IN the year of our Lord God, 1618, in the moneth of February; It was my Fortune to venter at Sea in a French Pinnace (whose burthen was about 30. Tun, with one Captain Iackson, Commander in chief, and one Edward Twelfes his second, with whom I was commanded by Captain Iourden chief of Bantam, to leave Iackatray road (where I was then resident) and [...]aile Eastward; first to Mocassa to transport three or four Bandaneeses to Banda; having hoysted Sayl, it pleased Godto [Page 2] afford us an oportune wind, which in the space of 14. dayes blest us with a happy arrivall at Mocassa, where our stay exceeded not the limits of a week, insomuch that within fourteen days more we were [...]ly delivered in the Islands of Banda, but the period of our Voyage was not till we came to Pullaroone, which is the Wester­most Islands of those parts, at which place (our Sayles being filled with a favourable wind from Heaven) we Anchored in the most variable Moneth of March, with as much joy and thank­fulness, as safety and present content: In th [...]se parts the Reader may please to take notice of one remarkable thing, the Wind (eminent for nothing more then its uncertainty) seats it self in the East, and revels there for 5. moneths, and at the expiration of that time gives an Acquit­tance to Zepherus, & from the Orient posts to the Occident, and there entertains it self 5. months more, proclaiming (as it were) September and March to be two certain uncertain Moneths: Here I inhabited from the year, 1618. till the year 1620. and in part of that year I was sent from Pulleroon with one Mr. Randolph in chief, and I Abraham Woof (the Testator and an eye­witness of the ensuing Discourse) was second, and one Nicholas Gates the third, which were all the Englishmen which were upon the great Island of Lantore, yet we had in our Fa [...]ry one old [Page 3] Armenian, and some other men-servants ap­pertaining to us for the steeving of Mace into Sucles, and carrying it, and other necessary goods, to Ware-houses.

Now about Michaelmas time, in the year 1620, we had in chief one Captaine Nathanel Courtupe a Kentish-man, and one Mr. Hayes his second, who was always conversant with him, and lived in his house upon Pulleroon; this Cap­tain Courtupe was a man more faithfull then fortunate, of whom I shall more sadly treate hereafter; In the mean time I will make a short digression to informe the Reader of the man­ner of the Island of Pullaroone, and the manners of the Inhabitants.

1. Pullaroone is scituated on the south Seas, a Place temperate and wholsom, insomuch that there was but 1 man known to die in 4 years; It is very firtyl in bearing of Mace & Nutmegs, & other Provisions for the food of man: It lyes between 5 or 6 degrees from the Sun: The In­habitants are generally Mahumetans, and strict­ly follow the directions of the Turkish Alker­on; they are people very devout, and strict in their Religion, most severe punishers of Mur­der and Adultery, they are men Warrlike, and agile, strong and valiant, alwayes subject to revenge an injury; their weapon is for the most part, Sword and Buckler, at which they [Page 4] play with such dexterity, that they can hard­ly be equalled by any, but themselvs; They are courtuous and affable, bountefull and respe­ctive entertainers to all, full of contention a­mongst themselves, but generally united a­gainst the common Enemy; These People for a time injoyed as much terreen happinesse as they could desire, and more then they could deserve, but at last they were subdued and sub­jugated by that avaritious, tyrannicall and fallatious Nation the Dutch, whose infidelli­ties and Tragicall Actions craves mo [...] imbit­tered expression, then the world affords Inke to write, or Tongues to express; These are those whose general intrusions into most opu­lent parts have inriched themselves by the ut­ter ruine and extirpation of others, whose de­sires to wealth are as voratious as the Sea that transports them to their prey; these are they that have a long time been exiled these three imperiall Courts; fides impietas, and Charet [...], because they ever did retaine venales animae, shaking off fas, and Idolizing Nef [...]s, but in short, their subduing of Pullaroone was more to the detriment of the English then can easily be imagined, not onely there, but also in the ad­jacent Clove Islands; but to shew them a little in their colours, I shall at [...] [...]t onely resite one of their petty Baroarisins, and return to [Page 5] the aforementioned Captaine Courtupe, who was betrayed to death by them in manner fol­lowing:

This Captain Courtupe (accidentall business intervening) was inforced to go to a place called Lantore (which was more then ever he did in my time) which Lantore is an Island op­posite (a small distance) to Pullaroone, being rowed over by the Bandaneeses themselves; In the interim of his aboad on the other side) we having three or four Dutch runnegadoes with us) one of them, in the absence of this unfor­tunate Captain, stole away in the dead time of the Night a small Prooe, which is a little Boat, and with one Paddle or Oare, rowed over to Pullaway, which is a Island seated between Pul­laroon and Lantore, and related to the Dutch there resident; that Captain Courtupe was in the Lantore Island, and that within three or four nights he was expected to make his re­turn to Pullaroone; which welcome newes put them into a serious consideration of mischief, how they might intrap him in his transporta­tion; They understanding (by the informa­tion of their welcome Traytor) that Captain Courtupe was to come over speedily from Lan­tore to Pullaroone in a Noranbagg, gave command that a Currecure (whose strength far exceed­ed the strength of Captain Courtups boat, which [Page 6] was but very small should be fitted out, which was forthwith done; this villanous Plott, was not long destitute of a most bloody effect, for meeting (according to their unsanctified wish­es) with our Captains boat, immediately fell upon her, and powring in shott (as it were by wholsaile) killed our most worthy and re­nowned Captaine, whose death was as much lamented by us, as it was rejoyced at by those treacherous and blood-thirsty Dutch, who not onely tryumphed in his death, but in the death of some others that were with him; but this unexpected newes was not long a stranger to our ears, for some that escaped the furie of these Nero-like blood-suckers, having nothing to conduct them but the Waves, swom to Pul­leroone, and after some seasonable respite, sadly related (though at first) the unbelieved mis­fortune of our unfortunate Captaine: Yet not­withstanding this credible information, Mr. Hayes forthwith sent away a boat with a flagg of truce to Pullaway, not so much to know the truth of the matter, as the reason of their un­humane actions; Their onely reply was, that he was dead, and that we should take no fur­ther care for him, he should be buryed: Thus by those Canniballs, in a Dutch dress, this worthy Captain lost his life; but this cruelty was not long without a reward, as shall be declared.

[Page 7] On the 20. of December after the p [...]rpetra­tion of this horrid and most abominable act, it happened that on the Lords Day there came within the compass of our view a Vessel, but what she was we could not presently imagine, and being in sight of all the Banda Islands, the Sea altered her countenance, and withdrew her frownes, insomuch that there was such an absolute calm, that all the Islands made out their Currecurs, which in calm weather are the best servants; But the Hollander having but one Currecur, and being deficient of strength to encounter with them in the day, although (like Thieves) in the night their thoughts and deeds are full of mischief and villany; this small Vessel being the West­ward of all the Banda Islands, we stood still as well as the Hollander, because they were all our friends, and the totall of our strength was but one Oranbagg and two or 3 small Prooes or little Boats; but we knew our Island, be­ing the next neighbour to the Vessel, should be first saluted with the news, to which pur­pose that day about three or four of the clock in the afternoon the great Boats or thievish Bandaneeses men of War came on shoar, toing of this Vessel, yet we could not discover whe­ther it was a Dutchman, or an Englishman, so that we being covetous of the truth, lanched [Page 8] from our little Island of Nalacco with one of our Boats man'd with nine men, to discover what news, but coming amongst them I my self being one of them) we found it to be a small Vessel of the Hollanders, strengthned but with seven men, and three of the chiefest of them the Bandaneeses had killed, and thrown away their bodies, but their heads they brought ashoar, the sight whereof made us firmly apprehensive of Gods immediate justice and Judgement shewed on them, that had bin so unjust to others; but for the 4. that were left alive, Captain Hayes bought them of the Bandaneeses, what Market he made I know not, but if he gave above pence a-piece, his Market was bad, in respect the last proved so ill; by these people we came to the knowledge of the agreement and peace concluded between the Dutch and us, for we found Letters to that ef­fect, the news of which made our Captain forthwith send away the 4. Dutchmen which he had bought, to Pullaway; we also proffered them the Vessell which our Captain had bought of the Bandaneeses, but their modesty was such, that they (to our admiration) re­fused to accept of that which our purses paid for, so desired us to keep it and convert it to our own use, for by their Letters they were fully informed what strength both we and [Page 9] themselves had comming, which made them civilly politick, or politickly civil.

Now within a Month after our hearts were very much exhillerated by the approach of an English Ship, called the Lyons Claw, the pre­sence of this Vessel banished our former Me­lancholly, and we that before were almost con­tristed to death, were now elevated into extre­mity of joy.

But the old Principle holds true, Nullum vi­olentum est perpetuum, no extream is perma­nent, neither were these extream new joyes to my self and some few others, which shall be forthwith knowingly and sadly rela­ted.

