Indian Antiquary Vol 61

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

Page 327

NOVEMBER, 1932] THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
[64]
Worthy Sir,
I was honoured with yours from Fort St. George dated Sept. the 13th 1715 wherein you complain of Norgurs(1) chetting you in the pearle. When I received yours Mr. Wilshere was gone for Bombay and he had them delivered him there and sent them up by Mr. Sterling. He and I sent for Norguar and told him what you wrote and showed him the pearle you sent back. He told us he would take them againe at the price you gave for them, so had noe more to say to him. I suppose Mr. Sterling will write you a bout itt for he since told me Norguar(1) had given him full sattisfaction on that account, and that by inquirey they ware worth neare the mony, so that I believe he has dun you justice.
As for your velvets, I am heartely sorrey you should be so served as to luse them, for by all inquirey here they certenly went on board Captain Wootons ship, (2) but I hope are this you have gott some account of them.
Wee have great alteration in these parts since the New Governor (3) arrived, and I dout not but he will make trade flurrish on this side India. He has sent Sterling and Martin in two seperate ships, but Joynt Stock, to China,() the whole being 172,000 rupees and Captain Pitt is gone to Persia and Bengall.(5) Poor Cole(6) is dead at Bombay and Wilshere(7) is likely to marry the widow. He has refused the Companys servis, tho it was offered him. Mr. Hill(8) is goeing to settle a factory at Moco and Mr. Clerke(9) is ordered downe to Bombay and I am in hopes to stay here. I beleive itt may lay in your power to serve me in England and I dout not your good will to doe itt, and I cant but take this opertunity to return you many thanks for all former favours received.
I have not to add on[l]y that I am Sir Your humble servant
BENJN. FRANCIA
Sarat Feby, the 2, 1715/16. [Addressed]
155
To Mr. John Scattergood Merchant
to be left at the Secretarys Office att the East India House in Leadinghall Strett
London.
[NOTES ON DOCUMENT No. 64.]
(1) The name is perhaps Nagar, one of the firms with which Scattergood dealt being Nagar Das Lachhmi Das.
(3) The Bouverie, Captain Thomas Wotton, sailed from Madras in February 1715/16 and arrived in the Downs in August of that year.
(3) Charles Boone, who was styled President and Governor, the title of "General" being discontinued. (*) I can find no record of this transaction either in the Consultations subsequent to President Boone's arrival at Bombay on 26 December 1715 or in the Despatches to England.
(5) Captain Wentworth George Pitt of the Company's ship Stanhope which was "let on freight " to Surat, Persia, Madras and Bengal for rs. 20,000" (Bombay Abstracts, I. 219).
(6) William Cole, who had held office in Surat Factory and was summoned to Bombay by President Boone to be fourth in Council. He arrived on 13 January (Bombay Pub. Cons.) and died there on 26 January 1715/16 (ibid.).
(7) Thomas Wiltshire, who was also summoned from Surat Factory, was entrusted with the office of Collector of Customs at Bombay (ibid., p. 218), but at a Consultation, held on 23 January 1715/16, he declined the office and confirmed his intention of resigning the Company's service.
(8) John Hill, fourth of Council at Bombay.
(9) Jarvis Clarke, who was summoned from Surat to take up the office of "Receiver of the Revenues and Overseer of the Outworks" (Bomb. Abs., I. 218). Hill and Clarke were sent to Mocha with the Company's ships Success and Anne, on 21 March 1715/16, to settle a factory there, as it was considered that goods could thus be bought cheaper than by means of supercargoes on vessels making only a short stay (see Bombay Abstracts, I. 227).