Page 418
An.1687
Cities of Amoy and Macao in China.
tude of Ships there, and in general on all these Coasts, as I have heard of several that have been there. He said also, that having received some damage by a storm, we therefore put in here to refit, before we would adventure to go farther; and that we did intend to lye here till after the full Moon, for fear of another storm. The Go- vernour told him, that we might better refit our Ship at Amoy than here, and that he heard that two English Vessels were arrived there already; and that he should be very ready to assist us in any thing, but we must not expect to Trade there, but must go to the places allowed to entertain Merchant Strangers, which were Amoy and Macao. Macao is a Town of great Trade also, lying in an Island at the very mouth of the River of Canton. Tis fortified and garrisoned by a large Portugueze Colony, but yet under the Chinese Governour, whose po ople inhabit one moyety of the Town, and lay on the Portugueze what Tax they please; for they dare not disoblige the Chinese, for fear of losing their Trade. However, the Governour very kindly told our Quarter-master, that whatfoever we wanted, if that place could furnish us, we should have it. Yet that we must not come ashore on that Island, but he would send aboard some of his men, to know what we wanted, and they should also bring it off to us. That nevertheless we might go on shore on the other Islands to buy refreshments of the Chinese. After the discourse was ended, the Governour dismisst him, with a small jar of Flower, and 3 or 4 large Cakes of very fine Bread, and about a dozen Pine-apples and Water-melons, (all very good in their kind) as a Present to the Captain.
The next day an eminent Officer came aboard, with a great many Attendants. He wore a black Silk Cap of a particular make, with a plume of black