|
| July 11. |
501. Locke to Carleton. The East India merchants are greatly
discontented about the torturing and massacring of their ministers
and servants in the East Indies by the Dutch. They have had
several consultations about it, insomuch that they have been about
to give over their trade into those parts, which many of them protest
they will do unless they may have satisfaction for that wrong, or be
suffered to use their own discretion. [Extract from Domestic
Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CLXIX., No. 41, Cal., p. 298.] |
July 12.
Wanstead. |
502. Sec. Conway to Buckingham. The East India merchants
have renewed a grievous complaint against the Hollanders. The
King has communicated their petitions to his Council and taken
resolution, in case satisfaction for the past and surety for the future
is not given by 12 Aug. to take his own satisfaction. [Extract from
Domestic Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CLXIX., No. 50, Cal., p. 299.] |
| July 12. |
503. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Complaint of
Thomas Moore, late the Company's smith at Deptford, of being put
out of their house; referred. Ordered, that a meeting of the mixed
committee about delinquents be held on Wednesday week, and that
the beadle get as many together as possible. Sec. Conway to be
spoken with concerning the discharge for the 10,000l. to his Majesty.
Information that Mr. Mynn had sold calicoes in town which he took
to ship out. Mr. Governor acquainted the Court that himself and
others attended the King the day before, being Sunday, at Wanstead,
and were brought into his bedchamber, where the petition was
delivered to his Majesty, with a book, wherein was summarily set
down the manner of the torments inflicted upon the English by the
Dutch, together with a disheartening of the Company thereby to
follow any longer that trade. To which his Majesty gave a most
gracious answer, encouraging the adventurers to proceed, and promising a speedy reparation from the Dutch by the strength of his
own arm if they did it not suddenly themselves. Mr. Governor told
his Majesty they had cause to think that this is a train laid to put
all their men to death in the Indies, and that the like practice had
been at Jacatra; that this Company is in worse case than either the
French or the Dane, who trade quietly without interruption; and
that all the treaties with the Dutch are but so many treacheries, for
they hold nothing. His Majesty resolved to repair the Company,
and after many gracious encouragements assembled the Lords in
Council, spending the whole time in the agitation of this business,
and in the end Mr. Governor received command to attend the Lords
at Whitehall. For that reason this Court was specially called to
consider what will be fit to be propounded. Much argument upon
this point; in the end resolved, in the first place, to propound justice
against the murderers; secondly, reparation for other injuries done
the Company, as well in the Bandas as elsewhere; and, thirdly, a
separation; and that the first two may be really performed, to require good caution, viz., Bass, Boorell, and Brower, not only to secure
for a real reparation, but likewise for the warrant of the rest of the
Company's men and goods in the Indies. After seeing his Majesty
they likewise attended the Prince, "who received them with a
cheerful countenance." It was resolved in no wise to yield to a new
treaty, but a separation, and that the Company may have free trade,
and that if they shall enjoy Pooloroon, Lantar, or both, the neighbouring natives may have free access. Petition of George Sherrock,
one of the men that had tasted of the Dutch cruelties in the Indies
having lost all he had by the general seizure of the Dutch, for the
Company's favourable help. Was told that after a time they will
take consideration of his suit, in the meantime he must consider that
the Company's loss was very great. [Two pages and a half. Court
Minute Book, VII., pp. 17–19.] |
| July 12. |
504. Carleton to the Governor and Deputies of the East India
Company in England. Upon the very first news of the bloody execution of the English at Amboyna spread abroad here, with all the
advantage that could be in setting out their pretended conspiracy
against the Dutch, and praising their pious and penitent ends,
without any word of torture, he has spared not to speak of the improbability that so small a handful of men, being factors for others,
should undertake such an interprise without hope of being avowed
by their principals, and that it might well prove that cruelty of
torture might extort confession without any grounded truth, upon
which he desired the Prince of Orange and the States to suspend
their opinions. Since then has had knowledge from Sec. Conway of
his Majesty's entertaining the complaint, who has sent him Mr.
