Vpon these Islands of Amboyna , and the point of Seran , the Hollanders haue foure Forts ; the chiefe of all is at the said towne of Amboyna , and is verie strong , hauing foure Points or Bulwarkes with their Curtaines , and vpon each of these Points sixe great peeces of Ordnance mounted , most of them of brasse . The one side of this Castle is washed by the Sea , and the other is diuided from the land with a Ditch of foure or fiue fathome broad , very deepe , and euer filled with the Sea . The Garrison of this Castle consisteth of about 200. Dutch souldiers , & a Company of free Burgers . Besides these , there is alwayes a matter of three or foure hundred Mardikers ( for so they vsually call the free natiues ) in the towne , ready to serue the Castle at an houres warning . There lye also in the roade ( for the most part ) diuerse good Ships of the Hollanders , aswell for the guard of the place by Sea , as for the occasions of traffique : this being the chiefe Rendevouz , as well for the Island of Banda , as for the rest of Amboyna . Here the English liued ; not in the Castle , but vnder protection thereof , in a house of their own in the town ; holding themselues safe , as well in respect of the ancient bonds of amity betweene both nations , as of the strict coniunction made by the late Treaty before mentioned .

They continued here some two yeares , conuersing and trading together with the Hollanders , by vertue of the said Treaty . In which time there fell out sundry differences and debates betweene them ; The English complayning that the Hollanders did not onely lauish away much money in building , and vnnecessary expences , vpon the Forts and otherwise , and bring large and vnreasonable reckonings thereof to the common accompt ; but also did , for their part , pay the Garrisons with victualls and cloth of Coromandell , which they put off to the Souldiers at three or foure times the valew it cost them , yet would not allow of the English Companies part of the same charge , but onely in ready money ; thereby drawing from the English ( which ought to pay but one third part ) more than two thirds of the whole true charge . Hereupon , and vpon the like occasions , grew some discontents and disputes , and the complaints were sent to Iaccatra , in the Island of Iaua Maior , to the Councell of defence of both Nations there residing : who also , not agreeing vpon the points in difference , sent the same hither ouer into Europe , to be decided by both Companies here ; or , in default of their agreement , by the Kings Maiestie , and the Lords the States Generall , according to an Article of the Treatie of the yeare 1619. on this behalfe . In the meane time , the discontent betweene the English and the Dutch , about these and other differences , continued and daily encreased , vntill at last there was a sword found , to cut in sunder that knot at once , which the tedious disputes of Amboyna and Iaccatra could not vntye . And this was vsed in maner as followeth .

