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| Nov. 22–24. |
687. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Report of John
Yonge who had returned from attending upon his Majesty at Newmarket, of the "noble usage" he had received from Mr. Secretary,
from whom he delivered a letter to the Lord Ambassador with the
States, expressing his Majesty being unsatisfied with what he had
received in excuse of the fact of Amboyna, with signification that his
Majesty purposes to pursue his former resolution for stay of the
Dutch Company's ships, which letter gave much content to the
Company, and they resolved to send Yonge as an express with said
packet to the Hague, and also a letter "conceived by direction of
this Court" to the said Lord Ambassador. Wm. Culpepper having
sent over from Danzig for the Company 190 barrells of gunpowder
and 25 "fatts" of saltpetre; ordered that the Council of War be
petitioned for leave to Mr. Evelyn to make the saltpetre into powder
for the Company's use. Petition read from Capt. Greene that the
Company would hear and end his case; resolved to refer it to Sir
Henry Marten to be heard judicially, the Court having always
found Sir Henry to be a man of great integrity, and ever ready to
hearken to the Company in their just desires, and being confident
that they shall show good matter against Capt. Greene, both for the
lavish expense of the Company's money and his lascivious and
riotous life. Report that upon the hearing of Bate's business, Sir
Henry Marten seemed inclined to give Bate something; resolved to
send again to Sir Henry concerning both these businesses. The bond
of John Millward, factor, deceased, to be cancelled. Acknowledgment of Mr. Misselden, "in a most thankful expression," of the
gratification bestowed on him, and offer of further service; he was
desired to cast an eye upon their present business with my Lord
Ambassador at the Hague, and to bestow his letters on the Company
as there shall be occasion. |
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Nov. 24.—Draught of the Company's answer to Symonson's suit in
Chancery, concerning timber bought in Ireland, read by Tichborne.
Warrant to be prepared for payment of the money forthwith into
Chancery concerning Mrs. Wickham. Concerning the value of gold
in the Indies, Geo. Robinson to be warned to give satisfaction therein.
Consideration on the choice of a fit man to go admiral for Surat;
that Captain Blythe is a very able and discreet man, that he had the
love of all his men aboard, and had been victorious against the
Portugals; a committee were therefore entreated to confer with him,
and if better conditions cannot be had, to entertain him at the rate
he propounded, provided he be surely bound from private trade.
Resolved to refer Henry Bate's business wholly to Sir Henry Marten,
and to proceed against Capt. Greene in a legal course. Report of
Messrs. Bell and Munnes that on Thursday last they had attended
Sec. Conway and the Lord Duke at Newmarket to desire that he
would put in execution what had been resolved at Hampton Court
concerning the arrest of the Dutch East India ships upon the Narrow
Seas, forasmuch as the Dutch do not apply themselves to give any
satisfaction for the outrageous murder at Amboyna, but rather add
to that wickedness by justifying the fact under a pretence of justice,
that there may be a supply of ships in the Narrow Seas fit for such a
service, as the Dutch are to come with a strength of seven or eight
ships well appointed. Mr. Secretary made answer that it was true
the force of shipping upon the Narrow Seas was not sufficient to
encounter the Dutch East India fleet, which, he understands, doth
resolve to fight, but this must be made a business of State, and
demanded what the Company can do. Their answer was that unless
protected, the Company must leave this trade; if they were, they
will go on with it. Mr. Secretary said that his Majesty is not tied
to any one way to right himself and his subjects; if they be not met
upon the Narrow Seas he can stop their fishing upon this coast, and
seize their ships at his pleasure. That they then attended my Lord
Duke, and besought him to take into consideration the aforesaid
facts, who answered "that he would speak with the King in it," to
which they replied that upon his Majesty's royal promise of reparation and restitution from the Dutch they have and are to send out
this year five or six ships; that they also resolve to fortify, and
presented Capt. Fowkes, who they shall by these ships send out as
commander, and they besought the Duke to procure the King's
license to fortify, and to be a means that the Company may be
