India between Surrat and Goa neare adjacent all commodities from Surrat to Bantam vendible at great beneficiall prizes p. 43. CHAP. XIII The exceeding rich trade from Surrat to China and also a rich trade from China to India though this beneficiall trade be neglected by the English sluggish injudicious Court Committees if a free trade were open diligent industrous Merchants would leave no place unassayed where there is great hopes or certain assurance of large profit the profitable trade from India to Moco in the Red Sea the way to inrich our usurers with more security of conscience by letting Moneyes at interest to Heathens rather then to Christians and at double the Rates for their greater incouragement Industrious men in open trade will find out far more severall sorts of Commodities then the India injudicious Courts never exercised in the practick of that commerce doe looke into and no doubt but as beneficiall p. 48. CHAP. XIIII A beneficiall trade to be made at the Port of Swollow road where all Christian Ships and others resort at fitting times incouragement to young Merchants or decayed persons of a good and honest repute at home in their owne Country a meanes to draw on Adventurers in purse and person to Madagascar p. 58. CHAP. XV The valour of the English Nation against the Salvages in Virginia and new-England also of the Spaniards against a civill nation in America or the west Indies also of the Spaniards and Portugals against the Brasilians and against the Indians a mighty warlike nation also the designe of other Nations jeering us for not setling a plantation somewhere in India for our succour and defence ought to stirre us up to such an enterprize the honour and blessing of a pious christian nation to settle true religion among Idolatrous heathen people to Gods glory and honour The barbarous cruell oppression of the Dutch against the English at Amboyna in east India being to mighty and to strong for the English to resist p. 62. CHAP. XVI Esquire Courteen his worthy enterprize to settle the beginning of a Plantation at Madagascar the partiallity injustice and ingratitude of the India Courts against their true loyall Brothers Servants and corrupt favour to their Iugling debauched undeserving meere hireling Servants A commodity of great value to be regarded and searched for out at Madagascar and of great advantage to the obtainers thereof Prince Rupert in a great forwardnesse to a hopefull Plantation at Madagascar the Earle of Arundels intention to supply Prince Ruperts fayling in the project for Madagascar p. 66. CHAP. XVII The use of Ordnance Guns and Printing long in use in China before used in Christendome good admonition to give the glory to God in this action and all others p. 70. Excellent Encouragement for Setling an English Plantation at MADAGASCAR in ASIA CHAP. I. The occasion of printing this rude treatise or pamphlet Prince Ruperts intent to plant at Madagascar Master Walter Hamonds book in praise of this Island will give good incouragement for a plantation he that is Lord or King of Madagascar may easily in good time be Emperour of all India also the cheapnesse of necessaries both for back and belly to be had out of India for the present reliefe of the planters FOr as much as great talke and rumour hath happened this last spring 1644. about divers of his Majesties subjects adventuring to Madagascar or Saint Lawrence in Asia neere unto East India and there to plant themselves as in other parts of America and that some by report are already gone upon that voyage and for that my selfe have been heretofore desirous to deliver my opinion thereof in regard of my being and abode upon that Island three moneths or more together as first about eleven or twelve yeares past by the right Worshipfull Doctor Henry Gouch master of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge whom himselfe had in his passage into Persia in company with the right Honourable Sir Dodmore Cotton and Sir Robert Sherley Ambassadors from his Majesty King Charles of England to the King of Persia being in that Country whom I satisfied the best I could out of those briefe notes which I had taken not expecting to have been required my opinion thereof which otherwise I would have been more exact and diligent in my observations yet gave him some content chiefly I thinke with a book I lent him to take a Copy of the writing of the priests or religious men there which Master Doctor Gouch told me was the antient writing of the Egyptians in Hierogliphycks or Characters of strange shapes like beasts foules wormes serpents c. or like unto utinsels or tooles of labouring men in severall Vocations which having perused and copied out he returned to me againe with thanks Secondly about six or seaven yeares past the Honourable Endimion Porter and that noble well affected Gentleman Captaine Iohn Bond to that Plantation desired me to give them some of my observations in writing it being at that time when as the right Honourable the Earle of Arundell and other honourable persons intended to perswade Prince Rupert to undertake that businesse which no doubt had he performed would have been more effectuall to Gods glory more advantage and more honourable and beneficiall unto himselfe and brethren then to countenance a civill war in this Kingdome so much at all times respective to him and his family which though more rudely and more defective for want of my papers lost I performed was acceptably of them also received with the Booke formerly mentioned which they presented to his Majesty as a present of some respect and though the Booke was grosly charactared and bound up by the salvages yet it cost me the price of six or eight fat Oxen I also gave Master Porter some of the salvages weapons as darts and a long knife about two foot long the blade and haft together much of an equall length and also a curious India painted Bow and Arrowes with a Quiver lined