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| Sept. 1–20. |
765. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Certain adventures of Aden Perkins passed over to Nathaniel Owen, Thos. Whitley, and Henry Garraway, and of Hugh Frayne to Edward Prescott. Purchases of silk and pepper by Mr. Palmer and Rich. Burrell. The Dragon and Expedition to be appraised; charges of their men. Benjamin Henshawe admitted by patrimony, his father being one of the first patent. Raphe Seracold, servant to Thos. Henshawe, deceased, admitted by service. Cordage. Silk bought by Mr. Freeman. Request of John Chester. Covenants with Mr. Barrett for payment of money to be sealed. Edward Beale. Demands of Richard Rudd, James Briarlie, William Ferrers. Mr. Burlamachi and Rowland Reynolds. David Watkins to be admitted, with liberty to adventure 200l. Mr. Haselden's claim. As to Eustace Mann and Mr. Totten being entertained masters. Concerning Capt. Best and private trade. |
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Sept. 6.—Dr. Theodore Goulstone sworn a free brother gratis. |
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Sept. 7.—Request of Ric. Burrell to have 40 bags of pepper for shipment. Permission to David Watkins to adventure 400l. Mr. Palmer's suit. The services of Capt. Best and his future employment; resolution to give him a gratification; his accounts to be audited. Capt. Newport to be gratified for his services for landing the ambassador, discovering the Persian Gulf, and a trade in the river Syndus, and bringing his men home in health with so little loss. Opinion of Governor Sir Thos. Smythe that no one can be a fitter commander than Capt. Best; but for merchandise he thinks Capt. Keeling far before him, and that Keeling should be employed as general to Surat, and Capt. Newport his vice–admiral. Capt. Keeling having disposed of all affairs at Surat and dispatched a ship for England, to proceed to Bantam, and reside there or at Jacatra for a time as general on shore, pass from port to port, take account of every factor, and consider the places fit to maintain factories in. Mr. Edwardes and Mr. Emsworth to be chief of all the factories to be settled in Cambaya, Capt. Keeling of those of the other parts of Bengal, Jacatra, and those places about Bantam. The debate on the governor's proposal to employ Sir Thos. Roe at Agra, to prevent the plotting of the Jesuits, he being a gentleman of pregnant understanding, well spoken, learned, industrious, of a comely personage, and one of whom there are great hopes that he may work much good for the Company. Roe's fitness to be about the emperor to procure and confirm the most beneficial articles and privileges; to obtain from the Great Magore an absolute settlement and by fair means to obtain a quiet and peaceable trade. Arguments in favour of both Capts. Keeling and Newport going the voyage with or without Capt. Best. Wages due to Sir Henry Middleton. For payment of the Sara. 20l. lent to the wife of Wm. Addames at Japan. Report of Sir Thos. Smythe upon the Turkey business, “why this Company should bear the whole charge of the bill of exchange that is in question;” referred to himself and Sir Thos. Lowe, the two governors to conclude. A penthouse to be made for salting beef and pork. Difference between Marlowe and Augustine Spalding. |
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Sept. 9.—Promise of Capt. Keeling “to deliver his knowledge” of the above. Capt. Newport gratified with 50 jacobuses. Sale of pepper; offer of Mr. Hamersley for the whole at 23d. per lb. Satin sold to Abraham Chamberlain. Sir Thomas Edmondes' adventure of 1,000l. set over to Robt. Bell. Request of Mr. Reignolds, one of my Lord Treasurer's secretaries, for a youth, a kinsman, to be employed in their service. Demand of Francis Taylor to be relieved of gum, which proves to be a, kind of rosin. Committee appointed to examine into sundry wrongs at Deptford. Complaint against Henry Woodward. Letter in behalf of Edward Gyles, who offers his services for the East Indies; he is experienced in knowing the latitude and longitude by observation of the sun or any star; was with Sir Francis Drake in his voyages; has been four times in the West Indies, with my lord of Cumberland, and in many other sea voyages; served under the Morrises and the Earl of Essex, and can give directions for fortification where any factory may remain, and is especially acquainted with the commodities of the East Indies; present answer deferred; inquiries to be made of him. Thos. Barwick to be reserved for the next ships. Totten to be master of the Judith. Desire of the governor to have some defects in the patent remedied, and the Company strengthened, with power to authorize their servants sent abroad to govern their men with sufficient and absolute authority under some great seal, to be procured without troubling the King for every fleet, as they have hitherto done. Committee appointed to consider of the additions to be inserted [in the new patent], and to procure the above privileges. Hemp. A rope house not to be built at Blackwall at present. A person to be appointed to put the committees in remembrance of business. Concerning the lease at Deptford, Augustine Spalding's business. French canvas to be bought. Petition of Edward Wilmot to be employed as a factor or purser. Proportion of men and victuals for the Dragon, Expedition, Expectation, and Peppercorn. |
