Inventory 10414
Surat · 372 pages · 44 segments · open at the Nationaal Archief ↗
English
Arrival and departure. Letters of Surat Incoming copies Letters exchanged with the In the year 1773: Foreign Nations Pande Stel No. 1. Translation of an English letter written by Mr. Robert Gambier, in charge of the affairs of the Honorable English East India Company, together with the Council, to the Right Honorable Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman, Esquire, Director on behalf of the Honorable Dutch East India Company, and the Council at Surat, dated Surat the 7th of February 1773, and received here on the same date. Honorable Sir and Sirs, Whereas we have lately received from our superiors their sentiments on the several letters and papers which have passed between us regarding the matter in dispute between Your Honors and the Nabob, and the Nabob is himself extremely anxious to bring the matters in question to a conclusion, we can no longer with any propriety request him to delay taking the necessary steps with respect to his government, and therefore we hope that if Your Honors have any material papers or other proofs to produce, Your Honors will please have the same prepared and sent to us without any further delay. As we do not doubt that Your Honors have gentlemen in your factory who, although they may not equal Mr. Holmberg in the knowledge of the French or our language, yet are sufficiently skilled to be able to convey to us Your Honors' sentiments relating to the foregoing. We are with esteem, [at the bottom was written:] Honorable Sir and Sirs, [lower down:] Your Honors' most obedient servants, [was signed:] R: Gambier, J: Halsey, T: Day, C: Bourchier, G: Perrott, Daniel Crokatt, D: Seton, W: James. [In the margin:] Surat the 7th of February 1773. [Still lower down was written:] For the translation, [signed:] Cornelis van Citters Aarnoutsz. The Worshipful John Martinus Bosman, Esquire, Director for Affairs of the Noble Netherlands Company &ca Council Surat Worshipful Sir & Sirs, As we have lately received from our superiors their sentiments on the several Letters & Papers which have passed between us on the subject in Dispute between you & the Nabob, & the Nabob is himself extremely anxious for bringing the points in question to a Conclusion, We can no longer with propriety request Him to delay taking the necessary steps in support of his Government & therefore hope, if you have any material papers or other proofs to produce, that you will cause them to be prepared & sent to us without further delay, as We doubt not your having No. 1. Surat 7th February having Gentlemen in your Factory, who though they may not be equal to mynheer Holmberg in the knowledge of the French & our Language yet are sufficiently skilled to be able to convey to us your sentiments in the former. We are with Esteem, Sir & Sirs Your most Obedient Servants [was signed:] R: Gambier, John Halsey, C: Bourchier, T: Day, George Perrott, Daniel Crokatt, D: Seton, W: James Goverts Junior p. E. g Clercx Agreed. No. 2. Translation of an English letter written by the Right Honorable Mr. William Andrew Price, Esquire, Chief on behalf of the Honorable English East India Company and Governor of the Mogul's Castle and Fleet, together with the Council, to the Right Honorable Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman, Director on behalf of the Honorable Dutch Company, together with the Council, dated Surat the 2nd of March 1773, and received here on the 4th of the same month by the English council members Seton and Dorrien. Honorable Sir and Sirs! We have received Your Honors' letter of the 24th ultimo, but are prevented by the indisposition of our Chief from answering it presently as fully as we intend. Nevertheless, so that no delay may be caused from our side to Your Honors' affairs, we deem it necessary to inform Your Honors that we can by no means see from the contents of the aforementioned letter and papers any reason to alter what we have expressed in our letter of the 29th of December, and therefore, in accordance with the orders of our superiors, until Your Honors demonstrate to us by producing the original Firmans that Your Honors actually have claims to privileges, the enjoyment of which the Nabob refuses to grant Your Honors, we cannot, however earnestly desirous we are to serve and oblige Your Honors in everything that is in our power, decide to make any infringement upon the Nabob's authority or violate his lawful jurisdiction in order to support demands which, although claimed as Your Honors', you nevertheless strictly refuse to convince us that you are entitled to them. And whereby, to our regret, we have only too much reason to say that the best cause must take on a bad appearance, and in no way befitting those who plead for our mediation and protection. As soon as the health of our Chief at all permits him to apply himself to business, Your Honors shall have a full answer to your aforementioned letter, and in the meantime we have the honor to subscribe ourselves with very much esteem, [at the bottom was written:] Gentlemen, [lower down:] Your Honors' most obedient servants, [was signed:] W: A: Price, R: Gambier, J: Halsey, W: Trotter, T: Day, C: Bourchier, G: Perrott, D: Crokatt, D: Seton, W: James, J: Dorrien. [In the margin:] Surat the 2nd of March 1773. [Still lower:] For the translation, [signed:] Cornelis van Citters Aarnoutsz.
Dutch transcription
Aank en afg. Brieven van Souratte Aankomende Copijen Gewisselde Brieven met de In het Jaar 1773: Vreemde Natien Pande Stel N„o 1. Translaet Eng: Missive Gesz: door de Heer Robbert Gambier waarneemen „de de zaken, der Ed: Eng: oost Jnd: Comp„s benevens den Raad, Aan den Wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer Martinus Ioan Bosman schildknaep Directeur van wee„ „gems de Ed: Holl. Oost Jndische Compagnie, en den Raad te Jer soeratta, gedateerd soeratta & 7=en februarij 1773: en alhier denselven R Datum Ontfangen. Ed„ Heer en Heeren. Nademaal wij onlangs de gevoelens van Onse superieuren op de Verscheijdene tusschen ons verhandelde brieven en Papieren aengaende de zaek in questie tusschen UwEd: en den Nabab, ontfangen hebben, en de Nabab selfs seer begeerig is, om de zaeken in questie tot een Eijnde te brengen, zoo kunnen wij denselven denselven niet Langer met eenig regt ver„ „soeken om de noodige maatreegelen uit te stellen betrekking hebbende tot sijn Gouv=r en daarom hoopen wij dat indien UW Ed: eeni „ge Papieren ter zaake dienende of andere bewijsen te Produceeren hebben, uwEd: dezelve in ge„ „reedheid gelieven te laten brengen, en ons toe tesenden, sonder eenige verderen uitstel. Alzoo wij niet en twijffelen of UEEd hebben Heeren in derzelver factoorij die alhoewel met d' Heer Holmberg inde er onze Kennisse van de Fransche ^ Taale niet gelijk sijn genoegsaam kundig sijn om in staat te sijn Ons UEEd: gevoelens betrek„ „king hebbende tot de voorgaande Meede te deelen Wij zijn met Agting /:onderstond:/ Ed„ne Heer en Heeren /:Lager:/ UUdEd: Zeer gehoorsame Dienaren /: Was Geteekend:/ R: Gambier, J: Halseij. . . . . , T: Daij, C: Bourchier, G: Zerrott, D„s Crokats, D: Cetor, W: James /: Jn Margine - Margine/ Soeratte den 7„e februarij 1773. /:Nog Lager stond:/ Voor de Vertaling /:geteekend:/ Corn„s van Citters Aarntzoon 3 The W:r John martinus Bosman bij Director for Affairs of the Noble Netherland Company &ca Council Surats W: Sct Sirs As we have lately recei„ ved fram our superiors their sentiments on the several Letters & Papers which have passed between us on the subjecp in Dispute between Asou & the Nabob, & the Nabob is himself extremely anxious for bringing the points in question to a Conclusion, We can no langer with propriety request Him to delar taking the necepsary stops in suppost of his Government & therefore hope, if Gou have, any material papers or other proofs, to produce that sou will causes them to be prepared. & send to us without further delay, as We dubl not Rour af having No 1. 3 Surat Jth Febry having Gentlemen in youw Factory, who though they may not be equal to myn keer Holmberg in the knowledge of the Frensch &ouw Lanquag yet are sufficiently skilled to be able to convoy tous your sentiments in the former We are with Esteem, Sin er Sir Jourmost Obed: Serv /:was geteekend/ R: Gambien Jn Holsen: x v Bourchier Jk Day: Perroth Daniel Crokath Gerre D: eton. W: James Goverts Junior p: E: g Clercx Accordeerd 1 B 177 17 E N„o 2. 7 Translaat Eng: missive gest: door den Wel Ed Agtb: Heer William Andrew Price schildknaep Chaf van wegens d' Ed. Eng:s Oost Jnd: Comp:e en Gouverneur van Cmogols Casteel en Vloot bena¬ „vens den Raad, Aan den welEd: Agtb: Heer Martinus Joan Bosman Directeur van Wegens d' E: Holl. Comp„e benovens Den Raad, gedateerd soeratta den 2„e Maart 1773: en alhier Ontfangen den 4„e d„o door d: Eng: Raadsleeden Seton en Dwien. ƒ Ed„ Heer en Heeren! Wij hebben UE Ed: brief van den 24e Ult„o Ontfangen, dog worden door de onpasselijk„ „heid van ons Opperhoofd belet om die tegens„ „woordig soo volleedig te b'antwoorden als wij voorneemens sijn. nogthans om Van Van ondentwegen geen vertraging aan UEEd: zaken toete brengen soo denken wijt Noodsakelijk UEdEd: te bedeelen, dat wij in geenen deele uit den inhoud van opgem Brief en Papieren eenige Reeden sien in konnen om onse Brief van den 29„e xber: heb„ „ben uitgedrukt en daarom overeen„ „komstig met de Ordres van onse Cuperieu„ „ren tot dat UWEd: met 't overleggen van deselve Firmans ons aantoonen dat Uw Ed: wesentlijk Pretensien op voorregten hebben, welkers genot de Nawab UEEd: wijgert toetestaan kunnen wij hoe ernstig ook begeerig sijn om UEd: in alles wat in onse magt is te dienen en te verpligten, niet besluiten eenige Jnbreuk op sNawabs Authoriteijd te maken of sijne wettige Jurisdictie te Verkreuken, ten Einde Vorderingen te Ondersteunen dewelke schoon q'uigeart Wels : UEdEd:s nogthans volstrekt wijgeren ons te overtuigen dat se daartoe geregtigd sijn„ En waar door tot ons leedweesen wij maer al te veel reeden hebben te seggen dat de bester saak een kwaade Aen schouwsmoet krijgen en geensints betamelijk aan de soo„ die „danige om onse mediatie, en bescherming smeeken, soo dra als maar immers de ge„ „sondheid van ons Opperhoofd 't toelaet sig aan beedigheeden te begeeven, sullen Uw Ed: een volleedig Antwoord hebben, op dersel„ „ver opgem: brief, en intusschen hebben wij de Eer ons met seer veel agting te onderschrijven, /:onderstond:/ Mijne Heeren /:Lager:/ UW Ed: Zeer Gehoorsaeme Dienaren /:Was Geteekend/ W: A: Driee, R: Gambier, J: Hlalheij, W: trattor, I: Daij, C: Bourchier, G: Zerrot, D: Crokatt, ƒ D: Seton, W: Jamas, J„ Dorien/:in margine:/ Soeratta de 2 maert 1773. /. /. Nog Leegen: voor de ver„ „taling /:geteekend:/ Corn:s van Sitterd Arntzoor
English
To The Worshipful Martin John Bosman Esquire Director for Affairs of the Noble Netherland Company and Council at Surat Worshipful Sir We have received your Letter of the 24th ultimo, but are prevented by the Indisposition of the Chief from replying to it at present so fully as we intend. However, that no Delay on our part may happen to your affairs, We think it necessary to acquaint You, that We cannot see from anything contained in the above-mentioned Letter and Papers, any Reason to alter our sentiments, as expressed to you in our Letter of the 29th December; and therefore, agreeable to orders from our superiors, till you do by producing your Phirmands, satisfy us, that you really have a Claim to Privileges which the 30 No. 2. 11 the Nabob refuses to allow you the Enjoyment of, We cannot think, though earnestly desirous to do everything in our power to serve and oblige you, of encroaching on the Nabob's Authority or Curbing His Legal Jurisdiction, to support Claims, which though insisted on, We are sorry to have too much reason to say, in terms which would prejudice even a Good Cause, and in no wise become those who sue for our mediation and Protection, you absolutely refuse to convince us, you have any real Right to. As soon as ever the Health of the Chief will permit Him to attend to Business, you shall have our full answer to your aforementioned Letter, and in the mean Time, We have the Honor to subscribe ourselves with much Regard, Gentlemen, Your most Obedient servants W. A. Price, R. Gambier, J. Halsey, William Stratton, Ts. Day, Bourchier, G. Perrot, D. 0 Crokatt, D. Seton, W. James, P. Dorion. Surat 2 March 1773. Agreed Gevers Junior H f No. 3. 15 Translation of an English letter written by the Worshipful Mr. William Andrew Price, Esquire, and Council to the Right Honorable and Worshipful Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman and Council, dated 11 March, and received on the 12th following, through the council members Bourchier and Crokatt. Honorable Sir and Gentlemen! We have been honored with Your Honors' letter of the 7th of this month. We request permission to assure Your Honors, Gentlemen, that it will give us a particular satisfaction to render Your Honors all assistance that is in our power, with regard to Your Honors' disputes with the Government, but are obliged to inform Your Honors that until such time as, in accordance with what we informed in our last letter, Your Honors have produced the Firmans themselves to show us that Your Honors have a right to the Privilege to which they appeal, we cannot take it upon ourselves to interfere with the Nabob for and on behalf of Your Honors, all the more so because Your Honors now declare that they do not need our mediation, and therefore all hindrances which Your Honors might encounter from the Nabob must certainly be attributed to Your Honors' obstinate refusal to satisfy us in respect of your Firmans. We are sorry to have to say with so much justice that we cannot regard the style of Your Honors' last letter as anything other than very unbecoming and injurious, and far from being expressed in those pleasant and polite terms which one factory owes to the other. We are with Esteem, below signed, Sir and Gentlemen, lower, Your Honors' very humble servants, Was. 7 17 Was Signed: W. A. Price, J. Halsey, W. Stratton, T. Day, C. Bourchier, G. Perrott, Dr. Crokatt, Dl. Seton, W. James, and P. Dorien. In the margin: Surat, 11 March Anno 1773. Still lower stood: For the Translation, Was Signed: Gevers Junior F To The Worshipful Martin John Bosman Esquire Director for all affairs of the Noble Netherland Company and Council at Surat We have been favored with your Letter of the 7th Instant. We beg leave to assure you, Gentlemen, that we are ever very desirous, and that it will give us particular satisfaction, to render you every assistance in our power, in your disputes with the Government, but are necessitated to acquaint you that until you do, agreeable to what we advised in our last Letter, produce your Phirmands, to show us you have a right to the Privileges you claim, we cannot pretend to interfere with the Nabob in your behalf, more especially as you now declare you do not want our mediation, and therefore any Impediments you meet with from the Nabob, must certainly be owing to your obstinate Refusal to satisfy us in respect to your Phirmands. We are concerned to have F No. 3. have so great Justice to say that We cannot but consider the style of your last Letter as very unbecoming and injurious, and far from being expressed in the genteel and polite terms due from one Factory to the other. We are with Esteem, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, Your most Obedient Servants, W. A. Price, J. Halsey, William Stratton, T. Day, C. Bourchier, Crokatt, G. Perrott, Wm. D. Seton, James, P. Dorion. Surat 11 March 1773. 18 No. 4. 21 Translation of an English letter written to the Right Honorable and Worshipful Mr. Director Martinus Joan Bosman and the Council, by the Worshipful Mr. William Andrews Price, Esquire, and Council, dated Surat, 22 March, and received on the 21st following, through the English Council members Stratton and Perrott. Gentlemen, Gentlemen! We shall now fully answer Your Honors' letter of the 24th ultimo, as well as that of the 7th of this month. The very proud, captious, and greatly disrespectful terms with which both these letters are loaded would fully justify us if we passed over the same with a contemptuous silence and wished to have nothing in the least to do with Your Honors.
Dutch transcription
e The W: Martin John Bosman Esq: Direstore for Affairs of the Noble Netherland Company Ha Josincil al Surat W:Sir We have recid &our Letter of the 24tb: ultimo but are presented by the Indisposi¬ tion of the Chief replying to it at present so fully as we intend. Hosever, that no Delai an our part may happen to tour affairs. We think it necessary to acquaint You, that We kan not see fram any thing contained in the above mentioned Letter &. Papers, any Reason to alter oursentiments, as expressed to you in our Letter of the 29th Decemb: ir therefore; agreeable Avorders fram oier superions, till you do by proceeding Yjour Phir„ mands, satisfyus, that you really have a Claim to Priviledges which the 30 No: 2. 11 the nabob refuses to allow Ysou, the Onjorjement of - We aannot think, the carnestly desirus to do every thing in our power to serve t obleg foie of encreaching on the Nabod Authority or Curbing His Legal Jurisdiction, to support Claims, which tho insisted on: /We are sarry to have too much reason to say, in terms which would prejudice even a Good Cause, & no wise becouse those who sue foroser mediation & Protection: you absolutely refuse to convince us, you have any real Right to: As soon as iver the Health of the Chief will permit Hem to attend to Pasinis, &sou shal have our full answer to ssour prementianned Letter, and in the mean Time, We have the Aonon to subscribe our selves with much Reguard. Gentlemen Your most Obedient servants W. A. Price. B: Gambur J: Halsay William Stratten. Ths Dai, Boerehiir G: Perrot Do 0 Grokart D: Seton, W: Jamis P. Dorion- Suvat 2. marck 1773. S: Accordeerd Gowerts Junior H ƒ N 3. 15 Translaet Eng„s messive Gesz: door den H„r Heer William Andreid Price schildk: en Raad aen Den WelEd„ Agtb: Heer Martinus Joan Bosman en Raad gedateerd den 11„e maart, en ontfangenden 12„e daaraenvolgende, door de raeds Leeden Bourcher en Crochalt. Ed„ Heer en Heeren! Wij sijn verEerd geworden met Uw Ed=s missive van den 7:e deser: Wij Versoeken verlof UEdel Ed„e te verseke¬ „ren mijne Heeren dat het ons eene bijsonde„ „re satisfactie geeven zal UEd:s alle behulp„ „saamheid te bewijsen, die in ons vermogen is, met betrekking tot UEEd: verschillen met de Regeering, maer zijn genoodsaekt UEd: te bedeelen, dat tot tijden wijle /: wel„ „eenkomstig met het geen wij in onse laatstebrief hebben bedeeld:/ UEd: derselver Tirmans Firmans Zelven hebben geproduceerd om ons te vertonen dat UEd„e een regt hebben tot de Previlegie, waarop zij zig beroepen wij niet op ons kunnen neemen om ons met de Nabab te bemoeijen voor en van Pe wegens UEd:s, zoo veel te meer: alsoo U'Ed„e thans Verklaren haar Onse mediatie niet nodig te hebben, en dierhalven alle verhin„ „deringen dewelke UE Ed:s mogten ontmoeten van de Nabab moeten gewissleik aen t Ed„s haldsterrige weigeringe om ons te voldoen ten opsigte Ulver Firmans toegeweten Werden. Het doed ons leed met zoo veel regt te moeten zeggen, dat wij de stijl van UEd:s laatste brief niet kunnen aenmerken dan als zeer ^en belediging, en verre van uijtgedrukt onbehoorlijk ^ te zijn in die Eengename en beleefde bewoordingen als de eene factorij aen de andere verschuldigd is. — Wij zijn Met Agting /:onderstd:/ H„r Heer en Heeren /:Lager:/ UW Ed:s zeer ootmoedige sienaren Was. 7 17 /:Was Geteekend/ W: A: Drice. . . . . . . J: Helaij W: Staatton, I: Daij, C: Bourchier, G: Derrgtt, D„r Crokath, D„l Seton, W: James, en I„r Dorien. /:Jn margine:/ Soeratta de 1„ Maart A„o 1773. / Nog lager vlond:/ Voor de Vertaeling /:Was Geteekend:/ „ Geverts Junior „ F The Wo Marten John Dosman &1q Directore for all affairs of the Noble Netherland Company H. Councel at Suvat We have bein favored with apur Letter of the 7th. Instant: We begleave to afare zou Gentlemen that weard ever very desirous, & that it will give as par¬ „ticular satisfaction, to render you everij assistance in our power, in your disputes with the Government, but are necessitated to dequaint ajou en that untill you do, agreable to what we advised in our last Letter, produce your Phirmands, to shew us you have a right to the Privi„ „ledges you claim, we cannot pretend To interfere with the Nabol in your behalf more especially as you now declare you do not want our mediation, and therefore any Impediments you meet with from the Nabol, must certainly be owing to your obstinate Refuesal to satisfy us in respect to your Phir= „mands: Wesare cancemed te siner PW have F No: 3. have sogreat Justice to say that We cannot but consider the stite of your last Letter as very unbe¬ kenming and injurious, and far from being expressed in the gintell and polite terms due fram one Factory to the other: We are with Esterm. W. Sin & Sirs. Yourmost Obedient Servants. W. A. Price. I: Halsey. William Stratton. P. Day. C. Bourchier Grokerf D. Seton. G. Pirrott Wm: C. Dorion Jems „ surat 11:t marck 1773. 18 No 4. 21 Translaat Eng: missive gesz: Aan den wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer Directeur Martinus Joan Bosman en den Raad, door de A„t Heer William Andrews Price Schildknaep en Raad, gedateerd soeratte den 22:e Maart en ontfan„ „gen den 21„e daaraenvolgende door de Eng: Raadsleeden Stratton, en Perrott. — Heeren Heeren! wij zullen thans volkomen beanteworden UEd: missive van den 24 laetstleeden, zoo wel als die van den 7:e deser. De zeer trotse quitagtige, en grotelijx meer„ „biedige termes waarmede dese beide brie„ „ven beladen zijn, zouden ons Volkomen regtvaardigen, als wij dezelve met een veragtelijk stilswijgen passeerden en niets het minste met UEd: te doen Wilden
English
would have, until a proper apology had been made on account of such gross insults, as well against our character as the power which we represent. But because this manner of acting towards you, however lawful in itself, might serve you as an insinuation that our silence stems from an inability to refute your propositions, we shall at present waive the right to defend our greatly injured good nature, and once again consent to show you the falsehood of your propositions and representations, the injustice of your demands and claims, and how singularly improper your conduct generally is. And we submit ourselves all the more willingly to this unpleasant work, as it will at least serve as an eminent example that gentleness, sincerity, and magnanimity govern our deliberations, whereas all your thoughts and actions seem to be entirely ruled by the influence of self-interest. In examining your complaints, it was our duty to investigate them down to their very foundation, and not, in a superficial manner, to determine our judgment upon any particular circumstances presented by you without tracing them back to the origin by which they were caused. We have made a very thorough, complete, and truly impartial inquiry. And however little you on your part deserved such a courtesy, we nevertheless did it with a sincere wish that the outcome might turn out favorably for your conduct. That it has unfortunately not so turned out is the sole reason why you now accuse us of not having made any. All your quarrels with the nabab were carried on in a secret manner, without being made known to us in a proper, formal, and public manner, until your letter of the 11th of December communicated to us the long list of your perceived grievances, of which we were completely ignorant until that hour, except for the first undersigned, who, having been requested to give us all the information relating thereto, did indeed give us a very complete and detailed account thereof, which we have already told you was by no means in accordance with yours, nor did it in any respect justify your representations or complaints. A further complete inquiry was instituted on our side, namely of all those who could give us any information regarding this matter, who confirmed the representations of our Opperhoofd. And upon all these having been properly considered and weighed together, the sentiments were founded which we candidly expressed to you in our missive of the 29th of December, which has brought us such an improper answer. In case your pride did not permit you to consider us as mediators and protectors, you ought, prompted by decency and good manners, to have written to us as respectable gentlemen. We can see no reason up to this moment to deviate from our sentiments, which are very clearly expressed in our aforementioned missive, but rather more abundant material to remain firmly adhered to them. There are hardly any human actions but that, by an elaborate hair-splitting and jesuitry, malice can be covered with a false luster; and thus you call the placing of a counter-guard on the house of the Persia merely a guard to protect the Company's property, and the well-known embezzlement of the spices by the Persia merely the sweeping up of dust and heads of cloves. And the outrageous affront of wishing to force upon the nabab your broker Mantchergie, who on numerous occasions has shown himself to be an open enemy, as well of this nabab as of his father, and insisting that he should see the nabab merely to tease His Excellency, is colored by you with the pretext as if the nabab trampled upon your privileges by refusing to grant an audience to your broker. The request made to Mr. Price in his public character, for in that capacity alone could he fulfill your request to bring back Tabidas, you call a private request to a friend, by which it was not meant that such would be of public consequence. The granting of a dastak or letter of protection to Tabidas, which was certainly conceived in strange terms, you say was merely a friendly letter, and so forth, through numerous examples of very cunning distortions. How very unjustly, also, do you represent the matter of the return of Tabidas, asserting that he could not return under the protection of the City and Castle Governors, since it is strictly provided against that in your firman, that no one shall undertake to assist the debtors of the Company, and that the Governors shall not suffer them to be protected by anyone. With what face can you presume to assert that the circumstance of the
Dutch transcription
