Indian Antiquary Vol 52

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

Page 540

30
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[JUNE, 1923
of them, and "after all," if they were "scanting (in the performance," they hoped it would "bee imputed through want of such assistance as the business of this place Requiers."147
The predicament of the factors at Balasor met with little sympathy at Hagli. Matthias Vincent, Chief for affairs in Bengal, either could not, or would not, send them assistance, and an attempt to retain the temporary services of William Rivett, a young writer, was frustrated by an order, dated 22nd October 1680, that he should be sent on to Hagli" by the verey first oppertunity," " we wanting assistance more then you," and "we doe recommend the sorting, priseing and packing off the Companys goods with you to Mr. Byam and Mr. Scattergood, and whatever be left undone, to see that the goods are well sorted, duely prised and timely shipped of." 148 On the 4th November further directions as to the care ful packing of goods were sent to the overworked factors at Balasor, and on the 11th December Vincent and his Council repeated their assertion with regard to Rivett's services. They added : "What business absolutely necessary, we question not but by one meanes or other, with some collaterall assistance you have there, you will be able to acquit yourselves well enough of for this shipping. 148
In February 1681 complaints were sent from Hügli of the non-arrival of copies of the Balasor "Register of Charges Generall this year, as ought to have been sent us, at which we wonder, since though Thomas Bromley was lame at the lattor end of the year, he might have gott one ready by the end of May."148 As a matter of fact, Bromley was of very little use, even when in good health, and the whole of the work of the factory fell on Byam and Scattergood. These two must have made a gallant effort to satisfy their superiors, for on the 4th June 1681 Vincent and his Council acknowledged the receipt of the Balasor books of Bccounts, but complained that the "perticulars of the Charges Generall " were not "summed up in columns at the end of the book as enordered, which in your other copies get done and let it be subscribed by the keeper thereof."149
It was no wonder that when, after so many months of strenuous work, John Scattergood was attacked by fever, he had little strength left to battle against illness. He signed a Consultation for the last time on the 3rd August 1681. A week later, Thomas Bromley, who had been sent to Balasor Road to bring up the Company's Packet from the ships just arrived from Europe, wrote: "I am heartily sorry Mr. Scattergood is soe bad and hope by this time he is Recovered."160 Then comes the entry in the Balasor Diary of the 13th August: “Mr. John Soattergood after 11 days sickness of a Violent feavour, departed this life aboute 6 of the clock this morning and was buryed the same day in the Afternoon."151
In the Hügli Diary of the 20th August, the event is thus chronicled :163 "This night came a generall letter from Ballasore dated the 13th instant .... in [it] ... came the news of the Decease of John Soattergood the second there of a violent feaver the 13th currant early in the morning. God prepare our hearts for our expected change."
A copy of John Soattergood's will, dąted 11 August 1681, two days before his death, is preserved at Somerset House 163
In the name of God Amen. I John Soattergood of Ballasore Merchant being sick of body but in perfect memory thanks be given unto Allmighty God therefore doe make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following. 147 Factory Records, Hugli, vol. VIII.
148 Ibid., vol. VI.
1500.c. 4749; Factory Records, Hugli, vol. VI. 161 Factory Records, Balasor. vol. I.
153 Fadory Records, Hugl, vol. III. 153 P.O.O., 22 Hare:
140
0.c. 4737.