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| May 2–9. |
183. Court Minutes, E. I. Co. On relation of John Mountney that the farmer's deputies at Sandwich and Deal notwithstanding the authority he carried, refused to deliver the goods landed there for private trade till Mr. Moreton and others that pretend to have bought them give allowance; the Court conceiving themselves to be much wronged by this affront, resolved that their names be given to Mr. Acton for writs to be taken out for their appearance in the Star Chamber for breach of his Majesty's proclamation. Note presented by Capt. Batten of a parcel of indigo and green ginger, bought by him as private trade; the Court content he should receive the ginger, paying freight, but would not part with the indigo, it being their prime commodity, yet promised he should be no loser. Request of Mr. Woolhouse for delivery of 20 pieces of calicoes sent as a token from Edwd. Heynes to a kinsman of his; but the Court wished him first to bring them up to the warehouse to be viewed. Committee entreated to accompany Messrs. Clarke and Acton to the Attorney-General to instruct him against the hearing of the cause between the Company and Mr. Warner in the Exchequer on Thursday next, being a business much concerning the good of the Court. Mr. Philpott endeavoured to excuse the Sandwich men, in that the goods were not delivered to John Mountney according to promise, and the Lord Treasurer's warrant, producing a letter from Mr. Moreton and others promising to send them up on Wednesday next and freely submit to the Company; answered that for his sake the Court would have patience until Wednesday, "but if the Court shall then find the Sandwich men to niggle with them, they will then be no longer dallied, but will proceed against them." |
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May 4. Examination of Mr. Janus, who bought aboard the Company's ships in the Downs 118 pieces of calicoes, 3 or 4 cwt. green ginger, and 80 lb. indigo; he pleaded ignorance of his Majesty's proclamation, and set down in writing of whom he bought, what he paid and where they are. Gratuity of 10l. to Mr. Egerton, one of the farmer's deputies, who had seized divers goods privately landed at Blackwall; 50l. adventure in the third Persian voyage allowed to Mr. Colthurst for his last year's service about the cloth business; and 40s. to John Martin, late interpreter to the Persian Ambassador, he being resolved to travel overland with his wife into Persia. Mr. Acton's bill of law charges, to be paid. Gratuity of 10s. to Robert Dodge "the late post of Plymouth" who is fallen to decay; and the like upon Richard Roswell, for that he was carried away in their last ships towards India, being aboard about the delivery of some mariner's wives letters, and was put aboard a ship they met, and so carried to the Isle of May and landed at Plymouth. List presented by Mr. Philpott, bailiff of Sandwich, of all goods bought out of the Charles and Jonas by Messrs. Isaac Morton,
Freind, and Dunkyn, desiring they might have their bargains; was told that when the goods were brought to the Company's warehouse they will give fitting answer. Relation by Mr. Hildersham concerning private trade out of Mr. Batten's ship seized by the Company's servants at Ipswich and in the Custom House. |
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May 6. Edmund Chambers's bill for barge hire to unlade the Charles and Jonas, to be paid. Executors of Thos. Barker, late agent in Persia, to be paid for a pair of carpets sold in Agra for 1,085½ mamoodes and brought into the Company's cash. Report of Mr. Governor concerning the difference between Wylde and Boothby, the bitterness on both sides, and the violent proceedings of Wylde were much distasted by the Court. State of the Second Joint Stock for the debt at Surat presented by the Auditors, whereby it appears that the present debt with interest will amount to about 60,000l., towards which the Company have in real matter goods and goods' debts at Surat and in Persia to the value of 23,000l. Discussion as to what to propose to the next General Court touching the disposure of the goods now returned, the general opinion not to divide till the debt were extinguished, and that the Old Stock should adventure the goods returned to clear the debt, to keep the trade on foot, it being unlikely that a fourth voyage would this year be underwrit; and to raise benefit to the Old Stock, because it would be necessary to send two ships, and if a stock were sent over and above it might not only bear the charge of the ships, but yield benefit to the adventurers, especially if a pinnace of advice be sent to the coast whence advice may be sent overland to Surat to be there three months before the ships arrival, so that goods may be in readiness to lade them home the same year. Demand of Mr. Hildersham for repayment of the money he had paid for private trade, but the Court again required he should first deliver the goods into their possession, which he promised to do. The goods bought by Wm. Janus of Richard Copp, Midshipman in the Charles, to be brought into the Company's warehouse. Mr. Taylor, late Master of the Samuel, ordered to deliver in a relation of the fight with the Portugal frigates, and how said ship was burned. Mr. Sambrooke to clear accounts with poor men (? not) private traders, but to forbear to pay any offending in that kind, and all officers who are most blameable for same. |
