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| April ? |
1107. Note of goods taken by the Governor [of Surat] from divers persons named, out of the Alfandija. [One page. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 353.] |
| April ? |
1108. Brief of the abuses done to the English at Surat, by the Governor Zulpheck Chan and the Judge of the Custom House. [One page. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 354.] |
April 8.
Osaka. |
1109. Wm. Eaton to Rich. Wickham at Miako. Complains of his Jurebasso. Dealings with “the pilot” for goods. Oman’s mother is at Osaka with her son. Has sent him half of his preserves. Is going to Sakaii to recover moneys due to him. [One page. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 355.] |
April 10.
Siam. |
1110. Minutes of a Court of Merchants. Reasons for sending a cargo of goods to Camboja under the charge of Geo. Savidge; for shipping ryals on board a Holland junk for Patani, and silver, &c., for Firando. Also for digging the river a fathom deep at the water’s side, according to express orders from the King of Siam to all his people and the strangers of other nations trading into his country, that every one dwelling at the water side should be at the proper charge for doing so. Signed by Benj. Farie, John Johnson, Geo. Savidge, Rich. Pitt, and Edmond Sayers. [One page and a half. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 356.] |
April 21.
Tecoe. |
1111. John Millward to the East India Company. A factory has been established at Acheen, the conditions stated in his previous letter. Proceedings at Tecoe, where he remains to settle the factory purchased at Acheen. “The people are so tedious in delays, so inconstant in promises, and so insatiable in bribes, that unless our nation be very well acquainted with their barbarous policies, here will be very little good done, as may partly appear by former voyages.” Commodities chiefly in request, and the prices at which they are vendible. Found Tecoe to be the only place material for trade. Pepper brought from Passaman [Sumatra]; all the country furnished from thence, but so unhealthy that it is intolerable to our nation.” Seven leagues to the south of Priaman is a place which yields only gold, but little or none is to be had except what the great men engross into their hands. The Guzerats at Tecoe, as at Acheen, are a most dangerous and malicious enemy to the English; at one time their lives were attempted by poison, and then “they fought to have rooted us from Tecoe by this policy” of trading, which is described. Touching his accounts, and the letters received from W. Nicolls from the factory at Acheen. Dares undertake that 20,000l. per annum profit may be made in the diamond trade at Acheen. Arrival of three junks, one with the vice–king of Tecoe, who has private commission to use the English well for two years, but not longer, “of which we have already found the effect;” in the others came two great merchants, “who report to the people that our nation is in such reputation with the king that it will be death for any to give them distaste.” Against the employment of great ships, which “are not fit for this country or coast;” advantages of providing pinnaces or junks. [Three pages. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 357.] |
| April 25. Firando. |
1112. Rich. Cocks to Rich. Wickham at Osaka or Miako. Wholly relating to the sale of commodities. Kept till
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May 1.—Sale of goods; mistake in the account sent from Osaka by Eaton. Begs him to write the common reports, be they true or false. As to the execution of some 200 persons at Sakaii for making merchandise of the poor people, “I wish all such like merchants the like luck; and if others will be so foolish to cut their bellies for love (or rather lust) after wh ... s, the worst end of the staff will be their own. And it is much that any man should give 10,000 taies for a woman of that trade, as it seemeth by your letter a nobleman did. . . . I had rather have the money than the ware.” Kept till
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May 11.—Touching goods returned. Advises him to treat his Jurebasso with kind usage and good speeches, for according to the old proverb, “fayre words make fools fayne.” To sell at all prices as he can, and turn all into money, for it is better to lose at first than at last, and he knows not what troubles may happen by these uncertain reports of the emperor’s death; be sure to change all into good plate. [Three pages. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 358.] |
April 27.
Ajmere. |
1113. Sir Thos. Roe to “my worthy friend Mr. Lescke minister of God’s word at Surat.” Should have been glad to have heard some news from the Church, for of the world he has daily too much, “meum necesse est” Much he cannot do “but both your place to which I ever owed reverence, your sincere carriage to which I must testify, command me to offer anything in my power which you shall freely use when you will make trial.” Knows too well how the ministry is regarded. Must freely say he never imagined a prince so famed would live so meanly; all his wealth is no wonder; religions infinite, laws none; in this confusion what can be expected. Begs he will remember him in his prayers. God hath dealt mercifully with him, and has visited and yet redeemed him for he has had a long time of sickness. [One page. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 359.] |
