Pramāṇa · Search · About · API

The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 3: Observations according to the Table of Course

The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 3

Language
English

Contents

Observations according to the Table of Course

3.1.1

IT is necessary that shipping be ready in the downes to take oportunity of wynd by the 20th of January, that they may fale with the Cape of Good hope before the dead of wynter, wherby men may have some leasure of Refreshinges, and the sicke may recouer in the warme seasone; for in the wynter the ayre is sharpe and rawe, and those that daylie wade, and are often wett, endainger their healths; and if the Roote Nangin be of valew, it must be gathered in that Season, for when the sapp returnes, the roote is withered in the ground, and driing up shrinkes and comes to nothing. Besides, the Season wilbe better to gett aboute the Cape, subiecte to foule weather, and hereby they shall have tyme enough to staye at the Isles of Comoro, for new refreshing, which is necessarie, that men may come stronge and in health amonng their enemyes ; for it is doubtfull that the Trade with the Mogull must be mayntayned with Armes. I wish the Coast from the Cape as high as Mosambique were discouered. It is veary probable ther is good matter, and doubtlesse braue Harbours. The Portugall hath trade for gould in a River not far from Mosambique, and the people make fiers to any shipping they see, to invite them to Commerce. This were done easily by two pinnaces (who might with great hope leaue some men on that Coast) which after might goe into the Indies, and serue the Company to transport goods from harbor to harbor in Japan, Sumatra, Coromandell, or Jaua.

3.1.2

March 6. — This day wee lost sight of the Lizard, and begann our Course for the Cape of Good Hope. March 26. — On this day in the Morning wee saw the Mayne of Barbery, making that for Fortauentura, and then stood away S.W. by S. till Noone, and saw land N.W. for the Canarye 8 leauges off; then wee steerd S.S.W. all night. March 27. — At 6 in the Morning Cape Bugador bare E. by S. 4 leaugs off; wherby wee found 30 leagues error in westerly way. This Cape lyeth in 26 lattitude, 353° 50' longitude, differing from the Meridian of the Lizard 6° 10' by Mercator's proiection, but I suppose it is layd 20 leagues to much to the E., the Canarye Islands in the same error. The land to the Sowthward trendeth S.S.W.; for steering S.W. by S. I could not Cleare the land in 24 howers. So that when, on the 26 day, wee tooke our selues to bee betweene the Island, we were betweene the Mayne and Forteuentura, a sandy shoure, 16 fadome, 4 leagues off; and steering that day 6 howers S.W. by S. we could only discerne land in the Topp for the Canarye. Wheras, had wee bene with the Islands, we should with that Course from Forteuentura haue shott faire out by the canarye. The 27th at Noone the Mayne bearing E. in 26° 5 leaugs off, wee shaped our Course.

3.1.3

March 31. — From the Cape Bugador ther is a Currant that setts swift S.S.W., for from the 27th day to the 31th of March we had little wynd, yet by obseruation we raysed euery day aboue a degree; wherby I conclude the Current setts neare two leaugs a watch and more aboord the shoare. April 5. — This day the sunne was in our Zenith, crossing the paralell at Midnight. April 10. — This night we meett the Turnados next hand in 2°; the wynd at E. with a terrible Gust of Raine for two howers. April 12. — This day a Counsell was held, wherin a Captain Complayned against his Master; the Playntiffe was satisfied, the accused aduanced, the inocent punished, all pleased. With the hinder foote of the Centaure, ther is a blacke spott like a lozenge which neuer alters shape nor motion from that part of the Constellation, but because it is inuironed with Galaxia I suppose it is the skie, only darkened with much neighbouring brightnes.

3.1.4

April 14. — This night I passd the line; Cape de Golinus, the next land, bearing N.N.E. half E. 158 leaugs off. In this course from Cape Bugador, the Current setts with the trending off the shoare, which forsaking the Coast is weaker, yet we felt yt in our reckoning vntill the 13th day, some dayes 10 leauges, and soe 8, 6, 4 & 2 leauges, as wee stood off. Whence I conclud it a good Course to hale in betweene 20 and 30 leagues of the shoare till within fiue or sixe degrees of the line, soe you shall haue helpe of the Currant, or less subiect to calmes ; for the wynd wilbe off the land, when it is calme without, and you shall make the shorter way, rayse the faster to passe the Equinoctiall and the Turnados in 356 degrees of longitud and come sonner and to more aduantage in the generall wyndes way, which blowes betweene the N.E. and S.E. For you may goe the lardger, and again shorten the southerly course with all aduantage to the E. ; prouided that you make not soe much Easterly way, though you could, as to bring the Cape of Good Hope to the Sowthward of S.E. by E. till you haue raised 16 or 17°. Then you may shorten the easterly way as you rayse the latitude ; for if you doe meete with westerly wyndes you shall by soe much lesse neede them. May 2. — This day the Sowth Tropique.

3.1.5

May 3. — The Magillan cloudes first appeare, and they keepe their course with the Polar Starre about the pole, alway equidistant, 11 or 12° the most southermost. They are streamy and glaring, whyte, like the Galaxia. May 14. — From the 9th to the 13th much wynd and stormy, that I neither could obserue sunne nor starr, but plyeing near in a Paralell the Variation altered little. June 5. — Pengyn Island at one in the Morning 4 leagues E. This day at 9 a Clocke I came to Anchor in the bay of Soldania in 5 fadom water, from Pengyn bearing E. 4 leagues ; steering S.E. for the bay, fine shoaling hard sand, from 15 fadom to 5 ; bringinge the ledge of Rockes at the poynt of the bay N.W. by W., the table S. by E., is the best roade. In Comminge in it is better to hale in with the Sowth then the North Shoare, for the flatts and sandes and breaches of Pengyn. The 4th of June I was by reckoning 28 leagues off 33° 35'; soe that, the wynd standing, I did expect to be near land the first night watch. Most of our fleete, all except John Hatch, who keept the same manner of Reckoning, havinge looked for land 2 and 3 dayes before; their Accounts out. Besides, they made sure to see it within 12 howers after the variation was lessened to one degree, but this alsoe deceiued them and is an error.

