folio 384). 
6 BARRETTO DE RESENDE’S ACCOUNT OF MALACCA. 
horseshoe, and is sixty bracas in circumference, its length is one 
and a half times greater than its width. It contains a mountain 
four or five bracas in height. 
The fort which is being built here, for the foundations are 
already laid, is small, being thirty paces square. It is to be square, 
to allow space for the artillery to be separated. Its purpose is to 
defend the large vessels which cannot lie under the artillery of the 
fortress. As yet only the foundations are laid; the materials are 
being gathered together at Malacca so that the whole building may 
be finished at once, because if it were built gradually it might fall 
into the hands of the enemy and, once occupied by them, it would 
be a great danger to Malacca. 
The bridge shown in the plan has two abutments, each one 
being two and a half bracas in height, and the same in length and 
very narrow, so that there is no danger, as has been suggested, of 
them affording the means of an attack upon Malacca. The bridge 
above them is composed of large strong planks, which can be cut 
down when necessary. 
Fifty to sixty soldiers are drawn from the garrison every year 
to equip a fleet of three, four or five jaleas” to cruise along the 
coast. They set sail in May for Pulopinam™ or whatever place is 
decided on, to await the ships from Goa, to inform them of the 
position of the enemy and to assist in discharging the cargo. In 
September they go to Junsalam™ to await those from Negapatam, 
St. Thome and also from Goa; and in December they go to the 
Straits of Singapore to await those from China and Manila for the 
same purpose. 
The Captain Major receives an allowance of one hundred 
cruzados, but the soldiers and the captains of the jaleas receive 
nothing whatever beyond their food; but are quite satisfied. The 
captainship of these jaleas is a much sought after and coveted post, 
because in the many losses caused to our ships, from all parts, 
by the Dutch, the jaleas get the best of the booty: but the worst 
is that they do not return it to the owners. This applies especially 
to the ships from China, because of the great value of the salvage, 
being gold, silks and musk. Neither can it be denied that these 
jaleas save many vessels, and much merchandise; but it is very ~ 
necessary that they should be in the hands of persons very disinter- 
ested and conscientious, a virtue rare among soldiers. The sailors 
are the chief expense of these jaleas, as they carry over fifty, about 
twenty-three being required to take the oars on either side, besides 
the two at the helm and stern, the extra men being required to 
replace those who may fall sick or become fatigued. Hach sailor 
receives one para” of rice, a little over an alqueric,”® per month, 
and a cruzado of four hundred and sixty reis the whole time that 
they are on board. A jalea is the swiftest vessel at sea, being 
about fifty palms long, and four palms deep, and rowed by forty-six 
oars. They are of great use in carrying news and relief, and can 
evade the enemy; so that the more there are the better service 
Jour. Straits Branch 
