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Feb. 16.
Ahmedabad.
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276. Sir Thos. Roe to Sir Thos. Smythe. The people weary of
the English ; the King hath no content ; he expects great presents ;
no trade but what feeds his insatiable appetite after stones, rich
and rare prices of any kind of art. His promises not to be relied
on ; "fear only keeps us in, and until they feel us once more and
that his own subjects petition for us, we shall never obtain more
than to rull out in a chargeable trade." "To give you testimony of
your power in me, I changed resolution to stay this year, which will
fulfil my banishment of five years." The presents sent this year
were too good ; wishes no more to be sent in the King's name ;
until the whole course be changed, the merchant that goes to court
to show his goods will give one toy for his entrance ; this will be
less trouble and charge, they have got into a custom of slavery now
duly expected. Is not desirous of command over his servants.
Certifies to Mr. Kerridge's services. Has received some tokens from
the Company. The pearls are either over-rated or dearer in England
than there. Expressions of gratitude for his love and kindness:
"If I live you shall find what impression your love hath made in
me, and if I die you shall lose more than yet you know of, because
you cannot know my heart." The ship sent out by Roe in which
Smythe was an adventurer is returned rich ; he left all her papers
with Sir John Brookes. Money matters ; is not yet so rich as to
send home any. The privileges for trade to Persia are very good,
but the port and ground to proceed in the trade yet uncertain. His
own and Mr. Kerridge's proceedings in that business, "be for love to
his own project, I for your general good." Has sent home Anthony
Wallys and some others. In reference to Mr. Steele who brought a
maid of Capt. Towerson's to sea and married her at the Cape under
a bush, and their intriguing themselves into the King's favour ; he
dares not trust him with goods seeing he will follow the court with
his wife ; "I assure you he is now our affliction, and may be my
shame for ever yielding to suffer him to land." Capt. Towerson
pleads leave to trade ; he will be deceived in expectation of his
friends. Roe's surgeon, Greene, and one Hill, late servant to Sir
John Scott, have obtained passages ; the former is a slanderous,
drunken, malicious knave, the latter a vain idle boy ; wishes Greene's
goods may be seized until he be humble and confess his dishonesties.
Is infinitely weary of this unprofitable employment ; the success is
not what he aimed at or has had in other employments, "but he
that will please all men can never please the honestest." [Three
pages. East Indies, Vol. I., No. 59.]
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Feb. 16.
Firando.
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277. Edmund Sayer to Sir Thos. Smythe. His last letter was
dated 26 January 1616-7. Arrived in Cochin China 22 April
following, and received message from the King that they were
welcome into his country, and should be well housed and should
trade for anything his country afforded. Inquired very diligently
concerning the death of Peacocke and Walter Carwarden ; their
host, a japanner and a mandarin, now secretary to the great King
"the greatest occasion of their making away" because of their
money and goods. It is said that Peacocke set the King at nought,
tore the commission which he had given him, and trod it under his
feet, besides giving them threatening speeches. How they cunningly
got Peacocke to go up the river to Miako with a parcel of silk,
"stumbled his boat and overset him into the river and afterwards
killed him with their lances in the water, they presently reporting
that they were cast away by mere mischance." Carwarden who
stayed behind to look to the house, escaped aboard a junk to save
his life but was cast away in a great storm. The japanner,
Peacocke's murderer, fearful the writer would seek justice from the
King, secretly left in a vessel with 30 other Japanese and put into
China not far from Macao where all their throats were cut by the
Chinese. How the mandarin secretary prevented their going to
the King, being fearful of losing his head, but obtained very large
privileges for the English to trade and settle a factory. The King
much displeased they were not suffered to go to him themselves
saying he desired much to see their nation ; hopes to see the King
next year. Commodities he has sold and bought. A bag of money
stolen through the wall of his house, made of reeds. Intends
going again this year to Cochin China with a cargo of money to
buy silk when he makes no doubt of recovering the lost money.
[Two pages and a half. Indorsed, "Received by the Little James
from Bantam. Peacocke slain and Edmund Sayer cozened in
Cochin China." O. C., Vol. V., No. 617.]
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Feb. 17.
Firando.
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278. Rich. Cocks to the East India Company "by the Advice by
way of Bantam." Addames has sent 50l. more by this ship to be
paid to his wife in England besides the three score he sent in the
Thomas last year, out of which the Company may pay themselves
the money lent to her ; he also gives humble thanks for the care
they have had of his poor wife in his absence. Sends note of
monies received by Ed. Camden at Bantam out of the Clove,
Hector, and Thomas ; also copies of the journals to Geo. Ball to go
by first conveyance to England. Wickham goes in this ship for
Bantam ; does not know whether he will return to Japan or go for
England. Account of Japan plate sent over. Addames has
written to the Company and delivered his letter to [Capt John]
Totten. [One page. O. C., Vol. V., No. 618.]
