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March 3.
The Hague.
|
288. Sir Dudley Carleton to [Sec. Lake]. Has already informed
him that the States, upon the King's recommendation, had given
Sir Thomas Dale his full entertainment, 1,000l., for the whole time
of his seven years absence in Virginia. Hears that he left the
States service the very day of the receipt of his money sans dire
adieu, it being given out that he is employed into the East Indies
by the King's command. Shall gladly receive some civil e cuse,
the King's name being interested both in Sir Thos. Dale's good
treatment by the States and in his ill manner of leaving their
service. [Extract from Holland Correspondence.]
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March 4.
Royal James.
|
289. Patrick Copland to Sir Thos Smythe. After their departure
from the Cape, there was on 6 August a total eclipse of the
moon about 8 at night, which continued from 8 to 12 ; she was
almost an hour in the eclipse and another in clearing ; the rest she
was darkened ; both before and after the eclipse she was so clear
that one might have read by her almost as well as at a candle.
Had all good and loving entertainment of the people at Mallalla
(Mohilla) ; a shot accidentally killed one of the country people,
but the King was satisfied it was only through the fault of the
gunner and presented them with beeves, &c. Captured a Portuguese
vessel, which they afterwards dismissed at Swally. Took
two English pirates in the act of chasing a junk at Gogo. Congratulations
of the Dutch. Mistress Steele brought to bed of a
boy at Surat. News by the Bee, returned from Persia, of a league
concluded and trade settled with the Sophy by Edward Connok,
who died with two or three other merchants before the Bee left.
The Lion fired by a piece ordnance and burnt in their sight, the
most lamentable fire Copland ever saw ; two men burnt alive and
three or four others scorched who died a few days after. Exhortations
of Mr. Golding, the gentlewomen's chaplain, at Surat, to the
fleet ; 200l. collected on their voyage for Wapping Church. Golding
left the fleet to go to Ahmedabad, "after the women," although
expressly forbidden by the commander and ordered to come aboard by
Capt. Schilling. So long as the Company choose preachers recommended
by noblemen's letters, how can they expect to be better
served ; beseeches the Company to send honest preachers or else to
send none, for how can they work faithfully in the factories when they
are dissolute themselves. "Memorable accident" related by Sir
Thos. Roe in one of his letters, of a Rajah, or great Prince, "a
desperate atheist," who died through one of his women plucking a
hair from his breast, which being fast rooted caused a drop of blood
to issue, and the wound gangrened incurably and almost miraculously ;
the rajah's lament that he had been a despiser of the
Godhead, and though a soldier that he should die by a wound less
honorable than from a lance or sword, "but now I confess that
great God whom I scorned needed no greater weapon than a hair
to revenge himself." [Two pages and a quarter. O.C., Vol. V.,
No. 625.]
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March 7.
Charing Cross.
|
290. Sec. Lake to Carleton. Has been told that his [Sir Andrew
Sinclair's] errand into the Low Countries was to have hired mariners
and masters to have sailed some ships of Denmark to the East Indies
and to have treated of an association with the States for that trade.
Secret intelligence received of his purpose before his arrival, and
prohibition to the mariners of that State to serve a foreign prince
in any voyage to the Indies. Carleton will know if there be any
such thing. [Extract from Holland Correspondence.]
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March 9.
Nangasaki.
|
291. Rich. Cocks to Robt. Burges in Chiampa by way of Cochin
China, by Ed. Sayer. No man will buy the wood Burges sent.
Eaton gone captain of the Sea Adventure to Siam, Jas. Burges, pilot.
Warns him against joining in war against the King of Cochin
China who has permitted the English free trade in his country,
but to return to Cochin China with the bearer, where he will
find Capt. Addames and Ed. Sayer, upon pain of being cashiered
out of the Company's service ; they will not see him want and
Burges may return for Japan in their company, [Half a page,
O.C., Vol. V., No. 626.]
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March 9.
Aboard the
Unicorn, Bantam.
|
292. Ric. Hounsell to Geo. Ball, at Bantam. The repairs to the
Unicorn finished ; desires instructions for her employment. [One
page. O. C., Vol. V., No. 627.]
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March 10.
