River Min is no way inferior either in beauty or worth or bigness to the Metropolis Father Martin affirms this City to be Venetus his Quelingfu In this last Tartarick War this City suffer'd much damage for having revolted from the Tartars it was taken after a long Siege and laid in Ashes and all the Inhabitants put to the Sword The Fire consum'd here a Bridge over the swift River Min the Pillars whereof were of an exceeding heighth of Free-stone the other parts of Wood beautifi'd on the top with Houses and Shops on each side but since by re-building it hath re-gain'd somewhat of former lustre Beyond the Bridge on the opposite Shore stands a stately Pagode Most of the new Buildings fall short of their old beauty notwithstanding the Chinese Towns that are consum'd by Fire are much more easily re-built than those in Europe because most of them are nothing but Wood. Near the City Kienning is another fair Bridge with Shops and Houses on both sides This City Kienning is a Place of great Trade for all those Commodities that come either up or down the River must pass through it When they come to the City Pucing they are taken out of the Vessels and by Porters carry'd to a Village call'd Pinghu belonging to the City Kiangxan over high Mountains and deep Valleys four days Journey In like manner they are carry'd from Pinghu to Puching The whole Way as much as is possible to be done by the Art or Labor of Man is made even and Pav'd with square Stones along whose sides are built many Houses and Villages onely to entertain Travellers The Merchandises being first weighed are deliver'd to the Master of the Inn which send them for a certain Gratuity by Porters to other Places where the Merchant without any trouble receives them If any thing chance to be lost the Host is bound to make it good Here are always above ten thousand Porters ready which wait to receive the Goods and carry them over the Mountains Because of this Carriage of so many Goods a House stands erected for the receiving a small Custom or Duty towards the maintaining and reparation of the High-ways The fifth Tract of Land call'd Ienpingfu makes the Centre of this Territory and borders in the East at the chief County Focheufu in the South and South-West at Civencheufu and Kancheufu on the West and North at Tingcheufu Xaounfu and Kienningfu King Cyn was the first that call'd the chief City and the Countrey thereto belonging Ienping the Family Tang nam'd it Kiencheu that of Sung Nankien but Taiming restor'd its antient Name Ienping This Ienpingfu contains seven Towns and Cities of which Ienping is the chiefest next Cianglo Xa Yonki Xunchan Iungan and Tatien The City Ienping lieth on the Western Shore of the River Min from whence it rises with its Buildings up the Hills rendring a delightful Prospect to those that pass by and though none of the biggest yet it is beautifi'd with several fair Houses The Walls exceed in heighth the neighboring Ascents which on the out-sides are inaccessible making the City very strong and indeed the Key to the whole Territory On the East-side is a Lake made by the Rivers Min and Si. Almost every House is furnish'd with Water convey'd to them through Pipes from the Mountains which Convenience no other Place in China hath Not far distant lay over the Rivers Min and Si two fair Bridges near which are two Temples The Town of Xa lieth on the Northern Shore of the River Taisu though formerly on the Southern Shore but was by the Emperors Order pull'd down to the Ground and left desolate because in it a young Man had Murder'd his Father The sixth Division being Tingcheufu is the most Western of this Territory borders Easterly on Ienpingfu on the South-East at Quantung on the West at that of Kiangsi and on the North Xaounfu This Countrey belong'd also heretofore to the Princes Min King Cyn gave it the Name of Sinlo and the Tang Family that which it bears at present in which Tincheufu was only a small Town but the Taimingian Family made it a chief City This Countrey contains eight Towns and Cities viz. Tingcheu the chief Winghon Xanghang Vuping Cinglieu Lienching Queihon and Iungting The seventh County call'd Hinghaofu is a small yet fruitful Countrey and borders on the East and South-East with the Sea on the South at Civencheufu on the West at Ienpingfu on the North at the Tract of Land belonging to the Metropolis Focheu King Sui gave it first the Name of Putien the Family Sung that of Hinghoa which signifies A Budding Flower afterwards the same Family call'd it Hingan but by the Taimingian the antient Name of Hinghoa was restor'd This Shire hath onely two Cities whereof Hinghoa is the chief the other call'd Sienlieu is but small but the Countrey abounds with Villages and Hamlets All the Ways being sixty Stadia's long and a Rod in breadth are Pav'd with square Free-stone The City Hinghoa is very neatly built and adorn'd with many triumphal Arches and full of Colledges for the training up of Youth in Literature and encouragement of Learning At the Foot of the Mount Hocung South-Eastwards from Hinghoa lies a Village in splendor