Pigot, who confulted Alexander Dalrymple; whofe explanation fatisfying him that it was feifible, he difpatched Commodore Wilfon to China by fuch route as he thought proper to purfue, leaving to his own difcretion the execution of that intention; Governor Pigot obferving, that he would not give a pofitive order, left fome unforefeen obitacle fhould intervene. Commodore Wilfon performed the voyage highly to the credit of our maritime reputation, and much to the advantage of the Company, who were fo fenfible of Commodore Wilfon's merits, that they presented him with a gold medal on the occation. This event is one of the characteristic points in the history of Navigation, and highly merits efpecial notice.

Circumstances occurred in the dif cuffion of the propofition made by Commodore Wilfon, which induced Alexander Dalrymple to propofe, and Governor Pigot to accede to, his going in the Cuddalore fchooner to the Faltward, on a voyage of general obferva. tion; although it had a particular def

tination.

After the Siege of Madras, which continued from the middle of December 1758 to the 17th of Februrry 1759. when Mr. Dupré offered to reign the Secretaryship to Alexander Dalrymple, then his Deputy, Governor Pigot thinking that a more beneficial object, endeavoured to diffuade Alexander Dalrymple from the voyage; and when ineffectual, propofed that Alexander Dalrymple fhould go down to Bengal, where Lord (then Colonel) Clive was Governor, that he might go properly equipped; however, Alexander Dalrymple, unwilling to run any hazard of a difappointment, and warm in purfuit of an object of whofe national importance he had been long convinced, rather chofe to go in the Cuddalore as he was; but as Madras, from the devastation attending the fiege, could not fupply the ftores wanted for fuch a voyage, it was neceffary to proceed to China, to get that fupply from the hips that refort thither.

The Hon. Thomas Howe, fince deceafed, commanded the Winchelfea Indiaman, in which fhip Colonel Draper returned to England by way of China. Mr. Howe mott obligingly took occafion, one day at Governor Pigot's before dinner, to say to Alex.

ander Dalrymple, that as he understood Alexander Dalrymple was going to fea, fo far as their way lay the fame, Mr. Howe would be very glad of his company with his friend Colonel Draper on board the Winchelfea. This obliging offer was accepted; and from that able navigator Alexander Dalrymple received his firft nautical tuition: having embarked on the Winchelsea the 22d of April 1759.

During the fiege of Madras, Mr. William Roberts, who had been a Supra-Cargo to Manila, was killed by a fhell; in his collection were fome Spanish Histories of the Philipinas: these Alexander Dalrymple purchased; and although entirely ignorant of that lan guage, with the affittance of a Dictionary, taught himself it fufficiently to obtain much information concerning thofe parts, particularly concerning

SOOLOO.

It ought, perhaps, to be obferved, that during the fiege of Madras, the first collection of the South Sea Voyages was made by Alexander Dalrymple, as it fhows how little influence that fiege had on perfons minds at the time; not that this was the peculiar fituation of his mind, but it was the fenfe that pervaded with almost every body, even the Black people, who were unconnected with martial affairs; this the two following inftances will confirm. The Shaftsbury Indiaman being a very bad failer, and confequently retarding the fleet that was bringing the troops to the relief of Madras; the fick were put on board off Ceylon, and that thip was left to make the best of her way by herself, no idea being entertained that this fhip could reach Madras before the fleet, however by accidental winds it fo happened. There was then in Madras road, the Haerlem, a 50 gun thip, which the French had taken from the Dutch, though then at peace, and a French frigate. Alexander Dalrymple was fent off in a Majoolah, which is the boat rowed by Black people, ufed for paffing the furf at Madras, with orders to the Shaftsbury, then coming into the road: when he got on board, the French frigate came to attack her, upon this the boat's crew, instead of endeavouring to get away, which they might easily have done, came on board the Shaftsbury, and asked Alexander Dalrymple if they should go to the guns; the frigate fired a broadfide,.

which being returned by the Shafts bury, the frigate fired a few guns more, and fheered off.

Some other boat people, early in the fiege, were fent to carry the ladies from Madras to Sadras, a Dutch Fort a few miles to the fouthward; when the boats reached Sadras, they found the French had feized the Dutch Fort.

The French loaded the boats with fhot, &c. for the affailants at Madras, putting a few French men into the boats, to take care of the ammunition. The boatmen were unarmed, but they concerted together, and took an opportunity of feizing the Frenchmen, whom they brought prisoners to Madras, with the hot, &c., the value of which was given to the Boatmen, for their good fervices. Thefe little incidents how the temper and difpofition prevailing at that period, when our good faith was as confpicuous in India as our courage.

Alexander Dalrymple going on this eaffern voyage, makes a new era in his life.

