Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 408

238
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(JULY, 1933
It was probably in April 1721 that Elihu Trenchfield followed up his three previous letters with an additional one reporting the removal of himself and his mother to Red Lion Square and the receipt of the news of the death of his brother John Trenchfield in India. He added remarks on John Scattergood's affairs up to the date of writing.
(127) Extract of a letter from Elihu Trenchfield to John Scattergood dated ? April 1721,
per the Marlborough.(1) Mr. Fenwick and my self wrote you a joint letter enclosing your accounts as it then stood. Mr. Fenwick is obliged to live in the country for the recovery of his health, not being perfect well since his late severe siokness. He being at present there and keeping your account, and I not knowing of this opportunity but just as the ship is upon her dispatch, cannot write him and receive his answer in time, therefore shall give you a brief account of your affairs as it occurs to memory."
We have received but four hundred pounds of your consignment to Messrs. Pennicote and Cox.(*) They tell us the compasses are unsold in the hands of Mr. Joannes Brown (who formerly liv'd in Bengal and is now one that negociates great business for the English in Amsterdam.(8) He has orders to sell 'em for what he can get, but have not as yet any advise from him. The rest of your things are sold. One of the merchants who bought 'em at the publick outory is since prov'd insolvent and became a bankrupt, so that I am afraid you'll be a looser about five hundred pounds by that job. How the affair will be determinated I cannot tell. This is only my present opinion. They are in Flanders adjusting their accounts and you may depend on my care to see that justice be done.
Mr. Jackson(") has pretty near accounted with us for what was consign'd him, but he has not as yet adjusted your accounts with us. The concern under his care will I believe be satisfactory to you. As none of your money was receiv'd in time to contrive its being got aboard the Madrass ships, we have interested you five hundred pounds in Mr. Horsmondens bound [sic] at 35 per cent on the Macclesfield to China,(5) and five hundred pounds at the same premium to Captain Pitt on the Stanhope to Bombay.() We have receiv'd your letter advising of a bill drawn payable to Mr. Wilkinson,(") which shall be comply'd with,.but beleive when all your accounts are adjusted with Pennigote and Jackson, it will hardly amount to near 2040 pounds. However, if we have not that sum of yours by us, I will take care that your bills be comply'd with, tho I must tell you the affairs of the South Sea has so much ruin'd credit that mogy is not to be borrow'd tho the best security be given for it. My utmost care shall be us'd for the procuring of the several things you sent home. Captain Pennel is dead,(8) but I have spoke to his chief mate about the things the captain had in his trust, who has promis'd me his care of 'em.
All the Ostenders but Mr, Mountney() are arrivedWe hear he is gone to Barbadoes having sprung his boltsprit of[f] the coast of Brazil. The Mountague(10) arriv'd in company with the E8sex.
[NOTES ON DOCUMENT No. 129.] (1) The Company's letter to Fort St. George, sent by the Marlborough, which arrived there in October 1721, is dated 26 April (Letter Book, Vol. 17), and as Trenchfield wrote on the eve of her departure, his letter must have been written about the same time.
(2) William Pennicott (Ponnyoott, Penicoat) and Leonard Cooks (or Cox), supercargoes of the Ostend ship Wirtemberg.
(*) This seems to be the John Brown who was in Bengal in 1712, and with whom Scattergood had commercial dealings (see p. 79).
(*) Captain Peter Jackson. See note (4) document No. 124.