Towerson's petition, and the protests from Batavia of the 12th and
20th December 1623; which, with their letter of June 26 [No. 486],
further confirm him in his opinion of the wrongful execution of our
men. Sec. Conway had written an effectual letter to the Prince of
Orange by way of complaint of that bloody proceeding and demand of
satisfaction, which the Ambassadors lately returned out of England
have let their masters know his Majesty is resolved to have, either
given or taken. To this effect has said so much likewise that the States
General, not content with calling the Bewinthebbers to account, have
demanded to have all the examinations and the whole process presented in writing, which they have had before them these eight
days. The States promise not to lay the business aside and sincerity
in their judgment, yet Carleton perceives that the deputies of the
Bewinthebbers, with their advocate Boreel, have pleaded their
cause so well that there is bred an opinion that Towerson, Thomson,
and the rest of the factors really did conspire to take the fort of
Amboyna, though none of them as yet approve the torture and
execution. Infers that there is more probability of treason in the
Dutch than in the English, who are best acquainted with the trade
in those parts, and being not above 20 in all, without any seconds,
and the Dutch a strong garrison in a fortified place and shipping
hard by at command, it is to common sense a matter not only of
difficulty but impossibility. Has seen in letters to English merchants
at Delft particulars of barbarous and inhuman tortures used to our
men, of which he would gladly hear the true ground, "because they
here inform that all was very moderate." Has received from Misselden, Towerson Griggs and Coulson protestations of their innocency, signed June 24, 1623, by the Company's servants at Amboyna,
of which he will make use when time serves, and will be glad to
have any further writings concerning this business, "which I hope
you are persuaded I take to heart, or else you must believe I have
no drop of good English blood in me." Endorsed, "To the Governor, &c., the 12th July 1624, and to Mr. Barlow, mutatis mutandis,
the 27/17th. [Two pages. Holland Corresp.] |
| July 13. |
505. Abstract of a letter from Carleton to Sec. Conway. The
Deputies of the [Dutch] East India Company coming to inform the
States of the proceedings in the East Indies, and doing it only in
general terms were turned back to Amsterdam for a more exact
process, which they have now brought in writing, with their advocate.
They have wrought a belief in the States that Towerson practised
a treason against Amboyna, but none approve the cruel tortures
and bloody executions. Their resolutions will now shortly be known.
[Holland Corresp.] |
July 15.
Westminster. |
506. Grant to Sir Robert Sherley, Ambassador from the King of
Persia, of 40l. per week for diet and entertainment until further
order, to commence from 28 January last. [Domestic, Jac. I., Sign
Manual, Vol. XVI., No. 34, Cal., p. 301.] |
July 15.
Theobalds. |
507. [Sec. Conway] to the East India Company. The King
seems to marvel a little that the remainder of the money is not yet
received and has signified his pleasure that they deliver to Rich.
Oliver the 10,000l. to be employed in some secret service for his
Majesty without account or imprest. [One page. Certified copy by
Edward Sherburne, secretary to the East India Company. East
Indies, Vol. III., No. 23.] |
| July 15. |
508. Another copy is in—Domestic Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CLXX.,
No. 5, Cal., p. 302.] |
| July ? |
509. The East India Company to the Privy Council. Copy of
the inclosure in Lord President Mandeville's letter of 16 July [calendared No. 511. I.] with the following addition, but without the King's
answers:—"His Majesty in Council did constantly promise that the
above written shall be performed and when the Company within a
day or two shall have received the said answer underwritten by his
Majesty then will they give their resolution concerning the continuance of the trade." [One page. East Indies, Vol. III., No. 24.] |
| July 16. |
510. Court Minutes of the East India Company. Complaint
against Lee for receiving money for bezoar (stones) charged to
Langton's account, to be heard. Report by Mr. Governor that himself and some few of the committees had by the advice of the Lord
President been at Theobalds, "where his Majesty having espied
them, demanded what they made there," and the Lord President
saying they came by his direction, his Majesty willed they should
be called in, and "there, in a great presence of privy councillors, his
Majesty declared that he will in no sort give way that the Company
shall leave the trade; is content they shall have hostages from the
Dutch for the performance of justice upon those that have been the
authors and executioners of that bloody sentence upon the English;
that the Company shall have forts, and in effect all that the Company propounded in the writing last delivered to the Lord President;
and for a beginning hath written a round letter to require justice
from the States." His Majesty demanded what shipping the Company intend to send; the answer was only one pinnace for advice,
for if they shall be driven to call home their servants and stock
there, it cannot be suddenly done, but will ask some years, but if
they may be well seconded, they can make ready three or four ships
and more if need be. This latter part of their speech his Majesty
applauded, and demanded further if they wanted stock, whereto
they answered that the Company held out hitherto, and shall be
able to do so still if the business be at once set right. At last his
Majesty demanded what they would say to it if himself came in as
an adventurer. Mr. Governor prayed time to consider with the
generality on that motion, because himself and those few with him
had not power to resolve his Majesty in a matter of that importance.
