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Jan. 17.
Surat. |
878. T. Elkington to J. Oxwicke. Goods sent. Has also sent, after much ado, six packers, they being very unwilling to go, fearing they will not be permitted to work there; was forced to promise them their expenses if it should be so. [Half a page. O. C., Vol. II., No. 214.] |
| Jan 17–18. |
879 . Court Minutes of the East India Company. The wages of Anthony Starkey, who it is supposed was made away with by the Portugal friars, to be paid to his executors upon security. Bartholomew Merland, a gentleman recommended by the Lord Admiral to attend Sir Thomas Roe, accepted for his lordship’s sake. Concerning Wm. Edney. Sir Thos. Roe’s commission from the King having been signed and sealed, he informs the Company of the desire of certain foreign ambassadors to see him. Payment of three years’ wages of Rich. Wickham to Dec. 1613, as by his letter from Firando in Japan; also of Molakantin’s wages. Committee to go to Gravesend about dispatch of the ships. A store–house for Sir Thos. Roe on board. Petition of Rich. Baker for an allowance to furnish him forth. 100l. lent to Sir Thos. Roe out of his second year’s salary. Invoices of the ships’ goods, and a note of the presents provided to be brought in. Payment to Alderman Smith. Capt. Keeling’s proposals to the Company by letter, concerning his entertainment and private trade; his arguments in court, and the Company’s answer, utterly denying private trade; proposals made to him. |
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Jan 18.—Propositions to Capt. Keeling touching his forbearance of private trade; he promises to urge it no further, regarding their loves and favours more than great gains; desires his salary to be increased from 400l. to 600l. a year; utterly renounces the governor’s motion to double his salary at the end of five years; the governor to conclude with him; a particular of his goods on board intended for private trade; his demands not to be revealed upon the oaths of all present; this stock to be kept in an account by itself, to see the gain hereafter ; final agreement to have 550l. per ann., whereof 50l. to be allowed him yearly in the country for his maintenance, 100l. a year paid to his wife, and the remaining 400l. per annum put in the joint stock for his benefit. [Three pages and a half. Court Bk., III., 340–344.] |
Jan. 19.
Surat. |
880. Thos. Elkington to John Oxwicke at Baroach. Concerning the transmission of goods. The antelopes which be writes he will send shall be carefully looked to. News of the approach of the Portugal fleet; a man sent to intreat peace with the Nabob, but doubts it is some trick of the Portugals to feed them with hopes and then suddenly come upon them. [One page. O. C., Vol. II., No. 234.] |
Jan. 20.
Ajmere. |
881. Thos. Keridge to the East India Company. Arrival of Capt. Downton’s fleet. Edwardes’ appointment as resident at Ajmere for many reasons requisite; procured the king’s letter to suffer his presents to pass unopened, “for the king will be best pleased to have the first sight himself.” In daily expectations of the lieger’s arrival; he must be well furnished with toys for the king and nobility, which “above all things will here prevail and cause our business to go current.” Letter written by the Viceroy of Goa to the King, terming the English thieves, disturbers of states, and a people not to be permitted in a commonwealth, and that if the king received them the Portugals would never have peace with him. Sends translation of another intercepted letter witten by the Viceroy to a Jesuit in Surat [wanting]. Seizure of indigo by the Governor of Agra; the king’s orders procured for it’s release, and that the governor should not in future meddle with any goods belonging to the English. Has recovered almost to the value of 100l. of Midnall’s goods from the Frenchman, besides some 3,400 rupees in money. Describes the cloths in most request at Ajmere, and some “novelties and toys,” which it would not be amiss to send. Concerning his wages and advancement. All sorts of jewels will sell to good profit. [Two pages and a quarter. Indorsed, “Read in court 2nd Dec. 1615.” O. C., Vol. II., No. 235.] |
Jan. 21.
Bantam. |
882. Geo. Chauncey to the East India Company. Changes in the distribution of the voyages of the Globe and Osiander. The Concord to proceed to Macassar and the Moluccas. The remainder of this letter is a recapitulation of his previous letter of 15th January. [Two pages. O. C., Vol. II., No. 236.] |
Jan. 21.
Surat. |
883. Thos. Elkington to John Oxwicke at Baroach. Yesterday the [Portugal] viceroy sent three ships with 35 or 36 frigates to Swally; “one of our smallest ships” fought with them and forced the frigates to fly, taking the three ships, which after an hour’s possession were burnt by “our general.” Advice as to the disposal of his goods. [Half a page. O. C., Vol. II., No. 237.] |
Jan. 21.
