Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 436

266
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ SEPTEMBER, 1933
To Captain Houghton's somewhat lame excuses, Scattergood and Hill immediately replied with great precision and detail. There are two copies of the reply, one dated 9 Nov. ember, when the gunners mate was still in prison and the payment of compensation not finally settled, and a second dated 10 November after the culprit had been released and a roceipt obtained for the fine imposed. It is the latter which is given below.
[161] Captain John Houghton, Sir,
In answer to our protest, given you tho 9th day of November 1722, you soem surprised at our protest deliver'd you yesterday. We wonder at your surprise when we told you, before we deliver'd it you, that we should be obliged to deliver you one to vindicate our selves.
To your first answer, you seem doubtfull weither the China boy was killed accidentally, and that if he were you was sorry for it, when you know very well, as well as your doctor and all the people of your ship, that were in the house, that he was killed, we suppose by accident, and that by your gunners mate who is just now released from prison.
To your 2d answer that we were not detained in our business, when you know very well that we had all our goods ready in our house to ship off that very day the accident happen'd, and that we could not ship them off by reason of that accident, and tho we had leave to ship them afterwards, after severall days delay, they know that they had persons in security and that we could not gett our chop or clerance before that business was ended.
As to your 3d answer that we did not informe you of the demands of the Manderins before we had concluded the business, we answer that we told you what we knew of the affair as we heard of it, and tis very well known to every body that comes here that the Manderins demand great bribs upon overy unluckoy business that happens and that they can not talk with many people, and that they generally make up those matters with the supercargoes who answer for all affairs of that nature in behalf of their ship, &c. Besides, the business is but just ended; they only demanded the 1800 tales to conclude it, and as soon as wo knew of it wo demanded the summo of you; otherwise we should be oblidged to protest against you. Besides, you know we had not many conferances, for we left it to Suqua alias Comsha to manage that affair which you, joyntly with us, asking Mr. James Naish's advice, he advised us to leave it to him and that he could manage that affair better then ourselves; and as soon as he told us it would cost us 1800 tales, we immediately told you (you then being in his house), and upon your answer you would not pay any thing towards that affair, we told you we should be oblidged to protest against you and your owners, and upon our protest and your answer roceived, yesterday, we paid the money to Suqua alias Comsha, as per his receipt dated last night, to make up the business as well as he could, and what he could save of the 1800 tales to return us, and you soe the man is delivered to us this morning upon it.
To the 4th answer that the gunners mate was comoing up for the ship business to fill water and for the gonerall good, we are glad that you confess that the gunners mato came about the ship's business only, and not ours. Besides, what occation had he for' arms when you had no fear of any body robing of you of your casks.
To your 5th answer that you think it oxtraordinary that we should protest against you &c. owners for refusing to pay what is oxtortod from us by the Mandarins and that the ship is ready to sail, we answer that wo wero oblidged to protest upon your refusall to pay what we are oblidged to give the Mandarins &c., to cloar ourselves from any imputation of neglecting our duty to our employers. We know full well that the 1800 tales is exorted from us, but we know as well that we cannot help ourselves here in an arbitrary Govermont where they will doe what they please, and to get an answer or remody from the Emperour, we should lose our voyage at leas[t] for this season.
And as for your being ready to proceed on your voyage, we acknowledge it and know it full well, but we know as well that we could not gett our chop or clearance from the Custome House before this unfourtonato business were onded, and now we hope to gott our chop or cloaranco in two or throe days.
Wo romain, your humble servants
(Unsigned) Datod in Canton this 11th November 1722. Dolivor'd in prosonco of Mossrs. William Colebrooke and Thomas Honwood(+) as witnosses.
(NOTE ON DOCUMENT No. 161.] (1) William Colebrooke and Thomas Henwood wore officers of tho Bonita.