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256
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(SEPTEMBER, 1911.
Emir Jemla, who tooke a very great affection towards him, and was most courteous and free to him. And especially upon a notable cure of his owne lady performed (under God) by the doctor, the Nabob, callinge for him, ordered him att that instant to demand what he wold have given him or had most likeinge to and it should be granted in consideration of his loyal service and care of the best of his familie. The doctor, highly surprised with this great person's generositie, soone considered upon it, yett soe as not to be greedy of any present gaine (onely for himselfe), and now in the best of time requested that the English nation might settle factories in what parts of the kingdomes they pleased, and be free off all duties and customes, which then was four per cent, in and the like out for all the goods dealt io. The which was noe sooner demanded but as readily granted, with phyrmands in the Persian languadge that the English nation should hold that priviledge soe longe as they pleased to live and settle in these dominions, and many other rewards liberally bestowed upon the doctor (one beinge
very rare amonge the Mahometants)." It will be observed that the two narratives differ as to the nature of the privileges obtained by Boughton, Bowrey's account representing that they were general to the English, while the other implies that they were special concessions to Boughton himself, though they were made to cover the transactions of Brookhaven in his first royage. The latter version is the more likely, and it is supported by a document quoted by Yule (loc. cit. p. 184) relative to Brookhaven's second visit. This is a set of instructions to James Bridgeman and other merchants, whom Brcokbaven was sending up from Balasore (December, 1650) to start a factory at Hugli; and in them stress is laid upon the necessity of obtaining a farmán from Shah Shnja for trade in Bengal- clear proof that no general concession had yet been obtained from the Prince--and reference is made to certain promises received from "Mr. Gabriel Boughton, chirurgeon to the Prince," of assistance berein The statement in our narrative that Bridgeman and his colleagues were successful in obtaining the desired grant is borne out by a letter from Madras dated. January 14, 1652 (0. C. 2246), which says that our freinds there [i. e., in Bengal] have bin at the expence of 8,000 rups. at least to procure the Princes firmand for free trade in his dominions; which, if it can bee mainetained in its full vigour will in short time quite [i, e., quit] the charge." Presumably this was the farman that was lost by Waldegrave; whereupon a fresh grant was procured by the interlopers Gawton and Billidge, vis., the well-known nishan of April, 1656.
The loss of the farman is narrated as follows in a letter from Madras to the Company dated November 10 and 22, 1656 (O. C. 2579):
"Mr. George Gawton, who hath also settled a factory in Ballasore, with eight or nine
assistants, and procured a new phirmand for trade, that of Your Worships being lost, togither with all the Bay accompts and papers, by Mr. Waldegrave; who, boing very sicke at the ships departare, could not come by sea but followed after by land, bringing the said phirmand, accompts, etc., with him, without leaving coppies behind in the factorie, recommended to the broker Narrana his charge, as hee ought to have done (having sent none by the ships) in regard of the dangers incident to so long a journey and the troubles on the way, some of our English etc. people having byn robbd and
wounded not many months before betweene Verasheroone and Vizagapatam ; which This is a mistake. Mir Jumla did not come to Bengal until after Boughton's death. The error may have been due to the fact that Mir Jumla, as mentioned later, confirmed Shah Shuja's grant.
