Indian Antiquary Vol 45

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

Page 75

APRIL, 1916) SOME ANGLO-INDIAN WORTHIES OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY #7
being out of our power, we could not deny him the latter, and the Secretary in order to give Captain Robert Strangrome, Commander of the Loyall Adventure, an order to receive him as a Passenger for England, on the Right Honble. Companies account with his necessaries."
Harding, however, did not avail himself of the permission to procedd to England but remained in Madras to give more trouble, and he was therefore still in India when further instructions regarding him from the Court of Committees reached Madras. The "complaint" against him at Kasim bazar in the previous. August seems to have been caused by a "paper" which he issued, attacking Job Charnock and otbers in authority in Bengal. On receipt of the various Diaries and Proceedings for the year 1686, the Court wrote to Fort St. George 250 "Mr Hardings vile Paper delivered you, containing sich base Reflections on our most worthy Generall, was so unfitt for you to receive, that it was 1 sufficient matter of it self for you to ground an accusation of him as guilty of a high misdemeanor, for which he ought to have been roundly fined to the Company, and cletained in prison untill he had paid it; and till you can come to this method of proceedings against insolent men, We never expect any good government among you. Our hopes are Sir John Biggs will bring your Law Courts, and especially our Court of Admiralty, into such a good order1 that there shall be more decorum and duty paid to Superiours by Inferiors, or immediate punishment inflicted by fine or otherwise, upon the Place, as there is at Batavia, and that you will trouble us no more with such kind of Delinquents, otherwise then with the Relation of the punishment you have inflicted and the cause that moved you thereto."
Before the ship bearing this letter was out of home waters, Harding had reiterated his accusations against Charnock and had been called to account at & Consultation, on the oth October 1687.52
"Mr James Harding having given in a paper to the President and Councill, being called to examination thereupon, he was commanded what he had to offer in the Right Hon ble. Companies behalf, and who those persons were he reflects upon in his said papel that had disserved the Right Honble. Company, which he desired he might have time to declare in writing, which was granted him, and promised to be brought in next Consultation day. He was also desired to acquaint the Councill if he had anything to offer to the disadvantage of the Right Honble. Companies affairs, or could discover any wrong
one them, and we would enquire into itt and doe them right therein, tho' Mr Harding scems unworthyly to question itt, and causelessly to reflect upon us; but detraction and turbulency are his Province, agreeing with no man, nor ever contented in any station or condition, and wee doubt never will, having had the offer of severall good employments from us, with much friendly good advices, which was chiefly from the consideration of his long service and poverty. But nothing will take impression upon him but his wilful humor."
Copy of Mr Hardings paper. To the Honble. Elihu Yale, President and Governour of the Coast of Choroman,lell, Bay of Bengall and Sumatra, &ca Councill.
The 29th Ultimo, in a Petition, I desired to be secured from the detriment and Forgeries hatched against me by certain malitious persons in Bengall, who are notoriously guilty of high misdemeanors, especially the Right Worshipfull Job Charnock, Agent. Iff I cannot be heard in the Right Honble. Companies behalf, nor in my own, it is for no
0 Letter dated 28th September 1687, Letter Book, Vol. VIII, p. 414.
51 The Companies Commission to Sir John Biggs to be Judge of the Courts of Juclicature at Fort St. George " was dated 22nd October 1686. Letter Book, Vol. VIII, pp. 231-232.
52 Mackenzie MSS., Vol. LIV, pp. 238-239 (copies of the Diary and Consultation Books of Fort St. George, wanting among the India Omo Records).