About the eleuenth of February , 1622. Stilo veteri , a Iaponer Souldier of the Dutch in their Castle of Amboyna , walking in the night vpon the wall , came to the Sentinell ( being a Hollander , ) and there , amongst other talke , asked him some questions touching the strength of the Castle , and the people that were therin . It is heer to be noted , that those Iaponers ( of whom there is not thirty in all the Island ) did , for the most part , serue the Dutch as Souldiers , yet were not of their trusty bands , alwaies lodged in the castle , but vpon occasion called out of the town to assist in the Watch. This Iaponer aforesaid , was for his said conference with the Sentinell , apprehended vpon sufpicion of treason , and put to the Torture . Therby ( as some of the Dutch affirmed ) hee was brought to confesse himselfe , and sundry others of his countrey-men there , to haue contriued the taking of the Castle . Hereupon , other Iaponers were examined and tortured , as also a Portugall , the Guardian of the Slaues vnder the Dutch. During this examination , which continued three or foure daies ; some of the English-men went to and from the Castle vpon their businesse , saw the prisoners , heard of their tortures , and of the crime laid to their charge ; But all this while suspected not , that this matter did any whit concerne themselues ; hauing neuer had any conuersation with the Iaponers , nor with the Portugall aforesaid . At the same time there was one Abel Price , Abel Price examined . Chirurgion of the English , prisoner in the Castle , for offering in his drunkennesse to set a Dutch-mans house on fire . This fellow the Dutch tooke , and shewed him some of the Iaponers , whom they had first most grieuously tortured , and told him , they had confessed the English to haue beene of their confederacy , for the taking of the Castle ; and that if he would not confesse the same , they would vse him euen as they had done these Iaponers , and worse also . Hauing giuen him the torture , they soone made him confesse what euer they asked him . This was the fifteenth of February , 1622. Stilo veteri . Forthwith , about nine of the Clock the same morning , they sent for Captaine Towerson , and the rest of the English that were in the Towne to come to speake with the Gouernor in the Castle : They all went , saue one that was left to keepe the house . Being come to the Gouernor , hee told Captaine Towerson , that himselfe and others of his Nation were accused of a conspiracie to surprise the Castle , and therefore , vntill further triall , were to remaine prisoners . Instantly also they attached him that was left at home in the house , tooke the Marchandize of the English Company there into their owne custody by Inuentory , and seized all the chests , boxes , bookes , writings , and other things in the English house . Captaine Towerson was committed to his chamber with a guard of Dutch Souldiers . Emanuel Tomson was kept prisoner in the Castle ; the rest , viz. Iohn Beomont , Edward Collins , William Webber , Ephraim Ramsey , Timothy Iohnson , Iohu Fardo , and Robert Browne , were sent aboard the Hollanders ships then riding in harbour , some to one Ship , and some to another , and all made fast in Irons . The same day also the Gouernor sent to the two other Factories in the same Island , to apprehend the rest of the English there . So that Samuel Colson , Iohn Clarke , George Sharrock , that were found in the Factory at Hitto , and Edward Collins , William Webber , and Iohn Saddler at Larica , were all brought prisoners to Amboyna the sixteenth of February . Vpon which day also Iohn Powel , Iohn Wetherall , and Thomas Ladbrook , were apprehended at Cambello , and Iohn Beomont , William Grigs , and Ephraim Ramsey , at Loho , and brought in Irones to Amboyna the twentieth of the same month . In the meane time the Gouernor and Fiscall went to worke with the prisoners that were already there : And first they sent for Iohn Beomont , and Timothie Iohnson , from aboard the Vnicorne ; who being come into the Castle , Beomont was left with a guard in the Hall , and Iohnson was taken into another roome . Where , by and by , Beomont heard him crie out very pittifully ; then to bee quiet for a little while , and then loud againe . After taste of the torture , Abel Price the Chirurgion , that first was examined and tortured ( as is aboue remembred ) was brought in to confront and accuse him : But Iohnson not yet confessing any thing , Price was quickly carried out , and Iohnson brought againe to the torture ; where Beomont heard him sometime cry aloud , then quiet againe , then roare afresh . At last , after hee had beene about an houre in this second examination , hee was brought forth wailing and lamenting , all wet , and cruelly burnt in diuers parts of his body , and so laid aside in a by-place of the Hall , with a souldier to watch him that he should speake with no body . Then was Emanuell Tomson brought to examination ; not in Emanuel Tomson examined . the roome where Iohnson had beene , but in another something farther from the Hall . Yet Beomont being in the Hall , heard him roare most lamentably , and many times . At last , after an houre and an halfe spent in torturing him , hee was carried away into another roome another way , so that he came not by Beomont , through the Hall . Next , was Beomont called in , and , beeing demanded many things , all which he denied with deep oathes and protestations , was made fast to be tortured ; a cloth tyed about his neck , and two men ready with their Iarres of water to be powred on his head . But yet for this time the Gouernor bad loose him , hee would spare him a day or two , because hee was an old man . This was all Saturdayes worke , the fifteenth of February afore said .

