by him bid to sit on his left Hand on a small Bench and next him his Prime Officers to all whom the Vice-Roy seem'd to be somewhat more affable than the General saying That the Hollanders were now no Strangers and that he had been acquainted with them in Canton and done them several good Offices in their Negotiation there and that he was as ready now to serve them as heretofore especially because a Person of greater Quality was imploy'd with like Addresses to his Imperial Majesty Whereupon the Ambassador modestly reply'd That he had been well inform'd of his Highness former Affection and Favor to their Nation at Canton and also of the late continuation of the same Civility and Goodness to Constantine Nobel ever since his residing there for which he return'd him especial Thanks not doubting but he would keep up his Hospitable Character to Strangers in assisting them in this their present Embassy in which they desir'd nothing but what was Just and Honorable and might be beneficial to both Nations Which he promis'd very seriously and that he would write in the Ambassadors behalf to all his Correspondents in the Council of State at Peking Then the Vice-Roy inquiring in the same manner as the other did about the Presents and the Lading the Ambassador fearing that some Contest might arise as formerly with the General waved the Dispute onely replying That they would be all ready in good Season but the Merchandise he did not concern himself with Whereupon the Vice-Roy said Well let it pass but desir'd the Ambassador to lend him his Chyrurgeon for a day or two which he promis'd when Dinner being upon the Table breaking off all further Discourse the Vice-Roy desir'd them to sit at his own Table on his left Hand which is there the chief place where they did eat in the same Dish and drank in the same Bowl with the Vice-Roy So having been plentifully treated they took their leave and return'd to their Lodging At their going away two Mandarins follow'd the Ambassador telling him That the Vice-Roy return'd him many Thanks for the Presents which he had sent in the Morning but durst not receive them as yet therefore he desir'd him to send for them home till they went to Peking Whereto the Ambassador made Answer That they were onely a few Trifles for his Children and desir'd that they would please to proffer them once more to his Highness which they promis'd to do but however towards Evening they were return'd again with the same Excuse Next Morning being the twenty seventh the Ambassador consulted with his Council of what had hapned to him the day before and ask'd what was further to be done for the advancing of this great Embassy and also read over the Instructions given him in Batavia after which having seriously consider'd they unanimously concluded and agree'd That Nobel and Harthouwer should that Morning go to the General to tell his Highness That the Ambassador endeavoring to satisfie him in all Points whatsoever therefore desir'd that the Blyswiik and two Jonks might come up thither with the Merchandise and Presents and that then he should receive them But whilst they were yet busie about this their Resolution three Mandarins came to desire Nobel to come to the Vice-Roy where the General also expected him thither he and Harthouwer went immediately At this time the Governor of Soansifoe sent the Ambassador as a Present a couple of fat Oxen besides other good Kitchen Provision Mean while Nobel and Harthouwer came back from the Court and related That they still desir'd that the Merchandise and Presents might be brought ashore which they excus'd urging the several Inconveniences but told them that all should be done in good time when the Presents and Frigats might by unlading be least damnified concerning which they would come and Treat with his Highness to Morrow The twenty eighth in the Morning about day-light the Secretary carried the Message to the General who at his return told That having staid an Hour ere he was admitted to his Presence and having complemented his Highness in the Ambassadors Name he answer'd him roughly saying in a teasty manner That he had spoke with the Ambassador two days since and granted him as many Jonks as he desir'd for the unloading of his Goods and come you now to ask more Let it be so said he I will supply them with Twenties and if that will not serve with Hundreds but in brief none of their Ships shall come up the River Tell your Master continu'd he that I am a Man that keep my Word no Promise-breaker therefore what I grant they may be assur'd of I know that you are come hither from remote Countreys through long and turbulent Seas with Ships freighted with Merchandise How then should I be so inhumane as not to serve you in what I may towards the accomplishing of your Desires But first land your Presents and when I have seen them I will write in your behalf to Peking And the more to manifest my good Intentions and the Love I have for the Ambassador I will suffer one of his Ships to come up to the Bridge but accompanied with my Jonks for which Favor the Secretary return'd him thanks in the Ambassadors Name promising to give his Master an Account thereof The Ambassador order'd Nobel and Harthower to go to the General so soon as it was possible and thanking him for his Kindness further to request a Pass to bring up the Blyswiik Frigat and send two Mandarins to help them that all things might be done according to his desire The twenty ninth in the Morning the Comptroller Ruwenoort went with the Chyrurgeon Hans Voorechter to the Court to carry their Highnesses the following Letters and desire their Answers The first being to the Vice Roy Singlamong contain'd That the Ambassador had sent his Chyrurgeon to his Highness Service The rest was written to the same purpose with the other three viz. That the Ambassador desir'd to know when his Highness pleas'd to accept of a Visit and treat about the Embassy The thirtieth nothing hapned of Remark Next Morning two of the Generals Officers came to the Ambassador and in their Lords Name privately proffer'd him three hundred Tail which they had brought with them for the Chain of Blood-Corral and Quilt Goods which he desir'd to be sent on which the Ambassador smiling return'd That he was no Merchant neither bought nor sold but if the General would please to accept of those Trifles as a Present he would take their Reception as a high Honor and if his Highness hereafter might have a fancy to buy any Goods belonging to the Hollanders that their Merchant Nobel should furnish him With which Answers the foremention'd Persons return'd to give an Account thereof to the General In the Afternoon the Vice-Roys Officers return'd with many Thanks to the Ambassador for his Presents which his Highness had kindly receiv'd and as a grateful Return had sent him
and when they mention them in their Writings take notice of them no otherwise for their Characters that spell Beast anagrammatiz'd signifie a Stranger also stigmatizing them with some Mark or Accent that may interpret them worse than Devil These Orders were more than strictly observ'd towards Strangers while the Chineses were Govern'd by their own Native Princes but the Oriental Tartars which so lately by Conquest are become Masters of the Empire let loose the Reins of that part of their Ancient Policy and less scrupulous are more indifferent leaving opener Doors to the admittance of Trade and Commerce The Chief Council of New Batavia still watching all Opportunities for Improvement of Traffick being inform'd by Father Martinius That the Conquering Tartars now setled in China would more readily receive Addresses concerning Trade than the former Chinese Princes resolv'd to make Tryal thereof by sending a Vessel laden with several Merchandises from the Island Tayowan to which purpose Frederick Schedell being order'd with a Ship call'd the Brown-Fish from Tayowan came within nine days after his departure from thence to an Anchor in the Mouth of the River Canton near the Island Haytomon His Business at first was so well resented that the Vice-Roys of Canton granted him under their Hands Licence to sell and barter the Contents of his Cargo and also to build a Store-house in Canton for their better Accommodation although they were advis'd and perswaded to the contrary by the Portuguese Staple at Macao who in their Letters to the Vice-Roys gave but a sad Account of the Hollanders saying That they were Traytors and Rebels against their true Prince scarce having any Countrey of their own or Religion but liv'd by Pyracy robbing and plundering whatever they light upon either by Sea or Land hoping by thus decrying their Reputation to set a stop to their begun Proceedings and new Factory In like manner the Chinese Philosophers great Students of their Countreys Antiquities by the Instigations of the Portuguese Iesuits inform'd also the Vice-Roys that the Hollanders were a Nation odious and through all Ages detested by the Chineses and never upon any account had the least admittance into their Empire But though this Intelligence did something yet it had not the expected efficacy and the Hollanders had gone on and carried the Business when accidentally a great Person coming from the Imperial City Peking to Canton first disswaded the Vice-Roys from what they intended therein saying It was quite another thing to permit any one free Egress and Regress into their Dominions than to give them a Place of Residence on the Shore without the knowledge of the Supreme Authority but that he ought to acquaint the Emperor therewith if he intended not to incur his displeasure Upon which the old Vice-Roy changing his Determination civilly sent to Schedell desiring him for that time to depart with all his Company lest his abiding there so long might be misconstru'd by his King Matsuyker as a deterring or some restraint upon them although Schedell urg'd much that there could be no such cause of mistrust there using many Arguments The Vice-Roys presenting him at his departure gave him also two Letters to Nicholas Verburgh Governor of Tayowan first complementing and then advising him that the best and onely way for the Hollanders to obtain liberty for setting up a Factory at Canton and licence to Trade in China was by Address to the Emperor by way of Embassy carrying rich Presents to the Emperor at Peking The Council at Batavia observing the Advice they receiv'd would not of themselves undertake so great a business unless so order'd from their Masters of the East-India Company which asking some time to bring about they in the mean time resolv'd to venture out another Ship to try her Fortune at Canton To which purpose they chose Zacharias Wagenaer a Merchant and the same Frederick Schedell who with two Ships the Brown-Fish and Whiting laden with Merchandize arriv'd a Month after they left Batavia in the Mouth of the River Canton and from thence went to Wangsoe a Village three Leagues from the City Wagenaer at last arriving at Canton deliver'd his Letters from the Council in Batavia by the old Vice-Roys Secretary having no admission to the Vice-Roy and receiv'd for Answer That since the Hollanders had neither brought Letters nor Presents for the Emperor in Peking of which they were expresly advis'd the more to facilitate their business therefore lest he should be question'd he neither would nor could see or speak with them So that Wagenaer and Schedell return'd having made a fruitless Voyage without any success to Batavia Soon after they having receiv'd Expresses from the Governors of the East-India Company in Holland to set forth an Embassy according to the Advice of the Vice Roys of Canton sent Peter de Goyer and Iacob de Keyzer Embassadors Peking to the Emperor of China with Letters of Credence and Presents to obtain his Imperial Licence that they might Trade in China These Embassadors arriv'd Anno 1656. in the Chief City Peking The next day some of the Council and the Prime Secretary Thouglauja with two other Tartar Mandarins Quanlauja and Hoolauja came to complement the Embassadors in the Emperors Name to inquire after their Health the number of their Attendants concerning what their Presents were and from whom and whence they came To all which Questions the Mandarins receiving particular Answers listed all those Persons that attended the Embassy which according to the Information sent from Canton were in all twenty four which they set down one after another by their several Names nor did they leave out those Hangers on which were not included in the List. After that they turn'd and look'd over several Presents then inquir'd whence they came how and who made them for what use and in what part of the World And lastly How far or how many Months Sail Holland lay distant from Peking To which the Embassadors having return'd fitting Answers the Mandarins inquir'd further Whether they were a People that dwelt only upon the Seas and had no Land-Habitations which the Portuguese Iesuits put into their Heads or if they inhabited any Countrey what they call'd it and where it lay From whence and to what purpose they were sent What was their Kings Name and of what Age All which the Embassadors answer'd Yet they were not so satisfied but interrogating forc'd them to recount the same Answers again But after they grew more curious and began to inquire concerning their manner of Government and if the Embassadors were not of the Blood Royal and of Kin to their Prince For no Forreign Embassadors said they if they be not of Consanguinity with their King are admitted to appear bowing their Heads with all humility before the Imperial Majesty Whereupon the Embassadors reply'd That they were not of the Blood Royal for the manner of their Countrey was not to send Princes of the Blood on such remote Embassies but imploy'd other
