as they differ in their names and valuations of which there are foure or five sorts at least and the least of them about two Mamudes and a halfe the Ruppee stamped on both sides with Moorish Characters and in forme very thicke and round their Copper mony whereof they have such plenty as if tollerable for exportation might prove a good returne being made into great churlish peeces they call Pises whereof 30. commonly make a Mamâ—…dee and of the rest proportionably but still after the inconstant current of the Exchange almost continually rising and falling which is in the power of the Sheraffs Bankers or Mony-Changers to alter at their pleasure Their Country for the most parâ—… being plaine from Hils and Mountaines is indifferently stored with Mesâ—…ites or Churches very fayre and sumptuous with 〈◊〉 also or Villages Townes and Cities pleasant great and populous River d Walled Castled and munitioned and constantly watered at a certaine yearely season to wit our Summer from towards the end of May to the end of August or thereabout with frequont sober Raines scarce two faire dayes together without some showers or other and all the yeare after so cleere a Firmament as not a Cloud to be seene that I have beene weary of fayre weather and this Rayne-water by the better sort is received into Vaults made for the nonce to serve them for theyr drinke all the yeare after being wholsommer they fay then theyr other waters as also this Raynie season is observed of all for the best times to travayle in I could yet say more in 〈◊〉 particulars but having sayd enough I thinke in proofe of my Travels and prayse of the Countries goodnesse it were superfluous and beyond my intent to become Cosmographicall and therefore I will here confine my selfe being now summoned to a Consultation determining a Iourney to be made unto the foresayd City of Aâ—…adavas by Master Thomas Aldworth the CoÌ„panies chiefe Agent my selfe his second for Cashier and Accountant with foure other English whereof two were homebred Marchants and 〈◊〉 more to provide goods in readinesse for our next Fleet that the Ships to theyr great damage might not bee deteyned as before And for more safety both of goods and lives our charge wee had with us being of great importance the Country as I have sayd very dangerous by reason of Theeves which continually vpon intelligence lyâ—… arm'd in Troupes on the way for booties wee held it best though otherwise inconvenient Mocrob Chan the gouernour of Surat then trauelling toward Court at the Kings command to take the benefit of his Lascar or Campe as also diuers others it being the Countries custome in like sort to set forth or with a Caraâ—… a Caffala a multitude of all sorts of people with theyr goods to that end gathered together for our more safe convoy which yet we enioyed not past one night aside of Baroch till wee met againe at Cambaya being both our worse and farther way For this great Lord with his many hands and much helpe posting faster then wee could follow with our heauy and slow carriages lefâ—…vs alone in the midst of danger God onely protecting vs being three nights on the way before wee could reach to Cambaya and spent two of them with their sunschorching dayes by the water side having only our Tent for shelter expecting there a boate to passe vs ouer out of that Purgatorie and another of mischieuous minded men and murmuring Malecontents Taddiepor Marchants and heartlesse souldiers repining not onely my charge but my precedency also or next respect vnto Master Aldworth and that by his precise order against my owne desire enioynd me to their antient matrimony making me both his Coach-mate and his right hand at Table and the more I sought by gentlenesse for the present to appease theyr spight or in continuance by some change of behauiour to confront their folly Pro. 26. 4. 5. the more like themselues they still conspiring in both respects mistooke and traduced me declaring hereby the implacable disposition of Envy but God alone did plead my cause and by degrees put them to silence in theyr graues Here at Sarode for so the place is called during our aboad worthy of obseruation I tooke notice of some part of Gods omnipotent workes of wonder in the flux and reflux of that famous Riuer of Cambaya for fury not vnfitly called the Boare for the Tyde from the maine sea twice a day once beginning to flow Contrary to common course of nature comes tumbling in amayne with such a roaring noyse a farre off of mighty foaming waues like white ruffes a bout their proud neckes that it strikes admiration and terrour to the beholder in such sort that those high bankes with theyr dry sands and Oaes are sodenly couered and filled vp to the very toppes for the space of many leagues in length together yet neuer ouerflowen and vpon returne with expedition leaves it for the most part emptie and dry againe being in absence of the Tyde a firme passage for all that dare aduenture it which thousands having done and daylie doe though some speed better not taking theyr times aright or the vncertaine Tydes deceiuing them vpon credible report like Pharoes host in thered sea haue