________________
AUGUST, 1908.]
SOME ANGLO-INDIAN WORTHIES.
then, wee shall know what is done." 30 In the same letter, we have the first reference to Salisbury's investment of saltpetre at Peddapalle, and also the first hint of censure on his conduct :-"Mr. Ambrose Salisburie from Pettepolee hath invoyced unto us on the George and Martha 703 Baggs of Saltpetre at severall prizes from 4 to 5 pagothaes Old per Candie,31 besides Charges but hath not made any distinction thereof unto us. The petre which goeth from hence is marked M, That from Pettipolee hath neither marke nor Number. This wee thought fitt to hint to your Worships least you should Impute the omission unto us."32
The Company were of the same opinion as their Agent at Fort St. George about the undesirability of continuing a Factory at Peddapalle. In the "Generall to Fort St. George" of the 16th December, 1663, the Court of Committees wrote, "Wee absolutely prohibite the making of any debts at Pettipoly, Mesulapatam or Verashroone, where wee have already smarted for the same... And as wee desire the Reduceing of our Factories in the Bay, soe wee doe alsoe on the Coast, And therefore referr unto your Consideration the quitting the Factory in Pettipolee, which wee conceive is not necessary to bee continued, The Callicoes which wee receive from thence beeing inconsiderable and may bee made in the same sorts and goodness with you at the Fort or Mesulapatam." 33
217
The year 1664 was a disastrous one for Salisbury. Hitherto he had enjoyed the favour and protection of William Jearsey, who had succeeded Mr. Johnson as Chief at Masulipatam. Jearsey, however, was in violent opposition to Sir Edward Winter, then Agent at Fort St. George, and Sir Edward's severity towards Salisbury appears to have been aimed at the underling's supporter. In the Fort St. George "Generall" to Masulipatam, dated 18th March, 1664, Mr. Jearsey was informed," If you want money for the provision of Saltpeter, their will bee a necessity for you to take up some, for wee cannot Supply you with any from hence. Wee are Sending of Mr Robert Fleetwood to reside at Pettepolee, whome wee shall appoynt for that Employment and gett in the old debts, to whome wee would have you deliver 1000 or 1500 pagos, and to Consult togeather aboute the old debitors. If you deliver them any money, that they bring in one fourth part [more] than they shall receive now in money uppon Accompt of their debts, that soe in time they may be able to Cleare them."3 On the 25th March, Ambrose Salisbury was summarily dismissed from his post.
"Orders Sent to Mr. Ambrose Salisbury.
Mr Ambrose Salisbury, Uppon Sight of this our order you are to Deliver unto Mr Robert Fleetwood an Accompt of all things apperteyneing to our honourable Masters At Pettepolee and places adjacent, whoe wee have Enordred to reside In that place to looke after our Said Employers affaires in those Parts, And this our order and his Receipt Shall bee your Discharge from Your loveing freinds, EDWARD WINTER; WILLIAM GYFFORD; EDWARD READE; WILLIAM DAWES.
Dated in Fort St. George the 25th March 1664." 35
Mr. William Dawes was sent to Peddapalle to carry the Agent's orders into effect.
"Instructions Given to Mr. William Dawes.
Loving Friends Mr. Williams Dawes, By occasion of Severall Complaints of the Saltpeter makers At Pettepolee against Ambrose Salusbury, which that wee may more fully understand, have thought requisite to send you thither, in Regard of your language, to Examine and make report unto us, and have likewise Mr. Robert Fleetwood to take Charge of the Companys affayres there, and for the mannaging of this affayre referr you unto the followeing lines for Instructions.
30 O. C. No. 2983.
51 The candy at Masulipatam was reckoned at 625 lbs. at this period, Bowrey, op. cit., p. 217, n. 5.
33 O. U. No. 2983.
33 Letter Book, Vol. 3, pp. 343 and 844.
85 Factory Records, Fort St. George, Vol. 15.
Factory Records, Fort St. George, Vol. 15.