and had his chiefest Residence on the Islands Ay Quemuy and others lying under the Continent of China The Chineses themselves on the Main Coast who had submitted and in token thereof shav'd off their Hair conform'd to the Tartars brought them all sorts of Provisions and drove also a private Trade with them The Tartars at last to stop all Provisions from going to the Enemy commanded all the Villages Towns and Hamlets that stood along the Sea-shore or the Main Continent to be burnt to the Ground and the Countrey laid waste and no People suffer'd on pain of death to live within three Leagues of the Sea By this means and likewise by the great Losses which Coxinga sustained from the Tartars assisted by the Netherlanders who set upon them both at Sea and Land he found himself so straightned that Anno 1660. he Sail'd with all his Forces to Tayowan and Formosa both which Islands and also the Castle Zelandia he took in March Anno 1661. after a Siege of ten Moneths Very cruelly were several of the Netherlanders dealt withall especially the Ministers Anthony Hantbroel Aren Vincenius Leonard Campen Peter Muts and others and at last put to death others against Agreement kept in Prison without hopes of attaining their Liberty notwithstanding the great trouble the Hollanders took upon them to procure their enlargement Therefore in revenge of Coxinga's Cruelties and also to regain the conquer'd Places a Fleet was sent out the next year after under the Command of the afore-mention'd Admiral Balthazar Bort and Vice-Admiral Iohn van Campen with the Ambassador Constantine Nobel with Letters from his Excellency Iohn Maetzuiker to Singlamong Vice-Roy of the Territory Fokien and the General Taisang Lipoui for the same purpose and also to request liberty for a free Trade Since the Letter to the Vice-Roy Singlamong in brief contains the Reasons and Intentions for sending out the Fleet to the Coast of China and the dispatching of an Ambassador thither and may also serve for a small declaration of our following Discourse I judge it no way amiss to set it down before-hand being to this effect This Letter comes from John Maetzuiker chief Governor and the Councel for the Netherland State in the Countreys of India to Singlamong Vice-Roy or Governor for the Mighty Emperor of Tartary and China of the Territory Fokien whom the God of Heaven grant long Life and Prosperity on Earth Great and Powerful Sir THe Letter sent some time since from Your Highness to our Governor of Tayowan he hath receiv'd in due time and also not been negligent to Answer according to Request and with all speed sent five Men of War with some Soldiers to the Bay of Engeling that according to Your Highness's noble Proposal and Request they might bidding defiance to Coxinga fall upon him But We were so unhappy that as soon as the Ships set Sail from Tayowan they were surpris'd by a mighty Storm which separated them one from another so that some of them came back to Batavia and others were forc'd to return again to Tayowan which is the onely Reason that We could not perform Our good Intentions according to Your Highness's Pleasure Since which time Coxinga hath joyn'd all his Forces together to Master our Castle in Tayowan having Besieged it ten Moneths rais'd great Batteries against it on all sides and so straitned the Besieged with his Army that the Governor and his Councel concluded to deliver him the Fort which We have resented very ill of our People because as We suppose they have not as they ought to have done manfully resisted the Enemy which as an Example to terrifie others We will not pass by unpunished Yet since We have suffer'd so great a Loss and Damage and chiefly for that against his Promise he hath most cruelly Murder'd several Unarmed Christians on the Island Formosa God who is a hater of such Villanies and a righteous Judge commands Us to take Revenge for our sustained Wrongs so that we are resolv'd with all our Forces to prosecute this Tyrant and not leave till by force of Arms We have brought him to nought And since we are inform'd that Your Highness also intends and endeavors the like Ruine towards him so at once to free the Empire of China from the Oppression which it hath suffer'd so many years by his Means Therefore We think it now the most proper time to obtain as well Your Highness's as our own Desires to which end according to Your Highness's own Proposal We are inclin'd to joyn all Our Land and Sea-Forces with Your Highness's Militia against which We suppose Coxinga will not be able to subsist long And to shew that We really intend it We have sent from hence under the Command of Our Admiral Balthazar Bort to the Bay of Hossien the number of twelve well prepar'd Men of War which considering their strength and fit posture for defence may justly be term'd Floating Castles and will be able to make Coxinga quit the Sea which will not a little trouble and disable him of which We hope Your Highness shall in a short time see the Event We therefore fortifie Our selves hoping that Your Highness will do the like that We may enter into a firm League with the Empire of China with Promises faithfully to assist one another against Coxinga and to hold him for our mortal Enemy and with all Endeavors if it be possible bring him and all his Party to utter Ruine so to make him taste the sharpness of Our Revenge for his committed Villanies But since at present having lost Tayowan We have no convenient Harbors to preserve Our Ships in stormy Weather Our humble Request is That your Highness would please to do us that favor as far as your Commands reach along the Sea-Coasts to Permit and Order us a place wherein our Ships if they should chance to be necessitated may come to an Anchor and that they may be kindly receiv'd and our People entertain'd as Friends and buy Provisions and other Necessaries for Money China and Batavia as your Highness very well knows lie a great distance one from another therefore it is very necessary and requisite that we had a convenient place of Rendezvouz near Coxinga's Channel there to keep our Ships together and watch for his Jonks so that we desire of your Highness that you would be pleas'd to direct us to such a place and to give us leave likewise to Fortifie the same against Coxinga's Assaults for we do assure your Highness if this cannot be granted us it is altogether impossible for us to do the Enemy that damage which may be expected Therefore if we intend to manage this War with Prudence we must be there to wait on our business continually or else we shall not be able to clear the Sea of Coxinga's Ships And as the driving of Trade makes all Nations and People flourish and we are us'd from Antiquity to promote the same for the benefit of the
distant consisting of sixty thousand Horse and Foot five grand Mandarins attended by a File of Musqueteers conducted the Agents with great honor to the Secretaries Tent who hearing of their coming immediately carry'd them to a great Pavilion where the Vice-Roy Singlamong sate in Council with the General Taysing Lipovi besides two other great Lords the one being Santing Hou Bethetok and the other Haitankon Governor of Sinksieu The Floors of this Royal Pavilion were Matted had three publick Gates or Entrances close by one another thorow the middle most and greatest the Vice-Roy passes only and his Attendants thorow the other two Coming close to the Vice-Roy and General the Agents were order'd to sit down and deliver their Letters which they did with great Ceremony the Presents also were presented and deliver'd to the Lords all which were receiv'd very courteously but they would not accept their Presents before they had a Warrant for so doing by an answer from the Emperor at Peking But they kindly accepted of the small Presents which the Admiral Bort had sent them being twelve Pound and two Ounces of Amber-Beads strung on a Thred to the number of twenty five one Amber Hour-Glass and an Amber Cup. The Presents from the Lord General and Council of Batavia sent to the Vice-Roy were these following One Piece of Scarlet Green Cloth Blue Cloth One half Piece of Red Cloth One Piece of Red Crown Serge. Grass Green Crown Serge. Blue Crown Serge. Musk Colour Crown Serge. Black Crown Serge. One Musquet Gilt and Polish'd One Fire-Lock Gilt and Glaz'd One pair of Polish'd Pistols Gilt with Holsters One pair of Pocket Pistols One Sword with a Golden Hilt Twenty Ounces of Blood Coral upon one String in an hundred and ten pieces Sixteen Ounces of Blood Coral in one Polish'd Branch One Pound and four Ounces of Amber Beads in fifty five pieces One great Bengael Alkatiff Ten pieces of fine white Linnen One Pikol of the best Cloves One Case of Rose-Water Two hundred and sixty Katty of Sandal-wood in three pieces The Vice-Roy and General falling in Discourse with the Agents ask'd how long they had been from Batavia Whereupon they answer'd about seventy days Then they ask'd in what time they could come from Holland to China Answer was made in about eight Months at which they marvel'd exceedingly and likewise at their answer to the question If there were any Horses Cows Hogs Sheep Fruit and Herbage and they reply'd By thousands and more than in China Next they enquir'd Why they came with such a Fleet on their Coast Whereto the Agents said To serve the mighty Emperor of China and to prosecute that great Pyrate Coxinga to do him all the damage they could both by Sea and Land because said they He without ever giving any notice or reasons thereof came with an Army in a Warlike Fleet the last Year in April and set upon the Netherlanders in the Islands of Formosa and Tayowan and in nine Months time not only made himself Master of the Countrey but also took the Castle Zelandia from them into his own possession therefore we seek to unite with the Emperor of China his Forces and make a League with him to Engage Coxinga both by Sea and Land till we have Conquer'd and brought him under the subjection of his Imperial Majesty Whereupon the Vice-Roy and General Reply'd The Islanders of Quemuy and Eymuy have already Treated on Peace and made ready their Ambassadors to come to the Court of Peking to obtain the Emperor's Ratification Being ask'd upon what Articles they began to smile and answer'd they could not tell Then the Hollanders enquir'd if they knew where their Prisoners were and if there was no likelihood to get them releas'd They reply'd they were in Quemuy and that they would use their best endeavors in a short time to send them to their Ships Then the Ambassadors propos'd if they might not take possession of some place on the Main Continent of China or on some Island for the Harboring their Ships They answer'd you are free to choose any good place either on the Main or any Island where you please and to take possession of it and likewise to put into all Havens Bays and Rivers on the Coast of China to take in Water and Firing buy Provisions and in bad Weather seek for a safe Harbor To which purpose We will Command Our Subin all Havens Bays and Rivers to aid and assist you which We doubt not but they will perform The Agents asking them to Grant them leave for the disposing those few Merchandize for Money which were loaden in their Ships to pay and refresh their Men with The Vice-Roy and General answer'd That they had no Power but they must have Order from the Emperor at Peking but had they moved it before they might perhaps have had Authority to Grant After these Discourses ended every one according to the fashion of the Countrey was placed by himself at a Table viz. the Vice-Roy Singlamong the General Taysang Lipovi the Admiral Santing Houbethetok the Governor of Zwamsifoe the Vice-Admiral Van Campen Constantine Nobel and Bodel the Assistant beside several Mandarins Their Meat was all brought and set upon the Tables in Golden Chargers and their Drink fill'd out in Cups of Gold rarely Imboss'd so that their Entertainment was very splendid After Dinner the Vice-Roy carry'd them through his whole Army and shew'd them his Forces making some of his Soldiers to be Exercis'd before them Towards the Evening the Agents taking their leave returning humble thanks for the Honor they had receiv'd they Mounted their Horses and Rode towards their Lodgings where the remainder of the Feast and Banquets which they had left at Dinner was brought after them and according to the manner of the Countrey they were visited and Complemented by divers Persons of Quality The fifth being Thursday the Agents prepar'd themselves to deliver their Excellencies Letters from Batavia to the General Taysang Lipovi with the Letter and small Presents sent to the same Lord from Admiral Bort viz. One Pound and four Ounces of Amber one String of fifty five Corals one Amber Hour-Glass with a tender of the other Presents sent from Batavia which were yet on board About eight a Clock the Tartars brought eight Horses to the Agents Quarters with which they Rode with their Attendants into the Field about a Canon shot from the Vice-Roy to the General Lipovi Coming into his Presence the Agents made their Obeisance delivering the Letter and were commanded to sit down with the Letter they also proffer'd him the Presents which were for the same reasons as the Vice-Roy Singlamong gave refus'd The Contents of the Letter were thus John Maetzuiker Governor and the Council for the Netherland States in the Countrey of India send this Letter with our kind Salutation to Taisang Lipovi General and Deputy Governor of the Territory Fokien for the Great Emperor of Tartary and China SO soon
River Min is no way inferior either in beauty or worth or bigness to the Metropolis Father Martin affirms this City to be Venetus his Quelingfu In this last Tartarick War this City suffer'd much damage for having revolted from the Tartars it was taken after a long Siege and laid in Ashes and all the Inhabitants put to the Sword The Fire consum'd here a Bridge over the swift River Min the Pillars whereof were of an exceeding heighth of Free-stone the other parts of Wood beautifi'd on the top with Houses and Shops on each side but since by re-building it hath re-gain'd somewhat of former lustre Beyond the Bridge on the opposite Shore stands a stately Pagode Most of the new Buildings fall short of their old beauty notwithstanding the Chinese Towns that are consum'd by Fire are much more easily re-built than those in Europe because most of them are nothing but Wood. Near the City Kienning is another fair Bridge with Shops and Houses on both sides This City Kienning is a Place of great Trade for all those Commodities that come either up or down the River must pass through it When they come to the City Pucing they are taken out of the Vessels and by Porters carry'd to a Village call'd Pinghu belonging to the City Kiangxan over high Mountains and deep Valleys four days Journey In like manner they are carry'd from Pinghu to Puching The whole Way as much as is possible to be done by the Art or Labor of Man is made even and Pav'd with square Stones along whose sides are built many Houses and Villages onely to entertain Travellers The Merchandises being first weighed are deliver'd to the Master of the Inn which send them for a certain Gratuity by Porters to other Places where the Merchant without any trouble receives them If any thing chance to be lost the Host is bound to make it good Here are always above ten thousand Porters ready which wait to receive the Goods and carry them over the Mountains Because of this Carriage of so many Goods a House stands erected for the receiving a small Custom or Duty towards the maintaining and reparation of the High-ways The fifth Tract of Land call'd Ienpingfu makes the Centre of this Territory and borders in the East at the chief County Focheufu in the South and South-West at Civencheufu and Kancheufu on the West and North at Tingcheufu Xaounfu and Kienningfu King Cyn was the first that call'd the chief City and the Countrey thereto belonging Ienping the Family Tang nam'd it Kiencheu that of Sung Nankien but Taiming restor'd its antient Name Ienping This Ienpingfu contains seven Towns and Cities of which Ienping is the chiefest next Cianglo Xa Yonki Xunchan Iungan and Tatien The City Ienping lieth on the Western Shore of the River Min from whence it rises with its Buildings up the Hills rendring a delightful Prospect to those that pass by and though none of the biggest yet it is beautifi'd with several fair Houses The Walls exceed in heighth the neighboring Ascents which on the out-sides are inaccessible making the City very strong and indeed the Key to the whole Territory On the East-side is a Lake made by the Rivers Min and Si. Almost every House is furnish'd with Water convey'd to them through Pipes from the Mountains which Convenience no other Place in China hath Not far distant lay over the Rivers Min and Si two fair Bridges near which are two Temples The Town of Xa lieth on the Northern Shore of the River Taisu though formerly on the Southern Shore but was by the Emperors Order pull'd down to the Ground and left desolate because in it a young Man had Murder'd his Father The sixth Division being Tingcheufu is the most Western of this Territory borders Easterly on Ienpingfu on the South-East at Quantung on the West at that of Kiangsi and on the North Xaounfu This Countrey belong'd also heretofore to the Princes Min King Cyn gave it the Name of Sinlo and the Tang Family that which it bears at present in which Tincheufu was only a small Town but the Taimingian Family made it a chief City This Countrey contains eight Towns and Cities viz. Tingcheu the chief Winghon Xanghang Vuping Cinglieu Lienching Queihon and Iungting The seventh County call'd Hinghaofu is a small yet fruitful Countrey and borders on the East and South-East with the Sea on the South at Civencheufu on the West at Ienpingfu on the North at the Tract of Land belonging to the Metropolis Focheu King Sui gave it first the Name of Putien the Family Sung that of Hinghoa which signifies A Budding Flower afterwards the same Family call'd it Hingan but by the Taimingian the antient Name of Hinghoa was restor'd This Shire hath onely two Cities whereof Hinghoa is the chief the other call'd Sienlieu is but small but the Countrey abounds with Villages and Hamlets All the Ways being sixty Stadia's long and a Rod in breadth are Pav'd with square Free-stone The City Hinghoa is very neatly built and adorn'd with many triumphal Arches and full of Colledges for the training up of Youth in Literature and encouragement of Learning At the Foot of the Mount Hocung South-Eastwards from Hinghoa lies a Village in splendor and bigness of Buildings like a great City but hath neither Walls nor any Priviledges belonging to it yet many rich Merchants reside there which Traffick through all China On the Shore of the Lake Ching lying at the Foot of the Mount Chiniven Northward from Hinghoa stands a great Palace with ten Gardens belonging to it in which before either Rain or tempestuous Weather happens as the Chineses say is a ringing noise heard like the sound of a Bell. The eighth County being Xaounfu borders Easterly at Kienningfu in the South at Ienpingfeu and Tingcheufeu in the West North-West and North at the Territory Kiangsia This Division reckons four Cities the chief of which is Xaouw the rest Quangce Taining and Kienning The City Xaouw the most Northern of this Territory was antiently a mean Place under the Princes of Mins Jurisdiction and was first fortifi'd with Walls and the Title of City given it by the Family call'd Tang yet hath ever preserv'd its Name of Xaouw It lies Westerly of the River Cu and is cut through by the River Ciao which poures its Streams into the Cu and from thence by several small Channels waters the City Because this County is a firm and profitable Soyl and on the Borders of Countreys whose Passage is troublesom it is fortifi'd with several Castles Garison'd with Soldiers The small Tract of Land belonging to the City Foning a Mountainous Countrey and the most Eastern of this Territory borders in the East and South-East at the Sea in the South and South-West at Fochenfu in the West at Kiennunfu in the North at the Territory of Chekiang It contains three Towns Foning Fogang and Mingte The Ways through the Mountains are very
