CHAP.

I.
Concerning the Inhabitants of this Island.
Wee shall in this Part speak of the Inhabitants of this Countrey, with their Religion, and Customs, and other things belonging to them.
[The several Inhabitants of this Island.] Besides the Dutch who possess, as I judg, about one fourth of the Island, there are Malabars, that are free Denizons and pay duty to the King for the Land they enjoy, as the Kings natural Subjects do; there are also Moors, who are like Strangers, and hold no Land, but live by carrying goods to the Sea-Ports, which now are in the Hollanders hands.

The Sea-Ports are inhabited by a mixt people, Malabars and Moors, and some that are black, who profess themselves Roman Catholicks, and wear Crosses, and use Beads.

Some of these are under the Hollander; and pay toll and tribute to them.
But I am to speak only of the natural proper People of the Island, which they call Chingulays.
[The Original of Chingulays.] I have asked them, whence they derive themselves, but they could not tell.

They say their Land was first inhabited by Devils, of which they have a long Fable.