Being come aboard we have been hindered by calmes and contrary winds to get from the land till we found ourselves 40 leagues in [at] sea; then, getting E. and N.E. winds, we set our course towards the lyne, S.S.E.
17 March
We are at the height of 6 degrees, and passed between Ceylon and Achin with fair weather and many calmes.
Anno 1612. 27 March
We were even passed the lyne, having sometimes calmes and hard showers of rain. We found by the variation that we were driven much about [towards] the west.
7 April
We came by 3 islands and shortly after we saw the land of Sumatra, and were at 4 degrees variation, which differed 100 (miles) leagues from our guessing [reckoning], being driven so much more about [towards] the W. then our guessing was.
11 ditto
We passed the Island of Engano, lying about 19 leagues without the land of Sumatra.
12 ditto
Being Easterday, we entered the Sunda Strait, and came about 2 (miles) leagues near the Salte Island [Krakatoa group], whereas we met with a mighty stream which put us back again out of the Strait, not being able to get the land either at one or other side, driving in that fashion till the 22, and then we came at an anchor at the westernmostcorner or point of Java. There we took in some fresh water, and set sail again the 24th in the morning, keeping along the coast of Java till we came to discover the passage between Java and the islands, being a very fair place to enter, having good ground for anchorage at the side of Java, with wich we did stop it that night till the 26 of April, whenas we arrived in the road of Bantam, our men being in good and healthfull disposition. God Almighty be thanked for all His mercies showed onto us.
26 April
Being arrived in the road of Bantam there came presently aboard of us Mr Augustine Spalding , who declared onto us the state of Bantam, and that since the departure of David Middleton there had been no English ships here, neither had they heared any news of Sir Henry Middletons ships, which makethe us to presume that the news of Mecha [Mocha] is true. Moreover, he said there were arrived 3 Holland and Sealands [Zeeland] ships, whereof the ships called der Veer and Bandawere gone for the Moluccas, together with the pinnas called the Halfe Moone, and that the ship Bantam, being arrived a whole month after the others, not being able to come to the Moluccas, lay at present at Jakatra, to go for Johore and Patanie; which foresaid ships brought news that the Hector, the Clove and the Irish ship were not come forth in May last. Whereat we marveled very much, not being able to guess what might be the cause thereof, seeing we ever feared to come to late to Bantam. God Almighty preserve them, granting them a prosperous voyage to the good contentment of their masters.
After that we had discoursed together, we have consulted what were best to be done (for) by us to agree with the Governor in the matter touching the custom, in regard both the English and the Dutch had payed no custom befor this time; but this Governor had brought in the matter per force, setting the custom at 5 per cent. Whereonto the Dutch not willing to condescend, load and discharge all their goods at Jakatra, thinking to break up their lodging at Bantam. The which being well considered by us, we could not tell well what to resolve, fearing to have the name of bringing in an evil custom; yet in regard the Company had neither house nor men at Jacatra, and that we were compeled to bring some goods on shore, we thought it fitting to speak with the Governor to see whereonto he could be brought.
27 ditto
Thus this day Mr Spalding and I went ashore, taking with us a present of lawne, coming to speak with him the same night, and after dyvers complementsfell to our purpose, asking him leave to land our goods (to) in the manner formerly used. He, understanding our meaning, said it might not be so, allegeing dyvers purposes which were altogether without reason; yet we propounding onto him that our ship was the first that was come from Choromandell, and had been at great charges, which we desired him to consider, he put us in good hope, suffering us to depart homewards that night, with promise to call us again the next day and, having consulted with his [blank] to give us a good answer; whereupon we departed.
28 ditto
In the morning very early the Pangaran [Governor] caused us to be called, and, after many friendly words and excuses, he told us that it might not be that the custom or toll should be given altogether free to us, in regard the King was at great charges and his revenues but little, and if he should receive nothing of such ships, who then would be able to do it? Yet to show us honor and give us contentment, he was contented to give us some abatement, and that we should offer ourselves what we were willing to give. Whereupon, after long consultation had, seeing it impossible to come of otherwise, we offered him 2 1/2 per cent. Whereupon he was contented to let it at 3 percent, the which we accepted, refering the reformation of this to the ships that may come hereafter, which may bear it out with a fiter opportunity, though we, who had no leisure and were but in a manner ready for a flight, either for one place or another, least any monsoon might be lost. Thus being agreed with him, we ordered a cargazon [a portion of the ships cargo], something of every sort, to be landed, to see how the prices would fall out, causing to that effect a shop to be made for to sell as well by the small or retail as in gross.