else is permitted and the other stands empty for their Deity who they say sits therein and receives the Offering Without the Temple stand many Altars of Red Marble which represent the Moon Sun Hills and Floods and according to the Chineses Relations all these Altars are plac'd without the Temple that none might worship them but that every one should know they are of the same Structure which the Emperor worships in the Temple Round about are several Chambers or rather Cells which formerly as they say were us'd as Bannia's in which the Emperor when he went to Offer Bath'd himself with his Attendants To this Temple and to the Emperor's Tombs lead very broad Ways on each side planted with five Rows of Pine-trees at equal distance and in a direct Line from which none might break a Bough on pain of death All these Buildings were ruin'd in the late Tartar Wars the Trees pluck'd up the Tombs defac'd and the Temples and Palaces utterly laid waste The County of Fungiangfu a great Tract of Land gives Limits in the East and North-East to Hoaiganfu in the East to the Lake Piexe and Chucheufu in the South and South-West to Hocheufu and Lucheufu in the West to the Territory of Honan This pleasant and fruitful Countrey vein'd by several great Rivers is famous because two of her Natives of mean Extract were rais'd to the highest degree of Honor the first call'd Lieupang bred among the scum of the Commonalty nay among Robbers and Rebels subdu'd the Imperial Family Cyn and rais'd that of Han. The second being Humvu or Chu was a mean Priests Son who at first turning Robber soon after the expulsion of the Tartars got into the Throne and establish'd the Crown on the Taimingian Family The Emperor Yu also did not a little enrich this Countrey when by his Predecessor Ya he was Crown'd King in the City of Mao It is also said that Lahu the first Inventer of the Epicurean Learning which liv'd before the great Philosopher Confut was born in that City of Mao The County Fungyangfu contains eighteen Towns of which Fungyang is the chiefest the next are Liuhoai Hoaiyuen Tingyuen Uho Hung Hokieu Munching Su Hiutai Tienchang So Lingpi Ing Tacho Hao Ingxan Su So Ing Hao all great Places The Metropolis Fungyang lying on a Mountain incloseth many Hills within its Walls built with fair Edifices both publick and private This Division was by the Emperor Yu brought and joyn'd to the Province of Yang to be Govern'd by Teu In the time of the Kings this part of the Countrey was call'd The Kingdom of Tuxam which the Kings of Cu afterwards included in their Dominions but the Family Han made it again Tributary call'd Chungly yet this Place was not honor'd with the Title of Teu or Metropopolis untill the fore-mention'd Chu which rais'd the Taimingian Family and was born in this City enlarg'd it building new and strong Walls fifty Furlongs in circumference and adorning the Tombs of his Predecessors and gave it the Name of Metropolis setting over it a Vice-Roy giving it Jurisdiction over other Cities intituling it Fungyang that is Nobleness of the Phenix The third Sucheufu conterminates in the North and North-East with the Mouth of the River Kiang in the East with the Sea in the South with Sunkiang and Kiahingfu the West borders Kiangningfu and the North-West Chancheufu The first which inhabited this Countrey amongst the Chineses was one Taipe of the Family Cheu who coming out of the North planted his Seat here and reduced those that formerly were wild and savage to be rational and understanding People In the Emperor Vu's time this County obtain'd Royal Dignity being call'd The Kingdom of V. after whose Death it was taken by the Kingdom of Iue who possess'd it but a little while being routed by Cu who subdu'd the Countrey Lastly the promoter of the Family Cyn conquer'd all those Kingdoms and brought them under the Province of Hoeiki The first which call'd this Countrey and its Metropolis Sucheu was King Sui the Family of Tang gave it the Name of Changcheu Sung that of Pnkiang but the Taimingian Family restor'd the old Name Sucheu The Countrey is in all Places interlac'd with Branches of Rivers and Graffs along which they may Sail from the City to the Sea Sucheufu contains seven Towns of which Sucheu is the chiefest the rest are Quengxan Changxoe Ukiang Kiating Taicing Cungmung and Cungming which lies on an Island in the Sea The fourth Tract of Land being Sunghiangfu is a small County yet fruitful and a good Soyl bordering in the North with Sucheufu in the East with the Sea and Hangcheufu in the South and West at Hangcheufu onely and the remainder on Sucheufu This Countrey as the former lies most in Water the East part of it being wash'd by the Sea and the rest surrounded by Rivers which with their Branches cutting through the middle and all Places else of it make the whole Navigable It contains onely three Towns which in bigness populosity and variety of Commodities may stand in competition with many more eminent Cities the first and chiefest is Sunkiang the other two Langhai and Cingpai The City Sunkiang verges with the Sea on the Northern Shore of a River which at its Mouth is fortifi'd with a strong Castle from whence they may Sail to Iapan In ancient times this Countrey and City before mention'd shar'd also in the Tartars Cruelties The Family of Tang call'd it Houting the Tartars of the House of Iuen not onely gave it the present Name but also the Title of Fu or Great City having formerly but the Priviledges and Name of a mean Town and belong'd to the third County Sucheufu The fifth County Changcheufu reckons for Limits in the North and North-East the River Kiang in the South Sucheufu in the South and South-West the Lake Tai in the West Yancheufu This County contains five Towns viz. Changcheu Vufie Kiangyn and Ginkiang There are also five Temples of which one built near the City Vufie in honor to Taipe the Supporter of the People exceeds all the other The City Changcheu lies near the fore-mention'd Moat which runs from the City Sucheu to the River Kiang the Stone Banks of which near this City are much more curious and artificial than any where else There are also some Triumphal Arches which add a great beauty to the City It hath receiv'd its Denomination Guihing from the exceeding fineness of the Earth of which the Tee Cups are made for Guihing signifies Rare Earth The sixth Territory Chinkiangfu borders in the North at the River Kiang in the East at Changcheufu in the South at the Lake Tai and in the West at Kiangnangfu This County reckons three Cities viz. Chinkiang Tanyang and Kintan Chinkiang by Martinius taken for Cingiam so call'd by Paulus Venetus lies Northward from the River Kiang on the East side of a Channel which falls into the Kiang
Mountain is call'd Tienmuen that is Heaven Gate then running by Chinkiang at last disembogues it self through a great Bay into the Ocean wherein lies in a small Isle the City Cinkiang Garrison'd with Soldiers and Fortifi'd with Ships on both sides the Shores are for the most part built with great and small Cities Villages and Hamlets Before its fall from the City Kieukiam into the Sea a Tract of above a hundred Leagues the Kiang glides so gently that the Ships may Sail up the same with or against the Wind and some Tides especially Spring-Tides a strange thing to relate the Water running up so far in the Countrey that Sea-Fish are there taken In this Stream lie several Isles as Pequey that is of the white Tortel in the third County Hoangcheufu of the Province of Huquang In this County Kincheufu of the Province of Huquang a little Island call'd Peli which signifies An hundred Furlongs lies near the City Chikiang in the River Kiang In ancient times as the Chineses write it was nine small Isles which afterwards by the falling of the Waters and increase of Sands became one intire Island On the South-side of the City Kiangning lies an Island call'd Pelu famous because not far from it the Armies of the Southern Provinces were in the time of the Family Sung beaten and utterly routed Near the City Kiang lieth the Isle Chancung and on the South-West side another call'd Tengxu The Yellow River the second in Magnitude and most famous in all China and by them nam'd Hoang is so call'd from the colour of the Water occasion'd by the Yellow Mud or Clay Earth which from the Spring to the Sea it glides over It is always disturb'd and made thick by a Yellow Soil which it carries along because this Mud which gives the denomination and doth not as in other clear Waters shine from the Ground but discolours being rais'd by the swift and strong Current of the Water after the manner of Rivulets which swell by Rains the whole River as hath often been found by experience for when its Water is for a little while put into a Vessel or Glass the sediment sinks so fast down to the bottom that it makes almost a third part and indeed this River at the first sight seems to be a Pool or flowing Mud but the swift Current of its Waters manifests the contrary Those that frequent this River make the Water clear by casting in Allom which drives the Lees to the Ground and fills the fourth part of the Vessel It is a great wonder from whence such abundance of Clay or Mud proceeds considering it hath never been seen clear or bright nay the Chineses say That its Water cannot be clear in the time of a thousand Years insomuch that they have a Proverb from thence amongst them viz. when they speak of things that are never like to happen as altogether impossible they say When the Yellow River shall be bright Moreover the Hoang as a Foraigner entering from without into China takes Original out of the Southern Amasian Mountains otherwise call'd Quonlun and by the Inhabitants Otunlao which lie not far from the great Mogul's second Court nam'd Laor or from the Kingdom of Tibet Nay the situation of the places shew that the River Ganges in Bengale the Meson in Laor and other famous Rivers which moisten the Countries of Siam and Pegu have their Originals from these Mountains before-mention'd for the Chineses also manifest that many great Rivers have their head Springs and Fountains there leaving these Mountains it runs by Sifan and Tanyu a Tract of above 300 Leagues with abundance of Water to the North-East from whence descending to the East it approaches China near the County of Linyaofu in the Province of Xensi at the West end of the Great Wall along which it rushes and passes on through a part of the Kingdom of Tanyu between the Desart Karacatay otherwise Samo afterwards through the Desart it self with a swift Course and several Branches to the East and North a Tract of two thousand Furlongs from whence it turns South-West to China and in forty Degrees and eighteen Minutes Northern-Latitude runs through the Gate Se in the Great Wall of China and shoots along between the Province of Xansi and that of Xensi and in the Latitude of thirty six Degrees enters into the Province of Honan and out of that into the Province of Xantung near the City Cao from whence it runs towards the South-East and passes on through the Northern part of the Province of Nanking and discharges it self at last with great violence into the Sea in thirty two Degrees and a half Northern-Latitude The Hoang generally falls with such an incredible swiftness that no Boats can Row against it but are forc'd up with a far greater number of Toers than in the River Kiang In some places it is above half a League and others more and extending it self in length above eight hundred Leagues oftentimes rises above its Banks and covers all the neighboring Countreys with Water and Mud. The Chineses describe the Hoang in these or the like words The original of the River Hoang is between the Southern Mountains of Quonlun or Amasian Hills by the Inhabitants call'd Otunlao The Water which makes this River springs from above a hundred Fountains which makes the Lake call'd Singcieu which is forty Furlongs wide the Water running out of it along a Channel makes another lesser Lake from whence the Hoang runs Northward through a little towards the East and soon after washes the Province of Xensi and runs direct East then passing on Northward by the Sandy Fields or Wildernesses from whence it streams Southward into China and through the Province of Xantung discharges it self into the Sea Thus far the Chinese Writer In former times this River us'd also to run through the Province of Peking and Xantung but its Course is since by the art and labor of the Chineses led another way thereby to prevent the overflowing the fore-mention'd Countreys which by reason of their Champain Lands that extend themselves a great way in breadth and length should not be subject to its often inundating Streams yet nevertheless the Chineses have left a little Branch thereof as a testimony of its ancient Course thither After having given you an account of the two famous Rivers the Kiang and Hoang take a brief Relation of all the particular Streams both small and great which distinctly water every Province in the Empire of China THe River Io takes its original out of the Lake Si lying Westward of the Mountain Iociven in the County of Pekingfu from whence it passes through the Emperor's Palace and gliding through it with many artificial Trenches and meandring Inlets waters the Gardens and also makes several Lakes The Stream Lukeu which is call'd Sangean takes its beginning in the County of Taitungfu in the Province of Xansi out of the Mountain Iueny from whence it runs North-East and
