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OCTOBER, 1908.]
SOME ANGLO-INDIAN WORTHIES.
289
weighed. Pray advise the most profitable time in the yeare for makeing investments in Packing trade, and what you have now by you of that Commodity to Compleate the former Account Send hither as Soone as you Can. Further we have not to add then that we are, Sir, Your Very Loving Friends, RICHARD MOHUN &ca.
We shall expect your advises and accordingly returne you Answer, 52
Metchlepatam, June 21, 1672."
Unfortunately, Salisbury's reply to this letter is much damaged, but his mention of Jearsey and his unwillingness to again undertake the saltpetre investment are evidently connected with his recollection of the disastrous consequences that resulted from his dealings in that commodity prior to 1670.53
Mr Richard Mohun and Councell, I had
Business but Mr Jearseys . . . . . Investments. God Almighty in his Justice reward him in his due time and way for what I have Sustained by his means. I returned two or three times very ill, in danger of my life, from the Peter Coantrey and the Company have given me the reward you see, therefore resolve to medle noe more with Peter. The Company want not Servants for their other buisiness, therefore may spare one or two for this if their occasions require it. I sent you a Boate of packing stuff and shall hasten the remainder to Ballance the account. The dry time is the fittest time for provision of that Comodity, it being usually made not in the house, but for price I suppose noe difference in the time, for it will bee difficult to alter the price. They are a very poore People and therefore danger in dealeing with them. I remaine, Your assured friend, AMBROSE SALUSBURY,56
Metchlepatam, 24th June 1672."
Mr Ambrose Salusbury, Sir, Yesterday came to hand yours of the 24 instant in Answer unto ours concerning the provision of Peeter, wherein we finde you all togather unwilling to that undertakeing so shall [not] further impose it upon you then to desire you will direct us in that affayre how we shall proceede for the Speediest obtaineing that quantitye mentioned by the Agent and Conncill for the Honble. Companys occasions, which we Communicated in our last unto you, wherein we doubt not your redy Complyance. Your boate of Packing trade not yet arrived, the remainder to Ballance that Account you promise will haysten, which we shall accordingly expect and subscribe, Sir, Your loveing Friends, RICHARD MOHUN &ca.
Metchlepatam, June 27th 1672."
However, unwilling as Salisbury was to "meddle" again with "peter" he was afraid to risk the Company's displeasure by an absolute refusal. Therefore, when he received the news of his re-instatement, he wrote in a different strain. At the same time he showed his resentment for the injustice he considered he had suffered. Throughout the whole of his career in India, Salisbury behaved like a petulant child, indulging in occasional outbursts of indignation, with as sudden transition to almost cringing humility.
"Mr Richard Mohun &ca. Councell, Although the many years loss of time in expectation of he Companys Imployment answerable to the knowledge of the Commerce of the Countrey, and the losses have Sustained by leaveing my residence to serve them may Sufficiently discourage mee from takeing the trouble of the Peter buisiness, however, Since the Company are now pleased to esteeme mee worthy their Service (although know not what it is) am willing to accomodate their occasions and comply with your desires, which they have not deserved from mee, haveing preferred all strangers, and not taken the least observance of mee, saveing to displace mee upon the Clandestine reports of them ill minded persons, whome God will, in his dae tyme, reward. I desire you not to lett your
53 Factory Records, Masulipatam, Vol. 5. 63 See ante, 5th July, 1670. 54 Some lines are torn away here, 55 Factory Recorde, Masulipatam, Vol. 9. bs Factory Records, Masulipatam, Vol. 5.