His Majesty demanded how soon this could be done. Mr. Governor
made answer it would ask some time to assemble them. His
Majesty willed it should be done as soon as it might conveniently.
Mr. Governor desired that something might be set down in writing,
expressing his Majesty's offer, that the same might be shown to the
Company. Proposal that some persons of honourable quality might
deliver his Majesty's pleasure at the General Court, laid aside, and
resolved that Mr. Governor make known his Majesty's pleasure in
one kind or other after he shall receive the writings whereby he
shall be directed, and return the answer. It was said that Sec.
Conway informed his Majesty that one Steele had discovered a rich
trade into Persia, seconded by Sir Robert Sherley, affirming that
there will be vent found for 30,000 cloths yearly, whereby the trade
of silk may be wholly gained without exportation of money. To
this was answered that the vent of cloths in Persia is better known
to the Company than it can be either to Sir Robert or Steele; those
who desire to be informed of Steele's ability in the Mogul's country
need go no further than the journal of Sir Thos. Roe; that an answer
to his Majesty's letters to the King of Persia on behalf of the Company
is on the way hitherwards; and that the Company is already possessed with a fort at Ormuz, where they have made the staple of all
their commodities, and a safe station for all their shipping. In the
end, not his Majesty alone, but also divers of the Lords showed great
desire that the East India trade should be continued, insomuch as
it is become a business of State: in particular the Lord President,
having shown to his Majesty in writing what is desired by the
Company to encourage their countenance of the trade, hath undertaken to return them his Majesty's answer in writing to all those propositions, and authentically testified to the Company's content and
satisfaction which when Mr. Governor hath received, he will acquaint
the committee therewith. Proposal of Capt. Greene to refer his
business to arbitrators, accepted. Request of Mr. Hale, executor to
[Rich.] Fursland, deceased, that he may have a box of diamonds,
bezoars, rings, ambergris, &c., belonging to the testator, consented
to on certain conditions. Unlading of the Elizabeth and the
Exchange. Mr. Farlowe, a druggist, to be warned to attend the
next Court, he having bought a drug of Spaldinge, and carried it
home because he doubted that when Spaldinge shall be better
informed of the value he would not have delivered it. Examination
of what the auditors have done, and a determination what to do.
Valentine Markham to have 50l. per annum. The committees for
powder to see to the 85 barrels come home in these ships. Petition
of George Sherrock, one of those that had been "questioned" in the
Indies by the Dutch, who had taken his apparel and other things, and
had served the Company nine years, to bestow something upon him.
The Court gave him a gratification of 10l., and being questioned, he
said that over and above torments by fire and water the Dutch
"would gash the breasts of men, and having filled those gashes with
powder, would put fire thereto." [Five pages. Court Minute
Book, VII., pp. 19–24.] |
July 16.
London. |
511. Lord President Mandeville to Sec. Conway. Sends a
draught containing the East India Company's desires and the
King's answers. Has shown it to the Council who allow of it, conceiving it to agree with that the King declared. If the King like
it, will send it to the Company, as they desire to have it whereupon
to ground their propositions at the next Court and gain an answer
to the King's offer. Requests him to return it when the King has
seen it: Incloses, |
|
511. i. The East India Company to the Privy Council. The King
by his own words of late did so comfort their distresses and
now their Lordships give them that heart by so tendring
their cause that they offer these desires to their Lordships.
First. That his Majesty will vindicate the death of his
subjects so cruelly and unjustly executed in the Indies.
Secondly. That real restitution be made for goods wrong
fully confiscated from the English by the Dutch in India,
and that the Company's servants and goods may at their
pleasure be brought home in safety, and hostages given
for the due performance of the same. Thirdly. That if it
be the King's pleasure that this trade to the East Indies be
continued, then that the contract made with the Dutch in
1619 be wholly severed and the Company trade freely in
all places in the Indies where the Dutch have no possession,
and that the Company may secure themselves also by fortifying upon the islands of Pooloroon and Lantar, and
in some other convenient places by direction of the King.