Vpon Sunday the sixteenth of February , William Webber , Edward Collins , Ephraim Ramsey , and Robert Brown , were fetcht from aboord the Rotterdam , to be examined . At the same time came Samuel Colson , William Griggs , and Iohn Clarke , George Sharrock , and Iohn Saddler , from Hitto and Larica , and were immediately , vpon their arriuall , brought into the Castle-Hall .

Robert Browne Tailor was first called in ; and being Robert Browne examined . tormented with water , confessed all in order as the Fiscall asked him . Edward Collins examined .

Then was Edward Collins called in , and told , that those that were formerly examined , had confest him as accessary to the plot of taking the Castle . Which , when he denied with great othes & execrations , they made his hands and feete fast to the Rack , bound a cloth about his throate , ready to bee put to the torture of water . Thus prepared , hee prayed to be respited , and hee would confesse all . Being let downe , hee againe vowed and protested his innocency ; yet said , that because hee knew that they would by torture make him confesse any thing , though neuer so false , they should doe him a great fauour , to tell him what they would haue him say , and hee would speake it , to auoide the torture . The Fiscall hereupon said ; What , doe you mocke vs ? and bad , Vp with him againe ; and so gaue him the torment of water : which hee not able long to endure , prayed to bee let downe againe to his confession . Then he deuised a little with himselfe , and tolde them , that about two moneths and a halfe before , himselfe , Tomson , Iohnson , Browne , and Fardo , had plotted , with the helpe of the Iaponers , to surprise the Castle . Heere hee was interrupted by the Fiscall , and asked , whether Captaine Towerson were not of that conspiracy . Hee answered , No. You ly , said the Fiscall : did not he call you all to him , and tell you , that those daily abuses of the Dutch had caused him to thinke of a plot , and that he wanted nothing but your consent and secrecie ? Then said a Dutch Merchant , one Iohn Ioost that stood by , Did not you all sweare vpon a Bible to be secret to him ? Collins answered with great oaths , that hee knew nothing of anie such matter . Then they bade make him fast againe : whereupon he then said , All was true that they had spoken . Then the Fiscall asked him , whether the English in the rest of the Factories , were not consenting to this plot . He answered , No. The Fiscall then asked him , whether the President of the English at Iaccatra , or Master Welden Agent in Banda , were not plotters or priuie to this businesse . Againe he answered , no. Then the Fiscall asked him , by what meanes the Iaponers should haue executed their purpose . Whereat , when Collins stood staggering and deuising of some probable fiction , the Fiscall holpe him , and said , Should not two Iaponers haue gone to each point of the Castle , and two to the Governours chamber doore ; and when the hurly-burly had bin without , and the Gouernour comming to see what was the matter , the Iaponers to haue killed him ? Here one that stood by , said to the Fiscall , Do not tell him what he should say , but let him speake of himselfe . Whereupon the Fiscall , without attending the answer to his former question ; asked what the Iaponers should haue had for their reward . Collins answered , 1000. Ryalls apeece . Lastly , he asked him , when this plot should haue beene effected . Whereunto , although he answered him nothing ( not knowing what to deuise vpon the sudden ) yet hee was dismissed , and very glad to come cleere of the torture , though with certaine beleefe that hee should die for this his confession .

Next was Samuel Colson brought in , being newly Sam. Colson examined . arriued from Hitto , as is before touched , and was the same day brought to the torture , who , for feare of the paine wherewith hee saw Collins come out , in such a case , that his eyes were almost blowne out of his head with the torment of water ; chose rather to confesse all they asked him : and so was quickly dismissed , comming out weeping , lamenting , and protesting his innocency .

