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-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
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
else is permitted and the other stands empty for their Deity who they say sits therein and receives the Offering Without the Temple stand many Altars of Red Marble which represent the Moon Sun Hills and Floods and according to the Chineses Relations all these Altars are plac'd without the Temple that none might worship them but that every one should know they are of the same Structure which the Emperor worships in the Temple Round about are several Chambers or rather Cells which formerly as they say were us'd as Bannia's in which the Emperor when he went to Offer Bath'd himself with his Attendants To this Temple and to the Emperor's Tombs lead very broad Ways on each side planted with five Rows of Pine-trees at equal distance and in a direct Line from which none might break a Bough on pain of death All these Buildings were ruin'd in the late Tartar Wars the Trees pluck'd up the Tombs defac'd and the Temples and Palaces utterly laid waste The County of Fungiangfu a great Tract of Land gives Limits in the East and North-East to Hoaiganfu in the East to the Lake Piexe and Chucheufu in the South and South-West to Hocheufu and Lucheufu in the West to the Territory of Honan This pleasant and fruitful Countrey vein'd by several great Rivers is famous because two of her Natives of mean Extract were rais'd to the highest degree of Honor the first call'd Lieupang bred among the scum of the Commonalty nay among Robbers and Rebels subdu'd the Imperial Family Cyn and rais'd that of Han. The second being Humvu or Chu was a mean Priests Son who at first turning Robber soon after the expulsion of the Tartars got into the Throne and establish'd the Crown on the Taimingian Family The Emperor Yu also did not a little enrich this Countrey when by his Predecessor Ya he was Crown'd King in the City of Mao It is also said that Lahu the first Inventer of the Epicurean Learning which liv'd before the great Philosopher Confut was born in that City of Mao The County Fungyangfu contains eighteen Towns of which Fungyang is the chiefest the next are Liuhoai Hoaiyuen Tingyuen Uho Hung Hokieu Munching Su Hiutai Tienchang So Lingpi Ing Tacho Hao Ingxan Su So Ing Hao all great Places The Metropolis Fungyang lying on a Mountain incloseth many Hills within its Walls built with fair Edifices both publick and private This Division was by the Emperor Yu brought and joyn'd to the Province of Yang to be Govern'd by Teu In the time of the Kings this part of the Countrey was call'd The Kingdom of Tuxam which the Kings of Cu afterwards included in their Dominions but the Family Han made it again Tributary call'd Chungly yet this Place was not honor'd with the Title of Teu or Metropopolis untill the fore-mention'd Chu which rais'd the Taimingian Family and was born in this City enlarg'd it building new and strong Walls fifty Furlongs in circumference and adorning the Tombs of his Predecessors and gave it the Name of Metropolis setting over it a Vice-Roy giving it Jurisdiction over other Cities intituling it Fungyang that is Nobleness of the Phenix The third Sucheufu conterminates in the North and North-East with the Mouth of the River Kiang in the East with the Sea in the South with Sunkiang and Kiahingfu the West borders Kiangningfu and the North-West Chancheufu The first which inhabited this Countrey amongst the Chineses was one Taipe of the Family Cheu who coming out of the North planted his Seat here and reduced those that formerly were wild and savage to be rational and understanding People In the Emperor Vu's time this County obtain'd Royal Dignity being call'd The Kingdom of V. after whose Death it was taken by the Kingdom of Iue who possess'd it but a little while being routed by Cu who subdu'd the Countrey Lastly the promoter of the Family Cyn conquer'd all those Kingdoms and brought them under the Province of Hoeiki The first which call'd this Countrey and its Metropolis Sucheu was King Sui the Family of Tang gave it the Name of Changcheu Sung that of Pnkiang but the Taimingian Family restor'd the old Name Sucheu The Countrey is in all Places interlac'd with Branches of Rivers and Graffs along which they may Sail from the City to the Sea Sucheufu contains seven Towns of which Sucheu is the chiefest the rest are Quengxan Changxoe Ukiang Kiating Taicing Cungmung and Cungming which lies on an Island in the Sea The fourth Tract of Land being Sunghiangfu is a small County yet fruitful and a good Soyl bordering in the North with Sucheufu in the East with the Sea and Hangcheufu in the South and West at Hangcheufu onely and the remainder on Sucheufu This Countrey as the former lies most in Water the East part of it being wash'd by the Sea and the rest surrounded by Rivers which with their Branches cutting through the middle and all Places else of it make the whole Navigable It contains onely three Towns which in bigness populosity and variety of Commodities may stand in competition with many more eminent Cities the first and chiefest is Sunkiang the other two Langhai and Cingpai The City Sunkiang verges with the Sea on the Northern Shore of a River which at its Mouth is fortifi'd with a strong Castle from whence they may Sail to Iapan In ancient times this Countrey and City before mention'd shar'd also in the Tartars Cruelties The Family of Tang call'd it Houting the Tartars of the House of Iuen not onely gave it the present Name but also the Title of Fu or Great City having formerly but the Priviledges and Name of a mean Town and belong'd to the third County Sucheufu The fifth County Changcheufu reckons for Limits in the North and North-East the River Kiang in the South Sucheufu in the South and South-West the Lake Tai in the West Yancheufu This County contains five Towns viz. Changcheu Vufie Kiangyn and Ginkiang There are also five Temples of which one built near the City Vufie in honor to Taipe the Supporter of the People exceeds all the other The City Changcheu lies near the fore-mention'd Moat which runs from the City Sucheu to the River Kiang the Stone Banks of which near this City are much more curious and artificial than any where else There are also some Triumphal Arches which add a great beauty to the City It hath receiv'd its Denomination Guihing from the exceeding fineness of the Earth of which the Tee Cups are made for Guihing signifies Rare Earth The sixth Territory Chinkiangfu borders in the North at the River Kiang in the East at Changcheufu in the South at the Lake Tai and in the West at Kiangnangfu This County reckons three Cities viz. Chinkiang Tanyang and Kintan Chinkiang by Martinius taken for Cingiam so call'd by Paulus Venetus lies Northward from the River Kiang on the East side of a Channel which falls into the Kiang
likewise be to your satisfaction This is that which we intended to advise you In the thirteenth Year the eighth Moneth the nine and twentieth Day of the Reign Xunchi Somewhat lower stood Hongtee Thoepe The Hollanders thus frustrated of their expectation having obtain'd nothing else than to come every eighth year once with Merchandize to Trade in the Countrey left off prosecuting the Design with so much eagerness for a considerable time But since the loss of the Islands Tayowan and Formosa taken from the Hollanders by Koxinga or Iquon and his Associates Anno 1661. they renew'd their Suit to the Tartar for a free Trade on promise and assurance that if they should meet with Coxinga either at Sea or Land they would endeavor to destroy him as a common Enemy both to the Tartars and Hollanders Therefore since the Isles of Tayowan Formosa and Coxinga will be often made mention of in this our Relation and that from the loss of those places the Hollanders renew'd their old Request under pretence of help to ruine the enemy it will be necessary and this our Business seems indeed to require a brief Description of them in the first and withal a Relation how Coxinga took them from the Hollanders Of Formosa THe Formosan Isle formerly call'd by the Chineses Paccande extends it self in length from the South to the North and in breadth East and West being an hundred and thirty Leagues in Circuit the Prospect shews you much rising Ground and a Hilly Countrey which abounds with Deer great store of Wild Goats Hares Coneys Swine Tygers and the Luvasey whose flesh hath a delightful and excellent relish The Woods also have no want of Pheasants and Pigeons The Ground being fruitful produceth store of Sugar Ginger Cinamon Coco-Nuts and several other Necessaries fit for humane sustenance besides full of populous Villages They are Govern'd by several Lords not depending on nor acknowledging any Superior so that each Town being a Republick they still have Wars and are at difference one with another Town against Town Village against Village insomuch that Peace never set Foot in that Isle Of their many Villages the prime and of chiefest note are Sinkan Mandauw Soulang Backeloang Taffacan Tifulucan Teopan and Tefurang the last in a Valley near the High-lands where Fort Zelandia stands formerly call'd Tayovan The Inhabitants of this Village are rude and salvage robust and almost of a Gigantick size not black like the Caffers and count it no immodesty to go stark naked Their Women well built for Stowage short and inclining to grossness wearing Apparel yet twice a day they strip themselves and are not asham'd to bathe and wash in publick These though a barbarous People are kind to the Netherlanders heartily entertaining them with their own though mean yet wholsome Fare Soulang breeds a needy spiteful inhospitable and bloody People Notwithstanding the fruitfulness of the Soil they commonly live in want being extreme lazy Tilling no more than they suppose will supply their necessity which often falling short they are so hardly put to it that when they perceive Provision growing scant they live sparingly many days or else they might be utterly famish'd for in such exigencies they never help one another nay they are so supinely slothful that the Women do all the business of the Field Plough Sow and Reap having neither Horses nor any other Cattel to help them the Drudgery being the more because they make it Gardners work for onely with Spades they dig and turn the Glebe and where their Corn grows thickest especially Rice they pluck it out with their Hands and set it where they find the Blades come up thinner and in Harvest knowing neither Scythe nor Sickle which tries their patience crop with a Tool like a Pruning Knife Stalk by Stalk a Span below the Ear which without Threshing they store up in their Houses hanging it in the Evening in small Bundles over the Fire and early in the Morning the Women rise and Pound so much as will serve them that day for their lazy Lord and Family Besides Rice and other Grain they Sow Carrots Set Water-Melons Pinang Quach Taraum and Pting This Isle is not stor'd with such Wines as other places in India have which their Trees produce but they have another sort of Liquor that inebriates no less than the Indian or Juyce of the Spanish Grape which they prepare in this manner They take a quantity of Rice which they put in a Vessel made for that purpose and boyl it which turning out they knead into little Balls or Pellets when they are well chew'd they put them into another Pot there letting it stand till grown sowre to this they pour a good quantity of Spring-Water which being so put together works a Moneth or two for so long it will ferment then it becomes a clear pleasant wholsom and strong Liquor which the longer kept the better grows for it will hold good thirty years The top of this Drink is thin and clear the bottom or sediment thick like our Pap the thin makes their Drink with which they often Fuddle the thick makes their Cawdle to recover them which Crop-sick they eat with Spoons This they carry with them to the Field and take a Dose thereof when they think fit and thus yearly they spend most part of their Rice The Women when their Cultivation or Land-work is done then they betake themselves to the Sea and Launch out their Boats which they call Champans and fall to Fishing where they catch great store of Crabs Oysters and Gurnets which they Salt without Gutting and therefore though Pickled keep not long but are apt to putrifie and breed Worms yet they like it never the worse but look upon their Dish as the greater Dainty the rancker the Hogooe Their Youths though strong and of able Bodies spend their time in idleness and sloth and when forty years old then they settle themselves to Laziness as if it were a Trade or Handicraft spending twenty years in a methodical doing of nothing in a small Hut or Hovel dandling their Children or Dalliance with their Wives seldom or never stirring out of their own Limits or Patch of Ground unless invited either to a private or publick Feast or Hunting-Matches in which pleasure they take some pains using several and indeed ingenious ways to catch the Game sometimes practising deceit laying Snares and Traps of complicated Rushes and Reeds so artificially that they look fresh as if growing and ungather'd setting them in the Haunts of wild Boars Lays of Deers and the like and so catch them wondring who made their new Lodges and Beds so soft and lay Meshes in other inviting places which if they take not willingly nor observe such Allurements they drive them in where they also make them their Prey and they trapan them into Pits digg'd and spread over with a light Swarth or Turf of Grass supported with brittle
