Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 386

216
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ MARCH, 1933
encouragement" of the supercargoes, consigned to them ten chests of opium, to be sold at Malacca, and 5000 dollars" to invest and remitt to me as you think proper."
Mrs. Martha Theobald of Fort St. George and John Deane, Member of Council in Bengal, were also among the freighters of the Bonita. They sent 437 oz. Mexico dollárs, and Mrs. Theobald desired that her returns might be made in "fine tea, fanns Nankeen with rich gold papers engraved with flowers and the sticks fine ivory with scarlet landskips on the sides." Sugar candy and "stone essence bottles, such as you formerly brought " were also among her demands.
To Scattergood and Harris was entrusted the business of settling the affairs of the Charlotte, since that ship, with her supercargoes Peter Curgenven and John Harnage, was in the hands of Angria. They were especially desired to look into a contract, made with Captain Thomas Boone of the Boone frigate, for " putchuck" and to get a declaration of the state of affairs between him and the captive supercargoes. They were also instructed to bring back from China any part of the Charlotte's gold left behind in the previous year, and for this purpose a letter of attorney was given them by Richard Benyon.
Elihu Trenchfield, Scattergood's stepbrother, who had sailed for England before the Bonita reached Fort St. George, sent a letter from St. Helena, which arrived some months later.
[113]
DEAR BROTHER,
I left a letter for you, inclosing my neice Carolina's account,() but forgot to advise you I had deliver'd Mr. Maubert the guns and books received of you, excepting some of the volumes of your geographical dictionary which Mr. Long() borrow'd of me and I neglected to ask for 'em again.
We have had as migerable a tedious passage hither as possible a ship cou'd have, attended with violent storms of winds for near six weeks, which [? while] we were beating off the Cape, and at last dared not venture in, tho' all our live provisions were destroy'd by the bad weather, and we almost famish'd by the time we arriv'd here, which was the 25th May, ship Boverie and Prince Frederick riding in the road.(3)
Four days after us arriv'd Governor Collet on the King William in company with the Sunderland and Cadogan,( ) who had the satisfaction of five weeks refreshment at the Cape whilst we were so miserably toss'd about. Mr. Godfrey(6) telling me he had a packet directed for brother Fenwick(6) and self from you, was willing to open it here, not knowing but there might be somethings wou[l]d require an answer, but find it's only to empower us to act as your attorney and collect what effects you have remitted to Europe.() You may depend on all my care and diligence in effecting it.
I think you have been too bold an adventurer in the two ships by the gentlemen of the Sunderland charecters of the men and vessel. Mr. Nash and Holland(8) have both been here, but deny'd any kind of refreshment, and was obliged to goe away imediately, the Governor(') otherways threatning to fire 'em out of the Road. The former, by calling his ship the Sunderland had the opportunity of sending his boat ashore with a letter, where he represented the miserable condition he was in, wanting all manner of necessarys, having had the misfortune to be taken by a pirate off the Cape, which plundered him of all his provi. sions. The Governor notwithstanding woud not suffer him to be supply'd with any thing from hence. I am apt to believe what is alledged by him is true, from a Dutch ship arriving whilst Governor Collet was at the Cape, giving an account of his being attack'd about three