3.1.6

I was open and confident on my dead reckoninge, the rather because the longitude of the Cape by Mercator's proiection is rectefyed in 28° 30' from the Meridian of the Lizard, and is, I suppose, truly proiected; and though the variation be an excellent evidence in the whole course of nearing land, yet it deliuereth no other certainty But warninge to looke out, for it lessens not in the same proportion near land, but by a much slower; for which I could give a perspicuous reason, but to learge for this place. Nor can any Judgment att all be made to 20 leaugs therby that shalbe infallible, the Magneticall amplitude being soe difficult to obserue truly, by the shipps Motion and the Needles quicknes, that a degree is scarce an error. This consideration made me confident that wee should see noe land untill the 5th day early in the morninge. The wynd at N.N.W. and fresh, wee steering E. to the sowthward, at one aclock after midnight the Admirall tacked, and sawe land faier bye, & heaving the dipsall we had 35 fadome. Standing off in two glasses we deepned to 60 fadom. Nowe to this hower from Noone the 4th day we had runn 27 leaugs, and my reckoning was the day before 28 leauges, soe that in tyme I faild not an hower, in distance but one leauge, if wee had not stoode off in the night. At breake of day the 5th day we stood in, and sawe Pengwin Island East, and steering away S.E. for the baye came to Anchor.

3.1.7

It is an opinion begotten by chance and Mayntaind by error, which our Pilotts hould and defend, that it is necessarie from the line to make a sowth way into the latitude of the Cape of Good hope to meete with West or S.W. wynds, to runn in a Parralell; whereby they loose in Easteringe by the advantage of the lardgnes of the generall wyndes sometymes 200 or 300 leauges, and become distant, in the Paralell of the Cape, some 600 some 700 leauges; which course is most obsurd. First, it is contrary to a Principall in Nauigation, to direct the shipes way next hand to the Porte desiered, prouided they goe lardge enough to runn thorough the sea, and fall not into any certaine and experienced inconveniency of contrary wynds or Currents. Now admitt it be true that in the lattitude of the Cape you shall meete with West or Sowthwest wyndes, yet it is most obsurd that therfore you will make more westerly way then you neede by 200 leaugs or a due sowth to meete with that wynd which will doe you the same good 200, yea 500, leaugs more to the East, or none at all; for if it forsake you before it bring you in, it had beene better to haue been soe far as it will bring you without it. If it be said you shall haue it sooner, I answer some few howers, for the wynd crosseth from his rising (if it raigne soe farr) halfe the earth in soe much of a day : and therefore it is said, for expression of swiftnes, that God sitteth on the wynges of the wynd.

3.1.8

And to feare any Calmes, especially without the Tropique, is a pannique terror and voyd of reason, and Contrary to the only ground layd of this course. For if they feare it from the rule of Calmes betweene two wyndes, then they doe confesse the west wyndes expected betweene the longitud they seek it in and the Cape doe loose themselves ; and then I say they goe out of their way to find that frennd which forsakes them in their greatest neede, and leaues them in the calmes they feare. But grannting it for true (as it is) that the west wyndes supposed are vncertaine, then they runn this dainger, that a North wynd will not fetch the Cape, which is to great a hazard. For the variation being 17° to the East of the North makes your waye so much to the Sowth of the East ; and when you shall hale your tackes close aboord for that then the Lewarly way wilbe as much as the Variation, and in a head sea more ; wherby you shall beate your ships, aduance little, and can make your true way noe better then E. and by Sowth, and soe ouershoote the roade. But these ar suppositions and discources of Admittance on bothe sides, when the truth is aproueable by Nature and reason, that without the Tropique of Capricorne the wynds are variable as in our devision of the world and, if any wynds be more frequent then others, they are betweene that and the Cape in Aperill and May N. and N.E. wynds, as in our Tropique, corresponding in latitude and season, S. and S. Westerly ;

3.1.9

First because the sunne beeing Come to the North, both exhales the wyndes and disperseth them ; besides the greatest lands and nearest as you stand in (and all wyndes are made at lande) vear E. and N. But the Conclusion is the wyndes are variable and subiect to blowe (if any way) contrary to the wyndes most ordinary in our October and Nouember, being the opposite season and Climatt to us. Therefore I say it is best to make use of the Generall vvyndes from the lyne, soe far as they raigne, haling as much E. as they will suffer you to goe large through the sea with a fadome or two of the sheate flowne. So shall you be alsoe in a N. and N.E. wyndes way, and may stand large, soe longe as you borowe on the Sowth, to rayse at pleasur, and if these prophecyed wyndes at W. doe blow, you are alsoe so much more in their waye by how much lesse you neede them. And if any man obiect to me his experience, I reply he knowes not the force of that woord; for experience ariseth from a frequent and often approbation in one course of the same truth and had neede of the authoritye of 100 tryalls, and not of two or 3 voyadges, which is the moste any of our great Masters can bragg off. And I affirm reason grounded on good principles shall proue their experience the resolutions of leuitie and of men affected to their owne wayes; and it is noe good argument: "I have found it soe, therfore it will euer be soe";

3.1.10

but from Causes to effects is the lodgique of wise men: "thus in reason it ought to be, and therfore it is most probable it is soe". Yet, to sett Game against Game (for all the former courses are grounded on chance), I oppose the triall of Sir Henry Middelton, who beate it off in the Latitud of the Cape many dayes, with much E. wynd. The Hector with Captain Towerson gott in with N. wyndes little westerly or at largest N.N.W. Captain Newport with the Persian Ambassador held it up East as nere as he Could, and neuer had breath of W. wyndes, but keeping the Sowth to frend went lardge in with a N. wynd. Dauis gave instructions to the fleete with Captain Beast not to hale Easterly until 28° ; but soe soone as the wynds fauoured him in 23° he stood E.S.E. himselfe. Being asked why hee did contrary to his owne directions, though he answered " it was for his pleasur", any man may discerne that hee would not teache other men to goe out of a beaten path (all bye wayes requiring the best guide), and that if they had parted company by weather, he would haue made them woonder at him getting in long before them that followed his directions. Soe that which was an abuse to them would have apeared skill in him. Lastly I oppose my owne tryall in the Lyon with Captaine Newport, when I went His Majesties Ambassador to the Great Mogull ; we troad in this high Sowtheren way, and though often the wynds were soe lardge that wee might have made a Sowth and by East and S.S.E.

