|
| March 1. |
41. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Petition of John
Potter, who had been taken in the Dragon, for wages. He says the
Dutch have a factory at Aden, with three or four factors. They
bought aloes at Jacatra. Within 500 leagues of the Cape they met
cross winds, and put into the port of "Linclessee," in the Isle of St.
Lawrence. The king there sent them 60 head of cattle. He delivered in writing his observations of the carriage of the Dutch
towards the English. One Francis Leonard, living at Dover, knows
of the killing of Courthope, from an eye-witness. It was confidently
expected by the men of the Dutch ship Enchusen that "the Dutch
and English would go by the ears again," and "that there will be
lusty booties." Potter's wages to be paid, and Leonard sent for
hither. Mrs. Wickham attends with a letter from the Lord Keeper;
attempts to prove that her son Richard took property out with him.
A compromise to be made "to content his Lordship." Tichborne, the
Company's solicitor, in the Star Chamber against George Ball, to be
paid his expenses. Timber for the Company, lying at Killmar, in
Ireland. The account between Burrell and the Company to be made
out. [Four pages. Court Bk. V., No. 351–355.] |
March 4.
Tanjore. |
42. John Jonsone to Thomas Brockeden. On behalf of two men
who are in a most miserable condition, having been robbed of all
that the King of Cochin had given them, except their shirts, and
seek employment. The Great Naige demands the reason why the
English do not desire to trade in his land as well as the Portuguese,
and says they shall have pepper and anything the land affords.
The Danes trade there under the name of English, and are marvellous well used. He has given them a town and a place to build a
castle, which is finished, and hath 36 pieces of ordnance mounted.
[Endorsed, "I think this John Johnson went out with the Danes."
One page. O.C., Vol. VIII., No. 1036.] |
March 6.
Batavia. |
43. President Fursland and Council to the East India Company.
The [Dutch] General has had conference with them about making
peace with Macassar, but this will be prejudicial to the trade of
Amboyna and the Moluccas. It was concluded that the Dutch
shall still stand out with them [of Macassar], and we to continue
trade and to accommodate the Dutch with one half of the rice procured. They have received an order from the Dutch General (Coen)
for proceeding in trade this next year in the Moluccas. "We shall
buy and sell freely so far as our means will stretch, paying our
proportionable part of the charge according to the part of spice which
we shall receive, and what cannot there be justly divided shall be
made here good unto us upon the ending of accounts received from
thence." Their proportion of charge cannot be less than 20,000 ryals,
and nothing but loss can be expected for the ensuing year. The
Dutch General required them to furnish a ship to remain in the
Moluccas with theirs (the Dutch), as last year, but their answer was
they were not able to perform it, wanting provisions for so long a time.
The General, not satisfied with this answer, meaning "to take the
advantage of our wants," they use all means, by giving large presents,
to prevent us in trade, "contrary to the meaning of the Accord."
Have deferred giving their absolute answer to the General as to
"following the exploit for the Manillas" until further advice from
England. The Dutch will send six ships. The Dutch have taken
nine Portugal ships, worth 80,000 ryals, with letters stating that the
Portuguese trade will be utterly ruined by the Dutch unless they be
speedily relieved by the King. The Dutch will take advantage of
this; in short, they will overthrow the Portugals trade in all places
in these parts, and we wanting the means to send (ships) with theirs,
the Dutch are sure to allege we perform not the agreement in not
maintaining 10 ships of defence, which we must leave to your
worships to answer; to perform we cannot. They also again demand
that an English ship should lye before Bantam, and that we should
pay our part of the charges they have been at so long in lying there,
and keeping soldiers there, and setting out vessels to and fro upon
this coast, which charge now grows so high that they can forbear
us no longer, and sure they make account that you shall pay your
part, or else they will wholly thrust us out of all trade, and pretend
they have just cause for it, bearing all the charge themselves. "We
verily persuade ourselves that although the order comes from you
and their masters to make restitution here for what is due unto you,
yet they will detain all in their hands under pretence of the aforesaid charges, so that there is no hope ever to come to any reasonable
agreement with them by any fair courses, as may appear by their
injurious dealings daily with us." They demanded nine Lascars
taken by the Dutch in the Portugal prize, who had before been
captured at Macao by the Portugals from the English, but the
Dutch General refused them in discourteous manner, saying we
might buy them. Account of a plot by the Bandanese to betray the