righted, the rather because the Dutch still avow the fact of Amboyna,
and ground new protests thereon, upon the report of Mareschalk, who
is rather worthy of capital punishment than to be admitted a com
petent witness. That they again attended Mr. Secretary, who said
he had no order for them, but after attending his Majesty, said he
would send the despatch after them; but not being satisfied, they
again attended Mr. Secretary, when his answer was that he had
order to write to Mr. Attorney to draw a grant from the King that
the Company may fortify in the Indies; but they replied that this
was but one branch of the Company's suit, his Majesty's promise
was to see them righted; whereto Mr. Secretary said that the King's
present force in the Narrow Seas is small, the Dutch come strong and
resolute to fight, and for setting out any present force the King wants
money, but that the King intends to arm both by sea and land, and
resolveth to buoy up the reputation of the kingdom, and in the
doing of that shall have means to right all; and albeit there is no
possibility to right them at present upon the ships outward bound,
yet it shall be done upon their ships returning; to this was
answered that if they be now suffered to slip by, they will fall upon
our people everywhere in the Indies, and the Company hearing this,
their resolution to follow the trade will die in them. Mr. Secretary
said no, there should be no cause to quench the trade, for the
Dutch must do us right; but it must not be required that the State
shall act things impossible, but said that matters are now brought to
that pass, that the King cannot in honour deny the Company justice
by way of reprisal, and rather than fail to (will) fell on their fishermen,
and this not merely for the East India Company but for the honour
of the King and State. Some were of opinion that the Dutch fleet,
which commonly comes forth scatteringly, making the rendezvous
at Cowes, may be dealt withall with safety, though the King's ships
be few in number, but it was resolved that the Lord Admiral shall
be attended again in a few days when he will be in town. One
Edward Thornehill, a digger of saltpetre, offered to dig in the
Company's warehouse in St. Mary Axe, being part of a chapel formerly consecrated to holy uses; the man was told it will be a
very unfit thing, and the rather because within two years one had
been buried in that place, and wished him to be well advised what
he did. Report on the value of a balast ruby from Sir Thos. Roe,
which the Treasurers were loath to deliver, for their respect to him
that owns it; resolved to lend Sir Thos. 666l. 13s. 4d. on it, and
send it to be sold on his adventure at 6s. per dollar. |
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Nov. 24.—Minutes of a Court to consider of the Persian Trade.
Letters read from the factors there, dated the 28th March and 15th
October 1623, with a postscript of 9th January following (see ante,
No. 330). It was observed that the Persian had not duly observed the
capitulations agreed on at the taking of Ormuz, and yet demanded
further assistance against the Portugals. The questions arose whether
the Dutch being now entered into that trade, would not take advantage of the English refusal to aid the Persian in his warlike designs,
and thus gain from the English the reputation and benefit of that
trade; also whether it be a fit or beneficial trade to be pursued
or not: discussion thereon. It was further remembered that in
the capitulations with the Persian, half the custom in Ormuz,
which in times past yielded to Portugal 180,000 ryals per annum,
by contract belongs to the English, and it was conceived that if the
silk trade might be diverted from Aleppo, where the French and
Italians govern the market, there might be an expectation of a
profitable trade. Resolved, seeing if the English leave the trade the
Dutch will by one stratagem or other, not only surprise the Castle
of Ormuz, but steal away the trade, the Dutch being already
encouraged to enter upon it, the English having broken the ice;
and where "we trade to win by a trade, they trade to win a trade,
though at present they gain nothing by it (as the Molucca trade),"
to pursue the Persian trade with a moderate supply for the present,
having last year given order to the same purpose, both by advice to
Surat and direction to [Thos.] Kerridge. [Ten pages and a half.
Court Minute Book, VII., pp. 207–217.] |
| Nov. 24. |
688. The Governor and Committees of the East India Company
to Carleton. Send copy of their last letter and enclosure [see ante,
No. 684]. He will also receive Sec. Conway's packet by this bearer.