3.1.11

way or between them in the whole we made it all from the line next hand Sowth only to rayse the latitud ; which if it had been advantage for us and the west wyndes expected in a bagg, yet was the Course ill ; for a Poynte and halfe to the East of the Sowth in raysing 33° had aduantaged us 200 leaugs to the East and shortned the Sowth way not aboue 35 leaugs or a degree and ½, and soe in proportion as the wynd might haue lardged. When wee were in the latitude the wynd was scanter than euer & veary feirce at E. & E.S.E. and S.E., wherby we were forced to make a S. Westerly way most opposits to our port till wee raysed 35° 30'. Then the wynds Rainginge to the N. of the E. and betweene them, to late we beleued it reasonable to stand back to the N. or as near it as we could to fetch Frendship of that wynd which was most Vsuall. Thus wee plyed it 9 or 10 dayes, with foule stormie weather ; at the end wheroff the wynd veering to the North and N.N.W. with our tacks close aboord, the variation and lewarly way Considered, we had labor enough to make our true way E. by N. to recouer the Cape. Our Pilotts and masters rather found their error then confeste it, yet made vse of my opinione and reasons; for a Counsell beeing called at the Cape concerning the Course past, the most voyces enclining this way, it was resolued on as their owne. And, because my advise nor counsell was neuer desired, I made noe secrett of their Ignoranncye;

3.1.12

on the other syde they doubted not their element to be aboue myne, that had to doe only at land. But hee that stands on the advantage of a hill doth see and iudge both valleyes and seas and all belowe him and will say: Nihill ignorantia audacius, et cæcæ experientiæ nixo petulantius.

3.2.1

Soldanya is, as I suppose, an Island, on the South end wherof is the Cape of Good hope, deuided from the Mayne by a deepe Bay on the S.E. side and due E. by a riuer which wee discerne vpon the table. The land is fructfull, bearing short thicke grasse. The Mayne is deuided with most high and steepe rocky Mountaynes couered with snow, and vnaccessable, except it be scearched by the riuer of Dulce, which doubtlesse is veary great, falling into the Bay on the East syde. There is on the Island 5 or 600 people, the most barberous in the world, eating Carrione, wearing the gutts of sheepe about their Necks for health, and rubbing their heads (curled like Negroos) with dung of beasts and durte. They have noe other Cloathing then beastes skins wrapt on their shoulders, the skinne next the body in heate, in could the hairy syde. Theyr howses are but one matt concaued like an Ouen, into which they Creepe, and turne them about as the wynde Chainges, for they haue no doores to keepe it out. They have lefte their stealinge by trading with vs, and by signes make showe their harte is good. They knowe noe kind of God or religion. The ayer and water is veary wholsome, and both of them subtile and searching. There is on the Island Bulls, Cowes, Antelops, Babones, Mowles of great bignes, Fezants, partriches, larckes, wildgoose, duckes, Pascer flamingos and many others.

3.2.2

On Pengwyn there is a foule soe Called that goes vpright, his winges without feathers hanging downe like sleues faced with whyte ; they fley not but walk in Pathes and keepe their diuisions and quarters orderly ; they are a strange fowle or rather a Miscelanius creator of beast, bird, and Fishe, but most of bird, confuting that difinition of man to be Animall bipes implume, which is nearer to a discription of this Creature. The Comodities here are, first, reasonable refreshings with Cattell (soe that a season be Chosen when they are not leane, a Month after the sunn is departed from them Northward) ; Nangin rootes ; Arras, if our Merchants be not deceiued ; and I doe strongly suppose that I found a Rocke yeelding quicksiluer and virmillion, the stone being spotted all without with a most pure redd Coulor, equall to any paynting, and that will come off vpon paper or other fitt matter ; by the description of John Acosta it cannot fayle to be the same ; it is alsoe veary heauie, full of Marquisate and minnerall apperannces. The Table, or high rocke soe Called, by a streight lyne from the water syde is 11853 foote high. The bay is full of whales and seales ; The dutch haue fished on Pengwyn for them. The lattitud is is 33° 45'; the longitude 28° 30' from the lizard; the variation doubtfull whyther to the East or West, but my opinion is that the variation is West 30", The cause of variation beeing in the Mayne, as apperes euidently by the many lynes and changes towards the Cape E.

3.2.3

and after Westerly. If any shipping (hauing tym enough) fall but 100 leaugs more to the North with the Mayne (which may be done with saftye, no wyndes forbidding it), I assure myselfe they shall haue good trade for Cattle and other Comodoties, and may by leauing some men discouer the land, and perhapes gett knowledge of the People that trade with the Spaniardes on the East syde in 21° for gould after the Manner of the Moores in Barbery to Gago. These lefte at the Cape will goe no further, but attend oportunity of passage; and thear can doe noe great good, beeing amounge the basest banished people, that knowe nothing sauoring of man, nor are no other way men, But as they speake and walke like men. June 17. — This night the Hope came to an Anchor in the Bay from Suratt, laden with Indicoes. June 20. — Wee weighed at 4 in the morning, the wynd at E.S.E., and stood off 5 leaugs N.W. by N., keeping the bay open. Then wee sawe a headland S. by E. 6 leaugs off; so steering S.E. by S., by Morning the 21th day, the Cape of Good Hope bearing from that headland S.E. and N.W., and from the Cape of Good Hope Cape Falso bearing E. by S. 1/2 S. and W. by N. 1/2 N. and from the ship N. by E. 7 leaugs off I proceeded towards Santa Lawrance. June 25. — Wee sawe the land, which I suppose was Cape Fernoso, N. by E. We sounded at 65 fadom 8 leauges off, and being Calme by an Eddy currant we draue to the N. 2 leaugs a watch.

