small Garrison to take it in Possession for which purpose the Isle Kolong lies very convenient and likewise the Piscadore's but barren and unfertile where also a Fort might be erected for our better Guard Not to accept to take any other place in possession if you can get Tayowan again Endeavor to Conquer Formosa and Tayowan by force of Arms if it cannot be done by Peaceable means yet take not so much Ground in possession as formerly The lower Castle of Zelandia being a good Garrison would be a sufficient Defence against the Assaults of the Chineses The upper Castle shall be Dismantled and left ungarrison'd that afterwards on farther Order it may be pull'd down and build a strong Redoubt in its place To keep the Fort Provintia and Garrison it with a hundred Men as also that of Quelang To begin somewhat in more safety in Tayowan the Forces ought to be brought ashore through the Straights of Lakge Moey on the main Land and there first to Attaque and win the Fort Provincia and likewise endeavor to get the Inhabitants there to joyn with our People to which purpose it will be requisite for you to take flat bottom'd Vessels from the Chineses because our Boats cannot carry so many Men in those shallow Waters neither could the requir'd Forces be brought ashore together and if they wanted those Vessels it would not be convenient to attempt any thing on that side but be better behind Tonkoya about six Leagues Southward of Tayowan where in the Northern Mouson the Water is very smooth and a higher Shore to break off the Winds From thence they should March up in two or three days by Land to the Fort Provincia at Sakkam and besides the convenient Landing there the Inhabitants of the South might perhaps joyn with the Hollanders which if they should all the Chineses in Formosa would not be able to withstand them If the Tartars should deny the Trade and that those of the Isles Ay and Quemuy live apart from Formosa and Tayowan and are in friendship with the Tartars and also inclin'd to agree with you do you likewise seem willing to it nay seek to joyn with them provided they procure us those Articles demanded of the Tartars and use their assistance towards the regaining of Formosa and Tayowan nay to fall upon the Tartars themselves if occasion should require No time is limited you to come with the Fleet from the North to Batavia but is left to the Discretion of the Admiral and his Council After the Admiral Balthazar Bort had on Iune the 30. Anno 1663. been conducted by several Friends aboard his Ship he set Sail the next Morning three hours before Day with all the Fleet consisting in sixteen Men of War and four Merchants bound for Iapan out of the Haven of Batavia with a South East Wind and running between the Isles of Hoorn and Edam they stood to the North-East At Noon the Fleet had the Isle South-Wayter South West and by West three Leagues from them in five Degrees and thirty Minutes Southern Latitude in the Evening about Sun-set they had the Isle North-Wayter about West-North-West four Leagues distant The second at the usual Signal of a White Flag and firing of a Gun all the Commanders and Chief Officers of the Militia came aboard the Admiral who according to the Lord General and Indian Councils Order chose out of them all for his Privy Council the Persons under written which the rest were to follow in Order viz. next to the Admiral Balthazar Bort who is to be always Chief was Huybrecht de Lairesse Vice-Admiral William Volkersz made Commander of those Ships that were to go to Iapan and Rere-Admiral as long as he stay'd with the Fleet. Bartholomeus Verwei who at Volkersz departure was to carry the Rere-Admiral's Flag and in that Degree take place in the Council Peter Coker Master of the Admiral 's Ship Ernest Van Hogenhoek Merchant in the Kogge And the first Captain Christian Poolman Commander of the Nut-Tree These having taken their places the Fleet was by them order'd to be divided into three Squadrons as had already been consider'd by the Admiral and approv'd of by the Vice-Admiral and the Orders which the Fleet was to follow being read were also affirm'd and likewise the proportions of Diet was agreed on At Noon the Admiral was in four Degrees and five Minutes Southern Latitude and had the High Island with the Trees West-North-West about seven Leagues from him The third about day-break they spy'd the Coast of Banka at Noon they Sail'd Eastward of the Isle Lucipa and in the Evening past within two Leagues and a half by the first Point of Sumatra South and by East from them On Thursday being the fifth they saw the Mountain Monapyn and were within two Leagues of the Shore of Sumatra towards Evening they Sail'd by the River Palimboang and between Poele Tousjou and Poele Sayo The sixth they saw the Isles Tousjou and were at Noon in one Degree and sixteen Minutes South Latitude The seventh the Fleet found Poele Sayo North-West and by West about three Leagues and a half from them in nineteen Minutes Southern Latitude and in the Evening descry'd in the North the Isles which lay near Lingen On Sunday they discover'd Dominies Island West-South-West four Leagues from them and crossing the Line saw the High Isle of the Box-horns about seven Leagues distant The ninth at Noon the Admiral was in fifty four Minutes Northern Latitude and in sight of the Isle Pangang West and by North about three Leagues and a half from him On the tenth appear'd the Isles Tinghy North-West and by West and Laver North and by West from them in the Morning the Fleet being near Laver cast Anchor on the West side of it Tymon hath no Wood neither for Firing nor any other use with which Laver is plentifully supply'd This Isle is pretty high and hath two rising Promontories one on the South and the other at the North end which make a Plain in the middle The twelfth about Noon five Ships upon the Admiral 's Order set Sail from Laver to Poele Tymon to take in Water Fuel and other Wood and likewise to Barter for Provision according to their agreement of the eleventh The Bay on the South-East Point of this Island lies very convenient for the fetching and taking in of fresh Water Firing and other Wood which is to be had ashore in great plenty but Provision is somewhat scarce here because the People of this Countrey have their Habitations more towards the South-West side and also that which is to be had is much dearer than at Poele Laver. The nineteenth the Admiral about Sun-rising set Sail from Poele Tymon and came in the afternoon to an Anchor with the whole Fleet by those Ships that were sent out before from Laver. The Fleet thus furnish'd with all Necessaries Weigh'd Anchor on the twentieth about Day-break and in the Evening had the Isle
of Musick and use several Instruments on which account they are invited to Funerals and publick Solemnities and serve the Emperor and Mandarins in making their Offerings They boast themselves to be Soothsayers and promise to procure Rain and clear Houses haunted by Spirits All the Chineses are strangely inclin'd to Superstition but especially the Followers of this second Sect and give great credit to Sorcery and Predictions of future things The Emperor's Astronomers according to Semedo do not a little uphold this Superstition because they foreshew ensuing Events from the colour of the Heavens and tempestuous Weather Thunder out of Season by several aspects of the Sun which they reckon to be twenty two and from sixteen other Appearances with all which they acquaint the Emperor And they chiefly employ their time in foretelling either Peace or War as also Sicknesses Death Changes Insurrections and the like to which purpose they make Almanacks or yearly Prognostications which are divided into Moons and the Moons again into Days the Days into fortunate or unfortunate Hours either to undertake any thing or let it alone as to go a Journey remove out of a House Marry bury the Dead build Houses and the like By this manner of Cheating the Chineses are so deluded and so strictly do they follow these Observations that they govern themselves wholly thereby for if the Almanack commands to do any thing on such a Day though all the Elements were against it they will not neglect it These Astronomers according to a very ancient Custom are punish'd with Death if they through neglect do not foretell the Eclipse of the Sun and Moon or accidentally commit any mistakes in their Prognostication for the Chineses account it a deadly sin not to assist the Sun or Moon when they are darkned with Offerings and beating of Drums and other noise fearing else they would be devour'd by a Dog or Dragon wherefore the Emperor inform'd by People experienc'd in the Course of the Heavens of the approaching Darkness immediately sends Messengers Post through all the Cities of the Empire to give notice of the Day and Hour on which the Eclipse will happen whereupon the Magistrates and Citizens carefully watch for the time and prevent the threatning danger by beating on divers tinkling and Copper Basons They have Temples that are drawn or Carriages made for that purpose in which the Women deliver out their Almanacks wherein a Receipt is written how they may Conceive Trigaut saith that no superstitious Custom hath spread it self so far through the whole Empire as that in the observation of fortunate and unfortunate Days and Hours so that the Chineses in all their Actions observe the time exactly To which purpose two sorts of Almanacks are Printed every year which upon the Emperor's Command are dispersed through the whole Empire which makes the Fallacy the more believ'd These annual Prognostications are sold in such abundance that most Houses have them In them they find what they too punctually observe not onely the critical Days but the precise Hours and Minutes at what time they shall begin or desist in any Negotiation or Business whatsoever Besides these Writers of the annual Predictions go higher Composing for their profit Books more puzling and mysterious with large Comments on the good and evil Days with more accurate Directions especially concerning Buildings Marriages or Travel and the like Business of consequence and though it often happens that the Weather fall out tempestuous let it Thunder and Lighten Blow or Rain yet they will begin though they make never so little progress Nasirodin a Persian Author who flourish'd Anno 1265. tells us that the Chineses by him call'd Katayans have a Circle of twelve Days which according to the Instruction of the Astronomers they use in chusing the time to undertake or delay any Business of consequenc These twelve Days are by the Chineses call'd as followeth Ching that is Perfecting Xeu that is Receiving Cai that is Opening Pi that is Locking Ting that is Affirming Che that is Serving. Po that is Breaking Vi that is Running danger Kin that is Raising Chu that is Dividing Muen that is Exchanging Ping that is Making even Four of these twelve Days are call'd He that is Black and are accounted unfortunate four Hoang that is Yellow which are lucky and promise some good two Hoen that is Brown and Dark and esteem'd ominous The Romans and Greeks agreed herein with the Chineses and most of it is at this day us'd amongst them one thing there is which may properly be said to be the Chineses it consists in the chusing of Land to build private or publick Structures upon or bury the Dead in chusing it by the likeness of the Head Tail and Feet of several Dragons which they suppose to live under Ground and believe that on them the welfare not onely of Families but also of Cities Provinces and the whole Empire depends The Chineses account one Dragon whom they call Lung for the greatest fore-runner of good Luck Before the time of the Family of Hia nay the Emperor Fohi who began his Reign Anno 2952. before the Birth of Christ it is said That a Dragon was seen flying from a Pool and to make the Business seem of greater consequence and consideration they added That they had observ'd sixty four Marks or Characters on his Back which according to their Sages have mysterious significations The Chineses in a manner ascribe all things to a Dragon and believe that not onely all humane Fortune but also Rain Hail Thunder and Lightning are as that Monster orders They also affirm That there is a Dragon under the Earth but chiefly under the Mountains and this is the reason why with such great Care and Charge they observe the parts of the Dragon in the making of their Graves for according to the goodness of the Earth they value the Riches and Fortune of the whole Family just as the Astronomers from the Conjunction of several Planets prognosticate future Events For this reason also the Chinese Emperors bear a Dragon in their Arms as the Romans an Eagle nay the Emperor's Apparel is Embroider'd with Dragons and likewise on all the Furniture for his Table and whole House is Engraven the same nay the whole Court is every where full of painted Dragons But above all it is to be admir'd that the Chineses paint five Claws at the Feet of the Emperor's Dragons None but those who are of Imperial Blood or peculiar Favourites of the Emperor may bear a Dragon in his Coat of Arms yet if others do use this same Bearing they must on pain of Death not give above four Claws They say that the Foam of a Dragon impregnated one of the Emperor Ie's Concubines without the use of a Man which Fable the Chineses thus relate In the time of the Family of Hia say they a Dragon was seen which vanish'd on a sudden and left a Froth on the Earth This Froth being of
