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Aug. 1.
Jacatra.
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392. Capt. John Totten to President Ball. The Trough, arrived
from the Moluccas and from Japara, with salt and cattle ; understands
from her skipper that three more ships are to come from the
Moluccas, laden with cloves, all to sail for Holland this year ; also that
the Hollanders have a fleet gone for the Manillas, the Spanish galleons
being cast away ; but the Dutch commander, John Derick van
Lame, is left sick at the Moluccas. News from the skipper of the
Green Dragon, that he had been aboard the James to see Capt.
Pring ; but he has since been warned by the Dutch President not
to go aboard any English ship. His own health much as it was ;
the physician has not the things he wants, and Totten is weary of
receiving the potions he is filled with. Remembrances to Capt. Pring
and Mr. Coytmore. [One page. O.C., Vol. VI., No. 673.]
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Aug. 1.
Jacatra.
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393. John Powle to President Ball. In answer to the charges of
ambition and malice brought against him by Ufflete ; rather than be
at any difference with him, is ready to undertake any other voyage
to give him content. [One page. O.C., Vol. VI., No. 674.]
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[Aug. 3.]
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394. Translation of a phirmaund for the English resident at
Surat to inhabit a house belonging to Cojah Arab for three years,
upon payment first being made of the price agreed on, but not
otherwise. [Half a page. O.C., Vol. VI., No. 675.]
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Aug. 7.
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395. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Letter read
from the Privy Council, desiring the Company "to favour the King's
purse so much as to take of some cordage ;" 100 tons to be bought
at 33s. per cent. Letter read from Christopher Farewell concerning
John Browne and himself. Gratuities voted to Ellam, Lanman,
Francis Sadler, and Mountney. 2,000l. more to be paid to the
Muscovy Company on account. Warrant to be procured to stay the
ship of Matthew Porter from sailing to the East Indies. Concerning
the purchase of a new ship. A special court to be convened to consider
the business between the Dutch and English in the Indies.
The loadstone not to be bought. Letter to be written to the officers
at Lynn, in Norfolk, to keep their eye upon Matthew Porter's proceedings.
Letter read from Capt. Gifford, bewailing his misfortune
in being "put from his voyage to his undoing," and requesting
assistance and employment. [Two pages. Court Bk. IV., 192-194.]
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Aug. 7.
Burrampoor.
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396. Nathaniel Halsteed to John Banggam at Agra. Endeavours
of Robt. Hutchinson and the writer to sell "the great English teeth."
Is informed the English are put out of their house (at Surat ?),
it having fallen to the Prince. Flying news that Capt. Shilling
"hath took great purchase," and that the Portugals have 14 great
ships and 100 or 200 frigates in Damaun, and have landed there
3,000 soldiers; there are certainly some preparations against the
English fleet. Complains of Spragge being employed by Sir Thos.
Roe, whose quality may favour those that tell tales, though never
such knaves. Expected the Dutch from Agra ere this. [Indorsed,
"Received in Connowaye the September, near Agra, 1618."
One page. O.C., Vol. VI., No. 676.]
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Aug. 8.
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397. Answer of the united companies of Muscovy and East
India merchants to a letter to Sir Thos. Smythe (see ante, No. 378).
In reference to the demands made by Sir James Cunningham,
[director of the Scottish East India Company] as by his accounts
referred to them by the King and the Privy Council, copy whereof
is inclosed. Inclose,
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397. I. "An estimate of what losses we conceive the new Company
may sustain by their provisions made for the Greenland
voyages." East Indies, Vol. I., Nos. 66-66, I.]
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Aug. 8.
Ahmedabad,
the chief city of
Guzerat.
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398. The Great Mogul to King James I. Acknowledges his
Majesty's letters of friendship and all the presents and rarities sent
to him, which he has accepted with much delight and love. Has
commanded that all English merchants should have freedom and
residence in his diminions, with liberty to carry on their trade ;
their ships to come and go wheresoever they choose. The great lord,
Aseph Khan, has been commanded to take this business into his care.
