|
|
Feb. 2.
Whitehall.
|
28. Sec. Sir Ralph Winwood to Sir Dudley Carleton. Incloses
petition from Wm. Carmychel to the King who has once written to
the States to this purpose, and doth not hold it honourable to give
any more letters under his royal hand for so small a matter.
Carleton is therefore directed to deal effectually with the States so
that petitioner may not to be turned over to a tedious course of law,
which he is unfit to undergo. Incloses,
|
28. I. Petition of Wm. Carmychel to the King's Ambassador
(Carleton). That he will obtain from the States their
determination in his cause, and procure him satisfaction
without any more course of law, conformably to the King's
letters to Carleton. Annexed are four papers in reference
to his case [Holland Correspondence].
|
Feb. 2.
|
29. "A note of all our men's names which did belong to the Swan
when she was taken by the Hollanders the 2nd of February
1616"-7 ; together 54, : also "The names of them which we have
lost since we were taken" viz : those slain in the ship, who died
at Banda, and were lost at Hitto, Machian, Taffasoll and Tabilolo,
together 32. [Two pages. O. C. Vol. IV., No. 443.]
|
Feb. 4.
Westminster.
|
30. The King to Sir Thomas Roe, "our Ambassador resident with
the Grand Mogul." His advertisements have given the King "very
good contentment, being resolved to retain in a gracious memory
the diligence and dexterity which you have used in your negotiations
there." Approves of the "entrance of a treaty" he has begun with
the Sophy of Persia for opening his gulf and enlarging the English
trade in his dominions, especially for the commerce of silk. Authorizes
him to dispatch into Persia fit persons with instructions
from the East India Company to ripen that business and to conclude
a treaty of commerce "without further circumstance" which "shall
be by us forthwith ratified." [Half a page. East Indies, Vol. I.
No. 57.]
|
Feb. 7.
|
31. Agreement with Khoja Arab for the letting of a house at
Surat to Thos. Kerridge, for three years or less time. [One page
O. C., Vol. IV., No. 443 + 1.]
|
Feb. 8.
London.
|
32. John Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton. Our East India
Company are in great bravery, having closed their books for underwriters
the last of January and find adventurers for 1,400,000l. for
the four following years, which in truth is a very large sum and a
great deal more than was expected, but divers have underwritten
for 10, 12, and 14,000l. a piece. [Extract from DOMESTIC, Jac 1.,
Vol. 90., No. 53. Cal., p. 432.]
|
Feb. 10.
Swally Road.
|
33. John Browne to the East India Company. The climate and
its effect upon the health of the Company's servants. The people
faithless, inconstant, and covetous, the greater sort cruel and dishonourable
in all their actions. Extortions in Cambaya, Ahmedabad,
and Baroach. The country full of thieves ; for number they
equal those in three or four Christian kingdoms. Violence offered to
the English. A house hired for 600 rupees. Exaction of customs at
Cambaya ; steps taken to recover some part. Mocrob Chan in
the writer's opinion not so bad as the Company have been informed ;
true, he is variable, but easy to be pleased if he be rightly
observed ; hopes to keep his affection to the English nation
with more profit and less cost than heretofore in Surat ; "yet
he is a Moor and therefore doubtful." Abdallah Chan's late
tyranny hath rather increased the number of thieves than prevented
their practices. Forced to guard their house by night. The
Mogul's death would put the Company's estate to greater hazard
than any other accident. No sales worthy a factory in Ahmedabad,
but the present Governor's long desired government gives him
better hope. Relation of traffic by former factors ; Wm. Edwardes
slow in all but his own ends. Fittest time for buying indigo.
Complaint of want of sufficient supplies. How to carry on a
profitable trade at Ahmedabad. Discommendation of Christopher
Farewell. Reasons for reformation of the long stay of the ships,
and many other points in connexion with trade. Danger in the
transport of goods. Reasons for approving the factory of Ahmedabad.
[By a marginal note it appears that the Ambassador, Sir
Thos. Roe, was against the continuance of this factory. "The private
trade of the mariners causes them to neglect their duty." Six pages.
O. C., Vol. IV., No. 444.]
|
Feb. 21.
