bab,_ but the wind being large at N.W. we steered through the great

channel on the Abyssinian side, having 18 fathoms water about one league

from the island of _Babo,_ where is a good and safe harbour for

shipping, but the place is barren. The 3d September we arrived at

Socotora in Delisha road; when we understood the Thomas had been here

three months before, but made no stay, as they could not agree for the

aloes. The 4th the merchant and linguist went ashore, and were kindly

treated by the king, but could not agree in the price, as he asked 40

dollars the quintal of 104 pounds, saying he had only 25 quintals, and

was much solicited for it by the Portuguese. At length we agreed to give

30 dollars for one parcel, and 38 for another, and he delivered us 4067

pounds, which cost 1418-1/2 rials of eight, or dollars. On this occasion

we found the king false both in his weights and word, yet we treated him

well for the good of future voyages. We sailed for Bantam on the 8th

September.

[Footnote 421: Perhaps turmeric is here meant--E.]

The 22d, in lat. 8° 12' N. by the stars, steering E. by S. with the

wind W.S.W. we fell at midnight into the strangest and most terrifying

shining water that any of us had ever seen, the water throwing so great

a glare about the ship that we could discern the letters in a book

perfectly, whereas it had been so dark only half an hour before, that we

could not see half the length of our ship any way. We doubted it had

been the breach of some sunken ground, and thought to have cast about;

but after sailing in it half an hour without any alteration, we held on

our course, and at length it proved to be cuttle-fish that made this

fearful show.

We got sight of the island of Ceylon on the 27th in the morning, bearing

N.E. by E. about 7 leagues off, being very high land up the country, but

very low near the sea. The 29th we saw Cape Comorin about 14 leagues

off, being very high land. This cape is in the latitude of 7° 42' [more

accurately 7° 57' N.] whereas our charts lay it down in 6° 10'. During

our course we did not fall in with any of the islands laid down in our

charts, neither did we see any of the Maldive islands, which are said to

be so numerous.

The 15th October, when in lat. 4° 49' S. we got sight of Sumatra, where

we found a strong current setting us from the land. Such as are bound

for the straits of Sunda, must keep the coast of Sumatra on board after

they get into lat. 1° 30' S. as the current begins there. It is proper

to keep thirty leagues off the coast of that island and with a good

look-out, as there are many _cayos_[422] fifteen or twenty leagues out

at sea, but which we did not see, as we were kept farther out by the

current. The 24th we came to anchor in the road of Bantam, all our

people being in as good health, or better, than when we left England.

Contrary to our expectation, we here found the Hector, which had arrived

only the day before, in company with the James and several Dutch ships.

The arrival of all these ships, and the daily expectation of the

Trades-increase, Pepper-corn, Darling, and Thomas, occasioned a great

and sudden alteration in the prices of commodities. Such as were in

considerable request, were raised nearly to three times the price for

which they sold the day before the Hector arrived. Cloves, which the

people of the Hector and James had bought the day before at sixteen

dollars the pekul, were now risen to forty dollars and upwards. Pepper,

which was ten dollars for ten sacks, rose upon our coming to twelve and

a half dollars; and so of other commodities.

[Footnote 422: Keys, islands and rocks.--E.]

We went to court on the 26th, accompanied by our merchants, and gave

divers presents to _Pangran Chamarra_, who enjoyed the entire authority

of government as protector, although the king was now of full age. From

him we procured a licence to land our goods, providing the royal

officers were made acquainted with all that were brought on shore, that

the king might not be wronged of his duties. The 28th a letter from Mr

William Adams, written from Japan, was read in presence of all our

merchants, that they might consider what hopes there were of trade in

that country. It was now concluded in a council of commerce, considering

the power of the Dutch in the Moluccas and Banda, where they were almost

absolute masters, and that Bantam was exceedingly unhealthy, where

besides our people injured themselves greatly on shore with drink and

loose women, that the Hector should be dispatched in all speed to

England, and that 14,000 sacks of pepper should be provided for her and

the Thomas without delay, fearing that pepper might be raised still

higher when the natives got news of the other expected ships. We

accordingly bargained with _Lackmoy_ for 2000 sacks of pepper, at

127-1/2 dollars the 100 sacks; and with _Keewee_ for 1000 sacks at 125

dollars the 100 sacks, and for 3000 more at 150 dollars the 100. We now

tried ashore what was the weight of a pekul of cloves, which we found to

be 132 pounds English.

