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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64809	The history of the Sevarites or Sevarambi, a nation inhabiting part of the third continent commonly called Terræ australes incognitæ with an account of their admirable government, religion, customs, and language / written by one Captain Siden, a worthy person, who, together with many others, was cast upon those coasts, and lived many years in that country.; Histoire des Sevarambes. English	Allais, Denis Vairasse d', ca. 1630-1672.; Roberts, A., 17th cent.	1675 (1675)	Wing V20; ESTC R13659	118,902	302

Van de Nuits Over-seer General of all the Goods and Provisions we had or should hereafter have Swart Captain of the Artillery Arms and Ammunitions of War Maurice an expert and active Seaman Admiral of our Fleet which was to consist of a Long-boat a little Boat and another Pinnace we were a making out of the pieces of our broken Ship Morton an English man who had been a Serjeant in the Low Countries I made Captain of the Eldest Company De Haes a sober and vigilant fellow was made second Captain one Van Sluis third Captain one de Bosch fourth Captain and one Brown Major General I gave all these men leave to chuse their inferiour Officers with my approbation which they did accordingly I had two Servants with me the one called Devese who had been my Serjeant in Catalonia a stout and understanding fellow sober and trusty who had served me ever since I left the Wars and followed my fortune every where him I made my Lieutenant General and the other named Tursi my Secretary Our Officers being all chosen we numbred our People and found we were three hundred and seven Men three Boys and seventy four Women all in good health for although there were many of them sick when they first landed they were all well again in less than a Weeks time which was no small argument of the healthiness of the Country I distributed all these into four parts and gave Maurice six and twenty of the best Seamen and the three Boys to man his Navy Swart had thirty for his Artillery I disposed two hundred men into four Companies and Van de Nuits had all the rest to attend him and take Orders of him in the Camp or out of the Camp We had two Trumpetters which used to say Prayers in the Ship besides their Office of Trumpetting I took one of them and gave Van de Nuits the other and they both were confirmed in both their imployments after the Dutch fashion All our Affairs being so ordered and setled in the Evening I called our Superiour Officers together and told them that before our Provisions were all spent we should go about by Sea and Land to discover the Country and endeavour to get some fresh Provision as likewise to discover some fitter place for a Camp than that we were in where in a short time all things would grow scarce and where we had not so much as good water That my opinion was we should send several Parties of men well Armed to make new discoveries and go farther into the Country than we had gone yet They readily assented to my Proposals and told me they were ready to obey my Orders Whereupon I commanded Maurice to man his two Boats and to send them all along the Coasts as far as they could conveniently go the one on the right side of the Camp and the other on the left I ordered Morton to take twenty men out of his Company and to go all along the shore on the left hand De Haes was commanded to take thirty out of his and to go through the middle of the Country and I my self drew forty men out of the two other Companies and left my Lieutenant to command in the Camp in my absence We all took three days Provision and good store of Powder and Bullets with Swords and half Pikes and I commanded all my men to be ready early in the Morning and to wait for further Orders which they did accordingly The next day which was the twentieth since the first day of our Landing and from which we shall hereafter reckon as our principal Epoche all my men were ready by break of day and came to receive my Commands which were the same I had given the night before with this Addition only That if they should meet with any thing considerable they should presently send advice thereof to the Camp I likewise gave Orders to Morton to keep with the Boat as near as he could and to come every night to the shore to joyn with the Boats-Crew before Sun setting I my self intending to keep the same Method with Maurice As soon as these Orders were given we went our several ways all full of hopes and alacrity I marched my men in Rank and File and I divided them into three Parties the first that had the Van was composed of six Musketteers and a Corporal the second of twelve and a Serjeant I my self brought up the Rear We marched within Musket shot distance one from another in that manner as near the shore as we could that we might be within sight of our Boat The Sea was very calm and the Weather very still though something hot At noon the Boat came to us at a place where we stood near the shore and there we took some rest and refreshment for the space of two hours All the Country we came upon for ten or twelve Miles was much like to that about our Camp and we did not so much as find a Brook or a Spring in all our way all being dry Sands and nothing growing upon them but Bushes