When I was but a boy, I had learned the art of navigation in some measure by going to India, though I had lost it again for want of practice; yet, applying myself to a proper mathematician for farther instruction, I soon recovered enough to enable me to keep a journal, and give such an account of this voyage as may be useful to those who have no knowledge of the island.
On the first of April, 1719, we arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, where we bought such provisions as we wanted, and on the tenth set sail for Natal; on the twenty-ninth we saw the land, in the latitude of 29 deg. 20 min. south, to the northward of Natal, about eleven leagues off. We sailed a west-south-west course along the shore, with a gentle breeze; at noon the point of Natal bore south-west by west, about two leagues distant; at two in the afternoon we came to an anchor in fourteen fathoms’ water, within two miles of the point of Natal, it bearing west-south-west. The current sets south-south-west and north-north-east. Here we traded for slaves, with large brass rings, or rather collars, and several other commodities. In a fortnight’s time we purchased seventy-four boys and girls. These are better slaves for working than those of Madagascar, being not only blacker, but stronger.
Captain White put six natives of Dillagoe on shore here, whom he took with him the former voyage. They had two or three king’s dominions to pass through before they came to their own country, and were under some apprehensions of being intercepted. The captain, therefore, furnished them with guns, ammunition, hatchets, and brass collars. Here I saw several humped cattle, like those in Madagascar; but the natives have short woolly hair, like Guinea negroes, and not like the people of Madagascar.
On the seventh day of June, we made the land on the east side of Madagascar. I went up to the mast-head, where, discerning high land to the southward, I took it for granted that we were to the northward of Port Dauphine; the captain, however, not relying on what I asserted, hoisted out the boat, and sent me and the second mate in her towards the shore to speak with any of the natives we could see. We rowed along the shore a considerable time, till I discovered a small town, and some of the inhabitants looking at us; but the sea broke so much three or four hundred yards off the shore, that we dare not venture to put the boat in; hereupon I pulled off my clothes and swam. Two of the natives observing me, swam to my assistance, and walked with me afterwards to a point about a mile farther, where they go off with their canoes. Here the boat got in, and I persuaded one of the fishermen to accompany us. This place is called Murnumbo, about ten leagues to the northward of Port Dauphine. Here was a strong current and large swell against us. The next day about sunset, we anchored in fourteen fathoms’ water, being unable to get into the bay. The ruins of the fort bore west-south-west of us, Cape Ramus south-west by south, and the point of the Seven Virgins, or Seven Hammocks, east. The next morning we weighed, stood into the bay, and anchored in three fathoms’ water; the French fort bore south-east by east, the ruins of the church south-south-east; we were within a cable’s length of the shore, on either side almost landlocked. However, as there is sometimes a strong north-east wind, it is always best to keep a good anchor and cable without.
Port Dauphine is in the latitude of 24 deg. 50 min. south. The bay into which you must sail, is on the east side of the point. You must take care of a rock on your starboard side. Your course to steer is west-north-west. When you are in you will see the ruins of a fort on a hill, called “the nose of the port;” you must keep close to this point till you open the bay, and when the fort bears south-east by east, or east-south-east, you may come to an anchor; and, if you will, may moor your ship to the rocks. About two miles to the southward there is a false bay, which may deceive strangers; therefore, as it is a rocky place, great care must be taken.
I went directly on shore to the king’s brother’s town, and acquainted him, that we were come to trade, but were in haste to be gone; and, therefore, if they had any slaves to sell, he must despatch them down forthwith. And this pretence must always be made, for they have no notion of the expense that attends a long delay. Messengers were immediately sent to the king, who sent word by an Irishman, (who had deserted from one captain Ware,) that he would be with us the next day, and came accordingly. This prince’s name was deaan Morroughsevea, he was dressed in a coat and breeches, and had a hat on his head. The first day was spent in the usual compliments, and making mutual presents. The price was adjusted the next day; whereupon we built a factory, and palisaded it round. The king soon returned, though we stayed here till the nineteenth of July. At which time the captain sending me with some presents to the king, I stripped off my clothes, and dressed myself like a native, with a lance in my hand. I think it was not less than twenty miles. The king was just going to dinner with salt fish, rice, and roast beef, when I got there. He very courteously desired me to sit down and partake of what he had before him; saying, all white men, except the French, were very welcome; for they had killed his grandfather, and carried an uncle of his away captive. After dinner he entertained me with some toake, and a dram of brandy, and then dismissed me with some presents to the captain, desiring we would return as soon as conveniently we could, for he was going to war with Unter Morrow Cherock to the northward, and hoped soon to have more slaves for us.