to Smeerdorp as Spies and to inquire News who brought word back that the Chineses were already gotten into a Head and that setting upon them they had escap'd by flight At this Alarm the Hollanders that had setled in Sakam being to the number of thirty in great fear fled for safety to the Forts Fayet who judg'd Delays dangerous and doubting that his Brother would or had discover'd the Plot march'd with his Forces to Sakam where falling without mercy upon the Town with Fire and Sword he gave no Quarter to any A Gardener belonging to the Dutch going on that Sunday Morning early with a Basket of Fruit to the Governor in the Castle Tayowan the Revolters overtaking him cut off his Head and taking out the Fruits laid it in the Basket designing to have sent it before them but the Humor altering they cast both it and the Body under a Bridge The News of this Massacre spreading a strange Fear seiz'd all the Hollanders where-ever setled through the Country so that dispersing they hid themselves where-ever their Fear carried or their Hope 's led them to escape the Slaughter But one Captain Marine well mounted with three more with their Swords in their Hands broke through the Enemy and killing the first that oppos'd him came safe to Tayowan Verburgh the Governor well knowing how untowardly the Business stood and the hazard wherein the Hollanders abroad were lying open to destruction immediately sent out a hundred and twenty Men commanded by Captain Danker This Handful in comparison of their Enemies great Forces went in one Sloop and a Boat from Tayowan to Sakam whither being come the first that endeavor'd to Land being Captain Hans Pieters leap'd Breast-high into the Water by which Example the rest encourag'd forsook their Boats and resolv'd wading to fight their way to the Shore which the Enemy observing sent down with the Lieutenant-General a thousand Men to oppose their Landing While they were thus drawing up towards the Shore for the Service Fayet the General gave his Lieutenant Loukegwa new Orders thinking it more fit to suffer them to Land saying It would be a higher pleasure to him to see the Christian Dogs die on the Land than in the Water which would be much the better sport having them there inviron'd with his Army as in a Net But Loukegwa not so perswaded nor willing to receive these new Commands earnestly advis'd the General that he might go on and set upon them in the Water averring That these being the Hollanders choicest and pick'd Men if they did not cut them off at this Advantage they should never have the like But however the Generals Opinion prevailing he obey'd and retreating gave the opportunity of Landing in safety where a little towards the left Hand of the Enemy he drew up his small Party into a Body when a Negro that had married a Hollander coming out of a Wood where she had hid running for her safety towards them they intercepting ripp'd up her Bowels and cutting the Child in pieces threw the Limbs at them vaporing aloud That so they would serve them all But the Hollanders not replying march'd boldly up to the Front of the Enemy where in the first Charge killing fortunately their Prime Commander Fayet which presently nois'd through the Army all struck with a Panick fear threw down their Arms and disbanding fled shifting for themselves but the Hollanders pursu'd firing at their Heels through Sakam and the Town clear'd they sate down in their Enemies Head-Quarters But before Night while yet they were triumphing for the Victory came two thousand Christian Formosans rais'd by the Governor Verburgh to their Aid who according to present Orders march'd together in pursuit of the Enemy some few of whom the next morning they spied drawn together upon a rising Ground but a River betwixt impeded their present Charge but soon after the Formosans who knew the Fords and Avenues got over and charging them smartly one being slain they were suddenly dissipated which Victory they and the Netherlanders pursu'd making Execution till Sun-set from whence returning to their Camp weary and hungry they found store of fresh Provisions boyl'd and roast with which they feasting were refresh'd This Tumultuary Commotion was in fourteen days thus concluded in which of the Enemy were slain four thousand Men besides as many more Women and Children and not one Hollander so much as wounded Two Years after this War Anno 1645. in May came abundance of Locusts out of the North-West of the Isles which devouring all the Fruits of the Field occasion'd so great a Famine that eight thousand Persons died of Hunger These Locusts were of a strange shape having a Back and Breast like a Pikeman and an Helmet on their Heads such as Soldiers wear They made an affrighting noise with their Wings in their flight as if it had blown a Storm They flew from the Island Tayowan to Formosa where they staid three Months and at last took their Progress from thence towards the North-West from whence they came at first on Sunday the ninth of August about Sun-set Yet though they were gone the fear of that Plague was no ways abated for they left young ones behind which were far worse than the old eating up all that remain'd yet by the Industry of the Inhabitants with the Governors Order most part of them being not fledg'd were taken and destroy'd The Island TAYOWAN THe Island Taywan or as others call it Tayovan and Tayowan lieth South from Formosa the uttermost North-Point being distant almost a League but the Southermost Point within a Bowe-shot of the Land over which at low Water they wade to and again but between the North and Formosa it is at least thirteen Foot deep at Low Water It spreads South-East and North-West and hath two Leagues and a half in length and a quarter of a League in breadth being naturally a spot of barren Sand rather than a fertile Isle producing onely Pine-apples and other wild Trees yet here resided above ten thousand Chineses who liv'd by Merchandize besides Natives On the North-side upon a Sand-hill stands the Fort Zelandia built by the Hollanders Anno 1632. surounded with a double Wall one investing the other whereof the outermost fortified with Sconces and Redoubts Under the Castle Westward lies another Fort square guarded by two Points of the Sea A Bowe-shot distant lies a strong Out-work being the Key to the Castle call'd Utrecht rais'd sixteen Foot high with Stone and defended with seven Pallisadoes Eastward from which stands a Town built also by the Netherlanders call'd by the name of the Isle and about a Mile in Circumference adjoyning to which is a Haven call'd by the Chineses Loakhau and by the Dutch The Straights of Tayowan On the other side of the Castle lies a rising Sand call'd Baxemboy where a few scatter'd Villages appear Since the Chineses possess'd Tayowan under the Pyrate Coxinga and his Son Sepoan's
the twelfth they saw two Jonks in the South-West seeming to steer towards Tinghay which Van Campen chasing endeavour'd to get to the Northwards but labour'd in vain because of contrary Winds and Tides at last he was forc'd near the Islands of Pakka which although pretty large yet are for the most part waste and untill'd and inhabited by none but Fishers and poor Rusticks Nevertheless there is good Harbor for Ships and Refreshments of Water and Provisions to be had The thirteenth being Munday Van Campen with the Ebb set Sail Northwards between the Islands Pakka in eighteen nineteen and twenty Fathom Water but came after the Tide spent to Anchor in thirteen Fathom Water under the Eastermost Island About Noon the Fleet weigh'd to get more towards the North and against the Evening Anchor'd in eight Fathom Water about half a League Nor-Eastand-by-East from the Eastermost Isle before Pakka The fourteenth Van Campen set Sail again with a Nor-Nor-East Wind in six seven and eight Fathom between the Isles of Pakka and about Noon forc'd by contrary Tides came to an Anchor in seven Fathom Towards Evening weighing again with the Ebb he let fall his Drag about midnight in eighteen Fathom gravelly Ground not far from the place where the Coast of China hath many high Mountains and broken Land yet behind them very pleasant and fertile Meadows and Rice-Fields The fifteenth setting Sail again he Anchor'd about Noon under an Isle in thirteen Fathom Water gravelly Ground about Cannon-shot from Shore whither he sent his Boat to see for Water From hence setting Sail he came into a Bay behind Campens Point so call'd from himself where he dropp'd Anchor in five Fathom Water there being a convenient Harbor and safe Retreat against hollow Seas and turbulent Winds On the North side of this Point lying in twenty six Degrees and fifty one Minutes Northern Latitude may be seen the Ruines of the City Tikyen or Tykin formerly a place of great Trade but lately destroy'd by the Tartars Here the Zierikzee's Boat was sent ashore with the Pilot Auke Pieters and thirteen Men to fetch Water Near the Shore between the Mountains appear'd a pleasant Valley flourishing with Rice Carrots and all manner of Fruit. You may freely without fear or danger sail between the main Coast and these Isles yet not without some care because divers Shoals lie near the Coast. The eighteenth being Saturday Van Campen set Sail with his Squadron the Wind Nor-Nor-East and laveering it between Campens Point and the foremention'd Isles between seven and thirteen Fathom Water gravelly Ground they discover'd the old Zajer Isle East-Nor-East four or five Leagues distant in twenty seven Degrees and fifteen Minutes Northern Latitude and about Noon came to an Anchor in ten Fathom Water gravelly Ground In the Night setting Sail again they ran the next day about Noon behind Campens Bay where they were forc'd to lie till Friday the twenty fourth by contrary Winds Tides and Calms Towards Night the Finch came also to an Anchor there Friday the twenty fourth the Ships went to Sea together and with a Nor-Nor-East Wind endeavor'd to sail Easterly but being driven back by the Tide they came to an Anchor in eight Fathom and had the North Point of the Island with Brests South-West and the old Zajer East and by North. At Night in the second Watch when the Tide was almost spent they weigh'd Anchor again and the next Evening rode in eight Fathom Water having the Chinese City Samzwa Nor-East and by East and the Isle Old Zayer Sou-Sou-East and Sou-East and by South and the Isle with Breasts Sou-Sou-West The City Samzwa seated on the hanging of a Mountain and planted round about with high Trees was ruin'd by the Tartars It boasts a safe Harbor for Ships to defend them from the Southern and Northern stormy Seasons The Hollanders going ashore here found one Pagode or Temple with divers Images about fifteen Leagues from Tinghay The twenty seventh the Point of Samzwa bearing Westward two Leagues from them they descry'd a white Cliff in the Sea about three Leagues from the Shore and three Isles in the East-Nor-East and by Observation found themselves at Noon to be in twenty seven Degrees and thirty nine Minutes Northern Latitude In the Evening Van Campen came to an Anchor with the Ankeveen Frigat in eleven Fathom Water gravelly Ground but the High-land and Meliskerk Frigats with the Loenen and Finch went behind the Isle of Good Hope Van Campen in the Night the Tide favoring him set Sail again and was follow'd by the Ankeveen Frigat onely the other four lying still behind the Isle without making the Reason thereof known The next day forc'd by Storm to come to an Anchor again in ten Fathom Water he was driven from two Anchors towards the seven Rocks a little Southward of Zwatia not without great danger of Shipwrack The City Zwatia lying in the mouth of a River near the Sea and also ruin'd by the Tartars is inhabited by mean and poor People which are very slow in rebuilding the same Opposite to the Nor-West side of the River lies a Village call'd Zwatho whither most of the Citizens fled it being not laid waste by the Tartars The first of Ianuary Van Campen concluded upon Advice of the Ships Council by force of a Storm out of the Nor-East and by East to set Sail again to get from the Shore so that he drove down Sou-West and by South to Brest-Island and in the afternoon came to an Anchor in the Bay behind Campens Point in nine Fathom The other Frigats and the Finch lay still at Anchor contrary to their Orders The third the Ankeveen Frigat commanded by Iacob Swart having been busied about getting his Anchors aboard came and rode by the Vice-Admiral The fourth in the afternoon they spied in the Sou-Sou-West between seventy and eighty Fisher-Jonks and other Vessels standing towards the North which they let all pass About the evening they stood to and again yet were got out of sight next Morning on which the Captain Auke Pieters was commanded to go ashore with fifty Men to gather Sallad-herbs and Potatoes to refresh their People The sixth in the Evening the four other Ships came to an Anchor near Van Campen having before lain behind the Isles Northward of the River Zwatia The eighth in the Morning they spied six Jonks fishing in the Sou-East and by East behind the Breast-Isle and in the afternoon two Ships in the Sou-East in the Bay of Pakka and also heard the Report of several Cannon shot from thence whereupon a Council being call'd Harmans Symonsz Commander of the High land Frigat was sent thither with Order That when he came to them he should fire five Guns one after another if he needed Van Campen's Assistance if not to fire none but come back to the Fleet. Against the Evening the high-High-land Frigat came to an Anchor South-West and by South three Leagues
distant from the Fleet. The ninth in the morning they saw above twenty Fisher-Jonks near the Shore of Pakka who were putting to Sea to fish but not being able to get out were by the Current driven towards the South Van Campen chas'd them between the Islands yet the Jonks by their swift sailing escap'd him In the afternoon the Hollanders came again to an Anchor behind Campens Point in nine Fathom Water about a small Cannon-shot from the Shore The tenth they saw two Frigats in the Bay of Pakka viz. the Sea-hound in which the Admiral Bort was as they understood the next day and the Highland which on the eighth was sent thither for Intelligence The eleventh in the morning the Admiral Bort came in the High-land Frigat to an Anchor about half a League from the Vice-Admiral Mean while the Admiral Bort had by Storm taken the Fort Kitat lying in the Bay of Pakka and with it plunder'd all the Towns Villages and Hamlets being twenty in number belonging thereto All which he had written to the Vice-Admiral Van Campen the tenth of the said Month from the Bay of Pakka adding thereto That had he not been detain'd eight days by tempestuous Weather he had been with him before that time to find out Zwathia lying about the North in hopes there to find several Trading Jonks The same day Harman Symonsz went aboard the Vice-Admiral being sent thither by the Admiral from the Bay of Pakka with the Letters before-mention'd bringing also with him a small Supply of fresh Victuals which was equally distributed amongst the Ships They found in Kitat nothing but a little Rice Salt and a little Lumber besides twelve Women and fifteen Youths which were transported for Servants to Batavia The Hollanders fell upon this Place because some of Coxinga's Party resided there The twelfth they descried three Jonks and a Fishers Boat in the North-East one of them being without a Mast Van Campen by the Admirals Order set Sail towards them with five Ships That Jonk which had lost her Mast was onely taken the rest escaping by the advantage of the Tide In the taken Jonk they found no more but onely Salt Rice and Wood. Towards Evening the Frigat came again to the Prize-Jonk and about eight at Night tow'd her along with them to Campens Point In the afternoon the Sea-hound and High-land Frigats and Ter-Boede Pink came up to the Vice-Admiral and at Night Anchor'd South and by West about a League from them Wednesday being the thirteenth the Ter-Boede was sent from the Fleet to the River Hoksieu there to stay till Van Campen's Squadron came back from the North. Against Noon the Overveen Frigat came out of Kitat-Bay near the Fleet and turning up Northerly in the afternoon was forc'd by contrary Winds to lie in seven Fathom water About midnight the Fleet weigh'd Anchor and hearing several Cannons fired and Van Campen fearing some of the Frigats to be run ashore sent his Boats thither and found the Calf to be drove very near the Shore on which the High-land Frigat had also been fast but was got off again whereupon Van Campen return'd Ysbrant Pilot to the Admiral and another were sent aboard of the Vice-Admiral to enquire how many healthy persons he had in his Ship of Seamen and Soldiers and what number of