As the Cuddalore went under the fecret orders of the Governor, it was not thought proper to apply to the Council for the provifion of fuch a cargo, as was neceflary in countries where there was no regular communication, or commerce; and where even provifions could, probably, only be purchased by barter; a fmall cargo was put on board at the expence of the Governor, who permitted Captain Baker, the Captain, to have a fourth concern. The evening before Alexander Dalrymple embarked, Governor Pigot prefented him with an inftrument, making him a prefent of whatever profits might accrue from the three-fourths concern. Having never infinuated fuch an intention, he left no ground for mercenary imputation against Alexander Dalrymple, in undertaking the voyage, or against the Governor himself for ordering it.

As before obferved, Alexander Dalrymple embarked in the Wincheljea, 22d April, 1759, and having joined the Cuddalore, Captain George Baker, in the Strait of Malacca, whither that veffel had been difpatched a few days before the Winchelfea; Alexander Dalrymple quitted the Winchelsea, and embarked on the Cuddalore, 3d June, in the Strait of Sincapore.

It cannot be pretended to give a recital, however brief, of the courfe

of this voyage, of which Alexander Dalrymple has not hitherto published any connected journal, but it must be taken notice, that it was in this voyage, the English visited Sooloo. Alexander Dalrymple concluded a treaty with the Sultan, and made a contract with the principal perfons, for a cargo to be brought on the East India Company's account, which the natives engaged to receive at 100 per cent profit, and to provide a cargo for China, which they engaged fhould yield an equivalent profit there. The principal perfon with whom this contract was negotiated, was Dato Bandabara, the Head and Reprefentative of the Nobility; for the Sooloo Government is a mixed Monarchy, in which, though the principal Nobility and Oranky's meet in the National Council to deliberate, the authority is vested in a few Officers, who are Hereditary; the Sultan, Dato Bandabara, who reprefents the nobility, and Oranky-Mallick, who represents the people; matters of Government depending on the concurrence of two of the States, of which the people must be one.

as

The perfon, then filling the Hereditary Office of Bandahara, was confpicuous for the probity and exalted juftice of his character, as by his diftinguished rank, of which, whilft Alexander Dalrymple was at Sooloo in 1761, an occafion occurred for Banda. bara to exert; there were at this time two Chinese Junks in Sooloo Road. In the cargo of one of them the Sultan had an intereft; the other belonged entirely to Chinese Merchants, of Amoy. The Sultan, who was very avaricious, in hopes of getting money from the Chinese, or thinking, perhaps, that it would be more advantageous for the fale of the cargo in which he was concerned, laid an embargo on the other Junk; Bandahara and Oranky Mallick remonftrated with the Sultan on the impropriety of this behaviour to Merchants, but without effect, upon which Bandahara, and Oranky Mallick, with Pangleema Milabam, a person of a Military Order, confonant to antient Knighthood, when honours were the rewards of publick merits, went on board the China Junk, in which the Sultan had an intereft, and brought her rudder on fhore; informing the Sultan that they would detain the one, if he obstructed the departure of the other; this welltimed interference had its due effect,

and

and both Funks proceeded without further moleftation, on their voyage home.

The influence of the Sultan and Nobility, depends on the number of their vaffals, and on the attachment of thofe vallals; the Bandahara was beloved and honoured by his numerous dependants; and powerful, by the influence of his character, with the other nobility. He was the principal perfon in entering into the contract for the cargo to be brought, but for the greater fecurity, he made every one of the nobility and people, who wished to participate in this cargo, fign an inftrument, de. claring to what amount they engaged to deliver goods in return, which was delivered to Alexander Dalrymple, and the rates of the goods to be delivered in return, was fettled; they engaging to make up any deficiency there might be of ico per cent, profit in China, on the average of thefe returns; they being entitled to any furplus that might arife above 100 per cent.

a

All new undertakings are liable to contingent embarrafliments; and complication of difatters befel in this attempt.

Alexander Dalrymple returned to Madras from his Eastern voyage on the 28th of January 1762. The Company's Administration approved of his proceedings; and, on the 2d of March, 1762, having refolved to fend, on the Company's account, the cargo ftipulated, employed him in expediting the provision of that cargo.

Individuals were defirous of undertaking the voyage as a private adventure; but Alexander Dalrymple expreffed to Governor Pigot his objection to deprive the Company of the profpect that offered of great advantage in a voyage undertaken at their expence. Alexander Dalrymple's own expences in the voyage of almost three years amounted to 612l.; which fum was repaid by the Governor and Council of Madras; but Alexander Dalrym ple did not ask or receive any pecuniary advantage to himself. The expences of the Cuddalore fchooner in this long voyage for provifions, wages, repairs, &c. did not amount to 4000ol.

