Page:Great & wonderful revolution in Siam (1690).pdf/13

 Constance. He was born in Cephalonia, a Greek Island belonging to the Venetians, of a Noble Venetian, and of a young Lady of the ancientest Family of the Country; and about the Year 1660, being but Ten Years of Age, he had Sense and Understanding enough to discern the ill Condition that his Parents Negligence and ill Management had brought their Domestick Affairs into, which put him upon the Resolution of seeking his Fortune abroad, since he could not maintain it according to his Quality at home. The first Adventure he made was into England, where he lived some Years, and then went into the East-Indies, and was employ'd by some English Merchants as their Factor at Siam. He continued some time in that Service, and had the good Fortune to be known to the chief Minister of State, who in that Country is call'd Barcalon, who finding him to be diligent, laborious, and capable of doing Business, brought him into the management of publick Affairs under him; by which means he came to be not only acceptable, but very necessary to the King in the dispatch of several important Matters. The Advantage of his European Education, and the great Knowledge he had acquired in Trade and Commerce both there and in the Indies, making him very considerable, help'd to insinuate him so far into the Favour and good Opinion of the King of Siam, that at last, after the death of the Barcalon, he was advanced to be one of his chief Ministers, especially for the management of Foreign Affairs.

The Intrigue was carry'd on at Court, under the plausible Pretext of freeing the Golph of Siam from the Dutch Yoke, who having Malacca, a strong Fort at the Entry of it, in their hands, had imposed a Toll and Duty on all the Indian Ships that traded or came into that Bay; but the true Design that (as was believed) lay at the bottom, was