Purchas his pilgrimes. part 1 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

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§. I. His barbarous vsage at Surat by Mocrebchan: The Portugals and Iesuits treacheries against him.

AT my arriuall * 1.1 vnto the Bar of Surat, being the foure and twentieth of August, 1608. I presently sent vnto Surat Francis Buck, Merchant, with two others, to make knowne vnto the Gouernour, that the King of England had sent me as his Embassadour vnto his King, with his Letter and Present: I receiued the Go∣uernours [ 20] answere, both by them, and three of his Seruants sent me from Surat, that he, and what the Country affoorded, was at my command: and that I should be very welcome, if I would vouchsafe to come on shore. I went accompanied with my Mer∣chants, and others, in the best manner I could, befitting for the honour of my King and Country. At my comming on shore, after their barbarous manner I was kindly receiued, and multitudes of people following me, all desirous to see a new come people, much nominated, but neuer came in their parts. As I was neere the Gouernors house, word was brought me that he was not well, but I thinke rather, drunke with Affion or Opion, being an aged man. So I went vnto the chiefe Customer, which was the onely man that Sea-faring causes belonged vnto (for the gouernment of Surat, belonged vnto two great Noblemen; the one being Vice-Roy of Decan, named Chan∣chana; [ 30] the other, Vice-Roy of Cambaya and Surat, named Mocreb chan, but in Surat hee had no command, saue onely ouer the Kings Customes) who was the onely man I was to deale with∣all. After many complements done with this chiefe Customer, I told him that my comming was to establish and settle a Factory in Surat, and that I had a Letter for his King from His Ma∣iesty of England, tending to the same purpose, who is desirous to haue league and amitie with his King, in that kind, that his Subiects might freely goe and come, sell and buy, as the custome of all Nations is: and that my ship was laden with the commodities of our land, which by in∣telligence of former trauellers, were vendible for these parts. His answere was, that he would dispatch a Foot-man for Cambaya, vnto the Nobleman his Master: for of himselfe he could doe nothing without his order. So taking my leaue, I departed to my lodging appointed for mee, [ 40] which was at the Custome-house: In the morning, I went to visit the Gouernour, and after a Present giuen him, with great grauity and outward shew of kindnesse, he entertained me, bid∣ding me most heartily welcome, and that the Countrey was at my command. After comple∣ments done, and entring into the maine affaires of my businesse, acquainting him wherefore my comming was for these parts: he answered me, that these my affaires did not concerne him, be∣cause they were Sea-faring causes, which did belong vnto Mocrebchan, vnto whom hee promi∣sed me to dispatch a Foot-man vnto Cambaya, and would write in my behalfe, both for the vn∣lading of my shippe, as also concerning a Factorie. In the meane while, he appointed me to lodge in a Merchants house, that vnderstood the Turkish, being at that time my Trouch-man, the Cap∣taine of that shippe which S^r Edward Michelborne tooke.* 1.2

It was twentie daies ere the answer came, by reason of the great waters and raines that men [ 50] could not passe. In this time, the Merchants, many of them very friendly feasted me, when it was faire weather that I could get out of doores▪ for there fell a great raine, continuing almost the time the Messengers were absent, who at the end of twenty daies brought answer from Mo∣crebchan,* 1.3 with Licence to land my goods, and buy and sell for this present Voyage: but for a fu∣ture Trade, and setling of a Factorie, he could not doe it without the Kings commaundement, which he thought would be effected, if I would take the paines of two moneths trauell, to deli∣uer my Kings Letter. And further, he wrote vnto his chiefe Customer, that all, whatsoeuer I brought, should be kept in the Custome-house, till his Brother Sheck Abder Rachim came, who [ 60] should make all the hast that possibly could bee, for to chuse such goods as were fitting for the King: (these excuses of taking goods of all men for the King, are for their owne pri••ate gaine.) Vpon this answere, I made all the hast I could, in easing our shippe of her heauy burthen of Lead, and Iron, which of necessitie must be landed. The goods being landed, and kept in the Customers

power, till the comming of this great man, perceiuing the time precious, and my ship not able long to stay, I thought it conuenient to send for three Chests of Money, and with that to buy Commodities of the same sorts, that were vendible at Priaman and Bantam, which the Guze∣rats carry yearely thither, making great benefit thereof. I began to buy against the will of all the Merchants in the Towne, whose grumbling was very much, and complaining vnto the Go∣uernour and Customer, of the leaue that was granted me, in buying those Commodities, which would cut their owne throates at Priaman and Bantam, they not suspecting that I would buy Commodities for those parts, but onely for England.

