A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels Volume Ix Part 7

We anch.o.r.ed in the road of Masulipatam on the 21st, where we found a s.h.i.+p belonging to Holland. We remained here for six months, until the 6th January, 1614, and then set sail for Putapilly, where we arrived on the 19th of that month, and remained there, taking in the merchants and their goods till the 7th February, when we sailed for Bantam. We arrived there on the 20th April, and on the 10th June set sail for Patane. By noon of that day, being in lat. 5 44' S. we had sight of the islands nine leagues from Bantam, our course, after getting clear of the road, being N.N.E. in five, six, seven, eight, twelve, fourteen, and so to twenty-four fathoms. At six in the morning of the 11th, we were close beside the two islands that are north from Bantam near Sumatra, in lat.

5 S. and in twenty fathoms; this being the surest course both going to and from Bantam, but it is necessary to keep a good look-out for the sand-banks which are even with the water. The 12th, being involved in a strong adverse current, we were forced to anchor in a quarter less four fathoms, in sight of a reef, twelve leagues short of Lucapara, and forty-eight from Bantam.

The 14th, we came in with the island of Banda and the main of Sumatra, and went through between them in five 1/2 fathoms. In this pa.s.sage it is proper to keep nearer the Sumatra sh.o.r.e, though the water is deeper on the Banda side of the strait; as that side is rocky, while the side towards Sumatra is oozy. The 16th we came to Palimbangan point; and the 17th at noon, being in lat, 1 10' S. we anch.o.r.ed in nine fathoms, on account of it falling calm with a strong current, the isle of Pulo Tino being to seawards. The 30th, we anch.o.r.ed in the road of Patane in three 1/2 fathoms. On the 1st August we sailed to Sangora to trim our s.h.i.+p, being a good place for that purpose under shelter of two islands hard by the main, and fourteen or fifteen leagues from Patane. We anch.o.r.ed in Sangora road, under the eastermost of the two islands, on the 4th; and having put our s.h.i.+p into good trim, we came away on the 9th September, and returned to Patane next day. We remained there a month taking in the goods of the Globe, to carry them to Bantam, for which place we sailed on the 9th October, and arrived at Bantam on the 9th November. We continued there till the 27th January, 1615, to load our s.h.i.+p, and to get all things in readiness for our voyage home to England.

The 29th we set sail from Bantam, homewards bound; and when some hundred leagues from thence, our captain, Mr Edmund Marlow, died. He was an excellent man, and well skilled in the mathematics and the art of navigation. The first place at which we anch.o.r.ed was Saldanha bay, where we arrived on the 29th April, 1615, and next day our consort the Globe came in. Having well refreshed and refitted our s.h.i.+ps, we set sail from thence on the 17th May, and arrived at St Helena on the 3d June. Sailing from thence along with our consort, on the 7th of that month, we arrived in England on the 3d of August, giving praise to G.o.d for our safety.

SECTION XVII.

_Tenth Voyage of the English East India Company, in 1612, written by Mr Thomas Best, chief Commander_.[72]

From the full tide of this voyage, in the Pilgrims, we learn that there were two s.h.i.+ps employed in this _tenth_ voyage, named the Dragon and the Hosiander, in which were about 380 persons; and these were accompanied by two other s.h.i.+ps, the James and the Solomon, which belonged to other voyages, each voyage being then a separate adventure, and conducted by a separate subscription stock, as formerly explained in the introduction to the present chapter. We learn from other parts of the Pilgrims, that the James belonged to the _ninth_ voyage, related immediately before this, and the Solomon to the _eleventh_, to be afterwards narrated.--E.

[Footnote 72: Purch. Pilgr. I.456.]

--1. _Observations during the Voyage from England to Surat_.

