I Immediately Sent The
Hosiander, Of Which I Appointed Edward Christian Captain, To Go In
Search Of The Bark From
Malacca, which was brought to me on the 17th:
But the king sent me two messengers, desiring me to release
Her and her
people and cargo; which I refused, till I had examined the bark and her
contents; saying, however, that in honour and respect for his majesty, I
should then do whatever he was pleased to desire. Afterwards, I was
informed by Mr Christian, that there were only four or five bales of
goods in the bark, and that nothing she contained had been meddled with.
Being satisfied of this I went ashore, and found my merchants were at
the court. They returned presently, saying, that the king was greatly
displeased at the capture of the Portuguese bark in his port, protesting
by his god that he would make us all prisoners, if she were not
released. Having notice that I was ashore, the king presently sent for
me; and, as I was on my way to the court, I met with a gentleman from
the king, who desired me in his name to release the bark; but I told him
I must first see and speak to the king. I was then brought into the
king's presence, and, after much discourse with him, I gave him the
bark and all her contents; with which he was so much pleased, that he
gave me the title of Arancaia Puto, signifying the honourable white
man, requiring all his nobles to call me by that name. In farther proof
of his satisfaction with my conduct on this occasion, he sold me all his
benzoin at my own price, being twenty tailes the bahar, though then
selling commonly at thirty-four and thirty-five tailes. He at the same
time expressed his esteem and affection for me in the strongest terms,
desiring me to ask from him whatever I thought proper. I only requested
his letters of recommendation and favour for Priaman, which he most
readily promised; and, at my taking leave, he both made me eat some
mangoes, of which he was then eating, and gave me some home with me.
On the 27th, Malim Cairy came to Acheen, by whom I received letters
from our merchants at Surat, as also a copy of the firmaun, sent them
from Agra, bearing date the 25th January, in the seventh year of the
then reigning Great Mogul, by which everything was confirmed that had
been agreed upon between the governor of Ahmedabad and me. The 17th of
June, a Dutch merchant came to Acheen from Masulipatam, who had been
eight months on his way, from whom we learnt the death of Mr Anthony
Hippon at Patane, and of Mr Brown, master of the Globe, who died at
Masulipatam, where our people had met with evil usage. The 24th I
received of the king his present for the king of England, consisting of
a criss or dagger, a hasega, four pieces of fine Calicut lawn, and
eight camphire dishes.[90]
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