|
| Dec. 11. |
709. [Sec. Conway] to Sir Thos. Smythe. He did hope to have
received a more gallant answer. If the Persian Ambassador's propositions had no real foundations and some hopes which rise above the
ordinary rate of commerce, his coldness might discourage all. But
the wisdom of the King and the State sees greater effects by this
overture than he takes knowledge of, and since they vouchsafe him
the honour and favour to call upon him for a councillor and assistant,
"deny not yourself the honour." No age can make a wise man
incapable of the best things; he cannot do a greater favour to those
who envy him than to leave an opportunity of setting himself in
the highest place. Wishes him for a partner, because he is persuaded his counsel and assistance will advantage the public good.
[Domestic, Jac. I., Vol. CLXXVI., No. 37, Cal., p. 404.] |
| Dec. 13–15. |
710. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Concerning
the business of the Lady Dale; committee to attend the Commissioners of the Navy, who have agreed to summon Lady Dale and do
their best "to persuade an end as friends" between herself and the
Company. Draught to be prepared of a commission to be sent into
the Indies in capital and criminal matters, and to be shown to Lord
Hubbard [Hobart]. Two of the committees to attend Sir Humphrey
Handford to inform him what passed in Parliament concerning the
business of Mrs. Salmon. Mr.Lanman brought into Court 28l. 10s. 6d.,
stopped by the pursers for poundage at 4d. per pound for money
lent in the Indies; it was put into the poor's box. Hereupon grew
a motion that some money might be collected from the Company's
servants in the Indies by way of a subscription for some provision for those hurt or maimed in the Company's service, either
in building a hospital or otherwise, as the Company shall seem fit,
which they think will be more proper, than for erecting a school in
Virginia, which Mr. Copland, a minister returned from the Indies,
doth labour to draw a contribution from thence; for, notwithstanding,
if any have a mind to contribute to such a school the Company will
not hinder it. Instructions to be given to the commanders by sea
and to the President in the Indies what the Company intends concerning such a contribution, and to what end. Concerning the giving
of thanks to his Majesty and the Duke, whether verbally or by way
of petition, which might be subject to a diverse interpretation; after
consideration, agreed that the best course will be to do it by word
of mouth; also the sum and effect of their acknowledgment; but
not to be done till the Court come to Theobalds. Concerning a
proportion of powder to be provided. Sir Thos. Smythe has promised
to procure an exchange for saltpetre, which if he cannot by fair persuasions effect, he will acquaint the Duke of Buckingham therewith.
On reading report of Thornborough, purser, of the goods stowed
aboard the London, "the Court grew into a jealousy lest their ships
outward bound were too much filled with matter of private trade
* * * * for that the taverns in the Indies could not be furnished
with wines from hence but by that means." Lead a very vendible
commodity in the Indies, but in respect of the dearness, there is but
160 fothers provided. Complaint that the custom of their coral,
which is very coarse, is overrated. Offer of a parcel of polished coral.
Because the case of Lord Hubbard differs from all others, and in
regard of his worthiness and of the great desire of the Company to
retain his love and favour "which may much stead the Company,"
ordered that if he will bring in the remainder of his adventure
between this and next term, said money shall be accounted as paid
in due time, and his Lordship cleared both of interest and brokes. |
|
Dec. 15.—Concerning Capt. Bonner's business; committee appointed to certify Sir Humphrey Handford of the proceedings in the
Parliament, and that the Company are ready to conform to the Lords'
order. Advice of Mr. Stone that for general directions how to
proceed in the punishment of criminal offences in the Indies, no
better could be given than are at large set down in certain books
called Pleas of the Crown, Compton and Lambert's Justice of Peace,
Polton, and Fitzherbert, which books were ordered to be bought, and
some experienced clerk to be sent whose knowledge might assist
the President and Council. Concerning Greet's business. Committee
appointed to render the Company's thanks to the King at Theobalds
according to the direction of the last General Court. Directions to
be sent to the President and Council, both at Jacatra and Surat, that
at the arrival of any ships there be strict order taken to discover
and punish private trade. Committee to confer with the "customers."
