Book: An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies

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[He reasons with the People about his allowance.] Altho I was yet
but a Novice in the Countrey, and knew not much of the People, yet
plain reason told me, that it was not so much for my good and credit
that they pleaded, as for their own benefit. Wherefore I returned
them this answer, That if as they said I was greater in quality than
the rest, and so held in their Estimation, it would be but reason to
demand a greater allowance, whereas I desired no more than the other
English men had. And as for the toyl and trouble in dressing of it,
that would be none to me, for my Boy had nothing else to do. And then
I alledged several inconveniencies in bringing my Victuals ready
boiled; as first, that it was not dressed according to my Diet;
and many times not brought in due Season, so that I could not eat
when I was an hungry. And the last and chief reason of all was, that
I might save a little to serve my Necessity of Clothing: and rather
than want Cloths for my Back, I must pinch a little out of my Belly,
and so both go share and share like. And so at length, thanks be to
God, I obtained, tho with much ado, to get two Measures of Rice per
day for my self, and one for my Boy; also Coker-nuts, Pumpkins, Herbs,
Limes, and such like enough, besides Pepper and Salt; and sometimes
Hens, Eggs, or Flesh: Rice being the main thing they stand upon,
for other things they refuse not to give what they have.

[He builds him an House.] Now having settled all Business about my
allowance, my next concern was to look after an House more convenient,
for my present one was too small to dress my Victuals in, and to
sleep in too. Thereabouts was a Garden of Coker-nut Trees, belonging
unto the King, a pleasant situation; this place I made choice of to
build me a House in. And discovering my desire to the People, they
consented, and came and built it for me: but before it was finished,
their occasions called them away, but my Boy and I made an end of
it, and whitened the Walls with Lime, according to my own Countrey
fashion. But in doing this I committed a Capital Offence: for none may
white their Houses with Lime, that being peculiar to Royal Houses and
Temples. But being a Stranger nothing was made of it, because I did
it in ignorance: had it been a Native that had so done, it is most
probable it would have cost him his Head, or at the least a great Fine.

[He follows business and thrives.] Being settled in my new House,
I began to keep Hogs and Hens; which by God's Blessing thrived very
well with me, and were a great help unto me. I had also a great benefit
by living in this Garden. For all the Coker-nuts that fell down they
gave me, which afforded me Oyl to burn in the Lamp, and also to fry my
meat in. Which Oyl being new is but little inferior to this Countrey
Butter. Now I learned to knit Caps, which Skill I quickly attained
unto, and by God's Blessing upon the same, I obtained great help and
relief thereby.

[Some attempted running away, but were catched.] In this manner we
all lived, seeing but very little sign that we might build upon, to
look for Liberty. The chief of our hopes of it was that in process of
time when we were better acquainted we might run away. Which some of
our People attempted to do too soon, before they knew well which way
to go, and were taken by the Inhabitants. For it is the custom of the
Chingulays to suspect all white People, they meet travailing in the
Countrey, to be Runaways; and to examine them: and if they cannot give
satisfactory answers, they will lay hold of them and carry them back
unto the City. Where they will keep them Prisoners under a guard of
Soldiers in an open House like a Barn with a little Victuals sometimes,
and sometimes with none at all. Where they have no other remedy to
help themselves but Begging. And in this Condition they may lye perhaps
for their Lifetime, being so kept for a Spectacle unto the People.

[Little incouragement for those that bring back Runnaways.] Tho the
common way whereby the King gratifies such as catch Runawayes and
bring them up, is not over acceptable. For they are appointed to
feed and watch them until he calls for them to be brought before
him. At which time his promise is bountifully to reward them. But
these Promises I never knew performed. Neither doth he perhaps ever
think of it after. For when the King is made acquainted with the
matter, the men that have brought up the Prisoner are in a manner
as bad Prisoners themselves, not daring to go home to their Houses
without his leave, but there they must remain. After some years stay,
the common manner is, for them to give a Fee unto the Governor of
the Countrey, and he will licence them to go home, which they must
be contented with instead of the promised reward.






CHAP. IV.

Concerning some other English men detained in that Countrey.