West in eighteen and nineteen Fathom grey Sandy Ground mixt with little Shells their Course North and by East the Wind at South-East and by South Poele Zay are several small Rocky Isles and uninhabited lying in a Train one by another The second being Sunday the Fleet Sail'd about Noon in fifty three Minutes Northern Latitude In the afternoon the Pink Loosduynen being seven Leagues to the Eastward of the Island Poele Panjang ran on unknown Rocks not specifi'd in the Maps to which the Vice-Admiral Iohn Van Campen Rowing with his Boat and some Tackle giving speedy assistance helpt the Pink off from the Rocks without any Damage On Munday being the third the Fleet proceeded on her Course North-North-East full before the Wind and reach'd about Noon in two Degrees and three Minutes Northern Latitude and in sight of the Island Poele Tingi which lay North-West from them In the first Watch the Zierikzee and Ter-Boede Frigats came to an Anchor on the West side of Aura in thirteen Fathom Water and put each of them a Light in their Lanthorns for a Sign to those Ships that were behind The fourth being Tuesday the Admiral with the Naerden Frigat accompanied with the Overveen Sea-dog Singing-bird High-land and Vink came to an Anchor in the same place for the Domburg and six more took their Course to the Isle of Timon according to Order when they set sail Their Boats going ashore to fetch fresh Water and Wood brought also many Baskets of Fish and Fruits besides some Hens and Goats which they either bought for Money or barter'd for Next Morning being the fifth the Singing-bird Sea-dog and the Goldfinch weigh'd their Anchors and sail'd to Poele Pisang for fresh Provisions and Wood. This Island is Populous and full of Villages All the Inhabitants observe strictly their Fishing and Tillage being bred to such Drudgery from their Childhood Here as also on the Coast of the Kingdom of Sampan and on the Island Lingen a kind of Birds-nests are plentifully found which at Feasts and Entertainments are look'd upon as a great Regalia nay the Inhabitants on their New-years Feast which they keep with great Solemnity commonly present one another with these Dainties as an infallible sign of unfeigned Friendship They are also transported as a great Delicate to China and every Pound thereof sold for half a Tahers they being a great Cordial much relieving both the Stomach and Brain A Bird like a Swallow about the time of the year when they chuse Mates and fall to coupling yields a kind of glutinous or slimy matter which lying on the Rocks is the first Material of these Nests and by a daily additional Moisture or Morning-dew gather'd on their Wings and sprinkled on it at last becomes both large and perfect which when dry resembles the Bowl of a Spoon with high Edges and are found here in such abundance that they gather some Hundred weights of them yearly When their Coupling time is past and the Nests finish'd which happens all at one time they lay their Eggs and Brood upon them which Father Kircher thus describes Between Cochinchina and the Island Hainan lie in a long Ridge a Series both of great and lesser Rocks to which in March flock abundance of strange Birds like Swallows there building their Nests but of what or how not known and having bred up their Young fit for flight they quit their Birth-place and leave their empty Nests which Ships coming thither from China and other places transport from thence and sell at home at great Rates because they are esteem'd as the onely Condiment either to Fish or Flesh which being handsomly season'd with it gives a delightful Hogooe Philip Martyn in his Relation of the Kingdom of Tunking saith That in that Province are many strange Birds and Fowls especially some little ones that fly like a Swallow making their Nests on the Rocks which are gather'd and sold at no ordinary price because they believe that they owe their Health to the use of them mix'd in their Dishes and that it is a certain Cure for the loss of Appetite They are of a bright colour and hard like Sea-horn and they esteem the greatest Feast no Entertainment without this Dainty which they prepare after this manner First they lay it a whole Night in warm Water till it grows soft and mellow then again dried in the Sun mince it very small It hath of it self almost no taste but like Mushrooms prepar'd in Sallads provokes an Appetite and as other Food asswages Hunger and satisfies the Stomach this on the contrary makes the Appetite greater and still desirous of more There is also much Ager-Wood and Cotton On Thursday the sixth Admiral Bort firing a Gun from the Naerden-Frigat signified his intention to set Sail but no sooner had he weigh'd his Anchor but the Ship was strongly driven by the Current towards the Shore so that he was forc'd to let it fall again and firing several Guns the Vice-Admiral Van Campen coming thither with his Pinnace Long-boat and Tackling found the Naerden Frigat to ride about three Cables length from the Rocks on good Ground able enough to hold out a great Storm But carrying out a small Anchor and weighing the other at last got under Sail and was follow'd by the rest of the Ships The seventh being Friday the Zierikzee Highland and Ter-Boede Frigats came about the East side of the Isle of Timon for the Naerden and the other Ships lay at the North-East Point to an Anchor in thirteen Fathom where they took in Water Firing and fresh Provisions as Hens Goats Fish Potatoes and the like The eighth being Saturday the Zierikzees Men going into the Woods cut Anchor-stocks Oars Hand-spikes and Leavers and fishing in their Sloop took some Shepherds and Breams About Noon hapned a great Thunder-shower The ninth day being Sunday the Zierikzee Highland and Ter-Boede weighing their Anchors ran to the North-East Point of Timon to the Naerden and the other Ships Admiral Bort putting out his white Flag to call a Council they judg'd it convenient to steer further out from the Shore and also seal'd their Orders The Admiral here complaining that he had many young and unexperienc'd People in his Ship Order was immediately given That two of the stoutest Sea-men should be taken out of each of the other Ships except the Gold-finch and put aboard of him In the afternoon the Fleet set sail and took their Course North-North-East and saw the Isle of Timon about Sun-set bearing South and by West and South-South-West about five or six Leagues distant The tenth in the afternoon under three Degrees and eight Minutes the Fleet had thirty eight Fathom Water sandy Ground But by the eleventh at Noon they had reach'd five Degrees and four Minutes Northern Latitude and in forty and forty one Fathom Water gravelly Ground The next day at Noon they were in five Degrees and fifty six Minutes and had thirty nine Fathom Water
Enemies The City hath three straight and long Streets which all concenter before the Royal Palace from whence one leads to the Sea the second to one of the City-Gates and the third to the Mountain-Gate None of the Streets are pav'd except those three for the other By-Lanes and Alleys are Sandy And notwithstanding the whole may be Navigated by Channels that run through every Street which receive their Waters from the foremention'd Rivers yet are they very foul because when the Water falls it goes off so slowly Near the Court on the West side of the City stands a spacious Temple on the East-side the Arsenal and on the South side the Kings Palace artificially built with spacious Courts and Walks within At the end of the Street that leads into the Countrey stand the Mayor or Chief Magistrates House wherein all the Kings Servants or Slaves reside and where are also his Stables and other Offices The City stands divided into four parts over every one of which a Noble-man hath the chief Command in time of War Fire or other Accidents In each of these is also a Drum as big as a Rhenish-Wine Fat whereon they beat with a Hammer which always hangs near it when any Uproar happens The Merchandise to be had there are all sorts of Wrought and un-wrought Silks flower'd and plain of divers Colours as Peelings Hokiens and the like They trade also in white Linnen At Noon the Vice-Admiral Van Campen found himself in fourteen Degrees and forty Minutes Northern Latitude and in the Morning came up with Admiral Van Bort with seven Ships and a Jonk The twenty second about Sun-rising the Fleet spied Poele Canton North-West and by North about five Leagues from them and were in the Latitude of fifteen Degrees and thirty one Minutes their Course North-East The twenty third the Fleet was in sixteen Degrees and fourteen Minutes North Latitude The twenty fourth being Munday they discover'd the Island Hainan at a good distance from them and taking observation at Noon were in eighteen Degrees and fifteen Minutes about four or five Leagues South-East from Hainan The twenty fifth about Noon they reach'd nineteen Degrees and fifty one Minutes The twenty sixth they had twenty one Degrees and seven Minutes North Latitude and were within four or five Leagues bearing South-South-West from the Southermost Island of Macao or Macau in twenty six and twenty seven Fathom Water The twenty seventh the Zierikzee and Ter-Boede cast Anchor in the Evening near the Island of Macau by the Box-Heads being separated from the rest of the Fleet by Misty Weather that being the appointed Rendezvouz where they were to meet if by any Accident they should lose one another The next day in the Forenoon Indiik accompanied with the Loosduinen Singing-bird and three Frigats Domburgh High-land and Meliskerke came to an Anchor in the same place under the Coast of Macau in thirteen Fathom Water gravelly Ground which made up their Number eight The Islands of Macau receive their Denomination from the City of the same name scituate on a small hanging Islet joyn'd to one that is somewhat bigger a Ship may without danger in Stormy Weather Sail betwixt and there lie Land-lock'd riding in an always smooth Sea where they never want store of Fresh-water from the living Spring The twenty ninth being Saturday Indiik by putting out a white Flag gave the Signal to the Commanders of the other Ships to come aboard to Council where it was judg'd convenient because Indiik suppos'd that the staying with the Ships bound for Iapan would be chargeable to weigh Anchor in the Morning put again to Sea and sail through the Isles of Macau ordering every Ship now and then to fire a Gun in hopes thereby to meet again with the other five Their Course being Nor-East by East and Nor-Nor-East in sixteen seventeen and eighteen Fathom gravelly Ground about nine of the Clock they bore up with one of the greatest of the Macau Islands in Portuguese call'd Ilhas de Lemas where they saw five Champans or Jonks lying neer the Shore which had a few Houses Here also eight of the Fleet dropp'd Anchor for Indiik with two laden Flyboats steer'd for Iapan The Boats went ashore well Mann'd where they found five great Champans with their Fishing-Nets and above five thousand dried and salted Shepherd-Fish with two hundred Pots of the Rows of the same Fish pickled The Chineses taking their flight into the Woods so left all their Goods to the disposal of the Hollanders onely three were overtaken by the Sea-men and carried aboard the Vice-Admiral who asking them from whence they came they told him From Xantung and also inform'd him of Coxinga's Death who were glad of the News and paid the poor Men for their Fish In the Afternoon they joyn'd with the Admiral Bort and the other lost and separated Vessels which lay at Anchor full three Leagues to Lee-ward of the most Easterly Macaan Isles where they were not able to row ashore with their Boats because of the swiftness of the Current The Admiral making the usual Signal the rest of the Captains came aboard where he ruffling a little and chiding them for not keeping their Rendezvouz according to Order he set upon each of them the Penalty to bring him aboard eight Hogsheads of Water The one and thirtieth in the Morning the Fleet setting sail was at Noon in twenty two Degrees and twelve Minutes a League and a half North-East and by East from Pedro Branke About Noon spying five Sail in the North-East the Vice-Admiral Van Campen made Chase after them and coming up with one in the Evening took it with three Chineses from Tamsua and some fresh and salt Fish On Tuesday the first of August the Vice-Admiral went aboard the Naerden Frigat to know what he should do with the three Chineses and their Vessel Bort replied That he should let them go At Noon the Fleet was in twenty two Degrees and thirty six Minutes in twenty and twenty one Fathom Water fine Sandy Ground mix'd with Shells and the next day at Noon in twenty three Degrees and thirty eight Minutes bearing about three Leagues West-South-West from the Island Tang Goie in twenty two and twenty three Fathom Water Sandy Ground mix'd with small Shells their Course North-East and by East In the Afternoon they spied several Fisher-Boats in the North-East which the Admiral and Vice-Admiral order'd to be chased The Loenen Pink overtaking one of them found onely one Man in her the rest escaping by swimming The third the Fleet came up with the Point of Puthay lying on the main Coast of China Northward from them their Course North-East and by North along the Shore This Point of Land appears in Prospect Mountainous yet full of Valleys and Plains planted with Trees of a wondrous height whose Wood is as black as Pitch and as hard and smooth as polish'd Marble or Ivory some resembling Ebony some a reddish Colour
they brought Rice Beef Pork and fresh Water for those that were Ship-wrack'd where two by Cold and drinking of Brandy miserably lost their Lives in the Night The twenty fourth in the Morning some Chineses coming to a Jonk by Van Campen on the Island proffer'd to carry him to the Fort Minjazen saying that the Governor Hanlavia would entertain him nobly for they suppos'd the Fleet to have been gone to Batavia they also gave him some fresh Pork Eggs and Rice and shew'd him other Civilities The Admiral by Letters advis'd Van Campen the same day that all his expectation and stay was for him that they might set Sail together but suppos'd that the bad Weather had hindred him from coming out and that in the Morning when he heard him Shoot he was about weighing Anchor with all the Ships that were with him at Tenhay of which he had sent him the Finch and Sea-hound and desiring him that if any more Tydings came from Hoksieu that he should Fire three times and for a little while keep in his Flag The same day the Sea-hound Frigat and Finch came to an Anchor near the Wreck in the River of Hoksieu whither Van Campen went immediately with his Boat to see what Goods could be sav'd which to do was almost impossible because of the raging Billows which beat so violently that no Boat was able to come near her In the interim the Fleet which lay at Tenhay also setting Sail fell down towards the Wreck yet afterwards changing their purpose Tack'd about lying Northward The twenty fifth the Admiral 's Sloop with his chief Pilot went aboard the the Vice-Admiral in the Sea-hound Frigat from whence after midnight he was sent again to the Fleet with News concerning the Wreck Little was perform'd that day no Vessels being able to lie near the foundred Ship but the next day they recover'd some Cordage Lead Tin and Sandal-Wood which was put aboard the other Frigats The twenty seventh fetching the last Cables that lay on the Deck they carry'd them aboard the Sea-hound in the Night and then likewise sav'd the Guns and some Shot The next day seven Tartar Jonks came to an Anchor near the Wreck to which Van Campen Rowing put one Mey aboard to look to the Pepper and other Goods that were yet remaining which at last being given to the Tartars was by them esteem'd a great Prize In the afternoon the Sea-hound and Finch weighed and set Sail to get out of the Channel of Hoksieu and came towards Evening to an Anchor by the Fleet in the Bay of Linkun where Van Campen immediately went aboard of the Naerden to the Admiral Bort to whom having given a Relation concerning the loss of the Ankeveen he Row'd aboard the Zirickzee The first of March being Thursday the Admiral at Day-break fir'd a Gun as a Signal that the Fleet should all weigh Anchor and putting to Sea proceed on their Way to Batavia In the Evening about Sun-set they came up with the South-Point of the Isle of Crocodiles which bore South-west about five Leagues and the South-Point of Carellos Nor-Nor-east about six Leagues from them their Course West-South-west The second they saw several Fishers Jonks near the Coast and about Noon came into twenty four Degrees and fifty three Minutes Northern Latitude and had the Southern Island Makau North-west and by West about five Leagues from them they steering South-west and West and by South Saturday being the third the Fleet at Sun-set was about three Leagues and a half from another Isle