East Indies: September 1600

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Volume 2, 1513-1616. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1864.

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'East Indies: September 1600', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Volume 2, 1513-1616, (London, 1864) pp. 105-106. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/east-indies-china-japan/vol2/pp105-106 [accessed 19 March 2024]

September 1600

Sept. 23–30.
Founders’ Hall.
267. Minutes of a General Meeting of the Adventurers for the East India voyage. Having undertaken “to set forth a voyage for the discovery of the trade of the East Indies,” and solicited the Queen’s assent to the enterprise and to further it with a grant of privilege and other tolerations, and Her Majesty’s pleasure having been signified that the adventurers should proceed in their purpose and accept of her certificate as an earnest of a further warrant to be afterwards granted to them, it is agreed to go forward in the said voyage, and “committees and directors of all the preparations and business” necessary “to set forth and manage the whole voyage” are chosen. The following are the names of this first court of directors:—
Alderman Bannyng. Fra. Chery.
Alderman Hallyday. Mr. Alabaster.
Alderman Goddard. Roger Howe.
Alderman Smythe. Rich. Wyche.
Rich. Staper. John Eldred.
Wm, Garway. John Bate.
Thos. Cordell. Wm. Chambers.
Mr. Lancaster. Mr. Harrison.
Richard Wiseman.
Sept. 25.—The Susan to be purchased for l,600l., upon condition that Aid. Bannyng, the owner, receive her again upon her return from the voyage, for 800l.: Foulke Grevil, treasurer of the navy, requested to move the Lord Admiral for the use of Woolwich and Deptford docks. Four surveyors to be appointed to every ship employed in the voyage. Names of those for the Hector, Ascension, and Susan.
Sept. 26.—The Phœnix offered to the committee for 1,400l., to be taken back for 700l. at her return. Alderman Bannyng requested to negotiate for sale of the Cherubim. The adventurers to bring in a third part of their adventure by the last of the month. Roger Howe to make provision for dollars and victuals for the ships. Inventories of the Hector, Ascension, and Susan.
Sept. 27.—Contract with Mr. Hilliard [sic, Highelorde in the margin] for 1,000 dollars. The burthen of the Earl of Cumberland’s ship, the Mare Scurge [Malice Scourge], too great for this voyage. Mr. Howe and Capt. Davies to go into the West country to purchase provisions. Mr. Burrell appointed general surveyor of all the ships. The surveyors to report upon the wants of each particular ship. The Phœnix offered for 1,200l. Mr. Burrell to provide timber for the shipping.
Sept. 29.—Capt. Davies to draw out a proportion of victuals for 500 men; and with Capt. Lancaster, Mr. Chambers, and Mr. Harrison to see what pinnaces can be found fit to be employed in the voyage. Inventory of the Ascension.
Sept. 30.—The Treasurers not to advance above the value of 10l., “upon their own peril” without a warrant from four of the committees. Mr. Alabaster to be intreated to keep the accounts if his leisure will permit, if otherwise Jul. Beamishe. Draft of the patent of privileges to the Society of Adventurers prepared by Mr. Altham, for which he is to be paid 4l. Warrant signed for 100l., for provisions for the Hector. Letter to the Earl of Essex for his consent to the employment of Capt. Davies in “a voyage to the East Indians in trade of merchandize,” presuming upon his lordship’s readiness to further any enterprise which may bring honour to his country or benefit to the commonwealth. [Thirteen pages and a half. Court Book, E. I. Comp., Vol. I., pp. 1–9. Vide Bruce’s Annals of the E. I. Comp., I., pp. 126–127.]