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Sept. 13.—Objections to ratify the passing over of Sir Thos. Edmondes' adventure to Mr. Bell. Those who have not brought in their first year's payments to the joint stock to do so by Michaelmas Day, or else to be crossed out. Loan to the Muscovy Company. Refusal of Capt. Best to go the voyage without private trade; the pinnaces to be made ready as soon as possible. Committee appointed to settle the necessary instructions, to direct their factors how to deal with the King of Jacatra, and prevent those mischiefs which they have formerly found by woeful experience, that place being more healthful than Bantam, furnished with better water, and where they may capitulate to build their houses free from the danger of fire; yet not to quit Bantam wholly, but keep a small factory there for providing pepper. Alterations in the Peppercorn. One of the Company's barges having been pressed to carry billets for the King to Whitehall, the governor is requested to write to Lord Knowles, one of the Greencloth, for its release. Proceedings of Martyn the anchor–smith, at Deptford. Merchandise to be provided for the voyage; good store of strong waters, especially anniseed water; but no looking–glasses. Mrs. Middleton's business. |
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Sept. 16.—Adventure of Ellis Crispe to be set over to Thos. Ince. Capt. Pepwell not to be entertained. Suit of John Johnson for employment as a master in the East Indies; his demands “endorsed by the governor to taste more of pride than likelihood to do good service,” rejected. Capt. Best recommends his son for a factor, but being so notorious abroad, the Company refuse to entertain him. Capt. Best decides that he could not go the voyage without great prejudice to himself; he demands allowance for Mr. Bonner and his mates. Petition of Thos. Lydall, complaining of the farmers of customs. Anthony Stoughton, brother to John Stoughton, a factor, who died in the Indies, admitted for 20l. fine. Money realized by the sale of Sir Henry Middleton's furniture and apparel at the mast, to be delivered to his wife. Proposal of Sir Richard Hawkins about a voyage to the South Sea, and his offer with some other gentlemen to join the Company in adventuring 20,000l. in the action. Commodities for the voyage; 1,000l. in ryals to be sent with the next fleet, a good stock being required to disperse in five or six several places within the heart of the country which yields rich commodities. About the purchase of Porters' Key, a place with great store of warehouse room and near the water. Debate on the Turkey business; 900l. to be given to the Turkey Company as a free gift from the East India Company, without respect to any satisfaction “for any pretended wrongs supposed to have been done in the Red Sea.” Edward Lee and Washborne's salary. |
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Sept. 20.—Robt. Johnson entertained purser of the Advice, and to stay in the country seven years. Acknowledgment from the Turkey Company of the payment of 900l. left to Sir Thos. Smythe. As to the payment of the second year's adventure for the joint stock; a dividend of 50l. per cent for the 8th voyage. Dividend on the 11th voyage to be respited. Goods unsold. Permission to Anthony Stoughton to adventure 200l. in the joint stock. Payment to Sir Thos. Vachell for 1,430 loads of timber, at 1l. a load. Capt. Keeling entertained at 400l. a year, and 100l. bestowed upon him to furnish him to sea. The ships to be double sheathed, and one to remain in the country to go from place to place. Resolution to entertain Capt. Newport as admiral. Edward Wilmot to be purser of the Attendant. The names of the two pinnaces being thought improper and unfit for such a Company, they are named the Advice and Attendant. Sale of various articles of merchandise in lots, with the prices they were bought at, and names of the purchasers. Payment of the second year's adventure for the joint stock, and dividends on the 8th and 6th voyages. [Twenty–three pages.] Court Bk., III., 205–228.] |
Sept. 20.
Ajmere. |
766. Thos. Keridge to Sir Thos. Smythe, governor of the East India Company. Death of [Paul] Canninge six weeks after his appointment to Agra; has been nominated to succeed him. Answer to Canninge's accusation against the writer, as to purchasing goods for Capt. Best. Charges against Canninge; his evil spirit and contentious humour, and threat to strike Aldworthe with his pistol. His wages. [One page. O. C., Vol. II., No. 166.] |
Sept. 20.