Then was Iohn Clarke , that came with Colson from ●…ohn Clarke . ●…xamined . Hitto , fetcht in , and a little after was heard ( by the rest that were without in the Hall ) to cry out amaine . They tortured him with water and with fire , by the space of two houres . The maner of his torture ( as also of Iohnsons and Tomsons ) was as followeth : First they hoised him vp by the hands with a cord on a large dore , where they made him fast vpon two Staples of Iron ; fixt on both sides , at the top of the dore posts , haling his hands one from the other as wide as they could stretch . Being thus made fast , his feete hung some two foote from the ground ; which also they stretch●… a sunder as far as they would ●…etch , and so made them fast beneath vnto the dore-trees on each side . Then they bound a cloth about his necke and face so close , that little or no water could go by . That done , they poured the water softly vpon his head vntill the cloth was full , vp to the mouth and nostrills , and somewhat higher ; so that he could not draw breath , but he must withall suck-in the water : which being still continued to be poured in softly , forced all his inward parts , came out of his nose , eares , and eyes , and often as it were stifling and choaking him , at length took away his breath , & brought him to a swoune or fainting . Then they tooke him quickly downe , and made him vomit vp the water . Being a little recouered , they triced him vp againe , and poured in the water as before , eftsoones taking him downe as he seemed to be stifled . In this maner they handled him three or foure seuerall times with water , till his body was swolne twice or thrice as bigge as before , his cheekes like great bladders , and his eyes staring and strutting out beyond his forehead : yet all this he bare , without confessing anie thing ; insomuch as the Fiscall and tormentors reuiled him , saying that he was a Diuell , and no man , or surely was a Witch , at least had some charme about him , or was enchanted , that he could beare so much . Wherfore they cut off his haire verie short , as supposing he had some witchcraft hidden therein . Afterwards they hoised him vp againe as before , and then burnt him with lighted candles in the bottome of his feete , vntill the fat dropt out the candles ; yet then applyed they fresh lights vnto him . They burnt him also vnder the elbowes , and in the palmes of the hands ; likewise vnder the arme-pitts , vntill his inwards might euidently be seene . At last , when they saw he could of himselfe make no handsome c●…nfession , then they ledde him along with questions of particular circumstances , by themselues framed . Being thus wearied and ouercome by the torment ; hee answered , yea to whatsoeuer they asked : whereby they drew from him a bodie of a confession to this effect ; to wit , That Captaine Towerson had vpon New-yeares day last before , sworne all the English at Amboyna to bee secret and assistant to a plot that he had proiected , with the helpe of the Iaponers , to surprise the Castle , and to put the Gouernour and the rest of the Dutch to death .

Hauing thus martyred this poor man , they sent him out by foure Blacks ; who carried him between them to a dungeon , where he lay fiue or six daies without any Chirurgion to dresse him , vntil ( his flesh being putrified ) great Maggots dropt and crept from him in a most loathsom & noysom maner . Thus they finished their Sabbath daies work ; & it growing now darke , sent the rest of the English ( that came that day from Hitto , and till then attended in the Hall ) first to the Smith's shop , where they were loaden with Irons , & then to the same loathsom dungeon where Clarke and the rest were , accompanied with the poore Iaponers , lying in the putrefaction of their tortures .

The next morning , being Munday the seuenteenth of February , old Stile , William Griggs and Iohn Fardo , with certaine Iaponers , were brought into the place of examination .

The Iaponers were first cruelly tortured , to accuse Will . Griggs examined . Grigs ; which at last they did : and Grigs , to auoid the like torture , confessed all that the Fiscall demanded . Iohn Fardo examined . By and by the li●…e also was done by Iohn Fardo , and other Iaponers : but Fardo himselfe endured the torture of water , and at last confessed whatsoeuer the Fiscall asked him ; and so was sent back to prison .

The same day also Iohn Beomont was brought the second time to the Fiscals chamber ; where one Captaine Ioh. Beomont examined 20. Newport a Dutch-mans son ( borne in England ) was vsed as an Interpreter . William Grigs was also brought-in to accuse him ; who said , that when the consultation for taking of the Castle , was held , then hee ( the said Beomont ) was present . Beomont denied it with great earnestnesse and deep oaths . At last being triced vp , and drenched with water till his inwards were ready to crack , he answered affirmatiuely to all the Fiscals interrogatories : yet as soon as hee was let down , he cleerly demonstrated to Captain Newport , and Iohnson a Dutch Merchant then also present , that these things could not be so . Neuerthelesse hee was forced to put his hand to his confession , or else hee must to the torture againe : which to auoid , hee subscribed ; and so had a great iron bolt & two shackles riueted to his legs , & then was carried back to prison .