The 9th November, Sir Henry Middleton arrived at Bantam in the

Pepper-corn. The 15th, at the earnest request of _Chamarra_ the

protector, we mustered before the palace eighty of our men in arms from

our different ships, to assist in celebrating the breaking up of the

Mahometan Lent, which gave him much content, more especially as the

Dutch refused to gratify him. The 16th we agreed with _Keewee_ for 4000

sacks of pepper at 160 dollars the 100 sacks, with an allowance of three

in the hundred _basse_. The 18th eleven large Dutch ships arrived, the

Thomas being in their company. She had only got at Priaman 312 bahars of

pepper, and twenty _tael_ of gold. On the 22d, 100 Dutchmen, armed with

firelocks and pikes, all in brave array, marched to the front of the

palace, where they drew up in a ring and gave three vollies. The

protector sent word in the king's name to thank them, saying they had

done enough, and might depart with their iron hats; for so the Javanese

call head-pieces. The 28th, three Dutch ships sailed homewards bound,

mostly laden with pepper and mace, and five more of their ships sailed

for Banda and the Moluccas.

The 4th December, a Dutch ship arrived from Coromandel, from which we

had intelligence that the Globe was at Patane bound for Siam. The 11th,

the Hector, having taken in her lading, sailed from Bantam to the

watering-place called _Morough,_ where the air is good and healthy, and

where refreshment of oranges is to be had in abundance, besides other

wholesome fruits, intending to wait there till the Thomas was fully

laden. The 22d, the Trades-increase and Darling arrived from Priaman.

The 25th, in honour of the birth-day of the Saviour, certain chambers

were discharged at our English factory, which were answered by ordnance

from our ships. The 28th, _Keewee,_ the chief China merchant, invited

Sir Henry Middleton and me, with all our merchants, to dinner at his

house, where he had a play acted by Chinese actors on a stage erected

for the purpose, which they performed with good pronunciation and

gesture. The 12th January, 1613, the Thomas set sail for England, having

a crew of thirty-six English and three Indians.

§ 4. _The Voyage of Captain Saris, in the Clove, towards Japan, with

Observations respecting the Dutch and Spaniards at the Molucca

Islands._[423]

In the morning of the 4th January, 1613, we weighed anchor from the road

of Bantam for Japan, having taken in 700 sacks of pepper to make trial

of trade at that place. Our crew consisted of seventy-four Englishmen,

one Spaniard, one Japanese, and five _Swarts,_ [blacks] or Indians. The

15th, in the morning, having little wind, we hauled off into fourteen

fathoms, and steered E. by S. and E.S.E. leaving _Pulo Lack_ on our

starboard, and eleven or twelve small islands on our larboard; our depth

shoaling from, fourteen to ten fathoms us we passed between two islands

to the east of _Palo Lack._ In this fair way there is a shoal which has

not above six feet water, and does not exceed half a cable's length in

extent either way. Close in with it there are ten fathoms water, and the

very next cast is on ground, as we had sad experience, having lain three

hours beating on it with a reasonably stiff gale, but got off through

God's mercy, and the extraordinary exertions of the crew. Our ship

sprung a leak, which kept every man at the pump, myself only excepted,

during the whole night, and till ten o'clock next day. Every one took

his spell in turn, and little enough to keep the leak from increasing,

so that we were all doubtful of being obliged to put back for Bantam, to

the great risk of losing our men by sickness, and disappointing our

voyage to Japan; but, thank God, our carpenter found the leak, and made

it tight. To avoid this shoal it is necessary to keep close to the

islands, as the main of Java is shoally.

[Footnote 423: In this voyage, being one not now usual, we have followed

the course minutely along with Captain Saris--E.]

The 16th, we anchored at a watering-place called _Tingo Java,_ fourteen

leagues from Bantam, and about three and a half leagues westwards of

_Jacatra._ We rode between two islands, which are about five miles off

the point, having nine and ten fathoms close to the islands, but towards

the main land is shoally. I sent presents to the king of Jacatra and to

his sabandar and admiral, requesting leave to purchase such necessaries

as we wanted; and on the 18th the king sent his chief men aboard,

thanking me for the presents, and offering me every thing his country

afforded. The 21st we set sail, steering near the eastermost of the two

islands that are over against the watering-place, having nine and ten

fathoms, and so to seawards of all the islands E.N.E. from the

watering-place. The outwardmost of them beareth E. by N. northerly; and

off its northern point is a shoal half a league distant, on which the

sea is seen to break, at which time the east point of Jacatra bears

east-southerly, depth seventeen and eighteen fathoms, and all the way

out from twenty to fourteen fathoms. You will here find a current

setting E.S.E. for which you must allow according as you have the wind.

In the evening, having little wind at N. by W. and the current setting

us to the S.E. upon the shore, we came to anchor in, thirteen fathoms,

having shot three leagues to the eastward of the east point of Jacatra,

with the wind at N.W.

