A relation of the late embassy of Monsr. de Chaumont, Knt. to the court of the King of Siam with an account of the government, state, manners, religion and commerce of that kingdom. — Relation de l'ambassade de M. le chevalier de Chaumont à la Cour du roi de Siam. English

A relation of the late embassy of Monsr. de Chaumont, Knt. to the court of the King of Siam with an account of the government, state, manners, religion and commerce of that kingdom. — Relation de l'ambassade de M. le chevalier de Chaumont à la Cour du roi de Siam. English

Table of contents

Title page

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Of the Government, State, Manners, Religion and Commerce of the Kingdom of Siam, in the neighbouring Countries, and several other particularities.

Departure from the Road of Siam.

A Journal of the Way I made from Siam to the Cape of Good Hope.

Departure from Bantam to the Cape of Good Hope, 12 March, 1686.

A Memorandum of the King of Siam's Presents to the King of France.

[Page] A RELATION OF THE EMBASSY OF Monr. De Chaumont, Knt. TO THE COURT OF THE KING of SIAM.

With an Account of whatever past that was remarkable in his Voyage.

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A RELATI [...] Of the La [...] EMBASSY OF Monsr. De Chaumont, Knt.

TO THE COURT OF THE KING of SIAM.

With an Account of the Government, State, Manners, Religion and Commerce of that Kingdom.

LONDON, Printed for Henry Mortlock, at the Phoenix in S. Paul's Church-Yard. 1687.

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I Parted from Brest the third of March, 1685. on the King's Ship, called the Hawk, accompanied by one of His Majesties Frigats, named the Maline, and that with so favourable a [Page] Wind, that in seven days we arrived at the Madera Islands; we thus happily past on till we came to four or five degrees northward of the Equinoctial line. When we were overtaken by a calm, and suffered extreme heats, but which yet did not much incommode us; the wind began again to blow, and we past the line three hundred and fifty degrees five minutes of longitude, thirty days after our setting out. We found the water here to be as fresh and good, as if it had sprang from some pleasant fountain, which made us neglect to use that in our Jarrs. At five degrees southward of the line we found the Winds very inconstant, but the heats not troublesom, and I left not off my winter garments in all this passage. The Winds, though variable, yet carried us our course, so that we arrived at the Cape of Good Hope the 31st of May, to take in fresh water, and other Provisions, although my old store was not exhausted. We cast anchor late at night, and found in this road four Dutch Vessels, that came from Holland, and had on Board a Commissioner, [Page] who was to order affairs in behalf of the East-India Company. Monsieur St. Martin Major General, a French man, who has been in the Dutch service this thirty years, was also in one of these Vessels, intending for Batavia, where his Employment lay. The Commissioner General sent to complement me the first day of my arrival; and the next morning his Nephew and Secretary, came to offer me whatsoever [...] might want. The Inhabitants of the Countrey brought presents of Fruits and Cattle; and the Dutch Vessels sa [...]uted our Ships after the accustomed manner.

The Dutch have here a small Fort, and near an hundred Houses about a Musquet shot off it, which are well built, and in good order. The situation of this place is very pleasant, although bounded by a great Mountain, inhabited by an infinite number of Monkies, which oft come down into their Gardens, and spoil the Fruit. There are also several Summer-houses, two three and four leagues off in the countrey; and beyond this vast Mountain [Page] there is plain near ten Leagues long, where are several Houses well inhabited, and which are every day increasing. The Climate is mild enough▪ their Spring beginning in October, and ending in December, their Summer last [...] January▪ February and March, their Autumn is in April, May, June, and their Winter in July, August, September; the heats would be very great [...] were they not moderated by gentle Gales. The Dutch East-India Company have here a most pleasant Garden [...] whose great Walk is fourteen hundred paces long, it is planted every where thick with Citron Trees: This Garden is ordered into Apartments; in one of them you may see Fruit-trees, and the rarest Plants of Asia, in the other the most exquisite of Africa, in the third such as are choicest in Europe▪ and in the fourth such Fruits and Plant [...] as grow in America. This Garden is very well kept, and of good use to the Dutch, by a great quantity of Herb [...] and Roots which it supplies them with for the Refreshment of their Fleets, when they come here to pass to the [Page] Indies, or returning to their own Countrey.

I found there a French Gardiner; who had heretofore learnt his Trade at the Gardens of Monsieur at St. Cloud. The Soil is very good, and yields good store of grain. A person, worthy credit, has assured me he saw an hundred and sixty Ears of Corn on one stalk. The Inhabitants of the Countrey have fair Countenances, but herein deceitfull, for they are mere bruits; they go naked, excepting that part which they cover with a nasty Skin of a beast. They till not the Ground, yet abound with Cattel, such as [...]ows, Hogs and Sheep. They scarce eat any of these, their chiefest dyet being Milk and Butter, which, for cleanliness sake, they make in Sheep Skins. They have a root which hath the taste of the Kernel of one of our small Nuts, which serves them for bread. They are indifferently skilled in Simples, which they can use in the Cure of Wounds, and other Distempers. The greatest Lords amongst them, are they that have most Cattle, which they [Page] watch and keep themselves. They of [...] have wars with each other about their pastures. Are greatly annoyed with wild Beasts, there being more than a few Lions, Leopards, Tygers, Wolves▪ wild Dogs, Elephants, and other savage Creatures. All their Arms are a kind of poisoned Lance, to strike these Beasts with. They have a kind of Toyls wherewith they enclose their Cattel at night: They trouble not themselves much about Religion, yet observe some slight Ceremonies to the Full-moon, which do not signifie much. Their Language seems difficult to be understood. They have much game, as Pheasants, Partridges, three or four sorts, Peacocks, Hares, Coneys, and Deer in such abundance, that sometimes a Man shall see near twenty thousand together in a plain. We ate some of these before mentioned, and found them admirable good. The Sheep are here very large, of fourscore pound weight commonly. Here are great quantity of Cows and Oxen. The Sea in this Bay is full of Fish, which are of good relish, some of them having the [Page] taste of Salmon. This place abounds with Sea-wolves, and when in our Shallop we perceived an infinite number came tumbling by us, of which we could not kill one. Several wild Horses scamper along the plains, which, if I mistake not, are inferiour to none in other parts, both in strength, and beautifull colours and shapes; I brought along with me one of their Skins; they are hard to be mastered. This being such a good Countrey, the Hollanders send continually fresh people to it, who make every season considerable discoveries. Some say they have found out Gold and Silver Mines; of which 'tis not to be expected they should say much themselves. The water is here very good, proceeding from several Springs, near Rivers which abound, as I already noted, with Fish.

We parted from this Road the seventh of June, with so favourable a North Wind, and North North West, that we soon got into the open Sea, and that night steered to Bantam: we endured vehement Rains, and met with great Seas, till we reached the Isles of [Page] Madegascar, which was on the seventeenth of June. On these Seas you perceive great quantity of Birds, but find therein no Fish. Till July we encountred with boisterous Seas, and met with variable Winds, which forced us forty degrees southward, where we found a Western Wind, with which we made great way. The twenty fourth the Maline Frigat was separated from us by bad weather, being driven to the North. The third of August we found the Sea less troublesome, and the weather more favourable, and at break of day discovered an Island seven or eight leagues before us, which surprised us, it not being described in our Chart; It is situated ten degrees nineteen minutes of latitude Southward. This Isle lies convenient for the finding of the Isle of Java, which cannot be distant from it above an hundred and fifty Leagues, and since we understood 'tis called the Isle of Money, being ill set down in our Maps, which place it near that of Java. This Isle lies very high; we coasted yet two days with a good gale, and on the fifth about eight in the morning, [Page] we discovered the Isle of Java which gave us much more Joy, and the seventh following we found our selves between the Princes Isle, and that of the Emperour, which make the entrance of the Straits. The Isle of the Emperour lies on the side of Sumatra, and the Isle of the Prince on the side of Java. We lay four days between these Islands, the Winds and Streams opposing us in so violent a manner, that what we gained in twelve hours, we lost in four, by means of calms, which often happened. Before we entred this Strait, the Frigat which lost us on the twenty fourth of June, came up to our Ship side this day, before we knew who she was. The thirteenth we left these Islands behind us, and cast Anchor within a League of Java. There came on board us several persons in little Boats, who brought us the Countrey Fruits, such as Coco's, the water which is contained in them being excellent drink, as also Melons, Citrons, and several otherlike Presents, which much refresht our Men, tired with the fatigues [Page] of the Sea, and over-run with the Scurvy.

On the sixteenth in the morning we came to Bantam, where I found the Maline Frigat, which tarried For me two days: The Captain of it came and told me, that the Governour of the place would not give him entrance, but onely presented him with some Fowl and Fruits: whereupon I sent Mr. De Forbin, my Lieutenant, to compliment this Governour from me, and entreat him to grant me leave to land my sick Men, to take in fresh water, and other necessaries. He returned answer, he was not the Master of Bantam, and that there was a King of the place, who would not admit any stranger to his Countrey. The Hollanders make use of this King's Name, being unwilling that strange Vessels should come amongst them, especially the Europeans. Since they have settled there, they have driven all other Nations out. 'Tis a great Town, and well peopled by the Natives, before the Hollanders became Masters of it, 'twas the chiefest place of the Indies for Commerce, people [Page] came there from Europe, Persia, China, Japon, the Great Mogol's Countrey, and divers other parts, but now the Hollanders have got all into their Hands, which is of vast advantage to them; for this place may be compared to what heretofore was Cales in Spain. As soon as I received the Governour's Answer, who yet told me, that if I would go to Batavia, I should find there a kind reception, I therefore weighed Anchor, and set sail for that place, to which there's but fifteen Leagues. I was three days before I arrived there; for having no Pilot that was acquainted with those parts, I fell on several Islands, which caused me to cast Anchor every night, and in the day time to move with small sail, sounding all places I went over; but I arrived on the thirteenth at night, where assoon as I had cast Anchor, I sent my Lieutenant to the General, to complement him, and to desire leave to bring my sick Men on shoar, and take in refreshments. He took my Complement in good part, and returned answer, he would take care I should be satisfied. I [Page] sent next morning sixty five sick Men on shoar, who all recovered their healths in seven days that I tarried at Batavia. On the nineteenth in the morning the General sent me a Complement by three Officers, the Summ of which was to desire me to come on shoar, offering me his own House to lodge [...] in. After necessary Thanks, I answered, I wished my Orders would have permitted me that Liberty. The General sent me a great Shalop, laden with all sorts of Indian Fruits, Herbs, new Bread, two Oxen, two Sheep, and thus continued for several days presenting us. On the twenty second I landed incognito, and viewed the Town in a small Boat. 'Tis like Venice, having Chanels which run through every street, and planted with great Trees which yield an agreeable shade, as well to the Chanels as the Streets; the Houses are built as they are in Holland; there is a Citadel indifferently well fortified; the Town in enclosed with a Wall, and great Ditch, but not deep. The Houses round about it are extreme pleasant, being related to curious Gardens, and [Page] Fish-ponds, wherein are admirable Fish of all sorts. In this Town the Traders are exceeding rich, and spare no cost [...]or their Delight, neither do they de [...]y themselves unlawfull satisfaction with Women. I took the liberty my self to entertain four or five of them [...]t divers times, in my walks in the gar [...]ens; their dresses are like the French. There is in Batavia about fifty Coaches, some of which are very stately; their Horses are none of the biggest, but to make amends, are in so good plight, [...]hat they need no spur. This Town [...]s a place of vast Commerce, and its Riches are so great, that the Inhabi [...]ants need not be sparing of their Money; 'tis well peopled, and the Dutch keep a strong Garison; they have there [...]ear three thousand Moors, who are [...]laves, and several of the Natives they [...]eep under their Obedience, who live [...]bout the Town. The Isle of Java, in which this City is situated, is very populous, contains two hundred Leagues [...]n length, and forty in breadth; it has five Kings, over whom the Hollanders [...]re Masters; they are Mahometans. I [Page] sent to the General for a Pilot for Siam, mine having never been there; he lent me one who had sailed there four times; for these civilities, I sent Mr. Forbin to thank him.

On Sunday, being the twenty sixth of August, at six of the Clock in the morning, we set sail, and steered our course to pass the Strait of Banca; we advanced that day ten Leagues with a small Wind, and at nine at night I was told of a Sail that made towards my Vessel, whereupon I bid the Officer be prepared; when immediately I saw out of my Window this Ship coming up to us: we called out to know what she was, but could have no answer, and coming on the Deck, I found all our Men provided for her, and the Bolt-sprit of this Ship laid on cross my Stern, I caused about twenty Musquet Shot to be fired among her Men, which immediately made her clear her self of us, and taking the advantage of the Wind, and clapping on all her Sails, we knew not what Nation she was of, for no body in the Ship spoke one word, and we observed but few Men on [Page] board her. I suppose her to have been some Merchant Ship, guided by unskilfull hands; they did our Ship some mischief, but the damage was repaired next morning.

On Tuesday, being the twenty eighth, at night we discovered the entrance of the Strait of Banca, and on the twenty ninth in the morning we entred therein. Although we had a good Dutch Pilot, yet we ran upon a muddy bank of Sand, there being many of this kind in this Strait, and ti being usual for Vessels to meet with them without much hurt, therefore this did not much disturb us, for I caused a small Anchor to be cast on the side of Sumatra, and in less than two hours we got off clear from this Bank. We were three days passing this Strait. The Isle of Sumatra is on the left, and contains two hundred and fifty Leagues in length, and about fifty in breadth. The Hollanders have four or five Fortresses here, its people are Mahometans, and under the Regiment of five or six Kings. The Queen of Achem possesses one of the largest Countries, and governs with great [Page] Authority and Regularity. The Hollanders are in a manner Masters of all these Princes, they deal with them for whatsoever the Island yields, where 'tis said there are golden Mines, great quantities of Pepper, Rice, all sorts of Cattle, and in some Cantons the people are very barbarous, and the Kings are oft at war one with one another. Those who receive the Hollanders protection are ever the strongest: 'Tis the same in the Isle of Java, for three hundred Europeans do beat five or six thousand Men of these Nations, who know not tho Art of War. It lies four degrees Southward of the Equinoctial Line. The Dutch have a Fort on the side of the Strait of Banca, strengthened with twenty four pieces of Canon; the Fort is built upon the River called Palembone, which runs so violently into the Sea, that three or four months in the year, in rainy weather, the water of it, when in the Sea, does yet keep its freshness.

The Isle of Banca lay on the right hand of us, being about fourty Leagues long; The Dutch have a Fort there, [Page] and drive a considerable Trade with the Natives of the Countrey; 'tis said to be a very good and fruitfull Countrey, when I sailed by the River of Palembone, the Dutch were there lading two Vessels with Pepper. On the third of September we past the Line again by the help of good weather, the air being temperate, and without excessive Heats, so that I still wore my Cloth suit, till I past over to the Coasts of Africa. We came before the Strait of Malaca, which has four or five passages, or entrances, but the Streams were so great, and running sometimes against us, that we were forced oft to cast Anthor; for when the Calm took us, the Streams forcibly carried us a great distance; but we left not this Coast, by reason of the Winds, which always [...]low from the land, and greatly helped us in our course. I believe this Countrey's Air to be good, for we had many sick, who were all recovered by [...]t.

On the fifth we discovered the Isle of Polimon, which is inhabited by Malaises, who are Mahometans. This is a [Page] plentifull Countrey, and obedient to a Prince by whom 'tis governed. The Queen of Achem has some pretensions to it, and for this effect she sends thither every year some Vessels; but this Prince being not willing to engage in a War against her, his people pay her Tribute. There came a small Boat to our Ship side, which brought us some Fish and Fruits. This Isle is distant from the Continent about six Leagues, part of its Coasts was heretofore subject to the King of Siam; but it has been since some years in the possession of two or three Kings, one of which is the King of Malais. This is a very unsociable Nation, and will enter into no Commerce.

