East Indies, China and Japan: May 1619

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: May 1619', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, East Indies, China and Japan, Volume 3, 1617-1621, (London, 1870) pp. 271-276. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/east-indies-china-japan/vol3/pp271-276 [accessed 26 March 2024]

May 1619

May 3. The Hague. 660. Carleton to Sec. Naunton. Barnevelt's execution, with the vacation of the fair, have delayed the [Dutch] East India merchants, from making any report of their treaty in England to the States ; they are gone to Amsterdam to speak first to the Company, and return hither in a day or two. [Extract from Holland Corresp.]
May 4. 661. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Oaths taken by Robt. Washborne, Thos. Chancye, Walter Mountford, and Edward Withers "for due performance of the trust reposed in them." Account of a riot among the carpenters of the King's yard at Deptford and the Company's yards, 200 or 300 of them violently taking and carrying away certain apprentices out of the Company's yards at Deptford and Blackwall with a drum struck up before them ; resolution to punish the ringleaders. Gratuity to James Bag, searcher of Plymouth. Gomersoll dismissed. Petition read of Matthew Saywell, boatswain in the Charles. Oaths taken by Andrew Burrell, Edward Lee, Edward Seager, Robt. Frauncis, Wm. Fishe, Thos. Buttresse and Rich. Collyns, the Company's officers. Minutes of a General Court. Discussion on the sale of the indigo. Sale of commodities with names of the purchasers and the prices. [Five pages and a half. Court Bk. IV., 339-345.]
May 4. Aboard the Sampson, riding in Saddow Road. 662. John Jourdain to Robt. Johnson at Jambi. Arrival of the Sampson and Hound ; wishes to see him on board as to the state of Jambi, and leave William Webb in his place. Whether he has sufficient favour with the King of Jambi to expel the Dutch ; advises him thereon, and to inform the King that they have determined to shut the Dutch clean out of the Indies. Begs he will send him all kinds of provisions. [One page. O.C., Vol. VII., No. 798.]
May 7 to June 25. 663. Minutes of consultations between 7 May and 25 June 1619, as follows:- May 7.-At Acheen, present Capt. Robt. Bonner, chief commander, Wm. Nicolls, chief merchant, Richard Fursland, Daniel Wight, and Abraham Bonde. The offer made to the King of Acheen for his pepper declined. May 27.-At Acheen, present as above. Concerning their repair to Court about purchase of the King's pepper ; "if we deal not with him, his subjects dare not deal with us." June 3.-At Acheen, present as above. The King's refusal to have any more speech about the price of his pepper ; resolved to give his price, otherwise their future good hopes of trade at Tiku will be frustrated. June 5.-At Acheen, present as above. As to the quantity of pepper to be bought at the King's price, who refuses to give credit. To ask whether the King would take iron for his customs and vouchsafe trade at Tiku. June 25.-At Acheen, present as above. Concerning the disposal of the merchants resident there. Reasons for the departure of Nicolls with the Dragon. Trade denied at Tiku to the Rose, Osiander, and Gift, but procured by extraordinary gifts in three several voyages by the Hollanders for two years, to expire Aug. 1620, no other means left to the English factory than to supply ordinary expenses ; and the King's promise to give Nicolls trade for two years at Tiku on his return from England. Nicolls complains of being unjustly accused by the Company ; his departure for England in the Dragon concluded on. Fursland to succeed as chief. [Three pages. O.C., Vol. VII., No. 799.]
May 10. Aboard the Sampson, in Saddow Road. 664. John Jourdain to John Johnson at Jambi. To send a small junk to Succadana to Cokayne with money and commodities, and move the King of Jambi about buying his pepper yearly, "which if he will yield unto, we will forthwith begin to make our house more larger and fire-free, and defend him from any wrong that shall be offered by any." Must excuse himself from giving any powder by reason of our wars. Requests him to buy all the roes of fish he can get and other salt fish and provisions for the ships. [One page. O.C., Vol. VII., No. 804.]
May 12. Dover. 665. Viscount Doncaster to Carleton. Heads of the King's instructions to himself, one of which is to make the States understand the discontent of his Majesty at the disagreement of the merchants "and his after so long and painful a treaty of accord ;" but now the King's health will permit, he doubts not being able to compound their differences with equity ; "and their association being a matter that so nearly and highly concerns the weal of both countries, his Majesty will neither spare any travail to effect it, nor be in anything more partial to either side than if they were both his own subjects." [Extract from Holland Corresp.]
