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 431

SEPTEMBER, 1933] THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
and Scattergood bade farewell to Madras and his associates of the past twenty-four years. Nothing more is heard of the Bonita until after her arrival at Canton, but that she followed the same route as before, or was intended to do so, is shown by letters from Captain Isaac Willison and Nathaniel Turner to Scattergood, dated at Madras on 29 June, desiring him to receive money on their behalf at Malacca. There is further a letter from the Rev. Thomas Wendey, executor to the late Governor Francis Hastings, endorsed "Mr. Wendeys orders, Malaca," desiring Scattergood to collect the effects of the deceased in that place.
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Of correspondence from England which reached Madras after Scattergood's departure, only two papers are extant, the one an account of the sale and "nett proceed" of the gamboge shipped on the ship Brussels at Ostend and sold by Captain Peter Jackson on 1 January 1721/2, and the other a letter from his attorneys in London giving an account of his affairs in their hands.
[155]
London Janry. 13th 1721 [1722].
To Mr. John Scattergood, Dear Jack,
We hope you received our last to you dated 1st February ultimo (') with your account current till that time inclosed. And now this with the inclosed account (2) will show you what further we have bin able to act in your affairs since that time; and tho' all matters we had to negotiate for you are not in such forwardness and brought to such a conclusion as we could wish, yet the inclosed account will give you a pretty good insight of every thing, and hope you'l be satisfyed no care or pains has bin wanting in us to the utmost of our power for your intrest. But as we did in our former letter, so we must again here very much complain of Peter Jackson and Pennicott and Cock's management. The first, Peter Jackson, has sent us all his accounts, but they are so disorderly that we cannot pass them, for he charges you 7 per cent commission upon the sale of the gambodium (3) besides the 40 li, sterling per ton freight, and he charges 12 per cent commission on the sale of the silks. Now, according to his obligation to you, which you sent us, he only was to charge 5 per cent commission on the first and 10 per cent on the silks, which we have fully represented to him, but can get no satisfaction, for he insists upon his charge, and says you agreed with him so before he came from Canton, and if you don't allow it so when you come home, he'l then refund it, but not. otherwise.
And as for Pennicott and Cock, we have not yet bin able to settle any manner of account with them, and you'l see by your account current that near amount of what they sold prove bad debts, tho we hope in time most, if not all, that money may be recoverable, towards which we shall use our best care, and hope you'l now be satisfy'd you've paid dear enough for your experience in dealing with Ostenders; at least, pray never concern us more with any of 'em,
The many things you've sent home by severall hands are taken as much care off as possible, according to your directions, but if you knew the risque, as well as the trouble and charge there is in getting anything such ways, surely you never would send any thing to any body, being much cheaper buying things here.
Your oyl cinnamon by the Essex is come to hand, but it is adulterated sad stuff, and belive 'twill never sell for anything, nor is that with Mr. Hambly yet disposed off.
You'l please to excuse our not enlarging more at this time, because the ships are all dispatched, lying ready in the Downs to put to sea the first spurt of a wind. (*) So, dear