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Emery  V«lkcc  k. 


THE  ENGLISH  FACTORIES 

IN  INDIA 

1642-1645 

A  CALENDAR  OF  DOCUMENTS  IN  THE 
INDIA  OFFICE,  WESTMINSTER 


BY 

WILLIAM  FOSTER,  CLE. 

EDITOR  OF    'letters   RECEIVED    BY   THE    EAST    INDIA   COMPANY,   1615-17' 
'THE   EMBASSY   OF   SIR   THOMAS   ROE  TO   THE   GREAT   MOGUL',  ETC. 


PUBLISHED  UNDER  THE  PATRONAGE  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S 
SECRETARY  OF  STATE  FOR  INDIA  IN  COUNCIL 


OXFORD  >^ 

AT   THE   CLARENDON    PRESS 

1913 


OXFORD  UNIVERSITY  PRESS 

LONDON    EDINBURGH    GLASGOW    NEW    YORK 

TORONTO    MELBOURNE    BOMBAY 

HUMPHREY  MILFORD   M.A. 

PUBLISHER  TO  THE  UNIVERSITY 


PREFACE 

The  documents  here  dealt  with  number  one  hundred  and 
fifty-seven,  and  they  are  spread  fairly  evenly  over  the  four 
years  comprised  in  the  present  volume.  Except  for  one 
letter  on  p.  183  (of  slight  importance),  which  comes  from 
the  Egertou  MSS.  at  the  British  Museum,  they  are  all 
drawn  from  the  India  Office  archives.  Neither  the  Public 
Record  Office  at  home  nor  any  of  the  Indian  Record  Offices 
has  been  able  to  contribute  to  the  collection. 

The  period  synchronizes  roughly  with  the  first  phase  of 
the  Civil  War  in  England,  from  the  raising  of  the  royal 
standard  at  Nottingham  in  August,  1642,  to  the  battle  of 
Naseby  in  June,  1645  j  ^^^  the  consequent  difficulty  with 
which  the  East  India  Company's  operations  were  carried 
on  at  home  of  course  affected  to  some  extent  the  proceed- 
ings of  their  servants  in  the  East.  Yet  on  the  whole  the 
embarrassment  caused  to  the  latter  was  smaller  than  miofht 
have  been  expected.  Each  year  ships  arrived  from  England, 
though  with  reduced  cargoes,  and  each  year  one  or  more 
went  back ;  and  the  most  startling  effect  of  the  war  on  the 
Company's  trade  was  the  loss  of  the  John,  which  in  1644 
was  betrayed  to  the  royalists  by  her  commander.  In  India 
itself  the  factors,  though  much  hampered  by  debt  and  the 
lack  of  sufficient  supplies  from  home,  managed  to  keep 
going   the   trade  with    Mokha,   Basra,   Gombroon,   Achin, 


iv  THE  ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Bantam,  and  other  places  ;  while  in  addition  they  dispatched 
ships  from  Surat  to  Macao  and  Manilla — the  latter  a  pioneer 
venture  which  met  with  less  success  than  it  deserved.  On 
the  Coromandel  Coast  and  in  Bengal  English  commerce 
was  making  little  headway ;  but  this  was  largely  due  to  the 
disturbed  state  of  the  Vijayanagar  kingdom,  now  tottering 
to  its  fall. 

The  frontispiece  consists  of  a  map  of  the  Malabar  and 
Coromandel  Coasts  at  this  period,  intended  to  supplement 
the  map  of  Northern  India  given  in  the  first  volume  of  the 
present  series  (i 6 18-21). 

The  index  has  been  compiled  by  Mr.  H.  G,  Bull,  of  the 
Record  Department  of  the  India  Office. 


INTRODUCTION 

The  position  of  English  commerce  in  the  East  at  the  beginning 
of  1642  went  far  to  justify  the  pessimistic  tone  of  most  of  the  letters 
of  that  time  here  printed.  From  every  factory  came  complaints  of 
financial  embarrassments.  Alike  at  Bantam,  Fort  St.  George,  and 
Surat,  the  English  merchants  were  deeply  in  debt,  while  the  heavy 
interest — amounting  in  the  case  of  Bantam  to  4  or  5  per  cent,  per 
month  (p.  34) — and  current  expenses  were  draining  away  what  little 
cash  they  were  able  to  procure.  Both  in  the  sale  of  their  wares 
and  in  the  purchase  of  Eastern  products  they  had  to  face  a  formid- 
able competition  on  the  part  of  the  Dutch,  who  were  far  better 
equipped  both  with  goods  and  funds.  The  recent  extension  of  the 
Company's  sphere  of  action  to  Bengal,  Sind,  and  Basra  had  not 
produced  results  answering  to  the  sanguine  anticipations  of  the 
promoters.  Sind,  it  is  true,  seems  to  have  yielded  a  fair  return 
both  in  indigo  and  calico  ;  but  Basra  had  proved  disappointing 
(p.  23),  while  Bengal  had  swallowed  up  large  sums  and  returned 
little  or  nothing.  Every  letter  to  England  implored  a  supply  of 
money ;  but  money  the  Company  was  finding  it  increasingly 
difficult  to  procure.  The  threatening  aspect  of  public  affairs  at 
home  had  much  to  do  with  this ;  so  had  the  competition  of  the 
group  of  interlopers  known  as  Courteen's  Association.  An  attempt 
to  raise  a  Fourth  Joint  Stock  in  the  spring  of  1640  had  failed 
miserably ;  and  it  was  only  with  difficulty  that  in  the  autumn  of 
the  following  year  a  sum  of  about  105,000/.  (p.  41)  was  got  together 
for  the  purpose  of  a  (First)  '  General  Voyage  ',  i.e.  a  venture  for  one 
year  only.  With  this  money  the  Hopewell  was  equipped  and  dis- 
patched to  the  Coromandel  Coast  at  the  end  of  1641,  with  a  stock 
of  over  17,000/. :  the  Blessing  was  sent  to  Bantam  :  and  the  O'w- 
piana  and  Aleppo  Merchant  (the  latter  a  hired  vessel)  to  Surat  with 
nearly  60,000/.  (p.  61). 

At  the  last-named  settlement  President  Fremlen  and  his  Council 
managed,  with  the  help  of  a  further  loan  from  a  wealthy  Hindu 


vi  THE  ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

merchant,  Virjl  Vora,  to  fill  the  London  with  calico,  sugar,  cotton 
yarn,  cinnamon,  &c.,  and  dispatched  her  to  England  at  the  close  of 
January,  1642.  A  few  days  later  the  Swan^  which  had  arrived 
from  Bantam  in  the  previous  November,  started  on  her  return 
voyage  to  that  port ;  and  on  her  way  she  called  at  Goa  to  land  two 
factors,  who  were  to  be  stationed  there  to  prevent  the  intrusion  of 
Courteen's  merchants.  In  the  middle  of  February  two  pinnaces, 
the  Seahorse  and  the  Prosperous^  left  Swally  for  Gombroon,  whence 
the  Prosperous  continued  her  voyage  for  Basra ;  while  a  little  later 
the  Supply  followed  them  to  Persia  with  freight  goods,  arriving  at 
Gombroon  on  March  19.  Their  calicoes  were  disposed  of  without 
difficulty  and  at  a  good  profit,  as  the  depredations  of  the  Malabar 
pirates  had  deterred  many  of  the  Indian  junks  from  venturing  to 
that  port  j  but  the  customs  revenue  (and  consequently  the  English 
share  of  it)  suffered  in  proportion  (p.  32).  In  addition,  the  Discovery 
and  a  small  pinnace  named  the  Francis  were  dispeeded  by  the 
President  and  Council  to  the  Red  Sea,  partly  to  trade,  partly  to 
guard  the  Indian  junks  against  piratical  attacks,^  and  partly  to 
capture  Malabar  rovers.  The  Francis  sailed  on  February  5,  arrived 
at  Mokha  about  a  month  later,  left  again  for  Gombroon  on  July  12, 
and  finally  reached  Swally,  in  company  with  the  Seahorse  and 
Prosperous,  at  the  end  of  October.  The  Discovery  did  not  make 
a  start  until  March  12,  and  consequently  did  not  reach  Mokha  till 
April  13.  The  markets  proved  so  bad  that  Wylde,  the  merchant 
in  charge,  decided  to  remain  there  to  sell  the  goods  at  leisure.  The 
vessel  therefore  sailed  without  him  on  August  22.  She  was  much 
delayed  by  bad  weather,  with  the  result  that  she  did  not  get  to 
Swally  until  the  last  day  of  October  The  English  merchants 
were  very  glad  to  see  her  back,  for  sinister  rumours  were  circulating 
in  the  Surat  bazaars  that,  finding  a  large  amount  of  treasure  on 
board  belonging  to  native  merchants,  the  crew  had  carried  her  off 
to  England  (pp.  92,  144). 

The  Company's  servants  at  Basra  wrote  home  in  September  an 
interesting  letter  (p.  57)  describing  their  experiences  of  that  city  as 
a  place  of  trade.     They  had  been  extremely  well  treated  ;  but  there 

^  The  importance  of  the  trade  between  Surat  and  Mokha  is  well  shown  by  the  fact, 
mentioned  on  p.  17,  that  the  junks  returning  from  the  latter  port  in  the  autumn  of  1641 
brought  upwards  of  1,700,000  rials  of  eight.  , 


INTRODUCTION  vii 

was  small  demand  for  their  broadcloth  or  indeed  for  any  oth?r 
goods  'in  these  barren  tymes '.  They  had,  however,  realized 
nearly  18,000/.,  and  were  now  about  to  return  to  India  in  the  Sea- 
horse and  Prosperotis.  These  two  vessels  reached  Swally  on 
October  29,  and  the  former  was  then  sent  to  examine  the  island  of 
Salbet,  off  the  coast  of  Kathiawar  (p.  93). 

The  two  ships  from  England,  viz.  the  Crispiajia  and  the  Aleppo 
Merchant y  anchored  at  Swally  on  September  31,  1642.  On  board 
the  former  was  Edward  Knipe,  an  old  servant  of  the  Company, 
who  had  returned  to  his  allegiance  after  spending  some  time  in  the 
service  of  Courteen.  He  had  now  been  engaged  as  a  special  factor 
for  this  voyage,  and  was  to  go  back  to  England  in  whichever  ship 
should  be  the  last  to  leave.  No  time  was  lost  at  Surat  in  dis- 
patching him  with  the  Aleppo  Merchant  to  Goa  and  Cochin,  to  sell 
broadcloth,  lead,  and  coral,  and  to  procure  cinnamon,  cardamoms, 
and  pepper.  He  was  also  to  fetch  away  from  the  former  place  the 
two  factors  (Pitt  and  Hill)  who  had  been  left  there  by  the  Sivan 
early  in  the  year.  Knipe  sailed  on  October  13,  and  ten  days  later 
his  ship  anchored  in  Goa  Road,  where  he  found  a  Dutch  blockading 
squadron  under  Jan  Dirksz.  Galen.  The  latter  was  already  much 
annoyed  because  Courteen's  ship  the  Hester  had  slipped  into  Goa 
and  sold  sulphur  to  the  Viceroy,  while  the  Swan  ^,  which  (as  he 
alleged)  had  been  permitted  to  go  into  the  port  under  promise  not 
to  trade  there,  had  nevertheless  embarked  a  quantity  of  cinnamon. 
After  some  dispute,  however,  he  permitted  Knipe  to  send  into  Goa 
for  the  English  factors  and  any  merchandise  they  might  have  in 
hand.  This  done,  the  Aleppo  Merchant  sailed  again  on  the  last 
day  of  October,  and  after  visiting  Calicut  and  Ponnani,  anchored 
off  Cochin  on  November  8.  There  Knipe  sold  most  of  his  goods 
and  obtained  a  quantity  of  cinnamon  at  cheap  rates.  Returning, 
he  bought  some  pepper  and  cardamoms  at  Calicut,  paid  a  pioneer 
visit  to  Basrur  (p.  109),  and  got  back  to  Svvaliy  three  days  before 
Christmas. 

The  Crispiana  and  Aleppo  Merchant  left  Swally  on  their  home- 
ward voyage  about  the  middle  of  January,  1643,  carrying  a  letter 
which  contained,  among  other  items  of  interest,  the  news  that  Shah 

^  On   her   return  voyage   from    Bantam   to   Surat.     She    reached  the   latter  port   on 
November  9,  1642  (p.  94). 


viii  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Safi  of  Persia  was  dead  and  had  been  succeeded  by  a  boy  of  ten, 
under  the  title  of  Shah  Abbas  II  (p.  83).  At  the  end  of  the  month 
the  Discovery  and  Supply  were  dispatched  to  Gombroon,  whence 
the  former  was  to  continue  her  voyage  to  Mokha  while  the  latter 
returned  to  Surat.  In  the  meantime  the  Francis  was  sent  direct 
to  the  Red  Sea  in  March,  with  a  few  freight  goods  and  some  stores 
for  the  Discovery.  The  Seahorse  sailed  for  Gombroon  and  Basra 
towards  the  end  of  the  same  month,  and  returned  in  November 
with  an  encouraging  report.  The  Francis  got  back  from  Mokha 
in  September,  and  the  Discovery  (by  way  of  Cochin)  at  the  begin- 
ning of  November.  John  Wylde,  the  factor  in  charge,  had  died  at 
Mokha  in  October,  164^,  and  thereupon  some  English  goods,  which 
Cranmer  had  been  sent  to  sell  at  Jiddah,  were  seized  and  were  only 
released  on  payment  of  a  considerable  sum.  The  Governor  of 
Mokha  promised  to  obtain  restitution ;  but  nothing  resulted,  and 
the  English  were  forced  to  leave  with  their  grievances  unredressed 

(p.  161). 

Knipe's  success  in  selling  coral,  &c.  on  the  Malabar  Coast 
encouraged  the  President  and  Council  at  Surat  to  send  a  further 
quantity  in  that  direction  under  the  charge  of  Thurston  and  Pynn, 
who  were  landed  at  Cochin  by  the  Swan^  which  sailed  from  Swally, 
bound  for  Bantam,  on  February  25,  1643.  ^^^  factors  found  that 
the  country  was  in  a  disturbed  state,  owing  to  wars  between  the 
Portuguese  and  a  neighbouring  Raja  ;  but  they  managed  to  secure 
a  quantity  of  pepper,  with  which  they  returned  to  Surat  in  the 
Discovery. 

In  April,  1643,  the  Surat  factors  sent  the  Supply  to  Achin,  laden 
chiefly  with  freight  goods  belonging  to  Indian  merchants.  The 
venture  was  not  entirely  successful,  owing  to  the  hold  the  Dutch 
had  upon  the  trade ;  but  the  prospects  appeared  sufficiently 
encouraging  to  warrant  a  factory  being  established  there  under 
Maximilian  Bowman.  On  her  way  back  the  Supply  secured  a 
quantity  of  cinnamon  at  Cochin,  with  which  she  returned  to  Swally 
in  the  middle  of  December. 

In  the  autumn  of  164:^  the  East  India  Company  had  succeeded 
in  starting  a  Fourth  Joint  Stock,  with  a  capital  which  was  ultimately 
made  up  to  105,000/.  ;  and  had  prepared  for  the  East  a  fleet  con- 
sisting of  the  Dolphin^  Hind,  and  Scajlozucr — all  for  Surat — apd  the 


INTRODUCTION  ix 

Hart  for  the  Coast.  In  addition,  the  Mary  was  sent  out  to  Bantann 
on  account  both  of  the  First  General  Voyage  and  of  the  new  Joint 
Stock.  These  ships  sailed  in  the  spring  of  1643.  The  Dolphin 
and  Hznd  re3iched  Swally  on  September  18  ;  while  the  Scajiower^ 
which  had  called  on  her  way  at  Mozambique  and  Bombay,  did  not 
arrive  until  ten  days  later.  On  November  10  the  Dolplihi  was  sent 
to  Rajapur  and  Goa,  returning  just  before  Christmas;  and  in  the 
meantime  the  Hind  made  a  voyage  to  Sind  to  fetch  certain  goods 
which  were  there  awaiting  shipment,  while  the  Seaflower  went  to 
Gombroon  for  a  like  purpose.  On  her  return  she  was  dispatched 
to  Bantam  (April  20,  1644). 

The  pepper  brought  from  Achin  by  the  Supply^  together  with 
a  quantity  received  by  the  Expedition  from  Bantam  in  November, 
and  the  usual  investments  in  India  itself,  enabled  the  President  and 
Council  to  dispeed  the  Dolphin  and  Discovery  for  England  on 
January  29,  1644,  with  good  cargoes.  On  the  former  vessel 
William  Fremlen  embarked,  having  made  over  his  post  as  Presi- 
dent to  Francis  Breton.  The  voyage  proved  a  disastrous  one. 
Want  of  water  forced  the  two  vessels  to  make  for  Mauritius,  and  on 
their  way  they  encountered  a  fearful  storm.  The  Discovery  was 
never  heard  of  again,  and  presumably  went  down  with  all  hands.^ 
The  Dolphin  narrowly  escaped  the  same  fate  ;  but  by  cutting  away 
her  mainmast  and  bailing  incessantly  her  crew  managed  to  keep  her 
afloat  and  get  her  to  Mauritius  (April  6).  There  they  found  the 
Hopewell^  homeward  bound  from  Bantam  ;  she  too  had  suffered 
much  from  the  winds  and  waves,  and  the  repair  of  the  two  ships,  in 
which  the  Dutch  settlers  lent  a  helping  hand,  took  until  June  22, 
when  they  sailed  in  company  for  Madagascar  and  the  Comoros. 
At  the  latter  islands  they  were  joined  by  the  Crispiana  from 
England  ;  and,  as  it  was  judged  unsafe  for  the  DolpJiin  and  Hope- 
well to  attempt  the  voyage  home  in  their  crazy  condition,  all  three 
sailed  for  Surat  on  August  17,  and  anchored  there  a  month  later. 
Fremlen  had  now  to  spend  three  months  in  India  before  making 

^  The  loss  thus  occasioned  was  variously  stated  at  46,000/.  {Court  Minutes y  1644-49, 
p.  96),  30,000/.  {Ibid.,  p.  163),  and  about  52,000/,  (Sambrooke's  report  on  the  East  India 
trade,  in  Home  Miscellaneous,  vol.  xl.).  As  the  value  of  the  cargoes  of  both  vessels  was 
only  about  46,000/.  (p.  159),  the  second  figure  (allowing  for  the  ship  and  stores)  seems 
nearest  the  mark. 


X  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

a  fresh  attempt  to  reach  his  native  land  ;  and  his  anomalous  position 
as  ex-President  raised  some  awkward  questions  at  home  as  to  the 
pay  which  he  was  entitled  to  draw  for  this  period. 

One  of  the  latest  events  of  Fremlen's  administration  was  the  dis- 
patch of  presents  to  Agra  for  the  Emperor  and  his  sons.  A  Dutch 
mission  to  court  in  1642  had  resulted  in  a  favourable  settlement 
of  the  question  of  the  rating  for  customs  purposes  of  goods  exported 
by  them.  The  calculation  of  exact  values  in  such  cases  left  an 
opening  for  extortion  of  which  the  officials  were  not  slow  to  avail 
themselves ;  and  it  was  an  obvious  advantage  to  have  a  definite 
scale  laid  down,  based  upon  the  actual  cost  of  the  goods,  plus 
certain  allowances  supposed  to  represent  the  expense  of  getting 
them  to  the  coast.  Naturally,  the  English  were  eager  to  obtain 
a  similar  concession;  and  a  change  of  Governors  at  Surat,  which 
occurred  in  December,  1643,  offered  a  suitable  opportunity,  as  the 
late  Governor,  Jam  Qui!  Beg,  was  going  to  court  and  had  promised 
his  active  assistance.  Letters  were  therefore  written  to  Shah  Jahan 
and  his  son  Dara  Shikoh ;  and  with  these  were  sent  handsome 
presents  for  both  and  for  Prince  Murad  Bakhsh,  the  cost  of  which 
amounted  to  about  9,000  rupees,  or  rather  over  1,000/.  (p.  160). 
The  actual  negotiations  were  left  to  John  Turner  and  the  other 
factors  at  Agra,  who  were  to  enlist  the  help  of  Islam  Khan,  the 
then  Wazir.  The  results  were  eminently  satisfactory.  The  presents 
produced  a  very  favourable  impression  (p.  162),  and  the  Emperor 
issued  ^  far  man  complying  with  the  wishes  of  the  English  in  the 
matter  of  the  rating  of  their  goods  (p.  214).  In  addition  he  sent 
to  the  President  a  jewelled  dagger  (p.  230) ;  while  his  son,  Dara 
Shikoh,  forwarded  a  valuable  jewel,  and  granted  several  nishdns  to 
facilitate  English  trade  in  Sind  (p.  215). 

Breton's  accession  to  the  post  of  President  was  signalized  by 
a  decision  to  extend  the  area  of  English  operations  by  dispatching 
two  vessels  to  Macao  and  Manilla  respectively.  In  the  case  of  the 
former,  the  concurrence  of  the  Viceroy  of  Goa  was  necessary,  but 
this  was  readily  forthcoming.  The  Hind  was  designated  for  the 
employment,  and,  warned  by  the  fate  of  Courteen's  Bona  Spcranza 
(p.  xx),  it  was  determined  that  no  Portuguese  goods  should  be 
carried,  lest  the  Dutch  should  be  given  a  pretext  for  interfering. 
Thurston  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  venture,  with  three  assistants 


INTRODUCTION  xi 

(p.  165).  The  venture  to  Manilla  was  prompted  by  the  hope  of 
profiting  by  the  rupture  which  had  taken  place  between  the  Portu- 
guese and  the  Spaniards,  and  the  consequent  cessation  of  the  usual 
trade  between  the  Philippines  and  Macao  ;  and  the  instigator  of  the 
attempt  was  a  Portuguese  half-caste  named  De  Brito,  who  had 
lived  for  some  years  at  Manilla.  The  Seahorse  was  therefore  fitted 
with  a  cargo,  consisting  largely  of  piece-goods,  and  Edward  Pearcc, 
Thomas  Breton  (brother  of  the  President),  and  two  other  factors, 
accompanied  by  De  Brito,  were  entrusted  with  the  management  of 
the  enterprise.  She  sailed  in  the  middle  of  February,  1644  ;  and 
was  followed  by  the  Hind  on  April  26.  The  two  met  at  Goa  and 
proceeded  on  their  voyage  together,  accompanied  for  part  of  the 
way  by  the  Siipply,  which  was  bound  for  Achin.  Soon  after  starting 
they  overhauled  a  Malabar  junk,  but  her  crew  baulked  them  of  their 
prey  by  running  the  vessel  ashore. 

It  had  been  intended  to  send  a  fresh  consignment  of  goods  to 
Mokha  by  the  Dutch  Valkeiibtirg^  which  was  preparing  for  a  voyage 
to  that  port ;  and  the  proceeds  were  to  be  fetched  away  at  the  end 
of  the  season  by  the  Supply  and  Francis,  these  vessels  spending 
the  interim  in  endeavouring  to  capture  Malabar  traders  at  the 
entrance  of  the  Straits.  But  at  the  last  moment  the  Dutch  declined 
to  accept  any  freight  goods,  as  their  ship  had  enough  lading  of  her 
own  ;  and  the  consignment  was  therefore  put  aboard  an  Indian  junk, 
the  Saldmatl,  which  sailed  at  the  end  of  March,  1644.  The  result 
was  anything  but  satisfactory  ;  for,  after  battling  for  seventy  days 
against  contrary  winds,  the  junk  was  forced  to  abandon  the  voyage 
and  make  for  Gombroon,  where  she  arrived  on  June  5.  The  goods 
on  board  were  forwarded  to  Basra  for  sale  (p.  266). 

At  the  end  of  March,  likewise,  the  Francis  and  a  small  pinnace 
were  dispatched  to  Basra,  carrying  Robert  Cranmer  and  two  other 
Englishmen.  They  reached  their  destination  on  June  23.  The 
place  fully  maintained  its  reputation  of  being  a  more  profitable  mart 
than  either  Mokha  or  Gombroon  (p.  208)  ;  and  when,  in  the  middle 
of  January,  1645,  the  factors  returned  in  the  Francis  to  Surat,  they 
brought  with  them  a  handsome  sum  of  money  as  the  proceeds 
of  the  season's  sales  (p.  248). 

Spiller,  the  head  of  the  Tatta  factory,  spent  the  whole  of  the 
rainy  season  of  1644  in  the  upper  districts  of  Sind,  investigating 


xii  THE  ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

the  conditions  of  production  and  seeking  for  suitable  places  as 
centres  for  the  purchase  of  indigo  and  calico.  He  reported  that 
the  latter  was  rapidly  deteriorating  in  quality,  owing  to  the  great 
demand  that  had  arisen  for  it  of  late  years.  As  regards  the  former, 
he  found  that  *  the  people  are  so  exceedingly  opprest  and  kept  so 
miserably  poor  that,  notwithstanding  the  soil  is  fertile  and  propper 
and  would  produce  large  quantities  of  good  indicoes,they  have  neither 
will  nor  means  to  manure  and  sow  the  ground ' ;  and  the  com- 
petition of  the  local  dyers  for  the  small  quantity  produced  (p.  203) 
made  it  unprofitable  for  the  English  to  buy  there  during  that 
season,  though  it  was  determined  to  make  a  renewed  attempt  the 
following  year. 

In  England  the  Company,  notwithstanding  the  general  disloca- 
tion of  trade  produced  by  the  Civil  War,  had  succeeded  in  dispatching 
five  ships  to  the  East,  viz.  the  Endeavour  (a  pinnace  specially 
built  for  service  in  Indian  waters)  to  the  Coromandel  Coast,  the 
William  and  Blessing  to  Bantam,  and  the  Crispiana  and  John  to 
Surat.  All  these  were  the  Company's  own  vessels,  it  having  been 
found  by  experience  that  it  was  cheaper  to  build  than  to  hire 
(p.  173).  The  three  last-named  left  the  Downs  early  in  April, 
1644,  and  proceeded  for  some  time  in  company.  Then  the  Loyalty ^ 
one  of  Courteen's  ships,  was  encountered,  bound  for  Mozambique 
and  the  Malabar  Coast.  The  Company  had  arranged  that  the 
John,  which,  being  a  new  ship,  was  an  excellent  sailer,  should  visit 
both  places  on  her  way  to  Surat,  while  the  Crispiana  was  to  go 
straight  to  the  latter  port ;  it  was  therefore  agreed  that,  in  order  to 
anticipate  the  Loyalty^Xh^  John  should  leave  the  other  two  behind 
and  make  for  Mozambique  as  rapidly  as  possible,  rejoining  the 
Crispiana  at  Johanna  (one  of  the  Comoro  Islands).  The  separation 
took  place  on  May  22.  During  the  tedious  weeks  that  followed 
there  was  much  friction  between  the  principal  men  on  board  the 
John.  Mucknell,  the  master,  was  a  man  of  violent  temper  and 
much  addicted  to  drink  ;  like  most  of  the  Company's  sea  com- 
manders he  had  risen  from  the  ranks,  and  he  was  inclined  to  be 
conceited  and  jealous  of  interference.  Edward  Knipe,  the  chief 
factor,  soon  aroused  Mucknell's  resentment  by  urging  the  other 
officers  of  the  ship  to  remonstrate  with  him  on  his  dissolute 
behaviour ;  and  their  relations  were   not   improved    when   Knipe 


INTRODUCTION  xiii 

dropped  hints  that  he  might  be  obliged  to  ask,  on  reaching  India, 
that  Mucknell  should  be  deprived  of  his  post.  Henry  Garry  ^,  the 
second  factor,  who  had  grievances  of  his  own  against  Knipe,  was 
accused  afterwards  of  fomenting  the  discord  between  the  other  two 
by  sympathizing  with  Mucknell  ;  but  this  does  not  appear  to  have 
been  a  serious  element  in  the  quarrel.  Mozambique  was  reached 
on  August  II,  and  quitted  ten  days  later.  While  there,  Knipe 
arranged  to  provide  passages  for  a  Portuguese  official,  with  his  wife 
and  a  large  suite  ;  and  this,  though  it  brought  some  personal  profit 
to  the  master,  was  magnified  by  him  into  a  fresh  grievance.  The 
ship  was  now  speeding  towards  Johanna,  where  the  Crispiana — and 
possibly  others  of  the  Company's  vessels — would  be  found  ;  and 
Mucknell  was  manifestly  ill  at  ease  regarding  Knipe's  intentions 
towards  him.  The  factors,  on  their  side,  suspected  the  master  of 
scheming  to  miss  the  island  ;  and  they  accordingly  sent  him 
a  written  order  to  put  in  there  without  fail — a  step  which  roused 
him  to  fury,  and  confirmed  him  in  his  half-formed  resolution  of 
running  away  with  the  ship  if  the  opportunity  occurred.  He  after- 
wards boasted  that  he  had  intended  to  do  this  from  the  first.  He 
had  personally  suffered  at  the  hands  of  the  Parliamentary  Govern- 
ment (pp.  199,  262),  and  the  idea  of  carrying  over  his  fine  new 
vessel  to  the  royalist  side  was  an  attractive  one.  In  his  maudlin 
moments  he  may  have  dreamed  of  being  knighted  by  the  King 
(p.  265),  and  in  any  case  he  might  count  upon  being  handsomely 
rewarded  for  his  daring  action.  But,  vehement  as  he  was,  he  was 
evidently  somewhat  irresolute  in  character ;  and  in  all  probability 
he  would  not  have  ventured  upon  so  risky  a  step  had  he  not  been 
goaded  to  it  by  his  fear  of  losing  his  post  as  the  result  of  Knipe's 
intended  complaints.  Even  now,  he  put  off  all  action  for  the  present 
and  obediently  anchored  his  vessel  at  Johanna  on  August  25. 

The  fact  that  the  Crispiana  had  already  quitted  the  rendezvous 
favoured  the  carrying  out  of  Mucknell's  scheme,  which  he  now  pro- 
ceeded to  put  in  force.  Craftily  pretending  to  be  desirous  of  a 
reconciliation  with  Knipe,  he  arranged  for  a  dinner  on  shore,  at 
which  all  the  factors  and  those  of  the  officers  whom  he  mistrusted 

*  Remembered  in  Bombay  history  as  having  been  in  later  years  Governor  of  that  island 
(for  King  Charles)  when  the  transfer  to  the  East  India  Company  took  place  {_see  p.  245). 
His  name  is  often  written  '  Gary  * 


xiv  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

were  to  be  present,  to  celebrate  a  mutual  forgiveness  of  all  offences. 
Knipe  and  his  associates  fell  easily  into  the  trap.  At  the  dinner 
(August  2^9)  all  was  cordiality  and  friendliness ;  but  immediately 
after  Mucknell  made  an  excuse  to  leave  the  company  for  a  short 
time,  and  when  the  rest,  tired  of  waiting  for  his  return,  made  their 
way  down  to  the  shore  to  re-embark,  they  saw  to  their  amazement 
that  the  ship  was  under  sail.  The  master  had  slipped  on  board 
and  harangued  the  crew,  begging  their  assistance  in  averting  his 
impending  disgrace,  and  had  then  proceeded  to  announce  his  inten- 
tion of  carrying  the  ship  back  to  England  and  handing  her  over  to 
King  Charles.  The  sailors  were  easily  persuaded  to  agree,  espe- 
cially when  promised  a  share  in  the  money  that  was  on  board.  The 
Portuguese  passengers  were  therefore  sent  on  shore,  and  the  John 
sailed  away. 

Vivid  narratives  by  eyewitnesses  of  these  events  will  be  found  on 
pp.  196,  238,  f?6i,  16%,  and  we  must  leave  to  them  all  details  of  the 
homeward  voyage.  It  must  suffice  here  to  record  that  the  JoJm 
reached  the  English  coast  in  safety  and  was  carried  into  Bristol, 
which  was  then  being  besieged  by  the  Parliamentary  forces.  Her 
cargo,  consisting  chiefly  of  coral,  was  taken  ashore,  and  being  found 
intact  when  the  city  was  stormed  by  Fairfax's  troops,  was  to  a 
great  extent  regained  by  the  Company.  The  vessel  herself  was 
dispatched  under  Mucknell  to  prey  upon  Commonwealth  shipping, 
and  did  considerable  damage  before  her  career  was  ended  by  ship- 
wreck while  endeavouring  to  evade  some  of  the  Parliament's 
cruisers.  Mucknell  himself,  according  to  a  letter  from  the  Company 
to  Surat  in  March,  1646,  '  escaped  to  doe  future  misc[h]iefe,  untill 
Gods  hand  or  the  gallowes  make  an  end  of  him ' ;  and  this  is  the 
last  glimpse  we  have  of  the  disloyal  commander  of  the  JoJin. 

Meanwhile  the  Crispiana,  as  already  related,  had  met  the  battered 
Dolphin  and  Hopewell  at  Johanna,  and  all  three  had  proceeded  to 
Surat,  arriving  vSeptember  18.  A  month  later,  the  Crispiana  sailed 
for  Sind  to  fetch  the  goods  provided  there  for  England.  The 
Hopezvell  was  sent  down  the  coast  to  Cochin,  and  on  her  return  was 
sentenced  to  be  broken  up  as  past  repair ;  while  the  Dolphin  was 
refitted  with  a  view  to  her  speedy  dispatch  once  more  for  England. 
She  departed  accordingly  at  the  end  of  November,  1644,  with 
Fremlen  on  board,  and  reached  the  Thames  the  following  July. 


INTRODUCTION  xv 

Fremlen,  it  may  be  noted,  did  not  long  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his 
Indian  service,  for  he  died  in  March,  1646  (see  Court  Minutes  of 
the  East  India  Company,  1644-49,  p.  ix).  Apparently  he  had  not 
amassed  a  fortune,  for  Methwold,  who  acted  as  his  executor,  pressed 
the  Company  to  pay  full  salary  for  Fremlen's  last  year  in  India,  on 
the  ground  that,  unless  this  were  done,  he  could  not  discharge 
a  legacy  of  500/.  to  the  Company's  Hospital  at  Black  wall  {Ibid.^ 
p.  155).  Probably  Fremlen  had  sustained  some  loss  by  the  disaster 
to  the  Discovery  and  the  damage  to  the  Dolphin  in  his  first  attempt 
to  get  to  England  ;  while  another  unlucky  venture  of  his  is  related 
by  Tavernier  {Les  Six  Voyages,  ed.  1676-77,  vol.  ii.  p.  308). 
According  to  this  story,  Fremlen  and  Breton  had  combined  with 
a  Jew  named  '  Edouard  Ferdinand ' — doubtless  the  Duarte  Fer- 
nandez Correa  of  the  text — to  purchase  a  large  diamond,  which  was 
then  entrusted  to  the  Jew  for  sale  when  he  went  to  Europe  early  in 
1644  {infra^  p.  159).  On  his  arrival  at  Leghorn  he  was  offered 
a  sum  of  about  5,600/.  for  it,  but  this  he  refused  as  insufficient.  He 
then  took  the  stone  to  Venice  to  get  it  cut.  This  was  successfully 
accomplished ;  but  when  the  diamond  was  placed  upon  the  wheel 
for  polishing,  it  broke  into  nine  pieces. 

Early  in  January,  1645,  the  Crispiana  in  her  turn  set  sail  for 
England.  In  the  letter  she  carried  home  (p.  227)  Breton  and  his 
colleagues  expressed  their  astonishment  at  the  non-appearance  of 
the  John,  concerning  which  they  had  only  heard  that  she  had  been 
at  Mozambique.  Towards  the  end  of  the  same  month  their  appre- 
hensions of  disaster  were  verified  by  the  appearance  of  Knipe  and 
his  associates,  who,  after  remaining  at  Johanna  until  September  30, 
had  then  been  taken  off  by  Courteen's  Thomas  and  John,  bound 
for  Karwar  on  the  Malabar  Coast.  Easterly  winds,  however, 
forced  the  vessel  out  of  her  course,  with  the  result  that  she  was 
obliged  to  put  into  Kishm,  in  Southern  Arabia,  for  water  and  pro- 
visions. Proceeding  along  the  coast,  a  Dutch  ship  was  met  with, 
which  was  making  for  Surat ;  and  Knipe  and  his  companions  gladly 
accepted  her  captain's  offer  to  carry  them  thither.  Thanks  to  this 
friendly  assistance,  they  at  last  reached  their  destination  and 
reported  to  the  President  and  Council  the  loss  of  their  ship  and 
their  own  subsequent  sufferings. 

Hardly  knowing  what  to  do  with  so  highly-paid  a  merchant  as 

FOSTER    VII  b 


xvi  THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

Knipe,  the  Surat  Council  determined  to  make  him  chief  of  the 
Agra  factory  ;  and  an  interesting  account  of  his  proceedings  there 
will  be  found  on  p.  399.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  operations  of  the 
English  at  this  time  extended  over  a  considerable  area,  including 
Lucknow,  though  Agra  remained  their  only  permanent  settlement 
in  those  parts. 

The  blow  dealt  to  English  interests  in  India  by  the  defection  of 
the  John  was  a  severe  one  (p.  249).  Breton  and  his  colleagues  had 
been  counting  upon  her  money  and  goods  not  only  for  the  partial 
discharge  of  their  heavy  debt,  but  for  the  provision  of  means  for 
the  many  enterprises  they  had  in  hand.  They  were  now  besieged 
on  all  sides  with  demands  for  the  payment  of  their  obligations,  and 
no  fresh  credit  could  be  obtained.  Fortunately,  on  March  4  the 
Hind  and  the  Seahorse  returned  from  the  Far  East ;  and  when  it 
became  known  that  their  voyages  had  proved  *  reasonable  pros- 
perous \  the  clamour  of  the  Company's  creditors  somewhat  abated. 
The  Hmd  had  reached  Macao  on  August  7,  1644,  and  found  there 
Courteen's  ship  William.  The  factors  received  at  first  '  respective 
enterteinement '  at  the  hands  of  the  Portuguese  authorities ;  but 
this  friendliness  did  not  extend  to  consideration  in  the  matter  of 
port  dues,  and  the  rapacity  of  the  officials,  combined  with  the  stag- 
nation of  trade,  due  in  part  to  a  rebellion  in  China  (p.  250),  much 
reduced  the  profits  on  the  voyage.  The  Seahorse  had  been  hardly 
more  successful  in  her  pioneer  voyage  to  Manilla.  That  city  was 
found  to  be  suffering  likewise  from  poverty,  and  there  was  little  or 
no  market  for  the  goods  the  English  had  brought ;  while  the  Spanish 
authorities,  preoccupied  with  the  war  with  Holland,  were  displeased 
to  find  that  neither  iron  for  guns  nor  saltpetre  for  gunpowder 
formed  part  of  the  vessel's  lading.  Further,  a  change  of  Governors 
was  impending,  and  the  arrival  of  the  new  chief  had  perforce  to  be 
awaited.  Jealousy  on  the  part  of  the  local  traders  and  indifference 
on  the  part  of  the  authorities  still  further  impeded  the  factors' 
efforts.  Moreover,  suspicions  were  not  wanting  that  they  were 
acting  either  as  agents  for  the  Portuguese  or  spies  for  the  Dutch ; 
while  others  averred  that  the  ultimate  object  of  the  English  was 
piracy.  To  allay  these  fears,  Pearce  and  his  companions  decided 
to  send  back  the  Seahorse  to  Surat  and  themselves  remain  another 
year  ;  and  this  was  accordingly  done,  the  Governor  writing  at  the 


INTRODUCTION  xvii 

same  time  to  urge  that  the  next  ship  should  bring  a  supply  of  iron 
and  saltpetre.  The  long  letter  in  which  the  factors  related  their 
experiences  (p.  218)  is  of  the  greatest  interest  for  its  account  of  the 
state  of  affairs  in  the  Philippines  at  this  juncture. 

The  Surat  factors  were  not  willing  of  their  own  accord  to  run  the 
risk  of  sending  a  ship  past  the  Dutch  fortress  of  Malacca  laden 
with  munitions  of  war  for  Manilla ;  but  they  wrote  privately  to  the 
Company  (p.  2,^6),  suggesting  that,  if  a  permit  could  be  obtained 
from  the  Spanish  King,  a  vessel  should  proceed  thither  direct 
from  England  by  way  of  the  Sunda  Straits  ;  or  else  that  the 
Company  should  explicitly  authorize  such  an  attempt  being  made 
secretly  from  Surat.  Meanwhile,  the  Supply  (without  any  contra- 
band of  war)  was  dispatched  from  that  port  for  the  Philippines  on 
April  29,  1645,  with  orders  to  touch  at  Achin,  both  going  and 
returning,  and  to  fetch  away  the  factors  and  their  goods  from 
Manilla.  It  was  just  as  well  that  this  decision  had  been  reached, 
for  in  the  letters  by  the  1645  fleet  the  Company  expressed  grave 
disapproval  of  both  the  Macao  and  Manilla  ventures  and  vetoed 
any  further  attempt  of  the  kind  from  Surat  {O.C.  1970). 

Towards  the  close  of  March,  1645,  the  Hind  and  the  Francis 
sailed  in  company  for  Mokha,  whence  the  former  was  to  return  at 
once  via  Tuticorin,  while  the  latter  waited  to  bring  back  the  factors 
at  the  close  of  the  season.  It  had  been  intended  that  the  Francis 
should  from  Mokha  make  a  venture  to  Suakin — a  project  the  Surat 
factors  had  for  some  time  had  in  mind  (pp.  213,  235,  252) — but  this 
was  found  to  be  out  of  the  question,  in  view  of  the  lateness  of  her 
departure.  Cranmer,  with  three  assistants,  was  once  more  dis- 
patched to  Basra  in  the  Seahorse  at  the  beginning  of  April,  1645, 
and  reached  their  destination  at  the  end  of  June.  They  found  the 
port  overcrowded  with  shipping  and  trade  in  poor  condition.  To 
make  matters  worse,  on  July  19  appeared  two  Dutch  ships,  fore- 
shadowing severe  competition  at  a  place  the  English  had  hitherto 
had  to  themselves  (p.  283).  The  newcomers  arrogantly  demanded 
special  privileges ;  and  although  the  Governor  resolutely  refused 
this  claim,  he  was  quite  willing  to  place  them  on  the  same  footing 
as  other  Europeans.  With  these  terms  they  were  forced  to  be 
content.  They  accordingly  landed  their  goods  ;  and,  although  their 
sales  did  not  amount  to  much,  they  spoiled  (it  was  complained)  the 

b2 


xviii  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

market  for  the  English  (p.  283).  One  of  their  ships  departed  in 
mid-September ;  the  other  was  accidentally  burnt  while  preparing 
to  follow.  The  Engiish  factors  decided  to  remain  until  the  follow- 
ing year ;  but  on  September  22  they  dispatched  to  Surat  the 
Endeavour^  which  had  arrived  on  July  26  to  replace  the  Seahorse, 
as  the  latter  vessel  was,  in  accordance  with  previous  arrangements, 
to  go  to  Tuticorin  before  returning  to  Surat.  The  Endeavour 
reached  Swally  on  November  5 ;  and  the  Hind  and  Seahorse  got 
back  to  that  port  together  just  before  Christmas. 

In  Persia  at  this  time  both  the  Dutch  and  the  English  were 
experiencing  great  difficulties  in  carrying  on  their  trade,  owing  to 
the  rapacity  and  insolence  of  the  chief  officials.  The  dwindling 
trade  of  the  English — for  silk  was  in  no  demand  at  home  while 
civil  war  was  raging  (p.  170) — and  their  want  of  means  were  made 
the  excuse  for  refusing  their  applications  for  the  confirmation  of 
the  privileges  they  had  enjoyed  under  the  late  King  ;  while  all  sorts 
of  ingenious  devices  were  employed  to  defraud  them  of  their  proper 
share  of  the  Gombroon  customs  (p.  208).  To  this  treatment  the 
factors,  seeing  no  remedy,  had  to  submit  with  what  patience  they 
could  muster.  The  Hollanders,  having  more  at  stake,  sought  to 
assert  themselves  by  threatening  active  reprisals,  but  this  only  led 
to  their  agent  being  beaten  and  for  a  time  imprisoned  at  Ispahan 
(p.  170).  The  result  was  seen  in  the  appearance  (April,  1645)  of 
a  strong  Dutch  fleet  at  Gombroon,  with  an  expeditionary  force 
intended  for  the  capture  of  Kishm  and  Ormus  (pp.  255,  257,  268). 
Trade  at  the  port  had  already  been  disorganized  by  a  severe 
earthquake  (p.  266),  and  the  blockade  instituted  by  the  Hollanders 
brought  it  practically  to  a  standstill.  The  reply  received  from 
Ispahan  to  their  demands  proving  unsatisfactory,  an  attempt  was 
made  to  storm  the  Persian  fort  on  the  island  of  Kishm  (pp.  275,  277, 
308).  The  Dutch  were  repulsed  ;  but  this  proof  of  their  warlike 
intentions  so  frightened  the  Persians  that  liberal  promises  of 
redressing  all  grievances  were  made,  if  they  would  send  up  repre- 
sentatives to  the  capital.  Blocq,  the  commander  of  the  fleet,  there- 
upon repaired  to  Ispahan,  but  only  to  die  soon  after  his  arrival. 
Nevertheless,  farmdns  were  obtained,  granting  practically  all  the 
Dutch  demands  (p.  307).  A  letter  from  the  English  factors  at 
Ispahan  in   October,   1645,   reported   that  their  own  negotiations 


INTRODUCTION  xix 

with  the  King's  principal  minister  had  been  cut  short  by  his  murder 
by  certain  high  officials,  who  in  their  turn  were  executed  by  the 
order  of  the  King  (p.  296). 

On  September  25,  1645,  three  ships  from  England — the  Eagle ^ 
Falcon^  and  Lanneret — anchored  in  Swally  Hole.  All  three  were 
new  vessels,  but  only  the  first  was  to  return  for  England,  the  other 
two  being  pinnaces  intended  for  local  traffic.  They  were  straight- 
way dispatched  on  coasting  voyages  ;  while  the  Eagle  was  prepared 
for  her  homeward  journey,  on  which  she  set  out  at  the  beginning 
of  1646. 

In  the  third  volume  of  the  present  series  (p.  xxxiv)  a  table  was 
given,  showing  the  ships  sent  home  from  Surat  each  year  for  the 
period  1615-29.  We  can  now  continue  the  list  for  another 
sixteen  years,  premising  that  the  cargoes  often  included  silk  from 
Persia  or  pepper  from  Bantam,  the  cost  of  which  cannot  be 
separated  from  that  of  the  goods  of  Indian  origin. 

Approximate  cost  of  cargoes. 
[valued  in  England  at  170,000/.] 


Year, 

Ships  sent  home. 

1630 

Charles  (700  tons)  and  Jonas  (800) 

1631 

Discovery  (500)  and  Reformation  (500) 

1632 

Blessing  (700) 

1633 

James  (900) 

1634 

Mary  (800) 

1635 

Jonas 

1636 

Discovery 

1637 

William  (700) 

1638 

Jonas 

1639 

Mary  and  Stvan  (300) 

Discovery 

1640 

London  (800) 

Crispiana  (500) 

1641 

[None] 

1642 

London 

1643 

Crispiana  and  Aleppo  Merchant  (400) 

1644 

Dolphin  (300)  and  Discovery 

1645 

Crispiana 

[valued  in  England  at  150,000/.] 


[valued  in  England  at  58,000/.] 


68,760/. 
40,810/. 

59>45o/. 


58,770/. 
46,500/. 


During  the  period  here  dealt  with,  Courteen's  Association  was 
still  maintaining  an  active  competition  with  the  East  India  Com- 
pany. In  November,  1641,  it  dispatched  three  ships  to  the  East, 
viz.  the  Bona  Speranza,  the  Henry  Bonaventnra,  and  the  Hampton 
Merchant.  The  last-named  was  driven  back  to  Plymouth  by  a 
storm  ;  and  although  she  made  a  fresh  start  in  February,  1642,  she 
either  gave  up  the  voyage  or  was  lost  at  sea,  for  we  hear  no  more 


XX  THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

of  her.  Besides  these  three,  which  were  designed  for  Sumatra,  the 
Loyalty,  Unity ^  and  Hester  were  sent  in  the  spring  of  1642  to  the 
western  coast  of  India.^  All  these  arrived  in  safety  at  Rajapur  and 
Karwar  (p.  62) ;  and  the  Hester  managed  to  procure  some  cinnamon 
at  Goa.  A  quarrel  which  took  place  in  the  latter  port  between  the 
Hester  and  the  Loyalty  is  mentioned  on  p.   89.     In  November, 

1642,  Knipe  found  the  former  trading  at  Cochin  ;  and  on  p.  109  he 
says  that  Courteen's  factory  at  Bhatkal  had  been  re-established. 
The  Henry  Bonaventnra  and  the  Bona  Speranza  reached  Achin  in 
April  and  July,  1642,  respectively,  and  endeavoured,  by  giving 
a  valuable  present  to  the  Queen,  to  obtain  a  grant  of  a  monopoly 
of  the  pepper  trade  on  the  west  coast  of  Sumatra.  In  this,  how- 
ever, they  had  been  forestalled  by  the  Dutch,  and  so  they  were 
obliged  to  content  themselves  with  permission  to  buy  return 
cargoes  in  Achin  itself  {Batavia  Dagh- Register,  1641-42,  p.  174). 
The  Henry  Bonaventnra  was  laden  with  pepper  and  dispatched  for 
England  ;  but,  meeting  with  a  heavy  storm  on  the  way,  was  thrown 
upon  the  island  of  Mauritius  and  became  a  total  wreck.  Three  of 
her  crew  were  taken  off  by  the  Company's  ship  Advice  in  April, 

1643.  T^^  Bona  Speranza  met  a  different  fate.  She  proceeded  to 
Goa,  where,  after  the  rupture  of  Boreel's  negotiations  with  the 
Viceroy,  she  accepted  a  freight  of  Portuguese  goods  for  Macao,  on 
the  assumption  that  the  Dutch  would  not  venture  to  attack  a  vessel 
wearing  the  English  royal  colours  (as  Courteen's  ships  were  privi- 
leged to  do).  This  hope  proved  deceptive  ;  for  in  the  Straits  of 
Malacca  she  was  met  by  two  Dutch  ships,  and  on  her  refusing 
to  go  with  them  to  Malacca  an  action  ensued,  with  the  result  that 
the  English  vessel  was  taken  and  her  cargo  confiscated  (pp.  128, 
129,  148). 

Some  time  in  1643  Courteen  dispatched  to  Achin  a  vessel  called 
the  Little  William.  In  the  middle  of  June  she  was  wrecked  on 
the  African  coast ;  but  the  crew  managed  to  save  a  quantity  of 
money  she  had  on  board,  and  after  a  hazardous  voyage  in  their 

'  On  p.  29  we  find  the  Company  declaring  confidently  that  these  would  be  the  last 
ships  sent  out  by  Courteen,  a  Parliamentary  Committee  having  ordered  him  to  withdraw 
his  factors  and  goods.  The  evidence  on  the  latter  point  is  inconclusive  (see  Court  Minutes, 
1640-43,  pp.  242,  265);  but  if  the  order  was  ever  issued,  it  was  disregarded,  as  will  be 
seen  below.  * 


INTRODUCTION  xxi 

longboat  reached  Madagascar  at  the  end  of  August.  In  May, 
1644,  they  were  picked  up  by  the  Company's  ship  Endeavour^  and 
carried  to  Madras,  where,  for  want  of  means  to  convey  it  to  any  of 
Courteen's  factories,  the  money  was  paid  into  the  Company's 
treasury — an  arrangement  which  led  to  long  controversies  both  in 
England  and  India. 

In  January,  1644,  we  hear  that  two  more  of  Courteen's  ships — 
the  Planter  and  the  William  (Captain  Blackman) — had  arrived  in 
Indian  waters,  and  that  the  former  had  returned  to  England  with 
a  cargo  consisting  chiefly  of  saltpetre  (p.  148).  The  Association's 
factors  were  in  difficulties  at  Goa,  Raybag,  and  Achin  for  want  of 
money,  and  Blackman  was  at  a  loss  how  to  employ  his  ship  with 
any  prospect  of  profit.  In  April,  however,  armed  with  a  licence 
from  the  Viceroy,  he  sailed  for  Macao,  returning  early  in  1645  by 
way  of  Achin  and  Colombo  (p.  254).  At  the  latter  place  he  found 
the  new  Viceroy,  with  whom  he  made  an  agreement  to  bring  out 
in  his  next  voyage  a  quantity  of  munitions  of  war,  to  be  exchanged 
at  Goa  for  cinnamon  (p.  254).  In  July  of  that  year  he  was  met, 
homeward-bound,  at  St.  Augustine's  Bay  by  the  Company's  out- 
going fleet  (p.  312). 

The  ships  designed  for  the  East  by  the  interlopers  in  1644  were 
five  in  number,  viz.  the  Sun^  Hester^  James^  Thomas  ajid  Jo/m, 
and  Loyalty,  The  primary  purpose  of  the  first  three  was  to  carry 
out  a  number  of  planters  who  were  (in  accordance  with  a  scheme 
initiated  by  a  certain  Captain  Bond)  '  to  erect  a  new  commonwealth 
in  Madagascar  '  (p.  176),  a  project  which  turned  out  a  dismal  failure.^ 
The  Loyalty  arrived  on  the  Malabar  Coast  in  the  autumn,  and  was 
dispatched  to  Gombroon  with  a  small  quantity  of  freight  goods 
(p.  217).  Both  she  and  the  Thomas  and  John  found  the  Malabar 
factories  heavily  in  debt,  and  as  neither  ship  brought  any  means 
(P-  '^55)  the  prospect  looked  hopeless.  From  Gombroon  the 
Loyalty  went  on  to  Basra,  arriving  there  early  in  August  (p.  283), 
and  departing  again  on  October  11  (p.  299). 

The  intrusion  of  the  interlopers'  shipping  into  ports  where  the 
Company  had  long  maintained  factories  was  a  clear  infringement  of 
the  rights  reserved  to  the  latter  in  the  grant  of  1637  to  Courteen's 

^  See  Court  Minutes  of  the  East  India  Company  y  1644-49,  Introduction,  p.  vi ;  also  my 
article  in  the  English  Historical  Revieiv  for  April,  1912. 


xxii  THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

Association  \  and  naturally  it  aroused  much  indignation  among  the 
servants  of  the  older  body.  At  Gombroon  the  arrival  of  the  Loyalty 
produced  a  protest  from  the  factors  there,  to  which  an  insolent 
reply  was  returned  (p.  276) ;  and  when  at  Surat  itself  one  of  Cour- 
teen's  ships,  the  Hester^  appeared  in  September,  1645,  flaunting  the 
royal  colours,  the  Company's  factors,  having  three  vessels  at  their 
disposal,  determined  on  drastic  action.  Her  commander  was  pre- 
vented from  landing  or  embarking  any  goods  and  was  forced  to 
haul  down  his  flag  (p.  286).  In  July,  1645,  we  hear  of  another  of 
Courteen's  ships,  the  James,  as  being  at  Madagascar  outward- 
bound  (p.  312),  and  later  she  was  met  at  Rajapur  [O.C.  1970).  Of 
the  general  position  of  the  interlopers  the  Surat  factors  wrote  in 
January,  1646  (O.C.  1970)  that  'they  have  scarcely  credit  enough 
to  buy  clothes  to  keep  their  bodies  warme,  although  the  climate 
requires  not  many.'  The  Thomas  and  John  had  started  for  Eng- 
land too  late  and  had  been  forced  to  return  to  Goa,  where  she 
spent  the  rainy  season  and  then  resumed  her  homeward  voyage. 
The  Sun  had  gone  to  Persia  with  a  cargo  of  logs  from  Madagascar  ; 
and  another  interloping  vessel,  the  Lioness,  under  Captain  Brook- 
haven,  had  reached  Rajapur  from  England,  having  visited  Guinea 
— now  a  regular  resort  of  Courteen's  ships — on  the  way.  The 
Loyalty  was  still  in  Indian  waters  seeking  a  cargo  for  England. 

How  prosperous  the  Hollanders  were  at  this  period  is  abundantly 
testified  by  the  documents  here  calendared  (cf.  pp.  32,  217,  255). 
Not  only  in  the  Far  East  but  in  Arabia,  Persia,  and  India  itself, 
they  easily  outdistanced  their  English  rivals,  alike  in  the  number  of 
their  ships  and  the  extent  of  their  resources.  On  p.  142  we  find 
a  complaint  that  at  Surat  the  Indian  merchants  preferred  to  put 
their  goods  on  board  Dutch  vessels  rather  than  on  English,  '  finde- 
ing  there  much  better  accomodacion  and  noe  less  safety ',  with  the 
result  that  the  Hollanders  had  carried  off  all  the  freight  goods  then 
available.  The  fact  that  two  of  the  vessels  sent  out  to  India  by 
the  English  Company  in  1643  were  Dutch-built  was  a  further  'dis- 
creditt  to  our  nation,  whilst  this  people  (who  know  noe  better) 
enquire  whether  England  doth  not  afifoard  shipping  of  its  owne,  that 
it  is  enforced  to  seeke  and  buy  them  among  strangers '  (p.  141). 

As  there  are  many  references  in  the  present  volume  to  the  rela- 

^  See  Court  Minutes  of  the  East  India  Cofnpany,  1635-39,  p.  275.   , 


INTRODUCTION  xxiii 

tions  between  the  Dutch  and  the  Portuguese,  a  few  notes  on  tie 
subject  may  be  found  helpful.  The  treaty  concluded  at  the  Hague 
between  Holland  and  Portugal  in  June,  1641,^  provided  for  a  ces- 
sation of  hostilities  during  a  period  often  years,  each  party  retaining 
the  territory  which  should  be  in  its  possession  at  the  time  of  the 
publication  of  the  peace.  However,  the  Dutch  authorities  in 
the  East  were  by  no  means  willing  to  be  stopped  in  their  career  of 
victory ;  and,  when  in  the  autumn  of  1641  the  Viceroy  at  Goa  sent 
a  special  embassy  to  Batavia  to  beg  for  a  truce  pending  the  arrival 
of  the  ratified  treaty  from  Europe,  he  was  met  with  a  refusal  on  the 
ground  that  formal  instructions  had  not  yet  been  received  from 
Holland.  A  fresh  fleet  blockaded  Goa  during  the  cold  weather  of 
1641-42  ;  while  in  April,  1642,  the  Portuguese  settlement  of  Nega- 
patam,  on  the  Coromandel  Coast,  was  taken  without  resistance,  but 
was  ransomed  for  an  immediate  payment  of  io,oco  rials  of  eight 
and  a  promise  of  40,000  more,  an  undertaking  which  was  never 
carried  out.  In  the  autumn,  however,  the  arrival  of  the  necessary 
documents  at  Batavia  left  the  Governor-General  and  his  Council 
no  option  in  the  matter.  Accordingly  the  truce  was  formally  pro- 
claimed there  on  October  7  (N.S.) ;  and  a  fortnight  later  Pieter 
Boreel  left  for  Malacca,  Ceylon,  India,  &c.,  to  notify  the  various 
authorities  and  to  arrange  matters  with  the  Portuguese.  Difficulties 
soon  arose.  In  Ceylon  the  Dutch  claimed  the  district  immediately 
round  Galle,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  it  was  actually  in  the  occu- 
pation of  the  Portuguese,  who  had  cooped  up  the  Hollanders  within 
the  walls  of  the  town.  This  demand  being  refused,  Boreel  left 
without  proclaiming  the  peace,  and  sailed  to  Goa,  where  he  arrived 
at  the  beginning  of  April,  1643  (N.S.).  He  was  courteously  re- 
ceived and  treated  with  every  consideration  ;  but  the  Viceroy 
refused  to  give  way  on  the  points  in  dispute,  and  on  the  27th 
Boreel  re-embarked  and  hoisted  the  red  flag,  in  token  that  hostilities 
would  be  resumed.  The  Dutch  now  actively  prosecuted  the  war  in 
all  parts.  The  results  were  not  entirely  to  their  satisfaction.  In 
May  the  Portuguese  inflicted  a  defeat  upon  them  near  Galle 
in  Ceylon  ;  while  in  the  following  month  the  Paiiw,  returning  richly 
laden  from  Persia,  sought  shelter  from  a  storm  in  Marmagao  (near 
Goa),  under  the  impression  that  the  war  was  over  ;  whereupon  the 

^  The  text  will  be  found  in  Biker's  Tratados  (vol.  ii.  p.  loS). 


xxiv  THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

Portuguese  took  possession  of  both  ship  and  cargo,  until  such  time 
as  peace  should  be  proclaimed. 

In  the  autumn  of  1643  a  fresh  fleet  was  dispatched  from  Batavia 
under  Klaas  Kornelisz.  Blocq  to  blockade  Goa,  while  another  under 
Fran9ois  Caron  was  sent  to  prosecute  the  war  in  Ceylon.  Landing 
at  Galle,  the  Dutch  marched  to  attack  the  Portuguese  army,  which 
was  commanded  by  de  Motta  Galvao ;  but  the  latter  had  so  skil- 
fully chosen  his  position  that  Caron  did  not  venture  to  assail  him, 
and  was  forced  to  return  to  Galle.  Colombo  was  next  reconnoitred, 
with  the  result  that  it  was  pronounced  too  strong  to  be  attacked 
with  any  prospect  of  success ;  and  so  the  fleet  passed  on  to  Ne- 
gombo,  a  fortress  twenty  miles  to  the  northwards,  which  the  Portu- 
guese had  retaken  from  the  Dutch  towards  the  close  of  1640.  Here 
Caron  was  more  successful.  The  too  confident  Portuguese  allowed 
the  Hollanders  to  land,  thinking  then  to  overwhelm  them  ;  however, 
in  the  sharp  conflict  that  followed  the  Dutch  were  victorious,  and, 
entering  the  gate  together  with  the  fugitives,  they  quickly  made 
themselves  masters  of  the  fortress  (January  9,  1644  N.S.).^  Caron 
now  marched  upon  Colombo  ;  but  close  to  the  city  he  found  a  river 
held  so  strongly  by  the  enemy  that  further  progress  was  impossible, 
and  he  was  obliged  to  retrace  his  footsteps  and  content  himself  with 
diligently  strengthening  his  new  possession.-  In  March,  1644,  he 
set  out  on  his  return  voyage  to  Batavia. 

In  the  meantime  Blocq,  from  his  station  at  the  bar  of  Goa,  nego- 
tiated in  vain  with  the  Viceroy  for  the  surrender  of  the  Pauw  and 
her  lading.  He  remained  at  his  post  till  April,  1644,  and  then 
sailed  for  Batavia  to  report  to  the  Governor-General.  Advantage 
was  taken  of  his  departure  to  send  an  expedition  to  Ceylon,  and  in 
May  Negombo  was  beleaguered.  In  July  the  Portuguese  attempted 
to  carry  it  by  storm,  but  were  beaten  back  with  great  loss  ;  and  in 
the  following  month  they  abandoned  the  siege.  It  was  now  decided 
at  Batavia  to  depute  Jan  Maatzuiker,  a  member  of  the  Council 
there  and  afterwards  Governor-General  (1653-78),  to  take  up  the 
negotiations  at  Goa  ;    and  with  him  went  Blocq  with  a  powerful 

^  Lisbon  Transcripts,  Doc.  Remett.,  book  48,  f.  290;  Hague  Transcripts,  series  i. 
vol.  xiii.  no.  425;  Dagh- Register,  1643-44,  p.  230,  &c. ;  Van  Geer's  Opkomst  van  het 
Nederlandsch  Gezag  over  Ceilon,  pt.  i.  p.  115. 

^  Caron's  report  in  Hague  Transcripts,  series  i.  vol.  xiv.  no.  441.  * 


I 


INTRODUCTION  xxv 

fleet.  They  reached  their  destination  in  September,  1644,  and  after 
some  trouble  an  arrangement  was  reached  on  November  10  (N.S.)\ 
by  which  Negombo  and  Galle  were  left  in  the  hands  of  the  Dutch, 
pending  the  conclusion  of  a  fresh  agreement  between  the  two 
nations  in  Europe  regarding  Ceylon,  and  the  Paiiw  was  surrendered, 
with  all  her  cargo ;  while  on  the  other  hand  the  Dutch  agreed  to 
pay  100,000  rials  of  eight  in  satisfaction  for  the  ships  they  had 
seized  at  Goa  and  Malacca  subsequent  to  the  date  on  which  the 
Hague  treaty  ought  to  have  taken  effect.  Thus  the  long  warfare 
between  the  Dutch  and  the  Portuguese  came  at  last  to  an  end. 

The  cessation  of  hostilities  between  those  two  nations  was  viewed 
with  some  misgivings  by  the  English  merchants.  The  Portuguese 
no  longer  needed  the  aid  of  the  latter  in  maintaining  communi- 
cations with  Macao  and  other  possessions  ;  while,  with  Goa  once 
more  open  to  shipping  from  Lisbon,  their  competition  in  the  sale 
of  coral  and  other  European  goods  in  the  Deccan  was  increasingly 
felt.  A  more  serious  outcome  was  that  the  cinnamon  which  the 
Portuguese,  while  the  Dutch  blockaded  their  ports,  were  quite 
willing  to  sell  to  the  English,  was  no  longer  likely  to  be  available. 
The  new  King  of  Portugal  had  in  December,  1642,  thrown  open  to 
his  subjects  the  trade  in  all  Indian  commodities  except  cinnamon 
and  other  spices,  which  were  reserved  as  a  royal  monopoly.  In 
consequence  the  Viceroy  was  charged  to  do  his  best  to  prevent  the 
sale  of  any  to  the  English ;  and,  although  these  orders  were  not 
put  into  execution  immediately  (p.  205),  the  Surat  factors  wrote  in 
January,  1645,  that  it  would  be  useless  to  send  a  ship  to  the  Mala- 
bar Coast, '  being  it  is  most  certaine  that  neither  pepper  nor  cinamon 
wilbe  acquirable'  (p.  231). 

In  acting  thus,  the  Portuguese  were  of  course  entirely  within  their 
rights,  and  their  proceedings  caused  no  alteration  in  the  cordial 
relations  which  had  subsisted  between  Surat  and  Goa  ever  since 
the  conclusion  of  the  Accord  by  Methwold  in  January,  1635.  At 
times,  it  is  true,  the  English  merchants  grew  a  little  tired  of  Portu- 
guese punctiliousness  in  the  matter  of  correspondence  (pp.  16,  210) ; 
but  the  solid  benefits  resulting  from  the  free  intercourse  of  the  two 

^  The  text  will  be  fotind  in  Biker's  Tratados,  vol.  ii.  p.  138;  Heeres's  Corpus  Diplo- 
maiicum,  part  i.  p.  429;  Baldaeus's  Malabor-Choromandel,  p.  92;  &c.  There  is  also 
a  copy  among  the  Hague  Trmiscripts  at  the  India  Office  (series  i.  vol.  xiv.  no.  445). 


xxvi  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

nations  in  India  easily  made  up  for  incidental  annoyances.  In 
England  attempts  were  not  wanting  to  turn  the  truce  into  a  more 
permanent  arrangement.  The  treaty  concluded  with  Portugal  in 
1642  (p.  30)  provided  that  the  Accord  should  remain  in  force,  and 
that  commissioners  should  be  appointed  on  both  sides  to  settle 
outstanding  questions.  The  Company  had  already  approached  the 
Portuguese  ambassador  on  the  subject ;  but  he  had  replied  that  he 
had  no  power  to  deal  with  the  matter,  at  the  same  time  assuring 
them  that  the  truce  would  be  '  inviolably  kept '  on  the  part  of  his 
fellow  countrymen  and  promising  that,  should  the  latter  desire 
to  terminate  the  arrangement,  two  years'  notice  should  be  given  in 
place  of  the  six  months  previously  stipulated  (p.  30).  At  the 
beginning  of  1643  ^^^  Portuguese  Agent  requested  the  Company 
to  nominate  commissioners  in  India  to  negotiate  further ;  where- 
upon President  Fremlen  and  four  others  of  the  chief  factors  at 
Surat  were  suggested.  However,  the  Company's  letters  to  King 
Charles  at  Oxford,  asking  for  a  royal  commission  for  the  purpose, 
remained  unanswered ;  and  since  it  seemed  hopeless  to  obtain  such 
a  document  *  in  these  distracted  tymes ',  the  Deputy-Governor 
(Methwold)  and  certain  others  were  instructed  to  treat  with  the 
Portuguese  Agent  and  induce  him  to  write  a  letter  to  Goa  explain- 
ing the  position  of  affairs  {Court  Minutes,  1640-43,  pp.  300,  371). 

It  now  remains  for  us  to  deal  with  the  events  of  this  period  on 
the  eastern  side  of  India.  At  the  close  of  the  last  volume  the 
English  headquarters  on  that  coast  had  just  been  fixed  permanently 
in  the  new  fort  at  Madraspatam  by  the  Agent,  Andrew  Cogan.  At 
Masulipatam  Thomas  Peniston  was  in  charge  ;  while  at  Balasore,  in 
the  Bay  of  Bengal,  John  Yard  was  supposed  to  be  winding  up 
affairs  with  a  view  to  abandoning  the  trade  in  those  parts,  in  obedi- 
ence to  the  orders  he  had  received  to  that  effect.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  he  did  make  a  start  for  Masulipatam  about  the  middle  of 
January,  164:^ ;  but  meeting  with  bad  weather  he  returned  to  Bala- 
sore, and  commerce  in  the  '  Bay '  went  on  as  before. 

Towards  the  end  of  January,  1642,  the  Diaviond,  though  both 
small  and  leaky,  was  dispatched  with  a  cargo  of  goods  for  Bantam, 
and  got  to  that  port  with  much  difficulty  in  the  middle  of  June. 
Some  time  before,  the  pinnace  Advice  had  sailed  for  Gombroon, 
where  she  arrived  on  February  9,  and  left  again  on  March  25, 


INTRODUCTION  xxvii 

reaching  Fort  St.  George  on  April  29  and  Masulipatam  a  few  days 
later.  The  next  event  of  importance  on  the  Coast  recorded  in  these 
papers  is  the  arrival  at  Fort  St.  George  from  England,  on  July  5, 
1642,  of  the  Hopewell^  commanded  by  Andrew  Trumball.  Her 
cargo  was  under  the  charge  of  Francis  Day,  who  had  orders  to  use 
it  solely  for  the  purposes  of  the  First  General  Voyage  and  not  to 
allow  any  of  the  money  to  be  absorbed  in  the  payment  of  the  debts 
of  the  Third  Joint  Stock  ;  but,  as  was  explained  later  (p.  113),  this 
was  found  to  be  impossible,  for  no  fresh  investments  could  be  nego- 
tiated until  existing  liabilities  had  been  met,  and  it  was  therefore 
found  expedient  to  employ  part  of  the  Hopeiveirs  capital  in  dis- 
charging the  debts  at  Masulipatam.  From  that  port  the  Hopewell, 
accompanied  by  the  Advice,  sailed  in  August  for  the  Bay,  where 
she  spent  two  and  a  half  months,  leaving  again  on  December  i. 
The  Advice  had  been  dispatched  from  Balasore  on  November  7  and 
got  back  to  Madraspatam  at  Christmas.  During  the  Hopewell's 
stay  the  English  factory  at  Hariharpur  seems  to  have  been  closed 
(p.  126),  partly  on  account  of  the  silting-up  of  the  mouth  of  the 
Patua^,  and  Balasore  thus  became  the  only  English  station  in 
Bengal  (or  rather  Orissa).  From  the  latter  place  Day  wrote 
in  November,  deprecating  its  abandonment,  and  declaring  that  it 
was  *noe  such  dispisable  place  as  is  voted,  it  beinge  an  opulent 
kingdome  and  you  haveinge  bin  already  at  great  charges  in  gain- 
inge  the  free  custome  of  all  sorts  of  goods '.  The  unwillingness  of 
the  factors  to  cease  trading  in  the  Bay,  however  unprofitable  the 
results  were  to  their  employers,  is  to  some  extent  explained  by 
Trumball's  revelations  on  p.  72  concerning  the  large  amount  of 
private  trade  on  board  the  Hopeivell  belonging  to  Day  and  to  the 
Masulipatam  factors. 

On  p.  43  we  have  a  vivid  account  of  the  stabbing  of  an  English 
soldier  at  Madraspatam  by  a  Portuguese,  who  was  thereupon 
executed  (August  13),  much  to  the  indignation  of  his  fellow 
countrymen.     We  hear  also  about  this  time  that  the  Nayak  to 

'  Walter  Clavell  in  his  account  of  Balasore  (1676)  says  that  it  was  found  that  'the 
cloth  of  Harrapore  (where  our  first  factory  was  settled)  was  without  much  difficulty  to  be 
brought  hither  by  land  and,  the  river  where  our  vessells  usually  had  laine  at  being  stop't 
up,  it  was  noe  easy  matter  to  bring  the  cloth  by  sea,  nor  soe  safe  to  have  vessells  ride 
before  that  place,  as  here  in  the  roade  of  Ballasore'  (77/^  Diaries  of  Streynsham  Master^ 
vol.  ii.  p.  84). 


xxviii  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

whom  Armagon  belonged  had  been  crushed  between  the  Hindu 
and  Muhammadan  powers,  now  again  at  war.  The  Golconda  army 
had  overrun  part  of  his  territory,  and  the  rest  (including  Armagon 
itself)  had  been  occupied  by  a  neighbouring  Nayak,  to  whom 
apparently  the  defence  of  the  frontier  had  been  entrusted  by  his 
uncle,  Venkatapati,  the  King  of  Vijayanagar.  At  the  beginning 
of  October  the  King  died,  and  after  a  short  delay  this  nephew  was 
elevated  to  the  throne  as  Sri  Ranga  Rayalu,  though  many  of  the 
other  Nayaks  were  opposed  to  his  succession,  and  gave  him  a  great 
deal  of  trouble. 

On  September  20,  1642,  Cogan  and  his  colleagues  wrote  to 
Bantam,  enclosing  a  list  of  their  debts  and  coolly  admitting  the 
falsity  of  their  statement  made  eighteen  months  earlier  that  they 
had  cleared  off  all  liabilities.  The  Agent  also  intimated  his 
intention  of  proceeding  to  Bantam  in  the  Advice  early  in  the  new 
year,  leaving  Day  to  fill  his  place  ;  this  proposal,  however,  was 
resisted  by  Day  and  the  other  factors,  and  thereupon  Cogan  con- 
sented to  remain.  Another  letter  written  at  the  same  time  to  the 
Company  mentions  that  the  factory  at  Golconda  had  been  with- 
drawn, leaving  behind  many  irrecoverable  debts  ;  and  it  goes  on 
to  deny  indignantly  charges  of  extravagant  expenditure,  and  to 
make  a  cogent  defence  of  the  policy  of  fortifying  at  Madraspatam. 
In  point  of  fact  the  logic  of  events  soon  justified  the  action  that 
had  been  taken  by  Day  and  Cogan  ;  for,  had  not  the  English 
established  themselves  in  a  strong  position  before  the  Golconda 
troops  overran  the  neighbouring  country,  the  history  of  Fort 
St.  George  would  probably  never  have  been  written. 

The  Fort  was  at  this  time  *  better  then  half  finished',  and  'of 
such  force,  with  the  few  wee  have,  that  wee  feare  not  what  any 
can  doe  against  us,  espetially  so  long  as  wee  have  our  Naique  to 
our  freind,  or  the  sea  open  to  furnish  us  with  food '  (p.  51). 
Of  the  private  lives  of  the  factors  there,  some  curious  details  will 
be  found  on  p.  76.  A  consultation  held  on  December  29  records 
that  *  a  third  bulwarke  of  turfe '  had  lately  been  raised,  on  which 
it  was  decided  to  mount  four  guns  from  the  Advice.  The  cause 
assigned  for  taking  this  precaution  is  that  the  factors  found  '  the 
warrs  and  broyles  increasing  in  this  countrey,  and  now  (by  reason 
of  our  Great  Naiques  imprisonment)  drawing  nere  to  us'  (p.  70). 


INTRODUCTION  xxix 

Damarla  Venkatappa,  under  whose  protection  the  English  had 
settled  at  Madraspatam,  was,  it  appears,  violently  opposed  to  the 
new  ruler  of  Vijayanagar  and,  in  order  to  secure  his  own  position; 
opened  negotiations  with  the  Golconda  invaders.  Sri  Ranga, 
detecting  his  treason,  seized  and  imprisoned  him,  and  stripped  him 
of  most  of  his  territories  (pp.  70,  80).  Thereupon  Damarla's 
brother  levied  troops  to  rescue  him  ;  and  Sri  Ranga,  harassed  on 
every  side,  was  fain  to  pardon  and  reinstate  his  rebellious  vassal. 

The  Advice  was  dispeeded  from  the  Coast  to  Bantam  at  the 
beginning  of  January,  1643.  On  the  arrival  of  the  Hopewell  at 
Fort  St.  George  from  Bengal  towards  the  end  of  December,  1642, 
it  was  decided  to  send  her  on  a  voyage  to  Persia  instead  of  to 
Bantam  (as  first  intended)  and  on  her  return  to  dispatch  her  direct 
to  England,  for  which  purpose  the  Agent  asked  for  a  supply  of  pepper 
from  Bantam.  She  sailed  accordingly  on  December  30,  reached 
Gombroon  March  7,  1643,  and  got  back  to  Madras  on  May  19. 
The  proposal  to  send  her  home  direct  was  not  persisted  in  ;  and 
the  factors  afterwards  explained  that  this  was  only  contemplated 
in  the  event  of  her  not  returning  in  time  to  continue  her  voyage 
for  Bantam  (p.  114). 

John  Yard  sailed  from  Balasore  in  the  junk  Endeavo2ir  on 
November  25,  1642,  leaving  Robert  Hatch  alone  there.  *  For 
ought  wee  can  perceive',  wrote  the  Madras  factors  (p.  78),  'by  the 
relation  of  Mr.  Day  &c.,  Mr.  John  Yard  hath  but  said  the  truth 
in  all  his  letters  concerning  the  fruitfulnes  of  Bengalla  and  the 
profitt  that  may  be  made  to  and  from  that  place,  if  'twere  stocked 
as  it  ought'.  This,  however,  was  the  difficulty,  seeing  how  scarce 
money  was  on  the  Coast  ;  and  the  Fort  St.  George  factors  could 
only  leave  it  to  the  President  and  Council  at  Bantam  either  to 
order  '  our  absolute  abandoninge  those  parts  or  furnish  it  as  it  ought 
to  bee'  (p.  78). 

At  some  unascertained  date  a  '  cowl '  {qanl)  had  been  obtained 
from  the  former  King  (Venkatapati)  confirming  the  concessions 
made  to  the  English  at  Madraspatam  (p.  156)^  ;   and  it  seems  to 

'  Among  the  title-deeds  handed  over  by  Governor  Gyfford  to  his  successor  in  1687  was 
'  one  gold  covvle  plated  from  Yencraputty  RaywoUy '  {Madras  Cousjdtatiofis  of  July  30, 
1687,' quoted  by  Col.  Love).  This  seems  to  have  been  the  grant  here  referred  to ;  and  it  may 
further  be  identified  with  '  the  ancient  phirmaund  of  this  place  granted  by  a  Jentue  king ' 
which  was  lost  at  sea  about  1693  (see  my  Founding  of  Fort  St.  George,  p.  4.3). 


XXX  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

have  been  found  necessary,  early  in  1643,  to  send  a  present, 
through  the  Nayak,  to  Sri  Ranga  Rayalu,  '  to  have  our  priviledges 
confirmd '  (p.  115).  Nothing  is  said  as  to  the  result;  but 
apparently  no  formal  grant  was  obtained  from  the  new  monarch 
until  Greenhill's  mission  in  1645,  described  later.  At  least  this 
seems  to  be  implied  in  the  statement  (p.  290)  that  the  object  of 
that  mission  was  'the  reconfirmation  of  what  was  graunted  unto 
Mr.  Cogan  by  the  great  Nague  under  whose  protection  formerly 
wee  liv'd.' 

As  we  have  seen,  the  Hopewell  got  back  to  Madras  from  Persia 
in  May,  1643.  Relations  had  long  been  strained  between  Day 
and  Trumball,  the  master  of  the  vessel ;  while  the  latter's  peculiar 
methods  of  discipline  had  aroused  much  resentment  among  his 
subordinates.  When,  therefore,  the  Agent  and  his  Council  decided 
to  send  the  Hopewell  down  the  Coast  to  Tranquebar,  a  serious 
situation  arose,  for  not  only  Day  but  many  of  the  officers  and  crew 
refused  to  sail  with  Trumball.  The  latter  afterwards  alleged  to 
the  Company  at  home  that  he  was  the  victim  of  a  plot  on  the  part 
of  Day  and  the  other  factors,  who  resented  his  opposition  to  their 
private  trade,  and  that  the  sailors  were  inveigled  into  bringing 
accusations  against  him,  in  order  to  supply  a  pretext  for  his 
removal.  There  is,  however,  evidence  enough  that  his  violence 
was  strongly  resented  on  board ;  while  the  fact  that  the  Company, 
after  investigating  his  charges  against  Day,  re-employed  the  latter, 
suggests  that  Trumball  failed  to  prove  his  case.  To  get  over  the 
immediate  difficulty,  Cogan  and  his  Council  suspended  the  master 
from  his  post,  and  sent  the  vessel  to  Tranquebar  under  the  care 
of  Day  and  the  chief  mate.  On  her  return,  in  the  middle  of 
August,  Trumball  was  permitted  to  resume  charge,  as  the  factors 
were  unwilling  to  take  the  responsibility  of  ousting  him  altogether 
from  a  post  to  which  he  had  been  appointed  by  the  Company. 
This  decision,  however,  had  perforce  to  be  reconsidered.  Day 
flatly  declared  that  he  would  rather  resign  and  proceed  overland 
to  Surat  than  venture  upon  a  fresh  voyage  with  Trumball ;  while 
those  of  the  ship's  company  who  had  lodged  complaints  were 
equally  unwilling  to  place  themselves  once  more  at  the  mercy  of 
the  enraged  master.  In  this  emergency  Cogan,  who  was  still 
anxious  to  get  away  from  the  Coast,  suggested  that  D^  should 


INTRODUCTION  xxxi 

take  his  place  as  Agent,  and  that  he  himself  should  proceed  to 
Bantam  in  command  of  the  ship ;  and  since  no  better  way  out 
of  the  difficulty  could  be  found,  the  proposal  was  adopted.  Day 
accordingly  became  Agent  for  the  Coast,  while  Cogan  departed 
for  Masulipatam  and  Bantam  in  the  Hopewell  on  August  28,  1643. 
From  Bantam  he  sailed  for  England  in  December  following.  In 
a  letter  carried  by  the  Hopewell  the  Madras  factors  wrote  that  the 
country  was  in  the  throes  of  civil  war,  *  one  Nague  against  another, 
and  most  against  the  King ' ;  but  the  latter,  by  means  of  a  large 
present,  had  induced  the  King  of  Bijapur  to  send  an  army  to  his 
assistance,  and  he  was  therefore  likely  to  gain  the  upper  hand 
(p.  115).  They  also  announced  the  arrival  of  the  Advice^  which, 
in  obedience  to  orders  from  home,  had  been  dispatched  from 
Bantam  the  previous  spring  on  a  voyage  of  discovery.  She  had 
missed  the  Cocos-Keeling  Islands  (one  of  the  objects  of  her 
search) ;  and  although,  after  touching  at  Rodriguez  and  Mauritius, 
she  reached  Reunion,  her  officers  failed  to  recognize  in  that  island 
the  one  called  '  the  English  Forest ',  of  which  they  were  in  quest 
(p.  119).  They  were  little  more  successful  in  their  attempts  to 
obtain  negro  slaves  at  the  Comoros.  From  Fort  St.  George  the 
Advice  proceeded  to  the  Bay,  returning  from  thence  towards  the 
end  of  January,  1 644. 

On  September  23,  1643,  the  Hart  from  England  anchored  in 
Madras  Roads,  bringing  10,000/.  in  specie  and  six  chests  of  coral. 
With  the  bulk  of  her  cargo  she  was  sent  on  to  Masulipatam,  to 
discharge  the  most  pressing  of  the  Company's  debts  and  to  make 
an  investment  for  Bantam.  She  quitted  the  former  port  on 
October  21,  and  reached  Bantam  in  the  middle  of  December. 

The  Bantam  factors,  writing  in  January,  1644,  mention  that 
Day  had  chosen  William  Netlam,  who  had  just  come  out  in  the 
Hart^  to  proceed  to  Bengal  and  take  charge  of  affairs  there — an 
arrangement  of  which  they  strongly  disapproved  (p.  134).^  Netlam 
duly  repaired  to  Balasore  (p.  207),  and  on  p.  193  William  Gurney 
is  also  mentioned  as  being  there ;  but  it  would  seem  that  Robert 
Hatch  remained  in  charge  at  that  place  until  he  was  relieved  by 

*  In  a  list  of  factors  printed  on  p.  132,  Hatch  and  Travell  are  mentioned  as  the  only 
factors  in  Bengal  at  this  time ;  but  the  list  was  compiled  at  home,  from  such  particulars  as 
were  available,  and  it  seems  improbable  that  Travell  ever  went  thither  (cf.  pp.  120,  154). 

FOSTER    Vll  ^ 


xxxii  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Henry  Olton,  who  arrived  there  in  the  Endeavotir  in  the  autumn 
of  1644. 

A  letter  from  Madras  dated  in  January,  1644,  and  sent  to 
Bantam  by  the  Advice,  is  full  not  only  of  the  usual  lamentations 
of  want  of  means  but  also  of  apprehensions  of  actual  violence. 
Damarla,  it  appears,  was  once  more  in  disgrace  and,  it  would  seem, 
in  rebellion ;  and  his  place  had  been  given  to  Malaya,  a  merchant 
who  had  grown  wealthy  through  acting  as  the  principal  agent  of 
the  Dutch  in  their  commercial  transactions.  Moved  either  by 
ambition  or  by  a  fear  of  being  plundered  himself  should  others 
get  the  upper  hand,  he  was  now  taking  an  active  part  in  support 
of  Sri  Ranga,  and  with  the  help  of  the  Dutch  was  busily  engaged 
in  subduing  the  district  which  had  been  assigned  to  him.  This 
brought  him  in  collision  with  the  English,  for  he  demanded  from 
them  the  surrender  of  their  control  over  the  revenues  of  the  town 
of  Madraspatam  (p.  156).  To  such  a  claim  the  factors  were 
determined  never  to  yield ;  but  they  manifestly  feared  lest  they 
should  be  attacked  by  Malaya,  and  they  suspected — quite  wrongly, 
it  would  seem — that  the  Dutch  were  at  the  bottom  of  the  whole 
affair,  their  aim  being  '  to  have  the  sole  trade  of  the  coast '  (p.  154). 
However,  a  fresh  turn  in  the  unstable  politics  of  Vijayanagar  soon 
relieved  them  from  their  apprehensions.  Malaya  came  in  his  turn 
under  suspicion  of  treason  and  was  dismissed  from  his  new  post. 

A  small  vessel  from  England  named  the  Endeavour  (not  to  be 
confused  with  the  junk  of  the  same  name  which  Yard  had  bought 
in  Bengal)  reached  Fort  St.  George  at  the  beginning  of  July,  1644, 
and  was  thence  sent  to  Masulipatam.  From  the  latter  port  she 
proceeded  to  Chicacole  and  Balasore.  The  money  she  had  brought 
out  sufficed  to  pay  the  debts  at  Madras ;  while  on  August  4  the 
Swan  arrived  from  Bantam  with  a  fair  cargo  and  a  new  Agent  in 
the  person  of  Thomas  Ivy.  Writing  in  the  following  month  to  the 
Company  by  that  vessel  (then  about  to  return,  with  Day  on  board, 
to  Bantam),  Ivy  and  his  colleagues  stated  that  up  to  that  time 
Fort  St.  George  had  cost  for  building  nearly  2,300/.,  and  2,000/. 
more  would  be  required  to  finish  it.  Three  out  of  the  four  bastions 
had  been  completed  ^ ;  but  the  fourth  was  yet  lacking,  as  also  the 

^  Cogan,  when  interrogated  at  home  concerning  the  state  of  the  building,  declared  that 
*  three  bulwarcks  and  the  tower  (or  house)  in  the  midst  is  finished,  and  'S\  peaces  of 


INTRODUCTION  xxxiii 

connecting  walls  and  the  necessary  warehouses  and  lodging  rooms. 
The  garrison  numbered  fifty,  at  a  cost  of  a  little  more  than  a  pound 
a  month  each ;  and  double  that  number  would  be  needed  when  the 
Fort  was  finished.  The  factors  were  still  unhappy,  for,  though  they 
had  now  received  the  desired  supply  of  money,  they  found  that  the 
Dutch  had  already  secured  all  the  calicoes  worth  buying.  They 
had,  however,  made  up  a  cargo  for  the  Swan,  consisting  of  some 
rather  inferior  piece-goods,  indigo,  and  gunpowder.  The  neighbour- 
ing districts  were  in  a  disturbed  state,  owing  to  a  fresh  invasion  by 
the  troops  of  the  King  of  Golconda.  The  commander  of  this  army 
had  summoned  the  Dutch  at  Pulicat  to  submit,  and  the  English 
expected  to  be  attacked  in  their  turn ;  but  they  were  relieved  by 
the  sudden  appearance  of  a  Hindu  force,  which  completely  routed 
the  invaders  (p.  193). 

The  Endeavour  returned  to  Masulipatam  from  Bengal,  bringing 
with  her  Robert  Hatch,  in  November,  1644;  and  a  month  later  she 
was  dispatched  to  Persia  and  Surat.  On  January  6,  1645,  the  Sea- 
flower  arrived  from  Bantam  and  was  sent  on  to  Fort  St.  George  for 
a  return  cargo.  This  procured,  she  started  on  her  voyage  back  to 
Bantam  on  May  5.  At  the  end  of  July  the  Advice  reached  Madras 
from  that  port,  and  was  thereupon  sent  down  the  coast  to  Tegna- 
patam,  where  she  embarked  a  large  quantity  of  goods  that  had  been 
prepared  for  her.  With  these  she  got  back  to  Fort  St.  George  on 
September  7,  and  was  then  dispatched  to  Masulipatam  to  complete 
her  lading  for  Bantam. 

A  letter  from  Madras  dated  September  8,  1645,  advised  that 
a  quarrel  between  the  Dutch  and  Malaya,  who  was  backed  by  the 
Vijayanagar  monarch,  had  resulted  in  open  warfare,  and  that  con- 
sequently Pulicat  was  in  a  state  of  siege.  The  piece-goods  in  the 
hands  of  weavers  employed  by  the  Dutch  had  been  seized  upon  by 
Malaya's  soldiers,  and  the  factors  were  much  exercised  over  the 
question  whether  it  would  be  safe  to  purchase  these  from  the  captors, 
as  they  were  being  urged  to  do.  Their  hesitation  was  increased  by 
the  threats  of  the  Dutch  to  search  all  English  ships  and  take  out 
of  them  any  cloth  thus  acquired ;  but  they  were  somewhat  en- 
ordnance  mounted  er  I  came  from  thence,  and  some  part  of  the  materialls  provided  to  goe 
on  with  the  rest.'  See  The  Founding  of  Fort  St.  George,  p.  23,  and  Court  Minutes  of  the 
East  India  Company,  1644-49,  PP*  54~57* 


xxxiv  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

couraged  by  the  receipt,  on  October  i,  of  a  letter  from  Sri  Ranga, 
declaring  that  the  seizures  had  been  made  by  his  authority  and 
desiring  them  to  complete  the  purchase  (p.  285).  At  the  same 
time  he  invited  them  to  send  a  representative  to  his  court ;  and  as 
this  seemed  a  fitting  opportunity  '  to  have  our  old  priviledges  re- 
confirmM,  with  the  adition  of  a  great  many  more ',  it  was  decided 
to  depute  thither  the  Second  in  Council,  Henry  Greenhill,  with  four 
other  Englishmen  as  attendants. 

No  details  have  come  down  to  us  of  Greenhill's  proceedings  at 
Vellore,  but  the  grant  that  resulted,  dated  in  November,  1645,  is 
printed  on  p.  305.  It  followed  much  the  same  lines  as  the  original 
concession  from  the  Nayak  Damarla  Venkatappa.  The  English 
were  freed  from  all  customs  or  duties  at  the  port  on  their  mer- 
chandise, and  also  from  tolls  on  provisions  brought  from  the  inland 
districts  ;  while  their  goods  passing  through  the  district  of  Puna- 
mallee  were  to  pay,  as  before,  only  half  the  usual  duties.  The 
customs  paid  by  other  merchants  were  to  be  shared  with  the  royal 
treasury.  The  town  of  Madraspatam  and  a  piece  of  ground  adjoin- 
ing were  made  over  to  the  English,  and  they  were  authorized  to 
administer  the  'government  and  justice'  of  the  same.  The  con- 
cession regarding  goods  recovered  from  wrecks  was  renewed  ;  and 
a  promise  was  given  that  the  settlement  should  be  independent  of 
the  control  of  any  of  the  neighbouring  Nayaks.  Nothing  was  said 
regarding  the  right  of  mintage  previously  granted. 

One  interesting  point  about  this  grant  is  that  the  new  settlement 
is  therein  designated  Srirarigarayapatam — the  term  obviously 
applying  only  to  the  Fort  and  its  surroundings,  since  Madraspatam 
is  separately  mentioned.  As  noted  in  the  introduction  to  the 
previous  volume  (p.  xlii),  the  new  settlement  had  been  previously 
known  to  the  natives  as  Chennappapatam,  after  Damarla's  father. 
The  explanation  seems  to  be  that  the  King  at  this  time  bestowed 
his  own  name  upon  the  town,  as  a  mark  of  favour  and  in  order  to 
wipe  out  the  memory  of  a  family  now  in  disgrace.^  It  is  not  sur- 
prising to  find  that  this  attempt  to  alter  a  well-established  designa- 
tion proved  a  failure  ;  and  to  this  day  a  form  of  the  old  name  is  still 
used  by  natives  of  Madras. 

No  vessel  being  available  for  dispatch  to  Bengal  this  season,  the 

^  See  the  remarks  on  p.  32  of  my  Founding  of  Fort  St.  George.    , 


INTRODUCTION  xxxv 

Madras  Council  ordered  Olton,  whom  they  intended  to  make  chief 
at  Viravasaram,  to  take  passage  from  Balasore  to  Masuh'patam  in 
a  Dutch  vessel,  leaving  Netlam  in  charge  at  the  former  place ;  and 
they  intimated  their  intention  of  closing  before  long  '  that  unproffit- 
table  factorie ',  where  there  was  *  litle  or  noe  bussiness '  (p.  293). 
Olton  duly  obeyed  these  directions  and,  after  handing  over  the 
remaining  cash  to  Netlam,  proceeded  to  Fort  St.  George  (O.C. 
1981). 

The  present  volume  introduces  us  to  Gabriel  Boughton,  the 
English  surgeon  whose  professional  skill  is  generally  alleged  to 
have  been  the  means  of  obtaining  for  his  nation  important  privileges 
in  Bengal.  The  story,  as  given  in  Stewart's  History  of  Bengal 
(p.  ^^51),  is  that  in  1636,  the  Emperor's  daughter,  Jahanara,  having 
been  badly  burnt  owing  to  an  accident,  a  message  was  sent  to 
Surat  desiring  the  assistance  of  a  European  surgeon  ;  that  Boughton, 
the  surgeon  of  the  Hopewell^  was  thereupon  sent  to  court  and  was 
successful  in  effecting  a  cure  ;  and  that,  upon  being  invited  to  name 
his  reward,  he  magnanimously  refused  to  accept  anything  for  him- 
self, but  requested  *  that  his  nation  might  have  liberty  to  trade  free 
of  all  duties  to  Bengal,  and  to  establish  factories  in  that  country '. 
The  narrative  adds  that,  this  privilege  having  been  duly  granted, 
Boughton  proceeded  to  Pippli,  and  in  1638,  an  English  ship  hap- 
pening to  arrive  in  that  port,  he,  in  virtue  of  his  grant,  secured  for 
her  merchants  complete  exemption  from  customs  duties ;  and  that 
later  on,  by  curing  a  favourite  of  Shah  Shuja,  the  Emperor's  second 
son,  who  was  then  Governor  of  Bengal,  he  greatly  increased  his  influ- 
ence and  was  able  to  assist  his  countrymen  to  start  factories  at 
Balasore  and  Hugli,  in  addition  to  that  at  Pippli. 

This  account  is  demonstrably  wrong  in  dates  and  in  several  other 
respects.  The  English  never  had  a  factory  at  Pippli ;  while  that 
at  Balasore  owed  nothing  to  Boughton^'s  assistance.  Moreover,  as 
pointed  out  by  Yule  and  others,  the  accident  to  the  Princess 
occurred  early  in  1644,  when  the  court  was  at  Delhi ;  and  not  only 
would  it  have  been  impossible  to  procure  a  surgeon  from  Surat  in 
time  to  be  of  any  service,  but  we  are  expressly  told,  from  an 
Indian  source,  that  her  recovery  was  due  to  a  famous  Lahore 
physician.  The  actual  facts  of  Boughton's  deputation  are  given 
on  p.  229  of  the  present  volume.    Asalat  Khan,  a  prominent  official 


xxxvi  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

at  court,  had  repeatedly  asked  for  an  English  surgeon  ;  and  the 
arrival  of  the  Hopewell,  in  September,  1644,  enabled  the  President 
and  Council  to  gratify  his  wishes.  According  to  the  memorandum 
referred  to  below,  Boughton,  her  surgeon,  had  been  at  Madras 
(though  no  trace  of  his  presence  there  can  be  found  in  the  extant 
records)  and  had  proceeded  thence  to  Bantam  in  1643,  with  the 
intention  of  going  home.  The  vessel's  failure  to  complete  her 
voyage  left  him  at  Surat,  we  are  told,  penniless ;  and  this  would 
account  for  his  readiness,  there  being  no  other  opportunity  of 
employment,  to  enter  the  service  of  Asalat  Khan.  It  is  not  clear 
when  he  started  to  take  up  his  new  post;  and  the  Surat  factors 
make  no  further  mention  of  him,  as  they  certainly  would  have  done 
had  any  important  grant  of  privileges  resulted  from  his  mission. 
An  interesting  letter  recently  discovered  (see  the  Indian  Antiquary 
for  May,  191 2)  shows,  however,  that  he  was  with  Asalat  Khan  at 
Balkh  in  1646;  and  we  shall  hear  something  of  him  in  later  years 
from  the  other  side  of  India.  Meanwhile  we  may  note  that,  on 
the  death  of  his  patron  in  1647,  Boughton  seems  to  have  proceeded 
to  the  court  of  Shah  Shuja,  in  Bengal.  There,  it  is  said,  he  cured 
a  favourite  member  of  the  Prince's  haram,  with  the  result  that  he 
gained  considerable  influence  with  the  Shah  and  was  able  to  afford 
useful  help  to  his  fellow  countrymen  when  they  were  seeking  to 
establish  themselves  at  Hugh  in  1651.  Boughton  himself  died  in 
1653  or  1653. 

The  question  of  the  source  from  which  Stewart  drew  his  version 
of  the  story  is  not  without  interest.  Stewart's  own  reference  is 
unintelligible ;  but  the  fact  that  much  the  same  account,  though 
in  a  briefer  form,  was  given  at  an  earlier  date  by  Orme  in  his 
Military  Transactions  has  enabled  both  to  be  traced  to  a  document 
now  preserved  in  vol.  xxx  (p.  0^^  of  the  Fort  St.  George  Factory 
Records  in  the  India  Office.^  This  is  a  copy  of  a  memorandum 
written  in  February,  1685,  by  some  factor  in  Bengal,  giving  an 
account  of  the  origin  and  progress  of  the  English  settlement  in  that 
province ;  and  it  evidently  embodies  the  tradition  then  current  of 
Boughton's  share  in  procuring  the  necessary  privileges.  Its  inac- 
curacies are  therefore  easily  explained.     We  may  further  note  that 

^  See  an ''article  by  me  in  the  Indian  Antiquary  for  September,  191 1,  where  this 
document  is  printed  in  full.  » 


I 


INTRODUCTION  xxxvii 

a  rather  earlier  embodiment  of  the  legend  is  to  be  found  in  Thomas 
Bovvrey's  Geographical  Account  of  the  Countries  round  the  Bay  of 
Bengal^  1669-79  (Hakluyt  Society,  1905).  In  this  no  mention  is 
made  of  the  cure  of  the  Princess  Jahanara,  while  Mir  Jumla  is 
substituted  for  Shah  Shuja  as  Boughton's  second  patron. 

Several  references  occur  in  the  present  instalment  (pp.  9,  200, 
232,  312)  to  the  operations  of  the  French  in  Madagascar  and 
elsewhere;  while  on  p.  134  there  is  an  allusion  to  Tasman's 
discoveries  in  the  South  Seas.  Among  other  points  of  interest, 
attention  may  be  directed  to  the  remarks  on  pp.  136  and  202 
concerning  the  decline  of  indigo  cultivation  ;  also  to  the  account 
given  on  the  latter  page  of  the  practice  of  mixing  that  commodity 
with  sand.  On  pp.  161  and  216  we  find  references  to  marine 
insurance  at  Surat.  Dhanji,  the  Company's  broker  at  Agra^  whose 
moving  account  of  the  death  of  John  Drake  was  given  in  the  last 
volume,  was,  we  hear,  dismissed  in  1644  for  negligence  and  dis- 
respect, and  '  chiefly  for  endeavouring  to  distroy  Mr.  Turner  by 
sorcery'  (p.  215).  Finally,  on  p.  152  we  have  an  interesting 
epilogue  to  the  story  of  John  Leachland  and  his  Indian  wife, 
showing  the  efforts  made  by  the  Surat  Council  to  dispose  respec- 
tably of  the  daughter  who  was  the  offspring  of  that  ill-starred 
union. 


THE  ENGLISH  FACTORIES  IN  INDIA 

1642-45 

John  Allison,  Commander  of  the  Discovery,  at  Gom- 
broon TO  THE  President  AND  Council  at  Surat,  January  i:z, 
1642  {O.C,  1786). 

Wrote  last  by  the  Dutch  *  pram '  \see  the  previous  volume,  p.  41]. 
On  December  23  he  took  the  ship  over  to  Larak  to  procure  ballast, 
returning  the  28th.  Found  that  Mr.  Hall  had  arrived  from  Ispahan 
two  days  before.  The  whole  cargo  was  put  on  shore  in  good 
condition,  and  the  passengers  were  '  well  content,  loving,  and 
courteous.'  So  also  was  the  Sultan  [i.  e.  the  Governor]  until 
a  dispute  arose  between  him  and  Mr.  Wheeler  as  to  the  number 
of  Englishmen  to  be  allowed  to  watch  at  the  custom-house.  The 
result  was  that  on  January  4  those  employed  in  this  duty  were 
attacked  by  about  three  hundred  men,  who  killed  one  of  them, 
seized  the  rest  and  carried  them  to  the  Sultan's  door,  where  they 
were  so  unmercifully  beaten  that  some  died.  '  Had  it  not  bene 
for  the  Companies  estate  on  shoare  and  the  merchants  lives  theare 
resident,  I  would  have  heaved  out  all  the  ballast  which  I  had 
formerly  taken  in  and  a  runn  the  Discovery  ashoare  at  three 
quarter  flud  before  the  towne  (for  its  all  soft  oose),  and  then  with 
Gods  assistance  I  would  not  a  doubted  but  to  a  beate  theire  durty 
brittle  towne  and  castle  about  theire  eares  ;  and  I  hope  to  live  to 
be  employed  about  some  such  action  or  some  other  to  be  revenged 
on  such  unmercilesse  dogs,  who  hath  so  barbarously  and  cruelly 
tortured  and  murthered  these  poore  honest  men.'  The  surgeon's 
mate^,  while  on  shore,  had  three  arrows  shot  into  him  and  died 
next  morning.  Thirteen  men  have  been  buried  since  they  left 
Swally,  and  others  are  sick ;  the  crew  will  therefore  have  to  be 
reinforced  before  the  ship  goes  to  Mokha.     An  anchor  and  cable 

*  His  name  is  given  in  0,C.  1783  as  Daniel  '  Wormcleiton '. 

FOSTER    VII  B 


2  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

also  needed.     Fears  there  will  be  little  freight  forthcoming  here. 
The  Agent  is  daily  expected.     {Cop}/.    2^//.) 

President  Fremlen,  Francis  Breton,  and  John  Wylde 
AT  SwAixY  Marine  to  the  Company,  January  27,  164^^ 
(O.C  1787). 

On  July  25  received  overland  from  Masulipatam  the  Company's 
letters  of  November  13,  1640  ;  and  on  September  2,y  the  London 
and  Discovery  arrived  with  those  dated  March  26  and  27,  1641.^ 
The  Crispiana  sailed  from  Swally  on  January  3,  1641,  'full  and 
richly  laden  \  A  letter  left  by  her  master  at  Johanna  on  February  3 
was  picked  up  there  by  William  Bailey,  master  of  the  Reformation^ 
on  May  8,  brought  to  Masulipatam  on  July  9,  and  received  here 
on  August  13.  Enclose  transcripts  of  her  invoice  and  of  the  letter 
sent  in  her.  Now  answer  the  letter  of  November  13, 1640.  Rejoiced 
to  hear  of  the  safe  arrival  of  four  ships  and  wish  the  Jewel  had  been 
among  them.  Fear  that  all  hope  of  her  safety  must  now  be 
abandoned,  especially  as  she  was  a  slow  and  unsafe  vessel.  Similarly, 
the  Pearly  Comfort^  Swan^  and  Expedition  were  all  bad  sailers  and 
much  slower  than  the  Dutch  ships.  Trust  that  in  future  the 
Company  will  buy  or  build  vessels  like  the  Coaster  or  Caesar  and 
not  '  such  mishapen  ill  conditioned  cole  tubbs '  as  those  mentioned. 
Are  glad  that  the  letters  forwarded  by  way  of  Basra  arrived 
seasonably.  Thank  the  Company  for  the  men  and  stores  now  sent 
for  their  small  shipping.  Reprisals  are  made  upon  the  Malabars 
at  every  opportunity.  The  Seahorse  and  Francis^  in  March  last, 
soon  after  leaving  Swally  for  Basra,  captured  three  Malabar  vessels 
laden  with  coco-nuts,  &c.  Fourteen  of  the  principal  men  were 
made  prisoners,  two  of  the  vessels  were  burnt,  and  the  rest  of  the 
Malabars  were  turned  adrift  in  the  third  without  sail  or  oars.  They 
got  to  Surat,  with  the  aid  of  one  of  the  Mogul's  junks,  and  there 
demanded  justice  from  the  Governor.  He,  however,  '  having  some 
few  dales  before  bine  beholding  to  us  for  undertaking  convoy  of 
his  junck  to  Bussora  (which  then  in  company  of  your  vessells 
voiaged)  and  bringing  thence  horses,  for  which  hee  covenanted  to 
pay  yow  five  tomands  fraught  for  each  horse  his  servants  bought 
and  delivered  us  for  transport  hither,  and  a  rupee  for  each  abassee 

*  None  of  the  letters  mentioned  is  extant. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  3 

expended  on  such  horses  as  should  by  your  servants  bee  bought 
and  brought  hither  for  your  accompt,  became  deafe  to  their  clamors. 
And  so,  with  a  litle  formal!  seeming  displeasure   for  ceizing  so 
neare  this  port  merchants  vessells  bound  to  this  port,  this  busines 
was  overpast ;    and  wee  not  troubled  with  giving  passes  to  this 
theftuous  nation  untill  Mirza  Jam  Cully  Beague  our  new  Governors 
coming,  who  by  his  continued   importunity  prevayled  with  us  to 
graunt  passes  to  nine  only,  and  to  promise  safe  conduct  to  them, 
if  your  vessells  encountred  them  to  the  norwards  of  Damaon  ;  but 
if  to  the  s[outh]wards  of  that  place,  or  elcewheare,  they  became 
obvious  to  your  people,  they  might  imploy  their  most  of  power 
and  courage  to  chastize  and  surprize  them.     Unto  this,  though 
wee  were  in  a  manner  inforced  to  submit,  because  the  Governor 
pretending  that  the  coast  trending  somewhat  below  Bullsar  is  his 
Kings  and  therfore  ought  properly  so  farr  to  protect  such  as  would 
trade  to  his  ports,  yet  wee  consented  with  so  much  seeming  un- 
willingnes  that  the  Mallabars  doe  hardly  credit  us.'     In  point  of 
fact  the  cargoes  which  the  latter  bring  to  Surat  are  of  such  small 
value  that  they  are  not  worth  troubling  about.     '  The  best  way  to 
revenge  you  of  them,  and  repaire  your  losses,  is  to  waylay  their 
vessells  bound  to  Aden  and  Mocha.'     The  Supply  was  sent  thither 
for  that  purpose,  but  arrived  too  late ;  however,  the  Francis  goes 
to    Mokha    shortly    and    will,   it    is   hoped,    have    better   success, 
'  notwithstanding  the  maenaces   Esquire  Courtyns  grand   Captain 
Hall  delivered  in  Mr.  Prowds  hearing  that,  if  wee  disturbed  or 
surprized  the  Mallabars,  hee  or  his  subordinates  would  affoard  like 
measure  to  the  Guzuratt  juncks  whearever  they  encountred  them. 
Nor  may  they  hope  other  from  such  rash  insolent  fellowes,  unlesse 
Your  Worships  can  timely  contrive  to  reduce  or  restraine  their 
bravings  ;  for  in  the  heights  of  their  jollities  they  know  no  master 
but  the  King,  whose  flag  being  advanced  on  theire  ships  topmasts 
gives  their  wisedomes  cause  of  wonder  how  your  shipmasters  dare, 
being  in  sight  therof,  to  keepe  the  English  flag  abroad.'     Are  glad 
that  satisfaction  has  been  recovered  from  Gosnoll  for  the  missing 
bale  of  calicoes  ;    and   have  warned  other  pursers  that  they  are 
responsible  for  all  goods  included  in  their  bills  of  lading.     Will 
say  no  more  about  their  controversy  with  the  factors  in  Persia, 
though  they  are  of  opinion  that  good  has  resulted,  as  the  factors 

V,  2 


4  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

have  since  shown  much  greater  diligence.  The  orders  to  Agent 
Merry  to  return  to  India  were  forwarded  to  Gombroon  by  the 
Discovery  on  November  i8.  Owing  to  the  large  quantities  of 
broadcloth  brought  out  in  private  trade,  the  Company's  consign- 
ment had  to  be  sent  to  Persia  for  sale.  Merry  will  on  arrival  be 
admitted  to  the  Surat  Council,  as  directed.  Possibly  he  may 
be  sent  to  Ahmadabad  to  replace  Robinson,  who  has  been  recalled ; 
but  for  the  present  George  Tash  will  be  left  in  charge  of  that 
factory.  The  English  house  at  Gombroon  is  not  the  absolute 
property  of  the  Company.  A  sum  of  200  tumans  was  lent  upon 
the  security  of  the  building,  with  the  proviso  that  the  English 
should  occupy  it  rent-free  for  eight  years ;  but,  the  owner  dying 
not  long  after  in  debt  to  the  King,  his  estate  was  seized  and  the 
house  is  now  royal  property.  By  giving  a  present,  the  Agent 
obtained  a  farman  allowing  the  English  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  the 
former  contract ;  yet  unless  another  farman  be  procured,  granting 
them  a  longer  period,  they  are  likely  to  be  turned  out  or  made 
to  pay  rent  for  it.  Consider  it  necessary  to  retain  a  factory  at 
Ispahan,  for  otherwise  the  Persian  officials  may  refuse  to  pay  the 
English  share  of  the  customs ;  and  besides  the  King  will  probably 
insist  upon  this,  as  also  upon  an  annual  present.  Other  news  from 
Persia.  Goods  landed  there  by  the  Dutch.  Narrate  the  purchase 
at  Ahmadabad  by  Benjamin  Robinson,  without  authority,  of  670 
bales  of  the  previous  year's  indigo.  This  is  of  inferior  quality ; 
and,  moreover,  '  at  opening  the  bales  the  indico  was  discovered 
to  bee  full  of  holes,  which  small  wormes,  bred  from  the  juice  of 
a  trees  barke  mixed  with  indico  at  its  making  to  give  it  the  better 
coullor,  had  eaten  not  only  through  that  but  through  all  the  indicoe 
made  the  passed  yeare,  as  wee  in  the  218  bales  returned  from 
Gomroone,  and  many  other  merchants  of  this  towne  in  divers 
parcells  which  they  owned,  have  experimented ;  which  though 
the  indico  looseth  nothing  of  its  owne  substance,  because  the  wormes 
feed  only  on  the  intermixture,  yet  some  dust  is  therby  caused  and 
much  losse  in  weight  induced.'  Altogether,  the  Company  is  likely 
to  lose  2,426/.  by  Robinson's  action  ;  and  to  meet  this  he  has  only 
about  1,380/.  in  England  and  whatever  is  due  to  him  as  ten  years' 
salary.  He  has  been  so  much  affected  by  the  occurrence  that  they 
feprcd  '  hee  would  have  pitcht  upon  some  desperate  resolutions ' ; 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  5 

but  he  is  now  in  a  better  frame  of  mind  and  willingly  goes  home 
in  this  ship  *  to  prostrate  himself  to  your  mercy.'  They  praise  his 
abilities  and  express  regret  that  this  unfortunate  incident  should 
have  spoilt  his  career.^  This  ship  (the  Lo7idon)  carries  home 
814  bales  of  Sarkhej  indigo,  part  of  which  (being  last  year's  growth 
and  making)  '  is  the  best  and  purest  that  ever  Serquez  vented  ; 
made  so  by  the  strict  injunction  and  inforcement  of  the  Ahmudabad 
Governor'  \see  the  previous  vohime^  p.  274].  Hope  to  send  a  large 
consignment  of  equal  quality  by  the  Discovery.  Are  glad  to  find 
that  Biana  indigo  is  in  good  demand  in  England.  They  could 
have  supplied  a  large  quantity,  had  the  Company  sent  the  necessary 
means  to  purchase  it ;  but  as  they  have  not  been  pleased  to  do  this, 
the  ship  must  be  filled  up  with  sugar  and  other  low-priced  com- 
modities. The  non-arrival  of  the  large  supplies  of  money  expected 
'  hath  now  so  much  declined  your  credit  that,  after  the  proceed  of 
the  rials  was  paid  out  [or]  rather  ceized  on  by  your  Suratt  creditors 
(as  will  in  consultations  held  in  October  more  plainely  appeare) 
nothing  was  left  to  send  to  Ahmudabad  to  cleare  your  goods 
thence  ;  where  also,  besides  Benjamin  Robinsons  debt  for  his  indico, 
Your  Worships  owed  upwards  of  10,000  li.  sterling,  and  without 
monies  it  was  impossible  to  bring  them  thence  ;  insomuch  that  wee 
even  despaired  of  sending  home  your  ship  London  this  yeare.  In 
these  necessitous  and  calamitous  times,  your  greatest  creditor, 
Virgee  Voura,  whose  indeed  requiry  of  his  monies  brought  first 
your  credit  in  question  in  Suratt,  .  .  .  undertooke  our  releife.'  He 
unexpectedly  offered  a  loan  of  100,000  rupees,  payable  in  Ahmad- 
abad,  and  thus  enabled  them  to  provide  a  lading  for  the  Lo?ido7i. 
Their  want  of  means  has  forced  them  to  'forbid  continuance  of 
cloth  investments  in  all  your  factories,  especially  in  Agra,  which 
furnisheth  most  of  the  kinds  of  browne  cloth  wherof  in  Ahmudabad 
those  dyed  severall  sortments  requested  at  Bantam,  Mocha,  Persia, 
and  Bussora  are  made  ;  for  which  places  the  intended  investments 
were  inhibited  also,  and  so  must  continue  untill  you  are  pleased 
to  affoard  us  tooles  to  worke  with.'  Further,  it  has  been  found 
necessary  to  keep  back  for  Mokha  a  certain  quantity  of  indigo  and 

^  The  Company,  after  investigating  the  matter,  fined  Robinson  i,ooo/.,  but  re-engaged 
him  and  allowed  him  to  pay  by  instalments  the  part  of  the  fine  not  already  covered  by  the 
amount  due  to  him  for  wages  {Court  Minutes,  1640-43,  pp.  305,  330,  &c.). 


6  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

calicoes,  the  proceeds  of  which  will  be  applied  to  the  reduction 
of  their  debt,  or  (if  they  can  get  further  credit)  to  make  an  invest- 
ment at  Agra  in  goods  for  England.  Urge  a  plentiful  supply  of 
money  if  the  Discovery  is  to  be  sent  home  (as  they  hope)  fully 
laden  in  November  next.  Have  notified  the  Agra  factors  of  the 
want  of  weight  in  the  Biana  indigo.  Regret  the  defects  in  the 
'joories'  from  Sind.  Now  send  89  bales  of  calicoes  from  those 
parts,  ']^  being  from  '  Nussurpore-^ '  and  the  rest  from  '  Durd[  ]  ^ 
a  towne  scituated  higher  up  that  great  river  of  Indus.'  Both  are 
somewhat  dearer  than  usual,  but  the  general  dearth  of  cotton  wool 
last  year  throughout  India  has  increased  the  price  of  yarn  and 
consequently  of  calico  in  all  places.  Have  ordered  20,000  pieces 
of  Sind  calico  for  next  season,  and  hope  to  provide  them  at  cheaper 
rates.  Some  {jroad  '  Scinda  joories '  are  now  forwarded  ;  also 
59  bales  of  indigo  from  thence.  '  Saltpeeter  wee  send  none  ;  nor 
should  not  have  medled  with  sugar,  if  not  to  prevent  dead  fraught.' 
Part  of  that  carried  by  this  ship  was  bought  at  Ahmadabad  ;  the 
rest  is  Bantam  sugar,  received  by  the  Swan.  Have  put  146  bales 
of  cotton  yarn  into  the  London.  Could  not  procure  any  good  dry 
ginger.  A  quantity  of  Nosari  calicoes  forwarded.  At  Broach  and 
Baroda  Dutch  competition  and  the  dearness  of  cotton  wool  forced 
up  the  prices  to  an  unreasonable  figure ;  hence  they  bought  but 
little.  A  considerable  quantity  of  Agra  calicoes  sent.  Of  these 
the  '  Dereabads '  came  partly  '  whited  '  and  partly  '  browne  ',  and 
the  latter  have  since  been  bleached  at  Surat  and  the  neighbouring 
factories.  All  of  them  were  bought  '  at  Lucknoo  and  other  townes 
beyond  Agra,  where  they  are  made  and  whence  they  are  carried 
to  Agra  for  sale.'  Twelve  bales  of  '  Keyrabads '  sent ;  they  are 
both  broader  and  longer  than  Broach  baftas.  Of  '  Mercooles '  they 
forward  52  bales ;  also  a  quantity  of  '  Eckburies,  a  larger  and  longer 
sort  of  Agra  cloathing  then  the  Mercoolees.'  A  great  many  of 
these  were  bought,  but  most  were  'transformed  in  Ahmudabad 
into  byrams,  selaes,  cassedees,  large  chints,  and  other  sorts  of 
sundry  denominations  requested  at  Bantam  and  Mocha  specially.' 
Have  also  provided  a  quantity  of  Agra  calicoes  similar  to  narrow 
baftas.     'The   cloth    is  very  even   and   substantially  made  neare 

^  Nasarpur,  not  far  from  Hyderabad  (Sind) :  see  the  1634-36  volume,  p.  128. 
'  Probably  Dadu,  in  the  Larkana  District.  , 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  7 

Agra,  and  there  tearmed  Guzzees,  of  uncertaine  lengthes,  some  of 
80,  some  70,  some  more,  some  lesse  (most  above  40  coveds) ;  sold 
there  by  the  hundred  coveds  ;  of  which  in  Ahmudabad  cannikeenes 
of  both  sortes,  ardeas,  blew  baftaes,  and  the  like  are  made  and  sent 
to  Mocha,  Persia,  Bussora,  &c.'  Some  of  these  calicoes  being 
found  suitable  for  England,  they  have  been  bleached  and  are  now 
forwarded.  If  approved  at  home,  large  quantities  can  be  provided 
at  cheaper  rates  than  the  Tatta  or  the  Gujarat  cloth.  Bornford 
and  his  assistants  at  Agra  have  saved  the  Company  much  money 
by  buying  such  goods  at  first  hand  and  sending  them  to  Ahmad- 
abad  to  be  dyed,  whereas  formerly  they  were  bought  at  the  latter 
place  at  second  or  third  hand.  Want  of  money  has,  however,  put 
a  stop  to  their  operations,  and  John  Turner  and  Francis  Hammersly 
have  consequently  been  recalled  to  Agra  from  '  the  out-townes.' 
Could  not  procure  *  Guiney  stuffes '  in  time  for  this  ship,  but  will 
send  some  by  the  next.  Forward  some  '  tapseels ',  part  woven  in 
Surat  and  part  bought  in  Sind.  Of  Ahmadabad  '  cloathing '  they 
have  laden  some  white  '  dutties ',  some  *  whited  seriaes  broad ',  some 
quilts,  and  some  '  pintadoes '.  Could  not  get  any  gum-lac  from 
Agra  or  Ahmadabad,  but  have  now  bought  a  parcel  in  Surat  ;  also 
some  olibanum,  aloes  Socotrina,  and  myrrh.  Virji  Vora  was  for 
some  time  unable  to  fulfil  his  contract  made  with  President  Meth- 
wold  to  provide  Deccan  pepper,  but  he  afterwards  agreed  to  deliver 
the  stipulated  quantity  at  Calicut  in  October,  1641,  if  the  English 
would  fetch  it  from  thence.  The  London  was  accordingly  sent 
thither,  with  William  Pitt  and  Thomas  Hill  on  board ;  also  John 
Wylde  and  George  Oxenden,  who  were  to  be  left  at  Goa  on  the 
way.^  The  ship  sailed  on  October  25  and  reached  Calicut  on 
November  11.  On  her  arrival  Virj I  Vora's  servants  declared  that 
the  pepper  was  at  '  Punnone'  [Ponnani],  to  which  place  the  Lofidon 
proceeded  accordingly.  There  she  was  furnished  with  a  small 
quantity  of  pepper,  of  bad  quality,  besides  some  cardamoms  and 
turmeric  ;  and,  after  embarking  at  Goa  some  arrack  and  cinnamon, 
she  returned  to  Swally  on  December  27.  The  pepper  was  taken 
on  shore,  as  being  unfit  to  send  for  England ;  and  50  tons  of 
Bantam  pepper  have  been  laden  instead.  They  are  very  angry 
with  Virji  Vora  for  '  this  peece  of  villany ',  but  they  can  do  nothing 

»  Cf.  Bagh-Register,  1641-42,  pp.  223,  235,  339. 


8  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

to  punish  him  until  they  are  able  to  pay  the  money  they  owe  him. 
Wylde  and  Oxenden  were  sent  to  Goa  to  congratulate  the  new 
Viceroy,  settle  certain  accounts,  and  procure  (if  possible)  some 
cinnamon.  Their  mission  was  *  so  gratefull  and  so  well  accepted  ' 
that  they  obtained  without  difficulty  a  considerable  quantity  of 
cinnamon,  which  is  now  sent  home.  Moreover,  *  besides  the  clearing 
those  severall  depending  accompts  with  that  state  and  its  officers 
(whose  debts  you  now  receave  in  cinamon),  wee  come  to  know  that 
the  V[ice]  Roy  will  bee  yet  further  intreated  to  furnish  you  with 
greater  quantitieb  of  that  comoditie  ;  and  hath  allready  suspended 
subscription  to  a  petition  exhibited  to  him  by  Leonard  Woodman  ^, 
imploring  license  to  setle  a  residence  for  his  masters  servants  in 
Goa,  untill  hee  had  first  consulted  with  your  President  and  receaved 
his  refusall  of  such  favor.'  It  has  accordingly  been  determined  by 
consultation  that  the  Swan  on  her  way  to  Bantam  shall  land  Pitt 
and  Hill  at  Goa, '  not  only  to  pay  for  part  of  the  cinamon  for  which 
you  are  yet  indebted  to  the  Jesuits  (who  were  the  readiest  and 
rendred  themselves  the  ablest  to  serve  you  in  these  occasions), 
but  to  continue  a  residence  there,  so  to  prevent  the  Courtinians 
entrusion',  purchase  more  cinnamon,  and  attend  to  other  affairs 
affecting  the  Company.  Cardamoms  and  turmeric  sent  home. 
Acknowledge  that  their  borrowings  have  exceeded  the  limits  fixed 
by  the  Company,  but  they  could  not  otherwise  have  provided  such 
large  cargoes  for  England,  Basra,  and  elsewhere.  By  the  London 
alone  they  return  6,955/.  more  than  was  sent  out  in  her  and  the 
Discovery.  Refer  to  their  accounts,  &c.,  for  particulars.  They  had 
expected  a  much  larger  remittance  and  on  the  strength  of  this  had 
involved  themselves  in  engagements  which  could  not  be  cancelled  ; 
but  they  hope  to  receive  means  before  long  which  will  set  matters 
on  a  proper  footing.  Thank  the  Company  for  '  advizing  so  timely 
the  unlawfull  undertakings  of  the  Deip  and  St.  Malloes  shipping, 
and  in  sending  the  Discovery  to  secure  your  owne  and  this  countries 
vessells  from  their  cruell  rapinous  clutches ;  whose  purposes  (the 
very  day  they  became  knowne  unto  us)  we  publisht  to  this  townes 
Governor  and  inhabitants,  and  with  them  our  resolves  not  to  bee 
lyable  to  any  damage  that  should  by  those  French  vessells  accrew 
unto  them ;  which  we  then  assured  them  would  bee  early  in  the 

^  The  agent  for  Courteen's  Association.  * 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  9 

Red  Sea  Streights,  for  (besides  your  advice  of  them)  jointly  wiih 
your  letters  wee  received  others  from  Agent  Cogan  &c.,  and  with 
them  copy  of  a  commission  given  by  Cardinall  Richliew  to  one 
David  Digger,  captaine  of  the  Rose  of  Diepe  .  .  .  who,  arriving 
safely  to  the  iland  of  St.  Laurence,  spawnd  there  and  produced 
a  demy  pynnace,  called  the  Magdalen^  which  was  there  set  to- 
gether, rig'd,  fitted,  and  furnished  with  two  minion  cutts,  oares, 
men,  and  what  elce  wanting;  in  which  aequipage  Mr.  Bayly 
found  and  left  them  at  Augustine  Bay;  whence  (wee  since  come 
to  know  from  the  master  of  this  pynnace)  they  set  saile  and 
shaped  their  course  to  the  Red  Sea  Streights,  where,  meeting  with 
overboisterous  weather,  they  parted  company;^  when  this  pynnace, 
not  daring  to  oppose  those  growne  seas  and  being  very  poorely 
fitted  with  edible  provisions,  steered  before  the  winde,  which  blowing 
towards  the  coast  of  India  brought  them  in  sight  of  your  ships 
London  and  Discovery  off  Damaon,  and  afterwards  on  board  the 
former  ;  where  her  master  and  company  desiring  supply  of  victualls 
was  denyed  by  Mr.  Prowd,  if  they  intended  to  spend  them  on  board 
their  owne  vessell,  yet  offered  to  releive  and  receave  them  into  the 
London  if  they  could  resolve  to  leave  her,  which  could  not  in  proba- 
bility without  hazard  conveigh  them  to  Europe.  Necessity  inforced 
their  consent  and  retirement  to  the  Londo7i.  Their  vessell  being 
then  adrift,  Mr.  Prowd  &c.  bought  her  for  your  use  and  behoofe  at 
30/.  sterling  (to  bee  paid  in  India),  put  lo,  of  your  seamen  into  her, 
and  brought  her  with  him  into  Swally  Hole ;  where,  after  she  had 
made  one  voiage  to  Suratt  with  lead  and  corall,  she  was  (being 
brought  on  ground  to  cleanse),  by  her  masters  negligence  cheifly 
and  by  the  weathers  roughnes,  bilged  ;  yet  her  guns,  anchors,  masts, 
and  rigging  were  all  saved,  and  are  estimated  to  be  worth  much  more 
then  you  pay  for  the  vessell  and  them  together.'  Of  her  original 
crew  six  were  Scots  and  six  Frenchmen.  The  former  were  added 
to  the  crew  of  the  Discovery  ;  the  latter  served  on  the  London  without 
pay  until  she  returned  from  the  Malabar  Coast,  when,  finding  three 
Dutch  ships  at  Swally,  they  petitioned  for  leave  to  join  them, '  unlesse 

^  Apparently  the  ship  returned  to  Madagascar ;  for  Francois  Cauche  {Relations  Vcritables 
ct  Curieiises  de  Vlsle  de  Madagascar,  1651,  p.  24)  chronicles  the  arrival  there  from  the 
Red  Sea  of  a  Dieppe  ship  under  one  Digart,  though  the  name  of  the  vessel  is  given  as  the 
Margturite. 


lo  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

they  also  might  have  wages  for  their  service '.    As  the  vessels  were 
shorthanded  Mr.  Proud  was  permitted  to  enrol  these  Frenchmen  and 
to  apportion  them  wages.     No  news  has  been  heard  of  any  other 
French  ship  ;  '  so  that  it  is  thought  those  of  St.  Malloes  were  elce- 
where  disposed.     For  all  the  vessells  belonging  to  this,  Cambaiett, 
and  Dio  ports  sent  last  yeare  to  Mocha  are  safe  returned,  with  good 
advance  on  the  merchandizes  they  carryd  hence  ;  and  some  of  them 
redispeeded.     Others  also  are  preparing  to  follow,  but  are  not  suffered 
to  lade  untill  both  the  great  junkes  belonging  to  this  King  are  full ; 
which  also  wee  feare  will  somewhat  decline  that  ample  fraught  wee 
hoped  to  have  made  on  the  Discovery'     Pepper  is  not  particularly 
scarce  '  in  Decan  or  Mallabar ',  and  yet  it  is  said  to  be  very  dear. 
The  Dutch  at  '  Rawbaag '  [Raybag]  declare  that  the  *  Courtinians ' 
are  paying  37  pagodas  per  'gunney'  [sack:  see  the  previous  volume, 
p.  237].    '  Wee  would  not  willingly  pay  so  deare  for  their  interruption 
in  that  trade,  whilest  the  Dutch  effect  what  you  had  recomended 
to  William  Pitts  agitation  with  no  charge  to  you.'     Indeed,  as  pepper 
fetches  only  \6d.  per  lb.  at  home,  it  is  a  wonder  that  the  trade  is 
thought  to  be  worth  following.    When  the  Londoji  passed  by  Rajapur 
on  December  13,  Courteen's  ship  William  was  lying  there  ready  to 
set  sail  for  England,  with  a  cargo  of  pepper,  saltpetre,  cinnamon, 
cardamoms,  &c.     The  cinnamon  is  said  to  have  been  bought  near 
Cochin  from  the  '  Ceiloan  caphila  ^  '.     Except  for  this  commodity, 
her  lading  is  not  likely  to  produce  much  profit.     '  If  by  such  returnes 
a  trade  to  India  can  subsist,  wee  shall  thinke  the  better  of  yours, 
notwithstanding    your   continued    complaints   against   it.'      Hope 
seasonably  to  hear  of  the  exclusion  of  Courteen's  factors, '  notwith- 
standing his  Woodmans  this  yeares  investment  with  the  title  of 
Agent,  confirmed  by  His  Majesties  commission,  as  in  a  pardon 
graunted  by  him  to  one  of  his  masters  servants,  who,  having  absented 
himself  and  fearing  punishment,  retired  to  Goa  and  would  not  bee 
thence  recalled  untill  the  Agent  sent  him  his  pardon,  signed,  sealed 
and  delivered,  which  for  the  rarenes  of  the  stile  and  method  wee  have 
herewith  inclosed  to  you.     The  Paradox  and  William  arived  very 
early,  the  former  in  July,  the  latter  towards  the  fine  of  August. 
When  the  London  and  Discovery  anchored  in  Augustine  Bay,  they 
found  there  Mr.  Courtyns  Willia7n  and  Hester^  the  one  bound  to 
'  The  Portuguese  fleet  of  small  vessels  bringing  merchandise  to  Goa  from  Ceylon. 


THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES  ii 

India,  the  other  to  England.'  Refer  to  Mr.  Proud  for  details.  '  What 
fate  attends  the  Choromandell  actions  wee  cannot  divine.  New 
complaints  we  find  yearly  exhibited  against  it,  and  wee  cannot  but 
credit  the  reality  of  them.  Would  to  God  wee  knew  how  to  rectify 
and  redresse  them.  Your  affaires  are  now  without  all  question  more 
orderly,  though  for  ought  wee  perceave  litle  more  fortunately,  then 
formerly  managed  ;  for  though  from  thence  wee  receave  accompts 
of  your  busines,  yet  they  come  clogged  with  such  excessive  expences 
and  charges  (wherof  those  of  housekeeping  are  reasonable  enough) 
that  our  Bantam  freinds  and  ourselves  seldome  see  the  moiety  of 
what  Your  Worships,  they,  and  wee  furnish.'  At  Bantam  they  have 
received  little  more  than  20,000  pagodas  out  of  the  cargoes  of  the 
Expedition,  Hopewell,  and  Reformation,  which  aggregated  over 
30,000/.  sterling.  From  Surat  Cogan  and  his  colleagues  have  been 
furnished  with  22,864  pagodas,  and  yet  only  11,042  pagodas  have 
been  received  in  return.  The  last  remittance  of  14,000  pagodas 
the  Coast  factors  were  required  to  make  good  upon  the  arrival  of 
means  from  England  or  Bantam  ;  but  this  has  not  been  done,  and 
probably  only  four  or  five  thousand  pagodas'  worth  of  goods  may 
be  expected  in  lieu  thereof.  The  Bantam  factors  suspect  those  at 
Surat  of  endeavouring  to  secure  goods  from  the  Coast  which  should 
properly  be  sent  to  the  former  factory  ;  and,  although  assured  to 
the  contrary,  '  they  take  liberty  to  slight  and  deride  us  with  most 
unbefitting  language ',  as  shown  in  the  accompanying  letter.  Have 
forwarded  to  the  Coast  factors  the  Company's  letters.  'They 
have  lately  replyed  therto ;  which,  together  with  the  Agents  par- 
ticular, in  answer  to  what  hee  stands  accused  touching  consortship 
with  Mr.  Ivy  in  the  matter  of  private  trade,^  goe  jointly  herewith 
enclosed.  Wherein  because  hee  pretends  that  the  foundation  of 
Fort  St.  George  was  laid  by  our  order,  wee  must  necessarily  contra- 
dict and  convince  him  from  his  owne  letters,  which  it  seemes  have 
bine  received  also  by  Your  Worships.  If  not,  as  last  yeare,  wee 
are  againe  ready  to  prove  (what  peradventure  the  first  projector  of 
it,  Francis  Day,  being  at  home  with  you,  will  vouch)  that  they  first 
pretended  the  Naigue  promised  to  build  a  fort  for  us  at  his  owne 
charge ;  which  when  advized  us,  wee  wondred  more  at,  then  we 
trusted  in,  such  without  example  kindnes ;  but  then  sundry  pretences 

*  See  the  Court  Minutes  of  the  East  India  Company^  1640-43,  p.  144. 


la  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

being  framed  to  make  it  appeare  more  probable,  wee  consented  to 
suffer  the  Naigue  doe  what  he  pleased  with  and  on  his  owne  ground, 
since  it  could  not  then  hurt  [and]  might  somewhat  have  helped  your 
affaires,  if  hee  would  have  made  good  his  promises.  However,  wee 
prescribed  the  most  of  caution,  and  urged  (even  in  the  same  words) 
what  Your  Worships  have  bine  pleased  to  say  of  it — that  Armagon 
was  not  deserted  with  intent  to  raise  out  of  its  ruine  a  new  charge 
unto  you.  But  ere  our  letters  arrived  the  worke  was  begun  by 
Francis  Day,  and  paid  for  from  your  cash  ;  which  when  wee  blamed 
in  the  Agent,  and  put  him  in  mind  of  the  Naigues  specious  promises, 
hee  answered  that  hee  had  said  as  much  to  the  Naigue,  who  (as  well 
he  might)  derided  him  for  thinking  so  much  folly  as  that  hee,  without 
any  obligation  to,  would  build  a  fort  for  us.  In  a  word,  the  fault 
was  laid  upon  Mr.  Dales  misunderstanding  the  Naigue,  and  so  the 
walls  were  raysed  ;  which,  rather  then  the  worke  should  cease,  Day 
offered  we  know  not  what  contribution  towards  it.  Now  the  greatest 
part  of  them  are  finished,  and  may  happily  stand  to  doe  you  good 
service,  for  without  such  defensible  places  your  goods  and  servants 
among  such  treacherous  people  are  in  continuall  hazard ;  the  just 
feare  wherof  hath  induced  the  Portugalls,  Dutch,  and  Danes  to  frame 
unto  themselves  more  safe  habitations ;  and  such  questionlesse  will 
be  wanting  unto  you,  although,  considering  the  subsistance  of  your 
present  affaires  and  the  meane  trade  you  drive  on  that  coast,  this 
Fort  St.  George  is  in  its  erection  unseasonable,  in  its  being  over 
chargeable.  However,  hitherto  we  have  heard  a  faire  report  of  it. 
The  worst  is  its  over  neare  vicinity  to  the  Portugalls  of  St.  Thome  ; 
not  in  respect  of  any  hurt  they  can  doe  the  Fort,  but  because  of  the 
many  idlers,  both  men  and  weomen,  who  fraequent  the  Fort  so  much 
that  divers  of  the  English  souldiers  are  (as  Mr.  Cogan  saith)  married  ; 
which  hee  pretends  must  necessarily  bee  tolerated,  or  the  hotshots 
will  take  liberty  otherwise  to  coole  themselves  (strange  tenents  to 
bee  received  for  truth).  How  forward  the  worke  is  wee  desire  you 
heare  read  from  its  founders  letters  ;  for  more  then  there  is  done 
(if  they  will  heare  us)  shall  not  bee  added  untill  wee  or  they  receave 
answer  to  what  was  therof  writ  by  the  Crispiana ;  although  much 
inconvenience  [and]  some  danger  may  attend  this  desistence  from 
prosecuting  the  worke  to  perfection.  In  those  parts  abundance  of 
good  and  good  cheape  cloth  is  said  to  bee  procurable,  and  w^e  find 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  13 

the  experiment  therof  in  the  large  investments  the  Dutch  yearly 
make  therabouts  ;  so  that,  if  you  could  resolve  to  inlarge  your  trade, 
wee  conceave  by  what  wee  have  heard  of  it  that  the  Fort  is  con- 
veniently enough  scited  and  may  serve  you  to  many  good  purposes  ; 
and  therfore,  since  you  have  bine  pleased  to  referr  its  maintenance 
or  dissolution  to  our  doome,  we  have  seriously  considered  of  it  and 
at  last  resolved  to  let  it  stand  till  your  next  yeares  battery  ;  by  which 
time  also,  becoming  better  acquainted  with  that  people,  wee  shall 
better  know  how  to  determine  it.  Wee  shall  not  need  herein  more 
to  inlarge  of  your  Coast  factors  actions,  because  their  owne  letters 
speakes  the  Reformations  arrivall,  carga[zoon],  and  dispeed  to 
Bantam,  the  Dyamond dind  Endeavors  dismission  to  the  Bay  Bengala, 
to  pay  debts  and  bring  your  factors  thence  (who  have  so  often  bine 
fruitlesly  called  thence),  and  such  other  their  proceedings  as  merit 
your  notice ;  of  whose  subordinacy  wee  are  heartily  weary,  and 
could  (if  you  were  pleased  to  thinke  it  fittest  for  your  service)  even 
wish  them  againe  submitted  to  Bantam,  because  our  reprehensions 
(when  wee  apprehend  their  proceedings  unreasonable  or  improvi- 
dent), though  presented  to  them  in  a  mild  modest  dyalect,  appeare 
so  offensive  and  greivous  that  they  are  againe  retorted  uncivilly  and 
unsatisfactorily,  insomuch  that  wee  are  somewhat  troubled  to  resolve 
how  to  deale  with  them.  .  .  .  With  all  other  your  subordinate  inland 
factories  wee  agree  well  enough  and  are  complyed  with  observantly, 
for,  if  wee  conceive  any  reason  to  find  fault  with  any  misdoeings  or 
neglects  in  them,  they  are  readily  rectified  ;  but  if  wee  blame  these 
Coast  factors  overbreife  expressions  in  their  journalls  (wherwith  nor 
wee  nor  no  men  clce,  wee  thinke,  can  be  satisfied),  or  if  from  such 
abstracts  of  accompts  (rather  then  accompts  themselves)  wee  cannot 
rightly  apprehend  their  meanings,  and  therfore  desire  better  informa- 
tion, as  in  our  letter  of  the  30th  June  .  .  .  wee  receave  taunting 
replies,  as  in  their  letter  of  the  3d  September  .  .  .  and  must  quietly 
take  them  for  current  payment,  unlesse  wee  should  determine  to 
bandy  disputations  ad  infinitum.  To  avoid  therfore  future  difference 
with  them  about  such  matters,  wee  have  willingly,  upon  your  intima- 
tion therof  in  your  letter  by  ship  Willia^n  \  willed  them  to  account 
with  Bantam,  and  in  all  other  matters  to  demeane  themselves  towards 
us,  as  Your  Worships  in  your  said  letter  have  bine  pleased  to  direct 

^  Dispatched  from  England  to  Bantam  in  March,  1641. 


14  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

them ;  which  also  is  amplified  and  more  particularly  insinuated  in 
our  letter  to  them  of  the  i8th  October.'  Thank  the  Company  for 
increasing  Edward  Pearce's  salary.  '  The  small  guns,  cordage,  and 
surplusage  of  men  now  come  on  the  London  and  Discovery  have  so 
well  strengthned  and  fitted  your  trading  vessells  that  even  the 
Francis^  being  of  somewhat  lesse  then  loo  tons  burthen,  sayled  by 
30  men  (wherof  her  commander,  George  Gilson,  was  one),  confronted 
nine  saile  of  Mallavar  frigatts,  chased  them,  and,  if  one  houre  of 
daylight  had  favoured  her,  had  undoubtedly  ruin'd  some  of  them. 
These  pynnaces  are  very  usefull  to  your  occasions  and  excuse  a 
great  charge  of  greater  shipping.  However,  the  Francis  begins  to 
grow  old  ;  the  Michaell  remaines  at  Bantam.  The  Seahorse  is  yet 
serviceable  for  five  or  six  yeares  or  longer ;  so  that  on  her  and  the 
Supply  wee  now  cheifly  depend.  And  they  being  not  sufficient,  wee 
are  induced  to  bring  to  your  remembrance  our  former  requests  [and] 
your  promises  of  furnishing  one  or  two  from  England,  of  the 
dimensions  intimated  by  the  Crispiana  ;  for  these  wee  have  allready, 
excepting  the  Supply^  are  neither  soe  capacious,  defensible,  nor 
proffitable  for  you  as  others  of  200  or  250  tonns  would  bee.  And 
some  such  the  ensueing  yeare  wee  hope  to  heare  of  before  the  fine 
of  August ;  when,  being  so  well  fitted  as  usually  your  ships  come 
from  England,  [they]  may  safely  ride  before,  or  enter  into,  this 
river,  and  therby  infinitely  forward  your  returnes  for  England,  as 
Mr.  Courtyns  Paradox  did,  and  so  enabled  Mr.  Woodman  &c.  to 
give  the  William  so  timely  dispeed.'  Have  communicated  to 
'Joseph  Pinto  Pereiro'  the  Company's  offer  of  a  passage  to  England  ^ ; 
but  he  does  not  propose  to  leave  India  until  he  hears  that  Portugal 
is  absolutely  quiet.  At  the  request  of  the  Jesuits  at  Goa,  '  who 
indeed  have  bine  at  all  times  as  able  as  ready  to  assist  in  your 
affaires',  a  passage  on  the  London  has  been  granted  to  an  aged 
member  of  their  order,  named  Francisco  Carvalho.  Can  say  nothing 
fresh  about  John  Drake's  indigo,  or  about  the  missing  bales.  Have 
demanded  back  from  '  the  Banyan  doctor '  the  interest  formerly  paid 
him  ^ ;  but  he  alleges  that  he  was  an  agent  only  and  has  passed  on 
the  money  to  the  actual  lenders,  who  refuse  to  return  what  they 
consider  justly  due  to  them.     'Wee  find  indeed  how  great  trouble 

^  See  the  Court  Minutes  of  the  East  India  Company,  1640-43,  p.  14S. 
'  See  the  previous  volume,  p.  202.  , 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  15 

befalls  you  in  thus  clearing  your  servants  ingagements ;  but,  if  th"s 
were  all,  the  disease  were  easily  cured  by  the  generall  notice  we 
have  and  shall  from  time  to  time  exhibit  to  the  lenders,  that  who- 
soever dieth  or  departeth  hence  insolvent,  the  Honourable  Company 
shall  not  bee  lyable  to  pay  their  debts,  but  [these  ?]  shall  bee  con- 
tinued a  losse  to  the  kind  and  free  hearted  lender.     But  besides  the 
former,  the  stuffing  your  vessells  with  private  trade,  and  debasing 
(by  underselling)  your  commodities  values,  are  much  more  nocent 
to  you,  and  cannot  (though  then  now,  we  beleive,  private  trade  was 
never  lesse  practized  ^)  bee  totally  remedied,  notwithstanding  the 
Presidents  personall  attendance  on  the  Maryne  all  the  time  your 
vessells  lade  to  the  neighbouring  ports,  and  imploying  covert  watches, 
wherby  wee  know  some  are  terrified  from,  others  prevented  in,  these 
unwarrantable  practizes.'     It  is  true  that  when  the  ships  are  lading 
for  England,  the  President's  other  duties  prevent  him  from  watching 
in  person ;  yet  the  factors  in  charge  are  specially  warned  to  attend 
to  this  point,  though  '  by  what  you  write  of  the  great  quantities  of 
particular  goods  brought  thence  on  the  London  and  Discovery,  they 
litle  (it  seemes)  reguarded  ;   for  which  wee  can  better  greive  then 
propound  a  remedy.'     Tapl  Das  is  ready  to  repay  the  money  he 
received  on  account  of  Skibbow's  debt  to  Gopaljl,  if  Methwold 
declares  that  this  ought  to  be  done.^     The  Discovery  will  be  sent  to 
Mokha  in  February, '  to  prevent  the  French  pyrates  theftuous  prac- 
tizes '.  Fremlen  thanks  the  Company  for  their  many  favours  and '  ten- 
dreth  his  subscription  to  your  imposition  of  officiating  the  place  of 
President  for  five  yeares  continuance  from  the  time  he  entred  theron.' 
'  Your  Worships  rightly  apprehend  how  litle  the  title  of  Captaine 
serves  to  the  navigating  and  goverment  of  your  shipps  and  men 
at  sea,  and  how  much  cost  and  ceremony  attends  that  denomination, 
and  have  therfore  taken  a  necessary  resolution  to  blow  downe  that 
buble.'  ^     Commend  Proud  and  Allison,  the  masters  of  the  London 
and  Discovery.     The  latter's  diligence  is  shown  by  the  amount  of 
freight  goods  carried  to  Persia,  which  produced  39,560  mahmudis ; 

^  From  the  particulars  given  in  the  Dutch  records  of  the  time  it  would  seem  that  this 
statement  was  far  from  true,  and  that  Fremlen  was  prominent  in  trading  on  his  own  account 
to  the  detriment  of  his  employers  (see  the  previous  volume,  p.  297,  and  infra,  p.  31). 

^  See  the  Court  Minutes  of  the  East  India  Company,  1640-43,  p.  148. 

'  In  December,  1640,  the  Company  resolved  to  style  the  commanders  of  their  ships 
'masters'  and  not  'captains'  {Court  Minutes,  1640-43,  p.  119). 


i6  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

whereas  in  the  previous  cruise  of  the  Discovery^  when  Minors  was 
commander,  room  could  only  be  found  for  ^0,608^  mahmudis' 
worth  of  freight.  It  is  hoped  that  her  freight  to  Mokha  will  not 
come  far  short  of  45,000  mahmudis.  Praise  William  Broadbent, 
who  has  been  master  of  the  Supply  since  October  30,  1639,  ^^  5^* 
per  month,  and  recommend  him  for  the  command  of  a  larger  ship. 
Have  communicated  with  Bantam  regarding  the  deficiency  in  the 
weight  of  cloves.  Send  home  their  general  books,  pursers'  books, 
and  the  accounts  of  the  subordinate  factories.  Hitherto  the  latter 
have  been  balanced  to  the  end  of  September  ;  but  this  date  has 
now  been  changed  to  May  in  the  case  of  Masulipatam,  Agra,  and 
*  Scinda ',  and  to  August  in  the  case  of  Ahmadabad,  Broach,  and 
Baroda  ;  '  that  so  in  the  vacant  times  of  raines,  when  wee  have  least 
to  doe,  wee  may  make  the  exacter  and  more  timely  audit  of  them  ', 
before  transferring  them  to  the  general  books.  Thank  the  Company 
for  the  '  chirurgery  chest '  and  the  two  pipes  of  Canary  wine.  Advise 
certain  deficiencies  in  the  former,  with  a  note  of  articles  included 
which  are  superfluous  or  can  be  more  cheaply  procured  in  India. 
Duarte  Fernandez  Correa  has  sent  a  chest  of  goods  on  the  London^ 
to  be  delivered  to  Mr.  Methwold,  to  whom  he  has  written  as  to  its 
disposal.  *S[enho]r  Duarte  is  abundantly  usefull  unto  us,  and 
with  most  of  ready  willingnes  assists  in  the  maintenance  of  our 
free  and  fraequent  respondence  with  the  Portugalls,  who,  having 
most  of  them  litle  elce  to  doe,  spoile  more  paper  with  their 
frivolous  common  complements  then  is  easily  credible ;  and  yet 
they  must  bee  answered  with  most  of  punctuality ;  otherwise  they 
thinke  themselves  slighted  or  dishonoured,  [and]  us  discurteous 
or  ignorant  of  that  part  of  good  manners.'  Desire  a  constant  supply 
of  sailors  for  their  small  shipping,  as  those  here  are  continually 
lessened  by  their  '  debauchure '.  The  Blessing  has  been  lying  at 
Goa  ever  since  Methv/old  left  her  there,  as  the  Portuguese  would 
not  buy  her,  and  she  was  not  worth  fetching  away.  A  few  months 
ago  she  was  so  leaky  that  she  had  to  be  hauled  on  shore ;  so  when 
the  London  went  thither  the  hull  was  broken  up  and  some  of  the 
materials  brought  back  to  Surat.  Since  '  bounders  to  the  Dutches 
insolence'  cannot  be  procured,  they  must  bear  it  as  best  they  can. 
Goods  supplied  to  Bantam.  Complain  of  the  taunting  letters 
received  from  that  Presidency.     Explain  that  the  Supply  was  dis- 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  17 

patched  thither  with  a  cargo  of  piece-goods,  but  after  eight  days 
at  sea  was  forced  to  return.  Refute  other  allegations  by  the  Bantam 
factors,  and  point  out  that  they  are  now  sending  thither  in  the 
Swan  a  cargo  far  more  valuable  than  that  she  brought  from  thence. 
Defend  the  orders  they  gave  to  the  Coast  factors  to  pay  their  debts 
before  making  an  investment  for  Bantam.  William  Hurt^  would 
have  been  appointed  General  Purser  in  place  of  John  Wylde,  but 
at  his  urgent  request  he  has  been  permitted  to  return  to  England 
in  the  Lo7tdon.  As  Wylde  is  now  bound  for  Mokha,  his  post  has 
been  given  to  Richard  Fitch,  who  came  out  as  purser  of  the 
Crispiana  and  has  since  served  in  the  Blessing  and  the  Supply. 
[John]  Perkins,  purser  of  the  Discovery^  died  some  days  before 
that  ship  sailed  for  Persia,  and  has  been  succeeded  by  his  mate, 
John  Sims.  Robert  Heynes  made  purser  of  the  Supply  and 
Edward  Kinnersley  of  the  Swan.  Benjamin  Robinson  returns  in 
this  ship ;  also  Richard  Fisher,  who  came  from  Bantam  as  purser 
in  the  Swan.  William  Jesson  has  been  notified  of  the  increased 
wages  granted  to  him.^  A  favourable  report  of  his  diligence  and 
honesty  has  been  received  from  Agra.  Have  now  answered  all 
the  points  in  the  Company's  letters,  and  will  proceed  to  other 
matters,  referring  for  details  or  omissions  to  Proud's  narration  or 
to  the  President's  journal  \jnissing\  As  regards  the  goods  &c. 
brought  out  by  the  ships,  the  rials  were  welcome,  though  not  half 
as  many  as  they  needed.  Out  of  the  number  28 J  were  *  wanting 
in  tale'  and  17 J  were  false.  Of  the  6,482!  'rex  dollors'  28  were 
found  to  be  of  copper  and  are  consequently  returned.  The  rest 
sold  at  216  rupees  16  pice  the  hundred;  while  the  rials  of  eight 
fetched  as  usual  21 2|  rupees  per  hundred  for  the  new  and  i\S\ 
rupees  per  hundred  for  the  old  ones.  '  Some  daies  before  your 
ships  brought  these,  upwards  of  1,700,000  r[ial]s  were  landed  from 
the  junkes  returned  from  Mocha';  consequently  it  took  2)?>  days 
to  pass  the  Company's  rials  through  the  mint,  and  then  all  the 
rupees  that  resulted  were  paid  to  their  creditors,  ^  who  greedily 
expected  much  larger  distribution.'  Of  the  gold  coins,  the  20j-. 
pieces  fetched  from  2t  to  22  mahmudls  each,  and  the  Venetians 
[sequins]  9I  and  9 J  mahmudls.     At  Goa  these  coins  produced  44 J 

^  Purser  of  the  London. 

^  See  the  Court  Minutes  of  the  East  India  Company^  1640-43,  p.  154. 


lOSTKR    Vfl 


i8  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

and  2o|  'tangoes'  [see  the  1634-36  vohtme,  p.  160]  respectively, 

while  the  rial  of  eight  was  valued  at  11  '  tangoes  '.     Earnestly  beg 

for  a  larger  remittance  by  the  next  ships  to  clear  off  their  debts. 

The  sale  of  the  broadcloth  was  spoiled  by  the  competition  of  that 

brought  by  the  seamen  as  private  trade.    Unless  this  can  be  stopped 

at  home,  it  will  be  useless  to  send  so  large  a  consignment  in  future. 

No  effectual  means  for  its  suppression  can  be  used  here.    Moreover, 

last  year  the  Armenians  brought  overland  from  Persia  very  great 

quantities  of  broadcloth,  and  sold  it  at  such  low  rates  that  Lahore 

and  Agra  are  both  '  cloyed '  ;  while  the  demand  at  the  latter  place 

has  been  further  reduced  'through  the  Kings  continued  absence 

from  Agra,  whither  if  the   revolted   Raja  of  Congura^  and  the 

expected  coming  of  the  Persian  King  upon  Candahar  would  permit 

his  repaire,  it  would  questionlesse  sell  readily.'     Bornford  has  now 

been  instructed  to  barter  the  broadcloth  for  indigo   or  calicoes. 