From the fifth to the fifteenth we had but small Winds, and very variable, and Calms which caused us oft to cast Anchor, as also by reason of Streams which run along this Coast. From the Strait of Banca to Siam the Land is not wont to be left.

The same day we found our selves before Ligor, which is the chief place belonging to the King of Siam. The [Page] Hollanders have a habitation there, and liberty of Trade. 'Tis hard to express the Joy which the Siamoises whom we brought along with us had to see their own Countrey, and it cannot be better compared than to that which we felt at our return, when God brought us safe to Brest. Here died a young Gentleman having been ill five months with a bloudy Flux, whom the King sent to attend me in my Voyage, he was a Youth of great hopes, and I was much afflicted at the loss of him.

In short (thanks be to God) on the twenty fourth we cast Anchor before the River of Siam. Our whole Ship's crew were in good health. I sent to the Bishop of Metellopolis Mr. le Vacher a Missionary, who came with the Mandarins into France, and whom I brought along with them, with charge to entreat him to come to me that I might learn what had happened this eighteen months since the King of Siam sent into France.

On the twenty ninth the Bishop came on board with the Abbat of [Page] Lionne, who informed me of whatsoever had past, telling me that the King of Siam having heard at midnight of my arrival by Mr. Constance one of his Ministers, he shewed great joy, and ordered him to go and advertise the Bishop of it, and to dispatch two Mandarins of the first rank, who are in a manner as the chief Gentlemen of the King's Chamber are in France, to assure me of the joy he conceived at my arrival. They came two days after on board me, whom I received in my Cabin; the Bishop sitting by me, and they and others sitting down on Carpets laid on the floor, it being the custome of the Country to sit in that manner, there being no person but the King who sits higher.

They told me the King their Master had commanded them to shew me the Joy he had at my arrival, and at the News of our King's having vanquished all his Enemies, and become absolute Master of his Kingdom. Having denoted to them how much I thought my self beholden to the King their Master, and answered what they offered [Page] touching our Prince, I told them I was extremely satisfied with the Governor of Bancok, for his reception of those I sent him, as also with the Presents he had made me. They replyed he had done onely his duty, seeing in France the King their Master's Envoys had been so well received, and that moreover I merited this good usage by my procurement of an Union between the Kings of Siam and of France. Having treated them with the honours and civilities usual in such like occasions in these Countries, I presented them with Tea and Comfits. These two Mandarins were well shap'd Men, of about 25 years of Age, and Apparelled after their mode, being bare headed, without Shoes or Stockings, wearing a kind of long Scarf down to their Knees and coming between their Legs was fastned behind. This Scarf was of painted linen neatly done, and embroidred at the edges; from the waste upwards, they had nothing but a kind of Muslin wastcoat, which they let hang over this Scarf, the sleeves being somewhat large, but not long. They [Page] remained about an hour on board our Vessel, and I saluted them with nine pieces of Canon at their departure.

On the ninth of October Mr. Constance, the King of Siam's Minister I lately mentioned, and who though a stranger, has obtained by his merit the chief place in the King's favour, sent to Complement me by his Secretary who was an honest man, and offered me from himself such a great present of Fruits, besides Oxen, Hoggs, Pullets, Ducks and such like things, that all the Ships crew were fed with them for four days together. These refreshments are gratefull when a man has been seven or eight months at Sea.

On the eighth the Bishop of Metellopolis who had returned to the chief City of Siam, came on board us again with two Mandarin's to enquire as from the King after my Health, and to inform me how impatiently he took my delays of seeing him, entreating me to hasten on shore. I returned their Complement, and told them I should soon be there. I gave these Mandarins the same Entertainment I gave the [Page] first, saluting them also at their departure with nine pieces of Canon. About two of the Clock the same day I went into my Shalop, and those of my Attendance into Boats which the King had [...]ent; being arrived at night in the River, I found five Barges, one for my self, which was a very magnificent one, and the four others for the Gentlemen which accompanied me, with several others to carry the rest of my Retinue [...]nd Goods. Two Mandarins came and Complemented me from the King. [...] could not reach that night the place [...]esigned for my Reception, which obliged me to pass out of the Barge [...]nto the Maline Frigat, which had [...]ntred the River two days before, on [...]oard of which I lay all night.

The same Evening a person whom [...] had sent to Siam to buy such Provisions as we needed, came and told me that Mr. Constance had delivered to him from the King eleven Barks full of Oxen, Sheep, Calves, Ducks, Pullets and Strong-water made with Rice, together with a Request that I would not spare to ask for what we [Page] wanted, for we should be supplye [...] all the time we tarryed in the Kingdom, at his Majesty's charge.

On the ninth there came two Mandarins to my Barge from the King, who told me they came for my orders, and I parted from this place about seven i [...] the morning. Having went about fiv [...] leagues, I came to a house built [...] purpose for my entertainment, whe [...] two Mandarins, and the Governour [...] of Bancok and Pipely with several other [...] were ready to receive me. This Hous [...] was made with Bamboos, and covere [...] with neat Matts. All the Furniture [...] it was new; it contained severa [...] Chambers hung with fine painted line [...] the Floor of my Room was covere [...] with Tapstry, the Chairs were curiou [...] ly wrought and gilt, as also the Table [...] to speak nothing of the neatness [...] the Bed; I was here served with choic [...] Meats and delicate Fruits. I left thi [...] place after Dinner, and all the Mandarins followed me. I went to Bancok which is the chief place the King [...] Siam has on this River, distant abou [...] twelve leagues from the Sea. I foun [...] [Page] here an English Vessel, which saluted me with his Cannon, which were answered by the Forts which defend both sides of the River; which Forts are regular enough, and well furnished with Guns. I lodged in a House well built and furnisht, where I was treated after the fashion of the Countrey.

The next Morning I parted at eight of the clock attended by all the Mandarins and Governours who were come to complement me. At my departure I was also saluted by the Cannon, and arrived at Noon in a House built on purpose for me, and as well furnisht as the former. There was near adjoyning two Fortresses which saluted me with all their Guns, and two Mandarins more came to receive me. I was very well served at Dinner; and I parted here at three a clock, and the Governour of Bancok took his leave of me to return to his charge. Holding on my course I came to two Ships the one English and the other Dutch lying at anchor, who also discharged all their Cannon, and I arrived at seven at night at a convenient House [Page] furnished after the same manner as the preceding ones, where I was received and treated by other Mandarins.

The eleventh in the morning I parted thence, and went and dined in another House, and at night I lay and was treated as before.

On the twelfth I lodged two Leagues off of Siam, where I was again received by two Mandarins. The principal Merchants of the English and Dutch Companies came to complement my arrival in those parts, and as to the French they attended me all the way. Here I remained till I made my entrance.

The River of Siam called Menon is very large and commodious, being adorned all along the sides of it with pleasant Trees; but three or four months in the Year all these places are overflowed with water, and therefore all the Houses are built on a kind of sledges, and made all of Bamboos. This wood serves the Siamoises both for the foundations and tops of their houses, and for infinite purposes besides, making use of it as we do [Page] Flints and Steels, for they need onely take a little of this wood on a heap, and rub it together, and it presently lights. All the people of these parts have little Boats to pass from one house to another for what they want. Here are seen none but Women to work, the Men being for the most part employed in the Kings service, whose Slaves they are. I had the same honours shewed me, as to the King when he is wont to pass on the River. I could see no body in the houses, all people were in Barges, or on the side of the River, lying flat on their Bellies, and their hands joyned against their foreheads. They reverence in such a manner their Prince, that they dare not lift up their eyes to look on him. I observed that the houses where I lodged were painted with red, that I might be treated as his own person, there being onely the Royal Houses of that colour.

All the Mandarins which came to receive me on the River, still accompanied me. The Princes also visited me. They have all convenient Barges, [Page] in the middle of which there is a kind of Throne whereon they sit, and they usually go but one in a Barge, on both sides of them are their Arms, as Scimitars, Swords and Darts, and even Forks. They are all cloathed in the manner I already mentioned. A Portuguese whom the King had made General of the Troops in Bancok continually accompanied me, and gave orders for all things. I was attended with near fifty or sixty Barges, some of which were fifty, sixty, seventy and eighty foot long▪ having Oars from twenty to an hundred. They row not after our manner, they sit two on each bench, one on one side and another on the other, their Faces turned on that side where they go, and have a Scul which they call Pagais, being about four foot long, with which they take a world of pains, being contented with sod Rice, and if they have a piece of Fish, they believe they Dine sumptuously.

They eat of a Leaf which they call Betel, which is like Ivy, and a kind of Corn which they call Arrek, putting Lime thereon, and this gives it a taste. [Page] They eat the Tobacco growing in their Countrey, which is very strong, all which blackens their Teeth, which they esteem the handsomest. A man may live after this rate for fifteen pence a month for they usually drink nothing but water. They have a kind of Aqua vitae, which they call Rack, made with Rice. When I came to a House which was intended for me, all the Mandarins that accompanied me made a lane for me to pass through to my Chamber door.

On the thirteenth I sent word to the King by the Mandarins that were with me, that I had been informed of the manner wherewith they were wont to receive Ambassadors, and it being very different from that of France, I entreated him to send me somebody to instruct me about my entrance.

On the fourteenth he sent me the Sieur Constance, with whom I had a long conversation, the Bishop of Metropolis being our Interpreter. We had a tedious dispute, and I would bate nothing of the mode of receiving Ambassadors in France, which at length he granted me.

[Page] On the fifteenth the Tunquinoises came to complement me on my arrival.

The sixteenth the Cochinchinoises did the same.

The seventeenth Mr. Constance came to me, and brought with him four stately Barges to carry the Presents which his Majesty sent to the King of Siam. And on the same day the King gave order to all the Indian Nations that reside at Siam, to congratulate my arrival, and to pay me all the espect which is due to the character of an Ambassador to so great a King. They came to me at six at night, each of them habited after their own manner; there were of forty different Nations, and each of them of Kingdoms independent one of another, and that which seemed most remarkable, was that among the rest there was the son of a King who was driven out of his Countrey, and taking Siam for his refuge, entreated assistance toward his re-establishment; their dresses were the same as the Siamoises, some having Turbants, others Armenian Bonnets, and others bare-headed, like the [Page] common Siamoises; persons of quality having Bonnets of the same fashion of our Dragoons, made of white Muslin which tye under their Chins with a string, being all of them barefooted.

The King made Mr. Constance tell me, that he would give me Audience the next morning, being the eighteenth. I set out at seven of the clock in the morning in the manner which I shall relate, having first recited the honour wherewith the King of Siam received the King of France's Letter. 'Tis true he is wont to receive with respect the Letters delivered him by Ambassadors of foreign Potentates, but he would give a distinct honour to that of our great Monarch. There came forty of the chiefest Mandarins in the Court, two of which were Oyas, which is to say Dukes, who told me that all the Barges were ready to receive his Majesty's Letter, and carry my self to the Palace. The Letter was in my Chamber in a golden Cabinet; the Mandarins having entred prostrated themselves, their hands closed and adjoyning to their foreheads, and their faces towards [Page] the ground, and saluted in this posture the King's Letter for three times together. I being seated on a Throne near the Letter, received this honour, which was never paid to any but his Majesty of France, which Ceremony being ended, I took the Letter with the golden Cabinet, and having carried it seven or eight paces, I gave it to the Abbat of Choisy, who came from France with me. He walkt at my right hand a little behind, and carried it to the water side, where I found a curious Barge, sumptuously gilded, in which were two Mandarins of the chief rank. I took the Letter from Mr. Choisy, and having carried it into the Barge with me, I put it into the hands of these Mandarins, who laid it on a stately raised Table gilt; I entred into another, a very magnificent one, which followed immediately that wherein was the Letter of his Majesty. Two others also as stately as mine, in which were Mandarins, rowed on either side of that where the Letter was. Mine, as I now said, followed after Mr. Choisy, [Page] the Abbat was in another Barge next to mine, and the Gentlemen which accompanied me, and others of my retinue in other Barges: Those of the Great Mandarins likewise were very fine, and were on head of us. There were about twelve gilt Barges, and near two hundred others that followed us. The King's Letter, the two Barges that attended it, and mine, were in the middle. All the Nations at Siam were attending, and the whole River, although very large, was covered with Barges. We moved after this rate to the Town, whose Cannons were discharged, which never was done to any other Ambassadour, all the Ships saluted me likewise, and at landing, I found a great golden Chariot▪ which onely the King rode in. [...] took His Majesty's Letter, and laid [...] into this Chariot, which was drawn by Horses led by Men▪ I afterwards went into a glorious Chair, which was carried by ten Men on their Shoulders; the Abbat of Choisy▪ was also in another, but of less finery; the Gentlemen and Mandarins which accompanied me, were on Horseback, all the [Page] several Nations which dwell at Siam walking on foot behind; the Procession was in this wise to the Castle, where I found the Souldiers, who were drawn up on each side of the Street, having Head-pieces gilt with Gold, red Shirts on, and a kind of Scarf of painted cloth, which served them for Breeches, but having neither Shoes nor Stockings: Some of them were armed with Musquets, others with Lances, others with Bows and Arrows, and lastly, some with Pikes.

There wanted not musical instruments, as Trumpets, Drums, Timbrels, Pipes, little Bells and Horns, which Musick made a pleasant noise; and thus marched we the length of a great Street, through an infinite number of People. We came at lenght to a great open place in which stood the King's Palace, where were ranged on each side Elephants of War: We afterwards entred into the first Court of the Palace, where I saw about two thousand Souldiers in a posture of sitting, with the Butt-end of their Musquets to the ground standing upright, they were [Page] placed six in a rank, in a direct line: There were on the left several armed Elephants, ready for War. We afterwards saw an hundred Men on Horseback, naked, and clothed after the Moorish Fashion, having a Lance in their Hands; all the Souldiers were accoutred as I already mentioned; in this place those of foreign Nations left me, excepting some Gentlemen who accompanied me all the way. I past into two other Courts which were garrisoned after the same manner, and I entred into another, where was a great number of Mandarins, all of them prostrate on the ground; here were six Horses held, each of them by two Mandarins; they were well harnest, all their Trappings being of Gold and Silver, covered with Pearls, Rubies and Diamonds, so thick that a Man could scarce see the leather; their Stirrups and Saddles were of Gold and Silver, and the Horses had golden Rings on their Feet; there were also several Elephants harnessed in the same manner the Coach Horses were. The Gentlemen entred into the Hall of Audience, and placed themselves before [Page] the King came into his Throne, and when he was there attended with Mr. Constans, du Barcalon, and the Abbat of Choisy▪ who carried the King's Letter, I was surprised to see him on a higher Throne, for Mr. Constans had agreed with me, that the King should be on a Throne no higher than where I might give my Letter with my own hand, without straining my self; then I told the Abbat de Choisy, the promise they made me was forgotten, but that I would not give the King my Letter in this manner; the golden Cabinet wherein 'twas put had a great Handle, three foot long; 'twas imagined I would take hold on it, thus to raise it to the King's Throne, but I was resolved to present His Majesty's Letter to the King in a befitting manner: Being then come to the Door, I saluted the King, the like I did also in the mid way, and when I was near the place where I was to sit; having uttered two words of my Harangue, I put my Hat on, and sate down, and continued my Discourse in these Terms.

[Page]

AN HARANGUE TO THE KING of SIAM.