with crimson Velvet for all which they offered to bring me to his Majesty to kisse his hand but I denied not thinking my present worthy so great an honour and therefore desired to be excused Thirdly because I understand that M. Walter Hamond Chirurgion who was at the same time of my last being at Madagascar with us in company hath lately written a booke of the worthinesse of that Country and the benefit thereof to the incouragement of adventurers and dedicated the same to the noble Gentleman Captaine Iohn Bond which yet I have not seene I have for the reasons premised adventured to take in hand to deliver my opinion in writing to publike view though rudely and farre inferiour in such abilities to that honest able person master Hamond to the further incouragement of the worthy adventurers and planters that shall thinke good to adventure their purses and persons in that right worthy and famous action which peradventure I may hit upon such incouragements by way of Trade or
A BRIEFE Discovery or Description Of the most Famous Island Of MADAGASCAR or St LAURENCE in Asia neare unto East-India With Relation of the Healthfulnesse Pleasure Fertility and wealth of that Countrey comparable if not transcending all the Easterne parts of the world a very Earthly Paradise a most sitting and desirable place to settle an English Colony and Plantation there rather then in any other part of the knowne world Also the Condition of the Natives their inhabiting their affability Habit Weapons and manner of living the plenty and cheapsieÌ„sse of Food Flesh Fish and Fowle Orenges and Lemonds Sugar Amber-Greece Gold Tortle-shels and Drugs and many other Commodities sit for Trade and Commerce to be had and gotten there at cheaper Rates then in India or elsewhere Also trading from Port to Port all India and Asia over and the great profit gained thereby The chiefest place in the world to enrich men by Trade to and from India Persia Moco Achine China and other rich Easterne Kingdomes I being the fittest place for a Magazine or Store-house of Trade between Europe and Asia farre exceeding all other Plantations in America or elsewhere Also the excellent meanes and accommodation to fit the Planters there with all things needfull and superfluous for backe and belly out of India neare adjacent at one fourth part of the price and cheaper then it will cost in England yea Fat Bullocks Sheep Goats Swine Poultrey Rice and Wheat and Barley reasonable c. exceeding cheap for the value of twelve pence or one shilling English will purchase or buy of the Natives as much as 5 6 7 pounds or more in England in this famous Island at their first arrivall which no other Countrey hath afforded By R. B. and Francis Lloyd Merchants The second Edition corrected and amended London Printed for Iohn Hardesty at the Signe of the Black-spread Eagle in Duck-lane 1647. TO His most Royall and I trust in God yet Most Gracious Soveraigne Lord King CHARLES of England c. and to the Right Honourable the Peeres Lords and Commons Assembled in the High and Honourable Court of Parliament MOst Gracious Sacred and dread Soveraigne and most Honourable pious Peares and Commons in Parliament Assembled The despicable condition of my poor Estate ruined through envy malice and revenge abroad in India and cruelly oppressed by deep ingratitude partiality and injustice at home in England the weaknesse and infermity of my decrepit person debillitated by along continued sicknesse now almost six yeares compleat with my simple Ignorant and weak understanding yet true loyall hearty affection to my King and Countryes glory and renowne right Humbly and in all Lowly and Reverend Submission to Your Highnesse and Honours Vertues and Authority craves pardon and remission for my boldnesse in interrupting your most serious and most weighty affaires of State with the dull apprehension of my zeale and affection to Gods glory the Honour of my gracious Soveraigne and his most Royall Posterity and the welfaire and accommodation of my indeared native Country which hath induced or rather impulsed and coacted me to come to counsell before I am called and to lend the opinion of an unintelligent and unfortunate Merchant concerning the aptnes accommodation and assured great benefit of this Kingdom of England by settling a considerable Plantation in the most famous Island of the world Madagascar or Saint Lawrence and that thereby the glory of Almighty your Majesties Honour and the Common-wealths happinesse may redownd to all the world as well out of Asia as Affryca or rather more and better in hopefull or assured expectation as out of America and other parts of the world May it therefore please your Highnesse and Honours to pardon my servent zeale and affection to this worthy designe which if the Lawes of England did forbid or give causion to the projectors of new busines to the Common-wealth under paine of losse of life if their projects proved hurtfull to the same as that as I take it of the Lacedemonians or some otherwell governed Common-wealth and such law perhaps not hurtfull to this Kingdome yet would I adventure without any hope or expectation to my selfe of reward or accommodation to exhibit this project so apparently beneficiall to the common-wealth in my own strong confident opinion if so be it should please his Royall Majesty and the Honourable High Court of Parliament to undertake it as abusinesse of State and of great consequence to this Kingdoms its welfare and Indempnity To insist upon a large Epistle were obnoxious to Your Majesty and Honours weighty and importent affaires and my dull apprehention with the tymorousnesse of my deep offence in such bold presumption forbids me to take that unpleasing task upon me I verily acknowledge it a transcendent haughty presumption in me to exhibit so rude and unpollisht a Pamphlet to Your Highnesse and Honours perusall yea to the meanest of the Honourable House of Commons which