East Indies, China and Japan: July 1618

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Volume 3, 1617-1621. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1870.

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'East Indies, China and Japan: July 1618', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Volume 3, 1617-1621, (London, 1870) pp. 173-177. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/east-indies-china-japan/vol3/pp173-177 [accessed 19 April 2024]

July 1618

July 2/12. Nangasaki. 376. Germo. de Vareda to Maestro Ses [Edmund Sayer] at Firando. Thanks for an image. Cannot serve him at present, as the ships have not come from Manilla. Will send him all the rents that come in. Requests him to send him cloth for good shirts. Will pay the cost. Wants also some black silk for stockings. [Spanish. One page and three quarters O.C., Vol. VI., No. 665.]
July 3-4. 377. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Petition read from Richard Gyles, patentee for the burning of logwood. Answer to the Lord Treasurer on the disadvantages of logwood, "a vile deceitful wood that will strike upon cloth divers colours of itself but none that will hold ;" that it would be a great credit and benefit to the commonwealth if logwood could be utterly abolished, and recommending that all in the kingdom should be burnt, and a proclamation issued to burn it accordingly whether found in ship, vessel, or house, and the importer, owner, or user thereof to be liable to fine or such other punishment as the Privy Council shall inflict upon them in the Star Chamber. Theophilus Feild not to be allowed to have any adventure. Alterations in the transfer of adventures. Minutes of a General Court. Dividends declared of 6l. 13s. 4d. per cent. upon the sixth voyage "to clear the same," and one capital upon the seventh to equal them which have taken forth formerly in commodities. Election of Officers. Sir Thomas Smythe, governor ; Morris Abbott, deputy ; William Harrison and twenty-four of the Committee. The treasurer, husband, account keeper, secretary, and beadle confirmed in their several places. July 4.-Complaint of Wiech that he had been wronged by the Company in their exceptions against the Muscovy merchants that are of the East India Company, an enquiry is ordered. [Four and a half pages. Court Bk., IV., 180-185.]
July 9. 378. The Privy Council to Sir Thos. Smythe and the Muscovy Company. At the instance of the Muscovy Company the King was pleased to call in Sir Jas. Cunningham's patent, which his Majesty wished should be done with the least prejudice and hindrance to Sir James. They are of opinion that his demands for compensation are very just, and fit to be reimbursed, and accordingly request them to make payment thereof to Sir James without further trouble or delay. Incloses,
378. I. "An estimate of what losses we conceive the new Company may sustain by their provisions made for the Greenland voyage." East Indies, Vol. I., Nos. 64-64.I.]
1618 ? 379. Assignment of Sir Jas. Cunningham, Governor of the Scottish East India Company, to the Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies, of all the rights and privileges granted to the Scottish Company in their patent, which is recited, dated at Kinnaird, 24 May 1617, "for divers good, special, and valuable considerations." [Twenty pages. East Indies, Vol. I., No. 65.]
July 9. Kasbin. 380. Edw. Monnox to the East India Company. In answer to the objections to the Persian trade, sent by the Company to him in fifteen articles. Expenses of the transit of a load of silk by way of Aleppo. The King has commanded that whatever quantity of goods they bring it, he will take them all and deliver silk for the same at the prices current in the country ; but he absolutely refuses to make any certain contract with them. The King has confirmed his former phirmaunds for non-payment of custom or any other duties whatsoever. Has no doubt that the King will be found tractable enough to grant whatever in reason they may require, but first their goods and shipping must come in. Barker's proceedings disorderly, and his projects very unreasonable. [Indorsed, "Received by William Nelson, 21 October 1618." One page and a half. O. C., Vol. V., No. 586.]
July 10. Jacatra. 381. John Powle to President Ball. The difficulty of selling their cloth. Ufflete has no sawyers at work yet upon the timber. The China house adjoining their own has been twice on fire ; the danger to their long warehouse, wherein is stored all the cables and rigging. Ufflete offended with the writer for urging the pulling down of some houses adjoining their own which serve for no purpose. [One page and a quarter. O. C., Vol. VI., No. 666.]