town into the hands of the Javas; discovered to the General (Coen)
by two of their own confederates; some of them tortured, twelve
of the chief plotters condemned to be quartered, and all the rest to
perpetual slavery in chains. The prisoners urged upon the torture
to confess matters against the English, "but as it well happened
there was nothing of any moment to give any advantage against us,
yet hereby you may see how they seek by all means to entrap us,
and in what danger we live being under their authority. Can they at
any time find any occasion of advantage whereby to bring us within
compass of their justice we shall be sure to find no favour from them,
wherefore we earnestly desire speedily to be released from this bondage." The Eagle from Jambi, and Unity from Acheen, have arrived
at Jacatra laden with pepper; less quantity of pepper fallen this year
at Jambi than was expected. Understand that the King of Acheen,
according to his old custom, began a little to flatter our factors by
offering them trade at Tecoe if they would pay well for it, but it is
only a wile to get a good sum of money from us as he did from the
Hollanders in their last two years' trade. Both they and the Dutch
have determined to withdraw their factors from Acheen the first
opportunity. The French Admiral having had a licence for 20 days'
trading at Tecoe, departed two months since, laden for France. The
Whale and Trial have not arrived. Are compelled to send home the
Star and Eagle. Invoice of the goods sent in them. 150 tons of
pepper on board the Clove waiting for a ship. The James expected
from Jambi. Indirect proceedings of the Dutch with their factors at
Pulicat and elsewhere. The Dutch pretend there are standing debts
of 60,000 pagodas, and by this trick appropriate to themselves the
whole benefit of that investment. Send copies of the factors' letters
from Pulicat. Instead of accommodating us with house room, they
turn our factories into a cottage, and that must be the pattern for us
to build by, which is clean contrary to what their masters promised.
Thos. Mills' account of the charges at Pulicat, not less than 6,000
ryals a year. "So long as we live under their subjection there will
be no profit reaped from any place where we are conjoined with
them in their charge." Send copy of the journal kept in this factory
and the general accounts up to February. They must now sit still
for want of means and shipping to send to the factories; if plentiful
supplies do not come in good time, they will not be able to provide
lading for any of their ships, which, if it should so fall out, it will
not only be the ruin of your great ships, "but also give the Dutch
such an advantage in trade as we shall never be able to recover."
Only the Clove in port, unserviceable until careened, and they have
neither carpenters nor sheathing nails. The Unity and Fortune gone
to Japara to be trimmed; the Unity will go to Pulicat and Masulipatam. There is no ship to send to Acheen. The Fortune, Bee, and
White Bear only fit to go up the Jambi river, and they have no
victuals for them; "it is a misery to see how near we are driven."
Only 20 men left for the Clove and the junk Welcome. If officers
were made strictly to account at their coming home for all they had
wasted and embezzled the ships would not be in such wants as they
are. Bad sailing of the Eagle; slighter ships more serviceable in
these parts; the Star a good pattern, but stronger built ships needed
for the voyage to England. Bad usage of the Chinese by the Dutch
in Jacatra, which keeps them from trading there. Cruelties practised
towards them. Death of John Davis, pilot major, in December last;
his goods and will will be sent by next passage. Send accounts of all
those who have died, and other accounts. Lewis Smith, John Ferrers,
and Chambers, surgeon of the Supply, sent home as drunken, vicious
villains. Robert Burgess, master of the Fortune, and Harris, mate of
the Unity, nearly as bad. Rowe commended as a man to whom
authority may safely be given. In great want of an experienced
shipmaster to be general surveyor of all ships and mariners, who
would reform many abuses. Scott, mate of the Anne, returned "an
old man, not fit to do service." Far better to send young, lusty lads
of 18 or 20, who, though no seamen, would soon learn; such the
Hollanders send for soldiers and sailors. Peter Elliot, master of the
Anne, recommended for some good employment. James Traughton
"hath gotten language and some experience," but his small wages
make him anxious to return home to better his means. Their want
of authority to reward the well-deserving has lost them many able
men; hope it will be remedied. The money that arrives in the chests
still short. The factors in Acheen have 800 bahars of pepper in
store. In great want of supplies of money, victuals, ink, paper, &c.,
and of a secretary. In favour of Thomas Taylor, master of the
Eagle. Two Dutch ships ready to sail to Holland with pepper
and prize goods; they refuse to take our letters, "which is absolutely
against the Articles of Accord, but they give no regard thereunto."
