The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in the East Indies, dated Bombay, October 10. 1763.

We sailed from Cuddalore, Nov. 12, 1762, and without any thing remarkable arrived at Punto de Galle, a Dutch settlement on the Island Ceylon, on the 22d. The Governor refused us entrance to the harbour on account of their being at war with the native Candians: we therefore drew up a protest, setting forth the ship as leaky, want of water, &c. &c. without which it was impossible for us to proceed. After five days spent in messages, they thought proper to lend us a pilot, and admitted the ship into the Harbour. I must however tell you the Dutch had some reason for this behaviour; they are by stealth possessed of the whole sea coast of this valuable island, and have been at continual war with the King of Candy, who is King of the island, except what the Dutch have. A few days after we got in, Capt. Tinker, with a squadron of his Majesty's ships appeared off; the Dutch immediately sent a officer out to acquaint Capt. Tinker, no men of war could be admitted, his orders being to fire on such as presumed it. On this Capt. Tinker sent in his Lieutenant, with an answer, importing that he would not be the first aggressor in any rupture, but that his Majesty's ships should come within pistol shot of his walls, and if a single shot was fired by the Dutch, he would not leave one stone on another in Galle. This spirited answer frightened the Dutch; they altered their tone, and behaved with the greatest complaisance. During our stay a Dutch Admiral arrived in a 60 gun ship: Mr. Tinker sent his compliments, desiring the Dutch to give up the English subjects he might have in his crew; the Dutch Admiral seeing he could not help himself gave up all he had which were about twenty, to his great mortification. Having finished our business at Galle, we left it the 17th of December, and arrived at Colombo, the Dutch capital on the same island, the 29th. Capt. Tinker's behaviour at Galle having reached here before us, we were treated with all the forced politeness possible. We sailed hence Jan. 10, 1763, and having touched at Anjengo, Cochin, Onore, &c. on the Malabar coast; we arrived with a cargo of Spices and sugar at this place. The night before, we were very near being taken by surprize. Three grabs and five gallivats with about 600 men attempted to board us, under cover of the night, but their noise discovered them; on which we fired at random amongst them, who finding themselves discovered got off as fast as they could. These pirates sail on the ruin of Angria, and are now more formidable than ever he was. Being full of men they trust all to boarding in the night, by surprize; they have taken this last year 2 Portuguese frigates of war that were cruising for them, five Dutch, one Dane, and three English country Ships. From time to time they promise not to meddle with the English, but cannot forbear when they meet an opportunity.