though it cannot expect gracious acceptance from any yet if it incurre not unto me thereby Your Majesties and Honours just indignation for my impulsed zeale to my King and Countryes good out of the small experience and weake iniuditious apprehention of my unfortunate travels untill such time as more juditious and better intelligent persons by their more skilfull prevalent perswasive pens give better incouragement for speedy and effectuall means to proceed in so weighty yea most hopefull successefull a businesse I shall have some cause yet to rejoyce in the depth of my misery and affliction in the meane time my daily earnest Prayers to God shall be for his abundant blessings spirituall and temporall to his Sacred Majesty and his most Royal Posterity the Right Honourable High Court of Parliament and all His Majesties true Loyall Subjects and that the Lord Jesus would please to break in peeces the most hurtfull Cords of Contention with the spirit of truth and concord and put away from all them that prosesse his name the offence of quarrels and dissention among them that we may be joyned together in one minde in truth love and Christian Charity to the praise honour and glory of God Almighty and such shall be ever the prayers Of Your Sacred Majesties and Your Honours most Loyall Subject and Servant Richard Boothby To the Reader COurteous Reader this Booke was intended to have been divulged in August anno 1644. but many lets have impeded the same my owne weaknesse of body the hinderance of a captious licencer blameing the rudenesse of the stile and my placeing Madagascar in Asia which he would needs have to be in Affrica but whether in Asia or Affrica I yet rest unresolved by the opinion of some Sea-men accounting it in Asia some detracâ—nesse it hath had by long detention of some cheife member of Parliament to whom I committed the perusal which their multitude of more weighty affaires would not admit time for it's perusall and lastly occasioned by the visit in my long continued sicknesse of an
sorts as appeareth by the aboundant divers shapes of of their shels curious to behold and the shels of esteeme in England by Iohn Tredescant and Master Slade dwelling about Lambeth who treasured up such to please curious people and to adornish rocks and water-workes in gardens of great persons of which sort Master Slade had of me gratis some quantity And without all question this Country farre transcends and exceeds all other Countries in Asia Affrica and America planted by English French Dutch Portugall and Spaniards and is likely to prove of farre greater value and esteeme to that Christian Prince and Nation that shall plant and settle a sure habitation therein then the West Indies is to the King and Kingdome of Spaine And it may well be compared to the land of Canaan that floweth with milke and hony a little world of it selfe adjoyned to no other land within the compasse of many leagues or miles or the chiefest paradice this day upon Earth This gallant Island of Madagascar doth afford these severall rich commodities as followeth Amber-Greece Gold the old Earle of Denbigh brought from this Island of Madagascar Gold land which he presented to the Kings Majesty and the Councel board and I was at the Councell board when this Gold sand was in question and approved of And there is also Tortle shels which doe sell at Surrat for twelve shillings per pound Copper Alloes Cicatrina excellent good Rice Honey and Wax Dragons Bloud divers rich Gums Ebbany Sandle wood Cohooe wood which doth sell at Surrat for foure pence per pound Tamerin and divers rich Drugs you may get by slaves of both sexes and timber either to Persia or else to Moco in the red sea 50000 pounds per annum and your slaves will put you to little charges for they doe live upon rice and water This Island of Madagascar is about nine hundred miles in length There is many Kings upon this Island the south part of it lies in 25 degrees and 35 min. and the northerne part short of the equinoctiall the inhabitants goes handsome in their accoutrements and speake the Arabian Tongue and they have Juncks which they Trade to and fro to the foure Islands which lies about thirty leagues off viz Joanna Malalo Combro and the Majottes and to the Coasts of Malindia The Island of Saint Laurence is a gallant place for to have a Magazine or Randezvouze for the Coast of Malindia lies off this Island forty or fifty leagues The Portugals hath a great fortification at Mussambeg therein and upon these coasts the Portugals get most of their riches and drives all their Trade in India otherwise it was impossible for them to hold out so long because of their great losse both by the English and Dutch The Portugals drives such a gallant Trade upon this Coast from 26 degrees south latitude to 3 degrees north latitude they get great store of Gold Elephants teeth Wax Amber-greece and divers sorts of rich Gums and comodities which cost the Portugals a very small matter for they trade with Knives Bels Pentathoes Barbars-aprons course Calicoes looking-glasses c. I have been taking of a Juncke twenty eight yeeres since which came from this coast of Malindia laden with Elephants teeth Amber-greece and rich Gums The Portugals comming from Mussambeg and bound for India they alwayes touch at the Island of Saint Laurence and there they buy slaves for their plantation I have beene about seaventeen yeeres since taking of a Junck which was laiden with slaves of both sexes and Sandall wood which came from Mussambeg and so to Saint Laurence and their laden and bound for Goa as we found by a Portugall passe If I may be worthy to advice after a trade is once setled at Madagascar what a brave gallant trade may be had upon the coast of Malindia three or foure smal ships may be imployed all the yeere long coasting and trading along the coast from 26 degree south latitude to 3 degrees north latitude and putting off course Indian commodities