EXPEDITION TO MOLUCCA ISXANDS. 53 



with violent squalls attended with thunders and lightning. 



13tli. — Last night the Centurion made the signal for seeing land, 

 on which Ave lay to : it proved, as we supposed to be, Pnlo Pera, a 

 small island quite bare, with good soundings all round. Last night 

 a soldier of Captain Meulh's company died, and our sick list 

 amounts to 78. About 3 r.M. we made Pulo Penang, but the wind 

 falling scant, we anchored in 7 fathoms water off the North-West 

 point. 



14th — Scarce any wind at all. We weighed anchor about 10 

 o'clock and with the tide crossed over the long flat shoal which lays 

 off the North part of the island, on which Ave had only -M fathoms wa- 

 ter, but the bottom is soft mud, and as this happened to be low water 

 at the lowest tides here, and the water always smooth, it can never 

 be dangerous. Captain Xewcoaie of the Orpheus and Captain 

 Packexham of the Besistance came on board and dined with us. 

 We did not got to our anchors in the harbour until 4 o'clock. The 

 Swift, sloop, with Major Vigors, who is to command the land 

 troops of our expedition, arrived tin's evening from Madras, which 

 she left the 24th ultimo. Learned this day from the Admiral the 

 manner of getting possession of Malacca, and the intention of an- 

 nulling the present Government. 



Initio Tenanq. 



15th. — Went ashore this day Avifh the Admiral, who introduced 

 me to Mr. Maxxixgton, the Chief, and other gentlemen of the 

 Island. This day received information of the whole state of 

 affairs at Malacca, and the chief objects of our present expedition. 

 Dined and spent the evening with Captain Glass. 



16th. — We this day had a large party at Mr. Scott's. This 

 gentleman has lived here since the first establishment of the Island. 

 He had formerly been a Captain in the country trade, but being 

 unfortunate, Avas obliged to live chiefly amongst the Malays, mi 

 the Island Junkce3don. He has since made a handsome fortune. 

 and very honorably discharged all his former debts. His house is 

 built of wood in the Malay fashion upon posts raised about 5 feet 

 from the ground. Several of the houses here are built in the same 

 way, which, however well adapted to the situation 31a] ays in 



