|
April 3.
St. Martin's Lane. |
69. Sec. Calvert to (Carleton). We stick still here in our
treaty with the States Ambassadors, not having concluded any one
article; the fault is theirs and not ours, who have yielded more than
was reason, finding them nevertheless hacking and taking all ad
vantages upon the least difference. Last week two Dutch East
India ships were taken in the Narrow Seas by two of the King's
ships, under Sir Henry Mervin and Capt. Porter. His Majesty, out
of respect to the States, was contented not only to deliver the ships
and goods, but to call in Lord Oxford's Commission, and on
complaint of some odd ends embezzled out of the ships, to write
to Plymouth that they should be restored to the proprietors.
[Extract from Holland Corresp.] |
| April 3. to Aug. 2. |
70. Minutes of Consultations by the Couucil of the Fleet of
Defence off the Manillas. Directions for the cruizing of the Moyen
and the Peppercorn, and for the bringing in or destruction of
prizes. The ships to return on the 1st of May. Also for the cruise
of the Hope and the Elizabeth. |
|
April 26, off Maravilla.—Reasons for being unable to attend the
coming of the Plate ship. Four ships to be sent to Macao to surprise
Portuguese frigates and junks. Disposition of the Fleet. To direct
their course for Macao and thence to Firando, about 21 June/1 July. The
Portuguese prisoners to be sent to Macao, to be exchanged for
English and Hollanders, if there be any there; the Chinese to be
put ashore at Maravilla. |
|
April 29, off Hartes Bay.—Instructions for the capture of two
China junks, which are said, "by three Christian Chinese" of the
Peppercorn, to lie under the island of Louan. |
|
May 4, off Mindoro.—Resolution to land 400 armed men and
seize the goods supposed to be stored in the island of Louan. |
|
May 9.—Only six empty vessels found, which were fired. The
goods had gone by sea to "Bullingan," and thence overland to
Manilla. The weather being foul and the coast dangerous, resolved
not to attack the village on the other side of the island, but the
whole fleet to leave Manilla, four ships to go to Macao, and six to
the Straits of Piscadores. |
|
August 2, The Netherlanders Lodge at Firando.—Declaration of
Admiral William Johnson that the two Manilla voyages were
brought to an end, and that instructions as to their future proceedings had been received from the Council of Defence at
Jacatra. The ships of the two Companies to separate, and each to
bear their own charges. "The Emperor's Majesty hath ordained
that all the reprisal goods taken by the ship Elizabeth in a frigate
near the island of Formosa." in 1620 are to be delivered to his
factor, Gunrockdono, Governor of Nangasaki, and that we should
keep the empty frigate. Resolved not to part with our rights or
the goods, unless by force compelled, "in regard the matter is of
more consequence to us than the goods.". [Six pages. O.C., Vol. IX.,
No. 1046.] |
| April 5. |
71. Court Minutes of the East India Company. The diamonds
all sold for 3,000l. Prices of indigo to be raised to 5s. 6d. per lb.
the flat, and 6s. the hard. A small pinnace to be sent to Bantam
within a month. A committee appointed to endeavour to obtain the
Mercury from the Lord Admiral. Mrs. Wickham's business. She is
urged to accept their Company's offer, but utterly refuses. Discussion as to the stock to be called in next year. 200,000l. is thought
necessary, but some think 150,000l. "would come willingly from the
adventurers, and put them in some heart to proceed." Mr. Treasurer
Stone showed "that neither the Company's occasions can be supplied,
nor their credit supported without bringing in the proportion of last
year." There are goods enough in warehouse to afford a dividend
to any that shall desire it. Request of one Loder on behalf of the
sons of Sir William Smith, deceased, touching his adventure. The
intended training of the City bands; two corslets and two muskets
to be worn by the Company's servants on the training day; four
more to be bought and hung up ready for all good occasions. A committee to consider what shall be sent in the pinnace to the Indies.
Consideration on the request of the factors for more power for
rewarding and punishing. Demands of certain women for restitution
of goods taken from their husbands in the Indies; referred back for
payment to the Company by the Dutch, as "they were come to
make an end with the Company for all." The petitioners have
already received more than was due from the Company; if they
recover anything from the Dutch they shall have it; but hitherto
they have not been mentioned in the treaty, only in the general
complaint. [Three pages. Court Bk. V., 835–388.] |
April 6.
The Hague. |
72. Carleton to |Sec. Calvert. The States are newly assembled,
and a flying report of one of their East India ships stayed about
Plymouth doth much qualify the general joy at the good success of
the treaty in England, which Carleton will never a whit the more
despair of, for he knows that some of the States are not sorry,
because they see some of their own men so untractable that nothing
but constraint will reduce them to reason. [Extract from Holland
Corresp.] |
April 8.