may lade your ship with rich Commodities much acceptable and vendable in those parts so that you need not to carry any Mony out of England into India CHAP. III. Hogs in Malinda have stones in their mawes as pretious as rich Iewels the affection of the inhabitants to our Nation above all others Portugall Fryers slaine to accompany the King of Madagascar at his death to heaven great store of wildo Foule and Turkies the Envy of the East India Company against a plantation may give the better incouragement thereunto no Gold Silver nor any rich commodity of so high esteeme in Madagascar as red Cornelian Beads THe East India Company they have sent out about twenty five yeeres since Elephants teeth in the ship by me for the Elephants teeth is in great request all over India the Portugals doe put 2000 Tuns yearely off which they get on the coast of Malindia also on this coast there are many wilde Hogs and in the mawes of them there growes stones which the Portugals cals Petra le Porkco which is mighty in request and esteeme in all India and Asia for expelling of Poyson The like thing is not to be had in the world for that purpose for your Beazor stone is not in that request by many degrees and little esteemed of in those parts for the Portugals do drive a very great Trade in India and Asia by this excellent Jem which they call Petra le Porkco I have read of it and likewise in a Manuscript of the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Row when he was imployed Lord Embassador by His Majesty King Iames into the East India for to settle the Trade for the East India Company in those orientall parts wherein he doth write farre more at large then I doe expresse It is conceived by divers wise men where these Hogs are on the coast of Malindia that the soyle is very good and that it doth afford excellent good grasse herbs fruits and drugs which is the chiefe cause of the extraordinary goodnesse and vertue of the stones which growes in the said Hogs mawes which is in that great esteeme and request all over India and Asia that none can parallel it This said coast of Malindia is neare adjoyning to Madagascar likewise there is above 1500 Tuns of Wax yeerely which is brought from the coast of Malindia to India which is in great request rich Gums and divers sorts of Drugs also the Portugals bring great store of very sine Gold and Amber-greece from Mussambeg to Goa So that all the world may understand what rich Trade the Portugall hath on the coast of Malindia and hath for this many hundreds of yeares maintained a very strong Garrison at Mussambeg for their is 100 peeces of Ordnance in their Castle I am confident the richest and best trade the Portugall hath in Asia cannot parallel this on the coast of Malindia furthermore if Saint Laurence Island had once a plantation set led what
half broyled upon coales and full of ashes and whether before or after their feast for I have forgotten they came out of the woods from their booths into a plaine a bow shoot or two from their habitation where were stuck up in a row about 50 or 60 great poles as big as the bigger fort of Hop-poles all the bark pilled off and made white and were placed by computation about foure yards a funder and between every pole about three foot distance a stone about the bignesse of a great Turnip or Apple placed in a streight row and in the middle of the poles a crosse pole layed about a yard or an ell high whereon they hanged all or many of their Chains of Beads or Haranga and neer unto having their Alter of Beades as I termed it before them sat all the Ancient Men Women and Children and on the other side of the Alter and poles was two Companies of young men about 20 or 30 or more in a company each having a dart in his hand and ranked as I take it by three in a ranke or row each Company being distant from the other about 4 or 5 roddes or more being thus set in a comly posture they sang and danced keeping even strole and action with their feet and hands according to their tune as I have seen in a market Towne in the Country where I was borne divers Gentlemen c. associated together having for their pleasure a noyse of Musitions playing before them with every one a cipresse hatband then in fashion put over their faces dance the measures through the Market and chiefest streets in the town and so into an Inne and Tavern to make merry together these Salvages keeping as even measure proportionably to their sound or singing as the other doe to their musicke And in many postures of their dancing they would make shew of fight or defiance one company against the other presenting their darts against each other and sometimes againe of a suddaine both sides gathering themselves into a round ring and laying their heads together as at a consultation and then suddenly againe fall into their posture of danceing as decently as a company of trained Souldiers into their severall postures and each party had of their side a Trumpeter sounding with a confused harsh noise a large crooked Rams horn Their Priests as I call them of one which I bought a book as aforementioned laying their fore fingers upon one of the strange shapes or characters therein would preach or read a lecture or homily upon that text a good space and then remove his finger to another this feasting dancing or sacrificing was upon a sudden dissolved by reason the multitude of our men on shoare who hearing of these sports came flocking thither apace to see them but the Salvages fearing as I conceive least our men should rob them againe of their Haranga which they prized as deare as we doe Diamonds and other rich Jewels tooke them all from their Alter and departed againe to their tents or booths and so this exercise ended yet a word or two concerning their justice or punishing of offenders their chiefe Captain or Commander had lost out of his booth some of his Jewels which were found stollen by a young maide or girle