Fourthly. The French and Danes trade freely in the Indies
because wrongs done to them are revenged at home, if his
Majesty will do the like the Dutch will soon give over
molesting the King's subjects. Also,
"The King answer and offer." First. The King will
have satisfaction for the unjust execution of his subjects,
restitution of their losses, and pledges for them to remove
their goods. Secondly. He will give liberty to his subjects
to erect forts in the places they desire. Thirdly. If his propositions to the States are replied to without satisfaction
he will hereafter make stay of their ships in the Narrow
Seas. Fourthly. The King offers to be an adventurer in the
Company to countenance the trade and have the ships go
under his royal standard, but leaves this to their free
choice. [Two pages. Domestic Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CLXX.,
No. 10, 10. I.] |
July 19.
Royston. |
512. [Sec. Conway] to the East India Company. Incloses copy
of letter sent by the King's command to the English Ambassador at
the Hague [see the following No. 513]. Doubts not but they will
use the copy with the moderation fitting a matter of State of so
great consequence, and that they will not suffer it to be causelessly
divulged, but only use it to give comfort and encouragement to their
fellowship, and show the King's favour and care to those who would
practise evil offices. [Domestic Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CLXX.,
No. 20, Cal., p. 305.] |
July 19.
Royston. |
513. Sec. Conway to (Carleton). By the pieces herewith sent,
he will see the outrageous causes his Majesty's subjects have to
renew their complaints, which now are at such a height as he must
either abandon the trade to the East Indies, induce the States to
equity and reason of traffic with them, or use his force to maintain
his merchants. It is observed that the Bewinthebbers "pretend to
weary out our merchants, and embrace the whole trade themselves;"
and likewise that they presume that, as things stand, the King will
not come to a direct quarrel with the States, but rather suffer all;
but he is to give them another understanding, the East India trade
being so important to this kingdom, besides the point of honour,
that his Majesty neither must nor will by art or force be put from
it. For the point of his Majesty's care not to break with the States,
it is rather to be conceived that the States cannot find it counsellable
to break with his Majesty; but wheresoever the reason lies, it is
resolved by his Majesty and his whole Council to support the merchants, and induce the States to do justice for the past and offer
surety for the time to come; or else he will take the ways which
shall next offer themselves to do the one and the other. Those of
the provinces must not deceive themselves with the thought that he
will tie his justice to the place where the injury was done, but seek
it of that body that did it; for "if the question be the troubling of
trade, justice will be sought by troubling of fishing or trade here
and there; and if they murder and hang our people, the like shall
be done to them, wheresoever their people shall be taken; and if
things go on two steps in this way, the third must be an irreconcilable war. And when it is foreseen that this will bring them into
the hands of Spain, there is nothing can be foreseen that is worse
than to put such a nation (as the Dutch) into a condition of power,
that will use it to the prejudice of our honour and State." His
Majesty, when the States Ambassadors were here, informed them
with his own mouth of the insolencies of their men, and that he
would expect justice and require satisfaction, and in default apply
his own actions for remedy; and not yet hearing of anything done
towards his satisfaction, and being pressed by the complaint and
authentical proofs of it, has taken a resolution that "if he shall not
have a firm, a clear, and a full declaration made to him from that
State of their sense of this business, of the ways and means how and
when they will do severe and exemplary justice upon the persons of
those that by such a bloody insolency have cast such a hazardous
offence between the two Companies, and between this Crown and
that State (and this before the 12th of August next), his Majesty
will apply himself to do himself justice, free his honour, and assure
his merchants of his powerful protection of them for the time to
come." His Majesty sends not this as a threatening to them, nor
weighs much if they understand it so, but that they may not be
surprised that his Majesty may be free and they guilty of the
ensuing evils (which God forbid). With these fresh complaints,
proofs, and resolution taken, he is to acquaint them, and advise them
by some public act "to assure his Majesty of the certainty of their
justice to follow upon the offenders, and such an establishment of
their government in the Indies as his Majesty's honour, the persons,
and goods of his subjects may be in surety;" and that they would
demonstrate this future part by their quick and smart resolution
taken, for revenge, justice, and satisfaction, by giving present satisfaction in the Greenland business, and "by changing their way of
proceeding from artifice to roundness, and so fall from their former
forms of answers, in which they have rather seemed to delude his
Majesty than intend his satisfaction." He may further "conceive
it" himself, and give "a sure impression of it to the States," that
"through the extreme, daily, and lamentable complaints of his
merchants," he and his whole Council have been so moved, that it is
"almost out of the power of the King to defer the satisfaction longer
than the 12th August next." Sends his Majesty's answer to the
merchants' last petition, from which he may see what a strait he is
in, and apply his endeavours to conform the States, to avoid extremities, and continue good correspondency. [Four pages. Corresp.
