Indian Antiquary Vol 61

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

Page 339

NOVEMBER, 1932) THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
167
At a Court held on 29 November 1717 (Court Book, Vol. 47, p. 504) is the entry :
"Draught of Covenants to be entered into by Messrs. John Seattergood and Thomas Harris about their ship Bonita to be sent from hence to Fort St. George, as amended and settled by Mr. Woodford, were now read and approved.
Ordered that the Committee of the Treasury be desired to seal the counterpart."
The "counterpart” of the covenants is too long to be reproduced here. It is dated 29 November 1717 and it provided that the Bonita, commanded by Captain John Harry (of whom no previous mention has been found) with Scattergood and Harris as supercargoes, with a crew of 50 men and 26 guns might proceed on trading voyages to countries within the limits of the Company's charter on the same terms as free merchants living under the Company's protection at Fort St. George. No trade was to be allowed at Madagascar, the coast of Africa, the Comoro Islands, or any European or American port, and the Cape was to be the only port touched at on the outward voyage. At the end of every trading voyage an attested account was to be submitted to the President and Council of Fort St. George. No naval stores or provisions, beyond what was necessary for the voyage, and no bullion was to be carried on board, except such as should be licensed by the Committee of Shipping. An attested account of the ship and her cargo when ready for sea was to be furnished, and five per cent. of her total value was to be paid to the Company by the supercargoes.
At a Court held on 6 December 1717 (ibid. p. 515) it was "Ordered that Mr. Francis White do enter out the ship Bonita in the Companyes name" and on 11 December 1717 (ibid., p. 517):
"Mossrs. Scattergood and Harris being called into Court were acquainted with the order of send ing one hundred pipes of wine for Fort St. George on their ship Bonita, that the Court expected it should be free of freight or charge for the ships going to the Madeira. And that in consideration thereof they would allow them to put on board wino for their own account as far as fifty pipes, they declard their consent to the terms, but pray'd leave to take in ten pipes more.
Resolved that Meears. Scattergood and Harris be permitted to lade on the Bonita for their own account sixty pipes of Madeira wine."
On the samo day a separate indenture for John Seattergood as a Free Merchant in one thousand pounds was signed by him and his securities, and approved by the Court (ibid., p. 518). The names of the securities were "Gilbert Affleck of London, Esqr." and "the Rev. Mr. Geo. Lewes of St. Andrews, Holborn, London, clerk," who, with Scattergood and Harris, sealed bonds for the amount of their obligations.
On 13 December the Court was informed (ibid., p. 521) that the Custom House officers could not “clear out” the Bonita for the East Indies without breaking bulk,
"notwithstanding they have been informed that she is never to return from thence and that according to the Act of Parliament the bond is to be in £8750 penalty.
The same considered and Committee of the Treasury ordered to put the Company's seal to the said bond.
Messrs. Scattergood and Harris also to give bond to the Company to indemnify them for entering into the said bond. Penalty £8750."
The preliminaries were thus accomplished and it only remained to complete the ship's cargo and put to sea.
At the end of the year Scattergood, methodical as ever, drew up a statement of his " transactions" while in Europe, a document which gives a good idea of the extent and variety of his trading ventures.