|
|
|
|
March 1.
Whitehall.
|
43. Sec. Winwood to Sir Dudley Carleton. The King complains of
the froward proceeding of the States for breaking the solemn
promise made by their Ambassador both to himself and to some
of his principal ministers, to send over commissioners into England
to treat and compound the differences now in question between
our merchants and theirs. [Extract from Holland Correspondence.]
|
|
March 1.
Surat.
|
44. John Crouther to the East India Company. Left Rich. Steele
at Ispahan in October 1615 ; no sufficient excuse for his remaining
there so long afterwards. Much troubled with heat outwards
and with cold storms, ice, and snow homewards. Was from 17th
Oct. to 13th March past travelling from Ispahan to Ajmere. His
journal with the King of Persia's phirmaund he delivered to Sir
Thos. Roe, copies of which he sent to the Factory at Surat.
Report of his death. Was sent with Joseph Salbancke to Agra
with cloth, but "such is the misery of that place" that he could
sell none. Fras. Fetiplace and Robt. Younge also sent to Agra.
Cloth bartered for indigo. Left Agra 17th Nov. and arrived at
Surat 20th January. Report of contention in the Factory in
Persia. Fit to have a Factory in Agra with a good stock of
money to buy indigo where there is infinite store. Is appointed
to go to Burrampoor with elephants' teeth and other commodities to
assist Banggam. [Two pages. Indorsed, Received by the Globe,
5 Sept. 1617. O. C., Vol., IV., No. 453.]
|
|
March 4.
Swally Road.
|
45. James Bickford to Sir Thos. Smythe, Governor of the East
India Company. Indigo bought at Ahmedabad, the old store
swept away and the price of the new much improved by the
purchases of the Queen, Mocrob Khan, the Portuguese, Persians
and others, some for Goa, but most for the Red Sea to Mocha
and those places. Little of anything vendible at Ahmedabad.
Strong waters only serve for presents, without which nothing can
be done, the people being generally all so base and thieves from
the beggar to the King ; they live as fishes in the sea, the great
eating up the little ones ; the farmer robs the peasant, the gentleman
robs the farmer, and the King robs all. The King has
three grown up sons ; the eldest, whom he loves most but fears because
of the affection of the people for him, is in prison, though the King
swears he shall succeed him ; danger of the second son, Governor of
all Guzerat, coming to the throne ; report that he means to possess
himself of the kingdom on the death of his father ; he is now preparing
with the King's whole army to go against the King of
Deccan. Until these things come to pass sword blades will be worth
little or nothing. Commodities which are likely to meet with a sale.
His services and wages. [Three pages. O. C., Vol. IV., No. 454.]
|
|
March 5.
Aboard the
Charles.
|
46. Consultation held aboard the Charles. Concerning a difference
in the amount of the money delivered to the factors at Surat ;
certain disorders committed by Rich. Weekes and John Byrd ; and
pilots for ships sailing to the port of Jask. Signed by Henry
Pepwell, Thos. Kerridge, John Browne, Thos. Mitford, Wm.
Methwold. [Two pages and a quarter. O. C., Vol. IV., No. 455.]
|
|
March 7.
Aboard the
Charles, at sea.
|
47. Capt. Henry Pepwell to the East India Company. The three
condemned men were put ashore at the Cape, contrary to his wish,
for not finding any of those formerly left there by Capt. Keeling, it
was to expose these men to apparent destruction, either to perish
by famine, to be devoured by wild beasts, or slain by savages,
which he believed to be far different from the Company's meaning.
Complaints against Connok. Account of a fight with a Portuguese
carack in which the English Admiral was slain, and Capt. Pepwell
dangerously wounded ; the carack making for the shore, refused
to surrender and was afterwards discovered to be on fire, but
whether done purposely or no, he does not know ; the new Vice Roy
supposed to be on board. Valour of the Portuguese and unwonted
skill of the gunners ; believes they were English and Dutch. Number
of men slain and hurt. Anchored at one of the islands of Gomera,
in their plots called Castro but by the Portuguese Gazidia, where
they took in cattle and other provisions in exchange for paper,
nothing else being had in the like reqnest ; some paper sold for a ryal of
eight a quire ; gold and silver little esteemed in the island. Had
sight of Diu on 18th Sept., and arrived at Surat 23rd Sept.
