Page 417
An.1687
A Tartar Garrison at the Piscadores.
but of no use now, whatever they have been.
Between the 2 Eastermost Islands there is a very good Harbour, which is never without Jonks ri- ding in it: and on the West side of the Eastermost Island there is a large Town and Fort commanding the Harbour. The Houses are but low, yet well built: and the Town makes a fine prospect. This is a Garrison of the Tartars, wherein are also 3 or 400 Soldiers; who live here 3 years, and then they are removed to some other place.
On the Island, on the West side of the Har- bour, close by the Sea, there is a small Town of Chinese, and most of the other Islands have some Chinese living on them, more or less.
Having, as I said before, concluded to go to these Islands, we steered away for them, having the Wind at W. S. W. a small gale. The 20th day of July we had first sight of them, and steered in among them; finding no place to anchor in till we came into the Harbour before-mentioned. We blundered in, knowing little of our way, and we ad- mired to see so many Jonks going and coming, and some at an anchor, and so great a Town as the Neighbouring Eastermost Town, the Tartarian Garrison; for we did not expect, nor desire, to have seen any people, being in care to lye con- ceal'd in these Seas; however, seeing we were here, we boldly run into the Harbour, and pre- sently sent ashore our Canoa to the Town.
Our people were met by an Officer at their landing; and our Quarter-master, who was the chiefest man in the Boat, was conducted before the Governour and examined, of what Nation we were, and what was our business here. He an- swered that we were English, and were bound to Amoy, or Anbay, which is a City standing on a Na- vigable River in the Province of Fokien in China, and is a place of vast Trade, there being a huge multi- tude