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Feb. 18.
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279. Wm. Nealson to Geo. Ball, agent at Bantam. Complains
of the turbulent spirit of Totten. Disputes between Capt. Cocks
and Wickham. [One page. O.C., Vol. V., No. 619.]
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Feb. 20.
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280. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Charge to
Sir Thomas Dale, Capt. Wm. Parker, and Capt. Jourdain to
seek trade at the Moluccas and there to endeavour it by all means
possible and not to be put by with threats or attempts of the Dutch.
Sir Thos. Dale to be informed how distastefully the Company take
his employing his money in private trade in the Indies contrary to
his promise and bond. A day to be appointed for the departure of
the ships and Sir Thos. Dale to have notice. Application for the
freedom of Thomas Mustard. Request of Christopher Brooke for
payment of a debt of 1,000l. out of the means of Sir Thomas Roe,
granted. Lutterford's accounts to be examined ; debt due for Canada
voyage. Thomas Span, gunner, dismissed for his drunken and
mutinous character. Claims upon the estate of Aldworthe for
certain indigo, and during his shrievalty, to be examined into.
Differences between the widows of Robt. and John Walldo, to be
determined. Request of Wm. Russell touching his debt to the
Company. 100l. paid to Bucket, the painter, and another, for
painting and guilding the Moon. [Three pages. Court Bk., IV.,
127-130.]
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Feb. 21.
Jacatra.
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281. Nich. Ufflete to Geo. Ball. His last was by Master Roberts by
the Rose. The Dutch report they have trade at Acheen, at Priaman,
and at Tecoe. Hears flying news that the Hollanders are to remove
from Bantam to Jacatra. [Half a page. O.C., Vol. V., No. 620.]
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Feb. 22.
Firando.
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282. Rich. Cocks to Sir Thos. Smythe. The Advice obliged to put
back through stormy weather. The Sea Adventure bound for Siam
still at Xaxma [Shashma]. Death of Edward Willmot, at Bantam,
purser in the Advice ; a legacy of three pounds left to Cocks to be
paid to him in England. Intends going to Langasaque (Nangasaki)
when the weather permits to dispatch Ed. Sayer towards Cochin
China, and to get his Majesty's letters to the Emperor of China
translated. [One page. O.C., Vol. V., No. 621.]
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Feb. 23.
Jacatra.
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283. Wm. Wilson to Edward Longe, merchant, at Bantam. Ufflete
seems very much discontented with Longe. Report that a peace
was concluded three months since between the King of Siam and
the Ava, which has given up to the Siamite, Jangama and other
places that he had formerly conquered. Desires to be commended
to Mr. Barker. [One page. O.C., Vol. V., No. 622.]
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Feb. 24-25.
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284. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Letter read
from the Lord Chancellor [Bacon], of thanks for having admitted
his servant Wooder a free brother, and allowed him to adventure
1,000l., "which his Lordship would be ready to deserve and
confirm by some real testimony unto all the Company in general,
or to any of them in particular as occasion shall be offered." Yearly
allowance granted for the maintenance of Aldworthe's children.
Lutterford's accounts ; Russell's business concluded. An eighth
part of the stock, or about 204,000l., to be called in for adventure
this year ; resolved not to proceed any further this year in the
Persian business until some more certain news be received from
thence. No time to be lost in preparing ryals for next year.
Wm. Palmer's accounts to be examined. Sir Robert Rich having
set forth two ships for the East Indies and procured protection
from the Duke of Savoy, who has written to the King to permit
them to bring their goods to England custom free, and also from
the King of France, it was thought fit that both this Company and
the Turkey Company should prefer their petitions to the Privy
Council that he has sought foreign protection to the dishonour of
his Majesty, prejudice of their country, and great damage of both
their companies."
Feb. 25. Minutes of a General Court. Regarding the sale of indigo
and two fair cabinets gilded and inlaid with mother of pearl. An
eighth part to be brought in this year upon adventure. Half a
year's capital to be divided at Lady Day upon the old joint stock.
Sale of various goods, with the prices and names of purchasers, also of
adventures in the old and new joint stocks, the old at 214l. 10s., and
218l. per 100l. whereof 3 1/2 capitals have been taken, out, and the
new at 18l. 5s. profit per cent. [Five pages and three quarters.
