72 EXPEDITION TO MOLUCCA ISLANDS. 



to return and again anchor under Point Romania ; the Transfer also 

 joined us. 



12th. — Captain Newcome came on board this morning, and brought 

 us a fine turtle ; he also gave us the intelligence, from the Mate of 

 the Transfer, who was on shore at Ehio, that on the 7th instant a 

 prow arrived there from Banca, the Noqueda* or Malay Commander 

 of which reported to the Sultan of Ehio, that there were on the 

 Straits of Banca three French and two Dutch Ships-of-war (copal 

 praou,f in the Malay tongue) ; and that the Sultan advised him not 

 to proceed by that passage on that account. The Mate, who came 

 on board, thinks the report well founded, as the forfeiture of his 

 life, he says, would be the consequence to the Noqueda, of false 

 information. The Admiral on this resolved to return as far as the 

 little Carimon Island, and send into Malacca for the Centurion ; 

 and, after giving the requisite warning to the Settlement of Malacca, 

 to proceed by the Straits of Durion and Banca, in order, if possible, 

 to intercept this force, which may be an armament destined either 

 for the recovery of Malacca, or to distress our trade in these Straits ; 

 and there is some reason to suspect Mr. Coupekus may have given 

 intelligence to Batavia of the exact situation of the garrison of 

 Malacca, and likewise of the probable time of our departure. For 

 upon further enquiry, it appears that he had some idea of a force 

 on these Straits, as he warned Captain Sands of the Armenia, with 

 whom he had some connection in trade, immediately on his arrival 

 at Malacca, and before he was taken up as a Transport, to avoid the 

 Straits of Banca, knowing or suspecting danger there. Captain 

 Newcome dined with us to-day, and mentions that the soldiers on 

 board the Orpheus are very discontented, on account of the dif- 

 ference of provisions with which they are served from that of the 

 sailors. On long voyages like the present, when the services of 

 men are to be immediately called for, and every exertion expected 

 from them, there should certainly be more attention and liberality 

 shewn to their provisions, on which their health so materially 

 depends. They are denied the little gratifications of flour, peas, 

 sugar, &c, and only served biscuits and salt beef, lib of each per 

 day to each man ; the consequent sickness, or at least weakness, of 

 the men, after a voyage of six weeks, must surely be a much greater 



* Nakhoda. 

 t Kapal prang. 