the separated Ships are strictly Commanded not to pass by the foremention'd Island De Lemas but put in to it and there wait for the Fleets coming that so they may proceed on together in their Voyage and the more resolutely bid the Enemy defiance if they should Rancounter After leaving the Island De Lemas and coming on the Coast of China they shall first put in for the Bay of Engeling or rather that of Hoksiu they being the safest and convenientest Harbors in the Southern Bay or Mouson and with the whole Fleet except those bound for Iapan which will part from us before run into them to inquire how the Affairs of War stand between the Tartar and Coxinga and whether he be in China or Formosa therefore if in the way from Lemas to the Coast of China any Frigats should be separated from the Fleet let them put in for the foremention'd Bays of Engeling or Hoksiu where they shall joyn with the Fleet again When the white Flag shall be set up at the Admirals Stern and a Gun be fired from his Ship then the General Council of War shall meet consisting of these following Persons to consult with the Admiral viz. Henry Indiik of the Ship Loosduinen Iohn Idze de Vink or Van Campen Vice-Admiral of the Fleet but so long as Indiik is by the Fleet the Finch shall carry the Flag as Rear-Admiral of Zierikzee The Merchant Constantine Nobel who carries the Light before the Fleet after Indiik hath taken leave shall bear the Flag of Domburgh Peter Iansz Veldmuis Captain of the Naerden Ysbrand Bowmester Captain of the Domburgh Barent Iochemsz Captain of the Overveen Harman Symonsz Commander of the High-Land Iohn Hendriksz Master of the Sea-Dog Dirk Gerritz Commander of the Meliskerke Iohn Ysbransz Van Bank Captain of the Ankeven Valk Master of the Vink Christopher Edwartsz Secretary If the Admiral le ts flie his Red Flag from his Poop then all the remaining Commanders of the Fleet as Brukelen Loenen and Ter-Bode shall also come aboard with the foremention'd persons and likewise their chief Officers of War as the Ensigns and Serjeants But if the Admiral will have his Privy Council to come aboard he shall put out his white Flag with a Bend from the Poop The Privy Council shall consist in the following Persons Henry Indiik Iohn Idze de Vink Constantine Nobel Peter Iansz Veldmuis Commander of the Naerden Ysbrand Bowmester Captain of the Domburgh If the Admiral is desirous to speak with the Captain of the Loosduine he shall let a Pennon flow from his Mizzen-Yard if with the Zirikzee a Pennon from the Fore-Yard if with Domburgh a Jack from the Sprissel-Yard If any one be found to neglect these Orders he shall be put in mind of it by the Secretary and after examination of the cause receive all due punishment All these were made and agreed on in the Naerden Frigat Sailing about the Thousand Islands the 26. of Iune 1662. Balthazar Bort Iohn Idze de Vink On Thursday morning being the twenty seventh the Fleet having the same Weather found themselves to be in four Degrees and eighteen Minutes South-Latitude and in the afternoon beyond the Point of Boomy's Riff in nine and ten Fathom Gravelly Ground in the Night on fourteen and fifteen Fathom the same Ground they spy'd the Banks of the foresaid Riff at a pretty distance On Wednesday Morning the twenty eighth the Fleet being in thirteen and fourteen Fathom Water the Wind Easterly saw the Island Lucipar or Lukapar lying to the South-West about a League and a half from them This Island lies near Sumatra in the Mouth of the Straights of Banka and is fourteen Leagues in Circumference It is uninhabited yet Wooddy and yields a pleasant Prospect with its high Trees towards the Sea it is interlac'd with many murmuring Streams which abounding in Fish and the Woods with Beasts makes it a fit place for the Sea-men to refresh in In the afternoon being in three Degrees and seven Minutes Lukapar lay three Leagues South South-East from the Fleet and having got the first Point of Sumatra on their Starboard their Course being North-East and by East they Sail'd along the Coast of Sumatra in ten and thirteen Fathom Water The twenty ninth about Noon the Fleet Sail'd by Poele Nancha lying in the Straights of Banka thirty Leagues to the In-land in two Degrees and twenty five Minutes Southern-Latitude and were got within a small League from the third Point of Sumatra Poele Nancha that is The Isle Nancha for Poele is Island and Nancha the proper name of the place and signifies Round Island so call'd being indeed almost Circular and hath eight Leagues in Circumference very barren being onely Sandy Ground having on the Shore nothing but a few Turtles In the Evening about Sun-set they came up with the high Promontary Monapien on the North of the Island Banka and the fore-Fore-Land of Sumatra lying West South-West about a League from them Banka an Island about a League from Sumatra is inhabited fruitful and full of Woods The thirteenth being Friday the Fleet was at Noon gotten into one Degree and twenty two Minutes South-Latitude and had Poele Toutyon that is seven Islands East and by North four Leagues from them in sixteen and seventeen Fathom Water These Isles though they lie close by one another yet are uninhabited Close by Poele Toutyon towards the East lies the Isle of Linge Inhabited on the Shore by Fishers and Rusticks but in the Countrey by a People who came thither from the Mountain Passarvan which is in Iova for these People opprest by the King of Passarvan with great Tributes and other Inconveniencies fled for their better accommodation to several places most of them being Licens'd by the King of Bantam to have setled behind the City on the Coast of Sunda at the foot of the Mountain Gomon Bezar where they have built the City Sura and several Villages Electing a King of their own which pays Tribute to the King of Bantam Others have setled themselves on this Isle and built Towns and Villages which they enjoy'd in Peace a long time but submitted themselves at last either out of kindness or force to the King of Sura These People live peaceably and friendly maintaining themselves with Husbandry or Tillage and observe the old Pythagorean Doctrine concerning the Transmigration of the Soul therefore they neither kill nor eat any animated Creature They go clothed in white Paper made of Trees of which they tie only one piece about their Head and another about their Middle for decency This Isle hath all manner of good Provisions though not in very great plenty but abundance of Birds which are from thence Transported to China for a great Dainty The first of Iuly about Noon the Fleet finding it self in twenty five Minutes South-Latitude spy'd the East Point of the Isle of Linge North-West from them and Poele Zay South-West and by
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 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-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-East and by East behind the Breast-Isle and in the afternoon two Ships in the 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-High-land Frigat came to an Anchor South-West and by South three Leagues
distant from the Fleet. The ninth in the morning they saw above twenty Fisher-Jonks near the Shore of Pakka who were putting to Sea to fish but not being able to get out were by the Current driven towards the South Van Campen chas'd them between the Islands yet the Jonks by their swift sailing escap'd him In the afternoon the Hollanders came again to an Anchor behind Campens Point in nine Fathom Water about a small Cannon-shot from the Shore The tenth they saw two Frigats in the Bay of Pakka viz. the Sea-hound in which the Admiral Bort was as they understood the next day and the Highland which on the eighth was sent thither for Intelligence The eleventh in the morning the Admiral Bort came in the High-land Frigat to an Anchor about half a League from the Vice-Admiral Mean while the Admiral Bort had by Storm taken the Fort Kitat lying in the Bay of Pakka and with it plunder'd all the Towns Villages and Hamlets being twenty in number belonging thereto All which he had written to the Vice-Admiral Van Campen the tenth of the said Month from the Bay of Pakka adding thereto That had he not been detain'd eight days by tempestuous Weather he had been with him before that time to find out Zwathia lying about the North in hopes there to find several Trading Jonks The same day Harman Symonsz went aboard the Vice-Admiral being sent thither by the Admiral from the Bay of Pakka with the Letters before-mention'd bringing also with him a small Supply of fresh Victuals which was equally distributed amongst the Ships They found in Kitat nothing but a little Rice Salt and a little Lumber besides twelve Women and fifteen Youths which were transported for Servants to Batavia The Hollanders fell upon this Place because some of Coxinga's Party resided there The twelfth they descried three Jonks and a Fishers Boat in the North-East one of them being without a Mast Van Campen by the Admirals Order set Sail towards them with five Ships That Jonk which had lost her Mast was onely taken the rest escaping by the advantage of the Tide In the taken Jonk they found no more but onely Salt Rice and Wood. Towards Evening the Frigat came again to the Prize-Jonk and about eight at Night tow'd her along with them to Campens Point In the afternoon the Sea-hound and high-High-land Frigats and Ter-Boede Pink came up to the Vice-Admiral and at Night Anchor'd South and by West about a League from them Wednesday being the thirteenth the Ter-Boede was sent from the Fleet to the River Hoksieu there to stay till Van Campen's Squadron came back from the North. Against Noon the Overveen Frigat came out of Kitat-Bay near the Fleet and turning up Northerly in the afternoon was forc'd by contrary Winds to lie in seven Fathom water About midnight the Fleet weigh'd Anchor and hearing several Cannons fired and Van Campen fearing some of the Frigats to be run ashore sent his Boats thither and found the Calf to be drove very near the Shore on which the High-land Frigat had also been fast but was got off again whereupon Van Campen return'd Ysbrant Pilot to the Admiral and another were sent aboard of the Vice-Admiral to enquire how many healthy persons he had in his Ship of Seamen and Soldiers and what number of Sea-men he could be able to send ashore fit for Service whereupon he reply'd about thirty Thursday about Noon the Fleet was in twenty seven Degrees and nineteen Minutes Northern-Latitude two Leagues and a half from West and by North from Zwamzwa Cape In the afternoon about two a Clock the Fleet weighed Anchor again and in the Morning were within four Leagues North and by East of Zwatia three Leagues East Nor-East from Cape Elephant and three Leagues and a half West and by South from Zwamzwa About Noon the Fleet forc'd by contrary Winds and Tydes cast Anchor in eleven or twelve Fathom Water about three Leagues Nor-West and Nor-West and by West from the River Zwatia and two Leagues and a half South-east and by East from Cape Elephant where Riding all Night they Sail'd next day toward the North and soon after turn'd Westward up the River of Zwatia where the Vice-Admiral had Cruised with six Sail the twenty eighth and twenty ninth of the last Moneth The Marks whereby Sea-men may know this River are towards the North a great white Shelf and on the Shore many Cliffs A little more to the Northward of it lie two Islands behind which is a safe Harbor About Noon the Fleet found themselves in twenty seven Degrees and thirty five Minutes Eastward from the South-Point of the River Zwatia from whence Sailing West-South-west into the River they had from six to twenty three Fathom Water being the shallowest gravelly Ground and with the same Course they came before Zwatia where they cast Anchor in