3.2.4

I found by falling with the land that the Currant kept us both from raysing and Eastering, so that notwithstanding the ships way by the passing of the water gaue soe many leauges as the table of Course mentions, yet the error was great, and must be corrected in the whole course. For at fower in the afternoone the 25th day we sawe land bearing from W. to N.E. by E. all along, wheras by rekoning I was more then 40 leaugs off, so that two errors are here discouered; one of the Cardes that lay the land away E.N.E. and W.S.W., the true bearing beeing from Cape des Agullas to Cape Aracifo E. ½ N., W. ½ S., and from thence it beginns to trend more North; the other, that wee were kept back by the Current in this Course 50 leauges at least, wherby we dayly mistooke our longitude, Judging it only by our Easterly way. From the last of June till the 5 of July, we raysed more then course and varriation did bring out by 4, 5, and 6 leaugs in 24 howers, right before the wynd; another Current setting alsoe to the North besides, which helped me to the N. I alwayes made two or 3° more variation then all the fleete, for my needle beeing touched afresh once in 10 dayes I suppose it was more animated and fixed then those that beeing long touchd must daylie somwhat weaken; the Needles I touchd for others performing the same difference. July 8. — I was ashore by reckoning on Santa Lawrance in 22° 30' latitude, 51° 10' longitude, the fleete having by account looked for land 24 howers;

3.2.5

but we could not make the Cape Augustine, the wynd hanginge off the land. But wee found that wee were hindered of Eastering by the first Currents at Cape des Agullas 50 leaugs, and by the Current setting after to the North we made more N. way then wee Could alowe, and by Consequence lesse E., the Current setting N.N.W. betweene the latitude of 30 and longitude of 46, and the lattitude 24 and longitude 29 [39 ?]. For we wanted, as I suppose, 20 leaugs off Santa Lawrance notwithstanding wee had runn over him 80 leaugs. But of this I dare affirme on good reason, that the Cape Augustine must be layed in the E. 40 leaugs more then it is in Mercators plott, being there in 51° 10', truly in 53°. The land alsoe at the foote of Affrica is more in longitude then it lyeth for. Seeing in 3 dayes we could not gett into the land, and beeing put to the N., the 12th day, the wynd at N.E., we stood away for Molalia, iudging myselfe to be 20 leaugs from Saint Lawrance W. in 21° 10'. It is Necessary to see the Cape of Augustine, to Correct the errors of the Currents, else hee that shall shape his Course by reckoninge may be deceiued in Longitude 50 or 60 leaugs, which is veary daingerous because of the shoales of Iudia near 21, and the Currents soe variable that it wilbe hard to coniecture on which hand you leave them. Therfore I advise (if weather be faier at the Cape of Good Hope) to make Aracifo in 33° 30; so you shall Correct the fierst currents. Then to runn large away E.

3.2.6

neare to the longitude of the Island before you hale to the North, for you will rayse apace both by the Current and variation, into the latitude of Cape Augustine. If it be foule weather getting about the Cape of Good Hope, stand into 37° before you hale to the East; and then runn in a Paralell, or little to the N., aloweing by Coniecture for the Currents, but not soe much as if you stood nearer into the shoare, wher they are more violent, but are soone lost in the sea. From Cape Augustine a N.W. by N. Course will goe Cleare both of the shoales of Iudia and the shoales of Saint Lawrance in 20°. These shoales are bould, and as a Pilott of Magadoxa tould me haue fine shoalinge 12 and 15 fadome to the shoare. I thinke I lefte Iudia 20 leaugs W., because at Molalia my reckoninge came well out.

3.3.1

July 21. — At two in the Afternoone wee made lande N.E. by N. 7 leaugs off, taking it for Molalia, in 12° 57', and stood in with it till 5 at night, when wee sawe another Island bearing N.W. by W., the true Molalia, which beare N. of vs at Noone (when we made Juanny for it) both by reckoning, and the truth. Then standing W. off and W. by S. till 7 in the Morning the 22th, seeing Molalia playn N.N.W. we stood away N.W. and N. about the west ende of the Island, and Came to Anchor on the North syde in a little Bay in 24 fadome water, the Poynt to the West having a ledge of Rockes W.S. W. and the other poynt E. by S., the soundings veary deepe as wee came alonge the shoare vnto the Roade.

3.3.2

Molalia is one of the 4 Islands of Comory, Angazesia, Juanny, and Mayotta beinge the other three. They lye E. and W. near in a Paralell one of another, except Angazesia, which lyeth somwhat more N. ; Molalia 12° 20' Sowth lattitude in the same Meridian with Cape Augustine, the variatione being 16° 40'. Angazesia bears from it by the Compasse N. by W. 7 leaugs off, the Sowerthmost end in a 11° 55', extending it selfe North to a 11° 6', as I obserued within 5 leaugs therof, bearing sowth from me. It is the highest land I euer sawe, inhabited by Moores trading with the Mayne and the other three Easteren Islands with their Cattle and fructs for Callicoes or other Linnen to Couer them. It is gouernd by ten Petty kings, and is sufficiently fruictfull of kine, faire goates, Cocors, orrenges, and lemons. They made us fiers as we passed by, being desierous of trade at the first hand, which nowe they fetch by Cannoes at Molalia, whear our ships ride. They are helde a false and an vnfaythfull people, having betrayd some of Sir James Lancasters men long sithence, but nowe, havinge experience of vs at other Islandes, I doubt not they would regayne theyr Creditts. Juanny lyes from Molalia East, and Mayotta in the same Course. The Coast betweene them is euery way bould. These three Islands are veary full of good refreeshinges, but Principally Mayotta, as I was enformed by the Arabs trading in Molalia ; and the Dutch stoppe thear.