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May 9. Reeves, the farmer's deputy of Sandwich, reprehended for his backwardness in discovering and preventing private trade, notwithstanding his receipt of the Lord Treasurer's warrant; he seemed to excuse himself and produced a paper expressing all the private trade he knew to be landed at Sandwich; but the Court advised him to deal fairly with them otherwise they must proceed against him as they intend to do against others that falter with the Company. Examination of Mr. White of Dover, concerning his private trade he denied knowledge of the proclamation, and promised to bring the goods into the Company's warehouse. Mr. Acton's bill for fees and charges in their cause against Mr. Warner, to be paid. 7 pp. [Ct. Min. Bk., XII., 226–233.] |
| May 11–18. |
184. Court Minutes, E. I. Co. Letter read from James Breame and Anthony Persivall of Dover concerning 18 bales of silk supposed to be brought in the Charles and Jonas, and demanded by Capt. Weddell; answered to deliver said goods to Capt. Weddell to be brought to London to be customed, and to desire Breame and Persivall to make diligent inquiry for other goods landed at that port, and the Court would not be unmindful of their pains. A submissive petition of Mr. Warner, against whom the Company had a late sentence in the Exchequer Chamber for unlawful buying of goods belonging to the Company, expressing his hearty sorrow, and imploring the remission or mitigation of the fine and costs of 200l. Mr. Governor declared to him the several offers formerly made for composing this cause and his wilful refusal, finding there was yet due from him to Mr. Jesson between 200l. and 300l., advised them to settle their differences, and then repair again to the Court. Ordered that the wages of the poor mariners of the Charles, denied by reason of the Company's general restraint, be forthwith discharged, but no wages to be paid to the Commanders, Factors, and officers of the Charles and Jonas, without special order of the Court. George Maywood deposited 27l. 12s. according to promise by gain on indigo lately bought aboard the Charles, referring himself to abide the order of the Court. Bill of charges expended by John Mountney and Messrs. Meazy and Beauple, farmer's deputies, in the seizure of six bags of pepper at Ware to be paid, and 40s. a piece to Meazy and Beauple for their services. Debate what is fit to propound to the General Court in the afternoon concerning the disposure of the goods brought home in the Charles and Jonas; payment of the debt at Surat of the Old Stock and raising a New Stock for a fourth voyage. That the Old Stock should adventure the goods returned home to clear that debt which with interest will amount to about 60,000l.; that the Old Stock send out two ships, with a stock, over and above what will pay the debt, which will bear the charge of the ships, and make a profitable return to the adventurers, and until this debt be extinguished it was absolutely agreed not to make any division. Resolved next to propound to the Generality, that a book of subscription be set out for a fourth voyage, and in case it shall not take effect that leave be given to such as will, being of the Company, to raise a stock for keeping the trade on foot, which if discontinued this year may be in danger to be utterly lost. Also to appoint a day of sales for the goods now returned, and for the adventurers of the first Persian voyage to decide what course to take with their 106 bales of silk. |
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Minutes of a General Court. Statement by Mr. Governor that the suit between Mr. Boneale and the Company will come to trial next term. That the chief occasion of this meeting was to give thanks to Almighty God for the safe return of their two ships, Charles and Jonas, laden with rich goods valued at about 170,000l., but have been long upon the way which was an unhappiness to the Company, for had they come but two months sooner, before the departure of the Palsgrave and London, it would have been much to their advantage, for it now appears they have left a debt of
