did not keepe good watch that there was a crew that ment to enter sodainlie vpon vs and to cut our throats in so much that we being but foure at that house what with our watching and what with the disease that raigneth much in that Countrey which is loosenes of the bodie we were growne to very great weaknes and two of vs neuer recouered it The 19. of Aprill 1603. there came into the Road 9. Sayle of Hollanders ouer whom was Generall Wyborne van Warwycke who shortly after sent two of them for Chyna two for the Molluckos two laded at Bantan one went to Iortan Also he dispatched a Pinnis to Acchyn to will certaine Ships that went from thence by Cap. Spylbecks directions to Zelon to win a small Fort from the Portingales to come to Bantan in the meane time he with one Ship stayed vntill their ariuall We are very much beholding to this Generall for Wine Bread and many other necessaries and curtisies receiued of him He would often tell vs how Sir Richard Luson relieued him when he was likely to perish in the Sea for the which he would say he was bound to be kind to English men where soeuer he met them and to speake the thruth there was nothing in his Shippes for the comfort of sicke men but wee might commaund it as if it had been our owne Also he in his owne person did verie much reuerence the Queenes Maiestie of England when he talked of her The 25. day of Aprill died Thomas Morgan our second Factor heere who had been sicklie a long time Also M. Starkey began to grow very weake The 28. day came in our Pinnis which was sent for Banda hauing lost one of hir Factors William Close and the rest but weake and sicklie About this time there came certaine of the Kings Officers and forbad vs to goe forward with our House the reason whereof as I do iudge was because the new Protector had not as yet receiued a Bribe and the Sabyndar and hee beeing at that time not friends he could do vs litle pleasure wherefore wee complained to Cay Tomongono Gobay the Admirall who in deed is the Father of all Strangers in that place Hee presently made a great Feast and inuited all the principall of the Court At which Feast he began to discourse of our cause telling them what a shame it was that the King and they would not keepe their words to the English Generall and Marchants and that rather then he would breake his word hee would goe dwell in a small Cottage him selfe and wee should haue his House But after much adoe hee made them graunt that wee should go forward with our House the which in short time after was finished Our principall Marchant fearing Pepper would be deare by reason of the Hollanders shipping that was there present and the rest that were to come bought vp as much Pepper as he could and because our House was not as yet readie hee disbursed his money before the Pepper was waighed and by reason the Fleminges are not curious in receiuing their Pepper when wee came to waigh ours wee were forced to receiue it as they did or elâ—e we should haue neither money nor Pepper so that wee had in that parcell much foule and bad Pepper About the fine of Aprill came in Capt. Spylbeck who was at the taking of the Shippe of S Thomy with our Generall and had an eight part with vs whereby he somewhat hindered our market Shortly after him came in Generall Hymskerk with the rich Shippe of Machane The 10. of May wee lost one more of our Companie Iames Haward Likewise M. Starkey caused the Pinnis to be new sheathed thinking she should proceed of her Voyage againe Also hee went and lay at an Iland to see if hee could recouer his health there but he grew euery day weaker and weaker wherefore it was thought best of vs all to make sale of the Pinnis to Captaine Spylbeck who was desirous of her and to retaine her men at Bantan for M. Starkey beeing not likely to liue it had been no wisedome to leaue the whole state of our busines vpon the life of one Factor and so small a crew of men as was there besides Likewise finding his time to grow neere to an end hee thought good vpon the last of May to giue ouer his authoritie and to spend the rest of his time with Generall Warwicke who also lay vpon this Iland for his recreation and albeit hee wanted nothing that either his Doctor or Surgeons could minister but nothing will preuaile when God please to call so that vpon the last of Iune hee ended his dayes whose Buriall Generall Warwicke caused to be honored with a voley of Slot and Pikes the which with the Collours were â—rayled vpon the ground according to the order of Souldiers buriall The 4. of Iuâ—e the great Market on the East side of the Riuer was by villanie of certaine Iauans who thought to get some spoyle of the Chyneses goodes set on fire In which Fier some Chyneses that were indebted to vs lost all that they were worth so that we escaped not without some losse by it The 17. of Iuly deceased Thomas Dobson one of the Factors lâ—â—t for Banda The 27 day the Towne was burnt againe on the East side of the Riuer The 5. of August at 10. a clocke at night there came to our House Capt. Spylbeck Capt. Iohn Powlson and some other Dutch Captaines who told vs they had that day bin with the Protector about some busines who asked them if they would take our parts if he should do any violence to vs To the which they answered as they sayd that we and they were neere neighbours wherefore they might not see vs wronged They sayd more that he straightly charged theâ— â—â—at whatsoeuer hee should doe vnto vs that they should not be offended nor ayde vs any way This sodaine newes caused vs much to maruell for not past 4. or 5. dayes before he sent many of his Slaues to build the vpper worke of our House for indeed because it was somewhat higher then any other Houses in the towne many of the chiefest did enuie at it so that we could get no workmen that durst do it and wee had more trouble about this then wee had when the foundation was first laide I was minded the very next day following to haue gone to the Protector and to giue him a Present also to giue him thanks for his men but hearing this newes I thought it best first to goe to Cay Tomongon Gobay the Admirall whom I knew to be our friend to certifie him what we had heard by the Hollanders desiring him as he had alwayes professed to be our Father that he would tell vs whether the Protector would do vs any violence or no. He told mee the Protector would do vs no harme without his knowledge and further he bid vs feare nothing for so long as he liued wee