seven Fathom Water about a Musquet-shot from the Shore on which the short-hair'd Chineses stood with Red Flags a sign of Peace by them as the White is with us in great companies expecting the Netherlanders without any offering to come to their Ships This continu'd a whole hour when the Admiral Bort Commanded the Guns to be fir'd upon the Town The Chineses thus rudely saluted immediately let flie their White Flag in sign of War and shooting with Musquets and Blunderbusses flourish'd their Faulchions and Scythes over their Heads yet betook themselves with all their Movables which they were able to carry out of the City to flight towards the Mountains others with their Vessels ran up the River whereupon the Admiral Bort Commanded the Vice-Admiral Van Campen to go ashore with eight Boats and seven Shallops well Man'd and Arm'd which Bort himself promis'd to follow Van Campen Landing without any resistance on the Shore found the City Re-built and the Houses furnish'd with Tables Chests Stools and Benches besides abundance of Thrash'd and Unthrash'd Rice call'd Bady Salt great store of dry'd and Salt Fish and also Nets There appear'd seven large Temples every one apart in a pleasant Grove Wall'd round about and within Pav'd with Blue Stone where stood many Humane Figures Cloth'd in all sorts of Stuffs Caps Coats Breeches Shoes and Stockings all as alive about Tables on Wax'd Benches or Stools Gilded on each Table stood two large square Vessels or Pots wherein the Priests burn Incense to their Idols with perfum'd Calambak Agar and Sandal-Wood which yield a most fragrant smell On the Tables also lay four pieces of Wood each a large half Foot long round on the top and flat at the bottom which to know future events they throw three times one after another before the Idols Towards Evening Van Campen leaving the Shore went aboard again with all his Men loaden with the best Plunder and many Images not spoil'd by the Tartars Here it is to be observ'd that many Native Chineses are to be understood by the Name of Tartars viz. those who by shaving off
small Garrison to take it in Possession for which purpose the Isle Kolong lies very convenient and likewise the Piscadore's but barren and unfertile where also a Fort might be erected for our better Guard Not to accept to take any other place in possession if you can get Tayowan again Endeavor to Conquer Formosa and Tayowan by force of Arms if it cannot be done by Peaceable means yet take not so much Ground in possession as formerly The lower Castle of Zelandia being a good Garrison would be a sufficient Defence against the Assaults of the Chineses The upper Castle shall be Dismantled and left ungarrison'd that afterwards on farther Order it may be pull'd down and build a strong Redoubt in its place To keep the Fort Provintia and Garrison it with a hundred Men as also that of Quelang To begin somewhat in more safety in Tayowan the Forces ought to be brought ashore through the Straights of Lakge Moey on the main Land and there first to Attaque and win the Fort Provincia and likewise endeavor to get the Inhabitants there to joyn with our People to which purpose it will be requisite for you to take flat bottom'd Vessels from the Chineses because our Boats cannot carry so many Men in those shallow Waters neither could the requir'd Forces be brought ashore together and if they wanted those Vessels it would not be convenient to attempt any thing on that side but be better behind Tonkoya about six Leagues Southward of Tayowan where in the Northern Mouson the Water is very smooth and a higher Shore to break off the Winds From thence they should March up in two or three days by Land to the Fort Provincia at Sakkam and besides the convenient Landing there the Inhabitants of the South might perhaps joyn with the Hollanders which if they should all the Chineses in Formosa would not be able to withstand them If the Tartars should deny the Trade and that those of the Isles Ay and Quemuy live apart from Formosa and Tayowan and are in friendship with the Tartars and also inclin'd to agree with you do you likewise seem willing to it nay seek to joyn with them provided they procure us those Articles demanded of the Tartars and use their assistance towards the regaining of Formosa and Tayowan nay to fall upon the Tartars themselves if occasion should require No time is limited you to come with the Fleet from the North to Batavia but is left to the Discretion of the Admiral and his Council After the Admiral Balthazar Bort had on Iune the 30. Anno 1663. been conducted by several Friends aboard his Ship he set Sail the next Morning three hours before Day with all the Fleet consisting in sixteen Men of War and four Merchants bound for Iapan out of the Haven of Batavia with a South East Wind and running between the Isles of Hoorn and Edam they stood to the North-East At Noon the Fleet had the Isle South-Wayter South West and by West three Leagues from them in five Degrees and thirty Minutes Southern Latitude in the Evening about Sun-set they had the Isle North-Wayter about West-North-West four Leagues distant The second at the usual Signal of a White Flag and firing of a Gun all the Commanders and Chief Officers of the Militia came aboard the Admiral who according to the Lord General and Indian Councils Order chose out of them all for his Privy Council the Persons under written which the rest were to follow in Order viz. next to the Admiral Balthazar Bort who is to be always Chief was Huybrecht de Lairesse Vice-Admiral William Volkersz made Commander of those Ships that were to go to Iapan and Rere-Admiral as long as he stay'd with the Fleet. Bartholomeus Verwei who at Volkersz departure was to carry the Rere-Admiral's Flag and in that Degree take place in the Council Peter Coker Master of the Admiral 's Ship Ernest Van Hogenhoek Merchant in the Kogge And the first Captain Christian Poolman Commander of the Nut-Tree These having taken their places the Fleet was by them order'd to be divided into three Squadrons as had already been consider'd by the Admiral and approv'd of by the Vice-Admiral and the Orders which the Fleet was to follow being read were also affirm'd and likewise the proportions of Diet was agreed on At Noon the Admiral was in four Degrees and five Minutes Southern Latitude and had the High Island with the Trees West-North-West about seven Leagues from him The third about day-break they spy'd the Coast of Banka at Noon they Sail'd Eastward of the Isle Lucipa and in the Evening past within two Leagues and a half by the first Point of Sumatra South and by East from them On Thursday being the fifth they saw the Mountain Monapyn and were within two Leagues of the Shore of Sumatra towards Evening they Sail'd by the River Palimboang and between Poele Tousjou and Poele Sayo The sixth they saw the Isles Tousjou and were at Noon in one Degree and sixteen Minutes South Latitude The seventh the Fleet found Poele Sayo North-West and by West about three Leagues and a half from them in nineteen Minutes Southern Latitude and in the Evening descry'd in the North the Isles which lay near Lingen On Sunday they discover'd Dominies Island West-South-West four Leagues from them and crossing the Line saw the High Isle of the Box-horns about seven Leagues distant The ninth at Noon the Admiral was in fifty four Minutes Northern Latitude and in sight of the Isle Pangang West and by North about three Leagues and a half from him On the tenth appear'd the Isles Tinghy North-West and by West and Laver North and by West from them in the Morning the Fleet being near Laver cast Anchor on the West side of it Tymon hath no Wood neither for Firing nor any other use with which Laver is plentifully supply'd This Isle is pretty high and hath two rising Promontories one on the South and the other at the North end which make a Plain in the middle The twelfth about Noon five Ships upon the Admiral 's Order set Sail from Laver to Poele Tymon to take in Water Fuel and other Wood and likewise to Barter for Provision according to their agreement of the eleventh The Bay on the South-East Point of this Island lies very convenient for the fetching and taking in of fresh Water Firing and other Wood which is to be had ashore in great plenty but Provision is somewhat scarce here because the People of this Countrey have their Habitations more towards the South-West side and also that which is to be had is much dearer than at Poele Laver. The nineteenth the Admiral about Sun-rising set Sail from Poele Tymon and came in the afternoon to an Anchor with the whole Fleet by those Ships that were sent out before from Laver. The Fleet thus furnish'd with all Necessaries Weigh'd Anchor on the twentieth about Day-break and in the Evening had the Isle
an Anchor before Eymuy to prevent the Eenemy from making an escape and in so doing you will oblige me At present I have little of fresh Provision to send you yet be pleas'd to accept this small Present viz. five Porkers fifty Capons fifty Ducks five Pots with Liquor some Crabs and ten Picols of Radishes To this Letter he answer'd That on Singlamong's Request to secure him and his Jonks from the Enemy he would command eight of his Ships to Sail to Lissoe and that they would not fail with the rest of their Fleet to come to the Tartars assistance No sooner was this Answer on Shore but Lipovi sent a second Request and that he need not trouble himself for he was sufficiently Guarded by Tonganpek with his Forces therefore if he would be pleas'd to come ashore he and his Mandarins would entertain him in the fairest House in the Island Upon which Invitation first chusing two Jonks for his own use out of those which he had taken he went ashore accompanied with the Vice-Admiral Huibert de Lairesse and Captain Poleman The General being assembled with his principal Mandarins in young Coxinga's House receiv'd the Admiral with great courtesie and real joy Lipovi also ascrib'd the honor of the Victory to the Netherlanders telling them That it was not themselves but they that had put the Enemy to the rout that he had seen the Engagement at Sea before Eymuy and sufficiently heard of that at Quemuy for which much rejoycing he highly extoll'd their Valor Whereupon he assur'd the Admiral That though he was not able to make satisfaction for the Service which they had done to his Countrey he would endeavor that the Emperor should Lipovy having ended his Discourse the Admiral return'd in like manner how glad he was for his Victory at Eymuy wishing him many more not doubting but he should scowre the Sea and clear the Port and Harbors from the Coxingans that Pyratick Rabble After this the Admiral made three Requests to the General First That he would be pleas'd to write a Letter to the Konbon in Hoksieu and give Order in it that the Goods which Captain Nobel and the Merchant Hogenhook had in Hoksieu might be sold off Secondly That they might not stay long there but prosecute the Enemy on Quemuy and the other Isles Thirdly That the Tartars should then go with the Netherlanders to Formosa and assist them in driving the Pirates from thence The first and second Request Lipovi absolutely granted the Admiral promising more That he would not fail to get them what they so much desir'd a free Trade through the Empire and that within two days they would Sail together to Quemuy But concerning the third Proposal of going with the Netherlanders to Tayowan he made no promise but said That perhaps would follow after the rest of their work was finish'd Then Lipovi recounted to him what purchase they had upon the Isle consisting only in a few Cattel and Sheep of which he sent forty Oxen and some of the Sheep aboard the Netherland Ships promising them the whole Plunder of the other Isles that his Men might not be discourag'd but might venture their Lives for something Whilst the Admiral was ashore three Champans with Chinese Rusticks came amongst the Fleet which dwelt on the Main Land near Goutsoe with Request to the Netherlanders to grant them a Pass to go to the Tartars and submit themselves to his Subjection by cutting their Hair like the Tartars and paying of Tribute which the Admiral so soon as he came aboard granted them in requital whereof they gave him four Hogs and five Pots of Chinese Beer The Rusticks being ask'd concerning the condition of the Chinese Enemies declar'd That they were all fled away from thence in the night none knowing whither they were gone The two and twentieth the Admiral receiv'd a Letter from his Highness and the Vice-Roy Singlamong in Thanks for his gotten Victories over the Chineses with Intreaties that he would Sail with the Fleet to the Isle of Goutsoe The same day Captain Poleman and the