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April 2.
Ispahan.
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56. Edward Connok to the East India Company. Departure of
Sir Robt. Sherley in Oct. 1615, who is a second time employed to
the Christian princes but especially into Spain, to contract for all
the Persian silks ; danger of the Spaniards monopolizing this
silken trade, "the only richest yet known in the world," and of
their thus curbing, if not ruining the Company's trade in India.
Proposes to prevent this by representations to the King of Persia
of the dangers he will lay himself open to, if once the Spaniard
have footing on his shore. The English the ablest nation for
shipping, but the least able, through want of the yearly required
sums of money, considering the annual import of Persian silk will
amount to full 1,000,000l. sterling at 6s. the pound of 16 ounces,
the usual price. Suggestions for getting over the difficulty ;
should be commissioned to treat with the King of Persia. Believes
this trade will yield far better satisfaction than many, if not all
their India trades put together. Recommends it to their mature
deliberation. Could "with reasons unanswerable possess this
Prince what society, honor, benefit he may attain in freeing his
gulfs of its present slavery, by taking Ormuz into his possession, an
act worthy himself, easily performed, and whereby he may be Lord
of his own." The Company's ships from the southward might then
furnish the country with spices from Surat and all Indian commodities.
Advantages of effecting the work which he should glory
in. Will endeavour to get this King to suspend if not restrain Sir
Robt. Sherley's conditions and order for treaty with the Spaniard ;
Sherley's great desire to live in his own country if he had but the
small means of a poor gentleman. [Three and a half pages.
"Received 13 May 1618." O. C., Vol. V., No. 464.]
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April 4.
Shiraz.
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57. George Pley to Edw. Connok, Agent in Ispahan. Long
and tedious journey, "wherein we endured not only the fervent heat
of the day but the pinching cold of the night." Kindness of the
'Darraga.' Goods sold and the prices. Arrived at an unseasonable
time of the year, but is in good hopes that some great quantity of
cloth and tin will sell. Remarks on the report that Connok
assumes the name and title of an Ambassador ; whether the Company
will approve of it ; also "that in your expenses you cast
money abroad as stones." As to a difference in which Connok
caused the country people to lay violent hands on one of his
servants, "it cannot but be distasteful and displeasing to the
Company," and breed confusion among them. Beseeches him so to
proceed that they may be at peace among themselves. [Two
pages. O. C., Vol. V., No. 465.]
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April 5.
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58. Relation by Wm. Carmychel of his transactions in Portugal,
the East Indies, and Holland, &c., in reference to his petitions to
the King complaining of the wrongs done him by the Hollanders
in seizing his goods in the East Indies. [Seven pages. Indorsed
by Carleton, Ambassador at the Hague, "Carmichel, 5 April 1617."
Holland Correspondence, see ante, No. 28.]
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April 10.
Ispahan.
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59. Edw. Connok to G. Pley. Takes his letter in the kindest
manner. It is most false that he ever assumed the name of Ambassador ;
"think me not so ignorant and beastly." The occasion of
prodigality comes from that foolish youth William Bell, caused through
his endangering Connok's life. Believes his expenses do not equal
Pley's. Is as sparing a servant of the Company as ever they
employed. If his counsel be followed the Company's business and
trade in Persia will prove more glorious and beneficial to them than
all their trade in the Indies, and this he will attempt and hope to
perform without their adventure of one penny. Urges him to come
speedily, for till then Connok cannot depart to the King, neither
will he peremptorily engage his life by delivering an old letter and
treat a counterfeit business, except Pley enacts it there and confirms
secresy by his oath. This King is a tyrant and cuts off heads every
hour, "let us not engage our lives and master's estates to Barker's
envious proceedings." Connok's advices to England and India must
be deferred until Pley's coming and the writer's speech with the King.
Wishes him to bring Ned Pettus, to whom he promises a true reconciliation.
"That fool William Bell is a very idle youth, proud and
dangerous." Cautions him to beware of Barker. Is proffered by
the King's lieutenant 100,000l. sterling of silk, to be paid for in
goods in one year or two. Commendations of William Nelson, whom
he wishes to accompany Pley. Danger of the Ambassador of Spain
arriving at Ormuz before Pley ; if the Spaniard have audience of
the King of Persia before Connok their business will be ruinated.
Refers him to their commission from Surat. Beseeches him to come
quickly with all the ready money he can. Has spent 100l. of his
own, and was never so sparing of his own as he has been of the
Company's purse. [Two pages and a half. O.C., Vol. V., No. 466.]