SIR,

THE King, my Master, who is now so famous in the World, by his great Victories, and the Peace he has often granted his Enemies at the head of his Armies, has commanded me to come to Your Majesty, to assure you of the particular Esteem he has for you.

He knows, Sir, Your princely Qualities, the Wisedom of your Government, the Magnificence of your Court, the Grandeur of your States, and especially the Goodwill You bear His Person, demonstrated by the continual Favour and Protection You shew His Subjects, especially to the [Page] religious Emissaries who are God's Ambassadors.

He experiences so many marks of kindness from you, as makes him ready to offer the most suitable returns, to keep a continual correspondence with you, to entertain and encrease a Commerce with Your Subjects, but especially to begin an Union between the two Crowns, which will be the more famous to posterity, by Your Countrey's lying so distant from His, by the vast Seas which separate them.

But nothing will so much keep Him in this resolution, and more unite Him to You, than to live together in the same Opinions and Belief.

And this is, Sir, what the King my Master, who is so wise and enlightened a Prince, and who has never failed in his Advice to the Kings his Allies, has especially enjoined me to recommend to You.

He conjures you, as one of his sincerest Friends, and by the Interest which he has in your Wellfare, to [Page] consider that this supreme Majesty with which You are endued on earth, can come onely from the true God, that is to say, from a Being Almighty, Eternal and Incomprehensible, such as the Christians acknowledge, by whom alone Kings do reign, and who subdueth the People that are under them. Submit Your Greatness to this God, who governs Heaven and Earth; this is what's far more reasonable than to adore Idols, so customary in this Countrey, of whose insignificany Your Majesty's Great Judgment cannot chuse but be sensible.

But Your Majesty will more clearly perceive this, if You would be pleased to hear the Missionaries who are ready to serve You.

The best news, Sir, I can carry home to the King my Master, is, that Your Majesty being convinced of the reality of what I say, has made farther enquiries into the Christian Religion, and given Your Name up to it; and what Honour will this bring to You, Sir, what Assurance will it [Page] give to Your Estates, and what Happiness will it lead You to at the last?

This Harangue was interpreted by Monr. Constans; I afterwards told His Majesty, that the King my Master had given me the Abbat de Chaisy, and those twelve Gentlemen for my Company, whom I presented to him. I took the Letter from the Hands of the Abbat de Choisy, and carried it in the design of presenting it, no otherwise than I before mentioned, Mr. Constans, who accompanied me, crawling and jumping on his Hands and Feet, called out to me, and making Signs I should stretch out my Arm as well as the King, I made as if I understood not what was told me, when the King, smiling, arose, and stooped down to take the Letter out of the Cabinet, and that in such a manner as one might see his whole Body; assoon as he had taken it, I made my Obeisance, and retired to my Seat▪ The King enquired of the Health of His Majesty, and all the Royal Family, and whether the King had made any [Page] Conquest of late, I told him he had gained Luxembourg, an impregnable place, and the most considerable the Spaniards held in that Countrey, which shut up the Frontiers of France, and opened a way to those who might become his Enemies, and that he had lately agreed to a Peace with all Europe, when at the Head of his Armies. The King replied, he was glad of our King's Victories, and the Peace he enjoyed; he added he had sent Ambassadours to France, who embarked at Bantam, in the Rising Sun; that he would seek all ways to give the King satisfaction in every thing I offered him: The Bishop of Metellopolis was present, who interpreted several Questions the King made me. This Monarch had a Crown enriched with Diamonds, fastened on a Cap, which stood up above the Crown like almost to our Dragoons, his Vest was of a very rich flowered Stuff, wrought with Gold, and embroider'd, at the Neck and Sleeves with Diamonds, which lookt like a kind of Collar and Bracelets. He had a great many Diamond Rings on his fingers; I cannot [Page] say what kind of Shoes or Stocking he had on, having onely in this Audience seen half his Body. He had fourscore Mandarins in his Parlor, where [...] was, all prostrate on the ground, and who never left this posture all this while.

The King is about fifty five years of age, well shaped, somewhat tanned, as all of those Countreys are, having a chearfull countenance; his inclinations are Royal, he is couragious, a great Politician, governing alone, magnificent, liberal, a Lover of Arts, in a word, a Prince, who by his Wit has freed himself from diverse Customer which he found in his Kingdom, borrowing of strange Countreys, and especially of Europe, whatsoever he thought might most contribute to the Honour and Happiness of his Reign.

These Mandarins, whom I now mentioned, had neither Shoes nor Stockins, and were apparelled like those I have heretofore spoke of, with Caps, like the King's, and each of them had a Box, wherein he put his Betel, Arreck, and Tobacco. By these Boxes a Man [Page] may distinguish their Qualities and Ranks, some differing from others. Affter the King had discoursed with me an hour, he shut his Window, and I retired. The place of Audience was about twelve or fifteen steps high, 'twas finely painted within with flowers of Gold, from the top to the bottom, the Floor was covered with rich Tapestry; at the end of this Parlor there were two pair of large Stairs on each hand, which led into the Chamber where the King was, in the middle of these two pair of Stairs are Windows to which you must go up some steps, before which there were three great Umbrella's, they were of Cloth of Gold, and their Sticks painted with Gold, one was in the middle of the Window, and the two others on both sides, 'tis through this Window we saw the King's Throne, and through which he gave me Audience. Mr. Constans carried me afterwards to view the rest of the Palace, where I saw the white Elephant, who ate and drank out of Gold, I saw also others, very fine ones, after which I returned to my Lodging in the same [Page] Pomp wherein I came, which House was well enough, and all my retinue were well accommodated in it. I was informed that Mr. Constans had given order from the King to all the Mandarins [...] foreign Nations that dwell in his Kingdom, to come to these Lodgings and being there he told them the King was minded they should see in what distinct manner he treated the Ambassadours of France, and those of other Nations▪ This distinction being due to the King of France, a most mighty Monarch, and who knew to requite the Civilities shewed him. These Mandarins were astonished, and answered, they had never seen an Ambassadour from France, and were persuaded that the singular reception which the King gave him was due to the Character of so great a Prince, seeing his Victories have long since been known to the remotest parts of the World; and therefore they were not surprised at the King's distinction. At the same time Mr. Constans ordered them from the King to come and complement me.

[Page] The same day at night Mr. Constans [...]an e again to see me, and then we had a longer conversation. There were [...]n my Lodgings a great number of Mandarins and Siamoises as a guard, and to furnish us what things we needed, at the King's charge.

On the ninteenth there came a great many Mandarins to attend me, and Mr. Constans with a Present of Fruits, and of that Countreys Sweet-meats.

The same day the Bishop of Metellopolis was sent for by the King to interpret his Majesty's Letter.

On the twenty second the King sent me several pieces of strip'd Satin, morning Gowns of Japon, and a set of Gold buttons, and to the Gentlemen which accompanied me some stuffs of Gold and Silver, Indian work; the King's custome being to present at one's arrival Stuffs wherewith to make Cloaths after the fashion of the Countrey: But as for my part I made no new Cloaths, and there were onely the Gentlemen of my train, who did it: At night being accompained by the Bishop, I went to give a visit to Mr. Constans.

[Page] On the twenty fourth the King se [...] me word he would give me Audien [...] the next morning.

On the twenty fifth I came to the Palace with all my, Train together with the Bishop, the King gave me [...] particular Audience, wherein he told me many things, of which I gave a [...] account to his Majesty. I Dined [...] the Palace Garden under great Tree [...] and I was served with several Dishe [...] of Meat and Fruits; the chief Mandarins, as the great Treasurer, the Captains of the King's Guards, and other [...] attended us; this Treat held three o [...] four hours, and there was in the Garden a Pond, in which there were [...] great many rare Fish, and among [...] others there was one which represented the countenance of a man.

On the twenty ninth I went to give a visit to the Barcalon, who is the King's chief Minister, who seemed to me to be a man of sense, the Bishop accompanied me, and was Interpreter to us both [...]

On the thirtieth I went to the Palac [...] to see the Pagod, or the King of Siam▪ domestick Temple, there was then i [...] [Page] the Court of the Palace a Combat, or to speak better, an Elephant fight, for the Elephants were tyed by the two hind feet, on each of them rode two men, who held in their hands a crook with which they governed them, as Horses are managed by a bridle, they struck them several times to animate them, and the Elephants had fought well no question, had they had liberty, they onely gave one another blows with their teeth and trunks; the King was there present, but I did not see him: We past through this Court into several others, and afterwards came into the Pagod, the Portal appeared to be ancient and well wrought, the whole building indifferent handsome, and of the form of our Churches in Europe; we saw several Statues of Brass gilt which seemed to offer sacrifices to a great Idol all of Gold, about forty foot high, on the side of which Idol, there were several other small ones, some of which being also of Gold, had lighted Lamps fastned into them, from the top to the bottom of them. At the end of this Pagod, [Page] there is another great Idol on a stately Tombestone: I afterwards went into another Pagod adjoyning to the first, and I past under into a Vault like a Cloister, where there were Idols on each hand gilded, who had each o [...] them a Lamp burning before them, which the Talapoins, which are the Priests of Siam, do light every night. In this Pagod was the Tomb of the deceased Queen who died about four or five years since; 'tis magnificent enough, and behind this Tomb, was another of this present King's Predecessor's, represented by a great Statue lying on one side and drest as Kings are wont to be in days of Ceremony; this Statue is about twenty five foot long, 'twas of Brass gilt; I went farther into other places where there were a great many of these Statues, both of Gold and Silver: several had rich Dimond Rings and Rubies on their fingers; I never saw so many Images and so much Gold.

I afterwards went to see the Elephants, there is a great number of them, and who are of a prodigious [Page] size. I saw a piece of Cannon, cast at Siam, of eighteen foot long, and that would carry bullets of three hundred pound weight; there is a great many Cannons which they make themselves in this Kingdom.

The thirty first was a day of rejoycing for the King of Portugal's coming to the Crown, which was solemnised by the letting off the great Guns and several shews of Fire-works from on board the Portugal Vessels.

The next morning being the first of November, Mr. Constans invited me to a great Feast, which was made as a farther continuation of the former Solemnity, to which I went, and all the Europeans in the Town, the Guns ceased not from firing all that day: after Dinner there was a Comedy, the Chianoises began the Postures, there were Siamoises in it, but I knew not what they said, their gestures seemed to me ridiculous, and far unlike those amongst us; yet there were two men, who ascended to the top of two Perches which were hung very high, which had at their end a little Apple, and standing upright [Page] on the top of them, they shewed several strange tricks. Afterwards we had a kind of Puppet play, which yielded small diversion.

On the fourth being Sunday Mr. Constans told me that the King was to go to the Pagod, where he is wont to go every year, and prayed me to see him pass by. I went with him and all my Attendance; and having remained there a while, there appeared a great gilded Barge, in which was a Mandarin who came to see whether all things were in order: scarcely was he past by, but I saw several Barges wherein were the Mandarins of the first rank, who were all of them in Suits of red cloath; they are wont on these solemn days to be all cloathed with the same colour, and 'tis the King who nominates it; they had white Bonnets on, very high crown'd, and the Oyas had at the bottom of their Caps a golden Fringe, as to their Breeches, 'twas a kind of Scarf, as I already said. After them came those of the second rank, the Life Guards, several Souldiers, and then the King in a Barge attended with two [Page] others which were very fine ones; the Watermen were apparelled like the Souldiers, but onely they had a kind of breast and back-plates, and each of them an helmet on their heads, which is said to be of Gold; their Pagais or Sculs were gilt with Gold, as all the Barges were, which shewed very fine; there were an hundred and fourscore and five Rowers in each of these Barges, and in those of the Mandarins about an hundred, and an hundred and twenty; there were Guards that followed, and several other Mandarins who made the rear Guard; the King was richly Apparelled with several pretious Stones, I saluted him in passing by, and he returned my complement, his Train consisted of an hundred and forty stately Barges, which appeared very finely indeed on the water, marching all in good order. After Dinner I went into my Barge to see the rest of the Ceremony, at night the King changed his Barge, and proposed a prize to that Barge that should first arrive by force of Oars to the Palace, he himself was one of the party, and he advanced [Page] by much before the others, so that his Rowers won the money; I know not how great 'twas, the other Barges past on very swiftly, all the River was covered with them who came to see the King; that day being designed for his shewing himself to his People, I believe there were an hundred thousand to see him.

At night there were Fire-works for joy of the Coronation of the King of England, the whole affair was well carried on, and strange Vessels fired from all parts their Cannon.

On the fifth this Feast continued, and the Cannon was fired from all parts of the Town, Mr. Constans invited me to Dinner, where all the Europeans were, where I was made very welcome.

On the eighth the King parted for Louvo, which is a Countrey Seat where he generally remains for eight or nine months in the year, it being distant twenty Leagues from Siam.

On the fifteenth I parted for that place, I lay in the way at a House which was built for me, 'twas in the [Page] same form as that where I had been Lodged all along, 'twas near where the King lyes when he goes to Louvo. I remained there all the sixteenth, and on the seventeenth set out thither, where I arrived the same day on eight at night, I found this House of the King's built after the Moorish fashion, and a man may justly praise the Countrey; in your entrance to it you must pass through a Garden, where there are several Conduits, in this Garden you ascend five or six steps, and you go to a kind of Summer-house standing very high where you take the Air, I found a very fine Chapel, and a Lodging for all those who attended me.

On Munday the ninteenth the King gave me a particular Audience, after Dinner I went abroad to take the Air on Elephants, whose goings are very uneasie and incommodious, I had rather ride ten Leagues on Horse back than one on these animals.

On the twenty third Mr. Constans told me the King would give me the divertisement of a combat of Elephants, [Page] and entreated me to bring along with me the Captains who had conducted me to shew them the sport, who were the Sieurs de Vaudricourt and Joyeuse; we went thither on Elephants, and the Fight was carried on after the same manner as that which I above related.

The King sent for the Captains and told them, he was very glad they were the King of France's first Captains who came into his Kingdom, and he wisht them as happy a return as their arrival was. He gave each of them a Scimitar, whose handle and guard was of Gold, and the sheaths almost covered with the same metal, a golden Chain curiously wrought and very large, a Vest of cloth of Gold with Gold buttons; as Mr. de Vaudricourt was the chief Captain, so his Present was richer and better, the King gave him notice to have a care of their Enemies by the way, they answered that his Majesty furnisht them with arms to defend themselves, and that they would acquit themselves of their duty. These Captains spake to him without lighting [Page] off their Elephants; I saw very well that under pretence of a combat of Elephants, he was minded to make these Presents in the sight of several Europeans who were present, to give a publick mark of the particular distinction he would make of the French Nation: The King afterwards returned, and I went to see an Elephant which had been brought by the females who are instructed to go into the woods with a man or two to conduct them, as far as twenty five or thirty Leagues to seek wild Elephants, and when they have found any, they so order it as to draw them on to a place near the Town designed to receive them; 'tis a great space dug in the earth, and surrounded by a wall of Brick very high, there is also a second inclosure about fifteen foot high, through which a man may easily pass, and a double gate of the same height, which shuts of it self by means of a pully, so that when an Elephant is within, he cannot get out. The female Elephants do first enter, the wild ones follow them, and they are fast.

[Page] This same day Mr. Constans presented the two Captains with several fine wrought Japon works of Silver and other Curiosities.

On Saturday the twenty fourth I got on horseback to go see the wild Elephants taken.

