Indian Antiquary Vol 52

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

Page 530

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[Jun, 1928
in all probability before he sailed from England, where he seems to have left his wife and children.
In August 1676 a second inspector on the part of the Company arrived at Masulipatam. This was Streynsham Master, the able administrator, whose powers exceeded that of Major Puckle and who came to India as Agent Designate of Fort St. George. He promptly reorganised the factory and introduced his own system of keeping the Company's accounts. By his orders John Scattergood was sent to Golconda. The special object of his mission does not appear, but as he brought back 8,000 pagodas, it seems likely that he was entrusted with bullion which he was to exchange for current ooin.
On his return to Masulipatam, John Scattergood became mixed up in a dispute between Matthew Mainwaring and George Chamberlain, a factor who ranked next after Christopher Hatton at Masulipatam. The quarrel concerned the "Cash Account " which Chamberlain insinuated would not bear inspection, and he also hinted that the 8,000 pagodas brought by Scattergood from Goloonda on the Company's account had not been properly entered. A stormy Council Meeting was held on the 22nd December, at which John Scattergood was not present, but in which his name was mentioned. He was evidently anxious to keep out of the affair, for on the 23rd he added to the Minutes: "I John Scattergood except against what was acted the 22 Daoomber being then absent." He also “excepted" to a statement that Matthew Mainwaring's Action "redounds... to the shame of his impertinent enemies." He was then pressed by Chamberlain to say that he had given Mainwaring money to supply deficiencies in the Cash Account, but replied that he "was not bound to satisfye him or any other but those that Imployed him." However, as Chamberlain oontinued to press him to speak, on the 29th December, Scattergood made the following attestation regarding the matter 90
"Being desired and required by Mr. George Chamberlaine in a paper dated the 26th December 1676 directed not onely to him but to seaverall others of the Honorable Compas. Servants to give my attestation of what I knew acted and spoken the 23th instant, relating to the Honble. Compas. affaires; I do declare that being in the Hon. ble. Compas. Mansion House the 23th December I saw Mr. Matt. Mainwaring bring forth severall Parcells of Pagodas which were told over and said to bee the Ballance of the Cash booke with which Mr. Chamberlaine (who required a sight of them) was satisfyed, but desired us to take notice whether they were all of Madras, which they were not, but many of them of Pollicatt,stamp, but in Valeew as good as the rest ; Mr. Main waring also brought out a bagg of above 1000 Pagodas above the ballance, which was not thought requisit to bee told over. Afterwards Mr. Mainwaring proferd and proposed Mr. Chamberlaine to take a view of the Honblo Compas. Silver, which Mr. Chamberlaine did not think good to see, but said that unless hee had also a key to the Honble. Compas. Cash Chest hee would not bee concerned in theire Cash which Mr. Mainwaring refused him, saying that as hee had hitherto bin trusted with the Cash, and Heaverall times produced it to Publick view, hee would not now have his Creditt Crack'd by haveing other Persons concerned with him. That is true, I do hereunto sett my hand." JOHN SCATTERGOOD. Metchlopatam In the Honble. Compas. House. Dec : the 29th 1676.
Bo
Factory Records, M
ulipatam, vol. 1.