East Indies: January 1580

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: January 1580', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Volume 2, 1513-1616, (London, 1864) pp. 60-61. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/east-indies-china-japan/vol2/pp60-61 [accessed 19 March 2024]

January 1580

1580.
Jan. 20.
143. “ Testimony of the Auditors for the debt to William Burrowe.” That Michael Lok. of London, mercer, treasurer for the Company of Adventurers of the North–west voyage, has given up his accounts, where it is declared that he bought, on behalf of the Company, of Wm. Borowgh of Limehouse, the Judith for 320l., of which 95l. is still due by the Adventurers. Signed by Lionell Duckett, Thos. Neale, Richard Yonge, Mathew Fyeld, and Edmond Hogan. [Copy. One page. Brit. Mus., Lansdowne, CXLV., p. 254.]
1580? 144. “ A now attempt for the discovery of Cathay by the North–east, begun in anno (sic) Ed. VI. by Sir Hugh Willoughby, Knight, and others, but not finished by reason of his death in that voyage.” List of the names of those that have not yet promised, and the names of those that have promised; the chief setters forth of this voyage being certain of the chief Merchant Adventurers for new trades. William Borowgh, collector. [One page. East Indies, Vol. I., No. 5. Indorsed, “ A note of the collections for the discovery of Cathaya by the North–east.”]
1580? 145. “ A discourse touching Russia and Persia, and how they may be traded,” &c. A chosen gentleman bred in Court should be sent to the Sophy with eight special men of different trades. Discoveries by land and sea to the North–east should be attempted. Device to bear the charges. The manufactures or trades to be established; saltpetre, Turkey blades, plates for armour, cutter of bowstaves, feltmaker, weaver of Turkey carpets, and two expert soldiers, one for sea and the other for land. Also “ To what great end it is to attempt this year 1580 (?) a discovery of the great river of Obb, and of a passage by the North–east into Asia, and of the three means to bring it to effect.” [Seven pages and a half. Indorsed, as above. Domestic, Eliz., Vol. CCXXIII.]
1580? 146. “ Certain notes of consideration to be had for Persia, tending to divers good purposes.” The purport of this document is to the same effect as the preceding, having reference to trade and the discovery of a passage by sea to Cathay. The privileges heretofore granted by the Sophy of Persia to the merchants of England [see ante, 14 April, 1563, No. 7.], and their having absented themselves for two years, “ for that a new Prince doth now there reign.” The reviving and ratifying the grant of intercourse made by the Sophy to the English merchants by this Prince’s father may minister sufficient cause to send an ambassador into Persia, but the merchants should bear the burthen. [Three pages and a quarter. Domestic, Eliz., Vol. CCXXIII. The Queen’s letter to the Sophy of Persia to renew the privileges granted by his father to the English merchants, and a “ learned epistle,” written in 1581 concerning the mighty river Ob, and “ giving good light to the discovery to the North–east passage to Cathay, China, and the Moluccas,” are printed in Hakluyt, I., pp. 470–1, 575–8.]