The King being come to the end of this place which is enclosed as above said, there entred a man who went with a staff to attack the wild Elephant, who at the same time left the females, and pursued him, the man continued this management, and thus busied this wild Elephant, till the females who were with him got out of the place by the gate, which was immediately shut after them, and the Elephant seeing himself left alone imprisoned, grew inraged; the fellow set upon him again, and instead of flying on that side which he was wont, he ran out of the gate, and the Elephant followed him, and when he was between the two gates he was shut in, and being hot they threw a great deal of water on him to refresh him, and there were several Elephants brought [Page] to him, who caressed him with their trunks, to comfort him as it were; they tyed his two hind legs, and the gate was opened to him, he marched five or six paces, and found four Elephants of War, and one to confront him, two others who were fastned to his sides, and one behind him to push him with his head; they brought them in this manner into a kind of Stable ground, where there was a great stake fastned, to which he was tyed, and two Elephants were placed on each side of him to bear him company, and the others are led away. When the wild Elephants have remained fifteen days, in this manner, they know them who were wont to feed them, and follow them, and afterwards they become as tractable as the others. The King has a great many of these females who do nothing else but decoy these wild ones.

On Munday the twenty fifth I went to see a Tyger fight with three Elephants, but the Tyger was not the strongest, he received a blow with a tooth that carried a way half his jaw, [Page] although the Tyger was not wanting in courage.

Tuesday the twenty sixth I had a particular Audience, this being the fourth time, and the King shewed me the esteem he had for the French Nation, after several other discourses, of which I have given the King an account. At night I went to see a Feast, which the Siamoises celebrate at the beginning of their year, which is attended with great lights. It's performed in the Palace, in a great Court, round about which there are several boxes full of Lamps, and before these boxes there are a great many perches drove into the ground, along which hang several horn Lanthorns prettily painted, this Feast lasts eight days.

On Sunday the second of September, Mr Constans sent me a Present, he did the same also to the Abbat of Choisy, and the Gentlemen which accompanied me; the Presents were Bracelets, China Cabinets, night Gowns and Japon works made of Silver Bezoarstones, Rhinocero's horns, and other curiosities of that Countrey.

[Page] On the tenth I went to see the great hunting of Elephants, which is in this following form: The King sent a great number of female Elephants all in a company together, and when they have been several days in the wood, and he is informed they have found Elephants, he sends thirty or forty thousand men, who make a great ring in the place where the Elephants are; they post themselves several foot distance one from another, and each company has a fire about three foot high or thereabouts: there is also another ring of Elephants of War, distant from one another about an hundred and an hundred and fifty paces, and in those places where the Elephants may more easily pass thorough, the Elephants of War are more numerous; in several places there is Cannon which is fired at the wild Elephants when they will force a passage, for they are in great fear of fire: every day this inclosure or ring is lessoned and at length 'tis very small, and the stres are also diminished. These Elephants hearing a noise about them, dare not fly, although [Page] now and then one or two do escape, for I was told that some days past there were ten got away. When they are to be taken they are made to enter into a place surrounded with stakes, where there are some trees, through which a man may easily pass, there is also another ring of Elephants of War and Souldiers, among which there are men mounted on Elephants, who dexterously throw cords at the Elephants hind feet, who when they are fastned are brought between two tame Elephants, besides which there is another who tends on him behind, if need be to push him forward, so he is obliged to march, and when he is unruly, the others strike him with their trunks; they bring him into a kind of stable open on all sides, where they are fastned and managed as I have already related: I saw ten taken, and I was told there were a hundred and forty in the ring; the King was there present and gave orders for what was necessary. In this place I had the honour to have a long conference with him, and he prayed me to leave Mr. Fourbin, [Page] the Leiutenant of my Ship with him, which I agreed to, and presented him, and at the same time the King gave him a Semitar, whose Handle and Guard was of Gold, and the Sheath studded with the same, with a Justaucorp of embroidered Satin with Gold Buttons. Then the King presented me with a Golden Cup, and gave me a Collation in a Grove, where I had excellent Wine and Fruit.

The next morning being the eleventh I returned to this game, being mounted on an Elephant, the King was there, and sent two Mandarins to me, to desire me to come to him, he spake several things to me, and entreated me to leave Mr. de la Mare the Engineer, who came along with me behind me, to fortifie some places in his Countrey. I told him I did not doubt but the King my Master would be content I should leave him, seeing His Majesty's Interests were as dear to him as his own; I thereupon ordered Monsr. de la Mare, to remain with the King, who gave to him a Vest of Stuff of Gold. The King told me, he would send a little Elephant to the Duke of Burgundy, which he shewed [Page] me, and having a while thought on it, he said that if he should give one onely to the Duke of Burgundy he feared lest the Duke of Anjou should take it ill, and therefore he would send two, and I designing to part the next morning to go on board, I presented the Gentlemen to him who were with me, to take leave of his Majesty, the King wisht them a good Voyage. The Bishop would have presented to him Messieurs, the Abbat de Lionne, and le Vacher, Missionaries, to take their leave of him, but he told the Bishop, that as to those two persons, they were of his Family, and that he respected them as his Children, and that they should take their leave of him in his Castle: afterwards the King retired, and I attended on him to the end of the Wood, taking the way of Louvo, because the King had a House in the Wood, where he usually tarries whilst he is busied in this Game of Elephants.

On Wednesday, the twelfth, the King gave me Audience of Leave, the Bishop was there, he was pleased to say he was very well satisfied with me and my [Page] Negotiation; he gave me a great golden Vessel which they call a Boss, and this is one of the most honourable marks of the King's Favour; he told me he would not have the accustomed Ceremonies about it, because there might be something which would not please me by reason of the Genuflexions which the greatest of the Kingdom are obliged to make on this occasion. There is no Stranger in his Court, excepting the King of Camboye's Nephew, who has received the like Mark of Honour, which signifies that one is an Oyas, a Dignity in that Countrey comparable to a Duke in France; there are several sorts of Oyas, which are distinguished by their Bosses. This Monarch had the goodness to tell me several things in such an obliging manner, that I dare not relate them; and in all my Voyage I received such great Honours, that I should scarce be believed, were they not sole due to the Character His Majesty has been pleased to honour me with: I received also a thousand Civilities from his Ministers, and the rest of his Court. Messieurs the Abbat [Page] of Lionne, and le Vacher, took at the same time their leaves of the King, who having wisht them a good Voyage, gave each of them a golden Crucifix, the Foot of it being Silver. At the end of the Audience, Monsr. Constans carried me into a Parlor, surrounded with Water-spouts which was in the Palace, where I found a Table very well spread, after the manner of the Kingdom of Siam: The King had the goodness to send me two or three Dishes from His Table, for he dined at the same time; about five of the Clock I went into a gilt Chair, carried by ten Men, and the Gentlemen who accompanied me rode on Horseback, we entred into our Barks, and were attended by a great many Mandarins, the Streets were lined with Soldiers, Elephants, and Moorish Cavaliers. 'Twas the same also in the morning, when I had my last Audience; all the Mandarins that accompanied me to my Barge, went into theirs, and came with me; there were about an hundred Barges, and I arrived the next morning, being the thirteenth, at Siam, [Page] about three in the morning. The King of Siam's Letter, and his Ambassadors for France, were with me, in a very stately Barge attended by several others. The King made me several Presents, amongst which was a crucifix, the body of which is Gold, a Cross of Tambacq, which is a metal more esteemed than Gold in that Countrey, with several other Curiosities of the Indies; and the Custome of these Countries being to gratifie those who bring the Presents, I gave to the Steers-men of the King's Barges about eight or nine hundred Pistols. As to Monsr. Constans, I took the Liberty to give him a piece of Houshold-stuff, which I had brought along with me from France, and to Madam his Wife, several Presents, to the value of an hundred and fifty Pistols; the King also gave Presents to the value of seven or eight hundred Pistols to the Abbat de Choisy in China Cabinets, Japon Works, and other Indian Curiosities.

On the fourteenth, at five of the Clock at night, I parted from Siam, accompanied by Mr. Constans; several [Page] Mandarins, and a great many Barges, and arrived at Bancoc the next morning, the Forts by the way, and those of Bancoc, saluted me with all their Artillery; I remained a day at Bancoc, because the King had told me in an Audience, that being a Soldier, he desired me I would view the Fortifications of it; and to tell his Servants what it wanted, and to pitch on a place whereon to build a Church; I drew a small draught, and gave it to Monsr. Constans.

On the sixteenth in the morning I parted thence accompanied by Mandarins, the Forts saluted me, and at four of the Clock I arrived at the Bar of Siam, in the Shalops belonging to the King's Ships, on board of which I went about seven of the Clock.

On the seventeenth the King of Siam's Frigat, in which were the Ambassadors, came and cast Anchor near my Ship; I sent my Shalop, which brought two of the Ambassadors, and I afterwards sent back the same Shalop, which brought the other Ambassador, and the King's Letter, which was written [Page] on a Leaf of Gold, rowled up, and put into a Gold Box; we saluted the Letter with the firing of several pieces of Cannon, 'twas laid on a Table, with a Canopy over it, and when the Mandarins [...]ast near it, they reverenced it after their manner, it being their custome to [...]oe the greatest Honours they are able to the King's Letter. The next morning this Ship left us, and went back again up the River, and at the same time appeared another Ship of the King of Siam's, who came and cast Anchor [...]ear us, in which was Monsr. Constans; [...]e came on board of me the next morning, being the nineteenth, where he di [...]ed, and afterwards he went to land in [...]y Shalop; I saluted him with twenty pieces of Cannon, and we parted with [...]o small trouble, for we had begun a strict Friendship, and treated one another with the greatest confidence; he is a Person of great Sense and Merit. I was astonisht to hear no News of Monsr. de Vacher, a Missionary of the French Company, and of my Secretary, who were to have been on board before me, having been informed that they parted [Page] from the River of Siam on the sixteenth with seven Gentlemen, who were to accompany the King of Siam's Ambassadors, and several of their Domesticks▪ this made me think they were lost, a [...] made me resolve not to tarry for the [...] for the Wind was favourable; b [...] Monsr. Constans desired me to have patience one day, whilst he would sen [...] along the Coast for News of them.

The next morning, being the twentieth, part of these People came o [...] board, four of the Gentlemen belonging to the King of Siam's Ambassadors, and most of their Domesticks having been unwilling to embark themselves in a Boat they had gotten by the way, because 'twas too shallow; they told me, that the same day, being the sixteenth, they came near our Vesse [...] at eleven at night, and thinking to ca [...] Anchor, they had not Rope enough i [...] their Boat, which they perceived i [...] seeing their Boat fall off from the Vessel, then there arose a great Wind▪ which made the waves arise, and the Streams ran against them, which carried them fourty Leagues out at Sea, [Page] with great danger of being cast away; they told us they had left the others about twenty five Leagues off, who were thrown upon a muddy bank, so that they are not to be expected so soon, which made me resolve not to go away before next morning. I believe I ought [...] this place to speak of the Jesuits which were embarkt with us at Brest, and whom we left at Siam: They were [...]ather Fontenay, Tachart, Gerbillon, le [...]mte, Bouvet, and another, Men of Vertue and Learning, whom the King had chosen to send to China, to make Mathematical Observations; I think I [...]m bound in Justice to say of them, [...]at when we were arrived to the [...]ape of Good Hope, the Dutch Gover [...]our was very kind to them, and gave [...]hem an House in the Garden belonging to the Company, very fitting to [...]ake their Observations in, where [...]hey carried all their Mathematical In [...]truments; but as I remained but six or [...]even days in this place, they had not [...]me to make a great many: These Fathers have been very usefull to me in [...]ny Voyage to Siam, by their Piety, [Page] their good Examples, and the pleasantness of their conversations; I had everyday near five or six Masses said, and [...] had set apart a Chamber for that very purpose. All the Festivals and S [...] days we had a Sermon, or a short E [...]hortation, Father Tachart, one of the [...] catechised the whole Ship's Company three times a Week, and the same [...] ther has done much good in the Ship [...] for discoursing familiarly with the Se [...] men and Souldiers there's not one [...] them but performs his Devotions; [...] composed all differences which ar [...] amongst them. These Fathers went [...] Siam intending to embark themselves on Portugal Vessels, which are to [...] met with commonly at Macao, a [...] which return to China. They fou [...] here Monr. Constans, the King of Siam [...] Minister, who very much loves the J [...] suits, and protects them, he has entertained them at Louvo, in one of the King's Houses, and defrays all the [...] Charges himself.

In an Audience which the King gav [...] me, I told him I had brought with [...] six Jesuits, who intended for China, to [Page] make Mathematical Observations, and that they had been chosen by the King my Master, as the most capable in this Science. He told me he would see them, and was very glad they were reconciled with the Bishop; he has spoke to me several times on that Subject. Monsr. Constans presented them to him four or five days after, and by good hap for whom there was then an Eclipse of the Moon▪ The King bid them bring along with them their Mathematical Instruments into a House where he was going to lie, a League off of Louvo, where [...] commonly is, when he takes the pleasure of Hunting; the Fathers fai [...]ed not to come there, and planted themselves with their spectacles in a Gallery, where the King came about three of the Clock in the morning, which was the time of the Eclipse. They made him see in their Instrument all the Effects of the Eclipse, which [...]id much please him, he shewed them much respect, and told them he knew Monr. Constans was their Friend, as well as Father de la Chaize▪ He gave them [...] great Crucifix of Gold, and of Tambacq, [Page] and bid them to send it from him to Father la Chaize; he gave another smaller to Father Tachart, telling them he would see them another time [...] Seven or eight days before my departure, Mr. Constans offered the Fathers that if two of them would remain at Siam the King would be very glad of it, they answered they could not, being ordered by the King of France to make what haste they could to China; he answered, this being so, they must writ [...] to their General to send a dozen of them as soon as he could to Siam, the King having told him he would build them Prospect houses, Churches and [...] other Conveniencies: Father Fonten [...] made this known to me, I told hi [...] he could not do better than accept o [...] this proffer, seeing in the end thi [...] must turn to a great advantage; he told me upon my encouragement, [...] intended to send Father Tachart int [...] France on this occasion, which I approved of. Father Tachart being a man of great Wit, and who would undoubtedly effect this business, Letter not being sufficient to remove seven [Page] objections which might be raised, wherefore I brought him with me home. This Father has moreover much assisted me, as also the Gentlemen which accompanied me, whom he taught during our Voyage a considerable part of the Mathematicks. I shall say nothing of the great qualities of Mr. the Bishop of Metellopolis, nor of the Progress of the Missionaries in the East, seeing that according to their Custome, they will not fail to give the publick a full relation of what concerns Religion in those Countreys. I should have great satisfaction to have met there with Monsieur the Bishop of Heliopolis; the King of Siam told me one day what Joy 'twould have been to him, to have seen an Ambassador in that Countrey from France; but it did not please God to give us that consolation, and we were informed that he had ended in China his laborious Pilgrimage.

But before we relate our Arrival at Brest, I believe it will be convenient to give an Account here of what I remarked [Page] (during that small time I was in the Kingdom) of the Manners, Customs, Government, Commerce and Religion of these People.

Of the Government, State, Manners, Religion and Commerce of the Kingdom of Siam, in the neighbouring Countries, and several other particularities.

[Page]

EVery day the Mandarins, whose place it is to do Justice, meet together in a Hall, where they hear Causes: This place is in the King's Palace, where those that have any request to make stand at the door, till they be called, and then they enter with their Petition in their Hands.

[Page] Strangers, who have any complaint concerning Traffick, offer it to the Barcalon, who is the King's Chief Minister, and determins all Affairs about Commerce, and the occasions of Strangers; in his absence, his usual Deputy does it, and in both their absences a kind of Aldermen. There is an Officer appointed to see after the Taxes, and others for other matters. When Affairs have been examined, an account thereof is given to the Officers within the Palace, who relate the same to the King, sitting then on a high Throne, all the Mandarins prostrate themselves with their Faces on the Ground; and the Barcalon, or others of the Chief Oyas, acquaint the King with the Affair, and their Judgments thereupon, which he confirms or alters according to his Will, and this extends to the chief businesses, but he oft causes matters to be brought into the Palace, and sends his pleasure in Writing.