belonging to an other man either his daughter or slave the Father or Master of the maide to cleare himselfe as innocent of the fact tooke his lance or great dart and presently slew the girle surely it was not his owne daughter but rather his slave else though a Barbarian he could not have been so cruell to his owne flesh and blood and this may give some testimony that they have some kind of government or law among them but yet they are adicted to theft and robbery is againe apparent for when they met our men in the woods although they did them no harme yet they would search their pockets for beads and rob them of them and yet bring them downe to their ships when they could not well tell how to finde the way And my selfe standing among our ships Pursers and others buying cattell for the ships provision and having a chaine of beads in my hand a young man snacht at them to have gotten them from me but mist of his purpose and ran away but one of our men in company standing by shot an arrow after him but mist him and we never saw his face again It is great pitty so pleasant and plentifull a Country should not be inhabited with civil people or rather Christians and that so brave a Nation of person and countenance onely black or tauny should be so blindly lead in their devotions being as some suppose Mahometans in regard of their manners and customes of circumcision or rather as some suppose descended from Abraham by his Wife or Concubine Keturah whose children begotten of her because they should not be a let or impediment to the promised seed by Isaack Abraham did send them away to inhabit in the East as Scripture mentioneth A happy thing it were both for them and this Kingdome if that project had or should goe forward which a Gentleman of Huntington shire bred a Merchant in love told me he heard of it from others or rather as I understand it from Bishop Moretans own mouth that if the Bishops of England lately dismissed from voting in Parliament and tyrannizing in temporall authority should still continue in disrespect with King and Parliament they or most part of them would goe and plant a Colony in Madagascar or in Saint Laurence and indeavour to reduce those ignorant soules to Christianity which God grant that by them or others such a pious designe may speedily take effect and that there may be among Christians there seated more harmonious concord in Religion then in Virginia by report hath lately hapned where disagreeing in points of Religion as at present unhappily in England they have taken up armes one side against the other and slaine of themselves or killed by the Natives 1700 which is doubted the Virginians will make use of such discention and cut all their throats on both sides and so the losse unrecoverable to this Kingdome of that famous plantation and excellently accommodated after 40 or 50 yeares or more hard durance of many the first Planters which God forbid and grant better newes to succeed and that these Countries already planted and this most hopefull at Saint Laurence may be speciall receptacles and succours to truly religious English Protestants if it shall please God to punish the Nation for the crying sinnes thereof by the prevalence of Malignants tirannous Papists which God avert By losse of my papers and notice taken therein of things convenient to the furtherance of a Plantation at Saint Laurence I am deprived of some good parts of their language or speech which in my conceit was not difficult to attaine but perusing an old table booke I found some few words of their language penned
downe for my remembrance which are somewhat difficult at present to reade being 14 yeares agoe written in such imperfect Manuscript Yet I thought it not amisse to penn downe what I have lately found which with the helpe of others especially of one William Casey late Purser of an Indian ship who took more paines therin then my selfe if his papers can be found will give some light therein to the helpe of others that will endeavour to attaine the knowledge thereof the particulars which I have now found I will here manifest so well as I can Viz nooroon no zeff how call you this Tona a man Codez a woman Tope a childe Coma a house Ose or Angomba a cow Gose a sheepe Cowhee bread Camba water Bingta or Sooa the head Nunqua the eye or eare Toee the nose Umqua or Songe the lips Coonqua or Niffa the teeth Goma or Soca the chin Coaqua or Effena the arme Cabed the elbow Unaqua or Tanga the hand Hongko the finger Chamkee or Noeno the breast Oncoma the necke Hicuma or Toa the belly Coa or Ungoote the knee Noo or Vote the leg. Iqua or Kambo temba the foote Hica or Vota the yard or virill Charaqua the cod Anatnicke the little finger Voylee the buttocke Lemboshe the backe Sowkee the shoulder Mise yea Maligna a roote that smells sweete and is like a bulrusb Moade a chaine of small beades Voyla haire Maca an eye Saffee an eare Leela the tongue Hoho the thumbe Fala tanga the palme of the hand Choroqua the nailes of the hand Syra salt Humeray tomorrow Soo a pot Pingbara a gun Vyra a sword Fajaro a little dart Leffo or Mura a lance or great dart Caba a bat or cap. Lomba cloaths Memma a cloake or skin Hoboqua shooes or slippers Aqua an arrow Fenga or Talle a rope Siffe a knife Hicha a bow Hehoo a turn spit Acuto to dart Renova milke Hihoo a small fish Longora a great fish Hirhoree brasse Chichata or Ruttee naught Chara good Longasba a good man or friend Laga Rattee a bad man or foe Cheruse nay Calibus a bottle cup or basket CHAP. VI Great incouragement to the plantation the cheapenesse of cloathing or apparrell to be bad out of India for the use of the planters the rich attire for persons of quality to be had there exceeding cheape all sorts of hearbs roots fruits and foules to be bad in plentifull abundance in Madagascar trees yeelding great store of pleasant liquor nothing inferiour to wine and sugar in England the excellent vertue of India Mirabolins