May 14-17. 666. Court Minutes of the East India Company. The "mutinous carpenters" at Blackwall punished. English wheat found to be as good as French wheat for biscuits, tho' the latter was formerly held to be the best. Articles of a treaty concluded between the English and Dutch Commissioners, the point for forts in the Moluccas and Bandas the only one in difference, the Dutch having resolved that England should have a third of all the spices in those parts and all the pepper at Bantam. Having one fort at Pooloroon, the Company conclude that they should demand the right to build others at Ternate, Motir, and Pooloway, believing four forts to be as honourable and safe for themselves as eight, and are satisfied with the proportion of spices and pepper agreed on. As to the charges to be incurred and the number of ships of war, five at Surat and four at Bantam, to procure trade of the Chinese. &c. The King made known the willingness of the States Commissioners to refer themselves to him to overrule the business ; the Company of the same mind, after making known their desires to his Majesty. May 17.-Letter read from the King, dated Greenwich, 15th inst., desiring to have one-half of the goods taken from the Earl of Warwick's ship in the Indies, which belong to his Majesty, delivered to the Marquis of Buckingham for the King's use. Resolved to make it appear to his Majesty that they regard not the goods, or the part, being the moiety, although it were a matter of greater value, or are they desirous to gain by such courses, but intended only the preservation of their trade, to secure his Majesty's subjects and preserve his Majesty's honour there, and are therefore willing to leave the whole to his Majesty's disposal, which being found but a small sum between 900l. and 1,000l., they were contented to have it made up an even 1,000l., and so presented to the King. Discussion thereon, but the resolution confirmed. [Two pages and a half. Court Bk. IV., 345-347.]
1619 ? May 17 to Sept. 21. 667. "Piece of a running jornall kept by some Inglish captive aboard some one of ye Holland ships in ye East Indies." The first entry.-"This day the whole fleet came to anchor in Jacatra road." May 20.-The Hollanders took the Javans' (sic)Castle from them with 24 pieces of ordnance and the loss of one man and five hurt ; the Hollanders had 1,000 men, but thousands of blacks, who all fled, and the Hollanders set fire to their houses. May 25.-A fleet of 16 ships came to anchor in Bantam road. May 28.-They had from the shore 60 of the men which had been taken by the English in the Black Lion. June 11.-I sent a letter to Bantam House. June 13.- Twelve ships set sail from Bantam to Jacatra ; anchored in Jacatra road 15. June 20.-Three junks taken by the Sea Wolf. July 2.- "I came into the Wappen, and we had two men run away, and the Unicorn came into Jacatra road." Aug. 15.-William Swetland died. Sept. 21, the last entry.-"The Harlume's prize came from the Moluccas with some cloves and six Englishmen." [One page and a quarter. O.C., Vol. VII., No. 800.]
May 20. Greenwich. 668. Walter Balcanquall to Carleton. The States Commissioners received good contentment from the King and Council on Whit-Monday. "We five" dined with the King on the Tuesday, were used very graciously, and much questioned. Visited the Commissioners after, who said how honourable and just the King was in their cause, that they were like to agree with the Council. [Extract from Holland Corresp.]
May 21. 669. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Letter read from Secretary Calvert on behalf of Cooke, sometime servant to Sir Wm. Craven, deceased, for his freedom. Knowing how such letters are often drawn from such persons, the Deputy Governor is requested to ascertain from Mr. Secretary if it be a thing he desires, it shall be granted for his sake, but if otherwise, then to request to be forborne. Petition read of William the father and Benjamin the brother of Henry Patteson, deceased, concerning his wages and goods. Request of the Countess of Pembroke to have a lease of Crosby House from the Company ; some of opinion that my Lord of Northampton is willing to have her ladyship out because he intends to sell it and put the money into the Company's stock. Committee appointed, to confer thereon. Langley's business concluded. Letter read from Thos. Spurway, from Bantam 7 Sept. last (see ante, No. 424), which was brought by a French ship to St. Malo. The most material points of the letter to be copied and given to his Majesty and most of the Lords and English Commissioners to make appear the insupportable wrongs against the English, and to petition the King (see ante, No. 425, I.) to take them into his consideration and give relief, "being of opinion, by the carriage of these abuses, that this treaty hath been but a colour to give time to work all these mischiefs against the English, and therefore fit to press it home unto his Majesty." Letter of thanks to be written for the courtesy of the French at St. Malo. [Two pages and a half. Court Bk. IV., 347-350.]
May 21. 670. Consultation held aboard the Moon ; present, Sir Thos. Dale, Martin Pring, and Aug. Spalding. Sir Thos. Dale, admiral to go for Engano with the Moon, Clove, Globe, Peppercorn, Advice, and the Dragon's Claw, to try and recover the moneys cast away in the Sun ; from thence sail for the Coromandel coast, send the Claw to Capt. Pring, who, with the James Royal, Unicorn, New Year's Gift, and Bee, will sail for Pulicat, Masulipatam, and Pettapoli. The Rose to be sent to Priaman and Tiku to meet Capt. Robert Bonner and advise him of proceedings with the Dutch and of the place of meeting in September next. [One page. O.C., Vol. VII., No. 801.]