The King is a most absolute Prince, and a Man may say him to be the Siamoises God; they dare not call him by his Name. He punishes most severely [Page] the smallest Crime, for his Subjects must be governed in a strict manner; he sometimes makes use of Souldiers of his Guard to punish the guilty, when their Crime is extraordinary, and sufficiently proved. Those who are commonly employed in these sort of Executions, are an hundred and fifty Souldiers, or thereabout, who have their Armes painted from the Shoulder to their Wrists; the common punishment is thirty, forty, fifty or more stripes on the Shoulders of the Criminal, according to the greatness of the Crime; others are peckt into the head with a sharp pointed Iron: as to Accomplices in a fault worthy of Death, after the Head has been cut off from a real Criminal, 'tis tied about the Neck of the Confederate, and is left exposed to the Sun for three days and three nights, which gives a most filthy stink to him that carries it.

In this Kingdom the Law Talionis is in great use, the worst punishment was, not long ago, to condemn Malefactours to the River, which is such another kind of punishment as the Gallies, or [Page] rather worse; but now they are punisht with Death. The King minds building more than any of his Predecessours, repairing the Walls of Towns, raising up Pagodes, and adorning his Palace, building Houses for Foreigners, and Ships after the European Fashion; he is very kind to Strangers, retaining several of them in his Service, and desirous of more.

The Kings of Siam were not wont to let themselves be seen as this does; they lived always alone, but this present King lives like others; but Monsr. Berithe, an Apostolick Vicar, made use of a certain Brame, who being a kind of Boufon, had great liberty of speaking to this Monarch, by whose means he gave the Prince to understand the Power and Manner of the Government of our great Monarch, and also the Customs of all the Kings in Europe; so that he being a Man of Sense, as I already observed, he thought fit to send for Monsieur Berithe, and afterwards several others: since which time he is become very affable, and accessible to Strangers. Those who administer Justice [Page] are called according to their different Offices, Oyas Obrat, Oyas Momrat, Oyas Campeng, Oyas Ricchou, Oyas Shaynan, Opran Olvan, Oeun, Omun.

Heretofore when the Kings would not let themselves be seen, the ministers did what they pleased, but the present King who wants not Judgment, and is a great Politician, will be ignorant of nothing; he has sixt to him Mr. Constans of whom I have several times spoken. He is a Greek by Nation, a person of great vivacity of spirit, and extraordinary prudence, he can and does do all things under the King's authority in the Kingdom, but this Minister would never accept of any great office which the King has offered him several times. The Barcalon who died about two years since, and who by right of his place had the management of all affairs of State, was a person of great abilities, that acquitted himself well in his employments, and was greatly beloved, he that succeeded him was a Malais by nation, which is a Countrey near to Siam, he made great use of Mr. Bacon an English [Page] man to bring the King into an ill opinion of Mr. Constans, and render him suspected, but the King underst [...]od the others malice, caused him to be cudgeled to death, and dispossessed him of his office; he that enjoys it at present lives in good intelligence with Mr. Constans.

As by the Laws introduced by the Priests, who are called Talopoins, 'tis not allowable to kill, so Malefactors were heretofore condemned to the chain, or led into some Deserts to perish there with hunger, whereas this present King causes their heads to be struck off, and throws them to Elephants.

The King has spies to know whether matters of any importance are concealed from him, he most severely chastises those, who abuse their authority. Every strange Nation established in the Kingdom of Siam has particular Officers, and the King takes of all these Nations persons which he makes general Officers throughout all his Kingdom. There are many Chinoises in his Countrey; there were heretofore many Moors, but some years past he [Page] discovered so many foul treacheries amongst them, such frauds and enormities, that he has banish'd most of them out of his Countrey.

The commerce of strange Merchants was heretofore very considerable; but since some years, the various revolutions, which have happened in China, Japon and other parts of the Indies, have discouraged all Trade. Yet 'tis hoped, seeing all these disturbances are quieted, Trade will flourish again; and that the King of Siam by means of his Minister will send his Ships to take in the most pretious commodities in all the Eastern Countries, and reduce all things to their first state.

They make War after a different manner from most Nations, driving their Enemies out of their places, without doing them any farther harm than the making them slaves; and if they bear Arms, it seems rather they intend to affright them by shooting on the ground or up into the air, than to kill them, and if they doe, 'tis rather out of necessity than by their good-wills; but this happens seldom, because all their Enemies [Page] follow the same method. There are Companies and Regiments who are detached from the rest during the night, who go into the Enemies Villages, and lead away all the Inhabitants captives, as well Women as Children; the King gives them Lands and Buffalo's to cultivate them, and when the King has need he makes use of them. These late years, the King has made War against the revolted Cambogions, assisted by the Chinoises and Cochinnoises, where he was forced to fight in earnest, and there were several Souldiers killed on both sides: He has had several Commanders that are Europeans, who instruct them to fight after our manner.

Before this War there was a great commerce between their States, and that of Siam drew great advantages by the great quantities of Gold, Musk, Elephants teeth and other Merchandises which came from Laos in exchange for Linen and other Goods.

The King of Siam is still at wars with the King of Pegu, he has several Slaves of this Nation.

[Page] There are People of several Countries in his Kingdom, the Moors were in great abundance, as I already said, but now several of them are fled into the Kingdom of Colconde, who were in the King's service, and have carried along with them above twenty thousand Catis, each Catis being worth fifty Crowns: The King of Siam wrote to the King of Colconde to send him back those Fugitives, or oblige them to pay the Sum, but the King would not listen to the proposal, which has put the King of Siam on proclaiming a War against him, and taking a Ship at the time when I was at Siam belonging to him, whose lading is valued at an hundred thousand Crowns. There are six Frigats commanded by English and French, who cruise on those Coast.

Of late the Emperour of China has given leave to all Strangers to come and Negotiate in his Kingdom; this permission is onely for five years, but 'tis hoped it will be continued, seeing 'tis of great advantage to his Countrey.

[Page] The King of Siam has a great many Malais in his Kingdom, they are Mahometans, but good Souldiers, yet their Religion differs much from the Moors. The Pegorans are as numerous in this Countrey as the originary Siamoises.

There are also a great many Laoises, especially towards the North. Here are also eight or nine Families of Native Portuguises, but of those which are called Mesties above a thousand, that is to say, those who are born of Portuguises and Siamoise women.

The Dutch have there onely one Factory.

The English the same.

The French also.

The Cochinnoises are about an hundred Families, most Christians.

Amongst the Tonquinoises there are seven or eight Christian Families.

The Malaises are in great numbers, who are most of them slaves, and who consequently do not make a body.

The Macassars, and several of the People of the Isle of Java are there establish'd, as also the Moors; under [Page] the Name of these last are comprehended Turks, Persians, Moguls, Colcondoises and those of Bengala.

The Armenians make a separate body, they are fifteen or sixteen Families all Christians, the greatest part of them are Horsemen of the King's Guard.

As to the manners of the Siamoises, they are a People very docible, which proceeds rather from their nature, which desires quiet, than any other cause; and therefore the Talapoins, who make profession of this apparent vertue, forbid the killing of all sorts of animals, yet when any others kill Pullets or Ducks, they eat their flesh, without troubling themselves who did the murther, or wherefore they were killed.

The Siamoises are generally chaste, having but one Wife, but the rich People, such as the Mandarins have Concubines, who remain shut up all their lives. The people are trusty, and seldom steal, but 'tis not the same with some of the Mandarins.

[Page] The Malaises who are very numerous in this Kingdom are a very base People, and great Thieves.

In this great Kingdom there are several Pegovans, who have been taken in War, they are a more stirring and vigorous sort of People, than the Siamoises; the Women are given to liberty, and their conversation is dangerous.

The Laoises people the fourth part of the Kingdom of Siam, and being one half Chinoises, they partake of their manners, their craft and inclinations to shirk handsomely; their Women are white and not ugly, very sociable and consequently perilous. In the Kingdom of Laos, a man that meets a woman to salute her with the accustomed civility, kisses her publickly, and did he do otherwise he would grievously offend her.

The Siamoises as well Officers as Mandarins, are generally rich, for they spend hardly any thing, the King giving them Servants, who are obliged to maintain themselves at their own cost, being as it were slaves, they are [Page] under an obligation to serve them for nothing half a year; and these Masters having many of them, they make use of one part whilst the other rest themselves, but those who do not serve them, pay them every year a sum of money; their Victuals are cheap, it being onely Rice, Fish, and little Flesh, and there's great. plenty of this in the Countrey; their Cloaths last them long, being entire pieces of Stuff, which do not so soon were out as our Apparel, and cost very little. Most of the Siamoises are Bricklayers, or Carpenters, and there are very good workmen amongst them, exactly imitating the curious Works of Europe. As to Painting, they are in a manner ignorant of the use of it, there are Carved works in their Pagodes, and their Tombs are well polished, and very stately.

They colour finely with Lime, which they soak in water which they draw out of a Tree, found in the Forests, which makes it so lasting, that it dures an hundred or two hundred years, although exposed to the injury of the weather.

[Page] Their Religion to speak properly, is onely a parcel of Fabulous Tales, which serve onely to bring respect and profit to the Talapoins; who recommend not so much any Vertue to them, as that of giving them Money: They have Laws, which they strictly observe, especially outwardly. Their end in all their good works is the hope of a happy Transmigration after their death, into the body of a rich Man, of a King, or great Lord, or of a tame animal, as Cows or Sheep, for these People are so far Pythagoreans; they for this reason do much esteem these Animals, and dare not, as I have noted, kill any of them, as knowing not but they may kill their Father or Mother, or some other of their Relations. They believe a Hell, where great enormities are severely punished, onely for a time; as also a Paradise, wherein men of vertue are rewarded, where having become Angels for some time, they afterwards return into the Body of some man or other animal.

The Talapoins chief business is, to read, sleep, eat, sing and beg; they [Page] go every morning to the Houses or Barges of persons they know, and stand there for a while with great reservedness, holding their Fan so that they cover half their Faces; if they see any one disposed to give them any thing, they tarry till they have received it; they eat whatsoever is given them, whether Pullets or any other flesh, but they never drink Wine, at least before people; they perform no office nor prayers to any Divinity. The Siamoi [...] believe there have been three great [...]alapoins, who by their most sublime [...]erlts in several thousand Transmigrations have become Gods, and having been so, have moreover acquired such great merits, that they have been wholly annihilated; which is the term of the greatest merit, and the greatest ecompence attainable, being no longer fired by their frequent changes of bodies: The last of these three Talaeins is the greatest God called Na [...]don, because he has been in five thousand bodies; in one of these Trans [...]igrations, of a Talapoin he became [...] Cow, his Brother would have killed [Page] him several times; but there needs a great book to describe the miracles, which they say, Nature, and not God wrought for his preservation. In short, this Brother was thrown into Hell for his great sins, where Nacodon caused him to be crucified; and for this foolish reason they abominate the Image of Christ on the Cross, saying we adore the image of this Brother of their God, who was crucified for his Crimes.

This Nacodon being annihilated, they have no God at present, yet his La [...] remains, but onely among the Talapoine who affirm that after some years, the [...] will be an Angel who will become [...] Talapoin, and afterwards an absolut [...] Divinity, who by his great merits may come to be annihilated. These are the principles of their Creed; for [...] not to be imagined they adore to Idols, which are in their Pagodes [...] Divinities, but honour them onely [...] men of great deserts, whose Souls [...] at present in some King, Cow or Talapoin. And herein consists their Religion, which to speak properly at [Page] knowledges no God. Vice say they, carries with it its own punishment, making the Soul pass into the body of some vile Fellow, or Hog, or Crow, or Tyger, or such like animal. They admit of Angels, which they believe to have been the souls of just men and good Talapoins; as to Demons, they say, they have been the souls of wicked persons.

The Talapoins are much reverenced by all the people, and even by the King himself; they cast not themselves on the ground when they speak to him, as the greatest in the Kingdom do, and the King and persons of highest Quality salute them first: When these Talapoins thank any one, they put their hand to their forehead, and as to the common people they salute them not as all: They are Apparelled like other Siamoises; excepting that their Sash [...] yellow, their Legs and Feet naked, they wear no Hats, they carry over their heads a Fan, made of a large Palm leaf, to keep them from the Sun which is very hot; they make but one meal a day, to wit in the morning, [Page] and they eat at night perhaps some few Figs, or other Fruits; they may leave when they will their Profession and marry, having no other engagement on them but onely to wear a yellow Sash, and when they leave it, they are at liberty; and this makes them so numerous, that they are almost one third of the Kingdom. That which they sing in the Pagodes are some fabulous stories, larded with now and then a fine sentence; those which they sing during the Funerals of the dead are, We must all die, We are all mortal▪ The dead bodies are burnt, musical instruments playing all the while [...] these Funerals are very costly, and after the bodies are burnt of those that are dead, their ashes are put under great Pyramids, all gilded with Gold, raised about their Pagodes. The Talapoines practise a kind of Confession; for the Novices go at Sun rising to prostrate themselves, or sit on their Heels, mumbling some few words, after which the old Talapoin lifts up his hand on the side of his Cheek, and gives him a kind of Benediction; which done, the [Page] Novice retires. When they preach, they exhort the People to be charitable to them, and suppose themselves very able Fellows, when they can cite some passages out of their ancient Books, written in the Baly Language, which is like the Latin amongst us; for this Language is fine and emphatical, having its Conjugations like the Latin.

When the Siamoises intend to marry, the Man's Kindred go first to found the Maid's Kindreds Inclination, and when they have agreed on the business, the Man's Parents present seven Boxes of Betel and Arect to the Maid's Relations, and though they accept of them, and they are already esteemed as married, yet may be broke off.

Some days after the Man's Relations present him, and he himself offers more boxes than before, and then he remains in the House of his Father-in-law, and this onely to see the Maid, and to accustome themselves to one another, which lasts for two Months; after this all the Parents meet, when they put into a Purse, one a Ring, and another [Page] Bracelets, and another Money; there are others who lay pieces of Stuff o [...] the Table: In fine, the most ancient of the Company takes a lighted Tores and carries it seven times round these Presents, whilest all the Assemble shouts, wishing it a happy Marriage the Spouse a long Life, and a perfect Health; they afterwards eat and drin [...] together, and so the Marriage is finis [...] As to the Portion, 'tis as in France excepting that the young Man's Relations carry his Money to the Maid's Relations; but all this turns to the same for the Maid's portion is laid apart and the whole is given to the new married Couple.

If the Husband puts away his Wife without any form of Justice, he lose the Money that has been given him; [...] he repudiates her by the Judge's Sentence, who never refuses it, the Woman's Relations give him her portion; [...] there be any Children, the Boy follow [...] the Mother, and the Girl the Father if there be two Boys, and two Girls one Boy and one Girl live with the Father, and one of each with the Mother▪

[Page] As to strong places in the Kingdom, there's Bancock, which is about two Leagues from the Kingdom of Siam, where there are two Forts, as I already mentioned. There is a Capital City called Juthia, otherwise Siam, which is newly fortified by an enclosure of brick Walls. Corsuma, a fronteer Town lying near the Kingdom of Camboye is [...]t a weak place, and so is Tanaserin on the side of Malabar, and so are indeed most of his Places.

As to their Souldiers, 'twas not the Custome to pay them; but this present King having understood that the Kings of Europe payed their Men, intended to have done the like; but being informed by his Treasurers what an immense [...]min 'twould cost him, by reason of the multitude of his Souldiers, he changed this pay into Rice, which he districted to them, and they were therewith all well contented; for heretofore every Souldier was bound to further himself with Rice at his own cost.

