|
| April 3. |
419. Court Minutes, E. I. Co. Demand of Woodfall of 50l. long since due to him, whereof he can receive but 30l., the rest being defalked for a broke for not transporting pepper, wherein he laboured to excuse himself by the omission of Mr. Osbalston, to whom he sold it; but the Court taking notice that Osbalston is no freeman, answered they cannot help him further than to mediate with Osbalston. Edward Abbott and Sir Morris Abbott approved of by the balloting box for security of 100 bags of pepper. Discussion as to the disposure of the indigo, at 6s. 6d., deferred, Request
of Capt. Hall for remission of some part of the 266l. detained from him for freight, but the Court understanding that they had only taken 166l. for freight, and that he reckoned 100l. to be due to him for coming into the Downs, resolved not to alter their former order. John Southam to be paid 1l. per week for his care and pains for 13 weeks in stowing the goods of the Discovery and Reformation. 1½ pp. [Ct. Min. Bk., XIII., 245, 246.] |
| April 5. |
420. Court Minutes, E. I. Co. A Court of the Adventurers of the first and second Persia voyages. Report of Mr. Governor of the receipt of a letter from the Blessing, dated 1st Jan. last, from St. Helena, brought by a Frenchman, to Dieppe; much blaming the indiscretion of the writers, Roberts, Master, Francis Stockton, Purser, and Walter Mountford for being so brief, acquainting the Company with nothing of importance, no, not so much as with the lading of said ship. He next declared that the cause of their calling together is to take into consideration the disposure of their indigo, the Auditors finding there may be a division to the Adventurers of 13l. per cent. Divers propositions whether to divide it, sell it in gross, or reserve it till the arrival of the Blessing. The Court having argued and disputed this business at large, and being divided in opinion, it was finally ordered, by erection of hands, not to dispose of it at this time, but to forbear the sale till Friday in Easter week, unless the Blessing arrive sooner. Petition of Emanuel Gisby, whose brother, Michael, entertained in the Discovery, was cast away in Lee Road, in the Company's service, not to be compelled to repay his imprest money and to receive his clothes and other goods, the Court, seeing his brother lost his life by the immediate hand of God, granted Petitioner's request. 2½ pp. [Ct. Min. Bk., XIII., 247–249.] |
April 6.
Chatham. |
421. Sir Henry Palmer, Comptroller of the Navy, to Sec. Sir John Coke. Encloses acknowledgment of receipt of an anchor of his Majesty's, delivered by Sir John Hippisley's order to the East India Company, in lieu of one returned from them. Encloses, |
|
421. I. Receipt of Peter Young for one of his Majesty's anchors, containing 26 cwt. 34 lbs., received by Sir John Hippisley's order for one of the East India ships in the Downs, to be made good again to the King. 1626, Nov. 1. [Dom., Chas. I., Vol. CCXXXVI., No. 24.] |
| April 10. |
422. Court Minutes, E. I. Co. Ordered that 44 shillings be paid to Collins, the quarter's rent due for the land whereon the new mill stands; and 5l. 6s. 8d. to Sir Edward Randall's son for a quarter's rent of the powder mills due at Lady Day last, and Mountney to keep Sir Edward's note authorising his son to receive same. Letter read from Mr. Kirkham, brought home in the Blessing, wherein he seems to advise the Company yearly to dispeed away their ships about same time Capt. Weddell went, being about the beginning of April, but after debate, the opinion of the Court was to dispeed them yearly about the beginning of March at latest. On reading letter from Capt. Slade of 25th Jan. 1632 [see ante,
No. 259] that 60 butts of beer in the fleet that stank were cast overboard, Mountney was required to speak with the brewer. 1 p. [Ct. Min. Bk., XIII., 249, 250.] |
April. 13.