45,000l., which with interest till it can be paid will amount to 60,000l. He therefore desired to know what course they would take for satisfaction of the same, and disposure of the goods now returned. The Court of Committees had propounded, (1) to extinguish the debt; (2) to maintain the trade for this year; and (3) to give satisfaction to those that expect divisions. The Court of opinion that there shall be no division until the debt is paid; to do which it was thought that so much goods and money as will clear the debt and interest be sent in two ships, with 40,000l. more to relade the ships home and defray charges. The second course was to set out a book of subscription for a fourth voyage, in which the Second Joint Stock may send enough money to discharge the debt, and then the goods now returned might be sold for ready money, which was held the better course, but some question whether there would be a competent subscription for a fourth voyage this year. The third proposition if this book of subscription will produce but sufficient to set out one ship, the Old Stock may then send out another with money to pay the debt, and the ship to be reladen from Bantam, where by report there are 2,000 tons remaining for the account of the Second Stock. Mr. Governor having represented the propositions of the Committee left it to the Generality to approve of one of them, or to refer it till another Court, and meantime to set out a book of subscriptions for a fourth voyage. After much debate on these and divers other propositions the general opinion was that if there were a subscription for a fourth voyage, there might be a good accommodation of this debt between the Second Stock and that voyage; and therefore it was ordered, by erection of hands, that a book for a fourth voyage be put out and lie open till the General Court on Friday sennight; and that there should be a Court of Sales this day sennight. And there being 106 bales of silk in the Charles and Jonas belonging to the first Persia voyage, the General Court being ended, the adventurers in that voyage withdrew into the parlour and debated whether to divide or sell it, or to keep it till the price should be more worth; it was in the end concluded to suspend resolution until the next General Court when they will observe what the adventurers in the Old Stock will do with their 80 bales likewise returned in these ships. |
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May 13. Relation by Mr. Governor that the Lord Treasurer had this morning acquainted them that the Dutch Commissioners were now content to proceed in the treaty for reconciling differences between the Companies as has been proposed, though they have been thus long opposed, but whether to embrace the motion or propound other conditions more advantageous to themselves, it not being the intention of his Majesty to overrule the Company in anything. Richard Creswell's 10th and 11th divisions, amounting to 300l. on account of the Second Joint Stock, to be paid to Roger Fowkes authorised to receive it, being a gentleman of good fashion and an able man, dwelling in Staffordshire, on giving his acquittance. Ordered that the weekly allowance of 10s. each be continued to John Beamont, John Powell, and Ephraim Ramsey, who suffered in the cause of Amboyna, until Michaelmas next, but
no longer, on condition that howsoever their suit to his Majesty for satisfaction from the Dutch fall out, they thenceforth importune the Company no more. Concerning the Court of Sales for the calicoes brought home in the Charles and Jonas, and the price of the indigo fixed at 5s. per lb., Malabar pepper 17d. per lb. ungarbled to be transported, and 18d. garbled to sell in town. The preamble for a subscription for a fourth voyage read and ordered to be engrossed in a book. Leave to Mr. Wylde to visit his friends for eight days in the country, and for delivery of his trunks and wearing apparel, and toys intended for tokens to his friends. |
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May 16. Mr. Acton's bill for law charges, to be paid. Committee to confer with the owners of the six bags of pepper lately discovered at Ware, which should have been transported, who are desirous to make a composition. Meeting appointed to compose the differences between the Company and Baron Sotherton. Philip Taunton, Mate of the Jonas, to receive his wages, as he had not offended in bringing home private trade. Complaint of Mr. Cobb against Capt. Swanley for divers wrongs offered him in the Downs at his last departure for the Indies, heard and referred to the determination of Messrs. Cordell and Davies, in regard Capt. Swanley was content if he had done any wrong to give satisfaction. Henry Smith, land Purser of the Jonas, to give satisfaction as to 200 pepper bags or more wanting