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| Dec. 1–5. |
351. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Letter read
from Lord Danvers, recommending one Johnson as a factor; the
Court, upon examination, did find no great matter in him, and so
gave him for answer they had no use of him. Long discussion on
the suit of William Biddulph for increase of his wages and for a
gratuity for his long and faithful service. Account presented by
Robert Smith and Edwin Guy, pursers of the Jonas and London, of
the money, plate, &c. found at Ormuz, which account was sent home
from [Thos.] Rastell, President, and [Giles] James, a prime factor at
Surat; the Court thought it a very poor account, that of so great
a wealth as was found there not 20,000l. is come to the Company's
account, and blamed the pursers that better order had not been
taken to keep what was taken, and resolved that a greater charge
be laid on the pursers than formerly, and did not at that time
consent that they should have their wages. [John] Wood, late master
of the Lesser James, to receive the wages due to his servants, John
Flowers, William Beckwith, and John Keyes. |
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Dec. 3.—Wages of Edwin Guy and Robert Smith, pursers of
the London and Jonas. Proportion of spices to be bestowed on
Mr. Governor, Mr. Deputy, the treasurers, and committee, according
former custom, with the quantities and the prices. Offer of Mr.
Robertes to go master in one of the Company's greater ships, but
not in a meaner place; the Court conceived by that offer that the
masters of their ships do grow ambitious of title and desire to command in the quality of captains, but it was resolved that none but
Capt. Weddall shall go with that title. Mr. Bickford's entertainment to rise 10l. yearly to 60l. till his seven years are expired.
Mr. Biddulph to have at the rate of 8s. per dollar, to stand to his
adventure of 400l., and for his long service, not without some particular merit to the Company, to have 100l. over and above his
wages, and be made a free brother and suffered to sell his calicoes
in town. John Hinchley, summoned by a writ out of the Star
Chamber to testify in the cause between the Company and George
Ball, to have 40s. for his charges. George Page entertained at
100 marks per annum for three years, and 100l. for the other four
years.
Minutes of a General Court of Sales.—Those absent to be fined
12d. each. List of commodities sold, comprising pepper, wet, dried,
and garbled; cloves, wet and garbled; maces, large brown, middle
brown, garbled, and dust; nutmegs, broken and wet; and silk; with
the prices and names of the purchasers; 18 barrels of gumlac in
grains and 60 barrels of dust of indigo not sold. |
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Dec. 5.—Court Minutes. Letter from Sir John Suckling, that
the officers of the custom house be gratified for goods exported.
The Court made answer that nothing is due, and therefore desired
to be spared, but it was replied that very likely the Lord Treasurer
will be moved in it, and then the request will come stronger; and
"advised that those of the custom house demand none but warrantable fees, which the Company will pay, and to remember that a
Parliament may examine it, as in the late sitting had been begun."
Petition of George Pike, brother and executor of Edward Pike, late
the Company's servant, deceased at Succadana, for the estate of his
deceased brother. Discussion with Mr. Chamberlain about the price
of cloves and pepper and dust of indigo, which was set at 18d. per
lb.; but he refused to take it at more than 12d., whereupon the
Court fell to a resolution of sending ten barrels of it to Mr. Barlow
to prove what vent it will find in the Low Countries. Report of the
surgeon's chest prepared by Mr. Woodall; ordered that Woodall
receive 40l. by way of imprest for that service, and that the committees crave the help of both surgeons and physicians to view the
things proper to their several faculties. Appointment of a conference with Capt. Weddall and Messrs Blythe, Kerridge, and
Monnox, on Monday next, concerning the Company's affairs in the
Indies. Resolution (if Monday's conference hinder it not) to send
200 cloths to Surat and 100 to Ormuz. The Governor of opinion
that 60,000 ryals will suffice to be sent "in these ships," which, as
there is no great likelihood of the opening of Bantam, because the
Hollanders make no show of any such expectation, the Court ordered
shall be sent, and 20,000 more if they may. Report of Mr. Harrison,
an under officer of the custom house, that he had followed the
business of the Company, to the Lord Treasurer, concerning the
licence for exportation of their calicoes free of custom, and was to
gratify Mr. Jacob, my Lord's secretary, with 3l. The Court ordered
he should have not only the 3l. but 30s. more for his own pains,
and 20s. for Mr. Jacob's servant. Walter Mountford's debts to the
Company; resolved to shorten the unnecessary expence of fresh
victuals to their ships upon the coast, which is made the greater by
permitting of such resort of strangers as come daily aboard; Mountford to attend the Court so soon as his health will permit.
Minutes of a General Court concerning the price of cloves; no
sign of falling in price; when any such thing appears, will be time
to consider of some course to be taken. As to the business of delinquents, the committee found so many difficulties that they thought
it not fit to be dealt in as yet. Choice of four general auditors in
addition to Messrs. Waytes and Markham, that have heretofore been
employed; to have a salary of 100l. per annum each. Their instructions; no account to be allowed except vouched. Proposal that
Prusson should be employed to assist the auditors; much dispute
thereon; his petition read. Though the Company would never
refuse to hear any discovery of abuses, yet they were wary of suffer
ing a man to insinuate himself into their services who had done so
ill offices to them; for a man may justly be suspected that propounds
for his own gain. In the end a selected committee of the generality
were appointed to hear what he had to say for the good of the Company, the committee generally desiring to be spared. [Fifteen pages.
