PULO BINDING IN 1688 * 
This is a small island lying so nigh the main, that ships 
passing by cannot know it to be an Island. It is pretty high 
land well watered with brooks. The mould is blackish, deep 
and fat in the lower ground : but the hills are somewhat rocky, 
yet in general very woody. The trees are of divers sorts, 
many of which are good timber, and large enough lor any use. 
Here are also some good for masts and yards ; they being na¬ 
turally light, yet tough ; nd serviceable. There is good riding 
on the east-side, beween the island and the main. You may 
come in with the sea breeze, and go out with a land wind, 
there is water enough, and a secure harbour. 
The Dutch, who are the only inhabitants, have a fort on the 
east-side, close by the sea, in a bending of the island, which 
makes a small cove for ships to anchor in. The fort is built 
4 square, without flankers or bastions, like a house : every 
square is about ten or twelve yards. The walls are of a good 
thickness, made of stone, and carried up to a good heighth, of 
about thirty foot, and covered over head like a dwelling house. 
There may be about twelve or fourteen guns in it, some look¬ 
ing out at every square. These guns are mounted on a strong 
platform, made within the walls, about sixteen foot high ; and 
there are steps on the outside to ascend to the door that opens 
to the platform, there being no other way into the fort. Here 
is a Governor and about twenty or thirty soldiers, who all 
lodge in the fort. The soldiers have their lodging in the plat¬ 
form among the guns, but the Governor has a fair chamber 
above it, where be lies with some of the officers. About a 
hundred yards from the fort on the bay by the sea. there is 
a low timbered bouse, where the Governor abides all the day 
time* In this bouse there were two or three rooms for their 
use, but the cliiefest was the Governor’s dining room. This 
fronted to the sea, and the end of it looked towards the fort. 
There were two large windows of about seven or eight foot 
square ; the lower part of them about, four or five foot from the 
ground. These windows were wont to be left open all the 
day, to let in file refreshing breeze; but in the night, when 
the Governor withdrew to the fort, they were closed with 
strong shutters, and the doors made fast till the next day. 
The Continent of Malacca opposite to the island, is pretty 
lew champion land, clothed with lofty woods; and right against 
the Bay where the Dutch fort stands, there is a navigable 
river for small craft. 
* The Dindings were ceded lo us some years ago by (he Raja of Pet&’ 
hut we have not heard that the cession was accepted by the Government of 
India. Dampier Yamusing account is the only one we have ever seen —Eo. 
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