and on the next day at Noon in twenty two Degrees and thirty eight Minutes Nor-Nor-East about four Leagues from the Sandy Banks and against Evening came up with the Black Hill on the Coast of China about four or five Leagues from them their Course being South-west and by West and West-South-west The fifth the Fleet was about five or six Leagues from Ilhas dons Viedos and at Noon in twenty one Degrees and twenty nine Minutes the next day in twenty Degrees and thirty Minutes and the day after being Wednesday at Noon in nineteen Degrees and fifty Minutes On Thursday Van Campen was got out of sight of the Fleet in nineteen Degrees and thirty six Minutes and the next day reach'd nineteen Degrees and twenty Minutes The tenth in the Morning he came up with the East-Point of the Island Ainan but at a great distance from him and found himself at Noon in nineteen Degrees and twenty four Minutes Northern Latitude the East Point West and by South and West-South-west about four or five Leagues and Poele Tayo North-west about three or four Leagues distant The East-Point of Ainan appears like two Isles as you come about the North. The twelfth about Noon Van Campen was in eighteen Degrees and twenty seven Minutes three Leagues from the South Coast of Ainan which is found to be six or seven and forty Minutes more Southerly than it is placed in the Maps and in the afternoon coming near the Shore he espy'd the Fleet standing South-South-east and the next Morning he descry'd the Admiral Bort with seven Sail to lie a little to Leeward on his Larboard About Noon being eighteen Degrees and thirty two Minutes the Mount Tinhosa bore West and by North about four Leagues from him appearing like three Isles whereof the middlemost is the biggest More into the Countrey are two other Hills to be seen and in the South-west and by West many Highlands The South-west Shore was seen in the South-west and by South about four or five Leagues from him This Countrey is not rightly placed in the Maps neither in its due Latitude nor Longitude for it lies forty six or forty seven Minutes more Southerly in the Maps than it stands The fourteenth in the Morning the Admiral Bort with all the other Ships were behind in the Channel East-North-east and about Noon in eighteen Degrees and seventeen Minutes Sail'd Northerly up to the Fleet which in the Evening came up with Tinhosa The next day at Noon they came to seventeen Degrees and fifty nine Minutes and the day after to Fifteen Degrees and forty Minutes Northern-Latitude their Course South The seventeenth about Day-break they espy'd the Coast of Champan which is very high Land lying South-west and by West from them Six hours after they discern'd the Isle call'd Round Holm near the Coast of Champan and about Noon were in the Latitude of twelve Degrees and ten Minutes and Sailing along the foremention'd Coast in the Evening they past by the Bay call'd Bagerang and about Sun-set they descry'd Poele or the Isle Cicier de Terra Westwards about a League from them The eighteenth Van Campen being about midnight separated from the Fleet found himself about Noon in nine Degrees and nine Minutes and about Sun-set saw Poele Candor West-Nor-West five Leagues from him his Course South-West and by South The nineteenth he came into six Degrees and twenty nine Minutes the twentieth in four Degrees and thirty Minutes
and on the one and twentieth in the Morning seeing Poele Tymon South-west and by South about three Leagues distant he made towards it and dropp'd Anchor at the South-Point eighteen Fathom Water and soon after the Admiral Bort with all his Ships coming also to an Anchor put their Pennon under their Vein except the Loenen Pink which after a little stay steer'd her Course for Batavia In the after noon the whole Fleet setting Sail again to proceed onward of their Voyage steer'd South South-east The next day about Sun-rising Panyang bare about four Leagues to the South South-East from them At Noon the Fleet found themselves to be in forty six Minutes Northern-Latitude and saw Panyang West and by North and about Sun-set they saw Pismires-Isle in the South-west about four Leagues distant and the Island Lingen South-west and South-west and by South about six or seven Leagues off and about Noon the next day Van Campen was with the Fleet in six Minutes Southern-Latitude and saw about Sun-set Poele or the Island Saya South and by West and the Cape of Lingen Nor-West and by West three or four Leagues from them The twenty fifth they discern'd the Seven Islands or Poele Toutyons in the South-east and by South and Poele Saya in the Nor-West and Nor-West and by West about Noon the Poele Toutyons were Eastwards four or five Leagues from the Zirickzee The twenty sixth they descry'd the Mountain Monapin about Sun-rising to lie South-east and by East about five Leagues distant and at Noon about three Leagues from thence they were in two Degrees and nine Minutes South-Latitude At Night about Sun-set they saw the third Point of the Island Sumatra South-South-east two Leagues from them and Poele Nanko East and by North about three Leagues from the Zirickzee and Monapin in the Nor-West and Nor-West and by North all lying along the Coast of Sumatra The twenty seventh at Sun-rising they descry'd the first Point of Sumatra South-east and South-East and by East about two Leagues and a half from the Zirickzee who at Noon was in three Degrees and five Minutes South Latitude and having the Island Lucipar South-east about three Leagues from him Sail'd close along the Coast. The next day about Noon the Zirickzee was in four Degrees and twelve Minutes Southern Latitude and on the twenty ninth in the Morning coming up with the Thousand Islands which lay Westward from him he espy'd the Admiral Bort with seven Sail in the Nor-East and by East and one lying at an Anchor near the Island Agnietes At two a Clock in the afternoon the Fleet came to an Anchor before Batavia where they found the following Frigat and Pinks viz. the Stadthouse Frigat of Amsterdam the Holland Remedy the Nightingale Pink the Arms of Batavia a Frigat the Griffin being the Reer-Admiral of the Harbor The thirtieth being Friday the following Ships arriv'd there from Holland the Kennemerland Orange Rhynland and the Kogge The next day the Flushing Frigat came also to an Anchor from the Coast of Malabar with News that Rykloff van Gouns had taken the City Coessien and likewise the Rising-Sun Frigat from Rekkam On Tuesday the third of April a Thanksgiving Day was kept for the Conquest of the City Coessien and in the Evening Bon-fires were made and all the Guns fir'd from the Fort and round about the Walls of the City Batavia and likewise from all the Ships The eleventh the Ter-Boede Pink came also to an Anchor before Batavia from Sian and the Agents related their Adventures to the Lord-General A CONTINUATION OF THE Second Embassy Being a Journal of the Adventures that happened to the two Fleets sent from Batavia to the Isles of Formosa Tayowan and the Coast of China under the Command of Balthazar Bort as Admiral and General of the Land-Forces since the Year 1663. Iune the 27. until Anno 1664. March the 21. THe great Damage which the Netherlanders suffer'd Anno 1661. by the loss of Tayowan and Formosa taken from them by the Pyrate Coxinga not only staining their Honor but also damnifying their Estates and prejudicial to their Trade was not satisfi'd by the Fleet and Land-Soldiers sent out the last Year as was expected because the Tartars were not only wanting to joyn their Forces for the Defeating of the common Enemy but also detain'd them most of the time idly at Hoksieu feeding the Admiral with fair Promises without any performance although a fit opportunity seem'd to be presented to the Hollanders because the Enemy by the death of their General Coxinga were all in confusion yet notwithstanding as our former Relation mentions the Hollanders Fleet at several times took thirty three Jonks besides many lesser Vessels which they burnt and also the strong Fort of Kitat leaving whole Towns and Villages in Flames whose Inhabitants fled to the Mountains whilst the Tartars took not the least Cognizance thereof although they knew that Coxinga's Party made Overtures of Peace and had to that purpose sent Ambassadors to their Emperor at Peking as it was reported at the departure of the Fleet though his Majesty having put them off with dilatory answers signifying altogether that they should shew the first Point of their Obedience by wearing short Hair as himself and all his Subjects did which as the Hollanders suppos'd might procrastinate the business and besides all this the Tartars did not perform what they promis'd concerning the inlargement of the Dutch Prisoners yet confin'd in the Isle Eymuy although they shew'd all outward Civilities in their Entertainments still Complementing their Ambassadors yet would not grant them a free Trade before they had full Orders from the Emperor with which they held so long in suspence so long that they would not any longer attend with their whole Fleet such continual delays but having done little or nothing set Sail from thence the first of March and came safe on the twenty ninth of the same Month before Batavia leaving the Ankeveen Frigat behind them which suffer'd Ship-wrack before the Channel of Hoksieu as before mention'd and the Merchant Constantine Nobel with eight Netherlanders which were kept by the Tartars and as their Governors pretended in kindness to them that they should not return until they carry'd from the Emperor what should give satisfaction to their General Maetzuiker all which cast up together amounted to more Jealousie than Hopes so that Ballancing their Actions they could not positively say that either they were Friends or Enemies whom they Treated with Yet howsoever let them be what they will whither against the General Maetzuiker and his Council in Batavia pitch'd resolutely upon that with all their Forces they would prosecute those that had done them their Injury viz. the Coxingans and would never hearken to any accommodation until by reprisal or otherwise they had fully satisfi'd themselves of the Damages sustain'd in Tayowan and Formosa Which Decree of theirs was luckily confirm'd by Letters from their Masters at Amsterdam bearing Date
having but one Man kill'd and about sixteen wounded The Hollanders were now fully satisfi'd of the Tartars cowardise for that with their whole Fleet which was four times as strong as the Enemy's they durst not Engage with seven or eight Jonks but fled as we said for safeguard under the Netherlanders Guns leaving their Admiral Bethetok and the General Iantetok which last was kill'd whereas the Enemy when he came near the great Ships defended himself with Bowes and Arrows and Darts which in great abundance they shot and threw into the Sails and likewise with small Shot and fiery Darts yet did little damage In the Evening the Interpreter Melman was sent aboard Tonganpek to enquire how it hapned that his Men had not defended themselves better whereto he made this Answer That a sudden fear had surpris'd them but desir'd him that he should be pleas'd at the rising of the Moon to Sail between the Isle of Goutsoe and the other small Isles thereabouts to Eymuy where he would meet him The twentieth two hours before Day the Admiral with his whole Fleet set Sail for Eymuy and Rowing along to the Southward so passing by Goutsoe not far from whence they spy'd Coxin'gas Fleet whereupon the Hollanders made up towards them as they on the other side did towards the Tartar Jonks and about ten of the Clock came into the Channel between the Westermost Island of Toata and the Northern or third of Goutsoe but the Hollanders because the Current was against them in that Straight spent two hours in approaching the Enemy by which time they had Engag'd the Tartars but at the Hollanders coming in they quitted their Design and shifted for their safety which though the Hollanders had them as in a Pound that either they must be taken sunk or run ashore they perform'd with such activity skill and courage that they broke through the midst of them running their low-built Vessels close under their Guns so fighting their Way that of a hundred and eighty Ships of War three onely were taken the rest all entring with small damage into Quemuy and Goutsoe Lipovi greedy to hear of the Success came down the River Chinchieu and sent a Batsiang or Messenger aboard the Admiral to know the news and advise concerning the Landing of the Tartar Horse at Eymuy to all which he return'd an Answer in Writing by the same Batsiang relating at large the whole circumstances of the Battel In the afternoon the Netherlanders saw four Chinese Jonks coming from Quemuy which designed passing by them to go to the Tartars but they were prevented in their Course by the Guns and forc'd to Anchor near the Ships of which the Commanders that lay nearest went aboard and according to the Admirals Order brought them into the middle of the Fleet who being examin'd by the Commanders told the Admiral That they had onely six Families aboard and Provisions for their Voyage Whereupon he declar'd the Jonks to be free Prize and gave all what was in them to be distributed amongst the Sea-men Notwithstanding some Tartar Mandarins came to intreat the Admiral to let them be discharg'd alledging that they had an Invitation by Letter from Geitonkok Governor of Chinchieu to make an escape over to them but he having a Letter from Soanghieu to spare none upon any pretence but to make all Prize and Prisoners made seizure sending two of them and keeping the other two for himself But Lipovi not long after sent another Letter to the Admiral acknowledging that though he desir'd to be inform'd from his Excellency yet he had seen the Fight though at great distance from a Hill and acknowledg'd the honor of the Victory belong'd only to his Ships His Letter Translated was to this effect Lipovi Chief Commander and General of the Tartar Forces in the Territory of Fokien and Admiral of the Fleet before Eymuy by this Letter sends kind Salutations to his Excellency the Admiral of the Hollanders THe one and twentieth in the Morning from a Mountain I saw the coming of your Ships and with joy beheld the driving away of the Pyrates Jonks with the Thunder of your Cannon Now I see the integrity of your Nation and that you mean as you say and perform what you promise I will not be negligent with the first opportunity to signifie to my Master the good Service which you have done to his Imperial Majesty and how bravely you have behav'd your selves in the Fight routing yours and our Enemies Soanghieu's Supplies will be ready to joyn with us to morrow What I have more to write I hope ere long Sir to deliver by word of Mouth To which the Admiral return'd in brief That he was much rejoyced that he was pleas'd to present their Business to the Emperor with such favor that he should be the better prepar'd to requite their good Service With Lipovi's Letter Bort also receiv'd one from Admiral Sitetok who sent him four fed Oxen which he had taken in Eymuy The same day the Rere-Admiral brought Iohn Ianz one of the Dutch Prisoners aboard the Admiral who had written the two fore-mention'd Letters and was come in a Champan with four Chineses aboard the Rere-Admiral the day of the Fight having on purpose misconstrued the Admiral 's Letter to the Chineses desire as if he had granted what was but in Proposal viz. That the Netherlanders would Charge their Guns onely with Powder and that he must go in Person to acquaint the Rere-Admiral with the Design By which means he got his Liberty and the rest were taken Prisoners Mean while the Enemy being dispatch'd at Sea the Tartars under Lipovi having Landed their Horse which put the People under great consternation they suddenly took the City of Eymuy by Storm slaughtering the Inhabitants and plundering their Houses The same day a Mandarin came with a Letter from the General to the Admiral expressing his joy for having taken the City Eymuy and desiring that on the Morrow he would be pleas'd to favor him so much as to come thither and speak with him The Admiral congratulated his Victory but excus'd himself as to waiting upon him because of the distance of the Place The one and twentieth he receiv'd Missives from Tonganpek to this effect TWo days since I saw with great admiration how valiantly your Ships behav'd themselves in the Engagement against the Enemy which will so amaze the Pyrate himself that he will never dare to look you in the Face I for my particular part humbly thank you for such kind Service in dissipating the Enemy About three days since I sent you the Vice-Roy's Order wherein he commands us to Sail with all our Fleet to Eymuy but being on my Way thither I was by another Order detain'd at Liutien Now in regard his intentions are to come in Person to Eymuy I humbly desire you according to his Request that you will please to send five of your Ships to Liutien and with the other ten lie at
