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| Oct. 2–11 |
461. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Admission of Theodore Roberts, an adventurer of 100l. in the third voyage, under Richard Humble. |
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Oct. 4.—Admission of Andrew Overton, merchant. |
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Oct. 5.—Admission of George West, merchant, and Raphe Evans, Esquire. |
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Oct. 6.—The Governor informs the Company of what had taken place with the Lord Treasurer about the sale of the pepper to the King; that a committee had been named by his lordship to agree as to the price, &c., upon which the Company appoint a committee to confer thereon. Mr. Mountney, appointed husband to the Company, with an allowance of 150l. per annum. All letters to and from the Company and other material writings to be “coated,” and kept in a register, ready for every occasion; power to the governor to hire a fit man for that business, “or for any other employment of the Company about His Maties court, or otherwise.” Sir Robt. Mansfield, knight, to be admitted a free brother, without any fine, if he require it, or to be allowed to adventure, if he cannot conveniently take his freedom. Committee to confer with John Mildnall. Warrant to be procured for breaking bulk of the Dragon at Plymouth. Mr. Ellacott's request. More and Greene to be entertained in the Company's service. |
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Oct. 11.—Admission of Richard Osmotherley, named in the charter of May 31, 1609. [Two pages and a half. Court Bk., II., 142–143.] |
Oct. 11/21
Lisbon. |
462. Hugh Lee to Thos. Wilson. The two Englishmen [Bucke and Marlowe], brought prisoners from the East Indies, have been very sick, and continue very weak, which has procured their enlargement upon securities, but yet no order has come for their release, though expected shortly. [Extract from Corresp., Portugal.] |
| Oct. 13–27. |
463. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Letters received from Plymouth about the Dragon; the directions sent, and warrant for breaking bulk. Warrant for 500l. for clothes to be provided for the voyage now in hand. Mr. Burrell, about making the pinnace and a small ship; to draw as little water as conveniently may be. Iron and lead for the voyage. Price of the pepper. Thos. Dike, gentleman, and Reynold Greene to be made free of the Company. Admission of the Earl of Southampton; he promises to observe the oath, and to give the Company a brace of bucks annually at their election. The governor to see the Lord Admiral about the goods said to be taken by “our men” in the Hector. Petition of Devereux Wogan, executor of Nathaniel Javaryn, for payment of certain money. For augmentation of the provisions for the sixth voyage. |
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Oct. 17.—Letters from Plymouth read. Admission of William Greene, late apprentice of Lawrence Greene. Francis Sadler sworn servant of the Company for registering letters and other writings, “fit to be coated, registred, and kept for the use of the Company.” Conditions of sale and price of the pepper now brought home. |
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Oct. 18.— Letters read from the Lord Mayor of London and Lord Treasurer, intimating that His Majesty having lately made a treaty with the French King is inclined to establish a company of English merchants there; part of those present consent to be of the French Company; to be notified to the rest of the Company. “A very honourable and kind letter” read from the Lord Treasurer; the King not inclined to deal with the pepper “for that he was altogether unwilling to do that which might be distasteful unto them, leaving the same to be disposed of by the Company as they shall think good.” Conditions of sale and price of the pepper. Any writing for goods to take them away within one month, under a penalty of 20s. William Russell, merchant, to be a free brother, having formerly bought Sir Francis Cherry's adventure. Act for sale of the pepper; the conditions and prices; and for taking away goods purchased, within one month. |
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Oct. 20.—Fifty quarters of corn to be made into biscuits. Committees to meet every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday “for the better ordering and dispatch of the affairs of the Company.” Lawrence Femell, John Mildnall, and Edward Abbott, nominated for factors. Twenty pieces of great ordnance to be tried at Deptford. Committee for delivery of the pepper, for taking bills and receipts. |
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Oct. 21.—William Russell sworn a free brother. |
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Oct. 22.—Admission of Hewett, son of Richard Staper, merchant, and of John, son of John Westwray, merchant. |
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Oct. 23.—Demands of John Mildnall. Settlement of Nath. Javaryn and Edmund Scott's demands. Lead for the voyage. |
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Three of the Company to remain daily on board the Dragon, while unlading. |
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Oct. 25.—Lead and Canary wine to be provided. Goods brought home by the mariners, the coxswain having a chest of silk of 113 lb. weight, and the gunner said to have conveyed away 4 cwt. of pepper. |
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Oct. 27.—Request of Lord Monteagle to be free of the Company on the same conditions as Lord Southampton, he adventuring 500l., and giving the Company a brace of bucks, yearly, at the election, willingly granted. Admission of Thos. Hicks, sometimes servant to Sir Thos. Smythe. Readiness of the ships and things preparing for the voyage. Not above 43,000l. as yet adventured; the charges will amount to about 60,000l. Inclination of His Majesty to be present at the launching of the great ship, and to give her a name, &c. Proposals for each man to set down one third more, upon consideration “of the great encouragements given of the good hopes likely to ensue of this trade.” Resolution to procure a prohibition from the King, against any other than the Company bringing pepper into his dominions, upon payment of an imposition not exceeding 6d. per lb., if required. The price not to be under 2s. and 22d. per lb. All who have written for pepper to be subject to these conditions. [Eleven pages, Court Bk., II., 143–148.] |
Oct. 27.
Surat. |
464. . . . . . to . . . . . Sent his last to be delivered at Agra, where he expected . . . to have arrived. Has received a letter from Gabriel Brook from Dayita [Daya in Sumatra], who writes of the death of Mr. Revett, also of two men lying sick. Since his departure five men have died in the house, Mr. Goner, Geo. Bray, Henry Medes, Andrew Evans, the drummer, and Thos. Lucas, Mr. Finche's man. The rest of the Company left with the writer, fully determined to go for Goa in the Portugals' fleet. Will stay at Surat until he has further orders from Capt. Hawkins, or . . .; is willing to remain a year or two on good terms, otherwise will get near home. Mr. Finche will do nothing without order from Capt. Hawkins, and men will not stay for meat and drink only. Perceives that those who come into the country do so to enrich themselves, more than for the Company's profit. Complains “that I should be merchant of the ship and another receive the Company's money.” [Imperfect One page and a half. O. C., Vol. I.,No. 13.] |