We weighed on the 22d, with the wind at S.W. and steered E.N.E. to get

into deep water, and had fourteen fathoms, when the high hill over

Bantam bore W.S.W. half a point westerly. The morning of the 23d _we

deckt up our sails_, the wind being at S.E. and had sight of an island

off Cheribon, with three of those high-peaked hills of Java, the

easternmost of which bore S.E. while Cheribon bore S. by E. Our latitude

at noon was 6° 10' S. The wind at N.N.W. and the island bearing E. by N.

three and a half leagues off. You may boldly keep in twenty-three or

twenty-four fathoms water in the offing, and in twenty fathoms upon Java

in the darkest night that is, and during the day upon Java in any depth

you please. The 24th, in the morning, we had sight of the three

high-peaked hills, and of three others farther eastwards, that looked

like islands. Our depth was twenty fathoms, the point of Japara bearing

S.E. by S. and the island [_Carimon Java_] bearing S.E. and N.W. about

nine leagues off. We steered E. by S. and E.S.E. latitude 6° 10' and

made our course twenty leagues E.

At day-break of the 26th, we had sight of _Pulo Lubek_, bearing N.E. by

E. eight leagues off, wind at W. by N. We steered E. by S. in

thirty-four and thirty-five fathoms; and about nine a.m. saw land

bearing S.E. and S.E. by S. the before-named island now bearing N.E. by

N. At noon our latitude was 6° 12' S. and our course twenty-two leagues

E. and E. by N. By four p.m. _Pulo Lubek_ bore W. by N. nine leagues

off, and our depth was thirty-four fathoms. Noon of the 27th our

latitude was 6° 4' S. our course twenty-eight leagues E. northerly,

depth thirty-eight fathoms; and by three p.m. we had sight of an island

N.N.E. seven leagues off. At five p.m. we had thirty-four fathoms.

At four a.m. of the 20th, we had twenty-five fathoms, steering E. till

noon, when our latitude was 5° 55' S. our course having been twenty

leagues E. northerly, and our depth was now thirty-five fathoms. From

noon we steered E. by S. Early in the morning of the 29th, having the

wind at W. by N. we steered E. by S. and had no ground with forty

fathoms line; but at noon we found fifty-two fathoms, with many

_overfalls_. Our latitude was this day at noon 6° 9' S. our course

twenty-eight leagues E. by S. the wind W. and W. by N. and a current

setting to the westwards. We steered E. and in the afternoon had no

ground with 100 fathoms.

The 30th, in the morning, our latitude was 5° 57' S. our longitude from

Bantam 224 leagues E. our course E. northerly twenty-eight leagues, the

_overfalls_ continuing, but had no ground at 100 fathoms. At three p.m.

we had sight from the topmast-head of a low flat island, bearing N.E. by

N. five or six leagues off, full of trees. We had eighteen fathoms

water, and the next cast eighty-five fathoms. We steered E. by S. and at

four p.m. the island bore N. by E. half a point N. three or four leagues

off. We then had sight of two other low flat islands, one opening to the

eastwards, and the other to the westwards, so that the first seen lay in

the middle between them. At six p.m. that first seen island bearing N.

half a point E. we sounded, and had no ground at eighty fathoms. We

steered E. by S. constantly throwing the lead, in regard to the

_overfalls_ or ripplings, which were very fearful, yet had no ground at

sixty fathoms.

At day-break of the 31st, we had sight of Celebes, its western extremity

rising like an island, and the outermost high land bearing E. by N. six

leagues off, our latitude 5° 52' S. our course E. northerly sixteen

leagues, and a current setting N.W. At sun-set we took in our sails,

that we might not overshoot the straits of _Desalon_, called _Solore_ by

the natives.[424] Keeping our lead going all night, while under easy

sail, we had first twenty fathoms, the high land being then north, and

drove thence into thirty-three and forty-seven fathoms, fearing a shoal

about two-thirds of a league from Celebes, on which the sea breaks at

low-water. The passage, or straits, on the Celebes side, is very

dangerous, and full of sunken ground, wherefore we hauled off to the

_Desalon_ side, giving it a good birth, having a peaked hill next the

sea-side, rising like an island. When you are to the westward, this hill

bears N.N.E. When it bears north, then you are athwart the west end of

the shoal, and then will the island on your starboard-hand bear E.N.E.

so that you may boldly steer through in the middle between the two

islands. When the peaked hill bears N. by W. then you are athwart the

east end. This east end of Desalon shews like an island, and will

deceive you till you come to it; but when you have brought the north end

of the point E.N.E. you may be bold, as being now clear of the

before-mentioned shoal. It is about four leagues between these islands,

and we came within half a mile of the island on our starboard. While

going through, the wind took us suddenly short, but on sounding, we had

no ground at fifty-five fathoms.