July 12. Westminster. 382. Warrant to pay to Sir Thos. Smythe and the East India Company, out of the next rent due to the King from the Farmers of Customs, two thousand three score and one crowns, being the royal bounty of one crown per ton for building the Palsgrave, of London, of 1,083 tons ; and the Elizabeth, of London, of 978 tons. [Domestic, Jac. I., Sign Manual, Vol. IX., No. 31., Cal. p. 553.]
July 14. 383. Court Minutes of the East India Company, concerning a difference between Ralph Busbye and Gilbert Keate, his servant. Letter read, recommending the consideration of an inclosure from the Privy Council, concerning the losses Sir James Cunningham pretends to have sustained by his patent being called in. In the whale fishing alone he calculated his loss to be 800l. at least. [One page. Court Bk. IV., 185-6.]
July 15. Acheen. 384. Wm. Nicolls to the East India Company. Relation of occurrences since the writer was left on the coast of Sumatra by General Best for the sale of goods brought from Surat. The great dangers he has gone through ; his detention at Bantam by Capt. Jourdain ; arrival at Tecoe, where they were utterly denied trade without the King's licence or letters patent. Their voyage to Acheen, where they found the Hector, Spicke commander ; Oxwicke, the chief merchant, having lately deceased, one Mr. Sangcraft [John Sandcrofte] was in his place. The King's conditional promise for trade could not be accepted ; successful endeavours of the writer to procure trade for two years at Tecoe, the King causing his name to be put in the letter to the Signor of Tecoe. The King afterwards swore to General Keeling that he would never grant trade to any other general longer than the ship's stay, even though they brought his Majesty's letter. The Rose afterwards sent with Walter Bennet and Millward to complain of abuses ; but three months before their arrival Nicolls had acquainted the King thereof, who caused the Polema's members to be cut off. The King's reasons for refusing to grant licence for further trade. Complains of the proceedings of one Diego ; that the Company have very few experienced servants left in these parts alive. His negotiation with the King for his pepper. Fruitless efforts of the Dutch to get licence for trade at Tecoe, although they brought a letter in the Malay tongue from their President at Bantam. Those of Guzerat and Dabul should be hindered from prosecuting their annual trade by every possible means, or the trade in these parts will be little worth. Danger of the Portugals combining with the Spaniards and the Hollanders' devices to drive the English from trade at the Moluccas as well as at Surat. The factory at Acheen should be well supplied to prevent the Hollanders from securing the trade to themselves. Concerning the goods in the Gift, some being damaged and others lost. Henry Woolman, the man who set fire to Evans' bed-clothes on purpose to blemish the writer's credit. [Four pages. Indorsed, "Sent for England by the hands of Mr. John Hatch, commander of the New Year's Gift." O. C., Vol. VI., No. 667.]
July 17. Succadana. 385. Geo. Cokayne to President Ball. Departure of the Rose for Bantam on 16 June past. Half their cloth sold since. Suggestions concerning the cloths to be sent in future, and the prices they can be sold at. Has got the Governor to send to Landak for the [precious] stones. Flying report that the Dutch have sunk an English ship at Banda, and that two other English ships had fled. Has been much troubled about the debts Collins left behind him ; falsity of his accounts. Intends shortly setting up a new house ; the Flemings also are building a fair new house. They have good store of their stolen China commodities ; thinks they mean with their stolen goods to drive the English out of all trading everywhere, for all their capital in all their factories costs them nothing. Is in great fear of losing his passage this year for England, but will not stay a day behind Ball in these turmoiling affairs, not to gain the Company's wealth in India, for he well knows, when Ball leaves, all will be out of frame, however wise his successor may be. Remembrances to Mr. Darley. If Brechcheck hath become a more careful man, recommends his being sent to drive a round trade in this place on account of his old experience, "for knaves must be employed sometimes." A few lines are added by John Hayward, requesting any letters for him to be forwarded by the first vessel [Two pages. O. C., Vol. VI., No. 668.]
July 17/27. Nangasaki. 386. Germo. de Vareda to Maestro. Ses [Edmund Sayer] at Firando. Mercantile transactions. Regrets being unable to send him the linens he asked for. Purchase of silk, plate, &c. [Spanish. One page. O. C., Vol. VI., No. 669.]
