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.

CHAP. XIII. A pithie Description of the chiefe Ilands of Banda and Moluccas, by Captaine HVMPHREY FITZ-HERBERT in a Letter to the Companie.

Right Worshipfull,

IT remaineth that before I leaue these Easterne parts, I note vnto you some par∣ticulars [ 40] obserued this Voyage in Banda, Amboyna, and the Moluccas: which although I easily beleeue are well knowne vnto you alreadie, yet as of the let∣ters of the Alphabet well knowne to all men, many vnknowne words be com∣posed; so these noted things, either in respect of the time, the matter, or the manner of the deliuerie, may bring some thing againe to your necessarie remem∣brance, to your wise fore-knowledge, or to your further consideration. Leauing Iapparra and Maccassar, I will betake my selfe to the bar••enest place of the Iles of Banda, that is,* 1.1 to Gonah∣pee, at the top yeelding nothing but cinders, fire, and smoake; on the surfa••e below, woods without water or fruit for the sustenance of the life of man: neuerthelesse being seuered from [ 50] the Iland Nero but by a very small channell, they together with Lantore on the other side doe make a very faire and spacious Harbour. This Iland is very subiect to Earthquakes,* 1.2 which doe trouble all other the Ilands also, and make the ships in the Road to totter and tremble againe. Since the surprizall of Nero by the Dutch, there being a fearefull Earthquake,* 1.3 the said Hill cast forth such hideous flames, such store of cinders, and huge steames, that it destroyed, burnt, and brake downe all the thicke woods and mightie trees, ouerwhelming them as it were her owne vomiting, so that a greene leafe could not be seene in all that part of the Iland: nor did Nero escape these hellish blasts, which blew these steames and cinders into the Castle and Countrey neere adioyning, in such aboundance, that it inuited all men that saw it to her fune∣rall, [ 60] burnt vp all the fruit trees, and couered all the Countrey about it, and had like to haue sunke the ships in the road. It is credibly reported by those that saw it, the violence was so great, that it carried stones of three or foure tunnes weight from the one Iland into the other, and into the Road.

* 1.4The Castle Nera standeth close on the water-side in the plaine, it is faire, large, and strongly built; but weakely situate, by reason of the rising of the hill to the landward: within lesse then Musket shot it hath a hillocke higher then it by at the least twentie fathome, which doth command it at pleasure. To preuent which mischiefe, the Dutch haue built thereon a small Fort, but in vain, the same being vnder command of another, aswell as the former. The Castle is a mat∣ter of great charge,* 1.5 both in respect of it selfe, as also in respect of the Souldiers; and altogether vn∣necessarie, but for dwelling houses and Magazines; the other Fort being great enough, and strong enough for the defence of this place. Here is in this Castle about fortie Peeces of Ordnance; in the other, some eight or ten, the most of brasse. The Dutch haue not receiued the fruit of this Iland since their comming thither, being alwayes ouer-mastered by the Blackes, both by sea and [ 10] land: but the gayning of Lantore hath made all things quiet now. I pray GOD make it profi∣table hereafter.

* 1.6Lantore is the greatest and richest Iland of all the Iles of Banda, strong, and almost inacces∣sible, as it were a Castle: there is scarce a tree on the Iland but beareth fruit. The Bandaneses left it for want of militarie pollicie: but he must haue a polliticke pate (I beleeue) that gay∣neth it againe. The Towne is situate on the brow of a sharpe hill, the ascent as difficult as by a ladder: while they stood peeuishly to the defence thereof to the Roadwards, the Dutch landed with much adoe on the other side of the Iland, and surprised them at vnawares. Right ouer the Towne the Dutch haue built a Fort on the top of the hill to preuent the like inconuenien∣ces, as also to keepe the same in better subiection. It is but small, and while I was there, the [ 20] foundation scarcely finished. If the English had come thither a moneth or sixe weekes before the Dutch made this spitefull expedition, I dare auouch it, they might haue neere laden the best ship your Worships haue in India with Nutmegs and Mace from these Ilands.

* 1.7Pooloway is the Paradice of all the rest, entermitting pleasure with profit. There is not a tree on that Iland but the Nutmeg, and other delicate Fruits of superfluitie; and withall, full of pleasant walkes, so that the whole Countrey seemes a contriued Orchard with varieties. They haue none but raine-water,* 1.8 which they keepe in Iarres and Cisternes, or fetch it from the aboue∣named Ilands, which is their onely defect. The sea shoare is so steepe, that it seemeth, Nature meant to reserue this Iland particularly to her selfe. There is but one place about the whole I∣land for a ship to anchor in; and that so dangerous, that he that letteth fall his Anchor seldome [ 30] seeth the weighing of it againe: besides hee incurreth the imminent dangers of his ship. How this Iland was won by Derricke Lam,* 1.9 or lost by Captaine Castleton, I cannot well relate. It hath on the Easterne side a faire and strong Castle, a regular Pentagonon well fortified, and furnished with all manner of prouisions and Souldiers, and is held to bee the strongest Castle the Dutch haue in the Indies, and the most pleasant residence.