[Translation copy. In the handwriting of Sir Thomas Roe, with
marginal notes as to the translation, who has also indorsed it as the
agreement and contract made with himself, 8 August 1618. One
page. East Indies, Vol. I., No. 67.]
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Aug. 8.
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399. Copy of the preceding, almost word for word, but without
the marginal notes. [One page and a half. East Indies, Vol. I.,
No. 68.]
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Aug. 13.
Jacatra.
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400. Nich. Ufflete to President Ball. Broil between the Governor
of Japara and the Dutch, caused by the latter refusing to pay
duty upon rice, in which three Dutchmen were slain, the captain
and some seventeen more being bound hand and foot and carried
prisoners to the Matteram, who, as all men suppose, will "creise"
[a Malayan dagger] them. [One page. O.C., Vol. VI., No. 677.]
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Aug. 15.
London.
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401. John Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton. Here is loud
speech of ill measure offered by the Hollanders to our people, both
in the East Indies and Greenland. If matters be so foul as they are
made, it will be hard to reconcile them, and in the meantime it
breeds ill blood. [Extract from Domestic, Jac. I., Vol. XCVIII.,
No. 84, Cal. p. 565.]
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Aug. 15.
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402. Articles proposed to the Prince Sultan Coronne, Lord of
Ahmedabad and Surat, by the Ambassador, on the breach with the
Portugals. These consist of eleven articles, under which Sir Thos.
Roe has written,-"That which I demand is bare justice, and which
no man can deny that hath a heart clear and inclined to right, and
no more than the laws of nations doth freely give to all strangers
that arrive without any contract, and in no case so much as the
great King doth promise and command. If it please the Prince to
confirm these articles freely and without ill-meaning or collusion,
and to command that they be observed precisely, I shall rest content,
and shall give satisfaction to my Master and to my nation ; but if
not, and that any part be refused or written fraudulently, according
to former experiences, then I desire the Prince to take knowledge
that I will be free of my word given the great King in his
presence, and of all blame or inconvenience that may happen after
it, having given promise upon these conditions, or else to be at
liberty." Roe adds, that after almost three years' experience of the
falsehood of these people, who only seek their own interest and are
governed by private interest and appetite, he was forced to relinquish
many points often insisted upon when he could get nothing ; but
after many disputes he went to the Prince and had there read and
discussed the articles as follows :-The first, that the Prince should
publicly proclaim that he had received the English into his protection
and had concluded peace and amity with them, was wholly
agreed unto. The second, to lend frigates, was agreed to ; but in no
case would the Prince yield liberty for more than ten men to land
armed or to wear arms in Surat, instancing the disorders and quarrelling
of the English people, their offering to take Surat in 1616,
the fear of the English fortifying their house or surprising the
castle, and other foolish jealousies "arising from our own faults,"
so that Roe consented to the grant of ten armed men at a time, and
the resident merchants to wear arms, on condition that other articles
were granted sufficient for their security. The third article was
absolutely refused, that they should buy, build, or hire a house near
the castle or upon the water, but that they should rent a house in
the city. The fourth, that the Governor of Surat should receive the
English Ambassador with marks of honour, and his servants be
allowed perfect liberty, was fully agreed to. The fifth, as to their
taking the house of Cojah Arab, would not be allowed on any conditions,
because their earnest suit caused suspicion that it was the
ancient mint, that it stood against their great mosque, and the filthiness
done by the English against the walls offended the Moors, who
with reverence regard their holy places, and for fear that the English
intend to make a fort of it and annoy the castle ; so seeing the choice
of all the town was offered to them, Roe could show no material
reason why only that house would serve them. The sixth and
seventh articles, viz., that freedom of trade should be granted to the
English in the fullest manner on payment of the customs agreed to