and an Ensign slain Amongst the wounded was Captain Bitter who with an Arrow was shot into the Foot and also receiv'd two Cuts with a Sword through his Hat and Clothes but not into his Flesh. The Admiral by this time being also landed gave Order to all the Ships to send as many Sea-men ashore as they could spare each arm'd with a Pike and Sword Being now drawn up into Battalia he sent two Companies more to Captain Poleman and soon after a Company of Sea-men who had not been gone above half an Hour but a Serjeant sent from Poleman brought word that the Enemy was put to flight and fourteen of them slain The Admiral sent back the Serjeant with Orders to Captain Poleman to pursue the Enemy as far as was possible and prosecute the already gotten Victory yet not to go any farther than he would be able to come back in the Evening for the Admiral would wait his coming upon the Shore Whereupon the Serjeant with another Company of Soldiers and some Sea-men march'd away In the Evening Poleman return'd and inform'd That he had pursu'd the Enemy as soon as he had put his Men in Order again having seen much Blood along the way which he went and found four more lying dead but met no manner of Resistance nor saw so much as one Chinese afterwards Poleman also brought a Horse and an Ass with him but never an Ox nor Cow notwithstanding he saw several hundreds having no opportunity to fetch them The twenty eighth about Day-break six Companies of Soldiers and sixty Sea-men under Captain Poleman's Command were sent to the Church-Bay and two Companies of Soldiers and twenty Sea-men led by Captain Shimmelpewy to the Hollands Fort with Order That if they could not meet with any of the Enemy to fetch some Cattel aboard of the Ships In the Evening they return'd having not met with any Opposition but bringing with them about seventy Oxen and some Sheep and Goats which were distributed amongst the Ships and Soldiers The ninth in the Morning Captain Pooleman with seven Companies of Soldiers march'd towards the Church-Bay and several Places thereabouts to see for more Cattel with order to stay there all Night and return to the Fleet the next day The same day also the Admiral Vice-Admiral and several others march'd with two Companies into the Countrey and in the place where the Battel was they found the fourteen foremention'd dead Bodies which were stripp'd of all they had by the Tartars Soon after the Admiral return'd to the Place where they had incamped themselves In the Afternoon being the tenth the Eymuy Jonk and the three Boats came again from the Church-Bay to the Fleet and according to the Relation of the Secretary who the day before had march'd thither by Land and was now return'd again with the Jonk Captain Pooleman had given one whom he had taken Prisoner his Liberty on promise that he would furnish them with Cattel and bring the Rusticks to them which he endeavor'd though to little purpose for Pooleman got onely two Cows a Calf and a few Poultrey But Peter Coker who had been ashore with his three Boats full of Men before Captain Pooleman came thither had found fifteen Iron Guns twelve of which that carried from three to eight pound Bullets did formerly belong to the Hollanders but the other three were made by the Chineses Not long after Peter Coker came to the Admiral with some Prisoners and Chinese Rusticks of the Countrey as also twenty six Cows and Oxen. Lastly the Admiral sent the foremention'd Villagers and Prisoners home with Command as they priz'd his favor to bring more Cattel and then gave them a Sack of Rice and a Cup of Arak for which with their Heads bow'd to the Ground they cry'd Camsia Compagnia that is We thank the Company In the Evening the Admiral went aboard but came ashore again the next Morning In the Afternoon Captain Pooleman with his Soldiers having been a foraging brought some Chinese Peasants and twenty Cows to the Admiral who dismissed the Men upon promise of bringing in daily fresh Provisions The twelfth towards the Evening came about twenty five Countrey-men to the Netherlanders Camp with Goats and Poultrey for which the Admiral gave them two Bags of Rice restor'd them the Prisoners and granted them a free Pass which was to this effect SInce the People of this Countrey have submitted themselves and as an earnest of Subjection presented Us some Cattel Sheep and such as the Countrey affords therefore We have taken them into Our Protection and We charge and command all Persons and especially the Netherlanders not to do them the least harm when they of their own free Wills come with Provisions or anything else aboard of Our Ships Dated on the great Island Pehoe Balthasar Bort The thirteenth three Hours before day the Fleet set Sail and at four a Clock in the Afternoon dropp'd Anchor three quarters of a League North-East from the Castle Zelandia with their fifteen Ships besides the Jonk Eymuy and the two Tartar Jonks And now in regard the Netherlanders receiv'd no Tydings from the Shore much less Proffers as they expected of surrendring up the Countrey therefore the Admiral on the fifteenth proposed to his Council what it was best to do in carrying on their design of recovering it whether it were best first to Parly or begin with the Sword Hereupon they concluded that they had accepted of the Tartars Proposition about sending their Ambassadors with Letters from Singlamong and Lipovi to the Governors of Tayowan according to a Result taken the eighteenth of December in which the Chinese Commanders in Formosa and Tayowan were desir'd with their Soldiers to come to the Tartars and deliver up the Countrey to the Netherlanders as we have before related To which purpose the Agents were also among the Council there to desire their Order to let them go with their Jonks and two of the Netherland Ships to Tankoya and there to deliver their peculiar Letters and advise them to come over to the Tartars alledging That they could never do it in a better time whereupon after serious consideration the Council granted their Request and as Convoys sent two Frigats along with them Soon after the two Tartar Jonks conducted by the two Frigats took their Voyage to Tankoya The next Morning about two hours before Day the Admiral set Sail with six Frigats more to the Cape of Tankoya and two hours after Noon Rid by the Frigats that set Sail before and the two Tartar Jonks lying Westerly about a League from the Point The Tartar Agents being Landed with their Letters they immediately met with a great company of People who soon after ran all up into the Countrey so that they saw not one Man afterwards Towards the Evening the Rere-Admiral Verwei came aboard the Admiral with news That one of the Tartar Agents was return'd who told him that they had deliver'd all the Letters to which
the time that We may give him notice of your coming and that he may the better prepare Jonks to Convoy you into safe Harbors to prevent the loosing and endangering of your Ships We have no more to say but desire Our Commissioners may be sent to Us in this Vessel Hereupon the Chinese Agents were sent ashore not to Tayowan but according to their Request to the Southward of the fresh River in Formosa The Admiral also Order'd Melman to bid the Men that belong'd to the Champan tell the Governors That if they desir'd a Letter from him they should send for it the next day The Agents Henrick Van Noorden and Iohn Renaldus being come aboard of the Admiral again inform'd them That the Quarters in Tayowan except two or three Houses lay Ruin'd and were nothing but a heap of Rubbish but on the contrary that Sakkam was much inlarg'd with Houses and that they had seen few Cattel as they past along The seventh two hours before day according to their resolution taken the last Night the Admiral set Sail with seven Frigats to the Point of Tankoya where about Noon he Anchor'd amongst the rest of the Fleet. Soon after the Admiral 's arrival there Captain Poleman coming to him told him That all things were well on the Shore only some few Soldiers were sick of which some dy'd and the Distemper increas'd He added also that that very day a Captain call'd Lita and twenty six Soldiers with their Arms came from the Chineses with two Colours and one Pennon to us to go over with our Ships to Tayowan and offer'd to fight for us against the Enemy with promise also to get more to their Party This Captain Lita gave Information that Siautongsiong did not in the least intend to come to them but at one time or other would set upon them if he could find a fit opportunity and that the Enemies Forces on Formosa consisted in ten thousand Arm'd Men of which near five thousand belong'd to this Siautongsiong whereof he kept about him a Guard of fifteen hundred Men the rest were distributed some about the River Tamsuy but the greatest part about Iokan In the Evening there came six Soldiers more belonging to the foremention'd Lita as on the next day twenty five more furnish'd with Coats of Mail Helmets and Scythes and about Noon nine more each of them only with a Scythe who had stood on the Inland Water making signs to be fetch'd over to the Dutch Camp and as they related had been forc'd to throw away their Coats and Helmets or else they could not have gotten through the Woods The foremention'd Captain Lita was according to Order Presented by Captain Poleman with four Pieces of Cangans or Clothing to distribute amongst his Soldiers The tenth came ten other Chinese Soldiers belonging to Lita's Company with Tidings That the Enemy on the other side did fortifie and strengthen himself very much to which purpose he had already gotten a great number of Baskets to be us'd as blinds and plac'd them ready for the first opportunity to lay Guns betwixt them and that then they threatned to come and set upon the Netherlanders There also came four Chineses from Siautongsiong into the Dutch Camp and in their Masters Name presented the Admiral with two Kings Fish and a Basket with Potatoes in like manner two other Chineses came to the Camp who brought some dry'd Fish and other Provisions to sell which Poleman took in exchange for a Cangang but because it was suppos'd that they were sent as Spies none of them was permitted to come within the Works The eleventh came four other Chineses who affirm'd what the ten which came the day before had related concerning the Enemies Fortifying himself Those Chineses that came thus to the Hollanders to prevent them from acting any mischief were divided amongst the Overveen Buiksloot and Cogge Frigats and their Arms taken away from them viz. thirty in the Cogge nine in the Buiksloot and twenty six in the Overveen In the afternoon came a Person with a Letter from Siautongsiong otherwise call'd Tatholing-Totoksiau to the Admiral which was to this purpose Tathonling-Totoksiau sends this Letter to the Hollands Admiral FOrmerly the Admiral sent his Secretary with the Interpreter Assam to My Army who spoke with Me My Inclinations have been for the Hollanders ever since they have been with Me We then Discours'd of five thousand Tail to be distributed amongst My Souldiers of which I have as yet not receiv'd one so that I find My Expectations of receiving Money to be frustrated nay fear that by the long delay My good Intentions which I have had in this business and still have will be prevented therefore I desire with the first to know your Honors Intentions for when I which I would have the Hollanders take notice of shall come to them with my Souldiers they may be sure of the Castles and Forts nay the whole Countrey of Formosa You formerly promis'd to give me five thousand Tail when I should deliver the Holland Prisoners in Sakkam which I never undertook neither think it needful because they will fall with the Countrey into your hands And that your Honor may the better Credit Me I promise hereby to deliver My Grand-father to go in the Holland Ships to Soanchefoe and there Treat with Singlamong and Lipovi concerning my coming over and to that purpose Request that they would be pleas'd to send some great Jonks hither with the Holland Frigats which if they do all things shall be well Pray Credit my Writing for I mean all what is here before mention'd with an upright Heart therefore I desire it may be kept private please to send Assam to Me that I may hear from him what your intentions are if that cannot be send your Resolution in Writing that I may Govern my self accordingly Written in the first Moon the fourteenth Day and underneath stood Tathonling-Totoksiau his Seal The same Messenger brought also two little Letters from Siautongsiong as he pretended to the Tartar Agents but being broken open by the Admiral one was found to be to Tonganpek and the other to Sibja yet both of the following Contents THe Letter sent to Me by your Servant Gom I have receiv'd and understood your meaning My inclinations as you very well know were always to leave this State and come over to the Tartars but to do it according to your writing with the Holland Ships I am something doubtful fearing they might carry Me to Holland or elsewhere Besides there is no conveniency for My Wives and Children neither for My Arms in those Ships for I am near five thousand strong with My Soldiers and Officers which are all ready and willing to come over to you wherefore I hereby desire you to be importunate with Singlamong that his great Jonks with the Holland Ships may be sent at farthest on the fifteenth day of the second Moneth either to Tamsuy or Tankoya upon whose timely