wilden hebben, tot dat een behoorlij„ „ke Verschoning gemaakt was wegens zulke grove affronten, zoo wel tegens ons en Jmborst, als de magt die Wij repeeren„ „teeren. — maar om dat dese wijse van handelen UWEd: hoe regtmatig in zig R zelven niet zoude kunnen strekken tot een insinuatie dat onse stilswijgend„ „heid van onvermogen om UWEd: stel„ „lingen te werderleggen herkomstig is, soo sullen wij teegenswoordig van 't regt om onse grootelijk beledigde goed„ „aardigheid te verdeedigen afsien en nog eens bewilligen om UwEd: de valsheid van UwEd: stellingen en Voordragten de onregtvaardigheid van Uw Ed: Eischen en vorderingen, en hoe toonderlijk oneigen doorgaans UEd: gedragzijt, aan te wijsen - En Wij onderwerpen ons soo veel te liever Aan : 23 Aan dit onaangenaem werk als sullendet ten minsten dienen tot een Uitneemend, voorbeeld, dat zagtzinnigheid, opregtheid, en Edelmoedigheid onsen raadslagen bestuurt, terwijl al UE Ed: gedagten en daaden ten Eenemaele door den invloed van Eigenbelang schijnen geregeert te worden. Bij het ondersoeken van UEd: klagten. „was het onse Pligt deselve op te speccren tot in derselve op tespeceren tot in dersel „ver grondslag, en niet om op eene verhoef„ „te Wijse ons te determineeren op Eenige bijsondere omstandigheeden door U Ed: Voordragen zonder dezelve tot den Oorspronk waardoor zijn veroorsaekt sijn geworden, nategaen. – Een zeer ei„ „gen volkomen, en waarlijk onpartijdig ondersoek, hebben wij gedaan En hoe weinig UE Ed„s ook van onse zijde, een diergelijke diergelijke beleefdheid verdienden, hebben wij het nogthans gedaan met een opregte Wensch, dat de Uitkomst gunstiglijk voor UEd: gedug mogte uit„ „vallen. - Dat het Ongelukkiger wijse dus niet is uitgevallen, is de eenigste reeden waerom UEd: thans onsbeschuldi„ „gen, dat wij er geen gedaan hebben, Alle UEd:s krakeelen met de nabab wierden op een geheime wijse Voortgeset, zonder dat ons dezelve wierden bekend gemaakt, op eene behoorlijke, formeele en Publicque wijse, tot dat UEd=s Brief van den 11„e xber: ons Communi„ „ceerde de lange Lijst van UEd:s gewaer„ „de beswaarnissen, waarvan wij tot dat Uur volkomen onkundig waren uitgenomen de Eerst ondergeteekende dewelke versogt sijnde ons alle de Jnformatien sien te geeven daartoe betrekking. 25 23 betrekking hebbende, gaf hij ons inder daed daarvan een zeer volkomen en breedvoezig detail hetwelk wij UEd: reeds gesegt heb„ „ben dat geensints met het Ude overeen„ „komstig was, nog deed hetzelve in eenige opsigten UEd:s vertoonen of klagten regtvaer„ „digen. Een verder volkomen onderdeek wierd van onder zijde aangesteld NB: van alle de geene die ons hieromtrend eenige Onderrigtingen geeve konden, dewelke de voordragten van ons Opperhoofd bevestigden; En op alle deze te zamen behoorlijk overwogen en bedagt zijn de gevoelens gegrond vest geweest, die wij UEd:s openhartig hebben uitgedrukt bij onse missive van de 29„e xber; dewelke ons zulk een onbetaame„ „lijk bescheid heeft te wege gebragt. Jngevalle UEd: hoogmoed deselve niet toegelaten hadden ons aentemerken als aantemerken als middelaren en Be„ „schermars; zoo moesten UEd: aangespoort door betaamelijkheid en goede manier„ „lijkheid ons als fattoenelijke Heeren NB: /: Genthemen:) hebben geschreeven. Wij kunnen tot dit ogenblik geen reeden zien, om van onse gevoelens of te wijken die zeer klaarlijk uitgedrukt zijn in onse massive voormeld, maar wel meer overvloedige stoffe om daarbij te blijven Voestgehegt. Naar is nauwlijx eenige menschelijke daden, of dezelve kunnen daar een ge„ „wrogde hair kloverije en Jeduitie, boos„ „heid met eenen verkeerden glans werden, bedekt, en dus noemen UEd het Plaatsen van eentegenwagt op het huis, van de Persie, Eenlijk een wagt om 'sComp:s eigendom te bescher„ „men, en het bekende ontvreem „den der specerijen door de Persie blootelijx ƒ 27 blootelijx het opvaagsel van stof en Kraontjes van Nagulen, en de Uutschet„ terende Versmakinge om den naba uEd: Makelaar Mantchergie te willen opdringen die bij talrijke geleegentheeden zig be„ „toond heeft een Openbaare vijand te zijn, zoo wel van dese Nabab als zijnen Vader, en daarop te staan dat hij den Nabab zien zoude eenlijk om zijn Excellentie te pleegen, werd door U Ed: gecoloreerd met het voorgeeven, als ver„ „treeden de nabab UEd:s voorregten met te weigeren aan derselver makelaar gehoor te verleenen het gedaane aen¬ „soek aan M:r Pice in zijn publiek Carac„ „ter, want in die qualiteid alleen kon hij UEd: versoek om Tabidas weder te be„ „soogen maar volbrengen, noemen du Ed„s een Particulier versoek, aan een Vriend, waar meede niet gemeend das dat zulx van Publicq Publicq gevolg wesen soude. Het verlee„ „nen van een Banderer of Brief van bescherminge aan Tabidas, die zeeker„ „lijk en rare bewoordinge ingezagt was, zeggen UEEd„s eenelijk een vriendelijke brief geweest te zijn &=a v=a D=ra talrijke voorbeelden van seer listige verdraaijingen. - Hoe zeer onregtvaardig almeede representeeren UEd:s niet de zaak van de terug komst van Tabidas bewerende, dat hij niet kon te rugkeeren onder de Beschermin „ge van de stads en Casteels Gouverneur alsoo daertegens volstrekkelijk is voor„ „sien bij UEd„e firmanh„r Dat niemand „ Onderneemen zal de schuldenaren van „ de Comp„e te adsisteeren, en dat de Gouver„ „neurs niet gedogen zullen dat ze doo „iemand werden beschermen met wat gelaat kunnen UEd:s zig aenmatig en te beweiren, dat de Omstandigheid van de
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29 the negotiated return of Tabidas, under full and extensive protection, has any reference to the clauses mentioned in Your Honours' Firmans. This same Tapidas was completely beyond the reach of the Surat Government, and could by no means be forced to return. To persuade him to return, it was necessary that he should be provided with protection from all parties. He feared Your Honours' power and resentment on account of his flight as much as anyone's, and to secure him against this, Mr Price gave him his protection as Governor of the Castle, and procured for him that of the Nabab as Governor of the City. For the latter was immediately necessary for him to be able to return to Soeratta in peace. And when he had returned under these united safe-guards, each protecting party had an unquestionable and absolute right to see that he was not further molested or detained, or that their protection granted in this manner was in any way insulted or violated. In spite of all Your Honours' craftiness, Your Honours have nevertheless, in a very extraordinary and ridiculous manner, defied both the power of Mr Price as Castle Governor, as well as that of the Nabab or the City Governor, by placing Sepoys with Tabidas under the pretence that this served as a compliment and honour to him; since, he being protected in this manner, under whatever pretext it might be, Your Honours ought not to have 31 91 presumed to have placed any Sepoys with him without the previously obtained consent of the aforesaid Regents. Had Your Honours dealt with Mr Price concerning the unlimited return of Tabidas to Your Honours' Factory, and he having then been immediately delivered up to Your Honours' jurisdiction and the matter having been concluded in this manner, then, and only in such a case, would Your Honours' conduct have been justifiable, and improper for the Nabab to interfere in it. What followed from the Nabab's side upon this, not as Your Honours yourselves represent it, but as it actually occurred, we still think was natural and equitable. Mr Price assures that Your Honours have made him an apology in his capacity as Castle Governor, and we believe him, as also that consequently the Nabab had a right to a similar token of respect, since his power was offended against in the same manner. We are sorry to have to say, Gentlemen, that the extracts with which Your Honours have furnished us from your Firmans, assuming they are authentic, prove nothing, since they only order that Your Honours must be assisted by the Governments in the recovery of your lawful debts, and we have never heard that Your Honours have requested such assistance and that it was refused to Your Honours. But there is a great difference between this and the employing of the privileged Sepoys of Your Right Honourable Company by an ambitious Broker for the oppression of the subjects of the city. The well-known character of Your Honours' Broker Mantchergie for such actions as have been complained of, and the abuse of the power with which he was provided by virtue of his station in Your Honours' service, requires no further explanation on our part. Nevertheless, we have only mentioned the Nabab's complaints against him by way of precaution, to the end that such conduct of his might not again be permitted by Your Honours; and if there is any truth in the story of the coppersmith, which however we cannot help thinking was trumped up for this occasion, had Your Honours made a proper complaint at the time the incident occurred, we should not have failed to redress the same; but if Your Honours, for some secret and particular reasons best known to Your Honours yourselves, choose to jumble Your Honours' disputes together, keep the same secret, and wilfully neglect to make all necessary representations concerning them until it is practically too late to interfere with any propriety, then that is Your Honours' own fault. And here we cannot fail to observe that, had all Your Honours' supposed grievances been properly represented in their infancy and, it goes without saying, through our, permit the word, mediation with the Nabab sifted out, they would never have been able to climb to the extraordinary height to which they have now been brought by delay and harmful disguises. We shall answer Your Honours' weighty question: Mr Spencer and his Council have certainly bound themselves to support Your Honours in all your lawful privileges through the mediation and influence of the English as possessors of the Castle, without knowing precisely what the same 21 33 contained. Until our Right Honourable Masters became masters of the Castle, the English in the city of Soeratta were no more than Your Honours, namely a set of privileged and incorporated Merchants, and could therefore never have had any right or interest to inform themselves of Your Honours' privileges. They well knew that Your Honours were here subject to the jurisdiction of the City Government, and that Your Honours were entitled to no other privileges than those which were granted to Your Honours by the acquired Firmans and grants of the Great Mogol; and consequently Mr Spencer and his Council presupposed, as they could not but take it for certain, that they and their successors would have to deal with men of honour and reason, that whenever a privilege should be cited by Your Honours and the same be disputed by the Nabab or others, the existence of
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29 de genegotieerde te rugkomst van Tabidas, onder volkomene en uitgebreide bescher„ „ming, eenige betrekking heeft tot de Clausulen vermeld in UEd: Firmans. dese selfde Tapidas was ten Eenemael= buiten het beruik van de Suratsche Regeering, en kan door geen middelen gedwongen werden wederom te komen, Om hem te bewoegen van terug tekeeren was het noodzakelijk dat hij van alle Parteijen met bescherminge wierd voor„ „sien. - Hij vreesde voor UEd: magt en belo„ „zugt wegens zijne vlugt, zoo veel als voor iemand, en om hem daarvoor te bevij„ „ligen gaf hem M„r Pice zijne beschermin „ge als Gouverneur van 't Casteel, en be„ „hoogden hem die van de Nabab als Gouverneur van de Stad. - Want de laatste was voor hem onmiddelijk noodwendig om in soeratta met gerustheid te kannen kunnen wederkomen. En wanneer hij onder dese vereenigde sauwe Gardesle rug gekeerd was had ieder beschermen „de Partheij een ontwijfelbaar en volstrek regt om te waken dat hij niet verder wierd of aangehouden, of dat hunne Protectie in deser voegen verleend, Op eeniger hande wijse beschimpt of geschonden wierde — Jn spijt van al uEd=s listigheid, hebben UEd„se egter op eene zeer uitsteekende en bespottelijke Rijse gehoord zoo wel de magt van M:r Price als Casteels Gouverneur, alsmede die van de nabab of den stads Gouverneur, met het plaatsen van Cipais bij Tabidas onder voorwendsel, dat hem zulx als eene Compliment en tot eere verstrekte, vermits hij in deser voegen beschermd zijnde, onder welke pretext het ook wesen mogte, UEd:s zig niet moesten hebben 31 91 hebben onderstaan eenige Cipaijs bij hem gevonden te hebben zouden vooraf er¬ „langde toestemminge van voorschree„ „ve Regenten. Hadden uEd:s met M:r Pricegehar „deld, van de ongelimiteerde terug kom36 van Tabidas naar UEd: Factorij, en hij als dan onmiddelijk uitgeleeverd zijnde aan UEd: jurisdictie en en deser voegen de zaak afgemaakt was alsdan, en maer in zoo een geval alleenig zoude UEd: gedrag regtmatige hebben geweest, en oneigen van de nabab om sig daermede te bemoeijen. - Wat van de zeide des Nababs hier uitgevolgd is /: niet gelijk UEd: zelle Voorstellen, maar zoo als wesentlijk is voor„ „gevallen:/ denken wij nog, dat natuur„ „lijk en billijk was. - M„r Price versekerd dat UEd:s hem in de hoedanigheid van Casteels Gouverneur een appologie hebben gemaakt gemaakt, en wij geloven hem, zomeede dat ingevolge van dien de nabab een regt had„ „den tot een diergelijke blijk van Eerbied dewijl tegens zijn magt inselver voegen was misdaen. - Het doed ons Leed te moeten zeggen mijne Heeren dat de Extrac„ „ten waarmeede UEd:s ons uit derselver Tik„ „mans voorsien hebben gesteld, datse Au„ „thenticq zijn niets bewijsen, nadien zij Eenlijk gelasten dat UEd„e moeten geholpen worden inde inpalminge Uwer regtmatige schulden door de Regeeringen, en wij heb„ „ben noort gehoord dat UEd:e om zulken bijstand hebben versogt en dat UEd:e die geweigerd is. maar daar is een groot verschil tusschen dit, en het emploijeeren van de geprevi„ „ligeerde Cipaijs Uwer Ed: Ed„e Comp„e door een heersugtige Makelaar tot verdrukkinge van de stads Onderdanen. Het wel bekende Caracter van UEd: makelaar Makelaar mantchergie voor diergelijke be„ „drijven als waarover geklaagd is en het misbruiken van de magt waarmeede hij uit hoofde zijner stand Plaats in UEd: dienst werd voorsien behoefd van onse zijde geene verdere Uitlegging. - nogthans hebben wij eenlijks nababs klagten tegens hem gemeld, bij wege van voorsorge ten Einde diergelijke sijner gedaantens door UEd: niet mogten wederontoegestaan, en soo er iets waar is in de historie van de koperslager, 't welk wij egter niet kunnen nalaten te denken of het is voor dese gelegentheid opgeschift ingevalle UEd:s eene behoorlijke klagte hadden gedaan ten tijde het geval gebeurd is, zouden wij niet hebben gebleeven sijn, ingebreeke zulx te herstellen, maar zoo UEd: wegens eenige geheime en bijsondere Reeden besten in UEd: zelve bekend verkiesen UEd: verschillen te zamen te Schommelen, deselve geheim houden 33 houden en willens versuuimen, die aan„ „gaande alle nodige voordragten te doen, tot dat het genoegsaam te laat is om sig met eeni„ „ge Eigenschap daermeede te bemoeijen, dan is zulx UEd:e eigenschuld. En hier mogen wij niet nalaten aan te merken, dat had„ „den alle UEd: gevaande beswaarnissen behoorlik voorgesteld geweest Jn derselver kind heid, en het spreekt van zelfs door onse: /:Permitteerd het woord:/ middelaarschap met den nabab uitgepluist, zoo zouden ze nooit tot de buiten gewoone hoogte hebben kunnen klimmen, waartoe zij nu door Uitstel en schaadelijke bewimpelingen zijn gebragt. wij zullen UEd: magtige vraeg b'antwoor„ „den, m„r Spencel en Zijn Raad hebben sig gewis „selijk verbonden om door de bemiddelingen en invloed van de Eng: als besitters van het Casteel UEd: in allen derselver regt matige privelegian te onderschragen zonder perecied te weten wat deselve behelsende. 21 33 behelsenden. Tot dat onse Hoog Ed„s betaald Heeren meesters wierden van 't Casteel waarende Engelschen in de stad van Poeratta niet meerd als uEd„ nament„ „lijk eenstel gepreviligieerde en ingelijfde Cosp„ „lieden, en konde dierhalven nimmer eenige regt of belang gehad hebben om sig op UEd:s perve„ „legien te informeeren. zij wisten wel dat UEd: hier in awresen waren onder het NB: Regtsgebied van de stads Regeering; en dat UEd: tot geene andere Previlegien geregtigd waren dan die UEdEd:s gegeeven wierden bij de erlangde Firmans Vergunningen van den Grooten Magol; En gevolge„ „lijk vooronderstelde, de Heer spenceren zijne Raad, Vermits zij het niet als voor zeeker konden houden, dat zij en hare navolgeren te doen zouden hebben met mannen van eer en Reeden, dat wanneer onit door UEd:s een Voorregt wierd aangehaald, en hetselve door den Nabab of anderen betwist de Exatentie van
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of such right by Your Honors could and should without any hesitation and sufficiently be proved, by producing the firman or the grant in which such was described. To wish to presuppose for a moment that the contrary could ever happen, to wish to presuppose that a set of men could insist upon privileges, and at the same time obstinately continue to refuse to produce the same and thereby properly show that they were entitled thereto, was either too great an absurdity or malicious suspicion, than that the same could ever have lodged in the pure and sincere minds of Mr. Spencer and his Council; or otherwise they would undoubtedly very early have insisted on being provided with authentic copies of the firmans, in which they had undertaken to support Your Honors. But being thus addressed, we must take the liberty to say, that since the Castle has become that of our Highly Esteemed masters Your Honors seem to have attempted to play a cunning game, and under masked privileges, which in matters of little consequence were not so accurately examined, Your Honors have heaped one unlawful encroachment upon the other. In the year 1762 Your Honors' steps were so rapid that the nabob himself deemed it necessary to curb Your Honors at once in your course, and in consequence thereof Your Honors were entangled in difficulties from which our mediation, yea only our mediation, delivered Your Honors. Gentlemen, Your Honors were now certainly with great sincerity, that Your then Resident Director, oppressed by the burden of years, was duped by our Chief. In case Your Honors' Director at that time was so easily to be swayed in his conduct, it nevertheless seems fair to presuppose that he would rather have conformed to his own Council who were always with him, than to our Chief who very seldom saw him and never had any particular intercourse with him. Were all the members then of Your Honors' numerous assembly at that time also old and infirm, and did they all share in the inclination of Your Honors' Director to allow himself to be duped? The late Mr. Ruperti was at that time Your Honors' secretary; we believe that he was at the same time the confidential writer and factotum of Your Honors' Director, and nobody has ever doubted his abilities, nor those of Mr. de Jonge then Your Honors' Fiscal; and besides, Gentlemen, Your Honors' present Director, if not also other members of the present Council, had at that time also a seat at Your Honors' table; whom we respect too much to be able to think that they had united with their Director in inclinations to be duped or misled. Your Honors certainly do not wish, now that their pretensions have climbed so high on the tally, that we should interfere in your affairs other than as possessors of the Castle, nor do Your Honors wish to maintain that the possession of the Castle would not bring to us, as possessors thereof, its dignity, rank, power, and authority, as it did to those who had and held it before. Let then the impartial world, of which Your Honors make so familiar a use and to which you appeal, judge of the nature of Your Honors' requests made to us in comparison with those which Your Honors undoubtedly will have made to the Sidie or previous Governor of the Castle, and consequently conclude what the results would have been in case Your Honors had had the courage to use such caviling and insolent expressions to a Mogol Governor as Your Honors have in general done to us and with which your requests are as it were studiously adorned. We shall further take the liberty to say a few words more on the subject of mediation and protection. Anyone who interests himself for another to settle certain points in dispute with a third person in an amicable manner may rightly be said to be a mediator; and when, finding that persuasion will not avail, he then uses his power and authority to compel the third person to desist from oppressions and to finish the dispute according to reason or according to favor, then he becomes, and undoubtedly also deserves, the name of protector. Sound reason must admit these propositions, and judge by them of the role which Your Honors require us to act with the nabob with respect to you; and reasonableness will soon accustom Your Honors to terms which at present appear so terrible and unpalatable to you. Your Honors' proposition that your disputes with the nabob would never have arisen in case we had not resolved to protect the nabob in an unlawful manner against Your Honors contains on the bare face of it the greatest absurdity in itself. It need not be pointed out to any reader of sound judgment. But, Gentlemen, would Your Honors please assume a little sincerity toward us, and tell us what Your Honors mean by taking private disputes as a reason to oppress Your Honors' Company? This is a covert and dark attack on the character of every person in our assembly, and it
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van zulken regt bij UEd:s soude en moeste zondsk eenige hoepering en voldoende kunnen bewesen wer„ „den, bij te voorschijn brengen vande firman of de Vergunninge waar bij zulx, beschreeven was Om te willen voor onderstellen voor een ogenblik„ dat, het tegendeel Ovit zoude kunnen gebeuren. Om te willen vooronderstellen dat een stel mensche op Privelegien soude kunnen insisteeren, en te gely„ „ker tijd halsterriglijk blijven weigeren deselve te voorschijn te brengen en daar door behoorlijk aantekoonen dat ze er toegeregtigd waren; was eene of al te groote ongerijmdheid, of boos„ „aardig vermoeden, dan dat deselve ooit zoude hebben kunnen huisvesten in de Zuiver en opregte gemoederen van den Heer Spencer en zijnen Raad; Of anders zouden zij ongetwijfeld alvroeg hebben g'insisteerd om Voorsien te werden van Authenticque afschriften Van de Firmans, waarin zij aangenomen hadden U Ed:s te onderschragen. maar aldus Angesprooken 3 37 Aangesprooken, moeten wij de vrijheid neemen te zeggen, dat zederd het Casteel geworden is, dat van onse hoog Agtb:e meesters schijnen UEd:e ge „tragt te hebben een Zistig spel te speelen, en onder gemasqueerde voorregten, dewelke in zaa„ „ken van weinig gevolg niet zoo nauwkeurig „lijk zijn ondersogt geworden hebben Wip:s de eene onregtmatige indrang op den andere gestapeld. Jn het Jaar 1762 waren UEd: schreeden zoo snel dat de nabab zig zelfs Verpligt agte om UEd: met eens te moeten sluiten in derselver loopbaaen, en ingevolge van dien wierden UEd: in zasarigheeden Ver¬ „strikt waaruit onse bemiddeling ja allen onse Bemiddeling, UEd: hebben ontwaard mijne Heeren UEd: waren nu zeekerlijk met groote opregtheid, dat UE: als dan Reesideerend op„ „penheifd, gedrukt door den Last den Jaren door onden Cheff gedupeerd wierd. - Bij aldien uEd: Opperhoofd te dier tijd zoo ligtelijk om la getten Was was in sijn gedrag, schijnd het tog billijk te zijn te vooronderstellen dat hij eerder zig na zijn eigen Raad die altoos bij hem was, dan ½ zeer zelden zager nimmer eenige bijsondere gemeenschap met hem na ons Opperhoofd die hem ^ heeft gehade waren alde Leeden dan ook van UEd: talrijke verga¬ „dering des tijdes ouden gebrekkelijk en deelden zij alle inde neiging van UEd:s Opperhoofd om sig te laten dupeeren. Den overleedenen heer Rurperti was toenmaals UEd: secretaris wij geloven dat hij te gelijk is geweest den gezein schrijver en Factotum van UEd:s Opperhoofd, en Niemand heeft ooit aan zijne bequaamhee„ „den getwijffeld, nog aan die van den Heer de Jonge als toen UEd:s Fiscaal en buiten des mijne Heeren UEd: tegenwoordige Opper¬ „hoofd, zoo niet meede andere Leeden van dersel „ver predenten Raad hadden des tijds meede zitting aan uEd: tafel; dewelke wij teveel respecteeren, dan dat wij zouden kunnen denken zij met haren opperhoofd zig ver„ „eenigd 39 „eenigd hadden in neijgingen om geduepeerd of moslead te worden. UEd:s willen zeekerlijk niet /: Nu derselver Pretentien zoo hoog op de kerfstok geklommen zijn:/ wanneer dat wij ons met derzelver zaken zoude bemoeijen moeten dan als bezitters Van het Casteel - nog Willen uEd: staande houden dat het bezit van het Casteel ont niet als 9 besitters daarvan, desselfs waardigheid; Rang, magt en Authoriteid zoude toebrengen als aan die het bevorens gehad en gehouden hebben. - Laat dan de onpartijdige Wareld daar UEd: zig zoo familiar van bediend en zij opberoe„ „pen, oordeelen over, de staet van uEd: aan ons gedaane versoeken in vergelijking van die de„ „welke UEd: ongetwijfeld zullen hebben gedaen den sidie of vorige Gouverneur van het Casteel, en vervolgens besluiten wat de gevolgen sou¬ „den hebben geweest, ingevalle UEd:s het hart hadden gehad diergelijke quitagtige en insolentie insolentie bewoordingen te gebruiken bij een Mogolsch Gouverneur gelijk uEd:s in 't algemeen aan ons gedaan hebben en waarmeede dersel¬ „ver versoeken als met studie zijn opgeschikt. Wij zullen nog de vrijheid neemen eeni„ „ge weinige Woorden meer te zeggen nopens het onderwerp van middelaarschap en bescherminge Een iegelijk die voor een ander zig interresseerd om op een Vriendelijke wijse zekere Poincten in verschil te schitken met een derde Persoon, mag met regt gezegd worden een maddelaarr te zijn; En wanneer vindende dat overreedin¬ „ge niet wilbaten; alsdan zijn magt en Authoriteijd gebruikt om de derde Persoon te dwingen van verdrutkingen afte zien, en het verschil, na de reden of na gunds aftemaken, alsdan word, en verdiend hij ook Ongetwijfeld de naam van beschermer. De gesonde Reden moet dese voorstellen toe¬ „staan, en oordeeld bij deselve dan over de roll die 41 die UEd: ons vergen, dat wij met den nabab zullen ageeren ten Uwen opsigte, ende redelijkheid zul„ „len UEd:e wel haast gewennen aan benamin„ „gen die deselve thans zoo verschrikkelijk en smakelijk voorkomen. — UEd:s stelling dat derselver verschillen met den nalab nimmer Souden hebben ontstaen ingevalle wij niet te rade waren geworden, de na¬ „bal te beschermen op eene onregtmatige wijse tegens UEd: sluit op het bloote gesigt daarvan, de grootste ongezijmdheid en zig Het behoefd niet aangewesen te worden aen zel eeniger leeser van gesond oordeel. - maar mijne Heeren zouden UE:s wel voor ons een weinig opregtheid geslieven aen te neemen, en ons Jag„ „gen, wat UEd:s verstaan, met het neemen van Particuliere geschillen tot een Reeden, Om UEd:s Comp„e te verdrukken. Dit is een belagenden duijster aanval, op het Caracter Van ieder Persoon in onde vergadering, en het -