At the end of this businesse, this great man came, who gaue me licence to ship it: before the [ 10] shipping of which I called a Councell, which were the Merchants I had, and those that I thought fitting for the businesse I pretended, demanding euery ones opinion according to his place, what should be thought conuenient for the deliuery of his Maiesties Letter, and the establishing of a Trade. So generally it was agreed and concluded, that for the effecting of these waighty af∣faires, it neither would, nor could be accomplished by any, but by my selfe, by reason of my ex∣perience in my former trauels and language: as also I was knowne to all, to be the man that was sent as Embassadour about these affaires. After it was concluded, and I contented to stay, I made what hast I could in dispatching away the ship, and to ship the goods. This done, I called Master Marlow, and all the company that was on shore before mee, acquainting them with my pretence, and how they should receiue for their Commander Master Marlow: willing them that [ 20] they obey and reuerence him, in that kind as they did me. This done, I brought them to the water side, and seeing them imbarke themselues, I bad them farewell.

The next day, going about my affaires to the great mans brother, I met with some tenne or twelue of our men, of the better sort of them, very much frighted, telling me the heauiest newes, as I thought, that euer came vnto me,* 1.4 of the taking of the Barkes by a Portugal Frigat or two and all goods and men taken, onely they escaped. I demanding in what manner they were taken, and whether they did not fight▪ their answer was no: M. Marlow would not suffer them, for that the Portugals were our friends: and Bucke, on the other side, went to the Portugall without a pawne, and there he betrayed vs, for he neuer came vnto vs after. Indeed, Bucke went vpon the oath and faithf••ll promise of the Captaine, but was neuer suffered to returne. I presently sent a [ 30] letter vnto the Captaine Maior, that he release my men and goods, for that we were Englishmen, and that our Kings had peace and amity together. And that we were sent vnto the Mogols coun∣trey by our King, and with his letter vnto the Mogol, for his subiects to trade in his Countrey: and with his Maiesties Commission for the gouernment of his subiects. And I made no question, but in deliuering backe his Maiesties subiects and goods, that it would be well taken at his Kings hands: if the contrary, it would be a meanes of breach. At the receit of my letter, the proud Ra••∣call braued so much, as the Messenger told me, most vil••ly abusing his Maiestie, tearming him King of Fishermen, and of an Iland of no import, and a fart for his Commission, scorning to send me any answer.

It was my chance the next day, to meete with a Captaine of one of the Portugal Frigats who [ 40] came about businesse sent by the Captaine Maior. The businesse as I vnderstood, was that the Go∣uernour should send me as prisoner vnto him, for that we were Hollanders. I vnderstanding what he was, tooke occasion to speake with him of the abuses offered the King of England, and his sub∣iects: his answer was, that these Seas belonged vnto the King of Portugall, and none ought to come here without his license. I told him, that the King of Englands license was as good as the King of Spaines, and as free for his Subiects, as for the King of Spaines & he that saith the contra∣ry, is a traytor, and a villaine, & so tel your great Captaine, that in abusing the King of England, he is a base villaine, and a traytor to his King, and that I will maintaine it with my sword, if he dare come on shore. I sending him a challenge, the Mores perceiuing I was much mooued, caused the Portugal to depart. This Portugal some two houres after, came to my house▪ promising me, that [ 50] he would procure the libertie of my men and goods, so that I would be liberall vnto him:* 1.5 I enter∣tained him kindly, and promised him much, but before he departed the Towne, my men and goods were sent for Goa.