and bigness of Buildings like a great City but hath neither Walls nor any Priviledges belonging to it yet many rich Merchants reside there which Traffick through all China On the Shore of the Lake Ching lying at the Foot of the Mount Chiniven Northward from Hinghoa stands a great Palace with ten Gardens belonging to it in which before either Rain or tempestuous Weather happens as the Chineses say is a ringing noise heard like the sound of a Bell. The eighth County being Xaounfu borders Easterly at Kienningfu in the South at Ienpingfeu and Tingcheufeu in the West North-West and North at the Territory Kiangsia This Division reckons four Cities the chief of which is Xaouw the rest Quangce Taining and Kienning The City Xaouw the most Northern of this Territory was antiently a mean Place under the Princes of Mins Jurisdiction and was first fortifi'd with Walls and the Title of City given it by the Family call'd Tang yet hath ever preserv'd its Name of Xaouw It lies Westerly of the River Cu and is cut through by the River Ciao which poures its Streams into the Cu and from thence by several small Channels waters the City Because this County is a firm and profitable Soyl and on the Borders of Countreys whose Passage is troublesom it is fortifi'd with several Castles Garison'd with Soldiers The small Tract of Land belonging to the City Foning a Mountainous Countrey and the most Eastern of this Territory borders in the East and South-East at the Sea in the South and South-West at Fochenfu in the West at Kiennunfu in the North at the Territory of Chekiang It contains three Towns Foning Fogang and Mingte The Ways through the Mountains are very
On the other side of the Channel to the West lies a Suburb neither lesser nor emptier of People than the City it self Between these lie several Bridges over which they pass out of one into another beyond the Bridges the Channel extends it self to a greater breadth and receives Water from several Places which makes so great a Navigation by that City that it cannot be express'd for all the Ships or Vessels that come from the Province of Chekiang and the other Eastern Towns to go to Peking and other Places must stop here to put up their Masts and hold out their Sails not being able hitherto to use them because of the many Bridges in that Channel for from hence to the Grand Metropolis Peking no Bridge is suffer'd excepting one to draw up This City by some justly call'd Kinkeu that is The Mouth of the Court because there are continually Freighted Vessels going from hence to Peking The seventh Division call'd Yangcheufu borders in the North at the River Hoai East at the Sea Southward upon the Stream of Kiang West on Nankingfu and the little County Chucheufu and the North and by West conterminates with Fungyangfu This contains ten Cities viz. Yâ—…ngcheu Ychin Taihing Kaoyeu Hinghoa Paoyng Tai Iucao Fung and Haimuen of which Kaoyeu and Tai are the biggest Northward over the River Kiang is a great Sluce near the Garison Quacheu where the foremention'd Channel takes its beginning along which they Row up to the City Yangcheu which lies on the East-side of it as on the West the Suburb which formerly stretch'd a German League but was ruin'd in the last Tartar War The City Yancheu is full of large and stately buildings and in many Places moistned with Graffs of fresh Water over which lead Stone Bridges consisting of twenty four Arches besides many lesser not to be reckon'd There is also a Custom-house for the Emperor's use The chief Trade which the Inhabitants follow is the dealing in Salt for in the East of this County near the Sea are many Salt-pits The eighth being Hoaiganfu Confines in the East upon the Sea in the South with the River Hoai in the South-West and West with Fungyangfu and Sucheufu and in the North with the Province of Xantung The whole Tract of Land is cut through with Rivers and Lakes It contains ten Towns Hoaigan the chief Cingho Gantung Taoyven Moyang Hai Canyu Pi Souven and Ciuning Hai and Pi are great Cities In the time of the Emperor Yu this County belong'd to that of Iancheu under the Government Ten and belong'd first to King V. afterwards to Iue then to Cu. In the time of the Family Hun the City Hoaigan was onely a small Town call'd Hoaiyu afterwards Han call'd her Linhoan but the present Name and Title the House of Sung gave her This City lying on the Eastern Shore of the digg'd Channel is divided into two Parts a Southern and a Northern yet both inclos'd in one Wall of which the South side bears the Name of Hoaigan and the North of Yeuching The one side is enlarg'd with a Suburb which extends in length along the Banks of the Channel a German Mile out of which they enter into the Yellow River In the Suburb are two Custom-houses in the one the Customs for Goods are paid and in the other for Ships according to their Burthen all which Money is kept and bestow'd upon the repairing of their Sluces in the Channel against the force of the Water for to the Northward of this City are three Water-falls yet nevertheless a great part of it goes to the Emperor's