Cowes at 2 in the morning. |
423. Francis Brooke to Sec. Sir John Coke. The two Holland East India ships are riding at the East Cowes accompanied with two small men-of-war of their own nation. The warrant for their arrest has been executed by the officer, but they refused to come into command of his Majesty's fort at the Cowes, and when an attempt was made for taking away their sails, gave order with one voice to throw our men off the yards, and seem resolved to resist all attempts; but the chief Commander was found ashore at the Cowes and is there detained. Procured the 5th and 8th Whelp to come out and ride by them, and the English East Indiaman that rides before Portsmouth promised to fall down towards these ships with his Majesty's pinnaces, but performed it not. Coke's letter cautions him not to use forcible means without further warrant and the two whelps cannot withstand them. Prays further instructions with expedition, the 8th Whelp having orders for the Downs. 1½ p. [Dom., Chas. I., Vol. CCXXXVI., No. 62.] |
April 14.
Stokes Bay. l'innace 8th Whelp. |
424. Capt. George Carteret to Sec. Sir John Coke. Has been ready to sail these five days for the Downs, but stayed by a contrary wind, and also by the Deputy Vice-Admiral, who required him to go and ride by two Hollanders from the East Indies. Asked him what he should do if they set sail, who told him he had order only to stay them and not use any violence, and therefore thought fit only to ride by them till he should know his Honour's further pleasure. Yesterday about noon the two Hollanders let slip their cables and went away, the wind being north-west, but four hours after it came back to the north-east, and blew so hard that they will not be able to keep the Channel, but will put in at Plymouth or Falmouth. Could not send his boat ashore with information, by reason of the great storm. Made no shot at them, having no order; nor could he have stayed them, the 5th Whelp having nothing but six barrels of old powder from the English East India ship that came with the Hollanders, and that would not have loaded her ordnance twice. Stays only for a good wind to repair to the Downs. 1 p. [Dom., Chas. I., Vol. CCXXXVI., No. 68.] |
April 15.
Portsmouth. |
425. Francis Brooke to Sec. Sir John Coke. The Secretary's packet was 23 hours before it came to hand. Showed in his last letter that the Dutch East India ships were gone; found them at East Cowes. Has given copy of his Honour's letter to Capt. Cartwright (Carteret), with order to see it obeyed, and the enclosed to Capt. Kettlebye. [Extract from Dom. Corres., Chas. I., Vol. CCXXXVI., No. 76.] |
| April 15. |
426. Same to Same. Acknowledges receipt of another letter which should have come before. Solomon Smith who brought the warrant for arrest of the Dutch East India ships, with his Honour's command touching the Commander and Company, says they are all gone; but
the Commander, who is in custody of Capt. Tourney, Deputy Vice-Admiral. Has delivered his letters to Capt. Kettleby. Heard these ships came at first within command of Cowes Castle; and afterwards rode without. It were good to know why they removed. Mr. Swinglehurst certifies his Honour's pleasure that he should lend the Blessing a cable of 15 or 16 inches, which he has done. [Dom., Chas. I., Vol. CCXXXVI., No. 77.] |
| April 15. |
427. Capt. Thos. Kettlebye to Sec. Coke. Arrived with the Dreadnought this day at Portsmouth where he received his Honour's two letters, and found the business (of the Dutch East India ships) dispatched, but not with success; had they had a little patience, doubts not his Honour had had a better account of same. [Dom., Chas. I., Vol. CCXXXVI., No. 78.] |
| April 17. |
428. Court Minutes, E. I. Co. Gratuity of 20 marks conferred upon Hugh Lockett, servant to Edw. Sherburne, the Company's Secretary, for engrossing and fair writing divers petitions, letters, accounts, and other extraordinary businesses concerning the Company's differences with the Dutch for two years past. Mr. Smethwicke then came into Court and made known that he lately attended Lord Cottington to understand his opinion whether in the treaty lately made between his Majesty and the King of Spain the Portingalls in India were included, and whether as things now stand since the treaty the Company may use any hostility against them or make them good prize, observing that out of the general letters lately received the Company hath given order to their Commanders to stand upon their guard and to offend and take the Portingalls if they can, which Smethwicke informed the Court, Lord Cottington disavowed as being neither warrantable by the treaty nor advised by him, in which respect Smethwicke conceived the Company shall do well seriously to consider of the directions they have given concerning this point, which he thought fit, as one of the Company, to impart unto them, least they may run into danger and displeasure of the State by doing that which they cannot justify, his Lordship absolutely declaring himself that his opinion is, the English may not take the Portingalls. The Court, having heard this relation from Mr. Smethwicke, did much admire that he should