Poolaroone (in imitation of her sisters the other Ilands) is turned Dutch. There was in her neither pleasure nor profit, yet the ambitious King Coen * 1.10 hath made a conquest of her chastitie. The Ciuill Law denieth a violent rape to be incontinencie, because although the bodie be for∣ced, the minde may yet bee free. Recall her againe, and right this vnciuill outrage by your wise and ciuill censure: although the benefit (which is not to be contemned) bee diuided into shares, yet we hope, your Worships will keepe and enioy to your selues the disposing and distri∣buting [ 40] alwayes of your owne.

Amboyna sitteth as Queene betweene the Iles of Banda and the Moluccas; shee is beautified with the fruits of seuerall Factories, and dearely beloued of the Dutch: which the better to de∣clare, they say they would giue thirtie millions there were no Cloues but on that Iland onely. Neptune is her darling, and entertayned in her very bosome, it seemeth that the Water and the Earth are agreed together in vnitie: for at the bottome of the Bay, with one hundred Pioners in seuen dayes, of one Iland it may be made two. It is not aboue a Flights shot from full sea marke on the one side, to full sea marke on the other side: nor is the sandie Plaine raised a fathome a∣boue the of the horison; insomuch they glide their Prawes and Coracorries by [ 50] maine force from one sea to the other. It is plentifully stored with Fruit, Fish, and fresh water: nor is there any great want of Flesh. Their Vines both of Banda, Amboyna, and the Molluccas, are pruned thrice a yeere, and euery prunage hath his vintage. A raritie it seemeth to me, in na∣ture, I saw in the Woods of this Iland a Plant, or Tree, or neither, or whether I shall call it, I know not, in substance much like to the bodie of our Iuie, in forme like a hal••er of fiue or sixe inches, in length fiue or six fathoms, bare without sprig or sprout, the one end fast in the ground, the other fixed to the limbe of a great Tree, a fathome and better distant from the bodie thereof, and so perpendicular, that it is very disputable whether it growes vp from the ground, or from the limbe of the Tree to the ground: this rope is of firme solid wood without any concauitie, and yet it yeeldeth excellent good, faire and sweet water, and as fresh as from the Fountaine; [ 60] nor doth it herein admit any distinction or difference, vnlesse it be the more delicate, according to your companies cut more or lesse thereof, distributing euery one the quantitie of two foot or thereabouts, and they shall haue sufficient; for euery piece will runne to the value of a pinte or thereabouts, and that in an instant; a strange refreshing to those that trauaile those high and drie

mountaines, as my selfe did find by good experience, the Castle of Amboyna is quadrangular,* 1.11 w••ll moted and fortified with men and munition, and hath in it about Peeces of Ordnance. The Dutch haue reduced into order the two rebellious Factories, and the people begin to plant anew, insomuch that they expect within these few yeeres the fruit will be to that it is at present. Your Worships shall herewith receiue the Draught of this Iland, and the adioy∣ning Factories set out at large after the Dutch fashion, which maketh not mole-hils of Moun∣taines.

Bachan is accounted amongst the Ilands which are more properly called the Moluccas, and is the greatest of them all; it is called great Bachan,* 1.12 there is another neere adioyning called old Bachan. In great Bachan the Dutch haue a Factorie and Castle,* 1.13 which venting some Com∣modities [ 10] doth yeeld them Boords, Planks, and Masts for any ship whatsoeuer; it is the fruitfullest of all the Ilands of all the Moluccas, and the cheapest. The King keepeth neere the Castle without about three hundred persons, the rest being fled to the mountains & other Ilands. The Dutch Mer∣chant and others told me for certain, that for want of people the Cloues lye on the ground three or foure inches thicke in some places: so as it may be truly said of this place, the Haruest is great and the gatherers few; nor doe I thinke that the Dutch doe desire many.* 1.14 The Castle is but small yet strong enough for this place, and contayneth fourteene Peeces of Iron Ordnance, small and great, &c. This is a very good Harbour.

Machan the next in order, mounteth her tops aboue the Cloudes in manner of a Cone,* 1.15 and ad∣mits no plaines within the circut of her Confines. It is a very fertile Iland, and yeeldeth to [ 20] the Dutch the greatest Reuenue of all the rest of the Moluccas Ilands. It hath three Factories wi••h their Forts in Triangle position; the chiefest is Noffaquia which yeeldeth most Spice,* 1.16 but venteth lesse Merchandize. The second is Taffasoho, which venteth more Merchandize, and receiueth lesse Spice. The third is Tabbalolo, which yeeldeth lesse Spice, and venteth lesse Merchandize. The Road where the ships take in their goods is at Noffaquia; at the other pla∣ces there is no riding: this Castle also is the strongest; they are all seated high aboue the water, and the way vnto them is steepe and difficult, and therefore to the Sea-wards very strong, but to the Land-wards are commanded euery way.