Although  broadcloth  is  not  in  demand,  scarlet  and  green  'bales 

and  perpetuanaes '  would  probably  sell  to  profit.     Disposal  of  the 

lead  received.     As  regards  the  coral,  Virjl  Vora,  who  is  in  great 

favour  with  the  present  Governor  of  Surat  '  and  consequently  awing 

all  other  Banyan  merchants  to  his  observance',  is  treating  for  its 

purchase,  but  in  so  dilatory  a  fashion  that  they  have  resolved  to 

send  part  to  Goa  to  procure  cinnamon,  and  part  to  Ahmadabad, 

unless  he  makes  a  good  offer  in  the  meantime.     They  desire  in 

future  a  double  quantity  of  '  the  finest    sort  or  di  Grezio '  and 

20  chests  of  the  third  quality  ['  terraglia '  in  the  inargiii\,  but  none 

of  'the  midle  sort  or  ricaduti',^  for  which  there  is  little  demand. 

Enclose  a  list  of  prices  of  other  goods  suitable  for  this  market. 

No   sword   blades   should    be   sent,   except   perhaps   a   few  from 

Germany ;    '  for,  besides  those  the  Moores  tearme  Alimony  and 

Genoobee  (which  wee  construe  of  Allmaine  and  Genoa  ^),  none  are 

requested.'     The  paper,  quills,  and  ink  have  been  received  and 

distributed.     Ink  could  be  dispensed  with,  if  the  Company  would 

send  out  some  copperas  ;    but  a  thousand  quills  are  needed  per 

annum.     They  were  forced  to  procure  a  supply  from  Agra,  but 

*  This  refers  to  the  unsuccessful  revolt  of  Jagat  Singh,  son  of  Raja  Basu  of  the  Himalayan 
district  of  Kangra. 

'  For  these  terms  see  the  1630-33  volume,  pp.  31,  129, 

*  This  was  no  doubt  correct.     Alamdnt  is  Hindustani  for  *  German  '. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  19 

found  them  *  nothing  comparable  in  goodnes  nor  so  fit  for  use '  as 
the  Engh'sh  quills.  The  knives  and  scarlet  cloth  have  been  used 
as  presents.  Now  pass  to  the  movements  of  their  shipping.  The 
Expedition  left  Swally  on  January  27,  \(^\i,  reached  Gombroon 
February  11,  and  departed  again  for  India  on  March  11.^  Details 
of  her  cargo.  She  was  then  dispatched  to  Bantam  on  April  32 
and  reached  that  port  on  August  10.  On  September  24  the 
Francis  returned  from  Basra.  She  had  left  Swally,  in  company 
with  the  Seahorse^  on  March  6  and,  after  touching  at  Gombroon, 
they  arrived  at  their  destination  on  May  20.  The  Francis  sailed 
from  thence  on  August  11  with  ii,036|-  rials  and  six  horses,  and 
took  in  at  Gombroon  a  quantity  of  indigo  left  there  by  the 
Expedition  but  found  to  be  unsaleable.  On  October  13  she  was 
dispatched  from  Swally  in  search  of  the  Seahorse.  They  met  near 
Jask,  and  returning  called  at  '  Scinda '  on  November  25,  took  in 
some  goods,  and,  sailing  thence  on  December  14,  anchored  in 
company  at  Swally  on  the  23rd.  The  Francis  will  shortly  be  sent 
to  Mokha  and  thence  to  Persia  to  meet  the  Seahorse^  which  is  to 
go  again  to  Basra.  They  will  then  call  at  '  Scinda  '  to  bring  away 
the  goods  collected  there  for  England,  and  may  be  expected  at 
Swally  next  October.  The  London  and  Discovery  arrived  on 
September  27,  1641  ;  and  with  them  the  Supply  returned  from  the 
Red  Sea.  She  had  been  dispatched  thither  on  January  14,  reached 
Gombroon  on  February  12,  left  again  on  February  23,  and  reached 
Aden  on  March  31.  She  then  proceeded  to  *  the  Bab ',  and  between 
April  3  and  May  i  overhauled  45  vessels  bound  for  Mokha,  all 
of  which,  however,  proved  to  belong  to  '  our  freinds '  and  were 
consequently  allowed  to  proceed  unmolested.  The  Supply  next 
sailed  for  Masulipatam,  but  met  with  such  bad  weather  that  she 
was  forced  to  take  refuge  at  Socotra.  In  these  circumstances  it 
was  decided  to  make  for  Gombroon,  which  was  reached  on  August  16. 
After  embarking  some  silk,  she  left  again  on  September  j  ,  and  fell 
in  with  the  Lo7idon  and  Discovery  on  the  23rd.  On  October  13 
she  was  sent  to  Daman  for  arrack  and  returned  nine  days  later. 
Her  next  employment  was  to  carry  pepper  and  freight  goods  to 
Persia,  and  on  this  errand  she  departed  December  10.  During 
next  rains  she  will  be  '  doubled  ',  to  fit  her  for  further  service.    The 

*  She  arrived  at  Swally  on  April  lo  (J)agh- Register^  1640-41,  p.  3S0). 

C2 


20  THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Swan  from  Bantam  anchored  at  Swally  on  November  13,  bringing 
a  very  poor  return  for  what  had  been  sent  thither.  She  had  on 
board  two  Portuguese  passengers  with  a  large  quantity  of  private 
goods,  for  the  freight  of  which  they  alleged  that  they  had  given 
satisfaction  at  Bantam.  Near  Diu  the  Swan  encountered  sixteen 
Malabar  frigates,  but  upon  her  showing  a  bold  front  they  fled. 
She  will  be  sent  back  to  Bantam  as  soon  as  the  London  has 
departed.  The  Seahorse  remained  at  Basra  until  October  16,  'in 
expectation  of  better  markets ',  and  then  sailed  with  8,000  rials  of 
eight  and  a  horse,  valued  at  375  rupees,  sent  as  a  gift  from  the 
Basha  to  the  President.  On  her  way  back  she  called  at  Gombroon, 
where  she  took  in  certain  goods  and  money  for  Surat.  She  will 
shortly  be  dispeeded  to  Persia  and  Basra.  The  factors  at  the 
latter  place  will  be  directed  to  send  her  at  once  back  to  Gombroon 
with  the  proceeds  of  any  further  sales  they  may  have  effected  ; 
there  she  will  meet  the  Supply,  which  will  be  dispatched  from 
Swally  with  a  cargo  including  further  goods  for  Basra.  The 
Seahorse  will  then  take  in  the  latter  in  exchange  for  her  own 
lading,  and  will  return  to  Basra,  where  she  will  '  attend  the  bringing 
off  the  last  remaines  of  monies,  and  with  them  the  factors ',  unless 
the  Company  order  their  further  stay.  On  her  way  back,  she  will 
call  at  Gombroon  and  '  Scinda '  for  any  goods  that  may  be  ready. 
The  Diamond  sailed  on  January  27,  1641,  in  company  with  the 
Expedition  and,  after  visiting  '  Scinda ',  reached  Gombroon  on 
March  6.  Thence  she  departed  on  March  26  for  Masulipatam, 
with  nine  horses  for  the  Company's  account.  Adverse  winds  forced 
her  into  Muskat  to  water ;  and  later  she  was  obliged  to  put  into 
'  Matacalla '  [Baticola]  in  Ceylon  for  the  same  purpose.  Sailing 
thence  on  May  11,  she  anchored  on  the  i6th  'before  our  new  fort' 
[Fort  St.  George]  and  landed  one  of  the  horses.  Four  days  later 
she  was  sent  in  search  of  the  John,  which  was  cast  away  at 
Armagon,  but  nothing  could  be  recovered.  The  Diamo7id  then 
departed  on  May  24  and  reached  Masulipatam  on  the  28th ;  *  from 
which  port  she  is  since  sent  to  Bengala  to  trim  and  bring  thence 
those  factors,  for  whose  clearing  she  and  another  vessell  (bought 
needlcsly  by  John  Yard  in  the  Bay,  called  the  Endeavor)  carried 
in  goods  and  monies  to  the  amount  of  pago[das]  3,193.  13.  4, 
and  fraught  goods  and  pass[engers]  paying   for  their  tran;sp[ort] 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORn^:S  21 

pag[odas]  681.  13.  6.  These  were  re-expected  in  October  or 
November  last ;  and  the  Dyamond  designed  to  carry  to  Bantam 
from  the  Coast  such  goods  as  could  not  be  fitted  to  accompany 
the  Reformation!  The  Prosperous,  which  is  the  smallest  of  all 
their  vessels  (being  little  more  than  30  tons),  was  for  some  time 
laid  up  in  the  river  at  Surat  for  want  of  men  ;  but  on  the  arrival 
of  the  London  she  was  fitted  up  and  sent  with  that  vessel  to  the 
Malabar  Coast.  She  has  now  been  hired  by  '  our  house  sheraffe 
[i.e.  shroff]  Tappidas '  for  5,000  mahmudis  to  voyage  to  Basra  and 
back,  in  company  with  the  Seahorse,  Arrival  at  Swally  of  three 
Dutch  ships  from  Japan  in  March,  1641.^  Their  cargoes  produced 
here  nearly  600,000  rupees.  They  sailed  on  April  6  for  Gombroon, 
where  they  arrived  before  the  end  of  May,  and  were  then  sent  back 
to  Batavia.  On  April  8  the  Zealand  left  Swally  for  Batavia,  laden 
with  indigo,  calicoes,  &c.  Five  days  later  the  Snoek  from  Persia 
anchored  at  Swally,  and  was  sent  away  fully  laden  on  April  24.  On 
October  24  the  Vliegende  Hert  arrived,  and  confirmed  the  report 
of  the  capture  of  a  Portuguese  carrack  before  Goa  ;  ^  *  wherin,  though 
much  treasure  was  not  found  for  the  Company,  yet  the  saylors  got 
good  pillage.'  '  The  carracks  self  they  intend  to  Battavia,  and  have 
removed  her  from  Goa  to  Ceiloan,  where  they  have  a  fleete  of  10  or 
12  great  ships,  with  which  it  is  thought  they  intend,  together  with 
the  souldiers  and  other  meanes  in  them,  to  assault  and  (if  they  can) 
surprize  Columbo  before  the  expected  peace  bee  published  ;  to  treat 
and  enquire  wherof  the  V[ice]  Roy  hath  on  a  Dutch  vessell  sent  a 
gentleman  of  good  quality  ^  to  the  Battavian  Generall,  so  desirous 
the  Portugalls  are  even  to  beg  peace,  or  a  cessation  of  armes  at  least 
untill  it  come  confirmed  from  Europe.  Besides  this  carrack  the 
Dutch  have  also  neare  unto  Goa  taken  a  Portugal!  vessell  richly 
laden  from  Mozambique  with  elephants  teeth  and  a  great  quantity 
of  gold.     And  before  Macao  in  China  it  is  reported  that  they  have 

'  See  the  previous  volume,  p.  298.  The  account  there  given  of  the  voyage  is  repeated 
in  the  text. 

2  See  the  introduction  to  the  previous  volume,  p.  xxviii. 

3  Diego  Mendez  de  Brito,  with  whom  was  associated  Frei  Gon9alo  de  S^io  Jos^,  They 
carried  to  Batavia  a  letter  from  the  Viceroy,  requesting  a  truce  pending  the  arrival  from 
Europe  of  information  that  the  peace  had  been  confirmed.  This  was  refused,  and  De  Brito 
was  sent  back  to  Goa  in  a  fleet  dispatched  under  Jan  Dirkz.  Galen  to  commence  a  fresh 
blockade  {Hague  Transcripts,  series  i.  vol.  xii.  no.  386  ;  Lisbon  Transcripts,  Doc.  Remett.^ 
book  48,  f.  115). 


22  THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

another  fleete  of  six  great  and  small  ships,  to  forbid  the  Portugalls 
trade  thence  to  Mannilia  ;  wherby  (as  it  is  now  happened)  they  have 
done  them  a  very  great  deale  of  pleasure  ;  otherwise,  if  they  had, 
as  accustomary,  voiaged  thither,  the  Spaniards  upon  this  Lusitanian 
revolt  would    have  ceized  on  all.'      On   November  5  the  Dolfijn 
reached  Swally  from  Batavia,  bringing  over  150  tons  of  pepper, 
which  will  be  sent  to  Mokha  on  the  Vliegende  Hert.     '  On  this  coast 
neare  Dabull  this  Dolphin  was  assaulted  by  six  Mallabar  friggats, 
who  continued  the  fight  three  houres  and  then,  their  captaine  falling, 
they  also  fell  otf  and  left  her  ^ ;  who  from  Vingurla  brings  tydings 
that,  the  Portugalls  having  bought  an  offensive  and  defensive  league 
of  amity  of  the  King  of  Beejapore  for  100,000  pago[das],  the  Dutch 
were  therupon  excluded  from  Vingurla  and  other  ports  of  that  Kings 
dominions^.'      The   Dolfijn^  after  thirteen  days'  stay    at   Swally, 
returned  to  Batavia  with  the  surplus  goods  left  behind  by  the  Snoek. 
On  December  25  the  Henriette  Louise  and  Enkhtiizen,  wath  a  small 
pinnace  [the  Klein  Ztitpheit\  arrived  from  Batavia.      They  landed 
spices,  coral,  and  52,000  rials,  and  then  departed  for  Persia  on 
January  8.     Another  Dutch  ship  is  expected  from  China  richly 
laden.     '  In  a  word,  they  flourish  abund[an]tly,  and  are  very  fortu- 
nate in  theire  undertakings.      So  powerfull  they  are  withall  that, 
unlesse  the  hoped  peace  take  off  the  edge  of  their  indeavors,  the 
Portugalls,  being  no  better  provided,  cannot  resist  them.     But  they 
[i.e.  the  Portuguese]  .  .  .  are  abundantly  comforted  and  contented 
with  their  new  Kings  inauguration  ;  and  were  exceedingly  busied  in 
solemnizing  so  great  happines  when  the  carrack  was  surprized  ;  which 
they  seeme  not  to  resent,  because  they  pretend  and  avouch  that 
both  shipp  and  goods  were  insured  by  Dutch  merchants,  then  late 
come  to  inhabit  in  Lisboa,  from  whom  this  losse  will  be  undoubtedly 
recovered  by  their  new  King ;  whose  commands  were  no  sooner 
seen  by  the  V[ice]Roy   and    Councell   at  Goa  then  obeyed,  and 
generally  received  by  the  whole  nation,  who  from  him  propound  to 
themselves  a  generall  reformation  and  repairation  of  their  declining 
fortunes ;  to  whom  all  the  forts  and  citties  alongst  this  coast,  as  low 
as  Goa,  send  by  your  ship  London  their  submissive  yet  congratula- 

*  See  the  Dagh- Register,  1641-42,  p.  189. 

'  A  copy  of  this  treaty  (concluded  June  4  (N.S.)  1641)  is  given  in  Hague  Transcripts, 
series  i.  vol.  xii.  no.  385.     It  is  printed  in  the  Dagh-Register  for  1641-42,  p.  208/ 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  23 

tory  letters.'  Request  that  these  may  be  duly  deh'vercd,  as  also  the 
other  Portuguese  letters  accompanying-  them.  *Thc  Danes  drive  a 
poore  feint  trade,  not  worth  mentioning.  We  thinkc  that  of  Esquire 
Courtyn  is  litle  better  conditioned.'  Grieve  to  report  'the  fayling 
of  those  pregnant  hopes  wee  had  enterteyned  of  ample  and  profit- 
able returncs  from  Bussora ;  where  this  yeare,  in  reguard  of  warrs 
twixt  the  Great  Turkes  ministers  and  the  Bashaw,  the  waies  have 
bine  so  dangerous  that  very  few  merchants  strangers  (as  accustomary 
in  great  caphilaes)  have  resorted  thither  ;  wherby  it  is  come  to  passe 
that  few  of  your  goods  have  bine  sold,  and  those  also  put  off  at 
meane  proffit ;  and  wee,  who  expected  thence  upwards  of  80,000 
rials,  have  not  received  20,000  rials.  However,  those  differences 
being  reconciled  and  the  Bashawes  peace  bought  with  a  valid  pre- 
sent, better  times  are  certainly  expected,  and  we  hope  to  share  in 
them.  However,  untill  your  goodes  allready  there  are  sold,  wee 
are  resolved  not  to  send  others  thither,  but  have  diverted  those 
primarily  intended  to  Bussora  to  Mocha,  where  the  passed  yeare  the 
markets  were  good  and  [it]  is  hoped  will  bee  so  the  ensuing  season.' 
The  Discovery  and  Francis  will  be  sent  thither  under  John  Wylde, 
assisted  by  George  Oxenden  ^,  Robert  Cranmer,  and  perhaps  another 
factor.  These  all  proceed  on  the  Francis ;  while  William  Fursman, 
if  sufficiently  recovered  from  his  present  sickness,  may  follow  on  the 
Discovery.  Of  the  Englishmen  taken  prisoners  by  the  Malabars, 
some  have  escaped,  and  thirteen  have  been  ransomed  for  1,210  rials. 
No  factors  have  died  during  the  past  twelve  months,  and  only  three 
other  Englishmen,  who  were  *  forediseased '  on  board  the  ships. 
'  Towards  the  fine  of  September,  Mazel  Mulkes  covenanted  time  of 
governing  this  country  and  farming  this  custome  house  and  mint  ex- 
piring. Jam  Cullibeag,  assisted  with  the  former  Dewon  and  one  Mirza 
Arub  ^,  purposely  designed  to  the  custome  house  busines,  entred  on 
this  goverment ;  whose  face  is  now  quite  changed,  for,  wheras  before 
dispatch  of  all  busines  depended  solely  on  Mazel  Mulks  direction, 
because  hee  being  obliged  to  pay  the  King  three  yeares  72  lacks  of 
m[ahmudi]s  for  provenue  of  this  adjacent  country,  mint,  and  custome 

1  He  had  gone  home  in  1639  (see  the  preceding  volume,  p.  117),  and  had  been  re- 
engaged by  the  Company  in  January,  1641  {Court  Minutes,  1640-43,  p.  137). 

2  Mirza  Arab.     On  this  change  of  administration  see  the  introduction  to  the  previous 
volume,  p.  xxvi. 


24  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

house,  not  any  of  the  Kings  ministers  intermedled.  But  hee,  it  seemes, 
promised  more  then  hee  could  performe  by  31  laacks  or  3,100,000 
m[ahmudi]s,  which  hee  yet  owes  the  King,  and  is  therfore  called  to 
court  to  cleare  acco[unt]s,  which  it  is  knowne  hee  cannot  doe.  And 
therfore  this  his  fayling  induced  the  King  to  thinke  on  some  more 
provident  course,  and  at  last  determined  to  confer  the  superintend- 
ence and  goverment  of  all  on  Mirza  Jam  Cullibeage,  on  whose 
knowledg  of  this  country  and  approved  fidelity  hee  much  confides. 
Yet  because  hee  is  alltogether  unlearned  \  the  aforenamed  persons 
are  adjoyned  to  his  assistance,  and  a  certaine  exhibition  allowed  all 
of  them  yearly  from  the  King  ;  unto  whose  accompt  whatever  this 
country,  mint,  and  custome  howse  produceth  is  brought.  So  that, 
though  with  somewhat  more  trouble  and  retardance  then  accustom- 
ary,  in  respect  of  procury  of  their  mutuall  dependent  assents  to  the 
dispatch  of  busines,  by  which  only  all  affaires  are  agitated,  yet  in 
what  concernes  the  custome  howse  dispatches,  wee  and  all  other 
merchants  rejoice  exceedingly  in  Mazel  Mulks  displacing.  For  he, 
having  this,  Baroach,  and  Cambaiett  ports  under  his  goverment, 
exacted  most  unreasonable  and  unjust  customes,  because  merchants, 
having  brought  downe  their  goods  from  the  inland  countries,  must 
of  necessity  fall  into  his  merciless  clutches,  if  they  at  all  intend  either 
from  Cambaiett  or  Suratt  to  imbarque  them.  Besides,  his  long  con- 
tinuance in  these  imployments  had  armed  him  with  so  much  ex- 
perience that  merchants  suffered  much  therby,  as  by  his  other 
oppressive  dealings.  These  that  now  officiate  this  place  want  all 
these  meanes  to  greive  merchants,  and  (for  ought  wee  yet  perceave) 
will  to  doe  it,  if  those  meanes  were  extant.  For  whilest  this  custome 
howse  only  is  under  their  goverment,  merchants  have  liberty,  though 
peradventure  not  so  much  conveniency,  to  ship  off  their  goods  from 
Baroach  and  Cambaiett,  which  both  are  yet  Mazel  Mulks ;  who,  to 
hinder  this  and  improve  that  port  of  Cambaiet,  hath  publisht  resolved 
releasment  of  halfe  customes  to  such  strangers  merchants  as  will 
repaire  thither,  and  forbidden  exportation  by  land  from  Cambaiett 
of  all  such  goods  as  are  there  either  made  or  cured,  that  soe  those 

'  The  Dutch  records  say  that  he  could  neither  read  nor  write.  They  add  that  he  was 
now  sixty  years  of  age,  and  that  his  allowance  from  the  Emperor  was  40,000  '  R° '  [rupees  ?] 
per  annum.  The  date  of  the  transfer  of  the  post  is  given  as  October  yy  {Dagh- Register, 
1641-42,  p.  188).  I 


THE   ENGLISH    EACTORIES  25 

at  least  may  not  only  advance  his  sea  customes  but  impleat  a  great 
junck  built  here  by  him  at  conclusion  of  his  govermcnt ;  which  also, 
ere  hee  left  this  place,  hee  dispeedcd  (though  litle  more  then  halfe 
built)  to  Goga,  whence  this  yeare  she  voiageth  to  Mocha.     Thus  by 
Mazel  Mulkes  happy  removall  your  goods,  as  well  in  Baroach  as 
this  custome  howse,  passe  much  cheaper  then  in  his  time  ;  whom  wee 
hope  (though  he  flatters  himself  with  a  suddainc  returnall)  never 
more  to  see  established  in  this  goverment.     Towards  the  fine  of 
October  certaine  tydings  came  that  Asaph  Caun,  besides  howses, 
house  moveables,  catle,  and  Jewells,  dyed  possessed  of  17  crores  of 
rup[ee]s,  each  crore  importing  100  lacks,  and  each  lack   ioo,oco 
rup[ee]s  ;  all  which  this  King,  pretending  to  be  his  heire  by  marriage 
of  his  daughter,  hath  ceized.'  ^    Long  beads  sent  for  barter  at  Mada- 
gascar.    Enclose  a  list  [missing-]  of  Englishmen  captured  by  the 
Malabars,  and  of  the  amounts  paid  for  their  release.     Two  of  these, 
John  Moss  and  Richard  Husband,  were  taken  in  a  vessel  belonging 
to  Duarte  Fernandez  Correa,  who  has  since  paid  the  amount  of 
Moss's  ransom.  Husband  having    previously  made  his  escape  and 
reached  Surat.     The  sums  paid  in  other  cases  have  been  charged  to 
the  account  of  the  men  who  are  now  going  home,  '  that  so  Your 
Worships  .  .  .  may  either  levy  it  from  their  wages  or  mercifully  remit 
it.'      Some  private  trade  received  by  the   London  and  Discovery, 
directed  to  two  men  that  are  dead  and  to  one  that  has  gone  home, 
will  be  sold  and  brought  to  account.      Enclose  a  list  of  Perkins' 
effects  ;  these  will  be  disposed  of  and  the  result  advised.     Accounts 
sent  of  the  estates  of  three  deceased  factors,  viz.  Robert  Adams, 
Edward   Abbot,    and    Samuel    Pauncefote.       Similar    statements 
regarding  John  Willoughby's  and  Francis  Honywood's  effects  are 
awaited  from  Persia.     Thus  much  was  written  before  leaving  Surat 
on  January  25.     On  reaching  Swally  they  found  that  part  of  the 
goods  advised  above  could  not  be  embarked  in  the  London  for  want 
of  room.     By  taking  out  some  of  the  cinnamon  they  have  found 
space  for  some  of  the  cotton  yarn  ;  but  a  quantity  of  indigo,  piece- 
goods,  turmeric,  &c.  must  necessarily  be  left  behind.-      A  bale  of 
cinnamon  and  a  box  of  seed  pearls  sent  home  in  the  London  by 

^  See  the  introduction  to  the  preceding  volume,  p.  xxvii. 

2  A  short  account  of  the  final  cargo  of  the  Loudon  is  given  at  p.  191  of  the  Dagh  ■ 
Register,  1641-42. 


26  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

Lewis  Roberts,  formerly  boatswain's  mate  in  the  Blessings  who  is 
now  living  at  Goa  under  the  name  of  Lewis  Ribeiro  Soarez  and  has 
rendered  various  services  to  the  Company.  Agent  Merry  has  also 
forwarded  a  chest  of  rhubarb,  concerning  which  he  has  written  to 
the  Company.  Enclose  a  list  \inissmg\  of  factors,  &c.,  in  India, 
Persia,  and  Basra.  Bornford  from  Agra,  Wylde  from  Surat,  Adler 
from  Persia,  and  Thurston  from  Basra  have  announced  their  deter- 
mination to  go  home  by  the  next  ships ;  and  therefore  some  able 
men  will  be  needed  to  supply  their  places.  William  Fursman,  whose 
covenanted  time  expired  last  March,  wished  this  year  to  visit 
England,  but  he  has  been  persuaded  to  remain.  Recommend  his 
re-engagement  for  three  years  from  the  expiration  of  his  covenants 
at  50/.  per  annum.  Hope  'to  fit  all  things  for  clozure  of  your 
Third  Joint  Stock  '  by  the  time  of  the  departure  of  the  Discovery  in 
November  next,  *  provided  you  please  to  send  meanes,  not  only  to 
pay  for  lading,  but  those  317,967  rupees  wee  are  now  indebted 
more  then  all  you  can  depend  on  in  India  can  sattisfy,'  as  shown 
in  the  enclosed  account  [inissing]  of  '  quick  stock '  in  this  country. 
Earnestly  entreat  an  ample  supply  of  money  for  this  purpose. 
PS. — Forward  a  small  box  of  letters  from  the  Dutch  '  Comandore ' 
here,  directed  to  the  Netherlands  Company.  (45  pp.  Received 
August  24,  1642.) 

The  East  India  Company  to  [the  President  and  Council 
AT  Surat],  March  24,  164a  {Factory  Records,  Miscellaneous, 
vol.  xii.  p.  59). 

Wrote  last  on  November  29  by  the  Hopewell,  which  was  detained 
by  contrary  winds  and  did  not  quit  the  Downs  until  January  4. 
Trust  that  she  met  with  better  weather  than  was  encountered  by 
the  fleet  dispatched  by  Courteen.  This  sailed  in  November  and 
consisted  of  three  ships,  '  vizt.  the  Bo7isperaiice,  Bonaventure,  and 
Hampton  Merchant,  of  burthen  betweene  2  and  300  tonns  apeece ', 
carrying  16,553  rials  of  eight,  iron,  steel,  lead,  broadcloth,  cotton 
wool,  &c.,  in  addition  to  the  lead,  coral,  and  money  dispatched  in 
the  Paradox,  which  sailed  '  about  September  ^  last '.  These  three 
ships,  after  reaching  the  latitude  of  Southern  Spain,  were  dispersed 
by  violent  winds,  and  the  Hampton  Merchant  was  forced  to  return 

*  Apparently  'February'  1641,  is  meant  (see  Court  Mimites,  1640-43,  p.  14*;). 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORn^:S  27 

to  Plymouth,  where  she  remained  until  the  end  of  February  before 
she  could  make  a  fresh  start.  Courteen's  ship  Hester,  which  left 
Cannanore  on  March  15  [1641],  reached  Plymouth  on  December  11, 
bringing  pepper,  indigo,  cinnamon,  saltpetre^  gum-lac,  and  turmeric. 
The  sale  of  these  commodities  has  interfered  much  with  *  our 
marketts  ',  especially  in  the  case  of  the  indigo.  Plans  for  the  General 
Voyage.  Instructions  given  for  the  investment  of  the  stock  sent  out 
in  the  Hopewell,  and  for  the  disposal  of  the  vessel  in  the  meantime. 
To  Bantam  they  have  sent  a  ship  of  250  tons,  called  the  Blessings 
with  a  cargo  amounting  to  16,064/.  3^-.  i,d.  She  was  dispatched  on 
January  14,  but  contrary  winds  detained  her  in  the  Downs  till 
February  19,  and  they  are  rather  afraid  that  she  will  lose  her  voyage 
in  consequence.  On  reaching  Bantam  she  is  to  be  sent  to  Surat 
to  fetch  a  lading  of  Indian  commodities.  On  February  14  they 
received  by  way  of  Aleppo  the  Surat  letter  of  March  4,  1641,  one 
from  Persia  of  September  15,  1640,  and  two  from  Basra  of  June  14 
and  August  24,  1641,  with  copy  of  the  'articles  agreed  betweene 
our  people  and  the  Bashaw  and  Shawbander  for  trade  in  those 
parts ' }  Now  reply  to  the  first  of  these.  Approve  generally  the 
disposal  of  their  shipping.  Measures  to  be  taken  as  regards  the 
fraud  imputed  to  the  broker  at  Gombroon.  Merry  has  complained 
of  the  deputation  of  Wylde  from  Surat  to  Persia  as  being  an 
affront ;  but  as  Merry  and  the  Surat  factors  are  now  (in  all  pro- 
bability) '  meaniall  ^  associates ',  the  Company  trust  that  harmony 
has  been  re-established.  Dispatch  of  the  Expedition  from  Surat  to 
Bantam,  to  be  returned  with  a  lading  of  pepper.  Commend  the 
renewal  of  the  attempt  to  establish  trade  at  Basra.  Relate  the 
skirmish  between  the  Seahorse  and  Francis  and  the  Malabar  fleet. 
Hope  that  the  prisoners  have  been  exchanged  for  the  Englishmen  still 
in  the  hands  of  the  Malabars.  The  factors  at  Basra  write  that  the 
Basha  has  offered  them  a  piece  of  ground  near  the  custom-house  for 
a  factory,  but  in  reply  they  have  been  forbidden  to  build  any 
dwelling-houses  or  warehouses.  '  For  the  trade  in  that  port  of 
Bussora  wee  find  noe  extreordinary  encoragement ;  and  you  know 
that  aury  sacra  fames  is  that  which  makes  difficult  adventures  and 

^  None  of  these  documents  is  extant. 

2  This  word  had  not  yet  acquired  a  contemptuous  sense.    All  that  is  implied  is  that  the 
two  men  were  now  forming  part  of  the  same  household. 


28  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

hard  undertakeings  be  attempted  where  there  is  but  hope  of  gaine. 
There  marketts  likewise  were  not  very  quick  ;  for  from  their  first 
arrivall  the  20th  May  unto  the  date  of  their  latter  letters  of 
24  August  they  had  not  put  any  quantity  of  there  carga[zoon]  away, 
and  for  the  gaines  arrising  they  have  byn  from  ^6  to  50  per  cent, 
upon  some  of  the  comodities.'  The  money  received  there  had 
been  sent  to  Surat  on  the  Francis^  while  the  Seahorse  was  to  follow 
in  the  middle  of  October,  the  factors  remaining  (if  necessary)  until 
the  following  season.  Hope  that  the  latter  vessel  will  arrive  in 
good  time,  as  it  is  desirable  that  the  shipping  for  England  should 
leave  Surat  rather  in  the  middle  than  at  the  end  of  December.  As 
for  the  Hollanders'  '  insolent  carriage  towards  our  pinnace  Michaell^ 
wee  must  with  patience  beare  such  affronts  as  yet,  since  they  have 
the  better  end  of  the  staffe '.  The  Malabar  vessel  captured  by  the 
Michael  was  of  little  value,  and  was  sunk  after  the  rice  and  the  crew 
of  twenty  men  had  been  taken  out  of  her.  Desire  to  learn  how 
Merry  left  matters  in  Persia ;  whether  his  departure  is  resented  at 
court ;  and  what  has  been  done  about  securing  the  moiety  of  the 
Gombroon  customs.  Have  now  prepared  for  India  the  Crispiana, 
under  the  charge  of  Thomas  Steevens,  on  account  of  the  General 
Voyage  ;  and  have  also  chartered  upon  freight  the  Aleppo  Merchant^ 
commanded  by  John  Millet,  master  and  part  owner  ^.  List  of  the 
goods  laden  on  these  two  ships,  including  200,000  rials  of  eight  (in- 
voiced at  5^.  each).  In  preparing  return  cargoes,  special  care  should 
be  taken  that  the  calicoes  are  not  damaged  in  the  process  of  bleach- 
ing. Edward  Knipe  entertained  as  factor  for  the  voyage  at  200/. 
per  annum.  During  his  stay  at  Surat  he  is  to  be  '  an  assistant  unto 
you  in  Counsell ' ;  and  he  is  to  return  on  the  last  of  the  two  vessels 
to  leave  India.  Anthony  Panton  sent  as  minister,  on  a  salary  of 
50/.  and  a  gratuity  of  10/.  The  Hester  brought  a  letter  from 
John  Brightwell,  sometime  master  of  the  Hope,  and  also  one  from 
Thomas  ^  Moss  of  that  ship,  relating  their  cruel  usage  at  the  hands 
of  the  Malabars  in  a  place  called  '  Burgare '  on  that  coast ;  means 
should  be  sought  of  exchanging  or  ransoming  these  or  any  other 
English  captives.  One  chest  of  '  chirurgerie '  and  another  of  drugs 
and  medicines  sent.     Millet  has  been  permitted  to  carry  out  five 

^  For  a  copy  of  the  charter-party  see  p.  8  of  Knipe's  letter-book. 

'  This  should  be  'John' ;  cf.  p.  25,  and  Court  Minutes,  1640-43,  pp.  232,  275. 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  29 

tons,  and  bring  back  ten  tons,  of  goods  in  private  trade,  proviced 
that  the  commodities  thus  carried  are  not  those  the  Company  trade 
in  ;  desire  therefore  that  h'sts  of  his  goods,  both  outwards  and  home- 
wards, be  forwarded  to  them.  Robert  Tindall,  who  went  out  in  the 
Blessing  in  1634,  '  hath  here  a  troblesome  woman  to  his  wife,  who  is 
continually  peticioning  for  his  wages  and  clamoring  because  he 
comes  not  home ' ;  he  should  therefore  be  returned  by  the  first  ship. 
As  in  past  years  some  of  the  masters  have  grumbled  at  the  taking 
of  wine  from  their  vessels  for  use  ashore,  a  pipe  of  Canary  is  now  sent 
for  the  Surat  factory.  Breton  is  to  succeed  Fremlen  as  President  at 
a  salary  of  350/. :  and  Merry,  who  for  the  present  must  rank  as 
third,  will  then  become  second.  The  shipping  of  the  General  Voyage 
is  to  be  used,  if  necessary,  by  the  Joint  Stock,  in  return  for  the 
assistance  to  be  afforded  by  the  latter  to  the  former.  Knipe  may 
be  retained  on  shore  for  a  time  if  his  services  are  required,  but  he  is 
in  any  case  to  return  with  the  present  ships.  If  the  Aleppo  Merchant 
cannot  be*  sent  back  at  once,  she  may  be  employed  on  freight  to 
Gombroon  and  then  to  the  Red  Sea.  Now  understand  from 
Courteen  that  his  three  ships  already  mentioned  are  bound  for 
Achin  and  the  West  Coast  of  Sumatra  ;  and  that  he  is  also  dis- 
patching three  others  for  India,  viz.  the  Unity ^  under  Gervase  Russell, 
Xki^  Loyalty,  under  John  Durson,  and  the  Hester,  under  Robert  Hogg. 
Cargoes  of  these  vessels.  They  '  are  consigned  directly  for  the  Coast 
of  Mallabarr,  unto  their  factories  of  Rajapore  and  Carwarr,  or  what 
other  residences  they  have  in  those  parts.  And  as  you  see  these 
have  a  small  carga[zoon]  for  700  tonns  of  shipping,  as  they  are 
accounted,  soe  is  it  now  ordered  here  by  a  Committee  of  Parliament 
that  these  shipps  must  be  the  last  which  Mr.  Courteene  shall  sett  out 
for  India  to  bring  home  what  factores  and  goodes  he  shall  have  in 
those  parts  ;  but  if  any  remaines  shalbe  left  in  those  parts  after  the 
coming  away  of  these  shipps,  they  are  to  be  by  his  direction  brought 
unto  our  factories  and  wee  are  to  bring  them  home  for  the  same 
fraight  which  wee  pay  unto  others.'  Henry  Robinson  has  been 
permitted  to  send  on  the  Aleppo  Merchant  a  parcel  of  coral,  the 
proceeds  of  which  are  to  be  invested  in  *  such  toyes  and  household 
provizions'  as  he  has  named,  excluding  all  goods  usually  imported 
by  the  Company.  Search  to  be  made  at  Surat  for  the  articles  con- 
cluded with  the  Khan  of  Shiraz  about  the  capture  of  Ormus  \see  the 


30  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

previous  volume,  p.  306].  Presume  that  fewer  factors  are  now 
required  ;  if  so,  the  surplus  may  be  sent  home.  Cannot  say  any- 
thing certain  about  next  year's  shipping ;  '  yet  are  wee  noe  waie 
doubtfull  but  that  there  wilbe  stock  and  meanes  found,  sufficient  at 
the  least  to  furnish  and  sett  forth  a  shipp  of  300  tonns,  if  not  more.' 
To  provide  the  necessary  cargo,  the  President  and  Council  are 
desired  to  borrow  at  interest  to  the  amount  of  30,000/.  and  invest 
the  same  in  indigo  and  calicoes.  They  are  of  course  acquainted 
at  Surat  with  the  particulars  of  the  truce  concluded  by  Methwold 
with  the  then  Viceroy  of  Goa  ;  '  which  pacification  is  now  growing 
towards  its  conclusion,  yet  is  there  noe  appearance  of  any  breach, 
but  a  freindly  shew  of  a  further  continuance.  Nottwithstanding, 
the  Portugall  Ambassador  here  resident  have  bynn  mooved  by  us 
for  the  settling  of  a  firme  peace  betwixt  us  and  them  ;  to  which  pro- 
position of  ours  the  Ambassador  replies  that  he  hath  noe  commission 
to  treate  and  conclude  the  peace  in  India,  but  promiseth  that  what- 
soever was  agreed  heretofore  between  us  and  the  Conde  de  Linharees 
shalbe  inviolably  kept ;  and,  if  any  breach  should  happen  betweene 
the  nations,  there  shalbe  twoe  yeares  time  given  to  withdraw  the 
goodes  and  merchandizes  of  the  one  nation  from  out  of  the  power 
of  the  other ;  and  when  a  treaty  shalbe  taken  in  hand,  it  shalbe 
referred  for  its  perfecting  unto  some  commissioners  on  both  parts 
with  you  in  India '.^  It  would  not  perhaps  be  wise  to  trust  too 
much  to  the  '  large  expressions '  of  the  Portuguese,  and  the  factors 
are  advised  to  be  friendly  but  wary  in  intercourse  with  them.  Two 
letters  from  the  Portuguese  Ambassador,  addressed  to  the  Viceroy 
at  Goa,  are  forwarded  herewith  for  transmission.  Explain  that  in 
speaking  of  the  ships  belonging  to  the  General  Voyage  being  used 
by  the  Joint  Stock,  they  did  not  mean  that  any  such  employment 
was  to  be  allowed  to  hinder  the  return  of  those  vessels  to  England, 
but  merely  that  if  one  were  obliged  to  remain  for  another  year  it 
might  be  so  utilised.     {Copy.     'i-'J^pp-) 

1  A  treaty  between  England  and  Portugal  was  ratified  at  York  on  May  22,  1642.  By 
clause  xii  it  was  agreed  that  the  truce  concluded  at  Goa  in  1635  should  be  continued,  and 
that  commissioners  should  be  appointed  on  either  side  to  settle  outstanding  differences  (see 
Court  Minutes,  1640-43,  p.  xix,  &c. ;  also  Lisbon  Transcripts,  Doc.  Remett.,  book  48, 
f.  114). 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  3J 


Thomas  Merry,  William  Hall,  and  Thomas  Wheeler  at 
Gombroon  to  the  Company,  Atril  16,  1642  (O.C.  1783). 

.  .  .  Account  of  the  attack  on  the  English  at  the  custom-house 
[see  p.  i].  .  .  .  The  London,  which  left  Swally  on  January  20 
[sic],  doubtless  carried  home  intelligence  of  the  return  of  the  Sea- 
horse  and  Francis  from  Basra,  and  of  the  dispatch  of  the  Discovery 
and  Supply  to  Persia  at  the  beginning  of  this  monsoon.  The  Z^zj- 
^^z'^r^  reached  Gombroon  in  December,  and  left  again  on  February  i. 
The  Supply  arrived  about  the  end  of  December  with  pepper  and 
freight  goods,  and  sailed  for  Surat  on  January  13.  The  pinnace 
Advice,  from  the  Coast  of  Coromandel,  came  in  on  February  9,  and 
departed  on  March  25.  The  Seahorse  and  Prosperous  anchored 
here  on  March  14}  The  former  was  under  orders  to  proceed  to 
Basra  and  bring  thence  to  Gombroon  '  that  factories  cash '  for  tran- 
shipment on  the  Supply  ;  but  as  her  speedy  discharge  was  prevented 
by  bad  weather,  they  sent  the  Prosperous  to  Basra  instead.  Her 
return  is  hourly  expected.  The  Supply  came  in  on  March  19,  and 
is  now  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  Prosperous.  Merry  will  take  his 
passage  in  her  for  Surat.  *  Freight  goods  wee  are  forbidden  to  take 
for  her  reladeing  to  Surratt  (by  reason  of  some  trouble  which  the 
President  &c.  are  come  into  about  goods  stollen  out  of  the  freights 
of  shipp  Discovery  this  yeare)  unles  for  some  well  knowne  men.' 
Trust  that  hereafter  the  Company's  ships  will  be  employed  in  carry- 
ing its  own  goods,  which  will  be  more  profitable  than  taking  freights, 
especially  considering  the  expense  incurred  by  being  forced  to  pay  pre- 
tended losses.  Narrate  a  recent  instance  in  which  it  was  found  that 
the  goods  had  never  been  put  on  board  the  ship,  but  had  been  stolen 
in  the  boat  on  the  way.  The  broadcloth  brought  by  the  Discovery 
was  sold  at  a  very  small  profit ;  but  the  Coast  goods  yielded  about 
30  per  cent.  '  towards  charges  and  interest ',  though  dearly  bought 

^  The  Dutch  Dagh- R easier  iox  1641-42  (p.  195)  says  that  these  two  vessels  sailed  from 
Swally  on  February  |^,  accompanied  by  the  William,  belonging  to  the  President  (see  the 
previous  volume  of  the  present  series,  p.  297).  Their  lading,  which  included  a  quantity  of 
private  trade,  consisted  of  piece-goods,  indigo,  cotton  yarn,  Indian  steel,  pepper,  &c.  The 
Supply  followed  eight  days  later  with  freight  goods. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  the  English  factors,  in  writing  to  their  employers,  say  nothing  about 
the  William,  for  obvious  reasons. 


3a  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

and  badly  chosen.  The  piece-goods,  &c.,  from  Surat  also  produced 
a  good  return.  Disposal  of  the  proceeds.  ...  A  farman  has  been 
obtained  at  Ispahan,  directing  the  Shahbandar  to  pay  at  Gombroon 
the  English  share  of  the  customs.  '  What  their  amount  may  bee 
wee  yet  knowe  not,  but  cannot  hope  they  will  exceede  350  or  400 
tomands  att  most,  soe  much  hath  hee  stolen  out  of  the  small  quan- 
tity of  goods  this  yeare  arived  ;  there  being  noe  more  jounckes 
come  hither  this  yeare  then  14  from  all  places,  whereas  in  former 
yeares  there  hath  come  to  this  port  50,  60,  and  sometimes  more. 
The  Mallavars  doe  soe  infest  the  Indian  seas  that  many  are  feare- 
full  to  adventure  forth.  Of  Hollands  shipps  there  have  arived  this 
yeare  four  from  Batavia :  their  Hendretta  Louis ^  Enchuson^  and 
Klein  Zutphen  first,  and  after  them  their  Acker slote.  One  more 
they  expect  from  Surratt,  arrived  there  from  China.  They  have 
this  yeare  cleared  all  their  debt  in  Persia,  and  boasteth  of  15,000 
tomands  overplus  (though  wee  creditt  it  not),  by  sale  of  theise  ships 
cargazoones  and  their  ould  remaines.'  Enclose  particulars  of  the 
lading  of  the  Dutch  vessels.  .  .  .  {Extracts  only.  Ah  PP-  Received 
December  8.) 

The  Voyage  of  the  Hopewell  from  England  to  the 
COROMANDEL  COAST  {Marine  Records,  vol.  Ixv.  p.  i).^ 

1641,  Decemder  ^i.  Quitted  the  Downs.  \6\%,yamiary  %.  Lost 
sight  of  the  Lizard.  February  8.  Anchored  at  Bonavista  [one  of 
the  Cape  Verd  Islands].  February  11.  Sailed  again.  May  16. 
Reached  St.  Augustine's.  Mayzi.  Departed.  May  op.  Anchored 
at  Johanna.  June  1.  Sailed.  June  26.  Saw  the  coast  of  Ceylon. 
July  4.  Saw  *  Madrassapatam  '.  July  5.  Anchored  in  the  roads. 
Jzdy  19.  Sailed.  July  24.  Reached  Masulipatam.  August  6. 
Sailed  for  the  Bay  of  Bengal,  accompanied  by  the  Advice. 
August  14.  Reached  their  destination.  December  i.  Sailed  from 
Balasore.     December  8.  Anchored  at  Masulipatam.     (25J//.) 

^  Apparently  a  copy,  made  at  a  somewhat  later  date.  The  record  is  a  very  meagre  one, 
and  the  name  of  the  writer  is  not  given  ;  but,  as  the  voyage  from  Madras  to  Tranquebar  is 
omitted,  it  may  be  Trumball's  own  record.  The  writer  mentions  that  this  was  his  second 
voyage  in  the  Hopewell. 

For  the  Company's  instructions  to  Trumball  at  his  departure  see  Court  Minutes  of  the 
I']aH  India  Company ^  1640-43,  p.  214. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  33 


Andrew  Cogan  and  Henry  Greenhill  at  Fort  St.  George 
TO  THE  President  and  Council  at  Bantam,  July  17,  1642 
(O.C  1789). 

Having  just  heard  that  a  Dutch  ship  is  leaving  Puh'cat  to-morrow 
morning  for  Batavia,  they  write  a  few  h'nes  to  announce  the  arrival 
here  on  July  5  of  Francis  Day  in  the  Hopewell  from  England,  with 
money  and  goods  belonging  to  the  First  General  Voyage.  The 
Company  had  ordered  that  no  part  of  this  should  be  used  in  paying 
off  the  debts  of  the  Third  Joint  Stock,  but  that  all  should  be  invested 
for  England,  Persia,  and  Bantam  ;  nevertheless,  it  was  decided  by 
consultation  to  pay  the  debts  at  Masulipatam,  and  two  days  ago 
the  Advice  was  sent  thither  with  money  for  that  purpose  and  to 
commence  an  investment.  A  Dutch  ship  which  reached  Pulicat  on 
July  I  reported  that  on  June  i,  when  she  left  Batavia,  the  Diamond 
had  not  arrived  at  Bantam  ;  since  then,  however,  the  pilot  of  a 
Portuguese  ship,  which  anchored  here  on  the  13th,  has  told  them 
that  on  June  %  he  saw  in  the  Straits  of  Sunda  a  ship  and  a  pinnace 
which  they  believe  to  have  been  the  Danish  Golden  Sun  and  the 
Diamond.  To-morrow  the  Hopewell  will  be  dispeeded  for  Masuli- 
patam.    [Copy.     I  p.     Received  October  28.) 

President  Aaron  Baker  and  Council  at  Bantam  to  the 
President  and  Council  at  Surat,  July  25,  1642^  [O.C,  1790). 

Answer  first  their  letter  of  November  11  and  17,  and  in  so  doing 
will,  for  the  sake  of  peace,  pass  over  the  '  bitter,  nipping  invectives 
interlarded  '  therein.  Can  see  no  reason  for  giving  them  credit  in 
the  Bantam  books  for  money  due  to  them  from  the  Coast  ;  this  is 
a  matter  they  must  settle  with  the  Coast  factors.  Object  to  the 
instructions  given  to  the  latter  from  Surat '  to  transport  the  generall 
charges  of  that  place  for  the  yeares  past  to  our  acco[unt].'  Such 
a  course  is  unreasonable,  considering  that  the  Coast  *  is  subordinate 
and  accomptible  to  Suratt '.  Any  charges  directly  arising  from  the 
provision  of  goods  for  Bantam  may  of  course  be  added  (as  usual)  to 
the  invoice  ;    but   they  cannot    consent  to  be   charged    with   the 

^  Sent  in  the  Swan. 

FOSTER  VII  D 


34  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

expenses  of  the  ships,  the  building  of  a  fort,  the  maintenance  of  its 
garrison,  and  Yard's  '  exhorbitancies  in  the  Bay  of  Bengala '.  As 
regards  the  cargoes  of  the  Hopewell  and  the  Reformation^  these 
have  been  charged  to  the  Coast  by  Bantam,  as  is  the  right  course. 
Now  answer  the  letter  brought  by  the  Swan,  dated  February  i. 
That  vessel  left  Swally  on  the  5th  and  Goa  on  the  21st  of  that 
month,  and  after  a  tedious  passage  reached  Bantam  on  June  9.  It 
must  be  a  great  advantage  at  Surat  to  be  able  to  borrow  money, 
when  necessary,  at  i  or  i  J  per  cent,  per  month  ;  here  it  would  be 
requisite  to  pay  4  or  5  per  cent.  It  was  to  avoid  this  excessive 
interest  that  last  year,  being  in  great  need  of  money,  they  took  up 
6,000  rials  from  the  Portuguese  who  embarked  in  the  Swan,  and 
gave  them  bills  on  Surat  for  the  amount.  Regret  to  be  unable  at 
present  to  clear  accounts  with  that  Presidency.  The  commodities 
demanded  from  Surat  are  of  such  small  value  and  yet  so  bulky  that 
the  biggest  ship  available  here  could  not  carry  enough  to  discharge 
the  debt ;  while,  as  for  money,  they  have  none  to  send.  Entreat 
their  forbearance  accordingly.  '  And  whilest  your  minds  is  busied 
in  these  precogitations,  remember  a  little  likewise  that  we  have 
helpt  you  off  with  26,000  rials  worth  of  goods,  sent  us  by  the 
Michael,  the  most  part  whereof  was — you  know  what  -^  ;  and  this, 
we  conceive,  will  (if  duly  weighed)  prove  a  good  motive  to  prevail 
with  your  patience  for  a  short  forbearance.  We  are  forced  now  to 
plead  with  you  like  the  poor  debtor  in  the  Gospell  that  was  endebted 
to  his  fellow  servant  one  hundred  pence :  Have  patience  with  us 
and  we  wil  pay  you  al.  But  were  our  masters  in  England  once 
again  resolved  to  prosecute  their  Indian  trade  (which  yet,  as  it 
seemes,  hangs  in  suspence),  a  yearly  supply  of  15  or  20,000/.  sterling 
would  be  very  necessary  to  be  sent  out  to  Suratt  for  our  acco[unt], 
to  furnish  us  with  severall  sortments  of  cloth  for  these  parts ;  and 
then,  if  this  course  were  followed,  we  should  hardly  come  behind- 
hand in  acco[un]t  with  you.  But  as  the  case  now  stands,  we  know 
not  in  this  particular  what  to  forecast  or  project  otherwise.  We 
see  they  desire  to  have  all  that  possibly  they  can  home,  and  send 
little  or  nothing  out ;  which  makes  us  to  suppose  their  trade  is  even 
at  a  period.*     Deny  that  the  lead  sent  to  Surat  in  the  Swan  was 

^  *  Private  trade '  is  obviously  intended.     The  resentment  of  the  Surat  factors  at  this 
implication  will  be  seen  from  their  letter  to  the  Company  of  January  17,  1643  (p. ^5). 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  35 

overrated.  Cannot  explain  the  deficiency  found  therein.  As  the 
price  of  sugar  at  Surat  is  now  abated,  they  send  only  a  small 
quantity  and  will  forward  no  more  in  future.  '  We  heartely  com- 
misserate  the  poor  and  deplorable  estate  of  the  Companies  affaires 
in  Suratt.  With  us,  we  assure  you,  till  it  pleased  God  to  arrive  us 
the  Swa7t  from  your  parts  and  the  Diamond  from  the  Coast,  the 
case  was  in  many  degrees  worse  then  can  be  supposed  with  you  ; 
being  here  driven  to  that  extremity  that  private  men  were  fain  to 
lend  the  Company  their  monies  to  mainteyne  the  table  and  defray 
other  petty  expences.  And  yet  we  kept  our  griefes  to  our  selves 
and  set  the  best  outside  upon  all  things  that  possibly  we  could  ; 
that  so  the  world  might  take  the  lesse  notice  of  it.'  Acknowledge 
the  courtesy  done  them  by  the  remittance  of  the  10,000  pagodas 
from  Surat  to  the  Coast,  but  understand  that  a  good  part  of  that 
amount  has  now  been  sent  back  in  goods  on  the  Advice,  and  that 
the  rest  will  shortly  be  repaid.  Declare  that  they  know  nothing  of 
the  goods  taken  by  the  Portuguese  in  the  Swan  beyond  those 
advised  in  their  letter ;  and  deny  having  received  any  presents  (*  as 
loaves  ^  of  gold  and  we  know  not  what ')  in  lieu  of  freight  money. 
Consider  that  the  Surat  factors  ought,  in  the  circumstances,  to  have 
forced  the  Portuguese  to  pay  freight  on  the  whole.  At  the  same 
time,  it  must  be  admitted  that  the  service  which  the  latter  did  the 
Company  in  furnishing  this  factory  with  money  when  it  was  utterly 
destitute,  might  well  have  excused  the  remission  of  freight  on 
a  moderate  amount  of  goods.  As  John  Jeffreys  [purser  of  the 
Swan\  appears  to  have  assisted  the  Portuguese  to  ship  part  of  the 
excess  goods,  he  should  be  made  to  pay  the  freight  thereon.  Pro- 
visioning of  the  Swan.  Censure  Cogan  for  '  sending  our  pynnace 
Advice  for  Persia  and  returning  us  your  Diamond  in  her  room  .  .  . 
without  your  requiry  and  contrary  to  our  expresse  order.'  The 
result  has  been  that,  owing  to  the  leakiness  of  the  Diamond^  the 
goods  she  brought  from  the  Coast  have  been  damaged  to  the  extent 
of  1,000/.  Errors  in  the  Swans  invoice.  Remarks  on  her  cargo. 
Will  follow  their  advice  as  to  the  packing  of  tortoise-shells.  Send 
a  quantity  of  '  damar  '  [resin],  as  it  is  in  demand  at  Surat.  '  From 
Perack  and  the  parts  near  thereunto  adjoyning  it  is  (as  we  suppose) 
that  the  Dutch  procure  the  tinn  which  in  such  ample  quantities  (you 

*  See  a  note  on  p.  33  of  the  1634-36  volume. 
D  2 


36  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

say)  they  bring  yearly  to  Suratt.  Their  tutinggle  ^  they  bring  from 
Tiwan  [Taiwan,  i.e.  Formosa];  but  what  they  pay  for  either  we 
are  altogither  ignorant.  It  will  not  concerne  us  much  to  enquire 
into  these  comodities,  being,  we  are  sure,  they  are  seldome  or  never 
to  be  procured  in  those  petty  places  hereabouts  where  we  have 
either  trade  or  correspondence.^  Anthony  Ramsay  will  be  duly 
credited  with  the  goods  received  on  his  account.  The  five  Jesuits 
that  came  in  the  Swan  proceeded  to  Batavia,  where  they  embarked 
in  a  small  Portuguese  vessel  for  Macao.  Padre  Andreas  Xavier  was 
unable  to  repay  here  the  thirty  rials  lent  him  in  Surat ;  his  bill  is 
therefore  returned  in  order  that  the  money  may  be  recovered  from 
the  '  Padre  Provincial'.  Anchors  sent  as  desired.  Know  not  when 
they  will  be  able  to  forward  to  the  Coast  '  those  eleven  pieces  of 
ordnance  for  your  Fort  St.  George  which  you  consigned  them  by  the 
Swan.^  The  Surat  letter  of  April  4,  received  from  the  Dutch  on 
June  14,  requires  no  special  answer.  Now  proceed  to  relate  the 
course  of  events  in  these  parts.  Movements  of  shippings.  Want 
of  money  at  Bantam.  The  Diamond  left  '  Madrazpatam '  on 
January  27,  called  at  '  Porta  Nova '  for  some  longcloth,  and  then 
on  February  12  was  forced  by  contrary  winds  and  want  of  ballast 
to  put  into  '  Tricombar '  [Tranquebar].  She  sailed  thence  on 
February  23  in  company  with  the  Danish  Golden  Sun,  and  after 
a  tedious  and  dangerous  voyage  both  reached  Bantam  on  June  16. 
On  the  way  they  lost  company,  and  the  Diamond  was  obliged  to 
call  at  the  island  of  Engano  for  water — a  risky  proceeding,  as  the 
crew  consisted  only  of '  eight  Englishmen  and  a  boy,  besides  a  few 
blacks ' ;  and  in  addition  they  were  beholden  to  the  Danes  for  all 
kinds  of  stores.  Blame  the  Coast  factors  for  sending  away  the 
vessel  so  badly  furnished.  Great  damage  to  the  cargo  by  leakage. 
It  is  true  that  the  Diamond  was  lately  '  new  planked  in  the  Bay  of 
Bengala ' ;  but  the  work  was  badly  done  and  she  will  never  be  other 
than  '  a  leaky  old  rotten  toole '.  After  patching  her  up,  she  was 
sent  to  Jambi.  Negotiations  between  Ralph  Cartwright  and  the 
Sultan  of  Mataran,  at  whose  request  a  number  of  Javanese  were 
permitted  to  embark  in  the  Reformation  for  Bantam,  intending  to 
go  in  an  English  ship  to  Surat  and  so  to  Mecca.     On  her   way 

^  Spelt  '  tutinagle '  in  another  part  of  the  same  letter.    It  is  of  course  the  '  tutenagiie '  of 
commerce,  on  which  see  Hobson-yobson,  s.v.  , 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORH^.S  37 

to  this  place,  however,  the  Reformation  and  a  junk  in  her  company 
(belonging  to  the  English)  were  stopped  by  a  Dutch  squadron,  the 
junk  seized  and  the  ship  fired  upon,  one  man  being  killed  and  three 
or  four  wounded.     The  Dutch  attempted  to  take  the  Javanese  out 
of  the  Reformation,  but  they  resisted  and  were  all  slain  save  one 
who  had  hidden  himself.     No  doubt  this  outrage  was  committed  to 
bring  the  English  into  disrepute  with  the  Javanese  and  ruin  their 
trade.     The   Expedition  was  disappointed  of  cloves  at  Macassar, 
owing  to  the  action  of  the  Dutch.     Cannot  detain  the  Sivan  any 
longer  ;  but  hope  to  send  the  Diamond  diher  her  to  Surat  in  October 
with  a  further  supply  of  goods,  calling  at  '  Madrazpatam '  on  her 
way.     A  Persian  horse  wanted  for  the  Queen  of  Jambi.     Scarlet 
cloth  presented  to  Francisco  de  Souza  de  Castro.     The  silk  '  putto- 
laes '  received  in  the  Expedition  were  invoiced  by  '  tannes  ^  ',  without 
mentioning  the  number  of  pieces  and  the  length  of  each  ;  and  on 
opening  the  bales  and  sorting  the  contents,  they  found  nearly  two 
*  tannes  '  wanting.     Request  definite  details  in  future ;  also  that  no 
more  'puttolaes'  be  sent  at  present,  but  some  other  piece-goods 
instead.     If  any  '  Mallabars  '  be  captured,  thirty  or  forty '  good  lusty 
young  fellowes '  should  be  sent  to  Bantam  as  servants.     '  Two  old 
persons  of  that  nation  (or  rather  Maldevaes,  as  we  suppose),  being 
formerly  taken  by  the  Michael  and  by  reason  of  their  age  unfit  for 
the  Companies  service,  we  have  here  released  and  sent  them  for 
Suratt  upon  this  ship';  also  a  third,  'named  Bickoo '  [Bhikkhu], 
who  has  served  12  or  14  years,  having  been  captured  by  the  Blessi^ig 
on  the  Malabar  Coast.     The  twenty  '  Guzeratt  laskars '  who  came 
on  the  Expedition  are  returned  in  the  present  ship  ;  '  unto  whome, 
during  her  stay  here,  we  have  given  the  same  allowance  that  our  own 
people  have,  being  one  rial  of  eight  and  60  lb.  of  rice  each  man  per 
month,  with  which  they  have  seemed  very  well  pleased.'     Advances 
made  to  them  on  account  of  wages.     One  of  the  Surat  '  washers  ' 
here  has  been  allowed  to  return,  '  being  a  quarrelsome  old  knave ' ; 
another  is  desired  in  his  place,  together  with  '  three  or  four  baskets 
of  good  Suratt  soap '.     Pitch  and  tar  sent  in  lieu  of  '  dammer '.   The 
Danes  desire  to  return  to  Europe  this  year,  but  their  Golden  Sun  is 
in  such  a  bad  state  that  this  is  unlikely.     A  brick  factory,  which  is 

^  Hind,  than,  the  piece  or  roll.     Valentyn  (pt.  iv.  sec.  ii.  p.  147)  says  that  a  tanni  is 
28  'hastas'  (i.e.  hath)  or  cubits. 


38  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

being  built  here,  is  said  to  be  intended  for  them.  Proceedings  of 
the  Dutch.  Two  more  Surat  letters  (April  20  and  28)  just  received. 
Thomas  Whatmore  has  gone  to  Jambi  as  master  of  the  Diamond,  but 
will  be  sent  to  Surat,  as  desired,  in  October  next.  Explain  that  they 
could  not  spare  the  Reformation  for  the  present  voyage  ;  and  besides 
the  Swan  is  quite  large  enough  to  carry  all  the  goods  available. 
PS, — Enclose  some  letters  from  Batavia  for  the  Dutch  '  coman- 
dore '  in  Surat.  A  fleet  of  nine  or  ten  ships  is  about  to  be  dispatched 
from  Batavia  to  Goa  ;  '  so  that  as  yet,  it  seemes,  they  are  not  agreed 
for  an  absolute  peace  here  in  India.'  News  of  a  small  English  ship 
spoken  by  the  Hollanders  on  their  way  out ;  probably  she  is  bound 
for  the  Coast.     [Copy.     1^  pp.) 

Andrew  Cogan,  Henry  Greenhill,  and  John  Brown  at 
Fort  St.  George  to  the  President  and  Council  at  Bantam, 
September  0,0, 1642  {O.C.  1791).^ 

Reply  to  theirs  of  March  26  (received  May  19)  and  July  18 
(received  August  30).  Admit  the  *  many  disasters  and  losses '  that 
have  befallen  the  Company  on  this  Coast ;  but  trust  that  in  time 

*  all  will  be  made  good  with  interest '.  Cogan  confesses  that '  it  was 
a  most  ridiculous  scarecrow  that  frighted  him  from  Porta  Nova, 
thereby  to  possess  the  Dutch  with  the  cloath  provided  by  us ' ; 
however,  it  is  easy  to  be  wise  after  the  event.  Such  orders  have 
been  given  to  Day,  who  has  been  sent  into  the  Bay,  that  they  do 
not  doubt  that  Yard  will  leave  those  parts.     On  his  arrival  here, 

*  many  things  are  to  be  objected  against  him',  and  so  it  will  not  be 
convenient  to  send  him  on  at  once  in  that  ship  to  Bantam.  Cogan 
requests  an  order  for  his  own  repair  to  the  latter  place,  '  for  with 
a  new  Agent  he  hopes  of  new  and  better  success  in  our  maisters 
affairs.'  An  Arab  horse  will  be  bought  and  forwarded  for  presenta- 
tion to  the  Queen  of  Jambi.  Agree  in  wishing  that  the  Reforma- 
tion's cargo  had  been  tenfold  more  than  it  was.  '  The  reason  why 
the  Coast  is  no  better  stockt  is  because  (as  is  said  in  most  of  our 
masters  letters)  wee  and  our  predecessors  have  consumed  so  much 
of  their  estate  sent  hither  that  now  they  even  feare  to  send  more.' 
Note  what  is  said  as  to  the  little  esteem  at  Bantam  of  the  '  redd 
Armous  earth'  [see  the  1624-29  volume,  p.  188].     Here  '  no  man 

^  A  second  copy  will  be  found  among  the  0.  C.  Duplicates. 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  39 

will  carry  it  away  to  have  it  of  gift ;  and  that  which  was  sent  coold 
with  as  little  labour  have  byn  cast  ashore  as  put  on  boord  the 
Reformation^  but  that  Mr.  Bayly  woold  needs  have  8  or  10  chests, 
being  he  was  confident  it  woold  turne  to  a  good  acco[un]t  in  England.* 
Were  induced  to  believe  this '  because  it  was  told  us  that  from  Surrat 
one  of  the  Companies  commanders  did  carry  home  about  10  tonns 
and  made  infinite  profit  of  it.'     The  price  put  upon  it  was  a  mere 
guess.     Suggest  that  the  chests  be  emptied  into  the  sea  rather  than 
returned  hither.     Answer  several  minor  points.     Gunpowder  could 
not  be  supplied  for  want  of  casks.    '  Nevertheless  wee  are  accostomed 
to  great  gunns,  &c.,  yet  the  very  mention  of  gunns  or  a  foarte  in  any 
letter  even  scares  us,  for  wee  are  very  sencible  how  ridiculous  wee 
have  made  ourselves  by  doeing  what  is  done,  and  lye  at  our  masters 
mercies  for  all.     You  will  know  ere  wee  can  whether  the  Company 
intend  to  give  over  the  Coast  trade  or  noe ;  and  so  accordingly  wee 
know  you  will  dispose  of  the  ordnance  '  \see  p.  '>f)\.     Cannot  provide 
better  cloth  than  that  sent  in  the  Reformation^  unless  they  have 
a   stock  of  money  beforehand.     *  If  wee  bespeake   any  sorts  of 
paintings  of  sutch  lengths,  breadths,  and  worke,  it  is  necessarie  wee 
give  monies  in  hand ;  and  under  four  or  five  months  time  no  man 
will   undertake  to  deliver  a  bale.'     The  wheat  and  butter  desired 
will  be  provided  at  Masulipatam.     Comment  on  the  ingratitude  of 
the  Portuguese,  who  pretend  '  on  the  least  occasion '  that  the  truce 
is  being  broken.    Any  future  consignment  of  indigo  will  be  put  into 
baskets  ;  but  there  was  no  time  to  do  this  with  what  was  embarked 
in  the  Reformation.     Regret  to  hear  of  the  straits  to  which  the 
President  and  Council  have  been   reduced  for  money ;    however, 
things  cannot  continue  long  on  this  footing,  for  either  the  Company 
will  remedy  the  want  or  give  over  the  trade  altogether.     As  regards 
the  66,4^6  rials  of  eight  said  to  be  due  from  the  Coast  to  Bantam 
they  will  answer  later.     The  armour  and  buff  coat  brought  out  in 
the  William  were  intended  for  the  King  of  Golconda,  who  has  often 
inquired    for  them ;    beg   their   early  transmission    to  the   Coast. 
Enclose  an  exact  statement  of  their  indebtedness.     The  total  may 
appear  great,  but  on  examination  'it  will  appeare  no  more  then 
needs  must ;  for  wee  profess  to  God  not  to  have  spent  a  pice  in  any 
vaineglorious  way,  for  wee  have  long  since  given  over  all  the  Coast 
vanities  (as  it  is  mentioned  to  the  Company).     Tis  truth  wee  advised 


40  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

you  from  Maddaraspatan  the  27th  of  March,  1640  [sic.  1641  ?],  that 
wee  were  cleere  out  of  debt ;  but  wee  then  knew  the  contrary,  and 
so  it  will  appeare  by  our  bookes  of  accompt ;  for  wee  did  still  but 
robb  Peter  to  pay  Paule — take  upp  of  one  to  pay  another,  to  maine- 
teine  our  credits.  And  the  reason  that  moved  us  to  write  so  was 
the  President  &c.  of  Surrat  had  given  us  order  to  lay  the  burthen 
of  our  debts  on  them,  and  before  wee  coold  get  monies  to  charge 
on  them  to  the  full  amounts  of  our  debts  they  contradicted  theire 
order  againe,  and  commanded  us  peremtorily  that,  whatever  shoold 
be  sent  from  Bantam  or  England,  with  it  first  to  imburse  them  with 
what  wee  had  charged  on  that  Presidency,  then  pay  our  debts,  and 
the  remainder  invest  for  Bantam,  for  (say  they)  wee  see  no  reason 
why  Surrat  shoold  pay  Bantam  debts,  &c. ;  and  fearing  that  this 
might  deterre  you  from  sending  ought  hither  (being  advised  so  much), 
wee  writt  you  as  wee  did.'  In  reply  to  the  demand  *  to  know  what 
warrant  and  order  wee  had  from  Surrat  to  biuld  the  new  foart  of 
Maddaraspatan ',  they  refer  to  what  is  said  in  the  enclosed  letter  to 
the  Company.  Will  certainly  not  agree  to  '  the  sending  any  factor 
or  factors  by  the  way  of  Surrat '.  Enclose  Richard  Hudson's  account. 
Apparently  the  Dutch  are  not  free  from  losses  ;  '  nor  cann  the  Dane[s] 
much  bragg  of  theire  ritch  voyages ',  for  it  is  said  that  the  goods 
they  carried  from  the  Coast  to  Bantam  last  year  produced  not  more 
than  50  per  cent,  profit,  while  those  sent  from  this  place,  bad  as  they 
were,  are  believed  to  have  made  100  per  cent,  at  least.  Fear  that 
the  Jonas  is  lost,  and  that  this  will  much  dishearten  the  Company. 
*  Such  a  trade  doe  they  drive  that  the  losse  of  one  shippe  appeares 
more  to  them  then  ten  to  the  Dutch.'  Were  grieved  to  learn,  from 
the  Bantam  letter  of  July  18,  of  the  tedious  passage  of  the  Diamond^ 
but  believe  that  the  Golden  Snn  took  just  as  long.  It  is  strange 
that  the  former  should  prove  so  leaky, '  for  she  had  almost  as  much 
spent  uppon  her  in  the  Bay  as  woold  have  built  a  new  vessell  of  her 
burthen.'  They  will  no  doubt  be  censured  for  not  having  sent  the 
Advice  to  Bantam  instead  of  her.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  they  had 
intended  to  do  this,  and  to  dispatch  the  Diamond  to  Persia ;  but 
the  latter  was  detained  so  long  in  the  Bay  that  it  was  deemed 
advisable  to  let  the  Advice  go  to  Gombroon  in  her  place.  Moreover^ 
the  Advice  ^  rudder  was  so  defective  that  on  her  return  she  was 
obliged  to  proceed  to  the  Bay  to  have  it  put  right ;   so,  haS  she 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  41 

been  sent  to  Bantam,  she  might  never  have  reached  that  port.  In 
any  case,  the  freight  earned  by  her  to  and  from  Persia,  amounting 
to  824/.,  would  have  been  lost, '  for  no  man  woold  have  laden  a  pice 
of  goods  on  the  Dyamond^  for  feare  of  the  Mallavars.'  A  copy  of 
the  Bantam  letter  has  been  forwarded  to  Surat.  'The  Company 
hath  taken  a  resolution  to  set  a  period  to  the  Third  Joynt  Stock 
and  in  the  interim,  so  that  the  trade  may  not  fall  to  the  ground, 
some  of  the  cheife  adventurers  have  undertaken  a  Generall  Voyage. 
.  .  .  Part  of  what  they  underwrite  (the  totall  being  105,000/. 
starling)  they  have  sent  hither  uppon  the  shippe  Hopewell,  it  being 
17,290/.  \^s.  gd.^  She  arrived  here  on  July  6,  with  her  crew  all 
•  well  and  lusty '.  The  Company  had  forbidden  the  money  to  be 
used  to  pay  debts ;  but  their  creditors  were  so  clamorous  that  they 
were  forced  to  satisfy  them.  Still,  they  do  not  doubt  that,  when 
the  time  comes  to  make  an  investment  for  England,  they  will  be 
able  to  borrow  the  same  amount  at  a  cheaper  rate  of  interest. 
Propose  to  turn  over  to  the  General  Voyage  the  goods  on  hand  for 
the  Third  Joint  Stock.  Cannot  send  the  Adviee  to  Bantam  until 
some  time  in  January.  On  her  Cogan  intends  to  take  his  passage, 
'  for  by  the  postscript  of  the  Companies  letter  wee  doe  gather  that 
Mr.  Day  is  the  man  appoynted  to  succeed  ;  and  yourselves  know 
that  it  is  very  necessary  .  .  .  that  Andrew  Cogan  continue  on  yeare 
at  Bantam,  to  purge  himself  of  what  may  be  objected  against  him, 
and  then  his  time  will  be  more  then  expired  with  the  Company.' 
Although  they  have  been  forced  to  pay  their  debts  at  Masulipatam, 
they  cannot  get  a  pice  of  what  is  due  to  them :  '  nor  are  wee  ever 
like  to  get  ought  unless  wee  force  it  from  them.  If  therefore  you 
please  to  enorder  it,  after  our  investment  is  made,  wee  may  ceaze 
uppon  theire  juncks  at  Massilupatam.  It  is  our  opinion  that,  if  wee 
doe  doe  so,  wee  shall  be  paid  (elce  not) ;  and  our  privilidges  with 
the  Kinge  no  way  impared,  for  the  Kinge  hath  often  enordered  the 
payment  of  what  is  due  to  us,  and  knows  not  the  contrary  but  that 
all  is  paid.'  Enclose  an  account  of  what  has  passed  in  those  parts 
since  the  Reforvtation  sailed.  PS. — The  Masulipatam  books  are 
sent  herewith,  as  received  from  thence.  {Copy.  6  pp.  Received  by 
Dutch  conveyance  October  28.) 


42  THE  ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Events  on  the  Coast  of  Coromandel,  January — 
September,  1642  (O.C.  lygiAy 

*The  9th  January,  the  Danes  being  satisfied  in  their  demands  2, 
they  released  the  jouncke,  and  wee  had  libertieto  lade  our  goods  ; 
which  the  12th  was  compleated  and  she  dispeded  to  us^ ;  where  the 
20th  she  arrived,  and  [the]  25th  [haveinge  laden  what  wee  had  to 
lade,  &c.]  wee  dispeded  hir  for  Porta  Nova  ;  where  shee  tooke  in  as 
much  goods  as  filld  her  upp.  Hir  whole  cargazoone  amo[unted]  to 
13,36^  pa[godas]  26  fa[nams]  5  ca[sh]  ;  and  from  thence  she  was 
dispeded  the  5th  February,  but  it  seems  it  was  the  16  of  June  ere 
she  arrived  at  Bantam — a  most  taedious  passage  [the  like  seldome 
heard  off].  And  now  wee  returne  againe  to  Bengalla,  wher  the 
Dyamond  left  Mr.  John  Yard  with  his  Endeavour ;  who  it  seemes 
could  not  be  made  readie  untill  the  15  of  January  ;  when  then  he 
sett  sayle  to  come  for  Messilupitam,  but  meeting  variable  winds 
and  foule  weather  was  forced,  after  the  expence  of  a  month,  to 
retourn  againe,  having  in  that  time  lost  some  of  his  [her]  anchors 
and  almost  all  her  sails  ;  and  yet  (which  is  strange  to  us)  the  Dutch, 
that  set  saile  ten  days  after  them,  gained  Messilupatam  and  Pullicat 
[but  twas  towards  the  latter  end  of  March].'  On  March  i  Greenhill 
was  dispatched  to  Masulipatam  to  perfect  the  accounts,  Rogers 
having  made  many  errors  ;  he  returned  May  9.  The  pinnace  Advice 
arrived  on  April  29  from  Gombroon,  whence  she  had  started  on 
March  26.  She  brought  back  the  lead  which  had  been  sent  on  her  ; 
also  some  rosewater,  raisins,  almonds,  pistachios,  and  hazel  nuts. 
For  the  freight  goods  on  board  a  sum  of  17,895  shahis  had  been 
received  at  Gombroon.  On  May  3  she  proceeded  to  Masulipatam 
to  land  her  passengers  and  freight  goods  ;  this  done,  she  sailed  again 
on  the  17th,  and  reached  Fort  St.  George  on  June  3,  bringing  a  few 
piece-goods,  &c.  On  July  6  arrived  the  Hopeivell  from  England, 
with  Trumball  as  master  and  Day  as  merchant.     Nine  days  later 

1  Enclosed  in  the  previous  letter.  It  is  repeated  (in  substance)  as  part  of  O.C.  1792, 
and  again  under  O.C.  1799  '■>  ^^^^  (under  1791)  among  the  O.C.  Duplicates.  From  these 
versions  some  additions  have  been  made  (within  brackets). 

"^  See  the  former  part  of  this  narrative  (p.  314  of  the  last  volume),  where  it  is  stated  that 
the  Danes  had  seized  a  junk  belonging  to  the  Sar-i-Khail,  and  that  in  consequence  the 
Governor  of  Masulipatam  had  prevented  the  English  from  lading  the  Diamotid. 

^  At  Fori  St.  George. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  43 

the  Advice  was  sent  to  MasuHpatam  with  money  to  pay  debts  and 
commence  an  investment  for  Bantam.  She  had  orders  next  to  pro- 
ceed to  the  Bay, '  where  and  nowhere  elce  on  the  Coast  'twas  held  by 
the  mariners  she  coold  be  hawled  on  ground  to  amend  the  defects 
of  her  rudder.'  She  reached  Masulipatam  on  July  19.  There  on  the 
24th  she  was  joined  by  the  Hopewell,  which  had  left  Fort  St.  George 
on  the  2ist ;  and  both  sailed  for  the  Bay  on  August  5  [6th  in 
the  other  versio7is\.  The  Advice  carried  a  small  freight,  producing 
78  pagodas  5  fanams,  equivalent  to  156  pieces  of  eight  40  pence  ^ 
'  The  I  ith  of  August  three  Portugall  soldiers  belonging  to  the  armada 
(11  small  frigotts  sent  for  the  releife  of  St.  Thoma^  with  270 
soldiers)  came  to  our  towne  and  in  a  base  arack  house  fell  to  drincking 
with  a  Dane,  and  at  length  together  by  the  ears.  In  fine  the  three 
Portugalls  with  their  rapiers  made  uppon  him  and  wounded  him  in 
seven  places.  Notice  of  which  being  given  us,  wee  sent  two  soldiers 
to  part  them ;  who  no  sooner  entred  within  the  yard  and  com- 
manded them  to  desist  but  on  of  the  three  aforesaid  soldiers,  by 
name  Anthony  Myrando,  ran  the  one  of  our  two  solders  into  the 
right  pappe,  that  instantly  he  dyed  without  speaking  one  word.^  So 
soone  as  they  perceived  what  they  had  done  they  all  three  fledd  ; 
but  within  lesse  then  half  an  hower  were  all  thre  taken.  And  being 
truly  informed  which  was  the  homicide,  wee  kept  him  and  suffered 
the  others  to  departe  for  St.  Thoma ;  from  whence  wee  received 
many  letters  to  release  him,  for  that  he  was  a  phydalgo  [Port. 
fidalgo,  a  man  of  birth]  ;  but  what  thorough  our  Naique[s]  importu- 
nitie,  togither  with  our  owne  people,  wee  cold  not  repreive  him  till 
advized  to  Surrat,*  but  were  even  forced  to  execute  him  the  13th 
ditto  [in]  the  morning  ;  and  because  he  pretended  to  be  a  gentleman 

^  The  rial  of  eight  being  taken  at  5^.  and  the  pagoda  at  10^. 

2  The  Dutch  had  contemplated  an  attack  upon  San  Thome,  but  abandoned  the  idea  upon 
finding  that  it  had  been  reinforced  {Hague  Transcripts,  series  i.  vol.  xiii.  no.  407  ;  Lisbon 
Transcripts,  Doc.  Ret?tett.,  book  48,  f.  117). 

3  His  name  is  given  in  the  other  versions  as  James  Jaques. 

*  O.C.  1792  enlarges  this  passage  as  follows:  'The  homicide  wee  kept  prisoner  untill 
wee  had  acquainted  our  Naique,  butt  lett  the  other  [two  ?]  goe.  Thereuppon  the  Naique 
instantly  sent  4  or  500  soldiers  to  lye  in  the  towne  (not  knowing  what  the  Portugalls  might 
attempt  to  gett  theire  man)  and  order  that  out  of  hand  he  shoold  be  put  to  death.  But 
wee  woold  willingly  have  repreivd  him  untill  the  President  of  Surrat  had  been  made 
acquainted  with  it,  in  regaurd  of  [y]our  servants  and  estate  in  Goa ;  but  the  importunitie 
of  our  Naique  and  our  people  here  woold  not  suffer  us  longer  to  deferre  it.' 


44  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

as  aforesaid,  wee  shott  him  to  death  before  our  corps  du  guard.  Since 
when  wee  have  byn  wonderfull  at  ease  in  respect  of  the  Portugalls,^ 
for  till  then  wee  were  dayly  troubled  with  one  or  other.  And  now 
in  this  place  it  will  not  be  impertinent,  before  wee  conclude,  to  say 
somewhat  of  St.  Thoma ;  where  from  the  time  the  armado  arrived, 
which  was  in  May  last,  to  the  time  they  parted,  which  was  the  28th 
of  August,  it  is  not  to  be  spoken  what  a  many  murthers  and  other 
crimes,  which  in  any  part  of  Christendome  deserved  death,  were 
committed  by  the  soldiers  ;  yet  no  one  man  suffered  for  it  among 
them.  This  homicide  Myrando  about  the  prime  of  August  kild  a 
man  in  St.  Thoma  and  rann  hither  for  sanctuary ;  and  being  wee 
woold  not  protect  him,  he  not  having  made  his  peace,  he  vou'd  in 
some  of  our  hearing  to  be  the  death  of  some  English  man  ere  he  left 
the  Coast.  The  said  Myrando  further  confessed,  ere  he  suffered, 
that  this  was  the  seventh  murther  he  had  committed.  But  now,  say 
the  Portugalls  of  St.  Thoma,  or  rather  the  Capt.  More  \Capitao  Mor, 
or  Captain-Major]  (for  all  the  citizens  rejoice  at  what  wee  did),  the 
peace  is  broke  and  they  expect  order  from  the  Viceroy  to  fall  on 
us ;  which  were  it  so  (or  wee  faile  much  in  our  judgements) 
St.  Thoma  woold  not  continue  a  month  more  in  the  hands  of  the 
Portugalls.  The  Naique  of  Armagon  is  absolutely  beaten  out  of 
all  his  country,  it  being  possest  part  by  the  King  of  Golquondah[s] 
people  and  the  major  part  by  Raylawar.  The  Moores  have  en- 
camped themselves,  or  rather  seated  themselves  for  the  warr,  at  a 
place  called  Cowle  Geldancke,  the  cheifest  place  in  all  that  country; 
and  Raylawar  hath  a  strong  garison  in  Vinquatagery  and  Armagon.^ 

^  '  For  and  now  none  of  our  people  doe  so  much  as  desire  to  goe  to  St.  Thoma ;  nor 
come  any,  or  very  few,  Portugalls  hither'  {O.C.  1792). 

^  The  following  is  the  version  given  in  O.C.  1792  :  'The  Naique  of  Armagon  is  abso- 
lutely drove  out  of  his  country  by  the  Kinge  of  Golquondah  and  his  neig[h]bour  Naique 
Raglawarr  \_sic].  The  Moores  have  seated  themselv[e]s  for  the  warre  in  a  stronge  place 
and  the  best  part  of  his  country,  by  name  Cowle  Geldanke,  and  Raylawarr  is  with  his 
strength  at  Vinquatagery  and  Armagon.'  O.C.  1799  has  the  same  wording,  but  in  that 
'  Raylawarr '  becomes  '  Rayla  Warra '. 

'  Cowle '  indicates  that  there  was  a  temple  {koil)  at  the  place ;  and  '  Geldanke '  may  be 
Gadanki,  a  village  in  the  taluk  of  Chandragiri  (North  Arcot).  'Vinquatagery'  is  obviously 
Venkatagiri,  about  80  miles  north-west  of  Madras.  The  progress  of  the  invasion  may  be 
traced  in  the  Dagh- Register^  1641-42,  pp.  272,  274,  288,  295.  Mention  will  there  be  found 
(p.  274)  of  the  attack  made  upon  the  Nayak  of  Armagon  ^ whose  name  is  given  as 
'  Willegotij')  by  '  a  certain  Rauweleware,  who  was  lord  of  Caleteura '  [i.e.  Ca^litore,  now 
Kistnapatam,  in  Nellore  District].    This  in  all  probability  was  Sri  Ranga  Rayalu,  who  in 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  45 

Indeed,  wee  are  of  opinion  that  the  Moores  will  have  all  this  country 
ere  many  years  ;  for  what  with  the  Kingc  of  Vizapore  [Rljapur]  on 
one  side  and  the  Kingc  of  Golquondah  on  the  other,  the  Gentues 
themselves  being  divided  among  themselves,  it  is  even  impossible 
their  country  cann  continue.'     [Copy.    %\  pp.) 

Andrew  Cogan,  Henry  Greeniiill,  and  John  Brown  at 
Fort  St.  George  to  the  Company,  September  20,  1642 
(O.C.  1792).^ 

Wrote  last  by  the  Reformatioji,  wAilch.  sailed  August  31,  1641. 
Have  since  received  from  Surat  on  November  18  a  transcript  of  the 
Company's  letter  of  March  12,  1641,  the  original  of  which  came  to 
hand  from  Bantam  on  May  19^  last ;  and  to  this  they  now  reply. 
Declare  that  '  there  neyther  hath  byn  hitherto  in  our  time,  or  shall 
be,  conveyed  away  any  originall  letters  or  elce  out  of  your  principall 
factory.'  Acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  cargoes  of  the  Hopewell 
and  Reformation,  Simowntmg  together  to  19,559/.  [P^-]  3^*  'Wee 
read  your  pleasure  concerning  our  reaccompting  with  Bantam.  To 
us  it  is  all  one.  Wee  for  our  parts  promise  conformitie,  and  shall 
subscribe  to  whatever  the  President  of  Bantam  shall  command  and 
not  in  the  least  neglect  the  President  &c.  of  Surrat.'  As  regards 
the  charge  of  '  ryotous  living',  they  refer  to  the  accounts,  which 
will  show  their  monthly  expenditure.  '  For  private  trading,  if  any, 
it  is  very  private,  for  the  Agent  can  know  of  little  or  none.'  Cogan 
denounces  as  '  most  abominable  false  '  the  statement  that  he  invested 
20,000  rials  with  Ivy  in  private  trade  \_see  p.  11].  If  any  one  can 
prove  that  he  had  any  more  adventure  with  Ivy  than  was  shown 
in  the  invoice,  Cogan  '  will  be  liable  to  loose  his  whole  estate '. 
These  accusations,  he  declares,  are  made  in  revenge  for  his  exposure 
of  the  misdeeds  of  his  predecessors.  Note  that  the  Company  wish 
care  to  be  taken  that  they  *  have  not  the  refuse  of  the  Dutch  or 
Danes  cloath.  As  for  the  Danes,  they  are  nothing  ;  but,  untill  you 
have  means  to  be  doeing  all  the  yeare,  wee  must  have  the  refuse 

the  autumn  of  1642  became  *  King  of  Carnatica  *  in  succession  to  Venkatapati.  Apparently 
the  word  is  really  the  Telugu  Rdyalavani,  meaning  *  the  Rayalu's  people  ',  but  it  is  an 
easy  transition  from  this  to  the  Rayalu  himself. 

*  There  is  a  duplicate  under  O.C.  1799.  From  this  a  few  corrections  have  been  made 
(in  brackets). 

2  9th  {O.C.  1799). 


46  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

of  the  Dutch  and  it  is  not  to  be  holpe,  or  your  shipps  must  away 
as  they  came ;  for  a  cargazoon  of  cloath,  espetially  paintings,  are 
not  procurable  under  9  or  10  months  time.  Wee  know  to  our  harts 
greife  how  you  have  suffered  by  trusting  pore  painters  and  weavours. 
But  experience  tells  us  it  cannot  altogether  be  avoyded,  unless  [we] 
had  on  pr[ime]  merchant  (as  have  the  Dutch),  who  secures  all. 
Such  a  one  wee  had  some  time  with  us,  with  his  wife  and  familie ; 
but  when  he  sawe  wee  had  more  occasion  to  borrow  of  him  to 
feede  ourselves  then  any  way  to  drive  a  trade,  other  then  some  few 
months  after  the  arrivall  of  our  shipps,  he  left  us,  not  to  be  found 
againe  unless  [we]  had  means  to  continue  a  trade.'  Golconda 
factory  is  dissolved,  though  the  debts  owing  there  have  not  yet 
been  recovered.  As  Elchi  Beg,  the  chief  debtor,  denied  liability, 
Rogers  was  sent  thither ;  but  after  remaining  there  many  months 
longer  than  he  was  authorized  to  do,  he  died,  and  thereupon  Elchi 
Beg  swore  that  the  English  owed  him  500  pagodas.  However, 
Collet,  who  had  been  sent  to  fetch  away  Rogers,  petitioned  the 
King  on  the  subject.  The  latter  ordered  certain  '  Brammoneys ' 
[i.  e.  Brahmans]  to  go  through  Elchi  Beg's  papers,  and  they  reported 
that  the  English  claim  was  correct.  '  Thereupon  order  was  made 
that  within  certeine  dayes  he  shoold  make  payment ;  and  now  he 
hath  no  plea  left  but  povertie.'  A  letter  recently  received  gave 
hopes  that  '  all  will  be  paid  presently ',  and  stated  that  Collet  was 
preparing  to  return  to  *  Bandar '  [Masulipatam].  '  As  for  our  privi- 
ledges,  there  is  no  feare  but  they  will  continew.  But  to  what 
purpose  are  those  privilidges,  if  wee  make  no  use  of  them  ?  The 
Kinge  and  nobles  they  conceive  you  are  as  much  obliged  to  them, 
doeing  nothing,  as  if  you  delt  for  as  much  as  doth  the  Dutch. 
Your  Worshipps  are  forced  to  pay  what  is  oweing  in  the  King  of 
Goldcandahs  country,  but  nothing  can  be  recovered  of  what  is 
owing  you,  being  many  thousands  of  pagodas  ;  nor  indeed  ever 
will  they  pay  unless  forced  unto  it.'  Have  written  to  Surat  and 
Bantam  for  advice  on  the  latter  point.  The  presents  sent  out  in 
the  Willimn  for  the  King  of  Golconda  are  expected  shortly  from 
Bantam.  '  When  wee  doe  (as  that  wee  doe  often)  fall  into  con- 
sideration how  much  Your  Worshipps  are  displeased  with  us  for 
proceeding  on  this  worke  |i.  e.  the  building  of  the  Fort],  it  even 
breaks  some  of  our  hearts.     Tis  now  too  late  to  wish  it 'undone; 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  47 

and  yet  wee  may  not  but  tell  you  that,  if  so  be  Your  Worshipps 
will  follow  this  Coast  trade  (or  rather  the  Karnatt  ^),  this  place  may 
prove  as  good  as  the  best ;  but  all  things  must  have  its  growth  and 
time.  But  on  the  contrary,  if  Your  Worshipps  will  not  continue  it, 
you  may  doe  it  away  to  profit,  and  not  hazard  the  losse  of  a  man.^ 
It  may  with  ease  be  effected,  unlesse  the  Moores  conquer  the 
country  before.  Our  vicinitie  with  St.  Thoma  is  no  impediment, 
at  least  to  us ;  for  only  the  towne  of  St.  Thoma  belongs  to  the 
Naique  of  Tanjour,  and  round  about,  even  to  their  very  dores,  is 
our  Naiques,  who  keeps  them  in  such  awe  that  they  must  eat  and 
drinke  uppon  the  matter  when  he  please.  What  time  may  worke 
our  Naique  to,  wee  cannot  dcvine;  but  hitherto  wee  have  found 
him  still  as  good  as  his  word,  onely  [i.  e.  except]  in  the  Forts 
erection  (the  mayne  thing  of  all) ;  but  in  that  thing  he  excuseth 
himself,  and  did  excuse  himself  ere  Mr.  Day  left  this  place,  for  he 
professed  never  to  promise  Mr.  Day  any  such  thing  ;  which  caused 
Mr.  Day  to  profer  freely  to  pay  the  interest  of  all  the  monies  that 
shoold  be  expended  till  the  Forte  was  finished  ;  and  so  much  was 
written  to  Surrat  before  Mr.  Day  went  thither  and  when  he  went. 
But  Your  Worshipps  will  not  allow  of  any  charge  of  [at]  all,  neyther 
in  biulding  or  .payeing  of  garrison,  but  will  that  all  the  charge  be 
bourne  by  the  Naique  that  invited  us  hither ;  for  to  answere  which 
clause,  if  wee  doe  appeare  too  prolix,  doe  hope  Your  Worshipps 
will  excuse  us.  In  the  first  place  it  is  our  opinion,  in  regaurd  the 
Moores  and  Gentues  are  false  and  not  to  be  trusted,  and  that  at 
all  times  you  may  command  your  owne  uppon  all  this  coast,  'tis 
very  necessarie  you  have  a  place  to  retire  to  under  your  owne 
command.  'Tis  not  only  our  opinions,  but  the  opinions  of  your 
Presidents  of  Bantam  and  Surrat ;  for  from  the  first  it  hath  byn 
written  hither  "Tis  not  good  to  leave  on  place  till  possest  of 
another"  ;  then  from  Surrat  twas  said  '' Biuld  (when  you  biuld)  no 
such  mocke  forts  as  was  Armagon."  The  Dutch  saw  the  necessitie 
of  it  thirty  years  since ;  which  made  them  proceed  uppon  Pullicatt, 
to  theire  unreasonable  expence  in  moneys,  besides  losse  of  men, 

1  Sanskrit  Karndta,  which  forms  the  basis  of  the  later  term  *  Camatic '.     It  is  here 
equivalent  to  the  Hindu  kingdom  of  Vijayanagar. 

2  O.C.  1799  interpolates  here  :  '  If  you  resolve  upon  the  latter,  after  advice  given  once 
within  a  12  mo[nth]/ 


48  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

ere  brought  to  perfection.  The  Moores  in  Messilupatam  have 
began  to  practize  a  most  unconscionable  way ;  nay,  they  have 
declar'd  themselves  to  perseviere  in  it ;  which  is  that,  whatever 
Christian  shall  molest  the  juncks  belonging  to  Messilupatam,  the 
other  Christians  resident  shall  make  it  good.'  Instance  the  embargo 
placed  upon  the  lading  of  the  Diamond  because  the  Danes  had 
seized  the  Sar-i-Khail's  junk.  '  The  Dutch,  to  prevent  the  like, 
and  that  theire  shipps  may  not  be  stopped  (or  rather  that  their 
goods  may  be  readie  at  all  times  when  they  please),  they  imploy 
small  shipping  continually  to  fetch  there  goods  into  theire  owne 
command  ;  and  so  must  Your  Worshipps  if  you  meane  to  continu 
a  trade.  But,  wee  beseech  you,  if  these  people  biuld  us  a  forte 
and  pay  the  garrison,  in  what  securitie  is  your  estate  and  our  lives  ? 
Suerly,  in  none  at  all ;  for  it  is  farr  more  freedome  to  live  without 
a  forte  then  within,  unless  the  forte  be  at  its  owne  devotion.  But 
this  forte  of  yours,  if  Your  Worshipps  did  butt  followe  this  trade  as 
it  might  be  followed,  or  that  you  had  but  two  or  three  small  vessells 
to  voyage  it  too  and  againe  to  draw  trade  hither,  all  your  charges 
woold  bee  bourne  with  advantage.  But  if  Your  Worshipps  are 
resolved  absolutely  to  leave  this  trade  of  Karnatt,  advise  us  and 
you  shall  not  be  a  pice  looser  for  what  worke  is  done  and  monies 
disbursed ;  which  being  so,  and  that  Your  Worshipps  conclude  of 
one  of  the  two  wayes,  wee  hope  to  heare  of  noe  more  of  the  forte. 
Wee  see  kingdomes  have  their  risings  and  fallings,  as  appeares  by 
Portugall  in  Europia  and  Karnatt  in  thes  parts.  So  the  nature 
and  condition  of  people  doe  better  or  worse  it.  Formerly  it  was 
very  secure  and  necessary  to  have  your  cheife  residence  at  Messula- 
patam  ;  but  now  not,  for  the  reasons  aforesaid  ;  for  farther  and  now 
wee  are  informed  (and  wee  beleive  its  truth)  that  shall  your  Agent 
but  sett  his  foot  ashore  in  Messilupatam,  he  must  perforce  goe  for 
Golquondah,  and  there  continue  untill  another  supply  his  place. 
The  like  they  intend  with  the  Dutch,  if  the  Governour  of  Pullicat 
come  there ;  for  by  that  means  they  conceive  they  dare  doe  any- 
thing to  us,  and  wee  dare  doe  nothing  to  them.  When  wee  said 
Armagon  was  not  a  fitt  place  for  the  chiefe  residency,  it  was  in 
respect  of  the  seat  ['site'  in  O.C.  1799]  o^  the  forte  and  the  small 
defence  it  coold  eyther  make  by  sea  or  land  ;  if  which  be  not 
motive  sufficient  (or  however)  wee  referre  our  selves  to  youv  better 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  49 

judgement.  Wee  now  are  and  have  byn  a  12  mo[nth]  constant 
resident  at  Maddaras[patam],  and  have  made  that  the  cheife  place 
for  your  other  factories  to  acco[unt]  to.  What  condition  hath  byn 
made  with  the  Naique  long  since  hath  byn  sent  you  by  severall 
conveyances  ;  and  therefore  forbeare  them  at  present.  Wee  have 
in  a  foregoeing  clause  shewed  you  that  St.  Thoma  belongs  to  the 
Naique  of  Tanjour ;  who  putts  in  almost  monthly  (to  him  that  will 
give  most)  a  new  governour,  unto  whom  even  the  Portugalls  them- 
selves pay  custome.  How  then  shoold  wee  expect  to  live  there 
free?  Noe;  thes  Naiques,  although  they  abound  in  wealth,  yet 
will  they  not  part  with  a  cash  but  uppon  a  ccrteinty,  or  mighty 
great  hopes,  to  have  ten  for  it.  Again,  had  it  byn  otherwise,  and 
that  wee  had  imbraced  theire  proffer  to  reside  in  that  cittie,  you 
must  have  sought  out  for  such  servants  to  doe  your  busines  as  were 
both  stick  free  and  shot  fre,  and  such  as  coold  disgest  poizon  ;  for 
this  is  their  dayly  practice  in  St.  Thoma,  and  no  justice.'  Have 
paid  all  their  debts  at  Armagon  ;  '  but  to  our  greifs  wee  must  say 
wee  shall  never  gett  what  is  due  to  you  there.'  Note  that  the 
Company  express  doubts  whether  all  the  debts  on  the  Coast  were 
real.  Explain  that  these  were  recognized  by  Ivy  before  Cogan 
arrived,  and  that  in  each  instance  the  former  inquired  of  Clark  and 
Hudson  '  whether  they  were  reall  debts  or  no,  because  no  mencion 
of  them  in  Clarks  books ' ;  and,  on  getting  answers  in  the  affirma- 
tive, Ivy  promised  payment.  The  bills  were  again  presented  to 
Cogan  on  his  arrival,  and  he  also,  learning  that  the  money  was 
really  due,  promised  that  it  should  be  paid  as  soon  as  possible. 
Answer  in  detail  Pinson's  charges  that  some  of  the  bills  had  been 
paid.  As  for  house-rent  [at  Masulipatam],  since  no  agreements 
could  be  found,  *  wee  concluded  with  all  our  landlords  and  had  new 
writings  drawne  on  boath  sides  to  content.'  The  Reformation 
spared  them  ten  sailors,  and  so  they  have  since  made  little  use  of 
'  thes  country  mariners  \  Grimstone  and  Greenhill  were  duly  called 
to  account  for  wasting  powder  in  a  salute  at  Gombroon  \see  the 
previous  volume,  p.  T76].  The  quick  passage  of  the  Caesar  ^  was  due 
to  favourable  winds.     As  for  her  stowage,  it  is  reported  that  the 

^  A  vessel  which  the  Company  had  freighted  and  dispatched  to  Bantam  in  the  spring  of 
1640.  She  was  back  early  in  the  following  February — a  quicker  return  than  had  ever  been 
made  by  the  Company's  own  ships. 

FOSTER  VII  E 


50  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

captain  filled  even  his  gunroom  and  great  cabin  with  bags  of  pepper  ; 
and  that  he  left  Bantam  *  with  so  little  water  and  so  logg  laden  that, 
had  he  mett  with  any  blustering  weather  within  or  without  the 
Streights,  it  would  have  indangered  all '.  Much  regret  the  wreck  of 
the  pinnsLce  £a£-le  [see  the  preceding  volume^  p.  i66\  '  Shee  was  the 
most  basest  lost  as  ever  was  vessell ;  and  all  by  the  means  of  a 
druncken  master.  Wee  have  recovered  little  or  nothing  of  what 
was  in  her  when  she  was  wrackt ;  for  whilest  they  deferr  us  from 
weeke  to  weeke,  in  hopes  to  get  a  large  some  of  moneys  (more  then 
the  goods  were  worth),  the  sea  hath  so  worked  her  into  the  sand  as 
all  the  best  ordnance  that  were  on  boord  her  are  with  the  hull 
vanished.  So  basely  haveing  [i.e.  greedy]  are  al  thes  people  ;  but, 
being  so,  it  happens  with  them  often  as  with  those  who,  whilest  they 
think  to  have  all,  loose  all.  Your  Worshipps,  wee  perceive,  have 
never  beene  truly  informed  with  the  goverment  of  Karnatt ;  for 
our  Naique  hath  no  more  to  doe,  or  is  more  cared  for,  where  the 
Eagle  was  wrackt,  then  is  the  Pope  of  Roome,  or  is  that  Nauge 
respected  here.  For  Your  Worshipps  may  please  to  understand 
that  every  Naique  is  a  king  in  his  owne  country,  and  will  attend  the 
Create  Kinge  at  theire  pleasure  (which  will  be  the  losse  of  this 
country)  ;  and  according  to  the  custome  of  Karnatt,  whatever 
vessell  doe  but  touch  the  shoare  (er  a  coule  being  granted)  is 
absolutely  lost.'  Wish  the  Eagle  had  stranded  '  within  our  Naigs 
command,  for  then  wee  shoold  at  most  [have  lost]  the  hull ;  for  it 
is  one  article  in  our  cowle  that  if  any  our  shipping  (as  God  forbidd) 
shoold  be  cast  ashoare  in  his  country,  all  that  cann  be  saved  is  to  be 
restored.  The  like  is  to  be  done  with  those  who  shall  come  to  trade 
with  us.  Well  might  Mollay  ^,  the  merchant  that  deals  for  the 
Dutch  (for  so  wee  have  beene  told),  invite  the  Naique  underhand  to 
doe  as  he  did.  But  for  the  Portugalls,  they  never  stired  in  it,  they 
having  not  wherewithal! ;  for  without  a  present  there  is  no  speech 
with  thes  great  villians  ;  no,  although  it  concerns  their  owne  profitt '. 
The  Company  need  not  fear  that  they  will  brawl  with  the  Portu- 
guese, as  until  the  recent  trouble  '  wee  lived  as  freindly  as  brothers, 
for  wee  have  still  binn  helpfull  unto  them  on  all  occassions  '.  '  Wee 
(as  said  formerly)  have  hitherto  found  our  Naique  and  his  people 

^  Chinnana  Chetti,  also  known  as  Malaya,  for  whom  see  the  1624-29  volume  (pp.  358, 
359)- 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  51 

very  fairc  conditioned  and  indifferent  honest.  As  for  your  Forte, 
which  is  better  then  half  finished,  tis  of  such  force,  with  the  few  wee 
have,  that  wee  feare  not  what  any  can  doe  against  us,  espetially  so 
long  as  wee  have  our  Naique  to  our  freind,  or  the  sea  open  to  furnish 
us  with  food.'  More  ordnance  promised  from  Bantam.  Cogan 
denies  the  charge  of  private  trade.  As  for  his  taxing  his  prede- 
cessors with  this  offence,  he  did  so  because  he  conceived  it  to  be  his 
duty  to  inform  the  Company  of  what  he  had  learned  from  the  other 
factors  here.  It  would  have  been  more  to  his  own  interest  to  be 
silent  on  the  matter,  for  then  he  could  not  have  aroused  the  enmity 
of  those  concerned,  and  he  '  might  have  private  traded  for  40,000 
pagodas  and  Your  Worshipps  never  have  knowne  it '.  Again,  it  is 
unfair  to  blame  Cogan  solely  for  the  building  of  Fort  St.  George. 
He  did  not  act  alone,  '  for  all  matters  of  consequence  and  novell 
hath  byn  first  maturely  considered  of  in  consultation  and  then  put 
in  practize.'  Authority  for  the  dismantling  of  Armagon  was  given 
from  Surat,  '  for  they  writt  us  in  this  manner  concerning  Armagon. 
"  The  forte  in  respect  of  its  quallitie,  for  ought  wee  have  yet  heard, 
can  as  little  resist  any  ordinarie  force  as  secure  goods  or  any  thing 
else  subsistant  therein  or  [our]  shipps  without  in  the  roade,  in  regard 
they  are  forced  thorough  the  shooldnes  of  the  water  to  ride  at  such 
distance.  Wee  have  beene  onely  informed  that  excellent  kind  of 
paintings  are  there  onely  procurable  for  Macasser,  &c.  What  other 
conveniencies  redound  unto  the  Company  for  so  vast  an  expence 
requisite  to  its  mainetey nance  wee  are  wholely  ignorant  of.  If, 
therefore,  acquirie  of  some  sorts  of  goods  there,  not  else  where 
atteyneable,  be  the  most  important  benifitt  accrewing,  you  may 
doubtless  as  well  there,  and  with  as  much  safetie  as  in  other  fac- 
tories, procure  them.  And  then,  though  your  factory  continu  to 
inhabitt  the  house,  yet  may  the  amunition  and  those  called  soldiers 
(of  all  which  pray  send  us  the  perticulars)  be  disposed  of  into  the 
Companies  shipps,"  &c.  Dated  i  October,  1639.^  Wee  in  answere 
to  which  said  that  Armagon  was  better  lost  then  found,  "  of  which 
place  you  are  not  misinformed  ",  &c.  ;  and  say  farther  that  "  the 
house  and  forte  is  so  decayed  that  to  continue  it  but  on  yeare  longer 
it  will  cost  a  1,500  or  2,000  pa[godas],  which  monyes  woold  halfe 
biuld  a  [very]  defenceable  place  in  a  Naiques  country  adjoyning  to 

^  The  correspondence  here  cited  is  no  longer  extant. 
E   2 


52  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

St.  Thoma,  concerning  which  be  pleased  to  peruse  seriously  the 
inclosed  to  that  effect  and,  according  as  you  finde  the  Company 
inclyned,  give  order  for  its  goeing  fore  ward ;  for  (for  the  supply  of 
the  southern  parts)  that  or  such  a  place  must  be  had  ".  Dated  the 
8th  November,  1639.  Then  the  i8th  ditto,  after  the  receipt  of 
severalls  from  Mr.  Day  which  importunes  us  to  goe  for  Maddaras- 
patan,  wee  say :  "  Wee  know  obedience  exceeds  sacrifice.  To  our 
power  wee  have  and  shall  practize  it  ;  but  in  a  busines  of  such  con- 
sequence, wherein  celerrity  is  required  or  hazard  to  lose  all,  it  even 
staggers  us.  For  willingly  wee  woold  proceed  uppon  it,  as  Mr.  Day 
desires ;  but  wee  are  very  sencible  how  dangerous  'tis  to  breake 
a  commission,  and  (prove  how  it  will)  must  be  subject  to  sensure." 
Then  the  14th  of  December  wee  writt  againe  and  intimated  to  Surrat 
that  the  Naique  of  Armagon  takes  notice  of  our  intent  to  leave  that 
place,  &c.,  and  that,  he  being  now  imployd  in  the  warrs,  is  a  good 
time  to  get  away  our  people  and  elce  with  little  prejudice  ;  and,  but 
in  expectation  of  an  answer  to  ours  of  the  9th  [j^V]  of  November, 
the  Agent  woold  have  gone  away  on  the  Eagle^  to  lessen  our  charge 
and  to  avoid  the  clamour  of  our  creditours.  Then,  by  conveyance 
of  a  Dutch  pattamar  the  prime  February,  wee  writ  againe  to  Surrat 
in  thes  words :  "  Wee  have  been  long  in  expectation  for  order  to 
remove  our  people  from  Armagon ;  where,  unless  it  be  done  very 
suddainely,  wee  must  be  forced  to  expend  a  good  some  of  monyes  in 
repairations ;  but  being  almost  confident  that  that  place  is  doomd 
for  desolution,  especially  the  forte,  wee  have  yesterday  enordered 
Mr.  Day  to  put  on  boord  the  shippe  Eagle  some  of  the  ordnance, 
&c."  By  which  Your  Worshipps  may  perceive  that  still  wee 
expected  order  from  the  President,  &c.,  unto  whom  wee  were  sub- 
ordinate; for  without  order  from  them  wee  might  not,  nor  did, 
stirr.  Then  about  the  6th  February  came  a  letter  to  hand  from  the 
President  and  Councell  aforesaid,  which  said  letter  hath  thes  words 
in  one  clause :  "  Touching  the  dismantling  of  Armagon,  you  received 
the  Companies  positive  order,  when  they  knew  not  that  it  was  so 
decayed  and  woold  require  so  great  a  some  of  monies  as  2,000 
pa[godas]  to  make  it  habitable  onely,  not  defencible.  With  those 
our  masters  directions,  our  duties  prompt[ed]  us  to  inviate  our 
opinions,  which  then  assented  to  what  they  had  byn  pleased  to 
determine,  provided  you  discover  no  maine  inconveniencie,  'hinder- 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  53 

ance,  or  dammadge  to  their  affairs  in  its  execution.  Such  nor  your 
advises  nor  Mr.  Dayes  relation  intimates,  but  on  the  contrary  present 
unto  us  faire  hopes  of  fortifying  at  Madraspatan  ;  which  wee  con- 
ceive, according  to  the  import  of  your  letters  "  (which  are  no  other 
then  those  before  inserted)  "  will  be  so  farr  advanced  that  our 
directions  will  come  to  late  to  improve  the  action.  If  you  have 
gone  thorough  with  it,  wee  doubt  not  but  all  fitting  and  cautionall 
conditions  were  seasonably  thought  on ;  provition  made  as  well  for 
recovery  of  debts  at  Armagon  as  exporting  thence  whatever  belongs 
to  the  Company ;  which  neyther  shoold  not  be  compleated  untill 
you  are  well  assured  of  the  other  Naiques  resolution  to  receive  you 
and  assist  in  the  fortification.  That  some  such  place  is  very  neces- 
sarie  unto  you  for  provition  of  paintings  for  the  South  factories, 
wee  are  by  your  information  induced  to  credit.  That  the  Naique 
of  Armagon  hath  abus'd  you  and  rob'd  those  that  trade  with  you, 
your  confession  publisheth.  That  notice  of  your  intended  desertion 
of  his  precincts  will  exasperate  him  against  you  and  incite  him  to 
impediate  the  gunns  exportation,  is  most  probable.  How  you  can 
prevent  his  designes  and  force  them  from  thence  will  be  a  matter 
(wee  beleive)  of  some  difficultie.  Then  doth  the  whole  action  require 
no  lesse  then  a  most  serious  deliberation  and  propention  for  its  con- 
trivall  and  performance ;  therefore  wee  coold  wish  the  Agent  had 
byn  present  to  assist  and  further  with  his  ableler  advice  the  progres- 
sion and  perfection  of  the  whole  machin.  If  you  goe  foreward  with 
it,  doe  what  you  resolve  on  to  purpose,  and  biuld  no  such  mock  forts 
as  that  of  Armagon,  &c.  And  so  wee  wish  you  good  sucess  to  your 
undertakings."  Upon  receipt  of  which  lines  abovesaid,  Andrew 
Cogan  imbarqu'd  himself  and  went  uppon  the  worke,  taking  that 
letter  for  his  warrant ;  for  being  subordinat  he  dirst  not  stir  (as 
beforesaid)  till  order  ;  if  which  be  (or  bee  not)  warrant  sufficient, 
Andrew  Cogan  referrs  himself  to  Your  Worshipps.'  He  defers 
further  explanation  until  he  comes  to  give  an  account  of  his  actions 
at  Bantam  and  afterwards  at  home.  Now  answer  the  letter  of 
November  30,  1641,  brought  by  the  Hopewell  Here  again  Cogan 
is  unfairly  singled  out  for  censure.  He  reiterates  his  denial  of*  vast 
private  trade '  and  prodigality  of  expense.  '  At  present  here  wee 
have  two  horses,  boath  not  worth  their  meat ;  and  at  Messilupatam 
they  have  only  one  and  a  coach  with  two  old  oxen  past  labour, 


54  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

insomuch  as  about  a  month  since  wee  enordered  them  to  give  them 
their  h'bertie  to  graze  and  fatt  themselves  against  some  shippe  came, 
or  eate  them  in  the  factory.  Thers  all  the  Coast  pride  ;  for  the 
Agent  hath  neither  his  flaggs,  his  rundalers  [see  the  preceding  volume^ 
p.  48],  his  torches  ['torcheirs'  in  O.C.  1795],  his  fencers,  his  drumes 
['drummers']  on  horseback,  his  fidlers,  his  horses,  or  horse  of  state, 
nor  (and  which  is  not  a  little  admired  at)  his  pallenkeine ;  nor  are 
your  servants  in  Messilupatam  allowed  any  for  their  owne  occasions. 
As  for  our  expence  of  diett,  it  cannot  possible  be  brought  lower 
then  tis  ;  for  at  Massilupatam  they  spend  about  20  pa[godas]  old 
per  month  (all  things  accompted)  for  matter  of  dyett ;  and  wee 
(being  here  at  table  constantly  nine,  oftentimes  twelve,  besides 
strangers,  commers  and  goers)  expend  about  30  pa[godas]  new 
a  month  ;  with  which  some  wee  cannot  often  feast  it.'  As  for 
servants,  they  cannot  have  less  *  and  doe  your  busines  '.  Particulars 
will  be  found  in  their  accounts.  Are  still  of  opinion  that  money 
would  have  been  saved  formerly,  had  these  factories  been  under 
Surat ;  because  then  their  cash  accounts  would  have  been  trans- 
mitted monthly,  and  the  President  and  Council  could  have  checked 
any  extravagance.  The  King  of  Golconda  can,  of  course,  withdraw 
their  privileges  ;  *  but  in  respect  of  ourselves  wee  shall  give  him  no 
just  occasion'.  Explain  an  obscure  reference  in  their  former  letter. 
Reasons  for  sending  the  Expedition  to  Surat.  The  factors  were  as 
much  offended  that  her  cargo  was  no  larger  as  the  Company  are 
that  it  was  so  large.  *  Surely  Your  Worshipps  cannot  but  know 
that  ever  since  August  in  39  to  this  time,  which  is  now  compleate 
three  years,  wee  have  payd  for  interest  upwards  of  10,000  pa[godasJ  : 
for  shipps  expence  no  small  some  :  besides  expence  of  housekeeping, 
&c.  Acco[unts]  of  biulding  will  appeare  at  large,  for  you  had  not 
a  house  on  all  this  Coast  for  your  servants  to  shelter  dry  under. 
Also  acco[unts]  of  sallerie  helpe  to  fill  upp ;  for,  whither  Your 
Worshipps  have  imployment  or  no,  men  cannot  goe  naked,  as  the 
Gentews  [Hindus]  doe.  But  seing  Andrew  Cogan  is  so  unhappy 
and  unfortunate,  his  humble  desire  is  to  leave  this  imployment,  for 
he  professeth  it  twere  a  thousand  times  better  for  him  to  live  at 
home  in  a  prison  then  as  he  doth.'  He  has  therefore  asked  the 
President  and  Council  at  Bantam  to  appoint  a  successor.  He  will 
then  remain  a  year  at  Bantam  to  answer  any  charges  that  nfay  be 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  55 

made  against  him,  though  he  fears  none  ;  '  and  so  much  by  way  of 
digression  to  ease  his  overburthned  heart.'  Note  the  termination 
of  the  Third  Joint  Stock  and  the  inception  of  the  General  Voyage ; 
also  that  Day  is  *  factor  for  the  Voyage  and  must  be  made  acquainted 
with  all  buyings  and  sellings '.  Explain  why,  contrary  to  instruc- 
tions, part  of  the  money  has  been  used  to  pay  their  debts  at  Masu- 
lipatam.  The  goods  ordered  for  Bantam  will  be  provided  and  sent 
thither  in  the  Advice,  as  soon  as  she  returns  from  the  Bay.  Will 
find  it  difficult  to  dispose  of  the  cargo  of  the  Hopewell  here, '  chiefly 
by  reason  of  the  warrs ' ;  so  will  send  the  lead  and  most  of  the 
broadcloth  to  the  Bay.  Advices  from  Masulipatam  say  that 
scarcely  any  freight  will  be  procurable  for  Persia,  because  *  the 
Serkaile  sends  this  yeare  his  great  jouncke  thither ' ;  they  have 
accordingly  sent  word  of  this  to  the  Bay,  '  that  if  so  be  Mr.  Day 
coold  procure  a  fraight,  not  to  refuse  it '.  It  is  untrue  that  goods 
from  Masulipatam  to  Persia  pay  freight  according  to  fineness.  All 
cloth  is  weighed  at  the  *  Bancksall '  [custom-house],  and  *  according 
to  its  weight  payes  both  freight  and  custome  '.  The  following  is  the 
scale  for  freight:  cloth,  i^  pagodas  per  maund  ;  Bengal  sugar, 
8  pagodas  the  candy  of  500  lb.  ;  coarser  sugar,  4  pagodas  the  candy  ; 
gum-lac,  7  pagodas  the  candy;  benzoin,  12  or  15  pagodas  the 
candy,  according  to  quality  ;  cloves,  16  pagodas  the  candy  ;  tin  or 
'  tottanaga '  \^see  p.  36],  8  pagodas,  and  steel  6  pagodas,  per  candy ; 
sugar  candy,  10  pagodas  per  candy.  Passengers  pay  10  pagodas  ; 
but  if  a  man  lades  goods  paying  100  pagodas,  he  gets  his  passage 
free  ;  '  if  1000,  then  himself  and  another'.  A  bale  of  goods  found 
missing  in  the  Expeditio7t.  Explain  their  action  in  asking  that 
certain  goods  from  Masulipatam  should  be  excused  the  payment  of 
customs  at  Gombroon.  By  so  doing  they  '  gayned  the  love  of  the 
King  and  Serkayle  ;  and,  whether  our  letter  or  no,  they  had  not 
pay'd  a  pice  custom ;  for  there  is  small  hopes  to  gett  your  customs 
from  the  Moors  and  Persians  that  trades  in  juncks,  whenyou  cannot 
get  the  custome  of  goods  that  comes  uppon  your  owne  shipping '. 
However,  they  long  since  promised  Surat  '  that  neyther  Kinge  nor 
Serkayle  shall  ever  prevaile  againe  with  us  for  any  such  letter '. 
Note  the  caution  about  keeping  the  Hopeivcll  prepared  to  fight  the 
Malabars  on  her  way  to  and  from  Persia.  '  Let  the  maister  goe 
which  way  he  please,  tis  very  necessary  the  shippe  be  cleare  of  all 


56  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

lumber  betweene  decks  ;  but  if  hee'l  voyage  it  the  way  ^  that  Dowle, 
the  master  of  the  Advice^  did  by  our  order  (for  the  other  way  wee 
durst  not  hazard  him),  ther's  no  feare  of  a  safe  and  quick  passadge. 
'Tis  the  way  that  all  jounks  that  goe  from  this  coast  take ;  and 
seldome  any  of  them  miscarry,  and  never  by  the  Mallavars.'  Note 
that  Courteen  has  sent  out  three  ships ;  also  their  cargoes,  *  as  you 
finde  them  in  the  Custome  House.  If  any  of  them  come  wher  wee 
have  to  doe,  they  shall  finde  colde  interteinment'  The  Company's 
letters  for  Surat  were  dispatched  from  Masulipatam  on  July  io. 
'  So  that  wee  make  acco[unt]  by  the  20th  of  August  they  were  with 
the  President ;  for  all  the  ways  from  Massilupatam  to  Surrat  are 
free  from  all  troubles,  unlesse  some  rains  at  that  times  of  the  yeare 
peradventure  may  hinder  them  4  or  5  dayes  ;  but  from  hence  to 
Messilupatam  is  very  difficult,  by  reason  of  the  warrs,  for  many 
times  our  servants  are  stopped  10  and  20  dayes  in  the  armies  ere 
suffered  to  proceed  on  their  journey ;  and  therefore  wee  sent  your 
letter  to  Messilupatam  on  the  Advice,  who  was  5  dayes  in  her  way 
thither  from  hence.'  Neither  Hudson  nor  Clark  left  any  books 
balanced,  and  what  books  there  were  abounded  in  errors.  Send 
accounts  of  the  estates  of  all  who  have  died  on  the  Coast,  and  a  list 
of  the  Company's  servants  here  and  at  Masulipatam  \ijiissing\. 
Express  their  thanks  for  the  pipe  of  wine  sent  them  in  the  Hopewell. 
*  It  came  in  good  time  to  comfort  us  ;  for  a  long  time  before  our 
best  drinke  was  bade  water.'  It  is  desirable  that  Day  should  con- 
tinue on  the  Coast  '  to  see  the  investment  made  for  England ',  and 
so  Cogan  has  decided  '  to  leave  this  imployment  to  Mr.  Day,  who 
of  all  men  in  the  world  deserves  it,  and  with  the  first  shippe  (which 
will  bee  in  December  next)  to  goe  for  Bantam.'  This  will  lessen 
the  charges  here,  '  for  two  200/.  men  is  to  great  a  burthen,  as  the 
times  are '.  Narrate  the  events  that  have  occurred  here  since  the 
dispatch  of  the  Reformation  in  September,  1641.^  A  letter  from 
St.  Thome,  received  yesterday,  announced  the  arrival  of  one  English 
ship  at  Tuticorin  and  of  two  others  at  Cochin.  These  are  probably 
Courteen's   ships,    '  for  they   say   they   came    immediately    from 

^  Apparently  this  was  the  route  past  Minicoy,  between  the  Laccadives  and  Maldives  (cf. 
pp.  71  and  73). 

"^  This  section  is  practically  identical  with  O.C,  1791  A.  Any  differences  of  importance 
have  been  noted  on  that  document  (see  p.  42). 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  57 

England,  and  most  parte  of  the  way  in  company  of  six  Portugale 
shipps,  which  they  left  at  Mosambique  ;  in  one  of  which  shipps  is 
a  new  Vice  Roy  ^'     (Copy.     i6\  pp.) 

Edward  Knipe,  aboard  the  Crispiana  [at  Swally],  to 
'Benidas'  [Beni  Das]  [at  Surat],  September  25,  1642  {Fac- 
tory Records^  Miscellaneous,  vo\.  xii.^  p.  17). 

Thanks  him  for  the  provisions  he  has  sent,  and  promises  him  em- 
ployment. Begs  that  he  will  supply  him  at  once  with  some  cotton 
goods  to  make  into  clothes ;  also  '  a  taylor  that  knowes  to  worke 
after  our  English  manner '.  Would  be  glad  to  see  him,  if  he  can 
come  down.     (Copy,    |  p) 

William  Thurston,  Edward  Pearce,  and  Maximilian 
Bowman  at  Basra  to  the  Company,  September  26,  1642 
{O.C.  1793). 

Answer  briefly  the  Company's  letter  of  February  18  last,  just 
received  by  way  of  Aleppo.  Will  observe  carefully  the  cautions 
given  concerning  '  treating  with  this  Bashaw  and  people  ',  or  building 
a  factory  house.  It  is  certainly  better  to  hire  than  to  build,  for, 
should  the  trade  be  abandoned,  '  the  Bashaw  would  claime  the  howse 
as  his  owne.'  'Wee  have  in  this  our  15  or  16  monthes  residence 
throughly  experienced  the  trade  of  this  place,  and  doe  finde  that 
the  first  markets  at  the  begining  of  the  monzoane  is  most  proffit- 

*  An  unfounded  rumour. 

'  This  is  Edward  Knipe's  letter  book.  It  opens  with  a  note  to  the  Company  from 
Torbay,  April  lo,  1642,  mentioning  their  departure  from  the  Downs  on  the  6th  idem  and 
their  being  obliged  to  take  shelter  in  Torbay,  together  with  three  of  Courteen's  ships. 
Then  comes  another  short  letter  to  the  same,  dated  May  16,  evidently  sent  home  by  the 
William,  which  had  just  been  met.  Next  is  entered  Knipe's  instructions  from  the  Com- 
pany, followed  by  a  copy  of  the  charter  party  of  the  Aleppo  Merchant,  Knipe  has  also 
copied  two  letters  written  on  his  arrival  at  Swally  to  two  unnamed  persons  at  Surat,  one 
being  perhaps  Fremlen,  the  other  a  chaplain  ;  these,  however,  contain  only  commendations 
and  compliments. 

Knipe  was  one  of  those  former  servants  of  the  Company  who  were  enticed  into  the  em- 
ployment of  Courteen's  Association.  After  his  first  voyage  under  his  new  masters,  however, 
he  quarrelled  with  them  (see  the  House  of  Lords  papers  in  the  Fourth  Report  of  the 
Historical  MSS.  Commission,  pp.  75,  81)  and  again  took  service  with  the  Company,  who 
sent  him  out  in  the  spring  of  1642  as  merchant  or  supercargo  of  the  Crispiana  and  Aleppo 
Merchant.     His  account  of  the  voyage  will  be  found  under  date  of  July  18,  1643. 


58  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

ablest,  and  so  the  proceed  to  bee  sent  to  Suratt  at  the  end  thereof 
for  that  afterwards  here  offers  not  fraequent  transport  for  our  monie 
to  India  but  by  boates  to  Gomroon,  whereby  to  ease  the  great 
charge  that  doth  accrew  by  its  so  long  detention  here.  Besids,  the 
country  people,  having  then  fully  supplyed  themselves,  retorns  not 
till  the  next  moonzoane  to  replenish  their  wants.  The  chiefest  buzars^ 
that  the  winter  affords  is  through  the  arrivall  of  the  few  merchants 
that  comes  then  hither  from  Aleppo,  Dealbuckeer,  and  MunzuU  ''jWith 
a  few  janazaries  ^  from  Bagdat ;  and  the  goods  that  they  buy  are 
chiefly  white  cloath,  indico  Agra;  some  small  quantitie  of  indico 
Surques  [Sarkhej],  Chyna  ware,  pepper,  cowho  [coffee]  seed,  gum- 
lack,  suger,  &c.  [i.e.  and  other]  poyzed  goods  ;  and  of  them  in  these 
barren  tymes  noe  great  quantitie.  So  that  in  our  weake  judgments 
the  first  yeares  pattorn  will  suite  best  with  your  desires  and  profitt ; 
although  this  yeare  it  is  not  dispissable.'  Refer,  however,  to  the 
opinions  of  the  President  and  Council  at  Surat,  who  will  advise  the 
Company  on  these  points  by  the  next  ship.  Of  the  English  broad- 
cloth they  brought  with  them,  two  bales  were  returned  on  the  Sea- 
horse in  her  last  voyage,  and  the  other  two  (except  some  pieces  sold 
here  at  4^  rials  *  this  covid ')  they  will  leave  at  Gombroon  on  their  way 
to  Surat.  '  They  are  too  high  prissed  for  these  griping  Arabs,  who 
are  openmouthed  in  promising  but  closefisted  if  come  to  performance 
more  then  what  of  necessity  they  must.  However,  thus  much  wee 
can  justly  boast  of,  that  there  is  noe  nation  here  resident  which  is 
made  capable  of  one  halfe  the  respect  or  faire  dealeing  that  wee 
have  hitherto  enjoyed,  as  well  from  the  highest  as  the  lowest.'  All 
their  India  commodities  have  been  disposed  of,  except  the  Dholka 
lungis,  which  are  not  vendible  here,  though  they  are  said  to  be  in 
demand  at  Mokha.  The  proceeds  of  the  sales  amount  to  about 
71,300  rials;  for  details  they  refer  to  their  books,  which  will  be  sent 
home  from  Surat.  *  Wee  have  lately  received  newes  by  the  Portugall 
caphila  that  come  from  Syndah  of  the  distracted  estate  of  the  Mogol, 
as  having  at  present  theire  [three  ?]  powerfull  enemie[s]  agaynst 
him,  vizt.,  the  Perrsian,  in  endevouring  the  recovery  of  Candhore 
[Kandahar],  his  strong  rebellious  Rajaes  about  Agra  [see  p.  18],  and 

*  Bazar  is  here  nsed  in  a  wider  sense  than  its  ordinary  meaning  of  a  market-place. 

2  Diarbekir  (in  Kurdistan)  and  Mosul. 

2  Turkish  soldiers,  especially  those  employed  in  escorting  travellers. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  59 

his  unduetifull  second  sonne  ^  in  Bcngala  ;  so  that,  whilst  hec  goes  to 
repulse  the  Persian,  hee  is  affraid  his  sonne  will  seiz  on  Agra,  the 
chiefe  place  of  his  unspeakable  treasure,  or  elce  that  the  Rajaes  will 
doe  as  much  for  him  before  hee  retornes  ;  therefore  is  forct  to  keep 
his  lascar  [i.e.  army]  about  Agra.'  They  intend  to  repair  at  once 
on  board  the  Seahorse,  which  will  then  sail  (accompanied  by  the 
Prosperous)  for  Gombroon,  where  the  Francis,  laden  with  coffee  from 
Mohka,  is  awaiting  them.  Would  have  ordered  her  to  come  hither, 
but  this  would  have  detained  them  a  month  longer.  All  three 
vessels  are  then  to  proceed  to  India  together,  '  to  prevent  the  least 
of  dainger,  either  by  the  French  or  Malavars,  with  whom  the  India 
coasts  are  very  much  infested.'  PS. — Trust  the  Company  will 
satisfy  the  Consul  at  Aleppo  for  the  charges  incurred  in  the  corre- 
spondence. Have  agreed  to  pay  the  messenger  420  larls  for  his 
journey  thither.     (Copy,  received  via  Surat.    i\pp^ 

The  President  and  Council  at  Surat  to  John  Millet, 
Master  of  tyly.  Aleppo  Merchant^  October  10, 1642  {Factory 
Records,  Miscellaneous,  vol.  xii.  p.  37). 

The  management  of  the  intended  voyage  has  been  entrusted  to 
Knipe,  whose  instructions  he  is  to  obey  accordingly.     {Copy,    i  /.) 

Commission  and  Instructions  from  the  President  and 
Council  of  Surat  to  Edward  Knipe,  October  12,  1642 
(p.C  1794).^ 

He  is  to  proceed  to  Goa,  and  thence  to  Cochin,  on  the  Aleppo 
Merchant,  the  master  of  which  has  been  directed  to  follow  his  in- 
structions. On  arriving  at  Goa  he  should  send  on  shore  for  Pitt  or 
Thomas  Hill  and  inquire  from  them  of  the  state  of  affairs,  particularly 
as  to  the  Viceroy's  intentions  regarding  *  that  unseasonable  execution 
of  Ant[onio]  Pereira  de  Miranda'  \sec  p.  43].  If  the  Portuguese 
are  likely  to  'raise  a  generall  quarrell'  with  the  English  about  this, 
it  may  be  necessary  to  '  withdraw  our  people  and  our  masters  goods 
out  of  their  reach.'     Otherwise  he  may  land  and  proceed  about  his 

1  Sultan  Shiija,  who  was  in  charge  of  Bengal.  The  nimour  of  his  revolt  seems  to  have 
been  unfounded. 

'  This  is  the  original  document,  signed  by  Fremlen,  Breton,  and  Merry,  and  bearing  an 
excellent  impression  of  a  seal  with  the  Company's  arms.  For  a  copy  of  the  commission 
see  p.  27  of  Knipe's  letter  book  {^Factory  Records,  Miscellaneous,  vol.  xii). 


6o  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

business.  Should  a  new  Viceroy  have  arrived,  Knipe  is  to  seek  an 
interview,  present  him  with  the  pair  of  carpets  sent  for  that  purpose, 
and  beg  the  delivery  of  the  cinnamon  due  from  the  state.  If,  how- 
ever, he  finds  the  old  Viceroy  still  in  possession,  he  is  to  present 
him  with  those  carpets  and  with  the  accompanying  letter,  in  which  the 
Viceroy  is  requested  to  permit  the  English  to  purchase  a  quantity 
of  cinnamon  in  addition  to  that  due  to  them.  He  is  also  to  deliver 
to  him  a  bale  of  carpets,  '  being  his  propper  goods,  provided  for  him 
in  Lahoar  or  Agra  by  the  Jesuits  there  resident'  Should  anything 
be  said  about  the  execution  of  Miranda,  Knipe  may  pretend  not  to 
have  heard  anything  of  it  until  his  arrival  at  Goa  ;  or,  if  this  attitude 
cannot  be  maintained,  he  should  labour  with  his  '  best  rhetorick  '  to 
excuse  the  Coast  factors  herein.  Coral,  cloth,  and  lead  to  be  sold 
if  possible ;  prices  of  these  at  Surat.  Letters  to  be  delivered  to  the 
Jesuits  and  others.  His  main  purpose  is  to  take  in  at  Cochin  a 
quantity  of  cinnamon,  which  Francisco  de  Brito  da  Almeida,  a 
gentleman  residing  there,  has  covenanted  to  deliver.  As  this  is  a 
prohibited  commodity,  the  utmost  secrecy  must  be  observed  ;  and 
they  should  clear  up  all  accounts  at  Goa  and  take  Pitt  and  Hill  on 
board,  in  order  that  there  may  be  no  need  to  call  there  in  returning 
from  Cochin.  If,  however,  they  are  obliged  to  go  back  to  Goa,  pre- 
cautions must  be  taken  against  discovery  of  their  cargo.  Including 
4,000  xerafins  repaid  for  a  similar  sum  advanced  by  Cogan  at  the 
Viceroy's  request  *  to  the  Capt.  Mor  [see  p.  44]  of  the  armado  sent 
to  St.  Tornees  succour ',  and  another  sum  due  from  '  Padre  Gon- 
salvo  Martyns,  Procurador  of  the  Jesuits  Colledge,  for  so  many 
rupees  we  have  made  good  unto  his  fellow  padrees  in  Agra ',  Pitt 
ought  to  have  more  than  enough  (with  the  money  now  sent)  to  pay  for 
the  cinnamon  at  Cochin  ;  so  with  the  surplus  cardamoms,  cinnamon 
or  pepper  may  be  bought.  From  Goa  the  ship  is  to  go  to  Calicut, 
and  land  two  of  Virji  V5ra's  servants  ;  next  to  proceed  to  Ponnani 
and  land  the  other  two  ;  and  then  to  go  on  to  Cochin.  After  taking  in 
the  cinnamon  there,  they  are  to  return,  calling  at  Ponnani  and  Cali- 
cut for  the  pepper  which  Virji  Vora  has  promised  to  have  in  readi- 
ness for  them.  Pitt  is  to  be  lodged  with  Knipe  in  the  great  cabin, 
and  both  he  and  Hill  are  to  be  consulted  on  all  matters  affecting  the 
Company's  business.  But  there  is  some  fear  of  *  Mr.  Pitts  miscar- 
ryage,  since  the  V[ice]  Roy  himself  hath  spoken  him  dangerously 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 


6i 


wounded,  though  as  yet  the  cause  and  actor  of  such  mischief  arc  not 
known  unto  us/  The  Bantam  factors  have  promised  to  send  to 
Surat  a  ship  laden  with  pepper,  &c.,  and  she  is  expected  to  call  at 
Goa  on  her  way  to  land  some  '  damar '  for  which  the  Viceroy  has 
undertaken  to  give  cinnamon,  &c.  Arrangements  to  be  made  should 
this  ship  be  found  at  Goa  or  met  at  sea.  The  master  of  the  Aleppo 
Merchant  must  be  reminded  to  keep  his  vessel  prepared  in  case  of  an 
attack  by  the  Malabars ;  also  to  be  careful  lest  his  men  desert  at 
Goa  or  Cochin.  Arrack  to  be  purchased  at  the  former  place.  In- 
quiry to  be  made  concerning  a  parcel  of  opium  left  at  Ponnani  by  the 
London.  *  Our  sheraff,  Tapidas  Parrack,'  has  been  allowed  to  send 
two  casks  of  '  roxamalla  '  [rasa-mdld,  i.e.  storax]  to  Goa.  Some 
*  taflfataes  '  to  be  delivered  to  the  Vedor  da  Fazenda,  Andre  Seleina. 
Should  Knipe  find  it  advisable  to  call  at  other  ports  on  the  coast  to 
sell  his  goods,  he  may  do  so,  provided  it  does  not  delay  his  return 
by  December  %o  at  latest.     {6ipp.) 

President  Fremlen  and  Council  at  Swally  Marine  to 
William  Pitt  and  Thomas  Hill  [at  Goa],  October  12,  1642 
{Factory  Records^  Miscellaneous,  vol.  xii.  p.  38). 

Announcing  the  dispatch  of  Knipe,  under  whose  orders  Pitt  and 
Hill  are  placed.  They  are  required  to  give  him  full  information 
and  to  assist  him  to  the  best  of  their  ability.     {Copy.     1  p.) 


President  Fremlen  and  Council  at  Surat  to  the 
Factors  at  Fort  St.  George,  October  17,  1642  {O.C.  1795). 

Arrival  of  the  Crispiana  and  Aleppo  Merchant.  Account  of  their 
voyage.  News  brought  by  them  concerning  Courteen's  shipping. 
Edward  Knipe  is  in  charge  of  the  cargo,  consisting  of  200,000  rials 
of  eight,  92  chests  of  coral,  600  pigs  of  lead,  y^  bales  of  broadcloth, 
four  bales  of  '  bayes  ',  and  one  bale  of  '  perpctuanaes  ' :  total  value, 
58,947/.  7.r.  \d.  Have  decided  to  send  back  both  vessels  by  the 
middle  of  January  with  the  full  value  of  the  cargo  received.  Mean- 
while the  Aleppo  Merchant  sa.i\ed  on  the  13th  current  for  Goa  and 
Cochin  to  fetch  some  cinnamon  ;  while  the  Crispiana  is  to  proceed 
to  *  Sinde '  about  the  end  of  this  month  for  indigo  and  piece-goods. 
The  Discovery  has  not  yet  returned  from  Mokha,  though  a  Dutch 


62,  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

vessel  which  left  there  eighteen  hours  after  her  has  arrived,  and  so 
have  all  the  country  ships.  '  Besides  the  men  and  shippe,  wee 
computate  the  Old  Joint  Stocke  hath  on  boord  her  in  indico,  rialls, 
and  other  goods  nere  lopooL  sterling ;  and  the  merchants  of  this 
toune  more  then  ten  times  as  much.  Soe  that  with  us  this  whole 
towne  is  much  grieved  and  frighted  with  this  her  unwonted  retard- 
ance,  consideringe  the  shortenes  and  few  hazards  in  this  soe  easie 
and  well  knowne  passage.'     {Copy.     i  pp^ 

Edward  Knipe,  six  leagues  north  of  Goa,  to  [the  Presi- 
dent AND  Council  at  Surat],  October  22,  1642  {Factory 
Records^  Miscellaneous,  vol.  xii.  p.  18). 

Has  just  met  the  Swan^  but  has  little  to  report.  'The  19th 
present  betwixt  Chaul  and  Dabull  wee  mett,  plying  to  the  north- 
ward, Mr.  Durson  in  the  Loyallty,  belonging  to  Mr.  Courten,  bound 
to  Rajapore,  not  beeing  above  30  leagues  shott  beyond  his  port ; 
from  whome  wee  understood  thus  much  :  that  the  14th  present  [he] 
departed  Carwarr  [and  the]  i6th  mett  of  Goa,  in  company  of  the 
Dutch  shipps,  Mr.  Hogg  in  the  Hester,  bound  to  Carwarr  from 
Rajapore,  where  shee  left  their  small  shipp,  the  Unity,  Mr.  Farren, 
who  came  this  yeare  from  England.  The  Squires  Agent  \see  p.  8] 
was  then  att  Carwarr,  expecting  the  Hesters  arivall,  intending  to 
proceed  on  her  for  Cochine  in  quest  of  such  synamon  as  may  bee 
there  procureable.'  Thinking,  however,  that  there  is  no  fear  of  his 
getting  hold  of  the  cinnamon  contracted  for  on  the  Company's 
behalf,  Knipe  has  decided  not  to  alter  his  plans  but  to  put  into  Goa 
as  arranged,  though  it  appears  from  Pitt's  letters  that  the  quantity 
of  cinnamon  there  is  scarcely  worth  the  trouble.  Will  use  all 
possible  diligence  to  get  away  from  Goa  and  continue  his  voyage. 
{Copy.     1  p.) 

Declaration  by  Jan  Dirksz.  Galen,  Cornelis  van  Sanen, 
AND  Jacob  Jacobsz.,  aboard  the  Amboina,  October  23,  1642 
{O.C.  1796).^ 

Having  been  sent  to  blockade  Goa  and  expressly  charged  to 
prevent  the  entrance  of  supplies  and  merchandise,  and  having  found 

*  Endorsed :  *  Hollanders  writeing  given  us  before  Goa.*  It  is  dated  November  2  (N.  8.). 
For  the  circumstances  in  which  this  document  was  given  to  Knipe,  see  his  letter  of  July  18, 
1643.     There  is  a  copy  among  the  Hague  Transcripts  (series  i.  vol.  xiii.  no.  418). 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  63 

that  the  English  ship  Hester  (which  got  into  the  port  without  their 
being  able  to  prevent  her)  supplied  the  Viceroy  with  brimstone  in 
exchange  for  cinnamon,  and  that  the  Swan,  which  was  permitted 
to  enter  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  water,  &c.,  under  promise  not 
to  trade,  nevertheless  took  in  300  quintals  of  cinnamon,  they  have 
now  acquainted  the  commander  of  the  Aleppo  Merchaiit  with  their 
instructions  and  have  forbidden  him  to  take  his  ship  into  the  port. 
They  have,  however,  willingly  consented  to  his  sending  his  goods 
on  shore  by  boat  and  bringing  off  his  people  and  merchandise 
(except  cinnamon,  which  is  the  King's  commodity),  the  ship  mean- 
while remaining  in  the  Road.  This  is  permitted  because  the  said 
English  have  declared  that  there  is  but  little  cinnamon  now  there, 
and  that  they  have  only  come  to  remove  their  factory  and  stock  ; 
and  in  token  thereof  the  undersigned  have  delivered  to  the  com- 
mander this  document,     (piitch.     i  p.) 

Edward  Knipe  in  Goa  Road  to  [the  President  and 
Council  at  Surat],  October  30,  164:^  {Factory  Records,  Miscel- 
laneous, vol.  xii.  p.  19). 

Anchored  here  on  the  morning  of  the  23rd  among  the  Dutch 
ships.  The  admiral  of  the  latter,  *  John  Dirkgalen ',  declared  that 
he  had  orders  from  Batavia  to  prevent  English  vessels  either  enter- 
ing the  port  of  Goa  or  carrying  any  cinnamon  from  thence ;  but, 
after  a  great  deal  of  debate,  permission  was  given  to  bring  off  their 
cinnamon,  which  has  only  now  been  accomplished.  '  The  carpetts 
sent  by  you  from  the  Padries  in  Agra  gave  to  our  seeming  gratefuU 
acceptance  from  the  V[ice]  Roy,  allthough  wee  found  not  any  such 
reciprocacion  as  to  connive  at  any  mans  particular  synamon  as 
might  have  byn  so  advantagious  as  expected.  Mr.  Cogans  buisness, 
wee  heare,  caused  a  great  deale  a  muttering  amoung  them,  allthough 
by  the  descretion  of  the  V[ice]  Rey  much  appised  ;  but  although 
he  seemes  silently  to  passe  it  over,  yet  he  hath  secreet[l]y  voued, 
if  not  satisfaction  here  made  him,  to  appeale  to  His  IVIajestie  of 
England  for  justice  ;  afferming  that  by  scverall  good  testimonies  the 
English  man  that  was  slaine  was  by  reason  of  his  willful!  entring, 
not  to  part  the  fray  betwixt  the  Portingalls  and  Daines  but  to  side 
against  the  partie  shott  to  death.  Nevertheless,  the  V[ice]  Rey 
hath  byn  so  modest  in  procecuting  his  revenge  as  [he]  hath  laboured 


64  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

with  all  stifife  injunctions  towards  the  freindly  entertainment  of  our 
nation  to  his  port ;  by  which  means  have  wee  not  received  the  least 
affront,  till  last  night  one  of  our  men,  beeing  in  our  long  boate, 
laden  with  water,  staing  (as  now  the  costom  is)  for  a  chitte  [i.  e. 
a  ckzt  or  permit]  from  the  V[ice]  Rey  to  depart,  was  by  some 
deboyst  souldiers  daingeriously  and  couerdly  wounded  in  the  head, 
but  by  relacion  of  our  chirurgion  [there?]  is  hopes  of  recovery/ 
Some  inquiry  has  been  made  by  Banyans  for  their  coral,  but  there 
is  now  no  time  to  come  to  terms.  Pitt's  books  will  show  the  reason 
why  he  had  not  the  expected  money  in  hand.  Since  coming  on 
board,  they  have  sold  to  Lewis  Ribeiro  [see  p.  26]  five  chests  of 
coral  at  a  gain  of  ninety  per  cent,  on  the  cost  in  England,  reckoning 
the  '  tango '  at  sixpence.  Pitt  and  Hill  have  '  cleared  themselves 
from  Goa '  and  are  now  on  board  ;  they  have  got  in  all  the  money 
owing,  except  about  100  xerafins.     [Copy.     '^pp») 

Edward  Knipe  in  Goa  Road  to  [President  Fremlen  at 
Surat],  October  30,  1642  ^  {Factory  Records,  Miscellaneous^ 
vol.  xii.  p.  23). 

Has  done  his  best  to  carry  out  all  his  instructions.  Could  not 
find  a  customer  for  the  two  remnants  of  cloth.  Has  delivered  his 
correspondent's  2,000  Venetians  to  Pitt,  but  no  opening  has  been 
found  for  the  investment  of  the  money,  as  Pitt  will  no  doubt  advise. 
Neither  Francisco  de  Souza  de  Castro  nor  Manoel  Morais  appears 
to  have  money  to  lend  at  interest, '  allthough  the  latter  was  motioned 
by  Mr.  Pitt ;  whose  chubbed  ^  answer  was  he  had  too  much  their 
[at  Cochin  ?]  allready.  It  is  thought  that  his  churlishness  proceeds 
from  a  deniall  of  his  sending  must^  for  England  on  our  shipps.' 
The  letters  &c.  from  Padre  Leno  at  Surat  to  the  Padre  Procurador 
of  Madre  de  Deos  have  been  duly  delivered  ;  also  all  the  presents 
sent  by  Fremlen  to  various  persons.  To  the  Vedor  da  Fazenda, 
however,  they  gave  the  smallest  instead  of  the  largest  of  the 
carpets,  chiefly  because  he  had  treated  Pitt  so  shabbily.  All  the 
goods  intended  for  Gonsalvo  Martins  de  Castello  Branco  were 
handed  over  to  him,  except  the  case  of  bottles,  which  he  failed  to 

1  A  separate  letter  to  Fremlen,  dealing  mostly  with  matters  of  private  trade. 

2  Blunt  or  rude.     *  A  churle,  a  foole,  a  chub'  (Cockeram,  Gnoffc,  1623). 

3  Probably  '  musk '  is  intended.     *  Must '  is  an  old  form  of  that  word.  ' 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  65 

send  for  ;  this  they  hope  to  leave  at  Chaul  on  their  return.  Money 
received  from  Francisco  de  Souza  de  Castro  on  behalf  of  Tapl  Das. 
{Copy.    2,\PP) 

Francis  Day  at  *  Ballasara  '  [Balasore]  to  the  Company, 
November  3,  1642  (O.C.  1797). 

The  Hopewell  reached  '  Madrasapatam '  safely  on  July  5.    There, 
contrary  to  the  Company's  orders  and  in  spite  of  Day's  opposition, 
it  was  decided  by  consultation  to  use  part  of  the  money  she  brought 
to  pay  off  the  old  debts.    The  ship  sailed  on  July  19  and  proceeded 
to  Masulipatam,  where  she  landed  some   broadcloth  and    eleven 
chests  of  silver.     *  The  latter  was  wellcome  ;  but,  for  the  cloth,  it 
found  noe  such  acceptance  as  in  former  yeares,  by  the  occation  of 
the  great  warrs  in  those  parts.'     Finding  that  the  indigo  of  Masuli- 
patam is  far  better  than  that  of  *  Madrasapatam ',  he  has  asked 
Peniston  to  send  a  sample  to  Surat ;   if  approved  there,  no  doubt 
a  good  quantity  will  be  provided  against  the  return  of  the  Hopeivell 
from  Persia.     On  the  other  hand,  the  '  murrees  of  Madrasapatam ' 
are  far  better  and  cheaper  than  those  of  Masulipatam,  and  so  the 
former  should  be  'the  place  of  provition '.     Sailed   from   Masuli- 
patam on  August  7,  and  reached  Balasore  six  days  later.     Here 
they  have  sold  or  bartered  their  glasses,  knives,  lead,  broadcloth, 
&c.,  for  sugar,  '  gurras ',  '  sannoes ',  '  cassaes ',  iron,  and  ginghams, 
all  but  the  last  being  intended  for  Persia.     Some  *  sannoes '  and 
*  cassaes '  are  being  provided  at '  Harapore '  [Hariharpur]  for  Europe; 
but '  many  you  may  not  expect,  the  raines  havinge  bin  soe  late  and 
soe  violent.'    Yard  and  Travell  both  intend  to  proceed  in  the  Hope- 
well or  Advice  to  '  Madrasapatam '  and  so  to  Europe.     '  Mr.  Hatch 
only  remaines,  and  very  much  discontented,  in  regard  his  contracted 
time  is  expired  and  the  small  imployment  that  hee  is  like  to  have. 
Accordinge  to  that  small  time  of  my  being  heer  and  that  little 
observation  that  I  have  taken,  I  thinke  Ballasara  (with  the  adjacent 
places)  is  not  to  bee  totally  left ;  for  it  is  noe  such  dispisable  place 
as  is  voted,  it  beinge  an  opulent  kingdome,  and  you  haveinge  bin 
already  at  great  charges  in  gaininge  the  free  custome  of  all  sorts 
of  goods.     Beleive  it,  if  you  had  but  an  active  man,  two  or  three, 
in  these  parts,  you  would  finde  it  very  proffitable ;  provided  you 


FOSTER    VII 


66  THE  ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

double  stocke  the  Coast,  without  which  tis  impossible  to  comply  to 
your  desires.  Since  I  have  knowen  these  parts,  for  the  most  parte 
you  have  had  servants  and  little  or  noe  meanes  to  imploy  them. 
If  you  should  inlarge  your  trade,  you  may  happely  have  meanes 
and  noe  servants,  especially  such  that  should  know  how  to  imploy 
it  to  best  advantage.  Mr.  Winter  this  yeare  goes  for  Bantam,  and 
soe  intends  for  Europe.'  They  are  promised  by  the  natives  sufficient 
freight  to  fill  both  the  Hopewell  and  the  Endeavour  for  Persia  ;  but 
he  doubts  this,  at  least  as  regards  the  latter  vessel.  Any  money 
received  on  that  account  will  be  invested  in  goods  suitable  for 
Persia,  'for  to  carry  rupees  to  Mesulapatam  there  would  bee  too 
great  loss.'     (2//.    Received  July  30  [1643].) 

The  Conde  de  Aveiras,  Viceroy  at  Goa,  to  [the  President 
AT  Surat],  November  Z^,  1642  {O.C.  1798). 

Thanks  the  President  for  his  two  letters  and  for  the  present  which 
accompanied  them.  As  regards  the  '  chandaros  ^ '  which  is  to  be 
sent  from  Surat  and  the  cinnamon  which  the  English  desire  to 
have  in  exchange,  the  Vedor  will  write.  A  special  effort  shall  be 
made  to  supply  the  cinnamon,  in  spite  of  the  difficulties  mentioned 
in  the  Viceroy's  former  letters.  Up  to  the  present  no  vessel  has 
arrived  from  Portugal.  Is  much  obliged  to  the  President  for  trans- 
mitting to  him  the  letters  from  the  Portuguese  ambassadors  now 
in  London,  which  contained  much  pleasing  intelligence.  Has 
delivered  to  Captain  *  Knarp '  [i.  e.  Knipe]  a  packet  of  letters  for 
the  said  ambassadors,  and  begs  the  President  to  arrange  for  their 
safe  delivery.  The  bundle  of  carpets  belongs  not  to  him  (the 
Viceroy)  but  to  the  Jesuit  Fathers  ;  refers  to  the  Captain  of  Daman, 
who  will  tell  the  President  how  they  should  be  sent.  Thanks  the 
latter  for  the  two  carpets  he  has  given  him,  which  are  excellent. 
In  return  he  forwards  a  diamond  ring  from  his  own  hand  and 
two  '  boyoes  ^ '  of  Chinese  porcelain,  containing  citron  preserves 
made   in   this   house.      Has    forgotten   to    mention   that   in   their 

^  Dammar  or  resin  (Hind,  chandras).  This  corrects  the  notes  on  p.  296  of  the  1618-21 
volume  and  on  p.  70  of  the  1622-23  volume. 