TO the furtherance of this renowned plantation these advantageous comodities benefits and accommodation as felloweth far above other plantations are inducements sufficient to perswade pious virtuous rich men and others that desire the advancement of Gods glory the honour of their Soveraigne Prince the the welfare of their owne native Country the inrichment of themselves and their posterity and the charitable reliefe of Gods poore Elect upon Earth to enterprize this worthy action And in the first place the Country is healthfull and pleasant Secondly its already of it selfe furnished with most chiefe things necessary to sustenance of mans life especially Beefe Mutton Goates Poultry Fish and Fowle Thirdly it affordeth Oxen for present tillage the chiefest of all wants in all other plantations which no other hath done or affordeth Forthly it is as near or nearer to India then other plantations to England where all things either for necessity or superfluity are to be had for the fourth part of the price and lesse then in England or other Christian Kingdomes as Rice and excellent dainty food as it is cookt in India whereof Kings and great men daily eate with pleasure and contentment and never furset therein Wheat Barley and other sorts of graine and good rack and excellent strong drinke made of Rice which mixed with Sugar water and Leamonds or surrop of lymes or drunk alone all which are to be had exceeding cheape with all manner of spices make a pleasant wholesome drinke surpassing any wine to be had in London of which good use may be made though water there is more contentfull it being so good and better then in England untill beere made of mault by barly may be brought to perfection which may suddenly be affected as I shall shew hereafter Also from India may be had cloathing fit for those warme Countries to maintaine a man or woman neately comely and cleanly for twenty shillings a yeare and under nay I dare make it good for ten shillings a yeare bedding exceeding cheape and dainty either for cotton wooll or silke cotton far better and more desired then fetherbeds or down-beds and coverlids whereof in those warme countries they vse but few of all prizes and curiosities even fine dainty quilts for five shillings a piece sheets and all sorts of linnen so cheape and fine that no part of the World affords the like Againe good shirts whiter and finer for meane people at-eight ten or twelve pence a piece and cheaper and not so fine and white to be had in England for three or foure times dearer in price my selfe have worne no other these sixteen yeeres of which six of three shillings a piece have lasted me continually three yeeres together of the like finenesse not to be bought under twelve shillings a shirt or dearer in England shooes of English fashion for sixpence a paire and bootes for two shillings a paire capps or mounteiâ—s light and easie and farre better then stiffe heavie hats made of sattin and taffaty fine painted linnen c. quilted or inbroydered much cheaper then hats The better sort of people that affect to cloath themselves wives and children in rich gentile fashion may doe it of sattin taffaty wrought damaske blacke or coloured and rich stuffes mixt with gold silver threed at cheaper rates then with our cheape English cloath or stuffes Jewels of all sorts Pearls Diamonds and other rich stones with curious bracelets for Gentlewomen and others of Christall agget Jasper Cornelion red and white and Elutropian stones c. cheape with rings and pendants of the same so cheape that I have sold that in England to be sold againe by Exchange men and Goldsmiths for five or ten shillings a ring or pendant which have not cost me in India above a penny or two pence per ring or pendant likewise Estredges feathers for womens fannes or for use of Gentlemen Captaines Souldiers and other uses c. with curious paper or leather fannes guilded and painted with brave Cabanets of Ivory Ebony and Sandall wood c. artificially inlayed with mother of pearle Aggets and other stones and Ivory so cheape as cannot be imagined with all dainty purfumes of Civic Muske Amber-grease and rose water in abundance extraordinary cheape which I hope will induce Lords Ladies Knights Gentlemen Gentlewomen Farmers Artificers and Manufactors to put on a resolution to undergoe a pleasant easie votage of three or
to lay a traine of gunpowder to the powder roome and so to blow up their ship before they would be a prey to the enemy This sad accident was performed in the twinkling of an eye and foure great frigots which had two hundred men at the least in each frigot which lay aboard of the ship Lyon perished all together some of our men so soone as fire was layed to the train leapt over board and after the blow was past the other frigots and gallies lying off our ship seeing our men swimming in the water for life shot at them and darted at them with pikes the Portugals tooke up twenty five of our men which was not slaine yet some wounded and the next day in cold bloud they put all our men to death excepting one Winterton which was Steward of the ship Lyon Hugh Frerow being at that time Admirall of those twelve saile of Frigots and Gallies and formerly commander in chiefe of all the Portugals Sea forces in the Orientall parts who many yeares before we took in the Castle of Kishme and it was ordered by the Sea counsell that Hugh Frerow should be sent aboard the ship Lyon and so to carry him a prisoner to the President and counsell of Surrat. And on the coast of India Mr. Beaverstone Mr. Wheately Purser Cap. Richard Swanley then Masters mate and other Officers of the Lyon being very merry Hugh Frerow understanding that tooke his opportunity andthe ships long boat being close by the quarter of the ship he and his two slaves that tended upon him he lying in the round house went over the ships quarter and got into the boate and cutting the boat rope got cleane away and landed