[Endorsed, "Received by the Star about the 26th September 1622,
out of Ireland." Eleven pages and a quarter. O.C., Vol. VIII.,
No. 1039.] |
March 6.
Batavia. |
44. Commission from President Fursland and Council to John
Rowe, bound for England with the Star and Eagle, of which he is
appointed the chief commander. To sail for Saldanha Bay, leave an
account of their voyage there, and take letters for England. To
beware of the savages who have surprised and murdered eight of the
Rose's men and others. To be assisted by James Troughton and
others named as council. His successor in case of death. To "carry
themselves particularly kindly and lovingly" towards the Dutch,
though they may have cause to "complain of wrongs and damages"
from them. Signed by—Richard Fursland, Thomas Brockedon, and
Aug. Spaldinge. [Two pages and a half. O.C., Vol. VIII., No. 1038.] |
March 6.
St. Martin's
Lane. |
45. Sec. Calvert to (Carleton). The States Ambassadors are
still here, without doing anything more in the treaty than he
acquainted him withal in his last despatch. They should have
had audience of the King yesterday, but his indisposition through
the pain in his foot (an infirmity which is now more familiar
with him than heretofore) hindered it. [Extract from Holland
Corresp.] |
| March 6–8. |
46. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Cases of Mrs.
Wickham and Robert Owen. Owen to be paid his wages, and then,
with Adam Denton, to attend the Lord Keeper and give satisfaction
concerning 1,100 ryals of eight taken out of the fort at Jacatra.
He is to prove that "what was brought away of the Dutch's money"
"was a mere gift, and no way to be charged upon the English;"
"that the Company may be discharged of it." A committee to
attend the Lord Keeper. Request of Mrs. Viney for payment of
Capt. Jourdain's funeral expenses; advised to forbear, lest it should
lead to the discussion of other matters, "for there were 4,000 ryals
missing in the chests whereof he had the charge, and never any
account given of them." Petition of Jonas Viney for his uncle Capt.
Jourdain's goods; also for goods given him by the Queen of Patani,
refused, because they were unjustly taken by that Queen from the
Company. No servant may receive presents to his own use. Other
claims made by him to be considered. Burrell's account of 210l. for
building the Blessing to be examined. Robinson's accounts. |
|
March 8.—Robinson's accounts. Interview between the committee
and the Lord Keeper with reference to Mrs. Wickham and one
Owen, Sir Thos. Dale's man. His Lordship is fully satisfied with
their proposals, and thinks they have "dealt very liberally," and is
always "confident in the justice of their dealings." Letter read from
Pruson for a gratuity. He saved them above 200l. last year in bolt
ropes, and expects to save this year 500l. in sails and 1,000l. in
cordage. Pruson's merits. Robinson defends him, and is blamed for
insinuating that the Court does not look after its own interests, but
encourages abuses. Pruson to "have 30l. as a thankfulness," his
salary of 50l. to be continued, and to draw up a scale of proportions
for sails, rigging, and masts of ships of several tonnage, that the
Company may see whether they have been abused heretofore. A
whole capital to be made up in pepper, &c. Francis Taylor and his
sureties. Adam Denton "hath made means to some great person;"
it were better, therefore, for the Company to settle with him "of
themselves than that they be called to it by some superior authority." Extracts to be made from letters, &c. of "whatsoever may be
of force to charge Denton in any sort." Jarrard to be warned once
more about his debt, and then to be prosecuted. [Eight pages.
Court Bk. V., 355–363.] |
March 8.
Malaya. |
47. Protest of William Nicolls against Governor Houtman,
"delivered to the Governor the day above written." The soldiers,
who ought only to have their own clothing, are allowed to have
out their whole means in commodities, which they sell to the
natives, to the ruin of the "sales in the shop." The Governor
bought 100 slaves for goods, but compels the English to pay
money for everything, who are also compelled to pay one third
of 4,967 gilders for fortifications, &c. at Sabowa, which now is
mere "pretence only," and serve as stores for their own shipping;
their houses at Motir and Macao have been pulled down by the
Governor's orders, the men abused, and one Croft beaten; Johnson
also has been grossly treated at Batchian. The Dutch charge the
English for things which do not concern them; their object is to
waste English money and get all the trade into their own hands.