presume without direction to take upon him so much boldness as to question in a business of this nature with a Privy Councillor. And therefore in the first place Mr. Governor gave him answer that what order the Court of Committees have given to their Commanders in this particular, or what hath fallen from them to any in public discourse, they will be ready to maintain and make it good where and before whomsoever they shall be called, but for himself they hold it not fit to give any account or to have any further discourse with him about this business, having presumed and taken more upon him than many others would have done who have far more reason and authority than himself, and therefore they wished him not to trouble himself further herein, but to leave it to the care of the Committees, who must answer for what they have done. But if he hath any other matter to say, they shall be ready to give him hearing, other-
wise they desired him to depart, that they may proceed to such other business as they have in hand. He then began to tax the Court for sending the Palsgrave to Bantam for pepper, being contrary to his opinion, also for tying their Factors too strictly to their commissions, which is the cause the Blessing hath not brought home any pepper, with many other extravagant passages, which the Court fully answering, he at length departed. Whereupon it was observed the great prejudice the Company receives by the admittance of him and others to have a sight and to take copies of their letters, accounts, consultations, and acts of the Court, for by this means their secrets are divulged and an ill use made thereof; and therefore it was ordered that from henceforth no person whatsoever, the Committees only excepted, be permitted to read or take copies of their letters, consultations, or acts, or to ravel or dive into their accounts, without the consent of the Court of Committees; and an act of Court was forthwith drawn to said effect, which follows, with a proviso that any adventurer may at times convenient both see and take copies of so much as appertained to their particular accounts at pleasure; whereof the Company's Secretary, Accountants, Auditors, or other of the Company's officers are to take special notice. Relation of Mr. Governor of the proceedings taken for the seizure and stay of the two Dutch ships at Portsmouth, not only by authority out of the Court of Admiralty, whereby they were arrested and the broad arrow set upon their masts, but also by direction given by the State to his Majesty's ships there and in the Downs to force them to obey, but notwithstanding all that was done, by reason his Majesty's ships came too late, the two Dutch ships, by order of Carpentier, who rode down post, are gone in a contemptuous manner, refusing to obey said arrest, having left the Commander of their ships and many mariners ashore, who are stayed and under command, yet though they are escaped Mr. Governor declared his opinion it will work something in the end, and enforce the Commissioners to fall again to a treaty, and to settle business in question, making known also how well inclined my Lord Treasurer and other lords were to have furthered this design. Gratuity of 10l. to Solomon Smith, the officer of the Admiralty, for his diligence in performing his part in the arrest of said ships, his charges of horse, diet, and lodging being formerly defrayed by the Company. Paper presented by Anthony Verneworthy expressing the particulars of his estate, where, when, and how he got same; being demanded, he answered he had brought home 2,095 Rs. in diamonds, rubies, and bezoar stones, and had left in India 1,827 Rs. in debts, commended to the care of Malachi Martin at Macassar, protesting that by his care and good husbandry, he hath saved the Company in his eight years' service more than his estate amounts to, and therefore desired the Court to deal favourably with him. The Court, understanding he is an able man, and no other objection against him save the suspicion concerning Short's estate, and finding he is ready to do them further service, ordered, by erection of hands, that there be imposed upon him a fine of 200l. for his private trade, to which he willingly submitted, and acknowledged the favour of the Court for dealing so favourably with him; his bond to be
cancelled, but for the business of Short's estate he was left open to the law for any that shall have just cause to question him. John Gearing and others allowed security for 50 bags of pepper by the balloting box. Further suit of Offley to be remitted his broak for not transporting 20 bags of pepper; answered it is more than the Court can do without exceeding prejudice to the Company, therefore desired him to press this business no further. Gratuity of 5l. to Messrs. Francklyn and Maperly, two of the farmers' deputies, for their discoveries in landing private trade. Ordered, on sealing of a release of Mrs. Greenewell and her son, that the latter receive the remainder of his estate. Gratuity of 40s. to Nicholas Sneddall, pilot of the Discovery, for extraordinary attendance aboard the ship in the Downs. 5 pp. [Ct. Min. Bk., XIII., 250–254.] |
April 17.
