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Jan. 2.
Sakaii,
Japan. |
1081. Wm. Eaton to Rich. Wickham at Osaka. Capt. Cocks, looks for his coming to Firando every day. The bark has brought lead, pepper, and wax only; the emperor has not bought any of these goods. The report concerning his woman proves not true being a piece of knavery done by the Dutch [see ante, No. 1068] “my woman doth likewise tell me as much.” [Two thirds of a page. O.C., Vol. III., No. 332.] |
Jan. 12.
Jacatra. |
1082. John Jourdaln to Rich. Wickham at Firando. Since his last the Clove and Defence have arrived from England, and because there is scarcity of pepper, debtors fail and money is short, they are sent to the Moluccas to see what good is there to be done “doubting much that we shall have some bickering with our overthwart friends the Hollanders for they threaten us very much if they meet us at Banda or the Moluccas.” The Company have great hopes of store of silver from Japan, which is one of the chief reasons they do not send much money this way. The Gift departed for England 22nd December. Doubts not he shall have orders to go home, as also news of the augmenting of Wickham’s salary. [Two thirds of a page. Injured by damp. O.C., Vol. III., No. 333.] |
Jan. 14.
Factory of
Masulipatam. |
1083. Consultation of factors of the Solomon for obtaining a sufficient quantity of good indigo, which is made only four months in the year, and resolution to send Adam Denton and Humphrey Elkington into the country to manage the business. Signed by Lucas Antheuniss, Adam Denton, Raphe Preston, Thos. Brockedon, Hump. Elkington, and Timothy Mallory. [Half a page. O.C., Vol III., No. 309.] |
Jan. 15.
Acheen. |
1084. Wm. Nicolls to [the President at Bantam ?]. Not permitted to trade at Tecoe without licence; arrived at Acheen, after escaping great danger, 22nd June, 1615, where the Hector from Surat was at anchor. The king’s letter had been procured to trade at Tecoe and Priaman, provided they remained in the road during the trade, and the king’s own goods were sold; this last clause the writer is assured would cost a large bribe; consultation and resolution “if we might prevail, to settle at Tecoe for two years;” and that Juxon and the writer should remain at Acheen. Surat goods are well sold at Acheen and will vent in abundance, “only here are no returns of any large sum to be employed, unless a factory at Masulipatam.” Their prices. His negotiation with the king, difficulties of obtaining liberty for trade at Tecoe for two years, after their expiration, it is as yet uncertain what will be obtained; these nobles were wont to buy cloths here and sell them at Tecoe and Priaman at great profit, “which if we obtain continual trade there, will be frustrated.” Death of Juxon of a flux on 10th August; on 16th the Thomas left for Tecoe since when four ships have arrived from the coast; in one, from Masulipatam, came an ambassador Duria Con, whom Nicolls questioned touching the bad usage Floris received there from the governor; the King has since turned the governor out of office and fined him 1,000 pegodes and says the English may trade, by factory there, as freely as the Flemings or any other nation. Thinks ships from Bantam for the coast should touch at Acheen bringing goods which he specifies, and they may take in brimstone, benjamin, and camphor. “It grieves me that we having so sweet a trade at Surat do not make the best use thereof.” Letters sent by Capt. Jourdain, dated 27th May 1614, by the sheriff of Bantam, who has been at Masulipatem, are now returned to Nicolls, because the sheriff could not hear of any that travelled to Surat, so that a man may send 40 letters and it is a great question if one comes to hand. Price of native commodities. [Three pages and a half O.C., Vol. III., No. 334.] |
Jan. 24.
Savoy. |
1085. Geo. Lord Carew to Sir Thos. Roe. Nothing was performed last summer, either by the North–west or North–east for discovery of the passage to the East Indies; prays God that this next year may have better success. Thanks for his letter from the Cape of Good Hope, and begs he will inform him of his proceedings “in that eastern world.” [Extract from DOMESTIC, Jac. I., Vol LXXX VI., No. 16. Cal, p. 345. Printed in Carew’s letters, edited by John Maclean for the Camden Society, p. 27.] |
Jan. 25.
