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270
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[DECEMBER, 1914.
Dacca, as well in giving us advices, as in dispatching away the Company's goods provided by him and giving us his acompts, wee recalled him from thence and ordered Mr. Elwes' to leave Pattana and proceed to Dacca there to receive the Companys remaines and dispose of their goods ... and have confidence that from him and Mr. Hervy wee shall bave a more strict correspondence and complyance with our orders then hitherto wee have had from those who reside there."28
Elwes duly notified his arrival at Dacca and the delivery of the Council's order to "John Smith for his surrender of the Companys remaines and repaire" to Balasor within ten days, and Smith's representation thereon.29 In reply, Clavell remarked that the allotted days were ample for preparation, since Smith was apprised of his recall in January and therefore had had plenty of time to arrange his business. His presence was required at Balasor to perfect his accompts, which for want of a good correspondence with him lye in no good plight, and its high time they were better methodized." Clavell also imputed to Smith's mismangement the fact that so large a peshkash, or forced offering, had been demanded of the English by the Nawab—"The Company have so much the more to thanke Mr. Smith for that by his negligence and had correspondence hath drawne upon them such a charge."
Smith, however, ignored the summons to return to Balasor. On the 3d April 1673, Clavell again wrote to Elwes that they know not what there might bee remaining of Mr. Smith's Cat Dacca), having scarce received any advice from him what hee had done;"30 and with regard to alleged outstanding debts to Tilok Chand and others, he added, "The business of the brokers wee can say nothing to till wee heare further from you, but admire that there should bee such large remaines as you intimate, which concerne Mr. Smith to looke unto, hee having had now almost a yeares warning to get them in, but of this wee shall not write much, expecting Mr. Smith suddainely here, and then wee shall understand the state of his accompts, for wee expect he make no delay or frivolous pretences for bis stay." In spite of these peremptory orders Smith did not hurry away from Dacca. In a letter from Samuel Hervy, of the 29th April 1673, to that popular correspondent, Richard Edwards, there is the remark, “Mr. Smith departs hence within three or four dayes and takes Cassim bazar in his way."31 However, a month later, on the 29th May, Smith was still at Dacca, and Hervy stated that he "departs hence I think tomorrow," leaving "musters of his silke" in Hervy's charge. 32 In the end, it was the 9th June 1673, before Smith started for Käsimbazâr en route for Balasor,33
During his leisurely journey, he wrote to Edwards from "Hudgora Hattee [Hajrahati], Friday June 20 [1673] if mistake not-Esteemed friend I am now arrived at Hudgora Hattee and expect this day to reach Merdadpore [Mîrdâûdpur) to which place would intreate the favour from you to provide and send me a Pallakee (palanquin) and a set of Cahars [kahár, porter) that I may, haveing this oppertunity (which is my great desire) see you [in] health and prosperrity; therefore hope you will not fayle mee in sending Cahars and Pallakee, which I desire might bee on my accompt. I shall stay at Merdadpore about 24 hours and
» At the time of his dismissal, Smith wes in receipt of a salary of £25 per annum and ranked as «9th in the Bay." Factory Records, Hugli, vol. 4.
» Factory Records, Hugli, vol. 4. 31 0. C. No. 3783.
32 0. C. No. 3791.
» 0. C. No. 3798.