Gravesend. |
884. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Thos. Wynne entertained, upon Sir Thos. Middleton’s recommendation. Concerning payment of the wages of Rich. Baker, the factor, and of Mr. Salbancke. Capt. Keeling’s goods to be delivered to the factors. Great wrongs by common sailors, western men, forsaking the ships; whether they cannot be otherwise supplied. Capt. Newport’s wages increased to 15l. a month, on his renouncing private trade and giving up goods intended for that purpose. Writings received from factors certifying they had no goods for private trade. [One page. Court Bk., III., 345.] |
Jan. 22.
Feb. 1.
Lisbon. |
885. Hugh Lee to [Sec. Winwood?] Shipping preparing for the East Indies towards the end of March, three caracks of 1,000 or 1,200 tons each for merchandise, and a galleon newly built, of 800 tons, for a man–of–war. [Extract from Correspondence, Portugal.] |
Jan. 23.
Surat. |
886. Elkington to Oxwicke. Further particulars of the engagement with the Portugal fleet, which lost between 400 and 500 men, whereof many cavaliers most miserably burned and drowned; the Hope had two men killed and some 15 or 16 hurt. Concerning commodities from Ahmedabad and Cambaya, and what to do with them. Payment of his bills of exchange. [One page and a quarter. Injured by damp. O. C., Vol. II., No. 238.] |
Jan. 24.
Surat. |
887. Elkington to Oxwicke. Directions for the disposal of goods. The Portugals remain quiet since last fight, and it is thought can do nothing till next spring, “against which time our general hopeth to be fitted for them, and to have cured the Hope’s main mast” Some 35 frigates came last night near to Surat but returned this morning. A padre and a soldier come from the viceroy to the nabob; it seems they are harping about some peace. [One page. O. C., Vol. II., No. 239.] |
Jan. 24.
Bantam. |
888. Instructions from President John Jourdain to George Ball, chief merchant of the Concord, for a voyage to Amboyna, with the assistance of George Chauncey to Macassar, and after, with George Cokayne, in lieu of Chauncey. To proceed first to Macassar, take Cokayne with him, and what money is remaining in his hands, supposed to be about 5,000 ryals, and leave Chauncey for chief merchant there. To direct his course to Lugho, where he need not make any doubt of going on land, “for the people doth much affect our nation,” and give a small present to the governor, who is a Ternatan, and maintained by the Hollanders; the King of Ternate in outward show will seem to favour much the Hollanders, “but yet will do you all the good he can;” but the chief man of the country is Orankaya Tecoos, and he will advise Ball of the state of the country, and what store of cloves are to be had at Lugho, Cambello, Lasede, Hitto, and other neighbouring towns, in all which places the Hollanders have factories, but the people in no subjection to them, although the Hollanders will say the contrary. Neither to believe their fair words nor threatenings, but keep his own business to himself, and get as many cloves as he can, either by night or day. To have especial care not to lose the monsoon for Banda; if the country people be willing to trade, to leave Sophony Cozucke and Rich. Hunte there. To entreat Mr. Weldyn at Macassar to help him settle a factory at Banda, being very well acquainted with the people; further directions in reference to Weldyn. Concerning the price of commodities. Not to get in danger with the Spaniards or Portugals; “as for the Hollanders, I know they will do you no harm, only threaten you and the country people.” To touch on his way back at Timor and Gratia, and see what may be done there, and provisionally at Succadana. To return to Bantam by 15th Sept. To have especial care against private trade, particularly for cloves. Care of the ship’s provisions. Succession in case of death. Promise of the captain of Hitto to furnish Jourdain with cloves. Cokayne to hold his place in Macassar until his departure from thence, and then to give it up to Chauncey. From the Moluccas to advise Mr. Cocks at Japan of all business. Concerning Mr. Skinner. [Three pages. O. C., Vol. I I., No. 240.] |
| Jan. 25–30. |
889. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Henry Garrett to go with “the lord ambassador” [Roe], as also a boy to attend upon Roe’s minister, Mr. Hall. |