2  Port,  boydo,  a  jar  used  for  preserves.  The  word,  which  is  possibly  derived  from  Malay 
buyong^  has  passed  into  Hindustani  as  boydm,  and  is  still  in  general  use.  ' 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  67 

letters  of  March  y\  the  ambassadors  of  King  John  in  London 
announce  that  twenty  days  earlier  they  had  concluded  an  arrange- 
ment with  the  King  of  Great  Britain  for  a  treaty  of  peace  up  to 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  while  as  to  India  the  truce  concluded  in 
the  time  of  the  Conde  de  Linhares  is  to  be  maintained  pending  the 
appointment  of  commissioners  on  both  sides  to  settle  a  peace  in 
these  parts  also.  This  agreement  has  been  sent  to  Portugal  for 
approval,  and  the  Viceroy  trusts  that  it  will  be  duly  confirmed. 
(Portuguese.    'i~\pp.    Received  December  \6) 

Messrs.  Cogan,  Greenhtll,  and  Brown  at  Fort  St.  George 
TO  THE  Company,  November  5, 164:^(6^.6'.  1799V 

Forward  a  transcript  of  their  last,  which  went  by  a  Dutch  ship  to 
Bantam.  Their  investment  for  that  place  is  now  awaiting  the  arrival 
of  the  ships  from  the  Bay ;  but  it  will  not  be  so  large  as  was  expected, 
for  they  have  been  unable  to  dispose  of  their  coral,  quicksilver,  and 
vermilion,  '  by  reason  of  the  warrs,  which  now  upon  the  matter  is 
ended  among  the  Jentues  within  themselves,  by  the  death  of  the 
old  Kinge.^  What  the  Moors  and  Jentues  will  doe,  tyme  must 
shew.'  Have  heard  from  the  Dutch  that  the  Hopewell  and  Advice 
have  safely  reached  the  Bay.  Have  written  to  Day  to  accept  freight 
there  for  Persia,  as  he  cannot  expect  any  at  Masulipatam,  where 
*  the  Serkailes  great  jonke '  will  monopolize  all  that  is  available. 
If  no  freight  be  procurable  in  the  Bay,  they  hope  that  he  will  at  all 
events  be  able  to  procure  some  sugar,  &c.,  there  for  Persia,  and  then 
fill  up  with  goods  of  these  parts.  Have  arranged  for  the  purchase 
of  some  at  Masulipatam,  and  have  also  bought  a  quantity  of  cinnamon 
here.     (|/.     Received  in  London  July  20, 1643.) 

1  This  is  appended  to  a  duplicate  of  the  previous  letter,  printed  on  p.  45. 

'  The  Batavia  Dagh- Register,  1643-44  (p.  244)  records  the  receipt  of  intelligence  rom 
Pulicat  that  the  Carnatic  King  *  Weijneketapatij '  [i.e.  Venkatapati]  was  dead,  after  lying 
sick  of  a  fever  for  five  or  six  days,  and  that  his  body  had  been  burned  on  October  1 2  [N.  S.] 
at  * Narrewarom '  [Narayanavanam,  50  miles  west  of  Pulicat]:  that  he  left  no  children 
except  an  illegitimate  son,  who  by  the  law  of  the  land  could  not  succeed :  and  that  after 
much  dispute  his  brother's  son,  Sri  Ranga  Rayalu,  had  been  elevated  to  the  throne  on 
October  29  [N.  S.],  but  many  of  the  chiefs  were  displeased  at  this  choice.  A  letter  from 
Pulicat  to  the  commander  of  the  Dutch  fleet  off  Goa  {Hague  Transcripts,  series  i.  vol.  xii. 
no.  402)  gives  the  date  of  Venkatapati's  death  as  October  10  [N.  S.]. 


F  2 


68  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

Messrs.  Cogan,  Greenhill,  and  Brown  at  Fort  St.  George 
TO  THE  President  and  Council  of  Surat,  November  5, 164:^ 
{O.C  1800). 

Reply  to  theirs  of  August  6  and  September  13,  both  received  at 
the  end  of  last  month.  Arrival  of  the  Diamond  at  Bantam.  Expect 
to  be  blamed  for  not  sending  the  Advice  instead.  The  clamours  of 
their  Masulipatam  creditors  have  been  stopped,  but  only  *  by  robinge 
Peter  to  pay  Pawle '.  '  Wee  hope  to  heere  noe  more  of  the  Fort  in 
the  old  dialect,  espetially  after  the  arivall  of  these  our  last  letters, 
for  tis  put  to  the  Companies  choice  whether  theyle  keepe  it,  or  leave 
it  and  bee  noe  loosers  by  it.  Tis  againe  battred  from  Bantam, 
because  they  would  have  somewhat  to  say.'  Disposal  of  the  Advice 
and  Hopewell.  *  Mr.  Markham  ^  (good  man)  hath  had  but  small 
comfort  in  his  sonns  that  hee  hath  sent  for  India ;  for  the  elder 
death  tooke  from  us  the  last  yeare  in  Mesulapatam,  and  the  younger 
(it  seems)  helped  to  make  up  the  nomber  with  you  in  your  last 
generall  visitation.'  A  small  horse  has  been  provided  for  the  Queen 
of  Jambi,  but  perhaps  a  better  one  can  be  sent  from  Surat.  Dispatch 
of  letters  and  transcripts.  The  payment  of  their  debts  has  saved 
the  nation's  reputation,  but  they  can  hardly  hope  that  it  will  please 
the  Company,  since  *  all  our  actions  are  displeaseinge '.  What  Rogers 
owes  the  Company  they  cannot  yet  say.  His  dispatch  to  Golconda 
was  absolutely  necessary  to  prevent  the  loss  of  the  debts  there. 
'As  for  his  beinge  Accomptant,  twas  but  litle  before  his  death  (by 
the  death  of  Mr.  Markham)  conferred  upon  him  ;  and  that  alsoe  for 
want  of  another  of  abillity  to  performe  it,  for  Mr.  Winter  was  setled 
in  Pettapollee,  to  negotiate  the  Companies  affaires  there,  and  could 
not  accomplish  the  busines  in  both  places.  But  when  Mr.  Peniston 
came,  or  soe  soone  as  wee  could  gett  the  acco[un]ts  from  Rogers, 
hee  had  them  delivered  to  him.'  Have  had  no  letters  from  the  Bay, 
though  they  know  the  ships  have  arrived.  Cannot  sell  their  coral, 
&c.  Enclose  copies  of  their  letters  to  the  Company  and  to  Bantam. 
The  Dutch  sent  in  September  two  large  ships  to  Batavia  laden  with 
Coast  goods.     Cogan's  intended  departure.     (2J  pp.) 

^  Valentine  Markham,  the  Company's  Auditor  at  home.  His  son  Robert  went  out  to 
the  Coast  in  the  Hopewell  (1639),  ^"^  another  son,  Thomas,  proceeded  t»  Surat  in  the 
London  (1641). 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  69 

Consultations  held  in  Masulipatam  by  Francis  Day, 
Thomas  Peniston,  and  Thomas  Winter,  December,  1642 
((9.(7.1801,1802). 

December  10.  On  the  perusal  of  letters  lately  received  from  the 
Agent  [Cogan],  it  is  agreed  that  the  reasons  he  gives  for  desiring 
to  surrender  his  post  to  Day  are  insufficient :  that  such  action  on  his 
part  would  prejudice  the  Company's  affairs,  and  probably  make  it 
impossible  for  them  to  borrow  afresh:  and  that  in  any  case  he 
*  ought  not  to  leave  his  imployment  without  order  from  England 
or  Bantam,  or  at  least  advizeing  thither.'  Moreover,  Day,  by  the 
Company's  order,  is  not  to  remain  on  the  Coast  beyond  the  time  of 
the  ship's  departure  for  Bantam  or  England ;  and  it  is  necessary 
that  he  should  proceed  to  Persia  on  her,  as  the  returns  from  thence 
are  their  chief  reliance  for  making  up  the  investment  for  Europe. 
As  regards  borrowing,  no  money  is  to  be  had  here,  but  they  learn 
from  Golconda  that  the  Sar-i-Khail  is  willing  to  lend  four  or  five 
thousand  pagodas  at  i^  per  cent,  for  four  or  five  months.  This  will 
be  sent  after  the  Hopewell  to  Madraspatam,  either  by  the  Advice  or 
the  Prosperous.     (Copy.    |  p.) 

December  11,  Although  the  Agent  has  refused  to  allow  a  pilot 
to  be  lent  to  take  the  Sar-i-Khail's  junk  to  Mokha,  it  is  decided,  in 
view  of  the  proposed  loan  from  him,  to  spare  Roger  Adams  for  that 
purpose.     {Copy.    \p) 

December  19.  It  is  resolved  to  send  5,000  pagodas  (when  procured) 
to  Madraspatam  for  investment  in  piece-goods  for  England.  Then, 
if  more  money  can  be  obtained  at  reasonable  rates,  to  make  an 
investment  here  in  certain  specified  goods  of  the  same  kind.  (Copy. 
IP) 

Consultation  held  in  Surat  by  President  Fremlen  and 
Messrs.  Breton,  Merry,  Bornford,  and  Knipe,  December  26, 
1642  (O.C.  1803). 

In  the  recent  voyage  of  the  Aleppo  Merchant  down  the  Malabar 
Coast,  Knipe  succeeded  in  selling  a  considerable  quantity  of  coral 
at  better  prices  than  have  of  late  been  obtained  here,  '  wheare  wee 
finde  the  comon  buyers  so  confederate  with  the  Kings  ministers 
that  they  will  have  it  at  theire  owne  price  or  lett  it  lye  on  our 


70  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

hands.'  It  is  therefore  decided  to  put  aboard  the  Swa7t  all  or  most 
of  the  remaining  coral,  to  be  by  her  landed  at  Cochin  in  her  voyage 
to  Bantam  next  month ;  and  to  send  in  charge  of  it,  as  also  for  the 
purchase  of  cinnamon  and  pepper,  William  Thurston  and  Luke  Pynn. 
It  is  further  determined  that  the  Discovery,  on  her  return  from 
Mokha,  shall  call  at  Cochin  to  fetch  away  them  and  their  goods ; 
and  orders  are  accordingly  to  be  given  to  John  Wylde  to  dispatch 
her  from  Mokha  in  good  time.  As  regards  Persia,  since  Messrs. 
Adler,  Hall,  and  Wheeler  are  expected  to  return  next  year,  it  is 
agreed  to  send  William  Pitt  thither  to  succeed  Adler  as  chief;  also 
Philip  Wylde  as  assistant.  Thomas  Codrington  is  to  be  made 
Third  in  Council  there,  with  an  increased  salary.  Finding  them- 
selves unable  to  sell  their  broadcloth,  &c.,  at  Surat,  Agra,  Lahore, 
Cochin,  or  any  other  place  in  India,  they  decide  to  send  it  to 
Gombroon,     (aj//.) 

Consultation  held  in  Fort  St.  George  by  Messrs.  Cogan, 
Day,  and  Greenhill,  December  29, 164^^  {O.C.  1804). 

The  present  Agent  [Cogan]  has  signified  his  wish  to  resign  his 
post  to  Day  ;  but  the  rest  of  the  Council  are  opposed  to  this,  on  the 
ground  that  without  him  they  would  be  unable  to  raise  the  necessary 
loan,  '  because  of  the  Agents  respect  with  those  people.'  It  is 
further  decided  to  send  the  Hopewell  to  Persia  instead  of  to  Bantam, 
under  the  charge  of  Day ;  also  to  ask  for  pepper  from  Bantam,  in 
order  that  the  ship  may  upon  her  return  be  sent  to  England  direct 
from  this  Coast.  The  Hopewell  is  to  spare  a  master's  mate  to  the 
Advice.  '  The  warrs  and  broyls  increasing  in  this  countrey,  and 
now  (by  reason  of  our  Great  Naiques  imprisonment  ^)  drawing  nere 
to  us,  wee  latelie  raised  a  third  bulwarke  of  turfe;  and  wanting 
gunns  to  mount  thereon,  have  resolved  that  the  Advice  shall  spare 
us  foure  minion  for  that  purpose,  because  there  is  noe  danger  of 
enemie  in  her  way  to  Bantam,  and  when  shee  comes  there  shee  may 
be  againe  supplyed.'  Yard  having  arrived  with  the  Endeavour^  her 
disposal  is  taken  into  consideration.  She  has  been  surveyed  by  the 
carpenters  of  all  the  vessels  here  and  pronounced  unfit  for  a  voyage 

^  Damarla  Venkatappa  had  been  detected  in  intrigues  with  Golconda  and  had  thereupon 
been  imprisoned  by  the  new  King  and  deprived  of  all  his  territory,  with  the  exception  of 
Punamallee  and  the  surrounding  district  (see  p.  80 ;  also  the  Dagh- Register,  1643-44, 
p.  244). 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  71 

to  Persia.  As  Yard  bought  her  without  authority,  and  after  so 
much  has  been  laid  out  on  her  she  is  found  useless  for  the  Com- 
pany's purposes,  it  is  resolved  to  make  an  inventory  of  his  estate 
and  to  refer  to  Surat  and  Bantam  the  question  of  confiscating  it 
towards  the  damages  and  losses  suffered  in  consequence  of  his 
action.  Annexed:  Certificates  of  the  masters  and  carpenters,  dated 
September  [December?]  28,  1642,  that  the  Endeavour  is  unfit  for 
a  Persia  voyage.     (Copies,     "^pp-) 

Thomas  Dowle,  Master  of  the  Advice,  at  Fort  St. 
George  to  the  Agent  there,  December  31, 1642  {O.C.  1804). 

Requests  a  supply  of  ropes  and  blocks  for  his  ship.    (Copy.    \p.) 

The  Voyage  of  the  Hopewell  from  the  Coast  to  Persia 
and  back  (Marine  Records,  vol.  Ixv.  p.  26).^ 

1642,  December  21.  Sailed  from  Masulipatam.  December  23. 
Passed  Pulicat.^  December  30.  Left  Madras.  1643,  Jamiary  9. 
Passed  Colombo.  January  28.  Saw  *  Cubella  ^  \  March  6.  Were 
in  latitude  26"  ^^\^  April  13.  Sailed  from  Gombroon.  April  28. 
Anchored  off  Dabhol.  May  i.  Departed.  May  18.  Were  in 
latitude  11°  41'.^  August 2,^.  Sailed  for  Masulipatam.  September  1. 
Anchored  at  Petapoli.  September  2.  Sailed.  September  3.  Reached 
Masulipatam.  September  22.  Departed,  and  went  to  *  Emeldee  ' 
\see  p.  75].     October  i.     Sailed  for  Bantam.^     {^5\PP') 

Andrew  Trumball's  '  Declaration  of  some  Passages  and 
Observations  '  made  by  him  in  the  voyage  of  the  Hopewell 
(O.C.  1784).^ 

Sailing  from  the  Downs  on  the  last  day  of  1641,  they  reached 
*  Madraspatan'  on  July  4,  1642,  and  during  a  stay  of  fifteen  days 

'  Continued  from  p.  32. 

"^  They  got  to  Madras  next  day,  but  the  writer  omits  this. 

'  Apparently  Minicoy  :  see  the  1634-36  volume,  p.  69. 

*  Their  arrival  at  Gombroon  (the  next  day)  is  not  recorded. 

^  They  reached  Madras  next  day,  but  there  is  no  entry  to  that  effect. 

"  They  arrived  there  at  the  end  of  November. 

"^  Dated  September  18,  1644.  This  is  the  date  at  which  the  charges  were  submitted  to 
the  Company  at  home:  see  the  Court  Minutes  for  September  13  and  October  4.  Here, 
however,  they  have  been  placed  with  the  papers  of  1643,  as  they  relate  mostly  to  that  and 
the  preceding  year. 


72  THE  ENGLISH  FACTORIES 

unladed  part  of  their  cargo.  On  the  24th  they  anchored  at 
Masulipatam,  where  they  remained  twelve  days,  landed  more 
of  the  cargo,  and  Day  embarked  some  cloves,  '  but  none  of  them 
belonging  to  the  Company.'  Balasore  was  reached  on  August  14 
and  there  they  landed  the  rest  of  their  English  goods  and  the 
cloves.  They  stayed  three  months  and  sixteen  days,  at  a  cost 
of  180/.  per  month.  Day  made  an  agreement  to  carry  freight 
goods  and  passengers  to  Masulipatam  and  Persia,  though  Trumball 
pointed  out  to  him  that  the  voyage  would  occupy  fifteen  months 
and  the  receipts  would  not  cover  the  charges,  whereas  if  they  started 
at  once  for  Bantam  they  might  hope  to  be  in  England  within  the 
same  period.  Day,  however,  insisted  ;  and  so  they  took  in  sixteen 
passengers  for  Masulipatam  at  15  rupees  per  head  ;  thirty-five  for 
Persia  at  40  rupees  per  head  ;  76  bales  of  cloth  at  a  freight  of 
15  rupees  per  maund  of  64  lb. ;  and  ;^^S  bales  of  sugar  at  7  rupees 
per  maund  of  128  lb.  Further,  they  embarked  118  bales  of  calicoes 
(at  a  freight  of  15  rupees  per  maund)  on  joint  account  of  Messrs.  Day, 
Peniston,  Winter,  and  Greenhill, '  as  is  supposed ' ;  and  only  700  bales 
of  sugar  and  34  of  calicoes  for  the  Company.  Moreover,  Day 
'  caused  to  bee  putt  aboard  such  quantities  of  provisions  (as  hee 
termed  them)  for  the  Persians  in  hampers,  bales,  chests  and  fardells 
(for  the  which,  though  noe  freight  was  paid  to  the  Company,  yett 
hee  in  Hew  thereof  received  divers  guifts  from  them) ''  that  sixty 
bales  of  the  Company's  cinnamon  had  to  be  left  behind.  Though 
the  freight  money  amounted  to  17,854  rupees,  Day  only  brought  to 
the  Company's  account  6,345  [cf.  p.  77]  ;  and  during  the  ship's  stay 
at  Balasore  he  charged  1,400  rupees  for  her  provisions,  whereas  *  by 
the  estimation  of  all  men  that  knowes  the  place  hee  could  not 
expend  above  60  rupees  per  moneth  ...  a  beefe  being  constantly 
bought  there  for  one  rupee  or  one  rupee  and  a  half  at  the  most,  and 
all  other  provisions  accordingly  as  cheape.'  At  Masulipatam  they 
arrived  on  December  8  and  remained  thirteen  days,  though  they 
only  took  in  2:^  bales  of  cloth  and  100  of  sugar  for  the  Company, 
besides  76  bales  of  cloth  for  Day  (part  of  the  118  already  men- 
tioned). ^  Madraspatan'  was  reached  on  December  24  and  six  days 
were  spent  in  embarking  11  bales  of  cloth  and  39  of  cinnamon  for 
the  Company,  to  make  room  for  which  they  were  forced  to  land  the 
100  bales  of  sugar.     Departing  so  late,  they  were  obliged  to  '  looke 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  73 

for  a  new  passage  [see  p.  56],  partly  in  respect  of  the  winds  and 
principally  to  avoyd  the  theevish  Mallabars',  as  owing  to  the 
amount  of  passengers'  lumber  on  board  they  could  only  use  four 
pieces  of  ordnance.  On  their  arrival  at  Gombroon  (March  7,  1643) 
the  Company's  goods  were  made  over  to  the  Agent,  and  Day's 
calicoes  were  also  landed.  '  For  the  sale  whereof  hee  tooke  (at  his 
first  goeing  ashore)  a  house  next  doore  but  one  to  yours,  and  there 
hee  carryed  them,  and  enterteyned  the  most  part  of  the  broakers 
there  to  goe  abroad  to  sell  those  goods  and  to  bring  merchants  unto 
him ;  by  which  meanes  his  house  was  soe  filled  (though  large  of 
itselfe)  with  buyers  that,  if  I  had  any  thing  to  doe  with  him  about 
the  dispatch  of  our  shippe  or  about  the  shipps  provisions,  I  was 
forced  to  have  two  men  to  make  way,  as  in  a  great  croud  or  fayre, 
before  I  could  come  to  him  ;  hee  sitting  in  the  midest  with  his  bales 
open,  receiving  money  and  delivering  cloth.  Besides,  for  his 
assistance  in  the  sale  of  his  callicoes,  hee  tooke  Thomas  Clarke,  one 
of  my  mates,  and  the  purser,  with  two  more  of  our  shipps  company, 
ashoare  with  him,  and  kept  the  said  Clarke  untill  all  his  goods  were 
sold  ;  soe  that  I  could  not  have  his  helpe  in  tryming  the  shippe  at 
Ormous.'  Though  Day  disposed  of  all  his  calicoes,  the  Company's 
small  quantity  was  returned  unsold  to  Madras.  'And  in  regard 
I  tooke  the  weight  of  the  Persians  goods  as  they  went  out  of  the 
shippe,  because  hee  should  not  wrong  the  Company  in  the  freight 
of  them,  Mr.  Day  having  heard  thereof,  as  I  was  walking  to  a  small 
fort  out  of  towne,  hee  followed  mee  with  his  weapon,  assaulted  mee 
and  wounded  mee,  I  having  nothing  then  in  my  hand  but  a  rattan.' 
Day  accepted  a  freight  for  Dabhol,  but  he  waited  so  long  to  get  in 
the  money  for  his  calicoes  that  it  became  doubtful  whether  they 
could  without  danger  touch  there.  However,  Trumball  undertook 
to  make  the  voyage,  provided  the  ambassador  ^  would  agree  that 
the  Hopewell  should  not  stay  at  Dabhol  more  than  two  days.  This 
having  been  arranged,  they  sailed  on  April  13,  with  95  passengers, 
a  quantity  of  goods  for  the  Company,^  and  the  return  investment 
of  Day  and  his  partners  (in  runas  and  rosewater).     They  got  to 

*  From  a  later  document  it  appears  that  this  individual  had  been  sent  to  Persia  by  the 
King  of  Golconda,  probably  to  solicit  assistance  against  the  Mogul  Emperor. 

'  Viz.,  runas  [madder],  rosewater,  pistachios,  almonds,  achar  [pickles],  leather, 
*  simoranees  '  [possibly  materials  for  rosaries  {sinarant)\  *  soerts ',  and  carpets. 


74  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Dabhol  on  May  i,  1643,  landed  the  ambassador  and  the  passengers, 
and  then  sailed  the  following  night,  to  the  annoyance  of  Day,  who 
had  counted  on  selling  his  private  goods  there.  The  freight  between 
Persia  and  Dabhol  came  to  21,738  laris,  but  Day  only  brought 
9,385  to  account.  The  Hopewell  reached  Madras  on  May  19. 
There  Greenhill  told  Day  that  great  benefit  might  be  made  by 
bringing  betel-nuts  from  *  Trickumbar '  [Tranquebar],  Knowing 
that  Trumball  was  determined  to  prevent  private  trade,  Day  now 
endeavoured  to  remove  him  from  the  ship.  To  this  end  he  incited 
all  those  with  whom  he  had  dealings  to  refuse  to  embark  on  any 
voyage  with  Trumball,  and  he  himself  took  an  oath  to  the  same 
effect.  Moreover,  on  the  voyage  from  Persia  he  plotted  with  the 
ship's  officers  '  to  draw  a  head  against  mee,  intymating  unto  them 
that  it  was  impossible  for  them  to  make  a  voyage  or  gett  money  as 
long  as  I  was  in  the  shippe ;  for  indeed  those  that  they  make 
masters  there  they  place  or  displace  as  they  respect  or  disrespect 
their  private  bussinesse,  for  they  must  bee  their  carriers  or  els  leave 
their  charge.'  The  pretext  was  Trumball's  harshness  to  his  crew, 
though  he  never  *  whipped  or  ducked  [a]  man  in  all  the  voyage  or 
ever  did  exceed  eight  blowes  with  an  inch  rope  for  any  fault  by 
them  committed.'  His  removal  having  been  ordered  by  the  Agent 
and  Council  at  Madras,  he  submitted  quietly  and  remained  on  shore 
till  the  vessel  returned  from  Tranquebar,  a  period  of  two  months 
and  seventeen  days.  To  secure  Cogan's  consent  to  that  voyage 
Day  declared  that  *  payntings '  could  be  bought  there  far  cheaper 
than  at  Madras ;  and  he  was  accordingly  dispatched  thither,  in 
command  of  the  Hopewell^  on  May  31, 1643.  After  nearly  capsizing 
the  ship  on  the  way,  he  reached  his  destination  about  June  16. 
There  Day  gave  a  great  feast  aboard  the  ship,  when  no  guns  were 
fired  in  salutes.  The  same  night  a  gale  arose  and,  *  in  regard  all 
the  ports  were  open  belowe  and  themselves  drunke ',  the  ship  was 
in  great  danger.  For  this  William  Hills,  the  chief  mate,  was  kept 
in  irons  for  six  weeks.  Day  spent  in  a  short  time  two  butts  of 
Canary  wine  and  two  of  arrack,  besides  giving  away  to  the  Danes 
a  quantity  of  butter  and  sugar  from  the  Company's  stores.  Cogan 
had  ordered  him  not  to  remain  more  than  thirty  days  at  Tranque- 
bar, but  he  stayed  forty  days  longer.  On  July  10  a  small  vessel 
arrived  at  Madras  from  Tranquebar,  laden  with  betel-nuts  on  Day's 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 


/o 


own   account.     The    Hopewell  returned    on   August    13,  bringing 
30  bales  of  calicoes  for  the  Company  and  400  of  betel-nuts  belong- 
ing to  Day;  in  addition  to  which  the  latter  had  engaged  another 
small  vessel  to  follow  him  laden  with  the  same  commodity,  under 
the  charge  of  Edward  Hemingway.    The  day  after  the  ship  arrived 
Trumball  was  reinstated  as  master.     Cogan  can  tell  the  Company 
that  Day  left  a  thousand  rials  of  eight  of  theirs  in  the  hand  of  the 
Danish  President,  '  who  is  never  like  to  pay  the  same  againe ' ;  while 
the  calicoes  he  bought  at  Tranquebar  would  not  yield  at  Bantam 
the  money  they  cost.     Had  almost  forgotten  to  mention  '  another 
kinde  of  private  trade '  Day  had   in  the  second  small  vessel,  of 
whose  arrival  they  heard  at  Masulipatam.     *  There  is  one  Captaine 
Sampson  ^  belonging  to  the  Danes,  who  was  gone  for  them  upon 
some  employment  to  Maccassar  ;   but  his  wife  and  two  wayting 
gentlewomen  were  brought  upon  that  vessell  from  Trinckumbar  to 
Madraspatan  for  the  perticuler  account  of  Mr.  Day ;    for  whose 
residence  there  I  beleive  Mr.  Day  must  build  a  house  equall  to  that 
shee  lived  in  at  Trinckumbar.     Neverthelesse,  I  am  of  opinion  the 
Company  must  pay  for  it,  for  his  condition  is  to  make  what  benefitt 
hee  can  of  others  and  keepe  that  hee  calls  his  owne  fast.     The 
aforesaid  Sampson  is  the  cheifest  and  richest  seaman  the  Danes 
have  in  all  India ;  whose  wife  and  servants  and  Jewells,  and  what 
els  portable,  Mr.  Day  hath  now  at  Madraspatan  ;    whereby  it  is 
thought,  if  there  bee  not  a  gennerall  quarrell  betweene  the  Danes 
and  English,  yett  a  private  betweene  Captaine  Sampson  and  Mr.  Day 
will  hardly  bee  avoided.'     Trumball  left  Madras  in  the  Hopewell  on 
August  %%,  carrying   for   the   Company's   account   a   quantity  of 
*  Madraspatan  payntings ',  and  the  30  bales  bought  at  Tranquebar  ; 
also  109  bales  of  calicoes  belonging  to  individuals.     At  Masuli- 
patam they  took  in  more  private  trade,  besides  some  calico  and 
cinnamon  for  the  Company ;  and  at  '  Ameldee  ^ '  they  embarked 
44  bales  of  calico  on  the  account  of  the  latter.     All  these  goods 
were  delivered  at  Bantam  on  November  30.    Besides  the  4,000  rials 
of  eight  Day  laid  out  in  betel-nuts  as  aforesaid,  he  had  an  equal 
sum  in  private  trade  at  *  Gingerlee  ^  ' ;  2,000  rials  *  upon  Mr.  Greene- 

^  See  the  previous  volume,  p.  259.     His  name  also  occurs  in  the  Dagh-Register^  1643- 

44  (P-  255). 

^  A  roadstead  near  Masulipatam  :  see  the  preceding  volume,  p.  314. 

^  The  Gingeli  coast  extended  from  the  Godavari  Delta  to  Jagannath.     Where  the  term 


76  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

hills  shippe  which  is  gone  for  Pegu  ' ;  and  a  horse  at  Goa  which  had 
cost  in  Persia  i,ooo  abbasis.  This  was  apart  from  the  cash  he  had 
by  him ;  and  it  was  all  made  in  eleven  months,  though  he  carried 
out  not  more  than  the  value  of  loo/.  in  money.  *  Sometymes  I  have 
familiarly  asked  him  whether  hee  thought,  if  our  masters  should 
heare  of  his  actions,  they  would  not  keepe  his  wages  and  adventure. 
His  answeare  was  hee  would  at  all  tymes  give  100/2.  for  150/2'.  And 
moreover  hee  said  to  mee  at  one  tyme  hee  would  private  trade  soe 
deepe  that  hee  would  neither  value  his  wages  nor  his  stocke  that 
hee  putt  in  with  the  Company ;  and  at  another  tyme  hee  said  that 
hee  came  from  England  purposely  to  make  a  voyage  for  his  wife 
and  children.  Mr.  Thomas  Penniston,  another  of  your  factors  on 
the  Coast,  is  by  estimacion  worth  80,000  ryalls.  Hee  hath  marryed 
two  gentlewomen  to  two  souldiers  and  a  third  is  resident  with  him, 
who  when  wee  were  there  was  with  childe.  Mr.  Thomas  Winter, 
another  of  your  factors  on  the  Coast,  is  by  estimation  worth  20,000 
r[yall]s,  besides  in  adventure  upon  the  Hopewell  in  goods  sent  to 
Persia,  10,000.  Hee  hath  marryed  his  gentlewoman  to  a  souldier ; 
by  whome  hee  had  two  children,  one  of  which  came  into  England 
in  the  Mary.  And  Mr.  Day  and  hee  are  very  well  versed  in  game- 
ing,  and  noe  day  comes  amisse  to  them  for  that  exercise.  Mr. 
Henry  Greenehill,  another  of  your  factors  on  the  Coast,  is  by 
estimacion  worth  12,000  r[yall]s.  Hee  keepeth  a  gentlewoman,  by 
whome  hee  hath  had  two  children  and  shee  was  at  our  being  there 
with  childe  of  her  third  by  him.  At  the  christening  of  his  second 
childe  there  was  shott  off  300  brasse  bases,  with  three  vollyes  of 
small  shott  of  all  the  souldiers  in  the  castle  and  13  gunns  from  the 
fort ;  but  the  powder  was  paid  for  by  him.  Hee  hath  built  for  this 
gentlewoman  (who  was  formerly  belonging  to  Mr.  Day)  a  very  faire 
house  with  orchard  and  garden ;  in  which  house  hee  himselfe 
lodgeth  every  night.  These  foure  gentlemen  are  all  sworne  brothers  ; 
and  when  they  perceive  they  may  benefitt  themselves  in  any 
project,  they  passe  an  oath  one  to  another  to  prosecute  their  intend- 
ments and  not  dissent  one  from  another  untill  their  ends  bee 
obteyned.  And  one  principall  cause  of  raysing  these  men  to  that 
heigth  of  pride  and  riches  which  they  now  possesse  is  the  keeping 

is  intended  for  a  definite  place,  it  probably  means  Vizagapatam  (see  Bowrey's  Account, 
p.  123). 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  77 

of  such  mighty  stockes  of  money,  which  they  call  their  owne,  and 
with  which  they  buy  upp  all  cloth  and  paintings  that  are  vendible 
either  in  the  South  Seas  or  in  England  at  certaine  tymes  and 
seasons ;  and  when  your  shipps  come  to  the  Coast  in  June  or  July, 
they  must  have  50  per  cent,  proffitt ;  nay,  if  your  shipps  arrive  upon 
the  Coast  in  May,  there  is  order  given  by  them  to  all  the  broakers 
and  weavers  dwelling  about  14  or  16  miles  compasse  not  to  sell 
under  the  price  that  is  sett  by  these  men.  And  if  any  weaver  bee 
soe  needy  that  hee  doth  undersell  their  price,  if  they  heare  of  it,  hee 
is  presently  rebuked  and  money  lent  him  for  his  present  necessity. 
And  this  is  done  that  the  price  of  cloth  and  their  pollicy  shall  not 
bee    found    out    by    those    they    thinke   will    give    you   notice.' 

(ii4//.) 

Messrs.  Cogan,  Greenhill,  and  Brown  at  Fort  St.  George 
TO  THE  President  and  Council  at  Bantam,  January  4,  1643 
(O.C  1805). 

Enclose  a  transcript  of  their  last,  dated  September  20.  The  pin- 
nace Advice  left  Balasore  on  November  7  and  reached  Masulipatam 
ten  days  later  with  a  cargo  for  the  Joint  Stock  amounting  to  ^^'^'^3 
rupees,  12  annas,  and  freight  goods  paying  486  rupees.  Having 
landed  her  goods  and  taken  in  others  for  Bantam,  she  was  sent  to 
fetch  a  further  supply  from  Narsapur  ;  then  she  was  dispatched  on 
December  22  for  this  place,  where  she  arrived  on  the  25th.  The  Hope- 
well quitted  Balasore  on  December  i  with  goods  for  the  General 
Voyage  invoiced  at  15,879  rupees  12  annas,  together  with  passen- 
gers and  freight  goods  paying  6,345  rupees.  She  got  to  Masuli- 
patam on  the  9th,  left  on  the  19th,  and  anchored  here  on  the  24th. 
At  Masulipatam  she  took  in  freight  for  Persia  producing  374  pagodas. 
The  Endeavour  sailed  from  Balasore  on  November  25,  and,  after 
calling  at  'Harrapore',  reached  Masulipatam  on  December  18  and 
Fort  St.  George  on  the  27th.  Her  cargo  included  4,857  rupees  3 
annas  for  the  General  Voyage,  209  rupees  1 2  annas  for  the  Joint 
Stock,  and  freight  goods  745  rupees.  Yard  came  in  her  as  far  as 
Masulipatam  and  thence  in  the  Advice  to  this  place.  There  being 
more  goods  for  Persia  than  the  Hopcivell  could  hold,  he  was  ques- 
tioned about  the  Endeavour^  and  declared  that  she  was  now  fit  for 


78  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

a  voyage  either  to  Persia  or  to  Bantam.     Thereupon  they  resolved 
*  to  put  a  mulct  of  i,ooo  pieces  of  eight  on  him  for  not  following  co- 
mission,  and  imploy  the  shippe  for  the  Companies  use.*     However, 
on  the  arrival  of  the  Endeavour  her  master  gave  so  bad  an  account 
of  her  that  a  survey  was  ordered,  with  the  result  that  she  was  de- 
clared '  not  fitt  to  navigate  the  seas  '.    The  President  and  Council  of 
Surat  had  written  on  August  i8, 1 641,  directing  that  Yard  should  be 
told  to  sell  her  '  as  for  himselfe ',  and  that  all  the  money  spent  on  her, 
with  suitable  interest,  should  be  charged  to  Yard's  account,  with  due 
deductions  for  any  freight  earned  by  her  for  the  Company.     This 
course  has  been  followed,  but  confirmation  is  requested.     Finding 
that  the  Endeavour  was  not  available,  the  Hopewell  was  dispeeded 
alone  to  Persia  on  December  30.     Fear  that  after  her  return  the  time 
may  be  so  short  that  she  will  have  to  go  home  direct  from  the  Coast ; 
and  therefore  they  request  a  supply  of  pepper  '  to  fill  upp  betweene 
the  bales '.    If  not  required  for  that  purpose,  it  can  be  sent  to  the  Bay 
for  sale.     Day  has  gone  in  charge  of  the  HopewelUs  cargo ;  it  is 
hoped  that  the  goods  will  sell  to  good  profit,  but  at  all  events  they 
were  taken  in  barter  for  English  commodities  at  rates  yielding  100 
per  cent,  advance.     *  Here  with  us  the  times  are  soe  badd,  in  regaurd 
of  the  warrs,  that  nothinge  will  sell  at  any  rate  ;  that  makes  us  wish 
now  (too  late)  that  wee  had  sent  all  the  corrall,  quicksilver,  and  Ver- 
million which  wee  tooke  ashore  here  into  the  Bay.     Indeed,  if  the 
state  of  this  countrie  doe  not  better  itselfe  ere  the  monsoone  serves, 
wee  must  send  it  thither  unto  Mr.  Hatch,  whoe  is  left  in  Bengalla 
to  looke  unto  the  Companies  houses,  &c.,  or  rather  to  continue  our 
priviledges  untill  further  order  from  you  for  our  absolute  abandoninge 
those  parts  or  furnish  it  as  it  ought  to  bee.     For  ought  wee  can  per- 
ceive by  the  relation  of  Mr.  Day,  &c.,  Mr.  John  Yard  hath  but  said 
the  truth  in  all  his  letters  concerning  the  fruitfulnes  of  Bengalla  and 
the  profitt  that  may  be  made  to  and  from  that  place,  if 'twere  stocked 
as  it  ought.*     Now  send  to  Bantam  the  Advice^  with  a  cargo  for  the 
General  Voyage  amounting  to  16,400  pagodas  15  fanams.     A  larger 
quantity  of  gunpowder  might  have  been  forwarded,  had  they  had 
casks  to  put  it  in.   As  it  is,  they  have  been  forced  to  use  iron-bound 
casks,  which  is  a  dangerous  practice ;  but  they  have  covered  each 
one  with  mats  and  gunny.      Intended  also  to  send  the  horse  they 
had    promised ;   but   the   master  represented  that  there  was    no 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  79 

other  place  to  stand  him  in  than  upon  the  upper  deck  and  that  he 
would  not  be  likely  to  survive  the  voyage,  whereupon  they  aban- 
doned the  idea.  They  hope,  however,  that  the  President  at  Surat 
will  supply  the  want,  as  promised.  Messrs.  Collet  and  Winter,  their 
covenanted  period  of  service  being  expired,  proceed  to  Bantam  on 
this  ship.  The  latter  could  hardly  be  spared,  but  his  health  is  bad, 
as  he  '  of  a  long  time  hath  byn  troubled  with  a  kinde  of  convultion 
fitts,  insoemuch  as  wee  have  often  feared  his  safetie.'  Cogan  himself 
had  intended  to  embark  in  the  Advice,  '  but  findeing  a  general  oppo- 
sition .  .  .  hee  is  content  to  continue  till  the  Company  or  you  shall 
enorder  his  removeall,  which  he  hopes,  nay,  he  desires,  may  bee  by 
the  next.'  The  reason  why  no  merchandise  is  sent  on  account  of 
the  Third  Joint  Stock  is  that  all  the  funds  available  are  needed  for 
ordinary  expenses, '  for  beinge  borne  wee  must  bee  kept  '.  Are  now 
endeavouring  to  borrow  money  at  Masulipatam  to  begin  an  invest- 
ment for  England  ;  but  find  it  difficult  to  do  so,  '  in  regaurd  the 
monyed  men  have  for  the  most  part  left  that  place,  and  the  reason 
of  it  is  the  Serkails  hard  usage,  for  to  his  power  he'le  suffer  noe 
merchant  to  buy  or  sell  there,  but  such  as  deale  for  him  '.  He  lately 
promised  to  lend  them  10,000  pagodas,  and  if  he  keeps  his  word 
they  doubt  not  to  lay  out  the  money  to  advantage,  for  goods 
were  never  cheaper,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  present  consignment. 
*  Onely  three  small  bales  of  fine  tappies  will  appeare  deare,  because 
spoyl'd  in  the  chay  ^ ;  for  you  may  please  to  know  the  cloath  was 
bought  in  Messilupatam  and  here  delliverd  out  by  us  on  cooley  ^, 
wee  allowing  them  chay,  &c. ;  which  was  all  done  in  the  Fort.  At 
first  it  appeared  excellent  good  ;  but  after,  what  with  boyling  out 
the  waxe  and  often  challowing^,  the  chay  is  decayed  and  not  now 
to  be  remedied  by  us.'  This  was  due  to  the  unskilfulness  of  the 
'  paynters  '.  Their  books  will  show  how  heavily  they  are  indebted  in 
these  parts.  Unless  money  soon  arrives  from  England  or  Bantam, 
the  liability  will  be  a  huge  one,  for  interest  will '  eate  deepe,  espetially 
now  that  the  usurers  must  bee  paid  theire  interest  everie  sixe  months, 
being  a  custome  brought  upp  by  the  Dutch,  now  not  to  be  broken.' 

^  Dyeing  (see  the  1630-33  volume,  p.  55). 

2  Tam.  kali,  *  daily  wages '. 

'  Mr.  C.  Hayavadana  Rao  derives  this  term  from  the  Telugu  chaluva,  meaning  the 
bleaching  or  washing  of  cotton  cloth.  He  also  states  that  iappi  is  a  Telugu  word,  meaning 
a  bleached  or  washed  cloth. 


Bq  the   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

The  Company  only  ordered  an  investment  here  of  ^,oool.  for  Ban- 
tam ;  but  more  than  this  has  now  been  sent,  to  provide  for  the 
pepper  required.  If  this  cannot  be  supplied,  the  surplus  should  be 
returned  in  gold  ;  '  for  as  for  other  comodities,  they  will  not  of  [f ] 
of  our  handes,  this  countrie  being  all  in  broiles,  the  old  Kinge  of 
Karnatt  being  dead.  Soe  is  the  Naique  of  Armagon,  whose  coun- 
trie is  all  in  the  handes  of  the  Moores,  and  [sic]  whoe  will  ere  long 
by  all  likelyhood  bee  maisters  of  all  this  countrie  ;  for  our  Naique, 
not  findeing  the  respect  from  the  new  Kinge  as  he  expected,  did 
make  profer  to  assist  the  Moores  ;  but  ere  he  could  bringe  his  treason 
about,  'twas  discovered  [and]  he  apprehended  by  the  Kinge,  who 
hath  seaz'd  a  greate  parte  of  his  countrie.  But  wee  beleve  hee  will 
be  forc'd  suddainely  to  restore  it  againe  and  release  him,  for  our 
Naiques  brother  and  kindsmen  ar  levying  an  armie  for  his  rescue ; 
whoe,  with  the  helpe  of  the  Moores  on  the  other  side  (whoe  are 
within  halfe  a  dayes  journey  of  each  other  ^),  will  force  his  libertie  or 
ruine  the  whole  kingdome.'  Letters  from  Goa  announce  that  the 
Swan  has  arrived  there,  has  discharged  her  *  dammer ',  and  has  taken 
in  the  cinnamon,  &c.,  provided  by  Pitt.  '  Our  masters  busines  goes 
on  with  the  Portugals  in  Goa  verie  faire,  and  here  farr  better  then 
formerlie,  for  they  neyther  come  to  us  nor  wee  goe  to  them,  which 
is  noe  small  ease.'  At  the  request  of  some  great  personages  in  Goa, 
a  Capuchin  father  has  been  permitted  to  embark  in  this  ship  for 
Bantam  ;  likewise  two  Dutchmen,  who  are  bound  for  Batavia.  The 
wars  have  obliged  them  to  take  four  small  pieces  of  ordnance  out  of 
the  Advice ;  these  will  be  utilized  for  the  small  vessels  when  bigger 
guns  arrive  to  replace  them.  A  bale  of  cloth  belonging  to  a  debtor 
sent  for  sale.  Transcripts  forwarded  of  letters  from  Surat.  '  The 
Dutch  on  this  coast,  for  ought  wee  can  perceive,  hath  some  greate 
matters  to  act ;  for,  notwithstanding  the  Serkaile  did  last  yeare 
scale  upp  theyr  warehouses,  not  suffering  them  to  sell  their  spices 
&c.,  with  many  other  affronts  to  their  unspeakeable  prejudice,  yett 
now  have  they  lent  the  Serkaile,  to  saile  his  jounke  for  Persia,  nine 
men  and  two  pieces  of  ordnance^,  [and]  prepared  a  pishcash  for  Gol- 

*  Some  particulars  of  the  advance  of  the  Golconda  invaders  will  be  found  at  p.  244  of 
the  Dagh- Register  for  1643-44.  They  had  just  occupied  Venkatagiri.  The  release  and 
reinstatement  of  Damarla  are  mentioned  on  p.  259  of  the  same  volume. 

^  Dagh-Register,  1641-42,  p.  306.  ' 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  8i 

quondah  worth  10,000  pieces  of  eight.  The  piscash  consists  of  two 
faire  eh'phants,  two  Persian  horses,  a  large  branch  of  candles  (poiz 
about  a  candie)  of  copper,  with  sandall  and  spices  in  aboundance  ;  all 
which  (by  estimate  of  our  people  in  Messilupatam)  may  amount 
unto  the  some  abovesaid.  And  from  Pullicat  about  a  moneth  since 
a  piscash  was  sent  by  the  hand  of  their  merchant  Molleya  (alies 
Chinana  Chitty)  unto  the  present  King  of  Karnatt,  estimated  to  be 
worth  4,000  pa[godas].^  The  Portugauls  from  St.Thoma  have  like- 
wise been  with  theire  piscash  with  the  Kinge ;  but  it  comes  far 
shorte  of  the  former,  for  all  that  they  carried  coold  not  amount  to 
full  !Zoo  pa[godas].  Somewhat  is  expected  from  us  ;  but  untill  our 
Naique  and  the  Kinge  bee  eyther  reconcyled  or  absolutely  outed, 
wee  intend  to  stand  uppon  our  gaurd  and  keepe  what  wee  have. 
The  Serkailes  importunitie  hath  prevayled  with  us  for  a  pylott  and 
one  other  English  to  sayle  on  his  jounke  for  Mocha  [see  p.  69]. 
The  pylott  is  the  same  Adams  that  was  bound  for  Chyna  uppon 
the  Portugall  shippe  the  last  yeare  ;  which  said  shippe,  goeing  from 
hence  for  Goa,  was  cast  away  nere  Nagapatam  ;  where  the  Portu- 
galls  are  and  have  byn  put  to  a  greate  strait,  for  the  Naique  of 
Tanjore  hath  beseiged  them  now  upwards  of  seven  moneths.'  '^ 
PS. — A  small  bale  of  silk  returned  as  unvendible.  Send  also  two 
slaves  ;  *  the  man,  being  a  lustie  slave  coffer  ^,  was  sometime  a  slave  to 
the  Portugauls  of  St.  Thoma,  but  running  from  them  to  us  wee  bought 
him,  and  for  him  the  woeman  ;  and  both  whome  indeavouring  to 
give  us  the  slippe  are  sent  for  prevention  as  aforesaid.'  Have  like- 
wise permitted  an  '  antient  sarango  * '  to  return  to  Bantam  with  his 
wife,  child,  and  goods.  '  Our  merchant  Sesadry  Chittie '  [see  the 
previous  volume,^.  316]  has  been  allowed  to  send  a  bale  of '  skate 
skinns'  in  the  ship  for  sale  on  his  own  account.     (Copy.    ^ pp-) 

*  The  Dutch  merchants  at  Pulicat  wrote,  in  January,  1643,  that  Malaya  [see  p.  50], 
having  been  summoned  to  Tirupati  by  Sri  Ranga  Rayalu,  had  been  graciously  received  and 
given  the  charge  of  certain  districts ;  and  that  Gardenijs,  the  Governor  of  Pulicat,  had 
taken  the  opportunity  to  send  a  complimentary  letter  by  him  to  the  new  King,  accompanied 
by  the  gift  of  a  fine  telescope  {Dagh-Register,  1643-44,  p.  244). 

■^  Dagh- Register,  1641-42,  p.  302,  and  1642-43,  p.  248  ;  Hague  Transcripts,  series  i. 
vol.  xii.  no.  394. 

^  Arabic  kd/ir,  '  an  unbeliever '.  The  Portuguese,  following  the  Arabs,  applied  the  term 
especially  to  pagan  negroes,  and  this  is  probably  the  meaning  here. 

*  A  serang,  or  chief  of  a  lascar  crew. 

FOSTER    VII  G 


So,  THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES 


President  Cartwright  and  Council  at  Bantam  to  the 
Company,  January  13, 1643  (O.C.  1807). 

.  .  .  Intend  to  dispatch  a  ship  in  May  or  June  next  to  Surat 
with  pepper,  Slc,  to  return  with  suitable  Indian  commodities.  .  .  . 
The  papers  now  forwarded  will  show  the  '  strange  and  unwarrantable 
proceedings '  of  the  Coast  factors.  '  Noe  sooner  had  they  notice  of 
Your  Worshipps  injunctions  for  their  resubordinacy  and  accompting 
to  Bantam  (as  in  former  times  that  place  was  accustomed)  but 
a  new  found  way  of  accompts  was  contrived  (by  whose  order  we 
know  not)  and  all  the  charges  they  had  byn  at  in  three  yeares  time 
with  their  buylding  their  Madrasapatam  Castle,  and  accompt  of 
interest,  &c.,  they  would  writh  and  twist  in  our  generall  accompts, 
thereby  to  avouch  and  make  good,  or  at  least  to  cover  and  hide 
their  own  (as  said)  unwarrantable  actions.'  Do  not  intend,  however, 
to  admit  any  such  charges,  unless  the  Company  expressly  orders 
them  to  do  so.  The  accounts  will  show  '  what  a  chargeable  place 
that  Madraspatam  hath  byn  to  Your  Worshipps.'  .  .  .  Aaron  Baker 
has  resigned  the  Presidency  to  Ralph  Cartwright  and  now  takes 
passage  in  this  ship,  the  Ulysses^  for  England.  .  .  .  [Copy,     i  /.) 

President  Fremlen  and  Messrs.  Breton,  Merry,  Born- 
ford,    AND    KnIPE    at    SwALLY    MARINE    TO    THE    COMPANY, 

January  17,  1643  {p,C.  1808). 

In  their  letters  (sent  via  Basra)  of  February  8  and  March  2,  1642 
\fiot  extant\  they  related  their  difficulties  for  want  of  money ; 
'  which,  growing  upon  us,  rendered  us  miserable  in  ourselves, 
despicable  to  others,  uselesse  to  you,  otherwise  then  in  our  suffer- 
ings ;  for,  enjoying  nothing  but  disgraces  and  revilings,  we  were 
driven  to  such  extremities  that  not  without  infinite  difficulties  such 
monies  as  are  absolutely  wanting  to  defray  your  factories  expences 
became  acquirable.  So  that  from  the  time  of  your  ship  Londons 
departure  your  cloth  investment  ceased  in  the  severall  residences ' 
until  the  arrival,  on  August  28,  of  the  letters  [see  the  preceding 
volume^  p.  310]  brought  to  the  Coast  by  the  Hopewell  in  the  previous 
month.      Then,  finding   that   the    Company   were    sendiag   them 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  83 

'  a  fuller  carga[zoon]  then  of  late  years  you  have  been  accustomed 
to  destine  to  these  parts  ',  they  at  once  ordered  the  various  factorise 
to  set   about  the  provision  of  the  goods  required.     The  Aleppo 
Merchant  and  Crispiana  duly  arrived  at  Swally  on  September  21. 
Now  answer  the  letters  brought  by  them.     Arc  doing  their  best 
to  close  the  accounts  of  the  Third  Joint  Stock,  but  they  must 
await  further  particulars  from  Persia  and  Mokha  before  they  can 
complete  them.     Rejoice  that  the  silk  sent  home  in  the  Crispiana 
was  found  to  be  so  good  ;  regret,  however,  to  learn  the  '  continued 
disesteem '  of  that  commodity  in  England.     The  price  is  still  high 
in   Persia;    yet  'the  Dutch  continue  to  convert  the  provenue  of 
those  vast  quantities  of  merchandizes  yearly  landed  by  them  in 
Gomroon  into  that  specie.'     In   October   last  the   Seahorse   and 
Francis  brought  hither  four  bales,  purchased  in  Ispahan  for  ready 
money,  which  cost  in  all  ^s.  6d.  the  small  pound ;  and  at  this  rate, 
if  they  had  funds  to  send  Indian  commodities  to  Persia  (English 
goods  being  in  no  demand),  they  think  the  trade  might  be  continued 
'  with  a  competent  gain ',  even  if  the  price  in  England  remains  at 
its  present  level.     A  quantity  of  silk  is  still  due  from  the  Persian 
King,  but  his  officials  deny  this  and  there  is  little  likelihood  of  its 
recovery.     '  In  the  meane  time  we  are  from  Mr.  Adler  advized  that 
Shaw  Suffe,  late  King  of  Persia,  being  in  May  last  advanced  as  far 
as  Cashone  [Kashan]  in  prosecution  of  his  intendments  for  reducing 
Candahar  to  his  obedience,  dyed  there  unworthily,  whilest  overmuch 
drinking  and  other  ryots  hastned  his  end,  and  consequently  gave 
beginning  to  his  sonnes  enthronization,  who  by  the  name  of  Sultan 
Abass  was  saluted  and  proclaimed  King  of  Persia,  and  is  reported 
to  be  a  prince  of  very  great  hopes  ;  ^    towards  whom  the  Dutch 
Comandorc  was  in  August  last  journying  to  visit  him,  and  with 
him  to  stipulate  a  new  contract  for  silk.     To  him  also  (and  that 
we  conceive  not  unnecessarily)  Thomas  Adler  was  .  .  .  intended  to 
travail,  not  only  to  congratulate  his  happy  inauguration  but  also 
to  procure  the  confirmation  of  those  imunities  you  enjoy  in  his 

'  Shah  Abbas  II  was  only  ten  years  of  age  when  he  succeeded  his  father,  Shah  Safi.  The 
Dutch  President,  Wollebrant  Geleijnszoon  (de  Jonge),  started  to  visit  him,  but  found,  on 
arriving  at  Ispahan,  that  the  new  monarch  had  departed  some  time  before.  The  present 
was  therefore  sent  after  him  under  the  charge  of  Hendrik  van  I'huijnen,  who  succeeded  in 
obtaining  from  the  Shah  the  renewal  of  the  Dutch  privileges  {Dagh-Re^stcr^  1643-44* 
p.  1 74  ;  Heeres'  Corpus  Diplomaticum^  p.  370). 

G  % 


84  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

country;^   which  cannot  otherwise  be  done  then   by  acquiry  of 
sundry  firmaens   under  his   seal,  which,   as   they   are  absolutely 
necessary  to  your  occasions,  so  they  will  prove  somewhat  costly, 
that  court  and  countries  customes  (which  may  in  this  particular  be 
justly  declared  unalterable)  not  affoarding,  but  on  dear  rates,  the 
least  of  courtesy.'     Pitt  and  Wylde  to  be  sent  to  Persia  to  replace 
Adler,  Hall,  and  Wheeler,  who  wish  to  return  to  England.     Cod- 
rington's  salary  raised.     During  last  year  the  goods  sent  to  Persia 
from    Surat    and    Masulipatam    produced    *  85,132    m[ahmudi]s 
advance,  though  their  prime  cost  and  charges  exceeded  not  39^,152 
m[ahmudi]s.'    This  year  they  have  no  Indian  goods  to  send,  owing 
to  their  poverty  having  prevented  the  necessary  provision  and  to 
there  not  having  been  time,  since  the  ships'  arrival,  to  procure  any 
considerable  quantity  of  '  Agra  cloathing,  the  now  most  gainfuU 
sortments  India  affoards.'    Consequently  little  is  to  be  expected 
from  Gombroon,  except  *  the  poor  pittance  those  unjust,  inhospitable 
Persians  think  fit  to  affoard  you  in  Hew  of  your  moiety  of  customes.'  ^ 
No  satisfaction  has  been  given  for  the  wrongs  sustained  there  ;  *  so 
that  we  hope,  and  earnestly  desire,  to  receive  your  resolutions  and 
directions  to  right  yourselves  on  this  ingrate  and  unjust  people. 
And  untill   you  are  pleased  to  pitch  upon  this  course,  it  is  as 
hazardous  as  dishonourable  to  continue  a  residence  among  them, 
unlesse  you  can  resolve  to  expose  the  nations  honour,  your  own 
estates,  and  your  servants  lives  to  certain  disgrace,  damage,  and 
ruine.'     As  regards  the  Indian  commodities  required  for  England, 
they  regret  to  learn  that  the  price  of  Biana  indigo  had  fallen  so 
much  in  England  ;  and  it  is  to  be  feared  that  the  quantity  sent 
home  in  the  London^  together  with  the  vast  amount  (over  2,000 
bales)  exported  last  year  by  the  Dutch,  will  debase  it  still  lower. 
Have  now  sent  439  bales  of  it,  and  would  have  provided  a  further 
quantity,  but  could   not   get  any  more  of  the  requisite  quality. 
Have  bespoken  500  bales, '  or  2000  Eckbar  maunds ',  for  the  ensuing 
year  at  very  cheap  prices,  viz.  about  2)5  rupees  per  maund.     Have 
not  heard  for  a  long  time  from  John  Turner,  who  succeeded  Bomford 

^  According  to  the  Dagh-Registevy  1643-44  (p.  176),  the  English  presented  the  Shah 
with  700  gold  ducats. 

2  Cf.  p.  185  of  the  Dagh-Register,  1643-44,  from  which  it  appears  that  the  English  in 
1642  got  not  much  more  than  a  fourth  of  the  total  receipts.  ' 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  85 

[at  Agra],  but  they  do  not  doubt  that  he  will  make  good  their 
expectations.  Much  of  the  Sarkhej  indigo  now  sent  is  but  little 
inferior  to  the  Biana.  'This  year  the  indico  makers  about 
Ahma[dabad]  begin  to  frame  indico  of  the  green  leaf,  as  in  Agra, 
and  so  it  becomes  very  pure  and  good ;  yet  the  price  thereof  is 
pitcht  so  high  that  we  are  resolved  not  yet  to  buy  more  then 
100  f[ardle]s  of  that  making/  Have,  however,  instructed  George 
Tash  (who  has  been  chief  there  ever  since  Robinson's  departure) 
to  buy  up  to  500  bales  of  '  the  last  years  round  indico ',  which  is 
much  cheaper  and  yet  very  little  inferior  to  that  made  from  the 
green  leaf.  This  they  have  done  now,  not  only  because  Dutch 
competition  will  raise  the  price  later  on,  but  also  because  they 
anticipate  some  scarcity, '  in  regard  of  the  small  quantity  of  seed 
sowed  the  passed  year/  Rejoice  that,  in  spite  of  their  difficulties, 
they  have  found  it  possible  to  send  back  without  delay  both  the 
ships,  with  almost  all  the  goods  requisitioned  by  the  Company.^ 
Particulars  of  the  Agra  piece-goods  now  sent.  No  investment 
made  in  Broach  or  Baroda  baftas.  Had  bought  some  at  Nosarl, 
but  have  since  decided  to  send  these  to  Bantam.  The  Supply  was 
dispatched  to  '  Scinda '  on  October  29  with  lead  and  other  goods, 
but  as  yet  nothing  has  been  heard  of  her  arrival ;  still,  they  hope 
soon  to  see  her  back  from  thence  with  calico.  Have  also  remitted 
thither  from  Ahmadabad  a  good  sum  of  rupees  to  commence  an 
investment,  and  have  ordered  the  provision  of  20,000  pieces  of 
*  Nussurpore  joories ',  and  4,000  of  *  Sehwan  ^  joories '.  Will  do  their 
best  to  remedy  the  defects  of  which  complaint  has  been  made. 
The  Guinea  stuffs  sent  were  bought  in  Baroda.  Could  not  procure 
in  time  any  'Semana  cloth',  'gooldares'^  or  'seribafs'.  No  more 
'tapseels'  will  be  provided,  as  they  are  found  to  be  dear.  Ouilts 
and  *  chints '  forwarded ;  also  cotton  yarn.  Have  embarked  a 
quantity  of  gum-lac,  olibanum,  turmeric,  and  '  tincal '  or  borax ; 
while,  if  the  unexpectedly  large  consignment  of  cinnamon  will 
leave  room,  they  will  add  some  dry  ginger.  Know  not  how  to 
remedy  the  loss  in  the  weight  of  pepper.  Complain  of  an  '  injurious  ' 
letter  received  from  Bantam  in  the  Sivan  about  the  cargo  of  the 
Michael.     'Since  they  shame,  or  refrain,  to  speak  their  meanino- 

1  A  summary  of  their  lading  is  given  at  p.  171  of  the  Dagh-Register  for  1643-44. 
"  Sehwan  :  see  a  note  on  p.  129  of  the  1634-36  volume. 


85  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

otherwise  then  what  a  scurvy,  silent  dash  might  intimate  [see  p.  34], 
we  heartely  desire  you  to  command  them  to  expresse  in  some 
planer  character,  that  so  we  may  endeavour  to  acquit  ourselves  of 
their  malitious  suggestions  and  vindicate  our  inocence  and  reputation 
against  such  treacherous,  injurious  detractations.'  At  all  events  they 
hope  that  the  Company  will  suspend  judgement  until  Fremlen's 
return.  The  pepper  brought  by  the  Swan  has  been  transferred 
to  these  two  ships  and  invoiced  at  the  price  offered  for  it  here, 
viz.  22^  mahmudis  per  maund  of  ^6^  lb.  Point  out  that  on 
balance  the  Bantam  factory  owes  Surat  133,986  mahmudis  2gi 
pice,  and  yet  the  Swan  is  to  be  sent  back  to  the  former  place 
shortly  with  as  large  a  cargo  as  last  year.  *  These  are  no 
fictions,  but  such  truthes  as  your  acco[mp]ts  speak  and  themselves 
should  acknowledge ;  and  therefore,  if  they  have  prepossessed 
Your  Worships  with  any  other  stories,  we  must  declare  them  fake, 
and  presume  you  wilbe  pleased  to  credit  us,  who  have  beggered 
ourselves  to  fatten  them,  and  yet  are  recompensed  with  these 
unkind  and  unjust  offices ;  which  yet  we  should  not  vallue  nor 
resent,  if  we  perceived  not  in  your  letters  some  appearance  of 
discontent  in  you  raised  against  us  by  their  calumnies.'  Now  daily 
expect  from  Bantam  the  Diamond,  with  cloves,  tortoise-shells,  and 
dammar.  Cinnamon  obtained  from  the  Viceroy  at  Goa  in  exchange 
for  dammar,  anchors,  &c.  The  Aleppo  Merchant  sent  to  Goa  and 
Cochin  under  Knipe.  At  the  latter  place  he  sold  most  of  his  coral 
and  procured  a  good  quantity  of  cinnamon ;  while  at  Calicut  he 
received  550  bags  of  good  pepper  from  Virji  Vora's  factor.  These 
results  were  so  satisfactory  that  they  have  determined  to  dispatch 
a  fresh  stock  of  goods  to  that  coast  by  the  Swan,  the  proceeds  of 
which  will  be  fetched  by  the  Discovery  on  her  way  back  from  Mokha. 
Suggest  that  in  future  one  of  the  ships  from  home  should  go  direct 
from  the  Comoros  to  Cape  Comorin  and  '  range  all  that  coast  along, 
even  as  high  as  Goa ',  to  sell  coral,  &c.,  and  procure  pepper,  cinnamon, 
&c.,  and  then  to  proceed  to  Surat.  Among  the  goods  now  sent  are 
cardamoms, '  motoota  ^ ',  and  Bantam  sugar.  As  regards  other  points 
in  the  Company's  letters,  they  grieve  to  learn  that  the  Jo7tas  is  still 
missing.  Care  will  be  taken  to  prevent  the  decks  of  vessels  being 
pestered  with  goods,  though  there  will  be  some  loss  of  freight  in 

1  Copper  sulphate  :  see  the  previous  volume,  p.  87. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  87 

consequence.  Note  the  directions  given  concerning  the  accounts 
of  the  Third  Joint  Stock  and  of  the  General  Voyage.  Methwold's 
proposal  to  Fremlen  to  borrow  200,000  rupees  at  interest  was 
fruitless ;  but  the  provision  of  return  cargoes  was  effected  in  spite 
of  all  difficulties.  Have  only  heard  once  from  the  Coast  since  the 
arrival  there  of  the  Hopewell.  Excuse  the  factors  there  for  sending 
the  Advice  to  Persia  and  dispatching  the  Diamond  to  Bantam  in  her 
place.  The  present  ships  carry  nothing  on  account  of  the  Third 
Joint  Stock.  Understand  that  the  Blessing  did  not  reach  Bantam 
until  September  14.  '  The  Coast  Agents  advices  that  the  months 
of  July,  August,  September,  and  so  forth  untill  the  fine  [i.e.  end  of] 
November  are  most  dear  and  incomodious  seasons  for  buying  and 
curing  Coast  goods  are  well  grounded.  For  the  Persians  and 
Indians,  traders  to  Gomroon,  coming  thence  in  April  and  arriving 
on  the  Coast  in  May  and  June,  presently  disperse  themselves  into 
the  country  and  then  begin  and  continue  to  provide  merchandizes 
for  their  return  to  Gomroon  ;  which  happeiiing  usually  about  the 
fine  December,  they  then  embarque  themselves  and  goods.  Now 
whilest  their  affaires  are  thus  agitating  in  all  the  places  of  trade  in 
that  country,  clothing  continues  dear ;  and  though  it  may  (and  that 
justly)  be  alleadged  that  they  buy  and  carry  little  whited  cloth  to 
Persia,  yet  the  weavers  fit  their  loomes  and  labours  to  the  seasons 
and  markets,  and  so  make  not  much  cloth  for  whiting,  but  divers 
sorts  of  alejaes,  shashes,  and  other  kind[s]  of  stuffes  most  vendible 
in  Persia.  Besides,  the  time  of  raines  (at  least  we  find  it  so  here), 
we  mean  the  most  violent  part  of  them,  falling  from  the  fine  June 
to  the  2oth  August,  is  not  seasonable  for  whiting  of  cloth  ;  for, 
besides  the  want  of  the  sunns  heat  through  the  couldes  interposition, 
the  rivers,  overswelling  their  bankes,  become  in  their  courses  more 
impetuous,  their  waters  muddy  and  unfit  for  washing  ;  so  that  the 
Agents  intimation,  touching  buying  and  curing  cloth  in  January  and 
so  forwards  till  June  be  expired,  is  very  reasonable,  for  then  there 
are  few  other  buyers  then  ourselves  and  the  Dutch ;  for  the  vessels 
being  once  gon  to  Persia,  few  or  no  investments  are  made  untill 
their  return,  because  till  then,  wanting  notice  how  each  sortment  is 
esteemed  in  Persia,  the  buyers  sit  still.'  This  was  why  Surat  pre- 
viously furnished  the  Coast  with  14,000  pagodas  for  the  timely 
purchase  of  goods  ;  and  similar  assistance  would  have  been  afforded 


S8  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

this  year  had  it  been  possible;  'for  indeed  the  Coast  goods  in 
Persia  produce  so  competent  profit  to  you,  and  consequently  such 
encrease  to  our  stock,  that  we  would  not  willingly  want  them,  if  your 
mean  carg[azoon]s  from  England  had  not  rendered  you  wanting  to 
yourselves.  And  this  maxime,  that  your  trade  cannot  be  made 
gainfull  to  you  in  any  competency  untill  you  can  resolve  to  continue 
an  ample  stock  in  India,  is  infallible,  undenyable.'  Approve  the 
dispatch  of  the  Hopewell  to  Persia.  She  is  not  likely  to  lack  freight 
either  way,  *  though  the  alruling  Sarkail  or  Vizier  in  the  King  of 
Goolcondaes  court  hath  built  and  yearly  sends  one  or  more  vast 
jounckes  to  Persia,  and  that  other  vessels  may  not  lade  there  untill 
his  be  impleat.'  Note  the  allowance  to  be  made  by  the  General 
Voyage  to  the  Third  Joint  Stock  for  the  use  of  the  latter's  factors, 
warehouses,  &c.  Fremlen  thanks  the  Company  for  permitting  him 
to  adventure  in  the  General  Voyage,  and  has  paid  the  amount  into 
the  Company's  cash  here  on  September  i,  1642.  He  intends  to 
return  in  the  Discovery  next  year,  leaving  Breton  as  President  and 
Merry  as  Second.  The  latter  left  Persia  in  the  Supply  on  April  22, 
1642,  and  reached  Surat  on  May  6.  'We  find  our  disposure  and 
employment  of  your  small  shipping  is  gratefull  to  you.  They  are 
indeed  very  usefull  and  serveceable  vessels,  with  which  a  great  deal 
of  mony  may  be  pickt  up,  if  you  could  (as  foreadvized)  resolve  amply 
to  stock  India,  and  furnish  one  or  two  such  small  vessells  as  the  Eagle 
was ;  rather  indeed  50  tonns  bigger,  yet  contrived  so  as  not  to  draw 
above  10,  or  at  most  11,  foot  water.  These,  being  built  very  strong, 
that  so  they  may  endure  grounding  and  trymming  on  Swally  Marine 
or  in  this  river,  would  for  many  years  do  Your  Worships  a  great 
deal  of  good  service.'  Thomas  Steevens  will  be  able  to  advise  the 
Company  how  best  to  suit  local  conditions.  As  yet,  nothing  has 
been  recovered  from  the  Malabars.  '  However,  as  you  have  not 
gained,  so  neither,  since  the  Hopes  surprizall,  you  have  not  lost 
anything.  Nor  indeed  have  they  of  late  dared  to  assault  your  vessels, 
notwithstanding  that  the  Francis  was  met  with  11  sale  of  their 
frigatts ;  who  [i.e.  the  Francis^  being  as  well  manned  and  munited 
as  indeed  your  Supply  and  Seahorse  now  are,  chased  them  as  long 
as  daylight  directed  her ;  and  by  accident,  standing  in  the  night 
into  the  shoar  to  gain  the  benefit  of  the  mornings  land  breez, 
happened  among  them,  and  so  distracted  them  that,  cutting  their 


THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES  89 

cables,  they  rowed    away  to  windward   and   so   left    her.'  ^     The 
Seahorse  was  sent  last  February  to  Gombroon  and  thence  to  Basra, 
where  the  goods  she  carried,  and  those  the  factors  had  already  there, 
were  sold  at  about  forty  per  cent,  profit.     For  particulars  they  refer 
to  the  factors'  accounts  and  letters.     It  is  intended  to  dispatch  the 
Seahorse  again  to  that  port  this  year,  with  a  small  stock  on  the 
Company's  account  and  a  cargo  of  freight  goods.    Merry's  departure 
from  Ispahan  does  not  seem  to  have  been  actively  resented  by  the 
Persians,  but  this  may  be  partly  due  to  the  King's  death.     Knipe 
commended  for  his  services  on  the  Malabar  Coast.     Bornford,  who 
now  returns  on  the  Crispiana^  has  for  eight  years  honestly  and  ably 
served  the  Company  *  in  very  eminent  employments '.     Have  little 
•to  say  of  Mr.  Panton  ^,  save  that  they  find  '  his  conversation  agreable 
to  his  profession  '.     '  Of  Esquire  Courtins  three  first  ships  we  have 
no  more  notice  then  what  Your  Worships  letters  specify.     His  three 
latter  ships  are  (for  ought  we  hear  to  the  contrary)  arrived  upon  the 
coast  of  Decan  and  Mallavar,  where  they  were  met  by  Mr.  Knipe, 
busied  in  gathering  up  their  lading.     The  Hester  had  been  at  Goa 
and  put  off  to  the  V[ice]  Roy,  in  barter  of  cinamon  at  50  xera[fins] 
the  quent[al],  brimstone   at    30  xera[fins]   the   quent[al]  ;    where 
whilest  her  master,  Hogg,  was  busied  in  agitating  these  affaires,  the 
Loyalty  comming  thither,  they  disagreed  about  the  wearing  of  their 
flags ;  and  so,  having  interchainged  some  shot  each  at  others  flag- 
staff, they  were  in  fine,  after  they  had  rendred  themselves  rediculous 
to  the  Portugals  and  Dutch,  (upon  what  tearmes  we  know  not) 
reconciled.'     Enclose  a  note  of  what  they  can  discover  regarding 
the  'warranted  private  trade  outward'  of  the  owners  of  the  Aleppo 
Merchant.     Praise  her  master  [John  Millet]  ;  but  the  ship  herself 
is  said   to  be  *  a  very  laboursome  vessell   in  grown  seas '.     The 
Crispiajta  has  been  much  improved  by  her  recent  repairs  at  home. 
Advise  the  Company  not  to  persist  in  employing  freighted  ships, 
'  unto  this  people  raising  suspicions  and  jealousies  [which  ?]  are  not 
(in  these  declining  times  of  your  trade)  easily  removed.     Nor  indeed 
can  fraughted  ships  be  so  convenient  nor  apt  for  your  occasions  in 

'  See  the  Dagh- Register,  1641-42,  p.  198. 

2  Anthony  Panton  went  out  and  returned  as  chaplain  in  the  Cn'spiana  (see  p.  28,  and 
Court  Minutes,  1640-43,  pp.  236,  336).  *  Conversation  '  is  of  course  used  in  its  old  sense 
of  *  behaviour '. 


90  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

these  parts,  when,  if  we  want  men  either  to  convoy  your  treasure 
unto,  [or?]  your  caphilaes  from,  Ahmuda[bad],  we  cannot  expect 
them  from  fraughted  ships  ;  nor,  when  we  are  upon  sundry  occasions 
enforced  in  a  manner  to  convoy  the  Kings  and  other  eminent 
merchants  shipping  free  of  the  Mallavars  danger,  can  we  command 
them  thereto,  who  pretend  not  to  be  obliged  beyond  their  charter- 
parties  extent  to  the  least  of  service.  Many  other  inconveniencies 
depend  thereon  then  we  intend  here  to  muster.  In  a  word,  we  find 
fraughting  of  ships  a  dishonourable,  and  we  believe  Your  Worships 
will  not  find  it  a  profitable  way.  .  .  .  We  heartely  wish  and  never- 
more hope  to  see  a  fraughted  ship  of  the  Honourable  East  India 
Companies  employing.'  ^  Express  their  gratitude  for  the  chests  of 
'  chyrurgery '  and  drugs,  and  beg  for  an  annual  supply  of  these 
*  comforts '.  Some  of  the  contents  found  to  be  missing.  Regret 
that  the  Company  has  reduced  the  supply  of  Canary  wine  for  their 
use  *  to  one  only  butt ' ;  they  beg  that  in  future  more  may  be  sent, 
and  meanwhile  they  have  helped  themselves  from  the  CrispiancHs 
stores.  Robert  Tindall  cannot  be  spared  at  present ;  but  he  has 
written  to  his  wife  and  sent  her  somewhat  towards  her  maintenance, 
in  order  that  her  clamours  may  be  stopped.  *  We  have  many 
monthes  (rather  some  years)  since,  upon  the  first  notice  that  they 
were  not  extant  in  Persia,  made  diligent  inquisition  for  the  artickles 
of  agreement  stipulated  twixt  the  English  and  Persians  at  taking 
Ormooz ;  but  we  find  our  endeavours  fruitlesse,  and  so  much  we 
did  then  advize  our  Persian  friends.  More  we  cannot  say  to  you. 
In  our  times  (we  are  sure)  none  such  came  hither ;  and  so  much  the 
Persian  factors  do  now  in  their  late  letters  witnes  for  us.'  The 
Company's  business  in  these  parts  *  is  indeed  very  much  declined ' ; 
yet  the  number  of  factors  cannot  well  be  reduced,  so  long  as  the 
demands  from  home  include  goods  (though  in  small  quantities)  from 
many  different  parts.  However,  Bornford  returns  this  year ;  and 
by  the  next  ships  Fremlen,  John  Wylde,  Adler,  Thurston,  Hall, 
and  Wheeler  intend  to  go  home.  It  will  be  necessary,  therefore, 
for  others  to  be  sent  out  to  take  their  places.  Their  consultation 
of  October  i  will  show  what  they  have  determined  in  pursuance  of 
the  instructions  to  borrow  20,000/.,  in  order  to  provide  cargoes  for 

^  Yet  eight  years  earlier  the  President  and  Council  were  urging  the  Company  *  to  make 
triall  of  the  freighting  of  shipping'  (see  the  1634-36  volume,  p.  95). 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  91 

the  Discovery  and  the  ship  intended  to  be  sent  out  this  year.  The 
letters  for  the  Viceroy  were  duly  forwarded  to  Goa.  Letters  from 
him,  and  from  others  there,  are  sent  home,  as  showing  his  deter- 
mination to  continue  the  truce.  The  diamond  ring  mentioned  in 
his  letters  \see  p.  66\  as  also  some  cinnamon  presented  by  the 
Vedor  da  Fazenda  to  the  President,  are  forwarded  to  the  Company. 
The  Viceroy's  letters  to  the  Portuguese  ambassador  in  London  arc 
in  the  custody  of  Knipe.  The  rials  brought  by  the  ships  were  eight 
short  in  number  and  lost  in  weight  25  per  cent,  more  than  any 
received  before ;  moreover,  the  silver  was  so  much  *  courser '  than 
usual  that  the  shroffs  pretended  that  they  lost  one  per  cent,  by  the 
bargain.  Disposal  of  the  rupees  into  which  the  rials  were  converted. 
Most  of  the  broadcloth  must  be  sent  to  Persia.  There  were  too 
many  reds  and  too  few  greens.  In  future,  six  or  eight  pieces  each 
of  grass  greens, '  popenjaes  ^ ',  and  very  fine  scarlets  should  be  sent ; 
but  no  coarse  cloth.  Disposal  of  the  coral,  and  the  prices  obtained. 
Part  of  the  lead  was  sold  here,  and  part  they  will  forward  to  Mokha. 
The  *  perpetuanaes '  received  are  good,  but  a  finer  quality  would  sell 
better.  The  '  baies '  are  extremely  coarse,  and  must  be  sent  to 
Persia,  for  they  are  unvendible  here.  They  could,  however,  dispose 
of  some  'of  the  suprafine  sort,  dyed  into  very  good  scarlets'.  The 
knives  will  be  given  away,  as  occasion  requires.  It  has  also  been 
necessary  to  buy  here  some  fine  broadcloth  for  presents,  since  the 
Company  refuse  to  send  any  for  that  purpose,  though  it  would  surely 
be  cheaper  to  do  so.  Forward  a  list  of  the  present  prices  of  European 
goods  in  India.  Their  letters  via  Basra  intimated  the  dispatch  of 
vessels  to  Bantam,  Mokha,  and  Basra  ;  also  the  return  of  the  Supply 
from  Persia.  The  next  to  arrive  here  was  the  Discovery  from  Gom- 
broon, whence  she  sailed  on  February  2,  1642,  and  reached  Swally 
a  fortnight  later.  Goods  to  the  value  of  385,000  mahmudls  were 
then  put  on  board,  and  by  March  5  she  was  ready  to  sail  for  Mokha. 
Very  little  freight  could  be  obtained,  as  the  Governor  had  prohibited 
merchants,  under  great  penalties,  from  lading  goods  on  any  vessel 
*  untill  the  Kings  great  jounck  was  full '.  Further,  as  there  was  no 
other  Christian  vessel  left  *  to  convoy  her  free  of  the  Mallavars 
danger ',  the  Governor  and  other  officials  prevailed  upon  the  Presi- 
dent to  order  the  Discovery  to  attend  on  the  junk.     Accordingly 

1  Parrot-green  cloth. 


92  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

they  departed  together  on  March  12,  and  kept  company  until  they 
were  out  of  sight  of  land.  The  Discovery  anchored  at  Mokha  on 
April  13  and  landed  the  greater  part  of  her  cargo;  *  though,  in 
respect  of  those  markets  dulnes  and  badnes,  so  little  thereof  was 
sold  that  Mr.  Wylde,  the  better  at  more  leysure  to  dispose  thereof, 
resolved  (since  William  Fursmans  untimely  end  and  the  other  factors 
mean  experience  thereunto  enforced  it)  to  dismisse  the  Discovery 
(the  season  so  inviting)  and  remain  himself  at  Mocha  to  vend  your 
goods  after  ships  departure.'  She  sailed  accordingly  on  August  22, 
but  met  with  such  adverse  winds  that  she  was  much  delayed.  In 
consequence  her  safety  was  generally  doubted  at  Surat  and  the  rate 
of  insurance  rose  from  3  to  30  per  cent.  Moreover,  suspicions  were 
roused  that  she  had  gone  to  England  *  with  all  that  mass  of  treasure 
these  merchants  pretended  to  be  embarqued  on  her,  amounting  unto 
(as  they  shamed  not  to  advize  the  Governor)  ten  lack  or  1,000,000 
r[ial]s.'  However,  she  arrived  here  in  safety  on  October  31,  though 
with  her  crew  *  very  weak  and  crazed '  owing  to  their  food  supplies 
having  run  short.  This  was  partly  due  to  carelessness  or  dishonesty, 
for  at  her  departure,  according  to  her  list  of  stores,  she  should  have 
had  no  cwt.  of  bread  on  board,  whereas  only  44  cwt.  could  be  found. 
Had  it  not  been  for  some  '  cuskus  ^ '  obtained  from  the  passengers, 
the  ship  would  have  been  forced  either  to  return  to  Mokha  or  to  put 
into  one  of  the  Arabian  ports,  in  which  case  she  could  not  have 
arrived  here  until  February  or  March.  She  is  now  awaiting  a  lading 
of  freight  goods  for  Gombroon,  whence  she  will  proceed  again  to 
Mokha  to  fetch  away  the  factors  and  their  goods.  In  returning  she 
will  call  at  Cochin  to  embark  such  goods  as  Thurston  has  ready. 
The  Sjipply  was  dispatched  to  Gombroon  on  February  25,  1642  ; 
arrived  there  March  19  ;  sailed  again  April  22 ;  and  on  May  6 
'  moored  at  Umraw  [Umra],  a  town  three  miles  short  of  Suratt '. 
There  she  was  docked  and  repaired ;  after  which,  on  October  29, 
she  departed  for  '  Scinda '  with  lead,  broadcloth,  tobacco,  &c.  She 
returned  on  December  31,  bringing  back  her  English  goods  unsold, 
together  with  71  bales  of  piece-goods  now  sent  home.  She  will 
probably  make  another  voyage  to  Persia,  and  will  then  be  freighted 
to  Achin  by  certain  merchants  of  this  town,  returning  in  November 

^  The  grain  of  the  African  millet  {Holcus  spicatus).     This  corrects  a  note  at  p.  198  of 
the  1630-33  volume. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  93 

next.  The  Francis  was  dispatched  to  Mokha  on  February  5, 1642  ; 
reached  that  port  March  3 ;  '  was  again  fruitlessely  sent  forth  in 
search  of  Mallavars' ;  and  left  Mokha  on  July  12  with  a  freight  of 
coffee  for  Gombroon.  She  anchored  there  on  July  30,  and  was 
joined  by  the  Seahorse  and  Prosperous  from  Basra  on  October  3. 
They  left  Gombroon  in  company  on  the  7th,  and  reached  Swally 
on  the  29th  of  that  month.  The  Francis  is  now  to  be  sent  either 
to  Gombroon  or  to  Basra.  The  Seahorse  and  Prosperous  sailed 
hence  on  February  16, 1642,  and  arrived  at  Gombroon  on  March  14. 
Three  days  later  the  Prosperous  proceeded  to  Basra.  The  Seahorse 
followed  her  on  April  22  and  reached  the  same  port  on  June  13. 
They  remained  until  September  26,  and  then  returned  via  Gombroon 
to  India.  On  November  14  the  Seahorse  was  sent  to  Diu/and 
ordered  to  coast  alongest  that  shoar  untill  Salbet  Hand  ^  should  be 
discovered ;  .  .  .  but  the  iland  no  way  answering  our  expectations, 
nor  agreeing  with  the  report  famed  of  it,  so  much  time  and  labour 
was  fruitlessely  expended.'  On  her  return  she  was  beached  in  Surat 
River  for  examination ;  and,  being  found  to  be  much  worm-eaten, 
was  '  doubled '  with  2^'  inch  plank.  It  is  hoped  that  she  will  be 
ready  by  the  end  of  February  for  a  voyage  to  Mokha,  Basra,  or 
elsewhere.  The  Prosperous  is  also  under  repair  at  the  same  place. 
The  Swan,  under  Michael  Yates,  left  Bantam  for  Surat  on  July  25 
with  a  cargo  amounting  to  16,123  rials  \6d.  She  'anchored  before 
Goa  (under  the  Dutch  admirals  stern,  forced  thereunto  by  her 
commandores  insolence)  the  19th  September;  who  having  searched 
her  and  threatned  to  take  her  dammar  from  her,  kept  her  there 
four  daies  and  then,  having  (it  seemes)  better  considered  with  himself, 
licensed  her  nearer  approach  to  Goa ;  where,  after  landing  her 
dammar,  it  became  the  20th  October  before  the  227  bales  cinamon 
were  embarqued  ;  with  which  then  hastning  towards  us,  the  busy 
Dutch  again  invested,  searched,  and  suffered  her  not  to  depart  untill 
the  2ith  following  at  midnight,^  when,  being  freed  of  their  disturb- 

^  Salbet  or  Shial  Bet,  a  small  rocky  island  seven  miles  east  of  Jafarabad.  It  was  at  this 
time  in  the  occupation  of  the  Portuguese. 

2  Among  the  Hague  Transcripts  (series  i.  vol.  xiii.  no.  418)  will  be  found  a  note  of  a 
debate  among  the  Dutch  commanders  on  this  subject.  It  appears  that  the  Dutch  objected 
strongly  to  the  exportation  of  the  cinnamon,  and  even  offered  to  buy  it  at  cost  price  ;  but 
the  English  refused  to  agree  to  this  and  insisted  on  their  right  to  carry  it  to  Surat, 
pointing  out  that  it  had  not  been  bought  at  Goa  but  merely  taken  in  settlement  of  debts. 


94  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

ances,  she  prosecuted  her  voyage  and  the  9th  November  anchored 
in  this  port  of  Swally.'     Hope  to  dispatch  her  to  Bantam  again  by 
the  20th  current.    For  the  proceedings  of  the  Portuguese  and  Dutch 
they  refer  to  the  President's  journal  [not  extant].     Advices  from 
Ahmadabad,  Agra,  and  Tatta  show  that  the  investments  are  well 
forward   and   they  '  make   no   question   to   have   in    readines   for 
embarquing,  before  November  ensuing  be  expired,  (if  at  least  you 
please  by  the  way  of  Messlipatam  to  preadvize  us  of  your  resolutions 
to  send  forth  a  full  carga[zoon]  to  disengage  us)  a  good  ships  lading 
of  such  merchandizes  as  have  been  this  year  inlisted  to  our  provision  ; 
unto  which  (though  you  have  not  been  pleased  to  name  or  desire  it) 
we  intend,  seing  saltpeter  is  become  very  cheap  and  that  the  Court 
of   Parliament   have   enfranchized   divers   comodities   which   were 
formerly  restreined  within  the  bounders  of  monopolies,  to  order 
the  buying  of  three  or  four  hundred  f  [ardlejs  thereof;  for  your  sea 
commanders  are  not  only  infinitly  desirous  of  such  kintelage  but 
the  fraught  thereof  is  as  good  as  gained  unto  you  whilest  in  place 
thereof,  and  for  want  of  such  ponderous  goods  for  stifning,  they  are 
necessarily  enforced  to  lay  [in  ?]  and  carry  hence  so  much  ballast. 
We  know  it  is  an  evill  neighbour  to  other  goods ;  yet  we  will  hope 
so  to  prevent  its  maligne  condition  that  no  damage  shall  therefrom 
redound  unto  Your  Worships,  especially  whilest  we  confide  to  have 
(ZOO  tonns  [of]  pepper  to  shoot  amongest  it  and  your  other  goods.' 
Details  of  the  pepper  now  sent  home.     The  Malabar  pepper  is  here 
worth  id.  or  i^d.  per  lb.  more  than  that  from  Bantam.     Stores 
supplied  to  the  homeward-bound   ships.     ^This  passed   year  we 
have  at  Mocha  and  in  Suratt  buried  William  Fursman,  Thomas 
Markham,  Thomas  Timberlake,  and  Thomas  Veal ' ;  in  their  places 
Luke  Pynn  (purser's  mate),  John  Mantel,  and  Thomas  Clark  have 
been  taken  on  shore  from  the  Crispiana.     The  wages  of  'divers 
young  men '  who  have  been  employed  for  some  years  have  been 
augmented.     At  the  pressing  request  of  the  Viceroy  and  his  Council, 
passages  in  "dx^  Aleppo  Merchant  have  been  granted  to  two '  Dominican 
padrees  ',  who  are  *  sent  to  negotiate  some  important  affaires  of  their 
state '.     There  being  still  some  room  in  the  ships,  they  resolved  to 
negotiate  with  the  Governor  of  Surat  *  about  a  parcell  of  Agra  indico 

In  the  end  the  Dutch  deemed  it  wise  not  to  use  force  over  such  a  small  matter,  and  so  the 
Swan  was  released.  ' 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  95 

which  being  sometime  Asaph  Cauns  and  since  his  death,  togither 
with  his  other  goods,  ceized  on  to  the  Kings  use  and  sent  for  his 
acc[omp]t  to  Suratt  the  passed  year,  in  search  of  a  chapman.' 
They  bought  301  bales  at  32  rupees  per  Surat  maund '  and  put 
them  on  board,  taking  out  some  of  the  cotton  yarn  and  cinnamon 
to  make  room  for  the  full  quantity.  The  indigo  '  hath  been  bought 
and  fardled  upwards  of  8  or  10  yeares ',  and,  being  consequently 
very  dry,  is  not  likely  to  lose  in  weight.  Since  they  are  allowed 
six  months'  time  for  payment  of  the  money,  it  will  probably  be  in 
the  Company's  hands  'ere  its  proceed  be  due  unto  the  King'. 
John  Stallon,  who  came  out  in  the  London  and  was  then  made 
master  of  the  Supply ^  returns  in  the  Aleppo  Merchant,  He  is  com- 
mended for  past  services.  '  Although  our  generall  welwishes  to  our 
Sion  induce  us  to  hope  that  the  troubles  and  distractions  under 
which  she  laboured,  when  these  ships  left  her,  are  fully  quieted  and 
removed,  yet  dare  we  not  so  certainly  depend  thereon  as  not  to 
endeavour  with  utmost  caution  to  provide  for  your  indempnity 
against  such  mischances  as  may  through  those  troubles  befall  you 
in  your  ships  approach  to  and  falling  with  our  coast.'  The  Crispiana 
has  therefore  been  detained  until  the  Aleppo  Merchant  was  ready, 
and  the  two  masters  have  been  required  to  give  bonds  to  each  other 
to  keep  company  in  the  homeward  voyage.  To  avoid  all  question , 
they  '  could  wish  that  Your  Worships  would  be  pleased  hereafter 
to  continuate  your  necessary  submission  of  whatever  vessels  or  men 
employed  in  your  service  to  your  President  and  Councels  absolute 
direction ;  for  so  will  such  your  occasions  as  depend  on  your  ships 
and  seamens  performances  be  best  agitated  and  accomodated.' 
PS. — The  purser  of  the  Aleppo  Merchant  professes  a  doubt  as  to 
the  number  of  bales  of  Sarkhej  indigo  taken  on  board  ;  but  they 
have  inquired  into  the  matter  and  find  that  the  invoice  is  correct.^ 
(29^//.     Received  jfidy  20,164'^.) 

1  '  Which  is  26|flf.  the  pound '  {marginal  note).    The  rupee  seems  to  be  taken  at  2s.  3./., 
and  the  maund  as  about  33  lb. 

2  An  attestation  to  this  effect,  signed  by  Richard  Fitch,  Maximilian  Bowman,  and 
William  Bindlos,  forms  O.C.  18 16. 


96  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

Thomas  Merry  at  Swally  Marine  to  the  Company, 
January  17,  164^  {O.C.  1809). 

Thanks  them  for  their  favours,  expressed  in  their  last  letters. 
Here  he  has  found  more  content  and  quiet  than  ever  in  Persia,  and 
he  '  cannot  doubt  of  other  in  soe  orderly  a  famylie,  governed  by  soe 
worthy  and  able  a  President'.  For  the  state  of  affairs  in  Persia 
when  he  left,  he  refers  to  earlier  letters.  Explains  the  circumstances 
in  which  he  became  indebted  to  the  Company  and  trusts  that  this 
will  not  lessen  their  good  opinion  of  him.  Disposal  of  a  chest  of 
rhubarb  sent  home  by  the  London.  Requests  that  no  further  pay- 
ments on  account  of  his  salary  may  be  made  to  Mr.  Skinner. 
(i|  ^/.     Received  July  %o^  1643.) 

Francis  Breton  at  Swally  Marine  to  the  Company, 
January  18, 1643  (O.C.  18 13). 

Thanks  them  for  nominating  him  to  succeed  Fremlen  on  his 
departure,  but  begs  that  his  salary  in  the  meantime  may  be  recon- 
sidered. Refers  to  the  general  letter  and  the  accounts  for  the  state 
of  the  Company's  business  here.  Regrets  that  the  Third  Joint 
Stock  is  still  indebted  upwards  of  20,000/.  more  than  its  estate  will 
satisfy,  and  that  this  must  necessarily  be  increased  by  the  *  excessive 
corrodeing  interest' ;  but  he  trusts  that  the  Company  will  send  out 
means  to  extinguish  the  debt  and  stock  the  various  factories, '  untill 
when  it  is  not  to  bee  expected  your  biussines  should  be  negociated 
either  to  your  proffitt  or  reputacion.'  Excuses  the  use  of  part  of 
the  money  sent  out  in  paying  former  debts.  In  the  invoices  of 
goods  the  rupee  has  been  reckoned  at  i\  mahmudls,  though  it  is 
really  worth  only  i\  ;  but  this  was  done  '  for  the  better  clearing  of 
those  which  remained  upon  the  Stocks  ballance '.  (2^  pp.  Received 
July  20,  1643.) 

Lists  of  Packet  by  the  Aleppo  Merchant  ai^b  Cr  is  pi  an  a 
(ac  1810,  1811,  i8i2).i 

Surat  letter  and  enclosures  ;  invoices  and  bills  of  lading  ;  copies  of 
letters  from  other  factories  ;  journals,  ledgers,  &c.,  of  various  fac- 

1  Duplicates  of  the  first  two  will  be  found  under  O.C.  1814,  18 15.  » 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES 


97 


tories  (including  Viravasaram,  Hariharpur,  Agra,  Lucknow,  and 
Tatta) ;  inventories  and  accounts  of  deceased  factors  ;  will  of  Maries 
Twine  ;  Portuguese  letters  ;  the  President's  journal,  1641  and  1642  ; 
arraignment  of  John  Layton ;  process  against  John  Stallon ; 
appraisements  of  the  Supply  and  other  vessels  ;  &c.     {In  all  3  //.) 

Ralph  Cartwright,  John  Jeffries,  and  Thomas  Winter, 

ABOARD   the   BLESSING  IN   BaNTAM    ROAD,    TO   THE    COMPANY, 

March  13,  1643  [O.C*  181 9). 

.  .  .  On  February  5  the  long-expected  pinnace  Advice  arrived 
from  the  Coromandel  Coast  with  a  cargo  of  24,600^:  rials  of  eight 
for  the  First  General  Voyage  and  427^  rials  of  eight  for  the  Third 
Joint  Stock.  This  leaves  the  Coast  still  much  indebted  to  Bantam, 
and  apparently  there  is  little  more  to  be  expected  from  thence. 
The  Coast  factors  complain  much  of  the  burden  of  interest  on  the 
money  they  owe,  but  no  help  can  be  afforded  them  from  this  place, 
for  want  both  of  means  and  of  shipping.  The  Swan  is  at  Surat 
and  the  Hopewell  on  the  Coast ;  while  the  Expedition  (and  probably 
the  Michael)  have  gone  to  Macassar.  The  Advice  is  to  start  at  once 
'  in  her  discoverie  of  Keeleings  Islands  ^,  and  thence  for  Diego  Ries 
[Rodriguez],  Englands  Forrest  [Reunion],  Mauritius,  and  the  back 
side  of  St.  Laurence,  in  quest  of  the  Jewell  and  Jonas  and  to  procure 
slaves  and  some  salt  flesh.'  ...  If  the  Swan  returns  from  Surat  in 
good  time,  they  hope  to  dispatch  two  ships  to  England  in  December 
next.  They  also  propose  to  send  the  Expedition  to  Surat  about 
July  next  with  pepper,  &c.  .  .  .  Estate  of  the  late  Gerald  Pinson 
and  of '  Padre '  Hall,  who  died  at  Masulipatam.  .  .  .  Thomas  Winter 
and  Edward  Collet  came  from  the  Coast  in  the  Advice,  intending  to 
return  to  England  by  the  first  ship  thither  bound  ;  but  Winter  has 
been  persuaded  to  remain  here  until  the  next  season,  and  Collet 
has  referred  himself '  to  the  President  and  Councell  for  his  further 
disposure '.  .  .  .  Understand  that  two  of  Courteen's  ships  are  trading 
for  pepper  on  the  West  Coast  of  Sumatra.  ...     (^  /.) 

*  The  Cocos-Keeling  Islands  (supposed  to  have  been  discovered  by  Captain  Keeling  in 
1609)  lie  about  600  miles  SW.  of  Java  Head.  In  January,  1643,  the  Company  had  ordered 
that  a  pinnace  should  be  sent  to  visit  them  [Court  Mimties,  1640-43,  p.  221). 


FOSTER  VII 


H 


98  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

President  Fremlen,  Francis  Breton,  and  Thomas  Merry 
AT  SwALLY  Marine  to  the  Company,  March  20,  1643  {O-C. 
1821). 

The  Crispiana  and  Aleppo  Merchant  sailed  on  January  19.  Now 
write  by  the  Seahorse^  which  is  bound  for  Basra,  whence  this  letter 
will  be  sent  overland  to  Aleppo.  On  January  30  the  Discovery 
and  Supply  were  dispatched  to  Gombroon  with  cargoes  invoiced  at 
53,810  mahmudis,  besides  freight  goods  and  passengers  paying 
51,091  mahmudis.  The  former  is  to  go  on  from  Gombroon  to 
Mokha,  and  the  latter  to  return  to  Surat.  Pitt  and  Philip  Wylde 
sent  to  Persia  in  the  Supply.  On  February  9  Thomas  Hill  was 
dispatched  to  Ahmadabad  in  company  of  a  Dutch  caravan,  with 
a  quantity  of  runas  for  sale  there,  besides  five  horses  (*  refused  by 
this  Governor ')  and  a  coach  and  camel  brought  by  Bornford  from 
Agra.  Have  since  heard  that  Hill  arrived  in  safety  and,  leaving 
the  runas  at  Ahmadabad,  proceeded  with  the  horses  &c.  to  Agra, 
accompanied  by  some  Dutchmen.  On  February  16  two  Dutch 
ships  arrived  from  Persia.  Letters  from  the  English  factors  there 
announced  that  Adler  and  Codrington  had  been  to  the  court  of  the 
new  King  at  Kasbin  and  had  been  well  received.  Most  of  the 
Company's  privileges  were  renewed  ;  but  the  farman  authorizing 
the  English  to  maintain  a  watch  at  the  custom-house,  and  another 
ordering  their  share  of  the  customs  to  be  demanded  from  all  men 
not  expressly  exempted  by  the  King's  warrant,  were  withdrawn, 
and  no  satisfaction  could  be  obtained  for  the  killing  of  their  men  by 
the  Sultan  of  Gombroon.  There  is  now  no  remedy  but  force,  and 
they  trust  to  receive  from  the  Company  authority  to  adopt  strong 
measures.  The  reasons  given  by  the  Persians  for  *  this  dishonourable 
and  injurious  abearance  towards  you'  were  'that  you  were  grown 
poor,  bought  no  more  dear  silk  of  the  King,  and  were  not  able  to 
defend  his  port ;  but  we  think  rather  they  grutch  you  not  only  the 
priviledg  of  sitting  in  but  the  poor  profit  which  redounds  to  you 
from  the  custom-house  and  exemption  of  your  own  goods  from 
paying  customes.'  Send  the  factors'  letter  on  this  subject,  and  have 
instructed  those  at  Gombroon  to  advise  the  Company  '  what  your 
share  of  customes,  rather  what  in  Hew  thereof  the  Persians  allow- 
ance or  pension  (for  so  they  now  tearm  it)  will  amount  to.'*    It  will 


THE    ENGLISH   FACTORH^LS  99 

be  seen  that  broadcloth  is  in  no  demand  in  Persia  ;  and,  as  there  is 
no  improvement  in  its  sale  here,  the  Company  will  do  well  not  to 
exceed  the  quantity  asked  for  in  the  last  letter.  On  February  25 
the  Swan^  commanded  by  Michael  Yates,  with  a  cargo  amounting 
to  212)438  mahmudis,  sailed  for  Cochin,  where  she  was  to  land 
Thurston  with  part  of  her  goods  and  then  proceed  to  Bantam. 
They  had  intended  to  send  all  their  coral  to  the  former  place  ;  but 
Virjl  Vora  at  the  last  moment  bought  all  the  '  gretzo  '  and  '  teraglia  ', 
and  made  an  offer  for  the  '  recaduti '.  This  they  consider  insuffi- 
cient, and  so, '  finding  that  sort  very  much  requested  on  the  Mallabar 
Coast,  we  sent  it  thither,  and  ordered  the  bringing  up  of  the  re- 
mainder to  Suratt,  after  we  had  first  taken  a  wryting  from  this 
Governor  &c.  Kings  ministers,  not  only  not  to  demand  the  novel 
imposition  of  one  per  cent,  to  the  Kings  broker  but  also  not  to  rate 
the  coral  in  custom-house  beyond  its  true  vallue.  And  thus  by  dis- 
covery of  this  new  vent  for  coral  on  the  Mallabar  Coast  we  have 
not  only  advanced  its  vallue  here  but  also  enforced  this  Governor 
&c.  to  deal  more  justly  and  respectively  with  us  in  the  matter  of 
customes,  which  formerly  they  usually  overrated  40,  if  not  50,  per 
cent,  more  then  we  could  here  advance  it  to.'  From  the  proceeds 
of  the  goods  consigned  to  Cochin,  to  which  they  propose  to  add 
a  further  consignment  by  the  Supply  on  her  way  to  Achin,  Thurston 
is  to  provide  cinnamon,  pepper,  and  cardamoms,  to  be  ready  upon 
the  arrival  of  the  Discovery  about  the  end  of  September.  It  is 
hoped  that  she  will  thus  obtain  a  good  part  of  her  cargo  for  England, 
should  the  Company  by  that  time  have  sent  sufficient  funds.  Her 
master  has  orders  to  repair  her  at  Assab,  and  she  should  then  be 
quite  fit  for  the  homeward  voyage.  Have  sent  a  large  stock  of 
goods  to  Bantam  in  the  Swan^  and  trust  that  the  factors  there  will 
return  the  like  value  and  also  the  amount  of  their  former  debt. 
*  The  3d  March  two  Dutch  vessels,  vizt.  the  Pao  from  Japon  and 
China  and  the  Lewert'^  from  Battavia,  anchored  in  Swally  Hole; 
the  former  of  which,  setting  sail  from  Teiwan  or  Ilha  Formosa, 
near  the  coast  of  China,  about  the  middle  of  November  encountred 
the  latter  at  Mallacca ;  who  bringing  that  (by  the  Portugals)  long 
desired  and  expected  confirmation  of  peace  twixt  both  nations,  came 

1  The  Pauw  {Peacock)  and  Leeuwerik  {Skylark).    Their  arrival  at  Swally  is  recorded  in 
i\iQ  Dagh-Register,  1643-44,  p.  178. 

H  2 


loo  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

in  joint  company  to  Punto  de  Gallo  in  Seiloan,  left  there  a  com- 
missary, Peter  Burrel  [Pieter  Boreel],  to  follow  them  to  Goa,  there 
by  the  Generals  order  to  publish  their  willing  assent  to  and  observa- 
tion of  such  artickles  of  truce  as  were  from  the  States  and  their 
employers  received.  At  Vingurla  the  vessels  stayed  some  daies ; 
but  loosing  thence  hasted  for  this  place,  where  the  6th  current  they 
landed  103  boxes  Japon  silver,  with  a  very  great  quantity  of  tuti- 
nagle.  From  Japon  they  pretend  to  bring  good  tydings  (though 
we  are  somewhat  incredulous  thereof,  considering  the  small  quantity 
of  silver  landed)  that  the  Emperor  is  become  very  gratious  to  their 
nation,  which,  being  now  freed  from  all  former  dishonour  and  dis- 
turbances, enjoy  a  most  gainfull  trade,  such  as  produced  this  year 
80  per  cent,  advance.  On  the  I  la  Formosa  they  boast  also  to  have 
taken  from  the  Spaniard  a  small  fort  ^  without  any  great  resistance  ; 
which  is  probable  enough,  for  the  Spaniard,  determining  long  since 
to  have  abandoned  it,  left  only  ^^  men  to  defend  it.'  By  the 
Leeiiwerik  came  a  letter  from  the  Bantam  factory,  intimating  that 
neither  the  Blessing  nor  the  Diamond  could  be  spared  for  a  voyage 
to  Surat,  but  promising  to  send  such  goods  as  they  had  in  July  next. 
'  Thus  they  take  pleasure  to  sport  themselves  with  us,  whilest  we 
(awed  by  your  mandats)  send  them  yearly  even  as  much  as  they 
inlist  unto  us ;  which  it  seems  must  rather  help  to  fill  the  Reforma- 
tion for  England  for  the  Third  Joint  Stocks  accompt  then  extinguish 
its  engagements  here,  where  the  said  Stock  paies  costly  and  constant 
interest.'  The  Francis  was  dispatched  on  March  13  to  Mokha  with 
a  few  freight  goods  and  with  provisions,  stores,  &c.,  for  the  Discovery. 
Would  have  sent  some  pepper,  had  not  the  Dutch  dispeeded  a  very 
great  quantity  thither  shortly  before.  Wylde  has  been  directed  to 
take  with  him  in  the  Discovery  to  Cochin  *  as  much  of  your  estate 
in  Mocha  as  exceeds  3,000/.  sterling.'  The  Seahorse,  after  being 
substantially  repaired,  was  brought  into  Swally  Hole  on  March  12, 
and  is  now  being  laden  for  Gombroon,  *  Cattife  ^ ',  and  Basra. 
Edward  Pearce  goes  in  charge  of  the  cargo.  Investments  have  been 
made  at  Agra,  Ahmadabad,  and  *  Scinda '  in  piece-goods  and  indigo  ; 

^  The  fortress  of  San  Salvador  at  Ki-lung,  on  the  northern  coast  of  Formosa,  was  cap- 
tured by  the  Dutch  in  August,  1642  :  see  Hague  Transcripts,  series  i.  vol.  xii.  no.  388, 
vol.  xiii.  no.  407 ;  also  Heeres'  Corpus  Diplomatictivi,  p.  368. 

2  Al-Katif,  near  Bahrain. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  loi 

and  they  trust  by  the  middle  of  next  December  to  have  enough  to 
fill  the  Discovery  and  dispatch  her  to  England.     The  Advice  left 

*  Madrazpatam '  for  Bantam  on  January  4.  The  Hopewell  quitted 
Balasore  on  December  i,  anchored  at  Masulipatam  on  the  9th,  and 
at  Fort  St.  George  on  the  24th.  She  sailed  thence  for  Persia  on 
December  30,  with  orders  to  return  as  speedily  as  possible,  that 
with  the  proceeds  of  her  cargo  the  factors  '  may  perfect  their 
Europe  investment ',  as  they  find  it  difficult  to  borrow  the  money 
they  need ;  they  have  also  applied  to  Bantam  for  a  consignment  of 
pepper,  with  the  idea  of  lading  the  Hopewell  for  England  direct 
from  the  Coast.  Omitted  to  advise  in  their  last  letter  that  Merry 
is  charged  in  the  Persia  accounts  with  a  debt  of  150  tumans,  but, 
as  he  queries  the  correctness  of  the  amount,  particulars  have  been 
sent  for ;  he  avers  his  readiness  to  pay  whatever  is  found  to  be 
owing.  PS. — Cannot  give  the  total  received  for  freight  on  board 
the  Seahorse,  as  this  includes  '  ofi  bales  of  cloath  belonging  to  this 
King ' ;  the  payment  for  which  cannot  be  settled  until  they  return 
to  Surat.     (7  //.) 

Declaration  by  Henry  Bassano,  Steward  of  the 
Hopewell,  at  Fort  St.  George,  May  30,  1643  (O.C.  1823). 

Charges  Trumball  with    excessive   use   of  the  wine  on  board, 

*  haveing  sometymes  a  gallon,  but  never  less  then  a  pottle  a  day  for 
his  owne  perticuler ',  besides  an  extra  quantity  '  when  hee  hath  byn 
disposed  to  bee  merry  '.  All  of  this,  or  the  greater  part,  Trumball 
directed  Bassano  to  charge  to  the  ship  or  as  sent  on  shore  to  fac- 
tories ;  and  he  was  forced  to  comply,  having  '  severall  times  byn 
strocke  and  beate  by  him  and  threatened  divers  tymes  to  bee  dis- 
placed.' Alleges  also  that  two  of  the  Company's  butts  of  strong 
beer  were  used  to  fill  up  the  seven  butts  brought  out  by  Trumball 
and  sold  by  him  on  his  own  account.  (Copy,  i  /.  Received  in 
Stirat  October  13.) 

Complaint  by  Thomas  Clark  against  Andrew  Trumball 
[May,  1643?]   (.O.C.  1825). 

Recounts  seven  instances  of  Trumball's  striking  and  abusing  him, 
the  last  being  when  Leigh,  master's  mate  of  the  Advice^  desired  to 
carry  on  shore  certain  cases  belonging  to  Clark.     (Copy.     '^\pp^ 


102  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

Attestation    by    Seven    Sailors    against    Trumball, 

ABOARD   THE   HOPEWELL,  JUNE    I4,  1643   {0,C.  1824).^ 

Declare  that,  when  ashore  at  Madraspatam  they  heard  Trumball 
command  them  to  go  aboard,  they  instantly  prepared  to  do  so  ;  but 
'  presently  hee  gave  us  a  counter  checke,  that,  notwithstandinge  hee 
bid  us  goe,  yett  wisht  us  not  soe  to  doe,  but  for  to  sticke  close  to 
him,  and  that  wee  should  not  want  for  any  thinge,  if  it  were  a 
thousand  pagothas ,  and  bid  us  goe  and  call  for  a  case  of  wine,  or 
what  else  wee  would,  and  hee  would  pay  for  the  same.'    {Copy.  \p.) 

Andrew  Trumball's  Answer  to  the  Charges  made 
against  him  by  francis  day,  june,  1643  ^  [q.c  1824). 

Denies  that  he  used  the  chirurgeon  ^  '  in  a  cruell  horrid  manner '. 
The  latter  charged  Trumball's  servant  eight  pounds  for  treating 
him  and,  on  Trumball  remonstrating,  told  him  '  hee  would  make 
what  rates  hee  thought  fitt.'  Being  further  asked  why  he  carried 
medicines  ashore  when  there  were  no  sailors  sick  there, '  hee  replyed 
I  should  never  know  ;  which  mooved  mee,  seeinge  his  infinite  pride, 
to  stricke  him  three  or  four  blowes  with  an  inch  rope.'  As  for  the 
purser,  so  far  from  being  unkind  to  him,  Trumball  gave  up  his  own 
cabin  to  him  when  he  was  sick.  The  boatswain  was  not  ill  an  hour, 
and  has  never  once  been  beaten  by  Trumball,  though  at  times  the 
latter  has  '  reprooved  him  for  his  slow  proceedings  with  such  termes 
as  best  befitted  him.'  The  said  party  is  so  far  from  being  '  charri- 
table'  that  he  refused  to  be  reconciled  to  one  of  the  gunner's 
mates,  who  had  begged  this  on  his  death-bed  ;  while  as  for  his 
sobriety,  he  was  '  a  meere  sott '  at  the  time  of  sailing.     The  quarrel 

'  There  is  another  copy  among  the  0.  C.  Duplicates. 

2  Undated,  but  noted  as  received  in  Fort  St.  George  on  June  20.  There  is  another  copy 
in  the  O.C.  Duplicates. 

3  In  an  article  contributed  to  the  Indian  Antiquary  for  Sept.  191 1,  I  suggested  that 
this  unnamed  surgeon  might  possibly  have  been  Gabriel  Boughton,  who  certainly  held  the 
post  a  few  months  later ;  but  I  am  now  inclined  to  identify  him  with  the  John  Reynolds 
mentioned  on  p.  1 11,  who  is  described  in  the  Court  Minutes  of  Nov.  19,  1645,  as  a  surgeon. 
He  had  at  that  date  been  dead  for  some  time,  and  an  account  of  his  estate  had  been  sent 
home  from  Bantam ;  so  the  probability  is  that  he  died  before  the  Hopewell  quitted 
Madras. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  103 

between  Trumball  and  Beck  was  settled  by  the  latter  apologizing  ; 
*  but,  indeed,  to  say  truth,  Mr.  Day  could  never  indure  there  should 
bee  any  unity  betweene  mee  and  my  mates  all  this  voyage,  hee  have- 
ing  an  old  grudge  at  mee  and  would  have  undone  mee  before  I  came 
home  the  last  voyage,  if  possible  hee  could.'  Had  Day  been  enter- 
tained by  the  Company  before  Trumball,  the  latter  would  have 
declined  to  go  to  sea  in  the  same  ship  for  this  reason.  As  regards 
John  Leigh,  he  came  aboard  in  Balasore  Road  to  fetch  the  Com- 
pany's goods  and  money  ashore,  and  wanted  also  to  take  some 
cases  of  strong  waters  which  he  alleged  he  had  bought  on  board, 
though  they  were  really  still  the  property  of  Thomas  Clark.  Trum- 
ball prevented  him  from  so  doing,  as  the  boat  was  already  full,  and 
Leigh  thereupon  '  went  forward  and  aft  upon  the  decke,  abuseinge 
mee  with  what  words  hee  pleased.'  He  refused  to  go  into  his  boat 
when  ordered,  until  Trumball  called  for  his  '  rattan ' ;  but  it  is 
untrue  that  Trumball  either  abused  him  as  alleged  or  struck  him. 
The  accusation  that  Trumball  '  went  about  to  displace  Mr.  Hill ' 
is  entirely  false.  It  is  true  that  he  was  warned  by  Cogan  and  Beck 
that  Hill  *  did  in  his  ordinary  talke  call  mee  nothinge  but  Scottish 
dogg,  and  why  should  they  bee  comanded  by  a  Scott ',  and  he  then 
drew  up  something  '  to  have  bridled  his  tounge ' ;  but  Cogan  and 
Beck  refused  to  sign  this.  When  the  sick  men  went  on  land  at 
Balasore,  Trumball  took  precautions  to  keep  them  dry,  but  left 
their  diet  to  the  chirurgeon  who  accompanied  them.  If  anything 
was  wanting  in  this  respect,  it  was  the  fault  of  the  latter.  '  There  is 
not  a  day  past  since  wee  came  out  of  England  but  our  men  had 
either  beere,  wine,  or  aracke  ;  unless  it  were  in  our  passage  to 
Persia,  [when]  they  kept  their  drinke  tell  they  had  a  quantitie 
together  and  made  themselves  drunke  with  it  and  quarrell'd  and  fell 
out  one  with  another ;  then  I  gave  order  they  should  have  it  but 
foure  tymes  a  week  for  the  space  of  about  10  or  12  dayes.  But  had 
I  knowne  that  a  cupp  of  sacke  had  bin  such  a  prevalent  medisine 
to  have  made  men  well  assoone  as  they  came  ashore,  they  should  not 
have  wanted  ;  but  I  beeleeve  (nay,  I  dare  say)  that  Mr.  Day  was 
the  sicke  man  that  wanted  sacke.'  Day's  fifth  charge  is  a  repetition 
and  needs  no  further  answer  ;  but  it  is  to  be  noted  that  he  thus 
shows  his  desire  *  to  make  a  great  harvest  of  a  litle  come '.  The 
sixth  charge  concerns  Hill.     He  was  so  addicted  to  drink  on  the 


I04  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

voyage  out  that  Trumball  was  weary  of  reproving  him.  At  Masuli- 
patam  he  stayed  on  shore  six  days  and  contracted  a  disease,  for  the 
cure  of  which  he  asked  leave  to  go  on  land  at  Balasore,  '  tellinge  mee 
the  chirurgion  was  to  deare.'  *  There  hee  stayed  lo  dayes,  and  abus'd 
all  the  merchants ;  and  the  Cheife  fetch'd  him  out  of  the  whore- 
house at  12  a  clocke  at  night  all  bambord^.'  On  the  voyage  from 
Balasore  to  Masulipatam  his  behaviour  to  one  of  the  women  passen- 
gers led  to  the  Persians  threatening  to  leave  the  ship.  Trumball 
reproved  Hill  for  this  in  their  presence  and  in  reply  the  latter 
'  abused  mee  with  very  ill  words '.  A  consultation  was  called  ;  but 
Day  took  Hill's  part  and  '  through  his  example  the  rest  would  not 
speake '.  Notwithstanding,  Trumball  thought  it  necessary  to  punish 
the  offender,  in  order  to  avoid  scandal  and  complaints  at  Masuli- 
patam ;  so  Hill  was  set  in  the  bilboes  for  eight  hours.  *  Seventhly, 
in  our  passage  to  Persia  the  Moores  invited  Mr.  Day,  myselfe,  and 
the  purser  to  a  feast  with  them,  which  wee  excepted  of.  And  when 
they  had  eate,  they  fell  to  drinkeinge,  tell  Mr.  Day  had  soe  much 
hee  could  take  noe  more,  for  in  my  contience  hee  had  betweene  20 
and  44  [24  in  the  other  copy\  cups  of  stronge  waters  in  him.  After 
hee  was  gone  wee  tooke  our  leaves  of  the  Persians ;  and  about  five 
howers  at  night  wee  went  to  supper,  where  the  purser  fell  out  with 
mee  and  strucke  at  mee,  as  I  have  wittnessed  under  my  mates  hands. 
Mr.  Day,  beinge  in  the  round  howse,  came  out  betweene  drunke  and 
sober  and  called  the  purser,  sayinge  :  *'  Ned,  come  hether ;  the  master 
shall  have  nothinge  to  doe  with  thee."  What  remidy  could  I  use 
in  this  case,  onely  patience  ?  Nevertheless,  I  comanded  the  purser 
to  leave  his  raileinge  att  mee  and  goe  to  his  cabbin ;  neither  of 
which  hee  would  doe.  Then  I  tould  Mr.  Day  hee  did  ill  to  counten- 
ance any  man  thus  against  mee ;  neither  use[d]  I  any  other  words 
to  him  then  these,  for  I  know  well  what  manner  of  man  Mr.  Day 
is.'  Confesses  that,  on  Thomas  Clark  absenting  himself  from  the  ship 
at  Gombroon  for  '  26  dayes  upon  a  bord  ^ ',  he  '  gave  him  a  cuff  on 
the  eare  ' ;  but  cites  instances  of  Clark's  carelessness  and  inefficiency. 
As  for  Barker  and  Richards,  '  their  perimtory  carriage  and  unbe- 

*  Drunk.  The  word  seems  to  be  *  bombard ',  which  meant  first  a  small  cannon,  then 
(from  its  shape)  a  black-jack  for  holding  a  large  quantity  of  liquor,  and  then  a  toper. 
Instances  also  occur  of  its  use  (as  here)  adjectivally. 

"  This  seems  to  be  equivalent  to  •  at  a  stretch ' — a  metaphor  derived  from  a  ves«el  sailing 
for  some  time  on  one  *  board  '  or  tack. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  105 

seeminge  behaviour  is  very  well  knovvne  to  all,  both  this  voyage  and 
the  last'  Roger  Barker  stayed  on  shore  against  orders  for  twenty 
days  in  one  place  and  sixteen  in  another,  giving  as  a  reason  that 
Day's  business  was  not  finished.  Those  who  have  joined  in  the  com- 
plaint against  Trumball  are  themselves  under  accusation  ;  and  their 
testimony  is  '  most  faulce  ',  especially  the  allegation  that  they  were 
forced  to  sign  consultations  against  their  wills.  Day  himself  is 
often  drunk,  both  at  sea  and  on  shore.  *  Drinkeinge  with  the  Moores 
and  Persians  att  Ballisara,  hee  soe  disguis'd  himselfe  in  theire  pre- 
sence that  they  sent  him  away  in  a  pallankeene,  out  of  which  hee 
fell  by  the  way.  Att  Persia  hee  fell  out  with  the  Dutch  and  abused 
them  soe,  when  hee  was  drunke,  that  hee  had  like  to  sett  the  English 
and  Dutch  by  the  yeares,  as  wee  terme  it.  I  am  sure  they  came 
not  to  one  another  in  five  dayes  after.  And  another  tyme  hee  made 
himselfe  soe  drunke  at  Persia  [that]  hee  rann  into  the  sea  and 
[was]  like  to  have  drowned  himselfe.'     {Copy.    "]  pp.) 

Edward  Knipe,  aboard  the  Crispiana  \  to  the  Company, 
July  18,  1643  (Factory  Records,  Miscellaneous ,  vol.  xii.  p.  77). 

Being  unable  in  person  to  bring  them  '  the  first  tydings  of  our 
arrivall ',  he  sends  the  following  diary  of  the  voyage.  1642,  April  6. 
They  sailed  from  the  Downs,  with  two  of  Courteen's  ships. 
April  10.  Contrary  winds  forced  them  to  put  into  Torbay. 
April  12.  Sailed  again,  'in  the  said  company'.  May  3.  Saw  the 
Peak  of  Teneriffe.  May  4.  Passed  between.  Teneriffe  and  Grand 
Canary,  three  of  Courteen's  ships  being  still  in  their  company. 
May  15.  Met  the  William,  from  Bantam,  and  spared  her  some 
provisions.  June^^.  Crossed  the  Equator.  July  \i.  'By  judgment 
passed  by  Cape  Bona  Spei,  but  no  land  scene.'  Augiist  2. 
Anchored  in  St.  Augustine's  Bay.  Learned  that  the  Hester  had 
departed  the  previous  day,  having  stayed  24  hours.  August  6. 
Sailed.  August  16.  Reached  Johanna  and  found  there  the  Hester. 
She  had  been  at  Mozambique  and  had  there  sold  lead  and  broad- 
cloth for  gold.  August  17.  The  Unity  and  Loyalty  arrived. 
August  23.    Departed,  in  company  with  the  Unity  and  Hester.   The 

'  In  sight  of  Fair  Lee ',  i.  e.  Fairlight,  near  Hastings.     An  alternative  name  of  this 
place  was  *  Fairleigh  '  (Carlisle's  Topographical  Dictionafy), 


io6  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Loyalty  remained  to  mend  a  topmast.  August  24.  Lost  company 
of  'the  Squires  shipps'.  September  19.  Landed  the  purser  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Tapti,  with  letters  for  Surat.  September  %\.  Anchored 
in  Swally  Hole.  September  22.  The  President  and  Council  came 
down,  and  two  days  later  a  voyage  to  the  Malabar  Coast  was 
decided  upon.  October  13.  The  Aleppo  Merchaftt  sailed  accordingly. 
October  22.  About  ten  leagues  from  Goa  met  the  Swan,  which  had 
that  morning  left  Goa  with  a  quantity  of  cinnamon.  Her  master, 
Mr.  Yates,  reported  that  there  were  seven  Dutch  ships  in  that  road, 
*  who,  notwithstanding  the  peace,  [were]  excercizeing  as  much 
violent  hostillity  against  the  Portugall  as  ever ;  and  how  that  the 
Swann  with  much  difficullty  gott  cleare  of  them,  they  alleadging 
that  no  English  shipp  ought  to  trade  there  while  their  shipps  were 
in  the  roade  ;  and  that  they  vowed  to  hinder  and  putt  by  the  next 
English  shipp  that  came  thither  uppon  any  affair  whatsoever.' 
This  made  Knipe  doubtful  whether  he  ought  to  go  into  Goa,  as  the 
small  quantity  of  cinnamon  there  was  not  a  sufficient  inducement 
to  lose  time  in  contention  with  the  Dutch.  Before  starting  from 
Surat,  he  had  urged  the  President  and  Council  to  allow  him  to  go 
straight  to  Cochin,  calling  at  Goa  on  his  return  ;  but  their  answer 
was  that,  owing  to  the  recent  execution  of  a  Portuguese  by  the 
English  on  the  Coromandel  Coast,  '  they  knew  not  what  extremity 
of  revenge  they  might  seeke  against  our  people  in  Goa  ',  and 
accordingly  he  was  enjoined  to  go  thither  first  of  all.  This  order 
he  felt  bound  to  obey.  October  23.  *  About  five  in  the  morning 
wee  came  to  an  anchor  in  Goa  Road,  near  the  Dutch  shipps ;  v/here 
suddainely  wee  were  enterteined  with  a  mallapert  message  from 
their  Generall,  John  Dirrick  Galen  ;  where  beeing  come,  fownd 
them  monstrous  peremptory  in  their  speech,  farr  exceeding  the 
relacion  of  Mr.  Yates  ;  demanding  what  wee  meant  to  come  thither, 
flattly  telling  us  [there  was]  no  synamon  uppon  any  tearmes  for  us 
to  bee  had  from  the  Portugall,  and  that  their  Generall  of  Battavia 
had  so  enordered  them  ;  proferring  mee  to  veiw  their  commission. 
I  tould  them  I  never  yett  knew  the  States  of  Holland  have  the 
bouldnes  to  order  deniall  of  any  the  King  of  Spaines  ports  to  any 
the  King  of  Englands  subjects  (allthough  Goa  was  not  the  Spaniards 
port)  so  long  as  wee  brought  not  either  municion  or  provicion ; 
which  if  they  doubted  by  us,  [they]  might  freely  satisfie  themselves 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  107 

by  sending  whome  they  pleased  aboard  our  shipp  to  search.  They 
begann  to  bee  somewhat  rigorous  in  their  common  insolent  language  ; 
but  I  after  very  much  debate  tould  them  that,  if  they  would  faith- 
fully promise  us  that  wee  might  doe  our  bussiness  where  the  shipp 
roade,  without  any  molestacion  att  all  by  them,  and  give  under  their 
commanders  hand  that  the  Generall  of  Battavia  had  given  such 
order  as  not  to  suffer  us  to  bring  off  synamon,  then  should  our  shipp 
continew  where  shee  then  roade  ;  if  not,  wee  should  bee  forc't  to 
hazzard  what  they  threatned.  After  consulting  with  themselves, 
[they]  were  more  moderate  in  their  speech  towards  us,  giveing  us 
licence  (while  our  shipp  roade  amoung  theirs)  either  to  carry  on 
shoare  or  bring  aboard  our  goods  as  wee  pleased  ;  likewise  gave 
under  their  hands  the  authority  they  had  from  the  Generall  of 
Battavia.'  Thereupon  Knipe  went  himself  to  Goa  to  hasten  matters  ; 
but  it  was  not  until  the  30th  that  he  got  the  cinnamon  aboard, 
together  with  Pitt  and  Hill.  The  cinnamon  was  old  and  very  dear. 
Pitt  had  contracted  with  a  Portuguese  for  a  further  quantity  to  be 
received  at  Cochin.  Knipe  did  his  best  to  make  void  this  contract, 
believing,  from  his  previous  experience,  that  he  could  buy  the 
cinnamon  there  at  a  cheaper  rate  ;  but  this  was  impossible,  as  Pitt 
had  paid  a  deposit.  Knipe  succeeded,  however,  in  selling  a  quantity 
of  coral  to  the  said  Portuguese.  Rials  of  eight  were  worth  at  Goa 
eleven  '  tangoes'  and  *  chickeens  '  nineteen  ;  so  there  was  a  loss  of  at 
least  14  per  cent,  on  the  latter  at  the  price  they  cost  in  rials  at 
Surat.  'Att  my  returne  from  Goa  the  Dutch  commanders  were 
earnest  with  mee  to  redeliver  their  writing  given  concerning  their 
commission  by  the  Generall  of  Batavia ;  which  I  would  not  doe, 
because  it  should  somewhat  confirme  the  insolencies  which  dayly 
they  practise  against  us  in  those  parts.'  October  31.  Sailed. 
November  6.  Anchored  before  Calicut,  and  landed  Virji  Vora's 
servants.  November  7.  They  returned  with  news  that  most  of  the 
pepper  was  at '  Punneanna '  [Ponnani],  whence  Knipe  agreed  to  fetch 
it.  November  8.  Anchored  in  Cochin  Road,  and  found  there  the 
Hester^  which  had  arrived  three  days  before.  Her  master  had  con- 
tracted for  a  quantity  of  cinnamon  at  40  xerafins  a  quintal,  a  third 
of  the  amount  to  be  paid  in  red  cloth  at  5  xerafins  a  yard. 
November  9  and  10.  Received  the  cinnamon  contracted  for  at  Goa. 
During  his  stay  Knipe  also  bought  a  quantity  from  other  merchants, 


io8  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

which  was  of  excellent  quality  and  nearly  fifty  per  cent,  cheaper 
than  that  purchased  at  Goa.  He  sold  most  of  his  coral  and  bartered 
part  of  his  cloth  ;  the  net  gain  was  1,547/.  Ss.  ^d.  Had  he  had  more 
goods  and  longer  time,  he  could  have  sold  large  quantities  at  a  good 
profit.  The  *  recaduta '  coral  proved  reasonably  good,  but  the 
*  teraglia  '  was  '  extraordinary  bad  '.  November  %Ar.  They  set  sail. 
November  29.  Cast  anchor  at  Calicut.  November  30.  By  night 
they  had  received  550  bags  of  pepper.  Knipe  was  *  sent  for  to  the 
King ;  where  I  found  very  courteous  enterteynment,  with  many 
proffers  concerning  trade.'  '  I  understood  that  Virge  Vora  yearly 
sends  downe  his  people  hither  to  Callicutt  with  cotten  and  opium, 
by  which  hee  doth  not  [gain  ?]  less  then  double  his  mony  to  those 
people  hee  buyeth  his  pepper  off,  [and]  afterwards  disposeth  of  his 
pepper  to  us  for  double  what  it  cost  him  ;  for  I  finde  pepper  to  bee 
worth  here  but  15I  and  16  fannams  the  maund,  which  is  not  halfe 
the  rate  hee  usually  valleweth  it  to  our  people  in  Suratt.'  It  would 
obviously  be  cheaper  to  deal  direct ;  '  but  indeed  Virge  Vora,  by 
reason  of  our  continuall  mighty  ingagements,  must  not  bee  dis- 
pleased in  any  case.  I  confess  him  to  bee  a  man  that  hath  often 
supplyed  our  wants  in  Suratt  with  moneys,  for  his  owne  ends. 
Notwithstanding,  I  hould  him  to  have  bynn  the  most  injurious  man 
to  your  trade  in  all  the  Mogulls  dominions ;  for  what  ordinary 
Banian  merchant  dare  come  to  the  English  howse  to  look  uppon 
corrall  or  any  other  comodity,  hee  by  his  potencye  and  intimacy 
with  the  Governour  forgeth  somewhat  or  other  against  the  poor 
man,  utterly  to  ruine  him ;  so  that  no  merchant  in  the  towne  dare 
displease  him  by  comeing  to  our  howse  to  look  uppon  any  comodity, 
except  some  or  other  sometymes  whome  hee  sends  purposely  to 
bid  for  a  comodity  (that  hee  is  about)  little  or  nothing,  onely  to 
make  us  weary  of  our  comodities.  Hee  knoweth  that  wee  (in  regard 
of  our  extreame  ingagement)  must  sell,  and  so  beats  us  downe  till 
wee  come  to  his  owne  rates  ;  and  thus  hath  bynn  his  proceedings 
this  many  yeares.  And  I  conclude  that,  so  long  as  Virge  Vora  is 
so  much  our  credittor,  little  or  no  proffitt  [is]  to  bee  made  uppon 
any  goods  wee  can  bring  to  Surratt.'  Knipe  bought  also  at  Calicut 
a  quantity  of  cardamoms.  December  i.  Sailed.  December  %. 
Passed  by  Cannanore,  the  wind  not  suffering  them  to  put  in  ;  other- 
wise Knipe  had  hoped  to  sell  coral  and  buy  cardamoms  there. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  109 

December  5.  Anchored  in  '  Bassalour  ^  Road  ',  where  they  sold  two 
chests  of  coral.  December  7.  The  buyers  fetched  away  the  chests. 
'  Wee  were  now  the  first  English  that  ever  came  to  this  port. 
I  have  formerly  endeavoured  it  in  the  Squires  [i.e.  Courteen's] 
ymployment  (but  our  seamen  could  not  finde  the  place),  because 
I  heard  often  (as  I  beleive)  it  is  the  best  place  for  sale  of  corrall  on 
all  the  coast  of  India.  Had  you  bynn  pleased  to  grant  (uppon 
a  motion  I  made  per  Mr.  William  Methwold  at  our  comeing  out)  one 
shipp  to  come  first  for  Cocheine,  then  might  wee  very  easily  [have] 
made  sale  of  all  your  corrall  (att  better  rates  then  now  I  did),  fully 
laden  the  shipp  with  synamon  and  pepper,  and  (with  Gods  blessing) 
bynn  att  Suratt  by  the  middle  of  November  att  farthest.  The 
Squires  people  are  againe  settled  at  Battaccalla  ^,  where  they  part 
with  their  cloth  and  lead  for  neare  about  as  much  as  the  cost,  and 
buy  pepper  very  deare,  giveing  '>,'>^  dury  ^  pagothaes  per  candec.  One 
pago[tha]  is  \6\  fannams.  Battacalla  is  not  above  10  or  11  leagues 
to  the  northward  of  this  place,  under  the  same  Naiques  government ; 
from  whome  came  a  messenger,  tendring  us  the  place  to  settle  in, 
and  many  other  courtesies  concerning  trade.'  Dece7nber  8.  Set 
sail.  December  23.  Anchored  in  Swally  Hole.  Regrets  that  the 
President  and  Council  would  not  agree  to  buy  the  whole  of  the 
900  bales  of  indigo  formerly  belonging  to  Asaf  Khan  ;  there  are 
'  some  other  passages  I  conceived  injurious  to  the  wellfare  of  this 
Voyage',  of  which  he  will  inform  the  Company,  if  desired.  [1643, 
January\  19.  The  Crispiana  and  Aleppo  Merchafit  sailed  from 
Swally.  February  17.  Nearly  ran  on  to  a  shoal  called  'Mallha* 
or'Mallhu'.*  March  ^1.  Anchored  in  *  Souldania  '  [Table]  Bay, 
meeting  the  Hester  standing  out.  April  6.  Departed.  April  26. 
Reached  St.  Helena,  and  found  there  the  Reformation,  which  had 
been  ordered  by  the  President  and  Council  of  Bantam  to  wait  for 
the  Ulysses  until  May  10 ;  but  it  was  decided  by  consultation  that 
she  had  better  sail  with  them.  May  i.  All  three  set  sail.  May  19. 
Crossed  the  Line.  Jtme  31  \sic\  Passed  the  Azores.  July  17. 
Sighted    the    South    Devon   Coast.     Knipe   gives    an    account    of 

*  Basrur,  in  lat.  13°  38'  N.,  and  four  miles  east  of  Coondapoor. 
'  Bhatkal :  see  the  1637-41  volume,  pp.  4,  206. 

*  Perhaps  Dharwari  pagodas.     Lockyer  notes  that  '  all  considerable  bargains  with  the 
country  merchants  [at  Karwar]  are  made  for  pagodas  Darwar.' 

*  Now  termed  the  Saya  do  Malha  Bank.     It  lies  to  the  SE.  of  the  Seychelles. 


no  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

private  trade  brought  home  in  the  Crispiana^  including  his  own. 
{Copy.  %\pp) 

Consultation  held  at  Fort  St.  George  by  [the  Agent 
AND  Council],  August  13,  1643  [O.C.  1829). 

In  a  former  consultation,  held  May  ^9,  they  suspended  Andrew 
Trumball  from  the  command  of  the  Hopewell  while  the  ship  was 
on  this  coast.  Now,  as  no  advice  has  arrived  from  Surat,  and 
fearing  lest  they  should  be  blamed  at  home  or  at  Bantam  should 
any  mischance  happen  to  the  vessel,  they  decide  to  reinstate  him 
until  his  arrival  at  Bantam,  though  they  consider  him  unworthy  of 
this  trust.  His  actions  are  referred  to  the  censure  of  the  President 
and  Council  at  Bantam.     {Copy,    ^p.) 

Francis  Day's  Answer  to  Trumball's  Charges,  Fort 
St.  George,  August  13,  1643  {O.C,  i8;z8^). 

Has  received,  on  his  arrival  from  Tranquebar,  Trumball's  reply 
to  the  articles  presented  against  him  in  May  last.  The  latter,  he 
conceives,  are  all  sufficiently  attested ;  and  when  Greenhill  was 
sent  on  board  for  the  purpose,  the  subscribers  all  acknowledged 
that  they  had  signed  them.  Will  neither  admit  nor  deny  the 
charges  Trumball  has  now  made ;  but  desires  that  they  be  read 
on  board  the  ship  and  that  any  one  who  will  support  them  should 
be  invited  to  sign  accordingly.  *  Such  slaunders  is  familliar  with 
him ',  and  that  he  will  not  hesitate  to  back  a  lie  with  an  oath  is 
known  to  the  Agent  and  Council  from  four  instances  cited.  His 
accusations  against  Day  of  drunkenness  are  false,  but  Trumball 
himself  is  guilty  in  that  respect,  and  several  times  the  ship  has 
been  exposed  to  imminent  danger  owing  to  his  being  intoxicated. 
Could  further  enlarge  on  his  offences, '  but  charitie  and  Christiainitie 
binds  mee  to  requite  evill  with  good ' ;  and  therefore  will  only 
mention  Trumball's  presumption  in  breaking  open  the  purser's 
cabin  and  ordering  his  servant  to  '  make  entry  of  parcells  in  his 
booke'.     {Copy.    i|/A) 

*  For  another  copy  see  O.C.  1824. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  iii 

Petition  from  Francis  Day  to  Agent  Cogan  and  his 
Council  [at  Fort  St.  George,  August  i4(?)  1643]  (O.C.  1824). 

Desires  leave  to  proceed  to  Europe  by  way  of  Surat,  if  Trumball 
is  to  be  restored  to  his  place  in  the  Hopezve/l,  as  he  cannot  go  with 
him  to  Bantam  or  any  other  port  *  without  perrill  of  my  life'. 
Trusts  that  Trumball  will  not  even  be  admitted  to  the  ship  as 
a  passenger,  for  he  no  doubt  intends  to  take  revenge  upon  Day ; 
and  his  '  inhumanitie  and  tyrany '  are  evidenced  by  his  cruel  treat- 
ment of  John  Reynolds.     {Copy.    1  p.) 

A  similar  Petition  from  certain  Officers^  of  the 
Hopewell  (O.C.  1824). 

Have  already  represented  Trumball's  tyranny,  and  now  implore 
that  he  be  not  permitted  to  resume  his  former  authority,  or  that 
in  such  event  they  may  be  allowed  to  repair  on  shore,  even  if  this 
entails  the  loss  of  their  wages.     {Copy,    i  p.) 

Attestation  by  Robert  Wycherley  2,  aboard  the  Hope- 
well, August  14,  1643  {O.C.  1830). 

That  at  Trumball's  command  he  brought  him  '  the  Kings 
comission  to  him ',  which  was  then  whole ;  but  on  Trumball's 
going  over  the  ship's  side,  '  I,  seeinge  in  what  case  hee  was,  tooke 
the  comission  out  of  his  hand,  and  carried  into  my  cabyn,  where 
the  ratts  eate  it '.  '  Likewise  the  said  Mr.  Trumball  wished  mee 
that,  if  any  bodie  asked  mee  how  the  comission  came  torne,  that 
I  should  tell  them  it  was  torne  in  the  combustion.'     {Copy.    \p.) 

Petition  from  Edward  Hemingway,  Purser  of  the  Hope- 
well, TO  Agent  Cogan  and  his  Council,  August  16,  1643 
{O.C.  1824). 

Expresses  his  fear  that  Trumball,  having  been  restored  to  his 
place,  will    find    means   to   revenge   himself  on   those  who   have 

*  Thomas  Clark  (master's  mate),  Alexander  Reynolds,  Richard  Harsfield  (boatswain), 
Roger  Barker  (carpenter),  Henry  Bassano  (steward),  and  John  Richards  (midshipman). 
2  Trumball's  servant.     There  is  another  copy  of  this  document  in  O.C.  1S24. 


iia  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

opposed  him.  Begs  therefore  to  be  released  from  proceeding  to 
Bantam  in  the  ship ;  *  if  not,  I  feare  twilbee  the  loss  of  my  life.' 
{Copy.     \p) 

Consultation  held  in  Fort  St.  George  by  [the  Agent 
AND  Council],  August  20,  1643  {0,C.  1831).^ 

It  is  debated  how  best  to  satisfy  their  creditors,  who  are  very 
clamorous  for  payment,  because  of  the  Agent's  approaching  de- 
parture. No  funds  are  likely  to  be  available  until  next  year ;  and 
they  therefore  decide  to  borrow,  if  possible,  enough  money  for  this 
purpose  from  Portuguese  or  others  at  San  Thome,  to  be  paid  in 
England,  at  about  lOi".  or  \\s.  the  pagoda.  This  rate  will  not  be 
excessive,  for  the  interest  of  the  debt,  '  added  to  the  principall, 
at  each  yeares  end  rayses  every  pag[oda]  to  very  neare  ten  shillinges.' 
A  similar  attempt  will  be  made  at  Masulipatam,  '  that  this  devour- 
inge  interest  may  bee  extinguished  and  the  trade  of  this  coast  once 
more  staund  upon  itts  owne  bottome.'     {Copy.    ^  p.) 

Consultation  held  at  Fort  St.  George  by  the  Agent 
AND  Council^,  August  2,^,  1643  {O.C.  183a). 

The  recent  decision  to  reinstate  Trumball  has  produced  a  series 
of  protests  from  Day  and  the  officers  of  the  ship,  and  it  is  now 
debated  what  course  to  pursue.  To  a  suggestion  that  Day  should 
be  placed  in  charge  of  the  Hopewell,  and  Trumball  proceed  in  her, 
either  as  master  or  as  a  passenger,  it  is  answered  that  the  latter 
would  probably  endeavour  to  regain  his  former  place  with  the  aid 
of  the  crew  as  soon  as  the  vessel  got  away  to  sea.  It  is  then 
proposed  to  replace  all  the  protesting  officers  by  others,  and  leave 
Day  to  carry  out  his  threat  of  proceeding  overland  to  Surat. 
Hereupon  the  Agent  declares  that,  if  Day  will  take  his  place  on 
shore,  he  himself  will  proceed  to  Bantam  in  the  ship  as  commander. 
It  is  further  considered  that  (i)  a  new  Agent  is  likely  to  arrive  by 
July  or  August,  as  Cogan  last  year  intimated  to  the  Company  his 
intention  of  repairing  to  Bantam  :  (2)  there  will  be  no  business  of 

^  For  a  second  copy  see  the  O.C.  Duplicates. 

^  Cogan,  Day,  Yard,  and  Greenhill  sign.  There  is  a  second  copy  among  the  O.C. 
Duplicates.  I 


I 


THE   ENGLISH  FACTORIES  113 

importance  to  transact  here,  owing  to  lack  of  funds,  and  Cogan  will 
be  better  able  to  inform  the  President  and  Council  at  Bantam  and 
the  Company  '  of  the  Coast  affayres  '  personally  than  '  by  penn  '  : 
(3)  such  representations  of  their  situation  are  urgently  needed  to 
save  the  trade  here  from  ruin  :  (4)  Cogan  will  be  able  to  clear 
himself  and  the  agency  *  of  those  aspertions  and  imputations  laid 
thereon,  and  touchinge  the  Forts  erection  and  transferringe  our 
masters  estates  thereon,  contrary  (as  is  said)  to  order.'  For  these 
reasons  Cogan's  proposal  is  approved.     {Copy,    i^ pp.) 

Andrew  Cogan,  Francis  Day,  Henry  Greenhill,  and 
George  Travell  at  Fort  St.  George  to  the  President 
and  Council  at  Bantam,  August  25, 1643  [O.C.  1833).! 

Received  their  letters  of  March  24  and  May  31  by  a  Dutch  ship 
on  July  21.  To  the  charge  that  they  have,  contrary  to  order, 
used  the  money  of  the  First  General  Voyage,  sent  in  the  Hopewell, 
to  pay  off  the  old  debts,  they  answer  that,  if  this  had  not  been  done, 
*  our  case  had  byn  no  better,  but  rather  worse,  then  the  Danes  ;  for 
our  people  must  eyther  have  fledd  or  submitted  themselves  to  prison. 
If  eyther,  then  had  we  suffered  not  onely  in  our  reputation  (which 
yet  is  sound)  but  in  estate ;  for  of  necessitie  the  stocke  that  came 
on  the  Hopewell  must  (or  the  most  part)  have  layen  uninvested.' 
It  is  all  one  to  them  whether  their  accounts  are  cleared  '  on  Ban- 
tam, on  Surratt,  or  England  '  ;  while,  as  for  referring  their  proceed- 
ings to  the  Company,  this  '  doth  not  in  the  least  displease  us ',  for 
they  hope  to  make  their  actions  appear  fair  and  just.  Deny  that 
they  have  made  use  of  the  Company's  servants  or  means  for  their 
own  purposes ;  and  as  for  sending  the  Company's  shipping  to 
Persia,  they  had  orders  so  to  do.  '  We  have  not  in  any  kinde  gonn 
about  to  adultriate  your  actions,  nor  in  the  least  writt  a  misbeseeme- 
ing  word  of  you  or  your  actions  to  Surratt,  much  less  to  England  ; 
sure  we  are  we  have  writt  no  untruth.'  Reiterate  their  former 
account  [see  p.  77]  of  their  dealings  with  Yard  and  his  ship  Endea- 
vour^ and  deny  absolutely  that  they  ever  gave  him  authority  to 
build  any  such  vessel.  As  desired,  he  shall  be  sent  to  Bantam  at 
the  first  opportunity.     On  Yard  offering  to  give  a  fair  price  for  the 

^  For  another  copy  see  the  0.  C.  Dtiplicates. 

FOSTEK    VII  I 


114  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Endeavour  for  breaking  up,  she  was  hauled  ashore  and  the  upper 
works  dismantled  under  his  direction.  The  hull  now  lies  '  in  the 
wash  of  the  shore,  ready  to  be  broke  all  to  pieces  with  the  first  fowle 
weather ',  and  is  worth  no  more  than  so  much  firewood.  Day's  em- 
ployment to  Persia  in  the  Hopewell  was  quite  in  accordance  with 
the  Company's  instructions.  The  dispatch  of  that  vessel  straight 
to  England  was  only  contemplated  in  the  event  of  her  returning  to 
the  Coast  too  late  to  be  sent  to  Bantam  ;  and  as  she  has  now  got 
back  in  good  time,  she  will  be  duly  dispatched  to  the  latter  place 
instead.  The  '  red  earth  '  might  well  have  been  written  off  at  Ban- 
tam, but,  as  it  has  been  re-charged  to  the  Coast,  '  wee'l  cleere  it  on 
our  bookes,  where  no  proffitt  appeares  in  any  accompt.'  The  horse 
will  be  sent  in  the  Hopewell  \  also  the  butter,  coffee,  goats,  and 
buckets  desired.  Rejoice  that  Winter  and  Collet  arrived  at  Bantam 
in  good  health.  Note  that  they  have  been  detained  there,  *  for 
want  of  able  men ',  until  next  shipping,  when  the  former  is  to  be 
allowed  to  proceed  to  England,  while  the  latter,  'haveing  incourage- 
ment,  is  content  to  stay.'  '  It  seems  Bantam  ayre  hath  purg'd  them 
that  now  they  can  see  wherein  they  have  abused  the  Company. 
We  hope  the  English  ayre,  or  the  ayre  between  England  and  Ban- 
tam, being  more  sereene,  will  soe  purge  their  consciences  that  theile 
bee  able  to  speake  all  the  truth  when  they  come  home,  for  (or  we 
miss  our  marke)  they  will  be  called  to  accompt  and  be  forced  eyther 
to  deny  or  justyfie  what  they  have,  like  course  friends,  put  theire 
hands  unto/  The  letter  of  May  31  requires  no  lengthy  answer ;  but 
they  deny  emphatically  the  charge  of  insubordination.  *  One  of  the 
two  books  touching  the  peace  and  articles  of  agreement  'twixt  the 
English  and  the  Portugalls  we  have  according  to  your  order  dis- 
peeded  to  Surratt.  But  forasmuch  as  concernes  the  Dutch  and  the 
Portugalls,  'tis  here  in  these  partes  warrs  as  formerly.  For  in  Caelon 
the  Dutch  and  Portugalls  have  fought  and  (as  reporte  goes)  the 
Dutch  lost  in  that  land  fight  400  men,  besides  many  taken  prisoners.^ 
At  Goa  the  Portugalls  tooke  lately  a  greate  shipp  belonging  to  the 
Dutch,  ritchly  laden  from  Pertia,  wherein  was  Comandore  Willbram  ^. 

^  This  refers  to  the  defeat  of  the  Dutch  near  Galle  in  May,  1643  ;  but  their  loss  is 
exaggerated  {Hague  Transcripts,  series  i.  vol.  xiii.  no.  410;  Dagh- Register,  1643-44, 
p.  221). 

^  Wollebrant  Geleijnszoon  :  see  above,  p.  83,  and  a  note  on  p.  240  of  the  previous  volume. 
The  capture  of  his  ship  is  related  in  detail  later  (p.  150).  ' 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  115 

And  here  in  sight  of  us  last  moneth  the  Portugalls  tooke  a  small 
vessel!,  belonging  to  the  Dommini  ^  of  Pullecatt,  that  came  from  Cae- 
loan  ;  but  being  he  is  mutch  in  favour  with  the  Jesuitts,  after  a  10  or 
15  dayes  she  was  retourned  him  againe.  Since  when  the  road  of 
St.  Thomay  hath  seldome  been  free  of  a  Dutch  shipp,  to  keep  ifi 
those  that  would  to  sea  or  to  surprize  such  as  are  bound  in  thither. 
.  . .  Speakeing  of  our  priviledges  in  this  place,  you  say  you  doubt 
they  will  not  be  many  or  greate.  To  free  that  doubt,  we  say  they 
are  many  and  greate  ;  for  did  the  Company  but  drive  any  indifferent 
trade,  the  customes  onely  would  more  then  defray  all  the  charges  of 
the  garrison ;  and  this  we  shall  be  able  to  make  appeare  in  con- 
venient time.  But  it  seems  the  particulers  of  the  piscash  sente  our 
Naigue,  or  rather  the  King,  thereby  to  have  our  priviledges  con- 
firmd,  was  not  incerted ;  which  we  wonder  at,  for  the  transcript  of 
ours  to  you  tells  us  it  was  7  yards  scarlett,  16  yards  greene,  16  3^ards 
redd  cloth  ;  10  maund  sandall ;  3  lookeing  glasses ;  and  one  chest 
rosewater.  Tis  a  miserie  unsufiferable  to  be  deplored  by  those  that 
can,  ought,  and  will  not  helpe.  You  have  of  a  long  time  knowne 
how  'tis  with  us.  'Tis  like  to  be  rather  worse  then  better_,  unless 
you  or  our  masters  helpe  us  ;  for  we  doe  dayly  increase  our  ingage- 
ments.'  Should  sufficient  means  arrive  to  pay  their  debts  and  make 
an  investment,  the  resulting  goods  shall  be  sent  to  Bantam  without 
delay  ;  '  but  our  debts  in  the  first  place  must  be  payd,  and  with  the 
first  meanes  that  comes  on  this  coast :  elce  our  masters  or  you  were 
better  to  withdrawe  us  all  from  hence.'  The  master  of  the  Advice 
shall  be  told  of  the  damage  done  to  certain  bales,  and  warned  to 
be  more  careful  in  future.  Note  what  is  said  concerning  the 
Macassar  trade.  Finally, 'Andrew  Cogan  saith  that,  with  as  mutch 
patience  as  a  dejected  man  may,  he  awayts  the  Companies  pleasure 
for  his  removeall  from  this  uncomfortable  imployment,  being  you 
say  you  cannot  condiscend  unto  it.'  ^  Now  relate  what  has  hap- 
pened since  the  departure  of  the  Advice.  '  This  countrey  hath  byn, 
and  still  is  at  present,  all  in  broyles,  one  Nague  against  another,  and 
most  against  the  King  ;  which  makes  all  trade  at  a  stand.  But  the 
King,  by  meanes  of  the  King  of  Vizapore,  whoe  for  15  lacke  of 

1  Domine  or  Dominus,  a  chaplain   or  preacher.     His  name  appears  to  have  been 
Carolus  de  Ladossa  {Dagh- Register,  1643-44,  PP-  25I1  260,  &c.). 

*  Evidently  this  was  written  before  Cogan  decided  to  proceed  to  Bantam  in  the  Hopewell. 

I  a 


ii6  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

pagothaes  and  34  eliphants  hath  sente  some  thousands  of  horse 
for  his  assistance,  is  like  to  have  the  better.'  On  May  6  Jacob 
Fuddle  arrived;  'by  whome  we  understood  of  your  healths,  &c.' 
On  the  20th  came  in  the  Hopewell  from  Persia.  She  had  there  pro- 
cured '  a  fraight  for  DabuU,  the  King  of  Gulquondahs  ambassador, 
which  paid  fraight  31,557  sha[hees]  :  all  which,  with  the  proceed 
of  such  goods  as  were  sold  in  Gombroone,  Mr.  Day  brought  with 
him,  all  amo[unting]  to  9,398  pago[das],  5  fa[nams] '.  Certain 
goods  were  returned  as  unvendible  ;  others  were  left  at  Gombroon 
for  sale,  and  the  proceeds  were  subsequently  sent  in  the  Dutch  ship 
which  (as  already  related)  was  captured  at  Goa.  The  Hopewell  was 
then  dispatched  on  June  i  to  Tranquebar  and  other  places  in  quest 
of  longcloth,  Trumball  having  been  first  removed  from  her  owing  to 
the  refusal  of  his  crew  to  sail  with  him.  Day  was  put  in  charge,  with 
orders  to  start  back  not  later  than  July  25  ;  '  but  the  President  of  the 
Danes  abusing  his  trust,  caused  him  to  stay  till  the  9th  current,  when 
then  he  was  forced  to  bring  away  all  such  goods  as  he  had  bought  un- 
sorted  and  unimballd.'  She  anchored  in  this  road  on  the  nth  at 
night ;  and  the  packing  of  her  cargo  has  taken  until  the  24th.  Trum- 
ball was  restored  to  his  post ;  but  this  '  caus'd  all  or  the  most  parte 
of  the  shipps  company  to  leave  the  shipp,  vowing  rather  to  leape 
into  the  sea '.  Cogan  therefore  offered  to  proceed  in  the  ship  to 
Bantam,  leaving  Day  in  his  place,  and  this  was  approved  in  consul- 
tation. No  other  solution  was  possible,  for  they  could  not  obtain 
sufficient  men  from  the  shore  to  replace  the  mutineers,  and  no  help 
was  to  be  expected  from  the  master  of  the  Advice  (which  arrived  on 
the  15th  current),  '  because  not  consign' d  to  us.*  Refer  to  Cogan 
for  further  details.     {Copy.     6^  pp.) 

