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| Sept. 5–14. |
306. Court Minutes, E. I. Co. The Court fell into dispute about the petition to be presented to his Majesty, whether to have their former allowance of 100,000l. enlarged to 120,000l., but it was thought fit to keep to their former allowance, but to desire liberty to transport 40,000l. thereof in foreign or English gold, and to this effect the Secretary was ordered to draw the petition, and to attend Sec. Coke therewith, who is desired to move his Majesty for his consent. On a question raised whether the Company has not sent out too much shipping or too little stock, or too much stock or too little shipping, it was thought fit after some dispute that two Committees take an examination of the tonnage and shipping abroad, and whether the stock sent out be not sufficient to relade them home, and report to the Court. Information of Mr. Mun that out of the letters from Coromandel to Bantam, he observes there is a very beneficial trade from Macassar to the coast in cloves, which makes cent. per cent., as also in "turkle shells," sandall wood, &c., and so to lade thence coast cloth immediately for England, which if well bought will yield 3 for 1 here; whereupon ordered that the 15,000l. to be sent to the coast be enlarged to 20,000l., the rather that their trade to Persia does not answer expectation, the cloth and tin lying unsold. After mature consideration ordered, for the reasons set forth, that the factory of Coromandel be subordinate to that of Bantam, as formerly, and not any more to Surat. On complaint of the farmer's deputies that they have had nothing from the Company these two years for their extraordinary services, ordered that they shall have a bag of the London's pepper at 10d. per lb. Also that Capt. Moreton's will be delivered to his executor, and that the difference between Capt. Hall and Lewkenor Petley be heard in public Court next week. |
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Sept. 7. Thomas Johnson, who had been two voyages to the Indies and lived three years baker at Surat, chosen Steward's Mate of the Swan. Robert Litler entertained Under Factor at 30l. the first year, 40l. the second, 50l. the third, and so to continue for seven years. Wednesday come sennight appointed to hear the difference between Capt. Hall and Lewkenor Petley. Report heard on the Exchange that 20 barrels of the Company's powder had been sold to Mr. Beane, a chandler in Tower Street, and other parcels in
other places, and that they were threatened to be complained of to the Lords; Mr. Collins and his brother-in-law to be sent for to the Court on Wednesday, and meantime somebody to be sent to the mills to take care no more powder be carried away or wrought up till further order. Ordered that the overplus of beef, being 10 oxen more than the Swan's proportion, be sent in that ship for Bantam to the Factors there for store. Ten pounds of Mr. Austen's freight of 45l. abated. His request for 2 hhds. of white wine to make wormwood wine of granted, and the Committees for wine to buy what they think meet, and he required to use his best diligence for dispatch of the ship, and to choose an able mate, for all merchandise, stores, and provisions to be aboard by the end of next week. |
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Sept. 12. The Court having knowledge that the 20 barrels of gunpowder, formerly seized at Ham Hawe by Wm. Oakley for a debt owing to him by Edward Collins, had been recovered by judgment out of Windsor Court and sold by Oakley to one Beane, and considering how dangerous this might be in respect of the command from the State prohibiting the sale of any of their powder, Collins and his brother Billingsley, his partner, were called in, and Collins was sharply reprehended and examined as to other parcels of powder he had sold and pawned to pay his debts, for which he desired pardon and promised it should be redeemed within seven or eight days. It was further remonstrated that their account with the Company was 1,500l., towards which there remained in materials to the value of 900l., so that Collins was indebted 600l., and as Billingsley was the man on whom the Company had their eye for satisfaction in case Collins should fail in his agreement, the Court wished him to examine his brother's proceedings, and meantime to lay down the money for discharge of his brother's said debts; he was granted till Friday come sennight to return his answer, and that the mills be set at liberty to work as formerly. Propositions moved by Thomas Smethwike: (1.) That ships going from Bantam to Surat with pepper, to be dispatched for England in December, may be at Bantam in March at least, that they may have time to go to Jambi or elsewhere for their lading of pepper to be dispeeded from Bantam in July, that the dispatch of ships with Surat goods for England may be in December, without staying for the Persia silk, which is not likely to be much. (2.) That the ships coming from Persia to Surat about April, and from thence to Bantam, may carry the Persia silk in them, and there and at Jambi be laden with pepper, cloves, &c. for England, and be dispatched thence in December, and so both fleets meet on the way homeward bound. (3.) That the peremptory disposure of the Company's shipping in India be not directed from hence, but left wholly to the discretion of the President and Council in India and the sea Commanders. Lastly, that the President and Council or other prime agents may not too peremptorily dispose of the Company's affairs far remote from them, as was done lately in taking cloves from the Old Stock's account to the second Persia voyage, whereby the Company is much damnified, and it is doubtful of the like damage in the disposure of the James and Speedwell. The Court answered they took in good part what