[The Persia Merchant's men Captives before us.] In the same Captivity
with our selves on this Island, was another Company of English Men,
who were taken about a year and an half before us, viz. in the year
MDCLVIII. They were Thirteen in number, whose names were as follow,
Viz. Mr. William Vassal, John Merginson, Thomas March, Thomas Kirby,
Richard Jelf, Gamaliel Gardiner, William Day, Thomas Stapleton,
Henry Man, Hugh Smart, Daniel Holstein, an Hamburger, James Gony,
and Henry Bingham. The occasion of their Seizure was thus. The
Ship these Men belonged unto was the Persia Merchant, Capt. Francis
Johnson Commander, which was lost upon the Maldives Islands. But they
escaped in their Boats, and passing along by this Land went on shore
to recruit and buy Provisions, and so were taken. The Chingulays that
took them [Plundered by the Natives.] Plundered them of what they
had, except their Cloths. Yet one of them, John Merginson by name,
having cunningly hid his Money about him, saved it from the Heathen,
but from his own Countrymen he could not, some of whom knowing of
it set upon him and robbed him of it. But it did them little good,
for the King hearing of it sent and robbed the Robbers.

[Brought up to the King.] These men thus seized were carried up before
the King. Of whom he demanded, whether the English had Wars with the
Hollanders. They answered, No. Or, if the English could beat them. They
answered, They could and had done it lately. Then he gave order to
give them all some Cloths, and to Mr. William Vassal, being the chief
of them, a double Portion. And out of them made choice of two Lads;
whom afterwards he sent and took into his Court. Their honours and
their ends we shall see by and by. They were all placed in the City of
Cande, and each of them had a new Mat given them to sleep on, and their
Diet was Victuals dressed and brought them twice a day from the King's
own Palace. They had Cloths also distributed to them another time.

So that these men had the advantage of us. For we neither had Mats
nor Cloths, nor had the honour of being ever brought into the King's
Presence.

[They hoped to obtain Liberty, but were mistaken.] This civil Reception
upon their first coming up into the City, put these Persia Merchant-men
in hope, that the King would give them their Liberty. There was at
that time an old Portugueze Father, Padre Vergonse by name, Living
in the City. With him they discoursed concerning the probability of
their Liberty, and that the favours the King had shewn them seemed
to be good signs of it: but he told them the plain truth, that it
was not customary there to release white Men. For saying which,
they railed at him, calling him Popish Dog, and Jesuitical Rogue,
supposing he spoke as he wished it might be. But afterward to their
grief they found it to be true as he told them.

[A ridiculous action of these Men.] Their entertainment was
excellently good according to the poor condition of the Countrey, but
they thought it otherwise, very mean and not according to the King's
order. Therefore that the King might be informed how they were abused,
each man took the Limb of an Hen in his hand, and marched rank and
file in order thro the Streets with it in their hands to the Court,
as a sign to the great Men whereby they might see, how illy they were
served; thinking hereby the King might come to hear of their misusage,
and so they might have order to be fed better afterwards. But this
proved Sport to the Noblemen who well knew the fare of the Countrey,
laughing at their ignorance, to complain where they had so little
cause. And indeed afterwards they themselves laughed at this action
of theirs, and were half ashamed of it, when they came to a better
understanding of the Nature of the Countreys Diet.

[They had a mind to Beef, and how they got it.] Yet notwithstanding
being not used to such short Commons of Flesh, tho they had Rice in
abundance, and having no Money to buy more, they had a desire to kill
some Cows, that they might eat their Bellies full of Beef, but made
it somewhat a point of Conscience, whether it might be lawful or not,
to take them without leave. Upon which they apply themselves to the old
Father abovesaid, desiring him to solve this Case of Conscience. Who
was very ready to give them a Dispensation. And told them, That
forasmuch as the Chingulayes were their Enemies and had taken their
Bodies, it was very lawful for them to satisfie their Bodies with their
Goods. And the better to animate them in this design, bid them bring
him a piece, that he might partake with them. So being encouraged by
the old Father, they went on boldly in their intended Business.