Treasury In this City the Vice-Roy being the Emperor's Purveyor hath his Residence who Commands with arbitrary Power over the seven Southern Provinces The ninth Lucheufu borders in the North at Fungyangfu in the East at Hocheufu and the River Kiang in the South at Gankingfu and in the West at the Province of Huquang and Honan It contains eight Cities Lucheu the chief the rest Xuching Lukiang Vuguei Cao Logan Iugran Hoxan most of them lying on the Shore of the famous Lake Cao Vuguei and Logan are the biggest In ancient Times this Countrey stood like the former subject to the Family Cheu under whom it became an intire Kingdom and nam'd Lucu but soon after was taken from them by the Kings Cu. In the time of the Family Han it was with its chief City call'd Lukiang but the present Name given by the Emperor Sui Near the small City Logan are two stately Temples and a large Bridge The tenth County Gankingfu borders in the North at Lucheufu in the East and South-East at the River Kiang in the West and North-West at the Province of Huquang This Countrey contains six Towns viz. Ganking Tunchiang Cienxan Taihu Sosung Vangkiang was formerly call'd Von and subdu'd by King Cu after which the Family of Tang nam'd it Sucheu that of Sung Ganking The City Ganking stands situate on the Eastern Shore of the River Ganking and for Wealth and Trade compares with the famousest Cities in this Province for all that comes out of the other County to go to Nanking comes first hither Because this Tract of Land joyns the three Provinces Kiangsi Huquang and Nanking and lies well for any Warlike Undertaking it hath a Vice-Roy who maintains a strong Garison in the Castle Haimusen for a defence of the Lake Poyang and the River Kiang The Family Tang caus'd an Iron Pillar to be erected there of three Rods high and of a proportionable thickness Anvil'd out of an intire Piece The eleventh Shire being Taipingfu is surrounded with the River Kiang or rather lies between two of her Branches and moreover verges in the East with a part of the Lake Tanyang where it borders with the County of Kiangning This County belong'd formerly to the Kingdom of V. afterwards to Iue next to Cu but was at last by the Family of Cyn reduc'd under that of Chang. The House of Han call'd it Tanyang Tang Nanyu Sung first nam'd it Pingnan and lastly Taiping which Name it retains to this day It contains three Cities viz. Taiping Vehu and Fachang of which Vehu the biggest and richest hath also a Custom-house and lies on an Island between the two Arms of the River Kiang which afterwards joyn together at the City of Nanking The twelfth being Ningquefu borders in the North at the River Kiang in the East at Quanghefu in the South at Hoecheufu and in the West at Chicheufu It is a mountainous Countrey and contains six Towns viz. Ningque the Great and Ningque the Less King Taiping Cingte Nanling The chief City Ninque lies on the Eastern Shore of the River Von Within her Walls are pleasant Hills Warrens magnificent Buildings and abundance of Chesnut and Pear-trees Neaâ—… the little City King stands a fair Chappel in the Chinese Tongue call'd Hiangsi that is A sweet smelling Hart and is Dedicated to five Maidens which when they were taken by Pyrats
to Smeerdorp as Spies and to inquire News who brought word back that the Chineses were already gotten into a Head and that setting upon them they had escap'd by flight At this Alarm the Hollanders that had setled in Sakam being to the number of thirty in great fear fled for safety to the Forts Fayet who judg'd Delays dangerous and doubting that his Brother would or had discover'd the Plot march'd with his Forces to Sakam where falling without mercy upon the Town with Fire and Sword he gave no Quarter to any A Gardener belonging to the Dutch going on that Sunday Morning early with a Basket of Fruit to the Governor in the Castle Tayowan the Revolters overtaking him cut off his Head and taking out the Fruits laid it in the Basket designing to have sent it before them but the Humor altering they cast both it and the Body under a Bridge The News of this Massacre spreading a strange Fear seiz'd all the Hollanders where-ever setled through the Country so that dispersing they hid themselves where-ever their Fear carried or their Hope 's led them to escape the Slaughter But one Captain Marine well mounted with three more with their Swords in their Hands broke through the Enemy and killing the first that oppos'd him came safe to Tayowan Verburgh the Governor well knowing how untowardly the Business stood and the hazard wherein the Hollanders abroad were lying open to destruction immediately sent out a hundred and twenty Men commanded by Captain Danker This Handful in comparison of their Enemies great Forces went in one Sloop and a Boat from Tayowan to Sakam whither being come the first that endeavor'd to Land being Captain Hans Pieters leap'd Breast-high into the Water by which Example the rest encourag'd forsook their Boats and resolv'd wading to fight their way to the Shore which the Enemy observing sent down with the Lieutenant-General