of the 2,040 sent aboard the Charles and Jonas. Letter presented by Mr. Boothby and a bundle of papers, being his answer to Wylde's accusations, but the Court wished him to have patience till next week, when they would think of a day for examination of these differences. The price set upon the calicoes by a Committee of the Warehouse agreed to, but not thought fit as yet to have it publicly known. Petitions of Messrs. Muschamp and Bix read, and howbeit the Court conceived their petition very modestly drawn, and that they showed an extraordinary respect in referring to the judgment of the Court, yet, weighing the consequences, they were answered that the Court could do nothing till the Company's bill and their answer be abbreviated, which they had ordered Mr. Acton to effect with all expedition; and that done, they would call the Company together, examine proofs and witnesses, and so proceed in the course of law against them or otherwise. Ordered that the kitchen stuff and tallow bought by Hildersham of the cooks in the Charles and Jonas, be sold at the best profit for the Company. Three pounds ten shillings received for permission to sell in town 14 bags of pepper, which should have been transported, put into the poor's box. Thomas Molum, who went out cook to Sir Dodmore Cotton, and was entertained cook in the Jonas when his master died in Persia, to be paid wages at 30s. per month. Also 50l. on account of wages to Giles Waterman, late Mate in the Charles; but not of the moneys he pretended to be owing to him in the Purser's books till the parties in whose names they were entered be returned. |
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May 18. Petitions of divers of the Company's servants for delivery of their goods brought home as private trade in the Charles and
Jonas; to attend on Monday next, when the Court will settle a course for all those that have brought their goods into the Company's warehouse. Relation by Mr. Governor to the Earl of Warwick and Lord Viscount Say and Sele, who were not at the General Court and desirous to understand whether there would be any division, of the debates at the Court of Committees and the General Court, and the course resolved on for obtaining a stock for a fourth voyage, with which their Lordships rested very well satisfied. Consideration of the seizure by Messrs. Francklyn and Maperley of indigo and calicoes, challenged by Mr. Gregory Clement, which were secretly landed from the Charles and Jonas without paying his Majesty's customs and duties; whereupon they put in an information into the Exchequer for confiscation of said goods, and the Barons granted the Company a license to compound with Francklyn and Maperley for their interest therein; ordered to give them for their part of said indigo 100l. and 20 marks for the calicoes, which they thankfully accepted, promising to acknowledge satisfaction in the Exchequer, as in such cases is usual. And Mr. Egerton, another of the farmers' deputies, thankfully accepted 50l. for his part in a like seizure of indigo and green ginger. Gratuity of 10l. over and above 10l. heretofore given to the four Pole Ackers (Poles) who came in the Charles, and were recommended by Capt. Weddell to have done good service, to furnish them with apparel and means for their passage into their own country. |
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Minutes of a General Court of Sales. 571 pieces of fine narrow bastaes at prices from 15s. 6d. to 33s.; 532 pieces gundavaes broad, at 15s.; 210 pieces duttees, at 19s. 6d.; and 560 pieces striped taxsellis, at 18s.; 750 bales of sugar, about 1,450 cwt., at 3l. 18s. per cwt.; 55 jars green ginger, weighing 9,000 lbs., at 2s. 1d. per lb.; 395 bales cotton yarn, about 64,000 lbs., at 2s. 1d. per lb.; 21 bales galls, about 50 cwt., at 3l. 5s. 6d. per cwt.; 600 lb. rhubarb, at 7s. 1d. per lb.; 600 lb. wormseed, at 4s. per lb.; and 14 cwt. long pepper, at 16¼d. per lb. 19 pp. [Ct. Min. Bk., XII. 233–252.] |
| May 18. |
185. "A brief description of the Islands of Banda, with a short relation of some principal injuries done by the Hollanders in those parts, whereby not only the King's Maty and our whole nation have suffered great damage, but also ignominy & dishonour intollerable." Signed John Cartwright [see ante, No. 170]. Banda consists of six islands, viz., Lantar or Great Banda, Pooloroon, Pooloway, Rosingyn, Neira, and Gunong Api; all the nutmegs and mace in the world come from the first four islands, by reason Gunong Api, having in it a sulphur mine like Mount Etna, broke out about 17 years past and destroyed the fruit of that island and of Neira adjoining, since when there has little or no fruit grown thereon. These four islands are all fruitful, and yield spices thrice every year, in January, May, and September, producing yearly 100 tons mace and 400 tons nutmegs, worth in Europe 290,000l.; which spices will grow on no other islands. Lantar, Pooloroon, and Rosingyn the English were possessed of by the Articles of Agreement of 1619, and kept garrison on Great Banda and Pooloroon, having had these islands with tree