Sea-men he could be able to send ashore fit for Service whereupon he reply'd about thirty Thursday about Noon the Fleet was in twenty seven Degrees and nineteen Minutes Northern-Latitude two Leagues and a half from West and by North from Zwamzwa Cape In the afternoon about two a Clock the Fleet weighed Anchor again and in the Morning were within four Leagues North and by East of Zwatia three Leagues East Nor-East from Cape Elephant and three Leagues and a half West and by South from Zwamzwa About Noon the Fleet forc'd by contrary Winds and Tydes cast Anchor in eleven or twelve Fathom Water about three Leagues Nor-West and Nor-West and by West from the River Zwatia and two Leagues and a half South-east and by East from Cape Elephant where Riding all Night they Sail'd next day toward the North and soon after turn'd Westward up the River of Zwatia where the Vice-Admiral had Cruised with six Sail the twenty eighth and twenty ninth of the last Moneth The Marks whereby Sea-men may know this River are towards the North a great white Shelf and on the Shore many Cliffs A little more to the Northward of it lie two Islands behind which is a safe Harbor About Noon the Fleet found themselves in twenty seven Degrees and thirty five Minutes Eastward from the South-Point of the River Zwatia from whence Sailing West-South-west into the River they had from six to twenty three Fathom Water being the shallowest gravelly Ground and with the same Course they came before Zwatia where they cast Anchor in seven Fathom Water about a Musquet-shot from the Shore on which the short-hair'd Chineses stood with Red Flags a sign of Peace by them as the White is with us in great companies expecting the Netherlanders without any offering to come to their Ships This continu'd a whole hour when the Admiral Bort Commanded the Guns to be fir'd upon the Town The Chineses thus rudely saluted immediately let flie their White Flag in sign of War and shooting with Musquets and Blunderbusses flourish'd their Faulchions and Scythes over their Heads yet betook themselves with all their Movables which they were able to carry out of the City to flight towards the Mountains others with their Vessels ran up the River whereupon the Admiral Bort Commanded the Vice-Admiral Van Campen to go ashore with eight Boats and seven Shallops well Man'd and Arm'd which Bort himself promis'd to follow Van Campen Landing without any resistance on the Shore found the City Re-built and the Houses furnish'd with Tables Chests Stools and Benches besides abundance of Thrash'd and Unthrash'd Rice call'd Bady Salt great store of dry'd and Salt Fish and also Nets There appear'd seven large Temples every one apart in a pleasant Grove Wall'd round about and within Pav'd with Blue Stone where stood many Humane Figures Cloth'd in all sorts of Stuffs Caps Coats Breeches Shoes and Stockings all as alive about Tables on Wax'd Benches or Stools Gilded on each Table stood two large square Vessels or Pots wherein the Priests burn Incense to their Idols with perfum'd Calambak Agar and Sandal-Wood which yield a most fragrant smell On the Tables also lay four pieces of Wood each a large half Foot long round on the top and flat at the bottom which to know future events they throw three times one after another before the Idols Towards Evening Van Campen leaving the Shore went aboard again with all his Men loaden with the best Plunder and many Images not spoil'd by the Tartars Here it is to be observ'd that many Native Chineses are to be understood by the Name of Tartars viz. those who by shaving off
having but one Man kill'd and about sixteen wounded The Hollanders were now fully satisfi'd of the Tartars cowardise for that with their whole Fleet which was four times as strong as the Enemy's they durst not Engage with seven or eight Jonks but fled as we said for safeguard under the Netherlanders Guns leaving their Admiral Bethetok and the General Iantetok which last was kill'd whereas the Enemy when he came near the great Ships defended himself with Bowes and Arrows and Darts which in great abundance they shot and threw into the Sails and likewise with small Shot and fiery Darts yet did little damage In the Evening the Interpreter Melman was sent aboard Tonganpek to enquire how it hapned that his Men had not defended themselves better whereto he made this Answer That a sudden fear had surpris'd them but desir'd him that he should be pleas'd at the rising of the Moon to Sail between the Isle of Goutsoe and the other small Isles thereabouts to Eymuy where he would meet him The twentieth two hours before Day the Admiral with his whole Fleet set Sail for Eymuy and Rowing along to the Southward so passing by Goutsoe not far from whence they spy'd Coxin'gas Fleet whereupon the Hollanders made up towards them as they on the other side did towards the Tartar Jonks and about ten of the Clock came into the Channel between the Westermost Island of Toata and the Northern or third of Goutsoe but the Hollanders because the Current was against them in that Straight spent two hours in approaching the Enemy by which time they had Engag'd the Tartars but at the Hollanders coming in they quitted their Design and shifted for their safety which though the Hollanders had them as in a Pound that either they must be taken sunk or run ashore they perform'd with such activity skill and courage that they broke through the midst of them running their low-built Vessels close under their Guns so fighting their Way that of a hundred and eighty Ships of War three onely were taken the rest all entring with small damage into Quemuy and Goutsoe Lipovi greedy to hear of the Success came down the River Chinchieu and sent a Batsiang or Messenger aboard the Admiral to know the news and advise concerning the Landing of the Tartar Horse at Eymuy to all which he return'd an Answer in Writing by the same Batsiang relating at large the whole circumstances of the Battel In the afternoon the Netherlanders saw four Chinese Jonks coming from Quemuy which designed passing by them to go to the Tartars but they were prevented in their Course by the Guns and forc'd to Anchor near the Ships of which the Commanders that lay nearest went aboard and according to the Admirals Order brought them into the middle of the Fleet who being examin'd by the Commanders told the Admiral That they had onely six Families aboard and Provisions for their Voyage Whereupon he declar'd the Jonks to be free Prize and gave all what was in them to be distributed amongst the Sea-men Notwithstanding some Tartar Mandarins came to intreat the Admiral to let them be discharg'd alledging that they had an Invitation by Letter from Geitonkok Governor of Chinchieu to make an escape over to them but he having a Letter from Soanghieu to spare none upon any pretence but to make all Prize and Prisoners made seizure sending two of them and keeping the other two for himself But Lipovi not long after sent another Letter to the Admiral acknowledging that though he desir'd to be inform'd from his Excellency yet he had seen the Fight though at great distance from a Hill and acknowledg'd the honor of the Victory belong'd only to his Ships His Letter Translated was to this effect Lipovi Chief Commander and General of the Tartar Forces in the Territory of Fokien and Admiral of the Fleet before Eymuy by this Letter sends kind Salutations to his Excellency the Admiral of the Hollanders THe one and twentieth in the Morning from a Mountain I saw the coming of your Ships and with joy beheld the driving away of the Pyrates Jonks with the Thunder of your Cannon Now I see the integrity of your Nation and that you mean as you say and perform what you promise I will not be negligent with the first opportunity to signifie to my Master the good Service which you have done to his Imperial Majesty and how bravely you have behav'd your selves in the Fight routing yours and our Enemies Soanghieu's Supplies will be ready to joyn with us to morrow What I have more to write I hope ere long Sir to deliver by word of Mouth To which the Admiral return'd in brief That he was much rejoyced that he was pleas'd to present their Business to the Emperor with such favor that he should be the better prepar'd to requite their good Service With Lipovi's Letter Bort also receiv'd one from Admiral Sitetok who sent him four fed Oxen which he had taken in Eymuy The same day the Rere-Admiral brought Iohn Ianz one of the Dutch Prisoners aboard the Admiral who had written the two fore-mention'd Letters and was come in a Champan with four Chineses aboard the Rere-Admiral the day of the Fight having on purpose misconstrued the Admiral 's Letter to the Chineses desire as if he had granted what was but in Proposal viz. That the Netherlanders would Charge their Guns onely with Powder and that he must go in Person to acquaint the Rere-Admiral with the Design By which means he got his Liberty and the rest were taken Prisoners Mean while the Enemy being dispatch'd at Sea the Tartars under Lipovi having Landed their Horse which put the People under great consternation they suddenly took the City of Eymuy by Storm slaughtering the Inhabitants and plundering their Houses The same day a Mandarin came with a Letter from the General to the Admiral expressing his joy for having taken the City Eymuy and desiring that on the Morrow he would be pleas'd to favor him so much as to come thither and speak with him The Admiral congratulated his Victory but excus'd himself as to waiting upon him because of the distance of the Place The one and twentieth he receiv'd Missives from Tonganpek to this effect TWo days since I saw with great admiration how valiantly your Ships behav'd themselves in the Engagement against the Enemy which will so amaze the Pyrate himself that he will never dare to look you in the Face I for my particular part humbly thank you for such kind Service in dissipating the Enemy About three days since I sent you the Vice-Roy's Order wherein he commands us to Sail with all our Fleet to Eymuy but being on my Way thither I was by another Order detain'd at Liutien Now in regard his intentions are to come in Person to Eymuy I humbly desire you according to his Request that you will please to send five of your Ships to Liutien and with the other ten lie at
able to maintain War against them any longer but especially by reason of those great losses which he had lately sustain'd The Admiral to learn the Truth of it Order'd the Interpreter Melman to inquire of the two Mandarins who affirm'd it with alledging That the Enemy had lately so many wounded and slain Men by the Netherlanders Guns that none of his Soldiers would fight any longer nay that all his Forces in Tayowan came flocking to the Tartars and would freely surrender both Tayowan and Formosa to the Hollanders Therefore the Vice-Roy and Lipovi desir'd to speak with him also that Tonganpek was to go to Tayowan with some Jonks to fetch all that would submit themselves to their Emperor and from thence bring them to the Main Land The next Morning about five a Clock three Jonks came to the Fleet and in them one Mandarin who came aboard the Admiral with request from their Highnesses that seeing it was fair Weather he would be pleas'd in those Jonks to come to them or at least to appoint a day because they might not wait in vain at Cinwe from whence they were minded to go with the first conveniency The Admiral having consulted with his Council resolv'd to go thither the next Morning whereupon the Mandarins went in one Jonk to carry the News to their Excellencies leaving two behind amongst the Fleet to convey the Admiral to Cinwe The sixth the Admiral went according to his promise attended with Captain Poleman Secretary Ysbrantsz and some other Retinue in the two Tartar Jonks sent for that purpose to the Fleet. In the Evening the Vice-Roys Interpreter came to them and in his Masters Name entring the Jonks bad them welcome with promises that he would take care the next Morning to provide that they should be well Mounted for Cinwe The seventh the Admiral Landed between the Straights of Eymuy and the main Coast of China where he was presented with a Copy of a Letter by a Batavian Chinese call'd Seko from Nobel and Hogenhoek in Hoksieu dated the twenty eighth of November of which the true Letter and Post was sent by the Conbon in which they inform'd the Admiral That they could not go from Soanchieu before the twentieth of the same Month and that seven days after they came into Hoksieu where they were not permitted to Vend their Commodities according to the Conbon or Governors promise till he had further Order from Singlamong and Lipovi that when they told him that it was granted by the Vice-Roy and General he reply'd That he had no such advice The Letters and Presents of the Admirals he had receiv'd and sent a Messenger to their Highnesses to know their intentions concerning the Trade further requesting That they would be pleas'd to send him the Originals written by Singlamong and Lipovi concerning the same This Copy being deliver'd to the Admiral in his way riding to the Vice-Roy he would not read it till he had been receiv'd in the Vice-Roy's Tent after which he perus'd it in the Vice-Roy's presence and three of his Council and explaining it to them ask'd them Why against their written Obligation they kept their Merchandize unsold But the Vice-Roy excusing himself said That he had sent Letters of License to the Conbon but Lipovi had Countermanded it and first desir'd an Inventory of all the Merchandize which they had brought with them that he might send it to Peking but since that he and Lipovi joyntly had given free leave to sell those and bring in other Goods whereupon the Admiral desir'd That he might have such a Letter of Command then given him that he might send it with one of his own to Nobel and Hogenhoek in Hoksieu which the Vice-Roy immediately granted This Discourse being ended Singlamong propos'd to the Admiral and desir'd that he would send his Ships with their Jonks against the Enemy who on the Isles Tongsoa and Lamoa did now fortifie himself whereupon the Admiral reply'd That he had heard and understood that the Enemy had sent Agents to his Highness and proffer'd to submit themselves to the Tartars and therefore said he how shall we understand your Proposal The Vice-Roy pausing a little answer'd 'T is true but there is no assurance in these Villains neither do I believe them therefore he judg'd it convenient still to prosecute the War against them The Admiral reply'd That he intended to Sail to Tayowan and Formosa and therefore intreated him to send his Forces and Jonks first along with him thither and then they would go joyntly and drive the Enemy from Tongsoa and Lamoa also that he had receiv'd Orders from his Masters in Batavia that when he had beaten the Enemy from Eymuy and Quemuy he should not go to Tongsoa or Lamoa but to Formosa and Tayowan Besides the Admiral added that he had understood that the Coxingan's were not in Tongsoa but having Pillag'd the Rusticks and taken what they could find were gone to Tayowan and Formosa and though the Vice-Roy perswaded the Admiral that he was assur'd to the contrary yet he stood firm to his Proposal that he might go from thence to Tayowan whereupon the Vice-Roy observing the Admiral to be in earnest said That the present routing of the Enemy could not be taken for a Conquest for they still had their Forces together and therefore without doubt as soon as the Netherland Ships were gone they would return to their Receptacles again and invest the Coasts as formerly Whereupon the Admiral reply'd That it was impossible to kill them all because where e're they came they fled from them and got away by the nimbleness of their Jonks and if the Netherlanders should go with the Vice-Roy's Jonks to Tangsoa and Lamoa and drive the Enemies thence yet the Coast would not so be clear'd of them but that there would still be some in one place or other To which the Vice-Roy said that if the Enemy were but driven thence he would be satisfi'd because then he would be hunted out of the Territory of Fokien where he was Chief and then proceeded he my Jonks shall go with yours to Tayowan therefore he desir'd the Admiral to consult with his Vice and Rere-Admiral about it which he promis'd to do and so ended that Consultation Moreover Singlamong excus'd himself concerning the forty promis'd Oxen because he had no Vessels at Eymuy to bring them aboard the Admirals Ships therefore he desir'd him to accept them now and with them five hundred Picols of Rice which he had given Order to be carry'd before The Admiral thanking him said That he needed not the Rice so much as the Cattel however he would accept his kindness but when they were brought aboard half of them were dead which they were forc'd to throw into the Sea whereof the Vice-Roy having notice promis'd that for every dead Beast they should have one alive Soon after the Admiral having been well entertain'd took his leave and went to the Tents set up on purpose for