been overwhelmed man and beast Horse and Camels Elephants and all with infinite Treasures swept away into that Rich Ocean before upon too short a warning they could recover backward or forward the shore againe for the River is of a very spacious bredth in many places over Being here after much toyle in moving and removing our charge from place to place for our best advantage against an assault which we hourely expected that wee durst not sleepe but by short snatches and turnes as also for our most commodious imbar quing the best being bad enough in that wild place comes a Barque receives our selves and goods aboord and in a late Evening at a full water we set Sayle and thankes be to God who is mighter then the mighty Waves of the Sea not without great danger about Midnight we came to an Anker right before Cambaya and the Sabbath Morning landed in that Rich Fayre and neat City so famous throughout the World Being now on shore notwithstanding in good safety of life we found our selves little better then fallen out of the fryingâ—… pan as they say into the fire for all our goods were presently sequestred and carried to the Kings â—…lfondicaâ—… till his Customes of seaven Per Cent. were payd viz. foure in and three out which according to the value would have come to a good summe of mony whereat we were much dismayed Master Aldworth especially for his oversight or too much confidence in Mocrob Chans favor whom we often solicited there almost â—… fortnight as an Instrument to procure the release of our sayd goods the power in effect being in his owne hands but all in vaine till at last a few dayes before our departure thence Master Aldworth and my
way much toyled with heate and dust in regard of our slow proceedings with our heauy carriages and the toylesome passage of two Riuers with ladings and reladings of our goods interruptions and stayes being worse then a continuall progresse but here wee were well refresht at the English house for Master John Oxwicke a Spanish Marchant being appointed chiefe for that place and of a weekes antiquity before had made good prouision for our comming as well for our persons as the dispatch and clearing our charge of the Custome-house From hence within a day or two weâ—… set forth and by slow Iournies as before came to Brodera a dryâ—…r place by a great Riuer but the greater Citie and all a plaine and pleasant Country Baroâ—…h espâ—…cially for Orchards Tankes or Ponds verie spacious and artificially made in forme for worke and workemanshippe not vnlike our Bathes for generall vse and vses Tombes and Piramides many in open Fields and priuate Gardens about which are to be seene certaine Penitentiaries or votariâ—…s they say but Lunatickes and men I thinke really possest with Deuils as in the Gospell is mentioned theyr bodies naked cut and lanced with kniues or stones staring and stalking to and fro no lesse wofull then dreadfull to behold as was also the sight of a Pagot or a Cell of deuotion descending into a Vault vnder ground where being desirous of discoueries wee saw an vgly Idoll against a wall representing it seemes theyr God or theyr feare but a plaine Deuill as wee call it in like forme paynted or graven whom a certaine Sect of Banians doe worship whereof there are many Sects but of this no more Purchase Pilgrimage from relation of exact Travellers hath them lively set forth In this City as all others throughout both Asia's and Afrique wee were lodged in the Ceraglâ—… a spatious place made of purpose for all Travellers Natives as else for they have not the vse of Innes as in Christendome with commodious Ware-houses round about of one Story foure Square in the manner of Galleries and under them dry walkes and places to feed their Coach-oxen Camels Elephants and Horses but in the middle all open like our Exchange It being supposed that euery Marchant Gentleman or Nobleman hath his Tent or Coach to sleepe in if neyther they make the best shiâ—…t they can and for their provision they bring it with them or buy it in the Towne Here it was determined by a Consultation for causes or supposals moving them being before appointed for Cambaya that my selfe should goe backe to Barâ—…ch to assist Master Oxwicke there in that mayne investment of Câ—…licoes having a Commission given mee beyond my expectation or desire that in case of the least cause by unequall carriage in our Masters businesse or in particular toward my selfe being perswaded as they told mee that if he would take the matter well or live peaceably with any I was the man a word from my hand should displace him such an opinion they all seemed to have of my Integritie and he no lesse on the other side assured of me for concealing whatsoever might move passion or incite him to Iealousie I applyed my selfe to him by Complements of love and friendly 〈◊〉 till he became so well possest of me both for Iudgment and Honesty upon some experiences of them both that in effect he made me his Secretary and would not write a Letter of Consequence in his owne affaires as occasions there were betweene him and some others of principall note without my advice and allowance