Till Noon Of The 3d, We Sailed N.N.W. 1/4 W. Seven
Leagues.
We here saw land twelve leagues off, from N. to N.E. rising in
certain hummocks, which land I estimated to be nearly in 22 deg.
45' N. On
the 8th, I had an observation of the Scorpion's Heart, by which I made
our latitude 22 deg. 35' N. Next day, at noon, on observation of the sun
gave the latitude 23 deg. 6' N. At this time we had sight of the high land
of Logosse, eleven leagues off, N.W. by N.[283] This morning we saw
eight or more fishing boats, and came within hail of one, but could not
persuade the people to come on board.
[Footnote 283: The latitude of the text points to the coast of China in
about the longitude of 117 deg.E. but no such name as Logosse occurs in
these parts. - E.]
On the 10th we had sight of some small islands, one of which, rising in
form of a sugar-loaf, bore from us W.N.N. about eight leagues off.[284]
We this day hoisted out a small boat, built by our carpenters upon the
forecastle, by which we made trial of the current, and found it to set
E.N.E. At eight this evening, we anchored in 28 f. having made no way at
all this afternoon but with the current, which went at the rate of about
a mile an hour N.E. The 11th we weighed, and drove away with the current
to the N.E. having no wind. This day at noon we had sight of the high
land of Formosa above the clouds, the highest part bearing S.E. by E.
about eighteen leagues off, the nearest island on the coast of China
bearing seven leagues from us N.W. We here saw great numbers of fishing
boats all round about us, which sent little boats to us with fish, for
which we gave them double the value to encourage them to come back. At
six this evening, the wind sprung up at N.N.E. by which, and some help
of the current setting N.E. by E. we made our way nine leagues E. to the
12th at noon. Our latitude was then 25 deg. 20' N. The high land of Formosa
being S.E. and the nearest port eight leagues off; the northern point
ten leagues E. by N. and the depth 46 fathoms on ooze. The 13th the
northern point of Formosa bore E.S.E. ten leagues off, being then in
lat. 25 deg. 40' N.
[Footnote 284: These appear to have been the Poughoy, or Pescadores
islands, off the western coast of Tai-ouan, or Formosa. - E.]
The 22d of July at noon, we were in lat. 32 deg. 40' N. the great sound of
Langasaque, [Nangasaki,] being E. nine leagues off, and the S.E. of the
Gotto isles W. by N. ten leagues off. The 23d, we arrived in a port of
the island of Firando named Cochee, [Coetch,] which is about 4 1/2
English miles to the southwards of Firando haven.[285] On the 25th,
Captain Cox sent a great number of funnies, or toe boats, to our
assistance, by the help of which we got safe in the afternoon into the
harbour of Firando, where we found the Swan and Expedition, sent hither,
as I suppose, by the Dutch, for the disgrace of our nation in this
remote part of the world. This day, before we got in, the Elizabeth
brought in with her into Coetch, a frigate, containing silks and hides,
and some sugar, her mariners being Japanese with some Portuguese, a part
of whom were friars. Captain Adams, the admiral of the united fleet,
arrived in the same place about three hours after me in the Moon, as
likewise William Johnson in the Trow.
[Footnote 285: Coetch, about 17 miles W. by N. from Firando, the former
on the western, and the latter on the eastern side of the island. - E.]
The 26th, a general council was held of all the English and Dutch, in
the English house at Firando, when it was resolved to call in the ships
that lay nearest the coast of Sashma, because we were certainly
informed that the Portuguese frigates were just arrived from Macao at
Nangasaki. The 30th, the king of Crats came aboard the James,
appearing much delighted to see such a ship, demanding of the jurabassa
if this were one of the English frigates; whence we concluded the Dutch
had reported we had only small ships like frigates. The 1st of August we
held another council at the English factory, to make choice of two men,
an Englishman and a Hollander, to carry a present to the emperor. As I
could not be spared so long from the James, nor Captain Adams from his
fleet, we made choice of Mr Charles Cleavengar, commander of the
Palsgrave, and Mr Joseph Cockram, Cape merchant of the fleet, to go on
the part of the English, and Jasques le Febre of the Harlaem, and
Mathias de Brooke, were chosen on the part of the Dutch.
On the 6th the Palsgrave arrived in Coetch roads. The Bull arrived there
on the 7th, having cut away all her masts by the board, as they said to
save the ship and goods. This day Captain Adams and I paid a visit to
the king of Firando, carrying a small present, which was well received,
and we were courteously entertained. On the 9th the king invited the
English and Dutch to dine with him, shewing respect to our nation by
placing us on his right hand, while the Dutch sat on his left, and the
first dish of every course was offered to us.
The 4th September we had a great tuffoon from the north, which forced
the Moon on shore, and overset the Expedition, which instantly went
down.
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