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July 5.
Westminster |
1129 .Declaration explaining that a statute made in the first year of the King’s reign for the garbling of spices, granted to the East India merchants which was in some parts defective, was not meant to extend to such spices as are exported again unopened, and releasing them from all suits on information for non-garbling of whole chests or packs; also that their licence to export such foreign coin or bullion of silver as they should bring from beyond sea, either in the same stamp or any other form, to be new coined in his Majesty’s mint to the value of 30,000l. for each voyage, shall be limited to 60,000l. a year, however many voyages they shall make in the same year. [DOMESTIC, Jac. I. Sign Manuals Vol. VI., No. 21. Cal., p. 379.] |
July 6.
London. |
1130 .John Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton. A rich ship called the New Year’s Gift, lately arrived from the East Indies, valued at better than 140,000l. [Extract from DOMESTIC, Jac. I., Vol. LXXXVIII., No. 6. Cal., p. 379.] |
| July 8. |
1131 .Jonham ber Doulat, King of Acheen and other parts of Sumatra, with authority over Jhor, to King James. Is rejoiced to hear that his letter sent by General Best has come to his Majesty’s hands, and whereas the tenor of the King’s letter imported trade at Tecoe or any other ports in his dominions, he has granted the same, “and so am ready to do any other your requests.” Terms of the privileges. Begs his Majesty to send him ten mastiff dogs and ten bitches, with a great gun, wherein a man may sit upright. Annexed,
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1131.I. Privileges [obtained by Capt. Keeling] for trade at Tecoe. Liberty to trade for two years, leaving what merchants and other English they please, provided they build no castle or land any ordnance but two or three muskets for their own safety. No wrong to be done to any English in any measure; and if perhaps one or two, or all chance to die, their goods not to be seized. Assistance to be given to any English ship in danger to be lost. No revoking of bargains. The goods of an Englishman, condemned to death for breach of the laws, to “remain for the other English.” Seven per cent. customs inwards and outwards to be paid on all goods. After two years the English and their goods remaining at Tecoe to be sent to Acheen. “These are all the privileges we could procure for our nation, though desired sundry other which much displeased him, and we were fain to give them over.” [Together two pages. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 373.] |
July 8.
Acheen. |
1132 .“Abstract of councils for setting the factory of Acheen left for the better remembrance of Mr. Nicolls, prime factor, and the rest.” Signed by W. Keeling, Geo. Barkeley, Wm. Nicolls and Henrie Patteson. [Two pages. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 374.] |
| July 11. |
1133 .Grant to the Governor and Society of the Mercers [sic]of London trading to the East Indies to sell spices ungarbled, with an especial pardon of former attempts concerning the same, and licence to transport foreign bullion in their voyages. [Minute. Grant Bk., p. 219. DOMESTIC, Jac. I.] |
July 12.
Firando. |
1134 . Rich. Cocks to Rich. Wickham at Osaka, Miako, or else where. Marvels not a little at the non-arrival of the two ships or the junk. Goods sold; part payment received in bars of gold. Has had much ado with the Tono of Firando, who gave Cocks warning not to sell any goods until he “heard answer” from the new emperor, to whom he wrote of the ship’s arrival. Told him of the privileges from the old emperor, but the Tono replied the old emperor was dead, and they had not been renewed. Has therefore secretly sold these goods to the Spaniards. Only six junks arrived at Langasque, but none have brought any silks, the Hollanders having stopped the passage of the China junks which should have gone for the Philippines. The barks which Twan sent to conquer the islands Jermosa, missing their purpose, “lost only one bark and all them which were in her, who cut their own bellies, being compassed by the islands, and seeing no means to escape, so that the rest durst not enter, but went upon the coast of China, where they have killed above 1,200 Chinas, and taken all the barks or junks they met withal, throwing the people overboard.” It is thought no China junks will come to Japan this year, and that Twan will lose his life and all he hath. The Hollanders have burnt four Portugal galleons before Malacca; Don John de Silva, being too late to succour them, took it so to heart that he died before Malacca, and all his armada is returned to Manilla. [One page and three quarters. O.C., Vol .IV., No. 375.] |
July 12.