Kerridge urges him to send a ship away to Jask, but he disapproves
of it, owing to letters he had received from the Lord
Ambassador and for other reasons which are stated. Found by his
instructions that he could not avoid their determinations, so
Alexander Childe, an honest and resolute man, was sent Master of
the James thither on 8th November ; names of the factors. Complains
of the abridgement of authority heretofore committed to the Chief
Commander of the Fleet in all matters of merchandise. Argument
with Kerridge about moneys to lade the ships at Bantam. Quarrel
between the natives of Surat and the English ; Kerridge beaten and
imprisoned. Proceedings of the Portuguese. Arrival of a Dutch
ship at Surat from the Red Sea, laden with spices ; the Dutch have
established a factory at Surat ; they grow very powerful in the
Indies, searching out every place of trade with their multitude of
shipping ; and have lately besieged Malacca, assisted by the King
of Acheen, and destroyed three Portuguese galleons. Only one
carack arrived this year at Goa. The Portuguese publish fabulous
reports of their prowess to maintain their declining reputation among
the natives. Complain of the arming and the scarcity of victualling the
ships ; better and cheaper to victual them in England ; also against
the surgeons and their medicines, and the practice of giving passage
to lewd and dissolute fellows. No more Dutchmen should be
entertained in the Company's ships ; their evil practices. The relading
of the ships from Surat. The Guzerats generally faithless,
without truth or honesty, exceeding subtle and covetous, begging
most impudently and admitting trade with the English for fear and
not for love. Inconvenience of the port holes for ordnance. Account
of the Persian voyage ; the James returned the 7th February ;
mutiny aboard the ship ; it was feared the mutineers would run away
with her. News of an English boy sold in Arabia ; also of the wreck of
the Samaritan on the island of St. Lawrence, the passengers and goods
saved. Danger of the great delay in lading the ships for England,
one which began to lade 22nd November was not laden before 28th
February. Commendation of Henry Rickman, though he loveth
wine more than water. Promises to intercept Sir John Fearne's
ships if he meets with them, and to mar and spoil his voyage. Intends
touching at Masulipatam at the request of Lucas Antheunis.
[Eleven pages. Indorsed, "Received 5th Sept., 1617, by the Globe ;
Read." O.C., Vol., IV. No. 456.]
|
|
March 7.
Aboard the
James.
|
48. Capt. Alexander Childe to the East India Company. Account
of a mutiny on board his ship in Jask Road, and of the conduct
of the ringleaders, Richard Weekes and John Byrde. [One and
a quarter pages. Indorsed, "Received 5th Sept., 1617, by the
Globe." O.C., Vol. IV., No. 457.]
|
|
March 8.
Succadana.
|
49. George Cokayne to George Ball or the chief at Bantam or
Jacatra. Large sale of cloth by the Dutch at less than its cost ;
thinks they "do it of purpose to pick occasions," for there has since
been such a trade in their factories of all sorts of people, both rich
and poor. They bribe the Governor to persuade the Landak men
to sell all their [precious] stones to the Dutch. Refusal of the Dutch
to let Cokayne pass in their ship to Bantam ; their threats to him
and tricks "to weary us out of this place." His accounts. [One
page. Indorsed, "Received 22nd April." O.C., Vol. IV., No. 458.]
|
|
March 10
Laure.
[Lar.]
|
50. George Pley to Edward Connok at Ispahan. Acknowledgments
of his assured love towards him. Hopes shortly to be with
him. Promises all possible service in the many difficult and treacherous
oppositions they are likely to meet with. [One page. O.C.,
Vol. IV., No. 459.]
|
|
March 20.
In the Factory
of Tecoe.
|
51. Henry Pattesonn to Wm. Nicolls at Acheen. Arrival of, a
Dutch ship ; earnest suitors for trade at Tecoe or Priaman, but did
not obtain their desire in the least and departed somewhat discontented.
Many wrongs require to be redressed ; the old Pollema is
called upon to answer his misdemeanours to the English and the
country people. Has written three letters to Benjamin Joseph, the
Commander of the Fleet. In want of goods, having little or none
left which are vendible. If the ship bring not a letter, they can
have no trade, notwithstanding the King's grant to General Keeling.
