ÖÖI 8x 3 ^c- 0 - Acehbooks.org

S U M A T R A . 327
the prefence of an indignant multitude, whilft he called heaven to witnefs
his innocence, and direct it's vengeance againft his interefted accufers.
This iniquitous and impolitic proceeding had fuch an effect upon
the minds of the people, that all of any property or repute, forfook
the place, execrating the government of the Portuguefe. The confequences
of this general odium reduced them to extreme difficulties for
provifions, which the neighbouring countries refufed to fupply them
with, and but for fome grain at length procured from Siak, with much
trouble, the event had proved fatal to the garrifon.
Fernando Perez d'Andrade, in his way to China, touched at Pafay, ,
in order to take in pepper. He found the people of the place, as well
as the merchants from Bengal, Cambay, and other parts of India, much
difcontented with the meafures then purfuing by the government of
Malacca, which had ftationed an armed force to oblige all veflels to refort
thither with their merchandize, and take in at that place, as an emporium,
the cargoes they were ufed to collect in the ftraits. The king,
notwithftanding, received Andrade well, and confented that the Portuguefe
mould have liberty to erect a fortrefs in his kingdom.
Extraordinary accounts having been related of certain ifiands abounding
in gold, which were reported by the general fame of India, to lie
off the fouthweft coaft of Sumatra, a ftiip and fmall brigantine, under
the command of Diogo Pacheco, an experienced feaman, were fent in
order to make the difcovery of them. Having proceeded as far as
Daya, the brigantine was loft in a gale of wind. Pacheco flood on to
Baroos, a place much noted for it's gold trade, and for gum benjamin
of a peculiar fcent which the country produced. It was much frequented
by veflels, both from the neighbouring ports in the ifland,
and from thofe in the Weft of India, whence they were fupplied with
cotton cloths. The merchants, terrified at the approach of the Portuguefe,
forfook their fliips, and fled precipitately to the ftiore. The
chiefs of the country fent to enquire the motives of his vifit, which he
informed them were to eftablifli friendly connexions, and to give them
4 O affurances