ALthough divers learned , painefull , and skilfull Mathematicians and Geographers have with great Industry spent much profitable Time , in finding out the Circumference of the Terrestriall Globe , in describing Empires , Kingdomes , Principalities , Lordships , Regions , Provinces , Territories , Variations of Climates and Scituations , with the diversities of Dispositions , of Tongues , Religions , Habits , Manners , Lawes , and Customes of sundry Nations : Though much labour , perill , and Cost hath beene worthily imploy'd by Pliny the second , Ortellius , Iodoco Hondius ; or ( to come nearer ) to our English Worthies , such as are described in the Booke of Hacklewicks Voyages , namely , Windam , Chancelour , Grinvill Willoughby , Drake , Cavendish , Gilbert , Chidly , Frobusher , Clifford , Sidney , Deuoreux , Wingfield : as also the exceeding paines taken by Mr. Samuel Purchase , and the Learned and Renowned Knight Sir Walter Rawleigh in their Descriptions of the whole World , nor forgetting the perills that Mr. Sands passed in his tedious Travells , with his exact Relations and Descriptions : With Atlas newly Imprinted , ( a rare Worke ) and lastly , William Lithgow deserves a kind Remembrance of his Nineteene yeeres sore and dangerous Travells of his Feete and Pen , worthy your Observation and Reading .

But all these Authors and Actors both of History and Travell , did never discover all , but still ( out of their plentifull Harvests of Observations ) they left some Gleanings for those that came after them to gather . For the manifestation whereof in this following Discourse , I have tyed and bound my selfe to speake onely Truth , though it seeme incredulous or Hyperbolicall ; and if I should any way sway or stray from the Truth , there are living men of good Fame , Worth , and Estimation , who are able and ready to disprove me .

Therefore briefly to the matter in hand : I William Bruton was shipp'd as a Quarter-master , from the Port of London , to serve in the good Ship called the Hope-well , of the Burthen of 240 Tunnes . To relate our long and tedious passage by Sea , and our Arivall at every Port and Haven , were but little to the purpose , and would more tire than delight my Reader : Therefore to begin , that after my Arivall in those parts , and in my services and passages there for the space of 7. yeeres , I observed many things , and put them in Writing ; but afterwards I came to know that the same things had been discover'd and described formerly by more sufficient and able men of Capacity than my selfe , I thought good to keep them to my selfe , and discover nothing but that which before was not so fully or scarce knowne as I shall now decypher them .

The 22. of March , 1632. I being in the Countrey of Cormadell with sixe English men more at a place called Massalupatam , ( a great Towne of Merchandize ) Master John Noris , the Agent there , was resolved to send two Merchants into Bengalla , for the settling of a Factory there , and these sixe English men ( of the which I was one ) were to goe with the Merchants , and withall to carry a Present from the Agent to the Nabob , ( or King ) of that Countrey , to obtaine the promises that formerly hee had granted to the English for Traffick , and to be Custome-free in those of his Dominions and Ports . Wherefore a Junke was hired at Massalupatam to be our Convoy ; the said Junke did belong unto those parts , and the Names of the English men that were appointed for that voyage , were Mr. Ralph Cartwright Merchant , Mr. Thomas Colley second , William Bruton , John Dobson , Edward Peteford , John Bassley , John Ward , and William Withall .

Though we hired the afore-said Junke , March 22. yet it was the 6. of Aprill following before we could be fitted to depart from Massalupatam , and in much various Weather , with many difficulties and dangers , ( which to relate here , would be tedious and impertinent to my intended Discourse ) the 21. of Aprill , being then Easter-day , we were at Anchor in a Bay before a Towne called Harssapoore : It is a place of good strength , with whom our Merchants doe hold Commerce with correspondency . This 21. day in the Morning , Mr. Ralph Cartwright sent the Moneys a shore to the Governour of Harssapoore , to take it into his safe-keeping and protection till such time as he came a shore himselfe . So presently there came a Portugall Friggat fiercely in hostility towards us , but we made ready for their entertainment , and fitted our selves and the Vessell for our best defences : but at last they steered off from us , and upon our command shee came to an Anchor somewhat neare us , and the Master of her came aboord of us , who being examined whence he came , and whither he was bound , to which demands he answer'd nothing worthy of beleefe , as the sequell shewed ; for hee seem'd a friendly Trader , but was indeed a false Invader , ( where opportunity and power might helpe and prevaile ) for on the 22. day Mr. Cartwright went a shore to the Governour of Harssapoore , and on the 24. day the said Master of the Frigat ( with the Assistance of some of the ribble rabble Rascalls of the Towne ) did set upon Mr. Cartwright and Mr. Colley , where our men ( being oprest by multitudes ) had like to have beene all slaine or spoyld , but that ( Lucklip ) the Rogger ( or Vice King there ) rescued them with 200 men .

