Inventory 3117
Surat · 628 pages · 88 segments · open at the Nationaal Archief ↗
English
all too polite not to comply with what the honor of my nation presently obliges me to request of you, from the moment you have just granted it to the English; if you were of a contrary opinion, it would seem to me based only upon the contempt you might show for the Flag of the King of France. I am very far from believing so, and I flatter myself that you will be willing to agree to an accommodation that will preserve my decorum and have nothing disagreeable for you; on the contrary, this accommodation, which I shall have the honor to communicate to you whenever you desire it, is of such a nature as to show you how little I demand in this misunderstanding to maintain the good understanding and above all the sincere friendship that reigns at Suratte as elsewhere with such harmony between your noble nation and ours. I have the honor to be with Respect, below was written: Sir, lower: Your most humble and most obedient servant, was signed: Anquetil de Briancourt, lower: at the French Lodge at Suratte, this 25 February 1764. Agreed. P: G: Clercq. D: Hromberg. 170 v Checked. 171 Translation of a French Letter to the Honorable Christian Lodewyk Senff, Director and Commander-in-Chief of this Directorate, from Mr. Anquetil de Briancourt, Chief of the French Nation here, dated, In the French Lodge at Souratta, the 25th of February 1764. Sir, Being assured of the purity of Your Honor's intentions regarding the respective rights of the nations, I hope that Your Honor will not take amiss the small representation which I have the honor to make to Your Honor today; Your Honor is not unaware that the flag of His Most Christian Majesty in no way yields to that of His Britannic Majesty. When I had the honor to visit Your Honor, Your Honor had the flag of the King my Master saluted with fifteen cannon shots, instead of twenty-one, as is commonly the custom. I did not take formal exception to it at that time, since Your Honor then excused himself in that regard by saying that Your Honor had no more guns. Your Honor has since acted in the same manner with the English, but upon the representations of the latter and after having maturely considered the matter yourself, Your Honor acknowledged your mistake, and made no difficulty in rectifying this irregularity, since Your Honor saw fit yesterday to salute the flag of the King of England with twenty-one cannon shots in accordance with the arrangements made in that regard between Your Honor and the English gentlemen. Your Honor, Sir, is far too well-bred and far too courteous not to grant what the honor of my nation now obliges me to demand of Your Honor, as soon as Your Honor has granted the same to the English. If Your Honor were of another opinion, it would appear to me that it could be grounded on nothing other than a disdain for the flag of the King of France. I am very far from believing such, and I flatter myself that Your Honor will be willing to lend a hand to an arrangement whereby my decorum will remain preserved, and in which there will be nothing that could be disagreeable to Your Honor. On the contrary, this arrangement, which I shall have the honor to communicate to Your Honor as soon as it shall please Your Honor, is of such a nature that Your Honor will perceive from it how little I demand concerning this mistake, in order to maintain the good understanding, and especially the sincere friendship, that exists at Souratta as well as elsewhere with so much harmony between Your Honor's nation and ours. I have the honor to be with respect, below was written: Sir, lower: Your Honor's very humble and very obedient servant, was signed: Anquetil de Briancourt, below was written: for the translation, was signed: O: H: Ruperti. No. 7. J. Clercq. Agreed. Holmberg. 172 Souratta To the Honorable Thomas Hodges, Chief on behalf of the affairs of the British Nation and Governor of the Mughal's Castle and Fleet. Honorable Sirs, The Dutch Lodge in the city has, through old age, completely fallen into ruin and is uninhabitable; it cannot merely be repaired, but must necessarily be completely rebuilt. And I also intend to make a beginning on that work as soon as I obtain permission from my High Superiors, and have concluded a firm contract with the owner concerning the rent and expenses to be incurred for the future. However, since both cannot happen so quickly, and in the meantime I shall be obliged to manage as well as possible at the shipyard in the outer city, where everything is very cramped, I therefore very politely request Your Honors to be pleased to grant permission, for the convenience of myself and my subordinates, as well as for the storage of the goods and merchandise, to be allowed to make the following alterations and improvements there. Namely: At and around the residence of the Director: A masonry chimney and drain in the kitchen. A tiled lean-to roof to prevent rain from driving in along the dwelling house and the kitchen. A sitting room and parlor, pantry, and some slave rooms, all under one roof, and simply made of rafters and bamboo or paneled on the front with thin boards. At the residence of the Second: A kitchen, pantry, and some slave rooms, likewise all under one roof, and as above, only made of rafters and bamboo. In the warehouse: Stone floors, for the preservation against the rats that presently constantly burrow through the ground and cause much damage. In the residence of the Equipment Overseer: A small masonry cellar in which about 2 to 3000 lb of gunpowder
Dutch transcription
10: tout trop poli pour ne point vous preter a ce que l'hon¬ „neur de ma nation me met detuellement dans lé cas de vous de mander, du moment que vous venier de l'accorder aux Anglois, si vous etiez d'une opinion contraire elle ne me parers out fonder que sur le mepris que vousferiez du Pavillon du Roy de France Je suis tres eleigné de le croire et jé me flatte que vous voudrerez bien entendre a un ac„ „comodement qui sauvera mon Decorum et qui n'aurax rien de desagreable pour vous au Con„ traire cet accomodement que j'aurai l'honneur de xous Communiquer cetois que vous le desirerez cet de Natitre a vousfaire voir Combien peu j'exi„ ge danscette meprise peur entresenir la bonne intelligence et sur tout la sincere amitie que requent a surate comme ailleur avectans d' harmonie entre votre noble Nations, et la notre. J'ay l'honneur d'etre avec Respect /:onderstond:/ Monsieur /:lager:/ Volre treshumble et tres Obeissant serviteur /:was geteekent:/ Anque„ „til de Briancourt /:lager:/ a. la Loge Francouse a Surate ce 25 fevrier 1764: Accordeerd P: G: Clercq. D: Hromborg 11 170 v 12. Nagesien 13. 171 Translaat van een Fransche Mis„ „sive aan den welEd: Agtb: Heer Christiaan Lodewyk Serff, Directeur en Hoofd-Ge„ „bieder deezer Directie, van den Heer Anquetil de Briancourt, Chef der Fransche Natie alhier gedateerd, In de Fransche Logie te Souratta den 25e Februa„ ry 1764 - Myn Heer Verzeekerd zynde van de zuiverheid van uwer welEd: intentien ten opzigte van de res¬ pective Regten der Natien, hoope ik dat UwelEd: het kleine vertoog 't welke ik de Eere hebbe Uxel. Ed: heden te doen, niet kwalyk zal duiden, uwel Ed: is niet onbekend, dat de vlag van zyne Aller Christelykste Majesteid aan die van zyne Groot Brittannische Ma¬ „jesteit in niets wykt. soen ik de eere hebbe gehad uw WelEd: te bezoeken, heeft UW wel Ed: de vlag van den ko„ „ning mynen Meester met vyftien Canon schoten doen begroeten, in steede van Een en Twintig, zoo als door„ „gaans het gebruik is. Ik hebbe my te dier tyd daar over niet geformaliseerd, aangezien uwel Ed zig toen dien aangaande excuseerde met te zeggen, dat uwwel„ Ed: ƒ 14. Ed: niet meer stukken hadden. uw wel Ed: heeft zederd even eens gehandeld met de Engelschen, maar op de vertoogen deezer laatste en na zelve de zaak rijpe„ „lyk overwogen te hebben. heeft uwel Ed: desselfs mis„ „slag erkend, en geene zwaarigheid gemaakt deeze inze„ gulariteit te verbeeteren, vermits uw E Ed: gisteren heeft goedgevonden de vlag van den koning van Engeland met Een en twintig Canon schooten te begroeten ingevol„ „ge de schikkingen te dien opzigten tusschen uwel Ed: en de Heeren Engelschen genomen. UWelEd: Mijn Heer weet al te wel te leeven, en is al te heusch, om niet toe te staan 't geene de eere van myn Natie my thans noodzaakt van uwel Ed: te eisschen, zoodra Uwel Ed: het zelve aan de Engelschen heeft bewilligd. Indien UwelEd: van andere gedagten ware, zouden dezelve my toeschynen op niets anders te kunnen gegrond zyn, als op eene kleinagting voor de Vlag van den koning van Vrankryk. Ik ben zeer verre van zulks te geloven, en ik vleye my dat UwelEd: wel zal willen de hand leenen tot een middel waar door myn Decorum zal bewaard blyven, en waar in niets zal steeken dat uw wel lb. kan onaangenaam zyn. Integendeel dit mid„ „del, 't welke ik de eere zal hebben uw wel Ed: te communiceeren, zoodra het uw wel Ed: zal gelie„ „ven is van zoodanig een aart, dat uw welEd: daar uit zal bespeuren hoe weynig ik aangaande deezen misslag 1 15. 171 misslag eissche, om de goede verstandhouding, en voor„ „al de opregte vriendschap te onderhouden, die te sourat„ „ta, zoo wel als elders met zoo veel eens gezindheid tusschen uw welEdele Natie en de onze bestaat. Ik hebbe de Eere met Respect te zyn /:onderstond:/ 7 Min Heer /:lager:/ Uw welEd: zeer Ootmoedige en zeer Gehoorsame Dienaar /:was geteekend:/ Anguetil de Briancourt /:onderttond:/ voor de Vertaling /:was geteekend:/ O:o H:r Ruperti. — No7: J:Cler in Accordeerd. Hotmberg ƒ 16. 17. 172 Souratta Aan den WelEdelen Agtbaren Heer Thomas Hodges Opperhoofd van wegens de zaken der Britsche Natie en Gouverneur van 's. Mogols Casteel en Vloot WelEdele Agtbare Heeren. De Nederlandsche Logie in de Stad is door Ouderdom in 't geheel vervallen, en Onbewoonbaar de„ „selve kan niet simpel verholpen maar moet nootwin„ „dig in 't geheel vernieuwt worden. - En ik ben ook van voorneemen, met dat werk een begin te maaken, zoo dra ik van myne Hooge supcrieuren maar per„ „missie erlangt, en met den Eygenaar over de Huur en te doene Ongelden voor den aanstaande een vast Contract gesloten zal hebben. — Maar aangezien, dat een en ander zoo schielyk niet geschieden kan, en ik ondertus„ „schen genootzaakt zal weezen my zoo goed moge¬ „lyk op de werff in de buiten stad te behelpen, waar alles zeer bekrompen is: zoo versoek ik uw wel Edele Agtbare zeer beleefdelyk permissie te willen verleenen, tot Commediteit voor my en myne Onder„ hoorige 18. „hoorige, zoo mede tot berging van de Goederen en koop„ „manschappen, aldaar de volgende veranderingen en verbeteringen te mogen maaken. Te weeten: By en omtrent de Wooning van den Directeur Een gemetselde Schoorsteen en Rioel in de Combuis Een Pannen afdak voor 't inslaan van de Regen langs het woonhuis en de Combuis. — Een Citzaal en spreekzaal, Dispens, en eenige slaven Kamers alle onder een Dak, en Simpel van Sparren en Bamboesen gemaakt of aan de Voorkant met dunne Planken beschoten— Bij de Wooning van den Secunde Een Combuis, Dispens, en eenige slaven kamers, alles mede onder een Dak, en als even ook maar van sparren en Bamboesen gemaakt- In de Patthijs steene vloeren, tot preservatie voor de Gousen die thans de grond geduurig om vroesen en veel Schaade veroorsaken. In de Wooning van den Equipagie Opziender Een gemetseld Keldertje daar omtrent 2 a 3000: lb Kruyd
English
19 173 gunpowder can be stored, being as much as is indispensably needed annually for the vessels and for salutes. The large wooden house in which the Directors formerly lived: This currently serves as a provisions warehouse and for housing various servants, but is so old and dilapidated that it must necessarily be demolished for fear of accidents. Thus, in its place, another provisions warehouse with some living rooms should be made, but likewise all merely of spars and bamboos. The guardhouses of the European and native soldiers: These are in the highest need of a small repair, and should also be moved, as they stand all too close to the windows of the assembly hall. Piers of the revetment: At the two wooden stairs that formerly stood there, but a couple of years ago came loose at high water and have not since been refastened. My f 0lb 20. My intention is by no means to build permanent houses here; the manner in which and the materials with which I shall build will fully convince your Honours of the truth of these matters. I seek only temporary housing for the servants and the necessary space for the merchandise to lie dry. And on that account, living in hope that your Honours will find no objection in granting my request, I remain in expectation of a speedy answer, with true high esteem, underneath: Right Honourable Sirs, lower: your Honours' very obedient and humble servant, was signed: C:n L:t Sentf, in the margin: Souratta, 26 March A:o 1764 E: G: Clercq Agreed. A: Holmberg 3106 21. To the Worshipful Thomas Hodges Esq:r Chief for Affairs of the British Nation and Governor of the Mogols Castle & Fleet at Surat Sir The Dutch factory in the town is with age entirely decayed and uninhabitable. The same cannot simply be repaired but must necessarily be entirely renovated, and I intend to begin such a work as soon as I have obtained the leave of my superiors, and after having settled a firm contract with the owner for the future about the house rent and the charges which are to be made. But since all this cannot be performed so suddenly, and in the meanwhile I shall be obliged to make shift as well as possible with the compound in the suburb where all is very scanty, I beg most civilly you will grant leave to make there the following changes and repairs for the convenience of myself and of my subordinates, and also for the security of the goods and commodities, namely: Worshipful Sir Translation By 174 22. By and about the Director's mansion: One masoned chimney and sink in the cook's room. House-eaves of pantiles to ward off the rains, along the house and the cook's room. A parlour and reception hall, a room for keeping provisions, and some slave chambers, all under one roof, and only made of spars and bamboos or, on the front side, wainscotted with thin planks. By the mansion of the Second: A cook's room, a room for keeping provisions, and some slave chambers, also under one roof and, like the other, only to be made of spars and bamboos. In the godowns or warehouses: Stone floors for preservation against the great rats, called bandicoots by the country people, which now continually root the ground, causing great damage. In the house of the Marine Inspector: A small walled cellar where 2 to 3000 lb of gunpowder may be secured, being as much as we indispensably need every year for the small vessels and salutes. n 2. 23: 175 In the great house of timber where formerly the Directors lived: This serves as a storehouse for provisions and for lodging different Company's servants, but is so old and decayed that for fear of misfortunes it must necessarily be pulled down. Thus, instead of this, another warehouse for the provisions must be made with some lodging chambers, but even all this only of spars and bamboos. The European and native military guardhouses: These need small repairs that are at the utmost necessary, and ought also to be removed, because they are too near the windows of the meeting hall. At the pier heads along the brick wall: Two wooden stairs that were there formerly, but two years ago came loose with the overflowing of water, and since that time have not been fastened. My intention is by no means to build substantial houses here; the manner in which and the materials wherewith I shall build Bamboo 24. will fully convince you of the truth of the matter. I only want to make some temporary lodgings for the servants and the necessary room for the merchandise where they may be kept dry; and for this reason, hoping that you will find no difficulty in approving my petition, I am in expectation of a speedy answer, with true regard, underneath: Worshipful Sir, lower: your most obedient humble servant, was signed: C:s Lt. Senff, in the margin: Surat, the 26th March 1764, underneath: for the translation, signed: N:s Holmberg, Eg: Clercq Agreed D Demberg E: G: Clercq: 25. 176 Bassora To the Honourable Mr Joseph Rigo, famous merchant there. Honourable Sir, On the 5th instant I had the honour to receive from the hands of the Reverend Father Hiacinth a packet addressed to the Resident of the Dutch Company at Souratta. I opened the same and found therein another packet addressed by the Governor of the Philippines, for which you request a speedy delivery by a note dated 7 January 1764. This shall be done. I shall send this packet to Batavia at the first opportunity. And this being directed solely to inform you of this, I remain with true high esteem, underneath: Honourable Sir, lower: your Honour's humble servant, was signed: 6 26: C. L. Sentf, in the margin: Souratta, 29 March A:o 1764 Agreed 27: 177 28.