bee long a paying Shortly after that they began to worke with the Protectour as I haue before rehearsed at which time they deliuered so many Ryall into his hands aa will not bee paide them againe in haste About this present time the emperour of Damacke who not many yeares before for tyranny had beene deposed by the kinges thereabouts going by sea from Bantam to an other Towne vppon that coast was by one of his owne sonnes stabbed in his bed sleeping All Nouember and the beginning of December wee were busied both in building and getting in and making cleane of pepper The fourteenth day of December came in a Dutch pinnys which tolde vs of the death of the late Queene Elizabeth and of the great plague and sicknesse that had beene ouer all all Christendome the which strooke more terrour into our mindes then all the troubles wee had passed But they could tell no newes of our shppes which caused vs much to doubt Onely they tolde vs the king of Scots was crowned and that our land was in peace which was exceeding great comfort vnto vs. Also they tolde vs of the peace which was likely to bee betwixt England and Spaine the which wee were sory for because we saw what good purchase the Hollanders got in those parts and wee alwaies hoped to haue the like when our ships should come The twentieth daye of December came in all the Dutch fleete and because wee heard of no letters for vs in the Pianys I made hast and went aboord the Dutch Admirall to bid him welcome also to inquire for letters the which wee founde in the vice Admirall The two and twentieth day of December by meanes of some of our friends Vn-ietee that was the principall that vndermined our house was discried and taken hauing beene long in the mountaines and for want of food was forced to repaire to certaine houses neere the Towne from whence he was brought to the rich Chynas house so soone as I heard of him I sent Master Towerson to the Protector to certifie him of it and withall to tell him wee would shortly execute him for since the time that this mischief happened I neuer went out of sight of our house my selfe but once vntill our shippes came in the which was when the Protector crossed vs so much that thē I was constrayned and my feare was so great that I thought all would bee burnt before I should come backe againe Likewise three times euerie weeke I vsed to search all the Chyneses howses round about vs for feare of more vndermining The same day towards euening wee discried our ships comming into the road to all our extraordinarie great ioy But when wee came aboord of our Admirall and saw their weakenesse also hearing of the weaknesse of the other three shippes it grieued vs much knowing that Bantan is not a place to recouer men that are sicke but rather to kill men that come thither in health at my first comming aboord I found out Generall Captaine Henry Middleton verie sickely and weake to whom I made relation in briefe what troubles wee had passed also I certified him that neuerthesse wee had lading readie for two shippes which was some content vnto his minde which was verie much grieued for the weakenesse of his men they had hardly fiftie sound men in their foure ships and of the sicke men a number died also those that came thither in health many neuer went out of the road The foure and twentieth day our Vice-Admirall Captaine Coulthirst came a shore with some other Merchants on which day we executed this villaine which we had lately taken but it was happy for him we had other busines to goe about otherwise he should haue died nothing so easie a death as he did After whose execution wee thought our selues reasonable well satisfyed for the trouble and miserie they had put vs too for now we had slaine the foure principall and one more was kild for stealing of a woman as I haue before written At my comming away there remained foure aliue of the which two were at Iackatra one with Mandelicko the traytor and one with Caysanapatty Lama the which we could not as them come by but I doubt not but Maister Towerson will doe his best to get them hereafter for hee and I both if wee liue this hundered years shall neuer forget the extreame horror trouble they brought vs to The same day our vice Admirall being accompanied with vs that had beene resident there before and also some other of the newe merchaunts went to the Court to certifie the king that our Generall had letters from the King of England with a present for him and more to tell him our Generall was wearie hauing beene long vpon the seas and so soone as hee was a little refreshed hee would come himself to see him and also to deliuer the letters and present The fiue twentieth day being Christmas day we dined aboord with our Generall but I should haue spoken before of a Counsell that was holden on sonday being the 23 day wherein it was thought of all that the Dragon and the Ascension were fittest to goe for the Mulluckoes for diuers reasons which needed not heere bee rehearsed and the Hector