and Thorns After we had taken some rest we marched five Miles beyond the place where we had halted and there the ground began to grow more unequal and to rise here and there into small Hills Two Miles farther we found a Brook of sweet water which gave us no small occasion of joy chiefly when we saw that a little farther up in the Country there was some small plots of green Trees upon the Banks of the Brook there we halted again and made Signs to our Boat to come to us which they did immediately coming into the Brook with the Tide and finding it was a very good Harbour for such a Vessel as theirs they rowed up a Mile into the Land till they came to a plot of green trees where we pitched our Camp for that night Maurice brought us some Fish he had taken in the Sea and some Oysters and other Shell fish We strook fire went to Supper an hour before night and then to sleep keeping a good Guard about us and hiding our fire with green Boughs we fixed in the ground round about it lest it should be seen at a distance The next day early in the morning I sent three of my men back again to the Camp to give them notice of the Brook and the Trees we had found and to tell them we intended to proceed farther But before we removed from that place I sent five men up the Brook to discover more of the Country They came back two hours after and told us that the Country above was a little more Hilly than below but dry and barren and like that which lay towards our Camp Our Boat fell down towards the Sea after these men were come with this account and had carried us over the Brook which was deep and not fordable unless we went two or three Miles higher When we had got over we marched on along

inner part of it to be like Cloysters vvith large Galleries on all sides and a large Green in the middle From thence vve vvere brought into a great Hall vvhere stood several Tables and Seats There the grave men in black stood round me and asked me several questions much like unto those Carshidà had asked me at the first to vvhich I ansvvered in the same manner A vvhile after they carried us to another Hall next unto that vvhere vve found several Tables full of meat much after our European fashion Then Sermodas for that is the name of the grave man vvho is novv in the Generals Hut asked me vvhether vve had any stomach to our Supper To vvhom I made ansvver That it vvas so long since we had seen such a Supper that I did not think any of us vvould vvant a stomach to eat it He smiled and taking me by the hand brought me to the chiefest Table and made me sit next to him then all the other grave men sate vvith us and Carshidà with Benoscar took all my men to another Table We had a very noble Supper after vvhich we were carried up into a great Room where we saw several Beds upon Iron Bedsteads There my men were ordered to lye two and two and I was carried to a Room by my self where Sermodas and his company wished me good night and so went away A while after Carshidà came in and told me that I and my men must prepare to appear the next day before Albicormas Governour of Sporundè and said he would give us directions how to behave our selves and so he bid me good night The next day about six of the clock in the morning we heard a great Bell ring and an hour after Carshidà and Benoscar came into my Chamber and asked me how I had taken my rest and if I wanted any thing I would have risen presently but he told me I must not till such time as I had new Cloaths to put on which would be brought immediately Upon that Benoscar went out and came a while after with some attendance who brought new Cloaths both Linnen and Woollen made after the manner of the Country Then came in others with a Tub which they filled with warm water and then Carshidà told me it was to wash my body in before I put on my new Cloaths and so went out with all the Company leaving only a Servant to wait upon me According to his directions I vvashed and then put on a fine Cotten Shirt and Dravvers vvith Stockings of the same I had also a nevv black Hat nevv Shooes a Govvn of several colours and a black Shash to put about my middle As soon as I vvas ready the Servant taking my old Cloaths vvith him vvent out and then came in again Carshidà and his company vvho told me that I and all my men vvere to attend Albicormas and his Council and gave me directions hovv to behave my self We vvent dovvn into the Yard vvhere I found all my men in nevv Apparel much like unto mine but not altogether so good and vvearing Caps on their heads instead of Hats Benoscar vvas vvith them and vvas giving them directions hovv to behave themselves before the Council We stood there a vvhile looking one upon another till Sermodas and his company came in He very kindly asked us all hovv vve did and then directing his speech to me he asked me vvhether I vvas ready to vvait upon the Council I ansvvered vve vvere all ready to obey his Commands vvhich said he took me by the hand and made me march on his left side into the Street Carshidà put himself at the head of my men vvhich vvere disposed tvvo and tvvo and marched in Rank and File like Souldiers Benoscar bringing up the Rear In that order vve marched through some Streets till we came to a great place in the middle of the City and in the Center of this place stood a large and