Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 399

MAY, 1933 1
THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
2:29
where three ships more are daily expected." On 11 August Catesby Oadham, Ansay master, informed the Council he had ascertained that the quantity of silver brought from France by two French ships amounted to 1,382,000 dollars. He added that three more Europe ships were expected at Pondicherry, where it was proposed to keep a stock of 10,000,000 livros (Fort St. George Consultations, 1720).
(*) Alexander Orme had himself been supercargo of the Lusitania in her previous voyage to Pegu when she was commanded by Thomas Dixon (see p. 216).
(6) The Boone frigate was a privatoly owned vessel, commissioned by Charlos Boone, late Governor. of Bombay, and commanded by his brother Captain Thomas Boone.
(5) The London, Captain Charles Wybergh, sailod from Fort St. George for Bengal on 14 August and returned on 8 December 1720 (Fort St. George Diary, 1720).
Other letters addressed to Scattergood from Fort St. George and received at Malacca in January 1720/1 were from his attorneys Francis Hugonin and George Torriano and from Thomas Theobald. The former wrote of their management of the affairs entrusted to them and added a warning against pirates.
[120] To Mr. John Scattergood, supra cargo of the Bonita, Sir,
We here inclose you your account as it stands at present, by which you will observe that instead of 8000 ond odd rupeos ballance with Mr. Wake,(') you had but 4005:28, so that we were obliged to take on your account the sum of 1850 pags. to make up the 3000 for Mr. Orme,() having paid for articles omitted by you, vizt.
over remittance from Mr. Hope(3) .. .. .. .. .. .. 371. 16. 40 freight of ophium 27 chests .. ..
.. 123. 4. 20 and having only received 390. 33. 60 for the first dividend of the Stratford (1) the 5157 oz. of silver we have not sold because the price is so low. If it rises we will, in order to ease your accounts at interest. As to the goods left with Mr. Torriano, they will not go off but by very little parcels at a time.
This is the needfull except that it will be necessary to keep yourselves in a readiness for fighting and have a good looke out to prevent a surprise, for we have an account from Govr. Boone of a pyrate off of Bombay with two tear of guns and 300 men, who has taken a Moor ship with 7 lack of rupees aboard and lies cruising for the rest of the Mocha ships, and perhaps may venture into the Streights of Malacca as soon as he has done there.
Our service to Mr. Harris and Captain Harry and please to beleive us, Sir, Your most humble servants.
F. HUGONIN.
GEORGE TORRIANO. Madrass 14th Sept. 1720.
[NOTES ON DOCUMENT No. 120.] (1) John Wake with whom Scattergood was concerned " in the voyage of the William. (3) Alexander Orme, who was fitting out the Lusitania (se Document No. 119).
(3) John Hope, who was acting for Scattergood in Surat in connection with the woyage of the Prosperous.
(4) See Document No. 116 and note (9).
Francis Hugonin also sent a separate letter to await Scattergood at Malacca, repeating the warning against pirates and stating that, in these circumstances he had "given out at