The Ship which I formerly made mention of being arrived with commodities, caused our Captain to ruminate about the settlement of his Factory in the Island of Lantore, upon which it was demanded who would, or dared to venter the undertaking of the Factory in Lantore; and to speak according to truth, in­deed many were unfitting, and many were unwilling to go, because they fear'd an altera­tion, our Captain being in this dilemma, in respect of the unwillingnesse and disability of most of the Company to goe to the Factory, I with two more freely proffered our selves, and was as willingly and freely accepted, and [Page 10] loaded with the retribution of many thanks from our new Captain, but our after experi­ence instructed us to believe that they were the wisest that staid upon Nalacca Island til the last, for although our thoughts were sowne with the seeds of profit, and expected to have reapt the double benefit in our Estates, we received more then trebble losses by the perfi­dious Hollander, besides the great danger and hourly hazzard of our lives, and the extream punishment we received in our bodies, and all by the Jewish dealings of the too much insen­tiate Hollander; as often as I think of their unparralelled and almost unimitable severity I cannot but admire, and praise with admira­tion, that great God which strengthned and so much enabled me to undergo those heavie pressures which were loaded upon me by those Patrons of cruelty; God forgive them, and grant that I may be truly considerate and thankfull to him for sparing my life in such eminent dangers, and for preserving me he­therto ever since that time, it being from this time 31. years since those barbarous exactions were imposed upon me by the Turkish-like Hollander, whose baseness I want as much lan­guage to express, as I crave patience to for­give; had our deserts importuned the lest of their Tyrannies, it would have put some gloss [Page 11] upon the face of so foul dealings; but I pro­test (to my knowledge) we never treated them with the least incivility, but were alwayes willing to live quietly amongst them, but the turbulancy of their spirits alwayes put a false construction upon our true meaning, daily la­bouring to subvert us, and those that were our Adherents, as shall forthwith be de­clared.

Not long after our safe Arrivall and settle­ment in Lantore, there arrived a Junck with a China man, laded with cōmodities, and hound­like after their scent came the full mouth'd Hollander, and with them a Vessel entituled, A Float, with great Guns in her purposely for Battery, this Vessell was towed most part of the way from Iackatray (which they now nick-name, and call Battavia) but these Hol­landers lying about Lantore, began to parley with the Lantore man, and continued there parlying about two Months; but this benefit we had, that which the Dutch agitated by day we were informed by the Lantore men at night, by which we understood how impor­tunate the Dutch was to have the Iland of Lan­tore into their hands and custody, sometimes they would fairly perswade and intreat the Lantore men to yield to their perswasions, and sometimes threaten them with Fire and [Page 12] Sword, if they refused to condescend to their Proposalls; and sometimes telling them, that although they had given the Island to the King of England, they need not fear to disclaim what they had done, and make them Masters of it; for they could, nay and would interpose between all danger and them, and that they had sufficient strength to guard them from all the Nations in the world, if they would give them a pawn to enjoy the profits of their Fruits at those termes the English had conditioned with them: The Lantore men being in this perplexity, and doubting among themselvs what might happen to them by the refusal of what was proff [...]red, addressed them­selves to us, desiring to be informed how we could secure them from these insatiate people whose perswasions were as plausible, as their threatning terrible; to whom we replyed that we conceived their fear was built upon bad grounds, in respect that we were confi­dent relief was not far distant from us, and that our Fleet would forthwith come to our assistance; therefore we encouraged them, and char [...]ed them to be couragious, and not to yield to their unjust perswasions; These words so much animated them, that the next time the Dutch desired a pawn from them, they pleaded ignorance, telling them that they [Page 13] knew not the signification of a Pawn, and made themselvs wonderfully inqusitive what that Pawn was which they made mention of; At this, the Dutch began to be something pe­tulant, but with an advised consideration told them that they must bring a Brass Bason fill'd with Earth, and plant in the middle of it the branch of a Nutmeg Tree loaded with Fruit, and cause it to be presented to them by the hands of the chiefest men of their Islands; and this the Hollander told them was the mea­ning of the Pawn.

The Lantore Men after a serious, but short pause, returned answer to this effect; Your Demands are our Impossibilities, for should we recede from what we have already done, both God and Man might justly brand us with Infidelity; and we could almost per­swade our selves into a confidence that your spirits are so Noble, that you scorn to unin­terest the English of what is their proper due, & make our names for (complying with you) to be ingraved in every heart with the indela­ble Characters of base perfidiousnesse; But, rather then we wil do it, we will (as we are encouraged by the justness of our cause) pro­stitute our selves to the extremity of all mise­r [...]s; and this is the sum of our intentions: To which the Hollander (whose malice boyl'd [Page 14] for utterance) reply'd, Since so it is, that no perswasions will allure you to your own hap­pinesse, you must expect to find the reward of your obstinancy, though we confess it is much against our inclinations to imbrew our hands in blood; yet rather then we will be frustrate of our intentions, we are resolved to make a Bonefire of your lland, think not that the Eng­lish strenth can stand in competition with ours, for we own them but as a handfull in comparison of our selves, and when our suc­cesse hath benighted your time, you will con­fess this truth, and acknowledge your owne follies; in the mean time, go, and be slaves to your own opinions; and know, that when you find repentance, we may chance to want eares.

Thus this angry dispute being finished, and the Hollanders much incensed and troub­led at the slender effects of their assiduous la­bours, begin to plot how to obtain that by foul means, which their seeming fair meanes could not accomplish; to which purpose they begin to prepare their Vessell called the Float with her Battery Gunns, which being done, they forthwith assaulted the Town, and besides the Float, they brought some other Ships to lye in br [...]st against the Town in which our Factory was; At the sight of [Page 15] which, we forthwith set a Red Crosse upon our Factory houses, to signifie to them that there was our abiding place, at the sight wher­of the Dutch trebled their former shot against us, but could no way prevail; but we very easily perceiv'd, it made the heat of their rage encrease into a greater flame; but at last I my self ventured, and took it down, yet for the space of 2 dayes they lay battering, but not to so much purpose as they expected; Now by the way of the water side in this lower Towne, there was a Plat-form made with three Gunns in it, two Sak [...]rs and one Minion, which kept the Hollander at a reasonable distance from the Town, and all the Town was made up with great broad stones, that there was n [...]ither in­gresse, [...]or egresse, but onely through the up­per Town, and this Plat form in the lower Town was so well man'd with Guns by the Bandaneeses, that had not the Hollanders found some other way to come in, their second en­deavours might have proved as ineffectuall as th [...] first.

The Hollander perceiving how insuccesfull their first attempt was, after two or three days consi [...]tion what couries they might best and most safest take; they began to fit them­selves on the last day of February, 1620. and on the 1. of March following in the morning, [Page 16] about six of the clock, we being up and ready in our Factory, Mr. Randolph summoned us (as his usuall course was) to come to prayers, prayers being ended, he commanded the Cook to provide breakfast, which accordingly was done, but it was the last breakfast that ever that Cook provided for me, for on a sudden there arrived at our ears such a sallet of out­cryes, that made us wish we had eat our break­fast without it, for the Bandaneeses, which had the charge of the lower Town, saluted us with an unexpected Alarum, that the Hollanders was landed, and were upon their march towards the Town, having landed on the West side of the Lantore Island nearest to a place called Lou­quee their pollicy thought it most expedient to land their st [...]rnmost Boat first, and so by de­degrees landed all their men without any loss of blood or men on the Hollanders side: Thus being landed, we presently and sadly heard the beating of Drummes; and looking toward the upper Town, we discerned the Hollanders Colours; which caus'd our Colours (in re­spect of the suddenness of the business) to re­treat to our hearts, and there lie buried till our Enemies pull'd them out, Vi, & Armis; but being now surrounded, and expecting every hour to groan out our souls, we thought it more convenient to dye at our doors, think­ing [Page 17] that our language might something miti­gate the fury of our new come unwelcome E­nemies; but the Hollanders placed in their front, a Nation called the Iapaneeses, a people of Iapan, but they entred not into our Factory but beset the houses round; these were all Gun-men, having small Guns much like our Cullivers, with brass barrels, so these Souldi­ers called out, and required us to come out of our houses; or they would shoot us, where they found us; Then we three Englishmen came to the door; and having presented our selves before them, they presently stood pre­sented against us, ready to give fire; So the Fronteers called out unto us, and told us that we must be their prisoners, to which purpose they took us into custody, strictly examining of us whether there was no more of us, the tuth is (I thought they had too many of us already) but in conclusion we told them that we had one Armenian more; so whilst they were roguishly busie in binding of us, some of their associates dragged out the poor old Ar­menia man, whom I thought would have died for fear of dying, his age being not able to encounter with such youthfull Tyfannies; but in the interi [...], I took the boldness to ask my busie workman, which was ve­ry busie in tying my hands, whether the mer­cilesse [Page 18] Hollander would trouble himselfe so much as to kill us, or no; who replyed, and swore a sufficient Oath, that I should not be kill'd by any till he had brought me to speak with the Hollanders; so by these Iapandaries we were brought into the Market-place of the lower Town, and there we were commanded to kneel down, so they brought a Nockedy of a Junck, which is a Master of a Ship, and tied him to my right arme; and presently came another Iapander, and cut off his head, at which I was starting up, expecting my own to go next; but my Guardian leapt upon my two shoulders, and kept me down, so before my face they cut his body into piecemeals, so that at that time I could not cast my eyes any way, but I sadly observed them cutting in pie­ces men, women, and children in the streets, so that the town was a Shambles of dead men.