magnificent Palace of a square Figure and built with white Freestone and black Marble all so clean and so well polished that we thought it was new though we heard afterwards it had been built a good while In the middle stood a great and stately Gate adorned with several brazen Statues and on each side thereof two long Files of Musquetteers all in blew Gowns We marched through them into the first Court where we found another Lane of men in red Gowns with Halberts in their hands As soon as we were come in we heard a great sound of many Trumpets and several other Instruments of War very sweet and pleasant which sounded all the time we stood in that Yard for a quarter of an hour From thence we proceeded into the next Court all built with well polished black Marble with Nitches round about and delicate Statues in them In the middle of the Yard stood about a hundred men in black most of them of riper years than those we had seen in the other Courts We stood a little in that place till two grave men such as stood in the Court with only this difference that they wore a piece of Gold coloured Silk hanging loose upon their left shoulder came down and bid Sermodas bring us all up We went up in the same order as we came upon a stately Stair-case gilt and painted very richly to a great Hall gilt and painted in the same manner and there we stood a while From that they brought us into another Hall richer than the first and then into a third far beyond either of them At the end of this Hall we saw a pretty high Throne and a little lower long Seats on each side of it Upon the Throne sate a grave Majestick Personage and upon the other Seats several venerable men on his right and left He that sate uppermost in the midst of them wore a Purple Gown and the others were habited like the two men who led us into the place who were Members of the Council We were told that he in the Purple Gown was Albicormas and the others the chiefest Officers of the City who together with him govern the whole Country of Sporumbè At our first coming into the Hall we made an inclination of our bodies then being come to the middle of it we bowed a little more but when we came to a Balister or Rail near to the Throne we bowed down to the very ground according to the directions given us before Then stood up all the Counsellors and made a small inclination of their bodies but Albicormas nodded only with his head Then did Sermodas take me by the hand and brought me as near the Rail as we could go and bowing down very profoundly spake to Albicormas and gave him partly an account of us in his own Language as we imagined and as we were told afterwards Methoughts their Speech sounded much like the Greek or Latine as I have sometimes heard it spoken in Holland and ran very smooth and

thoughts of fear aside dreaded nothing so much as hunger and the injuries we might receive from the weather which we were not yet acquainted with for it had proved very temperate since our Landing upon that Coast where we had been fourteen days before our Pinnace could be perfected But about the seventeenth day she was ready to put to Sea with Provision for Eight men for six weeks time which was as much as ever we could spare Now there arose great strife amongst the Seamen about the sending of the Pinnace to Battavia for few would venture on that Voyage yet it was necessary that some should go Whereupon it was agreed that a number of the best Seamen should be taken out of the whole Crue and that they should cast Lots among themselves to determine the difference which was done accordingly The Lot fell upon the Master himself upon a Seaman called Prince and six more whose names I have forgotten They seeing it was the will of Fortune that they should go submitted to it joyfully and after having agreed upon a Signal we should give them to find us out if ever they should come again with relief and taking their leave of the Company they went aboard the Pinnace and with a good Land Gale sailed to the Eastward till they were out of our sight We made publick Prayers for their prosperity with many sighs and tears trusting in Gods goodness and mercy The same day we advised among our selves what kind of Government we should keep as most convenient for our present Condition for some of our Officers being gone in the Pinnace our Sea Discipline was somewhat altered neither did we judge it proper for the Land upon better consideration The business was debated Pro and Con but after some contestation it was agreed that we should live in a Military Discipline under a Captain General And other inferiour Officers which together should compose a Soveraign Council of War with Authority to direct and order every thing absolutely Now the question was whom we should chuse of all the Company All were inclined to defer that honour to Van de Nuits my Friend as being the Person of most eminent quality among them and who had the greatest concern in the Ship but he modestly excused himself alledging that he was young and unexperienced in Military Affairs and therefore not fit for such Command and that it was necessary in such an occasion to make choice of a Person of riper years and greater experience in that kind than himself was who never was a Souldier Then observing some trouble and irresolutions in their faces he