A Short Description of the Cape of Good Hope.

I Shall not trouble the Reader with what has been writ by others concerning this noted Place: And since I had neither Time, Health, nor Permission to ramble the Country, I can relate no Adventures that we had with Bears, Tygers or Hottentots; but what I shall say is from my own Observation.

A Description of the Cape of Good Hope.

The Dutch have here a well built small Town, containing about two hundred and fifty Houses, with a Church, and several fine Gardens and small Vineyards near it. There are divers Villages in the Country, from 10 to 30 Miles distance, and scattering Plantations near a hundred Miles from the Cape; so that from the whole they are supposed to be capable of raising 3000 well armed Horse and Foot at a short warning. The Climate being in about 35 S. Lat. is excellent and healthful, and the Soil very fruitful. They have many pleasant Seats in the Neighbourhood, with Gardens, Vineyards, and Plantations of young Oaks, and other Trees raised by themselves; there being no large Timber nearer than 50 Miles off the Cape. I was inform’d that these Farms and Plantations bring in their East India Company a considerable Sum per Annum, besides Maintenance for the Garrison. They let the Land so cheap, for Encouragement of Planters, and it produces such a large Increase of Corn, Wine and Cattle, that it enables the People to pay a great Excise for their Commodities, which are also continually exported for the Dutch Settlements in India, and spent in recruiting their Fleets that stop here; so that in a few Years they hope this Place will be so considerable, as to afford them Recruits on any Occasion for their Garrisons in India; and if they be pressed by a War there, they may always lodge such a Number of Men at this noble Settlement, which they esteem a second Fatherland, as may arrive at India in so good a Condition, that no European Power can be so capable of holding the India Trade as themselves. This makes me think it to have been a great Omission in our East India Company to quit this Settlement for St. Hellena, which is no way comparable to it, nor able to answer the same End. Amongst other Advantages, the Dutch have here a noble Hospital, furnished with Physicians and Surgeons as regularly as any in Europe; and this Hospital is capable of entertaining 6 or 700 sick Men at one time; so that as soon as the Dutch Ships arrive here, their distemper’d Men are put ashore, and they are supplied with fresh Men in their stead. They have all sorts of Naval Stores here, with proper Officers to attend on all Occasions, which is a mighty Addition to their Strength, and enables them to preserve their India Trade. An Express comes hither annually from Holland by a small Ship, to meet their homeward bound E. India Fleet, which is generally from 17 to 20 great Ships. The Express brings a private Order to the Commander in chief, who is appointed by the Government in India; so that none knows where they are to meet their Convoy in the North Seas, but himself; and he gives it sealed up to each Ship, to be open’d in a proper Latitude near home. By this Method their Fleets have for many Years escaped the Enemy, and arrived safe in Holland. Their Form of Government, their Industry and Neatness abroad, is justly to be admired, and worthy to be imitated. I saw nothing I could blame, unless it be their Severity, for which no doubt they have very good reason, tho’ it seemed harsh to me, who was born with English Liberty. They have an Island call’d Robin, which lies at the Entrance of the Cape Bay, about 3 Leagues from the Town, where they confine Mutineers, or other heinous Offenders, to hard Labour during Life, by Sentence of the Fiscal.

The Dutch generally send a Ship every Year from hence to Madagascar for Slaves, to supply their Plantations; for the Hotentots, who are very numerous, and love their Liberty and Ease so much, that they cannot be brought to work, even tho they should starve.

I spoke with an English and an Irish-man, who had been several Years with the Madagascar Pirates, but were now pardoned, and allowed to settle here: They told me, that those miserable Wretches, who had made such a Noise in the World, were now dwindled to between 60 or 70, most of them very poor and despicable, even to the Natives, among whom they had married. They added, that they had no Embarkations, but one Ship, and a Sloop that lay sunk; so that those Pirates are so inconsiderable, that they scarce deserve to be mentioned; yet if Care be not taken after a Peace to clear that Island of them, and hinder others from joining them, it may be a Temptation for loose stragling Fellows to resort thither, and make it once more a troublesome Nest of Free-booters.[154]

The Dutch have seldom less than 500 Soldiers in the Cape Castle, which is very large, built with Stone, and has 70 Guns well mounted on its Ramparts, with convenient Dwellings for the Officers and Soldiers; but it lies too deep in the Bay to protect the Ships in the Road; therefore they talk of erecting a Battery on the Starboard sandy Point, as you enter the Bay. The Road is so much exposed to the sea, that in the Winter Months, when the Wind blows strong from thence, it is unsafe Riding, and Ships are very often lost here; so that whoever comes hither in that Season, ought to be well provided with Cables and Anchors to ride out a Storm: But in the Summer it seldom blows from the Sea; yet scarce a Day passes without very strong Flaws at S. E. which come down from the Table Mountains that lie over the Fort, so violently, that Boats cannot go to or from the Ships, but in the Morning and Evening, when it is generally very moderate and calm.

