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 SECOND PART OF THE Dutch Tyrannyes. (Book 2)

THE Wind having unseated it self, and left its Westerne Court, where it had conti∣nued constant five Moneths, whirls about, and salutes Flora with an Easterne and comfortable blast, March ha∣ving breathed its last for that year, April suc∣ceeded, which Month we spent at Nalacco I∣land, where our houses were seated; not many weeks after arrived the Ship, called the Ex∣change, and came to Pullaroon and Nalacco to see what men would go Westward; I being one that was willing to go, forthwith went a∣boord, and from thence sayled to Amboyna, which was thirty •…•…eagues distant, W•…•…stward

from Banda, at which place we spent a com∣pleat 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 wa∣sted a Moneth more, and afterwards we came back to an Island called Mockan, that lyes un∣der 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 o∣therwise (I thank God) for they onely suffici∣ently beat me, and dived into my well-furni∣shed pockets, and (I hope the Reader will i∣magine) 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 mo∣ney •…•…ice them, but they must also endeavor to beat me out of my clothes, which indeed much •…•…ubled my •…•…nscience, yet at last they

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 an∣swerable 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 be∣gan to wish my heels at liberty, but my wishes were no way prevalent; at length, having de∣fategated my spirits with tedious and trouble∣some 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

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 qual∣lities retain (nay sometimes more then their usuall vigour) and are insensible of any de∣minution; with these and such like cogita∣tions I satiated my thoughts, and hug'd my bitter-sweet afflictions; but at length d•…•…i∣ring to sollace my fancy with new objects, my eyes took a survey of the scituation of the Ca∣stle, but suddenly I discry'd a parcel of Muske∣tiers 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 be∣ing 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

Stocks together, bewailing our •…•…ad misfor∣tunes, 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 sto∣mack.

About 8. or 9. of the clock in the morning, our Castle-C•…•…ers were pleased to re∣create themselves towards us, but our fear in∣structed us to believe it was rather to abuse us, then to give us a breakfast; being come with∣in 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 care∣full that we should not abuse them, and to that purpose betray'd us into the custody of a Guard of Musketeers, which promoted us in∣to an upper room in the Castle, where we stayed till we heard the welcom news of some that made enquiry after us, these enquirers

being safely and honourably conducted to our presence chamber by our guard, we cheer∣fully saluted them, and gave them such wel∣come entertainment as our Pallace would af∣ford us; we gave them audience, and by the sequell of their discourse, we gathered, that they came from our Ship to make enquiry af∣ter us, which news was no less welcom, then gratefully accepted; •…•…fter a short •…•…rley with them, •…•…e began to assume cheerfull counte∣nances; but our winter sufferings craved a flood, insomuch that we earnestly importu∣ned 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 ce∣remonies being past, our friends began to de∣port 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 misera∣ble 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 for∣ced to wish that they had either no meat, or we no stomacks; By this time our friends

were arrived at the Ship, where they inform∣ed our Captain of our ill usage with the Dutch, who indeed was very apprehensive of our suf∣ferings, and forthwith commanded them to return to us with relief, and charged them to visit us daily about 8. of the clock, much ad∣miring, 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 unpara∣lell'd Barbarisme: About 12. of the clock we were informed of the approach of our friends, but they entring, our stomacks for the pre∣sent 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 be∣gan to unbosome our selves to them, expres∣sing our gratefull acceptance of so welcome, (though so long absent) a favour; whilst we were thus humouring of our much implaca∣ble natures, our friends seemed to be in a seri∣ous 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 disproportion∣able

it was to a good conscience, which acti∣ons (if continued) would make them an odium to all Nations; these words seemed (as in∣deed they were) very unsavouly to their tur∣bulant spirits; for they had so much habitu∣ated themselves to villany and bas•…•…ness, that custome had made it too inherent for a remo∣all; 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 mate∣riall.

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 inten∣ded 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 comman∣ded 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

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, de∣manding 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 experi∣ence 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

best Jesuite now living, for I know them to be such undermining and insinuating people, that like the Crocadile, they are most destru∣ctive, 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 tra∣ditions; they are Lions, if Conquerours, but Spannels if conquered; And truly I dare not believe but that they are very joyful of this o∣portunity 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 ex∣prest any thing but what is really correspon∣dent 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

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 ha∣bits, 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 whe∣ther we were willing to go aboard our Ship; we replyed, that indeed it was our hearty de∣sires, if we might be permitted, for it was but slender comfort for us to be slaves, if our Li∣berties 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 pray∣ers 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

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 ma∣lice, put us into such an extasie, that we yiel∣ded 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 Eng∣lishmen 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 pronuncia∣tion of this cruell sentence, I heard distinctly fall from their mouthes, with many other ca∣lumnies, 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•…•…n∣sed 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

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 fa∣vour me so much as to give credence to my re∣port, which shall not in the least syllable de∣viate 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 de∣sired to give entertainment to some Bandanee∣ses, 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

