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Sept. 22.—The Swallow ready to depart. All the wages of the
Whale's men to be paid, save only for the third voyage from Surat
to Persia and back again, according to Sir Henry Marten's judgment.
The whole remain of silk sold to Alderman Cambell and partners at
26s. per lb. at 4 and 6 months, and to rebate at eight per 100. Halsey
to receive 150l. of the wages of his brother deceased at Ahmedabad.
Roberts, late master of the Little James, to receive the remainder of
his wages. Report of Mr. Munnes that he had attended Mr. Sec.
Conway concerning a letter to be procured from his Majesty to the
States and Prince of Orange requiring their letters into the Indies
to prevent any further effusion of blood or other disaster that may
happen between both nations in those parts, and also to provide for
the safety of this Company's goods, and that it shall be lawful to
remove thence and to plant elsewhere, according to agreement in the
last treaty, whereto Mr. Secretary showed much readiness, "not
doubting but he should suddenly effect the same to the good content
of the Company, being well satisfied of his Majesty's resolution
concerning forts and other things by that declaration which he made
concerning the same at the departure of the Dutch Commissioners."
Mr. Secretary further promised copies of such despatches as shall be
sent from him to the Dutch; he also gave some touch as if he thought
the Company did a little suspect him, but they should find he would
declare himself for the good of the Company, and would never give
way that the Dutch should overtop this Company, adding that the
Dutch have questioned three of the Bewinthebbers for their miscarriage of the Company's affairs. Report of Mr. Governor that himself
and committee had attended at the Council Chamber, as had been
appointed, but none sat save the Lord President and Sir Henry
Marten, and that the Governor is of opinion that the Lords of the
Council will not meet again till his Majesty comes to Hampton Court.
It was thought fit that the Lord President be attended to understand what time the Company shall attend the Lords Commissioners
at Hampton Court, and to intreat his Lordship to be a means that,
according to the King's pleasure, Sir Henry Marten and the two
Chief Justices be inserted in the commission. The consideration of
buying powder referred to the committees for that service. 30 fodder
of lead, 5 tons of Spanish iron, and 5 tons of English iron to be
provided to be sent by the London. The King of Denmark having
obtained from the State that Mr. Pett may build him a ship here,
desires the Company would lend him their dock at Deptford; to
which the Court readily condescended. Request of Mr. Welden, late
the Company's servant in the isles of Banda, to be heard in reference to
the powder he was said to have wasted and some "round matters"
which he charges upon the Dutch for the benefit of the Company,
all which he had delivered in writing at a former Court, referred.
Ephraim Ramsey, one of those that had been tortured at Amboyna,
to receive 10l. as a free gift of the Company. Concerning the buying
cider, the dyeing and dressing of cloths, and an offer of Mr. Strowd
for 30,000 pieces of calicoes, to include "nicanees" (being striped
stuffs made of cotton wool). |
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Sept. 24–25.—Ordered that Richard Willis, late secretary to the
Lord Treasurer, may take out his eight half-capitals in goods, notwithstanding he has formerly taken out 28l. in carpets. Lanman's
charges against Ball read; some were disliked and ordered to be left
out, the rest to be given in writing to Ball, and his answer required
thereto. Inconveniencies having ensued since the fees of transports
[transfers of adventures] have been suspended, which would be prevented if re-established, ordered that the fee of 5s. formerly allowed
upon the transport of every 100l. be reduced to 2s. 6d., and be thus
distributed, viz., 1s. 6d. between Messrs. Lanman and Ellam, 6d. to
Mr. Secretary, and to. Jeremy Sambrooke the other [6d.], which will
encourage them to keep men's accounts carefully. Ordered that
Mr. Bacon attend Sir Thos. Smythe with the declaration of the
Company's readiness to attend the Commissioners of the Navy
about the Lady Dale's business. The bonds of arbitration to be
renewed concerning Capt. Greene and Cartwright. Capt. Welden's
relation read, wherein he labours to justify himself concerning the
objections against him, and by way of recrimination accuses Moore,
Cartwright, and others that had given information against him,
saying that Moore by negligence had lost a bag of 400 ryals, which
was stolen out of his counting-house, and that Cartwright played
away all he could finger, both of the Company and his own. The
Court "took knowledge" that divers complaints and objections are
made in court and information sent home against men which are
presently forgotten, and ordered that for the future a black book be
kept to record the errors of the Company's servants. Then Welden
was called in, and after being questioned was willed to withdraw;
the minutes of 11 Aug. last are then read, and after discussion the
resolution of the Court, that they rest unsatisfied in anything alleged
for his justification, is declared to Welden by the Governor. The
quantity of cider in the Company's storehouses, viz., 423 butts and
5 hogsheads, thought too small to furnish out the Christmas fleet;
ordered that 200 butts more be bought, as also 500 oxen and 1,500
hogs. Survey of stores at Plymouth in the custody of James Bagg,
delivered by John Young. Ordered that Mr. Ellam, both in the
letters to Jacatra and Surat, shall give advice to forbear all reprisals,
"but to right wrongs received or against the Portugals." Letter
delivered by Michael Yonge, boatswain of the Dolphin, from Mr.
