A Voyage to the East Indies: Front Cover
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A Voyage to the East Indies: Inside Front Cover
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I do not know the history of this book, but think I recollect my father saying it was a record kept by one of the Pierce family of his voyage to India in 1779. I have read it but do not find any name or reference giving a clue. It is interesting as showing the hardships endured by travellers in those days, now over 150 years ago.
J.M.O–
16/9/[?]1
Note:-
Richard Pierce left England in Command of the H.E.I. Coy’s “Halsewell,” in 1779. See page 128 of “East Indiamen The East India Coy’s Maritime Service,” by Sir Evan Cotton (1949)
–––– . . . ––––
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Master Mariner
Re[??]
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A Voyage to the East Indies in the Ship Duke of Grafton
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The Duke of Grafton, East Indiaman. Captn Saml. Bull Commander, left Portsmouth on Sunday the 7th of March 1779 with Twelve other Indiamen, under the convoy of Sir Edwd Hughes Knt. in the Superbe 74 Gunship & eight Men of War and sloops, Transports & other vessels to the number of Forty sail or upwards. We proceeded down Channel with a fair wind to Plymouth, off which place we were joined by the Belleisle Man of War, and the Nymph sloop of Eighteen Guns, which latter had been dispatched from Portsmouth a few days before, to acquaint the Belleisle of the Admiral’s Intention to sail speedily. The Grafton was very deeply laden, having been freighted considerably beyond her Tonnage. Her ship’s company consisted of 120 men for the most part Landsmen many of whom had never before seen the Sea. People unacquainted with those affairs would wonder, why so easy a Service, where there is more Pay, and less danger than in the Navy, should be so destitute of good Seamen, but they must be inform’d that after a man in the capacity of a common sailor on board an Indiaman has been absent from his native country and Friends for the space of two or perhaps three Years, when he has overcome the Dangers of the Sea, a long Voyage, the Scurvy, Inclemencies of foreign climates, and [end page 5]
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a numerous Train of assailing Evils; immediately on his return to England, before he has seen his relations or even had an Oportunity of informing them of his return, he is dragg’d from his Ship perhaps emaciated by disease, and confined to the Hold of one of his Majesty’s Tenders, there to reexperience the shocking miseries he flatter’d himself he was freed from. Happy would it be for those Men, and for the Navy, and Kingdom in general, could some Expedient be hit on to man his Majestys Navy in a more respectable Manner, and explode a Practice disgraceful to the Service and shocking to Humanity.) There were likewise on board two Companies of the 73rd Regt of Foot or Sd. M[?]sends Highlanders, and twenty five of the Company’s Recruits, who were all (except the Officers) stowed on the Orlope Deck; betwixt the after part of the after & fore part of the fore Hatchway. So that with those before mention’d, and nine Passengers the Ship was uncommonly crouded. We had a continual fair Wind & fine Weather till we got clear of the Land, which was three Days after our Sailing. At this Time Hostilities were eagerly carried on betwixt England, & France by Sea, and with great success on our side; our Cruizers [end page 6]
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having taken a vast Number of their Martinique, St Domingo and other West Indiamen, with seven or eight very valuable East Indiamen, to revenge which, it was reported & not without gaining Credit, that they had collected a pow’rful Fleet to intercept us in our Passage. This Scheme might have been easily effected, & if attended with Success (as the Weather was very favourable for a Cruizer in the Bay) would not only have procur’d them Honour, but have amply repaid their numerous Losses. In the Chops of the Channell we fell in with the Courageux, Lord Mulgrave, on a Cruize, who join’d, & proceeded with the Fleet. We pursued our Course without Interruption or Loss of any Part of the Fleet, for A Week; At the End of which we parted from our Convoy in a Fog, & was left a single, comparatively defenceless Ship, which would have fall’n a prey to a frigate, or almost any Adventrous Privateer. The Perturbation we were in is not easily to be described, since we had Nothing to expect but a Visit to France. Our Ship carried Twenty, nine Pounders on the Gun-Deck, and six, four pounders on the Quarter Deck, but then we were so deep and unwieldy, that a swiftsailing light Ship, might easily have Kept in [end page 7]
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such a Position as to prevent us from bringing our Guns to bear upon her. In this Dilemma we had one Circumstance to console ourselves with viz. the having such a Number of Soldiers on board, that would have dealt destruction to a vessel that might have attempted to board us, a Method much depended on by small Privateers The Soldiers were station’d on every Part of the Ship, and if a small vessel appear’d they conceal’d themselves, by lying flat on the Deck till within Musquet Shot, but on the Contrary if a Ship of Force superior to ourselves came in Sight, we station’d the redcoats so that they might be seen at a considerable Distance, hoisted a Man of War’s pendant, and fix’d wooden Guns, so as to make us appear like a fifty Gun Ship. Indeed we cut a very formidable Figure. We parted from the Fleet in the direct Track of the Cruizers, and for several Days after our Separation had very little Wind, and that little, foul; At last a fair and fresh Breeze sprung up, which carried us along briskly. We now daily saw a Number of Vessels, which we brought too, & most of them proved to be dutch. Here we had an Oportunity of observing the cunning & policy of those [end page 8]
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People, who under the Mask of Neutrality, drain the world of its wealth, & accumulate to themselves an Immensity of Riches, whilst other Kingdoms are wantonly disporting with the Lives and Properties of their Inhabitants. These vessels generally go unarm’d to any Part of the Globe, the Dutch having Artifice enough to extricate themselves from any Kind of difficulty which may happen … After having separated ten days, we had a little Engagement with a small Brig Privateer, which afterwards prov’d to be english. The Captain of her show’d himself that Day to be a brave Man, by engaging a Ship, really of Force much superior to himself (and apparently still greater). She mounted Sixteen, six & four pounders, and carried fifty five Men, to whom, upon seeing us, the Captain remonstrated on the Improbability of Success; but they turning a deaf Ear on his Harangue, he made a courageous resolution to bear down, & if we prov’d an Enemy, take us or sink by our Side … Amid all this Prospect of danger, the daily Confusion which reign’d in the Ship is undescribable. Upon seeing a sail which was generally at Day Light, the Officers Cabins were all knocked down with their Chests, Trunks & Baggage and Hammocks & Cots carried upon Deck. Perhaps by the [end page 9]
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Evening when we were reducing things to their proper Order, & thinking ourselves secure for that Night, another Sail would appear, and put us again in the same Embarrassment. This Scene was continued till we arriv’d in sight of Porto Santo, an island belonging to the Portuguese situate on Lat ___ Long. ___ This island appears like a Number of Pyramids rising in oblique directions, each terminating in an almost Acute Apex. It was formerly barren, but is now in some Parts fertile & cover’d with a pleasant verdure. Several of the Inhabitants of Madeira, have Plantations here which produce Grapes, Figs, and all the tropical Fruits. Within Sight of this Island are several others all very contiguous, call’d the Deserters; each of which appears to be an entire Rock void of Soil or Inhabitants, but on our arrival at Madeira from which they may be plainly seen, we were inform’d that those Islands are made a kind of Habitation, for those Criminals, whose Offences not meriting death, doom them to be transported hither for Life, or an appointed Term of Years. One Part of them is habitable, & that they cultivate with utensils given them for that Purpose & sow a Quantity of Grain, with which they are supplied when put on Shore according to the Heinousness of their crimes. This must be a [end page 10]
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PORTO SANCTO
Bearing SbW. 3 Leagues. Latitude 32º • 50' N. Longitude W
Bearing SbW. 3 Leagues. Latitude 32º • 50' N. Longitude W
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THE DESERTERS
Bearing SSE 4 Leagues. Latitude 32º • 36' N Longitude
Bearing SSE 4 Leagues. Latitude 32º • 36' N Longitude
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miserable Existence indeed, and the unfortunate Innocent who falls a Victim to the Bareness of Prejudice, the Incapacity of Judgement or the Caprice of a malicious Magistrate must most severely feel the Horrors around him. There is not even room for Contemplation or Study, the menacing Aspect of the Rocks striking the Soul Aghast with Horror, and the perpetual Gloom denouncing it the residence of Death. The Wretch who with difficulty escapes the cruel Inquisition to be sent here, has but little good Fortune to boast. Tis true he preserves his Life, but every sublunary Enjoyment is alienated from his Situation … We were becalm’d off these Islands and could not reach Madeira tho but a short Distance from it, till the next Day, when we came to an Anchor in Funchale Roads on the South West Side of the Island . . We roll’d prodigiously going in, there being a great Swell, And carried away our Fore Top Mast, & came to an Anchor, with it down. We found lying here The Tiger Privateer of Bristol, And a West Indiaman who had a Letter of Marque, but none of our Fleet had yet Arriv’d. The Glasgow Frigate came in a few Days after us … [end page 13]
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The Island of Madeira lies in Lat. 32•20 N Long is about seventeen Leagues long & nine broad. It has seven Small Bays & Harbours but Ships generally lie in Funchal Roads, a very unsafe Place in some certain Seasons of the Year, when it blows hard upon the Land. The Island is mountainous and rocky having but a very superficial Station of Mould, yet is generally Cover’d with verdure. From the deficiency of Mould, the Island cannot be imagind to produce Grain in large Quantities, tho’ there are some Parts, different from the rest, which yield tolerable Crops of Wheat, Barley, Peases, Beans and a Kind of Lentil for the Cattle. But the principal production of the Island, & what alone renders it an Object of Attention is the very excellent Wine, which grows on every Part of it. True, Unadulterated Madeira Wine, is an excellent Cordial very far superior to any Wine produced in any of the Canary or Cape de Verd Islands. Contrary to almost all other Kinds of Wine it improves by Heat & and has been recovered after being Almost Vinegar by exposing the Cask to the Sun. None of the Merchants who sell it at Madeira possess plantations on the Island; it is produced in the Vineyards of poor People in small Quantities and brought to Town in dried Hog Skins. [end page 14]
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MADEIRA
Bearing NE 4 Miles. Latitude 32 • 20 N. Longitude W.
Bearing NE 4 Miles. Latitude 32 • 20 N. Longitude W.
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The Merchants mix it together in their Wine Vaults according to the Quality of each Skin. It is a very difficult Matter to get genuine Madeira, it being a general Custom to Adulterate it even on the Island, with a Spirit distill’d there from the Vine Stalks call’d by the Portuguese Argodent; And if we consider the Changes it passes thro’ in England, we may conclude that but a small portion of Madeira comes under that Title. Their Vineyards have a very agreeable Appearance, And the Island in general exhibits a very romantic one. The Tops of some of the Mountains are almost inaccessible, yet they say there are Wild Hogs which make them their Constant Residence. Madeira does not abound in a great Vanity of Beasts, I heard of no wild ones except the Hog. Their Horses are remarkably small, & so sure footed, that they climb up the Hills with surprizing Celerity. The Beasts for Provision are as in other Countries, but not in great Plenty and poor. The delectable Situation of this Island admits the Growth of any vegetable or Fruit of other Countries and in excellent Perfection. The english Merchants’ Gardens are delightful and to a Native of a more northern Latitude they appear redoubly so. Here are Walks lined with Myrtle and large Groves and Bowers of that Tree, enchanting to the Eye. [end page 17]
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Oranges and Lemons on their native Trees, interspers’d with Shrubs and Flowers; the Whole wears a diversified Fare of unequal variety. They have very fine Springs of Water issuing from the Mountains said to excell any in the World. The town of Funchall is capacious, but irregularly built; all the Streets except one or Two disagreeably narrow. Their Buildings are old and wretched. There are several Churches of which that consecrated to St Antonio is the best, both with respect to Size and Ornamental Possessions. It stands on a Square Piece of Ground, in the Middle of the principal street without any Wall or Pallisadoes round it; & only a Pavement of broad Stones extending a few feet round [illegible] & the same with all their Churches to distinguish them from any other building. The Body of St. Antonio’s Church contains three Altars, each of which are pretty well ornamented, and instill a Kind of sacred Awe, even whilst we abhor the Superstition of their Adorers. These Altars form three Sides of a Square. On one of them before the Image of Christ are Wax Tapers many Inches in Diameter, & several smaller ones before Saints According to their respective Degrees of Elevation. Many [end page 18]
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other emblematical Ornaments are bestowed on all three of them. The other Part of the Church is open for the performance of Acts of Devotion, Confession, etc. They have no Churchyard except the consecrated pavement beforementioned. They bury chiefly in Churches, adjoining to each of which is a Bonehouse Whither the Bodies are carried after lying a few days, to make room for others, who would otherwise too much crowd the Church. The most commodious Building here is the Jesuits’ College, consecrated since the Abolition of that Order amongst the Portuguese into dwelling Houses etc. There are few Portuguese People of Property on the Island, English Merchants who have been settled here many Years, seem to have every thing in their Power except Religion . . Fish used to be carried thither before the commencement of the American War but that Trade being obstructed, the poor portuguese who scarcely eat anything else are inconceivably distrest. No Country or People said to be civilized, bear or deserve a worse Character than the Portuguese natives of Madeira; Whether owing to Tuition or Instinct I cannot tell but true it is that no Country extends them in Thievery or other Knavish [end page 19]
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Practices, You would expect a different Treatment from their Appearance, no Shoe, or Peruke maker appearing abroad without his Bag Wig and Sword. They are base and groveling in their Servitiude, affected in their outward Behaviour and jealous & vindictive in their Hearts. . . . .
The Streets of Funchall are pitted with sharp stones, [illegible] are very troublesome to a Stranger. The stoutest Person not Accustomed to that Kind of Walking would soon be lamed by them. Yet the Inhabitants do not regard them, and the Horses gallop over them without perceiving an Inconvenience. . A Surf generally beats on the Beach opposite the Town & incommodes the Landing, wherefore People generally go to a Place some distance from the Town where are Stairs cut in a Rock. But Boats with Goods, Water, Provisions etc. must come to & go off from the Beach, where they are sometimes overset. European Boats never go there; the Portuguese have strong ones built on Purpose. The Military Force on the Island is trifling; It is (I think) garrison’d with Five Hundred Men. They have several Bat= [end page 20]
The Streets of Funchall are pitted with sharp stones, [illegible] are very troublesome to a Stranger. The stoutest Person not Accustomed to that Kind of Walking would soon be lamed by them. Yet the Inhabitants do not regard them, and the Horses gallop over them without perceiving an Inconvenience. . A Surf generally beats on the Beach opposite the Town & incommodes the Landing, wherefore People generally go to a Place some distance from the Town where are Stairs cut in a Rock. But Boats with Goods, Water, Provisions etc. must come to & go off from the Beach, where they are sometimes overset. European Boats never go there; the Portuguese have strong ones built on Purpose. The Military Force on the Island is trifling; It is (I think) garrison’d with Five Hundred Men. They have several Bat= [end page 20]
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teries, upon some of which are large Cannon. At a little more than a Cable’s length from the Island, is a square Rock, the irregular Interstices of which, are filled up, and a pretty strong Battery erected on it. When it blows hard from the Sea, small vessels retreat behind this Rock & are in smooth Water. They call it the Lee Rock. There is likewise an old Castle situate on an Eminence at the South End of the Town, but I believe there are no Guns in it. They have a Play House on the Island and a Company of Performers, who during our stay there performd several Operas, but – – – –
“Harsh was the Voice, th unmodulated Tongue
in sounds discordant Cupid’s Empire sung” – —
There are several Monasteries on the Island, but poorly indow’d; those I visited, were full of a set of pitiable wretches, none Younger than thirty, seemingly no more sensible of the Embarassment of their Situations, than a confin’d Brute. There was nothing in their Faces which bespoke Sensibility, Joy, or Sorrow . . . . . [end page 21]
“Harsh was the Voice, th unmodulated Tongue
in sounds discordant Cupid’s Empire sung” – —
There are several Monasteries on the Island, but poorly indow’d; those I visited, were full of a set of pitiable wretches, none Younger than thirty, seemingly no more sensible of the Embarassment of their Situations, than a confin’d Brute. There was nothing in their Faces which bespoke Sensibility, Joy, or Sorrow . . . . . [end page 21]
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We reach’d Madeira on the first of April, and supplied ourselves with many Necessaries, the Price of which we knew would be enhanc’d by the Arrival of the Fleet. Three Days after us the Hyæna Frigate arriv’d, who separated the same Time with us & and the 5th day the Admiral and all the Fleet arriv’d, & we lay there together till the 25th of April when the Fleet being supplied with what necessaries they wanted, we sail’d in Company with the whole Fleet. The Admiral steer’d for the Coast of Africa, and on the 8th of May we sail’d round Cape de Verd, and work’d into Goree Bay. Here we expected to have been opposed by the French and accordingly the Admiral made the Disposition for an Attack, but we were Surprised by seeing english Colours hoisted for the French apprehensive of having a visit paid them by some english Ships, had retir’d from this Island to Senegal a Town situate on the River Gambia, about 2[?] Miles to the NE. of which they had taken Possession & carried thither the principal Part of their Effects. Four small vessels were then in the Bay with their third [end page 22]
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GOREE
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Bearing SW 3 Miles Latitude 14º • 20' N Longitude.