[One page and a half. O.C., Vol. VIII., No. 1034.] |
March 9.
London. |
48. Chamberlain to Carleton. The States Ambassadors were at
Theobalds this week, but could not be admitted to audience of the
King. On Shrove Tuesday they were feasted by Sir Edward
Cecil with that temperance that they came all sober away, as
having had but six healths that went round. [Extract from
Domestic Corresp. Jac. I., Vol. CXXVIII., No. 41, Cal. p. 356.] |
March 9.
The Hague. |
49. Sir D. Carleton to Sec. Calvert. On the 13th Feb. his
nephew arrived with Calvert's letters of the 7th, in the same
passage with the advocate, expressly employed by the Dutch Ambassadors in England to procure authorization from the States and
Directors to submit the arbitrament of the disputes between the
two Companies to the King's decision, but with restriction in the
point of restitution to 50,000l.; which when he had proposed with
good allowance of his Excellency and the States, and was gone to
Amsterdam to treat with the Company, advertisement came from
England that the King wouid not take into his hands any limited
arbitrament. They esteem this a deliberation of much weight,
and the whole of the 17 directors are ordered to the Hague; meanwhile the advocate has returned towards England, with orders
from the States to their Ambassadors not to be so stiff touching
the arresting of the first point of restitution, but to give the King's
Commissioners contentment in case they will not yield to the
treating of other points before it be concluded. They have here
published at Amsterdam a discourse concerning their late enterprise against the Bandas, much differing from that published in
England; and with this and the reports of their Ambassadors in
England, they breed an opinion as if much wrong were done them,
in the blame which is cast upon their men and the strict manner
of proceeding with their Commissioners; this (leaving the Company to their own passions) Carleton has encountered as best he
might with his Excellency and the States, whom he finds so well
affected towards the continuance of the treaty, that he makes no
doubt that if the Ambassadors in England swerve from reason,
they will be overruled from hence, if it be known before a prejudice be settled by partial reports. [Extract from Holland Corresp.] |
| March 11–15. |
50. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Discussion
with Pruson about his scale of rigging. He is to show proof of his
judgment and skill in the next ship sent forth. Jarrard, when
spoken to about his debt by the solicitor, makes "great moan"
his offers not satisfactory. Whale fins to be sold by the candle next
Court; 2½d. to be the first price. |
|
March 13.—Case of Mrs. Wickham. The Court offer her 300l. for
quietness sake, in full discharge of her claims. Jarrard petitions for
favour. The Court does not think him deserving of it, but postpones action till Lady Day. Mrs. Viney and Jonas Viney refuse
the Company's offers concerning the estate of Capt. Jourdain. Case of
Mr. Salmon and his wife, late widow of Capt. Bonner, slain in the
Dragon. Examination of Pruson; he is again admonished; Swanley
to draw up a scale like his for sails and rigging for comparison. |
|
March 15.—Reports of Pruson; he is to be allowed a fair trial of his
skill. Petition of William and Francis Singleton in reference to the
estate of their brother Thomas. Letter read from Barlow of the
1st of March, touching the maces, nutmegs, &c. taken from the English at Pooloroon and Lantar by the Dutch, who gave no direct
answer, but demanded respite for eight days. Order to take out
a half capital in pepper confirmed. Price of calicoes, duttees fixed.
Complaint of Philip Jacob about some purchases. Some satins,
tissue, and scarlet cloths laid with silver and gold, &c., turned over
from the Muscovy Company, not fit to be sold at the General Court.
[Nine pages. Court Bk. V., 363–371.] |
| March 15. |
51. Minutes of a General Court of Sales. Those of the generality absent to be fined 12d. each. List of goods sold, including
diamonds, pepper, bastas, duttees, and silks from Persia, with
names of purchasers and the prices. [Two pages. Court Bk. V.,
372–373.] |
March 15.
