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.

§. III. The vnhappie Voyage of the Vice-Admirall, the Vnion outward bound, till shee arriued at Priaman, reporeed by a Letter which Master SAMVE•• BRAD∣SHAW sent from Priaman, by HVMPHRY BIDVLPHE, the eleuenth day of March, 1609. written by the said HENRY MORIS at Bantam, Sept. the fourteenth, 1610.

[ 60]

YOu haue alreadie heard of the passage of the two ships (the Ascention and the Vnion) from England, to the Cape De Bona Esperanza, but after their departure out of the Roade of Saldania, and of their loosing one another in doubling of the Cape, as yet you haue not heard. Therefore I thought good to make some relation thereof, as

well as of the other, and that truly, as from other men report I haue heard; and thus it was. After they had lost one another by stormy weather, in doubling of the Cape, the Vnion in that storme sprang her Maine-Mast, and in the middest of the storme they were inforced to fish it againe: by reason whereof, they lost the company of their Admirall, and at last, being without hope ei∣ther to meete with Ship or Pinnasse there-abouts, considering that the storme continued; they shaped their course for the Bay of S. Augustine, being vpon Madagascar.* 1.1 Where being arri∣ued, they went ashore, and had good refreshing, and stayed there twenty daies, being in good hope to haue met our Admirall and the Pinnasse there, but all their hopes were frustrate. Then being out of all hope to haue their company, they set sayle from thence, and directed their course [ 10] for Zanzibar, in hope to meete their Generall there: where being arriued, they went on shoare, and at first were kindly entertained: but at their next going ashoare, they lay in Ambush,* 1.2 and as soone as they landed, salied out vpon them, and killed the Purser presently, and one Mariner, and tooke one of their Merchants Prisoner; yet by great chance, they gat off their Boate and came aboord. The names of them that were slaine, were Richard Kenn, Purser, the Mariners name I haue forgotten, but the Merchants name that was taken Prisoner, was Richard Wicham: they put to Sea about the moneth of February 1608. with the winds at North-east and Nor∣therly, iust against them as they should goe for Socotora.