went on in this manner Gentlemen I give you many thanks for the esteem and good will you shew towards me and wish heartily I were worthy of it and capable of this Command But since I cannot be your General my self give me leave to recommend one to you who is very fit for that Imployment having been a Commander in Europe in two several Armies and a great Traveller in most parts of the Christian World You know his Person and I dare say you do all love and esteem of him as I do although he is not so well known to you as he is to me who have had long experience of his probity and good Conduct Then poynting to me he said The Person I mean is Captain Siden to whose Command and Authority I will readily submit if you please to chuse him for our General This unexpected Speech and the looks of the Company who all turned their eyes upon me put me somewhat out of Countenance but being soon come to my self I answered That his recommendation proceeded more out of affection and love than out of any knowledge of either merit or good Conduct in me that I was a Foreigner among them and born in a Country far from Holland and that I thought there were many in the Company far more capable of that Command than I was and therefore desired to be excused chusing rather to obey my betters than to use any Authority over them I had no sooner ended my Speech but one Swart a stout and active fellow who never went out of my company in all the discoveries we had made in the Country took me up somewhat briskly and said Sir All these excuses will not serve your turn and if Mr. Van de Nuits counsel and mine be taken you shall be our General whether you will or no for besides what he hath worthily spoken of you all the Company and I particularly know that since we were cast upon this Land you have shewed your self most active and industrious for the common good and preservation of all and are therefore most fit to command us We are Seamen and Traders altogether ignorant of Military Discipline which you alone can teach us here since there is no body among us that understands it and who is so well qualified as your self upon which consideration I declare that you are the only sit person to command us and that I will submit to no mans command but yours This blunt Fellows Speech which he pronounced with a strong and loud voice did so affect the minds of the Company already disposed by Van de Nuits recommendation that all with one voice cried out Captain Siden must be our General When I saw I could not avoid the taking of this Command I made sign for silence and spake to them in this manner Gentlemen Since you force me to accept of this Command I accept it with thanks to you all and do heartily wish your choice may prove to your advantage and satisfaction But that all things may be done in good order and carried on vigorously I beg a few things of you which if you please to grant me I will do my best endeavour to preserve you from all danger and to keep you in that Civil Discipline and Society which may best conduce to the Publick Good The first thing I beg That every man here will take an Oath to obey mine and the Councils Authority without any repugnancy upon pain of such punishments as we shall think fit to inflict upon them The second is That I may have the priviledge of chusing the Principal Officers to be elected and they to bear such Commands and Offices as I shall bestow upon them for the time In the third place I beg That in Council my single Vote may pass for three Votes Lastly That I or my Deputy may have a Negative Voice in all Publick deliberations All these Priviledges and Prerogatives were presently granted me and I was saluted by all the Multitude in the quality of their General and had a Tent larger than ordinary set up in the middle of the Camp for the first Badge of my Authority I lay in it that night with Van de Nuits and had his advice in several things which were afterwards put in execution The next day we called all our People together and in their presence I made

stone To this place we were conducted by Sermodas and the Ten Grandees and led to the foot of the Throne where we were taught to do our Obeisance upon our knees The King had a rich Crown upon his Head and a Scepter in his right Hand and sate in a great deal of Majesty and Glory Sermodas advised me to speak to the King as soon as we had paid him that respect which was due to his Person and place Therefore I stood up and addressed my self to him in this manner in the French Tongue which he understood well Most glorious and mighty Prince you see before you poor Strangers cast upon your Coasts by a storm which I know not how to name happy or unhappy for since our Arrival in your Land we have met with so many civilities and expressions of kindness from your loving People that we have already received a compensation for the loss of our Ships and Goods We are come here to adore your Majesty in obedience to your Commands and to receive from you those Orders which we shall punctually follow We doubt not but according to your wonderful clemency your Majesty will look with compassion upon such objects of pity as Providence hath made us and to raise us up from our hard and low Fortune As all things that we have hitherto met with in your noble Kingdom are beyond all belief and credit we