and turf surrendered by the natives to the King of England, whose subjects they ever acknowledged themselves to be. But immediately after that agreement the Hollanders sent all their force with 18 ships, and on 1st March 1620–1 surprised Lantar, transported most of the natives to other parts, and cruelly butchered in cold blood 44 of the principal men; the rest escaped to other islands. This enterprise could never have been effected if the English had been warranted to have defended the same as in former times, when the Dutch made yearly assaults, but were always enforced to retire with loss. One of those articles commanded that no hostile means of offence or defence be used by either nation, but in cases of difference and wrong on protest the causes to be decided in Europe; by which article the English being abridged to fight, the Hollanders easily without loss of blood surprised the naked natives. Not many days after they came to Pooloroon and commanded the natives, on pain of fire and sword, to reject the English and become subject to them; the natives offered to spend their blood in behalf of the King of England's right, but the English refusing to protect them by hostile means, they were forced to become subjects to the Hollanders, to pay 10 per cent. for all their spices, on condition of freedom to use their own laws and religion, give up all their weapons, throw down their walls, raze all the English forts, and cast their ordnance into the sea; all which the English were spectators of, not daring beyond their commission to make resistance. And so the Poolorooners continued under the government of the Hollanders until July 1622, when a plot was laid to cut them all off; the Dutch, upon suspicion that they intended to surprise the Dutch castle of Pooloway, took all the chief men prisoners, and daily for a month tortured them with fire and water, as at Amboyna, to make them acknowledge the fact, by which four died, and the rest being 162 at two executions were bloodily butchered, some of the principal being cut through the middle and the rest beheaded, calling upon God to take vengeance for the loss of their innocent bloods; and by all circumstances they died as innocent as the English in that massacre at Amboyna. Their wives, children, and slaves the Dutch transported to other islands, but sent their own people to inhabit on Pooloroon. Thus was his Majesty deprived of his lands and people by the bloody and treacherous stratagems of the Hollanders, who have now so strongly fortified those islands that they are invincible. The Feb. following the Dutch "proceeded further to the execution of that bloody tragedy upon the English at Amboyna, whose innocent blood cries to Heaven for vengeance, and though the Lord for a season delay to punish, yet rather than such bloody murder shall escape His wrath, the very stones and senseless creatures will execute the office of their Maker." Thus in brief, have the Hollanders deprived his Majesty of so many subjects, usurped his right to those islands, overthrown all English trade in those parts, and, worst of all, brought such a scandal upon our whole nation as no time will wipe away; all this have they effected by murder and cruelty, against all truth and equity, as John Cartwright, Merchant, who sojourned eight years in those parts, and
was both eye and ear witness, will testify; and now being ready to depart back for Russia in the Emperor's affairs, he thought it his duty to make this short relation. 3 pp. [East Indies, Vol. IV., No. 95.] |
| May 20. |
186. Court Minutes, E. I. Co. Petition of John Delaie, Quartermaster of the Charles, for half a hhd. of jaggery, given to him by Capt. Weddell, who had provided it for his own drinking at sea, and now in the Company's warehouse, granted. Capt. Weddell having brought up his 18 bales of silk to the Custom House, Mr. Mountney was ordered to enter them in the Company's name, pay custom, and bring them into their warehouse; and all other goods of his and other their servants, that the Court may resolve to deliver such of them, on payment of freight, as they think good. The security tendered by Herriott Washborne for 750 bales sugar, bought by him at the late Court of Sales, not thought sufficient without another able man, which he agreed to. The security tendered by George Henly for 160 pieces of narrow bastaes, bought at said Court of Sales, approved. Propositions of Sir Wm. Russell in writing, for the better supportation of the trade to the East Indies, read, in regard he could not attend the General Court; but after two hours' debate, the general opinion was, finding so small a subscription underwritten in the book set forth for a fourth voyage, that the only way for raising a stock for this year and satisfying the debt remaining upon the Old Stock would be to send out the returns of the goods brought home in the Charles and Jonas on account of the Second Joint Stock, and not by a particular fourth voyage; for the difficulties propounded in said propositions appeared to be many; nevertheless it was resolved to remonstrate the same to the Generality in the afternoon. |
