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| [Nov. 6.] |
1172.Commission and instructions for Edw. Connok, chief, Thos. Barker, Geo. Pley, Edward Pettus, Wm. Tracy, and Matthew Pepwall in the voyage and employments for Persia. According to consultations [see ante No. 1167] the James having been laden with commodities for Persia, they are directed to sail directly for Jasques, and by virtue of the King of Persia's firman, to procure from the most eminent governor, liberty of quiet trade, until they can obtain more ample conditions from the Sophy himself for the future. To land their goods and send them to the next good town of defence, despatching away the ship with all convenient speed. Connok then to repair to the king, present the Sophy with King James' letter and a present and capitulate for such conditions for peace and privileges for trade as can be procured, copy of the articles granted by the Great Mogul to serve for precedent. Such articles being granted, to send them overland through Turkey to the honourable Company with the weights, measures, coins, &c.; copies also to be sent to Surat and Bantam from whence they may be furnished with commodities for Persia. To draw their goods to the great city where they find best vent, especially Spahan, and if the business require the charge of two factories Barker to be chief of the second; the other factors to be appointed are named. Touching the sale of their commodities and the accounts. Orders against private trade to be truly observed. Management of the business in case of death. The ship to return to Bantam provided she cannot reach Surat by 5th Feb., to advise Capt. Keeling and the factory there of all things needful. For the careful government of themselves and their people in the country. [Three pages and a half. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 407.] |
| Nov. 6. |
1173 .Commission signed by Capt. Henry Pepwell to Alexander Childe, commander of the James, to go to the port of Jasques in Persia, there to attend no longer than twenty-five days and then return to Swally road and in case the fleet has departed thence to direct his course for Bantam. [One page. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 408.] |
| [Nov. 6.] [Agra.] |
1174.Joseph Salbancke to the East India Company. Reasons they have not heard from him though the most ancient servant they have in all that country or elsewhere. Great indignity and wrong done him by their insolent general Keeling dismissing him from the place the Company bestowed upon him. Private trade of the generals who cram their purses full of money after they come home, and raise themselves from a mean degree to an estate far surmounting their merits and the obscurity of their plebeian parentage. Imperious sway exercised by the commanders; instances the case of a poor mariner, threatened with very rigorous punishment for a petty fault, escaping to Agra out of the reach of his general, with a bag containing 40l., which he stole from one of the merchant's chests, and returning it all, on his arrival, but 10s., which he had spent on his journey. Very dissolute “scape-thrifts”left by their generals in the country for servants; one discontented with his state “capitulated his soul to the devil by turning accursed Mahometan;” others have united themselves in a wicked league of conspiracy to cut the throats of the Cape merchant and factors, “as namely, Mr. Aldworthe, who since that time died here amongst us.” Commendations of Wm. Edwardes, who he trusts has lately arrived in England, and has been greatly maligned by his enemies; thinks the old rule is observed in all countries in the world, “that envy is the inseparable companion of virtue;” conduct of Capt. Keeling towards him. State of the commodities of the country; cloth the most unvendible commodity they have; lead, tin, quicksilver, and Vermillion will sell so so; sword blades are vendible; elephants' teeth always a good commodity. Looking glasses, pictures, &c., only fit for presents. Commodities so rife in the country, that if the Company had 100,000l. or 200,000l. in ready money to disburse for them, there would be found goods enough; the Portugals lade every year three or four ships; great want of such a sum of money. Praise of Mahomet Chan, an eminent and worthy gentleman, who by his virtue and wisdom hath insinuated himself into the favor of the Great Mogul. Ambassador Roe's complaints of the insupportable oppressions, wrongs, and extortions the English have sustained at Surat by the means of a cruel griping governor there, and the offer by Mahomet Chan, of the town of Baroach, where the English may safely land all their goods. Thinks the Company should therefore withdraw their trade from Surat, and settle it principally at Baroach. Oppressions to the English countenanced by Sultan Coronne, the king's third son. The Company have been very ill-advised in sending strong waters, for they will make less profit than anything else. They could not have a fitter and worthier man for his place than Roe. Determination of some to prosecute a voyage into Persia against Roe's advice; dangers to be feared from the Portugals. Has appointed Henry Robinson his deputy to receive his salary at home. [Four pages. O. C., Vol. IV., No. 408I.] |
Nov. 26.
