East Indies: January 1623

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Volume 4, 1622-1624. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1878.

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'East Indies: January 1623', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Volume 4, 1622-1624, (London, 1878) pp. 93-103. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/east-indies-china-japan/vol4/pp93-103 [accessed 23 April 2024]

January 1623

1623.
Jan. 4.
231. Locke to Carleton. The States and our Commissioners have agreed on divers points, as appears by the enclosed note [see No. 232]. It is expected every day that they should make an end, and it is said that the King will see it done before he goes. [Extract from Domestic Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CXXXVII., No. 4, Cal, p. 479.]
[Jan. 4.] 232. "Points remaining to be concluded in the East India business." The first eight articles are the same in substance as in No. 213, but there are two additional articles concerning the charge of the garrisons in the Moluccas, Amboyna, and Banda, and the restitution of Pooloroon to the English. To each article are the words, "desired by the English" or "desired by the Dutch." A general article is to be conceived to enjoin both Companies to a full observance of all things contained in the treaty. Endorsed as above by Sir Dudley Carleton; also. "Sent with my letters the 4th of Jany. 1622–3." [Two pages. East Indies, Vol. II., No. 67.]
1623. Jan. 4.
London.
233. Chamberlain to Carleton. The States [Commissioners] make long work; thinks it were a hard knot that could not be tied or untied in less than 13 or 14 months that they have been about it. However the business be ended or whatever the conditions, Chamberlain doubts our East India Company will be never the better for them. [Extract from Domestic Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CXXXVII., No. 5, Cal., p. 479.]
Jan. 9.
Batavia.
234. Thomas Brockedon, Augustus Spalding, and William Methwold to the General and Council of the Dutch Company. Whereas on the 7th of Nov. 1622 they delivered a protest against the General, and therein appealed from the sentence given against their employers (concerning the surprising of a China junk) to the King of Great Britain and the States General, according to the 30th article of the Accord. But said General on the 2nd of this month sent the Secretary of the Council of the Fort Batavia and others with an extract from the council book of the Council of India declaring the appeal void, and demanding the payment of 8,1157/8 ryals; to which Richard Fursland and his Council answered that they stood to their appeal, and could not in such manner part with their master's goods, therefore the General might proceed as he pleased. The next day the same demands were made, and 24 hours given to "exhibit the aforesaid sum," to which the like answer was returned as before. At this the General was much offended, and "in threatening manner advised us not to engage our persons in this business," and sent the fiscal, town bailiff, and four others, who took the keys of our warehouse and seized in China goods formerly surprised, goods amounting to 16,182 ryals, whereas our masters have received but the value of 6,205 ryals, by which partial and rigorous proceedings the contract is not only violated, but the loss and disgrace of our Company chiefly intended. Neither are we ourselves without danger, seeing that the speaking of "you may do what you please" may so far incur the General's displeasure as to "ingage our persons." Wherefore, having no other refuge left, we hereby protest against the violent and injurious proceedings of said General and his Council, and declare how much our employers are wronged and damnified in reputation and estate, especially by being deprived of appeal, the only means of relief ordained by the Accord. "Delivered in the Fort Batavia to the General and his Council, by us here underwritten, the day and year above written." Enclosure in a letter from Sec. Conway to Sir Dudley Carleton at the Hague, of 25th June 1624. Endorsed, "Received in London, 29th May 1624, out of Holland by the Pinnace Hazewindt." [Two pages. Holland Corresp.]
1623 ? 235. Complaints of the East India Company against the Dutch. That they prevent the English from enjoying a third part of the fruits of the Moluccas, which is contrary to the treaty, and deny the English the liberty of paying their men as the Dutch do, with clothes and victuals. The injuries done to the English in the Moluccas, consisting of 36 articles, the Company have sent over to be debated in Holland. Also "concerning the taking of the Chinese junk" by the English. [Two pages and a half. East Indies, Vol. II., No. 68.]
1623. Jan. 9.
Batavia.