We sailed from Gravesend on the 1st of February, 1612. At noon on the 22d March we made the lat.i.tude 15 20' N. and at two p.m. were abreast of Mayo, one of the Cape Verd islands, being S.W. by S. about twelve leagues from Bonavista. To the N. and N.N.W. of Mayo the ground is all foul, and due N. of the high hummocks a great ledge of rocks runs out from the land for five or six miles, a mile without which ledge there are twenty fathoms water. On the west side of the island, you may borrow in twelve or fifteen fathoms, till you come into the road, where we anch.o.r.ed in twenty-four fathoms.

On the morning of the 28th March, we came close by an island in lat. 23 30', and long. from the meridian of Mayo, 1 50' E. We did not land upon this island, but came within two or three miles of it, and in my opinion there is hardly any anchorage to be found. It may probably produce some refreshment, as it certainly has wood, which we saw, and it may have water, as we observed a fair plain spot and very green on its southern part; but we could find no ground within two or three miles of its coast. E.N.E. some seven or eight leagues from this, there is another island; and E. by S. or E.S.E. from the first island, about four or five leagues, there are two or three white rocks.[73]

[Footnote 73: In the text it is not said if the lat.i.tude be N. or S. yet S. is probably meant. No island is however to be found in the indicated situation. In the _eleventh_ voyage, an island is said to have been discovered in lat. 19 34'S. certainly known to have been Trinidad, Santa Maria d'Agosto, or Martin Vaz, of which hereafter.--E.]

We remained twenty-one days in Saldanha road, and bought for the three[74] s.h.i.+ps thirty-nine beeves and 115 sheep, which we paid for with a little bra.s.s cut out of two or three old kettles. We got the sheep for small pieces of thin bra.s.s, worth about a penny or three halfpence each; and the beeves in the same manner for about the value of twelve-pence a-piece. This is an excellent place of refreshment, as besides abounding in beef and mutton, there is plenty of good fish, all kinds of fowls, and great store of fat deer, though we could not kill any of these. It has likewise excellent streams of fresh water, and a most healthful climate. We landed eighty or ninety sick, who were lodged in tents, and they all recovered their health in eighteen days, save one who died.

From the 7th to the 28th June, when we set sail from Saldanha bay, we had continual fine weather, the sun being very warm, and the air pleasant and wholesome.

[Footnote 74: One of the s.h.i.+ps appears to have been separated from the fleet, but it does not appear which.--E.]

We sailed from Saldanha road on the 28th June, and were 100 leagues to the east of _Cabo das Aguilhas_ before we found any current, but it was then strong. The 31st July at noon, we found the lat.i.tude 17 8' S. our longitude being 20 47' E. and at four p.m. we saw the island of _Juan de Nova_, distant four leagues E.S.E.[75] Its size, and I think we saw it all, is about three or four miles long, all very low and rising from the sea like rocks. Off the west end we saw breakers, yet could not get ground with a line of 150 fathoms, sounding from our boat. The lat.i.tude of this island, observed with great accuracy, is 17,[76] and it seems well laid down in our charts, both in regard to lat.i.tude and longitude.

It is a most sure sign of being near this island, when many sea fowl are seen, and we accordingly saw there ranch fowl, some white, having their wings tipped only with black, and others all black.

[Footnote 75: St Juan de Nova is in lat. 17 50' S. and long. 45 30'E.

from Greenwich--E.]

[Footnote 76: In lat. 17 S. and long. 60 E. is an island or bank called Nazareth, Corados, or Garajos, a long way however from St Juan de Nova.--E.]