Ajmere. |
1086. Sir Thos. Roe to the East India Company. Refers to his previous letters of 24th Nov. from Brampore for an account of his time spent. His illness and arrival in 27 days at Ajmere on 24th Dec, with a new ague; was met by Edwardes and the English of the factory. Audience of the king, to whom he showed his commission, and delivered a copy in Persian, with the presents, the coach, virginals, knives, scarf richly embroidered, and a rich sword; the king caused the musician to play on the virginals, which gave him good content; many good words of his affection to King James and the English nation, and courtesies to Roe. At night the king got into the coach and had it drawn about, he also sent for a servant to tie on his scarf and sword English fashion, “in which he took so great pride that he marched up and down drawing it and flourishing and since hath never been seen without it.” Touching the value of presents to be given in future; finds the country marred with too much giving ; is forced, having nothing to give, to alter the whole course, lest it appear poverty. The favour of Sultan Coronne, a lord of the port where the Company’s residence is like to be, as necessary as the king’s. Never saw men so enamoured of drink as the king and prince are of red wine; thinks four or five handsome cases will be more welcome than the richest jewel in Cheapside. Variety of presents suggested; purposes as well out of necessity as judgment to break this custom of daily bribing. A present was lately sent by the King of Bisampore to the value of ten lacks of rupees, yet the king accepted some China wares and a figure of crystal more than that mass of wealth. As to the difficulties of his position; though they understand the quality of an ambassador, yet they have much ado to understand the privileges which that quality requires. If he cannot change the ill–customs begun and set the business upright without base creeping and bribing, which one year’s experience will show, he will roundly advise the Company never to send an ambassador more hither. The want of an interpreter another terrible inconvenience. Ten times as much expected from him as from Edwardes; great presents expected by Aseph Chan and the queen; Aseph Chan being the chief man with the king is in faction with Sultan Coronne, who has married his daughter, and whose sister Normall is the beloved wife of the king, “so they are linked together, govern the king, and carry business so that no complaint should be made whereby the king might be angry with Sultan Coronne.” Conduct of Sultan Coronne in encouraging his ministers to hinder the dispatch of the English fleet; success of Roe’s remonstrances to Aseph Chan. Audience of the prince; was used with more courtesy than ever he saw or expected; he told Roe he was sorry for their past injuries, that they never came to his knowledge, that whatever satisfaction was required should be willingly granted, and that the governor should answer them dearly. His intended propositions concerning the fleet, and the abuses at Ahmedabad. Interview with the king; his orders “to release the custom pretended, to repay the 500 rupees taken by injustice, and an effectual command for their quiet residence.” The Governor of Surat displaced and Hoyja Hassan put in his room, “who hath directly hired it . . . . he was our old enemy and fears my opposition.” Present given to Aseph Chan, who has been so faithful and diligent both in the business of Surat and Ahmedabad. Ordinary firmans not worth a halfpenny. “I bear here a place of envy, you are wise and sworn to secrecy. I care not if anything I write were printed, yet it were more convenient that what informations you receive for your good the authors should be concealed, and if any man have a friend that he would justify he may use friendship to him without injury to another.” Last year there was a faction and general hatred among all the Company’s servants, to their extreme prejudice. The principal division was against Edwardes; in one year he will return with more gain than Roe will, in his whole time; it were strange if all should maliciously join to accuse him falsely without some ground. The misdemeanor of Mitford, though much provoked, is worthy of punishment. Fears the cashiers are generally out; Robt. Young, a man of small experience, does the business at Agra; abuses in the purchase of indigo. Reasons why certain goods named are not sold. Advice as to the purchase of marketable articles. Concerning a debt owing to Mr. Hawkins. Recommends that the factors should arrest those who are indebted to the Company and use the privilege of law. Concerning his charges; everything as dear there as in London. Has taken an inventory of Mr. Boughton’s goods; remarks thereon. Begs them to accept his good intentions, which are to do all faithful service, and plain and open; shall return poor by it; must refer himself to them, for he expects nothing from the king; “I had not presents to fee those about him, or if I had, to that end I would not bestow them.” Prays them to excuse what is erroneous, “my experience is young, and it harms not you; I write my opinion, use your own judgment, I am discharged of my duty.” His fever is again returned; consider a sick man’s brain is full of distempers. [Seven pages. Indorsed, “Read and noted 23 Sept. 1616.” O.C., Vol. III., No. 335.] |
Jan. 30.
Adsmere
[Ajmerej]. |
1087. Sir Thos. Roe to Sec. Winwood. Has had a fever eight weeks, and is extremely weak. “The friendship we have here is fickle, the Trade unsettled, one day a grant to us, the next to the Portugal, as they are false so they fear both, and would and will at last join with the strongest.” The English have beaten back the Portugals, who have lost much reputation; they are beset on every side; the Dutch plant about them and the Persian has banished them and distressed Ormus, where they have retired into the castle in much want. The English trade lessens their profit. It were an easy work “to discharge him [the Persian] from this coast.” Advantages of getting rid of the Portugals. The Turk preparing to invade Persia by Bagdad. The Persian has wasted and subdued the poor Georgian Christians. No probability of profit nor to do himself much good where he is; his place has been made contemptible by others. Wishes to return with the fleet to be sent out in 1616 or 1617 when he will have served four or five years years, a long banishment, where is no content to beguile the consideration of it. Here are none of the rarities of India; they all come from the Eastern part, and are as dear as in England. Expects to be provided with carpets from Persia. Has scribbled thus much with pain. Excuses for not writing to others. [Two pages. East Indies, Vol. I., No. 49.] |
Jan. 31.
Acheen. |
1088. [Wm. Nicolls] to Thos. Aldworthe [at Surat]. Arrived on 12th April 1613 with the Dragon and Osiander in the road of Acheen, and continued there till 13th July having buried of both ships 26 men. At Tecoe on 7th August, where all the merchants dying and some 20 more mariners, the writer was left principal merchant. Finding slack sales and knavery by the people, General Best left for Bantam on 30th Oct. 1613. Capt. Cristian forced to follow, the Osiander proving so leaky through the worm, caused by the foulness of the sea water at Swally. Sheathed at Jacatra and returned to Bantam. Not able to lade the Osiander with pepper till 12th November 1614. Arrival of Capt. David Middleton with three ships out of England. The remainder of this letter concerning trade at Tecoe is included in one of a previous date, No. 1084. [One page and a quarter. O.C., Vol. III., No, 336.] |