Susan to lode pepper and to be despeeded home And the same weeke after wee were busied in getting of fresh victuals hearbes fruits and flowers for the recouerie of our men which were most pittifully paide with the scuruie On sonday following being the thirtieth day of December our Generall inuited the Dutch Admirall to a feast where all the Hollanders tooke the licker so well that they were sicke on it most part of the weeke following by their owne confession and whereas they purposed to set saile on the monday for the Mulluckoes what by meanes they were ill at ease and also that the Dutch Admirall would bid our Generall againe they staied vntill the monday after so that by this meanes wee got a weekes time of them which fell out greatly to our Generals aduantage at the Mulluckoes as I haue heard by all that I haue talked within our ships Monday being the 31. day our Generall came a shore and being accompanied with all the merchants that were in health and diuers others he went to the court and deliuered the Kings letters and present the which were as followeth one faire Bason and Ewer two faire standing cups all parsell gilt one gilt spoone and sixe muskets with their furniture The which were kindly receiued a day or two after our Generall spent in visiting our chiefest friends as the Sabyndar the Admirall the rich Chynees and also gaue them presents who very thankfully receiued them Thursday being the third of Ianuarie the Dutch Admirall inuited our Generall and all his merchants to dinner where the Hollanders as it is euer their order at a feast tooke in their drinke soundly or else it were no feast with them and truely wee wanted none but it is
AN EXACT DISCOVRSE Of the Subtilties Fashishions Pollicies Religion and Ceremonies of the East Indians as well Chyneses as Iauans there abyding and dweling Together with the manner of trading with those people aswell by vs English as by the Hollanders as also what hath happened to the English Nation at Bantan in the East Indies since the 2. of February 1602. vntill the 6. of October 1605. Whereunto is added a briefe Description of Iaua Maior Written by Edmund Scott resident there and in other places neere adioyng the space of three yeeres and a halfe AT LONDON Printed by W.W. for Walter Burre 1606. To the right Worshipfull Sir William Romney Knight Alderman of London and Gouernour of the worshipfull Companie of Marchants trading to the East Indies and to the rest of the Committies RIght Worshipfull because heeretofore it hath been a vsuall custome that those which first haue been resident in other forraine Countries as Turkey Persia and Muscouie haue registred such matters as haue hapned worthy of note in their times beeing in those partes of the maine Continent Land wherefore I hauing been lately Resident for your Worship in the Iland of Iaua maior toward the East parts of the world Albeit I am no Scholler to performe it with an eloquent discourse yet fearing and withall beeing put in minde by some friendes that if I neglected it I should be condemned of slouth haue thought good to present vnto your Worshippe these few Lines the which may certifie you of the great blessings of God both in preseruing the greatest quantitie of your goods and our liues which are come home out of that rude and dangerous Region into our owne natiue Countrey Likewise your Worshippe shall vnderstand by this plaine Discourse the situation of the place and the manners and fashions of the people with some other strange accidents which for breuitie sake I did not certifie you of by my Letters sent from thence but in this small Volume you shall see from time to time how euery thing hath been ordered and performed in your businesse and other affayres All which I hope will be to your good liking considering the place and extremitie wee were in So desiring GOD to blesse and prosper all your proceedings I rest Your Worships Edmund Scott A Description of the EAST INDIES AFter our Shippes were laden and all things set in as good order as it could bee vpon the xxi day of Februarie 1602. our Generall taking his leaue of the shore departed leauing behind him to be resident in Bantan nine persons ouer whom he appoynted Maister William Starkey to be chiefe Commaunder Likewise he left thirteene more which he appoynted to goe in our Pinnis for Banda of which he appoynted for chiefe Commaunder ouer the rest Thomas Tudd Merchaunt and for Maister of the Pinnis one Tho. Keych The Generall at his departure left order that this Pinnis should be sent away with all speed wherefore hauing taken in to the quantitie of 56. Chests and Fardles of goods vpon the 6. of March at night shee set Sayle but by reason of contrary winds after she had spent neere two moneths beating vp and downe in the Seas she was forced to returne againe to Bantan Also at our Generalles departure he left vs two houses full of goods and likewise some goodes lying in the Dutch House But we weere too few in number to keepe one well amongst such a sort of beggarly slaues had not God of his great mercie preserued vs neither could our Generall spare any more at his departure It is not vnknowne to all that were there the quarrell betwixt the Iauanes and vs before the Shippes departed who sought all meanes they could to be reuenged in so much that presently after the departure of our Pinnis they began to practise the firing of our principall House with firie Darts and Arrowes in the night And not content with that in the day time if we had brought out any quantitie of Goods to ayre we should be sure to haue the towne fiered to windward not farre from vs. And if those fierie Arrowes had not by Gods prouidence been espied by some of our owne house as they were it