[Footnote 424: The passage between the S.W. extremity of Celebes and the

Sallyee islands seems here meant.--E.]

The afternoon of the 1st February we were abreast the point of the

island, bearing S. of us, and the two islands which make the straits lay

from each other N. and S. distant five small leagues. The morning of the

2d we had sight of the south part of _Desalon_, S.W. by S. and the north

part W. by N. eight leagues off. We steered E. by N. the wind at N. by

E. Our latitude being 5° 52' S. and Desalon ten leagues off. The morning

of the 3d the south end of the isle of _Cambyna_ bore N.E. by E. and a

small island or hummock N.E. eight or nine leagues off. In the morning

of the 4th we were in latitude 5° S. with the wind at N.E. and at 3 p.

m. we saw land E. by N. which we made to be _Boeton_ or_ Botun._ The 5th,

being three or four leagues off Cambyna, we found the current carrying

us to the northwards. The 7th at day-break we neared Botun, and the 8th

saw another island called _Tingabasse_, or _Tockan Bessy_, rising round

and flat.

The 9th we had sight of two _Curra-Curras_ between us and Botun, on

which we sent the skiff to one of them, which brought one Mr Welden, who

had formerly belonged to the Expedition, and a Dutchman, both of them

being bound for Banda. Mr Welden was in the employment of the king of

Botun, in the trade between that place and Banda, and had the command of

these two curra-curras. Our latitude was 5° 20'. We had the wind at

E.N.E. and steered north. At night the wind came southerly, and we

steered N.N.E. From the east point of Botun the land falls away

suddenly, forming two great bays to the N.N.W. and with three great

islands which lie to the northward of Botun, forms the straits of that

name. The strait of Botun is not above a league broad, the entrance

being on the north side of the island. If you come from the westwards,

when abreast the north-west point, the proper course is E.N.E. and E. by

N. up to the road, with no danger but what may be seen; but you must

leave the three great islands to the north of your course, not going

between any of them; and on falling in with the west end of Botun, go

not between and the island lying off it. There are two long islands, but

leave both to starboard, as there is broken ground between them and

Botun. If the wind serve, haul to the northward of all the islands,

going either between Botun and Cambyna, or else to the northward of

Cambyna likewise, and so you may keep the shore of Celebes, for it is

bold.

The morning of the 13th we had sight of the island of _Buro_ or _Boero_,

being high land; and the 14th, in the morning, we bore up with the east

point of the island, to seek for some place where we might anchor. At

noon of the 18th, we were within a mile of an island called _Sula_, and

sent our skiff ashore to speak with the natives. We had fifteen fathoms

only the ship's length from shore, and no ground a mile off with 100

fathoms line. The west part of Boero bore S. 1/2 a point W. and N. 1/2 a

point E. fourteen leagues one from the other, the land stretching N.N.E.

The morning of the 21st we were four or five leagues off an island

called by our sailors _Haleboling_, being a high-capped round island,

different in shape from all the islands in sight, the point of this

island of _Haleboling_, or _Boa de Bachian_, bearing N.E. by N. four

leagues off. The 22d, in the morning, we had sight of land N. by E.

being the island of _Machian_, which is very high land. The 23d, in the

morning, we were three leagues from the land, having the wind at N.E.

and were in search of a place wherein to anchor. Within a quarter of a

mile from the shore we had forty fathoms, wherefore we bore up to the

south part of the island, where we had twenty and nineteen fathoms for a

few casts, and then no ground. We steered from this point E.S.E. for so

the land lieth open, off the point of the high round island, being four

leagues between the two points; but the western point is an island, with

three or four others to the eastwards of it, which cannot be perceived

till very near them. The land then falls away N.E. having a large and

round bay or sound, very deep, with land on both sides of it. This round

hill is _Bachian_, and yields great abundance of cloves; but by reason

of the wars they are wasted, and as the people are not allowed the

advantages of the cloves, they are not gathered, but are left to drop

from the trees upon the ground to absolute waste. The natives are

oppressed by the Hollanders and Spaniards, and induced by them to spoil

and waste each other in civil wars; while both of these, their

oppressors, remain secure in strong-holds, and look on till they can

snatch, the bone from he who can wrest it from his fellow. Finding no

ground on which to anchor, and being unable to get to the northwards, we

stood off and on all night, hoping to get a shift of wind to carry us to

Machian.

