VOYAGE OF THE "PERA" AND " AERNEM " 43 



several speeches regarding the difficulties which were to be expected, it was agreed 

 that we might get into a huge bight, and it is evident that hereabouts in these climes 

 in the east monsoons north winds prevail, just as south [north ?] of the line in the 

 forenamed monsoons south winds do, and so we might fall on a lee shore. On which 

 considerations, it was judged to be best for the interests of our Masters, and was 

 determined and resolved to TURN BACK, and to follow the coast of New Guinea north- 

 ward as far as it may be practicable ; also to touch at various places and examine 

 them carefully, and then shape our course for Aru and Queij. ... It was further 

 proposed by me, and ultimately agreed to, to offer to the boats' crews for each black 

 captured on the land and brought on board ten reals of eight, and that, to this end, 

 the crews may use greater care and diligence, so as to do our Masters signal service, for 

 which they might expect to reap due recognition. 



" On the 25^, the skipper of the ' Per a ' was ordered to land, with both boats 

 well manned and armed, and especially to look out for fresh water, with which we are 

 now very poorly provided. About midday, the skipper returned and reported that 

 he had sunk pits at various places on shore, but could find no water : also that they 

 had seen 7 small huts on the beach, made of hay, and 7 or 8 blacks, who would not 

 stop to parley. In the afternoon, I, personally, taking both boats, went up a salt inlet 

 for about half a mile [about 2^ English miles. R. L. J.], and then, with the party, 

 walked a good way into the land, which was under water [salt water ? R. L. J.] in 

 many places, recalling the Waterland in Holland, so that it may be presumed that 

 further into the interior there may be great lakes or marshes. We also saw many 

 footprints of men, and the tracks of large dogs, going from south to north ; and since 

 by resolution it has been determined to begin the return voyage from here, we have, 

 in default of stone, nailed to a tree a wooden tablet, on which the following words 

 were engraved : * Anno 1623 den 24n April sijn hier aen gecomen twee jachten 

 wegen de Hooge Mogende Heeren Staten Gen 1 .' [' In the year 1623 the 24th April 

 hereto came two yachts on behalf of the High and Mighty Lords States General.'] 

 The addition of the aforesaid river is denominated the STATEN RIVER in the newly 

 made chart." [A marginal note reads : " The Staten Revier is in latitude 17 8'." 

 This was the latitude of the anchorage. R. L. J.] 



[EDITORIAL NOTE. The exact position of the inlet named the 

 " STATEN REVIER " by the Commodore of the Expedition is open to 

 question within certain narrow limits. 



The position is not defined with sufficient accuracy by the 

 midday solar observation of 24th April. 



On that date, the " Pera " sailed southward till midday, close 

 to the land, as indicated by the soundings, which had a maximum 

 of 4! fathoms. At noon, the sun was taken, and gave the latitude 

 17 8' S. As soon as the latitude had been calculated and noted, 

 orders were given to let go the anchor, and probably the anchorage 

 was an (English) mile or two south of 17 8', and very near the 

 beach. We may assume that it was 2 miles south of the noon 

 position, or, say, 17 ic/, i.e., 4 (English) miles north of Accident 

 Inlet. The " Pera" no doubt, waited some time for the arrival 

 of the " Aernem " (which always lagged behind), in order that the 

 officers of both ships might meet in " full council " on board the 

 " Pera." The question of sailing further south or turning back 

 having been discussed at some length, the latter course was decided 

 on, and by this time the afternoon was too far advanced for a 

 landing. 