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and last Lading on board and were made Prizes of, by the Admiral. It is reported that Sr. Edwd. Hughes before he left England, had certain Intelligence of this Maneuver of the French, if so he neglected an Oportunity of distressing an Enemy, for Senegal lying so far to windward of Goree, makes the passage from Goree thither tedious, but Sr. Edwd. might if he had chosen, sail’d directly from Madeira to Senegal and taken it & proceeded along the Coast to Goree without causing any Delay. Both these Settlements might have been as easily taken as one, for the French had not Force sufficient to have Repell’d a Quarter of Sr. Edward’s Fleet . . . . The Island of Goree lies in Lat. 1’4 “ 3’0 N Long ___ and is in itself a very insignificant Spot being about two Miles long & scarcely so much as that broad. The Fort stands on the highest Part of the Island, & is accessible but by one Path. It has a Number of Cannon and Commands the whole Island. It is separated from the main Land of Africa by a narrow Gut of about three or four Miles in Breadth, & is of so much importance to the Slave Trade, that whatever Power is in Possession of this Island is Master of the Trade. Was it [end page 25]
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not for this it would be an object unworthy Contention. It is inhabited chiefly by a Mixture of Europeans & Africans, who have intermarried, and produced a Breed different from both, and partaking of either. The Fortification is pretty strong and might if well garrison’d hold out a siege for a considerable Time, but so fatal are some seasons of the Year to Europeans in this Part of the World, that few escape the annual Devastation. The Heat is very intense & the winds from off the Neighboring Continent, are exceedingly unsalutary in what they call the healthy Part of the Year. How dreadful then must it be in the Rainy Season, when they are in a Continual Deluge for Months together, The Air being dense, and moist, consequently unfit for Respiration. On the first Day of our Anchoring in the roads we lost a Man, whose death (I presume) was hastn’d by the unwholesome Air, and Land Breezes. During our Stay in Goree Bay, the Boat going on shore for Land on the Main I took the oportunity of going in her, & carrying a fowling Price, amus’d myself with shooting Birds along the Beach of which these were great Plenty. But for this I suffer’d, [end page 26]
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severely in the Afternoon & on the next Day, for betwixt the burning Heat of the Sun, the Fatigue & Land Air, I was seized with a violent Head ach attended by a Fever, which did not leave me for a considerable Time. I penetrated a little into the Country, which I found cover’d with a Kind of Underwood all in Verdure, & form’d a pretty Landscape. There were Cows, and other tame Cattle; Plenty of Game, such as Hares and Partridges peculiar to the Country, Pheasants etc. but all so wild, that it was a difficult Matter to get within Gunshot of them. The Natives are of a large size, and exceedingly well limb’d, they go almost naked, & are exceedingly expert at catching Fish which they do by spearing. . On the Morning of the 13th of May we sail’d from Goree Bay forming a Fleet of seven Men of War, and thirteen Indiamen The other Ships of War, Transports etc. remain’d on the Coast intending (we imagin’d) to go against Senegal. The Coast of Africa is generally disagreeable to sailors, for squalls of wind sometimes come so very suddenly as not to give Time enough for the Sails to be taken in. Sometimes they are Accompanied with Rain, Thunder & Lightning & call’d [end page 27]
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Tornados. We tho not in the proper Season for them, felt one which came on, just as we were going to hoist the Jolly Boat in, but the sudden Gust prevented our doing it, & we tow’d the Boat with two Men in her, when going surprisingly swift thro’ a great Sea … The Admiral kept very much to the Eastward, subjecting us thereby to Calm, and Rain, retarding our Passage and hazarding the Lives of our Men. But we will suppose he did to the best of his Knowledge. . On the 17th of May being then in the Latitude of 8 North. We lost one of our Quarter Masters after an Illness of a few Days
19th A Ship under danish Colours saluted the Admiral. & join’d the Fleet.
21st We saw another sail to the Eastward. The weather squally with Rain, the Inconvenience of which we particularly felt, being a deep, lumber’d Ship. The Soldiers in a bad Situation, being sadly affected by a Fever which prevail’d throughout the Ship. The Heat and Moisture of the Air made us apprehensive of its becoming malignant. The Patient was siez’d with a Pain in his Head and Back Nausea, full and quick Pulse, burning Heat on the Skin [end page 28]
19th A Ship under danish Colours saluted the Admiral. & join’d the Fleet.
21st We saw another sail to the Eastward. The weather squally with Rain, the Inconvenience of which we particularly felt, being a deep, lumber’d Ship. The Soldiers in a bad Situation, being sadly affected by a Fever which prevail’d throughout the Ship. The Heat and Moisture of the Air made us apprehensive of its becoming malignant. The Patient was siez’d with a Pain in his Head and Back Nausea, full and quick Pulse, burning Heat on the Skin [end page 28]
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and soon became delirious. The Fever generally arriv’d to its full Height in six or seven Days, leaving the Patient in a languid, and almost lifeless situation.
24th A sergeant and private of the Regulars departed this Life, the former in the state before mention’d & the latter almost suddenly. The ship was kept as clean as possible, very often smok’d, & the Beams wash’d with Vinegar.
25th The Weather continued very rough. We left the Body of the Fleet at about the Distance of 2 Leagues. . A Soldier died.
26th Another Soldier died, who had been long ill of bilious Complaints. The Weather still unsettled, excessive hot and rainy.
29th Complaints increas’d, the Boatswain several petty officers, and a great Number of the Ship’s Company excessively ill. The continued bad Weather for several Days past has scarcely left a Man in Health.
30th It began to amend. We found the Fleet reduced to thirteen Sail, Seven Men of War & Six Indiamen; the other Ships having laid hold of the Oportunity of separating, during the late bad Weather to avoid the detention always occasiond by a Number of ships sailing together. The Grafton sail’d extremely heavy, and having such a [end page 29]
24th A sergeant and private of the Regulars departed this Life, the former in the state before mention’d & the latter almost suddenly. The ship was kept as clean as possible, very often smok’d, & the Beams wash’d with Vinegar.
25th The Weather continued very rough. We left the Body of the Fleet at about the Distance of 2 Leagues. . A Soldier died.
26th Another Soldier died, who had been long ill of bilious Complaints. The Weather still unsettled, excessive hot and rainy.
29th Complaints increas’d, the Boatswain several petty officers, and a great Number of the Ship’s Company excessively ill. The continued bad Weather for several Days past has scarcely left a Man in Health.
30th It began to amend. We found the Fleet reduced to thirteen Sail, Seven Men of War & Six Indiamen; the other Ships having laid hold of the Oportunity of separating, during the late bad Weather to avoid the detention always occasiond by a Number of ships sailing together. The Grafton sail’d extremely heavy, and having such a [end page 29]
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Quantity of dead Weight viz. Iron, Steel etc. in her Bottom she roll’d very deep, and return’d which such violence as carried away Masts, Yards, Rigging etc. every Day.
June 4th. We saw a sail standing to the SE. but the Admiral took no notice of her. Mrs. Brown, Widow of the late Srgt died on the 6th. She had been inconsolable ever since the Loss of her Husband. A little Orphan surviv’d but with no other Prospect than of following her Parents. The Fever had been abating for several Days, but was succeeded by a Complaint no less terrible, the Flux, with which a Number of Soldiers were seized at the same Time, & others adding hourly to them. The Ship being so much out of Trim could scarcely keep up with the Fleet, and the Men constantly employ’d in endeavouring to trim her, crowding sail etc. were terribly fatigu’d.
11th. An Old Soldier who was recovering from the late Fever, fell from the Ship’s Bow into the Sea. We were going with a fresh Breeze, but hove all a back lower’d the Boat down and pick’d him up. When he was brought on Board, every Means was tried to recover him, but in vain, tho’ we continued our Endeavors many Hours. Being so much emaciated, and weaken’d by his Disorder, he was dead [end page 30]
June 4th. We saw a sail standing to the SE. but the Admiral took no notice of her. Mrs. Brown, Widow of the late Srgt died on the 6th. She had been inconsolable ever since the Loss of her Husband. A little Orphan surviv’d but with no other Prospect than of following her Parents. The Fever had been abating for several Days, but was succeeded by a Complaint no less terrible, the Flux, with which a Number of Soldiers were seized at the same Time, & others adding hourly to them. The Ship being so much out of Trim could scarcely keep up with the Fleet, and the Men constantly employ’d in endeavouring to trim her, crowding sail etc. were terribly fatigu’d.
11th. An Old Soldier who was recovering from the late Fever, fell from the Ship’s Bow into the Sea. We were going with a fresh Breeze, but hove all a back lower’d the Boat down and pick’d him up. When he was brought on Board, every Means was tried to recover him, but in vain, tho’ we continued our Endeavors many Hours. Being so much emaciated, and weaken’d by his Disorder, he was dead [end page 30]
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in all probability, almost as soon as he reach’d the water, and his Body floated like a piece of wood.
14th The little Child left by the late Mrs. Brown, departed this Life. The Flux became almost general equally severe amongst Soldiers and Sailors.
15th In the Morning we found our Main Top Mast sprung but as it would admit of repairing, The Carpenter began upon it instantly; but as soon as we could carry sail upon it, we carried away our Fore Mast. Thus situated, with few Men on board and those sick, we made a Signal to speak the Admiral, told him our Situation, and begg’d Assistance. He sent the Eagle Captn. Reddale a 64 Gunship, who put on board us, twelve good Seamen and four Carpenters; he likewise at Captn. Bull’s request took us in tow. Presently after a fresh Breeze sprang up, & the Eagle being an excellent Sailor ran with us at such a rate, that the next Morning at break of Day the Fleet were out of Sight a stern, but coming up some Time after, the Admiral made the Signal to shorten sail.
18th A Soldier died.
19th Another Soldier died. The Flux grew terrible; People continued to be every Day seized with it, & they in whom it’s Violence was a little Subsided, remain’d in a helpless [end page 31]
14th The little Child left by the late Mrs. Brown, departed this Life. The Flux became almost general equally severe amongst Soldiers and Sailors.
15th In the Morning we found our Main Top Mast sprung but as it would admit of repairing, The Carpenter began upon it instantly; but as soon as we could carry sail upon it, we carried away our Fore Mast. Thus situated, with few Men on board and those sick, we made a Signal to speak the Admiral, told him our Situation, and begg’d Assistance. He sent the Eagle Captn. Reddale a 64 Gunship, who put on board us, twelve good Seamen and four Carpenters; he likewise at Captn. Bull’s request took us in tow. Presently after a fresh Breeze sprang up, & the Eagle being an excellent Sailor ran with us at such a rate, that the next Morning at break of Day the Fleet were out of Sight a stern, but coming up some Time after, the Admiral made the Signal to shorten sail.
18th A Soldier died.
19th Another Soldier died. The Flux grew terrible; People continued to be every Day seized with it, & they in whom it’s Violence was a little Subsided, remain’d in a helpless [end page 31]
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and miserable Situation. Ship’s Diet is badly calculated for this Disorder, & other things cannot be procur’d for such a Number.
21st. By a Calculation we found our Water would run short, at the Quantity daily expended, Wherefore the People were put to an Allowance of Three Pints PDay. We now saw every Day a Number of Birds about the Ship, & not being far from the Coast of Brazil, it was the general Wish that the Admiral would steer for Rio Janeiro on that Coast, as he was acquainted that there was a great Number of sick in the Fleet, many of whose Lives might perhaps be saved by such a step. It was the Winter Season off the Cape, & he well knew, we must meet with Hurricanes in the Months of June and July, whereas had he gone to Rio Janeiro, the whole Fleet might have lain there, & refresh’d till those Months were expired, when he would have fine Weather to run to the Cape. This would have occasion’d no delay, as it was necessary for him to lay some where or other two Months, to arrive in proper Season on the Coast of Coromandell … On the Morning of the 22nd. we saw the Island of Trinidada bearing SW five Leagues and the Rocks of Martin Vas SbE[?]E. about three Leagues, and a ship under Swedish Colours. This Island appears to be a lofty irregular Rock, it being impossible to discover the [end page 32]
21st. By a Calculation we found our Water would run short, at the Quantity daily expended, Wherefore the People were put to an Allowance of Three Pints PDay. We now saw every Day a Number of Birds about the Ship, & not being far from the Coast of Brazil, it was the general Wish that the Admiral would steer for Rio Janeiro on that Coast, as he was acquainted that there was a great Number of sick in the Fleet, many of whose Lives might perhaps be saved by such a step. It was the Winter Season off the Cape, & he well knew, we must meet with Hurricanes in the Months of June and July, whereas had he gone to Rio Janeiro, the whole Fleet might have lain there, & refresh’d till those Months were expired, when he would have fine Weather to run to the Cape. This would have occasion’d no delay, as it was necessary for him to lay some where or other two Months, to arrive in proper Season on the Coast of Coromandell … On the Morning of the 22nd. we saw the Island of Trinidada bearing SW five Leagues and the Rocks of Martin Vas SbE[?]E. about three Leagues, and a ship under Swedish Colours. This Island appears to be a lofty irregular Rock, it being impossible to discover the [end page 32]
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TRINIDADA
Bearing SW. 3 Leagues. Latitude. Longitude
The Rocks of MARTIN VAS within 3 Leagues of Trinidada
Bearing NE 2 Leagues. Latitude Longitude.
Bearing SW. 3 Leagues. Latitude. Longitude
The Rocks of MARTIN VAS within 3 Leagues of Trinidada
Bearing NE 2 Leagues. Latitude Longitude.
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least sign of Herbage at any distance. Yet some Part of it is cover’d with verdure & there are a number of Bushes and low Trees on the Island; Plenty of white wild Hogs & perhaps Goats There is likewise a spring of water, but it is difficult to be procur’d on Account of Rocks which surround the Island so that no Boats can come on shore. Nevertheless several of our Indiamen have attempted to get off Water and Fire wood, & have succeeded by rafting, but they were obliged to roll every thing in to the Water, and evade backwards and forwards. I have heard it said that the Portuguese had once a Garison here of 300 Men, but the Face of the Island contradicts it. The Rocks of Martin Vas, are about two Leagues distant from Trinidada, and I believe, have never been trod on since their Discovery. . When we were off this Island the Admiral tantaliz’d us very much, for changing his Course suddenly he steer’d right down for the Coast of Brazil, for about an Hour, when he tackd and stood on its old Course again. But he only meant to go to leeward of the Island.
24th. A Soldier died who had been recovering from the Flux. The Weather for the last week very fine.
July 1st. One of the Boys standing on the Poop across a Rope, the ship took a sudden Rowl and jerk’d him overboard, where he sunk immediately. The Men even now in a very deplorable State, having no particular Complaint but extreme Weakness. [end page 35]
24th. A Soldier died who had been recovering from the Flux. The Weather for the last week very fine.
July 1st. One of the Boys standing on the Poop across a Rope, the ship took a sudden Rowl and jerk’d him overboard, where he sunk immediately. The Men even now in a very deplorable State, having no particular Complaint but extreme Weakness. [end page 35]
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A lingering Flux attended some of them but not to a violent Degree. In one Part or other of the Ship, a Man was fainting all Day long. On the 6th. our Armourer died. 7th. one of the Soldiers died. 9th. In the Night it came on to blow very hard, and towards the Morning we had a very heavy Gale of Wind. Two Men in the Night fell from the Yards into the Sea, when it run Mountains high, and no Assistance could possibly be given them. At seven in the Morning we saw five Sail of the Fleet several Leagues distant, and at Noon lost sight of them, so that we were once more a single Ship. The Gale continued with a large heavy Swell, which made the Ship strain and labour amazingly. The Ports were caulk’d, and every Crevice shut up which could possibly admit water.
11th. The Armourer’s Mate died. The Gale continued & no ships in sight.
