Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 401

MAY, 1933
THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
231
As to the commission your Worship gave me in your letter to buy birds nests and neruo de mado,(*) as there are many ships for Macao, we much regret that we cannot serve your Wor. ship in this, as neither of these two articles are to be had......
(Signed) FRCO. CARDOZA DE MAZEDO. Manila 4th of October 1720.
(NOTE, ON DOCUMENT No. 121.) () The writer, Captain Francisco Cordoza de Mazedo, was commanding the Trepopilore in which Scattergood had an interest.
(2) The Bonita. (3) Captain Manoel de Lima. () These apparently are the writer's rendering of the names Elwick and Benyon. (6) Perhape nervo,' sinews, but of what has not been discovered.
( 122 )
Manila, the 5th October (1720) N. S. To Messrs. Scattergood and Harris at Canton, Sirs,
I hope you are safe arrived at your desired port with all good success in your affaires.
This is per Captain Manoel de Leme, who in a copple of Jayes intends hence to Macao, and in a few days there are two other sloops allso bound there.
I dont dout but you have heard in Madras and China the dismall circumstances of this trade sence the Divel was pleased to send us a new Governor, who totally ruined the place these two years past, and if by the next gallion that wee expect, there does not come a full remedy, the Manila hopes and trade may be laid aside for some years.
You have heard how the deceased Governor sent a small vessell after the gallion that went away from hence without her dispaches, which said vessell arrived salf (safe) in short time after the gallion, which bred such confusion in Mexico that it was resolved on to sease on all the effects of [the] gallion as allso the whole gallion's company and account given thereof to his Majesty the King of Spain. What he will act in the case the Lord knows, but its cer. tain the Vice Roy &ca. of Mexico have in generall procured all favours possible in behalf of the Maniler.
If all these disturbances have happened for want of the gallions not carring with her to Mexico, what will now become of us all when the King will be well acquainted how barbe. rously they have murthered his Governor and President, all which being well considered, wee may have enough to think on, and belive that his Majesty will chastise (if not in generall) the authors at lea[s]t of these dismall transactions.
They have now in New Spaine the cargo or produce of three gallions, and this place over debted to the hyest degree. The lick was never heered of to see a gallion come from Acapulca without bringing a dollar in her, but its too trew to our sorrow heere, which obliges me to remaine in such a cursed place of expences and rougerry committed dayly by these inhabitants, for tho the Arch Bissope governs, he is led lick an ould foole by the nose by his Consill &ca. Ministers of State.
We have had this year two ships from Madras whose cargos must certainly remain, for there is no selling any goods for prime cost, or anything like it. I am full of goods my self and the Santa Cruxis(') cargo whole and sole; the latter is gon to Hamoy() for freight, if any, to beare her charges. The King or in the Kinga Name th[@]y tooke my ship and sent her to Marianne(3) without any gratification, being they had ww other without thely be paid