In this fray Mr. Thomas Colley was sore hurt in one of his hands , and one of our men much wounded in the legge and head ; their Nockado or India Pilot was stab'd in the Groyne twice , and much mischiefe was done , and more pretended , but by Gods helpe all was pacified .

The 27 of April we three tooke leave of the Governour , and Towne of Hassarpoore , ( I meane three of us ) namely , Mr. Cartwright , William Bruton , and Iohn Dobson ; leaving Mr. Colley and the other foure men with him , till newes could be sent backe to them from the Nabobs Court , at Cutteke or Malcander , of our successe and proceedings there with our other goods , for he is no wise Merchant , that ventures too much in one bottome , or that is too credulous to trust Mahometanes or Infidels .

And having laden our small Boats with the goods , ( which were Gold , Silver , Cloth , and Spices , ( of which spices those parts of India are wanting , and they almost are as dearethere as in England ) we passed some two Leagues and halfe by Water , and after that , the said goods was carried by land in Carts , till wee came to a great Towne called Balkkada , but it was more than three houres after Sunne-setting , or late before we came thither .

The 28 of April in the Morning , the Governour of this Towne came and saluted our Merchant , and promised him that whatsoever was in his power to doe him any friendly courtesie , he should command it ; and indeed he was every way as good as his word ; for hee lent us Horses to ride on , and Cowlers ( which are Porters ) to carry our goods ( for at this Towne the Carts did leave us , and our goods were carried on mens shoulders : then we set forwards , being accompanied with the Governour , with his Musicke , which were Shalmes , and Pipes of sundry formes , much after the formes of Waits or Hoboyes , on which they play most delicately out of Tune , Time , and Measure . In this manner the Governour , with a great number of people did bring us about halfe an English Mile out of the Towne , where he courteously tooke his leave of us , but yet he sent his servants with us as guides , and that they might bring his Horses backe to him , that he lent unto us .

This towne of Balkkada , is a strong and spacious thing , very populous : There are many Weavers in it , and it yeeldeth much of that Countrey fashion Cloath . This day , about the houres of betweene eleven and twelve of the Clocke it was so extreame hot that we could not travell , and the winde did blow with such a soultering scalding heat , as if it had come forth of an Oven or Furnace , such a suffocating fume , did I never feele before or since ; and here we were forced to stay neare three houres , till the Sunne was declined , we having happily got under the shadow of the branches of a great Tree all that time . Then we set forward for the Towne of Harharrapoore : which in the space of two houres , or a little more , wee drew neare unto : so we stayd a while till our carriages were come up together unto us ; which done , there met us a man , who told us that his Master staid our comming , then we speedily prepared our selves for the meeting of so high esteem'd a person : and when we came to the Townes end , there did meete us at a great Pogodo or Pagod , which is a famous and sumptuous Temple ( or Church ) for their Idolatrous service and worship there used , and just against that stately and magnificent building , we were entertained and welcomed by one of the Kings greatest Noblemen , and his most deare and chiefest favourite , who had a Letter from the King his Master , and was sent from him to meete us , and conduct us to his Court . The Noble mans name was Mersymomeine . He did receive us very kindly , and made us a very great feast or costly colation before supper ; which being done we departed for our Sirray , ( or Inne ) where we lay all night with our goods : but Mersymomeine staid with his followers and servants in his and their Tents at the Pagod .

The 29 day of April wee staid at Harharrapoore , and visited this great man , but the greatest cause of our staying , was by reason that the Nockada ( or Pilot ) of the Frigget , whose men did affront and hurt some of our men at Harssapoore , for which cause the Frigget was staid there , and the Pilot of her came to this great man , thinking by gifts to winne him to cleare his Vessell , ( the which he thought to make prise of ) but he would not be allured by such rewards or promises ; but told him that he must appeare before the Nabob , and seeke to cleere himselfe there .