a thousand Men to oppose their Landing While they were thus drawing up towards the Shore for the Service Fayet the General gave his Lieutenant Loukegwa new Orders thinking it more fit to suffer them to Land saying It would be a higher pleasure to him to see the Christian Dogs die on the Land than in the Water which would be much the better sport having them there inviron'd with his Army as in a Net But Loukegwa not so perswaded nor willing to receive these new Commands earnestly advis'd the General that he might go on and set upon them in the Water averring That these being the Hollanders choicest and pick'd Men if they did not cut them off at this Advantage they should never have the like But however the Generals Opinion prevailing he obey'd and retreating gave the opportunity of Landing in safety where a little towards the left Hand of the Enemy he drew up his small Party into a Body when a Negro that had married a Hollander coming out of a Wood where she had hid running for her safety towards them they intercepting ripp'd up her Bowels and cutting the Child in pieces threw the Limbs at them vaporing aloud That so they would serve them all But the Hollanders not replying march'd boldly up to the Front of the Enemy where in the first Charge killing fortunately their Prime Commander Fayet which presently nois'd through the Army all struck with a Panick fear threw down their Arms and disbanding fled shifting for themselves but the Hollanders pursu'd firing at their Heels through Sakam and the Town clear'd they sate down in their Enemies Head-Quarters But before Night while yet they were triumphing for the Victory came two thousand Christian Formosans rais'd by the Governor Verburgh to their Aid who according to present Orders march'd together in pursuit of the Enemy some few of whom the next morning they spied drawn together upon a rising Ground but a River betwixt impeded their present Charge but soon after the Formosans who knew the Fords and Avenues got over and charging them smartly one being slain they were suddenly dissipated which Victory they and the Netherlanders pursu'd making Execution till Sun-set from whence returning to their Camp weary and hungry they found store of fresh Provisions boyl'd and roast with which they feasting were refresh'd This Tumultuary Commotion was in fourteen days thus concluded in which of the Enemy were slain four thousand Men besides as many more Women and Children and not one Hollander so much as wounded Two Years after this War Anno 1645. in May came abundance of Locusts out of the North-West of the Isles which devouring all the Fruits of the Field occasion'd so great a Famine that eight thousand Persons died of Hunger These Locusts were of a strange shape having a Back and Breast like a Pikeman and an Helmet on their Heads such as Soldiers wear They made an affrighting noise with their Wings in their flight as if it had blown a Storm They flew from the Island Tayowan to Formosa where they staid three Months and at last took their Progress from thence towards the North-West from whence they came at first on Sunday the ninth of August about Sun-set Yet though they were gone the fear of that Plague was no ways abated for they left young ones behind which were far worse than the old eating up all that remain'd yet by the Industry of the Inhabitants with the Governors Order most part of them being not fledg'd were taken and destroy'd The Island TAYOWAN THe Island Taywan or as others call it Tayovan and Tayowan lieth South from Formosa the uttermost North-Point being distant almost a League but the Southermost Point within a Bowe-shot of the Land over which at low Water they wade to and again but between the North and Formosa it is at least thirteen Foot deep at Low Water It spreads South-East and North-West and hath two Leagues and a half in length and a quarter of a League in breadth being naturally a spot of barren Sand rather than a fertile Isle producing onely Pine-apples and other wild Trees yet here resided above ten thousand Chineses who liv'd by Merchandize besides Natives On the North-side upon a Sand-hill stands the Fort Zelandia built by the Hollanders Anno 1632. surounded with a double Wall one investing the other whereof the outermost fortified with Sconces and Redoubts Under the Castle Westward lies another Fort square guarded by two Points of the Sea A Bowe-shot distant lies a strong Out-work being the Key to the Castle call'd Utrecht rais'd sixteen Foot high with Stone and defended with seven Pallisadoes Eastward from which stands a Town built also by the Netherlanders call'd by the name of the Isle and about a Mile in Circumference adjoyning to which is a Haven call'd by the Chineses Loakhau and by the Dutch The Straights of Tayowan On the other side of the Castle lies a rising Sand call'd Baxemboy where a few scatter'd Villages appear Since the Chineses possess'd Tayowan under the Pyrate Coxinga and his Son Sepoan's
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-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