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It befits Your Honours to explain and maintain this in public, unless Your Honours intend to earn the title of treacherous murderers of reputation. So far from aiming or wishing that Your Honourable Dutch East India Company should in any way be harmed by the interests of private individuals, it has long grieved our hearts to observe that its affairs are so often entangled by the private interests of its own servants, for we can assure you with confidence that we know of not a single occasion where Your Honours have had any disputes with the nabob wherein the Honourable Company was originally or immediately involved, but rather was always dragged into it by its own servants in order to give a colour to biased and self-interested dealings. Let us cast an eye 43 on Your Honours' present disputes with the nabob. The negotiated return of Tabida to Surat was, if not entirely, at least primarily a private affair of two or three private persons, and Your Honours' Honourable Company had no great interest in it. And this same matter became the cause of most of your subsequent disputes with the Nabob. It was entirely the origin of the supposed chokey, threats of oppression, and grievances of which Your Honours complain so loudly. Boetisa's and Deanaet's claims against Your Honours' Warehouse Master are certainly private affairs with which Your Honours' Company originally had nothing to do. The deliberate pulling down of the King's public highway, Your Honours' unlawful encroachment in the matter of buildings and other respects, the buying at pleasure by Your Honours' servants of houses and grounds, concerning all of which the nabob complains so loudly, are certainly circumstances that relate solely to private individuals, and for which the interests of Your Honours' Company ought not to be suspended, or suffer thereby. The matter, then, of the Persian who stole the spices is the only one that could properly be said to be of a public nature, and this turns entirely upon Your Honours' firmans. Your Honours maintain that you possess a prerogative and privilege to punish your own servants, and that when one of the city's subjects becomes Your Honours' immediate servant, and consequently protected by Your Honours' Honourable Company, he would thereby be discharged or freed from his obedience to the nabob. The Nabob denies this absolutely. Express examples have been cited to prove clearly the contrary of Your Honours' assertion. 95 And this being denied so clearly, so absolutely, and so reasonably, what else could we do, according to reason, our duty, and a sound judgement, than to request to see that same Firman which contained this very extraordinary privilege, as the exhibition thereof would have decided the matter at once in Your Honours' favour? It is not only in this, but with respect to many other of your present disputes, that the production of the firmans will be necessary, because without them nothing can be determined. How then can Your Honours, gentlemen, if you have a clear right to the privileges upon which you insist, be so obstinate and so stubbornly blind to the true interest of your Honourable Masters as to refuse to show us the Firmans that contain this? Is it also a ridiculous conceit of pride or imagined equality that thus leads Your Honours astray? It may be so, and therefore, to show Your Honours that we are ready to show indulgence to the weakness of human nature, and earnestly desirous to be of assistance to Your Honours, if Your Honours will only place it in our power to be able to do so reasonably, we request Your Honours to devise a method yourselves that can best serve your conception of your dignity and imagined consequence, and most easily soften your Honourable High Dignity. We are willing for once to make use of one of your own expressions, and we wish to avoid punctilios as far as we can, and if possible abide by it. But since, after a serious and mature consideration of a question well known to Your Honours, which 7 has been on the carpet for several years, our resolution was founded on the demand no longer to fight in the dark for Your Honours, but to be convinced once and for all by Your Honours' Firmans whether Your Honours have an actual right to the privileges upon which you insist, and which resolution has received the full confirmation of our superiors, we cannot deviate from it. Do not attempt, gentlemen, to amuse yourselves with the vain hope that we act of our own accord, and that we leave our superiors at Bombay in the dark regarding our proceedings with respect to your affairs. Every paper and letter that Your Honours send to us is sent in copy to their Honours. And for the sake of our Superiors, we heartily wish that Your Honours' correspondence were not so prolix and tiresome. How can the thought dwell with Your Honours, gentlemen, that we
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het betaamd UEd: zulx uit te leggen en staende te houden in 't openbaar, ten ware UEd:s meende te willen verdienen de benaminge van der¬ „raaderlijke moordenaars van reputatie. — zoo verre van te b'oogen ofte wenschen dat UEd. e Ed„e Nederlandsche OostJndische Compagnie eenigsints benadeeld zoude moeten worden door de belangens Van bijsondere Persoonen; heeft het ondzeederd langen van harten leed gedaan te moeten aanmerken dat hare zaken zoo dikwils verwardraken door de bijsondere belangens van hare eigene Dienaeren, want wij kunnen met gerustheid verseekeren, dat wij geen eene Occasie weeten daar UEd:s met den nabab eenige verschillen hebben gehaed daar derselver Ed: Comp„e vooraf of Onmid¬ „delijk meede gemoeit is geweest, maar altijd door haere eigen dienaren daeringesleept ten ein„ „de een couleur te geven aen Partijdige, en eigen be„ „langelijke gedoentend- Laat ond, eenvoogwerpen G.p 43 Op de tegenswoordige Uw Ed: verschillen met d' habal„ De genegotieerde te rugkomst van Tabida naar soeratta, was zoo niet in 't geheel ten minstan Voornamentlijk een bijsondere Parearaffai¬ „re van twee of drie bijsondere Personen, en UEd: Ed: Comp:e had er geen groot belang in. En dese selfde zaak warde Oorsaak vande meeste Uwer toekomende verschillen met de Nabab. Het was ten eenemaale den oor„ „spronk van het gewaande tjotkie. - Dreige„ „menten van verdrukkinge en bezwaar„ „nissen daar UEd: zoo luid verklagen. Boetisas en Deanaets Pretentien op UEd:s Pakhuismeester, zijn zekere bijsonder zaaken daar UEd Comp„e oorspronkelijk niet meede te doen hadden. Het op zettelijk om verhaalen 'skonings gemeene weg UEd: onregtmatige indrang in cas van gebouwen, en andere opsigten, het koopen na welgeval„ „len door UEd: Dienaren van huisen en Erven Erven over twelk alles de nabab zoo Zuijd kaels vs klagen„ „de, zijn zeekerlijke omstandigheeden die eenlijk be„ „trekking hebben op bijsondere Persoonen en waer„ „voor de belangens van UEd:s Comp„e niet behoorden gestaakt te werden, of zij daar door lijden. De zaak dan van de Persie, die de specerijen ge„ „stoolen heeft is de eenigste die men regtmasi„ „ger wijse zoude kunnen zeggen van een Lu„ „blicquien aard te zijn, en dese draaijd in 't ge„ „hael op UEd:e firmans, UEd: houden staande dat hij een voorregt en Privelegien besitte„ om derselver eigene Dienaaren te straffen, en dat Wanneer iemand van de staeds Onderda¬ „nen UEd:s onmiddelijke Dienaren Word, en bij gevolge geprolegeerd door UE: Ed Comp„e deselve daardoor ontslagen of bevrijd Zouden worden van zijne gehoorsaamheid aen de nabab. — De Nabab ontkend dat absoluut. Expresse Voorbeelden zijn aangehaald, om Vleek het tegengestelde van UEd: assertie te bewijsen En 95 en het welk dan zoo duidelijk, zoo volstrekt, en zoo reedelijk ontkende werdende, wat konden wij dan, na de reeden volgens, onse pligt; en een gesond oordeel anders doen als te versoeken om dieselfde Firman te zien, die dit zeer buiten gewoone voorregt inhield, alsoo het vertoonen daarvan de zaek met eens in UEd:s voordeel had beslist, het is niet alleenig dit, maar ten opsigte van veele andere Uwer tegenwoordige verschillen dat de Productie van derselver fir „mans nodig zijn zal om dat zonder deselve niets kan worden gedetimineerde - hoe kunnen UEd: dan mijne Heeren zoo deselve een klaar regt tot de Privilegien hebben waarop zo aandringen zoo eigendinnigen zoo halsterriglijk blind blind zijn voor het ware Jnterest UW Eerbetaaldheeren, om ons te weigerende Firmans te zaan die zulx be„ „helsd. - Is het ook een belachelijke inbeelding van Van hoogmoed, of gewaande gelijkstandigheid die UEd. dus op den doolwegbrengt. - Het kan zoo zijn, en daarom, om UEd:s te tonen dat wij bereidvaardig zijn inschitkelijkheid te ge„ „bruiken, met de zwakhuijd van de menschelijk Natuur, en ernstig verlangende, om UEd: behulpsaam te zijn, als het UEd: maar in Onse magt willen stellen om het reedelijk te kunnen doen; zoo versoeken wij UE: om sel„ „ver een manier te willen uitdenken, die het best derselver bevatting van hunne waer„ „digheid en gewaarde aangeleegendheid dienen kan, en het gemakkelijkst versagten derselver Hoog Agtbaare Consequentie. wij willen voor een reis gebruik maken van een Ulver eigene Uitdrukkingen; en wij willen Poch „tilles vermijden, zoo verre als wij kunnen, en Zoo het mogelijk is daarbij blijven berusten, maar vermits na eene ernstige en rijpe Const„ „deratie van een vraegj, die UE:s wel bekend is, dat verscheide 7 verscheide jaeren op 't tapijt is geweest, ons be „sluit gegrondvest is geworden op den Eisch van niet langer voor UEd:s in den donker te vegten, maar eens voor al door UE: Pirmans Over„ „teugd werden, of UEd: een wesentlijk regt hebben tot de Previlegien waarop zij Ur„ „geeren, En welke besluijt de volkomene ^superieuren bekragtiging onser farmans ertangd heeft, zoo kunnen wij daarvan niet afwijken. Tragt dog niet mijne Heeren UEd: zelven te Amuseeren met de ijdele hoop, dat wij uit ons Zelven ageeren, en dat wij ons gebiederen el te Baij: in den donkerlaten verblijven nopens onse handelingen ten opsigte van Uwe Zaaken jeder Papier en brief die UE: ons toeschikken werd in afschrift aan haar Ed:s toegesonden En om de Willen van one Superieuren wensch¬ „ten wij hartelijk dat UE: Correspondentie niet zoo wijdloopigen verdrietig was, hoe kunnen bij UE:s mijne kleeren de gedagten huisvesten, dat wij.
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that we keep our superiors in the dark and would hide from them any part of our correspondence, for surely that is not the custom in your service. You speak, Gentlemen, of several other chicaneries and hindrances that were placed in your way, but you mention no particulars. We are astonished thereat, since you seem to be such great admirers of what you call sincerity and dealing straightforwardly. Once for all, we beg of you, whenever you need our intervention, always to be straightforward, open, and timely in your requests, which will save both us and yourselves much trouble. And we declare to you that we will not venture to decipher them, expecting therefore that if you still have anything else to complain of, you will do so in clear and direct terms. We only desire that you will be convinced of the great difference that exists between sincerity and the unbridled outpouring of passion and low insults, and how great the difference is between a straightforward manner of dealing and a lack of proper civility. It appears necessary to make one more remark to you, namely, that our obligations, as Governors of the Castle, between you and the Nabob, are reciprocal. If we are bound to maintain you in your lawful rights and privileges, so are we in the same manner obliged to defend and support the Nabob against all those who might venture to disturb the [illegible] and tranquility of his government. We have now fully answered your letters, Gentlemen, and said everything that appeared necessary to us, and if the style of this letter should be unusually sour and severe, you have only yourselves to thank for it. We sincerely hope that your future conduct and letters will enable us to use once more the pleasant expressions of friendship and harmony. While we are provoked as you have pleased to provoke us, we cannot, consistent with our characters and duty, interfere with the Nabob for and on behalf of you any further than we have done. But if, by a more tractable conduct and a reasonable compliance with our desires, you will enable us to be properly of assistance to you, you may be assured that we shall with the greatest satisfaction do our best to remove all your difficulties and do you every service with pleasure that is in our power. It would be quite agreeable to us if in the future you would send us English translations along with your letters instead of Gentoo, as has been customary. We have the honor to be, Honorable Gentlemen, Your most humble and obedient servants. Signed: W: A: Price, R: Gambier, J: Halsey, W: Stratton, T: Day, G: Perrott, W: James, F: Dorrien. In the margin: Surat, 22 March 1773. Lower down: For the translation, signed: J. Govertsz. No. 4: To the Worshipful Martin John Bosman, Esq., Director for all affairs of the Noble Netherlands Company and Council at Surat. Sir, We shall now fully reply to your letter of the 24th ultimo as well as that of the 7th instant. The very insolent, scurrilous, and highly disrespectful terms both these letters are loaded with would amply justify us were we to pass them over in contemptuous silence and absolutely refuse to have anything further to say to you until a proper apology was made for such gross affronts, both to our own characters and the authority we represent; but lest this mode of proceeding, however just in itself, should furnish you with the insinuation that our silence proceeded from incapacity to refute your arguments, we will, for the present, wave the right of vindicating our highly abused good nature, and condescend once more to point out to you the falsehood of your assertions and representations, the injustice of your claims and pretensions, and the strange impropriety of your conduct throughout. And we the rather submit to this ungrateful task as it will at least afford a striking instance that moderation, candor, and generosity rule our deliberations, while all your thoughts and actions seem to be wholly influenced by self-interest. In our inquiry into your complaints, it was our duty to search them to their very foundations, and not to rashly determine on some particular circumstances as set forth by you, without tracing these to the causes which produced them. A very proper, full, and truly impartial inquiry we did make; and however little you deserved such kindness on our part, made it with a sincere wish that the result might prove favorable to your cause. That it unluckily did not so is the sole reason of your now accusing us with not having made any. All your transactions with the Nabob were carried on in a clandestine manner, without our being acquainted with them in the proper, formal, and public way, until your letter of the 11th December communicated to us the long list of pretended grievances, with which to that hour we were all quite unacquainted, except the first subscriber, who, being desired to give us all the information he could relative thereto, did indeed give us a very full and ample detail, which we have already told you in no wise corresponded with yours, or in any respect justified your remonstrances and complaints. A further very full inquiry on our part, from all others who could give us any information, followed, which confirmed the representations of our Chief; and on all these jointly weighed and maturely considered were founded the sentiments we candidly expressed to you in our letter of the 29th December, which has
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dat wij onse superieuren in den donker houden en voor deselve eenig gedeelte van onde Carres¬ „pondentie, verbergen zouden immers is zulx niet de gewoonte, in Uwen dienst, UEd: spreeken mijne Heeren van Verscheidene and re Chicanes en Verhinderingen die UE: in den weg werden gelegd, maer melden geene bijson„ „derheeden. - Wij zijn daarover versteld, ver„ „mits UEd:s zulke grote bewonderaarsschijnen te zijn Van het geen deselve noemen opregtheid en Eenvoudig te handelen. - Eens voor al wij bid„ „den UEd„,s wanneer ze onse bemoeinisse nodig hebben, altoos Eenvoudig Publicq, en Vroeg tijd te zijn, in derselver versoeken, het eekkons en UEEd:s zelven veel moeite uitwinnen zal En wij verklaaren UEd:, dat wij niet zullen Onderstaan derselver te ontcefferen, ver„ „wagtende dierhalven dat so UEsnogergens anders over te klagen hebben zij zulx inklare en directe termes doen willen. — Wij. 49 ij verlangen eenelijk dat UEd:s verluigt willen zijn, van het groot verschil dat er is tusschen opregtheid, en de tomelose uitstorting van passie en lage bejegeningen, en hoe groot tusschen eene eenvoudige handelwijken ge„ „brek aen betaemelijke wellevendheid. - Het Schijnd noodzaakelijk nog eene Aenmerking bij UEd: te moeten maken, nament„ „lijk, dat Onse verpligtinge/: Ul Gouverneurs van 't Casteel 't tusschen UEd: en de nabab wedersijds is, Indien wij gehouden zijn UEd: te handhaven in derselver regtmatige Regten en Privelegien zoo zijn wij inselver voegen verpligt den nabab te verdedigen, en te ondersteunen tegens alle de geenen dewelke zouden mogen onderstaan te ver¬ „storen de. . . . . . . . en rust van zijne regeeringe Wij hebben nu volkomen b'antwoord mijne Heeren UEd: brieven en alles gesegd wat ons voor„ „kwam noodsaekelijk te zijn, en zoo de stijl van desen deden brief ongewoonziuw en Straff mogte zijn, hebben UEd:s zig zelfs zulx eenlijk dant te wijten. - Wij hopen opregtelijk dat UE:s aan„ „staande gedrag en brieven ons in staat zal stellen om weder de aangenaeme Uitdrukken „gen van vriendschap en Harmonie te gebrui „ken, Terwijl verhit gelijk uEd: ons hebben gelieven te verhitten, wij niet bestaan„ „baar met onse caracters en Pligt, ons Cun„ „nen bemoeijen met den nabab voor en van wegens UEd' verder als wij hebben gedaan, maer indien door een gevollijker gedrag, en redelijke involging van ons verlangen, UEd:s ons in staet willen stellen om dezelve met Eigenschap behulpsaam te kunnen zijn, zoo kunnen UEd:s versekerd zijn dat wij met de grootste satisfactie ons best sullen doen om alle UEd: zwarigheeden te versetten en UEd: alle diensten gemoegen te bewijsen die in ons Vermogen is. Het 51 Het zoude ons wel aangenaem zijn als UEd: in het toekomende ons Engelsche vertaling en nevens derselver brieven insteede van han¬ „sche zenden wilde, gelijk gebruikelijk is geweest. — Wij hebbende Eer te zijn /:onderstond/ Ed:e Heeren Heeren. /:Lager:/ UEd: zeer Otmoe„ „dige en gehoorsaeme Dienaeren /ageteekend/ W: A: Price, R: Gambier, J: Halseij, W: Stratton, T: Daij. . . . . . . . , G: Perrott. . . . . . -., W: James, F: Dorien /:In margine:/ Soeratta den 22:' Maart 1773: /:noglager:/ voor de vertaeling /: geteekend:/ J„b Govertsz J. 7. 53 No 4: Tke W:d martin John Bosman Eq: Directore for all affairs of the Noble Netherland Company F. Couneel at Curat N ir VerN We shall now fully reply to ijour Letter of the 24th ultimo e as well as that of the 7th Instant The very insolent, scuvrilous and highly disrespect full- Terms, both these letters are loaded with; woud amply justify es were we to pass them over in contenptions silence; and ab¬ solutely refuse to have any thing further to say to you, till a proper Apologr: was made for such grof affrents, both to our oun Characters & the authori¬ „ty were present – but least this mode of proceeding, however just Po G just in ikjelf should furnish you with the Insinuation, that four silence proceeded fram incapa¬ city to refute your arguments; We will, for the present, save the right of sindicating our highly abused good Natilre, and condes cnd anse more to point out to you, the futscheed of your aperti Lans and representations, injus¬ tice of your claims and preten¬ „tions, and strange unpropare„ ty of your Conduct theoughout And We the rather submit to this ungratefull Tash, as it will at least afford a striking Instance that moderation, Candor and Gene¬ rosity rule our deliberations while all your thoughts and actions sum to be wholly infla„ enced by self interest: In our enquiry into your cumploints it was our duty to Clarch them to their very founda¬ „tians, & not to raspoli determine on some particular Circumstances; as set forth by you, without tracing these to the causes which produ¬ ced them a very proper full, & truly impartial Enquiry we die : 33 did make; and housver little you de= served such kindness on our part, made it with a sincere Wish, that the result might prove favorable to your cause. That it unluckily did not so, is the sole Reason of your now accusing us, with not having made any – All your consensions with the Nabob were barried en in a clandistine mannen; without our being acquainted with them; in the proper, formall es publick way till your Letter of the 11st December commu, nicated to us the lang list of pretended Greviances with which, to that hour we were all quite un acquainted except the first subscriben, who being desired to give us all the Information be- Could relative thereto, did indeed give us avery full and ample ditail, which we have already told you, no wise cor¬ respanded with yours, or in any res= „spect justified pjour remonstrances & Complaints a further very full Enquiry an our part, from all others who could give us any Information followed, which confirmed the repre= sentations of our Chief; and on all theses jointly weigled and inasurely condidered were founded the sentiments we candidly expressed to you in our Letter of the 29th December, which kas
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has drawn on us such an indecent return. If your pride would not permit you to consider us as mediators and protectors, decency and good manners might have taught you to address us as gentlemen. From the sentiments so clearly expressed in our above-mentioned letter, we, to this moment, cannot see any reason to recede, but rather abundant cause to remain fixed in them. There is hardly any human action but what labored sophistry and Jesuitical cunning may throw a false gloss over, and this you call counter-chowkeying the Parsi's house, merely putting a guard of sepoys to defend your Company's property; a notorious theft of spices you term the sweeping up of a few broken cloves, and the glaring insult of obtruding on the Nabob your broker Muncher, who has in numerous instances proved himself both his and his father's avowed enemy, and insisting merely to see the Nabob, that he should see him, you varnish over with the pretense that the Nabob, by denying your broker audience, tramples on your privileges. The applying to Mr. Price in his public capacity, for only in that capacity could he execute your desire to procure Tapidas' return, you term a private application to a friend which was not meant to have any public consequences. The granting of a baul or letter of protection to Tapidas, couched, it is true, in very curious terms, you call the writing him a merely friendly letter, etc., etc., numerous instances of very artful perversion. How very unjustly too do you present the affair of Tapidas' return, and assert that he could not return under the protection of the town and castle Governor, as it is positively provided by your Phirmaunds that no one shall undertake to assist the debtors of the Company, and that the Governors shall not suffer anyone to protect them. With what face can you pretend to assert that the circumstance of Tapidas' negotiated return under full and ample protection has anything to do with these pretended clauses in your Phirmaunds? This same Tapidas was entirely out of the reach of the Surat government and could not by any means be compelled to return. To induce him to come back, it was absolutely necessary that he should be satisfied of protection from all quarters and parties. He dreaded your power and resentment of his flight as much as he did anything, and to secure him from us, Mr. Price gave him his protection as Governor of the castle and procured him that of the Nabob as Governor of the town, for the latter was immediately necessary for him to come into Surat with safety. And when he returned under these joint safe-guards, every protecting party had an undoubted and absolute right to watch that he was not oppressed or detained, or their protection so given in any wise infringed or insulted. And in spite of all your subtlety in pretending a compliment and honor by sending your sepoys, you undoubtedly did, in the most glaring and ridiculous manner, insult both the authority of Mr. Price as Governor of the castle and the Nabob as Governor of the town, by presuming under any pretext whatsoever to put, without their previous consent, any sepoy on Tapidas while so protected. Had you negotiated with Mr. Price for Tapidas' unreserved return to your factory and his being immediately delivered up to your jurisdiction, and he so settled the affair, in such case, and such case alone, your behavior would have been right, and the Nabob's interference improper. What resulted on the part of the Nabob, not as you represent, but as it really happened, we still think was natural and just. Mr. Price asserts that you did make him, as Governor of the castle, an apology, and we believe him; and consequently think the Nabob had a right to a similar mark of respect, as his authority had been equally offended against. We are sorry to say, Gentlemen, that the extracts you have furnished us with from your Phirmaunds, admitting them to be authentic, prove nothing, as they only direct that you shall be assisted in the recovery of your just debts by the government, and we never heard of your having applied for such assistance and being refused it. But there is a wide difference betwixt this and an imperious broker of yours employing the privileged sepoys of your Noble Company to distress the town subjects. Your broker Muncher's well-known character for such practices as complained of, and abuse of the power his station in your service furnishes him with, needs no comment from us. However, we only mentioned the Nabob's complaint against him by way of caution, that such proceeding in him might not by you be allowed of; and if there is anything in the story of the coppersmith, which we cannot but think wears too much the appearance of being dressed up for the occasion, had you made a proper complaint at the time it happened, we should not have refused to procure you redress. But if you, for any secret and particular motives best known to yourselves, choose to huddle up your disputes and keep them a secret, and willfully neglect to make proper representations till it is almost too late to interfere with any propriety, the fault lies with your own selves. And we here cannot avoid observing that had all your present pretended grievances been, in their infancy, properly represented and of course discussed with the Nabob through our allowed and permitted mediation, they never could have risen to the extraordinary height which delay and pernicious palliatives have brought them to. We will now answer your weighty question. Mr. Spencer and his Council certainly did engage, without positively knowing what they were, to support you by the mediation and influence of the English, as possessors of the castle, in all your just privileges. Till our Noble Employers became masters of the castle, the English in the town of Surat were but, as yourselves, a set of privileged and incorporated merchants, and
Dutch transcription