neare to Surrat river and so to Daman the Ship rideing at anchor some five miles from the shore and some two houres after coming out of the great cabine missing their boate and looking for Hugh Frerow found that he was gone and the boate out of sight the said Winterton at that time was steward of the Lyon and bringing provision to the said Frerow during the passage between the Gulph of Persia and the coast of India Hugh Frerow came very well acquainted with Winterton upon which he gave him his life but did put the rest of our men to death as aforesaid which was twenty foure men cutting off our mens heads in the prow of the frigot and letting the bodies of our men fall into the water holding our men by the haire of their heads because their heads should not fall over-board And after they had cut off twenty three of our mens heads the Masters boy of the Lyon being very unwilling to die making great mone and begging upon his knees to Hugh Frerow for his life the pretty boy saying that he had no hand nor any of his friends in the taking of Ormus yet all this could not prevaile with the bloudy hearted Portugals and in cold blood saith Hugh Frerow cut off his head or else in time he would prove so very a rogue as the rest which was at the taking of Ormus and after so done he caused a long stick to be put through the cheeks of our mens heads and put on a raft and so to be driven to the Castle of Ormus that the Persians should see and take notice how cruelly they had used our men because we tooke Ormus from them and afterwards Hugh Frerow writ a base reproachfull letter but especially to Captaine Weddall calling him Piscadoris and sent this letter along by Winterton who was an eye witnesse to this sad tragedy to our Merchants at Gombroone landing him three miles short of the Towne of Gombroone At the Ship Palsgrave and Dolphins arivall we understood by good intelligence of the Natives of India of the Portugals inveterate divelish malice to us for taking Ormus from them and how all tooke the Sacrament and swore by the blessed Virgin Mary that they would never returne to their wives and children till they had either taken us or fired us or else to sink us the Portugals had many fasts to this purpose for to destroy us and that whensoever they tooke the English that then they would cut off all their heads and the Dutch that they would hang them up by the members till they died This was their malice because we tooke Ormus from them and hindering of them of their trade in India This fleete was the greatest that they have had in India I do beleive and have been credibly informed that they had in the fight fifty men for one which was a great advantage but it was the great mercy of God to preserve us from our enemies CHAP. XII The Portugals mediation for peace with the English Nation the Persians valuation of Ormus at twenty Millions of treasure now they are possessed thereof which the English might have enjoyed if they had had wise Governours Committees and Agents of the India corporation the exceeding folly of the East India court in sending treasure into Persia to touch at Surrat where the money being invested in commodities would have turned almost to double money profit the unconsionable custome of India Courts in not shipping out our own rich native commodities which would yeeld good profit but transporting much Gold and Silver to their countries losse and proofe of their ill office to the Common-wealth the way to drive a rich trade into India without transportation of treasure Multitude of English commodities beneficiall for transportation into India to save exportation of treasure if the India courts were good members of the common-wealth the beneficiall trade in India between Surrat and Goa neare adjacent all commodities from Surrat to Bantam vendible at great beneficiall prizes THe Portugals never since dared for to attempt to fight with us any more but the Portugals hath endeavoured and sent many messengers to the President and councell at Surrat for to desire that a peace may be concluded between them and us which since is performed between the President and Councell of Surrat and the Vice-Roy of Goa and likewise confirmed by both the States of England and Spaine but I have heard many Portugals tell me that the English hath done them more wrong then the Crown of England can make them satisfaction for taking Ormus from them and for to give it to the Persians I must needs confesse the like was never known that one Christian warring against another and then for to give the prey and all the benefit to the Heathen The Persians I am confident will not leave the Castle of Ormus for twenty Millions of Treasure I have been in Persia many times since we tooke Ormus and the Persians hath told me as much the Persians hath flourished gallantly since they have gotten Ormus in their custody for Gombroon when I first knew it had but eighteen houses in it and now it is a great City or Town as most in England it may compare for commerce of trade that there is
not the like place of trade in all Persia also it is become the best Port Town and doth bring more custome to the King of Persia then all the port Townes besides this the English might have enjoyed if they had been wise or had but good descreet Factors and Commanders which hath brought such exceeding losse to the Adventurers I may boldly say many Millions since Ormus was taken And herein by the way let not the India Courts at home maliciously maligne as they have done a long time to the utter ruine of me and mine for my good service done them and acknowledged by their owne acts of Court for casting aspertion upon them in information to my country-men in generall and to the Honourable Adventurers in particular of their indiscreet and injuditious managing the India trade far from the repute of prudent Merchants which hath brought such exceeding losse to the Adventurers of the second stock and to my selfe a poore member of the company in particular which I manifest in these few words The India Court have shipt for many yeers together great quantities of Silver and Gold viz 20 30 40 or 60 thousand pounds per annum into Persia to buy silke which money hath been at all times first brought to Surrat in India and from thence transported into Persia untoucht which being invested at Surrat in commodities as aforesaid would have turned to the companies great profit 40 50 60 or 80 per Cent. 