|
1622.
Oct. 9.
St. Martin's
Lane. |
160. Sec. Calvert to (Carleton). Has not been at any of the
conferences of late with the States Ambassadors about the East
India business, and therefore cannot advertise him in what state it
stands, but doubts there remain difficulties yet on both sides that
will have much ado to be accommodated. [Extract from Holland
Corresp.] |
| Oct. 12. |
161. Locke to Carleton. Message sent by the Privy Council to
the States Ambassadors to insist upon things only which were
reasonable, as the Lords had charged the English merchants to do
the like, that so a conclusion might be quickly come to. [Extract
from Domestic Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CXXXIII., No. 49, Cal.,
p. 454.] |
Oct. 16.
St. Martin's
Lane. |
162. Sec. Calvert to (Carleton). Has before advertised him of
some distaste taken by the States Ambassadors here at the disappointment of days of meeting, they coming still at the hour prefixed,
and his Majesty's Commissioners divers times failing, and by that
means the States, after two or three hours attendance in the Council
Chamber, sent back again for want of a convenient number to treat
with them. Yesterday, after two or three adjournments before, the
States Ambassadors coming at the appointed hour found none of the
Commissioners but Mr. Treasurer Edmondes, the Master of the Rolls,
and himself, who were thus forced to excuse the conference again,
though with shame enough; but they took it so ill, as they went
away in great anger, professing that they would meet no more, but
would instantly take their leave of his Majesty and be gone, and
nothing would pacify them. Thinks when he (Calvert) has been
there they have had less reason than the English for the business
itself, yet for the manner used towards them "they have much cause
to be sensible, for certainly it hath been too bad." Blames nobody
in particular, but is sure there has been a great fault amongst some
of the Lords. He will do well for the King's honour, if any complaint is made at the Hague, to solve it the best he can; for his
own part he has complained to the King by letter and expects an
answer this day. Before sealing this letter the Lords who were
absent sent to the Ambassadors to excuse yesterday's fault and got
them to meet again this afternoon (only M. Aerssens was not there).
They have been wrangling after the old manner, through their
stiffness, who will not yield to anything however clear that shall
displease their merchants; they can conclude nothing, but are every
day more weary than other. [Holland Corresp.] |
Oct. 16.
Firando in
Japan. |
163. [Jos. Cockram] to Marmaduke Stevinton, Principal at Jambi.
Concerning the Manilla fleet. Has determined to go himself in
the Bull, and leave the Elizabeth to bring away Capt. Cocks,
William Eaton, and Edward (? Edmund) Sayer, whilst John Osterwick will remain principal of the factory. The Manilla voyages
have not proved so profitable as troublesome and chargeable. The
first voyage produced 39,549 ryals, one-sixteenth of which they
were constrained to give to the mariners. Thinks this was a politic
act, and that the last vōyage will produce 200,000 ryals. Order from
[the Emperor ?] that the goods of the frigate captured by the Elizabeth be given up to his factor, Gonrockdono, but has given them
[the ship ?] which is all rotten. By the Palsgrave. [One page.
O.C., Vol. IX., No. 1083.] |
Oct. 16.
Firando. |
164. John Osterwick to Marmaduke Stevinton. The Manilla fleet
safely arrived in June last, with a cargo worth 200,000 ryals, since
when letters have been received from Batavia from the Council
of Defence, for dissolving these Manilla voyages, and ordering the
Moon and Palsgrave to be sent for Jambi. He will receive advice
of their troubles concerning the taking of a frigate by the Elizabeth.