Whitehall. |
73. Sec. Calvert to (Carleton). The first article is not yet concluded with the States Ambassadors, and all men begin to wonder to
see their stiffness and unreasonable hacking at a time when they
have so much reason to give us all just contentment. The point in
question is the restitution of the pepper brought into Holland, which
(as appears by their own books) was sold by them for 49,000l. or
thereabouts, the first penny as the phrase is, yet they seek to reduce
it to 41,000l., notwithstanding that the goods were shamefully
undersold to their own Company, supposing that they must restore
them. This day they have had audience of the King. [Extract
from Holland Corresp.] |
| April 10. |
74. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Application
of Salmon on behalf of his son, married to Mrs. Bonner, for Capt.
Bonner's wages and 1,000 ryals delivered at Tecoe to the Company's
use. His son going to Greenland. Salmon asks for 200l., but accepts
100l. on account, himself being surety. Payment to Burrel on
account, for building the second new ship at Deptford. Consideration of what shipping to send to Bantam; two small ships to leave
at a month's interval, better than one large one. The committees to
be present at the General Court in the afternoon, to support the
propositions with regard to next year's adventures, and the remaining stock of pepper. Petition of Richard Bass, whose "father was
a committee for 5 years," for the remission of his broke. He is to
pay interest at 10 per cent.
Minutes of a General Court. The Governor explains that a large
amount of stock will be necessary for this year, though "neither
himself nor any other of the Company had reason to take delight in
parting with their money, but yet where the necessity and good of
the Company required it, he doubted not but all would be ready to
bring in their parts." The committees have carefully studied the
matter, and are convinced that for the two first quarters as much
will be needed as last year, and propose that the amount for the
two other quarters shall be decided at a General Court to be called
for the purpose. Objections: it was urged that 200,000l. was
brought in last year, and 100,000l. debt promised to be paid.
Mr. Treasurer Stone answered that the money did not all come in;
"the payment of the Royal James drunk up 40,000l." Balance of the
Company's accounts. Beside the debt of the new stock to the old,
about 170,000l. was owing, whereof 48,000l. by insolvents, and
30,000l. "in provisions at home." The Governor said they must
trust to the committees, "banish all jealousies, and rest assured that
more shall not be called in than needs must." Some of the generality offer double the sum asked, rather than the trade should
suffer. The Governor's proposals agreed to. Sufficient goods to be
stayed out of the next importation, to satisfy those who have not
yet taken out their capital. Committee nominated to audit the
accounts and examine the state of trade. Those who do the work
"to be honestly gratified" when it is done. Indigo and pepper
may be taken out "upon the debt for the first joint stock." [Eight
pages. Court Bk. V., 388–396.] |
April 12.
Madrid. |
75. Sir Walter Aston to Sec. Calvert. Great feasts and triumphs
are preparing here for solemnizing the canonization of four Spanish
saints, Ignatius, founder of the order of Jesuits; Xavier, a Jesuit,
that died in the Indies; Isidro, a husbandman; and Madre Teresa,
who died 40 years since, foundress of the "discalsed Carmelites."
[Extract from Spanish Corresp.] |
| April 13. |
76. Locke to Carleton. The East India merchants have as yet
received no satisfaction from the Dutch. The point of restitution
left for awhile to see if they can accommodate something else. The
Dutch are now upon their own grievances. Will send him the
letter from the Privy Council to the King with their proceedings
somewhat at large. Two of the King's and two Dutch ships lately
exchanged shots, because they would not strike sail according to
custom, and it is reported that they came so close to the King's
ships that if some other had not fallen in by accident the King's
had been in some danger. [Extract from Domestic Corresp., Jac. I.,
Vol. CXXIX., No. 36, Cal. p. 376.] |
April 17.