has drawn on us such an induent Return Jf your pride woud not permit you to considerss as Media= stors & protecters, decency & good man„ ners might have tought you addres us as Gentlemen Framthe Ients ments soclearly expressed in our above, mentioned Letter, We, to this mament cannot see any reason to reude buh rather absindant cause to remain fixed in them – There is hardly any human Action but what lobored Cophistry and Jesuitical cunning may Ahroes a false gloss over and this youcall counterchouw keying the Parsies House, menly putting a Guard of seepay to defend your Companys property a notorious theft of spices you term the sweeping sip a few bro„ „ken Cloves, and the glaring in„ fult of obtreeding in the NNabob your Broker Muncher, who has in Numerous Instances provic himself, but his and his fathers avowed Enemy, and insisting menly to sex the Nabob: that he should see him, you rasnich over with the Presence that the Nabob by denying your Broken dudience tramples en your Privileo The 57 The applying to M r Price in kis publick Capacity för only in that capacity could he execute Your desire, to procure Papidas return - Ysou ferm a prinate appli¬ cation to a frund which was not means to have any publick „sequences - The granting of a Banst: or Letter of Protection to Papidap; eruched tistrue in very ensious Perms Youcall the writing hem a menly friendly Letter- &l &c: Kunerous instances of very artfull perversion How very unjustly tor do your present the Affair of Sapidall Return, and absert that he could not return under the Protection of the Town and Castle Governor, as it is positively Eprovided by Uour Bhirmands, that no sone shall undertake to assist the Debtore of the Company, and that the Governors shall not suffer my one to protest them: With what fare, can you pretenc to apert, that the Crainstance of Papidass negotiatid retum, under full and ample protection, has any thing sto do with these pre, Hendr Clauses in &Jour Poinmands¬ This 2. This same Papidass was intr rily out of the Reach of the Curat Government and could, not by any mians be campelled to return; Po induce him to came back, it was absolutely necessary that he should be satisfied of protection fram all Quarters and parties Ae dreand your Pwin and resentment of his flight, as much as he did angith, and to secure him frances, Mr. Price gave him his protection as Governor of the Castle and precured him that Oof the Nabobas Governor of the Town, for the latter was imme„ diately necessary for him to come into surut with Safity and when he returned under these joint safe Guards, every protec¬ ting Party had an eendoubted and absolute Right to water that he was not oppressed or detained, or thein protection so given, any wise infringed or in sulved & in spite of all your subtitity, i pretending a Com¬ pliment and honor by Sending your supays, you undoubtedly did in thoe most glasing and rediculous 3 ridiculous Mannen, in sult both the Authority of Mr Price as Go: vernor of the Castle and the Nabob as Governor of the Tosn, by pre¬ suming under any pretext what sowter to pat, without this precincn veous Consent any supay on Sapidaf while so protected, Stad you negotiated with Mr. Price for Iapidases unreserverd return to your Factory, and his being imme„ diately delivered up to your Juris„ „diction and he sa settled the Affair, in such Case, and such Case alone, your behaarour woud hare been right, land Ahe Nabobs interference im proper „ What resumbted on the part of the Nabob, not as you represent, but as it really happened We still think was natural and just: M. r Price aspert: that you die make him as Governor of the Castle an Apology and We believe him; and consiquently think the Nabol had a Right to a similar mark of respect, as his Au, thority had leien equally offended against We are sorry to say Gentlemen, that the extracts you have fumished as with fram your Phirmands, ad„ „mitting edly „mitting them to be authentick, prove„ nothing, as they anly direct aoue shall be assisted in the recovery of your first Debts by the Government, and We never heard of your having ap plied for such asistance, and bein refesed it but there is a wide dif¬ firence betwixt this, and an impe„ rious broker of yours emploijing: the priviledged seepons of your Noble Campany to distress the Town subjects - Your Broker Muncher well known Character for such prac¬ tices, as complained of, and abuse of the Power his station In your ser vice furnishes him with, needs no camment fram us - hourver we only mentioned the Nabobs Complaint, against him by way of erection, that such proceeding in Him, might not by you be allowed of; and if there is any thing in the Story of the Copper smith, which, we cannot but think, wears too much the Appearance of being dressed up for the occasion, had you made a proper Complaint at the Time it Chappened, We should not have schifed to procure asou redress; but if you for any secret and particu lass 61 lar matives, best knosn to youn selves, choose to heedle up your dis„ putes, and keep them a secret, and will fulle neglect to make proper representations till its almost toe flate to interfore with any propriety the fault lays with your own selves, & and We here cannot avoid obser¬ ving that had all your present Pretended Greviances been in thur Jnfamy, properly represented A of course discuped with the Nabobe thro our allow as the Permt Mediation, they never could have resen to the extraordinary Leight which Delay and perniciones Palliat have blought thamto: We will now answer your e „mighty question, M. r Spencer and his Council certainly, did engage without premitelyk knowing what they were; to support you by the mediation and influence of the English, as popessors of the Castle, in all youn just privrledges Tillour Anbls Employsers became masters of the Castle, the English in the Toun of surat were bus, as Yourselves, a set of priviled ged and incorporated Martchants, and
English
and therefore could never have had any right or concern to enquire into your Privileges. They knew well that you existed here under the Jurisdiction of the Town Government, and that you were entitled to no privileges but what your Phirmands and Grants from the Great Mogol gave you, and of course Mr. Spencer and his Council supposed, as they could not but take it for granted, that they and their successors would have to do with men of Honor and reason, that whenever a Privilege was claimed by you and controverted by the Nabob or others, the existence of its right in you, could and would be, without hesitation, satisfactorily proved by the production of the Phirmand, or Grant, which contained it. To suppose for an instant that the contrary could ever happen, to suppose that a set of men would insist on privileges, and at the same time obstinately refuse to produce proper proofs of their having any right to them, was too great an absurdity or malicious suspicion ever to enter into the candid and unsuspicious Breast of Mr. Spencer and his Council, or else without doubt they would early have insisted on being furnished with authentic Copies of the Phirmands they engaged to support you in. But thus alleged, we must take the Liberty of saying, that since the Castle became our Honorable Masters', you seem to have endeavoured to play an artful Game, and under masked Privileges which, in Cases of little Consequence, were not too strictly enquired into, to build encroachment on encroachment. In the year 1762, your strides were so large and rapid that the Nabob thought Himself obliged to stop you short in your Courses, and in consequence You were involved in difficulties which our mediation, Mediation Gentlemen, alone extricated you from. You now with Great Candour doubtless pretend your then presiding Chief, oppressed with the Weight of Years, was made the dupe of ours. If your Chief at that time was so easily influenced in his Conduct, it seems reasonable to suppose that he would rather be influenced by his own Council who were always near to him, than by our Chief who saw him very rarely and never had any particular Intercourse with him. Were all the Members too of your Numerous Council at that Time old and Infirm, and sharers with your Chief in his Propensity to being duped? The deceased Mr. Rauspert was then your public Secretary. We believe that he was also your Chief's private Secretary and Factotum, and no man ever doubted his abilities, nor those of Mr. De Jonge who then was your Fiscal, and besides, Gentlemen, your present Chief, if not other Members too of your present Council, had at that same Juncture seats at your Board, for whom we have too much respect to think they joined your Chief in being so easily duped and imposed upon. You will not, high-soaring as your Pretensions now are, surely pretend that We have any other Business to Interfere in your Affairs than as possessors of the Castle. Nor will you advance that the possession of the Castle does not give to its present possessors every Dignity, Rank, Power, and Authority that its former ones held and Enjoyed. Let then the impartial World, you are so very free with in your appeals, judge of the state of your Applications to us by what it was doubtless always to the Seedie and former Governors of the Castle, and determine what would have been the Consequences of your daring to use to a Mogol Governor such scurrilous and insolent expressions as your Applications In general to us are so studiously ornamented with. We will take leave to say a few Words more on the subject of Mediation and Protection. Whoever interferes in behalf of another to adjust, in an amicable manner, certain Points in Dispute with a third Person, may be justly said to be a Mediator; and if, when he finds persuasion will not avail, he uses his Authority and power to compel the third Person to desist from oppression and settle the Dispute on the footing of Reason or favor to the Person whose cause he espouses, he doubtless becomes and deserves the appellation of Protector. Common sense must assent to these propositions, and by them judge of the Part you call upon us to act with the Nabob towards You, and reason will soon reconcile you to the Titles which now seem so terribly disgusting. Your Assertion that your Disputes with the Nabob could never have arisen if we had not been induced to protect the Nabob in an unjust Manner against you, carries the highest Absurdity in the very face of it. It need not be pointed out to any Reader of Common Understanding. But Gentlemen, will you be pleased at once to adopt a little Candour and to tell us what you mean by our having taken private Disputes as a Reason for oppressing your Company? This is an insidious and dark Attack on the Character of Every Individual of our Board, and it behoves you to explain and support it openly, unless you mean to merit the appellation of Assassins of Reputation. So very far from
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and therefore could never have had any right or concern to enquire Into your Priviledges They knew well that you existed here under the Jurisdiction of the Town Government, and that you were entitled to no priviledges but what your Phirmands and Grants from the Great Mogoll gave you, and of course Mr. Speneer and his Council supposed as they could not but take it for granted that they and their successors would have to do with man of Honor and reason, that whenever a Priviledge was claimed by you and cantroversed by the Nabob or others, the existence of its right in you, coud & woud be, without Resitation, satisfactorily proved by the production of the Plein: mand, or Grant, which contai„ „ned it– To suppose for an ins. tant that the contrary could ever happen - to suppose thal a set of men would insist on privlledges, and at the same time obstinately refuse to produce pro„ per proofs of thei having any right to them was toe great an an absurdity or malicious suspi¬ cian ever to enter into the Carded and unsuspicions Breast of Mr spencer and his Council, or else without doubt they woud early have insisted on being furnished with authintik Copies of the Phirmands they engaged to support you in Dut thus alledan, we must take the Liberty of saying, that since the Castle brame our Anble Mas„ „ters, gouseem to hare indea„ voured to play an artfeil Gamen and under masked Priviledges which, in Cases of little Canso „quenaes were not toe stricktly enquired into, to build Onefra„ „chment an enernachment: In the year 1762: your sides were so large and rapid that the Nabob thought Himself obliged to stop &soushort in your Curses, and in consiquence You were involved in difficulties which our mediation - Mediation Gentlemen alone extricate d Gou fram- You now with Treat Candor doubtles pretend vour then presi„ ding Chief, oppresed witho the Weight 63 Neight of Uiars was made the dupe of ours. If your Chief at that time was so casily inflamed in his Canduch it seem reasannable to suppose, that he would rather be infllund by his oun Council who were always neartoim¬ than by our Chief who saw him very rarely and never had any particular Intercourse with him Were all the Membrrs too of your Numerous, Council at that Time old and Infirm, and sharses with your Clief in his Propen sity to being duspedt. the deceased Mr. Rusperte was then your publick se¬ cetary We believe that he was also &four Cheefs private Secretary and Tac Potum, and no man everdoubted his abilitus, nor those of Mr. De Jonge who then was your fiscal and besides, Gentlemen, your pre¬ „sent Chief if not other Members too of your present Council, had at that sany Juncture seats at your Board, for whom we have too much respect to think, they joined your Cheef in being so easily duped & imposed upon Asose will not high sorsing as your Pretentions now dre„ sserely pretend that We have any 63 any other Business to Interfore: In Kjour Affairs then as possessors of the Castle- Nor will you advance that the possession of the Castle does not give to its presents possessors, eherr Signity, Rank, Bowen, and Authority that its former ones held and Onjoyed. Let then the impartiaf World, you are so very free with In your appeart to judge of the state of your Applications to us, by what it was doubtless always to the seedie and former Governors of the Castle and determine what would have been the Consequences of your daring, to use to a Mogoll Governor such ssturilous and insolent sxpressions as your Applications In general to cs„ areso studious by omamented with We will take leave to say a few Words more on the subject of Me„ „diation and Protection./ Whoever interferes in behalf of an other to adjust, in an amicable mannen, certain Spoints in Dispute with a third Person, o may be justly said to be a Mediator; and if, when he finds, persuasion will not awail, he uses his Authority & power to compel the third Person to desist from oppression and settle the Dispute on the fetting of Rason or favor to the Person whose cause he 4 he espouses, he doubtless becomes and deserves the appellation of Protestor Common senses must, assent to these propositions and by them judge of the Part you call upanties to act with the Nabob Stowards You, and reason will soon reconsile you to the Titles which now sum so terri, „bly disqusting: Afour Assertion that your Des¬ pertes with the Nabob could never have arisen if we had not been in„ duced to protect the Nabob in an unjust Manner against &jours Capies the highest Absurdity in the very faw of it- It nud not be pointed out to any Reader of Sammen Anderstanding — But Gentlemen, will you be pleased at ance to adopt a little Candor & to tell us, what sou mean by our having Aaken private Disputes als a Reason for oppressing rour Com¬ pani. This is an insiduous & Hark Attack on the Character of Every Individual of our Board, and it behores you to explain and support it openly unless you mean fo merit the appellation of Assa= sins of Resuutation – Severy far from
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Far from intending or wishing that your Noble Netherland Company should be prejudiced at all by the concerns of individuals, we have long been most heartily sorry to observe that their affairs are so frequently embroiled by the private concerns of their own servants; for we can, with safety, assert that we do not know any one occasion where you have had a dispute with the Nabob that your Noble Company have been primarily and immediately concerned, but always dragged in by their own servants to give a color to partial and self-interested proceedings. Let us have an eye to your present disputes with the Nabob. Papidaf negotiated return to sumt ware, if not solely, at least principally a private affair of two or three individuals, and in it your Noble Company had no great concern, and this very affair was the cause of most of your future disagreements with the Nabob. It gave entire rise to the pretended chowkey threats of oppression and grievances you so loudly complain of. Bortasaws and Dignauts demands on your warehouse-keeper are certainly quite private concerns with which your Noble Company had originally nothing to do. Your willfully breaking down the King's high road, your encroachment in buildings and other respects, your servant purchasing of pleasure grounds and houses, of all which the Nabob so loudly complains, surely are circumstances which relate only to individuals and for which the interest of your employers should not be staked or suffer. The affair then of the Parsee who stole the spices is the only one which can justly be said to be of a public nature, and this hinges entirely on your Phirmands. You assert that you possess a right or privilege to punish your own servants, and that any of the town subjects becoming your immediate servants and consequently protected by your Noble Company are freed from their allegiance to the Nabob. The Nabob absolutely denies this. Instances in point have been produced to prove the very reverse of your assertion. Which being so most plainly, most positively, most rationally denied, what could we in reason, in duty, even in common sense do, but desire to see the very Phirmands which contained this very extraordinary privilege, as the producing it would at once settle the affair in your favor? But it is not only this, but many other circumstances as to your present disputes which cannot be determined but by the production of your Phirmands. How can you then, gentlemen, if you really do possess a clear right to the privileges you claim, be so very perverse and so obstinately blind to the true interest of your employers as to deny to satisfy us by showing the Phirmands which contain them? Can it be a ridiculous chimera of pride and fancied equality that leads you thus astray? It may be so, and therefore, to show you that we are ready to make great allowances for the frailty of human nature, and earnestly desiring to assist you if you will but put it in our power to do it rationally, we desire you to conceive any method that will but suit your own notions of dignity and fancied importance and cannot let down your august consequence. We will for once make use of an expression of your own, and we will waive punctilio as far as we can and if possible acquiesce in it; but as on the most serious and mature consideration of a question that you well know has been in agitation for years, was founded our determination to insist on no longer fighting your battles in the dark, but being once for all, to avoid every future dispute, convinced by your Phirmands of the privileges you have a real right to, and this determination has received the full sanction of our superiors, we cannot deviate from it. Do not, gentlemen, amuse yourselves with a vain hope of our acting from ourselves and keeping our superiors at Blax in the dark as to our proceedings in respect to your affairs. Every paper and letter you forward us we send copies of, and for the sake of our superiors we heartily wish that your correspondence was not so prolix and tedious. From whence, gentlemen, could you harbor the thought of our keeping our superiors in the dark and concealing any part of our correspondence with you? Surely such is not the custom in your service. You talk, gentlemen, of many other chicanes and impediments thrown in your way, but give us no particulars. We wonder at this, as you seem to be so great admirers of what you style sincerity and plain dealing. Once for all, we entreat you, when you want our interference, to be always plain, public, and early in your application, which will save us and yourselves much trouble; and we declare to you that we shall not attempt to decipher any of your innuendos, and therefore expect that if you have anything further to complain of, you will do it in plain and direct terms. We only wish you to be sensible that there is a wide difference between sincerity and the unbridled effusion of passion in low abuse, and as great between plain dealing and the want of decency and good manners. It seems necessary to make one further remark to you, which is that our duty as governors of the castle between you and the Nabob is reciprocal: if we are bound to maintain you in your just rights and privileges, we are equally bound to defend the Nabob and to support him against all who may attempt to disturb the peace and quiet of his government. We have now, gentlemen, fully answered your letters and said everything that occurs to us to be
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7 from intending or wishing that your Noble Netherland Company should be prejudiced at all by the Concerns of Individaals, We have long been most heartely serry to observe that their affairs are so frequently embroi¬ sed by the private Concerns of their own Servants; for we can, with safity assest, that We do not know any one Occasion where you have had a Dispute with the Nabol that your Noble Com¬ „panij have been primarily and imme¬ „diately concerned, but alwaas dragged In by their own Servants to give a Co¬ lour to partial and self interrestee proceedings. Let us have an Cye to your present disputes with the Nabob. Papidaf negotiated return to sumt ware if not sobily, at least principally a private affair of two or three Individuals & in it Your Noble Company had no great Concern„ and this very affair was the Cause of most of your future disagrements with the Nabob. It gave entire Rise to the pretended Chowkey Threats of appresian &e Greviances &sou so londly Complain of. Bortasaws and Dignauts Demands on jour Ware house keeper are certainly quite pri„ vate 67 vorte Concerns with which Your noble Company had originally nothing to do Your evelfully breaking down the Kings high Road. - sjour en„ rouachement In Buildings and Other Respects - Your servant pur chasing of pleasure Grounds and Houses- of all which the Nabob so loudly cimplains surely are Circumstances which relate only to Individuals and for which the Inte rest of 2 jour Employers shoud not be staked or suffer The Affair then of the Parsee, who stoll the spices is the only one which can justly be said to be of a publick Nature, and this hinges intirely on your Phirmands You assert That you possess a Right so Privi leage; to punish youroun ser, bants, and that any of the Town subjects becoming 2jour immediate servants and consequently protectee by your Moble Company are freed from 69 fram their Allegiance to the Nabob The Nabob absolutely denies this Instances in point have been pro „duced to prove the very reverse of your appertion Which beeng so most: plainbij, most positively, most rationaly denied, what could We in reasan in duty, even en com„ mon sense do, but desire to see the very Phirmands which contai„ ned this very extraordinary Pri¬ viledge as the producing it woild attance sittle the Affair in 2 Cour favor But it is not only this, a but many other Circumstances as to your present dispistes which cannot be determined but by the Production of your Phinmands, How can Afou then, Gentlemen; if rsoureally do pepsess a cleare Right to the Priviledges you Claim, he sovery perverse and so obtina¬ tely blind to the true Interest of your Employers, as to denyy to — to satisfy us by shewing the Phirmands which contain t hem: Can it be a ridiculous Chimera of Pride and fanceed Equality that leads asou thus astray It may be so, and therefore to shew you that we are reade to make Great Allowances for the frailty of human Nature, and earnestly desiring to as¬ sist You if you will but put it in our Power to do tit rati„ mally, we desire afoue to con„ seeve any Method that will but suit your own Notions of Signity and fancied Impor¬ tance and casuit het down ijour August Consequence We will for ance make use of an Expression of your own and we will wave Puntition as far as We can and if pos¬ sible acquiesce in it, but as on the most serious and mature Consideration Consideration of a question that zou well know has been in agi tation for years, was fousided our Determination to insist on no longer fighting your Dattles In the dark, but beeng once for all, to avove evere future Disputes, convinced by yjour Phirmands of the Priviledges you have areal right to and this Determination has received thefull sanction of our sec¬ „perios, We cannot devicite fram it. - Donot Gentlemen, amuse Afour selves with avain hope of our acting from our selves, & keeping over supariors at Blax in the Pank, as to our proceedings in respect to your Affairs Every papers and Letter ajou forward us We send Copies of and for the sake of our superiors we heartely wish that your Cor¬ respondance 71 respondance was not so prolexand Rediars. Fram whence, Gentlemin„ could you harbour the thought of our keeping our supercors in the Dank and concerling any part of our Correspondance with y out surely such is not the Custom in yosr service Goutalk, Gentlemen, of many other Chieanes and Impediments throun in your Waij but give us no particulars. We wander at this as hou seem to be so great Admirers of, what you stik sincerily and plaan dealing. Ance for all We entrect You when you want oun Interference tobe al„ „ways plaen, publick, er early In your application, which will save us and yourselves much trouble; and We declare to you that We shall not attempt to decyphen any of your Innventar and therefore expect that if Gou 40 73 if you have any think further to complain, of you will do it in plain and direct terms We only wisch you to be sensible that there is a soide difference be„ tween sincerity and the untridled Offession of papsion Inlew abuse; and as great between plain dealing and thelevant of Ddecency and : JV Seems good manners: necessary to make one further remarck to You, which is, that our duty as Governors of the Castle between You and the Nabob is reciprocal, if we are bound to maintain Ysou in your just rights and privi¬ „ledges, we are equally bound to defend the Nabob and to support Him against all who may attempt to desture the Peace and Quiet of his Government Wehave now, Gentlemen, fully answered your Letters and said every thing that occurs to us to be