〈◊〉 money yeelded them not a penny profit for they might have had the same money in Royals of eight for their commodities at the port Town of Gombroone to have fitted their turne at Spahan where it was to be invested in silke and if they had carryed up the commodities themselves to Spahan as the Persia Merchants that came to the port Town with ready money to buy the commodities they might peradventure have advanced their profit as much more for it is very probable that Merchants would not come down fifteen hundred miles by land to buy commodities with ready money but to their great advantage The India Company transport but little of our native commodities viz Cloath and other woollen manufacture which though they vend not in great quantities as in Germany Low-countries Turkey Muscovia Denmark c. yet when they are sold they goe off at great profit especially if transported from the port of Surrat unto remoter parts of India and my self have made double and almost treble money of cloath above the price in London but the maine of their exportation is in Gold and Silver which whether they be good common wealths men or no I leave to the judicious state of this Land to examine and consider But I know and am certainly assured that a great trade may be driven in India without any money at all exported as by experience in the several rich Factors returned who carryed smaller or no stock at all of which I could nominate many yet by 5. or 6. yeares employment or some longer time have brought home Estates of 5.10 or 30. thousand pounds a man their sallery not paying their charge by a quarter part more or lesse which I manifest thus A good stock once setled in India of 100000 pounds more or lesse by goods of severall sorts exported from England as Cloth Kersies fine light Stuffes Quick-silver Lead Tinne Iron Steele Currall Amber Ammell Tapestry hangings Pictures Swords Blades Knives Scissers Sheeres Rasors Looking-Glasses Glasse-Beads Spectacles Locks Keyes Hinges Horses Bitts Stirrops and Curry-Combes for Horses and Oxen and Nailes of all sorts French and Norrembour toyes c. Iron-wyer Brasse-wyer Shaven-latten Red white and thin plated Iron Muskets Pistolls Fowling Peeces Brasse and Iron Ordinance Conny-Skins and Lambe-Skins white and dryed in Colours fit for Persia and cold Countreys as Foot-Clothes Sumpter-Clothes for Cammels and Horse-Clothes for a tryall and to bring Cloth in more use in these hot Countryes Lists of Clothes to make Carpets for ordinary people to set upon Remnants and Taylors Shreds of Cloth and Velvet and Satten and Silke for imbrodery and to lay under Carpets and Cover-lids of Colours Leather curiously cut out in workes and usuall in India and to be brought home for many uses some Silk out of Europe of more esteem then India Silke as coloured Sattens Taffeties wrought Taffeties unwrought Grograms Tammets Durettoes Saies and other light Stuffes of each some small quantities for tryall to bring them in use with stripped Hangings fit for paling to great mens Tents with multitude of other English and Europian Commodities to save the exportation of Gold and Silver which time and industry of men will finde out if an open and free trade were for all men to make use of or in an interloping trade leaving the quintessence and choycest Commodities to the India company these commodities are the chiefest of them with others to be found out with some assistance of some reasonable quantity of Gold and Silver at first tollerated if which permition a standing stock may be raised and kept in India which with credit will be abundantly heaped upon them that have but a small stock in the Countrey a mighty trade may be driven to all the Kingdoms of India and Asia and to great profit and the Surplus thereof still yearely after one or two yeares made hence into England will much advantage the state of this Common-wealth in my simple opinion and for the better accommodation of this tradeing small Ships of a 100. or 200. or 300. Tunne may be kept in India to make speedier returnes then by India Junckes from place to place which notwithstanding may be much usefull for ladeing and transporting of grosse commodities as Cotton Cottonyarne Rice Tobacco Sugar Ruinas Gaules Brimstone Allome and such like of small valuation yet great in Bulke and profitable both for exportation and importation to Surrat and other parts in India and the other English Ships to be laded with finer and lesse bulkey Commodities which as long as Peace continueth in those parts between us and the Dutch and Portugals there is little or no danger the seas of themselves taking opportunity of the munsones or trade winds as pleasant sailing in as in the River Theames or Narrow seas in faire or summer weather And this course as I conceive will save an infinite charge of shipping which now the company are and have been at to passe continually between India and England their abode in the Countrey untill they be worne out and decayed and so dangerous to come home a long voyage whereas shipping upon advice from India sent out once a yeer strong and in good case to stay there a moneth two or three for their relading and recreation will be of much lesse Charge and danger in coming home What I write here is out of the little intelligence I have gotten by being one yeare at the Northern parts of India at Surrat and half that time a close prisoner most injuriously and wickedly oppressed for