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| Oct. 1–5. |
770. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Anthony Gibson’s adventure in the sixth voyage to be set over to Henry Andrews. Letters received from Capt. Saris of 24th Sept., written at sea, mentioning the adventures that the governor made by Sir Henry Middleton and himself; the governor explains all the circumstances, which arose out of his taking a shop in the New Exchange, belonging to Lord Salisbury, at his lordship’s request, and furnishing it with East Indian commodities, for which he is now 300l. out of pocket. Suspicion that Capt. Saris has carried on great private trade; Mr. Handforde and Mr. Kirby desired to go aboard the Clove and persuade him to submit himself to the Company, and permit his goods to be taken to the governor’s house, promising to deal friendly and kindly with him. Thos. Love and Sir Ferd. Gorges to be remembered for their assistance to Rich. Dale. Committees going to the Downs to take 300l. in gold with them, to purchase necessaries if requisite, and commodities the mariners have to sell. Disposal of the ship and goods. Peter Hoste, of Amsterdam, to be admitted to adventure 4,000l.; to pay 400l. for his freedom and broke upon certain conditions. Committee to consider the state of the stock. |
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Oct. 4.—Leonard Prestwood, recommended for employment by Lord Shrewsbury, referred. Report of the state of the shipping by Mr. Burrell; iron, lead, quicksilver, and vermilion to lade them. Concerning Joseph Salbanke; his accounts passed, and to be again employed. Mathew Porter to be entertained as a mate. Debate on sending an ambassador to the Grand Magore’s court; Sir Thos. Roe proposed as a gentleman of civil behaviour, good breeding, personage, and very good parts, able to answer any matters whatsoever, and of good understanding to settle any privileges for the good of the Company ; he offers sureties for 10,000l., and desires a minister with 50l. a year, a physician, apothecary, secretary, cook and attendants, and would not expect, it seems, above 500l. or 600l. a year for his own entertainment; resolution to be given next meeting. Offer of Mr. Bennett, to furnish ryals and canvas in France, declined. Demand of Mr. Adderley for recompense for his services. Petition of Thos. Skynner for employment. |
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Oct. 5.—Dr. John Burgis and David Watkins admitted free brethren. [Four pages and three quarters. Court Bk., III., 236–240. |
Oct. 5.
Patani. |
771 Adam Denton to the East India Company. Arrived at Patani road 23 June 1612, having left George Chauncey at Bantam. Their honourable reception by the queen and country people; but with some disgust and distaste from the Dutch. Left Mr. Floris ashore and went for Siam in a “goudon” they had built. Lost “our good shepherd, that wise and worthy gentleman,” Capt. Hippon at Patani; Thos. Essington put in his place. Arrival in Siam road journey up the river some twenty miles to a town called Bancope [Bancok], where they were well received; and further 100 miles to the city [of Siam] where the king and people furnished them with everything they required, and a stone house, three stories high, contrary to the opinion of the Dutch. Resolution to winter in Patani. Returned to Siam in March 1613; “here was as poor sales as at Patani.” Thos. Samuel andThos. Driver sent up to Zangomaye [Zangnomang] with goods. Found two Japan junks at Siam, which had obtained trade by force, having been prohibited to go without licence, within the walls, for breach of which 8 “all Japonners” were killed in one day. Commodities bought by the Dutch for Japan; cannot leave Siam later than the 10th of May for Japan. Came again to Patani road 23 Sept. 1613, Mr. Lucas having wrought all possible means to procure a capital in money and goods. Essington had overthrown all hopes of trade at Patani if the patience of Floris and the mediation of friends had not prevented it; officers displaced. Departed for the Coromandel coast 21 Oct. with 46 men, leaving behind Wm. Ebert and Robt. Littlewood; passed between the famous rock the little Pedro Branco and the Point Jantana and anchored in Masulipatam road 19 December, where they found the James in great trouble with the governors and people, but in worse among themselves; the captain holding house by himself, the merchants another by themselves. Wares in Masulipatam fit for Mocha. Resolution to employ their whole stock upon the coast of Coromandel in goods. Denton put into the James to go for Patani, and Geo. Chauncey removed to the Globe in his stead. Agreement with Mr. Floris, as to the lading of the ships, questioned by Capt. Marlowe at Pettapoli. Complains of private trade in the James. Cobbe and Gourney have been put in the bilboes; the merchants are made servants and slaves to the captains; ill effects of being so treated. Arrived at Bantam 29 April 1614, where was John Jourdain, captain of the house and chief of the sixth voyage, the Dragon, Expedition, and Clove having