was thought of vs all that that House and goods had been all consumed as might plainly appeare at the toppe when we came to repaire it But as the mallice of the rascall sort of people began now to appeare and continued for the space of two yeares against vs so Gods mercie began to shew it selfe vnto vs and continued to the last day as this Discourse will plainely shew hereafter His name be blessed for it So soone as we had dispatched away our Pinnis we began to lay the foundation of our House which was 72. foot long 36. foot brood but by reason there was at that time a new Protector chosen we were put to some trouble and cost before we could be permitted to goe thorrow with it Also we ayred all our pryse Goods And Maister Starkey caused the Lethers of most of the Packes to be stripped off by whose counsel it was I know not but those Goods did not keepe their cullours nothing so well as the rest as we found afterwards The 21. of March by reason of a Chyna Captaine that shot a peece the Towne was set a fire in which fire were many houses full of goods all consumed Amongst other the Dutch-house was burnt to the ground wherein we had lying 65. Fardles of goodes besides some Pepper Also we had some Pepper lying in a Chynâ—ses house which for the most part was burned and spoyled so that wee lost 190. sacks cleere besides the damage the rest receiued Our losse by this Fire was great but we may prayse God it was no more considering how neere the fire came to both our Houses how vnfitt they were at that time for such a danger especially one where the Fire came within three yards of it in so much that the Iames of the Windowes were so hot that one could hardly suffer his hand to touch them and yet the old dry thatch tooke not fire to the great admiration of all people that were there of many Nations There was gathered about this House all the Villanes in the Countrey so that all that night wee that kept that House durst take no rest for feare they would throw some fire brands vpon it In the euening some of vs standing in the doore there came Iauans whom we knew to be notorious Theeues and asked vs how many wee were that lay in that House Wee demaunded againe what they had to doe to aske and if they would know they should come at midnight see At which answere they departed verie much discontented But such is their boldnes there that in the day time they would come and looke before our faces how our Doores were hanged and what fastening they had within and many times wee were informed by some that wished vs well that if we
tuesday beeing the tenth of Aprill the Hollanders came with a guard of shot in the morning then wee leading him into the fields the people of the towne both Iauans and Chyneses hearing that there was an Englishman to be executed came flocking amaine but when they came many weare blanke and wee might heare them tell one another it was a black man wee told them he was iust of their own colour condition and that an Englishman or vvhite man would not doe such a bloody deede the executioner as I had giuen him charge did his best to rid him quickly out of his paine for belike he dreamed I should haue more worke for him shortly the which within two months after I had to my great trouble griefe and sorrow when hee lay gasping on the ground I openly told the Hollanders that that vvas the fruite of drunkennesse byd them euer after bevvare of it So soone as vvee had seene him buryed vve returned all home to our house vvhere vve dyned and after dynner the Hollanders and vvee parted exceeding great friends and the same euening the vice Admirall hauing one ship more in company set sayle for Holland the fourteenth day Thomas Tudd the companies chiefe factor left there for Banda who had beene a long time sick departed this life so that of seauen factors left there for that place and Banda wee were now but two liuing and wee had lost in all since the departure of our ships eight men beside the Mullato that was executed and wee were now ten liuing and one boy The twentieth day dyed Iaspar Gensbury who was Admirall of the two ships that was betrayed at Cuchinchyna The two twentieth of Aprill came in a great Iunke from Chyna which was thought to be cast away because shee tarryed so late for they vse to come in February and March but by reason of hir comming Cashys kept all the yeare a very cheape rate which was a great hinderance to vs in the sales of our prise goods for when Cashys were cheape and Ryalls deare wee could not vent a peece of stuffe at halfe the value wee did at our first coÌ„ming Againe the Chyneses this yeare sent all their Ryalls they could get for Chyna wherefore wee were forced to giue them credit or else wee must loose the principall time of yeare for our sales Pepper the Hollanders had left none but what was in our hands and the Sabindars who would not sell for any reasonable pryse also our goods now began to grow ould and the colors of many sorts began to fade for the warehouses in that place are so hot and misty that although men take neuer so much paynes in ayring and turning the wares yet they will spoyle any sort of cloth which shall ly long in them It is not long since I made an ende of a most pittifull Tragedy now I must begin a story of theft and fyre the which must also end as the other did onely the first for the most parte were Christians and these were Heathen dogs a long time wee liued in feare of fire but now wee felt the brunt and smart of it and if God most miraculously had not preserued vs wee had all perished both liues and goods the which came to passe by the villany of a Chynes borne but now turned Iauan who was our next neighbour and kept a victualling house and brewed Arack which is a kind