As to their Boats and Vessels their [...]arges of State are the finest in the World, (being made of one piece of [Page] Timber,) and which are of a prodigious length, some of them holding near an hundred and fourscore Rowers; the two ends are high raised, all is gift with Gold, and neatly carved, and [...] the midst of them there is a kind of Throne, built like a Pyramid.

Heretofore they had onely Vessel built like those of China, some of which they use still to go into Japon, China and Tunquin, but the King has cause several to be built after the Europea [...] fashion, and has bought some of the English. There are about fifty Gallies to guard the River and Coasts; h [...] Gallies are not like ours, there being but one Man to an Oar, and they are about forty, or fifty at most, on each The King makes use of Moors, Chinases and Malabars for his Seamen. The Commanders of his Ships are either English, or French, by reason of the [...] the Nations unskilfulness.

He sends every five or six years Vessels to China, of which there are [...] a thousand to fifteen hundred Tun, laden with Cloth, Coral, and divers other Commodities, from the Coasts of [Page] Coromandel and Suratte, as Salt-petre, Tin and Silver; he draws thence raw Silks, Satins, Tea, Musk, Rubarb, Purcelins, Varnisht Works, China-wood, Gold, Rubies. They make use of several Roots in Physick, which turns much to their advantage:

The King sends to Japon two or three small Vessels, laden with Merchandise, there being no need of sending Money, such as Hides of all sorts, which are good Commodities there, for which they sometimes receive Wedges of Gold and Silver, Copper, and all sorts of Goldsmiths Work, as also Tea, Cabinets, and other things, He sends sometimes two or three to Tonquin, of three hundred Tun at farthest, with Cloth, Coral, Tin, Ivery, Pepper, Salt-petre, and other Commodities of the Indies, for which he has Musk, raw Silks, varnisht Wood, wedges of Gold. To Macao the King sends a Ship, for the most part laden with the same Merchandises as to China. One may send there also to good advantage, Fans of Gold, Silver, Silks and Arms, for which you receive the same Merchandises [Page] as at China, but not at the same rate.

At Laos the usual Trade is carries on as well by land as by water, sometime Flat Boats go there, in which are sent Cloth and Linen of Suratte, and the returns are Rubies, Musk, Gum, Elephants Teeth, Rhinoceros Horns, Buffalos Skins, and here is great prof [...] in this Trade, because there's no ris [...] to run.

To Camboye the King sends small Barks with Cloth, Suratte Linen, and Kitchin Utensile which come from China, for which he has brought him Elephants Teeth, Benjamin, three fort [...] of Gums, Buffalo's Skins, Nests o [...] Birds for China, of which I shall speak hereafter.

They sometimes send to Cochinchim but seldom; for this People is untractable, being most of them unfaithfull which hinders Commerce; they can when they go, Silver of Japon, to great Profit, yellow Wax, Rice, Lead, Salt-petre, red and black [...]Cloth, white linen, Vermilion and Quick-silver.

For which they have raw [...]Silk, Sugar [Page] candied, Birds Nests, which are made like those of Swallows, found on Rocks by the Sea-side, they are a good Commodity for China, and several other places; for these Nests being well washed and dried, they become as hard as horn, and they are put into Broths; they are of admirable virtue to the sick and languishing persons, and to those who are troubled with pains in their Stomach, I have brought some of them into France.

When there's no Vessel to be had at Fret, they send one to Suratte, laden with Copper, Tin, Salt-petre, Elephants Teeth, Japon Wood, and several other Merchandises which come from other parts of India, and the returns are Linen-cloth, and other European Commodities, when there comes none from Siam.

You may also trade to the Coasts of Coromandel, Malabar and Bengala, the Commodities are Elephants, Tin, Salt-petre, Copper, Lead; and the returns are Linen of all kinds.

There is seldom any trade to Borneo; this is an Isle near that of Java, where [Page] the returns are Pepper, Dragons bloud, white Camphire, yellow Wax, Gold, Pearl, Diamonds, the best in the World.

The Prince that possesses this Island is not willing to permit a Trade, fearing always some surprise, and will suffer no European to settle in his Countries. There have been some French Merchants there, for he trusts them rather than any other Nation.

There is also a Trade driven to Timor, an Isle near the Molucques, whence is drawn yellow and white Wax, Gold, Slaves, &c. and thither is sent Linen of Suratte, Lead, Elephants Teeth Powder, strong Waters, some sort of Arms, red and black Cloth, and Silver. The People here are peaceable, and negotiate fairly. Here are a great many Portugueses.

As to the Commodities of Siam, there is onely Tin, Lead, Ivory, Skins of wild Beasts and Elephants; there will be store of Pepper in time, that is to say, the next Year, L'arrek, Iron, good quantity of Rice, but you may find here Commodities from all the places before mentioned, and very cheap. Here are brought pieces of English [Page] Cloth, and Searges, Coral and Amber, Cloth from the Coasts of Coromandel and Suratte, Money in Piastres which are truckt; but as I now said, most Merchants have left trading here since the King would turn Merchant, there being brought few Goods, for the Ships that were wont to come here, came not the last year; so that here's little to be found, all being in the King and his Ministers Hands, who sell for what they please.

The Kingdom of Siam is near three hundred Leagues Long, without reckoning the Tributary Kingdoms, to wit, Camboges, Gehor, Patavi, Queda, &c. It's bounded northward by the Kingdom of Pegu, and by the Sea of Ganges; on the side of the West, and from the South by the little Strait of Malaca, which was taken from the King of Siam by the Portugueses, who have been Masters of it near sixty years; the Hollanders have taken it from them, and are the present Masters of it; on the East it's bounded by the Sea, and by the Mountains which divide it from Camboges and Laos.

[Page] The situation of this Kingdom is advantageous, by reason of the great extent of its Coasts, lying, as it were, between two Seas, which open the passage to so many vast Regions; its Coasts are five hundred Leagues round, and are every where accessible, from Japon, China, the Philippin Islands, Tonquin▪ Cochinchine, Siampa, Camboge, Java, Colconde, Bengala, and from all the Coasts of Coromandel, Persia, Suratte, Arabia and Europe; and therefore the Countrey is capable of a great Commerce, would the King permit all people to come and trade there as heretofore.

The Kingdom is divided into eleven Provinces, to wit, that of Siam, Tanaserin, Josalam, Reda, Pra, Jor, Paam, Parana, Ligor and Siama. These Provinces had heretofore the Quality of Kingdoms, but are all now under the sole power of the King of Siam, who sets Governours over them.

There are some which may retain the Name of Principalities, but the Governours depend on the King, and pay him Tribute. Siam is the principal [Page] Province of this Kingdom, the Capital City is situated fourteen degrees and an half of latitude northward, on the side of a great and stately River, and Vessels laden come up to the City, which lies above forty Leagues distant from the Sea, and reaches above two hundred Leagues up the Countrey, and [...] this means it leads into part of the Provinces, which I have above mentioned. This River abounds with Fish, and its sides are well peopled, although they lie under water one part of the Year. The Earth is indifferently fruitfull, but ill drest, the inundation proceeds from great Rains, which fall for three or four Months together, which makes their Rice grow apace, so that the longer the inundation lasts, the more Rice they gather; and so far are they from complaining, that their greatest fear is of dry weather. There are several lands lie untilled, for want of Inhabitants, which has happened by the preceding Wars, and they being enemies to labour, they love onely those things that are easie; so that those Plains and Forests which are to [Page] be seen on the Mountains serve for a retreat to Elephants, Tygers, and wild Cows, Deer, and Rhinocero's, and other Animals, which are here in great quantities.

As to Plants and Fruits, there are several in the Countrey, but which are not of great use, and which cannot be easily brought over, by reason of the length of the way. There are no Birds but what we have in Europe, excepting one like a Black-bird, which counterfeits the laughing of a Man, his singing and whistling; the Fruits the most esteemed are Durions, they have a very strong scent, which does not agree with every body, but as to their taste 'tis excellent. This fruit is very hot and dangerous to ones health, if a Man eats much of it. There is a great Nut, about which is a kind of Cream shut in a rine, which my Palate could never approve of.

Mango is in this Countrey in prodigious quantities, and this is the best Fruit in the Indies, of an exquisite taste, no ways incommoding, unless a Man eats too much of them, then indeed [Page] they may cause a Fever; it's like an Almond, but as big as a large Pear.

The Mangoustan is a Fruit like a green Nut, which has within it a white Fruit, of a sharp and pleasant taste, like that of a Peach or Plum, it's very cold, and yet stringent.

The Jacques is a great Fruit which is very good, but hot, and causes Fluxes in the Bowels when one eats of it with excess.

The Nana is like the Durion, that is to say, in respect of its Skin, it has at its end a crown of leaves, like the Artichoke; its meat is very good, tasting like a Peach and Apricock together; it's very hot and strong, which makes it commonly eaten soakt in Wine.

The Figs are a sweet Fruit of a kind nature, yet somewhat phlegmatick, there are of them all the year long.

The Ate is a very good sweet Fruit, and does no hurt; there are who esteem it more than all the Fruits in the Indies. There are Oranges of all kinds, which are very good.

The Pataie is a very good Fruit, but the Tree which bears it lives onely two years.

[Page] The Penplemouse is a wholesome Fruit which is like the Orange, but of a sharper taste. There are several other Fruits which are not so good. They began some years past to sow Corn in the high Countries, near the Mountains, which comes up well, and is very good.

As also Vines which have been several times planted, but to little purpose, being eaten up to the roots, by a sort of Ants.

There are a great many Sugar Canes which yield abundance, as also Tobacco, which the Siamoises eat with Arrek and Lime.

As to the Arrek the Siamoises esteem this Fruit more than any other, for this is their common food; there is such a great quantity of it, that the Markets are full of it; and a Siamoise would think himself guilty of a great undecency, should he speak to any one without having his mouth full of Arrek Betel, or Tobacco.

There is no City in the East, where is seen more different Nations, than in the Capital Town of Siam, and [Page] where so many different Tongues are spoken; it is two Leagues round, and half a League long, well peopled, although so much under water, that it resembles rather an Island; there are none but English, French, Moors and Chinoises who dwell in the Town, all the other Nations being lodged round about it in Camps, each Nation by themselves, who, should they come all of them into one body, would take up as much room as the Town does; but the reasons I before mentioned hinder most strange Nations to come and bring any thing with them.

The people are obliged to serve the King four months in the year, and longer if he needs them; he gives them no pay, they being obliged to keep themselves; and therefore the Women work to maintain their Husbands.

As to the Officers, from the greatest Lords of the Court, to the meanest of the Kingdom, the King onely allows them some small gratifications, being as much slaves as the rest, and this saves a great deal of money. As to [Page] far distant Provinces whose Inhabitants do not actually serve, each singular person pays him a Tribute. I arrived at a time when the Countrey was wholly under water, the Town seemed the more pleasant for it; the Streets are very long, large and streight, there are on both hands Houses built on Piles, and Trees planted round about them, which makes a fine sight, and you cannot go to them but in a Boat; you would think you see at one look a City, a Sea and a vast Forest, where are several Pagodes, which are their Churches, most of which are gilded; about these Pagodes there are places like Church-Yards, planted with Trees, which are for the most part Fruit-Trees, the Houses of the Talapoins are the biggest and finest, and are very numerous.

This Countrey is wholsomer than any of the Indies; the Siamoises are commonly well shap'd, although all of them have tanned Countenances, they are well sized, their Hair black, which they wear short by reason of the heat, they Bathe often, which contributes to [Page] the preservation of their health; the Europeans who dwell there do the same to avoid sickness: They go about all their business in Barges, during the Inundations, which lasts six or seven months together.

The King rises in the morning, and holds a great Council about ten of the Clock, wherein all affairs are treated of, which being ended his Physicians assemble to know the state of his health, and he afterwards goes to Dinner; he makes but one real Meal a day, and after Dinner he withdraws into his Apartment, where he sleeps two or three hours, and 'tis not known about what he imploys himself the rest of the time, it not being permitted his Officers to enter into his Chamber. About ten at night he holds another privy Council, where there are seven or eight Mandarins of those which are most in his favour; which Council lasts till mid night: Afterwards he has Histories or Verses made after their manner read to him, to divert him, and commonly after this Council, Mr. Constans tarries with him alone, to whom he [Page] opens his whole mind; the King being sensible of his vast parts, his Conversation pleases him, and he seldom can get away till three of the clock in the morning; and this is the manner of the King's living. At certain times he takes pleasure in hunting, as I already observed; he is always well drest: He has no other Children, but a Daughter, who is called the Princess Queen, of twenty seven or twenty eight years of age, the King greatly loves her; I was told she was a handsome woman, but she has never been seen by any men, she eats in the same place and at the same time her Father does, but at a Table apart, and she is served by Women, who are always prostrate in her presence.

This Princess has her Court consisting of Mandarins Ladies, who see her every day; and she holds a Council with her Women about her own affairs; she distributes Justice to those belonging to her, and the King having given her Provinces, she maintains her Court with the Revenue. It has happened that when her Women have been proved [Page] guilty of great slanders, or revea [...]ing Secrets of great importance, she [...] made their mouths be sowed up.

Before the death of the Queen her Mother, she was as 'tis said inclinable to grèat severities; she goes sometimes a Hunting with the King, but 'tis in a curious Chair placed on an Elephant, and where though she is not seen, yet she beholds all that passes. There are Horsemen who march before her to clear the way, and if there be any one in the road that cannot soon get out, he prostrates himself on the ground on his face. She is all day shut up with her Women, diverting her self with no work, her dress is plain and light, her Legs bare, she has light Pumps on her feet, always bare headed, and wears her Hair not passing four or five Fingers long: She is a great lover of sweet scents, anointing her Head with oil; for in those Countries their Hair must look shining, to be fine; she Bathes every day, which is the custome of all Indians, as well men as women: I have learnt all this of Madam Constans, who oft makes her Court to her. All [Page] the Women which are in her Chamber are always prostrate with their faces [...] the ground in a rank; the ancientest are nearest her, and they have the liberty to look on the Princess, which [...] have not in reference to the King, be they of what quality they will; for as long as they are in his presence, they lye prostrate on the ground, even when they speak to him.

The King has two Brothers. The King's Brethren here are next Heirs of the Crown, to the Exclusion of his Children. When he goes out to Hunt or walk, notice is given to all Europeans not to be in the way, unless they will lye prostrate on the ground. A while before he goes out of his Palace you hear the Trumpets sound and Drums beat, who march before the King; at this noise the Souldiers who stand in a row, prostrate themselves, their foreheads to the ground, with their Muskets under them; they are in this posture as long as the King can see them on his Elephant, where he is placed in a close gilt Chair; the Horse-Guard which attends him, which [Page] consists of Moors is about forty, all the King's Houshold are on foot, some behind and some on one side, holding their hands closed, and thus follow him.

There are some of the principal Mandarins who follow him on Elephants, ten or twelve Officers who carry Umbrellas about the King, and there are onely those who do not prostrate themselves, for at the same moment that the King stops, all the other fall down on their faces, and even those that are on Elephants.