The 30 of April we set forward in the Morning for the City of Coteke ( it is a City of seven Miles in compasse , and it standeth a mile from Malcandy , where the Court is kept ) but Master Cartwright staid behinde , and came after us , accompanyed with the said Noble man : We went all the day on our journey till the Sun went downe , and then we staid for our Merchant , being eight English Miles from Coteke , and about twelve or one of clocke at night they came where wee were : so we hasted , and suddainly got all our things in readinesse , and went along with them , and about the time of three or foure of Clocke in the Morning we came to the house of this Mersymomeine at Coteke , being May day .

Here we were very well entertained , and had great variety of sundry sorts of meates , drinks , and fruits , such as the Countrey yeelds , even what we could or would desire fitting for our use . About eight of the Clocke Mersymomeine went to the Court , and made knowne to the King , that the English Merchant was come to his house : then the King caused a great banquet to be speedily prepared , and to bee sent to the house of Mersymomeine , which banquet was very good and costly . Then , about three or foure of the clocke in the afternoone , wee were sent for to the Court of Malcandy , which is not halfe a mile from Coteke . The magnificence of which Court , with the stately Structure and situation of the place , as well as my weake Apprehension can enable , I describe as followeth .

The Court of MALCANDI in BENGALLA .

GOING from the house of Mersymomeine , we passed over a long stone Cawsey , of some two foote in breadth , and at the end thereof we entred in at a great gate , and being conducted along further we came into a Bussar , or very faire Market place , where was sold a great number of all sorts of Fruits , Hearbes , Flesh , Fish , Fowle , Rice , and such like needfull commodities and necessaries as the Countrey yeelded . ( which is very fertile ) Having passed this place , we did enter in at a second gate , where was a guard of some fifty armed men , and so we came into a place all paved with great stones , or as it may fitter be called , a faire and spacious streete , where Merchants seated on both sides the way , were buying and selling all kind of their own and forraigne wares and merchandizes that was very rich and costly .

Passing this place we entred in at a third Gate , where was another Guard of one hundred Men Armed : by this Gate was a great Pogodo or Pagod , which joyned to the Southermost part of the Kings house . In this Streete there were houses but one side of the way , for on that side that the Kings house was on there was no other House but that . Then we came to a fourth Gate , which was very spacious and high , and had two lofty stories one above the other , and upheld by mighty Pillars of gray Marble , most curiously Carv'd and Polish'd : At this Gate was a great Guard of 150 Men or more , all armed .

Going through this Gate , we entred into very great broad place or streete , ( much of the breadth of the streete betweene Charing Crosse and White-Hall , or broader , and no dwelling in it ; here we passed the wall of the Kings House , or Palace , till we came to the Court Gate .

In this broad street are every day 1000 Horses in readinesse for the Kings use ; ( for he hath alwaies 3000 at an houres warning , in the two Townes of Coteke and Malcandy ; whereof 1000 alwaies waiteth at the Kings Gate , and so by turnes doe all the rest attend as their places and services require .

Over against the Gate of the House is a very great house of Timber , whose Chambers are made with Galleries , built and supported with great Arches to uphold the Roofe : In these Galleries there were men that played on all kind of loud Instruments , every morning they beganne to play at foure of the Clock , and gave over at eight .

On the North side of the Gate is a small Tower builded with two hollow Arches , wherein are placed two mighty Images of stone , with great Pipes of Iron placed in their breasts , and by devices in the lower roomes , they doe make fire and water to flash and spout out of those Pipes on Festivall dayes . On the South side of the Gate there standeth a great Elephant , artificially wrought of gray Marble , but for what use I know not .

At the entrance into the Pallace Gate , we passed through a Guard of 150 men armed , the Pillars within were all of gray Marble , carved three Stories one above the other . The outward Court was paved all with rough hewne Marble . On the South side of the Pallace were houses wherein were men , cunning workers in rich workes , imployed onely for the Kings use and service .