Forbear to write anything concerning the same, only they could
wish that Mareschalk were forthcoming, to give an account of his
doings. How they are taken here, notwithstanding their impudent
juglings, Carleton may perceive by Sec. Conway's letter. At this
very instant there are some of our committees attending his Majesty
at Newmarket, together with those very men whose testimony the
Dutch in their poor reply have so much slighted, to report to his
Majesty the truth of their cruelties; being ready to avow the same
to the face of Mareschalk. With these ships Deputy Misselden
returns to Delft, and offers to attend (Carleton) on any service of
the Company. Send by this bearer 40 books of the relation concerning Amboyna, in Dutch; to take what he thinks fit. Endorsed,
"Recd. the 2nd of Dec. by an express." [One page. Holland Corresp.] |
| Nov. 25. |
689. Sec. Conway to Carleton. Acknowledges receipt of his of
Nov. 6 and 7, "by which his Majesty hath not only received confirmation of your great diligence and wise guiding of the business
of Amboyna, as far as lies in you, but gives his expectation leave to
hope fruit of it. And you may be out of doubt it will be a great
service to this kingdom, and principally to that State, to win an
accommodation of that business, which otherwise will inevitably give
a very great blow to that State, and possibly wound both parts
dangerously; and this I must certify you that neither time nor
form will put our just demands of satisfaction and justice to silence,
but there must be given, or we must take, a real satisfaction and
real restitution; and this that State were better to believe and
prevent than neglect or despise, for it doth behove us to preserve
reputation, for which the rest will up I do assure you; and it is resolved
here to show good cards for it. And then what shall be done can
be no more undone than that of Amboyna; and we shall be as slow
to acknowledge a fault or kiss the rod as that State is, and as little
fear what saint they can vow themselves unto, when it comes once
to that degree where it had been before this, but for the opinion
had of the wisdom of the Prince of Orange, and the providence of
the good patriots of that State, the confidence had in your dexterity,
and hopes given, and the blessing that State hath in the wisdom
and authority of the Lord Admiral here, and his affection to them.
But these can hold but to their measure. There is also the point of
Greenland in which the King thinks his patience infinitely abused."
[Draft. Extract from Holland Corresp.] |
| Nov. 26. |
690. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Petition on
behalf of the garblers sent to Bridewell for stealing nutmegs, for
their release, but as there is a general complaint that "fair
nutmegs" are sold up and down the town, and that stones, iron, and
such like stuff have been put in to make weight, and that these
men will not confess any more than was found about them, the
Court left them to such correction as is usual. Touching the bill
in Chancery against the Company by Nathan Bolt and his wife, late
wife of Symonson, about timber from Ireland. Discussion on the
value of the ruby belonging to Sir Thos. Roe, who values it at
1,500l. here, but at much more in the Indies; some of opinion it
was worth 2,000l., that stones of that beauty bear great price in
Turkey, and are much desired by the Mogul; others held it worth
not above 800l.; Sir Thos. desires time to consider the offer made
to him. Ordered that a surgeon be entertained for their fort, and a
surgeon's chest sent thither, and two other small chests distributed
unto the ships. The bread-rooms to be plated throughout. Petition
of Nicholas Woodcock for his wages; he utterly denied that he
made any benefit of value of such booty as was taken at Ormuz,
and desired he might answer his accusers face to face. Ordered that
Mr. Monnox, Capt. Blythe, and Mr. Wills be warned here. Ordered
that Mr. Brown, minister of St. Helen's, of which parish this house
is a part, receive 4l. of the free gift of the Company, as in former
years. [Three pages and a half. Court Minute Book, VII.,
pp. 218–221.] |
Nov. 26.
Amsterdam. |
691. Barlow to Carleton. Cannot yet get the certainty concerning the qualities and behaviour of the jurates of Amboyna;
only understands that some of them are such as their parents could
not rule, "so did seek to have them in the 'tucht house,' but got
them into the Company's service, which is a second tucht house."