for a passe wherein I thanke God I never fayl'd but pleasured him by his owne often ingenious acknowledgements with good reasons for his satisfaction But yet all this while I am still in Brodera in the house of a rich Banian well lodged and entertayned for three dayes till he had procured me from the Gouernour Mosaph Chaâ—… or Lord Mosaph a Guard of Souldiers vnder a Captaine of tenne both horse and foote with shot and lance for my safe Convoy to Baroch our English Friends being all gone forward and my selfe alone with a kinsman of his owne for my linguist and Coachmate and not without cause for my Coach on the way was sodenly stayed by a Company of slâ—…ues that thwarted vs but speedily rescued by my guard with knockes on both sides yet no hurt on ours and all with such celerity that I had scarce time to draw my sword and shew my selfe a party before they were quite vanisht then on againe we went merrily my Banian especially laughing and talking giving and eating of our Iunkets till we came neare to the Citie there I dismist my valliant Soldiers gratified their desert with a small reward yet to their rich content and at parting had a generall Salam of them or Congee to the ground with a short Vollie and adieu And now being come to Baroch to the English house my friend bids me lovingly welcome to whom I gave my Letters from our Cape Marchants and after colation shewed him my generall commission who presently declared himselfe that seeing the matter must be so he was right glad of my company as of one whom of all others he would have made choyce of for his friend and associate and thus well possest of each other on we went together in our Masters businesse buying Callicoes as fast as we could procure our Brokers to bring vs in good Bargaines or direct us to them spending our interims of Vacation for about two Moneths space as best liked vs sometimes in visites to the Governour sometimes taking our Coach to breath the Country ayrâ—… sometimes walking vpon the Citie walles which from that stately scituation gave us a goodly prospect pregnant for delight and Meditation and lastly our owne House having high and pleasant Tarasses or Walkes on the Roofe for domesticke Recreation that in this pleasant place in number foure English we lived like Lords to the honour and profit of our Honourable Masters and to our owne hearts content save a little Iarre that fell out at last about a parcell of Calicoes but lovingly and honestly reconciled againe By this time our generall investments drawing to a period and most of our goods from all parts sent aboord Marchantlike made up and marked as in the Margent and understanding our dispersed Companies and friends to be againe vnited and on the way towards us save such as were appointed for the great Mogores Court namely Master Edwards our Preacher and some others we could no lesse having now leysure enough but set forth to meet them it beeing a pleasant observation at a distance to note the order of their Coaches and Carriages drawne by two faire fat Oxen a peece with Bells about theyr neckes Iinge Iinge and softly iogging on extending all in length like a Teeme for the way admits no familiarity inveloped with a Cloud of dust for a Quita Sol to shield them from the Sunne and guarded on eyther side with swords halfe Pikes and Targets
Trading howeuer report may wrong our Reputation Our Generall or cheife Commander an vnderstanding Gentleman Captaine Nicolas Downton whose religious Orders besides the honorable Companies both for diuine duties and ciuill societie publisht and hung vp in euery shippe with his owne good Example no doubt preuented many grosse offences which vsually happen in promiscuous multitudes Our Marchants or Factors were many well nigh thirty and most of them men of Experience as euer the Company imployed any Linguists and Residents in forraigne Countryes as Turki◅ Barbarie Spaine and Italy with other places of best cōmerce whereof foure were Principals and had each his seuerall charge and respect next vn◅o the Generall saue in Marine affaires wherein the Masters onely commanded theyr names Master William Edwards Master Nicolas Ensworth Master Thomas Elkington and Master Edward Dodsworth he alone more bred a Gentleman then a Marchant and our Gover◅ours Kinsman Our ordinarie meanes to stirre vp mens affections to goodnesse as Prayer and diuine Seruice twice a day on the Sabbaths especially and choyce of good Bookes in common of the Companies prouiding to that end to the comfort of all were not wanting besides a Preacher in his monthly visites for Instruction and Ministration of the Sacrament Our places of refreshing were three the first Cape boon Speranc◅ which affoorded vs plenty of Booes and Baas or Beeues and Sheepe for small pieces of Copper whereof the Saluages make themselues Rings and Bracelets they goe all naked saue onely before a little flappe and feed as they looke and smell most nastily subtill they are theevish and very treacherous their Houses are like Bee-hives and many together make a Towne wherewith vpon occasion of changing theyr heards to fresh pastures or the sight of two or