3.3.3

The next in goodnes is Juanny, whear liues an ould woeman Sultanness of them all, to whom they repayre for Justice both in Ciuill and Criminall causes. Molalia hath on yt three Subsultans, Children of the ould woeman, two men, one daughter, who Gouerne seuerall parts of the Island. The Sultan in whose quarter we Anchored hath such authoritye that his subjects dare not sell a Nutt untill leaue obtayned. To which end Captaine Keeling sent four boates to his towne, desiringe libertye to trade ; wher they were receiued by a Gouernor or rather an Admirall or Commander of the Porte, lyeing some 4 leauges to the Eastward of our roade, where, havinge obtained leaue to come ashoare, we landed some 40 Men with Captaine Newport. The Gouernor they found sitting vpon a Matt of Strawe, under the side of a Junck which was a building, accompanied with about 50 Men. His apparell was a Mantell of blew and red Lynen wrapte about him to his knees, his legges and feete bare : on his head a close cape of checker woork. The Enterpreters were certaine Magadoxians, that spake Arabique and broken Portuguese. Captaine Newport, presenting him with a Peece and a swoord blade from Captain Keeling, receiued a welcome ; and [the Gouernour] Commanded 4 Bullocks to be returned in requitall, and with Grauitie enough entertayned them, geuinge free libertye to buy and sell and signifiinge soe much by a Messenger to the inhabitants round about, and promised to send downe his owne cattle ;

3.3.4

but professed he had noe Power to Compell or make price for others, but lefte the trade open to euerie mans will. He sent for Cocore Nutts to giue the Company, himselfe Chaweing Bittle and lyme of burnt Oystershelis with a kernell of a Nutt called Arraca, like an Ackorne. It bytts in the Mouth, avoydes Rume, Cooles the head, strengthens the teeth, and is all their phisicke ; it makes one vnvsed to it giddy, and makes a mans spittle redd, and in tyme Coullers the teeth, which is esteemed a beawty. This is vsd by all men howerly. From the Gouernor they were leadd to a Carpenters howse, a Cheefe man of that towne ; the howse builte of lyme and stone, Playstered with Morter or whyt lime, lowe, and little, Roofte with rafters of woode couered with Cocor leaues, the outsides watled with Canes. They are keept Cleanly and their poore househould stuff neate, their gardens paid with Canes, enclosinge some Tobacco and Plantan trees. For dinner a boorde was sett vpon tressells couered with a fine new Matt ; benches of stone about yt likwise couered, on which they scatt. First water was brought to euerie man in a Cocor shell, powered out into a wooden Platter, and insteed of a towell the rinds of Cocor. Then was sett boyld rise and rosted Plantens, upon the rice quarters of henns and Peeces of goate broyld. After grace said, they fell to their meate, with bread made of Cuscus, beaten and mingled with honny and soe fryed, and Palmeto wyne and Cocor milke for drinke.

3.3.5

I sent a gentellman and my Chaplen to see the Sultan himselfe, who liues three miles vp in the land from Fambone, the towne of the Gouernor ; but they found him by Chance there. He vsed them Curteously and made them dyne with him, differing little from the former entertaynment, only the Gouernor and all others gaue him much respect, kissing his hand. His Name is Sultan Amar-Adell, akinne to Mahomette, not vnlike to be descended of such an imposturous race ; his Cloathes not vnlike the Gouernors but somwhat better stuffe; his manners differing much, being with less grauitie and state ; somwhat a light foole, and veary hastie to be druncke with wyne Carried by the English. The other Vize-Sultan his brother, in whose quarter we wear not, I sawe, being come downe to our roade with three slaues to trade. Hee brought a Certifficate from Captain Sayers that hee had vsd the English well in his dominion. He is as well Xeriff as Sultan, which is high Priest. He kept a kinde of state in place, but otherwise a poore beare-footed roauge. He offered to trade for quicksiluer, and being asked what quantitie he would buy, replyed, to 4 or 5 rialls of eight. When this Marchandice faild him, hee fell to begginge of shooes ; then I left him.

3.3.6

All the People are strickt Mahometans, obseruing much much of the ould Lawe, and at this tyme, beeing the preparation to their Ramdant, or lent, vnwilling to drink wyne. They are veary Jelous to let their weomen or Moschee be seene ; of which we had experience by an alarum of one of their Priests, who espied one of ours comming toward a village, who shutt vp all the woemen, and cried out if we came neare them or their church they would kill vs ; but by the authoritie of the Xeriff, the stone (sic) preist was appeased and suffered it with more patience. Many of them speake and writt the Arabique in a fair Character, and some few Portuguese, trading to Mosombique in junks of 40 touns made of Cocor, sowed insteed of Pinns, Cawked, tackled, and wholly fitted, victualed, and fraighted with that Vniversall tree. Here our fleete refreshed with Oxen and Cowes, smale as two-yeareling but good flesh, with goates veary fatt and large, Arabian sheepe, henns, Cocors, orenges, lemons, lymes in great abundance, which we bought for Callicoes, hollands, or other lynnen, sword blads, and rialles of Eight; and their fruicts for glasses, knives, and trifles. Whatsoeuer is bought for money is bought dearest. Here was in trade a Iunke of Madagascar with Slaues. The Pilott of the Iunke, called Malim-Abrimme, spake Portiguse, and toulde me on the Sowth side of St. Lawrance ther was store of Amber greese, and Cokar of the Sea.

3.3.7

Hee was skillfull in the Coast and in the lyeing and bearing of landes both in Course and distance. Hee had a good partchment Carde, lyned and graduated orderly, which I sent to see. He founde faulte with many things in my Carde at sight, which I mended by his direction, and with reason; as the distannce from Socatra from the Mayne, and Razinge quite out certaine Islands to the Sowthward of Molalia, affirming thear are non such. His Cuntrie lyes from 1° 50' to 4°, the Port in 2° 10' N. latitude, gouerned by one King. Hee assured me of trade enough at his Porte to loade one ship with Marfill, Ambre, and Tinta Roxa. He promised to bring me his Plott and soundings and a sample of Tinta Roxa; but some other Cause diuerted him that hee would Come no more at me, notwithstanding I dealt liberally with him, in present and in promises. To the sowth of Magadoxo all the Ports are Gouerned by Moorish Petty Kings, even to Mosambique.

