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.