It was intended to have fent the Royal George, Captain Skottowe, in April 1762, with Alexander Dalrym ple to Sooloo with part of the cargo; and an Indiaman was to have followed

VOL. XLII, Nov. 1802.

with the remainder; but the London Packet arriving from England, Alexander Dalrymple recommended to subftitute her for the Royal George, not only to leffen the expence of the undertaking to the Company; but as the Royal George was wanted to carry back to Bencoolen the Company's fervants on that Eltablishment, who had been made prifoners by the French and if the Royal George was not fo employed, the Admiral Watson mult, instead of carrying home a cargo to ENGLAND, which was ready.

On the 10th of May 1762, the London was accordingly appointed for the Sooloo voyage, and fifteen military Coffreys were ordered on board. Alexander Dalrymple was appointed by commiffion, on the 31st of May 1762, Captain of the London.

The Prefident and Council, in their letter of the 17th of April 1762 to the Court of Directors, gave Alexander Dalrymple the character of being "a man of capacity, integrity, and unwearied application."

The late Admiral Kempenfelt (then the Admiral's Captain) writes, in a letter to Admiral Pocock, dated on board his Majesty's fhip Norfolk, in Madras Road, 1ft April 1762, "The Company have a fair field open to them to establish their trade upon an advantageous footing; but I apprehend it will require a nice judgment and dextrous management to effect this, in fuch a

manner as not too much to alarm and raife the jealoufy of other European States. It must not be by attempting to ingrols much, but by a moderate and judicious choice of what trade they take to themselves, and of the places they eftablith fettlements at.

"I find we may, if we please, have a share in the fpice trade, without interfering with thofe islands the Dutch have fettlements at, as in the South Eaft part of those feas are many iflands, probably not known to the Dutch, abounding with fpices; fome of them producing cinnamon equal to that of Ceylon, befides feveral other commodi. ties for commerce. Thefe difcoveries have been made by a young Gentleman of this Settlement (Dalrymple); he is lately returned here, having been abfent amongst thefe iflands three years in the Cuddalore fchooner to make difcovery and obfervations. Mr. Pigot was very happy in his choice of this

young Gentleman for fuch a service, as he is a perfon of a good education, quick parts, and talents naturally adapted for fuch an employ. His obfervations have been far from fuperficial; he has penetrated deep in his inquiries, and directed them to fuch objects as molt concerns the intereft of the Company to know. He is now going amongst these islands in the Royal George, with a cargo, to commence the establishment of a trade which may, in time, prove the fource of great profit to the Company.

While this Gentleman was out upon this difcovery, he was at Manila, on the island of Luçon; he learnt there, by his acquaintance with fome of the Jefuits, that they are at prefent poffeffed of a fund of 123,000 dollars, for profecuting difcoveries and eftablithing fettlements in thofe parts laying to the Southward of the Moluccas; a track that we know nothing more of than that there is land, but whether continent or island no difcoveries yet have reached far enough to determine."

In the inftructions to Alexander Dalrymple, from the Governor and Council of Madras, dated the 7th of June 1762, they fay, "We do not ftipulate any commiflion to you, for your care and trouble in this voyage, being perfuaded that your good and faithful fervices will meet with a more ample reward from our masters than we think ourfelves authorifed to promife you we fhall not fail to give them a juft information of your proceedings, and recommend to you a full confidence in their generous confideration of your zeal as the fureft way to obtain their favour."

Alexander Dalrymple had, on this voyage in the London, no fettled allow ance or emolument, the Company only paying his expences; and the adventure in the Cuddalore was made over to the Company, who repaid Governor Pigot the amount of the outfit.

To the fubftitution of the London for the Royal George may, in great measure, be attributed the misfortunes of the voyage; for the Indiaman that was to follow could not find her way to Sooloo, and carried the remainder of the cargo to China, from whence it was fent to Manila, then come into our poffeffion, and from thence fent to Sooloo, and indifcreetly delivered before the former account was settled.

Alexander Dalrymple, in the paffage from Madras to Sooloo, firft vifited Balambangan; and, on his arrival at Sooloo, found the small-pox had swept off many of the principal inhabitants, and difperfed the reft; fo that very ineffectual measures had been taken towards providing the intended cargo. But although this unexpected calamity, which, in the Fastern islands, is fimilar in its effects to the plague, was a true and fufficient reafon for the difappointment of the cargo, yet a ftill more efficient caufe was the death of Bandahara, foon after Alexander Dalrymple's departure from Sooloo, the preceding year.

A few days before the death of this good man, he fent for the Linguist whom Alexander Dalrymple had employed, and who had remained behind at Sooloo, afking if he thought the English would certainly come again. The Linguist declaring that it was not to be doubted; Bandahara thereupon expreffed his concern, faying, that it would have made him very happy to have lived to have feen this contract faithfully performed on their part, and the friendship with the English eftablifhed on a firm footing. The Linguist obferved, that they were all equally bound. Bandahara replied, that although this was true, all had not the fame difpofition; and perhaps none elfe the power of enforcing the due execution of their engagements; but that he was refigned to the DIVINE WILL!