Baroach.
|
293. Sir Thos. Roe to Capt. Pring. Complains of not having
heard from him or from Surat for more than a month. Is sorry to
hear that the Anne has no other cargo than the refuse of India.
Roe meddled not in the subservient parts of trade but left that to
the wisdom of the factors. Is confident "Surat will never be a
trade unless the Red Sea both supply it and awe the Guzerats."
Fears those at Masulipatam write at random or else great changes
have taken place there. Hears a fleet is preparing for the Dutch
plantation below that factory which Roe believes is worth nothing.
Greene is a most malicious knave ; he should be warned how he uses
Roe who has provided for his welcome into England. Reasons for
the Anne's keeping company to Dabul ; Joseph Salbanoke undertakes
the voyage. Haynes stands not upon place, and the old man
loves Roe. Pring is not so desirous to see Roe as Roe is to confer
with Pring. "God in heaven bless yon and send me once among
men for these are monsters, the trouble and false heartedness of
their own I will trample on in time, you know not these men nor I
hope never shall. The God of heaven again and again bless you
and all your fleet." [One page and three quarters. O. C., Vol. V.,
No. 628.]
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March 10.
|
294. Court Minutes of the East India Company, About the
purchase of the elephants' teeth bought by Hamersly, at Amsterdam.
About the building of the large ship, at Ipswich, by Browning, as
it will be three years before she can be ready. To confer with
Evelyn about the saltpetre from the east country which is very
dear. Sir James Cunningham commanded by the King to desist
from proceeding any further upon the new patent on his allegiance ;
the King very favourably disposed to this Company ; and though
the new company offered 5 per cent. custom for all goods brought
in by them, yet his Majesty would not be swayed by fair promises
against the East India Company, and assured them, that if any
beneficial grant should be made for Scotland prejudicial to this land
it would be cancelled. Petition of widow Phillips for the admission
of her son into the hospital. Those who made the Company's oars
being dead, whether they should be provided out of the East
country. Gratuity to Wm. Testin, to be employed in picking oakum.
Petition of Christopher Bricket for some constant employment,
having served six years without any certain pay, to be considered.
Overplus to be repaid to Jeremy Elwys. Motion on behalf of Henry
Warde, servant to Devereux Wogan, to have his freedom. Hukelye
to be treated with about the timber brought from Ireland. Gratuity
to Allen Cary. [Three pages. Court Bk., IV., 138-140.]
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March 12.
Aboard the
James Royal,
ready to set sail.
|
295. Thos. Keridge to the East India Company. Complains of
the long delays caused by "the customers" at Surat. Indigo bought
to lade the Bull. Three bales of goods sunk in the boat at the
shore side. Allowances to the factors who return in the Bull.
Thirteen chests of ryals go in the James Royal for Bantam, three
in the Gift for Sumatra, and two in the Bee for Masulipatam, besides
500 ryals delivered to the Anne for her provision. [One page
and a quarter. Indorsed, "Received 4 Jan. 1618-9." O.C.,
Vol. V., No. 629.]
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|
March 12.
Aboard the
James Royal.
|
296. Consultation by General Pring and the Surat Agency.
The Anne to sail directly for the Red Sea and there carry out
Ambassador Roe's instructions. Signed by Martin Pring, Thos.,
Keridge, and Thos. Rastell. [Half a page. Indorsed, "An alteration
of the Anne's going to Dabul." O.C., Vol. V., No. 630.]
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|
March 13.
Aboard the
Unicorn.
|
297. Declaration of the crew of the Unicorn, addressed to President
Ball and Council, at Bantam. That Richard Hounsell, appointed
commander of the Unicorn by Capt. Henry Pepwell, never
insinuated with any of them or desired their assistance to maintain
him in such authority. [Signed by all the crew or with their marks.
One page and a half, O.C., Vol., V., No. 631.]
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March 14.
Aboard the
James Royal.
|
298. Commission from Martin Pring, commander of the Fleet, to
Capt. Andrew Shilling of the Anne Royal bound for Mocha, in the
Red Sea. To observe carefully Sir Thos. Roe's instructions to
initiate trade in the Red Sea with their friends and to surprise
their enemies. [Half a page. O.C., Vol. V., No. 632.]