the twelfth they saw two Jonks in the South-West seeming to steer towards Tinghay which Van Campen chasing endeavour'd to get to the Northwards but labour'd in vain because of contrary Winds and Tides at last he was forc'd near the Islands of Pakka which although pretty large yet are for the most part waste and untill'd and inhabited by none but Fishers and poor Rusticks Nevertheless there is good Harbor for Ships and Refreshments of Water and Provisions to be had The thirteenth being Munday Van Campen with the Ebb set Sail Northwards between the Islands Pakka in eighteen nineteen and twenty Fathom Water but came after the Tide spent to Anchor in thirteen Fathom Water under the Eastermost Island About Noon the Fleet weigh'd to get more towards the North and against the Evening Anchor'd in eight Fathom Water about half a League Nor-Eastand-by-East from the Eastermost Isle before Pakka The fourteenth Van Campen set Sail again with a Nor-Nor-East Wind in six seven and eight Fathom between the Isles of Pakka and about Noon forc'd by contrary Tides came to an Anchor in seven Fathom Towards Evening weighing again with the Ebb he let fall his Drag about midnight in eighteen Fathom gravelly Ground not far from the place where the Coast of China hath many high Mountains and broken Land yet behind them very pleasant and fertile Meadows and Rice-Fields The fifteenth setting Sail again he Anchor'd about Noon under an Isle in thirteen Fathom Water gravelly Ground about Cannon-shot from Shore whither he sent his Boat to see for Water From hence setting Sail he came into a Bay behind Campens Point so call'd from himself where he dropp'd Anchor in five Fathom Water there being a convenient Harbor and safe Retreat against hollow Seas and turbulent Winds On the North side of this Point lying in twenty six Degrees and fifty one Minutes Northern Latitude may be seen the Ruines of the City Tikyen or Tykin formerly a place of great Trade but lately destroy'd by the Tartars Here the Zierikzee's Boat was sent ashore with the Pilot Auke Pieters and thirteen Men to fetch Water Near the Shore between the Mountains appear'd a pleasant Valley flourishing with Rice Carrots and all manner of Fruit. You may freely without fear or danger sail between the main Coast and these Isles yet not without some care because divers Shoals lie near the Coast. The eighteenth being Saturday Van Campen set Sail with his Squadron the Wind Nor-Nor-East and laveering it between Campens Point and the foremention'd Isles between seven and thirteen Fathom Water gravelly Ground they discover'd the old Zajer Isle East-Nor-East four or five Leagues distant in twenty seven Degrees and fifteen Minutes Northern Latitude and about Noon came to an Anchor in ten Fathom Water gravelly Ground In the Night setting Sail again they ran the next day about Noon behind Campens Bay where they were forc'd to lie till Friday the twenty fourth by contrary Winds Tides and Calms Towards Night the Finch came also to an Anchor there Friday the twenty fourth the Ships went to Sea together and with a Nor-Nor-East Wind endeavor'd to sail Easterly but being driven back by the Tide they came to an Anchor in eight Fathom and had the North Point of the Island with Brests South-West and the old Zajer East and by North. At Night in the second Watch when the Tide was almost spent they weigh'd Anchor again and the next Evening rode in eight Fathom Water having the Chinese City Samzwa Nor-East and by East and the Isle Old Zayer Sou-Sou-East and Sou-East and by South and the Isle with Breasts Sou-Sou-West The City Samzwa seated on the hanging of a Mountain and planted round about with high Trees was ruin'd by the Tartars It boasts a safe Harbor for Ships to defend them from the Southern and Northern stormy Seasons The Hollanders going ashore here found one Pagode or Temple with divers Images about fifteen Leagues from Tinghay The twenty seventh the Point of Samzwa bearing Westward two Leagues from them they descry'd a white Cliff in the Sea about three Leagues from the Shore and three Isles in the east-nor-East-Nor-East and by Observation found themselves at Noon to be in twenty seven Degrees and thirty nine Minutes Northern Latitude In the Evening Van Campen came to an Anchor with the Ankeveen Frigat in eleven Fathom Water gravelly Ground but the high-High-land and Meliskerk Frigats with the Loenen and Finch went behind the Isle of Good Hope Van Campen in the Night the Tide favoring him set Sail again and was follow'd by the Ankeveen Frigat onely the other four lying still behind the Isle without making the Reason thereof known The next day forc'd by Storm to come to an Anchor again in ten Fathom Water he was driven from two Anchors towards the seven Rocks a little Southward of Zwatia not without great danger of Shipwrack The City Zwatia lying in the mouth of a River near the Sea and also ruin'd by the Tartars is inhabited by mean and poor People which are very slow in rebuilding the same Opposite to the Nor-West side of the River lies a Village call'd Zwatho whither most of the Citizens