of hott drink that is vsed in most of those partes of the world in steed of wine This ofspring of the diuell and heire of hell had two out houses which ioyned to our pales one the south side of our house where his guests did vse to sit and in the one hee vsed to brew but now hee beganne an other trade and became an Ingyner hauing gott eight fyrebrands of hell more to him onely of purpose to set our house a fyre These nyne deepe workers dygged a well in one of these houses from the bottome of which well they brought a myne quite vnder the foundation of our house but when they came vp to the planks of our warehouse they were at a stand before they could make this myne they were forced to dyg a very deepe well in their yard to draw away the water which did abound in this myne and because wee should mystrust nothing they planted Tobacko and many other hearbes hard by that well and would euery day be watering of them Also wee might heare them boyling of water euery day but because they were brewers and had many tubs to wash and to fill wee mistrusted nothing of that insued when they came to these plankes aforenamed they durst not cut them for we were alwaies some of vs walking ouer them both night and day after they had waited two monthes could neuer find opportunity to cut the boards they began to cast their Cerberous heads together how they should get in but the diuel deceiued them set them wrong to work for if they had continued still vntill they had come but crosse the warehouse opposite against theÌ„ they had found three thousand Ryalls of eight buried in Iars for feare of fire also that roome was not borded at all so they might haue come into the warehouse had what they sought for well one of theis wicked consortship being a goldsmith brought vp alwaies to work in fire told his fellows he would work out the plankes with fire so that we should neuer heare nor see him little did he think that we should euer come to worke with fierie hot Irons vpon him this seemed to be a rare deuice whereupon it was put in practise vpon the eight tweÌ„tieth of May about ten a clock at night they put too a candle burnt a round hole thorough the bords so soone as the fire came thorough the mats of our packs took fire which presently spread began to burne All this time we knew not of it nor could perceiue any thing by reason of the closenesse of the waâ—ehouse for all the windows were plaistred vp for feare of fire ouer head which we looked for euery mynut but for it to come that way we neuer once dreamed after the first watch was out wherein I was one my selfe the second watch felt a strong funke of fyre for it was by that time much increased but they knew not where it should be wherefore they went downe and opened the pepper house dore where came out an extraordinary heat yet they could perceiue no fire they searched in euery corner about the cooke-roome but could discerne nothing then one of them remembred a hole which a ratt had made behind a trunk that went thorough the seeling down into the cloth ware-house this hole we had twise or thrise stopped and sought meanes to kill the ratt because so soone as we had stopped it she would open it againe in the night In so much that we were forced to keepe mortar ready tempered in
end prooued nothing These men and likewise all the Pangeanes men keepe as the Lord Stanleys men did in King Richard the thirds time no man knowing which side they would take but the King and all his parte was in exceeding great feare of them and durst not trust them wherefore they sent for the King of Iackâ—tra to come with all speede and â—â—ing all the force hee could make for they were almost assured that when they should beginne with this principall Rebel that all the rest of the Pangeanes would ioyne with them All this while wee looked for nothing but for throtecutting euery night and wee counted our selues no better then dead men onely wee made account to sell our liues deare and because wee would be sure to be ready wee walked euery night with our matches light in our hatts and also had our tuchboxes and pruning â—rons for ordinance in our hands for if wee should haue pruned our peeces they would haue cloyed and so haue fayled vs when wee should haue need neither had wee powder to discharge them once in twoe or three dayes for so wee might haue wanted wee knew well that if they came it would be one the suddaine and with such a crye would haue ranne against our pales that wee should haue had no time to light a match nor yet haue heard what one another said for their noyse neither can I forget what a foolish parte the Hollanders played vs in this daungerous and fearfull time It happened one night when we set our watch one of my men put a shot in his peece discharging it vpright the shot fâ—ll downe in one of the Hollanders out houses thorough the thatch where were certain Mallays which lay at their house at Supper the Mallayes as they said but I doe not beleeue theÌ„ brought the shot to them asked them if they could not liue there secure from shot who when they saw it their principall merchant caused six of their men to come vp staires into their house and out of a window to shoote close ouer our yeard I was at that present walking alone in our yeard and verie much troubled in minde in so much that three of the shotte was passed close ouer my head before I minded them then hearing more still which came very neere mee and beeing withall moonelight I thought that some Rogues had gotten into a window and had made a marke at me wherefore I stepped behinde the corner of a house for many times walking there I haue had stones throwne at me and came with such violence that they haue splyt out peeces of boords where they