Francis  Day  at  Fort  St.  George  to  the  Company, 
August  30,  1643  {O.C.  1834). 

Wrote  last  from  *  Ballisarra '  (by  way  of  Surat),  advising  that 
most  of  their  cash  had  been  perforce  employed  in  clearing  off  old 
debts.  It  was  then  expected  that  fresh  loans  would  in  conse- 
quence be  forthcoming  when  money  was  needed  ;  but  time  *  hath 
discovered  the  contrary.'  This  will  probably  cause  '  an  unmerritted 
censure  of  the  Coast ' — an  outcome  which  he  feared  at  the  time  of  his 
engagement,  and  he  now  regrets  that  he  did  not  make  matters  clear 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  117 

before  he  accepted  the  employment.  Trusts  that  the  little  now  sent 
will  give  sufficient  profit  to  encourage  the  Company  to  prosecute 
the  trade  and  send  funds  to  clear  their  debts  and  save  them  from 
'  that  devouringe  canker  of  intrest  which  hath  impoysoned  all  the 
best  indeavours  of  those  that  have  had  the  mannaginge  of  your 
estates.  Untill  such  time,  I  say,  and  your  resolution  for  duble 
stockinge  the  Coast,  tis  impossible  to  comply  with  your  desires  or 
give  content  to  your  Presidents.'  Cannot  tell  why  the  trade  on  the 
Coast  has  been  so  unsuccessful ;  *  but  sure,  yf  you  please  but  to 
cause  an  exact  calculation  of  Dutch  affaires,  you  will  then  finde  that 
this  Coast  is  the  nerves  and  life  of  all  their  great  undertakings,  and 
yf  they  lade  a  shipp,  two,  three,  or  more,  at  Surratt  annually,  they 
doe  more  then  trible  it  on  this  Coast.'  Feels  it  his  duty  as  a  loyal  ser- 
vant to  offer  advice  as  to  the  measures  necessary  to  be  taken  to  im- 
prove matters.  First,  the  Coast  must  be  double  stocked,  as  already 
recommended.  Secondly,  two  or  three  ketches  of  from  30  to  50  tons 
should  be  sent  for  use  here.  These  would  assist  in  '  the  congrega- 
tinge  of  all  goods  to  this  port,  wheare  they  may  be  in  securitie  till 
shipps  arrivall ',  thus  facilitating  the  dispatch  of  the  latter  to  Bantam. 
They  might  also  be  employed  in  carrying  goods  to  other  ports  for 
sale  ;  and  their  charge  would  be  very  little,  '  beinge  manned  out  of 
your  foart '.  Thirdly,  more  should  be  left  to  the  Agent's  discretion, 
and  the  Company  should  not  '  looke  more  on  the  success  then  on 
the  intent '.  These  measures,  if  adopted,  would  produce  results 
which  would  *  vindicate  the  lost  repute  of  this  Coast '.  Refers  for 
further  details  to  Cogan,  '  whose  abbillities  and  knowledge  of  this 
Coast  may  not  be  questioned '.  The  accompanying  accounts  will 
show  what  Day  has  done  at  Balasore  and  at  Gombroon.  Cannot 
now  say  how  far  the  Third  Joint  Stock  will  be  indebted  to  the  First 
General  Voyage,  but  fears  that  the  remains  will  be  too  large  '  for 
your  proffitt '.  Will  write  on  this  subject  to  the  President  at  Bantam. 
Owing  to  his  recent  voyages  and  the  short  notice  at  which  he  has 
accepted  '  this  unthankfuU  imployment ',  he  cannot  give  a  full 
account  of  the  present  state  of  affairs  here  ;  but  he  hopes  to  do 
so  shortly,  by  way  of  Surat.  The  company  has  repeatedly  censured 
this  Agency  for  building  the  Fort,  at  great  charge  and  without 
authority.'  On  the  latter  point  he  will  say  nothing  ;  but,  as  regards 
the  former,  he  is  prepared  not  only  to  excuse  but  to  commend  the 


]i8  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

action.  '  For,  compareinge  the  price  of  Armagon  and  this  place, 
there  is  such  an  unequallitie,  which,  yf  you  please  throughly  and 
truly  to  have  calculated,  you  will  then  finde  that  what  hath  been 
done  was  noe  more  then  necessary,  and  very  proffittable  for  you.  For 
such  goods  that  is  now  heare  bought  for  SJ  and  9  pag[odas]  I  have 
paid  there  11^  and  lij ;  besides  hazard  [to?]  your  estates  in 
intrustinge  it  to  uncertayne  merchants,  six,  seven,  eight,  and  sum- 
tymes  more  monthes.'  Refers  to  the  enclosed  papers  for  an  account 
of  Trumball's  abuses  and  threats,  which  forced  Day  to  decide  to 
proceed  overland  to  Surat  rather  than  run  the  hazard  of  a  further 
voyage  with  him.  Had  Day  considered  merely  his  own  interests, 
he  would  have  persisted  in  this  intention  instead  of  accepting  his 
present  post.  As  it  is,  he  hopes  the  Company  will  relieve  him  of 
his  charge  at  the  earliest  opportunity.  In  the  meantime,  he  assures 
them  of  his  best  endeavours  in  their  service.  ( 3  J  //.  Received  by 
the  Mary,  June  15,  1644.) 

Francis  Day  at  Fort  St.  George  to  the  President  and 
Council  at  Bantam,  August  30, 1643  {p£.  1835).! 

For  an  account  of  matters  here,  he  refers  to  the  general  letter  and 
his  own  letter  to  the  Company.  Desires  them  to  consider  what  is 
to  be  done  about  the  indebtedness  of  the  Joint  Stock  to  the  Voyage. 
Suggests  that  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  Hopewell  should  be  inter- 
rogated as  to  the  truth  of  the  charges  made  against  Trumball. 
Begs  that  they  will  speedily  relieve  him  of  this  '  inforced  imploy- 
ment '  by  appointing  a  successor.     {Copy.     %  p.) 

Thomas  Dowle,  Master  of  the  Advice,  at  Masulipatam 
to  [the  President  at  Bantam],  September  19,  1643  {O.C. 

1837). 

Narrates  the  events  of  their  voyage  since  their  departure  from 
Bantam.  On  April  7  they  reached  the  supposed  latitude  of 
Reeling's  Islands  \see  p.  97]  and  then  ran  west  along  that  parallel 
until  there  was  no  longer  any  hope  of  seeing  them.  Proceeded 
therefore  to  Rodriguez,  which  was  reached  on  April  23.  Sent 
a  boat  on  shore  *  to  discover  any  signe  of  our  shipps  being  there ; 

^  There  is  another  copy  among  the  0.  C.  Duplicates. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  119 

but  could  find  none  but  a  crose  and  a  plasc  where  ficr  hadd  binn 
made  by  a  French  and  Dutch  shipp  that  hadd  binn  there  four 
monthes  before  us ',  as  they  afterwards  learnt  at  Mauritius.  Departed 
next  day,  and  went  in  search  of  the  island  called  *  the  English 
Forest '  [Reunion],  but  without  result.  On  April  28  they  anchored 
at  Mauritius,  where  the  Dutch  came  on  board,  and  also  three  men 
that  had  been  in  one  of  Courteen's  ships,  called  the  Harry  Bona- 
venttire,  which  was  cast  away  in  a  hurricane  while  homewards  bound 
with  a  cargo  of  pepper.  Could  hear  nothing  of  *  our  lost  shipps  ' 
[i.e.  the  Jewel  and  the  Jonas].  Having  obtained  wood  and  water, 
they  sailed  on  May  7  and  next  day  reached  the  island  of  [  ]  ^ 

Went  ashore  there  on  the  9th  and  found  many  turtles  and  hogs  ^. 
On  May  17  they  sighted  Madagascar  ;  but,  owing  to  contrary  winds 
and  currents,  they  did  not  attain  St.  Augustine's  Bay  until  the  23rd. 
Could  only  get  a  small  quantity  of  beef  to  salt ;  and  then  the 
attitude  of  the  natives  became  so  hostile  that  they  were  obliged  to 
embark  their  goods  and  men,  all  further  trade  being  conducted  on 
board.  Sailed  on  June  10  and,  after  attempting  in  vain  to  make  the 
NW.  coast  of  Madagascar,  anchored  at  Mayotta  [in  the  Comoros] 
on  the  24th.  Had  hoped  '  to  have  gotten  lustie  blacks  there ;  but 
they  had  kild  theire  king  22  dayes  before  that  we  came  there  and 
they  hadd  made  another  king,  but  he  could  not  come  to  the  crowne 
before  the  next  moone  ;  soe  that  we  could  gett  but  three  blacks 
there.'  On  July  3  they  departed  for  Johanna  and  reached  it  two 
days  later.  Found  that  they  could  not  get  there  any  '  blacks ' 
(except  one  woman)  under  20  rials  of  eight  apiece  ;  this  would  soon 
have  exhausted  their  scanty  stock  of  money,  and  they  had  nothing 
else  available,  '  for  all  our  barambaram  ^  we  have  left  behind  us.' 
Sailed  on  the  7th.  Reached  Tranquebar  on  August  12,  and  the 
next  day  John  Jeffries  died.  Arrived  at  Madraspatam  on  August  15. 
Has  now  been  ordered  to  proceed  to  the  Bay,  though  the  time  of 
year  is  far  spent.  Will  not  fail  to  start  on  return  voyage  to  Bantam 
by  December  31  at  the  latest.  The  lead  cannot  be  sold  here  and,  if 
they  fail  to  reach  the  Bay  to  dispose  of  it  there,  he  cannot  tell  how 

^  Blank  in  the  MS. ;  but  it  seems  to  have  been  Reunion,  the  very  island  they  had  been 
looking  for  in  vain  (see  the  1624-29  volume,  p.  263). 

'  Herbert,  who  was  there  in  1629,  says  that  his  ship  left  some  goats  and  hogs  on  the 
island  {Travels^  1638,  p.  351  ;  also  the  1624-29  volume,  p.  332). 

3  Malay  barang-barang,  *  goods '. 


120  THE  ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

to  get  money  to  buy  the  provisions  wanted  for  Bantam,  as  the 
factors  on  this  Coast  will  not  provide  him  with  funds.  Jeffries' 
goods  and  clothes  have  been  sold,  and  the  proceeds  entered  in  the 
purser's  book  for  payment  in  England.  Some  ambergris  belonging 
to  him  is  sent  herewith  ;  also  his  books  and  papers.  Has  forwarded 
by  the  Hopewell  to  Bantam  some  beef  salted  at  Madagascar,  and 
four  '  cofries'  \see  p.  8i],  viz.  two  men  (cost  lo  rials  each),  one  boy 
(6  rials),  and  one  woman  (9  rials).  Refers  to  his  journal  (sent  here- 
with) for  particulars  of  his  voyage.     {Copy,     3 J  //.) 

Francis  Day,  Henry  Greenhill,  and  George  Travell  at 
Fort  St.  George  to  Thomas  Peniston  and  others  at  Masu- 
LiPATAM,  September  22,  1643  {O.C.  1838). 

Enclose  a  letter  received  from  Bantam  on  the  19th.  The  orders 
contained  therein  about  the  return  of  the  Advice  to  that  port  must 
be  carefully  obeyed.     (Copy,    \  p.) 

The  Same  to  the  Same,  September  23, 1643  {O.C.  1838). 

A  ship  [the  Hart\  arrived  from  England  this  morning.  Now  send 
transcripts  of  her  letters  and  invoice,  and  will  advise  further  by  that 
vessel,  which  will  be  dispatched  to  them  in  two  days.  PS. — Cannot 
get  the  letters  transcribed  in  time,  as  the  Danes,  who  will  deliver 
this,  refuse  to  wait  any  longer.     {Copy.    |  /.) 

Consultation  held  at  Fort  St.  George  by  the  Agent 
AND  Council,  September  24,  1643  {O.C.  1839). 

The  Hart  having  arrived  yesterday  with  ten  chests  of  rials  ^  and 
six  of  coral  (besides  ships'  stores),  the  disposal  of  her  and  her  cargo 
is  considered.  It  is  resolved  to  land  here  only  the  coral  and  two 
chests  of  treasure,  and  to  send  her  with  the  rest  to  Masulipatam, 
where  the  money  is  to  be  used  in  satisfying  the  most  pressing  of 
their  creditors  and  in  making  an  investment  for  Bantam.  Whether 
the  Hart  should  then  go  to  Bantam  or  to  Persia  must  be  left  to  the 
factors  at  Masulipatam.     (i  J  pp.) 

^  This  would  mean  40,000  rials  of  eight  (10,000/.). 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  121 

Consultation  held  at  Bantam  by  President  Cartwright 
AND  Council,  September  25,  1643  (O.C  1840). 

.  .  .  The  Company  having  ordered  the  return  of  Cogan  from  the 
Coast  at  or  before  Ivy's  arrival,  and  Day  being  likewise  expected  to 
leave  those  parts,  some  able  and  experienced  men  will  be  needed 
there.  Have  accordingly  prevailed  on  Thomas  Winter  to  stay 
another  three  years  from  the  expiration  of  his  contract  (which  was 
about  June  12,  1642),  at  a  salary  of  80/.  per  annum.  He  is  to  be 
employed  on  the  Coast,  and  to  rank  next  to  Cogan,  Day,  and 
Peniston.  .  .  .  {Extract.     J  /.) 

The  Company  to  the  President  and  Council  at  Surat 
[November  27,  1643^]  (Factory  Records^  Miscellaneous,  vol.  xii. 

p.  89). 

Wrote  on  March  24  last  \iiot  extajtt']  by  the  Dolphin  and  Hind, 
which  left  the  Downs  on  April  10.  Had  in  addition  prepared  the 
Mary  for  Bantam,  the  Hart  (with  a  cargo  of  11,493/.  4-^-  Sd.)  for 
the  Coast  of  Coromandel,  and  the  Seajiower,  '  intended  to  touch  at 
St.  Laurence  and  Mozambique  and  to  make  some  triall  of  trade  on 
the  coast  of  Soffola  and  those  parts,  and  then  to  prosecute  her 
voyadge  for  your  port  of  Swalley.'  Sent  by  the  last-named  letters 
dated  February  27,  1643  \iiot  extant']  and  laded  on  her  moneys  and 
goods  to  the  value  of  10,636/.  17^-.  6d.,  a  small  part  of  which  was 
intended  for  Mozambique  and  the  parts  adjacent.  Had  intended 
that  both  the  Seaflower  and  the  Hart  should  have  been  dispeeded 
earlier ;  but  *  troubles  att  home  and  delay es  from  abroad,  with 
opposition  of  contrary  wind '  prevented  them  from  quitting  the 
Downs  until  March  8.  Trust  they  have  duly  arrived.  The 
Crispiana  and  Aleppo  Merchant  reached  the  Downs  on  July  19, 
having  brought  with  them  from  St.  Helena  the  Reformation  from 
Bantam,  with  a  cargo  of  pepper,  cloves,  sugar,  &c.  On  July  28 
news  was  received  that  the  Ulysses  from  Bantam  had  arrived  at 

^  The  date  is  supplied  by  the  letters  sent  in  reply  {O.C.  1901,  1905).  This  letter  was 
sent  by  the  Endeavour,  which  left  the  Thames  towards  the  end  of  November,  1643,  bound 
for  the  Coromandel  Coast,  whence  the  present  letter  was  to  be  dispatched  overland  to  Surat. 
This  vessel  must  be  distinguished  from  the  one  of  the  same  name  bought  by  Yard  in  the 
Bay  of  Bengal. 


10,2  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Plymouth,  and  in  August  she  '  came  safe  into  the  river  of  Thames  '. 
Lastly,  on  October  30,  the  Blessing  came  in  unexpectedly  from 
Bantam,  bringing  intelligence  of  the  arrival  there  from  Surat  of  the 
Advice  with  a  well-sorted  cargo  of  goods.  Now  intend  to  dispatch 
to  Bantam  by  the  beginning  of  March  next  the  William  (a  nfew 
ship  of  650  tons)  and  the  Blessing  (260  tons).  On  October  3  received 
a  packet  overland  via  Basra  and  Aleppo,  containing  the  Surat  letter 
of  March  20,  1643,  one  from  Basra  of  June  30  \iiot  exta7tt\,  a  number 
of  documents  from  Persia,  &c.  As  they  are  preparing  for  Surat 
the  Crispiana  and  the  John  (a  new  ship  of  360  tons),  it  is  not 
necessary  to  write  now  at  great  length,  and  they  will  therefore  only 
deal  with  the  goods  brought  home  by  the  Crispiana  and  Aleppo 
Merchant.  These  all  came  *  well-conditioned ',  except  certain  bales 
of  piece-goods  which  had  been  cut  open  before  being  shipped,  part 
of  the  contents  stolen,  and  the  resulting  vacancies  filled  with  '  a 
whitish  clay'.  The  silk  invoiced  as  'Cannaree'  turned  out  to  be 
'  Legee  * ;  however,  it  is  *  a  good,  cleane,  round  sorte '.  Desire  in 
future  only  clean  and  well-conditioned  silk,  either  *  Legee'  or 
'  Ardasse  ',  but  no  '  Cannaree '}  As  regards  the  indigo,  neither  kind 
was  up  to  the  standard  of  previous  consignments ;  while  three  of 
the  bales  described  as  Biana  indigo  were  found  to  be  nothing  but 
black  earth  or  clay.  As  each  bale  should  weigh  4  maunds  or  220  lb., 
the  loss  is  660  lb.  at  6s.  Sd.  Bornford,  on  being  questioned,  denied 
all  knowledge  of  the  matter,  suggesting  that  these  bales  may  belong 
to  the  portion  bought  at  Surat.  This  practice  of  pleading  ignorance 
is  too  common  ;  '  but  wee  must  have  another  reckning,  for  it  must 
be  satisfaction  that  will  give  us  content.'  Intend  to  send  back  these 
three  bales  next  spring.  The  Sarkhej  indigo  was  moderately  good  ; 
but  its  *  new  face  or  fabrique '  is  disapproved,  as  likely  to  lead 
dishonest  persons  to  sell  it  as  Biana  indigo.  A  thousand  bales  in 
all  of  the  two  sorts  will  suffice  for  the  future.  Complaints  of  the 
quality  of  the  indigo  sold  by  the  Dutch  suggest  that  in  their  case 
some  Sarkhej  indigo  has  been  made  up  in  Lahore  fashion  and  sold 
as  such.  '  Wee  therefore  desire  that  old  customes  may  be  kept  and 
the  commodity  appeare  in  its  wonted  forme.'     Complain  of  the 

^  For  '  Cannaree '  silk  see  a  note  on  p.  195  of  the  previous  volume.  *  Legee '  silk  came 
from  Lahijan  ;  vs'hile  '  Ardasse  '  is  supposed  to  have  taken  its  name  from  Arras  of  Arrash, 
a  town  in  Georgia,  now  known  as  Elizabetpol  or  Ganja. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  123 

large  quantity  of  sand  found  among  the  indigo.  Markets,  both 
here  and  on  the  Continent,  are  so  bad  that  it  has  been  decided  to 
divide  the  indigo,  cinnamon,  and  piece-goods  among  the  adven- 
turers in  the  General  Voyage.  Indigo  is  especially  debased  in 
price,  owing  partly  to  the  large  quantity  brought  home  as  private 
trade  in  the  Crispiana  and  the  Aleppo  Merchant^  nearly  40,000  lb. 
having  been  discovered,  besides  what  has  escaped  detection. 
Evidently  there  is  a  large  amount  of  private  trade,  both  outwards 
and  homewards,  and  yet  the  Surat  factors  do  nothing  to  stop  it. 
'  Since  there  is  such  a  generall  combination  amongst  all  sorts  of 
people  in  our  imployment,  both  on  shore  in  the  Indies  and  on  ship- 
board, for  the  prosecuting  of  privat  trade,  wee  shall  be  constrayned 
to  take  some  more  severe  course  against  that  unlawfull  practice  then 
willingly  wee  would,  since  no  faire  meanes  or  admonition  will  take 
place  amongst  them.'  The  calicoes  last  received  have  '  for  lacke  of 
markett '  been  distributed  among  the  adventurers,  rated  '  at  i\  upon 
their  prime  coast '.  Cannot  commend  the  '  Nursapoore  jooris  '  from 
Sind  ;  they  are  thin  cloths  '  onlie  made  fayre  to  the  eye  by  overmuch 
starching,  slicking,  and  beating.  .  .  .  They  are  neither  good  cloth 
or  full  size.'  Much  prefer  the '  Dorbella '  [Darbclo]  sort,  which  comes 
also  from  Sind  ;  of  these  four  or  five  thousand  pieces  would  sell. 

*  So  would  some  of  them  also  made  in  Sevensteere  [Sehwan]  ;  and 
the  indico  of  that  place  also  would  find  vent  here,  if  well  bought 
and  carefully  chosen.'  The  broad  baftas  of  Baroda  and  Broach  are 
^  more  substantiall  and  serviceable '  (besides  being  cheaper)  than  the 

*  Echbarrees ',  which  are  only  a  longer  and  rather  broader  sort  of 
'  Mercules'.    The  last-named  were  at  first  held  in  good  reputation, 

*  being  then  full  15  yards  long  and  yard  wide  and  also  substantiall 
cloth'  ;  but  those  which  came  in  the  London  in  1643  were  one- 
eighth  of  a  yard  narrower,  and  are  consequently  almost  all  still  on 
hand.  If  any  more  be  sent,  they  must  be  full  size,  both  in  length 
and  breadth,  and  *  well  whited  '.  The  '  Deerebauds  ',  bought  at  Agra, 
'  give  content ',  but  more  care  must  be  taken  in  the  bleaching.  '  The 
narraw  baftaes  of  Suratt  and  the  Nunceree  [Nosari]  making  are  the 
most  true  and  substantiall  cloth  of  all  India '  ;  '  but  of  these  or  any 
other  sorts  we  would  not  desire  above  20,000  pieces  of  all  kinds, 
untill  the  market  be  quicker  and  the  commodity  more  in  request  ; 
for  now  they  are  almost  out  of  request  with  every  man,  and  this 


124  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

hath  proceeded  from  their  dearnesse  and  ill  making,  and  unlesse 
both  these  can  be  amended  callicoes  will  be  at  a  stand,  except  they 
may  be  afforded  to  undersell  forraigne  linnens.'     The  same  quantity 
as  before  of  '  nicaneers '  and  other  Guinea  stuffs  may  be  sent.     The 
'  pintadoe  quilts  '  sold  for  50^.  each  ;  but  *  they  serve  more  to  content 
and  pleasure  our  freinds  then  for  any  proffit  [that]  ariseth  in  sales '. 
Not  more  than  a  hundred  should  be  forwarded  yearly  ;  and,  both  as 
regards  those  and  the  '  chintes ',  more  should  be  made  *  with  white 
grounds,  and  the  branches  and  flowers  to  be  in  coUors,  and  not  to 
be  (as  these  last  sent)  all  in  generall  of  deep  redd  ground  and  other 
more  sadder  collers.'     The  cotton  yarn,  being  good,  sold  at  2s.  gd, 
per  lb. ;  coarse  yarn  is  almost  unsaleable.    The  best  was  that  bought 
in  Surat  and  neighbourhood ;  and  70  or  80  bales  of  equal  quality 
will  be  welcome.     If  saltpetre  be  sent,  it  must  be  '  refined  up  to  the 
assay  of  proofe  ',  as  otherwise  it  is  not  worth  carriage  ;  besides,  it  is 
liable  to  damage  other  goods.     Cannot  sell  the  Roman  vitriol  or 
'  mottueta '  [see  p.  86]  ;  so  no  more  should  be  supplied  until  it  is 
asked  for.     The  '  tincall '  [borax]  fetched  15/.  per  hundredweight. 
'  Of  this  commodity  we  know  there  is  good  quantities,  if  you  please 
but  to  make  us  the  sole  proprietors  thereof  in  our  returnes,  be  it  to 
the  quantity  of  15  or  20,000  lb.  weight.     Wee  therefore  doe  hereby 
againe  require  you  to  forbidd  all  marriners  and  others  to  meddle  or 
bring  home  any  of  the  said  commodity,  for  wee  will  either  confiscate 
the  same  or  make  them  pay  such  freight  as  that  the  commodity 
shall  yeild  them  little  advance ;  and  so  much  we  require  you  to 
declare  unto  them  all,  for  in  this  returne  they  have  brought  neer 
2,000  lb.  waight.'     Of  gum-lac  the  same  quantity  as  before  may  be 
sent ;  also  some  olibanum,  myrrh,  aloes  Socotrina,  and  cardamoms. 
No  more  beads  for  bartering  required  at  present.     Cinnamon  main- 
tains its  price  at  ^s.  per  lb.,  and  500  skins  may  be  supplied  yearly. 
The  dry  ginger  was  sold  at  a  loss,  and  no  more  is  desired.     The 
Indian  sugar  is  likewise  in  no  demand,  and  any  stock  on  hand  should 
therefore  be  disposed  of  at  Surat.     The  turmeric  had  better  have 
been  thrown  overboard  than  brought  home,  being  so  '  drie  and  old 
and  wormeaten  '  that  no  one  will  buy  it.     The  Malabar  pepper  will 
not  fetch  more  than  i^d.  per  lb. ;  if  it  can  be  bought  at  wonted 
prices,  some  may  be  shot  loose  among  the  bale  goods,  but  otherwise 
it  is  not  worth  bringing.     In  making  up  the  return  cargo,  pre'ference 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  125 

should  be  given  to  indigo,  but  its  quality  must  be  good.  Of  calicoes, 
cotton  yarn,  and  drugs  they  have  already  spoken.  The  Endcavotir 
has  been  specially  built  for  service  in  India ;  she  is  of  nearly  200 
tons  burden,  strong,  and  of  small  draught.  She  is  now  intended 
for  the  Coromandel  Coast,  carrying  money  and  coral  to  the  amount 
of  11,094/.  8^.  Afd,  On  arrival  there,  she  is  to  go  into  the  Bay  of 
Bengal  for  three  or  four  months,  and  then,  on  her  return  to  the 
Coast,  to  proceed  with  a  cargo  of  suitable  goods  to  Gombroon. 
The  proceeds  of  these  goods  she  is  to  bring  to  Surat,  the  President 
and  Council  having  previously  repaid  to  the  Coast  factors  their  full 
value.  The  ship  is  then  to  remain  at  the  disposal  of  the  President 
and  Council  of  Surat,  at  whose  request  she  has  been  built.  Next 
spring  the  Crispiana  and  a  new  ship  of  400  \sic\  tons,  called  the  Jo/ui, 
will  be  dispatched  to  Surat,  though  possibly  one  of  them  may  be 
directed  to  call  at  Cannanore  and  other  Malabar  ports  on  her  way. 
*  These  are  our  hopes  and  desires  ;  and  wee  wish  we  may  not  come 
short  in  any  of  them.  Yet  wee  are  fearfull  how  far  wee  shall  be 
able  to  performe  in  this  troublesome  tymes,  when  all  trade  and 
commerce  in  this  kingdome  is  almost  fallen  to  the  ground  through 
our  owne  unhappie  divisions  at  home,  unto  which  the  Lord  in  mercie 
put  a  good  end ;  and  as  the  badnesse  of  trade  and  scarsity  of 
monyes  are  here,  so  is  all  Europe  in  little  better  condition,  but  in 
a  turmoyle,  either  forraigne  or  domestique  warr  ;  by  which  meanes 
monies  are  not  procurable  as  formerly.'  The  two  ships  will 
certainly  be  sent ;  but,  as  it  may  prove  impossible  to  furnish  them 
with  a  sufficient  stock  to  provide  cargoes  for  both,  and  as  moreover, 
if  a  large  quantity  of  goods  be  brought  home,  *wee  might  lacke 
sales ',  it  will  not  be  advisable  to  prepare  in  India  beforehand  more 
than  enough  to  lade  the  Crispia?ta,  In  that  case  the  President  and 
Council  may  find  some  other  employment  for  the  jfo/ui,  on  condition 
that  they  have  her  ready  to  be  sent  home  in  November,  1645. 
'  The  divisions  is  growne  so  high  betweene  the  King  and  Parliament 
in  those  [parts  of?]  Darbyshiere  and  Yorksheere  where  the  lead  was 
shipt  off,  that  there  can  come  none  from  those  parts.  So  that,  if 
things  doe  not  suddenly  accord,  wee  have  noe  hope  to  send  you  any 
this  next  spring.  If  thcrfore  you  have  any  on  your  hands,  you 
may  seeke  to  advance  the  price  of  what  you  have  ;  for  from  hence 
wee  can  promise  none  but  att  excessive  rate.'     Will  not  absolutely 


126  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

decide  at  present  concerning  the  making  of  Sarkhej  indigo  in  the 
form  of  that  of  Lahore  ;  by  next  spring  they  will  be  able  to  see 
'  what  acceptance  in  the  interim  it  hath  found '.  The  Biana  indigo 
has  suffered  much  in  reputation  from  the  bad  quality  of  the  last 
supply,  and  unless  there  is  an  improvement  it  may  be  necessary  to 
'  give  over  the  indico  trade  '.  The  '  pintadoe  quilts '  are  reckoned 
very  dear.  The  Roman  vitriol  was  not  asked  for ;  and,  if  it  still 
remains  unsold,  it  will  be  made  over  (on  their  return)  to  the  factors 
who  bought  it ;  and  the  same  will  be  done  with  the  turmeric. 
Trouble  caused  by  piece-goods  being  found  to  be  deficient  in  length ; 
in  future,  '  let  their  length  be  certaine,  that  wee  may  know  what 
wee  sell  and  the  buyer  what  he  is  to  receave.'    [Copy,     2o|  //.) 

List  of  Writings  received  at  Bantam  from  the  Coast 
BY  the  Hopewell^  November  30,  1643  (O.C.  1836). 

Journals  and  ledgers  for  Masulipatam,  Fort  St.  George,  Balasore, 
and  '  Harrapoore ' ;  ^  various  letters  and  consultations  ;  invoices  of 
the  Hopewell  and  Hart ;  a  list  of  English  soldiers  at  Fort  St.  George ; 
a  petition  from  Geoffrey  Bradford;  &c.,  &c.    (ij//.) 

President  Cartwright  and  Council  at  Bantam  to  the 
Company,  December  9,  1643  (P.C.  1847). 

.  .  .  Note  that  the  Company  are  not  satisfied  as  to  the  origin 
of  the  debts  on  the  Coast.  Cannot  give  any  explanation  ;  but  there 
is  no  doubt  that  such  debts  exist  and  have  been  a  great  hindrance 
to  business,  both  there  and  here.  .  .  .  Ivy,  who  is  both  able  and 
discreet,  will  be  dispatched  to  the  Coast  in  May  or  June  next. 
The  factors  there  are  at  present  '  in  obscuritie,  being  destitute  of 
a  light  to  direct  them,  notwithstanding  they  have  Day  there  all 
the  day  long.  And  heere  wee  supposse  it's  not  amiss  to  lett  Your 
Worships  understand  that  Mr.  Francis  Day  was  the  first  projecture 
and  contriver  of  that  forte  or  castle  in  Madrasspatan  ;  which  another 
with  a  greite  deale  of  discontent,  laboure,  and  paines  hath  now 

1  The  Balasore  journal  goes  down  to  June  30,  1643,  while  the  Hariharpur  accounts  close 
on  August  31,  1642.  Possibly  this  was  the  date  on  which  the  latter  factory  was  withdrawn. 
It  is  true  that  on  p.  65  reference  is  made  to  certain  piece-goods  which,  in  November,  1642, 
were  being  provided  at  Hariharpur;  but  this  may  have  been  managed  through  a  native 
broker. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  127 

brought  to  some  good  pass ;  bc[ing]  a  place  of  securitie  on  that 
coast,  as  the  onelie  place  of  secured  saiftie  with  that  title  of  honoure 
(castle)  that  ever  our  nation  enjoyed  in  East  India ;  and  therefore 
in  our  opinions  to  bee  highlie  esteemed.  And  for  it's  cost,  it's 
certaine  that,  if  Your  Worships  contincw  the  Indian  trade,  in  few 
yeares  it  will  not  quitt  onelie  it's  owne  charge,  but  allsoe  produce 
benefitt  and  put  monies  into  your  purses,  by  bringeing  a  trade 
thether,  raiseing  a  custome  there,  paying  of  duties  by  the  inhabitants 
neere  adjoyning,  and  being  replenisht  with  merchants  weavers  ; 
whereby  you  may  have  all  things  necessarie  and  convenient  for  you 
under  your  owne  command.  And  happy  and  gladd  will  manie  bee 
(wherein  you  will  find  the  benefitt)  to  come  and  live  under  our 
nation  and  bee  protected  by  them.'  .  .  .  Cogan  arrived  from  the 
Coast  in  the  Hopewell  on  November  30,  bringing  goods  to  the 
value  of  22,644  rials  20^.  He  now  takes  his  passage  in  this  ship 
(the  Mary)  for  England.  Note  the  dispatch  of  the  Hart  to  the 
Coast.  She  has  arrived  there,  and  Day  has  paid  some  of  the  debts 
with  the  money  she  brought.  .  .  .  Do  not  doubt  that  the  Coast 
factors  will  cheerfully  obey  the  Court's  orders  touching  their 
subordinacy  to  Bantam.  .  .  .  The  Swan  arrived  from  Surat  on 
April  16  ;  and  the  Expedition  was  dispatched  thither  on  August  22. 
.  .  .  Have  discoursed  with  Cogan  concerning  the  fort  at  Madras- 
patam  ;  '  which  certainlie  was  at  first  projected  by  Mr.  Francis 
Day,  and  doubtless  Mr.  Cogan  would  never  have  erected  it  without 
greate  incoureagment  thereto  by  some  that  might  then  best  doe  it. 
And  notwithstanding  the  cost  bestowed  thereon  (which,  considering 
it's  building  and  strength,  will  not  appeare  too  much),  three  yeares 
time  questionless  (if  Your  Worships  continue  this  Indian  tradd) 
will  facylelie  regaine  what  hath  beene  expended  thereon,  as  hath 
beene  allreadie  said.  And  for  the  future  greite  hopes  of  benefitt 
and  incoureagement,  theirto  is  an  iland  scituated  in  the  river,  under 
the  command  of  the  castle,  whereon  is  likelie  to  bee  made  a  greate 
quantitie  of  salt  yearelie  ;  which  is  one  of  the  constantest  com- 
modities in  all  theise  easterne  parts,  and  much  monies  are  gotten 
thereby  everie  where.'  The  debts  on  the  Coast  were  made  before 
Cogan's  time ;  and  these,  with  the  high  rate  of  interest  thereon, 
have  necessarily  *  clouded  his  actions  and  good  intendments.'  Their 
speedy  liquidation  is  urgently  required,  for  both  the  factors'  business 


128  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

and  their  repute  suffer  much  on  this  account.  As  Yard  has  been 
censured  by  the  President  at  Surat  and  called  home  by  the  Company, 
nothing  will  be  done  in  the  matter  here,  but  he  will  be  sent  to 
England  in  the  Hopewell.  Re-engagement  of  three  factors,  including 
Winter.  The  accounts  received  from  the  Coast  will  be  examined, 
entered,  and  sent  by  the  Hopewell.  Some  other  books  and  writings 
go  in  the  Mary.  .  .  .  Regret  that  the  Hart  was  not  at  once  dis- 
patched from  the  Coast  hither,  in  order  that  she  might  be  sent 
home.  Have  written  to  Surat  for  a  ship  for  that  purpose,  and 
hope  to  lade  her  with  pepper  for  England,  in  addition  to  one  of 
their  own  which  will  be  dispeeded  next  July.  The  Advice  has  not 
yet  returned,  but  they  have  learned  some  particulars  of  her  voyage 
by  a  letter  from  Masulipatam  \see  p.  ii8].  They  expect  her  in 
February,  if  Day  does  not  send  her  to  Persia.  .  .  .  '  The  Dutch  are 
at  open  warrs  againe  with  the  Portugalls,  who  (poore  people)  are 
like  to  goe  by  the  walls,  for  the  Hollander[s]  have  a  fleete  of 
1%  shipps  (they  say)  goan  for  Zeloane,  but,  as  'tis  thought,  intended 
for  Goa.  They  have  taken  on  of  Squire  Curteenes  shipps  within 
the  Streights  of  Malacca  (her  name  is  the  Boone  Esperanzd)'^, 
detayned  halfe  their  men  at  Malacca,  sent  the  other  halfe  to 
Jaccatra  (from  whence  thei  have  made  meanes  unto  us  for  their 
passage  home  \see  O.C.  1844,  1850]),  and  sent  the  shipp  with  the 
rest  of  theirs,  eyther  against  Zeloan  or  Goea.'  .  .  .  {Extracts  only. 

Walter  Clark,  aboard  the  Supply  [at  Swally?],  to 
[the  President  and  Council  at  Surat],  December  17,  1643 
{O.C.  1852). 

On  May  25,  eighteen  days  after  leaving  Cochin,  the  ship  anchored 
in  Achin  Road.  Visits  were  paid  to  the  Queen  and  the  principal 
men  ;  and  then  great  delays  were  experienced,  owing  to  opposition 
of  the  Gujarat!  merchants,  who  bribed  the  officials  to  hinder  the 
passing  of  the  English  goods  through  the  custom-house.  In  the 
end  Clark  was  forced  to  pay  a  lump  sum  of  550  taels  to  get  his 
cargo    passed.      On    landing    they   were    entertained    by   Arthur 

*  See  the  account  in  the  succeeding  letter ;  also  Hague  Transcripts^  series  i.  vol.  xiii. 
no.  410,  and  series  i.  vol.  iii.  nos,  E  7,  M  7. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  129 

Keniston  \  principall  for  the  affaires  of  the  Esquire  Courteen', 
and  at  his  suggestion  they  constructed  for  thenaselves  a  godovvn 
in  the  capacious  precincts  of  his  factory.  The  Dutch  were  living 
close  by,  in  the  Company's  former  building.  Their  chief  was 
'  Petter  Williamson  ^ ',  who  died  about  a  month  after  Clark's  arrival. 
No  Dutch  ship  had  been  there  for  eleven  months,  and  the  factors 
had  scarcely  any  funds  left.  The  method  of  trading  at  Achin 
described.  Prices  of  tin  and  pepper.  Competition  of  the  Gujarat! 
merchants.  On  July  28  the  Dutch  Luipaard  anchored  in  the  road, 
having  come  from  Batavia  by  way  of  Malacca.  On  board  of  her 
was  'Peter  Surry ^  commissire  for  the  Dutch',  who  brought  news 
of  the  capture  of  the  Bona  Spcranza^  *  beinge  in  the  Esquire 
Courteens  imployment  and  fraughted  by  the  Portugalls  from  Goa 
to  China.'  ^  '  She  anchored  nere  some  of  these  ilands  what  time 
we  anchored  in  the  roade  ;  yet  had  we  not  sight  each  of  other  in 
our  navigateinge  thither.  William  Gourly^  was  principall  for  the 
negotiateinge  the  intended  designe ;  who  by  his  letter  intimateth 
that  at  the  entry  of  Mallaca  Streights  thay  encountred  a  Dutch 
yough  [i.e.  yacht]  with  18  gunes,  who  would  command  them  to 
goe  into  Mallaca  roade ;  which  thay  refuseinge,  she,  beinge  farr 
nimbler  of  saile,  left  them.  And  some  few  daies  after,  the  Bona 
Esperanca^  beinge  nere  clere  of  those  streights,  [she],  acompanied 
with  another  ship,  reencountred  them  and  willed  them  as  before 
to  returne  for  Mallaca,  to  the  intent  thay  might  have  there  Generalls 
consent  for  there  fre  passage,  which  thay  neede  not  doubt  but  would 
be  granted,  thay  payinge  custome  for  there  goods.  Gourlly,  who 
speakes  the  Dutch  language  singular,  returned  them  rough  language, 
bidinge  them  looke  up  to  there  flagg :  if  thay  had  ought  to  opose 
against  those  coulours,  he  with  his  shipps  company  was  there  to 
defend  them.  After  which  the  Dutch  sent  there  boats  abord  with 
a  protest  that  if  thay  would  not  returne  for  Mallaca  or  deliver  up 
the  Portugalls  which  thay  had  abord  fairely,  that  then  thay  would 
force  them  soe  to  doe.     All  which  he  refusingc,  the  Dutch  lett  fly 

*  Or  Kynaston.     He  had  been  purser  of  the  Roebuck  (see  the  1634-36  volume,  p.  266). 
'  Pieter  Willemszoon  (see  Dagh- Register,  1641-42,  p.  175). 

8  Pieter  Souri  (see  Dagh- Register,  1641-42,  pp.  153,  166,  &c.). 

*  See  Wi't  Lisbon  Transcripts :  Doc.  Remett.,  book  48,  ff.  151,  294.     She  had  on  board 
Luiz  de  Carvalho  de  Souza,  who  was  proceeding;  to  Macao  as  Captain-General. 

^  Probably  the  '  William  Gorle'  of  the  last  volume  (p.  Si). 

FOSTER    VH  K 


13©  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

(as  thay  say)  a  peece  unshotted  ;  the  English  affirme  the  contrary, 

sayinge  the  first  shott  thay  made  tooke  place  in  her  bowe  and 

rackinge  aftward  killed  a  man.     The  Bona  Esperanca  in  requitall 

fired  a  peece  in  her  quarter,  killed  the  comandour  of  the  Dutch  and 

two  youths.      Soe  thay  continued  in  fight  untill  the  Dutch  (as 

themselves  report)  loosinge  out  of  both  vessells  80  men,  and  (as 

Gourly  writeth)  17  English  (whereof  one  was  the  master)  killed 

and  soe  much  maimed  that,  if  thay  survive,  any  of  them,  it  wilbe 

with  the  loss  of  some  member ;    when  the   Portugalls,  who  will 

never  relinquish  there  dasterly  condition,  sent  one  aloft  with  a  white 

flagg,  themselfe[s]  beinge  in  hould  secure  from  danger.    The  Dutch 

presently  horded  them ;  carried  them  for  Mallaca ;  imprisoned  all 

the  Portingalls ;  the  maimed  men  appointed  to  the  hospitall ;  the 

sound  saylors  distributed  into  severall  vessells ;   Gourly  and  Carter 

(who,  beinge  master,  was  displaced  by  him  after  there  leaveinge 

the  coast  of  India)  only  billeted  one   shore;    particular  invoices 

taken  of  all  goods  in  hould ;  [those]  without  seased  on  and  shared 

by  the  souldiers  as  pillage.     All  beinge  refastned  and  she  surely 

mored  in  Mallaca,  a  vessell   [was]   dispeeded  to  the  Generall  of 

Battavia.'      Souri   has   obtained    from   the    Queen   of  Achin   the 

privilege  of  sole  trade  at  Tiku  and  Priaman.     Clark  '  sumbaied  ^, 

.deslringe    she    would    please    to    invest    our    nation    with    some 

favour ' ;    whereupon  she  remitted  the  customs  outward  '  for  this 

first  voyage'.      Narrates   the    further   proceedings  of  Souri,  who 

departed  on  August  20.     Clark  then  endeavoured  to  obtain  similar 

privileges  to  those  enjoyed  by  the  Dutch,  but  without  result.     If, 

however,  the  English  can  procure  the  release  of  an  '  Achener ',  who 

was  captured  by  the  Portuguese  at  Malacca  and  is  believed  to  have 

been  since  purchased  by  Francisco  de  Souza  de  Castro  in  Goa,  it 

is  certain  that  the  Queen  will  make  in  return  whatever  concessions 

they  may  desire.     Most  of  the  Supply  s  goods  have  been  sold  ;  but 

the  competition  of  the  Bengal,  Masulipatam,  and  Pegu  merchants 

much  hindered  the  purchase  of  a  return  cargo.     A  piece  of  ground 

was  obtained  on  the  riverside,  between  the  Dutch  and  the  '  Cour- 

tenians'j  and  the  erection  of  a  factory  building  was  commenced. 

No  sooner  had  the  Bengal  and  Masulipatam  junks  left  the  road 

^  An  adaptation  of  the  Malay  sambah^  a  petition  or  representatioif. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  131 

than  '  in  creps  those  Keeling^  junckes  (soe  comonly  called  by  the 
natives  here,  and  arc  not  other  than  Mallavares) ' ;  but  unfortunately 
there  was  no  opportunity  of  taking  revenge  upon  them  for  the 
capture  of  the  Comfort^  as  the  English  could  not  conclude  their 
business  on  shore  in  time.  Trade  was  restricted  by  the  action  of 
the  Dutch, '  which  continually  lurke  in  Malaca  Streights  and  pcrmitt 
not  any  to  pass,  under  pretence  of  payinge  custome  there,  and  soe 
enforce  them  for  Mallaca  ;  as  this  yeare  thay  have  done  two  junckes 
from  Rackane  [Arakan]  and  as  many  from  Macassar  bound  for 
Achene  with  some  quantities  of  cloves.  There  thay  enforce  them 
to  make  saile  of  there  goods  ;  and  sticke  not  themselves  to  report 
that  thay  doubt  not  but  to  make  it  the  mart  of  all  those  parts  and 
enforce  all  trade  thither.'  Proceedings  of  Courteen's  agent,  Keniston, 
who  succeeded  Glascock  here  in  August,  164;^.  Tin  bought  from 
the  Queen  of  Achin.  Maximilian  Bowman  was  left  in  charge  of  the 
factory,  and  with  him  Thomas  Fitch,  Francis  Scattergood,  and  one 
of  the  ship's  company ;  also  William  Dawes,  a  young  man  who 
formerly  came  from  Bengal  on  a  junk.  He  had  been  servant  in 
turn  to  Thomas  Faulkner  and  Thomas  Clark,  and  (according  to  his 
own  account)  had  been  freed  from  the  Company's  employment  by 
Cogan.  The  two  brokers  sent  from  Surat  have  both  returned ; 
but  the  brother  of  one  of  them  has  been  left  to  assist  Bowman. 
The  Supply  sailed  from  Achin  on  October  20.  The  weather  proved 
so  bad  that  they  did  not  sight  Ceylon  until  November  8,  and  ten 
days  later  they  anchored  at  Cochin.  There  Clark  received  and 
opened  a  letter  left  by  Thurston  at  his  departure,  and  also  one 
addressed  to  the  latter  from  Surat.  Bought  a  quantity  of  cinnamon, 
and  sailed  again  on  the  26th.  On  December  3  they  passed  a  fleet 
of  Malabars  near  Goa,  and  saw  four  Dutch  ships  and  a  yacht  riding 
in  the  road.  Four  days  later  the  Supply  was  off  Bombay,  and 
ever  since  she  has  been  struggling  against  adverse  winds.  The 
ship,  from  the  time  of  her  leaving  '  this  road ',  has  '  continued  thite 
[tight]  and  proved  stiffe  of  saile '.  All  her  stone  ballast  was  used 
at  Achin  in  building  the  new  factory.  A  small  quantity  of  freight 
brought  back,  at  a  charge  of  16  per  cent.  During  their  stay  at 
Achin  they  buried  five  men,  John  Woodward  amongst  them  ;  while 

^  In  Malay  countries  Indian  traders  or  immigrants  are  termed  Klings  (see  Hobson-Jobsoity 
s,v.). 

K  2 


13^^  THE   ENGLISH  FACTORIES 

almost  every  one  on  board,  including  Clark  himself,  suffered  from 
sickness.     (Copy.    'S-o^pp) 

List  of  Merchants  employed  at  Bantam  and  its  subordi- 
nates [January,  1644 1]  {O.C  1841). 

.  .  .  At  Fort  St.  George:  Francis  Day  (200/.),  Henry  Greenhill 
(50/.)^  John  Brown  (24/.),  and  William  Minn  (12/.).  At  Masulipatam : 
Thomas  Peniston  (100/.),  Henry  Olton  (150/.),  William  Methwold 
(30/.),  William  Netlam  (18/.),  William  Gurney  (20/.),  and  William 
Isaacson  (20/.).  In  Bengal:  Robert  Hatch  (80/.)  and  George  Travell 
(30/.) (p.\pp) 

List  of  Merchants  employed  in  the  Surat  Presidency 
[January,  1644?  2]  (p,C.  1842). 

At  Surat:  William  Fremlen  (500/.),  Francis  Breton  (100/.),  Thomas 
Merry  (300/.),  Richard  Fitch  (50/.),  Andrew  Baines,  minister  (50/.), 
William  Thurston  (50/.),  Edward  Pearce  (60/.),  John  Stanford  (35/.)) 
George  Oxenden  {'^^l^^  Thomas  Hill  (;^^l),  Philip  Wylde  (40/.), 
Maximilian  Bowman  (24/.),  John  Rymell (12/.), Nathaniel  Tems(i 2/.), 
John  Goodyear  (12/.),  William  Wyche  (12/.),  Luke  Pynn  (18/.),  John 
Mantell  [  ],  and  Richard  Clark  (8/.  8j.).  At  Ahmaddbdd :  George 
Tash  (40/.),  Thomas  Cogan  (20/.),  Anthony  Smith  (20/.),  and  Robert 
Heynes  (18/.).  At  Agra:  John  Turner  (80/.),  Francis  Hammersly 
(50/.),  William  Jesson  (40/.),  and  Matthew  Downs  (18/.).  In  the 
Red  Sea:  John  Wylde  (100/.),  Robert  Cranmer  (30/.),  and  Peter 
Herbert  (20/.).  In  Sind:  John  Spiller  (133/.  (>s.  ^d?),  Daniel  Elder 
(70/.),  and  Revett  Walwyn  (18/.).  In  Persia:  William  Hall  (80/.), 
Thomas  Wheeler  (50/.),  Thomas  Adler  (70/-),  Thomas  Codrington 

*  From  the  endorsement  it  appears  that  this  list  was  presented  to  the  Court  on  January  lo, 
1644.  Being  compiled  at  home,  it  is  of  course  only  relatively  accurate.  The  list  contains 
45  names,  and  the  total  cost  of  salaries  is  given  as  2,308/.  per  annum.  Only  the  Coast 
factors  are  noted  above.  Of  these,  Netlam  and  Gurney  had  come  out  the  previous  year  in 
the  Hart ;  while  Olton,  Methwold  (who  seems  to  have  been  the  eldest  son  of  the  late 
President  of  Surat),  and  Isaacson  were  being  dispatched  in  the  Endeavour,  which  did  not 
arrive  till  July,  1644. 

2  Though  endorsed  *  October,  1643',  this  list  has  evidently  been  corrected  to  a  some- 
what later  date.    It  is  in  the  same  handwriting  as  O.C.  1841. 

^  Altered  from  100/.,  in  accordance  with  the  Court's  decision,  on  March  17,  164.^,  to 
increase  his  wages  to  that  extent  from  March  25,  1644.  ' 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  133 

(70/.),  and  William  Pitt  (100/.).     Seiit  out  in  tlie  '  Dolphin ' :  Anthony 
Clitherow  (20/.;  and  Thomas  Reynardson  (20/.).^     (P'\PP) 

President  Cartwright  and  Council  at  Bantam  to  the 
Company,  January  10, 1644  {0,C.  1853). 

.  .  .  Regret  the  imperfect  state  of  the  Coromandel  accounts. 
Ivy  will,  upon  reaching  the  Coast,  make  inquiry  into  the  matter. 
With  the  exception  of  Day,  all  the  factors  there  that  are  capable 
of  good  service  are  desirous  of  returning  to  England,  their  covenants 
having  expired  ;   but  this  cannot  be  allowed  for  the  present.  .  .  . 
The  Hart  arrived   from  the  Coromandel  Coast  on  December  13. 
Praise  the  frugality  of  Godfrey,  her  master.     On  the  other  hand 
the  late  master  [Trumball]  of  the  Hopewell  appears  to  have  been 
wasteful,  for  she  came  hither  very  poorly  supplied.  .  .  .  John  Yard, 
formerly  chief  in  the  Bay  of  Bengal,  returns  in  this  ship,  the  Hopewell^ 
having  put  his  whole  estate  (sent  herewith)  into  the  hands  of  the 
Company.     As  regards  the  accusations  made  against  him,  they 
conceive  him  to  be  innocent,  *  and  that  he  had  absolute  order  and 
authoritie   to  buy  the  Endeavotir^  as  we  have  scene  by  a  letter 
directed  unto  him  in  the  Bay  to  procure  a  good  vessell,  three  times 
mencioned  in  the  sayd  letter,  besides  the  buying  of  a  jelliah  \sce  the 
1634-36  volume^  p.  43]  or  flatt  bottomd  boate,  which  are  not  capable 
to  transport  to  Mesulapatam  from  the  Bay  of  Bengala  the  20th  part 
of  what  was  desired  to  be  sent  thence  in  the  sayd  vessell  he  had 
order  to  procure.'  .  .  .  Omitted  to  enclose  in  their  last  a  letter 
from  Day  &c.  on  the  Coast,  dated  October  3  last  [jwt  extant]. 
Nevertheless,  they  cannot  consider  the  proposition  made  therein 
worthy  of  consideration  or  approbation.     *  'Twere  better  for  them 
discreetly  to  mannage  the  busines  they  have  now  in  hand"  then  to 
trouble  themselves  with  new  projects  and  conceits  of  12  or  16  sayle 
of  shipps,  pinnaces,  and  ketches,  with  a  carga[son]  of  fowerscore 
thousand  pounds  and  a  yearely  supply  of  30  or  35,000//.,  with  an 
unlimitted  power  to  doe  what  they  pleased  without  any  controlement.* 
They  believe,  however,  that  upon  Ivy's  arrival,  'these  foggie  mists 
will  be  gently  dispersed  '.     '  The  continuance  of  the  Bengala  factory, 

*  The  total  of  the  amended  list  is  2,430/.  14^.  8</.,  or,  adding  Mantell's  salary  of  15/. 
(omitted  in  the  list),  2,435/.  ^4-^-  ^^^-j  tlivided  among  forty  persons. 


134  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

if  Your  Worshipps  intend  the  continuance  of  your  trade,  is  soe 
necessary  (and  maintayned  with  soe  little  charge)  that  we  desire 
you  would  be  pleased  absolutely  to  inorder  its  dissolution  or  sub- 
sisting. If  the  latter,  the  man  appoynted  thither  by  Mr.  Day, 
namely  William  Nettlam,  is  very  unfitt  to  have  the  direccion  of 
your  affayres  there ;  where  not  any  is  soe  well  acquainted,  or  hath 
more  abillities  for  its  performance  then  Mr.  Yard  aforesaid.'  .  .  . 
Will  probably  dispatch  the  Hart  to  Surat  next  May  with  pepper. 
.  .  .  The  Swan,  on  her  return  from  Jambi,  is  to  go  to  the  Coast, 
carrying  thither  Thomas  Ivy  and  Thomas  Winter,  '  for  the  resettle- 
ment of  your  affayres  there '.  .  .  .  Dutch  discoveries  in  the  South 
Seas.^  They  have  also  found  '  a  second  Mauritius,  some  80  leagues 
to  the  northwards  of  the  other,  whose  draught  [missing]  is  likewise 
herewith  sent  you.'  The  Dutch,  Portuguese,  and  others,  trade 
annually  to  Macao  and  other  parts  of  China.  The  Hollanders  are 
also  about  to  send  a  ship  to '  Tartaria  '.  '  That  island  of  Poolaroone  ^ 
soe  long  in  their  possession,  in  which  His  Majestie  of  England  hath 
soe  just  right  and  tytle,  and  under  him  our  Honorable  Company, 
we  mervayle  as  yet  that  it  is  not  redellivered  upp  into  our  possession. 
But  we  knowe  there  myndes,  which  is  thus  :  that  unlesse  there  come 
an  absolute  comaund  in  writing  from  the  King  of  England,  approved 
and  allowed  of  by  the  Netherlanders  States,  with  their  order  for  its 
redellivery  to  us,  they  in  these  parts  will  never  yeild  it  upp ;  which 
when  done,  perhapps  they  will  require  satisfaccion  for  the  charges 
they  have  byn  at  in  keeping  it  out  of  the  enemyes  hands  these 
many  yeares,  purposely  for  the  generall  good.'  Thomas  Lamberton, 
one  of  the  men  captured  in  the  Bona  Speranza,  was  given  a  passage 
to  England  in  the  Mary ;  and  now  Thomas  Hinton,  the  surgeon  of 
the  former  ship,  has  been  permitted  to  embark  in  the  Hopewell, 
.  .  .  PS. — Estate  of  John  Jeffries,  who  died  near  Tranquebar  on 
August  13  last.     (Extracts  only.    l\pp^ 

1  Viz.  Abel  Tasman's  discovery  of  Tasmania  and  New  Zealand :  see  an  article  in  the 
Geographical  Journal  {ox  May,  191 1. 

2  Pulo  Run,  in  the  Bandas.    It  had  been  agreed  in  1623  that  it  should  be  restored  to  the 
English,  but  the  Dutch  had  hitherto  evaded  its  redelivery. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  135 

Francis  Breton,  William  Fremlen,  Thomas  Merry, 
Thomas  Abler,  William  Thurston,  and  Richard  Fitch  at 
SwALLY  Marine  to  the  Company,  January  27, 1644(0.0.  i8;->8). 

Wrote  last  on  March  20,  by  way  of  Basra.  Need  not  recapitulate 
what  was  stated  therein,  save  the  dispatch  for  England  on  January  19, 
1643,  of  the  Crispiana  and  Aleppo  Merchant^  with  cargoes  that  cost 
Iji7v5)353  mahmudls  20  pice.  Arrival  of  the  Scaflower,  under 
Adam  Lee.  She  left  the  Downs  on  March  8,  1643,  in  company 
with  the  Mary  and  the  Hart^  but  parted  from  them  on  April  10; 
passed  the  Cape  on  June  22  ;  sighted  Madagascar  on  July  18  ;  and 
reached  Mozambique  on  July  27,  with  her  men  in  a  very  weak  state 
from  having  been  at  sea  so  long.  After  spending  seven  days  there, 
without  much  result  as  regards  sales,  she  embarked  a  few  Portuguese 
and  their  goods,  and  departed  for  Johanna,  which  was  reached  on 
August  7.  Two  days  later  the  DolpJmi,  Hind,  and  Hart  came  in. 
The  last-named,  having  already  refreshed  her  sick  men  at  Mada- 
gascar, proceeded  on  her  voyage  to  Fort  St.  George,  arriving  there 
on  September  23.  Thence  she  was  sent  to  Masulipatam,  reached 
that  port  on  October  i,  and  departed  for  Bantam  on  the  21st.  The 
Scajlozvcr  left  Johanna  a  day  after  the  Hart.,  and  entered  Bombay 
harbour  on  September  5.  She  'might  with  equall  safety  have 
come  to  Surratt,  because,  in  entring  this  river,  to  vessells  that  swim 
deeper  then  shee  doth,  there  is  neither  difficulty  nor  danger.'  The 
Dolphin  and  Hind  anchored  at  Swally  on  September  18.^  Now 
reply  to  the  letters  thus  received  from  the  Company,  dated  March  24, 
1643  \iiot  cxtant\.  Can  advise  little  that  is  satisfactory  about  Persia, 
where  nothing  can  be  effected  without  costly  gifts.  Adler,  having 
been  to  court  to  congratulate  the  new  King,  managed  in  this  way 
to  procure  the  renewal  of  most  of  the  Company's  former  privileges. 
On  the  strength  of  these  farmdns,  the  factors  got  through  the  year 
'  without  any  publike  affront  done  them  ',  and  even  obtained  from 
the  Shahbandar  of  Gombroon  300  tumans  on  account  of  what  was 
due  to  the  Company.  When  the  heat  rendered  Gombroon  uninhabit- 
able, they  retired  to  Ispahan.  This  course  must  be  maintained,  for, 
unless  the  English  are  in  a  position  to  make  representations  at  court, 

1  According  to  the  Dutch,  these  vessels  brought  to  the  value  of  about  7oo,cxx)  rupees  in 
money,  coral,  lead,  &c.  {Dagh-Registcr,  1643-44,  pp.  196,  2.^8). 


136  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

the  Gombroon  authorities  will  never  deal  fairly  with  them  in  the  matter 
of  the  customs  ;  especially  as  the  Company  will  not  consent  to  '  our 
proposition  for  takeing  your  right  on  board '  [see  the  previous  volume ^ 
p.  272].  The  only  way  of  making  the  Persian  trade  more  profitable  is 
to  augment  the  stock  of  money  in  India,  wherewith  to  purchase  goods 
in  Agra,  Ahmadabad,  Sind,  Masulipatam,  &c.  These,  with  a  little 
English  merchandize, would  be  likely  to  'produce  some  good  advance, 
and  consequently  procure  you  silke  at  or  under  40  tomands  per  loade.' 
The  Dutch  recently  offered  to  contract  with  the  King  for  400  loads 
yearly,  if  he  would  accept  less  than  50  tumans  per  load ;  but  no 
agreement  was  reached.  Sale  of  the  broadcloth  sent  to  Persia. 
Have  provided  505  bales  'indicoe  Agry'  [i.e.  of  Agra],  both  good 
and  cheap,  the  dearest  portion  costing  not  above  '>^'^  rupees  per 
maund  in  Agra.  Have  given  instructions  to  buy  a  thousand  more, 
and  also  200  bales  of  Sehwan  indigo,  though  they  fear  the  latter 
may  not  be  procurable.  'This  comodity  hath  these  latter  yeares 
bin  much  unrequested  in  the  neighbouring  countries  of  Persia,  Mocho, 
yea,  Bussora  alsoe ;  and  that  hath  soe  admirably  declined  its  vallue 
where  it  is  made  that  the  planters  are  almost  beggered  thereby,  and 
therefore  doe  annually  more  or  lesse  reduce  the  wonted  quaintities 
made  by  them.  However,  it  little  troubles  us,  whilst  the  accession 
of  soe  much  advance  thereby  to  our  trade  affordes  us  much  greater 
cause  of  rejoyceing.'  Of  Sarkhej  indigo  they  now  send  722  chests 
and  bundles  ;  it  is  extraordinarily  good,  and  has  been  carefully  sifted 
and  packed.  These  ships  also  bring  200  bales  of  cotton  yarn. 
The  finer  sort  required  by  the  Company  can  be  better  procured  at 
Surat  than  at  Ahmadabad  ;  but  the  latter  place  is  more  suitable 
for  the  coarser  varieties.  Note  the  dissatisfaction  expressed  with 
the  calicoes  formerly  sent,  and  will  do  their  best  to  remedy  the 
defects  indicated.  The  complaints  regarding  those  from  'Scinda' 
have  been  forwarded  to  Spiller  and  the  other  factors  there  resident. 
It  is  hoped  that  the  bales  now  sent  will  be  better  liked.  Have 
bespoken  from  thence  10,000  pieces  of  the  ordinary  sorts  for  the 
next  returning  ships,  besides  1,000  pieces  of  better  quality;  also 
a  quantity  of  saltpetre,  indigo, '  pintadoes ',  and  turmeric  for  England, 
'cossumba^'  for  Achin,  and  some  other  drugs  for  Surat.     Eight 

^  Kustimbha,  i.  e.  safiflower,  which  is  much  grown  in  India  for  the  red  dye  produced  from 
its  flowers,  as  well  as  for  its  oil-yielding  seeds. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  137 

bales  of '  chints  '  forwarded  ;  and  in  addition  *  some  of  those  made 
in  Serongee  ^  and  Brampore  [Burhanpur]  of  thinner  cloth.  In  Tuttha 
cloth  is  well  painted,  but  generally  upon  narrow  guzzees ;  nor  doe 
those  weavers  make  broader,  unlesse  they  are  purposely  bespoake  ; 
and  they  are  such  as  the  broad  bastaes  are,  which  have  bin  soe  much 
disliked  by  you.'  Of '  merhcools '  117  bales  are  sent;  but  these 
started  so  late  from  Agra  that  only  part  of  them  could  be  bleached 
at  Broach,  the  rest  being  '  cured  '  at  Baroda  and  Ahmadabad.  This 
was  inevitable,  because  *  beyond  Brodera  towards  Barroach  the 
deepenes  of  the  waies  at  that  timiC  of  yeare  permitt  not  passages 
to  coaches,  much  lesse  laden  carts,  such  as  are  usually  imployed  in 
transporting  goods  from  place  to  place  in  these  parts  of  India.' 
Have  ordered  10,000  pieces  of  these  calicoes  from  Agra  for  the  next 
consignment;  together  with  some  '  eckbaries '  and  '  guzzees ', '  which 
wee  intend  to  transforme  into  cannekins,  ardeas,  byrams,  selaes,  and 
other  speties  of  dyed  cloathing  for  supply  of  Bantam,  Mocho,  Persia, 
and  B^issora.'  Have  also  sent  home  100  bales  of  '  Derebads  '  from 
Agra,  and  have  ordered  10,000  pieces  for  next  season.  No 
*  Kerebauds '  are  forwarded  ;  and  only  two  bales  of  '  eckbarees '. 
'  Semana  cloth  was  bespoake,  but  its  excessive  dearnes  hath  almost 
lost  both  the  use  and  makeing  of  them ',  and  so  they  have  sent  only 
twenty  pieces 'for  a  muster'.  As  regards  '  callicoe  lawns,  distin- 
guished into  gooldars,  salloes,  and  furradckaumes '  [stc~\,  they  dis- 
patched one  of  their  brokers  to  the  towns  where  these  sorts  are 
made,  but  he  has  not  yet  returned  ;  they  have  therefore  bought 
a  small  quantity  of  each  for  England,  and  will  send  the  others 
(when  received)  to  Basra.  '  Of  other  sorts  of  callicoe  lawnes,  as 
cossadees,  gooldars,  humony,beetelas,  &c.,the  Coast  of  Choromondell 
and  Bengala  will  best  furnish  them  ;  but  for  sheerisadfs,  they  are 
extreordinary  deare,  almost  out  of  use,  and  indeed  not  worth  your 
owneing.'  For  three  years  past  the  dearness  of  cotton  wool  (owing 
to  bad  seasons)  has  raised  the  price  of  cotton  yarn  and  cloth  in 
these  parts  ;  and  they  have  therefore  only  sent  home  this  time 
a  small  quantity  of  Nosari  and  Baroda  baftas.  They  have  bought 
more  than  400  corge  of  Broach  and  Ankleswar  cloth  ;  but  these  are 
intended  for  Bantam  and  Basra.    Advise  also  the  dispatch  of  narrow 

^  Sironj,  in  Tonk  State.    Its  calicoes  and  muslins  were  long  famous  (see  Ball's  Tavcntier, 
vol.  i.  p.  56). 


138  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

blue  baftas,  Guinea  stuffs,  quilts,  and  cardamoms.  Steps  taken  to 
procure  borax  and  cardamoms  from  Raybag.  Have  made  generally- 
known  the  Company's  prohibition  of  private  trade  to  England  in 
borax.  Enclose  particulars  obtained  from  Ahmadabad  concerning 
this  commodity,  its  place  of  origin,  and  the  method  of  refining  it 
and  reducing  it  to  powder.  Of  the  borax  now  sent  home  a  small 
part  has  been  treated  in  that  fashion  ;  and  steps  are  being  taken  to 
provide  a  larger  return  by  the  next  shipping.  Virji  Vora's  troubles 
at  court,  and  their  own  indebtedness  to  him,  have  hitherto  deterred 
them  from  pressing  him  to  fulfil  his  contract ;  and  now,  having 
plenty  of  pepper  from  Bantam  and  Malabar,  they  are  not  anxious 
to  deal  with  him  for  any.  Thurston  was  instructed  to  procure 
cardamoms,  cinnamon,  and  pepper  at  Cochin  and  its  neighbourhood, 
*  but  the  Portugalls  wars  with  the  Raja  of  Upper  Cochyne,  and  there 
approved  base  and  treacherous  dealings  with  us,  prevented  him 
wholly  of  the  two  former,  and  noe  lesse  of  the  latter  inasmuch  as 
they  could  hinder  the  action.'  However,  the  Dolphin  has  now 
fetched  from  Goa  a  quantity  of  cinnamon  that  had  been  bought 
there  ;  and  with  it  Fremlen  forwards  certain  bales  presented  to  him 
personally  by  the  Viceroy  and  others ;  he  leaves  the  Company  to 
dispose  of  these  as  may  be  thought  fitting.  A  further  quantity  of 
cinnamon  was  bought  at  Cochin  by  Walter  Clark,  master  of  the 
Supply^  and  is  now  put  on  board  the  Dolphm  and  Discovery. 
Measures  taken  to  secure  a  supply  for  the  next  ships.  Rejoice 
that  the  Company  approved  of  their  action  in  sending  Pitt  and 
Hill  'to  reside  at  Goa  for  prevention  of  Esquire  Curteens  people'. 
They  remained  there  from  March  to  December  and  then,  finding 
that  the  Viceroy  was  indifferent  to  both  sides  and  that  Goa  yielded 
little  of  value  for  their  purposes  (cinnamon  excepted),  they  were 
ordered  to  return  on  the  Aleppo  Merchant.  Thurston  and  two 
other  factors  were  left  at  Cochin  by  the  Szvan^  but  the  wars  between 
the  Portuguese  and  '  the  neighbour  Raja '  had  put  a  stop  to  trade, 
with  the  result  that  they  could  sell  nothing  but  a  little  alum  and 
opium.  They  bought,  however,  a  quantity  of  pepper  from  a  neigh- 
bouring Raja  who  is  '  Lord  of  Purcatt^';  and  this  was  brought  to 
Swally  by  the  Discovery.    The  Expedition  then  arrived  from  Bantam 

^  Porakad  or  Purakkatu,  a  town  on  the  coast  of  Travancore,  about  ten  miles  south  of 
Alleppi.     It  was  an  independent  principality  until  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  centnr)\ 


THE   ENGLISH   FACT0RH:S  139 

with  200  tons  of  pepper ;  while  the  Supply  added  a  further  supply 
from  Achin.  After  filling  the  ships  for  England,  the  remainder  has 
been  reserved  for  Basra.  Have  also  embarked  a  quantity  of  salt- 
petre (packed  in  chests),  olibanum,  aloes,  turmeric,  gum-lac,  myrrh, 
ginger,  and  benzoin.  Note  with  pleasure  the  Company's  approbation 
of  their  proceedings.  Were  they  but  supplied  with  more  money, 
and  thus  relieved  of  the  constant  charge  of  interest,  they  could 
produce  still  better  results,  for  at  present  their  limited  credit  causes 
them  to  lose  many  opportunities  of  profit.  Moreover, '  the  sence  of 
these  troubleous  times  in  England,  which  are  too  well  knowne/  has 
made  them  the  more  cautious  in  their  investments.  Still,  the  results 
have  on  the  whole  been  encouraging.  The  Discovery  and  Francis 
sold  some  of  their  goods  at  Mokha  at  a  profit  of  28  per  cent.,  though 
the  ginger  and  some  of  the  dyed  cloth  were  returned  unsold.  These 
have  now  been  sent  to  Persia  in  the  Scafloiuer.  The  Seahorse, 
returning  from  Basra  in  November  last,  brought  '  good  encourage- 
ment to  prosecute  that  trade,  for  there  goods  produced  neerest 
50  per  cent,  proffitt ' ;  '  soe  that,  not  to  desert  that  place  and  trade, 
which  hath  yett  approved  its  selfe  advantageous  to  you ',  they  have 
arranged  a  further  investment  of  suitable  goods  for  dispatch  thither. 
The  Discovery,  after  landing  her  freight  goods  at  Gombroon,  sailed 
for  Mokha,  as  directed,  but  met  with  such  adverse  winds  that  the 
Malabars  arrived  before  her  and  so  that  part  of  her  design  was 
frustrated.  They  intend,  however,  to  dispatch  thither  immediately 
the  Supply  and  the  Francis^ '  the  former  to  proceede  directly  towards 
the  Bab,  the  latter  to  anchor  in  Aden  Roade  ;  that  soe  the  Mallabars, 
who  use  to  touch  at  Aden  and  there  enquire  of  your  shipping  before 
they  passe  towards  Mocha,  being  frighted  thence  by  sight  of  [the] 
Francis,  may,  wee  hope,  happily  bee  surprised  by  the  Supply' 
The  goods  intended  for  Mokha  this  year  will  be  put  upon  a  Dutch 
ship,  under  the  care  of  Richard  Clark.  George  Oxenden  and  Peter 
Herbert  will  be  sent  in  the  Supply  and  Francis,  to  prevent  the 
embezzlement  of  any  goods  that  may  be  taken  from  the  Malabars. 
They  are  then  to  proceed  to  Mokha  to  sell  those  and  the  other 
goods  consigned  thither  in  the  Dutch  ship ;  '  which  being  according 
to  our  hopes  successfully  accomplished,  they  shalbee  directed  soe 
soone  to  leave  that  place  as,  if  they  cannot  in  Mocha  accquire  allocs 
and  olibanum,  they  may  seeke  them  at  Shehr,  and  yett  proceede 


140  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

thence  soe  seasonably  as  sometime  about  the  fine  [of]  August  they 
fall  with  Cape  Comerin,  and  thenceforth  range  all  that  coast  alongst 
untill  they  arrive  to  Swally,  gleaning  and  gathering  up  such  pepper, 
cinnamon,  and  cardamon  as  may  bee  procured  conveniently.'     Have 
instructed  all  masters  of  ships  to  attack  the  Malabars  (outside  the 
prescribed  limits)  on  every  possible  occasion.     Desire  a  supply  of 
swords  and  muskets  to  arm  their  vessels ;    also  cordage  and  sail- 
canvas.    Had  intended  to  send  Merry  to  take  charge  at  Ahmadabad, 
but  Tash  has  exhibited  such  proofs  of  diligence  and  discretion  that 
they  have  resolved  not  to  supersede  him ;   and  therefore  Merry 
remains  at  Surat  as  Accountant  and  Second  in  Council.     Settle- 
ment of  his  debt  to  the  Company.     It  is  certain  that  vast  quantities 
of  broadcloth  are  landed  from  the  ships  as  private  trade ;  yet  they 
can  do  nothing  to  stop  this,  as  it  is  effected  through  native  agents 
and  the  customs  officials  favour  the  practice.     The  markets  are 
further  cloyed  by  the  quantities  landed  by  Courteen's  people  at 
Rajapur ;   '  for  they  not  only  furnish  Decan  and  Brampoore  but, 
haveing  soe  free  and  not  much  dearer  nor  longer  passage  to  Agra 
then  your  goods  have,  are  by  the  buyers  transported  thither,  and 
soe  alsoe  renders  this  marchandize  the  more  despicable.'    Virji  Vora 
has  treated  them  well  in  the  matter  of  their  debt  to  him ;  though 
this  year  he  has  followed  the  example  of  their  other  creditors  in 
demanding  a  higher  rate  of  interest.     As  yet  they  have  not  agreed, 
nor  will  they  if  the  money  can  be  raised  elsewhere.     *  The  en- 
couragement you  give  us  to  expect  ample  supplies  in  the  future 
hath  animated  us  to  ampliate  your  trade  accordingly.'     Knov/  not 
what  accusations  have  been  made  from  Bantam  against  the  Coast 
factors  ;  but,  so  far  as  they  can  judge,  Cogan  has  rendered  good 
service  in  reducing  expenses  and  checking  disorder.     Fear  that  the 
factors  at  Bantam  have  resented  the  subordination  of  the  Coast  to 
Surat  and   are  inclined  to  behave  harshly  in  consequence.     For 
instance,  Dowle,  the  master  of  the  Advice,  acting  under  instructions 
from  Bantam,  refused  to  allow  the  Agent  on  the  Coast  to  have 
anything  to  do  with  his  vessel  or  her  cargo.     Refer  to  letters  now 
forwarded  from  the  factors,  and  also  to  Cogan,  for  further  information. 
So  far  as  they  themselves  are  concerned,  it  is  a  matter  for  rejoicing 
that  they  have  been  relieved  *  from  that  burthen  the  superintendency 
of  the  Coast  Agency  and  affaires  bring  with  it '.     '  Wee  may  with 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  141 

you  congratulate  the  pleaseing  tydcings  of  the  French    pyrates 
cessation  of  there  unjust  trade  driven    by  there  quondam  great 
master  ^  towards  the  Redd  Sea  Strcights  ;  whose  successe  in  there 
latest  designes  cannot  give  them  any  great  encouragement  further 
to  tempt  the  Almighty  by  such  unlawfull  and  unworthy  practizes.' 
Thank  the  Company  for  the  stores  sent  for  the  use  of  their  smaller 
vessels  ;  but  the  water  casks  proved  very  defective.     The  Hind  and 
Seaflower,  though   good   sea  ships,  are  altogether  unsuitable   for 
service  in  these  parts.     'There  decks  are  very  low,  and  soe  close 
that,  if  they  should  bee  assaulted  by  Mallabarrs,  they  will  rather 
stiffle  then  preserve  your  people/    They  have  no  accommodation 
for  passengers,  and  this  occasions  a  loss  of  freight.     '  They  are  in 
some  measure  a  discreditt  to  our  nation,  whilst  this  people  (who 
know  noe  better)  enquire  whether  England  doth  not  afifoard  shipping 
of  its  owne,  that  it  is  enforced    to  seeke  and   buy  them  among 
strangers.'  ^      Desire  to   be  supplied  with   '  handsome,  well  built 
shipps,  framed  to  affoard  accomodacion  to  passengers,  and  that 
made  as  airesome  as  may  conveniently  bee  contrived  ;  of  burthen 
twixt  300  and  250  tuns ;  drawing  twixt  9  and  12  foote  water ;  and 
formed  to  bee  of  good  force  and  defence.     Such  vessells  will  doe 
you  creditt  and  service.'    They  should  bring  out  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion for  themselves  and  for  their  consorts ;  for  though  gunpowder 
can  be  easily  procured  here  or  at  Ahmadabad  at  five  or  six  rupees 
per  Surat  maund,  yet  round  and  crossbar  shot  for  guns,  half  pikes, 
swords,  muskets,  and  carbines  are  not  obtainable.     A  supply  of 
cordage  is  much  needed.    As  for  the  Portuguese,  *  our  correspon- 
dence with  them  is  as  fervent  as  frequent ',  and  the  new  President 
promises  to  follow  Fremlen's  example  in  maintaining  good  relations 
with  them.     Grieve  to  learn  that  so  much  private  trade  was  carried 
home  in  the  Lo7tdo7i.     Have  done  their  best  '  to  prevent  the  like 
prejudice  in  these  shipps  ',  but  have  just  heard  that  a  large  quantity 
of  indigo  has  been  smuggled  aboard  them ;   *  and  though  this  is 
knowne  for  a  certaine  truth,  yett  there  owners  cannot  bee  discovered, 
notwithstanding  the  uttmost  of  our  dilligencc  and  industry.'     The 
Company's  approbation  of  Fremlen's  services  has  encouraged  him  to 

*  The  reference  seems  to  be  to  the  death  of  Richelieu,  which  occurred  towards  the  close 
of  1643. 
2  Both  the  Hind  and  Seajlotvcr  were  Dntch-built  *  prams '  (lighters). 


142  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

hasten  home  to  '  enjoy  the  much  desired  effects  of  such  comfortable 
promises '.  Approve  the  course  adopted  '  in  the  matter  of  your 
shipps  goverment  and  command  ' ;  and  praise  both  Proud  and 
Bradbent,  the  masters  of  these  two  ships.  Explain  why  little  has 
been  received  of  late  for  local  freights.  The  native  merchants 
prefer  the  Dutch  vessels,  '  findeing  there  much  better  accomodacion 
and  noe  less  safety',  with  the  result  that  '  the  Hollanders  in  foure 
shipps  have  carried  hence  all  the  fraught  goods  that  have  bin 
brought  to  the  Marryne  '.  However,  the  Hind  will  no  doubt  find 
employment  when  the  Dutch  depart ;  '  for  wee  know  that,  whatever 
inconveniences  the  passengers  undergoe,  yett  they  will  choose  to 
voyage  on  them  rather  then  on  the  Moores  shipping,  which  are  now 
become  soe  numerous  that  for  procury  of  employment  they  submitt 
to  any,  however  contemptible,  fraughtments ;  yea,  some  of  them, 
soe  to  gaine  merchants  to  them,  furnish  them  gratis  with  monies  to 
extinguish  such  engagements  as  customes,  fraught,  &c.  charges 
involve  them  in ;  for  which  formerly  they  have  paide  20  and  (in 
these  last  daies)  15  and  16  per  cent.'  Estates  of  John  Wylde,  who 
deceased  at  Mokha  in  October,  1642,  and  of  Walter  Clark,  late 
master  of  the  Supply^  who  died  suddenly  on  December  26  last,  a  few 
days  after  his  return  from  Achin.  Duarte  Fernandez  Correa,  who 
*  hath  bin  very  usefull  to  your  occasions  ',  returns  to  his  own  country 
this  year  and  will  take  passage  on  the  Seahorse  to  Basra ;  he  has  been 
permitted  to  embark  a  small  chest  on  the  Dolphin^  recommended  to 
the  care  of  Fremlen.  To  Bantam  they  have  annually  remitted  far 
more  than  they  have  received  in  return.  Would  be  glad  to  be 
supplied  from  thence  with  cloves,  mace,  or  nutmegs ;  but  this  is 
scarcely  feasible,  as  the  factors  there  cannot  obtain  enough  to  satisfy 
the  home  demand.  Account  of  goods  received  from  that  place  by 
the  Expedition^  and  of  the  consignment  intended  thither  by  the 
Seaflower  about  April  next.  Estates  of  the  First  General  Voyage 
and  of  the  Third  Joint  Stock.  The  Agra  accounts  were  sent  down, 
but  the  bearer  was  robbed  on  the  way  and  his  papers  torn  to  pieces  ; 
transcripts  have  been  asked  for  and  shall  be  sent  by  the  next  fleet. 
Steps  taken  to  turn  over  all  remains  to  the  account  of  the  Fourth 
Joint  Stock,  and  to  recover  the  debts.  Refer  to  a  consultation  of 
November  15  last  for  the  re-engagement  of  certain  factors  whose 
covenants  had  expired.     Would  be  glad  to  receive  yearly  '  hvo  or 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  143 

three  ingenuous  young  men,  such  as  are  ready  and  faire  writers,  for 
indeed  such  are  very  much  wanting  in  your  writeing  office  and 
compting  house '  ;  also  one  at  least  '  of  greater  experience  in 
merchandizeing  affaires'.  Commend  the  factors  who  have  arrived 
this  year.  To  replace  Luke  Pynn,  who  returns  home  as  purser's 
mate  of  the  Discovery,  they  have  taken  on  shore  Joseph  Cross. 
Fitch,  who  has  been  General  Purser  for  the  past  two  years,  has  been 

*  admitted  of  Counsell  and  rancked  under  William  Thurston,  who 
alsoe  is  lately  preferred  to  that  dignity'.  Adler,  who  has  been 
acting  in  the  same  capacity  since  his  arrival  from  Persia,  is  now 
proceeding  to  England,  accompanied  by  William  Hall  and  Thomas 
Wheeler.  Enclose  particulars  of  the  cargoes  intended  for  Basra 
and  Mokha.  A  residence  will  be  maintained  at  the  former  place, 
both  on  account  of  trade  and  for  facilitating  communications  with 
Europe  via  Aleppo.  Letters  dispatched  that  way  from  London  in 
October  or  November  may  be  expected  to  reach  Surat  in  May. 

*  For  Bussora,  this  (as  the  passed)  yeare  Edward  Pearce  is  in  chiefe, 
assisted  by  three  other  factors  designed ;  and  seeing  (as  wee  have 
bin  lately  informed)  the  differences  twixt  the  Portugalls  and  that 
Bashaw  are  rather  fomented  then  extenuated,  wee  doubt  not  the 
sorts  of  goods  now  in  provision  for  your  accompt  for  that  place  will 
vend  to  competent  gaine,  and  consequently  exhibitt  new  encourage- 
ment, not  only  to  continuate  but  importantly  alsoe  to  ampliate  your 
trade  in  those  parts  of  Arabia.  Since  Mocha  is  reduced  under  the 
Arabs  goverment,  the  Turke[s]  have  bin  generally  expulsed  from 
those  parts  and  esteemed  the  most  dangerous  enemyes  those  petty 
Arabian  kings  have ;  and  though  such  complaint  of  Surratt 
merchants  to  the  Governor  of  Mocha  ^,  whilst  that  place  was  sub- 
jected to  the  Grand  Segnior,  bee  in  such  cases  of  some  use,  yett 
now,  by  alteracion  of  goverment,  they  are  become  wholly  improper 
and  unproffitable.  However  these  people  are  fully  acquainted  with 
your  resolucions,  yett,  they  being  now  three  yeares  successively 
frighted  only,  they  imagine  it  is  by  us  purposely  contrived  to 
advance  our  fraughtments  in  your  vessells  returne  thence,  by 
induceing  (for  more  securityes  sake)  these  merchants  to  put  rather 

1  Apparently  the  Company  had  suggested  that  the  Surat  merchants  should  be  induced  to 
complain  to  Constantinople  (through  Mokha)  of  the  reported  depredations  of  French  pirates 
in  the  Red  Sea. 


144  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

there  monies  on  board  your  shipping  then  the  Moores  junks.  And 
this,  for  thus  much  care  of  them,  is  the  recompense  wee  received  or 
may  expect  from  them  ;  as  was  the  passed  yeare  experimented,  for, 
the  Discovery  staying  from  this  port  longer  then  ordinary,  our  old 
false  freinde,  Mirza  Mahmud,  would,  togeather  with  a  company  of 
credulous  Moores  and  Banian  merchants,  have  perswaded  (though 
hee  lost  his  labor)  Mierza  Jam  Colllbeage,  our  then  Governor,  that 
the  English  haveing,  by  venting  such  reports  of  the  Frenchmens 
feared  comeing  into  the  Redd  Seas  Streights,  induced  the  marchants 
in  generall  to  embarque  theire  monies  on  board  the  Discovery^  they 
had  thence  sent  her  for  England  directly.'  John  Spiller  and 
Anthony  Smith  thank  the  Company  for  its  bounty.^  Wish  that 
Thomas  Markham  had  lived  to  enjoy  the  same  favour;^  but  the 
Almighty,  *  knowing  him  fitter  for  His  then  your  service,  tooke  him 
from  you.'  On  the  arrival  of  the  Seaflower^  Richard  Fisher  was  at 
once  made  prisoner  and  his  papers  examined  ;  yet  nothing  was 
found  to  inculpate  him  in  any  way,  and  so  he  was  restored  to  his 
place.^  Thomas  Whatmore,  some  time  master  of  the  Diamond, 
reports  that  John  Derham  died  in  'the  river  of  Scinda  anno  1639, 
when  the  vessell  there  wintered'.  As  regards  Thomas  Derham, 
they  are  making  inquiry  at  the  Coast.  *  Wee  are  nothing  sorry  that 
Captain  Bonds  plantacion  at  St.  Lawrence  proceeded  noe  further ; 
but  wee  more  wonder  that  Mr.  Corteene  intermeddleth  with  these 
matters,  since  it  might  bee  generally  thought  his  trade  to  India 
might  afford  him  worke  enough  to  prosecute  it.'  Of  the  rials 
received  this  time  the  shroffs  objected  to  13,300,  and  *  would  not 
(after  exact  tryall  made  of  there  alloy  in  the  Kings  mint,  your  owne 
and  the  Customers  houses)  bee  induced  to  buy  them,  unless  wee 
would  submitt  to  part  with  them  at  205  rupees  per  100  rials.'  They 
therefore  sent  part  of  them  to  Goa  (where  no  difficulty  was  made) 
and  part  to  Ahmadabad.  *  Though  the  King  of  Spaines  necessities 
enforce  him  to  sett  a  higher  price  on  his  rials  then  formerly,  yett  this 
people  being  not  soe  urged,  nor  esteeming  more  of  his  rials  this 
then  the  former  yeare,  seeing  they  serve  cheifely  to  bee  refined  and 

1  Both  had  been  granted  an  increase  in  salary :  see  Court  Minntes  of  the  East  India 
Company,  1640-43,  pp.  299,  313. 

2  Ihid.,^.  313. 

'  He  was  charged  with  taking  out  private  trade  {ibid.,  p.  313).  » 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  145 

there  alloy  made  answerable  to  that  of  the  Surratt  rupee,  wee  could 
not  advance  them  beyond  the  usuall  prizes  of  21 2 J  rupees  the  new, 
the  old  215-J,  and  216  rupees  ^  m[ahmudl]  the  100  rex  dollars;  and 
at  these  prizes  wee  parted  with  them.'  On  delivery,  865^  rials  were 
found  deficient  in  weight,  and  24  were  missing.  The  latter  may 
have  been  due  to  coins  slipping  out  through  the  seams  of  the  chests, 
after  the  bags  had  rotted  away.  A  remedy  would  be  to  cover  the 
bags  with  skins,  which  *  by  this  country  people  is  familiarly  prac- 
tised'. In  the  rix  dollars  77 J  were  wanting  in  weight  and  ij  in 
number,  while  three  were  brass  ones.  '  Gold,  since  the  Dutch  have 
not  these  two  or  three  late  passed  yeares  brought  any  from  China, 
is  againe  become  well  requested  ;  insoemuch  that  the  Venetian  is 
worth  9  m[ahmudi]s  and  better,  when  formerly  it  hath  bin  sold  for 
^h  ^5  3)  or  4  pice  over.  And  ratably  heereto  are  all  other  gold 
Coynes  vallued.  Soe  that,  if  through  the  late  enhansment  of  the 
Spanish  monies  you  bee  not  futurely  soe  well  provided,  or  that  they 
turne  not  to  soe  good  accoumpt,  you  may  supply  that  defect  by 
sending  forth  some  quaintities  of  gold,  which  wee  doubt  not  but  will 
proove  more  advantageous  to  you.'  Of  lead  from  four  to  six 
hundred  '  great  piggs  '  will  sell  here  annually.  The  Seajlozver  was 
unable  to  dispose  of  any  of  her  Canary  wine  at  Mozambique,  which 
had  already  been  supplied  sufficiently  by  two  caravels  on  their  way 
from  Lisbon  to  Goa.  Her  other  goods  were  also  in  small  demand, 
as  will  be  seen  from  the  accounts  sent  herewith.  Cannot  decide 
what  to  do  with  the  wine.  They  thought  of  sending  it  to  Bantam, 
to  be  sold  at  Batavia,  but  are  informed  that  the  sale  of  wine  there 
is  a  monopoly  of  the  Dutch  Company ;  while  '  the  Portugalls  are 
soe  base  and  beggerly  that  they  will  not  at  such  cost  meddle  with 
such  a  comodity '.  Beg  the  Company  to  resume  the  former  practice 
of  sending  out  Canary  and  French  wine  annually  for  the  use  of  the 
factors.  Advice  as  to  the  quantity  and  colours  of  broadcloth 
required  for  India  and  Persia.  Knives  and  satins  needed  for 
presents ;  also  some  rich  velvet  for  supply  to  the  Emperor,  patterns 
of  which  have  been  delivered  to  Fremlen.  Dispute  with  VirjT  Vora 
over  the  quality  of  the  coral  brought  by  the  1642  ships,  with  the 
result  that  the  price  of  part  had  to  be  considerably  reduced.  There 
is  still  a  remainder  on  hand  of  that  consignment,  besides  what  came 
in  the  last  ships.     Quantity  to  be  sent  in  future.     Have  just  heard 


FOSTER    VII 


146  THE  ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

that  Thomas  Derham  was  alive  at  the  time  when  the  Advice  was 
dispeeded  from  Bantam,  and  was  then  on  board  of  her ;  will  write 
accordingly  to  that  place.  Send  a  list  of  commodities  likely  to  sell 
here.  Among  these  they  specially  commend  to  the  Company's 
attention  elephants'  teeth ;  '  and  if  such  might  bee  accquired,  and 
any  your  Indian  or  other  cuntryes  commodities  sold  at  Gueney 
[Guinea],  the  course  Mr.  Courtyn  tooke  in  designeing  the  Planter 
thither  would  (if  at  least  it  bee  to  you,  as  to  him,  equally  faecible) 
in  appearance  proove  advantageous  to  you.'  For  details  of  the 
disposal  of  their  ships  they  refer  to  the  transcript  of  Fremlen's 
journal  \not  extant]  sent  herewith.  The  Supply,  dispatched  from 
this  port  for  Persia  in  company  with  the  Discovery,  remained  at 
Gombroon  until  March  6  and  returned  to  Swally  on  March  25, 
bringing  horses  and  rosewater  for  the  Company's  account,  besides 
passengers  and  freight  goods.  On  April  2^  she  sailed  for  Achin, 
with  a  cargo  consisting  chiefly  of  freight  goods.  She  called  at 
Cochin  on  May  3,  to  take  in  some  more  freight,  and  reached  her 
destination  on  the  ri5th.  'There  they  found  six  of  the  Esquire 
Courtyns  people,  deepe  in  debt,  yett  doeing  nothing.'  '  The  con- 
curse  of  many  vessells  to  Achyn  rendred  the  marketts  more  dull 
then  usuall ' ;  but  a  fair  proportion  of  the  cargo  was  sold  and  the 
proceeds  reinvested.  The  Company  is  to  receive  from  the  freighters 
25  per  cent,  of  the  value  of  the  goods  returned.  '  The  shipp  came 
thence  full,  and  yett  left  of  yours  and  the  fraughters  goods,  in  charge 
of  Maximilian  Bowman,  Thomas  Fitch,  and  Francis  Scattergood, 
as  many  as  amounts  to  m[ahmudis]  50,000  ...  for  whose  bringing 
thence  being  obliged  to  the  fraughters,  and  findeing  that  the  trade 
in  probability  will  become  very  advantageous  to  you,  wee  have 
resolved  to  send  the  Hinde  this  voyage  for  your  owne  accompt.' 
The  Supply  left  Achin  on  October  20  and,  after  calling  at  Cochin, 
reached  this  port  on  December  11  \sic\  Clark,  her  master,  died 
suddenly  a  few  days  later ;  and  thereupon  Lee  was  placed  in  charge 
of  her.  She  is  at  present  under  orders  for  the  Red  Sea.  The 
Francis  x^'diOh't^  Mokha  on  April  15, 1643,  left  again  on  August  17, 
and  on  September  2  reached  Daman,  whence  after  some  delay  she 
came  to  this  port,  in  company  with  the  DolpJiin  and  Hind.  She 
brought  goods  and  money  to  the  value  of  47,644  rials  32[d.], 
besides  a  trifling  amount  of  freight.     She  is  now  to  accompany  the 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  147 

Supply.  As  the  Discovery^  which  arrived  on  November  3,  brought 
only  a  h'ttle  pepper  from  the  Malabar  coast,  the  Dolphin  was 
dispatched  thither  on  the  13th  to  procure  cardamoms  and  borax  at 
Rajapur  and  cinnamon  at  Goa.  She  arrived  at  the  latter  port  on 
November  20,  'without  speakeing  with  the  Dutch,  though  they 
shott  at  her ' ;  left  again  on  December  4 ;  anchored  at  Rajapur  two 
days  later ;  and  got  back  here  on  the  iZ3rd.  She  is  now  fully  laden 
for  England ;  and  '  on  her  your  late  President,  William  Fremlen, 
commands  and  takes  his  passage.'  With  her  goes  the  Discovery^ 
both  being  expressly  enjoined  to  keep  together  on  the  voyage. 
The  Hind  was  sent  to  '  Scinda '  on  October  25  and  arrived  there 
November  7.  She  sailed  again  a  fortnight  later,  reaching  Swally 
at  the  beginning  of  December,  with  136  bales  of  piece-goods,  which 
had  cost  27,784  rupees  58  pice.  She  is  now  taking  in  freight  goods 
for  Persia.  The  Seaflower  stayed  at  '  Bombaien  '  from  the  5th  to 
the  25th  September,  and  did  not  arrive  at  this  port  until  the  28th. 
She  sailed  for  Gombroon  on  October  25  ;  anchored  there 
November  12  ;  left  on  the  22nd  ;  and  got  back  to  Swally  on 
December  2.  She  is  now  to  accompany  the  Hind  on  a  fresh  voyage 
to  Persia  ;  and  later  on  she  will  be  sent  to  Bantam.  Lee's  place  as 
master  has  been  taken  by  Gardner,  the  late  master  of  the  Expedi- 
tion. Intend  to  ask  the  President  and  Council  at  Bantam  to  keep 
the  Seaflower^  as  being  more  suitable  for  service  in  those  parts,  and 
to  send  the  Swan  or  Hopewell  to  Surat  in  her  place.  The  Discovery 
reached  Gombroon  on  February  18,  1643,  ^^^  remained  there  till 
March  14.  She  anchored  at  Mokha  on  April  27 ;  careened  at 
Assab ;  took  in  a  freight  for  Cochin,  and  departed  on  August  10 ; 
and  arrived  at  Cochin  on  September  5.  Fifteen  days  later  she  pro- 
ceeded to  '  Purcutt ',  where  a  quantity  of  pepper  was  embarked  ; 
she  then  left  on  October  14  and  got  back  to  Swally  on  November  3. 
The  Expedition  sailed  from  Bantam  on  July  22  and  arriv^ed  here  on 
November  11.  Upon  examination  it  was  found  that  she  was  unfit 
for  further  service  and  so  she  is  to  be  broken  up.  The  Seahorse^  in 
her  voyage  to  Basra,  called  at  Gombroon  and  then  at  *  Catteife  \see 
p.  100],  there  to  l[and]  this  King[s]  goods  and  servants,  sent  pur- 
posely to  buy  horses  with  there  proceeds.'  Leaving  that  place  on 
May  24,  she  reached  Basra  on  June  20 ;  stayed  there  till 
September  20 ;    anchored   at   '  Catteife '   on   the   27th,  and,  after 

L  2 


148  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

embarking  eight  horses  *  for  accompt  of  this  King ',  left  on  October  5  ; 
got  to  Gombroon  nine  days  later ;  sailed  on  the  20th,  with 
Messrs.  Adler,  Hall,  and  Wheeler  on  board  ;  and  arrived  at  Swally 
on  November  7.  She  brought  from  Basra,  in  goods  and  money, 
29,489  rials,  and  from  Gombroon  122,672  shahis,  besides  a  certain 
amount  received  for  freight.  She  has  now  been  sent  to  Bassein  to 
fetch  some  great  guns  'made  there  for  a  new  junck  built  in  this 
river  for  the  Princesses  ^  accompt ' ;  and  later  she  will  be  dispeeded 
to  *  Scinda '  with  tobacco.  On  her  return  she  will  go  again  to 
Basra.  Probably  the  Prosperous  will  then  accompany  her.  Of 
Courteen's  ships  sent  to  the  East  last  year,  two,  they  hear,  went  to 
Achin,  whence  one  of  them  was  dispatched  to  England  little  more 
than  half  full.  The  Advice  brought  news  that  the  Bo7iaventura  had 
been  wrecked  at  Mauritius.  The  Bona  Speranza  went  to  the 
Malabar  Coast  and  there  bartered  brimstone  and  Biscay  iron  for 
cinnamon.  She  was  then  freighted  by  the  Portuguese  for  China, 
but  was  captured  by  the  Dutch  and  taken  to  Malacca.  This  has 
frustrated  '  Captain  Blackmans  hope  of  like  employment  for  shipp 
William^ \  'with  which  shipp  the  Planter  is  alsoe  arrived  and 
returned  for  England,  laden  in  the  greatest  part  (as  reported)  with 
saltpeeter  ;  nor  indeed  can  wee  thinke  that  her  carga[zoon]  imported 
any  considerable  summ,  since  in  Goa  they  are  enforced  to  empawne 
such  goods  as  they  cannot  vend,  though  preferred  at  most  despicable 
rates  to  raise  monies  to  stopp  there  clamorous  creditors  mouthes  at 
Rawbaag.  In  Achyn  they  are  alike  necessiated,  for  they  borrow 
monies  to  buy  pepper  and,  the  covenanted  time  for  payment  being 
before  there  supplies  arrived,  they  [are  ?]  againe  forced  to  sell  there 
pepper  to  pay  there  creditors.  Nor  doth  Captaine  Blackman  well 
know  what  to  doe  with  his  shipp  William  \  yett  some  say  hee  hath 
agreede  to  take  a  fraught  at  Rajapore  for  Persia.'  However,  they 
will  now  '  leave  them  wrangling  with  and  menaceing  the  Dutch, 
for  dareing  to  shoote  at  His  Majesties  shipp  and  coulors  (for  that 
is  the  usuall  appellacion  whereby  they  distinguish  yours  from  there 
shipping),  and  addresse  ourselves  to  treate  of  the  Hollanders ; 
whose  Hogen  Mogen  ^  Generall  haveing  the  passed  yeare  purposely 

^  Probably  the  Princess  Jahanara,  the  favourite  daughter  of  Shah  Jahan.     Her  trading 
operations  are  referred  to  on  p.  256  of  the  Dagh- Register^  1644-45. 

"^  'Hunne  Hoogmogenden '  (i.e.  the  High  and  Mighty)  was  a  title  applied  to  the 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  149 

(as  published)  sent  one  Pettr  Borell  \  with  the  title  of  Commissary, 
to  Goa  to  treat  and  conclude  articles  of  peace  with  the  V[ice]  Roy 
&c.,and  (it  seemes)  ordered  formerly  there  people  on  Coast  Choro- 
mandell,  Seiloan,  and  this  part  of  India  to  proclaime  the  same  with 
more  then  common  ceremony ;  and  that  this  Borrell  had  dureing 
the  treaty  received  as  much  honor,  respect,  and  noble  entertaine- 
ment  as  could  possibly  bee  contrived.  Yett  his  propositions  were 
soe  unreasonable  and  evilly  disgested  by  the  Portugalls  that,  it  being 
feared  the  people  would  have  offered  some  indignity  to  him,  and 
findeing  with  him  and  his  bounded  commission  an  appeareing 
improbability  of  agreeing,  the  V[ice]  Roy  &c.  determined  to  write 
there  resolves  to  the  Generall,  and  soe  dismissed  the  Commissary ; 
which  suddainely  after  they  put  in  practice,  for,  attending  and 
accompanying  him  to  the  V[ice]  Royes  gallies  with  some  of  the 
best  quallified  persons  in  Goa,  they  gave  him  a  ceremoniall  farwell, 
sending  after  him  all  the  furniture  which,  for  use  an[d]  ornament, 
had  served  in  the  house  appointed  for  his  entertainement ;  which, 
consisting  of  a  great  quain[ti]ty  of  plate  and  rich  carpetts,  did  (as 
some  of  the  Jesuitt  Padres  advised  us)  amount  to  upwards  of 
50,000  xera[fins]  ;  which  comeing  to  the  Admirall  was  not  refused 
by  the  Commissary,  although  upon  his  owne  comeing  on  board  hee 
imediately  put  out  his  bloody  ensigne.  In  imitation  of  his  discre- 
tion the  rest  of  the  skippers  did  the  like  ;  and  soe,  his  limitted  time 
of  stay  being  expired,  hee  sett  saile  for  Ceiloan,  and  there  began 
to  show  the  effect  of  his  intentions ;  but  hee  was  well  beaten  in 
a  skirmish  for  it,  and  soe  returneing  by  PoUycatt  to  Battavia,  dyed 
there  ^  suddainely,  leaveing  the  Portugalls  infinitely  distracted  with 
his  abrupt  parting  from  Goa ;  for  the  former  publicacion  of  peace 
had  invited  the  Portugalls  in  generall  againe  to  fall  to  tradeing,  and 
thereupon  divers  vessells  were  sett  forth  to  Melinda,  IMocambique, 

States- General  of  Holland.  Here,  of  course,  the  reference  is  to  the  Governor- General 
at  Batavia. 

^  For  Boreel's  mission  see  ante,  p.  loo ;  also  the  Hague  Transcripts,  series  i.  vol.  xiii. 
nos.  410,  420,  422,  &c.  ;  and  Dagh-Register,  1643-44,  p.  186,  &c.  The  Portuguese  account 
of  the  negotiations  will  be  found  in  the  Lisbon  Transcripts  (India  Office)  :  Doc.  Remett.., 
book  48,  f.  149,  &c. 

^  Boreel  died  at  Pulicat  on  July  i  (N.  S.),  nine  days  after  his  arrival  (^Hague  Transcripts, 
series  i,  vol.  xiii.  no.  410;  Dagh-Registcr,  1643-44,  p.  272).  His  tomb  is  still  to  be  seen 
in  the  Dutch  cemetery  there  (J.  J.  Cotton's  Madras  Monuments,  p.  196). 


150  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

China,  and  other  places,  which  are  now  left  to  there  fortunes.  And 
yett  wee  doe  not  heare  that  they  [i.  e.  the  Dutch]  have  this  yeare 
on  this  coast  surprised  any,  but  have  rather  bin  loosers  :  whilst  there 
shipp  Pas  \_Pauw\  commanded  by  Willibrant  Gelemensen  \see 
p.  114],  there  late  President  (as  they  tearmed  him)  in  Persia,  passing 
thence  to  Battavia  with  more  then  400  bales  of  silke,  was  enforced 
(if  not  invited,  in  hopes  of  peace  twixt  them  and  the  Portugalls)  to 
shelter  himselfe  from  a  most  violent  storme,  which  tooke  him  neare 
Cape  Commerin,  as  hee  thought  in  a  freinds  port.  But  hee  was 
noe  sooner  entred  Mormagon  then  all  was  ceized  on,  inventorized, 
and  finally  landed  and  housed ;  whereof  the  V[ice]  Roy  kept  one, 
Willibrant  the  other  key  ;  unto  whome  and  his  company  untill  the 
entry  of  September  was  affoarded  as  much  liberty  as  the  towne 
permitted,  delivering  up  into  the  saide  Willibrants  possession  what- 
ever as  his  proper  goods  hee  pretended  unto ;  but  when  the  time  of 
there  shipps  comeing  as  accustomary,  they  were  then  jointly 
enclosed  in  a  monastery  and  a  guard  sett  over  them  ;  where  at  your 
shippe  Dolphins  comeing  thence  they  were  [contijnued ;  and  are 
like  to  remaine  in  such  durance  untill  they  are  enfranchized  [in 
lieu  ?]  of  others  or  a  confirmed  peace  concluded.'  ^  Three  Dutch 
ships  (one  of  them,  the  Elephant^  being  reported  to  be  of  a  thousand 
tons  burden)  have  visited  Swally  and  have  landed  vast  quantities 
of  Southern  commodities,  which  have  been  sold  (especially  the 
spices)  at  very  great  prices.  Three  ships  have  been  sent  to  Persia 
and  one  to  Goa  and  the  Malabar  Coast ;  while  one  is  expected  from 
Bantam  [Batavia?]  and  two  from  China.  The  latter  two  are 
expected  to  bring  a  great  mass  of  treasure,  for  those  hitherto  arrived 
had  but  a  very  small  number  of  rials.  They  intend  to  dispatch 
a  vessel  to  Mokha  this  year,  but  they  declare  that  she  is  to  be  sent 
rather  to  fetch  away  their  people  than  for  purposes  of  trade.  As 
regards  'the  still  unfortunate  Portugalls,  a  very  [fine?]  galleon, 
called  St.  BeniOy  setting  saile  from  Portugall  in  Aprill,  1642,  spent 
eight  months  time  ere  shee  attained  Mosambique,  rather  a  place 
within  a  small  distance  from  Mosambique,  where  shee  soe  came  on 
ground  that,  though  the  goods  and  men  were  in  the  great  part 
saved,  yett  the  land  rather  then  water  saint  could  not  preserve  his 

1  Hague  Transcripts,  series  i.  vol.  xiii.  no.  417  ;  Dagh- Register,  1643-44,  p.  1S7,  &c. 
See  also  Lisbon  Transcripts :  Doc.  Remett.,  book  48,  f.  268. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  151 

namesake  from  perishing.^  Two  caravells  alsoe,  which  wintered  at 
Mosambique  and  could  not  in  May  attaine  Goa,  arrived  thither 
about  the  entry  of  September,  and  brought  tydcings  of  [  ] 

galleons  preparednesse  to  follow ;  but  the  time  is  not,  it  seemes, 
knowne  when,  for  yett  none  appeares,  and  now  untill  the  next  yeare 
the  Portugalls  despaire  to  see  [them  ?].  In  Seiloan  they  have  of 
the  Dutch  regained  Negombo  and  manfully  beate  them  in  a  land 
skirmish,  wherein  some  say  700,  some  500,  but  none  report  that 
fewer  then  300  Hollanders  were  slaine.  And  yett  they  would,  even 
upon  any  indifferent  tearmes  accept,  if  not  begg,  a  cessation  of 
armes  of  the  Hollanders,  who  since  the  middle  of  September  have 
not  had  less  then  five  shipps  at  anchor  before  Goa,  and  whose  com- 
manders brought  a  pretended  power  to  establish  such  peace  twixt 
both  nations  as  was  ratified  in  Europe,  but  then  the  Portugalls  must 
submitt  to  part  with  Ceiloan  ;  otherwise  the  propositions  falls,  and 
with  it  all  hopes  of  reconcilliacion.  Upon  these  tearmes  the  affaires 
of  both  nations  in  these  parts  subsists  :  the  Portugalls  will  not  leave 
Seiloan,  nor  will  the  Hollanders  leave  the  roade  of  Goa  free  from 
disturbance,  its  merchants  freede  of  that  distraction,  which  not  only 
afflicts  them  but  becomes  common  and  distributive  to  as  many 
ports  and  places  as  are  commanded  by  them.  And  yett  the 
earnest  desire  the  Dutch  had  to  enforce  your  shipp  Dolphin  to 
anchor  by  them  at  her  returneing  from  Goa  invited  them  to  moor 
there  shipps  as  farr  to  the  norwards  as  before  they  ridd  to  the 
southwards  of  Goa  ;  whereby  they  gave  the  Portugalls  a  very  faire 
opportunity,  with  helpe  of  a  darke  night,  to  steale  a  passage  for 
a  caravell  which,  the  day  before  your  shipp  Dolphin  left  Goa,  was 
by  the  V[ice]  Roy  &c.  dispatched  for  there  country  ^ — the  rediculous 
issue  of  there  mountainous  determinacion  to  lade  home  there  mon- 
strous carracke  and  galleon,  which,  being  advanced  to  the  usuall 
randevouz  for  embarquing  of  goods,  are  now  retired  and  will  in 
probabillity  remaine  for  ever  in  there  rotting  residence.  With  this 
people  in  gencrall,  according  to  Your  Worshipps  injunctions,  wee 
labour  by  all  convenient  meanes  to  continuate  our  wonted  freindly 
correspondence.'     One  result  is  an  annual  request  for  the  convey- 

1  The  Dagh- Register,  1643-44  (pp.  53,  227)  mentions  the  loss  of  this  vessel  and  the 
arrival  of  the  two  caravels  at  Goa.     See  also  Hague  Transcripts  series  i.  vol.  xiii.  p.  425. 
^  Hague  TranscriptSy  series  i.  vol.  xiii.  no.  410. 


1^2,  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

ance  to  Europe  of  Portuguese  passengers ;  and  two  have  now  been 
allowed  to  embark  on  the  Discovery.  Find  that  some  of  the  goods 
allotted  to  the  ships  have  had  to  be  left  out  and  others  substituted ; 
refer  to  the  invoices  for  details.  Have  been  obliged  to  agree  with 
Virjl  Vora  to  pay  him  -^q  per  cent,  higher  interest  than  formerly. 
'  Your  Worshipps  in  former  missives  from  this  Presidency  have  bin 
advised  \see  the  1637-41  volume,"^.  1^2]  that  it  was  noe  lesse  neces- 
sary in  respect  of  her  selfe  as  becomeing  the  honor  of  our  religion 
and  nacion  that  the  daughter  of  John  Leechland  should  bee  sent  to 
her  kindred  in  England  ;  for  which  alsoe  wee  remember  that  her 
uncle,  Mr.  William  Leechland,  petitioned  and  obtained  your  con- 
sents ;  which  though  you  were  then  pleased  to  grant,  yett  upon 
arriveall  of  your  pleasures  therein,  her  mother  being  with  the 
daughter  retired  to  Barroach  and  Brodera,  and  soe  missing  that 
yeares  passage,  nor  one  nor  the  other  were  after  that  time  thought 
on,  untill  May  or  June  last  passed,  when  from  the  mother  was  pre- 
sented a  petition  to  your  President  and  Councell  for  leave  to  marry 
her  daughter  unto  one  William  Appelton,  a  taylor  and  attendance 
\sic'\  at  Surratt ;  whereof  wee  had  duely  considered,  though  wee 
found  it  a  new  thing  never  before  desired  or  granted,  yett  withall  it 
was  apprehended  a  necessary  meanes  to  preserve  her  honor  and 
honesty  unteinted,  which  till  then,  though  shee  wanted  not  provoca- 
tions enough  from  her  mother  to  tempt  her  to  prostitution,  was 
almost  miraculously  preserved  ;  besides  which  the  remembrance  of 
your  former  grant  for  her  comeing  to  England  in  your  shipps,  and 
her  uncles  charitable  inclination  towards  her,  invited  us  to  gratiffie 
her  desires.  Soe  that  they  were  by  our  minister,  Mr.  Andrew  Baines, 
solemn[l]y  married,  and  have  since  (susteined  by  the  charitie  of 
your  servants)  poorely  yett  honestly  and  decently  subsisted.  Yett 
there  maine  comforts  depending  on  your  favors  and  the  hopes  they 
have  to  bee  releived  by  Mr.  William  Leechland  and  the  hopes  they 
have  in  a  peticion  directed  to  Your  Worshipps  emplored  your 
consent  that  whatsoever  shalbee  found  due  to  John  Leechland  upon 
his  accompt  of  wagis,  if  not  already  otherwaies  disposed  off,  may 
(as  upon  his  death  bedd  hee  desired)  bee  sent  them,  that  soe,  whether 
you  please  to  license  there  returnes  from,  or  continuance  in,  India, 
soe  much  may  at  least  bee  added  towards  their  sustenance  and 
future  subsistance.'     A  number  of  lazy  or  incapable  seamen  have 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  153 

been  sent  home  in  these  ships.  On  inquiry  they  find  that  Saker 
died  while  the  Crispiana  was  at  Masulipatam  and  left  no  estate. 
A  missing  bale  of  cinnamon  to  be  inquired  about.  Writings  en- 
trusted to  Fremlen  for  delivery  to  the  Company.  Dutch  letters 
enclosed  for  transmission  to  Holland.  List  of  jewels  found  among 
John  Wylde's  goods.     (Copy.     '^6  pp) 

Extracts  from  John  Proud's  Account  of  the  Home- 
ward Voyage  of  the  Dolphin  {O.C.  1857 1). 

1644,  January  26.  Went  into  the  outer  road  [of  Swally].  J  agin- 
ary 29.  Sailed.  February  lo.  Crossed  the  Line.  It  was  decided 
by  consultation  to  make  for  Mauritius,  as  the  Discovery  was  getting 
short  of  water.  March  9.  Reached  the  shoals  of  *  Malha '  \see  p. 
109].  Then  determined  to  stand  to  the  northwards  and  eastwards. 
March  24.  A  strong  gale  forced  the  Dolphin  to  take  down  most  of 
her  sails.  The  Discovery  was  then  a  mile  or  two  astern.  As  night 
came  on^  the  storm  increased  in  violence.  March  25.  Early  in  the 
morning  it  was  found  that  they  had  four  feet  of  water  in  the  hold  ; 
and  as  '  our  poore  ship  lay  all  downe  upon  the  side  and  never  seemed 
to  ease  herselfe ',  it  was  decided  to  cut  away  the  mainmast.  Upon 
this  she  righted  herself,  but  was  still  swept  by  the  waves,  and  was 
only  kept  afloat  by  constant  pumping  and  bailing.  However,  the 
violence  of  the  wind  now  rapidly  abated,  though  the  sea  was  still 
very  high,  and  the  ship  was  leaking  badly.  March  28.  They  got  up 
a  jury  mast.  March  30.  It  was  decided  to  make  for  Mauritius  to 
refit  and  to  meet  the  Discovery.  April  2.  Passed  Rodriguez. 
April  5.  Sighted  Mauritius.  April  6.  Anchored  there  '  in  the  bay 
by  us  called  Carpenters  Bay  and  by  the  Dutch  Peeter  Butts  Bay'. 
A  few  hours  later  they  discovered  the  Hopeivell  riding  in  '  the  N.Wt. 
harbor'.'     (p-lpp) 

1  A  second  copy  will  be  found  in  O.C.  1856,  and  a  third  among  the  O.C.  Duplicates. 

2  The  story  is  continued  in  O.C.  1856,  which  is  a  collection  of  papers  forwarded  to 
liantam,  dealing  mainly  with  the  perilous  voyage  of  the  Hopewell  from  that  port  to 
Mauritius,  her  meeting  with  the  Dolphin^  the  measures  taken  to  repair  both  vessels  (with 
the  aid  of  the  Dutch),  and  their  preparations  for  their  departure  for  Madagascar.  An  in- 
teresting account  is  given  of  the  Dutch  settlement  in  Mauritius.  Duplicates  of  some  of  the 
documents  will  be  found  under  O.C.  1860,  1S61,  1S69,  1S70,  1893. 


154  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 


Francis  Day  and  George  Travell  at  Fort  St.  George 
TO  THE  President  and  Council  at  Bantam,  January  28, 
1644  {O.C.  1859). 

Wrote  last  on  October  4,  by  a  Dutch  conveyance.  Letters  from 
Masulipatam,  dated  November  18,  intimated  that  the  factors  had 
been  able  to  make  but  small  investments,  '  the  Dutch  abounding  soe 
with  meanes  and  haveing  given  out  such  great  quantities  to  mer- 
chants and  weavers  that  little  or  nothing  is  procurable  there,  they 
keepeing  a  strict  watch  over  those  whom  they  have  soe  preimployed 
that  nothing  can  pass  them.'  As  here  the  position  is  as  bad  or 
worse,  it  is  feared  that  the  returns  for  Bantam  will  fall  far  short  of 
what  was  intended.  *  How  for  to  remedy  these  evells  and  others 
of  that  nature  is  past  our  skill.  Nay,  such  a  storme  is  prepareing 
for  us  that  tis  to  bee  feared  will  even  whorle  us  from  this  coast.  Our 
neighbours  the  Dutch  have  bine  longe  a  projecting  and  now  they  have 
wrought  it  that  MoUay,  their  merchant,  is  like  to  bee  as  powerfull 
with  this  King  as  the  Serkayle  is  att  Gulcundah  ;  and,  to  ingratiate 
him  throughly  into  his  favour,  they  have  assisted  Mollay  with  men 
and  gunns  for  the  subdueing  of  castles  of  our  Nague  for  the  King, 
or  rather  their  owne  use  ;  by  which  meanes  our  Nague  is  casherd 
and  hee  substituted,  and  is  allso  made  his  Treasurer  and  dus  even  in 
a  manner  command  all.  And  tis  very  probable  that  hee  will 
governe  all  the  sea  ports  even  to  the  very  verges  of  Cealon ;  and 
what  this  may  come  to  in  a  short  time  is  noe  hard  matter  to  judge 
of.^  Beleive  itt,  tis  not  for  naught  that  the  Dutch  assist  him  in  this 
manner,  for  their  ayme  is  to  have  the  sole  trade  of  the  coast ;  and  if 
you  doe  not  sett  to  the  helping  hand,  and  that  suddenly,  adtie  to 
all.'  It  is  useless  to  appeal  to  England,  for  '  there  hath  binn  so 
many  complaints  of  this  coast  that  all  that  goes  from  hence  meets 
naught  butt  disrespectts,  soe  odious  and  deformed  have  our  actions 
bin  made.'     This  is  '  an  accusative  age ',  and  so  much  has  been  said 

^  A  Dutch  letter  from  Pulicat  of  rather  later  date  (May  4,   1644,  N.  S.)  says  that 

Chinnana  (Malaya)  by  lavish  presents,  amounting  to  about  80,000  pardaos,  had  regained 
the  favour  of  the  King  and  had  been  by  him  appointed  governor  of  the  district  round 
Pulicat ;  but  that,  on  fresh  accusations  being  brought  against  him  of  conspiring  with  the 
Nayak  of  Gingi,  the  King  had  since  deprived  him  of  his  post  and  ordered  him  to  be  im- 
prisoned {Hagtie  Transcripts,  series  i.  vol.  xiv.  no.  429  ;  Dagh-Re^ster,  1643-44,  p.  291). 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  15.5 

against  the  Coast  factors  by  those  who  have  thus  sought  to  ingra- 
tiate themselves  that  the  Company  has  been  altogether  disheartened, 
*  which  hath  occasioned  these  parts  to  bee  soe  neglected  '.  Refer  to 
a  letter  received  from  home  by  the  Dolphin  (via  Surat).  *  Towoards 
the  foote  thereof  is  a  passion  of  unmeritted  egrcadiences.  Wee  are 
to  give  accompt  of  our  actions  to  you  ;  wee  desire  to  know  wherein 
wee  have  offended  to  merritt  such  invectives  (wee  meane  sence  Clarke 
and  Hudsons  dayes),  and  doe  willingly  submitt  to  your  doome.'  It 
cannot  be  denied  that  they  have  forwarded  their  accounts  annually, 
and  that  in  these  '  there  is  nomination  of  all  our  remaines  ;  yett  you 
complayne  to  Europe  for  want  of  returnes,  and  our  masters  of  their 
large  resendments  and  want  of  fruits,  and  are  doubtfuU  that  much 
thereof  are  converted  to  private  uses,  when  for  many  years  together 
those  that  have  had  the  managery  thereof  have  bine  forst  to  putt 
in  practice  many  dishonorable  shifts  for  procurement  of  money  to 
feede  themselves,  and  most  commonly  for  two  thirds  of  each  yeare 
they  have  bin  soe  necessitated.'  This  has  been  again  and  again 
represented,  and  it  has  also  been  pointed  out  that  '  by  occasion  of 
our  deepe  ingagements,  the  interest  thereof  takes  a  quarter  partt  of 
the  large  resendments  ;  then  the  charge  of  shipping,  &c.,  tryming  of 
old,  rotten,  leaky,  unproffitable  vessells,  added  to  our  other  charges 
of  presents,  dyett,  &c.,  which  being  congregated  will  appeare  no  dis- 
piseable  some.'  Regret  that  '  there  is  such  facillitie  and  delight  in 
frameing  and  makeing  complaints  ',  but  console  themselves  with  the 
thought  that  such  treatment  is  '  in  a  manner  hereaditure  to  the 
Coast  factors,  for  these  many  yeares  never  any  from  hence  could 
give  content '.  It  would  be  far  better  to  lay  aside  disputes  and  con- 
sult how  best  to  save  the  Coast  trade  from  disaster.  The  Dutch  are 
certainly  aiming  at  a  monopoly,  there  '  never  being  such  possibillities 
as  at  present.  For  the  Portugalls,  they  play  least  in  sight ;  nay,  tis 
to  bee  dubitated  whether  they  will  have  any  abideing  place  in  these 
parts  within  this  few  months,  for  the  Dutch  gives  itt  out  that  they 
intend  to  take  St.  Thomay  at  the  returne  of  their  fleete  from  Goa. 
And  as  for  the  Danes,  hee  is  in  as  bad  or  worse  condition  ;  and  tis 
very  probable  wee  may  bee  in  the  same  predicament  in  a  short 
time.'  Suggest  that  the  Bantam  President  should  visit  the  Coast  to 
examine  into  the  state  of  affairs.  If  the  Dutch  succeed  in  securing 
control  of  the  coast  line  from  Pulicat  to  Ceylon,  they  will  quickly 


15^  THE  ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

oust  the  English  from  trade  intheGolconda  parts  by  outbidding  them 
for  piece-goods  ;  '  for  rather  then  they  will  faile  in  its  performance, 
they  will  hazard  the  loss  of  one  eye  to  putt  out  both  ours.  Wee  have 
in  a  former  clause  made  nomination  of  Mollay.  Wee  are  sorry  wee 
have  occasion  to  treate  of  him  farther.  Some  few  daies  sence  hee 
made  demande  to  have  the  govermentt  of  this  place  and  all  the 
profetts  to  himselfe ;  which  is  contrary  to  those  cowles  of  the  former 
King  and  our  Nagues,  for  by  those  the  goverment  is  given  to  us, 
with  halfe  its  proffitt ;  which  if  wee  should  yeeld  thereto,  by  surren- 
dering our  previledge,  the  towne  would  bee  suddenly  ruinated  by 
the  raiseing  of  the  customes  ;  for  therein  they  [i.e.  the  Dutch]  ground 
theire  pollice  to  worke  us  the  mischeife.  But  wee  intend  not  soe 
easily  to  part  with  our  emunities  ;  and  if  hee  shall  any  way  mollest 
us,  if  opportunity  presents  for  a  retalliation,  wee  shall  make  the  best 
use  thereof.'  Believe  that  they  could  soon  frighten  him,  if  they  had 
a  small  armed  vessel  to  lie  in  wait  for  some  of  his.  As  regards  the 
proceedings  of  the  Danes,  '  the  :20th  September  last  arived  in  this 
road  a  couple  of  vessells  from  Tranggabar ;  one  being  the  juncke 
they  tooke  formerly  from  the  Moores  in  Bangalla,  and  in  her  the 
old  President ;  the  other,  called  the  Ckristianhaven,  arived  lately 
from  Europe  with  a  particular  commander,  though  dispeeded  from 
Denmarke  in  company  of  the  Golden  Sonne  some  four  yeares  sence, 
haveing  bin  imployed  in  the  Kings  of  Spaine  service  for  a  longe 
time  and  there  disposed  or  rather  spent  all  their  carga[zoon] 
except  300  candy  of  lead  and  a  few  broadcloths.^  The  23th  they 
sett  saile  for  Messulapatan,  and  within  three  or  four  daies  after 
arivall  there  to  Emaldee ;  where  laying  their  jonke  on  ground  to 
trymme,  by  a  southerly  wind  she  was  made  unservicable,  her 
maine  timbers  giving  way.^  .  .  .  The  prime  November  the  President 
arived  here  in  a  smale  boate  with  some  16  or  17  white  men  ;  and  that 
in  good  season,  for  itt  began  to  blow  fresh  that  nyght  [to  ?]  have  in- 
daingered  a  better  vessell  then  his  was.  The  20th  ditto  hee  sett 
sayle  for  Triggambarr.  With  him  wee  sent  an  English  man  to 
advise  us  of  the  Presidents  proceedings  and  to  press  him  to  per- 
formance ;  for  att  his  being  heere  hee  made  offer  to  us  [of?]  the 

^  See  Dagh' Register,  1643-44,  p.  281.     The  'old  President'  was  Barent  Pessaert,  for 
whom  see  the  last  volume,  p.  44.  , 

^  Hague  Transcripts^  series  i.  vol.  xiv.  no.  427  ;  Dagh- Register,  1643-44,  p.  2S6. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  157 

benifitt  of  his  port  and  his  best  industry  for  investing  whatt  wee 
should  desire,  and  to  imploye  his  owne  money  to  the  amount  of 
four  thousand  ryalls  of  eight,  provided  hce  might  bee  repaid  some- 
time in  January.'  They  advanced  him  500  rials,  and  were  very  glad 
of  his  offer,  as  there  was  so  little  opportunity  for  investment  either 
here  or  at  Masulipatam.  On  December  19  Greenhill  was  dispeedcd 
to  Tranquebar  '  in  our  jallia'  [see  p.  133],  with  3,500  rials  in  money 
and  coral  to  be  invested  against  the  arrival  of  the  Advice.  With 
him  went  Robert  Wright,  a  merchant  born  at  Bristol  of  good  parent- 
age, who  has  spent  many  years  in  foreign  parts.  He  came  here  in 
the  Christia7thave7i,  having  joined  her  at  the  Canaries  on  the  strength 
of  promises  which  have  not  been  fulfilled.  He  was  very  sick  at  his 
arrival,  but  has  since  recovered.  They  recommend  him  for  employ- 
ment, especially  as  Day,  Peniston,  Greenhill,  and  others  are  deter- 
mined to  go  home  next  year.  The  goods  laden  here  on  the  pinnace 
Advice  are  good,  if  few  in  number.  The  deficiency  is  due  to  the 
late  arrival  of  the  Hart, '  the  greate  and  lasting  quantities  of  raynes  ', 
and  '  some  hinderances  of  Mollayes '.  Should  the  calicoes  to  be 
procured  at  Tranquebar  prove  satisfactory,  they  will  endeavour  to  ob- 
tain a  further  supply.  '  Wee  shall  now  treat  somewhatt  of  this  fortt 
erectition  \_sic\  which  hath  indured  maney  batteries  (and  groundless 
ones),  and  endeavor  to  putt  a  period  to  all  such  vaine  and  unproffit- 
able  attempts;  which  may  with  facillitie  bee  effected  if  the  WorshipfuU 
Presidentt  would  bee  pleased  to  sett  to  his  helping  hand  and  reflex 
upon  the  Armagon  prizes,  compareing  them  with  these  of  this  place. 
Indeed,  if  hee  pleases  to  undertake  it  (as  wee  are  confidentt  hee  wdll, 
being  zealous  of  our  masters  good)  and  advise  thus  much  for 
Eu[rop]e,  wee  shall  not  doubt  then  of  a  thriveing  issue.  For  t[hos]e 
sorts  as  wee  here  pay  7,  7^,  and  8  pago[das]  wee  did  there  pay  10, 
day  \sic.  ?  nay]  11,  12  pago[das],  and  soe  accordingly.  This  wee 
neede  nott  insert  or  nominate,  being  they  are  soe  well  knowne  to 
the  President  and  the  bookes  are  yett  extant  which  acknowledges 
as  much  ;  which  dus  not  a  little  comforte  us  when  wee  cogitate 
thereon,  and  hope  by  his  meanes  this  place,  the  Coast,  and  factors 
may  bee  better  esteemed  with  our  masters ;  for  at  present  their  factors 
are  weary  of  their  unthankefull  employment,  and  most  of  [them  ?] 
doe  desire  a  releasement ;  for  poverty  wath  content  is  better  then 
abundance  with  discontent.'     The  gunner  of  the  Hart  was  to  have 


158  THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

made  trial  of  the  gunpowder  produced  here,  but  was  prevented  by 
the  sudden  departure  of  the  ship  ;  it  is  therefore  suggested  that  this 
should  be  done  at  Bantam  instead.     Some  of  the  powder  now  sent 
is  finer  than  the  last ;  but  the  price  will  be  the  same,  and  they  have 
agreed  with  the  maker  '  to  have  itt  all  of  that  goodness '.     Could 
supply  a  larger  quantity,  if  furnished  with  casks.     Advices  from 
Surat.     It  seems  that  the  Expedition  had  not  then  arrived  there ; 
but  they  hear  from  Masulipatam  that  she  passed  Goa  in  September 
last.     *  The  8th  current  here  happened  a  most  unfortunate  accident, 
made  soe  by  the  success  and  nott  the  intent  .  .  .  our  serg[ean]t, 
Jeffery  Broadford,  being  the  unfortunate  man  and  theame  for  this 
inlargement,  by  killing  of  one  of  these  natives.     Hee,  haveing  licence 
to  lye  at  his  house,  found  a  man  at  a  most  unseasonable  tyme  hid 
there.     Hee  by  accident  finding  of  him  hid  soe,  and  in  the  darke 
seizing  on  him,  and  the  other  strugling  for  an  escape,  which  the 
sargant  doubting,  drew  out  his  knife  (not  haveing  his  sword  about 
him)  and  cutt  him  over  the  arme,  soe  for  to  give  him  a  marke 
for  to  discover  and  knowe  him  the  next  day.     And  indeed  itt  proved 
soe  that  the  man  was  easily  to  bee  found  ;  for  whatt  with  timerous- 
ness  and  neglect  to  have  his  blood  stincht,  hee  proved  a  corpes. 
Wee,  haveing  notice  of  the  disaster  the  next  morning,  and  being 
dubious  that  our  masters   might    suffer  somewhat,  first  sent  our 
chirurgeon  to  see  whatt  wounds ;  which  was  fruitless,  for  his  parents 
had  intered  him  early  in  the  morning,  being  ashamed  of  the  act  (for 
such  ware  his  words).     And  not  onely  then  but  [on  ?]  a  generall 
conventing  of  ourselves  and  the  most  substantiallest  merchants  and 
committees  ^  of  this  place,  the  father  did  there  confess  that  his  sonn 
received  a  just  guerdon  for  his  offence  ;  which  was  averd  and  con- 
fermed  by  the  abovesaid  marchants  and  committees  that  such  was 
the  law  and  custome  of  the  country  ;  of  which  the  father  hath  given 
under  his  hand,  and  testified  by  the  said  merchants,  &c.     Notwith- 
standing, wee  intended  his  [i.e.  Broadford's]  mission  to  you ;  and 
would  soe,  if  wee  could  by  any  meanes  have  found  in  one  weake  and 
disordered  company  a  fitt  man  to  have  seated  in  his  office  ;  but  tis 
our  unhappiness  that  wee  are  totally  unprovided  of  such,  as  will  all- 
waes  bee  in  that  manner  soe  longe  as  wee  are  to  bee  supplyed  by  the 
discretion  of  masters  of  shipps.     Wee  have  allready  said  that  the 

^  Komati,  a  merchant :  see  the  1630-33  volume,  p.  183.  » 


THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES  159 

success  and  not  the  intent  made  itt  unfortunate ;  for  itt  tis  confe^t 
una  vose  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  towne  that  saw  him  eare  his 
interring  that  hec  had  noe  other  wound  but  onely  on  the  armes ; 
which  confirmes  that  there  was  noc  intent  to  take  his  Hfe.'  Will 
defer  action  for  a  time,  to  see  whether  any  further  question  will  be 
raised  ;  but  they  believe  the  matter  will  drop.  On  Greenhill's 
return,  however,  they  will  draw  both  a  consultation  and  an  attesta- 
tion, and  send  them  to  Bantam  ;  and  meanwhile  '  our  gunner  hath 
undertaken,  body  for  body,  that  the  serjant  shall  not  make  any 
escape.'  If  he  be  ordered  to  Bantam,  some  '  man  of  goverment ' 
should  be  sent  to  take  his  place.  The  Advice  left  Masulipatam  on 
January  13  and  arrived  here  on  the  :i7th.  This  day  she  sails  again, 
and  is  to  call  at  Tranquebar  for  the  goods  being  provided  there. 
The  gunpowder  mentioned  in  the  invoice  was  refused  admission  to 
the  ship,  '  pretending  much  daingers  in  regard  of  iron  hoopes  '.  The 
necessary  adjustment  will  be  made  in  the  accounts.     (Copy.    11  pp) 

President  Breton  and  Messrs.  Merry,  Thurston,  and 
Fitch  at  Swally  Marine  to  the  Company,  February  [7  ^\ 
1644  (p.C.  1862). 

This  letter  is  entrusted  to  Duarte  Fernandez,  who  is  bound  on 
the  Supply  for  Gombroon,  and  thence  overland  to  Venice.  Fremlen 
sailed  on  January  1^  with  the  DolpJihi  and  Discovery^  carrying 
cargoes  amounting  to  931,000  mahmudis.  The  Hhid,  Siipply,  and 
Seafiower  have  now  been  laden  for  Gombroon  with  freight  goods, 
pepper,  &c.  The  Seqflower,  on  her  return,  will  be  sent  to  Bantam 
to  replace  the  Expedition ;  and  the  Hind  will  follow  her  next  year. 
Forgot  to  mention  in  their  previous  letters  that,  '  whilest  your  late 
President  was  yet  in  place,  it  was  thought  no  less  then  absolutely 
requisite  that  our  nation  and  your  servants  (almost  forgotten  at  this 
Kings  court)  should  by  a  vallid  present  to  himself  and  sonnes 
become  better  known  ;  that  thereby  we  might  if  possible  acquire 
satisfaccicn  for  Raja  Chuttersals  -  and  others  debts  long  owing,  and 
as  long  by  other  means  in  vain  sought  after ;  wherby  we  also  hope 
to  purchase  unto  you  large  immunities  in  matter  of  your  customes 

'  The  date  is  supplied  from  another  copy  preserved  among  the  O.C.  Duplicates, 
*  Raja  Chhatarsal  of  Bundl :  see  the  1634-36  volume,  p.  xxvi,  &c. 


i6o  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

and  rhawdaries  \rdhddri,  a  transit  duty],  as  the  Dutch  did  the  passed 
year  ^  by  the  same  means,  the  King  having  graunted  them  his 
firmaen  to  this  Governor  and  Customers  that  their  goods  shalbe 
cleared  at  the  rates  themselves  pretend  they  cost  in  Agra,  with 
addition  of  %o  per  cent,  for  charges,  on  Ahmuda[bad]  goods  lo  per 
cent.,  and  Brodra  and  Burroach  goods  as  they  cost  in  those  places  ; 
wheras  Your  Worshipps  pay  upon  Agra  goods  40,  Ahmuda[bad]  25, 
and  upon  Brodra  and  Burroach  11  per  cent,  more  then  their  cost, 
besides  their  exactions,  even  upon  their  first  cost  also.'  The  presents 
given  by  the  Dutch  are  detailed  in  the  enclosed  list  \inissing\. 
Those  to  be  offered  by  the  English  consist  of  the  following :  to  the 
King  broadcloths,  satins,  '  bayes ',  a  very  large  looking-glass,  and 
two  Arab  horses,  costing  in  all  o.^SS  rupees  ;  to  Prince  '  Dara- 
sacore  ^ '  one  Arab  horse,  broadcloths,  satins,  a  '  cabinet  and  looking- 
glass  ',  a  case  of  barbers'  instruments,  and  an  embroidered  *  sweet 
bagg',  at  a  cost  of  2,334  rupees;  and  to  Prince  'Morad  Bux^' 
broadcloths,  velvets,  and  a  young  Arab  colt,  at  a  cost  of  1,100 
rupees.  In  addition  to  these  it  has  been  decided  that  'Assalam 
Caun*  (in  whose  hands  is  the  whole  management  of  the  Court 
affaires)  should  be  presented  with  somthing  worthy  his  acceptance ' ; 
the  details  are  left  to  Turner's  discretion.  '  Mirza  Jam  Cully  Beag^, 
lately  Governor  of  this  place,  our  exceeding  good  friend,  being  called 
by  the  King  to  officiate  som  office  in  court,  left  this  place  the 
24th  December  last ;  and  we  embraced  that  opportunity  to  remit 
unto  Agra  under  his  convoy,  recommended  to  his  care,  such  things 
as  were  destined  for  presents  ;  he  having  made  us  large  and  (we  are 
confident)  reall  promises  to  be  very  helpful!  to  our  Agra  friends, 
not  only  in  procuring  acceptance  of  what  sent  but  also  of  what  in 
our  letters  to  the  King  and  Prince  (sent  also  by  him)  we  demand.'' 
The  result  they  hope  to  announce  in  their  next  letters.  The  Sea- 
horse arrived    from    Bassein  on  January  19,  and  was  thereupon 

1  For  the  mission  of  Cornelis  Weijland  to  the  Great  Mogul  in  1643  see  Dagh- Register, 
1641-42,  p.  193,  and  1643-44,  p.  163 ;  also  Corpus  Diplomatiaun^  p,  388. 

^  Dara  Shikoh,  the  eldest  son  of  Shah  Jahan.     He  was  Viceroy  of  Sind,  and  so  his 
favour  was  particularly  necessary  (p.  163). 

2  Murad  Bakhsh,  fourth  son  of  the  Mogul. 
*  Islam  Khan  MashhadI,  the  WazTr. 

^  According  to  the  Dagh- Register,  1643-44  (p.  196)  he  was  succeeded  by  Sharafuddin 
Husain,  who  had  previously  been  Kotwal  of  Agra.  » 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  i6i 

ordered  to  '  Scinda ',  to  carry  thither  some  tobacco  and  bring  back 
'cussumba'  [see  p.  136]  for  Achin  and  piece-goods  for  Basra.  The 
tobacco,  however,  could  not  be  procured  in  time,  and  so  her  voyage 
has  been  countermanded,  for  fear  she  might  be  forced  to  winter 
there,  as  was  the  case  with  the  Diamond  m  1640.  She  will  therefore 
be  sent  to  Rajapur  for  '  cussumba',  which  can  be  bought  at  Raybag 
very  cheap  and  in  large  quantities.  The  Francis  will  not  be  dis- 
patched to  the  Red  Sea,  as  formerly  intended,  but  will  accompany 
the  Seahorse  to  Basra.  PS. — A  mistake  found  in  the  account  of 
the  pepper  brought  by  the  Expedition.  (4^  pp.  Received  overland 
February  20,  1645.) 

Instructions  from  the  President  and  Council  at  Surat 
TO  Peter  Herbert,  troceeding  to  Mokha,  March  23,  1644 
{O.C.  1863). 

Had  intended  to  embark  the  goods  consigned  to  Mokha  on  the 
Dutch  ship  Valkenbiirg,  whose  commander,  '  Paul  Crooque ',  had 
agreed  to  receive  them  on  freight  terms  (as  he  had  also  done  in  the 
case  of  the  goods  of  several  native  merchants) ;  but  now,  at  the  last 
moment,  a  Dutch  vessel  having  arrived  from  Vengurla  with  pepper, 
he  has  refused  to  take  any  freight  goods  at  all.  Have  therefore 
arranged,  '  upon  easy  fraught  and  ensurance  '  ^,  to  send  them  on  the 
Saldmatl,  belonging  to  *  Hodgee  Zaud  Beague '  [Hajl  Zahid  Beg]  ; 
and  Herbert  is  to  take  his  passage  in  her,  accompanied  by  Thomas 
Cogan  and  a  broker,  Somaji  Parak,  who  has  previously  served  him 
at  Mokha.  On  arrival  Herbert  is  to  deliver  to  the  Governor  the 
letters  and  present  provided ;  then  he  is  to  take  a  suitable  house 
and  endeavour  to  sell  his  goods.  *  You  cannot  ignore  the  injustice 
and  violence  the  passed  yeare  was  used  unto  Robert  Cranmer  in 
Judda,  when  the  Governor  enforced  from  him  2,000  ryalls  upon 
Mr.  Wyldes  death,  to  secure  (as  hee  pretended)  the  Companies 
estate,  which  by  his  decease  in  Moha  would  have  bin  forfeited  in 
Judda  to  those  Sheriffs  [Sharlfs]  ;  of  which  injury  Mr.  Oxenden 
complained  to  the  Moha  Governor,  desyring  his  lycense  that  hee 
might  in  satisfaction  thereof  make  ceizure  upon  such  vessels  that 

^  A  list  of  the  goods  thus  sent  will  be  found  in  Factory  Records,  Egypt  and  Red  Sea^ 
vol.  i.     They  were  insured  at  five  per  cent,  of  their  value. 
FOSTER  vn  M 


i62  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

usually  arrive  from  Judda  to  Moha  ;  whereunto  hee  would  not 
assent,  but  promised,  both  verbally  and  by  his  letter  to  the  President, 
that  restitution  should  be  made ;  wherof  you  shall  not  onely  put 
him  in  minde  but  with  all  befitting  importunity  sollicite  the  same ; 
assureing  him  that,  notwithstanding  wee  would  not  willingly  dis- 
please him  (from  whom  our  nacion  hath  received  many  favours),  yet 
in  discharge  of  our  duties  wee  nor  may  nor  will  omit  the  recovery  of 
it  by  some  other  means  the  next  ensueing  yeare,  if  hee  please  not 
to  redress  our  masters  wrongs  and  remit  by  you  unto  us.'  Herbert 
is,  however,  to  settle  the  matter  by  fair  means,  if  possible.  Direc- 
tions for  the  purchase  of  *  mirh  Hobsee '  [Arabic  Habasht^  '  Abys- 
sinian '],  olibanum,  and  aloes  Socotrina.  With  these  goods  he  is  to 
return  on  the  Dutch  ship,  if  he  can  arrange  suitable  terms ;  if  not, 
on  a  '  Moores  junke '.  A  debt  to  be  recovered  from  Mahmud 
Husain.  A  '  faire  and  civill  comportment  amongst  those  people '  is 
enjoined  ;  also  daily  prayer.  Warn  him  to  be  frugal  in  his  expenses. 
PS. — A  debt  to  be  recovered  from  Mahmud  Zaman.  As  the 
Governor  will  require  a  large  present  on  account  of  the  ship,  *  and 
that,  as  accustomary,  must  be  raised  upon  her  carga[zoon] ',  they 
have  agreed  to  contribute  i  J  per  cent,  on  the  value  of  the  Company's 
goods,  as  rated  in  the  Mokha  customhouse.     {Copy.     4  //.) 

President  Breton  and  Messrs.  Merry,  Thurston,  and 
Fitch  at  Swally  Marine  to  the  Company,  March  26,  1644 
{O.C.  1864). 

Wrote  last  by  the  Hind,  which,  accompanied  by  the  Supply  and 
Seaflower,  sailed  on  February  8  for  Gombroon.  A  letter  received 
from  Agra  states  that  the  factors  have  already  in  hand  700  bales  of 
indigo  and  do  not  doubt  to  make  up  the  number  to  1,000,  as  ordered. 
The  presents  sent  from  Surat  for  the  King  and  the  princes  have 
been  duly  delivered  ;  *  which  hath  found  such  favourable  and 
fortunate  acceptance  that  Mr.  Turner  advizeth  that  hee  nothing 
doubts  thereby  to  purchase  the  accomplishment  of  our  desires. 
And  Mirza  Jam  Cullebeag,  from  whom  the  President  hath  allso 
received  a  letter,  affirmeth  that  the  King  hath  allrcady  remitted 
unto  us  the  excess  of  customs  which  wee  paid  more  then  the  Dutch, 
and  that  in  all  other  our  demands  hee  is  very  confident  w^e  shall 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORH^:S  163 

be  gratifyed.  The  Prince  Darashacore,  to  whom  Tuttah  bclongcth, 
hath  allso  multiplyed  promises  of  favors  towards  your  servants  and 
affaires  in  that  place.  So  that  wee  are  in  good  hopes  to  reap  the 
fruits  of  those  large  summs  in  presents  (wee  hope  seasonably)  dis- 
boursed.'  Some  indigo  already  received  from  Agra  (part  of  which 
is  intended  for  Basra)  proves  to  be  both  pure  and  of  a  rich  colour. 
A  further  quantity  is  on  its  way,  together  with  a  consignment  of 
piece-goods,  and  has  probably  reached  Broach.  It  was  dispatched 
from  Ahmadabad  on  March  12,  'having  at  Montella,  80  course 
from  thence,  escaped  a  most  eminent  danger  in  being  assaulted  by 
a  nomber  of  Coolies  \  who  gained  from  the  conductours  three  laden 
carts,  and  were  carrying  them  away,  untill  those  to  whom  they  were 
entrusted,  resolved  either  to  dye  or  redeeme  them,  pursued  the 
theives,  and  with  most  incredible  vallour  so  acted  their  parts  that 
they  recovered  the  carts  without  loss  of  any  goods  ;  in  which  conflict 
Ebraim  [Ibrahim],  the  conductour,  and  six  others  were  slaine  and 
twelve  dangerously  wounded.  Those  able  to  travail  accompany 
the  goods  hither  (although  they  are  not  hyred  farther  then  Ahmad- 
avad)  to  receive  a  gratuity  for  their  good  service,  which  they  have 
very  well  deserved.'  At  Tatta  piece-goods  have  lately  risen  in 
price,  owing  to  large  investments  for  Basra,  but  they  are  expected 
to  be  cheap  again  shortly,  and  it  is  not  likely  that  there  will  be  any 
difficulty  in  procuring  the  quantities  wanted  for  England.  '  Scan- 
dara  ^ '  and  '  Derbella  *  recently  furnished  a  supply  of  '  narrow 
joories  extraordinary  in  goodness  and  resonably  bought,  but  become 
deare  by  an  excessive  custom  exacted  at  Multan,  which  wee  nothing 
doubt  but  the  Prince  will  remit  unto  us.  Indico  of  those  parts  con- 
tinueth  scearce  and  deare,  not  any  having  bin  sold  (though  mixt 
indico)  under  ^^  rupees  per  maund  of  that  place,  which  farr  exceeds 
in  price  the  round  sort  made  in  Ahmada[bad],  although  (we  beleive) 
it  doth  not  at  all  excell  it  in  goodness.'  Have  therefore  reduced 
their  demand  for  Sind  indigo  to  a  few  bales,  unless  Spiller,  who  is 
going  in  May  to  '  Sevestan  ',  finds  better  encouragement  there.  At 
Ahmadabad  indigo  is  far  from  plentiful,  'although  of  late  much 
bettered  in  its  making  '.    Tash  estimates  the  production  this  year  at 

*  Kolls :  see  the  1634-36  volume,  pp.  257,  293. 

^  Elsewhere    '  Ckandara '.      Kandiaro,    about    eight    miles   north-east   of  Darbelo,  is 
apparently  meant. 

