|
1622. Jan. 1.
Tacomy. |
1. Philip Harison to William Nicolls, agent at Malaya in the
Moluccas. Was prevented from visiting him at Christmas, for want
of means, not will; the Mardykers not yet returned from Sabowa,
and business goes forward slowly for want of help; the Dutch have
promised to entertain them until next week. A prow has arrived
bringing three Mardykers fled from the Spaniard Gamalama.
[Quarter of a page. O.C., Vol. VIII., No. 1023.] |
| Jan. 4. |
2. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Complaint of
Phœbe Adcomb and Sarah Wellins, against John Lamprier, for an
unreasonable demand on bonds of their husbands. Success of the
Governor at the Council table, with reference to the Treaty. The
Lords disliked the course of the Company's complaints, restitution
being placed foremost, but when altered according to their direction,
being done in more than ordinary haste in respect the King
demanded the delivery of them by an hour, were pleased to take
liking "of that which was done." He doubted that some of the
Lords might think themselves neglected, in that the gratifications
in the kind of New Year's gifts heretofore annually given at Court
were now forborne. It was generally held that to stop from giving
now were an unthrifty sparing, at this time of the treaty with the
Dutch, though now the Company be poor. 1,000l. voted this year as
the last, and a committee appointed to consider of the persons to whom
to give, of the proportions and quality of the gifts, whether in gold,
in plate, in carpets, or other commodities of the Company. A saving
to be effected if possible without leaving out any eminent person
whose favour might be useful to the Company. Great want of
masters for ships now to go to the Indies. Only Slade entertained.
Weydmore fallen sick of the jaunders at Bristol. Slade appointed
to the Discovery. Michael Crooke and Henry Cheetam stewards
in the Blessing and Discovery. [Two pages and a half. Court
Bk. V., 299–301.] |
| Jan. 7. |
3. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Richard Newall
appointed to the Reformation, with 20 nobles per month, and
Richard Weydmore to the Blessing with 7l. per month. [Half a
page. Court Bk. V., 305.] |
Jan. 7/17.
Batchian. |
4. Thomas Johnson to William Nicolls at Malaya. Complains of
Rowle; "I vow upon my salvation he writes falsely." The wares
he has left; has been forced to borrow of Giles Cole. By Rowle's
account the steward's rats have eaten 4,592 pounds of our rice, this
may be examined into, "he may well be the Dutch's steward for he
knows how to make a Flemish account." Cocoa-nuts would do him
great good yet. Rowle refuses to let him have a cocoa-nut tree, but
says he may send for two or three nuts when he wants them; would
not go daily to bag a nut so long as he can buy four or five for 1/4d.
A junk is bound to Amboyna in five or six weeks, by which letters
may safely be sent. If the Chinese durst deal with him he could
exchange rice for boards at a good rate. [Two pages and a half.
O.C., Vol. VIII., No. 1024.] |
Jan. 8/18.
Batchian. |
5. Giles Cole to William Nicolls at Malaya. Rowle, the gunner,
and Bastian De Castro, assistant, are partners in catching fish, which
they sell at 6 lbs. for 1s., whereas if the blacks sell it to them they
"truck for rice and cloth." Advantages of his having two or three
slaves. Complains of the extortions and knaveries of the Dutch.
Staves most useful for many purposes. The Dutch do not allow
them any cocoa-nuts, and do not pay the poor Chinese till necessity
makes them to take rice to eat. No accounts have been passed; if
Rowle affirms the contrary it is an untruth and a flat lie. No fear
of occasion of strife, for they now remain as two Companies, "our
wares asunder, our counsell apart, and our love from the teeth outward only, and us thought unworthy of the knowledge of the least of
their actions and passages . . they ordering all things as kings and
conquerors." They endeavour to obtain information from soldiers,
good and bad, "as the bee doth honey out of the sour grass of
the field." Rowle's "courteous handling" of them is all "quillitts
and tricks" to ensnare them. [Two pages and a half. O.C.,
Vol. VIII., No. 1025.] |
Jan. 8/18.
Batchian. |
6. Giles Cole to William Nicolls at Malaya. A Council has
been called to consider their complaints of ill-usage by the Dutch,
especially their refusing them any servants to do household business.