lighted missing me very narrowly At this time when the Hollanders were in hand with their shotte their were certaine theeues that were breaking of a Chyneses house and beeing moonelight as I said before also the shotte comming ouer the theeues heads they thought that some body had shot at them wherefore they to goe likewise at the verie instant The owner of the house had espyed them and gotten a crew together to persue them no sooner was the last shotte ouer my head but I heard a most greeuous crye and vprore comming downe the streete towards our house As the Chyneses if a Poulcat in the night chance to come out of the woods amongst their hennes it is enough to make one hundred of them cry out as if there were one thousand men in armes against them Euery one of vs betooke vs to our weapons verely thinking that now they were comming whom hourly wee expected and were glad that they came at such a time as wee had euery thing so ready the theeues after they were a little past our pales cared not for the Chyneses but turned againe and cryed Payyon Payyon which is wee are ready if you dare whereby they brought the Chyneses to a stand right against ouâ— pales Wee thinking all this while they had beene our enemies I had much adooe to keepe our men from shooting thorough the pales which if they had they had slayne manie of the townes-men Anon after wee heard a Chynes that wee knew speake so that then I thought how the matter wente wherefore I bid one of my men shoote ouer the pales the theeues hearing that as stout as they were tooke their heeles amayne and the Chyneses after them like a sorte of hounds which when the Foxe turned againe durst not barke Now wee wondered whence this sixe shotte should come wee knew well that no Iauans could deliuer sixe shotte so orderly together but after wee vnderstood it was the Hollanders wee blamed them much for doing so in such a dangerous time although they meant vs noe hurt The twentith of October came in the King of Iackatra with a crue of one thousand fiue hundred fighting men besides straggelers and had a thousand more comming after Hee challendged the rebell and likewise all the Pangeanes to fight with him and his company onely hee had indeede a great quarrell against them all For but a little before they fought meanes to put him out of his kingdome but now the rebells kept their fortification and would not come out The six and twentith of October the King of Iackatra and the Admirall sent for vs to know if there were no meanes to fyre them a reasonable distance of out of the reach of their baces of which they had a great nomber wee told them if there had beene a shippe in the roade it might easily haue beene done but for vs to doe it wee thought wee should hardly find things wherwithall The Admirall asked me what things wee would haue I told him Camphfyer fault peeter and brimstone As for some things wee had already the Admirall said hee would helpe vs to all these and desired vs wee would helpe them also he had a long bowe and arrowes fitte for such a purpose but I thinke a Musket had beene beter Wee were minded to haue caused the Kings ordynaÌ„ce to haue beene planted and shot red hot bullyts amongst them which I thinke would haue made worke both with them and their thatched houses and fortifications made of canes the principall rebell had sought all the meanes hee could to fyre vs now wee meant verily to see if we could fire him but whether it was for feare of the King of Iackatra or hearing wee were about such a matter the Pangranes and the rebells both came to an agreement within twoe dayes after the which agreement was this that the principall rebell should within six dayes depart out of the King of Bantams dominion hauing with him onely thirty of his household the which he did For the space of tenne dayes wee looked euery houre both night and day when the Kings forces and the Pangranes would ioyne battell for they were both ready but the Iauans are very loth to fight if they can choose the reason they say is their wealth lyeth altogether in slaues so that if their slaues be kild they are beggered wherefore
should find some fauour then they confessed truely whose slaues they were and sayd the peeces were forth comming After they came ashore our Generall sent the King and the Protector word of it and desired hee might haue his peeces againe the Protector sent to the Maisters of these two slaues for them but they louing the Peeces better theÌ„ their men sayd they had no Peeces but what they had bought with their mony yet they sent to our Generall to desire him to deferre their execution for a day or two the which was granted but because the Maisters were no great good willers to the King the Protector in the Kings name sent the executioner to put them to death with a Guard of Pykes when they came to the place of execution our Generall taking pittie of them would haue giuen them their liues but the hangman sayd their liues were in the Kings hands and not in our Generals wherefore because the King had sent him he would execute them and therewithall was going to doe his office I seeing him so forward stept to him and wunge his Cryse out of his hand in the meane time Maister Towerson asked the ritch Chynes which was there with diuers other if our Generall might not pardon them if hee pleased The rich Chynes with a very frowning countenaÌ„ce answered with these words Bree anie ane orybb mackan taye appacarâ—iza bree edup The english of which words for manners sake I will omit presently after this same fatall officer dispatched what he came for which the twoo theeues very pasiently suffered as the mannor of all that Nation is when they are bound to it they do hold it the greatest glory