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 413

JULY, 1933)
THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
"
243
So far all had been plain sailing between Scattergood and the Chinese officials, but on the very eve of his departure from Canton occurred what Dr. Morse (The E. I. Co. trading to China, I. 168) describes as “one of those lamentable cases of homicide, which now and again did so much to disturb the trade of the port and the Company." Dr. Morse was dependent on the Company's records for his description of the incident, but the Papers give a first hand account of the story and settle the question raised by Dr. Morse as to whether it was " an act of rowdiness" or " pure accident." On 23 November Captain Harry wrote in agitated fashion to Scattergood :
[133]
November the 23d 1721. Mr. Scattergood, Sir,
I wright you this morning by the lingo(') what I knew of the matter, that our long boat was lent to carry up the shipe, and in comeing down, some of there men came in her and brought armes, and being drunck, one, David Griffin as they all say, shott the man. Mr. Gibbon is gon on board the Frances(?) with the lingo to shew them the man, but I doubt they have carried him to Canton. Therefore send William(3) on board the Frances to see if the man is there and desier them to secuer him. He() will wright at the bottam. I am, Sir, Your humble servant.
JOHN HARRY. [In a different hand]
Sir, I have spoke to Captain Newsham and he will stop the man till such time he heares firder from you.
(NOTES ON DOCUMENT No. 133.] (1) Linguist, interpreter. () The Frances, Captain Thomas Newsham, one of the four company's ships sent to China in 1721, () Apparently one of the crew of the Bonita. His surname does not appoar. (*) That is, William, whose note is appended to the letter.
From Captain Harry's confused account the following facts can be gathered. The Bonita's long boat was lent to assist in getting the English ships up to Whampoa, some of the crew were intoxicated, and one of them accidentally shot a Chinaman. Captain Harry was naturally anxious to identify the offender so that the Bonita could be exonerated from any share in the matter.
Scattergood sent an immediate reply to the letter and showed that he was more than a little perturbed by the affair.
[134]
Canton, November the 23, 1721. Captain Harry, Sir,
I have received your letter and am very much surprised to hear that you entertain people from the South Sea Ship() without acquainting me. Whatever money I shall spend account of this disaster, I must protest against you, and do. If the man is not deliver'd up, it may cost 10 or 12 thousand tales, besides the loss of our voyage. Therefore you must yourself goe aboard Captain Newsam with the people that knows the man and demand him of Captain Newsam, and then deliver him up to the China people, if he is the man that did the deed ; if not him, whoever it was that did it, and then we shall come into no trouble but