Indian Antiquary Vol 62

SR No.: 032554
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 450
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

Page 379

MARCH, 1933]
THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
209
Wee wish you had advised us how you had made a distribution of the silver among the concern'd, but of that and a full and particular account of all your proceedings wee are impatiently waiteing from the Fort by first opportunity. As to your returning home with your ship for Europe, wee could not have you have any thought on it as yet. What may be done in another years time wee know not. For to have you return with the Company's leave, wee are certaine is impossible to be obtained at present, and to come home without it, would most unavoidably be such a reflection on the gentlemen that promoted your going, that wee dare not think of it. You'l understand by these ships, that Governour Collett is turn'd out, and Mr. Hastings to succeed him, which wish may not prove to the concern'd in the Bonetta a prejudice, since he has been soe much your friend.
Wee are apprehensive you will be very much pestered with pirates in India, for there have been noe lesse then 8 ships on the coast of Affrica this year, and have taken and destroyed on that coast above 30 sayle of merchant men, to the vast losse of the merchants of that trade thither, and theise rogues give out that from thence they will proceed to the Coast of Brazeel, and then about the Cape for Madagascar, they are the most numerouse and greatest gang of rogues that was ever heard of, and wee are grievous fearful will doe a great deal of mischiefe in India before they be supprest, though the Company have petitioned for 3 men of war, which wish they may obteine. This wee write that you may be prepared for them by keeping your ship clear and then doubt not but the Bonetta will escape them.
But if either of you should come to a resolution to come home, wee then doe appoint Mr. Georg Sitwell to succeed, who is well known to you both, and is a gentleman of entire satisfaction to us. Wee most heartily wish you and all wealth and happynesse and are gentlemen,
Yours humble servant,
FRANS. CHAMBERLAYNE.
(NOTES ON DOCUMENT No. 107.) (1) This is the first intimation of the fact that the Bonita touched at Trincombar (Tranquebar), the Danish settlement on the Coromandel Coast, on her way to Madras
(2) See p. 178, Document No. 80. (3) Joseph Collet, Governor of Fort St. George, 1717-1720.
The other letters addressed to Scattergood and Harris jointly were from members of the "Polow" (Pilau) Club acknowledging a present of arrack, from Peter Godfrey (senior) respecting the "adventures" of himself and his wife and family (recommending them to take the advice of the Jewish free merchant, Signor Francisco Bernall, in the purchase of diamonds), and from William Phipps, who made a further allusion to the scheme to be known later as the South Sea Bubble.
(108) There has been of late an unaccountable demand for the former (large diamonds), occagioned by the French Missisippy Companys extraordinary advance, wherein such vast estates has been gotten as has put that nation & madding to vye in fine equipages, whereby a very good opportunity has presented for those that had large goods to gett rid of them; and this I beleive may occasion general orders from hence to Madrass for those sorts, as there is at presont little demand for any less than five or six carratts, which is likely may raise the prices of those sizes now in request, but as I very much doubt the continuance of this demand, I recommend to you to send me of those sorts you find cheapest, if any considerable difference. ...