There is in this Iland a Cloue Tree differing from all other in its fruit,* 1.17 which is called The Kings Cloue, much esteemed by the Countrey people both for the varietie, as also for the good∣nesse; [ 30] nor is there any other but this in all the Moluccas; they are not to be bought for any mo∣ney, but are giuen abroad to friends by handfuls and halfe handfuls: what fell to my lot your Worships shall receiue together with an exact draught of all the Dutch Castles in the Moluccas.

Motyr makes haste to follow Machand, in forme, height, and fruitfulnesse;* 1.18 but not in her Reuenues: nor is shee equall to her in greatnesse. The Dutch hath one onely Factorie vpon this Iland, which is called by the same name, it yeeldeth but little fruit, and venteth lesse Merchandize: here Venus and Voluptuousnesse haue their habitation through idlenesse.* 1.19 Thus much by the report of others, for I was not there to see it my selfe.

Tydore doth taxe the Dutch for leauing her wholy to the Spaniards, and destroying the Fort called the Marieca. This Iland is great and rich in Spice as any, but because I had not landed [ 40] here, I referre you to the Draught thereof, and of Ternate, herewith sent to your Worships for further notice.

Ternate,* 1.20 the greatest of these Ilands is the seat of Dissention betweene the Spaniard and the Dutch. The chiefest place for the Dutch is Malaijo, neere vnto which is Tallooko, and on the Northside of the Iland is Tycoome, which should haue beene destroyed with the rest. Gamolamo, Dangile and Saint Lucie are the Spanish Forts, betweene which is Calamasca seated as a Fron∣tier Fort of the Dutch, which should also haue beene destroyed; the whole both concerning the Iland and those Forts will better appeare by the Draught thereof, herewith sent your Worships inclosed in a Bamboo, &c.

[ 50] Aboord the Royall Exchange in the Road of Iacatra, the 18. of October, 1621.

Your Worships to command, Humfrey Fitz-herbert.

Because the Authour calleth Coen an ambitious King, you may see the occasion of it in the Ti∣tles which hee assumeth, and are imposed on him; as I haue seene them written: intituled by himselfe in his Proclamation for cessing or imposing of Customes at Iacatra, in this manner, viz. [ 60]

IOhn Peeterson Coen Gouernour Generall ouer all the Lands, Ilands, Townes, Forts, Places, Factories, Ships, Pinnasses, Shallops, and Men, as also of the whole Trade and Commerce in India, on the behalfe of the High and Mightie Lords the States generall, his Princely Excellencie, and others the priuiledged Committees of the vnited Netherlands East India Company.

To all those to whom this present Writing shall come, greeting. We taking into our consideration, after the Conquest of the Kingdome of Iacatra, &c.

[ 10]

By the Queene of Patanie, sending her Ambassadour vnto Him: He was stiled,

The great, strong, and mightie King of Iacatra, and of twelue Castles; Commander of all the Seas vnder the Winds, Iohn Peeterson Coen.

IF I had beene able to haue giuen thee also those Draughts, Reader, thou shouldest haue had ••••em. But such as I haue, giue I vnto thee; namely, this of Hondius, meane and obscure enough, [ 20] but somewhat more then nothing.* 2.1

[illustration] map of the East Indies

INSULAE INDIAE orientalis

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gonahpee one of the Banda Ilands with a burning top.
• * 1.2

  Earthquakes.
• * 1.3

  One most h••∣deous and h••r∣rible.
• * 1.4

  Nera.
• * 1.5

  Castle weakly situate.
• * 1.6

  Lantore.
• * 1.7

  Pooloway.
• * 1.8

  None but rain water.
• * 1.9

  The Castle. Poolaroone.
• * 1.10

  Coen the chief Commander of the Dutch in the Indies, whose fastigi∣ous Titles may seeme fastidi∣ous to an eye not altogether euill: and follow, as I haue seene a copie of them, I know not whether nee∣ding a Demo∣critus or Hera∣clitus; whether to be rank••d with T. C••riat, sup. l. 4. c. 17. or with some of the long-stiled Emperours. Besides these Ilands of Ban∣da here na∣med, are rec∣koned Rosin∣ging, P. Maon, P. Capal, P. San∣gy, Neilackey &c. Amboyna.

  A little Isthmus. Th••ee Vinta∣ges.

  Raritie in Na∣ture.

  Strange spring.
• * 1.11

  The Castle.
• * 1.12

  Great Bachan.
• * 1.13

  Old Bachan.
• * 1.14

  The Castle.
• * 1.15

  Machan▪
• * 1.16

  Noffaquia. Taffasoho. Tabbalolo.
• * 1.17

  Strange Cloue Trees.
• * 1.18

  Motyr.
• * 1.19

  Otia ••••tollas 〈◊〉〈◊〉 riere Cupidinis arcus. Tydore.
• * 1.20

  Ternate.
• * 2.1

  I had another farre bet∣ter sent out of the Indies, but partly the cost, and partly doubt to displease haue detayned the publishing.