Now after eleven of the clock, although we heard nothing more distinctly then the most lamentable and horrid cryes of men, women, and children, being brought to suffer death by their enemies) we were commanded to march into the upper Town of Lantore, where the blood-sucking Dutch sate in most Maje­stick pomp; at our first appearance before them, we were courteously entertained with the titles of Rogues, [...]ay base Rogues, the ba­sest [Page 19] of all Rogues, except (as I thought) Dutch Rogues; the second course was Villaines, but not Hogen and Mogen ones; the third was, Traytors to the States of Holland, and to our own King of England, and that we were most worthy to be hang'd out of the way; which words all of us heard with much regret and distast, in respect that we could be no less then confident, that we deserved no such imbittered language from them; But to come to the busi­ness, we three (I cannot say merry men) Eng­lishmen, were presently condemned to be tyed to 3. severall posts, but what to do we knew no more then the posts, till afterwards expe­rience made us feel what we were sent for, be­ing miserably dragged along to the posts, we were most violently ty'd to them, insomuch, that the blood was ready to start out of our fingers ends, and our hands being tormented from their usuall colours, look'd black, and (as it were) mourned for the miseries our bo­dies were like to endure, the extremity of which tortures made us sadly cry out to be loosed, and our cryes were so prevalent, that it moved them to pitty our hands, and punish our necks, for they a little, and (in truth) but a little loosned our hands, and tyed our necks so close to the posts, that indeed I could hardly perswade my self but that there was an abso­lute [Page 20] incorpora [...]ion between my neck and the united post; these torments I lookt upon as symptomes of an ensuing death, for indeed we expected it, being tyed hands and neck to the posts; but on a sudden the Heavens frow­ning at these impieties, sent down such a shower of rain for one hour and a half, that the like was never before known by any there present; the Rain surceasing, we three stand­ing all the while (in dispight of our teeths) in the Rain, desired that we might be once more loosned, for the rain had so much shrunck up our cords, that they pinched us even unto death; not long after we were loosned, but had I not seen my hands (which was as much as I could well do) I had absolutely thought my hands had taken distaste at my body, and so left me; had our miseries ended here, we had been very happy, in respect of what fol­lowed after; but see the frailty of man, that had rather suffer a thousand torments, then dye once; I remember it is reported of a great Tyrant, when any was to dye, he would have as many torments inflicted upon him, as could be imagined, and being askt the reason he replyed, Ut sentiat se mori, that a man may know he dyes: So our Dutch tormentors could not be contented to afford us great tor­ [...]s, but must st [...]ll study greater, for sudden­ly [Page 21] after they placed the old Armenian with us on [...]round slippery hill, where we expected to receive our last punishment, for we were much afraid that the half Pike men would have for­ced us down the back side of it into the O­cean, but within half an hour there came an Order that we should be tyed one upon the back of another, and so carry one another down the better side of the hill; being thus compelled to obey this cruell command, I took Mr. Randolph and carried him, and Mr. Gates took the old Armenian, and with great difficulty and paines we got down without tumbling, hoping when we came at the bot­tome to have been eased of our burthens, but we found no such clemency from them, for instead of abstracting, they largely added to our former miseries, buffiting us with our burthens fast tyed to our backs; and if we asked whether it were the fashion to use us prisoners in that nature, they would largely answer us in the dumb language of their un­sanctified fi [...]ts, inforcing us to go with our loads upon our backs to shew them the way out of the Town, we not daring to make the least resistance, but with seeming content at­tended their pleasure, and shewed them the place where we used formerly to ease our selves (but could not at the present of our [Page 22] burthens) the place was 12. foot high, the stones being so laid one upon another▪ yet we (like Pedlars with our ware at our backs) were compelled (I cannot say to crawle over them, in respect we had not the use of our hands) but by the assistance of my toes, el­bows and chin, I for my part got up to the top of the wall, but Mr. Randolph that was my back friend shewed me a slippery trick (the cord breaking) fell from my back, and I (out of policy, because I would not take up my burthen again) ventured to break my neck, and fell down on the other side of the wall, but poor Mr. Randolph, that almost rosted me before with heat in carrying of him, was him­self as well basted (for not making more haste over the wall) as I believe hands could do it, and I am sure (were he alive to witness it) he would say, that he needed no more basting in a year after.

Neither was this the Finis of our misery, but as one wave gives place to another, so did our torments; for comming on the other side of the wall, those beasts of prey (the Hollander) fastned their pawes upon us, and like Lions, dragged us to their Den, which was a Boat purposely provided to row us to the Ship cal­led the Holland, which lay neer two leagues distant from the place we were taken, but be­ing [Page 23] attended to the Boat with severall curses and stripes, we (though unwillingly) stept in but because we should not forget our former trade, they forthwith took us (onely the Ar­menian excepted) and bound us harder then before to the thoughts of the Boat, insomuch that through our extremity of pain, we ear­nestly implored our Butchers to be so merci­full to us, as to cut our throats, but our plead­ings, lamentations, and sad cryes, proved mu­sick to their ears, insomuch that instead of compassionating our groans, they laught to hear them ( [...]re the Turk is more merciful to his Slaves, then these Tyrants were to us poor naked men: At last we came to the Ship cal­led the Holland, where we were presently en­quired after by those in the Ship, at whose en­quire and command we were charged to climb up by a roap into the Ship, but for the present neither of us was able to touch a Ropes end to hoist our selves up, but sate bem [...]aning of our selves, lamenting to think how perpetu­ally they had lamed us; but at last the Pro­vost of the Ship commanded some of his men to come into the Boat, and hand us in by main strength; being thus shipt, the Provost con­demned us every one to a severall place of suffering; as for me, I was placed at the Beeck head of the Ship, a place where they could not [Page 24] come to ease themselves at Natures Costome­house, but I must take the scent of their tayles, and I am confident they took delight (and I fear some of them took physick purposely) to visite me, and after their visitation they would goe upon their Fore-Castle, and laugh, vomiting forth raylings against the English, expressing their Affection which they beare to our Nation; this I under­stood because I was skilfull in their speech; Thus sate I in this surreverentiall posture chained to my seat, and the other two were chained, one at the Lar bote catt-head, and the other at the Stare-bote catt-head of the ship; We were thus kept assunder, because if any of the Bandaneeses could or would justifie that we had been upon the plat-forme in resistance against the Hollander, then our necks had paid for the offence of our hands; but GOD be prai­sed, none of them could, or would justifie it.

In this sorrowfull, and lamentable conditi­on we three English-men lay (well may the Reader judge) to our little profit, but less ease, for the Sun lying within five degrees of those Islands, cast such penetrating rays upon us, that had we not spent much greace before, we might well expected to have been almost mel­ted, but the night comming on, we found an [Page 25] alteration, by reason that in Nero Roade the va­pours ascend from the sea, the moistness where­of (had not the Almighty Protector defended us from it) had been sufficient to have suffo­cated us, or else to have furnished us with sick­nesses sufficient to have put a period to our suf­ferings, for very few that dye in those parts, dye of any other disease, then the Feaver, or the Flux; and that which added something more to our miseries, was, that none of us had any thing to protect us from the boards, or detect us, either from the violent heat by day, or the vapourous cold by night; and againe, I am confident, we were so odious to the Dutch, that not any of them were guilty of so much commiseration, as to furnish us with the least of any thing that might adde comfort to our distresse, onely this most horrible comfort we should constantly have intruded into our ears, that within two dayes more, a rope should be our Phisitian (but we could not perswad them, (that were sick of Tyranny) to use it them­selves) some of them would often flatter us to our faces, and say, That no men in the world would become a halter, like an English­man.

Judge then (Judicious Reader) how dis­sonant these expressions were to our de­pressed Spirits; and I beseech you, let your [Page 26] serious consideration reflect upon their Ty­rannyes and our extremeties, think but how feelingly we were lash'd into miserie, and when we thought that our complaints would have induced them to be compassionate, their dispositions were so contaminated with Bar­barisme, that their joyes were as exuberous as our sorrow; May not these enormeties well prove Arguments to invite us to beleeve, That if their Power were correspondent to their sanguine thoughts, wee should finde them worse Task-masters, then ever experience made the Hebrewes find from the hands of the Egyptians; And for my own part, I seriously Protest, that if it pleased the Great Determiner of all things, to command me to yeeld my bo­dy to be tormented, I had farr rather choose the Turks, then the Dutch Tortures, for the cruelty of their mercyes, I am confident, are far transcending the Turkish extremeties, and I know that their Viperous inclinations to­wards us would not be consumated, till com­pleated fury riotts it self into an unparaleld revenge; Yet, had the People (which are too much ebrietated with Mallice) but so much consideration, as to remember how many emi­nent favours our Nation has formerly accu­mulated upon them, sure they could not but ingenuously confess, their dissabillity to com­pensate [Page 27] our deserts, but their Ingratitude has been our reward, Sed de his, satis, quia ingratos dixi; but I will here desist from progressing any further into their ingratitude, and return to my former subject.

