Indian Antiquary Vol 52

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 528

18
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[JONE, 1928
scurvy, and several of the men had to be carried " Ashower In Cradills." After watering, taking in fresh provisions and making the usual present to the Chief of the island of two yards of broadcloth from each commander " or the vallew thereof," the fleet again set sail, and the voyage proceeded without incident until the 17th June 1673, when near Ceylon further news was obtained of the presence of eighteen Dutch sail off their settlement at Nega patam. A letter " dereckted unto the Hear Ricklifvongonco (Rijkloff van Goens]," the Dutch admiral, was intercepted in a native junk, but on being opened, it was found to contain nothing " that might advantaige us."
Off Porto Novo, on the 21st June, Captain Basse received another letter containing the news" that the Dutch did ride all the shower along from St. Thomay to Fort St. George 12 shipps of warr and 2 small vessills. The pourport of the Letter was that if we thought ourselves not strong enough to deale with the Dutch, then to go of into the sea and make the best of our way for Metchlepatam [Masulipatam). It was debated by us all wheather to goe for Madaraspatam and fight our way through the Dutch, but it was concluded by all that in regard the Companyes treasure was one board our shipps, and all thear Conserns for this yeare, to goe for Metchlepatam and thear receive farther orders and to land our treasure." It was also decided to tow the native junk abovementioned and her consort along with the fleet, lest by their means the Dutch should learn “our strength and number of shipps."
Accordingly, the English fleet sailed out to sea on the 21st June 1673. The captured junks were found to be such a hindranoe that after two days it was decided "to Cast them of " and "the persons Concerned were as willing to be Cast of as wee to Lett them goe." On the morning of the 26th Divi Point was sighted, and in the afternoon the fleet anchored safely in Masulipatam Road, where the Company had at that date a thriving factory on shore, managed by a Council subordinate to Fort St. George, their principal settlement in Madras.
The ten writers were landed on the 26th June, and on receipt of orders from headquarters were distributed among the various factories in Madras and Bengal. John Scattergood remained at Masulipatam and was placed under Christopher Hatton, a man of long expe. rience in South Indian methods of trade, and an a8sociate of Peter Radcliffe, with whom the young writer became intimately connected later on.
Dissension was rife among the Company's servants at Masulipatam at this period. The Council was divided into two factions, the one supporting Richard Mohun, Chief, and the other backing up the charge of Matthew Mainwaring, Second in office, against him. Mainwaring's complaint was eventually heard at Fort St. George in 1675 and ended in Mohun's dismissal from his post. John Scattergood was not among the witnesses summoned by Mainwaring, but his friend William Ayloffe deposed that Mohun had held back his salary" as also" that of "Mr. Scattergood "81 and Mainwaring in his "Memoriall” of the 5th June expressed his belief that "Mr. John Scattergood " and others can sufficiently speake to severall of the aforegoeing perticulers if the awe of Mr. Mohun were taken from them."81
Soon after these events young Scattergood probably received news of his kinsfolk together with the" wines and other necessaries " sent out by his father.82 In the following year he learnt that the Court had decided that “all Writers at £10 per annum " were to be paid quarterly in India for five years and at the end of that time to receive £20 for the three following years.83
81 Factory Records, Fort St. George, vol. I. 48 Home series. Miscellaneous, XXXIV, 19.
92
Soe ante, p. 16.