U  2 


i64  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

6,000  maiinds,  of  which  the  local  dyers  will  require  one-sixth.  The 
Dutch  have  bought  500  bales ;  and  orders  have  been  given  to  the 
English  factors  to  secure  1,300  maunds  '  of  the  round  sort'.  Half 
this  quantity  they  have  already  purchased  at  i8|  rupees  per  maund  ; 
the  rest  will  be  obtained  later,  unless  Dutch  competition  forces  them 
to  take  immediate  action.  '  Saltpeter  we  have  this  yeare  en  ordered 
to  be  bought  in  Malpore^  raw  or  unrefined,  and  so  brought  from 
thence  to  Ahmada[bad],  where  it  shall  be  refined  in  your  owne 
howse ;  by  which  means  wee  hope  to  render  it  better  and  much 
better  cheap  unto  you  then  the  passed  yeare.'  Piece-goods  procured 
at  Ahmadabad,  and  *  brown  cloth  '  in  Agra.  '  In  Brodera,  Burroach, 
and  Nunsarree  [Nosari]  you  have  not  any  of  your  servants  con- 
stantly resident  ;  yet  the  investment  of  narrow  baftaes  are  by  the 
brokers  continued  and,  as  quantities  are  gott  togither,  are  viewed 
and  received  by  some  one  appointed  therunto  ;  of  which  so  many 
as  wee  can  procure  at  present  wee  cause  to  be  dyed  for  Achyn, 
where  they  are  very  vendible.  They  continue  yet  something  deare, 
but  will  (wee  conceive)  now  suddainly  decline,  the  heat  of  buying 
being  over  and  cottonwooll  fallen  from  10  and  1:2  to  4  and  5  ma[h- 
mudis]  per  maund.  These  investments  we  intend  to  continue,  in 
regard  that  (if  your  occasions  want  not  them  for  England)  Bantam, 
Bussora,  and  Achyn  may  thereby  be  accommodated.'  The  factors 
in  Persia  have  been  directed  to  inform  the  Company  direct  con- 
cerning the  state  of  affairs  in  that  country.  As  regards  the  Coast, 
the  last  letters  received  from  Fort  St.  George  were  dated  October  20, 
1643,  though  letters  from  Masulipatam  of  January  24  enclosed 
a  transcript  of  one  from  Madraspatam  of  November  24.  From 
these  they  '  perceive  the  estate  of  your  affaires  to  be  much  altered 
since  the  time  your  servants  generall  complaints  were  they  could 
not  procure  goods  for  want  of  monies  ;  who  now  cannot  procure 
goods  for  monies,  but  are  enforced  to  pay  their  debts  with  such  as 
they  had  reserved  for  investments ;  the  Dutch,  who  are  provided 
ever,  having  upon  all  occations  furnished  the  artificers  and  thereby 
so  obleiged  them  to  them  that  they  remain  totally  at  their  disposure.' 
The  Advice  left  Masulipatam  on  January  13  with  goods  costing 
4,588  pagodas.  Cannot  dispose  of  the  coral  remaining  at  Surat,  as 
Virjl  Vora,  '  our  allmost  onely  merchant ',  has  a  large  stock  on  hand 

^  Malpur,  a  small  state  in  Mahl  Kantha,  about  fifty  miles  north-east  of  Ahm^abad. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  165 

and  is  unwilling  to  take  more,  unless  at  very  low  prices.  Quantity 
to  be  sent  in  future ;  also  of  broadcloth.  The  tortoise-shells  from 
Bantam  *  are  not  yet  cleared  from  the  customhowse  (so  insufferable 
are  their  delaies) ' ;  but  they  will  vend  readily  when  received.  *  In 
November  last,  when  newes  arrived  that  the  Dutch  in  the  Streights 
of  Mallacca  had  surprized  Mr.  Courtyns  Bo7ia  Esperance^  bound  for 
China  laden  with  Portugals  goods  (which  the  Portugals  did  not 
think  they  durst  attempt),  and  that  then  they  [i.e.  the  Portuguese] 
had  no  means  left  to  drive  that  trade,  being  that  from  Europe  there 
was  no  directions  given  for  cessation  of  the  differences  twixt  the 
Dutch  and  Portugals,  which  being  likely  to  continue,  your  President 
(who  hath  ever  minded  his  obligacion  to  Your  Worships),  being 
desyrous  to  tender  you  some  fruits  of  his  endeavours,  adventured 
a  few  lines  to  the  V[ice]  Roy,  presenting  unto  him  the  impossibility 
that  the  Portugals  should  at  present  benefit  themselves  by  that 
trade,  as  allso  the  many  services  your  shipping  and  servants  have 
done  that  State,  and  desyred  him  that  hee  would  pleas  to  gratify 
you  in  his  license  that  a  ship  of  yours  might  for  your  proper  accompt, 
soly  laden  with  your  goods  (without  being  obleiged  to  carry  ought 
for  himselfe  or  any  other  Portugals),  voyage  to  Maccaw  ;  whereunto 
hee  readily  gave  his  assent.  Yet,  being  doubtfull  what  might  be 
the  event,  it  remained  silenced  until  the  V[ice]  Royes  reply  re- 
turned ;  which  was  received  but  two  daies  before  your  late  Presi- 
dents departure,  who,  being  made  acquainted  with  the  business, 
approved  thereof.  Since  when  wee  have  unanimously  resolved  that 
the  Hind  shall  undertake  the  employment,  and  carry  with  her  in 
mony,  druggs,  &c.  ...  to  the  amount  of  45,000  rupees ;  which, 
with  the  profit  the  druggs  may  produce,  we  esteem  a  competency 
to  relade  her  back  with  China  ware  and  China  roots,  and  other 
things  such  as  may  most  conduce  to  your  advantage ;  and  for 
management  of  this  affair  Mr.  William  Thurston,  John  Stanford, 
Joseph  Cross,  and  John  Goodyear  are  appointed.  In  the  next 
place  wee  shall  acquaint  Your  Worships  that  a  voyage  [is  ?]  designed 
to  your  pinnace  Seahorse  to  which  wee  have  as  yet  ben  greater 
strangers  then  the  former,  the  Maniellies  [i.e.  the  Philippines], 
whither  wee  are  invited  by  many  fair  hopes  of  rendering  it  unto 
you  as  profitable  a  trade  in  the  future  as  it  hath  in  former  times  ben 
unto  the  Portugals,  who  inriched  themselves  thereby  ;  and  if  wee  err 


i66  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

not  in  our  judgments,  wee  may  have  fairer  oppertunities  then  ever 
the  Portugals  yet  had,  being  at  present  the  onely  nation  that  may 
commerce  with  the  Spaniards.  The  doubt  will  be  whither  or  not 
they  may  be  trusted ;  wherof  wee  have  seriously  considered,  and 
cannot  conceive  any  vallid  reasons  why  a  nation  with  whom  wee 
have  peace  and  amity,  who  are  exceedingly  distressed  for  want  of 
such  things  as  wee  shall  supply  them  with,  should*  not  give  us 
respective  and  curteous  enterteinment ;  whereof,  if  wee  will  give 
credit  to  a  Pcrtuguez,  one  Jos.  de  Brito,  that  hath  lived  long 
amongst  the  Spaniards  in  that  place  and  the  passed  yeare  arrived 
from  thence,  wee  may  be  confidently  assured.  But  that  which  hath 
chiefly  wrought  upon  our  resolutions  to  experiment  that  place  and 
trade  are  the  profits  which  may  be  raised  upon  all  sorts  of  clothing, 
vizt.  two,  three,  wee  dare  not  say  upon  some  four,  for  one,  although 
wee  have  it  many  waies  afiirmed  for  a  certain  truth ;  nor  is  it 
unknown  to  some  of  your  servants  that  in  Macassier  (the  onely 
place  from  whence  they  are  at  present  supplyed  with  cloth)  at  what 
deare  rates  they  that  buy  there  purchase  it,  and  yet  are  exceeding 
great  gainers  in  its  revend.  So  that  wee  hope  you  will  not  be 
displeased  if  wee  have  thought  fit  to  venture  a  little,  in  hopes  to 
gain  unto  you  much  ;  being  resolved  (as  preintimated)  to  send  the 
Seahorse  thither  with  a  carga[zoon]  which  may  import  50,000 
rupees,  of  severall  sorts  of  clothing.'  .  .  .  And  for  disposure  of  this 
affaire  wee  have  designed  Edward  Pearce,  Thomas  Breton,  Thomas 
Reynardson,  and  John  Mantell  ;  and  for  their  assistance  have  enter- 
teined  the  forementioned  Portuguez  (or  rather  meistizo  [half  caste]) 
Jos.  de  Brito  (whose  family  lives  in  Goa),  of  whom  wee  have 
received  a  very  faire  character,  yet  shall  not  credit  him  fur[ther] 
then  reason  directeth.  In  these  our  intended  designes  wee  find  all 
obstackles  almost  vanquished,  only  the  Dutches  discurtesies,  which 
wee  may  expect  to  meet  with  in  the  Streights  of  Mallacca ;  where, 
however,  we  beleive  they  will  not  dare  to  molest  your  ships  naviga- 
ting, whilest  for  ought  we  know  the  seas  ought  to  be  as  open  for 
them  as  theirs.  However,  such  fears  must  not  deterr  us  from  exer- 
ciseing  our  duties ;  nor  would  you,  we  beleive,  that  they  should 
make  us  desist  from  prosecuting  these  designes,  so  long  as  we  shall 
be  carefull  not  to  give  them  any  advantage  against  us,  by  shipping 
either  amunition  or  provisions.  .  .  .  Your  seamen  (at  least  tnose  in 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  167 

these  parts)  being  altogither  strangers  to  the  forementioned  voyages, 
we  were  not  a  little  perplexed  where  to  be  provided  of  an  able 
pylott ;  when  one  \bla7tk^  tendered  his  service,  a  man  that  hath 
spent  30  yeares  in  those  seaes  and  exhibited  pregnant  testimonies 
of  his  abillities  in  that  profession,  besides  divers  certificates  hee  hath 
of  very  good  service  done  both  the  Portugals  and  the  Spaniards  in 
pilotting  their  galleons ;  him  wee  have  enterteincd  at  800  rupees 
for  the  voyage ;  who  obleigeth  himselfe  to  harbour  the  Seahorse 
first  in  the  Maneilles,  and  so  proceed  in  the  Hiitd  for  China.'  The 
Seahorse  sailed  on  February  14  for  Rajapur  and  Goa.  At  the 
former  place  she  is  to  land  a  broker,  who  is  to  go  up  to  Raybag  to 
purchase  '  cussumba  '  for  Achin  and  '  uploat  ^ '  for  China.  She  is 
then  to  proceed  to  Goa,  carrying  Thomas  Breton  (who  was  there 
recently  with  Thurston)  to  bring  away  such  writings  as  are  expected 
from  the  Viceroy  and  buy  some  cairo.  \_Here  two  or  more  pages  are 
missing.^  On  the  19th  [March?]  arrived  the  Dutch  Waterhond 
from  Taiwan  [Formosa].  She  has  landed  153  chests  of  silver  of 
2,500  rupees  each,  40,000  rials,  and  some  alum  and  china  ware  ;  but 
the  bulk  of  her  cargo  is  still  on  board  and  is  destined  for  Persia, 
whither  she  is  to  sail  immediately.  She  was  convoyed  up  the  coast 
by  the  He^nskerk,  which  touched  at  Vengurla  and  brought  thence 
a  quantity  of  pepper,  which  has  been  transhipped  into  the  Valken- 
btirg.  The  latter  sailed  on  the  24th  for  Mokha  ;  while  the  Hcniskerk 
is  to  return  to  Goa  with  some  piece-goods.  *  Wee  understand  they 
have  lost  two  ships  in  China  :  the  Flying  Hart^  which  perrished  in 
a  storm  near  Tywan,  and  the  Weedens^  which,  being  admirall  ot 
three  ships,  was  fyred  in  fight  with  60  and  odd  gallies  on  the  coast 
of  Cochyn  China ;  in  which  the  W aterhoiind  was  allso  engaged 
and  with  much  difficulty  escaped.  .  .  .  The  Dutch  are  very  vi[o]lent 
in  prosecution  of  the  warr  against  the  Portugalls  in  those  parts, 
especially  upon  Ceiloan,  where  lately  arrived  a  fleet  of  16  sailes, 
which  brought  with  them  and  landed  2,000  men,  who  have  bin 
encountred  by  the  Portugalls,  but  [we]  cannot  hear  the  Dutch 
boast  of  any  great  victory  ;  yet  they  pretend  the  Portugalls  had  the 
worst  of  the  day.  However,  they  find  them  so  strong  that  they 
despair  of  obteining  their  ends  in  gaining  Columba ;  which  they  no 

1  Gujarat!  upaleta,  the  fragrant  root  (cosius)  which  forms  the  basis  of  the  Chinese  joss- 
sticks.     It  is  also  known  ViS ptu/iok',  see  the  1630-33  volume,  p.  161. 


i68  THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

sooner  approached  but  were  enforced  to  retire,  finding  it  (as  them- 
selves say)  too  hott  service  for  their  undertaking.'  As  regards '  the 
Courtinians ',  their  ship  William^  under  Captain  Blackman,  was  at 
Diu  early  in  February,  trying  in  vain  to  dispose  of  English  com- 
modities. *  From  thence  hee  returned  to  Rajapore,  very  sick  (as 
we  heare)  of  his  Indian  employment.'  Their  Bona  Speranza  has 
been  confiscated  by  the  Dutch,  and  now  forms  part  of  the  fleet 
employed  at  Ceylon.  PS. — Received  last  evening  from  Madras- 
patam  transcript  of  a  letter  sent  thence  to  Bantam  by  the  Advice^ 
dated  January  28  \see  p.  154].     This  is  now  enclosed.     (10  //.) 

Instructions  from  President  Breton  and  Council  to 
Robert  Cranmer  and  others,  proceeding  to  Basra, 
March  26,  1644  {0,C.  1865).! 

Although  totally  unacquainted  with  Basra,  Cranmer  is  appointed 
to  the  direction  of  a  venture  thither,  on  the  strength  of  his  nine 
years'  experience  in  the  Company's  service,  particularly  at  Mokha 
and  Jiddah,  where  he  has  acquired  '  the  Arabian  languadge '.  He 
is  to  be  assisted  by  John  Rymell,  Nicholas  Buckeridge,  and  'our 
broaker  Sunker'  [Sankar].  The  goods  provided  have  more  than 
filled  the  Francis ;  and,  as  the  Seahorse  is  now  designed  for  another 
employment,  it  has  been  decided  to  embark  the  surplus  in  the  Sald- 
matl,  a  pinnace  recently  bought  of  Duarte  Fernandez  [Correa]  by 
'  Asavora '  [Asa  Vora],  and  *  fitted  after  the  Christian  manner '. 
After  unlading  her  cargo  at  Basra,  the  Francis  is  to  be  sent  back 
to  Gombroon  to  fetch  thence  some  pepper  and  gum-lac  intended 
for  the  former  place  but  sent  to  the  latter  in  the  Hind,  Supply,  and 
Seaflower,  which  sailed  on  February  8.  On  arrival  at  their 
destination  the  factors  should  present  *  our  letters '  to  the  Basha 
and  Shahbandar,  and  take  a  suitable  house,  preferably  that  occupied 
by  Mr.  Pearce  '  at  his  last  being  there '.  In  disposing  of  their 
goods  they  should  not  '  refuse  the  first  marketts,  which  commonly 
proves  the  best '.  Their  departure  should  not  be  delayed  beyond 
December  15.  Any  small  quantity  of  goods  remaining  may  be 
entrusted  to  '  Moha  Naran '  [Mohan  Narayan],  the  broker's  kins- 
man ;   but  if  the  quantity  be  large,  they  should  leave  the  broker 

^  There  is  a  second  copy  among  the  0.  C.  Duplicates. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORHiS  169 

himself  behind  to  dispose  of  them.  On  quitting  Basra,  Cherry,  the 
master  of  the  Francis^  has  directions  to  call  at  Gombroon  for  letters 
&c.,  and  then  proceed  to  '  Scinda ',  to  embark  whatever  commodities 
Spiller  and  the  other  factors  have  provided.  Goods  may  be  accepted 
on  freight  from  Basra  to  that  port.  While  at  Basra  Cranmer  and 
his  associates  must  be  careful  to  treat  the  people  there  '  courteously 
and  respectively ' ;  and  they  must  not  neglect  their  religious  duties. 
Fresh  meat  to  be  provided  for  the  crew  of  the  Francis,  '  according 
to  custome ',  during  their  stay  in  port.  In  their  own  expenses  the 
factors  are  not  to  '  exceede  modesty  and  reason '.  PS. — Of  the 
accompanying  packets,  one  should  be  dispatched  to  the  Company 
via  Aleppo  immediately  on  arrival  at  Basra,  and  the  other  six  or 
eight  weeks  later.  With  each  the  factors  should  send  advice  of  the 
state  of  their  business.  Goods  to  be  sold  on  behalf  of  '  Mirza  Arrab, 
our  Customer '  \see  p.  23],  and  'Myr  Mahmud  Amy  [Mir  Muhammad 
Amin]'.     (Copy.  AlPP-) 

William  Pitt  at  Gombroon  to  the  Company,  March  27, 
1644  {O.C.  1867). 

About  612  tumans  received  last  year  as  the  English  share  of  the 
customs  at  Gombroon.  Adler  and  others  proceeded  to  Ispahan  on 
April  29,  1643,  arriving  May  29.  They  experienced  great  difficulty 
in  selling  their  broadcloth,  owing  to  its  poor  condition  and  want  of 
variety.  Part,  belonging  to  the  First  General  Voyage,  is  still 
remaining  there  under  the  charge  of  Thomas  Codrington.  While 
at  Ispahan  Pitt  and  his  colleagues  vainly  attempted  to  procure 
a  confirmation  of  the  four  farmans  obtained  from  the  late  King, 
especially  those  that  permitted  the  English  to  keep  a  guard  at  the 
Gombroon  customhouse  and  freed  them  from  paying  the  usual 
duty  of  one  per  cent,  at  the  sale  of  their  goods.  They  were  told 
by  the  Itimad-uddaula  that  the  former  privilege  would  only  lead 
to  disputes  with  the  King's  soldiers,  and  moreover  was  unnecessary, 
as  order  would  be  given  that  the  English  should  not  be  defrauded 
of  their  share  of  the  customs ;  while  the  duty  of  one  per  cent, 
would  not  be  remitted,  '  by  reason  (as  hee  said)  this  kingdome  is 
not  enriched  by  us,  whereas  formerlie  wee  bought  the  Kings  silke 
[and  ?]  such  privilcdges  were  allowed  us  ;  to  which  wee  replied  wee 
knew  hee  had  heard  of  the  distraction  our  kingdome  was  in,  and 


170  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

that  that  comoditie  was  become  of  disesteem  in  Europe.'  There- 
upon, he  promised  to  do  something  for  them  later ;  but  such 
privileges  are  not  to  be  gained  except  by  giving  large  presents,  and 
then  they  can  only  be  maintained  by  further  donations,  both  at 
court  and  at  Gombroon.  The  factors  left  Ispahan  on  November  21 
and  arrived  here  on  December  14.  The  Seahorse  and  the  Seaflower 
had  recently  visited  the  port.  Advice  as  to  the  colours  of  broad- 
cloth suitable  for  Persia.  Arrival  of  the  Hind,  Supply,  and 
Seaflower  on  [March]  3.  The  Shahbandar  did  not  appear  until 
the  i5th.  He  pretended  that  he  was  delayed  by  much  business, 
but  probably  his  object  was  to  defraud  the  Company  of  its  dues, 
as  in  the  interval  many  goods  were  carried  away  without  paying 
customs.  The  accounts  of  the  First  General  Voyage  will  be  closed 
as  directed,  and  the  books  sent  home.  Some  goods  suitable  for 
presents  should  be  sent,  since  a  yearly  visit  to  court  is  necessary. 
Debts  of  Merry  and  Willoughby.  No  money  will  be  taken  up  at 
interest.  The  three  bales  of  '  bales '  are  unsaleable  here  and  will 
be  sent  to  Basra.  '  The  Dutch  comaundor,  Charles  Constant,  hath 
caryed  himselfe  soe  imperious  at  court  that  the  conceipt  of  his 
greate  power  and  commaund  hath  almost  made  him  loose  himselfe, 
insomuch  that  hee  hath  bin  infinitelie  slighted  by  the  King  and 
Ettamen  Dowlett  [Itimad-uddaula]  at  the  solliciting  his  Company 
affaires,  beeing  commaunded  (as  said)  by  his  Generall  to  acquaint 
Ettamen  Dowlett  of  their  forces  and  that,  if  they  had  not  kind 
useage,  they  would  ruinate  this  bundar  [port]  ;  which  in  fine  cost 
them  greate  presents,  with  submission,  before  their  peace  could  bee 
made.  Besides,  they  paid  900  tem[aun]ds  custome  for  passed 
yeares,  and  forced  to  take  300  loades  of  silke  at  50  tem[aun]ds 
per  load.  Few  dales  before  this  contract  was  made,  the  comaundor 
without  license  would  have  departed  Spahaun.  The  dale  appointed, 
his  acquainteance  (amongst  the  rest  Phillip  Wyld)  came  to  bring 
him  out  of  towne.  Hee  was  stopped  in  the  streete  by  Ettamen 
Dowletts  commaund  and  desired  by  faire  meanes  to  retourne  to  his 
house ;  in  fine,  by  promises  to  those  officers,  was  sufifred  to  proceed 
till  hee  came  out  of  towne  about  a  mile ;  afterwards  pursued  by 
horsemen,  that  did  not  onelie  bring  backe  but  drubbe  him  &c. 

Dutch  before  hee  was  censeable  of  his  disgrace ;  afterwards  forced 

«...  .  ' 

him  into  his  house,  and  there  certaine  dayes  was  a  strict  watch 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  171 

kept  within  his  house  by  Ettamen  Dowlett  his  commaund.  This 
proud  comaundore  persists  to  doe  us  all  the  disgrace  lieth  in  his 
power,  as  Ettamen  Dowlett  informeth  us ;  who  at  his  first  arrivall 
reported  that  our  King  and  country  was  nothing  in  respect  to 
theirs,  and  that,  whereas  formerlie  wee  were  something  strong,  now 
altogeither  become  poore  and  weake,  haveing  not  shippeing  or 
ought  elce  to  subsist  the  continuance  of  trade.  William  Pitt 
answered  that,  although  they  had  fake  and  disgracefully  abused 
us,  wee  scorned  to  relate  anie  thing  of  them,  more  then  that  His 
Majesties  embassadours  ^  (wee  made  noe  quaestion)  had  informed 
the  truth  of  all  things,  and  therefore  desired  hee  would  bee  refferred 
unto  their  relacion.  This  answer  pleased  Ettamen  Dowlett  soe 
well  that  hee  presentlie  rayled  against  the  Dutch,  sayeing  it  was 
alwaies  their  custome  to  abuse  us  secretlie,  and  that  wee  had 
alwaies  honour  and  respect  from  his  King  for  takeing  Ormus.' 
Further  purchases  of  silk  by  the  Dutch.  PS^  (May  15) — The 
foregoing  is  copy  of  a  letter  sent  overland  by  Duarte  Fernandez 
[Correa],  who  left  Gombroon  on  March  30  for  Ispahan  and  Aleppo. 
The  Shahbandar  has  not  yet  accounted  to  them  for  the  English 
share  of  the  customs  this  year  ;  but  they  have  received  on  account 
300  tumans.     i^  pp) 

The  Company  to  the  President  and  Council  at  Surat, 
March  29,  1644  (Factory  Records^  Miscellaneotis,  vol.  xii.  p.  117). 

Forward  a  transcript  of  their  previous  letter  \scc  p.  121],  sent  by 
the  Endeavour.  Owing  to  '  being  here  at  home  in  disturbance 
and  troubles  amongst  ourselves  and  most  forraigne  states  in  little 
better  condition,  the  marketts  in  all  places  are  much  declined  and 
commodities  much  fallen  in  their  wonted  prize  and  reputation ' ; 
and  so  they  hardly  know  what  to  do.  They  are  desirous,  however, 
that  '  the  trade  may  be  continued  and  not  be  lost ;  and  also  that 
the  use  and  sales  of  commodities  from  India,  as  indicoes,  callicoes, 
&c.,  with  all  kind  of  druggs  may  not  be  here  out  of  request  or 
sought  from  forraigne  parts,  as  it  would  come  to  passe  if  wee  should 
lay  downe  this  our  Indian  trade.     Wee  have  therefore  taken  this 

^  The  reference  is  to  Persian  ambassadors,  of  whom  several  had  visited  England  or 
Holland. 
^  Signed  also  by  Philip  Wylde. 


17^  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

resolucion  yet  further  to  prosecute  this  trade  of  India,  that  it  may 
not  fall  to  the  ground ;  and  although  wee  have  not  wanted 
oppositions  and  discouragements  enough,  both  here  at  home  by 
those  that  have  and  others  that  now  would  presse  to  be  interlopers 
into  our  trade,  with  whome  wee  have  had  noe  small  contest/ 
Continuing  the  previous  letter,  they  are  glad  to  announce  that  the 
turmeric  has  now  been  sold,  though  the  Roman  vitriol  has  not  yet 
found  a  customer.  Trust  that  the  account  of  the  Third  Joint  Stock 
has  been  closed,  and  that  satisfaction  has  been  obtained  for  the 
losses  in  Persia  on  account  of  shortage  of  silk  and  the  Gombroon 
customs.  Sanction  is  given  to  the  return  of  Adler,  Hall,  and 
Wheeler;  and  also  to  the  re-engagement  of  Codrington  at  an 
increased  salary.  Cannot  approve  the  use  of  force  to  obtain 
redress  for  the  wrongs  received  at  Gombroon,  as  to  do  so  would 
be  to  hazard  the  trade ;  nor  would  it  be  safe  to  force  the  merchants 
resorting  thither  to  pay  the  English  share  of  the  customs  aboard 
their  junks.  The  sorts  and  quantities  of  India  goods  desired  for 
England  have  been  sufficiently  advised  in  the  previous  letter ;  but 
special  care  is  enjoined  regarding  the  quality  of  all  goods  returned. 
Defects  in  those  last  received.  Some  of  the  calicoes  pilfered.  Note 
with  regret  the  disputes  between  Surat  and  Bantam, but  hope  that,  now 
both  Presidents  have  been  changed,  the  differences  will  cease.  Knipe's 
success  on  the  Malabar  Coast  in  the  previous  voyage  has  induced 
them  to  engage  him  again,  and  to  instruct  him  to  go  in  the  John  to 
that  Coast  on  his  way  to  Surat.  The  stock  sent  in  that  vessel  and  the 
Crispiana  is  not  so  large  as  was  hoped,  for  lead  is  not  to  be  had  at  a 
reasonable  rate,  owing  to  '  the  stopp  of  that  commodity  in  coming 
from  the  mines  in  Darbyshire ' ;  broadcloth  and  other  woollen  manu- 
factures are  likewise  scarce  ;  while  money, '  the  life  of  trade ',  is  hard 
to  get.  Would  gladly  have  extinguished  the  debt  at  Surat ;  but '  the 
aversenes  of  the  tymes '  will  not  permit  of  this,  and  so  they  must 
put  up  with  the  loss  caused  by  '  that  devouring  canker  of  interest '. 
Note  the  goods  exchanged  between  Surat  and  Bantam ;  and  trust 
that  the  Expedition  has  been  sent  back  to  the  latter  port  and  the 
Discovery  dispeeded  for  England.  The  voyage  of  the  Hopeivell 
was  so  arranged  as  to  give  the  factors  on  the  Coromandel  Coast  all 
the  time  they  said  was  necessary  to  provide  piece-goods  of  satis- 
factory quality  and  at  reasonable  rates  ;    if,  therefore,  tHey  now 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  173 

fail,  no  credence  will  be  given  to  their  letters  in  future.     In  spite 
of  the  supplies  sent  to  that  coast  from  Bantam,  Surat,  and  England, 
*  wee  have  not  in  the  space  of  five  yeares  received  but  only  one  bale 
of  thinn  long  cloth  (which  came  by  your  convcighance),  although 
wee  have  yeerly  desired  some  for  the  keping  of  that  clothing  in 
use  and  to  make  it  further  desired  here ;  but  hcthcrto  our  labours 
and  desires  have  bin  prolonged  with  delayes,  and  the  monies  (wee 
fear)  imployed   in  those   new  fortifications,  of  which  charge  wee 
would  willingly  have  the  certaine  knowledge.'     Note  the  employ- 
ment of  the  Hopewell  to  Persia.     Will  not  dissuade  Fremlen  from 
returning,  as  he  wishes  to  do  so,  though  they  would  have  been 
glad   to   see   him  retain  his  post  for  a  longer  period.     Approve 
Breton's    succession  as  President,  and  trust  that  his  ability  and 
honesty  will  give  cause  '  to  ranke  him   in  our  estimations  with 
his  predicessors  '.     Merry  will  doubtless  prove  *  a  fitting  man  to  be 
second  in  Surratt '.     In  response  to  their  demand  for  small  shipping, 
a  vessel  called  the  Endeavour  has  been  built  and  dispatched  to  the 
Coast  on  her  way  to  Surat.     '  For  our  Persian  affaires,  wee  must 
leave  them  unto  you.'     Bornford  has  arrived,  but  no  explanation 
can  be  got  from  him  regarding  the  three  bales  of  earth  found 
among  the  Lahore  indigo.     Fresh  complaints  have  been  received 
of  the  bad  quality  of  that  consignment  and,  unless  more  care  is 
taken  in  future,  *  indico  will  find  but  cold  enterteynement  here '. 
'  Wee  see  that  fraighted  ships  are  neither  wellcome  unto  you  nor 
here  much  acceptable  unto  us ;   but  wee  could  not  well  avoyd  the 
making  triall  of  some  without  aspertions  which  would  have  bin 
cast  upon   us ;    which  being  now  done,  wee  shall  hereafter  make 
use  of  our  owne,  which  are  cheaper  unto  us  then  fraited  shipps.' 
Drugs  and  surgical  instruments  sent ;    also  two  pipes  of  Canary 
wine  and  two  butts  of  strong  beer.     Regret  the  indebtedness  at 
Surat ;   Mf  it  shall  please  God  once  to  send  us  better  times  and 
a  setled   reiglement  in   our  East  India  affaires,  to  keepe  out  all 
interlopers    from    frequenting    those   parts,  wee    [will]    then   (God 
willing)  use  our  best  endeavours  to  have  you  double  stockt,  that 
you  may  take  all  opportunities  to  make  use  of  the  best  and  most 
profitable  marketts.'     The  letters  from  the  Viceroy  and  others  were 
duly  delivered  to  the  Portuguese  Ambassador.     *  And  concerning 
the  peace  formerly  made  there  betweene  the  Conde  de  Linharrees 


174  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

and  Mr.  Methwold,  wee  for  our  parts  are  resolved  to  continue  that 
league  still,  and  wee  doe  injoyne  unto  you  the  observacion  thereof, 
since  the  Portugalls  themselves  are  so  willing  thereunto.  There- 
fore make  use  of  that  treaty  ;  but  be  as  cautious  to  keepe  yourselves 
and  our  estates  from  danger  as  you  may.'  The  diamond  ring 
entrusted  to  Knipe  has  been  duly  delivered.  Wonder  that  the 
rials  should  be  found  '  short  in  tale',  and  suspect  some  trickery  on 
the  part  of  the  shroffs.  '  Our  casheires  here  doe  avouch  that  the 
rialls  went  from  hence  in  their  full  numbers  ;  for  they  do  not  only 
tell  them  twise  over  but  doe  exactly  waigh  over  every  parcell,  so 
that  by  this  meanes  none  can  be  wanting  but  the  scale  would 
discover  the  same.'  The  factors  ought  themselves  to  '  tell  them 
out ',  and  not  trust  to  others.  The  complaints  of  want  of  weight 
and  of  the  coarseness  of  silver  are  also  evidently  '  abuses  which 
your  monychangers  put  upon  you ',  to  gain  some  abatement.  The 
money  now  sent  must  be  well  looked  to,  for  '  if  the  times  should 
continue  as  now  they  are,  wee  know  not  how  to  furnish  you  with 
rialls  or  silver  almost  att  any  rate.'  The  cause  of  the  want  of  sale 
of  the  broadcloth  was  not  so  much  its  coarseness  as  the  competition 
of  that  brought  by  private  traders ;  and  the  names  of  the  latter 
ought  to  have  been  furnished,  in  order  that  the  Company  might 
call  them  to  account,  since  the  factors  will  not  do  so.  However, 
a  smaller  quantity  of  broadcloth  is  now  forwarded,  so  as  not  to 
*  oppresse '  the  market.  As  the  *  grezio  '  coral  is  principally  in 
demand,  they  will  take  care  to  send  most  of  that  sort  in  future. 
The  present  stock  is  intended  chiefly  for  Knipe  to  sell  on  the 
Malabar  Coast.  Remarks  on  the  other  goods  sent.  Approve 
the  measures  taken  to  employ  the  smaller  shipping.  Regret  the 
mortality  among  the  factors.  Note  that  three  young  men  were 
taken  ashore  from  the  Crispiana  to  supply  the  vacancies.  Do  not 
object  to  Pynn,  who  was  a  purser's  mate ;  but  cannot  see  that 
John  Mantell,  who  was  only  an  attendant,  and  Richard  Clark,  one 
of  the  gunner's  crew  at  14.9.  a  month,  can  be  fit  for  such  employ- 
ment ;  besides,  the  Company  have  no  security  for  their  good 
behaviour.  Forbear,  therefore,  to  sanction  any  wages  for  them 
until  a  report  is  made  of  their  '  faculties  '  and  security  given.  No 
thanks  are  due  to  those  who  employed  them,  as  it  is  feared  that  this 
was  done  '  for  favour  more  then  ability '.     Again  acknowledge  the 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  175 

receipt  overland  of  the  Surat  letter  of  March  20,  1643.  The  ships 
now  sent  are  the  Crispiaiia,  with  William  Bayley  as  master,  and 
the  JoJm^  under  John  Mucknell.  The  arrangements  for  their 
voyage  detailed.  Account  of  the  cargoes  of  the  two  ships,  amount- 
ing to  54,982/.  I2J-.  3^.,  including  46,635/.  \is.  lod.  in  silver,  and 
6,836/.  ijs.  in  coral.  The  following  factors  come  in  them: — 
Edward  Knipe  at  200/.  per  annum  ;  Henry  Garry,  a  bred  merchant 
and  skilful  in  accounts  and  languages,  engaged  for  seven  years  at 
a  salary  of  40/.,  with  10/.  increase  yearly  ;  John  Burnell,  entertained 
for  a  like  period  at  30/. ;  Henry  Hunt,  at  13/.  6s.  M. ;  Richard 
Davidge,  experienced  in  the  linen  trade,  both  here  and  in  France, 
and  now  engaged  for  six  years,  at  70/.,  with  10/.  a  year  increase  ; 
Hugh  Fenn,  'a  Hamborough  [Hamburg]  merchant',  for  seven 
years  at  the  same  rate ;  Thomas  Andrews,  for  seven  years  at 
a  uniform  salary  of  30/. ;  John  Lewis,  at  30/.  for  each  of  the  first 
five  years  and  then  40/.  and  50/.  for  the  other  two ;  Gilbert 
Harrison,  at  20/.  for  the  first  five  years,  and  then  30/.  and  40/. ; 
and  Joshua  Blackwell,  on  the  same  terms  as  Harrison.  '  Their 
severall  rankings  and  imployments  '  are  left  to  the  President  and 
Council.  As  regards  shipping  to  be  sent  back,  '  wee  desire  but  one 
shipp  to  be  retourned  us  yeerly,  for  these  reasons :  first,  because 
wee  had  rather  have  small  retournes  and  a  stock  left  in  the  country 
to  bee  profittably  imployed  and  take  off  all  interest  then  to  have 
large  retournes  and  remaine  indebted  ;  secondly^  aboundance  of 
East  India  commodities  make  them  disesteemed  and  undervalued  ; 
thirdly,  our  marketts  here  being  dead  and  quantity  of  East  India 
goods  coming  will  make  them  be  sold  farre  under  valew.'  Presume 
that  the  Discovery  was  dispatched  for  England  about  the  beginning 
of  this  year.  Possibly  the  Dolphin  accompanied  her ;  but  if  not, 
she  must  be  the  ship  to  come  home  this  time,  and  the  Crispiana 
and  John  must  both  be  employed  in  the  East,  though  the  former 
vessel  should  not  '  winter  out  if  it  may  be  otherwise  disposed.' 
Goods  to  be  sent  home  in  this  year's  ship.  Of  saltpetre  20  or  25 
tons  should  be  included  *  for  kintlage  '  ;  but  it  must  be  well  refined, 
and  this  should  be  done  *wher  it  is  bought,  be  [it]  in  Agra  or 
Amadavad,  for  in  Surratt  wee  understand  there  is  noe  peterhowse.' 
Of  the  silver  now  forwarded,  the  Spanish  rials  of  eight  are  worth 
5J".  per  ounce;  the  ducatoons,  5^.  4^.  each  or  ^s.  \\d,  per  ounce; 


176  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

the  'crosse  dollers'  [s^e  the  1634-36  vohnne^  p.  225],  4^.  3</.  each  or 
4$".  (^d.  per  ounce ;  and  the  silver  bars  cost  ^s.  4^d.  per  ounce. 
Piece-goods  to  be  supplied  to  Bantam.  '  The  trouble  hath  bin 
extrordinary  which  wee  have  had  in  attending  the  Parliament  to 
oppose  Mr.  Corteene  and  others  with  Captaine  Bond  from  going 
for  India  and  planting  att  Madagascar ;  and  the  busines  is  not  yet 
concluded,  and  therfore  wee  may  doubt  that  in  the  interim  of  this 
dispute  their  ships  now  ready  may  slip  away  on  their  intended 
designes.  The  ships  are  five  in  number,  vizt.  the  Sumte,  Hester, 
James,  Thomas  a7td  John,  and  the  Loyalty.  The  three  former  are 
said  to  be  under  Capt.  Bonds  command,  to  erect  a  new  common- 
wealth in  Madagascar,  and  therfore  they  shall  export  men,  women, 
&c.,  and  wee  know  not  what.  The  two  latter  are  said  to  be  fore 
Mr.  Curteenes  accompt  and  commanded  by  one  [  ]  Earle  and 

John  Durston.  These  two  are  cleared  in  our  custome  house  and 
not  one  pennyworth  of  marchandize  or  monies,  but  victualls  with 
pouder  and  shott.  These  and  the  former  have  such  a  crew  in  them 
that,  although  they  pretend  planting  and  marchandizing,  yet  wee 
feare  they  intend  to  fly  at  all,  if  they  can  meet  with  good  game, 
either  on  the  coast  of  India  or  in  the  Reed  Sea,  where  best  purchase 
may  be  had.  And  to  these  wee  may  [add]  that  wee  [are]  informed 
that  there  is  a  French  shipp  of  Dieeppe  gone  also  that  way.  Wee 
suppose  you  know  her  errand  and  what  marketts  shee  will  make, 
if  she  can  meet  with  chapmen  accordingly.  It  will  be  therfore  fitt 
that  you  should  send  a  ship  to  the  Reed  Sea  for  trade,  to  waite 
upon  those  marchants,  least  they  shall  take  more  then  ever  they 
intend  to  pay  for ;  and  also  to  give  notice  to  the  marchants  of  your 
towne  and  others  thereabout  residing,  that  if  their  men  and  vessells 
and  goods  be  mett  withall,  let  them  take  notice  from  you  who  are 
the  most  likeliest  to  be  the  actors.*  Urge  a  further  effort  to  recover 
the  money  due  on  Sir  Francis  Crane's  tapestry.  Wine  sent  on  the 
John  for  sale.  Knipe  has  in  his  custody  a  bundle  of  letters  for 
the  Viceroy  and  others,  received  from  the  Portuguese  Ambassador. 
The  remains  of  the  First  General  Voyage  to  be  cleared.  Have 
considered  Merry's  letter  of  January  17,  1643,  and  are  willing  to 
accept  the  proceeds  of  his  rhubarb  in  part  payment  of  his  debt. 
He  must,  however,  pay  the  remainder,  together  with  interest,  and 
they  regret  that  he  should  set  so  ill  an  example.     {Copy.    »32^//.) 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  177 


Instructions  from  the  Company  to  Edward  Knipe  and 
Henry  Garry,  April  i,  1644  (Factory  Records y  Miscellaneous, 
vol.  xii.  p.  in). 

Garry  is  joined  with  Knipc  to  help  him  and  to  take  charge  in 
case  of  his  death.  Have  also  sent  in  this  ship  (the  John)  as  assist- 
ants John  Burnell,  a  bred  merchant,  and  Henry  Hunt,  a  young  man 
of  not  much  experience.  An  account  of  the  voyage  to  be  kept. 
Private  trade  to  be  suppressed,  and  any  found  aboard  to  be  seized. 
After  leaving  Madagascar,  if  there  is  time,  they  may  call  at  Mozam- 
bique to  trade,  and  then  proceed  to  the  Comoros.  They  are  next 
to  sail  to  the  Malabar  Coast,  and  sell  their  coral,  &c.  in  any  port 
between  Cape  Comorin  and  Surat,  investing  the  proceeds  in  cinna- 
mon, pepper,  cardamoms,  or  other  suitable  commodities.  Certain 
butts  of  wine  to  be  sold  for  the  benefit  of  the  owners  and  the  money 
to  be  paid  into  the  Company's  cash  at  Surat.^  Care  must  be  taken 
to  reach  that  port  by  December  10  at  the  latest.  No  Roman  vitriol 
should  be  bought.  On  arrival  at  Surat  an  account  of  their  proceed- 
ings is  to  be  given  to  the  President  and  Council ;  their  commission 
is  to  be  surrendered  ;  and  Knipe  is  to  take  up  his  employment  there 
according  to  agreement.  The  extra  provisions  put  on  board  are 
not  to  be  riotously  consumed,  as  they  are  intended  '  for  the  gratify- 
ing of  freinds  and  for  intertaynement  of  such  of  the  cheife  of  the 
Portugalls  as  may  come  abord.'  Any  remainder  is  to  be  given  up 
at  Surat.     (Copy.     6pp.) 

[Edward  Knipe]  aboard  the  John^  to  the  Company, 
April  18,  1644  [Factory  Records^  Miscellaneous^  vol.  xii.  p.  109). 

They  sailed  from  Dover  Roads  on  April  6,  in  company  with  the 
Crispiana  and  Blessing,  and  forty  other  ships.  In  48°  they  met  with 
stormy  weather,  in  which  the  Jo/ui  behaved  very  well.  As  the  slow 
sailing  of  the  Blessing  much  hindered  the  other  two,  a  consultation 
was  called,  at  which  it  was  decided  '  when  once  past  the  Canaries 
if  betwixt  this  and  then  the  Blessing  mend  not  her  pace,  to  bid  her 

^  This  was  a  private  venture  of  some  of  the  Committees :  see  the  Court  Minutes  ol 
February  i6,  ai,  and  23,  1644. 

'  They  were  then  in  lat.  37°  N.,  i.e.  near  the  Azores. 
FOSTER  vn  N 


178  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

company  adieu  and    betake   ourselves   to    the    perfection  of   our 
voyadge.'      {Copy,    lipp) 

Edward  Knipe  to  Richard  Swinglehurst,  Secretary  to 
THE  Company  [April  i8,  1644]  ^  {Factory  Records,  Miscella7teous, 
vol.  xii.  p.  85). 

Entreats  him  to  believe  that  he  is  not  ungrateful  for  past 
favours,  and  declares  his  intention  of  procuring  for  him  the  goods 
Swinglehurst  has  desired  a  third  party  to  obtain  for  him  at  Cochin. 
Forgot  to  acquaint  him  with  an  incident  which  occurred  during  his 
last  voyage,  and  which  may  possibly  be  brought  up  in  his  absence 
by  letters  from  Surat.  This  happened  at  Goa,  where  Knipe  em- 
ployed a  Portuguese  named  '  Lewis  Robeiro '  to  buy  for  him  a 
parcel  of  bezoar.  Robeiro  cheated  him  therein  to  the  extent  of 
about  300  pardaos  ;  and  so,  when  he  came  aboard  to  buy  coral, 
Knipe  taxed  him  with  his  deceit,  with  the  result  that  he  gave  him 
'  a  diamond  ring  off  his  finger  in  recompence  '.  Knipe  then  sold  him 
part  of  the  Company's  coral  at  nearly  100  per  cent,  profit,  taking 
bills  on  Cochin  for  the  amount.  '  At  my  coming  to  Surrat  he  had 
writt  to  the  President  that  I  had  cheated  him  in  five  chests  of 
corrall,  by  which  hee  was  like  to  lose  1,300  pardos,  and  besides  I 
carried  away  a  ring  of  his  he  gave  me  in  earnest  for  the  corroll, 
worth  400  pardos.'  Both  statements  were  absolutely  false.  Mr. 
Millet  can  prove  that  Robeiro  examined  the  coral  closely  before  he 
bought  it ;  while  the  contention  that  the  ring  was  given  *  in  earnest  \ 
when  the  whole  transaction  was  concluded  within  two  hours,  is 
absurd.  Possibly  Robeiro  hoped  to  induce  Knipe  to  do  him  a 
courtesy  in  the  price  to  be  paid  for  the  coral  ;  if  so,  *  I  thinke  I 
did  him  a  sufficient  one '.  Commendations  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tom- 
lins  ^.  Should  Thurston  bring  home  any  sweetmeats  on  Knipe's 
account,  Tomlins  is  authorized  to  '  distribute  them  equally  betwixt 
his  wife  and  mine.'     {Copy.    '2'% pp.) 

*  No  indication  is  given  of  when  or  where  this  letter  was  written  ;  but  internal  evidence 
suggests  that  it  was  penned  on  board  the  John  at  the  same  date  as  the  letter  to  the 
Company. 

*  Thomas  Tomlins  had  been  purser  in  the  Crispiana.  In  1646  he  became  Clerk  of 
Blackwall  Yard. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  179 


The  Same  to  William  Methwold  [Ai'kil  18,  1644]  ^  Ubid., 
p.  88). 

Regrets  that  he  did  not  see  Methwold  before  leaving  London,  and 
assures  him  of  his  deep  gratitude  for  the  many  favours  he  has 
received  from  him.     {Copy,     i  />.) 

The  Voyage  of  the  Hind  from  Swally  to  Macao  and 
Back  ^  {Marine  Records,  vol.  Ixvi). 

1644,  April  26.  Sailed.  May  2.  Anchored  at  Goa.  May  ^.  Set 
sail ;  and  in  going  out  met  the  Supply  and  Seahorse.  Between  five 
and  six  o'clock  at  night  they  overtook  a  great  junk.  *  Shee  tould  us 
that  shee  beelonged  to  Cananore  and  cam  from  the  Red  Sea.  Shee 
lowered  all  her  sayles  amayn.  Mr.  Lee  sent  his  boot  aboord  and 
tooke  two  or  three  men  from  them.  Next  went  our  boote  aboord 
of  her  ;  and  beeing  there,  it  seemed  som  of  our  men  offered  them  som 
violenc,  which  made  the  Malabares  to  ryse  up  in  armes  and  chaced 
our  men  overboord  and  killed  on  man  out  right  and  5  or  6  men  they 
wonded.  Imediatly  they  hoysed  up  theyr  sayles  and  thought  to 
run  away ;  but  wee  could  keepe  them  way.  Wee  shot  divers  shot 
to  them  from  the  three  shipes.  At  length  wee  shot  her  mayne 
yard  in  two.  Wee  kep  by  her  all  that  night,  and  the  next  morning 
shee  ran  ashore  into  a  sandy  bay  caled  Colio  ;  but  the  men  ran 
ashore  (but  three  or  four).  Wee  went  aboord  of  her  with  our  bootes 
and  had  som  moneyes  ;  and  finding  her  halfe  full  of  water  wee  set 
her  afier.'  May  23.  The  Supply  parted  company  for  Achin.  June 
13.  Anchored  off  '  Poolagare  ^  *,  and  procured  wood  and  water. 
Sailed  again.  June  16.  Two  Dutch  ships  met  them  and  accom- 
panied them  to  Malacca."*  Jtmc  18.  Anchored  in  that  port.  '  Our 
marchantes  had  good  quarter.  The  Governour  sent  a  bote  aboord 
to  take  in  our  empty  caske  to  fill  them  with  water.  Moreover,  hee 
sent  us  beeves  and  duckes  and  henes ;  but  provigon  is  very  deere 
heere.'     Jitfte  21.     The  ships  departed.     Jttne  27.  Got  clear  of  the 

*  Undated,  but  apparently  written  at  the  same  time  as  the  foregoing. 

2  A  journal  kept  by  Richard  Matthews.  It  contains  a  number  of  rough  sketches  of  the 
coast  and  islands  passed. 

3  Pulo  Jarak,  in  the  middle  of  the  Malacca  Strait,  and  not  far  from  the  Sembilan  Islands, 

*  See  the  Dagh- Register,  1643-44,  p.  127. 

N  2 


i8o  THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Straits  of  Singapore.  July  i.  Anchored  at  '  Poolatimong  ^ ',  where 
some  provisions  and  water  were  procured.  July  3.  Sailed.  July 
i5.  Saw  the  island  of  *  Mindoro  '  [one  of  the  Philippines].  July 
20.  The  Seahorse  departed  for  Manilla.  Augtist  4.  Met  a  boat 
with  Chinamen,  who  agreed  to  pilot  the  ship  to  Macao.  August  7. 
Anchored  at  Macao.  '  Mr.  Blakeman  ^  cam  aboord  of  us  and  towld 
us  that  hee  had  good  quarter.  The  sam  day  in  the  afternoone  our 
marchantes  went  ashore  and  spoke  with  the  Governour  and  weere 
kindly  entertayned.'  August  8.  Oxen  and  hogs  were  sent  on  board. 
August  12,.  Weighed  and  'went  beetweene  the  ilands  of  Don  John 
to  winter.'  Courteen's  William  was  then  riding  there.  The  Hind 
was  now  unladen,  hauled  ashore,  and  repaired.  September  10.  She 
was  got  afloat  again.  October  31.  The  William  departed  from 
Macao.  November  4.  The  Hind  returned  to  Macao.  November  19. 
She  sailed.  November  27.  Saw  '  Poolacondore  ^ '.  December  t. 
Anchored  at  '  Poolatimong '.  December  \i,  K  'proo'  brought  a 
note  aboard  from  Mr.  Tyndall,  apprising  them  that  the  Seahorse 
was  at  anchor  off  the  NW.  part  of  the  island.  Dece^nber  13.  She 
joined  the //2W.  December  1^.  Both  ships  departed.  December  ij. 
Entered  '  the  new  straytes '  [of  Singapore].  December  20.  Anchored 
off  Malacca.  December  21.  Departed,  but  were  stopped  by  four 
Dutch  ships  and  induced  to  return.  December  22.  Anchored  at 
Malacca  again.  Mr.  Thurston  went  ashore  to  speak  with  the 
Governor.  December  25.  The  merchants,  Sec.  came  on  board  and 
the  ships  sailed.  1645,  January  5.  Passed  'the  iland  of  Nicobar*. 
January  ^1.  Saw  Ceylon.  January  13.  Passed  Point  de  Galle.  A 
boat  from  the  Dutch  fort  brought  a  message  that  there  were  three 
English  merchants  on  shore, '  but  wee  gave  noe  great  credit  to  them'. 
January  0,0.  Passed  Colombo.  y(3:;///<3:rj/ 24.  Sighted  Cape  Comorin. 
Jamcary  30.  Passed  Cochin.  February  i .  Saw '  the  rocke  caled  the 
Sacrificing  Rocke  ^ '.  February  6.  Met  a  Dutch  ship  from  Surat, 
which  gave  the  intelligence  *  that  this  yeeare  was  com  from  England 
seven  shipes '.     {The  journal  ends  abruptly  on  February  8.     40 pp.) 

*  Pulo  Tioman,  off  the  south-east  coast  of  the  Malay  Peninsula. 
2  Blackman,  the  commander  of  Courteen's  ship,  the  William. 

^  Pulo  Condore,  off  the  Mekong  estuary  in  Cochin  China.     The  East  India  Company 
established  a  settlement  there  in  1702,  but  the  settlers  were  massacred  three  years  later. 

*  Still  called  Sacrifice  Rock.  It  is  twenty  miles  north-west  of  Calicut.   See  the  references 
to  it  by  Fryer  and  Hamilton.  ' 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  i8i 

Another  Account  {Marine  Records,  vol.  Ixv.  p.  6i). 

1644,  April  2,6.  Departed  from  Swally  Hole.  Ma}^  2.  Anchored 
off  Goa.  Ma}^  5.  Departed,  and  were  joined  by  the  Seahorse  and 
Sjtpply.  Chased  a  great  Malabar  junk.  '  Presently  wee  sent  our 
longboat  aboard  of  hir  with  27  men  in  her,  whereof  they  wounded 
and  killed  one  out  right,  he  being  a  quartermaster  named  Charles 
Scott.  All  this  tyme  our  longboat  lying  closs  by  their  side,  we 
tumbled  one  atop  of  another,  they  outing  our  men  worst  of  all  going 
over  the  side,  they  pressed  out  soe  thick  on  us,  they  being  in 
number  ncarc  upon  two  hundred.  All  the  tyme  we  lay  by  the 
jouncks  side  they  hove  over  great  stones  and  bruised  sum  of  our 
men,  but  not  very  much.  At  length  we  got  of  and  got  aboard  of 
the  Supply ;  and  then  our  ship  edging  to  them  we  plyed  our  great 
ordnance  upon  them  all  night,  they  shouting  but  litle  at  the  Suply 
or  Seahorse,  but  only  at  us ;  we  still  following  them,  she  stering 
away  NE.  into  the  shore.'  May  6.  '  This  morning  our  boat  came 
from  the  Stiply  with  all  our  men  (save  four  very  much  wounded). 
We  tacked  and  stood  after  her,  she  standing  into  a  bay  caled 
Dewua,  sum  12  lea.  to  the  southward  of  Goa.  ...  In  this  bay  she 
run  aground  betwene  eight  and  nine  in  the  morning,  and  we  stood 
in  after  her.  .  .  .  Wee  presently  maned  bocth  our  boats,  and  the 
Suply  and  Seahorse  maned  there  boats,  and  clapped  her  aboard. 
And  there  were  sum  five  Malibars,  besids  the  master  of  the  vessell, 
and  they  shot  at  our  boats ;  but  our  men  entred  and  killed  them  ; 
at  the  which  tyme  our  longboat,  lying  by  the  side,  was  sunck ;  the 
which  we  lost.  .  .  .  Betwene  four  and  five  afternoone  the  Seahorses 
boat  was  apointed  to  set  the  vessell  afire,  which  they  did,  and  before 
we  could  get  out  of  sight  of  her  she  was  burned  downe  to  the 
water,  she  being  500  tunns.'  May  23.  The  Supply  departed. 
June  18.  The  Hind  ^.nd  Seahorse  anchored  off  Malacca.  June  21. 
Sailed  again.     [The  copy  ends  abruptly  on  Ju7ie  22.     14pp.) 

Robert  Bowen,  Henry  Olton,  and  Humphrey  Pinson 
[in  St.  Augustine's  Bay]  to  the  Commanders  of  sub- 
sequent ShH's,  May  15,  1644  {Factory  Records,  Miscellaneous, 
vol.  xii.  p.  150). 

The  Endcavo2ir  set  sail  from  the  Cape  on  March  28  last,  but 
owing  to  contrary  winds  did  not  reach  this  place  until  May  7.    Next 


i82  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

day  came  a  boat  from  the  shore  with  a  number  of  men  in  Courteen's 
service,  who  had  lost  their  ship,  the  William^  on  an  island  to  the 
eastwards  of  the  Cape,  but  had  managed  to  reach  Madagascar  in 
their  longboat.  Have  taken  them  on  board,  to  the  number  of 
seventeen  English  and  four  French.  Their  boat  has  been  broken 
up  as  unfit  for  further  service.  '  In  the  same  distresse  found  wee 
some  250  Duchmen  in  Saldania  Bay,  who  in  faire  weather  runne 
themselves  ashoare.^  They,  according  to  their  owne  relation,  saved 
their  carga[zoon]  ;  but  for  their  shipp,  named  the  Mauritius  Handy 
burthen  12  hundred  tonus,  [it]  is  irrecoverably  lost.  Beefe  may  be 
bought  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  for  10  rangoes  a  beefe,  or 
8  rangoes  and  20  samma  sammas^  ;  but  cheaper  if  your  rangoes  be 
cleare  and  without  flawes.  At  your  coming  in,  if  you  give  any  to 
the  blacks,  let  them  be  of  the  worser  sorte ;  for  they  are  growne  so 
cunning  that,  if  they  know  you  have  better,  they  will  sell  you  noe 
beefes  for  the  worser  sort.'  Obtained  themselves  a  plentiful  supply. 
Intend  to  depart  this  night  for  Johanna.     {Copy,     i  p.) 

Thomas  Cox  and  Thomas  Hill,  aboard  the  Endeavour 
[in  St.  Augustine's  Bay],  to  the  Commander  of  any 
of  Courteen's  Ships,  May  16,  1644  {Factory  Records,  Miscel- 
laneous^ vol.  xii.  p.  151). 

'  The  William  of  London,  in  the  service  of  the  Worshippfull 
William  Corteene,  Esquire,  Mr.  Thomas  Cox  of  Rediriffe  com- 
mander, being  lost  the  i8th  of  June,  1643,  ^7  distresse  of  wheather 
betweene  two  small  ilands  distant  from  the  Cape  Bona  Speransa  on 
this  side  140  leagues,  but  by  Gods  great  mercy  saving  all  our  lives 
and  the  Esquires  carg[azoon]  of  mony,  wee  made  meanes  upon  one 
of  the  ilands  to  build  our  long  boat  bigger  with  peeces  of  our  shipp, 
and  therin  having  past  many  dangers,  keeping  along  the  shoare 
14  dayes,  afterwards  putting  to  sea,  after  16  dayes  tyme  wee  arrived 
the  last  of  August  all  of  us  att  this  place,  with  very  little  trade  to 
maintayne  us,  living  among  these  people  almost  nine  months.  The 
7th  present  here  arrived  the  Endeavour^  Mr.  Bowen  commander, 

^  See  Capt.  Minors'  account  in  O.C.  1868  ;  also  the  Dagh- Register,  1643-44,  pp.  79,  81. 

2  Saniisamy  is  Malagasy  for  some  kind  of  bead  ;  while  rango  (*  long ')  probably  indicates 
the  long  beads  which  were  in  special  demand  (see  the  1630-33  volume,  p.  42).  Lockyer 
(1706)  mentions  '  beads  and  rangos'  among  articles  suitable  for  sale  at  the  Ctfpe. 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  1S3 

belonging  to  the  East  India  Companie,  by  whom  wee  understood  of 
the  troubles  in  England  ;  also  that  there  was  four  shipps  for  the 
Esquire  to  come  out,  and  ready  before  them,  but  that  they  were 
stopt  by  the  Parliament  and  all  the  men  discharged,  and  they  could 
not  say  whether  they  would  come  out  this  ycere  or  noe.*  Have 
now,  for  the  safeguard  of  their  lives  and  the  Esquire's  money, 
accepted  Bowen's  offer  to  carry  them  to  the  Comoros,  where  they 
will  await  'your  coming'.  Have  found  this  place  very  unhealthy, 
having  lost  twelve  of  their  number.  Advice  as  to  the  purchase  of 
cattle.     {Copy.     i\pp) 

Thomas  Gee  and  Richard  Wotton^  at  Sea  near  Dart- 
mouth TO  the  Company,  June  17,  1644  {Brit.  Mtis.  Egerton 
MS.  2086,  f.  147). 

All  on  board  are  well.  Have  been  troubled  with  contrary  winds 
ever  since  leaving  the  Downs,  but  are  doing  their  best  to  pursue 
their  voyage,     (i  p.     Seal.) 

Abstract  from  Michael  Yates's  Journal  of  the  Voyage 
OF  THE  Hopewell  from  Mauritius  to  Surat  {O.C.  1861). 

1644,  June  22.  Sailed  from  Mauritius,  in  company  with  the 
Dolphin.  Jtme  23.  Lost  sight  of  her.  June  24.  Saw  '  Domas 
Masearenos  '  [Reunion].  July  4.  Found  the  forepeak  full  of  water, 
but  baled  it  out.  Discovered  that  the  leak  was  due  to  an  auger 
hole  left  unstopped.  July  7.  Reached  St.  Augustine's  Bay,  and 
found  there  the  Dolphin^  which  had  arrived  that  morning.  July  16. 
They  sailed  for  Johanna,  and  there  awaited  the  ships  from  England. 
Augtcst  9.  The  Crispiana  came  in,  commanded  by  William  Bay  ley. 
August  II.  The  Loyalty  arrived,  under  Mr.  Durson.  August  I'j. 
The  Hopezvell,  Dolphin,  and  Crispiana  sailed  for  Surat.  August  20. 
Another  leak  was  found  and  stopped  with  '  collow  [i.e.  coal-dust] 
and  coales '.  September  16.  Saw  the  coast  of  India  in  about  20°. 
September  18.  Reached  Swally  Bar.  September  19.  Went  into  the 
Road.     (I  p.) 

*  Gee  was  master  of  the  Company's  ship  William^  bound  for  Bantam ;  while  Wotton 
was  a  factor  on  board  her. 


1 84  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Thomas  Cox  and  Thomas  Hill  [at  Fort  St.  George]  to 
THE  Agent  and  Council  there,  July  5,  1644  {O.C.  1874). 

Request  protection  and  advice  as  to  the  disposal  of  the  money- 
saved  from  the  wreck  of  their  ship  and  now  brought  hither  in  the 
EndeavotLi\  Their  orders  were  to  deliver  it  to  Courteen's  factors  at 
Achin ;  but  they  cannot  tell  how  to  do  this  without  difficulty  and 
danger.     {Copy.    %p) 

Reply  of  the  Agent  and  Council  [July  5,  1644]  {O.C. 
1874). 

Cannot  suggest  any  method  of  remitting  the  money  to  Achin, 
'  here  not  being  any  shipping  belonging  to  this  port  that  voyages  it 
thither.  And  touching  protection  of  you  from  the  dainger  of  theis 
natives,  tis  such,  by  reason  of  the  warrs  of  theis  parts,  wee  cannot 
secure  our  one  people.'     {Copy.     J/.) 

Thomas  Cox  and  Thomas  Hill  to  the  Agent  and  Council, 
July  5,  1644  {0,C.  1874). 

Request  that  they  will  continue  to  take  charge  of  the  money,  on 
the  understanding  that  the  amount  will  be  repaid  in  England  by  the 
Company  to  '  the  Esquire  Courteene ',  together  with  such  *  lawful! 
consideration '  for  its  use  as  shall  be  determined  '  by  equall  parties 
on  both  sides '.  They  make  this  offer  because  they  see  no  means  of 
delivering  the  gold  to  any  of  Courteen's  factories,  and  'here  wee 
knowe  not  how  to  secure  it  from  our  owne  shipps  company.'    {Copy. 

Reply  of  the  Agent  and  Council  [July  5,  1644]  {O.C. 
1874). 

They  are  ready  to  redeliver  the  gold,  and  certainly  cannot  accept 
it  on  the  conditions  mentioned.  'Yourselves  are  not  ignorant  of 
the  great  troubles  and  broyles  of  theis  parts,  both  homebred  and 
forreigne,  and  how  our  neighbours  the  Dutch  are  beseeged  in  their 
castle  of  PoUicatt  by  the  Moores  \see  note  on  p.  193]  ;  and  for  any 
thing  wee  knowe  wee  may  bee  in  the  same  predicament  in  few 
dayes.'     {Copy,     ^p.)  , 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  185 

Thomas  Cox  and  Thomas  Hill  to  1 111:  Agent  and  Council, 
July  6,  1644  {O.C.  1874).^ 

Desire  them  to  retain  the  money  and  leave  the  question  of  its 
repayment  to  be  settled  at  home  between  Courteen  and  the  I^ast 
India  Company.     [Copy,     ^p.) 

The  Reply  of  the  Agent  and  Council  [July  6,  1644?] 
(O.C.  1874). 

Agree  to  this  request,  and  will  advise  the  Company  at  the  earliest 
opportunity.     {Copy.     \  p.) 

Thomas  Godfrey's  Account  of  the  Voyage  of  the  Hart 
FROM  Bantam  to  Swally  (O.C.  1875). 

1644,  Jiily  12.  Sailed.  August  6.  '  Came  upe  with  the  Chagues ' 
[i.e.  Chagos],  August  30.  Saw  'the  maine  land  '.  September  24. 
Were  NE.  of  Sanjan.  September  28.  Anchored  in  Swally  Hole. 
{Abstract.     i\pp>) 

Robert  Bowen,  aboard  the  Endeavour  in  Masulipatam 
Road,  to  President  Breton  at  Surat,  July  13,  1644  {O.C. 
1876). 

Left  the  Downs  on  January  10,  1644 ;  crossed  the  Equator 
February  14  ;  and  reached  the  Cape  March  25,  where  they  found 
the  Dutch  ship  Mauritius  Island  cast  away,  and  250  or  300  of  her 
crew  on  land,  whom  they  supplied  with  provisions.  Sailed  again 
on  March  29,  and  anchored  in  St.  Augustine's  Bay  on  May  7. 
There  they  took  in  the  master  (Cox)  and  sixteen  of  the  crew  of  the 
William,  of  140  tons,  freighted  by  Courteen  for  Barbary  and  thence 
to  Achin,  but  wrecked  150  leagues  to  the  eastward  of  the  Cape,  on 
a  small  island  three  leagues  from  the  main.  The  survivors  had 
with  them  in  Barbary  gold  about  4,500/.,  besides  two  small  brass 
guns ;  all  which  have  been  delivered  to  the  Agent  at  Fort 
St.  George.    Left  Madagascar  on  May  16  ;  got  to  Johanna  May  24  ; 

^  This  letter  and  its  reply  were  printed  in  John  Darell's  pamphlet  entitled  j\lr.  Caurtens 
Catastrophe  (London,  1652).  In  this  it  is  stated  that  Cox  died  on  the  way  home,  and  thai 
Hill  on  his  arrival  in  Eiidand  *  obscured  himselfe '. 


i86  THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

sailed  on  the  39th;  and  arrived  at  Madras  July  2.  Departed  on 
July  10  and  reached  Masulipatam  two  days  later.  *  From  whence 
wee  are  consigned  for  Gingerly  and  into  Bengala  for  a  fraight  for 
Persia  ;  whence  I  hope  to  bring  you  the  bravest  ship  of  hir  burthen 
as  ever  came  to  Surratt ;  for  shee  sayleth  better  then  any  Dutch 
ship  that  ever  wee  mett  (which  doth  anger  them  much)  and  workes 
very  well.'     {Copy.    1  p.) 

Robert  Cranmer  and  John   Rymell  at  Basra  to  the 
Company,  July  16,  1644  {O.C.  1880). 

Enclose  a  packet  from  Surat,  which  doubtless  relates  all  that 
passed  prior  to  their  departure  from  Swally  on  March  31.  Off  Gan- 
devi  River  they  met  the  Seaflower,  returning  from  Gombroon.  She 
had  lost  company  with  her  consort,  the  Hind,  the  night  before.  The 
Supply  had  been  left  at  Gombroon,  but  was  to  follow  in  a  few  days. 
The  Francis  had  a  tedious  passage  to  Gombroon  and  did  not  arrive 
till  May  11.  Sailing  again  on  the  1 6th,  they  procured  a  pilot  at 
'  Carracke  ^  *  on  June  5,  and  reached  Basra  on  the  23rd.  The  Basha 
was  absent ;  but  they  visited  the  Shahbandar  and  were  courteously 
received.  Set  to  work  at  once  to  unlade  the  Francis,  dind  were  sur- 
prised to  find  the  cargo  considerably  damaged ;  in  consequence  it 
was  July  7  before  she  was  dispatched  to  Gombroon  for  the  rest  of 
the  consignment.  The  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  to  Surat  ^  will  show 
what  goods  have  been  sold  here  and  also  the  current  prices.  Arrival 
of  a  Cambay  junk,  which  they  passed  on  the  way.  Other  vessels 
are  expected ;  and  so  there  is  little  likelihood  of  much  freight  being 
forthcoming  for  India.  Some  money  sent  in  the  Fra7icis  to  '  Congo  ' 
[Kung]  on  freight.  Have  just  received  letters  from  Peter  Herbert, 
&c.,^  who  set  sail  from  Swally  on  March  24  in  a  junk  for  Mokha, 
but  after  spending  seventy  days  at  sea  were  forced  to  bear  up  for 
Gombroon,  where  they  arrived  on  June  5.  It  is  hoped  that  their 
goods  will  be  brought  to  Basra  by  the  Fra7icis.      The  gum-lac,  &c. 

^  Khargu  Island  (see  the  previous  volume,  p.  245). 

^  (9.  C  1873.     It  adds  nothing  of  importance. 

^  See  O.C.  1872.  The  reply  will  be  found  under  O.C.  1878 ;  while  the  letters  dispatched 
at  the  same  time  to  the  factors  at  Gombroon  and  to  Robert  Cherry,  the  master  of  the 
Francis^  form  O.C.  1879  and  1877  respectively.  They  only  deal  with  the  lading  of  the 
francis  and  similar  topics.  , 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  187 

formerly  intended  to  be  forwarded  from  Gombroon  to  this  place 
have  been  countermanded,  as  they  are  not  vendible  to  profit  here. 
Will  write  again  about  the  end  of  August.  (3I  pp.  Received  Feb- 
ruary 20,  1645.) 

William  Fremlen  and  John  Proud,  aboard  the  Dolphin 
[at  St.  Augustine's  Bay],  to  the  Commanders  of  subse- 
quent Ships,  July  [25  ?  ],  1644  ^  (Factory  Records^  Miscella?teous, 
vol.  xii.  p.  155.) 

The  Dolphin  and  Discovery  sailed  in  company  for  England  from 
Swally  on  January  29  last  and  crossed  the  Line  on  February  20. 
Then,  finding  themselves  belated  and  in  need  of  supplies,  they 
resolved  to  make  for  Mauritius.  On  March  9  they  reached  the 
shoal  of  *  Malha  '  [see  p.  109],  and  it  was  thereupon  thought  advis- 
able to  stand  to  the  eastwards  for  six  days  to  weather  the  shoal. 
On  March  24  came  on  a  most  violent  hurricane,  which  separated 
the  two  ships.  The  Dolphin,  owing  to  a  leak  in  her  stern,  and  to 
shipping  several  seas,  had  4^  feet  of  water  in  her  hold  and  '  laid 
alongst  for  more  then  an  howers  tyme  without  righting'.  The  main- 
mast was  cut  away  and  the  ship  then  righted  and  was  pumped  dry. 
The  hurricane  having  passed,  they  refitted  her  as  far  as  they  could, 
and  on  April  6  reached  Mauritius.  They  anchored  at  first  off  Car- 
penters Bay,  but  on  learning  that  the  H op eive II  v^diS  lying  in  Coopers 
Bay,  they  removed  thither.  Stayed  until  June  22,  and  with  the 
assistance  of  the  Dutch  set  up  a  new  mainmast.  The  two  ships 
sailed  together,  but  the  Hopewell  lost  company  the  day  after  leaving 
Mauritius.  The  Dolphin  met  with  much  foul  weather  in  rounding 
the  head  of  Madagascar,  and  did  not  reach  this  place  until  July  7. 
Received  the  enclosed  letters  from  '  Andre  Peela ',  with  whom  this 
is  now  left.  Obtained  a  good  supply  of  cattle  and  oranges  at  the 
usual  rates.  Having  now  waited  some  time  for  the  ships  from 
Europe  and  conceiving  that  they  must  have  passed  on  to  the 
Comoros,  it  has  been  determined  to  follow  them  thither  to-morrow.^ 
PS. — Have  decided  to  leave  the  letters  in  '  Andre  Manfccks  ' 
charge.     The  Hopewell  was  in  sight  of  this  road  before  the  Dolphin 

1  Enclosed  in  their  subsequent  letter  of  August  17,  and  received  with  it  by  Knipe  at 
Johanna. 

"^  For  the  consultation  at  which  this  decision  was  reached  see  O.C.  1881. 


i88  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

arrived,  but  could  not  get  in  until  the  8th.     The  two  ships  are  now 
sailing  together.    {Copy.    ^ pp.) 

Consultation  held  aboard  the  Dolphin  at  Johanna 
BY  William  Fremlen,  Thomas  Adler,  John  Proud,  &c., 
August  i6,  1644  {O.C.  1883). 

They  have  met  to  decide  as  to  the  disposal  of  the  Dolphm. 
From  the  Crispiana  they  have  learnt '  the  condicion  and  estate  of  our 
miserable  country,  finding  the  distractions,  together  with  the  Kings 
forces  of  shipping  on  the  west  part  of  England,  dayly  to  encrease, 
so  that  Scilly,  Famouth,  Dartmouth,  Waymouth,  Bristow,  and  other 
considerable  ports  and  places  of  England  were  (when  the  Crispin 
came  thence)  under  His  Majesties  goverment  and  in  his  servants 
possession  :  that  Plymouth  also  was  beseiged  :  that  his  protection 
was  withdrawn  from  his  subjects,  and  they  thereby  left  as  a  spoile 
and  pray  to  our  owne  and  other  nations,  and  the  west  parts  of 
England  in  generall  infected  with  rovers,  both  English,  Dunkerkers, 
and  others,  that  little  safety  for  a  single  ship  (but  even  by  accident) 
could  be  expected  ;  insomuch  [th]at  our  Honourable  Employers, 
this  and  the  passed  yeares,  would  not  but  in  joint  company  dismiss 
their  outward  bound  shipping,  though  designed  and  readied  for 
severall  voiages.'  It  will  therefore  be  unsafe  for  the  Dolphin,  having 
lost  company  with  the  Discovery,  to  proceed  alone.  Further,  she  is 
much  weakened  by  the  storm  she  passed  through,  and  her  cargo 
has  suffered  so  much  damage  that  a  large  part  will  probably  not 
be  worth  freight  and  customs.  It  is  therefore  agreed  that  the 
wisest  course  is  to  return  to  Surat.^     {Copy.  ^\pp^ 

William  Bayley  and  Others  ^  aboard  the  Crisp/ana 
AT  Johanna  to  the  Commanders  of  subsequent  Ships, 
August  17,  1644  {Factory  Records^  Miscella7teons,  vol.  xii.  p.  150). 

They  lost  sight  of  England  on  April  8  and  arrived  at  St.  Augus- 
tine's Bay  on  July  i^]  and  this  island  on  August  9.  Here  they 
found  the  Dolphin,  bound  from  Surat  to  England,  but  forced  hither 

*  The  commanders  of  the  Crispiana  and  Hopewell  both  concurred  in  this  decision  {O.C. 
1882). 

*  John  Pearson,  Richard  Davidge,  Hugh  Fenn,  John  Lewis,  and  Thomas  Methwold. 
This  and  the  succeeding  letter  were  found  by  the  John  at  Johanna  on  August  25/ 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  189 

'  by  violence  of  a  Harry  Cane '  ;  also  the  Hopewell,  homeward  bound 
from  Bantam,  but  likewise  obliged  to  take  shelter  from  bad  weather. 
All  three  are  about  to  depart  for  Surat.     {Copy.    \p) 

William    Fremlen,  Thomas    Adler,  and   John   Proud, 

ABOARD  THE  DOLPHIN  [aT  JOHANNA],  TO  THE  COMMANDERS  OF 
SUBSEQUENT  SHIPS,  AUGUST  1 7,  1644^  {Factory  Records^  Miscel- 
laneous, vol.  xii.  p.  153). 

Left  St.  Augustine's  Bay  on  July  26,  and  reached  this  road  on 
August  3.  The  Crispiana  arrived  on  the  9th,  and  two  days  later 
came  in  the  Loyalty,  a  ship  of  nearly  300  tons,  freighted  by  Esquire 
Courteen.  The  John  had  parted  with  the  Crispia?ia  near  the  Equa- 
tor. Are  now  about  to  sail  for  Surat,  in  company  with  the  latter 
vessel  and  the  Hopewell.  From  a  private  letter  they  understand 
that  the  Endeavour  left  Madagascar  on  May  16,  reached  Johanna 
on  May  24,  and  departed  on  [June]  8  for  the  Coast  of  Coromandel. 
If  this  letter  is  received  by  those  on  the  John,  they  are  entreated  to 
procure  a  mainmast  for  the  Dolphin  at  some  port  on  the  Malabar 
Coast  and  bring  it  to  Surat.  Believe  that  there  are  two  at  Goa 
belonging  to  the  Company.     {Copy.     1  pp^ 

Thomas  Ivy,  Henry  Greenhill,  and  George  Travell  at 
Fort  St.  George  to  the  Company,  September  8,  16442  {O.C, 
1885). 

Cogan  sailed  in  the  Hopewell  on  August  27,  1643,  for  Bantam, 
leaving  Francis  Day  in  charge  here.  The  Hart  arrived  on  Sep- 
tember 23  ;  the  disposal  of  her  cargo  has  been  already  advised. 
The  Endeavour  anchored  in  the  roads  on  July  2  last,  bringing 
sufficient  money  to  pay  all  their  debts.  At  St.  Augustine's  Bay 
she  picked  up  some  survivors  of  Courteen's  ship  William,  who  had 
managed  to  save  two  brass  guns  and  gold  to  the  value  of  9,000 
ducats.  These  have  now  been  handed  over  to  the  Agent  for  the 
use  of  the  Company,  who  are  to  give  satisfaction  for  the  same  to 
Courteen  at  home,  the  gold  being  reckoned  as  4,500/.  The  Sivan 
reached  this  place  from  Bantam  on  August  4,  bringing  Thomas  Ivy 

*  Found  at  Johanna  by  the  yohii  on  August  25. 

2  For  an  abstract  of  part  of  this  letter  see  O.C.  1S84. 


I90  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

as  Agent,  and  Thomas  Winter.  The  cargo  was  invoiced  at  9,458 
rials  of  eight,  in  addition  to  which  the  remains  left  by  Day  were 
106,126  rials.  Refer  to  the  enclosed  consultations  for  the  disposal 
of  the  Sivan  and  Endeavour.  The  latter  brought  letters  from  the 
Company  dated  November  27, 1643,  to  which  they  now  reply.  The 
failure  to  send  sample  bales  of  piece-goods  was  partly  due  to  the 
absorption  of  their  funds  in  paying  interest  on  their  debts  ;  but  now 
that  they  are  free  from  that  *  eateing  ulcer ',  they  hope  to  give  better 
satisfaction.  At  present  they  can  only  send  a  bale  of  '  morees ' ; 
and  as  the  Swan  is  to  leave  Masulipatam  for  Bantam  by  October  5 
at  the  latest,  while  the  Endeavour  cannot  be  back  so  soon  from  the 
Bay  of  Bengal,  nothing  more  can  be  provided  till  the  next  shipping. 
Refer  to  Cogan  for  information  as  to  the  estate  of  Thomas  Rogers. 
Yard's  Endeavour  is  still  lying  on  the  beach,  and  is  worth  little  or 
nothing  ;  they  trust  he  has  given  satisfaction  at  home  for  his  pro- 
ceedings in  the  matter.  Have  sold  five  chests  of  coral  at  115 
pagodas  per  maund,  and  could  dispose  of  4,000  lb.  yearly ;  the 
*grezio'  is  the  sort  required.  Messrs.  Olton,  Methwold,  and 
Isaacson  duly  arrived  in  the  Endeavour.  The  last-named  went  on 
in  her  to  Masulipatam  on  July  9,  and  died  there  on  August  2. 
Olton  has  been  appointed  to  take  charge  in  Bengal,  as  Hatch 
desires  to  be  relieved.  He  has  been  instructed  to  send  samples  of 
all  sorts  and  to  make  an  investment  in  ginghams,  &c.  for  England. 
Methwold  is  to  be  second  to  Winter  at  Viravasaram.  *The  Fort 
St.  George  hath  allready  cost  in  building  2,294/.  17^.  2|^.,  as  by  the 
abstract  of  the  charges  \inissmg\  which  accompanieth  this  appeareth  ; 
and  to  finish  the  rest  and  to  compleate  it  according  to  the  worke 
begune,  with  warehouse  roome,  lodging  for  factors  and  souldiers, 
with  other  needfull  additions  of  building,  and  soe  fortified  as  fame 
reporteth  it  is  (though  not  soe),  it  cannot  cost  less  then  2,000/.  more. 
Notwithstanding  three  of  the  foure  quadrangle  points  bee  finished, 
yett  the  other  point,  with  the  three  walls  betweene  the  three  points 
which  are  finished,  with  lodging  and  warehouse  roome,  will  cost  full 
as  much  as  the  sume  aforementioned.  And  the  monthly  charge 
which  wee  are  at  now  for  fiftie  men  is  54/.  6s.  6d.,  as  by  the  abstract 
\jiot  extant\  of  the  perticulers  ot  mens  names  and  wages  appeareth  ; 
soe  that,  when  it  is  compleated,  there  cannot  bee  less  then  100 
souldiers  ;  which  will  double  the  charge.     What  ammunition?  ettc. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  191 

is  at  present  in  the  Fort  [by?]  the  perticuler  list  hercinclored 
[mtsst/i£;]  will  appeare  ;  which  is  as  much  as  nothing  for  the  defence 
of  such  a  place,  the  gunns  excepted  ;  but  when  it  is  finished  and  ico 
souldiers  for  the  defence  of  it,  wee  need  not  feare  any  inland  enemy 
neare  unto  us  in  these  parts.  But  how  this  poore  trade  heere  will 
mainetaine  the  charge  cannot  bee  apprehended  by  the  former  [sic] 
of  us ;  for  the  Dutch  are  growne  soe  potent  that  they  have  allmost 
gotten  the  whole  Coast  trade  into  their  owne  possession,  and  have 
soe  dispersed  their  moneyes  in  all  parts  that  wee  cannot  gett  cloth 
for  our  money.  Soe  that  the  tymes  are  turned  upp  syde  downe  : 
for  formerly  they  [i.e.  previous  factors]  complained  for  money  and 
now  wee  know  not  how  to  lay  out  that  litle  remaineing  stocke  wee 
have,  unless  wee  will  take  such  trash  as  hath  allwayes  bin  sent  from 
hence  to  Bantam,  which  is  noe  course  for  us  to  stopp  the  Presidents 
complaints.  But  in  course  of  tyme  they  may  bee  brought  to  make 
better  cloath  ;  for  they  seeme  to  bee  acting  [i.e.  active]  people  and 
willing  to  indeavour  any  thing  that  is  by  us  desired.'  The  orders 
for  sending  the  Endeavour  to  Persia  will  be  duly  carried  out ;  at 
present  she  has  gone  (July  23)  from  Masulipatam  to  Bengal  with 
a  small  freight.  Would  much  prefer  to  see  the  Company's  ships 
employed  in  carrying  its  own  goods.  Commodities  to  be  carried 
to  Persia  by  the  Endeavour.  Ivy  found  on  his  arrival  the  Coast 
remains  reckoned  at  66,328  new  pagodas,  but  from  this  must  be 
deducted  10,925  pagodas  for  desperate  debts  at  Masulipatam 
brought  forward  from  the  Armagon  books.  The  remainder  was 
distributed  as  follows  :  in  Fort  St.  George,  48,952  rials  ;  in  Masuli- 
patam, 31,184  rials  ;  in  Bengal,  8,510  rials  ^  ;  while  in  addition  the 
Swans  cargo  from  Bantam  was  9,458  rials,  making  98,104  rials  in 
all.  If  this  does  not  agree  with  the  home  accounts,  the  difference 
must  be  explained  by  Cogan,  who  has  probably  arrived  in  England, 
and  Day,  who  proceeds  to  Bantam  on  the  Swan.  That  vessel 
carries  hence  goods  to  the  value  of  6,063  pagodas  for  the  General 
Voyage,  and  they  have  instructed  the  factors  at  Masulipatam  '  to 
compleate  that  accompt  and  sett  a  period  thereunto  '.  Cannot  com- 
mend the  quality  of  the  calico  put  aboard  the  Swan^  but  trust  to 
send  better  in  future.  Have  also  laden  in  her  some  indigo,  bought 
here  at  24  pagodas  per  candy;   and  some  gunpowder  costing  22 

*  The  rial  of  eight  appears  to  be  taken  at  55.  and  the  pagoda  at  8j. 


192  THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

pagodas  per  candy.  Have  already  intimated  their  dislike  of '  the 
letting  out  of  the  Companies  shipps  from  the  Coast  to  bee  pack 
horses  for  other  men  in  that  unprofifittable  Persian  trade'  ;  but,  as 
it  is  the  Company's  wish,  the  EndeavoJir  shall  be  duly  sent  thither. 
Had  they  had  a  free  hand,  they  would  rather  have  invested  the 
5,000/.  assigned  for  that  purpose  in  piece-goods,  which,  if  transported 
from  Bantam  to  the  Manillas,  would  have  produced  '  three  for  one 
proffitt  in  fowre  months  '.  Now,  however,  the  '  President  of  Surratt 
hath  gotten  the  honnour  and  start  of  our  President  of  Bantam,  by 
whome  this  voyage  hath  bin  long  in  agitacion,  but  could  never  as 
yett  bee  perform'd,  in  regard  the  President  of  Surratt  [?  doth  enjgross 
upp  all  the  small  shipping,  soe  that  they  at  Bantam  have  their 
hands  tyed  behind  them  for  want  of  meanes  and  shipping.  This 
Maneela  voyage,  to  the  Agents  knowledg,  is  the  best  and  proffitt- 
ablest  in  these  parts  of  the  world  ;  whose  experience  taught  him 
when  hee  lived  at  Maccassar,  where  the  Maneela  merchants  hath 
annually  recourse  and  doth  give  there  150  per  cent,  proffitt  for  the 
foure  sorts  of  white  cloath  aforesaid  ;  and  pepper  to  our  knowledge, 
if  to  the  quantitie  of  one  hundred  tonns  per  annum,  will  sell  there 
for  15  rialls  of  eight  the  pecull.  And  wee  are  certaine  that  Surratt 
cloth  will  not  sell  for  halfe  the  proffitt  as  the  Coast  cloth,  nor  halfe 
the  quantitie.  And  now  in  regard  the  Spaniards  hath  warrs  with 
the  Dutch  and  Portugalls,  the  latter  which  formerly  supply'd  them 
with  cloth  from  Maccasser  and  these  parts,  of  boath  which  they 
are  now  debarr'd,  therefore  wee  well  know  that  if  the  President  of 
Bantam  had  but  a  shipp  and  meanes,  they  might  sell  every  yeare 
in  Coast  cloath  and  pepper  to  the  amount  of  ioo,oco  rialls  of  eight 
at  the  Maneelas,  and  at  noe  less  gaine  then  i\  or  3  per  cent,  proffitt ; 
which  wee  will  maintaine '.  Moreover,  the  expense  and  risk  would 
be  only  half  that  incurred  in  making  the  voyage  from  Surat,  seeing 
that  the  distance  from  Bantam  is  so  much  shorter  and  there  is  no 
danger  to  be  feared  from  such  enemies  as  ^  the  desperate  Mallabarrs'. 
An  additional  reason  is  that,  '  if  the  Maneela  trade,  or  some  other, 
bee  not  followed  from  the  Southward,  wee  shall  have  but  litle  trade 
heere  ;  for  noe  comodities  will  sell  heere  for  any  considerable 
proffitt,  and  rialls  are  of  soe  litle  vallue  that  wee  cannot  putt  them 
of  at  the  prime  cost.  Soe  there  is  nothing  like  gould  for  the  pro- 
videing  of  goods  and  constant  proffitt.     Soe  if  the  Maneela  trade 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  193 

were  followed  from  Bantam,  wee  might  out  of  a  small  stocke  every 
yeare  from  hence  bee  supplyed  from  the  Maneelaes  and  Macaw  per 
via  Bantam  with  50,000  rialls  of  eight  in  gould  ;  and  in  two  yearcs 
tyme  wee  will  undertake  that  the  Company  need  send  noe  more 
stocke  hether,  but  wee  should  bee  suffitiently  supplyed  from  Bantam ; 
provided  they  bee  supplyed  with  twoe  shipps,  each  of  200  tonns 
burthen,  which  would  supply  this  place  and  the  Maneelaes  under 
one.'     Although  all  European  commodities  (coral  excepted)  are  in 
little  demand,  yet,  in  hopes  of  better  times,  they  would  be  glad  to 
receive  the  quantities  specified  of  coral,  broadcloth,  and  lead  for 
sale ;    mirrors   and  knives  for  presents ;    and  a  stock  of  money, 
mostly  in  gold.     The  Company's  servants  now  on  the  Coast  are  : — 
at    Fort   St.  George,  Messrs.  Ivy,  Greenhill,  and  Travell,  factors, 
with  Martin  Bradgate  and  Walter  Robins  as  assistants ;  in  Masuli- 
patam,  Thomas  Peniston  and  John  Brown,  factors,  with  Hercules 
Heywood,  Edward  Winter,  and  Thomas  Perks  as  assistants  ;    in 
Viravasaram,  Thomas  Winter  and  William  Methwold,  factors,  and 
William  Minn,  assistant ;    in  Bengal,   Henry  Olton  and  William 
Gurney,  factors,  and  William  Netlam,  assistant.     The  names  of  all 
the  English  soldiers  will  be  found  in  a  list  enclosed   \inissijtg\. 
Disposal  of  the  twenty-one  men  belonging  to  Courteen's  Williajn  : 
two  are  dead ;    two  are   at   Masulipatam    at   their   own    charge ; 
William  Hill  has  gone  thither  to  get  a  passage  to  Achin ;  Thomas 
Cox  and  five  others  proceed  to  Bantam  in  the  Swa7t ;  seven  have 
joined  the  garrison  here  ;  and  three  are  employed  in  the  Endeavour, 
Money  lent  to  Cox  and  Hill,  to  be  repaid  in  England  ;  their  main- 
tenance referred  to  the  Company's  consideration.     The  wars  in  these 
parts  made  them  glad  to  entertain  some  of  these  men  as  soldiers ; 
*  for  the  Moores  but  five  weekes  past  had  advanced  with  there  armes 
within  three  myles  of  PuUicatt,  and  sent  unto  the  Duch  Governour 
to  surrender  up  there  castle ;  and  we  did  suddenly  expect  the  same. 
But  shortly  after  the  Jentues  came  downe  with  a  greate  power,  gave 
the  Moores  battle,  rowted  there  armie,  and  put  the  Moores  to  flight 
beyond  Armagon  ',  where  they  are  now  agathering  a  head  againe ; 

1  The  Dutch  Governor  of  Pulicat,  writing  to  Batavia  some  months  later,  reported  that 
on  reaching  that  fortress  from  Masulipatam  on  July  15  (N.  S.)  he  found  that  the  forces  ot 
the  King  of  Golconda,  under  *Casy  Aly'  [?  Kasim  All],  had  subdued  the  whole  of  the 
neighbouring  towns  without  opposition  and  were  demanding  the  submission  of  Pulicat 
itself,  promising  at  the  same  time  that  the  Dutch  should  retain  all  their  privileges.  Of  this 
FOSTER  vn  O 


194  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

soe  the  dainger  that  we  live  in  is  yet  unknowne.'  Geoffrey  Brad- 
ford [see  p.  158], '  who  was  shipped  out  corprall  of  the  Discoverie, 
1632,  at  25J.  per  month  and  taken  ashore  at  Armagon  the  same 
yeare,  hath  liv'd  there  and  here  since  as  serjant  of  the  souldiers ' ; 
now  upon  his  petition  he  has  been  allowed  forty  rials  of  eight  per 
annum  for  apparel.  On  re-examining  the  accounts,  they  find  that 
out  of  the  98,104  rials  mentioned  earlier  no  less  than  2^^,455  repre- 
sent dead  stock  and  bad  debts  ;  so  the  effective  stock  on  this  Coast 
is  only  75,649  rials,  from  which  goods  to  the  value  of  20,000  rials 
have  now  been  laden  on  the  Swan  for  Bantam.  The  Seaflower  is  to 
be  sent  hither  from  that  place  in  April  next,  coming  by  way  of  the 
Straits  of  Malacca  direct  to  Bengal  and  so  to  Masulipatam  and 
Fort  St.  George ;  *  by  which  ship  we  doubt  not  to  cleare  the  Coast 
of  all  the  remaineing  stocke.'  Accounts  sent  to  Bantam.  Hercules 
Heywood,  having  served  at  Masulipatam  as  a  writer  for  five  years 
at  18/.  per  annum,  has  been  re-engaged  for  three  years  at  30/., 
subject  to  the  Company's  approval.  {Copy.  Damaged,  9  //. 
Received  December  8.) 

Edward  Knipe,  Henry  Garry,  John  Burnell,  and  Henry 
Hunt  at  Johanna  to  the  Company,  September  ii,  1644  (O.C. 
i886).i 

Account  of  the  voyage  of  the  John.  In  May  they  spoke 
Courteen's  Loyalty^  commanded  by  Captain  Durson,  bound  for 
Mozambique  and  Karwar.  In  order  to  anticipate  her,  it  was  decided 
to  go  on  ahead  of  the  Crispiana  (which  sailed  more  slowly  than  the 
Johi)  and  to  proceed  straight  to  Mozambique  without  calling  at 
Madagascar,  the  two  ships  meeting  again  at  Johanna.  As  soon  as 
the  vessels  parted,  Mucknell,  the  master  of  the  John^  who  had  been 
an  eager  advocate  of  the  separation,  began  *his  drunken  and 
debauscht  courses,  callinge  into  his  roundhousse  the  most  debauscht 

demand  no  notice  was  taken,  and  the  invaders,  finding  the  fortress  amply  equipped,  con- 
tented themselves  with  a  demonstration  at  a  safe  distance.  The  Nayak  of  GingI,  who  was 
then  in  rebellion  against  Sri  Ranga,  advanced  with  the  intention  of  joining  the  Golconda 
army;  whereupon  the  King  recalled  Kistappa  Nayak,  who  was  operating  against  the 
Gingi  chief,  and  restored  Chinnana  to  favour.  Kistappa  fell  unexpectedly  on  the  Moors 
and  completely  routed  them,  killing  their  commander  and  several  other  men  of  importance 
{Hague  Jranscripts,  series  i.  vol.  xiv.  no.  431 ;  Dagh- Register,  1644-45,  p.  325). 
*  For  another  copy  see  0,C.  1890. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  195 

ungodly  people  in  the  shipp.'  In  the  end  he  pretended  to  desire 
a  reconciliation,  promising  '  reformacion  of  his  lififeand  conversacion  ; 
and  to  that  purpose  invited  all  of  us  with  all  his  officers  on  shore 
the  29th  August ;  when  after  dinner  he  most  villanously  stole 
aboard,  wrought  with  his  rogues  on  board  to  cutt  cables  in  the  halss, 
cutt  loose  sayles,  and  stood  away  for  the  offine,  and  left  us  miserably 
heere  on  this  unhealthy  island.'  No  provocation  had  been  given 
him  by  Knipe,  who  confined  himself  to  urging  the  chief  officers  of 
the  ship  to  remonstrate  with  the  master  on  his  evil  courses ;  with 
the  result  that  these  officers  have  likewise  been  left  on  shore.  Could 
not  take  any  steps  to  secure  the  ship,  as  the  sailors  were  completely 
under  Mucknell's  influence.  The  latter  showed  great  unwillingness 
to  come  to  Johanna  and  meet  the  Crispiana ;  and  when  the  factors 
sent  him  a  written  remonstrance,  '  hee  spent  most  parte  of  that  night 
in  vilifyinge  us  and  indeavouringe  to  stirr  upp  his  menn  to  mischeefe 
us.'  They  should  have  mentioned  earlier  that  at  Mozambique, 
where  they  arrived  on  August  11,  they  were  disappointed  in  selling 
their  wine,  a  large  stock  having  been  brought  thither  from  Lisbon 
a  short  time  before.  They  accordingly  departed  on  August  21, 
carrying  letters  from  the  Governor  to  the  Viceroy  of  Goa,  and  also, 
at  the  request  of  the  former,  one  Senhor  '  Joan  da  Maya  Caldera ', 
Agent  for  the  King  of  Portugal  at  Mozambique,  who  was  desirous 
of  a  passage  to  India  for  himself  and  his  family.  He  brought  on 
board  upwards  of  thirty  persons,  and  gave  Mucknell  200  rials  of 
eight  for  the  use  of  his  roundhouse.  He,  with  his  wife  and  most  of 
his  servants,  is  now  proceeding  in  a  boat  to  Mohilla,  in  hopes  of 
meeting  some  vessel  of  Mozambique  ;  and  to  his  care  these  letters 
are  entrusted.  If  they  arrive  in  good  time,  the  Company  may  be 
able  to  intercept  the  John ;  but  possibly  this  may  be  effected  here, 
for  Knipe  has  written  to  the  Governor  of  Mozambique,  begging  him 
to  send  a  vessel  of  some  force  for  that  purpose  ^  and  it  is  their 
intention  to  embark  in  her  and  search  all  these  islands  and  the  coast 
of  Madagascar,  for  the  John  *  cannot  yet  depart  to  pass  the  Cape 
this  two  mounths  \  If  they  meet  her  they  can  probably  master  her, 
as  she  has  many  sick  on  board,  besides  those  of  her  crew  who  were 
unwillingly  drawn  into  the  design  and  others  who  by  this  time  have 
repented  of  their  action.     It  is  estimated  that  the  active  mutineers 

1  For  copies  see  O.C.  1SS8  and  1890. 
O  2 


196  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

cannot  number  more  than  thirty,  while  'wee  on  shoare  here  are  21 
persons,  and  those  the  principall  officers  of  the  shipp '.  It  is  the 
more  likely  that  the  Portuguese  will  lend  assistance,  in  that  Senhor 
Caldeira  claims  to  have  lost  in  the  John  to  the  value  of 
17,000  xerafins.  Lest  he  should  make  any  demands  on  the 
Company,  they  have  procured  from  him  a  certificate  that  he  did 
not  acquaint  them  of  any  goods  he  brought  on  board  (except 
provisions)  or  arrange  with  them  for  freight.  Letters^  are  being 
sent  to  Mohilla  for  any  homeward-bound  ship  that  may  arrive  there  ; 
and  they  are  hopeful  that  before  long  some  vessel  will  come  from 
Surat  in  quest  of  them.     (Copy.     SkPP) 

A  Narrative  of  Mucknell's  Treachery  ^  {O.C.  1887). 

Mucknell  having  left  them  on  the  island  of  Johanna  and  run  away 
with  his  ship,  they  have  drawn  up  this  account '  for  mortallity  sake ' 
and  to  clear  themselves  from  all  complicity  in  his  crime.  His 
dissolute  behaviour  described  ;  also  his  threats  against  Knipe,  who 
had  merely  let  him  know,  by  means  of  others,  '  that  if  his  cariage 
did  not  alter,  he  [Knipe]  did  intend,  when  God  shold  blesse  him 
safe  to  the  coast  of  India,  there  to  secure  the  Companies  goods  and 
write  to  Surratt  for  other  ships,  and  have  nothing  to  doe  with  him.' 
On  August  34,  fearing  that  he  intended  to  pass  by  Johanna,  the 
factors  sent  him  a  written  order  to  put  in  there ;  whereupon  he 
violently  railed  against  them,  '  saying  that  hee  wold  not  be  ordered 
by  Jacke  Straw  and  Watt  Tyler.'  However,  after  their  arrival  at 
Johanna,  Mucknell  professed  to  be  anxious  for  a  reconciliation,  and 
besought  the  minister  ^  to  make  peace  between  him  and  Knipe.  To 
this  end,  on  August  29  all  went  ashore, '  hopeing  to  make  it  a  day 
of  Jubilee '  ;  but  after  dinner  Mucknell  privately  stole  away  and  got 
on  board.    The  rest  waited  for  him  until  sunset,  and  then  went  down 

^  For  copies  see  O.C.  1889  and  1890. 

^  Enclosed  in  the  foregoing.  It  is  signed  by  the  four  who  signed  the  letter,  and  also  by 
Henry  Tyrrell  and  Henry  Wheatley  (master's  mates),  the  Rev.  William  Isaacson,  and 
fourteen  of  the  crew.  For  other  copies  of  this  document  see  O.C.  1890  and  the  O.C. 
Duplicates. 

^  The  Rev.  William  Isaacson,  son  of  Deputy  Isaacson,  was  chosen  to  go  as  minister  to 
Surat  in  the  John  on  Feb.  i6,  1644.  He  was  afterwards  the  first  resident  chaplain  at  Fort 
St.  George  (see  Penny's  Church  in  Madras^  p.  661).  A  brief  account  by  Isaacson  of 
Mucknell's  employment  of  him  as  a  peacemaker  will  be  found  under  O.C.  iS^o. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  197 

to  the  shore  to  return  to  the  ship.  There  they  perceived  the  latter 
making  ready  to  sail ;  and  presently  two  of  the  quartermasters  came 
ashore  in  the  'jellivvatt^  ',  having  hazarded  their  lives  rather  than 
join  in  the  plot.  They  related  that  Mucknell,  *  as  soone  as  hee  came 
aboard  the  ship  in  the  afternoone,  went  into  the  great  cabbin  and, 
calling  the  whole  ships  crew  to  him,  spake  thus  unto  them  .  .  . 
There  is  a  difference  betweene  Mr.  Knipe  and  myselfe,  and  the 
reason  is  because  I  have  given  you  too  much  sacke,  and  more  then 
I  can  answer  when  I  come  to  Surratt ;  so  that  when  I  shall  arive 
thither,  he  threatens  to  turne  me  out  of  my  ship.  I  have  allwayes 
found  you  able  and  honest  fellowes  and  men  that  have  stucke  by 
me.  I  hope  therefore  that  you  will  not  now  see  me  disgrac't.  I  here 
declare  myselfe  for  the  King.  I  have  had  an  intent  that  way  from 
the  beginning  of  the  voyage,  but  cold  never  find  a  fitt  oportunity 
untill  now.  Wee  will  first  steere  our  course  toward  the  Red  Sea 
and  gett  what  wee  can  there ;  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  yeare 
returne  for  England.  Wee  have  Famouth,  Dartmouth,  or  Bristoll 
to  goe  to,  where  we  shalbe  wellcome.  You  that  are  for  the  King, 
and  will  agree  to  this  motion,  hold  up  your  hands.  Upon  which 
they  all  cry'd  :  One  and  all ;  except  \Jtere  follow  eighteen  names], 
all  which  were  violently  detained  on  shipboard.'  The  accusation 
against  Knipe  of  interfering  in  regard  to  the  amount  of  drink  con- 
sumed on  board  is  entirely  false.  List  of  the  ten  ringleaders  in  this 
outbreak.     (3  //.) 

Robert  Cranmer,  John  Rymell,  and  Nicholas  Bucke- 
RiDGE  AT  Basra  to  the  Company,  September  17,  1644  (O.C. 
1 891). 

The  Francis  arrived  from  Gombroon  on  August  20.  List  of  her 
cargo.  The  boat  sent  from  here  with  letters  to  Herbert,  &c.,  at 
Gombroon  was  met  by  the  Francis  at  Khargu.  Many  of  their 
goods  here  remain  unsold,  but  they  have  disposed  of  the  gum-lac 
and  pepper  brought  from  Gombroon.  Deficiency  in  the  weight  of 
the  latter.  *  Dulka  longhees  '  [Dholka  Inngls,  or  loincloths]  sold  at 
unexpected  rates,  being  usually  only  vendible  at  Red  Sea  ports. 
Cannot  get  any  freight  yet  for  India.     The  Dutch    WaterJiond, 

'  On  this  word,  and  its  connexion  with  'jolly-boat',  see  Hobson-jfobson,  s.v.  Galleval. 


198  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

which  left  Gombroon  on  May  15,  is  said  to  have  been  cast  away- 
near  Muskat  with  a  cargo  worth  ten  lakhs  of  rupees.^  It  is  also 
reported  that  the  Dutch  have  not  received  a  single  bale  of  silk  from 
Persia  for  two  years.  Hope  to  leave  this  place  on  October  15. 
{%\pp'     Received  March  df,  16 df^^ 

Edward  Knipe,  Henry  Garry,  John  Burnell,  and  Henry 
Hunt  at  Johanna  to  the  Commander,  etc.,  of  the  next 
English  Ship,  September  30,  1644  [O.C.  \^(^iy 

The  enclosed  papers  ^  will  relate  the  treacherous  proceedings  of 
Mucknell,  the  master  of  the  John.  That  vessel  was  met  three  days 
ago  about  the  latitude  of  Juan  de  Nova  by  the  Thomas  and  John 
(commanded  by  Earl)  which  arrived  here  this  morning.  Mucknell 
pretended  that  he  had  met  at  Johanna  the  Dolphin,  proceeding  to 
England ;  and  that,  as  the  latter  was  unseaworthy,  her  cargo  had 
been  transferred  to  the  John,  which  was  then  sent  back  home.  By 
offering  to  take  letters  to  England,  he  enticed  on  board  many  of  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  Thomas  arid  John  ;  whereupon  he  secured 
them  and  threatened  to  proceed  to  violence  unless  he  was  supplied 
with  what  he  needed.  By  these  means  he  forced  from  them  gun- 
powder, match,  candles,  '  and  their  Kings  coulours '.  He  also 
detained  three  of  their  trumpeters,  and  released  two  of  his  own 
men  who  were  unwilling  to  remain  with  him.  He  declared  to 
several  who  went  on  board  '  that  before  his  departure  from  England 
hee  sent  the  King  100  p[ounds  ?]  with  promiss  ere  longe  to  bringe 
him  a  good  shipp  ;  and  that  his  intencions  were  from  the  first  of  the 
voiage  to  runn  to  the  Kinge,  and  never  could  have  oportunity  before 
his   puttinge   it   in   practice.^      His   resolucion    was  to  direct  his 

^  This  was  untrue  :  see  p.  218. 

2  For  a  copy  see  O.C.  1890. 

3  Copies  of  the  documents  given  on  pp.  194  and  196  were  left  with  this  letter. 

*  In  O.C.  1890  will  be  found  a  copy  of  a  letter  said  to  have  been  written  by  Mucknell 
after  his  departure  to  some  of  those  left  ashore,  in  which  he  avers  that  this  had  been  his 
resolution  from  the  commencement  of  the  voyage.  See  also  in  the  same  collection  a 
declaration  by  Richard  Lawrence  and  a  narrative  by  Anthony  Archer,  who  commanded 
the  boat  which  was  sent  aboard  the  John  when  she  was  met  by  Courteen's  ship  on  Septem- 
ber 15.  He  bears  testimony  to  Mucknell's  excited  and  truculent  behaviour,  and  adds: 
'  After  hee  had  his  demaunds,  he  would  have  the  Kings  colors,  which  was  then  aloft ;  but 
could  not  have  it  graunted  :  soe  hee  had  the  Jack.  In  our  former  discourse  he  told  me  he 
lost  500/.  per  anum  by  goeinge  to  the  Kinge  and,  though  it  were  more,  his  desire  was  soe 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  199 

ymediate  courss  for  St.  Hellena,  and  thence  for  the  Coiba  ^  Islands, 
and  there  to  gather  tydings  concerninge  the  affaires  of  England  ;  yf 
the  difference  should  still  remayne  betwixt  Kinge  and  Parliament, 
then  for  Bristoll  or  some  other  the  Kings  ports.  Butt  still  our 
hopes  are,  either  by  mutiny  amonguc  his  menn,  or  by  the 
Parliaments  shipps  or  other  occasion,  our  masters  may  againe  injoy 
their  shipp  and  goods  ;  which  God  graunt.  Amen.'  As  it  is  useless 
to  pursue  the  John,  even  if  a  Portuguese  vessel  arrives  from 
Mozambique,  they  have  arranged  to  embark  in  the  Thomas  aitd 
John,  which  is  bound  for  Rajapur.  They  arc  all  in  good  health, 
and  have  been  well  treated  during  their  stay  in  the  island,  especially 
by  the  Queen,  who  has  provided  them  with  all  necessaries.  Being 
unable  themselves  to  make  any  return,  they  entreat  any  of  the 
Company's  servants  into  whose  hands  this  letter  may  fall  to  offer 
her  some  recompense  ;  also  to  carry  the  letter  to  England,  leaving 
a  copy  for  the  next  ships.     {Copy,     'i-^pp.) 

John  Yard  at  Surat  to  the  Company,  November  20,  1644 
(0,C.  1898). 

Wrote  last  from  Mauritius,  describing  his  voyage  from  Bantam. 
Now  entreats  the  Company  to  withhold  its  decision  on  the  charges 
made  against  him  until  he  has  an  opportunity  of  vindicating 
himself  in  person,     (i  p.) 

President  Breton,  Thomas  Merry,  and  Richard  Fitch 
at  Swally  Marine  to  the  Company,  November  28,  1644 
(O.C.  1901). 

Will  relate  in  its  due  place  the  return  to  this  port  of  the  Dolphin, 
the  landing  of  her  damaged  goods,  and  their  replacement  by  others, 
in  readiness  for  her  second  attempt  to  get  to  England.  Trust  that  her 

much  bent  to  goe  to  His  Majestic,  by  reason  of  an  abuse  he  received  of  the  Parlament,  now 
last  being  at  home,  that  he  would  be  contented  to  loose  it  to  goe  to  the  Kinge,  for  then  he 
was  in  hopes  ere  longe  to  have  the  cuttinge  in  peeces  of  some  that  now  are  burgeses  iji  the 
Parliament.'  The  Thomas  and  John  was  wearing  the  King's  colours  by  virtue  of  the  royal 
grants  to  Weddell  and  Courteen  (see  Court  Minutes  of  the  East  India  Company,  1635-39, 
pp.  129,  275). 

*  Apparently  this  is  an  error  for  Caribbee,  i.  e.  the  West  Indies  (cf.  O.C.  1914).    Brewster 
(p.  240)  specifies  St.  Christopher's  Island  as  the  point  to  be  made  for. 


200  THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

consort,  the  Discovery,  has  safely  reached  home,  but  until  they  hear, 
*  her  unknown  fortunes  will  posess  us  with  feares  and  hopes  equalL' 
Wrote  last,  by  way  of  Basra,  on  March  26.  Account  of  the  voyage 
of  the  Francis  to  that  place,  where  the  markets  were  found  tolerably 
good.  Acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  Company's  letters  of  Novem- 
ber 27,  1643,  and  March  29,  1644.  Account  of  the  voyage  of  the 
Endeavour,  the  wreck  of  the  Mauritius  Island,  and  the  rescue  of  the 
survivors  of  the  William.  The  ^;^<i^<3;w?^;' likewise  took  off  at  St.  Au- 
gustine's Bay  'four  Frenchmen,  who  had  travailed  150  leagues  by  land 
from  a  fort  they  have  upon  that  island  ^,  presenting  themselves,  im- 
plored thepr]  passage  and  release  from  thence.'  On  July  2  the  Endea- 
vour reached  Fort  St.  George  ^,  whence  the  Company's  letters  were 
sent  overland  to  Surat,  arriving  August  1 8.  The  Crispiana,  John,  and 
Blessing  left  England  together  on  April  8,  and  continued  in  com- 
pany until  May  3,  when  the  Blessing  was  left  behind,  '  by  reason  of 
her  bad  sailing.'  They  met  again  on  May  16,  and  next  day  en- 
countered Courteen's  Loyalty,  bound  for  Mozambique.  Knipe,  fear- 
ing to  be  anticipated  there,  desired  that  the  John  should  go  ahead 
of  her  consorts ;  and  this  was  agreed  to.  She  separated  on  May  20  ; 
the  Blessing  lost  company  on  the  22nd  ;  and  on  the  30th  the  Loyalty 
departed.  The  Crispiana  now  continued  her  voyage  alone,  and  on 
July  27  reached  St.  Augustine's  Bay,  where  letters  were  found, 
notifying  that  the  Dolphin  and  Hopewell  had  departed  for  Johanna 
the  day  before.  On  August  2  the  Crispiana  followed,  and  a  week 
later  anchored  at  Johanna,  where  she  found  the  other  two.  They 
were  soon  joined  by  the  Loyalty^  but  could  hear  no  tidings  of  the 
John,  The  three  ships  sailed  together  on  August  1 7  and  reached 
Swally  on  September  18.  Now  reply  to  the  letters  thus  received, 
commencing  with  that  sent  by  the  Endeavour.  As  already  advised, 
the  promise  made  by  the  Bantam  factors  of  sending  hither  the 
Expeditio7t  was  not  fulfilled  ;  nevertheless  the  Seaflower,  returning 
from  Gombroon  on  March  29,  was  on  April  20  dispeeded  for  Ban- 
tam with  a  cargo  amounting  to  128,925  mahmudls,  and  reached 
that  port  on  June  4.     Explanations  regarding  certain  baftas  alleged 

^  At  the  Bay  of  Santa  Lucia,  on  the  south-eastern  coast  of  Madagascar  (see  the  narrative 
of  Fran9ois  Cauche  in  Relations  Veritables  et  Curieuses  de  VIsle  de  Madagascar,  Paris, 
1651). 

2  Dagh-Register,  1644-45,  p.  331.  * 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  201 

to  be  missing  from  her  cargo.  Willingly  agree  to  '  what  you  have 
been  pleased  to  command  touching  a  friendly  correspondence  be- 
twixt this  and  the  Bantam  residency  and  mutual!  assistance  of  each 
other.'  It  is  their  intention  accordingly  to  send  a  cargo  yearly  to 
Bantam,  and  they  are  promised  in  return  pepper  and  other  suitable 
goods.  The  Z/^?'/ sailed  from  that  port  on  July  12  and  reached 
Swally  on  September  28,  bringing  pepper,  tortoise-shells,  cubebs, 
and  '  two  noorics  [Malay  mlri,  a  parrot]  desired  by  us  for  this 
Governor  '.  She  came  round  by  way  of '  the  Chawges  '  [Chagos], 
for  fear  of  the  Malabars,  The  resultant  loss  of  time  might  be  avoided 
if  the  Company  would  supply  a  vessel  of  greater  force  for  this  ser- 
vice. Most  of  the  Harts  crew  are  now  up  country,  employed  in 
convoying  money'  to  Ahmadabad  and  bringing  down  the  goods 
ready  for  England.  Rejoice  at  the  safe  arrival  home  of  the  Crispi- 
ana  and  Aleppo  Merchant.  Note  the  complaints  that  some  of  the 
goods  had  been  pilfered,  but  cannot  see  how  to  prevent  this  '  whilest 
your  goods  must  be  brought  from  such  remote  parts,  and  entrusted 
to  the  convoy  of  these  people '.  However,  they  will  do  their  best 
to  stop  such  practices  in  future.  Find  no  encouragement  to  buy 
Persian  silk,  *  in  regard  that  from  the  King  it  cannot  be  purchased 
under  the  excessive  rate  of  50  tomaens  per  load  ;  and,  if  bought  of 
particular  men,  the  King  (as  the  Dutch  have  experimented)  exacts 
such  excessive  customes,  payment  wherof  we  may  not  hope  to  avoid, 
notwithstanding  your  right  and  priviledges  due  (to  so  despicable  a 
condition  are  your  affaires  there  at  present  declined),  that  although 
in  its  first  cost  it  appear  reasonable,  yet  in  conclusion  becomes  as 
dear  as  the  other.  So  that  the  Dutch  now  deal  almost  only  with 
the  King,  of  whom  the  passed  year  at  that  unreasonable  price  they 
bought  450  bales,  and  have  again  this  year  contracted  for  550  bales 
more  ;  which  pennyworthes  we  nothing  grutch  them,  since  the  pro- 
ceed of  such  goods  as  we  send  thither,  being  returned  in  monies, 
may  to  your  much  greater  advantage  be  here  employed.'  They 
will  therefore  refrain  from  further  purchases  until  instructions  arrive 
from  England.  Regret  that  the  Biana  and  Sarkhej  indigo  found 
'  such  despicable  declined  markets '  at  home,  and  that  amongst  the 
former  a  quantity  of  dirt  was  discovered  to  have  been  substituted 
for  indigo.  Similar  complaints  have  been  made  by  the  Dutch  and 
other  purchasers,  and  they  suspect  that  the  fraud  has  been  perpe- 


302  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

trated  between  Rander  and  Swally.     Will  do  their  best  to  detect 
the  guilty  parties.     Have  passed  on  to  the  factors  up  country  the 
Company's  complaints  of  the  poor   quality  of  the  Biana  indigo, 
and  trust  that  an  improvement  will  result ;  but  the  '  unseasonable- 
ness  of  some  years  renders  the  very  best  but  bad  '.     Details  of  the 
indigo  procured  this  year  for  England,  Basra,  and  Mokha.       By 
buying  in  partnership  with  the  Dutch,  the  price  has  been  brought 
down  to  from  26  to  31^  rupees  the  maund,  though  the  indigo  is 
stated  to  be  of  the  best  quality.     '  From  Agra  we  have  lately  been 
advized  that,  for  want  of  rain  and  by  reason  of  the  small  quantity  of 
seed  sowed  this  year  (occationed  by  the  mean  price  that  indico  hath 
in  Agra  been  sold  for  the  two  passed  yeares,  at  which  rates  people 
under  so  great  taxations  cannot  subsist)  there  will  not  be  above 
half  or  two-thirds  so  much  as  used  to  be  [in]  former  years.'     How- 
ever, they  are  confident  of  procuring  at  least  500  bales  for  next 
year,  and  they  hope  to  get  another  hundred  from  Sind,  '  which  sort 
the  last  year  you  much  desired.'     The  Company's  instructions  that 
the  Sarkhej  indigo  should  be  '  made  flat,  according  to  its  pristine 
auncient  form  ',  shall  be  obeyed  in  future  years  ;  but  they  came  too 
late  to  affect  the  purchases  for  the  present  season,  which  are  nearly 
all  of  the  round  sort.     Since  then  the  price  at  Ahmadabad  has  risen 
by  three  or  four  rupees  per  maund,  though  the  indigo  is  inferior  in 
quality  to  that  of  former  years,  owing  to  adulteration.     This  they 
impute  chiefly  to  the  reckless  way  in  which  the  Dutch  last  year 
bought  all  they  could  get,  bad  as  well  as  good,  which  encouraged 
the  manufacturers  '  to  debase  the  comodity  exceedingly  in  good- 
nes '.     Will  be  mindful  to  send  home  some  indigo  unmixed  with 
sand  ;  '  yet  the  long-continued  custome  and  practice  of  these  people 
induce  us  to  believe  that  their  experience  hath  found  it  to  preserve 
the  indicp,  being  tender  and  flat,  from  breaking,  by  filling  the  vac- 
uous places  betwixt  the  pieces,  as  the  bales  are  upon  any  occation 
removed.'     Moreover,  the  sand  is  not  included  in  the  weight,  but 
added  afterwards,  '  by  guess,  about  10  or  12  sear  '  to  each  bag.    As 
for  the  Company's  market  being  spoiled  by  the  quantity  of  indigo 
brought  home  as  private  trade,  they  are  '  wonderstrook  and  silent 
in  admiration  at  the  undertakers  boldnes ',  and  at  the  same  time 
unhappy  at  having  fallen  under  the  Company's  censure  themselves. 
Promise  to  do  their  best  to  prevent  such  abuses  in  future.     Regard- 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  203 

ing  the  complaints  made  of  '  the  Scinda  or  Nusserpore  joories ',  they 
explain  that  '  the  make  of  all  sorts  of  cloth  in  that  place  doth  much 
degenerate  from  former  times,  and  yearly  declines,  by  reason  of  the 
ready  vend  it  findes  at  Bussora,  which  occations  many  buyers,  in  so 
much  that  narrow  baftaes  of  all  sorts  are  lately  risen  5  and  6  rupees 
per  corge,  and  yet  made  worse  then  ever,  the  Dcrbella  and  Ckan- 
dara  cloth  being  now  no  better  then  the  Nusserpore  ;  wherof  Mr. 
Spiller  hath  had  this  year  some  experience,  he  having  by  our  order 
spent  the  passed  raines,  from  May  to  September,  in  those  upper 
countries  of  Sehwan  or  Seuestan  and  the  adjacent  places ;  whither 
he  was  sent  chiefly  to  make  a  full  discovery  of  what  indico  those 
parts  may  produce,  as  also  to  buy  200  f[ardle]s,  if  they  had 
been  procurable;  but  the  people  are  so  exceedingly  opprest  and 
kept  so  miserably  poor  that,  notwithstanding  the  soil  is  fertile  and 
propper  and  would  produce  large  quantities  of  good  indicoes,  they 
have  neither  will  nor  means  to  manure  and  sow  the  ground  ;  so 
that  the  small  quantity  the  country  produced,  not  exceeding  400 
maunds  double  (which  is  scarcely  sufficient  for  the  expence  of  those 
parts),  rendered  the  commodity  very  dear,  far  beyond  40  rupees, 
the  price  we  had  limited.  Yet  were  there  no  other  buyers  then  the 
Tuttha  dyers,  which  paid  41 1  rupees,  besides  3  rupees  per  maund 
other  charges.'  Spiller  bought,  therefore,  but  a  trifling  quantity ; 
'  yet  is  he  of  opinion  that  the  next  year,  if  a  man  continue  there,  to 
encourage  the  people  by  impresting  800  or  1,000  rupees  in  small 
sumes,  that  upwards  of  100  f[ardle]s  may  be  procured  at  reasonable 
prizes  :  which  we  intend,  God  willing,  to  experiment ;  and  the  rather, 
because  Derbella  and  Ckandara  are  not  far  distant  from  thence, 
where  we  intend  a  residence  ;  and  if  they  can  procure  the  cloth  to 
be  well  made,  we  have  given  directions  for  the  buying  of  10,000 
peeces  against  the  next  year.'  Spiller  also,  when  at  '  Sehwan ',  gave 
the  weavers  instructions  as  to  the  dimensions  of  the  cloth,  and  left 
a  broker  with  1,000  rupees  to  follow  the  investment.  Intend  in 
addition  to  buy  there  a  quantity  of  goods  for  Persia  or  Basra.  The 
goods  procured  in  Sind  last  season,  viz.  about  7,000  pieces  of  narrow 

*  joories  \  with  a  little  saltpetre  and  indigo,  will  be  embarked  upon 
the   Crispiajia.     No  *  eckbaries '   sent  home  this  year  ;    while  the 

*  mercoles '  forwarded  cannot  be  commended.  For  the  carelessness 
with  which  the  latter  have  been  bought,  the  Agra  factors  have  been 


304  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

severely  reprimanded,  and  ordered  to  buy  none  in  future  less  than 
fifteen  yards  long  and  one  yard  wide.  The  *  Dereabads '  are,  '  for 
their  sorts,  the  best  made  of  any  cloth  comes  from  thence.'  They 
have  bought  nearly  30,000  pieces,  and  will  send  home  about  half, 
keeping  the  rest  for  Mokha  and  Basra.  As  desired  by  the  Com- 
pany, these  cloths  have  been  bleached  '  at  Lucknow,  the  place  where 
they  are  made '  ;  but  since  the  former  orders  have  now  been  can- 
celled, they  intend  in  future  to  have  the  bleaching  done  at  Broach 
or  Baroda,  as  in  former  times.  '  Semana  cloth  you  have  been  for- 
merly advized  is  not  procurable  at  any  reasonable  rates ',  though 
they  expect  one  bale  from  Agra  before  long.  Details  of  '  Agra 
clothing '  ordered  for  next  year,  part  of  which  will  be  '  brought 
brown  to  Ahmuda[bad],  and  there  converted  into  such  sorts  of  blew 
cloth,  pintadoes,  &c.,  as  will  be  wanting  for  Bantam  and  other  in- 
vestments ;  besides  which  we  have  here  seen  baftaes  which  come 
from  Matchawara  ^,  200  course  [kos]  beyond  Agra,  both  broads  and 
narrowes,  which  both  for  size  and  making  of  the  cloth  we  believe 
will  very  well  like  you.'  Have  already  dispatched  thither  '  a  trusty 
experienced  Banian '  and,  if  his  report  be  favourable,  an  Englishman 
will  be  sent  to  make  an  investment.  Nosari  and  Surat  narrow  baf- 
tas,  on  account  of  their  goodness,  are  as  much  esteemed  here  as  in 
England,  and  are  very  vendible  at  Achin.  Will  send  home  8,000 
pieces,  bought,  it  is  true,  at  rather  dear  rates,  yet  as  cheaply  as 
possible.  The  broad  baftas  are  also  good  but  expensive.  Baftas 
and  Guinea  stuffs  obtained  at  Baroda.  '  Buroach,  which  hath 
formerly  been  the  most  eminent  place  in  these  parts  for  baftaes,  is 
now  become  of  all  other  the  worst,  the  making,  both  of  broad  and 
narrowes,  being  so  exceedingly  declined,  and  the  prices  so  unreason- 
ably raised,  that  we  have  not  been  encouraged  to  buy  any  of  either 
sorts  since  our  Acheen  investment  (wherunto  we  were  then  necessi- 
tated in  regard  of  the  shortnes  of  time).'  Finding  evidences  of  fraud 
on  the  part  of  '  Dew  Docee '  [Deodasi],  the  Company's  broker 
there,  they  seized  and  imprisoned  him,  until  Virjl  Vora  became 
his  surety  and  promised  to  see  them  righted.  The  broker  has 
undertaken  to  pay  a  fine  of  12,000  mahmudls,  but  has  neverthe- 
less been  dismissed  from  the  Company's  service.  This  will  be 
a  salutary  warning    to  other  brokers.     Quilts   and    'chints'  pro- 

^  Machhiwara,  27  miles  east  of  Ludhiana,  in  the  Punjab.  ' 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  205 

cured  from  Ahmadabad,  made  in  accordance  with  the  Company's 
wishes.  A  quantity  of  cotton  yarn  now  sent  ;  more  will 
follow  by  the  Crispiana.  '  Saltpeter  was  the  passed  year  procured 
in  Ahmuda[bad]  with  so  much  difficulty  that,  in  hopes  to  be  better 
and  cheaper  furnished,  we  were  induced  to  send  and  buy  it  this 
year  at  Malpore  \see  p.  164],  where  it  is  digged,  and  cost  raw 
no  more  then  4  and  \\  rupees  for  5  double  maunds.  But  before  its 
arivall  at  Ahmuda[bad]  the  excessive  charges  more  then  doubled 
the  prime  cost ;  and  then  refining  it  to  that  height  and  purenes  you 
desire,  notwithstanding  it  was  done  in  your  house  at  Ahmuda[bad] 
and  all  frugality  that  might  be  therin  used,  yet  it  comes  to  cost  you 
no  less  then  \bla7tk\  rupees  the  small  maund  before  it  be  embarqued 
on  board ;  which  far  exceedeth  our  estimate.'  Desire  to  know 
whether  the  Company  wish  to  have  future  consignments  refined  to 
the  same  degree,  in  view  of  the  high  cost.  Will  buy  no  more  until 
that  expected  from  Tatta  has  been  received  and  examined.  The 
*  muttutta '  \see  p.  86]  was  only  sent  home  after  they  had  tried 
in  vain  to  sell  it  at  Gombroon  and  Basra.  Of  '  tincall  or  borax ' 
they  are  sending  34  jars,  and  have  yet  on  hand  a  large  quantity 
which  cannot  be  cleansed  in  time  for  dispatch  this  year.  All 
concerned  have  been  warned  that  this  commodity  is  reserved  for  the 
Company.  The  missing  jar  of  borax  must  have  been  purloined  on 
board  ship.  Were  unable  to  procure  any  suitable  gum-lac ;  but 
they  send  some  olibanum,  myrrh,  and  aloes  socotrina.  Pepper  and 
cardamoms  obtained  at  Raybag,  and  to  be  brought  from  thence  by 
the  John.  The  ships  are  not  to  touch  at  Madagascar  (unless  they 
leave  this  place  Ikter  than  is  expected),  and  therefore  it  will  not  be 
necessary  to  furnish  them  with  many  beads  ;  nor  will  any  be  sent  to 
England.  Cinnamon  purchased  at  Rajapur  from  'Lewis  Riberio', 
who  had  brought  it  thither  from  Ceylon  in  order  to  export  it 
unmolested.  '  Fifty-eight  quint[als]  are  in  Lewis  Riberioes  custody, 
since  received  of  the  Vice  Roy  in  truck  of  damar  ;  besides  which  we 
long  since  desired  him  to  buy  of  particular  merchants  200  quent[als], 
and  entreated  the  Vice  Royes  license  for  its  exportation  ;  who  could 
not  consent  therunto,  by  reason  of  the  strickt  inhibition  received 
from  Portugal  not  to  alianate  any  of  that  specie,^  yet  is  content,  for 

1  In  the  spring  of  1644  the  King  of  Portugal  wrote  to  the  Viceroy,  warning  him  to  pre- 
vent the  sale  of  cinnamon  and  other  spices  to  the  English — a  prohibition  which  he  repeated 


206  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

the  respect  he  bears  unto  you,  to  connive  therat.'  Still,  it  is  doubt- 
ful whether  the  desired  quantity  can  be  obtained.  Francis  de  Brito, 
of  Cochin,  made  offer  to  put  a  consignment  on  board  an  English 
ship  at  his  own  risk,  and  was  told  in  reply  to  communicate  with  the 
commander  of  the  John  on  her  arrival  on  the  Malabar  coast.  That 
the  dry  ginger  formerly  sent  home  found  so  bad  a  market  may  have 
been  due  to  its  poor  quality.  The  quantity  left  behind,  after  being 
vainly  offered  for  sale  at  Gombroon  and  Mokha,  was  finally  disposed 
of  at  a  considerable  loss.  Note  the  poor  prices  obtained  for  sugar 
and  turmeric,  and  will  observe  the  Company's  directions  not  to  send 
home  any  more.  Regret  the  loss  sustained  in  the  sale  of  the  latter 
commodity ;  '  but  that  it  should  be  charged  to  the  buyers  accompt, 
because  you  did  not  require  it,  might  stagger  our  resolutions  in 
many  things  we  undertake  without  your  order,  did  we  not  know 
that  the  distance  of  place  admits  not  of  your  frequent  direccions,  and 
that  you  have  been  pleased  to  approve  of  such  undertakings  whilest 
your  benefit  is  therin  chiefly  aimed  at  (as  it  was  then ;  at  least 
we  know  no  other  inducement  that  should  occation  its  sending). 
But  the  chief  agent  therin  [i.  e.  Fremlen]  going  towards  you,  (without 
stayning  his  worth  by  any  addition  our  pen  may  blot  in  his  com- 
mendations) we  refer  him  unto  (which  we  are  confident  he  cannot 
want)  your  more  courteous  reception  and  enterteinment.'  Refer  the 
Company  to  Robinson  for  an  explanation  of  the  shortness  of  some 
of  the  baftas  sent  in  the  London,  The  Endeavour,  which  is  said  to 
be  a  very  serviceable  vessel,  left  Fort  St.  George  on  July  lo,  reached 
Masulipatam  two  days  later,  and  on  the  23rd  sailed  for  Bengal. 
On  her  way  she  was  '  to  land  John  Brown  and  Edward  Winter  at 
Jerreleene^  with  a  chest  of  rials,  which  is  enordered  to  be  invested 

in  the  two  following  years  {^Lisbon  Transcripts  at  I.O.  :  Doc.  Remett.,  book  48,  f.  309, 
book  55,  f.  31,  book  56,  ff.  125,  138).  The  trade  in  Indian  commodities  (cinnamon  ex- 
cepted) had  been  thrown  open  to  all  Portuguese  subjects  by  a  royal  decree  of  December, 
1642  ;  and  this  made  it  all  the  more  necessary  to  maintain,  for  revenue  purposes,  a  strict 
monopoly  of  the  traffic  in  cinnamon. 

1  From  p.  186  it  is  clear  that '  Gingerly '  is  intended.  That  word  was  sometimes  written 
*  Gergelin '  (see  Hobson-Jobson,  s.v.  *  Gingerly ').  A  Dutch  letter  from  Masulipatam  {Hague 
Transcripts,  series  i.  vol.  xiv.  no.  437;  Dagh- Register,  1644-45,  p.  321)  says  that  the 
factors  were  landed  at  '  Sicacol ',  i.  e.  Chicacole.  It  adds  that  they  lost  their  chest  of  rials 
through  the  upsetting  of  their  boat,  and  that  the  local  governor  forbade  the  weavers  and 
merchants  to  sell  any  goods  to  the  English  without  his  consent.  It  was  anticipated,  there- 
fore, that  the  attempt  to  settle  a  factory  there  would  be  abandoned,  » 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  207 

into  beeteles  and  long  cloth  for  Persia.  For  Bengala  they  have  also 
sent  one  chest  of  rials,  and  enordcred  to  be  provided  for  Persia 
150  bales  of  sugar,  10  or  12  bales  of  gurras,  and  the  like  quantity  of 
course  sannas.  Mr.  Netland  was  the  year  before  sent  thither,  with 
more  monies  then  they  computated  might  discharge  those  debts  ; 
which  overplus,  as  also  what  will  remain  of  the  4,000  rials  sent  upon 
the  Endeavour^  Mr.  Hatch  &c.  are  enordered  to  invest  into 
ginghams,  sannas,  cossaes,  and  hummanees  propper  for  England, 
intended  to  be  sent  unto  you  as  a  testimony  what  cheap  and  well 
made  cloth  those  parts  affoards.'  Investments  for  Persia  were  also 
being  made  at  Madraspatam  and  Masulipatam.  News  has  reached 
Fort  St.  George  that  the  Endeavoiir  had  arrived  in  the  Bay,  but  in 
passing  the  bar  at  Balasore  she  '  lost  an  anchor,  beat  off  her  rudder 
and  some  of  her  sheathing ' ;  these  damages,  however,  can  be  easily 
repaired.  Did  their  best  to  remit  funds  to  the  Coast  from  Surat, 
as  ordered,  to  provide  an  investment  for  Persia,  but  found  they  could 
not  get  bills  of  exchange  on  Golconda  except  at  8  per  cent,  loss  ;  so 
in  lieu  thereof  they  prevailed  upon  '  Ckyratt  Ckaun  '  [Khairat  Khan] 
to  transfer  to  Surat  the  liability  of  the  Coast  factors'  debt  to  him. 
The  money  sent  to  the  Coast  upon  the  EndeavoiLv  was  sufficient  to 
pay  all  the  sums  owing  there.  Arrival  of  the  Swan  on  the  Coast, 
and  her  departure  from  Masulipatam  for  Bantam  on  October  8. 
The  '  Serkail '  [Sar-i-Khail :  see  the  1634-36  volume,  p.  325]  sends 
yearly  from  the  Coast  to  Persia  a  large  quantity  of  goods, '  which, 
under  pretence  that  they  belong  unto  the  King  of  Golconda,  [he] 
expects  should  be  landed  free  of  custome,  inasmuch  as  concernes 
your  proportion  therof,  in  retaliation  of  the  immunities  you  receive 
in  his  country ;  but  whether  they  be  propperiy  the  Kings  or 
Serkailes,  it  is  not  much  materiall,  since  the  Serkaile  governes  the 
King  and  consequently  the  country.  In  which  requests  of  his,  our 
Coast  friends  will  not  for  any  consideration  that  we  give  him  any 
denyall ;  nor  indeed  do  we  think  it  fit,  since  it  might  occation  unto 
them  much  trouble,  and  is  unto  you  very  little  losse,  so  long 
as  you  receive  not  your  due  proportion  of  customes,  but  must  take 
what  they  please  to  allot  you.'  List  of  the  goods  thus  passed  at 
Gombroon  custom-free.  If  this  practice  be  continued,  'the 
customes  of  your  goods  at  the  Coast  (except  your  trade  were 
greater)  wilbe  more  then  sufficiently  paid  for,  whilest  in  appearance 


2o8  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

you  are  therfrom  exempted.'  The  factors  in  Persia  have  doubtless 
advised  the  Company  fully  of  the  state  of  trade  in  that  country. 
Difficulty  experienced  in  disposing  of  broadcloth  there.  The 
Company's  share  of  the  Gombroon  customs  declines  annually,  and 
is  likely  to  be  *  much  less  this  year  then  ever,  notwithstanding  that 
by  more  then  ordinary  presents  Mr.  Pitt  &c.  were  licensed  to 
insinuate  themselves  with  the  Sultan  and  Shawbunder;  in  liew 
wherof,  they  received  nothing  but  disrespect  and  affronts,  it  now 
being  publiquely  told  them  that  it  is  honour  enough  for  you  to  have 
a  name  of  being  the  Kings  partners.  Besides,  the  better  sort  of 
goods  are  either  not  brought  at  all  to  the  customhouse,  or  carryed 
away  at  their  pleasures  and  customed  publickly  in  other  places, 
wher  your  servants  are  not  suffered  to  come.  And  so  by  degrees 
they  are  rooting  you  out ;  wherunto  a  very  few  years  more  will  give 
a  conclusion.  In  the  interim  yours  and  the  nations  honour  payes 
dearly  for  the  poor  pittance  you  receive.'  Indian  cloth  sold  at 
Gombroon.  The  Francis  arrived  there  on  July  i8,  and  eleven  days 
later  sailed  on  her  return  voyage  to  Basra,  which  was  reached  on 
August  20.  Good  sales  at  that  place.  '  The  trade  of  Gomroon  we 
cannot  much  commend  unto  you,  since  no  great  profit  may  be 
expected  whilest  so  many  Moores  and  other  shipping  so  frequently 
resort  thither,  by  which  means  a  comodity  can  no  sooner  be  in  any 
request  but  such  vast  quantities  are  sudainly  sent  that  it  becomes  of 
no  esteem.  The  like  is  it  with  Mocha.  So  that  Bussora  is  yet  the 
place  that  produceth  you  most  profit ;  and  will  so  continue  untill 
the  trade  be  open  to  the  Dutch,  who  will  quickly  be  the  ruin  therof, 
as  they  are  of  all  others.'  However,  as  it  is  necessary  '  to  keep 
your  shipping  in  action',  they  intend  to  make  investments  for  all 
these  places.  For  Mokha  goods  are  being  provided  at  Ahmadabad 
and  Cambay  to  the  value  of  50,000  rupees,  besides  an  investment  of 
20,000  rupees  at  Agra.  For  Persia  about  100  bales  of  cloth  from 
Sind  will  suffice,  in  addition  to  what  the  Endeavotir  will  carry 
thither  from  the  Coast.  As  regards  Basra,  the  return  of  the  factors 
from  thence  will  be  awaited  before  any  orders  are  given ;  but  as  far 
back  as  last  May  they  dispatched  two  brokers  to  Golconda  and 
Daulatabad  respectively,  to  provide  certain  sorts  of  piece-goods 
which  '  will  require  most  time '.  Will  reply  by  the  Crispiana  to  the 
letter  brought  in  that  vessel.     As  regards  her  cargo,  there^is  a  fair 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  209 

demand  for  the  broadcloth,  though  the  greens  are  rather  *  too  sad  ' ; 
but  private  traders  must  be  prevented  from  dealing  in  this  com- 
modity if  the  sales  are  to  be  satisfactory.     The  *  baies '  are  in  no 
demand,  except  the  scarlet  ones.     Resent  the  imputation  that  they 
do  not  attend  properly  to  the  weighing  and  counting  of  the  money 
received.     *  It    is   a   busincs  that   passeth    not   in    private,   but  is 
constantly  done  in  your  warehouse,  wher  your  rials  &c.  are  first  told 
and  then  weighed  ;   wherupon  two  or  three  of  your  servants  are 
constantly  attendant,  wherof  your  Accomptant  is  usually  one,  or  (if 
he  be  upon  any  occation  absent)  some  one  of  Councel  or  of  trust  is 
entrusted  therwith.'     Have  previously  complained  of  the  lightness 
and  coarseness  of  the  rials  sent ;  and  now  find  the  last  consignment 
much  worse  than  any  before  received.     The  proportion  brought  to 
Surat  contained  'only  560   Civill   [Seville]  or  of  the   best   sort: 
14,727  Mexico:  and  3,333  of  the  course  or  new  sort'  ['Peru'  in 
inargii{\.     The  two  former  kinds  were  sold  at  the  usual  rates  ;  but 
the  third  they  are  keeping  for  some  other  occasion,  rather  than  part 
with  them  at  208J:  rupees  [per  hundred],  which  is  the  highest  price 
offered,  either  here  or  at  Ahmadabad.     '  The  duckatoons  and  cross 
doll[ars],  being   new  species,  we   have  with  all  possible  industry 
endeavoured   to   raise   in   price ;    and   have    sold    the    former    at 
258  rupees  the  hundred  (delivered  by  tale  without  weighing),  which 
produced  ^s.  g^d.  per  piece  ^ ;  and  cross  doll[ars]  at  207  rupees  (by 
tale  also),  which  we  find  to  amount  unto  4s.  y^  pence  per  piece.     By 
these  latter  the  sheroffs  complain   to  be  loosers,  in  regard  they 
hould  not  out  in  weight  as  they  expected  of  them.     There  are  not 
any  lacking  in  tale  ;  but  of  the  duckatoons  two  are  wanting.     In  the 
ingots  of  silver  there  were  12  ingots  inferiour  in  goodness  unto  the 
rest  I  ma[hmudi]  per  tola,  but  were  not  discovered  by  the  sherofs 
when  we  sold  them,  not  any  happening  amongst  the  musters  we 
gave  them  for  tryall.     So  that  we  disposed  of  them  at  one  rupee 
per  tola,  as  the  same  sort  of  silver  was  sold  in  anno  1636  ;  only  we 
have  now  procured  10  rupees  per  ingot  more,  and  (upon  allowance  of 
•^  tola  per  ingot  in  weight)  they  were  delivered  as  they  weighed 
in  England  and  were  invoyccd,  accompting  2  tolaes  19  vals  [see  the 
1624-29  volume^  p.  156]  to  the  ounce,  which  we  find  to  be  the  exact 
weight.     About  the  courser  sort  we  had  afterwards  some  trouble 

1  Taking  the  nipee  at  2s.  30^. 

FOSTEE   VII  P 


2,io  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

with  the  sherofifs,  but  dismist  them  without  any  allowance.  The 
chest  of  rex  doll[ars]  were  sold  at  the  usuall  rates  of  216  rupees  and 
16  p[ice]  ^ ;  only,  by  reason  of  some  emulation  amongst  the  sherofs, 
we  procured  upon  the  whole  an  overplus  of  25  rupees,  which,  how- 
ever, is  not  usually  atteyned.'  Part  of  the  treasure  was  reserved  for 
Ahmadabad,  and,  together  with  *  as  many  rupees  as  raised  the 
whole  sum  to  180,000',  was  sent  thither  under  the  escort  of  thirty- 
two  Englishmen.  The  fine  broadcloth  and  knives  will  be  very 
useful  for  presents.  Much  of  the  writing-paper  sent  was  damaged 
on  the  voyage  by  wet.  A  supply  of  the  same  kind  as  that  whereon 
the  present  letter  is  written  would  be  of  service  'in  our  corre- 
spondency with  the  Portugals,  who  (how  mean  soever  the  import 
of  their  letters  be)  are  very  curious  in  their  paper.'  Thank  the 
Company  for  sending  them  *two  pipes  of  Canary,  an  antidote 
against,  and  a  chest  of  chyrurgery,  a  remedy  for  malladies.'  '  If  you 
please  to  encrease  the  quantity  of  the  former,  it  would  be  but 
necessary.  This  Governor,  and  the  better  sort  of  this  people  with 
whom  our  busines  lyeth,  being  fallen  into  a  vain  of  drinking,  often 
importune  us  to  supply  them ;  which  we  may  not  refuse.  Our 
Portugall  friends  also  (as  accustomed)  expect  to  be  therwith 
gratified.'  The  chest  of  *  chyrurgery '  has  been  examined  by  the 
surgeons  here,  who  have  pronounced  the  medicines  tolerably  good  ; 
as,  however,  many  are  superfluous  (being  either  useless  or  procurable 
in  India),  a  list  is  sent  of  what  should  be  provided  in  future.  Regret 
the  non-appearance  of  the  John^  whose  coral  would  have  sold 
readily  at  Raybag,  and  now,  it  is  feared,  the  Portuguese  may  have 
supplied  those  markets,  for  '  three  galleoons  arived  in  September 
last  from  Portugal,  and  are  (for  fear  of  the  Dutch)  harboured  in 
Bombaien  ;  but  what  they  have  brought,  more  then  store  of  men,  we 
cannot  yet  receive  any  certain  newes  of.'  Most  of  the  coral  that 
came  in  the  Dolphin  and  Hind  was  sold  to  *  your  sheroff  Tulcidas ', 
the  *  gretzo '  at  9I  rupees  per  seer  and  the  '  teraglia  '  at  40  and 
45  rupees  per  maund.  Of  the  '  gretzo  ',  however,  two  chests  were 
reserved  and  sent  to  Macao  in  the  Hind,  The  '  recaduty '  of  the 
same  consignment,  and  the  coarse  coral  brought  from  Mokha  by  the 
Discovery^  were  sold  to  Virji  Vora  at  6 J  rupees  per  seer  and 
36I  rupees  per  maund  respectively.  The  coral  beads  from  Mokha 
*  Per  hundred :  cf.  the  1634-36  volume,  p.  68.  » 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  211 

they  sent  to  Golconda  by  their  broker  '  Dewcurn '  [Deo  Karan],  but 
he  reports  that  there  is  no  demand  for  them.  Have  also  on  hand 
here  some  coral  returned  from  Cochin.  The  tortoise-shells  received 
from  Bantam  sold  at  no  rupees  'per  maund  of  40  sear,  20  pice 
weight.'  Small  demand  for  lead  ;  '  yet  if  you  shall  continue  to  send 
as  accustomary,  the  Governor  (it  being  the  Kings  comodity)  will 
not  fail  to  take  it  at  the  usuall  price;  but  if  you  abstein  from  sending 
some  time,  it  may  happely  also  be  raised  in  price,  wherin  we  shall 
not  be  wanting  to  lay  hold  of  all  opportunities.'  '  EUephants  teeth' 
are  now  in  good  demand,  and  it  may  therefore  be  worth  while 
to  dispatch  some  from  England.  As  regards  money,  it  is  most 
profitable  to  send  'ducatoons',  if  procurable,  and  next  to  them 
cross  dollars.  Of  the  disaster  to  the  Dolphin  the  Company  will 
receive  full  accounts  from  her  commander  and  her  master,  '  whose 
sence  of  their  sufferings  will  dictate  unto  them  more  lively  and 
propper  expressions.'  Briefly  narrate,  however,  the  voyage,  the 
storm,  the  arrival  of  the  vessel  at  Mauritius  'with  the  help  of 
a  jooree  mast ',  her  meeting  with  the  Hopewell^  and  their  joint  voyage 
to  Surat,  where  both  were  unladen.  The  enclosed  paper  will  show 
what  goods  were  taken  out  of  the  Dolphin,  what  were  left  on  board, 
and  what  have  since  been  embarked.  Account  of  the  miserable 
state  of  the  Hopewell's  cargo  and  the  measures  taken  to  dry  and 
dispose  of  it.  That  vessel  has  been  surveyed  by  the  masters  and 
carpenters  here,  but  they  could  not  find  any  defect  likely  to  occasion 
the  damage.  The  master  (Yates)  goes  home  in  the  Dolphin,  and 
doubtless  the  matter  will  be  further  examined  on  his  arrival.  The 
Crispiana  sailed  on  October  1'^  for  '  Scinda ',  carrying  some  of  the 
pepper  taken  out  of  the  Hopewell ;  part  of  this  is  to  be  sold  there, 
and  the  rest  sent  in  the  Francis  to  Gombroon.  The  Crispiana  is  to 
bring  back  the  goods  provided  at  Tatta  for  England  ;  also  the 
factors  and  their  money,  &c.,  expected  from  Basra  by  the  Francis. 
On  her  return  the  former  vessel  will  start  for  England  (it  is  hoped 
some  time  in  December).  The  Hind  got  back  from  Persia  on 
March  30,  bringing  three  horses,  with  some  fruit  and  rosewater. 
At  the  same  time  arrived  the  Seahorse  from  Rajapur  and  Goa.  In 
her  voyage  to  the  latter  place,  she  '(besides  the  two  Mallavars  she 
surprized  near  Rajapore)  also  encountred  two  more  not  far  from 
Goa,  took  one  of  them,  and  chased  the  other  untill  for  refuge  she  got 

P  2 


212  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

amongst  the  Dutch,  then  riding  before  Goa,  who  protected  her  from 
us.  So  that,  having  taken  what  they  found  of  vallue  out  of  her 
they  surprized,  they  sunck  the  vessell  with  the  rest  of  her  lading  and 
left  the  men  to  shift  for  themselves  in  their  boats,  and  so  entred 
into  Goa  ;  from  whence  we  received  by  her  19  pipes  of  Portugez 
wine  (bought  for  and  since  sent  to  Maccaw  and  the  Manielies), 
27  candies  of  cairo,  92  bales  of  cussumba  from  Rajapore  (provided 
for  Acheen),  and  (that  which  we  most  desired)  the  Vice  Royes 
lysence  for  the  Hyndes  voiaging  unto  China,  with  his  recommenda- 
tory letters,  wherin  he  freely  and  nobly  gratified  us  ;  as  also  in  the 
liberty  of  an  orankay  ^  of  Acheen,  who  had  been  long  prisoner  in  Goa, 
a  man  of  very  great  quallity  and  esteem  amongst  the  Acheeners, 
whose  Queen,  having  fruitlesly  long  laboured  for  his  enlargement, 
desired  our  assistance  therin,  making  mountainous  promises  of 
immunities  she  would  bestow  on  you,  if  we  could  procure  his  liberty  ; 
which  we  happely  effected,  and  are  in  expectation  shortly  by  the 
Supply  to  hear  of  her  performances.'  On  April  26  the  Hind  sailed 
for  Macao,  with  a  cargo  invoiced  at  nearly  140,000  mahmudis, 
entrusted  to  William  Thurston,  George  Oxenden,  &c.  In  five  days 
she  reached  Goa,  *  where  their  busines  was  only  to  receive  on  board 
the  promised  Acheen  orankay,  and  to  get  cancelled  an  obligation 
wherin  Lewis  Riberio  had  voluntarily,  without  any  directions  from 
us,  in  our  behalf  engaged  himself  unto  the  Vice  Roy  that  the  Hynd 
should  bring  from  Maccaw  for  the  Kings  accompt  a  quantity  of 
copper  which  was  there  remaning ;  wherunto  we  might  not  for  any 
considerations  submit ;  for  which  we  exhibited  such  reasons  that 
he  sudainly  gratified  us.  So  that  in  24  howers  the  business  being 
effected,  and  the  Acheener  on  board,  the  following  day  Mr.  Broadbent 
sailed  off  and  anchored  in  the  outward  road  before  Goa,  where  he 
was  enordered  to  expect  the  Supply  and  Seahorse ;  which  not 
appearing,  the  8th  May  he  weighed  anchor  and  set  sail  from  thence, 
rather  (we  suppose)  making  choice  to  touch  at  Acheen,  there  to 
land  the  orankay,  then  to  abide  any  longer  upon  that  coast  in  that 
late  season.'  On  April  29  the  Supply  and  the  Seahorse  were 
dispeeded  in  company,  the  former  for  Achin  with  a  cargo  invoiced 
at  over  127,000  mahmudis,  the  latter  for  the  Manillas  with  goods 
&c.  to  the  value  of  about  110,000  mahmudis,  entrusted  to  Edward 

1  Malay  orattg  kdya,  a  person  of  importance.  ' 


THE   ENGLISH  FACTORIES  213 

Pearce,  Thomas  Breton,  &c.  Nothing  was  heard  of  them  until 
June  9,  when  '  Lewis  Riberio  from  Goa  advized  us  how  two  of  your 
pynnaces,  bound  down  the  coast  to  the  southwards  of  Goa,  encountred 
a  very  great  and  rich  Mallavar  jounk  belonging  to  Cannanore,  which 
set  sail  from  Mocha  about  the  time  your  ship  Discovery  left  that 
place,  but  lost  her  voiage,  wintered  at  Shear  [Shehr],  and  then 
happely  fell  upon  that  coast,  was  taken  and  carryed  off  to  sea 
by  your  said  pynaces,  which  we  suppose  were  the  Supply  and 
Seahorse,  Not  many  dales  after,  the  same  pleasing  newes  was  con- 
firmed by  letters  Virge  Vora  received  from  Mallavar,  whose  relacion 
saith  that  she  was  worth  900,000  fanams  (which  is  accompted 
2Co,ooo  rupees  ^),  that  she  had  in  her  500  men  and  made  very  strong 
resistance,  so  that  250  of  them  and  40  English  were  slain  in  the 
conflict.  And  this  is  all  we  yet  hear  of  the  busines  ;  only  we  are 
enformed  that  the  Mallavars  are  preparing  what  strength  possibly 
they  may  to  be  revenged  ;  which,  by  Gods  permission  and  blessing, 
we  shall  the  best  we  can  provide  for,  aswell  in  an  offensive  as 
defensive  way.'  For  this  purpose  they  intend  to  dispatch  the  John^ 
FranciSy  Prosperous^  and  Kit  to  the  Red  Sea  to  intercept  the 
Malabar  traders,  the  Francis  and  Prosperous  lying  off  Aden  while 
the  other  two  'keep  the  Bab'  [i.e.  the  Straits  of  Babu-1-mandab]. 
'  And  so  we  have  fair  hopes  yet  further  to  chasetize  those  villaines, 
since  there  were  of  them  last  year  four  sail  at  Mocha  and  three 
at  Aden,  in  both  which  places  they  have  left  upwards  of  20  people 
to  make  sale  of  such  goods  as  would  not  vend  during  the  time  their 
ships  continued  there,  and  will  undoubtedly  again  return  this  year. 
And  if  you  enquire  why  we  will  venture  your  estate  upon  a  ship 
designed  to  such  an  employment,  or  doubt  that,  having  surprized 
any  Mallavars,  it  should  disturb  your  trade  in  Mocha,  be  pleased  to 
take  notice  that  in  the  former  there  is  not  any  danger,  they  being 
open  vessels  and,  though  full  of  men,  not  able  against  such  a  ship  to 
make  any  resistance  ;  and  for  the  latter,  we  have  often  declared  our 
resolutions  to  that  Governor,  who  hath  nothing  to  say  therunto, 
provided  we  disturb  not  the  peace  of  his  port  within  the  Bab.  This 
busines  being  over,  if  your  people  we  shall  send  to  Mocha  find  the 
relations  true  which  we  have  thence  received,  that  by  arrivall  of 
a  new  Bashaw  at  Savakan  [Suakin]  (one  very  desirous  of  trade  and 

^  Taking  the  fanam  at  dd.  and  the  rupee  at  2s.  ^d. 


izi4  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

that  gives  great  encouragement  to  merchants)  the  trade  be  open 
and  that  goods  sell  at  extraordinary  prizes,  as  it  is  reported,  your 
pynnace[s]  Francis  and  Prosperous  are  intended  to  voiage  thither, 
laden  with  pepper  and  such  course  goods  as  are  propper  for  that 
place ;  from  whence  being  returned  to  Mocha,  and  that  the  season 
of  the  year  will  not  longer  admit  of  the  John  and  Francis  stay 
in  those  parts,  the  John  shall  return  for  Suratt,  pynace  Francis  take 
a  fraight  for  Persia,  and  the  Prosperous  and  Kitt  we  intend  to  make 
sale  of  at  Mocha,  they  being  propper  for  those  parts,  to  go  betwixt 
Mocha  and  Judda,  but  altogither  unfit  for  your  service  here.'  The 
Hopewell  being  found,  though  old,  yet  strong  and  capable,  has  been 
bought  for  the  Joint  Stock  from  the  General  Voyage  for  405/. 
Having  been  trimmed  and  placed  under  the  command  of  Edward 
Lock,  second  mate  of  the  Crispiana^  with  a  crew  of  45  men,  she 
sailed  on  November  7  for  Cochin,  there  to  await  the  return  of  the 
Supply  from  Achin  and  escort  her  back  to  Surat  lest  she  should  be 
attacked  by  the  Malabars.  The  Supply  is  expected  here  by  the 
middle  of  December,  and  will  then  be  sent  on  a  voyage  to  Persia. 
Afterwards  she  may  go  to  the  Manillas  (should  the  first  venture 
prove  successful)  or  else  to  Achin.  The  Hind  on  her  return  will 
make  a  voyage  to  Persia  and  thence  to  Bantam.  The  Seahorse  and 
the  Endeavour  are  destined  for  Basra.  The  Hopewell^  after  a 
voyage  to  Persia,  will  be  resheathed  in  the  river  here.  The  damaged 
pepper  in  the  Dolphin  has  been  replaced  from  the  Harfs  cargo. 
Disposal  of  the  remainder  of  the  latter.  The  pepper  obtained  in 
the  Deccan  is  'extraordinary  good,  and  bought  cheaper  by 
25  per  cent,  then  we  have  at  any  time  known  it.'  The  cubebs 
fetched  i  %  mahmudis  per  maund.  '  The  passed  year  we  advized  you 
of  a  large  present  given  this  King  and  two  of  his  sonnes ;  which 
hath  been  very  well  accepted  by  them  and  wrought  desired  effects ; 
the  King  having  been  pleased  to  gratify  us  with  his  firmaen  for 
reducing  in  this  customhouse  the  rates  of  Ahmuda[bad],  Agra,  and 
Brodra  goods,  the  first  from  25  to  5,  the  second  from  40  to  20,  and 
the  last  from  12^  per  cent,  (that  they  were  used  to  exact  more  then 
the  cost  of  the  goods  where  they  were  bought)  to  nothing  ;  which 
will  in  short  time  reimburse  you  of  what  was  given,  besides  many 
other  conveniencies  we  find  therby.^     The  elder  Prince,  Darasacore 

1  See  the  Dagh-Register,  1644-45,  p.  227. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  215 

[Dara   Shikoh],  hath  also  exprest  how  acceptably    he  esteemed 

what  given  him,  in  wryting  a  courteous  letter  to  your  President 

and    retributing   a  jewel    of    dyamonds    and    rubies,   vallued    at 

1000  rupees ;    but  the  latter  we  have  not  yet  received.     If  it  come 

in  time,  it  shalbe  sent  you  by  the  Crispino.     He  hath  also  been 

pleased  to  graunt  us  severall  neshans  \itishd7i,  an  order]  or  letters  in 

your  favour  for  Tuttha,  that  customhouse  and  country  belonging 

unto  him.    In  June  last,  after  too  long  patience,  we  were  necessitated 

to  dispence  with  Mr.  Tash  his  absence  in  Ahmuda[bad]  and  send 

him  for  Agra,  to  enquire  into  the  state  of  your  affaires  there  and 

take  charge  of  them,  since  Mr.  Turner,  strangely  infatuated,  had 

silensed  his  pen  and  from  August  (that  the  Seaflower  arived)  to  that 

time  did  not  reply  one  word  to  any  of  our  generall  letters ;  yet 

bought  such  goods  as  were  inlisted  and  at  several  times  enordered 

to  be  provided,  dispeeded   severall  caphilaes   \j]dfila,  a   caravan] 

in  October,   December,  January,   April,   and   May,   but   without 

invoyce  or  any  word  of  advice  ;    so  that  often  the  goods  arived 

before  we  knew  of  their  dispeed,  except  the  Dutch  gave  us  notice 

therof;    which  we  might  no  longer  endure;   so  called  him  from 

thence,  to  give  a  reason  of  such  his  remiss  and  negligent  abearance, 

and  are  now  in  expectation  to  hear  of  his  departure  thence.    In  the 

interim   the  care  of  your  busines  in   Ahmuda[bad]    is    left   unto 

Robert  Heynes,  who  was  then  second  to  Mr.  Tash,  and  hath  since 

his  departure  carefully  and  honestly  discharged  the  trust  we  reposed 

in  him.     Your   auncient   Agra  broker,   Dongee   [Dhanji],  for  his 

negligence  in  your  busines,  disrespective  abearance  formerly  towards 

Mr.  Turner  &c.  English  and  to  Mr.  Tash  since  his  arivall  in  Agra, 

but  chiefly  for  endeavouring  to  distroy  Mr.  Turner  by  sorcery,  we 

have  dismist  your  service.     Since  when  some  accions  of  dishonesty 

have  been  objected  against  him,  but  are  not  yet  proved  ;    wherinto 

we  have  expressly  enordered  Mr.  Tash  &c.  to  make  diligent  enquiry 

and,  if  he  therin  be  found  culpable,  he  shall  (God  willing)  be  made 

to  suffer  the  deserved  guerdon  of  his  demerits.'     Have  related  in 

a  previous  letter  how  the    Dutch    broke  their  promise  to   carry 

a  quantity  of  broadcloth  to  Mokha  for  the  English,  and  how  in 

consequence  it  became  necessary  to  embark  the  goods  in  a  junk 

bound  for  that  port.     The  vessel  sailed  on  March  23,  but  met  with 

such  adverse  winds  that  she  could  not  reach  the  Arabian  coast  and 


2i6  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

at  last   put   into  Gombroon,  where   the   two  English  factors  on 
board  her  landed  their  goods  and  took  steps  to  dispose  of  them. 
Of  the  Dutch  Valkenburg^  which  was  to  have  carried  them,  nothing 
has  been  heard  since  she  left  Mokha  three  months  ago  ^ ;  so  perhaps 
this  was  '  the  Almighties  providence  to  preserve  your  servants  and 
goods  from  a  greater  disaster.'     A  quantity  of  tobacco   sent   to 
*  Scinda '  in  a  frigate  belonging  to  *  Derge  Saw  '  [?  Dhairya  Sahu] 
has  been  lost,  owing  to  the  vessel  being  cast  away  'near  unto 
Jagatt  ^ '.     '  However,  we  having  ensured  them,  you  wilbe  no  great 
loosers  therby.     Yet  shall  we  not  hereafter  expose  your  goods  to 
the  like  hazard.'    Adjustment  of  the  accounts  of  the  First  General 
Voyage.     As  letters  recently  received  from  Goa  brought  no  news  of 
the  arrival  of  the  John  on  that  coast,  it  has  now  been  determined 
to  send  the  Hart  to  Rajapur  to  fetch  the  pepper  and  cardamoms 
waiting  there,  as  these  are  wanted  for  lading  the  Crispiana,     They 
greatly  need  cordage,  tar,  and  other  ship's  stores,  especially  casks. 
The  masters  reserve  the  best  for  themselves  and  land  only  the  bad 
ones  ;   and  they  do  the  same  with  the  seamen,  keeping  all  those 
likely  to  be  of  service  and  handing  over,  for  employment  here, 
the  '  rascallity '.     The  result  is  that  *  the  masters  of  your  pynnaces 
rather  desire  these  laskars  then  such  English  as  are  left  for  them ;  to 
prevent  which  in  the  future  we  earnestly  entreat  you  that  such  men 
as  you  intend  unto  us  may  byname  be  inlisted,  and  they  obliged  to 
serve  three  or  four  years  (or  as  many  as  you  shall  think  fitting) 
in  the  country ;  which  will  avoid  much  trouble,  and  by  this  meanes 
your  small  shipping  wilbe  better  manned  and  your  estate  secured.' 
President  Breton  thanks  the  Company  for  his  appointment,  and 
assures  them  of  his  zealous  and  faithful  service.     '  What  disaster 
befell  one  of  Mr.  Courteens  Williams  near  the  Cape  we  have  already 
related  unto  you.     The  other,  Capt.  Blackman  commander,  set  sail 
from  Goa  the  6  April  for  Maccaw  in  China,  by  letters  from  the 
King,  their  constant  importunity,  but  we  rather  believe  by  under- 
taking privately   to   serve   the    Portugals,   having    obteyned    the 

*  She  was  delayed  by  contrary  winds  and  did  not  reach  Swally  till  the  end  of  January, 
1645  (see  p.  249,  and  Dagh- Register,  1644-45,  PP-  231,  238). 