Cowes Castle. |
429. Capt. Humphrey Tourney to Sec. Coke. Received his letter on the 11th to arrest two Holland ships which came from the East Indies, which next morning he endeavoured, the ships riding far out of command of the Castle. Gave the Commander and divers of his men who were ashore charge not to go aboard, and to all boatmen not to carry any man into the road without his order, and sent one of his gunners with Mr. Smith, who had the warrant out of the Admiralty, to perform the arrest. They suffered Mr. Smith peaceably to mark the broad arrow on their main masts, but not to take off their sails. Two of his Majesty's whelps which came from Portsmouth were riding close by, and a merchantman of London. Next day the two East India ships slipped their cables and made sail, upon which the Castle made a shot to them, though far out of reach, to give warning to the whelps, but they rode still at anchor. Doubts not Mr. Brooke of Portsmouth has certified what happened, which he would have done but for a violent storm, which made it impossible to send a boat to Portsmouth. This Sunday Mr. Smith, and one Mr. Young, who was engaged for our East India Company for payment for provisions for the (Dutch) East India mariners kept on shore, of whom he had some 40, desired him to send some of them to help carry the Blessing, which came from the East Indies in company with the Dutch ships, into the Thames, most of her own men being very weak, and to discharge some 22 into a Dutch man-of-war, which was willing to carry them for their country; which he willingly consented to, they being in charge upon the arrest. On Monday Smith and Young went aboard the Blessing with some 40 Dutch and English; since whose departure has received copy of his letter to Brooke for their stay. Has only the Commander still in custody with one servant, who earnestly desires to be sent up to London to answer what may be objected against him, professing himself guiltless and only a servant of the Company. P.S.—This was written the 17th, but could not be sent to Portsmouth from the violence of the wind. Three States men-of-war in Cowes Road, which came with a fleet from Bordeaux, and one which came from Zealand to look after the two East India ships, which told him also that the Admiral of Holland with nine men-of-war were coming forth to seek them. Sent from Cowes Castle, 19th April, at 8 o'clock in the morning. Endorsed, "Recd
21 April in the afternoon." 2½ pp. [Dom., Chas. I., Vol. CCXXXVII., No. 7.] |
April 18.
Portsmouth. |
430. Francis Brooke to Sec. Coke. Gives a general account of the late service touching the two Holland ships from the East Indies. Received his of the 10th on 11th, by Solomon Smith who came to execute the arrest from the High Court of Admiralty, and gave copy to Capt. Carteret praying him to fall down with the 8th Whelp to Cowes and anchor near these ships. Sent likewise for the Master of the 5th Whelp to do the like, ordering the victualler to put a week's victuals on board. Then Smith, Younge, and himself took boat for Cowes, and as they went, prayed Capt. Roberts of the Blessing and the Jonas of London lying in Stokes Bay, to fall down with the whelps. At Cowes they found the Commander of the two Dutch ships at the Inn, which they told Capt. Tourney at the Castle, and gave him Coke's letter. Next morning the two whelps and Jonas came, but not the Blessing, the Dutch Commander was certified of the order for arrest of the ships and required to assist, but he answered that ashore he was out of command and desired he might go aboard. This was not thought fit, but he was required to write to those on board to obey his Majesty's writ, for in case of opposition his Majesty's ships would enforce them to obey; but he would by no means write. Whereupon he was detained with the rest of his company ashore, to the number of about 40, and order given that no boats should pass out. Smith, Young, and himself with a man, Capt. Tourney, sent in his room, went aboard the Vice-Admiral, where Smith acquainted the Master and merchant with the order for the arrest, and required them in his Majesty's name to come under command of the Castle, but they would not obey. Then Smith executed the arrest on the mainmast and sent some men on the yards to take off their sails, but the Master ordered his company to bring them down, and would not suffer the whelps men to come on board. Then the Master was told they were