Being (as I have formerly told you) thus carbonadoed in our bodies, and sadly perplex­ed in our minds, we began to ruminate what course we might best take to procure some ease to our distressed and distempered selves; And after a short pause, we thought it convenient to perswade our enemies to furnish us with pen, inke and paper, that in a Petitionall way we might expresse our mindes to the chief in the ship, called Holland; the effect whereof was, That (in respect of our daily vexations and troubles, our bodies were very much impaired, and our hearts dejected) we desired so much favour from the chief of them, as to be a little free'd from our chains, and obtaine so great a priviledge, as to walk or sit between the Decks of the ship, that so our bodies and mindes might finde the comfort of a short relaxation; After some consideration, our hearts were ex­hillerated with the newes of our release, we (being forthwith taken from our Irksome Chains) began to conceit our selves into a strange kind of happines, but this happines, as it was soon obtained, so it as soon expired, for [Page 28] we were forthwith (through their goodnesse and clemency) commanded to be put into a great bolt of Iron, about Eight foot long at the least, insomuch that we were forced to be idle because we could not stirr, but onely sit upon the Deck, and God knowes, wee had e­nough of that before, if their pleasures would have given them leave to consider it; but they that felt no misery themselves, knew not how to commiserate ours, yet the extent of their favours was such, that every other day we were severally brought out of our bolts, but not for our ease, but for their pleasures, for we were compelled every one of us severally to answer to certain Interrogatories, insomuch that if they had found us in severall tales, Eng­land had never heard this sad truth from my mouth: but our constant sitting and lying grew so tedious to us, that we thought it con­venient to Petition them againe for ease, yet we were something doubtfull in respect of our former Success, but the violence of our Suffe­rings strengthened our intentions, and we re­solved to Petition, that we might finde so much favour from their hands, as to be rein­chained, and permitted to walke above, or be­low the Decks, as our Chains should permitt, and our occasions require; our Petition being granted, we were acquitted of our troublesom [Page 29] Bolt, but new Torments (like the Hydra's heads) presently succeeded the old; wee were no sooner out of our Bolts, but we were pre­sently exalted, and carryed up, and set in the heat and colde as formerly; neither was that all, for our leggs were forthwith salluted with a Bolt of about a foot long, with both our knees wrung together so hard, that our Torments may better be imagined, then ex­prest, our conditions were so lamentable, that we could not so much as stirr our bodies from the place where we lay, but with miserable content we were constrained to undergoe our extreamities; In this most deplorable conditi­on we continued the space of 48 hours, unpit­tied by those merciless Neroes; being in extre­mity of pain, wee earnestly importuned them for the possession of our great Bolts again, which request was accordingly granted, and we put in lawfull possession by them, where we remained compleat 16 dayes, hearing nothing so much, as the dialects of hanging and torte­ring, which must needs be very placent to our distressed hearts: Being thus almost worne out with Sufferings, one of my miserable associats (over-burthened with Oppression) was de­prived of his health, and with an extream Flux, was very much debilletated in his body, Mr [...]dolph all this while kept himself in a [Page 30] good condition of health, and so continued; as for my self, I thank my Great Preserver (GOD) I continued in health, and was aegro­tus animo magis quam corpore, more imbecill in minde then body; but one thing I cannot with­out praise to God, and admiration, omitt to recite, which is, That in the space of 21 dayes, I never enjoyed the benefit of Nature more then four times, and yet all the while was ve­ry sane in my body: but as for my concome­tant, Mr. Gates, he was in the time of his sick­ness most sadly used by them in respect of his often necessity, being troubled with an exceed­ing Flux; these incomparable Villans, in the absence of the Provose, would not let this poor man out of the Bolts, but compelled him to use the Platter wherein we constantly eat our meat; these things were very unsavery to us, yet these inhumane Creatures would not in the least be sensible of our callamities; thus we lay sadly wasting our tedious and tiresom hours, expecting every minute to have heard the tidings of death, but the hand of heaven restrained them, and as our sins led us into these sufferings, so His hand of Mercy after­wards led us out, which follows, and will forthwith fall into our Relation.

In those parts, there lyes a Roade, known by the name of Nero Roade, the comming in [Page 31] whereof lies to the Westward between Goonape and Lantore Island, which is the largest Island in Banda; This Nero Roade is surrounded with Islands, having onely a Passage out of the East and West towards Rose and Gang Island, over against the Island of Lantore; there is also ano­ther Island, near adjacent, which is called, Poulee Swanga, which I make mention of in re­spect of the name, which signifies, being inter­preted, the Island of Devills, and may well be so called, because of the sterilitie, both of fruit, and People; but to come to my story; Into this Nero Roade came sailing two of our English Ships bound for the East Indies, the one was the Exchange, the other the Star, these ships having been in the Roade about two or three dayes, their Commanders were informed what the Dutch had acted in Lantore, and how they had some English Prisoners amongst them, which English Prisoners, One Captain Fitch Herbert sent to demand (which the reader may please to conceive was no small joy to us mi­serable Captives) upon whose demand, the Dutch forthwith unbolted us, and sent us a­way, we not so much rejoycing at our depar­ture, as they did at our former miseries; Wee being arrived at the English ships, word was presently carried into the ship called the Ch [...]ge, to Captaine Fitch Harbert, that the [Page 32] English Prisoners were comming aboard, the Newes being thus reported, we were comman­ded into the Cabbin, where we were examined by Captain Fitch Herbert concerning our being taken, and our usage by the Dutch; to whom I replyed, That the Dutch used us like them­selves, which was, like Tyrants, and that he might easily perceive by our decrippednesse what course entertainment we found amongst them; after we had made the full Relation of every perticular; he forthwith discharged us, without adding any relief to our manifold wants, which indeed very much troubled us, but he was pleased (a purpose to be rid of us) to give us liberty and leave to go to Pulleroone as soon as we could get any Passage, for which favour, we gave him a parcell of such thanks as we thought the courtesie merrited.

THE Wind having unseated it self, and left its Westerne Court, where it had conti­nued constant five Moneths, whirls about, and salutes Flora with an Easterne and comfortable blast, March ha­ving breathed its last for that year, April suc­ceeded, which Month we spent at Nalacco I­land, where our houses were seated; not many weeks after arrived the Ship, called the Ex­change, and came to Pullaroon and Nalacco to see what men would go Westward; I being one that was willing to go, forthwith went a­boord, and from thence sayled to Amboyna, which was thirty [...]eagues distant, W [...]stward [Page 34] from Banda, at which place we spent a com­pleat Months time, and after set Sayle and came for the Mulouca Islands, where our stay was no longer then whilst we could settle our Factories, it being Gods great mercy that I stayed not amongst them; after that, we came to Turnate to the Turnatians, with whom we wa­sted a Moneth more, and afterwards we came back to an Island called Mockan, that lyes un­der the Line, which Island containes a Castle, which Castle contains a pair of Stocks, which pair of Stocks contained me; for truly I think that those well-sented Hollanders thought I smelt so much of misery, and that I was fit for nothing else, for indeed my stay had not been long in that place before they sent a crew of ill looke people with Swords and Gunns, I thought at first to kill me, but it fell out o­therwise (I thank God) for they onely suffici­ently beat me, and dived into my well-furni­shed pockets, and (I hope the Reader will i­magine) took away my money, for truly, I thought it a piece of vanity to put my hand in after theirs came out, neither had I heart to do it, in respect I was confident to finde a strange vacuety there; neither would my mo­ney [...]ice them, but they must also endeavor to beat me out of my clothes, which indeed much [...]ubled my [...]nscience, yet at last they [Page 35] buffited me into a very unwilling confession wh [...]re I had laid them, and some other goods, which I brought with me; thus (I cannot say they left me, but I became) moneyless, and clotheless, to my great grief, and their no small profit; In this posture of poverty they forthwith dragged me to their (Inquisition) the Castle, where I found entertainment an­swerable to my expectation, for they were not endued with so much manners as to make a poor man drink for his money, no nor for my clothes neither, but immediately (as if I had been born to no other purpose) they sent me sadly to the Stocks, where I sate, more likely to sigh my heart out, then my leggs; my rugged life-guard leaving me, I begun to ruminate upon my misfortunes, and having thought my self into a world of misery, I be­gan to wish my heels at liberty, but my wishes were no way prevalent; at length, having de­fategated my spirits with tedious and trouble­some Meditations, I endeavoured to rouze up my drooping heart, informing my self, that the more I repined, the greater addition I gave to my sorrow, and that I must labour to crown my sufferings with patience, remembring that although the Sun is overshadowed with more then one cloud in a day, yet conquers them at last, and although his resplendent rayes often [Page 36] suffers an obnubelation, yet his primitive and pristine glory is no way extenuated, only the world suffers a momentary deprivation: So a m [...]n in affliction, although his externall parts are veyl'd with misery, yet his internal qual­lities retain (nay sometimes more then their usuall vigour) and are insensible of any de­minution; with these and such like cogita­tions I satiated my thoughts, and hug'd my bitter-sweet afflictions; but at length d [...]i­ring to sollace my fancy with new objects, my eyes took a survey of the scituation of the Ca­stle, but suddenly I discry'd a parcel of Muske­tiers comming towards m [...], the sight whereof made me suspitious that I should forthwith breath my last, for I expected nothing more then immediate death, but the event proved the contrary, for upon their neerer approach to me I observed, that it was a prisoner they had taken, and were bringing him to be my associate, I confess I was miserably joyfull to see him, in respect he was an Englishman of my acquaintance, but grieved to think of his be­ing in the hands of such Butchers, indeed they were so civill to me (that although he proffe­ [...]ed me the upper hand in the Stocks, yet they told me, I deserved it, because I was (by their approbation, and appellation) the elder Ro [...]gue: Thus we two late lovingly in the [Page 37] Stocks together, bewailing our [...]ad misfor­tunes, but my stomack began to importune me for meat, having been in the Stocks all night, I may very well be excused for being both hungry and thirsty; but it is far easier for a man to complain, then to be relieved; therefore I gave my appetite an unwelcome check, and feasted my self with content, which is but a meane satisfaction to a raging sto­mack.