Rastell, President at Surat, desiring that said Yonge may receive
the wages of two servants run away to the Portugals; but the Court
would by no means give way thereto, lest it should encourage others
to do the like. Money collected for poundage by Thos. Pory, purser
of the Dolphin, more than his due, to be put into the poor box.
[Sixteen pages. Court Minute Book, VII., 120–125, 130–141.] |
| Sept. 25. |
617. Morris Abbott, Governor, the Deputy Governor and six
Committees of the East India Company, to Carleton. The pieces
received from his kinsman (nephew) are all most effectually con
trived, but especially the last remonstrance to the States, which
favours are so abundantly conferred and so constantly continued
that they are every day more and more obliged, and will endeavour
to express their best thankfulness. Send maps of the Moluccas,
Banda, and Amboyna; also of the Straits of Sunda. Of the latter
map Carleton will have occasion to make use. Have desired a letter
mandatory from the States General and the Prince of Orange into the
Indies, for the security of their servants and estates, until these misunderstandings may receive accommodation; but concerning this
he will receive a speedy despatch from Sec. Conway. Have received
no letters from him since the 10th, but understand the business
sleeps not, for Sir Noel Caron told the Lord Grace of Canterbury
and others, "that the States do exceedingly distaste the bloody
proceedings at Amboyna, and do not only acknowledge that our
people died innocent, but declared that Speult and three or four
more of the chief shall suffer for it, as well they have deserved; and
further, that old Boreel and his son, as persons ill affected, shall not
any longer meddle with the East India business." Notwithstanding
the commission proceeds, the Lords have met twice, and their third
meeting is at Hampton Court on the 27th instant. The original in
the Holland Corresp. is endorsed, "Recd. 12th Oct." [One page
and a half. East Indies, Vol. III., No. 46.] |
Sept. 25.
London. |
618. Dudley Carleton to (his uncle) Sir Dudley Carleton. The
East India Company either dissemble or think themselves very much
bound to (Sir Dudley) for his great care and industry in their
business; but some of the indiscreeter sort have not so well appre
hended the reasons whereupon he framed and presented those
articles to the States, and they have used such absurd language
before some of the Council as hath caused their Lordships to put
them in mind of their want of good manners. They have a great
desire to know what will be done upon the arrival of Mareschalk
in Zealand, and nothing can satisfy them but the States must hang
him up. The Lords meet expressly at Hampton Court, to take a
resolution; but thinks nothing will satisfy these merchants, because
they are set upon it not to continue the trade, and the King seeks to
hold them to it. [Holland Corresp.] |
| Sept. 26. |
619. Minutes of a Court of Committees to hear petitions [see p. 483].
Woodall to be warned to Court to clear doubts about employing unskilful surgeons. Resolved that all that come home without leave,
or that run away, shall not only forfeit their wages but be liable to
pay for their passage and victuals homewards. [Three pages and a
quarter. Court Minute Book, VII., 125–128.] |
Sept. 27.