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April 25.
Mandoa.
[Mandow.]
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60. Sir Thos. Roe to Thos. Keridge, at Surat. Has received
another packet of letters from Persia. If he rest satisfied in the
hopes of good trade, Roe is well content not to disturb him in
that quietness of mind, and to keep his own thoughts to himself.
Edw. Connok and his differences concern not Roe. The detention
of a letter for Roe and other matters touching Connok, also as to
his assuming the title of Ambassador. Comments upon the conduct of
Barker, Geo. Pley and Connaught [Connok] ; "charity makes the
best constructions." The King's letter if sent by the Company and
dated 1613 will betray it ; supposes if they had intended it to Persia
they would have procured a fresher and directed it to Roe, but
his Majesty's liberal trust to them is fallen thereby into the hands
of indiscreet men that cannot govern it. Finds he is resolved not
to recall his authority but to hazard it ; Roe will bear no part in
it. Remarks on Keridge's preference of Connok over Barker, and
the advantages of a trade to Persia. Roe did not counsel sending
Connok, and "he needs not yours in that I determine to do in defence
of the honor of our Sovereign." Could not avoid what has befallen
the presents. Doubts not that it is either in the service of the
Prince or favourite to disgrace him. The velvets are returned,
refused at the price ; the amber has sold well. Thinks Dabul no fit
residence for a factory, but that English ships may trade yearly at
the port while they linger at Surat. Wishes he would inquire into the
heart of this new business ; confesses his jealousy that fear began this
friendship, and that they are too great and ancient allies of the Portuguese
to entertain the English cordially. Utterly mislikes the selling of
ordnance to any Indian ; it is but preparing a whip for themselves.
"How this King takes it I care not, I would have him know we are
not so fond of our good usage as to be in wardship to him." Browne
urges in no way any reason for the continuance of his factory
(? at Ahmedabad ; see ante, No. 33.) [Three and a half pages.
O. C., Vol. V., No. 467.]
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April 25.
Surat.
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61. Thos. Kerridge, Thos. Rastell, and Ro. Younge, to the East
India Company. Embarrassments caused by the capture, by the
James and Charles, of two junks belonging to natives of Surat. The
value of their promises has been called in question, and they have
been neglected as well as disgraced by the imprisonment of their
broker, who has ever since been detained in irons. Richard Hounsell,
master of the Charles, a chief instrument in persuading the commander
to these courses. Sir Thos. Roe's presents, through the
Prince's covetous desire, detained on the way from Court to
Burrampoor until the King commanded their release. The dogs only
well liked, the crystal cabinets said to be glass, the rich sword lead
and the handle copper, all disgraced and made ridiculous on purpose,
yet nothing of value returned. Goods sell but slowly. The quicksilver
has been distributed among the several factories. Will use
their best endeavours to dispeed away the next ship for England
more timely than hitherto. Capt. Pepwell advises them of the sale
of lead and seven pieces of ordnance at Dabul ; from thence he
purposeth to touch at Calicut and Masulipatam ; "the first we doubt
will be dissolved ;" the Osiander, with goods from Bantam, has
arrived at Masulipatam. [Three pages. Indorsed, "By the way of
Masulipatam, received from Bantam by the Hope the first of September."
O. C., Vol. V., No. 468.]
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April 26.
Madrid.
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62. Fras. Cottington to Sec. Lake. A general embargo has lately
been laid upon all East Indian commodities, as pepper, cloves, &c.,
in the power of these [the Dutch] merchants within this King's
dominions, which falls heavily on them. [Extract from Corresp.,
Spain.]
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April 27.
"In the way
towards
Ispahan."
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63. George Pley to the Factors in Shiraz. Has received the two
stray packs of cloth. Prays for a better end than this beginning.
Impossible to have peace with those who having such an overweening
conceit of themselves cannot but despise others. Begs them to
content the Darraga's two men for watching this night. [Half a
page. O.C., Vol. V., No. 469.]
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April 28.
"Upon the
way."
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64. Geo. Pley to [Edw.] Pettus. Sends back a horse by bearer
which has fallen lame. Cannot hire camel, horse, mule, or ass ;
some are obliged to proceed on foot. Much abused in the matter
of camels ; those they have will hardly carry the goods half-way up.
Grieves to see that some care not how things go, they let their goods
go forward and stay behind at their pleasure. [Three-quarters of a
page. O.C., Vol. V., No. 470.]
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