13.th One of the Company’s Recruits died. The Scurvy began to become troublesome amongst us, and as fresh Air was shut out, & water constantly shipping, whereby not only the Men themselves, but their Beds, and Bedding were made wet, we expected it very severely before we made the Land. . The Gale continued to the 18th when it became moderate. 20th. Two of the Soldiers and a great Number ill of the Scurvy. . . . .
21st. One of the Soldiers died. . . . . . . [end page 36]
11th. The Armourer’s Mate died. The Gale continued & no ships in sight.
13.th One of the Company’s Recruits died. The Scurvy began to become troublesome amongst us, and as fresh Air was shut out, & water constantly shipping, whereby not only the Men themselves, but their Beds, and Bedding were made wet, we expected it very severely before we made the Land. . The Gale continued to the 18th when it became moderate. 20th. Two of the Soldiers and a great Number ill of the Scurvy. . . . .
21st. One of the Soldiers died. . . . . . . [end page 36]
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25th, Captn. Bull open’d his private Instructions, which he had receiv’d from Sr. Edwd. Hughes relative to separation, and found the Rendezvous to be at the Cape of good Hope. Still a fresh Gale, & the Ship was so far to the Westward as to forbid all hopes of getting to the Cape for a fortnight. We remain’d in the same Latitude for three Weeks but contrary winds prevented our running down our Longitude. We had seen large Flights of Birds every Day for some Time.
Augst. 1 The Soldiers were almost all incapable of any kind of duty great Numbers of Men being confin’d to their Beds by the Scurvy. The Ship’s Company were likewise affected but not in so great a Degree. It is amazing how fluctuating the Spirits are of a Person in this Disease. Clouds often appear on the Horizon like Land, which being what they ardently wish’d for, they frequently call’d out Land when it was not so. Hearing the Report, the poor Wretches below, from themselves invigorated and endeavour’d to get on Deck to look at it. But when they found their Expectations disappointed they sunk into the contrary Extreme, & some have been so far gone in those Langours as to be pronounc’d dead. 6th. One of the soldiers died in the Scurvy. On the 7th the joyful Discovery of Land was made. In the Morning it blew fresh, but in the Evening [end page 37]
Augst. 1 The Soldiers were almost all incapable of any kind of duty great Numbers of Men being confin’d to their Beds by the Scurvy. The Ship’s Company were likewise affected but not in so great a Degree. It is amazing how fluctuating the Spirits are of a Person in this Disease. Clouds often appear on the Horizon like Land, which being what they ardently wish’d for, they frequently call’d out Land when it was not so. Hearing the Report, the poor Wretches below, from themselves invigorated and endeavour’d to get on Deck to look at it. But when they found their Expectations disappointed they sunk into the contrary Extreme, & some have been so far gone in those Langours as to be pronounc’d dead. 6th. One of the soldiers died in the Scurvy. On the 7th the joyful Discovery of Land was made. In the Morning it blew fresh, but in the Evening [end page 37]
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The Breeze fail’d us, and left us off the Land in almost a Calm It is rather a dangerous Place to work into in the Night, but a gentle Breeze springing up, we fired Guns, for Light to be hoisted on Penguin Island, which was accordingly done, and we got into Table Bay. There we found four of the Indiamen at an Anchor, who had likewise parted Company but arriv’d before us. The Admiral and three other Ships were in False Bay and within a week they all arriv’d, nothing material happening to them except the Loss of a Topmast or two. They had all been sickly during the Passage, the Men of War, particularly amongst whom the Scurvy made dreadful Havock. The Burford Man of War had buried upwards of seventy Men and three Times that Number incapable of doing their Duty. The Resolution Indiaman had been visited by a malignant Fever, in which she buried upwards of Forty of her Ship’s Company. We found it difficult to land our Sick Men immediately, So we got Meat, Vegetables, Oranges, and all Kinds of fresh Provisions for them; & in a few Days they were all able to undergo the Fatigue, & notwithstanding their dismal situation, all speedily recovered. We sent on Shore of Soldiers [end page 38]
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and sailors Ninety three very ill; & kept many with lesser scorbutic Complaints on board, where they got plenty of Necessaries, Fruit etc. & soon grew healthy and strong. . The Cape of good Hope is the southern Extremity of Africa, which name was given it by the Portuguese, on their Arrival here, after several Attempts in which they were defeated by heavy Gales of Wind etc. They here form’d a Settlement but were driven out, as they were from allmost all their Acquisitions to the Eastward of this in the Indian Seas, notwithstanding their great Merit and extreme Indefatigability had entitled them to the sole, and uninterrupted Possession. The Dutch have possess’d it since the beginning of last Century. The Natives of this Part of Africa, call’d Cafrania, are suppos’d to possess the least Share of Sensibility or rational Feeling of any of the Inhabitants of the Globe. An invincible Indolence has been always observ’d Amongst them & an Ignorance as, inveterate; in Short they may be said to hold the lowest Place in the human System. Neither does the external Figure supply the other Defect. They are of a most disagreeable Colour, not so black as the Natives of Guinea or any other Part of Africa, nor of the more pleasing Copper Colour of the South Sea Inhabitants. They endeavour to [end page 39]
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remedy this Defect by Anointing their Bodies, and those of their Children from the first Hour of their Birth, till they grow old, wth. a Composition of Soot, Grease, & Dung. Their Apparell generally consists of a sheep skin with which they cover their Backs & Part of their Buttocks, turning the hairy side inwards or outwards according as the Weather[?]; this with an Artificial Cape of the same Kind of Ingredients as mention’d before, dried on their Heads in the Sun, compose the dress of the Males; The Women are habited in the same Manner except that they wear an additional small Robe, made of the Skin of some soft Animal. Their Garments are fasten’d to their Bodies by Thongs of the same Kind. They have many Customs amongst them too horrid to be related & so incredible, that was I to relate them, Persons unacquainted therewith, would imagine I was using the Privilege of a Traveller. However they are described by several Authors & by some, Accurately. When the Dutch first settled here, they met with great opposition from the Natives, who were very numerous, & might under proper Management have prevented, any european Power from making a Settlement in the Country; but their own Inaptitude to Mas[?]uævres of this sort, join’d to the Artifice of the Dutch, have effectually subdued them, & the present [end page 40]
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Austerity of that People. A Conduct establish’d on the Principles of Cruelty, is found to be the only Means of governing them, and as the dutch inherit that Principle from Nature, consequently they are the proper People to possess the Country . . . . . The Country is now civilized for several hundred Miles, & inhabited by the dutch, who plant Vineyards, grow Corn etc. amongst them, of which things the Natives are totally ignorant & probably will ever remain so. One would be almost led to imagine that the Ideas of those miserable Wretches were limited, & incapable of Improvement, for tho’ living amongst a People remarkable for their Industry and Application, they never discover an Inclination to adopt any Plan, that would tend to their public or private Benefit Vines where first planted by a Spaniard, who brought them with him from the Canaries, & finding them flourish, taught the european Inhabitants the Art of Cultivating them, which is now brought to perfection. Of the many Kinds of Wine that are made here they may be reduced to two. The red, and the white, the other arising from the same Stocks, but receiving their Taste and Colour from the Variety of soil, or difference in Making. Their best Wine is call’d Constantia made at a village of that Name, Ten Miles distant from Cape Town. It is of a deeper Colour than the best french Claret is of a rich, sweet, aromatic Taste, so much as resembling Tent-Wine [end page 43]
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But the Quantity of this, can be but very inconsiderable, as the Plantation itself Consists of no more than 40 or 50 Acres. Yet Winesellers here will show Wine very much like it & assure the Buyer upon their Honour that it is a true Constantia (But let it be remember’d it is the Honour of a dutchman.) These Vines have been transplanted into various Parts of the Country from the true Constantia, but degenerate. The White is a Stock of the Canary, but very far degenerated, yet some very good Wine may be got. Stalks of the same Vine planted in different Soils, vary very much in their Juice, & this in part accounts for their great variety at the Cape, for you will not find Wine alike at any two Houses there. They make several brewings likewise so that the last run is very far inferior to english Small Beer … The Principal and in fact only Town the dutch have here which deserves that Name is Cape Town situate on the Sea Shore. It is defended from the heavy Winds on three of its Sides by stupendous Mountains call’d the Table Land, Prince Charles’s Mount, the Lion’s Ramp, and Sugar Loaf. The Town is regularly built with spacious Streets intersecting each other at Right Angles, so that you may see from one end of the Town to the other. Their Houses are neat, but not elegant or lofty none exceeding three stories. They are built of thin Bricks & Plaster’d over with white Mortar. To obviate any ill Effect arising to the Eyes when the sun [end page 44]
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Shines intensely hot, they paint their doors, window shutters & Frames of a Grass Green. Their Public Buildings are the Church, Hospital, Library and Town House, but all scarcely worth Noticing. They have begun building a capacious & what promises to be a commodious Hospital. The Company’s Gardens excell every thing in the Place, tho’ they within these few Years have lost their Beauty. It is a large Piece of Ground, of a rectangular Form, divided into a Number of regular Partitions by Oak & Maple Edges forming many agreeable and shady Walks. A large Avenue divides the Garden from the Top to the Bottom, regularly planted with Oak Trees, it wants but a few Feet of being half a Mile long. In the Middle of the Garden, a Government House is lately erected, with a Fountain and Parterie before it. This Garden produces almost all the Vegetables in Use, at least in the culinary way, Fruit & every thing which can be wanted to suffice Nature or regale the Appetite. The Dutch Indiamen are supplied with vegetables from this Garden. There are a great Number of Slaves, kept by the dutch Company, on Purpose to cultivate it. The Soil in this Part of the world is dry & sandy, but immense Pains has been taken to improve it. No large Trees grow here so that Timber is very Scarce & they are obliged to get almost all their building Materials from Holland or Batavia, except Lime, which they make of sea shells, by burning them on [end page 45]
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Faggots of Wood to a Calx. Houses are consequently very dear. Fifteen thousand Rix Dollars was given for a Tradesmen’s House. The Dutch Inhabitants are generally healthy & long liv’d, The Women in general are handsome, the Men lusty and strong. Every Kind of menial Employment & even the lower Artifices such as, Bricklaying, Shoemaking etc. are perform’d by slaves brought in dutch ships from India. They have a great Number, but keep them in the most abject submission, punishing them severely for trivial Offences. The Junior Member of the Council at Batavia has the Government of the Cape, with a Council sent from Holland. The Fiscal or Mayor, has very extensive Power, & is independent of the Governor sent from Holland, and not be remov’d from his Office but by a special Order of the Directors at home. He decides all small offences, but Capital Crimes or intricate Trials are referr’d to the Council, at which Time the second in Council presides & acts as Judge, this, condemns, or acquits the prisoner. But no Person can be executed till the Governor has sign’d the Death Warrant in whom alone is repos’d the Power of Life and Death. The Fiscal is Lieutenant of the Police & has a Number of Men (malays) always ready to execute his Commands, assisted by large Mastiffs, who, if the Culprit endeavours to fly seize him, and sometimes almost tear him in Pieces . . . . . . . [end page 46]
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At the South East End of the Town stands the Fort, this which runs the road to the Country, against the Natives of which it seems to be principally intended for a defence. Several Small Batteries are along the Beach, but not of much Force; they talk of building a new Fort. The present Fort contains Apartments for the Governor and a few Military Officers & Barracks for five Hundred european Soldiers, which are some of the finest Fellows I ever saw, being pick’d from All the Dutch Ships bound to Batavia. Tho’ the military Force in the Town is small yet they have a numerous Militia up the Country, which they say can be assembled in a very short Notice. Whilst I was in this Place I saw two Companies of Cavalry, & a Body of Infantry reciev’d, compos’d of Inhabitants of the Town, all of whom are obliged to beare Arms, under & above certain Ages. They met once a Year & exhibit the greatest Burlesque on the Art military I ever saw. For a description of the natural Productions of the Cape, any of the Histories of Africa may be consulted. Was I ask’d the Character of the dutch in this Country I must confess, it would puzzle me to give it. Duplicity, Cozenage, & Hypocrisy, are wanting in Expression to define the Arts they make use of in Trade, Cruelty falls short of their natural Disposition & Pride is a Term too gentle & confin’d to express the Haughtiness of their narrow minded Souls . . . . . [end page 47]
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Table Bay is nearly semicircular, form’d by the Projection of two Points of Land. Almost equidistant from each Point is an Island call’d Robin, or Penguin Island, on each side of which, ships may safely go in & out of the Harbour. The dutch make it a Place of Exile for Criminals. There is a Sergeants Guard upon it and a few Guns for Signals. Table Land is a lofty Mountain flatten’d at the Top, & very difficult of access, adjoining to Prince Chars’s. Mount at the South End & to the Sugar Loaf on the North. The Sugar Loaf is almost as high as Table Land but rises in the Shape its Name bears & terminates in a small Point, wherein are two or three Pieces of Cannon & a Man constantly looking out. The Ascent is very dangerous as towards the Summit, there is no other hold but a Rope, which if a Person lets go, he would immediately fall to an immense depth & be dash’d in a thousand pieces Prince Charles’s Mount & the Lion’s Ramp, are not so high, they form the North & South Points. Winds blow in the Months of June and July very hard from the Northwest, bringing on a Prodigious Swell which no Ship can outride. Whole Fleets have gone ashore here and perish’d with their Crews & Instances of single Ships have been frequent. For this Reason all dutch Ships are prohibited from coming into Table Bay till the 15th of August. [end page 48]
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On the 8th or 9th of October the Signal was made from the Sugarloaf for a Fleet, which afterwards prov’d to be Six English EastIndiaman viz. The Hawke, Ceres, Prime, True briton, Walpole & Earl of Sandwich. The Arrival of these Ships occasion’d a longer delay of the Fleet, as it was necessary they should remain a fortnight or three weeks to refresh. On the 27th. the Admiral made the signal but contrary winds detain’d us till the 5th of November, when we sail’d in Company with the Indiamen who had join’d us making in all one & twenty Sail. The Reason the Admiral assign’d for his long Stay at the Cape was on Account of the Monsoons which are periodical winds blowing one half of the Year from the Southwest & the other half from the North East. Fortunately for his Majesty most of the People employ’d in his Service are too wise to be instructed. However had it been otherwise & Sr. Edwd Hughes had condescended to have ask’d the Advice of the old India Captains he might have found his Way to India about two Months sooner than he did. We arriv’d in Madras Roads on the 18th of Jany.1780. The Grafton was very healthy in her Passage from the Cape, not losing a Man, by Sickness, but two unfortunate young Fellows fell overboard and were drown’d. The Men of War were very sickly the Superbe particularly so that the Admiral was obliged to shift his Flag on board the Worcester & let the Superbe convoy’d by the Eagle, make the best of her Way. They had a Kind of a [??]sensic= [end page 49]
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-al Fever on board as had the Atlas Indiaman, which was fatal to many. On the second or third day from the Attack they were so delirious as to jump overboard whereby several were drown’d. During the Passage several Ships left the Admiral to go to their respective ports but the Grafton & Atlas sailing very heavy were obliged to be towed. The Superbe had likewise the Scurvy on board to a great degree, as had the other Men of War, but the Indiamen scarcely perceived it. This was owing to the little Care taken of the sick Men at the Cape where they were sufferd to great drunk with Cape Wine & rowl about the Streets, having at the same Time Scorbutic Ulcers etc. on their Limbs. On the Contrary the Men from the Indiamen had Contrus put over them to prevent their drinking a greater Quantity of Wine than allow’d by the Surgeon; the Consequence of which was that the Indiamen went to Sea perfectly healthy & the greatest Part of the Men of War in as bad a Situation as the came in, leaving two hundred at the Cape unable to be got on board. . . On Our Arrival at Madras, we found Sr Edwd. Vernon, with the Ruffion, Aria, Coventry & Sertine Men of War, The Walpole Indiaman who had left the Fleet since our departure from the Cape, The General Barker who parted Company before we made the Cape, & the Bessborough, Captn. Montgomery. [end page 50]
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Madras lies in Lat___N Long___ & is the Capital of the English Settlements on the Coast of Coromandell. It is divided into the white Town or Fort, calld Fort St George, and the black Town. The White town is rather small, but, excellently fortified, built at a great Expence, regularly, & contains many good Houses. But few People reside constantly in it, almost every Gentleman having a Villa, about 2 or 3 Miles in the Country, which is beautifully open. Where they dine and spend their Evenings & return to their Business in the Fort in the Morning. Madras is situate on a low Coast, yet very dry & healthy, except at some seasons of the Year when the Land Winds blow. These winds are inconceivably hot & continue sometimes a Month, during which the People are in generall seized with inflammatory Complaints, which subside on the Appearance of the sea breezes. Whilst the Land Winds blow all the Tables, Brescares, Chairs, etc. in the settlement crack & fly to Pieces, the Furniture in general becomes rotten & they are obliged to have a kind of defence at their doors & windows con[?]res’d of Straw or some such substance which they keep continually wet. The black Town is large & populous; few europeans live in it except some who cannot afford the Expence of a House in the Fort, but it contains Gentoos, Portuguese & Armenians to a great Number. In some Parts the Streets are regular and clean, in [end page 51]