that can be to die resolutelie without any showe of feare and surely so they do in as carelesse manner as it is possible for flesh and bloud The experience of which I haue seene by diuers both Men and Women one would thinke these men shold be good souldiers but it is not so their vallor is but when there is no remedy Against the people of those parts of the world they are resonable tall men but they dare not meddle with Christians except they haue some exceeding great aduantage of nomber or other meanes The 26. day of September by meanes of a Iauans shuting of a Peece the Towne was set on fire but by reason we had good helpe of our Marryuars who were many of them ashore at that time our house was preserued but the Dutch house being to leewards although they had neuer so much helpe could not bee saued The vpar worke of one of the principall houses which did ioyne to their great house was burnt and the out houses wherein lay Cables Hallsers pickelled porke and diuers other things whereby they sustayned great losse some that had serued fiue yeeres lost all that they had gotten in those parts it should seeme they were abord their ships when the fire hapened whereby they could not preserue their one Not long after this but the towne on our side the way was twice fiered by Iauans in the night which put vs to great trouble in carrying recarrâ—ng our things but by laboure of our Marriners and the Chyneses it was quenched The third day of October our Generall made a feast for his farewell wherunto hee inuited the Dutch-Admirall with also all the rest of hiâ— Captaines Maisters and Marchants where we were all exceeding merry and great fâ—endshippe was made betweene vs and I pray God they may still continue it which are there resident for they shal be sure to find daungers and troulbe inough besides although nothing so much as we haue done before And if we do continue trade in those parts their must be a house built fire-free whatsoeuer it cost And if we giue ouer our trade there it will purchase more infamy to our Nation in all those parts and in Chyna then euer we haue hetherto gained credit for it will be thought of them all that either pouerty is the cause or that we dare not come there for feare of the Hollanders I could aleage some other reasons but those that are best able to doe it will not bee taught by me The Hollanders haue an hope howsoeuer they came by it that we meane to giue ouer our trading of the which they are not a little proud thiÌ„king to be lords of all those parts wheÌ„ we are gone There happened quarrels between them vs whilest our Ships ridde in the rhoad which grue by the pride and disorder of the baser sort of theÌ„ who whé their drinke was in did not spare to come to our house in great troups vsing some peremtory speaches to our men likewise hurt some with their kniues wherby we were forced twice or thrice to go by the eares with theÌ„ in which frayes the Hollanders were beaten persued to their one gates many were wounded some of theÌ„ leuing their armies hauing cause to remember it so long as they shall liue The 4. day of October our Generall being accompanyed with diuers Marchants others went to the Court to take his leaue of the King and his nobles The 6. day of October being sunday about 10 a clocke our Generall withall that was bound home went aboard who going by the Dutch-house went in tooke his leaue of the Dutch-Admirall and the rest of his Marchants Also there went aboard with him Maister Gabriell Towerson who was to stay for Agent there and some other Marchants who after dinner some went a shore some staied vntill the next day About 3. a clocke we wayed anker with some ordinance bidde the towne the Dutch ships farewell About 11. or 12. a clock at night we came to an anker vnder an Iland where the next day we took in wood which our generall had sent men before hand to cut ready The 7. day towards euening we waied anker again set sail M r. TowersoÌ„ some other of the MarchaÌ„ts theÌ„ took their leaue to go ashore whoÌ„ we coÌ„mitted to the protectioÌ„ of the almighty and ourselues to the curtisy of the Sea desiring God to blesse both theÌ„ vs if it be his will to send vs a happy meeting in England THE DESCRIPTION of Iaua Maior with the manners and fashions of the people both Iauans and Chineses which doe there inhabite IAua Maior is an Island which lyeth in 140 degrees of longitude from the middle part of it and in 9 degrees of latitude being also about 146 leagues long East and West and some 90 broade South and North the middle part of which Land is for the most part all Mountaines the which are not so steepe but that people doe trauaile to the toppe of them both on horsebacke and on foot some Inhabitants dwell vppon those Hils which stand next to the Sea but in the verie middle of the Land â—o farre as euer I could learne there is no Inhabitants but there are wild beasts of diuers sorts wherof