by a former treaty, from which pearls and all other jewels were to
be exempted, and that the English might live in their own houses
and among themselves, according to their own religion and laws,
were agreed to. The eighth, that all causes of difference among
the English should be wholly referred to themselves ; but controversies
with Moor or Gentile should be referred to the Governor and
his officers, was agreed to ; but it was refused to deliver up any
English that fled under pretence that if they returned Moors they
could not refuse them protection ; to which Roe replied he would
never consent to any leaving his faith, for under that colour they
might rob. After much contention this point was yielded, because
Roe utterly refused all [the articles] if that liberty were left to any
misguided person. The ninth article, granting free liberty of speech
to the English linguists and brokers in everything on behalf of their
masters, was fully agreed to. The tenth was agreed to, that the
presents, after being opened and examined at the custom-house,
should be sealed and delivered to the English to pass duty free ; but
if "the said pretended presents" were not given they should either
pay custom or not be delivered to the English ; which, adds Roe,
though most base, and in our power to give any or none, he consented
to, but especially because else he could have nothing, "for
these presents trouble all our business." The eleventh and last article
for speedy justice in all causes of complaint or controversy, and protection
from all injuries and oppressions, was agreed to. A draught
to the above effect, given to the secretary writer of phirmaunds to
be digested into form, was sealed and sent to Roe, who, finding a
prohibition against any English landing in Surat, with or wearing
any sort of arms, Roe only excepted, with other show of wicked
cunning and malice, not once mentioning free trade or liberty to
pass without exactions, or any other point faithfully set down, Roe
having taken leave of the King and Prince, and not being able to
go and complain without leave, sent back the phirmaund, utterly
refusing to sign it. His reasons for so doing. To disarm the English
entirely was an unworthy suspicion of their ill intents. Roe could
not face his sovereign after having reported a peace with the Ghehangier,
who had given the English full liberty of trade, which was
now contradicted by an under treaty with the Prince ; he could not
command his countrymen to draw their swords in defence of the
King's and Prince's ships at sea, which Roe had promised, when the
Prince will not suffer them to wear their arms for their own defence.
No such condition was ever demanded in times of peace with the
Portugals, neither of the Hollanders, who had crept in and had offered
no service or assistance to the King. Roe has added a note, that upon
this a phirmaund was issued to disarm the Hollanders, and to prohibit
them or any other Christians from wearing arms in Surat. The
dangers to which the English were exposed by thieves on their
yearly journeys to Ahmedabad aud to other parts with great sums of
money and goods. Lastly, all other points agreed on being left out
or utterly falsified, showed ill meaning towards the English, and that
it would be better to deal clearly and prohibit them all trade, giving
them licence to depart, which Roe now only desired, and would
settle his people in Gogo and Cambaya under the King's protection,
whose grants were sufficient security to them ; that upon no terms
would Roe accept this phirmaund or stay in the port of Surat ; that
he recalled his promise given to the King, and protested he was
guiltless of all that would happen in consequence. A new commission
sent to the next fleet to disarm all the ships and frigates of the
Prince's ports was added by Roe to these reasons, and the original
sent to Surat to be published. These, with the phirmaund, all left
with Afzul Khan. Roe sent for in the night, and after large dispute
upon all the particulars, a confession that the phirmaund was not
written with good meaning, Roe covenanting that the English
should not land in a hostile manner to annoy the peace, and other
articles which appear in Roe's contract, a new draught was made
of all Roe's demands, which the next day Afzul Khan acquainted
Roe had given the Prince satisfaction, who sent him draught of
a new phirmaund, which the Prince had yielded unto; the first
time Roe ever got sight of any phirmaund before it was passed, they
always giving what they please. Had the draught translated, and
finding it according to promise, with a few immaterial omissions and
alterations, Roe was not willing to have a new brawl and the Prince
gone, so he took a copy and sent the other to the secretary with
warrant to pass. [Seven pages in the handwriting of Sir Thos. Roe.