Now after they had spent much time at Sea, and little or nothing in the way, (and the most part of the men very much troubled with the Scuruy) the Captaine purposed, and accordingly [ 20] bare vp the Helme for the North part of S. Laurance,* 1.3 determining to goe for the Bay of Anton∣gil: but they fell on the West side of the Iland, intending to recouer their almost-lost men there, and spend the vnprofitable Monson. Vpon which end of S. Laurance, they fell into an excee∣ding great Bay,* 1.4 which afterwards they vnderstood to be called by the Countrey people Canquo∣morra, a Countrey very fruitfull and pleasant to behold. The very first view thereof, gaue great content to all their men in generall: who no sooner arriued in the Bay, but within short time had conference with the Country people, and at first they profered them great kindnesse, but after it proued to the contrary. Whereupon Master Rowles the Captaine, and Master Richard Reue, chiefe Merchant, and Ieffrey Carlel, with three others, which were attendant vpon the Cap∣taine, aduentured to goe ashore vnto the King: and that made them the more venterous, because [ 30] diuers times before, all the Merchants had beene ashore at the Kings Palace (in their Skiffe and long Boate) and spake with the King, who profered them great kindnesse, and came aboord a∣gaine, as safe as if they had beene in their owne Natiue Countrey of England.* 1.5 Samuel Bradshaw had beene often imployed about businesse vnto the King: yet (it pleased God) at this time, the Captaine had some other occasion of businesse for him, and so staid him aboord (a happy turne for him:) for they no sooner came ashore, but they were betrayed by the Countrey people: but by the great Prouidence of the Almightie the Boates escaped, and presently came aboord, and informed them of all that happened: Where they no sooner had made knowne vnto them this dolefull newes, but presently they saw such abundance of Prawes, and great Boates,* 1.6 comming out of the Riuer vnto them, that it was admirable to behold. The Master spake vnto the Gun∣ner [ 40] to make the Ordnance ready, which was soone effected. This Fleete of Infidels came row∣ing vp vnto their Shippe, as though presently they would haue boorded them: but by the dili∣gence of the Gunner and his Mates, he made them retire,* 1.7 by sinking of some halfe dozen of their Boates, and they retired backe againe as fast, as if they had beene Sheepe chased by the Wolfe. But before we made such massacre amongst them, they came vp in the face of our Ord∣nance, and we thought verily they would haue taken vs all: for the fight continued (at least) two houres very dangerous, till we plagued them so with our Ordnance: and then,* 1.8 he accounted himselfe happiest that first could cleere himselfe, and wee continually sent after them, as farre as the Ordnance would reach. After they were gone from vs in this first attempt, we stayed in the Bay some foureteene daies, being in good hope to recouer our lost men againe,* 1.9 in which time [ 50] we lost seuen men more through a suddaine disease, which daunted vs more then the malice of those Infidels. The men which died, were they that wrought so lustily about the Ordnance in the fight, that within two daies they were all throwne ouer-boord. These crosses comming to∣gether, and no hope to recouer our lost men, they thought it folly to make any longer stay there, and therefore presently made hast away. And being not throughly watered, they thought good to spend a little time in another place thereby: but before they could dispatch, they attempted against them the second time, with a great multitude of Boates, and many of them great vessels,* 1.10 and so thicke pestered with men, that it was wonderfull: but they liked their first entertaine∣ment so well, that they cared not for comming too neere them the second time, but went all on shoare, and placed themselues to looke vpon the Ship. Then presently perceiuing what their in∣tended [ 60] purpose was, and fearing some mischiefe in the night, they weighed and stood in for the shore (where all the Infidels sate) and gaue them a whole broad side for a farewell: which fell among the thickest of them, and in their sight made such lanes among them, that they soone for∣sooke their places, and gat out of their sight with as much speed as might be:* 1.11 From thence they tacked and stood off at Sea, leauing behind them foureteene men, seuen betrayed, and seuen that

di••d w••th sicknesse. Then being cleare from those Infidels, they directed their course for Socotora, but by some negligence, for want of hulling in betimes, the winds tooke them short, that they could not fetch it,* 1.12 but they fell more to the East-ward vpon the Coast of Arabia, which was about the fourth of Iune, and the Winter Monson being come, they could not, nor durst goe for Camba••a: Moreouer, vpon that Coast, they could not finde any good place to harbour themselues in, vntill the Winter were past. Wherefore, keeping within sight of the Coast foure daies, sometimes being in danger of the shore, they thought it but folly to neglect the time any lon∣ger; and therefore resolued vpon some course to be taken, for the best performance of the Voy∣age. So the Master calling the best, and most principall men in the shippe, and such as were best experienced in those affaires, they presently concluded altogether to goe for Achen: and [ 10] being in hope there, to meete with some Guzurats, to barter their English Commodities with them,* 1.13 directing their course for that place, they arriued there the seauen and twentieth of Iuly. And within seuen daies after their arriuall, they had admittance to the King, with a Present that was giuen, (which they were inforced to doe somewhat largely) because the Hollanders sought to crosse them, a••d deb••rre them from Trade. Their aspiring minds could not haue any to Trade into India, but themselues; therefore after Master Bradshaw had beene with the King, and spent some time with them at Achen, he fell to Trade with the Guzurats for some of their Commodi∣ties, for our English Cloath and Lead, in trucke for Baftas, blacke and white, which is Guzurat Cloath, which they sell in those parts. After they had stayed there some small time, and trucked with the Guzurats for some Commodities, they tooke their leaue, and set sayle from thence, [ 20] and came vnto Priaman,* 1.14 and had Trade there in short space, to their hearts content. And al∣tho••gh Fortune had crossed them all the Voyage, yet God at length brought them vnto a plea∣sant Port to make some Trade and benefit of their Voyage. Heere they staied and tooke in Pep∣per, and at leng••h laded their shippe, and might l••ng before, if there had not beene a mutiny a∣mong the Company, for the Saylers would doe as pleased themselues. But Master Bradshaw vsed them with such faire words, that (at l••ngth) they gat that they came for. Heere Griffin Mauris (the Master) dyed:* 1.15 all businesse being ended, Master Bradshaw sent Humphrey Biddulph vnto Ban∣tam, and Siluester Smith to beare him company, with some remainder of goods, which they could not sell at Priaman, nor at Tecco: not long after that he had taken his leaue of them, they shaping their course for Bantam, in a China Iunke, he presently set sayle for England, in the month [ 30] of February 1609.