On the North side ( in the Pallace ) a faire fabrick builded , wherein was erected two stately Tombes , who were founded by one Backarcaune , — he was Nabob , and predecessour to this Nabob now governing : and at the East end of the Pallace there was a faire place made and paved with broad gray Marble , and curiously railed about , the Rayles being foure foote and halfe high from the ground , and a very faire Tanke , which is a square pit paved with gray Marble , with a Pipe in the mid●st of it , whose water descended betweene two Walls , with the formes of Fishes of sundry sorts , carved in stone very artificially , as if they had beene swimming or gliding up the Wall against the streame .

At this East end there was also a second Gate , where was a Guard of 100 men armed ; here stood also men that did keepe the time of the day by observations of measures of Water , in this manner following : First , they take a great pot of Water of the quantity of three Gallons , and putting therein a little pot of somewhat more than halfe a pinte ( this lesser pot having a small hole in the bottome of it ) the water issuing into it , having fild it , then they strike on a great plate of brasse , or very fine metal , which stroak maketh a very great sound , this stroak , or parcell of time they call a Goome , the small pot being full they call a Gree , 8 Grees maketh a Par , which Par is three houres by our accompt .

They likewise do begin the day at the houre of sixe in the morning , and it is ended with them at sixe at night : here we entred into the second Pallace , which had in the mid'st thereof a faire and sumptuous Theatre built , and about it was made small bankes , whereon were planted great varieties of fruits and flowers , very sweete to the sent , and pleasing to the sight ; this place was also curiously railed in round : Then we entred into a narrow passage betweene two high stone Walls , where there was another Guard of 250 men armed : This passage brought us to a third Gate , wherein wee entred into a third Pallace or pleasant prospect , for in the mid'st of it there was a very faire pavement of Marble , — square , of the largenesse of — yardes every way , and railed some three foot & a halfe higher than the ground , that was on the out-sides of it : it was likewise delicately rayled about , and in the midst of it there was a faire arched place roofed , into whose entrance was an ascent of foure steps high , and all the roomes in it were spread or over-laid on the floore with rich Carpets exceeding costly .

The space betweene the outward Railes and these Roomes , was about 30. Foote , and the length 80. foote on the one side , but on the other side was a faire Tanke of water .

This place they called the Derbar ( or place of Councell , where Law and Justice was administred according to the Custome of the Countrey , and it was likewise adorn'd and beautified with very pleasant Trees and Flowers , and Bankes about them with Gutters betweene the Bankes , in which Gutters water passed for the cooling and watering of them , and the water proceeded from the Tanke afore-mentioned . Here we stay'd the space of some two houres ( or there abouts ) looking up and downe , and being look'd upon by Souldiers , and such fashioned Gentlemen as the Court yeelded ; ( for there were more than 100. men armed , which were of the Nabobs , or Kings Privie Guard ) At last the word came forth that the King was comming : then they hasted and over-laid the great large pavement with rich Carpets , and placed in the midst against the Railes , one fairer and richer Carpet than the rest , wrought in Bengalla-worke : They likewise placed a great round pillow of red Velvet on this Carpet ; they placed also sixe small Pillars of Gold on the ends and sides of the rich Carpet , to hold it fast , or presse it to the ground , lest it should be raised with the Winde . They also placed upon the Railes a Pannell of Velvet to leane on : At the last his Majesty came accompanied with the number of 40. or 50. of his Courtiers , the most part of them were very grave men to see to : Also the Nabobs owne Brother ( a comely Personage ) did beare the Sword before him . Then the Noble-man ( Mersimomein ) presented our Merchant ( Mr. Ralph Cartwright ) to the King , who did obedience to him , and the King very affably bended forward ( in manner of a Curtsie or Respect ) and withall leaned his Armes on two mens shoulders , and slipped off his Sandall from his foote ( for he was bare-legged ) and presented his Foot to our Merchant to kisse , which hee twice did refuse to doe , but at the last hee was faine to doe it : then the King sate downe , and caused our Merchant to be placed by his Brother : His Counsell sate all along by the foot-pace of the Roomes before-mentioned , his Brother and his Favorites sate thwart the place or Pavement , every one sitting in the fashion of a Tayler crosse-legg'd .