gone that year for England. Jourdain’s purchase of raw silk out of the China junks. Project to employ the Osiander in the ninth voyage in which Denton would have been chief; objections of Capt. Marlowe. Proceedings at Jacatra. Willingness of John Johnson to serve the Company anywhere. Doings of John Parsons, Thos. Brett, Sheppard, and others. The James and Darling arrived at Patani. The Darling left for Siam 30th July with Gourney, Wm. Sheppard, and Thos. Brockedon, merchants of the ninth voyage, and Larkin and Farie; John Johnson, who came out with Paul Canninge in the Osiander, being left; with the writer as assistant. Goods in the James unfit for Patani the main substance of the capital gone in the Darling for Siam, the goods being more vendible there than in any other place. Accusations against Capt. Marlowe; he reported at the coast of Coromandel that all the factors were his men and must apply themselves about his private business; his endeavours to displace Gourney. Affrays of the factors with Capt. Marlowe’s ships’ company. The trade abroad all dead through the troubles and wars over all these parts; wars feared in Patani with the “Acheenders;” if troubles come, the Company’s goods will be sent away, the Dutch have also determined to do so. Complains of damaged goods received. Profit on taking raw silks, &c, from Patani to Japan. Patani not worth the keeping, only for sale of cloth; a stock might be employed every year in silks for England and Japan and stuffs for the Moluccas. Goods sold out of the James to the Dutch. Marlowe by presents from the Company’s purse, obtains his own goods custom free. In want of books, paper, and ink, the “kakaroches” eating the China paper. [Ten pages. Indorsed, “Adam Denton his letter journal wise till his coming to Bantam, 1614.” O. C., Vol. II., No. 167.] |
| Oct. 7–14. |
772. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Concerning the acknowledgment of the Turkey Company for 900l. Resolution to send an ambassador of extraordinary countenance and respect with the next ships at Christmas; Sir John Brooke and Mr. Bailie proposed, but none esteemed so fitting for that service as Sir Thos. Roe; the governor requested to treat with him. Mr. Wooddall, the surgeon, to be sent to Plymouth to make inquiries about the Clove. Mr. Leate requested to find out how some things have got abroad that should have been kept secret; none but committees and officers to be present in court. Capt. Saris condemned for not having acquainted the Company with the state of those parts where he has been to discover, and for his supposed private trade. Motion concerning adventures written for by factors abroad. |
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Oct. 10.—Letters received; the report of the Clove being cast away, turned out to be the shipwreck of a Fleming; complaint by Capt. Saris of the unruliness of his men, his request to have one of discretion sent down ; Walter Paiton appointed. Thos. Arthington, who served with Capt, Newport, nominated purser of the Dragon; he is very confident of being able to find the North-west passage from Japan, and ready to adventure his life in the action. Proposal of the governor to relieve the poverty of some poor preachers in this town, to have their prayers for the good and prosperity of the Company’s voyages; Mr. Mead, the lecturer at Rood church, having a wife and many children, and the three lecturers at St. Atkins nominated; the motion approved, but referred to a fuller court. Commissions for the pinnaces to be prepared. For settling the business of the joint stock, according to agreement. |
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Oct. 12.—Request of Ellaston for employment as a factor refused, he being 55 years of age; 20s. bestowed upon him in charity. Leonard Prestwood held unfit for the Company’s service. Desire of Mr. Barklie and others to go to the East Indies. Proposal of Mrs. Farrington to give her a general acquittance for all moneys accounted for by her husband during his treasurership, when she will give up all his writings and receipts. Petition of John Blackland [Buckland in the margin],some time servant to Mr. Farrington, for employment as a purser; and of John Waldoe for a yearly salary. Velvets sold to Mr. James at 8s. a yard. Petition of George Hall for employment. Edward Richards, inserted as a factor in the purser’s note of the Solomon, never entertained by the Company; Capt. Keeling to send home any others not entertained. One hundred pounds to be freely given, at the discretion of the governor, to relieve some poor godly ministers “who may remember the good estate of the Company in their prayers.” Application of Mr. Johnson, executer to Hugh Frayne, a factor in the sixth voyage, who died at Bantam and left all his salary to poor ministers and other good uses, for a warrant to receive the amount, about 300l. Benjamyn bought by Mr. Garraway. Letter read from Wm. Addames, from Firando in Japan, to Mr. Best at Bantam, dated 1st Dec, concerning Capt. Saris there, and the privileges procured by him from the emperor and king, with his opinion of the trade there; his own entertainment in the Company’s service, and a touch of the state of the country, and hopes of commodities from thence. A kinsman of Mr. Reignold’s to be entertained. |
