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unable to visit the Annamites in this Straits, which are nevertheless stated by the Portuguese authorities to be open to the Public, or to see those who had been on board already been conveyed to ship.
The unfortunate men were appear to have most of them been Soldiers employed as Convoy for the treasure and tribute above alluded, gave a graphic description of their protracted resistance to the cruelties practiced on them to induce them to sign.
Contrary to how they were treated, one day they got a little rice and water and, on another, water and no rice at all; at last they consented to sign, and would have done so, but for the intervention of the Interpreter when they were being marched to the Governor's office; as well as, I could make out, the intervention of the Roman Catholic Clergy accomplished the rest and the Governor finally gave each of them four Dollars for their immediate wants, and offered to send them in a junk to their own Country, which they prudently declined, as they would infallibly have been recaptured.