off by the worms, and the main planks of the fhip's bottom fo much damaged and decayed, that it was abfolutely neceffary to heave her down, before she could be fufficiently repaired to fail for Europe; but as other fhips were already heaved down, and confequently the wharfs at this time pre-occupied, the carpenters could not begin their work till the 24th of July. Under the hands of these people the fhip continued till Tuesday the 16th of Auguft. When they came to examine her bottom, they found it fo bad that they were unanimously of opinion it fhould be shifted: this, however, I ftrenuously oppofed; I knew fhe was an old fhip, and I was afraid that if her bottom was opened it might be found ftill worse than it was thought, and poffibly fo bad as that, like the Falmouth, fhe might be condemned; I therefore defired that a good sheathing only might be put over all; but the bawfe, or mafter carpenter, would not confent, except I would certify under my hand, that what should be done to the fhip was not according to his judgment but my own, which he faid was neceffary for his juftification, if, after fuch repairs only as I thought fit to direct had been made, the fhip fhould come fhort of her port. As I thought this a reafonable propofition, I readily complied; but as I was now become anfwerable for the fate of the fhip, I had her carefully examined by my own 1768. June. Wednef.22. July. Sunday 24. Auguft. Tuesday 16. 1768. Auguft. carpenter and his mate, myself and officers always attending. The but ends of the planks Tuefday 16. that joined to the fteṛn were fo open, that a man's hand might be thruft in between; feven chain-plates were broken and decayed; the iron work, in general, was in a very bad ftate; feveral of the knees were loose, and some of them were broken. While I remained here, two fhips belonging to our India Company put into this port, and we found, among other private fhips from India, one called the Dudly, from Bengal, which had proved so leaky that it was impoffible to carry her back. Application had been made to the governor and council for leave to careen her, which had been granted; but as the wharfs had been kept in continual ufe, he had been put off above four months. The captain, not without reafon, was apprehenfive that he might be kept here till the worms had eaten through the bottom of his veffel, and knowing that I had received particular civilities from Admiral Houting, applied to me to intercede for him, which I was very happy to do with fuch fuccefs, that a wharf was immediately allotted her. M. Houting is an old man, and an admiral in the fervice of the States, with the rank of commander in chief of their marine, and the fhips belonging to the company in India. He received his first maritime knowledge on board an English man of war, speaks fpeaks English and French extremely well, and does honour to the fervice both by his abilities and politeness: he was fo obliging as to give me a general invitation to his table, in confequence of which I was often with him, and it is with pleasure that I take this opportunity of making a public acknowledgment of the favours I received from him, and bearing this teftimony to his public and private merit: he was indeed the only officer belonging to the company from whom I received any civility, or with whom I had the least communication; for I found them, in general, a referved and fupercilious fet of people. The governor, although the fervant of a republic, takes upon himself more state, in fome particulars, than any fovereign prince in Europe. Whenever he goes abroad, he is attended by a party of horse-guards, and two black men go before his coach, in the manner of running footmen, each having a large cane in his hand, with which they not only clear the way, but severely chaftife all who do not pay the homage that is expected from people of all ranks, as well those belonging to the country as ftrangers. Almost every body in this place keeps a carriage, which is drawn by two horses, and driven by a man upon a box, like our chariots, but is open in front: whoever, in fuch a carriage, meets the governor, either in the town or upon the road, is expected not only to draw it 1768. Auguft. 1768. Auguft. on one fide, but to get out of it, and make a moft refpectful obeifance while his excellency's coach goes by; nor must any carriage that follows him drive paft on any account, but keep behind him, however preffing be the neceffity for hafte. A very mortifying homage, of the fame kind, is also exacted by the members of the council, called Edele Heeren, for whoever meets them is obliged to ftop his coach, and, though not to get out, to ftand up in it, and make his reverence: thefe Edele Heeren are preceded by one black man with a tick, nor must any person presume to pass their carriage any more than that of the governor. These ceremonies are generally complied with by the captains of Indiamen, and other trading fhips; but having the honour to bear his Majefty's commiffion, I did not think myself at liberty to pay to a Dutch governor, any homage which is not paid to my own Sovereign: it is, however, conftantly required of the King's officers; and two or three days after I came hither, the landlord of the hotel where I lodged told me, he had been ordered by the fhebander to let me know that my carriage, as well as others, muft stop, if I fhould meet the governor or any of the council; but I defired him to acquaint the fhebander that I could not confent to perform any fuch ceremony; and upon his intimating fomewhat about the black men with fticks, fticks, I told him that if any infult fhould be offered me, I knew how to defend myself, and would take care to be upon my guard; at the fame time pointing to my piftols, which then happened to lie upon the table: upon this he went away, and about three hours afterwards he returned, and told me he had orders from the governor to acquaint me that I might do as I pleased. The hotel at which I refided is licensed by the governor and council, and all ftrangers are obliged to take up their abode there, except officers in his Majefty's fervice, who are allowed private lodgings, which, however, I did not chufe. At this place I continued between three and four months, and during all that time I had the honour to see the governor but twice: the firft time was at my arrival, when I waited upon him at one of his houses, a little way in the country'; the next was in town, as he was walking before his house there, when I addreffed him upon a particular occafion. Soon after the news of the Prince of Orange's marriage arrived here, he gave a public entertainment, to which I had the honour of being invited; but having heard that Commodore Tinker, upon a like occafion, finding that he was to be placed below the gentlemen of the Dutch council, had abruptly left the room, and was followed by all the captains of his fquadron; and being willing to avoid the difagreeable 1768. Auguft. |