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others, horridly nasty, particularly in a large Plain which divides the Fort from black Town. The Houses of the Gentoos are low consisting of a number of small rooms on one Floor & so many People are generally crouded together in one House, as must totally banish Cleanliness from amongst them. But the poorer Sort who cannot purchase or rent Houses build themselves small Huts on the open Plain or Esplanade, or throng themselves in one Corner of a Street, in Houses resembling wretched Dog Kennels in England, or more properly a Hottentot Krawl. . In some Part of every street is a Church, the principal of which, tho’ at best but paltry Edifices, contain things of great value, viz. Gold etc. with they adorn their Idols. Paganism whatever might be its origin or Foundation, seems to be supported by unconquerable Ignorance & consequently can never be extinguish’d amongst them. It inculcates on the meaner Tribe abject submission to their Superiors, who whilst possess’d of this Key to the People’s Minds, can never be induced to part with it easily. Many of their Rigid Institutions tend to no other Point, than blinding their Eyes to Independence or Liberty. Their Religion teaches to Acknowledge but one God, whom they represent by divers symbolical Figures, expressing the [end page 52]
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Power, Anger, Justice and other Attributes of God. They Allow the Metempsychosis but are not so rigid as the more northern People, as they are allow’d to eat Fowl, Fish, Mutton etc. The hold the Cow in high Esteem because some ancient Traditions induce them to believe it is favour’d by the Almighty. On the Contrary they Avoid and detest the Hog, because the same Authority pronounces it Odious to God. Their Emblems of God are enclos’d in a large kind of wooden vehicle, carv’d in a curious Manner, & fix’d on two wheels; to this Carriage they fasten Ropes, some of which from the Size of the Carriage are as large as Ships Cables. These at certain Times they drag thro the Streets, from the narrowness of which, and the extreme Uneveildness of the wooden Tower, it upsets & generally kills or breaks the Bones of several, but they deem it a happy Death. A Smaller One is drawn thro the Streets every Night & Morning by a Set of Fellows who live upon Charitable Donations. They are preceded by Young Girls loaded with Ornaments, who dance very curiously thro the streets, Whilst a Number of Wretched Musicians make a most hideous Consort on Drums, Pipes & other Noisy Instruments without the least attention to regularity or Music. They pass under Canopies erected across the Streets [end page 53]
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from high Poles on either Side on which they hoist Flags of various Colours & entwine the whole with Flowers. They have likewise Wooden Figures of Bulls & Camels as large as the Life. These People are divided into a great Vanity of Classes, call’d Casts, to describe the Customs of each of which would be an endless Piece of work, far beyond my knowledge. Religion is the fundamental Principle on which they act; the Care of which together with the distribution of Justice, Knowledge of Medicine and Inculcation of Knowledge is committed to the Bramins who are the principle. To these all other People of what Cast soever pay respect. They are prohibited from practising any of the meaner Arts & are supported by donations or rather Exactions from the People in general who are divided into an infinity of Casts, whose Precedence is regulated. No person dares invade a different Cast, but each must follow his allotted Employment. Thus the Taylor’s Son must be a Taylor, the Shoemaker’s a Shoemaker. Intermarriages with various Casts are likewise forbid. By the Comission of certain Crimes, or by the degeneracy of Breed, they sometimes irrecoverably lose their Cast, & go under the denomination of Parrears, being never after made the least Account of, nor distinguish’d from Brutes, but pursue unnotic’d any libidinous Cause they please. [end page 54]
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The Dress of both sexes is thin & light. The Men, (or at least those who can afford) wear next their Bodies a thin kind of shirt, open before without Sleeves, & reaching generally as low as ours. Over that when he goes abroad he has a long Gown made of Muslin Doria or fine thin Cloth, which fits Close to the Body & Arms, & buttons round the Neck, but falls from the Waist in Folds, gather’d like our Ladies Gowns in England, which reach to the Ground. Under, they have Trousers, & some of them wear shoes, with curling Tops. A long Volume of fine Cloth forms thin Turban which they wrap closely round their Heads. No Dress could be better calculated for this Country, where the Heat of the Sun is so intense & its Rays falling so directly on their Heads. The poorer sort wear only a Piece of coarse Stuff wrapp’d round their Middles. The Women have a long Piece of Coloured Cloth & sometimes Silk tho very seldom, folded round their Bodies in various Forms, passing obliquely from one Hip to the opposite shoulder whereby, a Part of their Bodies only is conceal’d. Their Toes, Fingers, Legs, Arms & even Noses are loaded with Ornaments, according to the ability of the Father or Husband, but even the poorest amongst them have their Ornaments on their Arms & Toes. The poor women are obliged to perform all laborious work, such as fetching of wood, water, & other kinds of Burthen, whilst perhaps the Husband is indulging himself in Indolence. [end page 55]
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I once ask’d the Reason of this, & received the following modest Reply. “Woman was made entirely for the Service of Man.” The trading, part of the People are divided into Debashes and Merchants. The Merchant receives his Goods from small settlements up the Country of which these are a Great many thro’out the Carnatic, Your Debash is a Person who constantly attends upon you, knows all your concerns, buys & sells & conducts all your Merchandize. Every Gentleman in the Settlement has one of these, and on a ship’s arrival from Europe, a Number of them go on board and offer their services producing Letters of Recommendation. Every Man who has any thing to sell or buy fixes upon one, who from that Time becomes his Steward. He is a kind of intermediate Person or broker, betwixt the Merchant and his Master, for which he gets so much pCent from the Merchant. They receive no Wages being glad to do the Business for Nothing. There is no doubt but the Debash will cheat his Master, but in a less degree than the Merchant would, was there no Debash, Wherefore of two Evils the least is to be chosen. It is amazing to see what a Train these Fellow drag after them, as they have the appointment of all their Master’s servants, who are always very numerous. [end page 56]
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Three of us only in a small House had no less than forty black Fellows of various denominations in waiting, exclusive of Cooleys to carry Burdens. Long Custom seems to have made this necessary. The black people here are very numerous & it seems as tho’ their Religion had an Eye to their Numbers, when it forbad many Casts from eating Meat, so that Rice which they get in great Quantities to the Northward is their principal Food. They have another Grain call’d Doll, resembling our pease. They are very fond of things greacey or hot & as they have Buffalo Butter & Chili peppers in great Quantities, they are never at a loss for it. They all Chew the Beetle Leaf & Nut, with a small piece of Chenam, or Oyster shells calcin’d and mixt with water. The Beetle is held in high Esteeme; At the Procession an old Priest from the Carriage, who sits as it were supporting his God, distributes Beetle Leaves to the Crowd. At the New Moon and other public Festivals, Girls dance before the Images of the Gods all Night, which is a curious solemnity well worth seeing. They writhe & contort their Limbs in a Variety of surprizing Forms, which would be admired even at Sadlers Wells. The dance seems to be a regular successions of steps & Motions which must be gone thro’ from the simplest to the Most Complex, & I have seen little Girls perform it, With surprizing Agility. At this Solemnity they put Wreaths of Flowers highly perfum’d, round the Neck of the Spectators. [end page 57]
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Yet altho these Girls perform those Feats in Honour of the Divinity and before their Temples, they are a set of abandon’d Prostitutes, & dance no longer than they are Paid. I have hitherto been speaking of the Gentoos but these are a great Many call’d Moors, who follow Mahometanism, but differ little in their Dress, Manner of Living, etc. from the Gentoos. Polygamy is not allow’d amongst the Gentoos, but they who can afford, generally keep a Number of Women; & as they are contracted to each other Young, without their Consent & even without their knowledge of each other, it generally happens that the poor Wife is sacrificd to the Rage of a disappointed Man who has the Power of treating her as his slave, as he generally does. I believe in some Cases Bigamy is admissable. The Gentoos burn their dead, & the so much talk’d of Custom of their wives burning with them voluntarily would prevail here, was it not prevented by the strict Injuctions of the English.
The Nabob of Arcot who nominally governs the Carnatic, resides at a House about two Miles from the Town, tho’ in Times of Danger he comes to Madras for Safety. He is said to be very poor & one great proof of it is, the slow Payment of his Troops. The Nabobs’ and Company’s Forces amount to the Number of ___. Who are dispers’d all over the Carnatic, to exact obedience & collect the Revenue which amounts annually to the sum of ___ [end page 58]
The Nabob of Arcot who nominally governs the Carnatic, resides at a House about two Miles from the Town, tho’ in Times of Danger he comes to Madras for Safety. He is said to be very poor & one great proof of it is, the slow Payment of his Troops. The Nabobs’ and Company’s Forces amount to the Number of ___. Who are dispers’d all over the Carnatic, to exact obedience & collect the Revenue which amounts annually to the sum of ___ [end page 58]
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Their sepoys make excellent Soldiers, are kept in high discipline, and seldom disent; they have now commission’d officers of their own, but all the commission’d officers are white Men. A Coolness has long prevail’d betwixt the military & civil Lines, the former of which are subordinate to the latter. This Coolness extends so far as even to affect a Young Man coming out in either Line . .
Up the Country are innumerable small settlements at which they manufacture Cloth, Muslins, Cambries etc. which, with precious stones, constitute the Export Trade of this Coast. Its Situation is very much against it, as a Place of Trade, as a violent surf always beats on the Beach, by which the Boats often overset, and never a Year passes without Lives being thus lost. It would be impossible for european Boats to land there without being Stove to Pieces, wherefore they have Boats constructed on Purpose, being sown together with Rope made of the Plantain Tree that they may give way to every wave. . There are a Set of Men at Madras call’d Juglars whose Feats are really curious & astonishing but some of them at the same Time disgusting, such as thrusting a naked sword, down their Throats, swallowing large Quantities of Hair etc. passing a crooked Instrument thro’ their Nostrils, which coming out at their Mouths they fasten a Fire Wheel to it and set it off. They likewise carry about snakes of various sizes and Kinds. [end page 59]
Up the Country are innumerable small settlements at which they manufacture Cloth, Muslins, Cambries etc. which, with precious stones, constitute the Export Trade of this Coast. Its Situation is very much against it, as a Place of Trade, as a violent surf always beats on the Beach, by which the Boats often overset, and never a Year passes without Lives being thus lost. It would be impossible for european Boats to land there without being Stove to Pieces, wherefore they have Boats constructed on Purpose, being sown together with Rope made of the Plantain Tree that they may give way to every wave. . There are a Set of Men at Madras call’d Juglars whose Feats are really curious & astonishing but some of them at the same Time disgusting, such as thrusting a naked sword, down their Throats, swallowing large Quantities of Hair etc. passing a crooked Instrument thro’ their Nostrils, which coming out at their Mouths they fasten a Fire Wheel to it and set it off. They likewise carry about snakes of various sizes and Kinds. [end page 59]
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The Day after we came to an Anchor in Madras Roads, a Cutter from the Asia Man of War, with a Lieutenant, came on board and took twenty of our Hands out. At Madras I had an Oportunity of seeing how injudicious a Step it is to send young Highlanders to India. They say they endure hardships better than other english Soldiers, that they would follow their leaders to the End of the World without Murmur, that Vicissitude of Climate and all the disadvantages of Life have no Effect on them. I believe that if the Will alone was sufficient all this would be done but why better than English or Irishmen? Can it be suppos’d that Men born in a high Northern Latitude, expos’d from their Infancy to the Inclemency of cold weather, whose Exercise has been always little and Diet exceedingly scanty, should be fit Persons to resist the burning Heat of India, where the coldest day is hotter perhaps than they ever felt it? A Melancholy Instance of the Contrary we had in the Passage when the air was cool’d by Breezes, & where tho the Mortality amongst the Highlanders was so great, the English or Irish Soldiers scarcely suffer’d. On their Landing in India they fell away like rotten Sheep. Men apparently in Health were dead in a few Hours, & what could this be attributed to but the Climate. In Fact the Heat here is almost intolerable to the Natives at Particular Times of the Day, how then must it be for those poor wretches, who have been wading in snow from their Infancy … [end page 60]
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These Circumstances naturally give rise to the following Questions. Are these Troops sent to India for the good of the public service (in preference to any other Men), or to enrich private persons? Is not some Interest requisite to procure the appointment? Is it not cruel to sacrifice the deserving many for the undeserving few? etc. By an Unhappy misconduct betwixt the Captain and his Officers the Ship was in an uncomfortable Situation. The Chief Mate then under Suspension; the second Mate had been twice suspended during the Passage & requested to leave the Ship which was granted; the third Mate quite dissatisfied as was the whole Ship’s Company, which was now reduced to a small Number. Five Gentlemen were appointed to enquire into the Chief Mate’s Conduct but the Ship did not stay long enough to have it decided, wherefore he continued in Suspension till we should arrive at Bombay. We were ordered by the Governor and Council to sail with the Atlas and Bessborough to Pondicherry, there to take in a Battalion of Seapoys and proceed with them to Surat. The other Indiamen who came with us were order’d to their respective Ports in India except the Norfolk, who was to sail for England, in Company with the Ganges & Genl. Baker, in which Sr Thos. Rumbold (Governor) and his Family were going home; Sir Edward Vernon & a Captn of a Man of War, intended to sail in the Norfolk . . . . . [end page 61]
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We left Madras on the 12th of February, in Company with the Atlas, (the Bessborough having gone before). Off Couvelan the Atlas got aground within Sight of the Ships in Madras Roads. We presently after came to an Anchor, and sent her Assistance. In about fifteen Hours she got off without receiving any Considerable Damage. On the 14th We saw Pondicherry Flagg Staff, and came to an Anchor in the Night. Pondicherry is situated along shore like Madras, but the Surf does not beat quite so violent. It has some good buildings and the Fortification were masterly, but they are almost destroyed. A Battalion of Sepoys are garrison’d here under the Command of a Major & the French Inhabitants live very peaceably under the English Government. The black Town here is more regularly built than that at Madras, but their Customs etc. are nearly the same, they being about 100 miles distant. The Vegetables are said to be much better here than at Madras, tho’ I did not observe a remarkable difference. On the 17th of February after taking in 160 Sepoys, Officers, etc. We made Sail in Company with the Atlas, Bessborough, and some country vessels. It is a beautiful Coast and would be very pleasant but for Currents, foul Winds, Shoals etc. some of which one is sure to meet with. On the 21st we made the Island of Ceylon & on the first of March Cape Comorin, the Southernmost Point of the hither Peninsula of India. Here we gave Chace to a Country Ship but could not come up with her. On the 2nd the Bessborough & Country Ships left us. [end page 62]
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On the 5th we came to an Anchor off Angings a Small English Settlement on the Coast of Malabar, where we inform’d that a Number of Maratha’s infested the Coast. 7th We came to an anchor at Cochin a dutch Settlement, where they have a Governor, Council etc. It is the Capital of the dutch Settlements on this Coast, but remarkable for Nothing, but a species of the Elephantiasis found amongst the black People in plenty. It generally affects the Leg & is commonly call’d the Cochin Leg. Here is a Bar, but it may be avoided, there being a wide Channel, Yet an english E. Indiaman’s Boat was once lost here, whereby a Lady, the Captain, 2d Mate & Doctor were drown’d. We sail’d from hence the 10th, and anchor’d the 13th in Callicut Road. Here we saw a fleet of ships one of which hoisted Company’s Colours They weigh’d and stood after us. 14th. Saw Sacrifice Rock, there being light Winds we did not pass it till the 16th. When it appear’d to be a kind of Pumice Stone, without the least appearance of Herbage. 16th pass’d Tillicherry & 12th Mt.dilla 20th Saw Mangelore the fortified Town of the famous Hyder Aly. join’d by the Bessborough and a Snow. 22 Saw St Mary’s Rocks. 24th saw Hog Island, Pigeon Island, & Bassalore. 26th Saw Anjedive, & the Oyster Rocks off Carwar. 27th Saw Cape Raymas. 28th Saw St George’s Island and Marmagon Salset. In the Afternoon Anchor’d in Goa Bay. and saluted the Fort. Goa is the principal Settlement the Portuguese have in the East. The outer Harbour where large Ships lie is call’d [end page 63]
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The Island of ST PAUL in the Indian Sea.
