Page:Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks.djvu/421

Rh morning proved to be Java Head and Prince's Island. At night we had passed Cracatoa.

2nd. We espied two large ships lying at anchor behind Anger Point; we came to an anchor, and sent a boat on board the ships for news. They were Dutch East Indiamen; one bound for Cochin and the coast of Coromandel; the other for Ceylon. Their captains received our officer very politely, and told him some European news; as, that the government in England were in the utmost disorder, the people crying up and down the streets "Down with King George, King Wilkes for ever," that the Americans had refused to pay taxes of any kind, the consequence of which being that a large force had been sent there, both of sea and land forces; that the party of Polanders, who had been forced into the late election by the Russians interfering, had asked assistance of the Grand Signior, who had granted it, in consequence of which the Russians had sent twenty sail of the line, and a large army by land to besiege Constantinople, etc. etc. etc. With regard to our present circumstances, they told us that our passage to Batavia was likely to be very tedious, as we should have a strong current constantly against us, and at this time of the year calms and light breezes were the only weather we had to expect. They said also that near where they lay was a Dutch packet boat, whose business it was to go on board all ships coming through the straits to inquire of them their news, and carry or send their letters to Batavia with the utmost despatch, which business they said her skipper was obliged to do even for foreigners, if they desired it. This skipper, if we wanted refreshments, would furnish us with fowls, turtle, etc., at a very cheap rate.

3rd. The Dutch packet of which we had been told yesterday, and which proved to be a sloop of no inconsiderable size, had been standing after us all the morning, and still continued to do so, gaining however but little, till a foul wind sprang up, on which she bore away. At night an Indian proa came on board, bringing the master of the sloop. He brought with him two books, in one of which he desired