Indian Antiquary Vol 43

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 81

May, 1914.)
FIRST COMMERCIAL MISSION TO PATNA
Two dayes since came hether one of Mr. Parkers servants, whoe brought mee a letter from him dated in Aughmull surraye[Amwakantha) 20 2 dayes Journye shorte of Bannarse [Benares). Hee writt mee littell save his troubles on the waye, and the damadge the goods have susteynde by the raynes etts., which in 2 or 3 dayes more I shall expecte him with his letter. Hee sent mee the first bills (which nowe aro of no Importe) as also the Invoyce of what goods you have sent by him, for which when received (and what moneyes elce received from you) I shall give your Account Credditt.
I take notice of the clause in the Surratt letter, and doe endeavor my utmost for provision of Ambertrees and what elce maye give content, and doubt not but to have what monyes you have remitted mee wholye invested by the fyne [end] of this presant mounthe, neither shall I omitt the first opertunitye for theire dispatche hence to bee with you with what expedition possible. I have detayned your bearer the longer in hope Mr. Parker would have arived, that therby I mought have had wherwith to have bine larger, but therof now uncirtayne, I thought best to dispeed him, for that you earnestlie requier advice of the Exchange receypte and acceptance which is as prescribed, wherunto I have not aughto elce materiall to add save my hartye commend &c.21
VI. Robert Hughes and John Parker to The Agra Factory. Patna, the 6th October 1620.22 Very good Frends Mr. Fetiplace etts. Our last unto you was of the 14th September by retorne of your expresse which brought your last bills of exchange. Therin wee advized you of theire acceptance and now intreate you take notice that wee have founde satisfaction bothe for those and all your formers, save only a rest of Champseyes Chandsahai Shah] which as yet is scarce dewe, 2 I may bee about 600 rups. In a postscripte of our last 23 wee also advized you of the then presant arivall here of John Parker with the goods mentioned in your Invoyce sent therwith, which havinge examined, wee finde to fall out Just in quantitye, thoughe in quality they were som what damnified on the waye by reason of th'extremitye of fowle wether theye met in theire passadge. Yet the most parte therof, to saye the broadcloth, kersyes, hydes, swords, and small wares wee have delivered into the Nabobs Circare [sarkâr, court, establishment]and theye have past his view, but as yet wee have not founde leasure to come to a price for them. Our quicksilver wee have sould (but not delivered) for 41 rups. per seare of 374 pice weight but have not bine offered for our Amber beads above 10 rups. the seare of 14 pice the seare, wherefore detayne it in hope of a better market.
Wee have finished our provisiones for this yeare, which consist of 1975 peeces Ambertyes, 60 pcs. sahannes and hammomes, 12 courge of Tussres 22 quilts of Sutgonge [16 Courge 14 pos. Bicuntpore Layches (Baikunthpur alâchah, silk cloth ) 24 ] 2704 seres Bengall silke (600 rupes in Malda wares for Persia], besides diverse other goods for samples, of all which wee have sent you an ampell Invoyoe hereinclosed, wherunto for theire pertickuler cost refer you. The totall wherof Amounts to 7500 rups., and our remaynes in Casho, silke wrought, ette. may hee about 1200 rups. The rest of your monye remitted is disbursed in Charges etts.
20 The "Ahumohol ca Sarah of Mundy (Travela, ed. Temple II, 115) and the "Aoomal-serai" of Rennell (Bengal Atlas)now represented by Amwakantha (Indian Atlas). 21 Factory Records, Patna, I, 9.
22 A letter of the same purport was also written to Surat on this date. It contains come slight additions. These have been added to the Agra letter and placed between square brackets. 23 Not extant.
21 Added from the letter to Surat which is omitted.