fled it being not laid waste by the Tartars The first of Ianuary Van Campen concluded upon Advice of the Ships Council by force of a Storm out of the Nor-East and by East to set Sail again to get from the Shore so that he drove down Sou-West and by South to Brest-Island and in the afternoon came to an Anchor in the Bay behind Campens Point in nine Fathom The other Frigats and the Finch lay still at Anchor contrary to their Orders The third the Ankeveen Frigat commanded by Iacob Swart having been busied about getting his Anchors aboard came and rode by the Vice-Admiral The fourth in the afternoon they spied in the Sou-Sou-West between seventy and eighty Fisher-Jonks and other Vessels standing towards the North which they let all pass About the evening they stood to and again yet were got out of sight next Morning on which the Captain Auke Pieters was commanded to go ashore with fifty Men to gather Sallad-herbs and Potatoes to refresh their People The sixth in the Evening the four other Ships came to an Anchor near Van Campen having before lain behind the Isles Northward of the River Zwatia The eighth in the Morning they spied six Jonks fishing in the sou-Sou-East and by East behind the Breast-Isle and in the afternoon two Ships in the sou-Sou-East in the Bay of Pakka and also heard the Report of several Cannon shot from thence whereupon a Council being call'd Harmans Symonsz Commander of the High land Frigat was sent thither with Order That when he came to them he should fire five Guns one after another if he needed Van Campen's Assistance if not to fire none but come back to the Fleet. Against the Evening the High-land Frigat came to an Anchor South-West and by South three Leagues
for Us Christians but strictly forbidden by Our Superior Magistrates Therefore We give every one knowledge and warning not to dispose of any of the Maids or Youths or other Chineses either here at Poele Timon or Batavia to Mahumetans or Idolaters neither to barter nor give them away to such on pain of those Punishments decreed for such Offences And that such Misdoers may be found out every one shall be oblig'd to give an Account of how many they have to Our appointed Officers that they may take their Names in Writing And this to be set up in all the Ships of the Fleet lying at an Anchor before Poele Timon Dated the eighth of March 1664. The tenth it was concluded in the Council That since there was not Provision enough to be had for the Fleet and that which was there very dear to go thence to the Isle of Laver in hopes to be better provided Towards which having weigh'd Anchor they set Sail in the Evening and about midnight arriv'd there On his departure the Admiral left a Letter with the Inhabitants of Poele Timon to deliver to the Rere-Admiral Verwei in which he advis'd him of all what had hapned since they parted The twelfth it was resolv'd in Council that Evening to proceed on their Voyage to Batavia according to which they weigh'd Anchor and set Sail. The thirteenth the Fleet sail'd by Poele Panjang and on the fourteenth pass'd Lingen and Poele Saya and in the Evening Poele Toesjouw The fifteenth towards Night they pass'd by the Rock Frederick Hendrick and towards Evening entred the Straights of Banka The twentieth the Fleet stemm'd the Thousand Islands and in the Evening Anchor'd in twenty eight Fathom and were about three Leagues distant from the Isle of Edam The next day being the one and twentieth the Fleet came to an Anchor at Batavia with ten Ships The Sea-hound Frigat sent thither with the Quemuy Jonk with Letters from the Piscadores were also arriv'd there and likewise two other Jonks Towards Evening the Admiral Balthazar Bort Vice-Admiral Huibert de Lairesse the Council of War and Commanders of all the Ships went ashore and were courteously receiv'd by his Excellency the Lord Maetzuiker who inviting them to Dinner the next day the Admiral related all his Adventures to him deliver'd him also his Papers and a List of the Prisoners and the Chinese Children which were in all two hundred forty three viz. fifty nine Men a hundred forty eight Male Children and thirty six Female Mean while the Rear-Admiral Bartholomew Verwei who on the twenty fourth of February set Sail with four Ships from the Piscadores to the Coast of China to transport the revolted Chineses and land them about Puthay or the River Chincheo the twenty sixth came to an Anchor at the Island Colongsoe where he desir'd the Tartar Agents that they would with one of their Vessels fetch away the Chineses to which purpose he put the Agents ashore at the City Eymuy The next day they brought a Jonk into which they were put with their Arms and likewise the Letters given to the Agents to be deliver'd the Vice-Roy Singlamong and General Lipovi with which the Agents went to the City Chincheo The twenty eighth a Tartar Vessel came aboard the Rere-Admiral in which was a shaven Chinese call'd Hionko which had formerly liv'd in Batavia and spoke Portuguese who told him That he was sent by Sitetok with Request to Verwei That he would please to come to him to