the General Lipovi sent to the Factor Pedel to tell Hogenhoek That since he could not help to fetch in the Emperors Letter at first that now when it came to the Court he should fall on one of his Knees to do it Reverence because it was the Custom of the Country Nobel having also done it at the fetching in of the Letter the last Year Hogenhoek having staid an hour with patience the Vice-Roy Singlamong appear'd with a great Train of his Mandarins Nobles and Courtiers and soon after the Agents with the Emperors Letters and Presents Before the Emperors Letter walk'd above twenty Persons beating on Drums and playing on divers Musical Instruments so that it rather seem'd to be a great Triumph than for the reading of a Letter As it pass'd by Hogenhoek according to the Generals Request shew'd Reverence to the Letter by Bowing of his Head and Body which done they follow'd the Train into a great Hall where their Excellencies were already Seated and then rose up After they had consulted a little together Hogenhoek was again Commanded to Kneel and so to continue Kneeling all the time whilst it was reading After the Letter had been read publickly it was laid on Hogenhoek's Arm by the Chief Agent for which Honor he was forc'd Kneeling to bow his Head several times together and likewise for the thousand Tail and Silk Stuffs After this their Excellencies went to sit under a Canopy and caus'd a great Tankard with Milk mixt with Peking Butter and Bean Flower to be brought to them whereupon they invited Hogenhock also to sit down by them at last the Vice-Roy rising and taking his leave went to his own Court Soon after follow'd the General Lipovi and lastly the two Agents Netherlanders and Governors who advis'd Hogenhoek that he should go the next day to Thank the Agents which he accordingly promis'd to do The Emperors Letter Hogenhoek Commanded Lewis de Keizer to carry on his back but the Presents were laid in Pallakins all the way which they pass'd several sorts of People with Drums and other Musical Instruments throng'd the Streets to see them Hogenhoek coming home was welcom'd by two of the Emperors Poetzienzie with three Volleys of Shot and the Drums and Pipes play'd a whole hour before the Letter which they did onely to get Money for Hogenhoek was directed to give somewhat more than Nobel had done the Year before and likewise the Vice-Roy and General Order'd Hogenhoek to go the next day to visit the Agents and return them Thanks because it seldom or never happen'd that his Majesty gave such great Presents to any Person whatsoever After Hogenhoek had been at home some time he caus'd the Emperors Letter to be Translated Which was to this effect I Conghy Emperor send this Letter to the Holland Admiral Balthazar I Love strangers who come from remote and far distant places as an Emperor ought to do and the more because those that do us good must receive good again and those that deserve Honor must be well rewarded I have certainly understood that you have purchas'd Honor therefore I have sent Presents to you I have heard that you Balthazar have justly and valiantly gone with my Officers to War by which I perceive you mean honestly with me and my People as appears by your subduing the Pyrats and driving them away like a Bird which hath made a Nest to Hatch in and is now broken to pieces The Honor which I always expected from the Hollanders by Conquering the Islanders and driving them away from thence is perform'd therefore I am Oblig'd to Gratifie you with some Gifts and send this my Letter desiring you to accept my Presents and Honor my Letter Conghy The Presents that came with his Majesties Letter consisted in a thousand Tail of Chinese Silver and sixty Pieces of several Silks and Cloth of Tissue On Friday the twenty third Hogenhoek went in the Morning with all his Attendance to the Vice-Roy and General and likewise to the Emperors Commissioners to acquaint them that he was dissatisfi'd for that the Emperors Letter made no mention of their Traffick or about their staying there much less to go with their Fleet and Forces to Tayowan as their Highnesses had long since promis'd him as also the Admiral Bort and Captain Nobel viz. that there were Seal'd Letters expected from his Majesty about it and likewise that the Admiral and they had not without reason complain'd of their inconstancy appear'd now plainly because not one of their Verbal Promises and Assurances were found to be true which would be very ill resented by the Lord General that they had been detain'd two years and now receiv'd nothing but words To which the Vice-Roy answer'd with a Grim Countenance that ' t is true his Majesty had permitted the Hollanders to Trade but an Ambassador must every other year be sent to him and as to the business of Tayowan they would be ready to go with them thither to subdue it if therefore an Ambassador should come they would immediately dispatch him with Letters of Recommendation to Peking Whereupon he durst assure them that they would obtain the everlasting Trade and leave to go and come when they pleas'd and also have an Island or piece of Land alotted them on which they might reside without Molestation The like Answers Hogenhoek receiv'd from the Governor but the General Lipovi seem'd to be highly displeas'd saying That so great honor of receiving Presents and a Seal'd Letter from the Emperor in which he attributed the Honor of Conquering the Enemy to them was never yet known so that they ought to have been satisfi'd with that only Hogenhoek reply'd That they thank'd his Majesty for his Favor But where-ever the Hollanders were permitted to Trade they receiv'd Seal'd Letters from the Princes which serv'd as a safe-guard for their Governors Nay further said he the Hollanders Trade thorow the whole World without being limited a time but when er'e they came they were Welcome and Traffiqu'd as they thought fit Whereupon the General angerly reply'd Each Countrey had its fashion and so accordingly had his if they did not like the proffer of coming every two years once they might stay away and if they did not come in the time limited they should go away again without effecting any thing Hogenhoek answer'd That this Discourse seem'd very strange when as he himself had promis'd that he would procure him Seal'd Letters from his Majesty for it and indeed in Honor he could do no less their Requests being so reasonable viz. That after the Conquering of the Islands they might for their great Charge and trouble only enjoy the benefit of Trade The Vice-Roy having been silent some time diverted the Discourse asking Hogenhoek if Nobel would return with Addresses and Presents to his Majesty at Peking Whereto he reply'd That he could not assure it in regard it was in the Lord General 's choice whom he would choose to Negotiate such an Affair
needed not question his glad Reception Furthermore he doubted not but that they should have all their desires granted when so er'e they arriv'd at Peking The Tartar Interpreter also acquainted the Ambassador that it would be convenient to invite the Captain of the Jonks that lay to watch to a Treat which some hours afterwards was perform'd by Putmans and the Interpreter De Hase who coming to the Captain and Mandarin were kindly entertain'd with answer that according to their Requests they and some other Mandarins would wait upon them the day following They also sent a Present to the Ambassador of Capons Geese and a Vessel of Chinese strong Drink Towards Evening the Masters and Pilots came aboard again to the Ambassador and told him That he had search'd the Bay of Hoksieu of which they would give an account in writing how the Ships should get in and out with most safety as was done the day following In the afternoon the Vlaerdings Boat brought a supply from Hoksieu of Beeves Porkers good Liquor and several Fruits with Letters from Nobel Harthower and Vander Does that on the eleventh they were arriv'd at the Bridge of Lamthay and at their passing by the Governors of Minjazen Treated them kindly and at Hoksieu they were presently admitted to the Presence of the General Siangpovi the Vice-Roy and the Conbon or Governor All these Visits were past with many kindnesses and upon the delivery of their Letters from Batavia with an Inventory of the Presents were told That the Ambassador was Welcome and according to his Request should be honorably and kindly Entertain'd and that he would be pleas'd presently to come ashore that they might the better inform his Imperial Majesty of his arrival with which the Ambassador being acquainted gave Order for his Landing the next day The next day they were to Treat about Commerce which they suppos'd to be of great Consequence the more because by Proclamation every one was on pain of Death forbidden to Trade with the Hollanders without Licence When a rumor was spread in Hoksieu that the Fort Quelang in Formosa had been Besieg'd two Moneths by three thousand Tayowan Chineses but at last were forc'd to Retreat to Tamsuy with the loss of their General c. The fifteenth being Sunday nothing happen'd of remark to the Ambassador but onely expected further Tydings from Nobel and his other Friends in Hoksieu The sixteenth four Mandarins came from the General Siangpovi and the Conbon sent to the Ambassador to Present him with an hundred and twenty Canasters or four Tun of Rice thirty couple of Capons as many Ducks forty great Vessels of their best Drink six fat Beeves twenty Porkers a Score and a half of Geese and a hundred Water-Lemons Because the Name of Chinese Beer will be often us'd it will be requisite to give a short Description of it THe Drinks which the Chineses use are many The first call'd Samfoe or Sampe made of Rice is of a clear Colour like white Wine wherefore they also name it Sampe signifying pure White The second call'd Looszioe is of a brown Colour like Dutch Beer of a pleasant Taste but very strong The third nam'd Tzonzui and by some held for the best and strongest Liquor in all China is of a bright Brown very clear and resembles Brunswick-Mum yet tastes like Sack and as strong in its Operation Which Liquor Vulgarly the Hollanders generally call Mandarins and Chinese Beer The fourth being a sort of Distill'd Water is call'd Hotzioe and is not only clearer but much stronger than Brandy therefore by the Netherlanders call'd Strong Arak The fifth Drink is call'd Kietzjoe and by the Hollanders Kniep and is also a Water Distill'd yet not so strong as the former of a ruddy Colour and much drank in the Chinese and Holland Ships during their stay on the Coast of China Most of all these Liquors are made and Extracted out of Rice They say That in the Emperor Yu's Raign above two thousand Years before the Birth of our Savior this famous Chinese Drink Extracted of Rice was first made The Inventer thereof was call'd Ilie who having Presented the Emperor with the new and pleasant Liquor when he had well tasted it said What great Misfortune hath brought this Drink into the Realm Now I foresee the fall of my Family and the ruine of the Empire by this inebriating Drink Whereupon he straight instead of reward and honoring him for his happy Invention being such an assistant to weaken Nature banish'd him the Empire for ever and Commanded further upon pain of Death that none should imitate or experiment the same But though Yu Banish'd the first finder yet he could not prevent the Art of making it from spreading through his whole Dominions Besides these Drinks there is an ordinary sort boyl'd of the Root Tee or Cha and likewise another by the Netherlanders call'd Bean Broth which as some say is Milk mixt with Peking Butter The Chineses also Press several sorts of Juyces or Wines out of Fruit as among other out of the Fruit Lichi Yet in no place do they know any Liquor made of Grapes that kind of Tope only belonging to the Province of Xensi though they have store of Grapes and Vineyards in other parts of China for the Chineses either dry or Preserve their Grapes to eat them in Winter which they do by Boyling in a great Pot and then pour dissolv'd Sugar upon them Upon the delivery of the foremention'd Presents Singlamong was not once made mention of which occasion'd some jealous thoughts And now because the Ambassador expected that he should Land shortly he made an Order for his Attendants and Information to the Comptroller to be observ'd at his Landing thereby to shun all Confusions according to which every one was to govern himself Orders for the Attendants of the Embassy OF what concern this Embassy is every one may apprehend How circumspectly it ought to be perform'd in respect to our selves and also how much Honor and Profit our Nation may reap by it cannot be sufficiently express'd Therefore since the good Orders Vertue and fair Carriage of the Persons that shall attend us must be observ'd and maintain'd as the Chief Point it may be judg'd what care and diligence ought to be us'd in it that our bad Conversation may not hinder a good Event This being consider'd of we have thought it necessary and fitting to prescribe some short Orders to all our Followers with express Commands that every one shall exactly observe them upon their Perils I. Coming ashore every one shall go to the appointed place without separating himself or going from the Train without special Orders from the Ambassador II. Every one shall look to his Office and be diligent and careful in what he is imploy'd III. None shall go out of the Ambassadors Lodging without his or the Secretaries knowledge IV. The Comptroller Ruwenoort shall have the second Command over the Gentlemen and Soldiers