236. Collection, in 36 articles, of several parcels which the (Dutch) Governor of the Moluccas, Amboyna, and Banda has constrained the deputies of the English Company to pay in those parts, against all reason and justice; delivered to the General of the Netherlands Company by President Fursland and Council, desiring that he would make restitution for those parcels which belong not to our Company to pay, and to moderate others according to equity and justice. These have reference to the excessive charges in Banda for a galley "wholly rotten," and for 29 Tingans left there by the Dutch General after the taking of Banda; to the allowances made to the slaves and prisoners in the Moluccas, Amboyna, and Banda; to buildings not fortifications, but summer houses, warehouses, shops, merchants' chambers, and lodgings of brick and stone; to schools in the Moluccas, Amboyna, and Banda, and a new school-house in Pooloway; to double allowances to soldiers in the hospital; to the Governor's bedding, hangings, and apparel for the boys; to unreasonable gifts extraordinaries, and voyage of the Governor of Amboyna "to enlarge the dominions and conquest of the Netherlanders"; to refusing the English to participate in one-third part of all the spices the places afford, contrary to the contract. In all places rotten and decayed rice is given the hogs, hens, &c., and decayed cloth to the surgeons, and yet charged at the dearest rate the best is sold for; the account of gifts, fortification, and garrison most excessive in Amboyna; also for the soldiers' allowance, and yet no extraordinary table kept for the officers—a plain error. The expenses of the Governor's table in all places unreasonable, especially in Banda, being more than the whole garrison of soldiers, who are 15 times as many. At Pooloway their ships were detained until they had paid for a school newly built. The Governor of Banda restrained their people from sending boats to sea to surprise their enemies the Ceramiers, and through the unfriendly proceedings of the Governor of Pooloroon they wholly lost their debts there. They do not enjoy the third part of the vent of clothing, rice, and other commodities, as by agreement; the soldiers are paid in clothing, and sell same to the inhabitants at a third less than the market value, to the utter spoil of the trade; gifts, slaves, provisions, &c. are taxed at what rate the merchant thinks good, and "our cloth lies rotting upon our hands." They dare not trust, because of the Netherlanders' order that they shall not constrain payment. All benefits, as customs, imposts, &c., are enjoyed to the particular use of the Netherlanders. "Anything that is for the Netherlands' advantage they will have present performance of, but whatsoever makes against their benefit, though never so unreasonable, they will have referred to Batavia," "and to call anything in question is on our part accounted heinous crime and an opposing of the Governor's authority." [Seven pages and a half. East Indies, Vol. II., No. 69.]
1623 ? 237. "Extracts out of our advices received out of Holland." Much discourse in the Assembly concerning the managing of their trade of spices, seeing they had or were like to have the sole trade of the Moluccas, Amboyna, &c. The price of cloves, nutmegs, and mace was to be raised while that of pepper, others dividing the trade with them, was to be so depreciated as to make it a loss to export it from the Indies. [Half a page. East Indies, Vol. II., No. 70.]
1623. Jan. 10/20.
Batavia.
238. Extract out of the book of the Resolutions of the Council of Defence. The committees of the English Company, having shown that they have not had any supply from England, that it is impossible for them to send to the Moluccas, Amboyna, and Banda, and that they thought fit to withdraw their men altogether from the said quarters, desired the General to counsel them, and accommodate them as much as possible; whereupon he answered and promised that they should leave a man or two in the principal places; that what their merchants have remaining there, according to the estimation in ready money, shall be accepted; that out of the mass of spices, their contingent shall be here delivered pro rata; and that their men and goods shall be brought hither in our ships, for such freight as shall be found fitting. Which the committees did thankfully accept. Signed: Richard Fursland, Thomas Brockedon, Augustin Spalding, William Methwold, Jan Pieterson Coen, Pieter de Carpentier, Willem Janssen, and Jaques Specx. [Dutch. Two pages and a half. O.C., Vol. IX., No. 1093+1.]
Jan. 10/20.
Batavia.
239. English translation of the preceding. [Two pages and a half. O.C., Vol. X., No. 1143].
Jan. 12/22.
Madrid.
240. The Earl of Bristol to Sec. Calvert. Touching Ormuz; they have here appointed the the Marquis of Montes Claros, the Conde de Gondomar, and one Mendo Mota, a Portugal, to treat thereof; from whom he daily expects a relation of the whole business of their grievances and demands, together with some propositions which he understands they purpose to make concerning the English trade in the East Indies, which as soon as he has received he will send. [Extract from Spanish Corresp.]
Jan. 12/22.
Madrid.
241. Extracts from a letter from Madrid. They have of late been much troubled here at the taking of Ormuz by the Persian, assisted (as they say) by the English, which is much aggravated by the Portuguese. Daily expects a relation of the whole business which he intends to send to King James, that such satisfaction may be given as shall be thought fitting. Hopes accidents of this nature will not any way interrupt the main business (of the Spanish match). [Extract from Spanish Corresp.]
Jan. 17.
Batavia.