"Few days pass that they are not in councill, either at the Gunner
Steward's house or Ancient's chamber, and the end or conclusion is a
bamboo of towacke, which finisheth all things." The Chinese forbidden by Rowle to serve the English with timber, or anything, who
said he had received the like order from Governor Houtman. All
their wants to be made known to him through Tise Stevens. Thos.
Rowle, "a Cheny who was lately christened," and all the Chinese in
fear of the Dutch. As for the Ancient if he be sober one day in
five it is a great matter, if he had the means he would be continually
drunk; his justice is like the Mayor of Easom, that will commit
men to the stock till after dinner, if to the bilboes there they must
be till he be sober. The report of the Dutch that, "like brokers of
Amsterdam," they carry a handful of rice up and down the town is
not so; but the Dutch have boys with a thimbleful of rice to barter.
Since the arrival of Gunning's last letter the Dutch have done their
utmost to send a prow to Amboyna; and "cunningly inquired"
whether they had any letters from their President for Amboyna or
Jacatra. Hears that "the Dutch have taken a Chinese junk, and
our ships with theirs is gone to sea to encounter with the Spaniard
or Portugal." [Two pages. O.C., Vol. VIII., No. 1026.] |
| Jan. 8. |
7. Account of munitions of war found on board the Orange, by
the master and purser of the Ruby, on their visitation of her on the
8th of January. Referred to the Council of Defence at Batavia to
be taxed, and to know whether she will be accepted as "a ship of
defence or not." [One page and a quarter. O.C., Vol. VIII.,
No. 1027.] |
| Jan. 9. |
8. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Dungeness Light.
John Lamprier to pay for mending the walls about the Marshes for
the Company's part for 10 acres 4l. Petition of John Woodfall; to
be released. Wages of Robert Francis, boatswain. Mr. Amy, a
preacher, thought too young to go to the East Indies; decision postponed. Thomas Conway entertained. Offley appointed to the
Blessing at 10s. per month. [Half a page. Court Bk. V., 301–302.] |
Jan. 11.
Batavia. |
9. President Richard Fursland, Thomas Brockedon, and Gabriell
Towerson to the East India Company, Their last was dated
10 Dec. [see No. 1172 in the last vol. of Cal.] Their "new-seeming
friends, the Hollanders," still give them cause of complaint, and
will do so as long as they "are conjoined with them." They
bought the goods of a Portugal prize ship from the bailiff of
the place, but General Coen would not let them have them,
claiming one-third for the States, and having commanded the goods
to be put to "an open outcry," which he said was the custom
in Holland, forced the sale in his own favour, and afterwards offered
half to the English. The Dutch do not suffer them to trade in
anything, but make them their "stales," and will do so as long as
they are subject to their authority. All their complaints of wrong
to the Dutch General are put off with false accusations against their
people, which their want of power compels them to endure. Hope
shortly to have redress from the Company, or they will be quite
tired out with living in this kind of slavery. Arrival of a Dutch
pinnace with news of the Goa fleet, on the 4th December, at the
islands of Nassau. Hear from Capt. Fitzherbert they have lost
both their monsoon and voyage through the wilfulness or unskilfulness of the Dutch admiral, who overruled the captain's opinion.
The Dutch have more ships than they know how to employ, and
make account that the English will pay part of the expense, "which
they will be sure to make large enough." "Their false allegations," in their last "shameless protest," that the English were the
cause of the loss of the voyage, "our consultations will annihilate."