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Oct. 14.—Thos. Skinner esteemed unfit for the Company’s service. Those who sold the ordnance from the Trades Increase to the Flemings to be censured. Letter from Joan, wife of Thos. Jones, who died in the East Indies, to have 30l. remitted to her; enough done for him who deserved so ill. John Waldoe’s petition for a certain salary again referred; his wife taxing one of the committees with being a great friend of her husband’s, which it was much distasted should be published, she is requested, if she will expect favour, to say how she came to know so much. Commissions and letters to be made ready for the pinnaces. Capt. Saris to be written to for copy of the instructions he framed and sent by the Concord for Japan, and of those he left at Japan and Bantam. Motion renewed to send yearly a ship to the Cape, with provisions to relieve shipping homeward bound, and harping irons, &c, to kill whales and seals towards the charges. Result of the governor’s conference with Sir Thos. Roe; he asks for 500l. a year, and 500 marks to set him forth, and 350l., which he owes, as imprest; desires half his wages to be put yearly in the joint stock, an allowance for liveries for ten men, also a preacher, secretary, and cook; it is thought he should not have power to make presents without advice; and that the chief factor at Surat should have management of all the Company’s affairs, Roe is not to intermeddle with their business and merchandise. A plumber or two, a skilful person upon the harp, and some virginals, the emperor delighting much in such kind of music, to be provided for Surat. About procuring ryals; scandal cast upon the Company by the goldsmiths; a motion to have a commission procured to examine them about conveying away gold and silver out of the land. [Seven pages. Court Bk., III., 241–247.] |
Oct. 15
to
Nov. 4. |
773. “A remembrance of our conferences or councils held after to our coming into the road of Swally.” Letter sent on 15th October to Thos. Aldworthe, desiring him to repair on board; his answers to the six interrogatory articles in the Company’s commission as to Paul Canninge. Concerning his business at Agra and favour with the emperor, he was at first well respected by the emperor, until the Jesuits made known he was a merchant and not sent immediately from the king, but was afterwards neglected; the death of Canninge, an answer whether he is fit to reside at the court; it is required by the king that one of the English nation should reside at the court; to hold the English mart in one place is not so necessary as to keep two factories, one at Suiat, the other at Agra; the transport of goods to Surat will be more secure by land, because of the recourse of the Portugals to the river; a person cannot be maintained there at less than 300l. a year. On 18th October Wm. Edwardes was appointed to reside at Agra; fifteen articles agreed on, to be obtained from the Great Mogul. November 3, resolution to land the goods, in spite of the delays of Mocrob Chan, finding he durst not deny the King’s firman. Factors appointed for Agra, Surat, Ahmedabad, Baroach, and Surat. November 4, some small toys to be sent to Mocrob Chan; calicoes, the quantities and prices thought fit to send for England. Signed on each day by Nich. Downton, Wm. Edwardes, Thos. Aldworthe, Thos. Elkington, Edward Dodsworth, and Thos. Mitford. [Three pages and a half. O. C., Vol. II., No. 168.] |
| Oct. 18. |
774. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Debate on sending to Plymouth for Capt. Saris, the pinnaces being ready to go, away; how matters should be carried on at his return; it is thought fitting to have him kindly used until some ill carriage of his be certainly known, and well entertained until he has been with the King and delivered the present and compliment from the Emperor of Japan; letters to be written to him to come up speedily overland to satisy the Company about some advices, to be sent with the pinnaces, concerning their affairs at Japan, Bantam, and elsewhere; and if he refuse, another commanding him to come up, all excuses set apart; these resolutions to be kept secret, and Rich. Atkinson dispatched with the next tide. Money to be brought in for the first payment of the second year. Concerning the Dutchman [Peter Hought], who has come over to adventure 4,000l. in the joint stock; some of the Company take it ill that a stranger is admitted and they exempted; motion in hand to give satisfaction to all; liabilities in case of disasters. Francis Otley, recommended for employment by Sir Thos. Hayes, lord mayor elect, referred. Contempt of certain young men, grocers; resolution to prosecute the business to the uttermost, and make them know what it is to contest against such a Company in a bad cause. [One page and three quarters. Court Bk., III., 248–249.] |
Oct. 18.