About 8. or 9. of the clock in the morning, our Castle-C [...]ers were pleased to re­create themselves towards us, but our fear in­structed us to believe it was rather to abuse us, then to give us a breakfast; being come with­in the audit of a distinguishable voyce, they merrily made enquiry after our healths, and we as sadly told them, that we were onely weary with our tedious sitting, and at that time our stomacks were more agile then our legs; upon this (I know not whether out of pitty or malice) they were pleased to lend us the use of our legs again, but were very care­full that we should not abuse them, and to that purpose betray'd us into the custody of a Guard of Musketeers, which promoted us in­to an upper room in the Castle, where we stayed till we heard the welcom news of some that made enquiry after us, these enquirers [Page 38] being safely and honourably conducted to our presence chamber by our guard, we cheer­fully saluted them, and gave them such wel­come entertainment as our Pallace would af­ford us; we gave them audience, and by the sequell of their discourse, we gathered, that they came from our Ship to make enquiry af­ter us, which news was no less welcom, then gratefully accepted; [...]fter a short [...]rley with them, [...]e began to assume cheerfull counte­nances; but our winter sufferings craved a flood, insomuch that we earnestly importu­ned our new come friends, to fetch us a little water, that we might wash away our sorrows with cold comfort; the water being brought, we lovingly tippled to one another; these ce­remonies being past, our friends began to de­port themselvs into a posture of departing, and we (not much inviting them to stay, in respect we had intreated them to bring some victualls from the Ship) courteously bid them farewel; Thus they departed, leaving us behinde, accompanied with our sorrows, and misera­ble stomacks, whilst our Cormorant [...]ard Tantali [...] [...]d us with their unmannerly eating and drinking before our fa [...]s, deriding and mocking at our hunger, whilst we were for­ced to wish that they had either no meat, or we no stomacks; By this time our friends [Page 39] were arrived at the Ship, where they inform­ed our Captain of our ill usage with the Dutch, who indeed was very apprehensive of our suf­ferings, and forthwith commanded them to return to us with relief, and charged them to visit us daily about 8. of the clock, much ad­miring, and incensed at the conflagrations of their malice towards us, willing them to ask whether it was the Dutch fashion to use their prisoners with so much Tyranny and unpara­lell'd Barbarisme: About 12. of the clock we were informed of the approach of our friends, but they entring, our stomacks for the pre­sent would not permit our tongues to express our thanks equable to their deserts; but after we had indifferently quallified and allayed the vigour of our memorable appetites, we be­gan to unbosome our selves to them, expres­sing our gratefull acceptance of so welcome, (though so long absent) a favour; whilst we were thus humouring of our much implaca­ble natures, our friends seemed to be in a seri­ous consultation with our Guards, enquiring and descanting upon the reason of so much severity towards us Englishmen; and why they should, upon so slender an account, as the buying of Cloves upon their Island, use so much violence against those Captives they had taken, telling them how disproportion­able [Page 40] it was to a good conscience, which acti­ons (if continued) would make them an odium to all Nations; these words seemed (as in­deed they were) very unsavouly to their tur­bulant spirits; for they had so much habitu­ated themselves to villany and bas [...]ness, that custome had made it too inherent for a remo­all; I will not expend so much time as to make a Narrative of their responds, in respect I intend to hasten to what shall be more mate­riall.

This day we spent with indifferent ease and contentment, but the night approaching, and our friends being departed from us, we began to think of rest, wondring where they inten­ded to dispose of us that night, for we thought that they would not trust us in that room without a Guard; but our admiration was quickly converted in a compleat satisfaction, for before night had absolutely spread abroad her [...]able Curtains, there came a Dutch Fury, attended with [...]our Musketeers, and comman­ded me to take my leave of my fellow captive, and so violently took me away from him, and carried me to the East side of the Castle, and left Matthew Sawell, my former Companion, on the West side, and planted two Musketeers at each of our doors all the while we were in their custody, which was about 8. dayes, all [Page 41] which time we lay upon the boards, being not allowed by them any thing to sustain us, no not so much as water; the next day our friends comming to supply our wants, wondred to see us at such a distance one from another, de­manding of us the reason of our separation; but our slender knowledge could not satisfie their demands, but we were forced with as much patience as we could to endure all their sad impulsives, and I bless and praise my great Redeemer, that he hath been thus graciously pleased to spare my life, and hand me out from all these eminent and depraved extremities, which I hope will never be oblittered out of my serious mind; And I hope God will be pleased to preserve our English Nation from all their plots and Tyrannies threatned, to my knowledge against us; for I am confident the Spaniard in 88. never intended to impose more cruelty upon us then these (let it satisfie that I know not what to call them:) I will therefore assume so much boldness, as to speak a word or two to our Nation, though I know some will condemn, what other by experi­ence will sadly acknowledge: In short, I know them experimentally, to be a people of most operative spirits; and had I a Tragicall design to act, I should as soon imploy them in it (provided it may tend to their gain) as the [Page 42] best Jesuite now living, for I know them to be such undermining and insinuating people, that like the Crocadile, they are most destru­ctive, when they shed most tears; and for my own part, I had inured my self to believe least, when they spoke most; nay, in conclusion, neither to believe little or much of their tra­ditions; they are Lions, if Conquerours, but Spannels if conquered; And truly I dare not believe but that they are very joyful of this o­portunity to fall out with us English, for I have heard them for many precedent years declare, that they would show us, what Dutchmen were if ever they could finde conveniency to put their designs in agitation; I hope the Reader will be so favourable to me, as not to conceive that I declare any thing out of malice or base ends; for I protest, and am ready at any time to justifie it with my life, that I have not ex­prest any thing but what is really correspon­dent to truth, and I am very much assured, that there be those now living that can testifie with me how many Tragicall designes, that have not onely been acted upon us, but upon many others, which are now too tedious to recite, I shall therefore return to my former Discourse.

By this time, the Reader may be pleased to conjecture, that our 8. dayes sufferings begins [Page 43] to draw to a conclusion, for our Captain sent to the Holanders to demand his prisoners, for he intended next day to set Sayle, and leave those parts; the Holander upon our Captains command, gave Order for our enlargement, so we were brought down into the Castle-yard, having nothing upon us but our naturall ha­bits, for they stript us before; but in our march, we observed a Gallery, in which were placed the chief of the Castle & Island, before whom we were forthwith called; being approached neer unto them, they willed us to express whe­ther we were willing to go aboard our Ship; we replyed, that indeed it was our hearty de­sires, if we might be permitted, for it was but slender comfort for us to be slaves, if our Li­berties might be permitted, but the poverty of our condition was such that we [...]ere inf [...]rced to express to them what an obligation they would lay upon us, if they would prove but so favorable to us as to command our clothes and goods to be re-delivered unto us, which we were deprived by their appointment, to which they suddenly replyed, that our pray­ers would be as prevalent and effectuall for them with our goods, as with them, so wisht us to continue in that mind of praying; for they told us, that we being at their disposall, they might as well hang, as release us, and as [Page 44] yet they were in suspence, whether life or death were most sutabale to your deserts; these words dropping from their tongues, which we knew were so well furr'd with ma­lice, put us into such an extasie, that we yiel­ded our selves to be l [...]st men; but after some mature deliberation, they were pleased to let us know, that in respect we were the first Eng­lishmen that ever they took buying of Cloves upon their Island; they were willing to spare our lives; but if ever they should hereafter take an Englishman in the same nature, they would not be so favourable as to hang them, but to whip them to death; the pronuncia­tion of this cruell sentence, I heard distinctly fall from their mouthes, with many other ca­lumnies, and violent railings against us, so that as before they had dragged us into their Den, now they rayl'd us out, from whence we. forthwith repaired to our Ship, where we found civill and courteous entertainment from our Captain, who was very much inc [...]n­sed to hear the sad relation of our Captivity; I shall once more inform the Reader, what I have heard these borish people express, which was to this effect; Alas, said they, what is England, if compared to our High and Mighty States of the Netherlands, we know that wee have Ships enow to block up all the English [Page 45] Ports, and if any difference should arise, the proof should manifest the truth: I have often known them to be [...]o inhumane as to take Vessels from the Chinay-men, and rob them of their goods, and at last drown the poor men; by such means many of these sicophants have mightily inriched themselves; neither was this sufficient to qualifie their avarcious hearts, but also many Indies Ships besides, as Weddals and Carters, and many other which I could nominate, have been pillaged by them.

One inhumane action more of these bloody Hollanders I shall not forbear to relate, with as much truth and exactness as possible; and I hope the judicious Reader will please to fa­vour me so much as to give credence to my re­port, which shall not in the least syllable de­viate from truth; and if my own testimony will not be sufficient, I can have it justified by one Bryan Beddoes, a managed about [...]o. who lives not far dist [...]nt from London: The sum of what I intend is this. One Captain Bali being President of Bantam in the year 1617. was de­sired to give entertainment to some Bandanee­ses, which were newly arrived, and desired to address themselvs to him; the request being civill, was a civilly granted, and they were permitted to present themselves before our [Page 46] Governour, being thus entertained, they be­gan to enter into a parley; the Bandaneeses being come from all the Islands of Banda, brought with them a pawn or a pledge to pre­sent to Captain Ball, relating to him the Bar­barisme and severity of the Dutch towards them, and how they daily exacted upon them and murthered them at their pleasures, absing their wives, whilst they themselves lookt on, and dar'd not in the least resist them; more­over, their abominable drunkenness made them daily riot into all manner of misdemea­nours, insomuch that at last they had made it such a customary thing, that it was (no lesse then wonderfull) to see them sober, and the truth is, they do so much bestiate themselves that they naturallize [...]briety, and make them­selvs the sink of baseness; for these and the like reasons, the distressed Bandaneeses earnest ly requested Captain Ball, that he would be pleased so far to compassionate their sorrow­full conditions, as to accept of their Gage, and receive their Islands into his jurisdiction, and defend them from the Tyrannies of the intruding and unmercifull Hollander, the weight of whose oppressions were beyond the strength of their endurance; therefore if he would accept of what they proffered, he would very much unslave them, and as they believed [Page 47] no way prejudice himself, nor our English Na­tion: To which Captain Ball replyed, that in regard they had given (as he conceived) their Island already to the Dutch, it was no way a­greeable to reason, for him to take away that by force from the Dutch, which they had ob­tained by favour; therefore he desired them to cease their importunity: To which the Bandaneeses generally replyed, That if that were all the obsticle, it might easily be remo­ved, for they protested that they never gave the least consent to the Hollander to possesse their Islands, but that they voluntarily and violently came into their Island without their privety or consent, and had oftentimes desi­red, but never received any Pawn, or Gage from them; and besides, the basenesse of their actions deterr'd th [...]m from doing any such thing, neither would they ever condescend to any of their perswasions; therefore they ear­nestly desired Captain Ball forthwith to ac­cept of their Pawn, and become their Pro­tector; Captain Ball being satisfied in his former doubt, became willing to accept the Pawn, to the great joy, and much comfort of the afflicted Bandaneeses.