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Jan. 26.—Account of the business effected by the committees at Gravesend; the commissions settled; writings from all the factors to renounce private trade; the arguments and final agreement with Capt. Newport. Seventeen condemned men from Newgate sent down by the Sheriffs of London, and three of the most sufficient of “12 other voluntaryes,” put aboard, “which was approved as a very charitable deed, and a means as was hoped to bring them to God by giving them time of repentance to crave pardon for their sins and reconcile themselves unto his favour.” Sir Thos. Roe being importuned by Lady Garrett, his aunt, for Henry Garrett, he is entertained, “two hours having been spent in opposition;” the names of all his followers read. Thirty gowns to be bought for the condemned men that are aboard, and the “Japoneses” to shelter them from the extremity of the weather. Instructions in writing, and boxes of such things, as are to be used for prevention of the flux, scurvy, and fever, prepared by Dr. Burgis, delivered to each ship; the cost, about 23l., to be paid. Accounts to be brought in for any disbursements on account of the ships, they having left Gravesend. A pink arrived at Sandwich with about 4,360l. sterling, at 4s. per ryal, to be put aboard the ships in four chests. Motion to procure ryals with certainty at stated times, the Company having had great trouble in procuring them for these ships; arguments; offers of Mr. Freeman, Mr. Hamersley, and Mr. Bell; ryals to be received from any man. |
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Jan. 27.—Robt. Pinchine admitted a free brother. Sureties for spices bought by Mr. Lutterforde. Concerning the purchase of the Golden Dragon. Officers to be chosen for the Great Defence. Two bars of vermilion for the Dragon. Mr. James desired to procure privately ryals to the value of 4,000l., if he can, from a ship now arrived from Spain. Great wrongs daily sustained by the inhuman carriage of the common sailors, who prove worse and worse in their abuses after they have received their imprest money, neither respecting conscience nor honesty; a committee named to devise some course to reform such abuses. Orders given for certain things for the ships. Mr. Adderley and Mr. Atkinson sent to the Downs to see the ryals safely on board. |
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Jan. 30.—Letter from Capt. Newport upon a point in his commission, and his desire to have Punter appointed surgeon’s mate; also concerning a Spaniard who hath the falling sickness. Another letter read from Capt. Keeling, touching the powers granted to him in his commission, and a “contrariety” in the 10th article concerning private trade; a fresh article to be drawn out. Forty shillings to Richard, father of Christ. Edens. who forsook the ship and ran away at Japan. Small shipping wholly distasted; ships of 300 tons at least, and so to 600 or 700 tons, being the fittest for the Company. Conference with Mr. Burrell about altering the great ship and building another. [Five pages and a half. Court Bk., III., 346–351.] |
Jan 31.
Surat. |
890. Thos. Elkington to John Oxwicke. Has received the cloth, sword blades, and other goods he sent from Baroach, from Cambaya. The nabob with his council have been concluding a peace with the Portugals, but it taketh not effect, “so those sent about it again returned, which will be nothing hurtful for us.” [Three quarters of a page. O. C., Vol. II., No. 241.] |
| Jan. 31. |
891. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Debate whether any other shipping should be provided to accompany the Defence; the Clove to be made ready. Committee appointed for the provisions, tackle, and stores. The ships to be victualled for 18 months. Application on behalf of Sir [Edward] Holmeden, “who is ready to procure His Majesty’s or any of the lord’s letters in his behalf,” discouraged in his suit because the Company have resolved to employ none in their affairs but merchants and mariners. As to appointing Capt. Castleton to the command of the ships, and Mr. Foster and Mr. Hounsell for masters. Capt. Saris to be conferred with as to the commodities lit for Japan. A new ship to be built at Deptford of between 500 and 600 tons, and alterations to be made in the one now building. Timber and plank, to the value of 600l., to be continually in stock. Rich. Furbusher to oversee the building of the ship at Shoreham at 14s. a week. No shipping to be bought at present. Letter read from Capt. Keeling; a youth granted to attend him; also from Sir Thos. Roe, acknowledging the love and kindness of the governor, and promising his utmost endeavours, which confirmed the Company’s good opinion of his sincerity by hearing him so freely and cheerfully make profession of his heart. Thos. Hayes, son of the Lord Mayor of London, to be sworn a free brother by patrimony. Deliberations of the committee upon Capt. Saris’ business; his accounts perused and found correct; opinion that for performance of his voyage, and making a profitable return, none have done better; answer to the charge of tyrannical conduct towards his people; his commission to be examined how he hath carried himself toward the Company, and to satisfy themselves concerning his private trade. [Three pages and a quarter. Court Bk., III., 351–354.] |