Ajmere. |
767. Thos. Keridge to the East India Company. Has been advised by Thos. Aldworthe that letters sent from Surat by Ant. Starkey, steward of the Dragon, by way of Persia, overland, have miscarried; refers to copies sent to Masulipatam. Paul Canninge died of a flux six weeks after his arrival at Agra; his goods carried before the king, who took what he liked, as they were priced, dead men's goods being something under value. Business committed to Canninge, to procure the king's seal to the articles agreed on between the chiefs of Surat and Gen. Thos. Best, a fit place for English shipping to ride in and fortify against the enemy, and an answer to the King of England's letter; “of these nothing was effected.” Canninge had but one conference with the King, and was referred to Mocrob Chan, governor of Cambaya, of whom Sir Henry Middleton, Capt. Hawkins, and others, have had experience. The king then preparing to set forth an army of 20,000 horse to fetch in from the mountains, Rana, an Indian prince, who none of his ancestors could bring to obedience. Has been constrained to follow the court six months, and is still delayed, sometimes contending about the goods taken by Sir Henry in the Red Sea, but generally with a pleasing conclusion that all shall be effected to their content. War against the Portugals for taking a ship of Surat, valued at 800,000 or 900,000 ducats, and making captives of all their young and ablest people. Mocrob Chan ordered by the king to seek restitution, if not by peace, by war. Firman given by the king to Mocrob Chan, authorising him to assign a convenient place to the English in which to fortify, provided it redounded to the king's profit. His Majesty's letter to the king translated into Persian, yet Keridge can get no answer. Goods and money to the value of 9,000 dollars belonging to some merchants of the East India Company recovered from John Midnall, who had fled from Persia to the Indies. Death of Midnall; he left his goods to his two bastard children in Persia by an Indian woman, and a Frenchman for his executor, who promised to marry his daughter and bring up his son; the property amounted to about 500l., being the proceeds of goods sold by Midnall at 50 per cent. loss. Endeavours to procure the money; the executor imprisoned. 500l. to be invested in indigo. In November, 1613, the Expedition arrived at Laurebander, the port of Sinde, with Sir Robert Sherley and his company. Through plots of the Portugals, the port governor denied the English trade, and they left for Priaman without knowledge of the English factory at Surat. Detention of Sherley; his people slain; conspiracy of the Portugals and attempt to blow up the English house. The king used Sir Robert courteously, wishing him to stay to see justice done on the offenders. The governor's house sacked by command, and the governor put in irons. Departure of Sir Robert towards Agra ten days past. Presents given by the king to Sherley and his wife, yet he was discontented. All the English who came with Sherley dead since landing, an apothecary only excepted. Refers to Aldworthe's letter concerning the wars between “this people” and the Portugals. The king has caused the Jesuits churches to be shut up, and has debarred them from the public exercise of their religion. The merchants and their goods “imbargued,” the ports shut up, and no passage by sea. Report that the vice–king purposes to be at the Bar at Surat with shipping to intercept the English expected, and also to work some exploit against this people unless peace be concluded. Goods vendible in these parts. Recommends that a lieger with a knowledge of the Persian or Turkish tongue should be sent, to be continually resident. Presents fit for the king; a standing silver clock, which had in it other pretty inventions, worth about 100l. presented by Sir Rob. Sherley to the King, who greatly esteems it. Requests increase of wages, and that 100l. due to him may be employed in the general stock for his account. [Three pages. O. C., Vol. II., No. 165.] |
1614,
Sept. 20
to
1615,
Nov. 5. |
768. “Collections from [or abstracts of] all the letters received from Surat and Bantam, by the Hope, which arrived in Ireland Nov. 5, and came to anchor in the Thames [Nov. 241 1615,” viz.:— |
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No. |
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1. Thos. Keridge to [Sir Thos. Smythe]. Ajmere. 20th Sept. 1614. Cal. No. 766. |
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2. Same to [the East India Company]. Ajmere. 20th Sept. 1614. Cal. No. 767. |
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3. Wm. Edwardes to [same]. Ahmedabad. 8th Nov. and 20th Dec. 1614 Cal No. 788. |
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4. Capt. Downton to [the East India Company]. 22nd Nov. 1614. Cal. No. 798. |
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5. Thos. Keridge to [Capt Downton]. Ajmere. 22nd Nov. 1614. Cal. No. 799. |
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6. John Sandcrofte to [the East India Company]. Surat. 29th Nov. 1614. Cal. No. 811. |
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7. Thos. Mitford to [the East India Company]. 26th Dec. 1614. Cal. No. 846. |
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8. Thos. Keridge to [the East India Company]. Ajmere. 20th Jan. 1615. Cal. N o. 881. |
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9. Thos. Elkington [to same]. Aboard the Solomon, Swally Road. 25th Feb. 1615 Cal. No. 915. |
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10. John Young to [same]. 25th Feb. 1615. Abstract; No. 914. |
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11. Wm. Biddulph to [same]. Surat. 28th Feb. 1615. Cal. No 919 |