Malaya. |
52. Declaration of William Nicolls, in reference to a difference
with General Houtman, touching accounts. [Three quarters of a
page. O.C., Vol. VIII., No. 1037.] |
| March 15/25. |
53. Giles Cole to William Nicolls at Malaya. Has delivered the
letters intrusted to him. The Dutch "only looked upon Moorteere"
(Motir), and put to sea before he arrived. Has received from John
Gonninge 300 ryals of eight, and a slave named Sallamat, valued at 95
ryals of eight, for Thomas Johnson at Batchian, and has left 10 ryals
with Gonninge for a debt owing to Perry. [In a postscript Cole
says he has delivered the slave and money to Thomas Johnson. One
page and a quarter O.C., Vol. VIII., No. 1040.] |
| March 16. |
54. [President Fursland and Council] to the East India Company. Hope the Star and Eagle have had a short passage.
"Although time is but short since their departure (10 days) yet we
have new occasions of complaints of the injuries offered us by
our false friends the Hollanders." At Succadana Mr. Pirk was
denied by order of the Dutch General a passage in their ship. "At
Jambi the Dutch also do their best to overthrow our trade, as to
their contracts for the equal division of pepper and bringing down
the price; they are not ashamed to break all agreements and promises passed between us." They seek to draw all the trade to their
town of Batavia, and to get all the pepper trade into their own
hands. "To bring their purpose to pass they care not what it cost
them, holding this maxim that although they should not get their
charges by trade for two or three years' time, yet if they may work
you out their cost will be well bestowed, for afterwards they will
soon get it up again." The Dutch mean to set forth a fleet of 15
sail, of which seven are great ships and the rest pinnaces; their
destination is unknown, but as they carry all sorts of tools and instruments for fortification we suppose it to be Mocawe (Macao ?),
or some of those islands near adjoining, and failing that Cape
Sperito Sancto in the Manillas, there to lie in wait for the plate
ship, which comes yearly out of the South Seas. The Italian
proverb is Chi tutto abbracia nulla stringe, and so it may come to
pass with them for all their greatness. 400 tons of pepper on board
the James, the rest of her lading expected from Indraghiri, but
doubt she will arrive in England this season. At Pettapoli and
elsewhere good sorts may be provided and at less charge than at
Pulicat. At all places where they are under the Dutch the charges
are greater, so you may please consider whether to be free from
them may not be more beneficial for your trade, than to live under
their subjection, and take their leavings. Bantam holds out in its
old manner, no tidings of late from thence; are persuaded this
Pengran will never make any accord with the Dutch. When we
receive our capital we intend to make another attempt to come
to some agreement with him. [Two pages. O.C., Vo. VIII.,
No. 1041.] |
| March 18. |
55. Court Minutes of the East India Company. "Scandalous
imputation" on the Company by the grocers as to indigo dust sold
to them; "for the satisfaction of the world," a committee is appointed to examine the indigo. "The States having been with the
King the day before, the Company are to attend the Lords at the
counsel board that afternoon;" a committee appointed for that
purpose. Indigo taken by Brettridge on security of 2,400l. in
the second joint stock. How "to advance the vent of calicoes."
Discussion as to the stock to be called in next year, and the
Company's debts. The first stock, consisting of 400,000l., underwent the interest of 300,000l. or 400,000l., and therefore this being
so great a stock, may well bear 200,000l. at interest, whereto was
answered that the charge of the second is far greater than of the
first, by reason of the interruption of trade, returns have been less.
Proposals to lessen the charges by dissolving unprofitable factories
at Japan and the like. No great quantity of calicoes to be
bought at Surat, as two years' return of those goods and indigo
are expected from other places this year. Sufficient stock left at
Surat to lade home two ships. The charge is great, both for the
Molucca trade and their 30 sail of shipping now abroad. Their
resolution will depend upon the conclusion with the Dutch, or the
advice from Bantam by the next ships. 20,000l. proposed to be
sent yearly to Surat, and 2,000,000 ryals to Bantam. [Three pages.
Court Bk. V., 374–376.] |
| March 19. |
56. Locke to Carleton. The States had audience of the King on
Sunday last [17th] in his bedchamber, and they have sat in council
with the Lords twice or thrice since they were wont to do. It
is thought that things will go forward well now betwixt our
Commissioners and them, but yet there is nothing come to a head.