The Dutch have found out a noble hot Spring of Water above 100 Miles up in the Country, which is of excellent virtue against all Distempers contracted in India; so that few have been carried thither, tho’ in a desperate Condition, but they have recover’d to admiration by drinking and bathing in that Water.

This Place having been so frequently describ’d by others, I shall only add, that I found the Character of the Hotentots to be very true, and that they scarce deserve to be reckon’d of the Human Kind, they are such ill look’d stinking nasty People: Their Apparel is the Skins of Beasts, their chief Ornament is to be very greasy and black, so that they besmear themselves with stinking Oil, or Tallow and Soot, and the Women twist the Guts of Beasts or Thongs of Hides round their Legs, which resembles a Tobacco-roll. Here’s plenty of all sorts of Beasts and Fowl, wild and tame; and in short, there’s nothing wanting at the Cape of Good Hope, for a good Subsistence; nor is there any Place more commodious for a Retirement to such as would be out of the Noise of the World, than the adjacent Country in possession of the Dutch.

Nothing remarkable happen’d till the 1st of May, only I continued very ill, as my Ship did leaky, and sometimes we Sailing from the Cape towards Europe. had Thunder, Lightning, Rain, and Squalls of Wind. Yesterday Afternoon we had sight of the Island St. Hellena, bearing N. W. by N. about 6 Leagues, lying in S. Lat. 16.

On the 7th we made the Island of Ascension, S. Lat. 8. 2. Longit. W. from London 13. 20.

On the 14th at Noon we found we had just cross’d the Equator, being the 8th time we had done so in our Course round the World. There was a strong Current setting to the Northward, after the rate of about 1 Mile an Hour, Longit. W. from London. 21. 11. So that we have run much continually to the Westward, over and above the Circumference of the Globe.

The 17th in Lat. 3. 13. we found the Current still continuing to set to the N.W. 20 Miles in 24 Hours. The Dutch Commadore was very civil to us, and because our Prize sailed heavy, he allow’d her to keep a-head in the Night, which he did not to any other Ship. We and the Dutchess often tow’d her in the Day, to keep her up with the Fleet.

June 7. In the Lat. of 24°. 55´´. The 3 Admirals hall’d down their Flags, and hoisted Pennants at their Main topmast Heads, to appear more like Ships of War, every Dutch Ship doing the same. Now we draw near home, they scrape and clean their Ships, bending new Sails, so that they look as if newly come out of Holland.

June 13. Yesterday Afternoon the Flag made a Signal for all the Dutch Commanders to go aboard with their Latitude and Longitude. We took the Batchelor in towe this Morning, having a fine moderate Gale at E. by N. with smooth pleasant Weather.

June 14. We cast the Batchelor off about 5 Yesterday Afternoon, I being unwilling to run too far a head with her, now we are got so far to the Northward, where we may expect not only the Danger of the Enemy, but also veerable Winds and thick Weather, by which means she may loose the Fleet. I advis’d Capt. Courtney the same in the Evening by a Letter. This Morning we rummaged our Hold, and found very little new Damage amongst the Bails, but all in general much decay’d by lying so long in ordinary Package.

June 15. The Admiral made a Signal this Morning for all the English Commanders, and some of the Dutch Skippers to come aboard him, where we found an excellent Entertainment, and the good Humour of the Dutch Admiral soon made all the Company understand each other without a Linguist, tho’ we had much ado to get one at first Meeting. We parted before the Sun set, and had a fine Day.

June 28. Being got into the Latitude of 51 N. we had thick foggy Weather, so that the Flag fired two Guns every half hour; each Ship answer’d with one. This continu’d several Days, which consumed a great deal of Powder, but by the Noise of the Guns it was easy to keep Company, tho’ sometimes so thick for several Hours, that we could not see three Ships Lengths.