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March 15.
Aboard the
Unicorn at
Bantam.
|
299. Ric. Hounsell to President Ball and Council. As to the
speech delivered by the President aboard the Unicorn, whether Ball
was the lawful successor of Capt. Wm. Keeling and whether they
purposed continuing Hounsell commander of the Unicorn ; has no
intention of resisting Ball's authority, but is resolved not to give
up his command until he has sufficient warrant under their hands'
to do so. Begs them to consider the consequences of displacing
him. [Three quarters of a page. O.C., Vol. V., No. 633.]
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March 16.
[Anne Royal]
at sea, to the
southward of
Damaun.
|
300. Mathew Duke to the East India Company. Abstract of
his journal of the voyage outward. Refers to Capt. Addames for
what was done at the Cape. Kind entertainment by the King of
Mohilla ; one of the country people accidentally shot. The King
and a pilot, who was with him, told them this rode was nought
and therefore called the Devil's harbour. Capture of a Portugal
junk belonging to the captain of Diu, with forty tons of elephants'
teeth and about 8lbs. of gold and ambergris. Consultation in reference
to allowing two junks they had chased to escape. Arrived
at Swally 20 September, whence the writer was sent to Ahmedabad.
Mocrob Khan would have the making of all the indigo and buy all
the herbs of which it is made. Jas. Bickford and the writer sent to
Cambaya for indigo but none there worth sending home. From
Ahmedabad went to Baroach where he saw the goods through the
custom house and then left for Surat. Commendations of the Lord
Ambassador (Roe), though he is of opinion it will not be for the Company's
profit to maintain an ambassador in these parts. Steele gone
to Agra ; news, that he and Frances Webbe were married at the
Cape, by Mr. Golding, Capt. Towerson the only witness. Long detention
of the Company's ships in these parts caused, as these factors
allege, by the want of provision of stock before hand for their lading.
[Five pages. Indorsed, "Received 3 January 1618-9." O.C., Vol. V.,
No. 634.]
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March 17.
|
301. Court Minutes of the East India Company. No commission
to be allowed Hamersley for purchase of the elephants' teeth, seeing
others write for commodities without expecting profit for their
pains. Letter read from the Lord Chancellor [Bacon] to the
Governor, "desiring him to proceed to let his Lordship be admitted
into this Society, which motion seconding the former gracious
speeches delivered by his Majesty (and honorable reports given by
many of the Lords of the Council of his Majesty's constant resolution
to preserve and maintain the privileges and honour of this
Company) gave good satisfaction, both of his Majesty's and their
Lordships' favour, and doth infer that the troublesome business
for the Scottish patent is ended. This Court approved of his
Lordship's request, desiring Mr. Governor to admit of him and of
his adventure." Petition of the inhabitants of Stepenhreth [? Stepney]
parish, on behalf of Margaret May for two months' pay, from the
wages of Oswald Gibson, carpenter in the "James," for the maintenance
of his child. Langley's business to be concluded. [One
page. Court Bk., IV., 140-141.]
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|
March 18.
Aboard the
Royal James at
Swally.
|
302. Capt. Pring to the East India Company. Journal of voyage
outward. Many of the rich goods damaged ; all the soldered heads
of the strong water bottles loose through the extremity of heat in
the hold ; the gold lace fallen off and discoloured by damp, but well
repaired by Jas. Troughton, showing how necessary it is to have
men of all occupations on these voyages. Capt. Towerson's maid,
Mrs. Francis [Webbe], found to be with child by Steele ; being
examined they both confessed to having been lawfully married before
leaving England ; cannot but admire Steele's foolish insolence, who
has attempted what Capt. Keeling durst not presume to do ; how fit
Steele will be to perform his business with a clog at his heels, Pring
leaves to the discreet consideration of the Lord Ambassador. Arrived
at Saldanha, 22nd June, with the Anne ; the Gift, the Bull,
and the Bee had arrived the day before ; found the Hound there ;
the Hope left for Bantam in May previously, and by letters and inscriptions
on the rocks had notice of the Dragon and Expedition
arriving from Bantam in January 1617 and leaving for England in
October following. Other ships which have sailed outward and
homeward ; obliged to use force at Saldanha to get a supply of
beeves and sheep ; eighty English and twenty Dutch men landed for
that purpose who returned with 140 beeves and 200 sheep and
lambs, which overjoyed the hearts of his sick men, the owners receiving
brass in payment, to their hearts' content. Dispatched the
Hound for Bantam with six chests of ryals. Friendly reception
by the King of Mohilla, whose name is Fannomary Fannodell ; one
of the country people killed through the extraordinary negligence
of the gunner ; presents to the King of a vest, sword, and other
toys, "which gave him great content," in requital for beeves ; the
island yields plenty of beeves, sheep, goats, oranges, and cocoa nuts.
