|
Nov. 2.
“ From my
lodging.” |
586. Sir Robert Sherley to Salisbury. Is unwilling to encumber his lordship “with any thing not to seem importunate,” and therefore will not urge to have an audience before his leisure will allow. [One page. East Indies, Vol. I., No. 31.] |
Nov. 4.
Madrid. |
587. Sir John Digby to Salisbury. Two galleons making ready with all expedition to carry soldiers and munition, as it is said, for Massinbica [Mozambique?] in the East Indies, because of the preparations, it is understood, the Hollanders are making; they were to depart 2nd Nov. [Extract from Correspondence, Spain.] |
Nov. 7.
“ From my
lodging.” |
588. Sir Robt. Sherley to Salisbury. The merchants make many needless oppositions, so that it seems they have no will to the Persian business. Is well assured the Spaniards will rejoice at it; “this great business can bear no delays, for of necessity they that first come shall be best welcome.” Has written to the King of Persia that His Majesty should not conclude with any prince in this matter of trade, until good advice from him. Hears there is a complaint against him from Spain, and “that they will procure to disgrace my proceedings here to their uttermost;” if Spain complies with the King of Persia for silk, they will shut up the Red Sea and have all the world at their will. Begs him to consider the importance of this business, though the merchants over slight it, and the desire he has to serve the King and his own country. [Two pages. East Indies, Vol. I., No. 32.] |
Nov. 8.
“ From my
lodging.” |
589. Sir Robert Sherley to Salisbury. Hopes he will hear his defence against the accusation Spain has laid to his charge. Explains how they have confounded his propositions, in which his lordship may see their indirect dealing. As to the 15,000 crowns of the King of Persia's money, which Sherley is accused of taking, will be contented “to stand to the doom of those that wish me ill success here,” if he cannot show the King of Persia's commission for that and 25,000 more. [Two pages.] Incloses, |
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589. I. Philip III., King of Spain, to Don Alonso de Velasco, his ambassador in England. That Don Roberto Sherley came to the Spanish Court, giving himself out to be the King of Persia's ambassador, and was so received; answer was given within a few days to his proposition, and when it was thought he would have taken his departure with much satisfaction, he made new propositions. [Spanish. One page and a quarter. East Indies, Vol. I., Nos. 33, 33 I.] |
Nov. 13.
London. |
590. John Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton. Mr. Robt. Sherley, as ambassador from Persia, hath had divers audiences, but doubts his projects are to little purpose, for the way is long and dangerous, the trade uncertain, and must quite cut off our traffic with the Turk. [Extract from Domestic, Jac. I., Vol LXVII., No. 25. Cal., p. 88.] |
| Nov. |
591. Petition of the Merchants of London trading to the East Indies to Salisbury. Having long endured notorious injuries from the Hollanders in their trade to the East Indies, the petitioners are enforced at last to break silence and complain of their griefs. The Hollanders have forcibly appropriated divers of the chief places of traffic which of right belong to the English, and seek wholly to debar them from trade there. The contract made by Sir Fras. Drake with the King of Ternate for the trade of cloves is well known; Cavendish had the like promise at Balemboa [Balambuan], in the south part of Java, for all the pepper there. Upon these assurances the merchants of London set out two ships under Captains Raymond and Lancaster, in which Raymond was cast away about the Cape of Good Hope and Lancaster performed his voyage to Sumatra, but durst not venture for the Moluccas and was wrecked in the West Indies. The Hollanders, with English pilots, afterwards made a successful voyage to Bantam, where they have ever since prosecuted a most ample trade. Upon their return the petitioners joined in a company, manned four of the best merchant ships of the kingdom, the Dragon, Hector, Susan, and Ascension, settled a factory at Bantam, and returned laden with spices, having fought with the enemy and taken a carack, the Hollanders then being glad of their company. Sir Henry Middleton was then commissioned to attempt the Moluccas, and there saved the King of Ternate's life with six Hollanders which were in danger, for which they and the king promised to lade the petitioners' ships with cloves, but they were not permitted trade and were absolutely banished the island. A town, called Taffasoll, with a fort, delivered up to Sir Henry by the Portugals, with the King of Tidore's consent, is now fortified by the Hollanders, who besides prohibit all other nations from trading to those parts. Captain Wm. Keeling was compelled to leave those islands without lading the Hector. Captain David Middleton in the Expedition was forcibly put from all trade at Banda. To colour all these doings the Hollanders slanderously report that the petitioners have assisted the common enemy, the Spaniard, and that Sir Henry Middleton gave powder and ordnance to the Portugals to do service against the Hollanders. Thus the petitioners having the Spaniards and Hollanders enemies in the Indies must of necessity be enforced to give over their trade there, which is the chief end the Hollanders aim at. They, therefore, having no means of remedy, implore his lordship's assistance and mediation with the States for redress, that reciprocal kindness may be received, and that they may enjoy freedom of trade, where the prerogative rather appertains to them than any other. [One page. Indorsed, “ November, 1611.” East Indies, Vol. I., No. 34.] |
