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 438

268
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ NOVEMBER, 1933
To 7000 cash distributed amongst the Manderins
servants .. .. .. .. .. .. 7. - -.To incence burnt &c. when he went to the roome to
view the body .. .. .. .. .. - 7. 5. 6 To silk, white cloath, scarlet cloath, hung on his chair
he sett in and round the place where he try'd the gunners mate
.. 7. 5. 7. 9 To the mother and freinds of the boy that satt with him before buriall .. .. .. .. .. 7. 5. 6. -
-
28.
8.
9.
5
1840. 4.
3.
2
The close of the story is told in the Canton Diary. On 15 November we find the remark:
"The China boy kill'd by [the] gunners mata of [the] King George hath not only given Messrs. Scattergood and Hill great trouble and has cost them already near 2000 tales, whereof the parents had 360, and though the gunners mate is cleared in form, yet they now meet with great difficulty, for this Tituck (Tsongtuck, Viceroy), upon some pretence that the Toygen and Ninncham have concerted this business in prejudice to the honnour of the Emperour, threatens advising him thereof, so that the Hoppo will not deliver them their Grand Chop (chhap, license), notwithstanding they have 80 paid all the duties, and what will be the consequence, time only can discover " (Factory Records, China, vol. 23).
Two days later Scattergood was apparently free to send the Bonita on her way for, on 17 November, there is the entry :
"Mr. Scattergood having received from the Hoppo the Grand Chop, this day dispatches the Boneta for Madrass." (Ibid.).
But again his hopes were disappointed, for on 23 November the Bonita's pinnace returned from Boca Tigris to Canton. She advised that
"the Tutuck had given orders for the stopping hor at that placo, under pretent that he hath not been appriz'd which he claims (though unpresidented) as necessary before any ship can go down the river. She would undoubtedly have passed perforce, having the usual dispatch of a Grand Chop, but Mr. Scattergood being here bound home on the Lyell, Captain Harry was apprehensive he might thereupon be brought into great difficulties" (Ibid.).
“Thereupon," writes Dr. Morse (op. cit., p. 175), "Mr. Naish intervened and, using his interest with the principal merchants, obtained from the Viceroy an order that both ships [the Bonita and King George) should obtain their clearance without further delay. Accordingly, we find the following entries in the Canton Diary for 24 and 29 November 1722 :
"Wo have used our interest with the considerable merchants to get the Chuntuck to order the Bonetas proceeding, which this day perfected, and also to gain the King George's dispatch, which will be given by the Grand Chop tomorrow."
"The King George is at last dispatched and the Boneta is clear of the river."
Thus ended an incident which must have caused an immense amount of anxiety and doubtless increased the indisposition from which Scattergood was then suffering.
As already noted in the Canton Diary, he did not return to Madras in the Bonita, but had arranged to sail for England direct from China, and on 8 December 1722 he paid to Captain Charles Small of the Lyell, of which he was part owner, 400 tales for the home. ward passage.
Of Seattergood's business dealings in Canton in 1722 we have no information, nor has any of his correspondence from Europe been preserved. There are three letters from Captain Marmaduke Crompton at Calcutta addressed to Messrs. Torriano and Morse at Madras, relating to investments carried out on Scattergood's behalf, and from the attorneys themselves there is an account of the interest received by them from various individuals between June and December 1722. An "Account Current" was also furnished by the attorneys, showing a balance due to their client of pags. 6939. 8. 63.