Secretary were sent ashore to deliver to the Vice-Roy and General what so long had slept and would not be at first receiv'd the Letter and Presents from Maetzuiker and the Council at Batavia and to request of Lipovi that he would be pleas'd according to his promise the day before to write to the Conbon and with it send a Letter which the Admiral had given to Poleman and the Secretary and directed to Constantine Nobel at Hoksieu The Agents having receiv'd their Orders went in two Sloops to the General whom they found on the Main Land opposite to Colongsoe and after a kind Salutation to him from Maetzuiker they deliver'd him the Letter which the General having perus'd declar'd that their Excellencies Letters were very acceptable yet it seem'd strange that they should send Presents when they knew it was not his Custom to receive any but if they were useful in War he would accept of them to which being soon perswaded he requir'd them as they were brought before him and commanded them without opening to be carry'd to his Tent only returning the Complement of Thanks promising also to unite to the Conbon in Hoksieu in the behalf of the Hollanders there After this the Agents having been nobly entertain'd by Lipovi took their leave and departed The three and twentieth the Fleet having fir'd three Guns set Sail to the Isle of Goutsoe accompany'd with the Tartars and about Noon they came to Anchor a League and half South-West from the Island not being able by reason of a calm and contrary Tide to double the North fore-Fore-land while the Tartar Jonks Anchor'd before Lissoe from whence the Admiral was desir'd by Sietetok and Tonganpek to come ashore whither having resolv'd to go before he went with Lairesse Captain Poleman and three Companies of Soldiers to the Isle of Goutsoe from whence the Enemy was fled and they took possession of three new rais'd Forts which were deserted one of them with a Castle and though not very beautiful yet strong for the Walls and Breast-Works which were twenty three Foot high were made of firm Stones and the Curtain on the Walls six Foot broad the whole in Circumference as big as the Castle at Batavia but nothing was found in it except Stools Benches the Tartars having been there and Plunder'd all and thirty nine unserviceable Iron Guns which lay about of these the Hollanders making themselves Masters plac'd Centinels to look over them till they had opportunity of Shipping The next day there came Letters from Lipovi that he had given Order to dismantle the three Castles excusing it from the infertility of the Countrey as unfit for the Hollanders to make any thing of either to improve or Garrison and that Formosa was much better for them to resettle upon which they need not doubt but the Tartars should help them to regain and then they should possess it as formerly but the
them near the Sea-side on a high Hill No sooner was the Admiral come thither but he receiv'd the promis'd Letter of Command to the Conbon for selling the Merchandizes in Hoksieu that he might send it himself with his Letter to Nobel who was only to shew it to the Conbon and then make Sale of his Goods which contain'd to this effect Singlamong sends this open Letter of Command to the Holland Admiral of the Sea to be sent by him to their Agent in Hoksieu SInce the Hollanders with their Ships and Forces have done so good Service to Our Realm in the routing their and Our Enemies and the wish'd for Victory remains on Our sides therefore I and Lipovi have resolv'd to Grant them to Sell all those Merchandizes which they have brought with them in Hoksieu for the maintaining of their People as We have by Letters already inform'd the Emperor in Peking Therefore We Command the Conbon in Hoksieu that he assist them in the same and provide them a Person who may be present to look that they may not be cheated by Our Merchants This Letter We have sent open that the Holland Agent upon the receipt of these Our Orders may immediately begin to dispose of his Goods that are ashore in Hoksieu as also those that are yet in their Ships lying before the Magazine The Mandarin who by the Conbon is order'd to be at the selling of the Commodities shall take an exact account of what Goods and Moneys the Hollanders receive in return for their Merchandize that they may not be deceiv'd or defrauded by any and he shall also inform Us of what shall be done herein Under Singlamong's Seal was written In the second Year of the Emperor Conchi's Reign the eleventh Moon and eleventh day In the Evening the Admiral sent the forty Oxen which had been given him by the Vice-Roy to be distributed amongst the Ships Soon after the Vice-Roy sent to tell the Admiral That if he was desirous to see the Countrey he would send Horses to his Tent for which Proffer he return'd thanks and sent word That he would expect them Mean while it began to grow wet Weather but the Rain again ceasing the Admiral and his Company walk'd afoot to the Camp where the Tartars had intrench'd themselves very handsomly within several Batteries Here getting on Horse-back they were conducted to the Vice-Roys Tent who desir'd the Admiral to come in where having sate a while he inquir'd if he had sent Letters to his Vice-Admiral and also his Letter of Command to Nobel and Hogenhoek in Hoksieu to which he answer'd Yes Then the Vice-Roy told him That he hop'd the Vice-Admiral would comply with his Request to sail to Tongsoa The Admiral answer'd He suppos'd there was no doubt and withal added That Nobel and Pedel desir'd they might go to Batavia and therefore he had order'd Hogenhoek who had liv'd many Years in Iapan and the Factor Bartel both Men of whom the Netherlanders and his Highness might expect good Service to stay in Hoksieu To which Singlamong answer'd That it was all one to him who staid so they were People of good conversation and he believ'd the Lord General would not send any other into that Empire After this they discours'd about the cleansing of the Netherland Ships and the Island Colongsoe which the Admiral desir'd he might see and that if it lay convenient for the Netherlanders they might take it into possession and Garrison it with Soldiers the situation being near the Main Land and before the Mouth of the River Chincheu which whatever the Netherlanders wanted they might have from thence and likewise drive their Trade all under one Whereupon the Vice-Roy replied That they had always made choice of Goutsoe What then would they do with Colongsoe Whereupon the Admiral replied That if he would permit them to drive their Trade that then they would leave six Ships there take the Island into Possession and Garrison the Forts with their Soldiers Whereto the Vice-Roy suddenly said That that was not his meaning for he durst not give away any Lands that belong'd to the Emperor but that they must expect his Imperial Majesties Order for that as well as the driving of their Trade in Hoksieu Yet at last after many Arguments he granted the Hollanders on the Emperors allowance to take and Garrison the Isle of Goutsoe conditionally That if the Emperor should not approve of it then to desert it again But concerning their Traffick Whether it would be granted them for ever or not they must expect an Answer in five Weeks time Thus the Business rested and the Netherlanders after having been plentifully entertain'd taking their leave in the Evening rode to their Tents Towards Night the Admiral receiv'd a Letter from the Vice-Admiral Huibert de Lairesse and his Council in answer to one sent to him the day before wherein he advis'd him That their Opinions agreed with his not to go with the Fleet to Tongsoa and Samoa yet they referr'd themselves wholly to what the Admiral pleas'd to do The ninth the Vice-Roys Interpreter went to the Admiral to know whether he had receiv'd an Answer from the Vice-Admiral whereupon the Admiral inform'd him That he could not perswade his People to it because it was impossible for them with their Ships to go from Tongsoa to Formosa and Tayowan whither they had strict Order first to Sail according to which after six days he resolv'd to set Sail thither with his Ships that lay at Quemuy desiring that his Highness would be pleas'd to send his Jonks with him as after the subduing of the Isles of Eymuy and Quemuy he had promis'd with which Answer the Interpreter return'd But soon after he was sent back with the Vice-Roys Excuses That he could not send his Jonks with him to Tayowan because they wanted Sails and Rigging for such a Voyage but if they would please to stay a little longer they would endeavor to fit themselves out And as an Inducement to it he granted them the Isle of Goutsoe which they might freely take and Garrison as they thought fit But the Admiral much dissatisfied answer'd That he delighted not in such Procrastinations nor would any longer be delay'd for he plainly saw and must be bold to say That the Vice-Roy minded not either what he said or what he writ and therefore they would no longer rely upon him But as for Goutsoe it was not then convenient for them to take the possession thereof because they should thereby weaken their Forces design'd for the taking in of Tayowan but if they would preserve the Forts and Houses from ruine till their return then they would Garrison it Many other like Expressions he had to the Interpreter concerning his not being satisfied with the Vice-Roys waverings and unconstancy who relating it all to the Vice-Roy he seem'd very much netled to hear from the Admirals Mouth such his Character and sent him back suddenly with several Complemental Excuses But
information These Letters were carry'd to Lairesse by the Zierikzee Frigat with Orders moreover to him that the sending to redeem the Prisoners was come to effect and also that the Collonel Sautongsiong had already inform'd those at Tayowan concerning their Treating with him as they had perceiv'd by their Letters Upon the sending of these Letters ashore Lairesse was order'd to stay two days for an Answer but if then he receiv'd none to fire a Cannon with a Bullet on the Shore and set up a red Flag from all the Ships and then come together to the Admiral that they might consult together what was best to be done But if they should according to the Netherlanders Request send some of their Men to Treat with them and should desire that some of the Hollanders should go ashore again that Lairesse should send the Factor Philip Mey The twenty eighth the Ensign Christopher Iust came to tell the Admiral that the Enemy was that Morning come over the In-land Water on that Tract of Land where their Men lay Encamp'd with a considerable Army and being both Horse and Foot carry'd about seventy Colours which he himself had told and discover'd accidentally going with five Men more the last Night to shoot some Venison towards the South near the River of Tamsuy The Admiral immediately upon this Intelligence went ashore where he caus'd the convenientest Place about a Cannon-shot from the Hill where the Netherlanders pitched their Tents to be Entrench'd and some great Guns to be carry'd thither that therewith they might put a stop to the Enemy if he should march forward who about two Leagues from thence had Encamp'd himself and shown many Bravado's with his Horse but yet durst not set upon the Netherlanders who kept themselves in good Order at the fore-mention'd Entrenchment that they might not lose their advantage The next Morning being the twenty sixth the Enemy sent three Men with a Letter to the Admiral who gave them Audience and read it without the Works which were not then finish'd in a Tent. The Letter was to this effect Tathonling Totoksiau sends this Letter to the Dutch Admiral from an upright heart and good inclination to which I call the Heavens to witness THe Letter written by the Admiral I have receiv'd and understand your meaning Our Agents also have told us what you said to them by which I gather thâ—…t you Hollanders are a People of noble Minds and endu'd with Wisdom and Understanding therefore we desire to enter into a League with you My Intentions I have before declar'd to your Secretary and Interpreter Maurice I am now come hither with my Army for my pleasure According to a Letter sent to me from Sepoan at Tayowan I have order to make Peace with you To which purpose two Mandarins are sent to Tayowan to make an Agreement and surrender such Places as you desire so that I hope we shall be Friends To attain which I send you this Letter with Request that you will send Agents to go with me by Land to Tayowan that there they may make an inviolable League between us The twelfth Moon the nineteenth Day Underneath was his Seal Whereupon the Interpreter Maurice was sent with the two Tartar