within his Majesty's own Chamber, and must look to answer their contempts; and the other ship was in like manner arrested, but their answer was peremptory, that without their Commander or letter from him they would not come in, or suffer their sails to be taken on shore. Then charging the Master in the King's name not to depart, they went aboard the 8th Whelp, where Capt. Carteret required to know whether he should fight to enforce obedience, and would have it under Brooke's hand if he should. But conceiving he had not authority and that they were not of force to manage a fight; and seeing the Dutch could not go away that night for the wind, unless they should attempt it at the Needles which would be a great hazard; and hoping to have received further explanation of his Honour's order, and notice of the King's ships coming from the Downs; went ashore again, and willed Smith to speak to Capt. Tourney to send messengers to Yarmouth and Hurst Castles not to suffer any escape that way. Finds that there was a boat sent out in the night by consent of Capt. Tourney with a servant of Carpentier who had been with
the Dutch Commander all day, to the Admiral's ship. Prayed Younge, an agent for the East India Company, to send to Capt. Roberts to bring the Blessing with all expedition to the King's ships, but next morning came a letter certifying that they could not weigh anchor, and thought not fit without order from the Company to hazard the ship. That afternoon the two Hollanders with two small Dutch men-of-war were under sail with a fair westerly wind; whereupon he came to Portsmouth and advised his Honour thereof, and sent copy of his Honour's letter about the Commander and Dutchmen to Capt. Tourney, who replied that the Commander was still in his custody but all the men were discharged by order of Smith and Younge. The East India ships at their first coming to Cowes on Monday the 8th, rode within command of the Castle till next day when Capt. Tourney, as he is informed, was on board, when the long boat was weighing the anchor to remove. 4 pp. [Dom., Chas. I., Vol. CCXXXVII., No. 11.] |
April 22.
H.M.S. Bonaventure in the Downs. |
431. Capt. Tho. Ketelbye to (Edw. Nicholas, Secretary to the Admiralty). Has safely arrived from Portsmouth with Capts. Sidenham and Cartwright (Carteret). Knows he is not ignorant of their intent at Portsmouth, and how ill the business was carried there before their arrival. Conceived Sec. Coke's directions not to come from Portsmouth without further order, to be only in case they had seized the two Holland East India ships. Coming from Portsmouth, met two ships with men and provisions for the two East India ships. Hearing from a Holland man-of-war they were gone, returned for Flushing. By which he may perceive the East India ships had no intent to have gone so soon had the business been well carried. [Dom., Chas. I, Vol. CCXXXVII., No. 24.] |
| April 26. |
432. Court Minutes, E. I. Co. Report of Woodall that the sickness of their saltpetre refiners is occasioned by their coming fasting in a morning to the work, and therefore he propounded that the Court would allow them some hot caudles to eat before they fell to their work to keep out the steam and smoke, which otherwise will get into their stomachs and in short time kill them, their bodies being already sunk and much impaired. The Court ordered him to prepare such breakfasts as he shall conceive to be good to recover their healths and prevent their sickness for a month or two, and Mountney was required to present a note of the cost of the refining, that the Court may then consider whether to sell the saltpetre unrefined or continue the charge of refining. On Sherburne's relation of Mr. Attorney General's answer concerning the certificate to be returned to his Majesty on Smethwicke's petition and their answer, it was thought fit to petition his Majesty to require the same from him forthwith, that his Majesty may be truly informed before his departure into Scotland of the Company's answer and proceedings, so they may not lie under the burthen of Smethwick's false and unjust accusations, but be righted against him, but first that Mr. Governor and others take Lord Cottington's advice therein. Tuesday next being appointed for my Lord of