Exchanged knives and toys for coarse calicoes. Captured a Portugal
vessel bound from Mozambique to Diu, laden with elephants' teeth and
some gold and ambergris ; the Moors and Bannians set ashore from
the Portugal prize, and their goods returned to them, that it might
be understood the English would not pillage their friends but be
revenged on their enemies. Account of the capture of two English
pirates, the Francis, 110 tons, set forth by Sir Robt. Rich, and the
Lion, of 100 tons, belonging to Philip Bernardi, an Italian ; the
rescue of a junk belonging to the Queen mother, which they were
about to surprise, very kindly taken by the Great Mogul and the
great ones. Arrived at Swally with their prize 24th Sept. ; ships
found there. A chest of ryals and thirteen chests of ingots sent to
Agra, the rest of the ryals to Ahmedabad, by a convoy of 40 Englishmen
for better security. Congratulations of the Dutch factory on
the safe arrival of the English fleet. Loss of the Rotterdam, of
1,000 tons ; the captain, Peter Vanderbrooke, and his mariners
marched to Masulipatam, and had divers conflicts with the country
people by the way, in which they lost a few men. Murmurings of
the mariners for being debarred from pillage, which was freely
granted in former voyages. Sends description of sands and shoals
along the west coast of the Gulf of Cambaya, from Gogo, for the
benefit of succeeding voyages. The dangers of passing money to
Ahmedabad the cause of his hastening "this discovery." The Bee
dispatched to Jask after consultation by Sir Thos. Roe's orders ;
Edw. Monox with Francis Tipton appointed to go in her ; they
arrived 6th December, and found Connok returned from the Court
of Persia with the King's letter to his Majesty and ample capitulations
for a perpetual course of trade. Pley died 2nd Dec., and
some days after Connok and Tracy also died. Moghistan seven days
journey from Jask. Hopes the want of supply this year will be
fairly excused to the Shah, and such a cargo sent as may convert
the whole trade to England, and then it will be worth all the other
in India ; if not followed at once the Dutch will be found interlopers
there. Dangers of venturing in future to Jask with only
one ship. Understands by Mr. Hatch that there is a salt water
creek in the bay of Jask, twelve feet deep ; a little fort should be
built by the water side to repel the forces of the Portugal. Thinks
when he considers the remoteness of Jask from Ispahan and the chief
mart towns of Persia that they should always be confined to Jask.
The Lion prize accidentally burnt, several men lost their lives and
those that escaped lost all they had. Return of the Bee from Persia,
on 17th January, with the King of Persia's and other letters. The
Anne sent to trade at Mocha, the Dutch having been kindly
received as Englishmen. Steele promised to work wonders at this
business, but did nothing ; is now at Ahmedabad with Mrs. Francis,
who he calls his wife, and who the Lord Ambassador gave leave to
accompany Mrs. Towerson and Mrs. Hudson thither, on condition
that she went as Mrs. Towerson's waiting gentlewoman. Hears
that Capt. Towerson is weary of his new kindred already. Roe
writes that Steele is in public rebellion, that he has no allowance
from me "but follows the Leskar with a train that will soon
humble him." Golding, the preacher, went to Ahmedabad against
the Ambassador's command, in the disguise of a Moor's dress, but
from that day nothing has been heard of him ; supposes he is with
Steele and his wife. Commendations of Mr. Copland. The strayed
minister since returned to his flock ; has pardoned him in hopes he
will be a new man. Incloses Roe's instructions to John Hatch, for
Jask, and to Capt. Addames, for England. Merchants appointed to
the Anne. How the rest of the fleet are disposed of. [Eight pages
and a half. Indorsed, "[The original th]ereof came by the Bull
and now ye from Bantam by ye Lesser James 1619." This
copy was inclosed in Pring's letter of 23rd March 1619. O.C.,
Vol. V., No. 635.]