Agents to the Enemies Camp fully to know their Intentions and also to tell them the Netherlanders Resolutions The Tartars returning before were in the Evening follow'd by the Interpreter who was immediately sent back again with a Message that the Netherlanders granted his Request viz. To send two Persons of theirs to him so soon as the six Hostages which he had proffer'd should come into their Camp who that very Night came thither with the Interpreters At the same time a Rumor was spread and the Chinese General had also told it to the Interpreter Maurice That the young Coxinga was gone to the Coast of China to submit himself to the Tartars and accordingly had commanded his Soldiers in Formosa to come to him and surrender up the Countrey to the Netherlanders But this quickly appear'd nothing but a bare Report The twenty seventh in the Morning according to a Result taken by the Admiral and his Council the Hollanders Agents were sent to the Enemies Camp viz. the Lieutenant Hendrick Noorden and Factor Iohn Renaldus and Iohn Melman as Interpreter for their Assistant They were fetch'd in on Horseback and courteously receiv'd and entertain'd by the Chinese General who according to his Promise was ready with his whole Army consisting in two thousand Armed Men to break up that day and go with them by Land to Tayowan The Agents had these following Orders given them in writing to Read to the Chinese Governors at Tayowan I. That they should deliver and surrender the whole Countrey of Formosa to the Netherlanders that it might be possess'd and Govern'd by them as formerly II. Especially the Castle Zelandia in Tayowan and the Fort Provencia in Sakkam with all the Guns and other Ammunition and also Quelang III. To restore the Companies Goods Merchandizes Moneys and other things which at the surrender of Tayowan they took possession of and also satisfaction for the Charge which they had been at in coming two several years with a Fleet of Ships to their Coasts which had cost above sixty Tun of Gold IV. All Debtors to the Company whether their Servants or Free People shall satisfie their Creditors V. Our Prisoners shall immediately be redeem'd and sent with their Goods to our Ships VI. On the granting and allowing of these Articles there shall be an everlasting Peace betwixt them and us and all things past shall be forgotten and forgiven The Commissioners having Read the Articles severally to them said That the Netherlanders desir'd a speedy Answer what they were inclin'd to grant or not and also what they would have of the Netherlanders Three Sea-men which were sent along with the Agents to carry some Goods came back with two Chineses sent from the Enemy with two live Hogs and four Baskets of Potato's for a Present to the Netherlanders who gave the Bearers two Cangans and as much Meat as they would eat which they devour'd very greedily He also gave them a Pass to bring Provision into our Camp After the Enemy had broke up with his Army the Admiral according to a Resolution taken a little before also made himself ready to go with the Hostages from Tankoya to Tayowan to which purpose towards the Evening leaving the Shore he went aboard of the Vlaerding Frigat and left the chief Command to Captain Poleman the second to Schimmel Penny and to Bittar the third of the sixteen Companies then ashore viz. six under the first and five apiece under the other two The Camp was also in good Order their Sconces finish'd their Guns planted and a Breast-work rais'd with Planks that if occasion should require they might easily cast up Earth against it The Nut-tree Naerden Mars Flushing Buiksloot with the Quemuy Jonk remain'd there at an Anchor In the
in the Night the Fleet reacht the East Point of the Isle Ainan which according to Bartholomew Verwei's Observation lies much more Northerly than it is plac'd in the general Map On this Isle lies the City Ingly otherwise call'd Ciunchew being fortified with very strong Walls full of handsom Buildings and well seated for Trade the whole Island being in a manner surrounded with Mountains and Woods produceth great plenty of all Necessaries for Humane Sustenance On the Mountains grows the sweet-smelling Craine-Wood and likewise Ebony Roses and Brasile much us'd by the Dyers through all China There are also many Indian Nuts and a Fruit by them call'd Iaca which grows not on the Branches but the Body of the Tree Amongst others there also grows a certain strange Herb in the Chinese Tongue call'd Chitung for the Sea-men are of opinion that they can find by its Joynts or Knobs in what Month and how many Storms there shall be in a whole Year saying The fewer Joynts this Herb hath the less the number of Storms will be and likewise from its Stalks that shoot out of the Joynts from the Root upwards they judge in what Month it will be tempestuous Weather The Island also breeds many Harts and other wild and tame Beasts besides abundance of Birds Near this Island they also fish for Pearls on the Northern Shore between this and the Main Land There is likewise a very strange Fish caught here with four Eyes and six Feet which the Chineses affirm produces also Pearls There is yet another Monster in this Sea whose Head resembles a Birds all the rest a Fish and yields as they say several Precious Stones Between the City Coacheu and the Isle of Hainan they catch some Sea-Crabs which differ not much from the other except in this that as soon as they come out of the Water into the Air they are turn'd into Stone yet still keeping their former Shape The Portuguese and Chineses use them for Medicines against Burning Fevers On the Southside of this Isle the Chineses catch Whales after the same manner as we do at Greenland This Island hath divers Mountains towards the South side whereof one call'd Kinim hath a Quarry of red Marble Not far from Linkao a little Town there lies the Mountain Pisie of which the Chineses tell strange Fictions for they relate That there was a Stag endued with Humane Reason which conducted the Islanders Army through unknown ways and brought them where they block'd up their Enemy that came from Cochinchina to invade them by which means they obtain'd a great Victory and on the same place erected a Temple in his Honor. Eastward of Cincheu is a Lake where a City stood formerly that was swallow'd up by an Earthquake By the little Town Iai rises a Mountain said to be so lofty that neither Wind nor Rain reaches the top and therefore call'd Hoeifung that is Above the Wind. It is very remarkable what the Chineses relate of the Sea near the Town Cium viz. That it neither ebbs nor flows which is observ'd at the neighboring Places but runs one half of the Month towards the East and the other half to the West The City of Ingly is a Place of great Commerce in which there are three Markets every day one of which is held in a very large Place on the East side of the City whither so soon as the Sun rises divers Merchants resort as Arabians Turks Zurats Malabars Abyssines and those of Pegu and Malaya besides many of the Native Inhabitants Indians and Portuguese After this Market is ended which continues till nine a Clock begins a second which is kept before the Governors Palace and lasts till Noon at which time every one retires home to their Dinners In the Afternoon about three a clock the third Market begins in a Place at the South side of the City where those Women for the Females drive the Trade here and not the Men which sell several sorts of Goods stand apart by themselves and separated from one another First stand in a row the Pepper-traders next those that sell Betel Leaves Onekka Water-Melons and Anana's and behind them the Book-sellers In another Quarter are the Ironmongers and Brasiers Shops furnish'd with Armor Poniards Swords and all sorts of Weapons and likewise Sandal-Wood Opposite to them stand such as vend Sugar Honey and all manner of Preserves Not far distant is sold white black red yellow green and gray Beans and lastly appears a handsom Square where all sorts of Herbs either for Food or Physical use may be bought Here also those Merchants which Trade in Linnen and other Commodities by Whole-sale have their Exchange beyond which is a Market for Poultry as Hens Ducks Pigeons Parrots and other Birds and likewise of Cabrito's or Goats Here are also three High Streets In the first on the right side are some Jewellers which sell Rubies Hyacinths and the like on the left side many Chinese Picture-drawers intermix'd with such as sell divers Colours of Sowing-Silks Silk and Damask Stuffs Flannel Sattin Gold Wyre Cloth of Tissue Porcelane Wax'd Baskets Copper Basons Pots and Cans great and small Quicksilver Chests Writing-Paper of all Colours Almanacks Leaf-Gold in Books Looking-glasses Combs Spectacles Brimstone Chinese Scymiters with wax'd Scabbards China-Roots Fans and other Trifles The second is full of Picture-Shops The third is onely for private use Passing on somewhat further you come to the Fruit-Market and through that into the Fish-Market and from thence turning towards the left side to the Shambles beyond which is a peculiar Place where the Women sell by Retail round and long Pepper white and black Cloves Nutmegs Mace Cubebs Cinnamon Cummin Ginger Zedoar Sandal-Wood Rhubarb Galanga Anniseeds and the like On the right side is the Rice-Market close by which the place where they sell Pots Bags Mats and Salt and opposite to it on the left side Oyl The first of March the Fleet sail'd by Tinhosa the second by the Cape de Avarelles on the third they pass'd over the Garden of Holland Breda and Ackersloot Sands lying on the South side of the Paracelles The fourth they sail'd by Candor and on the seventh Anchor'd at the Isle of Timon The eighth was publickly read an Order of the Council by which it was commanded That none either there or at Batavia should sell any of the Chinese Children which the Officers Soldiers or Sea-men had taken either to Moors or Heathens And for the better prevention thereof it was order'd That they should all be numbred which Office was committed to the charge of Peter Suskens Captain Adrian Mouldpenny Secretary Henry Ysbrands and Iohn Renaldus This Order was verbatim as follows SInce there are many Chinese Children as well Females as Males in the Fleet which belong to the Officers Sea-men and Soldiers whom We fear they may sell either here at Poele Timon or when they come to Batavia either to Idolaters or Mahumetans which is neither fitting nor lawful
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
the General Lipovi sent to the Factor Pedel to tell Hogenhoek That since he could not help to fetch in the Emperors Letter at first that now when it came to the Court he should fall on one of his Knees to do it Reverence because it was the Custom of the Country Nobel having also done it at the fetching in of the Letter the last Year Hogenhoek having staid an hour with patience the Vice-Roy Singlamong appear'd with a great Train of his Mandarins Nobles and Courtiers and soon after the Agents with the Emperors Letters and Presents Before the Emperors Letter walk'd above twenty Persons beating on Drums and playing on divers Musical Instruments so that it rather seem'd to be a great Triumph than for the reading of a Letter As it pass'd by Hogenhoek according to the Generals Request shew'd Reverence to the Letter by Bowing of his Head and Body which done they follow'd the Train into a great Hall where their Excellencies were already Seated and then rose up After they had consulted a little together Hogenhoek was again Commanded to Kneel and so to continue Kneeling all the time whilst it was reading After the Letter had been read publickly it was laid on Hogenhoek's Arm by the Chief Agent for which Honor he was forc'd Kneeling to bow his Head several times together and likewise for the thousand Tail and Silk Stuffs After this their Excellencies went to sit under a Canopy and caus'd a great Tankard with Milk mixt with Peking Butter and Bean Flower to be brought to them whereupon they invited Hogenhock also to sit down by them at last the Vice-Roy rising and taking his leave went to his own Court Soon after follow'd the General Lipovi and lastly the two Agents Netherlanders and Governors who advis'd Hogenhoek that he should go the next day to Thank the Agents which he accordingly promis'd to do The Emperors Letter Hogenhoek Commanded Lewis de Keizer to carry on his back but the Presents were laid in Pallakins all the way which they pass'd several sorts of People with Drums and other Musical Instruments throng'd the Streets to see them Hogenhoek coming home was welcom'd by two of the Emperors Poetzienzie with three Volleys of Shot and the Drums and Pipes play'd a whole