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Minutes of a General Court. Relation by Mr. Governor that a Court of Sales had been made and commodities sold to the value of about 15,000l. at short time, and that a book for a subscription for a fourth voyage had been set out, but though the time prefixed had expired, but 11,000l. had been underwritten, although for his own part Mr. Governor had underwritten as much as he did in any of the three former voyages; but seeing there was small hope to raise a stock for a voyage this year by a subscription, divers propositions had been made in the Court of Committees, as:—(1) that the Old Stock should buy up the three voyages at 30l. or 40l. per cent.; (2) to buy out the adventurers in the Old Stock by allowing them 17 half capitals; and, (3), that the estate brought home in the Charles and Jonas be sent out to pay their debt of 45,000l. and interest, which will amount to 60,000l., at Surat, by which means the debt will be satisfied, charges defrayed, and the two ships reladen home with profit to the great advantage of the old adventurers. Moreover, Mr. Governor read the proposition of Sir Wm. Russell, as follows:—(1) that a stock of 200,000l. be got for this year; (2) that the subscribers may continue for four years; (3) that this stock may purchase all former stocks and voyages; (4) that a committee be appointed to consider of the rate for the Old Joint
Stock and the last three voyages, and report to the General Court before the holidays; and, (5) that a book for a subscription be set forth. Mr. Governor said that the proposition generally approved to be the best was that for the return of the estate brought home in the Charles and Jonas. Then the Court fell into discussion upon the several other propositions, each one being objected to for the reasons herein recited: observations of "an honorable person" present in Court, who held that the Old Stock and each voyage should stand upon his own legs, and the adventurers receive their divisions as it shall please God to send them home, utterly disliking all the other propositions, and, therefore, in case the subscription shall fail, and the estate now returned in the Charles and Jonas be sufficient, to pay the debt at Surat, he conceived no course more proper than to set forth two ships with such a proportion of quick stock as may relade them home, and meantime to forbear divisions; howbeit, as he had heard that this debt was taken up by the Company's Factors without order, and they have brought home in the Company's ships many tons of their own goods, that the Court would examine this abuse and impose a fine equivalent to the offence. This opinion of his Lordship was seconded by many as a course unavoidable, and being put to the question it was ordered to send in two ships and a pinnace the value of the goods returned in the Charles and Jonas, with so much money and quick stock as would relade them home; and the Persian trade was recommended to the care of the Court, lest by neglecting it this year it should be lost. 6½ pp. [Ct. Min. Bk, XII., 252–258.] |
| May 25–27. |
187. Court Minutes, E. I. Co. Thos. Rich's security for 55 jars of green ginger, weighing about 9,000 lbs., bought at the late Court of Sales, accepted. Gratuity of 5l. to Mr. Reynolds, collector for the farmers at Ipswich, for his service in the discovery and seizure of goods conveyed out of the Charles and Jonas to that port, and since come to the Company's hands. The Court being much importuned by the Commanders, Factors, mariners, and others returned in the Charles and Jonas for delivery of their goods brought home as private trade now in the Company's possession at Crosby House on payment of freight, the Court finding it a business that will ask more time than they can spare, a committee is authorised to view and deliver said goods on payment of freight, except calicoes, indigo, and silk, which are still to be reserved until the Company have made sale of their own of that kind. Motion of the executors of Thos. Juxon concerning his arrears in the Second Joint Stock, and the money due to him on his seventh and eighth divisions. Friday appointed to confer about sending out ships upon the Old Stock, and the places whither they shall go, so that present direction be given for repairing the ships, buying cloth and other merchandise. Also that the adventurers in the first Persia voyage be warned to meet, then to resolve whether to keep or sell their 106 bales of silk. Breviates made by Mr. Acton for the answers of Messrs. Muschamp, Bix, and Coggins, to be read this afternoon, when all the Committees are intreated to be present with those nominated by the Generality,