The morning of the 24th; the high land of the island, laying from us S.

by E. ten or twelve leagues, had a rugged appearance. We stood in,

however, and when a league from the point, sent off the skiff to look

for water, and to sound for an anchorage. She returned on board, having

neither found water nor place to anchor in; wherefore we stood into the

bay, and presently got sight of a town and fort belonging to the

Hollanders, called Boa de Bachian. The pinnace a-head found water in

several places, which were all very steep and in the bottom of the bay,

near to which is the Dutch fort very artificially built, and warlike,

with a town hard by. We came here to anchor, a sacker shot from the

fort, having very irregular soundings in going up, as seventy, sixty,

eight, and ten fathoms, the ground all ooze. The Dutch saluted us with

five pieces, which I returned with a like number. A messenger being on

board of my ship from the king of the island, I told him our salute was

in honour of his master; who indeed had sent me word by this person,

that he would have come aboard to visit me, but was hindered by the

Dutch. In this fort there were thirteen pieces of artillery, one being a

brass demi-culverine, the others sackers and minions. The Hollanders

here are more feared than loved by the natives, which yet is the cause

of their greater profit; for, as soon as we arrived, the natives told

us, they durst not for their lives bring us a _catty_ of cloves.

At our anchorage here, the outermost point bore S.S.W. and the other

S.W. distant from us four leagues. The king sent his admiral and others

of his nobles aboard to bid me welcome, saying that they knew what

nation we were of by our flag. They used many ceremonious compliments,

wishing we were seated among them instead of the Dutch, that they might

get clear of them, as they had almost ruined their country by civil

wars. I entertained them in a friendly manner, saying we had come among

them for trade, and would leave a factory with them, if their king were

so inclined. They answered, that such a thing would please them much,

but could not now be granted; yet they would acquaint their king with

what I said. The captain of the Dutch fort made me a visit on board,

from whom I understood that his force consisted of thirty men, most of

whom were married, some to natives of the country, and some to Dutch

women; eleven of whom, as he told me, were able to do military duty even

against the Spaniards or any other nation, being large and strong

viragoes, with few other good qualities. No sooner was the captain on

board but he was followed by this Amazonian band, who complained that

they suffered great misery, and readily sat down along with our sailors

to partake of such as our ship afforded; after which they returned

ashore with the captain.

The 3d March we sent our skiff to sound the east side of the bay, and at

an opening or entrance near a little island, she found an anchorage in

twelve, sixteen, and twenty fathoms on coral ground, out from under the

command of the fort; but having a shoal to the southwards, the length of

three cables. This is in latitude 0° 50'. The 4th, the king of Ternate

sent me a present by his priest. The 5th, at sun-rise, we observed the

variation to be 4° 48' easterly. This day a Moor came aboard with a

sample of cloves, and offered to sell us some quantity if we would go

for them to Machian; being sent on this errand by his master, who was

now on this island of Bachian. For this reason we deemed it proper to

stay a day longer to have some conference with this person, whose name

was Key Malladaia, being brother to the old king of Ternate. The 6th he

came aboard, and promised to go with us to Machian, and to bring us to a

place there called Tahannee.[425] He accordingly left two of his chief

men with me as pilots, desiring us to go before and wait for him at an

island by the way, where he promised to be with us in two days, giving

great encouragement to hope for abundance of cloves. He told us that the

Dutch gave 50 dollars the bahar, but they would cost us 60, which I very

readily promised to give. The 7th we weighed from this anchorage or

road, called _Amascan_; and, by direction of our new pilots, steered W.

and W. by N. for Machian, leaving two islands to larboard, four or five

miles from Amascan; we had twenty-two, thirty, and even forty fathoms,

two cables length only off the island. The 10th we had sight of

_Machian_, being a high and capped island, bearing N.E. and the island

of _Tidore_ opening like a sugar-loaf on its western side, but not such

high land as Machian. We anchored in twenty-three fathoms, a mile from a

little island in the mouth of a strait or passage among islands five

leagues from the straits of _Namorat_, and fourteen leagues from the

road of Amascan, where is the Dutch fort we had been near in Bachian.

The 11th in the morning, we weighed with the wind at S.S.E. and the

current setting to the northwards, enabled us to pass the straits. The

wind then veered to N.W. by N. on which we stood east till noon, when we

tackt to westwards, and had sight of _Gilolo_, a long land. Our depth

going out of the strait was from twenty-nine to thirty-four fathoms, and

we had many islands to the E. and E.S.E. The point of old Bachian was

three or four leagues north of the strait, leaving four islands to

starboard. The island which makes that side of the strait is called

_Tavally Backar_, where we anchored and remained till the 12th, waiting

for Key Malladaia, being the place where he appointed to come to us,

being ten leagues from Machian. In this island of Tavally we had plenty

of wood, but no water. The 13th our coopers provided themselves with

_rattans_, which make excellent hoops, and of which there was abundance

to be had here of all sizes.