^  Jakhau,  in  Cutch.  Baffin's  map  of  India  (1619)  shows  it  as  *  Jaqueta '.  Just  below,  in 
the  same  map,  is  *  Gigat',  which  is  probably  a  duplication.  Below  that  again  is  '  For', 
i.  e.  Porbandar  ;  this  explains  the  reference  to  a  port  of  *  Pore  '  on  p.  302  of  the  1634-36 
volume.  ' 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  217 

Vice  Royes  license.^     Her  lading  for  Mr.  Courtcen  &c.  accompt  (as 
we  are  informed)  consists  of  90  candies  uploat  [see  p.  167],  30  candies 
olibanum,  15  pipes  of  Portugez  wine,  16  candies  cotta^  120  maunds 
rosamalla  [see  p.  61],  4,000  zera[fins]  in  ruff  amber  (which  they 
brought  from  England),  15  maunds  small  coral,  10  pieces  of  stamel 
cloth,  4  pieces  ditto  black,  10  corge  zarasses^,  22  almodes  *  of  oil, 
30  maunds  of  renoceroes  homes,  13  maunds  [of]  points  of  elephants 
teeth,  and  2,000  rials  in  plate  [i.  e.  silver]  ;  all  importing  about  6,500/. 
sterling.     The  purchasing  wherof,  and   other   their   engagements, 
have  disabled  Mr.  Ferrar,  their  Agent,  from  buying  any  goods  the 
vacant  time  of  raines  ;  so  that  they  have  passed  the  winter  in  Goa 
idly,  and  still  continue  in  the  same  condition,  the  Loialty  not  having 
brought  them  any  means  to  put  them  in  accion.     So  that  how  they 
will  return  those  two  ships  administers  unto  us  occation  of  wonder, 
and  raiseth  in  us  no  less  fear  that  their  necessities  may  prompt  them 
to  perpetrate  some  hostile   unlawfuU   act,  either   upon   yours   or 
the   shipping  of  this   country,  the  Loialty    being   designed   from 
Rajapore  to  Gomroon  with  100  tonns  of  fraight  goods  only.     In 
Acheen  their  people  (as  Mr.  Bowman  advizeth)  are  in  as  bad  or 
worse  predicament,  being  deeply  indebted  at  excessive  interest  and 
not  any  means  to  defray  ordinary  expences.     In  May  last  arived  at 
Goa  from  Portugal  two  galleons,  having  spent  14  months  in  the 
voiage ;  which  brought  them  for  supplies  loco  men,  great  quantity 
of  provisions,  some  treasure,  280  maunds  of  ruff  corall  of  severall 
sorts,  200  peeces  of  stamel  cloth,  and  50  barrels  of  quicksilver.     The 
1 2th  of  August  also  arived  a  small  caravell,  which  came  in  company 
of  another  that  went  for  Ceiloan  with  advices  only  ;  and  besides  two 
other  galleons  forementioned,  which  arived  at  Bombaien  in  September 
last.     The  Dutch  in  these  parts  only  prosper  and  flourish  ;  who  by 
their   industry,  patience,   and    infatigable   paines   and    unalterable 
resolutions   purchase    [i.  e.    obtain]  what   they   please ;    by   which 
meanes  they  have  now  added  to  their  other  spices  half  the  cinamon 
upon  Ceiloan.     Upon  the  19th  ultimo  here  arived  from  Battavia 


^  See  the  Dagh-Regisier,  1643-44,  p.  241. 

2  Probably  cutch  or  catechu  (Hind,  kattha) :  see  the  1634-36  volume,  p.  22S. 
^  Or  sarasseSy  a  kind  of  piece-goods. 

*  An  almude  is  a  Portuguese  measure  for  wine  or  oil,  equivalent  to  about  four  gallons. 
Fryer  says  that  at  Goa  *  one  barrel  is  six  almoodaes '. 


3i8  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

two  ships,  the  Weesel  and  Overskay.  The  former  continueth  still  in 
this  road  ;  out  of  which  have  been  landed  good  quantities  of  cloves, 
nutmegs,  mace,  sappon  and  sandall,  copper,  jussett  ^  and  elephants 
teeth.  The  other  with  her  entire  carga[zoon]  was  the  23  following 
dispeeded  for  Gomroon.  These  brought  newes  that  nine  sail  more 
were  gone  for  Goa,  with  a  commisary,  to  endeavour  a  reconciliation 
of  the  differences  between  them  and  the  Portugez  ;  which  the  ist  of 
November  was  concluded  of,  the  Pao  with  her  lading  of  silk  being 
restored  to  the  Dutch  and  they  allowing  to  the  Portugals 
23,000  rials  for  what  was  surprized  in  the  Boa  Esperanca  (said  to  be 
worth  80,000).  The  cinamon  of  Ceiloan  is  to  be  equally  reparted 
betwixt  them,  untill  the  business  shalbe  determined  in  Europe ;  only 
in  the  interim  the  Dutch  must  deposit  so  much  mony  as  their 
shares  may  import.  Upon  the  21th  here  also  arived  the  Nassaw 
and  Water  hound ^  and  upon  the  24th  current  came  the  Arrendt) 
but  what  they  have  brought,  or  whither  from  hence  designed,  we 
cannot  yet  learn.  The  Portugals,  having  now  an  open  trade,  are 
resolved  towards  the  fine  of  December  to  dispeed  for  Portugal  two 
galleons  and  a  pynnace.  So  that  we  believe  in  the  future,  as 
cinamon  will  not  be  here  procurable,  so  your  desires  of  any 
quantities  will  seace.'  Messrs.  Fremlen  and  Adler  were  last  year 
granted  1,500  mahmudis  for  their  '  sea  provisions '.  A  similar  sum 
has  now  been  paid  them  on  demand  for  the  same  purpose  ;  but  it  is 
left  to  the  Company  to  decide  whether  this  is  to  be  treated  as 
a  gift  or  a  loan.  '  Seriaes '  supplied  to  the  Dolphin  to  be  made  into 
sails  if  necessary.  The  Dutch  have  just  informed  them  that  the 
Hind  and  Seahorse  have  passed  the  Straits  of  Malacca  in  safety. 
(3^4  PP*     Received  Jtdy  27,  1645.) 

Edward  Pearce,  Thomas  Breton,  and  John  Mantell, 

ABOARD   THE    SEAHORSE  IN    MANILLA   BaY,   DECEMBER  I,  1 644 

{O.C.  1902). 

Wrote  by  the  Stcpply^  and  also  by  Dutch  conveyance  from 
Malacca,  narrating  the  taking  of  the  Malabar  junk  and  *  what  pas'd 
betwixt  us  and  the  Hollanders  in  the  Streights  of  Mallacca '.  Will 
now  relate  what  has  happened  since  they  parted  with  the  Hind  on 

*  Hind,  jast^  tutenague  or  pewter  (see  the  1624-29  volume,  p.  360). ' 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  219 

July  20  *  off  the  island  Cabritoll  ^ '.     On  the  22nd  they  anchored  in 
the  Bay  of  Manilla,  two  leagues  from  *  Cavitte^ '  and  (as  directed) 
sent  Joseph  de  Brito  to  Manilla  to  obtain  permission  for  their 
landing.     He  returned  with  a  message  that  the  Governor  would  not 
receive  them,  because  they  brought  no  iron  or  saltpetre  for  the  King 
of  Spain.     However,  the  same  evening  a  gentleman  came  aboard 
'  in  the  Kings  barge  of  state  with  a  white  flagg',  and  on  behalf  of 
the  Governor  invited  them  on  shore ;  *  telling  of  us  also  that  the 
Governor  tooke  it  unkindly  that,  having  white  men  of  our  owne 
nacion  on  board  shipp,  we  wold  send  a  Portugall  negro  to  treat 
with  him  about  trade ;  for  De  Brito,  so  soone  as  he  had  admittance 
unto  the  Governor,  told  him  that  he  was  sent  from  Surratt  by  the 
President  of  the  English  nacion  as  an  embassador,  with  comiscion 
to  treate  with  him  about  a  free  trade :  that  he  had  the  sole  man- 
nagement  of  the  Companies  busines :  and  that  he  had  brought  an 
English  shipp  by  virtue  of  an  agreement  made  by  Don  Joan  Lopis 
and   Captain   Weddall   att   Micaio   [Macao]    and   the   Governors 
warrant  given  him  when  he  was  last  heare  for  bringing  a  ship  unto 
Mainela.     Theis  speeches  of  his  put  the  Governor  into  a  jelousy 
that  wee  weare  laiden  with  Portugalls  goods,  and  that  wee,  to 
coulour  the  busines,  weare  com  with  three  or  fowre  English  men. 
Therfore  in  great  displeasure  (that  espetially  a  negro  shold  be  sent 
unto  him)  he  answered  De  Brito  that  Don  Joan  Lopis  invited  the 
English  unto  his  port  of  Mainella  uppon  condicion  that  they  shold 
furnish  the  King  of  Spaine  with  iron  and  saltpeeter,  and  if  wee  had 
brought  any  such,  and  complyed   with   the  contract,  wee  weare 
welcome  and  he  wold  receive  us ;  otherwise  wee  might  retome  from 
whence  we  came,  or  awaite  the  new  Governors  arrivall.     And  so 
dismis'd  him,  not  suffering  him  to  go  into  any  howse  or  speake  with 
any  freind,  but  sent  a  soldier  to  put  him  out  of  the  towne.'     The 
factors  were  much  astonished  to  hear  that  De  Brito  had  so  far 
exceeded  his  commission ;  but  this  proved  only  a  foretaste  of  '  his 
knavery  and  insuffitiency  in  this  employment.'     However,  *  Edward 
Pearce  and  Thomas  Breton,  accompained  with  De  Brito,  embarqued 
themselves  in  the  Kings  barge  and  went  to  the  towne  of  Cavitte, 
where  we  weare  entertained  by  the  Governor  of  that  place  and 

^  Cabra  or  Goat  Island,  near  the  entrance  to  Manilla  Bay. 

2  Kavite,  on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Bay,  is  still  the  port  and  marine  arsenal  of  Manilla. 


120  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

lodged  that  night  in  his  howse.  The  next  morning  we  went  to 
Mainela  ;  wheare  so  soone  as  wee  weare  arrived  we  had  admittance 
too  and  was  received  by  the  Governor,  Don  Sabastian  Hurtatho 
Querqero  Mendoso.  We  deliverd  him  the  Presidents  letter,  and 
withall  acquainted  him  with  the  long  continewed  and  earnest  desires 
you  had  that  the  same  freindly  correspondency  and  free  trade  prac- 
tized in  Europe  betweene  the  two  nacions  might  be  extended  to 
theise  remoter  parts.  The  Governor  replyed  that,  in  respect  wee 
came  not  in  the  tyme  of  his  governement,  he  had  no  power  to 
receive  us ;  but  if  we  wold  awaite  the  coming  of  his  successour, 
who  was  daily  expected,  he  wold  do  us  as  much  good  as  possible 
he  was  able.  And  so  dismissed  us,  and  order  given  to  Don 
Francisco  de  Figuroo,  Serjant  Major,  to  give  us  entertainment  in 
his  howse ;  where  we  continewed  awayting  the  new  Governors  ^ 
coming  to  towne,  which  was  not  untill  the  i%  August;  whom  we 
went  twice  to  vissit  and  cold  not  be  admitted  to  speak  with  him. 
The  third  tyme  we  weare  sent  for  into  his  chamber ;  where  wee 
made  knowne  unto  him  how  long  it  was  since  our  arrivall  in  this 
port,  that  wee  feared  much  damage  had  befallen  our  goods,  by 
reason  of  extraordinary  fowle  weather  we  encountred  in  our  voyage 
hither,  our  ship  being  very  leake.  We  therfore  desired  him  we 
might  have  licence  for  the  landing  and  selling  our  goods  before  the 
New  Spaines  ships  departed ;  withall  we  deliverd  him  a  wrytinge 
.  .  .  wherin  we  largly  declared  to  him  our  minds ;  which  at  his 
better  leisure  we  desired  him  to  peruse.  He  told  us  our  busines 
shold  have  a  quick  dispatch,  and  dismissed  us.  The  19  ditto  the 
Governor  referred  our  busines  unto  the  High  Court  of  Chancery ; 
where  the  Kings  Fiscall  thought  it  not  convenient  we  shold  have 
a  free  trade  in  theis  parts  :  first,  because  theis  islands  are  not  included 
in  the  artickles  of  peace  betweene  the  two  Kings  of  England  and 
Spaine :  secondly,  that  they  might  suspect  that,  under  covert  of  the 
English,  the  Portugalls  (rebbells  to  the  crowne  of  Spaine)  had  man- 
nadgd  this  designe  to  worck  their  further  einds  :  and  thirdly,  that 
without  supplying  this  place  with  ammunicion  of  warr,  as  iron,  salt- 
peeter,  musketts,  brass,  tynn,  anchours,  cables,  &c.,  wee  weare  of  no 
use  to  the  King ;  as  for  other  commodities,  they  had  no  need  of  us, 
being  plentifully  supplyed  by  the  Chynas ;  wheruppon  issued  out 

^  Don  Diego  Faxardo. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  221 

an  order  of  court  that  wee  shold  depart,  having  supplyed  ourselves 
with  what  was  necessary  for  our  voyage  back,  and  that  we  shold  not 
retorne  againe  hither  untill  the  King  of  Spaine  had  so  determined.' 
They  were  now  at  a  loss  what  to  do,  especially  as  the  westerly 
monsoon  made  it  almost  impossible  for  them  to  get  to  Macassar ; 
while  the  voyage  to  Macao  was  equally  dangerous,  their  goods  were 
unsuitable  for  that  place,  and  their  reception  was  doubtful,  as  the 
license  obtained  from  the  Viceroy  mentioned  only  the  Hind.  They 
therefore  petitioned,  first  for  leave  to  sell  their  whole  cargo,  and 
then  (on  that  being  refused)  for  permission  to  dispose  of  enough  to 
realize  10,000  rials  of  eight,  to  pay  their  expenses.  This  also  was 
rejected  ;  but  on  their  representing  that  they  could  not  leave  until 
the  monsoon  changed,  and  that  they  would  be  unable  to  do  so 
then,  unless  they  were  allowed  to  raise  money  by  selling  to  the 
extent  already  mentioned,  their  request  was  at  last  granted.  On 
September  2  they  repaired  to  '  the  Cavitte ',  and  took  a  house  to 
sell  their  goods  in.  A  present  to  the  Royal  Treasurer  induced  him 
to  take  only  three  per  cent,  customs,  '  wheras  we  shold  have  paid 
six  per  cent.,  as  the  Portugalls  did  when  they  traded  to  theis  parts' ; 
and  in  addition  he  favoured  them  by  examining  the  goods  in  their 
own  house,  thus  saving  them  the  expense  of  carrying  them  '  unto 
the  Kings  almazeenes '  [Sp.  almacen^  a  storehouse].  They  were 
and  still  are  generally  suspected  of  being  spies,  acting  in  the 
interests  of  the  Dutch,  if  not  actually  Dutchmen  disguised  as 
English  ;  while  others  declared  them  to  be  pirates,  intending  on 
their  putting  to  sea  to  '  take  their  China  vessells  and  spoyle  their 
trade '.  Petitions  were  daily  presented  to  the  Governor,  urging  that 
the  English  should  be  detained  until  the  end  of  the  monsoon  to 
prevent  this.  Fearing  the  effect  of  such  representations  on  the 
Governor,  the  factors  proposed  to  him  that  they  should  themselves 
remain  and  send  back  their  ships  to  Surat,  carrying  letters  from 
him  asking  for  a  supply  of  iron  and  saltpetre  ;  but  they  stipulated 
that,  if  this  supply  could  not  be  made  for  fear  of  the  Dutch,  a  ship 
should  be  allowed  to  come  from  Surat  with  a  cargo  of  merchandise 
and  sell  it  here,  and  that  they  should  be  allowed  to  return  in  her. 
This  overture  was  rejected,  so  far  as  the  bringing  of  merchandise 
was  concerned,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  '  we,  in  selling  our  small 
quantity  of  goods,  have  brought  downe  the  price  of  all  China  cotton 


322  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

cloathinge  25  per  cent.'  Thereupon  the  factors  presented  a  petition 
for  leave  to  depart  at  once  ;  *  which  was  graunted  by  the  Royall 
Acquerdo  [Acuerdoy  Council]  and  referred  to  the  Governor  as 
Captaine  Gennerall  to  give  order  to  the  Castilliano  -^  (under  whose 
commaund  our  ship  lay)  that  we  might  quiettly  depart  without 
being  molested  by  any.  A  petticion  we  also  made  unto  the 
Governor,  which  desired  a  quick  dispatch ;  to  which  he  gave  no 
answer;  which  was  caused  by  many  petticions  made  to  him,  both 
by  the  cittizens  of  this  place  and  China  merchants,  that,  if  he 
suffered  us  to  depart  theis  fowre  monthes  untill  the  vessells  weare 
all  com  in,  we  wold  spoile  the  trade  of  all  theis  parts  by  taking 
what  vessells  we  mett  withall.  The  Governor  was  troubled  on  both 
sides.  Unwilling  at  first  coming  he  was  to  displease  the  townesmen  ; 
and  as  loath  he  was  to  detaine  us  against  reason.  But  our  oppositts 
carryed  the  bell  away,  and  we  condemned  to  stay  we  cannot  tell 
how  long.'  They  waited  upon  the  Governor  and  remonstrated  ; 
whereupon  he  advised  them  *  to  present  unto  him  our  last  petticion 
denyed  by  the  Royall  Aquerdo,  for  our  stayinge  heare  uppon  our 
owne  condicions,  and  he,  as  he  was  Governor  [and]  Captaine 
Generall,  would  graunt  our  request,  and  wold  also  wryte  unto  you 
for  iron  and  saltpeeter ;  which  if  you  did  not  send,  you  shold  send 
a  shipp  the  next  yeare  uppon  what  tearmes  you  pleased.'  This  was 
accordingly  done,  and  they  now  enclose  the  Governor's  letter  ^.  The 
arrangement  is  in  their  opinion  a  good  one ;  *  for  now,  if  you  can 
contrive  a  way  (through  the  Streights  of  Sunday  or  otherwise)  to 
send  them  a  small  quantity  of  iron  and  saltpeeter,  though  they 
wryte  for  greate  quantities,  yett  any  thing  will  serve  their  tournes. 
However,  they  will  receive  a  ship  the  next  yeare  uppon  what  con- 
dicions you  pleas ;  which  if  shee  arrives  any  tyme  in  July,  before 
the  New  Spaine  ships  depart,  the  Companie  will  make  an  extra- 
ordinary good  voyage  of  it,  and  very  likely  wee  shall  cleare  two  for 
one.  The  trade  in  this  place  is  very  much  decayed  since  the 
Portegues  left  it,  and  the  cittizens  mightely  impoverished  ;  yet  will 
their  prowd  hearts  heardly  acknowledge  it.  Every  yeare  they  send 
one  or  two  gallioones  to  Nova  Spaina  a  quarter  laiden  with  wax, 

1  The  castellano  or  captain  of  the  fort  at  Kavite. 

*  The  original  (damaged)  forms  O.C.  1894,  while  a  copy  will  be  found  under  O.C.  1895. 
See  also  O.C.  1899  and  1900  for  related  documents. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  223 

China  silcks,  and  Coast  cloathing  (when  they  can  gett  any  from 
Macasser,  which  hath  beene  in  very  small  quantities  since  the 
Portegues  are  bannished  Manilla).  Theis  gallions  retorne  hither 
the  same  yeare  with  nothing  but  provicions  to  supply  this  place 
and  rials  [of]  eight  to  defray  the  extraordinary  charge  the  King  is 
at  ;  for  theis  islands  yeild  him  little  or  no  proffitt  more  then  his 
customs,  which  is  but  a  small  matter  towards  his  extraordinary 
expences.  The  natives  of  this  country  are  gennerally  as  lazy  as  the 
Spanniards  are  prowd  ;  and  weare  it  not  for  the  great  nomber  of 
Chinas  that  lives  amongst  them,  which  manures  [i.e.  cultivates]  their 
grownd  and  feedes  them  with  rice,  fish,  and  flesh,  and  brings  them 
provicions  out  of  their  owne  countrey,  they  wold  starve,  for  they 
are  not  able  to  live  of  themselves.  The  commodities  these  Phil- 
lipine  Islands  yeilds  is  only  suger  and  logwood.  The  former  is  at 
present  so  deare  that  nothing  can  be  gott  by  it  in  Surratt.  Of  the 
latter  we  have  sent  you  2fi%  peeces  for  want  of  other  laiding.  Som 
gold  they  have  which  they  procure  from  the  natives  mountiners 
(their  enimies)  ;  which  the  late  Governor  engrossed,  and  hath  made 
it  so  extraordinary  deare  that  wee  dare  not  deale  in  it  at  present. 
As  we  make  money  and  find  its  price  to  fall,  wee  shall  bring  the 
Companies  estate  into  as  little  bulck  as  we  can  possibly  contrive 
against  the  next  yeare.  Their  trade  to  Macasser  and  Comboja  is  so 
little  as  not  worth  mencioninge.  Once  in  a  yeare,  or  once  in  two 
yeares,  it  may  be,  they  send  a  small  vessell  to  Macassar  to  buy 
Coast  cloathing ;  and  the  like  they  do  to  Camboja,  and  bring  from 
thence  bees  wax.  The  only  traders  to  this  place  are  the  Chinas, 
which  furnish  the  Spanniard  with  raw  silcks  and  silck  stuffs  of  all 
sorts,  lynnen  cloth,  cotton  clothing  of  the  same  lengths  and  breadths 
as  your  narrow  baftes  are  in  India ;  which  they  bring  browne  and 
dy  them  hearc  black  to  make  womens  mantles  and  mustezees  \sce 
p.  166]  cloakes,  which  are  worth  aboute  4  m[ahmudls]  per  peec  in 
Surratt ;  which  they  sold  heare  before  we  came  for  20  single  ryals 
the  peec'  The  '  clothing '  brought  by  the  English  came  to  a  good 
market.  The  rest  of  their  goods  have  been  registered  by  the  King's 
Treasurer,  but  not  yet  valued  ;  it  is  hoped  to  sell  them  at  double 
their  invoiced  cost.  '  Goods  most  propper  for  this  place  are  all  sorts 
of  Mesulapatam  or  Coast  clothing,  as  long  cloth,  morces,  sallam- 
pores,  homoomies,   salooes,  serasses,  &c.     Theis  people  are  not 


224  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

accustomed  to  clothing  made  up  after  the  Indian  manner  ;  your 
dutties  and  other  sorts  of  broad  clothing  wold  have  beene  worth 
20  per  cent,  more  then  they  now  are,  if  they  had  not  beene  stiffned 
and  foulded  up  in  papers ;  for  theis  merchants  give  it  a  bad  report, 
saying  it  is  made  up  with  lyme  and  gum,  which  decayes  the  cloth, 
and  if  itt  shold  ly  uppon  their  hands  but  one  twelve  month,  it  wold 
be  rotten.  .  .  .  Therfore  pray  what  you  send  hearafter,  lett  it  be 
packt  up  as  itt  comes  from  the  washers,  without  paper  or  stifninge, 
only  smoothed  out  like  unto  the  Coast  long  cloth ;  and  lett  the 
length  of  the  baile  be  the  breadth  of  the  cloth.'     Send  a  list  of  what 
would  be  a  suitable  consignment  next  year,  to  which  should  be 
added  some  iron  and  saltpetre.     They  would  then  hope  to  clear 
two  for  one,  and  bring  back  a  lading  of  sugar  and  cowries.     '  This 
commoditie  requires  a  months  tyme  to  gather  and  ly  in  the  sun  to 
rott  the  fish  that  is  in  them.     But  theise  cowrees  are  speckled  ith 
outside,  and  we  know  not  whether  they  will  sell  so  well  in  Surratt 
as  the  white  ones.'     D.id  their  best  to  'corrupt  both  the  Kings 
Fitscall  and  Ovedores  [Port.  Ouvidor,  a  magistrate] '  with  offers  of 
money  to  procure  leave  to  sell  their  goods  this  year  and  depart  ; 
but  these  officers  were  afraid  to  accept  any  bribes,  because  the 
Governor  himself  refused  to  take  the  present  brought  by  the  English. 
They  were  willing  to  buy  goods  at  half  their  value  ;  '  but  like  un- 
gratefull  people  they  have  never  don  us  any  good  for  our  curtesies. 
Every  one  is  our  freind  at  hom  in  their  howses  ;  but  in  court,  I  thinck, 
they  are  all  our  enimies.  Very  desirous  weare  they  to  have  made  prize 
of  us,  to  which  purpose  they  called  two  councells  of  warre,  because 
this  yeare  newes  came  that  in  West  India  rove  more  then  100  sailes 
of  Englishmen,  which  doth  mischeive  the  Spanniards  very  much  ; 
but  in  respect  we  came  into  the  bay  with  a  white  flagg  and  was 
received  with  the  like  by  the  former  Governor,  they  thought  it  best 
to  lett  us  alone.'     They  were  urged  to  enter  into  an  agreement  to 
bring  ammunition  yearly ;  but  this  they  could  not  do,  being  ex- 
pressly forbidden  in  their  commission.     Then  it  was  proposed  that 
they  should  leave  their  goods  here  and  sail  for  Macao  to  convey  the 
Governor's  ambassador  thither,  after  which  they  might  go  on  to 
Surat ;  but  no  merchandise  was  to  be  brought  the  following  year, 
unless  accompanied  by  iron,  &c. ;  '  which  they  so  much  want  that 
they  are  enforced  to  breake  up  one  vessell  to  make  another  service- 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  225 

able  to  saile  unto  West  India.  They  wold  willingly  make  peace 
with  the  Portegues  att  Micaw  and  give  them  free  liberty  to  trade 
into  theis  parts,  if  they  wold  furnish  them  with  ammunicions.  l^he 
force  the  King  of  Spaine  hath  belonging  to  theise  Phillipine  Islands 
and  the  Malucoes  is  only  six  gallioones  and  one  gaily  ;  two  of  the 
which  went  this  yeare  to  Nova  Spaina,  two  more  they  have  rydinge 
heare  (one  of  which  is  to  be  broaken  up),  and  the  other  two  lyeth 
som  40  leagues  from  hence,  so  old  that  they  dare  not  adventure 
them  to  sea.  They  are  very  desirous  to  build  new  shippinge,  to 
which  purpose  they  have  caused  much  tymber  to  be  cutt  ;  but  as 
yett  they  know  not  wheare  to  gett  iron,  for  in  all  the  Kings  alma- 
zins  their  is  not  five  pecoes  [pikuls].  Their  goes  uppon  the  Sea- 
horse an  old  Fleminge,  named  Captaine  Wm.  Cheloan,  mencioned 
in  the  Governours  and  Officers  Royall  letters,  sent  by  them  pur- 
posely to  see  whether  we  have  enfourm'd  them  the  truth  concern- 
inge  the  Dutch  at  Mallacca.  They  will  not  believe  that  they  can 
hinder  us  from  furnishing  this  place  with  iron,  &c. ;  neither  will 
they  believe  that  they  have  shippinge  and  a  factory  att  Surratt, 
but  have  sent  this  man  purposly  to  be  an  ey  wittnes  therof,  and  to 
see  what  possibillity  there  is  in  supplying  them  with  what  they 
want.  You  may  pleas  to  entertaine  Capt.  Cheloan  as  one  that 
hath  don  the  Companie  very  good  service  since  our  coming  hither, 
being  better  acquainted  with  the  customs  of  this  place  then  him  wee 
brought  with  us.  He  hath  order  from  the  Governor  to  carry  him- 
self very  privatly,  that  he  be  not  discover'd  by  the  Portuges  and 
the  Dutch,  and  that  by  his  meanes  the  Governor  loose  not  his 
much  desired  supply  of  iron,  &c.'  The  Governor's  chamberlain, 
Daniel  Jones  (an  Englishman,  but  passing  here  as  a  Fleming),  has 
written  on  behalf  of  his  master  for  a  supply  from  Surat  of  beaver 
hats,  knives,  &c.  The  Governor  will  insist  on  paying  for  these, 
*  for  such  is  his  good  disposicion  that  he  will  not  receive  any  thing 
as  a  guift '.  His  wishes  should  be  complied  with,  and  at  the  same 
time  some  similar  articles  should  be  supplied  for  use  as  presents  to 
others.  Jones,  who  has  been  very  helpful  to  the  factors,  has  asked 
them  to  forward  a  small  quantity  of  gold  for  him  to  Surat,  for 
investment  in  cinnamon  or  other  goods  likely  to  yield  profit  here. 
They  accordingly  send  the  gold,  which  is  valued  at  *i2  rials  of 
eight  the  taie  (one  taie  is  2y|  tolaes  of  Surratt  waight) '.     Would 

FOSTER    VII  O 


226  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

be  glad  of  an  opinion  as  to  the  desirability  of  buying  some  next 
year.  'When  we  came  first  to  this  place,  and  doubted  not  of 
a  free  trade,  wee  enquired  after  this  comoditie,  but  then  it  was  worth 
13^  and  14  ryals  [of]  eight  the  taye;  but  now,  since  the  late 
Governor,  Don  Sabastian;,  is  imprisoned  for  robbinge  the  Kings 
coffers,  his  estate  is  seized  on  and  the  goods  and  monies  they  have 
taken  from  him  vallewed  att  more  then  three  millions.  Hearuppon 
the  price  of  gold  began  to  fall,  and  is  now  com  to  the  vallew  above 
said ;  but  now  it  is  too  late  for  us  to  looke  after  any.'  Have  bor- 
rowed, and  now  send,  all  the  silver  they  could  procure,  in  order  '  to 
cleare  as  much  of  the  Companies  estate  from  this  place  as  possible 
we  cold.'  Desire  an  opinion  on  the  value  of  the  silver,  which  is  of 
various  kinds.  The  Portuguese  always  allowed  six  per  cent,  more 
for  bullion  than  for  rials.  '  The  26  peeces  made  up  tryangle  wise 
is  called  virgin  silver,  the  purest  sort  that  is  brought  to  theis  parts. 
The  like,  we  believe,  weare  never  scene  in  Surratt,  for  there  is  no 
mixture  of  any  other  mettell  in  it,  and  very  little  loss  in  the  melting 
therof.'  Trouble  caused  by  the  fact  that  they  had  two  Dutchmen 
among  their  sailors ;  no  more  should  be  sent,  '  nor  Dutch  built 
vessells,  although  they  have  certificat  from  Dunkerk  that  they  weare 
bought  there.'  Enclose  accounts  of  sales,  &c.  Their  household 
expenses  will  appear  heavy  ;  but  at  Basra  '  a  better  howse  may  be 
kept  for  four  larees  a  day  then  we  can  with  our  good  husbandry 
contrive  it  heare  for  3f  rials  and  4  rials  [of]  eight  per  day.'  Desire 
a  supply  of  wheat,  candles,  arrack,  and  other  provisions ;  also  a  little 
sack,  '  for  this  is  a  very  unwholsom  place.'  The  cost  of  victual- 
ling the  ship  has  been  heavy.  While  here,  the  sailors  had  three 
'  beeves '  [oxen]  a  week.  The  ship's  bread,  provided  at  Surat,  was 
very  bad.  The  Governor  desires  that  the  accompanying  letters 
may  be  forwarded  to  the  King  of  Spain.  Particulars  of  money 
found  in  the  possession  of  sundry  men,  and  evidently  taken  out  of 
the  Malabar  prize  ;  advise  a  strict  investigation  on  the  arrival  of  the 
ship  at  Surat.     (Copy.    \\\  pp,) 

[  ]  AT  GoA  TO  [  ],  December  10,  1644 

{O.C.  1904). 

*  Had  your  currall  come  with  these  shipping,  it  had  produced 
good  proffitt ;  nor  can  it  faile  whensoever  [it]  arrives  in  these  parts. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  227 

So  great  a  quantity  cannott  bee  procured  in  Europe  yearely  as 
would  vend  here.  Indeed,  it  is  the  onely  comodity  certainely  in 
esteem ;  cloth,  lead,  or  what  els  sent,  findes  not  present  sale,  nor  in 
the  like  demaund.  Genoa  pepper  \  if  lar[ge]  and  good,  20  or  30 
bales  may  sell  yearely ;  as  also  as  many  peeces  [of]  perpetuanoes, 
greenes  and  red[s],  with  some  olive  colours.'     [Extract.     \  p.) 

President  Breton  and  Thomas  Merry  at  Swally  Marine 
TO  THE  Company,  January  3,  1645  {O.C,  1905). 

Now  answer  the  Company's  letter  of  March  29,  1644.  Regret 
the  troubles  and  distractions  in  Europe.  The  factors  in  Persia  have 
abandoned  all  hopes  of  obtaining  what  is  due  from  the  King 
for  shortage  of  silk,  and  have  written  off  the  amount  (141,646  shahls) 
as  irrecoverable.  The  other  injuries  suffered  in  that  country  must 
be  patiently  endured,  since  such  is  the  pleasure  of  the  Company ; 
and  in  any  case  no  force  can  be  used  with  the  means  now  at  their 
disposal.  Pitt  writes  from  Gombroon  that,  contrary  to  expectation, 
the  customs  will  amount  for  the  year  to  as  much  as  6 16 J  tumans. 
Anticipate  no  difficulty  in  sending  home  the  goods  prescribed, 
except  perhaps  as  regards  indigo  from  Agra,  where  some  trouble 
has  been  experienced,  owing  to  the  small  quantity  produced  this 
year  and  the  competition  of  the  Dutch.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
cotton  cloth  of  that  part  is  now  more  reasonable  in  price,  in  conse- 
quence of  '  its  disesteeme  in  Persia '.  The  instructions  as  to  the 
dimensions,  &c.,  of  calicoes  will  be  duly  followed.  Supply  from 
Tatta  of  cotton  goods  and  indigo  ;  but  the  six  bales  received  thence 
of  the  latter  commodity  and  now  sent  home  are  much  poorer  in 
quality  than  previous  consignments.  Will  continue  a  friendly 
correspondence  with  the  Bantam  factors,  *  although  on  there  parts 
they  deale  very  injuriously  and  disrespectively  with  us,  not  only  in 
reproveinge  us  for  disposeinge  of  your  shippinge  for  China  and  unto 
the  Maniliaes  without  their  leaves,  because  they  pretend  those 
places  have  a  nearer  relation  to  that  residency  then  this  (although 
wee  know  not  for  what  reason),  but  by  resolvinge,  before  they  know 
what  will  bee  the  successe  and  event  of  our  undertakeings,  to  bee 
our  rivalls ;   to  which  purpose    Mr.    Ivy  adviseth   (although    the 

*  Perhaps  a  copyist's  error  for  velvet. 

Q  2 


228  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Bantam  President  conseale  it  from  us)  that  the  Michaell  is  prepare- 
inge  to  send  to  the  Manillias  with  a  qualifyed  person  to  capitulate 
with  that  Govemour  touchinge  a  future  free  commerce.'  Believe 
that  the  Company  will  not  approve  this  action.  Note  that  Ivy,  in 
his  letter  of  September  8  [p.  192],  speaks  of  such  a  venture  having 
been  long  contemplated  at  Bantam  ;  but  they  cannot  find  any 
proof  of  this.  Combat  the  arguments  advanced  against  the  trade 
with  Manilla  being  conducted  from  Surat.  It  will  be  easy  to 
procure  Coast  goods ;  while,  as  for  danger  from  the  Malabars,  '  it 
is  not  to  be  esteemed  great,  since  the  Portingalls,  now  that  they 
have  peace  with  the  Dutch,  must  necessaryly  take  some  coaurse  to 
curbe  them,  that  their  smal  vessels  may  trade  freely  and  in  safety  ; 
or,  if  they  should  not,  wee  must  send  such  shippinge  as  may  not 
feare  their  attempts.'  Moreover,  some  of  the  goods  specially  in 
demand  at  Manilla  can  best  be  procured  here ;  while  the  returns  of 
sugar  and  sappan-wood  will  at  this  place  and  in  Persia  produce 
nearly  treble  their  cost.  Have  already  advised  their  disappoint- 
ment in  the  trade  on  the  Malabar  Coast.  Knipe's  lavish  commenda- 
tions induced  them  to  send  Thurston  thither  last  year  and  to  counsel 
the  Company  to  dispatch  a  ship  direct  to  those  parts,  with  the 
result  that  the  John  was  instructed  to  call  there  on  her  way.  Had 
she  obeyed  instructions  and  kept  with  the  Crispiaita  as  far  as  the 
Comoros,  the  worst  that  could  have  happened  would  have  been  the 
loss  of  a  small  amount  of  time.  Now,  however,  it  is  impossible  to 
say  what  damage  has  been  caused  to  the  Company,  for  nothing  has 
yet  been  heard  of  the  ship  and  the  best  that  can  be  hoped  for  is 
that  she  has  merely  lost  her  voyage.  Even  that  is  a  great  trial  for 
them,  as  they  exceedingly  need  both  the  ship  and  the  means  she 
was  bringing.  Note  that  the  Company  could  not  this  year  supply 
them  with  sufficient  money  to  discharge  their  debts ;  so  they  wait 
in  patience,  relying  on  the  Company's  promise  to  relieve  them  as 
soon  as  possible.  Their  indebtedness  has  hitherto  prevented  them 
from  making  any  investment  on  the  Coromandel  Coast.  Concerning 
affairs  in  those  parts  the  Company  have  doubtless  received  full 
information  from  Day,  Cogan,  &c.  The  goods  sent  home  in  the 
Hopewell  from  Bantam  would  have  given  very  good  content,  had 
the  voyage  been  completed.  Have  now  washed  and  bleached  all 
the  cloth  taken  out  of  her ;   but  it  is  in  bad  condition,  'and  they 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  229 

propose  to  send  it  all  back  to  Bantam  in  the  Hart  to  be  disposed  of 
there.  A  bale  of  '  pantadoes '  has  been  found  uninvoiced,  probably 
laden  in  lieu  of  some  '  comitters '  that  are  missing.  Fremlen's 
experiences  in  the  unfortunate  voyage  in  the  DolpJdn  are  narrated 
in  the  accompanying  papers,  which  are  sent  in  case  the  Crispiana 
should  arrive  before  that  vessel.  Breton  acknowledges  with  grati- 
tude the  favour  shown  him  by  the  Company  in  appointing  him 
President,  and  promises  to  deserve  their  good  opinion.  Merry  also 
expresses  his  thanks  for  the  post  of  Second  in  Council  and 
Accountant.  The  President  and  Council  are  grateful  for  the 
Endeavour,  and  would  be  glad  to  receive  two  or  three  more  of  the 
same  build,  but  of  a  burden  not  less  than  250  or  300  tons.  They 
could  then  part  with  some  of  their  smaller  vessels  '  unto  our  Coast 
freinds,  which  may  from  thence  be  very  well  imployed  to  the  Bay, 
Pegoo,  Denaceree  [Tenasserim],  and  other  places,  from  whence, 
were  those  trades  experimented,  might  be  derived  competent  gaines.' 
Fear,  however,  that  they  may  be  forced  to  lay  up  some  of  them  for 
want  of  stores.  Enclose  a  list  \see  O.C.  1884]  of  the  most  urgent  of 
these  needs,  and  beg  that  they  may  be  supplied.  As  regards 
Persian  affairs  they  refer  to  the  factors'  letters,  &c.  Note  the  dis- 
patch of  Knipe  and  regret  his  non-arrival.  Cannot  defend  Bornford 
in  the  matter  of  the  indigo,  but  will  do  their  best  to  prevent  such 
deficiencies  in  future.  Rejoice  that  the  Company  have  resolved  not 
to  employ  any  more  freighted  ships.  Have  already  forwarded  a  list 
of  medicines  yearly  required  ;  now  beg  that  these  may  be  '  some- 
thinge  encreased  in  the  quantity,  by  reason  th'expence  thereof 
wilbee  enlarged  something  beyond  our  expectations  for  the  ensueing 
reasons.  Assalaut  Ckaune  ^,  a  very  great  Umbra  ^,  gratious  with 
the  King  and  our  very  good  freind,  haveing  long  importuned  us  to 
supply  him  with  [a]  chirurgeon,  wee  considcringe  how  advantageous 
itt  may  be  unto  you,  and  haveinge  a  fitt  oportunity,  one  Gabriel 
Boughten,  late  chirurgeon  of  the  Hopewell,  being  thereunto  very  well 
qualifyed  and  being  willinge  to  stay,  wee  have  thought  fittinge  to 
designe  him  to  that  service ;  wherewith  Assal[aut]  Ckaune  is  see 

^  Mir  Abdul  HadI,  to  whom  the  title  of  Asalat  Khan  had  been  given.  He  had  succeeded 
Salabat  Khan  as  Mir  BakhshI  (Paymaster-General),  when  that  official  was  stabbed  to  death, 
in  the  presence  of  the  Emperor,  by  Araar  Singh  on  July  25,  1644  {^Dagh- Register,  1644- 

45,  P-  332). 

^  Umard  (really  the  plural  of  amir),  a  noble. 


230  THE  ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

well  pleased  that  lately,  when  Mr.  Turner  was  to  leave  Agra,  he 
accompanyed  Mr.  Tash  and  Mr.  Turner  to  the  King,  who  honord 
them  more  then  ordinary  in  a  long  conference  he  held  with  them, 
dismissing  them  with  vests,  and  sending  unto  the  President  a  firman 
and  dagger ;  which  not  being  yett  received,  wee  know  not  what  the 
former  may  import  or  the  latters  valew,  but  shall  hereafter  advise ; 
and  if  the  dagger  be  of  any  considerable  worth,  it  shall  be  sent  you, 
with  the  Jewell  we  foread vised  the  Prince  lately  sentt  unto  the 
President,  both  expected  by  Mr.  Turner.'^  Cannot  express  the 
many  advantages  that  will  result  from  paying  off  their  debt,  should 
the  Company  be  able  to  furnish  them  with  funds  for  that  purpose. 
Have  advised  the  Portuguese  Viceroy  of  the  delivery  of  his  letters. 
'Your  pleasures  also  touchinge  continuance  of  the  league  and 
amity  with  that  nation  we  take  notice  of;  which  accordinge  to  your 
directions  wee  shal  with  befittinge  caution  be  very  careful!  to  pre- 
serve. Nor  is  there  any  doubt  but  itt  wilbee  inviolately  observed 
on  their  parts,  that  mutyall  freindly  correspondency  formerly 
practiced  beeing  still  continued  betwixt  us  reciprocally  on  both 
partes.'  Must  still  maintain  that  the  want  of  sale  of  broadcloth 
was  due  chiefly  to  its  poor  quality,  and  in  proof  of  this  they  refer 
to  letters  from  the  Persia  factors.  '  The  greenes  also  this  yeare 
received  are  of  sad  and  dull  colours,  not  soe  pleasing  to  these  people 
as  bright  grasse  greenes  and  popingiaes.'  Have  as  yet  sold  only 
two  pieces,  at  eight  rupees  the  '  covid  '.  Two  more  pieces  were 
opened  and  found  to  be  very  spotted  and  stained  ;  the  rest  are  in 
the  custody  of  the  Governor,  to  whom  it  is  hoped  to  sell  them. 
Approve  the  Company's  intention  to  send  in  future  only  the  larger 
sort  of  coral.  Had  the  parcel  laden  in  the  John  arrived  seasonably, 
it  might  have  been  sold  at  Raybag  to  great  profit ;  '  but  now 
the  Portingales  have  peace  and  an  open  trade,  wee  may  not  expect 
the  like  oportunity,  since  they  will  undoubtedly  aboundantly  supply 

1  'On  February  7  [N.S.]  Mr.  Turner,  the  late  chief  at  Agra,  arrived  in  Surat,  bringing 
(in  return  for  the  great  present  already  mentioned)  a  present  from  King  Shah  Jahan  to 
President  Breton,  consisting  of  a  "chinder"  [Hind,  khanjar,  a  dagger]  with  a  gold  hilt, 
set  with  diamonds,  rubies,  and  emeralds,  and  also  a  medal  of  the  same,  set  with  diamonds, 
the  former  being  valued  at  2,000  and  the  latter  at  1,500  R*  [?  rupees]  '  {Dagh- Register, 
1644-45,  P-  244).  The  medal,  which  was  apparently  the  'jewel '  presented  by  Dara  Shikoh 
(p.  215),  was  sent  home  early  in  1646,  but  the  dagger  was  retained  at  Surat,  on  the  plea 
that  'it  may,  upon  some  occation  or  other,  happely  be  usefuU  here'  {O.C.  197b). 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  231 

those  markctts  in  the  future.  Nor  may  wee  encouradge  you  to 
designe  any  other  ship  hereafter  (as  the  Johii  now  was)  to  Cocheene 
or  the  Coast  of  Mallabar,  being  it  is  most  certaine  that  neither 
pepper  nor  cinamon  wilbe  acquirable.'  Two  chests  of  the  coral 
received  last  year  were  found  to  be  very  inferior  to  the  rest : 
samples  from  these  are  now  sent.  Lead  is  in  no  great  demand,  as 
'  the  contry  is  soe  plentifully  stored ' ;  it  would  be  well,  therefore,  to 
abstain  from  sending  any  for  another  year.  Are  glad  that  the 
Company  approve  their  employment  of  their  small  shipping.  If 
the  Manilla  trade  proves  favourable,  the  Dolphiii  would  be  a  suitable 
vessel  to  send  thither.  Deprecate  the  Company's  displeasure  at 
their  taking  men  ashore  to  fill  vacancies,  and  declare  that  they 
*  know  not  of  any  in  Indya  that  by  favour  or  any  sinister  meanes 
purchasd  their  continuance  in  the  contry,  or  that  any  have  been 
taken  ashoare  which  were  not  quallifyed  to  doe  you  service.'  Will 
refrain  in  future  from  any  such  action ;  and  now  return  Richard 
Clark.  Mantell  would  have  been  sent  also,  but  he  is  absent  on  the 
Manilla  voyage.  Commend  Clark,  who  has  served  for  sixteen 
months  very  ably  and  honestly  as  steward  of  the  Surat  factory,  and 
has  since  voyaged  to  Achin  in  the  Supply.  Of  the  factors  that 
came  in  the  Crispiana,  Fenn  and  Harrison  proceeded  by  that  vessel 
to  '  Synda ',  to  assist  Spiller  there ;  Davidge  and  Blackwell  will 
start  shortly  for  Agra,  and  with  them  Andrews  will  go  to 
Ahmadabad  ;  while  Lewis  is  employed  in  the  office  at  Surat.  In 
obedience  to  the  Company's  orders,  they  will  only  return  one  ship 
each  year.  This  time  it  is  the  Crispiana^  the  cargo  of  which  does 
not  differ  much  from  the  list  sent  by  the  Company.  Have  done 
their  best  to  prevent  any  private  trade  being  embarked  to  their 
employers'  detriment.  Will  also  send  yearly  to  Bantam  a  cargo  of 
the  goods  demanded  from  thence ;  but  they  must  look  to  the 
Company  to  provide  means  for  this,  as  the  returns  from  Bantam 
are  usually  not  half  the  value  of  the  goods  sent  thither,  and  consist 
chiefly  of  pepper,  which  is  shot  loose  among  the  bales  in  the  hom.e- 
ward-bound  ship,  and  does  not  in  any  way  reduce  the  quantity  ot 
goods  to  be  provided  here.  '  Off  the  shipps  intended  into  these 
partes  by  Mr.  Courteene  and  Capt.  Bond,  wee  doc  not  heare  of  any 
arrived  but  the  Loyalty,  comanded  by  Mr.  Dearson,  who  spends  his 
time  in  voyadginge  betweene  Goa  and  Rajapore,  but  finds  not  any 


232  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

ladeinge  to  returne  this  yeare  for  England ;  nor  can  wee  imagine 
how  or  when  they  wilbe  able  to  send  backe  hir  and  the  William^ 
which  now  they  shortly  expect  from  China  ;  haveinge  neither  goods 
nor  meanes  and  (which  is  worse)  beinge  very  deeply  indebted  both 
in  Decan,  Goa,  and  Acheene.  Soe  that  wee  are  very  doubtfull  their 
necessityes  may  induce  them  to  undertake  some  illegall  enterprises, 
wherein  God  grant  you  suffer  not  as  you  did  for  Cobb,  or  in  some 
of  your  owne  shippinge ;  both  which  wee  shall  the  best  wee  may 
studdy  how  to  prevent.  Wee  doe  not  hear  of  any  French  shipp 
seene  in  these  parts ;  soe  that  we  beleive  that  of  Deepe  you  speake 
of  is  gonne  for  the  backeside  of  Madagascar,  where  they  have  a  fort 
and  plantation,  if  they  have  not  left  it  lately.'  The  business  of 
Crane's  tapestry  was  included  in  the  petition  they  presented  to  the 
King,  but  nothing  resulted,  the  Raja  pleading  poverty  and  inability 
to  pay ;  so  they  are  now  offering  to  sell  the  debt  to  the  King,  and 
hope  '  by  Ilausatt  ^  Ckauns  meanes '  to  obtain  for  it  two-thirds  or 
three-quarters  of  the  amount.  This  will  at  all  events  reimburse  the 
Company  for  all  that  has  been  spent  in  the  matter.  The  Spanish 
wine  sent  in  the  jfolm  may  perhaps  be  disposed  of  at  Manilla,  should 
a  second  voyage  thither  be  thought  advisable.  The  winding-up  of 
the  First  General  Voyage  and  the  Third  Joint  Stock  has  been 
delayed  by  the  non-arrival  of  accounts  from  Persia  and  from  Agra. 
The  former  stock  has  been  credited  with  the  proceeds  of  the  damaged 
pepper  taken  out  of  the  Hopewell,  and  also  with  the  value  of  that 
ship ;  the  Voyage  is  therefore  to  be  regarded  as  interested  to  that 
amount  in  the  cargo  of  the  Crispiana.  Adjustment  of  the  sum  due 
from  Thomas  Merry.  Regret  that  this  ship  has  been  detained 
beyond  the  date  fixed.  Particulars  of  her  cargo.  Of  Agra  indigo 
they  send  more  than  was  asked  for,  and  yet  have  a  quantity  over. 
This  was  due  to  orders  given  before  the  Company's  letter  was  received ; 
but  the  indigo  has  been  bought  at  a  very  moderate  price  and,  though 
not  so  good  in  quality  as  could  be  wished,  is  the  best  the  country 
affords.  The  Ahmadabad  indigo  was  also  purchased  at  much  less 
than  the  present  rate,  and  they  do  not  doubt  their  ability  to  dispose 
at  a  profit  of  any  left  over.  The  indigo  from  Tatta  is  very  poor. 
The  saltpetre,  they  fear,  will  not  come  up  to  expectation  in  goodness 
and  will  moreover  be  deemed  dear,  occasioned  partly  by  the  cost  of 

^  Probably  a  slip  for  'Isaulatt',  i.e.  Asalat. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  233 

refining  and  partly  by  '  his  ignorance  that  bought  itt  raw  at  Malpore '. 
However,  they  intend  to  persevere,  and  to  send  thither  in  future 
some  able,  experienced  person.  Two  of  the  saltpetre  bales  missing. 
for  which  the  master  of  the  ship  is  blamed.  The  '  deriabades  '  sent 
were  bought  and  *  cured '  in  Lucknow ;  desire  to  know  '  whether 
that  or  Barroach  whiteing  please  you  best '.  The  narrow  baftas 
from  Surat,  Nosarl,  and  Gandevi  may  be  judged  dear,  but  they 
are  as  cheap  as  could  be  obtained,  and  are  at  all  events  good.  Of 
these  they  could  furnish  10,000  or  12,000  pieces  yearly.  The 
remaining  narrow  cloths  are  from  Nasarpur  and  *  Kandiera '.  Par- 
ticulars of  the  '  mercules '  and  broad  baftas  sent.  Forward  also  five 
bales  of  *  chints ',  six  of  quilts,  one  of  '  tappiceels  ',  and  four  of '  guldars 
and  sallows  provided  in  Gulcondah  and  Decan  '.  A  bale  of  Samana 
cloth  ',  of  various  prices,  has  been  provided.  Have  not  been  able  to 
procure  much  cinnamon ;  that  obtained  by  '  Lewis  Robero '  from 
the  Viceroy  is  still  in  the  custody  of  the  former.  Only  six  bales 
of  cotton  yarn  sent,  '  roome  being  wantinge  for  the  rest '.  Regret 
that  out  of  the  645  maunds  of  *  tincall '  bought  last  season  in  Agra, 
they  can  at  present  lade  only  34  'duppers'  [leathern  jars:  Hind. 
dabbaJi\^  containing  236  maunds.  The  remainder  only  arrived  at 
Ahmadabad  recently,  and  is  being  cleansed  there, '  in  regard  itt  may 
there  be  done  in  a  month  or  six  weekes  times,  and  cannot  here  be 
effected  in  treble  soe  much,  nor  for  almost  double  the  charge.  If 
hereafter  you  desire  any  quantity  of  this  specie,  it  will  be  very 
necessary  you  send  caske  for  itts  reception,  duppers  being  subject 
to  leake  and  spoile  what  lyeth  neare  them.  Besides,  losse  of  the 
oyle  ^  spoyleth  the  comodity  it  selfe.'  Could  not  put  the  present 
consignment  into  casks,  for  they  are  wholly  destitute  of  any.  Regret 
that  they  cannot  send  the  promised  quantity  of  Gunny  [i.e.  Guinea] 
stuffes ',  as  all  but  three  bales  of  those  provided  are  still  at  Broach. 
Bought  a  quantity  of  cardamoms,  but  cannot  find  room  for  them  in 
the  ship.  Aloes,  olibanum,  and  myrrh  sent ;  also  some  gum-lac 
procured  from  Agra.  In  the  box  of  '  writeinges '  will  be  found 
a  small  parcel  of  seed  pearl,  taken  by  the  Seahorse  from  the  Malabars. 
Forward  some  amber,  musk,  and  rings  belonging  to  the  late  Walter 

^  In  Johan  van  Twist's  Generale  Beschrijvinge  van  Indien  (1648),  it  is  stated  that  borax 
was  usually  packed  in  a  pouch  of  sheepskin,  which  was  filled  with  oil  for  its  better  preser- 
vation (p.  65). 


234  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Clark,  whose  account  is  not  yet  cleared.  Will  send  Wylde's  account 
when  perfected.  Yard  goes  home  in  this  ship,  taking  with  him 
some  bales  of  cloth  belonging  to  him,  referred  to  in  the  Bantam 
letter  [p.  126].  Bear  witness  to  his  very  civil  and  commendable 
deportment  while  here  ;  and  testify  that,  as  regards  the  dispute  over 
his  purchase  of  the  Endeavour^  he  has  now  satisfied  them  that  he 
had  ample  warrant  for  his  action.  Humphrey  Weston,  who  also 
goes  home  in  the  Crispiana,  is  commended  for  his  services.  To  both 
him  and  Yard  advances  have  been  made  of  300  mahmudls  to  purchase 
provisions  for  the  voyage,  it  being  left  to  the  Company  to  decide 
whether  these  sums  should  be  recovered  or  remitted.  To  John 
Stanford,  who  returns  on  account  of  ill  health,  a  similar  allowance 
of  200  mahmudls  has  been  granted ;  while  half  that  amount  has 
been  advanced  to  [Richard]  Clark.  Account  of  pepper  laden  in 
this  ship.  Letters  from  Masulipatam  announce  that  Roger  Adams, 
a  master's  mate  who  had  been  lent  to  the  '  Cirkaile '  to  pilot  his  junk 
to  Mokha,  died  during  the  voyage.  His  ready  money,  amounting 
to  700  rials,  has  been  received  from  the  nakhuda  and  should  be  paid 
over  to  his  mother ;  the  rest  of  his  estate  has  not  yet  been  realized. 
Regret  to  learn  that  Peter  Herbert  died  on  October  8  last  at  Gom- 
broon. Quicksilver  and  vermilion  have  risen  in  price  very  much ; 
suggest  the  dispatch  of  a  supply  of  each.  The  Hopewell  brought 
seven  seamen  formerly  in  Courteen's  service,  six  of  whom  came  in 
her  from  Bantam  and  the  seventh  was  found  at  Mauritius.  All  have 
been  engaged  for  the  Company,  and  three  are  now  going  home. 
If  any  ships  be  sent  out  for  service  in  these  parts,  they  recommend 
for  employment  John  Pearson,  the  chief  mate  of  the  Crispiana. 
The  Dolphin  sailed  from  Swally  for  England  on  November  29, 
calling  at  Daman,  as  she  passed,  for  a  supply  of  arrack.  Before  she 
was  out  of  sight  the  Crispiana  appeared,  returning  from  Tatta  with 
cloth,  indigo,  saltpetre,  and  other  goods.  As  she  had  seen  nothing 
of  the  Francis^  the  Hart  was  dispatched  on  December  2  to  meet  and 
escort  that  vessel  to  Swally.  Have  since  heard  that  the  Francis 
reached  Gombroon  from  Basra  on  October  31,  and  sailed  for  Sind 
on  November  5.  Letters  from  Tatta  mention  her  arrival  at  that 
place ;  so  they  are  in  hourly  expectation  of  seeing  her  and  the  Hart, 
which  will  then  be  dispeeded  for  Bantam.  As  the  absence  of  the 
John  will  frustrate  the  intended  expedition  to  the  Red  Sea  against 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  235 

the  Malabars,  they  will  send  the  Francis  to  Basra  instead  with  Sind 
calico  and  pepper.  From  that  port  she  will  proceed  to  Mokha,  '  to 
meete  the  ship  which  wee  send  from  hence  with  the  goods  provided 
for  that  place ;  and  if  at  Mocho  they  heare  of  good  markets  att 
Sanakain  [Suakin],  she  may  voyadge  thither  to  experiment  the 
trade  of  that  place.  If  nott,  she  shall  be  returned  from  Mocho  to 
Persia  with  fraight  goods ;  there  encounter  the  pinnace,  which  in 
March  shall  from  hence  saile  for  Bassora,  in  hir  returne  accom- 
p[anying]  hir  thither  [hither?].'  The  Supply  arrived  here  from 
Achin  on  December  8,  and  reported  bad  markets  and  poor  sales  at 
that  place.  '  Our  great  hopes  of  the  rich  Mallabar  prize  is  also 
become  nothing,  notwithstanding  she  was  encountred  out  of  sight 
of  land  by  your  three  pinnaces,  the  Hindy  Supply ^  and  SeaJiorse ; 
to  whom  without  any  resistance  shee  strucke  not  only  hir  sailcs  but 
yards  upon  the  deck ;  insoemuch  that  Mr.  Lee  in  the  Supply,  being 
nearest,  sent  his  boat  on  board  and  brought  away  three  of  the  most 
quallifyed  persons,  who  desired  favour  and  acknowledged  themselves 
lawfull  purchase.  In  which  interim  the  Hinds  boat  went  on  board 
with  an  unruly  crew,  who  presently  began  to  pillage,  cut  and  slash 
the  Mallabarrs  ;  whereupon  suddainly  they  betooke  themselves  to 
their  armes,  slew  two,  and  endangered  the  rest  of  those  that  were 
on  board,  who  to  save  themselves  were  forced  to  leape,  some  into 
the  sea,  others  into  the  boat ;  and  soe  in  an  instant  hoysed  their 
yards,  sett  their  sales,  and  stoode  in  for  the  shoare,  maintaineing 
skirmish  all  night ;  and  the  next  day  ran  on  ground,  where,  after 
all  the  people  had  left  hir,  six  men  excepted,  they  very  valiantly 
fired  hir,  enjoy  Inge  only  \blank'\  rials,  which  they  found  on  the  upper 
decke ;  dishonourably  looselng  unto  you  a  rich  prize,  and  therein 
to  the  nation  much  honour.'  Letters  received  from  the  factors  on 
the  Hind,  dated  in  Malacca  Road  June  20,  repoit  the  arrival  there 
of  the  two  ships.  They  *  were  by  the  Dutch  respectively  used,  and 
then  in  readines  to  prosecute  their  voyadge.^  Certain  bales  of 
cinnamon  sent  home  to  be  disposed  of  on  behalf  of  *  Lewis  Robero'. 
Some  silk  which  came  on  the  Hopeivell  has  been  washed  and  is  now 
forwarded.  Have  just  heard  from  Chaul  that  the  JoJin  has  been  at 
Mozambique,  and  sailed  thence  four  days  before  the  galleons  that 
arrived  in  '  Bombaia '  on  September  26  ;  this  makes  them  fear  that 
some  accident  has  befallen  her.     Merry  apologizes  for  the  imperfect 


336  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

state  of  the  Fourth  Joint  Stock  accounts  now  sent  home,  and 
promises  to  send  a  more  complete  statement  by  way  of  Basra. 
The  non-arrival  of  the  factors  in  the  John  has  made  it  necessary 
to  take  on  shore  Thomas  Methwold  ^ ;  trust  that  the  Company  will 
approve  this,  and  also  the  detention  of  the  steward's  mate  of  the 
Crispiana,  Gregory  Downs,  who  has  been  made  steward  of  Surat 
factory.  Last  year  William  Pearce, '  chirurgion  of  our  house ',  was 
allowed  to  go  home,  and  John  Tindall  was  taken  ashore  from  the 
Dolphin  to  supply  his  place ;  now  Tindall  proceeds  to  England  in 
the  CrispianUy  and  John  Anthony  is  entertained  instead.  Reiterate 
their  request  for  the  names  of  all  seamen  sent  out  for  service  in  the 
East,  as  the  commanders  will  not  willingly  give  up  men  that  are 
useful.  Also  urge  the  dispatch  of  ships'  stores,  which  are  much 
needed  here.  They  are  about  to  send  the  Supply  to  Gombroon 
with  freight  goods  and  pepper.  Enclose  a  valuation  of  the  goods 
landed  from  the  Dolphin.  A  packet  of  letters  forwarded,  which 
the  Dutch  chief  at  Surat  desires  to  have  delivered  to  the  Dutch 
Company's  agent  in  London.^    {Copy.    i\\  pp.) 

John  Farren,  John  Darell,  and  Abraham  Hunt  ^  at  Goa 
TO  THE  President  and  Council  at  Surat,  January  10,1645 
{O.C.l9o^). 

Trust  that  their  letter  of  December  26  has  been  received  and  will 
be  promptly  answered.  Their  demands  appear  to  them  so  just  that 
they  are  confident  of  their  being  granted.     The  injury  of  which  they 

*  Purser  of  the  Crispiana,     He  was  probably  the  late  President's  second  son. 

2  This  letter  is  followed  by  a  list  {0.  C.  1906)  of  the  writings  sent  home  in  the  Crispiana, 
including  accounts  from  Surat,  Ahmadabad,  Tatta,  Fort  St.  George,  and  *  Nassapore ' 
[Nasarpur]  :  copies  of  consultations  and  of  letters  to  and  from  various  factories :  papers 
relating  to  the  Dolphin  and  Hopewell,  &c. 

2  These  were  factors  for  Courteen's  Association.  The  letter  here  given  and  the  previous 
one  of  December  26  (which  was  signed  also  by  Thomas  Billidge)  were  printed  by  John  Darell 
in  1652  in  his  pamphlet  entitled  Mr.  Courten^s  Catastrophe  and  Adieu  to  East  India.  The 
demand  was  for  the  money  saved  from  the  wreck  of  the  Little  William  and  paid  into  the 
Company's  treasury  at  Madras.  No  satisfaction  having  been  received,,  in  February,  1645, 
a  protest  was  drawn  up  at  Goa,  alleging  that  great  losses  had  been  caused  to  their  em- 
ployers by  the  detention  of  this  money  and  by  the  capture  of  the  Cannanore  junk,  which 
had  led  to  reprisals  being  threatened  by  the  Malabars  against  Courteen's  settlements,  par- 
ticularly that  at  Karwar.  The  junk,  by  the  way,  is  stated  to  have  belonged  to  *  Mamula 
Croe,  King  of  Cannanore ',  a  personage  who  may  be  identified  with  Mammali  Koya,  the 
local  Mappilla  chief  (Logan's  Malabar^  vol.  i.  p.  360).    Darell  adds  that  Courteeifs  ship, 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  237 

complain '  was  contrived  in  England  (as  wee  understand)  and  effected 
at  Madrasapatam  '  ;  and  it  is  rendered  worse  by  being  '  accompanied 
in  all  parts  and  places  with  aspersions,  detractions,  and  damageable 
defamacions.'  Cannot  find  any  justification  for  these,  especially  as 
the  imputation  of  complicity  with  Cobb  and  Ayrcs  has  been  disproved 
*  before  supream  authoritie '.  Desire  to  be  informed  wherein  they 
have  wronged  the  East  India  Company  or  its  servants ;  and  await 
satisfaction  of  their  demands,  'to  prevent  further  and  future  pro- 
ceedings.'   [Copy,    ip.) 

Thomas  Merry  in  Surat  to  Jeremy  Sambrooke  in  London, 
January  12,1645  (0,C.  1908). 

Wrote  briefly  by  the  Crispiana,  apologizing  for  the  unbalanced 
state  of  the  accounts  sent  home  by  that  ship.  Now,  having  had 
time  to  examine  the  invoice  of  the  cargo,  he  finds  that  he  must  also 
implore  favour  for  many  errors  therein,  due  to  the  negligence  of  others 
and  his  own  preoccupation.  Encloses  a  fresh  invoice,  and  points 
out  the  differences.    (li//.) 

Edward  Knipe,  John  Burnell,  and  Henry  Hunt,  aboard 

THE      VaLKENBURG     [aT    SwALLY,    TO     THE     PRESIDENT    AND 

Council  at  Surat ^],  January  28,  1644  {0,C.  191 2). 

Regret  to  '  bee  the  intelligencers  of  such  woefull  tydings '  as  are 
given  in  the  enclosed  paper.^  They  left  Johanna  on  September  20 
in  Courteen's  ship,  the  Thomas  and  John,  bound  for  Karwar;  but 
easterly  winds  forced  them  to  the  Arabian  coast,  which  was  reached 
on  November  3.  Having  watered  and  refreshed  at  *  Cusheene ' 
[Kishin],  they  put  to  sea  again,  but  it  was  December  12  before 
they  sighted  *Dofarr'  \see  the  1637-41  volume^  p.  210].  Two  days 
later  they  found  at  '  Moorbad  ^ '  this  Dutch  ship,  which  had  left 

the  Loyalty^  was  sent  after  the  Company's  Endeavour^  with  orders  to  capture  her,  but  failed 
to  effect  this  ;  also  that  the  protest  was  sent  home  by  the  Thomas  ami  John  in  October, 
1645,  and  was  pleaded  at  the  bar  of  the  House  of  Lords  in  the  spring  of  1647. 

^  The  letter  is  endorsed  as  received  at  Surat  on  the  same  day  as  it  was  written. 

2  Now  O.C.  1890.  It  contains  copies  of  the  narrative  of  Mucknell's  proceedings  already 
given  (p.  196),  of  the  letter  to  the  Company  (p.  194),  of  that  of  September  20  (p.  198),  and 
various  connected  papers.     It  has  also  a  copy  of  the  letter  given  above. 

'  Murbat.  In  the  Dutch  records  it  is  styled  '  Moerabath '  {Dagh- Register,  1644-45, 
p.  244). 


238  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Mokha  for  Surat  on  August  2,4.  Though  short  of  provisions  himself, 
her  commander  courteously  offered  them  a  passage,  which  they 
gladly  accepted.  Sailing  on  December  16,  the  vessel  reached 
*  St.  Johns '  [Sanjan]  on  January  z^.  The  Thomas  and  John  de- 
parted at  the  same  time  from  Murbat,  promising  to  take  their 
letters  for  Surat  and  England,  but  she  kept  at  such  a  distance  that 
they  could  not  send  them  aboard  before  she  parted  company  on  the 
1 8th.  Earl,  her  master,  died  on  November  30  and  was  buried  next 
day  on  the  coast  of  Arabia.  Their  misery  has  been  much  aggravated 
by  the  mutinous  behaviour  of  Henry  Tyrrell,  Henry  Wheat  ley,  and 
Richard  Clark,  who  are  believed  to  have  belonged  to  Mucknell's 
faction  and  to  have  been  left  on  shore  unwillingly.^  Henry  Garry 
is  also  accused  by  some  of  having  encouraged  Mucknell  in  his 
treachery.^  Knipe  conceives  himself  bound  to  report  these  facts, 
because  on  the  departure  of  the  John  he  was  elected  commander 
of  those  left  ashore.^  He  was  much  troubled  by  the  behaviour  of 
the  persons  named ;  the  rest  '  shewed  themselves  very  cyvill  and 
well  governed  people '.  Two  of  the  party  died  on  board  the  Thomas 
and  John ;  the  others  are  all  in  good  health,    (lipp-) 

Henry  Brewster's  *  Narrative  of  the  Betrayal  of  the 
JOHN^  February  14, 1645  {O.C.  191 7). 

The  John  being  a  better  sailer  than  the  Crispiana  and  having 
also  to  call  at  Mozambique,  it  was  agreed  that  she  should  go  on 
ahead,  rejoining  her  consort  at  Johanna,  at  which  place  the  latter 

1  Details  of  the  charges  will  be  found  under  O.C.  1890  and  191 1.  Their  answers  con- 
stitute nos.  1914,  191 5,  and  1916. 

2  The  charges  against  him  are  given  in  O.C.  1890  and  19 10.  The  latter  contains  also 
Garry's  answers.  The  nature  of  the  charges  is  sufficiently  indicated  by  the  documents 
calendared  later. 

2  The  original  agreement  to  this  effect  forms  O.C.  1909.  There  is  a  copy  under  O.C. 
1890. 

*  Brewster,  who  was  a  midshipman  on  board  the  John^  was  the  first  to  bring  to  London 
the  news  of  Mucknell's  treachery  and  the  arrival  of  the  vessel  at  Bristol.  At  a  Court  of 
Committees  held  on  January  24,  1645,  he  gave  a  full  account  of  the  matter  and  was  re- 
warded with  5/.  and  a  promise  of  further  consideration.  A  week  later  he  was  instructed  to 
put  his  narrative  into  writing,  but  his  request  for  employment  as  a  master's  mate  was  refused, 
on  the  ground  that  there  was  no  vacancy.  In  March  he  was  discharged  from  the  Com- 
pany's service,  as  it  was  reported  that  he  had  been  sent  to  London  by  Mucknell  to  advise 
the  latter's  wife  to  join  him ;  but  hopes  were  held  out  that  he  would  be  employed  again 
the  following  year.     This  does  not  appear  to  have  been  done. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  239 

was  to  await  her  until  August  25.  The  John  reached  Mozambique 
on  the  nth  of  that  month  and  remained  there  until  the  22nd,  the 
merchants  meanwhile  trading  with  the  Portuguese.  Before  sailing 
they  took  on  board  a  Portuguese,  his  wife,  and  about  fifty  other 
passengers.  The  Portuguese  agreed  to  pay  Mucknell  200  rials  of 
eight  for  the  use  of  the  roundhouse  as  far  as  Cochin  or  Goa  ;  and 
the  first  falling  out  of  Mucknell  and  Knipe  was  over  the  payment 
of  this  money.  The  former  told  Garry  that  he  would  not  take 
Knipe's  word  for  it,  but  would  have  the  money  paid  down  on  the 
quarterdeck  table  next  day,  or  he  would  turn  the  Portuguese  out  of 
the  cabin  ;  whereupon  Garry  offered  to  pay  the  amount  himself  in 
English  gold.  The  second  cause  of  disagreement  was  a  note  sent 
to  the  master  by  Knipe,  Garry,  Burnell,  and  Hunt,  requiring  him 
to  put  into  Johanna  ;  '  as  soone  as  Mucknell  read  itt  over  he  fell 
a  swaring  and  asked  whether  itt  was  a  consoltattion  or  a  muteny, 
for  he  had  ordered  his  matts,  before  the  noatt  came,  to  shape  ther 
course  for  Johan[na]  and  to  putt  in  there.'  The  Joh7t  reached  that 
island  on  Sunday,  August  25,  and  Mucknell  and  the  merchants 
went  ashore.  They  heard  that  the  DolpJn7i,  Hopewell,  and  Crispiana 
had  started  for  Surat  eight  days  before  :  that  the  Dolphin  had  '  spent 
her  mast '  and  her  cargo  was  damaged  by  water :  and  that  the 
Hopewell  was  too  leaky  to  continue  her  homeward  voyage.  There 
was  a  letter  concerning  the  Discoveryy  but  Brewster  could  not  learn 
its  contents,  though  he  heard  Mucknell  '  pittie  the  men  much  and 
saie  iff  there  was  noe  newes  of  her  att  St.  Helena  that  she  was  loast.' 
Nothing  was  heard  of  her  at  that  island  when  the  John  was  returning. 
Between  Mozambique  and  Johanna  Mucknell  plotted  to  invite  the 
four  merchants,  three  of  his  mates,  the  minister,  the  surgeon,  the 
boatswain,  the  carpenter  and  the  gunner  on  shore,  under  pretence 
of  being  reconciled  to  Knipe.  '  Soe  they  had  a  great  dele  of  good 
cheare  provided  for  them  abord  and  itt  was  carried  ashore  to  be 
eatten.'  It  happened  that  Edward  Stannyon  and  the  cooper,  having 
quarrelled,  had  taken  swords  with  them,  intending  to  fight ;  and  this 
was  reported  by  Richard  Low  to  Mucknell,  who  thereupon  rose  up 
and  said  he  would  see  the  two  men  into  the  boat.  Thus  leaving  the 
company  he  went  down  to  the  shore  and,  meeting  the  cooper,  thrust 
him  into  the  boat  and  bade  the  sailors  pull  for  the  ship.  When  he 
came  aboard  he  ordered  the  boatswain  to  *  call  all  hands  aloft ' ; 


240  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

whereupon  they  all  assembled  in  the  great  cabin.  Mucknell  then 
'  caled  for  a  cup  of  wine  and  dranke.  When  hee  had  druncke,  he 
stands  up.  Ses  hee :  Genttillmen,  I  have  somthinge  to  say,  and  I  will 
be  breefe  (ses  Mucknell).  Mr.  Knipe  has  threattned  to  turne  me 
outt  of  the  ship  when  he  comes  to  Sirratte  ;  butt  I  hope  that  I  have 
nott  behaved  myselfe  soe  that  you  will  se  me  turned  outt ;  to  which 
they  answered  and  said  that  they  would  nott  soe  longue  a[s]  life 
lasted.  He  hearinge  them  say  soe,  ses  Mucknell :  Heare  I  sese 
uppon  the  ship  John  for  the  Kinge  (this  was  upon  the  29th  day  of 
Augst):  and  tomorrow,  as  soone  as  we  are  of  the  ilande,  every  man 
of  yow  shall  have  a  100  riales  of  eight  apece;  and  as  soone  as  we 
are  cleare  of  this  iland  we  will  breacke  open  the  Portingalles  chest 
and  the  marchants  chests  and  se  whatt  moneye  or  moneys  worth  is 
in  the  ship.  Yow  shall  have  |  and  the  King  \  and  the  ship.  And 
we  will  set  these  blackes  ashoare  att  Comorow,  and  then  we  will 
awaie  to  the  mouth  of  the  Read  Seas  and  see  whatt  purchas  [i.  e. 
booty]  wee  can  take  ther  amoungst  the  junckes.  Then  wee  will 
awaie  for  St.  Kittes  and  heare  whatt  newes  ther.  Then  we  will  goe 
for  Ingland.  Looke,  what  monie  or  moneys  worth  we  take  yow 
shall  have  |  and  the  King  \  and  the  ship ;  and  I  will  bee  the  man 
that  shall  answaire  for  you  all  and  suffer  death  for  yow  all.'  There- 
upon John  Pearce  and  Richard  Clark  desired  leave  to  go  ashore, 
but  Mucknell  called  them  '  roundhed  doges '  and  threatened  to  cut 
off  their  heads  if  they  spoke  *such  another  word'.  He  further 
declared  that  '  if  hee  saw  two  men  talking  together,  he  swoare  that 
he  would  cutt  of  the  head  of  one  of  them  ;  and  kept  us  under  soe 
that  we  could  nott  speacke  one  with  another  to  know  one  anothers 
mind ;  and  we  had  noe  weapons  to  withstand  them,  for  all  those 
that  he  had  acquainted  with  his  ploatt  had  armes,  and  all  the  rest 
of  the  armes  in  the  ship  was  maid  fast  with  wiar.'  The  Portuguese 
passengers  were  now  put  into  the  'jellowatt ',  and  Pearce  and  Clark 
were  ordered  to  row  them  ashore.  Brewster  begged  in  vain  for 
permission  to  go  with  them  ;  but  Mucknell  promised  to  set  him 
ashore  at  St.  Kitts  and  to  give  him  a  note  to  say  that  he  had  been 
kept  aboard  by  force.  The  boat  was  so  full  that  those  in  it  cried 
out  that  they  would  be  drowned ;  whereupon  Mucknell  threatened 
to  shoot  them  if  they  did  not  put  off.  He  then  cut  the  cables  and 
let  the  ship  drive,  fearing  lest,  if  he  stayed  to  weigh  the  anchors, 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  241 

the  seamen  might  change  their  minds  'and  putt  hime  by  his 
prettence '.  The  weather  being  calm,  the  John  lay  in  sight  of 
Johanna  for  more  than  twenty  hours.  The  following  day  the  chests 
belonging  to  the  Portuguese  were  broken  open.  Mucknell  gave 
away  the  clothes  found  therein,  but  put  the  money  and  gold  into 
a  box,  which  was  sealed  up.  'An  invoice  was  taken  of  itt ;  soe 
there  was  aboutt  70/.,  and  that  was  the  most  itt  could  bee.  Itt  was 
nott  waied,  butt  by  peaseing^  of  itt.'  Next  Mucknell  made  all  the 
crew  *  sett  there  hands  to  the  bringin  of  the  ship  home  to  the  Kinge  '. 
When  they  made  Comoro,  Mucknell  abandoned  the  idea  of  going 
to  the  Red  Sea, '  becaues  hee  did  nott  knowe  all  his  mens  minds ; 
butt  he  would  keepe  the  blackes  and  stronge  watters  and  cloath  and 
sell  them  att  St.  Christovers  and  soe  load  her  with  tobackow  for 
Ingland.'  Plying  to  windward  to  reach  St.  Augustine's  Bay,  they 
met  the  Thomas  and  jfohn^  belonging  to  Courteen  and  commanded 
by  Earl.  The  latter,  being  very  sick,  sent  his  mate  Archer  on  board, 
accompanied  by  two  merchants.  Mucknell  told  them  that  he  had 
seized  the  jfohit  for  the  King  and  had  left  twenty-three  of  his 
company  at  Johanna,  two  letters  for  whom  he  handed  to  the  new- 
comers. He  then  demanded  to  be  supplied  with  '  two  barells  of 
powder,  12  canes  of  mach,  som  candells,  and  the  Kinges  coulers '. 
He  was  asked  for  his  commission.  '  He  drew  his  cuttan  -  and  tould 
hime  there  was  his  commishtion :  and  if  he  had  nott  those  things 
within  a  glase  that  he  would  be  aboard  of  him.'  The  things  were 
sent ;  whereupon  Mucknell  returned  one  of  the  powder  barrels,  with 
some  olives  and  sweetmeats.  Thus  they  parted,  being  then  in  the 
latitude  of  16°  S.  On  reaching  St.  Helena,  a  letter  was  found  that 
had  been  left  there  by  the  Mary,  announcing  that  she  ^  was  gon  for 
Asention  to  turtell '.  While  riding  at  St.  Helena,  Mucknell  was  told 
that  three  men  were  conspiring  '  to  cutt  hime  and  his  partie  of  and 
soe  a  brought  the  ship  into  the  Downes  againe'.  Thereupon  he 
sent  ashore  for  one  of  them,  William  Poynter,  and  on  his  coming 
abord  '  seasede  [i.e.  fastened]  his  hands  to  the  maine  halerds  and 
caused  one  of  the  blackes  to  cutt  of  one  of  his  eares ' ;  and  this  he 
did  without  examining  Poynter  as  to  the  truth  of  the  report.  Next 
Mucknell  sent  for  the  other  two,  and  would  have  treated  them  in 

^  Weighing  in  the  hand. 
2  Sword  (Japanese  ka(ana). 

FOSTER  VII  R 


242  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

a  similar  fashion,  had  not  so  many  of  the  crew  begged  him  on  their 
knees  to  be  content  with  leaving  the  offenders  ashore.    '  He  answered 
them  never  a  worde ;  butt  went  into  the  roundhouse  and  tooke 
a  pistole  that  was  charged  with  a  brase  of  buletts  in  itt  and  fired  itt 
att  his  owne  brest ;   and  itt  would  nott  goe  of  and,  as  he  was 
a  cockinge  of  itt  againe,  Edward  Owen  brack  into  the  roundhouse 
and  stayed  his  hand,  or  ells  hee  had  kilde  himselfe.     Att  St.  Helena 
he  left  six  English  men  and  one  Japane  ^  and  all  the  blacke  women 
and  children  ashore ;  for  his  mind  was  changed  that  he  wolde  nott 
goe  soe  far  to  the  westward  as  St.  Kitts.'     The  wind  holding  to  the 
eastward,  they  could  not  fetch  Fayal,  and  so  they  came  on  to 
England  without  meeting  a  sail  after  leaving  Ascension.     Mucknell 
had  intended  to  make  for  Falmouth,  but  the  wind  was  SSE.  and 
they  could  not  weather  Scilly.     No  one  would  undertake  to  pilot 
the  ship  to  Bristol,  and  during  the  night  she  drove  between  Lundy 
Island  and  the  mainland  without  seeing  the  shore.     By  the  next 
morning  they  were  off  Barnstaple  Bay ;  *  then  we  had  one  that  did 
undertake  to  carrie  the  ship  within   the  Holmens^.'     That  night 
(January  15)  they  anchored  against '  Hartlie  Poyntt ',  out  of  command 
of  the  fort ;  and  Mucknell  sent  Edward  Owen  and  the  boat's  crew 
ashore  for  news.     They  were  detained  on  shore  that  night,  it  being 
thought  that  the  John  must  have  been  forced  in  by  foul  weather. 
Next  day  Captain  Salter  came  aboard  and  carried  the  ship  into 
*  Kinroade  ^ '.     Mucknell  sent  word  to  Sir  John  Pennington  *  that, 
if  he  had  not  such  quarter  for  his  men  as  he  had  promised  them,  he 
would  blow  up  the  ship.     Sir  John  replied  that  the  men  should 
have  what  had  been  promised  them ;  and  he  sent  the  King's  broad 
seal  aboard  to  show  his  authority.     Brewster  heard  Mucknell  say 
that  he  would  have  a  free  pardon  in  the  King's  own  hand  for  what 
he  had   done.     When  he  went  on  shore  he  instructed  his  mate, 
Howard,  to  let  nothing  be  removed  from  the  ship  till  he  heard  from 
him.     Seven  guns  were  fired  on  his  leaving  the  vessel ;  and  that 
night  he  went  to  Bristol.     What  entertainment  he  had  there  Brew- 

1  Called  a  Chinaman  on  p.  264.  According  to  O.C.  1934  he  was  really  a  'China 
mestizo'  (half-caste).  He,  the  six  Englishmen,  five  black  women,  and  nine  children  were 
brought  on  to  England  by  the  Dolphin  and  Crispiana  (see  p.  260). 

^  Flat  Holme  and  Steep  Holme,  two  small  islands  at  the  mouth  of  the  Severn. 

^  King  Road,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Avon. 

^  The  royalist  admiral.  * 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  243 

ster  cannot  tell,  as  he  himself  left  that  city  early  next  morning. 
[Appended  are  the  names  of  thirteen  men  who  were  confederates  of 
Miicknell  in  his  plot.     6^  pp.  in  all) 

Declaration  by  Henry  Garry  at  Surat,  February  20, 
1645  {0,C.  1918).! 

Thinks  it  advisable  to  place  on  record  his  account  of  what  hap- 
pened on  board  the  John,  with  especial  reference  to  the  charges 
made  against  him  by  Knipe,  which  he  answered  a  week  ago  before 
the  President  and  Council  here.  Until  they  parted  company  with 
the  Crispiana^  Mucknell's  behaviour  gave  no  cause  for  complaint ; 
but  from  that  time  onwards  a  change  took  place  in  his  demeanour, 
probably  owing  to  the  disputes  that  occurred  between  him  and 
Knipe.  Relates  instances  of  the  latter's  unkind  and  arrogant  treat- 
ment both  of  himself  and  of  Mucknell,  to  the  great  grief  of  both. 
The  master  showed  great  dejection,  saying  that  *he  would  rather 
dye  then  endure  such  chubbings '  \see  p.  64].  Account  of  events 
at  Mozambique  and  the  embarkation  of  the  Portuguese,  which 
brought  on  further  disputes  as  to  the  payment  of  the  passage  money. 
Another  quarrel  led  to  Knipe's  threatening  publicly  to  send  to  Surat 
for  other  ships,  and  to  his  saying  that  he  would  not  make  a  further 
voyage  in  the  John  while  Mucknell  commanded  her.  Proceedings 
at  Johanna.  Garry  was  sick  on  August  29,  '  the  appointed  day  for 
peace',  and  would  have  remained  on  board  had  not  the  master  sent 
for  him.  Mucknell  got  away  on  the  pretext  of  looking  after  the 
cooper,  who  had  come  ashore  to  fight  a  duel.  On  finding  them- 
selves deserted,  they  elected  Knipe  as  their  commander  ;  and  while 
going  back  to  the  town  to  look  for  lodgings,  they  met  Richard 
Clark  and  John  Pearce,  whom  Mucknell  had  sent  on  shore  with  the 
Portuguese  passengers.  Garry  blamed  Knipe  for  quarrelling  with 
the  master ;  whereupon  he  replied  that,  had  he  known  Mucknell 
was  such  a  rogue,  he  would  have  behaved  differently.  Knipe  said 
moreover  that  it  had  been  his  intention,  if  he  found  the  Crispiana 
at  Johanna,  to  transfer  to  her  the  goods  and  money  in  the  John  ; 
•  speakeing  likewise  of  the  brave  voyage  that  hee  intended  to  have 
made  to  China.'     Knipe  also  showed  some  uneasiness  lest  Mucknell 

^  Copies  will  be  found  among  the  O.C.  Duplicates  and  Triplicates. 

R  2 


244  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

should  proceed  to  Surat  and  lay  complaints  against  him.  On  Sep- 
tember 1 1  the  Portuguese  departed,  carrying  letters  to  be  forwarded 
to  the  Company.  Eight  days  later  a  sail  was  seen,  which  all  hoped 
would  prove  to  be  the  John  returning ;  and  Knipe  expressed  his 
willingness  in  that  case  to  forget  the  past.  However,  it  turned  out 
next  day  that  the  vessel  was  the  Thomas  and  Joht^  which  had  met 
with  Mucknell's  ship  and  now  brought  a  letter  from  him.  From 
the  time  the  party  embarked  in  the  Thomas  and  John,  Knipe  began 
to  vilify  Garry,  striving  to  make  him  odious  to  the  rest.  William 
Tomblings  died  October  8,  and  Henry  Flanner  on  the  27th  of  the 
same  month.  Three  days  later  Knipe  called  upon  the  rest  to  sign 
a  document  he  had  drawn  up,  and  they  did  so.  Garry  and  others 
attempted  to  read  it,  but  were  induced  by  Isaacson  to  forbear,  he 
assuring  them  that  it  was  identical  with  a  paper  they  had  signed  at 
Johanna.  This  afterwards  led  Garry  to  fear  that  there  was  some 
trickery  involved.  On  November  3  they  reached  the  coast  of 
Arabia  near  a  town  called  *  Herig '  [Haraik  ?],  but  could  get  nothing 
there,  and  were  directed  to  Kishin  Bay,  where  they  bought  a  supply 
of  water.  On  November  30  William  Earl  died.  A  Dutch  ship  was 
found  at  anchor  on  December  13,  and  next  day  they  went  on  board 
her;  she  sailed  on  the  i6th,  and  reached  Swally  on  January  26. 
Garry  has  since  discovered  that  his  suspicion  was  correct  and  that 
the  narrative  he  was  induced  to  sign  had  been  altered  by  Knipe 
from  the  form  originally  agreed  upon.     (i4§  pp.) 

Edward  Knife's  Answer  to  Garry's  Declaration,  Surat, 
March  ii,  1645  {O.C,  1920).^ 

As  Garry's  '  brainesick  story '  contradicts  the  previous  joint 
report  signed  by  every  man  left  ashore  (himself  included),  and  as 
moreover  '  he  cannot  find  any  of  his  delinquent  party  so  much 
Knight  of  the  Post  ^  as  himselfe  to  confirme  any  whitt  of  his  rible- 
rable ',  Knipe  cannot  imagine  *  why  his  prittle-prattle  shold  be 
minded ' ;  since,  however,  the  President  and  Council  desire  him  to 
reply  he  will  deal  with  '  what  (in  his  Irish  Italianated  language)  my 
capacity  can  make  sense  of.'  He  maintains,  and  is  ready  to  prove, 
that  it  was  Garry  who  revealed  to   Mucknell   what   Knipe   had 

*  A  copy  will  be  found  among  the  O.C.  Duplicates. 

*  An  old  term  for  one  who  gained  a  livelihood  by  giving  false  evidervce. 


THE   ENGLISH  FACTORH^:S  245 

privately  said  to  the  other  factors  as  to  his  intentions  of  securing 
the   Company's   estate   on   the    reaching    India.      'And    for    the 
affronts  put  uppon  Mr.  Garry  (as  he  is  pleas'd  to  terme  them)  I 
confess  that  whilst  Mr.  Bailey,  my  selfe,  and  others  weare  civilly  in 
discource,  he  wold  often  fly  out  into  such  bawling  manner  of  sing- 
inge,  with  many  other  foolish  and  ridiculous  antique  postures,  to 
the  disturbance  of  our  society ;  insomuch  that  I  checkt  him  for  it, 
and  withall  acquainted  him  that  manner  of  carriage  did  rather 
become  a  fidler  then  a  merchant ;  uppon  which,  it  seemes,  he  tooke 
such  snuff  that  he  hath  not  yett  blowne  it  out.'    As  for  any  unkind- 
ness  shown  by  him  to  Mucknell,  Knipe  appeals,  not  only  to  the 
testimony  of  others,  but  also  to  the  evidence  of  a  previous  letter  [sei: 
p.  194]  which  Garry  himself  signed.  *,  Though  the  latter  was  named 
by  the  Company  in  the  commission  for  the  voyage,  yet  the  Governor 
himself  told  Knipe  that  this  was  done  '  for  no  other  respect  then 
mortallity  sake ' ;  it  seems,  however,  to  have  given  Garry  the  idea 
that  he  was  not  sent  out  as  an  ordinary  factor,  thus  increasing  his 
'  extraordinary  conceipt  and  opinion  of  him  selfe '.     Admits  that  he 
warned  Hunt  and  Burnell  against  playing  for  money,  but  denies 
that  he  said  that  Garry  had  cheated  them  at  cards.     The  allegation 
that  Knipe's  unkindness  moved  Mucknell  to  tears  was  borrowed 
from  Tyrrell ;  such  behaviour  was  not  uncommon  with  the  master 
when  he  was  '  mawdlin  drunck  ',  and  he  has  often  on  such  occasions 
*  fallen  into  straing  raptures,  saying  why  might  not  he  com  to  be 
Lord  Admirall  of  England,  with  aboundance  of  such  idle  foolish 
exprescions '.     The  responsibility  for  the  separation  of  the   two 
ships  rests  with  Bay  ley,  whom  the  Company  had  placed  in  charge 
of  both.     Garry's  account  of  the  proceedings  thereon  is  false  in 
m  any  particulars.     Admits  that  he  spoke  sharply  to  Garry  on  one 
occasion,  when  the  latter  disparaged  London,  '  saying  it  did  more 
abownd  with  whores   then  Venice,   and   many  other   disgracefull 
speeches  used  concerning  cittizens  wives  ' ;  but  it  is  not  true  that  he 
called  him  '  sonn  of  a  curtizan  '.     However,  '  as  I  spoake  nothinge 
in  prejudice  of  his  birth,  so  will  I  say  as  little  in  defence  of  it ;  be- 
cause the  party  in  England  that  told  me  he  was  borne  in  Venice, 
his  father  an  Irishman,  his  mother  a  Venetian  \  did  not  acquaint 

'  This  identifies  Garry  with  the  Captain  Henry  Garry  or  Gary  who  was  Governor  of 
Bombay  (for  the  Crown)  from  May,  1667,  to  September,  1668,  when  the  island  was  handed 


345  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

me  they  weare  lawfully  marryed  ;  and  nothing  makes  me  more 
suspect  his  legitimacie  then  excepcion  taken  when  no  cause  given, 
because  the  proverb  saith :  A  galled  horse  will  soone  winch  ^' 
Knipe  narrates  some  trifling  disagreements  he  had  with  Mucknell, 
but  denies  many  of  Garry's  assertions  concerning  them.  Explains 
his  reference  to  demanding  another  ship  from  Surat.  Accuses 
Garry  of  incensing  Mucknell  against  him,  by  reporting,  in  an  aggra- 
vated form,  various  expressions  he  had  used.  The  master  was  so 
enraged  that  one  night  he  came  creeping  to  the  cabin  door,  with 
the  intention,  as  Knipe  believes,  of  murdering  him  in  his  sleep,  had 
the  door  been  (as  usual)  unfastened.  Mucknell,  when  seeking  re- 
conciliation, promised  to  tell  Knipe  something  which  would  make 
one  whom  he  took  for  a  friend  ashamed ;  and  this  points  clearly  to 
Garry.  Pearce  is  ready  to  testify  that  the  latter  told  the  master 
that '  there  was  no  hopes  of  reconsiliacion ;  and  who  can  tell  whether 
that  was  the  chiefe  cause  or  not  that  made  Mucknell  runn  into 
desperacion  ? '  Controverts  Garry's  account  of  what  was  said  at 
Johanna.  Declares  that  the  two  papers  signed,  the  one  at  Johanna 
and  the  other  later,  differed  only  in  the  wording,  as  now  explained 
in  detail.  The  fact  that  Garry  signed  without  objection  the  general 
narrative  should  prevent  much  credit  being  given  to  his  subsequent 
contradictions.  His  great  intimacy  with  Mucknell  leads  to  a 
suspicion  that  he  knew  of  the  latter's  designs.  Knipe  cannot  tell 
whether  the  two  plotted  to  poison  him  ('  according  to  the  Itallian 
manner');  but,  on  pretence  of  killing  rats,  the  master  'was  earnest 
with  Mr.  Low  for  poyson '.  As  for  Garry's  veracity,  written  testi- 
mony is  produced  of  his  having  forsworn  himself,  and  of  his  having 
brought  false  charges  against  divers  men.  Garry's  insinuations 
against  others  are  also  refuted.     Annexed-. — Written  testimonies 

over  to  the  Company's  representatives.  Fryer,  who  voyaged  with  him  from  Goa  to  Karwai , 
says  of  him : — *  He  is  a  person  of  a  mercurial  brain,  a  better  merchant  than  soldier,  is  skill'd 
in  most  of  the  languages  of  the  country,  and  is  now  writing  a  piece  in  Arabick,  which  he 
dedicates  to  the  Viceroy,  with  whom  he  is  in  great  esteem.  He  lived  at  Achein,  and  was 
created  a  noble  by  that  Queen  :  was  bom  a  Venetian,  but  of  English  parents :  by  which 
means  he  understands  Italian,  Portugueze,  and  Latin  perfectly,  and  is  an  accomplished 
courtier'  {New  Account,  p.  157). 

Garry  was  elected  a  factor  on  December  8,  1643  (see  Court  Minutes  of  tht  East  India 
Company,  1640-43,  p.  367). 

*  This  saying  (made  familiar  by  Hamlet^  appears  in  a  letter  of  Kerridge's  ixfiva  Surat  in 
August,  1616,  under  the  form  of  '  A  galled  jade  will  winch.' 


I 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORn^:S  247 

by  Isaacson,  Hunt,  Burncll,  and  others,  in  support  of  Knipe's  state- 
ments.    [In  all  18J  pp) 

Thomas  Merry  at  Surat  to  [one  of  the  Committees  in 
London?],  March  23,  1645  [O.C.  1921). 

Explains  why  he  has  not  answered  earlier  his  correspondent's  two 
letters.  His  wishes  regarding  his  rhubarb  detained  by  the  Company. 
Has  learnt  with  regret  the  disturbance  caused  by  the  civil  war  to 
the  trade  of  the  Company,  but  trusts  that  these  troubles  will  soon 
come  to  an  end.  Courteen's  interference  has  much  injured  the 
trade  here ;  however,  his  affairs  are  in  a  bad  way  and  it  is  likely 
that  *  his  action  will  extinguish  of  itself '.  The  Company's  credit 
here  has  suffered  by  the  loss  of  the  JoJin,  the  uncertainty  as  to  the 
fate  of  the  Discovery,  Sic,  but  has  been  revived  to  some  extent  by 
the  success  of  the  China  and  Manilla  ventures  and  of  the  local 
trade.  They  are  much  hampered  by  the  heavy  debt,  and  also  by 
the  want  of  small  vessels  to  replace  those  worn  out.  Factors  also 
needed  ;  for  want  of  them  too  much  has  been  entrusted  to  others^ 
to  the  Company's  loss.  These  views  might  be  communicated  to 
Messrs.  Burnell  ^  and  Methwold,  who  will  doubtless  assist  the 
Governor  to  devise  remedies.  Refers  to  his  private  dealings  with 
Thomas  Skinner  \  Trusts  that  news  will  be  received  of  the  safety 
of  the  Discovery.  All  the  shipping  employed  last  year  from  Surat 
in  voyages  in  these  seas  have  safely  returned  to  port.  PS. — Sends 
salutations  to  Methwold  and  apologizes  for  not  writing  to  him. 
(4  pp.     Much  damaged) 

President  Breton  and  Messrs.  Merry,  Knipe,  Thurston, 
and  Fitch  at  Swally  Marine  to  the  Company,  March 
31,  1645  (p.C.  1922). 

Refer  to  previous  letters  sent  by  the  Dolphin  and  Crispiana, 
which  sailed  on  November  28  and  January  3  respectively.  Now 
write  by  '  land  conveighance '  to  advise  what  has  happened  since. 

^  Thomas  Bumell,  one  of  the  Committees.     Methwold  was  Deputy-Governor. 
'  Secretary  to  the  Merchant  Adventurers.     There  are  several  references  in  the  Court 
Minutes  to  his  receiving  money  and  goods  on  behalf  of  Merry. 


248  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

The  Hart  returned  from  '  Scinda '  on  January  15,  bringing  with  her 
the  Francis  ;  *  wherein  the  Mallabars  mallice  was  happily  prevented, 
who,  had  the  Francis  bine  alone,  would  undoubtedly  have  assaulted 
her,  they  encountering  neare  unto  Due  Head  16  sayle,  which  came 
within  shott  of  them,  and   [it]  being  calme  continued  surrounding 
them  the  space  of  six  howres,  but  proceeded  not  to  any  further 
attempt.      Soe  that    (the   Almighty  be  praysed)  wee   received  in 
safety  from   Bussora   61,902  r[ials]   of  eight,  the  product  of  such 
goods  as  were  there  disposed  of,  besides  4,000  r[ials]  left  by  our 
directions  with  Mr.  Spiller  at  Scinda  ;  which  voyage  hath  produced 
unto  you  neare  upon  70,000  m[ahmudi]s  gaines,  customes  and  all 
other  concomitant  charges  discompted  ;  which  encouraged  us  againe 
to   provide   for   continuance   of  that   trade.'     On  January  25  the 
Hopewell  returned  from  her  coasting  voyage,  bringing  a  lading  of 
'  catches '  from  Ceylon,  cinnamon  from  Goa,  pepper  from  Rajapur, 
and  some  cardamoms,  cotton  yarn,  and  gunny.     It  was  then  deter- 
mined to  send  her  to  Mokha,  '  and  to  that  purpose  wee  caused  her 
the  5th   February  to  be  grounded  upon    Swally  Sands,  with   an 
intent  to  chenam  ^  her,  as  wee  had  lately  done  the  Supply ^  it  being 
an  extraordinary  preservative  against  the  worme ' ;  but  the  weather 
turning  bad,  she  was  so  beaten  against  the  sands  that  she  became 
leaky.     She  was  taken,  therefore,  into  Surat  River  and  examined, 
with  the  result  that  she  was  declared  to  be  '  defective  in  hold  '. 
During  the  next  rains  she  will  be  thoroughly  repaired,  if  the  carpen- 
ters consider  that  the  result  will  be  worth  the  expense.     In  her 
voyage  down  the  coast  she  had  a  skirmish  on  November  20  with  a 
fleet  of  Malabar  boats,  and  four  days  later  captured  one  containing 
a  few  things  of  small  value.     On  January  28  the  Hart  sailed  for 
Bantam  and  the  Supply  for  Persia,  the  former  carrying  goods  to  the 
value  of  181,217   mahmudls,  and  the  latter  a  cargo  worth  50,618 
mahmudis,  besides  freight  goods  producing  15,666  mahmudls.     By 
the  Dutch  Wezel^  which  arrived  here  on  the  14th  current,  advice  was 
received  that  the  Stipply  had  reached  Gombroon  on  February  19. 

^  Mr.  T.  Avery,  Chief  Constructor  at  the  Bombay  Dockyard,  has  obligingly  informed 
me  that  the  practice  of  daubing  chtcnam  or  lime  on  the  bottoms  of  wooden  vessels  is  still 
in  general  use  on  the  western  coast.  The  lime  is  mixed  with  gingelly  oil  and  gum  sun- 
darac,  and  then  smeared  thinly  over  the  planks.  *  It  hardens  well  in  a  day  and  becomes 
ultimately  like  stone  ;  thereby  preventing  the  toredo  navalis  getting  at  the  wood  and  boring 
holes  in  it.'  ' 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  249 

The  Dutch  Valkcnhirg  anchored  here  on  January  28  and  to  the 
general  amazement  brought  Knipe,  Isaacson,  and  nineteen  others 
belonging  to  the  John,  Refer  to  the  enclosed  papers  narrating 
Mucknell's  villany  in  running  away  with  that  ship.  Knipe  has 
since  brought  charges  against  Garry,  Tyrrell,  Wheatley,  and  Clark 
who,  after  examination,  have  been  suspended  and  will  be  returned 
to  England  by  the  next  ship.  Knipe  is  going  to  Agra  to  take 
charge  there,  accompanied  by  Burnell ;  Tash,  on  being  relieved,  will 
return  to  his  former  post  at  Ahmadabad.  Isaacson  is  now  on  board 
the  Hind^  while  the  seamen  have  been  assigned  to  various  ships. 
Caldeira,  the  Portuguese  who  embarked  at  Mozambique  in  the  John, 
pretended  at  Johanna  that  his  losses  amounted  to  17,000  rupees  ;  and 
since  then  a  claim  has  come  to  hand  from  the  Goa  Viceroy  for  20,854 
xerafins  received  by  the  said  Caldeira  in  Mozambique.  An  answer 
was  returned  which  w^ill,  they  hope,  satisfy  the  Viceroy,  though  not, 
perhaps,  the  claimants  ;  and,  according  to  promise,  they  now  send 
home  the  documents  received,  in  case  the  John  be  recaptured. 
*  Wee  cannot  in  words  express  how  prejuditiall  the  yohn\^  loss  hath 
been  to  your  affaires  in  these  parts,  besides  what  you  loose  by  and 
upon  her ;  your  creditts,  which  untill  the  newes  thereof  continued 
reasonable  good,  in  expectation  of  large  supplyes  by  her,  being  at 
that  very  instant  totally  ruined,  in  soe  much  that  neither  in  Surrait 
nor  Ahmudabad  for  many  dayes  could  wee  procure  100  rupees  ; 
which  much  retarded  the  Bussora  investment  and  enforced  us,  with 
unparraleld  patience  and  no  less  shame,  to  submit  unto  the  continued 
exclamations  of  those  wee  were  endebted  unto  by  exchange,  having 
noe  meanes  left  us  to  give  them  satisfaction.  Many  of  our  creditors, 
unto  whome  wee  were  also  engaged  at  interest,  required  (as  they  still 
continue  to  doe)  theire  monies.  Virgee  Vora  also  begins  to  appcare 
very  doubtfuU  of  us ;  all  of  them  directly  or  by  consequensc  letting 
us  understand  that  theire  expectations  (pardon,  wee  entrcatc,  the 
expression,  being  it  is  not  ours)  have  been  so  long  deluded  that  they 
will  no  longer  trust  us ;  which  in  theire  accions  they  make  good, 
for  indeede  noe  sooner  doe  any  monies  arrive  from  any  parts  but, 
before  wee  can  gett  them  coyned,they  throng  to  share  it.  Indeede, 
our  predicament  was  much  worse  then  these  lines  can  represent  unto 
you,  untill  it  pleased  the  Almighty  the  4th  current  to  releive  us  by 
bringing  in  safety  the  Hindc  from  Maccaw  and  Seahorse  from  the 


350  TPIE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

Manielies  ^ ;  whose  voyages  (praysed  be  God)  have  proved  reason- 
able prosperous,  although  short  of  our  expectations.  However,  this 
benefitt  wee  have  already  found  that  our  clamorous  creditors  are 
thereby  something  pacified,  peradventure  in  hopes  of  payment ;  but 
whether  they  will  soe  continue  when  they  receive  not  satisfaction, 
wee  are  as  doubtfuU  as  wee  are  fearefull  that  this  theame  may  prove 
displeasing  unto  you.'  Could  not,  however,  in  duty  refrain  from 
representing  their  need  of  funds.  *  By  the  books  of  accompts 
received  of  the  China  voyage,  wee  finde  the  reprizall  monies  taken 
from  the  Mallabars  encreased  to  6,9:26  r[ials],  which  helped  well  to 
defray  the  excessive  charges  of  Maccaw ;  whither  your  ship  Hinde, 
haveing  accompanied  the  Seahorse  neare  unto  the  Manielies,  prose- 
cuting her  voyage  without  [the  ?]  sholdes,  arrived  the  7th  August ; 
where  Mr.  Thurston  &c.  received  respective  enterteinement  from 
the  Portugalls  at  theire  first  landing,  but  afterwards  were  by  them 
and  the  Chinezes  injuriously  exacted  upon,  and  that  principally  in 
measuring  the  ship,  for  which  they  paid  3,500  r[ials],  whereas  there 
due  in  reason  should  not  have  been  above  800  r[ials],  nor  so  much 
in  proportion  to  the  London,  which  paid  but  1,400.  But  that  which 
rendered  the  voyage  much  less  proffitable  then  it  might  have  proved 
is  the  extreame  poverty  of  the  place,  not  appearing  the  same  it 
was  at  the  Londons  being  there  ;  rendered  soe  by  the  loss  of  theire 
former  trades  to  Japon  and  the  Manielies  ;  the  former  of  which  they 
lately  attempted  to  recover  by  sending  a  pynnace  into  those  parts, 
but  had  theire  people  which  voyaged  thither  all  cutt  off.  And  now 
lately  (which  makes  them  more  miserable)  China  is  wholly  imbroyled 
in  warrs.  One  of  the  cheife  mandereens,  being  risen  in  rebellion,  is 
growne  soe  powerfull  that  he  possesseth  a  greate  part  of  the  king- 
dome  and  is  likely  to  be  owner  of  it  all ;  the  King,  after  he  had  slaine 
[his]  wife  and  two  of  his  childeren,  haveing  hanged  himselfe,  for  feare 
of  falling  into  his  hands  ^  ;  which  disturbances,  with  the  Portugalls 
poverty,  have  left  Macchaw  destitute  of  all  sorts  of  comodities,  there 
not  being  to  be  bought  in  the  citty  either  silkes  raw  or  wrought,  China 
rootes  (other  then  what  were  old  and  rotten),  nor  indeed  anything 

'  See  the  Dagh- Register,  1644-45  (p.  244)  for  the  arrival  of  these  vessels  and  a  brief 
account  of  their  experiences. 

2  This  refers  to  the  rebellion  of  Li  Tsze-cheng  against  Tsung-cheng,  the  last  Emperor  of 
the  Ming  dynasty.  Li  succeeded  in  capturing  Peking,  whereupon  the  Emperor  commitled 
suicide  in  despair. 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  251 

but  China  ware,  which  is  the  bulkc  of  the  Hinds  lading,  the  rest  being 
brought  in  gold.  Nor  could  anything  at  all,  dureing  the  shipps 
stay  there,  be  procured  from  Cantam  [Canton].  However,  wee  doubt 
not  but  by  her  returne  to  double  the  principall  of  what  sent  from 
hence.'  The  Manilla  letter  will  relate  '  what  unexpected  difficulties 
your  servants  imployed  thither  encountered  in  theire  enterteinement, 
occasioned  in  part  by  the  interregnum  which  happened  just  at  theire 
arrivall  in  the  change  of  governours.  Also  what  jealousies  and  sus- 
pitions  were  enterteyned  of  them  ;  [which]  with  patience  and  indus- 
try haveing  vanquished,  they  were  afterwards  with  exceeding  greate 
courtesy  received  ;  and  soe  continue  there  resident,  that  Govemour 
(whose  letters  unto  us  accompanies  these)  haveing  sent  upon  the 
Seahorse  one  Captain  Chaloan,  a  Fleming  by  nation,  to  treate  with 
us  about  supplying  that  place  with  iron  and  saltpeeter,  whereof  they 
are  in  exceeding  greate  want ;  and  if  wee  could  therein  comply  with 
his  desires,  wee  might  obteine  from  them  what  lyberties  and  privi- 
ledges  wee  please,  and  thereby  settle  unto  you  the  most  proffitable 
trade  that  you  ever  yet  in  any  parts  enjoyed  ;  the  place  being 
nothing  inferiour  for  proffitt  unto  what  wee  formerly  heard  and  re- 
lated unto  you.  But  it  will  be  impossible  unto  us  to  furnish  them 
with  the  prementioned  species,  such  vigilant  ^y^s  have  the  Dutch 
over  our  accions  ;  and  without  that,  wee  feare  they  will  not  desire 
our  returne  thither  more  then  this  voyage.  And  although  the  bussi- 
ness  might  possibly  be  effected  through  the  Streights  of  Sunda 
[and]  that  the  proffitt  which  those  species  might  produce,  and  other 
conveniencies  which  infallibly  would  accrew  thereby,  are  powerfull 
inducements  to  invite  us  to  its  undertaking,  yet  without  your  possi- 
tive  order  will  wee  not  hazard  your  shipping  and  meanes  to  so  emi- 
nent a  danger,  but  rather  propound  unto  you  the  obteyning  from 
the  King  of  Spaine  his  consent  and  lysence  for  an  open  and  free 
comerce  betwixt  us.  In  the  interim  wee  shall  not  be  wanting  on 
our  parts  by  befitting  insinuations,  if  possible  wee  may,  to  procure 
continuance  of  this  new  begun  correspondency.  The  cure  of  this 
country  cloathing  with  cange  [Tamil  ka7iji\ox  rice  water,  dislikes 
those  people  ;  and  yet  Mr.  Pearce  &c.  advize  they  doubt  not  to 
double  the  principall,  all  charges  discounted,  for  what  wee  sent  upon 
the  Seahorse'  The  cargo  intended  to  be  dispatched  thither  this 
year  is  shown  in  the  enclosed  list.     Were  the  trade  constant,  they 


252  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

are  confident  they  could  prepare  a  yearly  consignment  that  would 
treble  its  cost.  Should  the  Spanish  King's  licence  be  procured,  the 
Company  must  send  out  two  or  three  good  ships  of  300  tons  or  up- 
wards, of  good  strength.  The  Seahorse  brought  back  from  Manilla 
rials,  bullion,  and  sappanwood  to  the  value  of  29,522  rials  of  eight ; 
'  the  bulloin  the  finest  that  ever  yet  [was]  scene  in  these  parts,  and 
indeede  so  fine  that  wee  shall  be  enforced  to  melt  it  and  mix  it  with 
the  r[ials]  to  make  it  of  a  fitt  alloi  for  these  sheroffs,  who  will  not 
exceede  a  rupee  the  tola  in  price.  The  sappon  wood  will  here 
yeild  three  limes  its  cost ' ;  while  Manilla  sugar  (of  which  only 
samples  were  received)  will  give  cent,  per  cent,  profit.  Forward  two 
packets  from  the  Governor  of  Manilla  for  transmission  to  the  King 
of  Spain.  As  the  Hopezvell  was  found  unfit  for  the  service,  the  Hind 
and  Francis  were  on  March  26  dispeeded  to  Mokha,  carrying  (besides 
freight  goods)  a  cargo  costing  224,877  mahmudls.  George  Oxenden 
is  chief  and  Joseph  Cross  second  ;  while  Rymell,  Hunt,  and  Good- 
year have  been  sent  as  assistants.  '  The  Hinde  from  Mocha  wee 
have  designed  to  sayle  unto  Tuttacoreen,  whither  Mr.  Oxenden  is 
enordered  to  send  upon  her  15,000  r[ials]  of  eight,  which  against  her 
arrivall  wee  hope  to  have  invested  in  catches  (a  sort  of  cloth  very 
vendible  in  the  Manielaes  and  all  parts),  cinamon,  and  pepper ;  wee 
intending  to  send  thither  Bennidas,  your  broker  (who  the  passed 
yeare  was  employed  att  Raybag),  to  make  provision  of  the  same. 
The  Francis  wee  would  willingly  should  have  voyaged  to  Sauakann 
[Suakin]  to  have  experimented  those  marketts,  which  are  said  since 
enterance  of  a  new  Bashaw  to  be  very  good ;  but  her  late  departure 
hath  declyned  for  this  yeare  these  resolutions.  Soe  that  she  is  ap- 
pointed to  attend  Mr.  Oxendens  &c.  commands  in  Mocha  Road,  to 
bring  them  back  with  the  returne  of  the  cargazoones  proceede  and 
such  druggs,  mirh,  allois,  and  olibanum  as  wee  have  directed  them 
to  buy  against  your  next  shipps  returne  for  England.  However, 
wee  have  enordered  your  factours  to  informe  themselves  well  touch- 
ing that  trade  ;  that,  if  it  prove  answerable  to  report,  wee  may  send 
thither  the  ensueing  yeare.  The  Seahorse  being  now  full  laden  for 
Bussora,  here  yet  remaineth  large  quantities  of  goods  for  your 
accompt  proper  for  that  place  ;  whereat  you  may  happily  wonder, 
findeing  that  wee  have  enterteyned  38  bales  of  freight  goods;  which 
wee  professe  and  intreate  you  to  beleive  was  much  contrary 'to  our 


THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES  253 

desires  ;  but  this  Governour  (lately  arrived  ^)  would  not  be  den^'ed 
transport  of  the  Kings  goods,  in  regard  former  Governours  have 
been  gratified  in  the  like  nature.  The  rest  belong  unto  Virgec  Vora 
and  other  our  eminent  creditours  whome  wee  may  not  displease;  this 
being  the  least  of  many  inconveniencies  which  frequently  wee  experi- 
ment attends  our  being  soe  deepely  engaged.'  Enclose  an  abstract 
of  her  cargo,  which  is  consigned  to  Robert  Cranmer  as  chief,  Revett 
Walwyn  as  second,  and  Thomas  Cogan  and  William  Weale  as  assis- 
tants, with  '  Suncker '  as  broker.  Cranmer  last  year  gave  ample 
testimony  of  his  ability  and  carefulness  ;  so  they  have  every  confi- 
dence in  his  management.  A  letter  received  from  Masulipatam  on 
February  28  advised  that  the  Endeavour  reached  that  port  from  the 
Bay  on  November  23  last,  '  and  was  againe  dispeeded  from  [?  for] 
Madraspatam  the  23  December,  with  a  carga[zoon]  from  that  place 
importing  7,458  pagodes,  besides  wee  know  not  what  goods  pro- 
vided by  Browne  at  Jenjerlee  \see  p.  206]  (whereof  Mr.  Penniston 
could  gett  noe  invoice  nor  accompt)  and  others  brought  from  the 
Bay  by  Mr.  Hatch  '.  Brown  and  Hatch  embarked  on  her.  Later 
letters  from  Madraspatam  state  that  she  passed  by  that  place  with- 
out stopping ;  but  this  is  explained  by  letters  from  Gombroon,  an- 
nouncing her  arrival  there  and  saying  that  she  had  found  it  impos- 
sible to  touch  at  Madraspatam  owing  to  foul  weather  ;  Hatch  and 
the  rest  had  therefore  been  landed  at  *  Ponte  de  Galle  '  in  Ceylon, 
to  make  their  way  thence  to  the  Coast.  The  Supply  and  Endeavour 
are  hourly  expected  from  Gombroon,  and  the  latter  will  probably 
then  be  sent  to  Basra  with  the  goods  left  behind  by  the  Seahorse. 
The  Supply  it  is  proposed  to  dispatch  to  Achin  and  Manilla.  No 
goods  will  be  sent  to  the  former  place,  but  Turner  will  be  left  on 
shore  '  to  cleare  that  bussiness' ;  and  on  her  way  back  from  Manilla 
the  Supply  will  take  in  at  Achin  the  produce  of  the  stock  now  there. 
As  she  will  probably  then  be  very  rich,  either  a  ship  will  be  sent  to 
meet  her  and  protect  her  from  the  Malabars,  or  else  she  will  be 
ordered  to  go  direct  to  Gombroon  and  so  get  back  to  Surat  by 
about  March  20.     The  pinnace  Seajlo^vcr  arrived  at  Masulipatam 

*  We  owe  to  the  Dutch  records  (^Dagh- Register^  1644-45,  p.  245)  the  intelligence  that 
a  new  governor,  by  name  '  Miersia  Amijna  '  [Mirza  Amin  ?],  reached  Surat  in  February, 
1645 ;  also  that  Shah  Jahan  had  appointed  his  third  son  (Aurangzlb)  to  be  Viceroy  of 
Gujarat,  Surat  excepted. 


254  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

from  Bantam  on  January  6,  having  lost  her  voyage  through  bad 
weather.  It  was  decided  that  it  was  too  late  for  her  to  go  on 
to  the  Bay  of  Bengal,  and  so  on  January  1 8  she  sailed  for  Madras- 
patam,  where  she  will  remain  until  the  end  of  April,  and  then 
return  to  Bantam.^  At  Surat  they  hope  to  have  a  ship's  lading  for 
England  ready  by  next  December.  It  will  be  very  similar  to  the 
cargo  of  the  Crispiana^  with  perhaps  a  larger  quantity  of  cinnamon. 
Agra  calicoes  are  cheaper ;  but  the  indigo,  both  of  that  place  and 
of  Ahmadabad,  is  much  increased  in  price.^  Tash  has  bought  500 
bales  of  Agra  indigo  at  from  o^"]  to  40  rupees  per  maund  ;  and  they 
have  on  hand  here  69  bales  of  last  year's  purchases.  In  addition, 
100  bales,  which  have  been  sent  to  Mokha,  may  possibly  come  back 
unsold.  At  Ahmadabad  the  price  is  23  and  25  rupees  per  bale,  and 
so  they  will  not  attempt  to  buy  any.  They  have  on  hand  a  quantity 
of  Deccan  pepper,  and  some  tincal  from  Ahmadabad  ;  myrrh,  aloes, 
and  olibanum  they  expect  from  Mokha.  '  Ship  William^  belonging 
unto  Mr.  Courteene,  arrived  from  China  unto  Goa  the  5th  Janu- 
ary, haveing  touched  at  Acheene  and  Columba  upon  Seilon  in  her 
returne  ^  ;  and  at  Columba  Mr.  Blackman  (as  Lewis  Ribero  adviseth 
us)  had  conference  with  Don  Phillipo  do  Mascarenas,  who  is  to  suc- 
ceede  V[ice]  Roy ;  with  whome  he  hath  made  a  contract  to  bring 
him  shott  and  divers  other  things,  to  be  repaid  in  cynamon,  but  wee 
cannot  yet  learne  at  what  prizes.  Wee  beleive  he  hath  noe  greate 
reason  to  boast  of  his  gaines  in  his  Chyna  voyage,  his  carga[zoon] 
thither  importing  no  more  then  7,000/.  starling,  returned  in  1,800 
peculls  suger,  1,000  peculls  of  tuttanager,  150  peculls  of  defective 
Chyna  rootes,  100  loaves  of  gold,  14  tubs  Chyna  ware,  5  peculls  of 
raw  silke ;  which  must  defray  customes,  the  charges  of  his  ship, 
and  8,000  ryalls  paid  the  Chynezes  for  her  measuring  and  other 
duties  ;  which  unreasonable  exactions  of  the  Chynezes  (wherein  you 
have  shared  deepely)  were  in  revenge  of  the  injuries  they  received 
from  Captain  Weddall,  as  you  may  please  to  read  in  the  Captain- 
Generall  of  Maccau  and  Citty  Councells  letters  ^  to  the  President 
herewith  sent  you.     Towards  the  beginning  of  this  month  Captain 

1  Dagh-Register,  1644-45,  pp.  344,  350. 

^  See  the  Dagh-Register,  1644-45,  p.  245. 

2  Ibid.,  p.  283. 

*■  Copies  of  these  letters  (in  Portuguese)  form  O.C,  1S96,  1S97.       » 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORH^S 


'00 


Blackman  was  in  Goa  Road,  makeing  sale  of  his  suger  and  other 
goods,  intending  with  his  gold  to  discharge  his  ingagements  in 
Rajapore  (for  monies  taken  up  at  his  departure  for  Chyna)  ;  where 
it  is  said  the  William  and  Thomas  and  JoJni  shall  lade  saltpceter, 
pepper,  and  turmcrick,  and  soe  sometime  in  Aprill  sett  sayle  for 
England  ;  but  wee  cannot  easily  creditt  that  part  of  the  story  touch- 
ing the  Thomas  and  Johns  returne,  they  being  already  indebted  in 
Raybag  &c.  upwards  of  20,000  pag[odas]  ^  and  are  fallen  into  soe 
much  discreditt  by  the  arrival  1  of  the  Loyalty  and  Thomas  and 
John  without  meanes  that  they  cannot  upon  trust  procure  any 
goods ;  nor,  when  Mr.  Durston  tendered  his  ship  to  freight  for 
Gombroone  at  Rajapore,  although  there  were  many  merchants,  not 
any  of  them  would  entrust  theire  estates  on  board  him,  soe  jelous 
and  doubtfull  are  people  gennerally  of  them.  Indeede,  theire  predica- 
ment is  such  that  wee  dare  not  this  yeare  (as  wee  did  the  passed) 
send  to  make  any  investment  in  Raybag  or  those  parts  of  Decan, 
though  goods  are  procurable  at  very  easy  rates,  for  feare  your 
estates  should  be  ceized  on  to  satisfie  theire  engagements.  In  tran- 
script of  a  letter  ^  (lately  received  from  Lewis  Ribero)  herewith  sent, 
you  may  please  to  take  notice  of  a  protest  '  Mr.  Farren  &c.  have 
made  in  Goa  against  wee  know  not  whome,  touching  the  Mallabar 
jounke  which  the  Hindc^  Supply,  and  Seahorse  fyred  the  passed 
yeare  goeing  downe  the  coast ;  which  protest  they  intend  to  remitt 
unto  England  upon  the  William  ;  whereunto  wee  conceive  wee  shall 
not  neede  to  send  any  other  reply  then  the  said  letter,  which  exhib- 
bitts  the  unreasonableness  and  unjustness  of  theire  pretence.  The 
Dutch  only  florish  in  these  parts  ;  who  are  furnished  with  large  sup- 
plies of  goods  and  monies  at  pleasure  to  purchase  what  they  desire  ; 
which  hath  this  yeare  been  encreased  by  the  returne  of  what  theire 
goods  sold  in  Persia  produced  ;  hither  in  monies  they  haveing  drawne 
from  thence  as  much  of  theire  estate  as  they  could,  on  purpose  to  put 
in  practice  theire  designe  against  Ormos ;  whither  they  are  lately  from 
Ceilon  gon  with  ten  sayle  of  shipps,  which  carry  (besides  seamen) 
1,500  souldiers,  and  in  each  ship  a  frigatt  ready  to  sett  up  ;  com- 
manded by  Cornelius  Bloocq,  who  intends  first  to  fortifie  upon  Kish- 

^  The  Dagh- Register,  1644-45  (p*  305)»  says  14,000  to  15,000. 
^  A  certified  copy  of  this  letter  (in  Portnguese)  forms  O.C.  1919. 
'  See  a  note  on  p.  236. 


2,^6  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

mee  and  then  doubts  not  at  pleasure  to  possess  Ormoos.  Nor  is 
there  any  great  question  to  be  made  thereof,  it  being  very  meanely 
provided ;  soe  that  what  will  become  of  your  long  since  declyning 
proportion  of  customes  for  the  future  wee  may  easily  imagine, 
although  wee  know  noe  right  they  have  thereunto,  notwithstanding 
they  gaine  the  place.  However,  it  shall  not  be  lost  for  want  of 
requireing ;  and  if  wee  cannot  by  that  meanes  obteyne  your  right, 
wee  shall  protest  against  them,  and  soe  leave  the  business  referred 
to  your  farther  resolutions.  In  the  interim  wee  have  enordered 
Mr.  Pitts  &c.,  when  the  King  and  Ettomon  Dowletts  passions  shall 
be  over  for  the  loss  of  the  place  to  treat  with  them  that  wee  may 
have  a  continued  residence  and  free  trade  in  theire  country  ;  wherein 
wee  doubt  not  but  they  will  readily  gratifie  them,  and  then,  whilest 
the  Dutch  enforce  all  sorts  of  Moores  shipping  unto  Ormoos  and 
endeavour  to  make  that  the  mart  as  formerly,  wee,  in  transporting 
your  goods  imediately  unto  some  port  of  theires  within  the  Gulfe, 
doubt  not  to  obteine  unto  you  a  very  proffitable  trade.'  PS. — The 
Hopewell  has  now  been  pronounced  past  repair  ^     [l\PP^) 

President  Breton  and  Messrs.  Merry,  Knife,  and  Thur- 
ston [at  Swally  Marine]  to  the  Company,  [March  31, 1645] 
[O.C,  1923). 

Have  already  intimated  in  the  general  letter  their  views  on  the 
Manilla  trade,  but  now  desire  to  suggest  in  a  more  private  manner 
that,  if  the  Company  decide  to  follow  up  the  matter  and  can  obtain 
the  King  of  Spain's  assent,  a  small  vessel  should  be  sent  thither 
direct  from  England,  by  way  of  the  Sunda  Straits.  Though  no 
great  profit  would  be  obtained  on  the  iron  and  gunpowder,  the 
obligation  would  be  such  that  '  other  important  conveniencies ' 
might  issue  therefrom.  As  an  alternative,  since  iron  and  saltpetre 
are  much  cheaper  in  India  than  in  England,  a  vessel  might  be  sent 
from  Surat  to  Manilla  with  such  secrecy  that  the  Dutch  would  not 
know  of  it   in   time  to  intercept  her.     Something  of  the  kind  is 

*  See  a  note  to  this  effect,  signed  by  Bartholomew  Austin  and  John  Privett,  under  O.C. 
1927. 

'  O.C.  1926  is  a  copy  of  the  list  of  packets  dispatched  with  this  letter.  It  contains 
nothing  worthy  of  special  notice.  » 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  257 

necessary,  if  the  trade  is  to  be  maintained,  for  the  Spaniards  will 
expect  to  'have  their  occations  accommodated.'  ^     (i  A) 

President  Breton  and  Council  at  Swally  Marine  to 
William  Pitt,  etc.,  at  Gombroon,  March  31, 1645  (O.C  1924).^ 

Since  writing  on  February  5  ('  by  Hadgee  Zahads  jounke  the 
Mahimidy')^  they  have  received  three  letters  from  Gombroon  by 
three  Dutch  vessels.  Commend  their  prudence  in  refusing  to  accept 
the  unreasonable  farman  '  touching  the  customes '  offered  them  by 
the  Itimad-uddaula.  The  Dutch  scheme  they  mention  for  attacking 
Ormus  is  now  being  put  into  execution,  a  fleet  of  ten  sail  having 
been  dispeeded  with  15,000  \sic  in  both  copies]  soldiers  and  a  double 
proportion  of  seamen.  They  carry  with  them  frigates  ready  to  be 
set  up  on  arrival ;  also  materials  for  fortifying  on  Kishm.  No  doubt 
the  Dutch  will  succeed,  and  this  will  put  an  end  to  the  factors'  nego- 
tiations for  further  farmans.  Have  no  intention,  however,  of  for- 
going the  Company's  claim  to  share  the  customs,  and  so  the  factors 
must  protest  against  the  Dutch  for  any  damages  resulting  from  the 
action  of  the  latter.  It  will  then  be  necessary  for  Pitt  and  the  rest 
to  repair  to  Ispahan,  '  to  acquit  the  Company  and  yourselves  of 
haveing  any  notice  or  knowledge  of  theire  designes,  and  to  answere 
all  invectives  and  reproaches  which  Ettamon  Dowlatt  &c.  in  theire 
passions  will  be  ready  to  express,  laying  the  blame  upon  us ;  who 
will  undoubtedly  pretend  that,  had  wee  not  been  obliged  to  defend 
the  port,  themselves  would  have  taken  more  care  for  its  security  ; 
but  that  will  be  easily  answered,  whilest  they  are  not  ignorant  how 
they  have  enfringed  theire  contract,  and  how  impossible  it  was, 
with  that  poore  pittance  of  customes  they  pleased  to  allow  the 
Company,  that  they  should  mainteyne  any  competent  force  for  the 
same ;  whereas,  had  they  dealt  equally  with  us  and  suffered  us  to 
have  had  men  in  garrison  according  to  contract,  the  Dutch  would 
not  have  dared  the  undertaking  thereof.'  The  factors  may  then 
represent  that  the  Company  is  desirous  of  continuing  friendly 
relations  with  Persia,  and  that,  if  granted  the  same  immunities  as 
before  from  customs  duties,  '  wee  shall  continue  to  frequent  theire 

1  Attached  to  O.C.  1925  is  a  short  extract  from  a  private  letter  to  Methwold,  referring 
to  this  letter  and  urging  the  expediency  of  a  further  voyage  to  Manilla* 

2  There  is  a  second  copy  among  the  O.C.  Duplicates, 

FOSTER  VII  S 


258  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

ports '.  Should  Gombroon  be  ruined  by  the  Dutch  (as  is  likely), 
'  then  our  shipping  shall  fraequent  Rashear  ^,  or  some  other  port  that 
shall  be  thought  most  fitting,  up  higher  in  the  Gulfe.'  In  the  event 
of  the  factors  finding,  on  their  return  to  Gombroon,  the  Dutch  in 
possession  of  Ormus,  a  written  demand  should  be  made  upon  them 
for  *  the  moiety  of  customes  and  castle ' ;  and,  failing  satisfaction, 
a  protest  should  be  recorded.  Rejoice  that  the  English  merchants 
escaped,  when  the  Dutch  and  others  suffered,  in  *Gombroones 
disasters  by  the  earthquake*.  The  goods  received  in  the  Wezel 
have  been  sent  to  Mokha.     Movements  of  shipping.     (Copy.     1  pp.) 

Henry  Garry  at  Surat  to  the  Company,  March  31,  1645 
{O.C.  1925). 

Relates  briefly  the  betrayal  of  the  Johit  and  the  subsequent 
experiences  of  those  left  ashore  by  Mucknell  at  Johanna.  On  their 
reaching  Surat,  Garry  was  charged  by  Knipe  with  being  confederate 
with  Mucknell  ;  whereupon  he  was  imprisoned  on  board  the  Hope- 
well for  fourteen  days  and  afterwards  at  Surat.  Protests  his 
innocence  and  begs  that  judgement  may  be  suspended  until  he  has 
been  heard  in  self-defence.  Meanwhile  he  has  answered  in  writing 
the  accusations  made  against  him  and  has  shown  that  his  *  chiefe 
accuser  hath  bene  the  greatest  occationer  of  this  prejudice  to  Your 
Worships '.  Tyrrell,  Wheatley,  and  Clark  have  been  similarly 
attacked,  but  the  accusers  are  men  who  have  sinister  ends  of  their 
own.     (ij  pp.     Received  via  Aleppo^  November  24,  1645.) 

Adam  Bowen  ^  at  Deal  to  the  President  and  Council  at 
Surat,  April  i,  1645  (Factory  Records^  Miscellaneous,  vol.  xxiv. 

P-  ^3)* 

Has  been  directed  to  advise  them  that  there  are  aboard  the  Eagle 
four  pieces  of  brass  ordnance,  which  they  are  at  liberty  to  sell  to  the 
Portuguese ;  '  but  lett  it  be  done  with  as  much  secrecy  as  may  bee.* 

^  Reshire,  close  to  Bushire.  The  Portuguese  at  one  time  had  a  fort  there,  but  lost  it 
after  the  capture  of  Ormus  ;  to-day  there  is  only  an  insignificant  village  on  the  site. 

"^  He  was  employed  by  the  Company  as  writer  and  *  register*  of  letters  to  foreign  parts 
and  keeper  of  the  calico  warehouse,  and  had  been  sent  to  see  the  coral  and  money  put 
aboard  the  outgoing  ships  in  the  Downs  (see  Court  Minutes  of  the  East  India  Company  y 
J  644-49,  P-  79)- 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  259 

Warns  them  that  a  quantity  of  coral  belonging  to  private  traders 
has  been  smuggled  aboard  the  Eagle  in  the  Downs  ;  this  should  be 
seized  upon  arrival  at  Surat,  and  the  owners'  names  notified  to  the 
Company.     {Copy.     2  //.) 

Edv^ard  Knipe  at  Surat  to  the  Company,  April  2,  1645 
{O.C.  1928). 

Trusts  that  no  credence  will  be  given  to  any  accusations  against 
him.  So  far  from  quarrelling  with  Mucknell,  he  did  his  best  to 
avoid  giving  him  offence,  and  it  was  only  in  private  that  he  remon- 
strated with  him  on  his  drunkenness  and  evil  behaviour.  Bayley 
promised  that  the  Crispiana  should  wait  for  the  JoJm  at  Johanna 
until  August  26,  and  had  he  kept  his  word  Mucknell  would  not 
have  had  an  opportunity  of  carrying  out  his  design.  Refers  to  the 
accompanying  papers  for  his  disputes  with  Garry  and  others. 
Since  he  has  been  prevented  from  serving  the  Company  in  the 
manner  intended,  he  has  placed  himself  at  the  disposal  of  the  Presi- 
dent and  Council ;  and  '  Agra  being  in  a  manner  destitute,  by  reason 
of  Mr.  Turners  being  called  downe  (Mr.  Tash  only  supplying  his 
vacancy),  thai  imployment  being  proffer'd  mee,  I  willingly  em- 
braced'. Though  his  contract  was  only  to  stay  one  year  in  the 
country,  he  now  proposes  to  remain  longer,  in  order  to  do  the 
Company  acceptable  service.  Assures  them  that,  however  '  lyable 
(as  well  as  the  meanest)  to  imperfection  of  judgement ',  his  sole  aim 
has  been  their  benefit.  PS. — When  he  wrote  his  answer  to  Garry, 
he  was  not  aware  that  it  would  be  sent  home,  and  now  he  has  no 
time  to  re-write  it  in  a  style  more  suitable  '  for  veiw  of  so  grave  an 
assembly ' ;  craves  their  pardon,  therefore,  for  its  imperfections  in 
this  respect.     (3  //.) 

[William  Fremlen  and  John  Proud?]  on  board  the 
Dolphin Ki  St.  Helena  to  the  Company,  April  14, 1645  ((9.r. 
1929). 

Narrate  their  former  disastrous  voyage  as  far  as  Mauritius,  their 

meeting  with  the  Hopeivell,  and  their  proceeding  with  her  to  St. 

Augustine's  Bay.     There  they  found  letters  left  by  the  Endeavour, 

giving  an  account  of  her  taking  off  the  survivors  of  Courteen's 

William  and  four  Frenchmen  who  had  come  across  Madagascar 

S  2 


26o  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

from  a  French  settlement  on  the  east  coast ;  also  of  the  wreck  of 
the  Dutch  ship  Maurituis  Island  at  the  Cape.  Voyage  of  the 
Dolphin  and  Hopewell  to  Joanna,  and  thence,  in  company  with  the 
Crispiana^  to  Swally.  There  the  Dolphin  was  emptied,  her  goods 
dried  and  repacked,  and  her  hull  repaired.  She  sailed  once  more 
for  England  on  November  29,  1644,  and  reached  the  Comoros  on 
December  31.  After  w^atering,  she  departed  on  January  3,  but 
owing  to  contrary  winds  and  calms  did  not  sight  Cape  Agulhas 
until  February  16.  Stormy  weather  forced  her  round  the  Cape 
without  being  able  to  enter  Table  Bay ;  whereupon  it  was  resolved 
to  proceed  to  St.  Helena,  which  was  reached  on  March  11.  There 
they  found  at  anchor  the  Dutch  Orangia^  which  had  been  driven 
away  from  the  Cape  with  the  loss  of  three  anchors.  A  messenger 
sent  on  board  for  news  of  the  English  ships  expected  from  Bantam 
came  back  without  any,  but  '  to  our  no  less  grief  then  amazement ' 
brought  with  him  three  of  the  crew  of  the  John^  from  whom  was 
obtained  the  enclosed  narrative  \fnissing\  of  the  '  miscarage '  of  that 
vessel.  On  March  12  another  Dutch  ship,  the  Malacca^  arrived, 
having  likewise  been  forced  away  from  the  Cape.  Nine  days  later 
came  in  three  more,  the  Olifant^  Zeeland^  and  Delft.  These  could 
give  no  intelligence  of  the  Discovery^  but  related  that  three  English 
ships  (afterwards  found  to  have  been  the  Sun^  Janies^  and  Hester) 
had  passed  the  Cape,  bound  for  Madagascar, '  to  found  a  plantation ' 
there.  On  April  6  the  Crispiana  arrived  from  Surat,  followed  four 
days  later  by  the  Dutch  Haarlem  and  Banda.  These  brought  news 
that  the  Bantam  ships  might  soon  be  expected ;  whereupon  it  was 
decided  that  the  Dolphin  and  Crispiana  should  wait  for  them.  The 
seven  Dutch  ships,  commanded  by  Paulus  Croocq  ('late  Commandore 
at  Surratt '),  are  now  about  to  sail,  their  departure  having  been 
hastened  by  the  Haarlem  having  been  blown  to  sea  last  night. 
This  letter  is  sent  by  them.^    (Copy.    3 J  //.) 

1  The  story  is  continued  in  O.C.  1931,  which  is  a  consultation  held  on  board  the  Dolphin 
on  April  30,  deciding  to  await  the  coming  of  the  Bantam  ships  until  May  8.  A  further 
consultation  was  held  on  May  7,  when  it  was  decided  to  take  on  board  *  the  English  and 
blacks  left  here  by  John  Mucknell '  {O.C.  1934).  The  two  ships  reached  England  in  July, 
1645. 

A  letter  in  the  Cape  Town  Monitor^  Sept.  3,  1855,  refers  to  a  rock  inscription  at 
St.  Helena  which  seems  to  relate  to  this  visit  of  the  Dolphin. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  261 

Bartholomew  Howard's  ^  Account  of  the  Betrayal  of 
THE  John,  April  28, 1645  [O.C.  1930). 

At  Mozambique  there  was  *a  grudging'  between  Knipe  and 
Mucknell,  because  the  ship  was  detained  there  to  so  h'ttle  purpose  ; 
and  Mucknell  further  resented  the  large  number  of  Portuguese 
passengers  (forty  or  more)  brought  on  board  against  his  will.  As 
soon  as  they  were  at  sea,  he  demanded  the  immediate  payment  of 
the  money  due  for  his  cabin,  but  the  Portuguese  told  him  it  would 
be  paid  at  Goa.  To  this  the  master  refused  to  agree ;  nor  would 
he  accept  Knipe's  guarantee  of  the  payment.  Thereupon  Garry 
*  brought  the  money  to  him,  which  likewise  bred  a  hatred  betweene 
Mr.  Knipe  and  hee '.  Mucknell  was  further  angered  by  receiving 
a  note  from  Knipe  and  the  other  factors,  ordering  him  not  to  fail  to 
put  into  Johanna.  At  that  place,  however,  there  was  a  seeming 
reconciliation,  and  Mucknell  invited  the  merchants  and  others  to 
breakfast  on  shore.  Ploward  remained  on  board  to  see  the  water- 
casks  stowed  in  the  hold^  and  he  was  surprised  when  the  master 
came  off  and  ordered  him  to  call  up  the  men.  When  they  were  all 
on  deck,  Mucknell  led  them  into  the  great  cabin  and  addressed 
them,  declaring  that  his  differences  with  Knipe  had  been  mostly 
for  their  sakes,  and  asking  whether  they  would  stand  by  him. 
'  They  made  answeare  that  they  would  soe  farre  as  their  lives  would 
goe.  Why,  saith  hee,  then  I  am  for  the  King,  and  wee  will  goe  for 
the  King  home.  They  made  answeare :  Wee  will  spend  our  lives 
for  him.  Then  said  hee :  Those  that  are  for  the  King  and  mee, 
hold  upp  their  hands ;  which  they  did.  Then  hee  tooke  a  cupp  of 
wyne  and  dranke  to  them  the  Kings  health  ;  and  soe  bid  every  man 
fetch  a  sword  out  of  the  gunne  roome  '.  Howard  remonstrated,  but 
was  ordered  with  threats  to  his  cabin.  After  the  ship  had  set  sail, 
Mucknell  told  him  *  that  hee  was  now  captaine  and  I  should  bee 
master ;  but  I  told  him  I  had  rather  remaine  in  the  condition  I  was 

'  Howard  was  one  of  the  master's  mates  of  the  John.  He  was  imprisoned  in  the  Poultry 
Compter  and  was  now  endeavouring  to  convince  the  Company  that  he  had  been  an  unwill- 
ing participator  in  Mucknell's  crime.  He  appears  to  have  been  kept  in  prison  until  the 
following  November,  when,  as  the  sailors  brought  back  from  St.  Helena  gave  testimony  in 
his  favour,  the  Company  decided  to  permit  his  release  {Court  Minutes,  1644-49,  pp.  84, 
no). 


362  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

in  before,  and  went  downe  againe.  And  some  two  dayes  after  hee 
told  mee  that,  if  I  would  not  consent  and  bee  maister,  hee  would  sett 
mee  ashoare  on  some  island.  Well  then,  said  I,  to  save  my  life  it 
must  bee  soe;  hee  intending  then  to  have  gone  for  India  to  have 
seene  what  hee  could  have  gott,  but  after  altered  his  resolution  and 
would  goe  for  England.'  They  went  straight  to  St.  Helena,  where 
Howard  spent  several  days  hunting  with  the  men,  until  recalled  by 
Mucknell,  who  declared  that  he  had  discovered  a  plot  on  board. 
He  cut  off  one  man's  ear  and  put  him  ashore,  and  would  have  served 
others  in  the  same  way,  but  was  persuaded  to  be  satisfied  with 
landing  them.  The  John  then  proceeded  to  Ascension  and  so  for 
England.  Howard  would  have  been  glad  to  escape  from  Mucknell 
at  Bristol,  but  'hee  would  needs  have  mee  lodge  in  the  house  of 
a  strong  Malignant,  where  hee  alsoe  lay  himselfe*.  By  threats 
Mucknell  got  him  on  board  again,  when  the  ship  was  ready  to  sail 
on  a  fresh  cruise ;  but  '  the  next  day  morning,  before  hee  was  upp, 
I  gott  on  shoare  and  then  made  all  the  dispatch  I  could  away,  being 
as  fearfull  of  Sir  John  Pennington  as  of  him,  in  regard  I  had  received 
a  commission  from  him  to  goe  out  as  leiutennant  in  the  John' 
Beseeches  the  Company  to  believe  that  this  is  the  truth,  and  that 
he  acted  only  under  compulsion.  '  If  I  had  not  beene  questioned 
by  the  Committee  of  Parlyament,  I  would  have  come  and  committed 
myselfe  to  Your  Worshipps  mercies.'    (2 J  //.) 

Another  account  by  Thomas  Buckingham  [April,  1645?] 
{O.C.  1932). 

Believes  that  Mucknell's  reasons  for  acting  as  he  did  were  the 
following.  '  The  first  was  (as  I  have  heard  him  say)  hee  had  some 
frends  that  were  merry  in  his  house  at  Wapping,  and  some  of  them 
in  their  discourse  called  the  Parliament  "  Roundheaded  divills"; 
for  which  hee  was  putt  in  prison  and  cost  him  4  li.  and  odd  pound 
to  bee  released.'  The  second  was  that  he  fancied  the  Company 
mistrusted  him  ;  the  third  that  Knipe  had  threatened  to  get  him 
turned  out  of  the  ship  on  arrival  at  Surat ;  and  the  fourth  '  (as  hee 
pretended)  out  of  conscience  and  loyalty  to  the  King '.  Disagree- 
ments first  arose  between  Knipe  and  Mucknell  owing  to  the  former 
reproving  the  latter  for  calling  ordinary  seamen  into  the  roundhouse 
to  drink  and  gossip  with  him.    Then  Knipe  and  Garry  *  fell  at  differ- 


THE  ENGLISH   FACTORIES  263 

lence,  and  it  was  reported  by  some  that  wayted  in  the  great  cabbon 
that  Mr.  Gary  sided  with  John  Mucknell  and  revealed  many  secret 
passages  and  intencions  of  Mr.  Knipcs  [unto?]  him,  which  in  the 
opinion  of  manic  agravated  the  quarrel!.'  Believes  that  Mucknell 
intended  to  have  carried  out  his  plot  at  Mozambique,  but  was  afraid 
to  do  so  because  the  ship  was  anchored  under  the  guns  of  the  castle. 
The  embarkation  of  the  Portuguese  passengers  there  was  a  further 
cause  of  quarrel,  and  on  the  way  to  Johanna  Mucknell  '  incensed  the 
seamen  against  Mr.  Knipe  for  bringing  those  blaks  into  the  shipp, 
and  telling  them  they  would  bee  all  poisned  if  they  stayd  long 
abord/  Buckingham  was  dangerously  sick  at  Johanna  and  unable 
to  go  on  land.  Mucknell  invited  the  merchants  and  others  ashore 
when  the  ship  was  ready  to  sail,  and  then  stole  on  board  himself. 
'  First  hee  called  all  hands  aloft  uppon  the  decke  and  commaunds 
some  of  his  plott  to  arme  themselves  with  musqueots,  halfe  pikes, 
and  swords,  and  to  make  the  gun  roome  sure.  Then  hee  comaunded 
the  boat  to  bee  manned  and  some  of  the  armed  men  to  fetch  the 
Portingalls  wife  out  of  the  round  house  and  putt  her  into  the  boate, 
shee  and  as  many  of  her  servants  and  slaves  as  the  boate  could  hold. 
Those  sudden  strange  accions  amazed  some  that  were  in  health  as 
well  as  those  that  were  sick,  knowing  nothing  what  the  meaning 
of  it  might  bee.  Then  hee  declared  to  the  whole  companie  that  hee 
had  seized  on  the  ship  for  the  King  and  drew  his  sword  and  sayd 
hee  would  mainteyne  with  his  life  what  hee  had  done,  and  whoso- 
ever durst  oppose  him  in  it  hee  threatned  to  cutt  his  head  off  or 
fling  him  overboard ;  and  if  any  man  did  offer  to  swim  ashore  or 
goe  into  the  boate,  hee  comaunded  they  should  shoote  him.'  The 
two  who  were  to  row  the  boat  were  the  only  ones  allowed  to  go  on 
land.  Then  the  cables  were  cut  and  the  ship  sailed  ;  whereupon 
Mucknell  *  fell  to  drinking  of  healths  and  promising  the  seamen  that 
all  the  riches  and  goods  should  bee  theirs  that  was  in  the  ship  '. 
Fresh  officers  were  appointed  ;  the  chests  of  the  Portuguese  and  of 
those  left  ashore  were  broken  open  and  distributed,  except  the 
money  and  jewellery  ;  and  it  was  declared  that  any  one  found  con- 
spiring against  the  King  or  the  captain  would  be  thrown  overboard. 
Finding  mention  made  in  Knipe's  papers  of  a  large  quantity  of  gold, 
which  was  not  forthcoming,  Mucknell  made  every  one  on  board 
swear  on  the  Bible  that  he  knew  nothing  of  it.     Account  of  the 


264  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

meeting  with  the  Thomas  and  John.     Those  who  came  on  board 
from  the  latter  were  plied  with  drink  and  were  then  told  by  Mucknell 
that  he  had  seized  the  John  for  the  King  '  and  that  hee  would  have 
them  to  goe  along  with  him  '.     They  objected  and  declared  that  '  if 
they  were  abord  their  owne  ship  they  would  not  take  those  affronts 
of  him  '.     Hereupon  Mucknell  in  a  rage  ordered  the  guns  to  be  run 
out  ready  for  action.     '  This  putt  the  Squires  men  in  some  feare  '  and 
induced  them  to   promise  to  supply  any  stores  Mucknell  might 
require.     He  had  some  gunpowder,  &c.,  and  kept  also  three  of  their 
men  who  were  drunk  and  had  fallen  asleep.     The  John  then  pro- 
ceeded round  the  Cape  to  St.  Helena.     There  Mucknell  declared 
that  he  had  discovered  a  plot  to  betray  him  and  carry  the  ship  to 
the  Company.     Those  implicated  were  set  ashore  ;  also  a  Chinaman 
and  about  twelve  black  women.    Three  days  were  spent  at  Ascension. 
'  John  Mucnell  went  ashore  and  many  more  with  him,  and  hee  told 
them  that  hee  might  doe  the  Companie  as  good  service  discovering 
what  was  on  the  island  to  succeeding  mariners  as  hee  had  prejudiced 
them  in  carrying  the  ship  from  them  to  the  King.    Upon  this  island 
wee  found  nothing  but  some  few  goats,  quails,  and  infinite  number 
of  sea  fowle  (which  are  soe  tame  you  may  ketch  them  in  your  hand), 
and  great  store  of  fish  to  bee  taken  there  and  sea  turtles ;  but  on 
the  iland  there  is  noe  inhabitant  but  what  I  have  mencioned.    There 
is  not  any  wood  nor  spring  of  fresh  water  that  wee  could  find  ;  but 
tis  all  over  as  if  it  had  bin  burnt  with  fire.     In  sircumferance  wee 
commend  it  to  bee  twenty  miles.'     They  next  made  their  way  to 
Bristol  and  anchored  in  King  Road.     Mucknell  was  invited  to  go  on 
shore  to  speak  with  Sir  John  Pennington,  who  '  made  him  very 
wellcome  and  gave  him  thanks  for  the  good  service  done  to  the 
King'.     Pennington  had  already  received  from  the   purser  (with 
whom  Mucknell  had  quarrelled)  a  full  account  of  the  vessel's  lading  ; 
'  which  prevented  John  Mucnell,  insoemuch  hee  could  not  consealc 
any  thing  that  was  not  made  knowne  ;  soe  all  was  rend  red  into 
Sir  Johns  hands.     Moreover,  John  Mucknell  told  him  if  hee  might 
have  leave  to  goe  agayne  to  the  Indies,  hee  would  bee  out  but  i6  or 
1 8  months  and  for  every  day  that  hee  was  out  hee  would  bring  to 
the  King  a  thousand  pounds  per  day.     Sir  John  wondred  why  hee 
desired  to  goe  to  the  Indies  agayne,  for  (sayd  hee)  if  the  Companies 
shipps  take  you,  you  are  a  lost  man  for  ever  ;  and  besides  tlie  King 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  265 

hath  more  need  of  you  at  home,  uppon  the  English  cost.  Then  hce 
answered :  as  pleased  the  King  to  dispose  of  him,  hec  would  venter 
his  life  to  the  uttermost.  The  next  day  Sir  John  sent  a  dispatch  to 
Oxford  to  the  King  to  lett  him  know  what  an  act  of  worth  and 
loyalty  Capt.  John  Mucknell  had  done  for  His  Majestie  and  that  hee 
deserved  honnour  and  reward,  and  the  companie  to  have  1 1  months 
pay  and  1 3  months  gratuity,  which  made  twoe  yeares  pay ;  and 
when  it  pleased  God  to  send  him  to  his  right  agayne,  hee  would 
reward  everyone  according  to  his  desert.^  The  seamen  were  all 
payd  in  peeces  of  eight,  the  Companies  o[w]n  moneys  that  was  sent 
out  in  the  shipp.  Three  of  the  chests  I  saw  broke  open  ;  what  was 
done  with  the  rest  I  know  not.  And  every  man  had  two  yards  and 
a  halfe  of  redd,  and  as  much  of  grey,  to  make  two  suites  apeece. 
This  hee  gave  to  engage  them  in  the  robbery  as  well  as  himselfe  ; 
for  afterwards  hee  would  often  say  :  Nay,  Gentlemen,  looke  to  your 
selves,  for  you  are  all  as  deepe  in  as  I  am.'  Will  now  take  leave  of 
*  Sir  John  Mucknell  ^  ',  by  describing  his  manner  of  life  while  home- 
ward bound.  He  would  spend  some  time  in  reading  books,  but 
soon  fell  to  drinking,  first  with  his  officers  and  then  with  the  ordinary 
seamen.  '  Threescore  houres  (hee  would  bragg)  hee  could  sitt  and 
drink  and  not  bee  sleepy.  And  when  hee  was  in  his  cupps  hee  would 
say  :  I  am  a  prince  at  sea.  I  am  the  proudest  man  uppon  the  face 
of  the  earth.  I  am  an  English  man  and,  were  I  to  bee  borne  againe, 
I  would  bee  borne  an  English  man.  I  am  a  Cockny :  thats  my 
glory.'  He  often  threatened  to  cut  off  Buckingham's  head  or  throw 
him  overboard.^     (10 J  pp^ 

William  Pitt  and  Philip  Wylde  at  Gombroon  to  the 
Company,  May  16,  1645  {0,C.  1937).* 

Wrote  on  March  27,  1644,  and  sent  a  transcript  by  the  Francis, 
which  reached  this  place  on  May  11  and  sailed  for  Basra  five 
days  later.  They  then  proceeded  to  claim  from  the  Shahbandar 
the  Company's  share  of  the  customs,  amounting  to  132,067  shahis, 

^  This  seems  to  be  really  part  of  the  King's  answer. 