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be necessary and if the style of this letter is unusually harsh and severe, you have yourselves solely to thank for it. We sincerely hope that your future conduct and letters will enable us to use again the kind expressions of friendship and good harmony. While treated in the manner you are pleased to treat us, and denied the sight of your Phirmands, we cannot, consistent with our characters or duty, interfere with the Nabob in your behalf further than we have done; but if by a more suitable behaviour and compliance with our desires, you will enable us to assist you with propriety, you may rest assured that we shall with the greatest satisfaction exert ourselves to remove all your difficulties and to do you every service and pleasure in our power. It will be much more agreeable to us if you will in future send us English translations with your letters instead of French, as has been usual. We have the honour to be, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants, W. A. Price, R. Gambier, Jn. Halsey, W. Stratten, J. Day, G. Perrot, W. James, P. Dorien. Surat, 22nd March Anno 1774. Number 5. Translation of an English missive written by the Worshipful William Price, Esquire, and Council, to the Right Honourable Martinus Joan Bosman, Director and Chief Commander of this Directorate, alongside the Council, dated Surat the 1st of April and received on the 3rd following. Honourable Sir and Sirs, In reply to your esteemed letter of the 24th ultimo, we must beg leave to refer you to our former letters, by which you will perceive on what terms only it is in our power to interfere with the Nabob concerning your interests. And as you gentlemen have been pleased absolutely to refuse our mediation, we cannot but think that you have thereby cancelled our obligation as guarantees, therefore acquainting you that until you behave creditably by requesting us in a proper manner, we cannot interfere in the least with the Nabob in your favour. We remain with respect, Honourable Sir and Sirs, your very humble and obedient servants. Was signed: W. A. Price, R. Gambier, J. Halsey, W. Stratten, C. Bourchier, G. Perrott, D. Crokatt, D. Seton, W. James, and P. Dorien. In the margin: Surat, the 1st of April 1773. Number 5. The Worshipful Martin John Bosman, Esq., Director for affairs of the Noble Netherlands Company, and Council at Surat. Worshipful Sir and Sirs, In reply to your favour of the 24th ultimo, we must beg leave to refer you to our former letters, by which you will perceive on what terms only it is in our power to interfere with the Nabob in your concerns. And as you gentlemen have been pleased absolutely to refuse to accept of our mediation, we cannot but be of opinion you have thereby cancelled the obligation we are under as guarantees, and therefore must acquaint you that until you behave in character by applying to us in a proper manner, we cannot interfere in the least with the Nabob in your behalf. We are with esteem, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants, W. A. Price, Robert Gambier, J. Halsey, William Stratten, C. Bourchier, George Perrott, D. Crokatt, D. Seton, James Dorien. Surat, 1st April 1773. Number 6. Translation of an English missive written by the Worshipful William Andrew Price, Esquire, and Council, to the Right Honourable Martinus Joan Bosman, Director and Chief Commander of this Directorate, alongside the Council, dated the 15th of April, and received here on the 16th following, a quarter before one o'clock in the afternoon, through the English Council members Seton and James. Honourable Sir and Sirs, We have the pleasure to inform you that, taking into consideration following our representations the great inconveniences that would arise for your Company in case the ship now at the roads should depart empty for Batavia, and being prepared to do you every service within their Honours' power, the Right Honourable President and Council at Bombay have seen fit to order that, provided you will agree to the very equitable measures of submitting your disputes with Dianat to a most impartial arbitration, we would then intercede for you with the Nabob to remove all impediments under which your trade currently lies, in so far as to enable you to dispatch your ship now at the roads, in the hope that you, through this concession, may be encouraged to settle all other disputes with the Nabob. We shall therefore, notwithstanding what we have previously written to you, when you without delay signify your immediate compliance with these equitable measures and give us the strongest assurance to carry such into effect at once, apply our good offices with the Nabob to the aforementioned end. But we must declare to you that our intervention with him solely concerns this single point of enabling you to dispatch your ship in obedient compliance with the orders of our superiors; our sentiments otherwise remain continuing in all respects as you were previously informed. Since it has pleased the Right Honourable President and Council to permit you to maintain a lodge in Brootchia, Mr. Sluysken having produced to them translations of some
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be necepary and if the stile of this Letter is unusually harsh and severe, you have y ourselves solely to thank forit. We sincerely hope that your faiture Conduct and Letters will enable us to use again the kind expres „sions of Friendship and good Harmony While treated in the mannen you, are pleased to treat us, and deneid the sight of your Phirmands, We cannot, consistent with our Characters or Duty interfore in with the Nabob In your behalf further than we have dane; but if by a more suitable behavevan et. . . . .. Compliance with our Desires, you will enable us to afist you with propriety, af ou may rest assured that we shall with the Greatest satisfaction excot our selves to remove all You difficielen ties and to do you eveny service A pleasure in our Power It will be much more agreable tous if you will in future send us English Translates with Youw Letters instead of Frensch, as has been usual: Wehave the Honorto be. W. Sin & Sirs. Gour most Obedient Humble Cam W. A. Brice: R: Gambier Jn. Malsey W. Stratten. I. Day G. Serrot Nog W. James P. Dorien. Surat 22te Marck Ao 1734. „ . „.„ N„o 5. 77 Translaet Eng:s missive gesz: door den H„r Heer W=m d=te Price Schildknaep en raad, Aan den Wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer Martinus Joan Bosman Directeur en Hoofd Gebieder deser Directie, benevens den Raed, gedat„ Coeratte d 1:e april en ontfangen en 3„e daar aenvolgende. — H„l Heer en Heeren A Jn antwoord op UEd„se geerde van den 24„e laatstleeden, moeten wij verlof versoeken U Ed„e over te wijsen tot onse voorgaande brieven, wsaar„ „bij UEd„se zullen ontwaren, op welke voorwaar„ „den allenig het in onse magt is, ons met den nabab te bemoeijen, omtrent UEd:s belan„ „gens. En vermits het UEd:s behaegd heeft Mijne Heeren absoluut onse Middelaer„ „schap terweigeren, zoo kunnen wij niet anders denken of UEd:s hebben daarbij onse verpligtinge als Guarandeurs vernietigd vernietigd, makende UEd:s dierhalven. bekend, dat tot tijd en wijle UEd:s zig repu„ „tabel gedragen, met ons op een behoorlijke wijse te versoeken; kunnen wij ons niet in het minst met den nabab en UEd: voor„ „dele bemoeijen, Wij zijn met Agting. sonderstond) H„r Heeren Heeren /:Lager:/ UEd:s zeer Ootmoedi„ „ge en Gehoorsame Dienaren /:Was geteekend/ W: A: Puice, B: Gambier, J: Heeldeij, W: Stratten, C: Bourchier, G: Perrott, D: Crokatt, D„ Caton, B F. P. W: James en P:s Dooren. /:Jn Margine:/ Toenatte de 1„e April 1773. 79 N=o 5: The W=t marten John Bosman Esq. r Directore for affairs of the Noble Retherland Company & a. Council. at surato W: Sir& sirs In reply to your favour of the 2of th ultimo: We must beg' leave to refer yjou to our former Letters by which you will perceive; on what terms anly, it is in ourpower to interfore with the Nabobl, In your cancerres: And as you Gent. „lemen harr been pleased absolutely to refuse to accept of our mediation, We cannot but be of opinian, you have thruty cincelled the obli„ „gatien Weare under as Guur„ rantees, and therefore must acquaint you that untill you behave in character, by applying to as in a proper manner We cannot interfere in the least with the Nabob in your behalff We are withestelm. W Si A sirs Your most obedient Humble sorants. W.:e A. Price. Robert Gambier. J: Halsey, William Bourchier Georg Straften.C Perrots. D. Grokatt. D: Setton. m J8 James C Darion Surat 13 April 1773. No. M 7 N„o 6. Translaet Eng missive gesz: door den H:r Hoer William Andrew Price Schildkp: en Raad, Aen den wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer Martinus Jan Bosman Directeur en Hoofd Gebieden deser Directie benevens den Raed, ged:t den 15„e April, en alhier ontfan„ „gen den 16 daeraan volgende „ quaa„ „tier voor een Uur na de middag door de Eng. Raadsleeden Seton en James. A„s Heer en Heeren! Wij hebben het genoegen UEd„se te bedeelen, dat door den welEd: Agtb: Heer Rresi„ „dent en raad te Bombaij ingevolge onser vertogen in aanmerking genomen zijnde de grote ongemakken, die er zoude ont„ „staan voor UW Ed=s Ed„se Comp„e ingevalle het schip nu ter Rheede zijnde, leeg Nat na Batavia quam te vertrekken, en bereid zijnde UEd:s alle dienst te bewijsen die in haere Ed:s vermogen is hebben haar Ed:s goedgevonden te Gelasten, Dat mits UEd:s willen toestammen en de zeer Zeelij „ke maakregulen, van uEd:s verschillen met Dianaet te Onderwerpen aen eene aller onpartijdigste Arbitragie, wij als dan voor U Ed:s bij den Nabab zouden inter„ „cedeeren, om alle verhinderingen wegte neemen, waar onder UEd„s handel thans legd, in zoo verre als om UEd:s instaat te stellen van deselver schip thans ter Rheede zijnde te kunnen depecheeren, in hope dat UEd: door dezer toegeventheid, aengeset werden meugen om alle andere verschillen met den Nabab te vereffenen. Wij zullen dierhalven niet tegen„ „staande wat wij UEd:e bevorens geschreeven hebben, wanneer UEd:s onverwedelijk derzelver 83 derselver onmiddelijke involging dezer billijke maatregulen beduijden, en dat UEd„s ons de sterkste Versekeringe geven van zulx terstond ten uitvoer te willen brengen onde goede diensten aanwenden bij de Nabab tence inde voorschreeven. Maar wij moeten UEd„s verklaren, dat onse tusschen komste bij hem alleenig aangaat dit enkelde Point van UEd:s instaat te stellen tot het Versenden van hun Schip ter gehoorsamer opvolginge van de ordres onser superieuren onse gevoelens blijven overigens in alle opsigten Continueren gelijk UEd:s bevorens is bedeeld. Nadien het den Wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer President en Raad behoegd heeft UEd„s te Permitteeren van een Logie in Brootchia te mogen aen„ „houden, dheer sluijsken aen deselve geproduceerd hebbende translaten van eenige
English
some Firmans of the Mogul whereby Your Honors were granted such privileges, and having engaged to show the originals to us here, we have, in accordance with their Honors' orders, to request Your Honors to be pleased to produce all such as give Your Honors any right to this privilege. We are with Esteem, below stood: Honored Sir and Sirs; lower: Your Honors' Most Humble and Obedient Servants. Was signed: W: A: Price, R: Gambier, J: Halsen, W:m Stratton, J: Day, C: Bourchier, G: Perrott, D:r Crokatt, D:l Seton, W: James and H:k Lovien. In the margin stood: Surat the 15th April 1773. No 6: To the Worshipful Martin John Bosman Esq.r Director for affairs of the Noble Netherland Company and Council, at Surat Worshipful Sir and Sirs We have the pleasure to acquaint you that the Honorable the President and Council of Bombay, having in consequence of our representations, considered the great inconvenience which would arise to your Noble Company from their ship now at the Bar returning empty to Batavia, and being willing to render you every service in their power have been pleased to direct, that provided you consent to the very equitable measure of submitting your disputes with the Phojdar to the most impartial Arbitration, that we then intercede with the Nabob to remove the impediments your trade now lays under, so far as to enable you to dispatch your Vessel now at the Bar, in hopes you will be induced, from this indulgence, to accommodate all other matters with the Nabob. We shall therefore notwithstanding what we before wrote you, on your signifying to us your immediate compliance with this equitable measure, and giving us the strongest assurances that you will directly carry it into execution, use our good offices with the Nabob for the above purpose: But we must declare to you that our interference with him concerns only this single point of enabling you to dispatch your Vessel in obedience to our superiors orders, our sentiments in every other respect continuing the same as before expressed to you. The Honorable the President and Council having been pleased to permit of your continuing to have a Factory at Broach, and M.r Sluysken having produced to them Translates of some Phirmaunds from the Mogull granting to you such privilege, the Originals of which he has engaged should be shewn to us here, we have conformable to their Directions, to request you will produce all that may give you such a right to this privilege. We are with Esteem, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, Your most Obedient Humble Servants, Wm A. Price, R:t Gambier, Jn.o Halsey, W:m Stratton, Thos Day, C. Bourchier, G: Perrott, D: Crokatt, D: Seton, W: James, Fred:k Doveton. Surat 15th: April 1773. No 7. Translate English missive sent by the Right Honorable High Esteemed Lord, Bombay Governor William Hornby and Council, to the Honorable Esteemed Lord Martinus Joan Bosman and Council, dated Bombay the 31st March 1773: and received the 18th April following per the Commissioner, the Honorable Sluysken. Gentlemen. We have attended to the representations that have been laid before us by Mijn Heer Sluysken, whom Your Honors informed us you had dispatched thither with full power to lay before us everything that Your Honors deemed necessary should be presented to us respecting the Factory of Your Honors' Noble Company in Broach, as Your Honors requested us in your missive dated the 13th January, with the addition of holding everything valid that this gentleman should transact. In consequence of his representations, and the assurance he has given us, that Your Honors' urgent request was that we would permit the same to continue keeping a Factory in our town of Broach, and whereas we are always very desirous of embracing every opportunity consistent with our power to benefit Your Honors' Masters or Your Honors, Gentlemen, we have therefore resolved to grant Your Honors the permission which Your Honors so much desire to continue keeping a Factory of Your Honors' Company there on the same terms as Your Honors had from the late Nabob. We have for this reason revoked the orders which we previously gave to our Chief and Council at Surat regarding this subject, relying at the same time thereon that the conduct of the Gentlemen whom Your Honors may appoint to reside there may be such as to cause no umbrage to those to whom the government of the town is entrusted. Since we have thus granted Your Honors permission to maintain a Factory in Broach, we shall give notice thereof to our Honorable Masters, whose determination regarding this point must be decisive, and their orders, whatever they may be, must be obeyed upon receipt. We are with Esteem, below stood: Gentlemen; lower: Your Honors' Most Obedient Servants. Was signed: W: Hornby, D:l Draper, Nuth. Stackhouse, J: Watson, B: Fletcher, W:m Shaw, R: Gordon. In the margin: Bombay Castle the 31 March 1773. Still lower: For the translation, was signed: J:b Goverts Junior. To the Worshipful Martin J: Bosman Esq.r Director for the affairs of the Noble Netherland Company and Council at Surat Gentlemen: We have attended to the Representations that have been made to us by myn Heer Sluysken, whom you acquainted us, you had deputed hither with full power to lay before us what you judged necessary we should be informed of respecting the Factory of your Noble Company in Broach; as you desired us in your Letter dated the 13th January to esteem everything perfectly valid which that Gentleman might transact. In consequence of his representations and of the assurances
Dutch transcription
eenige Firmans van den Mogol waar bij UEd:s diergelijke voorregten vergund wierd en zig verbonden hebbende om de Origineelen aan ons alhier te vertonen, zoo hebben wij overeenkomstig met haar Ed:s beveelen uEd: te verzoeken om alle de zodanige te willen produceeren die UEd:s tot dit Privilegie Eanig regt geeven Wij zijn met Agting /:onderstond/ A„s Heer en Heeren: /:Lager:/ UEEd:s Zeer Ootmoe„ „dige en Gehoorsame Dienaren: /:Was geteekend:/ En „ Halseij W W=m W: A: Price, R: Gambier Strattoor, I: Daij, C: Bourchier, G: Perrots D„r Crokatt, D„l Seton, W: James en H„k Lovien /Jn margine stond:/ Soeratta den 15„e April 1773 =m N:o 6: Directore for affairs of the Nobli Nithrer land Company & Council, at Sirat W. Sirereins We have the pleasure to acquaint you that the Amble the President and Council of Daij, having in consequence of our representations, conside¬ red the great inconvenience which would arise to your Noble Company from their ship now at the Bar retur „ning empty to Batavia, and being willing to renderyou Every service in their power have been pleased tot direct. That provided you consint to the very equitable measure of submitting your disputes with Deanat to the most im¬ partial Arbitration, that we The W: marten John Bosman Esq: thin Jo E 23 then intereede with the Nabab to remove the impediments your trade now lays under, sofa as to enable your to dispatih your Vessel now at the Bar In hopes you will be induced„ from this indulgence, to ac„ commodate all their matter with the Nabole We shall there fore notwithstanding what We before wrote Gou, an pour signifying to us your imme dicte compliance with this equitable measure, and giving us the strangest assuzances that you will directly carry ik into execution, use our 9ood offices with the Nabol for the above purpose: But Wemust declare to Ysou that our inter„ ference with him concerns only this single point of enabling you to dispatch your Vessel in in obedience to aur superions orders Our sentiments in every other respect continuing the same as before expressed to you The Anble the President & Council having been pleased to permit of your continuing to have a Pactory at Broach A M. r Sluysken having produ„ ced to them Translate of same Bhirmands from the Mogull granting to you such priviledge, the Originals of which he has ingaged. should be shewn to us hire, We have conformable to their Directions, to request you will produce all that may give &sou such a right to this priviledge. We are with Esteem. W. Sir & Sirs Jour most Obedt. Humble Cerrs Wm A. Price. R:t Gambier Jn Jn Halsen. W.:m Stratten. Ihms ƒ Jan C. Bourchier. G: Perrott M D: Crokats. D: Seton. W: James Fred. k Dorion. surat 15th: April 1773. 1 No 7 N„o 7. Translaet Eng:s missive gesij, door den wel Edelen Groot Agtbaren Heer Bombais Gouverneur William Hornbij en Raed Aan den Wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer Martinus Joan Bosman en Raad Gedateerd Bombaij den 31:e maert 1773: en ontfangen den 18„e April daaraen volgende per den Commissiant Den E: Sluijsken. Mijne Heeren. Wij hebben gelet op de vertogen, die ons sijn voorgedragen door mijn Heer Sluijskens die UEd:s ons bedeeld hebben, dat zoo naar derwaarts hadden afgesonden met volko„ „mene magt om ons alles voortestellen, wat UEd„s noodsakelijk agten dat ons zoude werden voorgesteld nopens de Logie van uEd: E„s Comp„e in Brootchia, gelijk UEd:s ons versogt hebben bij derselver missive gedateerd den 13„e Januarij Atot mes met bijvoeging van alles van waerde te zullen houden wat dien Heer quam te wagten Jngevolge van sijne vertogen, ende verseke¬ „ring die hij aen ons gegeeven heeft, dat UEd:s in„ „stantig Versoeken de waren dat wij derselven par„ „mitteeren wilden om een Logie in ons stad van Brootchia te meugen aanhouden, en de„ „wijl, wij altoos zeer verlangende zijn van ider gelegendheid te omhelsen, en met ons Vermogen bestaenbaar om UEd:s betaeld Heeren of UEd„e mijne Heeren te bevoordeelen soo hebben wij dierhalven beslooten om UEd„ de Permissie te vergunnen waerna UEd„ zoo zeer verlangen om een Logie van UEd: Compagnie aldaar te meugen aenhouden op deselve termed zoo als UEd:s zulx bij de ge„ „wesene nabab hebben gehad.- Wij hebben om dese reeden de Ordres te rug geroepen die wij bevorens gegeeven hebben aan onse Opperhoofd en Raad te Coeratda nopens dit dit Onderwerp om te zelver tijd daerop Ver„ „latende dat het gedrag van de Heeren die UEd:s mogen aenstellen aldaer te Resi„ „deeren sodanig wesen mag alsom geene ombragie te veroorsaeken aan de geene wiende Regeeringe der stad is te vertrouwd. — nadien wij UEd„s dus permissie vergund heb„ „ben om een Logie in Brootchia te meugen aanhouden zullen wij onse Hoog Ed„s Betaelt Heeren daarvan Kennis geeven moetende haere afdoening nopens dit Point beslisfend zijn, en haere beveelen wat zeerk maer immers wesen meugen, moeten Op den Ontfangst Gehoorsaamt werden. Wij zijn met Agting /:onderstond:/ mijne Heeren /:Lager:/ UEd:s Zeer Gehoorsame Dienaren. /:Was geteekend:/ W: Hombij, D„l Draper. . . . . . , Nuth, Stakhousen, J: Watson, BB: Fletcher, W=m Chaw, R: Gordon /: in margine:/ Bombaij Casteel den 31 maert 1773: in margine 91 . . . .. ge /. nog Lager:/ voor de vertaling /:was getee„ „kend:/ J„b Goverts Junior W. B The W: Matin I: Bosman Esq.r Directore for the affairs of the Noble Metherland Company Soo Council at Surat Gentlemen: We have attended to the Re„ presentations that have been made tous by myn Heer Sluysken, whom you acquainte his, you had deputed Bither with full power to lay before us what you judged necessary we shoud ke informed of respecting the Pactory of your Noble Company in Broach; as you desired us in your Letter dated the 13. January toesteem even thing perfectly valed which that Gintleman might trans„ act In consequence of his representations and of the assurances getee„
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assurances he has given us, that you earnestly request we will permit you to continue to hold a Factory in our Town Broach and because we are always very desirous of embracing every opportunity that consistently may be in our powers, to benefit your Employers or you Gentlemen; we have therefore resolved to grant you the Permission you so much desire, of continuing a Factory for your noble Company there, upon the same terms as you held it in the time of the late Nabob, and we have therefore revoked the orders we formerly gave, to our Chief and Council at Surat upon this subject, but we at the same time rely, that the conduct of those Gentlemen whom you may appoint to reside there will be such, as to give no umbrage to those who are entrusted with the Government of the Town: As we have thus granted you permission to continue a Factory at Broach we shall advise our Honorable Employers thereof; their determination upon this point must be final, and their orders whatever they may be, when received, must be obeyed: We are with Esteem: Gentlemen. Your most obedient servants. Wm Hornby: Dl Drapen: Nathaniel Stackhouse: Jn Watson. B. Fletcher. Wm Shaw. Robert Garden Bombay Castle 31: March No 8. Translation English letter written by the Honorable Mr. Wm Ale Price English Chief and Council to the Honorable Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman Director and Chief Commander of this Direction and Council, dated Surat the 26th April 1773: and received on the 28th thereafter per the English Council members Day and Perrott. Honorable Sir and Gentlemen We have been honored with your letter of the 19th of this month. It is pleasing to us to perceive that your Honors have recognized the propriety of submitting the disputes with Deanat to the most impartial arbitration, and have to that end proceeded to these equitable measures, by which means we have had the pleasure to be able to employ our good offices in your interest with the nabob, who we now have the pleasure to inform your Honors has at our special request agreed to remove all hindrances caused to your Honors' trade, to the extent of being able to dispatch the ship of the Honorable Company lying in this roadstead. And we cannot now fail, my Gentlemen, to express our hope that your Honors will through this indulgence be brought to settle all other points of dispute with the nabob in a suitable and proper manner. That the arbitrators in these disputes with Deanat are chosen to mutual satisfaction and are Europeans, with that we are satisfied, and the sooner decided the better. The Chief, being obliged for health reasons to remain living outside in the country, your Honors will please produce the original firmans regarding Broach to Mr. Stratton and such Gentlemen as he might associate with himself for his assistance to examine the same. We are with Esteem underneath Honorable Sir and Gentlemen lower Your Honors' very obedient and humble Servants was signed Wm Ale Price, Wm Stratton, T: Day, G: Perrott, Dk Crokatt, Dl Seton, Wm James and Pr Dovien in the margin Surat the 26th April 1773 further below For the translation signed Jb Geverts Junior. The Worshipful Martin John Bosman Esq. Director for affairs of the noble Netherland Company &ca. Council. at Surat Sir & Sirs We have been favoured with your Letter of the 19th Instant. We are glad to observe that you have seen the propriety of submitting your disputes with Deanat to the most impartial arbitration and have in consequence come into this equitable measure, by which means it has afforded us the pleasure of using our good offices with the Nabob in your behalf, who we have now the satisfaction to acquaint you, has at our particular request consented to remove all the impediments laid on your trade so far as to enable you to dispatch the Vessel of your noble Company laying at this Bar. And we cannot but express our hopes Gentlemen that this indulgence will cause you to settle the other Points in dispute with the Nabob in a suitable and proper manner. The arbitrators of this Dispute with Deanat being Europeans chosen to mutual satisfaction We think very equitable and proper; We accordingly acquiesce therein and the sooner it is terminated the better. The Chief being obliged to stay in the Country for the benefit of his Health you will please to produce the original Poirmands respecting Broach to Mr Stratton and such Gentlemen as he may call to assist him in examining them. We are with Esteem: &c. Sir & Sirs. Your most Obedient Humble servants Wm A: Price. Wm Stratton. T: Day. G. Perrott. D. Crokatt. D. Seton. Wm James. P. Dovien: Surat 26th April 1773. No 9. Translation English letter dated Bombay the 18 May 1773 written by Mr. John Hunter to the Honorable Mr. Director and Council of the Honorable Dutch East India Company at Surat, and received here on the 22nd May per a returning patamar. Honorable Sir and Gentlemen! The cause of your Honors' request made to me causes me the utmost sorrow, the more so as I should have to bring the news of the loss of your Honors' Honorable Company's ship to Batavia. It would be extremely pleasant to me, could I comply with your Honors' request, but it is impossible for me, since I must sail directly to China and under my care