Most of those that were upon the jury were servants, and at the
absolute command of the Governor. The Bewinthebbers since their
coming out of the Hague have been very mute, and will not discover
anything that hath there passed to their nearest friends. Has had
speech with several, and with Boreel, and has set others to work, but
can get nothing out of them, so men conclude that matters go not
according to their minds. Hougens still gives hope that from
Horne he shall get journals, but all the clerks are so strictly seen
unto that they dare not do anything. Understands they do not
furnish their ships with men or munition otherways than accustomed. The ships of this town in the Texel ready for the first
wind, so there will go out a very great fleet, and divers men-of-war
with them. Coen has been sick since he was chosen; wishes he
would give over the voyage, for "he is a utter enemy to our nation."
These do take notice of his Majesty's resolution that if they give not
better content, their ships will be stayed in the Narrow Seas; the
Bewinthebbers say little to it, but their friends say that matter will
be stopped, so they do little fear that it will take effect. Has received
from the Company copies of their men's relation, and "these their
pamphlet with the answer to the same," and has disposed of them
here, which doth breed a very good opinion in many. Wishes some
one would put it into Dutch. Burgomaster de Vrye hath one. Their
pride and insolency in the Indies is such that their own nation doth
abhor it, and are ashamed to hear thereof. There is not one of them
of this town in Amboyna but are men of base parentage and no
education. Endorsed, "Recd the 27th." [One page and a quarter.
Holland Corresp.] |
Nov. 27.
Constantinople. |
692. Sir Thos. Roe to Carleton. His news of Brazil is welcome
for their sakes that lost it, "but for any good we receive by the
winners (witness the East India Company's proceedings) it is all
one who hath it, the Devil or his Damme." Carleton lives among
the Dutch, and sees their best, but Roe has tried them East and
West, and knows "their bestiality and ingratitude." Free trade in
the East Indies may be granted to the French. Knows India as
well as any man living, and perhaps has had more universal considerations upon the whole than any Dutch captain or English
factor. The King of Denmark has the same desire, but all these
nations will fall upon our own Company's error to overlay trade.
They all suppose by rule of arithmetic, that if 1,000l. stock did
produce two, a million must produce a million. All the misunderstanding of India is to suppose there is commodity for so much
shipping. Will undertake when the Dutch and we had 60 ships
gaping for lading, 10 of them would have brought home all the
spice and silk in the Indies, then the 50 ships that rotted, wages
and charge, like Pharaoh's kine, ate up the profit of the few laden.
But suppose they were to lade 40 ships yearly, where should it be
vented? Is not Europe clogged, and all prices fallen, and all Indian
commodities as yet become drugs? The Portugals might have taught
us so much wit, when they had all the Indies to themselves, and
bought up all, and burnt above half there. The gain of India is by
a little stock. It may be fit for the Dutch, in respect of reason of
State, to enter into that great charge, but it will undo us that are
mere merchants there. Let the French trade their pleasure; they
will come home, not by the Cape of Hope, but Desperation. "Your
Lordship will think me out of matter to leap from Turkey to India.
If I could leap home I care not if both were in the sea." [Extract
from Holland Corresp.] |
Nov. 29./Dec. 9.
South Lambeth. |
693. Sir Noel de Caron to Sec. Conway. Is expecting daily some
final answer from the States concerning the fact of Amboyna, which
he hopes, in accordance with the promise given to him, will give
content to his Majesty, for the business cannot remain in the state
it is, and on his part he has done his best to induce them to give
his Majesty satisfaction, which they will not be at their ease until
they have done. [French. Extract from Holland Corresp.] |
Nov. 27.