See Bruce's Annals, I. pp. 203-205. O.C., Vol VI., No. 678.]
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Aug. 15.
Masulipatam.
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403. Wm. Methwold to the East India Company. His two
years' service in India have been almost equally divided between
Surat, Tecoe, Bantam, Masulipatam, and the sea. The Charles and
the Hope bound for England. Was chosen by the President of
Bantam, during his stay there, principal of the coast of Coromandel,
and arrived at Masulipatam 25 May, where they found two
Holland ships, the Bee from Surat then being in the road of
Pettapoli. His endeavours to gain experience before Denton's
departure. Arrival of a ship from Holland ; cannot advise her
exact cargo, as they do not enter their goods in the custom-house
as the English do, but pay a yearly rent to be free of all duties ; it
is intended to relade her with indigo, a coarse cloth used by
the Hollanders for Guinea, and cotton yarn, in all of which the
English cannot deal for want of the Company's allowance. Suggestions
for keeping up the factory and making it worth while to maintain
the extraordinary charges of it, which, if not adopted, he fears
the Company will find it as profitable to trade nearer home. The
Bee dispatched by Denton for Bantam 14 July. The insolency of
the Dutch, or the impotency of the English, will, Methwold fears,
altogether deprive the Company of the best part of their trade ;
the good prices at which spices sell ; the great profit first obtained on
porcelain has filled all men's hands with plenty, which makes theirs
not sought after. Inventory of goods remaining in the factory ;
prices given for lead, quicksilver, and vermilion. "Indeed this place
never yet (nor will it be better) gave vent to any quantity of our
commodity nor produced lading proper for our country." The
Pegu adventure accounted desperate by the undertakers. Will
send to Bantam the several sorts of goods required. R. Thomas
and W. Hughson from the Unicorn, and John Clarke from the
Bee, left to assist Methwold in the place of seven persons, of whom
two are dead, two gone to Pegu, and three are leaving with the
ship. Only (Thos.) Jones and himself, left as merchants, and at
Pettapoli Francis Futter and Mathew Duke ; has appointed Jeremy
Sayer, left by Capt. Pepwell, an assistant. In great want of the
Company's yearly letters of advice ; what they hear from Bantam
arrives ten months after it happens there. [Two pages. Indorsed,
"Of good importance." O.C., Vol. VI., No. 679.]
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Aug. 16.
Masulipatam.
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404. Thos. Jones to President Ball. The Bee sailed for Bantam
14 July. Denton ready to sail in the Unicorn with a large cargo ;
fearfully suspects the bad quality of some part, Denton presuming
on his own judgment alone ; his private trade. Sale of the spices ;
prices fallen. Henry Forest and John Stavely sent to Pegu to
recover certain moneys and goods and to sell some other goods ;
letters received by Denton from them in January and March last ;
wishes them safely returned. Commodities in demand and vendible
at Masulipatam. Methwold determined to wait a month for the
monsoon before sending goods to Tenasserim, Pegu, and other
ports, when the Moors' ships will be gone and cannot hinder them,
neither can the Hollanders, who are busy lading cotton yarn, indigo,
and a sort of cloth which Jones imagines will sell in Guinea or
Binney. Two-thirds of the capital left them will be ready for a
ship by the end of December, when he hopes one will arrive with
a larger capital than before. Capital now remaining in these
factories. [Three pages. Indorsed, "By the Unicorn ;-received
ultimo December the same year." O.C., Vol. VI., No. 680.]
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Aug. 17.
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405. Rajah Baga, Governor of Mocha, to Sir Thos. Roe. Joseph
Salbancke and Edward Heynes arrived at the port of Mocha in
April last ; they took a house of their own choice, and nothing they
demanded was refused. All the merchants of these ports and all
others are well satisfied with them. Desires to be friends with the
English nation, for the love of which the Governor petitioned the
great Bashaw and obtained security of trade for the English. The
port is at Sir Thos. Roe's service to come with one ship or ten ; they
shall be welcome, and whatever they need shall not be wanting.