Court Minute Book, VI., pp. 286–301.] |
| Dec. 5. |
352. A List of all the Factors and Assistants in the Indies, under
the command of the President at Batavia, and where employed:— |
|
Jacatra Dead |
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Tho. Brockedon, President. |
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Henry Hawley, of the Council |
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Jno. Gunning, of the Council |
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Richd. Haselwood, Merchant. |
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Geor. Bruen, Merchant. |
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At Jacatra Dead |
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George Willeby, Factor. |
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Robt. Huntchins, Clerk of the Stores. |
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Edward Traiford, Factor. |
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Jno. Cooper, Factor. |
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Jno. Cartwright, Factor. |
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Thomas Johnson, Factor. |
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Marmaduke Steventon, Factor. |
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Thomas Robinson, Assistant. |
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Henry Ducie, Assistant. |
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At Masulipatam Returned Dead |
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Thomas Mylls, Agent. |
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Francis Futter, Factor. |
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John Dodd, Factor. |
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At Jambi In the Ann Dead |
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Robt. Johnson, |
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Thom. Staverton, Merchant. |
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Chr. Bogan, Factor. Merchant. |
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Robt. Randall, Assistant. |
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Jonas Colbach, Assistant. |
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David Owen, Assistant. |
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At Acheen |
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Henry Woolman, Factor. |
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Richd. Allen, Assistant. |
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John Hayward, Assistant. |
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At Japara |
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Andrew Coggins, Factor. |
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Jno. Dent, Assistant. |
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At Macassar |
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Dead Henry Short, Merchant. |
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Richd. Danby, Factor. |
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At the Moluccas |
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Philip Harrison, Factor. |
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Andrew Weekes, Assistant. |
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At Amboyna |
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Henry Sill, Factor. |
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At Banda |
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Dead Benjamin Moore, Factor. |
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At Japan In the Ann Returned In the Ann In the Ann Returned |
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Richd. Cockes, Merchant. |
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Joseph Cockeram, Merchant. |
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John Osterwick. |
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Willm. Eaton, Factor. |
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Edmond Sayer, Factor. |
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Henry Dodsworth, Assistant. |
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In the Ann Returned At Siam and Masulipatam Returned |
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Edward Long, Factor. |
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John Jourdain, Factor. |
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Willm. Well, Factor. |
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Edward Scudamore, Factor. |
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Dead In the ship Discovery |
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Tho. Bright, Factor. |
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Rich. Robinson, Assistant, |
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In the ship Abigail |
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Geo. Cristmas, Factor. |
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Went since Dead Rob. Hayes, Factor. |
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Ricd. Bicke, Factor. |
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James Traughton, Factor. |
|
[Endorsed, 5 Decr 1624. This document is wrongly dated 1623,
but slightly endorsed 1624 to which year it properly belongs. O.C.,
Vol. X., No. 1124.] |
Dec.6.
Jambi. |
353. Protest of Robert Johnson against Adrian Vanderdussen,
principal at Jambi for the Netherlands Company. Adrian Vanderdussen and Bartholomew Skunst, second merchant, with others,
have this day not only broken the agreement between the Companies
of Oct.28,/Nov.8, 1621, in not permitting them to take their part of pepper
due from Nochoa Limco, a Chinese; but struck at their people,
threw their sacks a way, and violently kept their men from entering
Limco's prau, using many uncivil and unfit speeches to stir up strife.
Wheras the English have not only permitted the Dutch quietly to
take their part of debts out of such praus as they have first seized,
but have also weighed out pepper to them out of the house. [One
page. O.C., Vol. X., No. 1125.] |
| 1623 ? |
354. Petition of Thomazin Powell, widow, to the Privy Council.
Recapitulates the contents of her previous petition [see ante, No. 291],
and prays for satisfaction from the States of the Low Countries, as she
can have no relief from the East India Company, for that the goods
came not to their hands. [Domestic Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CXXIV.,
No, 104, Cal., p. 329.] |
| 1623. Dec. 8. |
355. Court Minutes of the East India Company. The Court
reminded of a motion for a gratification to the superior officers of
the Custom House for goods imported; but "did not hearken to the
motion." Motion of the Lord Treasurer for his brother, Sir Randall
Cranfield, to receive again the full money he has paid in, and be
discharged of his adventure; but it is not to be done, for the
example and consequence was such as would draw an apparent
mischief upon the Company, "there being divers, whereof some of
honourable quality, that do but attend the success of that motion."
