Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 380

210
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(MARCII, 1933
When you return to Madrass you'll find Mr. Hastings Governor. The loud clamours raised against Governor Collett has gained so much credit as to be the occasion of his being laid aside. Concerning other matters which perhaps you will expect to hear from me and which I cannot at present satisfy you in, you may expect to hear at Madrags.......
(Signed) WILLIAM PHIPPS. Of the letters addressed to Scattergood alone, there are three from his family, one from his Aunt Elizabeth Scattergood informing him of the death of her sister Katherine Farmerie and the disposal of her property, one from his young sister-in-law Sarah Burniston giving him news of his family in Lincoln and one from his brother-in-law, Edward Fenwick, who, after announcing the birth of a daughter, went on to say:
Since Mr. Frederick's arrivall(') we have had terrible complaints from him to the Company of Governor Collet's unjust and arbitrary proceedings at Madrass, and he has so far carryd his point that Collet is to be turn'd out immediately upon the first arrivall of the shiping, and Mr. Hastings is to succeed, and there also goes out a particular commission to enquire into what extortions and injury he has done to any of the inhabitants, and that he shall not be sufferd to goe off shoar till he makes satisfaction.
For two years past there has bin the greatest numbers of pirates abroad that ever was known. They made such havock in the West Indies and all the coast of Guinea that few ships escap'd them, and lately we had advices they are all gone to settle at Marutious which, if true, you'l soon have them among you in India. Pray God, keep all honest traders out of their hands. Therefore I write you this advice that you may take all the proper cautions you can to avoid them, and be sure never speak with any ship in the sea if you can help it, and keep the ship (who I understand is a prime sayler) as clean as possible.
As for publick news, we goe on at the old rate, jarring of partys, scarcity of money, high liveing and extravagance, a constant wart and more constant taxes and losses among traders, but for particulars referr you to the gentlemen that come out and the prints.....
(Signed) ED. FENWICK.
(NOTE ON DOCUMENT No. 108.] (1) Thomas Frederick, late Deputy Governor of Fort St. David, sailed from Madras for England in the Derby, Captain Fitzhugh, on 12 December 1718.
A letter from Gilbert Affleck and the Rev. James Vendey deals almost entirely with the provision of goods ordered by Scattergood from England. They had sent out some of the best beer procurable, for which they went to Westminster. They had sent :10 "colours" (paints), for those used here that are find" are "all brought from India and Persia, which you have much better and cheaper there then can be afforded here." " Painted pictures" and “ enamellid work," if good, were too dear, and if bad, "not worth sending." The little chamber organ "bespoke "could not be got ready "against the sailing of the ships," but in the list of things sent out we find a "spinett." The guns desired "that shoot nine times in a minute are not yet procurable, the maker not having obtained a patent." There was nothing good in "clock-work" to be had cheap : " They ask'd twenty guineas for one little figure.” Among the mathematical instruments despatched, there were some "tolerably cheap that were never before) semt abroad," Cups and essence bottles made of the "streaky paste you sent a sample of” could be procured, but "the other, wbich shines like stars is made in Italy" and "not to be had here." The writers add :