TUB ENGLISH JLPP13AR IN THE EAST. 



favor of the King of Achin, and make oommercial 

 treaties with him. 



Here the English first appeared, io 1602, xmder 

 Sir James Lancastei-, who commanded a squadron of 

 four ships, and was fni*nished with a letter from 

 Qneen Elizabeth* to the king, who had been a 

 fisherman, and had only obtained the throne by 

 murdering the i>rince who would have lawfully in- 



♦ Queen Elizabeth's letter k as follows ; " We for them " (the Eaat 

 India Company) " do promise, that in no time hereafter yoo shall have 

 cause to repent thereof, but ratber to rejoice much, for their dealing 

 ehall be true and their conversation sure, and we hope that they will 

 gire snch good proof thereof that tliis beginning; shall he a perpetual 

 confirmation of love betwixt onr Bobjectfl in both part^i, by carrying 

 from Tis ftuc.li things and merohandi&e as yon have need of tliere. So 

 that your highness aball be very well served, and better eontentcd, than 

 you have heretofore heen with the Portugal^ and Spaniards, onr ene- 

 mies, who only and none else of these regions have frequented those 

 your and the other kingdoms of the East, not suffering that the other 

 natives should do it, pretending themselves to be monnrchs and absolute 

 lords of all those kingdoms and provinces, as their own conqneat and 

 inheritance, as appears by their lofty titles in their writings. The con- 

 trary whereof hath very lately appeared unto as. That your highness, 

 and your royal family, fathers and grandfathers, have, by the grace of 

 God, and their valor, known, not only to defend your own kingdoms, 

 but also to give war unto tlie Portugals in the land which they possess, 

 as namely; in Malacea, in the year of human redemption, 1575, under 

 the conduct of your vaUiant Captain Eagamacota {Ea^ah wafcwfa) with 

 their great loss and the perpetual honor of your highness* crown and 

 kingdom. And now, if yonr highness shall be pleased to accept unto 

 yonr flavor and grace and under your royal protection and defence, these 

 onr Bubjecta, that they Toay freely do their business oow and continue 

 yearly hereafter, this bearer, who goeth chief of the fleet of four ships, 

 hath order, with your highness' license, to leave certain factors with a 

 settled house or factory in your kingdom, until the going thither of another 

 6eet, which shall go thither on the return of this — which left foctora 

 shall learn the langnage and customs of your subjects whereby the bet- 

 ter and more lovingly to converse with them." 

 2& 