The Assembly being set , our Present was presented to the King , which was some Twenty pounds of Cloves , Twenty pounds of Mace , Twenty pounds of Nutmegs , two Bolts of Damaske , halfe a Bale , or fourteene yards of Stammell-cloath , one faire Looking-glasse , whose frame was guilded , one Fowling-piece , with two Locks , and one double Pistoll ; this was the Present which the King received with much acceptation and content , and withall demanded the cause of our Comming and our Request : To whom our Merchant answer'd , that he was come to desire his Majesties Favour and Licence for free Trade in his Countrey , and not to pay any Junkan — ( or Custome ) At this request he seem'd to make a stand , ( and pausing a little ) he conferr'd privately with his Councell , but gave us no Answer .

Our Merchant likewise requested that the English Merchants Trading for the East-Indies , might have free Licence to come with their shipping small or great , into the Roads and Harbours of his Sea-port-Townes , or to any Havens or Navigable Rivers , or any such place or places as shall be found sitting for the safeguard , building , or repairing of the said Vessels belonging to the honourable Company . And likewise to transport their goods either off or on the shoare , without the let or hinderance of the Natives of the Countrey : Likewise to have his Licence to quoyne Moneys , Gold or Silver , Countrey-money , and such as is currant with the Merchant .

By this Time that our Merchant had ended the Relation of his Suits , and cause of his comming , the Kings Minister with a loud voyce called to prayer . Then the King speedily arose from his Seate , and all his Company went with him , and wee were dismist till prayer was ended . When the Minister came , there was a large covering spread over the rich Carpets ; the covering was of black and white cloaths , on this they all stood , and when they kneeled , they did kneele with their faces towards the going downe of the Sun , ( which is to the West . ) Prayer being ended , the Assembly sate againe concerning our Propositions , all other businesses were laid aside ; being now the shutting in of the Evening , there came a very brave shew of lights in before the King . The fore-most that came , were sixe Silver Lanthornes , usher'd in by a very grave man , having in his hand a Staffe over-laid with Silver , and when he came to the steps of the Pavement , he put off his shooes , and came to the Carpets , making obedience : so likewise did those that bore the sixe Lanthornes ; but all the other lights , being one hundred and thirty , stood round about the Railes . Then the Usher tooke the Lanthorne that had two lights in it , and ( making obedience ) lifted his armes aloft , and made an ample Oration , which being ended , they gave all a great Salame , or kind of Reverence with a loud voyce , and departed every one , and placed the lights according as the severall offices and places did require . Here we stay'd till it was betweene Eight and Nine of the Clocke at Night , but nothing accomplished ; onely wee had some faire promises of furtherance by some of the Courtiers : Thus wee were dismist for that time , and wee returned for our Lodging at Mersimomeins house at Coteke , accompanied with a great multitude of people , and many Lights , who much admired our kind of habit and fashion .

The second day , wee came in the After-noone againe to the Court before the Nabob , which being set , there mette us at the Derbar ( or Councell-house ) our old Enemy the Nockada of the Frigget , who made a great complaint against us , that wee had sought to make prize of his Vessell , and to take his goods by force : hee had likewise given a great gift to a Nobleman to stand his friend , and speake in his behalfe .

Our Merchant pleaded likewise , that all such Vessells as did Trade on the Coast , and had not a Passe either from the English , Danes , or Dutch , was lawfull Prise . Hee answer'd , that he had a Passe ; our Merchant bid him produce the same before the Nabob , and hee would cleare him : to which the Nabob and the whole Councell agreed : but hee could shew no Passe from any of the afore-named 3. Nations , but he shew'd two Passes from ( or of ) the Portugals , which they call by the name of Fringes , and thus was he cast , and we had the better of him before the King and Councell .

But then stood up the Nobleman to whom hee had given a Reward , ( who had also a little knowledge or insight in Sea-affaires ) and said , what Stranger seeking a free Trade , could make prize of any Vessell within any of the Sounds , Seas , Roads , or Harbours of his Majesties Dominions ? This hee spake not so much for the good of the King , but thinking and hoping that the Vessell by his meanes should have beene clear'd with all her goods , and the Nockado ( or Pilot ) aquitted , that so by those meanes hee might have gained the more and greater Rewards ; but hee was quite deceived in his vaine expectation . For the Nabob perceiving that shee belonged to Pyplye , a Port-Towne of the Portugals , whom the Nabob affects not , where the Portugals were resident , and that shee was not bound for any of his Ports , hee made short worke with the matter , and put us all out of strife presently , for hee confiscated both vessell and goods all to himselfe . Whereby the Noble-man was put by his hopes , who was indeed a Governour of a great Sea-towne , whereto much Shipping did belong , and many Ships and other Vessels were builded . Our Merchant seeing that hee could not make prize of the Vessell or the goods , nor have any satisfaction for the wrongs which he and our men had received , he rose up in great anger , and departed , saying , that if hee could not have Right here , he would have it in another place , and so went his way , not taking his leave of the Nabob , nor of any other , at which abrupt departure they all admired .