he had propounded, and would in due time take it into consideration, but they told him they conceived these propositions were none of his own, but collected by him out of the Company's letters lately received from their Factors, which the Court very well remembered, and would have been debated when time should serve, whether he had propounded them or no; nevertheless Mr. Smethwicke requested that what he had propounded might be registered, which was commanded accordingly. |
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Sept. 14. Mr. Swanley to use all possible diligence to carry the Swan, which will be ready on Monday or Tuesday, down to Gravesend, meantime imprest to be paid as fast as they can come to receive it. Mr. Smethwicke's propositions were then fully debated, though they were no other than were in the Factors' letters and had formerly been argued, and for the reasons herein expressed, viz., the freight of pepper carried, the price saved, and the fleet strengthened, the old course of returning to Surat was held best, but left to further consideration. And because the trade of pepper is not so beneficial as heretofore, and the return of a ship with coast clothing directly for England would be very profitable, because cloth from the coast to Macassar will double itself, and the proceeds invested in cloves, turtle shells, and sandal wood will at the coast yield 40 or 50 per cent., profit, and the proceeds in coast cloth for England vend at 3 for 1, this course was thought meet to be directed by this ship, and so in September come twelvemonth a ship may be returned for England, and so consequently a ship every 24 months. The trade of Persia to be handled by itself another time. Mr. Mullins' charges for his journey to the powder mills, amounting to 39s., to be paid., Complaints of one Maye against Henry Smyth, land Purser, found to be of small consequence and passed over with an admonition to be more careful hereafter. Ordered that Mr. Sherburne be paid 50l. for passing the Company's patent for transportation of gold. 10½ pp. [Ct. Min. Bk., XIII., 49–59.] |
| Sept. 19–26. |
307. Court Minutes, E. I. Co. List read of 27 Factors and others at Bantam, Jambi, Macassar, and Japara, of whom 20 were resolved home by the next; [see ante, No. 261 II.] the supply of their places left to further consideration. Thomas Clarke, who came home in the Palsgrave ordered to attend concerning private trade in the James and Blessing from Surat, on advice from Gabriel Kennicott. Complaint of Mr. Smethwicke that he went to the Secretary's office to see the order which appoints every Wednesday to debate the serious business of the Company, but found the Courts not registered since August was twelvemonth. He further pressed to have his propositions argued, and that he might be present, but was answered that it would take up the whole time of the Court, if they should argue every proposition of the adventurers, who must content themselves with the opinion of the Court, who will do what they see fit for the good of the Company as by their oaths they are obliged. Ordered at the request of the Earl of Lindsey to make stay of Abraham Porter's goods, if
any remain in the Company's hands, and he be not indebted to the Company. Report of Mr. Governor that himself and others had attended the Lord Treasurer, who at first was very much displeased about the powder mills, but afterwards better satisfied, being told that the Governor and Committees could not lay down the Company's patent, unless it be evicted from them by law, or they be called to answer the business before the Council. The letter from the Company to Sec. Coke, by direction of the Lord Treasurer, was read; also their petition for license to export 40,000l. in foreign and English gold, which was approved and ordered to be delivered by Mr. Sherburne to Sec. Coke to move his Majesty therein. Ordered that the saltpetre be refined at Blackwall before it be sent to the powder mills, in regard of the great waste in refining, complained of by the powder maker. The difference between Capt. Hall and Lewkenor Petley heard, and the one affirming confidently, and the other as confidently denying what was objected, the Court required Petley to set down his objections in writing. Gratuity of 40s. to Henry Clibery, who had formerly received a maim in the Company's service. Collins ordered to be paid for mending 37 barrels of old powder. On petition of Lewkenor Petley, the freight of 3 cwt. of his drugs, was remitted, but he was ordered to pay freight for the rest of his goods. |
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Sept. 22. At the recommendation of the Factors in India, freight was remitted to Nicholas Rutter, the Dane who came home in the London, and a free passage from Bantam to England. |
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Sept. 24. Proposition of Sir Wm. Russell whether in regard of the news lately divulged concerning the death of the Company's Factors at Surat, it were not better for all the adventurers to unite the Joint Stock and the three particular voyages into one; for if they be dead, there lie goods in the warehouse bought for several voyages, and how to distinguish to which voyage they belong will be a question; they may also be stolen by natives or the Company's servants, and for the Joint Stock, there is a great debt at interest. And whether the natives will suffer the mariners to land and carry away the goods till the debt be paid, is a query; wherefore he desired to know what inconvenience might arise by the valuation of the Company's estates; to which several of the Committee gave divers answers, showing the difficulties and how prejudicial it might be to make the three voyages into a Joint Stock. That as for the first voyage there is not above 10,000l. at Surat and the rest in Persia, for the second voyage not above 66,000l. sent for Surat, whereof 12,000l. is already returned, and the rest may be on the way homeward, for the ships were in the Road the 12th Dec. That the case is not so desperate as some make it; there were 10 of the family dead, and were they all English there were 15 left, and 15 more up in the country, and for their debt at Surat there was money gone which may be there now to satisfy it. Resolved to resume this business at another meeting. |
