|
March 2.
Trades Increase
on the Abys-
sinian coast of Mocha. |
509. Capt. Downton to Sir H. Middleton, at Mocha or elsewhere. Is much comforted to find by his letters, that he and the rest are at full liberty, which puts them all in good hope soon to be possessed of his presence. It is displeasing that they are so much abused by Regibaba [? Regib Aga]. So tired with being in the road of Mocha, where they have spent so much ground tackle “that we fear it as hell.” On the other side they have good water, and the love of the poor people the inhabitants, “whom the Turks our friends did before our coming admonish to cut our throats.” The country is barren, yielding small quantity of cattle; at first they got refreshment for money, but now their store is spent. Has long determined to work up to the Babe [Bab-el-mandel] when the wind will permit, to make inquiry as the ships come for our countrymen at Surat, and to make our injuries known to move the hearts of other nations to abhor the injurious_ Turks. The Aga unwilling they should go to Mocha road, pretending the ships of India dare not come where they are. Trusts when he arrives at Mocha that he will inform himself of their people and business at Surat, and what commodities may be vented here. [One page. O.C., Vol. I., No. 24.] |
March 5.
Aboard the
Little Darling. |
510. Wm. Pemberton to Sir H. Middleton. Congratulations on his safe return with the rest of his people. Certifies the receipt of his letters, the last of 21st February, and to having answered them. Account of himself since he gave Middleton the slip, “having taken a conceipt of captivity under these heathen tyrants;” how he found a canoe, tied his shirt with his garters to a pole, and so got to the side of the Increase on 23rd December, spent with labour and want of drink, “having drank all my own water that nature could afford me.” Dangers which the vessels escaped by stress of weather, losing anchors and cables. Kindness of the people of the country, where they purchased provisions; “this excellent place is 13 leagues W. by S. from Mocha.” Reasons why Capt. Downton does not write; both he and Mr. Thornton send their duty, and desire to hear of the certainty of his long-looked for return. Precautions taken, “for still I fear treason.” [Two pages and a half. O.C., Vol. I., No. 25.] |
March 9.
Aboard the
Little Darling |
511. W. Pemberton to Sir H. Middleton, in Mocha. Has yet some doubt of his liberty, fearing that, like a Judas, he will be embraced with a kiss, and for money betrayed again. Cannot persuade himself but that he [the Aga] means to keep all the handicraftsmen, in that he and the country have need of them, and suspects that all will be looked to narrowly and not one suffered to come away. If Middleton think fit, “Capt. Downton may make the Aga afraid with a letter and by shows, and yet not to meddle with any.” Has received the pack of cloth, and sends paper, knives, &c., tobacco he has none, and such pipes as he could get, not having any himself. John Frances is fast in the bilboes, with a pair of manacles, according to his order. [Three quarters of a page. O. C., Vol. I, No. 26.] |
| [March.] |
512. Wm. Pemberton to Sir H. Middleton. Advises him to disguise himself in apparel, cut his hair off, and besmut his face, and with a burden there will be no doubt of effecting his escape. Once in a boat there is no fear. Will be ready with his own boat to second him with shot and ordnance, which will command half way to the town. Sends his mate, who can be trusted, and will tell him the many ways cast for performing this. [Three quarters of a page. O. C., Vol. I., No. 31.] |
March 17.
Paris. |
513. Sir Thos. Edmondes to Salisbury. Advertisement from Brest that the wickedness had been such of those Bretons who went aboard the English ship belonging to the East India Company, as that to make spoil of the rich merchandise they found therein, they purposely wrecked her in bringing her into the haven. Has made a sharp complaint, and procured a commission under the great seal to the President of Rennes for strict examination of the abuse. [Extract from Correspondence, France.] |
| March 17. |
514. W. Pemberton to Sir H. Middleton in Mocha. Beseeches a good opportunity may be granted for his speedy escape. Is of opinion that if Middleton were aboard, Regib Aga would stand in such awe of him and his ships that he durst not make delays of what is promised. Is loth to say what would be displeasing, but hopes Middleton will send for them all over to make the Aga perform his pledges. Fears he did not like the advice to disguise himself, but in this heathenish and barbarous place they are void of all gentle kind of humanity; doubts as to his liberty. Desires that, as God delivered the prophet David from the hands of wicked Saul and Daniel from the lion_s jaws, so he may be delivered from the claws of those bloodthirsty lions. [Three quarters of a page. O. C., Vol. I., No. 27.] |
March 18.