distribute it amongst his Soldiers and the other half being for him and his Officers should be paid him so soon as he came aboard their Ships alledging that those of Sakkam and Tayowan being about nine thousand Armed Men would immediately after his deserting them endeavor to agree with them that for a little Money they should surrender up the Castle and Forts with all the Countrey thereabouts and go to the Coast of China And further he desir'd to keep five hundred Acres of Land and two hundred Horses that were his own which he would lend the Hollanders till they were Masters of the Countrey Besides at the Secretaries Request he had undertaken to deliver the Netherland Prisoners and to that purpose advis'd him to send one or two Ships more from the Cape of Tankoya to Tayowan that those of the Castle might not send out Forces and prevent the Design Whilst they were driving this Bargain the Jonk Eymuy came to the Admiral at the Point of Tankoya sent by the Vice-Admiral Lairesse from Tayowan with News That the Enemy as he perceiv'd with his Perspective Glasses wrought very hard upon three Forts which he had now finish'd leading them cross from the Sea-shore to the In-land Water and also that the Enemy before with eight or nine great Jonks set Sail thence The two and twentieth being Tuesday the Interpreter Maurice went again to Siautongsiong with a Chinese Letter in which he was promis'd five thousand Tail of Iapan Silver so soon as he brought the Netherland Prisoners from Sakkam to their Camp and that then he should with all his Soldiers come to the Netherlanders and go over with them to the Main of China And the same day two Ships were according to his Request sent from the Fleet at Tankoya to Tayowan The three and twentieth in the afternoon the Interpreter Maurice return'd with tydings That the delivering of the Netherland Prisoners could not be effected because Siautongsiong before he would undertake it would first receive five thousand Tail of Silver But the Admiral and his Council no way approving of it sent them and the former Hostages to their Masters notwithstanding the Tartars endeavor'd to perswade the Admiral to pay the five thousand Tail alledging That the Chineses at their coming over must leave their Estates behind them therefore they ought to be perswaded thereto by Money But the Admiral answer'd That if they should have sent him the Money they could not have been assur'd of his coming to them by his leaving those two inconsiderable Hostages and thereupon resolutely declared That if Siautongsiong desir'd Money he should first deliver the Netherland Prisoners and come to them The four and twenteth in the Morning the Zierickzee and Tertolen Frigats sent two days before to Tayowan came again to the Fleet at Tankoya with Letters from the Vice-Admiral Lairesse and the Chinese Governors in Formosa and Tayowan in answer to the Admirals written to them on the nineteenth Whilst Lairesse lay with part of the Fleet before Tayowan they perceiv'd that those which they suppos'd to have been Battlements before the Castle of Zelandia as he had advis'd in his first Letter were onely Nets hung up there to dry The Chinese Letter was to this effect YOu Hollanders write to us to send two Men to Treat with you which we are not inclin'd to do before you send two Persons to Treat with us first neither do you understand our Language which made you send two Chinese Rusticks with Letters As to what concerns the Letter written to your Prisoners we have made them translate it in our Presence and thereby understand your kind Salutation to them all and also your inclination to agree with us and cut off the League with the Tartars with Requests moreover that the Prisoners should be set at liberty if your meaning be so we shall be very glad but the contrary hath appear'd to us by a Letter brought to us ashore by Assam and another Person viz. That the Hollanders are yet united with the Tartars as is manifested also by Singlamong and Lipovy's Letters written to us so that we know not what to think of this contradiction We believe what ever you do is meerly to deceive us and to draw away our People but we will prevent it with our greatest care Besides you have according to the information of your Holland Prisoners to us writ to them That you are cozen'd by the Tartars because you could not get a Place in possession to drive your Trade on and therefore forc'd to Cruise up and down the Seas with your Ships If this be truth we will agree with you If you are resolv'd and desirous to Treat with us send Assam and two other Persons of Quality to us whom we promise to entertain nobly and after having Treated with them let them go freely away and when we are agreed we will also send your Prisoners and give notice to the young Coxinga otherwise call'd Sepoan that we are agreed The Council of War in answer to this Letter writ to the Governors of Formosa and Tayowan the twenty fourth of Ianuary from Tankoya to this effect WE thought to have had a better Answer from you than your Letter which we receiv'd this instant makes mention of for thereby appears to us that you will not send any body to us neither of your own nor of our Prisoners When we lay before Quemuy before our coming hither a Letter came from Sepoan wherein you specifi'd your inclination to agree with us and do you now require Agents from us to Treat with you We positively declare that you shall first send one to us and hear our Answer to your Proffer to give us Quelang Tamsui Pehoe or Lamoa and then we will Treat further and perhaps make a good Agreement which if you will not do and send us no Answer hereupon we will in the space of two days put our Flag of Defiance and use Hostility against you every where Our gotten Victories before Eymuy and Quemuy with the ruine of both Cities as also of the Forts on Colongsoe and Goutsoe witness our Power therefore since we cannot do any thing to you by fair means we will try what we can do by force of Arms for we have that God who is Creator of Heaven and Earth on our sides neither are we at such difference with the Tartars as you suppose We drive a Trade again in Hoksieu and their whole Countrey is at our Service and stands open for us we may put into any of their Harbors with our Ships nay they promise to assist us with all their Ionks and Forces if you are stubborn and will not agree with us Therefore consider with your selves and do not refuse our good Proffers whilst you may have them Here inclos'd is a Letter to our Friends your Prisoners which pray deliver to them we observe that they have not well understood our meaning of which at present we have given them better
for Us Christians but strictly forbidden by Our Superior Magistrates Therefore We give every one knowledge and warning not to dispose of any of the Maids or Youths or other Chineses either here at Poele Timon or Batavia to Mahumetans or Idolaters neither to barter nor give them away to such on pain of those Punishments decreed for such Offences And that such Misdoers may be found out every one shall be oblig'd to give an Account of how many they have to Our appointed Officers that they may take their Names in Writing And this to be set up in all the Ships of the Fleet lying at an Anchor before Poele Timon Dated the eighth of March 1664. The tenth it was concluded in the Council That since there was not Provision enough to be had for the Fleet and that which was there very dear to go thence to the Isle of Laver in hopes to be better provided Towards which having weigh'd Anchor they set Sail in the Evening and about midnight arriv'd there On his departure the Admiral left a Letter with the Inhabitants of Poele Timon to deliver to the Rere-Admiral Verwei in which he advis'd him of all what had hapned since they parted The twelfth it was resolv'd in Council that Evening to proceed on their Voyage to Batavia according to which they weigh'd Anchor and set Sail. The thirteenth the Fleet sail'd by Poele Panjang and on the fourteenth pass'd Lingen and Poele Saya and in the Evening Poele Toesjouw The fifteenth towards Night they pass'd by the Rock Frederick Hendrick and towards Evening entred the Straights of Banka The twentieth the Fleet stemm'd the Thousand Islands and in the Evening Anchor'd in twenty eight Fathom and were about three Leagues distant from the Isle of Edam The next day being the one and twentieth the Fleet came to an Anchor at Batavia with ten Ships The Sea-hound Frigat sent thither with the Quemuy Jonk with Letters from the Piscadores were also arriv'd there and likewise two other Jonks Towards Evening the Admiral Balthazar Bort Vice-Admiral Huibert de Lairesse the Council of War and Commanders of all the Ships went ashore and were courteously receiv'd by his Excellency the Lord Maetzuiker who inviting them to Dinner the next day the Admiral related all his Adventures to him deliver'd him also his Papers and a List of the Prisoners and the Chinese Children which were in all two hundred forty three viz. fifty nine Men a hundred forty eight Male Children and thirty six Female Mean while the Rear-Admiral Bartholomew Verwei who on the twenty fourth of February set Sail with four Ships from the Piscadores to the Coast of China to transport the revolted Chineses and land them about Puthay or the River Chincheo the twenty sixth came to an Anchor at the Island Colongsoe where he desir'd the Tartar Agents that they would with one of their Vessels fetch away the Chineses to which purpose he put the Agents ashore at the City Eymuy The next day they brought a Jonk into which they were put with their Arms and likewise the Letters given to the Agents to be deliver'd the Vice-Roy Singlamong and General Lipovi with which the Agents went to the City Chincheo The twenty eighth a Tartar Vessel came aboard the Rere-Admiral in which was a shaven Chinese call'd Hionko which had formerly liv'd in Batavia and spoke Portuguese who told him That he was sent by Sitetok with Request to Verwei That he would please to come to him to Haytin a Place about a League and a half from thence to a Treat but Verwei being sickly put it off This Hionko also related That the Enemy with his Forces lay yet in Tangsoa and durst not go to Tayowan fearing the Dutch Ships that lay before it and that about fourteen days since five thousand Men came to them in sixty Jonks which then lay at Haytan that the Commanders which came in the said Jonks desir'd to inhabit the Isles of Eymuy and Quemuy which if it were permitted them the Prime of the Coxingans would come over to them But the Vice-Roy Singlamong had denied and would not hearken thereto alledging That when another Holland Fleet should come again on the Coast they would then without any further trouble submit The first of March the Overveen Cogge and Buiksloot Frigats came to an Anchor by the Rere-Admiral The third being Monday Verwei set Sail with his four Ships that according to Order he might proceed on his Voyage to Batavia and in the Afternoon found himself half a League beyond the Island with the Hole his Course South-South-West The fourth he descry'd Lammo an Isle in the North-West four Leagues from the Fleet in twenty two and twenty three Fathom Water and in the Evening the Sands Nor-West and by West within five Leagues The fifth being Wednesday Verwei came amongst a Company of Chinese Fishers of which he thought to overtake one or by firing of a Gun make him strike but in vain for they by their nimble sailing got clear away In the Forenoon they saw Pedro Branco and about Noon were in twenty two Degrees eleven Minutes Northern Latitude Towards Evening they descry'd the Isles Lemas Nor-West three Leagues from them The eighth being Saturday in the Morning they had Tinhosa in the West five Leagues distant and at Noon in the Nor-West his Course being South-South-West Munday the tenth about Sun-rising they saw Poele Canton West-South-West four Leagues from them and at Noon by Observation found themselves in fifteen Degrees and three Minutes Northern Latitude and at Sun-set descry'd the Box Horns in the South-West and by South The eleventh they discern'd the Cape Averello in the South and by West six Leagues from them and Poele Cambier de Terre in the Nor-West and by West at three Leagues distance The twelfth in the Morning they reach'd the Round Holm being three Leagues to the West and by North and the Bay of Pangerang in the Nor-West at the same distance The thirteenth early they saw Poele Cecier de Mare in the South-East and by East about six Leagues from them and the fourteenth at Noon the Point of Sinques Iagues about five Leagues to the Nor-West The fifteenth being Saturday they had still sight of the high Land of Cambodia On Monday they saw Poele Candor in the Nor-West about three Leagues distance The twentieth in the Morning they had the Isle of Timon in the South towards which Verwei steer'd his Course with the other Ships and in the Afternoon dropp'd Anchor on the West side of the great Sandy Bay in eighteen Fathom Water The Inhabitants of this Place inform'd Verwei That the Admiral Bort had been there ten days with the rest of the Fleet. The same day Verwei set Sail again about Noon from Poele Timon and was the next day in the South-West and by South four Leagues from Poele Panjang which lay Nor-Nor-West two Leagues from him The following Day the East Point of Lingen bore West-South-West from