Constantinople. |
694. Sir Thos. Roe to Sir Thos. Smythe. The Portugals having
left Ormuz, "settle their mark" at Balsora, to spite the Persian, and
are well received of the Turks, [in a footnote] "which news
approves of the necessary use of pinnaces to be sent, to aid the
Persian King." Minute. [Turkish Corresp.] |
| Nov. 29. |
695. Carleton to Sec. Conway. Since his last of the 15th, many
new artifices have been used by some of the Administrators of the
Dutch East India Company to draw on the time till the meeting of
the States of Holland, at which Burgomaster Bas and pensioner
Paw, two ringleaders of the College of Administrators and Deputies
for Amsterdam, might with more authority stand for the rest. The
States' resolution finally is to have the Governor of Amboyna, and
all who had a hand in the execution of the English there, brought
hither prisoners to answer their fact and stand to the States' judgment. For the rest, that their men should live with ours according
to the treaty. Arguments that were used concerning the three
points Carleton had recommended to the States before it was
resolved to carry this business, by way of a letter to his Majesty, a
conceipt whereof was brought to Carleton by two of their deputies,
M. Aerssen being one, who desired Carleton to accompany their
letter to his Majesty with his testimony of the reality of their
proceedings and intervention for his favour. Told them their letter
would no ways give satisfaction, because the treaty had been too
much infringed by the Dutch to be any more obligatory to the
English, who had made their solemn protest against any further
observation thereof. Further arguments, which finally ended in
their promise to relate to the States what he had said to them,
which they did very faithfully, and this morning again hath been
wholly spent in consultation, for which they have appointed tomorrow likewise. Carleton now insists both for joint examination
of the proceedings in Amboyna and liberty for the English to build
places apart and have residences separate from the Dutch, which
have met with strong opposition and many objections from Bas
and Paw; but the true reasons are that other misgovernments will
be discovered, particularly the cruelty at Banda upon the Pooloroonese, out of hatred to the English; and that the hatred borne to
the Dutch by all the Indians will draw the whole trade to the
English. Fears of the Dutch Administrators that their power with
the States may be lost and their eyes opened, so as both against the
States and their Company, though they dispute to the uttermost,
they dare not stand out. This is the true state of the business, to
the best of Carleton's judgment. Leaves it to his Majesty's wonted
wisdom whether it be now a fit season to pursue the quarrel, or
rather to embrace reconcilement for the present by admitting what
may be had of them; for when all is reckoned by an actual breach,
both parties will be found losers. Will lose nothing for asking and
urging, and withal keeping this wound of Amboyna open, by
which their malignant humours will be purged, and they brought in
time to a good state of living with their associates. Five ships of
Amsterdam are in the Texel, and will take the benefit of the first
settled wind, in company with the fleet of Brazil of about 30 sail,
and some men of war to convoy them past the coast of Spain.
General Coen lies sick at Amsterdam. Draft, with corrections by
Carleton. [Twelve pages. Holland Corresp.]. Incloses, |
|
695. I. "Project of a letter from the States to his Majesty.
They had hoped that his Majesty, recognising their sincere
intentions, would have conceded to them a competent time
to inform themselves in the Indies, so that they might
proceed with full knowledge of the cause of this affair
(of Amboyna); but seeing that his Majesty persists in
pressing for justification (in the margin, "or reparation,")
and in testifying such a lively sensibility of the execution
already done, as in case of any further delay to be ready
to do right with his own hands, by ways little suitable to
the amity with which up to the present his Majesty has
honoured their Republic; they have chosen rather to
neglect their own and pass over all forms and other
considerations of state and justice, in order, if possible,
to consult his Majesty alone, so as to put a stop to these
contentions and the suspicion his Majesty seems to have
that they are backward in doing indifferent justice.
Therefore they have given express command to the Administrators of their Company, that all those who have been
at the trial, sentence, and execution at Amboyna should
be sent over as soon as possible, under sure guard, and
delivered into their hands to answer for their proceedings, and await judgment; for their resolution is to
proceed in good faith and to do justice in all things.