3.4.1

He perswaded me that wee might in many Places trade for gould and siluer ; that in Magadoxo the howses roofes were guilt, and that they had gould in Sand and mingled with earth, which they esteem not ; off the Inland hee knew little, only naming some Places or regions between Magadoxo and Prester Jhon as Odola, Maheza, Rehamy, and Gala ; of which Odola and Gala are Chapharrs which signifieth misbeleuers (I knowe not whether he means gentiles or christians, vsing the same promiscuously as well to Prester Jhon as to other gentiles). Off Prester Jhon he knoweth noe more then that he is a great Prince and a Capharr, From Magadoxo to Cambaya he was expert. His brother, who Came with him to me, was in fight against the Hope in a Portugall shipp pressed from Damon, in which 45 were slayne ; more he knewe not, but that 3 shipps were burned and the rest runne away. Hee said the king of Dabull tooke courage on this victory and surprised Chaul, Damon and other the Portugalls port townes and was Marching to Goa : That the Portugalls was in great distresse of victualls. I hoped to have stored myselfe with more discourse from him, but I was, I knowe not howe, prevented. It were tyme well bestowed to see this Coast, and I spake to some of it ; but it fared the woorse for the father.

3.4.2

The Road of Molalia lyes in 12° 10', and for the first 6 dayes the Current setts two leauges a watch S.W., the Moone increasinge. At the full, we wounde up N.E. the other way ; but veary easily, for the most parte riding vpon the Current. The Magadoxians made some absurdly beleeue that the Current sett 15 dayes one vvaye, and 15 another, and 15 dayes still; which, because of the first 6 dayes it sett S.W. and after wee wounde up N.E., it begott the opinione of a wonder. Butt the Current setts constantly S.W., and before the full of the Moone it had such Power on the ebbe and flood that wee neuer wound vp; but at the full Moone and springe tydes we rode vpon the flood against the Current, it runninge vnder and the tyde aboue, highinge 16 foote water, and the Ebbe wynding back with the Current; soe that the supposed Chainge of the Current was only strong tydes at the full Moone ouercomminge it aboue. For at sea, when the springe was Past, I found the same Current, and though we weare sett to the Eastward the first day we weighed, and to the westward the Next, the cause was the Eddies off Juanny one day and Angazesia the other; but being Clear of them, it sett his dew Course, that I raised little and did Westward much. August 2. — Wee weighed from Molalia and stood our Course for Socatra. August 4. — At night Angazesia bare by Compasse S.S.E. 6 leaugs off, we steering N.E. by E.

3.4.3

August 5. — Till noone the 5th day wee did not alter yt, yet we runn 16 leaugs, but raysed not aboue 10 Minnitts; wherby I gather we had a tyde setting 6 howers W.S.W. and backe E.N.E., by which wee raysed and altered litle. August 10. — In the Morning we repast the Equinoctiall. August 14. — In the Morninge wee saw the Coast of Magadoxo in 4° N. latitude 4 leagues off; sounding had 18 fadome of Lowe Land, whyte sandye bankes. Then wee stood off E.N.E. The difference of longitude betweene the mayne and Molalia in Mercators proiection agreeing with our Account and alsoe by course hauinge found the longitude of Cape Santa Augustine and Molalia to be one, I conclude that Saint Lawrance ought to be layde to the E. 39 or 40 leaugs, according to my first opinion, and all the Coast of the Mayne beeing broader then it is layde in the Carde must be also sett in proportion to the Eastward: because the distance of Longitude is right from one to the other, though all their longitude falce in themselues.

3.4.4

From Molalia to fall with Cape de Bussos N.N.E. ½ E. way is the best Course, it beeinge necessarie to see the Mayne aboute the latitude. In this course since we lost the westerly current at Angazesia I found none or very little, contrary to all Iornalls. Our Marriners in this Course are off as many opinions as poynts in the Compasse, both for Currents, distances, and bearings, according to Compasse or variation. But I obserued the truth in the later end of this S.W. Monsone; which I confess may alter in the hart of a Contrary Monzon, the settlednes of the wynd causing much chainge in Currents of which noe rule can be geuen. August 16.—At 8 in the Morning, having stood N.E. [N.W.?] from 6 to make the Mayne, we heaued the dipsall and had no ground. At 7 a Clock at night, standing in still with much wynd, wee had suddenly whyte water as whyte as milke, soe that wee Could not discerne the flory of the sea.

3.4.5

Fearing we were near land, we heaued and had noe ground at 70 fadome; and by and by, discerning a black miste on our lee bowe, They cried out "land!" bringing the shipp too, to stand off East. A New alarume of land ahead and on both bowes; this made much Confusion amoungvs with all the babell language of the sea, stumbling almost aboord one another with more danger then of Rocks. But it vanished like a mist, and wee stood of N.E. 18 leaugs till 4 in the Morning, and then stood in againe N.W. 19 leaugs, with a high sea and much wynd. This night wee crost the Paralell of the sunne Northward. August 17. — At Noone we made Cape Guardefuy, 8 leaugs off west, being the Cape of the Enterance of the Red Sea. At this hower I was 5 leaugs ashoare vpon the Mayne, some others keeping me company; the rest out of reckoning, fearing wee could not fetch the Mayne till we should ouershoote Socatra. Hence I obserue that, seeing after we made the land the 14th day and standing off N.E. by N. and N.E. the variation alowed (as appears protracted in the table of Course) and the land lyeing in our Plotts but N.E. and by North, wee could not have beene farr off, yet we stood 16 leaugs North and sawe noe land; but I suppose wee weare veary neare yt in the whyte water the 16 day, and then standing off that night 18 leaugs N.E. wee stood in againe 19 leaugs N.W. before we made it 8 leaugs off west.

