exchange, where money can be had at all times.  I had rather have given fifty pounds than taken this journey at the present time, because I have much goods upon my hands, as I partly wrote you in my last.  The name of the master of the Union is Edmund White, his mate’s name is Thomas Duckmanton, and the other man is Thomas Smith, besides the Indian formerly mentioned.  They are in a most piteous condition, and in great want of money, neither can they have any command of their goods.  Therefore let the company send men of good experience to conduct this business, and do you lose no time in making this known to the company.  Thus, being in haste to take horse, I commit you to the Lord’s protection, resting your assured friend always to command,

BERNARD COUPER

To Mr Thomas Hide, Merchant in London.

Second Letter respecting the Union at Audierne.

The 8th day of February, I came over the Pole-head of Bourdeaux, and the 11th I lost my foremast, bolt-sprit, and rudder, and put into Audierne that night for repair.  The 13th the Frenchman brought the ship Union of London upon the rocks.  The 14th I went in my boat aboard the Union, by which time the Frenchmen had been four days in possession of her.  I then brought on shore Samuel Smith, Thomas Duttonton, and Edmund White the master.  The 15th I got William Bagget, my merchant, to write a letter to Morlaix; and the 18th the letter was sent off, when I paid two crowns for its carriage.  The Indian died on the 20th, and I buried him.  The 20th the master died, and I buried him also.  The 22d Mr Roberts and Mr Couper came, and then went back to Morlaix on the 26th.  Again the 4th of March, William Coarey, the host of Mr Couper and Mr Roberts.[304] The 5th, I and Mr Coarey went in my boat to the Union.  At low water I went into her hold, and brought away a sample of the worst pepper.  The 6th I left Audierne, and came to Morlaix on the 8th.  The 17th Mr Hide came to Morlaix.  The 21st I sailed from Morlaix, and got to the Isle of Wight on the 22d at night.  The 24th I came to Southampton, and the 28th I arrived in London.

Your loving friend,

WILLIAM WOTTON.

[Footnote 304:  This sentence is left unintelligible by Purchas; Coarey probably came at this time to Audierne.  Roberts is probably the person named Robbins by Couper in the former letter.—­E.]

After the spoil of the Bretons, they saved almost 200 tons of pepper, some benzoin, and some China silks, which had been purchased at Tecu in Sumatra.  The Union, after her unfortunate voyage outward-bound, as already briefly related, loaded with pepper at Acheen, Priaman, Passeman, and Tecu, at which last place they bought some silk out of a Chinese junk.  On their return voyage, they met Sir Henry Middleton, having then thirty-six men on board in reasonable good health, and they delivered some chests of silver to Sir Henry.  They afterwards became very sickly, missed the island of St Helena, and most of their men died on this side of Cape Verd.  Ten Englishmen and four Guzerats were taken out of them by a bark belonging to Bristol, and a Scot.  The circumstances respecting their landing at Audierne, and other matters there, are before set down in the two preceding letters.