Haytin a Place about a League and a half from thence to a Treat but Verwei being sickly put it off This Hionko also related That the Enemy with his Forces lay yet in Tangsoa and durst not go to Tayowan fearing the Dutch Ships that lay before it and that about fourteen days since five thousand Men came to them in sixty Jonks which then lay at Haytan that the Commanders which came in the said Jonks desir'd to inhabit the Isles of Eymuy and Quemuy which if it were permitted them the Prime of the Coxingans would come over to them But the Vice-Roy Singlamong had denied and would not hearken thereto alledging That when another Holland Fleet should come again on the Coast they would then without any further trouble submit The first of March the Overveen Cogge and Buiksloot Frigats came to an Anchor by the Rere-Admiral The third being Monday Verwei set Sail with his four Ships that according to Order he might proceed on his Voyage to Batavia and in the Afternoon found himself half a League beyond the Island with the Hole his Course South-South-West The fourth he descry'd Lammo an Isle in the North-West four Leagues from the Fleet in twenty two and twenty three Fathom Water and in the Evening the Sands Nor-West and by West within five Leagues The fifth being Wednesday Verwei came amongst a Company of Chinese Fishers of which he thought to overtake one or by firing of a Gun make him strike but in vain for they by their nimble sailing got clear away In the Forenoon they saw Pedro Branco and about Noon were in twenty two Degrees eleven Minutes Northern Latitude Towards Evening they descry'd the Isles Lemas Nor-West three Leagues from them The eighth being Saturday in the Morning they had Tinhosa in the West five Leagues distant and at Noon in the Nor-West his Course being South-South-West Munday the tenth about Sun-rising they saw Poele Canton West-South-West four Leagues from them and at Noon by Observation found themselves in fifteen Degrees and three Minutes Northern Latitude and at Sun-set descry'd the Box Horns in the South-West and by South The eleventh they discern'd the Cape Averello in the South and by West six Leagues from them and Poele Cambier de Terre in the Nor-West and by West at three Leagues distance The twelfth in the Morning they reach'd the Round Holm being three Leagues to the West and by North and the Bay of Pangerang in the Nor-West at the same distance The thirteenth early they saw Poele Cecier de Mare in the South-East and by East about six Leagues from them and the fourteenth at Noon the Point of Sinques Iagues about five Leagues to the Nor-West The fifteenth being Saturday they had still sight of the high Land of Cambodia On Monday they saw Poele Candor in the Nor-West about three Leagues distance The twentieth in the Morning they had the Isle of Timon in the South towards which Verwei steer'd his Course with the other Ships and in the Afternoon dropp'd Anchor on the West side of the great Sandy Bay in eighteen Fathom Water The Inhabitants of this Place inform'd Verwei That the Admiral Bort had been there ten days with the rest of the Fleet. The same day Verwei set Sail again about Noon from Poele Timon and was the next day in the South-West and by South four Leagues from Poele Panjang which lay Nor-Nor-West two Leagues from him The following Day the East Point of Lingen bore West-South-West from
which extends it self to three days Journey are on each side wharf'd and wall'd in with Stone of the Quarre at the end of which appears a great Dam that receives and keeps the Waters which swelling to a convenient heighth Vessels that come thither are with little help floated over into another Stream This Current serves onely to bring small Vessels up to the City Ningpo for the great ones go about by Sea Near this City are also many Triumphal Arches for building of which they have ready accommodation because the Quarres that serve all China are close by their Doors The ninth Division call'd Ningpofu borders in the East with the Sea in the West with Xaochingfu South upon a River flowing between this and the County Tancheufu The Kings Iue gave this and its Metropolis the Name of Iungtung the Family of Yang Nungcheu those of Sung Kingchyven but at last by the Taimingian Ningpo that is Reconciler of Strife The Kings of Han brought this Countrey under the Territory of Huiki Ningpofu hath five Cities viz Ningpo Cuki Funghoa Finghai and Siangxan Not far from Ningpo lies a Promontory which the Portuguese formerly very much frequented who corrupted the Name to Liampo Some say that from this Point in serene Weather they can discern the Mountains of Iapan whereas the most exact Chinese Cards or Maps make the Sea much broader than to discover any such Prospect The Metropolis Ningpo situated close by the River In boasts store of handsom Buildings On whose Eastern Shore stand several Triumphal Arches and two Steeples with seven Galleries one over another The Banks of the said River are all rais'd of Free-Stone at the end the Water is also stopp'd with a Stone Dam over which they hale the Vessels