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|
1618 ?
|
303. Complaints by the Portuguese of the hostilities of the
English in the East Indies, committed by a fleet of six ships under
the command of captain Martin Prim [Pring]. Spanish. [One
page and a half. East Ind., Vol. I., No. 61.]
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March 20.
|
304. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Timber to
be sold to Sir Francis Fane and Sir Robert Brett, for the repairing
of Rochester bridge. Request of the Lord Chancellor [Bacon] to
adventure 4,000l. agreed to, "having found his Lordship very
honorable and expecting the continuance thereof as occasion hereafter
shall present." The Governor made known that his Majesty
had acquainted him by letter of a suit made for a patent for the
south west by a strait (beyond that of Magellan) discovered by
Isaac Lanneere [Le Maire], "a business that his Majesty hath a very
great affection unto, to have it brought to perfection, yet, unwilling
to proceed further than may stand with the good of this Company,
desireth to he informed of the state of the said business and to be
prepared with answerable reasons against the petitioners shall come
to propound their further suit." Committee appointed to confer
with Sir Thos. Dishington, Mr. Burlamachi, Sam. Deviscare, and
young Lannere "(who are all interested in the said business)" to
learn the particulars, the Company "esteeming it a project fit for
this Company to hearken unto, being to treat with persons of good
sufficiency, honesty, and understanding, that Mr. Governor may give
satisfaction to his Majesty accordingly." Report upon Nich. Sadler's
accounts and building a house at Deptford. Purchase of gunpowder.
The beams of the ships to be covered with thin sheet
lead to preserve them from decay, caused by the moisture of the
pepper and spices. Discussion upon the advisability of amalgamating
with the Muscovy Company ; committee to be chosen to
endeavour to effect the union of the two companies in a yearly
stock of 30,000l. for a certain term of years, and "wished to
have it remembered unto his Majesty that this Company had condescended,
conditionally, that his Majesty would be pleased to call
in the former patent and not to grant any other, hereafter, to their
prejudice, and to procure a proclamation, if it may be, to signify
his Majesty's intents, that those patents were never granted with
intent to disturb these companies in England. [Three pages.
Court Bk., IV., 142-144.]
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|
March 24.
Madrid.
|
305. Fras. Cottington to Sec. Lake. The King's officers have
compounded with Sir Robt. Sherley, who is allowed 1,500 ducats a
month, besides the rent of a house, and a coach to attend him, "in
which both the King and Sir Robert have made a good bargain."
As yet he has got no kind of answer to his propositions. His
brother, Sir Anthony, will go and live in the Canaries upon a pension
of 3,000 ducats a year, where "he shall be out of their sights, and
they free of his daily begging and importunities." The Lord Ambassador
[Digby] will give his judgment upon the proposition Sir
Robert Sherley makes for the good of his Majesty's service. [Extract
from Correspondence, Spain.]
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March 26-27.
|
306. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Woodall's
salary increased to 30l. a year, for his services as surgeon. The
extraordinary expenses of the buildings at Blackwall to be considered.
Report of Burrell on the means of saving the Company
500l. in the labourers' charges at the Company's wharves and on
the purchase of timber. Proceedings of the committees for the
yards at Deptford and Blackwall. Petition of the nailmakers for
the purchase of English instead of Flemish iron, which is bad. As
to the lease of a house, at Blackwall, in the possession of John
Lampier. Business with Lord Wentworth for the yards at Blackwall
to be concluded. Whether John Martyn should not be discharged.