242. Extract of letter from the President and Council to the East India Company lately arrived by Holland ships. It was resolved on the 1st January in Council in no wise to yield consent to the Dutch General's proposition for private trade with Bantam from the Dutch ship as most prejudicial to the respective Companies trade and designs and against all sense and reason that the Dutch should under pretence of besieging Bantam not only draw the English into part of that needless charge but also debar them from the trade, whilst privately trading themselves, and so furnishing the city with money, the necessity whereof is thought to be the only means to reduce them to reason. This answer the Dutch General seemed to take very discontentedly, becoming very bitter and uncivil, oftentimes "giving the lie," and not being able to conceal the "secret malice he bare" to President Brockedon, upon a conceit that Brockedon had written against him concerning the whipping of William Clarke. If the Dutch undertake that trade without their consent, they will endeavour to do the like. On the 16th inst. the Dutch General sent a most insolent answer to theirs of the 6th (a copy whereof they send herewith) demanding how and in what manner they had wronged the English which would be needless for us to reiterate. Continue their resolution to remove from hence and fortify upon Bessee, unless the Dutch resist them by force; for they are persuaded that the Dutch long for some occasion to do them what mischief they may, and this very day one of their people told them that, being in a tavern the day before, a Dutchman who beareth good affection to our nation told him, "that their General intended very shortly to do some great villainy against us wishing us to look to ourselves." This report, though they cannot affirm it to be true, may give them just cause to doubt the worst. "God of his mercy deliver us from this bloody nation." [Two pages. East Indies, Vol. II., No. 72.]
Jan. 21/31.
Batavia.
243. John Peterson Coen's Instructions left in the Indies with Peter de Carpentier, Governor General, and the Council of the Indies. It is well known that those of Portugal and Spain have in former times drawn great riches out of the trade of the East Indies, as have likewise certain particular Companies, both Dutch and English; yet afterwards the General Netherlands Company have in 18 years "reparted" no more than two capitals, with the charge of above 50 tons of gold taken up at interest, without augmenting their capital in the Indies. The best course to give furtherance to the Netherlandish Company, and hinderance to their enemies. First, to strengthen the Company in the Indies with people and their capital with a good sum of money. A very great number of people is necessary for the inhabiting of Batavia, the Moluccas, Amboyna, Banda, and other places, as well for the prosecution of offensive war with more power than heretofore, as to defend the estate of the Company. More money is requisite, to send great returns into the Netherlands and overcome the great charge of shipping. How to send greater returns than heretofore without any great new supplies from the Netherlands; to set rules for managing all expences; levy tolls, impositions, and tenths; to people the Company's lands with a great number of slaves; and to carry on a great trade of China wares in Japan. The great charges waste the profits and amount to more than 12 tons of gold or 500,000 ryals of eight yearly; how spent. For reformation of this ill-management, all "our people" have contributed "a reasonable good penny and ransom"; the order to maintain the same in the Moluccas, Amboyna, and Banda must be executed in all things. It is a shame so much should he spent upon diet for the Governor's table and the factories in Banda, Amboyna, and the Moluccas, and it is more than time that every man be constrained to set plantation and tillage on foot. For wages; discharge officers who have served their time and can, best be spared, they may have wives given them of the natives if not already married, and be paid with clothes as much as may be. Expenses of shipping to be well examined, and all things to be provided at Batavia, or where we have sovereign jurisdiction, that so the Company and none else have the benefit of the expense. The fortifications in Batavia, the Moluccas, Amboyna, Banda, Pulicat, and Solor in so good case, that hereafter not a ryal need be spent therein; and their reparation and maintenance "may be done" by the Company's subjects, slaves, and prisoners; this will save 200,000 ryals yearly. More cost of buildings to be bestowed at Batavia. Presents heretofore amounted to about 50,000 ryals the year: there ought to be no more given, but upon assurance of greater benefit to be made thereby. As to levying tolls; make a levy upon the natives at Batavia, &c., and upon the cattle slaughtered, for what is consumed in that kind may maintain a garrison of 600 men. Tolls must be established in Amboyna, and Banda, not less than 10 per cent, on imports and exports wherein heretofore Governors Speult and Soncke have been too scrupulous. Thus a surplusage may be gained, needful for buying in ordinary returns, so that no more monies need be sent. The peopling and gathering of slaves of extraordinary great consequence. Batavia, Amboyna, and Banda already so peopled. By the addition of a further reasonable number of people and competent tolls, sufficient means will be found to bear all the charges of the ships, forts, and garrisons; and the presumption of the Ternatans those of Lohoe (Lugho) and their accomplices will be better tamed in this manner than by force