As to the manner which the King of Siam observes in the reception of Ambassadors, as those of Tonquin, Cochinchine, Colconda, Malais, Java, and other Kingdoms; he receives them in a great Hall covered with Tapestry, the chief men of the Kingdom being in another Hall which stands lower, and the Officers of lesser quality in another, lower than the former, all of them prostrate on Tapestry in expectation of the King's appearance at a window which is over against them; the Hall wherein the Ambassadors [Page] must be is raised about ten or twelve feet, and distant from this Hall thirty feet; 'tis known the King is upon appearing by the noise of Trumpets, Drums and other Instruments: The Ambassadors are behind a wall which encloses this Room in expectation of the King's coming, and the Minister's orders, which the King sends by one of the Officers of his Chamber, according to the quality of the Ambassadors; after the Ministers have the King's command, the door of the Hall is opened, and then the Ambassadors appear with their Interpreters, and the Officer of the King's Chamber, who serves for a Master of Ceremonies, and precedes them on his Knees, his hands closed; the Ambassador with his Interpreters follows him in the same posture, with great modesty, till he is come one half of the way where he is to go, and then bows himself three times, and so continues going to the nearest corner of the Halls where the Guards are, and then he begins to bow again; there is a Table between the King and the Ambassador, about [Page] eight foot distant, where lye the Presents, which the Ambassador brings the King, and between this Table and the Ambassador's there is a Mandarin who receives the King's words: in this Hall are the King's Ministers, distant from the Ambassadors about three paces, and the Captain of the people, whence the Ambassador is, between him and the Ministers; the King begins to speake first, and not the Ambassador, ordering his Ministers to enquire of the Ambassador, when he parted from the Presence of his Master, whether the King and all the Royal Family be in health, to which the Ambassador answers what's fitting, by his Interpreter, the Interpreter tells it the Captain of the Nation (as they call it) of which the Ambassador is, the Captain to the Barcalon, and the Barcalon to the King. After this the King offers some questions about two or three Points concerning the Ambassador; and afterwards the King orders the next Officer to the Table to give Betel to the Ambassador, which is the sign to present him a Vest; and immediately [Page] the King retires with the noise of Drums and Trumpets, and other Instruments. The Ambassador's first Audience passes between him and the Minister, who examines the Letter, and the Presents of the Prince who has sent them: The Ambassador does not present the Letter to the King, but to the Minister, after some days of Council held on this subject.

When they be Ambassadors of Independant Kings, as of the Countries of Persia, the Great Mogol, the Emperour of China or Japon, they are received in this following manner.

The Grandees of the first and second rank go to the foot of the window where the King is, to prostrate themselves according to their qualities on Tapestry, when those of the third, fourth and fifth rank, are in a lower Hall, and expect the King's coming, who appears at a window which jets out of a wall, and is raised ten foot; the Ambassadors are in a place out of the Palace, expecting the Master of the Ceremonies, who comes and receives them, and there are the same [Page] Ceremonies used which I have already mentioned. The Ambassador entring into the Palace, puts his hand upon his head, marches through two Halls to the Stairs, which are over against the window where the King is, and when he is there, he claps one knee to the ground, and then immediately a door is opened that he may appear before the King, and the same Ceremonies are practised which I have already denoted. There is a Golden Platter on the Table, wherein lyes the letter translated and open, having been received by the Ministers some days before in a Hall appointed for that purpose. When the Ambassador is in his place the Minister's Deputy takes the Letter, and reads it aloud; which done, the King asks the Ambassador some questions by his Minister, his Minister by the Captain of the Nation, and the Captain by the Interpreter, as I have already observed.

Having learnt this manner of receiving Ambassadors, which did not seem agreeable to the greatness of the Monarch by whom I was sent, I desired [Page] two Mandarins who attended me by the King's order, to inform him that I entreated him I might have the same reception which Ambassadors are wont to have in France, which was granted me in the manner I related.

Departure from the Road of Siam.

Having given some account of the Religion, Manners, Customes and Situation of the Kingdom of Siam, [...] come now to relate my departure which was on the twenty second of December, 1685.

We hoisted Sail at three of the morning with a good Northern wind, which continued all along the Coasts of Camboge, which is a Kingdom adjoyning to that of Siam, and Cochinchine, The People of these two Kingdoms have the same belief, and live after the same manner, There past nothing remarkable to the Strait of Banca, where I ran on ground, on the side of an Isle called Lucapara, on a Muddy bank where there were but three fathoms of [Page] water, and our Vessel required above sixteen; this did not much disturb me, though it did much the Ships Crew, whom I sent to sound about the Vessel, I caused a small Anchor to be brought, to which there was a Cable, and we got off this bank in less than five hours, and though I had a good Dutch Pilot, yet I caused this Strait to be often souded; I continued my course and arrived at Bantam the eleventh of January, 1686. As soon as I had cast Anchor there, I sent an Officer of my Ship to Complement the Governour, and to have fresh provisions. He sent me for a Present six Oxen, Fruits and Herbs, and I remained in this Road but thirty hours. We weighed Anchor on the twelfth at night, but the calm overtook us, which obliged us to cast Anchor.

On the thirteenth I weighed Anchor, and we had all that day calms and contray winds, but at night there arose a small wind, which made us double the point of Bartam, and pass the Strait of Sonda in less than eight hours: I was obliged to land at the Isle of [Page] Prince, which is at the mouth of the Strait; in expectation of the Mali [...] Frigat, which could not follow us, but at length joyned us.

On the fourteenth I held on my course directly for the Cape of Good Hope, with a favorable North wind, and North North-East. The twenty third at break of day having made about an hundred and fifty Leagues we saw the Isles of Holy Cross, which surprised us, because the evening before I caused the Pilots point to be showed me, who told me to be at farthest, but fifteen Leagues of Latitude Southward, and twenty of Longitude.

This Island lyes very low, and had it been three or four hours in the night, we had certainly run on ground, but it pleased God to preserve us. We attributed this error to the Tides which ran against us; we past this Isle quickly, the wind blowing hard, and continued our course. The Sea is full of Fish in these parts, and there are a great many Birds, the weather was fair, and we every day made thirty, forty, fifty Leagues; we were diverted by [Page] pleasant game we saw carried on by the Albucorps and Bonnitres, and a small Fish called a flying-fish, who when he sees himself pursued, gets out of the water, and flyes as long as his wings [...]ie moist, which may be as far perhaps as the flight of wild Ducks; but there is a Bird which carries a great feather in its Tail, longer than the others by half a foot, and which has the form and almost the colour of a Straw; he is always in the air, and when he sees this flying-fish leave the water, he lets himself fall down upon it, as a bird of prey on his game, and some times they go deep into the water after it; so that this slying-fish seldom fails being taken.

On the fifteenth of February, we found our selves not far from the Isle of Maurice, where we met with a blast of wind that lasted us three days; the Sea was extreme rough, and gave us a great deal of trouble; the waves passing oft over our Ship, which made as to ply our Pumps to clear it of water.

[Page] On the ninteenth the Weather grew fair, and gave us leasure to set to rights what the Sea had disordered. The first night wherein this bad weather happened, the Frigat that was with me left us, the rendesvouz being at the Cape of Good Hope. Keeping on our course we had more hard weather, which much incommoded us, the waves beating against our Ship in such a manner as threatened great danger.

On the tenth of March, about two hours after noon, we perceived a Vessel, at first I thought it was that which had left me, but coming nearer, we saw her carrying English Colours, and being willing to hear. News, and supposing she came from Europe; I came up to her, and sent out my long Boat with an Officer, to know if there were any Wars, for when a man has been long at Sea, one Knows not whom to trust; word was brought me 'twas an English Merchant-Man, who, had parted from London five months since, and had touched now here, and that he intended streight for Tonquoin, that the Captain had told him that there [Page] was no War in France, and that all Europe was at Peace; but yet there had been some troubles in England occasioned by the Duke of Monmouth, who had placed himself at the Head of ten or twelve thousand men, but that the King's Troops had routed them, and taken him Prisoner; and that he was beheaded, and several of his Followers hanged, and so this rebellion was ended. He also told us that he had seen Land the day before seven Leagues off, which made us judge that we were thirty or thirty five Leagues off of it. We held on our course the rest of the day and night, and the next morning at ten of the clock we spied Land, seven or eight Leagues off us; I sounded and we found fourscore fathom and upward, we clapt on all our Sail to endeavour to get before night to the Cape of Good Hope; the next morning at break of day we saw it and doubled it; about ten of the clock we espied a Vessel windward of us, and drawing near we found 'twas the Frigat, which left us near the Isle of Maurice; this was the second time we met after our [Page] separation, both together at the place of our appointment, which seldom happens on the Sea. When I was ready to cast Anchor the wind blew so hard against us, that I was forced to tack about and Anchor at the Isle of Robins, which is about three Leagues from the Fort of the Cape; the next morning being the thirteenth of March we weighed Anchor, and went and rode near the Fort, where I arrived about two of the clock: I found there nine Vessels which came from Batavia, and were bound for Europe. I sent the Ghevalier Cibois to Complement the Governour, and to ask his leave to send eight or ten sick people on shoar, and take in fresh water and necessary Browisions. He received respectfully my Complement, and bid the Officer tell me, I was Master, and that I might do what I pleased. Arriving there in Autumn, wherein all Fruits are good, he sent me Melons, Grapes and Salads, I saluted the Fort with seven Cannon; for the King's order is to salute the Forts first, and they were exactly answered. The Vessel which carried the [Page] Admiral's Flag, saluted me afterwards with seven pleces, and I returned him the same Civility. There were in this fleet three flag Ships, to wit, the Admiral, Vice-Admiral and Counter-Admiral. The Fruit which was sent me were excellent good, as well as the Salads, and so were the Melons and Grapes; I went to land, and walked in their Garden, which made me remember those in France, for as I already said, 'twas a very fine one, and well kept; the great quantity of Pulse growing there is very gratefull to Seafaring Men, the Governour was no Niggard, ordering us what we pleased.

He is a Man of sense, and well becomes the place he holds, in which 'tis said, if he remains long, he will make his Fortune: When there be any Hollanders that will dwell there, he gives them as much Land as they will, builds them a House, gives them Oxen for Tillage, and all other Cattel and Utensils of Husbandry that are necessary; all which is valued, and when they are able they pay the Company for them. They are obliged to fell all the [Page] Fruits of their Lands to the Comapany, at a certain price, which is advantagious to both parties. The Wine that they buy of them for sixteen Crowns an Hogshead, they sell for an hundred to strangers, and to their own Fleets which pass this way; that is to say, to the Seamen who drink it on the spot; Sheep and Oxen are sold also proportionably, which brings a great Revenue to the Company; and makes their Fleets refresh themselves at small charge, and remain whole months there, according to their occasions.

When I arrived, 'twas not long since the Governour was returned from a Discovery which he had made of Gold and Silver Mines. 'Tis said that there are many, and that they lie easie and shallow. He was two hundred and fifty Leagues up the Countrey; he carried along with him three or four Outantosts, who spake Dutch, who lead him to the next Nation, which was likewise Outantosts, and took others in his way. He met with near nine different Nations, or sorts of People, some of which he took along with him, according as he [Page] changed the People, to make himself understood; he has, I am told, gotten great light in what he aimed at; he says the last Nation is the most polished, and that they came before him Men and Women dancing, being all clothed with the skins of Tygers, which hung down to their Feet. He brought one of these Outantosts, whom he has caused to be taught Dutch, to return thither the next Year. All these several People have many Cattle, and this is their Revenue. The Governour had with him fifty Souldiers, a Painter to draw colours of Beasts, Birds, Serpents; and such Plants as he should find; one to observe the course they took, and a Pylot, for they went always by the Compass, and drove along with them three hundred Oxen, to carry their Provisions, and draw fourteen or fifteen Carts; when they met with any Mountains they dismounted their Carriages, and took out whatsoever was therein, and loaded the Oxen with it, and thus passed over them. Being advanced in the Countrey, they were three or four days before they could [Page] find any Water, which much incommoded them; he was five Months and an half in this Journey.

He met with several wild Bea [...]s, and says that the Elephants are Monsters, far exceeding in bigness those of the Indies; as also Rhinocero's of a prodigious size. He saw one with which he thought he should have been killed; for when this Animal is in a fury, there is no weapon can stop him, his Skin is hard, and a Musquet shot cannot pierce it; they have two Horns which grow together in the Skin of this Animal.

The Abode I made at the Cape furnished me with Fish during the time of Lent. I saw a Whale of the largest size, I think which came within less than a Pistol shot of our Vessel; there were also store of Birds, which gave us the same diversion as those which I have already mentioned.

A Journal of the Way I made from Siam to the Cape of Good Hope.

[Page]

WE parted from the Road for Bantam the twenty second of December, 1685.

The 22. December. I made to the South quarter South East 30 Leagues.

23. December. To the South South East 19½ Leagues.

24. December. South East quarter of South 17⅓ Leagues.

25. December. South East quarter of East 5 Leagues.

26. December. Same 20 Leagues.

27. December. South quarter South East 27 Leagues.

28. December. South half quarter of South East 42 Leagues.

29. December. South quarter of South West 35 Leagues.

30. December. South South West 6 Leagues.

31. December. South 3 Leagues.

1. January. South South East 3½ Leagues.

2. January. South East quarter of South 17½ Leagues.

[Page]3. January. 3. South 4 Leagues.

4. January. South 7 Leagues.

5. January. South 5 Leagues.

6. January. South 1½ Leagues.

7. January. South East quarter of East 2½ Leagues.

8. January. East South East 8 Leagues.

9. January. South 11 Leagues.

10. January. South West quarter of South 7½ Leagues.

11. January. South quarter of South East 3½ Leagues.

12. January. South 7 Leagues.

13. January. South 6 Leagues.

14. January. South South West 7 Leagues.

15. January. South West 3 Leagues.

16. January. South West quarter of South 6 Leagues.

17. January. South South West 3½ Leagues.

18. January. South 10 Leagues.

19. January. Strait of Banca to 45 Leagues.

20. January. South quarter of South East 24 Leagues.

21. January. South 20 Leagues.

22. January. South and South East to Bantam

Way from Siam to Bantam 422 Leagues.

Departure from Bantam to the Cape of Good Hope, 12 March, 1686.

[Page]

12 of March.

From Bantam to the Isle of Prince 25

Made to the South West 26frac12;

The same 31½

To the West South West 18

South West quarter of West 24¾

South West 18

South West quarter West 24

West South West 30

The same 39

South South West 24½

West South West 20

Same 42

Same 29⅓

Same 27

866 Leagues.

South West quarter of West 16

West South West 20

South West quarter West 25

[Page] West South West 23

The same 37

The same 25

South West quarter West 24

West South West 43

The same 49

The same 51

The same 51

The same 46

West quarter South West 40

The same 30

West South West 46

The same 60

South West quarter West 56

South West 42

West quater South West 5

West 43

West quarter South West 33

The same 10

West South West 19

West quarter South West 31

The same 33

The same 18

West quarter North West 10

West half quarter South West 20

West quarter South West 16

[Page]1796 Leagues.

To the West quarter South West 32

West South West 43

West 20

West 37

West quarter South West 45

The same 51

West South West 11

North West quarter North 11

North East quarter North 8

South West 28

West North West 20

North North West 20

Considering the Cape of Horn beaks, and I made to the Bay of the Cape of Good Hope 33

The total 2158 Leagues.