The non-arrival of the ships puts an unlooked-for stop to their
proceedings. Death of Walter Bennett, master of the Anne, with
14 men of the fleet. Since their departure many more fell down
sick daily. The Dutch losses are no less. The Swan found unserviceable, and so they refused to receive her from the Dutch,
whereupon their General protested. It is referred to the decision of
the Companies at home. "We wish there were no greater difference
than this between us and the Hollanders." The messenger sent by
the Dutch to Bantam returned without effecting anything, the
Pengran not vouchsafing to see him. Will make another attempt to
buy pepper from the Pengran (at Bantam) when they have means,
and hope to succeed unless hindered by the Dutch. Perceive by
letters from Acheen and Jambi that what contracts soever they
make here with the Dutch they violate at the factories, "using all
sinister means to circumvent us," so impossible is it ever to find
faithful dealings from those insolent Hollanders. The Unity left
Acheen two-thirds laden, and is seeking the rest along the coasts of
Sumatra. A great store of money and goods kept by George Robinson (at Acheen). Want of experienced men in the factories. The Bee
gone to Jambi with a cargo of cloth for [Robt.] Johnson. Wish the
debts "so desperately" made of him may come in better than they
expect. Hope the James is now at Jambi, and will return in a
month, when she will forthwith be sent to England, though they
have barely victuals to furnish her. So many men are deceased that
they have not enough to man all the ships now in the roads. The
Globe, almost worn out, is sent to Amboyna and the Moluccas
instead of the Star; she carries a considerable store of coast and
Surat cloth for the factories there, but a much larger sum must be
disbursed if the trade is to be profitable. Gabriel Towerson sent in
this ship to be agent in Amboyna, with Emanuel Thompson as
assistant for language and accounts, in the place of Muschamp, who
returns because of his disability of body. The Company's factories
must suffer much prejudice until they can be supplied with more
able factors. The General has promised that they may sell their
goods without hindrance, which he cannot well deny until March
next, as they have paid the whole year's charge; by that time the
spices will be all received from Amboyna and the Moluccas. How
the Dutch will deal with them afterwards is not resolved, for they
are so faithless in all their promises that we can give no trust to
them, and they neither "fear nor care to offer us wrongs" "to serve
their own purposes." Two Dutch ships sent to the Red Sea have
taken two rich ships of Dabul, but the prize crew being drunk the
Moors "cut all their throats," and so escaped with their ships. The
Sampson arrived at Surat so weakly manned that they could hardly
bring her in; she brought no news of the other ship. The Dutch
purpose to close all those places hitherto free to the English,
"stirring to make us as odious to all the world as themselves are."
They are grown "a most cruel and bloody people," and have lately
in these parts committed such inhuman acts, in murdering all they
take and taking all they meet abroad, as well friends as foes, that it
is abominable before God and man, and we hope your worships will
seek to clear yourselves from the conjunction of such inhuman
people." The London and other ships did not reach the Red Sea,
but dispersed along the coasts of India, where they took three prizes
and a Choul ship, which they offer to return upon satisfaction for
their lost caphila. Two ships departed from Surat for England in
November, and four great ships and two pinnaces arrived at Surat
from England. Report that the Portugalls keep six galleons before
Ormus to expect our ships which go for Jask. The long stay of the
Whale and Trial put them in fear "that they are fallen on the back
side of Java;" unless they arrive soon the pepper expected from
Jambi cannot be shipped to England, nor their lack of provisions
supplied. The Dutch have had more than 500 tons of pepper this
year from Sangora, yet their heavy expenses will make their pepper
dearer than ours. Europe will this year want no pepper at dear
prices. Hope for orders to pay a less price for it next year. The
factory at Siam to be dissolved as unprofitable. Good hope of
recovering the greatest part of their debts at Succadana, though the
country is full of troubles; Edward Pyke expected thence by the
next passage. Urge the necessity of provisions and sufficient
merchants. Request a yearly supply of 10 tons of beer, 10 firkins
of butter, cheese, olives, and capers, which would save treble their
cost in other things, also some choice pieces of canary wine for their
table, with which to return the courtesies of the Dutch. [Endorsed,
"Received from Holland the 23rd September 1622, by a Dutch
ship, the West Friesland." [Six pages. O.C., Vol. VIII., No.
1028.] |
| Jan. 11. |
10. "Copy of the articles of Ormuz," signed by Thos. Kerridge
on behalf of the East India Company. Provided the English Company assist in taking the country of Teroone, all money and goods
taken in the city, castle, ships, and houses to be equally divided
between the King of Persia and the Company. A Persian and an
English governor to reside in the castle. Kerridge will make an
earnest request to the Shah to give it up to the English. Persian and
English Companies' ships and goods to be custom free; the duties on
goods belonging to others, and prizes taken, to be equally divided.