Hopes Roe will write to him and command him in whatsoever he
requires, for the Governor's love to Roe and the English nation is
ancient, and that Salbancke will write to him in this year to come
and make the Governor understand all their desires. [O.C.,
Vol. VI., No. 681.]
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Aug. 17.
Jacatra.
|
406. Ufflete to President Ball. Audience with the King, who
sent for him, in company with Capt. Totten, and demanded the
news from Japara ; he also desired to buy two of the largest pieces
of ordnance from the French, "not honeycombed, but truly bored,"
and wished an English gunner to try them. The Dutch have
dispatched two ships for Japara, and they have three at the island
and in the road ; they have built a turret over their gate-house as
high as the English one. [One page. O.C., Vol. VI., No. 682.]
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Aug. 17.
Firando.
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407. Richard Cocks to Richard Pitt at Siam. Received the
goods according to invoice in June last. Accidents to the Sea
Adventure, in which Eaton went captain; to another junk which
sailed for Cochin China with Sayer and Robt. Hawley, and to a
third which was sent for Island Formosa, but returned without any
lading. No shipping arrived this year from Bantam, notwithstanding
Wickham sailed from hence the last monsoon. Two Holland
ships which were at Firando last year have returned and taken
fifteen or sixteen China junks with much riches, and also an
English ship, but not an Englishman in her ; the Hollanders say
she is one of three they took at the Moluccas, the Thomas, the
Solomon, and this one, the Attendance. Is secretly informed they
have also taken the Advice and the Rose, which was to have
come from Bantam, and have thrown all the men overboard. Is of
opinion the ship the Hollanders have now brought in is the Rose.
By general consent Cocks is now ready to go up to the Emperor's
Court to make known their thievery, Nealson to accompany him. Is
sorry for Johnson's death. As to Eaton or Osterwick taking Pitt's
place, has no order from the Company to furnish other factories with
men, but rather the President of Bantam, who has perhaps supplied
Pitt's wants before now by the way of Patani. Complains that
Geo. Savidge and another Englishman who came this year from
Camboja have not written to him. Regrets Robt. Burges' foolish
conduct. As to building a junk at Chiampa, the Company have
given strict orders not to build any. Is now ready to start on a
three, if not four, months' journey to Court. [Two pages. O.C.,
Vol. VI., No. 683.]
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Aug. 18.
Sambopa.
Macassar.
|
408. Thos Staverton to President Ball. Sent with his last a
letter from Mr. Courthope with copy of invoice of rice sent to
Banda ; and begged his remembrance for a piece of. ordnance for the
King of Tallo [Tolo]. Sends letter received from Banda (wanting)
by a Java who was present at the assault of Lantar by the Dutch,
who were soon repulsed with the loss of ten men, the Lantars
losing one man, and also reports, "which is not to be lamented,
if true," that the Hollanders were dying fast of a great rot
amongst them, as well the bacon-faced captains as the poor
soldiers and sailors. Sends letter received from Pooloroon with
copy of one from Nath. Courthope, who only writes concerning
the providing of rice ; the bearer of these, a Java, being off
Booton with a cargo of spices, was chased by the Hollanders, and
obliged, in sight of Sambopa, to sink their junk and all their
goods to prevent them being taken by "those hungry hounds."
Wishes the King of England would call them to account and
vindicate his own wrongs, "but, as the saying is, a dog hath a
day, and so I hope the like shall they." Hourly expects some
Englishman from Banda, with directions for providing rice. Needful
to supply this place with some cloth ; little left unsold. [One
page. Indorsed, "Received in Bantam, 7 September 1618."
O.C., Vol. VI., No. 684.]
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Aug. 18.
[Pooloroon.]