With this they trust his Majesty will be content. And
whereas upon some distrust the English Company have
besought his Majesty to propose three things to them for
the safety of their persons, goods, and trade for the future;
having well examined them, the States consider that they
partly tend to the dissolution of the treaty which his
Majesty with so much wisdom and patience made with
the two Companies, to which they do not consider it expedient for his Majesty to give way, lest that trade should
return to its first confusion and ruin. They have passionately admonished and seriously commanded their
own men to keep within the bounds of the treaty and
punctually to fulfil all its conditions, and to live with
his Majesty's subjects in all sincere amity; and touching
the complaints on both sides of the many infractions of
the treaty that they should be speedily regulated, and in
case they cannot agree, his Majesty and the States will
provide for them in such sort as shall be thought necessary and expedient for their common good. They hope
his Majesty will accordingly exhort his subjects to contribute on their side their best means, and endeavour to
cause these misunderstandings to cease, and live with all
their men (the Dutch) hereafter in good concord. The Hague,
1624, Nov. 16/26. Endorsed by Carleton, "Brought unto me
by Mons. Feyte and Mons. Aerssen, the 5 Dec. 1624."
French. [Two pages and a half. Holland Corresp.] |
| Nov. ? |
696. Memorial of despatches necessary to be written by the
States General touching the affairs of the East Indies. A letter to
the Governor General commanding him to take information of all
that has happened in the act of Amboyna, jointly with such
English as his Majesty shall depute for that purpose, and to send
said informations in duplicate in closed letters, one to his Majesty
and the other to the States. A letter (or three separate ones)
touching the three points required in the memorial of the Ambassador, with express and earnest command to the Governor General
and those in authority in the Indies of the Flemish Company, on
all other occasions to behave, negotiate, and live with the English
in friendship and as good allies, so that liberty of trade may not be
interrupted, but rather advanced to the utmost. Of the said letters
the Ambassador [Carleton] desires to have authentic copies, so as
to give more particular satisfaction to his Majesty and to such Lords
of his Privy Council as he has specially committed this business to.
French. In Carleton's hand. [Two pages. Holland Corresp.] |
| Nov.? |
697. "Project of a reglement to be betwixt the English East
Indian merchants and the Dutch, made by the Bewinthebbers of
Amsterdam." 1. The English East India Company shall be permitted to retreat, whensoever they shall think it good, with their
goods (first paying their commercial debts or other special contracts)
out of the places and forts which acknowledge the authority of the
States General, and are possessed by the Company of these provinces
in the Indies, without paying any rights of customs and tolls, or
anything of that nature. 2. In all places belonging to those of the
Company of these provinces in the Indies, whatever differences may
grow or offences be committed between English and English not
being subjects in the Company of these provinces, said differences
shall be decided, as well as offences under their jurisdiction, by the
superiors of the English nation alone, without the judges of the
Company of these provinces being able to interfere. But in mixed
causes between the English and those of these provinces, their
subjects or free Indians or other persons passing or trafficking in
places belonging to the Company of these provinces, the authority
and jurisdiction shall be in and shall remain with the ordinary
judges of the said places as before, in such manner, nevertheless, that
by the said judges shall then be required, and chosen [assumez ?] two
or three English to take cognisance thereof and adjudicate jointly
with them, if there be as many English found on the spot; but
that in any case the said assistants (adjoints) are not to exceed in
number the third of the said ordinary judges. And this shall also
be done, vice versâ, in places belonging to the English Company
where in causes of the like nature those of the United Provinces
shall enjoy the same rights as are allowed to the English in their
said places. 3. The English Company shall be able to build in the
said Indies forts and fortresses in all places wheresoever they shall
think fit, provided they be not in the isles or provinces of the
Moluccas, Amboyna or Banda, nor in any other places or countries
under the jurisdiction or on the land belonging to the Company of
the United Provinces, or where said Company has the right of
protection or of exclusive contracts; and under any circumstance
that the said new forts be not built within 10 German leagues or
30 English miles of the forts or fortresses belonging to the Company
of the United Provinces; and in the same way, vice versâ, it shall
be permitted to those of the Company of the United Provinces as
to the English. French. This was probably the first draught of the
"Project" submitted to Carleton in reply to the three articles proposed by him, but it was materially altered before being approved
by Carleton and transmitted by the States General to Sec. Conway
on 19/29 Dec. See No. 71/31. [One page and a half. Holland
Corresp.] |