Peppercorn. |
515. Capt. Downton to Middleton. Condoles with his misfortunes. Never wishes to go out of this sea until the Turks have no reason to rejoice for the disgrace they have imposed upon the English nation. No good performance to be expected from the Turks but by constraint; applauds what passed between Pemberton and Middleton; and has come with the Peppercorn to do his best, and what may give least offence to other nations. Awaits his directions as to the best course to be taken. Necessity of working with dispatch before the Turks come to batter and keep them in; “I am conceited that the Aga hath a trick beyond our present apprehension.” [One page. O. C., Vol. I., No. 28.] |
| March 18. |
516. Capt. Downton to Middleton. Has come to look after him, his men, and provisions. Is not obligated to any Turk, neither will Downton wait his will. Has long forborne to recover what the Turks unjustly detain, having sufficient warning, by the villany they have committed to the people in the pinnace of the Ascension, that there is no faithful performance to be expected from those truthless Turks. As Middleton is in the tyrant_s hands, and dare not right himself, Capt. Downton intends to take command of the ships and dispose of them as he thinks fit, to recover Sir Henry, his people, and provisions. Report that they have been taxed by the Turks with being women in men_s apparel, “else they say we should endeavour to make our peace by force.” [Half a page. O. C., Vol. I., No. 30.] |
March 18.
Trades Increase. |
517. Gyles Thornton to Middleton. Prays for Sir Henry_s deliverance out of the hands of the truthless Turks, whose words and actions are as far different as white and black, of which he and his company have had too true experience. Has given Geo. Jeffe a note of their wants which Thornton entreats Middleton to supply. Commendations to Mr. Femell and all the rest. [One page, O. C., Vol. I., No. 29.] |
March 20.
Madrid. |
518. Fras. Cottington to Salisbury. Robt. Sherley has his wife with him and they purpose going for England immediately after Easter, though it is thought he will not be permitted because of the impediment to their proceeding with the other Persian Ambassador. Sherley still entertained at the King_s charge, but greater honour given to the other ambassador, whose affection they have won, and negotiate with “the poor man” at their pleasure. Cannot however understand that anything of moment is concluded. Sherley and the Persian have not yet spoken. [Extract from Correspondence, Spain.] |
March 23.
Mocha. |
519. Sir H. Middleton to [Capt. Downton]. Since his return from Sana he has made a forced agreement not with the people but with the Vizir Bashaw, 30 of them patiently to abide to attend the first westerly winds, the rest to go aboard, which is already performed Sees no reason to doubt; what is done by the Bashaw cannot be altered. Marvels at his proposal; that will only increase the flame. Explains that he has better means of judging for the best than Downton, or any other; neither is he insensible to his country_s reputation or his own. Fears not the Turks, but considers the welfare of his people as becomes a man in his place. Another point of the agreement that none of our ships should ride in this road being offensive to strangers of India, our friends, repairing hither. Arguments for waiting for the westerly winds. Desires him not to let any one of the ships repair hither any more till the westerly winds return. Will advise him as occasion requires. The Aga very desirous to have the Turk with Downton sent to him; instructions, also concerning the shipping which is to be well manned and good watch kept. [One page and a half. O. C., Vol. I., No. 32.] |
March 23.