pretty well recover'd and he knew not any thing to the contrary but that he had a good Doctor yet humbly thank'd his Highness in the Ambassadors behalf for his kind Proffer why the Boat went down without leave he could not give any account but as to the Blyswiik Frigat she was now Unlading her Pepper and would at farthest be gone again within two days The Commander of the Blyswiik Frigat complain'd to Nobel that the Tartars hinder'd him in the Unlading of the Pepper he having call'd two Barque-men aboard which accordingly came but the Tartars seeing them took them notwithstanding he interceded for them and said that he was the occasion of their coming and caus'd them to be carry'd to Prison in Fetters which made Nobel send Ienko to complain to the Commission'd Mandarins about it Mean while a Factor was sent to Nobel from the General to enquire about the Ambassadors Health and if he had any good Physicians because his Highness would else send him his In the Afternoon the Interpreter Ienko came with some Mandarins and Merchants to the Blyswiik Frigat to redeem the Prisoners and give order for the Unlading of her which was begun immediately Next Morning being the ninth the Ambassador sent to the Vice-Roy Singlamong to excuse him that he could not accommodate him with his Chirurgeon because he also was indispos'd but so soon as he amended he should be immediately sent to him In the interim the Tyger Sloop arriv'd there with a Letter from the Merchant David Harthouwer in which the Ambassador was inform'd that with the other Officers he had thought it convenient not to let the Ship Alphen come into Netherland Haven because it was too dangerous to come thither against Wind and Tyde which Resolution they acquainted the Commander of her with that when he thought convenient he might remove from Sothia to Tinhay who had sent an Answer That he would observe it and consider with his Officers about it and then send his approbation The fifteen Chests brought hither by the Polesnip were put into the Constance and in the room of them they had Laden her full of Pepper out of the Constance and Tyger which weighed forty nine thousand six hundred sixty eight Catties by which means the Ships had made so much room that they could not conveniently come at all the Goods design'd for Presents so that they onely waited for the Blyswiik to Ship them in her The Polesnip Fly-boat was now ready to come up if they had leave and a Pass for her but the Povi's Commissioners would not permit it without Orders from above The Vlaerding had on the sixth instant Unladen thirty two thousand one hundred forty five Catty of Pepper into a Chinese Jonk which lay there still so that at last with great trouble they got to the Sandal Wood that was to be Presented In the Afternoon two Merchants were sent from the General to enquire after the Ambassador's health which Visit he order'd his Comptroller to requite by giving them six Hens five Gammons of Bacon some Pomegranates Chesnuts and Pears The same day the Ambassador desir'd the General that he might have the use of his Doctor but for a Day because he was much troubled with Gripes in his Bowels upon which Request he came immediately and prescribed him something which he had no sooner taken but found present ease The tenth in the Morning the Doctor came again to give the Ambassador some more Physick A Factor came also to enquire of his health and if the Medicines the Doctor had given had done him any good to which he was answer'd Yes and that the Ambassador had found great ease by it desiring the Factor to thank his Highness in his behalf which he promis'd to do The Bliswyk and the Tigers Sloop were put off from going that day and order'd to stay till the next because some Mandarins scrupled the carrying away of so much Provision about which they would first speak with the General In the Afternoon two Mandarins came into the Lodge with a Pass for the Bliswyk Frigat and the Tygers Sloop and said also That they were sent to Sail down with the Frigat The eleventh the Frigat and Sloop set Sail to Netherland Haven On Sunday Noon being the twelfth two Factors came to the Lodge to present the Ambassador in the Generals Name with some Connemomy and to tell him That the Ambassador had been a considerable time ashore and that the Emperors Presents were not yet Landed then the Ambassador desir'd that his Highness would please to give order that they might be suddenly deliver'd because he much longed to see them nor that they could proceed in any Trade before the Goods were ashore and likewise that then preparations should be made for his Journey to Peking Whereupon the Ambassador sent this Answer That the rest of the Presents would suddenly be ashore and that he thank'd his Highness for his Connemomy and in requital of it desir'd him to take a few Conserves of Nuts Cloves and the like So having been well entertain'd by the Ambassador the Factors took their Leave In the Evening it was consider'd That for several Reasons which the Governors had alledg'd by their Factors it might happen so soon as news came from Peking for the Ambassador to take his Journey thither that their Highnesses might press his going and that they nothing being as yet in readiness and all in a hurry might be put to a great inconvenience Therefore the Ambassador to begin betimes proposed If it would not be necessary to acquaint their Highness's to morrow That most of the Presents were ashore and the rest expected in few days if therefore they might begin to Pack them and cause Chests to be made for them of what bigness the Chests must be and how many Men must carry them and also the Saddles and Furniture for the Horses and likewise if their Highnesses would please to send Commissioners before the Presents if the Sandal Wood being very big could be carry'd by Land as it was or in what Pieces it ought to be cut that they must also carry several other Goods with them to Peking to give to the Council of State and other eminent Persons if they saw it convenient to desire their Highnesses to accept of the last Presents being onely Trifles sent to them by the Ambassador because they had no Place in the Lodge to keep them If their Highnesses should chance to speak of Trading to press it forward and to order that two Ships might about two Moneths hence be sent to Batavia and from thence to Holland to give an account of the Ambassador's Proceedings and the like This the Ambassador and his Council agreed upon and Nobel and Putmans order'd to go and acquaint their Highnesses with it The thirteenth in the Morning Nobel and Putmans according to the Resolution taken the Night before went to the Court to speak with their Highnesses About Noon coming home
which extends it self to three days Journey are on each side wharf'd and wall'd in with Stone of the Quarre at the end of which appears a great Dam that receives and keeps the Waters which swelling to a convenient heighth Vessels that come thither are with little help floated over into another Stream This Current serves onely to bring small Vessels up to the City Ningpo for the great ones go about by Sea Near this City are also many Triumphal Arches for building of which they have ready accommodation because the Quarres that serve all China are close by their Doors The ninth Division call'd Ningpofu borders in the East with the Sea in the West with Xaochingfu South upon a River flowing between this and the County Tancheufu The Kings Iue gave this and its Metropolis the Name of Iungtung the Family of Yang Nungcheu those of Sung Kingchyven but at last by the Taimingian Ningpo that is Reconciler of Strife The Kings of Han brought this Countrey under the Territory of Huiki Ningpofu hath five Cities viz Ningpo Cuki Funghoa Finghai and Siangxan Not far from Ningpo lies a Promontory which the Portuguese formerly very much frequented who corrupted the Name to Liampo Some say that from this Point in serene Weather they can discern the Mountains of Iapan whereas the most exact Chinese Cards or Maps make the Sea much broader than to discover any such Prospect The Metropolis Ningpo situated close by the River In boasts store of handsom Buildings On whose Eastern Shore stand several Triumphal Arches and two Steeples with seven Galleries one over another The Banks of the said River are all rais'd of Free-Stone at the end the Water is also stopp'd with a Stone Dam over which they hale the Vessels into a larger Channel In the little City Cuky are two Bridges one with Stone Supporters and great Pieces of Timber three hundred Rods long another which is very high and all of Stone stands on three Arches The tenth County call'd Taicheufu being a great Tract of Land verges Eastward with the Sea Southward with Vencheufu Westward with Kinhoafâ—… Northward with Xaohingfu and Ningpofu In the time of the Kings this Countrey belong'd to V. afterwards to Iue but was at last by the Family Cyn brought under the Territory of Minching The Family Han gave it the Name of Changan Tang of Haicheu and soon after that of Taicheu which it retains to this day This Countrey comprehends six Cities viz. Taicheu Hoanguien Tientai Cienkiu Ninghai Taiping This City Taicheu is situate on a Hill lying on the East side of the River San. The eleventh call'd Veucheufu conterminates in the East at the Sea in the South with the Territory of Fokien in the West at Cucheufu in the North at Taicheufu This Countrey is for the most part very mountainous but hath in the South before you approach the Hills of Fokien a large and spacious Plain Formerly this Countrey belong'd to the Kings of Iue afterwards to those of V. King Loang gave it the Name of Iungkia and was by the House of Tang first call'd Tunkia and soon after Voucheu by Sung Xuigan and lastly by the Taimingian Veucheu This Province Veucheu possesses six Cities viz. Veucheu Xuigan Locing Ping Yang and Taixium The City of Veucheu seated on the River Iungkia because it is also like the Metropolis Hangcheu standing on a Morass Soil and adorn'd with many fair Edifices is by the Inhabitants call'd Little Hancheu The City is very populous and a Residence for many Merchants whose Ships find good and safe Harbors in the great River Iungkia the Sea ebbing and flowing up to the City Walls Near the Sea-shore in this Territory are fifteen Garisons built against the Incursions of the Iapanners and safeguard of the Sea viz. in Veucheufu Nan Ningtung Sining Huigan Tunchi Cumen Puohin Xetic in Taicheufu Sinho Cioki Ninghai in Ningpofu onely Tinghai in Kiahinfu Hiacing Kinexan and Chincam Several Isles neighbor this Countrey inhabited by Husband-men and Fisher-men of which Cheuxan is the greatest the next are Chanque Chaopao besides several other lesser Cheuxan lies directly East from the Metropolis Hancheu opposite to the River Cientang in thirty one and thirty two Degrees Northern Latitude thirteen Leagues from the Main Land and hath in length from North to South sixteen and in breadth eight Leagues When antiently the Chinese King Lui worsted by the Tartars and flying with his scatter'd Forces to this Isle from all Parts many of the Chineses flock'd thither so that ever since what was before inconsiderable hath been a populous and well planted Isle for they number in this small Isle above seventy Towns and Villages most of them verging the Sea in such Places where Inlets and Bays make convenient Harbors neither wants their King a considerable Fleet which keep his Coast safe from the Incursions and Landing of the Tartars Horse wherein they are most formidable And the Tartars as much in awe of the Islanders keep continual Guard in the Fort of Tinghay rais'd on the Main Land with a Fleet of Crusing Chineses Before the Province Taicheufu near the Garison Cioki lies an Island call'd Ychoan which is Precious Circle so call'd for its convenient Havens the whole being in a manner so surrounded with Mountains it breaks off all Winds leaving onely a Gap or Entrance for Ships to come in at The whole Province of Chekiang is every where cut through with Rivers Rivulets and murmuring Streams some brought in by Art others of their own accord Most of the Channels of those Rivers which run Southward fall in such order as if Nature on purpose had contriv'd their Course so that the Traveller may pass through the whole Territory either by Land or Water which way he will still supply'd with all conveniencies The River Che from whence this Countrey hath its Name runs from the South to the North and divides it exactly in the middle in an Eastern and Western Canton but it changeth its Name at Hangcheu and there is call'd Cientang and again where it takes its original out of the Mountains in the Province Hoeicheufu they name it Singan The eighteenth day of the eighth Moon which is our October a prodigigious Spring-tyde happens worthy of admiration for it is onely on that day and begins to flow exactly at four a Clock in the Afternoon and comes with a Head at the first appearance high and strangely mounted above the Waters and suddenly turns Topsi-turvy what ever either by neglect or carelesness lies in the Way roaring extremely in his ascent beyond the loud murmur of Cataracts or Water-breaches to which as a wonderful spectacle where they have secure places the Magistrates Strangers and a great number of People resort to see though horrid the annual Spectacle The River Ho takes its Original near Cinijuw the third substitute City to the seventh Province Chucheufu and from thence follows by the Metropolis Kuihoa
General who after some stay permitted them to come into his Presence where the Ambassador was plac'd on his left Hand but the upper among the Tartars on a Stool a little distance from his and Nobel Harthouwer and others on his right Hand on Stools and Benches Being thus seated the Ambassador the General being silent said That he was very joyful to see Talavja in good health and that he was permitted into his Presence To which he reply'd That it was but his Duty to grant Audience to all Strangers Then the Ambassador proceeding said That the Embassy was now finish'd and that he had the Emperor's and Lipous Letters by him which being Seal'd must be deliver'd to the Lord Maetzuiker so that now since Talavja's Word was as much there as the Emperor's they would seek in all things possible to obey him To which the General making no Reply after a little silence ask'd for the Ambassador's Son to whom the Interpreter said That if the Ambassador had any thing to request of his Highness he should acquaint him with it now Whereupon he desir'd that the Merchants might fetch in their Debts and balance their Accounts and that the rest of the Goods of the last Year and those which they had brought back with them from Peking might be sold that he might prepare himself for his Return to Batavia To which the General said He knew very well that the Debts must be paid but he had receiv'd a Letter from the Emperor in which the Hollanders were forbid to sell their Goods Whereupon the Ambassador reply'd That in Peking it was meant the new-come Goods but his Desire was onely that the last years Trade which was granted by the Emperor might be finish'd Moreover that they might lay out the Silver which they had brought from Peking that by that means it might remain in the Countrey which else would be carry'd away The General answer'd again That he must observe the Emperor's Orders as the Ambassador the Lord Maetzuikers and that they might not sell prohibited Goods not but that he judg'd it better for the Silver to stay in the Land than to be carry'd out from thence Lastly the Ambassador desir'd that he might onely send some Provisions to the Ships which the General granted giving him a Note of them Then the Ambassador saying he durst not detain Talavja any longer desir'd to take his leave The General reply'd That he was glad to hear such civil Expressions from him and so they parted The Ambassador coming to his Lodgings judg'd it convenient since he was permitted to send some Provisions to the Ships to take hold of the opportunity and to send the Hilversan Flyboat with all the Papers and Answers to Batavia with a Letter to advise the Council there of their success Likewise that he might oblige the Conbon and General to be assisting in their Business he thought good to present the General with half a Piece of Purple Cloth one String of Blood Coral six Pieces of Linnen two of Says two of Amber two of Cloth-Serge one Gun with a Stock of Palm-Wood two Swords a pair of Pistols one Sword-Blade ten Flasks of Rose-Water and one Piece of black Cloth To the Conbon they intended one Piece of red Cloth six Pieces of Linnen two of Says two of great Amber two of Cloth-Serge one String of Blood Coral one Gun two Swords one Piece of Perpetuana ten Flasks of Rose-Water The same day Nobel according to their Resolution went to the Factor Lapora to enquire if any Silks could be bought for Silver or Merchandise but Lapora telling him the difficulty of it they attempted no farther The sixth in the Morning the Ambassador and the chiefest of his Retinue went to the Conbon's Court to Complement his Highness before whom being brought having waited a considerable time several Complements pass'd as at the Generals viz. That the Ambassador was glad to see Talavja in health and that he had the favor to appear in his Presence adding That the Hollanders had receiv'd many Civilities from the late Conbon and hop'd that they should also participate of his Highness's Favors Whereupon the Conbon ask'd if the Ambassador enjoy'd his Health in his Journey to and from Peking whereto he answer'd Yes and that he had receiv'd great Honor there and was come away in Friendship desiring nothing more than to leave Hoksieu also in Love and Amity for which he desir'd his Highness's assistance The Conbon