SUMATRA. 
555 
The firft Englifli fleet that made it's appearance in this part of the 
world, and laid the foundation of a commerce which was in time to 
eclipfe that of every other European ft ate, vifited Achecn in the year 
1602. Lancaftetj who commanded it, was received by the king with 
abundant ceremony and refpedt, which feem with thcfe monarchs to have 
been ufually proportioned to the number of velTels and apparent flrcngdi 
of their foreign guefts. The queen of England's letter was conveyed to 
court with great pomp, and the general, after delivering a rich prefenr, 
the mojft admired article of which was a fan of feathers, declared the 
purpofc of his coming, was to eftabUlh peace and amity between his 
royal miftrefs, and her loving brother, the great and mighty king of 
Acheen. He was invited to a banquet prepared for his entertainment, 
in which the fer\nce was of gold, and the king's damfels, who were rich- 
ly attired and adorned with bracelets and jewels, were ordered to divett 
him with dancing and mufic. Before he retired he was arrayed by the 
king in a magnificent habit of the country, and armed with two creefes* 
In the prefent fent as a retura for the queen's, there was, among other 
matters, a valuable ruby fet in a ring. Two of the nobles, one of whom 
was the chief prieft, were appointed to fettle with Lancafter the terms 
of a commercial treaty, which was accordingly drawn up and executed, 
in an explicit and regular manner* The Portuguefe embaflador, or 
more properly the Spanilh, as thofe kingdoms were now united, kept a 
watchful and jealous eye upon his proceedings; but by bribing the fpies 
who fur rounded him, he foiled them at their own arts, and acquired 
intelligence that enabled him to take a rich prize in the ftraits of Ma- 
lacca, with which he returned to Acheen ; and having loaded what pep- 
per he could procure there, took his departure. On this occafion it 
was requeued by Aladin, that he and his officers would favor him by 
fmging one of the pfalms of David, which was performed with great 
folemnity**. 
Aladin had two fons, the younger of whom he made king of Pedeer^ 
and the elder he kept at Acheen in order to fucceed him in the throne. 
* Lancaftcr*! Voyage, 
4 X in 