Mocha. |
520. Sir Henry Middleton to Gyles Thornton, master of the Increase. Sends part of his [provisions]; would have the Darling fetch the rest. Doubts the honesty of the Turk sent over to Capt. Downton, and that he may do them harm. Wishes half a barrel of powder and some small shot, and various articles of clothing, sent to him. Has liberty to go where he will all day, and if he had not doubted that his company would be cruelly treated could have been in safety on board before this. Sends a beeve, some hens, and soft bread. [One page. Mutilated. O. C., Vol. I., No. 34] |
| 1611? |
521. Advice from Hugh Frayne to Nic. Downton, in the Red Sea; being instructions touching trade in the Moluccas. Description of the islands of Banda; the merchandise to be bought and sold there. Note written in Dutch in 1606 and translated by one of the Company_s factors at Bantam, concerning the trade of Amboyna, with names of the towns on the island. Trade in the Celebes, Mozambique, Malabar, Cochin, Bengala, and Seylan [Ceylon], with table of Indian cloths and the weights of the country. Advice by Samuel Bradshaw [Sept. 1610], merchant of the Union, of commodities to be bought in Surat, and of those which are chiefly vendible at Priaman, Tinga, Cuta, Barons, Acheen, and other parts of Sumatra. The proportion of stock of the fourth voyage. Goods landed at Mocha. [Nine pages. O. C., Vol. I., No. 35.] |
| 1611? |
522. Discourse upon the system of trade pursued by the Dutch Company in the East Indies. Far more chargeable to drive a coasting trade to divers factories than to settle factors permanently. Fleets of war, charges of building, fortifications, &c, consume the Company_s stock. The best diamonds in the world to be procured from Succadana. Jappara, Gressycq and Macassar, the a storehouses of the Moluccas. Acheen proper for the trade of Coromandel and Surat. Experienced and honest factors very needful; against reason to displace any such, and put new in their stead. Ships of small charge may carry things to Amboyna, but some good ships of defence must be used to the Moluccas, for oftentimes they meet with the enemy. Discoveries yet to be made to the southward of Java. [Three pages. Imperfect, folios 9 and 10 only. O. C., Vol. I., No. 36.] |
1611.
March 26.
The Peppercorn. |
523. Captain Nic. Downton to Sir H. Middleton at Mocha. The bitterness, the unkind and strange construction put upon his former letter, fills the writer_s whole mind “with admiration and grief.” Could readily answer every disjointed and cross point therein, but is unwilling to grieve Sir Henry, as he by the device of others wrongs Downton. He never deserved the least evil thought from Sir Henry, who should not forget the cause of the writer_s last going to Mocha. Desires to have him and all the rest in safety aboard, when Sir Henry may be assured the writer will not swerve a jot from his command. [Half a page. O. C., Vol. I., No. 37.] |
March 26.
From aboard the
Trades Increase. |
524. Gyles Thornton to Sir Henry Middleton. In answer to his of the 23rd. Has dispatched the Darling for the rest of their provisions, “which the eating Turks can spare.” As to sending the Turk over if he be an honest fellow, “he is a Turk, and therefore I do much doubt of his honesty.” Opinion as to setting him free before the Arabians. Has sent the powder and other things requested. Refers him to [Mathew] Bragge for an account of their proceedings, since his most unfortunate detainment from them. Prays for his full deliverance out of the hands of the unjust Turks. Since writing the above, Captain Downton and the rest of the company have thought it fit to detain the Turk, not knowing what harm he may do Sir Henry. [One page. O. C., Vol. I, No. 38.] |
March 28.
[From the
Darling.] |
525. Wm. Pemberton to Sir H. Middleton. Has come against “this unhappy town of Mocha” for the provisions which remain. Is sorry that any needful things are detained; there is no remedy but patience. Hopes he will respect the safety of his own person before any thing else. Grief of Captain Downton on receiving Sir Henry_s letter, and finding he was displeased at the captain_s coming, which was not without order; he wished evil to himself if ever he meant evil to Sir Henry, “and truly I dare swear it.” [One page. O. C., Vol. I., No. 39.] |
| March 30. |
526 Commission to John Saris to be captain of the Clove in a voyage to the East Indies, set forth by divers merchants of London, with authority to use martial law. [Minute. Grant Bk., p. 82. Domestic, Jac. I.] |
