Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 422

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ SEPTEMBER, 1933
As previously stated, Scattergood sailed from China on the last day of November or early in December 1721, but of his movements thereafter, until he reached Bombay, the Papers give but little information. He does not seem to have touched at Colombo or Anjengo, where he was expected, but he appears to have landed at Calicut and Tellicherry. There is a letter from Jeremiah Bonnell at Surat, dated 23 January 1721/2, in which he says he had already written to Scattergood" under covert Mr. Addams at Callicut," and a letter from Hugonin and Torriano at Madras (given later on) notes the receipt of the news of the Bonita's arrival at Tellicherry. Bonnell, who acted for Scattergood at Surat, had been busy carrying out his instructions. He wrote:
252
"On your arrival here, where God send you safe, hope you'l find your orders punctually observed, and so privately that its not known I have done anything for you, but more thereof when it please God wee meete."
It is probable that the following undated letter was written by Scattergood in February at Tellicherry.
[145]
Captain Harry, Sir,
I have sold 30 peculls of camphire at 30 pagos: per pecull; allom, 50 peculls at 10 rupees per pecull, and 5 peculls of virmelion at 210 rups., which please to deliver the bearer if you [a]prove the price of camphire. Tis more then we shall get any were else, and what we have left will sell better.
Please to deliver 5 chests of my bohe tea, marked with numbers (any number, not those with letters), and 5 chests green tea. The tea I have not sold, but desire the people here to send it to Goa on my account, [? also] 6 bottles of soy and 2 tubs of sugar candy. The camphire and virmelion pray weigh and tare(1) a tub of each. As for my tea, deliver any chests of those that are number'd. Make good dispatch.
I am, your humble servant JOHN SCATTERGOOD.
[Endorsed] Coppy of a letter for to deliver goods at Carwarr.(2)
[NOTES ON DOCUMENT No. 145.]
(1) This may be an error for take " or it may mean that Captain Harry was to ascertain the weight of the tubs in order to subtract the tare from the gross weight.
(2) The endorsement of the letter seems to show that Scattergood had remained at Tellicherry while the Bonita went on to Kârwâr to dispose of part of her cargo there.
Captain Harry sent a reply on 14 February stating that he had carried out Scattergood's orders except as regarded the vermilion and tea," which cant be come at without unstowing all the affter hould," a proceeding that would take time, and therefore he awaited "farder orders." On 24 February Torriano and Hugonin despatched a letter from Fort St. George.
[146]
To Mr. John Scattergood, Sir,
Three days ago arrived a pattamar from Tellecherry, by which we received the agreable news of your safe arrival there, tho' not from your self, which we are indeed surprised at, because Mr. Hugonin had lodged a letter for you at Angengo, and we expected some orders relating to your affairs in our hands. We can inform you no more about them than will