July 17. 387. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Committee appointed to attend my Lord Duke (of Buckingham) about Sir Jas. Cunningham's business. Improvements and new buildings at Blackwall and Deptford. Survey of the workmen there ; 232 at Blackwall, and 337 at Deptford. Refusal of the Company to meddle with the business of Sir Robert Rich, being "of that nature and quality which may concern the State, being yet unknown what his men had done abroad." His request to the magistrates at Emden, for leave to bring in his ships, answered, that their port being free, it was lawful for any to bring in their ships and goods ; would give Sir Robert no hopes of relief from the Company. Letter read from Paul Triggs from Reims, giving notice of a great forest of timber near Brest, by the seaside, to be sold, belonging to the Marquis of Assigny ; but because of the price, not to be entertained. Touching bargains of timber from Sir Richard Lovelace and Sir-Southwell. Offer of Richard Amis, the scholar, and the Company's exhibitioner at Oxford, to preach before the Company, referred till the winter. Gratuity to Thomas Border, of the "Globe,." who lost his leg in a fight with the Carac. Difference between Alice and Ann Walldo referred. Petition of William Bartlett, son of Alice Walldo, for his freedom. [Three pages. Court Bk. IV., 186-188.]
July 18. Acheen. 388. [Wm. Nicolls] to President Ball. Arrival of the Gift from Surat, 28 April. His unsuccessful efforts to secure further trade at Tecoe. How the Hollanders endeavoured to outbid him for the King's pepper. If the Guzerat, Dabul, and Gogory shipping be restrained from trading at Acheen, the English may price their goods at pleasure. The quantity of Surat cloth fit for the place. Attempts of the Hollanders to get trade these two years, since General Keeling's departure. Is sure Ball will pay no attention to any rumours or slanders against the writer. Samuel Bass, George Robinson, and Richard Allen, his three companions in this place ; has freed the factory of the three previously there as altogether unfit; Richard Barkley speaks very good Malay, and is therefore fit for Ball's service. [Two pages. O.C., Vol. VI., No. 670.]
July 18. Sana. 389. Phirmaund granted by the Pacha of Sana to Capt. Andrew Shilling and J. Salbancke, of the Royal Anne. Confirming a previous phirmaund of 14 May last (see ante, No. 372. I.) for free trade in any of the ports of the Pacha's government, upon payment of a three per cent. import duty in goods, and a like per cent. export duty in money. [One page. O.C., Vol. VI., No. 671.]
July 21. Jacatra. 390. John Powle to President Ball. The Dutch continue very quiet, their court of guard and training of soldiers only excepted. Several of their blacks who were taken with the English ships at the Moluccas brought to Jacatra, but it is not known for what purpose. Doubts not but there is some stratagem at work which will speedily be put in execution. The markets for cloth very dead. [One page. O.C., Vol. VI., No. 672.]
July 21-31 391. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Petition read from Thos. Olyver, surety for John Hodges, a sailor in the Moon, concerning his imprest money. Henry Garway and Robert Salmon, sworn members of the committee. Suit of Henry Bacon for employment, who had been in a voyage with Sir Walter Raleigh, and gave advertisement of some things concerning Virginia. Letter brought by one Fenton from the Duke of Buckingham, requesting that payment should immediately be made to Sir Jas. Cunningham according to the warrant from the Council ; committee appointed to draw up a reply. Roger Charnock, son-in-law to Ellis Crispe, sworn a free brother. Gratuities voted to the governor, deputy-governor, treasurer, and committees. Petition of Richard Amys, for a further extension of his exhibition at Oxford, granted for another year. A ship to be bought and made ready for the Indies. Gilbert Keate not to have his freedom gratis. Letter read from Christopher Farewell, stating that the charges against him proceed from the malice of John Browne. July 31.-Concerning the purchase of a ship. A loadstone offered for sale that will take up a piece of iron of 18 lbs. weight. Refusal of one Newman to pay rent for his room at Leadenhall. [Three pages and a half. Court Bk. IV., 189-192.]