|
Sept. 7
[Agra.] |
650. Thos. Keridge to Thos. Aldworthe and Council at Surat. His last, of 16th Aug., six days' journey from Agra. His illness, arrival at Agra, and audience of the king, by whom he was sent to the Persian Ambassador, and to whom he delivered a present, a standing cup of Mr. Canninge's; the king “viewed it a little and delivered it to an attendant, not esteeming it.” Difficulty of having an audience; “if any man expect to have dispatch of suits here, he must come well provided to feed the king and nobles, otherwise nothing will be effected, the king extremely proud and covetous, whom the nobles imitate, yea even in beastliness, &c.;” he takes himself to be the greatest monarch in the world, and keeps two of the Emperor of Persia's ambassadors, and will not license their departure, “whereupon is likely to be wars between them.” The Emperor of Persia demands Scinde, which the king will not grant; Chan Allam goes ambassador for Persia. Audience of the king in his chamber, where he sat on his bed newly risen from sleep ; delivered the King of England's letter, and entreated the King of Agra's answer and his firman to the articles agreed on by General Thos. Best and Shabisuphe, and a place of safety for the English ships to ride in. Large discourse by the king, of wrongs done by Sir Henry Middleton in robbing their shipping and taking them prizes, answered by Keridge, who wished him not to believe “those pratling, juggling Jesuits, but credit rather the experience their own people had of us.” Urged again the king's “chape” to the articles, he said it was needless, having the king's firman concluding everything already; aud that English ships could ride safely at Surat, where he himself always was, and willing to admit; the English to an audience. Has waited eight days, hoping to have conference with the king; coining emptyhanded the cause of his being thus slighted, no other treatment to be expected without continual gifts, both to the king and others. Desire of the king to possess the hat which he had worn at court, “I answered he should have it;” his visit to his father's sepulchre and journey toward Ahmedabad. Quileatch Chan hath had an overthrow at Cabul, and Abdallah Chan, another in Guzerat. Rise of the people very near the city, “but now quiet.” Report that the king's youngest son, Sultan Chorome, goeth to Cabul, and that the Emperor of Persia sets forth an army to invade Scinde. The king a drunkard and so given to vice that the chief captains care not for him, and willingly would never come near him. Will be constrained to follow the court, but has small hope of success except shipping arrive to curb the Portugal and affright this people, whom nothing but fear will make honest; “those Jesuits do so bewitch the king” with presents that nothing is denied them. Whom the king graceth every one does, but whom he respects not, no man regards. The Jesuits, noting his dislike to the present, furthered his displeasure by saying that the King of England sent him nothing, it was the merchants only through desire of traffic. Paul Canninge, when he delivered his present, had nothing but idle and trivial questions asked, not a word of business. Virginals given by Lawes, who played upon them, but were not esteemed ; it is thought that he died with conceit. The king exceedingly delighted to hear Robt. Trully's cornet; he taught one of the king's chief musicians to play upon it, “to whom the king said, if thou canst learn this I will make thee a great man.” Wish of the Jesuits to have two of their servants taught, but Trully refused, and has not since been sent for to court. Presentation of the Neapolitan juggler at. Surat by the Jesuits ; the king so much delighted that he gave him 5,000 rupees. No Christians, if not presented by the Jesuits, have any grace at all. Purposes to build a tomb, which will be no great charge. Cannot live at Surat under 200l. a year. Death of Mr. Canninge; his goods sent for by the king, who took the greater part; Canninge sent an account of his journey and proceedings before falling sick. Accusations against Canninge's assistant. Commendations of Trully, Wm. Finche, and Capt. Boys, both poisoned with the water they drank, in which a multitude of grasshoppers fell at Babylon, on their way to Aleppo. A firman dormant not easy to be had, but will do his best in that and the rest. Green, yellow, and red cloth will sell well, but at less prices than at Surat. Hopes the news of the Prince [Henry's] death is false, “the Prince God defend !” Shabisuphe, who concluded the articles with the general, is at Agra, but dares not see the king ; knows not the cause. [Five pages. Much injured. O. C, Vol. I., No. 110.] |
Sept. 11.