The third day in the Morning the King sent for our Merchant by the Lord Comptroller of his Court , who went with him accompanied with Mersimomein and others to the Derbar , where there was a very grave Assembly set : Then came the King , who being set , he smiled upon our Merchant , and ( by an Interpreter ) demanded the cause why hee went away the last Evening ( or over-night ) in such an anger ? To whom he answer'd boldly and with a sterne undaunted countenance , that he had done his Masters of the Honourable Company wrong , and ( by his might and power ) had taken their Rights from them , which would not be so endured or put up . The King hearing this , demanded of the Assembly , which were as well Merchants as Nobles , ( in the Persian Tongue ) of what strength and force our shipping were , their Number , Burthen , and Force , where our chiefe place of Residence was for Trading : Hee likewise sent for Persian Merchants , and did diligently enquire of them the same demands and questions : who answer'd , that we had great Trading on the Coast of Cormadell , India , and Persia ; and likewise in the South-Seas , as Bantam , Japaro , Janbee , and Macossor : They further told the Nabob , that our Shipping were great , and of great force withall , and likewise if his pleasure was such as to be at ods with us , there neither could , would , or should any Vessell , great or small , that did belong to these parts , stirre out of any Havens , Ports , or Harbours of his Majesties Dominions , but they would take them , and make prize of them , for they were not able to withstand their force . At these words the King said but little , but what he thought , is beyond my knowledge to tell you .

Then the King turn'd to our Merchant , and told him in Moores Language ( the which hee could very well understand ) that he would grant the English free Trade upon these Conditions following .

That if the English Ship or Ships should at any time see any Ship or Ships , Junke or Junks , or any other Vessell of the Nabobs , or any of his Subjects in distresse either by foule Weather , or in danger of Enemies , or in any other extreamity , that we ( the English ) should helpe , aide , and assist them to our powers ; or if it happened they were in want of Cables , Anchors , Water , Victualls , or any other necessaries whatsoever that did belong to them , that we the said English should helpe them as we were able . Likewise that we the said English should not make prize of any Vessell belonging to any of the Dominions of the said Nabob , and that we the said English should not make prize of any Ship , Vessell , or Vessels , within the Ports , Rivers , Roads , or Havens of the Nabob , though they were our Enemies ; but at the Sea wee might make prize of them if we could : to this all our Merchants agreed . Then the King caused Articles on his part to be drawne , and published in this manner following .

Here I the said Nabob , Vice-King and Governour of the Countrey of Woodia , under the great and mighty Prince Pe Desha Shassallem , doe give and grant free Licence to the afore-said Ralph Cartwright Merchant , to trade , buy , sell , export and transport by Shipping , either off or upon the shore , not paying any Junkeon or Custome , nor any under me to cause them to pay any : Likewise , that if they doe convay Goods by shore betweene Factory and Factory , or any other place for their better advantage of gaine within these his Dominions , I straitly charge and command that no Governour , Custome-gatherer , or other Officer whatsoever , shall make or cause them to pay any Junken or Customes ; but shall suffer them to passe free , without let , hinderance , molestation , or interruption of stayage , but shall ( I say ) helpe and further them in any thing that shall be the furtherance of their businesse . Moreover , I doe grant to the English Merchants to take ground , and to build Houses fitting for their Imployments , and where they shall see convenient for their best utility and profits , without let or hinderance of any of my loving Subjects .

And further I doe give and grant to the English Merchants free Licence , to build Shipping , small or great , or any other Vessell which they shall thinke best and fittest for their occasions and uses ; they paying no more than the Custome of the Countrey to the Workmen ; and likewise to repaire shipping if any such occasion be to require it .

