Travels in India (Tavernier) 155.1

155.1

Before leaving the English President, with whom I dined on the day I left Bantam, he discussed with me the reasons why the General of Batavia and his Council had refused me a passage to enable me to return to Surat or the coast of Bengal, where they often send vessels. The President, to compensate me for this refusal, kindly offered me a passage to England; for the season was then past for returning to India. Being attracted by his offer, I accepted without ceremony; and he told me he would be much gratified at having my company, because he himself intended to go home, the period of his service having expired. But the vessels, whether English or Dutch, could not leave for Europe for more than three months; and I thought I should do best to pass that time at Batavia, where I should be able to buy something to make my money yield a profit during the voyage. Accordingly, I took leave of the President till the time when the vessels should sail; and he presented me with a large cask of English beer to take with me to Batavia, where he said I should find scarcely any, because the General had made it contraband, knowing that it had come to the English Company.