Aboard the
Solomon. |
651. Ralph Willsonn to the East India Company. Sailed from the Needles 21st February, 1612, and arrived at Saldanha on 5th June, the Dragon on the 8th, the James supposed to have gone for St. Augustin. Mr. Salmon, master of the Solomon, exchanged to the Osiander for Mr. Petty, her master, because of differences between Petty and Cannon [? Canninge], the Cape merchant. Weighed anchor on 28th June, fell in with¯ the coast of Sumatra 19th October, having lost sight of the Dragon and Osiander, and came to Bantam Road on 4th November, where they found the James, Clove, and Hector. Of the sickness and proceedings of Sir Henry Middleton he believes the Company are directly informed. Holland vessels at Bantam; arrival of Sir Henry Middleton with the Peppercorn on the 10th November. Movements of the James, Thomas, Trades Increase, and Darling. Lading taken in by the Solomon at Bantam; death of Mr. Wood, Cape merchant, 28th January [1613], of the flux. Arrived at the Cape of Good Hope on 28th April, and at St. Helena 19th May. News of the Expedition, Pearl, &c. Voyage towards England; met a pirate, who very subtlely sought to have betrayed them. [Three pages and a quarter. O. C, Vol. I., No. 111.] |
Sept. 12.
Madrid. |
652. Sir John Digby to King James. Four caracks returned to Lisbon, which sailed from thence the beginning of last year for the East Indies, being so hindered by weather and contrary winds, that they were too late to cross the Cape, and have lost their voyage; of other caracks expected from the East Indies there is no news. [Extract from Correspondence, Spain.] |
Sept. 15.
Aboard the
Peppercorn
[at Waterford]. |
653. Capt. Nich. Downton “to the right worshipful the Indian the Company in Philpot Lane.” Complains that his decayed and wretched person leaves him but small ability to act for the safeguard of what he has in charge. Parted on 8th February from Sir H. Middleton on the coast of Java, who for want of experienced factors was left weakly supported. The Hector, Thomas, and Solomon, had left before. Tedious delays caused by adverse winds and the sickness and death of his men. Arrived at Saldanha 10th May; English ships there. Much beholden to Capt. Towerson, for supplies. Came to St. Helena 5th June, where he found two caracks, “whose neighbourhood I durst in no wise trust.” Details of his voyage home. Anchored at Waterford ; within 24 hours buried four of his men, “and God Almighty knows how many of us shall soon after follow.” Commendations of Stephen Bonner ; also of Mr. Mollineux, Sam. Squire, and the writer's son. Supplies requested, with ten honest sailors. Twenty-six of his people yet living out of forty-six brought from Bantam. Thinks a ship should be sent at once to Saldanha with provisions for the Trades Increase. A postscript of September 7th adds, that news has been received of the arrival at Bearhaven of another of the Company's ships Some treacherous drunkards having raised strange reports of the riches of his ships, could wish more men provided from Bristol. List of the names of the men deceased since his coming from Bantam, including Alex. Wickstead, minister, and Edward Pope, master. [Two pages and a half. O. C., Vol. I., No. 112.] |
Sept. 18.
Firando,
Japan. |
654. Rich. Cocks to Rich. Wickham, at Yedo or elsewhere, “per Sr George the Portugal.” Received his letter dated in Ximonaxeque, 19th August, on the 28th. Explains why he cannot send the instruments asked for. All their company well, but Mr. Pawling. “An extreme Tuffon” has done much hurt both at Firando and Langasaque. Divers merchants have come down, but can sell nothing. [One page. O. C., Vol. I., No. 113.] |
Sept. 27.
Abosrd the
Globe. |
655. The ninth article of the factor's commission, given to Adam Denton, factor in Patani by Capt. Thos. Essington, as to the keeping of account books. With declaration by Capt. Essington, that disorders having passed by Peter Floris, he intends sailing that day for Bantam, there to procure freight and from thence depart for England, and leave Denton in Patani with Floris. [One page. Injured by damp. O. C., Vol. I., No. 114.] |