Firando. |
1135 . Eaton to Wickham at Miako. Goods sold to the Spanish pilot; concerning the value of the bars of gold received in part partment. Capt. Cocks at present very ill. [Three quarters of a page. O.C., Vol IV., No. 376.] |
July 13.
London. |
1136 . Wm. Becher to Sir Dudley Carleton. Proposal from Kolland for joining both our trades to the East Indies into one; there has been one solemn conference about it, and although it may prove of great benefit to both states, Becher thinks the governors of our trade will oppose it, because the management of the business may be drawn out of their hands. [Extract from DOMESTIC, Jac. I., Vol. LXXXVIII., No. 14. Cal., p. 381.] |
July 14.
Firando. |
1137 .Cocks to Wickham. Arrival of the Advice, JohnTotten, master, Ed. Willmot, merchant and purser, Robt. Ewer [Youarte, see No. 1140.] merchant, having died. She lost her monsoon last year, and returned to Bantam whence she has now come; her lading. Sir Thos. Roe gone ambassador to the Great Mogul; he sent a herald or trumpet to the viceroy of Goa to demand the reason he made war against the English at Surat, and that he would stay 40 days for an answer; no reply being made Roe pronounced open war against the Portugals in the East Indies, with fire and sword, in the name of the King of England. Capt. Keeling has taken three Portugal ships on his return from Surat, having first settled a factory at Calicut, which is thought will prove a matter of great moment. Keeling is at Acheen with two great Portugal prizes. [One page. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 377.] |
| July 14. |
1138 .[Wickham?] to [Cocks?] For directions as to the sale of certain commodities. Sorry that Eaton made so unfortunate a journey to Umbra. It is said theTono’s repair to Yedo was for some especial business appointed by Shongo Same and his council; in the meanwhile he has taken all his father’s soldiers of Surungava [? Surunga] and other places, and will force them to serve them. The city of Yedo greatly augmented, within twelve months it will be twice as big as it was last year. Cassa Same hath almost all his land taken from him. Prices of goods. Great inquiry for steel and iron. [Onepage. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 378.] |
| [July 14.] |
1139 .[Wickham ?] to Osterwick. Doubts not that he received his last requesting to be furnished with necessaries and provisions. As to the sale of amber. [Quarter of a page. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 378.] |
July 15.
Firando. |
1140 .Cocks to Wickham. News that the bark Jacatra is at an island some ten leagues without, whither the Dutch have sent barks to receive her goods, giving it out she is to go look for a great ship wanting for Firando, but Japans think she has robbed China junks and therefore sends things ashore “in hugger mugger.” The merchant’s name who died out of the Advice was Robt. Youarte not Ewer. Is grieved to hear no news of their junk, “We want Capt. Addames now.” [Half a page. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 379.] |
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1141 .Articles or privileges granted to the English nation by Shongo Same, Emperor of Japan. All the English with whatever shipping arrives at Japan to retire to Firando to make sale of their merchandise. If bad weather force them to any other port they are to be friendly used. If the emperor need anything brought by the shipping it is to be reserved for him on paying the worth. Freedom of trade. Goods of a deceased Englishman to belong to whoever the captain or Cape merchant of the English nation saith. The captain or Cape merchant to make an end of any controversy without any other justice or Japan meddling with him. All tonos or kings, govornors, and other officers to see the premises accomplished. [One page. Printed in facsimile, in “Memorials of the “Empire of Japan,” for the Hakluyt Society. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 379a.] |
July 16.
Theobalds. |
1142 .Warrant to pay to Sir Thos. Smythe and the East India Company, out of the rents due to the King from the farmers of customs, two thousand nine hundred and forty-six crowns, being the Royal bounty of one crown per ton for building the Great James of 1,320 tons, the Anne of 1,057 tons, and the Swan of 569 tons. [DOMESTIC, Jac. I., Sign Manual, Vol. VI., No. 45. Cal., p. 383.] |
July 19.