Surat.
|
34. Consultation held in Surat by Thos. Kerridge, agent, John
Browne, Wm. Methwold, Thos. Rastell, Thos. Mitford, Thos. Jones,
John Crouther, Robt. Younge, Ant. Wallis, Wm. Polhill, Henry
Woodroffe, and Jas. Bickford, merchants, with Christopher Farewell,
"sometime the Honourable Company's servant intruded into the
consultation." Accusations against Farewell for his many abuses
in the factories ; his wages allowed him and leave to return to
England. Upon reading a letter from the Lord Ambassador persuading
the dissolving of the factory at Ahmedabad, it is resolved
to continue the factory. As to the factors providing the goods
ready for the ships' expected arrival and their more speedy dispatch.
The multiplicity of under factors and attendants who might be
spared. Robt. Hutchinson to remain at Surat. Leave to Lawrence
Walldo to return to England and to Wm. Partridge to go
southwards. Thos. Armstrong engaged to serve the Mogul as
a musician, but since dismissed, permitted to go southwards.
Five hundred [elephants'] teethto be sent to Burrampoor, and John
Crowther appointed second to Banggam to go with them. Thos.
Darly, preacher, to be paid his salary. Signed by those above-named,
except Crouther, Younge, Woodroffe, and Bickford. [Four pages.
O. C., Vol. IV., No. 445.]
|
Feb. 24.
Surat.
|
35. Consultation held in Surat by Thos. Kerridge and the agents
before-named. Resolved to send a ship as requested to the factory at
Masulipatam. The factory at Calicut to be removed or continued,
as the factors "shall find hope of benefit." Concerning the goods
of John Midnall deceased. Allowance to [Wm.] Martin. The
expenses of John Crouther in his journey from Ispahan to Ajmere
to be audited. Salaries of the factors to be paid at the rate
of 4s. 6d. per ryal. Robt. Younge referred to the Company in
London for satisfaction of his goods, sequestered with those of
Thos. Mitford. Leave to Rich. Lancaster to return home. [One
page and three quarters. O. C., Vol. IV., No. 446.]
|
Feb. 24.
Succadana.
|
36. George Cokayne to the President or George Ball at Bantam.
Desires to be relieved from his charge as Mr. Gritt [Hugh Greete] and
himself cannot live together. How he has been "so cruelly vexed."
The factory but slenderly furnished with commodities. Difficulty of
effecting sales, the Dutch at Landak giving out that the English gold
"was nought and of our own making, which did make them refuse
it once or twice." In no case to send more Priaman gold. Cash at
such dear rates that they cannot find sufficient to buy themselves
victuals. [One page. Indorsed, "Received from Mr. Cokayne, 22
April 1617." O. C., Vol. IV., No. 447.]
|
Feb. 26.
(Surat.)
|
37. Thos. Doughty to the East India Company. Advice of such
things as he has taken notice of since his departure in the James
from Swally Road to Jask, as also during his residence there
and return to Swally. Death of the Governor of Jask and great
lamentations of the people. Jask a very poor fisher town, a mile
from the sea side ; there is a castle without ordnance, the walls of
clay, the gates and doors so weak that a man might break them
down with his foot. Enormous price of cattle and sheep. Provisions
should be taken aboard at Swally and Surat. Mogustan as
poor a town as Jask. Doubts the success of the trade in Persia.
Believes Connok would rather hazard ship, goods, and men than
be disappointed of his employment. Goods must be landed at
Ormuz ; danger of their being intercepted by enemies to the English.
Came to anchor at Swally 6th February, all well. [Three pages.
Indorsed, "Received by the Globe, 5th September 1617. Read in
Court, September 9th 1617." O. C., Vol. IV., No. 449.]
|
Feb. 26.
Surat.
|
38. Thos. Kerridge and Thos. Rastell to the East India Company.
Their letters of the 2nd November last will have informed the
Company of the then state of their affairs. Grounds for their
attempting a trade in Persia, chiefly on the Sophy's phirmaund
and Steele and Crouther's intelligence of the fitness of the
country for profitable trade with England. Inconveniences of the
want of money to provide goods in season. The plague at Lahore
and Agra has somewhat hindered sales. The whole cargo of cloth
in the James sent to Persia. Market for European goods, cloth,
ivory, quicksilver, vermilion, lead, sword blades : Hot waters,
knives, fowling pieces, drinking glasses, and glass ware by reason
of the glut, not at all esteemed. Damage to the goods through bad
packing. No sale for coral and coral beads. Price of amber
beads. Goods sent home in the Globe. Amount of stock received
by the present fleet. Success of their Persian attempt, according
to their desire and expectation. Have endeavoured to extinguish
the accustomed extraordinary charge in bribes and presents.