Governour, being thus entertained, they be∣gan to enter into a parley; the Bandaneeses being come from all the Islands of Banda, brought with them a pawn or a pledge to pre∣sent to Captain Ball, relating to him the Bar∣barisme 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; more∣over, their abominable drunkenness made them daily riot into all manner of misdemea∣nours, 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 them∣selvs 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 sorrow∣full 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

no way prejudice himself, nor our English Na∣tion: To which Captain Ball replyed, that in regard they had given (as he conceived) their Island already to the Dutch, it was no way a∣greeable to reason, for him to take away that by force from the Dutch, which they had ob∣tained 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 remo∣ved, 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 desi∣red, 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 ear∣nestly desired Captain Ball forthwith to ac∣cept of their Pawn, and become their Pro∣tector; 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 them∣selvs into a great allacrity, returning him as

many thanks as could possibly be imagined, withall telling him, that for his many civili∣ties bestowed upon them, they were bound by the tyes of friendship to requite them accor∣ding to their best abilities, and that their lives and fortunes should alwayes wait upon the English: Captain Ball perceiving their inte∣grity, 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 vindi∣cate 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 conti∣nued 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 pro∣ceeded 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

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. Banda∣neeses, 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 Am∣boyna; 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 re∣mained 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

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 crea∣tures, we could better imagin, then be infor∣med; 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 Provi∣dence to send us safe with all our lading into a place called Pulloroon, where we reiterated the unsuccesfulness of our former years Voy∣age; 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 Tid∣dore, 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 Spa∣niards, & 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,

desiring to have one or two more, but we could not conveniently spare them, so we craved excuse, having thus vended our Com∣modities, 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, cal∣led the Boohoole, which we afterwards named the Pu•…•…pkin-Bay, because of its fertility in bea∣ring 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 mise∣rable 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

away we steered towards Iackatray, where the Dutch had a Castle, being come right over∣against 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 Hol∣lander 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 Coun∣trey 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 as∣sistance; 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 unchristian∣ized themselvs, yet he dar'd not so much out∣run 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

the English, it might well be imagined that the Dutch would have easily and quickly con∣descended 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 ex∣pedient for him to act an evill, though it were licensed by other mens consciences, neither could he so much derogate from the Princi∣ples of his Religion, as to patronize so hain∣ous 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 forth∣with 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-de∣livered 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 in∣structed him to be so favourable; for he con∣fessed to them, that as often as he ruminated upon their baseness and cruell exactions to∣wards the English, his thoughts were so much

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 le∣nity 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 abo∣minable and unheard of •…•…riety, telling me, that when they are insaniatiated with super∣stuous cups, they vomit out more fury then you are able to digest, yet you dispise those streames which may wash away those enormi∣ties: You complain of their uncorrected la∣sciviousness, and say, that they enforce your Wives and daughters to be unwilling prosti∣tutes to their lusts, yet you disown that curb

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, in∣somuch that your lives will be greater bur∣thens to you, then ever they were before; so I leave you, future time may ripen your be∣liefs, 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, for∣sook 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 inclina∣able 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 rema∣nent, things written, remain long, which if but observed, are subject to oblivion; the

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 be∣sides my urged occasions, and daily imploy∣ments 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 nei∣ther spoken, or will speak any thing out of malice or envy, although I must confess my losses and miserable sufferings might well in∣duce 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 a∣gain to the Banda Islands, whither I sailed with Captain Iackson, leaving Sir Thomas Dail

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 Me∣mory 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 to∣wards 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, un∣till 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 di∣stressed people submitted (though some of them) with much temerity, in respect they knew how customary it was for them to vio∣late

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, tel∣ling them that they hoped the future time should be spent in a more amicable way then the former; and as for their parts, they hear∣tily wished, and desired their safety and wel∣fare, and that they should alwayes finde them very willing to befriend them against all op∣posers, and were heartily sorry that they should so much distrust them, as to flye to the English for relief; but as they never much va∣lued it, so they would now study to forget it,

desiring that all differences whatsoever might be absolutely composed, and all former inju∣ries and discourtesies might be perpetually oblitterated, to which intent and purpose they had transported them thither, and pro∣vided 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 ex∣pressions of their bounty, and the bounty of their expressions; for indeed they having been much time distressed for want of provi∣sion, could not but conceive themselves to be very happy, finding so much plenty, where they might rather have expected the abun∣dance of sufferings, then provisions, in respect of their former obst•…•…nancy, and opposition against them:

Thus the cheerfull Lantorians sate discour∣sing 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, signi∣fies talking, or discoursing; the Hollander all this while accoasting them in a very civil and

unusuall manner, to the admiration and much comfort of the Bandaneeses; but alas! this happiness proved shorter liv•…•…d then was ex∣pected.

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 la∣mentable aspects, nor their reitterated entrea∣ties could prevail, they are designed for de∣struction, and they must dye, to which pur∣pose,

they carried them to the place of Execu∣tion, 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 char∣ges might arise upon the maintenance of them? and after such fair and (seeming cour∣teous) 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 cru∣elty heard of, neither was this the conclusion of their revenge, as I shall to my best endea∣vour 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 de∣portment, delighting to be courteous both in his speech and carriage; and as for his person he excelled all the Bandaneeses that ever I ob∣served

for properness; this man they com∣manded 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 al∣though these Pullarooneers were under our pro∣tection, 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, Tyran∣nicall, 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 remarke∣able, that I cannot but relate, which is;

In those Islands I have constautly seen an in∣numerable 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 sub∣sist without them; but that which strikes the greatest admiration into my heart, is, That

these great Showles of Mackerell (after the Eng∣lish had left the Island) deserted it; which thing I look upon as the Justice of God Al∣mighty 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 COM∣MON-WEALTH of England, are pleased to let them enjoy that which is onely theirs by usurpation, and ours by the free gift of the In∣habitants, 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

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 de∣sires are to declare him according to the worth, Valour, and Nobleness, which was in∣herent to him, therefore I crave the patience of the Reader.