[Footnote 425: Tahannee is a town on the island of Machian, where the

Portuguese formerly had a fort, but there is none now, neither for them

nor the Hollanders. There is here the best anchorage in the whole

island, and though very near the shore, yet perfectly safe.--_Purchas._]

As Key Malladaia did not make his appearance on the 14th, his people

doubted that the Dutch had detained him, on seeing us making our way

among the islands, and suspecting he was in treaty with us. Wherefore we

set sail with the wind at N.W. and plied up towards Machian. The channel

between Bachian, Machian, Tidore, and Ternate, stretches N. by W. and S.

by E. and is six leagues across in its narrowest part. In the morning of

the 15th, we passed between Gilolo, otherwise called Batta-china and

Caia, our latitude at noon being 0° 17' N. so that Machian was not truly

placed on our chart, in which the equator is made to pass through its

middle, whereas we found it five leagues more to the northwards. The

16th in the morning we were close by the island of Caia, and had sight

of a sail to the northwards, which we learnt from a fisherman to be a

Dutch vessel, bound from. Machian to Tidore with _sago_, of which the

natives make use instead of bread.[426] In the morning of the 17th we

were near a fort of the Hollanders, called _Tabalda_; and at four p.m.

we came to anchor in the road of _Pelebere_, hard by _Tahanue_, in fifty

fathoms water, so near the shore as to be within call;, having one point

of land to the S.S.W. two miles off, another N.E. by N. one and a half

mile off, and the island of _Caia_ five leagues distant. This night some

small quantities of cloves were brought to us, and a price fixed at

sixty dollars the bahar of 200 _cattees_, each _cattee_ being three

pounds five ounces English.[427] I received a letter from Key Malladaia

at Bachian, excusing his absence, promising to be with me shortly, and

saying he had sent orders to his people to supply me with all the cloves

they could procure.

[Footnote 426: In the test of the Pilgrims, Captain Sons calls sago a

root, while Purchas, in a marginal note, informs us that some say it is

the tops of certain trees. Sago is a granulated dried paste, prepared

from the pith of certain trees that grow in various of the eastern

islands of India, and of which a bland, mucilaginous, and nutritive

jell; is made by maceration and boiling in water.--E.]

[Footnote 427: The bahar in this instance may be called 662 pounds, and

the agreed price for the cloves rather below 5d the pound.--E.]

A _Samaca_ came aboard on the 18th, who made great offers of kindness.

He was accompanied by two Dutchmen, who were very inquisitive to know

who had directed us into this road, saying it must have been one of the

natives, and if they knew him, they would cut him in pieces before our

faces. To this they added, that we did wrong in coming into these parts,

as the country belonged to the Dutch by right of conquest. I ordered

them back to their fort, desiring them to tell their captains, that I

was ready to let them have any thing I could spare, at reasonable rates,

before all others, because we acknowledged them as our neighbours and

brethren in Christ; but that we could not acknowledge the country to be

their property, and would therefore continue to ride there while we

thought proper, and would trade with whoever was pleased to come to us.

The two Dutchmen then departed, threatening the natives then aboard,

that they would all be put to death if they brought us any cloves. The

natives made light of this threat, saying they looked on us as friends,

and would come aboard in spite of the Dutch; and this day we bought 300

cattees of cloves in exchange for Cambaya cloth, and some sold for

ready money.

Next day the two Dutchmen came again on board, and immediately begun to

write down in their table books the names of all the natives which came

aboard our ship, on which I made our boatswain turn them out of the

ship, with orders not to return. Several of our men were sent ashore, to

see what entertainment the natives would give them; and on going to the

towns of Tahanne and Pelebere, they were hospitably used. The natives

told our men, that the Dutch had so wrought with _Key Chillisadang_, son

to the king of Ternate, who was newly come to this island, that he had

prohibited them from selling us any cloves on pain of death, otherwise

we should have had them in preference to the Dutch, who greatly

oppressed them. Towards night that prince passed by our ship in his

curracurra, and I sent our pinnace to him, handsomely fitted with a fine

Turkey carpet awning, and curtains of crimson silk and gold, requesting

he would come aboard. He seemed to take this message kindly, but excused

himself; saying he would visit me in the morning.

The 21st an _Orankey_ came aboard, telling us that a curracurra

belonging to the Dutch had searched three or four proas, or canoes,

bringing cloves to us, which they had confiscated, and threatened to put

the natives to death for the next offence. He told us likewise, that the

Dutch, since our arrival, had dispersed the whole garrison of their

forts round about the island, to prevent the natives from bringing us

any more spice; and had sent a message to Tidore, for two large ships to

come and anchor beside us, one a-head and the other a-stern, that they

might force us away without trade or refreshments. The 22d, we saw one

of these ships coming round the point, after which we had little trade,

as the natives were afraid to come near us; and they waited to see what

we might do, as the Dutch reported we would run away at the sight of

their ship. This vessel was the Red Lion, carrying thirty guns, which

came to anchor astern Of our ship. I this day received a present from

Key Malladaia, who was not yet come to the island.

