Indian Antiquary Vol 45

SR No.: 032537
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 380
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 70

62
THE INDIAN AXTIQUARY
(APRIL, 1916
St. George, dated 27th January 1678, is the remark.22 “ James Hardin sent from the Bay for crimes, &ca., and Valentine Nurse that came from thence are both at the Fort, concerning which they await the Companys orders."
Harding appears to have remained in an anomalous position throughout 1678, for in January 1679, although his name occurs as a writer in a list of the Company's Servants at Fort St. George,"3 he is placecl last and no "degree" is assigned to him. On the 27th February 1079 he applied to be reinstated in Bengal or allowed to remain in India as a freeman. His request was taken into consideration on the 3rd March, Streynsham Master, Agent and Governor, presiding :-"Upon reading a Paper given in by James Harding tho 27th February (which time did not permit to doe on that day) it was Resolved to give him for Answear that the Councell did not thinke fitt to settle him in Bengale, and therefore, according to his clesire, they doe quitt him of the Honble. Companys service to remaine a freeman. As for the Arreares of his Sallary, and Rupees 61: 13an. he pretends to be stopt out of his dyett mony, when they are satisfied therein from the Chief and Councell in Bengale, they shall take further order about it."
Meanwhile, the Court had written, 23 * In yours of the 27th of January (1678], The first thing Wee meet with unanswerel is your expectance of our directions concerning two disorderly persons, Nurse and Harling, which is that you send them home by this shipping, and for the futuro, never let any suspended Person remaine upon our charge after his suspension." The only comment on these orders is contained in the abstract of a letter from Fort St. George to the Company of the 27th January 1680, in which the Council romark, Mr Xurse and Harding Care] in a poor condition, but not now at the Companys charge. 24 It is to be presumed that Harding remained at Ford St. George throughout 1680 and part of 1681, but there is no allusion to him, unless he is included in tho remark in the Court's letter of the 5th January 1681,27 "Wee shall alow nothing to Mr Nurse or any such disorderly persons, and we expect your care to prevent their being in our Houses, or at our Tables, to be an ill example to others, or Any charge to us."
Finding no prospect of employment in Madras, James Harding decided to return to Bengal. He apparently left Fort St. George without permission, and made his way to Hugli, and thence to Kasimbazar, whence he had been so summarily ejected in 1677. His arrival is noted on the 25th November 1681,28 Job Charnock, who had succeeded to the chiefship of Kasimbazar, took Harding under his protection and gave him employment, but the ex-writer's contentious disposition soon again brought him into trouble. At a Consultation held on the 31st May 1682,29 during a visit of inspection by Matthias Vincent, James Harding, who absented himself on some occasions, being called and severely checked for his comeing up without lisence, as also fighting in the factory, and admonished to be[have] more quietly, Mr Chamook owning him as his particuler servant, was thought fitt to be lett remaine some time longer, on his good behaviour in this Factory."
22 Factory Records, Miscellaneous, Vol. 34. 23 Mackenzie MSS., Vol. LI, p. 105 (copies of Madras Records).
21 Diary and Consultation Book of Kort St. George 1679-80. (Printed copies of Madras Rocords), P. 20.
25 General Letter to Fort St. George of the 3rd January 1879. Letter Book, Vol. VL p. 20. % Factory Records, Miscellaneous, Vol 38.
27 Letter Book, Vol. VI, p. 251. 2 Kasimbazar Diary. Factory Records, Kasimbazar, Vol. I. 29 Factory Records, Kasimbazar, Vol. II.