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409. Nath. Courthopp to [Wills, Churchman, Stacy, Lane, and
others, prisoners of the Dutch at Pooloway]. Is well satisfied with
their care in sending away the Bandanese out of the ship, considering
the impossibility of defending themselves against the force that
assaulted them, and wishes the Solomon had done the like. Sends
money and messages to Churchman, Stacy, Lane, Kellum. Has
written to Cassarian David touching the delivery up or keeping of
this island. Hopes by fair or by foul means to procure their release
shortly, but exhorts them in the meantime to bear their captivity
with patience. Has suffered as great a loss as any of them, for it is
well known Courthopp had nothing left but an old suit of apparel
upon his back. As to a certain boy sold by Henry Baker to
Churchman, although Baker gave the boy absolutely to Courthopp,
"it was such a brute as was not worth the keeping, which was sold
by Robt. Hayes for 30 cattes of mace." Hayes sends money to Lane
and Pettus. Special message with money sent to [Robt.] Jackson.
[One page. Indorsed, "Rec. 19 Aug. 1618." O.C., Vol. VI., No. 685.]
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Aug. 21.
Jacatra.
|
410. Capt. John Totten to President Ball. Has received his
case of bottles by Mr. Wooden. Sorry to hear of his many
troubles. Ufflete informs Ball of his having a parcel of goats
which cost nothing for their food, even if there were 500, but want
looking after. [Half a page. O.C., Vol. VI., No. 687.]
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Aug. 21/31.
Nangasaki.
|
411. Don Fernando de Figuero to Maestro Sers [Edmund
Sayer] at Firando. Regrets having no present to send him. Has
bought a little wine at the sale and sends it by his messenger. Asks
him to purchase for him some printed cotton or silk for a woman
and tell him the cost, which he will repay. Assurances of friendship.
[Spanish. One page and a quarter. O.C., Vol. VI., No. 686.]
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Aug. 22.
London.
|
412. Robert Bell to Carleton. A French ship lately arrived at
Dieppe from the Indies. Incloses the informations taken from three
of the principals in the ship concerning the differences between the
Flemings and us, whereby it will be seen that instead of enjoying
a profitable and peaceful trade, the English are now entering into
a bloody war. The Company, being composed of the greatest part
of the Privy Council, the nobility, judges, and gentry, and furnished
with an assured stock of 1,600,000l., will not endure such affronts
and disgraces as have been offered to them. Several overtures have
been made to the Company by the Spaniards and Portuguese ; the
Spanish Ambassador has been twice to Sir Thos. Smythe, and new
overtures have come from Lisbon ; "notwithstanding all these, we
like honest men have gone on with an inclination towards them
[the Dutch], because we were in treaty, and in the meantime they
most treacherously have taken and surprised our ships." Although
there was some kind of neglect when Carleton was last in England,
entreats him to take the matter to heart and give his helping hand
to so great and worthy a business, wherein the honour of their
country lies bleeding, and so many of his noble friends are engaged,
and doubts not but the issue will prove both honourable and profitable
to him. "Assist us with your best advice, and, if it be possible, to
dive into the secret of their intentions, especially what preparations
they make against next year, the number of their ships, the manner
and time of their going." What he writes is from himself, because
he has a good round adventure, but he will acquaint Sir Thos. Smythe
with whatsoever Carleton wills him to. [Indorsed by Carleton,
"Received the 27th," who has also written, "Merchants :-Bass of
Amsterdam, Merman of Delft, Borrell the younger of Zealand, and
Henrick Rier. States :-Gogh of Guelderland, Vanderdussen of
Holland, and Joachimi of Zealand ; the names of the Dutch Commissioners
appointed to settle the differences with the commissioners
on behalf of the English East India Company." Incloses,
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412. I. "Informations out of France betwixt the English and
Dutch merchants in the East Indies." At the departure
(of the French vessel) in December 1617 from Bantam,
eight English ships were there, named the Charles,
Unicorn, James, Hope, Dragon, Thomas, Solomon, and
a small one of 80 or 100 tons, which traded to the coast
of Java. The Greyhound left Bantam the 10th or 12th
Dec. for Jambi, carrying Ousawicq [Oxwick] to be chief
of the factory there. About Nov. (1617) the Dragon
arrived at Bantam from the coast of Coromandel ; learnt
from the English that she was old and leaky, and that they
had filled her with fireworks to burn the Flemings, their
enemies. The English daily expected their fleet from
Surat, which would greatly assist them in resisting the
Flemings. About July 1617 the Flemings forcibly took
two English ships in sight of Macassar, at which time
two English merchants, among others, were killed, and
the rest were cast into prison or put to the galleys.