of arms. To send ships with the next southeast wind to Silan and other places along the Coromandel coast to buy up as many he and she slaves, especially young people, as can be. got. No people in the world do us (the Dutch) better service than the Chinese. Send also a ship or two to Madagascar and the coast of Africa for slaves. "There can be at first no better service done to the Company than in gathering a multitude of people from all parts to people our country withall. Hereby service and honour will be done to Almighty God, the Company shall grow the mightier in the Indies, the forts and garrisons shall be maintained without the Company's charge, and the profit of the inland trade shall then be employed in buying in of returns to be sent to our native country," It is of more consequence than buying cloth and other goods. For the buying of slaves there hath been order given ever since 1614, but nothing done therein but what Governor Van Uffle began in 1622. Pursue it constantly above all other wares in all parts of the Indies where slaves are cheapest and buy as many as the Company's ships can conveniently stow. Let the buying in of a multitude of young slaves go forward before any other work. Needful to employ divers fleets herein. This buying of slaves to proceed to many thousands, yea to an infinite number. In Batavia there cannot be too many. Rules must be established over them, and they employed in planting, breeding cattle, fishing, and all kinds of services. Profits and advantages. Wages of the Mardikers and slaves and their maintenance. How to get the China trade to Pehoe, and to have 800,000 or 1,000,000 ryals capital more than at present. By trade from Pehoe to Japan we should advance above 20 tons of gold yearly. It must be constantly prosecuted "were it for ten, yea 100 years together." The Company's servants and goods are already removed from Battani (?Patani), Sangora, Siam, Acheen, Succadana, Gressic, and Japara, and the like is to be done from Maccho to Jambi. Concerning the trade between Surat and Batavia. Directions for purchasing slaves on the coast of Coromandel. The staple of trade must be established in the Castle of Amboyna and Fort Nassau in Banda. Recommends him in the highest degree to handle the matter so that, "as we have long time projected," all the cloves, nutmegs, mace, pepper, &c. may be gotten without laying out one ryal of money. It is a great error that there should be so great a sum of money bestowed in pepper at Jambi and Patani, whereunto they were forced by the English, who now have no money there. The trade on the coast of Sumatra, &c. Needful to send an ambassage with a good present to the Materan, to the Emperor of Japan, and to Ceucheu for the furtherance of the China trade. Concerning Bantam, they must have patience and hold the town besieged until a composition happen. An agreement must be made with the English to buy up the pepper; "and in regard our masters have been at excessive charges above the English, and better provided of money and goods, it will be needful to stand hard upon it to obtain prerogative above the English and all others by some advantage in the buying in of pepper and other China wares." It is in no sort fit to deal with Bantam by the mediation of the English (as the Pengran would have it) unless with some notable advantage. How the Dutch stand in the Materan's way in Batavia; and the good which may come from thence. How the Dutch Company's capital might be augmented in the Indies; whereby might be spared 30 tons of gold, which the "yearly equipages" amount to, according to the letter of the 17 Committees, dated from the Hague, 24th April 1622. Not needful either now or next year to send one ryal into the Moluccas, Banda, and Amboyna; the tolls and impositions will be enough for buying nutmegs and mace. Cloves must be altogether bought with clothes, rice, and other merchandize. Directions for carrying on the "inland trade;" and on the Coromandel coast, Battania (Patani ?), Surat, Moccha, the Moluccas, and Peho. The China trade will take up the greatest part of their money. In one voyage to Japan above 75 per cent. may be gained; sufficient to buy up all the returns needful for Europe. Trade with the Materan's country. Recom mends orchards and gardens being planted on the "void ground" of the city of Batavia; for the better furthering of this planting and breeding of all necessaries at Banda and Amboyna, and to put life into the people to provide beef and bacon, it will be good that from henceforth no provisions except wine be sent thither. Upon complaints out of the Indies the mayors are very much troubled with the English and French, and think the Danes wiil in like sort complain. Hereupon the Committee of 17, in their said letter of the 14th April 1622, written in a sharp humour, recommend in earnest manner that they should, as far as is possible, "avoid all occasion of question, giving way somewhat in small matters, but holding fast in matter of importance, taking heed of attempting anything by way of fact if it may be." "Hereupon we say that the least giving way will breed us the most rest and quiet, for by how much the more way is given unto Malapert proud and presumptuous persons the more they think themselves worthy of, and the more they desire." * * * "The English and French seek nothing but actions and quarrels against us by right and wrong: it being so, who can help them ? Do justice and maintain carefully the sovereignty and highest jurisdiction in Batavia, the Moluccas, Banda, Amboyna, Pulicat, Selor (Solor), and other places appertaining to the States, without sharing or suffering the English or any