Hampton Court. |
620. Order of the Privy Council on the complaint of the East
India Company concerning the execution of his Majesty's subjects
in Amboyna. All the proceedings, on his Majesty's demand of
reparation, having been maturely considered by the Committee
especially appointed by his Majesty for the examination of that
cause, who, having weighed the unheard-of cruelties and tortures
exercised upon his Majesty's subjects, the improbability and almost
impossibility of the attempt imputed, the contempt of treaties, and the
cautelous and malicious proceedings in the torture, as appears by the
evidence of the fact, and the relation of those that had commanded
at Amboyna themselves, all justified by six witnesses from those
parts, their Lordships, having considered with how much patience
his Majesty waited until August 12th last, that there has not followed any effectual reparation, that the letters of the States, though
signifying a good intention of justice, have not produced any other
effect than offers which induce delays his Majesty's honour and
justice may not brook, considering the great terror of the said execution and violent proceedings by which his Majesty's subjects are
forced to refrain their trade, except they may find the sensible effects
of his protection, have advised his Majesty that letters should be
written to the High Admiral of England, authorizing and requiring
him presently to put in readiness so many of his Majesty's ships as
shall be requisite to seize so many of the ships and goods of the
Dutch East India Company as they shall find either outward or
homeward bound. And if said ships quietly submit, then to take
care for the preservation of the same, and fair usage of the men
until his Majesty and his subjects receive satisfaction for said outrage,
and the Dutch Company consent to so fair an interpretation and
execution of the treaties, as his Majesty's subjects may trade in those
parts, with equity and safety. And his Majesty's pleasure is hereby
declared accordingly, and letters ordered to be written to the Lord
High Admiral of England to the effect aforesaid. Two copies, French
and English. There are also copies in French and English in the
Holland Corresp. [Two pages. East Indies, Vol. III., Nos. 47, 48.] |
| Sept. 27. |
621. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Some dozen
mariners of the Whale having appeared before Sir Henry Marten, he
desires to know what ports the ship made before her casting away,
and what is the law or custom of merchants in that case. Letter
read from Lord Annand signifying the King's pleasure that the Chief
Justices and the Judge of the Admiralty should be commissioners
for examining the late injuries done by the Dutch. On consideration how much it concerns the Company's affairs in the Indies that
the Swallow be forthwith dispeeded away, Messrs. Kirby and
Martin are entreated to take especial care therein. Offer of Burlamache and partners to take the remain of the Company's silk, not
accepted. [One page and a half. Court Minute Book, VII.,
pp. 129–130.] |
Sept. 28.
Flushing. |
622. John Winge to Carleton. In answer to his letter of the
17th, the author of the Dutch declaration is utterly unknown to
him, and so is the placard, it having never been published, nor
spoken of in these parts. Confesses to having translated it into
English, being entreated by one of the Dutch preachers of the town
to do his best therein. His excuses for doing this. "If it be not
the substantial truth I desire the God of truth, to reveal it plainly
and revenge it fully, upon such as should dare to invent such
infernal falsehood there and vent it here, to the patronage of a fact
so foul, hideous, and execrable, for barbarous cruelty and bloody
inhumanity, as hath been unheard of under heaven, and may be a
prescription to the most savage pagans, to teach them a higher
strain of tyranny and treachery, than (till now) they have ever
learnt one of another, or of the Devil their father." It adds much
to his former distresses and turns them into despairs, that in hoping
to be serviceable to his country he should be hurtful to the same.
As God is his protector and a good conscience his buckler he comfortably calls his Majesty to witness that ignorance and simplicity are
