OCT. 1770 STRAITS OF SUNDA 363 
morning proved to be Java Head and Prince’s Island. At 
night we had passed Cracatoa. 
2nd, We espied two large ships lying at anchor behind 
Anger Point; we came to an anchor, and sent a boat on 
board the ships for news. They were Dutch East India- 
men; one bound for Cochin and the coast of Coromandel ; 
the other for Ceylon. Their captains received our officer 
very politely, and told him some European news; as, 
that the government in England were in the utmost dis- 
order, the people crying up and down the streets “ Down 
with King George, King Wilkes for ever,” that the Americans 
had refused to pay taxes of any kind, the consequence of 
which being that a large force had been sent there, both of 
sea and land forces; that the party of Polanders, who had 
been forced into the late election by the Russians inter- 
fering, had asked assistance of the Grand Signior, who had 
granted it, in consequence of which the Russians had sent 
twenty sail of the line, and a large army by land to besiege 
Constantinople, etc. etc. etc. With regard to our present 
circumstances, they told us that our passage to Batavia 
was likely to be very tedious, as we should have a strong 
current constantly against us, and at this time of the year 
calms and light breezes were the only weather we had to 
expect. They said also that near where they lay was a 
Dutch packet boat, whose business it was to go on board all 
ships coming through the straits to inquire of them their 
news, and carry or send their letters to Batavia with the 
utmost despatch, which business they said her skipper was 
obliged to do even for foreigners, if they desired it. This 
skipper, if we wanted refreshments, would furnish us with 
fowls, turtle, etc., at a very cheap rate. 
3rd. The Dutch packet of which we had been told yester- 
day, and which proved to be a sloop of no inconsiderable size, 
had been standing after us all the morning, and still continued 
to do so, gaining however but little, till a foul wind sprang 
up, on which she bore away. At night an Indian proa 
came on board, bringing the master of the sloop. He 
brought with him two books, in one of which he desired 