The Hague. |
77. Carleton to (Sec. Calvert). The slow progress of the treaty
gives no less distaste here than in England; and the Ambassadors
would soon be overruled concerning the first article,—as lately
they were written unto, when the Advocate Burrel returned,—but
they allege that their yielding in this would serve for example,
and that which in detail is but light, will in gross prove so heavy
that their Company will not be able to bear it; and so they breed
a jealousy as if it were purposely intended to break their Company;
but if it should turn to a disjunction of the Companies, their Ambassadors will have small thanks at their return. The news of
the release of their ship and restitution of her goods brought by
Brower, one of the deputies expressly sent over, was very gladly
understood by the States, and he makes no doubt but good fruit
will proceed as well of the seizure as the delivery, they being by
the one made sensible that sooner or later they cannot but fall
into our hands, and by the other freed of despair. [Extract from
Holland Corresp.] |
| April 17. |
78. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Discussion of
business with the Muscovy Company, in reference to various debts
owing to them and the houses assigned by the Muscovy Company
to the East India Company. Committee appointed to examine
these matters. Discussion as to the fitness of two ships of 160
tons for the Company's service, one, the Ursula, offered at 850l.,
the other, a new ship, at 950l. A proposal to await the return of
some of their own ships overruled. Advise must be sent for supplying the trade at Surat and Persia. A committee to look out
for a ship. It will be time enough for the second pinnace to go,
at the end of the treaty. Payment to John Tapp for printing
bonds for merchants, factors, mariners, &c.; 1d. a bond for the
greater, and ½d. for the less, thought too much. The Commissioners of his Majesty's navy may have the Coaster, to fetch knee
timber from Ireland, at 20d. per month per ton without ordnance,
or 2s. with. [Four pages. Court Bk. V., 397–400.] |
| April 20. |
79. Locke to Carleton. The States have concluded nothing
about the merchants' business yet, the first point about restitution
is now referred to the King, and they are upon the next, which
is satisfaction for wrongs they pretend to have been done them by
English merchants. [Extract from Domestic Corresp., Jac. I.,
Vol. CXXIX., No. 50., Cal. p. 378.] |
April 25./May 5.
The Hague. |
80. (Carleton) to the East India Company. Earnestly entreats
them to continue letting him know what passes in the treaty, that
he may inform the greatest on this side of the truth, which is
ordinarily disguised with false reports; as also any means whereby
he may contribute to the advancement of their business. Has
nothing to communicate at present, only that he conceives that
the late taking and release of the Dutch ship may help towards
an accommodation of their controversies, when they on this side
considering in the one the goodness of his Majesty, and in the
other the power which we have of doing ourselves right, will be
kept from despair, and likewise see a necessity of giving satis
faction; to which he knows the States to stand well resolved.
[Extract from Holland Corresp.] |
| April 26–29. |
81. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Withers, a
brother of the Company, who has made several complaints about
the last General Court and the conduct of the committees, to be
called to the Court to declare himself more particularly. Assessment on the Company's property at Deptford. Committee to settle
Adam Denton's claims, as "he hath used great means by very
honorable friends," and his request is reasonable. Committee for
the Muscovy business to meet on Monday morning. A new ship
has been found complete, which "will be had for reason." Letters
to be requested from the Lord Treasurer to the officers of the
Customs in all ports westwards as far as Plymouth, that on the
arrival of ships from the East Indies "there be no goods carried
ashore, which is a thing that hath been done to the great prejudice
of the Company." If the letters are granted, one of their servants
to be sent to Plymouth to see to their execution. The 400l. adventure in question between William Palmer and John Gerrard
to be detained in the Company's hands by order in Chancery. |
|
April 29.—Messages by Sir William Heydon and Mr. Endymion
Porter, servants of the Prince, from the King and Prince. Porter says
that his Majesty has received messages and letters from the Great
Mogul, asking for such rareties as this kingdom affords, in return
for rich presents of that country. His Majesty has determined to
present him not alone with jewels, "but likewise with some inventions, and particularly with that of conveying water into their
houses in such a manner as will be a great cooling and refreshing
in those extreme hot countries, and a benefit much desired by the
Mogul." His Majesty sends, not to ask the Company's judgment
or advice, but that they might use the Prince's servants if they
so thought good. Heydon says that the Prince has planned an
expedition for "the weighing up and recovering" of sunken treasure
ships in the East Indies by means of an engine devised by one
Cornelius Dryvet, which "shall fetch up any weight." Also "there
is a boat devised to go under water, where men may live, and if
need be a man may go forth and walk under water 20 or 30 yards
and use his arms to any kind of labour." No prejudice is intended
to the Company's trade; they will carry no goods; nor "make
any desperate attempt upon any the ships or places of that country."
These things heard before by the Governor from the Marquis Buckingham, also from the King and Prince, but he wished that the
whole Court may justly express their duty and "service to his
Majesty and his Highness." Arguments. It is feared, partly from
experience of the Earl of Warwick's expedition, that these ships
"might attempt something to make up their voyage (in case their
first hopes should fail), which might endanger the Company's
stock." The King and Prince will be answerable for their servants.
It is urged that the Company must yield if the King and Prince
will, and pressed that the expeditions may be deferred. Committee appointed to draw up petition to the King and the Prince.
Demands of Smitheck, engaged to go factor to Bantam; he wishes
to be President, and refuses to be commanded by any man in the
Indies. The Court, disgusted with "his pride and overweening of
himself," and his ingratitude after all they have done for him,
discharge him without any compensation. A new and suitable
ship found by the committee. [Seven pages. Court Bk. V., 401–408.] |