Cleveland's Court when the Company are to demand admittance to their house and lands at Blackwall, the Court conceived it fit that the feoffees who are to be admitted do go prepared with Counsel, and directed Mr. Acton to retain Mr. Stone or Mr. Herne for that purpose. Upon reading a letter from Mr. Towerson of Portsmouth, ordered that 180l. for provisions for the Blessing be paid to Mr. Collier, of Southwark, grocer. Ordered that Mary, wife of Wm. Fall, Factor in Persia, receive one-third of his wages for a year and a half past, according to his desire, and henceforth to receive yearly one-third on the yearly notice of his being alive. Relation of Job Harby, that it is not unknown to the Company he is to receive one-third of Mr. Skibbowe's wages, payment of which had been suspended until his return, but forasmuch as Skibbowe is now dead and that there are some who intend to sue out letters of administration of his estate, he therefore desired that no part of said estate be paid until Harby be first heard, which the Court held reasonable and promised accordingly. Proposition read from Mr. Treasurer for dividing and settling the three voyages, and auditing his own, and Mountney, Hurt, and Blackwall's cashes, that it might be distinguished what debts each voyage owes and is owed, the wages, house rent, and all other charges. Committees entreated to join with the Auditors in perfecting said accounts. 2½ pp. [Ct. Min. Bk., XIII., 255–257.] |
| April 28. |
433. Sir Kenelm Digby to Edw. Nicholas (Secretary to the Admiralty). Recommends for the place of gunner of the Dreadnought the ablest man he had in his voyage, who has been two or three times gunner of the East India Company's best ships, and is only just returned from India. With certificate to the Lords of the Admiralty in favour of John Allen. [Dom., Chas. I., Vol. CCXXXVII., No. 56.] |
April 29.
Surat. |
434. "Clause inserted in a Consultation held in Surat 29th April 1633." By daily observation of divers enormous vices too frequent amongst their people, tending to the dishonor of God, and reproach to their nation and Christian profession amongst the heathen, the Council were moved to draw an Act strictly enjoining every man's reformation, with penalties to be imposed on every offender, as hereafter appears, and same to be placed in the Hall in public view of all comers. An Act for repelling divers enormous and frequent abuses. Since the desired issue of their affairs merely depends on the Almighty's blessings, which are afforded or restrained according to their performance or neglect of obedience, as by daily examples is manifest, the President and Council are induced to consider the odiousness of abuses which men's infirmities are excessively prone to, and determined to endeavour the repression thereof, first gently admonish every man to abandon as much as possible those vices which custom has glued fast to his inclination, viz., drunkenness, swearing, absence from the house at night, neglect of joining in prayer and hearing Divine service, that so by their reformed lives, they may vindicate the sincerity of their professions against infidels and haters of Christianity. But if those good inducements prevail nothing: 1. Any man known to remain out of
the house the whole night or found absent at the time of shutting the gates, without apparent necessity of business, giving cause of suspicion that a worse place detains him, to pay 40s. to the poor. 2. Any man neglecting to come to prayers without urgent occasion to pay 2s. 6d., and for needless absence from Divine service on Sundays 5s. 3. Any man heard cursing or swearing to pay 1s. for every oath. 4. Any man appearing drunk, thereby prostituting the worthiness of our nation and religion to the calumnious censure of the heathen, to pay 2s. 6d. 5. Any man striking and abusing people that have no relation to our service to suffer three days' imprisonment in irons. The delinquent to be convicted by two witnesses. Signed by Joseph Hopkinson, Nathaniel Mountney, Roger Giffarde, and Thomas Turner. Surat, 4th April 1633. 2 pp. [O. C., Vol. XIV., No. 1505.] |
| April. |
435. "A note of sundry provisions of his Majesty's lent to the East India Company and other merchant's ships long since, not yet restored, and fit to be called for to his Majesty's use," viz., anchors, cables, and cablets lent to the Great James out of H.M.S. Red Lion, 31st Oct. 1626; to the Speedwell out of H.M.S. Guardland, 1st Feb. 1631; to the Blessing, April 1633; and to Mr. Young, Purser, to the value in all of 331l. 19s. 8d. Extract. 1 p. [East Indies, Vol. IV., No. 105.] |
