Indian Antiquary Vol 47

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

Page 66

62
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[MARCH, 1918
Madras, to order an Anchor and Cable on board, who in consequence thereof applied to the Master Attendant for that purpose; soon after which your Memorialist came on shore to deliver his letter and spoke to Mr Agavally Satur about the want which they were in for The Anchor and Cable.
Your Memorialist Sheweth that the Anchor and Cable was not sent, and the old Cable having broke about three o'clock in the afternoon of the 27th Inst., the Snow began to drive, and the Officer on board hoisted a Signal of Distress and fired again. Notwithstanding which, no assistance came, and the Officer was then obliged to hoist his Sails in order to prevent the Snow from driving on Shore. That the Indiamen thereupon fired seven or more sharp loaded Guns at the Snow, some of which shattered her Sails and Rigging and then sent three boats on board with men armed with Cutlasses, who came alongside, and altho' no resistance was made to their boarding the said Snow, they fell on the Snow's Crew with ther Cutlasses, treated them very ill, broke up many Chests and plundered the Vessell, as if it had belonged to an Enemy. That afterwards they made the Snow fast to one of the Indiamen, but as the Boats had returned, the Rope was cut and the Snow drove on Shore, where she is now lost.
Your Memorialist further Sheweth that Captain Bowles hath lost all his things, and what Money ho had on board ; That the Mate suffered a Considerable Loss; The Imperial Soldier Suwald lost all he had, was very much beaten and ill used, and with difficulty saved his Life. The Lascars have lost every thing. That your Memorialists effects were plundered to the amount of eighty Pagodas, besides the loss of 90 Pieces of Blue Cloth to the value of 400 rupees.
Your Memorialist sheweth that throughout the whole of this misfortune from his first arrival in the Place to the hour the Snow was driven on Shore, every Act of Respect and Attention was shown to the Honble. Company by your Memorialist, by the Captain and by every person on board the said Snow, and that, by hoisting their Colours and afterwards hoisting signals of distress and firing Guns, it was evident that nothing was intended by those on board the said Snow but to save their own Lives. That their Imperial Majesties are at peace with his Britannic Majesty and with the Honble. East India Company, and as an instance of the attention of the Sabjects of their Imperial Majesties to those of the British Nation, your Memorialist sheweth that Captain Williams who was taken by a French Cruizer and landed at the Nicobars was entertained for three months at the expence of the said Mr Staht, the Imperial Resident, and was granted a free passage on the said Snow Vienna to Madras.
Your Memorialist therefore as the immediate Subject, and as being in the employ of their Imperial Majesties submits to the consideration of the Honble. the Select Committee that the violence which has been thus offerad to the Colours of their Imperial Majesties and their Subjects, and the loss of property which has followed therefrom, being entirely unmerited, ought to be redressed, and your Memorialist hopes that your Honors will be pleased to grant such redress as the Case appears to deserve.
JAMES HEGNER Madras, 3181 January 1781.
Agreed that the above Memorial be referr'd to the Company's Standing Counsel and his opinion requested thereon.