The Court conceived they ought not to pay 10s. custom for coral
that cost but 2s. The reply conceived by Mr. Skinner to the last
remonstrance of the Mayors concerning the business of Amboyna to
be read and made the occasion to attend the King and give him
thanks according to order. Report of Mr. Governor that Lord
Carew, though at first very unwilling, was content the Company
should have English powder from Mr. Evelyn for this voyage, on
condition they procured the like quantity of foreign powder into the
King's store. The contract concerning Sir Thos. Roe's jewel, which
had been delivered to Mr. Treasurer, to be drawn up according to
agreement. Agreed that Mr. Harley may adventure his polished
coral in the London for Masulipatam, but not to be sold until the
Company's coral shall be vented. The thanks of Lord Hubbard
concerning the payment of the remainder of his adventure certified
by Mr. Abdy. Concerning the sending powder and saltpetre from
Hamburgh. Mr Addison entertained master of the Palsgrave at
7l. per month, Mr. Swanley of the Exchange, at 6l. 10s., and Mr.
Pinder of the new pinnace, at 6l. Letter read from Mr. Monnox
from Rochester, that two of the King's ships, the Defiance and
Happy Entrance, were preparing to go for Persia; the Court resolved
to pursue their own resolution, and not any way to show unwillingness that the King's ships should proceed. Francis Lloyd, steward's
mate of the Palsgrave, entertained purser's mate of the Dolphin, and
Abraham Hoyle, four years steward's mate in the Moon, entertained
steward's mate of the Dolphin. Declaration of one John Fuller that
Capt. Greene kept the two Portugal women in his cabin a whole
year, refused 600 ryals for their ransom at Mozambique, gave them
costly apparel, mode more provision for them than the ship's company, and left them at Jacatra; "that he used drinking and by
report had lost much money by dicing and playing with the Dutch
captain and others:" his examination to be taken in the Admiralty.
[Nine pages and three quarters. Court Minute Book, VII., 258–
267.] |
1623 ? Dec. 16.
Surat Bar. |
711. Arthur Suffeyllde, purser of the Blessing, to the East India
Company. His last from this port was dated the 29th November
1622; seven days after the Blessing, Whale, Dolphin, Reformation,
and Primrose set sail for Persia, and the 30th December arrived at
Gombroon, where they found five English merchants that had
brought two caffilas of silk, which were laden upon the ships. Were
there 25 days, in which time Capt. Hall received many messages
from the Khan of Shiraz, to solicit aid against Muscat Castle, but
could nothing prevail; but he bought the Primrose (which was
altogether insufficient for the Company's service) for 400 tomans,
which was well approved of by the President of Surat, where they
arrived 12th February. The Reformation sailed for Choul and the
Blessing for Dabul on 23rd February Account of Capt. Hall surprising two Dabul frigates lying by the custom house, without the
loss of a drop of blood, and of he and Wedmore, not content with
this good success, landing in the town with 70 or 80 men, but being
forced to fly aboard with the loss of 20 men, whereof one was Thomas
Thompson, a merchant. Set sail with the two frigates, but both
proving leaky, one was burnt and the other they were fain to leave.
Arrived at Surat, 24th March, met the Reformation, and arrived
24th May 1623 at Mocha, where they found the Dolphin. Cruel
oppression of the Turks to the Rose's men. Set sail from Mocha,
7th August, took a frigate bound from Mocha to Choul, and arrived
at Diu Head, 16th September, where, meeting the William and a
Dutch ship, they took three junks and a Portugal ship from Mocha
freighted with Banians; also a Dabul junk, and three other great
junks; in all they brought seven vessels to Surat Bar, "without
anything diminished," except 600l. stolen or purloined by divers of
our men, the authors being well known and examined before the
President and Council. Refers to the merchants for all occurrences
not doubting but the Company will be very well pleased with the
peaceable agreement made with the country people. Sends copies
of 32 dead men's wills, accounts, consultations, and other papers.
Value of the prize goods; in the Choul frigate were 38,444½ ryals
of eight. The Blessing is now ready to sail for Persia, partly
freighted with Moor's goods. This belongs to the year 1623 (see ante,
Nos. 372, 373) although endorsed 1624. It is dated Dec. 16 only.
[Three pages. O.C., Vol. X, No. 1171.] |
1624.
Dec. 17. |
712. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Concerning the
balast ruby to be sent into the Indies for the account of Sir Thos.
Roe and Nicholas Leat; ordered that 675l. be imprestéd (advanced)
thereon, which at 4s. 6d. the ryal of eight amounts to 3,000 ryals (sic),
to be paid at Surat upon the sale of it. Resolution to abide by the
order of the Lords of Parliament in the business of Capt. Bonner's
widow, now Mrs. Salmon. The difference between Capt. Blythe
and Mr. Cartwright reconciled. Ordered that 10l. be given for
relief of the hamlet of Stepney, to be distributed especially to women
whose husbands have died poor in the Company's service. Account
of the state of the stock delivered by the auditors. Mountney's
accounts found to be very just to 1622, and Fotherby's to 1623.