by him bid to sit on his left Hand on a small Bench and next him his Prime Officers to all whom the Vice-Roy seem'd to be somewhat more affable than the General saying That the Hollanders were now no Strangers and that he had been acquainted with them in Canton and done them several good Offices in their Negotiation there and that he was as ready now to serve them as heretofore especially because a Person of greater Quality was imploy'd with like Addresses to his Imperial Majesty Whereupon the Ambassador modestly reply'd That he had been well inform'd of his Highness former Affection and Favor to their Nation at Canton and also of the late continuation of the same Civility and Goodness to Constantine Nobel ever since his residing there for which he return'd him especial Thanks not doubting but he would keep up his Hospitable Character to Strangers in assisting them in this their present Embassy in which they desir'd nothing but what was Just and Honorable and might be beneficial to both Nations Which he promis'd very seriously and that he would write in the Ambassadors behalf to all his Correspondents in the Council of State at Peking Then the Vice-Roy inquiring in the same manner as the other did about the Presents and the Lading the Ambassador fearing that some Contest might arise as formerly with the General waved the Dispute onely replying That they would be all ready in good Season but the Merchandise he did not concern himself with Whereupon the Vice-Roy said Well let it pass but desir'd the Ambassador to lend him his Chyrurgeon for a day or two which he promis'd when Dinner being upon the Table breaking off all further Discourse the Vice-Roy desir'd them to sit at his own Table on his left Hand which is there the chief place where they did eat in the same Dish and drank in the same Bowl with the Vice-Roy So having been plentifully treated they took their leave and return'd to their Lodging At their going away two Mandarins follow'd the Ambassador telling him That the Vice-Roy return'd him many Thanks for the Presents which he had sent in the Morning but durst not receive them as yet therefore he desir'd him to send for them home till they went to Peking Whereto the Ambassador made Answer That they were onely a few Trifles for his Children and desir'd that they would please to proffer them once more to his Highness which they promis'd to do but however towards Evening they were return'd again with the same Excuse Next Morning being the twenty seventh the Ambassador consulted with his Council of what had hapned to him the day before and ask'd what was further to be done for the advancing of this great Embassy and also read over the Instructions given him in Batavia after which having seriously consider'd they unanimously concluded and agree'd That Nobel and Harthouwer should that Morning go to the General to tell his Highness That the Ambassador endeavoring to satisfie him in all Points whatsoever therefore desir'd that the Blyswiik and two Jonks might come up thither with the Merchandise and Presents and that then he should receive them But whilst they were yet busie about this their Resolution three Mandarins came to desire Nobel to come to the Vice-Roy where the General also expected him thither he and Harthouwer went immediately At this time the Governor of Soansifoe sent the Ambassador as a Present a couple of fat Oxen besides other good Kitchen Provision Mean while Nobel and Harthouwer came back from the Court and related That they still desir'd that the Merchandise and Presents might be brought ashore which they excus'd urging the several Inconveniences but told them that all should be done in good time when the Presents and Frigats might by unlading be least damnified concerning which they would come and Treat with his Highness to Morrow The twenty eighth in the Morning about day-light the Secretary carried the Message to the General who at his return told That having staid an Hour ere he was admitted to his Presence and having complemented his Highness in the Ambassadors Name he answer'd him roughly saying in a teasty manner That he had spoke with the Ambassador two days since and granted him as many Jonks as he desir'd for the unloading of his Goods and come you now to ask more Let it be so said he I will supply them with Twenties and if that will not serve with Hundreds but in brief none of their Ships shall come up the River Tell your Master continu'd he that I am a Man that keep my Word no Promise-breaker therefore what I grant they may be assur'd of I know that you are come hither from remote Countreys through long and turbulent Seas with Ships freighted with Merchandise How then should I be so inhumane as not to serve you in what I may towards the accomplishing of your Desires But first land your Presents and when I have seen them I will write in your behalf to Peking And the more to manifest my good Intentions and the Love I have for the Ambassador I will suffer one of his Ships to come up to the Bridge but accompanied with my Jonks for which Favor the Secretary return'd him thanks in the Ambassadors Name promising to give his Master an Account thereof The Ambassador order'd Nobel and Harthower to go to the General so soon as it was possible and thanking him for his Kindness further to request a Pass to bring up the Blyswiik Frigat and send two Mandarins to help them that all things might be done according to his desire The twenty ninth in the Morning the Comptroller Ruwenoort went with the Chyrurgeon Hans Voorechter to the Court to carry their Highnesses the following Letters and desire their Answers The first being to the Vice Roy Singlamong contain'd That the Ambassador had sent his Chyrurgeon to his Highness Service The rest was written to the same purpose with the other three viz. That the Ambassador desir'd to know when his Highness pleas'd to accept of a Visit and treat about the Embassy The thirtieth nothing hapned of Remark Next Morning two of the Generals Officers came to the Ambassador and in their Lords Name privately proffer'd him three hundred Tail which they had brought with them for the Chain of Blood-Corral and Quilt Goods which he desir'd to be sent on which the Ambassador smiling return'd That he was no Merchant neither bought nor sold but if the General would please to accept of those Trifles as a Present he would take their Reception as a high Honor and if his Highness hereafter might have a fancy to buy any Goods belonging to the Hollanders that their Merchant Nobel should furnish him With which Answers the foremention'd Persons return'd to give an Account thereof to the General In the Afternoon the Vice-Roys Officers return'd with many Thanks to the Ambassador for his Presents which his Highness had kindly receiv'd and as a grateful Return had sent him
and the Mandarine Guides which being no way pleasing to the Ambassador he said that he would have no Quarrel about the Emperor's and his Goods for he would pay those Coelies which were wanting above the number express'd in the General 's Warrant Whereupon as many Coelies were provided as they wanted and the Ambassador wrote a Letter to the General in Hoksieu to this effect THat the Ambassador would never forget the many great Favors which he receiv'd from his Highness in Hoksieu and doth not doubt but that he will continue the same In return whereof he desires that Talavja might be assur'd that neither in the Court at Peking nor any other Place in the World he would seek or do any thing to his disliking or disparagement That himself hath well arriv'd at Chinkon in Pouchin and finds that he wants more Coelies than are express'd in the Pay or Warrant granted him whom if his Excellency think fit he will cause to be paid by the Hopou in Hoksieu This Letter deliver'd to the Mandarins the Ambassador ask'd when they should proceed on their Journey to which they answer'd Two days hence Then he enquir'd if the Horses and Oxen might not be sent away before because the Oxen travell'd but slowly which being granted they prepar'd all things accordingly But in the Evening a Chinese Secretary call'd Sinko said that the Mandarins caus'd Frames to be made to carry the Oxen because it would be impossible for them to go over the Mountains at which the Ambassador seem'd very well satisfi'd and accordingly put off their going In the Morning being the sixteenth Hiu-lavja one of the Netherlanders Mandarine Guides came with the Frames for the Oxen to the Ambassador's Lodgings who asking him when they should go from thence reply'd Two days hence Then he desir'd to know the reason why they must stay so long because the Mandarin had on the fourteenth Instant also told him That he should go two days hence Whereupon he said That it was because the Coelies which they wanted above the number mention'd in the Pass granted by Talavja was not yet allow'd by the City Mandarins who had promis'd that within two days all things should be ready himself wishing that the Hollanders were gone To which the Ambassador reply'd That he knew that the Lepous were somewhat displeas'd about their so long tarrying at Hoksieu being detain'd there by the Vice-Roy therefore it would be very inconvenient to lose more time there so that if the Lepous should chance to ask him about it in Peking he could freely declare that it was not his but the Mandarins fault who made him wait for Coelies Which Discourse prevail'd so much that Porters were immediately sent to carry the Sandal Wood with which they walk'd before it being very troublesom for its length and heaviness to be got over the Mountains The eighth in the Morning an hundred Coelies came to the Ambassador's Lodging to tie and pack up the Presents to be carry'd in Burthens and to go with their Loads before with the Horses and Oxen with which the Secretary Vander Does was also order'd to Travel before the Ambassador Nobel and the rest intending to follow them in the Afternoon but because one of the Horses had receiv'd a hurt on his Head above the left Eye the Ambassador thought it convenient to stay a day or two longer in Poutchin and to keep one Horse more besides the fore-mention'd to see in that time what could be done to him and then give order for his stay or taking along with him Whereupon the Secretary with two Horses the Oxen and the hundred Coelies with their Loads went before Nobel and Putmans being order'd to follow him in the Afternoon but because the tying up of the Goods spent too much time it was deferr'd till the next Morning The Horse being pretty well recover'd the Ambassador went from Poutchin the one and twentieth in the Morning and having travell'd half a League by the Village Olian and in the Afternoon by Sisanly and Singan and some Pagodes or Temples towards Evening came to Guliaen where they reposed that Night The next day being Snowy and Rainy they rested themselves in expectation of fair Weather The twenty third the Skye being pretty well clear'd notwithstanding the Mountains were still cover'd with Snow the Ambassador leaving Guliaen proceeded on his Journey and in the Morning pass'd over a high Hill and so through Huysjounton Hangsion Outangay Ontongne Kieumoe and Ousalinga from whence they saw divers Pagodes built on the Declivings of several Mountains In the Afternoon they travell'd in sight of the Villages Movana Loutiatona Golinga Longkia Kiekova and divers Hamlets and Temples of which very many stand all along this Road amongst whom they saw one on the top of the Mountain Liougtouw and call'd by the same Name Here are the utmost Limits of the Province of Fokien and Chekiang or Chetchiang between both which the foremention'd Temple stands so that now leaving Fokien they entred into that of Chekiang and going on came towards the Evening to a Village call'd Limathova having that day travell'd five Leagues four in the Territory of Fokien and one in that of Chekiang This Province though less than others yet exceeds all the rest in fertility of Soil delightfulness of Prospects and Riches beginning in the South under twenty seven Degrees and five Minutes Northern Latitude and extending Northerly to thirty one Degrees and twenty five Minutes a Tract of sixty five Leagues the greatest breadth from East to West being almost of the same length It borders Easterly on the Sea where the shortest Cut is to Iapan and not above a days Sailing as some say with a fresh Gale of Wind in the South and South-West upon Fokien in the West and North upon Nanking and likewise touches with a small part upon Kiangsi It is divided into eleven great Counties almost as large as some Provinces for one of them being Hancheufu and the chiefest of them is ample and powerful enough to be a Province or Kingdom viz. Hangcheufu Kiahingfu Hucheugfu Nienchufu Kinhoafu Kieucheufu Chucheufu Xaohiugfu Ningpofu Taicuheufu and Vencheufu having several great and small Towns to the number of eighty three belonging to them besides unwall'd Places and an incredible number of Castles and populous Villages The chief Tract of Land call'd Hangcheufu borders Northerly on Hucheufu and Kianhingfu in the East at the River Chee between Kianhingfu and Xaohingfu in the South at Nienchufu and in the West at Nanking In ancient times this County belong'd to the Vice-Roy of V. and was afterwards possess'd by the King of Cu and by the Family of Chin nam'd Cientang by the Emperor Sui it was first styl'd Hangcheu by the Family Tang Iuhang by Sung Lingan but the Taimingian Family restor'd this Country to its old Name This Division contains eight Cities of which Hancheu is the chiefest the rest are Huining Tiuquang Inlang Liugany Yuum Sinching and Changhoa
Villages In the afternoon they came to Lanqui where their Goods and Persons were again to be put aboard other Barques Soon after their arrival at this place the Governor came to welcome the Ambassador and present him with some fresh Provisions This being the first Town where the Hollanders had receiv'd so much civility from the Governors their Journey that day was three Leagues The Shipping of the Goods into other Vessels was referr'd till the fourth because of the Rainy Weather In the afternoon the Lord Ambassador entertain'd the Governor who in the mean while sent him in a Calf and a fat Weather and other Provisions besides four Vessels of their Beer This Mandarin shew'd himself very courteous to the Hollanders for which kindnesses he was presented with five Ells of fine Cloth The fifth in the Morning the adjacent Hills were all cover'd with Snow but the Weather growing fair their Goods were put aboard and all things made ready to go away the next day The sixth they left Lancqui before day This place though not large yet makes a handsome shew being well built and very populous occasion'd by the many Trading Vessels that come thither It is pleasantly seated all along the River side Hither abundance of Allom is brought from Humsie In the forenoon they pass'd by the City Sansjenne a League and a half from Lacqui On the left side as they went up the River the Shore near the Water rises very high and not inhabited but in the Valleys stand some few Houses and Villages In the Evening they came to Ponkousong where they staid all Night leaving the City Niencheufu on their left Hand a quarter of a League having that day gain'd five Leagues The next Morning two hours before day the Mandarin Guides caus'd the Drum to be beaten that all might be ready to be gone immediately which they did but the Vessel in which the Ambassador was struck upon a Sand so that the rest which were behind were ready to fall foul upon his Ship such was the force of the Current but day-light coming on they got off again and pass'd by divers Villages Temples and Hamlets and also by a Pagode in which stands the Image of a Philosopher call'd Nienchlin With the Dusk of the Evening they arriv'd at Tungh where they staid that Night having gotten seven Leagues that day by Steering several Courses The eighth in the Morning they set Sail again and in the forenoon saw on their left Hand the River Tu which glides towards the City Cinsung or Sinchung which having pass'd it divides into two Branches and at last discharges his Water into the Grand Che. This City being the seventh in order to the Metropolis Hancheu lies on the North side of the Tu pretty close built and surrounded with Plow'd Lands In the Evening they arriv'd at the City Fojang or Fujang scituate on the West side of the River Che and Northward from the Stream Fuchun which takes its Original a little Westward from the City Liengan and joyneth its Waters Southward from Fujang with those of the Che. The Ambassador having gotten five Leagues forwarder on his Journey that day lodg'd in Fujang that right The ninth in the Morning they left Fujang before day Here the River Che is about two English Miles broad yet hath but