The 24th, _Key Chillisadang_, prince of Ternate, sent to tell me that he

was coming to make me a visit, on which I made preparations to give him

a handsome reception. He came attended by several great curracurras, and

rowed thrice round the ship before coming aboard. On entering, we fired

five guns, and immediately conducted him to the cabin, where I had

prepared a banquet that might have been set before the king of Ternate,

with a concert of music, with which he was much delighted. He promised

to give the people leave to bring us cloves, but requested me to have

patience for a day or two, till he had advice from his brother, who was

then at Tidore. At parting, I gave him several presents, and saluted him

with seven pieces of cannon.

In the morning of the 25th, a curracurra of the Dutch rowed past our

ship, scoffing at our people, and singing a song which they had made to

deride us, which they often repeated, to the great displeasure of our

people, who were likewise much offended by their rowing several times

over our _can-bodies_, endeavouring to sink them. Thereupon I ordered

the pinnace to be well manned and armed, and directed, if the Dutch on

their return continued their scoffs, to run aboard and sink their

curracurra. They accordingly came back, singing and scoffing as before,

on which the pinnace ran aboard them with such violence, that the water

came through her sides. There were on board this curracurra two Dutch

captains of their forts, and plenty of men armed with shot and darts;

but our pinnace was well provided, and had two good _fowlers_[428] at

her head. She lay a good space aboard the curracurra, desiring the

Dutchmen to take this for a warning to leave off their impertinent

scoffs, or we should teach them better manners in a worse way the next

time. So they went away, promising to do so no more.

[Footnote 428: Probably some species of ordnance, as swivels or

musquetoons.--E.]

Towards evening the Dutch sent one of their merchants to me, with a

writing from their _doctor-of-laws_, who was their chief in the absence

of De Bot, or Blocke, who had come from Holland as general over eleven

ships. The purport of this writing was, that all the inhabitants of the

Moluccas had entered into a perpetual contract with the Dutch for all

their cloves, at fifty dollars the bahar, of 200 cattees, in reward for

having freed them from the Spanish yoke, at great expence of blood and

treasure; and required therefore, that I should not excite the people to

disobedience, to their great disadvantage, as the country was certainly

theirs by right of conquest. He added, that the islanders were indebted

in large sums to the Dutch, advanced on promise of repayment in cloves.

I answered, that I had no intention to interfere in any of the concerns

of the Dutch, and had only come for the purpose of trading with whoever

might be inclined to trade with us.

The 27th, the Dutch made the prince Key Chillisadang moor his curracurra

astern of us, to prevent the natives from coming aboard of us; and, in

our sight, we saw him stop a canoe, which we thought was bringing us

spice, and obliged it to go back to the land: yet, towards night, two of

the natives brought us off some refreshments. Next day, understanding

that we were dissatisfied with his proceedings, the prince removed

behind a point at some distance, which much displeased the Dutch. In the

afternoon, I went with the skiff, well manned, to endeavour to bargain

with the prince for a parcel of cloves, but found him gone to another

place. Seeing my skiff going into the bay, Captain Blocke followed in

his curracurra, and would have landed where I was, but I would not

suffer him. On the natives seeing this, and that Captain Blocke went

back to his ship without landing, many of the better sort came down to

us with much respect, and sent for cocoas and other fruits, which they

distributed to the boat's crew. When the master of my ship saw Captain

Blocke following me in great haste, he manned our long-boat to assist us

in case of need, but on a signal to that effect from me, he returned on

board.

On the 30th, the Dutch brought the prince to ride in his old place, and

towards evening another Dutch ship came into the roads, called the Moon,

having thirty-two pieces of good cannon, but not more than fifty men.

She came to anchor a-head of us, and so near, that we could hardly swing

clear of each other. The prince sent an apology for coming back, but we

now saw that he was forced to do as the Dutch thought proper. On the

31st, several harsh dealings and discourtesies passed between us and the

Dutch. The 1st of April, 1613, the Dutch mustered about 120 men ashore,

gathered from their ships and forts, and every morning and evening

relieved guard with drum and fife, and displayed ensign. On the 2d,

seeing no appearance of Key Malladaia, according to his promise, I

ordered our water-casks to be filled, and every thing to be in readiness

for setting sail with the first fair wind. At noon this day, we found

the latitude of this road of _Pelebre_, or _Pelabry_, to be 26' N. of

the equator, the variation being 3° 28', and the highest land in the

island of Machian bearing W.N.W. half a point westerly.

