It was natural
therefore that the Dutch republic should take an interest in the
North-west passage; and the Dutch sailors, by their enterprise
and bravery, were among the first to point the way to Arctic
discovery. Barents and Behring, above all others, proved the
courage and determination of their heroic ancestors.
The romance of the East India Company begins with an
advertisement in the London Gazette of 1599, towards the end of
the reign of Queen Elizabeth. As with all other enterprises of
the nation, it was established by private means. The Company was
started with a capital of 72,000L. in 50L. shares. The
adventurers bought four vessels of an average burthen of 350
tons. These were stocked with provisions, "Norwich stuffs," and
other merchandise. The tiny fleet sailed from Billingsgate on
the 13th February, 1601. It went by the Cape of Good Hope to the
East Indies, under the command of Captain James Lancaster. It
took no less than sixteen months to reach the Indian Archipelago.
The little fleet reached Acheen in June, 1602. The king of the
territory received the visitors with courtesy, and exchanged
spices with them freely. The four vessels sailed homeward,
taking possession of the island of St. Helena on their way back;
having been absent exactly thirty-one months. The profits of the
first voyage proved to be about one hundred per cent.
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