Account of the profits of the Muscovy Company for the years 1608
to 1615, the highest being 90 per cent., in the years 1611 and 1612,
and the lowest 11 per cent., in 1614, but the business having been
ill managed most of those profits are swallowed up, yet the trade
not to be condemned, especially as it is said the Muscovy Company
has the sole trade into Persia ; proposal to join with them
discussed ; all of opinion that the two companies must join ; committee
to be appointed to determine the business, in conjunction
with one to be appointed by the Muscovy Company. As the Levant
Company will participate in the benefit of the disannulling of the
patent (granted to a Scottish East India Company), Mr. Leate is
requested to move that they contribute towards the charges thereof.
Minutes of a General Court. Sale of goods, with names of
purchasers and the prices. Consideration about joining with the
Muscovy Company ; efforts of the East India and Muscovy Companies
to overthrow the patent granted by the King for a Scottish
Company, successful ; his Majesty's assurances to uphold the reputation
of the two former Companies "and that if anything were
granted and found beneficial to Scotland, yet, if it prove prejudicial
to this Company he will cancel it" ; audience of the Governor of
the King, who, knowing the East India Company to be a strength
to his kingdom and honour to himself, wished that this Company
would concur with the Muscovy and both join to sustain each other ;
the proposal recommended by the Governor ; some against it, others
of opinion that, except the Muscovy Company be upheld, there will
be no East India Company long, because there cannot be sufficient
cordage provided without them, all agreed to recommend the consideration
thereof to a committee, those distrusting the proposal the
most to be chosen of the committee for the better satisfaction of the
generality ; Greenland to be included in the agreement; names of
the committee chosen. Adventures put to sale in the second joint
stock ; 200l. of Owen Saintpeere sold to John Langley for 16l.,
per cent. profit ; 200l. of John Derham to Thos. Keitley for 16l.,
per cent profit, also 300l. of same to same at 16l. 5s. per cent.
profit ; and 200l. of Mr. Deputy in the first joint stock to Fras.
West, a capital and a half having been taken out in commodities,
at 215l. per cent. profit.
March 27. Minutes of a meeting of the Committee about joining
with the Muscovy Company. The Governor having made known
sundry things that were thought fit to be concealed, at a public court
after long debate it was resolved to have the two companies join
equally in a stock of 30,000l. a year apiece, to continue the term of the
present East India joint stock, to commence from. 25 March last past ;
any of the East India Company to be permitted to adventure in
this present joint stock on a fine of 20l. ; committees to be appointed
to manage the business ; the inducements to the agreement being
his Majesty's desire and surrendering up the new Scottish patent ;
the Governor requested to solicit the King and the Council that
Sir Jas. Cunningham may make a surrender of his patent in form
of law. [Six pages and three quarters. Court Bk., IV., 144-151.]
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[1618
March.]
|
307. "The translation of a letter from the Duke of Russia to
the King's Majesty of Great Britain, sent by his Ambassador."
The great care of his Majesty's ambassador, Sir John Merricke, in
the businesses committed to his charge, which he hath very faithfully
and with great diligence performed. As touching the Persian
voyage, to grant the English merchants free passage through the
Emperor's countries to trade by the river Volga, as also to discover
the great kingdom of Cathay by the river Ob, "sorry we
cannot at present accomplish this desire through many occasions
hindering the same, the said voyage cannot go forward at the
instant, as hath been by us and our Council made known to your
ambassador and delivered to him the same in writing ; the like
concerning the discovery of the kingdom of Cathay through our
kingdoms of Siberia by the Ob." Desires the King not to take
this as a denial or excuse, but hereafter, as it may stand with
the convenience of his [the Emperor's] estate, will be ready to
perforrn the same. Desires some reasonable reconcilement may be
made between himself and the King of Poland ; when a settled
peace is made between them he will conclude about this business.
Has dispatched Sir John Merricke from his presence with all
honour to his Majesty, leaving it to his own choice which way he
will take for his own passage. [Six pages and a quarter. Indorsed
as above and, "Martii 1618." Russia Correspondence.]
|
|
March 28.
|
308. "Memorial, delivered by Sir John Merricke, of such points
as the merchants humbly desire their Lordships to speak with the
Muscovite Ambassador upon." As touching the Emperor's excusing
the passage by the Volga by reason of his troubles with the Pole,
it is desired by the Prince of Persia that the King will suffer his
merchants to settle a trade upon the sea coast at Jask, where
he has promised to transport all the raw silk of his country and
to grant English merchants free and large privileges ; but the
King was more desirous to have settled this trade in the Emperor
of Russia's dominions ; whether the ambassador has instructions to
treat in this business, and whether the Emperor will be content
without any further excuse to grant this passage by the Volga or
not to his Majesty's merchants. [One page and a half. Indorsed,
"28 March 1618." Russia Correspondence.]
