Indian Antiquary Vol 61

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

Page 297

NAPCH, 1932 ]
THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
125
They will give but 2 rupees for China root and 7 rupees for our annisead,(') which I have not sold yett, and our China ware, now the Mocca ships are gone, they blow upon 'em,(?) but hope to sell round(3) for 50 per cent.
The remainder of our quicksilver and tutenaugh designe to bring to Bombay and desire the Generall &ca.(*) to buy for the same price to make an end of our unfortunate voyage. I am asure[d] they may gett the interest of their money and some profitt after the rains, for then there goods will in all likeliwood rise.
I am sorry to send you such a dismall account, but Captain Cradock's ship(*) ruined our voyage. They brought for themselves and on freight above 1000 maunds of quicksilver, which is enough for Surratt for one year. I begin to have racking thoughts about our two ships for China the next year and am afread we shall make but sorry hand of it, comeing to one port and bringing the same goods.
Surratt not being cow as formerly (6) here is little or noe money stiring, Captain Bonner() finding [it] very difficult to raise money to pay us, tho the money lyes in Rustome &ca. hands at interest ; for all that, they can not gett it in.
I have secured cotton for our two ships, but when it will come, God knows; that commodity rises very much. No good putchuck(8) to be had, nor can I gett little or noe money at respondentia. Am afread I shall be put to it to raise my subscriptions to the two ships. I have not bought one rupees worth of pearl yet, nor I cannot tell if I shall buy any or noe, it being very dear.
This is all at present and I wish it had been better, but let the world run as it will, I shall allways remain
Your humble servant
J. S. Pray give my humble service to all friends. I am in hopes to sell our ophium for about 320 rupees a chest. I hope you will not pay to the Generall 2 [sic, ? too] now we make so bad a voyage.
[Notes on Document No. 41.] (1) These goods were the private investment of Scattergood and Phipps. (2) Blow upon 'em, i.e., discredit, belittle them. (3) Hope to sell round, i.e., indirectly, in a roundabout way. () William Aislabie and Council at Bombay.
(1) Captain Christopher Cradock, commander of the Barrington, on which Scattergood's stepbrother, Elihu Trenchfield, was supercargo.
(6) Since the rise of Bombay and the transfer of the Presidency to that port, the former settlement had declined in importance.
* Captain Lawrence Bonner of the Margaret. (8) Saussurea Lappa, the 'costus 'root of the ancients.
In spite of his lamentations the sale of the Amity's cargo did not turn out so badly as Scattergood had predicted, for he admitted that there would be 25 to 30 per cent. profit, after allowing for the high cost of the hire of the vessel, Rs. 40,000. The Duke of Cambridge, however, was obtained for only Rs. 18,000, so much was expected of the second venture. This ship was commanded by Captain Edward Arlond with William Phipps and William Sterling as supercargoes, while George Wyche was associated with Scattergood in the Amity.
From Surat, besides the letter given above and others to Thomas Frederick and William Aislabie repeating his complaints of the badness of trade, Scattergood also wrote on 22 March