Dutch transcription
19 173 Kruyd ingeburgen kunnen werden, zynde zoo veel men Iaarlyx voor de vaartuigen en tot Eere Schoten onvermydelyk noodig heeft — Het Groote houte Huis, waar in voor deezen De Directeurs gewoond hebben Dit diend thans tot een Provisie Pakhuis, en tot Huisvesting van diverse Bediendens dog is zoodanig Ouden vervallen, dat het uit vreeze voor ongelukken noodzakelyk moet afgebrooken worden.— Dus dient er in dies plaatse een ander Pro„ „visie Pakhuis, met eenige woonkamers gemaakt te werden, dog alles insgelijks maar van sparren en Bamboesen. —. De wagthuizen van de Europeesche en Inland„ „sche Militairen Deeze hebben eene kleyne verhelping ten hoogsten noodig, en dienen ook verplaatst te worden, alzoo ze al te digt by de vensters van de Vergader zaal staan. — Hoofden van de Beschoeying Aan de Twee houte Trappen die er voor deezen al gestaan hebben dog voor een paar jaaren bij Hoog waterlos gegaan en 't sedert niet weder vast gemaakt zyn Myn ƒ 0lb 20. Myn voorneemen is geensints hier vaste huizen te bouwen, De Manier waarop en de Materia„ „len waar mede ik timmeren zal zullen uw EelEd: Agtb: van de waarheid dier zaaken volkomen overtuigen. Ik zoek alleen eene temporeele huisvesting voor de Bediendens en de noodige ruimte voor de koopman„ „schappen die droog kunnen leggen. En uit dien hoofde in hoope leevende dat uw welEd: Agtb: in de toestem„ „ming van myn versoek geen bedenken zal vinden zoo blyf ik in de verwagting van een spoedige ant„ „woord met waare Hoogagting /:onderstond:/ WelEdele Agtbare Heeren /:lager:/ uw wel Edele Agtbares zeer gehoorsame en onderdanige Dienaar (:was get:) C:n L:t Sentf /:in margine:/ Souratta den 26:' Maart A:o 1764 E: G: Clercq: : Accordeerd. — A: Holmberg 3106 21. The W:o Thomas Hodges Esq:r Chief for Affairs of the British Nation and Governor of the Mogols Castle & Sleet at Surat So The dutch factory in the Town is with age entire by decayed and inhabitable. The same can not simply be repaired but must necessarily be entirely renovated, and I intend to be„ gin such a work as soon I have got the leave of my superiors, and after having settled a firm Con¬ tract with the Owner for the future about the house rent, and the Charges which are to be made. But since all this can not be performed so Sudden, and in the mean whibe I shall be obliged, to make a shiff as good possible with the bounder in the suburb where all is veryy scanty I beg must Civilly youll grant leave for to make there the following Changements & reparations for the Commodity of my self and of my subordinates and alsoo for the security of the Goods & Commoditys viz: W: Sir Translation By 174 22. By and about the Directores Mansion One masoned Chimney and sink in the Cooks room House-eaves of pantills for to aware the reans, a long the House and the Cooks room. A Parlour- and speak- hall a room for keeping provisions, and some slave Chambers, all under one roof, and only made of spars and Bamboos or on the fore side, wainscotted with thin planks. By the Mansion of the Second A Cooks room, a room for keeping provisions and some slave Chambers also under one Roof and as the other only to be made of Spars and Bam¬ boos. — In the Catthys or Warehouses stone floors for preservation against the great Ratts by the Country peoples called gooses, which nouw continually roots the ground causing great dammages. - In the house of the Marine Inspector. A little walled Cellar where 2 a 3000: lb Gun powder may be secured, being as much we indespensably want every Year for the small Vis¬ „sels and salutes.— n 2. 23: 175 In the Great house of timber where formerli the Directors tevex This serves for a Magazin of provisions and for a lodging to different Companys servants, but is so old and decayd, that for fear of Misfortunes it ought Necessarily to be pulld down. a hus in stead of this, and other whare houn se for the Provisions must be mady with some lodging Chambers but even all this only of Spars and Bamboose The European and Country Military guard houses she want a small Reparations, that is at the ut most necessary, and ought also to be removed, because they are to near the windows of the meeting hall. - Aht the Kaij Points a long the Brick Wall Two wooden stears which have been there formerly but two years ago were loosed, with the overflowing of water and since that time not fassend. - My intention is by no means to build here substantial houses; The manner where on, and the materiall's wherewith I: shall build Bam„ 24. build, will fully convince you of the truth of the matter— Donly want to make some temporal lodgings for the servants and the necessary room for to merchan¬ dises where the May be kipt dry and for this reason hoping that youll find no difficulty in approving my petition, Sam in expactation of a speady answer with true regard /:onderstond :/ W. r Sir /:lager:/ Your most obedient humble servant /:was geteekent:/ C:s Lt. Senff /:in margine:/ Surat the 26th March 1764 /:onderstond:/ voor de vertaaling /:geteekend:/ N:s Holmberg Eg: Clercq Accordeerd D Demberg E: G:Clercq: /: 25„ 176 Bassora Aan den Wel Edelen Heer Joseph Rigo beroemd Koopman aldaar. Wel Edele Heer Den 5: Cour„t heb ik de Eere gehad uit handen van den Eerw: Pater Hiacinth te Ontfangen Een Pacquet, beschreven aan den Resident van de Nederlandsche Comp: te Souratta. Ik heb het zelve geopent, en daar in gevonden, Een ander Pacquet beschreven van den Gouverneur van de Philipinas voor het welk uw wel Ed by een briefje, gedateerd den 7. e Ian: 1764 eene spoedige bestelling verzoekt. Dit zal geschieden. Ik zal dit Pacquet by eerste gelegendheid naar Batavia zenden. En deeze alleen gerigt zynde, om uw welEd: hier van kennis te geven, zoo blyff ik met waare Hoogagting /:onderstind:/ Wel Edele Heer /:lager uw welEdeles Ootmoedige Dienaar /:was geteek:t/ „ 6 26: C„ L„k Sentf. /: in margine:/ Souratta den 29:' Maart A„o 1764 Accordeerd 27: 177 28. . . . . .
English
Basra Merchant To Signor Giuseppe Rigo, I had the honor on the 5th of the current month to receive from the hands of the Reverend Father Giacinto a packet addressed to the Resident of the Dutch Company in this city. Inside the same I found another packet addressed to the Governor of the Philippine Islands, and by a letter written on the 7th of January Your Worship requests that it be forwarded with diligence to its destination. I shall do so without fail, and on the next occasion it will be dispatched to Batavia, this being solely intended to give you notice thereof. Meanwhile I wish you every contentment and am with sincere esteem, Below stood: Your Worship's Lower: most humble servant In margin: Surat, the 29th of March 1764 E. G. Clercq. My Lord, 29. Translation Agreed. J. Vloemberg 1788 3 32 33 To the Worshipful Christian Ludovicus Senff, Esq., Director for affairs of the Noble Netherland Company, and Council, Surat Worshipful Sir and Sirs, The Chief having laid before us a letter addressed to him by your Director, dated the 26th instant, desiring to make the following alterations at your bunder, viz.: Near and about the Director's apartments: A parlour and hall, a room for keeping provisions, and chambers for the slaves, with a stone chimney and sink in the cookroom, all to be under one roof and only made of spars and bamboos, or wainscotted in front with thin planks and covered with tiles. Near the apartments of the Second: A cookroom, a room for keeping provisions, and chambers for the slaves, to be under one roof and of 34 the same materials as the preceding. In the pattijs or warehouses: Stone floors to prevent the damages occasioned by the rats. In the house of the Master Attendant: A small stone magazine to contain from two to three thousand pounds of gunpowder. The apartments where the Directors formerly lived: The whole to be pulled down and others built of spars and bamboos, to serve as a warehouse for provisions, also for apartments for the Company's servants. The barracks for the Europeans and sepoys: To be repaired and removed to a greater distance from the Council chambers, but to be made of the same materials as the above. At the wharf along the brick wall: Two piers, which were washed down by the freshes two years ago, to be again fixed. 35 We are now to acquaint you that the same are most readily acquiesced to in everything except the the magazine for powder, which our superiors at Bombay, not esteeming more necessary now than formerly, have not thought proper to consent to. We are with perfect esteem, Below stood: Worshipful Sir and Sirs Lower: Your most humble servants Was signed: Thomas Hodges, R. Gambier, John Stephenson, William Stratton, and Charles Bourchier. In margin: Surat, 30th March 1764. Agreed. 35. 179 N. Holmberg E. G. Clercq. 6 37 180 Translation of the English letter from Mr. Thomas Hodges, English Chief and Council here, to the Right Honorable Mr. Christiaan Lodewijk Senff, Director and Commander-in-Chief of this Directorate, and Council. Honorable Sir and Gentlemen, The Chief having laid before us a letter sent to him by your Director, dated the 26th of this month, wherein it is requested to be permitted to make the following alterations on your wharf, namely: Near and around the Director's residence: A parlour and dining hall, a pantry, and rooms for the slaves, as well as a stone chimney and a drain in the kitchen, all under one roof, and made solely of spars and bamboos, or partitioned in front with thin planks and covered with tiles. Near the residence of the Second: A kitchen, a pantry, and rooms for 38 for slaves, under the same roof and of the same building materials as the preceding. In the pattijs or warehouses: Stone floors, to prevent the damage caused by rats. In the residence of the Master Attendant: A small brick powder magazine to be able to store two to three thousand pounds of gunpowder. The house in which the Directors formerly lived: To be entirely torn down, and another made of spars and bamboos, to serve as a provision warehouse as well as quarters for the Company's servants. The guardhouses for the European and native soldiers: To be repaired and placed further away from the Council chamber, yet made of the same building materials as stated above. At the heads of the stone revetment: To re-secure two stairs, which came loose two years ago during high water. We 39 184 We hereby inform you that the same has been very willingly granted in all parts, except for the powder magazine, which our superiors at Bombay have not seen fit to approve, because they currently judge it no more necessary than before. We are with perfect esteem, Below stood: Honorable Sir and Gentlemen Lower: Your very humble servants Was signed: Thomas Hodges, R. Gambier, John Stephenson, William Stratton, and Charles Bourchier. In margin stood: Surat, the 30th of March 1764. Below stood: For the translation Was signed: O. H. Ruperti. N. Holmberg E. G. Clercq. Agreed. 237 40 41 182 237 Surat To the Right Honorable Mr. Thomas Hodges, Chief on behalf of the affairs of the British Nation and Governor of the Mogul's Castle and Fleet, together with the Council. Right Honorable Sir and Gentlemen, Your Right Honorable's esteemed letter of the 30th of March last was so satisfactory to us that we cannot fail to politely offer our thanks for the permission granted to make the necessary repairs to several buildings here on the wharf. And we would do this with so much greater pleasure had your Right Honorable seen fit to include the powder magazine therein; but now the exclusion of it places us in great embarrassment. Your Right Honorable is pleased to say that
Dutch transcription
Bassora Morcante M Sig:r Guiseppe Rigo, Jo ho haruto l'honore li 5 di corrente di ricever degli mani del Revm. Padre Hiacijnto un Plico, indrizzato Ao Residente della Compa¬ „gnia, Olandese, in Zuxsta, Citta. Dentro l'istesso ho trovato un altro Plico indrizzato Ao Governa„ „dore della Isole, Philippine, e per una lettera Seritta li 7 di Genaro Vsa. prega di farlo passar con diligenza alla sua destinatione, lo faro senza fallo, e alla prossima Occasione lo spe„ „dira a Batavia, Questa essendo solamente destinata per dargliene auviso, persine le prego ogni contento e sono con sincera Stima /:onderstond:/ Di Us:a /:lager:/ l' Humillo servo /:in Margine:/ Di Surate li 29 di Marzo 1764 E: G: Clercq: Mio Signore, 29. Praduzzione Accordeerd. J: Vloemberg 1788 3 32 33 The W„o Christian Ludovicus Senff, Esq„r Directors for affairs of the Noble Netherland Company d„rs Council Surat A„ Dirk Sirs She Chief having laid before us a Letter ad¬ dressed to him by your Directore, dated the 26th instant desiring to make, the following Altera„ „tions at Your Bunder Viz. By Nabout tho Directores Apartmona A Parlour & Hall, a room for keeping Pro„ visions & Chambers for the slaves, with a stone Chimney & sink in the Cookroom, all to be un„ der one roof & only made of spars & Bamboos, or wainscotted in front with thins Planks & covered with Siles. By the Apartments of the Second A Cookloom, a room for keeping Provisions & Chambers for the slaves, to be under one roof & of the 34 the same Materials as the preceeding In the Pattijs or Warehouses. Stone floors to prevent the Damages ooca„ sioned by the Rats. In the house of the Master Attendant A small Stone Magazine to contain from two to three thousand Pounds of Gunpowder The Apartments where the Directores formerly lived She whole to be fubled down & others built of spars & Bamboes, to serveas a wharehouse for Provi¬ „sions, also for Apartmonts for the Company's ser„ rants. — The Barracks for the Europeans & Teepors so be repaired & removed to agreather Distan„ ce from the Council Chambers, but to be made of the same Materials as the above Aot the wharfalong the Brickwall Two Piers, which were washed down by the Freshes two years ago, to be again fixed. 35 J We are now to acquaint Gou that the same are most readily acquiesed to in every thing except the the Magazine for Powder, which our superiours at Bombay not esteeming more necessary now than formerly have not thought proper to consent to o Weare with perfect Esteem /:onderstond. / W„t Pir & sins /:lager:/ Your most humble servants /:was geteekent:/ Tho:s Hodges, B' Gambier, „In:s Stephenson, William Aratton, en Cha:s Bourchier, /in margine:/ Surat 30:te March 1764. — Accordeerd. 35: 179 N: Holmberg E: G: Clercq:: „ 6 37 : 180 Translaat Engelsche Missive van den Heer Thomas Hodges; Engel„ „schen Chefen Raed alhier aan den wel edelen Agtbaren Heer Christiaan Lodewijk Jenff, Directeur en Hoofd gebieder dezer directie, en Raed. G Agtbaar Heer en Heeren, De Chef voor ons open gelegd hebbende een Schrijven door UE: Directeur aen hem ge„ zonden, en gedateerd den 26 deezer, waer by verzogt word, de volgende Veranderingen op uwe werf te mogen maken; Namentlijk By en omtrent de Directeurs wooning Een spreek en eet Eetzael, een dispens„ en Kamers voor de Slaven, als mede een stene Schoorsteen, en een Rioel in de Combuis-alles onder een dak, en een lijk gemaekt van Sparren en Bamboesen, of van vooren met dunne Planken beschoten, en met Pannen gedekt Bij de wooning van den Secunde Een Combuis, een dispens en Kamers voor 38. voor slaven, onder een zelve Dak en van dezelve Bouwstoffen als de voorgaande In de Patthijs of Pakhuijzen steene vloeren; tot voorkoming van de Schade die de Rotten veroorzaken In de wooning van den Equipagie Opsiende Een klijne gemetzelde Kruijt-kelder om Twee a drie duijzend Ponden Buskruit te kunnen bergen Het huis in het welke eertijds de Directeurs gewoont hebben Om t' Eenemael afgebroken, en een ander van Sparren en Bamboelen gemaekt te worden, om te dienen tot een Provisie Pakhuis als mede Vertrekken van s' Comp:s Bediendens De wagthuisen voor de Europeesche en Inlandsche Militairen Om gerepareerd en Verder af van de Verga„ „derzael geplaast, dog van dezelve Bouwstoffen gemaakt te worden „ als Boven gezegd is. Aan de Hoofden van de Stene Beschooijing Twee trappen weder vast te maken, die voor Twee Jaaren, bij hoog water Los gegaen zijn. - Geven 2 39 184 Geven wij UE: mits dezen Kennis dat het zelve in alle deelen, zeer gewillig is toegestaan uitgenomen de Kruijt kelder, dewelke onze superieuren te Bombaij niet hebben goedgevonden te accordeeren, om dat zij die thans niet nood„ „zakelijker, oordeelen, als bevoorens, wij zijn met volmaekte Agting /:onderstond:/ Agtbaar Heer en Heeren /:lager:/ UE: zeer ootmoedige dienaren /:was getekend:/ Tho=s Hodges, R: Gambier, Jno Stephenson, William Stratton en Cha: Bourchier, /:in Margine stond:/ Sourat„ „ta den 30 Maart 1764. /:onderstond:/ Voor de Vertaling /:was getekend:/ O: H: Ruperti. G N: Keotmberg E: G: Clercq: : Accordeert 237 40 41. 182 237 Souratta Aan den wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer Thomas Hodges Opperhoofd van wegens de zaken der Britsche Natie en Gouverneur van s' Mogols Casteel en vloot benevens Den Raad. Wel Edele Agtbare Heere en Heeren. uw Wel Edele Agtb: g'Eerde van den 30 Maart Jongstleeden, is voor ons zoo vol„ „doende geweest, dat wij niet nalaten kunnen voor de verleende Permissie om hier op de werf aen verscheijde gebouwen de nodige verhelpin„ „gen, te mogen maeken, beleefdelijk dank te zeggen. en wij zouden dit met zoo veel te meer„ „der vergenoegen doen, hadden Uw wel Edele Agtb: kunnen goedvinden, de Kruijd kelder daer onder meede te begrijpen. maer nu breng ons het uitzonderen van dien in groote ver„ „legendheid. uw Wel Edele Agtb: gelieven te zeggen, dat „
English
42. that their gentlemen superiors in Bombaij do not deem a powder magazine any more necessary now than before, and from this we cannot conclude otherwise than that those gentlemen are under the impression that we had never previously had such a storehouse, and that we had therefore requested permission to build an entirely new one; but neither is the case. We have always had a powder magazine here in the shipyard. We still have the same today, but because in constructing it the weak foundations of the residential house of the equipment overseer have been entirely exposed, and the house is thereby threatening to collapse with the danger of the whole building, our request was actually only to be allowed to repair the old one, and this we still request at present. If it pleases your Right Honourable and Worshipful Sirs to send someone to inspect the place, we know well that he will find the necessary repair and improvement of it to be exceedingly necessary, and furthermore holding ourselves assured that your Right Honourable and Worshipful Sirs must yourselves be convinced that for the defense of the vessels we cannot possibly do without a reasonable supply of powder, and consequently also a suitable place for the storage of the same. Thus we remain, 43. in expectation of a more favorable reply to this our further request, with the highest esteem, beneath stood, Right Honourable and Worshipful Sir and Sirs, lower, Your Right Honourable and Worshipful Sirs' humble and obedient servants, was signed, C:n L=k Senff, D:k Kellij, M:r I:n Bosman, G: De Ionge, W=m Blaaukamer, O:o H:k Raperti, L: A: V:n Ieger and R:r V=n Harn, in the margin, Souratta the 17 April Ao: 1764. Agreed, Holmberg, First Sworn Clerk. 44. 45. To The Worshipful Thomas Hodges Esqr, Chief for Affairs of the British Nation, Governor of the Mogoll's Castle and Fleet & Council at Surat. Worshipful Sir & Sirs. Your favour of the 30th March next preceding has been so satisfactory to us that we may not leave thanking you for the granted permission that we may make the necessary repairs to different buildings here at the bunder, and we would have done this with so much more pleasure if you could have approved of comprehending the powder cellar thereunder. But now the exemption thereof brings us into great distress. You are pleased to say, Gentlemen, that your superiors at Bombaij do not count a powder cellar more necessary now than formerly, and therefore we cannot think but your superiors must be in the notion that we never 46. had such a room before, and that we for this reason desired to make a new one; but this one and the other is not so. We always have had a powder cellar here on the bunder, and yet we have one; but because by its making the infirm foundations of the Marine Inspector's mansion are entirely exposed and threaten to tumble down with risk of the whole house, our desire was only to repair the old one, and this we request as yet. If you please to send anybody for taking inspection of the place, we are sure he will find the necessary repair and redress thereof at utmost needful; and without that, being assured that yourself must be persuaded that we need a pretty quantity of powder for the defense of our vessels, and consequently that we impossibly can miss an apt room for securing it. So we remain in the expectation of a more favourable answer on this our further petition, with the utmost esteem, beneath stood, Worshipful Sir & Sirs, lower, Your most obedient, humble servants, in the margin, Surat the 17th April 1764, lower, for the translation, signed, N:s Holmberg, First Sworn Clerk. Agreed, J: V: Holmberg, First Sworn Clerk. 47. 50. To Monsieur Thomas Hodges, Chief for the Affairs of the British Nation & Governor of the Mogol's Castle and Fleet, and his Council at Suratte. Messieurs. Your last letter of the 30th of March has satisfied us so much that we cannot refrain from thanking you very politely for the permission obtained to make the necessary repairs to various houses of our shipyard, and we would have done this with so much more pleasure if you could have resolved to include also the powder magazine, the exclusion of which presently causes us great embarrassment. It pleases you to say, Gentlemen, that your superiors at Bombaij do not find a powder magazine any more necessary for us now than formerly, and from that we 50. conclude that these gentlemen imagine that we never previously had such a place, and consequently that we had asked to build a completely new one; but neither matter is like that. We have always had here at the shipyard a powder magazine, and we still have it today; but as in building it the weak foundations of the Master of Equipment's house have become entirely exposed, and thereby they run the risk of collapsing with the whole house, we have only begged to have the old one repaired, and this request we reiterate again. If it pleases you, Gentlemen, to send someone to take inspection of the place, we are sure that he will find a repair absolutely necessary; and besides that, assuring ourselves that you are convinced yourselves that for the defense of our vessels we have need of a modest quantity of powder, and consequently of a suitable place to preserve it. We are, awaiting a more 51. favorable reply to this other request, with the highest esteem, beneath stood, Gentlemen, lower, Your very humble and very obedient servants, in the margin, Suratte this 17th of April 1764, beneath stood, for the translation, was signed, N:s Holmberg, First Sworn Clerk. Agreed, J: V: Holmberg, First Sworn Clerk. Checked, Wrijsseldijk 52.