other to encroach thereupon. Trust them not any more than open enemies, and give no way to the shortening of the sovereignty and common good, nor of the respect, reputation, and countenance of the same, not weighing too scrupulously what may fall out." A third part of the trade in the Muluccas, Amboyna, and Banda is granted to the English, and nothing more, they paying a third of the tolls requisite for the maintenance of all the forts, garrisons, &c. More than this they cannot pretend, or let them have so much less of the trade as the toll comes to, to avoid disputes and for other reasons; but it would be best, if agreement could be made, that they should receive a third part of all the clothes, nutmegs, and maces in Batavia at a price certain. If an opportunity happen you may do well to make the overture. To have a great quantity of rice by way of a constant store. News arrived since writing the above that our people are forbidden trade into China, and have entered into open war with the Chinese. As trade cannot be gotten by friendly means, it is requisite by this present monsoon to send another fleet to visit the coast of China and take prisoners as many men, women, and children as possible. Ships fit for this purpose. An express ambassage should be sent to China, with a letter to Tourschirt Chien, Governor of Hoochien; but if no good answer be thereupon given, let the trade of the Chinese be hindered in all parts of the Indies, except at Batavia. They must hinder them of Macao in all places, as well as the Chinese. If the war proceed against China special charge must be given to bring together as great a strength as is possible, and extraordinary diligence and an especial foresight must be used to take a very great number of Chinese (especially women and children) for the peopling of Batavia, Amboyna, and Banda; herein will be a great service done for the Company, and by this means will be found all the charge of the war. The ransom of the Chinese to be set at 60 ryals a piece; "but by no means you must not suffer any women to return to China, or any other part out the Company's jurisdiction, but with them to people the same." Not yet convenient to seek any other place of residence on the coast of China but that already begun in Peiho. If the occasion will permit let there be two pinnaces sent next October to the south coast behind Java to discover the same. Internal management of the settlements and trade in the Moluccas, Banda, and Amboyna. "Consider earnestly hereof, and make it so that the returns for our native country be made out of the gains of the inland trade and the ordinary revenues, bisides all charges," thus shall the Company be better served than heretofore. [Twenty-two pages and a quarter. O.C., Vol. IX., No. 1093+2].
Jan. ? 244. Sec. Conway to the King.
May it please your Majesty, for the good of your merchants and honor and surety of your [the] trade, at the audience to be given to the Ambassadors [of the States], to call to mind your royal purpose of making a protestation. That your Majesty expects that your merchants shall build a place of residence for the reciprocal habitation of the Council of Defence, with honor and surety. And that your Majesty doth expect that the 24th article of the treaty, touching forts in Moluccas, Boyna, and Bantam [? Banda], shall be resumed and within two years decided and accorded, concerning how many and in what places forts shall be built by your subjects. And further to declare that your Majesty holds it free for your merchants to build in all other parts of the East Indies, where the States are not already seated [have not builded forts]. And that your Majesty doth expect that if the States' subjects have made any forts in those islands for surety, that they will demolish them and build no other in those islands, but according to the treaty. And further, your Majesty having observed by the complaints of your merchants and by the debates and disputes of this last treaty, that a great cause of offences which arrived near have risen there almost] to the utter breach of the amity between the Companies, and trenched deep into that of the nations hath been, the insolency of your [their] [the Dutch] Governors and ministers there, with liberty, dissoluteness, and foul, false, vain braveries [braving] of words of inferiors against the honor of your Majesty's person and nation; that you expect that there be given a smart reprendre [reprimand] to the Governors, and that justice and punishment be executed upon the inferior offenders when they shall be declared [deceled, décelé]. That all ostentation of sovereignty be laid away both in actions and words, [and] that justice be not enterprised upon your nation, but deferred to themselves. That your subjects be not oppressed with the table of the Governors servants ? [rewards] or schools further than with the full consent of your subjects and in their [the] common name. And lastly, that your Majesty doth expect that the Company of the Low Countries will think of and hasten as much [as] in them is the lessening of the charge of the 10 ships, as [an] intollerable condition for the Company of English to bear, fruitlessly consuming the whole benefit of the trade, and that the Company of the Low Countries will conform themselves as much as possibly to employ those ships for transport [transportation] of merchandise. And that the Lords Estates will order the choice of discreet and meet persons to carry their [the] trade in the Indies, as his [your] Majesty will likewise advise and command the Company of the English, as [that] impertinent questions and disorders may be avoided and amity conserved.