Differences between the Great Mogul's officers and the English ;
the Governor's return has adjusted them. The factory at Calicut.
The Solomon arrived in Masulipatam. Paul Canninge's goods. No
quantity of sugar to be procured except at 500 miles from Surat.
Midnall's goods. Concerning Capt. Hawkins' wife's father and
the broker Jadoe. A double stock necessary to carry on the
trade to profit. As to the maintenance of an ambassador and
so many factories. How the factory at Ahmedabad may be
dissolved. Rich lading of the Portuguese caracks. Trade between
Bantam, Sumatra, and Surat. Conclusion of peace between the
Mogul and the Portuguese. Have not this year been molested
by the Portuguese. Hints for packing quicksilver. Private trade
general among the seamen. Thos. Mitford and several other of
the Company's servants return home. Have provided goods for
Tecoe and Priaman. The Company's instructions for private letters
to be sent open not liked ; private conveyance will rather be
hazarded than that their letters should be exposed to general
censure. Have no shipping fit for discovery of Port Pequenia,
nor do they consider it a fit place for their trade, part of the
Ganges being commanded by the Portuguese ; postpone the discovery
for the next fleet. Complaints of the disorderly gentlemen
and landsmen who come out. As to the sale of the Unicorn's
horn sent from England. Deny the general charge of wicked and
notorious living at the factory ; affirm that the factors and factories
are as well governed as though they were in France or
nearer. Improvements effected by Kerridge. Embezzlement of
goods. Improvident use of the ships' provisions. Intention of
the Lord Ambassador to repair to Burrampoor for recovery of goods
extorted for bribes, &c., and for enlargement of their privileges.
Accounts transmitted prepared by Rastell. Factors deceased in
the Mogul's dominions this year ; Robert Gipps and Sam. Salstonstall.
[17 pages. Indorsed, "Received 5 Sept. 1617 by the
Globe. O. C. V., Vol. IV., No. 450.]
|
Feb. 27.
Succadana.
|
39. Ceo. Cokayne to Geo. Ball at Bantam or Jacatra. Bad behaviour
of Hugh Gritt [Greete], "a wicked prattling fool," better to
have given him double wages than to have sent him to Succadana.
In favour of [Geo.] Jackson. [One page. Indorsed, Received
22 April 1617. O. C. Vol. IV., No. 448.]
|
Feb. 28.
Aboard the
Charles, Swally
Road.
|
40. Consultation aboard the Charles by Capt. Henry Pepwell, Commander
of the Fleet, Thos. Kerridge, agent, John Browne, Thos.
Mitford, Wm. Methwold, Thos. Jones, and Wm. Polhill, merchants.
The Unicorn to go to Tecoe and Priaman, and from thence to
Bantam. W. Methwold to go chief merchant. The Charles and
the James to go to Masulipatam ; to touch at Calicut, and there
dissolve or continue the factory according to necessity ; Thos.
Jones to go merchant in the Charles, and Francis Futter in the
James ; Mathew Pepwell to be second factor in the James. Concerning
the satisfaction demanded for the junk laden with timber
taken by the James going to Persia. Names of persons appointed
to serve the Lord Ambassador to supply the place of those deceased.
[Signed by the persons above named. One page and a half.
O. C., Vol. IV., No. 451.]
|
Feb. 28.
Aboard the
Charles, Swally
Road.
|
41. Consultation aboard the Charles. Gregory Lillington, having
on Sunday the 16th February past killed Henry Barton, an
Englishman, in or near the town of Surat, received judgment of
death by the mouth of the Chief Commander, and is to be shot by the
musketeers of the guard. Signed by Henry Pepwell, Thos. Kerridge,
Ri. Hounsell, Alex. Childe, Nath. Martyn, Jno. Browne,
Wm. Methwold, and Wm. Swanley. [One page. O. C., Vol. IV.,
No. 452.]
|
Feb.?
|
42. Estimate of the benefit his Majesty may make by the trade to
the East Indies, and neither touch the King's honour, decrease his
customs, nor tax the Company with any charge or loss worth
speaking of, nor disturb nor alter the course they are now in.
[Two pages and a half. Domestic, Jac. I., Vol. 90, No. 54, Cal.
p. 432.]
|