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12. Thos. Aldworthe and Wm. Biddulph to [Capt. Downton]. 28th Feb 1615 Abstract; No. 921. |
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13. Capt. Downton to [the East India Company]. Surat. 7th March 1615. Abstract; No. 931. |
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14. Edward Holmden to [Sir Thos. Smythe]. Surat. 7th March 1615. Cal. No. 932. |
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15. Ralph Preston to [same]. Dabul. 9th March 1615. Cal. No 936 |
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16. Capt. Downton to Wm. Edwardes. Swally.? March 1615. Abstract; No. 951. |
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17. Thos. Arthington to[Capt. Downton]. Saldanha. 18th June 1615. Abstract; No. 989. |
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18. Capt. Keeling to [the East India Company.] Saldanha. 19th June 1615. Abstract; No. 989. |
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19. Robt. Gipps to [same]. Saldanha. 19th June 1615. Abstract; No. 990. |
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20. Rich Baker to [Sir Thos. Smythe]. Saldanha. 20 June 1615. Abstract; No. 992. |
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21. Geo. Uffington to [the East India Company]. Saldanha. 20th June 1615. Abstract; No. 992. |
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22. Edw. Dodswworth to [same]. Aboard the Hope, Ireland. 5th Nov. 1615. Abstract; No. 1048. |
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[Seventeen pages and a half. Those originals which have been found are calendared with the No. indicated in their correct order of date; and abstracts, where the originals have not been found, are inserted in their proper places. O. C., Vol. II., No. 187.] |
1614,
Sept. 23–30. |
769. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Surgeons' chests with good drugs to be provided Dr. Burgis, professing great skill in the cure of the scurvy, admitted gratis. Thos. Thornborough to be a purser. Mathew Fletcher to be entertained. Canvas; no p ace alleged to afford so good as France; desire “rather to employ our own country people than strangers;” it is thought Ipswich will make very good for an extraordinary price. Debate on Capt. Keeling's recommendation of Aug. Spaldinge to be entertained as his interpreter in the voyage. Henry Woodriffe to be employed. |
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Sept. 27.—Sir John Digby going ambassador to Spain to be allowed to adventure 1,000l. in the joint stock and admitted free. Suggestion of the governor that when the patent is renewed, power be procured to administer an oath, “if it be not already granted as some supposed.” 10,000l. in ryals to be procured from St. Malo to help make a good stock for the next fleet, upon which to the value of 40,000l. has already been laid out. Mr. Bindle's request to adventure in the joint stock. Timber. Stone wharf at Deptford. Capt. Best ready to go another year; he would have gone if the Company had not had Capt. Keeling. About taking a house by the Exchange. Robt. Allen, servant to Sir John Jolles, to be entertained. Bread rooms of the two pinnaces. Acknowledgment from the Turkey Company of the free gift of 900l. Payments to George Robins and Mr. Barrett. Wages of Anthony Sawell, who died in the Trades Increase. |
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Sept. 28.—Return of the Muscovy ships, and offer of Sir JohnMerrick to sell 150 tons of cordage to the East India Company,generally acknowledged to be better than any made elsewhere.Cable yarn from Muscovy to be bought. Report of a captain who“cannot be worse ”endeavouring to procure the King's letters foremployment in the Company's fourth ship. Walter Paiton, on thegovernor's recommendation, nominated for commander, to preventany other application. Joseph Salbanke unfit to be employed as acaptain. Supplies for the pinnaces. Accounts of Capt. Towerson.Answer to Sir Rich. Hawkins. Admission of Capt. Towerson andAugustin Spalding, gratis, for long service. |
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Sept. 30.—Letters received from Capt. Saris from Plymouth,announcing his arrival [in the Clove] in the Sound, and thereason of his not coming direct to the Downs; his purpose toleave his weak people ashore, and hasten from thence and not puthis foot on shore till his ship arrives. Letter from AbrahamColyner, certifying his readiness to do all good offices for relief oftheir ship. Two other letters from Capt. Saris to his brother andcousin intercepted; suspicion of great private trade; two of thecommittees to go down and remain on board to see that no goods belanded; the farmers of customs to be informed of the return ofthe Clove. Mr. Mountney to attend at the Star in Bread Street,where the western men resort, to intercept letters, and Mr. Lanmanto stay at the postmaster's house by Charing Cross “whither it issupposed he may come by posthorse.” Capt. Saris not to beentertained in the governor's house and why; but the governorto go to Gravesend or Erith to meet him, it being conceivedunfitting and dishonourable for the Company to disgrace him thathath made so hard a voyage or to so slenderly respect his fouryears' service. Precautions against goods being embezzled by themariners. Proposal to send a ship yearly to the Cape to fish forwhale and seals, where they will be ready with victuals to succourany of the Company's ships. Letter received from the LordAdmiral, in behalf of Capt. Ellys Flood for employment, answeredby the governor. The pinnaces ready to depart; request ofMr. Youart, the chief factor, to take a youth, Wm. Stony well, with him, agreed to. Petition of Bennett Jones for a factor's place referred. [Eight pages. Court Bk., III., 228–236.] |