I had my goods readie, some fiue dayes before I could be cleare, and haue leaue, for they would not let them be shipped, vnt••ll this great man came, which was the third of October:* 1.6 and two dayes after, the ship set sayle, I remaining with one Merchant William Finch, who was sicke the greater part of his time, and not able to stirre abroad to doe any businesse: the rest were two ser∣uants, a Cooke, and my Boy. These were the companie I had, to defend our selues from so many enemies, which lay daily lurking to destroy vs: aiming at me for the stopping of my passage to the great Mogol. But God preserued me, and in spight of them all, I tooke heart and resolution [ 60] to goe forwards on my trauels. After the departure of the ship, I vnderstood that my goods and men were betrayed vnto the Portugal, by Mocreb-chan, and his followers: for it was a plot laid by the Iesuite and Mocreb-chan, to protract time till the Frigats came to the Bar, and then to di∣spatch me: for till then, this dogge Mocreb-chan his brother came not: and the comming of these Frigats was in such secrecy, that till they had taken vs, we heard no newes of them.

After the departure of my ship, I was so misused, that it was vnsufferable, but so long as my ship was at the Bar, I was flattered withall. But howsoeuer, well vsed or ill, it was not for mee to take thought for any thing, although remaining in an heathen Countrey, inuironed with so many enemies, who daily did nothing else but plot to murther me, and cosen me of my goods, as hereafter you shall vnderstand. First, misused by Mocreb-chan, as to haue possession of my goods, taking what he pleased, and leauing what he pleased, giuing me such a price as his owne barba∣rous conscience afforded▪ that from thirtie fiue would giue but eighteene, not regarding his bro∣thers bil, who had full authoritie from him: and how difficult it was to get money from his chiefe seruant, after the time expired, as it is best knowne to vs, who tooke the paines in receiuing a small part thereof, before his comming to Surat: and after his comming, I was barred of all: al∣though [ 10] he outwardly dissembled, & flattered with me almost for three moneths, feeding me with faire promises of payment, and other kindnesses. In the meane time, he came to my house three times, sweeping me cleane of all things that were good, so that when he saw, that I had no more good things left, he likewise by little and little degraded me of his good lookes. Almost all this time, William Finch was extreame sicke of the Fluxe, but thankes be to God recouered past all hope, I, on the other side, could not peepe out of doores for feare of the Portugals, who in troops lay lurking in by-wayes, to giue me assault to murther me, this beeing at the time that the Ar∣mada was there.

The first plot laid against me, was: I was inuited by Hogio Nazam to the fraughting of his ship for Mocha,* 1.7 as the custome is, they make at the fraughting of their ships great feasts, for all [ 20] the principallest of the Towne. It was my good hap at that time, a great Captaine belonging to the Vice-Roy of Guzerat resident in Amadauar, being sent about affaires vnto Surat, was like∣wise inuited to this feast, which was kept at the water side: and neere vnto it, the Portugals had two Frigats of their Armada, which came to receiue their tribute of the shippes that were to de∣part, as also refreshment. Out of these Frigats, there came three gallant fellowes to the Tent where I was, and some fortie followers Portugals, scattering themselues along the Sea side, ready to giue an assault when the word should be giuen. These three Gallants that came to the tents, armed with coats of Buffe downe to the knees, their Rapiers and Pistols by their sides, demaun∣ded for the English Captaine: vpon the hearing of which, I arose presently, and told them that I was the man, and perceiuing an alteration in them, I laid hand on my weapon. The Captaine Mogol, perceiuing treason towards me, both he and his followers drew their weapons: and if [ 30] the Portugals had not been the swifter, both they and their scattered crew (in retiring to their Frigats) had come short home.