few Villages on its Banks most of them standing more up into the Countrey by reason of his overflowing in great Rains every where Manur'd and Planted with Fruit-Trees In the Evening they arriv'd at the South Suburb of Hangcheu or Hancsieuw call'd Chankeeuw half a Leagues distance from Hangcheu here all the Goods were forc'd to be Landed then carry'd to the North Suburb of Hangcheu where they were again Shipt so that they staid there the following Night The next Morning being the tenth Huilavja one of the Mandarin Guides went to acquaint the Governor of the City with the Netherlanders coming and to desire Barques for their further Voyage He returning again in the Evening told the Ambassador That the foremention'd Governor intended to invite his Excellency the next day to Dinner and that the Pinghtouw or third Person in Office would do the like the day after and give speedy Order for the preparing of the Barques The same day the Mandarin Guides for the trouble they had already had and to oblige them the more were by the Ambassador each of them presented with five Ells of Cloth Ten Ells of Red Cloth two Pieces of Perpetuanaes four Pieces of Linnen a Fowling-Piece a pair of Pistols two Sword Blades two Perspective Glasses and a String of Blood Coral But the Invitation came not that day because Huilavja said a grand Tartar was come from Peking with whom the Governor was in private consulting about State Affairs Some Mandarins coming to visit and welcome the Ambassadors were kindly entertain'd by him The same day above six hundred Horse were Ferry'd over the River Che. The twelfth in the Morning the Pinghtouw or third Person of State in Hancheu which had the Command over all the Vessels came aboard the Ambassador to bid him Welcome and also present him with a fat Weather a Porker some Poultery Rice and other fresh Provisions desiring to be excus'd for his delay in not coming to visit the Ambassador sooner being hinder'd by some grand Mandarins that were lately gone up from thence to Peking who had taken all the greatest Vessels with them yet he should be careful that the Ambassador should be well Accommodated and that he would willingly invite his Excellency to Dinner but durst not before he had been at the Governors but then he would be bold to desire him to come and be his Guest for which kind proffers he was civilly Entertain'd and having seen the Horses and Oxen he took his leave In the afternoon the Interpreter Genko came to tell the Netherlanders that the Governor of Hancheu had enquir'd of him how the Ambassador was plac'd at his Entertainment by the General in Hoksieu The next Morning being the thirteenth several Horses came to the Ambassadors Vessel to fetch Him and his Retinue to the Governor's Court whither he went in a stately Equipage taking those Presents with them which they resolv'd to give him two days before Coming to his Palace they were after a little stay brought to his Presence and the Ambassador Welcom'd by the Governor who said this Embassy would be very pleasing to the Emperor Then he ask'd where the Pepper and Sandal-Wood grew How big Holland was How far distant from China If there was any Silk in Holland and many more such Questions to which his Excellency answer'd him accordingly Then the Tables being spread they were desir'd to sit and plentifully entertain'd Thus having spent some time the Ambassador deliver'd him a Note of the foremention'd Presents and with a Complement desir'd him to accept them which having read over he excus'd himself that he could not accept the Presents
which was not needful at the Horses and Oxen and therefore they were accepted of whereupon the Ambassador making himself ready Order'd the Presents to be put into the Carts and went with Nobel Putmans the Secretary and eleven Persons of his Retinue towards the Court but was first carry'd to the Council of State 's House where he had left the nineteen Chests with Presents Here having sorted all the Goods except five Chests with White Pepper which the Tatan said were needless they were sent to the Emperor's Palace whither soon after the Tatan who Rid before through another Gate with the Goods the Ambassador and all his Retinue follow'd Coming to the inner Court where the Emperor saw the Horses in the Morning they found the Carts with the Goods there before them and also the Tatan sitting in the open Court Here the Ambassador and his Attendance were also shewn to sit down on the Ground behind him which they accordingly did on Coats brought with them for that purpose Having staid about half an hour the two Prime Councellors or Zoutaizins of the Emperor came also thither and seated themselves on their Pieces of Cloth on the Ground and having rested themselves a little they call'd the Tatan who kneeling before them receiv'd their Commands which was to tell the Ambassador That the Emperor ask'd if the Lord Maetzuiker in Batavia was in good Health To which kneeling on one Knee he answer'd that he was Then the Councellors ask'd If they were all four Persian Horses and the Oxen Bengael And also If the Netherlanders were at Peace with the Persian and Bengael To which the Ambassador reply'd That they were and had many years liv'd like Brothers and real Friends They also ask'd What sorts of Grain there grew in Holland To which they gave a fitting account Then the Oxen were order'd to be put into the Chariot and the Ambassadors Son to come and shew him Reverence Soon after the Presents except the Lanthorns were carry'd away again without the Emperor's coming to look upon them and leave granted to the Ambassador to return to his Lodgings Mean while Putmans and Ruwenoort staid in the Court to undo the Lanthorns which the Emperor after the Ambassador's departure came to see and likewise the Oxen drawing the Chariot in which he Order'd two of his Attendants to sit and be drawn in it so that Putmans and Ruwenoort also saw the Emperor Several grand Mandarins went to Visit the Ambassador in his Lodgings all which he Entertain'd with great kindness and according to the conveniency of the place The two and twentieth early in the Morning a Secretary belonging to the Lipous came to the Ambassador's Lodgings to tell him That Putmans must come to the Tatan's House to unpack the Emperor's Presents and look them over whereupon Putmans accordingly went thither This Secretary humbly proffer'd his Service to the Ambassador saying He would rejoyce if by his advice or ought else he might be serviceable to his Excellency for which he receiv'd many Thanks from the Ambassador who answer'd him That he would slip no opportunity to make use of him The same day Ienko the Interpreter inform'd the Ambassador That he had been told from credible Persons that he should be brought within three days before the Imperial Throne to have Audience granted him which although he did not absolutely believe yet he prepar'd all things in a readiness There also came a Commissioner with four Mandarins sent from the Prime Counsellor or Zoutaizin of the Emperors to ask the Ambassador if he had no Blood-Coral Perpetuana's or other Goods to Sell because the Emperor would perhaps buy some of them Whereupon the Ambassador reply'd That the Ong or General of Batavia had strictly forbid him to sell any thing but what he had was at the Emperor's Service which said they took their leave There likewise came two Mandarins to keep Watch in the Ambassador's Lodgings so that the Netherlanders were then Guarded by four Mandarins and twenty Soldiers that every one was kept from going out except those whom they pleas'd or coming into the House The Mandarin Guides also which since their coming thither had been Lodg'd there were remov'd to another Place but the Chinese Interpreter Soukjen stay'd with them At Noon Putmans returning said That he had again been in the Tatans House and laid a Piece of every sort of Goods to view all which was Seal'd up in a Chest to shew the Emperor and that the rest were left in Chests to be look'd over In the Afternoon one of the Lipous Secretaries came on Horseback to the Gate of the Ambassador's Lodging saying onely to the Interpreters That the Lord Ambassador must make himself ready against Midnight to appear before the Emperor and to deliver the Presents himself to his Majesty which said he immediately hasted away again without any Answer Van Hoorn made himself ready against the fore-mention'd time The same Afternoon Putmans was again sent for to the Tatan that he might as they said take the rest of Presents out of the Packs that they might be shewn to the Emperor altogether the next Morning and be in readiness to be deliver'd by the Ambassador to his Imperial Majesty Putmans returning very late in the Night related That he had been with the Tatan and had taken all the Goods out of the Chests yet laid them in again Moreover he was commanded to tell the Ambassador that he should make himself ready betimes to go to the Court the following Night The twenty eighth two hours before Day-light the Ambassador was with all his Retinue fetch'd to the Court by some prime Mandarins being led through three other Gates than those which they pass'd the day before to an inner Court having pass'd the third Gate they saw in a great Plain before the Portals of a stately House all the Presents set on the Ground and close by them the second Tatan who also pointed to them to sit down by the Presents which they did About half an hour after the Ambassadors from the Corean Isles being three in number came also thither with fifty Attendants Habited after the Chinese manner with long Hair yet poorly Dress'd and of mean Aspects which were order'd to sit a good way behind the Netherlanders on the left side of the going in at the Door In the interim whilst the Netherlanders stay'd above two hours some Discourse pass'd between the Lipou Lilavja and the Ambassador about a Letter which the Interpreter Genko said the Ambassador would deliver to the Emperor which the Lipou advis'd him not to do saying That it was not customary there for if they would Request any thing of the Emperor they must first acquaint the Lipou with it that they might again impart it at convenient times to the Emperor Whereupon the Ambassador reply'd That he would do nothing but what he advis'd him to because he was a Stranger and knew not their Customs As to what concern'd
the Letter which the Interpreter had told him of it was nothing else but a Complement of thankfulness to his Imperial Majesty which he design'd to speak to him and whether it would be fit to deliver it to the Emperor before all his Business was done There likewise came another Lipou to the Ambassador saying That he had understood by one of the Zoutaisins that it might happen that the Emperor would ask the Ambassador some Questions which if he did he advis'd him to make short and brief Answers Lastly the Ambassador was told that he might again return to his Lodging because the Emperor would not that day come out to see the Presents yet that Putmans must stay there to see the Chests and Packs open'd if any thing should be order'd to be taken out of them all which was accordingly perform'd But the Ambassador being in the last Gate to go out of the Court was desir'd to stay a little where Putmans came to him saying That Genko the Interpreter had demanded the Keys of the Chest in which the Presents were which having open'd he was order'd to follow the Ambassador A little after he was told that he might go home with his Retinue which he did and was no sooner come thither but he found a List written in the Chinese Tongue in which was set down the Provision that the Emperor allow'd the Ambassador every day viz. For the Ambassador his Son Iohn Van Hoorn and Nobel two Geese four Hens three Fish six Catty of Meal three Tail of black Tee a pound and a half of Waetsjoe one of Mesoe one of Soya one of Oyl nine Catty of Herbs and Garlick six Cans of Liquor and every five days a hundred Pears five Catty of Grapes or Raisins five Catty of dry'd Prunes a hundred and fifty Apricocks and likewise every other day a Sheep For six Men every day twelve Catty of Pork six of Meal six of Tauwhoe three Tail of black Woetsjoe one Catty and a half of Misoe the like of Soya the like of Oyl and six great Vessels of Drink For fifteen Persons every day seven Catty and a half of Pork two of Herbs one of Salt five Jugs of Liquor In the Afternoon Genko the Interpreter came to acquaint the Ambassador That all the Presents being taken out of the Chests and Packs were brought before the Emperor in his Court where his Imperial Majesty had seen them and accepted of them which did not a little rejoyce the Netherlanders when they heard that all the Presents were deliver'd without any of them being damnifi'd except some flaws in the Lantern There also came two Commission'd Mandarins from the Lipous to ask if the Ambassador could about two days hence go to Zamboie that is Complement the Emperor and withall to go for the Emperor 's Privy Seal the next Morning To which he answer'd That he was ready at all times to obey his Imperial Majesties Command The Ambassador also ask'd these Mandarins whether the Emperor had accepted of the Presents and if he had done with them To which they reply'd Yes Whereupon the Ambassador said That he was sorry his House being so small he could not entertain them according to his good inclination To which they answer'd That the Ambassador's good will was sufficient and that three days hence he should remove into a great House which was preparing for him The next day being the four and twentieth about nine a Clock a Mandarin came to the Ambassador's Lodging to tell him that it was time to go and shew Reverence to his Imperial Majesties Seal Whereupon he went thither with his Son Nobel Putmans the Secretary and five of his Attendants whom the fore mention'd Mandarin conducted into an old great Mandarins House that stood behind the Tatans which when entred they saw through one of the Palace Gates the Place where the Seal is kept being a little eight corner'd House and were directed to sit under the Gate to defend themselves from the heat of the Sun where having stay'd half an hour they heard a Voice bidding them Ascend having pass'd on about fifteen Paces they heard the same Voice crying Kneel and afterwards again Bow your Heads three times together which done you may rise soon after it said Kneel down again and once more bow your Heads three times so that they were to bow eighteen times and kneel six all which being pass'd over they cry'd Stand up and go to your Lodgings which accordingly they did After the Ambassador had been at home about half an hour he was told that the chief Councellor of State or Tatan would be there presently whereupon they made themselves all ready to entertain his Highness who soon after came thither with two Lipous They ask'd the Netherlanders by an Interpreter several Questions viz. How long Holland had been in being Near what Kingdoms it border'd What Goods and Merchandises were to be had from thence To all which his Highness receiv'd satisfactory Answers So having spent half an hour in asking Questions and it beginning to grow very hot in the Ambassador's little House it being about Noon he said that he would go home and leave the two fore-mention'd Lipous there to be resolv'd of some more Questions by the Ambassador who caus'd two Pistols one Fire-lock and two Sword Blades to be shewn to his Highness with Request that he would take them with him in commemoration of Holland but he excusing himself said That the Ambassador's good inclination was enough which said he departed The two Lipous ask'd him many frivolous Questions not forgetting the least thing nay desir'd to know what Tails the Sheep and Hares had in Holland in which Discourse they spent most part of the Day the Ambassador giving them their desired Answers After their Secretary had written down all things they took their leave The Ambassador proffer'd them some Presents thereby to draw their inclinations towards him but they refus'd them like the Tatan Mean while the Emperor sent eighteen Tartar Saddles with all their Furniture to the Ambassador's Lodging to use whilst he stay'd there The four Watch Mandarins were the same day presented by the Ambassador with a Piece of Perpetuana and five Tail of Silver The twenty fifth the prime Secretary to the Lipous came with two Mandarins all three Habited after a stately manner fit to shew obedience to the Emperor to the Ambassador's Lodgings after Midnight to tell him that it was time to go to the Palace Whereupon the Ambassador went thither with most of his Retinue which were all led through three Gates into the same Plain wherein they sat the Morning before and there order'd to stay till Day-light when the Emperor would appear sitting in his Throne Having spent two hours and the Day beginning to appear they saw the Plain full of Mandarins richly Habited that were come thither to Zamboie or shew Obedience to the Emperor so that the Hollanders divertis'd themselves with looking