[A Passage of the Courage of the Men.] Now if you would have an account
of the Metal and Manfulness of these men, as you have already had a
tast of ours, take this passage. The Jack Fruit the Kings Officers
often gather wheresoever it grows, and give to the Kings Elephants,
and they may gather it in any mans grounds without the Owners leave,
being for the Kings use. Now these English men were appointed to dwell
in an house, that formerly belonged unto a Noble man, whom the King
had cut off, and seized upon it. In the ground belonging to this
House stood a Jack Tree full of Fruit. Some of the Kings men came
thither to gather some of them to feed the Elephants. But altho the
English had free liberty to gather what they could eat or desire,
yet they would permit none but themselves to meddle with them, but
took the Officers by the shoulders and turned them out of the Garden,
altho there were more a great many than they could tell what to do
with. The Great men were so Civil, that notwithstanding this Affront,
they laid no Punishment upon them. But the Event of this was, that a
few days after they were removed from this house to another, where
was a Garden but no Trees in it. And because they would not allow
the King a few, they lost all themselves.

[Two of his Company taken into Court.] I mentioned before two Lads
of this Company, whom the King chose out for his own service, their
Names were Hugh Smart and Henry Man. These being taken into his Court,
obtained great Favour and Honour from him, as to be always in his
presence, and very often he would kindly and familiarly talk with
them concerning their Country, what it afforded; and of their King
and his Strength for War. Thus they lived in his Favour for some time.

[The one out of Favour, his end.] Till at length Hugh Smart, having
a desire to hear news concerning England, privatly got to the Speech
of a Dutch Embassadour. Of which the King had notice, but would not
believe it, supposing the information was given him out of Envy to
his Favorite, but commanded privately to watch him, and if he went
again, to catch him there. Which he not being aware of, went again,
and was catched. At which the King was very angry. For he allows none
to come to the speech of Ambassodours, much less one that served in
his presence, and heard and saw all that passed in Court. But yet
the King dealt very favourably with him. For had it been a Chingulay,
there is nothing more sure than that he should have dyed for it. But
this English mans Punishment was only to be sent away and kept a
Prisoner in the Mountains without Chains, and ordered him to be well
used there. Where indeed he lived better content than in the Kings
Palace. He took a Wife here and had one Son by her, and afterwards
dyed by a mischance, which was thus. As he was gathering a Jack from
the Tree by a Crock, it fell down upon his side, and bruised him so
that it killed him.

[The other out of Favour, and lamentable Death.] Henry Man the other,
yet remained in Favour, and was promoted to be Chief over all the Kings
Servants that attended on him in his Palace. It happened one Day,
that he broke one of the Kings China Dishes. Which made him so sore
afraid, that he fled for Sanctuary into a Vehar, a Temple where the
Chief Priests always dwel, and hold their consultations. This did
not a little displease the King; this Act of his supposing him to
be of Opinion that those Priests were able to secure him against the
Kings displeasure. However he shewing Reverence to their Order would
not violently fetch him from thence; but sent a kind Message to the
English man, bidding him not to be afraid for so small a matter as a
Dish (And, it is probable had he not added this fault he might have
escaped without Punishment) and that he should come and Act in his
place as formerly. At which Message he came forth, and immediatly,
as the King had given order, they took hold of him and bound his Arms
above the Elbows behind, which is their fashion of binding men. In
which manner he lay all that Night, being bound so hard that his Arms
swelled, and the Ropes cut throw the Flesh into the Bones. The next
day the King Commanded a Noble man to loose the Ropes off his Arms,
and put Chains on his Legs, and keep him in his House, and there feed
him and cure him.

Thus he lay some Six Months, and was cured, but had no Strength in
his Armes, and then was taken into his Office again, and had as much
Favour from the King as before. Who seemed much to lament him for
his folly, thus to procure his own ruine.

Not long after he again offended the King. Which as it is reported
was thus. A Portugueze had been sent for to the City to be employed in
the Kings Service; to which Service he had no Stomach at all, and was
greatly afraid of, as he justly might be. For the avoiding therefore
of it he sends a Letter to this English Courtier, wherein he entreated
him to use his interest to excuse him to the King. The English man
could not read the Letter being writ in the Portugueze Tongue, but
gave it to another to read. Which when he knew the contents of thought
it not safe for him to meddle in that business, and so concealed the
Letter. The person to whom the English man had given it to read, some
time after informed the King thereof. Whereupon both the Portugueze
that sent the Letter, and the English man to whom it was sent, and
the Third Person that read it, because he informed no sooner, were
all three at one time and in one place torn in pieces by Elephants.