are perswaded that the King of so glorious a Land must needs have Vertues as extraordinary and Divine We humbly submit our selves therefore to your Majesties Wisdom and Mercy and that when we shall have performed what your Majesty shall think fit to require from us you would out of your compassion and goodness suffer us to depart into our own Countries that we may spread abroad all over the World the Riches the Excellency and Wealth of this earthly Paradise and the noble Vertues of your most Glorious Majesty and publish your Fame where-ever the Sun appears with his beams of Light Sevarminas seemed to like our persons and our Speech to which he returned this Answer That he had sent for us not to offer any injury to our persons That he who was a Lover of Justice amongst his own Subjects could not do injustice to Strangers That the Sevarites in general were of a civil behaviour and inclinable to pity the miseries of other men but that he had given strict Orders to have a care of our persons and furnishes with all that we should want He told us That not only the curiosity of seeing us who were come out of remote Nations famous for their industry and wit had caused him to send for us to discourse with us and understand our Customs and Manners but also to discover to us his Kingdom and the Riches of it that we might report it in our own Lands and incourage some to venture to trade with his People That for that purpose he would appoint a place or an Island in the Pacifick Sea where all the Commodities and Riches of the Sevarambi should be transported because the ancient Laws as well as the good and preservation of his Kingdoms Peace Vertues and Innocency suffered him not to admit all manner of Strangers into his Borders That he had received a good report of us which inclined him the more to send for us and that he hoped that our conversation and behaviour would be answerable to his expectation and the kindness that he would shew After this he inquired of our Country how long we had been from it who commanded in Chief what Commodities we had of any request what Arts and Sciences of any use to the life of man To all these particulars and many others I gave him full satisfaction So that as a gratification he sent for a Box of Jewels which he bestowed upon us together with Collars of Gold and Ambergriese which he wished us to wear whiles we should remain in that Country After we had continued with him about an hour he rose up from his Throne and commanded Zidi Parabas the Master of his Ceremonies to lead us to Lodgings provided for us in his own Palace and Zidi Marlorat his Chancellor and chief Minister to discourse with us about a Trade and the means to open it with us During our abode in those parts we had several meetings with him and assured him that the Dutch Nation would be overjoy'd to meet with so civil a People so sociable and amiable and that they would quickly embrace the first motion of a Trade with them We extolled our home-Commodities and shewed what advantage they would reap by a conversation with us but the Chancellor told me That such as I was should have liberty to enter into their Borders but Russians and Rascals of an ill life could not be admitted by the Laws of their Land Yet they should have leave to trade in Sporumbe and in the Islands which Sevarminds would appoint for that purpose but that none of the Sevarites should go thither unless it be such banished men as are sent away for their misdemeanours I replied to him That if he would keep away from thence such as are banished out of Sevarambè for their Knavery we would trade with all the rest for we and all our Country-men had rather deal with honest men than with Knaves At last it was concluded to prevent the inconveniencies on both sides That all the Dutch should land amongst the Sporvi and in an Island that is at the mouth of the great River Rocara in the Pacifick Sea about an hundred and thirty Lagues from the Streights of Magellan This Island is peopled with a generation of men descended from the Sevarites and banished out of the Country for their inordinate love of women and men There are three good Towns belonging to it and a capacious Harbor for Ships of the greatest burden I acquainted the Chancellor with our Art of Navigation with many other knowledges which the Europeans use with great profit and advantage to their Kingdoms He seemed to be well satisfied and mightily pleased with the account I had given him Whiles Sevarminas was gone to hunt and sport himself Sermodas and Zidi Parabas led us round about the Galleries and Walks shewing us the rare Fish-ponds the stately Orchards the riches and beauty of the Buildings and all things round about which caused us to wonder and stand many times in a maze The Art of Painting is here also and the Sevarites excel in that skill Therefore the Galleries and generally all the Palace of Sevarminas was adorned with many lively Representations Maurice who was an excellent Painter admired some Pictures and told us that he thought they could not be made but by a Divine hand The Sevarites are excellent in Geometry and Astrology They have differing names for all the Stars that appear in their Hemisphere and understand perfectly well all their Motions and Vertues As soon as we returned from our pleasant Walk we