King’s College,
Cambridge. |
775. Robert Wilmot to his brother. Hears that his departure to the East Indies, a journey long and dangerous, is not far off. Admonishes him at great length on his religious duties. [DOMESTIC, Jac. I., Vol. LXXVIII., No. 35. Cal., p. 257.] |
Oct. 20.
Surat. |
776. Estimate of goods thought fit to be reladen for England, being gumlack, indigo, green ginger, opium, carpets, cotton yarn, and calicoes of all sorts. [Quarter of a page. O.C., Vol. II., No. 169.] |
| Oct. 20–21. |
777. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Concerning the return of Capt. Saris. Letter received from Paul Triggs from Paris, relating to the state of his business there, and advising of his having drawn upon the Company for 400 livres. |
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Oct. 21.—Francis Otley held unfit for the Company’s service. Conditions of the admission of Peter Hought, a Dutchman, who has lived 13 years in the Indies in the service of the Dutch, and knows the Persian, Malacca, and Portuguese tongues, desirous to serve the Company; inquiries to be made of Peter Hought after his admission. Aug. Spalding’s adventure to be put in the eighth voyage as originally intended. Demands on account of voyages referred to the auditors. Anthony Wallys, a youth recommended by Capt. Best for the Company’s service, who went with him last voyage. A young man, a preacher offering his services, appointed to lecture at the next church this evening, the governor requests the Company to hear him and judge of his gifts. Mr. Leske referred; Henry Pattison entertained a factor for seven years. John Leechland and Richard Hanger referred. Respecting the grocers business. Mr. Diggins’ business touching the ship he fitted for an East Indian voyage concluded. Demand of Mr. Totten for more provisions for his ship. [Three pages. Court Bk., III., 249–252.] |
Oct. 22.
Surat. |
778. Thos. Aldworthe to [T. Keridge at Agra]. Four gallant ships with 400 gallant men have safely arrived at Surat, “which is no small joy with us.” All their letters were retained, and only the general’s sent home, so that the Company had no intelligence from any, but from the general’s letter, disgracing them all, and attributing all the good service to himself, “whereas you know the contrary, that if his pride had not been resisted he had taken the Shabundar’s ship, and so overthrown all trade here” The Company have sent 15 merchants to remain, all men of civil conversation and good fashion, so there need be no fear of being troubled any more with rascals. Wm. Edwardes, the chief, brings great presents from King James to the Mogul, including pictures of the King and Queen, and one that will content the Mogul above all, the picture of Tamberlaine, from whence he derives himself. Hopes the Great Mogul’s [privilege or firman?] may be procured for the kind usage of the English. Devilish covetousness of Mocrob Chan and others. Intends lading a store of indigo. Capt. Nich. Downton, the general of this fleet, a man famous and well respected by the Company. [One page. O. C., Vol. II., No. 170.] |
| Oct. 25–26. |
779. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Submission of the grocers; an end to be made of the business. Letter received from Capt. Saris from Plymouth of 17th Oct., with a particular relation of his business at Japan, the commodities fit for that place, and to be expected from thence with their value and the profit that may be made, which gave good satisfaction. Debate on sending for him at once, and resolution to let him remain until God should send the ship into the Downs. Question whether it will be profitable to continue trading to Japan by sending commodities directly from hence; commodities from Bantam, Siam, and other places in the Indies, will make good profitable returns. A main reason for settling a trade there is for the vent of our cloth; the pinnaces not to be stayed to take commodities for those parts, hut rather a ship to go to the Cape with the next fleet; these things to be more properly argued on Capt. Saris’ return. Offer of certain Dutchmen, of extraordinary account, to buy all the pepper brought home in the Clove. 25l. given to Robt. Youart, one of the factors, to furnish him to sea. Meal and cider to be supplied to Mr. Totten. Alterations in the Expectation. Mr. Bonner confirmed master of the Dragon, and Captain Newport of the Expectation, and Thos. Barwicke appointed master of the Peppercorn. The Expectation to have a new name. Robt. Allen to be purser of the Peppercorn. Capt. Best’s son refused any employment in the Company’s service, “his evil is so publicly known in the city.” Commissions and letters to be dispatched. |