[One page. O.C., Vol. IX., No. 1084.] |
| Oct. 19. |
165. [The Lords Commissioners] to the King. According to his
commandment, signified by the Lord Admiral to the Treasurer, they
have considered the points of the States Ambassadors' memorial,
wherein they appeal to his judgment, and have commanded some
of the principal of the merchants to attend his Majesty, with the
judge of the Admiralty who has assisted them in all their proceedings, with their written answers. Represent to his Majesty's
deeper judgment the great consequence which this audience of the
States Ambassadors will produce one way or other; either the subsistence or utter overthrow of that noble and worthy trade of the
East Indies, and consequently a revenue to the King of 40,000l.,
and the livelihood and whole fortunes of many of his Majesty's
subjects, and, what is dearer to him than all the rest, the honour
of himself and the realm; cannot tell what the Ambassadors pretend by craving this sudden audience, but hope that the King
will not permit them to enter into any debate, until they shall
absolutely submit themselves wholly to his Majesty's judgment
and sentence, otherwise they will fly off at the end if his Majesty's
resolution be not like to sort to their contentment; and if they refuse
this submission, the Lords Commissioners think all should be left to a
legal trial by way of special commission which is in that case a fair,
a just, and honourable way, and not without precedent, which being
so ordered there rests no more to be done touching redress of
grievances past; "As also if in the examination of all the particulars your Maj. shall find the difficulties to be such as that you
cannot satisfy the said Ambassadors, but that they continue strict,
wilful, and opiniative upon their own pretended grounds without
acknowledging by contentment, it will be still always in your
power and theirs, either to determine it upon their first submission
according to your own conscience though against their liking, or
else to refer the decision of all or part in that case unto the legal
course aforementioned as your Maj. in your own great wisdom shall
think fittest." The reglement of trade for the future the greatest
importance of all will fall next into consideration, which if well
settled, may make both Companies happy enough, and prevent such
mischiefs and enormities as have happened. This being a business
of such weight, and requiring so much debate with the merchants
on both sides, the Privy Council presume his Majesty will not
trouble himself with it, but will refer it to a new conference, wherein
the Privy Council will proceed so as to cause no complaint of sincerity
or neglect. Endorsed by Bradshaw: "A letter from the Lds. Comrs
to the King touching the Treaty." [East Indies, Vol. II., No. 26.] |
Oct. 21.
Royston. |
166. The King to the Lords Commissioners for the Treaty with the
Ambassadors of the States of the United Provinces. Yesterday, after
having read their letter and heard with great patience the whole afternoon both our merchants and the States Ambassadors touching three
of the five articles, those of the Black Lion, and of damages being
referred to the end of the treaty, the King found it impossible to make
an end between them, and at length called the Ambassadors privately
and asked them, "to what end they desired this hearing of us, who
are not experienced in matter of merchandize, and in this business
had no more power to conclude their voices than they to conclude
ours." They "shifted off" the King's proposal that they should
submit the matter to his decision, and in the end were brought
to this, that they should meet the Commissioners again, who, his
Majesty undertook, should carefully observe the times of meeting, and
labour to bring matters to an end without any unnecessary contestation, not following the desires of the merchants, but what they shall
find agreeable to justice and equity. They are specially charged that
at his Majesty's coming to Theobalds, they either make an end as far
as they can, or make it appear to his Majesty that the Dutch are
unreasonable, that in case the treaty should break off, all the world
may see that the fault is not in the King. "In the point of the
siege of Bantam our opinion is, for ought we see, that it is very
reasonable which the Dutchmen demand, that our [this word our is
written the in the copy, see ante, No. 153] merchants should be at
half the charge, where the profit is to be common between them;
and the Ambassadors assure us that all of you (saving only you, our
Treasurer) were of the same mind." Signed, James R. [East Indies,
Vol. II., No. 27.] |
| Oct. 24. |
167. The Lords Commissioners to the King. Will carefully
observe his commandment dated from Royston, the 21st inst.; and
since it is his pleasure that they should return to the same disputes,
will most willingly undergo the pains, whatever the success proves,
which "depends on their conformity to reason and not upon ours."
May not omit to represent to his Majesty the wrong the States Ambassadors have done the King's Commissioners in mistaking their
opinions touching the siege of Bantam, and singling out the Treasurer
as differing from all the rest in that point concerning the proportion
of the charge, whereas the truth is, all thought fit there should be
a proportionable allowance made according to the treaty, which
seems an ill requital for their real and sincere endeavours and extraordinary patience. Beseech his Majesty to consider what hope can
they have to accommodate these unlucky differences, when the
Ambassadors to his Majesty seek to divert all consultation concerning the future reglement of trade, pretending that it is a matter
altogether unnecessary, whereas it is apparent enough that the
whole subsistence of that important trade, with the safety of the
lives, goods, and liberties of his subjects, wholly depend upon it.
[East Indies, Vol. II., No. 28.] |
Oct. 25.
Hague. |
168. Carleton to Sir Francis Nethersole. The hopes which the
States Ambassadors expressed, at the beginning of this month, of a
speedy good end in their treaty, are since much cooled by new
delays. Prays God other affairs do not cool likewise. [Extract
from Holland Corresp.] |
Oct. 26.
London. |
169. Chamberlain to Carleton. The States Commissioners went
to Royston a week ago with intention, as was thought, to take their
leave, but there being no agreement betwixt them and the English
East India merchants, the King has undertaken to reconcile the most
difficult point touching damages, if the latter will rely on his justice
and not suspect his integrity, otherwise he will not meddle with the
business. [Extract from Domestic Corresp., Jac. I., Vol. CXXXIII.,
No. 59, Cal., p. 456.] |
