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NOPEMBER, 1921)
THE SCATTERCOODS AND THE EAST INDIA ('OMI'ANY
13
"It was ordered that 300 peeces of broad Tapseiles bought by Mr. Chevall for himself and Mr. Scattergood, on which there is 30 li. and upwards due for interest shall be delivered when the Principall mony is paid and the interest to be
charged on Mr. Scattergood's Adventure [shares in the Compuny's stock." It was probably in order to secure possession of these goods that, a month later, Scatter. good sold a part of his stock. Among the "Transports" (transfers) "read and approved on the 8th July 1667,41 is one of £600, "wherof 300 li," was "paid in by Giles Thornburgh to Roger Scattergood." Taking the broad Tapseiles " at 19s, each, the current value of those goods at that period, the amount due on the 300 pieces would be £285, plus more than £30 interest, so that his debt was well over the £300 that Thornburgh paid for the stock.
By the end of the year the unhappy Roger's credit had sunk still lower. In a list of Debts oweing to the East India Company on Goodes sold yett remayning in the Suratt Warehouses," his name appears as a debtor for "Callicoes out of time," or beyond the six months allowed for payment, £3345. 3. O, and for "Callicoes in time," £2374. 6. 8, a total amount of £5719. 9. 8. Taking into account the value of money in those days, the sum was a heavy one, and as other similar large amounts were due from various purchasers, it is not surprising that the Court passed a resolution on the 10th February 1664-5," to sue certain of their debtors. It was no doubt in order to avoid such action against himself that the unfortunate merchant took measures to stave off the evil day. On the 24th February,
"Mr. Roger Seattergood moveing the Court this day that they would be pleased to permitt him to take away goodes to the vallue of his Devidents which are 500 li., and he would pay them in 2500 li. on his accompt by the fine of March. Upon consideration whereof and how his accompt stands with the Company, they did consent that he clearing all his old bought goods amounting to about 3300 li. by the fine of March next with what interest shall be due thereon, they would allow him his Devi. dents on the last payment thereof, which being made knowne unto him by Alderman Bathurst, he brought them in word that Mr. Scattergood declared
himself content and satisfied therewith." A subsequent enquiry into his account seems to have reassured the Company regarding his solvency. On the 16th March 1665,5
" Mr. Kendall acquainting the Court of the State of Mr. Roger Scattergood's accompt and of his desire thereupon, the Court Ordred accordingly that he might receive to the vallue of his dividents of 40 per cent. resting in the Companyes hands of his old bought goods, Cleareing so much of the interest for (what) is due on that part of the goods and to be allowed intrest for his dividents for the time they have remained in the Companyes hands since they were payable and that he may also be allowed the next Divident of 40 Per Cent. on what goods he shall
buy at the next Sale as any other Adventur(er)." At a sale held five days later, Roger Scattergood's name appears as a purchaser of about £700 worth of piece-goods.16
Shortly after, however, on the 25th May 1666, the following resolution was
passed 7: "1 Court Minutes, XXIV, 800 (India Office Records). 12 Ibid., p. 903. 13. Ibid., p. 930. 4 Ibid., p.036.
45 Ibid., vol. xxv, 63b. 66 Ibid., pp. 59, 60b.
67 Ibid., vol. XXVA, P. 3.