Court Book, IV., 130-136.]
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Feb. 26.
Acheen.
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285. W[illiam] N[icolls] to [Geo. Ball at] Bantam. Replies to
charges against him of forgetfulness, in not having certified the sales
made by him, or the pepper bought for the ships lading, and in not
having laboured to redress abuses to the English at Deccan. The King
caused the Polema to be sent for to Acheen where Ball again moving
for redress, the Polema had his members cut off "which will be, I
hope, a scar to future wrongs, although small amends to the matter
of injury." The King has caused five hundred men to do nothing
but plant pepper these two or three years. These pepper trees
nearly destroyed by a wonderful fresh of water, "at which time
the Hollanders' house and goods were carried to sea with multitudes
of other houses and persons, one not able to save the other."
Arrival of two Holland ships, the chief captain, Cornelius Gomers,
bringing message from the Dutch President to this King to seclude
the English from trading at Acheen, Tecoe, or Priaman, which the
King told the writer of and grew in a great rage about. The Hollanders
allowed to bring one ship to trade but no time limited.
The King of Sollimatt sent Nicolls a letter and present, wishing
the English to settle a factory there and promising them kind
entertainment and freedom of trade, which the Hollanders have
often petitioned for, but been denied ; has resolved upon its being
a place worth looking after, as from Meslepatam (Masulipatam) to
send first over land ; yet, if factories be not better stocked than
they have been these last three years places of trade were better
left than sought after. Has lately heard from Richard Harness, at
Tecoe, that Millward, Pattesonn, and Geo. Pybourne are all dead.
All debts owing to the factory should be registered by the clerk
of the Custom House, which has not been observed. What may be
shall be carefully done for the continuance of trade at Tecoe ; yet
the King is very covetous, as are the people, and this place very
chargeable to continue in favour with King and nobles. [Two pages
and a half. O.C., Vol. V., No. 623.]
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Feb. 27.
Aboard the
James Royal.
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286. "A direction given by me, Martin Pring, captain of the
Royal James, and Commander of the Fleet, to Mr. Robt. Addames,
master of the Bull, now bound for England, to whom I wish a
happy return." Having doubled the Cape to water at Saldanha,
but for other refreshing there is little hope unless it please God to alter
nature in that savage, nasty, and brutish nation. The quilted coats
to be given to the mariners, to keep them warm, when they draw
near the coast of England. To be very careful to set a guard over
the passengers that came out of the men-of-war, especially Capt.
Joanes and Jas Moolan, though Pring is persuaded Capt. Joanes
would not attempt to escape. [Two pages. O.C., Vol. V., No. 624.]
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Feb. 27.
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287. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Evelyn to be
conferred with about the supply of powder. To conclude with
Browning about building a ship of 5 or 600 tons, at Ipswich.
Christopher Farewell's wages. Petition of Edward Lutterford to
have his brokes remitted. The Governor made known that he had
had some speech with the Lord Chancellor [Bacon], who "having
heard of the justice of this Company and their upright carriage in
managing their affairs, it hath drawn his desire to be accepted into
their society, which because he supposeth it will not be offensive to
have him admitted, he entreated that it might be with the like
favour and privilege for adventure that they have granted unto
some others his peers, whom although he will not strive to exceed
yet he hopeth of the like grace, being as ready and willing to
deserve it in public from the Company or in. any particular man's
private. And also to make his first year's payment presently as
others have done and the future at their several days according to
the Company's order. But whereas Mr. Governor objected some
doubt made that his Lordship would write more than he would
supply himself and give it away to others, he assured him of that
contrary, with promise to return so much unto the Company as he
shall not furnish in his own name, and never to dispose of any part
otherwise except to some godly use, as giving it to an hospital,
college, or the like, if God should take his Lordship out of the world,
which his Lordship referring to his letter unto the Company they
then purposed to resolve accordingly, not knowing how to deny his
Lordship upon his motion but willingly to give way thereunto."
Lady Winwood to be allowed to continue Sir Ralph Winwood's
payments in the new joint stock. Petition to be preferred against Sir
Robt. Rich, for endeavouring to disgrace and damnify the Company,
in causing sailors to be examined, searching into the Company's
actions abroad and trying to take all advantage against them. A
ship having returned from Ireland with timber for the Company, a
committee is appointed to speak with Lord Buckingham against the
imprest claimed by virtue of the proclamation upon the patent.
[One page and three quarters. Court Book, IV., 136-137.]
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