fetch'd him to the Court came and told the Ambassador That he and his Retinue must make themselves ready that they might go to Morrow Morning before Day-light to the Emperors Palace to receive his Imperial Majesty's Presents which the Ambassador promis'd to do This Mandarin said also That his Excellency should on the thirtieth of their Moon being the tenth of our Iuly come to the third Imperial Feast and three days after that go away which made the Ambassador long for the Emperor's resolution on his Request The seventeenth in the Morning two hours before Day he was fetch'd with his Retinue to the Court to receive the Imperial Presents and conduct them through three Gates into the Emperor's Court on a Plain before the fourth Gate which faces the Throne where on Iune the 23. they had seen the Coreans shew Reverence to the Emperor and their Presents lie on a Table Here the Netherlanders rested till Day-light about an hour after they saw some Lipous drest after a stately manner coming into the Court and soon after a Table was brought in cover'd with a Piece of Red Cloth which was set in the same place where the Corean Ambassadors stood only this stood before the Gate at the Tartars upper Hand when as that of the Coreans stood on the left A little while after some Stuffs and Money was laid upon it which done the Ambassador his Son Nobel Putmans and the Secretary were call'd and plac'd just before the midle Gate which was opposite to the Throne yet they could not there discern the least glimps of it for that the fifth Gate stands so high that although it be open yet they can see nothing belonging to the Throne After they had fac'd the Throne and upon the Order of a Herald kneel'd thrice and bow'd their Heads nine times they brought the Ambassador first those Presents that were for the Lord General which he receiv'd kneling and afterwards those which were for himself This done Nobel receiv'd his likewise next Putmans then the Secretary and the rest of the Retinue every one what was order'd for them Which finish'd the Mandarin Guide Hiu and Huilavja the Chinese Interpreters and Soldiers which came with them receiv'd theirs The Presents which they receiv'd from the Emperor were as followeth For the Lord General three hundred Guilders of fine Silver consisting in six Boats two Pieces of Chinese Cloth of Gold two more of the same with Dragons four Pieces of Flower'd Silk with Dragons two Pieces of Flannel twelve Pieces of divers Colour'd Sattin eight Pieces of Damask Silk ten Pieces of rich Flower'd Stuff ten Pieces of Pelangs and ten Pieces of Pansjes For the Ambassador an hundred Guilders of fine Silver four Pieces of Pelangs four Pieces of Pansjes four raw Pieces of Hokjens three Pieces of Blue single Sattin six Pieces of single Damask two Pieces of Cloth of Gold with Dragons For his Son one Piece of black Flannel fifteen Guilders of fine Silver two Pieces of Raw Gazen two Pieces of single Damask Silk For Nobel fifty Guilders of fine Silver one Piece of Chinese Cloth of Gold one Piece of Flannel three of Damask Silk one Piece of Sattin two of Gazen two of Pelangs and two of Pansjes For Putmans and Vander Does which had both alike were forty Guilders of fine Silver two Pieces of Damask Silk one of Flannel one of Sattin one of Pelangs one of Pansjes one of single sleight Damask and one Piece of White Goes The Interpreters Maurice Iansz Vish and Dirk de Hase had each two Pieces of Black Sattin two of White Goes two of Pansjes two of single sleight Damask For every one of the Retinue fifteen Guilders of fine Silver two Pieces of raw Gazen and two of single Damask For the Guide Mandarin Hiu Lavja one Horse without a Saddle For the Guide Mandarin Hanlavja and the two Chinese Interpreters one Silk Damask Coat Edg'd about with Gold which they were immediately to put on and for each of the Soldiers that came with the Ambassador one sleight Silk Damask Coat After every one had receiv'd what was laid out for them the Ambassador was with his Retinue led back to the place where he Kneel'd before and did it again as a sign of thankfulness after which he was by the Mandarin Song-Lavja and some other Mandarins conducted out of the Court whereat the Ambassador ask'd of the Lipou Song-Lavja when the Emperor's Letter to the Lord General and his answer on their Requests would be deliver'd To which he reply'd All in good time yet it should be three or four days before his departure Whereupon the Netherlanders return'd again to their Lodgings In the Afternoon a young Vice-Roy not above twenty years old and Nephew to the present Emperor came to visit the Ambassador and to hear his Musick which having delighted his Ears and tasted two or three Glasses of Sack he took his leave seeming very well satisfi'd The nineteenth in the afternoon another grand Lord who had the Command over the Nobility at the Court came to the same purpose which was accordingly granted him and entertain'd with a Banquet which ended he departed The fourth instant the Tatan told the Ambassador and Nobel expresly that none there might receive any Presents and those who told him otherwise did very ill Wherefore the Ambassador seeing them to be in earnest sent a Letter to the Lipous and Zoutaisins to desire that those Goods which he had brought with him to give away since they would not accept of them he might have leave to sell them but he could get no answer upon it The twentieth the Ambassador was fetch'd to the third Feast of the Emperor and again as before conducted to the third Tatans Court where he was entertain'd after the same manner as on the sixteenth The Ambassador after all this trouble and Expence both of time and otherwise gain'd no more but to be at last dismiss'd with a Seal'd Letter from the Emperor to the Lord Maetzuiker in Batavia So on the fifth of August he set forth from the Imperial City Peking to measure back his former tedious Journey and first reach'd a Temple about a League from the Town of Tonsjouw and two from Peking where they lay all that Night AS to what concerns the Metropolis Peking it shall be with its whole Province at large describ'd in our following Discourse of the Empire of China or Taising The great Citizens and other Prime Court-Ladies are here as also through all China seldom seen to walk in the Streets but are carry'd in close Sedans or Palakyns accompany'd by a great Train of Waiting-Women and other Servants In the Houses their Lodgings are apart from the Men where likewise they have Wildernesses Groves and pleasant Gardens where they delight themselves in Planting curious Flowers and keeping all manner of Singing-Birds The sixth they proceeded on their Journey from Tongsjouw and at Noon came to the Vessels lying at the City of Siensingway
 Kiocing 13 48 25 35 Yaogan 15 50 26 3 Cioking 16 40 26 28 Vutin 14 59 25 27 Cintien 13 52 26 4 Likiang 16 58 26 54 Iuenkiang 15 33 23 54 Iungchang 17 42 24 58 Great Cities     Pexing 16 8 26 44 Lanking 15 55 27 3 The manner of the Building of the Cities in China MOst of the Cities in all China are of one Model and Fashion and exceed each other only in Bigness and Commerce for most of them are square with broad and high Walls of Brick or Free-stone Fortifi'd round about at an exact distance with high Watch-Towers not unlike those of the ancient Romans surrounded with broad Moats and within with Pallasadoes The Entrances into the City have always double Gates one before another with Portcullases between those two Gates is a large Court wherein the Soldiers are Exercis'd that belong to the Guard These Gates are not opposite but oblique so that they cannot see through them both at once The first hangs on a double Wall which appears like our Bulwarks Above the Gates on the Arch are high Towers which the Chineses call Muen Leu in which the Soldiers keep Guard and are Magazines where their Arms are kept Every Metropolis and almost all the small Cities have a little distance without the Walls in a pleasant and frequented place or near the Road a Tower by Peter Iarrik and others call'd Chimes which the Chineses look upon to be so auspicious that no Man goes about any business of consequence before he hath Saluted these Edifices from thence expecting their better Fortune One of these Towers by which we may judge all the rest is before discrib'd in the Province of Xantung They have at least seven nine or ten Galleries of Free-stone and very artificially built in manner like a Pyramid they are not onely Erected in or near the Cities but some of them on the highest Mountains These Towers are not much unlike other Structures from their quality call'd Culeu which here we should name Hourly Towers which are built at the Publick Charge one or two in every City according to the bigness thereof On every one of these Towers is a Water-Glass for in stead of Watches or Hour-Glasses the Chineses use Water Glasses which shew the Hour of the Day for the Water falling out of one Glass into the other lifts up a Board Carv'd with the Figures of the Hours and time of the Day There is also one who constantly observes the Hand which points and by the beating on a great Drum gives notice thereof to the People every Hour what the Clock is he also puts forth another Board out of the Steeple on which the Hour of the Day is Painted with Golden Figures of a Foot and a half long The same Person which Watches the Hours hath an Eye also because he looks over the whole City if any Fire should accidentally happen in one House or other and by beating on his Drum raises all the Citizens to the quenching of it He whose House is set a Fire through his own carelesness suffers Death without mercy because of the danger which threatens the neighboring Houses all built of Wood. On these Time-telling Towers the Governors often meet to keep their Festivals Pagodes or Temples NOt far from these Turrets stands generally a Pagan Chappel besides a Temple Consecrated to the Spirit or good Genious of the City In these all the Governors or Magistrates on the entring into their Offices take their Oaths of Allegiance and the like as if before the God or Protector of their City In former Ages the Chineses in these Temples honor'd only the fore-mention'd Spirits but at this day Worship other Idols Great numbers of these Pagodes are through all China and are likewise built in solitary places on the tops and declinings of Mountains Most of these Pagodes are inhabited by Priests who live there upon the ancient Revenues granted them of the place The Pagodes also afford good Lodgings and Entertainment for Travellers who there find plenty of all things The Pagodes or Temples are within furnish'd with Images to the number in some of above a thousand and hung round about with black Lamps which burn Night and Day in Commemoration of those as they conceive which liv'd Piously and dy'd Happily Some Images sit on Tables as if they liv'd and were consulting together At the entrance or behind the other Images stand horrible shapes Horn'd Fiends with open Mouths and Hands with grievous Claws In the middle commonly appears an Altar whereon sits an Image of some times thirty forty fifty nay a hundred Foot high to which the Temple is Consecrated besides several lesser Idols on each side thereof before the Image stands generally a thick but hollow Cane full of little Reeds or Pens inscrib'd with Chinese Characters which they believe foretel future events On each side are Perfuming-Pots which are continually supply'd and in the middle stands a Woodden Charger in which the Priest puts his Offerings when he Invokes the God on some exigent to grant him a favorable sign of good success The Altar is Colour'd Red with which no common Houses may be Painted A Pagode or Temple which was formerly the Hall of a Palace belonging to a grand Eunuch near the City of Peking and afterwards on the Emperor's Command given to the Iesuits for a Chappel Trigaut says was before set forth after this manner In the chief Isle stood a great Altar of Bak'd and Hewn Stone curiously Wrought and Painted Red after the manner of their Temples Upon the middle of the Altar sat a great and horrible Monster Bak'd of Clay Gilt from top to bottom The Chineses call'd this Image Tuan and suppose it Commands over the Earth and Riches thereof wherefore we with the ancient Poets should call it Pluto It had a Scepter in one Hand and a Crown on its Head both not unlike the Marks of our Kings On each side of the Isle stood two great Tables every one Guarded by five Infernal Judges which were also Painted on the Walls sitting on Seats of Justice and Condemn'd as they said the Sinners to Everlasting Torments every one according to his Condition Before them stood many Furies far more terrible with tormenting Scourges than those which we represent and in such manner those Devils seem'd to punish the Criminals that they struck a Terror to the Living for some lay broyl'd on Gridirons others boyl'd in Oil others again rent to Pieces some cut through in the middle torn to Pieces by Dogs bruis'd in Mortars and other such like cruel Punishments The first of the fore-mention'd Infernal Judges seem'd to examine the Malefactors which as the Chineses suppose he re-views in a Looking-Glass this done he sends them to the other Judges according to the several Punishments which they are to suffer Amongst them was one whose Office was to Punish by Transmigration sending the Souls of the Malefactor into worse Bodies