[Extract from Domestic Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CXXVIII., No. 59,
Cal. p. 361.] |
March 20/30.
Batchian. |
57. Thomas Johnson to [William Nicolls at Malaya]. Will
endeavour to procure a general reckoning with Rowle. "For the
nut trees, if I cannot have them I will teach them a trick not to
bear, for now they hang so long, that they endanger our lives in
falling down." Sends receipts (annexed) for 360 ryals and the slave
Sallamat. [One page. O.C., Vol. VIII., No. 1042.] |
| March 22. |
58. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Pruson delivers
his scale for rigging, &c. Long discussion about the indigo. Letter
read from the King requesting that all accounts may be cleared
with Sir Dudley Diggs, whom he intends for service in Ireland,
and a reasonable valuation of his adventures in the second joint
stock be made. It was held not to be in the power of this Court to
do so, but his readiness and ability to serve the Company "both with
his travail and with his pen," and his watchfulness upon all the
Company's occasions in the late Parliament, and His Majesty's
request, were considered. His adventure is worth 4,000l., of
which 2,375l. is paid; and he owes 1,500l., half of which is upon
interest. Hurt chosen by ballot to succeed Richard Atkinson
deceased, to pay mariners' wages, &c., with a salary of 80l. Charles
Charles to be his servant. [Three pages. Court Bk. V., 376–
379.] |
March 23.
Madrid. |
59. Sir Walter Aston, the English Ambassador, to Lord Digby.
About the 9/19th of this month there departed from Lisbon four caraques with a new vice-king for Goa, and in their company four tall
ships of war with soldiers and a new Governor for Ormuz, which
makes him believe a report lately spread in the Court, that the King
of Persia quarrels with the Portuguese for what they possess in the
Gulf of Persia; but the Persian having no shipping, he will doubtless
be able to do little hurt to Ormuz. Sir Robert Sherley, who has been
here some years with a Persian embassage, is at length despatched.
Does not understand that he has concluded anything of importance
but has been well entertained, and has now 1,000 ducats given him
for his journey and a jewel for his wife. He goes to Rome, the
Emperor's Court, Muscovia, and so to Persia by the Caspian Sea.
He insists much on procuring a trade for the English East India
Company out of Persia, by the Caspian Sea, the Volga, and through
the Muscovite's country, and says he will himself write to the King.
[Extract from Spanish Correspondence.] |
March 24.
Whitehall. |
60. Sec. Calvert to Carleton. We have in a manner agreed
upon the first article with the States Ambassadors concerning the
restitution of the goods brought into Holland, if the merchants can
agree amongst themselves of the value and of the moneys made
upon the sale, which is their work and not the Commissioners. I
hope we shall next week proceed to another and find less difficulties
now the ice is broken. [Extract from Holland Corresp.] |
March 25.
The Hague. |
61. Carleton to Calvert. The 17 Directors of the East India
Company appeared here, but made no stay. They remain at Amsterdam by order of the States until, after news of their Ambassadors' audience with the King (which they now expect hourly),
they have deliberated of their further proceedings. Meanwhile
nothing is done either there or here in that business. [Extract from
Holland Corresp.] |
| March 27. |
62. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Adam Denton
desires an end of his differences with the Company. Growing
impatient at the various charges made against him, he demands a
list of them in writing; which is granted. Sir Dudley Diggs requests
that his petition for the sinking of his adventure may be referred
to a General Court. He is to be allowed the 300l. given him as "a
gratification for his late service in the Low Countries." Offer for
indigo dust. The Governor sent for to attend the Lord Admiral.
He requests that some of the committees may accompany him, and
that Mr. Treasurer Stone and the rest will hear the petitioners
attending without. [Three pages. Court Bk. V., 380–382.] |
March 28./April 7.
Amsterdam. |
63. Mathew Slade to Carleton. The 17 (Dutch Directors)
returned from the Hague not well contented with the States order
which, notwithstanding they have sent to their Commissioner in
England, and having refused to consider what Mr. Barlow propounded on behalf of his masters, are departed hence. They to
whom Slade has spoken, made show of great desire to compound,
saying that they know that this difference will otherwise turn to
their ruin, but in their meetings there appeareth much obstinacy.