Agra. |
1175. Fras. Fetiplace to the East India Cpmpany. Refers to previous letters, the last by way of Spahan overland, “whereunto refer me for what concerned our last year's proceedings in the above said factories.” Appointment by Capt. Keeling of Wm. Biddulph to be chief of this factory. Hard shift to put off their goods, notwithstanding their earnest entreaty, presents, and much bribing. About 32,000 rupees received this month, 7,000 of which may be delivered to Ambassador Roe for defraying necessary charges, and the rest to be employed in Agra “for our this year's stock.” The above written and dated from the court in Ajmere, 1st September. Nought sold at Agra during five months but a few Muscovy hides. Indigoes too dear to purchase, being scarce through want of seasonable rains. Clothing bought; and three sorts of indigo, having fallen in price. Names those commodities required for England which are to be had and the prices. The making of indigo. Reasons why he has not kept the books of accounts of the factory of Ajmere and Agra; complains of Thomas Barker detaining his accounts; his last year's accounts miscarried through Edwardes' negligence. Expectation of profit if the place be furnished with money. Goods that will sell there. Pearls, rubies, and emeralds will be bought by the king in infinite quantities ; also rich velvets, cloth of gold, rich tapestry, satins, damasks, &c, which will sell in abundance. The king the best paymaster in the country; he “desires unheard of and rare things, and such as are either rich or full of cunning, good art and work, which he can as well discern from bad as we ourselves, and cares as little for things of mean value; as is the king, so are his subjects.” Little approves and much doubts the good success of the voyage to Persia. Ready money the only staff of these Eastern trades. Refers the Company to Roe for news of the proceedings in Surat, “we inlanders being altogether ignorant.” Requests that money lent by him to Nich. Ufflett and Nich. Withington may be stopped from their salaries. [Five pages and a quarter. Indorsed, “Rec. by the Peppercorn.” O. C., Vol. IV., No. 409.] |
Nov. 27.
“From the way,
midnight.” |
1176. Sir Thos. Roe to Sir Thos. Smythe. The long expected messenger has returned from Ispahan; he promises hope of trade to profit, but says Sir Robert Sherley has confirmed at Goa a peace with the viceroy. The ship now sent with goods not pleasing to the viceroy and will disgrace their great promises and hopes, and if he thinks the commodities a sample of England's best “he will reject us quite and cast off all thought of us, and either the more constantly resolve to go through with the Spaniard or to make peace with the Turk; one of them he must do.” Had Roe been made privy to sending a ship to Jasques, he could have prevented the hazard they run. Will speedily write to the king, and certify him the reason of the ship's arrival, as being sent only to see the port and show their forwardness. Warns the Company of two things against the trade; the great charge of carrying goods through Persia 1,000 miles, and the dangers of Jasques, being open to Ormus; further arguments against it. Is peremptory in opinion that all is lost until the issue of Sherley's employment into Spain be broken; “however the factors love to run without me, I will look out to mend their faults, and like patient Job, pray and sacrifice for them, as he did for his sons, while they banquetted.” Begs him to communicate his opinion concerning Persia to Sir Thos. Lancaster. A great packet of letters in Italian, directed to Lahore having come to his hands, he has sent a brief note of the several papers, whereby Sir Thos. will perceive there is a trade driven from Aleppo overland. Will send them speedily to Lahore, and desires him to keep it secret and burn his note. The lieger in Ispahan was Arnold Lull's servant; thinks he would deliver up all Sherley's business into Roe's bosom and betray Sherley, “but he is not worth it,” hoping so to compound and return to his native country. Is weary on the way, and writes on his knees. ”[Two pages and three quarters. Indorsed, “No matter of Mr. Steele, received by the Globe 5 Sept. 1617.” O. C., Vol. IV., No. 410.] |
