Indian Antiquary Vol 59

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 343

DECEMBER, 1930] THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
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E.T. These initials stand for Elihu Trenchfield, Scattergood's step-brother, also a free merchant trading in India.
Soy. A Chinese sauce. For its composition see below. Lockyer, op. cit., p. 128, says that it "comes in tubs from Jappon", but is also "made and sold very cheap in China."
Quiqua alias Codgee. Also spelt Quinqua alias Cudgeon, Cudden, a Canton merchant with whom Scattergood had business dealings up to 1720.
Taffaties. See p. 54, note on Document No. 3 (6).
Gold ... 987 touch ... at 96 for 93 sisee. 98) touch, i.e., 981 parts pure metal and 11 parts alloy, making in the whole 100. See Kelly, Universal Cambist, I, 67. Pz. is a further abbreviation of poiz, weighing (see p. 69). For tale, mace, canderine, see p. 69. Cash, kasu, karsha, the lowest denomination in Chinese currency, a tenth of a canderine or 1000 to the tale. See vol. XXVIII, 32. Sisee silver, sycee (Cantonese sai-82 ngan), fine silk silver, of a high fixed value on account of its purity. See Mundy, op. cit., p. 309 n. 6; Lockyer, op. cit., p. 155.
Piller, i.e., Pillar dollars.
Mr. Gibbons. Two individuals of this name are mentioned in the Papers, Capt. H. E. Gibbons who was a trustee for the affairs of John Burniston, Scattergood's father-in-law, and Mr. - Gibbons, mate of the Bonita in 1721. It is probably the former who is intended here.
There are among the Papers about a score of small accounts of goods bought and sold by Soattergood and Jones while in Canton in November and December 1711. The purchases included gold, quicksilver, vermilion, ivory and bamboo fans, cow bezoar, Chinese jars, teapots, a "Hogshaw pot," i.e., a pot from Fuh-chau, the capital of Fuh-kien (written as pronounood), soy, sugar candy, silks and satins (plain and embroidered), ribbons and sewing silk. The goods were obtained from the Chinese merchants mentioned above and from Pinkee Winkee alias Chonqua, Laulee, Comshaw, Tuckseen and a goldsmith called Buqua.
The cargo sold consisted of pearls, silver in bullion and dollars and amber beads, and the accounts show that, besides acting for the freighters and making purchases for themselves, the supercargoes carried out sales and obtained returns in Chinese products for private individuals, European and Indian. The extracts which follow give some idea of their activities.
[11a) LAUS DEO IN CANTON NOVEMBER 1711.
MR. EDWARD JONES. Dr.
Cr. To cash lent oz. 424 : 2 is tale
.. 350. 2. 1. By cash lent me 20
Ryalls 8 . 14. To Do.
.. 69.6. - By rupees 33 .. 11. To ballance Madrass acoount
... 48. 2. 1. By 8 ryalls is 0%.
421.13 is tales .. 348. 1. To a present made Monsr. Hebert junior,
By dollers made vizt.
over to Mr. Ster. green tea 2 peculls
ling 17 .. 10 ps. damasks @ 5.5
By 5 pe. birds eyesi 2 ps. taffitys .. 8. 6. -
By cash paid .. 69. 12 pairs stookings
By 9 gallons of 24 fanns at 2 n. ..
white wine Custome paid on do... 11. - -
By 4 mos. wages pd. his half of ea. is ... 117.8. 0. 58. 9. - the washerman .. 4. 6.
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