July 14. This Morning we fancied we saw Land, and some of the Dutch Ships made the concerted Signal, but none was positive, having sounded, and found no Ground with above 100 Fathom of Line.

July 15. We saw 2 Ships Yesterday Afternoon, one of which we spoke with, being a Dane bound for Ireland. She told us the Wars still continued, but gave a very imperfect Account of any other News: She informed us of the Dutch Men of War, that were cruizing for us off Shetland (being 10 Sail) whom she saw 4 or 5 Days ago, and reckon’d her self now about 40 Leagues from the Land. We had Soundings then in 70 Fathom Water, brown gravelly Ground. I just had time to send the Owners a Copy of my Letters from the Cape of Good Hope, and to let ’em know we were now got so far safe towards the Conclusion of a fatiguing Voyage. In the Morning we made Fair Island and Foul Island lying off of Shetland, presently after we saw the Men of War; but having little Wind, and they a good way distant from each other, we could join but one of them by Noon. Fair Island then bore S.S.E. distant about 2 Leagues.

July 16. All the Men of War join’d us Yesterday Afternoon, but one or two with the fishing Doggers, who were cruizing off to the North East of Shetland. After mutual Salutations both by the Dutch and English Ships, one of the Men of War was sent out to see for the missing Ships. Mean while the Fleet lay by, and having little Wind, the Boats came to and fro all Night, and supply’d us with what we wanted. The Inhabitants of those Islands came aboard with what Provisions they had, being very poor People, who subsist most by Fishing.

Arrival at the Texel.

July 17. In the Morning we had a small Breeze, with which the Men of War got into the Fleet again, having met with the other. About Noon we all made Sail, steering away betwixt the S.S.E. and S.E. and the Wind at S.W. and S.W. by S. I wrote a single Letter to the Owners in general, by a Scots Fishing Boat belonging to Shetland, advising them of our joining the Men of War, who are order’d with the Fleet to the Texel, where I hope we shall soon meet an English Convoy. The Dutch India Admiral, tho’ but a Company’s Ship, wears his Flag, and gives Signals and Orders to the Dutch Men of War, which is not suffer’d among the English, and in the whole Run from the Cape have kept an exact Discipline in the Fleet, not suffering any of the Commanders to go out of the Ships to visit each other at Sea without his Signal or Leave.

July 21. This Morning one of the Men of War was order’d away for the Texel, to give notice of the Fleet’s coming; I again wrote to the Owners, for fear of any Miscarriage by the former Conveyances.

July 23. The Weather being close, the Commadore made a Signal about 10 a Clock for seeing Land; presently after all the Fleet answer’d him with their Colours. The Pilot-Boats coming off aboard the Ships, we had 2 aboard, who told us the Texel bore about S.E. by E. distant 15 or 16 Miles. Presently after Noon we parted with the Rotterdam and Middleburgh Ships, most of the Men of War going with ’em to see ’em safe in. The Flag and all the English Ships saluted the Commadore, and afterwards we saluted the Flag himself to welcome him in sight of Holland; and as soon as they got over the Bar, the Dutch-men fir’d all their Guns for joy of their safe Arrival in their own Country, which they very affectionately call Father-land. All the Ships bound into the Texel lay by from 2 till 5 a Clock, waiting for the Flood to carry us up. About 8 at Night we all came safe to an Anchor in 6 Fathom Water about 2 Miles off Shore.

On the 24th in the Morning the Dutch Flag weigh’d, in order to go up to the unlivering Place. As he pass’d by us, we gave him 3 Huzza’s and 9 Guns. In the Afternoon I went up to Amsterdam, where we had Letters from our Owners, to direct us how to act and proceed from hence. On the 28th the English East India Ships had Orders to be in a readiness for sailing with the first Dutch Convoy for London. We got some Provisions aboard from Amsterdam on the 30th. When I came aboard, on the 1st of August, by Consent of our Council, we discharg’d what Men we ship’t at Batavia and the Cape, and afterwards went away from Amsterdam. On the 4th the Dutchess and Batchelor went up to the Road, call’d the Vlicter, being a better Road than the Texel. In the Evening we had News of some of our Owners being at the Helder: Mr. Pope went to wait upon ’em, and in the Morning came aboard with them. After a short Stay they went for the Dutchess and Batchelor, designing thence for Amsterdam; we welcom’d ’em with 15 Guns at their coming and going; the English East-India Ships and others bound for England weigh’d with the Dutch Convoy to Day, having a fine Gale at N. E. On the 6th we weigh’d from the Texel, and went up to our Consorts, it being by a particular Order from the Owners for our better Security; we being oblig’d to wait there, fearing the India Company would be troublesome, altho’ we had dealt for nothing but Necessaries in India.

