Page:A voyage to New Holland - Dampier.djvu/98

58 them is boyled to Oyl; the Lean is eaten by the Slaves and poor People: And I was told by one that had frequently eaten of it that the Flesh was very sweet and wholesome. These are said to be but small Whales: yet here are so many, and so easily kill'd, that they get a great deal of Mony by it. Those that strike them buy their Licence for it of the King: And I was informed that he receives 30000 Dollars per Annum for this Fishery. All the small Vessels that use this Coasting Traffic are built here; and so are some Men of War also for the King's Service. There was one a Building when I was here, a ship of 40 or 50 Guns: and the Timber of this Country is very good and proper for this purpose. I was told it was very strong, and more durable than any we have in Europe; and they have enough of it. As for their ships that use the European Trade, some of them that I saw there were English built, taken from us by the French, during the late war, and sold by them to the Portuguese.

Besides Merchants and others that Trade by Sea from this Port, here are other pretty Wealthy Men, and several Artificers and Trades-men of most sorts, who by Labour and Industry maintain themselves very well; especially such as can arrive at the purchase of a Negro-Slave or two.