Likewise ● the Nabob doe command , that no Governour or Officer whatsoever under me , shall doe the English any wrong , or cause any to be done unto them , as they shall answer it at their perills , wheresoever they are resident : Neither shall any wrong be done to any servant of theirs , that doth belong unto them .

And againe , if any Controversie should be betwixt the English , and the people of the Countrey , if the matter be of any moment , then the said Cause shall be brought before me the Nabob at the Court at Malcandy , and at the Derbar I will decide the matter , because the English may 〈◊〉 no wrong , ( behaving themselves as Merchants ought to doe . )

This Licence formed and given at the Royall Court of Malcandy , the third day of May 1633 , but not sealed till the fift day of May following at night .

The fourth day of May the King sent a great Banquet to the House of Marsymomeine , to our Merchants and there came to this Feast the great man that did speake on the Nockado's side against us , at the Darbar , about the Frigget aforesaid : He brought with him to our Merchant for a present a Bale of Sugar , a Bottle of Wine , and some sweet meates , saying , he was sorry for the things before done and past , but if any thing lay in him to doe the Company and him any good , he and they should be sure of it . This man was Governour of a Towne called Bollasarye , a Sea Towne where shipping was built ; ( as is afore said ) his name was Mercossom , and understanding that the Merchant was minded to travaile that way , hee promised him to doe him all the courtesies that could be .

The fifth day of May in the afternoone we were before the King againe at the Darbar , at our comming he called for our Perwan , ( which was our Warrant or Licence ) and then he added to it the free leave of coyning of Monies , and sealed it with his owne Signet himselfe , and so all things was strongly confirm'd and ratified for our free trade in his Territories and Dominions .

The sixth day of May the King made a great Feast at the Court where were assembled the most and chiefest of all his Nobles and Governours that were under his command , and being set , he sent the Lord Comptroller of his house for the English Merchant Master Ralph Cartwright to come unto him , who came with all speede , and when he was in the presence of the King , he caused him to sit downe by him , and take part of the Feast , ( for the King was exceeding merry and pleasant ) then the King caused a Vest or Robe to be brought , and with his own hands did put it upon our Merchant ; and thus was he invested and entertained in the presence of this Royall , Noble , and great assembly .

This day the King was in Magnificent State and Majesty , on rich Persian Carpets : ( as is before mentioned ) But over this great Company was a large Canopy of branched Velvet of foure colours , and in the seames betweene the joynings of it was yellow Taffata , which hung downe like unto the Vallence of a bed , it was 80 foote in length , and 40 foote in bredth , and it was upheld with foure small Pillars , overlayd with Silver , whose height was twelve foote , and in thicknesse one foote . Here we staid till about the houre of five in the afternoone , and then we tooke our leaves of the King , and the rest , and departed to Coteke to the house of Mersymomeine .

Thus have I plainly and truely related the occurrences that hapned at the Court of Malcandy , but although the Palace of the Nabob be so large in Extent , and so magnificent in Structure , yet he himselfe will not lodge in it , but every night he lodgeth in Tents with his most trusty servants and Guards about him , for it is an abhomination to the Moguls ( which are white men ) to rest or sleepe under the roofe of a house that another man hath builded for his owne honour . And therefore hee was building a Palace , which he purpos'd should be a Fabricke of a Rest , and future Remembrance of his renowne : He likewise keepeth three hundred Women , who are all of them the daughters of the best and ablest subjects that he hath .

The seventh day of May we went up and downe in the Towne of Coteke ; it is very populous of people , and hath daily a great Market in it of all sorts of necessaries which the Countrey affordeth , it is seven Miles in compasse , and hath but two great Gates belonging to it ; it is three Miles betweene the one Gate and the other .

Upon the eighth day of May we went to the Court at Malcandy againe to desire of the King a Warrant , or free Passe , for safe convoy of Letters , or any other such occasion through his Countries .

Here we found his Majesty sitting in the outward Palace of the Court on the Pavement , by the Tanke before named , with a very faire Canopy over him , made of Damaske , and upheld by foure small Pillars overlayd w●th Silver , with his Nobles by him for this effect and purpose following .

