the charts, and that they were inhabitants
of Rio Janeiro, which lay at the distance of eight miles.[1] The Dutch
endeavoured to persuade them to go on board the commodore, but they
refused, fearing they might be pirates, which frequently used to come
upon the coast, and, under pretence of getting fresh water, would land
and pillage any of the little towns near the sea.

[Footnote 1: There must be a considerable mistake here in regard to
the latitude of Porto, said to be in 21 deg. S. as Rio Janeiro is in
lat. 22 deg. 54' S. and must therefore have been eighty leagues distant.
Perhaps the eight miles in the text, as the distance to Rio Janeiro,
ought to have been eighty leagues or Dutch miles.--E.]

About six months before the arrival of Roggewein at this place, a
pirate had been there, and, while the crew were preparing to make a
descent, a French ship of force arrived, which sent her to the bottom
with one broadside. She sank in thirteen fathoms, and as she was
supposed to have seven millions on board,[2] they had sent for divers
from Portugal, in order to attempt recovering a part of her treasure.
However, by dint of entreaties and the strongest possible assurance of
safety, two of them were prevailed upon to go on board the commodore,
where they were very kindly treated, and had clothes given them, by
which they were induced to carry the squadron into a safe port, which
was most serviceable to men in their condition, almost worn out with
fatigues, and in a manner destroyed for want of water.

[Footnote 2: This is a most inconclusive mode of expression, perhaps
meaning Dutch florins, and if so, about L636,363 sterling.--E.]

The harbour of Porto affords good anchorage in from six to eight
fathoms. In entering it on the S.W. the main land is on the right, and
a large island on the left, all the coast appearing very high land,
consisting of mountains and intermediate vallies, overgrown with trees
and shrubs. Porto is in a pleasant situation, but at this time had
no inhabitants. They caught here both fish and tortoises of exquisite
flavour, and so very nourishing, that about forty of the people who
were ill of the scurvy, recovered very fast. Having remained there two
days, in which time they supplied themselves with wood and water, they
weighed anchor, and in six leagues sailing to the S.W. came into the
road of St Sebastian. Just when entering the mouth of the river a
violent storm arose, on which they had to drop