Bearing 2 Leagues. Latitude 37º • 50' [??] Longitude
[TBA]
Bearing 2 Leagues. Latitude 37º • 50' [??] Longitude
[TBA]
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The FRIAR'S HOOD on Ceylon.
Bearing WbS 5 Leagues Latitude. Longitude.
The Town of POINT GALLO. on the Island of Ceylon.
Bearing E NE 3 Leagues. Latitude. Longitude
ADAM'S PEAK on Ceylon
Bearing EbN. 3 or 4 Leagues. Latitude Longitude
Bearing WbS 5 Leagues Latitude. Longitude.
The Town of POINT GALLO. on the Island of Ceylon.
Bearing E NE 3 Leagues. Latitude. Longitude
ADAM'S PEAK on Ceylon
Bearing EbN. 3 or 4 Leagues. Latitude Longitude
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Goa Bay & forms a semicircle at the northernmost Extremity of which stands Alguarda Fort & at the southernmost the Monastary of Nostra Signiora de la Caba. At the bottom of the Bay begins Goa River It is a Narrow Gut, on one bank of which is a small Fort. This River in its Passage to Goa City which is about seven Miles, forms two other large Bays. The Banks of this River are adorn’d with Houses wch look Nobly at a Distance, but when you come close to them, there is a great falling off. Sailing down the River a Person would suppose Goa to be a most elegant City with magnificent Buildings, but on Landing, nothing is seen but a few ill built, whitewash’d Churches. The Portuguese in this Part of the World, seem to apply themselves to Business, less than any other Part of Mankind. At any Other Settlement on the Coast they are glad to traffick, but here it is the contrary. That they are blind to their own Interest is certain, but whether it proceeds from Ignorance or Principal is a Doubt, but true it is, that the Crown of Portugal is daily enriching itself, whilst Individuals tho high in Office have but one Coat to their Backs. Their Rigour to the Natives is notorious, binding them down to one branch of Religion, whilst all other Powers in India tolerate all Religions. Strangers, find no Entertainment here even for Money; here are no Inns, and no Place to lodge in, except a Dismal Hole given by the Nabob and call’d the english Choultry & even here a Glass of Water is hard to be got. [end page 67]
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They make a quantity of Arrack here which is its staple Trade We got on board a few Hogs, Bullocks & some water, and Six of our Ship’s Company ran away. April 1st Weigh’d and got under sail, in Company with the Atlas. 2nd Saw Eleven Sail of Marattos. Had a foul Wind and strong Current so were obliged to stand off the Coast. 7th Saw a Fleet for Bombay 9th Spoke them & they prov’d to be Company’s vessels 10th Saw Ragipore. 16th Saw Choul. 17th being off Bombay the Chance cruizer Captn. Bond came on board to conduct us in. We came to to anchor just within the Harbour, but receiv’d orders from the Governor and Council, to continue our Course to Surat. Weigh’d immediately and stood out with the Atlas. Here we found the Tide exceeding strong, so that we were obliged to go up with the Flood and come to with the Ebb. 24th We came to an Anchor at Surat Bar. The City of Surat lies 15 or 16 Miles up the Country on a broad Shallow River, navigable only with the Tide. Its banks are very low, and it divides into a Number of small Streams, wch in the Time of the heavy Rains unite and form a kind of fresh Water Sea. At this Time no Navigation is practicable. Surat lies about two Degrees to the Northward of Bombay, is large & populous, and a Place of Trade. In Time of Peace it is the Key to the Trade of the inward or Guzurat Country, which takes off a Number of european Commodities. The Number of People which [end page 68]
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inhabit Surat is incredible, & they live in such little tottering Houses as surprizes one, for a Person seems to be in danger as he walks thro’ their narrow streets, nevertheless they carry on Business there with the utmost Regularity, and I have heard it frequently call’d a good Place. The English Resident here (or Chief) is a Counsellor of Bombay, who with four or five senior Merchants form a Council at Surat; but, no great Fortunes can be made here, except by those who have Interest enough to procure, two or three lucrative Posts. It is the Residence of a Nabob. The French, Dutch & Portuguese, had, Factories here but the French Factory since the War commenc’d has been broke up. There is a Castle in the City which mounts a Number of Guns. All kinds of Provisions are to be got at Surat. Excellent Beef & Mutton, Potatoes, Cabbages, Yams etc. with which they supply Bombay, as likewise Wheat & Rice. There are always two or three Vessels belonging to Bombay Marine station’d here, of which the youngest Bombay Captain is generally Commodore. The Bar runs out a long Way, which renders it very dangerous laying there especially at the Monsoon Time which commences sooner than at Bombay. Such an Amazing swell rolls in, that ships often break adrift & get upon the Bar. The Atlas parted her Cable here & lost an Anchor, but fortunately came too in plenty of Water. In this Country they manufacture, Silks, Cottons, Shawls, etc. Drugs etc. are to be bought. [end page 69]
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The Navigation from Bombay to Surat is said to be dangerous, and some Ships take a Pilot from Bombay. We went up with a foul wind, yet were in no Danger; such precise rules are laid down to avoid the sands which are on each Side, that a little attention carries the ship safe. We were a long while going up, having the wind in our Teeth, and a strong Ebb Tide against us, which obliged us to anchor frequently, but coming down, every thing was in our Favor. On the 30th of April we came to an anchor in Bombay Harbour, which is a very fine one secure on all sides, Yet as the winds blow directly on the Coast and drives a prodigious sea before it, those must be a swell in the Harbour. During the rainy Season all Commerce ceases in this Port; the Ships are stript of every thing to their lower Masts, which are only supported by a single stay each, & have Tubs turn’d over their Heads. The greater Part of them are thatch’d from one End to the other. They ride by Chains, which are very large and strong, yet nevertheless sometimes break, & ships are often a drift in the Harbour. . . The Beginning of the Rains is generally regular to a fortnight. The early Part of May generally produces it. A few light Showers fall the first three or four Days after which they grow heavier and become incessant. They continue in this Manner, two, three or four Months, attended all the while with Thunder, and Lightnings. The Weather, before the Rains come on, is excessive hot, & the Earth so parcht up, as to forbid walking on it, even the Natives can scarcely support it. No green Tree or [end page 70]
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Vegetable can be seen, but clouds of hot sandy Dust almost obscure the Sky. Yet after a few Showers of Rain the Earth grows refresh’d & produces Grass in the most barren spot & the Trees & Plants once more receive their Pristine Vigour and Beauty. At Intervals the Weather, seems exceedingly cold, so as to oblige the Natives & those who have long inhabited the Country to wear Cloth. Yet the Thermometer was seldom below 80º. By an exact Observation every Day at Noon during three Months Rain I generally found it from 80º to 84º. Tho’ in an extraordinary fine Day it would rise to 86º. And in a Squall of Wind and Rain fall to 79º. The Sudden Change of the Air, & the Temperature of the Climate, must needs have some ill Effect on the Health or Constitutions of the Inhabitants, especially when we consider, that the Earth has been scorching, for the space of eight Months, and the Air pure and elastic. Yet I observ’d its Effects were less perceiv’d by the Natives & People accustom’d to the Climate than by new Comers. Indeed Gouts Rheumatisms, and chronical Disorders, were exasperated in the unhappy People subject to those Complaints, but fresh Disorders were hardly felt. Those afflicted with the Dysentery, or any Disease attended with much Debility, and Relaxation, must evidently fall victims to the Change, as must the Asthmatic etc. But those Effects, ill as they may be, Providence has counterbalanc’d by the excellent Disposition it reproduces in the system of things in general. Rice, that grand support of Millions, can only be produc’d (to Perfection) by Moisture. [end page 71]
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depriv’d of Rain a few Days it droops, withers, & dies. How wisely then has providence provided for its Creatures. Tho’ the Rains deny all Intercourse, and Traffick, yet they come periodically & afford I may say an agreeable Cessation to recruit Strength, adjust past Occurences & adopt future plans. Tho’ they forbid Exercise abroad they come follow’d by a Train of Blessings, Vegetation, Verdure, Strength Plenty & Delight. The Beasts as well for Food, as burden, find wherewithal in this comparatively short vacation, to be again useful in the Service of Man. The Air loaded with unsalutary Particles and Clouds with electrical Fire, might produce dreadful Havock on the Earth were it not thus defended. The Sources of the Springs and Rivers would be dried up, Wells exhausted, seeds in the Earth become lifeless, & depriv’d of those essential articles, how could the Inhabitants of the Earth exist. . . Bombay, tho not the Principal Settlement the Company possess in India, is of as great Importance to Navigation & of course to Commerce, as any of the other Places if not more so. It commands the whole Malabar Coast. The Fortifications are very good, and the Town well garrison’d would be able to sustain a long Seige. The Island is about Nine Miles long, and three broad, but unable to support its Inhabitants. Provisions are brought from Surat, & the Adjacent Island of Salsett where the Company have a Garrison. It is very rocky Yet in some Parts, innumerable Quantities of Cocoa Nut Trees grow, [end page 72]
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which amongst the Natives constitute a Trade. An Owner of a small piece of Ground plants a Number of those Trees, taking Care to have the Convenience of Water, & in a few Years they bear Fruit & are then let for a yearly Rent. The Inhabitants of Bombay consist of a great Vanity of Breeds. The English of Course hold the highest Rank, then the Descendants of the English by black Women, of which there are a great Number of a very disagreeable Colour, being neither black nor white. There are a Number of Portuguese, black, some of whom are partly rich. All these we suppose have an european Mixture in them. Of the Native Eastern Branch, the Persees tho originally not of this Coast claim the Preference, because they have the most Money & the greatest Rogues. Yet to do them Justice there are some very good People amongst them. This Branch of People are descendants from the Ancient Inhabitants of Persia, who upon the Conquest of that Country by the Mahometans, fled into India to preserve their Religion; The Mahometans putting all to the sword, who would not embrace theirs. The Gentoos afforded them an Asylum on Condition they would in Compliance with the Gentoo Religion abstain from Pork, which they promis’d & perform it as punctually as the Jews in London. Those are the Worshippers of the Sun, and of the Fire, which latter they dare not extinguish. The Countenance those People have lately receiv’d from the English, makes them rank themselves above the Gentoos, who are not a whit inferior [end page 73]
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to them in Point of Ability. Indeed they may be said to be superior, as almost all the offices belonging to the Custom Master, Paymasters etc. are fill’d with Gentoo Clarks call’d Purvo’s, who accompt & write as well as Europeans. Besides the Persees and Gentoos, there are Moors, who adapt themselves for all Services, Merchants, Shopkeepers Sailors, Taylors etc. The Gentoo and Moor Languages are talk’d in common by all three, for the Persees retain Nothing of Persia but their Religion; they are totally ignorant of the persian Language. The same domestic Laws and Customs prevail amongst them, as in all other Parts inhabited by Gentoos. etc. & they are all punishable by the brittish Laws. Bombay Dock & marine Yard render this settlement an important one. The Dock will contain three Indiamen at a Time, where they are repair’d, clean’d etc. as well as in England. They build excellent ships, capable of carrying fifty Guns, and sheath them with Copper. The Timber they use for this purpose is call’d Teak; it is firmer and heavier than Oak & preserves those Qualities much longer. The ship and Boatbuilding is executed by the Persees who are remarkably clever in this Branch. One Advantage they have over us is that they have no Necessity to let the Timber lay any Time to season for it never shrinks. Besides European Bottoms are soon eat thro by Worms in the indian seas; these the Teak Bottoms resist, the wood being too hard for the worms to penetrate. . . European ships [end page 74]
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find a Market at Bombay for Copper, Iron, Steel, red & white Lead, Anchors & all kinds of marine Stores. Provisions sell all over India. But they are very rigid at the Custom House, which is a considerable draw back on the Goods. The Bombay Merchants send annually, several ships to China and Bengal, loaded with Cotton, which grows in great Plenty in the Country about Surat. . Lead, Cloth Cochineal etc. are Commodities for the China Markett. To England they send coarse Bale Goods & Pepper, & carry on a brisk Trade up the Persian Gulph. Yet the Trade & Reveneus are not sufficient to defray the Annual Expences, wherefore it is in one Sense a Burden to the Company who are obliged to supply them with Money from Bengal. Those Supplies since the Commencement of the Maratta War have been enormous; The Troops likewise belonging to this Coast which commonly amount to ___, have been found insufficient, so that Bengal & Madras have likewise furnish’d them with Forces. Coll. Goddard march’d over Land from Bengal to Surat, with 6000 Men, but has not been able to gain any great Advantage over the Marattas. The Coast of Malabar is so infested with Pirates that the Government of Bombay is under a Necessity of Supporting a regular Marine. They have a Number of Ships, Grabs, Snows, Ketches, Gallivats commanded by Captains and Lieutenants. [end page 75]
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The oldest Captain is Commodore of the Coast. These convoy Fleets of Boats up and down the Coast, carry Dispatches & go to Persia Bengal etc. From the Adjacent Island of Salsett, Surat & other Settlements, Bombay is supplied with Necessaries. Of the Animal Kind, they get Bullocks, Sheep, Goats, Hogs, Buffaloes, Hares, Ducks, Fowls, Geese & Turkeys. with different Kind of Wild Fowl. Of Fish, there are Plenty. Soles, Skeat Maids, Pompets, Mullet, Eels, Modishun Fish, Rock Cod & many others. Of the vegetable their Gardens produce Cabbages, a Kind of Spinach, the finest Onions in the World, french Beans, Cucumbers, Musk & Water Melons, Pine apples, Mangoes, Guavas, Plantains, Bananas, Pawpaws, Custard apples, & other Fruits imitative of the european kind & making good substitutes for Gooseberry & Apple Pies. They have likewise Radishes, Lettuce & other sallad Herbs & Roots. Their Trees are besides the Fruit Trees before Mentirn’d, the Teak, an excellent kind of black wood, the Ricinus vulgaris, Palmira Tree, Cocoa Nut Tree etc. Which last is of infinite Service from the various Uses it is put to. From a rough hairy Part of the outside of the Nut is make all kinds of Rope, even Cables, The Inside of the Nut supplies them with an agreeable Drink, call’d the Milk, & they use the Nut itself in Curries. The Shell they burn, I believe to make a kind of blacking. By wounding the lofty Branching, A Liquor exudes, with which they sometimes [end page 76]
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get intoxicated. Small Vessels are built with its Timber, Fans are made with its Leaves, in short no Tree answers so great a Variety of Purposes. This Island is well stock’d with venomous Snakes Scorpions, Centipedes, large venemous Spiders, & a Sharp Tooth’d Animal with its Head like a Hog, & Body like a rat call’d a Bandicoot. they have likewise enormous Toads & other disagreeable Reptiles. Inhospitality holds her highest Court at Bombay, & has Envy, Slander and Malice for her three Favorites. . . The first European Power that possess’d the Coast of Malabar was the Portuguese who first settled at Goa, (which they now hold), but since they have dwindled away to the Insignificant Place they now hold in the system of Merit they have lost many Settlements. The English by possessing Bombay and Surat command the whole Coast. The Portuguese tho’ unable to prevent their Settlements from falling into the hands of Country Powers, and thereby not only injuring themselves, but other european Powers likewise and that very materially, look nevertheless with an insidious Eye on the English, who have rescued, and retain several of them. They will communicate no Insight of the interior Part of the Country and tho possest of Maps, and Charts deny them. The inner Part of the Country to the Northward manufacture, Cottons, & a Mixture of Silk and Cotton & many very curious things in that Line, which [end page 77]
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with Grain and Timber is all the Country produces. But I believe Pepper is not included in the general Acceptation of the word, Grain, farther to the Southward they make Stockings & almost every Port, has a different Way of manufacturing their Goods. The Portuguese have a fortified Town to the Northward of Bombay call’d Demaun And the french before the breaking out of the War, had a Settlement on this Coast call’d Mahé. The Face of the Country for many Miles is rather flat and has a pretty appearance, but more in land there are many lofty Hills. From Cape Comorin runs a remarkable Ridge of high Mountains call’d the Gatts or Balagate Mountains, which divides this peninsula for many Degrees Northward, and alters the Seasons on either Coast; there when the Monsoon sets in on the Malabar Coast, there is fine Weather on the Coast of Coromandell, et vice versa. It is far from being an unhealthy Coast except at the Time of the Rains, when great Allowances may be made for it. . The Affair betwixt Captn. Bull and Mr Hardcastle, was enquired into at Bombay, by a Committee appointed for that Purpose, when after hearing the Evidence, they agreed that Mr Hardcastle had been culpable, and deserving his Suspension; but the length of Time he had been suspended, they imagin’d a sufficient Punishment. Wherefore he was again restor’d to his Rank, but on petitioning the Governor was permitted to go [end page 78]
