Beknopte aantekeningen van een Oost-Indische reys, gedaan uyt Engeland, met 3 scheepen de Samaritaan, de ...

who had granted them freedom of trade at 1616 Tecoo for 2 years, though the King did not want to let any nation trade elsewhere than at Achen at the end of the same. They had left Mr. Nicols at Achen.

On the 28th of August, Addicke Raia Pongola Corcon came here from Achen with orders to sell the King's goods and the power to collect all the King's tolls, which were already due or were still to become due. He came like a spy, and therefore everyone was afraid of him.

A whole month of fasting.

On the 1st of September, their Ramadan Islamic month of fasting began as soon as the New Moon was seen; in that whole month they ate nothing but in the evening, and even then, sparingly.

Deception with the weight.

On the 15th, we began to buy pepper, but had to promise Addicke Raia 100 Reaalen Spanish Reals/pieces of eight before we could do any trading.

On the 16th, I made an objection regarding the weight, whereupon the Raia came to inspect the weight, through which the Polimo official/customs officer, who had cheated our nation much with it, was embarrassed. Pongelo then came to the English House or counting house to improve the weight; but when we were busy weighing in his presence, he gave us lighter weights than we had before.

A gift, rejected.

On the 17th, I sent him 50 Reals as a gift; but he sent them back, saying mockingly that he did not want to be paid off like a boy.

Other gifts and requests.

On the 18th, Captain Harris was on land and seemed to stand well with Addicke Raia, where he was summoned and requested to lend him 300 Reals of eight to buy a slave girl for himself; he pressed so hard for this that I was forced to send him 100.

On the 3rd of October, I spoke at his request with Captain Harris to lend him his carpenters for 2 or 3 days for the caulking of his Praauw small boat/canoe, which he refused.