[Extract from Holland Corresp.] |
| March 28 to May 28. |
64. Abstract of what passed in the treaty in England betwixt
the States Ambassadors and his Majesty's Commissioners, from the
28 of March to the 28 of May 1622. |
|
March 28.—This day, after his Majesty had given audience to the
States, the Commissioners proceeded in the treaty. The first thing
spoken of: the principal sum of the goods brought into Holland,
not agreed upon in respect of interest demanded by our men; ordered
that the merchants meet and agree if they can, if not to be referred
to the Commissioners. This point of restitution at an end, the Dutch
exhibit a paper of the taking of the Black Lion for our merchants to
answer. |
|
April 1, 2, and 4.—The question of the price of the pepper
brought into Holland, and whether sold at a full price discussed
(on these three days), the merchants on both sides deliver in their
papers, but no accommodation being made "upon this difference, the
treaty breaks off." |
|
April 11.—The States having addressed themselves to his Majesty
upon the difficulty they found for any further proceeding in the
treaty, he commands his Commissioners to proceed further "being in
great hope and assurance, &c.," and the point in question is suspended.
The taking of the Black Lion by four English ships the next
question. The papers to be translated. The King commands my
Lord (President ?) to move about the trade of tin. The proposition
touching the liberty of commerce is new unto them; they have
power to handle it, but it overthrows the fundamental laws of their
State, and they hope the King will innovate nothing in it. |
|
April 15.—The papers reciprocally delivered by way of complaint;
answer and reply will best show the state of the treaty touching the
Black Lion. Time taken by us to answer their reply. |
|
April 29.—The answer to their paper this day read. Complaint
made of songs against the States, &c. Care has been taken to suppress a book printing concerning the insolencies of the Dutch, but
on the other side there come daily such scandalous books out of
Holland, both against the State and Government, as is not sufferable.
The cause of this liberty of our merchants in their last paper comes
from the Commissioners, for when our merchants used an unseemly
word my Lords reproved them for it and caused them to tear their
paper in their presence, but at their last meeting, when their paper
contained many scandalous words, they never reproved them for it. |
|
April 30 and May 2.—The fact of the restitution of the Black
Lion being agreed upon, the meaning of the words "en effect" is
disputed, we maintaining that the Black Lion came not effectually
because we were none the richer for it, and the other side that
it came effectually, that is really, because it was in our hands 22
days, and that the word was put in to distinguish between goods
perishing in fight and those that came really to us. |
|
May 7, 8, 10.—Being so unfortunate as not to agree about the
interpretation of "en effect," they had recourse to the King, who
referred the resolution of that point. Then the particulars of the
loss of our ships were read and the paper delivered in by our
merchants. All ships ought to be delivered by the treaty; some
have been restored, some refused. The arrival of the Bull in the
Indies certified by Derick, Basse, and Borell to be a sufficient and
absolute publication of the treaty, whereupon the ships ought to
have been restored. Arguments whether the publication of the
treaty could be made in the Indies before the ratification arrived
there. Agreed according to the article of answer of Derick, Basse,
and Borell. The Swan is confessed, and the Defence came to
them. The Dutch deny that demand was ever made for the ships,
but our merchants allege that it was, though the publication of
the treaty was a sufficient demand, by the testimony of the factors
who made it, and by the answer of Coen himself. The Bear
demanded in August last, but denied; the Sampson demanded, but
denied; the Attendance in the public service of both Companies. |
|
May 15.—This day spent in examination of proofs showed by the
English in demanding the Bear, Dragon, Sampson, and Attendance.