hour before the Letter which they did onely to get Money for Hogenhoek was directed to give somewhat more than Nobel had done the Year before and likewise the Vice-Roy and General Order'd Hogenhoek to go the next day to visit the Agents and return them Thanks because it seldom or never happen'd that his Majesty gave such great Presents to any Person whatsoever After Hogenhoek had been at home some time he caus'd the Emperors Letter to be Translated Which was to this effect I Conghy Emperor send this Letter to the Holland Admiral Balthazar I Love strangers who come from remote and far distant places as an Emperor ought to do and the more because those that do us good must receive good again and those that deserve Honor must be well rewarded I have certainly understood that you have purchas'd Honor therefore I have sent Presents to you I have heard that you Balthazar have justly and valiantly gone with my Officers to War by which I perceive you mean honestly with me and my People as appears by your subduing the Pyrats and driving them away like a Bird which hath made a Nest to Hatch in and is now broken to pieces The Honor which I always expected from the Hollanders by Conquering the Islanders and driving them away from thence is perform'd therefore I am Oblig'd to Gratifie you with some Gifts and send this my Letter desiring you to accept my Presents and Honor my Letter Conghy The Presents that came with his Majesties Letter consisted in a thousand Tail of Chinese Silver and sixty Pieces of several Silks and Cloth of Tissue On Friday the twenty third Hogenhoek went in the Morning with all his Attendance to the Vice-Roy and General and likewise to the Emperors Commissioners to acquaint them that he was dissatisfi'd for that the Emperors Letter made no mention of their Traffick or about their staying there much less to go with their Fleet and Forces to Tayowan as their Highnesses had long since promis'd him as also the Admiral Bort and Captain Nobel viz. that there were Seal'd Letters expected from his Majesty about it and likewise that the Admiral and they had not without reason complain'd of their inconstancy appear'd now plainly because not one of their Verbal Promises and Assurances were found to be true which would be very ill resented by the Lord General that they had been detain'd two years and now receiv'd nothing but words To which the Vice-Roy answer'd with a Grim Countenance that ' t is true his Majesty had permitted the Hollanders to Trade but an Ambassador must every other year be sent to him and as to the business of Tayowan they would be ready to go with them thither to subdue it if therefore an Ambassador should come they would immediately dispatch him with Letters of Recommendation to Peking Whereupon he durst assure them that they would obtain the everlasting Trade and leave to go and come when they pleas'd and also have an Island or piece of Land alotted them on which they might reside without Molestation The like Answers Hogenhoek receiv'd from the Governor but the General Lipovi seem'd to be highly displeas'd saying That so great honor of receiving Presents and a Seal'd Letter from the Emperor in which he attributed the Honor of Conquering the Enemy to them was never yet known so that they ought to have been satisfi'd with that only Hogenhoek reply'd That they thank'd his Majesty for his Favor But where-ever the Hollanders were permitted to Trade they receiv'd Seal'd Letters from the Princes which serv'd as a safe-guard for their Governors Nay further said he the Hollanders Trade thorow the whole World without being limited a time but when er'e they came they were Welcome and Traffiqu'd as they thought fit Whereupon the General angerly reply'd Each Countrey had its fashion and so accordingly had his if they did not like the proffer of coming every two years once they might stay away and if they did not come in the time limited they should go away again without effecting any thing Hogenhoek answer'd That this Discourse seem'd very strange when as he himself had promis'd that he would procure him Seal'd Letters from his Majesty for it and indeed in Honor he could do no less their Requests being so reasonable viz. That after the Conquering of the Islands they might for their great Charge and trouble only enjoy the benefit of Trade The Vice-Roy having been silent some time diverted the Discourse asking Hogenhoek if Nobel would return with Addresses and Presents to his Majesty at Peking Whereto he reply'd That he could not assure it in regard it was in the Lord General 's choice whom he would choose to Negotiate such an Affair
belong to the Emperor of China but to certain Free Lords which they call'd the Min. The first that joyn'd it to the Empire of China was the chief of the Family Cheu yet the Inhabitants soon shook off that Yoke and kept themselves free till the fortunate and valiant Emperor Hiaou of the Family of Han reduced and added it to China with all the Southern Territories setling them in Peace and placed a Vice-Roy over it call'd Veuching who kept his Court in the Metropolis thereof Cyn the first King thereof call'd the chief City and the Tract of Land thereto belonging Cyngan the next King Sui nam'd the Countrey Mencheu but the Tangs of another Line Kiencheu and not long after Focheu which Name the Taimingian Race kept ever since This Countrey Focheufu contains eight Cities Focheu the Metropolis and chief of all the Countrey otherwise call'd Hoksieu or Hokzieuw Cutien Mincing Changlo Lienkiang Loquen Iangfo Focing The City Focheu by Paulus Venetus call'd Fugui lieth about fifteen Leagues Westerly from the Sea on the Southern Shore of the River Min which with a wide Mouth falls Easterly into the Sea and brings both great and small Vessels up to the City Walls The convenience of this River makes the Town very populous and of great Trade It is adorn'd with fair Buildings and hath large Suburbs call'd Nantai otherwise according to the pronunciation of the Inhabitants Lamthay for those in Fokien use in stead of N the Letter L. and often say Lamking in stead of Nanking There are also many Idol Temples Cross the Bay near Nantai lies a Stone Bridge a hundred and fifty Rods long and one and a half broad built all of white Free-stone resting on a hundred very high Arches on the top of each side are Rails and Benches adorn'd at an equal distance with Lyons neatly cut of Stone Next this Bridge at the South end stands a fair and large Pagode or Temple Another Bridge not unlike this being a hundred Rods long may be seen at the City Focing And many more are without and within the Walls of the chiefest Cities Three Leagues from Focheu stands a Temple call'd Kouzan the largest of all in the Nether Provinces The second Division Civencheufu borders from the East to the South-east and so to the South upon the Sea and from the South-west to the West touches Chancheufu and on the North verges with Ienpingfu This Countrey formerly belong'd to the Princes Min and hath seven Cities Civencheu the chief Nangan Hocigan Tehoa Ganki Tunygan and Iungehung The City Civencheu lies near the Sea in a delightful Plain and admits by a large Bay the greatest Ships to Ride close under the Walls not onely on one but both sides of the City for it is built on a Promontory encompass'd with Water except on the North and South-east sides On the opposite Shore are many populous and Trading Towns and chiefly on a Place towards the North-west call'd Loyang which may rather be look'd upon as great Cities There also is a Bridge which hath the same denomination with the Town the whole World not shewing the like for it consists of a black Stone like Touch-stone not supported with Arches but above three hundred square Columns sharp above Bridge and below the better to break the impetuous egress and regress of the Current These Pillars are Capp'd to walk upon with five Stones of an exact breadth each eighteen Paces long and two broad which successively touch one another at either Foot of the Bridge of which there are to the number of a hundred and forty it is certainly a Miracle of Workmanship not onely for its great number of Stones of such a bigness that rest on those Columns but most of all where so many large and equal Stones could be had on each side to make the Passage the safer are Rails of the same Stones adorn'd with Lyons standing on Pedestals and other Imagery It is worth our observation what is written of one part of this Bridge that is between a Village call'd Loyan and a Castle built on the Bridge for beyond the Village reaches another part not much less than the former and of one make A Chinese Writer saith thus concerning it This part of the Bridge Loyang and also call'd Vangan lying on the North-west side of the City cross the River Loyang was built by a Governor call'd Cayang it extends in length to about three hundred and sixty Rods and in breadth one and a half Before this Bridge was built they cross'd the River in Boats but because every year many Vessels were by Storm cast away Cayang resolv'd for the safety of Passengers to build a Bridge but seeing such a great piece of Work to be too much for Mankind to undertake and also the Water too deep to lay a Foundation in it he invok'd the Gods of the Sea as he says for some time to stop the Current of the Water which if you will believe he obtain'd After the Essluxes were stay'd and no Tydes swelling the River in one and twenty days the Foundation was laid and forty hundred thousand Tail spent in the building of it The third Province call'd Chancheufu being the most Southern of all this Territory borders in the North-East and East with Civenchufu on the East South-East and South with the Sea on the South-West touches the Countrey of Quantung on the West and North-West and North at Tingcheufu It contains ten Cities of which Chancheu is the chiefest the rest are Changpu Lugnien Nancing Changtai Changping Pingho Chaogang Huicing and Ningyang The Name of Chancheu was first given to this Metropolis and Countrey by the Family of the Tang from the River Chang on whose Western Shore situate and was then allow'd the priviledge of a small City but the Iuem made her afterwards a Metropolis and at the same time built the small City Nancing from whence Father Martin concludes that then all these Places were much frequented by Navigators and that Paulus Venetus his Zerte must needs be thereabouts On the South-side where the River also washes the City is a large Bridge of Hew'n-stone with thirty six high Arches and so broad that on each side are divers Tradesmen and Artificers Shops in which they sell every day all manner of rich and foreign Commodities which are brought thither from Hiamuen The fourth call'd Kienningfu a very wide and spacious piece of Land borders on the North and North-East upon Chekiang on the East with Foningfu on the South at Focheufu and Ienpingfu on the West at Xaonufu on the North West and North upon Kiangsi This Division belong'd antiently to the Princes Min after which the Family Tang gave it the Name of Kiencheu and Sung another Race that which it hath at present Here are seven Towns whereof Kienning is the chiefest the rest are Cungan Puchiang Chingo Sunghi and Xeuning The City Kienning lying on the Eastern Shore of the
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