Christian and Mussulmans prisoners to be left to their own countrymen. Also concerning Capt. Moore and the Capt. of Teroone. Any
ports in India hereafter conquered by the English Company and
Persians to be equally converted to the use of both. Division of the
expenses. No Mahometan slaves nor Christians going over to the
Musselmauns to be converted, but each to be restored to his countrymen. The word Teroone means only the island of Ormuz, and not
other countries adjacent. [Endorsed as above, and "as it was
delivered by the Company to the Lord Chancellor," dated 8th of the
month, Rabiul-Euvel, in the year of Mahomet 1031. It appears by
another copy, placed in 1664, with the same endorsement by Sir
Joseph Williamson, that the copy was delivered "upon debate at
Worcester House, 1664." A copy of the articles concluded with the
King of Persia in Dec. 1621, "about the customs of Persia," is also
placed in 1664, when the amounts received for customs was in
dispute. Three pages. East Indies, Vol. II., No. 1.] |
| Jan. 11–18. |
11. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Request of Sir
Robert Heath for the freedom of the Company for one John Beale
refused, but offered for 50l. 6l. 13s. 4d. per annum required by
Lamprier for Dungeness Lights. [Henry] Hawley to go the voyage,
and have 300l. per annum. Business of the Court to be kept secret. |
|
Jan. 16.—Captain Christian refused for this voyage. Mr. Amy, a
preacher, dismissed as too young. |
|
Jan. 18.—Ellam to give notes of commodities to be bought.
Next Court to set down what Barbary gold, elephant's teeth, quicksilver, and spangles they will send in the ships. George Sommers'
petition about oars. Letters and commissions to be hastened. No
more wine to be bought; the 80 pipes to be divided amongst the
three ships. [Three pages. Court Bk. V., 302–4.] |
| Jan. 20. |
12. "Memorial presented to my Lord Ambassador (Carleton) by
Sir Dudley Diggs and Morris Abbott." The demands of the English
Commissioners are:—That all goods brought into Europe be restored
here, since the treaty and explanation appoint no place of restitution, but only that they shall be restored immediately upon publication; that General Coen be punished for not obeying the letters sent
from the Dutch Commissioners into the Indies, and that the Dutch
Company be ordered to make full satisfaction if the English sustain
any danger of that fault of Coen's. To accommodate this, as the
Dutch profess their sincerity to perform the treaty, Carleton may
satisfy the English if the States order that the arrival of the
English Bull in the Indies, with the copies and letters, was a sufficient publication of the treaty; that on that publication, on both
sides, without delay, men, ships, and goods ought to be restored, and
if any dispute about the value of goods arise, only the value of so
much as is in question shall be detained, and the restitution of the
overplus made without staying for a liquidation from Europe; that if
the next ships out of the Indies bring news that there is no satisfaction made there for the goods brought into Europe, then the Dutch
shall restore the goods here, or that they now deliver a good sum to
be restored by the English upon notice of satisfaction made in the
Indies, as Carleton first proposed. Last of all, that the Dutch
deliver unto the English all bills and inventories of their goods
taken in the Indies, and that the duplicate of this order, together
with letters from the Company, be immediately sent into the Indies
for real and sincere execution of the treaty on both sides by the
English ships now ready to depart. [Extract from Holland Correspondence. Endorsed as above.] |
| Jan. 23–25. |
13. Court Minutes of the East India Company. A committee to
treat with Joshua Downing about the chief command of the ships.
Beef and pork to be taken to Bantam for victualling, the cargo of
goods not being sufficient to fill up the holds of the ships. The
supply of victuals to the King's ships in the narrow seas to be
continued for three months, though computed at 5,000l. or 6,000l.
Letters to be prepared for Persia and one procured from the King
to the King of Persia that the Company may have better privileges
than formerly and more security, upon which motion a dispute arose
whether that trade should be continued or not. Resolved to be
forborne for one year, thereby to obtain better privileges. The
manner of forbearing the trade considered. [A marginal note states
that this entry was found fault with by the Court, "for they have
no meaning wholly to relinquish the trade but to draw better con
ditions to their merchants."] A commission for this fleet to be only
under the Company's seal, and not under the broad seal of England as
time is short. Examination of Philip Woorgan. He accused Capt.