The 3d August, in lat 13 35' by observation, and longitude 22 30' from the Cape, we saw _Mal-Ilha_, one of the Comoros, about twelve leagues off, having on the east part of it a very fair sugar-loaf hill.[77] At the same time with this island, we had sight of that named Comoro, bearing N.N.W. by W. being high land. At six a.m. of the 4th we were close in with _Mal-Ilha_, and standing in for some place in which to anchor, while some eight or nine miles from the sh.o.r.e, we saw the ground under the s.h.i.+p in not less than eight or ten fathoms. The Hosiander, two miles nearer the land, had four or five fathoms, and her boat was in three fathoms. We then sent both our boats to sound, which kept shoaling on a bank in eight, ten, and twelve fathoms, and off it only half a cable's length had no ground with 100 fathoms. At the north end of Mal-Ilha there is a fair big high island, about five or six miles in circuit.[78] A bank or ledge of rocks extends all along the west side of Mal-Ilha, continuing to the small high island; and from this little island to Mal-Ilha may be some eight or nine miles, all full of rocks, two of them of good height. Being at the north end of this ledge, and the little island bearing S.E. you may steer in with the land, keeping the island fair aboard; and within the rocks or broken ground and Mal-Ilha there is a bay with good anchorage. To the eastwards, on coming in from the ledge of rocks, there is a great shoal, the outermost end of which is N.E. or N.E. by E. from the small island five or six miles, and no ground between that we could find with forty or fifty fathoms line.

In fine, all the north side of Mal-Ilha is very dangerous, but the above-mentioned channel is quite safe. I would have come to anchor here, as there is a town about a mile east from the before-mentioned bay, the people being very good, and having abundance of refreshments, as beeves, goats, hens, lemons, cocoa-nuts in great plenty, and excellent water, but could not get in, owing to the wind being directly south.

[Footnote 77: Mohilla, the Mal-ilha of the text, is in lat. 16 44 S.

and long. 44 E. from Greenwich. Its difference of long. from the Cape of Good Hope is 23 45' E. Thus, in every instance hitherto, the observations of lat. and long. by Captain Best, at least as printed by Purchas, are grossly erroneous.--E.]

[Footnote 78: This description seems rather to refer to the island of Mayotto, about thirty leagues E. of S. from Mohilla; the small island to the north, or N. by W. being called Saddle Isle.--E.]

Two of my men had belonged to a Dutch fleet, that year when they a.s.saulted Mosambique, on which occasion they put in here, and recovered the healths of 400 or 500 men in five weeks. Yet it is well named Mal-Ilha, or the bad island, for it is the most dangerous of any place I ever saw. It is next to Comoro, from which it is distant some twelve or fourteen leagues S.S.E.

At dawn on the 1st September we got sight of land to the eastwards, four or five leagues distant, my reckoning being then eighty or ninety leagues short, owing, I suppose, to some current setting east from the coast of Melinda; neither from the lat.i.tude of Socotoro to Damaun could we see the sun, to know our variation. The 3d at seven a.m. we spoke two country boats, which informed us that the town, church, and castle in sight was Damaun. From these boats I got two men, who engaged to carry the Dragon to the bar of Surat, promising not to bring us into less than seven fathoms. On the 5th a Surat boat came on board with _Jaddow_ the broker, who had served Captain William Hawkins three years, and Sir Henry Middleton all the time he was here. There were likewise in this boat the brother of the customer of Surat, and three or four others. All these remained with us till the 7th, when we came to anchor at the bar of Surat, in eight 1/4 fathoms at high water, and six 1/2 at neap tides.

At spring tides, however, I have found the tide to rise in the offing three fathoms, and even three 1/2. The lat.i.tude of our anchorage was 21 10' N. and the variation 16 20' or 16 27'.[79] On the 11th, _Thomas Kerridge_ came aboard, with a certificate or licence under the seals of the justice and governor of Surat, for our quiet and peaceable trade and intercourse, and with kind entreaties to come ash.o.r.e, where we should be heartily welcomed by the people. They also brought off a letter or narrative, written by Sir, Henry Middleton, which had been left in charge of the _Moccadam_ of Swally. On the same day, I again sent Mr Kerridge ash.o.r.e, accompanied by Hugh Gettins.

[Footnote 79: Sorat bar is in lat. 21 2' N. and long. 72 50' E. from Greenwich--E.]

--2. _Transactions with the Subjects of the Mogul, Fights with the Portuguese, Settlement of a Factory, and Departure for Acheen_.