The Bandaneeses at the newes of Captaine Balls acceptance of their Island, rouzd them­selvs into a great allacrity, returning him as [Page 48] many thanks as could possibly be imagined, withall telling him, that for his many civili­ties bestowed upon them, they were bound by the tyes of friendship to requite them accor­ding to their best abilities, and that their lives and fortunes should alwayes wait upon the English: Captain Ball perceiving their inte­grity, and observing with how much reality they expressed themselves, told them, that in respect they had so voluntarily and freely thrown themselves upon his protection, he would truly endeavour to defend and vindi­cate them from the fury of the Dutch, and that a short time should produce the effects of his intentions, to which purpose he resolved forthwith to prepare three Ships, namely the Solomon, the Thomas, and the Tendance, to goe for Mucassa, there to take in their loading of Rice and Rack, and so to stand for the Banda Islands; this forenamed Captain Ball conti­nued President till the arrivall of Captaine Iourdan, who came with Sir Thomas Dails Fleet in the year 1618. at which time Capt. Ball was commanded home, notwithstanding we pro­ceeded in our Voyage, although the Dutch had made a protest against all the Englishmen and Ships that they could meet withall to the East ward of the Straits of Desselon, but we little regarding that, kept on our course, and in a [Page 49] short time anchored at Mucassa, and in three weeks after we were all ready to set Sayle from Mucassa, to the Straits of Desselon; being at last all fitted, we weighed Anchor, and set Sayle, having in our Ships about 80. Banda­neeses, whereof 40. was in the Ship called the Thomas, in which Vessel I my self sayled, our Ship being the first that arrived at (and went through) those Straits, and yet never came within view of the Banda Islands that year, but landed our Bandaneeses at an Island known by the name of Burrough, which is a Clove Island, neer adjacent to that most fatall Island of Am­boyna; as for the two other Ships, the Solomon and the Tendance, which were in company with us, they staying and trifling away their time longer then convenient, the wind chopt against them, that they could not come after us through the Straits of Desselon, but were descryed by the Hollander (who lay purposely to intrap us) and were taken by them, and kept there according to their protest made at Bantam; in the mean time we being out of the Straits of Desselon, standing off from Batto [...], fell upon the shoules of Tym [...]re, where we re­mained some time; but the Reader may please to take notice, that in respect of the danger we apprehended of Banda, we were enforced to leave our Bandaneeses at Burrough, where we [Page 50] desired the Inhabitants to provide them Prooes, or small Boats, to transport them to their Island, which they promised to perform, but what the Dutch did with those poor crea­tures, we could better imagin, then be infor­med; for we could never hear, neither could the Inhabitants conceive what became of them.

The next ensuing year we sayled againe with Captain Iackson for Mucassa in a small Pinnace of about 30. or 40. Tun, called the Frances, and in her we also had Bandaneeses; so that year it pleased the over-ruling Provi­dence to send us safe with all our lading into a place called Pulloroon, where we reiterated the unsuccesfulness of our former years Voy­age; but our discretions invited us to say with Seneca, Sera parsomonea in fundo est; but having set our Bandaneeses on shoar, and the Westwardly Months season being spent, we forthwith steered away for the Island of Tid­dore, which was seated in the Mu [...]uckees, being arrived thither, we immediately began to make our best Market of our goods, and sold all our Rice that we could spare to the Spa­niards, & the Tiddorians, at as good a rate for ready money as we could desire; And the King of that Island affecting one of our Sakers, gave us for it th [...] equall weight of it in Cloves, [Page 51] desiring to have one or two more, but we could not conveniently spare them, so we craved excuse, having thus vended our Com­modities, and stored our selves with what we thought most convenient for our u [...]e; in six weeks after we weighed Anchor, and stood away for Bantam, and sailed along the Sal [...]oe Coast, which is the back-side of the Land of Mucassa, where we put into a small Port, cal­led the Boohoole, which we afterwards named the Pu [...]pkin-Bay, because of its fertility in bea­ring of Pumpkins, for there we bought 500 for a faddam of Blue Bafta Callieo, which is Sarrat Cloth; at the same rate also we bought Hogs and brought them to our Boat; being thus victualled we forthwith set Sayle for Bantam, whither the blessing of a favourable wind not long after brought us, though with a mise­rable Leakey Ship.

After a seasonable respit at Bantam, Sir Thomas Daile (a man whose worth and honour cannot be out-famed) thought it convenient to provide a small Navy; and sayle towards Iackatray, where the Hollanders lay; to which purpose he caused the Thomas, that we sayled to Bantam in, to be made and fitted into a fire Ship (in which Ship I was one) vvhich vvas speedily done; and after all things were in a convenient posture, vve hoysted Sayle, and [Page 52] away we steered towards Iackatray, where the Dutch had a Castle, being come right over­against it, we presently discovered 8. [...]ayle of the Holanders, upon fight whereof our Noble and valiant Sir Thomas Daile bore up to them, and after some smoaky salutations, the Hol­lander began to bid us farewell, though they had 8. Ships to our 7, after the nimble Dutch found them [...]elves suffici [...]y b [...]en, and were gone, Sir Thomas instantly w [...]nt ashoar and demanded the Castle, and plant [...]d his Gunns about it, but the King of that Coun­trey after the surrender of the Castle to Sir Thomas, stood upon tearms (believing that Sir Thomas Dail had for ever beaten the Dutch) and demanded to have half of what was in the Castle, men and all, telling Sir Thomas Dail, that he could take the Castle without his as­sistance; To which Sir Thomas replyed, That the Kings demands were too unreasonable to be granted, in respect that he could in no way answer it unto his Master the King of England, for although the Dutch had by their villanous and most detested actions so much unchristian­ized themselvs, yet he dar'd not so much out­run his Commission, as to deliver them to a Heathen; To which a sudden Reply was made, that Sir Thomas Dail need not insist upon such a nicety, [...]r if the Dutch had conquered [Page 53] the English, it might well be imagined that the Dutch would have easily and quickly con­descended to the Kings Proposalls; to which Sir Thomas returned this answer. That the actions of the Dutch were insufficient rules [...]r him to walk by, for he could not think it ex­pedient for him to act an evill, though it were licensed by other mens consciences, neither could he so much derogate from the Princi­ples of his Religion, as to patronize so hain­ous a deed, so desired excuse; at which words the King, overwarm'd with passion, told Sir Thomas, That if he would not incline himself to the former Proposalls, he should forth­with draw off his Artillery, and be gone, for he had strength enough of his own to take the Castle at his pleasure.

Sir Thomas perceiving the intentions and resolutions of the King, rather then he would burthen his conscience with such a sin, re-de­livered the Castle into the hands of the Dutch, wishing them to make the best defence they could for themselves, withall, willing them to take notice that it was more his duty to God and his King, then their deserts, that in­structed him to be so favourable; for he con­fessed to them, that as often as he ruminated upon their baseness and cruell exactions to­wards the English, his thoughts were so much [Page 54] accuated with revenge, that had they not been un-edg'd by a diviner Power, they might well have expected a reward proportionable to their merits, hoping that this civility and elemency which he had used towards them, would hereafter perswade them into more le­nity and moderation; so leaving them to their considerations, he departed, and from thence addressed himself to the King and his Councel to whom he most courteously, and to this effect exprest himself.

I am very much grieved that ye should be so much your own oppressors, as to refuse a good so much conducing to your welfares, and out of an avaritious disposition become your own subverters; you complained of their oppression, informing me, that the most that you can present, they think too small for their acceptance, yet you cont [...]mn a salve for your grievances; ye complain of their abo­minable and unheard of [...]riety, telling me, that when they are insaniatiated with super­stuous cups, they vomit out more fury then you are able to digest, yet you dispise those streames which may wash away those enormi­ties: You complain of their uncorrected la­sciviousness, and say, that they enforce your Wives and daughters to be unwilling prosti­tutes to their lusts, yet you disown that curb [Page 55] which may restrain their lasciviousness, thus ye make your selves more slaves, and them more Tyrants; for be assured, that if ever they prevail so much as to come amongst you (as I am confident they will shortly endeavor) they will make you perpetually unhappy, in­somuch that your lives will be greater bur­thens to you, then ever they were before; so I leave you, future time may ripen your be­liefs, though present perswasions can finde no harbour.

Thus our renowned Commander having treated this Heathen King, and found all his labour and and paines to be ineffectuall, for­sook the place, and repaired to his Fleet, where he was received vvith vvelcom and joy, or joyful vvelcomness, where for a time I left him, being desirous to give the Reader a a true and full relation of a piece of as most exact Tyranny as ever the Devil was owner of; I know the World is very much inclina­able to censure, therefore some may wonder, and many may be very apt to say; Alas, how is it possible for me being aged, to retain all these things in my memory, so many years being expired since they were agitated; to which I shall in short reply, Scripta diu rema­nent, things written, remain long, which if but observed, are subject to oblivion; the [Page 56] truth is, that at opportune times, I alwayes committed my sufferings, losses, travels, and things memorable to paper, which is the best remembrancer, and although it hath been a long time buried in loose sheets, yet it retains as much truth as if it had been then printed; and if it shal be demanded why I had not then printed it, I shall (though bluntly) say, the reason is, because then was then, and now is now; for in those dayes our Nation was at peace with the Dutch, and had I then printed it, I should rather have incurr'd the repute of an Incendiary, then a true Historian; and be­sides my urged occasions, and daily imploy­ments beyond Sea, would not permit me to borrow so much time as to digest it according to my desires; if these Arguments will not prevail, I must submit to the censure of the World, but before I proceed. I shall onely make this short Protestation, That I have nei­ther spoken, or will speak any thing out of malice or envy, although I must confess my losses and miserable sufferings might well in­duce me to thoughts of revenge, but that I will leave to the great Revenger of all wrongs, and proceed to my intentions.