His Lordship also desired some silk quilts, which were promised at
the best rate they can be afforded. The Court informed that some of
the committees had been summoned to the Privy Council—but were
not called in respect the Prince sat in Council upon some private
business—about a petition of Widow Powell and two other women
against the Company, supposing that in the late treaty the Company
had recovered monies from the Dutch in recompense of all losses,
whereas the Dutch had utterly rejected the motion; it was remem
bered that Powell's wife, having made known her poverty, had been
formerly gratified, and that at her humble suit they had sent a son
of hers into the Indies to their great charge, wherewith she was
very thankful; but now they resolved to call home her son, and
make known to the Lords the unjustness of the complaint. Letter
read from Sir Heneage Finch, Recorder of the City, in behalf of
Peter Bell, purser of the Eagle, for certain moneys which he claims
to be due to him. The gratification to preachers for good respects
forborne the last year, held fit to be likewise forborne this year.
Petition of Thomas Reynolds, late purser of the Lesser James, for
money disbursed by him in Ireland. Also of William Rootes and
Richard Foord about the estate of Arthur Heath, a sailor, who went
out in the Hart and died in the London. Report of Mr. Eyers that
the arbitrators on behalf of Mrs. Baffin demanded 800l., and would
not abate above 100l.; but it was put to them whether she would
accept 300l., and they desired time to confer with her. [Three pages.
Court Minute Bk., VI., pp. 301–304.] |
Dec. 8.
Jambi. |
356. A second protest of Robert Johnson against Adrian Vanderdussen. They are again forced to proceed against him; for when
the first protest was delivered he scornfully threw it under his feet,
and spurned it from him, saying his masters were more able to buy
pepper at ten ryals the picul than ours at eight; and as once when
a difference happened between their people although he did the wrong,
he sent forth his people (the cause unheard) and gave them charge,
to kill, stick, and slay all the English. In regard of these wrongs
they protest they may not, without apparent danger, longer trust to
such dealings, and that the loss, hurt, or damage arising thereby is
the fault of Vanderdussen. [One page. O.C., Vol. X., No. 1126.] |
Dec. 10.
Batavia. |
357. John Brooke to the East India Company. By the Lesser
James and Palsgrave he advised them (to his great grief) of the loss
of the Trial, and that the Roebuck escaped narrowly. The 29th of
October last the President and Council sent him upon discovery in
the Little Rose, and he was "wanting" some 18 days. The river of
Chamysoare upon Sumatra and Great Bessee are very good places,
but Sabacoare he likes not so well. Hopes his draughts of these
places will give them great content. The President and Council
have made him Capt. Robert Adams' successor, commander of the
Moon, of which he hopes to make a sufficient ship to go home in
November next; and the President has promised to go home in her.
The Moon must be careened. "He left his wife furnished for
30 months, but now his time will be some 18 months more, so intreats
them to let her have 60l. more. Has lost them one ship, but hopes
he shall save them two by industry, care, and pains. Endorsed,
"John Brooke, &c., concerning his search of a place to fortify in,
&c." [One page. O.C., Vol., X., No. 1127.] |
| Dec. 10. |
358. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Mr. De la Barr
presented Mr. Bartholomew Jaquin, a stranger, who offered a project
for making fresh water from salt [water], with or without fire: the
Court remembered that their ships carry sometimes 100 tons of
water, and answered that if the project proves feasible they will both
entertain it, and gratify the inventor. Questions to Capt. Blythe concerning Ormuz; he is of opinion that the Persian Governor truly
intended to hold friendship with the English, for Ormuz is not tenable
without the help of shipping; ships may ride in great safety close
under the walls of the castle, and the Company have houses allotted
them in Ormuz of great capacity and conveniency; that the Persian
having had experience of our faithful dealing will be loving and
kind to our nation; the island is no fertile place but is supplied from
other parts; English cloth is in little use there; at Christmas is
the fittest time to set out from hence to Surat and Persia. He
protested that 700 books of calicoes, 8 hhds. of pepper, and 100 wt.
of indigo were all the goods he brought home, and expected the
reward promised for bringing his ship so far without touching by
the way; the Court answered that he can in no sort challenge the
reward, for he stayed at Portsmouth, where not only his own goods,
but a far greater quantity by means of his evil example, were
conveyed ashore. He offered to submit himself, but for some good
reasons the Court forebore to conclude with him at that time.
Errors in the pursers' accounts; cattle bought without vouchers, and
no accounts for passengers, whereof they have sometimes 100 at a
time. Letter from the Countess of Kildare to borrow the Company's
house at Deptford, there to entertain her poor neighbours of Deptford
in the Christmas time;" the Court remembered some favours done
by her Ladyship, and were content to pleasure her with the house
until Candlemas; an inventory to be taken of the goods left in the
house. Letter from Sir William Bird, judge of the prerogative
court to stay the estate of John Harrett, because it is now in
question before him whether the pretended executor John Sympson
be lawfully authorised; ordered that stay should be made accordingly. Gregory Clement engaged as a factor for seven years, at
100 marks per annum for the first three years, and 100l. for the
other four. Francis Smith, a young boy, entertained to go as "a
yonker," at 8s. per month. The secretary to write to Mr. Browning
of Ipswich to entreat him to cause James Beversham to come up
forthwith, or they will take a course to fetch him by authority.
[Four pages and a half. Court Minute Book, VI., pp. 329–333.] |