Dutch transcription
42. dat derzelver Heeren, Superieuren te Bombaij een Kruit Kelder, Thans niet noodzakelijker agten, als bevorens, en hier uit kunnen wij niet anders opmaken, dan dat die Heeren in t' denkbeeld staan, als of wij nooit bevorens. diergelijken Bergplaats gehad hadden, en dat wij daarom verzoek hadden gedaen, een gantsch nieuwe te mogen maken, maer het een en het ander is zoo niet wij hebben altoos hier op de werff een Kruit kelder gehad. wij hebben de „zelve ook heeden nog, maer om dat bij het maken daer van de zwakke Fondamenten van 't woonhuijs van den Equipagie opsiender in 't geheel ontbloot zijn; en deze daer door met gevoer van t' gantsche huijs tragten in te storten: zoo is ons verzoek Eijgendlijk maer geweest de oude te mogen Repareeren, En dit verzoeken wij thans nog: Behaagt het Uw Wel Edele Agtb: O iemand te zenden, die de Plaats besigtigd, wy weeten wel dat hij de nodige verhelping en verbe„ „tering daer van, ten uijtersten nodig vinden zal en buijten des ons verzekert houdende dat uw Wel Edele Agtb: zelfs overtuijgd. moeten zijn, dat wij tot defensie van de vaarthuijgen een tamelijke voorraed van Kruijt, en bij gevolg ook tot berging van 't zelve, een Bequame Plaets, onmogelijk missen kunnen: zoo- blijven 1: 183 43: blijven wij in verwagting van een gunstiger antwoord, op dit ons nader verzoek, met de meeste hoog agting /:onderstond:/ Wel Edele Agtbare Heere en Heeren, /:Lager:/ Uw WelEd:e Agtb: Ootmoedige en gehoorsaame Vk dienaaren /:was Getekend:/ C:n L=k Senff. D:k Kellij, M:r I:n Bosman, G: De Ionge, W=m, Blaaukamer, O:o H:k Raperti, L: A: V:n Ieger en R:r V=n Harn, /in Margine:/ Souratta den 17 April Ao: 1764. Accordeerd Hroemborg E: G: Clercq 237 44 237 45: The W:o Thomas Hodges Esq„r Chief for Affairs of the British Nation Governor of the Mogoll's Castle and Fleet & Council at Surat W„m Sir & Dirs. Your favour of the 30th. March next preceeding has been, so satisfactorij to us, that we maij not leave thanking you for the gran¬ ted Permission, that we maij make the neces„ sarij Reparations to different buildings here at the bounder, and we would have done this with, so much more Pleasure, of ijou could have approve of comprehending the Pouder cellar there under. But nous the Exemption there of brings us in a great distress. You are Pleased to Saij Gentlemen, that your Superiors at Bombaij, dont count a Pouder Cellar more Necessari now than formeer ly, and there fore we can not think but your Superiors must be in the notion that we Translation 284 never 46. never had such a room before, and that we for this Reason desired to make a neir one, But this one and other is not so. we alwaijs have had a Pouder- Cellar here on the bounder, and ijet we have one, But becailse bij its making the in„ firm foundations of the Marine Inspectors mansion are entirelij urprovided, and Streaton, to tumble down with risk of the whole house, our desire was onlij to Repair the old one, and this we re„ „quest af ijet. — If you Pleas to send anij bodij for ta„ king inspection of the place, we are sure he will find the necessarij Reparation and Redress there of at ut most need full- and without, that being assured, that your self must be persuaded, that we needs a prettij Quantitij of pouder for the defension of our vessels, and consequent ly that we Impossiblij can Miss, an apt room for secuuring it, so we Remains in the expectation of a more favourable ans wer on this our further Petition with the ut most estereon /:onderstond:/ W„ Sir & Pirs, /: Lager:/ Jour most obedient, hun „ble Servants /:in Margine:/ Surat the 17=t April 1764 /:lager:/ voor de Vertaling /:getekent/ N=s Holmberg E: g: Clercq V: Htomber Accordeerd E: G: Clereq 47. 207 hun 50. 207 Monsieur Thomas Hodges, Chef Pour Les affaires de La Nation Britonnigue & Gouverneur du Choteau, et de La flotte du mogol Et son Conseil à Suratte Messieurs Votre derniere lettre du 30me. de Mars nous a tant satisfait que nous ne Poirons Pas nous Passer, de vous Remercier tres Cistilement de La Permission Obtenue, pour faire les Reparations necessaires a diffe„ „rends maisons de notre werff, et nous au„ „rions fait ceci avec d'autant Plus de Ploisir si Vous eussiez pu Resondre d'ij comprendre aussi Le Magasin a Pondre, dont L'exception nous Cause Presentement un grand embarras IL vous Plait de dire, Messieurs, que Vos superieurs A Bombaij, ne trouvent Point un Magasin a Poudre Plus Necessaire Pour nous assteur qu'auparavant, Et de la nous Straduction 185 49. concluors 50. 101 Concluors que ces Messieurs s'imagiment que nous n'avons Jamais eu auparavant un tel en droit, et Consequemment que nous avions demande d'en Batir un tout Neuf, Mais Lun & L'autre chose n'est Point comme cela nous avons toujours eu ici au Wertf un Ma„ „gasin a Pondre & nous L'avons encore au, „jourdhui, Mais comme en Le Batissant, les Foibles Fondemens de La Maison du Maitse d' Equipage, Sont Entierement deconverts, &e que Par La ils courent Risque, de Renverser Avee toute La Maison, nous avons seule„ „ment Prie, de faire Reparer L: Ancien, & cette Requéte nous Reiterons encore Til Vous Plait, Messieurs, d'envoijer quelqu'un Prendre Inspection de La place nous Sommes sures qu'il trouvera une Reparation absolument Necessaire, & Sons Cela nous Assurant que vous êtes convaincu vous Mêmes, Que Pour La defence de nos Batimens nous avons besoin d'une medioen quantité de Poudre & Consequemment d'un Propre en droit Pour Le Conserver, Nous sommes en Attendont une Reporse plus Tavorahle 51: 186 kavorable, sur cette autse Requéte, avec Le Plus d' Estime /:onderstond:/ Messieurs /: Lager:/ Vos tres humbles & tres obeissants Serviteurs /:in Margine:/ Suratte Ce 17=m d' Avril 1764. /:onderstond:/ voor de Vertaling /:was getekent:/ N:s Holmberg E: g: Clercq Accordeerd J: V: Hotmberg E: G: Clercx: / 257 e vo Nagesien Wrijsseldijk 52
English
To Mr. Christianus Ludovicus Senff Esqr Chief for affairs of the Noble Netherland Company &ca Council Surat Sir & Sirs We are now to acknowledge Receipt of Your favour of the 17th. April Copy of which with Capt: Nilsons Rapport of the state of Your former Magazine was immediately forwarded to Bombay the Answer to which we did not receive till within two or three days ago, which has preven- ted our Replying to yours before; We are now to Acquaint you that our superiors at Bom- bay do not see any Reason to alter their Re- solution Signified to you on the 30th March last. — We have the honour to be with perfect Esteem below stood W:m Sir & Sirs lower Your most Obed:t Hble: servants was signed Tho:s Hodges, R: Gambier, John Stephenson, & William Stratton and Cha:s Bourchier in the margin: Surat 23:d June 1764 — Agrees. N: Holmberg E: G: Clercq: Translation English Letter written by the English chief here Mr. Thomas Hodges and council to the Honorable Lord Director Christiaen Lodewijk Senff, together with the Council, dated the 23rd and received here the 24 June Ao. 1764. Honorable Sirs We must now acknowledge the receipt of Your Honors' agreeable letter dated 17 April last, whereof we the copy together with the report of Captain Nilson, concer- ning the state of Your Honors' former powder house immediately forwarded to Bombay, yet whereto we the answer not until 2 to 3 days ago having received this has prevented us from answering Your Honors' former letter earlier. — By this we must give Your Honors notice that our superiors at Bombay see no reason to change their decision which we have communicated to Your Honors by our letter of the 30 March last. We have the honor to be with complete respect below stood: Sir and Sirs lower: Your Honors' very humble and obedient servants was signed: Tho:s Hodges, R:t Gambier John Stephenson, Wm Stratton and Cha: Bourchier in the margin: Surat the 23 June A:o 1764, below stood: For the translation signed: N: Holmberg, E: G: Clercq Agrees N: Holmberg Souratta To the Right Honorable Lord Thomas Hodges, Chief on behalf of the affairs of the British Nation and Governor of the Mogol Castle, and Fleet, together with The Council Right Honorable Lord and Gentlemen, We have well received from the hands of the Gentlemen Stratton and Bourchier Your Honors' esteemed letter of the 23rd June, where- unto we find nothing to reply to Your Honors, but our answer to the same we shall address to the Lord Gover- nor and Council at Bombay. In the night between the 3rd and 4th instant the foundations of the stone house on our wharf, which was inhabited by the Equipage Overseer, gave way, whereby that building itself threatened every moment to collapse; this danger and the haste did not permit us to request Your Honors' consent in writing to the speedy and unavoidable repair of the sunken foundations, but such was done verbally to Mr. Hodges by two of our council members. Whereupon His Honor immediately sent Mr. Nilson, along with a Master Mason, to inspect, and being convinced by the received report that there was no time to be lost without exposing the house to a collapse, had the goodness to send the Gentlemen Bourchier and Parrat to the first- signed, to give His Honor's consent to the requested repair, provided doing nothing more than restoring everything to the same state in which it had been two or three days before the accident, and which condition was accepted by Mr. Senff. We now let this properly serve not only to thank Your Honors for your previous consent but also to reassure once more that in repairing those foundations, nothing except in accordance with the just-mentioned condition shall take place, and we have the honor to be with all respect below stood: Right Honorable Lord and Gentlemen lower: Your Honors' very obedient Servants was signed: C: L:k Senff, D:n Kellij, M:r J:n Bosman G:o De Jonge, W:m Blaaukamer, O:s H: Ruperti, R: Vn Harn, and N: J: Ban- geman in the margin: Souratta the 6th July A:o 1764. Agrees. N: Holmberg E: G: Clercq To: Mr Thomas Hodges Esqr Chief for the affairs of the British nation & Governor of the Castle & of the fleet of the Mogol & His Council Surat Gentlemen We have duly received from the hands of Messrs. Stratton & Bourchier, the letter that you did us the honor to write to us on the 23rd June last, to which we have nothing to reply to you, seeing that we shall address our reply to the Governor of Bombay & his Council. The night between the 3rd & the 4th current the foundations of a stone house inhabited by our Intendant of Marine, have subsided, so that this building threatened at every moment to collapse; the danger & the haste did not per- mit us to ask you in writing Translation Our
Dutch transcription
53: 287 o The M„ Christianus Ludovicus Sen Esqr Chief for affairs of the Noble Netherland Company &ca Council Surat „ Dir & Dirs te are now to acknowledge Receipt of Your savour of the vith. April Copy of which with Cap: Nilsons Rapport of the state of Your former Magazine was immediately forwarded to Bombay the Answer to which we dut not receive tille within two or three days ago, which has preven¬ ted our Replying to yours before; We are now to Acquaint you that our superiors at Bom¬ bay do not see any Reason to alter their Re„ „solution Signified to Gouinour of the 30th March last. — We have the honour to be with perfect 6 steem /:onderstond:/ W:m Sir & Sirs /:lager:/ Gour most Obed:s Able: servants /:was geteekent:/ Tho:s Hodges, R: Gambier, John Stephenson, &x William 257 William Stratten en Cha„s Bourchier /:in margine:/ Surat 23:' Iuni 1764 — Accordeerd. N: Homber E: G: Clercq: J: 54 55. t 257 567 288 57. Translaat Engelse Missive gesz: door het Engelsch opperhoofd alhier Mr. Thomas Hodges en raed aen den EE: Agtbaren Heer Directeur Christiaen Lodewijk senf. Benevens den Raed, Gedaa¬ „teerd den 23e en alhier ontfangen den 24 Junij Ao. 1764. Ed: Heeren Heeren Wij moeten tans den ontfangst van UwEEd=s aangename in dato 17 April J:o L: bekend maken, waer van wij de Copij bene„ „vens het Rapport van Capiteijn Nilson, no„ „pens de staet van UuEd:s vorige Kruijdt „huijs onmiddelijk na Bombaij hebben Voort„ „gezonden, dog waer op wij het antwoord, niet als voor 2 a 3 dagen, ontfongen hebbende heeft zulx ons belet UwEEd=s voorgaende eer„ „der te beantwoorden. — Bij deezen moeten wij Uw Ed=st kennis geeven, dat Onse Superieuren tot Bombaij ge„ „ne Reeden zien, om derselver Besluit te Veran¬ 107 Veranderen, het welke wij Uw EEd=s hebben bedeeld bij onze Missive van den 30 Maert laestleeden Wij hebben de Eere met volmaekte agting te zijn /:onderstond:/ A=r Heer en Heeren /:lager:/ UwEEd=s zeer Ootmoedige en gehoorsame dienaren /:was getekend:/ Tho:s Hodges, R=t gambier John Stephenson, Wm Sratton en Cha: Bourchier /:in Margine:/ Suratte den 23 Junij A:o 1764, /:onderstond:/ Voor de Vertaling /:getekend:/ N: Holmberg, E: g: Clercq E: G: Clercq: : Accordeert N: Holmbder 38. 289 59. 2an 60: 61. 190 Souratta Aan den Wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer Thomas Hodges, Opperhoofd van wegens de zaken der Britsche Natie en Gouverneur van s: Mogol Casteel, en Vloot, benevens Den Raad Wel Edele Agtb: Heer en Heeren, Wij hebben uit handen van de Heeren Stratton en Bourchier wel ontfangen Uw wel Ed: Achtb: geëerde van den 23„e Junij, waer omtrent wij Niets vinden te Rescribeeren. aen uw wel Ed. Achtb maar ons antwoord op dezelve zullen Rigten aan den Heer Gou¬ „verneur en Raad te Bombaij. In de Nagt tusschen der 3 en 4 deezer hebben zig de Fundamenten van het steene huis op onze werff, dat door den Equipage Opsiender bewoond werd, begeven, waer door dat gebouw, zelve alle oogenblikken dreigde in te Storten en 6 storten, dit gevaer en de Haast lieten ons met toe uw wel Ed: Agtb: haar consent tot de spoedige en onvermijdelijke Reparatie der weggesonkene Fundamenten Schriftelijk te verzoeken, maar zulx is door twee onzer raeds, „lieden bij den Heer Hodges mondeling geschiet Waer op zijn wel Ed: aanstonds, den Heer Nilson, Nevens een Baas Metzelaer tot be„ „zigtiging heeft gezonden, en door het bekomen berigt overtuigd dat er geen tyd was te ver„ „zuimen, zonder het huis aen, eene Instor„ „ting bloot te stellen de goedheid gehad van de Heeren Bourchier en Parrat bij den eerst„ „getekenden te zenden, om zijn Edeles toestem„ „ming, tot de versogte Reparatie te geven, mits daar bij niets doende dan alles weder te her„ stellen in dezelfde staat, waar in het twee of drie Dagen voor het toeval geweest is, en wel„ „ke conditie door den Heer Serff is aan„ „genoomen. Wij laaten nu deeze eigentlijk die„ „nen om uw wel Edele Achtb: niet alleen te bedanken voor haare vorige toestemmingh maar ook nogmaals te verzeekeren, dat by het Repareeren van die Fundamenten, niets als D22 62 „ 63 191 als ingevolge eeven gemelde voorwaarde zal geschieden, en wij hebben de Eere met alle Achting te zijn /:onderstond:/ wel Edele agtb Heer en Heeren /:lager:/ Uw wel Ed: Agtb: zeer gehoorzaame Dienaaren /:was geetee„ „kent :/ E: L=k Senff, D=n Kellij, M:r J:n Bosman G:o De Ionge, W=m Blaaukamer, O:s H= Ruperti, R: Vn Harn, en N JJ: Ban¬ „geman /:in Margine:/ Souratta den 6=e Julij A:o 1764. Accordeert. D: H ommberg E: G:Clercq:: 64 A: Monsieur Thomas Hodges Esqr Chef Pour Les affaires de la nation Britanniqre & Gouverneur du Chatéau & de la flotte du Mogol & Son Conseil Suratte Messieurs Nous avons bien Recu des Mains de Ms. Stratton & Bourchier, La lettre que vous nous Avez fait l'honneur de Nous ecrine le 23me Juin dernier a la quelle Nous n'avons vin a vaus Repondre, vu, que nous addresserons notre Reponse a Mr. le gouverneur de bombay & son Conseil La nuit entre Le 3 & Le 4m: Courant les fondemens d'une Maison de Pierre habitéé par Notre Intendant de Marine, se sont assaisser, de sorte que cet Edifice menacat a tout moment de Secrouler, le danger & La Hate, ne nous per„ mettoit Point de vous demonder Par ecrit Traduction 65. Notre a 192 257 2d
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your consent for prompt and indispensable repair of these damaged foundations, but two members of our council conferred with Mr Hodges for this purpose, whereupon that gentleman immediately sent Captain Nilson to us, accompanied by a master mason, to make an inspection thereof, and persuaded by the report he received from it that there was no time to lose without exposing the house to total collapse, he had the kindness to send Messrs Bourchier and Parrot to the first undersigned to give his consent to the repair we had requested, provided that everything be only repaired in the manner it was 2 or 3 days before the accident occurred, which condition was accepted by Mr Senff. Now this serves solely not only to thank you for your prompt consent, but also to assure you once more that in repairing these foundations nothing will be done except in accordance with the condition mentioned above. 66. 67 193 We have the honour to be with all kinds of esteem below written Gentlemen lower Your most humble servants in margin Surat this 6th of July 1764 below written for the translation signed N: Holmberg First Sworn Clerk Agreed E D: Schreve First Sworn Clerk: J: 257 Checked ld 68. 69 194 27 Bombay To the Honourable Charles Crommelin Esq President on behalf of the Honourable English Company and Commander of His Royal Majesty's Castle Bombay Honourable Sir and Gentlemen. — The undersigned Director, having arrived here on 14 November of the past year and shortly thereafter having also entered into authority, gave notice thereof to the Governor, Crommelin, by a separate letter under the care of Mr Mostijn and at the same time requested his Honour's friendship, yet to this day he has not been so fortunate as to obtain any answer thereto. And although this sufficiently shows us that his Honour must not be particularly inclined to receive and answer letters from us, we nevertheless cannot refrain from dispatching this anew, the reason for which we shall have the honour briefly to set down here. In former times, when the Moorish government still possessed the sole mastery of the city, it was customary that one merely had permission requested through a native servant from the city and castle governors whenever one wished to make anything on the buildings at the wharf, and this custom the Director also still followed upon his arrival, although he found it was in possession of the castle, he merely gave orders to have permission fetched and, this having been brought each time, he initially had several structures repaired and renewed, but at the last, the one who had oversight of the buildings from the castle in your Honours' name informed him that it was not good to come so often, and he also did not dare take so much upon himself, and that I would therefore do best to submit everything at once, and that we address ourselves therewith directly to Mr Hodges. And notwithstanding this consisted of an innovation entirely contrary to the old custom, the Director nevertheless, in order to avoid all occasion for disputes, did not wish to oppose it. He 7 195 19 had Mr Hodges informed by a council member on 12 January last of his intentions and desires, and in order to be able to inform him thereof so much the better, he at the same time had him requested to please send a knowledgeable man who could personally inspect beforehand everything that had to be done. This latter was granted, Captain Nilson came to us on 19 January, the Director showed him everything in person, he delivered a written report of his findings, and so far as we know the same was also sent to your Honours at the earliest opportunity. Yet having obtained no answer thereto after the lapse of two months, and in the meantime having to experience to our regret that we were even prevented from being allowed to repair a collapsed drain of the galley, and to secure again a poor wooden staircase of one of the piers on the river side that had been knocked away by the water, the Director sent again to Mr Hodges on 22 March J n Gelle 207 82. in order to obtain some information concerning this, and then that gentleman stated that although he had already received his orders from Bombay, he nevertheless could not declare himself in that regard before we had presented our request in writing. We indeed found an innovation in this again, unknown in former times, but nevertheless also paying no heed to that, so that on 26 March we prepared the letter which lies annexed hereto under No 1 for perusal, and with the answer that we received on the 30th of that same month from Mr Hodges and Council, and which likewise lies annexed hereto under No 2, we would also have considered ourselves very well satisfied, had not the repair of the gunpowder cellar been denied to us, under the pretext that your Honours now judged the same no longer necessary as before. But since this contained one of the most necessary parts, for which reason we had primarily requested permission, and we on that account in that exception