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home in another Ship. Mr Hardcastle’s Affair when candidly enquir’d into, will very much against him, but as he landed at Bombay when we pass’d it to go to Surat, he had an Oportunity of spreading reports before Captn. Bull return’d. And had Captn. Bull exerted himself a little more even then, & attended the Trial properly, as his Friends in vain sollicited him to do, I sincerely believe Mr Hardcastle’s suspension would have been confirm’d. Mr Warrington our 5th Mate engaged himself so far in Mr Hardcastle’s Interest, that he ran away from the ship, accompanied by a Midshipman, who were the only Two, whose Evidence appear’d in Favor of Mr Hardcastle. During our laying at Bombay our Armourer died of the Dysentery. And several of our Men ran away, so that we were obliged to get Lascars to assist us in getting the ship round to Bengal, for which Place we sail’d with a Cargo of Cotton on board, having order to touch at Madras to deliver a Packet. We had a leading Wind and made a good Run all down the Coast, till we came abreast of the Friar’s Hood on the Island of Ceylon. Where we were becalm’d four Days. Here we fell in with the Neptune Captn. Wemyss who had sail’d from Bombay twenty four Hours before us. At length a Light Breeze sprung up, and the Neptune being a good sailor left us, & got to Madras one day before us. The Night before we arriv’d at Madras being then only 4 or 5 Leagues below it, there came on a most violent squall, which however happily did us no harm. We came [end page 79]
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to an Anchor in Madras Roads on the Morning of the 7th of September. Immediately went on Shore with our Chief Mate who had an Inflammation in his Liver ever since we left Bombay and plac’d him under the care of Dr. Pasley, a very eminent & learned Man. On our Arrival here we were inform’d that Hyder Aly had enter’d the Carnatic with 100,000, Troops well disciplin’d & come almost to the Walls of Madras Sr Hector Munro went out to drive him off, with an Army of 8000 Men, Of which Number 1000 were europeans, Orders were likewise sent for Coln. Cosby to join him with 1000 Men, Coln. Brathwaite from Pondicherry with another Detachment, & Coln. Baily with about 2400 Men & 10 Field Pieces. Which Army join’d together was imagin’d stronger than Hyder’s. Coln. Cosby & Brathwaite join’d a few Days after we arriv’d & the Accounts of Coln. Baily were impatiently expected, which arriv’d on the 14th or 15th and brot. the Melancholy News that Coln. Baily had fall’n in with Hyder within a few Miles of the grand Army. Hyder’s Army consisted of 24,000 Horse, 30,000 Foot & 1,500 Frenchmen with 20 Field Pieces. That Sr Hector Munro, heard the Firing, but would not agree to march to their Relief altho’ Tents were struck and every thing ready but contrary to the advice of those he consulted sent a Detachment of 4 Companies of the 73rd Regt. with three [end page 80]
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or four Hundred Sepoys under the Command of Coln. Fletcher. . . . Baily and Fletcher with their little Army, fought desperately, and did Wonders, till two of the Tumbrels of Gunpowder blew up, which put them in a great Confusion, on which Hyder’s Horse rushing in, cut them to Pieces without Mercy. Thus was destroy’d the Flower of their Army, owing to the Obstinacy of an infatuated General; who altho’ a Man of Narrow Abilities, would not receive salutary advice when offer’d him. Fletcher was cut to Pieces, Baily taken Prisoner, & several Captains & subalterns in the King’s & Company’s Service shar’d the same Fates. . This is the greatest Advantage that ever any Country Power obtain’d over the english Troops, & will animate them beyond Measure, for they formerly deem’d us invincible. There were a great Number of French in Hyder’s Army both Officers and Private in whose Views and Interests Hyder greatly joins. Nothing now is wanting on the Coast of Coromandell to drive us from it, but a french fleet superior to ours, so as to prevent any supplies from coming to the Town on the seaside. Whilst Hyder’s numerous Army will prevent all Correspondence in the Country. The Fort itself is exceedingly Strong, impregnable by a Country Power, but they may soon starve themselves into Submission The Consequence of the Loss of Madras, would inevitably be, that of Bengal, and Bombay, [?]rif from its numerous Fortifications [end page 81]
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and Troops, Bengal should remain in our Possession, The possession of the other Settlements would have it in either their Power to take our Ships and stop our Trade. Affairs in India have a bad Appearance, and what is now only apprehended will soon be realized, unless wiser Governors, and greater Generals have the conducting them. The Popular Cry loudly exclaims against Sr. H. M_nr_ They Complain not only of his Stupidity & Ignorance, but hesitate not to criminate him. They accuse him of not having the King or Company’s Interest at Heart, they interpret his sending so small a detachment against Hyder, into motives criminal and treacherous. They assent that the few proceeding Months have been solely occupied by him in purchasing european Bills and Diamonds to remit his Money. That he took the Field without Ammunition or Provisions; that when he heard Baily was departed he fled with the utmost Precipitation towards Madras, gall’d all the way by the Enemy. That he had no Intelligence himself nor would receive any from the other Officers. The wound concerning the Pondicherry Business broke out a fresh. He was again call’d Fool, & Coward, They say that at the Siege of Pondicherry, more money & Time was expend’d than would have taken four such Places, attack’d by an experienc’d [end page 82]
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General. Pondicherry might have been taken in Six Days. Its Fortifications were not compleat when the english Army sat down before it. And after the Siege, instead of gaining immortal Honour as represented in England, he was laugh’d at & derided by all the Army. In short, no man can be more universally despis’d than this Man who enjoys the Favor of, and receives Honours from his King, and is robbing and ruining his Country. This Man has a Ribband given him and his Name perpetuated by a Title, at a Time when he is a disgrace to the british Annals. These are the Men to whom the Care of Nations is committed & these are the Men, who instead of guarding and defending their Fellow subjects are the first to prey upon them and accumulate a Fortune by their Ruin. . . What a Pity it is that the Government of Madras should be so continually given to Men whose sole Motives are to serve themselves; Who have no views but of accumulating Fortunes, and who feel no regret, for their horrible Oppression of Numberless Families. Strange as this may seem yet true it is, that many successive Governors (Lord Pigot excepted) have entertain’d this Maxim, and this solely. The late Governor Sir T. Rumb_d is a striking Proof of this, he having in the Course of two years, amass’d upwards of 400,000 sterling, nay some [end page 83]
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say 600,000£ and drain’d the Settlement of every Pagoda. Yet this conscientious Man, who once acted in the humble Station of a Waiter at White’s, is made a Baronet. O Tempora! O Mores! The Government is now in the Hands of a Man, whose Name has been long stampt with Infamy. Who knows his Reign will be Short, and is providing for himself and his Creatures with the utmost Rapidity. A Man whose Crimes a Modest Man cannot Mention. Who has combined against his Country (Mr W__ll fitted out the Elizabeth a french ship for the Maurituis, loaded her with Goods & informed her when the Osterly Indiaman would sail, & how she was mann’d. The Osterly was afterwards taken by the Elizabeth in Company with another French ship near the Mossel Bank off the Cape & was carried to the Maurituis. Mr W__ll is said to have cleard 80,000£ by this voyage. For the Truth of this I cannot vouch, but it is publicly asserted at Madras.) Hyder Aly gives out that he does not wish to engage in War with the English, but with the Nabob of Arcot who is under the Protection of the English, and has but few soldiers of his own and these he renders dissaffected to him, by delaying the Payment of their Wages for many Years. Whole Troops deserted from him before the last Engagement, and went over to Hyder. . . . [end page 84]
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The Nabob’s second son is his prime Minister, whose Principles are said to be vile and treachourous. A Convincing Proof of this lately appear’d. When Sr Edwd Hughes with the Fleet went into Trinquemalie in the Island of Ceylon, they discover’d an immense Quantity of military Stores for the Equipment of a numerous Body of Horse. On enquiring whose they were, he was answer’d, that they had been collecting several Years for the Nabob of Arcots second son. Not one single Circumstance of those Stores had been mentioned to his Father or the Governor, nor could they be for their use, as the Company have but a very few Horse on the Coast. The general Conjecture is that he meant to secure a party to himself, cut off his Father, and reign Nabob of the Carnatic. The Account of our ill Success on the Coast was immediately dispatch’d to the Governor general, and Council of Bengal, who order’d Sr Eyre Coote to repair immediately to Madras, with all the european Troops, to take on him the Command of the Forces there, suspend Mr Whitehill, and place Mr Smith in the Chair. Which Circumstances took place in a very Short Time after. Mean Time several Battalions of Seapoys were marching round to Madras by Land (as their Religion forbids, [end page 85]
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their going on board Ship) & orders given for more Troops to be rais’d. All the Cash that Could be spared was sent from the Treasury of Bengal, and every Necessary Preparation set on foot to remedy the late Disaster. On S.r Eyre Coote’s Arrival at Madras, he could muster only about 4,000 effective Men. Hyder Aly besieged Arcot, the Capital Town (belonging to the Nabob) in the Carnatic, & took it at least it capitulated, and the Soldiers and Officers amounting only to 300 who had defended the Place six Weeks against 40,000 Men, march’d out with the Honours of War. The Contractor & Ponsonby two East Indiamen then laying in Madras Roads were sent to the Northward for Troops soon after the Defeat of Coln. Baily One of them went to Visegapatnam, where were several Battallions. On the Day of their intended Embarkation, when they were all drawn up, and their Officers at Dinner with the Chief, they mutinied, & on their Officers coming out to see what was the Matter, they fir’d upon them and kill’d several, & wounded the others. They took the chief & other Gentlemen in the civil Line and bound them hand & foot, and releas’d a frenchman, who was a prisoner there, after doing which, they march’d away in triumph & went in Quest of Hyder Ally’s Camp. . [end page 86]
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We sail’d from Madras Roads on the 18th of September, & got a Pilot on board in Balasore Roads on the 6th Day after, who carried us up the River of Bengal as far as Kedgeree & brought us to an anchor. At Kedgeree were lying the Walpole, Fox, True Briton, Duke of Portland & Duke of Kingston Indiamen, with several Dutchmen and country vessels. This River which is an Union of the Ganges & Ugli is at this Place very broad but full of Sands, which frequently shift and change with the Rapidity of the Tides. By the same Cause the Mouth of the River, where it empties itself into the sea, is almost obstructed with Sands and Banks. The two Rivers run in Consort about fifty Miles, to which the Ganges comes from a most distant source, and the Ugli, tho it receives its Name from a Town so call’d about one hundred Miles up the Country thro’ which it flows, comes from near the Kingdom of Thibet. To the Ganges, all the Gentoo Inhabitants of India, pay the greatest adoration. They consider its waters sacred & possess’d of numberless virtues. To it they commit the Bodies of their dying Relations, even before their Senses leave them, laying them on the Beach at the Time of low Water, and when the rises it carries them away. Its Banks are incredibly crouded, for by washing therein, they are absolv’d from their sins recover their Cast if lost & happy are those who die in its Waters [end page 87]
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Calcutta the Capital of the english settlements in India is situated on the Banks of the River Ugli. It is large and populous, containing many good Buildings but so irregularly plac’d, as scarcely to form what properly can be call’d one Street. The Southernmost Parts of the Town contain the Houses of the european Gentlemen, who live here luxuriously and magnificently. About the Middle of the Town stands the old Fort, kept up more for the Purpose of accommodating Invalids than for any military Use. Opposite to the Gate of the Old Fort stands a Monument, to perpetuate the Memory of those unfortunate People, who lost their Lives in the black Hole over whom it is built. The Black Hole is still to be seen. It is one of the Bastions of the old Fort, & any one unacquainted with the Story, would think it impossible to squeeze such a number of Men in it. The Northern Part of the Town is inhabited by a few English in the trading or mechanical Way, Armenians, Portuguese, and Natives of the Country in general who are incredibly numerous. They have several Bazars or Markets in their Part of the Town for all sorts of Goods, which are generally so throng’d as to be almost impassible. Calcutta is said to contain
Fort William is divided from the Town of Calcutta, by a broad Esplanade, is strong and well built. It effectually commands the River [end page 88]
Fort William is divided from the Town of Calcutta, by a broad Esplanade, is strong and well built. It effectually commands the River [end page 88]
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being situated below Calcutta, & has nothing round it which could afford shelter for an Enemy within Gunshot. Connoisseurs in Fortification pronounce it very strong, & the more incurious Eye of a Novice in those Matters would suppose it still stronger. A little below the Fort are Docks for the Construction of Ships, which Art is arriv’d at great Perfection here, tho’ not as at Bombay, for the Masters there are black People, but at Calcutta Europeans. . An immense Track of Land, from the Mouths of the Ganges to a great Distance in the Country lies low, & flat, and at the Time of the Rains & some Months after wears the Appearance of an extensive Marsh or Bog. The Land likewise is universally cover’d with a low kind of Underwood, which affords shelter to an incredible Number of wild Beasts. These Circumstances render it a disagreeable Part of the World. For the excessive Heat of the Sun, occasioning a great Evaporation from the surface of this Land, or rather muddy Swamp, the Air thereby becomes loaded, with putrid & unwholesome Particles, unfit for Respiration. This is felt peculiarly on the Banks of the River which being rais’d, and swell’d during the rainy Season, leaves on its Return to its former Limits, vast Quantities of shiny Mud along the Beach, in which are entangled Fish of various kinds, and in vast Shoals; those rot in a short space, and emit a stench, which has prov’d fatal to [end page 89]
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thousands. At the Time there is scarcely a Breath of Wind to be perciev'd. Thus the air at Calcutta, blowing on all sides, over Fens, and Marshes, must be constantly unwholesome. Providence has in great Measure provided against the Evil of rotten Fish, Flesh etc. by making the Country abound with Jackalls, Parrear Dogs, Vultures, Kites, Crows etc. The two former of which clear the streets of filth by Night and the latter by day. These are so familiar, that they’ll fly into a House and take Victuals off the Table. . . The Winter Months in England, are the winter Months in Calcutta, and during that season there is not a more delightful Region under Heaven, nor (the Inhabitants say) a more healthy. In December and January the air is exceedingly cool, and even Ice is produced up the Country, but never as I heard at Calcutta. The Earth at this season opens her stores, and produces everything that is produced on the Face of the Globe. Their vegetables approach nearer to those of England in Taste, Colour and Size, then any I saw since I left England. The Country abounds with Wild Beasts of many kinds, some of which attack Men, but seldom unmolested. It has been long imagin’d that no Lions are contain’d in India, but it is now contradicted. At a small Fort lately taken by Captn. Popham a good way up the Country, there were three living ones and the Marks of many others. One of those three [end page 90]
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is now at Calcutta in the Possession of Mr Hastings. The royal Tiger has a plentiful Progeny in Bengal, and the neighbouring Provinces they conceal themselves in thick Cover, and frequently destroy Men. The Tiger when he espies a Man roars terribly, which strikes such a panic on the Mind of the unhappy Wretch, that he instantly becomes swallowed up in Horror. It is suppos’d to be the most hideous Knell in Nature; then springing on the Back of his Prey, the furious Creature with one of his paws, deprives the victim of his senses at one Blow, or if one is not effectual he repeats it. Nor does he attempt to feast on the Body, till depriv’d of all Sensation, & continues roaring till that is effected. . . Wild Boars are in plenty up the Country, and hunting them forms one of their Diversions, tho’ frequently attended with Danger, as is the hunting of Tigers. To hunt the Boar they go in large Parties, well mounted, and arm’d with a Kind of Spear. On Arriving at the Place the Hog frequents, a Number of black fellows enter the Cover & by making a hideous Noise, with their Pipes, Drums etc., drive him out, the Horsemen immediately ride after him and wound him with their spears, the Beast finding himself wounded, becomes enraged, & makes furiously at the Horse, & unless he is well broke in, and accustom’d to Hunting will throw him down, which effected the Hog, leaves the Horse, [end page 91]
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and rips up the Belly of the unfortunately fall’n Rider. Leopards are plenty in this Country and furious if attack’d. Elephants are useful Animals to the Country Powers, but we see few of them employ’d by the English. All heavy Carriages are drawn by Bullocks or Buffaloes, which last are in great plenty in this Country, very large, wild & mischievous. . The Horses at Calcutta are beautiful Creatures, but very mettlesome. They do excellently for Coaches Phaetons etc. . . . Dogs are in great Numbers but good for Nothing but to assist in carrying away Flesh and Nastiness left in the Streets in the Night, and a Parcel of them have been known to attack People and kill them. There are Foxes and Jackalls in this Country in Prodigious Numbers, the latter perform the same Office as the Dogs. The lesser Quadrupeds found in other Countries are to be met with in Bengal, there being such vast Tracks of Land, uncultivated, and otherwise uninhabited. . . There is a great Vanity of Snakes and Serpents, and some exceedingly venomous, but I had not Time to enquire sufficiently minute into their Names, and Species to give a just Account of them. Alligators frequent all the Rivers and Creeks about the Country Scorpions about in Calcutta and Centipeds some of which [end page 92]
