Indian Antiquary Vol 60

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

Page 281

JANUARY, 1931) THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
77
[NOTES ON DOCUMENT No. 15.] Dragons blood. Calamus draco, a red-coloured resin. Compare Lockyer, op. cit., p. 131 : "Sanguis Draconis in drops. See the colour by rubbing it on white paper."
Agala. This wood, also called by travellers eagle-wood, aloe-wood and lignum-aloes, is the Aquilaria Agallocha. Lookyer, op. cit., p. 129, oalls it "Aquala Wood" and says that "the best is of a dark oolour, with whitish streaks on the outside, full of gum and affords an odorous smell in the fire."
Conshin. Skr. chandana, red sandalwood, 'red sanders,' the wood of the Pterocarpus santalina.
Breda de Marr. Port. breda do mar, lit. sea-beet, an edible seaweed.
Three more documents connected with the Bussorah Merchant are dated in Canton on 9 and 10 December 1711. The first is an acknowledgment by Edward Jones of the sale of pearls belonging to Richard Hunt, a member of Counoil at Fort St. George, the produce remaining in Lingua and Anqua's hands," to be brought by Jones later on in the Howland.
The other two are receipts by Scattergood for gold weighing 438 t. 6 m. 3 c. and two chests of tea consigned to him by Jones on behalf of Thomas Frederiok, one of the chief freighters.
When next we hear of the supercargoes they have left Canton and have reached Macao, at which place is dated the dooument previously noted, which proves the identity of the Elizabeth with the Bussorah Merchant.
f16a. RECEIPT FOR GOLD 17 DECEMBER 1711.) Received a bulse, said to be gold, of Manuel Favooh of Macao, merchant, sealed as above, which I promise to deliver to Mr. Frederick, the dangers of the seas excepted.
J. SCATTERGOOD.
[166.] By this, which we have signed, we, Edward Jones and John Scattergood, supercargo[8] of the ship Elizabeth, of which John Caeoroft (Cracroft) is captain, now by God's favour going on a voyage to the coast of Coromandel, confess to have received from the hands of Manuel Favacho, resident of the city of Macao, one paroel wrapped in white cloth with fine red wax seals, such as in the margin, in which it is said are contained fifteen pams, one bar and three pieces of good gold, which should God bring us safely to the port of Madras, we shall deliver as it is and in the same manner to Thomas Frederiok, at whose account and risk it is sent, or in his absence, to whomsoever is empowered by him.
In witness whereof we have given three notes of this tenour, one of which will have effect. Macao, 28 of December one thousand seven hundred and eleven years. Received per Thos. Frederick [Endorsed] My receipt for a parsell of gold brought for Mr. Frederick.
[NOTE ON DOCUMENT 16a.] Bulse. This term is adapted from tho Port. bolsa, =It. borsa, a purse. It was used to indioate a package of diamonds or gold dust.
[NOTE ON DOCUMENT 166.] Fifteen pams. Dr. H. B. Morse has very kindly explained that the word 'pam 'used by Scattergood no doubt represents the Portuguese pão, the name they gave to the Chinese shoe. shaped ingot of gold. He further points out that at the period in question the only medium of communication between the English and the Chinese was Portuguese. In the East India Company's records these ingots were usually called 'shoes '; in the Portuguese records, pão de ouro or ouro de pão. See Hobson-Jobson, 8.0. Shos of gold; and Dalgado, Glossário Lusoasiático, 8.0. Pão de ouro.
As previously stated, there is no information available regarding Scattergood's voyage from Macao to Madras, but the Papers show that he arrived before 3 March 1711/12, when he