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ur Votre consentement, Pour ^ Prompte et Indis„ „Pensable Reparation de ces Fondemens as¬ „saiséz, mais deux membres de notie consiel ce sont abouché arec Mr Hodges Pour get effet, surquoi ce Monsieur nous envoijoit tout de Suite Le Capitaine Nilson, accompagné d'un Maitre Macon pour en Prendre In„ „spection, & Persuadé Par Le Rapport qu'il en a Recu, qu'il n'ij avoit point de tems a perdre /: sans exposér la maison a secroulér entiévement :/ il a eu la bonté d'envoijer M=ds Bourchier & Parrot, Aupres du Premier Sous signé, Pour donner son consentement a la Reparation que Nous avions demandé, Pourru ne faisant que Reparer le tout. de Maniere que cela été 2 ou 3 Jours, avant que L'Accident est Arrivé, La quelle con„ „dition à, été accepté par Mr. Jenff Maintenant celle cij sert uniquement non Seulement Pour Vous Remercier de Votre Prompt Consentement, mais aussi Pour vous assurés, encore une sois qu'en Reparant ces Fondemens Rien ne ce Pera, que suivant La Condition ei dessus Mentroné 66. 67 193 Nous Avons L' Honneur D'êtse avec toute sorte d'estime /:onderstond:/ Messieurs /:Lager:/ Vos tres Humbles Serriteurs /:in Margine:/ Suratte ce 6=me de Juillet 1764 (:onderstond:) voor de Vertaling /:geteekent:/ N: Holmberg E: g: Clercq Accordeerd E D: Achneber E: G: Clercq: J: 257 Nagesien ld 68. 69 194 27 Bombaij aan den Weledelen Heer Charles Crommelin Esq President van wegens de honorable Engelsch Comp: en Commandant van zyne koninglijke Majesteids Casteel Bombaij Wel Edele Heer en Heeren. — De Ondergetekende directeur op den 14 November, des voorgangen Jaars hier geko„ „men, en kort daer aen ook in t gezag getreden zijnde, heeft daar van den Heer Gouverneur, Crommeling bij een apart briefje Onder be„ „stelling van Mr Mostijn, kennis gegeven en teffens om zijn WelEdeles vriendschap verzogt, dog tot heden is hij zoo gelukkig niet geweest, daar op eenig antwoord te erlangen„ En schoon ons dit genoegzaem doet zien, dat zijn wel Edele niet zonderling geneegen moet weesen, brieven van ons te ont„ „fangen en te beantwoorden, zoo kunnen wij egter Niet nalaten, deezen op t' nieuw„ d Te d 70. off te vaardigen, de Reeden daer van, zullen wy de Eere hebben in t' kort, alhier ter needer te stellen In vroegere tijden, wanneer de Moorsche Regeering nog alleen het Meesterschap van de stad bezat, was het gebruikelyk dat men enkeld door een Inlands bediende bij den stads en Casteels gouverneurs Permissie liet vragen, als men iets aan de gebouwen op de ^ en dit gebruik heeft den directeur by zyne aankomst ook nog op gevolgt schoon hyj werd in besit van trast vond, hy gaf maarorde om permisitehaen werf maken wilde, ^ En die telkens gebragt zijnde, heeft hij in den beginne Verscheide op„ „stallen verhelpen en vernieuwen Laten, dog op het Laatste hem de geene die uit uw wel Edelens naem van wegen t' Casteel, het opsigt over de gebouwen hadde liet weezen", dat het „ niet goed was, zoo dikwils te koomen, en „hij ook soo veel niet op zig durfde neemen „ en dat ik daarom best zoude doen, alles „ op eenmael op te geven, en wij daer mede „direct aen den Heer Hodges te addresseeren En niet tegenstaande dit in eene Nieuwigheid bestond, ten eenemaal strijdig tegens de oude gewoonte, zoo heeft de Directeur zig egter om alle gelegendheid tot verschillen te myden niet daer tegen willen aankanten, Hij liet 7 195 19 Liet den Heer Hodges, op den 12 Januarij Jongst „leeden, door een Raedslid, van zijne voornee„ „mers en begeerte kennis geven, en om hem zoo veel te beter daer van te kunnen onder„ „regten, zoo liet hij hem teffens verzoeken een kundig Man te willen zenden, die alles wat er gedaen moeste werden, voor af zelfs bezigtigen Konde, Dit laetste wierd toegestaan, Capiteijn Nilson, quam op den 19 Ianuarij bij ons, de directeur wees hem in Persoon alles aan, hij heeft van zijn bevinding een Schriftelijk rap„ „port overgegeven, en zoo wij Niet beter weten is het zelve Uw Wel Edelens ook ten eersten toegesonden Dog na Verloop van Twee Maanden daer op geen antwoord erlangt hebbende en Ondertussen tot ons Leedwesen, moetende ondervinden, dat ons zelfs belet wierd, een in„ „gestort Rioel van de Combuis te moogen ver„ „helpen, en eene slegte houte trap, van een der Hoofden, aen de Rivier Kant, die door het Water weg geslagen was, weder Vast te Maaken, zoo zond de Directeur den 22e Maart op t' Nieuw by den Heer Hodges J n Gelle 207 82. ten Einde dien aangaande eenige onderrigting te erlangen, en toen betuigde die Heer Dat „ schoon hij zijne ordres bereeds van Bom„ „ baij, ontfangen hadde, hij zig nogtons „ daer ontrend niet declareeren konde, voor „ dat wij ons verzoek schriftelijk voorgedra„ „gen hadden, Wij vonden hier in wel weder eene Nieu„ „wigheid, in vroegere tijden onbekend, Maer egter ook daer op geene agt slaande, zoo dat wij den 26:e Maart, het Briefje in ge„ „reedheid dat onder N=o 1 tot speculatie hier Nevens legt, en met het antwoord dat wij den 30:e dier zelfde Maend van den Heer Hodges en Raed ontfangen, en het welk onder No: 2 mede hier Nevens Legt, zonder wij ons ook zeer wel voldaen hebben ge„ „houden, was ons Maer de Verhelping van de Kruitkelder met ontzegt, onder voorgeven „Dat uw wel Edelens dezelve nu niet meer„ „ der noodig oordeelde, als bevorens, Maer aangesien dit een van de Noodsakelijkste stukken bevatte, Waarom wy Voornamentlijk Permissie verzogt hadden en wij uit dien hoofde in die uitsonderingh
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could by no means acquiesce, so we had two commissioned Council members further confer with Mr. Hodges about it on the 4th of April. A few days thereafter, when the Director paid a visit to Mr. Hodges, he spoke with him about it in person, and it was on this occasion that His Honour attested that he was fully convinced that they needed powder for the defense of the vessels and for salutes, and consequently also a suitable place to store the same securely, and that for this reason he was very sorry to see himself so closely restricted in this matter by strict orders; but if we could see fit to make a further representation in this regard, he would gladly write once more about it to Bombay, and annex thereto a second report from Captain Nilson, whom he would send again to inspect the condition of our powder cellar anew. We found this proposal so reasonable that we immediately prepared our second letter under No. 3 annexed hereto on the 17th of April, and since we imagined that Your Honours might have rejected our request out of a conceived mistaken notion that we had never had a powder cellar on the wharf and therefore intended to build a large new powder magazine, we not only assured the contrary, but we also demonstrated that we had always had such a storage place here, and have it still at present, and that our intention was solely to have the same repaired in such a manner that the powder could be stored therein with safety. And when Captain Nilson subsequently, or on the 30th of that same month, had completed his further inspection, we had no doubt whatever that we would soon receive a satisfactory answer. But to our great surprise, it turned out quite differently; we had to wait for it in vain for nearly two months again, and when we finally received it on the 24th of June, it consisted solely, as appears from the letter of Mr. Hodges and Council under No. 4 likewise annexed hereto, in this notification: That our further representation had indeed been sent to Bombay, but that Your Honours nevertheless persisted in your previous resolution. Shortly thereafter, or on the 4th of the current month, partly that which we had long feared occurred: the foundation of one side of our so-called powder cellar, upon which rests a heavy partition wall, collapsed, and had Mr. Hodges, out of a true conviction of the necessity, not permitted us to be allowed to repair the same promptly, within a few hours the entire house, in which the Master Attendant resides, would certainly have followed, as appears more fully from the letter No. 5 that we wrote about this to Mr. Hodges and Council. Yet although that disaster did not happen for that time, we must nevertheless fear that it will still happen; the other sides of the said powder cellar also consist of defective and loose foundations, upon which heavy walls likewise rest. These likewise threaten to collapse daily, and whether this happens sooner or later, the ruin of a large dwelling house remains inevitably tied to it. Thus we find ourselves in very distressing circumstances in this respect, and no less in great danger on account of the small amount of powder that we must necessarily keep in stock here. For six months it has lain exposed in a small vessel on the river to wind and storm and the mischief of wicked people, and now it has indeed been brought on land and under a roof, but it nevertheless remains exposed to all kinds of accidents, for the excavated pit in which it lies, being neither lined with masonry nor floored, is more capable of making it wet than of preserving it from dampness. A loose ceiling of bad planks above it, inhabited by people, can barely keep off the flying sparks of common fire, much less that it would be in any way secure against the slightest ignition from the penetrating fire of heaven; and the weak condition of one of its side walls, toward the street, which is such that someone can very easily pull stones out of it with the bare hand, gives anyone the liberty to commit all kinds of mischief there. When Your Honours intended to begin the war here against the native government and make yourselves masters of the Castle, Mr. Spencer wrote in Your Honours' name by a letter of the 18th of February 1759, and shortly thereafter attested orally that he faithfully assured: that the execution of the measures taken would in no way prejudice or diminish any privileges in trade or otherwise that the Honourable Netherlands Company or we ourselves had acquired at Souratta. Nor have we had to complain of the contrary during the presence of that gentleman or of his successor Mr. Price, but since
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73„ 196 geenzints berusten konden, zoo lieten wij den 4e April door twee gecommitteerde Raadslieden den Heer Hodges daar over nader onderhou¬ „den, weijnig daagen daer na Wanneer den directeur bij den Heer Hodges, eene Visite afleide, sprak hij met hem zelfs daar over, en het was bij deeze gelegendheid dat zijn Ed: betuygde Dat hy volkomen over„ „tuigd was, dat hij tot defensie van de „vaarthuijgen, en tot salut schoten kruid „ nodig hadden, bij gevolg ook een bequaa„ „ me Plaats, om het zelve secuur te bergen „ en dat het hem uit dien hoofde zeer leed w „ deed, zig in dit Stuk, door strikte ordres „ zoo naeuw bepaald te zien, Maer als „ wij goedvinden konden, dien aangaande „ een Nader vertoog te doen, dat hij dan „gaarne nog eens daar Over Naer bombay „ wilde Schrijven, en daer nevens voegen „ een Twede berigt van Capiteijn Nilson „ dien hij nader zenden soude, om de ge„ „ steldheid van onse Kruijd kelder op 't „ Nieuw te bezigtigen Dit voorszel vonden wij zoo billyk dat wij den 17 April ons Twede Briefje onder 207 nd ƒ 4 74. onder N=o 3 deezen Annex ten eersten in gereed„ „heid bragten en dewijl wij ons verbeelden dat uw wel Edelens mogelijk ons versoek van de hand gewesen hadde, uit een. Opgevat verkeerd denkbeeld, als of wij op de werff nooit een kruidkelder gehad hadden, en daarom van voor nemen waaren, een groot Nieuw kruijd ma¬ „gasijn te Bouwen, zoo verzekerder wij Niet alleen het tegendeel, Maar wij toonden ook aan, dat wij altoos diergelijke bergplaats hier gehad hadden, en thans nog hebben, en dat onse Intentie eenlijk lag om dezelve zoo„ „danig te laten verhelpen dat het kruijd met gerustheid daer in geborgen konde werden En Wanneer Capiteijn Nilson vervol„ „gens of op den 30 dier zelfde Maand, zijne nadere Besigtiging volbragt hadde, zoo twijffelden wij nu Geentzints, of wij zouden wel spoedig een voldoenend antwoord er„ „langen, Maar tot onse grose verwondering is het zelve gantsch anders uitgevallen wij hebben wederom bij de Twee Maanden Vergeefch daar na moeten wagten, En toen wij t' Eindelijk den 24 Junij kregen, bestond, ot We 75. 197 het eenelijk blykers briefje van den Heer Hodges en Raad Onder No. 4 insgelijks hier Nevens gevoegt, in deze Bekendmaaking „ Dat ons nader Vertoog wel naer Bomboy „ verzonden was, maar dat uw wel Edelens des niet tegenstaande bij haar Voorig „ besluit Persisteerden — kort naderhand of op den 4 Cour„ „rant gebeurde gedeeltelijk het gunt wij al lange gevreesd hadden, het Fondament van de eene zijde van onse zogenaamde Kruijt„ „kelder, waer op eene zware Middelmuur rust quam in te Storten, en hadde de Hr. Hod„ „ges uit eene Ware overtuiging van de Noodsakelijkheidt, ons niet toegestaan, het zelve spoedig te Mogen verhelpen, zoude ze„ „kerlijk binnen Weinig Uuren, het gantsche huijs, waar in de Equipagie Opsiender woont gevolgt zijn, Invoegen breeder blykt, bij het Briefje N=o 5, dat wij daar over aen den Heer Hodges en Raad geschreven hebben Dog schoon dat ongeluk voor die tyd Niet gebeurd is, zoo moeten wij egter bevreest zijn, dat het nog gebeuren zal, de andere „ zijden 207 76. zyden van gedagte kruid kelder bestaan ook in gebrekkige en Losse sundamenten, waer op al meede zwaare Muuren Rusten, dezelve drygen Insgelijks dagelyks in te storten, en het zij dat dit vroeg of laat gebeurt, de ruin van een groot woonhuis, blijft onvermijdelyk daar aen verknogt dus bevinden wij ons ten dien opsigte in zeer verdrietige omstandigheeden en niet minder in groot gevaar, wegens het weinige Kruyd, dat wij Noodsakelyk hier in voorraad hebben moeten, ses maanden lang heeft het zelve in een klein vaartuig op de rivier voor wind en onweer en de baldadigheid van bose Menschen bloot gelegen, en nu is het wel aan Land en onder een dak gebragt Maar het blijft egter nog aan allerhande Ongelukken bloot gesteld, want de uitgegra„ „vene Kuil daar het in Legt, niet uitgemel„ „zeld nog bevloert zijnde, is beter in Staat het nat te doen worden, dan voor vogtig„ „heid te Bewaren, een Losse Solder van slegte Planken daar booven, door Menschen bewoond, kan de Vliegende vonken van gemeen Vaur E 198 Vuur Naaulijks afkeeren, veel min dat het dan voor de geringste ontsteeking van het doordrin„ gend Hemels Vuur, eenigzints verzekert zoude zijn, ende Swakke gesteldheid van eene des zij Muuren, naar de straat toe die zodanig is, dat eimand zeer gemakkelyk met de blote hand steenen daar uit halen kan, geeft aan een ieder vrijheid, daar aan Allerhande Moetwil te Pleegen; Wanneer uw WelEdelens van voornemen waaren, den oorlog hier tegen de Inlandse Regering te beginnen, en zig van het Casteel meester te Maken, Schreef de Heer Spencer uit uw¬ wel Edelens naam bij een Brieff van den 18 Februarij 1759, en betuigde kort naderhand Mondeling dat hij getrouwelijk versekerde „dat de uitvoeringe der genomene Maatre„ „gulen, op geenderhande wijse krenken, of „ Verminderen zouden eenige voorregten in „den Handel of andersints die de E: nederland„ „sche Comp: of wij zelve te Souratta ver„ „kregen Hadden, Wij hebben ook geduu„ „rende het aamnesen van dien Heer of desselfs opvolger den Heer Price over let tegendeel niet te klagen gehad, maar 't sedert 207 77:
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For some time past, we have been mistreated in the most outrageous manner and most severely oppressed by public injustices. First, the native rulers were permitted, and indeed supported and helped, to inflict the most scandalous insult upon the Netherlands Company on worthless pretexts, while our servants were prevented by threats of overwhelming violence from opposing it with force according to natural right. Then they were forced to pay an excessive sum of money, if they did not wish to die of hunger due to the close blockade. Subsequently, the cannon that had lain here for many years without the slightest suspicion from the native government was sent away against our will. And now we are even refused permission to repair a poor place for storing a small supply of gunpowder, which we cannot possibly do without, unless your Honors also desire that we leave our vessels lying useless in the river and cease all navigation and trade by sea to this and the surrounding places. What reason your Honors may have to behave so unjustly and unreasonably toward us is entirely unknown to us. But this we do know: that such conduct completely overthrows our privileges in this city, which were so dearly obtained and so long enjoyed, and is utterly contrary to all equity, to your Honors' own assurances, and to the contents of so many solemn treaties concluded between our respective High Sovereigns, which remain in force to this day. We therefore expect, indeed we most amicably request, that your Honors be pleased to change your conduct and no longer refuse to grant our request regarding the repair of the gunpowder magazine, since we have by no means refused to do your Honors the honor of proposing it in a proper manner, so that we may have no further reason to complain here of the harsh and wholly improper treatment by your Honors and your subordinates. Yet if your Honors, notwithstanding this, persist in your intention and should still reject our repeated entreaties, then we also hope your Honors will not take it amiss that we protest against it, as we do hereby protest in advance, in the most powerful and emphatic manner, not only against your Honors' conduct toward us hitherto, but also against all the consequences that might arise therefrom in time. We leave entirely to your Honors' account and responsibility both the damage and spoilage of our small supply of gunpowder and the dangers and accidents that its poor storage could cause, which, if the Almighty does not mercifully avert them, would undoubtedly entail the ruin of a large part of the city, with the total destruction of us all and of whatever the Honorable Netherlands Company possesses here. For the rest, we have the honor to be with respect, beneath stood, Honorable Noble Sir and Sirs, lower, Your Honors' very obedient servants, was signed, Cr Ln. Senff, Dlk Kellij, M Jt Bosman, G: De Jonge, Wm Blaaukamer, P: H Ruperti, R: Vn Harn, and A: Js Bangeman. In the margin: Surat, the 25th of July 1764. Agrees: NV: Sotenberg E: G: Clercq: Charles Crommelin Esqr: President for affairs of the Honourable English East India Company, and Commandant of his Royal Majesty's Castle & Council at Bombay The Honourable: The undersigned director arrived on the 14th of November last year. A few days after being charged with the management of affairs, he informed the Governor thereof by a separate letter addressed to Mr. Mostyn, soliciting his friendship, but unto this date he has not been so happy as to receive an answer thereto. Though we perceive thereby that this gentleman is not very much inclined to receive or to answer our letters, yet we may not neglect dispatching this, the reason whereof we will have the honor of explaining to you shortly. Gentlemen. Formerly, when only the Moor government enjoyed the supreme authority in this town, it was customary, when we needed some repairs to our buildings at the bunder, only to ask leave therefor from the Governors of the Castle and Town. The director at his arrival followed this custom; though he found you in possession of the Castle, he only ordered leave to be fetched, which being granted in the beginning, he happened to renew and to repair different wooden structures. But at last, the gentleman who in your name has the direction over the buildings concerning the Castle gave him notice that it was not good to come so often, because he did not dare take so much upon himself, and said the best of all would be to exhibit it all at once and to address himself directly to Mr. Hodges. The director, to prevent all occasion for differences, would not oppose this, notwithstanding these innovations are quite contrary to the old customs. On the 12th of January, he gave Mr. Hodges notice of his design and desire by a member of our board, and