The Flemings took the said ships, because, being at deadly
war with the Bandanese, they forbid the English assisting
them with any provisions or war material ; the Flemings
finding these two ships laden with provisions, took them
as their own ; had even forbidden that those of the Isle of
Banda should give themselves to the King of England,
and as a proof of this the principal persons of Banda,
amongst others the brother of the King of Banda, which
king was killed in the war by the Flemings, took refuge
with his company in the English house at Bantam,
taking the King of England for king and protector.
This was the origin of the war between the Flemings and
the English in the Moluccas. Relation of two quarrels
"during the time I remained in the English house in the
service of the Company," one caused by the Bandanese
testifying the friendship they bore to the English, and how
inimical they were to the Dutch on the purchase of fish
by the Dutch purveyor from the English maitre d'htel,
when five Flemings were killed, merchants and officers,
and a black slave of the Flemings, whose head a Japanese
cut off, and also an English writer was killed ; the other
arose when some Portuguese and Spaniards, who were
prisoners of the Flemings but had fled to the English,
were walking in Bantam ; a Spaniard was called by a
Fleming into a Chinese house where there were many
Flemings, which the other Portuguese seeing, ran to the
English, who armed themselves and forced the door of
the Dutch factory, killed three or four men belonging to
the Flemings, among whom was the captain of the
Japanese of the Flemings, and the Dutch purveyor received
a tremendous sword wound from Mr. Gris, which separated
his shoulders, "and he was not cured when we left."
The day previous to this dispute an Englishman was
killed, but by whom no one knows ; and as to the Portuguese,
the English took them to Sumatra, and there gave
them their liberty. The Spaniard taken by the Flemings
was found in their factory, feet and hands tied, in
pepper (dans un morceau de poivre). The Flemings
have likewise made every endeavour with the King of
Bantam to prevent the design of the English building, notwithstanding
these last were diligently building when
they (the French) left, which buildings were handsome,
being finished to the prejudice and heartache (mal de
cur) of the Flemings, taking away from them the sight
of the sea. What passed between the Spaniards and
Flemings at the Philippine Isles. The Flemings took
an English bark going to Jacatra, killed some of the
English, put the Flemings on board the bark they had
taken from the English at Bantam and cast her anchor
near the Charles, A dmiral of the English fleet, which was
then before Bantam, meaning by that to defy the English
to retake her. "This is briefly the war in which we left
them at our departure, which makes me believe and judge
that if the King of England does not make it his particular
care, the English run the risk of having the worst
in the Indies, as being weaker than the Flemings are in
that country." [Dieppe, 15/25 Aug. 1618. Signed, "Beau
Pin." French. Indorsed as above. Together eight
pages. Holland Correspondence.]
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1618?