The Lords think them sufficient, and give their reasons. The Dutch
cannot admit the publication of the treaty to have been a sufficient
demand; the Defence, Solomon, and Attendance were abandoned,
the Star and Swan restored in the Indies, the Expedition lost on the
cable of the Great James, the Dragon refused because spoiled, but
the Bear, Sampson, and Hound it is equitable should be restored. |
|
May 23.—The States acknowledge the writing of the English
merchants to be just, but deny it contains any sufficient demand for
restitution of ships. Our merchants do not know of any agreement
made for a day fixed for the publication. |
|
May 28.—My Lords maintain that the publication of the treaty
was a sufficient demand for restitution. The States that to demand
the execution of the treaty is not to demand the restitution of the
ships. The Lord Treasurer that by the publication of the treaty
the ships are to be delivered. Lord Hamilton that General Coen's
answer implies a demand was made, and a man now in England
will swear the demand of the ships was made upon the arrival of the
Bull. This having been so long in debate, and made so plain, to lay
it by now were to dispute much and do nothing, but if it be accorded
the States shall find the merchants overruled. The States wish the
merchants to confer, but they having interest are not expected to
agree when the Lords that are indifferent cannot agree. [Eleven
pages. In the handwriting of Thos. Locke, endorsed as above by
Carleton. East Indies, Vol. II., No. 17.]
[N.B.—After this the English Commissioners and the Dutch
Ambassadors came to a stand (see No. 95), but again met on
10 July (No. 112), there having been in the meantime "divers
parleys" between the merchants (No. 108). They came, however, to
another stand on 29 July (No. 116), and two days afterwards the
negotiations were quite broken off (No. 117). So the King commanded Sir Ed. Conway to endeavour to renew the treaty, and after
the lapse of about a month points of accommodation were debated
before the King on 15 Sept., upon which negotiations were renewed
between the English Commissioners and the Dutch Ambassadors.
The several points discussed and the arguments that were urged on
both sides—not a single paper having a date—are calendared and
placed all together at p. 80 et seq. The several reports of the English
Lords Commissioners to the King on the issue of these negotiations
will be found calendared, see Nos. 165, 167, 178, 187.] |
| March 29. |
65. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Discussion on
Sir Dudley Diggs' case. "For their respect to the merit of the
gentleman," he is to have the 300l. gratification (which otherwise
might have been swallowed up by his debt), and to give bond for
the payment of principal and interest of his debt "at a year's day."
Richard Atkinson's accounts to be audited at once, that his widow
may "deliver into the Court of Orphans" a perfect inventory of his
estate. Discussion as to the stock to be brought in next year. As
much needed as last. They owe 170,000l. odd, besides 100,000l. on
the old joint stock to be paid by four half-yearly payments. Half
a capital must be brought in, or the treasurers threaten to resign.
The matter not to be debated at a General Court, as its necessity is
indisputable; yet for the "more grace" and authenticity of the
business it is to be decided at a full Court. Motion for raising the
price of indigo, as "being a business of great consequence," referred
to a fuller Court, meantime none to be sold. Complaint of the
biscuit baker contractors; owing to the badness of last year's wheat,
and the dearness of old wheat, they have lost greatly on their contract. [Three pages. Court Bk. V., 383–385.] |
| March 29. |
66. Sir John Wolstenholme, Sir Nic. Fortescue, and others to
Sir Clement Edmondes. Prices that should be allowed for iron
ordnance and shot, and which the East India Company have paid
of late years. Think 9l. per ton for all above demi-culverins and
10l. per ton for all under, an indifferent price. [Domestic Corresp.,
Jac. I., Vol. CXXVIII., No. 94, Cal. p. 365.] |
March 30.
London. |
67. Chamberlain to Carleton. The States have been with the
King twice or thrice, and with the Privy Council oftener. Hears
the [Dutch] East India ship that was stayed is restored, and he
blamed that took her, and his commission taken from him.
[Extract from Domestic Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CXXVIII., No. 96,
Cal. p. 365.] |
March 31.
Amsterdam. |
68. Robert Barlow to Carleton. Since the Dutch Commissioners' audience of the King there have been several meetings, one
of the greatest points of importance being as good as agreed upon,
viz., concerning the restitution of those goods which the Dutch
had brought hither and sold. Having made a beginning there
is no doubt but there will be a good end, and that our Company shall have reasonable good satisfaction for their damages.
Understands that the Marquis Hamilton and Mons. Aerssens were
the men that laboured most to bring out this good beginning. It
gives the Company here good content to hear what passes in
England concerning their business, and they say this being once
ended they hope hereafter there shall never be the like occasion of
breach, that in every point they will perform the contract and not
enrich themselves any way by any goods taken from the English
Company, saying there hath been errors committed on both sides,
which if should long continue would prove the subversion of both
the Companies. [Holland Corresp.] |