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sedert ^ eenigen tyd herwaarts, heeft mon ons op de buitensporigste wijse, mishandelt en door Openbare Onregtvaardigheeden ten Swaarsten gedrukt, Eerst stond men de Inlandse Re„ „genten toe, en Men ondersteurde, en hielp haar de Nederlandse Comp: op Niets waardige Voorwendzels, het allerschandelijkste affrondt Aan te doen, Terwijl onse bediendens door drij„ „gementen van overheerschende geweld Pleeging belet wierden, zig volgens het Regt der Nature met geeweld daar tegen aan te kanten, soen dwong men haar eene Excessive somme gelds te betalen, Wildenze anders door de naauwe In„ „sluiting van honger Niet Sterven, Vervolgens wierd tegens wil en dank het Canon weg gezonde dat Iaaren Lang zonder de Minste Agterdogt der Inlandse Regeering hier gelegen hadde, en nu Weigert men ons zelfs een slegte Plaats te mogen Repareeren, tot berging van eene ge„ „ringe voorraad van Kruid die wel, ommogelyk missen konnen, of uw Edelens Moesten teffens ook begeeren, dat wij onze Vaarthuigen nutteloos binnen de Rivier legger Lieten, en alle vaart en handel ter zee, op deze en de omleggende Plaatsen staek„ „ten Wat 78. 1 Siltee 79: 199 Wat Reeden Uw Edelens hebben mogen, om zig dus onregtveerdig en onreedeelijk tegens ons te gedra„ „gen is ons in t' geheel onbekend, Maar dit weten wij wel dat zulx onze zoo dierverkregene, en zoo lang genoten hebbende Voorregten in deeze stad ten eenemale omverre rept, en Gantsch en al strijdig is, tegens alle billijk¬ „heid, tegens uwwel Edelens eijgene Verzee„ „keringen, en tegens den Inhoud von zoo velk Plegtige Tractaaten, als tusschen onze weder¬ „zydse Hooge Souverainen gesloten zijn en tot heeden nog stand grijpen Wij verwagten dier halven, Ja wijser soeken Uuwe EEdelens, zeer vrindelijk haar ge„ „houden gedrag te willen Veranderen, en Liet Longer te Weijgeren, ons Requisit nopens de Verhelping van de Kruijd kelder, toe te staen dewijl wij geenzints gewijgert hebben, uw welEdelens de Eere aan te doen, van het zelve op een behoorlijke wijse voor te dragen op dat wij geen meerder Reeden moogen erlangen, ons over de Harde, en gantsch onbetamelijke behandeling van Uw wel Edelens, en derselver onderhoorige, hier te moeten beswaren Dog 207 80. Dog zoo Uw welEdelens des niet tegenstaande bij hun opset blijven, en onze herhaalde Instantien, als nog van de hand wijzen mogten dan hoopen wij ook uw wel Edelens, ons niet qualijk sullen gelieven te Neemen, dat wij daar tegens Protesteeren, gelyk wij in voor„ „raad Protesteeren, bij de deezen, op de alles„ „kragstigste en nadrukkelijkste wijze niet alleen, tegens uw welEdelens gehouden gedrag ontrend ons tot nog toe, maar ook tegens alle gevolgen die daar uit in der tijd, zouden voortkomen kunnen, ten Eenenemaal voor Uw„ wel Edelens Reekening, en Verantwoording latende, zoo wel de schade en het bedertf van onsen geringen Voorraad van Kried, als de gevaren en ongelukken, die dies slegte be„ „sorging Veroorzaaken kon, en dewelke als de almogende niet genadiglijk dezelve afkeerd & Ongetwyffeld de Ruine, van een goed gedeelte der stad, met eene totale vernieting van ons allen, en wat d' E: Nederlandse Comp=e hier be„ zit na sig sleepen zouden, Voor 't overige hebben wij de eere met agting te zijn /:onderstond:/ wel Edelen Edele Heer en Heeren /:Lager:/ Uw wel Ede„ „lens zeer gehoorsame dienaren /:was gete„ Cr Ln. Senff, D=lk Kellij, M Jt Bosman, Cn „kend:/ r G: De Jonge, W=m Blaaukamer, P: H Ruperti, R: V=n Harn, en A: J:s Bange„ „man /: in Margine:/ Souratta den 25 July 1764. Accordeert 81. 200 NV: Sotenberg E: G: Clercq: 207 82. 207 83 3 84: 207 Charles Crommelin Esqr: President for affairs of the Honourable Englisch Cast India Componij, and Commandant of his Roial Majestijs Castle & Council at Bombaij The Hble: The Subscribed directore arrived on the 14t. November passed year, a sew daijs after his bang charged with the maniment of affairs he acknowledged the Gouvernour there of bij a Apart Letter under Mr Mostijns address, solliciting his frindship, but unto this date he has not been si happij, as to receive an answar there-on, Tho we Perceives here bi that this Gentlemen, does not inclines verij much to receive nor to answer to our Letters, Yet we Maij not neglect dispathing this, the Reason where of we will have the honour explaining you shortlij. Gentlemen. 201 Translatior 85. Sommer Lllte Formerlij when onleij the Moor government en„ joijd the Supeme Authoritij in this town is was customarij when we needed some Reparitions to our buildings a the bounder, onlyj to aesk leave thereunto from the Gouvernours of the Castle & Town, the disectore at his arrival followed this Custom though he did find ijou Possessors of the Castle, he only ordred to setch leave which being brought in she begin he happen d toreneu, and to Repare different wooden struc¬ tures, But at last, the gentlemen which ond your name, has got the direction over the buildings Concerning the Castle gave him notice Phat it was not good te came soosten „ because hedid not dare take so muchropon „ him Self, and said the best of all would be exhibiting it all at once, and to address him „ Self, direct lij bij M=r Hodges," The directore to Prevent all occasion for diffenences would not oppose him Self there against not with Standing these innovations are quite different to the old Costomes, on the 12t. Januarij he gave Mr Hodges notice of his design and desire bij a member of our board, and 86. E
English
202 87. And to inform him so much better, he desired Mr. Hodges at the same time to send him a skillful man who could view everything beforehand that ought to be done. Agreeable to this, Captain Nilson came on the 19th of January; the Director himself demonstrated everything. This gentleman has delivered a report in writing, and we do not know otherwise than that this same report was forwarded to you immediately. Two months having passed without having received any answer, and in the meanwhile unto our grief being obliged to experience that we were hindered in repairing a collapsed drain of a cookhouse, and also stopped in repairing again a pier at the quay point along the riverside washed down by the freshes, the Director on the 22nd of March sent again to Mr. Hodges to be informed about this. And then this gentleman declared that though he had received his orders from Bombay, yet he could not consent to anything of this kind without presenting our request in writing. [illegible] Hereabout again we found some novelty formerly unknown, but however, not taking any notice thereof, we made ready on the 26th of March the letter which for examination accompanies this under No. 1. With the answer hereto sub No. 2, which we received the 30th of the same month from Mr. Hodges and Council, we would have been well enough contented if the repairing of our powder cellar was not refused under pretext that you, not esteeming it more necessary now than formerly, did not think proper to consent thereto. But since this contained the most necessary point which we principally wished you would have agreed unto, and in whose exclusion we by no means could acquiesce, we spoke to Mr. Hodges about this by two councillors on the 4th of April. The Director himself spoke about this matter to Mr. Hodges some few days afterwards when he paid him a visit, and on this occasion Mr. Hodges declared himself to be fully convinced that we needed powder 88. 203 powder for the defense of our small vessels and for salutes, and consequently a proper room for securing it; to which he added his regret for being limited in such a manner by the most strict orders. But if we could approve of making a further remonstrance, he would write a letter himself about it to Bombay, adjoining thereby a second report from Captain Nilson, whom he promised to send once more to take a new inspection of our powder cellar. We found this proposition so reasonable that we wrote directly a second letter under No. 3. And because we imagined that possibly you might have taken our request with a wrong idea, as if we had never had a powder cellar at the bounder before and therefore now intended to build a new, great powder magazine, we did not only assure the contrary thereof, but we also proved that we formerly always have had such a room here, and still have one, and that we only intended to repair the same 89. 207 90. so much that we quietly could secure the powder therein. We did by no means doubt, when Captain Nilson on the 30th of the same month performed his second inspection, that we should have got a speedy and satisfactory answer. But to our greatest surprise it happened just the contrary; we expected an answer again for almost two months in vain. And when at last we received it on the 24th of June according to the adjoining letter from Mr. Hodges and Council sub No. 4, we found it only consisted of this notice: that our second remonstrance was forwarded to Bombay, but notwithstanding the same, you did not alter your former resolution. A short time afterwards, on the 4th of this month, happened in part what we apprehended a long while ago: the foundation of one part of our powder cellar (so named), whereon a heavy middle wall rested, collapsed; and had not Mr. Hodges, by a true conviction of the necessity, permitted us to repair it speedily, surely the whole house where 204 where lives our master attendant threatened a downfall within some few hours, as is largely to be seen by the letter No. 5, which we wrote about this to Mr. Hodges and Council. Though this misfortune did not happen at that time, nevertheless we apprehend it will still occur; the other parts of the aforementioned powder cellar also consist of defective and loose foundations whereon rest very heavy walls. They also threaten to fall down, and this may happen sooner or later; the ruin of a great house is in an unavoidable manner inseparable therefrom. Thus we find ourselves in this regard in very troublesome circumstances, and no less in great danger with the small quantity of powder, of which we absolutely must have a little stock. For six months it has been exposed in a small boat on the river to winds, stress of weather, and the insolence of ill-natured men. Now, it is true, we have secured it on shore and brought it under a roof, but how [illegible] 9 207
Dutch transcription
202 87. And for to inform, him so much better he desired Mr. Hodges, at the same time to send him a shilfull man which could vien everij thing before hand wath ought to bedone, agreable to this Captain Nilson came on the 19th Janu¬ „arij, the directore him Self demonstraded everij Thing, this Gentlemen, has deliver d a Rapport in Scriptis, and we do not know bester or this same Rapport was forwarded to yjou Immediatlij Two months beingd Passed without having Received anij answer, an in the mean while unto our grief obliged to experience that we where hindred in Reparing a sink of a cook room, pouredin, and also stopd in sixing again a Pier at the kai Point along the river side nashed, down bij the freshes, the directore en the 22th March, did Senda new by Mr. hodges for to be informed- here about, and then this Gentlemen declared, That though he had „ received, his ordra from Bombaij, yet „ he could not consent in anij thing of this „ kind, without Proposing, our Request by „ writing. - Here van the on boord, and there ons Here about again we found some newness sor¬ „merlij inkwown, but houd ever not taking any notice there on, we maket Readij on the 26th of March the Letter which for speculation Accompanij sthis under No: 1 With she answeer here on sub No: 2 which we Received the 30th. of the Same month from Mr. Hodges & Council we would have been well enough Contented, of the reparing our Ponder- Cellar was not Resused undres Pretext "That you not esteeming it more „ Necessarij nouthon formerlij, dit not „ thought Proper to Consent there unto But Since this contained the must Necessorij point which we Principallij wishd you would have Agreedunto, and in whose Exclusion me bij no means could Acquiesce, so we did entertain Mr. Hodges, here about by two Councellors on the 4th. of April She directore him Self spoke about this matter to Mr. Hodges, som seu daijs afterwards, wher he payd him a visit, and bij this opportunitij Mr. Hodges declared „ him to be fulled convincet that we needed ponder 88. 203 Pouder for the defension, of our small Vessels, and for Salutts, and consequently „ a proper hoom for securinget; so which he added his regret for being limited in such a manner bij the most Strict „ „ordres, But if ine could approve, of ma„ „„king a further remorstrance, he would „ write a Letter him self there about to „ Bombaij, adjoining there by a Second ra„ port from Captain Nilson, which he „ Promised to send once more for taking „ „ a new Inspection of our pouder-Cellar. We found this proposition so reasonnable that we whrought directly a second letter un¬ „der No 3. and because ine imagined our self that Possiblij, You might have Put our Request, bij a wrong idea, as if never we had e had a Powder- Cellar at the bounder before and there fore now intended to build a new Great Powder Magasines so we did assure not onlij the contrarij there of, but we also proved that we formerly all waijs have had here such a room, & still we had one, and that we onlij, intended to Repare the same in „ „ 89 207 90. soo much that we quietlij could secure the Powder there in. We did by no means doubt when Capt. Nilson on the 30th of the same month per„ formed his second inspection, or we should have Got a Speedij & Satisfactorij answer, but to our greatest Surprising it happend Just the Contrarij we expected on answer Again most two monthst in vain, and when at last we Received it the 24th Junij according to be ad¬ joind letter from Mr. Hodges & Council sub: No. 4. we found it onlij consist in this acquain„ „ting. That our second Remonstrance was „ forwarded to Bombaij but not with stan„ ding the same, you did not alter, your for, „„mer Resolution. A short time afterwards or the 4th. of this month happend for some part which we apprehended a long while ago; The foundation of one Part of our Powder-Cellar (: thus named:) where on a heavij midle wall reposed, pouned in, and hat not Mr. Hodges, by a true con¬ viction of the Necessitij, Permitted us to repare it speidily, serelij the whole house where 204 where lives our Master attendant threatened whith a down fall, with in some feu hours, like as Largelij are to be seen bij the Letter No: 5, which we wrougtht here about to Mr. Hodges & Council Though this misfortune did not happen at that time never theless we apprehend it will stil arrive the other parts of the fore mentioned Pouder- Cellar also consist of de¬ fective and Loose Foundations, where upon rests verij havij Walls, theij also threaton to fall doun, and maij be this happens soon or late, the Ruin of a great house is in a an Avridable manner inseparable there from Thus we find our self at this re¬ „Gard in verij trouble some circumstances And no less in a great langer with the small quantitij of Powder of we absolutelij must have a little stock, Six months it has been exposed in a small boat on the River for winds, stress of weather & the insolencij of ill Natured men. Nou, et is true, me have secured it on shore and brought it under a Roof, but hou E der 9 207
English
...but however it is exposed to different unhappy accidents, because the excavated hole where it lies, not being walled or paved, will rather keep it wet than dry; a loose garret of thin and slight planks inhabited by people will hardly be able to avert common fire, much less would it be secured against the meant kindling from heaven's penetrating fire; the feeble condition of one of the partition walls towards the street, out of which anybody very easily can pull out the stones with their bare hands, gives occasion to everyone for committing all sorts of insolence. When you intended to carry on war here against the Moor government and to conquer the castle, Mr Spencer wrote us a letter in your name dated 18te. Februarij 1759, and did also declare to us a short time afterwards by word of mouth that he faithfully assured that the measures pursuing would in no shape interfere with or lessen any privileges in trade or otherwise that the noble Netherland Company or we ourselves were entitled to at Surat. Neither have we had any reasons of complaint to the contrary in the time of this gentleman or his successor Mr. Price; but since some time ago we are used ill in a most extravagant manner and hardly oppressed by manifest injustices. First, they agreed with the Moor government, supported and assisted it, to cause the Netherland Company the most ignominious affront upon the vainest pretext, whilst our Company's servants were hindered by menaces of overruling violence from opposing themselves with force thereagainst, according to the laws of nature. Then they constrained them to pay an excessive sum of money lest they die by famine. Further, our cannon must be carried away, which we had many years before without the least objection from the country people, and now they refuse us the repair of a slight room for securing a small stock of gunpowder, which impossibly can be spared, unless you desire that we shall leave our small vessels needlessly in the river and that we must cease all trade and navigation at this and the adjacent places. We are perfectly unacquainted with the reasons which may induce you to treat us in so unjust and unreasonable a manner, but this we know very well, that such behaviour entirely destroys our dearly acquired prerogatives, which we enjoyed for so long a time in this town, contrary to all equity, to your own promises, and to the contents of so many solemn treaties as are concluded between both our high sovereigns and which still subsist. We therefore expect, nay, what is more, we desire most friendly that you may alter your held behaviour, and beg you not to resist any longer our request for repairing the powder magazine, because we never denied giving you the honour of proposing the same to you in a becoming manner, so that we may not have any more reasons for complaint against the hard and most indecent behaviour from you and your subordinates here. But if it so be that nevertheless you will persist in your design, and as yet put off our reiterated instances, then we hope you will not take ill our protesting thereagainst, as we protest hereby provisionally in the most solemn and most emphatic manner, not only against your held behaviour with regard to us hitherto, but also against all the consequences which in time may proceed therefrom, entirely leaving to you and for your account to answer not only for the loss and destruction of our small stock of gunpowder, but also for all the dangers and misfortunes which may be caused by its bad keeping, which, if the Almighty please not to avert mercifully, undoubtedly will be succeeded by the ruin of a good part of the town and also by a total destruction of us all and the possessions of the noble Netherland Company here. We have the honour to remain with esteem, Gentlemen, your most obedient servants. Surat, 25:e Julij 1764. For the translation, was signed N: Holmberg, sworn clerk. Agrees: D: V: Vordtenborg. Copy of Appendices belonging to the letters exchanged with foreign European nations. For the Homeland. 8. Account in the form of a daily register drawn up by the junior merchant and provisional Secretary of Police Willem Blaaukamer concerning what occurred between the Honourable Director Christiaan Lodewijk Serff and the head of the English here, Mr: Thomas Hodges, regarding the salute of 15: cannon shots that was fired on the occasion of the latter welcoming the former on a solemn visit. On Tuesday, 7 Februarij 1764, Mr: Hodges came with all his council members and some senior officers of the militia and navy to the Director to welcome him on his safe arrival in Souratta. At his reception, all the artillery that was lying on the wharf at that time was fired, consisting of 15 pieces of cannon, of which 9 belonged to the Honourable Company and the remaining 6 were borrowed from the Secunde Bosman, and Mr: Hodges with his company spent the entire evening...