On the 13th September, 1612, sixteen sail of Portuguese frigates, or barks, put into the river of Surat. The 22d, we determined in council to send a dispatch to the king at Agra, signifying our arrival, and to require his explicit answer, whether he would permit us to trade and settle a factory; and if refused, that we would quit his country. The 30th, I got notice that Mr Canning, our purser, and William Chambers, had been arrested ash.o.r.e; wherefore I caused a s.h.i.+p of Guzerat to anchor close beside me, determining to detain her till I should see how matters went ash.o.r.e. We also stopped a bark laden with rice from Ba.s.sare, belonging to the Portuguese, out of which we took twelve or fourteen quintals of rice, for which we paid at the rate of thirteen-pence the quintal. When I had taken possession of the Guzerat s.h.i.+p, I wrote to the chiefs of Surat, requiring them to send me all my men, together with the value of the goods I had landed; on which I should deliver up their s.h.i.+p and people, allowing them till the 5th of October to give me an answer; at which time, if I had not a satisfactory answer, I declared my determination to dispose of the s.h.i.+p and her goods at my pleasure. There were some 400 or 450 men aboard that s.h.i.+p, ten of the chiefest among whom I brought into my s.h.i.+p, to serve as hostages.

On the 6th October, _Medi Joffer_ came aboard my s.h.i.+p, accompanied by four chiefs and many others, bringing me a great present, and came to establish trade with us, and to solicit the release of the Guzerat s.h.i.+p.

On the 10th I left the bar of Surat, and came to Swally roads, where I anch.o.r.ed in eight fathoms at high water. This road-stead is ten or twelve miles north from the bar of Surat. The 17th, the governor of _Aamadavar_ [Ahmedabad] came to the water side. I landed on the 19th, having four princ.i.p.al persons sent aboard my s.h.i.+p, as pledges for my safety. On the 21st I concluded upon articles of agreement with the governor and merchants, of which the tenor follows:

"Articles agreed upon, and sealed, by the governor of Ahmedabad, the governor of Surat, and four princ.i.p.al merchants; and to be confirmed by the firmaun and seal of the Great Mogul, within forty days from the date and sealing hereof, or else to be void; for the settlement of trade and factories in the cities of Surat, Cambaya, Ahmedabad, Goga, or in any other part or parts of the dominions of the Great Mogul in this country.

Witnessed by their hands and seals, the 21st of October, 1612."

1. All that concerns Sir Henry Middleton is to be remitted, acquitted, and cleared to us; so that they shall never make seizure, stoppage, or stay of our goods, wares, or commodities, as satisfaction for the same.

2. They shall procure at their own proper cost, from the King or Great Mogul, his grant and confirmation of all the articles of this agreement, under the great seal of his government, and shall deliver the same to us, for our security and certainty of perpetual amity, commerce, and dealing, within forty days from the date and sealing hereof.

3. It shall be lawful for the king of England to keep his amba.s.sador continually at the court of the Great Mogul, during all the time of this peace and trade, there to accommodate and conclude upon all such great and weighty matters as may in any respect tend to disturb or break the said peace.

4. At all times, on the arrival of any of our s.h.i.+ps in the road of Swally, proclamation shall be made in the city of Surat, during three successive days, that all the people of the country shall be free to come down to the sh.o.r.e, and there to have free trade, dealing, and commerce with us.

5. That all English commodities shall pay custom, according to the value or price they bear, at the time of entry at the custom-house, after the rate of three 1/2 per cent. ad valorem.

6. All petty and pedlar ware to be free from duty, that does not exceed the value of ten dollars.

7. The English are to have ten _manu_ carried from the water side to Surat for a _manuda_,[80] and at the same rate back; and are to be furnished with carts on application to the _moccadam_ of Swally for sending to Surat, and at that place by a broker with carts downwards to the sea side at Swally.

[Footnote 80: This unexplained rate of carriage was probably ten _manuda_ for one _mahinoodic_.--E.]

8. If any of our people die in the country, neither the king, the governor, nor any inferior officer should pretend any t.i.tle or claim to any thing that had belonged to the deceased, neither should demand any fees, taxes, or customs, upon the same.

