Tyranny of the Dutch against the English wherein is exactly declared the (almost unvaluable) loss which the commonwealth of England hath sustained by their usurpation : and likewise the sufferings and losses of Abraham Woofe, then factor at Lantore, and others in the island of Banda / formerly collected in loose sheets by Mr. Woofe himself ; and now illustrated and extracted out of his papers by John Quarles.

THE TYRANNY OF THE DUTCH Against the ENGLISH, &c. (Book 1)

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

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 Wester∣most 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 thank∣fulness, 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 Acquit∣tance 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 eye∣witness 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

Armenian, and some other men-servants ap∣pertaining 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 Cap∣tain 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 man∣ner 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 In∣habitants are generally Mahumetans, and strict∣ly follow the directions of the Turkish Alker∣on; they are people very devout, and strict in their Religion, most severe punishers of Mur∣der 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

play with such dexterity, that they can hard∣ly be equalled by any, but themselvs; They are courtuous and affable, bountefull and respe∣ctive entertainers to all, full of contention a∣mongst themselves, but generally united a∣gainst 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 sub∣jugated by that avaritious, tyrannicall and fallatious Nation the Dutch, whose infidelli∣ties and Tragicall Actions craves mo•…•… imbit∣tered expression, then the world affords Inke to write, or Tongues to express; These are those whose general intrusions into most opu∣lent parts have inriched themselves by the ut∣ter ruine and extirpation of others, whose de∣sires 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 ad∣jacent 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

the aforementioned Captaine Courtupe, who was betrayed to death by them in manner fol∣lowing:

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 op∣posite (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 unfor∣tunate 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 Pul∣laroon 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 re∣turn to Pullaroone; which welcome newes put them into a serious consideration of mischief, how they might intrap him in his transporta∣tion; They understanding (by the informa∣tion of their welcome Traytor) that Captain Courtupe was to come over speedily from Lan∣tore to Pullaroone in a Noranbagg, gave command that a Currecure (whose strength far exceed∣ed the strength of Captain Courtups boat, which

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 wish∣es) with our Captains boat, immediately fell upon her, and powring in shott (as it were by wholsaile) killed our most worthy and re∣nowned 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 Pul∣leroone, and after some seasonable respite, sadly related (though at first) the unbelieved mis∣fortune of our unfortunate Captaine: Yet not∣withstanding 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 un∣humane actions; Their onely reply was, that he was dead, and that we should take no fur∣ther 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.

On the 20. of December after the p•…•…rpetra∣tion 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 West∣ward 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, be∣ing the next neighbour to the Vessel, should be first saluted with the news, to which pur∣pose 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 whe∣ther it was a Dutchman, or an Englishman, so that we being covetous of the truth, lanched

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 ef∣fect, 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) re∣fused 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

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 pre∣sence of this Vessel banished our former Me∣lancholly, and we that before were almost con∣tristed to death, were now elevated into extre∣mity of joy.

But the old Principle holds true, Nullum vi∣olentum est perpetuum, no extream is perma∣nent, neither were these extream new joyes to my self and some few others, which shall be forthwith knowingly and sadly rela∣ted.

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, in∣deed many were unfitting, and many were unwilling to go, because they fear'd an altera∣tion, 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

loaded with the retribution of many thanks from our new Captain, but our after experi∣ence 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 perfi∣dious 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 insen∣tiate Hollander; as often as I think of their unparralelled and almost unimitable severity I cannot but admire, and praise with admira∣tion, 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 he∣therto 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 lan∣guage to express, as I crave patience to for∣give; had our deserts importuned the lest of their Tyrannies, it would have put some gloss

upon the face of so foul dealings; but I pro∣test (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 la∣bouring to subvert us, and those that were our Adherents, as shall forthwith be de∣clared.

Not long after our safe Arrivall and settle∣ment in Lantore, there arrived a Junck with a China man, laded with cōmodities, and hound∣like 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 Hol∣landers 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 impor∣tunate the Dutch was to have the Iland of Lan∣tore 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

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 them∣selves 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 confi∣dent 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

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 pe∣tulant, 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 mea∣ning 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 per∣swade our selves into a confidence that your spirits are so Noble, that you scorn to unin∣terest the English of what is their proper due, & make our names for (complying with you) to be ingraved in every heart with the indela∣ble Characters of base perfidiousnesse; But, rather then we wil do it, we will (as we are encouraged by the justness of our cause) pro∣stitute our selves to the extremity of all mise∣r•…•…s; and this is the sum of our intentions: To which the Hollander (whose malice boyl'd

for utterance) reply'd, Since so it is, that no perswasions will allure you to your own hap∣pinesse, 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 Eng∣lish strenth can stand in competition with ours, for we own them but as a handfull in comparison of our selves, and when our suc∣cesse hath benighted your time, you will con∣fess 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 troub∣led at the slender effects of their assiduous la∣bours, 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

which, we forthwith set a Red Crosse upon our Factory houses, to signifie to them that there was our abiding place, at the sight wher∣of 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 in∣gresse, •…•…or egresse, but onely through the up∣per 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 en∣deavours 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 them∣selves on the last day of February, 1620. and on the 1. of March following in the morning,