3.4.6

Hence I say I obserue that we had both some Current setting to the N.E., for we had raysed more then we could allowe by our way and wear farther off then we expected, and alsoe the land from Cape De Bussos in 4° to Cape Alabana in 11° trendeth N.N.E. and S.S.W. a poynt more to the Northward then it lyes in the Cardes. Soe that it is as much in the falce bearing of the land as in any Current which makes all men stand off too Eastwardly and looke for the lande soe soone. But the right and surest Course is to fall with the Mayne in 4° and soe to stand alonge the shoare within 7 or 8 leaugs, soe to see the land once in 4 howers if you please. The Coast is bould, as the Magadoxian Pilott did assure me. From Cape Alabana in 11° to Cape Guardafuy in 12° the land lyes N. and S. You may ride vnder the Cape, and bringe a high sandie Clifte Sowth East and the Northwardmost land you can see N.W. by W. by the Compasse, in 12 fadome water, faier whyte sandy grounde. The poynte bearing W.S.W. as we stood in is a downrighte sharpe rocke with two Notches making a Baye, lyeing in W.S.W. Thence it ryseth round and higher land and lyes away towards the red sea N.W. 1/2 W. by the Compass. We had sounding 56 fadome 5 leaugs off, and soe 40, 30, 20 and 15 till we Anchored in 12 fadome, in a little baye, wher we stayed the 18th day and sawe some people in Turbants, but they would not Come near vs.

3.4.7

Ashoare ther was a Tombe of whyte stone with a Pillar at each end, neare the water syde, in a sandy Baye. The latitude is 11° 55', the variation 17°. August 19. — At 3 in the Morning we wayed and steered for Abdalacora E. and E. by S. and E.S.E., having the sea on our starboord side, 17° variation, making an E. by N. waye 15 leaugs, and then we sawe Abdalacora E. by N. 3 leaugs off lyeing 12° 20' the bodye of the Island. Vpon the West poynt there lyes a daingerous ledge of rocks.

3.5.1

The true Course and distance from Cape Guardefuy to Abdalacora being E. by N. 18 leaugs. From the Wester end therof N.N.E. by the Compasse, 4 leaugs off, ther lyes a smale Island, showeing 3 whyte bankes. We stood alonge to the Eastward end of this Island from the West end, lowe ragged barren land but showeing higher and higher till we saw two high hills toward the Eastward end. About the middle theroff there are fine sandy bayes and I suppose good riding, we hauing had in the openings 12 & 14 fadome water, sandy ground. But the Dragon standing off we stood alongest till they tooke in all their sayles, and had an Anchor a Pike, but it seemes Could gett no ground; and supposing shee intended to Anchor, the fleete loofte vp Close aboord the shoare vnder the Eastermost high land, wher wee had ground in 18 fadome, shelly and foule. But all our Anchors tript, soe that wee were putt off twice apeece, except the Dragon, whose Anchor when shee Came into vs helde by a Rocke, and wee stood it off and on, with much foule weather all that night. But in the Morninge, having loste sight one of another, and beeing putt to leeward of the Island wee steered away E.S.E. At 6 a Clock the 20th day by 8 wee had sight of the Peppercorne, who had shippt a sea into her Mainetopp, and filled her betweene the decks that shee was in great perill. By 9 we sawe the Expedition alsoe ahead steering for Socatra, a Mightie sea on our starboord syde. The variation and all allowed wee made our way E. ½ N.

3.5.2

10 leaugs, being to the Northward of Abdalacora in the Morninge, when we stood off 3 leaugs, the wynd at S. by W. At 12 at Noone wee sawe the W. end of Socatra E. by the Compasse 3 leaugs off, soe that the true course and distance betweene them is E.N.E. 13 leaugs. From the W. end of Socatra 2 leaugs off N.W. by N. there showes a Rock like a saile or a Ruyned Church. At 5 of the Clock in the afternoone we Anchored in the seconnd baye from the W. end of the Island, wher we rode in 6 fadome water, grosse sand, and brought the Poynts the one East the other West, being a mightie highe Cliffe. This is in 12° 50', variation 17° 50'. At 8 at night the wynd Powred downe the hills with such violence that we droue into 15 fadome, our Anchor beinge broken, and having lett fall another our Cable broke, and then wee were forced to bend our sheate Anchor and lett it goe, and Ride by a whole shott, having strooke all our yeards and topmasts. We had much adoe to ride it out, havinge a wyndward shoar within a mile, but soe much wynd till morning as noe ould seaman in our fleete ever sawe or felt. August 21. — This day at 4 in the Afternoone the Admirall came into the Roade with soe much wynd that shee splitt her foresaile, wherby shee was putt to lewward, and Anchored in a baye at the East end of the bay wee rodd in against lowe whyte sand hills in 19 fadome water, shee having stayed at Abdala [cora] the 20th day hopinge we had been able to recouer againe the Island.

3.5.3

August 22. — We weyed with much adoe, having had the same violence of wynd the night past as wee had the first night, and Came to Anchor in the little baye by the Admirall in 13 fadome water, sandye ground, where we rode at ease this night, the wynd being dispersed by the lesser hills and valey betweene vs and the high land. Here we spake one with another and bemoned our losses, the Admirall having spent a Mayne and a fore Course, and bent a sheate Anchor streight out, we brake an Anchor and a Cable and bent another, and almost wore asunder a wholle shott, the Peppercorne lost 3 Anchors and 2 Cables and fretted another, the Expedition lost 4 Cables and Anchors; for both at Abdalacora and those high lands of Socatra the wyndes Power down with such impetuousnes and the Ground soe Rockye, that I advise all men to forbeare to Anchor vnder them, for if they be putt from their Anchors in the night they shall fall soe farr to Leward that they cannot recouer the Island but must loose Company. But if night or weather force them to Anchor, lett them Choose to ride where some lower land breakes the violence of the wynde from the hills. Wee Rodd in the second quarter of the encreasing Moone, which rose then aboue the Horizon about 12 at Noone and sett at Midnight, at which tyme these wyndes beginn to rage soe long as shee is vnder the earth, and rising againe it becomes temperate. The Moone is a great ladie of weather in these parts and requires much obseruation.