Cannot load the pepper unless money is received. The King's trade
has very much hindered them, the country people not suffered to
buy of them, but must also buy of the King's decayed and over
priced goods. It would be well to procure more ground for the
purposes of their trade. In favour of the bearer, a poor distressed
Christian who has lost his junk and most of his estate. [Three
pages. O.C., Vol. IV., No. 460.]
|
|
March 21.
Masulipatam.
|
52. Lucas Antheuniss to Sir Thos. Roe, Ambassador at the Court
of the Great Mogul in Ajmere. Glad to understand that his wrongs
have been redressed and that he is more contented and greatly
favoured. Suggestions for obtaining privileges for the coast of
Bengal. Robert Jones apprehended and kept in safe custody.
Death of Peter Mutton through riotous living and, drunkenness.
Has been longer at Masulipatam than he expected. Ships arrived
and departed ; disorders caused by the death of John Gourney. [Geo.]
Barkeley, Principal at Bantam, and Capt. Castleton coming from the
Moluccas, deceased. General decline of trade through the strivings
of the English and Dutch against each other ; it cannot long continue
but will be forced to come to an union. Rumour of a large Spanish
fleet coming from the Manillas, their General Don Juan de Silva
before Malacca ; the Dutch assemble all their forces to encounter
them, and are making preparations with the King of Acheen, to
besiege Malacca again. [One and a half pages. O.C., Vol. IV.,
No. 461.]
|
|
March 22./April 1.
Lisbon.
|
53. Hugh Lee to [Sec. Winwood ?]. Ships preparing for the East
Indies. The Conde Rodondo going as Viceroy ; report that the
Hollanders have had a great hand against the Portugals and have
taken Malacca or brought it into great distress, with which news
the Portugals are much affrighted. [Extract from Correspondence,
Portugal.]
|
|
March ?
[On board the
Globe.]
|
54. William Lesk, "Minister of God's Word," [late Chaplain of
the Surat Factory], to the East India Company. Safe arrival of
the Globe, after a dangerous fight with a Portugal carack ; death
of the General. Request of Lucas (Antheuniss) for a small ship to
be sent to Masulipatam to take himself and some goods to the
southward ; Capt. Pepwell resolved to go with the Charles and the
James, understanding how beneficial in regard of private gain a
voyage from thence to Bantam might prove. In the Mogul country
the Lord Ambassador lives as he can ; his entertainment is nothing
answerable to his worth. Detention of the presents by the factors
of Surat, from the end of September to the beginning of February.
Aldworthe's messenger from the King of Persia returning with an
answer rather of suit for than licence to trade there ; encouraged
Connok to despatch a ship for the discovery of Jask. Merchants
sent to reside in the country who were unable any longer to endure
the insolence, outrages, and indiscreet government of the Factory of
Surat, and had resolved rather than live another year so hellish a
life to have gone home. The Armenians drive a rich trade between
India and Persia. Sottish negligence of the Surat factors in not
vigorously prosecuting that trade. The Unicorn might have been
laden from Surat for England. The untimely death of Aldworthe
and sudden departure of Edwardes greatly to be lamented, the
factory being left without grave and discreet government ; evils of
leaving the whole business in the hands of a company of young,
wanton, riotous lads, who have brought both themselves and the
nation to stink in the sight of the people of the land ; the heathen
again and again earnestly suing the Lord Ambassador for some
person of gravity and discretion to reside as chief factor. Complaint
against Thos. Mitford. Private trade of Thos. Keridge and hindrance
to the lading of the Unicorn. Conduct of Browne and Polhill.
Capt. Pepwell's insufficiency. Lesk's admonitions to check disorders
disregarded ; "the foul mouths of luxurious and hairbrained youths
by hook and crook seeking the patronage and defence of their evil
courses deserve rather disdain, neglect, and contempt than any seat
or lodging in a wise breast." Great resort of merchants to Surat
from all parts last year. Motion of the Ambassador for dissolving
the needless multiplication of factories and reducing all into one.
The best minded factors sent away from Surat. A native of
Mesopotamia gone for England in the Globe, who will inform the
Company of all the secrets of the Persian trade, having for 12
years traded between India and Persia. [Five pages, O. C., Vol. V.,
No. 462.]
|
|
March 28.
Jacatra.
|
55. Nich. Ufflete to Geo. Barkeley, Agent at Bantam. For
money to pay for "boards" if he approves of the purchase. [Half
a page. O. C., Vol. V., No. 463.]
|