[The King sends special order concerning their good usage.] After this
Execution the King supposing that we might be either discontented in
our selves, or discountenanced by the People of the Land, sent special
order to all parts where we dwelt, that we should be of good cheer,
and not be discouraged, neither abused by the Natives.

Thus jealous is the King of Letters, and allows none to come or go. We
have seen how dear it cost poor Henry Man. Mr. William Vassal, another
of the Persia-Merchant men, was therefore more wary of some Letters
he had, and came off better.

[Mr. Vassals prudence upon the receit of Letters.] This man had
received several Letters, and it was known abroad that he had. Which
he fearing lest the King should hear of, thought it most convenient
and safe to go to the Court and present him himself; that so he might
plead in his own Defence to the King. Which he did. He acknowledged
to him that he had received Letters, and that they came to his hands
a pretty while ago: but withall pretended excuses and reasons to clear
himself. As first, that when he received them, he knew not that it was
against the Law and manner of the Countrey; and when he did know, he
took Council of a Portugueze Priest, (who was now dead) being old and
as he thought well experienced in the Countrey. But he advised him to
defer a while the carrying them unto the King until a more convenient
season. After this he did attempt, he said to bring them unto the
King, but could not be permitted to have entrance thro the Watches:
so that until now, he could not have opportunity to present them.

[The King bids him to read his Letters.] The King at the hearing
hereof, seemed not to be displeased in the least, but bid him read
them. Which he did in the English Language, as they were writ; and
the King sat very attentive as if he had understood every word. After
they were read, the King gave Vassal a Letter he had intercepted,
sent to us from Sir Edward Winter, then Agent at Fort St. George; and
asked the News and Contents thereof. Which Mr. Vassal informed him at
large of. It was concerning the Victory we had gained over the Dutch
when Obdam Admiral of Holland was slain, and concerning the number
of our Ships in that Fight, being there specified to be an Hundred
and Fifty Sail. The King inquired much after the number of Guns and
Men they carried. The number of Men he computed to be one Ship with
another about Three Hundred per Ship. At that rate, the King demanded
of him how many that was in all. Which Mr. Vassal went about to cast
up in the Sand with his finger. But before he had made his Figure
the King had done it by Head, and bid him desist, saying it was 45000.

[The King pleased to hear of England Victory over Holland.] This News
of the Hollanders overthrow, and the English Victory much delighted
the King: and he inquired into it very particularly. Then the King
pretended he would send a Letter to the English Nation, and bad
Mr. Vassal inform him of a Trusty Bearer. Which he was very forward
to do, and named one of the best which he had made trial of. One of
the Great men there present, objected against him, saying, he was
insufficient, and asked him, if he knew no other. At which Vassal
suspected their Design, which was to learn who had brought those
Letters to him; and so framed his answer accordingly, which was that
he knew no other.

[Private discourse between the King and Vassal.] There was much
other discourse passed between the King and him at this time in the
Portugueze Tongue. Which what it was I could never get out of him,
the King having commanded him to keep it secret. And he saith, he
hath sworn to himself not to divulge it, till he is out of the Kings
hands. At parting, the King told him, for Secrecy he would send him
home privatly, or otherwise he would have dismist him with Drums
and Honour. But after this the King never sent for him again. And
the man, that he named as fit and able to carry the Kings Letter,
was sent away Prisoner to be kept in Chains in the Countrey. It is
supposed, that they concluded him to have been the man that brought
Vassal his Letters. And thus much of the Captivity and Condition of
the Persia-Merchant men.







CHAP. V.

Concerning the means that were used for our Deliverance. And what
happened to us in the Rebellion. And how we were setled afterwards.


[Means made to the King for our Liberty.] All of us in this manner
remained until the year MDCLXIV. At which time arrived a Letter on
our behalf to the King from the Right Worshipful Sir Edward Winter,
Governour of Fort St. George, and Agent there. The Dutch Embassadour
also at that time by a Commission from the Governour of Columba
treated with the King for us. With Sir Edward's Message the King
was much pleased, and with the Dutch's mediation so prevailed with,
that he promised he would send us away.

[Upon which they all met at the City.] Upon this, he commanded us all
to be brought to the City. Whither when we came, we were very joyful
not only upon the hopes of our Liberty, but also upon the sight of one
another. For several of us had not seen the others since we were first
parted. Here also we met with the Persia Merchant men, whom until this
time we had not seen. So that we were nine and twenty English in all.