and the Mandarine Guides which being no way pleasing to the Ambassador he said that he would have no Quarrel about the Emperor's and his Goods for he would pay those Coelies which were wanting above the number express'd in the General 's Warrant Whereupon as many Coelies were provided as they wanted and the Ambassador wrote a Letter to the General in Hoksieu to this effect THat the Ambassador would never forget the many great Favors which he receiv'd from his Highness in Hoksieu and doth not doubt but that he will continue the same In return whereof he desires that Talavja might be assur'd that neither in the Court at Peking nor any other Place in the World he would seek or do any thing to his disliking or disparagement That himself hath well arriv'd at Chinkon in Pouchin and finds that he wants more Coelies than are express'd in the Pay or Warrant granted him whom if his Excellency think fit he will cause to be paid by the Hopou in Hoksieu This Letter deliver'd to the Mandarins the Ambassador ask'd when they should proceed on their Journey to which they answer'd Two days hence Then he enquir'd if the Horses and Oxen might not be sent away before because the Oxen travell'd but slowly which being granted they prepar'd all things accordingly But in the Evening a Chinese Secretary call'd Sinko said that the Mandarins caus'd Frames to be made to carry the Oxen because it would be impossible for them to go over the Mountains at which the Ambassador seem'd very well satisfi'd and accordingly put off their going In the Morning being the sixteenth Hiu-lavja one of the Netherlanders Mandarine Guides came with the Frames for the Oxen to the Ambassador's Lodgings who asking him when they should go from thence reply'd Two days hence Then he desir'd to know the reason why they must stay so long because the Mandarin had on the fourteenth Instant also told him That he should go two days hence Whereupon he said That it was because the Coelies which they wanted above the number mention'd in the Pass granted by Talavja was not yet allow'd by the City Mandarins who had promis'd that within two days all things should be ready himself wishing that the Hollanders were gone To which the Ambassador reply'd That he knew that the Lepous were somewhat displeas'd about their so long tarrying at Hoksieu being detain'd there by the Vice-Roy therefore it would be very inconvenient to lose more time there so that if the Lepous should chance to ask him about it in Peking he could freely declare that it was not his but the Mandarins fault who made him wait for Coelies Which Discourse prevail'd so much that Porters were immediately sent to carry the Sandal Wood with which they walk'd before it being very troublesom for its length and heaviness to be got over the Mountains The eighth in the Morning an hundred Coelies came to the Ambassador's Lodging to tie and pack up the Presents to be carry'd in Burthens and to go with their Loads before with the Horses and Oxen with which the Secretary Vander Does was also order'd to Travel before the Ambassador Nobel and the rest intending to follow them in the Afternoon but because one of the Horses had receiv'd a hurt on his Head above the left Eye the Ambassador thought it convenient to stay a day or two longer in Poutchin and to keep one Horse more besides the fore-mention'd to see in that time what could be done to him and then give order for his stay or taking along with him Whereupon the Secretary with two Horses the Oxen and the hundred Coelies with their Loads went before Nobel and Putmans being order'd to follow him in the Afternoon but because the tying up of the Goods spent too much time it was deferr'd till the next Morning The Horse being pretty well recover'd the Ambassador went from Poutchin the one and twentieth in the Morning and having travell'd half a League by the Village Olian and in the Afternoon by Sisanly and Singan and some Pagodes or Temples towards Evening came to Guliaen where they reposed that Night The next day being Snowy and Rainy they rested themselves in expectation of fair Weather The twenty third the Skye being pretty well clear'd notwithstanding the Mountains were still cover'd with Snow the Ambassador leaving Guliaen proceeded on his Journey and in the Morning pass'd over a high Hill and so through Huysjounton Hangsion Outangay Ontongne Kieumoe and Ousalinga from whence they saw divers Pagodes built on the Declivings of several Mountains In the Afternoon they travell'd in sight of the Villages Movana Loutiatona Golinga Longkia Kiekova and divers Hamlets and Temples of which very many stand all along this Road amongst whom they saw one on the top of the Mountain Liougtouw and call'd by the same Name Here are the utmost Limits of the Province of Fokien and Chekiang or Chetchiang between both which the foremention'd Temple stands so that now leaving Fokien they entred into that of Chekiang and going on came towards the Evening to a Village call'd Limathova having that day travell'd five Leagues four in the Territory of Fokien and one in that of Chekiang This Province though less than others yet exceeds all the rest in fertility of Soil delightfulness of Prospects and Riches beginning in the South under twenty seven Degrees and five Minutes Northern Latitude and extending Northerly to thirty one Degrees and twenty five Minutes a Tract of sixty five Leagues the greatest breadth from East to West being almost of the same length It borders Easterly on the Sea where the shortest Cut is to Iapan and not above a days Sailing as some say with a fresh Gale of Wind in the South and South-West upon Fokien in the West and North upon Nanking and likewise touches with a small part upon Kiangsi It is divided into eleven great Counties almost as large as some Provinces for one of them being Hancheufu and the chiefest of them is ample and powerful enough to be a Province or Kingdom viz. Hangcheufu Kiahingfu Hucheugfu Nienchufu Kinhoafu Kieucheufu Chucheufu Xaohiugfu Ningpofu Taicuheufu and Vencheufu having several great and small Towns to the number of eighty three belonging to them besides unwall'd Places and an incredible number of Castles and populous Villages The chief Tract of Land call'd Hangcheufu borders Northerly on Hucheufu and Kianhingfu in the East at the River Chee between Kianhingfu and Xaohingfu in the South at Nienchufu and in the West at Nanking In ancient times this County belong'd to the Vice-Roy of V. and was afterwards possess'd by the King of Cu and by the Family of Chin nam'd Cientang by the Emperor Sui it was first styl'd Hangcheu by the Family Tang Iuhang by Sung Lingan but the Taimingian Family restor'd this Country to its old Name This Division contains eight Cities of which Hancheu is the chiefest the rest are Huining Tiuquang Inlang Liugany Yuum Sinching and Changhoa
The second County call'd Kiahingfu every where water'd with Rivers and Lakes borders in the East upon the Sea in the South upon a part of the Ocean and part of Hangcheufu Westward at Hucheufu and in the North at Sucheufu and Sungkiangfu the Territory of Nanking and a part of the Lake call'd Tai. This Shire contains six Cities viz. Kiahing Kiaxeny Hayeni Pinghu Cungte and Tungchiang The Metropolis Kiahing was formerly a small City and subject to Sucheu but growing in Riches and Greatness in the Reign of the Taimingian Family it was made the Head City or Metropolis and chang'd its former Name Siucheu to Kiahing The City Kiahang being the most Northern of the whole Province lies as if it were Moated about with Rivulets of Water full of stately and well built Structures flourishing with variety of its own Product having in all Places Riches and Plenty All the Streets of the City are Arch'd under which they walk as in a Piatzo or Exchange free from Wind and Weather and sheltred from Sun and Rain Without the City are several Triumphal Arches erected and on the West side near the River in one peculiar Place which they Sail by with their Ships or Vessels stand sixteen of these Arches in a Square all built of Marble Athwart the River stands a Bridge of Marble with many Arches seventy Paces long and likewise a Tower thrusting forth towards the Skye nine Pinacles or Spires All the Shores without the City are wharfed with square Free-stone of which also the lesser Bridges are made that lead over them There are forty more fair Bridges leading to several parts of the City besides a great many less scarce to be numbred The third County being Hucheufu borders in the East with Kiahingfu in the South upon Hangcheufu in the West verges the Province of Nanking in the North at the Lake Tai. This was formerly a Kingdom of it self and nominated Tung which first was possess'd by King V. and afterwards by Ine then by Cu. The Family Cyn gave this County and its Head City the Name of Uching that of Tang call'd it Hucheu that is The City of the Lake because of the neighboring Lake Tai for Hu signifies a Lake and Cheu a City the Royal Line of Sung nam'd it Chaoking but the Taimingian Family restor'd the old Name Hucheu Here are five Temples the chiefest of which stands within the City Walls they were founded in honor of the five first Emperors This Division contains six Cities viz. Hucheu Changhing Tecing Hiaosung Unkang and Gankie Hucheu is not onely the chief but reckon'd one of the biggest and flourishes in Trade and Riches It is adorn'd with many beautiful and large Buildings The fourth Niencheufu is a mountainous and rough Countrey and borders Eastward on the River Chee South at Kincheufu the West on Nanking and the North on Hancheufu It was formerly call'd Suntu next by the Family of Han Lecheu and lastly by that of Sung Niencheufu It contains six Cities Niencheu Xungan Tungliu Suigan Xeuchang and Fuentui The Metropolis Niencheu stands upon a rising Ground between the Singan and Chee which two Navigable Rivers before the Walls conjoyn their Waters The fifth Kinhoafu touches North and East upon Xaohingfu and Taicheâ—…fu in the South upon Chucheâ—…fu in the West conterminates with Kincheufu and the remainder bounded by the River Chee King Loang call'd this with its Metropolis first by the Name of Kinhoa that is Venus Flower for the Chineses say that the Goddess Venus striving here with another which they call Vuniu that is a Masculine Woman and the same which the Poets call Pallas a Flower which obtaining they styl'd her Kingsing that is Golden Star and the City receiv'd the Name of Kinhoa that is Venus Flower This City Kinhoa was formerly very populous and full of well built Edifices but in the late Tartar War in which they held out a considerable time was in a manner buried in Ruines yet nevertheless it is almost re-erected and especially one Stone Bridge on the West side hath obtain'd its former lustre This County hath eight Cities Kinhoa Lanki Tungagang Yui Iungkang Vuy Pukiang and Tanki Near the small City Lanki you may see another Bridge over the Chee some few years since re-built and now much better than the former burnt by the Tartars The sixth call'd Kincheufu being the most Southern of all this Province borders in the East at Kinhoafu in the South-East at Chincheufu in the South-West upon Fokien in the West on that of Nanking and in the North at Niencheufu In the time of the Kings Reigns this Province with the two former suffer'd divers great Changes and Alterations the Family Cyn after they had taken all China call'd its Metropolis Taimo Han nam'd it Singuan and the Family Tang gave it the Name which it now hath It contains five Cities viz. Kincheu Lungyeu Changxan Kiangzan and Kaihoa The City Kincheu lies on the Eastern Shore of the River Changyo three days Journey from Fokien between steep and troublesom Mountains to pass over Paulus Venetus calls this City Kugui according to the Tartar pronunciation with whom he travell'd in an Embassy thither who in stead of Cheu say Gui both Words signifying Great City wherefore Paulus may easily have made Kugui to be Kuicheu The seventh Division or Shire Chucheufu inviron'd with several high Mountains borders in the East at Veucheufu in the South-West at Fokien in the North-West at Kuicheufu in the North upon the County Kinhaofu In the time of the Kings this Countrey was also subject to various Revolutions and strange Alterations The Family Tang gave it the Name of Hocheu the Taimingian that of Chucheu This Chucheufu contains ten Cities of which Cheucheu is the Metropolis the rest are Cingtien Ciniquun Sungyang Sunchang Lunguven Kingyven Iunko Sivenping and Kingning besides three famous Temples The City of Chincheu which is very populous lieth upon the River Tung which falls into the Sea and able to carry Ships of good burthen The eighth Tract of Land being Xaohingfu borders in the East with Ningpofu North upon the River Cientang in the West at that of Chee and opposite to Hangcheufu in the South at Kinhoafu and Taicheufu The Family Sung first gave this Countrey the present Name Xoahing but it was formerly by the Family Tang call'd Iucheu It reckons seven Cities Xaohing Siaoxan Chuki Yuyae Xangyu Xing Sinchang The City of Xoahing though not so big yet in handsom Buildings exceeds the Metropolis being seated in a pleasant Plain Moated with fresh Water very much resembling Venice the Water gliding through every Street which are all curiously Pav'd and the Walls of the Houses all built of Free-Stone which in China is very rare and scarce to be seen in any other Place in the whole Empire The Bridges also over which they pass the River and Lake are all built in the same manner being very numerous The Banks of the River