On the 5th of April we weighed anchor with little wind, and the current

setting to the southwards, we drove to sea under our foresail, passing

a-head of the Moon, the larger of the Dutch ships, which made a fair

shot under our stern, which we presently answered close a-head of his

admiral, expecting farther, but heard no more of them. At noon they both

weighed and followed us; but having the wind at S.W. we were far to

windward, so that the natives came aboard of us with cloves for a time,

as fast as we could weigh and pay for them, the Dutch being unable to

hinder. There came also an Orankey aboard, who promised us a good parcel

of cloves, if we could come near the shore in the evening. The 6th,

about fifty cattees of cloves were brought to us in several canoes.

Towards evening; stood rather nearer the shore than I wished, in

consequence of seeing a weft, on which I sent a skiff to the Orankey,

who said his cloves were ready, and should be brought aboard in the

dark. But in consequence of a Dutch curracurra passing by, he was in

such fear, that though our people offered to guard him, he durst not

venture aboard.

In the morning of the 16th, we were abreast of _Mootiere_, four leagues

from the western point of Machian, N. by E. half a point easterly; and

three leagues from it to the north is the island of _Marro_, two leagues

beyond which is _Tidore_, between and around all which islands is clear

passage on all sides, without any danger. Our latitude at noon was 0°

25'; and we could see the two Dutch ships to the southwards, plying

after us. In sailing from _Marro_ to Tidore, it is proper to keep a

sharp look-out, as there is a long shoal in the fair way, quite even

with the sea at high-water, close to which the water has a whitish look.

This shoal stretches N.E. and S.W. between _Marro_ and _Battachina_. It

is seen at low-water, the ebb being six feet, the tide setting six hours

to the north, and six to the south; but if you keep close to the

islands, there is no fear.

The Spanish fort is on the east side of Tidore, where there is deep

water close in shore; and, while off that place, the wind suddenly fell

quite calm, so that the current set us in upon the land, when the fort

made a shot at us, but willingly sent it short, to which we made answer

by one shot to seawards. The fort then fired other two guns, which were

meant to strike us, one being aimed between the mizen and ancient staff,

and the other between the main and foremasts. They then fired one gun

without shot, to which we answered in like manner; on which they sent

off a boat with a flag of truce, the current still setting us towards

the shore, there being no wind to fill our sails, and no ground at 100

fathoms, so that we could in no way keep off. There were two gallies

riding under the fort, which, on their boat putting off, fired two blank

shots. The boat came and made fast to our stern, having two Spaniards of

some rank, who were known to Hernando, the Spaniard we brought from

Bantam. These Spaniards were sent from Don Fernand Byseere, the

captain-general of Tidore, to enquire who we were, what we came for, and

why we did not come to anchor under the fort. Being requested to come

aboard, they said they were enjoined to the contrary, wherefore I made

wine and bread be handed down to them from the poop, which they fell to

lustily, although under the heaviest rain I ever saw, yet would not come

aboard. I told them we were subjects of the king of Great Britain, as

they might well see by our colours; but they said the Dutch had often

passed by scot-free by shewing British colours, which was the reason

they had fired the second sharp-shot at us, thinking we were Dutch. I

sent word to the Spanish commandant, that I had every inclination to

serve the subjects of the king of Spain, as far as in my power, but

meant to anchor farther on, where, if Don Fernando pleased to come

aboard, I should give him the best welcome I could.

The Spaniards went away well satisfied with this answer, and as a fine

breeze immediately sprung up, we stood along shore. The captain-general

sent off to me the pilot-major of the gallies, Francisco Gomez, a man of

good presence, to bid me welcome, offering his assistance to bring my

ship into the best anchorage under the fort; or any where else about the

island. Being dark, he brought us to an anchorage, about a league and a

half from the fort, at a place where he said there was no force; and,

after supper, he entreated to be set ashore, as the captain-general

meant to dispatch letters to Don Jeronimo de Sylva, the _maestre del

campo_ at Ternate, for instructions concerning our visit. On the morning

of the 9th, before sun-rise, we found ourselves within command of a

battery of eight cannon, wherefore we hoisted our anchor, and removed a

league farther to the southwards, where we again anchored in thirty-five

fathoms. The pilot Gomez came aboard soon after, accompanied by other

two Spaniards of good family, whom I received with such welcome, that

they took their lodging on board. They brought me a present of eatables

from their general, to whom I sent back a suitable return; offering to

supply his wants with any thing in my ship he desired, taking cloves in

payment, and desiring a speedy answer, as I could not tarry long. The

two Dutch ships continued to ply after us, as if they would have

anchored beside us, but they afterwards went to anchor at their new fort

of _Maracco_, or _Marieca_.

END OF THE EIGHTH VOLUME.