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413. "Relation of the Frenchmen lately arrived from the East
Indies, concerning the damages, wrongs, and abuses which the
Hollanders had lately done to the English there." They have
assaulted and taken the English ships coming to Bantam (Banda ?),
slain 7 or 8 men, put the captains and merchants in chains and
the mariners in the gallies, challenging all "those parts" to be
their proper inheritance. They also took an English ship going
from Bantam to Jacatra, and shot at the English and French
colours in most contemptuous manner. They had great dispute
with the English in the road, of Bantam, but the Governor forbade
them to fight, threatening, if they did, to cut the throats
of all their men on land. They proclaimed war on the 27th
November against the English at the Moluccas, Banda, and Amboyna,
and threatened to make all prizes and put them to the
edge of the sword, and fixed the proclamation upon the doors of
the English lodgings at Bantam, "challenged all to be theirs as
their proper inheritance." [Indorsed, "Copy of the Frenchmen's
relation touching wrongs done to the English by the Hollanders
in the East Indies, anno 1617." One page. East Indies, Vol. I.,
No. 69.]
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1618?
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414. Another copy of the preceding, with additions, alterations,
and marginal notes of prcis ; the Frenchmen lately arrived in
France in a ship of Dieppe. Out of Mr. Bell's copies from Mr. Giffard
and others. 1618. This copy says two English ships coming to Banda
(which is no doubt correct), and not to Bantam as in the preceding
copy ; also the Hollanders fixed the proclamation upon the doors
of the (English is struck out) lodgings at Bantam, &c. [One page.
Indorsed, "Frenchmen's relation concerning the Hollanders' abuses
of the English, 1617." O.C., Vol. V., No. 569 + 1.]
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Aug. 26.
Jacatra.
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415. Peter Waddon to President Ball. Hopes the wholesomeness
of the place will cure him with the help of the medicines.
Insecurity of the Company's business when their house (at Jacatra)
is divided against itself. The disputes between Ufflete and Powle,
if written of, would seem almost incredulous ; thinks Powle is in
the greatest fault. Forwards letters from Japara from Bishop and
another. Report that Robt. Jackson has been murdered at Jourtan
by the Portugals. The Hollanders in great awe of the country
people ; they expect Laurens Reall every day and three ships with
him ; a ship of theirs ready to sail, for Solor with soldiers and
great store of provisions. [One page. O.C., Vol. VI., No. 688.]
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Aug. 27.
Madrid.
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416. Fras. Cottington to Sec. Lake. Sir Robt. Sherley daily
expects his dispatch, and says they are here resolved to make
the Persian subjects the merchants, and the Portugals to furnish
only the ships, and that within these two months he shall depart
with nine galleons freighted in Lisbon for the Gulf of Persia.
[Extract from Corresp., Spain.]
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Aug. 28.
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417. Court Minutes of the East India Company. The Merchant
Royal to be purchased for 2,400l. and to proceed alone to Bantam ;
the ship bought of Mr. Freeman to accompany the rest of the fleet.
[Quarter of a page. Court Bk. IV., 194.]
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Aug. 31.
Jambi.
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418. Richard Westby to President Ball. Has received his
letter by Gordone, master of the Hound. Is heartily sorry for the
ill success of the Company's business to the eastward, "but every
man will do his utmost endeavour both with heart and hand to
keep up that which else of force will fall." Marvels at the bad
supplies the Surat factories send for these parts. Hopes to return
to Bantam in November. Goods in the house. Supplies of cloth
arrived for the Flemings. With good store of money and cloth
some 500 or 600 tons of pepper may be had yearly. If this place
be followed as it should, it cannot have yearly less than 12,000
ryals in ready money and 8,000 in Surat and Masulipatam cloth.
This place is sickly, and there should be two assistants besides
the Cape merchant. George Smart is dead, and the factory will
much miss him. Peter Waddon, if he recover, will do the Company
very good service. In want of 2,000 pepper sacks. Sorts of cloth
vendible and the price. Remembrances to Capt. Pring, Mr. Wickham,
and Burraway. Sorry to hear Mr. Bindon is so ill. News,
which is confirmed, that the King of Mataram has caused three
Flemings to be slain and the rest seized, together with their goods,
and put in prison, and their house pulled down. [Two pages. Indorsed,
"Rec. September 1618." O.C., Vol. VI., No. 689.]
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