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assurances he has given us, that you earnestly request we will permit you to continue to hold a Factory in our Josan Broach and because we are always very desirous of embra¬ sing every opportunity that con¬ „sistently may be in ourpowers, to benefit your Imployers or you Gentlemen; we have therefore resolved to grant you the Por„ mission hou so much descre, of continuing a Factery for your noble Company there, upon the same terms as you held it in the time of the late Nabob, and we have therefore rewoked the ordres we formerly gave, to our Chief and Council at surat¬ upon this subject, but we at the same time torely, that the con„ „duct of those Gentlemen whom you may appoint to reside there¬ will he such, as to give no umbrag to 93 to those who are entrusted with the Government of the Town: Het As we have thas granted you permission te continue à Factora at Broach we shall advise our Hanble Amployers thereof; their determination upon this point must be final, and their ordres what ever they may be, when received, must be obessed: We are with Esteem: Gentlemen. Your most obedient servants. W:m Hornby: D:l „ Nathaniel . . . Drapen: Stackhouse: In Watsen. B. Fletcher. . . „. W:m Shaw. Robert Garden Bombay ƒ JB Castle B1: March u N N=o 8. 97 Translaet Eng:s missive geschreeven door den Agtb: Heer W=m A=le Price Engeldch Opperhoofd en Raed Aan den Agtbaren Heer Martinus Joan Bosman Directeur en Hoofd Gebieder deser Di„ „rectie en Raad, gedateerd Toeratte d: 26:e April 1773: en Ontfangen op den 28„e daer aen Per de Eng: Raedsleeden Daij on Perrott. D„e Heer en Heeren wij hebben ons vereerd gevonden met UdE: Letteren van d: 19„e deses. 'T is ons aangenaem te ontwaren dat uEE: de eigenschap om derselver geschillen met Deanaet aen de Onpartijdigster Ar„ „bitragie te onderwerpen, hebben erkent en zijn ten dien einde overgegaen tot dese E dese regtvaerdige maatregulen, door welk middel wij 't genoegen hebben gehad om onse goede dienste ten uwen belan„ „gen bij den nabab te hebben kunnen in het werk stellen, dewelke wij nu 't vermaek hebben UwelEd: te bedeelen dat op ons bijsonder versoek toegestaen heeft om alle verhinderingen aen Uw Ed: handel toegebragt weg te neemen in soo verre om 't ter deser Rheede leg„ „gende 'S: E: Comp:s schip te kunnen weg„ „senden. - En wij kunnen nu niet nalaten mijne Heeren onsen hoop te kennen te geeven dat UEd: door dese toegeventheid zullen gebragt werden om alle andere geschilpointen met den nabab op een betaemelijke en be„ „hoorlijke wijse te verevenen. Dat de goede mannen in dese verschillen, met Deanaet tot wederdijds genoegen 9 1 genoegen verkoosen en Europeesen Sijn daermeede neemen wij genoegen en hoe schielijker beslist hoe beeter. — Het Opperhoofd, gesondheids halven genoodsaekt sijnde buiten op't Land te blijven woonen, gelieven UEd:r de Originee„ „le Fermans omtrend Brootchia te produ„ „ceeren aende Heer Stratton en sulke Heeren als hij tot sijn bijstand om deselve te ondersoeken bij zig neemen mogte Wij sijn met Agting /:onderstond:/ A„ Heer en Heeren /:Lager:/ U U: E: seer gehoorsame en Ort„ „moedige Dienaren /:was geteekend:/ W: E: Price, . . . . . . . W„m Stralton, T: Daij. . . . .„ G: Perrott, D„k Crokatt, D„l Seton, W:m James en P:r Dovien /:in marginee socratte den 26:' April 1773/: Nog lager:/ Voor de vertaling /: geteekend:/ J„b Geverts Junior. 95 19 The Warshipful martin John Bosman Zoeg= Directore for affairs of the noble Nethirland Campany &Ca. Council. at Curat G Sir & sirs We have been favoured tH with your Letter of the 19 Instant We are glad to observe that you have seen the propriety of submitting your disputes with Deanat to the most im partial arbitration and have in consiquence come into this equitable measure, by which means it has afforded us the pleasure of using our good offices with the nabob in your behalf, who We have now the satisfaction to acquaint you, has at our particular request consented to remove all the impediments laid on Yospp o No: 8. your trade so for as to enable jou to disparch the Papel of J your noble Company laying at this Bar. And we cannot but express aar hopes Gentlemen that this indulgence will cause you to settle the other Points in dispute with the nabeb in a suitable and proper mannen The arbitrators of this Des pute with Deanat being Ouro¬ „peans chosen to mitual sates„ faction We think very equita„ „ble and proper; Twe accor¬ „dingly acquiesce there in and the soaner it is terminated the better The Chief being obliged to stay in the Country for the benefit of his Bealth you will please to produce the original Poirmands respecting Broach to Mr Strattan and such 103 such Gentlemen as he may call to abist him in examining them. We are with Esteem: Wc. Sir er sirs. Your most Obers Asmble servants W:m A: Price. Stratten. P: Dayj. . . . „. G. Brrott I. Crokatt. D. Setan. Wm James. P. Darion: Surat 1 21e April 1773. „. . . . . . „. . . DVm N=o9 N=o 9 105 Translaet Engelsche missive gedateerd Bombaij den 18 Maij 1773 geschree„ „ven door den Heere John Hunter Aan den Agtbaren Heer Directeur en Raad van de Ed„e Ned„e Oost Ind„s Comp„e te soeratta, en alhier ontfangen d'n 22„e Maij p„s een retourneerende Patmar. A„s Heer en Heeren! De oorsaek van Uw Ed: versoek aen mij gedaen, doet mij ten Uitersten leed te meer daer ik de tijdeng van 't ver„ „lies van Uw Ed: E: Comp„s schip te Batavia soude moeten brengen. - Het soude mij ten uitersten aengenaem sijn, konde ik aen UwEd: versoek voldoen, maer het is mij ondoenlijk, dewijl ik direct nae China steevenen moet en onder mijn opsigt
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respect the property of other people, and concerning which I would not be able to justify myself by risking it or delaying the delivery. But if I can be of service to Your Honors by carrying something for you to Malacca, from where I would think that in the season I shall arrive there, Your Honors' dispatches for Batavia could promptly be sent. Your Honors may be assured of my utmost care for everything you deem necessary. I have the honor to be very respectfully, underneath, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, lower, Your Honors' most humble servant, was signed, John Hunter, in the margin, Bombay, 18 May 1773, still lower, for the translation, was signed, J. Goverts Junior. 107 4 The Worshipful the Director and Council for the Noble Dutch East India Company at Surat. Worshipful Sir and Sirs, I am extremely sorry for the occasion of your application to me to convey for you the advice of the loss of your Noble Company's ship to Batavia. I should be exceedingly happy could I comply with your request, but that is impossible, as I am bound to China direct, and shall have under my care the property of other merchants which I cannot take upon me, either to risk the safety or delay the delivery of. But if it will be of use to you, my carrying anything for you to Malacca, from whence I imagine, No. 9. imagine at the season when I shall arrive there, your dispatches may easily be expedited to Batavia, you may depend upon my utmost care of whatever you think fit to place in my charge. I have the honor to be very respectfully, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, your most obedient servant, John Hunter, Bombay, 18 May 1773. No. 10. Translation. Translation of English missive written by the first member and President of the English nation, Mr. Robert Gambier, and Council, to the Honorable Martinus Joan Bosman, Director and Council, dated Surat, 19 June 1773, and received on the 20th of the same by the commissioners, Messrs. James and Dorrien. Honorable Sir and Sirs, In consequence of Your Honors' engagement with our superiors to have the demands made on you by Deanat, a merchant under our Honorable Company's protection, equitably settled by arbitration of good men, we received their orders to use our influence with the Nabob to remove all impediments in Your Honors' business regarding the departure of your ship, which we accordingly did, and the progress of all Your Honors' affairs was allowed without any hindrance. But as since the loss of Your Honors' ship much time has elapsed, and nothing has occurred regarding the appointment of the good men who were to settle Your Honors' dispute with Deanat, we are under the necessity of calling upon Your Honors regarding the fulfillment of this matter, and therefore request by this that Your Honors will please to nominate arbitrators on your side without any further delay, as we shall do on that of our merchant Deanat. We are with high esteem, underneath, Honorable Sir and Sirs, lower, Your Honors' most obedient and humble servants, signed, R. Gambier, J. Halsey, W. Stratton, J. Day, G. Perrott, D. Crokatt, D. Seton, W. James, and P. Dorrien, in the margin, Surat, 19 June 1773, still lower, for the translation, was signed, J. Goverts Junior. 111 2 13 Ps No. 10. The Worshipful Martin John Bosman, Esq., Director for Affairs of the Noble Netherlands Company and Council at Surat. Sir and Sirs, In consequence of your engagement with our superiors to have the demands made on you by Deanat, a merchant under our Noble Company's protection, equitably settled by arbitration, we had their orders to use our influence with the Nabob for the removal of all impediments in your business as to the dispatch of your ship, which we accordingly did, and all your affairs were allowed to go on without any hindrance, but as since the loss of your vessel, much time has elapsed, nothing has been yet done as to the appointment of the arbitrators who are to settle your dispute with Deanat, we are under a necessity of calling upon you to proceed in this business, and therefore by this letter request you will without any further delay cause arbitrators to be nominated on your side of the question, as we shall on that of our merchant Deanat. We are with great esteem, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants, R. Gambier, J. Halsey, Wm. Stratton, J. Day, 113 G. Perrott, Daniel Crokatt, D. Seton, Wm. James, P. Dorrien, Surat, 19th June 1773. No. 11. Translation. Translation of English missive, dated Surat, 27 June 1773, and written by Mr. Robert Gambier, first and presiding member, together with the other members of the English Council, to the Honorable Martinus Joan Bosman, Director on behalf of the Noble Dutch East India Company, and Council, received on the 28th following per the English commissioners, Messrs. Stratton and Perrott. Honorable Sir and Sirs, We have received Your Honors' favor of the 23rd instant, and now have the pleasure to inform you that Deanat on his side has chosen Messrs. Perrott and Crokatt as arbitrators, to which these gentlemen have consented, being prepared to act as is proper. We are with esteem, underneath, Honorable Sir and Sirs, lower, Your Honors' most obedient humble servants, was signed, R. Gambier, J. Halsey, Wm. Stratton, J. Day, G. Perrott, D. Crokatt, D. Seton, Wm. James, P. Dorrien, in the margin, Surat, 27 June 1773, still lower, for the translation, signed, J. Goverts Junior.
Dutch transcription
opsigt den eigendom van andere men„ „schen hebbe, en waeromtrend ik mij niet soude verantwoorden kunnen deselve rexi„ „keerende of de uitleevering uitstellende. maer indien ik Uw Ed:s van dienst kan sijn miets iets voor deselve na mallaca mede te voeren, van waer ik zoude den „ken dat in het saidoen dat ik aldaer aenlanden sal, UwelEd:e Depeches voor Batavia spoedig souden kunnen werden versonden. — UwelEd: kunnen verseekerd zijn van mijn uiterste sorge voor al¬ „les wat dezelve nodig agten. — Jk heb de Eer te sijn seer Eerbiediglijk /:onderstond/ A„r Heer en Heeren /:Lager:/ UwelEd„s seer Ootnoedige Dienaer /:was geteekend:/ John Punter /:in margine:/ Bombaij den 18„' Maij 1773: /: nog Lager:/ voor de vertaaling /:was geteekend:/ J„b Goverts Junior 107 4 The Worshipfull the Directore and Council for the Noble Dutch last Jndia Company at Surat Worshipfull Siverser Jam ex tramely sorry for the occasion of your appli¬ cation to me to convoy for you the advise of the lof of iour Aoble Companys ship te Batavia. I should be exceedingly huppij could I comply with your request, but what is imposible, as am bound to China direct, and shall have under my Care the property of other merchants which I eannot take. upon me, either to risque the safity or delay the delivery of But if it will be of use to you my carrijng any thing for you to mallacn from rohenae I imagine Po No. 9. imagine at the season when I shall arrive there, Your dis¬ patches may easilz be expedi¬ ted to Batavia, you maij depend upon my ut most care of whatever afoue think fitt to place in my charge. haare the Aanor to be very respectfully. Worshipfall A Sits. Jourmost Si obedient Servant. John Hunter Suralt Bambay 18:' Maij 1773. N=o 10. Vertaling Translaet Eng: missive geschreeven door, 't eerste Lid en President der Engelsche natie de Heer Robert Gambier en en Raed, landen Agtbaren Heer Martinus Ioan Bosman Directeur en Raed gedateerd Soeratte den 09„e Junij 1773: en ontf: o: 20„e ditto door de Heeren Ge„ „Commits: James en Dooren. d„le Heer en Heeren! Jn gevolge van U1d Ed:s Verbintenis/ met ons superieuren om de door Deanaet een Coopman onder onse Ed„e Comp„e Protectie aen UEEd:s gedane Eischen billijklijk: door uit„ „spraak van goede mannen te vereve„ „nen; Hebben wij hare beveelen om onsen invloed bij den Nabab te gebruijken ten einder alle beletselen in uw Ed: bezighee„ „den tot 't vertrek van UwE: schip te beneemen, ontfangen, 't welke wij gelijk. 109 gelijk vormelijk gedaen, en den voortgang aller Uwer Ed= zaeken is. zonder eenig hinder toegestaen; Dog dewijl sederd 't verlies van udE: schip een geruimen tijd afgelopen, en er niets van de Aenstelling der Goede mannen welke UwE:s verschil met Deanaet zouden vereven voorgekomen is, zijn wij in de noodsaakelijkheid van op UEdE: wegens de volbrenging deser zaeke te roepen, en versoeken dus bij desen. dat uwE: sonder eenig verder uitstel Arbitres ten Uwen zijde, gelijk wij van die van onsen Coopman Deanaet doen sullen gelieven te benoemen- wij zijn met is aro Agting /onderstond:/ H„r Heer en Heeren /:lager:/ Uwel Ed:s seer gehoorsame en Ootmoe„ „dige Dienaren /:geteekend:. . . . . . . . . R: Gambisk Gr J:n Haldeij W: Ctratton I:k Daij, G: Per rots D„k Crokald, D„l Seton, W„m Jamed en P:k Dorien /:in morgin Soeratte de 19„e Junij 1773. /: Nog Zengert Voot Junior Voor de vertaling /: was Geteekend:/ J:s Goverts 111 2 13 Ps No. 10. The W: marten John Bosman Esqr Directore for Affairs of the Noble Netherland Campany &a Council at surat Jin&sers In consequence of Joun Engagement with our superiors to have the Demands smade on zou by Deanat a Marchant under our Amble Companys Protection equitably settled by Arbitra sian, We had their ordres to use our Jnfluence with the Nabob for the Removal of all Impediments in your Business as to the Dispatch of your ship which we accordingly did, and all ajour affairs were allowed togoen withouts any Hindrance, but as tho J since since the lof of Your Vessell, much time has clapsed, nothing has been yet dane astothe appointement of the arbitra¬ „tors who are to settle & jour Dispute will Diandt, We are under a Necessity of calling upon afore to pro= eled in this Pusiness, & therefore by this Letter request you will without any further deliy cause Arbitrators te benamina, ted in your side of the Question, as We shall on that of our martchants Decnat Weare with great Ostem. Wo Sin & Sirs. Isurmost Obedient Able Seriant. . . . . . . . . R: Gambier. J.:n Halsey Wm Stratten. I:n Day Wt 113 G. Perrott Daniel vm Grosbatt. D: Seton. James P Darian Sievat 19th Juni 1773. v. N„o N„o 11: Verterlang N Translaat Engelsche missive, gedateerd sochab„ „te d: 27„e Iunij 1773. en geschreeven door den Heere Robbert Gambier Eerste en Presideerende Lid bene„ „vens de verdere Leeden van den Engelschen Raed, Aan den Agtbaeren Heere Martinus Joan Bosman Directeur van wegens de Edele Nederland¬ „sche O: S: Comp„e en Raed ontfan„ „gen 4: 28„e daeraen p„r de Engelsche ens Gecommitt:s de Heeren Stratton en Perrott. Ed„le Heer en Heeren. Wij hebben ontfangen uw wel Ed:s g'oed„ „de van den 23„e huijus, en hebben thans het ver„ „maek UdE: te bedeelen, dat Deanaet ter zijner zeijde de Heeren Perrott en Crokatt als Goede mannen gekoosen heeft, waarin dese 11 E dese Heeren hebben bewilligd; zijnde bereid te handelen zoo als 't behoord — wij zijn met Agting /:onderstond:/ A„o Heer en Heeren /:lager UelEd: seer Gehoorsame, Onderd„t Dienaren /:was geteekend:. . . . . . . . . , R: Gambier, J:r Haldeij Wm W„m Stratton, I=hs Daij. . . . . . . , G: Perroth, D: Cokato, D„l Setor W=m James, I„s Dorien /:in margine:/ Soeratta den 27„' Junij 1773/: nog Lager:/ voor de Vertaling /: geteekend:/ J„b Govents Junior
English
To the Worshipful Martinus Joan Bosman Esquire Director for the Affairs of the Noble Netherlands Company, and Council at Surat and Sirs Worshipful Sir and Sirs We have received your favor of the 23rd instant and now do ourselves the pleasure to acquaint you that Deanat on his part has chosen Messrs. Perrott and Crokatt as Arbitrators, and those Gentlemen have consented and are ready to act as such. We are with esteem, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, Your most obedient humble servants, R. Gambier Jn. Halsey, Wm. Stratton P. Day, G. Perrott, Dr. Crokatt D. Pelam, Wm. James, F. Dorrien Surat No. 11 Surat, 27 June 1773 No. 12 121 Translation of an English letter dated Surat, the 10th of July 1773, and written by Mr. Robert Gambier, managing the affairs of the Honorable English East India Company, together with the Council here, to the Honorable Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman, Esquire, Director on behalf of the Honorable Dutch East India Company and the Council at Surat, received the 13th of July by the English Council Members Halsey and Day. Honorable Sir and Sirs! Having received our superiors' resolution regarding your request made to us to be permitted to begin the work mentioned in your letter of the 24th of May, we have the pleasure to inform you that, provided the Nabob has no essential objection thereto, their Honors are well willing to consent that you may do so. We are with esteem, Below stood: Honorable Sirs, Lower: Your Honors' very obedient, humble servants, Signed: R. Gambier, I. Halsey, T. Day, D. Crokatt, W. James. In the margin: Surat, the 10th of July 1773. Even lower: For the translation, Signed: Jb. Goverts Junior. Checked by A. F. Nolff Given 123 No. 12. To the Worshipful Martinus Joan Bosman Esqr., Director for Affairs of the Noble Honorable Netherlands Company, and Council at Surat Worshipful Sir and Sirs, Having received our superiors' determination on your application to us for permission to carry on the work mentioned in your letter of the 24th of May, we have the pleasure to acquaint you that, provided the Nabob has no essential objection, they shall acquiesce in your doing it etc. We have the honor to be with great esteem, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants, Robert Gambier, Jn. Halsey, P. Day, D. Crokatt, Wm. James. Surat, 10 July 1773. Agreed, Jb. Goverts Junior, p. t. Secretary No. 15 Outgoing. Incoming. Copies of Letters exchanged with the Foreign Nations in the Year 1773. Second set. No. 1. 123 Surat To The Right Honorable Mr. Robert Gambier, Esquire, First Council Member, together with the other Gentlemen Members of the English Council having the administration of the affairs of the Honorable English East India Company. Right Honorable Sir and Sirs, At the dispatch of our letter of the 21st of December of the preceding year, it was impossible for us to answer your esteemed letter of the 17th preceding in all parts, and allowing this present letter to serve for that purpose, we cannot sufficiently wonder how the Banyan merchant Ramnaet Ramdat dared to trouble you with such untimely and unfounded complaints, as if he were refused the delivery of goods which he had allegedly bought and already paid for from the two first signatories, thus seeking to obtain through you that which he had already sought on the 29th of August last by committing public acts of violence. In order to demonstrate this and to convince you that we are incapable of inflicting any injustice upon anyone, whoever he may be, the document, a copy of which accompanies this, will show that to the aforementioned Banyan merchant Ramnaet Ramdat on the 21st of April 1772, by the Director and Second in the name of the Honorable Dutch Company, upon payment of the stipulated prices, the same goods as are mentioned in his petition to you were promised, under this express condition, that he should pay for those goods into the Company's Main Treasury 50,000 rupees within one month after the aforementioned 21st of April, and the remainder at the end of the month of June following, even though he was also permitted to let the same merchandise remain lying in our warehouses until the coconut feast, and under the special obligation of his person and goods under and to the Dutch laws. And thus it naturally follows: Firstly, that this complaint is very untimely, as the aforementioned Banyan on his part has not even yet fulfilled his obligation to pay the remaining amount of the goods, circa, into our Company's Treasury, as should already have been done at the end of June; while we are inclined— nay, he has repeatedly been assured by the two first signatories— that as soon as he shall have complied therewith, all goods which still remain due to him according to the Company's trade books, drawn up based on the reports of our Fiscal and Commissioners, and
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The W. d Marten John Bosman Ase Directore for Affairs of the Noble Netherland Company & Council Dat Surat & sits sir We have received Your Instant favor of the 23t & now do our selves the pleasure to acquaint &sou that Deanat an his part haschosen Messrs. Perrott and Crokatt as Arbitrators and those Gentlemen have consented & are ready to act as such We are with Asteem W.o Sir & sir Yourmost obed. Hamble R Gambéer Sewank. Jn. Halseg W=m Strattan. P. Dan G. Perratt: D:r Crokath D. Petam. W:m James. F: Dorion Sievat 8 N:o 11. — . Lunat 27 Jae 177 - „1 No. 12 121 Translaat Engelsche missive gedateerd Soeratte den: 10„e Julij 1773: en geschreeven door de Heere Robbert Gambier waarneemende de zaken der E: Eng:s Oost: Ind: Comp„e benevens den Raad alhier Aan den Agtbaeren Heere Martinus ^ schildknaep Joan Bosman Directeur van wegens de Ed: Hollandsche Oost Indische Maatschappije en den Raad, te soeratte ont„ „fangen d: 13: Iulij p„r de Engelsche Raads- Leeden Halseij en Daij. H„l Heer en Heeren! Ontfangen hebbende onser superieur en besluijt op UWdEd aen ons gedaan versoek om 't werk in UEdE: missive van den 24„e Meij, vermeld te mogen beginnen. - Hebben wij het het vermaek UwE: te bedeelen dat mitsde nabab geene wesentlijke tegenwerping daer tegen heeft- Haer Ed:s wel willen berusten dat UEdEs zulx doen meugen wij zijn met agting, /:Onderstond:/ A„o Heeren Heeren /:Lager:/ UWEd:s seer gehoorsame, needrige dienaren /:geteekend:/. . . . . . , R: Gambier, I: Halseij . . . . . . . T: Daij. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D: Crokatt, W: James, /:Jn margine:/ Soeratte de: 10:e Julij 1773: /: nog Lager:/ voor de vertaling /: Geteekend/ J„b Goverts Junior Nagesieg door A. f. nolff Glivin 123 12. N. The We Martin John Bosman Esqr Affairs of the Noble Ho Netherland Company & Council Tat Curat W: Sir & Sirs Having received our su„ periais Determination on your application to us for permission to envoy an the Work mentianed in zour Letter of the 24:e May, We havethe pleasure Aracquaint Gou that provided the Nabob has no exential objection, They shall acquiesce in your doing itC: We have the Amnor tobe with greatesteem. Gentlemen, Your most Obed:t Able Servants. p: Raberts Gambier Jn Halsey P. Dair. v: D: Cerkath Wm Hames Surat 10 July 7 Director Adcordeerd 50 Goverts Junior p: S: gClercq N„ 15 Afgaande. Aankomende Copijen Gewisselde Brieven met de Vreende Nractien in het Jaar 1773: Twee d stel. No. 1. 123 Souratta Aan Den Wel Edelen Heer Robbert Gambier schildknaep Eerste RaadsLid benevens de verdere Heeren Leden van den Engelschen Raad hebbende de waarneminge der Affaires van Edele Engelsche Oostjndische Compagnie. Wel Edele Heere en Heeren. Bij het afgaan onser letteren van den 21. December des voorigen Jaars, was het ons onmogelijk uwelEdele G'agte van den 17. bevoaens in allen deelen te beantwoorden en dees desen daar toe latende dienen, zoo kunnen wij ons niet genoeesaem„ verwonderen, toe den benjaans Koopman Raemnaet Raemdal uwel Ed. heeft durven vermoeiliken met diergelijke ontijdige en ongegronde klagten als wierd hem Geweigerd de afgaeve van goederen, welke denselven van de Twee eerst geteekenden gekogt en bereets betaeld hebben zoude soekende dus door uwel Edele te obtineeren dat geene dat hij op den 29. augustus laastleeden al bereets door het pleegen van publicque Geweldadigheeden gesogt heeft Om het welke te behoogen en uw Edele te overtuijgen dat wij onvermogens zijn, om aan iemand wie hij zijn mogen, eenig onregt toe te brengen, zoo zal het geschrift geschrift, waar van eene Copia deesen bij gaet doen zien, dat aen den voornoemde benjaars Koopman Raemnaet Raemdat op den 21. april 1772. door den Directeur en secunde namens de Edele Hollandse Compagnie onder betaelinge der gestipuleerde prijsen toegesegd zijn, dezelve goederen soo bij zijn versoekschrift aen uwel Edele zijn gemeld, onder deeze Expresse Conditie, dat hij dien Goederen soude betaelen in 's Comp:s Groote geld Kassa 50'000. rop:s binnen een maand nae voorm: 21. april en het restant in het Laatst van de maand Iunij daaraen, off schoon hem ook wierd toegestaen om dezelve koop— „mansz: in onse Pattijs te laeten Leggen, tot aan het klappers feest, en onder speciaale verbintenis van zijn ^ en na persoon en Goederen onder ^ de Hollandse regten En dus volgd van selven Eerstelijk dat deese klagte zeer ontijdig is alzoo voorn: benjaan van zijne zijde nog niet eens: heeft voldaen aan desselfs verpligtinge, om het restant bedraegen der Goederen Circum Curca in onse Comp:s Kassa te voldoen, soo als al bereets in het laatst van Junij hadden Geschieden moeten, Terwijl wij Genegen zijn, Ja hem te meermalen door de Twee Eerst getekenden versekerd is, dat zo ras daar aen sal hebben voldaen alle Goederen welke hem nog per restant agtervolgens 'sComp:s Negotie Boeken geformeert op de raportes van onzen Fiskael en Gecommitteerd:s en
