Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 62
Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications
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SEPTEMBER, 1933 ]
THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
255
The end of March 1722 was a busy time for Scattergood. He had made his plans to sail from Bombay on the 31st, but did not get away until a fortnight later. He wrote several letters to his friends in Surat regarding the goods he had ordered to be purchased there, the debt owing to him by George Wyche and his share of the John ketch. As to George Wyche's indebtedness he remar!'ed to William Sterling, at one time supercargo of the Duke of Cambridge :
"I hope Mr. Wych has paid you what he owed me on account of the putchuck. I declare all other accounts were made up between us and I owed him not one penny, and I wish he had not owed me any, for I find it a hard matter to gett any thing out of his hands."
At the same time Scattergood was busying himself in sending goods acquired in China to England on his own account. On the Fame he shipped china ware and on the Stanhope tea. In a letter to Jeremiah Bonnell he alluded to the new venture then occupying his attention, one which had evidently caused him to decide on a final voyage to China without waiting for news from home :
"Captain Hill and myself have taken up the King George for 20000 Rupees for China and Surratt. the stock to be 120000 Rupees. She is to goe from hence in 8 days down the coast to load with pepper. The Bonita goes in componey. I beleive shall not come back, but designe to goe for Europe from China; but if you or your Lady desires any thing from China please to write and I will gett Mr. Hill to bring them for you.
The King George, Captain John Houghton, a Company's ship had sailed from England in May 1721, and the same method was adopted for her as in the case of the Duke of Cambridge in 1714 (see p. 124).
Before leaving Bombay, Scattergood received an answer from William Sterling re. porting his failure to compel George Wyche to pay the amount claimed from him. Scattergood replied :
"I can not image[ino] what Mr. Wyche means not to pay me what ho owes me on account of the freight and customes that I paid for our putchuck. He knows that it is a just debt, and that we had no other accounts betwixt us. Ho was at Madrass after our Surratt voyage was over and if he had any thing to say he would have spoke it, and I am sure, and you know it, that I have done him service enough not to be used as he does me. I am sure I should not have served the greatest enimy 80. In short, I think it a very vile action and I must goe other ways to worke." However, the letter he addressed to the debtor is couched in very mild language :
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[149]
[Bombay, March 1722.] Mr. George Wyche, Sir,
Mr. Sterling writes me that you refuse to pay me the small debt that you owe me for account of the freight and customes that I paid for the putchuck that belonged to us that we carried to Madrass. You know that it is a just debt; you know that I paid Captain Wooton freight at 3 rups. per bale to Madrass, and then I paid the Companeys custome; the goods belonging to us both, you ought to pay me half. I wonder that you should refuse to pay me so small a dobt and a just one. I am sure I should not have served Mr. Wyche so, and I do not know why you should do it to me. I have not deserved it that I know of. The last time that I saw you was at Madrass after our last China voyage, and then you told me that I should deduct what you owed me on account of the freight and customes of the putchuck out of the money should be received on the sale of some of it. My attorney, Mr. Maybert, forgott to do it. Therefore, in all reason, you ought to pay me. Pray consider of it and then I am sure you will doe me justice, in which hopes I remain, your most obedient humble servant.
J. S.