Ball, the President at Bantam, of negligence of the Company's interests,
for he had sent home but one ship when the Dutch sent home eight or
nine in the year "by reason whereof the English ships rotted, the men
died and were not regarded" notwithstanding he had good store of
money by him, that came in the Hope, Hound, and Charles, and
that there was pepper enough to be had. His testimony confirmed
by John Mason. Both of them to be further examined. Mrs. Wickham desires the Company's absolute answer about her son's estate,
alleging she had attended two years and a half, but as he had gained
it by employing the Company's stock, and it amounted to 1,400l.,
it was resolved not to give way to this private trade and to defend
the detaining thereof, "wherewith no ways satisfied she refused to
submit herself, and departed." Mr. Kirby and Mrs. Harrison sued
by Mr. Decrow for money due to the joint account of the East India
and Muscovia Company. Request of Mrs. Greenwell to transport
some stock to her creditors referred. |
|
Jan. 25.—Petition of Isaac Crowder, steward, for goods taken from
him in the Indies: is allowed his travelling expenses for going into the
country to see "a mariner (that as he said) can say much in the
business of Ball." Concerning the estates of Thomas Crowther and
Harris the factor, both deceased. Debate about John Hall having
the chief command of the fleet, is both honest of behaviour, able in
the knowledge of "navigation, and a very valiant man." His
plainness compared with Totten's eminence; the Company has
seldom gained by employing eminent men; to have 10l. per month.
The stock at Surat of the value of 170,000l., besides 10,000l. now
to be sent. 20,000l. a year employed there; it is considered that a
great part of this may be employed in Persia. Crispe to write to
Middelburg for 2,000 or 3,000 weight of quicksilver for Surat.
Timber lent for the King's service. [Six pages and a half. Court
Bk. V., 305–312.] |
| 1622? |
14. "Sundry reasons why the trade of Persia by the way of Cape
de Bona Speranza should not be fitting for the English nation,"
considered under six heads, viz., the distance and length of the
voyage; "the price of the commodity" supposed to be so high;
the port offered, situate in a desert, and its security doubtful; the
whole trade of the silk so far above our reach, having to be bought
chiefly with ready money; and the great doubts whether Persia
will ever vent any great quantity of English commodity. It is
therefore generally concluded by the merchants that it is not fit to
entertain the voyage, there being no probability of benefit to them,
nor good to the commonwealth in general. [One page and a third.
East Indies, Vol. II., No. 2.] |
| Jan. 27. |
15. Extract out of the Register of the Resolutions of the States
General of the United Provinces. Lord Muys reports that he has
told the Lord Ambassador Carleton, by order of their Lordships,
that they promise that the Englishman, Robert Salmon (whose
pretensions Carleton has seriously recommended), shall within three
months be paid 3,000 grs. for all his pretensions for himself and his
owners or merchants, for his pretended losses, as well of his artillery
taken from him as other goods of his ship. [Extract from Holland
Corresp.] |
Jan. 28.
Tacomy. |
16. Philip Harison to William Nicolls at Malaya. Richard
Hanger arrived on the 22nd. Has received letters, per the Corporal,
abouts Dent's debts, of which he sends a copy. The Ruby passed on
Sunday. [Quarter of a page. O.C., Vol. VIII., No. 1029.] |
| Jan. |
17. Protest by the Dutch General Carpentier against the English
President and Council respecting the ship Swan. [Dutch. One
page and a quarter. O.C., Vol. VIII., No. 1031.] |
| Jan. 28 to Feb. 4. |
18. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Reports concerning Hall's sufficiency for chief command of the fleet for Surat.
Examination of Philip Woorgan and John Mason as to the state of
affairs at Bantam, who were there in 1617. The Dutch sent home
eight or nine ships laden mostly with pepper; but Ball, though he
had six ships and a good store of money, sent home only one. The
cause supposed to be that Capt. Pepwell and Ball had fallen out.
Wedmore, master of the Blessing, refuses to serve under Hall, and
for his comparisons between himself and Hall, and his insolent
disposition, is discharged from the Company's service. Hall to take
charge of the Blessing till a sufficient master be found. |
|
Jan. 30.—John Crane entertained for a good fellow. 850 barrels
of indigo in warehouse, and great store expected this year from
Surat, the prices raised to 5s. 4d. and 5s. 8d. Robert Owen and
Thomas Jones to be defended by the Company at the suit of Lady
Dale. Joseph Bethell, entertained for this voyage, to have leave to
return home in the first ship that returns from Surat. Thomas
Butler, surgeon, to be called home at the request of the Countess of
Bedford. Denton to forbear his business until these disputes with
the Dutch may be overpast. |