The lamentable successe of the said ship and Voyage, appeareth by the Letters following.

Laus Deo in Morlaix, the first of March 1611.

BRother Hide, this day is come to our hands a Letter from Odwen, written by one William Bag∣get an Irish-man, dwelling in the same Towne, aduising vs of most lamentable newes of a shippe of London, called the Vnion, which is vpon this Coast, about two leagues from the said Odwen: which the men of the Towne perceiuing, sent out two Boates vnto her; and when they came there, they found [ 40] that it was a shippe come from the East-India, richly laden with Pepper and other goods, hauing in her but onely f••ure men aliue, of which foure men, one is an In••ian, and other three dead in the shippe: which the foure liuing men through feeblenesse, were not able to cast ouer-boord, nor were scarce able to speake: so the men of the two Boates haue brought the shippe into the Roade of Odwen. And as this Iri••h-man writeth, they of the Towne haue vnladen the most part of the goods, and hauing directed his Letter to some English Merchants in this place, to repaire thither with all expedition, to see the ordering of the ship and goods, as belonging to the East-Indian Company. This Letter, is confirmed by one other Letter written in French by the Bayliffe of Kimper, and directed to one of this Towne, which I haue seene: And there∣fore we thought it good to send three Cop••es of this Irish-mans Letter, by three seuerall Barkes, to the [ 50] end that the Merchants may be aduertised, and giue order that their goods and shippe may be in safetie, for it is to be doubted that the rude people will make a wracke of her. I thinke it not amisse therefore, that they send to the Court of France, to procure the Kings Authoritie, for I feare there will be much trou∣ble about the matter. In the meane time, my selfe, with George Robbins will ride downe to see in what state all things are, and doe the best we can in the Me••chants behalfe, t••ll they send some one with procu∣ration, good and ample for the following of this businesse, as in their discretion shall see me fitting. The ship is reported to be of three or foure hundred Tunnes, and hath three Deckes, I doubt wee shall finde her shrewdly riffled when we shall come there. The importunate writing both of the Irish-man and the Bayliffe of Kimper, hath caused vs to take this iourney: And we doe it the rather in consideration of the Compa∣ny, presuming that they will consider our charge, because we haue both emplored friends, and procured Mo∣ney [ 60] in the place, to satisfie such as haue taken paines in sauing of the shippe and goods if need be. Not∣withstanding, I would wish that they send some with expedition by way of Rouen, with other prouision of Money: f••r that this is no place of Exchange as you know, where Money may be had at all times. I had rather giue fiftie pound, then take this iourney at this time, because I haue much goods vpon my hands as

I partly wrote to you in my last. The Masters name of the shippe is Edmund White, the Masters Mate, Thomas Duckmanton, and the other Samuel Smith, and the Indian. They are in very pittifull taking, and in great want of Money, neither can they be masters of their goods: therefore let them send men of good experience about this businesse. And thus being in some hast readie to take Horse, I com∣mit you to the Lords protection, resting your assured friend alwaies to command,

BERNARD COVPER▪

Neglect no time in making this knowne [ 10] to the Company.

Directed to Master Thomas Hide, Merchant in London.

February 1610. touching the Vnion at Andierne.

