It is indispensible, that supplies of rice and other victuals, and cloth, should be sent for the English and Bandanese, and to bring away the nutmegs and mace we have there in godowns or warehouses.  The Hollanders give out that they will take all your ships that go to those parts, so as to famish both the English and Bandanese; wherefore it requires earnest and speedy attention, that we may quietly enjoy our trade to these islands, which have been surrendered to us, and desire our trade.  These are Puloway, Puloroon, Rosengin, and Wayre, which last is a town in Lantore.  Puloway is reported to be a paradise, and the Hollanders allege that it is as much worth to them as Scotland is to his majesty.  Even should your worships not be able to get Puloway restored, yet, if you enjoy the other three, we shall be able to procure enough of nutmegs and mace for the supply of England, and also for the trade of Surat and other places in India.  Now is the time or never, considering the vile abuses and murders committed upon us by the Hollanders.  At this time, the Charles and the Hope are bound home from Bantam, and I pray God to send them safe to London.  I have sent your worships a brief abstract of our cargo for Banda, and of the sales made there.  If I seem tedious, I humbly crave pardon; and, with my humble duty, beseeching the Almighty to prosper and give good success to all your designs, I humbly take leave,

being your worships most humble servant in all duty,

Thomas Spurway.

SECTION X.

FIFTH VOYAGE THE JOINT STOCK BY THE ENGLISH EAST INDIA COMPANY, IN 1617,
UNDER THE COMMAND OF CAPTAIN MARTIN PRING.[260]

INTRODUCTION.

The fleet appointed for this voyage consisted of five ships; the James Royal of 1000 tons, Rowland Coytmore master; the Ann Royal of 900 tons, Andrew Shilling master; the Gift of 800 tons, Nathaniel Salmon master; the Bull of 400 tons, Robert Adams master; and the Bee of 150 tons, John Hatch master; the whole under the supreme command of Martin Pring, general, who sailed in the James Royal.—­Purch.

[Footnote 260:  Purch.  Pilgr.  I. 63.]

Sec.1. Occurrences on the Voyage out, and at Surat, Bantam, and Jacatra.

On Tuesday the 4th February, 1617, our fleet dropt down from Gravesend.  Thursday the 6th, Mr deputy Maurice Abbot, with several of the commissioners, came aboard and mustered all our men, paying their harbour wages.  These gentlemen left us next day, when all our men were entered upon whole pay.  After much foul weather, we departed from the Downs on the 5th March.  The 22d of June we Lad sight of Saldanha point, and anchored that same afternoon in the bay, whence we departed on the 13th July.  The moon was totally eclipsed at night of the 6th August; it began at eight o’clock and continued till past eleven, being totally eclipsed for an hour and half.  On the 25th August at night, between seven and eight o’clock, being in latitude 4 deg. 20’ S. the water of the sea seemed almost as white as milk, and so continued till morning, when it began to alter.  Next night we found the water similar, but not altogether so white.  Before day on the 30th, the water was again white, and likewise the next night; but on all these occasions we could find no ground.