three Muskets wherat they tremble away they skuddle euery one his Castle on his back posting to a new Plantation From hence hauing repayred our Flee◅e refresht our selues and strecht our limbes he that listed to the verie tops of the highest Mountaines and craggie Rocks which for our paines discouered vnto vs a goodly Country extending farre in length and breadth in lower Hils and greene Vallies running on together pleasant to behold yet alwayes in company more or fewer and with our Armes least the Baboones out of some Thicket or bush should sodenly surprise vs at the end of three weekes or thereabouts wee set sayle agayne and not long after came to an Anker at Saint Lawrence Iland in the Bay of Saint Augustine Here wee landed and traded three dayes with the people and had large and fat Oxen for fiue shillings an Oxe most curious Darts and of diuers fashions as Art could make and bright as siluer for halfe a Ryall or Three-pence but without siluer wee could haue nothing which they knew from counterfeit as well as any wee saw no Towne nor house they had though doubtlesse better then the Soldanians prouided by good coniectures for theyr carriage had a glosse of humanity a tincture of vnderstanding theyr persons full of proportion and comely feiture tall straight strong and sturdy fierce of Countenan◅ admirable ma◅kesmen at the Dart and actiue verie faire and blacke as Iett for the blackest they count the fairest and all naked as the former perhaps but seruants to theyr Lords and Masters many were desirous to haue made some discouery into the Country but we durst not contradict our Orders nor hazard the danger of a thicke Wood whereof wee knew no end which of necessitie must haue bin past Our last touch was at Socato◅ where wee found a King not a Natiue but of the royall blood of the antient Kings of Barbarie who got this small Iland by Conquest and held the Natiues in great seruitude whome our Generall presented and would haue entertained aboord the Shippes but he refused it yet for three or foure dayes space came downe daily to the water side from his Castle with his guard of soldiers borne in a Palanquine and after the Moorish fashion crosse-legged sitting in state vnder a rich Cannopie vppon Turky Carpets spread on the ground and as richly clad in cloth of Gold conuerst in the Arabeck and Portugall tongues with the Generall Marchants and Masters both of Marchandizing and Nauigating affaires himselfe being a Marchant as likewise all the Kings of those Easterne parts who trade by theyr Agents and Factors of whom wee bought a good quantity of Aloes Socatrina euen his whole store and in the Art of Nauigation Astronomie with other branches of the Mathematickes by report of those that vnderstood verie iudicious hauing celestiall and terrestriall Globes his Instruments and Astralabe about him to shew vs which he had gotten bought or presented of former Fleets and euery yeare increasing his stocke by English Dutch Portugals and Spanish that came that way A man of a liuely countenance and well fauored about fourtie yeeres of age as full of Courtesie and affability as might stand with his Maiestie and as full of Maiestie respecting his Commodity as might be for he was a Kingly Marchant and a Marchant-like King at parting he gaue amongst v◅ to some in particuler abundance of Dates in heapes lumpes which made our Guisados our brothes and Dumplins so much the sweeter whom agayne we gratified from the ships with our Seamusicke great Gunnes and Trumpets And thus weying and setting sayle agayne with starbord and larboord port and helme al◅e we steered on our Course till with the helpe of God and our constant Monsoone or westerly trade winde we verie happily but hardly recouered the Rendeuous to S◅rat and came to an Anker in the Roade of Swall◅e about the tenth of Nouember and of our great Company thankes bee to God lost onely one man who came sicke of an Ague out of England but here quickly they began to dye faster of Fluxes and Feauers Vpon aduise of our arriuall by a dispatch to Surat some eight miles vp into the Countrey Mr. Thomas Aldworth the Companies chiefe Agent there an vnderstanding Gentleman and once Sheriffe of the Citie of Bristoll came downe to vs a ioyfull man and for many enterchangeable causes was as ioyfully receiued and with him Coach and horse for conuoy of the Marchants to the City for now the Terme or vintage rather after our long Vacation approaching wee must leaue the ships a a while and apply our selues to Land-seruice In our short Iourney vpon the way euery thing almost seemed new vnto me the people with theyr customes especially not the Moores for I had seene of them before in Spaine and Barbarie but the antient natiues of the Country called Banians who notwithstanding theyr different Religions liue ciuillie neighbour-like one among another in Cities Townes and Villages but not in Houses together whom in Concourse wee first saw at Swallie the first myle from the water side where the Mocodam or Constable receiued vs profered vs his owne with the Townes seruice and performed it in such necessaries and complements of prouision as