his only errors. Yea, so far was he, from fear of falsehood, that he
willingly sent divers copies for England for the Company. Beseeches
him to take this his unwise carriage in the best construction, for he
can say for himself what God said for Abimeleck, "I know thou
didst this in the integrity of thine heart." Understands that the
Commissioners at Middelburg are in great consultation to give
speedy satisfaction. [One page and a quarter. Holland Corresp.] |
| Sept. 29. |
623. Court Minutes of the East India Company. That Mrs.
Jackson may make use of the books concerning her deceased brother
Cokayne's estate at her pleasure. Mr. Deputy acquainted the Court
that himself and others had attended the Lords concerning business
of Persia, where Steele had laboured to maintain that the trade there
had been originally procured by Sir Robert Sherley, who procured
from that King three several phirmaunds for free trade for the
English but Mr. Deputy not only cleared the Company from any
such obligation, but made it appear that Steele was a very unfit
man to be used in that business. That Mr. Deputy asked the Lord
President whether the Company might not print the declaration of
the proceedings at Amboyna as it is truly set down by the English,
whereto he gave neither approbation nor prohibition; it was therethought fit to use some means for the printing of it both in Dutch
and English, that the truth may appear and that those innocent
souls that have without either mercy or justice suffered in their persons, may not suffer a second time in their reputations. Mr. Governor
reported that himself and others had on Monday last attended the
Lords Commissioners at Hampton Court concerning the business of
Amboyna, where the Lords showed themselves zealously affected to
do the Company right with a general detestation and abhorring of
that cruel murder, committed upon our men but withall by no
means would have the two Companies disunited, or the treaty made
void, but to be new moulded in such sort as it may not be left to
the dangerous interpretation of the Dutch, and albeit it was hard
pressed by Mr. Governor and the rest that there is no possibility
of good accord between both nations in the Indies yet the Lords
would hear of no utter falling off, but were exceeding forward that
the English Company shall be repaired and the offenders punished,
especially that the King's honour be upheld, which cannot be without a just satisfaction for the violences upon the lives and goods
upon his subjects. And having willed the Company to withdraw
their Lordships consulted awhile and then attended, his Majesty, and
afterwards the Lord President signified to the Company that his
Majesty is resolved to right the Company really, and for that end
hath given direction to the Lord Admiral to stay any ships of the
Dutch East India Company, either outward or homeward bound,
until full reparation be had of all injuries according to justice.
Afterwards Mr. Governor and the rest were called in to his Majesty,
who in his own person made declaration of what had formerly been
delivered, affirming "that then only it will be a fit time to treat
with the Dutch, when by the stay of their ships, the business shall
move to a treaty of their parts." Mr. Bell affirmed that he had on
behalf of the Company moved the Clerk of the Council that some
act of Council might be entered on this business, but could not
obtain it. Upon a motion which was made to the Lord President
for leave to acquaint the generality with his Majesty's royal purpose thus to right the Company there grew much dispute, which
was referred to another Court. [Two pages and a half. Court
Minute Book, VII., pp. 142–144.] |
Sept. 29.
The Hague. |
624. [Carleton] to Edward Misselden. Touching the business of
the East India Company, the 17 Bewinthebbers are now at Middelburg, consulting upon the definitive answer the States have summoned them to make to Carleton's complaints. Cannot write what
it will be upon any certainty, but by the time Misselden arrives in
England believes he will meet with all they have to say. [Extract
from Holland Corresp.] |
Sept. 30.
London. |
625. Dudley Carleton to Sir Dudley Carleton. By Sec. Conway's
next despatch he will understand the King's resolution to silence
him in the point of the East Indies, and without using more words
to set forth his ships royal to take as many of the Holland East
India Company's ships as they can, until satisfaction be fully made.
This being the resolution taken at Hampton Court. [Extract,
Holland Corresp.] |
| (Sept.) |
626. Sir Robert Sherley to Sec. "Connava." Cannot but wonder
that his business, being none of the least, should so much suffer
neglect. Is expecting either a despatch of his business or an answer
to his master. Has been this day with the Lord Chancellor and
Lord Grandison, who expect from his honor answer for what they
have sent. "The business probable in their opinions." Endorsed,
"Sept. 1624." [One page. East Indies, Vol. III., No. 49.] |
| Sept. |
627. Affidavits of Edward Collins, aged 25, a factor at Lareca, and
of John Beaumont, aged 48, chief factor at Looho, factories under
Amboyna, before Sir Henry Marten, Judge of the Admiralty. That
Emanuel Thompson, second factor at Amboyna (one of those tortured
and beheaded by the Flemings in 1622/3), at the time of his death had
divers hogs, hens, a pretty library of books, and much good apparel,
bedding, and other things, to the value of at least 250l., all of which
were lost by his death. Certified copies. Apparently imperfect.
Endorsed, "Affidavits of Henry Billingsley, &c. in the business of
Amboyna." [Two pages. Holland Corresp.] |
