Indian Antiquary Vol 44

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

Page 16

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(JANUARY, 1916.
SOME ANGLO-INDIAN WORTHIES OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
BY LAVINIA MARY ANSTEY.
(Continued from Vol. XLIII. page 255.) In January, 1674, Smith wrote from "Hugly Garden" to Edwards, a9 "I lope ere long in Cassambazar to enquire of you." He was then occupied with his own business, though there was "little trade stirring." He had bought “Ophium" of Edmund Bugden and desired a "good Rapier and Belt wrought” to be made for him. He was then meditating a return to Europe for he remarked, "feare I shall have 8000 rupees ly dead till his (Richard Mohun's or both our arrivalls in England." This hardly tallies with the story of his ruin in his letter of October 1673 to the Company.
A month later, on the 13th February 1674, Smith again wrote to Edwardsło regretting that he could neither go to Kasimbâzâr, as he had intended, nor would Edwards' affairs allow of his coming to Hûglî, where Smith was apparently acting under Clavell, for he adde, "believe Mr. Clavell and I shall be gone to Ballasore before your returne from the Spaw, 11 but hope our stay will not be long." He urged his friend to "remember by next to send Shakespeare." On the 2nd February he wrote again+announcing his immediate departure to Balasor.
Meanwhile Clavell had been desired by the Agent at Fort St. George to furnish information regarding Smith's complaints He replied, in May 1674,48 "For your satisfaction to the complaint of Mr. John Smith, wee referr you to the coppy of the Consultation here and to the instructions given Mr. Elwes and Hervy conoerning him, and have only to add that though there was ten dayes limited for his leaving Decoa, hee was not pressed but oame away at his own leisure, nor did wee give any order for the Seizing of his goods, nor ever heard that any of his goods were seized."
There are three letters to Edwards from Smith during his stay at Balasor in May and June 1674. On the 13th May he wrote in cipher that he had "ended" his Dacoa accounts and was proceeding farther ; of its successe shall advise when know my selfe." This remark is cryptio, but may refer to his hopes of reinstatement. On the 21st June, to urged Edwards, if he had "resigned up the warehouse," to "come downe, which you may by writing the least word to W[alter] Clavell]." Two days later, he desired his friend to send him two pieces of “Taffaties."48
On the 18th August, 1674, Sunith returned to Hûgls. On the 19th he wrote to Edwards +7 begging him to meet him there, and urging him to "make more baste, being I cannot assure you of my Long stay, ooming on my owne business, and as soon as that done must boe gone." Shortly after, he was attacked by fever and incapacitated for a fortnight.48 His stay at Hûgli seemed to occasion surprise among the Company's servants and was
99 0. O. No. 3927.
400. O. No. 5337. 41 The spa to which Edwards had retired, with Messrs. Vinoont and Naylor, W "Bucklesore," no doubt identical with Bakreswar, a group of hot sulphur springs in Birbhum District, some 80 miles from Kasim
Aur. In letter of the 12th March 1674 (0. O. No. 3948) Edward Knipc condoled with Edwards for being compelled to drink "stinking water" instead of "punch." The allusion to the apa ia teresting M no other contemporary reference has been found to this "Bath" of Bengal. 40. O. No 3942.
15 Factory Records, Hugli, Vol. 4. 0. O. No. 3984.
40. O. No. 3976. * 0. 0. No. 8974.
€ 0. O. No. 3986. 40. O. No. 3996.