Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 400

230
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
( MAY, 1998
interest " the greater part of Scattergood's money in his hands "rather then venture too hazardous respondentia." Hugonin also described the measures he had taken to secure debt due to Scattergood from Dr. Long.
Thomas Theobald's letter was mainly concerned with the danger from pirates that the Jerusalem (of which he was part owner) might run. He informed Scattergood that as there was "certain advice of a pyrate of 40 gunns and 300 men now cruizing on the coast of Malla. bar", the Jerusalem had been ordered "not to proceed to Surrat, but come directly here with such a cargoe as is procurable."
Theobald complained bitterly of the measures taken by João de Mattos, supercargo of the Jerusalem, to secure a lading for her. He had made a "very ridiculous contract at Pulicat with the Chittys" with the result that they had not yet provided so much as the respondentia he lent them comes to," so that, had not Theobald exerted himself to obtain goods from other quarters" we shou'd have been at a very great charge in keeping the ship to no purpose, and if John de Matte manages hic affairs in Mallacca after the same manner, we are like to make a misserable voyage of it." Theobald concluded by recommending Scattergood to wait at Malacca for the Jerusalem and
" to come together for the better countenance and security both of your ship and the Jerusalem, and if the Europo ship cou'd bo prevailed on to keep company, it cannot be thought imprudent, for we don't know where the pirates may be by that time, and we hear the ship on the other coast is. prime sailor so that no single ship can escape her."
Francis Hugonin also wrote a third letter privately to Scattergood denouncing João de Mattos' conduct and predicting "a lame voyage" for the Jerusalem in consequence.
Two letters from Manila, dated in October 1720 and received in Canton in the following month, give interesting details of affairs in the Philippines at that date.
[121) MR. JOHN SCATTERGOOD,
reached Malacca on the 11th of August after 24 days journey (1) where we heard that your Worship had passed through and in good health, and until we left it was said that the vessel(?) had not arrived in China). I found a letter from your Worship delivered to me by João de Matos and was pleased to hear of your good health.
I reached Manila after 32 days journey, it being then the 20 of September, where I found many ships from Macao, and Mr. Leme() with his ship ready to leave, wherefore I am constrained to write to your Worship to give you news of certain matters entrusted to me by the gentlemen of Madras, of which none can be executed for the reasons stated below.
We found a number of vessels in Manila, from Macao, Surat, Batavia, to the greater ruin of all. The[y] said, true, the galleon arrived from New Spain, but it did not bring a single real, because all those that went from Manila, for fear of meeting the Governor of Manila, had remained in New Spain with all their capital, waiting for a new Governor to come from Spain, when they could come to Manilu, for which reason this land is so wretched that one cannot get a loan of ten patacas for food. Let your Worship consider how we can get ten thousand, which the Governor ordered in his order to your Worship, and Mr. Elips and Mr. Binhao() on their account sent us another order for ten thousand patacas, which two orders given us we cannot execute ; and they gave me a letter in case of the absence of your Worship and the Captains of the ships from Europe, and as may be it treats of other matters, I send it with this to your Worship, as also another delivered to me by Joã de Matos.