* 1.8Another time, they came to assault me in my house with a Friar, some thirty or fortie of them: the Friars comming was to animate the souldiers, and to giue them absolution. But I was alwaies wa••y, hauing a strong house with good doores. Many troopes at other times, lay lurking for me and mine in the streetes, in that kind, that I was forced to goe to the Gouernour to complaine, that I was not able to goe about my businesse, for the Portugals comming armed into the Citie to murther me:* 1.9 which was not a custome at other times, for any Portugals to come armed as now they did. He presently sent word to the Portugals, that if they came into the City armed againe, [ 40] at their owne perils be it. At Mocreb-chan his comming, with a Iesuite named Padre Pineiro in his company (who profered Mocreb-chan fortie thousand Rials of eight, to send me to Da∣man, as I vnderstood by certaine aduise giuen me by Hassun Ally, and Ally Pommory) I went to visit him, giuing him a Present, besides the Present his brother had: and for a time, as I haue aboue written, I had many kind outward shewes of him, till the time that I demanded my money. Af∣ter that, his dissembling was past, and he told me plainely, that he would not giue mee twentie Manadies per Vare, but would deliuer me backe my cloath. Vpon which dealings, I dissembled as wel as I could with him, intreating leaue for Agra, to the King, telling him that William Finch was the man that I left as my chiefe in this place: and in what kind soeuer his pleasure was to deale with me, he was the man to receiue either money or ware. Vpon which answer, he gaue me [ 50] his license and letter to the King, promising me fortie horsemen to goe with me, which hee did not accomplish. After license receiued, the Father put into Mocreb-chan his head, that it was not good to let me passe: for that I would complaine of him vnto the King. This he plotted with Mocreb-chan to ouerthrow my iourney, which he could not doe, because I came from a King▪ but he said, that he would not let me haue any force to goe with me. And what else hee would haue him to doe, either with my Trenchman and Coachman, to poyson or murther me, if one should faile, the other to doe it: this inuention was put into Mocreb-chans head by the Father. But God for his mercie sake, afterward discouered these plots, and the Counsell of this Iesuite tooke not place. Before the plotting of this, the Iesuite and I fell out in the presence of Mocreb-chan, for vile speaches made by him of our King and Nation, to bee vassals vnto the King of Portugall: [ 60] which words I could not brooke, in so much, that if I could haue had my will, the Father had ne∣uer spoken more, but I was preuented.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Captain Kee∣ling and he had kept company together al the voyage before related (& not needfull to bee repeated) to the Roade of D••lisa in Soca∣tora, whence on Iune the 24. Capt••ine Keeling depar∣ted in the Dra∣gon, as you haue heard; the other in the Hector for Surat (the meane while built a Pin∣nasse) on the fourth of Au∣gust hauing receiued from the Generall a duplicate of the Commissi∣on vnder the Great Seale. He commeth on shoare the 28. of August, 1608.

  Chanchana. Mocrebchan.
• * 1.2

  The Captaine of the ship that Sir Edward Michelborne tooke.
• * 1.3

  Excessiue rain.
• * 1.4

  Our two Barks taken by the Portugals, and thirtie men in them.

  This not figh∣ting, was vp∣brayd••d to our men by the In∣dians with much disgrace, sin••ere ••oue∣red with inter∣est your ••••••∣f••ghts with th•• Portugals. The intollera∣ble pride of the Portugall Cap∣taine.
• * 1.5

  The ••nglish pri∣soners sent for Goa.
• * 1.6

  The third of October. The ship de∣parteth leauing M. William Hawkins and his seruants in the Countrey. The perfidy & treason of Mo∣creb-chan and the Iesuite Pe∣niero.
• * 1.7

  The first plot of the Portu∣gals to kill me.
• * 1.8

  The second plot.
• * 1.9

  Padre Peneiro a Iesuite, a pa∣terne of Iesui∣ticall sanctitie. How franke would the Ie∣suites haue bin to Iudas, be∣yond those Priests which g••ue but thirty pieces for the price of bloud, and those but of two shillings sixe pence the piece? whereas this Iesuite of∣fers forty thou∣sand Royals (who can de∣ny them Royall Merchants?) at foure shillings sixe pence the piece.

  Iesuites policy. Iust Iesui••isme.