East Indies: April 1608

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Volume 2, 1513-1616. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1864.

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'East Indies: April 1608', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Volume 2, 1513-1616, (London, 1864) pp. 171-173. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/east-indies-china-japan/vol2/pp171-173 [accessed 23 April 2024]

April 1608

April 1–8. 407. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Private letter read from Henry Sydall, factor at Bantam, dated 29th April, 1607, as to the pepper there for the Company, and what the Hollanders had done against the Portugals in those parts; further report referred to Mr. Browne's letter to the Company. Twenty shillings bestowed upon a “poor youth” who had formerly been in the Company's ships with Grove in the East Indies. Money wanting to supply the charge of the fourth voyage; arrangement for bringing it in. For more expedition in setting down the 500l. adventures for the fifth voyage. Gratifications to Diggins, Burrell, Kitchen, and Woodcott. To know the price of timber. To agree for biscuit supplied. Offer of Oliver Styles to let his warehouses at Ratcliffe for 500l., which he will adventure in the fifth voyage, declined. To inquire for shipping. Mr. King's warehouse at Ratcliffe.
April 4.—One hundred pounds of Henry Robinson's adventure in the third voyage set over to [Rich.] Maplesden. Letters received from Bantam, from Gabriel Towerson and Robt. Browne, to the Company, and from Henry Sydall to Sir James Lancaster, all dated 3 April, 1607; also from Rich. Cotton, a mariner. John Waldow's charges for bringing letters from the Dutch ships at Portsmouth. Demands of the King's officers of the storehouse for things lent to the Company. Nicholas Leate and Morris Abbott to confer with [Benj.] Decro and others of the Muscovy Company, about auditing the “parteable account” of the two Companies, in setting forth John Kingston for discovery of the North–west passage, so that the charge may be brought to the account of the old Company. Mr. Sothick the garbler's debt. Touching the Earl of Cumberland's bond for 485l.; and payment of his moneys henceforth to Mr. Cordell. Deductions in Mr. Davies and Mr. Starkey's accounts. To audit and finish the accounts of the third voyage. Difference between the Company and Mr. Stlyes.
April 5.—Additions to be henceforth inserted in the bonds of those going to the East Indies; touching private letters from thence. Petition of the smiths employed on the ships' works for extra allowance. John Waldow entertained at 40l. a year.
April 8.—Admission of John Chambers, an adventurer under Henry Bridgeman. 6l. 13s. 4d. to be allowed Wm. Leighton, secretary, for his extraordinary labours at the setting forth the ships of the fourth voyage. [Five pages and a half. Court Bk, II., 87–90.]
April 10/20.
Lisbon.
408. Hugh Lee to Thos .Wilson. Six great caracks, six galleons, and two fly boats sailed on 19/29 March last for the East Indies, taking 5,000 soldiers, two thirds being children from 12 to 16 years of age, “the like I think hath not been seen in former ages;” for want of men they must supply children. They are intended for Malacca which, since the departure of the fleet, is said to be taken by the Hollanders. The Conde de Feria, gone in this fleet, viceroy of the Indies, with two Englishmen, Richard Lyllyate to overlook his provisions, and a young student, called Barnard, a Kentish man, reported to be a good cosmographer. A Persian Ambassador is also gone in the fleet, who has settled a friendship between the Kings of Spain and Persia, and promised to aid the Portugals in the East Indies with men and furniture for their wars; it is said that the Persian King is to become a Christian. [Extract from Corresp., Portugal]
April 15–29 409. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Wages of Thos. Evesett. Bill of Exchange for 20l. taken up at Canterbury Rich. Rowles, lieut.–general. Diligent and speedy inquiry to be made for shipping for the fifth voyage.
April 19.—Robt. Earle to go to Hull to view the Merchant Royal. About preparing shipping. Committee appointed to join with other companies in their suit to the Lord Mayor to solicit the King, in their behalf, for stay of impositions.
April 20.—Request of Mr. Jennyngs for allowance for dust in the pepper bought of the Company; Mr. Harrison and Mr. Middleton to report. Debts due to the Company. 50l. of the adventure of John Casson in the third voyage to be set over to Geo. Bennett. To conclude with the garbler. Mr. Fynitt's project to put forth 1,100l., and have five for one at his return from Aden, to be considered. 66l. 13s. 4d. of Henry Bridgeman's adventure in the third voyage to be set over to Rich. Maplesden; also 50l. of Thos. Alabaster's adventure to Richard Wyche.
April 22.—William Williamson and Mathew Brownrigg, adventures each of 193l. 6s. 8d. in the fourth voyage under Richard Burrell, sworn free brethren. Proposition to write to the coast towns for entertaining some of them on adventuring 500l. a man, to be considered. Opinion of Mr. Burrell as to the shipping to be provided; he recommends the Defence.
April 26.—Bills of adventure. Request of Mr. Jennyngs to supply 12l. 10s. for the third voyage. Payment of adventurers in the third voyage. A voyage to be prepared by the adventurers in the third voyage to fetch home their men and goods. Mr. Fynitt's project not accepted.
April 27.—Two ships to be prepared by the adventurers in the third voyage to fetch home their men and goods at Bantam; the charge calculated at about 20,000l. or a third of each man's adventure.
April 29.—John Clinche, of Ipswich, an adventurer of 275l. in the fourth voyage under Rich. Stratford. Warrant for a loan of 1,200l. for the fourth voyage. Wm. Harrison to be admitted an adventurer of 550l. in the fourth voyage. Motion for sending out a second voyage by adventurers of 550l. in the fourth voyage to be considered. [Six pages and a half. Court Bk., II., 90–93.]