On the twentieth I came on board, and then we weighed, leaving four men and the natal slaves behind us. Here we purchased one hundred and thirty, and sailed with them to the Mattatanna Road; and on the twenty-sixth we made the Thumb-cap off Mattatanna, and came to an anchor within a league distance. Here is no going on shore in our boats, by reason of the great bar that is there, and the sea always breaking upon it; the canoes, however, came off to us, and I went on shore with them; and after that to the king’s town, which was a great way up the river. One ran before to inform him that the captain’s ambassador was coming: whereupon he put himself in great order, and appeared in state. He speaks English and French very well, and so do several of his family. He told me I was welcome. But as captain Macket had been before us, and bought three hundred and thirty slaves in less than twenty days, he endeavoured to raise the price upon us. I soon informed him, however, that I knew the country; and that if he had none to dispose of, I could tell where to go to market. At last we agreed, and I sent the captain word of what I had done. It was so dangerous going over the breakers, that I did not care how seldom I went. I did not like the place, for they were so harassed with a neighbouring enemy, that they were always on their guard, and could not sleep in safety, nor get even common necessaries; the country being in much the same state and condition as was Feraignher when I lived there. The captain, notwithstanding this, was obstinate; and after he had sent me a cargo on shore, as also a man to assist me, sailed away to Don Mascareen, an island then belonging to the French, and about one hundred leagues to the eastward.
As soon as he was gone, I removed my factory to the king’s town, as thinking it more safe. I often lent the natives guns and ammunition to repel their enemies, and once I went with them. I bought fourteen slaves in three days, but finding provision dear, I went more artfully to work; I agreed for the slaves they offered to sale, and left something as earnest in their hands, but would not complete the bargain. Here I had a scurvy trick put upon me, which I relate, that others may beware of the like impositions. One night, notwithstanding all my care, I missed two women slaves, who were fastened by the arms together. I complained thereof to the king, who, pretending to know nothing of it, ordered inquiry to be made after them, but to no purpose, till I published a reward of six pounds of gunpowder to him who would restore them. The man who sold them to me brought them again, pretending he had found the place where they had concealed themselves, and demanded the reward. I charged him with imposing on me, but not being then able to make good my assertion, he complained to the king, who threatened me hard in case I did not give the man the reward. I returned his menaces in warm terms, offering to defend myself with my fire-arms, as I had six ready loaded by me. What with tears and flatteries, the women confessed before the next morning, that their first master had injured me, and misused them after he had them again. I went to the king’s brother directly, and assured him I would take care that no white men should ever trade there for the future; but in the end, he desired I would speak with the king first, which I did. He reconciled us before our ship returned, which was in the middle of September, and then without captain White, who had been dead and buried some time before at Don Mascareen. He went there to sell slaves to the French, and buy up others for the West India cargo, but there happened to be no call for any.
Captain Christal, who was then commander, sent one of his officers to assure me I might depend on the same civility and friendship as I had received from his predecessor, for he approved my conduct, and completed the bargains I had begun, and brought my slaves on board.
Mattatanna in the latitude of 22 deg. 15 min. south, is a wild coast, where our boats can at no time come ashore; these slaves, and those of Port Dauphine are esteemed the best in the island. Before we went from hence, I heard that deaan Morroughsevea of Port Dauphine, was killed in the expedition he went on, after I left him. Before I proceed farther in my account of this voyage, as I am now on the east side of the island, I shall take notice of the principal places on it.