9. In case all the men left in these parts should die before the return of any of our s.h.i.+ps, then some officer appointed for the purpose shall make a true inventory and schedule of all monies, goods, jewels, provisions, apparel, or other things, belonging to our nation, and shall safely preserve and keep the same, to be delivered over to the general, captain, or merchants of the first English s.h.i.+ps that arrive afterwards, from whom a regular receipt and discharge shall be given for the same.

10. That they shall guarantee all our men and goods on land, redeeming all of both or either that may happen to be taken on the land by the Portuguese; delivering both to us again free of all charges, or in lieu thereof the full value of our said goods and men, and that without delay.

11. Insomuch as there are rebels and disobedient subjects in all kingdoms, so there may be some pirates and sea-rovers of our nation, who may happen to come into these parts to rob or steal. In that case, the trade and factory belonging to the English shall not be held responsible or liable to make rest.i.tution for goods so taken; but we shall aid the subjects of the Great Mogul, to the best of our power who may happen to be thus aggrieved, by application to our king for justice against the aggressors, and for procuring rest.i.tution.

12. That all victuals and provisions, required during the stay of our s.h.i.+ps in the roads of Surat and Swally, shall be free of custom, provided they do not exceed the value of 1000 dollars.

13. That in all questions of wrongs and injuries offered to us and to our nation, we shall receive speedy justice from the judges and others in authority, according to the nature of our complaints and the wrongs done to us, and shall not be put off by delays, or vexed by exorbitant charges or loss of time.

On the 24th October, I landed the present intended for the Great Mogul, which I brought to the tent of the governor of Ahmedabad, who took a memorandum of all the particulars, as also a copy of our king's letter to their sovereign. After which, as before agreed upon with the governor, I sent them back aboard s.h.i.+p: For I had told him, unless his king would confirm the articles agreed upon, and likewise write our king a letter, that I would neither deliver the present nor our king's letter; for, if these things were refused, then was their king an enemy not a friend, and I had neither present nor letter for the enemy of our king. At this time, however, I delivered our present to the governor, and another to his son.

The 14th November, a great fleet of frigates or barks, consisting of some 240 sail, came in sight. I thought they had come to attack us, but they were a _caffila_ of merchantmen bound for Cambaya; as there comes every year a similar fleet from Goa, Chaul, and other places to the southwards, for Cambaya, whence they bring the greatest part of the loading which is carried by the caracks and galleons to Portugal.

The 27th I received notice from Mr Canning and Edward Christian, who were both ash.o.r.e, that four galleons were fitted out from Goa, and were coming to attack us, having been in full readiness, and at anchor on the bar of Goa on the 14th November. The Portuguese fleet came in sight of us on the 28th; and on the 29th drew near us with the tide of flood. At two in the afternoon I got under weigh, and by four was about two cables length from their vice-admiral, fearing to go nearer lest I might have got my s.h.i.+p aground. I then opened a fire upon him, both with great guns and small arms, and in an hour had peppered him well with some fifty-six great shot. From him we received one small ball, either from a minnion or saker, into our mizen-mast, and with another he sunk our long-boat, which we recovered, but lost many things out of it.

The 30th at day-light, I set sail and steered among the midst of the Portuguese fleet, bestirring ourselves manfully, and drove three of their four s.h.i.+ps aground on the bar of Surat; after which I anch.o.r.ed about nine a.m. This morning the Hosiander did good service, coming through also among the enemy's s.h.i.+ps, and anch.o.r.ed beside me. At the tide of flood, the three s.h.i.+ps that were aground floated. We then weighed and made sail towards them, they remaining at anchor. On getting up to them, we spent upon three of them 150 great shot, and the morning after some fifty more. At night, we gave the admiral a salute from our four stern guns as a farewell; in return for which he fired one of his bow guns, a whole or demi-culverine, the shot from which came even with the top of our forecastle, went through our _Davie_, killed William Burrel, and carried off the arm of another of our men. The Hosiander[81]