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|
1618 ?
|
309. The Russian Ambassador to the Privy Council. In reply
to the preceding memorial. Desiring the King not to take the
Emperor of Russia's answer as a denial for English merchants to
trade by the river Volga into Persia, nor to take it unkindly,
but to let this business rest until such convenient time as the
Emperor of Russia may right himself against the King of Poland,
and come to some good end, and set his Highness' city of Moscow
in some reasonable stay. [Indorsed, "Persian [evidently by mistake]
Ambassador to the Lords of the Council." Four pages. Russia
Correspondence.]
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|
[1618
March.]
|
310. Reasons [by the English merchants] to induce his Majesty
to the loan of money to the great Emperor of Russia, now required
by his Ambassador. The ancient amity, of above threescore years,
between the two countries. The benefit of trade in the vent of
English commodities. The maintenance of shipping and the increase
of mariners. The needful and serviceable commodities of
those countries. The hopes of getting the trade down the Volga
into Persia which will be a great benefit in venting thither English
cloth and tin, from whence great store of silk, indigo, and other
rich commodities, now brought out of Turkey at a high price, will
be returned. The advantage the Hollanders will take if content
be not given to the Emperor of Russia, they purposing to send
an ambassador to Russia who will make large offers to obtain
privileges to expel the English, and make England and all Christendom
beholden to them for materials for shipping. Lastly, if
content be given, the hope of preventing the Dutch from proceeding
farther into that country than Archangel. [One page and three
quarters. Indorsed, "Martii 1618." Russia Correspondence.]
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|
March 29.
|
311. Protest of Wm. Carmychell in reference to the seizure by
the Hollanders, of certain goods belonging to him in the East
Indies and in the castle of Amboyna. [See ante, Nos. 28, 58, 181,
225. Ten pages. Holland Correspondence.]
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|
March 31.
|
312. "Memorial of such things as are to be propounded to the
Russian Ambassadors." Whether they have commission to treat
or conclude touching the trade into Persia by the Volga ; the treasure
to be issued from hence in two years ; what security they
offer and when the repayments to begin. The laws not allowing
the export of bullion the value is meant to be represented in commodities.
[Draft in Calvert's hand. Half a page. Indorsed as
above and "ret. March 1618." Russia Correspondence.]
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[March 31.]
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313. Questions to the Ambassador of Persia. Fair copy of the
preceding. [Indorsed, Persia, evidently a mistake for Russia. The
endorsement is in the same hand as No. 309, where a similar mistake
has been made. Half a page. East Indies, Vol. I., No. 62.]
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March 31.
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314. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Sir Robert
Mansell commended for his extraordinary pains in procuring the
bringing in of the patent, and for the satisfaction he has given to
sundry of the Lords in clearing many doubts and objections against
the patent. Members of the East India Company, adventurers in
the joint stock and not exceeding the number of twenty, to be admitted
to the freedom of the Muscovy Company on payment of a 20l.
fine, and to join with assistants of the Muscovy Company to manage
the business between them. Abuses against the Muscovy Company
at home and abroad to be amended. Sales of adventures : 215l. 10s.
per cent. bid by John Langley and 216l. per cent. by Rich. Giles for
adventures in the first joint stock ; and 16l. 5s. and 15l. 15s. profits
per cent. bid respectively by Arthur Robinson, Wm. Allot, Wm.
Cocks, and Rich. Bennet for adventures in the second joint stock.
[One page and a half. Court Bk., IV., 151-153.]
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March.
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315. Thos. Wilson to the King. Sends letters from [Japan] the
most remote part of the world, which were more than two years coming.
