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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY,
[ NOVEMBER, 1921
In 1619 "tapseeles thread " and "tapseele silke " were ordered to be provided at Cambay for Bantam. Foster, Letters Received, 1619, p. 93. In 1621 a difficulty was experienced in procuring "red tapseils," the "culler " not being usual, Foster, Eng. Fuct., 1618-1621, p. 329. "Tapsiles of white and black," some with broad and some with narrow stripes were ordered by the Company in the same year. Ibid., p. 344. In 1635, in a list of piece-goods made at Tatta, we find "taffseeles," but no indication of their nature. Ibid., 1634-1636, p. 133. In 1642 the "tapseels " sent to England were "part woven in Surat and part bought in Sind," and in 1651 all those sent were made in Surat. Ibid., 1642-1645, p. 7;
1650-1654, p. 42. Other articles purchased by Roger Scattergood at the Company's wales were, "Lahore Indico” in lump and dust, for dyeing purposes, and bags of cotton wool. One consignment of the latter article, bought in April 1663,"poiz," i.e., weighed 666 lbs. "Suttle," the "Tare" being 30 lbs. and the "Trett" 25 lbs.35
In 1661 Roger Scattergood became a freeman of the East India Company. At a Court of Committees held on the 26th June, is the entry : 36
“Mr. Roger Scattergood was this day admitted into the freedome of this Com.
pany by redemption for 5 li." In the following October he exercised one of his privileges as a freeman by investing £ 1000 in the Company's stock.3T Two years later he appeared to be in want of ready money. At a Court of Committees held on the 17t| February 1663-4,88
"Mr. Roger Scattergood appearing about his Debt he stands charged with and being required to cleare his Goodes and take them away, he pleaded for remission of the interest due on them, whereupon the Court told him that he paying in the Principall should have his goods delivered him and the interest be charged to his Accompt, and if they find reason for it, they will hereafter take it again into their consideration, upon which he declared he would submit to them, hopeing
they intend him a kindnegre." The amount due for goods purchased by him from the Company must have been over £ 1000, for on the 4th March of the same year,"
“Mr. Roger Scattergood having promised the Committee to pay in 1000 li. in part of what he owes the Company, the Court now directed that he passe his twoe warrants for devidents of 300 li. to that accompt and bring in 700 li. more to make up the Summe and that he shall be allowed as well as charged with
what interest is due to or from him." Presumably the Court's directions were complied with, but Scattergood's credit had Ruffered and he could not get delivery of any goods thereafter unless the money was forthcoming. On the 6th June 1664.40
86 “Suttle," an old variant of "subtle," is an obsolete commercial term formerly used to denote net weight of goods, after "tare," allowance for receptacles, and "tret," allowance for waste, had been deducted.
80 Court Minutes, XXIV. 377 (India Office Records). 37 Ibid., 415. Ibid., p. 738. * Ibid., p. 745.
60 Ibid., p. 787.