The fituation of affairs at Sooloo made new arrangements necellary; the refult of which was, that one half of the cargo brought thither in the London fhould be delivered, to enable the Sooloos to provide goods for the expected Indiaman; but that fhip not arriving, new difficulties arofe; as the London was not large enough to re. ceive the goods they had provided; and the neceffity of her departure made it indifpenfable to deliver the remaining half of the cargo, which had been retained, as an incitement to the Sooloos faithfully to pay for that portion they had received. By delivery of the remainder, every thing was necellarily left to the mercy of the Sooloos, fubjected not only to their honour, but to their difcretion; for if the goods they received were diffipated, they could obtain no cargo in return; having nothing to deliver to their

vaffals

vaffals for their fervices, without which they were not entitled to thofe fervices. It is obvious, if, instead of the London, Alexander Dalrymple had brought the Royal George to Sooloo, this voyage, notwithstanding the death of Bandahara, and the calamity of the fmall pox, might have been profitable, in a commercial view, although not fo advantageous as would have been the cafe had Bandahara lived, and no public calamity, like the fmall-pox, had occurred. However, thefe accidents did not prevent Alexander Dalrymple obtaining a grant of the island of Balambangan for the East India Company; of which Alexander Dalrymple took poffeffion on the 23d of January 1763, on his return towards Madras.

It appearing, not only to Alexander Dalrymple, but to his friends, that the fuccefs of our future intercourfe in the Eastern Illands would depend on the Court of Directors receiving full information on the subject, Alexander Dalrymple determined to proceed to England for that purpose.

The Prefident and Council thought it proper that Alexander Dalrymple fhould proceed again to Sooloo on the Neptune Indiaman, in the way to China, and Alexander Dalrymple was to embark from thence for England. On the 5th of July 1763, Alexander Dalrymple accordingly failed from Madras in the Neptune; the time of that fhip's departure from Sooloo was limited; and, having had a tedious paffage, he did not arrive till the 7th of September; fo that he was only twelve days there; in which time, the could not receive all the goods provided in payment of the cargo by the London Packet; and many goods, fo provided, had been loaded on Chinese junks, in despair of any fhip's arrival.

On the 19th of September, Alexander Dalrymple got a grant for the Company of the North end of Borneo and South end of Palawan, with the intermediate islands.

The Prefident and Council had authorised Alexander Dalrymple to enter into a further contract with the natives of Sooloo, on the Company's account, upon the affurance of a thip being fent the fucceeding year. But as there was ftill an outstanding debt, Alexander Dalrymple did not think proper to increase the Company's rifk, though he ftrenuously urged the natives to provide goods, in payment of their debts, for that fhip to receive.

On the 19th of September 1763, Alexander Dalrymple failed from Sooloo in the Neptune. As it was no lofs of time, or increase of rifk, he thought that it would be proper to call at Manila, in the way to China, in order to inform the Company's Administration at Manila, which was then in our posfeffion, of the state of affairs at Soo. loo.

At Manila, the old Sultan of Sooloo, who had made his escape from the Spaniards, and taken our protection, urged Alexander Dalrymple to return to Sooloo with him, as he thought Alexander Dalrymple's prefence there would contribute effentially to his peaceable reftoration; and he affured Alexander Dalrymple, that every thing he could with, for the Company's advantage, fhould be done for this reason, Alexander Dalrymple defifted from his in tention of returning to England, by way of China, and remained at Manila.

Whilft Alexander Dalrymple was at Manila, the orders for evacuating that place arrived. In confequence of some imputations on Mr. Drake, the Compa. ny's Deputy Governor, the Spaniards refused to have any communication with the Government whilft he prefided; whereupon Mr. Drake resigned, on the 28th of March 1764; and the remaining Members of the Council addreffed Alexander Dalrymple to defire that he would accept of the Government; reprefenting, that as it would be but for a few days, it would not retard his voyage. However difagreeable the fituation, Alexander Dalrymple thought his duty to the Company required him not to fhrink from the call; and on the 29th of March 1764, he was accordingly Provifional Deputy Governor of Manila; although the King's Officers, on Mr. Drake's embarking, refufed to acknowledge his authority in appointing Alexander Dalrymple in General Orders, alledging that Mr. Drake had abdicated the Government. On the 29th, nothing was left for the Company's Agents, but to protest against them for all confequences, and to retire to Cavite, as foon as the Company's treasure was embarked; which accordingly was done on the 30th; and when that place was delivered up to the Spaniards on the 11th of April, Alexander Dalrymple proceeded to Sooloo, in company with the man of war and tranfports that carried away the garrifon of Manila, together with the LonTt 2

don