3.5.4

August 23. — We weyed togeather, and Came to Anchor afore Tamara, the kings towne, bringinge the lowe Poynte to the East of the high sandy hill without itt E. by N., in 10 fadome water, a Mile from the Towne. Here the Sultan sent vs woord the wynds were from the hills so forceable that we should hardly ride, but advised vs to goe to Baya Delicca, 2 leaugs to the East, where he would meete vs. It is a veary good Roade, deseruinge the name of delightfull for the Peaceablenes thereoff in respect of others. It is a valley of much lower hills, betweene the water and the Raggid Mountaines of Tamara. You may bringe the two little hamocks that lye on the lowe poynt without the high land to the Eastward, S.E. and the lowe land that was E. by N. in Tamara Road N.W. by W., and ride in 10 fadome within 1/2 of a mile of the shoare. The latitude is 12° 35', the variation 18° 20'. The Ground is whyte sand but Rockye, soe that you must wotch or boye your Cables. August 24. — We came to Anchor by 9 in the Morninge in Baya Delicia, where the Sultan Mett vs with all his Pompe. Socatra is an Island in the Mouth of the Red Sea, called Anciently Dioscuria or Dioscorida, standing in 12° 55' ; gouerned by a Sultan called Amar-ben-Seid, borne in the Island, the sonne of the king of Fartaque in Arabia Fœlix, called Sultan Seid-ben-Seid, who was Sultan of Socatra in the tyme of his grandfather, as this shalbe king after his father of Fartacque, and his sonne lefte at Socatra.

3.5.5

The kingdom of Fartacque lies from 15° to 18° alonge the Coast of Arabia, and to the North to the Mountayns. Hee is at Peace with the Turke (who houldes all Arabia in Tribute, except this Cuntrie) on this Condition to send 5000 Menn in ayde of the Turke, if he requir it, to be paid by the Turke, without other acknowledgment. Thear lyes Neare the sea a Petty king about Dofar with whom he dare not Meddle, being in the Grandsignior's protection. This is the relation of Amar-Ben-Seid of Socatra. The Sultan of Socatra mett our fleete with 300 or thereabouts, havinge sett vp a tent at Baya Delecia. He rode vpon a horse, and 3 of his Chiefe seruants on two horses and one Camell, the People Marching before and behinde him, shouttinge after the Turkish manner, with two Guardes, one of souldiers which are his Cuntrimen, and 12 of his priuat Guard, hiered Gusaratts, some with Turkish bowes, some with Pistolls, some with Musketts all with good swoordes. He had a few kettell drums and one Trumpett. When the Generall went ashoar he receiued him with state and Curtesie. Hee is a subtile man, of good vnderstanding, as appeares by his gouerment and diuers answers. He Raignes soe absolutely that noe man can sell any thing but him selfe. His People sitt aboute him with great respect ; his officers standing by, who take account of trade, and receiue and paye.

3.5.6

His Clothes are of Suratt stuffs, after the Arabes Manner, with a Cassocke of wrought velvett, red and whytt, and another the ground gould, a very good Turbant, but barefooted. Euery night at sunne sett they stand or kneele all toward the sunn and pray, the Xeriff throweinge water on their heades. Their Religion is Mahometan. The Kings Towne of Tamara is built of lyme and stone whyted ouer, Battled and Pinnacled, the howses being flatt at the top. It showes faire in the Road, but when one is there, is but poore. Master Boughton borrowed the kings horse, and obtayned leaue to see his house, the king sendinge a Sheck with him. Hee found it not answerable to the apperances, yet such as an ordinary gentellman might make a shifte with in England. His lower roomes were vsd as warehowses, one as a wardrope, wher hung along the walls some Changes of robes and 25 bookes of their law, religion, story, and Saints liues (of which I could obteyne non) ; but aboue noe man may Come, to see his wifes, which are 3, nor other weomen (but the ordinary are seene in the Townes, with their ears full of siluer rings). In the Church the Preist was at seruice, butt seeing Master Boughton take out his watch he soone finished, and Came and woondred. Ther was prouided 3 henns for their dinner with rise, and for drink water and Cohu, blake liquor taken as hotte as may be endured.

3.5.7

At his returne the king in Complement said hee had seene a poore Place, but desired him to accept it Ther is a Castell four square on a hill a Mile from Tamara, but hee could not gett licence to see it. The People are of 4 sorts : Arabs his cuntrimen, who it seemes are his strength and such as are not the Ancient inhabitans but Come in with the Conquest of his Ancesters, and these obey him and dare not speake without lycence (as apeared when one seemed of quallity spake, he asked him how he durst open his Mouth in his presence), but aproching kisse his hand A seconnd sort are slaues who, when they Come to him, kisse his foote, and those doe all his worke and make his Aloese. A theird sort are, as I suppose, the ould inhabitants of the Country (but not the eldest) called Bedwynes, the same which other historians haue called Jacobits, Christians that have longe dwelt there ; with these he hath had a warr (as the Arabs report), and dwell in the Mountayns, very Populus, but are now at Peace, on condition to liue quietly, and to breed their Children Mahometans, which I perceiue they doe not, having noe manner of conuersation with the Arabs. The reason why I take them to be the ould Jacobite Christians mentioned by Maginus, Purchase, and others, is because Master Boughton sawe an ould Church of theirs in the way to Tamara, left desolate, the doore shutt but only tyde. Beeing desierous to enter yt, the Shecke his guide tould him it was full of spiritts ;

3.5.8

yet hee adventured in, and found an Alter with Images and a Crosse vpon yt, which he brought out. Then the Shecke tould him they were a people of another religion, but very loath to haue them much enquired after ; as I suspect (knoweing them to be a kind of Christians) doubting wee would eyther wish them better, or not suffer them to be oppressed. The 4 sortt are a Sauage People, poore, leane, naked, with long hayer, eating nothing but rootes, hidinge in Bushes, conuersing with none, afrayd of all, without howses, and almost as Sauadge as beasts; and by conjecture the true ancient naturalls of this Island.

First 40 of 108 passages. Read on