some doe repaire neere the Valleys adioyning to the Sea and deuoure many people Towards the Sea for the most part is lowe moorish ground wherein stand their principall Townes of Trade the chiefest whereof lye on the North and North-east side of the Island as Chiriâ—gin Bantan Iackatra and Iortan or Greesey The which lowe ground is verie vnholesome and breedeth many diseases especially vnto strangers which come thether and yeeld no marchandise worthy trading for or speaking of but Pepper the which hath been brought in times past from all places of the Land to Bantan as the chiefe Mart towne of that Countrey The which â—owne for Trade doth farre exceede Achin or any towne or Citie thereabouts and Pepper was wont to be brought thether from diuers other Countreys which of late yeeres is not by reason that the Dutch-men trade to euery place to buy it vp This Towne of Bantan is about 3 miles in length also very populous there are three great markets kept in it euery day one in the fore-noone and two in the after-noone that especially which is kept in the fore-noone doth so abound with people that they thronge together as in many Faires in England Yet I neuer saw any kinde of Cattell to sell by reason that there are veâ—ie few tame in the Countrey Their foode is altogether Rise with some Hens and some fish but in no great aboundance The Iauans houses are altogether built of great Canes and some few small Timbers being sleight buildings In many of the principall mens houses is good workemanship shewed as Caruings c. and some of the chiefest haue a square brick rowme being built in no better forme than a Bricke-kill which is onely to put in all their houshold stuffe when fier commeth but they seldome or neuer lodge nor eat in them There are many small Riuers running thorough the Towne Also there is a good Rhode for Ships whereby if they were people of any reasonable capacitie it would be made a verie goodly Citie also it is walled round with a bricke wall being verie warlike built with Flankers and Turrets scowring euerie way I haue been told by some that it was first built by the Chineses and by others that it was first built by the Portingales wherefore I cannot say certainely by which of them it was first built but it is most likelye by the Chineses by reason of the oldnesse of it for in many places it is fallen to decay for want of repayring At the verie west end of this Towne is the China towne a narrow Riuer parting them which runneth crosse the end of the China towne vp to the Kings Court and so thorough the middle of the great towne and doth ebbe and flowe so that at a high water both Galleys and Iunckes of great burthen may goe vp to the middle of the great towne This China towne is for the most part built of bricke euerie house square and flat ouer-head hauing bordes and smale timbers or split Canes layd ouer crosse on which is layd bricks and sand to defend them from fire Ouer these bricke Ware-houses is set a shed being built vp with great Canes and thatched and some are built vp with small timbers but the greatest number with Canes onely Of late yeares since wee came thether many men of wealth haue built their houses to the top all fire-free of the which sort of houses at our first comming there was no more but the Sabindars house and the rich China Marchants house which neuerthelesse by meanes of their windowes and sheds round about them haue been consumed with fire In this towne stand the English Dutch houses which are built in the same manner onely they are verie much bigger and higher than the ordinarie houses and the Dutch-men of late though with great cost and trouble haue built one of their houses vp to the top all of bricke fire-free as they suppose The King of this place is absolute and since the deposing and death of the late Emperour of Damacke is held the principall King of that Island He vseth alway marshall law vppon any offender whome hee is disposed to punish More if any priuate mans wife or wiues bee taken with dishonestie so that they haue good proofe of it they haue power in their owne hands to cause them presently to be put to death both man and woman And for their slaues they may execute them for any small fault If the King send for any subiect or stanger dwelling or being in his Dominions if he send a man the partie may refuse to come but if once he send a woman hee may not refuse nor make no excuse Moreouer if any inferiour bodie haue a suit to a man of authoritie if they come not themselues they alwayes send a woman neither doe they euer come or send but they present the party they sue too with some present be their suite neuer so small To euerie wife that a Iauan being a free man marrieth he must keep 10 women slaues which they as ordinarie vse as their wiues and some of them keepe for euery wife 40 slaues for so they keepe 10 they may haue as many more as they will but they may haue but 3 wiues onely The Iauans are generally exceeding proud although extreame poore by reason that not one amongst a hundreth of them will worke the Gentlemen of this Land are brought to be poore by the number of slaues that they keepe which eat faster than their Pepper or Rise groweth The Chineses do both plant dresse and gather the Pepper and also sowe their Rise liuing as slaues vnder them but they sucke away all the wealth of the Land by reason that the Iauans are so idle and a Iauan is so proude that he will not endure one to sit an inch higher in height aboue him if hee bee but of the like calling they are a people that do very much thirst after blood If any Iauan haue committed a fact worthy of death and that he be pursued by any whereby he thinketh hee shall die he will presently draw his weapon and cry Amucke which is as much to say I am resolued not sparing to murther either man woman or childe which they can possibly come at he that killeth most dieth with greatest honor credit They will seldom fight face to face one with another or with any other Nation but do altogether seek reuenge of their enemie cowardly albeit they are for the most part men of a goodlie stature Their law for Murther is to pay a Fine to the King and that but a small summe but euermore the friends of the partie murthered will be reuenged on the Murtherer or his kindred so that the more they kill one an other the more Fines or profite hath their King Their ordinarie Weapon which they weare is called a Crise it is about two foote in length the Blade beeing waued and crooked too and fro indenture like and withall exceeding sharpe