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are ten or twelve Inches Long. Birds of Prey of several species are found here, and are very usefull for the Purposes before mention’d. Water Fowl are in Amazing Plenty. They will shoot forty Brace of wild Ducks or Teal in a Day. The black Fellows have a curious, yet simple Method of catching them. They go into the Lake where the Ducks are with an earthen Pott on their Heads, having holes in it for the convenience of sight and air. They walk along with their Heads above water till they go into the middle of a Flock and the Birds taking it really for a Pot of which there are many floating on the Lake, suffer themselves to be laid hold of by the Legs & hawl’d down one after the Other till the Man’s Hands are full. The Vegetable World abounds with a great vanity of Plants etc., unknown to other Climates, at the same Time that it produces all the known Fruits, Plants & Flowers. Inhabitants of the Country discover many powerful Medicines amongst them, and their Effect is often admirably beneficial, tho’ administer’d by People, totally unacquainted with the Laws of Physic or Nature. They are like the old women in England, who having been long possess’d of a Recipe for any Disease, administer it in all its Stages, without the least attention to the Symptoms of the Disease, and assign no other Reason for doing so, than that their Grandmothers did so too Yet they sometimes produce wonderful Cures . . . . . . . . [end page 93]
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The Character the English Inhabitants of Calcutta bear, is that of a liberal and generous People. The more confin’d Settlements of Madras or Bombay, have not a Breath of Generosity betwixt them. At either of those Places, the Wellfare of a Man, procures him Enemies who envious of the Happiness of another, eneavour to prejudice him in the Opinion of the World. If Fortune takes an adverse Turn, they shut their Purse Strings in the Hour of Distress, & endeavour effectually to compleat his Ruin. But at Calcutta, a Man of Character’s Wants are no sooner known than reliev’d. Money seems to be their least Consideration. They give most elegant Entertainments, brilliant Balls, and the same Harmony and Decorum prevails as in the first City in Europe. A Man there does not hesitate or consider if it is his Interest to assist another; Other, and more generous Motives induce him; he wishes to be accessary to the Happiness of his Friend. Indeed their Disregard of Money, seems to suffer them to be impos’d upon, by the villainous black fellows, who negotiate their Affairs. Whatever commendable can be said of the English at Calcutta is counterpoisd by the Cunning and Duplicity of the black Inhabitants, Train’d up from their Infancy to Fraud, low Cunning and Artifice, they make it their Study to deceive, and are alone emulous amongst themselves in that Point. Submissive to the lowest degree, where they [end page 94]
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find it their Interest to be so; but where no Gain is expected, imperious and Cruel. The Father points out to the son, how to impose upon or overreach another. The son improving by the documents of his Instructor, makes those sentiments so early inculcated, his principal study. . Whether by inherent Principle or the effect of subjugation is a doubt, but they are a passionless sort of People, incapable of Improvement beyond the Line of Cunning, filthy in their Mode of Living, obscene in their Discourse, wanton in their Pleasures; To Delicacy they are Strangers; of moral virtues they possess none. They have no word in their Language answering to the Name of Gratitude, nor did ever a Heart amongst them feel such an Emotion. Their Religion tho’ perhaps the strictest in the world, serves like many others but as a kind of Mask for many crying Enormities; and their Zeal and Infatuation so much talk’d off, little more than Artifice and Dissimulation. Their Religion countenances all the vices they are guilty of, and even impels them to deceive. Since the arrival of the Judges in Bengal which Circumstance plac’d the two different People on a Levell, The black Fellows have assum’d an Air of Importance, greater than before, (and Sorry am I to say it,) the wonderful Effects of all pow’rful Gold, have work’d Miracles in their Favour. A servant, perhaps the vilest Dog upon Earth will retort your [end page 95]
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Threats and tell you, you dare not strike him. Upon receiving the most trifling Blow they run to the Judges, make their Complaint, and ☞ are redress’d. . . . The english Territories extend to the Borders of the Kingdom of Thibet to the distance of 1,200 Miles. Where Troops are constantly kept for Collecting the Revenue (which Amounts in all the Provinces to £3,000,000H.) and are reliev’d once in two Years. In this Extent of Country are many Towns & Chiefships Where Gentlemen high in the Service reside. Of these are Patna, Dacca, Cossinbazar, Luckypore, Luckinhow, Benares etc. Where they live like Petty Princes and realize the Fortunes of Nabobs. The luxurious & magnificent Method of living here, detains Gentlemen many Years longer in the Country; than they otherwise would have Occasion for; The Riches of this Part of India are so immense, as to become proverbial, yet even here, if Interest is wanting, a Man may toil all his Life Time & be poor at last. A Writer when he lands in the Country plunged himself into the common Course of Extravagance, & runs himself so far in Debt as requires the good Fortune of several years to discharges. Artificers & Artists of all kinds succeed well in Calcutta. It is the finest Field in the world for a Man with Abilities and A little Interest … The Trade of Bengal consists [end page 96]
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principally of white Goods, Rare Silk, Callicoes, Saltpetre & Borax the Produce of the Country. Every kind of Goods finds a Markett in the River Ugli, but it makes much against the wellfare of the Place, as most of the ships when they have dispos’d of their Cargoes, are paid in Money, and will take no Bengal Goods in Exchange but a little Rice. They have lately planted Indigo, in this Country and entertain the greatest Hopes of its success. Since the Company have alter’d the Mode of Government in Bengal, (establishing a supreme Council from Europe, and giving only the commercial Business into the Hands of their long servants in India thereby constituting a Board of Trade consisting of twelve Persons) none of their Affairs have flourish’d, for there are continual Animosities between the two Boards. To which Contention Captn. Bull became a victim, being obliged to get his Ship ready by an order of the supreme Council to sail with the other ships. This they did to distress the Board of Trade, imagining that the Time would be too short for them to get the Goods ready and send them down, or for the ship to take them in. Both of which however was effected. Captn. Bull had the greatest Hopes that as Mr Hastings had in a former voyage come out to India, when he was needy and could afford to pay [end page 97]
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only 200£ for his Passage, and that his Wife of whom he was extremely fond, and is extravagantly so now, were both with him in his Ship, for these Reasons he had Hopes of being sent on a profitable Country Voyage. But he found that the Advancement to power, had evaporated every Grain of sentiment from his Breast, and instead of serving, he seem’d to wish to distress him. Hastings is confess’d to be a Man of great Abilities with respect to the Government of India. But his engaging in a War with the Maratta’s is not a Proof of it, which has drain’d their Treasures, and destroy’d their Army. He is well vers’d in the Language cunning and duplicity of the Indian People, knows the Extent, and they say the true Interest of the Country . . .
The homeward bound Fleet consisted of the Walpole, Grafton, True Briton, and Fox, who all receiv’d orders to sail, on the 25th of November, but the Walpole having a Quantity of their Saltpetre dissolv’d by the Water in the hold, was obliged to be unloaded, & take a fresh Quantity of Saltpetre in, this prolong’d our Stay till the 13th of December when each ship having her Pilot on board, we got under Way, & on the 15th being clear of the sands the Pilots left us, and [end page 98]
The homeward bound Fleet consisted of the Walpole, Grafton, True Briton, and Fox, who all receiv’d orders to sail, on the 25th of November, but the Walpole having a Quantity of their Saltpetre dissolv’d by the Water in the hold, was obliged to be unloaded, & take a fresh Quantity of Saltpetre in, this prolong’d our Stay till the 13th of December when each ship having her Pilot on board, we got under Way, & on the 15th being clear of the sands the Pilots left us, and [end page 98]
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we steer’d our Course for England under the Direction of Captn. Abercrombie of the Walpole who being the oldest Captain, was Commodore of the Fleet. Before we sail’d, there were several Accounts of several french Men of War being in the Bay, but these prov’d only Inventions to enhance the Premium for Insurance, which was twenty five Guineas when we left Calcutta. The Captains had private Instructions given them to open in the Latitude 19Nº Fortunately our Ship sail’d much better than she did outward bound, the Commodore being the heaviest sailor of the Four. I say fortunately for we had not occasion to crowd so much sail, wch would have distress’d us as the ship was badly Man’d, having but few Europeans on board & a Number of Lascars who were good for Nothing. We made a very great Passage, till we came off the Cape which we had orders to come no nearer to than the Latitude of 40Sº because of the french Cruizers, but a Gale of Wind coming on from the N.W. prevented our getting round the Cape so soon as we had reason to expect it being Summer Time . . When it first came on to blow, the Commodore laid his Ship to, under bare Poles, but the other ships were under a Mainsail, and Main or Mizen Stay Sail which they were oblig’d to keep out to prevent their rowling so violently as to carry any thing away. [end page 99]
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The Consequence of which was that the next Morning the Commodore was out of sight a stern, & the Day following the True Briton started from us so that the Fox and us were left to round the Cape by ourselves. We had a fresh Gale And exceedingly cold Weather off the Cape, so severe as to knock up our poor Lascars who had never experienced any thing of the Kind before. This gave birth to some symptoms of the Scurvy, but as the fresh Breeze carried us every Day into warmer weather, its progress was not quite so rapid as it is generally found to be. On the 12th of March without meeting with any kind of ship or vessel we arriv’d at St Helena. There we found riding the Princess vessel from Bencoolen, who had been there seven weeks, & we there heard the disagreeable Account of our having lost five Indiamen one of which was a store ship for St Helena. By the Loss of this ship the Island was thrown into the greatest distress, being in the utmost want of Salt Provisions, and not having a naval store of any kind to supply the shipping. The Common Necessaries, such as Hats, Shoes etc., they had long expended, even the Soldiers could not muster a sufficient Number of Shoes to supply the Guard … [end page 100]
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The Island of St Helena lies in Lat.__ Long:__ measures from East to West 11 Miles, and from North to South 12 It is a very lofty rock, bearing in many places not the least signs of vegetation or Herbage & rising every where in rugged points and irregular steep precipices. Its external appearance is beyond Description horrid from the frowning aspect of the Rocks, and in some of the internal parts of the Country, prospects equally intimidating present themselves. The Hills are in one respect regular, being like so many radii proceeding from a point, leaving in the Interstices very deep vallies. To form a Road up those perpendicular rocky Mountains has been a work of immense Trouble and Expence, yet they have so happily succeeded that there remains no part of the Island inaccessible. These Roads are cut in oblique directions on the side of the Mountain, doubling and redoubling in the form of the Letter Z till they reach the Top, and supported on the descending side by a strong stone wall rising more than Breast high above the Levell of the road to prevent Horses from taking fright at the incredible depth below them. Two Horsemen may ride a breast in these Roads with great Ease. All those Interstices call’d Vallies where an Enemy might land, are defended with a Line of Guns, and some of them with Forts on the projecting points of the Rocks. In one of these Vallies is the Town and Garrison, call’d St James’s Valley, where the Houses are built in [end page 103]
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a regular method, forming the appearance of a small, neat, english Country Town. A very lofty Hill call’d Ladder Hill rises on the West Side, and one little inferior in point of Height on the East call’d Mundine’s, because on the extreme point of this rocky Hill projecting into the Sea Captn Mundine in 1673 landed a number of Men from his Jibb-Boom and retook the Island from the Dutch, who had taken it from the English the proceeding year. St James’s Valley at the Beach is about __ Yards broad (where there is an excellent Line of heavy Guns and preserves that Breadth for the distance of a Mile, where it contracts and takes a winding direction. A few Yards behind the Guns on the Line is a fine row of Trees, the whole length of the Line, which affords a very agreeable shady walk, and exhibits by its perpetual verdure a most striking contrast to the impending Rocks which frown horribly on either side. A wall immediately behind separates the Line from the Town adjoining to which are the Company’s Offices & Store Houses, the Governor’s House and Esplanade which occupy a space parallel with the Line of Guns about __ Feet Broad. The main Guard, Officer’s Guard room, & Court Martial Room stand immediately behind the Governor’s House; opposite to which on the other side of the Esplanade, are the Smith’s Shops & Jail. The street commences from the Espanade, one Corner of which is form’d by the Church, the other by a wall enclosing the Companies Garden. The Church is a small plain Edifice lately erected by Captn. Tippet, when [end page 104]
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Engineer of the Island. The Gardens are not worth mentioning. Houses are adjoin’d to each of these & running in a direct line up the valley from a very pretty street to the distance of 12 or 14 Houses, where it separates into two small streets forming an acute angle. The left Hand Street extends but a short distance, the right Hand one has a bridge immediately after its separation and extends a considerable way up the valley containing, Europe Shops, Punch Houses and People of the middle and lower class, and is call’d the upper valley, whilst that part below the bridge is the court end of the town and call’d the lower valley. At the extreme End of the right Hand Street is a fine row of trees, nearly half a Mile in Length, at about half the distance of which are Barracks for the Accomodation of the eight Junior Officers on the Island and for all the Soldiers, and at the upper End stands the Hospital which is no more than a dwelling House made use of for that purpose. The Governors House is a very neat building, as is the Lt. Governor’s, both furnish’d by the Company, & there are several other neat, but not large Houses in the valley. They are very dear as all materials for building must be brought thither by the shipping. I suppose they fetch as much money as Houses of an equal Goodness would in a frequented part of London. At the back of their Houses is a strong wall to stop any stones that may tumble from the mountains which hang frightfully over the valley. The Number [end page 105]
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of Inhabitants of the Island are said to be 2100, 1200 of whom are blacks who are kept under the most rigid subjection by their Masters. The Appearance of the interior parts of the Country after gaining the summit of one of the Hills is in some parts very romantic, because one of the highest peaks will be cover’d with verdure, whilst the next, the much lower may not have a blade of Grass. The country has a number of Houses dispers’d throughout, the owners of the greatest part of whom, have Houses likewise in the valley, on account of being in the Company’s service. Which circumstance alone has been the Destruction of the Island, for planters (so farmers are call’d) for many having no reliance but on their Cattle and their land, were really industrious and indefatigable; but when once receiv’d into the service, they get a sinecure for doing nothing, and lapse into a state of Negligence and Inactivity. . As this Island was originally peopled and is now held for the sole purpose of refreshing the Companies ships homeward bound, principal attention is paid to the rearing and keeping of black Cattle. And as Herbage is so excessively scarce, to prevent a greater Consumption of it than is absolutely necessary, several Ordinations have been establish’d, whereby every planter must annually give in an Account of the numbers of black Cattle he feeds (which number is limited by the Govr. & Council) [end page 106]
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and the reasons for any deficiency or superfluity, nor is it lawful for a Man to kill a Bullock of his own, without being first authorised by the Govr. & Council so to do. A Bullock is allowed to every three Acres, and the planters Names being constantly enroll’d in a List together with the Extent of the Farms, it is next to an impossibility for Cattle to be kill’d without its becoming public. They kill in rotation, every Planter having it in his Turn to kill in a regular Manner. It being lately imagin’d that the Number of Sheep fed on the Island destroy’d the feed of the black Cattle, an order was issu’d that every planter should keep such a number of sheep only, to such a number of acres, as the Island, (they said) was in danger of being overrun. There are a great Number of Goats running wild on the Island, who sometimes do Considerable Mischief by getting upon high precipices and tumbling down loose Pieces of Rock; these the soldiers are paid for killing when found in certain Situations. All kinds of poultry are scarce in this Island, owing to their being obliged to import all the Grain they give them. The price of provisions is Beef when permitted to be sold 5 PH Sheep 20[?] PHead. Goats 10[?] PHead. Lambs & Kids 10.[?] PHead grown Hogs 4[?] PH - fat D.o 6[?] PH. roasting D.o 5[?] PPig. Fowls 3[?] PCouple. Ducks 3[?] PCouple. Turkins 6[?]. Geese 5[?] Their Gardens never produce a sufficient Quantity of Vegetables to sell, indeed they can scarcely supply themselves when they have Lodgers. [end page 107]