Dutch transcription
92. but hou ever it is exposed to differend in happy accidents, because the out digged. hole where it Laijs, not being walled or Paved, will rather keeps, it met then drij, a loose garret of thin & slighs Planks bij people in habitaded, will hardlij be able awarding common fire Much less it would be Secured a gainst the meaned Kindling from heavons, penetre„ ting five, the Feeble Constitution, of one of the Partition a alls towards street out of which anij bodij verij easilij can pull out the stones with the meerhands gives Occasion to everij one, for Committing all sorts of malapart ness¬ When ijou intended to carrij on War here against the Moor government, and to con„ quer the Castle, Mr Spencer Wrought us a Letter in Your Name dated 18te. Februarij 1759, and did also declare us a short time afterwards by word of month, that he „ assured faith fullij that the measures „ pursuing, would in no shape interfore „ with or lessen anij Priviledges in trade, or „ otherwise, that the noble Netherland Company „ or weselves, had ent etled at Surat. Nother 205 9:3: Nether have we had some reasons of comp¬ plaints for the Contrarij in the time of this Gentlemen or his Succesor Mr. Price; but since some time Ago, we are used ill in a most extravagant manner and hardlij oppressed bij Manifest anjustices, First men Agreed to the Moor government supported And assisted her, to cause the Netherland Companij, the most ignomini ous affront up, on the Vainest Pretext, whilst our companys Servants where hindred by menaces of oer uling violences for to oppose them self with forces there against, according to laws of nature, Then men Constraind them to paija excessij sum of moneij would they not die bij Famine, Further our Cannon must be Carred awaij, which we had manij years before, without the Least reslexion from the Countrij People, and now men refuse as the Reparation of a Slight room for secuuring a Small stock of gun Powder, which imposiblij can be spared; without you desires, that we shall let our smoll vessels need less in the River and that me must cease all trade and Navigation at this 207 & 99. & the adjacent places. We are Perfect lij un ac quainted with the Reasons which maij induco you for treating us, in so unjust and unreasonnable a manner but this we knoud verij well that such behaveour destroijs enterelij our dear ac„ quined Prerogatives, which we enjoijd so long time in this thown contrarij to alle quitij, to your own Promises, and to the consterts of op sa manij Solemni treaties, as are concluded between both, our high soveraings and which stall subsists:— We therefore expect, naij which is mone¬ we desires most friendly that you may alter Your held behaviour and begnot to resist Anij Longer to our Request for Reparing thei Poirder Magazine, because we never denied, gi„ ving you the honour of proposing the same to you in a becoming manner, that me not maij have any more reasons for comploint Against the hard and most indecent, beho„ viour from You and Your subordinates here But if so be that nevert heless you will Persist by Your design, and as ijet putting 206 Putting of our reiterated instances then we hope You will not take it ill our Protesting there against, as we Protest here by proc„ sionallij in the must solemn & most empha¬ „tical Manner not onlij Against Your held behaviour to our Regard het herto, but also Against all the consequences which in time maij proceed here from, entirelij lefting to you and for Your acqaunt to ans wer not onleij about the loose, and perdition, of our Small stock of gun Powder, but also all the dangers and Missortunes, which maij becaused by its bad providing which if the all might y not Pleases to award mercifullij, ondoubtedly will be succedded bij the Ruir, of a gord part of the sour and also bij a total des troijment of us all, and the Possession, of the nobbe Netherland Companij here. We have the Honour to Remain with Eszeem /:Onderstond:) Gentlemen, /:Lager:/ Gour most obedient Serv=ts /:in Margine:/ Surat 25:e Julij 1764. /:onderstond:/ voor de vertoling (:was getekend:/ N: Holmberg E: g: Clercq Accordeert. D: V: Vordtenborg 207 95 t 207 207 2en 207 0 ƒ 207 Copia Bijlagen Gehoorende tot de met de Vreemde Europeesche Natien Gewisselde Brieven Dro Patria 8. 208 209 Relaas bij Forme van dagregis¬ „ter opgesteld door den onder„ koopman en p:l Secretaris van Politie Willem Blaauka, „mer. wegens het voorgevallene tussen den Ed: Agtbaren Heer Directeur Christiaan Lodewijk Serff. en het opperhoofd der engelschen alhier, Mr: Thomas Hodges, over het Salut van 15: Canonschooten, dat gedaan is ter gelegendheid, dat de laat„ „ste den Eersten bij een Plegtige visite verwelkomde Op Dingsdag den 7 Februarij 1764. kwam M:r Hodges, met alle zijne Raadslee„ „den, en eenige opper offieren van de militie en Zeevaart bij den Heer Directeur, om hem met zyne behoude aankomst te Souratta te Verwellekoomen, Bij zyn Receptie wierd al het geschut los gebrand dat toen ter tijd op de Werf lag, bestaande en 15 stukken Canon, waar van 9 dE: Comp: C toebehoorde, en de Overige 6 van den 2: Secunde Bosman geleend waren, en M:r Hodges, met zijn geselschap, den gantschen vondt
English
Having spent the evening until late into the night very pleasantly, the Director, upon his departure, ordered another 15 shots to be fired, which, just as the previous ones, were answered with an equal number from the English wharf. On 8 February, the Director, having sent to inquire according to custom after the well-being of Mr Hodges and his party, received no other answer than that all was well and everyone was very pleased with the entertainment they had enjoyed. But On the morning of the 9th of the same month, the military captain, named von Glitsch, came to the Director with the following message: that Mr Hodges found himself very much insulted because only 15 shots had been fired upon his arrival and departure the day before yesterday, whereas it was nevertheless an established custom here in Surat to always fire 25 on such an occasion; and that he therefore, on account of that affront, demanded a public satisfaction, which consisted of this: that when going to his garden he would pass our wharf, and that 25 shots should then be fired, which he would, however, answer with an equal number. The Director, being exceedingly astonished by this message, expressed his regret over the unfounded notion and the resulting unreasonable demand of Mr Hodges, but at the same time assured that he was convinced in his conscience that he had given no reason at all for this, much less deliberately; for he had been entirely ignorant, and still was, of the established custom of which Mr Hodges spoke, that in such cases absolutely 21 shots had to be fired; and even had he known it, he could not possibly have fired so many, because there were only 9 guns belonging to the Company on the wharf, and the other 6 had been borrowed from private persons; that Mr Hodges could by no means be unaware of this, as only a short time ago he had himself surveyed all the artillery of the Honourable Company and had it sent away, except for those 9 pieces; that consequently the Director had by no means affronted him, but had shown him the greatest honour that could be shown to anyone, by having everything discharged that was there; that for this reason Mr Hodges could also claim no satisfaction; but if he nevertheless insisted upon a salute of 25 shots, the Director would gladly give it to him as soon as he passed the wharf, yet solely out of friendship and to accommodate his wishes in this matter, and by no means as an atonement for the alleged affront, which the Director once again declared he had not committed against him. The Captain declared: that if Mr Hodges were willing to yield to fairness, he certainly could not reject these reasons and this offer, but that he well knew that Mr Hodges would not be satisfied with it, as he considered himself genuinely insulted because he had been told for a fact that on the occasion of the inaugurations of the Governor-General and of the Director himself, as many as 23 shots had been fired from the wharf. But the Director assured him of the contrary with respect to the latter, and even undertook to have the truth thereof solemnly confirmed by the testimony of the entire Council, and in particular of the master attendant, under whose charge the artillery falls. And having thereupon requested the Captain to inform Mr Hodges of this and to do his best to bring him to another view, he departed with the promise that he would not fail to do so. Nevertheless, around noon two English council members sent to request an audience in order to visit the Director at four o'clock in the afternoon; but His Honour having already arranged with a distinguished company to go to Phulpara around three o'clock, let them know that he would await them the next morning. However, they only came On the 10th of the same month in the afternoon at four o'clock, and indeed with the same message that Captain Glitsch had delivered. The Director also gave them the same answer; but when they nevertheless declared that they knew very well that on other occasions 21 shots had been fired from the wharf, the Director refuted this not only with the testimony of the Council members Blaankamer and Ruperti, who were present, but he also immediately called the former master attendant Clinkaart, and having asked him in their presence whether during his time 25 shots had ever been fired from the wharf, he declared unequivocally no, further adding that on the said two solemn days he had indeed been ordered in writing by the commissioners appointed to regulate the ceremonial to fire 23 shots, and that he would also have attempted to accomplish it by having the cannons double-loaded or quickly reloaded, but that the Director had expressly forbidden this, saying: "To try to reload many cannons quickly with few and unskilled men is a ready means to bring all kinds of accidents upon oneself. It is enough if you discharge everything you have, for that is the greatest salute one can give." And although the commissioners could bring nothing against this, but on the contrary had to be convinced that they were misinformed in this respect, they nevertheless stuck to their point, that Mr Hodges had been publicly affronted, and therefore
Dutch transcription
Avond tot laat in de Nagt. zeer vergenoegd door gebragt hebbende liet den Heer Directeur bij zijn vertrek weder 15 Schooten doen, die ook zoo wel als de voorgaande met een ge„ „lijk getal van de Engelsche Werff beant„ „woord wierden. Den 8. Februarij, de Heer Directeur volgens gewoonte na de Welstand van M=rs Hodges en zijn geselschap hebbende laten vaagen, kreeg geen ander antwoord, als dat alles wel, en een ieder over genooten, ont„ „haal, zeer voldaan was: Dog den 9 d:o des morgens kwam de Capi„ „tain Militair van Glitsch, genaamt, bij den Heer Directeur, met de volgende boodschap!? Dat M:r Hodges zig zeer ge„ „hoond vond, door dien er bij zijne aankomst „en vertrek op eergisteren, maar 15 Schoten „gedaan waren. daar t' Nogtans hier in Souratta een vast gebruyk was, bij dien„ „gelyke gelegendheid, altoos 25. te doen „en dat hij daarom wegens dat affront „een Publique Satisfactie vorderde, de„ „welke hier in bestond; dat hij naar zynen „thuijn gaande, onze werff passeeren zoude „ en dat er dan 25„ Schoten, moesten gedaen „werden, die hij egter met een gelyk getal zoude 210 zoude beantwoorden. De Heer Directeur over deze boodschap ten Uitersten verwondert zijnde, betuijgde zijn leedweesen, over het ongegronde denkkeld, en de daar uijt voortgevloeide onbillijken Eisch: van M=s Hodges, dog versekerde teffens in zijn gemoed, overtuijgd te zijn, daar toe in 't geheel geene, veel min dan, met Voordagt eenige Reeden gegeven te hebben; want dat ins hij in 't geheel onkundig geweest was, en nog was, wegens het vaste gebruijk waar van M:o s Hodges. Sprak, dat in dien gelyke Gevallen ken absolut 21. Schoten moesten gedaan werden a en al hadde hij 't geweeten, dat hij onmo„ zes „gelyk zoo zeel zouden hebben kunnen doen om dat er maar 9 Stukken van de Comp:e op de werff lagen, en de andere 6 van Par„ „ticulieren geleend waren. dat den Heer hod„hap „ges dit geenzints onbekend konde zijn — also hij nog voor weinig tijd, al het geschut van de E: Comp:e zelfs hadde opgenoomen aan„ en t' zelve tot op die 9 stukken na Versen„ /3„ „den Laaten: dat bij gevolge den Heer Di„ „recteur hem geenzints hadde geaffronteerd maar wel de grootste eere bewesen, die men e Eimand bewyzen konde, met alles te laten los branden, wat er geweest was, dat uyt dien dien hoofde ook de Heer Hodges, geene Patis„ „factie Pretendeeren konde: Maar zoo hij egter gesteld was op een Solut van 25. Schooten dat de Heer Directeur hem die gaarne geven zoude zoo dra hij maar voorbij de Werff passeerde, dog alleen uijt Vriendschap, en om zij„ „ne begeerten in deze te gemoed te komen, maar geenzints als een voldoening wegens het Pretense affrond, dat de Heer Directeur nog„ maal betuygde hem niet aangedaan te heb„ „ben. De Capitain verklaarde: dat als de Heer Hooges de billykheid Plaats geven wilde hij dan zekerlijk deze Reeden en offerte met verwerpen konde, maar dat hij wel wiste, dat M:r Hodges daar in geen genoegen zoude neemen, alsoo hij zig Effective gehoord agtede om dat hem voor waarheid gesegt was, dat er bij gelegendheid der voorstellingen van den Heere gouverneur Generaal, en van den Heer Directeur selfs wel 23. schooten van de werff gedaan waren, Dog de Heer Directeur Ver„ zekerde hem ten opsigte van het laatste van het tegendeel, en verbond zig zelfs de Waarheid daar van door het getuijgenis van den gantschen Raad: en Inzonderheid, van den Equipagie Opsigter, onder wien het geschut staat, op een 211 een Solemneele wijze, te zullen laten bevesti„ „gen. En den Capitain daar op Versogt hebbende „willen den Heer Hodges. hier van te onderrigten en zijn best te doen den zelven in een ander Denkbeeld te brengen. zoo vertrok deze ook onder belofte van daar omtrend in geen gebre„ „ke te zullen blijven Nogtans lieten omtrend den Middag twee Engelsche Raadsleeden belet vragen; om tegens Vier Uuren des Agtermiddags, bij den Heer Directeur te koomen, dog zijn Wel Edele reeds met een aanzienelijk geselschap af gesproken zynde, om tegen drie uur na Phoel Para te gaan, liet haar weten, dat hij haar des anderen daags s' morgens afwagten zoude Egter kwamen zij Den 10 dito eerst des agtermiddags om vier uur, en wel met de zelfde boodschap die den Capitain Glitsch, gedaan hadde, de Heer Directeur gaaf haar ook, het zelve antwoord, dog wanneer zij des Niet tegenstaan„ „de verklaarden, zeer wel te weeten, dat er bij„ andere gelegendheeden 21. Schoten van de Werf gedaan waaren. zoo wederlijde den Heer Directeur het zelve niet alleen, met het ge„ „tuijgenis van de Raadsleeden Blaankamer 8 en Ruperti, die Present Waren, maar hij bet ook A ook terstond geen gewese Equipagie opzigter Clinkaart roepen, en hem in hare Presentie afgevraagt hebbende, of er gedurende zijn Aanweesen wel ooit 25 schoten van de werf gedaan waren. zo betuijde dezelve volmondig van Neen. met verdere byvoeging, dat hij op de gemelde Twee Plegtige Dagen, door de gecommitteerdens, tot het Reguleeren van het Ceremonieel wel Schriftelijk was gelast ge¬ waest, om 23. Schooten te doen, en dat hij ook getragt zoude hebben het zelve te vol¬ brengen, met het Canon dubbeld of schielyk weder te laten laden, Maar dat de Heer Directeur, zulks uitdrukkyk verbooden hadde, zeggende " met wynig en onkundig „volk veel Canon schielyk te willen laden, is „ een gereed Middel, om zig allerhande onge„ „lukken over den Hals te halen, Gij kunt „volstaan, als je alles Losbrand, wat Je hebt „want dat is het grootste salut, dat men „geeven Kan. En of schoon de gecommitteer„ „ders hier tegen Niets Konde Inbrengen, maar en tegendeel overtuigd moesten zijn dat zij ten dien opsigte kwalijk onderregt Waren zoo bleven zij egter op hun stuk, dat de Heer Hodges; Publicq geaffronteerd was, en daarom
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therefore also had to obtain a public satisfaction, but the Director declared once again that he had received and entertained Mr. Hodges in all sincerity, and consequently had no intention of doing His Honour the least disrespect. And since between good friends no insult could well take place where there was no intention to insult, he therefore considered himself in no way obliged to give Mr. Hodges the demanded satisfaction. It was indeed true that if His Honour had possessed more artillery, he certainly would have ordered more shots to be fired, and that he had even intended to pay Mr. Hodges a compliment regarding the small number, but that His Honour, through other conversations, had not thought of it. And if one wished to regard this omission as a mistake, he would by no means contradict it, but would very gladly venture an excuse on that account, which was all that he could offer for the present, and wherewith the deputies took their leave. On the 11th of the same month, the Director deputed the two Council members Blaaukamer and Ruperti to Mr. Hodges, to express his astonishment at the pretext of His Honour and the unheard-of demand that he formulated therewith, as well as to assure him once again that the Director had never had any intention to insult him, but rather to show him all honour and politeness, and further to present to His Honour everything that has been said above concerning the small number of pieces and the lack of men, and that this and nothing else was the reason why only 15 shots had been fired; that for that same reason, during the presence of His Honour, never more than that many had been fired, not even upon the introduction of Governor-General Van der Parra, nor His Honour's own introduction as Director; that Mr. Briancourt had also been greeted with only 15 shots; that the Director would gladly give him 50 shots if he had that many pieces, but since that was not the case, he also ought to be content with the honour that could be shown to him, the more so because two or three examples from recent times could in this case serve as no law, and moreover it was also at His Honour's own pleasure, if he thought himself insulted by a smaller number of cannon shots, to take the most emphatic satisfaction himself on that account during the forthcoming return visit, when he could welcome the Director with only that same number; and finally that His Honour could not see having neglected anything in all of this, except only that after the salute was given he had not immediately informed Mr. Hodges of the number of shots with which His Honour was welcomed, and it was actually the purpose of this commission to rectify that error with a proper excuse, which was all that the Director could do and Mr. Hodges could claim. The deputies found Mr. Hodges in the most difficult temper in the world, to such an extent that he did not refrain from speaking with malicious contempt of the Director and His Honour's conduct. That gentleman said that only on the second day after the visit, having been warned by people from the castle that 15 shots had been fired, had he been unable to complain of it sooner; that regarding this as a mistake, he had caused the Captain to speak about it as a private envoy, but that His Honour, having refused the desired satisfaction to him as well as to the deputies whom he had to send after receiving the refusal, he had been forced to think that the Director had a premeditated design to insult him publicly. He said that if anyone of his people had informed him at the very time when the firing took place that only 15 pieces had been discharged, he would have risen illico and gone away without dining, but that neither he himself nor any of his gentlemen had counted the shots, since they could not have thought that he had been received to be affronted. His Honour had also been very angry with his artillerymen because, hearing that only 15 shots were fired, they had returned the salute; but he had to excuse them, since, under the impression that it would happen conformable to custom, he had ordered in general terms to return the same. As for the pretext of the small number of pieces and the lack of men to serve the cannon, Mr. Hodges said that such was foolish and childish, for he had at least seen some men under arms who could afterwards have laid down their muskets to go to the artillery; or otherwise it would have cost the Director but a word, whereupon he would have sent him sufficient artillerymen. Also one could have done as they, the English, had been obliged to do on similar occasions before the capture of the castle, when the Moorish Governors never permitted so many of their cannon on the ramparts, namely to borrow from various merchants, such as Boucard, Tjillebix, Fogger uddien, or others, as many pieces as were needed, rather than insult a Chief of a Nation. It was not Mr. Hodges personally who was insulted, but the entire British Nation in him, and it was for them that he demanded satisfaction, which if not given to him, he would not only to Bombay, but to all factories
Dutch transcription
