'A voyage from England to India, in the year 1754, and an historical narrative of the operations of the squadron and army in India, under the command of Vice-Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive, in the years 1755, 1756, 1757 ... Also a journey from Persia to England by an unusual route. With an appendix, containing an account of the diseases prevalent in Admiral Watson's squadron, etc.' [‎67] (96/562)

r 67 ]
tables, ftools, liquors, and provifions one or two Hircars *, one Havildah -f, 1755*
and a company of Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. , by way of body-guard. So that our whole » -
train confided of near 200 perfons. The firft night we reached Porto-
Novo, where we encamped. The next day we got to Deve -Cotah. Mr.
Hopkins the chief, having received fome previous notice of our coming,
met us upon the road with another company of Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. and becaufe the
weather was fo bad as to prevent our proceeding in our journey, he
entertained us for three days at his own houfe in the moft friendly
manner.
Deve-Cotah is a fmall fettlement belonging to the Englijh Eaft India
company, and was taken from the king of Tanjour by Major Lawrence
in the year 1749. It is but weakly fortified j and indeed the only rea-
fon that induces them to hold it, is, becaufe it is a fort of key to all
the Tanjour country. Here we continued till the weather became more
favourable, when we again fet out upon our journey, and having crofled
one branch of the Coleroon, we on the fame night reached a Choltre
within a few miles of that river. (A Choltre is not much unlike a large
fummer-houfe, and in general is little more than a bare covering from the
inclemency of the weather. Some few indeed are more fpacious, and are
alio endowed with a falary to fupport a fervant or two, whofe bufinefs
is to furniih all pafiengers with a certain quantity of rice and frefh water.
They are all of them built at the expence of private perfons ^ for as it is a
fundamental law in this country, that every individual (hall do fomething
towards the benefit of the whole community, fo they are fure exadly to
fulfil it, -according to their refpedive abilities.) One man therefore plants
a tope or grove, a fecond digs a tank or large pond, another repairs a
From our firfl: landing to our arrival at Porio-Novo, we loft four of our companions;
two at the place where we were driven on fhore, and two in crofling the river. After
we had fufficiently refrefhed ourfelves at Porto-Novo, the chief there was fo obliging as to
accommodate me with an horfe and guide to carry me to Foyt St. David, where 1 arrived
about noon the day following, and immediately waited upon the admiral, who received
me very kindly indeed ; but fo excelfive was the concern of that great and good man for the
lofs of fo many poor fouls, that he could not find utterance for thofe queftions he appeared
defirous of alking me concerning the particulars of our difafter.
Till I reached/Vro-A'oiyo you beheld me fhipwrecked and naked: I muft again repeat
it, that the Dutch received, refrefhed, and kindly conveyed me to my truly honourable
patron ; through whofe goodnefs and humanity, I am not only cloathed and comforted,
but alfo made lieutenant of the Syren, from which fhip I date this letter.
I am, &c.
J ames A lms.
P. S. There were only 23 of us faved from the wreck, 20 of whom came on fhore on the
fcooms."
* Hircars, commonly fignify fpies, here meffengers.
+ An officer of Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. , of the rank of a ferjeant.
K 2
road.