C A P T A IN C A R T E R E T ’S V O Y A G E
nothing better than bad fait meat, and bread full o f wea-
vels, upon which they very politely delired that I would
permit their fervants to bring in the victuals which bad been
(irefling in their own veffel; I readily confented, and a very
genteel dinner was foon ferved up, confifting o f filh, flefh,
vegetables, and fruit. It is with the greateft pleafure that I
take this opportunity of acknowledging my obligations to
rhefe Gentlemen for the politenefs and humanity of their
behaviour in their private capacity, and particularly to Mr.
Douglas, who being qualified by his knowlege o f the French
language to interpret between us, undertook that office with
a courtefy and politenefs which very much increafed the
value of the favour. After this we parted, and at their leaving
the Hup, I faluted them with nine guns.
The next morning the Shebander was fent to acquaint
me, that the Governor and Council had confirmed the engagement
which had been made with me on their behalf.
Every thing was now fettled much to my fatisfadlion, except
the procuring money for my bills upon the government
o f Great Britain, which the Shebander faid he would
folic it. At eight o’clock in the evening, he came on board
again, to Jet me know that there was not any perfon in the
town who had money to remit to Europe, and that there
was not a dollar in the Company’s cheft. I anfwered, that as
I was not permitted to go on fhore to negociate my bills
myfelf, I hoped they would give me credit, offering him
bills for any debt I fhould contrail:, or_ to pay it at Batavia.
To this the Shebander replied, that the Refident at Bonthain,
the place to which I was going, would receive orders to
fupply me with whatever I fhould want, and would be glad
to take my bills in return, as he had money to remit, and
was himfelf to go to Europe the next feafon. He told me
alfo,