He was by the great Mogul commanded to wage Warre with all expedition against the King of Culcandouch , ( a great Prince neighbouring upon his Confines ) which had wrongfully with hostility entred on the Southwest part of his Countrey , and had made some spoyle and havock on the same . The King , I say , had here called all his Commanders , Leaders , and Captaines together , giving them a great charge concerning the good usage of his men , and their best endeavours in the management and performance of their services in those Warres . Hee likewise gave gifts to the Leaders , and money to the Souldiers to encourage courage them . The Army consisted of 30000 men , which was 10000 Horse , and 20000 foote , armed for the most part with Bowes and Arrowes ; and some againe with Darts , like our Javelins , but farre more sharpe ; and some againe with a kind of Falchon , Semiter , or like a bended sword by their side : some of which weapons have cut in sunder two malefactors , which have beene condemned to dye , being bound backe to backe , at one blow given backwards by the Executioner . But our Commission being granted , and our businesse ended finally , our Merchant ( reverently ) tooke his leave of the King ; and the King ( with his Nobles ) did the same to him , wishing him him all good successe in his affaires in his Countrey ; and so we departed .

The ninth of May we gathered together all our things , and at night wee departed from Coteke .

The tenth , at the houre of two in the Afternoone , we came to the Towne of Harharrapoore , and hosted in the house of our Interpreter .

The eleventh day wee went to the Governour of the Towne , and shewed him our Fermand , or Commission from the King ; the Governour made a great Salame , or courtsie in reverence unto it , & promised his best assistance and helpe in any thing that he could doe , and there the said Governour had a small Present given to him .

The twelfth day of May Master Thomas Colley came to us at Harharrapoore , and the rest of the English men with him , with all the goods ; then wee hired a house for the present , till such time as ours might be builded , for our further occasions to the Companies use .

This Towne of Harharrapoore is very full of people , and it is in bounds sixe or seven Miles in compasse ; there are many Merchants in it , and great plenty of all things , here is also cloth of all sorts great store , for there doth belong to this Towne at the least 3000 Weavers that are house keepers , besides all other that doe worke , being bound or hired .

The foureteenth day the two Merchants went abroad , and found out a plat of ground fitting to build upon ; then they layd the Kings Deroy on it , and seaz'd upon it for the Companies use , and there was no man that did , or durst gaine-say them for doing the same .

The fifteenth day they hired workmen and labourers to measure the Ground , and to square out the foundation of the House , and likewise for the Wall , which was one hundred Conets square , which is fifty yards , every Conet being halfe a yard , or a foote and halfe : and it behoved us to make haste , for the time of the great Raines was at hand .

The sixteenth day they laid the foundation of the Walls , being nine foote thicke , much haste was made , and many workmen about it ; but this our first worke was but labour lost and cast away , for it came to nothing .

For on the eighteenth day the Raines began with such force and violence , that it beate downe all our Worke to the ground , and wash'd it away , as if there had not beene any thing done ; this Storme continued without ceasing , ( day and night ) more or lesse three weekes compleat .

The sixteenth day of Iune Master Ralph Cartwright tooke his journey for Ballazary , and two English men with him , who were Edward Peteford , and William Withal , and from thence he was minded to travaile further into the Countrey of Bengalla ; and the eighth of Iuly following wee received a Letter from Master Cartwright , concerning his proceedings and troublesome passage ; for he found not the Countrey according as was reported , by reason of the time of the great Raines that fell , yet he was safely arived in Pipely .

The three and twentieth day of Iuly in the Morning , we had newes that there was an English Ship arived at Hassarpoore , and had shot of three pieces of Ordnance , and stayed all night , and the next day in the morning , she having not a Boat to come from her , she weighed Anchor , and set saile for Ballazary .

The 25 of August , in the morning , Master Thomas Colley dyed of a violent Fever at Harharrapoore .

The seventh day of September I received Letters from Master Cartwright from Ballazary , and withall he sent me the name of the Ship , to wit , the good Ship Swan , and Master Edward Austin ( or Ostin ) commander .

The nineteenth day of September there came two Merchants from Ballazaray to Harharrapoore , the one of them his name was Master Robert Littler , the other Master Iohn Powlle , Purser of the Ship Swan .

The fourth day of October our Merchant Master Robert Littler , tooke a journey for Iaggernat , and he returned the sixteenth day to the Factory at Harharrapoore .