[Word sent them from the Court, that they had their Liberty.] Some
few days after our Arrival at the City, we were all called to
the Court. At which time standing all of us in one of the Palace
Court-yards, the Nobles by command from the King came forth and told
us, that it was his Majesties Pleasure to grant unto us our Liberty,
and to send us home to our Countrey, and that we should not any more
look upon our selves as Prisoners or detained men. At which we bowed
our heads and thanked his Majesty. They told us moreover, that the
King was intended to send us either with the Dutch Embassadour,
or by the Boat which Sir Edward Winter had sent; and that it was
his Majesties good will to grant us our choice. We humbly referred
it to his Majesties pleasure. They answered, his Majesty could and
would do his pleasure, but his will was to know our minds. After a
short consultation we answered, since it was his Majesties pleasure
to grant us our choice, with many Thanks and Obeisance we chose to
go with the Dutch Embassadour, fearing the Boats insufficiency, she
having, as we were well sensible, laid there a great while: and if we
had chosen the Boat, the danger of going that way might have served
them for a Put off to us, and a Plea to detain us still, out of care
of us. And again, had we refused the Embassadours kindness at this
time, for the future, if these things succeeded not with us now, we
could never have expected any more aid or friendship from that Nation.

[All in general refuse the King's service.] In the next place they
told us, It was the Kings pleasure to let us understand, that all
those that were willing to stay and serve his Majesty, should have
very great rewards, as Towns, Monies, Slaves and places of Honour
conferred upon them. Which all in general refused.

Then we were bidden to absent, while they returned our answers to the
King. By and by there came Order to call us in one at a time, where
the former promises were repeated to every one of us of great Favours,
Honours and Rewards from the King to those that were willing to stay
with him. And after each one had given his answer, he was sent into
a corner in the Court, and then another called and so all round one
after another, they inquiring particularly concerning each mans trade
and office; Handycrafts-men and Trumpetters being most desired by the
King. We being thus particularly examined again, there was not one
of us was tempted by the Kings rewards, but all in general refused
the Kings honourable employment, choosing rather to go to our Native
Countrey. By which we purchased the Kings Displeasure.

[Commanded still to wait at the Palace. During which a Rebellion
breaks out.] After this they told us, we must wait at the Palace gate
dayly, it being the Kings pleasure, that we should make our personal
appearance before him. In this manner we waited many days. At length
happened a thing which he least suspected, viz. a general Rebellion
of his People against him. Who assaulted his Palace in the Night:
but their hearts failed them, daring not to enter into the Apartment
where his Person was. For if they had had courage enough, they might
have taken him there. For he stayed in his Palace until the Morning;
and then fled into the Mountains, and escaped their hands, but
more thro their cowardliness than his valour. This Rebellion I have
related at large in the second Part, whither he that desires to know
more of it may have recourse. Only I shall mention here a few things
concerning our selves, who were gotten into the midst of these Broils
and Combustions, being all of us now waiting upon the King in the City.

[They are in the midst of It, and in great danger.] It was a great and
marvellous mercy of Almighty God to bring us safe thro these dangers,
for it so happened all along that we were in the very midst. Before
they gave the Assault on the Kings Palace, they were consulting to lay
hands on us, fearing lest we might be prejudicial to their Business,
in joyning to the help and assistance of the King against them. For
tho we were but few in comparison, yet the Name of White men was
somewhat dreadful to them. Whereupon at first their Counsels were to
cut us off. But others among them advised that it would be better to
let us alone; For that we being ignorant of their Designs, as indeed
we were, and at quiet in our several Lodgings, could not be provided
to hurt or indanger them. But otherwise if they should lay hands on
us, it would certainly come to the Kings Ears, and Allarm him, and
then all would be frustrated and overthrown. This some of their own
Party have related to us since. These Counsels were not given out
of any secret good will any of them bore to us (as I believe ) but
proceeded from the over-ruling hand of God, who put those things into
their hearts for our safety and preservation. The People of the City
whence the King fled, ran away also leaving their Houses and Goods
behind them. Where we found good Prey and Plunder; being permitted
to Ransack the Houses of all such as were fled away with the King.

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