THE eighth day of February, I came ouer the Pole-head of Bourdeaux, and the eleuenth of the same I lost my fore-mast, my Botsprit, and my Ruther: the same night I put into Olderyearne, the thir∣teenth day the French-men brought the Vnion of London vpon the Rockes: the foureteeneth day I went aboord the Vnion with my Boate, and the French-men had beene aboord foure daies; the same time I [ 20] brought Samuel Smith on shoare, Thomas Duttoncon, and the Master Edmond White. The fifteenth day I got William Bagget my Merchant, to write me a Letter to Morles; the eighteenth day the Letter was sent, and I paid two Crownes for the carriage: the twentieth, the Indian dyed, and the same day I buried him: the one and twentieth day, the Master died, and I b••ried him: the two and twentieth came Master Roberts, and Master Couper: the sixe and twentieth, Master Couper and Master Roberts went to Morles. Againe, the fourth day of March, William Coarey, the Hoast of Master Couper and Master Roberts: the fifth, I went aboord with my Boates, and William Coarey, at low water, I went into the shippes hold at low water, and I brought an Example of the worst Pepper: the sixth day, I came from Olde-yearne; the eighth, I came to Morles: the seuenteenth, came Master Hide to Mor∣les: the one and twentieth, I came from Morles; the two and twentieth at night, I came into the Ile of [ 30] Wight: the foure and twentieth, I came to Hampton: the eight and twentieth day, I came to London.

Your louing Friend, WILLIAM WOTTON.

THey saued after the spoile of the Brittons almost two hundred Tunnes of Pepper, some Beniamin, and some China Silkes, which they bought at Techou in Sumatra, out of a shippe of China. They [ 40] touched outward bound at Saldania, where they stayed long in setting vp a Shallop or Pinnasse, they lost Master Rowles in S. Laurence: they lost more men at Zanzibar: they laded Pepper at Achen, Pria∣man, Passeman, and Tecou: there they bought Silke of a shippe of China. In their returne, they met with Sir Henry Middleton, hauing thirtie sixe men in reasonable good state aboord then: they deliuered vnto him certaine Chests of Siluer: They missed the Ile of S. Helena, most of their men dyed, on this side Cape Verde: ten English, and foure Guzarats▪ were taken out of her by a Barke of B••stol and a Scot. There landing in the Road of Anderne, and other matters are before set downe: The shippe after the Pep∣per goods were taken out and dried was found by Master Simonson, a skilfull Ship-wright, sent thither of purpose, to saue it if it might be, vtterly vnseruiceable: The Ordnance, Anchors, and other furnitures were saued.

[ 50] Thomas Duckmanton the Masters Mate, Robert Wilson of Detford, Bullock the Surgeon, Ia∣cob Peterson, and fiue English-men more remaine aliue, of seuentie fiue that went out of England: three or foure Guzarats also came home aliue.

Notes

• * 1.1

  They arriued at the B••y of S. Augustine in Madagascar.
• * 1.2

  The treachery of the people of Zanzibar.
• * 1.3

  They bare backe againe for S. Laurence.
• * 1.4

  The great Bay of Canquomor∣ra, or B••am••r••.
• * 1.5

  Samuel Brad∣shaw. The Captaine and sixe others betrayed.
• * 1.6

  Abundance of Prawes & great Boates.
• * 1.7

  Sixe Boates of the enemies destroyed.
• * 1.8

  A fight for two hou••es.
• * 1.9

  They stayed 14 daies longer in this Bay.
• * 1.10

  A second at∣tempt m••de by the ene∣mies.
• * 1.11

  They depart from S. Lau∣rence.
• * 1.12

  They fell vpon the Coast of Arabia.
• * 1.13

  They arriue at Achen in Suma∣tra.

  The Hollanders opposition.
• * 1.14

  Priaman.
• * 1.15

  Griffin Mauris the Master died. Tec••o.

  They in the V∣nion returne from Suma••ra for England.