that the Court may resolve either to accept their submission or proceed against them in Chancery. Wages of John Griffin returned in the Jonas to be paid. |
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May 27. This Court being specially appointed to consider the setting forth of this year's voyage, Mr. Governor made known the resolution of the last General Court (see No. 186), also a pinnace to be sent to the coast of Coromandel, but this was by some conceived to be a deserting of the Persian trade, so he proposed whether the debt, being first paid there, would be stock sufficient both for Surat and Persia. Hereupon arose a debate whether the charge of India should be left upon the third voyage; then it was proposed first how to make a gainful trade this year with so small a stock, and secondly, how to secure the ships and trade from the Portugals with so small a strength; which propositions were largely debated, some conceiving that if the two ships could return this year with the Mary, Exchange, and Speedwell, these five ships would perhaps bring a glut of commodities, yet there would be good security, and six ships must then be sent out next year because there will be none to meet them at Mohilla to increase their strength. As for the benefit, it was conceived that when all charges of the ships returned, and the silk returned for the first voyage, be taken out, the remainder being about 140,000l. will be too small to supply both the trade of Surat and Persia and pay the debt, nor will it be fit this year to desert the Persia trade, because that is the most beneficial both in respect of itself and also of the freight and custom, which would recompense the charge of staying out 10 months longer, and, therefore, if 40,000l. more could be provided, that would be competent for both places, and a third ship, the Hart or Dolphin, may be added, which would increase the strength, and yet the gains of the Persia trade would bear the charge. And for furnishing the 40,000l., two ways proposed, viz:—To take up so much at interest for the account of the Old Stock; or to permit others not in the Second Stock to underwrite for so much; objections and debate thereon; the Court generally concluded to take up at interest so much as shall be found needful for setting out this voyage. Having settled this point, the Persian trade was taken into consideration, and it being alleged that this trade will divide 50 per cent. towards charges more than the Surat trade, so that the contract be performed, the Company, by the late disorder of their servants in private trade, having discovered that the trade from Surat to Persia will yield near cent, per cent. if they will carry their goods to Spahan, it was generally conceived that the Persian trade cannot be parted from the Surat trade, but before put to the question it was objected that the stock now intended to be sent was too small to support the charge, and proposition was made to send 200,000l. and to raise it upon the Old Stock, or else to admit new underwriters; to which was answered that the stock sent is conceived sufficient for this year, because the Factors from Persia advise to supply that trade sparingly, until the estate of that kingdom be better settled; and, after further debate, it was ordered
by erection of hands, to employ the ships and stock this year both to Surat and Persia, and that this voyage should not come jostling home with the third voyage, but stay a year longer, and so buy and sell apart by itself. The next thing considered was the number of ships to be sent, which, after debate, was resolved should be the Charles and Jonas, with either the Hart or Dolphin, and a pinnace. It was ordered that letters be written to Daniel Coghill and Thomas Honywood at Marseilles, to provide coral for 10,000 crowns, and send it direct by ship for England, or overland that it may be here in time, being a certain commodity and much requested; also to write to [Signor] Guadagni at Leghorne for coral to the import of 10,000 ducats, and it was also ordered that the committee for cloth forthwith buy 100 cloths, and proposed to set their own seals on it and be answerable for the well ordering, dyeing, and dressing of same, much abuse being formerly practised by straining the same on gigmills. 8 pp. [Ct. Min. Bk, XII., 259–266.] |