May 21. 671. Minutes of a Court held aboard the Moon. Owen Bodman, for burning the Black Lion, breaking open the chests, mutiny, and breaking the master's head, is sentenced to be hanged at the main yard until he be dead ; James Littill, Adam Douglas, and - Domingo, Bodman's confederates, also found guilty of burning the Black Lion, to receive ten stripes upon the bare back aboard each of the seven great ships of the fleet ; Barnard Wright, for his slanderous speeches, to receive 40 lashes aboard the Clove, and then be turned for a foremast man. Victualling of the fleet, four days in the week, flesh one meal a day, the other three days rice, sugar, candy, and butter. Signed by Sir Thomas Dale, Aug. Spalding, Peter Bowers, John Munden, John Hatch, John Roberts, John Cottwell, Richard Yard, William Crascom, Richard Newall, and William Reckes. [This is dated 21 May 1618, evidently by mistake. Two pages and a quarter. O.C., Vol. VII., No. 802.]
May 25-28. 672. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Opinion that the unkind carriage of the Dutch and their malice against the English, as exhibited in the abstract of the letter from the Indies (see ante, No. 424), should rather persuade the English to an agreement, although upon some unequal terms, seeing it is so generally desired, and that without it there is danger of the overthrow of the whole trade ; resolution to submit to his Majesty's wisdom and let the article of forts "rest unperfected" until they hear out of the Indies, as it is hoped hereafter the Dutch may be drawn to yield to forts. Petition of William and Benjamin, father and brother of Henry Patteson, deceased, about his estate. Letter read from Sir Thos. Wilson, from "the office of his Majesty's papers," in behalf of Walter, brother to Richard Cocks, factor in the Indies ; Sir Thos. Hewet willing to disburse part of the money to apprentice Walter Cocks, requests the Company to pay the remainder out of the salary set apart by Richard for the relief of his brother. Suit of old Mrs. Walldo about her brokes, she having sold 200l. of her adventure in the new joint stock to John Eaglefield. Burrell found very backward in building some of the great ships ; supposed that he undertakes morethan he can manage. Committee appointed to confer with Browning and Tranckmore as to building ships at Ipswich and Shoreham. May 28.-David Bourne's debt. Petitions read of John Floyde, surgeon in the Charles, about paying freight for his goods ; and of Christopher, Richard, and Henry, the three sons, Jane Lewis and Anne Stephens, widow, the daughters of Henry Wagstaffe, concerning legacies left to them by their deceased father, which Thomas Chapman had recommended to his care as overseer of the will during their minority, but he dying, John Trout, Chapman's executor, refuses to satisfy said legacies. [Four pages. Court Bk. IV., 350-354.]
May 28. The Hague. 673. Carleton to Sec. Naunton. Seventeen of the (Dutch) East India Company have this day resolved with the States on the points in difference between them and our merchants, in conformity to what was set down by the King, as they say, at their last audience at Greenwich on Whit-Monday (17 May) as an indifferent course betwixt them. Upon the answer of these letters some of these merchants are to go over again to conclude the business. The honour and thanks is by the States ascribed wholly to his Majesty. [Extract from Holland Corresp.]
May 28. 674. Sir Clement Edmondes to Carleton. The treaty concerning the East Indian affair is this day made and concluded, and the Commissioners on both sides have shook hands upon it. Hopes it will produce effects to the satisfaction of both parties. Encloses the articles agreed on, which, being the first copy made, Carleton is to be sparing to publish. [Holland Corresp.]
May 29. St. Martin's Lane. 675. Sec. Calvert to Carleton. What passed between the States and Carleton, touching the trade of the East Indies now in question, was to very good purpose ; the King particularly observed the manner of his arguing and liked it well. In a manner the treaty was concluded before the receipt of Carleton's despatch ; the conditions he will hear from Sec. Naunton. [Extract from Holland Corresp.] Encloses,
675. I. "The copy of a treaty between his Majesty and the States of the Low Countries concerning the East India trade." French. A copy of the "Articles of Treaty," see No. 679.
[1619. May 30.] 676. William Methwold to President Ball at Bantam. Our Bandanese, with their full force, departed presently after Ball to the Bahar, and Cokayne to the Pengran. The Dutch seem to be more busy than the English in bringing the ordnance to the platform and fitting other hostile provisions. "In the meantime (God willing) we will be so careful within doors that their worst attempts (if any such intended) shall little damage us. [Half a page. O.C., Vol VII., No. 803.]
May 31. London. 677. Chamberlain to Carleton. The King has dissolved the difficulties of the East India business, and by his own wisdom and authority brought them to accord ; they are to acknowledge his gracious and peaceful disposition and to answer it in like measure when it comes to their turn. [Extract from Dom. Corresp. Jac. I., Vol. CIX., No. 61, Cal., p. 49.]