Indian Antiquary Vol 47

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

Page 71

MARCH, 1918)
AUSTRIA'S COMMERCIAL VESTURE IN INDIA
67
Fort William, conformably to the orders of the Directors of the India Company against the said Ship and her Commander, it cannot admit the smallest doubt of the fact.
This proceeding towards subjects of a Power in amity with Great Britain must by its nature strike the equitable and enlightened Minister of His Britannick Majesty too forcibly to render it necessary that any ulterior reflections should be added. It has not, however, been the first, it being known in 1776 that the Directors of the Britsh India Company, on the 24th December in that year wrote to the Governors of their Settlements in India, giving orders that they should jointly and severally employ the most efficient means to thwart and undermine the undertaking of the Ship Joseph and Theresa, adding that if they could effect the failure of this first expedition, it would not be followed by a second.
The undersigned attending the honor of Lord Hillsborough's answer in order to enable him to give an account thereof th his Court, has the honor to renew the assurances of his respect.
Loris COMTE DE BELGIOIOSO Portman Square, the 21st November 1781.
B. 1. Testimony of divers Persons to the Violence offered by a British East India Ship
to the Imperial Snow Tienne at Madras the 29th January 1781.10 We the here underwritten Pilot, Succanys (su kkání, quartermaster of a ship) and Soldiers of the Imperial Snow Vienna, make according to truth the following Declaration--
The 27th of January of this year 1781, in the Afternoon, we all being on board of the said Imperial Snow Vienna, the wind blowing hard, our Anchor Cable broke and we began to drive : there being no Anchor nor Cable more on board, the Pilot hoisted and tied the Colours and fired a Gun for sign of Distress, and made sail in order to preserve the Snow from running on shore. Immediately the Indiamen fired several Guns sharp loaded at her, and sent some boats with Officers and sailors on board, who, without paying any Attention to the Remonstrances of the Pilot and other People, fell upon them with Swords and Pistols, treated them very ill and chiefly beat the Soldier very sorely. They broke up violently several Chests, and behaved entirely as in an Enemy's Vessel. The Time the Boats were on board the Snow, the Indiamen fastened her with a Rope, but as soon as the Boats had left her, they cut off the Rope, and let them drive on Shore, where she was entirely broken and lost. The truth of which declaration we testify herewith with our handwriting. Madras, the 28th January 1781.
(Signed) Michel Seewald, Soldier Piloto, Joan Garcia Succano, Manoel Mendeff
Succano, João de Cruz Immediately after the loss of the Spow Vienna, I went to the Notary Public, Mr Stephen Popham, the 27th January 1781, about 8 o'clock at night, but he then not being home, I waited upon him the 28th, as the next following day, early in the morning, in order to make a Protest against the Violence committed against the Imperial Snow Vienna, but Mr Popham
Sec ante, p. 30, for a copy of this document, 10 Miscellaneous Letters Received, vol. 69, No. 208.