fashion, some of them richly ornamented with jewels. I had invitations
from several gentlemen and some very kindly pressed me to make their
country houses my abode till my health should be reestablished.

My indisposition increasing, Mr. Sparling advised me to quit Batavia as
speedily as possible and represented the necessity of it to the
governor-general. I was informed from his excellency that the
homeward-bound ships were so much crowded that there would be no
possibility of all my people going in one ship, and that they could be
accommodated no other way than by dividing them into different ships.
Seeing therefore that a separation was unavoidable I determined to follow
the advice of the physician and, as a packet was appointed to sail for
Europe on the 16th instant, I sent to request of the governor that I
might be allowed to take a passage in her for myself and as many of my
people as they were able to receive. In answer to this I was acquainted
that myself and two more could be accommodated in the packet, she being
too small to admit a greater number; but that I might rest assured of
passages being provided for those that remained by the earliest
opportunities.

Friday 9.

This day anchored in the road the General Elliot, an English ship
commanded by Captain Lloyd. In the Straits of Banca he had met with some
boats belonging to the East India Company's ship Vansittart that was lost
in the straits of Billaton by having struck on a rock that went through
her bottom. Captain Wilson, who commanded the Vansittart, I was informed
had just finished a survey of those Straits and was hoisting his boat in
when the ship struck. Immediately on receiving the intelligence Captain
Lloyd, in the General Elliot and another ship in company called the
Nonsuch, sailed for the wreck. They found the ship had been burnt down to
the water's edge by the Malays. They however saved 40 chests of treasure
out of 55 which were said to have been on board. Most of the ship's
company were saved: one man only was lost in the ship, and five others in
a small boat were missing who were supposed to have taken some of the
treasure. The greater part of the people went with Captain Wilson to
China, and some were with Captain Lloyd.

Saturday 10.

This morning the Resource was sold by public auction: the custom at
Batavia is to begin high and to lower the price till some person bids;
and the first bidder is the buyer. She was accordingly put up a