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and at that of the Commissioners at our warehouses, they will be weighed out and delivered. Secondly, that the said complaints were not made in the proper place, since this Banyan has in this case bound himself under and to Dutch laws. And thirdly, that the aforementioned complaint is unfounded in every respect, and solely devised in order, if possible, to receive from us once again such goods as have already once before been weighed out and delivered to him, and this under the specious pretext that Tabitas Nagerdas, now absconded and bankrupt, had given no order or authorization for the receipt of these goods, whereas it is nevertheless the truth and provable by us that he always used the aforementioned Tabitas in all transactions with us as his broker, and as such was introduced by his relative Prembaey to the first two signatories; thus he previously, on 5 April 1772, caused 200 cannasscas of sugar to be bought, received, and paid for from us through this broker of his, Tabitas, and thus he caused these goods to be bought and received through the aforementioned Tabitas, without this Banyan ever having spoken to any of us, indeed never having been seen with known eyes by many of us. Wherefore we cannot doubt that Your Honour, now being informed of the true circumstances of this case, will dismiss this complainant. While While, with respect to the complaint brought by the often-mentioned Banyan Ramnaet Ramdat against Mr. Holmberg, we must inform Your Honour that this dispute, being a matter of meum and tuum, cannot be settled by us, since we have a Council of Justice here to which all such matters belong; indeed, we assure Your Honour, my Lords, that in such cases we find ourselves in exactly the same situation as Your Honour, and that it is just as impossible for us to decide this matter in our assembly as it was impracticable for Your Honour, according to your esteemed letters of 18 March and 15 July 1767, as well as 26 March 1770, to settle a dispute between the Honourable Dutch Company and one of the gentlemen of Your Honour's factory before your assembly; and therefore we request Your Honour to refer this Banyan thither, and to the extent that it is possible for us, we shall contribute everything that can serve towards a speedy obtainment of proper justice, providing him, if he so desires, with an honest man skilled in the law, who can prosecute and take care of his case before the said Council of Justice and protect his interests, while we assure Your Honour that the most impartial and best justice will be done to him there, and from whose verdict he may then still, if necessary, address himself to our Court of Justice in Batavia. We hope thus herewith to have complied with what was requested in Your Honour's often-mentioned esteemed letter of 17 December, and remain with respect. Underneath stood: Honourable Sir and Gentlemen. Lower: Your Honour's very obedient and humble servants. Was signed: M:s J. Bosman, A: J. Cluijtken, J. van der Sleijden, N. Holmberg, C: Heijdeman, F: B: Zimmerman, R. C. de Vaessij, W. L. Sontag, J. Bocquet, and E: N:s Wiarde. In the margin: Surat, 2 January 1773. Agreed, Govert Junior First Clerk Translation To Robert Gambier Esq., First Councillor, and the gentlemen other members of the Council, in charge of the administration of the affairs of the noble English Company. Sir and Gentlemen, It was impossible for us, at the dispatch of our letter of 27 December of the preceding year, to reply fully to the contents of your esteemed letter of the 17th preceding; and this one therefore being drafted to make up for it, we cannot wonder enough how the Banyan merchant Ramnaet Ramdat has dared to trouble you with such premature and frivolous complaints, as if we refused to deliver to him the goods that he had purchased from the first two undersigned and already paid for, seeking in this manner to obtain through your means what he already sought previously by committing acts of violence on 29 August last. Wishing to demonstrate this and to convince you, Gentlemen, that we are incapable of committing any injustice toward anyone whatsoever, you will see from the document of which a copy is enclosed that on 21 April 1772 there were granted to the aforementioned Banyan merchant Ramnaet Ramdat, by the Director and Second in the name of the noble Dutch Company, the goods mentioned in his petition presented to you, under these express conditions: that he would pay for these goods into the main treasury of the Company, namely 50000 Rupees one month after the date of the said contract, and the remainder towards the end of the month of June following; it being also granted to him to leave these goods in our warehouses until the Coconut Day festival, with a special pledge of his person and effects under and to our jurisdiction. Thus Thus it follows therefrom beyond dispute, firstly, that this complaint is entirely out of place, since this Banyan has not yet satisfied his commitments, which were to deposit approximately the surplus of the amount for the goods into the treasury of our Company, as he should already have done towards the end of June; whereas we are inclined, indeed, as has often been assured to him by the first two undersigned, that as soon as he had satisfied this, all the goods that remain to be returned to him, in accordance with our trade ledgers drawn up upon the reports of our fiscal with the Commission of the Council of Justice and the commissioners at the warehouses, will be weighed and delivered to him. Secondly, that these same complaints are not brought in the proper place, given that this Banyan has in this case bound himself to Dutch jurisdiction. And thirdly, that the aforementioned
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127 en op die van de Gecommitteerdens bij onse pakhuijsen toekomen zullen worden uijtgewogen en afgegeven. Ten Tweeden, Dat dezelve klagten niet ter regter plaatsse sijn gedaan, alsoo dezen bewjaar zig in dit geval heeft verbonden onder en aan de Hollandse Regten. En ten Derden, dat voormelde klagte in allen opsigte ongegrond is, en eeniglik maer bedagt om, was het mogelijk nog eens van ons te ontfangen, sulke goederen als hem als een maal bevoorens toegewogen en afgegeven zijn, en zulx onder het specieus voorgeven, dat den den thans G'aufugeerden en Gefailleerden Tabitas Na= „gerdas geen ordre off authorisatie tot den ontfangst deser koopmanschappen zou gegeeven hebben, daar het egter de waarheijd en door ons bewijsselijk is, dat hij voormelden Tabilas altoos en in alle handelingen met ons, als zijnen makelaar gebruijkt en als zodanig door zijnen bloed verwand Prrembaeij aan de twee eerste getekenden voortge„ „draegen heeft, dus heeft hij bevoorens op den 5. April 1772: door desen sijnen makelaar Tabitas van ons doen hopen ontfangen en betaelen 200: Cannasscas zuijker en dues heeft hij deze Koopmansz: door voormelde Tabitas doen kopen en ontfangen, sonder dat deesen Deanact ooit bij iemand van ons gesprooken, Ja bij veele nimmer met bekende ogen gesien is. Alwaeromme wij niet kunnen Twijffelen, off uwel Edele zullen nu van de waere omstands deses gevals g'informeert zijn dezen klager van de hand wijzen. Terwijl Terwijl wij ten aensien van de door meergemelden ben„ „Jaer Raemnael Raemdat voorgebragte klagte tegen den Heer Holmberg uwelEdele moeten bedeelen dat dit disput, als eene zaek zijnde van meuwet Tuum door ons niet kan worden beslegt, alzoo wij alhier eene raed van Justitie hebben tot welke al zulke saeken behooren, Ja wij versekeren uwel Edele mijne Heeren, dat wij ons in diergelijke gevallen Just met uwel Ed. in dezelve situatie bevinden, en dat het ons even onmo„ „gelijk is, om deeze zaak bij onse vergaderinge te decide„ „ren, als het uwEdele volgens derselver G'agte Letteren van den 18„e Maart en 15„e Julij 1767: mitsgaders 26„' Maart 1770: ondoenelijk was om een disput tusschen de Edele Hollandse Comp: en een der Heeren van uw Edele factorije voor uwe vergaderinge afledoen, en dierhalven versoeken wij uwEdele dezen Benjaan derwaarts te renvoijeeren, en zullen wij ten eijnde zoo verre ons doenelijk is alles toetebrengen wat tot een spoedige obtinue van goed regt kan dienen hem des be„ „gerende van een Eerlik man de regten kundig voorsien, die zijne zaak voor gedagten Raad van Justitie vervolgen waerneemen en zijn interest waar kan, inmiddels dat wij uw Edele versekeren dat hem aldaar het onpartijdigste en beste regt zal wedervaeren, en van welkers vonnis hij zig dan nog des noods aen ons Hoff van Justitie te Batavia kan addresseeren. Wij verhoopen dus hier mede te hebben voldaan aan 129 aan het gerequireerde bij uweldele meergemelden g'agte letteren van den 17: December en zijn met agting . /:onderstond:/ Wel Edele Heer en Heeren. /:lager:/ uwel Edele, Zeer Gehoorsaeme en Ootmoedige dienaaren /was getekend:/ M:s J. Bosman, A: J. Cluijtken, J. v:n der Sleijden, N. Holmberg, C: Heijdeman, F: B: Zimmerman, R. C. de Vaessij, W. L. Sontag, 7 J. Bocquet en E: N:s Wiarde: /:in margine:/ Souratta den 2=en Januarij 1773: — Accordeerd Govert Junior p. s E g Clercq C S: 13 131 Praduction Monsieur Robert Gambier Esqr premier Conseller et messieurs les autres menbres du conseil, chargez de l'administration des affaires de la noble Compagnie d' Angleterre. Messieurs Monsieur et A nous a cté impossible a la depeche de notre lettre du 27=me December des lannéé precedente de repondre amplement au contenu de votre estimee lettre du 17=me dauparavant, et celleci donc elant arreté pour y suppleer, nous ne saurions trap nous etonner Comment le marhawd Benjan Ramnaet Ramdat a ose vous importuner avec de pareilles plaintes prematturees et frivoles comme si on refusoit de lui delivrer des Effets quil auroit achetté des deux premiers soussignes et deja paijees touchant de cette maniere a Obtenir par Suratte. a volre No 1. votre moyen, ce qu'il a cherché auparavant deja en commettant du 29me Aaust dernier des violences -. Ce que voulant de montrer et Vous convainere messieurs que nous sommes en„ „capables de commeltre aucune injustice vis= a vis de qui que ce soit, vous verrez par lécrit dont ei joint une Copie quan 21 mne avril 1772. il ex été accordés au ci devant men„ „tionné marchand Benjan Raemnat Ramdat parte Directeur et secandé au nom de la notte Compagnie d'hollandé les marchandises men„ „tionnéés dans sa requelte a vous presenté sous ces expresses Conditions, quil payeroib ces marchandises en la grande Caisse de la Compagnie a savoir Rop 50000 un mois apres la datte du dit Contract et le restant vers la fin du mois de juin suivant Bien aussi quon lui ent encore accordé de laisser ces marchandises en nos magazins, jusqu'a la fité du cocos avec engagement special de sa personne et Effets sous et a notre Jurisdiction. Hinsi 132 123 Ainsi de la sen suit sans Contredit premierement que cette plainte est tout a a fait hors de propos, puisque ce Benjan na point encore satisfait a ses engagements qui éloient de deposer environ le surplus du montant des marchandises en la caisse de notre compagnie, comme il auroit deje du faire vers la fin de quin; Tandis que nous sommes inclines oui cinsi quil lui a souvent fois éle assurez par las deux premiers soussignez qu'ausse tot quil ij aurait satisfait, loutes les marchandises que le revendre encor par restant Con„ „formement anos livies de negoce formés sur les rapports de notre fiscal avec la Commission du conseil de Justice et des commissaires aupres des magazins, lui seront perees et delivrees. En second lieu qua ces mêmes ne sont pas portees en lieux propres, uu que ce Benjan sest engagée en ce cas a la jurisdiction hollandoise Et troisiemement que la sus dette
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this complaint is in all respects ill-founded and solely invented so that it might be possible to receive again from us such merchandise as was already previously delivered to him, and this under the specious pretext that he had given no order or authority to the Banyan Tabidas, who has now become bankrupt and absconded, for the receipt of this merchandise. Whereas, however, it is true and we can prove it, that the said Tabidas has at all times and in all transactions acted with us in the capacity of his broker, and that he was recommended in that capacity to the first two undersigned by his relative Trambhag. It is in this manner that he previously, around 5 April 1772, caused 200 cannisters of sugar to be bought, received, and paid for by his broker Tabidas, and in this manner he caused these goods to be bought and paid for by the named Tabidas without this Deanaat ever having spoken with any of us, or even being known to this day to several among us. To this effect, therefore, having no doubt that being presently informed, gentlemen, of the true circumstance of this fact, you will dismiss this complainant. Whereas we must communicate to you concerning the complaint brought by the previously named Ramnaet Ramdal against Mr. Holmberg that this dispute, being a matter of meum and tuum, cannot be settled by us; since we have here a Council of Justice, under whose department such matters fall, where we assure you, gentlemen, that we find ourselves in this affair in precisely the same situation as you, and that it is likewise impossible for us to decide this question in our assembly, just as it was impracticable for you, according to your esteemed letters of 18 March, 5 and 15 July 1767, as well as of 26 March 1778, to settle in your Council a dispute between the Noble Dutch Company and one of the gentlemen of your factory. Praying you consequently to refer this Banyan back to us, and we shall do our best so as to procure for him, as far as it will be in our power, whatever may contribute to the obtaining of good justice, providing to this effect, if he desires it, an honest man expert in our laws, who may pursue his affairs in the Council of Justice and take care of his interests. And we assure you that he will experience the most impartial and best justice, and that in case of need he may appeal from this judgment to our Council of Justice at Batavia. We hope to have satisfied by this what was required by your said honored letter of 17 December, and we are with esteem /: at the bottom :/ sir and gentlemen /: lower down :/ your very humble servants /: for the translation it was signed :/ J. Goverts Junior /: in the margin :/ Surat, 2 January 1773. Agreed. Govert Junior No. 2. 137 Bombay. William Hornby, Esq., President on behalf of the Honorable English Company and Commander of His Britannic Majesty's Castle there. Together with The Council. To the Right Honorable, Highly Esteemed Sir, Right Honorable, Highly Esteemed Sir, Gentlemen! After our dispatch of 31 December of the past year had been sent to your Honor, we, in consideration of the remoteness of Bombay, which makes the settlement of affairs with your Honor very difficult and tedious when it must be done in writing, besides that it is frequently made vexatious and thereby tends not a little to the estrangement and cooling of the good understanding that has continually and so happily subsisted between your Honor and our factory, and which we, compatibly with our duty as servants of the Dutch Company, shall constantly seek to cultivate, have seen fit to dispatch to your Honor a public commission consisting of members of our assembly, the gentlemen Shuijsken and Holmberg, who within a few days are to depart from here. And this serving solely to give notice to your Honor of this resolution of ours, we are persuaded that the aforementioned gentlemen will be in a position to give your Honor a clear idea of all that has occurred between the same and our factors there regarding the siege since the taking of Bharuch by your Honor's troops, as well as of the sincerity of our sentiments toward the maintenance of good harmony, and we flatter ourselves that your Honor will thereafter not hesitate for a moment to cause all infringements committed against the rights of the Honorable Company to cease. Wherewith we have the honor to remain with high esteem, /: below stood :/ Right Honorable, Highly Esteemed Sir and Gentlemen, /: lower :/ your Right Honorable and Highly Esteemed Sirs' very humble servants, /: was signed :/ M. J. Bosman, A. J. Pleijsken, J. van der Sleijden, N. Holmberg, F. B. Zimmerman, C. van Fitters Aarendz., R. C. de Vassig, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocquet, and E. N. Wiarde. /: in the margin :/ Surat, 9 January 1773. Agreed. Govert Junior Translation No. 2 The Honourable William Hornby Esqr. President for affairs of the Honourable English East India Company and Governor of His Great Britannic Majesty's Castle. And the Council. At Bombay. Honourable Sir and Sirs. After we had dispatched our last letter dated 31st December passed year, we have from a consideration of the distance of Bombay, which makes the settling of matters difficult and tedious as being done in writing, without mentioning disagreeable circumstances which might occur and which thereby might cause estrangement and cooling in that good harmony that so happily has subsisted between you gentlemen and our factory and which forever in conformity to our duty as servants of the Noble Netherlands East India Company
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ditte plainte est a tous egards mal fondéé et uniquement imagineé asen fat il possible de recevoir encoré de nous telles marchan„ „dises qui deja auparavant lui ont êtez delivrees, et cela sous le specieux protexle quil n'auroit donné aucun ordre ni autore té au Benjan Tabidas maintenant aijant fait Banqueroutte sest enfue pour la reception de ces marchandises Tandis que cependant il est vrai et nous pourons le prouver que le mentionné Tabidas aggé de lout tems et en toutes negotiations avec nous en la qualité de son courtier, et quil la fait recommande en celle qualité aur deux premiers soussignez par son parent Trambhag cest de cette maniere qu'il a auparavant vers le 5me avril 1772. fait achetter recevoir et payer par son courtier Tabitas 200: Cannasters de sucre et de cette facon il a fait achetter et payer ces marchandises par le nommé Pabitas sans que ce Deanaat aije jamais Conversé avec aucun de nous, oux même est il encore inconnu jusquder 22 133 jusquau jours de plusieurs entre nous= Pour cel Effet done ne pouvant douter quetant presentement messieurs infor „mer de la vraie circonslance de ce fait vous renverez cé plaignant Sandis que nous devons vous Communiquer au sujet de la pleinte portée par le ci devant nommé Ramnaet Ramdal contre monsieur Holmberg que ce different, commé etant une affiiré de meum et Puum, ne sauroit être vuideé potinous; puisque nous avons icx un Conseil de Iustice, du departement du quel dependent des pareilles affaires, oux nous vous assurons messieurs, que nous nous trouvons en cette affaire precisement en la même situation que vous, et qu'il nous est demême impos„ „sible de decider cette question en notre assemblee, aussi bien quil vous fut infaisable suivant vos Estimee lettres du 18„me mars 5me et 15„ne Juillet 1767. de meine que du 26„e mars 1778. de terminer en volre Conseil eene dispute entre la noble Compagnie d'hollande et un des messieurs de votre Factorie vous priant priant parconsequence de renvoyer ce Banjan vers nous et nous fairons de notre mieux asin de lui procurer autant qu'il sera en notre pouvoir ce qui peit contrebuer a l'oblenue dune bonne justice pourvoyant ei cet effet sil le desire d'un honnette homme expert dans nos Droits, qui puisse pour suivre ses affaires dans le conseel de justicé et prendre Loin de ses interests Et nous vous assurons quil experimentera la plus impartiale et meillieure justice et qu'en eas besoin it pourra de ce jugement appeler a notre Conseil de Justice à Batavia Vous esperons d'avoir satisfail par ceci a ce que requiert votre mentionnéé honnorées lettrex du 17me. December et nous sommes avec Estime /: au bas / mensieur et messieurs /: plees bas:/ vos tres humbles servileurs /: pour la Translation ful signe I: Goverts Junior /. en marge:/ Sairatle le 2me de Junoer 1773 Acccrdteerd Gorvert Junior p:s S: gC: N:o 2: 137 Bombaij. William Hornbijscheltk president van wegens de Honorable Engelsche Compagnie en Commandant van zijn Groot Brittannische ma„ „jesteijt Casteel aldaar. Benevens Den Raad. Aan den WelEdelen Groot Agtbaren Heer WelEdele Groot Agtbaere Heer 8„ Heeren! Nae dat onse missive van den 31. December des gepas„ „seerden Jaars aen uw Edele was afgevaerdigd, hebben wij uijt Consideratie van de afgelegendheijd: van Bombaij welke het afdoen van zaeken met uwel Edele als in geschrifte geschieden moetende, zeer moeijelik en langwijlig maekt, buijten dat dikwerff hatelijk gemaekt worden en daar door niet weijnig strekken, tot verwijde„ „ringen en verkoeling van de steeds tusschen uwel Edele en onze factorije zoo gelukkig gesubsisteerd hebbende goede verstandhoudinge en welke wij bestaanbaar met onsen pligt van Dienaeren van de Nederlandse Compagnie bestendig bestordig zullen zoeken te Cultiveeren, goedgevonden om eene publicque commissie bestaande uijt Leeden onser Vergadering de Heeren Shuijsken en Holmberg aen uwel Edele aftwaerdigen, en welke binnen weinig daegen staan N _: staan van hier te gaan. En dus deesen eeniglik doende dienen om uwelEdele van dit ons besluijt kennis te geven zijn wij gepersua„ „deert dat de voormelde Heeren in staat zijn sullen om uwel Edele te geeven een klaer idée van al het geen bij het belegen zederd het inneemen van Baootchia door uwel Edele troupes tusschen dezelve en onse Factoors aldaar gebeurd is, zoo wel als van de opregtheijd onser Gevoelens tot onderhoud der goede harmonie, en wij blatteeren ons dat uw Edele daar nae geen ogenblik hasiteeken sullen om alle krenkingen aen het regt van de E. Comp: toege „bragt te doen seseren. Waar meede wij d' Eer hebben met Hoog agting te verblijven /:onderstond:/ Wel Edele Groot Agtbaaren Heer en Heeren. /lager:/ uwel Edele Groot Agtbaares en wel Edeles zeer onderdanige Dienaaren /was getekend:/ M: J:n Bosman, A. J. Pleijsken, I. v:n d=n sleijden, N. Holmberg, F: B. Zimmerman, C. v:n fitters aarendz: R. C: de Vassig, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocquet en E: N: wiarde /:in margine:/ Souratta den 9. Januarij 1773: Accordeerd Gorvert Junior p 626 endz: Translation No 2 The Honourable William Hornbay Esqr. president for affairs of the Honou¬ del rable English East India Company and Gouvernour of hus great Britanik Majestys Castle. Counil. Dat Bombaij. Honourable sirx sirs. After me had dispacted our last Letter dated 31ten December passed year, we sine from a Consideration of the distance of Rombay, which makes the settling of Matters diffiult, and retardant as beingdone in writing, without mentioning disagreable Circunstances which might ouur and which thereby might cause Estrangement and relent in that good harmony that sohappilij has subsisted between you gentlemen and our factory and which foverer in conformety to our duty as servants of the Noble Netherland East India „Companij No 3. 10 1
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Surat Company, which we will endeavour carefully to cultivate, have resolved to depute to You a public commission, being two members of our Board, Mr. Sluijsken and Holmberg, who are to proceed from here in a very few days. Thus this letter only serves to give You notice thereof, and we hold ourselves persuaded that the aforementioned Gentlemen will be able to give You a just and clear idea of all that has passed by and after the siege of Broach between your military and our factory there, as also convince you of the sincerity of our sentiments for cultivating the good harmony. We flatter ourselves that after this you will not hesitate a moment to cause the right of the Noble Company that has been wronged to be repaired. We have the honour to remain with sentiments of the highest esteem, Honourable Sir and Sirs, Your most obedient and most humble servant. For the translation was signed: 9 January 1773. J. J. Goverts 141 Surat. To the Right Honourable Robert Gambier, Esquire, First Member, alongside the other Gentlemen Members of the Council having the management of the affairs of the Noble English Company, and in that capacity Governor of the Mogul Castle. Right Honourable Sir and Gentlemen. When on 30 December 1772 we had the honour to receive your Honour's agreeable letter of the preceding day, there came to our hands at the same time a missive from the Honourable President and Council at Bombay. The contents of this latter letter and what occurred at the siege and the conquest of Broach are matters of such importance that they demand a settlement as speedy as possible, and for these reasons, having had to resolve to dispatch a public commission to the President and Council at Bombay, we have chosen for this purpose Messrs. Sluijsker and Holmberg. And since we have no one else here at hand who understands the English and French languages except the last mentioned, and thus we are unable to get the letter translated and to send off our reply as quickly as might otherwise have been done, besides the fact that your Honour's missive is of such a tenor that it cannot be answered without many annexes and proofs, we therefore request that your Honour will kindly have a little patience for our reply, while we shall cause our answer to reach you as soon as is humanly possible. We are with all respect, below stood: Right Honourable Sir and Gentlemen, lower: your Honour's humble servants, was signed: Mr. Jan Belman, F. van der Sleijden, C. Heijdeman, F. B. Zimmerman, R. C. de Vassij, Willem Lodewijk Sontag, J. J. Bocquet, and E. N. Mardi. In margin: Surat, 13 January 1773. Agreed Goverts Junior 143 Translation To Robert Gambier, Esq., First Councillor, and the other members of the Council administering the affairs of the Honourable English East India Company, and in that capacity Governor of the castle and the fleet of the Mogul. Surat Sir and Gentlemen, When on the 30th of December last we had the honour of receiving your esteemed letter of the preceding day, there reached us at the same time a letter from the Honourable the President and Council of Bombay. The contents of this latter letter and what passed at the siege and conquest of Broach are affairs of such importance that they require a settlement as early as possible. And for that reason, having been under the necessity of dispatching a public commission to the Honourable the President and Council of Bombay, we have chosen for this purpose Messrs. Sluysken and Holmberg. Therefore, as we have no one else here who understands the French and English languages well enough except the latter, and for that reason it is not possible for us to have the letters translated in order to send our reply as quickly as might otherwise be done, not to mention that your letter contains matters which cannot be replied to without adding many documents and proofs thereto; we thus pray you, Gentlemen, to be so good as to have a little patience for that reply, whilst we shall forward our answer to you as soon as it will ever be possible for us. We have the honour to be with much esteem, at the bottom: Sir and Gentlemen, lower down: your very humble and very obedient servants, in the margin: Surat, this 13 January 1773. For the translation was signed: J. Goverts For the translation and agreed by Goverts Junior 193 Bombay No. 4. To the Right Honourable, Highly Respected William Hornby, Esquire, President on behalf of the Honourable English Company and Commander of His Britannic Majesty's Castle there, alongside the Council. Right Honourable, Highly Respected Sir and Gentlemen, Pursuant to what we had the honour to inform your Honour by our missive of the 9th of this month, we now send the members of our assembly, Messrs. Sluijsken and Holmberg, to your Honour on a public commission on behalf of our name, the Noble Dutch Company, with all such orders and credentials as they shall have the honour to bring to your Honour's knowledge. And committing ourselves entirely thereto in all respects, we therefore request your Honour to give credence to all dealings and representations which the said commission shall conduct with and make to your Honour, promising to hold firm and valid all that shall be performed by the said Gentlemen, for which reason we have the honour to present this to your Honour as true Letters of Credence. We