On the twenty sixth of March at two in the afternoon, I set Sail with a good Wind; in leaving the Bay near the Dutch Fort of the Cape of Good Hope, I saw three Vessels who made towards the Cape, but I could not distinguish of what Nation they were, I [Page] believe them to have been Dutch, because this number was expected from the Isle of Ceilan. After we had past forty Leagues from thence, we found the Sea very boisterous, which gave us much trouble, but we continued on our course to pass the Line in the same longitude we did before. Our Voyage must needs be pleasant, for as I already noted, the King of Siam sent with us Ambassadors into France, to shew the King how earnestly he desired his Friendship; his great Qualities and Renown having reached his Ears, and been long since known in the Indies. He told me in an Audience, that he would give them no Instructions in point of Ceremony, those of France being very different from his Kingdom's, because he was persuaded the King would not require any thing of them prejudicial to his Honour, and that he would leave me to counsel them what they had to doe when they came to France; that he relied upon me for this, being sure I would not impose upon them. We had then with us three Ambassadors, the most considerable [Page] Persons in Siam. The first is Brother to the late deceased Barcalon, who was the King's Chief Minister, a Man of sense, having been ever concerned with his Brother in all his greatest Affairs; this Person, accompanied with another, came and received me at the mouth of the River of Siam, when I arrived, and has been ever with me, attending me wherever I went. The first time I saw him he seemed to me an ingenious Person, free from all affectation and reservedness, which made me tell Monsieur Constans that he would be a very fit Man to be sent over Ambassador to France. The second is aged, and wants not wit, having been Ambassador in China, and acquitted himself to the King his Master's Satisfaction. The third is aged about twenty five or thirty years, his Father is Ambassador in Portugal; these are the best natured People in the World very easie and obliging, good humoured, and their Friendship is not to be regarded as unprofitable. They write down the smallest matters they see, and I like that the better, seeing they will have Observations [Page] enough in France, neither do I doubt but they will give a true Account of them to their Master.

They should have had twelve Mandarins for their Retinue, but they have but eight, four of them being left behind at Siam, because they came not soon enough on board; they brought with them twelve young Youths, to learn the Tongue, and Trades, but part of them are also left behind with the Mandarins. The Abbat de Lionne was entreated by this King to go to France with his Ambassadors, because he speaks their Language. The King also told Mr. Vacher, that he would be very glad that he would return with his Ambassadors, which he has also done; he will be to them of great use, being an active Person. We have also with us Monsr. the Abbat de Choisy, who went to Siam to reside there in quality of Ambassador, in case the King should become a Christian; he is a very honest. Gentleman, and wants no good quality. He said his first Mass on board us, and gave us several good Sermons; Monsr. the Abbat du Charter was of our [Page] company, an able and honest Preacher. Mr. Vaudricourt was the Captain of our Vessel; he is a Gentleman admirably well qualified for his Place, taking care of every thing that concerned him, and gave us all content.

There have remained about twelve or fifteen French men at Saim, in the Service of that King, or Mr. Constans

I Continued my course till I dame near to the Isle of St. Pleten which is inhabited by English; such Ships as come from the Indies touch there, that is to say when they go not to the Cape of Good Hope; I was told it was a very good and fruitfull Island, it lyes six Degrees Latitude Southwards I past on in sight of the Isle of Ascension which is eight degrees Southward of the Line. This Isle is not inhabited, most Vessels make some stay here to take Tortoises, there being here great numbers of them, and they are no small refreshment to Sea-faring men; they live a month or six weeks without eating, they can onely be taken a nights, for in the day time they keep to the Sea, and at night come [Page] to Land to lay their Eggs, which they hide in the sand. To take them you must [...]ly hid with a great stick in your hand, and surprise them when they come out of the water, and throw them on their backs, and then they cannot stir; a man may strike fourscore or an hundred in a night. Here Vessels come on purpose to take these animals and salt them, and then carry them to the Isles in America, being bought by the Inhabitants for their Slaves. Having a good wind I tarried not long here, not being willing to lose time in passing the Equinoctial Line; for sometimes a man is forced to be long about it by reason of calms and rains to be met there: The twenty eighth of April I past the Line most happily, the heats no wise incommoding us; this is the fourth time I past it without leaving my Cloth Suit; all our men were in health excepting four or five, who were sick of the Gripes, which Distemper they brought from Siam; this Distemper is seldom cured in that Countrey, and I lost about ten or twelve men who died of it. We saw [Page] but few Fish all along, which is unusual, for one commonly meets with great quantities: We took one about eight foot long and four foot broad, he had a hole on the to pof his head, through which he breaths, and throws up water into the air like a fountain; he made a great noise, and weighed about three hundred weight, he is good to eat. On the twenty ninth we took two more Fish which weighed about an hundred and fifty a piece. We were on the Northern Coasts, having a good wind; I was about thirty two days coming from the Cape of Good Hope to the Line.

On the sixteenth of May about midnight we past the Tropick according to the best judgment our Pylots could make in taking the height. On the seventeenth about noon, this being the sixth time we past the Tropicks in this Voyage, we left by the benefit of a good wind the Torrid Zone.

The first of June we saw Land, when we thought we werea bove an hundred and fifty Leagues off it; this surprised us, because there arose great mists [Page] we were obliged to draw near it, and the weather clearing, we found it was the Isle of Flora, which is one of the Aures, and which lyes most Westward, and stands high, there falls from its mountains great water courses into the Sea. We needed swift streams to carry us to the West, which we gained above an hundred and fifty Leagues Eastward. The fifth we saw a Vessel that came near us, but it being night we knew not what she was, on the seventh we saw another which advanced towards us, I sent an Officer on board in my long Boat, who brought me word it was an English Vessel that came from Virginia and was bound to London, she was laden with Tobacco; and there being a great wind, and we out sailing her, soon left her behind us. We had variable weather till the twelvth, but about six of the clock at night, having a Western wind, the Sea grew so boisterous, it blowing hard also that we were forced to let down all our sail and cast Anchor being within an hundred Leagues distant from Brest. The weather being very cloudy [Page] and showery; we kept off the Land as much as possible, for these blasts of winds lasts sometimes eight days together, but about ten of the clock at night on the thirteenth the wind grew calm, and we again set sail, and on the eighteenth of June arrived in the Road of Brest, at four in the afternoon, where as soon as we had cast Anchor I made both our Ships fire their Guns to salute the Ambassadors of Siam, which I brought along with me.

Departure from the Cape of Good Hope for Brest, on the twenty sixth of March, 1686.

March.

Made to the North West. 30 Leagues

The same. 14 Leagues

The same 19 Leagues

To the West North 12 Leagues

To the North North West 15 Leagues

To the North West 26 Leagues

[Page] The same 20 Leagues

To the North North West 29 Leagues

To the North West 20 Leagues

The same 31 Leagues

The same 38 Leagues

North West quarter West 38 Leagues

To the North West 38 Leagues

The same 45 Leagues

To the North West ¼ West 35 Leagues

To the North West 36 Leagues

The same 46 Leagues

The same 40 Leagues

The same 34 Leagues

The same 39 Leagues

The same 42 Leagues

The same 32 Leagues

The same 31 Leagues

The same 37 Leagues

The same 36 Leagues

To the North West quarter West 34 Leagues

To the North West 33 Leagues

To the North West 27 Leagues

The same 28 Leagues

To the North West 24 Leagues

The same 24 Leagues

The same 24 Leagues

The same 21 Leagues

The same 29 Leagues

[Page] To the North ¼ North 27 Leagues

The same 19 Leagues

To the North West 17 Leagues

The same 29 Leagues

The same 24 Leagues

The same 18 Leagues

The same 30 Leagues

To the North West quarter West 27 Leagues

Between the North West, and the North West ¼ North 37 Leagues

To the North West quarter North 29 Leagues

To the North North West 37 Leagues

The same 33 Leagues

To the North North West 40 Leagues

To the North North West 35 Leagues

To the North quarter North West 35⅓ Leagues

To the North 36 Leagues

To the North quarter North West 32⅓ Leagues

To the North 31 Leagues

To the North East 22 Leagues

To the North East quarter North 29½ Leagues

To the North East 26 Leagues

To the North 29 Leagues

To the North West ¼ North 12 Leagues

The same 14 Leagues

The same 27 Leagues

The same 5 Leagues

To the North East quarter North 22 Leagues

[Page] The same 40 Leagues

To the North East 38 Leagues

The same 31 Leagues

The same 39 Leagues

The same 24 Leagues

To the East quarter North East 20½ Leagues

To the North 18 Leagues

The same 30 Leagues

To the North East quarter North 26 Leagues

The North North East 25 Leagues

To the North East quarter East 26 Leagues

The same 30 Leagues

To the North East quarter 53 Leagues

The same 22 Leagues

To the South East ¼ East 17 Leagues

To the East 34 Leagues

To the East 51 Leagues

The same 50 Leagues

The same 27 Leagues

The same 35 Leagues

The same 20 Leagues

The total about 4200 Leagues.

A Memorandum of the King of Siam's Presents to the King of France.

[Page]

TWO pieces of Cannon six foot long cast, hammered cold, set out with Silver, mounted on their carriages, garnished also with Silver; made at Siam.

A Bason and Ewer of Tambac, a Metal more esteemed than Gold, which is made at Siam after that Countrey fashion.

A Golden Bason raised on four fronts, with its Ewer upon a level for its support, made at Japon.

A Golden Ship, after the Chinoise fashion, with all its Tacklings, 2 Flagons of Gold embost, of Japon, to stand on a Cupboard, which may be put upon occasion into a Japon Trunk.

A Javelin with embost work, after the Japon manner.

Two small Golden Cups, with their small Bowls on a high Stand, Japon work.

[Page] Two small Golden Cups, without a covering, well wrought, Japon work.

A Golden Porringer, fine Japon work.

Two Chinoise Dames, each of them on a Peacock, carrying in their hands a Silver Cup enamiled, the Peacocks by turning a spring walk on a Table.

Two Silver Trunks, Japon work.

Two great Silver Flaggons, with 2 gilded Lyons, with 2 great Basons all of the same Japon work.

Two great Goblets of Silver, Japon work.

A great Silver Goblet without a Cover, with a Silver Bason.

A Bason and Ewer of Silver, on four fronts of Japon.

Two Silver Bowls, English fashion, to drink Beer in, with small Cups, Japon work.

Two Chocholate Dishes with their Silver Covers, Japon work.

Two large Japon Cups.

Two Cups with their Silver Dishes to drink out of.

Two great Silver Gargling Cups, Chinoise fashion, with their Dishes Japon work.

Two Chinoise Horsemen carrying in [Page] their hands 2 small Cups, who have a motion by springs, all of Silver.

Two Ewers on two Tortoises, all Silver, and wrought, China work.

Two Silver Covers, Japon work, which have a motion by a spring, and carry each of them a Cup.

Two great Japon Cabinets, Flowerdeluced within, set forth with Silver, and finely varnisht, Japon work.

Two small Trunks, set forth with Silver, Japon work.

Two small Tortoise shell Cabinets, set out with Silver, Japon work.

A little Silver Cabinet, Japon work.

A varnisht Table, adorned with Silver, Japon work.

Two Umbrellas, Japon wood, containing six leaves, which is a Present sent by the Emperour of Japon to the King of Siam.

Another Silk one, wrought sinely with birds and flowers, made at Siam.

Another larger than the former, containing twelve leaves, and may serve for a good shelter in the night.

Two great leaves of Paper, in one of which are all sorts of China Birds, [Page] in the other all kinds of Flowers.

A Server from the Emperour's Table of Japon.

A field Server for a great Japon Lord, well varnished.

A Japon Cabinet.

A varnished Table.

Two small Coffers full of varnished Cups.

Two other small Trunks, Japon work.

A great round Box.

Two Silk Lanthorns.

Two other round Lanthorns.

Two morning Gowns.

A piece of Persian Tapestry.

A piece of red Velvet Tapestry. China Tapestry.

Two pieces of Indoustian Tapestry.

Nine pieces of Bezoar of several animals.

Two Trunks, Japon work.

Two kinds of Ablerdo's.

Fifteen thousand and fifty pieces of Porcelains, the best of all the Indies.

Mr. Constans's Presents to the King.

A great Gold Chain finely wrought.

A Goblet covered with Silver, standing on a Golden foot.

[Page] Two small Silver Trunks, Japon work.

Three Silver Chocholate Dishes, Japon work.

A great Silver Ewer.

Two Dishes, Japon work.

Two Dishes standing on three feet with two Ears, of Japon.

Two other Dishes of different fashions, but of the same work.

Two round Dishes of the same work.

Two others with Ears.

A Silver Tea Pot.

Two small Cups with Ears.

Two Chocholate Cups.

Four several small Dishes to burn Incense after the China and Japon fashion.

A great Box the same work.

Another, &c.

Porcelains.

Twelve fine Plates.

Twelve others.

Twelve others of Japon.

Six of another sort.

Six small Dishes.

Two Plates.

Two Plates of ancient China work.

Six varnished wooden Plates.

Three extraordinary earthen Tea pots.

[Page] A bird of Prey of Japon.

Two Japon Ducks.

Two white well shap'd Dogs.

Another China Tea pot.

Sixteen different sorts of earthen ware of Patoine.

Twenty five stone Figures.

Two Umbrellas, Japon.

Two Cabinets of the same work.

Two of another fashion.

A Japon Box to put Combs in.

Four feet varnished for a Bed.

A Ladies Server of Japon.

Two Powder Boxes.

Two others.

Another Server.

Another.

Two Boxes, Japon.

A Screen.

Two Aggot Spoons.

A Lady of Siams Mantle.

A piece of Casinire Stuff.

Two Tea pots full of such Tea as the Emperour of China uses.

A smaller.

A Japon Trunk full of Birds Nests.

Seven great Porcelain Vessels.

Two Chaplets of Calamba.

[Page] Three Rhinoceros horns.

Two Birds of prey, of Porcelain.

The King of Siam's Presents to the Dauphin.

2 Calanes of Japon, set out with Tambac, which are two blades of large Swords at the end of a long Staff.

A Bason and Ewer, Japon work.

A Golden Tea-pot

A Golden Goblet.

Another Japon work.

A Silver Chocholet Pot.

2 Silver close Pots.

2 Silver Scritores Japon.

2 Cups inlaid with Silver, adorned with Gold.

A great Silver Cup.

2 More of Japon.

2 Cups with their Dishes of Silver.

2 Others, &c.

2 Of another fashion.

A Silver Japon Tobacco Box.

A great Vessel with a Silver Bason of Japon.

2 Japon Ladies, who carry each of them in their hands a little Dish, with a [Page] Silver Cup in it, and when the Cup is full, the Ladies walk about.

A Silver Crab.

A Goblet made of Stone.

Another.

Another of Stone.

A China Lion in Stone.

A small Stone Bason.

2 Japon Gowns.

Velvet Tapestry.

Silk flowered Tapestry of several Colours.

Two pieces of Tapestry.

2 Silver Cabinets, and a little Trunk.

With many other valuable Presents to Madam the Dauphiness, which I am weary of relating. Also Presents from the Princess Queen of Siam to the Duke of Burgundy, and to the Duke of Anjou. Neither do I mention those given by Monsr. Constans to Monsr. the Marquis of Seignelay, nor those that were given to the Ambassador, nor to Monsr. Choisy, which were very magnificent ones.

THE END.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

A relation of the late embassy of Monsr. de Chaumont, Knt. to the court of the King of Siam with an account of the government, state, manners, religion and commerce of that kingdom.Relation de l'ambassade de M. le chevalier de Chaumont à la Cour du roi de Siam. English

Chaumont, Alexandre, chevalier de, d. 1710.

Edition statement

1687

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A32752

ID [STC]

Wing C3737C

ID [STC]

ESTC R6683

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12379631

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12379631

ID [VID]

60708

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Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A32752)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 60708)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 654:2)

Source

— A relation of the late embassy of Monsr. de Chaumont, Knt. to the court of the King of Siam with an account of the government, state, manners, religion and commerce of that kingdom., Relation de l'ambassade de M. le chevalier de Chaumont à la Cour du roi de Siam. English, Chaumont, Alexandre, chevalier de, d. 1710..

Extent

[2], 152 p.

Printed for Henry Mortlock ...,. London :: 1687.. (A translation of: Relation de l'ambassade de M. le chevalier de Chaumont à la Cour du roi de Siam.) (Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.)

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The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.