replying said That the Ambassador had brought the Chinkon to Peking wherein the Emperor had taken great pleasure why then should not he be kind to him he did not meet him by the Way therefore he would now send him some Provisions for a Present Soon after the Conbon ask'd the Ambassador when he intended to go from thence To which he answer'd When the General and Conbon pleas'd and that he never doubted but the Goods of last Year might have been sold with freedom and they might also lay out their Silver for Commodities but since he understood that it could not be permitted he therefore desir'd to avoid all trouble that he might be gone so soon as it was possible and would rather suffer damage than do contrary to the Emperor's Order Hereupon the Conbon said that he was not well inform'd therein and withall ask'd the Ambassador if he would immediately be gone or stay a little longer To which the Ambassador reply'd That so soon as the Merchants had receiv'd their Debts and all things balanc'd then he would be gone the sooner the better After which no other Discourse passing the Netherlanders took their leave Mean while Putmans went to the Generals Court with an Inventory of the Presents which the Ambassador had design'd for him the Day before to shew it to his Highness but was forc'd to return without Audience being order'd to come again the following Day wherefore the Ambassador sent Nobel and Putmans again on the seventh and also to proffer the Conbon his Presents but they had as ill success as Putmans the Day before for they could not be permitted to Audience After the Interpreter had taken the Inventory of the Generals Presents from them and shew'd it to his Highness he brought Answer That the General would accept no Presents Towards the Evening the Interpreter Kako came to the Lodge with Commands to search the Blyswiik Frigat The eighth in the Morning the Vice-Roy Singlamong's Interpreter and his prime Factor call'd Iongsavija came to bring the following Presents First for the Lord Maetzuiker sixteen Pieces of Sattin twenty of Sarsnet four Brokkado's six hundred and ten Pieces of Porcelane one Picol of Tee For the Ambassador eight Pieces of Sattin two Brokkado's ten Pieces of Sarsnet a hundred Pieces of Porcelane and one Picol of Tee For Harthouwer six Pieces of Sarsnet two Brokkado's eight Pieces of Sattin half a Picol of Tee and a hundred Tee Cups Moreover they said that the Vice-Roy at that time had no such fine Goods by
South it receives the River Iung and runs through the Territory Chaokingfu into the Province of Quantung glides Southward by the City Chaoting and Loting and Southward from the City Quancheu or Canton looseth it self The River Kinxa takes its Original in the Province of Iunnan out of the South side of the Lake Tien or Quienning bends its Course Northward through the County Iunnanfu in like manner through Vutingfu and in twenty seven Degrees and thirty Minutes North-Latitude enters on the South into the Province of Suchuen Westward from the Garrison Le and at last falls East from the Lake Mahu into the River Mahu Another Branch also call'd Kinxa runs by the City Tinghuen of the Province of Suchuen and Westward from the Mountain Ulang finisheth its Course Another River likewise call'd Kinxa issues out of the Kingdom of Sifan and enters the Province of Iunnan through the Territory Likiangfu on the East side of the City Linsi proceeds Northward by the City Likiang then through the River Ciokingfu from thence Eastward by the North side of the City Pexing where it sends forth a Branch towards the South through the North part of the County Yagon having its Channel inlarg'd from the several Rivers which it receives in the Province of Suchuen near the Confines of the Province of Queicheu and joyns with the River Kinxa which comes out of the Province Iunnan Another River passes more Northward out of the Kingdom of Sifan also call'd Kinxa and sometimes Lekie it passes by the Mountain Luyni into the Province Iunnan thence through the County Iungningfu from West to East by the North part of the City Iungning and through the Lake Lacu where it receives the Stream Loye which comes out of the South and falling last into the Province of Suchuen mixes with that Kinxa which flows out of the Province of Iunnan Southward from the Mountain Ulung Kingxa signifies Gold-Dust so call'd from its plenty of Gold Thus far of the Rivers and Brooks which Water the Empire of China in several places to its great fertility and make it Navigable almost through the whole Empire nay in such manner that several Counties and Provinces divided and surrounded by them lie like Islands separated from one another by the Streams that flow between them There are also many deep-cut Channels besides Lakes Pools and Springs abounding in Fish Standing waters or Channels THe Countrey of China is cut thorow in many places with Moats or Artificial Channels for the conveniency of Navigation from one City to another Among many others one of these Channels call'd Iun deserves no small admiration being with an incredible Charge digg'd from the Province of Nanking through that of Xantung to the Metropolis of Peking by means of which from most places in the Empire all sorts of Goods are brought in Ships to Peking It begins on the Northern Borders of the Province of Nanking in the County Hoaiganfu Northward from the City Socien near the Northern Shore of the Yellow River out of which Ships from all parts of the Empire are brought into it from thence it extends North-West through the second Territory Iencheufu of the Province of Xantung to the City Cining Southward from the Lake Nanyang then through that of Tungchangfu and the Lake Nanyang from whence at last at the end of the County near the City Lincing beyond the Lake Cang it falls into the River Guei But because the Water in this Channel is too shallow in many places for great Ships therefore there are above twenty Sluces or Water-gates in the same in the Chinese Tongue call'd Tungpa very strong and firm of square Stone Every Sluce hath a Gate or opening lock'd with great Planks to keep out the Water being by means of a Wheel and an Engine drawn up with little trouble to give way for the Water and Ships till you come to the second Gate where they do the like and so likewise at all the rest But half way before you come to the City Cining they tap as much Water through a great Water-gate out of the Lake Cang as they need then Locking up the Gates again keep the Water from running out too much and so leaving the Ground bare for the Water in the Lake is higher than the adjacent Countrey so that in a small Tract of Land they reckon above eight Water-gates which resist the force and power of the Water When the Ships are come to the Lake Cang it self they cross not the same but with much more ease pass along a Channel made by the sides of the Lake with brave Banks on each side At every Water-gate are People which Toe the Ships by a Line through the Sluces for a small reward In this manner the Ships go out of the Yellow River to Peking Certainly should the best Builders or Surveyors of Europe come and behold the length of this Channel or thickness and heighth of the Banks on each side and the ornament of the Sluces which are all of hewn Stone they would justly wonder at the wisdom of the Chineses and their Industry in undergoing that labor which scarce any other People would be able to perform In the Province of Peking in the County of Pekingfu near the City Cho there is also a very long Channel call'd Tocang another in the eighth County Xaohingfu in the Province of Chekiang describ'd before besides many more which would be too tedious to mention Lakes and Pools IN the County of Pekingfu Westward from the Metropolis lies on the Mountain Iociven a Lake call'd Lis which is ten Furlongs in Circumference On the South side of the Mountain Tienxu Northward from the chief City is a Lake made by the confluence of several Springs wherefore it is call'd Kienlung that is Of nine Springs which number because the Chineses account it Fortunate hath much increas'd their Superstitious Belief concerning the Emperor's Tombs that are there On the South-West side of the City Paoting close by the City Moat is a small but very pleasant Lake call'd Lienhoa that is Lien-Flower whereon the Citizens and Neighboring People make great Feasts and Entertainments in Pleasure-Boats built for that purpose In the County Hokienfu near the City Hie is a very deep Lake nam'd Vo the Water of which at the throwing of a Stone therein becomes of the Colour of Blood If the Leaves of the adjacent Trees chance to fall into it in a short time Swallows flie out of it insomuch that the Leaves seem to turn into Birds as is related of the Scotch Barnacles or Soland Geese In the Territory Sintivyfu Northward of the City Nangsin begins a great Lake call'd Talo and extends as far as the City Kiulo in the County Xuntefu Nor far from the little City Hanping is another lesser Lake made by two Springs the one with very hot and the other very cold Water though they lie both close together In the County Tamingfu near the City Niuhoang lies a Lake call'd Luece
is call'd Munghao that is Flower of Sleep The County Nanchangfu the first of the Province of Kiangfi having every where a fruitful and fat Soil is Till'd in most places In like manner the second Territory Iaocheufu is made very pregnant by several Rivers that run through it The Chineses also esteem the fourth County Nankangfu for its affording them all kind of Necessaries the low Grounds yielding plenty of Rice Corn and Shell-Fruit the Mountains store of Wood for Fuel The sixth County Kienchangfu is though Mountainous a Pleasant and Fertile Countrey as likewise the seventh Vuchenfu through which run many Rivers it yields store of Gold-colour'd Apples nor is it wanting in all sorts of Fruit and other Provisions No less Pleasant and Fruitful is the eighth County Lingkiangfu esteem'd by the Chineses as also the ninth Kieganfu though Hilly and Mountainous But above all the tenth Territory Xuicheufu abounds in Rice-Fields as appears by its paying three thousand Bags of Rice for Custom Yearly when as it contains onely three Cities of which the chief at this day call'd Xuicheu was in the time of the Family Tang nam'd Micheu that is City of Rice Not much short of this in plenty is the eleventh County Iuencheufu The fourth County Sunkiangfu of the Province of Kiangnan though small is not to be left out of the Fruitful Countries The fifth Changcheufu being a plain Countrey and Water'd by several Rivers exceeds many other Territories in the goodness of its Soil producing an excellent kind of Grain The seventh Yancheufu hath also a delightful and fertile Soyl. The ninth County Lucheufu being water'd by the Lake Cao possesses in most parts thereof very luxuriant Plains In like manner doth the eleventh Taipingfu The Province of Chekiang by reason of the many Brooks Rivers and Lakes which wash the same is a rich Magazine of Plenty And though Chokiang hath many Mountains on its South and West parts yet they are all Till'd except those which are stony and they also afford Timber fit for the building of Ships or Houses In most parts are store of Mulberry Trees which are Prun'd yearly like our Vines thereby the better to provide Food for the Silk-Worms for the Chineses suffer them not to grow too high having by the experience of many years learn'd that the Leaves of the Orange-Trees and those that are most kept down yield the best Silk In the County Hucheufu the third of the Province of Chekiang grows Cha which is call'd Riaicha In the fifth Territory Kinhaofu grows a sort of great Plumbs which being dry'd are sent from thence to most parts of China The whole County of Ningpofu in the Province of Chekiang hath a fertile Soil except where it is full of Rocks and Mountains The eleventh County Vencheufu flourishes all along till you come to the Mountains in the Province of Fokien which extend themselves a vast way The Province of Fokien is for the most part over spread with Mountains which in many places are cover'd with pleasant Woods especially on steep Ascents The Timber is good for the building of Ships Houses and the like That part also which is plain is for the most part Sandy and unfit for Tillage but to supply that defect the Water is led thither in little Channels whereby those places that are barren by Nature are rendred productive by the Art and Industry of Man The sixth County Tingcheufu hath abundance of all things requisite for the subsistance of Mankind notwithstanding it is very Mountainous The seventh Territory Hinghoafu in the Province of Fokien is the fertilest and pleasantest in the whole Countrey and especially abounding in Rice as appears by its paying seventy two thousand Bags of Tribute whereas it onely contains two Cities The little Territory of the City Foning hath also plenty of Provision notwithstanding it is every where full of Mountains The Province of Quantung is a rich Store-house of Plenty The Fields are so bountiful in the production of Rice and Wheat that they are Sown twice a year each Harvest yielding the Husband-man a most plentiful Crop by reason the whole Province feels neither Frost nor Snow insomuch that the Chineses have a Proverb concerning it viz. That in the Province of Quantung are three unusual things The Skie without Snow The Trees always green and The Inhabitants continually spitting Blood that is to say a red-colour'd Spittle occasion'd by the continual chewing the Leaves of Betel with Faufel or Araka a Composition made of burnt Oyster-shells In the same Province also are every where many excellent Fruits as Pomegranates Grapes Pears Chesnuts Indian Figs Indian Nuts Anana's Lichin Lunggon Ieucu or Muskmelons Apples and all sorts of Citrons The fifth Territory Iaocheufu in the Province of Quantung hath a fertile Soyl except in some places where it is oppress'd with Rocks The sixth Chaokingfu yields store of sweet Wood and amongst the rest that which the Portuguese name Pao de Rosa that is Rose-Wood The ninth County Luicheufu exceeds in many things all the other Territories in the Province of Quantung In most parts of this Countrey grows a Twig which the Chineses call Teng and the Portuguese Rosa. The Province of Quangsi is not altogether so delightful as that of Quantung yet in some measure is supply'd with Provisions The whole Province is full of Hills except the South part which reaches to the Shore where it is all Till'd and Manur'd The third County Kingyvenfu is a Craggy and Mountainous Countrey yet produces Araka little Indian Nuts and the Fruit Lichias The sixth Territory Cincheufu is a pleasant Place and not so barren as the former The Province of Queicheu is the craggiest and unfertilest Place in all China being nothing but a continu'd and inaccessible Ridge of Mountains In the fourth Territory Chinyvenfu grow a sort of Flowers highly esteem'd by the Chineses Granates and Golden Apples The first County Iunnanfu in the Province of Iunnan is a very pleasant Countrey having plenty of all things and rises in some places in Hills and high Mountains and in others extends a vast way on plain and Champain Grounds It produces Rose-Wood In the second County Talifu in the Province of Iunnan grow European Figs which the Chineses call Vuhoaquo that is Fruit without Flowers because they grow without ever having any Blossoms for Vu signifies Without Hoa Flower and Quo A Blossom There likewise grows Cha or Tee The third County Langanfu yields Rice Wheat Honey and Wax and also all sorts of Fruits which grow in India It is partly Champain and partly Mountainous The fourth Territory Cuihungfu is a plain Countrey flourishing with Corn-Fields brave Meadows and Pastures for Cattel The whole County Kingtungfu produces chiefly and therefore in great abundance Rice The Territory Quangnangfu is by the Chineses for its excellent fertility call'd The Golden Land In the fifth Territory Iunnanfu where stands the Garrison'd City Cioking are store of Pine-Apples as likewise in the sixth The seventh