Page 477
An.1688
The Nicobar Islands. Ambergrease.
The Inhabitants of these Islands have no certain converse with any Nation ; but as Ships pass by them, they will come aboard in their Proes, and offer their Commodities to sale, never inquiring of what Nation they are ; for all white people are alike to them. Their chiefest Commodities are Ambergrease and Fruits.
Ambergrease is often found by the Native In- dians of these Islands, who know it very well ; as also know how to cheat ignorant Strangers with a certain mixture like it. Several of our men bought such of them for a small purchase. Cap- tain Weldon also about this time touched at some of these Islands, to the North of the Island where we lay : and I saw a great deal of such Ambergrease, that one of his men bought there ;. but it was not good, having no smell at all. Yet I saw some there very good and fragrant.
At that Island where Captain Weldon was, there were 2 Fryers sent thither to convert the Indians. One of them came away with Captain Weldon ; the other remained there still. He that came away with Captain Weldon gave a very good character of the Inhabitants of that Island, viz. that they were very honest, civil, harmless People: that they were not addicted to Quarrelling, Theft, or Mur- der ; that they did marry, or at least live as Man and Wife, one Man with one Woman, never changing till Death made the separation : that they were punctual and honest in performing their Bargains : and that they were inclined to receive the Christian Religion. This Relation I had af- terwards from the mouth of a Priest at Tonqueen, who told me that he received this information by a Letter from the Frier that Captain Weldon brought away from thence. But to proceed.
The 5th day of May we ran down on the West side of the Island Nicobar, properly so called, and anchored