‘The travels of Sig. Pietro della Valle, a noble Roman, into East-India and Arabia Deserta. In which, the several countries, together with the customs, manners, traffique, and rites both religious and civil, of those Oriental princes and nations, are faithfully described: In familiar letters to his friend Signior Mario Schipano. Whereunto is added a relation of Sir Thomas Roe’s voyage into the East-Indies’ [‎10] (31/508)

i
h.
The Travels of Peter Delia Valle,
with the plummet always in hand, and founding every hour, it
was requifite for us to hold, becaufe the place is dangerous, in
regard of the many (helves or quick-fands which are in it* and
efpecially becaufe the current, which turns every fix hours, now
fetting one way, and anon the other, caufes great hindrance.
By reafon of which (helves, from the time of our entrance into
theGulph, we did not guide the (hip diredly towards Surht,
which no doubt would have been the (horteft way by a ftrait
line, but keeping lower towards Daman^ fetch'd a large compafs
to the South, tacking about afterwards to the North when we
were near land , onely to avoid the many (helves and (hallows,
through which our great (hips could not pafs. On Sunday^ the
the fifth of February, being at anchor in the Morning , we dif-
cover'd near the land, which was not very (ar from us, ten or
fifteen Frigots or Galliots failing Eaftwards^ which probably
were either Portugal or Indian Merchants of fome Cafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. , (as they
; / ; J/ call a Fleet or Confortof (hips ) coming from Cambaia to go to
Goa, or fome other place thereabouts. The night following, we
heard the report of Artillery, which we conceiv'd to come from
the City of Daman, being the place nearefl us. Wednefday night
after, the Wind blew fomewhat hard againft us, in regard
whereof, and the ftrength of the current which carry'd us in that
narrow chanoel amongft (helves and quick-fands, we fail'd for
a good while very circumfpedly,and not without fome danger.On
Thurfday we flood right a^ainft the mouth of the River of
which City is not fituate upon the fhore, but fome leagues
within land : And becau(e there is no ftation there for great
(hips, we continued failing Northwards to the place where is
the Port moft frequented by the (hips of Europe which though
thebeft of all that Coaft, yet the Veflelsot that Country, not
knowing fo well how to fteer, make not much ufe of it, becaufe
the entrance is a little difficult. On Fry day the tenth of Febru
ary, in the Afternoon, the favour of the current failing us, we
caft anchor in fight of the Port of Surat at alittle diftance ^ and
our boat going a .fhore, the Prefident of the Englifh Merchants
(who ufesto refide in Snrat, and is fuperintendentof all^heir
Trade in Eafi-Jndia^Terjia^With the other places depending on the
ame, is now one Mr, Thomas Rajiel) perceiving our (hips near,
and being at that time at the Sea-fide near the landing place,
came in our boat to the (hips 3 together with one of their Minifters,
Uo they cail thofe who exercife the office of Priefts) and two
ot er Merchants 5 and after a collation and a fupper lodged with
us all night. He fpoke Italian very well, and made me many
civil offers and complements 5 (hewing himf^ in all things a
a perfon fufficiently accomphfh'd, and of generous deportment,
according as his gentile and graceful afped befpoke him. He
inform d me, that Sig* Alberto di Scillwg, a German Gentleman
known to me having return'd from the Court of the
WgM, and other parts of India, which he had travelfd to
(ee.