212 daarom ook een publique satisfactie moeste erlan„ „gen, dog de Heer Directeur, betuygde de nog„ „maals den Heer Hodges, in alle opregtheid ontfangen en onthaald, en bij gevolge geen in„ „tentie gehad te hebben zijn Ed: de Minste klein agting aan te doen, En dewyl onder godde vrienden niet wel eenige beleediging plaats konde hebben, daar geen voornemen om te beledigen lag. dat hij zig daarom ook geenzints Verpligt agtede, den Heer Hodges de gevorderde satiffactie te geven wel was waar, dat wanneer sijn Edele meerder geschut gehad hadde, hij ook zekerlyk meerder schoten, zoude hebben laten doen en dat hij zelfs van voorneemen was geweest den Heer Hodges over het geringe getal een Compliment. te Maken. maar dat syn Ed: door andere discourssen daar op niet gedagt hadden. En zoo men dit Versuijm als een abuijs aanmerken wilde, dat hij zulks geenzints tegenspreken; maar zeer gaarne dierweegens Excuse wagen zouden, het geen dan ook alles was wat hij voor tegenwoor¬ „dig offereren konde, en waar mede de gecom„ „mitteerdens haar afscheid naamen„ den 11 dito deputeerde de Heer directeur de twee Raadsleeden Blaaukamer en Ruperti na na den Heer Hodges, om zyne Verwondering te betuijgen, over het voorgeven van zijn E:d:, en den ongehoorden Eisch, die hij daar bij formeerde zoo mede om hem nogmaals te verzeekeren dat de Heer Directeur geene Intentie, altoos gehad hadde, om hem te beledigen, maar wel om hem alle Eer en beleefdheid te bewyzen, en wijders sijn Ed: voor te houden, alles wat hier booven van het klein getal van stukken en gebrek van volk gezegd is, en dat dit en niet anders de reeden was Waarom, er maar 15. Schooten gedaan waren! dat oms die zelfde reeden gedurende het aanwesen syn Edele nimmer meer, dan zoo wele gedaan waaren zelfs niet op de Voorstelling van den Heer Gouverneur generaal Van der Parra, nog zin Ed: eigen voorstelling als Directeur, dat M:r Briancourt, ook maar met 15 schoten begroet was, dat de Heer Directeur hem wel 50, schoten wilde geeven, als hij zoo vele stukken hadde; maar dat nu niet zynde hij zig ook met de Eere, die men hem hadde kunnen bewijzen, te vreden diende te houden te meer, alsoo twee of drie voorbeelden van den Iongsten tijd, in dit geval tot geene wet konden strekken, en het buiten des, ook aan zijn Ed: eigen Wel behagen stond, zo bij 213 hij al door een Minder getal van Canon schoten Vermeende beleedigt te weezen, dierwegens zelfs de allernadrukkelykste Satisfactie te neemen, bij de aanstaande Contra Visite als Wanneer hij den Heer Directeur, maar met dat zelfde getal verwelkomen konde en Eindelyk dat zijn Edele niet konde zien in allen dezen iets versuijmt te hebben, dan alleen, dat hij den Heer Hodges, na het ge„ „daan Salut, niet aanstonds kennisse had„ „de gegeeven van het getal der schooten Waar mede zijn Ed: Verwellekomt was, en 't Was eijgentlyk het oogmerk van deeze Com¬ „missie, om die fout door een behoorlyk ex „cus te verbeeteren. t' welk alles was, wat de Heer Directeur konde doen en de Heer Hod„ „ges Pretendeeren De gecommitteerdens troffen den Heer Hodges, in het moeyelykste humeur aan des weerelds, zoo verre dat hij zig met onthield, van met een Kwaadaardige Minag¬ „ting van den Heer Directeur, en zijn Ed: behandeling te spreeken, die Heer zeide dat hij eerst den tweeden dag na 't Besoek voor lieden uit het Casteel zijnde gewaar„ schouwt. dat er 15 schoten gedaan Waren hij er zig niet eerder over hadde kunnen beklagen 170 beklagen, dat hij zulks voor een abuys heb„ „bende aangesien, den Capitain als eene Particuliere afzendeling, daar over hadde doen spreken, maar dat zijn Ed: aan die zoo wel als aan de Gecommitteerdens, die hij na Erlangd Resus. hadde moeten zenden de begeerde Satisfactie hebbende geweij„ „gert, hij genoodsaakt was geworden te denken, dat de Heer Directeur een gepreme„ „diteert opset hadde gehad, om hem Publicq te hoonen, Hy zeide, dat wanneer ymand der zijne hem op de Eige tijd toen er geschoten Was had geadverteerd, dat er maar 15 stukken gelost waren, hij illico zoude zyn opgestaan, en Sonder te Soupeeren heen gegaan; maar dat nog hij zelve nog iemand van zijne Heeren, de Schoten geteld hadde dewijl zij niet hadden kunnen denken, dat men hem hadde ontfangen, om hem te affron„ „teeren, zijn Ed: was ook zeer gestoord geweest op zijne arthilleristen, om dat zij hoorende dat maar 15 Schoten gedaan Wierden, het Salut beantwoord hadden, maar hij moest haar Ontschuldigen, dewijl hij in 't denk „beeld, dat het Conform de usantie zoude geschieden, in algemeene termen ^ geordon„ neert hadde, het zelve te beantwoorden Wat 214 Wat aan belangde het voorgeeven van het klein getal, stukken, en gebrek aan volk om het Canon te bedienen, zulks zeide de Heer Hodges was, zot en Kinderagtig, Want hij hadde ten minsten eenige manschap onder de Wapenen gesien, die daar na het geweer hadden kunnen strekken, om bij t' geschut te gaan; of anders hadde het den Heer Directeur, maar een woord behoeven te kotten Wanneer hij hem genoegsame Arthilleristen zoude hebben toegesonden: ook zoude men hebben kunnen doen, gelijk zij engelschen voor het nemen van het Casteel, Wanneer de Moorsche Gouverneurs, nimmer zoo veel Canon, van haar op de wal gepermitteerd hadden, in diergelyke occasien verpligt waaren geweest te doen, om namentlyk by deze en geene Kooplieden, als Boucard; Tjillebix, Fogger uddien, of andere zoo veel geschut te leenen, als men noodig hadde liever dan een Chef van een Natie te Insel„ „teeren, de Heer Hodges was het niet Per„ „soneel die beleedigt was, maar de gehele Britsche Natie in hem en t' was voor die dat hij satisfactie Vorderde, welke zoo hem niet gegeven wierd. zoude hij met alleen na Bombaij, maar na alle comptoi¬ ren ude
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masters and establishments of the English Company to describe the insult that had been done to the nation. One could well have fired 21 shots beforehand, after the reduction of our ordnance, and if one were indeed afraid of accidents, one could have taken as many pieces from two stories that lay at anchor before the shipyard, so that one could have fired the proper salute without reloading. But the omission of all that showed all too clearly the intentional nature of the affront. The matter was not excused by the fact that the present ruling gentleman, during his presence, had under no circumstances fired more shots, and it did not concern him how they had saluted the Governor-General; this was a domestic matter, which they had to settle between themselves. And as for Monsieur Briancourt having been greeted in the same way, this bore no comparison to this case, since that gentleman was not of equal rank with him and was only to be regarded as a simple Resident. He spoke for himself and his nation, nor did he introduce any novelties, nor claim anything that the heads of the respective nations had not always enjoyed and which was an established custom in these parts of the world, although he was not ignorant of the fact that in Europe it is a salute for crowned heads. Yet it was not up to the Director to abolish or exceed a custom legitimized by usage, to the prejudice of another. Mr. Hodges agreed that firing all around was all that one could do, but that was to be understood of forts where one had no more ordnance, or could obtain none, than what lay on the ramparts; but that had no relevance here, because the Director had command of more pieces, or could have borrowed them, as the English had done previously. He also said that it was bad policy to insult him, and he had not expected such from the present Director, for although His Honour had been described to him as a sensible man, nevertheless Mr. Drabbe, who was foolish, had never committed such a mad act, and children would know better. Concerning the satisfaction that he could take himself, he would never proceed to insult a nation, as Mr. Senff had brought himself to do, which he said he did not know whether it was of His Honour's own pleasure or by order of Batavia. For this reason, he would await a return visit as long as he had not received the demanded satisfaction, for in order not to commit the same error, he would have to do more honour to Mr. Senff than he himself had enjoyed, which could be consistent neither with his honour nor with that of his nation. This discourse, in which Mr. Hodges displayed the utmost vehemence and passion, was adorned with examples and parables. And although the deputies argued against it and sought to convince him that absolutely no affront, indeed not even any mistake, had been committed, and that for that reason, concerning the number of cannon shots, neither reparation nor an apology could take place, he could nevertheless not be brought to calm down, and whatever he spoke amounted to insult, and satisfaction which they assured him he would not receive. The Director, after receiving the report and seeing that all representations, however reasonable, were fruitless with a man like Mr. Hodges, who rejects all reason, judged it not inexpedient to have the aforementioned Captain Glitsch requested to come to him once more. That gentleman accordingly came to His Honour the following day, being the 12th, whereupon His Honour recounted to him in detail everything that had passed between them, showing how unreasonably Mr. Hodges was acting and how impossible it was for the Director to grant the desired satisfaction, requesting that the Captain might use his good offices and watch for a good mood on the part of Mr. Hodges to divert His Honour from his unreasonable demands and mistaken notions, while the Director would send deputies once again the next day and make the utmost effort to make that gentleman change his mind, being gladly willing to do everything to clear all disputes out of the way that was ever consistent with His Honour's own honour and that of the Dutch Company. This officer promised as much, and the following day, being Monday the 13th, the aforementioned members were again deputed to converse further with Mr. Hodges about this matter and, if not to dissuade him from his unlawful demand, at least to deprive him once and for all of the pretext that he had been intentionally insulted. They indeed found him in a calmer mood, but could not dissuade him by any reasoning from his conceived notion that the Director had intentionally insulted him and that he therefore claimed a public satisfaction. Thus having to use a different language, they told him in plain terms that he was in the wrong, and that he should simply place no reliance at all on any satisfaction as he demanded; that he could also not require their ruler to risk his own honour by honouring him above the ordinary; that he would also know how to protect the same; and that if Mr. Hodges would not abandon his mistaken notions, the Director would have to console himself with a clear conscience, that he had given no occasion for the same with any premeditation. His Honour was however all too well convinced of
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„ren en Etablissementen van de Engelsche Compte schryven den hoon, die de Natie was aan„ „gedaan, men hadde wel bevorens na de reduc„ „tie van ons geschut 21. Schoten kunnen doen, en zoo men al bevreest ware, voor ongelukken, hadde men zoo veel stukken van twee storrys, die voor de werf ten anker Laagen, kunnen Neemen, dat men zonder herlaading het Competente Salut, hadde doen kunnen. maar het versuijm van dat alles, toonde al te klaar de opsettelijkheid van het affront Het Verschoonde de zaak niet, dat de Presente Heer gebieder gedurende zijn aanwesen, in geen geval meerder Schoten gedaan hadde, en het incumbeerde hem Niet, hoedanig men den gouverneur generaal, gesalueerd hadde dit was een domistique saak, die mij moesten goed maaken, en wat belangd dat Mons:r Briancourt even zoo begroet was zulks had geen over eenkomst, met dit geval dewijl die Heer met hem niet gelijkstandig en maar aan te merken was als een simpel Resident, hij sprak voor hem en zijne natie ook voerde hij geene Nieuwigheden in, nog pretendeerde iets, t' geen niet altoos de hoofden 215 „genoten hoofden der Respective Natien hadden, en in deeze Weereld deelen, een vaste gewoonte was schoon hij niet Jgnoreerde dat het in Europa een Salut voor gekroonde hoofden is: dog het stond aan den Heer Directeur niet, om een door 't gebruik gewettigde gewoonte, in Pre„ „juditie van een ander, te vernietigen, of te buiten te gaan, de Heer Hodges Stemde toe, dat ronds om los te branden, alles was wat men doen konde, maar zulx was te verstaan, van forten daar men geen meer geschut hadde, of krijgen konde, dan dat op de Wallen lag, maar hier geen betrekking had, om dat de Heer Directeur meer stukken meester was, of die, zoo als de engelschen bevorens gedaan hadden, konde leenen, hy zeijde ook dat het een slegte Politique „hem was te beledigen, en had zulks ook van den Presenten Heer Directeur niet Verwagt want schoon sijn Edele hem beschreeven was als een verstandig man, zoo had eg„ „ter de Heer Drabbe, die onverstandig was nog nimmer zoo een gek stuk begaan, en kinderen zouden beeter weeten, Betreffende de Satisfactie die hij zelfs nemen konde dat hij daar toe nimmer zoude overgaan om een Natie te beledigen, zo als de Heer Serff Senff. van zig had kunnen verkrijgen voor te doen, t' geen hij zeide niet te weeten, of het uit sijn Ed: eige lust, dan op order van Bata„ „via was. Hier om zoude hij tegenbesoek afwagten, zoo lang hij de gevorderde sa„ „tisfactie niet hadde gekregen, Want om niet deselfde Fout te begaan. zoude hy den Heer Serff, meerder Eere Moeten aandoen dan hij zelve hadde genooten; t' geen nog met zijn Cere, nog die van zijne Natie konde Bestaan Dit discours Waar bij de Heer Hodges de uijterste hevigheid en Passie het blyken wierd met Exempelen, en gelijkenissen ge¬ „stoffeerd, en schoon de gecommitteerdens daar tegen in bragten, en hem sogten te Overtuijgen, dat er in 't geheel geene affrond Ja selfs geen abuijs gepleegt was, en dat uit dien hoofde ook omtrent het getal„ der Canonschoten geene Reparatie nog Ver¬ „soek om verschooning Plaats konde hebben zoo was hij egter niet aan 't bedaren te brengen, en wat hij sprak, quam uit op belediging, en Satisfactie die Alen hem Verzekerde, dat hij niet zoude krijgen De Heer Directeur na bekoomen rapport 216 Rapport ziende, dat alle vertoogen, hoe billijk vrugteloos waren, bij een Man als M:r Hodges die alle Reeden verwerpt, oordeelde met ondien„ „stig om de meerm: Capitain Glitsch te laten versoeken, nog eens te willen bij hem komen gelyk die Heer dan ook den volgenden dag zynde den 12. bij zijn Edele kwam, Wanneer zijn Ed: hem alles wat er over en weder ge„ „passeerd was omstandig verhaalde, met ver„ „toning, hoe onbillijk de Heer Hodges te werk ging, en hoe onmogelyk het den Heer Directeur was om de begeerde Satisfactie toe te staan, Verzoekende dat de Capitain zijne goede officien wilde aanwenden en een goede luijm van den Hr. Hodges waar nemen om zijn Ed: van desselfs onbillijkeworde„ „ringen, en verkeerde Denkbeelden te diverteeren, terwijl de Heer Directeur S'an¬ „derendaags, nog eens gecommitteerdens zoude zenden, en de uijterste Poging doer om dien Heer van denkbeeld te doen Veran„ „deren, Willende gaarne alles doen, om alle verschillen uit den weg te Ruymen, wat immer bestaanbaar was met zijn Edele eygene Eere, en die van de Nederlandsche Compagnie Deze officier beloofde zuks, en den en t H den volgende dog zijnde Maandag den 13. wierden de Hier vorengenoemde leeden weder gecom„ „mitteerd, om den Heer Hodges nader over deze zaak te onderhouden, en hem, zoo al niet van zijne onregtmatige vordering te detour„ „neeren, ten minsten eens voor al het voorwond „zel te beneemen, als of hij met opzet belee„ digt ware zij troffen hem ook wezendlijk wel in een beladigder humeur aan, maar konden hem door geene Redenen van zijne opgevatte verbeelding afbrengen. dat de Heer Direc„ „teur hem met opzet beleedigt hadde, en dat hij dierhalven een Publicque satisfactie Pretendeerde, dus eene andere taal moetende gebruyken, zo zeide zij hem in duijdelyke termen dat hij ongelijk hadde, en dat hij maar in het geheel geen Staat moeste maken, op eenige voldoening, gelijk hij vorderde, dat hij hare gebieder ook niet konde vergen, zyn eige eere te waagen door hem boven gemeen te Ceren dat hij dezelve ook zoude weten te beschermen en dat zoo de Heer Hodges, zijn verkeerde concepten, niet wilde laten vaaren, de Heer Directeur zig zoude moeten troosten, met een gerust geweten, dat hij tot dezelve geen aanlei¬ „ding hadde gegeven, met eenige voorbedagt, heid, zijn Edele was egter al te wel overtuygd Van
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of the necessity of harmony between the two nations in Souratta, not only to avoid anything that might harm it, but also willingly to take the first and farthest steps to repair the breach that Mr. Hodges claimed had arisen. This motive, as well as the Director's natural inclination toward friendship, moved His Honour to take a step that should have provided the utmost satisfaction to Mr. Hodges, and in fact went further than he could expect or claim. Namely, His Honour offered that if Mr. Hodges wished to send a delegation from his Council, His Honour would affirm before them, in the most solemn manner they could desire, even by oath, that he had no intention of insulting that gentleman, and that the lesser number of shots was solely caused by the lesser number of guns, and the other reasons flowing therefrom as previously stated. Upon hearing this offer, Mr. Hodges was astonished. For, not daring to accept it lest he appear to suspect the offered oath, he was forced to change his tone and say that he now had to be convinced that it was not a premeditated matter. While this was pleasing enough to him so far as it went, it did not alter the matter itself in the least. For though this would be sufficient satisfaction for him privately had he not been insulted openly, he could not accept it now, since he had been publicly affronted before the eyes of the entire world of Sourat, which therefore also had to bear witness to the satisfaction he was to receive on that account. And how could they know, said Mr. Hodges, what passed between him, two English council members sitting with him, and the Dutch deputies in his private chamber? He therefore still maintained his old claim, and without such satisfaction this matter could not be resolved. Otherwise, upon obtaining it, he would wish to consider the matter as having never happened, since his orders regarding harmony with our nation were very strict, though no less so on the point of maintaining the honour of his own. Mr. Hodges adduced much to prove that public insults, however innocently committed, could only be repaired by public satisfaction. To that end, he cited an example of an English captain who, having been saluted with too few shots from the Bombay Castle, had to be satisfied with another satisfactory salute, upon which the governor had not hesitated for a single moment since the first had occurred by mistake. Adducing further private examples and suppositions, he concluded that this should apply all the more since the matter was national. The deputies counter-argued to him that the case he cited was not at all applicable to the matter in question, as the governor as well as the captain were certainly bound by orders from their superiors regarding the salute, which they notoriously had to obey, but that such an obligation concerning relations with foreign nations had no place. However, Mr. Hodges remained steadfast in his position. Therefore, they deemed it necessary to ask him positively whether he would refuse to accept the offered oath as satisfaction, and thereby positively acknowledge that there was no intent in the salute to insult him. The latter that gentleman acknowledged unreservedly, but declared he could not accept it as satisfaction for the reasons he had alleged. The said question was deliberately posed because the deputies had instructions to protest formally against Mr. Hodges's false opinion and the contemptuous and insulting language of His Honour with respect to the Director, if he had dared to suspect the offered oath in the least above all this. However, since he did the opposite and used far more moderate language, and also exercised the customary courtesies upon the departure of the deputies, which he had neglected in the first meeting either willfully or out of passion, they left it at that for now, as there would be no remedy afterward, and this extreme measure always comes in time. Their conduct was also approved, and the entire affair remained in this state, since the Director could by no means agree to concede to the exorbitant demand of Mr. Hodges. The longer a matter of this nature is kept dragging on, the more bitterness takes root. This caused Director Senff to resolve to settle it and, to that end, to attempt all means permitted by his honour and that of the nation, even doing somewhat more than one would do under other circumstances, since it cannot be denied that their friendship is currently of more importance in Souratta than ever, and a sensible man must yield to the times when he cannot do otherwise. Mr. Hodges had shown himself far more moderate at the last meeting than before, and one might think that he began to see his own fault. This moved the Director to have him requested to hold an oral conference at a neutral place, to see whether this would have the desired effect. To that end, on the 14th His Honour sent the mody Manik Sada to Mr. Hodges. But the answer was that His Honour could not find it necessary, since he had said everything to the deputies and adhered to it without changing his mind. This also failing, the Director considered that he had yielded enough to the difficult temper of Mr. Hodges.