2  This  was  either  a  mistake  or  an  anticipation  that  was  never  realized,  for  there  is  no 
evidence  that  Mucknell  was  knighted. 

'  The  succeeding  paper  (0.  C  1933)  contains  notes  of  charges  against  certain  men  impli- 
cated in  Mucknell's  treachery. 

*  For  another  copy  see  the  O.C.  Duplicates, 


266  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

but  could  only  get  from  him  6i6J  tumans^.  Leaving  the  money  in 
the  care  of  the  Dutch,  the  factors  set  out  for  Ispahan,  where  they 
arrived  June  %i.  Though  they  gave  valuable  presents  to  the  King 
and  his  nobles,  they  were  unable  to  obtain  any  satisfactory  answer 
regarding  the  renewal  of  their  privileges ;  but  the  Itimad-uddaula 
promised  a  farman  ordering  the  Shahbandar  to  deal  fairly  with 
them  about  the  English  share  of  the  customs.  Pitt  left  Ispahan  on 
September  i8  and  arrived  at  Gombroon  on  October  13.  Here  he 
found  Thomas  Cogan,  who  had  been  sent  from  Surat  on  a  junk, 
together  with  Peter  Herbert.  Their  destination  was  Mokha,  but 
contrary  winds  and  want  of  water  forced  the  junk  to  this  port, 
where  she  arrived  on  May  29.  Herbert  died  on  October  9.  The 
goods  they  brought  remain  still  unsold,  and  are  now  to  be  sent  to 
Basra.  The  Francis  came  in  from  that  port  on  October  31,  and 
proceeded  to  Sind  on  November  4.  Note  the  Company's  orders 
regarding  silk.  There  is  no  chance  of  recovering  the  amount  said 
to  be  due  from  the  King.  Salary  of  Thomas  Codrington.  It  is 
impossible  to  force  merchants  to  pay  customs  before  their  goods 
are  landed,  except  at  the  risk  of  losing  the  Company's  trade  in 
these  parts  and  endangering  the  lives  of  their  servants.  The  pros- 
pects of  the  English  are  much  brighter  at  present,  owing  to  the 
Dutch  having  quarrelled  with  the  Persians.  Constant,  the  Dutch 
chief,  has  agreed  to  pay  the  King  50  tumans  per  load  for  silk. 
Codrington,  who  was  left  at  Ispahan,  has  since  advised  that  he  had 
refused  to  accept  the  promised  farman,  as  it  ordered  the  Shahbandar 
to  '  pay  us  yearelie  soe  much  and  noe  more  than  wee  received  last 
yeare '.  *■  The  4th  January  last,  about  half  an  houre  before  breake 
of  day,  it  pleased  God  to  punish  this  bundar  with  a  fearefull  earth- 
quake, which  ceased  not  altogether  till  about  a  month  since.  The 
first  shake  lasted  about  a  quarter  of  an  houre ;  soe  terrible  that  it 
hath  made  a  lamentable  spectacle  here,  for  it  hath  throwne  down  all 
the  houses  in  this  citty  and  destroyed  whole  families  in  an  instant. 
The  Sultan  [i.e.  the  Governor]  here  was  at  the  same  time  in  his 
hommom  or  hott  house,  which,  with  part  of  another  wall,  fell  upon 
him  and  buryed  him  soe deepe  under  the  earth  that  it  was  an  houre 
ere  hee  could  see  any  light  or  that  any  man  knew  whither  hee  was 

1  The  tuman  was  worth  about  3/.  6^.  M.  and  the  shahl  4^/.     The  claim,  therefore,  was 
for  just  over  2,200/.,  and  the  amount  received  2,055/. 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  267 

liveing  or  dead  ;  and  when  (after  much  rummageing)  his  head  ap- 
peared and  gave  testimony  that  hee  was  liveing,  it  was  yett  2^ 
houres  more  before  hee  could  bee  taken  out  of  the  same  place. 
Then  hee  was  found  somewhat  bruised  in  his  face  and  with  a  great 
skarre  ^  in  one  of  his  feet,  which  to  all  mens  thinkeing  was  not  dan- 
gerous ;  yett  of  the  same  hee  died  the  14th  ditto  month.  About 
two  dayes  after  this  mischaunce  befell  hirh,  finding  himselfe  ill,  [hee] 
sent  for  the  Governour  of  Laure  [Lar],  who  very  fortunately  arrived 
here  the  day  before  hee  died  and  saved  this  citty  from  plundering 
by  its  ownc  souldiers.  The  Hollanders  by  the  fall  of  theyr  howse 
had  two  of  their  young  scrivauns  ^  slaine  and  had  like  to  have  lost 
four  more,  had  not  God  most  miraculously  delivered  them,  for  they 
were  soe  deepe  buryed  under  the  ruines  of  their  house  that  it  was 
four  houres  before  they  could  bee  found  and  taken  out  from  the 
place  they  lay  in.  For  ourselves  and  servants  wee  cannot  sufficiently 
praise  the  Almightie  for  His  merciful!  protecting  of  us  ;  for, 
although  the  fall  of  our  house  was  equall  or  rather  greater  than  any 
other,  wee  haveing  onely  bare  walls  standing  and  not  a  safe  roome 
to  shelter  our  heads  in,  yett  it  hath  pleased  Him  of  His  infinite 
mercy  to  preserve  us  from  any  hurt,  for  which  His  blessed  name 
bee  ever  praised.  The  Dutch  Commaundor  Constant,  with  all  his 
people,  when  they  were  ashoare  here,  not  dareing  to  adventure 
themselves  in  their  tottering  ruinated  house,  had  theyr  habitation 
on  the  sands  in  tents  and  smale  houses  they  built  of  bamboes,  and 
wee,  for  want  of  tents,  live  at  present  in  kedjans  [palm-leaf:  kaja^i^ 
houses  built  in  the  middle  of  the  yaerde  of  our  house.'  On  Janu- 
ary 21  arrived  a  new  Shahbandar,  who  speedily  proved  as  bad  as  his 
predecessor,  *  for  this  hath  alreadie  found  the  waye  to  steale  goods 
out  of  the  customehouse  in  the  night  and  dispatch  them  privately 
out  of  our  sight,  on  purpose  to  deceive  Your  Worships  of  your 
rights.'  For  these  abuses  force  is  the  only  remedy.  On  February  19 
the  Stipply  came  in  from  Surat,  bringing  (besides  passengers  and 
freight)  a  cargo  amounting  to  161,979  shahis  in  broadcloth,  calicoes, 
pepper,  cardamoms,  &c.  The  calicoes  and  pepper  have  been  sold 
at  a  profit  of  32  per  cent. ;  while  the  broadcloth,  though  in  very 
poor  condition,  has  made  a  gain  of  about  26  per  cent.    The  profit  in 

^  An  old  word  (distinct  from  '  scar ',  a  cicatrix)  meaning  a  cut  or  incision. 

"^  Writers  (Port,  escrivao).     For  particulars  see  the  Dagh- Register,  1644-45,  p.  251. 


2,68  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

these  cases  may  appear  small,  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  their 
orders  are  to  enter  the  cargoes  received  at  the  rate  of  3I  shahis  to 
the  mahmudi,  whereas  the  latter  is  only  really  worth  3  shahis. 
Similarly,  as  regards  the  goods  from  Masulipatam  the  pagoda  is 
reckoned  at  33  shahis,  though  it  is  only  equivalent  to  28.  '  This 
wee  thought  good  to  intimate  unto  you,  that  Your  Worships  may 
perceive  that  this  factory,  though  of  late  much  despised,  is  not 
altogeither  soe  unproffitable  as  it  seemes  to  bee.'  On  March  11 
the  pinnace  Endeavour  brought  from  Masulipatam  passengers, 
freight  goods,  and  a  consignment  of  calicoes  &c.  amounting  to 
372,509  shahis.^  Some  of  the  goods  were  shipped  to  Surat  in  the 
Supply^  and  the  bulk  of  the  remainder  sold  at  a  profit  of  39  per 
cent.  There  is  now  small  chance  of  further  sales,  as  all  the  mer- 
chants have  already  '  retired  themselves  out  of  these  heatts  ' ;  so  it 
has  been  decided  to  send  the  rest  of  the  goods  to  Basra.  Have 
forwarded  the  proceeds  of  the  sales  to  Surat  by  the  Supply  and 
Endeavour^  which  sailed  in  company  on  March  %o.  Any  further 
money  received  will  be  remitted  by  exchange  to  Ispahan.  '  Our 
newes  at  present  is  that  here  are  eight  Hollanders  shipps  of  warre 
rideing  now  at  an  anchor  in  this  roade,  which  came  in  at  severall 
times  in  severall  fleets.  On  one  of  the  two  first  that  came  hither  ar- 
rived one  Commaundore  Nicholas  Block,  who  is  both  Gennerall  and 
Commissary  of  the  whole  fleete.  At  his  first  comeing  ashoare  hee 
gave  out  that  hee  came  as  an  embassadour  unto  this  King ;  upon 
which  the  Governour  and  Shawbundar  here  enterteyned  him  very 
courteously  and  forthwith  dispeeded  an  expresse  unto  the  King  with 
newes  of  his  arrivall,  and  proffred  the  Commissary  or  Embassadour 
(as  hee  first  tearmed  himselfe)  that,  if  hee  would  goe  up  unto  the 
King,  hee  should  have  the  best  accomodacions  this  country  affords, 
and  that  they  would  send  some  of  their  cheifest  men  to  accompany 
him  up  ;  which  hee  refused,  and  onely  sent  up  a  petition  unto  the 
King,  the  contents  whereof  (as  wee  heare)  were  as  followeth  :  First, 
hee  demaunds  restitution  of  the  4,900  tem[aun]ds  forced  from  them 
by  Ettam[on]  Dowlett  at  severall  times.  Next,  hee  desired  the 
priviledge  to  buy  silk  where  and  from  whome  they  pleased  in  this 
Kings  dominions.  Thirdly,  that  they  may  land  their  goods  cus- 
tome  free.       And  lastly,  that  in  case  at  any  time  they  should  have 

1  Cf.  Dagh- Register,  1644-45,  p.  253. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  269 

any  difference  with  this  country  people,  that  not  any  but  the  King 
should  call  them  to  quaestion  or  meddle  with  them.^  Wee  heare 
also  that  they  have  proffrcd  the  King,  if  hee  will  lett  them  have  the 
half  of  the  customcs  here,  they  will  defend  this  port  from  any  enemy 
shall  come  against  it ;  but  this  last  wee  beleeve  is  a  fable,  because 
wee  know  it  lieth  not  in  theyr  powers  to  make  such  conditions  on 
a  suddaine  before  they  have  leave  for  the  same  out  of  Holland. 
Before  this  petition  was  dispeeded,  the  aforesaid  Commaundor 
Block  and  Commaundor  Constant,  the  cheife  that  resided  here  on 
shoare,  threatned  the  Governour  and  Shawbundar  here  that,  if  they 
received  not  the  better  answer  from  the  King  or  graunt  of  their 
requires,  that  they  would  ruine  this  port  or  bundar  ;  which  words 
affrighted  the  Governour  and  Shawbundar  exceedingly,  and  made 
them  forthwith  take  care  to  provide  for  them,  not  onely  in  theyr 
castles  but  of  souldiers  to  defend  this  citty  or  bundar  ;  of  which  (by 
report)  here  are  already,  beside  what  are  in  the  castles,  about  1,500 
musketteeres,  and  more  daily  expected  ;  which  the  two  Comaun- 
dors  heareing  of,  and  feareing  least  they  should  bee  incompassed  and 
layed  hold  of  in  the  night,  day  after  day  sent  their  goods  aboard, 
keepeing  not  soe  much  as  a  chest  on  shoare  ;  which  done,  the  13th 
Aprill  they  imbarqued  themselves  with  all  their  people  aboard  their 
shipps,  where  they  have  remeyned  ever  since,  and  have  sent  unto 
the  merchants  here  ashoare  to  come  aboard  theyr  shipps  to  buy 
theyr  sugar  and  other  goods  ;  but  they  will  not  adventure  aboard, 
and  if  they  would,  they  could  not  buy  any  of  theyr  goods,  beeing 
forbidden  by  the  Shawbundar  to  buy  any  thing  of  them.  And  yett 
the  Governour  here  suffred  them  to  come  on  shoare  to  fetch  fresh 
provissions  till  the  19th  ditto  that  they  ceazed  on  a  Surratt  juncke 
that  was  comeing  in  here  with  store  of  Persian  passengers  and 
goods.  The  passengers  they  suffred  to  come  on  shoare,  but  the 
junck  and  goods  they  kept  in  their  possession  till  yesterday,  when 
they  released  both  on  the  payementt  of  100  tem[aun]ds  for  custome ; 
which  mony  they  have  promised  to  restore  back  againe,  if  they 
make  a  peace  with  these  Persians.  Soe  soone  as  wee  had  newes  that 
they  had  taken  the  aforesaid  junck  and  demaunded  custome  for  the 
goods,  wee  sent  Samuell  Wilton  unto  them,  to  know  the  reason  of 

1  For  an  account  of  the  grievances  of  the  Dutch  see  the  Dagh-Registcr,  1644-45,  p.  J46. 
Blocq's  proceedings  on  his  arrival  are  detailed  at  p.  253  of  the  same  volume. 


:z7o  THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

their  thus  proceeding  and  hindring  Your  Worships  from  your 
shares  of  custome  ;  to  which  they  retourned  answer  that  they  must 
looke  after  theyr  owne  rights  from  theese  Persians,  whome  wherever 
they  meete  with  them  they  would  ceaze  on  them  and  their  goods, 
although  they  bee  aboard  Your  Worships  shipps ;  by  which  you 
may  please  to  take  notice  how  wee  are  like  to  bee  troubled  with 
them.  The  22th  ditto  they  sent  ashoare  one  of  their  young  men, 
who  speaks  good  Persian,  unto  this  Governour,  to  desire,  or  rather 
require,  fresh  water  and  other  provissions,  and  to  know  what  was  be- 
come of  their  caphila  of  silk  and  two  of  their  people  that  came  with 
it  from  Spahaun ;  to  which  the  Governour  replied  that  for  their 
people  hee  knew  nothing  of  them ;  but  for  fresh  provissions,  hee 
sayd,  if  Commaundor  Constant  (who  was  cheife  here)  would  come 
ashoare  and  live  freindly,  he  should  not  want  for  anything  this  cittie 
affords  ;  but  since  hee  soe  abruptly  tooke  his  leave  of  him  and  now 
keepes  aboard  altogeither  a  proffessed  enemy,  there  is  noe  reason 
hee  should  furnish  him  with  fresh  provissions ;  whereupon  the 
scrivan  tould  him  that,  if  hee  would  not  send  their  silk  and  people 
aboard,  they  would  come  ashoare  and  fetch  them  ;  at  which  the 
Governour,  being  extraordinarily  vexed,  wished  the  scrivan  to  goe 
aboard,  and  come  ashoare  noe  more,  for  if  hee  did  hee  would  kill 
him  ;  and  had  hee  not  imbarqued  himselfe  the  same  instant  as  hee 
did,  not  onely  hee  but  the  whole  boats  crewe  (though  well  armed) 
had  bin  ceazed  on  and  peradventure  lost  their  lives ;  for  presently 
there  came  to  the  waterside  a  greate  quantity  of  souldiers,  both  foot 
and  horse,  in  pursuite  of  them.  This  passed  the  22th  ditto.  The 
followeing  morneing,  about  eight  of  the  clock,  came  the  Hollanders 
two  greate  boates,  well  armed  with  souldiers,  very  neare  the  shoare 
before  the  custome  house ;  which  the  Banians  and  other  poore 
people  perceaveing,  and  not  suspecting  any  hurt,  according  to  their 
usueall  custome  flocked  togeither  to  the  waterside  ;  when  the  Hol- 
landers, observeing  their  time,  discharged  their  smale  peeces  they 
had  in  their  boates  head,  togeither  with  their  musketts,  upon  them 
and  killed  five  men  outright  and  maimed  about  20  more,  and  forth- 
with put  of  their  boate  againe  ;  yett  not  soe  soone  but  that  they 
were  overtaken  with  a  greate  valley  of  shott  from  the  shoare,  which 
wee  beeleeve  made  them  censible  of  their  presumption  in  approach- 
ing soe  neare  in  that  manner  as  they  did ;  of  which  had  theese 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  271 

people  in  the  least  suspected,  they  might  very  well  have  bin  cuct 
ofif  all.  And  yett  wee  think  they  had  their  payment,  for  from  our 
house  wee  could  see  the  smalc  shott  from  this  shoare  fall  thick  in 
the  water  very  neare  about  their  boates,  which  being  as  full  of  soul- 
diers  as  they  could  well  stand  one  by  the  other,  it  is  impossible  they 
could  escape  without  much  hurt.  Their  boates  had  not  gotten 
halfway  on  board  but  the  two  castles  here  ashoare  began  to  shute 
at  their  shipps  ;  which  presently  answered  in  the  like  language  and 
soe  continued  the  whole  day,  the  shipps  plieing  their  shott  on  this 
towne  and  the  castles  at  the  shipps.  Whither  or  not  they  hitt  them 
wee  cannot  tell ;  but  five  or  six  of  the  shotts  from  the  castles  lighted 
very  neare  them,  and  others  fell  not  in  the  water  as  wee  could  per- 
ceive, which  makes  us  beeleeve  they  lighted  in  the  shipps.  All  this 
passed  before  they  receivd  any  answer  of  their  petition  from  the 
King ;  which  arrived  not  here  till  the  first  Maye.  Then  they  re- 
ceived the  Kings  firmaund,  which  gave  them  little  or  noe  satisfac- 
tion unto  what  they  required,  for  it  onely  invited  the  two  Com- 
maundores  to  goe  up  to  the  King,  with  fayre  promises  that  they 
should  bee  kindly  used  and  receive  content  to  their  owne  desires. 
But  it  seemes  all  this  would  not  satisfie  the  two  Commaundores, 
who  presently  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Governour  of  this  citty  and 
required  from  him  the  particulars  mentioned  in  their  petition  afore- 
said, with  an  addition  that  the  King  would  doe  them  justice  for  the 
wrongs  Commaundore  Wilbrent  [see  p.  114]  and  Commaundore 
Charles  Constant  suffred  here  in  their  persons ;  [and]  also  de- 
maunded  8  tem[aun]ds  on  a  loade  for  all  the  silke  they  bought 
here  theese  i:z  or  14  yeares  at  50  tem[aun]ds  per  loade,  with  the 
interest  of  the  said  mony  ;  all  which  if  the  King  would  not  con- 
descend unto,  they  could  not  come  to  any  peace  with  him  ;  which 
demaund  of  theirs  is  soe  unreasonable  that  wee  thinke  the  Kino- 
will  never  yeald  unto  it.'  Will  advise  further  developments  from 
Ispahan,  whither  they  are  now  proceeding.  Cannot  yet  tell  what 
the  English  share  of  customs  will  come  to  this  year,  but  expect  it 
will  be  rather  more  than  last  year.  Wish  that  they  had  authority 
to  buy  silk,  for  it  is  likely  to  be  cheap,  owing  to  the  quarrel  between 
the  King  and  the  Dutch.     'Wee  heare  that  S[igno]r  Bastian  \  the 

*  Valentyn,  who  calls  him  '  Willem  Basting  de  Oude  ',  prints  his  itinerary  (vol.  v.  p.  245). 
In  the  Dutch  records  he  is  styled  '  Bastinck '. 


272  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

second  of  the  Dutch,  and  another  Dutchman  which  is  with  him  are 
stopt  with  their  caphila  of  ^^  loads  silke  at  Jeroome  ^,  where  they 
have  bin  beaten  and  threatned  to  have  their  heads  cutt  off,  on 
purpose  to  make  them  confesse  what  the  Gennerall  entends  to  doe 
this  yeare  with  so  many  shipps  heere  in  this  roade.  Some  report 
that  S[igno]r  Bastian  is  sent  for  (by  the  King)  up  to  Spahaun. 
The  most  part  of  this  manzoone  three  friggotts  of  the  Portugalls 
have  frequented  this  Gulfe  and  sometimes  anckored  in  this  roade, 
on  purpose  to  watch  for  Surratt  juncks  and  others  to  force  them  to 
Congo  ^  to  make  them  pay  custome  there  ;  whether  they  have 
carryed  one  Dabull  junck,  and  had  carryed  two  more,  had  they  not 
escaped  from  them  after  that  they  thought  they  were  sure  of  them.' 
The  Seahorse  arrived  here  on  the  nth  instant  and  brought  instruc- 
tions from  Surat  to  protest  against  the  Dutch  '  for  disturbing  your 
port ' ;  this  was  done  yesterday,  and  copies  of  the  protest  and  of  the 
reply  are  enclosed.^  According  to  the  advices  from  Surat  there 
are  yet  two  Dutch  ships  to  come.  '  This  evening  here  arrived  seven 
Portugall  frigotts,  which  anckored  in  this  roade  by  the  Hollanders, 
and  wee  beeleeve  to  joine  with  them  against  theese  Persians.' 
{Copy.     144  PP) 

Adam  Lee  and  Thomas  Whatmore,  aboard  the  Supply 
IN  Malacca  Road, to  [the  President  and  Council  at  Surat], 
June  30, 1645  {O.C,  1941).* 

Narrate  their  proceedings  since  leaving  Swally.^  Reached  Achin 
on  May  20  and  sailed  again  nine  days  later.  All  the  merchants 
there  were  in  good  health.  On  June  7  they  met  the  Dutch  Ackersloot^ 
bound  for  Achin  under  Commissary  Arnold  '  Vallanicke  '.^  When 
approaching  Malacca,  on  June  24,  five  Dutch  men-of-war  were 
encountered.     Escorted  by  these  ships,  the  Supply  two  days  later 

1  Jahrum,  about  halfway  between  Shiraz  and  Lar. 

2  Kung  (see  p.  244  of  the  previous  volume). 

3  See  O.C.  1935  and  1936.  The  Dutch  reply  is  couched  in  conciliatory  terms,  but 
denies  the  right  of  the  English  to  protest,  as  the  port  of  Gombroon  does  not  belong  to 
them  and  the  Dutch  are  only  exercising  the  rights  of  war.  The  English  are  further  warned 
not  to  assist  the  Persians  by  carrying  goods  or  ammunition  for  them. 

*  There  is  another  copy  among  the  0.  C.  Duplicates. 

'^  For  a  list  of  the  cargo  of  the  Supply  see  the  Dagh- Register^  1644-45,  p.  246. 
^  Valentyn  calls  him  *  Arnold  de  Vlaming  van  Outshoorn '.     In  the  Dagh- Register, 
1643-44,  ^^  is  termed  *  Arnold  de  Vlamingh '.  ' 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  273 

anchored  in  Malacca  Road.  The  Governor  received  them  cour- 
teously, but  intimated  that  their  vessels  must  be  searched.  This 
was  done  accordingly  on  June  30,  but  in  a  perfunctory  manner. 
The  Dutch  helped  them  to  fetch  wood  and  water,  and  the  Governor 
presented  them  with  a  couple  of 'beefes'.  They  have  now  taken 
leave  of  him.    {Copy.    2  pp.) 

Robert  Cranmer,  Revett  Walwyn,  Thomas  Cogan,  and 
William  Weale  at  Basra  to  the  Company,  July  31,  1645 
(ac.  1943V 

Forward  two  packets  from  Surat.  Sailed  from  that  place  on 
April  3,  and  reached  Gombroon  on  May  11.  'Wee  expected  to 
have  scene  the  Dutch  at  anchor  under  Ormoose,  who  (by  report) 
were  in  beseige  of  that  place  ;  but  till  two  dayes  before  wee  left 
Bunder  (or  the  15th  of  this  month  May)  they  lay  under  the  iland 
Larrack  ;  when  they  all  weighed,  stood  into  the  road  of  Gombroone, 
and  anchored  within  Your  Worships  pynnace  Seahorse'  The  Gom- 
broon factors  have  no  doubt  acquainted  the  Company  of  the  differ- 
ences between  the  Persians  and  the  Dutch.  The  English  factory 
being  in  ruins  and  the  factors  bound  for  Ispahan,  it  was  decided  to 
take  to  Basra  all  the  goods  on  hand  at  Gombroon  ;  and,  as  the 
Seahorse  was  already  full,  these  were  put  into  three  country  boats. 
In  company  with  these,  the  voyage  was  resumed  on  May  17,  but 
the  wind  forced  the  boats  to  take  shelter  in  '  Congoo'  \see  p.  272], 
where  their  goods  were  transferred  to  a  *  greate  tranka  ^ ',  which 
sailed  with  the  Seahorse  on  May  26,  reached  the  island  of  Carrack ' 
[see  p.  186]  on  June  15,  and  Basra  on  the  29th.  '  Wee  landed  and 
vissited  the  Bashaw  •'  and  Shawbunder,  who  were  very  joyfull  of 
our  arrivall  and  gave  us  very  courteous  enterteinment.  Wee  per- 
ceive that,  by  reason  of  the  lateness  of  the  yeare  and  the  warrs 
twixt  the  Dutch  and  Persians,  they  doubted  of  our  this  years 
comeing  to  Bussora.  Wee  finde  the  merketts  this  monsoone  in 
Bussora  much  inferiour  to  those  of  the  passed  yeare,  both  for 
quicknes  of  sale  and  shorteness  in  price;  Spahan  being  so  over- 

'  For  the  list  of  packet  accompanying  this  letter  see  O.C.  1964. 

2  A  kind  of  boat  used  in  the  Gulf  of  Persia.     The  derivation  of  the  name  is  uncertain 
(see  Hobson-Jobson,  s.v.  *  Trankey  *). 
^  All  Basha  (see  the  preceding  volume,  p.  245). 

FOSTER   VII  T 


274  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

glutted  with  all  sorts  of  cloathing  that  this  yeare  the  greatest  part 
of  the  goods  in  Gombroone  were  transported  thence  in  small  vessells 
for  this  port,  insoemuch  that  the  towne  is  now  so  full  of  cloathing 
that  merchants  dare  not  adventure  to  buy  till  the  Portugalls  armado 
or  caphila  be  arrived,  wherein  is  two  jouncks  of  Hodgee  Zahad 
Beagues,  richly  laden  with  all  manner  Agra,  Guzuratt,  and  Decaun 
comodities,  besides  divers  others  from  Dio,  Cambay,  Chowle,  and 
Dabull,  &c.  There  supply  of  Scinda  comodities  will  this  monzoone 
be  wanting  unto  them,  for  by  advice  from  Muskatt  to  these  mer- 
chants five  vessells,  which  were  laden  and  ready  to  sett  sayle  out  of 
that  river  over  the  barr,  mett  with  such  extraordinary  greate  seas 
that  they  were  forced  to  returne  to  Bunder  Larree,  where  they  must 
winter  till  the  fine  [i.e.  end  of]  September.  This  wee  thought 
would  have  been  some  advancement  to  your  business  in  the  sale  of 
Your  Worships  comodities,  espetially  in  blew  cloathing  ;  but  since, 
to  our  greate  sorrow,  the  19th  present  arrived  two  Dutch  shipps  \ 
laden  with  severall  sorts  merchandize ;  whose  very  name  hath  so 
much  dulled  the  merketts  that  since  theire  arrivall  the  sortements 
of  goods  with  us  have  seldome  been  enquired  for.  At  theire  first 
comeing  on  shoare,  for  three  dayes  (till  they  were  provided  ot 
a  house)  wee  could  not  avoyd  enterteyning  them.  Ever  since  till 
this  day  they  have  been  contracting  with  the  Bashaw  and  Shaw- 
bunder  concerning  customes  and  divers  other  articles ;  who  hath 
promised  them  the  very  same  as  formerly  agreed  on  by  our  nation, 
but  no  other;  which  they  seeme  to  slight,  pretending  that  they 
shall  be  much  more  benefitiall  to  the  port  then  wee  are ;  nominate- 
ing  theire  force  in  shipping,  and  that,  if  they  would  not  graunt  theire 
requests,  they  would  sell  theire  goods  in  theire  ships  or  [and?] 
depart ;  and  upon  some  occasion  gave  many  superbulous  answers, 
when  reply  was  given  by  this  Governour  ^  (who  is  now  Shawbunder) 
he  admired  they  would  leave  theire  antient  port  Gombroone;  and, 
whither  they  came  or  not,  theire  goods  was  transported  hether  in 
small  vessells  ;  and  that  theire  comeing  was  for  theire  owne  benefitt 
and  no  advantage  to  him,  neither  did  the  King  or  he  ever  send  for 

1  The  Delfshaven  and  the  Schelvisch  :  see  the  log  of  the  expedition  kept  by  Cornehs 
Roobacker  and  published  (with  notes  and  an  introduction)  by  A.  Hotz  in  the  Tijdschrift 
van  het  Koninklijk  Nederlandsch  Aardrijkskundig  Genootschap,  series  ii.  part  24  (1907). 

^  Mahmud  Agha  (see  later).  ' 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  275 

them ;  and  if  that  they  would  not  be  content  with  the  very  same 
artickles  as  agreed  on  twixt  the  English  and  them  (with  whom 
[i.e.  the  English]  for  these  seven  yeares  they  never  received  the 
least  discontent)  that  the  river  of  Euphrates  was  broad  enough  : 
they  might  goe  when  they  pleased.  But  since  they  have  better 
considered,  and  this  day  begun  to  unlade  theire  shipps  ^  Wee 
understand  by  theire  cheife  factor,  S[igno]r  Seserious  [Dirck  Sar- 
cerius]  &c.  that  since  our  leaveing  Gombroone  they  drew  all  theire 
force  to  the  iland  of  Kishmec,  where  they  landed  600  souldiers  and 
brought  theire  ships  very  neare  the  shoare  and  made  a  battery 
against  the  castle,  which  (by  theire  report)  with  the  expence  of 
3,000  greate  shott  dismounted  all  theire  ordinance  and  put  theire 
land  forces  to  flight  ^.  This  they  pretent  was  done  only  to  make 
the  Persian  censible  of  what  they  can  doe  if  occasion  requires. 
Imediately  after,  upon  receipt  of  a  letter  of  promise  for  payment  of 
theire  demands  sent  from  the  King*^,  Gennerall  Block  and  Com- 
mandore  Willibrant  repaired  on  shoare,  the  former  being  gonn  for 
Spahan  and  the  latter  now  bussily  imployd  in  building  or  repaireing 
a  house  for  theire  affaires  in  Gombroone.'  On  July  26  the  Endea- 
vour arrived,  having  left  Swally  on  April  16  ;  she  is  to  remain  until 
the  middle  of  September  and  bring  away  the  factors.  The  Seahorse 
is  ordered  to  quit  this  place  by  the  end  of  August  and  to  proceed 
to  Tuticorin,  there  to  meet  the  Hind  from  Mokha  and  accompany 
her  to  Surat.  Will  endeavour  to  procure  as  much  freight  and  as 
many  passengers  as  possible,  but  have  had  no  success  at  present. 
'  Our  cheifest  hope  is  of  Congoo,  where,  by  that  Governours  relation 
[at]  the  time  of  our  being  there,  gave  us  hopes  that  good  quantities 

^  From  the  report  of  the  Dutch  merchants  themselves  {Hague  Transcripts,  series  i.  vol.  xv. 
nos.  473,  474)  it  appears  that  they  behaved  with  considerable  arrogance  in  these  negotia- 
tions. They  demanded  complete  freedom  from  customs  duties,  boasting  of  the  power  of 
the  Hollanders  and  their  ability  to  enrich  the  country  by  their  trade,  and  belittling  the 
commerce  of  the  Portuguese  and  the  English.  The  Agha,  however,  while  professing  his 
readiness  to  treat  them  with  all  reasonable  consideration,  firmly  refused  to  forgo  the  duties, 
urging  that,  if  this  were  granted,  other  nations  would  claim  similar  privileges.  Tiiereupon 
the  Dutch,  rather  than  return  empty  handed,  decided  to  land  some  goods  and  try  the 
markets.  They  describe  the  Agha  as  very  obstinate  and  autocratic,  and  say  that  he  is  all- 
powerful  with  the  Basha. 

2  For  an  account  of  this  abortive  attempt  see  an  extract  from  Gelijnszoon's  journal  in 
Ha^iie  Transcripts,  series  i.  vol.  xv  (no.  478) ;  also  the  Dagh-Register,  1644-45,  p.  260. 

See  the  Dagh- Register,  1644-45,  p.  262;  and  Hagite  Transcripts^  series  i.  vol.  xv. 
no.  472. 

T  a 


276  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

of  both  speties  would  attend  our  ships  comeing  from  Bussora.' 
Enclose  copy  of  a  letter  sent  recently  to  Surat,  and  other  papers. 
These  have  been  somewhat  delayed  by  '  the  extremity  of  heates  and 
unwholsomeness  of  the  climett  this  yeare'.  There  has  been  much 
sickness  in  consequence,  both  on  shore  and  in  the  Seahorse.  Three 
of  her  crew  have  died,  and  many  are  ill.  Those  on  board  the 
Endeavour  'begin  to  grow  crazy'.  'The  antientest  liver  in  this 
towne  cannot  remember  the  like  extremity  of  heats.'    {Copy.    3  pp) 

William  Pitt,  Philip  Wylde,  and  Thomas  Codrington^ 
AT  Ispahan  to  [the  President  and  Council  at  Surat], 
September  7, 1645  ((9.(7.1944). 

Arrival  of  the  Seahorse  on  May  11.  As  directed,  they  protested 
against  the  Dutch,  whose  reply  has  been  forwarded  to  the  Company. 
The  Seahorse  sailed  on  May  16  for  Basra,  and  next  day  Wylde  and 
Wilton  started  for  Ispahan.  'The  19  ditto  arrived  in  Gombroone 
Capt.  John  Durson,  with  two  marchants,  on  Esquire  Courteens  ship 
Loyallty  2,  with  a  freight  of  Moores  and  Banian  goods  from  Rajapore, 
and  brought  for  their  imployers  accompt  onely  about  200  tem[aun]ds 
worth  of  sugar,  some  smal  quantity  of  rice,  plancke,  and  bamboos. 
At  their  first  comeinge  ashoare,  they  landed  at  and  came  directly  to 
our  house,  where  not  finding  soe  good  entertainement  as  peradventure 
they  expected,  the  next  day  they  hired  a  house  of  ther  owne  and 
pretended  to  stay  there  all  the  heates  to  make  sale  of  ther  goods  ; 
which  William  Pitts  perceaveinge  drew  a  protest  against  them  for 
comeing  to  our  Honorable  Employers  port  and  disturbeing  ther 
trade ;  to  which  Capt.  Durson  [returned]  a  contraprotest,  copy  of 
which  goeth  hereinclosed  to  your  perusall.^     Before  they  came  to 

1  The  two  latter  sign  only  with  reservations. 

2  Cf.  the  Dagh- Register,  1644-45,  p.  264. 

3  Pitt's  protest  forms  O.C.  1938,  and  Durson's  answer  O.C.  1939.  With  the  latter  was 
transmitted  a  document  signed  by  Durson,  Pr.  Demasters,  and  Stephen  Hill,  and  entitled 
*  a  declaration  or  analysis  of  the  two  Companies,  vizt.  Courtenians  and  Cockenians '  {O.C. 
1940).  In  this  Courteen's  Association  is  alleged  to  be  *  grounded  upon  supreame  authoritie, 
by  patent  under  the  greate  seale  of  England,  justified  in  each  particuler  clause  before  a  Par- 
liament Comittee,  legall,  nationall,  by  Parliament  allowable ' ;  while  the  original  Company 
is  denounced  as  *  illegall,  monopoliticall,  by  Parliament  damnable ;  which,  toge.ather  with 
the  dissolution  of  their  Joint  Stocke,  declares  them  noe  corporation  or  company  at  all.' 
Pitt's  employers  are  declared  to  be  a  third  body  of  '  Cockenians '  (from  the  name  of  the 
Governor,  William  Cokayne),  claiming  without  reason  to  be  the  East  India  Company,  and 
their  proceedings  are  roundly  denounced.   A  claim  is  asserted  to  the  English  rights  '  in  the 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  277 

an  anker,  William  Pitt  went  to  the  Governour  and  Shabunder  and 
acquainted  them  that  the  aforesaid  ship  belonged  not  to  our  Honor- 
able Imployers,  and  that  not  any  of  the  Esquires  people  or  shipping 
ought  to  come  where  we  are  or  have  our  residence ;  to  which  the 
Shabunder  replyed  that  since  they  were  come  with  marchants  goods 
to  his  Kings  port,  he  could  not  put  them  away  till  such  time  he 
heard  from  his  Kinge ;  but  said  he  would  deale  with  them  soe  this 
yeare  that  they  should  have  noe  encouragement  to  come  thither, 
againe ;  besids  [he]  promised  to  make  them  pay  the  full  customes 
that  other  strangers  pay,  butt  was  not  soe  good  as  his  word,  for 
(as  we  are  informed  by  our  brokers)  hee  hath  since  remitted  them 
the  same ;  and  they,  haveinge  sould  off  their  sugar,  are  gone  for 
Bussara.  What  project  they  have  in  their  heads  to  come  into  these 
parts  and  to  goe  for  Bussora  we  cannot  certainely  advice  you. 
Their  cheifest  pretence  at  first  was  that  they  came  only  with  freight 
goods,  being  (as  they  say)  driven  therunto  by  our  Honorable 
Imployers,  by  deteineinge  from  them  5,ooo/._,  which  (as  they  say) 
Mr.  Bowen  forced  from  them  and  should  have  sett  them  about  other 
imploymentt  where  they  have  ther  residency.  They  enquired  much 
after  Mr.  Bowen  and  complained  that  hee  had  done  them  much 
wronge.  Besids,  some  of  them  reported  that  they  arc  come  out 
a  wild  goose  chace ;  which,  with  their  goeinge  for  Bussora,  makes 
us  to  suspect  they  have  noe  good  meaneinge  unto  our  Honorable 
Imployers  ships  or  estates  there.'  Have  accordingly  sent  an  express 
to  the  factors  at  Basra,  warning  them  of  this.^  After  much  wrangling 
with  the  Shahbandar  about  the  customs,  he  made  up  the  amount 
to  615  tiimans,  100  shahis,  and  this  it  was  deemed  prudent  to  accept. 
The  money  was  remitted  by  exchange  to  Ispahan,  where  Pitt  arrived 
on  June  17.  Sales  of  broadcloth  &c.  there.  Interview  with  the 
Itimad-uddaula.  As  for  the  Dutch,  *  about  the  begininge  of  June 
last  they  with  seven  shipps  beleaguered  the  castle  of  Kishmee,  on 
which  they  spent  2,oco  shott,  butt  did  little  hurt,  only  brake  downe 
the  upper  parts  of  the  walls  of  itt.     They  had  once  landed  four'- 

castle  and  customes  of  Ormos,  as  a  flower  belonging  to  the  Crowne  ' ;  particularly  as  these 
rights  were  acquired  in  the  first  place  by  Captain  Weddell. 

^  See  O.C.  1942.  That  there  were  good  grounds  for  the  factors'  fears  is  shown  in  a  note 
on  p.  236,  supra. 

2  In  the  letter  to  Basra  ((9.C  1942)  the  number  of  guns  landed  is  given  as  three.  From 
Geleijnszoon's  report  this  seems  the  correct  number. 


278  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

peices  ordinance,  but  was  soone  forced  to  carry  them  abord  againe 
by  new  forces  of  the  Persians  that  the  Shabunder  sent  over.  This 
newes  was  carryed  in  five  dayes  up  to  the  Kinge,  who,  beinge  more 
feared  then  hurt,  presently  sent  for  S[igno]r  Bastian,  the  second  of 
the  Dutch,  and  told  him  that,  if  Comander  Blocke  would  cease  from 
his  warrs  and  come  up  unto  him,  he  should  have  what  justice  and 
content  himselfe  should  desire.'  Thereupon  Blocq  set  out  for  court 
and  arrived  here  on  July  i6  ;  but  after  being  feasted  by  the  Itimad- 
uddaula,  *  his  cold  turneing  unto  a  burninge  feavour,  and  that  en- 
creasinge  every  day  more  and  more  on  him,  the  loth  July  [shotUd 
be  August]  he  died;  and  the  next  day,  by  order  of  Ettam[en] 
Dowlett,  was  accompanied  to  his  grave  by  all  the  Armenians.'  Since 
then  the  business  of  the  Dutch  has  been  at  a  standstill,  awaiting 
intelligence  from  Gombroon.  Now  answer  two  letters  received  from 
Surat.  Money  missing  from  the  chests  sent  in  the  Supply.  Will 
see  to  the  recovery  of  the  value  of  the  counterfeit  &c.  coin  when  next 
they  are  at  Gombroon.  The  Endeavour  reached  that  port  on  June  27 . 
Have  already  mentioned  the  negotiations  of  the  Dutch  with  the 
Persians  ;  as  nothing  has  been  said  to  the  factors  on  the  point,  they 
hope  that  the  English  rights  will  not  be  affected.  The  Mokha  goods 
landed  from  the  native  vessel  were  sent  on  to  Basra,  as  previously 
advised.  Intend  to  buy  some  horses  for  Surat  at  Shiraz,  where  they 
are  cheaper  than  at  Ispahan.  Trouble  with  their  late  broker.  Their 
reasons  for  remitting  their  cash  to  Ispahan  were  that  the  Dutch  at 
Gombroon  refused  to  take  charge  of  it  and  that  they  were  afraid  to 
send  it  to  Surat,  for  fear  of  the  Malabars.  Goods  sent  in  the  Szipply. 
Cause  of  the  poor  prices  realized  by  the  Masulipatam  goods.  Regret 
that  the  rosewater  proved  to  be  of  bad  quality.  Will  endeavour  to 
supply  the  fruit,  &c.,  desired.  The  money  and  goods  for  Surat  are 
now  being  sent  down  to  Gombroon  for  embarkation  in  "CdO-Endeavoiir: 
also  their  letters  and  accounts.  '  Now  you  [may]  please  to  take 
notice  that  soe  soone  as  the  King  had  received  newes  of  the  Hol- 
landers assaulting  Kishmee,  Ettamen  Dowlett  paid  backe,  or  willed 
the  Duch  to  discount  it  upon  accompt  of  silke,  the  \blank^  tem[aun]ds 
which  were  forced  from  them  ;  and  it  is  not  onely  said  by  the  Dutch 
themselves  but  by  others  that  the  King  in  his  fir[maun]d  to  the 
Comander  Block  sent  down  promised  to  lett  them  have  silke  att 
the  price  they  had  in  Shaw  Abass  time,  which  was  (as  wee  hearc) 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  279 

att  32  tem[aun]ds  per  load.  How  Ettam[en]  Dowlett  will  performe 
the  Kinges  [promise?],  now  the  aforesaid  Blocke  is  dead,  time  must 
shew.  The  Dutch  here  report  that  they  have  already  liberty  [to 
buy  ?]  where  and  of  whom  they  please.'  Codrington  has  been  busy 
all  the  year  in  endeavouring  to  collect  the  outstanding  debts,  but 
there  is  no  hope  of  recovering  anything.  Pitt  is  unable  as  yet  to 
accompany  Wylde  to  Gombroon,  but  will  start  as  soon  as  he  can 
take  leave  of  the  Itimad-uddaula.  He  reiterates  his  desire  to  be 
allowed  to  go  to  Surat  by  the  first  ship.  Wylde  also  petitions  for 
leave  to  return  to  India  and  thence  to  England,  his  covenanted  time 
of  service  being  nearly  expired.    {Copy,     ^pp.) 

Thomas  Ivy,  Henry  Greeniiill,  George  Travell,  and 
William  Minn  at  Fort  St.  George  to  the  President  and 
Council  at  Surat,  September  8,  1645  {O.C.  1  45). 

Wrote  last  on  August  5  [fiot  exta7it\.  '  Wee  have  formerly 
advised  you  of  the  greate  difference  betwixt  the  Dutch  and  Molay, 
which  now  is  fallen  into  open  warrs.  And  13th  August  there  was 
a  Dutch  marchant  going  from  St.  Tome  to  Pullicatt,  and  within  five 
miles  of  the  place,  at  a  little  towne  where  lay  150  of  Molays 
souldyers,  was  by  them  seased  upon ;  which  newes  presently  was 
carryed  to  Pullicatt ;  whereupon  the  Dutch  Governour  presently 
sent  out  40  Dutch  musketeirs  and  150  blacke  souldyers,  with  two 
brass  guns,  to  rescue  their  marchant  and  to  take  him  from  Molayes 
souldyers  perforce.  But  noe  sooner  the  Dutch  approached  neare 
the  towne  where  their  marchant  was,  but  the  Gentues  souldyers 
(being  but  150,  as  aforesaid)  plyed  att  them  with  ther  small  shott, 
and  the  Dutch  answering  them  againe  with  there  two  brasse  gunes, 
which  they  discharged  at  the  Jentyues  six  or  eight  tymes,  which 
noise  drew  more  ayde  unto  the  Jentues;  which  soone  caused  the 
Dutch  to  retreate  to  their  fort,  but  was  forced  to  leave  their  two 
brass  gunes  and  their  marchant  behind  them,  to  their  great  disgrace 
and  shame  ^.  The  marchant  is  now  in  our  fort,  upon  his  ransome 
of  2,000  pag[o]ds,  which  the  Agent  hath,  upon  a  letter  from  the 
Governour  of  Pullicate  to  him,  ingaged  himselfe  unto  Molay  for  the 
payment  of  the  mony  or  the  returne  of  his  person  dead  or  alive 

1  A  brief  account  of  this  incident  will  be  found  in  the  Dagh-Register  for  1644-45,  p.  356. 


28o  THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

uppon   demand.     Soe   that  it  is  come  to  such  a  passe,  through 
Molayes  meanes,  who  is  in  such  favour  with  the  King  that  he  ruleth 
both  King  and  contry,  and  hath  prevailed  soe  farre  with  the  King 
to  send  his  mandates  to  all  his  governours  throughout  his  kingdome 
to  seaze  uppon  all  the  goods  which  is  in  any  Jentues  marchants 
hands  belonginge  unto  the  Dutch ;  and  whosoever  shalbe  found  to 
deny  any  of  their  goods,  that  party  to  be  seazd  upon  and  all  his 
estate  forfitted  unto  the  Kinge.     And  it  is  not  only  the  goods  of 
the  Dutch  they  seaze  upon,  but  their  persons  also.     Soe  that  they 
have  in  Allumbrough  [Alamparai :  see  the  preceding  volume^  p.  267] 
seazd  upon  two  Dutchmen  and  taken  6,000  ryalls  of  eight  in  goods 
from  them  and  put  their  men  in  irons ;  and  here  in  these  parts  they 
have  seazed  upon  neare  30,000  ryalls  of  eight  more  in  goods.   And 
most  parte  of  the  said  goods  are  allready  gott  together  by  the 
Kings  officers  to  a  greatt  towne  [Punamallee  ?]  some  t[w]elve  miles 
from  our  fort,  where  all  the  other  goods  must  be  brought,  and  there 
sould  by  the  Kings  Bramine  and  officers  to  those  marchants  that 
hath  mony  to  buy  them.     Soe  that  what  goods  is  already  sould  is 
bought  by  our  marchants  which  are  indebted  unto  our  Company ; 
which  they  have  brought  unto  our  fort  for  parte  satisfacion  of  their 
debts.     And  soe  soone  as  the  rest  of  [the]  goods  are  gott  together, 
they  intend  to  buy  them  alsoe  and  bring  them  unto  us.     Soe  that 
within  this  20  dayes  we  make  noe  question  but  they  will  bring  us  in 
to  the  amount  of  30,000  ryals  in  very  good  cloth  ;  soe  that  wee 
shalbe  indebted  unto  them  about   10,000    ryals,   which   we  have 
ingaged  ourselves  to  pay  in  20  dayes,  in  regard  the  money  is  the 
Kinges.     Therefore,  to  mainetaine   our  marchants  and  our  owne 
creditts,  we  have  required  Mr.  Pennistonne  to  take  up  soe  much 
mony  at  Meslapatam  for  three  months  tyme,  and  presently  to  remitt 
it  unto  us,  in  which  we  hope  he  will  nott  fayle  us.     Wee  disputed 
amongst  ourselves  before  wee  received  these  goods  of  our  marchants, 
beinge  taken  from  the  Dutch  marchants  by  the  Kinge  and  Molay 
as  aforesaid,  whether  wee  might  in  the  least  kind  infringe  the  articles 
of  peace  betwixt  [us]  and  the  Dutch,  or  that  they  could  in  any  kind 
have  any  pretence  against  us  in  this  doeinge.     Soe  wee  jointly  and 
severally  concluded  that  we  might  lawfully  receave  these  goods  of 
our  marchants,  they  being  ingaged  to  our  Company  and  the  goods 
in  the  open  markett  sould  unto  them  by  the  Kings  officers.  '  More- 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORn:S  281 

over,  the  Dutch  had  never  possession  of  these  goods,  neither  were 
they  taken  from  them,  but  seized  upon  by  the  Kinge  in  the  hands 
of  his  owne  subjects  ;  soe  that  noe  man  can  justly  say  that  they  are 
the  Dutch  their  goods.     Neither  as  yett  hath  the  Governour  of 
PuUicatte  protested  against  us  for  doeinge  what  we   have  done ; 
which  if  he  should,  we  would  answere  him  as  his  predecessor  did 
Mr.  Cogan,  when  he  went  to  Porta  Nova  to  receave  cloth  their  for 
which  he  had  long  before  paid  out  the  Companies  money  and  was 
frighted  from  thence  by  the  Dutch  ther  invention  without  receive- 
inge  any  cloth  att  all,  and  was  glad  he  gott  himselfe  away  safe  from 
thence  ;  when  presently  a  Dutch  ship  afterwards  came  and  carryed 
away  all  the  cloth  to  PuUicatte  [see  p,  38]  ;  soe  all  the  satisfaccion 
that  Mr.  Cogan  could  gett  from  the  Dutch  Governour  [was?]  that 
he  receaved  the  cloth  of  their  marchants  that  were  indebted  to  ther 
Company  ;  which  answere  wee  shall  now  returne  unto  them,  if  they 
att  any  time  question   us  in  this  cause.'     Yesterday  the  Advice 
returned  from  '  Townapa[tam]  '  [Tegnapatam],  bringing  goods  to 
the  value  of  13,000  rials  of  eight.     Hope,  therefore,  to  dispeed  her 
by  the  end  of  this  month  to  Bantam  with  a  good  cargo,  and  to  have 
ready  a  cargo  for  Persia  by  December  10.     Will  then,  on  hearing 
from  Surat,  prepare  a  lading  of  cloth  to  be  sent  to  Bantam  next 
April  in  the  Seaflower.     '  Soe,  as  it  is  our  care  in  the  provideing  of 
these  goods,  we  must  beseech  you  and  the  President  of  Bantam  to 
provide  us  with  shippinge  and  monyes  for  the  mainteininge  of  our 
creditte,  which  now  lyeth  att  stake  with  our  marchants,  for,  if  we 
now  fayle  them,  they  wilbe  utterly  disparaged  and  we  shamfuUy 
disgraced,  even  to  the  losse  of  the  Companies  trade  in  this  Kings 
dominions,  which  is  proferred  wholly  to  us  and  that  the   Dutch 
shall  never  trade  here  againe,  provided  we  have  an  annuall  supply 
of  150,000  rials  of  eight ;  which  we  can  easily  invest  here  at  the 
same  charge  as  we  now  are  att.     And  we  are  confident  that  our 
marchants  will  not  fayle  us  in  what  they  promise,  in  reguard  the 
cheife  ^  of  them  is  Molay  his  bosome  freind,  whome  he  endeavoreth 
to  make  sole  marchant  in  this  Kings  dominions,  as  himselfe  was  in 
a  manner  when  he  was  with  the  Dutch.'     As  a  vessel  will  be  needed 
to  send  to  Persia  in  December,  they  suggest  the  purchase  of  one 
which  *  Molay '  was  preparing  for  a  voyage  to  Achin,  since  abandoned 

^  Apparently  this  was  Seshadri  Chetli  (see  pp.  8i,  294). 


28a  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

owing  to  the  rupture  with  the  Dutch.  He  asks  3,000  rials  for  her. 
Pollen,  the  master  of  the  Advice,  who  saw  her  at  Tegnapatam,  con- 
siders her  suitable.  The  manning  of  her  is  a  difficulty,  unless  they 
take  some  soldiers  out  of  the  Fort  (which  will  leave  them  '  miserably 
provided  here ')  and  fill  up  with  '  Jentue  saylors  '.  Lament  that  the 
Company  *  will  not  afford  us  as  much  as  a  boate  upon  the  Coast '  ; 
but  it  is  useless  to  complain.  Request  instructions  upon  the  point ; 
also  the  speedy  remittance  of  20,000  rials  without  fail,  to  enable 
them  to  meet  their  engagements.     {Copy,     3  //.) 

William  Pitt  and  Thomas  Codrington  at  Ispahan  to 
THE  President  and  Council  at  Surat,  September  18,  1645 
(P.C,  1946). 

Wrote  last  on  the  7th,  on  which  date  Philip  Wylde  set  out  for 
Gombroon.  The  Dutch  here  have  been  ordered  to  return  to  that 
place.  They  petitioned  the  Itimad-uddaula  for  the  performance  of 
the  King's  promises  made  in  his  recent  farman.  '  He  desired  to 
know  of  them  which  way  they  could  performe  ther  promise  to  his 
Kinge  in  bringinge  more  profitt  to  his  port  then  the  custome  of 
their  goods  amounts  unto  ;  to  which  they  replyed  that  they  [would  ?] 
wright  unto  the  marchants  of  Meslapatan,  India,  and  Visapore 
[Bijapur],  and  desire  them  to  come  unto  Gombroone.  Edmund 
\sic\  Dowlett  returned  them  answere  againe  that,  when  hee  sees 
they  can  performe  their  promise,  his  King  will  not  be  backward  to 
make  good  his  firman,  and  to  that  purpose  have  [hath?]  w^ritten 
unto  the  Generall  of  Batavia,  and  hath  resolved  to  send  a  Persian 
and  our  quondam  linquist  Shavelle  ^  unto  him  to  treite  about  their 
bussinesses,  or,  if  they  cannot  come  to  agreement  with  him  theire, 
to  desire  him  to  send  some  understanding  man  hether  to  end  theire 
differences  here.  In  the  meane  time  till  the  aforesaid  messengers 
returnes  from  Batavia,  they  have  leave  to  land  and  make  sale  of 
their  goods  and  to  buy  silke  where  or  of  whom  they  please,  without 
payinge  custome  for  it.  .  .  .  The  4,900  tomands  which  was  forced 
from  them  is  not  (as  the  second  of  the  Dutch  reported  it  was) 
returned  to  them,  nor  like  to  bee  ;  for  Edmund  Dowlett  in  our 
presence  made  appeare  unto  them  that  the  custome  of  their  goods 

*  In  O.C.  1944  he  is  termed  *  Shavallee '  and  *  Shevallee'.     He  had  recently  quitted  the 
English  service  for  the  Dutch.    The  name  may  be  intended  for  Shah  Wall. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  283 

amounts  to  30,000  tomands,  of  which  his  Kingc  hath  received  noe 
more  then  the  aforesaid  4,900  tomands  ;  see  that  there  rests  due 
from  them  25,100  tomands,  which  the  King  hath  now  remitted  unto 
them.'     {Copy.     \\  pp.) 

Robert  Cranmer,  Revett  Walwyn,  and  Thomas  Cogan 
AT  Basra  to  the  President  and  Council  at  Surat, 
September  22,  1645  {O.C.  1947).^ 

Reached  this  place  on  June  29,  and  were  well  received.  They 
found  the  city  glutted  with  goods,  owing  to  the  stoppage  of  trade 
at  Gombroon  by  the  hostilities  there.  Two  Dutch  ships  arrived 
here  on  July  19 ;  '  but  as  yet  have  landed  but  little  goods  and  sold 
but  to  the  amount  of  15  or  18,000  rials,  for  to  receive  which  they 
were  forced  to  stay  there  ship  some  16  dayes  longer  then  intended. 
One  of  them  ^  some  six  dayes  since  sett  sayle  for  Gombroone.' 
They  have,  however,  spoiled  the  market  for  the  English.  The 
Dutch  are  generally  hated  here,  and  the  Governor  has  several  times 
told  them  that  they  can  go  when  they  pleased,  if  they  are  not 
satisfied  to  have  the  same  privileges  as  the  English.  Deficiencies 
and  defects  in  the  Seahorse's  cargo.  That  vessel  was  dispatched  to 
Tuticorin  on  August  28.  Six  of  her  crew  died  here.  The  En- 
deavotir  arrived  July  26,  but  it  was  the  end  of  August  before  they 
could  house  all  the  goods  she  brought.  List  of  deficiencies  in  her 
cargo.  '  Capt.  John  Durson,  belonging  to  the  Courteens  Company, 
arrived  here  the  3d  August  with  a  poore  carga[zoon],  vizt.  some 
100  bags  of  pepper  for  accompt  of  theire  Company,  40  loggs,  as 
many  plancks,  and  a  parcell  of  bass  to  make  roapes.  He  anchored 
some  five  dayes  at  Bunder  Reack  ^  and  sold  some  of  theire  goods  ; 
but  after  the  Persians  repented  theire  bargaine,  and  he  sayled  from 
thence  without  any  mony,  but  at  parting  brought  from  that  place 
a  slave  woman  and  her  child  and  forced  from  another  Banyan 
a  parcell  of  pearles  worth  some  10  or  15  tomands;  but  the  owners 
of  both  were  here  before  the  ship  to  complayne.  Wee  advized  the 
Governour  &c.  that  they  belonged  not  to  our  Company  or  ought  to 
come  where  wee  were  ;  but  here  all  companies  have  liberty  to  trade. 

^  Sent  by  the  Endeavour.     Another  copy  will  be  found  among  the  O.C.  Duplicates. 

2  The  Del/shaven. 

'  Bandar  Rig,  a  little  to  the  north-west  of  Bushire. 


284  THE  ENGLISH  FACTORIES 

Wee  desire  your  instructions  or  advice  by  first  ship  what  course 
wee  shall  take,  if  for  future  they  come  to  this  port.'     The  factors 
persuaded  Durson  to  restore  the  slave  woman  and  the  pearls.     The 
Governor  of  Kung  promised  to  induce  the  merchants  there  to  provide 
freight  for  the  Endeavotir ;  so  Walwyn  has  been  sent  in  her  to  look 
after  this,  and  is  to  remain  at  Kung  until  fetched  back.     Forward 
a  list  of  goods  they  would  be  glad  to  receive  for  sale  here,  though 
the  markets  are  very  dull  at  present.     The  vessel  bringing  them 
should  arrive  early  in  May.     Hope  that  the  experience  of  the  Dutch 
this  year  will  discourage  them  from  coming  again.   The  China  ware 
brought  by  the  Seahorse  was  much  damaged.     The  largest  sorts  of 
dishes,  bowls,  and  jars  would  sell  well  here.     Have  received  549 
rials  for  freight  of  goods  embarked  in  the  Endeavour ;    and  are 
sending  in  her  38,753^  rials,  as  the  result  of  their  sales.     The  Basha 
is  dispatching  to  the  President  an  Arabian  horse.     Enclose  a  list  of 
goods  wanted  for  presents.     '  The  King,  haveing  been  very  sick  this 
and  the  last  yeare,  would  perswade  his  sonn,  Hassan  Beague,  to  be 
Bashaw,  but  he  will  not  by  any  meanes  accept  of  it ;   wherefore 
this  day,  with  consent  of  all  the  Beagues  in  this  country,  have  made 
his  Sonne  second  person  in  Councell  and  Governour  of  Bussora  ; 
and  this  day  Mahmud  Agga  left  of  his  place  of  goverment  and 
remaines  only  Shaubunder  ;  which  is  much  better  for  our  bussines. 
If  Your  Worships  please  to  write  two  or  three   lines  to  Hassan 
Beague,  it  would  be  a  great  help  to  the  Companies  bussines,  if  at 
any    time    wee    should    want    his    assistance.     The    Dutch    and 
Capt.  Durson  were  very  important  [importunate]  with  the  Shau- 
bunder to  goe  and  see  theire  ships  ;  but  (what  his  reason  was  wee 
know  not)  he  would  not  goe  to  any  of  them,  but  invited  himselfe 
and  other  cheife  men  aboard  the  Endeavour  one  morning  by  breake 
of  day ;  when  wee  made  them  the  best  bankett  wee  could  contrive, 
and    presented    them    according    to    theire    quallities.'     Forward 
accounts  and  transcripts  of  letters,  and  desire  a  supply  of  pro- 
visions.   Lee,   the   surgeon,   desired   to   proceed    to    Surat   in  the 
Endeavour i  but  could  not  be  spared,  '  and  the  rather  by  reason  that 
the  Governours  kinsman  and  Ally  Agha  were  his  patients.'     PS. — 
Enclose  letters  for  the  President  from  the  Basha  and  the  Governor. 
{Copy.    2>\  PP) 


THE  ENGLISH  FACTORIES  285 


Notes  of  the  Voyage  of  the  Falcon  {Marine  Records^ 
vol.  Ixv.  p.  95). 

1645,  September  25.  Anchored  in  Swally  Road.  October  28. 
Set  sail.  November  18.  Anchored  in  *the  road  of  Sind'.  List  of 
goods  embarked  there,  including  70  bales  of  private  trade. 
December  7.  Reached  Swally,  and  disembarked  the  cargo.     (|  p.) 

The  King  of  Vijayanagar  at  *  Arlour  ^ '  to  the  Agent 
AT  Fort  St.  George,  September  25,  1645  {O.C.  1948)/^ 

'  Zree  Seringo  Raylo,  King  of  Kings,  a  God  in  his  kingdome,  in 
armes  invincible,  &c.,  unto  the  Captain  of  the  English,  these.  The 
Hollanders,  who  have  their  residence  in  Pallacatt,  not  valuinge  my 
letters,  hath  constrained  mee  to  commence  a  warre  against  them, 
the  charge  whereof  is  committed  unto  Chenana  Chety  [Malaya :  see 
p.  50],  whom  you  are  to  assist  therein  with  artillery,  powder,  shott, 
fireworks  ;  and  in  soe  doing  you  shall  pleasure  us.  Whatever  goods 
appertained  unto  the  Hollanders  in  my  kingdome  I  accompt  it  as 
my  peculiar  and  proper  wealth  ;  which,  being  all  come  to  Madrasa- 
patam,  wee  will  that  you  buy  and  pay  monies  for  the  same,  pro- 
ceeding therein  as  Chenana  Chety  and  Seradra^  shall  prescribe, 
not  failing  at  all  in  its  performance.  And  whereas  I  am  given  to 
understand  by  Chenana  Chety  that  you  intend  to  send  upp  a  man 
of  quality  unto  us,  [I]  am  very  well  pleased,  for  that  you  have 
allwaies  esteemed  my  ordinances ;  and  as  Chenana  Chety  will 
advize,  soe  shall  you  bee  sure  to  receive  content ;  nor  bee  you 
induced  to  beleive  the  contrary,  but  confide  upon  our  word  and 
hast  to  visitt  us  by  your  second  and  whomsoever  else  you  send 
along  with  him ;  for  whose  secure  repayre  unto  our  court  this  our 
firman  shall  suffice.  As  for  other  matters,  Chinana  Chety  will 
advise  you.'     {Copy.     \  p.) 

^  Raya  Ellnni,  now  known  as  Vellore. 

2  A  copy  of  a  translated  version  enclosed  in  the  Madras  letter  of  October  i,  1645  (see 
p.  291).  The  copy  was  apparently  made  at  Surat.  What  became  of  the  original  document 
is  not  known. 

^  An  error  for  '  Sesadra',  i.e.  Seshadri  Chetti. 


286  THE  ENGLISH   FACTORIES 


Consultation  held  aboard  the  Eagle  in  Swally  Hole 
BY  Messrs.  Merry,  Thurston,  Tash,  and  Fitch,  assisted  by 
Thomas  Stevens,  Andrew  Trumball,  and  Thomas  Tomplins 
(Purser),  September  29, 1645  (P.C.  1949). 

The  Eagle,  Falcon^  and  Lanneret  having  arrived  here,  the  Presi- 
dent (who  was  himself  too  unwell  to  leave  Surat)  sent  down  the 
members  of  his  Council  to  superintend  the  landing  of  their  cargoes. 
Whilst  thus  employed,  Courteen's  ship  Hester^  commanded  by- 
Robert  Hogg,  anchored  in  the  road,  *  with  the  Union  flagg  in  his 
mainetoppmasthead '.  This  intrusion  into  the  Company's  chief 
port,  and  '  his  well  knowne  pyraticall  practise  by  intercepting  a  small 
jounck  or  tawrin  ^  belonging  to  the  King  of  Cushan  ^  haveing 
allreadie  made  him  famous  (rather  infamous)  amongst  these  people ', 
it  was  deemed  advisable  to  examine  into  his  authority  for  such 
actions,  and  also  to  require  him  to  take  in  his  flag.  As  regards  his 
coming  to  Surat,  Hogg  pretends  that  he  was  obliged  to  do  so  by 
the  Governor  of  Mozambique,  who  required  him  to  transport  hither 
Joao  da  Maya  Caldeira,  the  Portuguese  left  at  Johanna  by 
Mucknell ;  but  it  is  believed  that  he  really  undertook  to  do  this  in 
order  to  ingratiate  himself  with  the  Portuguese.  He  declares  that 
he  will  merely  trim  and  provision  his  ship  and  then  depart ;  but  he 
refuses  to  enter  into  any  obligation  not  to  trade  here.  In  conse- 
quence, with  the  assent  of  the  President,  orders  are  given  not  to 
permit  him  to  land  or  embark  any  goods  whatsoever.  After  several 
attempts  at  evasion,  he  produces  his  commission ;  but  nothing  can 
be  found  therein  warranting  either  his  coming  to  this  port  or 
capturing  ' our  freinds  jounck'.  As  to  the  flag,  he  pretends  that  it 
was  hoisted  without  his  knowledge,  but  he  refuses  to  take  it  in 
voluntarily ;  whereupon  order  is  given  that  it  shall  be  lowered. 
Understanding  that  Hogg  intends  to  proceed  to  Surat,  it  is  decided 
to  rejoin  the  President  there  and  further  consider  the  matter,    {i^pp.) 

1  See  the  preceding  volume,  p.  42. 

^  Kishin,  in  Southern  Arabia.    Regarding  this  capture  see  a  Portuguese  letter  from  the 
Captain  of  Bassein,  which  forms  O.C.  1950. 


THE  ENGLISH  FACTORIES  287 


Messrs.  Ivy,  Greenhill,  Travell,  and  Minn  at  Fort  St. 
George  to  the  Company,  October  i,  1645  (O.C.  1952). 

Wrote  last  on  September  7,  1644,  by  the  Swafi,  which  left 
Masulipatam  on  October  8  and  reached  Bantam  December  26. 
During  the  twelvemonth  that  has  elapsed  since  then,  they  have  not 
received  one  word  from  the  Company,  and  they  can  only  conclude 
that  '  you  have  totally  forgotten  us  and  doe  intend  to  sett  a  period 
to  this  trade'.  Meanwhile,  they  have  provided  cargoes  for  various 
vessels  at  a  cost  of  over  102,000  rials  of  eight,  viz.  the  Swan  for 
Bantam  (as  aforesaid),  15,112  rials,  59^.:  the  Eftdeavotir,  which 
sailed  for  Persia  on  December  23,  1644,  23,650  rials,  2>3^''-  the 
Seaflower  for  Bantam,  May  5,  1645,  37  A^^  rials,  4^. :  and  the 
Advice^  which  has  gone  to  Masulipatam  to  complete  her  lading  for 
Bantam,  about  26,000  rials.  The  enclosed  abstract  will  show 
which  of  the  goods  were  intended  for  Europe ;  trust  that  these  will 
duly  reach  the  Company,  '  for  wee  have  by  Gods  assistance  and  our 
indeavours  mett  with  merchants  that  hath  brought  such  a  trade  to 
your  new  Fort  St.  George  that  Bantam  nor  Surratt  shall  not  want 
cloath,  if  they  supply  us  with  shipping  for  its  transportation  and 
some  reasonable  stocke  for  the  maynetenance  of  the  same.'  Draw 
special  attention  to  some  samples  of  longcloth,  indigo,  and  gun- 
powder ;  the  last  they  believe  is  as  good  as  any  made  in  Europe. 
Have  experimented  with  the  manufacture  here  of  all  sorts  of  Surat 
cloth  (except  '  silke  pattolas  and  tapichindas ') ;  some  specimens 
have  been  sent  in  the  Advice^  and  they  make  no  question  of  succeed- 
ing, if  they  can  get  from  Surat  '  a  skillfull  workeman  for  their  well 
makeing  upp  and  the  glazeing  of  their  heads '.  '  For  the  prizes  of 
the  cloath,  wee  beleive  they  wilbee  something  cheaper  then  at 
Surratt ;  and  indeede,  if  this  place  were  well  supplyed  with  stocke 
and  shipping,  wee  neede  not  seeke  further  for  any  sort  of  goods, 
betteelaes  and  redd  cloth  excepted  ;  which  wee  have  now  at  last 
discovered  by  the  falling  out  of  the  Dutch  with  Mollay,  their  cheife 
merchant  and  founder  of  their  trade  uppon  this  coast.'  The  Advice 
has  orders  not  to  leave  Masulipatam  for  Bantam  before  November  2. 
Meanwhile  she  will  ride  at  *  Emalldeene'  [sec  p.  75],  where  she  will 
be  as  safe  as  in  the  Thames ;    and  it  is  found  by  experience  that 


288  THE  ENGLISH  FACTORIES 

vessels  leaving  this  coast  in  November  get  to  Bantam  as  soon  as 
those  that  start  a  month  or  more  earlier.    They  have,  either  ready  or 
in  prospect,  sufficient  cloth  to  provide  a  cargo  for  Persia,  if  a  ship 
and  money  be  sent  hither  from  Surat.     This  abundance  of  cloth  is 
due  to  '  the  difference  betwixt  the  Dutch  and  Mollay,  their  quondom 
great  merchant,  which  is  now  fallen  out  into  open  warrs,  and  ever 
since  the  13th  August  Mollay,  by  order  and  leave  of  the  Kinge, 
hath  beseiged   Pullecatt  and  by  the  same  order  and  power  hath 
seiz'd  uppon  all  the  goods  in  the  Jentue  merchants  hands  in  this 
kingdome  belonging  unto  the  Dutch  (for  which  they  say  they  have 
given  out  money  to  these  merchants,  but  never  had  possession  nor 
made  price  of  the  goods),  and  taken  three  Dutchmen  captives,  one 
of  which  is  in  our  fort,  uppon  ransome  of  2,000  pagodaes,  and  the 
other  two  are  prisoners  at  a  sea  port  towne  named  Allumbrough. 
It  is  credibly  reported   that  the   Kinge  is  sending   downe  great 
ordinance  and  more  power  against  Pullecatt  to  burne  the  towne 
and  beate  downe  the  fort.     The  former  may  bee  done ;  but  for  the 
latter  they  will  finde  a  hard  taske  to  performe.'   The  Dutch  lost  two 
guns  in  attempting  to  rescue  their  merchant.     The  King  is  said  to 
have  '  vowed  the  distruction  of  Pullecatt  and  to  turne  all  the  Dutch 
men  out  of  his  cuntrey '.     The  origin  of  these  differences  will  be 
found  in  the  enclosed  translation  of  a  letter  addressed  by  '  Mollay ' 
to  the  Dutch  '  Gennerall  of  Battavia  '.^     This  will  also  show  '  the 
Hollanders  great  tradeing  and  falce  projects  with  Your  Worships 
in  this  Kings  territoryes '.     The  whole  trade  is  now  offered  to  the 
English :  '  which  wee  could  easilye  maynetayne,  if  you  pleas'd  to 
shew  us  any  reasonable  countinance  therein,  which  may  bee  done  in 
continually  keepeing  on  this  coast  of  a  pinnace  of  80  tonns,  and  an 
annuall  supply  from   Europe,  Bantam,  and    Surra tt  [of]    150,000 
royalls  of  eight,  which  is  but  from  each  place  50,000.'     The  goods 
seized  by  the  King's  officers  as  Dutch  property  have  been  sold  to 
the  merchants  employed  by  the  English  and  are  now  proferred  by 
them  to  the  factors  in  satisfaction  of  their  engagements ;  but  they 

1  Not  now  extant.  There  is,  however,  under  0.  C.  i'884,  ^^  abstract  of  the  covering  letter, 
in  which  it  is  stated  (apparently  from  the  missing  enclosure)  that  *  the  occasion  of  the  warr 
betweene  Molay  and  the  Dutch  came  by  the  Governours  of  Pullicate  imprisoning  of 
Mollays  sonn,  brother  in  law,  and  famillie  and  takeing  awaie  of  Mollays  goods,  upon  a 
pretence  that  he  was  indebted  to  the  Dutch.'  For  these  disputes  see  a  letter  from  Pulicat 
(March,  1645)  in  Hague  Transcripts^  series  i.  vol.  xiv  (no.  432).  ' 


THE  ENGLISH  FACTORIES  289 

will  not  be  accepted  until  the  approbation  of  the  Surat  President 
has  been  received,  as  the  Dutch  threaten  to  search  the  English  ships 
and  confiscate  any  of  these  goods  they  may  find.  '  If  Your  Worships 
suffer  these  affronts,  it  wilbee  noc  less  dishonnour  unto  our  nation 
then  disparradgement  unto  your  servants/  Now  that  the  Advice 
has  departed,  they  have  no  vessel  left  on  the  coast.  The  Company's 
servants  are  as  follows :  In  Fort  St.  George :  Thomas  Ivy,  Henry 
Greenhill,  George  Travell,  William  Minn,  and  Thomas  Jermyn, 
factors ;  and  Martin  Bradgate  and  Walter  Robins,  writers  ;  together 
with  the  soldiers,  &c.,  enumerated  in  the  enclosed  list  \jnissi7ig\.  In 
Masulipatam,  Viravasaram,  and  Petapoli :  Thomas  Peniston,  Thomas 
Winter,  Richard  Hudson,  William  Methwold,  William  Gumey, 
Edmund  Styles,  and  Christopher  Yardly,  factors ;  and  Hercules 
Heywood  and  Edward  Winter,  writers.  'At  Bengalla':  Henry 
Olton  and  William  Netlam.  They  are  thus  at  present  better 
supplied  with  merchants  than  with  means ;  but  '  in  hopes  of  future 
imployments '  they  have  prevailed  upon  four  of  these,  whose  periods 
of  service  have  expired,  to  remain  for  three  years  longer  from 
September  i.  Greenhill,  who  has  served  fourteen  years  (the  last 
six  at  60/.  per  annum),  has  been  re-engaged  at  100/.  '  Hee  hath 
bin  the  Accomptant  Gennerall  on  the  Coast  this  foure  yeares ; 
whose  honesty  and  abillityes  hath  bin  soe  well  approv'd  of  that  wee 
hould  him  worthy  and  deserveth  the  best  imployment  in  your 
service,  if  occasion  requireth.'  Minn  and  Jermyn  have  been  given 
40/.  per  annum ;  while  Robins,  who  has  been  a  writer  for  over  five 
years,  has  had  his  wages  increased  to  20/.  Trust  that  these  arrange- 
ments will  be  approved  by  the  Company.  '  Wee  have  bin  often 
tymes  sollicited  by  this  Kinge  to  give  him  a  vissitt,  which  never 
was  yett  done  to  him  or  his  predecessours  since  our  first  arivall 
heere,  which  is  now  seven  yeares  allmost ;  soe,  if  wee  any  longer 
deny  his  reasonable  request,  wee  may  suddainely  expect  his  just 
displeasure  and  peradventure  have  a  seidge  about  us,  as  our 
neighbours  the  Hollanders  of  one  syde  and  Portugalls  of  the  other, 
which  are  seldome  free,  notwithstanding  their  great  power  and 
defence,  who  hath  twenty  for  one  more  then  wee;  soe  that,  if  the 
like  should  happen  unto  us,  what  can  you  expect  of  50  well  and 
sicke  men  to  defend  your  estate  and  fort  against  the  Kings  power, 
when  one  of  his  merchants  hath  queld  the  Hollanders  soe,  that  they 

FOSTER  VII  U 


CJ90  THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

dare  not  stirr  out  of  their  fort  or  putt  their  feete  ashoare  in  this 
Kings  dominion  ?  And  now  the  King  himselfe  hath  taken  it  to 
hart,  in  the  behalfe  of  Mollay,  his  cheife  counceller,  to  comence 
warrs  against  the  Hollanders.  Tyme  will  produce  the  event 
thereof;  for  it  is  growne  to  that  height  that  the  Hollander  must 
leave  this  Kings  cuntry,  or  Mollay  fall  into  utter  distruction.  Soe 
that  wee  have  nothing  more  to  trust  unto  then  our  civill  comport- 
ment and  respect  to  the  Kinge  and  great  ones,  which  hath  hetherto 
prevayled  before  the  Hollanders  potencie;  and  at  present  are  in 
such  esteeme  with  the  King  and  great  ones  that  the  whole  trade  of 
this  kingdome  is  proffered  unto  the  Honourable  English  East  India 
Company.  And  for  the  mayntenance  of  the  same  and  the  Kings 
favour,  wee  are  .  .  .  resolved  within  this  few  dayes  to  send  upp 
Mr.  Henry  Greenhill  ^,  with  foure  other  English  souldiers  for  his 
attendance,  for  the  reconfirmation  of  what  was  graunted  unto 
Mr.  Cogan  by  the  Great  Nague,  under  whose  protection  formerly 
wee  liv'd,  but  now  the  Kinge  hath  taken  his  power  and  this  cuntry 
from  him  ;  soe  that  his  power  and  protection  is  of  noe  longer  vallue. 
Soe  now  findeing  a  fitting  oppertunity,  wee  doubt  not  but  to  have 
our  old  priviledges  reconfirm'd,  with  the  adition  of  a  great  many 
more,  by  this  now  reigneing  ing,  which  hath  brought  all  his 
great  lords  unto  his  comand,  which  hath  not  bin  this  40  yeares 
before.  This  by  Mollayes  assistance  wee  make  noe  question  to 
obtayne.  And  another  reason  for  the  sending  of  Mr.  Greenhill  to 
the  King  is  because  that  our  powerfull  freinds  the  Governour  &c.  of 
PuUecatt  would  make  us  beleive  that  Mollay  is  a  villiane  and 
a  heighway  robber  and  that  wee,  in  receiveing  those  goods  of  our 
merchants  which  Mollay  hath  stollen  and  sould  to  them,  are  as  bad 
as  hee,  and  therefore  will  take  those  goods  out  of  our  shipps  where- 
soever they  meete  them,  and  to  this  effect  hath  given  their  com- 
missions to  all  their  comanders  to  search  our  shipps  wheresoever 
they  meete  them ;  thinkeing  thus  to  buncke  us  out  of  400  bales  of 
goods  which  our  merchants  hath  in  Fort  St.  George  and  at  our 
washers  in  possession  ;  soe  should  wee  disapoint  our  Surratt  Presi- 
dent of  his  Mocho  shipps  ladeinge  of  goods  (and  better  goods  wee 
know  hee  cannot  have  for  that  place).     Therefore,  until  1  wee  have 

^  In  Bruce's  Annals  (vol.  i.  p.  415)  Greenhill's  mission  is  erroneously  stated  as  having 
been  to  the  King  of  Golconda. 


THE  ENGLISH  FACTORIES  291 

his  approbation,  wee  are  resolved  to  our  power  to  maynetayne  our 
merchants  in  that  just  cause  that  wee  well  know  they  are  in,  in 
regard  wee  finde  they  doe  truely  indeavour  your  proffitt  and  their 
owne  credditts ;  and  for  these  goods,  wee  well  knowe  they  have 
paid  to  the  uttermost  vallue  of  them,  and  soe  must  wee  likewise. 
Therefore,  because  the  Hollanders  shall  not  say  that  wee  are  the 
receivers  of  stollen  goods,  wee  doe  send  Mr.  Greenhill  and  four  other 
English  men  unto  the  Kinge,  to  beseech  his  hand  and  signett  to 
testifie  to  the  whole  world  that  Mollay  is  noe  villiane  nor  theife, 
and  what  warr  is  comenced  against  the  Hollanders  is  by  His 
Majesties  command,  as  well  as  the  goods  taken  from  his  subjects 
belonging  to  the  Hollanders,  sould  by  his  officers  with  the  same 
comand.  Soe  that  when  wee  have  this  from  the  Kinge  under  his 
owne  hand  and  signett,  and  that  by  his  owne  hand  is  delivered 
unto  Mr.  Greenhill,  in  presence  of  four  other  English  men,  wee  hope, 
when  wee  shall  have  sent  the  coppie  thereof  to  the  Governour  of 
Pullecatt,  hee  will  noe  longer  threaten  us  for  the  receiveinge  of 
stollen  goods.  This  wee  intend  to  doe  before  wee  receive  a  peece 
of  these  400  bales  of  cloath  ;  and  then  in  the  future,  if  the  Hollanders 
abuse  and  affront  us,  wee  make  noe  question  but  you  will  maynetayne 
us  in  a  right  and  just  cause.'  Information  has  been  received  from 
Bantam  that  the  Company  have  ordered  Ivy  to  repair  to  Bantam  ; 
though  this  is  '  contrary  to  contract ',  he  will  obey  and  will  depart 
by  the  next  ship.  He  would  have  gone  by  the  Advice,  but  it  was 
the  unanimous  opinion  of  the  factors  that  his  so  doing  *  would  have 
redownd  unto  your  loss  and  hindrance  of  the  Coast  trade'.  He 
thanks  the  Company  for  appointing  him  to  be  President  at  Bantam, 
but  begs  leave  to  return  to  England  the  following  year,  when  his 
covenanted  period  will  be  nearly  expired.  PS. — *  This  instant  wee 
received  a  letter  from  the  King  by  two  of  our  owne  servants,  whome 
wee  sent  to  him  for  that  purpose ;  which  letter  was  deliverd  unto 
our  servants  in  the  presence  of  the  Kinge,  who  with  his  owne  mouth 
bade  them  to  deliver  it  unto  the  Agent.  The  translate  of  that 
letter  out  of  Jentue  into  English  \_see  p.  285]  wee  send  unto  you 
herewith  for  your  perusalL*     {Copy.    ^\pp) 


U  2 


29a  THE   ENGLISH  FACTORIES 


Messrs.  Ivy,  Greenhill,  Travell,  and  Minn  at  Fort  St. 
George  to  the  President  and  Council  at  Surat,  October  i, 
1645  {0,C.  1951). 

The  warfare  between  the  Dutch  and  '  Molay  '  increases  daily  in 
intensity.  Had  meant  to  send  the  Advice  direct  to  Bantam,  but, 
owing  to  want  of  washers,  they  could  not  get  their  cloth  ready 
in  time ;  and  so  on  September  lo,  they  sent  her  to  Masulipatam,  to 
complete  her  lading  there.  None  of  the  goods  put  into  her  at 
this  place  were  from  those  taken  by  *  Molay '  from  the  Dutch  mer- 
chants, except  perhaps  three  bales  of  white  salampores  received 
from  '  Sesadra ',  and  even  these  have  no  mark  upon  them  that 
would  identify  them  as  Dutch  property.  These  three  bales  are 
intended  for  Europe,  and  will,  it  is  thought,  prove  a  very  profitable 
commodity.  Enclose  a  copy  of  a  letter  received  from  the  Dutch 
Governor  of  Pulicat,  warning  them  not  to  buy  any  of  the  goods 
seized  by  '  Molay  '  ^,  and  notifying  that  instructions  have  been  given 
to  search  all  English  ships  *and  to  take  such  goods  out'.  The 
Advice  has  passed  by  Pulicat  without  interference,  and  so  the 
Dutch  protest  is  looked  upon  as  'a  scarecrow'.  However,  they 
have  not  yet  bought  any  of  the  goods  (except  the  salampores) 
purchased  by  their  merchants  from  the  King's  officers ;  and  they 
will  await  instructions  from  Surat  before  doing  anything  of  the 
kind.  Still,  the  dealers  have  been  allowed  to  warehouse  some  of 
the  goods  in  the  Fort ;  and  the  factors  intend  '  to  maintain  our 
merchants  in  a  true  and  just  caus,  as  wee  beleive  they  are  in.' 
'  Molay '  has  full  authority  from  the  King  for  all  his  proceedings, 
as  will  be  seen  from  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  from  him  to  the 
Governor-General  at  Batavia ;  and  they  look  upon  these  goods  as 
taken  in  war  and  therefore  lawfully  purchasable.  That  the 
hostilities  were  commenced  by  the  King  they  will  shortly  be  able 
to  prove  under  his  own  hand.  ^  To  that  purpose  wee  are  now 
sendinge  Mr.  Henry  Greenhill  unto  him  with  four  other  English 
men,  who  shalbe  testators  of  the  same  that  what  is  donne  against 
the  Hollanders  is  by  the  Kings  comaund  and  consent ;  and  until  1 
we  have  this  under  the  Kings  hand  and  signett,  wee  will  not  receive 

^  See  the  Dagh-Re^ster  for  1644-45,  p.  356. 


THE  ENGLISH  FACTORIES  293 

one  piece  of  these  goods,  but  keepe  possession  of  it  untill  we  heare 
from  you,'  Forward  transcripts  of  their  letter  to  the  Company  and 
other  papers,  with  their  books  of  accounts.  PS. — The  *  cossas ' 
and  ginghams  taken  out  of  the  Endeavour  at  Surat  were  provided 
for  England  and  should  be  sent  thither.  Enclose  a  translation  of 
a  letter  just  received  from  the  King.     {Copy.     3I  pp) 


The  Same  to  the  President  and  Council  at  Bantam, 
October  i,  1645  (p.C.  1953). 

Wrote  last  on  July  31,  by  a  Dutch  conveyance,  notifying  the 
arrival  of  the  Advice.  Answer  various  points  in  the  letter  she 
brought.  Bridgeman  has  been  made  purser  of  the  Advice  (as 
ordered)  and  returned  to  Bantam.  William  Brown  has  also  been 
sent;  but  Jeremy  Root  was  too  ill  to  embark.  Trust  that  the 
Seaflower  will  be  dispatched  to  this  place  without  fail,  as  they  have 
plenty  of  goods  for  her,  if  means  be  sent  for  their  purchase.  For- 
ward samples  of  cloths  made  here  in  imitation  of  those  procurable 
at  Surat.  The  deficiency  in  the  sandalwood  laden  upon  the  Sea- 
fiower  was  caused  by  the  use  of  the  brass  weights  sent  out  by  the 
Company  in  1640,  which  are  two  per  cent,  too  light.  The  wetting 
of  that  vessel's  cargo  was  due  to  a  leak ;  but  the  fine  cloths  have 
now  been  put  up  '  in  wax  rappers '  to  prevent  a  repetition.  Have 
sent  to  '  Gingallee '  \see  p.  ']^  for  the  iron  required  for  Macassar. 
Wish  that  the  Sivan  had  proceeded  on  the  Manilla  voyage  in  spite 
of  the  threats  of  the  Dutch,  which  are  nothing  but  '  scarecrows '. 
There  is  not  a  better  market  in  the  world  ;  and  Bantam,  Jambi, 
&c.,  will  not  find  vent  for  all  the  goods  now  sent  or  in  preparation. 
'  Wee  were  in  good  hopes  that  you  would  againe  have  made  triall 
with  the  Scqfloiver  to  obtaine  Bengalla  through  the  Streightes 
of  Mallacca.  But  wee  still  meete  with  the  Hollanders  interpos- 
sitions  by  the  way,  which  still  are  a  hinderance  to  our  masters  just 
and  lawfull  trade :  and  ourselves  not  haveing  any  shipp  or  meanes 
to  send  thither,  have  obtaind  fraight  for  the  Companies  goods  and 
Mr.  Oltons  passage  from  thence  to  Messulapatana,  only  leaveing 
Mr.  Nettlam  to  looke  unto  the  Companies  howse.  So  that,  if  the 
next  yeare  wee  are  noe  better  supplyed  with  shipping  and  meanes 
then   this,   wee   intend   to    dissolve    that    unprofTittable    factorie. 


294  THE  ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Mr.  Olton  wee  intend,  after  Mr.  Penistons  repaire  hither,  to  appointe 
cheeif  at  Verashroone,  and  Mr.  Winter  to  succeed  Mr.  Peniston. 
Accordeing  to  your  order  and  directions  wee  have  likewise  long 
since  sent  unto  Mr.  Olton  the  transcripts  of  Mr.  Hatch  his  bookes 
of  accompts  &c.,  for  his  satisfaction  and  directions  of  him  in  that 
litle  or  noe  bussiness  which  hee  maketh  such  a  stir  aboute.' 
Hudson  denies  the  truth  of  Gardner's  accusations,  and  has  conse- 
quently been  permitted  to  retain  his  post.  Request  that  certain 
deficiencies  in  the  cargo  of  the  Advice  may  be  made  good.  The 
four  '  lascars  *  have  been  sent  to  Masulipatam.  As  regards  general 
news,  the  factors  refer  to  their  accompanying  letter  to  the  Company. 
Would  be  glad  to  have  an  opinion  from  Bantam  as  to  the  lawful- 
ness of  their  receiving  the  goods  taken  from  the  Dutch.  Forward 
(with  a  translation)  a  letter  addressed  by  '  Mollay  '  to  the '  Generall 
of  Battavia '.  This  would  have  been  sent  by  the  Seaflower,  but  it 
arrived  too  late.  Enclose  also  a  correspondence  with  the  Dutch  at 
Pulicat,  and  request  that  all  these  papers  may  be  transmitted  to  the 
Company  after  perusal.  Their  accounts  have  been  sent  by  the 
Advice  ;  also  three  bales  of  goods  belonging  to  the  son  of  '  Sessadra 
Nague,  our  cheif  marchant'  \_see  p.  381].  These  should  be  sold  and 
the  proceeds  returned  by  the  next  ship.  PS. — 'Att  the  sealeing 
upp  hereof,  we  were  pressented  with  a  petition  from  the  souldiers 
for  the  desireing  of  a  minnister  to  be  heere  with  them  for  the  main- 
tainance  of  their  soules  health  ;  which  petition  goeth  heerewith, 
beseecheing  Your  Wisdomes  devote  consideration  therein.'  PPS. — 
Enclose  a  translation  of  a  letter  just  received  from  the  King. 
{Copy.     7  pp) 

Robert  Cranmer,  Thomas  Cogan,  and  William  We  ale  at 
Basra  to  the  President  and  Council  at  Surat,  October  3, 
1645  (P.C,  1954). 

Avail  themselves  of  an  opportunity  of  sending  a  note  '  per  convoy 
of  Hadgee  Zahad  Beagues  jouncks'.  Trade  is  very  dead,  both 
here  and  at  Bagdad  and  Aleppo.  Send  a  revised  list  of  goods 
desired  for  next  year.  The  town  is  so  full  of  all  sorts  of  com- 
modities that  prices  have  fallen  considerably  and  they  will  have 
hard  work  to  sell  their  stock  before  next  monsoon.  Enclose  a  list 
of  the  goods  sold   by  the  Dutch   at  this  place,  with  the  prices 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  295 

realized.  If  the  latter  promise  more  profit  than  the  sorts  already- 
asked  for,  next  season's  consignment  should  be  modified  accord- 
ingly. Two  small  brass  guns  were  bought  from  Capt.  Durson  for 
the  use  of  the  Seahorse^  at  Mr.  Tindall's  request.  The  purser  of 
the  Endeavour  refuses  to  give  any  account  of  the  way  in  which  he 
disbursed  the  money  advanced  to  him  to  provide  necessaries. 
Some  rule  ought  to  be  laid  down  as  to  fresh  provisions  for  the 
ships.  'A  quarter  of  a  sheepe  a  mess  use[d]  to  be  the  custome.' 
The  Dutch  report  that  they  have  taken  Ormus,  but  there  is  no 
confirmation  of  this.  The  Portuguese  have  spread  a  story  that 
'  the  ensueing  yeare  they  shall  have  warrs  with  us  and  the  Vice 
King  will  not  give  lycence  for  our  comeing  more  to  Bussora ;  and 
this  wee  conceive  is  partly  to  feare  the  people  not  to  send  theire 
goods  in  the  Companies  vessels.'  Request  certain  articles  for 
presents.  '  Chaires  and  cotts  ^  of  guilded  Brodra  [Baroda]  worke 
are  not  here  acceptable.  Those  now  required  of  seesum  ^  of  5^ 
rup[ees]  price  are  of  more  vallue.'     (Copy,    ^\pp) 

Thomas  Peniston,  Thomas  Winter,  Richard  Hudson, 
William  Gurney,  and.  Edmund  Styles  at  Masulipatam  to 
the  President  and  Council  at  Bantam,  October  3,  1645 
ip.a  1955). 

Received  last  night  a  letter  from  Pollen  [master  of  the  Advice\ 
announcing  his  arrival  at  '  Hemaldeene '  \see  p.  75],  and  asking  for 
a  smith  and  caulkers.  Conclude  that  he  intends  to  repair  his  vessel 
there,  before  coming  on  to  this  place  to  embark  the  goods  they 
have  ready.  Particulars  of  those  she  embarked  at  Fort  St.  George. 
{Copy.    I  p.    Received  'per  Dutch  conveyance  \  November  6.) 

Attestation  by  Thomas  Stevens  and  Andrew  Trumball 
at  Surat,  October  3,  1645  {O.C  1956). 

Testify  that  the  treasure  brought  from  England  this  year  arrived 
in  bad  condition.  *  At  its  comeing  into  the  warehouse,  the  chests 
were  found  most  of  them  shaken,  and  soe  oppen  that  a  passage  was 
left  for  the  rials  to  run  out.     Further,  at  oppening  many  of  them, 

^  Bedsteads.     For  an  early  example  of  this  word  see  the  1622-23  volume,  p.  125. 
2  Shlsham  or  slsfc  wood,  much  used  in  India  for  making  furniture. 


296  THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES 

the  baggs  were  found  rotten  and  torne  by  the  nayles,  the  monies 
being  scattered  in  the  chests.'     (J  p) 

William  Pitt  and  Thomas  Codrington  at  Ispahan  to  the 
President  and  Council  at  Surat,  October  6, 1645  (P.C.  1957). 

Ten  days  ago  they  presented  a  petition  to  the  Itimad-uddaula, 
complaining  that  their  broker  at  Gombroon  had  been  refused  per- 
mission to  attend  at  the  customhouse  (as  usual)  to  note  the  issue  of 
goods  ;  whereupon  he  wrote  an  order  for  a  farman  to  be  sent  thither 
to  remedy  this  and  other  abuses.  '  Hee  alsoe  the  same  day  graunted 
us  two  other  peticions  some  few  days  before  delivered  unto  him, 
vizt.  one  about  the  releasement  of  the  Kings  duties  of  one  per  cent., 
the  other  about  our  ruinated  howse  in  Bunder  [Gombroon],  for 
which  hee  enordered  wee  should  bee  allowed  for  two  years  that  wee 
had  payed  beeforehand.  This  passed  the  iJ4th  ultimo.  The  29th 
ditto  hee  sent  both  the  cheife  of  the  Dutch  and  us  vests  from  the 
Kinge ;  before  whom  the  next  day,  as  hee  sate  in  his  mayalists  ^, 
wee  presented  ourselv[e]s ;  and,  after  wee  had  eaten  in  his  presents, 
tooke  our  leav[e]s  of  him.  The  followinge  morneinge  about  breake 
of  day  (by  whose  order  is  not  yett  certainely  knowne)  Edamont 
Dowlett  was  killed  in  his  owne  hows  by  Jonne  Ckaune  [Jam  Khan] 
and  five  more  great  men,  who  cut  his  body  all  into  peeces,  to  noe 
little  joy  to  all  in  generall  here,  except  the  Queene  Mother,  who  (as 
wee  heare)  doth  much  lament  his  death.^  In  his  place  the  Kinge 
yesterday  was  pleased  to  establish  Callosa  ^  Sultan,  who  had  the 
office  once  before,  and  that  ten  years  togither,  in  the  raigne  of 
Shabas  [Shah  Abbas],  the  grandfather  of  this  Kinge.  Hee  is 
reported  to  bee  a  very  honest  man  and  a  friend  unto  our  nacion ; 
soe  that  wee  hope  our  Honourable  Imployers  businesse  in  these 
parts  will  in  future  prove  better  then  formerly  it  hath  been.'  These 
troubles  have  delayed  the  promised  farmans ;  but  to-morrow  the 
factors  will  visit  the  new  Itimad-uddaula  and  remind  him  of  them. 

^  The  Majlis^  i.e.  the  court,  is  meant.  The  word  has  become  familiar  to  newspaper- 
readers  as  the  title  of  the  Persian  Parliament. 

^  Valentyn  {Oud  en  Nietiw  Oost  Indien,  vol.  v.  p.  247)  says  that  the  Queen  Mother  was 
a  friend  of  Mirza  Taqi,  the  murdered  Itimad-uddaula,  and  that  it  was  at  her  instance  that 
the  Shah  punished  the  murderers. 

^  A  copyist's  error  for  Khalifa  Sultan. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  297 

News  from  Basra.  Were  surprised  to  learn  that  neither  the  Seahorse 
nor  the  Endeavour  would  call  at  Gombroon  on  the  way  to  Surat. 
The  money  sent  down  from  hence  to  the  port  will  therefore  have  to 
remain  there,  until  either  it  is  fetched  by  some  vessel  from  Surat  or 
some  Dutch  conveyance  is  to  be  had.  PS. — 'This  instant  after 
the  finishinge  this  letter,  the  Kinge  here,  to  revenge  the  death  of 
Ettam[on]  Dowlett,  who  itt  seems  was  murthercd  without  his 
concent,  ha[th]  cut  of  the  heads  of  three  of  thes  dukes  and  three 
other  great  men,  vizt,  Jonne  Ckaune  Curchee  Bashee,  Nocoda 
Ckawne,  Arab  Ckawne,  Abass  Culle  Beague,  Byram  Alle  Beague 
Shechavand,  Jebadar  Basshee^ ;  whose  heads  leyeth  this  instant  in 
the  Midan^  before  the  Kings  dore,  with  the  bodys  of  the  two 
former,  whose  heads  being  first  cutt  off  was  caused  by  the  Kinge  to 
be  caried  upon  poles  about  the  cittie,  with  these  words  proclaimed 
with  it,  that  this  is  the  punishment  of  all  such  as  killeth  any  man 
without  order  from  the  Kinge.  It  is  thought  that  more  heads  yett 
wilbe  lost  about  this  busines.'  ^     {Copy.     '^\pp-) 

»  These  names  and  titles  are  :  JanI  Khan,  the  Qurcht  Bdshl  or  commander  of  the  Tartar 
cavalry,  Naqdi  (?)  Khan,  Arab  Khan,  Abbas  Quli  Beg,  Bairam  All  Beg  Shaikhavand,  and 
possibly  the  Jilatiddr  Bdshi,  described  by  Tavernier  as  *  le  chef  des  valets  de  pied '. 

2  The  well-known  Maidan  or  central  square,  on  the  western  side  of  which  is  the  royal 
palace. 

'  In  a  later  letter  from  Pitt  and  his  colleagues,  dated  at  Gombroon  May  9,  1646  {O.C. 
1991),  the  following  account  is  given  of  these  events: — 

'  About  breake  of  day  newes  was  brought  us  that  Ettam[en]  Dowlett  was  slaine  by 
Johnne  Ckaun  and  five  other  nobles,  whose  lives  bee  intended  to  have  taken  away  the  very 
same  morneing  and  neare  about  the  same  time ;  of  which  the  aforesaid  six  nobles  haveing 
intelligence,  [they]  mett  the  same  morneing  very  early  in  the  Midanne  before  the  Kings 
house,  where  on  a  suddaine,  as  they  satt  on  their  horses,  [they]  tooke  councell  togeither 
and  resolved  to  take  away  the  life  of  Ettam[en]  Dowlett  first,  although  they  were  sure  to 
live  but  a  day  after  him  ;  which  accordingly  they  put  in  practice,  for  they  had  noe  sooner 
entred  his  house  and  come  where  hee  was  (at  prayer)  but  Johnne  Ckaun  told  him  hee  had 
eaten  the  Kings  bread  undeservedly  ;  upon  which  Nogdee  Ckaun  stucke  him  through  the 
body  with  his  dagger,  and  presently  the  other  four  cutt  him  in  peeces ;  which  done, 
Johnnee  Ckaun  went  unto  the  King  and,  holding  his  sword  on  his  necke,  acquainted  him 
of  what  hee  had  done,  sayeing,  if  hee  had  displeased  His  Majestie,  hee  was  willing  to 
suffer  for  it.  The  King  for  the  present  seemed  glad,  and  commended  him  for  his  paines, 
desireing  to  know  who  were  his  fellow  actors  with  him  in  the  murther,  and  willed  him  to 
give  him  their  names,  for  that  hee  would  reward  them  for  theyr  good  service  ;  which  being 
effected,  the  said  Johnne  Ckaun,  haveing  leave  to  depart,  retourned  to  his  house  very  joy- 
full  ;  and  soe  continued  with  the  rest  of  his  freinds  till  the  6th  October,  when  very  early  in 
the  morneing,  about  breake  of  day,  the  King  sent  for  him  and  Nogdee  Ckaun,  and  caused 
both  their  heads  to  bee  cutt  off ;  and  afterwards  sent  for  the  heads  of  the  other  four,  viit. 
of  Arrab  Ckaun,  Abasse  Culle  Beage,  Byram  Alle  Beague  Shemvand,  and  Jebbidar  Bashee  ; 


298  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Philip  Wylde  and  Samuel  Wilton  at  Gombroon  to  [the 
President  and  Council  at  Surat],  October  12,  1645  {O.C. 
1958). 

Arrived  here  on  the  loth  current,  and  found  in  the  road  the 
Endeavour^  which  had  arrived  on  the  7th.  Have  embarked  in  her 
their  money,  a  chest  of  raisins,  and  one  horse,  received  in  part  pay- 
ment of  a  debt.  Could  not  find  at  Shiraz  any  horses  worth  buying, 
and  have  therefore  advised  the  factors  at  Ispahan  to  purchase  some 
there.    Send  an  account  of  freight  embarked  in  this  ship.    (Copy,  ip.) 

The  Same  to  [the  Same],  October  14,  1645  {O.C.  1958). 

Enclose  a  transcript  of  the  preceding  letter.  Money  advanced  to 
Bowen  for  the  purchase  of  provisions  for  the  Endeavour.  (Copy. 
\  p.     Received  by  a  Dutch  ship^  November  11.) 

Declaration  by  Joao  da  Maya  Caldeira,  aboard  the 
Hester  at  Swally,  October  J|,  1645  (O.C.  1959). 

Narrates  his  embarkation  in  the  John  at  Mozambique,  and  the 
subsequent  quarrels  between  Knipe  and  Mucknell,  which  resulted 
in  his  being  left  at  Johanna.  Claims  compensation  for  his  losses. 
(Copy.     Portuguese.     1  pp.) 

Messrs.  Cranmer,  Cogan,  and  Weale  at  Basra  to  the 
Company,  October  17,  1645  (O.C.  ig6o). 

Wrote  last  on  July  31.  The  Seahorse  was  dispatched  on 
August  iz8,  and  the  Endeavour  on  September  ii.^     *  Tradeing  was 

all  which  were  brought  on  the  Midanne  before  the  Kings  house,  where  they  remeyned  till 
the  sunne  went  downe.  Soe  soone  as  the  former  two  heads  were  seperated  from  their 
bodies,  they  were  put  upon  two  pooles  and  carried  about  the  Midanne  with  theese  words 
proclaimed,  that  this  is  the  punishment  of  all  such  as  dare  to  kill  men  without  order  from 
the  King.  And  yett  it  is  credibly  reported  that  the  King,  if  hee  did  not  comaund  it  to  bee 
done,  yett  was  very  glad  that  hee  was  soe  ridd  of  Ettam[en]  Dowlett ;  and  indeed  soe 
were  all  his  people  in  generall,  many  of  them  for  five  daies  togeither  makeing  feasts  for 
joy  they  were  soe  well  ridd  of  such  a  divell.  Since  his  death  it  is  reported  that  hee  con- 
spired the  death  of  the  King  and  intended  to  settle  his  younger  brother  in  his  throne.  It  is 
likewise  credibly  reported  that  there  came  into  the  Kings  treasure  by  the  death  of  the  afore- 
said six  men  about  500,000  temaunds.' 

^  Roobacker  (see  p.  274)  mentions  the  arrival  on  August  22  (O.S.)  of  an  English  pinnace 
named  the  William.  Probably  this  was  the  one  formerly  belonging  to  Fremlen  and  em- 
ployed by  the  factors  for  their  private  trade  (see  p.  31) ;  if  so,  the  reason  for  not  saying 
anything  about  it  in  the  present  letter  becomes  at  once  apparent. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  299 

never  deader  and  this  place  not  knowne  to  be  soe  much  overprest 
with  goods  as  it  hath  been  this  monzoone  '  ;  with  the  result  that 
their  sales  for  the  year  amounted  only  to  44,318  rials  of  eight,  and 
of  this  sum  they  could  only  get  in  sufficient  to  send  3^,7o3i  rials  by 
the  Endeavour.  Enclose  copies  of  their  letters  to  Surat  and  other 
papers.  Durson's  proceedings  here.  '  At  theirc  partcing  hence, 
the  nth  October,  [they]  made  great  preperations  for  the  Dutch, 
&c.  Robert  Cranmer  was  invited,  and  must  not  deny  them,  but, 
foreknowing  what  might  happen,  prevented.  Thomas  Cogan  was 
lycensed  ;  when,  being  on  board  them,  Mr.  Durson  and  their  mer- 
chant, Peeter  de  Masters,  could  not  forbeare  but  expresse  theire 
passion.  Theire  hopes  were  to  have  had  Robert  Cranmer.  Some 
trechery  was  intended  on  him,  but  what  wee  know  not.  The 
thought  of  5,000  pound  sterling  taken  by  Mr.  Bowen  lyes  heavy  at 
theire  stomacks,  pretending  it  hindered  the  Loyaltyes  voyage  this 
yeare  for  England.  To  Mr.  Wallwin  in  Congoo  and  our  freinds  in 
Gombroone  wee  have  given  notice ;  who  wee  presume  will  not  over- 
creditt  them.'  Death  of  Blocq  at  Ispahan.  It  is  rumoured  that  at 
Gombroon  *Willibrant'  has  sold  all  his  goods  for  some  15,000 
tOmans  and,  after  shipping  the  money,  together  with  3,000  tumans 
received  from  the  King,  has  withdrawn  his  people  and  '  proclamed 
warrs ' ;  further,  that  the  Dutch  intend  to  take  *  the  Moores  jouncks 
bound  for  Gombroone  and  they  expect  10  or  15  sayle  of  ships  more 
to  take  Ormooze  and  Kishmee.'  This  letter  is  sent  by  way  of 
Aleppo,  and  the  factors  would  be  glad  to  receive  a  reply  by  the 
same  route,  'for  that  wee  remaine  here  the  whole  yeare'.  They 
can  forward  any  letters  intended  for  Surat  by  way  of  Muskat  and 
*  Scinda '.     {^Copy.     i|  pp) 

Edward  Knipe  and  William  Jesson  at  Agra  to  the 
President  and  Council  at  Surat,  November  12,  1645  {O.C. 
1961). 

Rejoice  to  learn  the  arrival  of  three  ships  from  England.  Note 
the  instructions  given  for  the  purchase  of  goods.  Have  bought 
a  parcel  of  'guzzees',  '  beeing  a  reasonable  good  sorte  of  cloth 
betwixt  io|  and  11^  gerraes  broad.  But  wheras  you  ar6  pleased 
to  say  that  none  must  bee  under  \1  gerraes  or  19  tusso,  wee  cannot 
tell  whither  you  derive  the  gerraes  from  the  tassooes  or  the  tussaes 


300  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

from  the  gerraes  ;  appeareing  to  us  great  disproporcion  therin,  for, 
uppon  compareing  a  Surratt  covett  (which  wee  have  in  the  howse) 
with  our  Agra  covett,  finde  lo^  gerraes  Agra  to  agree  with 
19  tussaes  Surratt.'  ^  Enclose  for  comparison  the  length  of  the 
Agra  '  covet ',  marked  also  with  '  gerraes  ',  and  request  instructions. 
Particulars  of  the  '  guzzees  '  last  sent  to  Surat.  '  That  sorte  of  cloth 
is  made  in  Gocull  2,  where,  by  residence  of  a  trustie  broker,  might 
bee  yearely  large  quanteties  procurable.  These  people  here  wee 
finde  them  soe  extraordinrilie  full  of  deceipt  as  cannot  by  anie 
meanes  urge  us  to  put  confidence  in  anie  of  them.  Imployment 
for  two  or  three  honnest  able  brokers  from  Surratt  would  bee  here 
both  advantagious  to  themselves  and  usefuU  unto  our  masters; 
[wee  ?]  haveing  (as  wee  suppose)  oftentimes  diverse  gainefuU  oper- 
tuneties  which  wee  dare  not  make  use  of  (in  provission  both  of 
cloth  and  indico)  for  feare  of  beeing  abused  by  them,  haveing  had, 
since  Edward  Knipes  comeing  hither,  diverse  experiments  of  their 
willingnes  to  defraud.  But  how  to  better  ourselves  wee  know  not ; 
feareing,  if  wee  showld  discard  theise  now  in  our  imployment,  to 
have  worse  in  their  roomes.  Itt  may  verie  well  bee  answered  thoes 
brokers  in  Surratt  are  as  craftie  knaves  and  have  as  nimble  a  facultie 
in  deceipt  as  thoes  here ;  which  cann  hardly  bee  denied,  while  they 
are  amoung  their  owne  tribe,  with  such  able  coadjutours  to  help  them 
to  binde  upp  the  bundle  of  their  falcities  under  a  faire  glosse  hardly 
discerneable  ;  but  when  hither  transplanted,  the  soyle  will  not  prove 
soe  firtle  to  their  fraudulent  humors,  when  and  where  they  will  bee 
soe  odious  to  theise  people  as  not  anie  of  their  actions  possible  to 
bee  obscured  from  our  knowledge.'  Have  lately  bought  a  quantity 
of  a  very  good  sort  of  cloth.  '  Whether  to  call  them  guzzees  or 
baftaes  bee  most  propper  wee  cannot  tell.  They  are  made  about 
Kerriabaud^,  where  formerlie  the  Dutch  have  had  residence  in 
quest  of  this  sorte  of  clotheing ;  which  by  reporte  use[d]  to  stand 
them  in  (hither  to  Agra)  25  rupees  per  corge.  Their  dimencions 
are  betwixt  18  and  i8|  Agra  covetts  long  and  full  |  broad  ;  which 
will  stand  us  in  nett  under  no  rupees  per  corge.'     Intend  to  dispeed 

^  By  the  *  covett'  is  meant  the  Indian  ^as,  which  contained  i6  ^rds  or  24  fastis 
Tavernier  makes  the  Surat  g^az  four-fifths  of  that  of  Agra,  and  this  agrees  fairly  well  with 
the  calculation  in  the  text. 

^  Gokul,  a  village  near  Mahaban,in  Muttra  district,  about  twenty  miles  north-we^t  of  Agra. 

5  Khairabad,  in  Sitapur  district,  about  forty  miles  north  of  Lucknow. 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  301 

these  and  the  *  guzzees '  previously  bought  to  Ahmadabad  as  soon 
as  possible,  as  they  think  it  better  to  send  off  their  goods  whenever 
they  have  got  together  a  reasonable  quantity  than  to  wait  and  send 
them  all  together.  Knipe  notices  '  the  Companies  slight  esteeme 
of  his  service ',  but  is  comforted  by  the  knowledge  of  his  innocence 
of  the  charges  against  him.  These  (as  he  understands  from  friends 
in  England)  are  that  he  took  100/.  from  one  Buckner  for  bringing 
out  his  son,  and  that  he  had  1,100/.  in  English  gold  with  him  in 
the  John}  As  regards  the  first,  he  acknowledges  that  such  an 
agreement  was  made,  but  declares  that  Buckner  has  failed  to  pay 
more  than  a  part  of  the  money ;  while,  as  for  the  other  charge,  if 
any  one  can  prove  that  he  had  even  15/.  aboard  in  English  gold, 
he  will  forfeit  all  claim  to  salary  and  confess  himself  unworthy  of 
any  future  favours.  He  admits  that  ('  by  reason  of  the  troubles  in 
England,  not  knoweing  where  to  leave  anie  thing  safe ')  he  brought 
out  a  certain  sum  (far  less  than  that  reported)  in  foreign  gold,  jewels, 
&c.,  intending  to  employ  it  at  interest  in  Surat ;  but  that  he  had 
no  design  of  private  trade  will  appear  from  his  strictness  at  Mozam- 
bique in  this  respect.  He  thanks  the  President  and  Council  for 
their  defence  of  him,  and  promises  to  deserve  their  good  opinion. 
Davidge  was  dispeeded  to '  Matchewarra '  \see  p.  204]  on  October  29, 
and  a  copy  of  the  Surat  letter  has  now  been  sent  to  him  as  a  guide 
in  his  investments.  Jesson  will  start  for  '  Lucknoo  '  in  time  to 
arrive  by  the  end  of  this  month.  In  case  he  cannot  there  obtain 
the  desired  '  eckbarres ',  his  broker  has  been  sent  in  advance  to 
'  Jellelpore  2,  where  Mr.  Jesson  saith  hee  cannot  deceive  if  hee  would, 
because  what  there  bought  is  registred  by  the  towne  broker.' 
Blackwell,  upon  Knipe's  arrival,  was  appointed  house  steward  and 
cannot  be  spared  ;  so  Burnell  is  to  be  sent  with  Jesson  in  his  place. 
Knipe  was  not  aware  of  the  custom  of  transmitting  monthly  a  state- 
ment of  household  expenses,  but  in  future  will  punctually  observe 
this  practice,  and  now  sends  the  accounts  from  June  to  September. 
*  Six  daies  before  Mr.  Davidges  departure  hence,  came  Allebux 
[Allah-Bakhsh],  whoe  brought  us  noe  comfortable  tydeings  of  Chit- 
tersalls  bussnes  \see  p.   159],  telling  us  of  the  little  probabilletie 

*  See  Court  Minutes  of  the  East  India  Company^  1644-49,  P*  7^>  &c. 
2  Jalalpur,  a  cotton-weaving  centre  in  Fyzabad  District  (Oudh).  For  an  earlier  reference 
see  p.  178  of  the  1618-21  volume. 


303  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

of  effecting  ought  therin  till  the  Kings  retourne  for  Agra,  beeing 
soe  intent  uppon  his  designe  on  the  Tarters  ^  as  will  incline  his  eare 
to  no  other  storie  but  what  may  induce  to  their  overthrow.  Assu- 
lett  Ckaune  hee  reportes  not  to  bee  taken  prisoner ;  onely  had  lost 
some  of  his  men,  beeing  outed  by  the  Tarters  of  a  hould  formerlie 
taken  by  the  Kings  forces.  The  King  sent  for  him  to  Lahoar, 
where  by  this  tyme  wee  may  guesse  hee  is  with  him  ;  but  how  long 
his  stay  may  bee  in  the  Kings  presence  is  uncerteine,  because  (itt  is 
reported)  the  King  doth  dayly  place  and  displace  his  umrawes  [see 
p.  229].  Soe  that  wee  cannot  affoard  you  anie  comfort  att  all 
in  that  bussnes.  Notwithstanding  have  retourned  Allebux  againe 
to  Lahoare  with  the  trumpeter,  whoe  departed  hence  in  company  of 
Mr.  Davidge ;  and  have  urged  him,  if  hee  finde  Assulett  Ckaune 
with  the  King,  to  move  with  what  possible  dilligence  hee  may  in 
the  bussnes.  Wee  have  not  omitted  wryteing  to  Assulett  Ckaune, 
imploreing  his  assistance  therin.'  Have  also  instructed  AUah- 
Bakhsh  to  press  *  Zeruffden  Hussen '  [Sharafuddin  Husain :  see 
p.  160]  for  payment  of  his  debt ;  but  the  bills  have  been  retained 
here,  owing  to  a  rumour  that  he  has  been  appointed  Kotwal  of 
Agra.  Note  that  their  proposal,  to  use  up  the  inferior  indigo  '  in 
cureing  cloth  for  our  owne  occasions',  is  disapproved  at  Surat. 
Express  their  thanks  for  the  strong  waters,  sword-blades,  and  other 
goods  intended  for  presents  ;  also  '  for  the  sack  and  sallett  oyle  you 
have  bynn  pleased  to  limitt  us  '.  Knipe  hopes  that  he  may  without 
offence  claim  the  greatest  share  of  the  sack, '  to  ballance  his  smallest 
proporcion  of  comfort.'  Disposal  of  damaged  broadcloth.  '  The 
byrams,  allthough  expressed  under  the  title  of  amberties  in  invoice, 
yett  are  of  a  different  makeing  up,  beeing  slenderly  beaten  ;  as  wee 
conceive,  propper  for  England.'  Request  an  opinion  on  the  suit- 
ability of  these  and  of  the  various  sorts  of  *  Derriabauds '.  Have 
examined  every  piece  and  returned  those  torn  or  stained.  No  more 
broadcloth  should  be  sent  up  at  present.  Wrote  on  October  19  to 
Heynes  and  the  rest  at  Ahmadabad,  giving  them  notice  of  the 
dispeed  of  the  caravan  and  requesting  a  supply  of  money.  As  none 
has  been  received,  they  have  now  taken  up  10,000  rupees  on  a  bill 
of  exchange  drawn  upon  Surat  at  4I  per  cent.  loss.  With  this 
money  they  will  commence  their  indigo  investment.     Since  Knipe's 

^  The  reference  is  to  the  campaign  against  the  Uzbeks  in  Balkh  and  Badakhshan, 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  303 

taking  charge,  the  interest  on  debts  to  the  extent  of  12,000  rupees 
has  been  reduced  from  one  to  three-quarters  per  cent,  per  month, 
and  no  fresh  debts  have  been  incurred  at  a  higher  rate  than  seven- 
eighths  per  cent.  There  are  three  principal  creditors  to  whom  the 
factors  owe  57,000  rupees,  and  in  these  cases  the  interest  is  still  one 
per  cent.  ;  but  they  hope  to  secure  a  reduction  before  long.  '  Thocs 
that  are  greate  monied  men  here  in  the  towne,  and  live  onely  uppon 
interest,  receive  from  the  sherroffs  noe  more  then  |  per  cent,  per 
moneth.  The  sherroffs  they  dispose  of  itt  to  others  [at]  from  i  to 
2^  per  cent.,  running  some  hazzard  for  the  same,  and  that  is  their 
gaines.  Now  when  a  sherroffe  (for  lucre)  hath  disposed  of  great 
sommes  to  persons  of  qualletie  att  greate  rates,  not  suddenly  to  bee 
call'd  in  to  serve  his  occasions,  then  beginn  his  creditours  (as  in 
other  partes  of  the  world)  like  sheepe  one  to  runn  over  the  neck  of 
another,  and  quite  stifle  his  reputacion.  Thus,  very  opertunely 
to  our  purpose  hath  two  famous  sherroffs  bynn  served  within  a 
moneth,  one  of  which  faileing  for  above  three  lack  of  rupees,  diverse 
men  have  lost  great  somes  and  others  totally  undonne  therby ; 
which  hath  caused  men  of  late  to  bee  verie  timerous  of  putting 
their  monies  into  sherroffs  hands.  Therfore  wee  say  att  this 
present  had  wee  monies  to  make  use  of  this  opertunety  by  sending 
the  same  to  our  creditours  howses,  [wee]  doe  verilie  beleive,  rather 
then  they  would  accept  therof,  [they]  might  bee  brought  downe  to 
our  owne  rates ;  to  accomplish  which,  wee  desire  att  once  to  have 
speedilie  remitted  us  att  least  80.000  rupees ;  by  which  meanes  wee 
have  some  confidence  to  wipe  the  name  of  one  per  cent,  cleane  out 
of  our  bookes.  By  reporte  of  all  men  that  have  bynn  uppon  the 
indico  imployment,  thoes  that  are  the  owners  therof  will  not  bee 
brought  to  anie  reasonable  price  for  their  comodity  till  necessety 
forceth  them  to  sell ;  and  wee  have  heard  itt  by  English  and  Dutch 
spoken  that  they  have  not,  uppon  their  comeing  to  Byana,  bought 
one  scare  of  indico  in  a  moneth  after,  the  sellers  beeing  soe  extra- 
ordnary  unreasonable  in  their  demands.  Then  how  is  itt  possible 
wee  showld  advise  of  the  rates  therof  before  wee  have  beate  a  bar- 
gaine  ?  For  allthough  about  Coria  [Koria]  and  other  partes  where 
English  and  Dutch  useth  not  to  goe  to  make  their  owne  invest- 
ments, the  price  is  comonly  broken  by  Mogulls  and  Armenians  ; 
but  in  Byana,  Hendowne  [Hindaun],  and  thoes  partes  adjacent,  no 


304  THE  ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Mogull  or  Armenian  can  breake  price  there,  because  their  whole 
dependance  is  uppon  our  two  nacions  ;  and  in  tyme  when  they  have 
bynn  att  varience  with  ech  other,  striveing  whoe  showld  give  most 
for  the  comodity,  then  hath  bynn  the  sellers  harvest.  Wee,  to 
prevent  this  inconveniencie,  findeing  Signer  Van  Burgh  ^  a  rational! 
honnest  man,  have  soe  accorded  as  not  one  to  out  vie  the  others, 
conceiveing  a  sufficient  proporcion  for  both  parties.  Now,  soe  long 
as  the  Hollanders  shall  walke  with  us  upprightely,  wee  intend  our 
correspondencie  shall  admitt  of  noe  exception  ;  but  if  once  wee  finde 
them  fallter,  will  use  them  according.'  Their  agents  in  '  Coria  * 
have  sent  word  that  the  price  there  is  ^^  rupees  per  maund,  'not 
fully  dry.'  Will  let  them  go  on  buying  small  parcels,  until  the 
factors  are  sure  of  getting  all  they  want  at  Biana  and  Hindaun,  and 
then  they  will  be  stopped.  The  investments  here  (in  indigo)  may 
be  computed  at  80,000  rupees  ;  at  *  Lucknoo ',  33,000  ;  at '  Matcha- 
warra',  about  16,000;  and  the  debts  here  about  110,000;  total, 
338,000  rupees.  Towards  this,  they  desire  (as  already  stated)  an 
immediate  remittance  of  80,000  rupees.  The  reduction  of  the  rate 
of  interest  will  not  only  save  money  but  will  improve  the  factors' 
credit.  The  Dutch  start  for  Biana  to-morrow,  and  Jesson  will 
accompany  them  to  commence  the  investment.  Knipe  will  relieve 
him  there  as  soon  as  he  has  dispatched  the  calico  from  this  place. 
Have  sent  specimens  of '  the  new  sorte  of  baftaes  '  by  *  Signor  Byars, 
a  Dutchman  bound  to  Surratt.'  Last  night  they  received  the 
President  and  Council's  letter  of  October  18,  but  cannot  find  time 
to  answer  it  fully  now.  Arrangements  made  for  the  charge  of  the 
caravan.  Hill  left  for  Surat  on  October  37,  with  permission  either 
to  accompany  the  carts  or  push  on  ahead.  'Uppon  dispeede  of 
our  caphilla  wee  had  notice  of  a  Rajahs  sonne  which  lay  robbing 
on  the  way  betwixt  MoguUka  Surah  and  Mirta  ^ ;  which  caused  us 
to  enterteine  for  defence  of  our  goods  ten  men  more  then  ordinarie.' 
May  possibly  draw  on  Surat  from  Biana  for  7,000  or  8,000  rupees. 
Note  the  protest  received  from  Joao  da  Maya  Caldeira,  and  the 
answer  returned.     Knipe  will  speak  for  himself  as  soon  as  he  gets 

1  Nikolaas  van  der  Burgh  is  mentioned  in  the  Dagh- Register,  1643-44,  PP*  172,  193,  as 
a  Dutch  merchant  at  Agra. 

'^  Mughalkasarai  was  a  well-known  halting-place  about  twelve  miles  north  of  Sironj,  and 
is  probably  the  place  referred  to  on  p.  135  of  the  1630-33  volume.  No  place  called  Mirta 
is  to  be  found  in  the  neighbourhood. 


THE    ENGLISH    FACTORIES  305 

leisure  ;  meanwhile  he  desires  that  the  enclosed  note  may  be  for- 
warded to  the  Senhor.  Witnesses  can  be  produced  from  among 
the  Johns  company  that  at  Johanna  Caldeira  declared  that  Knipc 
was  '  innocent  in  knowledge  of  what  hee  brought  aboard '  ;  and 
Burnell  testifies  to  this  effect  in  the  accompanying  certificate. 
Will  do  their  best  to  reduce  the  price  of  the  indigo,  and  will  buy 
only  that  of  really  good  quality.  PS. — Their  need  for  cash  will 
probably  induce  the  '  money  mungers  '  to  demand  a  high  rate  of 
interest ;  if  so,  they  will  give  bills  on  Surat  instead.  (7  J  pp. 
Received  December  6.) 

The  Grant  from  Sri  Ranga  Rayalu  regarding  Madras  ^ 
A.   The  Contemporary  Version  (O.C.  16962). 

'  In  the  yeare  Parteewa,  the  month  Cartida,  the  moone  in  the 
wane  ^,  the  King  over  all  Kings  the  Colliest  [Holiest]  and  amongst 
all  cavileers  the  greatest,  Zree  Renga  Raga,  the  mighty  King  God, 
give[s]  this  cowle  unto  Agent  Thomas  Ivie,  cheife  captain  of  the 
English,  and  the  Company  of  that  nation. 

For  as  much  as  you  have  left  Armagon  and  are  come  to  Zree 
Renga  Ragapatam  *,  my  towne,  at  first  but  of  small  esteeme,  and 
have  there  built  a  fort  and  brought  trade  to  that  port  :  therefore, 
that  you  may  bee  the  better  incuraged  to  prosecute  the  same  and 
amplifie  the  towne  which  beares  our  name,  we  doe  freely  release 
you  of  all  customes  or  duties  upon  whatsoever  goods  bought  or 
sould  in  that  place  appertaininge  to  your  Company.  Also  we 
graunt  unto  your  Company  halfe  of  all  the  customes  or  duties 
which  shalbe  received  at  that  port ;  and  the  rents  of  the  ground 
about  the  village  Madraspatam,  as  also  the  Jaccall  ground  ^,  wee 

^  This  grant  was  the  outcome  of  Greenhill's  mission,  referred  to  on  p.  290. 

2  Endorsed  by  the  copyist :  *  Coppie  [of]  Kings  cowle  given  to  the  Agent  concerning 
privilidges  reconfirmd.'  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  it  was  copied  at  Madras.  There  are 
two  other  transcripts  at  the  India  Office,  viz.  O.C.  1697  and  no.  1696  in  the  Duplicate  O.C. 
series;  but  both  are  copies  made  at  Surat  and  sent  home  from  thence  in  1646.  The  second 
o  f  these  has  been  printed  in  The  Fmmding  of  Fort  St.  George  (j).  32).  All  three  versions 
are  practically  identical. 

3  I.e.  the  second  half  of  the  month  Karttikay  in  the  year  Parthiva.  This  agrees  with 
the  date  in  the  later  version  (November  15),  except  that  in  that  the  year  is,  by  a  slip,  given 
as  1643  instead  of  1645. 

*  *  Zeree  Renga  Rayapatam  '  and  '  Zree  Renga  Rayapatan '  in  the  other  two  copies. 

*  Possibly  the  *  jackal-ground '  was  a  waste  piece  of  land  between  the  Fort  and  Madras- 
patam. 

FOSTER  VII  X 


3o6  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

give  you  towards  your  charges,  by  way  of  piscash.  Moreover,  for 
the  better  mannaging  your  bussines,  we  surrender  the  government 
and  justice  of  the  towne  into  your  hands.  And  if  any  of  your 
neighbours  of  Pundamolee  [Punamallee]  shall  injure  you,  we  promise 
you  our  reddy  assistance.  And  for  what  provissions  shalbe  brought 
out  of  that  cuntry,  we  will  that  noe  junckan  [toll :  Tamil  chungam\ 
be  taken  thereon.  If  it  fortune  that  any  of  your  Companies  shipps 
shall  by  accident  of  weather  or  otherwise  be  driven  ashoore  at  that 
port,  whatsoever  can  be  saved  shall  remaine  your  owne.  And  the 
like  touching  all  merchants  that  trade  at  that  port,  if  the  owners 
come  to  demand  it ;  but  if  the  owner  be  not  to  bee  found,  then  our 
officers  shall  seize  on  the  same  to  our  behoofe.  Wee  alsoe  promise 
still  to  retayne  the  towne  in  our  protection  and  not  to  subject  it  to 
the  government  of  Pundamolee  or  any  other  Nague.  And  w^hat- 
soever  marchandizes  of  yours  that  shall  pass  through  the  cuntry  of 
Pundamolee  to  pay  but  halfe  custome.  In  confidence  of  this  our 
cowle,  you  may  cheerfully  proceede  in  your  affairs ;  wherein  if  any 
of  our  people  shall  mollest  you,  wee  give  you  our  faith  to  take  your 
cause  into  our  owne  hands  to  doe  you  right  and  assist  you  against 
them  ;  that  your  port  and  this  our  cowle  may  stand  firme  as  longe 
as  the  sunn  and  moone  endureth. 

Zree  Rama.' 

B.    A  Later  Version  {Treaties,  vol.  iii,  p.  117).^ 
'  Translation  of  a  cowle  given  by  Steeranga  Railo  to  Agent  Ivie, 
dated  15th  November,  1643.^ 

You  have  left  the  place  called  Armagon,  and  are  come  now  to 
one  of  my  new  towns  called  Steeranga-Rayapatnam,  where  you  are 
making  a  fort  and  bulwarks  and  to  do  your  merchandize  and  trade  ; 
to  which  purpose  I  give  you  this  cowle  with  the  following  contents, 
vizt. :  Touching  your  Company's  merchandize,  they  shall  pay  no 

^  Transcribed  at  the  East  India  House  (about  1812)  from  a  book  (no  longer  extant)  of 
Letters  From  Fort  WilliatJi,  1 713-14.  It  is  evidently  derived  from  an  independent  trans- 
lation. Further  copies  (identical  in  wording)  will  be  found  in  Treaties y  vol.  ii  (p.  i)  and 
vol.  ix  (p.  141). 

In  Factory  Records ,  Miscellaneous,  vol.  xxiv  (p.  103),  will  be  found  a  copy  of  a  letter 
from  Madras  to  Bengal,  dated  Oct.  23,  i7ii>  giving  a  brief  account  of  the  first  settlement 
at  Fort  St.  George,  and  of  the  privileges  subsequently  obtained.  It  is  probable  that  this 
translation  of  the  1645  grant  was  forwarded  at  the  same  time. 

2  An  error  for  1645,  * 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  307 

custom,  neither  for  importing  nor  exporting  any  of  their  goods. 
And  all  what  shall  come  in  for  custom  of  the  said  town,  the  half 
shall  be  for  your  Company  and  the  other  half  for  the  Divan.  And 
besides  this,  I  do  freely  give  to  the  Company  the  town  called 
Madrassapatam,  and  all  the  ground  belongeth  to  it,  at  their  dis- 
posure ;  and  all  the  government  and  justice  of  the  said  town  shall 
be  executed  by  you.  And  if  any  person  should  wrong  you  in  any 
part  of  my  country  or  in  the  said  town,  in  your  merchandize  or  in 
any  other  matters,  I  shall  take  care  to  do  you  justice  and  right. 
Also  no  people  belonging  to  the  Governor  of  Pundamalee,  nor  of 
its  country,  shall  come  nor  have  any  thing  to  do  in  your  town  ; 
neither  shall  you  pay  any  juncan  for  what  provisions  shall  be 
brought  for  your  Fort's  use.  If  any  of  your  ships  should  be  cast 
ashore,  you  shall  take  all  the  things  that  shall  be  saved.  And  if 
any  other  ships,  belonging  to  any  other  strangers,  should  [be]  cast 
ashore :  if  there  be  no  owners  for  it,  then  all  them  things  that  shall 
be  saved  shall  be  for  the  Divan's  account.  And  besides,  the  said 
town  shall  never  be  under  the  government  [szc]  of  Pundamalle's 
country,  nor  shall  be  given  to  any  other  government,  but  shall 
remain  clear  under  the  Divan.  Seeing  I  have  given  you  the  like 
cowle  concerning  the  said  town  and  merchandize,  I  shall  take  care 
that  you  shall  in  no  ways  be  molested  by  no  person ;  to  which  you 
may  trust  to  my  feet  ^  and  do  your  merchandize  without  any  kind 
of  fear.' 

Philip  Wylde  and  Samuel  Wilton  at  Gombroon  to  the 
President  and  Council  at  Surat,  November  16,  1645  {O.C. 
1962). 

Acknowledge  the  receipt  of  a  letter  of  October  13.  Enclose 
advices  from  Pitt  regarding  the  proceedings  of  the  Dutch,  &c.  'The 
late  news  is  :  the  Kings  firmaund^,  here  arrived,  confirmed  a  peace 
with  the  Holanders  for  two  years  ensueinge,  giveinge  them  such 
libertie  and  license  of  trade  accordinge  to  their  owne  demaunds, 
payinge  not  any  duties  and  buyinge  silke  of  whome  and  where  they 

*  This  word  is  queried  in  the  MS. ;  the  original  probably  had  *  faith '. 

'  For  a  Dutch  version  of  this  document  see  Hague  Transcripts^  scries  i.  vol.  xv,  no.  476. 
A  letter  from  the  King  to  the  Dutch  chief  forms  no.  481 ;  and  the  reply  will  be  found  under 
the  same  number. 

X  2 


3o8  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

please ;  articles  of  which  and  others  of  the  like  nature  are  sent  by 
Comandore  Wilbrent  to  Spahan,  there  to  bee  confirmed.^  Thus 
with  a  great  deale  of  facilitie  the  Dutch  are  like  to  have  theire  trade 
and  proceedings  established,  to  their  employers  benefitt  and  their 
nacions  honor ;  putinge  the  Pertians  rather  in  feare  of  what  they 
intended  then  as  yett  any  thinge  accomplished,  haveinge  nither 
taken  townes  or  chastles ;  only  they  beleagered  that  of  Kishme, 
spendinge  shott  without  execucion,  and  burninge  their  lathers  (as 
they  say)  in  sight  of  the  castle  by  reason  they  were  to  short  to 
scale  the  walls ;  afterwards  retired  abord  the  shipps,  wastinge  more 
shott  at  a  marke  unknowne  more  then  the  noys  of  their  ordenance ; 
which  terified  the  Pertians  and  brought  them  to  this  subjeccion. 
[This  ?]  causes  the  Dutch  to  bee  transported  with  soe  much  pride 
of  theire  valor  that  if  possible  they  possesse  these  sillie  people  they 
are  able  to  encounter  with  the  whol  world,  promiseinge  to  deffend 
this  port  against  all  nations.  Nay,  Commandore  Wilbrent  hath 
tould  us  here  hee  will  doe  it  against  the  Portugalls,  as  alsoe  to  other 
nacions  soe  far  as  his  gunns  will  reach  ;  to  which  was  answered  little, 
least  wee  should  publish  our  oune  shame  of  doeinge  that  which 
reason  invites,  when  the  materialls  are  knowne  to  bee  wanting. 
Your  desires  are  to  bee  further  informed  concerning  Bunder  Sware  ^  ; 
to  which  wee  cannot  say  more  then  what  our  informacions  formerly 
assertained ;  beinge  here  now,  on  a  second  inquirie,  informed  by 
them  that  have  traded  in  those  parts,  giveinge  it  a  good  comenda- 
cions  for  the  vendinge  such  goods  as  our  list  preintemated.  From 
thence  here  hath  lately  arrived  about  300  chists  [of]  shuggar.  It 
being  a  reasonable  good  sorte,  sould  at  13  lar[res]  per  maund  of 
^^  lb.,  which  hath  caused  the  quantitie  the  Dutch  hath  to  decline 
much  in  price;  whose  currentt  rates  is  12  lar[res]  per  maund,  when 
not  longe  since  sould  for  15  lar[res]  per  maund.     The  said  place  is 

^  See  nos.  476  and  477  in  the  same  series. 

^  This  form  of  the  name  leaves  it  doubtful  whether  the  place  intended  is  Sur  or  Suhar, 
both  being  ports  of  Oman,  the  former  being  SE.  and  the  latter  NW.  of  Muskat.  When, 
however,  in  January,  1646,  the  Lanneret  proceeded  thither,  the  Portuguese  at  Muskat 
protested  against  English  interference,  declaring  that  the  port  was  within  their  sphere, 
'allthough  of  late  expelled  from  thence'  ijO.C.  1978).  This  would  be  true  of  Sur,  but  not 
of  Suhar,  which  was  retained  by  the  Portuguese  until  a  later  date  (Badger's  Imams  atid 
Seyyids  of  Oman,  pp.  xxv,  69). 

It  appears  from  O.C.  1970  that  the  English  had  been  invited  in  1645  to  trade  at  this  port 
by  the  then  Imam  (Nasir-bin-Murshid).  ' 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES  309 

said  to  afford  great  quantities  annually ;  whose  current  rates  there 
is  II  larres  per  maund.'  Broadcloth  has  long  been  'a  drugg  in 
these  parts ',  especially  at  Ispahan.  '  This  country  affords  more 
lead  then  can  finde  vend,  brought  from  Cremon  ^ ;  whose  currentt 
price  is  16  sha[hees]  per  maund  of  ^^  lb.'  Enclose  a  list  of  goods 
and  their  prices.  Note  what  has  been  done  at  Surat  about  Hogg, 
the  commander  of  the  Hester.  Pitt  did  the  like  at  Gombroon  upon 
the  arrival  of  Durson  with  the  Loyalty  ;  *  who  voyaged  from  hence 
to  Bussora,  and  returned  into  this  roadc  the  3cth  October,  comeinge 
onley  for  freight.  When  at  his  arrivall  hee  vizited  the  Sultan,  beinge 
kindly  enterteined  and  promised  curteous  usage,  not  only  for  the 
present  but  likewise  for  the  future,  although  the  Sultan  was  suffi- 
tiently  enformed  from  us  how  unwarantable  it  was  for  him  to  come 
into  this  porte  and,  if  hee  received  any  fraight,  our  Company  was 
clere  from  all  clamors  that  was  like  to  ensue.  However,  Durson 
prevailed  and  gott  some  few  passengers  with  their  goods  and 
monies,  the  greatest  parts  beinge  merchants  hee  brought  hither 
from  Rajapore.  The  4th  currentt  hee  departed  at  [?  midjnight, 
leaveinge  behind  him  his  broker,  passengers,  and  one  English  boy. 
At  news  thereof  the  Sultan  suposed  his  new  enterteined  friend  was 
noe  better  then  a  piratt,  beinge  noe  less  suspected  by  his  passengers, 
&c.  But  it  pleased  God  three  days  after  hee  mett  with  a  stormc  in 
the  Gulph  which  brought  him  back  to  Larrack  ;  when  some  good 
angell  inspired  him  to  send  his  boate  ashore  for  his  passengers  (but 
supposed  rather  for  his  mates  sonne,  the  boy).  But  after  arrivall 
many  revileinge  words  the  Sultan  gave,  and  profered  the  passengers, 
if  they  pleased,  he  would  deteine  the  whole  boats  crew  of  English 
till  their  goods  were  brought  ashore  from  the  shipp ;  but,  like 
a  company  of  silly  fools,  they  perswaded  the  Sultan  to  the  contrary 
and  desired  boats  to  carry  them  abord,  that  they  might  take  their 
passage  to  Rajapore  ;  whereupon  hee  declared  thci  had  licence,  but 
hee  was  free  from  giveinge  them  any  such  councell ;  and  soe  they 
departed.'  Indigo  now  commands  a  good  price,  being  very  scarce 
here.  The  commodities  of  '  Scind ',  such  as  '  meanaes,  udpotaes, 
cuds  Meirzaie,  alejaes  Bengalc,  allejaes  Sabone  ',  are  likely  also  to  be 
in  good  demand.     Send  copies  of  their  accounts,  the  originals  of 

'  On  the  production  of  lead  in  the  Kerman  district  see  Lord  Curzon's  Persia,  vol.  ii. 
p.  518. 


3IO  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

which  went  by  the  Endeavour.  The  arrival  of  Pitt  is  daily  expected. 
PS. — Desire  a  small  box  of  '  chirirgiry ' ;  also  a  supply  of  sack  and 
beer.  PPS. — The  yearly  allowance  of  house  provisions  (rice,  butter, 
oil,  candles,  '  doll '  [pulse :  Hind.  ddt\^  &c.,  should  be  sent  by  the 
next  ship.     {Copy,    '^^pp.) 

President  Cartwright  and  Council  at  Bantam  to  the 
Company,  December  23,  1645  {O.C.  1884 1). 

Out  of  the  money  received  by  the  William,  they  sent  upwards  of 
10,000/.  to  the  Coast.  They  beg  the  Company  not  to  fail  in  supply- 
ing those  factories  annually  with  means  ;  and  they  promise  on  their 
own  part  to  furnish  the  Coast  with  gold  and  other  vendible  com- 
modities. *  Cogan  connives  att  Yards  estate  for  his  owne  ends.'  .  .  . 
*  Difference  betweene  Hatch  and  Olton.'  ...     {%  p,) 

Consultation  held  *on  Swally  Maryne'  by  President 
Breton  and  Messrs.  Merry,  Thurston,  Tash,  and  Fitch, 
December  iJ7, 1645  {O.C.  19^5). 

At  a  previous  consultation  held  on  October  11  [missing],  it  was 
decided  that  on  the  return  of  the  Falcon  from  *  Scinda '  and  of  the 
Seahorse  from  Tuticorin,  they  should  be  sent  to  the  Red  Sea  to 
intercept  the  Malabars,  '  our  profest  and  invetterate  enimies '.  Now, 
however,  intelligence  has  been  received  that  '  the  now  Vice  Roy  2, 
intending  a  suddaine  warr  against  them,  denieth  his  pass  unto  all 
Mallavars  tradeing  to  the  Redd  Sea,  prohibiting  the  granteing  of 
them  any  securitie  by  any  the  Governors  or  Captaines  of  any  his 
townes  or  forts  on  this  coast ' ;  and  it  is  unlikely  that  in  these 
circumstances  any  of  the  Malabars  will  venture  upon  such  a  voyage. 
Moreover,  Broadbent,  on  being  consulted,  objected  to  the  enterprise, 
'by  reason  of  the  difficulties  and  hazzard  hee  saith  there  is  in 
encountering  them '.  In  view  of  all  this,  it  is  determined  to  abandon 
the  project  and  find  other  employment  for  the  two  vessels.  Although 
their  expectation  of  good  returns  from  Achin  last  year  was  dis- 
appointed, yet  it  is  clear  that  considerable  profits  may  be  made 

^  These  are  notes  only,  made  in  London.     No  copy  of  the  letter  itself  is  extant. 
^  Filippe  Mascarenhas,  who  had  succeeded  the  Conde  de  Aveiras  as  Viceroy^in  Septem- 
ber, 1644. 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  311 

there  by  sales,  and  the  Falco7i  is  accordingly  designated  for  that 
employment.  She  is  to  proceed  thither  at  the  end  of  the  monsoon, 
by  which  time  the  baftas  lately  provided  at  *  Matchawara'  will  be 
ready  to  form  part  of  her  cargo.  The  Seahorse^  after  being  over- 
hauled in  '  the  river  of  Surratt ',  will  be  sent  to  Rajapur,  where  some 
*  dungarees-^ '  are  already  awaiting  shipment,  and  it  is  expected  that 
a  large  quantity  of  pepper  will  have  been  provided  out  of  the  money 
landed  there  from  the  Hind  on  her  way  back  from  Tuticorin.  The 
Seahorse  will  then  proceed  to  the  Red  Sea  and  sell  her  cargo.  The 
differences  between  the  Dutch  and  the  Persians  being  now  settled, 
it  is  resolved  to  notify  the  Surat  merchants  that  freight  goods  will 
be  accepted  for  Persia  on  the  same  terms  as  before.  John  Totty  s 
appointed  to  command  the  Seahorse ;  and  John  Brown,  master's 
mate  of  the  Hind,  is  to  succeed  Broadbent  as  master  of  that  vessel. 
Broadbent  and  Tindall  are  permitted  to  take  passage  in  the  Eagle 
for  England.  John  Warner,  coxswain  of  the  Hind,  who  was  maimed 
in  a  fight  with  the  Malabars,  is  awarded  200  mahmudis  to  help  him 
'  in  this  his  misserie  '.     (2  J  //.) 

Thomas  Merry  at  Swally  Marine  to  the  Company, 
December  29,  1645  {O.C.  1966). 

After  a  service  of  eight  years  he  is  now  *  looking  hoamewardes ', 
and  begs  the  Company  to  license  his  return  to  England  at  the  same 
time  as  Breton.  The  accounts  of  the  Fourth  Joint  Stock,  made  up 
to  the  end  of  September,  are  sent  herewith.  Urges  that  means  be 
supplied  for  extinguishing  the  debt  and  thus  freeing  the  factors 
from  'theis  extortinge  usurers',     (i/.) 

President  Baker  and  Council  at  Bantam  to  the  Com- 
pany, December  29,  1645  {O.C.  1884 2). 

.  .  .  The  Szvan  has  gone  for  Surat.  ...  'A  minister  need  full  at 
Fort  St.  Georg,  unto  which  place  Mr.  Isaackson  from  Surat  was 
designed.'  ...     (3  liiies.) 

1  A  coarse  kind  of  cloth  :   Hind,  dtmgrt. 

^  Notes  only,  made  in  London  from  a  letter  now  missing.  Cartwiight  had  resigned  the 
post  of  President  to  Aaron  Baker  a  few  days  earlier  and  embarked  for  England  in  the  Maty, 
with  Robert  Hatch  as  a  fellow-passenger  {O.C.  1969). 


312  THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 

Anthony  Fenn's^  Account  of  the  Voyage  of  the  Eagle 
TO  Surat  (Marine  Records^  vol.  Ixvii). 

1645,  February  11.  Sailed  from  Blackwall,  and  anchored  near 
Erith.  March  15.  Moved  to  Gravesend.  March  24.  Weighed 
anchor  ;  *  in  casteing  our  shipp ',  she  fell  foul  of  a  vessel  commanded 
by  Captain  Strong.^  Anchored  that  evening  in  Margate  Road. 
March  25.  Got  as  far  as  the  Downs.  April  ^.  Sailed,  accompanied 
by  the  Lanneret.  April  4.  Off  Beachy  Head  they  were  overtaken 
by  the  Falcon.  April  9.  Passed  the  Start,  in  very  thick  weather. 
April  25.  Saw  Grand  Canary.  May  23.  The  Lanneret  lost  com- 
pany. May  27.  She  joined  again.  The  same  day  they  crossed  the 
Line.  June  20.  The  weather  being  rough,  the  Falcon  lost  company. 
June  22.  The  Lanneret  did  the  same.  July  5.  Saw  land  to  the 
eastwards  of  the  Cape.  July  21.  Anchored  in  St.  Augustine's  Bay 
[Madagascar].  'Wee  founde  heere  the  William^  belonging  to 
Squier  Curtene,  Mr.  Blakman  comaunder,  being  come  out  of  India 
and  bound  home  for  England  but,  haveing  loste  his  munsone,  wintered 
here.  Likewise  here  was  the  Jeames,  come  out  of  Ingland,  Mr. 
Weddall  ^  comaunder,  bounde  for  India.'  July  22.  '  Came  in  Mr. 
Spencer  in  the  Sunn,  from  St.  a  Lucea,  the  French  plantation  uppon 
the  backe  side  of  St.  Laurence '  [see  p.  200].  The  same  afternoon 
the  Falcon  and  the  Lanneret  arrived.  July  29.  The  fleet  sailed. 
August  12.  Anchored  in  Johanna  Road,  'twharte  off  Brownes 
garden'  \see  the  preceding  volume,  p.  170].  August  22.  The  ships 
sailed.  September  23.  Saw  the  coast  of  India.  September  25. 
Anchored  in  Swally  Hole,  and  found  there  a  Dutch  ship  from 
Mokha.  '  Your  best  rideing  in  Swallow  Hoale  is  with  the  tody  tree 
bearing  of  you  S.  and  by  E.,  and  Swallow  E.S.E.,  and  the  Divells 
tree  E.N.E.,  and  Bloody  Poynte  ^  N.  and  by  E.  J  E. ;  and  then  you 
shall  have  9I  fadoms  att  a  hye  watter  and  at  a  lowe  watter  some  6 
fadoms.'  September  28.  The  Hester  came  in  from  Goa  and  the 
Swan   from   Bantam.     October  16.    The    Hester  sailed   for   Goa. 

^  lie  was  master's  mate.     The  captain  was  Thomas  Stevens. 
2  See  Court  Minutes,  1644-49,  PP*  ^o»  ^4'  9*^* 
^  This  was  Jeremy  Weddell,  son  of  Captain  John  Weddell. 

*  The  scene  of  the  skirmish  between  the  English  and  the  Portuguese  in  1630  (see  the 
1630-34  volume,  p.  x). 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES  313 

October  28.  The  Falcon  departed  for  'Sindcy'.  November  5.  The 
Endeavour,  under  Bowen,  and  the  William,  under  Stafford,  arrived 
from  Basra.  November  7.  These  two  vessels  went  into  the  river  to 
careen.  November  28.  The  William,  Prosperous,  and  Christopher 
came  in  from  Surat  River.  December  i.  The  Francis  went  to 
Daman  to  fetch  arrack.  December  7.  The  Falcon  returned  from 
*  Sindey '.  December  10.  The  Francis  came  in  ;  also  two  Hollanders 
from  Batavia.  December  17.  The  Lanneret  sailed  for  Persia. 
December  23.  The  Hind,  under  Broadbent,  and  the  Seahorse,  under 
Tindall,  arrived  from  the  [Malabar]  Coast  with  pepper.  December  24. 
The  E7ideavour  came  into  the  Hole  from  Surat  River.  December  t^y. 
The  Eagle  went  over  the  bar,  preparatory  to  sailing  for  England. 


INDEX 


AbbdsTs,  passim. 

Abbas  Quli  Beg,  297. 

Abbot,  Edward,  25. 

Abdullah   Qutb  Shah,  Sultan.     See   Gol- 

_  conda.  King  of. 

Achar,  73  ;/. 

Achin,  Queen  of,  128,  131  ;  privileges 
granted  to  the  English  and  Dutch  at, 
130,  212;  native  of,  imprisoned  by  the 
Portuguese,  130,  212;  Indian  trade  to, 
92,  129,  130,  131,  281,282;  native  mer- 
chants hinder  Company's  trade  at,  128  ; 
trade  between  Arakan,  Macassar,  and, 
131  ;  Company's  factory  at,  130,  131  ; 
factors  at,  see  Bowman,  Dawes,  Fitch, 
Scattergood ;  dispatch  of  ships  from  and 
for,  99,  128, 131,  139, 146,  148,  179,  212, 
2i4»  231,  253,  272,  311;  shipment  of 
freight  goods  from  and  for,  131,  146  ; 
trade  at  and  commodities  from,  97,  128, 
129,  139,  146,  148,  235,  253,  310,  311  ; 
goods  provided  for,  136,  161,  164  (3), 
167,  204,  212;  Courteen's  trade  to  and 
factory  at  {see  also  Glascock,  Kynaston), 
29,  128,  129,  130,  148,  184,  217,  254; 
Courteen's  debts  at,  148,  217,  232  ; 
Dutch  factory  and  ships  at,  129,  130; 
Dutch  chief  at,  see  Willemszoon. 

Ackers  loot,  the,  32,  272. 

Acuerdo,  222. 

Adams,  Robert,  25. 

Adams,  Roger,  69,  81  ;  death  of,  234. 

Aden,  19 ;  Malabarjimks  trade  to,  3, 1 39, 213. 

Adhar  Bhatt,  14. 

Adler,  Thomas,  26,  70,  83,  84,  98,  132, 
135,  143,  148,  169,  172,  188,  218;  letter 
from  {see  also  Persia,  andSuxzX),  189. 

Advice,  the,  35,  122,  146,  148,  294;  master 
of,  see  Dowle  and  Pollen ;  voyage  to 
Gombroon  and  back  to  Coromandel 
Coast,  31,  35,  40,  42,  56,  87  ;  repairs  to, 
40,  43,  295  ;  on  Coromandel  Coast,  33, 
42, 56, 68,  69 ;  voyage  to  Bengal  and  back 
to  Masulipatam,  32,43,  55,  67,  77,  loi ; 
sails  to  Narsapur  and  back  to  Madras, 
77;  at  Madras,  71  ;  voyage  to  Bantam, 
4ij  55.  10,  11,  78,  97>  loi  ;  dispatched 
on  a  voyage  of  discovery,  97,  11 8-1 19; 
again  on  Coromandel  Coast,  116,  118, 
140,  157,  159;   returns  to  Bantam,  119, 


120,  128,  164,  168;  arrives  at  Coro- 
mandel Coast  from  Bantam,  293  ;  sails 
to  Tegnapatam  and  back  to  Madras,  281, 
282  ;  sails  for  Bantam,  281,  287  (2),  289, 
292,  294. 