Here Mr Spalding showed us the account of Mr Heamsorte [Thomas Emmesworth], and the letter of Sir Henry Middleton, being written from the bay of Saldana [Table Bay], wherein he expressly charged the liegers [representatives or residents abroad] at Bantam to buy as much pepper as was possible for the lading of his ship or ships, and if in case they had no money nor stock, then to use their credit, both at Bantam, Priaman, as also in the Moluccos, and that at his coming he would give good contentment to everybody. Whereupon the said Heamsorte took of one Nachoda Tingall 6000 R8 at 3 1/2 and 4 per cent per month, more then a year ago, buying as then the pepper at 1 3/4 and 2 R8 the sack, which at this present is worth 12 in [or] 13 R8 the 10 sacks, and apparent to come to 1 R8 the sack with this new growth about. Some 14 days before our arrival deceased the said Nachoda Tingall, making his sisters son his heir, who to his good fortune got this recognition [acknowledgment] of Heamsorte closely [secretly] into his hands; whereas the Governor of Bantam did cross [oppose] the will, desiring that Nachoda Tingalls brothers son should be chiefest heir. Whereupon the cousins entered their sute at law, not being come to an end at our departure; and nobody knowing of this money but only the aforesaid sisters son, who had the recognition, he requested that it might be kept secret, for else the Governor would get a hand in it; which was promised him by Mr Spalding and performed by us. For we, seeing so chargeable an interest running on at the charge of the Company, offered him payment of the whole sum in apparel according to the market price; but he, fearing that thereby the matter might come to light, durste not accept of it, but would rather stay till the next ships that should come to receive his payment then in money. Whereupon we told him that that would not so come us to pass [suit], seeing we offered to give him contentment, or else he should desist from asking henceforward any interest. But he allegeing his reasons again, we finally agreed that he should not have any interest for the next 3 months ensewing; and if he were not paid by that time, then to have interest as before. Wherewithall he was contented, and a writing being made of it, it was delivered in hands of Mr Spalding. And this is all that according to reason we could do in this matter.
By order of David Middleton there was set a factory in Succadama (west coast of Borneo), and is continued by Mr Spalding; but our witts are not able to conceive to whose profit this is done, for the diamonds are bought there at 16 R8 the carat, good and bad, one with another; and, besides, there could not be employed in that place passing 2 or 3000 R8 yearly; upon which stock 5 Englishmen at the least must be maintained and as many Moslems. The charges of setting forth the junckes, the presents in Succadama, and other charges would stand at least in 2000 R8 yearly. Now, everyone may make a reconing what a stone of 1 carat will come to stand in; but I do firmly believe that the same is set up and continued for the driving of a privat trade, David Middleton having sent thether for his own self 400 R8, besides that what others do; so that it is easy to be thought what become of the best stones, and who beared the charges. Truly the Company had tied us to strictly, seeing the Englishmen trade so openly and grosly, as here in Bantam we have seen and been informed and find by Mr Browne, so that we have good reason to complain; but now we must go through, for our complaint comes too late.
Mr Brownes money, in regard we found no ships here wherewith to make it over, was found good to be kept for the account of the Globe, for dyvers reason, whereof we shall write to the Company more at large.
Here we found 4 China junckes, which had brought very little goods of any importance, as raw silk, velvets, damasks or taphaties [taffetas], and such bad and filthy gear as ever came in Bantam, the best whereof was bought up by the Dutch, and the rest by some of China and other strangers, to be transported for Atchin and Priaman, so that there was but little left to be bought by us. And in regard of the scarcity of the R8 in Bantam, which for the most part were bought up by the Chinese, the lawnes were in small request, only to barter against pepper, to which we would not harken, hoping that towards the new growth the lawnes will be better requested and the pepper better cheap. And seeing that for this time here was nothing else to be done, we resolved to depart hence for Patanie towards the first of June nect coming, and so for Siam, and to leave here such lawnes as we hope may be best requested; and according to this resolution we have ordained to leave here all our tapes kitchill [tapih kechil - small sarong] and tape girdless for the making up of the 4000 R8, the rest to remain to be employed fot the account of the ship the Globe, as appeared more at large by the instruction left with Augustin Spalding and George Chancey, according to which they are to rule themselves, as also an instruction for the next ships that were to come and to go for the coast of Choromandell.
The lawnes which first we had ordayned for the account of the 4000 R8 we have kept for the account of the ship, seeing that at this time they were not here requested, and especially because we would fain have of all sorts in the ship, to try what sort would yield best profit, for a direction against the second time, and left the tape sarassas at Bantam, as before is mentioned, seeing those are most requested there and yield most profit.
Mr Browne and Simon Ivens being deceased, and being tied by order of the Company to leave a man at Bantam, which fell very hard to us, wherefore we would fayne have taken Augustin Spalding into our service again, offering him 10li. sterling, but could not persuade him, whereof I think Succadama to be the cause, we have been fain to help ourselves with such as we found, ordayning that George Chancy should tarry here on land to follow the order of the Company, taking on again in his place John Persons, promising him 50ss. per month, giving him the name or title of merchant, for, having a good report, we have put so much upon him the better to incourage him to do us further service.
Thus, seeing that there was no more to be done here, we have followed our resolution, and having written our success [results] at large, with the copies of our books and other remembrances, we sealed those papers in a book, leaving the same with Augustin Spalding to be sent for England with the first ships, to Sir Thomas Smith and [the] Company. We embarked ourselves from Bantam the last of May, having buried at man at Bantam, being the 7th person that died in our whole voyage, and left another to Augustin Spalding, whom he sent for Succadama.