Dutch transcription
swrat „ Company, we willende avour Care„ „fuly to Cultivate; have resolved to depute to You a publicq Commisssion being two membres of our Board Mr. Sluijsken & Holmberg, who are to proceed from heme in a veryfen days. Theis this Letter onlij servesto give You notue thereof, and hold our- selves persuaded that fore mentiond Gentlemen will be able to give You a Just and clear idea, of all that has passed by and after the Tiege of Broach between your militarij and our factory there, is also Convinie you of the sinieritij of our sentiments for cultivating the good hermonij. we flate ourselves that after this you will not hasitate a momo to Cause the right of the Noble Compan that has been wronged to be repaird= We have the honour to remain with ser „timents of the hihgest EHteem Hondurable Sir. & Sirs. Your most Obedient & most humble servant. /:voor de vertaaling was geteekend:/ 9t Januarij. J:J: Goverts:/ 1673. anet 141 Souratta. Aan den welEdele Heer Robbert Gambier schildknaep Eerste Lid bevens ide verdere Heeren Leeden van den Raad hebbende de maneance van zaaken van de Edele Engelsche Compagnie, en in die qualiteijt Gouverneur van het Mogols Casteel. Wel Edele Heer en Heeren. Wanneer wij op den 30: december 1772: d' Eer hadden te ontfangen uwel Edele aengenaeme van daegs bevoorens is ons teffens der hand gekomen eene missive van den Honorablen Heer praesident en Raad te Bombaij. Den inhoud van deese laatste briefen het voorgevalle„ „ne bij de belegering en het veroveren van Breootchia zijn zaeke van die aengelegendheijd datze eene spoedige afdoeninge zoo mogelik vorderen, en om deeze reedenen hebbende moeten besluijten eene publicque Commissie aen de Heere president en Raad te Bombaij aftevaerdigen, hebben wij daar toe verkosen de Heeren Sluijsker en Holmberg, en vermits wij niemand anders alhier aan handen hebben die de Engelschen en franschen taalen magtig is als de laast Gem: en dus wij onvermo„ „gens zijn de brief getranslateerd te krijgen en ons antwoord zo spoedig aftezenden als anders zoude kunnen N:o 3: kunnen geschieden, buijten dat uwel Edele missive van die Continue is dat dezelve niet zonder veel bijlaegen en bewijsen beantwoord kan worden, zoo versoeken, wij dat uwelEdele wel na dezelve onze rescuiptie, een weijnig zullen „geliefen te palienteeren; Terwijl wij ons antwoord aan uw Ed. soo spoedig zullen ^doen toekomen, als maar immers mogelik is. — Wij zijn met alle agting /:onderstond:/ Wel Edele Heer en Heeren /:lager:/ uwel bdeles onderdanige Dienaaren /:was getekend:/ M:r J:n Belman, - - . . . . . F:s v:n d:n sleijden, - - - - . . „, C:s Heijdeman, - - - - - - , F: B. Zimmerman R. C. de Vassij, W=m L:k Sontag, J. J. Bocquet en E. N. Mardi, /:in margine:/ Souratta den 13. Januarij 1773:—. Accordeerd Gererts Juniar pr 143 Sa Traduction Monsieur Robert Gambier Esq premier Conseiller et les autres menbres du conseil, administrant les affaires de thonnorable Compagnie Angloise des Jndes Orientales, et dans cette qualité gouverneur du chateaix et de la vlotte dix Mogol Auralte Messieurs S Monsieur el Quana du 30m de December dernier, nous avions thonneur de recevoir votre estimee Lettre du precedent jour il nous est parvenu en même tems une lettre de lthonorable monsr. le President & Conseil de Bombaij. Le contenu de celle derniere leltre, eb ce qui c'est passé au Rége et ala conquéte de Baroche, sont des affaires de celle importance, qu'ils requisent une arangement au plislot possible: En pour cellé raison, ayant cte nécessité de depecher une Com„ mission publique aupres de lhonorable monsieur le president et Conseil de Bombaij, nous avons Choisie a choise pour cet eff t messrs. sluysken Et Holmberg Donc comme nous n'avons plus personne ici, qui entendl assez les lanques Francoises et angloises que le dernier, et que par cette raison il ne nous est pas possible d'avoir les lettres traduites, asin d'envoyer notre reponse aussi vite, comme autrement. se pourroit facre; sans compter que votre lettre contient des choses, qui ne peeis„ etre repliqué sans yéon ij ajoute, beaucoup de pieces et des preuves: Cinsi nous vous prions messieurs de vouloir bien patienter un peu avec celle repliques Fandis que nous vous ferons tenir notre reponse. aussitob que jamais il nous sera possible Nous avons l'honneur detre avec beaucoup d'Estime /au bas:/ monsieur et messeeeur //: plusbas / nour la Translation fut signe S: goverts vos trés, humbles eltres obéissants serviteurs /:en Janvier 1773. „marge :/ Suratte ce 13= Pourla Traduction et Accordé par Govert Junio 6 p C. 193 Bombaij N:o 4. Aan Den welEdelen Groot Agtb: Heer William Hornbij. schildknaep praesident van wegens de Honorable Engels Compagnie en Com„ „mandant van zijn Groot Brittannische Majesteijt Casteel aldaar Benevens Den Raad. Wel Edele Groot Agtbaaren Heer en Heeren Jngevolge van het geen wij d' ber gehad hebben uwelEdele bij onze missive van den 9. dezes maand te bedeelen, doen wij de leeden onser vergadering de Heeren Sluijsken en Holmberg thans tot uwel Edele overgaan in eene publicque Commissie van wegens ons namens, de Edele Nederlandse Compagnie met al zulken Last en qualificatie als zij lieden d' Eer zullen hebben uwel Edele ter tkennisse te brengen; Ende ons dan daaraan in allen deelen gedraegende, soo versoeken wij uwel Edele gelooff te geven aen alle han„ „delingen en voorstellingen, welke gemelde Commissie met en aen uwelEdele doen sal, beloovende voor vast en van waarde te sullen houden alles wat door gem: Heeren sal worden verrigtet en waarom wij d' Een hebben uwel Edele desen als Waeren Geloofs brief aente bieden. Wij
English
We have the honor to be with all respect, was signed, Right Honorable Sir and Sirs, lower, Your Right Honorable and Honorable's obedient servants, was signed, M. J. Bosman, P. van der Sleijden, C. Heijdeman, F. B. Zimmerman, R. C. de Vassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocquet, and E. N. Wiarde. In the margin, Surat, the 13th of January 1773. Agreed, Goverts Junior. 1119 Translation No. 4. The Honourable William Hornby Esq., President for affairs of the Honourable English East India Company and Governor of his Britannic Majesty's Castle, Council at Bombay. Honourable Sir and Sirs, In consequence of what we had the honour of maintaining by our letter of the 9th instant, we now depute to you Gentlemen, Messrs. Sluysken and Holmberg, publicly commissioned for us in the name of the noble Dutch East India Company with all such charge and procuration as they will have the honour of representing to you. And referring ourselves thereunto in every respect, we request you will give full credit to all transactions which the aforesaid commission will do with and to you Gentlemen, promising to hold valid and of value all which shall be transacted by the aforementioned Messrs. Sluysken and Holmberg, for which reason we have the honour of presenting you this as their letters credential. We have the honour to remain with high esteem, Honourable Sir and Sirs, your most obedient and most humble servants, Surat, the 13th of January 1773. For the translation was signed: J. P. Goverts. 1119 No. 5. 149 Surat To the Right Honorable Worshipful William Andrew Price, Esquire, Chief on behalf of the English East India Company and Governor of the Mogul Castle and Fleet, together with the Council. Right Honorable Worshipful Sir and Sirs, 1. When we found ourselves honored on the 19th of December of the past year with your Honorable's letter of the 17th preceding, 2. We could by no means doubt that your Honors, after due investigation, 3. Would have raised no difficulty, in accordance with your obligations, in maintaining the Noble Dutch Company in its true privileges and ancient customs at this place, 4. And consequently would have obliged the Lord Governor of the city 5. To remove his sepoys from the house of one of our servants and dependents of the Company, 6. And to return the salaried employees of the same Company who have now been held in prison by His Excellency for a considerable time. 7. But in this we have found ourselves not a little deceived, 8. As we perceived from your Honorable's letter of the 29th of December of the same year, 9. Either that your Honors were most incomprehensibly misinformed, 10. Or that it is intended to leave us, contrary to all right and all the most dutiful obligations, under open oppressions. 11. And although we would rather assume the former, 12. On account of our professing the same religion, 13. And the happy peace which has subsisted between the two nations for nearly a century to the prosperity of both, 14. Yet your Honorable's letter shows clearly that, even if this injustice might be done by others, 15. One nevertheless has no intention 16. To maintain us in our privileges and ancient customs according to your Honorable's obligations; 17. Not only that, but your Honorable's letter also publicly shows 18. The regret that your Honors feel 19. Whenever the Nawab, out of conviction of the public injustice and consideration of the consequences that such may have at any time, gives us a slight satisfaction, 20. While your Honors immediately embrace the first opportunity 21. To place this given satisfaction, which the Nawab himself would not deny, 22. In another daylight. 23. As all of this will clearly appear from the continuation of this writing, with the proofs attached thereto, 24. We shall, by citing such facts as are inevitable in this matter, follow the thread of your Honorable's aforementioned letter, 25. Without even making mention of thousands of unpleasantries, chicaneries, hindrances, etc., which we daily experience here and which cause no small impediments to our trade. 26. Yet we must first solemnly declare 27. How painful it is to us if, in the remainder of this writing, we are compelled 28. To make remarks for the maintenance of our privileges that we would gladly wish to pass over, 29. While our aim has always been, and will also be henceforth, 30. To maintain and foster good harmony, 31. Without interfering in anything other than our trade. 32. And making a beginning therewith, we hope that the weighing out and delivery of our merchandise will in future remain free from further hindrances, 33. Now that we have consented 34. That of such 6900 Rupees 35. As the Lord Governor of the city owes to our Company as the remainder of a larger sum of 11900 Rupees, 36.
Dutch transcription
Wij hebben d' ber met alle agting te zijn /:onderstond:/ wel Edele Groot Agtbaere Heer en Heeren /lager:/ uwel Edele Groot Agtbaaren en wel Edelens Gehoorsaame Dienaaren /:was getekend/ M. J. Bosman. . . . . . . P. V:n d:r Sleijden, - - - - - - - , C. Heijdeman, F. B. Zimmerman, R. C. de vassij, W:. L. sontag, J. J. Bocquet en E. N:s Wiarde /:in margine/ Souratta den 13. Januarij 1773:— Accordeerd Goverts Junior ƒ P. E 1119 Translation N=o 4. The Honourable William Hornbaij Esq President for affairs of the Honourabe¬ English East India Company and Gouvernour of his Great Britanik Majestijs Castle Pc. Council at Bombay Honourable Sir. & sirs. In Consequeme of whatwe had w the honour of minteining by our let¬ ter of the 9th istant we nondos depute to ion Gintlemen Mass=s nie Sluysken, and Holmberg pu„ blieely Committed for us in the name of the noble Netherland East g India Company with all such Charge and procuration. as theij will have the honour of representing to You. And refering us there unto in every respect, so we request you will givenden Credit to all transactions which „foresaid to „foresaid Commission will do with and to You gentlemen, promitting to hold surely and of valour all which schall be transaited by for„ „mentiened Messrs. Sluijsken & Holmberg & for which reason we have honour of presenting you this as their Letters Credenti We have the honour to remain with High Esteem Honourable Sir: & sirs. Your most obedient & surat most Humb le Servants 13 13=en Januarij. 1773 /:voor de vertaaling was geteekend:) J: P: Goverts S: „als. 1119 No: 5. 149 Souratta Aan den WelEdele Agtbaren Heer Willem Andrewe Price schildknaep Opperhoofd van wegens de Engelsche Oostjndische Compagnie en Gouverneur van 't Mogols Casteel en floot Benevens Den Raad. Wel Edele Agtbaare Heer en Heeren. 1. / wanneer wij ons op den 19. december des afgeweekenen Jaars vereerd vonden met uwEd: G'agte missive van den „daar 17. bevoorens. 2. / konden wij geensints twijffelen of uwelEdele zouden na gedaan onderzoek. 3. / Geene swarigheijd hebben gemaakt, om na volgens derselver verpligtinge de Edele Hollandse Compagnie bij waare priviligien en oude gewoorten ter dezer plaatse te maintineeren. 4. / En dienvolgens den Heere stads Gouverneur hebben verpligtel. 5. / Om zijne sipais van het huijs van een onser dienaeren en onderhoorige van de Compagnie weg te nemen. 6. / En de besoldigden van dezelve Compagnie soo nu al een geruijmen tijd bij zijn Excellentie in Gevangenis gehouden worden te rung te zenden. 7. /. Dog, hier in hebben wij ons niet weinig bedrogen gevonden 8. 8. / Alzoo wij uit uw Ed. G'agte van den 29. December desselven Jaars ontwaerden. 9: Of dat uw Edele ten onbeguijpelijksten g'abuseert waaren. 10. of dat men voornemens is, om ons tegen alle regt, ende alle pligtigste verbintenissen onder de openbaare verdruk„ „kingen te laten blijven. 11. / En schoon wij het eerste wel willen onderstellen. 12. / uit hoofde wij belijdenis doen van denselven Gods dienst 13. / En de Gelukkige vreede welke tusschen de Twee Natien geduurende bij na een Eeuwe tot beider voorspoed gesub„ „sisteerd heeft. 14. / Soo toond UwEd. missive toe klaarlijk, dat zoo dit onregt al door anderen Geschieden mag. 15. Men egter niet voornemens is. 16. / Om ons bij onse voorregten en oude Gewoonten volgens uwEd:s verpligtingen te maentineeren. 17. /: niet alleen, maar ook dezelve uwEd: missive toond openbaar. 18. e Het Requet dat uwelEdelens gevoelen. 19. Wanneer den Nabab uit overtuijging van het openbaare onregt en overweeging der gevolgen die zulx te eeniger tijd hebben kan, ons eene geringe satisfactie geeft . 20. Terwijl uwEdele immediaat d' Eerste Geleegendheijd amplecteeren. Om deeze gegevene satisfactie, welke den Nabab 21. selfs niet zoude ontkennen. 22. 12 12 22. / In een ander dag ligt te stellen 23. /. Dat alles uit het vervolg deeser schriftuur, met de daar bij gevoegde bewijsen klaarlijk sullende geblijken. 24. / sullen wij met aenhaeling van zodane factums als onvermijdelijk sijn in deesen den draed van uwEd. meer„ „genoemde missive volgen. 25. / sonder eens melding te maaken, van duijsenden onge„ „noegelijkheeden Chicanes verhinderingen enz: die wij hier dagelijks ondervinden en geen geringe beletzelen aan onze handel toebrengen. 26. / Egter moeten wij alvoorens plagtig betuijgen. 27. „ Hoe smentelijk het ons vald, soo we in het vervolg deeses genoodzaakt zijn. 23. / Tot maintien onser voorregten remarques te maaken, die wij Gaarne wenschten te kunnen passeeren. 29. / Terwijl onse betragtinge altoos geweest is, en ook voortaare wezen zal. 30. / Om de goede harmonie te doen stand houden en aankweeken. 31. sonder ons met iets anders, dan met onsen Handel te bemoeijen. 32. / En waarmeede dan een aanvang makende soo verhoopen wij dat de uitweeging en aflevering onser Koopmanschappen van meerder beletzelen en den aanstaande bevrijd blijven sullen. 33. / Nue wij hebben Geconsenteerd. 34. / Om van zodaane 6900: Rop:s 35. Als den Heere stads Gouverneur per restant van een grootene summa van 11900: kop:s aan onse Compagnie verschildigd is. 36.
English
According to a formally executed written document concerning this; And which his Excellency had promised to validate entirely against the tolls of 1770; To withhold only 3500 rupees from the tolls of 1772; And then only to settle the balance thereof against the tolls of 1773; While we are, and remain, prepared to pay the tolls on the imported merchandise; According to the agreement made with Mr. Gambier; Calculated according to what was knowingly received in our warehouses; And this to the Nabob or his authorized representatives, whenever his Excellency duly grants a proper receipt for it according to custom; And that we can therewith suffice with respect to the other claimants to the toll, your Honors, my Lords, and the Marathas; And thus we have nothing further to add here; Except that it is unknown to us, as well as to the first-signed Director; What dispute your Honors intend when you make mention in your letter; Of some sugar that was said to have been delivered, but not received by his Excellency's servants; As we know nothing of such a dispute; Although in our letter of the 11th of December we solely urged your Honors; To compel the Nabob to remove his sepoys from the house of a dependent of the Honorable Company; As well as to release the Company's servants from prison; And we thereby, to show how little reliance can be placed on the word of the said Governor; Made mention of the solemn assurances which he had given us so shortly beforehand; That henceforth no more violence would be committed, but that the Honorable Dutch Company would henceforth be preserved in its old customs and privileges; Yet your Honors understood this as a complaint; In order thereby to have the opportunity to bring this affair back onto the table, and after mature consideration and the necessary investigation, to color it as you please; As well as, by placing the same in a certain light, to depict our conduct very wrongly and in the most hateful colors; And therefore we currently find ourselves compelled; To set down the events that occurred in the Company's garden Attua here according to the truth, and as it is confirmed by sworn witnesses; And proceeding thereto, it serves to note that our Director, in the late part of August 1782, addressed Mr. Price in the capacity of a friend; With the request to be pleased to employ his known influence with the surrounding rulers; For the recovery of the debts left behind, consisting of a considerable debt both to the Honorable Dutch Company and to various natives, by the failed and fled Tabitas Nagerdas, who has always belonged under our protection; In order by that means to clear away a multitude of disputes which this bankruptcy had caused; And to see if there was no means to assist the creditors at least to some recovery; Which request, having then been accepted by Mr. Price to be put into effect; Provided the Director, in order to encourage this fled Tabitas as much as possible to return; And to remove his fear of being arrested and prosecuted here by us as a debtor of the Company; Wrote a short letter to the same, wherein he assured him of the contrary; So was that letter, a copy of which accompanies this under No. 1, handed over to Mr. Price, as the place whither this Tabitas had fled was known to him; And which was then also of such consequence; That Tabitas, on the 22nd of September at 9 o'clock in the evening, let the Director know that he had returned and was here in a house of one of his friends; Whereupon our Director, as solely entitled to protect this Tabitas as a dependent of the Honorable Dutch Company; Sent four of the said Company's sepoys to him; With orders solely to protect him from harassment and insults, without hindering him in any respect in his affairs, nor in his coming and going; As the declaration of these sepoys under No. 2 demonstrates; However, when it was subsequently discovered that Tabitas still had with him two private peons of Mr. Price, who had brought him from outside, these sepoys were; First, for the sake of politeness, ordered to join him only after the sepoys of Mr. Price had returned; Yet afterwards, when it was seen that these [illegible]; And this brought Mr. Price into such a temper that his Honor, on the 24th of September, sent word to the first-signed; That sending these peons was an affront committed against his Honor; That one must therefore remove them immediately; Or otherwise not impute it to his Honor if the Nabob sent a chowki to the wharf; And whereon the Director had the reply returned; That it seemed incomprehensible to him how he, Mr. Price, could see fit to involve the Nabob in a private dispute and in a matter in which his Excellency was never concerned; And that one would have to await whether the Nabob might see fit to use such violence; Over the giving of the Company's sepoys to their dependents; And in a matter that was entirely private and outside of him.
Dutch transcription
36. Volgens een daar van in forma gepasseerd handschrift. 37. / En die zijn Excellentie beloofd had, om op de Thollen van 1770. alte sullen valideeren. 38. / slegts van de Thollen van 1772. in te houden 3500: kop:s 39. /. En om het zaldo van dien dan eerst op de Thollen van 1773: te sullen verevenen. 40. Terwijl wij bereed zijn, en blijven om de thollen der aangebragte wordende koopmanschappen afte geeven. 41. Volgens Gehoudene afsprak met de Heer Gambier. 42. / Getekend na het geene wetentljk in onse Lattijs ontfangen 43. / Ende zulks aan den Nabab ofte zijnen Gemagtigden wan„ neer zijn Excellentie dan maar daar van behoorlijk quit„ „tantie na gewoonte verleend. 44. / En dat wij daarmeede ten opzigte van de verdere Genegtigden/ in de Thol uEd: mijnen Heeren en de Marettas volstaan kunnen. 45. / En dus hebben wij hier niet anders bij te brengen. 46. / Als dat het ons zoo wel als den eerst geteekenden directeur onbewust is. — 47. / welke disput uold: beogen wanneer ze bij haaren Brief ge„ „wag maaken. 48. / Van eenige zuijker die gezegd werd uit geleeverd maar niet bij sijn Excellentie bedienden ontfangen te zijn. 49. / Alzoo wij van zodanig different niets weeten. 50. / of schoon we bij onse brief van den 41. december eeniglijk bij uwel Edele hebben G'insteerd. 51. word. is 153 12 51. / om den Nabab te verpligten van zijne Sipaijs van het huijs van een onderhoorige van de E. Comp. aftenemen. 52. / Als meede om 'sComp:s dienaaren uijt de Gevangenis de ont„ „slaan. 53. / En we daarbij om te koonen, oe weijnig staat er op het woord van Gemelde Gouverneur te maaken is. 54. melding gemaakt hebben van de plegtige verseekeringe, welke ons zoo kort te vooren gedaan hadde. 55. Dat voortaan geen geweld meerder pleegen, maar de Edele Hollandse Comp. voortaan bij haare oude gewoonte en voorregten bewaard worden zoude 56. / soo hebben uwel Edele dit egter als een klagte begreepen. 57. / Ten eijnde daar door Geleegentheijd te hebben van deeze affaire weder op het Tapijt te brengen, en na een rijpe overweeging en het noodige ondersoek na believen te Coloneeren. 58. / mitsgaders door dezelve in een dagligt te stellen, ons gedrag„ seer verkeerd en met de hatelijkste verwen aftemaalen. 59. / En daarom vinden wij ons thans genoodzaakt. 60. / om het voorgevallene in 's Comp:s Thuijn Attua alhier na waarheijd, en zoo als het met b'eedigde Getuijgen be„ „vestijd is, tie neder te stellen. 61. / En waar toe overgaande, soo diend, dat onsen Directeur sig en 't Laast van Aug:s 1782. bij den Heer Price G'addresseert heeft in de qualiteijt van een vriend. 62. / met versoek om zijn bekend vermogen bij de omleggende regenten te willen emploijeeren. Tot recouvreering van den met agterlaating van eene 63. considerable Considerable schuld, soo wel aan de Edele Hollandsche Comp: als aen diverse Jnlanders gecailleerden en gevlugten Tabrtas nagerdas zoo altoos onder onze protectie behoord heeft 64. / Ten eijnde langs die weg eene menigte van disputen, welke dit banquerot veroorsaakt hadde, uijt de weg te ruijmen„ 65. En te sien off en geen middel was om de Crediteuren ten minsten aan eenige gaarand te helpen. 66. / Welke instantie dan door den Heere Price sijnde aangenoomen te werk stellingen; 67. / mits den directeur ten eijnde deezen gevlugten Tabitas, zoo veel mogelijk tot het retourneeren aan te moedigen. 68. En sijnen vrees om alhier door ons als een schuldenaar van de Compagnie in arrest geset en vervolgd te worden weg te neemen; 69. Aan den selven een briefjen schreef, waar bij hij hem van het tegendeel verseekerde. 70. / soo wierd dat briefjen /: waar van de kopij dezen bij gaat onder N:o 1. / aan den Heere Price, als de plaatst doerwaarts deezen Tabitas was gevlugt bekend zijnde, ter hande Gesteld. 71. / En het welke dan ook van dat gevolg was. 72. / Dat Tabitas op den 22. 7ber: savonds om 9. uuren aan den directeur liet weeten dat hij te rug gekomen was, en zig alhier bevond in een huijs van een sijner Vrienden. 73. / En waar op dan onsen Directeur als eenigl ik geregtigd om deesen Tabilas als een onderhoorige van de boele Hollandsche Compagnie te protegeeren. 74. vier van gemelde Comp:s sippaijs van den selven toesond. 75. / met lest om hem eeniglik voor overlast en insultes de bevrijden 8 1 bevrijden, sonder hem in eenige, opsigte in zijne zaaken nog sijn gaan en komen hinderlijk te zijn. 76. / soo als de verklaaringe deeser sipaijs onder n:o 2. aantoond. 77. / Egter wierden deeze sipaijs, wanneer men vervolgens ont„ „waarde, dat Tabitas nog Twee particuliere pions van m:n price die hem van buijten hadden gehaald bij zig had. 78. / Eerst beleefdheijds halven gelast, om zig bij hem te vervoegen, wanneer de sipaijs van de Heere price waaren 78. Dog naderhand toen men zag dat deeze te rug gekeert. banieis pata a tia van enuijn n es e ooende t an aen e e e ed 99. on det bragt den We pic s anig is olein dat zijn Edeleherten op den 24. 7ber: aan den eerst geteekenden liet boodschappen. 80. Dat het zenden van deeze pions een affront was zijn wel Edeles aangedaan. 81. / Dat men dezelve daarom immediaat moeste weg nemen. 82. / of andersints aan zijn Ed: niet imputeeren soo de nabab een tjokjen op de werff sond. 83 / En waarop door den Directeur zijnde laaten antwoorden. 84. / Dat het hem onbegrijppelijk scheen, Hoe hij de Heer Price konde- goedvinden, om de Nabob te melleeren in een particuliere disput en in een zaak daar zijn Excellentie nooit in bemoeit was. 85. / En dat men het zoude moeten afwagten soo de Nabab ken Goedvenden om diergelijke geweld te gebruijken. 86. / over het geven van 's Compagnies Sipaijs aan haare onderhoorige. 87. / En in een zaak die ten eenemaale particulier en buijten hem