the Tree within a Moneth after Buds again and in Harvest smells so strong and sweet that it may be scented at a very considerable distance The Chineses prepare many Dainties of this Flower both to please the Palate and to delight the Smell This also is the same Flower which steep'd in the Juice of Lemmon the Turks use to colour their Hair with The Trees thereof suffer no other to grow near them nor grow in places where others have grown In the County Lieucheufu in the Province of Quangsi on the Shore of the River Lieu grow many Willow Trees There are likewise several excellent Herbs good against many Sicknesses amongst which the Herb Pusu that is Immortal so call'd by the Chineses because they always preserve it green in their Houses In the County Gucheufu in the Province of Quangsi grows a Tree nam'd Quanglang which in stead of Pith or Marrow incloses a kind of thin Matter like Honey in stead of which it is often us'd being no less pleasing to the Palate In the Territory Cincheufu in the Province of Quangsi grows an Herb call'd Yu of which the Inhabitants make their Clothes which are richer than Silk and amongst them of greater value There also grows a Tree whose Wood is like Iron it being much harder than our Box-wood The same County likewise produces excellent Cinamon in the Chinese Tongue call'd Kueypi which onely differs from the Ceylon Cinamon in this that it is more biting on the Tongue and of a better scent The Chineses in ancient times us'd to carry Cinamon from the Island Ceylon which was according to Boem so call'd by the Chineses from the many Ships which suffer'd Shipwrack on the same or else Ceylon or rather Sinland signifies according to Martinius People of China or Chineses by Sea to Ormuz from whence it was carry'd by Land to Aleppo in Syria and Greece The ignorant sort of People suppos'd that it came out of the Moors Countrey and Egypt whenas it never grew in that Countrey though sometimes a Fleet of four thousand Ships came Laden with Gold Silk Precious Stones Musk Porcelane Copper Allom Nutmegs Cloves and chiefly Cinamon into the Bay of Persia. The Merchants as the same Boem tells us call'd Cinamon otherwise by the Chineses nam'd The Bark of the sweet Tree Cina and Momum which signifies Sweet and well scented Chinese Wood. In the County Lipingfu in the Province of Queicheu grows an Herb like Hemp which the Chineses call Ko and make their Summer Garments thereof which are an excellent Wear against the excessive heat of the Sun It also grows in the County Nankangfu in the Province of Kiangsi In the Southern Provinces of Iunnan Quangsi Quantung Fokien and on the Isle Ainan grows in great abundance a Tree by the Chineses call'd Fanyaycocu by the Eastern Indians Papayo by the West-Indian Inhabitants Pinoyuacu and by the Portuguese Mamoua It produces a Fruit which springs out of the top of the Body of the Tree looking red within and having in stead of Pith a thin Juice that may be eaten with a Spoon They are accounted to be very cooling and to abate lascivious Desires and cause Barrenness This Tree a strange thing hath no Branches but onely Leaves which grow on the top thereof from amongst which Leaves sprout out white Flowers which afterwards become Fruit. The Fruit hath no set-time of the Year to ripen in but successively ripe Fruits are to be found on the Trees every Moneth in the Year The Chineses call it Fanyaycocu that is Fruit of the Fanyay for Kocu signifies Fruit and the Portuguese Maman because it hangs on the Tree like a Teat The Fruit Leaves and whole Tree are pleasant and delightful to the Eye The Tree springs first from the Seed of its Fruit and afterwards new Trees from the Strings which shoot out of the Root The Leaves and part of the Body of the Tree being put into the Ground grow very speedily and in a short time to a high Tree Anno 1626. the Papayo-Tree being Sow'n grew in Naples It had a whitish Root full of Strings a whitish Stem or Body eighteen Inches long and a Finger thick of the same colour with the Root spongy and round not unlike the Body of the Wonder-Tree and notch'd after the same manner under the Leaves which when green hang by a long Stalk round about the Body of the Tree sloaping from the middle upwards all of them four or five Inches broad divided like the Fig-Leaves into five parts but notch'd much deeper smooth and of a pleasant Green all of them fell off in the Winter and the Body with the Root also wither'd away by degrees But we may doubt whether this Tree was the right Papayo because according to Michael Boem the Fanyacu or Papayo hath its Leaves onely on the top and not as this in Naples from the middle upwards Peter de Valla by Letters to Fabius Columna gives quite another Description of the Papayo which saith he is a Plant like our Fig-Tree but much pleasanter the Fruit like our ordinary Melons oval smooth and with a green Rind the Flesh within of an Orange colour and tasting like a sweet Orange but more Spicy and pleasanter the fresh Seed blackish when dry'd turns to a Chesnut colour and is about the thickness of Coriander Seeds but longer the Flesh thereof being cut through in the middle looks whitish is tough tastes sweet and is like old Musk melons Seed the Stalk of the Fruit though green yields like those of Figs The Tree is full of Branches like the Fig-Tree The experienc'd and Learned Physician William Piso makes mention of two sorts of Papayo growing in the West-Indies where it is call'd Pinoguacu a Male and Female of both which he hath a particular Description which may be seen at large in his Natural History To conclude most agree in this that the Papayo-Tree grows not of it self but is Planted What Countrey it properly belongs to is not yet certainly known but it is by most believ'd to be a Stranger to India and brought thither from a foreign Countrey In no Place except China grows that Tree and excellent Fruit in the Chinese Tongue call'd Supim it is of a Golden colour bigger than an ordinary Apple and hath within its Shell or Rind a soft and red Pulp within which are several Stones The dry Fruit is very like an European Fig and keeps good many years The Chinese Physicians use it often in their Compounds In the Province of Quantung it ripens in Ianuary February and March but in Xensi Honan and other Northern Provinces in Iune Iuly and August The Tree laden with this Fruit affords a pleasant Prospect and is constantly watch'd against the Birds There also grows a Tree in the Province of Quantung and in the Island Ainan with Leaves of half the size of a Man of ordinary Stature The Root thereof grows half in the
affirm'd to be the biggest in the whole World Michael Boem saith That these Serpents call'd Gento are found on the Isle Ainan in the Provinces of Quantung Quangsi and some other places and are without doubt the biggest of all Serpents being about eighteen or twenty Foot long they are said to swallow whole Deer but are not accounted very poysonous when hungry they leap out of Hedges or Bramble-Bushes then rising upright and standing on their Tail encounter whatever they meet whether Man or Beast sometimes from a Tree set upon Travellers and winding about their middle destroy them Their Gall is accounted by the Chineses good for sore Eyes In the Province of Quangsi and in many other places in India is a sort of Serpents by the Portuguese call'd Cabros de Cabello that is Serpents of Hair or Hairy Serpents in the Heads whereof a Stone is found by the Portuguese nam'd Piedro del Cobra or Serpent-Stone good against Wounds or the Bitings of the same Serpent which otherwise would destroy in twenty four Hours It is round and of a blue colour in the middle pierc'd with white being laid to the Wound it sticks fast thereon of it self but when impregnated with the Poyson it falls from it then thrown a while into Milk it returns to its natural Quality if it sticks the second time to the Wound it is a certain sign that all the Poyson is not drawn out but if it falls off then the Patient is certainly past danger This Stone hath been experienc'd with good success upon divers both Men and Beasts according to the testimony of Kircher and several others There is also a Root good against the Bitings of these Serpents which the Portuguese call Rais de Cabro that is Serpent-Root which being chew'd so long till the Patient Sneezes two or three times cures him This Vertue is not onely in the natural but also the artificial Stone made of some of the pieces of the natural Stone or of the Head Liver Teeth and Heart of the Serpent mix'd with Terra Sigillata or Seal'd Earth The Brachmans though proffer'd never so great a Sum of Money will not teach this Art to any Moreover there is another very venomous Serpent amongst the Chineses which by biting kills a Man in few Hours out of which also they draw a Medicine good against several Sicknesses after this manner The Tail and Body is put into a Kettle of the best Wine leaving onely the Head which is put through a Hole made in the Lid thereof out of which the Serpent at the boyling of the Wine which is hung over a great Fire breathes forth all the Poyson through its gaping Mouth The Flesh the Head being cut off is given to the Sick and preserv'd being as they say the onely precious thing to expel Poyson like Treacle or other soveraign Medicines The Province of Xensi is exceedingly infested with Locusts which devour all the Product of the Fields insomuch that at some times there is not one Blade of Grass to be seen notwithstanding the Inhabitants both great and small at Command of their Magistrates kill and destroy them in the Fields There are often in such thick great Swarms that by Clouding the Sun they darken the Earth but they make some amends with their Bodies for the Chineses boyl these Locusts for a Dainty Dish In the County Tegaufu of the Province of Huquang and in the County Pinglofu in the Province of Quangsi are little Worms which make white Wax after the same manner as the Bees do their Honey-Combs but the Combs of these Worms are much less and extraordinary white neither are they bred up by Hand but wild Of the Combs the Chineses make Candles as we of our Wax but they are much whiter and being very dear are onely us'd by Persons of Quality for besides their whiteness they give an excellent scent when lighted neither do they spot the Clothes they drop upon and burn also very clear and bright In several Inlets or Creeks along the Sea-shore of China and also under the Island Ainan is a Land and Sea-Monster in the Chinese Tongue call'd Hayma that is Sea-Horse for Hay signifies the Sea and May a Horse It is knownto us by the Name of Sea-Horse as it was to the Greeks by that of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is River-Horse not for its likeness to a Horse but for its bigness for the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek is apply'd to those things which are to be represented bigger than ordinary It is by the Chineses represented like a Horse with a Mayn but having on each side of the Mouth long Teeth sticking out like Horns The Head according to Boem who saw these Beasts wading in shallow places on the Coast of Cafruria opposite to Mosambique is from the Mouth to the Shoulders three Cubits long on his nethermost Jaw grow two very long and crooked Teeth and on the uppermost also two thick ones though shorter which jut upon them between lies their Tongue Their Skin is very hard insomuch that it can scarce be pierced with a Lance it hath no Hair except at the end of the Tail which shines like black Horn each Hair is about the bigness of a Straw and which bending is not easily to be broke The Caffers both Men and Women make Bracelets of the Hair which serves both for an Ornament about their Wrists and is said to prevent the Palsie Of the Teeth says Boem in India and Goa are made Garlands Images and also Crosses It hath also been found that these Teeth are great stoppers of Bleeding though experience hath taught us that the Teeth of these Horses have not always the same Vertue but certain times must be observ'd in the killing of this Beast that then his Teeth may have the fore-mention'd Power in a greater measure No place in China feeds more Silk-Worms than the Province of Chekiang for it not onely furnishes its own Inhabitants and all China with Silk-Stuffs of divers sorts but also the neighboring Countrey Iapan the Spaniards on the Philippine Isles nay India and the remotest Countreys in Europe for the Hollanders buy great store of Silk at Hocksieu in the Province of Fokien which is all brought thither out of the Province of Chekiang The Silk-Stuffs made in this Province are accounted the best in all China and are to be had at so cheap a Rate that ten Men may go clad in Silk at less Charge than one Man in Cloth in Europe They Prune their Mulberry-Trees once a year as we do our Vines and suffer them not to grow up to high Trees because through long experience they have learn'd that the Leaves of the smallest and youngest Trees make the best Silk and know thereby how to distinguish the first Spinning of the Threds from the second viz. the first is that which comes from the young Leaves that are gather'd in March with which they feed their Silk-Worms and the second