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Oct. 26.—John Stoughton’s adventures passed over by his executor Anthony Stoughton to Hugh Hamersley. Letters returned from Capt. Saris. Copy of the remembrances left by him at Bantam with the factors at his going to Japan; also copy of such as were left at Japan with Richard Cocks, Tempest Peacocke, and the rest there and others left at Bantam; and copy of the privileges granted by the Emperor of Japan to the English for free trade there, being as ample as can be required. Resolution not to employ Michael Jenkyns, the preacher, at present, holding it needful to have one of graver years; 40s. given to him for his pains. Mr. Leske, the preacher, entertained at 100l. per annum, and 30l to set him forth to sea, the Company being well satisfied of his learning and gravity, and being able to contest with and hold argument with the Jesuits, who are busy at Surat. Letters received from Richard [?Robert] Larkin from Bantam 10 Jan. 1614. excusing his neglect of ample intelligence in his former letters, which did not draw from the Company a better opinion of his honest carriage than formerly, making a brief relation of his intended voyage in the Darling to Malacca, and accusing Capt. Best of taking certain pepper; from John Jourdain from Bantam 31 Jan. 1614, relating the state of their business there and his intent to build a house to secure their goods from fire, according to capitulations made by Capts. Best and Saris with the King of Bantam; and from Richard Wickham from Firando in Japan 5 Dec. 1613, discoursing largely of their voyage from Bantam, their hopes and attempts to have procured trade at the Moluccas, with a brief relation of some commodities to be expected at Japan, the prices of our cloths and the hope of further discovery in those northern parts; and desiring an increase in his wages from 40l. to 60l. per annum. A like motion in behalf of Tempest Peacocke and Richard Cocks, left at Japan, distasted. Sundry charges and imputations brought against Capt. Newport, touching his conduct on his last voyage, with his answers; the governor to agree with him on such conditions as he should conceive fitting and reasonable. Concerning three men committed to prison for stealing nails from the Dragon. [Four pages and three quarters. Court Bk., III., 252–257.] |
Oct. 27.
Osaka. |
780. Wm. Eaton to Rich. Cocks, “chief commander of the English factory in Japan” Great inquiry for gunpowder which would sell at a good price. Hopes to dispose of his lead. Wishes he had another fur cap “for that I am now so extreme cold.” [Three quarters of a page. 0. C., Vol. 1I, No. 171.] |
Oct. 29.
Agra. |
781. Nich. Withington to Thos. Aldworthe at Surat. All Midnall’s books and papers, including his journal, were burnt as soon as he was dead by the Frenchman. Sir Robert Sherley departed hence some five weeks past, having remained only ten days to provide necessaries for his journey; he carried the Frenchman’s elephant with him and swore he would make him juggle for another; the Jesuits went daily to his house and there said mass, their church being still locked up. Makes no doubt that he has heard what passed at Ajmere. Sherley seems to be no great friend to the Company, yet makes show of doing something concerning the English trade in Persia, “but there may doubt be made of his entertainment there, considering how barely he returneth.” Imprisonment of Jadowe, broker to the English, for trying to sell “a false ring” for 2,500 rupees ; will do what he can for his release, “if all knaves had the like luck there would be less cozening.” Seizure of the goods of a deceased Portugal valued at 47,000 rupees; all the other Portugal residents have secretly departed with 80 camels laden with merchandise, so that no one remains. [Two pages and a quarter. 0. C, Vol. II., 172.] |
Oct. 30.
Osaka. |
782. Wm. Eaton to Capt. Rich. Cocks. To send gunpowder, lead, and cloth, which he makes no doubt of being able to sell. Is now abiding in the house of Zezay Seeman in the street called Zeyea. [Half a page. O. C, Vol. II., No. 173.] |
Oct. 31.
Bantam. |
783. John Jourdain and Geo. Bale to Sir Thos. Smythe, governor of the East India Company. The Concord arrived on 8th of September. The Hollanders, since the news was published of the refusal of the English East India Company to contribute to the charges of mutual defence in those parts, have taken a most strange course, “but whether of compulsion or malice or both we are not able to judge.” Fear they shall be forced to follow a pernicious example. Threats of the Hollanders if the English so much as peep into the Moluccas. Desire to be armed for the trial, having already omitted too many opportunities; the inhabitants too long oppressed, desiring nothing more than a change. The new general of the Hollanders lately arrived with three tall ships. Expect daily the Osiander from Priaman, and the James and Darling from Patani and Siam. Last year might have been more favourable to the Hollanders. [One page and a quarter. O. C, Vol. II., No. 174.] |
[1614.]
[Oct.]
Ajmere. |
784. “A note of the ports in Persia observed from Sir Robert Sherley.” So injured by damp as to be almost illegible. A perfect copy is inclosed in No. 946. [One page. 0. C., Vol. II., No. 175.] |