On the 10th in the Afternoon, the Owners with the Chief Officers came down, and the next Day went a-shoar to the Texel, where having an Abstract of our Voyage ready drawn up, we went before a Notary Publick, and took our Affidavits, that what was therein contain’d was true to the best of our Knowledge, and that we had been at no other Places than therein mention’d. This was desir’d of us by James Hollidge, Esq; one of our Owners, to justifie our Proceedings to the Queen and Council, in Answer to what the East-India Company had to alledge against us, they being, as we were inform’d, resolved to trouble us, on Pretence we had encroached upon their Liberties in India. On the 12th, we return’d aboard again; and to keep up a Form of Government, tho’ the Owners were here, we held a Committee, where ’twas agreed to carry a Quantity of Gold to Amsterdam, to exchange for a Supply of our Men and Ships, viz. 20 Guilders to a Sailor, 10 to a Land-man, and to every Officer in Proportion as his Occasions requir’d. On the 13th we went away for Amsterdam, but did not carry any Gold out of our Ships, upon Consideration it might be prejudicial to the Insurance made on our Ships, if we took any Value out, and an Accident should afterwards happen, so we agreed again, ’twould be better to take up the Money at Amsterdam.

We had several Stores and Provisions from Amsterdam this Week, and likewise Money for the Officers and Men, which was paid ’em, and they had Liberty to go a-shoar by turns.

Transactions in Holland.

On the 23d in the Afternoon, the Owners came down from Amsterdam, and the next Day examin’d the Prisoners aboard Us and the Batchelor, about taking the said Ship and other Prizes, having Notice of our going over for England, and that a Convoy was appointed to come for us.

We got all the Men off Shoar, who had been very troublesome to the Owners at Amsterdam, and every thing in Readiness for Sailing. On the 31st Mr. Hollidge came aboard (the rest of the Owners being gone over for England) and took Account of what Plate, Gold, Pearl, &c. was in the Ship. The same being done aboard the Dutchess, he likewise took a List of our Men to get Protections for them, from being impress’d after our Arrival in the River of Thames. The next Day he went to the Texel to discharge the Custom due from our Ships, and on the 5th in the Morning he took his Leave of us.

On the 19th in the Afternoon, we had News of our Convoys lying without the Texel, which was very acceptable to the Crews of each Ship, who were in the utmost Uneasiness at our long Stay, being just at Home, so that we had much ado to keep the Companies aboard till now. We got every thing in Readiness, in order for falling down to them.

On the 20th, about 5 in the Afternoon, we got down to the Texel, where we found our Convoy at Anchor, being the Essex, Canterbury, Medway, and Dunwich Men of War.

On the 22d in the Morning, the Wind being at N. E. we weigh’d from the Texel, and by 10 of the Clock got clear of the Channel. In the Afternoon the Commodore took the Batchelor in Towe, and next Morning the Wind being against us, we bore away again for the Harbour, as did likewise 4 Dutch Men of War that came out with us, bound for London; after seeing us safe in, he stood off to the Northward with the Canterbury and Medway, but came in the next Morning.

On the 25th our Officers met, where consulting that our 3 Ships wanted several Necessaries to keep the Sea, in case we should meet with bad Weather, we requested Captain Roffey our Commodore, that he would please to stay, should the Wind be fair, till such Time as we could be provided with the said Necessaries from Amsterdam, which was granted.

On the 13th the Wind continuing at S. E. by S. and S. E. at Break of Day we weigh’d, as did likewise 4 Dutch Men of War.

On the 1st of October, about 11 of the Clock we came to an Anchor in the Downs, where several of our Owners came aboard, and after they had visited every Ship, went a-shoar with some Prisoners to examine ’em about our Capture, &c.

At 3 this Morning the Essex made a Signal to unmoar, and betwixt 9 and 10 weigh’d, he being order’d up to the Buoy in the Noar, and we to make the best of our Way to the Hope.

Octob. 14. This Day at 11 of the Clock, we and our Consort and Prize got up to Eriff [Erith], where we came to an Anchor, which ends our long and fatiguing Voyage.

FINIS.