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170
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JULY, 1905.
that Mohun was jealous of Jearsey's influence in Masulipatam and was irritated that he could not humble his pride. Hence he resorted to every petty persecution in his power.
Jearsey declined to leave Masulipatam until he had orders from the Fort for his departure. In Feb. 1671 he received the following protest from Mohun and his subordinates, “Whereas you have taken little or no notice of our Protest sent you bearing date the 22nd of January and Ditto of the 24th following... bat have since caused many and great Agrevations by Contemning the Honble. Companys authority and despising us their Servants, having for three Dayes together beaten our Peons publickly in the Streets, and the last Time being the 9th Present aboute six in the morneing three of your Peons beat one of ours, with many Blowes home to the Factory Doore, with theire Swords drawne and à Gunn presented, all of them in a vanting maner, to the great dishonour of the Honble. Company and future prejudice of theire Traffick and Commerce, and for your Irregaler Applications to the Governour and Cheife officers of this place to have the accounts Depending betwixt us and you relateing to our maisters business examined before them Publickly in the Banksall and for the bribeing of said Governour &ca for the receiving aid from him for your protections ... Wee do therefore for these Considerations ... Protest against you Mr William Jearsey for all these your irreguler unjust Proceedings past ... least you should presume to rob theire Factory as you did our washermen of 300 P8 Longe Cloth on the 4th Instant ... by your forceable taking them from him with a great many Armed Peons whilst wee were some miles from this Place...
Though the factors at Masulipatam seem to have rejoiced in the downfall of their former chief, in Fort St. George sympathy was entirely on Jearsey's side. Writing to the Court in 1670 the Council expressed their regret that Mr Jearsey "who in the time of the Usurpation had soe highly deserved of you" had incurred its displeasure. They admitted that he had merited his dismissal by refusing to produce his accounts, but hoped that he would redeem his Reputation." The attitude of Governor Foxcroft towards Jearsey was evidently influenced by fear of getting into ill odoor with the Court. Foxcroft would fain have shielded Jearsey, and wrote to Mohun reproving him for the seisure of the ox-Chief's sloops and goods. But, at the same time, the Governor would not undertake the responsibility of milder measures, but reminded the Council at Masulipatam that the affair was "wholy comitted " to them on the spot " by Spetiall dyrection." He however managed to shelve the question of sending Jearsey to England till too late in the season, and advised the debtor to remain at Masulipatam in order to keep an eye on his incoming ships. After the hostile demonstration of the peons of both parties at Masulipatam, Foxcroft ordered Mohun to let Jearsey come to the Fort by land or sea with his own guard for security, and his necessarys." Writing to the Court about Jearsey in 1671, the Council at Fort St. George remark "that it had been better for the Company's Interests" had he been allowed to "have taken such Freights for his shipps as had bin in rediness." They add, "We cannot suppose you intend his ruine and utter disgrace in this Country, but only a just way to secure your owne debts and wee have observed that you have bin tender of the reputation of others of your Servants that have Served you in such chiefe imployments and against whom you had demands, by ordering all faire and Civill respects to be shewed unto them." Foxcroft also said that he disapproved of the seizure of Jearsey's "Gance" and would give no order as to the selling of it.
There seems no doubt that Jearsey's conduct was most reprehensible, that he had suppressed all accounts, and had lined his own pockets at the Company's expense. But though he had made enemies by bis high-handed actions and his passionate temper, his friends were many and staunch, and these stood by him in his downfall. Possibly they also had some interest in his private ventures. In spite of all Mohun conld do, Jearsey left Masulipatam with as much state as if he had still been a person of consideration in the Company's service - "Mr Jearsey ... began his Journey towards you on Satterday last the 25th [March) and according to your orders, marched off without any disquiet from us, with his Collours flying, Drum, Trumpetts, Pipes and hornes sounding, with