Now the season inviting us, we are sent a­gain to the Banda Islands, whither I sailed with Captain Iackson, leaving Sir Thomas Dail [Page 57] at Iackatray, upon which Islands I stayed the revolution of two whole years, so that my long abode there, and my daily observations both of the people and the Islands, will not permit me to bury the perfect knowledge of them in oblivion, neither dare I suffer my Me­mory to be so treacherous to me, as not to be mindfull, and sadly studious of those many and almost unutterable cruelties which were inflicted upon these poor Bandaneeses by those Monsters of men, the Hollanders, for no other cause nor ground, but because their affections were so generally and fervently expressed to­wards the English, I shall therefore neither add, nor diminish, but truly and punctually relate as sad a truth as ever Villains acted, or Innocents endured.

It has been formerly related how the Dutch in the year, 1620. put those Lant [...]rians they could not take to flight, inforcing them to forsake their Towns and Houses, and flye into the highest hills in that Island of Lantore, un­till they submitted themselvs to their terrible mercy, the Dutch promising them that if they would speedily submit, they should find them mercifull; upon the hearing of this, these di­stressed people submitted (though some of them) with much temerity, in respect they knew how customary it was for them to vio­late [Page 58] their promises, nay their oathes, and how their pretended mercy was but the abstract or quintescence of all torments; the sense of this made them much mistrustfull of their mercy, which indeed (the preceding discourse will tell us) they had much reason to doubt thereof.

These miserable people having tendered themselves into the hands of their enemies, were forthwith received with much joy and seeming allacrety, and immediately were transported to Neroe Island, where being come the Hollander caused 400. of the chiefest of them to be pickt out, this being accordingly done, they caused them to wash themselves; after which Ceremony they provided large store of the primest Provision they could get, and with much love and amity intreated them really perswaded of their free welcome, tel­ling them that they hoped the future time should be spent in a more amicable way then the former; and as for their parts, they hear­tily wished, and desired their safety and wel­fare, and that they should alwayes finde them very willing to befriend them against all op­posers, and were heartily sorry that they should so much distrust them, as to flye to the English for relief; but as they never much va­lued it, so they would now study to forget it, [Page 59] desiring that all differences whatsoever might be absolutely composed, and all former inju­ries and discourtesies might be perpetually oblitterated, to which intent and purpose they had transported them thither, and pro­vided necssaries for their refreshment.

These Lantorians hearing with how much serenity, and (as they thought) candidnesse, they delated their affections, could not (as might well be imagined) but with much joy return them innumerable thanks for the ex­pressions of their bounty, and the bounty of their expressions; for indeed they having been much time distressed for want of provi­sion, could not but conceive themselves to be very happy, finding so much plenty, where they might rather have expected the abun­dance of sufferings, then provisions, in respect of their former obst [...]nancy, and opposition against them:

Thus the cheerfull Lantorians sate discour­sing and feeding, being almost overjoyed for their happy and welcome entertainment, not knowing how sufficiently to retaliate such over-grown courtesies: Their Feast being ended, the Dutch and the Bandaneeses began to pi [...]r, which word being interpreted, signi­fies talking, or discoursing; the Hollander all this while accoasting them in a very civil and [Page 60] unusuall manner, to the admiration and much comfort of the Bandaneeses; but alas! this happiness proved shorter liv [...]d then was ex­pected.

After they had satisfied their appetites, and express'd their thankfulness to the Dutch, they prepared themselves for their departure, but the Dutch having (as it were) thus fatned them for the slaughter, told them, that they must be presented with another course before they parted, so leading thē to a Window, told them that they must walk to yonder Green place, and there receive their deaths from the hands of their Executioners, who were purposely provided to dispatch them; this unexpected Newes made such a sudden alteration in the countenances of the poor Lantorians, that they forthwith cryed out, O apetow! which is to say, Oh what is this! the Reader may judge what a terrour this unexpected Newes struck to their hearts, which but even now were as joyfull, as joy could make them, and no [...] by a fatall stroak are cut off from all their mirth, and frightned into as much sorrow, as is p [...] ­sible to be imagined; but there is no remedy, neither the abundance of teares, nor their la­mentable aspects, nor their reitterated entrea­ties could prevail, they are designed for de­struction, and they must dye, to which pur­pose, [Page 61] they carried them to the place of Execu­tion, where they were cruelly received by the Iaponeeses, and severally taken and cut in the middles alive, their Quarters being devided, they were sent some to Lantore, and some to other places, and set them up in the streets; was not this pure mercy, to dispatch those poor Creatures quickly, that no more cost nor char­ges might arise upon the maintenance of them? and after such fair and (seeming cour­teous) entertainment, to exact their lives for the payment of their Ordinaries; this Tragedy was acted in the Year 1621, since which time (and I beleeve hardly before) was the like cru­elty heard of, neither was this the conclusion of their revenge, as I shall to my best endea­vour forthwith relate.

In the same year 1621, these blood-thirsty men sent over to Pullaroone for the chiefest of the Inhabitants there, and after perticular examinations of them, executed them; the first that received his death was the chief Priest of Pullaroon, a man that I have often seen, and took more notice of him then of any other of the Bandaneeses that ever happened into my knowledge, he was a man of a very civil de­portment, delighting to be courteous both in his speech and carriage; and as for his person he excelled all the Bandaneeses that ever I ob­served [Page 62] for properness; this man they com­manded should be laid down, and then should have a hole cut in his side, into which hole they commanded Gunpowder should be put, so setting fire to it, deprived the poor Priest (in a most miserable manner) of his life, had Nero lived in those times, he might well have blusht to see how much he was outvied by the Dutch, in Tyranny; I do verily beleeve that the like was never heard before; and al­though these Pullarooneers were under our pro­tection, yet we dared not (in respect of our strength) to contradict them, but permit tem to murther these poor people before our faces, so that we perceiving how prevalent, Tyran­nicall, and incr [...]aching the Dutch were, in the Year 1622. left the Banda Islands, which the Dutch ever since possesse, and most unjustly and wrongfully enjoy; one thing very remarke­able, that I cannot but relate, which is;

In those Islands I have constautly seen an in­numerable company of Mackerell, which was the chief thing that supported those Islands, and if it happened that they came not in great showles, in two or three dayes we were sure to have them in greater abundance when they did come; for indeed the Island could not sub­sist without them; but that which strikes the greatest admiration into my heart, is, That [Page 63] these great Showles of Mackerell (after the Eng­lish had left the Island) deserted it; which thing I look upon as the Justice of God Al­mighty upon the Hollander, who were so cruell and tyrannicall over those Inhabitants, and also the English; and now having murdered the chief of the People, and apprehending the wholsomnesse of those Islands (which indeed were the wholsomest that ever I came into in all my travells) they by unjust means detain and keep them, not permitting the English (which have the propper right to it) to have any Commerce with them, which is very much to our dettriment; And truely, if the COM­MON-WEALTH of England, are pleased to let them enjoy that which is onely theirs by usurpation, and ours by the free gift of the In­habitants, I must upon necessity rest satisfyed, but the knowledge that I have of those parts, and in the injustice of the Hollanders exacting them from us, must give me cause to think, that we rather incourage them to act the like thing againe, then desire them from it; but I leave it all to the grave judgement and Counsell of our Nation, whose discretions (the business being weighed in the Ballance of Reason) will induce them to desire, I hope, a proportionable satisfaction, and that the truth may be more fully and expresly known, I shall forthwith [Page 64] insert, not onely the Accounts of my owne losses, but the Accounts of others now living, to justifie what I have related; but before I proceed, I will return to Sir Thomas Daile, who I left in Iackatray Road, when I went with Captain Iackson for the Banda Islands, my de­sires are to declare him according to the worth, Valour, and Nobleness, which was in­herent to him, therefore I crave the patience of the Reader.

THis Sir Thomas Dail was a man indued with qualities which bespoke him truly Noble, vertuous, and valiant, He was generally beloved a­mongst the Seamen, his pro­portion and Strength wee have often admired; I my self have seen him, and President Iourden in the Great Iames together, President Iourden being as remarkable for his shortness and valour, as Sir Thomas Daile was for his stature and cou­rage, these two I have seen walking up­on the Decks, sporting away the time with much friendship and love, but at last a diffe­rence arose about the [...] of their Com­missions, [Page 66] which caused much distraction in the Fleet, upon which Sir Thomas Daile (after he had beaten the Dutch away to the Eastward) sayled out of the Straits of Sunday for the Coast of Cormodell to the Port of Meslapotan; After this, President Iourden commanded the Little Iames, a Vessell of about 400 Tunnes to go for England, and President Ball that was President before Iourden, came to Bantam, and was Ordered to goe in her for England; but whether he came home that year, I cannot ex­actly remember, and then Captaine Iourden took upon him the command of Sir Thomas Dailes Fleet, which as I told you before, was the ground of their difference.

The aforenamed Sir Thomas Daile advanced his fortunes in France; for being there Resi­dent when a Spaniard came into France, and desired to venter his life with the skilfullest Mounsieur there, upon which occasion Sir Tho­mas Daile addressed himself to some of the Nobillity, and importuned them to crave leave of the King that he might be per­mitted to encounter with the Spaniard, which thing the King having well resented, gave consent, and a day was forthwith appoin­ted; the time being come, the Heroick Spani­ard, in the field, was forthwith entertain­ed with much gallantry by Sir Thomas Daile, [Page 67] who maintained the fight with as much Cou­rage and Valour as could be expected, and af­ter a hot encounter, the Spanniard being much wounded began to want the life of Strength, and immediately after wanted the strength of life, and so yeelded the conquest, and dyed.