No true relation of the greatness of the Princes of those parts by
our cosmographers or any other writers. The writer gives particulars
of wars wherein 300,000 are slain at a time ; a King's court
of 100,000 men continually resident, his palace capable of lodging
200,000 men, far bigger than the city of York. Immense cities,
temples and "colossoes," greater than Rhodes and many other
wonders. The Jesuits banished and severity used to those who
have perverted the natives from their former religion. Abridgement
of our merchants and all strangers privileges. Describes the
papers enclosed ; the long scroll of fine paper, one of their annual
almanacks, shows their characters and manner of printing ; a
relation of the greatness of the states and revenues of all the nobles
under the Emperor of Japan. The writer also saw the Emperor go
hunting with above 10,000 men in suite ; he sets down the species
of their game and the punishment for destroying it. [Indorsed by
Wilson, "An abstract of letters lately arrived from the East Indies,
from Mr. Cox, written from Japan to myself in Jan. 1616-7, and
arrived here in March 1617-8, which his Majesty read and discoursed
with me about them, but could not be induced to believe that the
things written are true, but desired to speak with the writer when
he comes home, who I told him is very shortly to return ; he is
the chief factor for the East India Company, and hath been in
those parts almost seven years last past." Domestic, Jac. 1., Vol. 96,
No. 96, Cal., p. 531.]
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March ?
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316. List, by Sir Thos. Roe, of goods proper for presents and
for sale at the Court Factory. These include knives of the largest
size, swords, pieces of gold and silver cloth, gold, velvets, and
satins, silk stuffs ; a light Hague armour, engraved and gilt ;
a rich field furniture and saddle, with plumes ; black and
white well cut agate figures, neatly set in enamelled frames ;
emeralds ; a suit of arras of four pieces for the King ; cross
bows ; looking glasses ; forty pictures on cloth, to be rolled ;
imagery in iron, brass, crystal, or stone, curiously cut ; china ware ;
embroidered silks, in flowers with birds and antique works ; nickknacks,
as needlework, purses, gloves ; wines, strong waters ; various
kinds of dogs; ostrich plumes ; handsome halberds. "These people
are very curious and can judge of workmanship well, but you must
fit them with variety, for they are soon cloyed with one thing." [One
page and a half. O. C., Vol. V., No. 636.]
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March ?
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317. Advice, by Sir Thos. Roe, of goods and presents fit to be
sent from England to Surat. The goods include broad cloths of
various colours, coral, lead, quicksilver, vermillion ; but not wine,
hot waters, swords, knives, unless large and rich, or glasses, or "any
such like trash ;" pearls and chains of pearls, rubies and other
precious stones ; recommends a rich stone, worth 20,000l., to equal
the Portugal, to be sent over, which would give the Company great
profit and credit ; dares be bound that 100,000l. worth of large
size precious stones would sell at a profit, and without which the
King will be weary. Is persuaded the Tower could furnish the
Company with many great old stones that are useless. Arras,
satins, gold lace, shirts of mail, light, arrow proof, and well made,
embroidered coats of Indian fashion, quivers, for bows and arrows,
of Indian fashion, all kinds of embroidered needlework. Presents
should not be made to the King every year, but once in three
years a letter and a good present ; precious stones welcome to all
Cloth of gold and silver and fine ware, to the value of two or three
thousand pounds, should be provided yearly ; is sure all will be
bought and the King better content, for all their trouble is about
the presents. Aseph Khan first gave Roe this counsel, telling him
the English were fools and had brought up a custom to their own
hurt, the King expected nothing of the merchants but to buy ; none
practised it, neither the Dutch, Persian, nor Armenian merchants.
Fit presents for the King, once in three years, four or five of the
things mentioned, with one of good value. Pictures of all sorts, if
good, in constant request ; some large story ; Diana this year gave
great content. List of goods from the southwards which give good
profit ; these include spices, china dishes, and all sorts of fine ware
and gold embroidered taffetas. [Three pages. O. C., Vol. V.,
No. 637.]
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March ?
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318. Some account of the territory and trade of the islands of
Sumatra, Borneo, Timor, and Sillore [Solor]; of Siam and several
places on the Indo Chinese continent, of kingdoms and provinces in
India, of the island of Ceylon, and Cochin China. [Six pages. O. C.,
Vol. V., No. 638.]
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