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Sept. 26. Saltpetre to be refined in the kitchen at Crosby House, where it will be done with less charge and danger than at
Blackwall; and in regard of the Lord Treasurer's order for dissolving their powder mills, ordered that the Company's Factors be directed not to send any more saltpetre to England till further order. On information that the Masters' Mates appointed in the Swan are reported not to be so able as the service required, resolved, as well for the better safety of the ship in case of mortality, her cargazoon being greater than had heretofore at any one time been sent and to give satisfaction to the adventurers, to entertain Thomas Curin, an excellent artist, who had been three times at the coast, prime Mate at 4l. per month, with allowance of four months imprest. Resolved, in respect of the death of the President and Factors, to send no other supply by this ship than already provided, except two small cables and eight or ten coils of cordage for the coast and Bantam, reserving what shall be necessary to be sent by the Surat fleet in the spring, which will arrive there as soon as if a ship were now purposely sent. Letter read from Sir Wm. Russell desiring further consideration of his motion at their last meeting for uniting the three voyages with the Joint Stock; answered that this motion received a full determination at the last Court, when it was largely argued; that it was not only expressly and directly against the General Court, but also against the promise made by the Court of Committees to the adventurers when they underwrit their subscriptions, yet for their respect to Sir William, who is a great adventurer, Friday morning next was appointed to have it again argued, and then deliver their former resolutions. This day sennight appointed to clear with Capt. Hall, and meantime Mr. Markham to cast up the freight of his goods. Edward Collins to be paid for 58 barrels of old powder which he hath now amended. Gratuity of 10s. to Dorothy Gray, a very poor woman. 8½ pp. [Ct. Min. Bk., XIII., 60–67.] |
Sept. 27.
Masulipatam. |
308. Thomas Woodson to Thomas Colley, Merchant in Pettapoli. Many thanks for his of 17th, acknowledging it by this piece of paper which they did wet with a cup of sack to his health and Mr. Cartwright's before blotting it with ink. Is glad he has met with a friend and place so to his mind; questionless such happinesses many times add many days unto a man's life. The Judge, the Doctor, and both my sons remember their love to your son who went yesterday to Verasheroone to assist Mr. Hudson. Thanks him for the remembrance of his "pillowbers"; if he can procure two or three pair and a "chilte" (?) to make quilt for a bed of fine linen and good painting will with many thanks allow the cost. Endorsed, "3d October rec. 1632." 1 p. [O. C., Vol. XIV., No. 1447.] |
| Sept. 28. |
309. Court Minutes, E. I. Co. The Governor reported that this meeting was to argue Sir Wm. Russell's proposition for uniting the voyages and the Joint Stock. Sir Wm. said he knew not whether his proposition was for his profit or not, but if the Court dislike it he was content; and the General Court of 23rd Nov. 1631 being read wherein it was ordered that the particular voyages should run out by themselves, it was put to the balloting box, and two balls
only were in the affirmative to uniting them, and 12 to the contrary. 1½ pp. [Ct. Min. Bk., XIII., 68, 69.] |
Sept. 28.
Armagon. |
310. (Capt.) Manuel Altham to Thomas Colley, Merchant, at Pettapoli. Desires their reciprocal courtesies may be continued. Refers to the lead merchants. Our countrymen would rather a heathen should thrive than one of their nation, and will rather take less of the one than of the other, as Mr. Cartwright can tell of the ships' company Mary? and Exchange. Prays him, besides what Mr. Cartwright provides, to get a few painted "pilloberes" very good works and colours, as also . . . . (torn away) and broad lansoles for England. Has appointed . . . . in Masulipatam to send him what moneys he desires, and is ready to do him the like courtesies. Understands he is well stored with "ormns" (?); pray send a little by the next pettamer. In margin, "Returned answer of this 20th 8ber 1632." 1 p. defective. [O. C., Vol. XIV., No. 1448.] |
Sept. 28.
Armagon. |
311. Robert Addams to Thomas Colley, Merchant, at Pettapoli. Thanks for having treated with the agent for his going to Bantam. Is very glad he has so good company as Mr. Cartwright, and hopes they will keep a good house and drink punch by no allowance. Prays when he sends to Masulipatam to remember his commendations and Mr. Clark's to Mr. Woodson and Thos. Clarke; and to certify by the next when the ship will return. The surgeon remembers his commendations with thanks for his tobacco. Endorsed, "Rec. 5th October 1632." 1 p. [O. C., Vol. XIV., No. 1449.] |
Sept. 28.
Masulipatam. |
312. Thomas Woodson to Thomas Colley, Merchant. Just received his of 25th with the pillowbers; the cost shall be made good as he shall advise. Will inquire for the striped stuffs he desires, and send them by the first conveniency. The bearer was dispeeded yesterday, but has been in town all night; wrote by him Mr. Wolsely (?) would have written, but the bearer stands at the door to depart. 1 p. [O. C., Vol. XIV., No. 1450.] |