After this , George Sharrock , Assistant at Hitto , was George Sharrock examined . called in question ; who , seeing how grieuously others were martyred , made his earnest prayer to God ( as since vpon his oath hee hath acknowledged ) that he would suffer him to make some such probable lyes against himself , as the Dutch might beleeue , and so hee might escape the torment . Being brought to the Rack , the water prouided , and the candles lighted , he was by the Gouernor and Fiscall examined , and charged with the conspiracy . He fell vpon his knees , and protested his innocencie . Then they commanded him to th●… Rack , and told him ; Vnlesse hee would confesse , he should be tormented with fire and water to death , and then should be drawne by the heeles to the gallows , and there hanged vp . He still persisting in this his innocencie , the Fiscall bade him be hoised vp . Then hee craued respite awhile , and told them , that he was at Hitto , and not in Amboyna , vpon New-yeeres day , when the consultation was pretended ; neither had been there since Nouember before , as was well knowne to sundry of the Hollanders themselues that resided there also with him . Heereupon , they commanded him againe to the Rack : but hee , crauing respite as before , now told them , that hee had many times heard Iohn Clark ( who was with him at Hitto ) say , That the Dutch had done them many vnsufferable wrongs , and that he would be reuenged of them : to which end , hee had once broken with Captaine Towerson of a braue plot . At which word the Fiscall and the rest were attentiue , encouraging him to proceed . So hee went on , saying , that Iohn Clark had entreated Captain Towerson , that he might go to Maccassar , there to consult and aduise with the Spaniards to come with gallies , and rob the small Factories of Amboyna and Seran , when no ships were there . Heer they asked him , what Captain Towerson said to this . He answered , that Captain Towerson was very much offended with Clark for the motion , and from thenceforth could neuer abide him . Hereupon the Fiscall called him rogue , & said he prated all from the matter , and should go to the torture . Hee craued fauour againe , and began another tale ; to weet , that vpon Twelf-day then last past , Iohn Clark told him at Hitto , that there was a practise to take the Castle of Amboyna ; and asked him , whether hee would consent thereunto . Whereupon he demanded of Clark , whether Captain Towerson knew of any such matter . Which , Clark affirming ; then he ( the said Sharrock ) said , that hee would do as the rest did . Then the Fiscall asked him , what time the consultation was held . Hee answered , In Nouember last . The Fiscall said , That could not bee : for , the consultation was vpon New-yeers day . The prisoner said as before in the beginning , that hee had not been in Amboyna since the first of December , till now that hee was brought thither . Why then , quoth the Fiscall , haue you belyed your self ? Whereto the prisoner resolutely answered , that all that hee had spoken touching any treason , was false and fained , onely to auoid torment . Then went the Fiscall out into another room to the Gouernor , and anon returned , and sent Sharrock vnto the prison againe . The next day hee was called againe , and a writing presented him ; wherein was framed a formall confession of his last conference with Clark at Hitto , touching the plot to take the Castle of Amboyna : which being read-ouer to him , the Fiscall asked him , whether it were true , or no. He answered , No. Why then , said the Fiscall , did you confesse it ? He answered , For feare of torment . The Fiscall and the rest in a great rage told him hee lyed ; his mouth had spoken it , and it was true , and therfore he should subscribe it . Which as soon as he had done , hee fell presently into a great passion , charging them bitterly to be guilty of the innocent blood of himself and the rest , which they should look to answer for at the Day of Iudgement : withall he grappled with the Fiscall , and would haue stopped him from carrying-in the confession to the Gouernor , with whom he also craued to speak ; but was instantly laid hold on , and carried away to prison .