Agra,  xvi ;  factors  at,  see  Black  well, 
Bomford,  Burnell,  Davidge,  Downs,  Ham- 
mersley,  Jesson,  Knipe,  Tash,  Turner ; 
letter  from,  299 ;  censure  of  factors  at, 
203  ;  factory  accounts  and  records,  16, 
96,  97,  142,  232,  301 ;  broker  at,  see 
Dhanji ;  trouble  with  brokers  at,  300  ; 
trade  at,  passim ;  customs  duties  on 
commodities  from,  214;  caravans  from, 
215,  300,  301,  302,  304  ;  debts  and  want 
of  money  at,  302,  303,  304,  305  ;  rate  of 
interest  on  borrowed  money  at,  303,  304  ; 
failure  of  sarrdfs  at,  303;  debts  due  to 
Company  at,  160, 301, 302  ;  Anglo-Dutch 
agreement  at,  to  reduce  the  price  of 
indigo,  304 ;  Shah  Jahan's  army  and 
treasure  at,  59 ;  designs  of  rebels  on, 
58>  59  j  presents  for  Shah  Jahan,  etc., 
sent  to,  160  ;  Kotwal  of,  see  Sharafiiddin 
Husain ;  Jesuits  at,  60,  63 ;  Portuguese 
borrow  money  from  Company  at,  60 ; 
Courteen's  trade  to,  140  ;  Dutch  trade 
and  merchants  at  {see  alsoYa.n  der  Burgh), 
98,  215,  227. 

Ahmadabad,  factors  at,  see  Andrews,  Cogan 
(Thomas),  Heynes,  Robinson,  Smith 
(Anthony),  Tash;  factory  accounts,  16, 
236  n. ;  debts  at,  5 ;  money  remitted  to 
Sind  from,  85  ;  changing  of  money  at, 
144;  supplies  for,  from  Surat,  210;  trade 
a.t, passi/n  ;  manufacture  and  dyeing,  etc., 
of  cotton  cloth  at,  5,  7,  137,  164,  204; 
refining  of  saltpetre  and  borax  at,  205, 
233 ;  customs  duties  on  commodities 
from,  214;  caravans  from  and_for,90, 163, 
201,  210  ;  Governor  of,  see  Azim  Khan; 
Dutch  trade  at,  160,  164,  202;  Dutch 
caravan  for,  98. 

Akbarls.     See  Cotton  goods. 

A/amdm,  18. 

Alamparai,  Dutch  factors  and  goods  seized 
at,  280,  288. 

Aleppo,  dispatch  of  letters  to  and  from 
England  via,  27,  57,  59,  98,  122,  143, 
169,  171,  299;   cost   of  transmission  of 


INDEX 


3^5 


letters  to,  59;  trade  between  Basra  and, 
58;  Consul  at,  59;  depressed  state  of 
trade  at,  294. 

Aleppo  Merchant^  the,  xix,  29 ;  master 
of,  see  Millet;  chartered  for  voyage  to 
India,  v,  28 ;  Knipe  {q.v.^  to  manage 
voyage  of,  59 ;  private  trade  aboard, 
29(2),  89,  123;  outward  voyage  of,  57, 
61,  83 ;  voyage  to  Malabar  Coast  from 
Swally,  59-61,  69,  86,  106-109,  138;  at 
Goa,  63  (2) ;  passages  for  Portuguese  on, 
94;  homeward  voyage  of,  95,  96,  98, 109, 
no,  121,  122,  135,  201. 

All  Agha,  284. 

All  Basha,  168,  186,  273,  274;  presents 
for  and  from,  20,  23,  284;  negotiations 
with,  27,  57 ;  dispute  with  the  Portuguese, 

143- 
Al-Katif,  100,  147. 
Allah  Bakhsh,  301,  302. 
Allejas.     See  Cotton  goods. 
Allison,  John,  letter  from,  i ;  commended, 

15- 
Almacen,  221,  225. 

Almonds,  42,  73  n. 

Almude,  217. 

Aloes,  7,  124,  139(2),  162,  205,  233,  252, 

254- 
Alum,  138,  167. 
Amar  Singh,  229  n. 
Amber,  217,  233. 
Ambergris,  120. 
Amberties.     See  Cotton  goods. 
Amboina,  the,  62. 
Ameldee.     See  Emalde. 
Amin,  Mirza,  253  n. 
Amir  (pi.  uniard),  229,  302. 
'Andre  Manfecks ',  187. 

*  Andre  Peela',  187. 
Andrews,  Thomas,  175,  231.     ' 
Ankleswar,  137. 

Anthony,  John,  236. 

Appelton,  William,  152. 

Arabia,  horses   from,    38,   160,   284.     See 

also  Aden,  Basra,  Mokha,  etc. 
Arab  Khan,  297. 
Arab,  Mirza,  23,  169. 
Arakan,  131. 

Archer,  Anthony,  198  n.,  241. 
Ardasse,  122. 
Ardeas.     See  Cotton  goods. 

*  Arlour '.     See  Vellore. 

Armagon,  Nayak  of,  52  ;  complaint  against, 
53;  death  of,  80;  attacked  and  captured 
by  Sri  Ranga  Rayalu,  44,  80 ;  English 
ship  wrecked  at,  20 ;  fort  at,  47,  48 ; 
dismantling  of  fort  at,  51,  52,  53  ;  paint- 
ings from,  51  ;  money  due  to  and  from 
Company  at,  49,  52,  191;  prices  com- 
pared with  those  at  Madras,  118,  157; 


abandoned  by  the  Company's  factors, 
305,.  306. 

Armenians,  18,  278,  303,  304. 

Arrack,  7,  19,  61,  74,  103,  226,  234,  313. 

Arras  ((?r  Arrash),  122. 

Arrendt,  the,  218. 

Asaf  Khan,  109;  death  of,  25;  his  estate 
seized  by  Shah  Jahan,  25,  95. 

Asalat  Khan,  Mir  Bakhshi  to  Shah  Jahan, 
229  «.,  302 ;  Boughton  appointed  surgeon 
to,  229;  assists  the  Company's  factors, 

_  230,  232. 

Asa  Vora,  168. 

Ascension  Island,  241,  262,  264. 

Assab,  99,  147. 

Auditor,  East  India  Company's.  See  Mark- 
ham. 

Aurangzlb,  Viceroy  of  Gujarat,  253  n. 

Austin,  Bartholomew,  256  n. 

Ayappa  Nayak,  forces  King  of  Camatic 
to  release  Damarla,  So  n. 

Ayres,  William,  237. 

Azim  Khan,  5. 

Bab-ul-Mandab,  19,  139,  213. 

Baftas.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Baghdad,  58,  294. 

Bairam  All  Beg  Shaikhavand,  297. 

Baines,  Rev.  Andrew,  132,  152. 

Baker,  Aaron,  letters  to  and  from,  see 
Bantam ;  resigns  the  Presidency  at  Ban- 
tam, 82;  again  becomes  President,  311  n. 

Balasore,  factors  at,  see  Bengal ;  letter  from, 
65  ;  dispatch  of  ships  for  and  from,  32, 
65*  77>  ^o^  ;  trade  at,  in  various  com- 
modities, 65,  66,  117;  factors  advise 
continuance  of  factory  at,  65;  price  of 
provisions  at,  72  ;  private  trade  at,  72  ; 
debts  at,  116;  factory  accounts,  126; 
accident  to  Endeavour  at,  207 ;  Persians 
at,  105.     See  also  Bengal. 

Bamboos,  276. 

'  Bambord '  {or  '  Bombard '),  104. 

Banda,  the,  260. 

Bandar,  46,  170,  266,  269,  273.  See  also 
Masulipatam. 

Bandar  AbbasT.     See  Gombroon. 

Bandar  Rig,  283. 

Bandar  Sur.     See  Sur. 

Bank  sal,  55. 

Bantam,  President  at,  see  Baker  and  Cart- 
wright  ;  President  and  Council  at :  letters 
to  and  from,  33  (2),  38,  77,  82,  97,  1 13, 
118  (2),  126,  133,  154,  293,  295,  310, 
311;  consultation  by,  121;  Coast  ac- 
counts to  be  rendered  to,  13,  45;  Coast 
and  Bay  factories  subordinate  to,  45,  82, 
127,  132,  140;  disputes  with  and  accu- 
sations against  Surat  Council,  11,  16,  33, 
34,  85,  86,  172,  227  ;   indebted  to  Surat 


3i6 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 


Council,  33,  34,  86,  99  ;  money  due  to, 
Irom  Coast  factors,  39,  97 ;  and  the 
building  of  Fort  St.  George,  47  ;  com- 
plaints against,  100,  140,  200  ;  and  the 
Manilla  venture,  192,  193  ;  factors  at, 
see  Collet,  Jeffries,  \V  inter  (Thomas) ; 
dispatch  of  ships  for  and  from,  passvn ; 
commodities  from,  6,  7,  16,  27,  35,  61, 
70,  78,  80,  82,  86,  94,  97,  loi,  121,  128, 
i34»  i38>  i39>  142,  165,  201,  211,  231; 
complaint  of  poor  returns  from,  20 ;  goods 
vendible  at,  5,  6,  137;  supplies  for,  21, 
35>  405  43j  55>  80,  100,  176,  194,  200, 
201,  204  ;  want  of  supplies  and  ships  at, 
34,  35,  36,  97,  128,  192,  193,  293;  ship 
sent  to,  for  service  at,  147  ;  debts  at,  34 ; 
rate  of  interest  for  loans  at,  34  ;  state  of 
Company's  affairs  at,  35  ;  slaves  for,  37, 
81,  97,  120;  trade  between  Surat  and, 
85,  142,  164,  172,  201,  231  ;  suggested 
dispatch  of  ship  to  Bengal  from,  293 ; 
Indian  trade  to,  294 ;  Dutch  and  Portu- 
guese given  passages  to,  80 ;  Dutch  at, 
38  ;  Danes  at,  37,  40 ;  their  new  factory 
^•t}  37,  38  ;  Danish  ship  sails  for,  36. 

Banyans,  14,  18,  64,  108,  144,  204,  270,  283. 

Barang-barang,  119. 

Barbary,  Courteen's  Association  trade  to, 
185;  gold,  185. 

Barker,  Roger,  105,  11 1  n. 

Baroda,  dissolution  of  factory  at,  164 ;  fac- 
tory accounts,  16;  baftas  and  Guinea 
stuffs  from,  6,  85,  123,  137,  164,  204; 
bleaching  {or  curing)  of  cotton  goods  at, 
137^  204  ;  manufacture  of  cots,  etc.,  at, 
295 ;  customs  duties  on  commodities 
from,  214  ;  Dutch  trade  at,  6,  160. 

Basra,  57  ;  letters  from,  57,  186,  197,  273, 
283,  298 ;  Basha  of,  see  All  Basha ; 
Shahbandar  of  {see  also  Mahmud  Agha), 
27,  168,  186,  273,  274;  Governor  oi^see 
Hassan  Beague;  broker  at,  168,  169; 
factors  at,  see  Bowman,  Buckeridge, 
Cogan  (Thomas),  Cranmer,  Pearce,  Ry- 
mell,  Thurston,  Walwyn,  Weale  ;  com- 
modities vendible  at,  5,  7,  136,  137,  202, 
203,  284,  294;  supplies  for,  8,  20,  139, 
143,  161,  163, 164,  204,  208,  268  ;  estab- 
lishment of  residence  at,  20,  143,  299  ; 
building  of  factory  at,  27,  57;  Com- 
pany's agreement  for  trading  to,  27; 
customhouse  and  customs  duties,  27,  274, 
275  ;  factory  accounts  and  expenses  at, 
58,  89,  226,  284;  dispatch  of  ships  for 
and  {iom,passim  ;  best  time  for  dispatch 
of  ships  to,  284;  transmission  of  letters 
to  and  from  England  via,  2,  82,  91,  98, 
122,  135,  143,  169,  186,  200,  236,  273; 
sickness  and  mortality  at,  276,  283 ; 
trade  at, /aj«w  ;  horses  from,  2,  19,  20, 


147, 148,  284;  Company  in  favour  at,  58, 
186,  273;  Courteen's  ships  sail  for  and 
trade  at,  277,  283,  284,  309  ;  dispute  be- 
tween Courteen's  and  Company's  factors 
at,  299  ;  Indian  trade  to,  2,  21,  168,  186, 
253,  274,  294;  trade  between  Aleppo, 
Baghdad,  etc.,  and,  58,  274  ;  Dutch  trade 
to  and  ships  at,  274,  275,  283,  284,  294 ; 
destruction  of  Dutch  ship  at,  xvii ;  Dutch 
chief  at,  see  Sarcerius  ;  Dutch  demands 
refused  and  trade  discouraged  at,  274, 
275,  283;  Portuguese  trade  at,  274; 
Portuguese  endeavour  to  spoil  Com- 
pany's trade  at,  295. 

Basrur  (^  Bassalour'),  English  ships  and 
trade  at,  109. 

Bassano,  Henry,  loi,  iii  n. 

Bassein,  dispatch  of  ships  for  and  from,  148, 
160;  Portuguese  Captain  of,  286  n. 

Basting  (Bastinck  or  Bastian)  de  Oude, 
Willem,  271,  272,  278. 

Batavia  {or  Jakatra),  Dutch  ships  for  and 
from,  21,  22  (2),  32,  33  (2),  38,  68,  99, 
129,  130,  150,  218,  313;  trade  in  wine 
at,  145;  commodities  from,  22,  218; 
Courteen's  sailors  detained  by  Dutch  at, 
128;  Dutch  Governor-General  at,  21; 
Portuguese  negotiations  with,  21,  148, 
149;  Persian  mission  to,  282;  letter 
from  Malaya  to,  288,  292,  294. 

Baticola,  20. 

*  Bayes',  18,  61,  91,  160,  170,  209. 

Bayley,  William,  2,  9,  39,  175,  183,  245, 
259  ;  letter  from,  188. 

Bazar,  58. 

Beads,  25,  124,  205,  210.  See  also  Sami- 
samy  and  Rango. 

Beck,  William,  103. 

Bengal,  Governor  of,  see  Sultan  Shuja  ;  fac- 
tors in,  see  Day,  Gumey,  Hatch  (Robert), 
Netlam,  Olton,  Travell,  Winter  ;  factors 
recalled  from,  13,  20;  complaints  against 
factors  in,  xxvii,  34,  72  ;  want  of  factors, 
66 ;  trade  in  and  commodities  from,  55, 
67,  72,  78,  137,  190,  207  ;  price  of  pro- 
visions in,  72  ;  dispatch  of  ships  and  sup- 
plies for  and  from,  13,  20,  32,  42,  67,  72, 
125,  186,  190,  194,  206,  207,  253;  ship- 
ment of  passengers  and  freight  goods  for 
and  from,  20,  67,  72,  77  (2),  186,  191 ; 
debts  in,  13,  207;  repairing  of  ships  in, 
36,  40;  question  of  continuance  of  trade 
at  and  factory  in,  xxxv,  65,  66,  78,  134, 
293;  trade  between  Achin  and,  130; 
value  of  Company's  stock,  etc.,  at,  191  ; 
small  ships  required  for  trade  to,  229, 
293  ;  purchase  of  a  junk  in,  see  En- 
deavour; Dutch  ship  dispatched  from, 
42  ;  Danes  capture  a  junk  of,  156.  See 
also  Balasore. 


INDEX 


317 


Beni  Das,  57,  252. 

Benzoin,  55,  139. 

Betel-nuts,  74  (2),  75. 

Bethills.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Bezoar,  178. 

Bhatkal,  Courteen's  factors  at,  109  ;  Com- 
pany invited  to  settle  at,  109. 

BhikkU,  37. 

Biana,  indigo,  5,  6,  84,85,  122,  126,  201, 
303*  304 ;  complaint  as  to  quality  of, 
202  ;  Dutch  and  English  trade  at,  304. 

Bijapur,  King  of,  see  Mahmud  Adil  Shah. 
See  also  Dabhol,  Karwar,  Vengurla, 
etc. 

Billidge,  Thomas,  236  n. 

Bindlos,  William,  95  n. 

Blackman,  Captain  Jeremy,  148  (2),  168, 
180,  254,  255,  312. 

Blackwell,  Joshua,  175,  231,  301. 

Blessing  (i),  the,  xix  ;  destruction  of,  at 
Goa,  16. 

Blessing  (2),  the,  outward  voyage  to  Ban- 
tam, 27,  87  ;  at  Bantam,  97,  100  ;  home- 
ward voyage  of,  122;  outward  voyage 
of,  122,  177,  200. 

Blocq,  Klaas  Korneliszoon,  255,  268,  269, 
275  ;  death  of,  278,  279,  299. 

Bloody  Point,  312.1 

Bombay,  English  ships  at,  135,  147  ;  sup- 
plies and  reinforcements  for  Portuguese 
at,  217,  235. 

Bona  Speranza,  the,  master  of,  see  Carter  ; 
outward  voyage  of,  26  ;  on  the  Malabar 
Coast,  148 ;  freighted  for  China  by  Por- 
tuguese, 148  ;  captured  by  the  Dutch, 
128,  129,  130,  134,  148,  165,  168,  218. 

Bonaventura^  the.  See  Henry  Bonaventura. 

Bond,  Captain,  144,  176,  231. 

Borax  ('tincal'),  trade  in  and  price  of,  85, 
124,  138,  147,  205,  254;  refining  and 
packing  of,  138,  233;  private  trade  in, 
forbidden,  124,  138. 

Boreel,  Pieter,  100,  149 ;  death  of,  149  n. 

Bornford,  Henry,  7,  18,  26,  69,  84,  89,  90, 
98,  122,  173,  229. 

Boughton,  Gabriel,  xxxv,  xxxvi,  102  «.,  229. 

Bowen,  Adam,  letter  from,  258. 

Bowen,  Robert,  298,  313  ;  letter  from,  181, 
185;  complaint  against,  277,  299. 

Bowman,  Maximilian,  95  «.,  131,  132,  146, 
217  ;  letters  from,  see  Basra. 

Boy  do,  66. 

Bradbent.     See  Broadbent. 

Bradford    {or  Broadford),    Geoffrey,    126, 

158,  159.  194- 
Bradgate,  Martin,  193,  289. 
Brahmans,  46,  280. 
Brass,  220. 
Breton,  P^ancis,  29,  69,  96,  132,  216,  229, 

310 ;  nominated  to  succeed  Fremlen  as 


President  at  Sorat,  39,  88,  96,  173;  let- 
ters from,  see  Surat ;  endeavours  to  main- 
tain friendly  relations  with  Portuguese, 
141  ;  gifts  from  Shah  Jahan,  etc.,  for, 
230  n.  \  to  return  home,  311. 

Iketon,  Thomas,  166,  167,  213,  218-226. 

Brewster,  Henry,  238-243. 

Bridgeman,  — ,  293. 

Brightwell,  John,  28. 

Brimstone,  63,  148;  price  of,  89. 

Broach,  factory  accounts,  16;  customs  at, 
24,  25;  baftas  from,  6,  85,  123,  137, 
164,  204  ;  bleaching  of  cotton  goods  at, 
137,  204,  233;  difficulties  in  transporting 
goods  from,  137  ;  dissolution  of  factory 
at,  164  ;  broker  at,  see  DeodasI ;  Dutch 
trade  at,  6,  160. 

Broadbent,  William,  16,  142,  212,  310,  311. 

Broadcloth,  trade  in,  passim  ;  price  of,  58, 
60,  107,  230;  for  presents,  19,  91,  210. 

Brookhaven,  Captain,  xxii. 

Brown,  John,  132,  193,  253,  311  ;  letters 
from,  see  Madras. 

Brown,  William,  293. 

Buckeridge,  Nicholas,  168. 

Buckingham,  Thomas,  262. 

Buckner,  — ,  301. 

Bulsar,  3, 

*  Burgare',  28. 

Burhanpur,  137,  140. 

Burnell,  John,  175,  177,  239,  245,  247,  249, 
301,305;  letters  from,  194,  198,  237. 

Burnell,  Thomas,  247. 

Butter,  39,  114,  310. 

Byars,  Signer,  304. 

Byrams.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Cabra  (Cabritoll  or  Goat)  Island,  219. 

Caesar^  the,  2,  49,  50. 

Caldeira,  Joao  da  Maya,  195,  249,  286, 
298,  304,  305. 

Calicoes.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Calicut,  7  ;  dispatch  of  English  ship  for  and 
from,  60,  108  ;  natives  given  passage  to, 
107  ;  trade  at  and  commodities  from,  60, 
86,  108. 

Calitore.     See  Kistnapatam. 

Cambay,  native  trade  to  Mokha,  Basra,  etc.. 
from,  10,  1S6;  trade  at,  in  various  com- 
modities, 208  ;  customs  at,  24,  25. 

Camboja,  trade  between  Manilla  and,  223. 

Camels,  98. 

Canary  silk,  122  ;  wine,  16,  173,  210. 

Candahar,  18,  58,  S3. 

Candles,  226,  310. 

Candy,  55,  Si,  109,  191,  192,  213,  217. 

Cannanore,  King  of,  see  Mammali  Koya ; 
Courteen's  ships  at,  27 ;  trade  at,  in 
various  commodities,  109 ;  junk  of,  de- 
stroyed by  English  ship,  179,  213,  236/r. 


3i8 


THE  ENGLISH  FACTORIES 


*  Cannikeenes '.    See  Cotton  goods. 
Canton,  250, 

Cape  of  Good  Hope,  105 ;  English  ship  at, 
181,  185;  Dutch  ship  wrecked  at,  see 
Mauritius  Island. 

Cape  Verd  Islands,  33. 

Caphila  {qdfild),  10,  23,  58,  90,  215,  270, 
272,  304. 

Capitao  M6r,  44,  60. 

Capuchins,  80. 

Caravel,  217. 

Cardamoms,  7,  8,  10,  60,  86,  99,  108, 109, 
124,  138,  140,  147,  177,  205,  3i6,  233, 
248,  267. 

Caribbee  Islands,  199  «. 

Carnatic.     See  Vijayanagar. 

Caron,  Fran9ois,  xxiv. 

Carpenters  Bay,  153,  187.  ^^^  a/y^?  Mauri- 
tius. 

Carpets,  60,  63,  64,  66,  73  n. 

*  Carracke',  186.     See  also  Khargu  Island. 
Carter,  John,  130. 

Cartwright,  Ralph,  36 ;  letters  from,  see 
Bantam ;  becomes  President  at  Bantam, 
82  ;  returns  to  England,  ^im. 

Carvalho,  Francisco,  14. 

Cash,  42. 

*  Cassaes '  (Cossas  or  Cassedees).  See  Cotton 

goods. 
Castellano,  222. 

*  Catches  '.     See  Cotton  goods. 
Catechu.     See  Kattha. 
Catteife.     See  Al-Katif. 

Cavitte,  219  ;  Governor  of  entertains  Eng- 
lish factors,  219,220;  Company's  trade 
at,  221. 

Ceylon,  Portuguese  trade  to,  10 ;  Dutch 
ships  at,  21,  100;  Dutch  expedition 
against  the  Portuguese  in,  xxiv,  128,  167, 
255  ;  Dutch  forces  defeated  in,  114,  149, 
167,  168;  Dutch  demand  surrender  of, 
by  Portuguese,  151  ;  monopoly  of  cinna- 
mon trade  in,  217,  218;  cotton  goods 
from,  248.  See  also  Baticola,  Colombo, 
Negombo,  etc. 

Chagos  Islands,  185,  201. 

Chaluva,  79. 

Chandras.    See  Dammar. 

Charles  I,  assists  Courteen's  Association,  3, 
ID ;  Courteen's  ships  carry  Royal  flag,  3. 

Charles,  the,  xix. 

Chaul,  65. 

Chay,  79. 

Cheloan,  Captain  "William,  225,  251. 

Chennappapatam,  xxxiv. 

Cherry,  Robert,  169,  1^6  n. 

Chhatarsal.     See  Rao  Raja. 

Chicacole,  206  n. 

China,  Dutch  trade  to  and  ships  from,  22, 
32)  99>  134?  150;   gold  and  other  com- 


modities from,  66,  145,  165,  167,  221, 
223,  250,  254;  loss  of  Dutch  ships  in, 
167;  Portuguese  trade  to,  81,  134,  149, 
150,  165 ;  trade  between  Manilla  and, 
220,  223  ;  attempt  to  establish  Company's 
trade  to,  from  Surat,  227,  228,  247 ; 
Courteen's  ships  and  trade  in,  232,  254; 
customs  duties,  etc.,  in,  254;  Tsing 
Cheng,  Emperor  of,  death  of,  250.  See 
also  Macao. 

Chinaware,  58,  66,  165,  167,  251,  254, 
284. 

'  Chinder '.     See  Khanjar. 

Chinnana  Chetti.     See  Malaya. 

Chintz.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Chit,  64. 

Christianhaven,  the,  156,  157. 

Christopher,  the,  313. 

Chunam,  248. 

Chungam,  306,  307. 

Cinnamon,  trade  in,  passim ;  price  of,  89, 
107, 124;  trade  in,  prohibited,  XXV,  60,63, 
205,  218  ;  monopoly  of  trade  in,  217,  218. 

Citron  preserves,  66. 

Civil  War  and  Company's  trade,  139,  171, 
172,  188. 

Ckandara.     See  Kandiaro. 

Clark,  Richard,  132,  139,  174,  231,  234. 

Clark,  Richard,  238,  240,  243,  249,  258. 

Clark,  Thomas,  73,  94,  loi,  103,104,105, 
III  ?z.,  131 ;  complaints  against,  49,  56. 

Clark,  Walter,  138 ;  letter  from,  128  ;  death 
of,  146;  estate  of,  142,  233,  234. 

Clitherow,  Anthony,  133. 

Cloves,  16,  37,  86,  121,  131,  142,  218; 
freight  rates  on,  55. 

Coals,  183.     See  also  CoUow. 

Coaster,  the,  2. 

Cobb,  William,  237. 

Cochin,  factors  for,  see  Thurston  and  Pynn ; 
ships  at  and  dispatched  from  and  for,  56, 
59,  60,  6r  (2),  86,  99,  100,  107, 128,  131, 
138,  146,  147,  214;  trade  at,  and  com- 
modities from,  60,  70,  92,  99,  107,  108, 
109,  131,  138,  206,  211;  shipment  of 
freight  from  and  for,  146,  147 ;  Company 
advised  against  trading  at,  231  ;  Cour- 
teen's ships,  factors  and  trade  at,  62, 107, 
146  ;  Courteen's  debts  at,  146. 

Cochin,  Upper,  Raja  of  at  war  with  the 
Portuguese,  138  (2). 

Cochin  China,  Dutch  encounter  with  native 
vessels  of,  167. 

'  Cockenians ',  276  n. 

Coconuts,  2. 

Cocos  Keeling  Island,  97,  118. 

Codrington,  Thomas,  132,  169,  266,  279; 
goes  to  Persia  {q.v.  for  letters  from),  70; 
his  mission  to  new  Shah,  98 ;  salary  of, 
84,  172. 


INDEX 


319 


Coffee,  58,  59»  93,  "4. 

Cogan,  Andrew,  49,  60,  74  (2),  117,  121, 
131,  140,  190,  191,  228,  290;  letters 
from,  J^^  Madras ;  and  private  trade,  11, 
53 ;  charges  and  complaints  against,  35, 
4i>  45,  5^,  310;  and  the  founding  of 
Fort  St.  George,  51-53,  127;  desires  to 
relinquish  Coast  Agency,  38,  41,  54,  55, 
56,  68  ;  his  request  opposed,  69,  70 ;  his 
influence  on  the  Coast,  70  ;  agrees  to  re- 
main as  Agent,  79 ;  desires  to  return  to 
England,  112,  115  ;  sails  for  Bantam  and 
home,  116,  127,  189;  salary  of,  56. 

Cogan,  Thomas,  103,  132,  161,  253,  266, 
299  ;  letters  from,  see  Basra. 

Coiba  Islands,  199.  6*1?^  a/5-<?Caribbee  Islands. 

Coins,  complaint  of  supply  of  defective,  etc., 
17,  144,  145;  values  of  various,  17,  18, 
145,  209,  210;  method  of  packing  for 
shipment,  145 ;  complaints  of  bad  packing 
of,  295,  296;  most  in  demand,  211. 

Coir  (cairo  or  bast),  167,  212,  283. 

Cokayne,  William,  276  n. 

Colio,  179.     See  also  Dewua. 

Collet,  Edward,  46,  79,  97,  114. 

CoUow  (or  coaldust),  183. 

Colombo,  Dutch  designs  on,  21 ;  Dutch  re- 
pulsed by  Portuguese  in  attack  on,  xxiv, 
167,    168  ;     the    William    touches    at, 

254- 
Comfort^  the,  2,  131. 

*  Comitters ',     See  Cotton  goods. 

ComoroIslands(includingJohanna,Mayotta, 
and  Mohilla),  177;  English  ships  at,  2, 
32,  105,  135,  183,  185,  188,  189,  194, 
200,  237,  239,  243,  260,  261,  263,  312  ; 
letters  to  English  commanders  calling  at, 
188, 189,  198 ;  English  garden  (Browne's) 
at,  312  ;  slaves  from,  119;  revolution  at 
Mayotta  in,  119;  Queen  of  Johanna, 
199. 

Congo.     See  Kung. 

Constant,  Charles,  170,  266,  267,  269,270, 
271 

Coopers  Bay,  187. 

Copper,  212,  218;  sulphate  of,  see  Mor- 
thuthu. 

Copperas,  18. 

Coral  (including  'grezio',  'recaduti',  and 
*  teraglia'),  9,  18,  22,  26,  29,  61,  64,  67, 
68,  69,  70,  78,  86,  91,  99,  107,  108,  109, 
120,  135  w.,  145,  157, 164,  174,  177, 178, 
190,  193,  210,  211,  217,  226,  227,  230, 
259;  price  of,  60,  190,  210;  complaint  as 
to  quality  of,  145,  231  ;  beads,  210. 

Corge,  137,  217,  300. 

Coromandel  Coast,  Agents  on,  see  Cogan, 
Day,  and  Ivy ;  factors  on,  Bradgate, 
Brown,  Collet,  Greenhill,  Gurney,  Hud- 
son, Isaacson,  Jermyn,  Markham,  Meth- 


wold,  Minn,  Netlam,  Olton,  Peniston, 
Perks,  Robins,  Styles,  Travell,  Winter 
;Edward),  Winter  (Thomasj,  Yard  ley  ; 
charges  and  complaints  against  factors  on, 
",  12,  13,  31,  32,  36,  39,  45,  51,  53,54, 
72-77,  82,  113,  114,  117,  118,  126,  140, 
154,  155,  173  ;  factors  complain  of  neglect 
by  the  Company,  155, 157,  287;  factors  at, 
lend  money  to  the  Portugue5e,6o;  chronicle 
of  events  on,  42-45  ;  subordinate  to  Surat, 
I3>  33  ;  factory  accounts  and  expenses,  33, 
54,  56,  82,  128,  133,  134,  155,  194,  293, 
294;  advantages  of  being  under  control 
of  Surat  Council,  54  ;  factory  accounts  to 
be  rendered  to  Bantam,  13,  45;  made 
subordinate  to  Bantam,  82,  127,  140; 
want  of  supplies  on,  38,  39,  45,  46,  54, 66, 

79,  loi,  117,  155,  281,  282,  287,  388, 
289,  293,  310;  supplies  for,  11,  45,  87, 
88,  190,  191,  193,  207  ;  debts  at,  17,  33, 

39,  407  4ij  43,  49,  55,  65,  68,  79,  97, 1 12, 
113,  115,  117,  120,  126,  127,  128,  155, 
164,  191,  194,  228  ;  borrowing  of  money 
at,  69,  70,  79,  loi,  112,  280;  value  of 
Company's  stock,  etc.,  at,  190,  191,  194  ; 
trade  at,  passim  ;  quarrel  between  Dutch 
and  Malaya  benefits  Company's  trade, 
288 ;  monopoly  of  trade  on,  offered  to  the 
Company,  288,  290  ;  best  time  for  trading 
at,  87  ;  proposal  to  abandon  trade  on,  47  ; 
suggested  increase  of  stock  and  shipping 
on,  133;  native  wars  affect  trade  on,  65, 
80 ;  dispatch  of  ships  from  and  for  and 
ships  at,  passim  ;  shipment  of  passengers 
and  freight  to  and  from,  20,  42,  55,  67,  72, 
77,  191,  192,  268;  want  of  ships  on,  48, 
117,  229,  282,  287,  288,  289,  293;  best 
time  for  dispatching  ships  from,  for 
Bantam,  287,  288;  adjustment  of  charges 
against,  33,  34;  debts  due  to  Surat  and 
Bantam  from,  40,  97 ;  Company  exempt 
from  customs  duties  at,  207,  208  ;  trouble 
with  natives  at,  46  ;  trade  route  to  Persia 
from,  56;  trade  between  Persia,  Mokha, 
Achin  and,  55,  67,  80,  81,  87,  125,  130, 
207,  260,  268,  278,  281,  2S8 ;  Persian 
merchants  at,  87 ;  Dutch  borrow  money 
at,  79 ;  oppression  of  Dutch  at,  So ;  Dutch 
give  presents  to  and  assist  the  Sar-i-Khail, 

80,  81  ;  Dutch  join  in  native  intrigxies  on, 
T  54 ;  Dutch  endeavour  to  monopolize  trade 
on,  154,  155,  156,  191;  Dutch  in  bad 
odour  on,  281,  288;  Company's  factors 
trade  in  confiscated  Dutch  goods,  288, 
289,  290,  291,  294;  complaints  against 
the  Dutch  on,  2S8;   Dutch  trade  on,  13, 

40,  45,  46,  68,  87,  117,  154,  164;  Danes 
trade  on,  40,  45,  113,  155  ;  Danish  Presi- 
dent, 75 ;  presents  for  Danes  at,  74,  75  ; 
declining  state  of  Portuguese  affairs  on. 


320 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 


155;  execution  of  a  Portuguese  at,  see 
De  Miranda.  See  also  Madras,  Masuli- 
patam,  Petapoli,  Viravasaram,  etc. 

Correa,  Duarte  Fernandez,  xv,  16,  25,  142, 
159,  168,  171. 

Cossumba.     See  Kusunibha, 

Costus,  167  «. 

Cots,  295. 

Cotta.     See  Katthd. 

Cotton  goods  and  calicoes,  trade  in  and 
references  to,  passim;  akbarls,  6,  123, 
137,  203,  301 ;  allejas,  87,  309  ;  amberties, 
302;  ardeas,  7,  137;  baftas,  6,  7,  85, 
^23(2),  I37>  138,  164,  200,  203,  204, 
206,223,  233,  274,  300,  304,  311 ;  bethills 
(betteelas  ^r  calico  lawns),  137  (3),  207, 
287  ;  byrams,  6,  137,  302  ;  '  cannikeenes', 
7,137 ;  cassaes  (cossas  i7rcassedees),6, 65, 
137,  207,  293;  catches  (orcattaketchies), 
248,  252;  chintz,  6,  85,  124,  137,  204, 
233;  comitters,  229;  daryabads,  6,  123, 
137,  204,  233,  302  ;  dungri,  311 ;  dutties, 
7,  224;  * farradckaunes ',  137;  ginghams, 
65,  190,  207,  293;  guinea  stuffs,  7,  85, 
124,  138,  204,  233;  guldars,  137  (2), 
233;  'gurras',  65,  207(2);  'guzzees',  7, 
137  (2)j  299,  300,  301;  'hummanees' 
(homoomies),  137,  207,  223  ;  '  joories',  6, 
85,  123,  163,  203  (2),  233  ;  khairabads,  6, 
137'  300  ;  longcloths,  207,  223,  224,  287  ; 
'mercooles',  6,  123,  137,  203,  233;mur- 
rees(£>rmoorees),  65,  190,  223;  muslins, 
137  n. ;  *  nicaneers ',  1 24 ;  red  cloth,  287  ; 
'salampores',  223,  292;  salooes  {or 
selaes),  6,  137  (2),  223,  233;  sannoes  {or 
sannas^,  65,  207  ;  sarasses  {or  Zarasses), 
217,  223;  semianoes,  85,  137,  204,  233; 
seryas  (seriaes),  7,  218 ;  sheerisadfs,  137  ; 
taffetas,  61;  'tappis'  {or  tapichindas), 
79,  287  ;  '  tapseels',  7,  85,  233  ;  prices  of, 
203,  223,  300;  dyeing  and  bleaching  {or 
curing)  of,  6,  7,  28,  79,  87,  123  (3),  137, 
164,  204,  233,  251 ;  thefts  of,  3,  132, 172  ; 
discontinuance  of  investments  in,  5,  82  ; 
dearness  and  scarcity  of,  6,  137,  191 ; 
freight  rates  on,  55,  72  ;  from  various 
places  compared,  84,  136,  192  ;  distri- 
buted to  General  Voyage  subscribers  as 
dividends,  1 23 ;  not  in  demand  in  England, 
123,  124;  complaint  as  to  quality,  etc., 
of,  126,  136  ;  method  of  packing  for  ship- 
ment, 224,  293. 

Cotton  veool,  6,  26, 137  ;  price  of,  164. 

Cotton  yarn,  6,  25,  31  n.,  85,  95,  136,  137, 
205,  233,  248;  price  of,  124. 

Courteen's  Association,  dispatch  of  ships 
and  supplies  to  India  for,  26,  27,  29,  56, 
57,  61,  62,  89,  105,  106,  148,  176,  183, 
200  ;  wreck  of  ships  of,  see  Henry  Bona- 
ventura  and  Little  William  ;  protection 


of  Malabar  pirates  by,  3,  255  ;  complaints 
against,  3,  276,  277,  283,  284,  286,  309, 
312;  Company's  opposition  to  trade  of, 
xxi,  8,  176 ;  compete  with  and  spoil  Com- 
pany's trade,  v,  140,  247  ;  Dutch  competi- 
tion with,  10  ;  trade  in  various  commodi- 
ties, 10,  27,  97,  105,  107,  109;  assisted 
by  Charles  I,  3, 10  ;  ships  of,  wear  King's 
colours,  198  n, ;  state  of  affairs  of,  23, 148, 
2I7>  231,  232,  247,  255;  debts  of,  217; 
ordered  to  withdraw  factors,  etc.,  from 
India,  XX  «.,  29;  quarrel  between  com- 
manders of  ships  of,  89 ;  and  the  attempted 
colonization  of  Madagascar,  144;  carry 
freight  for  Portuguese,  148,  165  ;  ship  of, 
captured  by  the  Dutch ,  see  Bona  Speranza ; 
dispute  with  the  Dutch,  148 ;  money  of, 
deposited  with  Company's  factors,  184, 
185  ;  shipwrecked  sailors  of,  rescued  and 
employed  by  the  Company,  185,  234; 
trade  to  Barbary,  185  ;  Portuguese  license 
trade  to  China  of,  216;  shipment  of  freight 
to  Persia,  etc.,  by,  217,  255,  276,  277; 
allegations  of  piracy  against,  232,  237  «., 
277,  286;  complaints  against  Company's 
factors  by,  236,  237,  276,  277,  299 ;  deny 
complicity  with  Cobb  and  Ayres,  237  ; 
depredations  by  Malabars  against  settle- 
ments of,  236  w. ;  grant  passages  to  Com- 
pany's factors,  237 ;  supply  the  John  {q.v.) 
with  stores,  etc.,  241 ;  negotiations  with 
the  Portuguese,  254;  grant  passages  to 
Portuguese,  286 ;  Company's  factors  buy 
guns  from,  295.  See  also  Blackman, 
Cox,  Hall,  Woodman,  etc.,  and  Karwar, 
Macao,  Rajapur,  Raybag,  etc. 

Covado  {or  covett),  7,  58,  230,  300.  See 
also  Gaz. 

Cowle.    See  Qaul. 

Cowries,  224. 

Cox,  Thomas,  193;  letters  to  and  from,  182, 
184(4),  185(2). 

Crane,  Sir  Francis,  176,  232. 

Cranmer,  Robert,  23,  132,  161,  168,  253, 
299  ;  letters  from,  see  Basra. 

Crispiana,  the,  xix,  89,  90 ;  master  of, 
see  Bay  ley  and  Steevens ;  homeward 
voyage  of,  2 ;  at  Comoro  Islands,  2 ; 
outward  voyage  of,  28,  57,  61,  83,  105- 
106 ;  voyage  to  Sind  and  back  to  Swally, 
61 ;  homeward  voyage  of,  89,  95,  96,  98, 
109,  no,  121,  122,  135;  men  from 
employed  as  factors,  94 ;  private  trade 
aboard,  no,  123;  outward  voyage  to 
Swally,  122,  125,  172,  175,  177,  188, 
194,  195,  200,  228,  238,  239,  259,  260; 
disposal  of,  125, 175  ;  at  Comoro  Islands, 
183, 188, 189 ;  designed  for  England,  203, 
205,  208,  209,  211,  215,  216;  voyage  to 
Sind  and  back  to  Swally,  211,  231,  234; 


INDEX 


321 


homeward  voyage  of,  229,  231,  232,  234, 

236,  242,  247,  260. 
Croocq,  Paulus,  161,  260. 
Cross,  Joseph,  143,  165,  252. 
Cubebs,  201,  214. 
Cubella.     See  Minicoy. 

*  Cuds  Meirzaie  ',  309. 

*  Cuskus  '.     See  Millet. 
Cussumba.     See  Kttswnbha. 

Customs  remitted  to  English  and  Dutch, 
98,  130,  159,  160,  169,  207,  208,  214, 
305>  307'  See  also  Gombroon,  Kung, 
Madras,  etc. 

Cutch.     See  Katthd. 

Cuttan.     See  Katana. 

Da  Silva  Tello  de  Meneses,  Joao,  Conde  de 
Aveiras,  Viceroy  of  Goa  {q.v.),  66,  310  w. 

Dabbah,  233. 

Dabhol,  the  Hopewell  at,  71,  74;  shipment 
of  freight  goods  for,  73,  74,  116;  junks 
of,  captured  by  the  Portuguese,  272. 

Dadu,  6. 

Dal,  310. 

Daman,  dispatch  of  ships  for  and  from,  19, 
313  ;  commodities  from,  19,  313  ;  English 
ship  at,  146,  234;  Captain  of,  66. 

Damarla  Venkatappa,  Nayak  of  Puna- 
mallee,  43,  47,  49,  53,  70,  80,  154,  290; 
complaint  against,  11,  12  ;  extent  of  his 
authority,  50,  306,  307  ;  character  of,  50, 
51 ;  superseded  by  Malaya,  154, 156. 

Dammar  {chandras),  35,  61,  66,  80,  86,  93, 
205. 

Danes,  the,  fortify  their  settlements,  1 2 ; 
state  of  affairs  of,  23,  40;  assist  Com- 
pany's ships,  36 ;  seize  native  shipping 
to  enforce  restitution,  42  ;  carry  letters 
for  the  Company,  1 20 ;  ship  of,  in  the 
employ  of  the  King  of  Spain,  156 ;  wreck 
of  ship  of,  156;  Company's  factors  lend 
money  to,  157. 

Dara  Shikoh,  160,  163,  214,  215,  230  «. 

Darbelo  '  joorees',  123,  163,  203. 

Darell,  John,  236. 

Daryabads.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Daulatabad,  208. 

Davidge,  Richard,  175,  i88w.,  231,  301. 

Dawes,  William,  131. 

Day,  Francis,  factor  for  First  General  Voy- 
age, 33,  42,  55>  65,  67,  78,  134,  228; 
letter  from  {see  also  Madras),  n6-n8; 
and  the  founding  of  Fort  St.  George,  11, 
12,  47>  52,  53>  126,  127;  salary  of,  56, 
132  ;  accusations  by  and  against,  72-77, 
102-105,  no,  112,  118;  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  Hopewell,  74 ;  sent  to  Ben- 
gal, 38 ;  recommends  continuance  of  trade 
there,  78;  petition  from,  iii;  proposed 
as  Agent  for  Coromandel  Coast,  41,  56, 


69,  70,  112,116;  appointed  Coast  Agent, 
117,  126,  127,  189;  desires  to  relinquish 
the  Agency  and  return  home,  118,  121, 
157;  appeals  for  more  power  for  Coast 
Agent,  117;  suggests  increase  of  shipping 
on  Coromandel  Coast,  133;  sails  for 
Bantam,  191. 

De  Aveiras,  Conde.  See  Da  Silva  Tello  de 
Meneses. 

De  Brito,  Diego  Mendez,  21  «. 

De  Brito,  Joseph,  166,  219. 

De  Brito  da  Almeida,  Francisco,  60,  206. 

De  Figueroa,  Don  Francisco,  220. 

De  Ladossa,  Carolus,  1 15  «. 

De  Masters,  Peeter,  276  «.,  299, 

De  Miranda,  Antonio  Pereira,  execution  of, 
43,  44>  59»  60,  63,  106. 

De  Motta,  Galvao,  xxiv. 

De  Noronha,  Miguel,  Conde  de  Linhares, 
30,^67,  173. 

De  Sao  Jose,  Frei  Gon9alo,  21  «. 

De  Souza,  Luiz  de  Car\alho,  1 29. 

De  Souza  de  Castro,  Francisco,  37,  64,  65, 
130. 

De  Vlaming  {or  Vlamingh)  van  Outshoom, 
Arnold,  272. 

Dearson.     See  Durson. 

Deccan,  the,  trade  in,  in  pepper  and  other 
commodities,  7,  10,  214,  233,  254,  255; 
Courteen's  Association  trade  in,  89,  140 ; 
indebtedness  of  Courteen's  Association  in, 
232,  255. 

Delfshaven,  the,  274  «.,  283  n. 

Delft,  the,  260. 

DeodasT,  204. 

Deo  Karan,  211. 

Derham,  John,  death  of,  144. 

Derham,  Thomas,  144,  146. 

Dewcurn.     See  Deo  Karan, 

Dewua  Bay,  181.     See  also  Colio. 

Dhairya  Sahu,  216. 

DhanjT,  215. 

Dholica  lungts,  58,  197. 

Diamond,  the,  144,  161 ;  master  of,  see 
Whatmore ;  voyage  to  Sind  and  Gom- 
broon, 20;  thence  to  Masulipatam,  20; 
calls  at  Muskat,  Baticola,  and  Fort  St. 
George,  20;  sails  to  Armagon,  Masuli- 
patam, etc.,  20,  42  ;  detained  by  Governor 
of  Masulipatam,  42  ;  voyage  to  Bay  of 
Bengal,  13,  20,  42  ;  designed  for  Bantam, 
2 1 ;  voyage  to  Bantam  from  Coromandel 
Coast,  33,  35  (2),  36,  40,  42,  68,  87,  100 ; 
repairs  to,  36,  40;  voyage  to  Jambi,  36, 
38;  voyage  from  Bantam  to  Swally,  37,86. 

Diamonds,  215,  230  «. 

Diarbekir,  58. 

Dieppe  privateers,  8,  9,  176,  232. 

Digart  {or  Digger),  Captain  David,  9. 

Discovery,  the,  xix,  8,  9,  14,  138,  146,  172, 


FO.'STEK    VII 


32.2 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 


175,  200,  210,  213,  239,  247,  260;  master 
of,  see  Allison  andMinors ;  outward  voyage 
from  England,  2, 10, 19 ;  voyage  to  Gom- 
broon and  Larak  and  back,  i,  4,  15,  16, 
31,91;  designed  for  Mokha,  1,23,91,92; 
voyage  to  Mokha,  8,  10,  15,  16,  61,  62, 
70,  86,  91,  92  ;  French  pirates  employed 
as  sailors  aboard,  9  ;  private  trade  on,  25 ; 
pilfering  aboard,  31 ;  voyage  to  Gom- 
broon, Mokha,  Malabar  Coast,  and  back 
to  Swally,  98,  99,  100,  139,  144,  147 ; 
designed  for  England,  5,  6,  26,  88,  99, 
loi ;  homew^ard  voyage  of,  147, 153, 159, 
187  ;  Portuguese  passengers  aboard,  152  ; 
lost  at  sea,  ix. 

Diu,  10,  168. 

Dofar,  237. 

Dolfijtt,  the,  22  (2). 

Dollars,  'cross',  value  of,  176,  209;  'rex', 
value  of,  17,  145,  210. 

Dolphin,  the,  xix,  150,  175,  210,218,  231, 
236  n.;  master  of,  see  Proud;  outv^rard 
voyage  of,  121,  135,  146;  letters  from, 
187,189, 259;  consultation  aboard,  260  n.; 
voyage  to  Goa  and  back  to  Swally,  138, 
151  ;  Portuguese  goods  shipped  on,  142  ; 
voyage  to  Malabar  Coast  and  back,  147  ; 
homeward  voyage  of,  147,  153, 159, 187  ; 
makes  for  Mauritius  in  distress,  153 ;  at 
Mauritius,  153,  183  ;  forced  to  return  to 
Swally,  188  (2),  189,  199,  200,  211,  214, 
229,  239,  259,  260;  designed  again  for 
England,  199  ;  homeward  voyage  of,  234, 

236,  242,  247,  259,  260. 
Dominicans,  94. 
Dongee.    See  DhanjT. 

Don  John,  Island  of,  (Macao),  180. 

Dowle,  Thomas,  56,  115, 140,  141 ;  letters 
from,  71,  118. 

Downs,  Gregory,  236. 

Downs,  Matthew,  132. 

Drake,  John,  14. 

Drugs,  136,  165,  171,  173,  252. 

Ducatoons,  211 ;  value  of,  175,  209. 

Ducats,  84  n. 

Dungrt.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Durd  [         ].     See  Dadu. 

Durson,  Captain  John,  29,  62,  176,  183, 
23i»  255,  276,  283,  284,  295,  299,  309. 

Dutch,  the,  carry  letters,  goods  and  pas- 
sengers for  the  Company,  i,  26,  36,  41, 
52,  67,  100,  113,  139, 154,  215,  218,  236, 

237,  238,  244,  257,  258,  293,  304;  the 
Company  carry  passengers,  letters,  etc., 
for,  26,  38,  80,  1 16,  153  ;  trade  in  various 
commodities,  6,  10,  21,  35,  80,  84,  85, 
100,  122,  145,  150,  164,  171,  198,201, 
202,  217,  218,  227,  278,  303,  304  ;  for- 
tify their  settlements,  12  ;  complaints 
against,  16,  208,  215  ;  complaints  against 


the  English,  63  ;  hostilities  with  the  Por- 
tuguese {see  also  Goa),  21  (2),  100,  114, 
128,  151,  165;  Portuguese  peace  nego- 
tiations with,  21,  99-100,  148,  149,  151, 
218;  hostilities  treacherously  recom- 
menced by,  148  ;  Portuguese  prisoners  in 
hands  of,  129  ;  ship  of,  captured  by  Por- 
tuguese, see  Pauw ;  make  peace  with 
Portuguese,  xxv,  228;  threaten  the  Por- 
tuguese, 308  ;  encounters  between  Mala- 
bars  and,  22  ;  state  of  affairs  of,  22,  32, 
40,  217,  .255;  insure  Portuguese  ships, 
22  ;  attack  the  Reformation,  0^1  ;  stop 
and  search  the  Company's  ships,  93,  289, 
290,  292  ;  seizure  of  Courteen's  ship  by, 
see  Bona  Speranza  ;  discoveries  by,  in 
the  South  Seas,  etc.,  134  ;  ships  built  by, 
used  by  the  Company,  141  n.\  ship 
freight  goods,  161 ;  monopolize  freight 
trade  and  passenger  traffic,  142  ;  superi- 
ority of  ships  of,  142  ;  power  of,  at  sea 
in  the  East,  225  ;  obtain  privileges  from 
Shah  Jahan,  160 ;  sailors  employed  by 
the  Company,  226;  ship  wrecked  at  the 
Cape,  see  Mauritius  Island;  endeavour 
to  control  trade  to  Manilla,  251,  256 ;  at 
war  with  natives,  see  Vijayanagar  and 
Malaya ;  Company's  factors  trade  in  con- 
fiscated goods  of,  280,  281,  288,  289, 
290,  291,  292,  294;  designs  against  na- 
tive junks,  299.  See  also  Batavia,  Cey- 
lon, Japan,  Kishm,  Macao,  Ormu?, 
Pulicat,  Raybag,  etc. 

Dutties.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Dyes  and  dyeing,  7,  79  w.,  203.  See  also 
Chay  and  Kusumbha. 

Eagle  (i),  the,  wreck  of,  50. 

Eagle  (2),  the,  259  ;  master  of,  see  Steevens; 
outward  voyage  of,  286,  312  ;  homeward 
voyage  of,  311,  313. 

Earl,  Captain  William,  176;  death  of,  238, 
244. 

East  India  Company,  the,  letters  to  and 
from,  passim ;  Secretary  of  {see  also 
Swinglehurst),  and  private  trade,  178; 
instructions  to  factors,  8,  30,  177  ;  new 
style  and  title  for  ships'  commanders,  15  ; 
interlopers  damage  the  trade  of,  v,  27, 
140,  172,  173,  247;  endeavour  to  obtain 
protection  from  interlopers,  173;  trade 
of,  hampered  by  freight  and  private 
trade,  72,  77,  140,  202  ;  disadvantages 
of  employing  chartered  vessels,  89,  90  ; 
resolve  to  discontinue  use  of  such 
ships,  173,  229;  declining  state  of  trade 
of,  90 ;  monopoly  on  various  commodi- 
ties withdrawn,  94 ;  Civil  War  affects 
trade  of,  v,  95,  125,  139,  171,  172,  188; 
dividends  paid  in  kind,  123  (2);  threat 


INDEX 


S'iS 


against  private  traders,  123  ;  desired  to 
supply  better  ships  for  East  Indies,  141  ; 
practice  of  sending  out  wine  for  factors 
discontinued,  145 ;  desire  to  maintain 
friendly  relations  with  Portuguese,  230; 
disapprove  of  employment  of  sailors  as 
factors,  etc.,  231;  desire  the  return  of 
only  one  ship  a  year,  231 ;  Courteen's 
accusations  against,  236,  237,  276,  277, 
299.  See  also  Joint  Stock  and  Voyage, 
General. 

Elchi  Beg,  46. 

Elder,  Daniel,  132. 

Elepha7it,  the,  150. 

Elephants,  81,  116. 

Elephants'  Teeth  (ivory),  21,  146,  211, 
217,  218. 

Emalde,  71,  75,  156,  285,  287,  295. 

Emeralds,  230  n. 

Endeavour  (r),  the,  133,  234;  voyage  to 
Bengal  and  back  to  Coromandel  Coast, 
13,  20,  42,  77  ;  at  Madras,  70  ;  design- 
ed for  Persia,  (i() ;  found  unfit  for  voyage, 
70,  71,  78;  destruction  of,  113,  190. 

Endeavour  (2),  the,  171,  229,  237  w.,  293, 
297,  310  ;  master  of,  see  Bowen  ;  letters 
from,  181, 182,  185;  outward  voyage  of, 
to  Coromandel  Coast,  121,  125,  173, 
181,  182,  185,  189,  190,  200;  survivors 
from  Courteen's   William  aboard,   183, 

185,  189,  193,  259;  voyage  to  Bengal, 

186,  190,  191,  206,  207;  designed  for 
Persia,  186,  191,  192  ;  sails  from  Bengal 
to  Coromandel  Coast,  253  ;  voyage  to 
Gombroon,  253,  268,  278,  287  ;  designed 
for  Basra,  214,  253;  voyage  to  Swally 
from  Gombroon,  268,  278;  voyage  to 
Basra  and  Kung,  275,  276,  283,  284;  ac- 
cusations against  the  purser  of,  295 ; 
voyage  from  Basra  to  Gombroon  and 
Swally,  298,  299,  313. 

Engano,  36. 

England's  Forest.     See  Reunion. 

Enkhuizen^  the,  22,  32. 

Escrivdo^  267,  270. 

Exchange,  rate  of,  207,  302. 

Expedition,  the,  2,  11,  147,  158,  159,  161, 
172,  200;  master  of,  J^^  Gardner;  voyage 
to  Sind,  Gombroon  and  back  to  Swally, 
19,  20 ;  voyage  to  Bantam  from  Swally, 
19,  27  ;  voyage  to  Macassar,  37,  97  ; 
goods  missing  from,  55 ;  voyage  to  Swally 
from  Bantam,  54,  97,  127,  13S,  139, 
142,  147  ;  unfit  for  further  service,  147. 

Factors,  lists  of,  26,  289 ;  want  of,  26,  90, 
142,  143,  247  ;  salaries  of,  26,  121,  132, 
133,  175,  289;  reduction  in  numbers  of, 
30 ;  estates  of  deceased,  97 ;  responsi- 
bility of,  for  unsaleable,  etc.,  goods,  126, 


206 ;  detained  after  expiry  of  covenant, 
133;  commended,  143;  entertainment 
ol  ships'  officers  as,  143,  174  ;  desire  sup- 
ply of  wine,  145;  grants  to,  for  sea 
voyages,  218,  234. 

Falcon,  the,  outward  voyage  of,  286,  312  ; 
voyage  to  Sind  and  back  to  Swally,  285, 
3^o>  313  ;  designed  for  Achin,  310,  311. 

Fanams,  42,  43,  108,  109,  116;  value  of, 
213  «. 

Fardles,  72,  203. 

Farmdns,  4,  32,  84,  135,  160,  169,  214, 
230,  257,  266,  278,  282,   285,  296  (2), 

307- 

Farren,  John,  217,  236,  255. 

Faulkner,  Thomas,  131. 

Faxardo,  Don  Diego,  Governor  of  Manilla, 
negotiations  with,  220-222 ;  refuses 
presents  from  Company's  factors,  224, 
225  ;  Company  carry  letters  for,  226. 

Fenn,  Anthony,  312. 

Fenn,  Hugh,  175,  188  n.,  231. 

Ferdinand,  Edouard.     See  Correa. 

Eidalgo,  43. 

Fisher,  Richard,  17,  144. 

Fitch,  Richard,  17,  95  w.,  132,  143,  310; 
letters  from  {see  also  Surat),  286. 

Fitch,  Thomas,  131,  146. 

Flanner,  Henry,  death  of,  244. 

Flat  Holme,  242  n. 

Flying  Hart,  the,  loss  of,  167. 

Formosa,  36,  99,  167  ;  Dutch  capture  Por- 
tuguese fort  at  Kilung,  100. 

Fort  St.  George.    See  Madras. 

Francis,  the,  14 ;  master  of,  see  Cherry  and 
Gilson  ;  voyage  to  Gombroon,  Basra, 
and  back  to  Swally,  2,  19,  28,  31  ;  en- 
counter with  Malabar  pirates,  14,  27,  88, 
89  ;  voyage  to  Persia,  Sind,  and  back, 
19  ;  voyage  to  Mokha,  Gombroon,  and 
back  to  Swally,  3,  19,  23,  59,  83,  93; 
voyage  to  Mokha  and  back  to  Swally, 
100;  designed  again  for  Mokha,  139, 
146  ;  but  goes  to  Basra,  161,  168  ;  thence 
to  Gombroon  and  back  to  Basra,  168, 
169,  186,  197,  200,  208;  returns  to 
Swally  via  Gombroon  and  Sind,  169,  211, 
234,  266  ;  voyage  from  Sind  to  Swally, 
248  ;  designed  for  Basra  and  thence  for 
Mokha,  Suakin,  and  Persia,  213,  214, 
235>  252  ;  voyage  to  Daman  and  back 
to  Swally,  313. 

Freight,  rates  for,  2,  55,  73,  131, 142,  146; 
alleged  frauds  in  connection  with  ship- 
ment of,  35  ;  shipment  of,  hampers  Com- 
pany's trade,  72  ;  use  of  Company's  ships 
for,  deprecated,  31,  191,  192. 

Fremlen,  William,  ix,  x,  29,  69,  133, 
153,  iS8,  21S;  appointed  President  at 
Surat,  15;  letters  from  and  to  {see  also 


Y  2 


3^4 


THE    ENGLISH   FACTORIES 


Surat),  64,  66,  187, 189,  259 ;  and  private 
trade,  xv,  15  «.,  31  n.,  64,  86,  298  n.; 
subscribes  to  General  Voyage,  88  ;  pre- 
sents for,  138  ;  goes  home,  88,  90,  96, 
141,  142,  147,  159,  173,  229;  commen- 
dation of,  96,  141,  206  ;  journal  of,  146  ; 
death  of,  xv. 

Frenchmen,  given  passages  on  English 
ships,  200,  259. 

French  pirates,  8-10,  15,  59,  141,  143  n., 
144,  232.     See  also  Dieppe. 

Fruit,  211,  278. 

Fuddle,  Jacob,  116. 

Fursman,  William,  23,  26,  94;  death  of, 
92. 

Gadanki,  44. 

Galen,  Jan  Dirksz.,  21  n.,  62,  63,  106. 

Galle,  100 ;  encounter  between  Dutch  and 
Portuguese  near,  114  «. 

Gambling,  76. 

Gandevi  baftas,  233. 

Gardenijs,  — ,  81  w. 

Gardner,  Gilbert,  147,  294. 

Garry  {or  Gary),  Henry,  175,  239,  245  w., 
246  n. ;  letters  from  and  to,  177, 194, 198, 
258  ;  accusations  by  and  against,  238, 
243-247,  258,  259,  261-263  ;  imprisoned 
and  ordered  home,  249,  259. 

Gaz,  300.     See  also  Covado. 

Gee,  Thomas,  letter  from,  183. 

Geldanke.     See  Gadanki. 

Geleijnszoon,  Wollebrant,  83,  114  n.,  150, 
27I;  275,  299,  308. 

Genoa,  pepper,  227 ;  velvet,  227  w. ;  sword- 
blades,  18. 

'Gentues',  45,  54,  67,  279,  288,  291; 
sailors,  282. 

Gergelin.     See  Gingerly. 

German  swordblades,  18. 

*Geru'  (red  earth),  38,  114. 

Gilson,  George,  14. 

Gingelly  oil,  248  n. 

Ginger,  6,  85,  124,  139,  206. 

Gingerly  Coast,  dispatch  of  ships  for,  186, 
206 ;  attempt  to  establish  a  factory  on, 
206;  trade  at,  75,  253,  293;  factor  at, 
see  Brown. 

Ginghams,     See  Cotton  goods. 

Gingi,  Nayak  of,  154?^.,  194  w. 

Girds,  299,  300. 

Glascock,  — ,  131. 

Goa,  letters  from,  226,  236;  trade  at,  and 
commodities  from,  passim ;  commodities 
vendible  at,  226,  227 ;  Jesuits  at,  14,  60, 
64,  66  ;  Jesuit  College  at,  60 ;  dispatch 
of  ships  for  and  Company's  ships  at,  16, 
34,  59, 60, 61  (2),  63, 64,  80, 86, 106, 138, 
147,  167,  179,  i8i, 211,  212  ;  Company's 
residence  and  factors  at  {see  also  Hill, 


Oxenden,  Pitt,  Wylde),  8  ;  debts  due  to 
the  Company  at,  8,  63,  64,  93  n. ;  factory 
accounts,  64 ;  trade  in  cinnamon  restricted 
at,  205  ;  factors  leave,  60,  64,  107,  138; 
dissolution  of  English  factory  at,  63  ; 
Portuguese  soldiers  attack  an  English- 
man at,  64 ;  presents  for  Portuguese  at, 
64 ;  Courteen's  ships  and  factors  {see  also 
Darell,  Farren,  Hunt)  at,  8,  89, 138,  231, 
236,  254,  255,  312;  state  of  Courteen's 
affairs  at,  148,  232  ;  protest  by  Courteen's 
factors  at,  255 ;  Dutch  ships  off  and 
blockade  of,  vii,  21  n.,  38,  62,  63,  67  «., 
93,  106,  107,  128,  151,  212;  declaration 
by  Dutch  commanders  at,  62,  63 ;  Dutch 
complain  of  Company  carrying  relief  to, 
62,  63 ;  Dutch  molest  Company's  ships, 
147 ;  Dutch  impede  English  trade  to, 
63  (2),  106,  107  ;  peace  negotiations  be- 
tween Dutch  and  Portuguese  at,  100, 149, 
218;  Portuguese  capture  a  Dutch  ship  at, 
114,  116;  dispatch  of  Dutch  ships  for, 
150,  167,  218;  supplies  and  reinforce- 
ments for  Portuguese  at,  1 5 1 ,  2 1 7  ;  Achin 
native  imprisoned  at,  130,  212. 

Goa,  Viceroy  of,  2 1,  22,  61  ;  letter  from,  66  ; 
negotiations  between  Company's  factors 
and,  8,  60,  212;  presents  for  and  from, 
60,  66,  138;  assists  and  trades  with  the 
Company's  factors,  8,63,  138;  Company 
carry  letters  and  goods  for,  30,  60,  63, 
91,  173,  176,  195,  230;  claim  against 
the  Company  by,  249 ;  endeavours  to 
maintain  peace  with  the  English,  66, 91  ; 
and  the  execution  of  a  Portuguese  soldier 
on  the  Coast,  63  ;  requests  passages  for 
priests  on  English  ships,  94 ;  grants 
licences  to  the  Company  and  Courteen's 
Association  for  China  trade,  165,  212, 
216,  221.  See  also  Da  Silva  Tello  de 
Meneses,  and  Mascarenhas. 

Godfrey,  Thomas,  133,  185. 

Godown,  129. 

Gogha,  25. 

Gokul,  300. 

Golconda,  Abdullah  Qutb  Shah,  King  of, 
44,  54,  207  ;  present  for,  39,  46 ;  assists 
the  Company's  factors,  41,  46 ;  grants 
privileges  to  the  English  and  Dutch,  46  ; 
shipment  of  goods  freight  free  for,  to 
Persia,  55  ;  designs  on  Vijayanagar,  70  w., 
80 ;  his  ambassador  to  Persia,  73,  74, 
116;  Dutch  present  for,  80,  81 ;  his  forces 
attack  Pulicat  {(/.v.),  193. 

Golconda,  Sar-i-Khail  at,  see  Mir  Mahmud 
Saiyid  ;  dissolution  of  factory  at,  46  ; 
debts  due  to  the  English  at,  41,  46,  68  ; 
trade  at  and  commodities  from,  46,  208  ; 
211,  233;  factors  at,  see  Collet  aud 
Rogers;   Coast  Agent  desired  to  reside 


INDEX 


3^5 


at,  48 ;  borrowing  of  money  from  officials 
at,  69  ;  Dutch  trade  at,  46  ;  Dutch  com- 
petition affects  Company's  trade  in,  155, 
156. 
Gold,  21, 106,  145,  185,  223,  225,  226,  255; 

loaves  of,  35,  254. 
Golden  Sun,  the,  33,  3^,  37>  40>  ^S^- 
Gombroon,  Governor  (Sultan)  of,   i,  268, 

269,  277,  309  ;  death  of,  from  injuries 
received  in  earthquake,  266,  267  ;  Shah- 
bandar  at,  32,  135,  170,  208,  265,  266, 

267,  268,  269,  277,  278  ;  factors  at  and 
letters  to  and  from,  see  Persia ;  dispatch 
of  ships,  and  shipment  of  passengers  and 
freight  goods  for  and  irom, passim ;  custom- 
house at,  I,  31,  98,  170,  172,  266,  267, 

270,  296;  dispute  between  the  English 
and  Persians  at,  i,  31,  98  ;  English  share 
of  customs  at,  4,  28,  32,  84,  98,  135, 136, 
169  (2),  171,  172,  207,  208,  227,  256,  257, 
265,  266,  270,  271,  277;  customs  guard 
at,  I,  169;  Company  exempted  from 
customs  duties  at,  169,  207;  proposals 
for  redressing  grievances  at,  84,  267 ; 
trade  at,  passim;  trade  between  Coro- 
mandel  Coast  and,  56,  87,  88,  125,  207, 

268,  278,  281  ;  troubles  at,  affect  trade, 
283;  broker  at,  27,296;  money  values  at, 
268;  counterfeit  coins  at,  278;  English 
house  and  house  rent  at,  4,  296 ;  allow- 
ance of  house  provisions  for,  310  ;  factory 
accounts,  309  ;  continuance  of  factory  at, 
desirable,  268 ;  English  factory  at,  in 
ruins,  273  ;  factors  and  merchants  leave, 
during  hot  weather,  135,  268,  273;  Indian 
native  trade  to,  32,  55,67,80,87,88, 172, 
207,  208,  272,  309;  trade  route  to,  73; 
private  trade  at,  73(2);  castle  at,  271; 
earthquake  at,  258,  266,  267;  Dutch  trade 
at,  266,  299  ;  dispatch  of  Dutch  ships 
from  and  for,  32,  98,  218,  283;  quarrel 
between  Dutch  and  English  factors  at, 
105  ;  Dutch  forced  to  pay  customs  at, 
1 70 ;  Dutch  extort  customs  at,  269 ;  Dutch 
demand  exemption  from  customs  duties 
at,  268,  269,  282,  283,  307;  and  offer  to 
defend  the  port  for  moiety  of  customs, 
269 ;  they  are  forbidden  to  trade  at,  and 
refused  supplies,  269,  270;  Dutch  fleet 
off,  268,  269,  273  ;  Dutch  casualties  at, 
258,  267  ;  Dutch  hostilities  against  Per- 
sians at,  269,  270,  271,  273,  299;  English 
factors  protest  against  Dutch  proceedings 
at,  257,  258,  269,  270,  272;  and  are 
warned  not  to  assist  the  Persians,  272  w. ; 
seizure  of  native  junks  by  the  Dutch  at, 

269,  299 ;  rebuilding  of  Dutch  house  at, 
275  ;  I'ortuguese  fleet  anchors  off,  272  ; 
Courteen's  ship  and  trade  at,  276,  277, 
309 ;  dispute  between  the  Company  and 


Courteen's  Association  at,  276,  277;  cus- 
toms duties  remitted  to  Courteen's  Asso- 
ciation at,  277. 

Goodyear,  John,  132,  165,  252. 

Com.    See  Gunny. 

GopaljT,  15. 

Gorle  (or  Gourly),  William,  129. 

Gosnoll,  George,  3. 

Greenhill,  Henry,  42,  74,  no,  132,  157, 
159,  193,  289;  letters  from,  see  Madras; 
complaint  against,  49,  76 ;  private  trade 
of,  72,  73,  75,  76;  desires  to  go  home, 
157;  goes  on  a  mission  to  Sri  Ranga 
Rayalu,  290,  292,  305  w. 

Grimstone,  — ,  49. 

Guinea,  trade  to,  xxii,  146. 

Guinea  stuffs.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Gujarat,  cotton  goods_from,  7  ;  Viceroy  of, 
see  Aurangzib  and  Azim  Khan. 

Gulddris,  85. 

Gunny  {goni),  10,  78,  248. 

Gunpowder,  39,  256,  264,  287  ;  packing 
and  shipment  of,  78,  159;  native,  141, 
157,  158;  price  of,  141,  191. 

Gumey,  William,  132,  193,  289;  letters 
from,  see  Masulipatam. 

'  Gurras'  (Gurrahs).     See  Cotton  goods. 

'  Guzzees '.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Haarlem y  the,  260. 

Hajl  Zahid  Beg,  i6r,  257,  274,  294. 

Hall,  Captain  Edward,  3. 

Hall,  Rev.  Edward,  97. 

Hall,  William,  i,  70,  84,90, 132,  143, 148, 

172  ;  letters  from,  see  Persia. 
Hammam,  266. 
Hammersly,  Francis,  7,  132. 
Hampton  Merchant, ihQyOMXyf  Old  voyage  of, 

xix,  26,  27. 
Haraik  ('  Herig'),  244. 
Hariharpur,  trade  at,  65 ;   English  ship  at, 

77;   factory  accounts,  etc.,  96,  97,  126; 

dissolution  of  factory  at,  126  n. 
Harrison,  Gilbert,  175,  231. 
Harsfield,  Richard,  in  n. 
Hart,  the,  1 26,  157 ;  master  of,  see  Godfrey; 

outward  voyage  of,  to  Coromandel  Coast, 

120  (2),  121, 127,  135,  189  ;  disposal  ot, 

120, 128  ;  voyage  to  Bantam,  133;  voyage 

to  Swally  from  Bantam,  134,  1S5,  201; 

at  Swally,  214  ;  voyage  to  Rajapur,  216  ; 

designed  for  Bantam,  229,  234;  voyage 

to  Sind  and  back  to  Swally,  234,  248; 

voyage  to  Bantam,  248. 
'  Hassan  Beague ',  28^. 
Hast  as  {hath),  37. 
Hatch,  Robert,  65,  78,  132,  190,  207,  253, 

294,  310,  311  w. 
Plazel-nuts,  42. 
Hemingway,  Edward,  75,  111. 


S26 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 


J/emsHrl',  the,  167. 

Henriette  Louise^  the,  22,  32. 

Henry  Bonaventure,  the,  outward  voyage 
of,  xix,  XX,  26 ;  wreck  of,  on  homeward 
voyage,  119,  148. 

Herbert,  Peter,  132,  197  ;  sails  for  Mokha, 
139,  161,  186;  death  of,  234,  266. 

Hester,  i\iQ,  28,  109,  176,  260;  master  of, 
see  Hogg ;  homeward  voyage  from  Can- 
nanore,  10,  27  ;  outward  voyage  of,  29, 
105,  106;  voyage  to  Karwar  from  Raja- 
pur,  62  ;  at  Goa,  63,  89  ;  at  Cochin,  107  ; 
at  Swally,  286,  298,  309,  312 ;  sails  for 
Goa,  312. 

Heynes,  Robert,  17,  132,  215,  302. 

Heywood,  Hercules,  193,  194,  289. 

Hill,  Stephen,  276  n. 

Hill,  Thomas,  7,  8,  132,  138 ;  at  Goa,  59; 
leaves  Goa,  60,  64,  107  ;  goes  to  Ahmad- 
abad  and  Agra,  98  ;  goes  to  Surat  from 
Agra,  304. 

Hill,  Thomas,  193 ;  letter  from,  182. 

Hill,  William,  74,  103,  104. 

Hind,  the,  210,  249;  master  of,  see  Broad- 
bent  and  Brown  ;  outward  voyage  of,  to 
Coromandel  Coast,  121,  135;  voyage  to 
Bantam,  135 ;  not  suitable  for  Indian 
waters,  141 ;  designed  for  Achin,  146;  at 
Swally,  146  ;  voyage  to  Sind  and  back  to 
Swally,  147 ;  voyage  to  Persia  and  back, 
147, 159,  162,  168,  170, 186,  211 ;  voyage 
from  Swally  to  Macao,  165, 167, 1 79-181, 
210,  212,  218,  249,  250;  encounter  with 
Malabar  pirates,  179,  181,  235,  255;  at 
Malacca,  235  ;  designed  for  Persia  and 
Bantam,  159,  214;  voyage  to  Mokha, 
252  ;  voyage  from  Mokha  to  Tuticorin 
and  then  to  Swally,  252,  275,  311,  312. 

Hindaun,  indigo  from,  303,  304. 

Hindoos.     See  Gentues. 

Hinton,  Thomas,  134. 

Hogg,  Robert,  62,  89,  206,  309. 

Holmens,  the.  See  Steep  Holme  and  Flat 
Holme. 

Honywood,  Francis,  25. 

Hope,  the,  28;  master  of,  see  Brightwell ; 
attacked  by  Malabar  pirates,  88. 

Hopewell,  the,  11,  27,  33,  34,  55,  68,  97, 
113,  114,  134,  147,  172,  232;  master  of, 
see  Lock,  Trumball,  and  Yates ;  outward 
voyage  of,  to  Coromandel  Coast,  26,  32, 
33,  41,  42,  56,  65  ;  accounts  of  voyages, 
etc.,  of,  71-77,  236 ;?.;  designed  for  Persia, 
55>  65,  66,  69;  voyage  to  Bengal  and 
back,  32,  43,  65,  67,  69,  77,  loi ;  de- 
signed for  England,  70,  78,  loi,  128; 
voyage  to  Gombroon  and  back  to  the 
Coast,  70,  71,  77,  78,  88,  loi,  116,  173; 
voyage  to  Tranquebar,  etc.,  and  back, 
116;   voyage  to  Bantam,  71,  no,  114, 


126,  127,  133,  189;  Day  accused  of  in- 
citing mutiny  on,  74;  Trumball  super- 
seded by  Day  in  command  of,  117; 
Trumball  reinstated,  112,  116;  petition 
from  officers  of,  11 1;  Cogan  sails  for 
Bantam  on,  in  place  of  Day,  115,  116, 
189 ;  homeward  voyage  of,  from  Bantam, 
I53j  189,  228,  234,  259;  in  distress,  at 
Mauritius,  153,  187;  at  the  Comoros, 
i88;z. ;  puts  back  to  Swally,  183,  189, 
200,  211,  234,  239,  260;  bought  by  Joint 
Stock  from  General  Voyage,  214 ;  voyage 
to  Malabar  Coast  and  back,  214,  248; 
encounter  with  Malabar  pirates,  248 ; 
voyage  to  Persia  and  back  to  Swally, 
214;  unfit  for  further  service,  252,  256. 

Horses,  68,  98,  114,  146,  160;  price  of,  76; 
shipment  of,  78,  79.  See  also  Basra  and 
Persia. 

Howard,  Bartholomew,  247,  261. 

Hudson,  Richard,  40,  49,  289;  accusations 
against,  56,  294 ;  letters  from,  see  Masuli- 
patam. 

Hunt,  Abraham,  letter  from,  236. 

Hunt,  Henry,  175,  177,  239,  245,  247,  252; 
letters  from,  194,  198,  237. 

Hurt,  William,  17. 

Husband,  Richard,  25. 

Ibrahim,  163. 

Indigo,  trade  in,  passim ;  complaint  as  to 
quality  of,  4 ;  frauds  in  connection  with, 
14, 122, 123,  173,  201;  trade  in,  in  Persia, 
i9»  309  ;  packing  of,  39  ;  price  of,  84,  94, 
122,  123,  136,  163,  164,  191,  202,  203, 
254,  304 ;  improved  method  of  preparing, 
85  ;  Company  threaten  to  discontinue  to 
trade  in,  126;  Anglo-Dutch  combination 
to  reduce  prices  of,  202,  304;  sand  mixed 
with,  to  preserve,  202  ;  irregular  purchase 
of,  229  ;  high  price  prevents  trade  in,  303. 
See  also  Agra,  Ahmadabad,Biana, Lahore, 
Sarkhej,  Sehwan,  Sind,  etc. 

Ink,  18. 

Insurance,  marine,  22,  92,  161,  216. 

Interlopers,  172,  173;  suspected  of  piratical 
designs,  176.  See  also  Courteen's  Asso- 
ciation. 

Iron,  26,  65,  148,  219-222,  224,  225,  251, 
256, 293. 

Isaacson,  Rev.  William,  196,  244,  247,  249, 

311. 

Isaacson,  William,  132  ;  death  of,  190. 

Islam  Khan  Mashadl,  the  Wazir,  160. 

Ispahan,  the  maidan  at,  297  ;  factors  at  and 
letters  from,  see  Persia ;  necessity  for  re- 
taining factory  at,  4;  trade  at,  83,  169, 
274,  277  ;  factors  and  merchants  retire  to, 
during  hot  weather,  135,268,  273;  English 
factors  go  to  the  Court  at,  257,  266,  276, 


INDEX 


Z'^1 


277  ;  the  Dutch  at,  270  ;  ill-treatment  of 
Dutch  chief  at,  170;  the  Shah  invites 
Dutch  commissary  to,  272;  Dutch  mission 
to  Court  at,  275,  278 ;  the  Dutch  ordered 
to  leave,  282. 

Itimad-uddaula,  the.  See  TaqI  Mirza  and 
Khalifa  Sultan. 

Ivy,  Thomas,  49,  121,  193,  227,  228,  305  ; 
letters  from,  see  Madras ;  and  private 
trade,  11,  45  ;  appointed  to  the  Coast 
Agency,  126,  133,  134,  190,  289;  becomes 
President  at  Bantam,  291. 

Jaccal  {or  Jackal)-ground,  305. 

Jacobsz,  Jacob,  62. 

Jagannath.     See  Purl. 

Jagat  Singh,  18. 

Jahanara  Begam,  xxxv,  148. 

Jahrum,  Dutch  caravan  molested  at,  272. 

Jakatra.     See  Batavia. 

Jakhau  (^^  Jagatt),  216. 

Jalalpur,  301. 

Jambi,  dispatch  of  ship  to  and  from,  36, 

134;  trade  at,  293;  Queen  of,  37,  38,  68. 
James,  the,  xix,  176,  260,  312;  master  of, 

see  Weddell  (Jeremy). 
Jam  Qull  Beg,  Mirza,  Governor  of  Surat, 

3,  18,  23,  24,  98,  99,  144,  162  ;  recalled 

to  Court,  160. 
Jani  Khan,  the  Qurchi  Bashi,  296,  297. 
Janissaries,  58. 
Japan,  Dutch  trade  to  and  ship  from,  21,  99 ; 

Dutch  granted  privileges  by  the  Emperor 

of,  100;  Portuguese  debarred  from  trading 

to,  250  ;  trade  between  Macao  and,  250  ; 

silver,  100. 
Jaques,  James,  43. 

Jast  (^rtutenague),  36,  55,  100,  218,  254. 
Javanese  embark  on  the  Reformation,  36  ; 

and  are  slain  in  attack  by  the  Dutch,  37. 
Jeffries  {or  Jeffreys),  John,  35  ;  letters  from, 

see  Bantam  ;  death  of,  119,  120,  134. 
Jelliah  {or  Gelliaes),  133,  157. 
Jellowatt,  240. 
Jenjerlee.     See  Gingerly. 
Jentu.     See  Gentues. 
Jermyn,  Thomas,  289. 
Jerreleene,  206.     See  also  Gingerly. 
Jesson,  William,  17,  32,  301,  304;  letter 

from,  299. 
Jesuits,  8,  14,  36,  60,  63,  d^,  149.    See  also 

Carvalho,  Martyns,  Xavier. 
Jewel,  the,  2,  97,  119. 
Jewels,  153,  215,  330  w. 
Jidda  (Judda),  214;  exactions  by  Governor 

of,  161,  162. 
Jilaudar  Bashi,  297  n. 
Johanna.     See  Comoro  Islands. 
John  (i),  the,  wrecked  at  Armagon,  20. 
John  (2),  the,  205,  206,  210,  213,  214,  216, 


228,  230,  232,  234,  236;  outward  voyage 
of,  122,  125,  172,  175,  177,  178,  188,  189, 
194,  200,  235,  338;  seized  by  Mucknell 
for  King  Charles  I,  xiii,  194-197, 238-246, 
249,  258,259,261-263; subsequent  voyage 
of,  198,  199,  242,  262,  264 ;  loss  of,  affects 
the  Company's  credit,  247,  249;  Portu- 
guese claim  for  money  lost  in,  240,  241, 
263,  298,  305 ;  obtains  supj^lies  from 
Courteen's  Thomas  and  John,  264;  mem- 
bers of  crew,  etc.,  ill-treated  and  left  at 
St.  Helena,  241,  260,  262,  264;  ship's 
company  rewarded  by  the  King,  265  ;  re- 
covery of  her  cargo,  xiv. 

Joint  Stock,  Third,  62,  79  ;  winding  up  of, 
26,  41,  55,  83,  142,  172,  232  ;  shipping 
and  money  of  General  Voyage  used  for, 
xxvii,  29,  30,  118,  214;  debts  of,  33,  96, 
117 ;  trade  on  behalf  of,  77,  87,  97,  100  ; 
accounts  of,  87,  88 ;  remains  of,  trans- 
ferred to  Fourth  Joint  Stock,  142  ;  Fourth, 
accounts  of,  236,  311  ;  Fourth,  failure 
of,  V. 

Jonas,  the,  xix,  97,  119 ;  loss  of,  40,  86. 

Jones,  Daniel,  225. 

Joories.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Joss  sticks,  167  n. 

Juan  de  Nova,  198. 

Junkan.     See  Chungam. 

Jussett  {Jast),  218. 

Kafir,  81,  120. 

Kajan,  267. 

Kandahar.     See  Candahar. 

Kandiaro,  163,  203,  233. 

Kangra,  1 8  n. 

Kanj'i,  251. 

Karndta  (Carnatic).     See  Vijayanagar. 

Karttika,  305. 

Karvvar,  Courteen's  factory  at,  29,  62  ;  dis- 
patch of  Courteen's  ships  for  and  from, 
62,  194,  237  ;  depredations  on  Courteen's 
settlement  at,  by  Malabar  pirates,  236  n. 

Kasbin,  98. 

Kashan,  83. 

Kasim  Ali,  1 93  n. 

Katana,  241  n. 

Katthd,  217. 

Kavite.     See  Cavitte. 

'Kedjans'.     See  Kajan. 

Keeling  Islands.     See  Cocos  Keeling. 

Kerman,  309. 

Khairabad,  Dutch  resident  at,  300. 

Khairabads.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Khairat  Khan,  207. 

Khalifa  Sultan,  the  Itimad-uddaula,  296. 

Khanjar,  230  «. 

Khargu  Island,  1S6,  197,  273. 

Ki-lung,  100  //. 

King  Road,  242,  264. 


328 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 


Kinnersley,  Edward,  17. 

Kishin,  Company's  and  Courteen's  ships  at, 
237,  244  ;  King  of,  286. 

Kishm,  Dutch  design  for  fortifying,  255,  256, 
257 ;  their  unsuccessful  assault  on  the 
castle  at,  275,  277,  278,  308;  Dutch  de- 
signs on,  299. 

Kistappa  Nayak,  194  w. 

Kistnapatam,  44. 

Kit,  the,  213,  214. 

Klein  Zutphen,  the,  22,  32. 

'Klings',  131, 

Knipe,  Edward,  vii,  29,  66,  69,  91,  200, 
228,  229,  300,  302,  304;  salary  of,  28, 
175  ;  letters  from,  57, 62,  63, 64,  177,  178, 
179,  194,  198,  237,  259,  299  ;  letter-book 
of,  2Sn.y  57;  leaves  Courteen's  and  re- 
enters Company's  service,  57«. ;  com- 
mission and  instructions  to,  59,  177  ;  mer- 
chant for  Aleppo  Merchanfs  voyage,  57;^., 
59,  61,  86;  commended,  89;  diary  of 
voyage  of  the  Aleppo  Merchant,  105-1 10 ; 
and  private  trade,  no;  outward  voyage 
to  Malabar  Coast,  172,  174,  175,  177; 
carries  letters  to  Viceroy  of  Goa,  176; 
dispute  with  Ribeiro,  178;  charges  by 
and  against,  194-197,  239,  240,  243-247, 
249,  258,  259,  261,  262,  263,  298,  301, 
304,  305 ;  arrives  at  Surat  in  a  Dutch 
ship,  237,  249;  goes  to  Agra,  249,  259. 

Knives,  193,  225  ;  for  presents,  145,  210. 

Koil,  44  n. 

Kolis,  163. 

Kd?nati,  158. 

Koria,  trade  in  indigo  at,  303,  304. 

Kos,  204. 

Kotwdl,  302. 

Kuli,  79. 

Kung,  Governor  of,  encourages  Company's 
trade,  275,  276,  284  ;  shipment  of  freight 
goods  from,  i86,  275,  276,  284;  dispatch 
of  ships  for  and  Company's  ships  at,  273, 
284  ;  English  factor  at,  see  Walwyn  ;  Por- 
tuguese demand  customs  at,  272. 

Kusumbka,  136,  161,  167,  212. 

Kynaston  {or  Keniston),  Arthur,  128,  129, 
131. 

Lac,  7,  27,  55,  58,  85,  124,  139,  168,  186, 

197,  205,  233. 
Laccadives,  the,  56  n. 
Lahijan  silk,  122. 
Lahore,  18,  70,  173,  302  ;  indigo  from,  122, 

126  ;  Jesuits  at,  60. 
Lamberton,  Thomas,  134. 
Lanneret,  the,  286,  308??.,  312,  313. 
Lar,  Governor  of,  267. 
Larak,  i,  273,  309. 
Larlbandar,  19,  20,  85,  234,  274. 
LdrTs,  59,  226,  308,  309. 


Lascars,  37  (2),  81,  216,  294. 

Lashkar,  59. 

Lawrence,  Richard,  198  n. 

Layton,  John,  97. 

Leachland,  John,  daughter  of,  152. 

Leachland,  William,  152. 

Lead,  trade  m,  passitn;  price  of,  60,  125, 
309  ;  bought  for  the  Emperor,  211. 

Leather,  73/2. 

Lee,  Adam,  135,  146,  147,  272. 

Lee,  — ,  284. 

Leeuwerik,  the,  99,  100. 

Leigh,  John,  102,  103. 

Leno,  Padre,  64. 

Lewis,  John,  175,  188;?.,  231. 

Linhares,  Conde  de.     See  De  Noronha. 

Lioness,  the,  xxii;  master  of,  see  Brook- 
haven. 

Little  William,  the,  182  (2),  185,  189, 193, 
200,  216,  259  ;  master  of,  see  Cox. 

Lock,  Edward,  214. 

Logwood,  223. 

London,  the,  xix,  9,  14,  206,  250 ;  master  of, 
see  Proud;  outward  voyage  of,  2,  19,  68  ; 
dispatched  to  the  Malabar  Coast,  7,  16, 
21,  61 ;  homeward  voyage  of,  8,  10,  25, 
31,  56;  private  trade  on,  15,  25,  141; 
Portuguese  goods  on,  16. 

Looking-glasses,  65,  115,  160,  193. 

Lopez,  Don  Joao,  219. 

Low,  Richard,  239,  246. 

Loyalty,  237  ;?.,  255,  299;  master  of,  see 
Durson;  outward  voyage  of,  29,  62,  106, 
176,  183,  189,  194,  200,  231  ;  at  Goa,  89  ; 
voyage  to  Gombroon  and  Basra,  217,  276, 
283,  309. 

Lucknow,  6,  96,  97,  204,  233,  301,  304. 

Luipaard,  the,  129. 

Lungis,  58,  197. 

Maatzuiker,  Jan,  xxiv. 

Macao,  Dutch  blockade  of,  21,  22;  Portu- 
guese ship  sails  for,  36 ;  Dutch,  Portu- 
guese, etc.,  trade  to,  134,  212,  250;  Por- 
tuguese license  English  trade  to,  165,  212, 
221 ;  dispatch  of  English  ships  for,  and 
trade  at,  165,  167,  179, 180,  193,  210,  212, 
217,  249,  250;  further  attempts  to  trade 
at,  forbidden,  xvii ;  factors  for  voyage  to, 
see  Oxenden  and  Thurston  ;  Governor  of, 
180;  East  India  Company's  factors  enter- 
tained at,  180;  Courteen's  Association 
trade  to,  180,  216,  217  ;  state  of  trade, 
etc.,  at,  250  ;  Spanish  envoy  to,  224;  ex- 
cessive customs  duties  at,  250 ;  trade  be- 
tween Japan,  Manilla  and,  250 ;  Captain- 
General  of,  254;  letters  from  Portuguese 
at,  254. 

Macassar,  166;  commodities  from,  37 ;  trade 
at,  in  various  commodities,  37,  51,  115 


INDEX 


329 


192,  222,  293  ;  dispatch  of  ships  for,  97  ; 
Danes  trade  to,  75  ;  trade  between  Achin, 
Manilla  and,  131,  192,  222,  223. 

Mace,  142,  218. 

Machhlwara  baftas,  204,  301,  304,  311. 

Madagascar  (St,  Lawrence),  97,  119,  121, 
177;  French  pirates  at,  9;  trade  at,  25  ; 
provisioning  of  ships  at,  119,  120,  135, 
182,  183,  187  ;  attempts  to  colonize  and 
trade  at,  144,  176,  260;  French  fort  and 
settlement  at,  200,  232,  259,  260,  312; 
beads  used  in  barter  at,  205.  Sec  also 
St.  Augustine's  Bay. 

Madras,  32,  37;  Nayak  of,  see  Damarla 
Venkatappa ;  letters  from  and  to,  33,  38, 
45,  61,  67,  68,  71,  77,  113,  120  (2),  154, 
184(4),  185, 189,  279,  285,  287,  292,293; 
Agent  and  Council  at :  consultations  by, 
70,  74,  no,  H2  (2),  120;  petitions  to, 
III  (3) ;  factors  at,  see  Coromandel  Coast ; 
building  of  Fort  St.  George  at,  xxxii, 
xxxiii,  II,  12,  13,  40,  46,  47,  51,  53,  113, 
126,  127  (2);  sergeant  of  fort  at,  see 
Broadford  ;  native  accidentally  killed  at, 
158,  159;  salary  and  grant  of  clothing, 
etc.,  for  sergeant  at,  194;  list  of  soldiers 
at,  126;  manning  of  fort  at,  282;  advan- 
tages of  fort  at,  47,  48,  51,  127  (2),  191  ; 
ordnance  for,  36,  39,  51,  70,  80;  question 
of  retention  of  fort  at,  68  ;  expense  of 
fortifying  and  maintaining  garrison,  xxxii, 
xxxiii,  82,  190,  191  ;  minister  desired  for, 
294,  311  ;  manufacture  of  salt  at,  127; 
state  of  affairs  at,  113,  115,  154,  287; 
bleaching,  dyeing,  etc.,  of  cotton  goods  at, 
79 ;  Coromandel  Coast  head-quarters  at, 
49;  factory  accounts,  54,  126,  236 «.; 
debts  cleared  at,  189,  190,  207;  advan- 
tages of,  as  a  factory,  115,  118,  157  ; 
reasons  for  poor  returns  from,  157 ; 
customs  duties  at,  127  ;  Courteen's  dis- 
tressed sailors  at,  184,  185,  193  ;  money 
saved  from  Little  William  deposited  at, 
184,  185,  189,  236  w.;  affray  between  a 
Dane  and  Portuguese  at,  63  ;  Portuguese 
capture  Dutch  ship  at,  115;  Malaya  en- 
deavours to  wrest  privileges  from  the 
English  at,  1 36 ;  factors  try  to  obtain 
confirmation  of  privileges  at,  290 ;  Dutch 
prisoner  in  Malaya's  hands  in  care  of 
Company's  factors  at,  279,  288;  Com- 
pany's factors  at,  purchase  goods  con- 
fiscated from  the  Dutch,  280 ;  factors 
desired  to  assist  Vijayanagar  forces  against 
the  Dutch,  285  ;  Sri  Ranga  Rayalu's  grant 
to  the  Company  for,  305-307 ;  Portuguese 
and  Danish  ships  at,  33,  156. 

Magdalen,  J.\\e,  9. 

Mahmijd  Adil  Shah,  King  of  Bijapur,  45  ; 
Portuguese  treaty  with,  22;    Dutch  ex- 


cluded from  his  dominions,  22  ;  encour- 
ages Company's  trade,  108  ;  allies  him- 
self withVijayanagar,  115,  116. 

Mahmud  Agha,  Governor  of  Basra  and 
afterwards  Shahbandar,  274,  275,  284. 

Mahmud  Hussain,  162. 

Mahmiid,  Mirza,  144. 

Mahmud  Zaman,  162. 

Mahmtidi,  the,  257. 

Mahmudl, /ajj/w ;  value  of,  17,  268. 

Maiddfiy  297,  298  n. 

Majlis,  296. 

Malabar  Coast,  trade  to  and  commodities 
from,  10,  69,  86,  94,  99,  124,  138,  140, 
147,  148,  172,  i77>  228,  231,  313;  dis- 
patch of  Company's  ships  for  and  from, 
21,  69,  86,  89,  106,  147,  172,  174,  177, 
313;  dispatch  of  Courteen's  ships  for 
and  from,  and  trade  to,  29,  89,  148  ; 
ships  outward  bound  for  Swally  to  trade 
on,  86  ;  Company  advised  not  to  dis- 
patch ships  to,  231  ;  dispatch  of  Dutch 
ship  for,  150  ;  Portuguese  trade  on,  230, 
231.  See  also  Calicut,  Cannanore,  Co- 
chin, Karwar,  Rajapur. 

Malabar  pirates,  32,  41,  59,  6[,  73,  192; 
designs  against,  reprisals  on  and  encoun- 
ters with,  2,  3,  14,  20,  27,  28,  55,  88,  89, 
93,  139'  140,  i79»  i8i»  211,  212,  213, 
218,  233,  234,  235,  248,  250,  255,  310; 
English  forced  to  grant  passes  to,  3 ; 
trade  to  Aden,  Mokha,  and  Achin,  3, 
131?  139;  protection  of,  by  Courteen's 
Association  and  the  Dutch,  3,212;  Dutch 
encounter  with,  22  ;  English  ships  forced 
to  protect  native  shipping  from,  90,  91, 
92  ;  English  prisoners  in  hands  of,  23, 
25,  28;  prisoners  in  hands  of  English, 
37;  exchange  of  prisoners  with,  27; 
menace  Company's  and  Portuguese  ships, 
141,  201,  213,  228,  253,  278;  depreda- 
tions on  Courteen's  settlements  and  ships, 
236  n. 

Malacca,  260;  Dutch  at,  225;  Dutch  Go- 
vernor of,  180  ;  Company's  factors  as- 
sisted by  Governor  of,  273;  Courteen's 
sailors  detained  by  Dutch  at,  1 28  ;  Dutch 
method  of  inducing  trade  to,  131  ;  English 
ship  at,  179,  181,  272  ;  friendly  recep- 
tion of  Company's  ships  at,  by  the  Dutch, 
179,  235  ;  Company's  ship  taken  to  and 
searched  by  Dutch,  272,  273. 

Malacca,  Straits  of,  2 1 8  ;  Dutch  control  and 
molest  shipping  in,  129,  131,  166,  iSo, 
218,  272,  293  ;  Dutch  capture  Courteen's 
ship  in,  see  Bona  Speranza ;  Dutch  en- 
force payment  of  customs  from  ships 
passing  through,  131  ;  Dutch  ships  in, 
179. 

Malaya  (ChinnanaChetti),  50, 194,280,281  ; 


33"^ 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 


honoured  by  Sri  Ranga  Rayalu,  8i  ; 
endeavours  to  wrest  privileges  from  the 
English  at  Madras,  156;  hinders  Com- 
pany's trade,  157;  regains  influence  with 
the  King  of  Vijayanagar  and  appointed 
his  Treasurer,  154,  290;  made  Governor 
of  Pulicat  district,  154  n.\  supersedes 
Damarla  Venkatappa,  154;  is  deprived 
of  his  office  and  imprisoned,  154  n. ; 
goods  seized  and  family  imprisoned  at 
Pulicat,  288  n.  ;  quarrel  with  the  Dutch, 
279,  280,  287,  288 ;  proposal  to  purchase 
a  junk  from,  281  ;  commands  Vijayanagar 
troops  against  the  Dutch,  285,  290,  291, 
292  ;  assistance  of  English  factors  de- 
sired by,  285  ;  holds  Dutch  prisoners  to 
ransom,  288 ;  assists  the  Company,  290. 

Maldives,  the,  37,  56  n. 

Malha,  Shoals  of,  109,  153,  187. 

Malpur,  saltpetre  from,  164,  205,  233. 

Mammali  Koya,  236  n. 

Manilla,  Governor  and  Captain-General  of, 
see  Mendoso  and  Taxardo ;  letters  car- 
ried for,  252  ;  Spanish  officials  at,  220- 
224  ;  bribery  of  officials  at,  224;  state  of 
Spaniard's  affairs  at,  222-225  ;  Spanish 
fleet  at,  225  ;  customs  at,  221  ;  English- 
man and  Dutchman  employed  by  Span- 
iards at ,  i-^^Jones  andChelozn ;  Dutch  and 
Portuguese  debarred  from  trading  at,  22, 
192,  220,  226,  250  ;  attempts  to  establish 
English  trade  at,  xvi,  192,  193,  212,  214, 
218-228,  247,250,  251  ;  further  attempts 
forbidden,  xvii ;  dispatch  of  ship  for,  and 
Company's  ship  at,  180,  222,  228,  231, 
253  ;  factors  for  voyage  to,  see  Breton, 
Mantell,  Pearce  ;  trade  between  Coro- 
mandel  Coast,  Macassar,  China,  etc., 
192,  193,  220,  222,  223,  250;  trade  at, 
in  various  commodities,  192,  212,  223, 
224,  226,  228,  232,  252,  293;  allega- 
tions against  English  at,  221,  222;  pro- 
posed further  voyage  to,  232,  251,  256; 
abandoned  owing  to  Dutch  threats,  293  ; 
iron,   saltpetre,   etc.,  required    at,    219, 

220,  221,  222,  224,  225,  251,  256;  fac- 
tors remain  at,  with  Company's  goods, 

221,  222,  226;  household  expenses  of 
Company's  factors  at,  226;  Chinese  at, 
223  ;  dyeing  at,  223 ;  envoy  sent  to  Su- 
rat  by  Governor  of,  225  ;  unhealthiness 
of,  226.    See  also  Cavitte. 

Mantell,  John,  94,  132,  133  n.,  166,  174, 

231  ;  letter  from,  218. 
Marguerite,  the,  9  n.     See  also  Rose. 
Markham,  Robert,  death  of,  68. 
Markham,   Thomas,    94  ;    death    of,    68, 

144. 
Markham,  Valentine,  68. 
Marmagao,  xxiii,  150. 


Martyns  de  Castello  Branco,  Father  Gon- 
salvo,  60,  64. 

Mary,  the,  xix,  241  ;  outward  voyage  for 
Bantam,  121,  135  ;  homeward  voyage  of, 
127,  128,  134,  311  n. 

Mascarenhas,  Dom  Filippe,  Viceroy  of 
Goa,  254,  310  n.  ;  declares  war  on  Mala- 
bars,  310. 

Masulipatam,  English  ship  detained  by 
Governor  of,  42, 48  ;  letters  to  and  from, 
120  (2),  295;  factors  at,  see  Coromandel 
Coast ;  consultation  at,  69 ;  factory  ac- 
counts and  records,  16,  41,  42,  45,  126  ; 
English  house  at,  49 ;  factory  expenses 
at,  54 ;  money  due  to  factors  at,  41  ; 
threatened  seizure  of  junks,  to  enforce 
English  rights  at,  41 ;  removal  of  Coast 
head-quarters  from,  48  ;  customs  and 
customhouse  at,  55 ;  survivors  from 
Little  William  at,  193;  Dutch  ships 
sail  for,  42  ;  Dutch  use  pinnaces  for 
trade  to,  48 ;  Dutch  competition  affects 
Company's  trade  at,  154;  Danes  seize 
a  junk  of,  42  n.,  48;  Danish  ships  sail 
for,  156. 

Mataran,  Sultan  of,  negotiations  with,  36. 

Matchawara.     See  Machhiwara. 

Matthews,  Richard,  179. 

Maund,  passim ;  Akbarl,  84  ;  Surat,  95  ; 
value  of,  72  (2),  86,  95  ;z.,  211. 

Mauritius,  97  ;  English  ships  at,  119,  153, 
183,  187,  211,  234,  259;  Dutch  at,  119, 
187;  Dutch  settlement  at,  153;  Dutch 
at,  assist  in  repairing  Company's  dis- 
tressed ships,  153  w.  ;  provisioning  of 
ships  at,  119  ;  wreck  of  Courteen's  ship 
at,  see  Bonaventura. 

Mauritius  Island,  the,  wrecked  at  the 
Cape,  182,  185,  200,  260. 

'  Meanaes',  309. 

Mecca,  36. 

Melinda,  Portuguese  trade  to,  149. 

Mendoso,  Don  Sebastian  Hurtatho  Quer- 
quero.  Governor  of  Manilla,  223  ;  nego- 
tiations with,  219,  220;  imprisoned  for 
peculation,  226. 

'  Mercooles  '.  See  Cotton  Goods. 

Merry,  Thomas,  26,  29,  69,  132,  255,  286, 
310,  311  ;  letters  from  {see  also  Persia 
and  Surat),  96,  237,  247,  311  ;  recalled 
from  Persia  to  Surat,  4,  28,  31,  88,  89 ; 
complaints  by  and  against,  27,  237,  247 ; 
debts  to  the  Company,  etc.,  96,  101,  140, 
170,  176,  232;  appointed  second  in 
Council  and  Accountant  in  Surat,  140, 
173,  229. 

Mestico,  166,  223,  242. 

Methwold,  Thomas,  iSS  «.,  190,  236. 

Methwold,  William,  7,  16,  30,  179,  247. 

Methwold,  William  (Junior),  132,  193,  289. 


INDEX 


33^ 


Michael,  the,  14,  28,  34,  37,  85,  86,  97, 
228. 

Millet,  John,  28,  178;  letter  to,  59;  pri- 
vate trade  of,  28,  29;  coramended,  89. 

Millet  (cuskus),  92, 

Mindoro,  180. 

Minicoy,  56  n.,  71  n. 

Ministers,  28,  294.  See  Baines,  Isaacson, 
aw^Panton. 

Minn,  William,  132,  193;  letters  from, 
^^^  Madras;  salary,  289. 

Minors,  Captain  William,  16. 

Mir  Abdul  HadI,  see  Asalat  Khan. 

Mir  Mahmud  Saiyid,  the  Sar-i-Khail,  154, 
207;  the  Danes  seize  a  junk  of,  42,  48; 
trades  freight  and  custom  free  to  Gom- 
broon, 55,  207  ;  his  junk  sails  for  Mokha, 
Persia,  etc.,  55,  67,  69,  80,  81,  88,  234 ; 
lends  money  to  the  Company,  69,  79; 
complaint  against,  79 ;  English  and  Dutch 
sailors  for  his  junk,  69,  80,  81  ;  oppresses 
the  Dutch,  80. 

Mir  Muhammad  Amin,  169. 

'  Mirta ',  304. 

Mirza  Amin.  See  {as  also  in  similar  cases) 
Amin,  Mirza. 

Moerabath.    See  Murbat. 

'Mogulls^_303,  304. 

Mohan  Narayan,  168. 

Mokha,  Governor  of,  143,  161,  162,  213  ; 
dispatch  of  ships  for  and  from,  and 
English  trade  at,  passim ;  Indian  trade 
to,  vi  n.,  10,  17,  19,  25,  62,  81,  144, 
208,  234;  factors  at,  see  Cogan  (Thomas), 
Cranmer,  Cross,  Goodyear,  Herbert, 
Hunt,  Oxenden,  Rymell,  Wylde  (John) ; 
casualties  among  factors  at,  94  ;  English 
house  at,  161  ;  Shah  Jahan's  junk  sails 
for,  91,  92  ;  customs  at,  162  ;  Company's 
goods  shipped  on  native  junk  to,  215, 
266 ;  Arabs  drive  Turks  from,  143  ; 
Dutch  at,  150  ;  Dutch  trade  to,  22,  100, 
167,  216;  dispatch  of  Dutch  ships  for 
and  from,  61,  139,  150,  161,  167,  238, 
312. 

Montella,  163. 

Morals,  Manoel,  64. 

Mor-thnthu,  86,  124,  205. 

Moss,  John,  25,  28. 

Mosul,  58. 

Mozambique,  dispatch  of  ships  from  and 
for,  and  English  ships  at,  57,  121,  135, 

194,  195,  239,  243,  261  ;  trade  at,  in 
various  commodities,  105-106,  145,  177, 

195,  239  ;  gold  from,  106  ;  dispatch  of 
Courteeu's  ship  for,  194,  200  ;  Portu- 
guese at,  239,  249;  Portuguese  trade  to, 
and  ships  at,  21,  57,  145,  149;  Portu- 
guese ship  wrecked  near,  see  Sao  Bento ; 
Portuguese  Governor  of,  195,  286  ;  Por- 


tuguese take  passages  on  Company's  ship 
from,  195,  261,  263;  King  01  Portugal's 
agent  at,  195. 

Mucknell,  John,  xii,  xiii,  xiv,  175,  237  n.  ; 
seizes  Company's  ship  for  Charles  I,  see 
John  ;  his  grievance  against  Parliament, 
199  «.,  262  ;  certain  persons  accused  of 
abetting,  238  ;  quarrel  with  Knipe,  239, 
240,  243,  244-247,  259,  261-263,  298; 
accused  of  drunkenness,  etc.,  265 ;  ex- 
plores Ascension  Island,  264. 

Mughalkasaral,  304. 

Muizz-ul-Mulk,  2,  25  ;  trades  to  Basra,  2  ; 
assists  the  English,  3 ;  superseded  as 
Governor  of  Surat,  23,  24,  25  ;  controls 
ports  of  Broach  and  Cambay,  24,  25. 

Multan,  customs  at,  163. 

Murad  Bakhsh,  160. 

Murbat,  237  n.,  238. 

Murrees  {or  Moorees).     See  Cotton  goods. 

Musk,  64,  233. 

Muskat,  English  ship  at,  20 ;  letters  sent  to 
India  overland  via,  299 ;  Portuguese  at, 
308. 

Musters,  137,  209. 

Myrando,  Anthony.    See  De  Miranda. 

Myrrh,  7,  124,  139,  205,  233,  252,  254; 
Habashl  {or  Hob  see)  ,162. 

Naqdl  Khan,  297. 

Ndkhudd,  234, 

Narayanavanam,  67  n. 

Narsapur,  77. 

Nasarpur, '  joories'  of,  6,  85,  123,  203,  233  ; 

factory  accounts,  236  n. 
NasTr-bin-Murshid,  308  n. 
Nassati,  the,  218. 
Nayak,  the  Great.     See  Damarla. 
Negapatam,  81 ;   captured  by  the  Dutch, 

xxiii. 
Negombo,  captured  by  the  Dutch,  xxiv,  151. 
Netlam,  William,  132,  134,  193,  207,  289, 

293. 
New  Zealand,  discovery  of,  134. 
'  Nicaneers'.     See  Cotton  goods. 
Nicobars,  the,  180. 
Nishdn,  215. 
NosarT,  factory  dissolved,  164;  baftas,  6, 

85*  123,  137,  164,  204,  233. 
A^iiri,  201. 
Nutmegs,  142,  218. 

Oil,  217,  302,  310. 

Olibanum,  7,  85,  124,  139,  162,  205,  217, 

233.  252,  254. 
Olifant,  the,  260. 
Olton,  Henry,  132,  190,  193,  2S9,  293,  294, 

310;  letter  from,  iSi. 
Opium,  61,  108,  138. 
Oranges,  187. 


33^ 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 


Orangia^  the,  260. 

Orangkdya,  212. 

Ormus,  73,  171,  258,  277«. ;    agreement 

missing,  29,  90;  red  earth  from,  38,  39; 

Dutch  designs  against,  255-258,  273,  295, 

299. 
Ouvidor^  224. 
Overskay,  the,  218. 
Owen,  Edward,  242. 
Oxenden,  George,  7,  23, 132,  139,  161,  212, 

252. 

Padres.     See  Jesuits,  Dominicans,  etc. 
Pagodas  (coins), /aj-.fm  ;  value  of,  43, 109, 

112,  191  «.,  268;    *Dury'  or  Dharwari, 

109. 
Painters  and  '  paintings ',  39,  46,  51,53,  74, 

75,  77,  79- 
Palankeens,  54,  105. 
Panton,  Anthony,  28,  89. 
Paradox,  the,  14 ;  outward  voyage  of,  10,  26, 
Fardao.     See  Xerafin. 
Parrots.     See  Nilri. 
Parthiva,  305. 
Passes,  3. 
'  Patolas',  37,  287. 
Pattamars,  52. 
Pauncefote,  Samuel,  25. 
Pauw,  the,  xxiii-xxv,  99,  150,  218. 
Pearce,  Edward,  14,  100,  132,  251 ;  letters 

from  {see  also  Basra),  218 ;  chief  at  Basra, 

143  ;  factor  for  Manilla  voyage,  166,  213, 

218-226. 
Pearce,  John,  240,  243,  246. 
Pearce,  William,  236. 
Pearl,  the,  2. 
Pearls,  25,  233,  283. 
Pearson,  John,  188  n.,  234. 
'Peaseing'  (weighing),  241. 
'Peculls'  (weight),  192,  225,  254. 
Pegu,  76,  130,  229. 
Peniston,  Thomas,  65,  68,  69, 121, 132, 157, 

I93>  253,  280,  289,  294  ;  letters  from,  see 

Masulipatam ;  accused  of  private  trade, 

etc.,  72,  73,  76. 
Pennington,  Sir  John,  242,  262,  264. 
Pepper,  trade  in  and  references  to,  passim  ; 

price  of,  to,  86,  108,  109,  124,  192,  214; 

loses  weight  in  transit,  85 ;    method  of 

shipment,  231.     See  also  Achin,  Bantam, 

Deccan,  Malabar,  etc. 
Perak,  35. 

Pereira,  Joseph  Pinto,  14. 
Perkins,  John,  25  ;  death  of,  17. 
Perks,  Thomas,  193. 
Perpetuanoes,  18,  61,  91,  227, 
Persia,  letters  to  and  from,  31,  169,  257, 

265,  276,  282,  296,  298  (2),  307  ;  Agent 

in,  see  Adler,  Honywood,  Merry,  Pitt ; 

factors  in,  see  Codrington,  Hall,  Herbert, 


Wheeler,  W^illoughby,  Wilton,  Wylde 
(Philip);  factors  for,  169;  disputes  be- 
tween Surat  Council  and  factors  in,  3  ; 
factors  in,  subordinate  to  Surat,  27  ;  fac- 
tors to  correspond  with  the  Company, 
164;  factors  complain  of  unjust  treat- 
ment, 227  ;  trouble  with  broker  in,  278  ; 
private  trade  in,  76  ;  factory  accounts, 
loi,  232,  278  ;  trade  in,  in  silk  and  other 
commodities,  passim ;  horses  from,  20, 
37,  76,  81,  146,  211,  278,  298;  supplies 
for,  19,  139,  207,  208;  state  of  affairs  in, 
96,  98,  135,  136,  201,  208;  merchants 
from, in  Bengal  and  at  Coromandel  Coast, 
87,  104,  105 ;  complaint  against  Dutch 
chief  {see  also  Constant  atid  Gelijnszoon) 
in,  ]  70, 171  ;  Dutch  trade  to  and  ships  for, 
4,  32,  83,  150,  167,  170,  171,  201,  255, 
268,  282,  308;  Portuguese  endeavour  to 
exact  customs  duties  in,  272  ;  Queen- 
mother  of,  296 ;  See  also  Gombroon, 
Ispahan,  etc. 

Persia,  Shah  Abbas  I,  226;  Shah  Safi  of, 
vii,  viii,  4 ;  annual  present  for,  4 ;  dispute 
with  Shah  Jahan,  18,  58  ;  ambassador  to, 
from  Golconda,  73,  74;  death  of,  83,  89; 
Shah  Abbas  H  becomes  King  of,  viii,  83 ; 
English  and  Dutch  missions  to,  83,  84, 98 ; 
grants  privileges  to  the  English  and  Dutch, 
83,  135,  271;  presents  for,  83,  84,  135, 
170(2),  208,  266;  Dutch  and  English 
negotiations  with,  136,  256,  257,  266, 
268,  269,  271,  278  ;  refuses  to  renew 
English  privileges,  169,  170;  the  Dutch 
in  disfavour  with,  170,  266  ;  favours  the 
English,  171 ;  ambassadors  to  Europe 
from,  171  ;  controls  the  silk  trade,  201, 
271 ;  Company's  claim  against,  227,  266, 
279;  Dutch  contract  with,  266;  rumoured 
alliance  of  the  Dutch  and  Portuguese 
against,  272 ;  makes  peace  with  and 
grants  privileges  to  the  Dutch,  275,  278, 
279,  282,  283,  307,  308,  311  ;  sends  an 
agent  to  Batavia,  282 ;  exactions  on  be- 
half of,  296  ;  honours  English  and  Dutch 
chiefs,  296;  avenges  Mlrza  Taqi's  murder, 
296,  297. 

Pessaert,  Barent,  156. 

Petapoli,  68,  71 ;  factors  at,  see  Coro- 
mandel Coast. 

Pewter.     See  "Jast. 

Philippine  Islands.     See  Manilla. 

Pice  (coins),  145,  147  ;  (weight),  211. 

Piece  goods.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Pieter  Butt's  Bay  (Mauritius),  153. 

Pinson,  Gerald,  49,  97. 

Pinson,  Humphrey,  letter  from,  181. 

Pippli,  xxxv. 

Pirates.     See  French  and  Malabar. 

Pishkash,  80,  81,  115,  306. 


INDEX 


333 


Pistachios,  42,  73  n. 

Pitt,  William,  7,  8,  10,  59,  80,  133,  138, 
257,  266,  309,  310;  leaves  Goa,  60,  64, 
107;  letters  from  (see  also  Persia),  169; 
his  contract  with  the  Portuguese,  107, 
108  ;  reported  dangerously  wounded,  60, 
61 ;  becomes  Chief  in  Persia,  70,  84,  98  ; 
his  mission  to  the  Shah,  256,  277,  279; 
desires  to  return  to  India,  279. 

Planter,  the,  146,  148. 

Point  de  Galle,  180,  253;  Dutch  fort  at,  180. 

Pollen,  John,  282. 

Ponnani,  107;  trade  at,  in  pepper,  etc.,  7, 
60,  61  ;  dispatch  of  ship  for,  60,  61. 

Porakad,  Raja  of,  138;  pepper  from,  138, 
147  ;  ship  at,  147. 

Porbandar  {or  Por),  216  n. 

Porcelain,  66. 

Porto  Novo,  281  ;  Company's  trade  to,  and 
ships  for,  36,  42  ;  Company's  trade  at, 
abandoned,  38  ;  Dutch  trade  at,  38. 

Portugal,  John  IV,  King  of,  22,  23,  67. 

Portuguese,  the,  fortify  their  settlements, 
12;  goods,  letters,  and  passengers  on 
Company's  and  Courteen's  ih.\\)S,passi?n', 
hostilities  with,  and  ships  captured  by, 
the  Dutch,  21  (2),  38, 100,  114,  128,  308  ; 
Dutch  ship  captured  by,  see  Fatiw;  peace 
negotiations  with  the  Dutch,  21, 148, 149, 
151,218;  debarred  from  trading  to  Manilla, 
22,  192,  220,  250;  ships  of,  insured  by 
Dutch  merchants,  22;  treaty  with  the 
King  of  Bijapur,  22  ;  English  treaty  with, 
xxvi,  30,  67,  91,  114;  borrowing  of 
money  from  and  by,  34,  60,  112;  com- 
plaints by  and  against,  39,  44,  138  ;  the 
Company  endeavour  to  maintain  friendly 
relations  with,  50,  59,  80,  141,  151,  173, 
174,  230;  reinforcements  and  supplies 
for,  57,  151,  210;  present  for  Sri  Ranga 
Rayalufrom,  81 ;  reported  truce  between 
the  Dutch  and,  99,  100;  prisoners  in 
the  hands  of  the  Dutch,  129  ;  distracted 
state  of  affairs  of,  145 ;  the  Dutch 
treacherously  recommence  hostilities  a- 
gainst,  149;  pilots,  167;  Malabar  pirates 
harass  shipping  of,  228  ;  make  peace 
with  the  Dutch,  xxv,  228  ;  claim  against 
the  Company,  see  ike  John  ;  negotiations 
between  Courteen's  factors  and,  254; 
supplied  by  the  Company  with  guns, 
etc.,  258  ;  at  war  with  Vijayanagar, 
289  ;  soldier  executed  by  the  Company's 
factors,  see  De  Miranda ;  wreck  of  ship 
of,  see  Sao  Bento.  See  also  Basra,  Cochin, 
Goa,  Macao,  Persia,  etc. 
Poynter,  William,  241. 
*  Prams',  i,  141  n.  See  also  Hind  and 
Seajlower. 

Prdu  (prow),  180. 


Priaman,  130. 

Privett,  John,  256  n. 

Prosperous ,  the,  69, 148 ;  voyage  to  Malabar 
Coast,  2 1 ;  voyage  to  Persia  and  back  to 
Swally,  31  ;  voyage  to  Basra,  Gombroon, 
and  back,  21,  31,  59,  93;  designed  for 
the    Red    Sea,    213,    214;    at    Swally, 

313- 
Proud,  John,  3,  9,  11,  17,  188  ;  commended, 

15,  142  ;  account  of  the  Dolphin' %  home- 
ward voyage,  153;  letters  from,  187, 189, 
259. 

Puchok,  167  «.     See  also  Costus. 

Pulicat,  Dutch  Governor  (see  also  Gardenijs"! 
and  Coast  head-quarters  at,  48,  81  w., 
193,  281,  288  n.\  Company's  factors 
threatened  by  Governor  of,  for  trading  in 
confiscated  Dutch  goods,  290,  291,  292, 
294  ;  Dutch  ships  at  and  dispatched  for, 
33  (2),  42;  Dutch  fort  at,  47,  288; 
Domine  of,  see  De  Ladossa;  Malaya 
appointed  Governor  of  the  district  around, 
154  n. ;  the  Dutch  at,  besieged  by  King 
of  Golconda,  184,  193;  the  siege  raised 
by  Vijayanagar  troops,  194;  the  Dutch 
defeated  near,  279;  besieged  by  Vija- 
yanagar army  under  Malaya,  285,  2S8, 
289,  290  ;  Malaya's  goods  seized  and 
family  imprisoned  at,  288  n. 

Pulo  Condore,  180. 

Pulo  Jarak,  179. 

Pulo  Run,  134. 

Pulo  Tioman,  180. 

Pulse.     See  Dal. 

Punamallee,  70  «.,  280,  306;  Nayak  of, 
see  Damarla  Venkatappa ;  customs  duties 
in,  remitted  to  the  Company,  306,  307. 

Purakkatu  {or  '  Purcutt ').    See  Porakad. 

Purchase  (prize-taking),  176. 

Purl  (Jagannath),  75  n. 

Pym,  Luke,  70,  94,  132,  143,  174. 

Qdfila.     See  Caphila. 

Qaiil,  50,  156,  305,  306. 

Quails,  264. 

Quicksilver,  67,  78,  217,  234. 

Quills,  18,  19. 

Quilts  (including  '  Pintadoes '),  7,  85,  124, 

126,  136,  138,  204,  229,  233. 
Quintals,  63,  89,  107,  205. 
Qiirchi  Bdshl.    6"^^  JanI  Khan. 

Rdhdari,  160. 

Raisins,  42,  298. 

Raja  Basil,  18. 

Rajapur,  trade  at,  147,  i6r,  205,  212,  216, 
248,  255,  311  ;  dispatch  of  ships  for  and 
from,  147,  161,  211,  J 16,  311  ;  shipment 
of  passengers  and  freight  goods  from,  276, 
309  ;  Courteen's  ships  and  factory  at  and 


334 


THE   ENGLISH    FACTORIES 


trade  to,  lo,  29,  62,  140,  148,  168,  199, 

217,  231,  255. 
Ramsay,  Anthony,  36. 
Rander,  202. 
Rango,  183. 
Rao  Raja  Chhatarsal,  Raja  of  Bundl,  159, 

232,  301. 
Rasa-J7idld  (storax),  61,  217. 
Raya  Elluru.     See  Vellore. 
Rdyalavdru,  45  n. 
Raybag,  trade  at,  138,  161,  205,  210,  230; 

Courteen's  trade  and  affairs  at,  10,  148, 

255  ;  Dutch  and  Portuguese  trade  to,  10, 

210;  English  broker  at  {see  also  BenI  Das), 

252. 
Raylawar.     See  Sri  Ranga  Rayalu. 
Red-earth.     See  Geru. 
Red  Sea,  pirates  and  interlopers  in,  9,  141, 

143  w.,  144,  176  ;  designs  against  and  en- 
counters with  Malabar  junks  in,  3,  139, 

179,  213,  234,  235,  311.     See  also  Aden, 

Mokha,  etc. 
Reformation,  the,  xix,  11,  34;    master  of, 

see  Bayley;   at  Comoro  Islands,  2,  13; 

sails  for  Bantam,  13,  21,  36,  38,  39  (2)  ; 

Dutch  attack  on,   37 ;   at  Madras,  49 ; 

homeward  voyage  of,  45,  56,  100,  109, 

121. 
Reshire,  258. 
Resin.     See  Dammar. 
Reunion,  97,  119  (2),  183. 
Reynardson,  Thomas,  133,  166. 
Reynolds,  Alexander,  iii. 
Reynolds,  John,  102  n.,  in. 
Rhinoceros  horns,  217. 
Rhubarb,  26,  96,  176,  247. 
Rials  of  eight,  passim  \  value  of,  17,  18,  28, 

43,    107,   144,    145,    175,    191  «.,    209 ; 

Mexico  (Peru)  and  Seville,  209  ;  chests  of, 

120,  206,  207;  complaints  as  to  quality, 

etc.,  of,  144,  145,  174,  209. 
Ribeiro  {pr  Soares)  Lewis,  26,  64,  178,  205, 

212,  213,  233,  235,254,  255. 
Rice,  276,  310. 
Rice-water.     See  Kanji. 
Richards,  John,  105,  win. 
Richelieu,  Cardinal,  9,  141  n. 
Robins,  Walter,  193,  289. 
Robinson,    Benjamin,    4,    5,    17,    29,    85, 

206. 
Rodriguez,  97,  118,  119. 
Rogers,  Thomas,  42,  68,  190;  death  of,  46, 

68. 
Roobacker,  Cornells,  274  «. 
Root,  Jeremy,  293. 
Rose.,  the,  9. 

Rosewater,  42,  73,  115,  146,  211,  278. 
Rubies,  215,  230  «. 
Runds,  73,  98. 
Rupees,  value  of,  17,  95  w.,  96,  209,  21  ^n. 


Russell,  Gervase,  29. 
Rymell,  John,  132,  168,  252. 

Sack,  302,  310. 

Sacrifice  Rock,  180. 

Sailors,  152,  153  ;  ships'  commanders  styled 
masters,  15  ;  Surat  Council's  authority 
over  commanders,  95,  142  ;  complaints 
against  ships'  commanders,  216,  236; 
Dutchmen  and  French  pirates  employed 
as,  9,  226;  want  of,  16,  236;  and  private 
trade,  18,  29,  124;  ransomed  from  Mala- 
bars,  25  ;  provisions  and  allowances  for, 
37,  226,  295  ;  employed  ashore  as  factors, 
etc.,  94,  143,  174,  201,  231,  236;  natives 
employed  as  (see  also  Lascars),  36,  49, 
282  ;  pilfer  prize-money,  226. 

St.  Augustine's  Bay,  Company's  and  Cour- 
teen's ships  at,  10,  32,  105,  119, 182,  183, 
185,  187,  188,  200,  241,  259,  312;  letters 
to  commanders  of  ships  touching  at,  181, 
182,  187;  hostile  attitude  of  natives  at, 
1 19 ;  survivors  from  the  Little  William 
at,  182,  189;  unhealthiness  of,  183.  See 
also  Madagascar. 

St.  Christopher's  Island,  199  n. 

St.  Helena,  English  ships  at,  109,  121,  239, 
241,  259,  260,  262;  sailors  and  slaves  left 
by  Mucknell  at,  242,  260,  264. 

St.  John's.     See  Sanjan. 

St.  Lawrence.     See  Madagascar. 

St.  Malo  privateers,  8,  10. 

Saker,  — ,  death  of,  153. 

Salabat  Khan,  Mir  Bakhshi  to  Shah  Jahan, 
229  n, 

Saldmati,  the,  161,  168. 

Salbet  (Shial  Bet),  93. 

'  Sallett '  oil,  302. 

Salt,  127. 

Salter,  Captain,  242. 

Saltpetre,  6,  10,  27,  94,  124,  136,  139, 148, 
164,  i75>  203,  205,  219-222,  224,  232- 
234,  251,  255,  256. 

Samana,  137,  204,  233. 

Sambah,  1 30  n. 

Sambrooke,  Jeremy,  letter  to,  237. 

Samisamy,  182. 

Sampson,  Captain,  75, 

Sandalwood,  81,  115,  218,  293. 

Sanjan,  185,  238. 

Sankar,  168,  253. 

'  Sannoes  '.     See  Cotton  goods. 

San  Salvador,  100  n. 

Santa  Lucia  (Madagascar),  200. 

San  Thom^,  47  ;  Portuguese  at,  12,  49,  81, 
112;  Portuguese  reinforcements  for,  43, 
60 ;  under  Nayak  of  Tanjore,  47,  49 ; 
customs  at,  49 ;  disadvantages  of  as  a 
factory  site,  49 ;  Dutch  designs  on,  43  n., 
155;  Dutch  blockade  of,  115. 


INDEX 


335 


Sao  Bento,  the,  150,  151. 

Sappanwood ,  218,  22 S,  252. 

Sarasses.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Sarcerius,  Dirck,  275. 

Sar-i-Khail.     See  Mir  Mahmud  Saiyid. 

Sarkhej,  indigo  from,  5,  58,  85,  95, 122, 126, 

136,  201,  202. 
Sarrdfs  {or  Shroff's),  21,  61,  91,  144,  174, 
209,  210,  252,  303. 

Satins,  145,  160. 

Saya  de  Malha  Bank,  109,  153,  187. 

Scattergood,  Francis,  131,  146. 

Schelvisch,  the,  274  «. 

Sea/lower,  the,  144,  147,  194,  293  ;  master 
of,  see  Gardner  and  Lee  ;  outward  voyage 
of,  toSwally,  121,  135,  145,147;  voyages 
to  Persia  and  back,  139,  147,  159,  162, 
168, 1 70, 186,  200 ;  not  suitable  for  service 
in  Indian  waters,  141 ;  designed  for 
Bantam,  142,147,159  ;  voyage  to  Bantam, 
200 ;  voyage  from  Bantam  to  Coromandel 
Coast,  253,  254 ;  voyage  to  Bantam  from 
Coromandel  Coast,  281,  287. 

Seahorse,  the,  14,  88,  101,  168,  213,  253, 
295>  297 ;  master  of,  see  Lee,  Tindall,  and 
Totty.;  voyages  to  Gombroon  and  Basra 
and  back  to  Swally,  2,  19,  20,  21,  28,  31, 
58,  59,  83,  89,  93;  voyage  to  Diu,  etc^, 
vii,  93 ;  again  sails  to  Gombroon,  Basra, 
etc.,  and  back,  89,  98, 100,  loi,  139,  142, 
147,  148,  170;  voyage  to  Bassein  and 
back,  148,  160;  voyage  to  Rajapur,  161, 
167,  179,  211;  designed  for  Sind  and 
Basra,  148,  16  r,  214;  encounters  with 
Malabar  pirates,  27,  181,  211,  235,  255; 
voyage  to  Manilla  and  back,  165,  166, 
167,  179,  180,  181,  212,  218-226,  249, 
250 ;  voyage  to  Gombroon  and  Basra, 
352,  272,  273,  276,  284;  sails  from  Basra 
to  Tuticorin,  275,  283,  298,  310;  voyage 
to  Rajapur,  and  then  designed  for  Red 
Sea,  311;  returns  to  Swally  from  Malabar 
Coast,  313. 

Seer  (weight),  202,  211,  303. 

Sehwan,  indigo  and  joories  from,  85,  123, 
136,203.     See  also  ^evfhidSi. 

Selaes.    See  Cotton  goods. 

Seleina,  Andre,  Vedor  da  Fazenda,  61,  64. 

Semianoes.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Sequins  (or  Venetians),  17, 18,  64, 107, 145. 

Serang,  81. 

Serebafts,  85. 

Seryas.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Seshadri  Chetti,  Nayak,  81,  281,  285,  292, 
294. 

'Sevestan',  163,  203.     See  a/j-^  Sehwan. 

Seville  money,  209. 

Shahbandar,  27,  169,  170. 

Shdhis,  42,  116,  227,  265,  267,  309;  value 
of,  266  «.,  268- 


Shah  Jahan,  the  Emperor,  junks  of,  2,  10; 
Company's  ships  convoy  junks  for,  90, 91, 
92  ;  extent  of  his  kingdom,  3  ;  revolt  and 
intrigues  against,  18,  58,  59,  73  w.;  dis- 
pute between  Shah  of  Persia  and,  18,  58 ; 
tributejto,  for  Sural  customs,  etc.,  23,  24 ; 
seizes  Asaf  Khan's  estate,  25,  95  ;  treasure 
at  Agra,  59;  trade  on  behalf  of,  69, 
70,  95,  loi,  147,  148,  211,  253 ;  English 
and  Dutch  missions  to,  and  presents  for, 
145?  I59>  i6o>  162,  214;  grants  privileges 
to  the  Dutch  and  English,  160,  160  n., 
214,  230;  trouble  with  his  umards,  229, 
302;  honours  Company's  factors,  230; 
Company's  factors  appeal  to,  232,  301, 
302 ;  his  campaign  against  the  Uzbeks, 
302. 

Shah  Wall,  282. 

Sharafuddin  Husain,  Kotwal  of  Agra,  after- 
wards Governor  of  Surat,  160,  302. 

Sharifs,  161. 

Shashes,  87. 

Shavelle  (Shavallee  or  Shevallee),  282. 

Shehr,  139,  213. 

Shial  Bet.     See  Salbet. 

Shiraz,  Khan  of,  29;  horses  from,  278, 
298. 

Shishain  (or  sisii),  295. 

Shuja,  Sultan,  59. 

Silk,  trade  in  and  references  to,  passim\ 
price  of,  83,  136,  201,  266,  271,  278,  279; 
Canary,  Lahijan,  and  Arras,  122.  See 
also  China  and  Persia. 

Silver,  65,  217,  226;  value  of,  176,  209; 
complaint  as  to  quality  of,  91  ;  Japan, 
100,  167. 

Simoranees.     See  Smarant. 

Sims,  John,  17. 

Sind,  factors  in,  see  Elder,  Fenn,  Harrison, 
Spiller,  Walwyn ;  trade  in,  passim  ;  fac- 
tory accounts,  16;  Portuguese  caphila 
from,  58  ;  money  remitted  from  Ahmad- 
abad  to,  85  ;  goods  shipped  to,  on  native 
junks,  216;  trade  between  Basra  and,  274; 
letter  sent  overland  to  Surat  via,  299 ; 
Viceroy  of,  see  Dara  Shikoh.  See  also 
Laribandar,  Tatta,  etc. 

Singapore,  Straits  of,  180  (2).  See  also 
Malacca,  Straits  of. 

Sironj,  137. 

Skibbow,  John,  estate  of,  15. 

Skinner,  Thomas,  96,  247. 

Skins,  81,  233  n. 

Skylark,  the,  99.     See  Leeuwerik. 

Slaves,  28,  37,  97,  241,  242,  263,  264;  price 
of,  119,  120. 

Smarant,  73  «. 

Smith,  Anthony,  132,  144. 

Snoek,  the,  21,  22. 

Soap,  37. 


z?,^ 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 


Scares,  see  Ribeiro. 
Socotra,  19. 
♦Soerts',  73  «. 
Sofala,  12 1. 
Somajl  Parak,  161. 
Souri,  Pieter,  129,  130. 
Spain,  King  of,  144;   Company's  negotia- 
tions with,  251,  252,  256. 
Spaniards,  English  carry  letters  for,   226, 
252  ;  employ  Danish  ships,  156.    See  also 
Manilla. 
Spanish  money,  enhancement  in  value  of, 

144,  145. 
Spices,  trade  in  and  references  to,  22,  80, 

81,  205,  217. 
Spiller,  John,  132,  136,  144,  169,  203,  248. 
Sri  Ranga  Rayalu,  King  of  Vijayanagar 
ig.v.),  xxviii,  44,  67,  193,  194  w.;  letters 
from,  285,  291,  293,  294;  intrigues 
against,  70  ;z.,  80  ;  presents  for,  8t,  115  ; 
Malaya  in  favour  with,  154;  Malaya 
again  punished  by,  154  w. ;  at  war  with 
Dutch,  and  confiscates  their  goods,  etc., 
279,  280,  285,  288,  292,  294;  at  war 
with  Portuguese,  289  ;  proposed  English 
mission  to,  285,  289,  290,  291,  292  ;  con- 
firms English  privileges  and  encourages 
Company's  trade,  115,  281;  Malaya's 
influence  with,  280,  290 ;  offers  monopoly 
of  trade  to  the  Company,  288,  290;  his 
grant  for  Madras,  305-307. 
Sri    Ranga    Rayapatam,    305.      See    also 

Madras. 
Stafford,  313. 
Stallon,  John,  95,  97. 
Stammell  {or  Scarlet).     See  Broadcloth. 
Stanford,  John,  132,  165,  234. 
Stanian,  Edward,  239. 
Steel,  26,  31  n.,  55. 
Steep  Holme,  242  n. 

Steevens,  Thomas,  28,  88,  286,  295,  312  n. 
Storax.     See  Rasa-mdld. 
Strong,  Captain,  312. 
Strong  waters,  103,  104,  241,  302. 
Styles,  Edmund,  289,  295. 
Suakin,    Basha   of,    213,    252;    design   for 
establishing  trade  at,  213,  214,  235,  252. 
Sugar,  trade  in  and  references  i  to, /awm  ; 
freight  rates  on,  55,  72  ;  price  of,  308, 
309 ;  candy,  55. 
Suhar,  Portuguese  at,  308  n. 
Sumatra.     See  Achin,  etc. 
Sun^  the,   176,   260,  312;   master  of,  see 

Spencer. 
Suuda,  Straits  of,  33,  222,  251,  256. 
Supply,  the,  14,  88,  213,  218,  248  ;  master 
of,  see  Broadbent,  Clark,  Lee,  and  Stallon ; 
forced  to  abandon  voyage  to  Bantam,  16  ; 
voyage  to  Gombroon,  Aden,  and  Red 
Sea,  3,  19 ;  sails  for  Masulipatam,  etc., 


19;  voyage  to  Daman  and  back,  19; 
voyage  to  Persia  and  back,  19,  31,  91 ; 
again  sails  to  Gombroon  and  back  to 
Swally,  20,  31,  88,  92  ;  voyage  to  Sind 
and  back,  85,  92  ;  designed  for  Persia 
and  then  for  Achin,  92  ;  further  voyage 
to  Gombroon  and  back,  98, 146 ;  voyage 
to  Cochin  and  Achin  and  back,  99,  128, 
131,  138, 139, 146 ;  designed  for  Red  Sea, 
139,  146;  sails  to  Gombroon  and  back, 
159,  162, 168, 170, 186,  267,  268  ;  voyage 
to  Achin  and  back,  179,  181,  212,  214, 
231, 235;  encounters  with  Malabar  pirates, 
181,  235,  255  ;  designed  for  Persia  and 
then  to  Manilla  or  Achin,  214,  236,  253 ; 
again  sails  to  Persia,  248 ;  voyage  to 
Achin  and  back  to  Swally,  272  ;  stopped 
and  searched  by  Dutch,  273;  pilfering 
of  money  aboard,  278. 

Sur  {or  Bandar  Sur),  Portuguese  expelled 
from  and  English  trade  invited  to,  308  n. ; 
Imam  of,  see  Nasir-bin-Murshid. 

Surat,  Governor  of  {see  also  Muizz-ul-Mulk, 
Jam  Quli  Beg,  Amin,  Sharafuddin  Hu- 
sain)  :   trades  with  the  English,  94,  95, 
211;    places  restrictions  on  shipment  of 
freight  goods,  91  ;  presents  for,  201,  210 ; 
Diwan  of,  23  ;  Customer  at  {see  also  Arab, 
Mirza),  144,  160,   169  ;  President  at  {see 
also  Breton  and  Fremlen)  :  appointed  for 
five  years,  15  ;  journal  of,  17,  97  ;  presents 
for,  20,  66,  91,  284;  salary  of,  29  ;  Presi- 
dent and  Council :   letters  to  and  from, 
passim;  consultations  by,  69,   286,  310; 
commissions   and  instructions  from,   59, 
161,  168  ;  complaints  by,  and  against,  2, 
34,  85, 86,  123,  202  ;  disputes  with  Bantam 
and  Persian  factors,  3,  11,  16,  17,  34,  172, 
201,  227,  228  ;  and  the  founding  of  Fort 
St.  George,  11,  12,40,  51-53;  authority 
over  Coromandel  Coast  and  Persia,  13, 
27>  33»  45»  47»   54,   140;    request  small 
ships  for  coast  trade,  etc.,  14,  88,  141, 
173,  229,  247,  252;  decline  responsibility 
for  factors'  debts,  15  ;    debts  due  to,  34, 
86 ;  advise  the  Company  not  to  employ 
chartered  vessels,  89,  90  ;  authority  over 
ships'  commanders,  95,  142 ;  disposal  of 
shipping  by,  125,  192,  231,  258;  present 
for  the  Emperor,  etc. ,  from,  150 ;  authority 
over  factors  in  charge  of  special  voyages, 
177;  endeavour  to  suppress  private  trade, 
231;    casualties   among   factors   at,   94; 
want  of  factors  at,  247  ;  debts  and  want  of 
money,  etc.,  at,  5,  6,  8,  17,  26,  82,  84,  88, 
94,  96,  100,  108,  139,  140,  172,  173,  228, 
230,  236,  247,  249,  250,  311  ;  borro^ving 
of  money  at,  8,  30,  34,  87,  90,  152,  311 ; 
factory  accounts,  16,  236  n. ;  bleaching  at, 
6;  trade  oX, passim;  supplies  for,  17,  61, 


INDEX 


337 


87,  88;  money-changing  and  mint  at,  17, 
23,  209,  2io;  customs  and  customhouse 
at,  23,  24,  25,  99,  160,  165;  customs  re- 
mitted to  the  English  and  Dutch  at,  160, 
162,  214;  tribute  to  Shah  Jahan  for 
customs,  etc.,  at,  23,  24;  trade  between 
Bantam,  Manilla,  Mokha,  Persia,  and,  10, 
82,  84,  85,  142,  172,  192,  193,  231  ;  ship- 
ment of  freight  goods  for  and  from,  10, 
19,  31,  62,  91,  loi,  311 ;  the  Discovery's 
delayed  voyage  causes  trouble  at,  vi,  92, 
144 ;  effect  of  the  loss  of  yohn  on  trade  at, 
xvi,  247,  249  ;  trouble  with  native  brokers 
at,  300;  Jesuits  at,  64;  Courteen's  Asso- 
ciation claim  right  to  trade  at,  286  ;  junks 
of,  molested  by  the  Dutch  and  Portuguese, 
269,  272;  Dutch  President  at,  26,  38; 
Dutch  trade  at,  22,  35,  36,  100,  150. 

Surgeons.  See  Anthony,  Boughton,  Hinton, 
I-^e,  Pearce,  Reynolds,  Tindall. 

Surgical  instruments,  173. 

Swally,  183  ;  best  time  for  ships  to  arrive  at, 
14,  28  ;  Shah  Jahan's  junk  at,  91 ;  dispatch 
of  ships  for  and  from,  passim ;  building 
and  repairing  of  ships  at,  148,  214,  248, 
311,  313;  Courteen's  ships  at,  286,  309, 
312. 

Swally  Hole,  9,  100,  106,  109,  183,  185, 
286,  312. 

Swally  Marine  a«a? Sands,  2,  15,  61,  82,  88, 
96  (2),  98,  135,  142,  159,  162,  199,  247, 
248,  256,  310,  311. 

Swan,  the,  xix,  2,  33,  97,  147,  193;  master 
of,  see  Yates;  returns  to  Swally  from 
Bantam,  6,  20;  encounter  with  Malabar 
pirates,  20 ;  voyage  to  Bantam  and  back, 
8,  17,  20,  34,  35  (2),  36,  37,  62,  63, 
106 ;  voyage  to  Cochin  and  Bantam,  70, 
80,  86,  93,  94,  99,  127,  138 ;  stopped  and 
searched  by  the  Dutch,  93,  94 ;  designed 
for  Coromandel  Coast  on  return  from 
Jambi,  1 34 ;  voyage  from  Bantam  to  the 
Coast,  189,  190,  191  ;  returns  to  Bantam, 
190,  191,  193,  207,  287;  voyage  to 
Manilla,  postponed,  293 ;  sails  for  Swally 
from  Bantam,  311,  312. 

Sweetbag,  160. 

Swinglehurst,  Richard,  letter  to,  178, 

Swordblades,  18,  302. 

Table  (^^  Saldanha)  Bay,  109,  182. 

Taels,  128,  225,  226. 

Taffetas.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Taiwan.     See  Formosa. 

Tanga,  value  of,  18,  64,  107. 

Tanjore,  Nayak  of,  47,  49  ;  besieges  Nega- 

patam,  81.     See  also  San  Thome. 
Tanni  {or  Tannes).     See  Than. 
Tapestry,  176,  232. 
Tapi  Das  Parak,  15,  21,  61,  65. 


Tappi,  79  n. ;  see  also  Cotton  goods. 

Tapseels.     See  Cotton  goods. 

Taql,  Mirza,  the  Itimad-uddanla  of  Persia, 
169,  170,  171,  256,  257,  366,  268,  277, 
278,  279,  282,  296,  298  n. ;  murder  of, 
296,  297. 

*  Tartaria  ',  1 34. 

Tartars,  302  ;  see  also  Uzbeks. 

Tash,  George,  4,  85,  132,   140,  163,  215, 

249,  254,  259,  286,  310;  honoured  by 
Shah  Jahan,  230. 

Tasman,  Abel,  134  «. 

Tasus  (or  Tassooes),  299,  300. 

Tatta,  234  ;  trade  at,  in  various  commodi- 
ties, 7,  94,  137,  163,  205,  211,  227,  232; 
factory  accounts,  97,  236  w.;  dyeing  at, 
203  ;  Dara  Shikoh  grants  privileges  to  the 
English  at,  163,  215.  See  also  Larlbandar 
and  Sind, 

Taurim,  286. 

Tegnapatam,  281. 

Tems,  Nathaniel,  132. 

Tenasserim,  small  ships  required  for  trade 
to,  229. 

Than,  37. 

Thomas  and  John,  the,  176,  198,  199,  237, 
238,  241,  244,  255,  264;  master  of,  su 
Earle. 

Thurston,  William,  26,  70,  90,  92,  99,  131, 
132,  138,  143,  165,  178,  180,  212,  228, 

250,  286,  310;  letters  from,  see  Basra  and 
Surat. 

Tiku,  130. 

Timber,  trade  in,  276,  283. 

Timberlake,  Thomas,  94. 

Tin,  35, 129,  131,  220;  freight  rates  on,  55. 

'  Tincal '.     See  Borax. 

Tindall,  John,  236. 

Tindall,  Robert,  29,  90,  180,  295,  311. 

Tirell  (£7r  Terrell),  Henry.     See  Tyrrell. 

Tobacco,  92,  148,  161,  216,  241. 

Told,  209,  225,  252. 

Tomblings,  William,  death  of,  244. 

Tomlins  {or  Tomplins),  Thomas,  178,  286. 

Tortoise  shells,  35,  86,  165,  201,  211. 

Totty,  John,  311. 

'Toyes',  29. 

Trade,  private,  4,  ii,  15,  18,  25,  29,  31, 
34,  45,  51,  64  n.,  72-77,  85,  86,  89, 
no,  123,  124,  138,  140,  141,  144,  174, 
177,  178,  202,  209,  231,  234,  235,247, 
259»  274,  298  n. 

'  Tranka  '  (trankey),  273. 

Tranquebar,  trade  at  in  various  commodi- 
ties, 74  (2),  75,  116,  157,  159;  dispatch 
of  ships  for  and  from,  and  ships  at,  36, 
74,  75,  119,  157;  Danish  ships  at,  36, 
156 ;  freedom  of  trade  at,  offered  to 
Company,  156,  157  ;  Danish  President 
at,  see  Pessaert. 


FOSTER  yn 


33^ 


THE   ENGLISH   FACTORIES 


Travell,  George,  65,  132,  193,  289  ;  letters 
from,  see  Madras. 

Trumball.  Andrew,  32  n.,  42,  286,  295  ; 
account  of  the  HopewelV^  voyages,  71- 
77 ;  accusations  by  and  against,  72-77, 
101-105,  no,  118;  censured  and  re- 
moved from  his  command,  74,  116,  133 ; 
reinstated,  75,  no,  112,  113,  116;  peti- 
tions against  his  reinstatement,  in,  112. 

Tulsi  Das,  210. 

Tumdns,  2,  4,  32,  135,  136,  170,  227,  266, 
268,  269,  299. 

Turks,  143. 

Turmeric,  7,  8,  25,  17,  85,  124,  126,  136, 
139,  172,  206,  255. 

Turner,  John,  7,  84,  132,  160,  162,  215, 
230,  253,  259 ;  honoured  by  Shah  Ja- 
han,  230. 

Turtles,  119. 

*  Tusso '.     See  Tasils. 
Tutenague.     See  Jast. 

Tuticorin,  56,  252,  275,  310,  311;    com- 
modities from,  252. 
Twine,  Maries,  97. 
Tyrrell,  Henry,  196  n.j  238,  245,  249,  258. 

*Udpotaes',  309. 

Ulysses,  the,  82,  109,  121,  122. 

Umra,  92. 

Unity,  the,   29,  62,   106;    master  of,  see 

Russell. 
Upaleta   {or  Uploat)^  167  ;?.,  217  ;  see  also 

Costus. 
Uzbeks,  302. 

Valkenburg,  the,  161,  167,  216,  237,  249. 

*  Vals ',  209. 

Van  der  Burgh,  Nikolaas,  304. 

Van  Sanen,  Cornelis,  62. 

Van  Thuijnen,  Hendrik,  83  n. 

Veal,  Thomas,  94. 

Vedor  da  Fazenda,  at  Goa,  91.  See  also 
Seleina. 

Vellore,  285. 

Velvets,  145,  160,  227, 

Venetians.    See  Sequins. 

Vengurla,  Dutch  forced  to  abandon  factory 
at,  22  ;  Dutch  ships  and  trade  at,  100, 
161,  167. 

Venice,  dispatch  of  letters  via,  159. 

Venkatagiri,  44,  80  n. 

Venkatapati,  King  of  Vijayanagar  (Car- 
natic),  45  ;  death  of,  67,  80. 

Vermilion,  67,  78,  234. 

Vijayanagar  (Camatic),  47  n.,  50 ;  Mussul- 
man invasion  of,  47,  67,  80,  193,  194; 
proposal  to  abandon  trade  in,  48;  wars  in, 
hinder  communication  between  factories, 
56;  civil  war  in,  55,  65,  67,  70,  ns,  154, 
184,  194W. ;  King  of  BIjapur  assists  in 


quelling  rebels  in,  115,  116 ;  King  of,  see 
Sn  Ranga  Rayalu  and  Venkatapati. 

Vlravasaram,  factory  records,  96,  97 ;  fac- 
tors at,  see  Coromandel  Coast. 

Virjl  Vora,  5,  7,  8,  18,  60,  86,  99,  107, 108, 
138,  140,145,  152,  164,  204,  210,  213, 
249j  253. 

Vitriol,  Roman,  124,  126,  172,  177. 

Vizagapatam,  76. 

Vliegende  Hert,  the,  21,  22. 

Voyage,  First  General,  v,  27,  28,  41,  142, 
169 ;  the  Joint  Stock  use  and  purchase 
shipping  of,  29, 30,  214;  trade  on  account 
of>  111  11  y  78,  97,  191 ;  funds  of,  used  for 
paying  Joint  Stock  debts,  xxvii,  55,  65, 
96,  113,  117,  118;  accounts  of,  87,  88, 
170,  216,  232;  dividends  paid  in  kind, 
123  (2);  winding  up  of,  176,  191. 

Walwyn,  Rivett,  132,  253,  284,  299;  letter 

from,  273, 
Warner,  John,  3n. 
Washers,  37,  290,  292. 
Waterkond,  the,  167,  197,  218. 
Wax,  223. 
Weale,  William,   253  ;    letters,   273.     See 

also  Basra. 
Weddell,  Captain  John,  219,  254,  277  «., 

312  n. 
Weddell,  Jeremy,  312. 
Weedens,  the,  loss  of,  167. 
Weijland,  Cornelis,  160  n. 
Weston,  Humphrey,  234. 
Wezel,\h.t,  218,  248,  258. 
Whatmore,  Thomas,  38  ;  letter  from,  272. 
Wheat,  39,  226. 

Wheatley,  Henry,  196  «.,  238,  249,  258. 
Wheeler,  Thomas,  i,  132,  148;  letters  from, 

see  Persia  ;  leaves  Persia,  70,  84 ;  returns 

to  England,  90,  143,  172. 
Willemszoon,  Pieter,  129. 
William  (i),  the,  xix  ;  outward  voyage  of, 

to  Bantam,   13 ;    homeward  voyage  of, 

57,  105- 

William  (2),  the,  master  of,  see  Gee  ;  out- 
ward voyage  of,  to  Bantam,  122,  183, 
310. 

William,  the  (Courteen's  ship),  10,  14, 
148,  168,  180,  216,  217,  232,  254,  255, 

312  ;  master  of,  see  Blackman. 
William,  the  (private  pinnace),  31,  298  ?i., 

313  ;  master  of,  see  Stafford. 
Willoughby,  John,  25,  170. 

Wilton,  Samuel,  269,  256 ;  letters  from, 
see  Persia. 

Wine,  56,  103,  173,  176,  177,  195,  210; 
Canary,  i6,  29,  74,  90,  145  ;  French, 
145;  Portuguese,  212,  217;  Spanish, 
232  ;  Dutch  monopoly  in,  145. 

Winter,  Edward,  193,  289. 


INDEX 


339 


Winter,  Thomas,  66,  68,  69,  72,  73,  76,  79, 
97,  114,  121,  128,  134,  190,  193,  289, 
294,  295  ;  letters  from,  see  Bantam. 

Woodman,  Leonard,  8,  10,  14. 

Woodward,  John,  death  of,  131. 

Woollen  goods,  172. 

'  Wormeleiton ',  Daniel,  i  n. 

Wright,  Robert,  157. 

•  Writers '.     See  Factors. 

Wyche,  William,  132. 

Wycherley,  Robert,  iii. 

Wylde,  John,  7,  17,  23,  26,  27,  70,  90,  92, 
100,  132  ;  letters  from,  see  Surat ;  death 
of,  161 ;  estate  of,  142,  153,  234. 

Wylde,  Philip,  70,  84,  98,  132,  276,  279, 
282 ;  letters  from,  see  Persia. 

Xavier,  Padre  Andreas,  36. 


Xerafins,  60,  64,  89,  107,  154  «.,  178, 
217. 

Yacht,  129. 

Yard,  John,  20,  42,  113,  310 ;  letter  from, 
199;  complaints  and  claim  against,  34, 
38,  70,  71,  78,  133,  190,  199,  234;  re- 
called from  Bengal,  38,  65,  77 ;  recom- 
mends continuance  of  trade  in  liengal, 
78 ;  censured  and  recalled  to  England, 
128,  133;  commended,  134,  234. 

Yardly,  Christopher,  289, 

Yam,  coarse,  unsaleable  in  England,  124. 

Yates,  Michael,  93,  99,  106,  211  ;  his  jour- 
nal of  the  HopewelPs  voyage,  183. 

Zarasses.    See  Cotton  goods. 
Zealand,  the,  21,  260. 


CORRIGENDA. 


Page  193,  /.  23.    William  Hill  should  be  Thomas  Hill. 
,,     237,  /.  20.     16^  should  be  1645. 


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