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But the Chief Dependance of the Islanders is on the sea, as most of them live upon Fish of which there is great vanity. Every Housekeeper on the Island has a slave continually out in a boat, who when no ships are there entirely support their Master’s Families. Very few Families eat Bread, substituting in its Room a Root call’d Yam which when boil’d bears some resemblance to a Potatoe. On these and Mackarell their slaves subsist, tho they get fish of a better quality viz. YellowTails, Albicores, Cavallies, Bonettoes, Bream, Conger Eels, an excellent kind of spotted Rock fish call’d Jacks, soldiers, Rockfish, Bull’s Eyes, soldiers, fivefingers, silver Eels, leather Coats, Green Fish, Gurmets[?], Old Wives Cunning Fish, Parrotfish, Ink Fish, Trumpetters, Silver Fish & many others. The Soldiers live upon Salt Provisions, & Biscuit which they get from England, or the Cape. The Island abounds with excellent water cresse and every Hill is cover’d with an antiscorbutic Herb, Purslaine, which when boil’d becomes Mucilaginous. These Circumstances, added to [illegible] Temperature of the Climate, prevent the Scurvy from appearing. There are Rabbits, Pheasants, & Partridges on the Island, but not in abundance, as they will not allow them Time to encrease; several kinds of small Birds which have been let fly, have multiplied exceedingly. Here is one Species something resembling the Pidgeon and call’d St. Helena Pidgeon. The Vegetable productions of the [end page 108]
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Island are by no means numerous, altho with care, I believe they might raise any thing. They have all the european Gardenstuff & the peach, pear, & apple Trees, the Former of which I think produces peaches equall if not superior to the English. They have no large Timber, but a Considerable Quantity of Underwood & Tirzes of flowers they have the Rose, Pink, Narcissus, Geranium, & a few more, (I omitted when speaking of Fruit to mention, oranges, Lemons, plantains & Grapes,) Mertle grows plentifully in every Hedge. The following eight Lines were written from Report before I had visited every Part of the Island, when I found this assertion erroneous. . There are no venomous Creatures on the Island, & only one, wild one, call’d the Wild Cat, partaking nearly of the Nature of that Animal. Few if any Minerals have been discover’d on the Island. I have heard repeatedly that there were evident marks of Combustion, on the Rocks, with burnt stones resembling pummice, which would seem to tell us that the Island was originally thrown up by some violent commotion below, but altho’ such a suggestion may have its probability, I must confess I never saw any Trace of what is alluded to; the rocks are hard and solid, without any apparent mixture of ore or Metall, rising regularly, stratum super stratum to a great Height. There is a common Notion that under Major Bassets’ House is a Vein of Gold; but I am apt to think that the first fabricator of this Tale, meant that the Vein of Gold, was in that House, the Bassets being the the richest Family on the Island. [end page 109]
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The Affairs of the Island are conducted by a Council compos’d of five viz. the Governor Lt Governor & the three senior civil officers, who meet every Monday. The Governor is Commander in Chief of the Forces which are 500, tho’ upon an alarm every Man is on Duty. The Civil Servants & Planters at that Time form Two parties call’d Scouting Parties station’d upon the Hills to roll down stones upon the invaders Heads, by which Means they would certainly be able to do great Execution. An Alarm House is station’d upon the Weathermost Point of the Island & when a Ship is in sight they communicate to the valley by signals. If four sail are seen a general alarm is beat, and should they be in sight at sunset the Garrison is obliged to remain under arms all Night. This the Dutch, Danes, & Swedes, often oblige them to, as they always make the Island, but seldom come in. St. Helena is by nature, peculiarly defended against an Enemy. The __ Trade Wind blows constantly over it, and St James’s Valley is in the leewardmost part of the Island, where the only Anchoring Ground that is to leeward, runs out scarcely three Quarters of a Mile. If an Enemy lands to windward, there is a Strong Battery to receive them at Sandy Bay, from whence their ships will not be able to get out, but be in Danger of going on shore. If they attempt to attack to leeward, they must [end page 110]
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necessarily keep very close in shore, where there are several Batteries mounting 32 Pounders, Howitzers etc. over their Heads, who would pour Destruction on a Ship, when no Ships Guns could reach them; And if she is once driven off it will take her several Days to work up again. But I should imagine it would never be worth an Enemy’s While to attempt taking it, since it could be with no other view than to secure the Indiamen as they come in, & which service would be more successfully perform’d by cruizing to windwd. They would meet with nothing but private property on the Island, which must be very inconsiderable; I think it would be a lucky Circumstance for the English E.I. Company, if this Island were taken from them, for every Body knows, the service it does the Company is very inadequate to the 30,000£ PAn.[?] it costs them … Let us place against this 30,000£, the Benefit that the homeward bound ships recieve. When we in Company with the Fox and the two other ships arriv’d we found the Pss.[?] royal, who had been there seven weeks, and notwithstanding she was return’d from the most unhealthy Part of India, they had not been able to procure one Bullock for their People. Upon our remonstrating, we were order’d six Bullocks each during our Stay, but when from the Length of Time it was found absolutely necessary to encrease the allowance, the Planters were reduced to the Necessity (and to them a cruel one) of killing their [end page 111]
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Breeding Stock. Vegetables, those most essential Articles for Men sick of, or recovering from the Scurvy are not procurable, except the wild kind. As the Island is annually supplied with Stores, Provisions, etc. from England, if the Store Ship is taken or lost, they are plung’d into the utmost Distress. What then is this Island, without Provisions of either kind, but a kind of Rendezvous, where ships might assemble in order to save the Enemy the Trouble of cruizing for them. . There are many spots of the Company’s Land on the Island admirable calculated for a Garden, where Cabbages, Coleworts and every kind of culinary stuff, might with ease be rear’d to supply the shipping at such a regulated price as might indemnify the Company from Expence, nor would such a step deprive the Cattle of their Pasture if proper spots & corners were chosen. But since the Company have impolitically permitted individuals to engross the Land no Improvements will be made, as they have not spint sufficient to expend a present small sum notwithstanding there is the fairest prospect of its becoming of Advantage to them, and of utility to the Community. I have long deferr’d speaking of their Characters, and I am sorry that it will not redound to their Honour. A Man must be very partial indeed to give them such an one as would not distinguish them from all the world besides for innate and hereditary vices of the Heart. Yet as amongst Thorns, a rising flower will here & there attract our attention, so on the Island of St Helena there are a few, unpolluted by the general Corruption, and who observe the [end page 112]
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actions of their fellow Islanders with an attentive eye, in order to preserve a quite different path. Yet those Men are neglected, and perhaps obnoxious to the Generality for their Virtues, on which and on their own Industry they alone have Dependance. . I suppose that on the Face of the Globe there is not an Island, Kingdom or province so distracted by perpetual contentions, and animosities. They whose good Fortune, or the Industry of their Forefathers have plac’d them above the common people, seem to fix their summum bonum in devising new Oppressions for their Inferiors, whilst they on the other Hand, use every artifice, to procure the power of oppressing likewise. Cozenage, Deceit, lying, Stealing, in short Murder, and every other Crime how atrocious soever, pass unnotic’d. When by themselves they study to deceive each other, but the Moment a ship arrives, a cessation takes place, and all turn their attention to pick the pockets of the unwary strangers. . . . . The mean, low, dirty Methods practis’d on this Island to get Money are astonishing. The Idea of one Counsellor’s letting Lodgings, & another’s keeping a Billiard Table, are so irreconcilable with our European Notions of Decorum and Prosperity, that one cannot expect any better Behaviour from them than what I have just mention’d. Had I not been an Eye Witness to it, I should scarcely have believ’d, that the sons of Englishmen would have so degenerated. [end page 113]
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Amidst the many Improprieties that are crept into the E.J. Companies Affairs, none I think call louder for attention than one at St Helena, I mean the permitting so great a sale of Liquors to the Soldiers of the Garrison, the consequence of which is, that all subordination is remov’d from amongst them, They are continually unfit for Duty, negligent and ignorant of Discipline, and Lives are frequently lost by their falling in a state of Drunkeness from Rocks over which they must necessarily pass. Scarcely a single Guard is relieve’d, without some being under Confinement for Drunkeness, or for Crimes committed under its Influence. . And whilst Liquor is procurable it is impossible to prevent their using it immoderately For a Flogging is of Effect no longer than it is felt, and its Impression on the Mind is effaced before that on the Back. This Evil is severely felt and complain’d of, by the officers, who are no longer obey’d, than their orders are enforc’d by the Drummer’s Hand. An indifferent Person would wonder why an Establishment so easily eradicable, as this appears to be, should resist the strong remonstrances of reason, but he will suspend his wonder when told that by an express order from the Court of Directors, the power of landing and disposing spirituous Liquors is lodg’d in a Society establish’d for that purpose and in them solely. . . . [end page 114]
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This society is made up of seven Members whose profits annually amount in the whole at a moderate compensation to £2500. . Which sum is divided as follows. The third and fourth in Council have one third of the whole £833[?].6[?].8 The fifth in Council, Secy. Store Keeper, Parson, & Surgeon divide the remaining ⅔d. having each £333.6.8. ……….
1666.13.4 / 2500 • “ • “
(The Governor, and Lt Governor are excluded from the society) ...
By this Society are licens’d five Punch Houses who are allow’d each sixty Gallons PWeek, and are honour’d with the Title of the Company’s Punch Houses. They buy their Arrack from the Cellars at 6.s 6.d PGallon and retail it to the Soldiers etc. at 12.s 12.d, so that exclusive of the oportunity all people of that Tribe have of adulterating their Liquors The Punch House keepers have a clear annual Profit of £936. It is surprising that in so small an Island (where there are only a Garrison of five hundred Men & that number not compleat) so great a sum as £4680[?] should be clear’d annually by Punch Houses, but it is most strictly true. All the Inhabitants of the Island whether civil or military except the Society are prohibited the Importation of Liquor, but are allow’d a certain Quantity Monthly, paying the Society 6d PGallon above prime cost, and so great is the quantity thus expended as to bring them in nearly [end page 115]
1666.13.4 / 2500 • “ • “
(The Governor, and Lt Governor are excluded from the society) ...
By this Society are licens’d five Punch Houses who are allow’d each sixty Gallons PWeek, and are honour’d with the Title of the Company’s Punch Houses. They buy their Arrack from the Cellars at 6.s 6.d PGallon and retail it to the Soldiers etc. at 12.s 12.d, so that exclusive of the oportunity all people of that Tribe have of adulterating their Liquors The Punch House keepers have a clear annual Profit of £936. It is surprising that in so small an Island (where there are only a Garrison of five hundred Men & that number not compleat) so great a sum as £4680[?] should be clear’d annually by Punch Houses, but it is most strictly true. All the Inhabitants of the Island whether civil or military except the Society are prohibited the Importation of Liquor, but are allow’d a certain Quantity Monthly, paying the Society 6d PGallon above prime cost, and so great is the quantity thus expended as to bring them in nearly [end page 115]
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a profit of £500 PAn. The Slaves have seldom the Powers of procuring Liquor, so that all the Punch Houses vend, may be said to be drank up by the Soldiers. As an Instance that what I have said respecting their profits is founded on Fact A Servant of Mr Cornielle Lt Govr. having been a few Years ago appointed thro’ the Interest of his master to one of these Houses, return’d to England lately with £7000. And the present Keeper of one who five Years ago was a servant to the Governor is worth as much if not more. Another Man quitted it whilst I was there having made a handsome Fortune, and four different Families applied for the Vacant Place. Thus are the Lives of a Number of Men sported with in order to advance the Fortunes of a few Individuals, and I fear that whilst 2, or 3000£ is realized by the leading people, no step will be taken to stop such irregularities. Several Schemes have been propos’d, but all rejected, because they were detrimental to their Purses. The Divine and Physician had formerly no Share in this iniquitous Business, and the Islanders relate a very pretty Tale concerning them. These Worthy Personages had for some Time a Salary, very insufficient to support them in a becoming stile, and seeing the vast Income of the Society (which then consisted of five Members only) each had a Hankering for a Share. In pursuance of the General Rule of Politicians they thought the only way to gain admittance, was by commenc [end page 116]
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=ing Hostilities with them. Accordingly the Parson inveigh’d bitterly from the Pulpit against Intemperance, and denounc’d God’s Judgements against Drunkards, whereby he became formidable. The Æsculapean Gentleman was as ready to condemn its Effects on the Body, as the other was on the Soul; so that by the one’s pretending to strive for the spiritual, and the other for the temporal Interest, they made a shift to pave a Way to their own; and in a short Time got safely lodg’d in the Society.
Charity and a respect for the Fair Sex prevent me from speaking about what the World speaks of them, or in other Words what they speak of one another. Calumny I will allow is no where so industrious as at St Helena, where an Angel could scarcely be free from consorious Tongues. But at the same Time I must acknowledge that they are destitute of those little winning acts, which endear them to our Sex, and fix a Lustre on Their Character, tho not for want of attention on their part; for being over anxious to please, they set out on an erroneous path, and lose themselves in the Wilds of Coquetry. Besides, their persons being always at the Disposal of perhaps an avaricious parent, and their Charms put up at public Sale to be purchas’d by the best Bidder, are motives sufficient to extinguish the kindling Flame of a generous passion, & make them subservient to a parents selfish Disposition . . [end page 117]
Charity and a respect for the Fair Sex prevent me from speaking about what the World speaks of them, or in other Words what they speak of one another. Calumny I will allow is no where so industrious as at St Helena, where an Angel could scarcely be free from consorious Tongues. But at the same Time I must acknowledge that they are destitute of those little winning acts, which endear them to our Sex, and fix a Lustre on Their Character, tho not for want of attention on their part; for being over anxious to please, they set out on an erroneous path, and lose themselves in the Wilds of Coquetry. Besides, their persons being always at the Disposal of perhaps an avaricious parent, and their Charms put up at public Sale to be purchas’d by the best Bidder, are motives sufficient to extinguish the kindling Flame of a generous passion, & make them subservient to a parents selfish Disposition . . [end page 117]
A Voyage to the East Indies: Page 118
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A Voyage to the East Indies: Page 118
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We lay at St Helena twenty weeks in the Course of which Time Twelve ships arriv’d from China, and one from Madras. In the Beginning of July the Shark Sloop who had been detach’d from Johnstons’ Fleet to cruize off the Cape, arriv’d but brought no news we having learnt from a store ship who arriv’d a week before the most remarkable occurrences in Europe and America. In the latter part of July the Renown 50 Gun Ship arriv’d who had been sent to the Brazils for five Chinamen, (who had come to St Helena) but not finding them there after remaining six weeks she came away for St Helena. On the 29th of July 1781 The signal was made for sailing, when we all got under way & proceeded to sea, making together a Fleet of two and twenty sail of which two were Men of War, eighteen Indiamen, and two Whalers, who had been Fishing on the Coast of Brazil, but had been lying at St Helena waiting for Convoy upwards of four Months. We sail’d in two regular Lines having nine Indiaman on each of the Commodore’s Quarters, two of the oldest Captains were order’d to wear Flags, to deceive the Enemy should we be so unfortunate as to fall in with them by our formidable appearance. ––––– [end page 118]
A Voyage to the East Indies: Page 119
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A Voyage to the East Indies: Page 119
A Voyage to the East Indies: Page 120
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A Voyage to the East Indies: Page 120
A Voyage to the East Indies: Inside Back Cover
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A Voyage to the East Indies: Inside Back Cover
A Voyage to the East Indies: Back Cover
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A Voyage to the East Indies: Back Cover