Leadenhall. |
1143 .Robert Bell to Sec. Sir Ralph Win wood. Has received his letter “to frame a judicial complaint against the French ambassador for wrongs and injuries we receive in our trade in France.” Among the complaints enumerated is the loss of a ship from the East Indies, some few years past, which fell upon the coast of Brittanny for relief, and was wrecked among the rocks by the inhabitants of Odierna [Audierne], who had spoil of ship and goods to the value of 70,000l.; and although 7,000l. has been spent in continually suing for justice, no remedy can be obtained. [Extract from DOMESTIC, Jac. I., Vol. LXXXVIII., No. 22. Cal., p. 384.] |
July 22.
Burhampoor. |
1144 .Firman [obtained by Sir Thos. Roe ?] from Mahomet Chan for trading at Baroach. When any English merchants come to Baroach, a house is to be made ready for them, and they are not to be hindered in their passage by sea or land, but allowed safely to traffic; for customs and all other exactions, no man is to trouble them. Persian. [One page. Indorsed, “Mahomet Chan’s letter, Burhampoor, July 22 1616.” O.C., Vol. IV., No. 380.] |
| July 22. |
1145 .English translation of the preceding. “The 29th of the the month of Teer and the 11th year of the reign of the King.” [Ibid. No .381.] |
July 23.
Ajmere. |
1146 .Sir Thos. Roe to Lucas Anerinus [? Antheuniss] and “my loving countrymen” at Masulipatam. Has had much trouble since his arrival in these parts by the inconstancy of the people, the English trade being unsettled and subject to many servile abuses and extortions, but hopes to establish it, on better conditions, through all parts of these dominions. Daily expects a conclusion of new articles and privileges propounded in the name of the Mogul; will send a copy of them to their factory, to be ready for any English commander going for Bengala. Upon the resolution to settle a factory in any certain place, Roe will procure any further command to the particular governor that shall be requisite. Concerning the wickedness of one of his servants, “his offences are of a high nature, his conditions shameless and impudent;” requests an opportunity may be taken to make him prisoner, or to draw him aboard some ship under pretence of merriment and then charge the commander, in the King’s name, to suffer him to come no more on shore, but to carry him to England to answer Roe’s accusations against him. Wishes Mutton, a goldsmith, to go to him; “I will prefer him to the King, and pay his charges: he shall here make his fortune;” and to bring him a clean ruby of 20l. price. [One page and three quarters. Indorsed, “Rec. from Adsmere, 7 Sept. 1616.” O.C., Vol. IV., No. 382.] |
July 23.
Bantam. |
1147 .John Gourney to Wm. Nicolls, chief of the factory at Acheen. A Dutch pinnace has arrived from Jambee empty and with no letter from Westby; reasons why pepper was denied them, the Hollanders having taken a Portugal frigate in Jambee river. Supposed movements of Don John de Silva’s fleet; these popish people pester the air and dishonour the English nation and religion. Matters of trade. The differences with the Dutch and English, through the latter trading at the Moluccas, are grown so great, that it hath bred quite a strangeness between them. [Three pages. So injured by damp as to be almost illegible. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 383.] |
July 24.
Firando. |
1148 .John Osterwick to Rich. Wickham. Since his last two Holland ships have arrived. Intelligence that Capt. Larkin is dead; that Denton and Antheuniss are gone for the coast; Gourney and Sheppard at Bantam, and Farie principal at Siam, there being only one merchant left in Patani. “Our junk” is arrived, but with such small hope of profit that he does not think she will be set forth again by the English. “I think little good will be done this year for any of us.” It is not small to serve two ships and one junk. Daily expects to hear from Langasaque of the arrival of two junks. Furnando is come in the junk with Capt. Addames from Siam. [One page and a quarter.O.C., Vol. IV., No. 384.] |
| July ? |
1149 .Sir Thos. Roe’s answers to objections against the removal of the residence of the English from Surat to Goga. The objections are that it may be said it will displease the Prince, and that he will seek to revenge it; that Goga is a poor town, unfrequented, and in danger of the Portugals, who burnt it in the last breach; that it is not so fit for the vent of three main commodities of the English, coral sold to [the King of] Deccan, lead, and [elephant’s] teeth; and that it is not so well “seated” for provision of cloth to be sent to England and the southward. [Two pages. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 385.] |
