2®4 COMMERCE WITH and went on board their shipping, thinking them- selves more secure on board than ashore. Wlien all things were in a readiness, the army came in the night with above 100 praws, and no less than 3000 desperate fellows. Some landed and burnt the factory and fortifications, while others attacked the ships, which were prepared to receive them.*' He continues by observing, that " the two great ships, though in danger, beat off the enemy with small loss, but the little ships were burnt, with most of their men ;" and, farther, " but the English were forced to be gone from their settlement. The king thought his revenge had gone far enough in driving them from their settlement, and, finding the loss of the English trade affected his revenue, he let all English who traded to Jehore, and other circumjacent countries, know that he would still continue a. free trade with the English on the old footing, but would never suffer them, nor any other nation, to build forts in his country.'* * The sequel of this transaction, with its consequences, are given on a still more authentic authority than Hamilton's. The company, with the view of re- storing their commerce and factory, sent, in the year 1714, Captain Daniel Beeckman, one of their own commanders, a gentleman of great integrity, discretion, and abihty. The reception he met with
- New Account of the East Indies, Vol. II. p. I45.