into a larger Channel In the little City Cuky are two Bridges one with Stone Supporters and great Pieces of Timber three hundred Rods long another which is very high and all of Stone stands on three Arches The tenth County call'd Taicheufu being a great Tract of Land verges Eastward with the Sea Southward with Vencheufu Westward with Kinhoafâ—… Northward with Xaohingfu and Ningpofu In the time of the Kings this Countrey belong'd to V. afterwards to Iue but was at last by the Family Cyn brought under the Territory of Minching The Family Han gave it the Name of Changan Tang of Haicheu and soon after that of Taicheu which it retains to this day This Countrey comprehends six Cities viz. Taicheu Hoanguien Tientai Cienkiu Ninghai Taiping This City Taicheu is situate on a Hill lying on the East side of the River San. The eleventh call'd Veucheufu conterminates in the East at the Sea in the South with the Territory of Fokien in the West at Cucheufu in the North at Taicheufu This Countrey is for the most part very mountainous but hath in the South before you approach the Hills of Fokien a large and spacious Plain Formerly this Countrey belong'd to the Kings of Iue afterwards to those of V. King Loang gave it the Name of Iungkia and was by the House of Tang first call'd Tunkia and soon after Voucheu by Sung Xuigan and lastly by the Taimingian Veucheu This Province Veucheu possesses six Cities viz. Veucheu Xuigan Locing Ping Yang and Taixium The City of Veucheu seated on the River Iungkia because it is also like the Metropolis Hangcheu standing on a Morass Soil and adorn'd with many fair Edifices is by the Inhabitants call'd Little Hancheu The City is very populous and a Residence for many Merchants whose Ships find good and safe Harbors in the great River Iungkia the Sea ebbing and flowing up to the City Walls Near the Sea-shore in this Territory are fifteen Garisons built against the Incursions of the Iapanners and safeguard of the Sea viz. in Veucheufu Nan Ningtung Sining Huigan Tunchi Cumen Puohin Xetic in Taicheufu Sinho Cioki Ninghai in Ningpofu onely Tinghai in Kiahinfu Hiacing Kinexan and Chincam Several Isles neighbor this Countrey inhabited by Husband-men and Fisher-men of which Cheuxan is the greatest the next are Chanque Chaopao besides several other lesser Cheuxan lies directly East from the Metropolis Hancheu opposite to the River Cientang in thirty one and thirty two Degrees Northern Latitude thirteen Leagues from the Main Land and hath in length from North to South sixteen and in breadth eight Leagues When antiently the Chinese King Lui worsted by the Tartars and flying with his scatter'd Forces to this Isle from all Parts many of the Chineses flock'd thither so that ever since what was before inconsiderable hath been a populous and well planted Isle for they number in this small Isle above seventy Towns and Villages most of them verging the Sea in such Places where Inlets and Bays make convenient Harbors neither wants their King a considerable Fleet which keep his Coast safe from the Incursions and Landing of the Tartars Horse wherein they are most formidable And the Tartars as much in awe of the Islanders keep continual Guard in the Fort of Tinghay rais'd on the Main Land with a Fleet of Crusing Chineses Before the Province Taicheufu near the Garison Cioki lies an Island call'd Ychoan which is Precious Circle so call'd for its convenient Havens the whole being in a manner so surrounded with Mountains it breaks off all Winds leaving onely a Gap or Entrance for Ships to come in at The whole Province of Chekiang is every where cut through with Rivers Rivulets and murmuring Streams some brought in by Art others of their own accord Most of the Channels of those Rivers which run Southward fall in such order as if Nature on purpose had contriv'd their Course so that the Traveller may pass through the whole Territory either by Land or Water which way he will still supply'd with all conveniencies The River Che from whence this Countrey hath its Name runs from the South to the North and divides it exactly in the middle in an Eastern and Western Canton but it changeth its Name at Hangcheu and there is call'd Cientang and again where it takes its original out of the Mountains in the Province Hoeicheufu they name it Singan The eighteenth day of the eighth Moon which is our October a prodigigious Spring-tyde happens worthy of admiration for it is onely on that day and begins to flow exactly at four a Clock in the Afternoon and comes with a Head at the first appearance high and strangely mounted above the Waters and suddenly turns Topsi-turvy what ever either by neglect or carelesness lies in the Way roaring extremely in his ascent beyond the loud murmur of Cataracts or Water-breaches to which as a wonderful spectacle where they have secure places the Magistrates Strangers and a great number of People resort to see though horrid the annual Spectacle The River Ho takes its Original near Cinijuw the third substitute City to the seventh Province Chucheufu and from thence follows by the Metropolis Kuihoa