Holland.] Incloses, |
|
513. i. A list of "pieces sent over to Sir Dudley Carleton."
Grievances of the English against the Dutch in the East Indies.
East India Company's petition to his Majesty.
Brief Extracts of wrongs sustained by the English East India
Company from the Dutch in the East Indies.
A true relation of the late cruel and barbarous tortures and
execution done upon the English at Amboyna.
Copy of Billingsley's petition for justice touching the death of
his brother in Amboyna, [Eman. Thompson, see p. 314], and
of Thomas Johnson's petition concerning his son's death and
an estate of 1,000l. Copy of the merchants' last petition to
the King and his Majesty's answer. [Holland Corresp.] |
|
513. ii. Humble desires of the East India Company and the King's
answers (calendared ante, No. 511. i.). Endorsed by Carleton,
"East India merchants' address to the Lords of the Council,
and his Majesty's resolution thereupon." [Two pages. Holland
Corresp.] |
| July ? |
514. French translation of the preceding enclosure, endorsed by
Carleton, "Translat. des points contenue en la requête de la Compagnie
Angloise des Indes Orientales à Sa Majesté avec les Apostiles. [Two
pages. Holland Corresp.] |
July 19.
Amsterdam. |
515. Barlow to Carleton. Acknowledges receipt of his letter of
the 17/27th (see ante, No. 504), concerning the inhuman cruelties
and unjust execution of 10 of the Company's servants at Amboyna, with two protests against Harman van Speult, Governor of
Amboyna, and Peter Carpentier, Governor of Batavia, as also the
confessions of Capt. Towerson, Coulson, and others of their innocency after they were condemned, and has written to the Company,
that it were fit there were here a true and ample relation to stop
the scandalous reports given out by the Bewinthebbers; to whom
he has sought to have copy of the confessions and sentences, having
showed several of them that they had no witnesses that came face
to face to accuse, but only such as they drew by extremity of
torture, neither had they anything from our own men but what
they drew by extreme torture, all which they stoutly denied, saying
they had delivered them to the States, who they doubted not would
defend all they had done, so they were not to give account to any
others. Perceives they have laboured with the States to persuade
them that ours had conspired to take the fort, but holds our people
not so simple as to endanger themselves for an impossible thing; so
that if the Prince of Orange and States stay their judgment until
they have further information, "it will be found no other than
wholly to acquit our people;" for, he may observe, that in all parts
wherein ours have any business with them, rather than ours should
have any advantage they, to their own loss, cross the business,
seeking to consume our Company's stock, and so to make them
aweary of the trade, and so leave all to the Dutch; which thing is so
apparent, that he does not see how these can avoid it. The Company intend to deal with them by some higher authority than by
an ordinary course of treaty, by which no good will be done with
them, whereof he has had of late good proof. [One page and a
half. Corresp. Holland.] |
July 19.
Amsterdam. |
516. Barlow to Carleton. After sending away his letter of this
date he received one from the East India Company, from London,
wherein they advise, that by the next post they will send him "a
true relation of that most cruel and bloody butchery of their men
in Amboyna, and will approve their innocency, and the most
devilish proceedings of the Dutch against them, how deep soever
the Bewinthebbers dig to hide the same." These are their own
words, and having received the relation, will send him a copy
thereof. Another friend writes him from London, that he doth
make account the same will come out in print, to make manifest to
unto the world their cruelty and inhuman dealing, the which course
he wishes were stayed for some time. [Half a page. Holland
Corresp.] |