William Webber , being next examined , was told by William Webber examined . the Fiscall , that Iohn Clark had confessed him to haue been at Amboyna on New-yeers day , and sworne to Captaine Towerson's plot , &c. All which he denied , alleaging , hee was that day at Larica : yet , beeing brought to the torture , hee then confessed , hee had bin at the consultation at Amboyna vpon New-yeers day , with all the rest of the circumstances in order as he was asked . He also further told them , hee had receiued a letter from Iohn Clark ; after which was a Postscript , excusing his brief writing at that time , for that there was great businesse in hand . But one Renier a Dutch Merchant , then standing by , told the Gouernor , that vpon New-yeers day , the time of this pretended consultation , Webber and hee were merry at Larica . So the Gouernor left him , and went out . But the Fiscall held on vpon the other point , touching the Postscript of Clark's Letter , vrging him to shew the same . Which when hee could not doe , though often terrified with the torture , he gaue him respite ; promising to saue his life , if hee would produce that Letter .

Then was Captaine Towerson brought to the examination , Gabriel Towerson ●…xamined . and shewed what others had confessed of him . Hee deeply protesting his innocencie , Samuel Colson was brought to confront him : who beeing told , that vnlesse hee would now make good his former confession against Captaine Towerson , he should to the torture ; coldly re-affirmed the same , and so was sent away . They also brought William Grigs and Iohn Fardo to iustifie their former confessions to his face . Captain Towerson seriously charged them , that as they would answer it at the dreadful day of Iudgement , they should speak nothing but the truth . Both of them instantly fell downe vpon their knees before him ; praying him for God's sake to forgiue them , and saying further openly before them all , that whatsoeuer they had formerly confessed , was most false , and spoken onely to auoid torment . With that , the Fiscall and the rest offred them again to the torture : which they would not endure , but then affirmed their former confessions to be true .

When Colson ( who had accused Captain Towerson before ) was required to set his hand to his confession , he asked the Fiscall , vpon whose head he thought the sinne would lie ; whether vpon his that was constrained to confesse what was false , or vpon the constrainers . The Fiscall , after a little pause vpon this question , went in to the Gouernor then in another room ; but anon returning , told Colson hee must subscribe it : which he did ; yet withall made this protestation : Well , quoth he , you make mee to accuse my selfe and others of that which is as false , as GOD is true : for , God is my witnes , I am as innocent as the childe new borne .

Thus haue they examined all that belong to the English Companie in the seuerall Factories of the Iland of Amboyna .

The one and twentith of February , they examined Ioh. Wetherall examined . Iohn Wetherall , Factor at Cambello in the Iland of Seran . He confessed , he was at Amboyna vpon New-yeers day : but for the consultation , whereof he was demanded , he said he knew of no other , but touching certain cloth of the English Company , that lay in the Factories rotting and worm-eaten ; which they aduised together how to put off to the best auail of their Imployers . The Gouernor said , they questioned him not about cloth , but of treason : whereof when hee had protested his innocency , he was for that time dismissed . But the next day hee was sent for again , and Captaine Towerson brought to confront and accuse him , hauing before ( it seems ) confessed somewhat against him . But M. Towerson spake now these words onely : Oh , M. Wetherall , M. Wetherall , speak the truth , and nothing but the truth , as God shall put into your heart . So Captaine Towerson was put out again , and Wetherall brought to the torture of water , with great threats ; if water would not make him confesse , fire should . He prayed them to tell him what hee should say , or to write downe what they would ; hee would subscribe it . They said , hee needed no Tutor ; they would make him confesse of himself . But when they had triced him vp foure seuerall times , and saw hee knew not what to say , then they read him other mens confessions , and asked him from point to point , as they had done others : and hee still answered , Yea to all .