[Three pages. Original draft in the handwriting of Sir Edward Conway. Endorsed, "His Majesty's protestation to the States concerning the East India Trade." See next No. for explanation of parts printed in italics and in brackets. [East Indies, Vol. II., No. 73.]
[The Dutch Ambassadors had audience of the King on 24th Jan. 1623, to take leave. This letter was probably written shortly before, and contains the substance of the King's Declaration, No. 250, referred to in Sec. Calvert's letter of 25th March. See No. 281.]
Jan. 245. Copy of the preceding, except where the words are printed in italics, when the words printed in brackets are substituted in this copy, and with this addition, "And that your Maj. people be equally dealt withal in the payment of the garrisons as the Dutch Company." [East Indies, Vol. II., No. 74.]
Jan. 24.
Whitehall.
246. Sec. Calvert to Carleton. After some thirteen months' debate with the States Ambassadors about our East Indian quarrels, we have at last made an end and parted good friends, though with much loss and disadvantage to the English Company, as is conceived. This day they take their leave of the King. Will send the articles within a very few days. See No. 263. [Extract from Holland Corresp.]
Jan. 25.
London.
247. Chamberlain to Carleton. Hears the States [Commissioners] went yesterday to take their leave at Court, and have made a kind of end, but knows not what it is. [Extract from Domestic Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CXXXVII., No. 27., Cal., p. 483.]
Jan. 28.
Madrid.
248. Earl of Bristol to Sec. Calvert. Has received a great complaint and relation in writing of what passed at Ormuz, and goes to-morrow to treat with the Lords of the Junta about some things contained in it. Will send all the papers by next post. [Extract from Spanish Corresp.]
Jan. 29. 249. Sec. Conway to the Lord Treasurer. Concerning ryals of eight to be taken up by the Dutch merchants for payment of 20,000l. to the English merchants trading to the East Indies. [Minute, Conway's Letter Bk., p. 1, Cal., p. 485.]
Jan. 30. 250. The King's declaration touching the East Indies. "Points whereupon his Majesty doth declare himself touching the East India business." 1. It is understood and intended that there be full and absolute liberty to both Companies to erect forts in all parts of the Indies, provided they are not within less than 10 leagues one of another, except only in the Moluccas, Banda, and Amboyna, and in those places at the end of two years. 2. The English Company to build a residence for the Council of Defence. 3. The Dutch Company to demolish any new forts in the Moluccas, Banda, and Amboyna, built by them since the treaty. 4. As touching the 10 ships the number to be moderated and may be employed in merchandise. 5. Each Company to punish offences committed by their own body. 6. The pretence of sovereignty to be laid aside on either part. 7. The English to be dealt with equally in the payment and victualling of the garrison. 8. It having appeared by the complaints of the English merchants, and the debates and disputes of this last treaty, that the chief cause of the injuries which have been offered in those parts, tending almost to the utter overthrow of the union of the two Companies, have sprung from the insolencies of the Dutch governors and ministers, their loose conversation and arrogant speeches against the honour of the English nation, his Majesty expects that said governors shall be rebuked, and those of meaner quality receive exemplary punishment, and his Majesty promises that the like courses shall be taken against his own subjects convicted of such crimes. 9. That both the States' General and the English Company choose discreet persons fit to manage the traffic in the Indies so as to avoid all disputes and occasions of disorders in those parts. Also "touching Greenland," and "concerning the fishing in general." Endorsed, "His Majesty's declaration touching the East Indies." This is erroneously dated 1620(–1), and calendared with the papers of that year in the previous volume, No. 965. [Three pages. East Indies, Vol. II., No. 75.]
Jan. 30. 251. Abstract of the above, in effect the same as Sec. Conway's letter to the King [ante No. 244] upon which the preceding declaration was founded. [Three pages. East Indies, Vol. II., No. 76.]
(Jan. ?) 252. Francois D'Aerssens to (Sec. Conway). The accord is written in proper form, and they have employed the article of the Black Lion, damages, and rice, in the same manner as the King has his declaration, without inferring anything to the disadvantage of either Company. On any matter of the least consideration to his Majesty he will find that they will proceed in good faith and according to the decision arrived at yesterday. French. [Holland Corresp.]