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 out∣cryes, that made us wish we had eat our break∣fast 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 Lou∣quee their pollicy thought it most expedient to land their st•…•…rnmost Boat first, and so by de∣degrees 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 re∣spect of the suddenness of the business) to re∣treat 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, think∣ing

that our language might something miti∣gate the fury of our new come unwelcome E∣nemies; 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 Souldi∣ers 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 pre∣sented 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 Ar∣menia 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 ve∣ry busie in tying my hands, whether the mer∣cilesse

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 pie∣ces 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 Maje∣stick pomp; at our first appearance before them, we were courteously entertained with the titles of Rogues, •…•…ay base Rogues, the ba∣sest

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 busi∣ness, we three (I cannot say merry men) Eng∣lishmen, were presently condemned to be tyed to 3. severall posts, but what to do we knew no more then the posts, till afterwards expe∣rience made us feel what we were sent for, be∣ing 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 bo∣dies 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 abso∣lute

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 frow∣ning 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 stand∣ing 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 fol∣lowed 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 sudden∣ly

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 for∣ced us down the back side of it into the O∣cean, 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 bot∣tome 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 un∣sanctified 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 at∣tended their pleasure, and shewed them the place where we used formerly to ease our selves (but could not at the present of our

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, el∣bows 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 him∣self 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 cal∣led the Holland, which lay neer two leagues distant from the place we were taken, but be∣ing

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 Ar∣menian excepted) and bound us harder then before to the thoughts of the Boat, insomuch that through our extremity of pain, we ear∣nestly implored our Butchers to be so merci∣full to us, as to cut our throats, but our plead∣ings, lamentations, and sad cryes, proved mu∣sick 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 cal∣led the Holland, where we were presently en∣quired after by those in the Ship, at whose en∣quire 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 perpetu∣ally they had lamed us; but at last the Pro∣vost 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 con∣demned 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

come to ease themselves at Natures Costome∣house, 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 under∣stood 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 prai∣sed, none of them could, or would justifie it.

In this sorrowfull, and lamentable conditi∣on 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 mel∣ted, but the night comming on, we found an

alteration, by reason that in Nero Roade the va∣pours ascend from the sea, the moistness where∣of (had not the Almighty Protector defended us from it) had been sufficient to have suffo∣cated us, or else to have furnished us with sick∣nesses sufficient to have put a period to our suf∣ferings, 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 them∣selves) some of them would often flatter us to our faces, and say, That no men in the world would become a halter, like an English∣man.

Judge then (Judicious Reader) how dis∣sonant these expressions were to our de∣pressed Spirits; and I beseech you, let your

serious consideration reflect upon their Ty∣rannyes 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 Bar∣barisme, 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 bo∣dy 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 to∣wards us would not be consumated, till com∣pleated 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 emi∣nent favours our Nation has formerly accu∣mulated upon them, sure they could not but ingenuously confess, their dissabillity to com∣pensate

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 perplex∣ed 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 ex∣hillerated 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

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 e∣nough 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, Eng∣land had never heard this sad truth from my mouth: but our constant sitting and lying grew so tedious to us, that we thought it con∣venient to Petition them againe for ease, yet we were something doubtfull in respect of our former Success, but the violence of our Suffe∣rings strengthened our intentions, and we re∣solved to Petition, that we might finde so much favour from their hands, as to be rein∣chained, and permitted to walke above, or be∣low the Decks, as our Chains should permitt, and our occasions require; our Petition being granted, we were acquitted of our troublesom

Bolt, but new Torments (like the Hydra's heads) presently succeeded the old; wee were no sooner out of our Bolts, but we were pre∣sently 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 ex∣prest, 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 conditi∣on we continued the space of 48 hours, unpit∣tied by those merciless Neroes; being in extre∣mity 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 torte∣ring, 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 de∣prived of his health, and with an extream Flux, was very much debilletated in his body, Mr •…•…dolph all this while kept himself in a

good condition of health, and so continued; as for my self, I thank my Great Preserver (GOD) I continued in health, and was aegro∣tus animo magis quam corpore, more imbecill in minde then body; but one thing I cannot with∣out 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 ve∣ry sane in my body: but as for my concome∣tant, Mr. Gates, he was in the time of his sick∣ness most sadly used by them in respect of his often necessity, being troubled with an exceed∣ing 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 after∣wards 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

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 ano∣ther Island, near adjacent, which is called, Poulee Swanga, which I make mention of in re∣spect of the name, which signifies, being inter∣preted, 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 mi∣serable Captives) upon whose demand, the Dutch forthwith unbolted us, and sent us a∣way, we not so much rejoycing at our depar∣ture, 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

English Prisoners were comming aboard, the Newes being thus reported, we were comman∣ded 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 them∣selves, 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.