Remarks thereon. Letter read from Sir John Coke recommending
for steward a poor kinsman of his: resolved to employ him in the
next fleet. Thomas Johnson to go purser in the Lion. [Three pages.
Court Minute Book, VII., pp. 268–270.] |
Dec. 19/29.
The Hague. |
713. The States General to King James. The sending of their
letter here annexed of the 2/12th of this month [see ante, No. 699] has
been hindered, because of the articles propounded since by Sir Dudley
Carleton upon the affairs that the two Companies are to agree upon
in the Indies. Send therefore to his Majesty the said articles as
answered by them, hoping he will receive contentment thereby, and
also be pleased with the care they have towards the keeping of the
treaty and amity between the two Companies, which dependeth
thereon, without permitting that all the labour which it has pleased
his Majesty to take to establish this society by his wisdom, may be
lost, to the damage of both Companies, which they intreat his
Majesty not to permit. French Also English translation of same.
[Two pages. Holland Corresp.] Inclose, |
|
713. i. "The first Answer made by the States General upon the
articles propounded by Sir Dudley Carleton, the 23 Oct./2 Nov. 1624."
Having put into a new deliberation the three articles propounded by Sir Dudley Carleton, they declare that this
matter by their despatch to his Majesty of 2/12; December hath
been answered sufficiently to cease the alteration already
grown between the two Companies to reunite them in better
amity and intelligence. Nevertheless to give his Majesty all
the satisfaction they can, "They say for the first, that it hath
been ever, and is still free for the Company of England in the
said Indies that they may retreat (whensoever they shall think
it good) with their goods out of the places and forts which
acknowledge the authority of the Company of these countries,
excepting, nevertheless, that for all this declaration, their intention shall be to alter nothing to the prejudice of the treating, or the amplification of the two Companies, and shall give
order and command to such as belong to their Company
that they do not attempt or undertake anything against this
liberty, but rather to uphold it with all their power, without
taking advantage against it of any doubt or obscurity that
may be found in this treaty upon this subject. Secondly,
that they may find good that all the differences grown, and
that may grow hereafter between the two Companies in the
said Indies, the knowledge whereof belongeth to the Common Council of Defence in the said Indies, may be decided
by the same Council if it be possible, and if they cannot
agree, that they may be sent back before the two Companies
in Europe, and afterwards before his Majesty and the States,
if need be. Lastly, that it is lawful for the English Company to build in the said Indies, forts and retreats, for the
security of their persons and goods, in all places which are
not under the jurisdiction nor comprehended in the bound
of the exclusive contracts of them of these Provinces, nor
contrary to the conventions and conditions specified in the
treaty and amplification of the same at the condition that
those of the Company of the countries shall have the same
free access and dwelling for their persons and goods which
those of England have already and pretend to have in the
places of the dominion of the States of the Low Countries.
Given the 13th of Dec. 1624 [N.S.] in the Assembly of the
States General." Two copies, in French and English.
[Two pages. Corresp. Holland.] |
Dec. 19/29
The Hague. |
714. The States General to Sec. Conway. The death of the
Sieur de Schonewalle happening just at the time of the despatch of
the letter they had prepared for his Majesty, touching the affairs of
Amboyna, pray him to deliver the same to the King, from which
they hope his Majesty will receive full contentment. [One page.
French.] |
| Dec. 19/29. |
715. Translation of part of the States' Answer to the three
articles. See above. [One page and a half. East Indies, Vol. III.,
No. 55.] |
| Dec 20–22. |
716. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Mr. Governor
put them in mind that they may soon be called before the Lords
concerning the trade of Persia, and therefore wished the Company
may be armed with the best reasons to give satisfaction. It was
said that Sir Robert Sherley hath possessed the State that such a
proportion of silk may be brought from thence as will give the King
450,000l. yearly for customs, whereas the proportion their factors
have advertised will not produce above 40,000l., if it were all to be
brought thither; it is also to be considered that a great quantity is
made about Aleppo and in Christendom; the vent of Persia silk is
only at Marseilles, Venice, England, and the Low Countries; and it
was not doubted that as the Company have satisfied Sir John Coke,
so they shall be able to satisfy the Lords. The London fallen down
beneath Gravesend; committee appointed to view the condition of the
ship. The Court informed that the Hollanders bound for the Indies
will come strong, and it was wished that a proportion of force
answerable may be procured to meet them. To this was answered,
that the State hath knowledge thereof, and on the Company's part
more cannot be done. Concerning the auditors' complaint; that their
work stands still for want of some of the warehouse books through
Washburne's default. |
