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288
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[DECEMBER, 1905.
versions of this “Phirwanna," one entered at the end of the Diary of Streynsham Master and referred to by Yule,16 and another as given here. In both cases the gist is the same, although the actual wording differs.
"Translation of Nabob Shaster Caoun the Prefect of Bengall his Phirwanna or writing for a free Trade granted to the Honble. East India
Company in Decca June 1872. Bee it knowne (in the third day of the Moone and Month Raboull Onul 16 And in the 15th yeare of the raigne of Aurung Shaw) to all Ministers of State, farmers of the Customes &ca. Comanders and Officers that now are or Hereafter Shall be in place under the Kings Goverment from Decca to Rojamall and Albaer, the Government of the Kingdome of Bengall and Orixa, that I have Lately received a Complaynt from Mr. Walter Clavell Englishman, that whereas the English Companys trade and Negotiations have all along by a Gratious Edict graunted them by Shaw Jeban : Backned by another in their favor by Sultan Sujah and Continued by Nabob Caoun Cannah17 and my Selfe, bin Custome free and without any Molestation, Now the Said Companyes business every where meetes with a Stopp the which on examination finding to be true and that it proceeded out of Mistake, being involved in the Imbarque Laid or the Dutch Companys Comerce in respect of a great enormitie their Cheife Lately Comitted at Hugely of which noe fault Can be Layd to the English Companys Charge. I therefore give strict order to all sorts of Governours and officers in the two kingdomes above mentioned that according to the aforesaid Edicts, they Carry themselves in their respective places of Comand and that whatever Goods the English Company shall send from Ballasore or an other place whether by water or by Land np into the Coantrey or bring downe Goods from any place within the Countrey whether they bring it by Land or by water to Ballasore or any other place Let them not be hindred or Molested by any manner of Embarque or exaction, but let them freely goe, And where ever their Factoryes are Setled in all equall thinges be he'pefull to them and in case it shall appear that any one with whome they deale shall be indebted to any of their Factors imployed in any place under this "abovesaid Government, you force them to pay what found really due without giving protection to any debtor whatsoever, or trouble to any such Factor And whatsoever boates whether of their owne or hired, they Send with their Goods to any place, Let noe one Stopp or Molest, Now whereas the Dutch Companyes business in respect of enormityes by them Comitted, by my strict Order hath bin and Still is Stopped and that all officers and Governors Not discerning the ones business from the other, have Stopped both, I doe now give Order in that the English have not Comitted any Such fault that their trade should not be molested that or [? 28] heretofore the English Companyes business hath bene Carryed on without stopp or Embarque that it now be Soe continued. Which I hereby Signifie to all and every of you in your severall places of trust and Government severely Comanding that I heare noe more Complaynts from the English Concerning this matter."
"Translation of ditto Nabobs Letter to Mr. Clavell Sent him with a Vest. To Mr. Waiter Clavell be it knowne that of My Gracious pleasure I have heard this Complaynt, intimating the generall Stop of the Companyes business under my government which was occasioned by the Stopp I Comanded to be Layde on the Dutch Comerce, my Said Order being in many places alsoe executed on the English Company, in whicb respect And to take away all pretences issued ont a new edict that no one presume to barm the English Companyes Negotiations And as further demonstration of my great favour to you I have sent you a Vest, bidding you be of good Cheere willing you to Manadge the Companyes business with all content and Alacrity."
In a Generall" from Balasor to the Court of Directors, dated January 1673, Walter Clavell is said to have obtained this new "Phirwanna" by "presenting the Nabob with Looking Glasses and Cloth and the like to the Diwan and other officers." However, the finely worded document seems to have done bat little towards ameliorating the position of the English. Indeed, as early as
16 Diary of William Hedges, Vol. III. p. 190 and 1. n. 16 Rabi'al-awal. " 11 Khän Khánān.