The report of this honourable atchievment being bruted abroad, brought such a generall applause to the renowned Victor, that both the hearts and eyes of the people were so much fixed upon him, that every one made it their study how to respect him according to his deserts; the King also gratifying him, recom­mended him to his Master the King of England; giving a sufficient Narrative of his worth and valour, which brought him into high e­steem in our English Nation; so receiving a Knighthood, was afterwards intrusted by Sir Thomas Smith, then chief in England for the Virginia Company, who imployed and in­trusted him to go chief Governor for Virginia, at which time I Abraham Wo [...]fe was shipt in the Ship called the Clove bound for the sam [...], place, whereof Captain Nuport was chief; and after the well and true performance of th [...] service, in which, to my best remembran [...], he was seven years he, was intrusted with 6. [...] to the East-Indies, the nam [...] of [...] [...] [Page 68] the Sun, the Moon, the Globe, the Clove, the Sam­son, and the Pepper-corn, with which Ships he came safe to the Cape, and from thence set well forth, and so sailed within 30. leagues short of the Straits of Sunday, but in the dark of the night, the Ship aforenamed the Sun, which was the Ambrall, and the biggest in the Fleet, being headmost, fell foul of the shoules of the Islands of Angania, and could not get off, but was there lost, some of her men being cast ashoar on that Island, were most cruelly murthered by the Inhabitants thereof; but those that were well in health, endeavoured to get a way, to which purpose they got one of the ships Boats, and the weather being very temperate and calm, they put to Sea, and came to Bantam, where being arrived, they forth­with repaired to the President, and related to him how many of the English were murthered and most barbarously used by the Inhabitants of Angania, and that they conceived (if the President thought it convenient) to send away a Vessel to that Island, many of the men which lay there then sick, might be preserved from the hands of the cruell Islanders, and that much of the Ships goods which was cast away might be recovered: The President hearing this, forthwith commanded a Ship to be pre­par [...]d [...]nd sent spe [...]dily away for the Island of [Page 69] Angania, which being done, they set Sayl, & in a short time came to the Island, where being come, they perceived how most unhumanely the Inhabitants had dealt with the English, they fell upon them, and being very much en­raged, put many of them to death, and after­wards we returned, and gave the President an Account of what they had done, who was something incensed at the killing of so ma­ny of the Inhabitants, although they had been so barbarous to our men.

Now Sir Thomas Daile having by this time come (with much difficulty) within the Straits Mouth of Sunday, and having dropt. Anchor, forthwith Man'd out a Boat, and sent up to Bantam to desire men to help them to furle their Sayles, and weigh their An­chors, whereof I the Testator was one that was commanded out to their assistance, they of themselves being so extream, and un­believably weak, that they could not per­forme any service convenient for that time; but we comming, weighed their Anchors, and did other things requisite, and brought their Shipps safely to Bantam, in the memorable year of the Blazing-Starre before the death of Queen Anne, but during the time of Sir Tho­mas his abode with us, his men having received the benefit and refreshment of the place, were [Page 70] most of them again restored to their former healths, they having suckt, and rubb'd their aggrieved parts with Limes and Lemons, which is the best cure for the Scurvey that can be thought of, for it cureth (to my knowledge) the soreness of the mouth, fastens the teeth, and asswages the swelling of the flesh, and fastens it again to the bones.

Suddenly after the well recovery of Sir Thomas Daile and his men, Sir Thomas being a man of an active spirit, and hating dronish Idleness, betook himself again to Sea, and sayled to a Port called Meslapotaine, where being come, he was arrested by Death at the Suit of Nature, and gave an Acquittance to the World, and dyed; at which place a Mo­nument was erected, which I believe is to be seen to this day, in memory of so worthy and valiant a Knight, whose death was sadly de­plored by all the Seamen, for their hearts were so much united to him, that their griefs for his loss swelled into great extreams: Thus leaving Sir Thomas in his Tomb, I will return to Captain Iourden, and give the Reader a short, yet true, Relation of what befell him by the Treachery of the perfidious Dutch.

This Captain Iourden being a man more valiant, then prudent, sayling from Bantam (upon a design, not known, nor to this day [Page 71] can be imagined) with two Shipps, the one called the Sampson, and the other the Hound, to the great Islands of Burnew, and Anchored in a Port called Suckedany, and after a short, stay there he discovered 3. or 4. Dutch Shipps standing in for the same Port, the sight where­of made him confident that they intended no good to him, therefore he immediately gave order to prepare, and hasted aboard, fully re­solving to fight it out to the last man, rather then to yield himself, Ships, and men, to the unmerciful hands of his approaching enemies, in the mean time the Dutch approaching nee­rer and neerer, at last summoned our Shipps to deliver upon fair Quarter, but Captain Iourden having like the Bee, Ingens spiculum, in angusto corpore, a great heart in a little body, absolutely refused to yield upon any condi­tions whatsoever; but the Dutch, being un­willing (as they pretended) to shed blood, called out to our men, and told them, that they knew little Captain Iourden was there, and withall desired them to perswade their Captain to parley with them, that so they might forthwith prevent those dangers that might accrew by the denyall of so civill a courtesie; Captain Iourden being informed of their desires (being much in fury) againe refused, which still made the Dutch more im­portunate [Page 72] to effect their own ends, to which purpose, they againe desired him that he would but show himselfe upon the Quar­ter Deck, and speak with them, that so by a faire complyance they might salve up the difference, and stop the effusion of blood, which must needs happen, if not timely pre­vented, at last Captain Iourden (his passion being something abated) thought that the speaking with them could not damnifie him, therefore went to the Quarter Deck, and shew­himself to them, and after some words exchan­ged between them, Captain Iourden told them, That he knew the justnesse of his Cause, and the injustice of theirs, and was resolved to fight it out with them to the last man, the Hol­lander urging, That alas their strength was far greater then his, and it would be [...]steemed ra­ther desperatenesse then true Valour to fight upon such odds; and moreover, that he would make himself guilty [...]f the blood of those men that should be slaine in the fight;

All these words, and vain perswasions of the Dutch could no way alter the Resolution of Captain Iourden, he telling them, that he questioned not his strength, but was resolved to fight, and to leave the Success to God; Not­withstanding this; the Dutch, willing to bring their treacherous design to passe, protracted as [Page 73] much time as they could, still keeping him in talke upon the Quarter Deck, till at length, a musket shott from one of the other ships killed Captain Iourden in the place while they were in Parley, and at that very instant of time, whe­ther by trechery, or accedent, I know not, our ship called the Hound, was part of it blown up, and many of our men mortally hurt, which sudden businesse, caused such an amazement amongst our men, that they knew not for the present what to imagine; First, they saw their Captaine treacherously slaine; Secondly, They saw part of the Hound blown up; and thirdly, they saw that the Dutch on a sudden were pre­paring to come aboard, and being in this sad condition, they were enforced to yeeld to the mercy of their Enemies, who having made them their captives, caused them (according to their former use) to be put into Bolts, not al­lowing us so much favour as they did to the Heathen, for they permitted them after they had taken them, to walk too and fro with a chaine, which is far more easy, then to lie in heavy Bolts of Iron; This is the favour we English have received [...]rom them, that we must either be troubled with a guard of Iron hearted men to attend us, or else lye in Bolts of Iron, or in the Stocks; but I must omitt to informe the Reader how the Ship called the Hound was conceived to be blown up.

[Page 74] During the time that Captain Iourden was in parley with the Hollander, our Boats, and theirs had free recourse to either of our Ships, at which time we had aboord the Hound, a Por­tugall, who was in the Hollanders Ships severall times, and was known to some of them; we therefore supposed, that during the time of this Portugals stay with them, they inveagled him to set fire to some of our Cartrages which we had laid ready for the fight; but that which most of all confirmes our beliefe, is this, that this Portugall was seen severall times by these Cartrages with a Match in his hand, and it is verily thought, that he was hired to do it, in respect that it hapned so immediately after the death of Captain Iourden.

Thus we may observe what injury and wrong we have sustained by the Dutch, who have been often desired to make satisfaction, and many of us that have been wronged and abused by them, did from time to time Peti­tion the Lords and many other of the Kings Privy Councel, but found no redress, but our hopes are, that when our Honourable Coun­cel of State shall hear the sad cryes of the poor for Justice against that Nation of blood (the Hollander) who is not to be satisfied; for they will have the kernells, let who will take the shells.

[Page 75] Our Ship called the Charles, being about 1000. Tun in burthen came home, we forth­with repairing to the East-Indie House, and informed the Company of our sufferings and losses, who told us they would do what might be done for us; not long after we were served with Subpoena's to attend the Lords of the Pri­vie Councel, where we onely heard the noise of satisfaction, but I for my part could never find the comfort of it; At that same time I Abraham Woof being examined, told the Privy Councel, that the Dutch had taken and pos­sessed the Islands of Banda, which are of such concernment, as I then related, that the Dutch could never give the English satisfaction, how the business was smothered up, I know not; but I am sure if any was done, I will venter my life it was not to the value of a pin to a pound, and moreover I will make it appear, that they got those Islands onely by blood-shed, and murthering both the English and their friends, and possesses them by treachery and usurpa­tion to this day, and the people (if they have left any of them alive) are but slaves to the Dutch; and for the better satisfaction of all, I will here insert the Petition of one David Powell to the Lords of the Privy Councel, and the Account both of his, my own, and others now living, all of us being aged not under 60, [Page 76] and if the Honorable Counsell of STATE shall think it convenient for us to set out Bills to summon in those that have been Sufferers, either them, their sons, or Grandchildren, I am confident we shall discover some hundreds which have been highly wronged by the Dutch; and I am very sure, that many fatherlesse chil­dren may be relieved out of the Profits, and sa­tisfaction they ought to make us; but I shall leave all to the Grave, and serious Judgements of the COUNSELL of this Nation, and the World to judge.