Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 412

242
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ JULY, 1933
Ostend, so that Scattergood's loss, if any, in dealing with "Ostenders" must have been slight, and the account, after deducting all expenses for his wife and family, showed a credit balance of £48.
He now busied himself in getting goods designed for England laden aboard the ships bound home, before he left Canton with the Bonita. To Dr. Manston, surgeon of the Morrice, he wrote a note which is interesting as showing the means adopted to evade customs duties on goods intended as presents.
[131]
Canton Novr. the 2d 1721. Doctor Manston, Sir,
Not knowing what may happen and in case of Captain Peacocks death (which God forbid), I make bold to troublo you with a few memorandums to acquaint you what I have deliver'd to Captain Peacook to give my freinds, which I beg your assistance if any thing should happen, vizt. I have delivered him 3 small bundles A B & C.
A qte. [contains) fine demities, fourty nine peices. B qte. two fine pa. betelas, two ps. Culge handker[chiefs) and 12 fine blew stript
Madrass cotton single handkeroheifs and Cgte, twenty pair of sheets which I have desired him to use to carry ashoare dirty.(') One pott of tea Congho and one pott of tea Hysome directed for Mrs. Arabella
Scattergood. One ps. of fine ombrodery put up in the chest N. 6. Write sundrys on it where his bed damasks is, and four small kittisols(*) put amongst his twelve and a small
Jappan box qt. 10 fans. All these are for my wife, to be deliverd Messrs. Edward Fenwioke and Elihu Trenchfeild. For these two gentlemen he has a half leaguor of arrack Batavia, and for Mrs. Phipps he has & pott of tea Congho and a pott of tea Hysome; and Mr. Kent, your pursar, has a couple of pieces very good Nankin pelongs() sealed as per margent at their ends, which is for my daughter Betty, which pray put him in mind to gett ashoare....
[Notes on DOCUMENT No. 131.) (1) As in the present day, used linen and worn garments were not liable to duty. (*) Sunshades. (3) Chinese silk goods.
To Captain Thomas Newsham of the Frances, Scattergood also entrusted parcels of gold consigned to his attorneys. On 21 November Captain Harry reported that the Bonila was ready to sail.
[132]
November the 21st 1721. Mr. Scattergood, Sir,
The South Sea ships is come in [and] is now above us, [90] that danger is over. The leack that was in our ships is found and will be stopt in two hours more, that I hope nothing will hinder us from sayleing. Gilberd (1) brings you one hundred and fifty two dollars which I desier you would lay out for gold. I am Sir your humble servant.
JOHN HABBY.
[Nors on DOCUMENT No. 132.) (1) Apparently one of the crow of the Bonita. Ho is not mentioned olnowhero.