Dutch transcription
217 van de Noodsakelykheid der Harmonie tus¬ „schen de twee Natien in Souratta, om niet al„ „leen alles te mijden, wat de zelve konde kren„ „ken, maar wilde ook gaarne de Eerste en Verste stappen doen om de breuke, die de Heer Hodges voorgaf er in gekoomen te zyn, te her„ „stellen, en deze beweegreden, zoo wel als de natuurlyke neijging van den Heer Directeur tot vriendschap, deden zijn Edele thans eer Pas doen, die tot de uyterste Satisfactie, vaor den Heer Hodges. moeste verstrekken, en in der daad verder ging als hij konde verwagten of Pretendeeren, namentlijk dat sijn Edele Presenteerde, dat zoo de Heer Hodges een Com„ „missie, uit zijnen Raad wilde zenden, zyn Edele voor haar op de Plegtigste wijse, die zij be„ „geeren Konden, Ja, al was het zelft met Eede bevestigen zoude, dat geene Intentie gehad hadde, dien heer te beledigen, en dat het min„ „der getal schooten, alleen veroorsaakt was door het mindere getal stukken, en andere daar uytvloeyende, en hier voorgesegde Ree„ „denen. De Heer Hodges was op het hooren van deze offerte verbaast, Want durvende de zelve niet aanneemen, om niet te tonen den gepresenteerden Eed te Soupeonneeren was een lei„ etuygd van was hij gedwongen van toon te verandeeren en te zeggen, dat hij nu moest vertuijgd zijn dat het geen gepremiditeerde zaak was, dit was hem in zoo verre wel lief, maar veranderde de zaak op zig selve, niet het minste, want ge„ „lyk dit voor hem in 't Particulier, een genoeg„ zame voldoening zoude zijn. Wanneer hij niet opentlyk beleedigt was, zoo konde hij deselve thans niet aanneemen, dewijl hij in t' Pu„ „blicq voor't Oog van de geheele Souratse wee„ „reld geaffronteerd was, die dierhalven ook ge„ „tuijge moest strekken van die Satisfactie die hij dient wegen zoude erlangen, en hoe konde die weeten, zeide de Heer Hodges wat er tussen hem en twee Engelsche raads. „leeden /: die er bij zaten / en de Hollandsche gecommitteerdens in zijn Binne Kamer Passeerde, hij bleef dier halven nog by zyne Oude Pretensie, en zonder dies voldoening konde deze zaak niet hersteld werden, die hij anders bij erlanging voor nimmer gepas„ seerd wilde houden, dewil zyne ordres op het stuk der Harmonie met onze natie seer strikt waren. dog niet minder op het Arctikuel van 't Maintien van de Eere der zyne, de Heer Hodges bragt veel bij om te beweezen, dat opentlijke beledigingen hoe onschulden 218 onschuldig begaan, niet anders als door publi„ „que voldoeningen konden gerepareerd werden hij allegueerde ten dien Einde, een voorbeeld van een Engelsch Capitain, die met te wijnig schoten van het Bombaijsche Casteel gesalueerd sijnde, met een ander Satisfactoir salut moesten werden te vreden gesteld, waar op ook de gouverneur geen ogenblik gehaesiteerd hadde dewijl het eerste abusive geschiet was, en nog meer Particuliere Exempelen, en onderstellingen bij brengende, Conclueerde hij, dat zulks zoo veel te meer Plaats moeste hebben, daar de saak Nationaal was De gedeputeerden voerden hem wel te gemoed, dat het geval door hem geallegeert, Op de zaak in Questie in 't geheel niet ap„ „plicabel was, alsoo de gouverneur zoo wel als de Capitain, zekerlijk door ordres van haare Superieuren, omtrent het Salut bepaald ge„ weest waren, die zij Notoir opvolgen moesten maar dat diergelijke verband aangaande de Conversatie, met vreemde Natien, geen plaets hadde, maar M=r Hodges, bleef egter op sijn stuk, En daarom oordeelden zij het nodig hem Positif af te vragen, of hij dan den geoffereerden Eed voor geene voldoening wilde aanneemen, en daar door Positif er kennen dat hulden dat er in het salut geen opset om hem te beledigen Plaats hadde, het laatste erkende die Heer vol¬ „mondig, dog betuigde het voor geen voldoening te kunnen aanneemen, om reden door hem ge„ „allegeert, De gem: wage wierd Expres gedaan dewyl de gecommitteerdens in Mandatis hadden, om formeel tegen den Heer Hodges zijn valsche opinie, en de Meprisante en beledigende taal van zijn Edele ten opsigte van den Heer Directeur te Protesteeren, zoo hij boven dit alles, den aangeboden Eed, in 't Minste hadde Iurven vendenken: dog dewyl hy het tegendeel deede, en een vrij gematigder tale voerde ook bij het depart der gecommitteerdens, de gewo„ „ne beleefdheden, exerceerde, die hij in de eerste Commissie, t' zij willens of door Passie, versuijmt hadde, zo lieten zy het thans daar bij berusten dewijl er daar na geen herstel zoude zijn, en dit uiterste Middel altoos tijds genoeg komt Haar gedrag wierd ook goed gekeurt, en de gehele affaire bleef in deze staat, dewijl de Heer Directeur in geenen deelen konde overgaan om de buitensporigen Eisch van den Heer Hod¬ ges in te Willigen Hoe langer een zaak van deze aard„ slepende werd gehouden, hoe de verbittering Directeur Meerder inworteld, dit deed den Heer ^ Serff besluiten 219 besluijten. Om dezelve uit de Wereld te helpen en daar toe alle Middelen, die zijne Eere, en die van de Natie Permitteerden te besoeken, zelft wel iets meerder doende, dan men in andere Omstandigheden zoude doen, dewijl men niet kan ontkennen, dat aan hare Vriendschap thans meer dan ooit in Souratta gelegen is en een Man van Verstand voor de tijden moet wijken, als hij niet anders Kan. De Heer Hooges hadde zig bij de laatste bij een komst veel gematigder ge„ „toont dan bevoorens en men mogte denken dat hij het ongelijk van sijne kont begon te beschouwen, dit deed den Heer Directeur over hebben, om hem tot een Mond gesprek op een Neutrale Plaatse te laten verzoeken om te zien, of zulks van het gewenste ef„ „fect zoude sijn, ten dien Einde sond zijn Edele op den 14:e den moedij mannik Sada bij den Heer Hodges, dog het antwoord was dat zijn Edele zulks met nodig konde vin„ „den, dewijl hij alles tegen de gecommitteer„ „dens gezegd hadde, en daar bij bleef, zonder van Gedagte te Veranderen Dit mede niet gelukkende agte de Heer Directeur aan het moeijelijk humeur van den Heer Hodges genoeg te hebben, toege¬ „geven inter
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give, and decided to let him blow off his steam, otherwise treating him with the usual outward courtesies. To that end, three days later, or on the 17th, His Honour sent one of his personal servants to inquire, as was customary, after the health of Mr. Hodges, who was slightly indisposed; but this servant initially had to leave without an answer. However, that gentleman seemed to reconsider. For, calling the servant back, he told him that he gladly excused the Director from such courtesies, since he could not accept them as friendship as long as the matter in question was not settled, asking whether the Director was not yet inclined to do so. This servant replied that he was ignorant of his master's interests and thoughts, but knew well that all his efforts were directed toward living in complete friendship with Mr. Hodges, and contributing everything on his part toward that end, and that he would report what His Honour had said. Mr. Hodges, thereupon dropping his sullenness, had in return asked after the welfare of the Director, of his wife, 220 wife and the young lady, Her Honour's daughter, and therewith dispatched the servant. A prominent supplier of the English named Nasserwangie, who has great influence over Mr. Hodges, had been sitting by this, and the said servant waited until he came out of Mr. Hodges's room. When he asked him what he thought of what Mr. Hodges had said, and how he believed His Honour was intentioned regarding the matter in question, this man had declared to that servant that that gentleman was utterly wicked and of such a nature that he would not let this matter drop, but would stand to the utmost on what he demanded; which, if it were not given to him, he would not fail to cause us all kinds of grief. Nesser Wangie also said that he knew his master to be a capricious and obstinate man, and on his own behalf requested the Director to settle this affair in the best possible way, adding that this would serve His Honour more to honor than to detriment, would set all considerations aside and give Mr. Hodges his way, and reflect that one could not better pacify children and unreasonable people. This remonstrance, however reasonable, and however much the Director agreed with it, could nevertheless not move His Honour, given the great consideration that his honor and that of the Nation were involved in it. But the next day, or the 21st, His Honour was not only further petitioned by the said Chellabis and other great merchants, but also the former city governor, Alina Waschan, sent a personal servant whom the Director had sent to His Honour, to urgently request that the matter be concluded. That gentleman had His Honour told to that end that, being thoroughly informed of the state of the dispute and everything that had passed regarding it, he had to testify that the Director was in the right and had also done well to maintain his position; that he had done and offered everything that a reasonable man could and should be satisfied with; that the entire city was displeased and murmured about the conduct of Mr. Hodges and the lack of wisdom he displayed in this, but that His Honour, after all that, requested His Honour to choose the path he proposed to him, namely to yield for this once to the stubbornness of Mr. Hodges, and thereby free the public from the fear that this dispute, which essentially consisted of a trifling matter, might spread further to the detriment of the city, its inhabitants, and commerce. Everyone knew Mr. Hodges and his refractory nature, and the Director was pleased to take the Nawab himself, who had been governor of Surat and by the actions of the English had been stripped of such an eminent government, as an example: he was forced to look upon his enemy in his seat and dance to Mr. Hodges's tune. The Director should now also bite the sour apple, and be assured that such a decision would not only not injure his honor, but would even redound to his honor and earn the thanks and applause of the public. His Honour was informed of the request made by the merchants and added his own thereto, in the expectation that it would be of such weight that the Director would finally be moved to defer to it, as His Honour would otherwise have to fall into the notion that His Honour was as little inclined as Mr. Hodges to settle the matter. At the same time, a confidant of the present city governor, Mier Kotop Aldien, having also arrived with virtually the same message and that very same request, the Director thought he could not well refuse to give in to it, the more so as a just cause loses nothing of its value when, solely to keep peace and quiet, one yields somewhat to the obstinacy of a stubborn person who holds the upper hand. Whereas, on the contrary, if His Honour did not do this now, it might well happen that he would then be equated with Hodges and gain the reputation of being just as stubborn in seeking quarrels with the English, whereby one might finally give occasion for those who currently, as reasonable people,
Dutch transcription
„geven, en besloot hem zijne tuyl te laten uijt„ „tuijlen, tracterende hem Verders, met de gewone uiterlyke beleefdheeden, ten dien Einde sond zijn Ed: drie dagen daar na of op den 17:e een zyner Lyf dienaars, om zig volgens ge„ woonte na de gezondheid van den Heer Hod„ „ges. / die een wijnig onpasselijk was /: te infor„ „meeren, dog deze moest in 't eerst zonder antwoord vertrekken. Egter scheen dien Heer zig te Bedenken. Want den Dienaer wederom Roepende, zeide hij hem, dat hy den Heer Directeur Gaarne Excuseerde van die beleefdheeden, dewijl hij die dog voor geen vriend„ „schap konde aanneemen, zoo lange de be„ „wiste affaire niet was afgemaakt, wagende of den Heer Directeur, nog niet daar toe genegen was? deze bediende antwoorde van syn 's Heers belangen en gedagten onkundig te zijn, maar wel te weeten, dat al zyne po„ „gingen daar heenen strekken, om met den Heer Hodges, in een volmaakte vriendschap te willen Leeven, en van zijne zijde alles daar toe willen Contribueeren, zullende van het gezegde van sijn Edele verslag doen de Heer Hodges daar op zijne stuursheid latende varen, hadde Reciproque na de wel„ stand van den Heer Directeur, van desselfs Gemalinne 220 gemalinne en de Jonge Juffrouw haar wel Edelens dogter gevraagd, en daar mede den Dienaar gedepecheert. Een voornaam Leverancier der Engel¬ „schen genaamt Nasserwangie, die veel ver„ „mogen op den Heer Hodges heeft, hadde hier bij geseeten, en de gemelde dienaar wagte zoo lange, tot dat hij uit het Vertrek van den Heer Hodges kwam. wanneer hij den zelven vroeg. , wat hij van dat gezegde, door den Heer Hodges dagte; en hoedanig hij meende dat sijn Ed: omtrent de bewuste af„ „faire geintentioneert was, Deze man had„ „de aan die Dienaar betuijgd, dat die Heer overgegeven kwaad, en van zoodanigen aard was, dat hij deze saak niet zoude laten slippen, maar tot het uijterste staan, op het geen hij vorderde, het welk wanneer hem niet gegeven wierd, hij niet zoude na¬ „laten ons allerhande verdriet aan te doen Nesser Wangie zeide ook, dat hij zijn Meester Kende voor een Capricieus en onver¬ „zettelyk man. en liet uit zijnen eigenen Naam, den Heer Directeur Versoeken deze affaire op de best mogelyke wijze af te doen, met byvoeging dat zulks zyn Edele meer tot Eere dan nadeel zoude ver„ „strekken mij selfs linne alle Consideratien wilde aan een zyde stellen en den Heer Hodges zijnen wille geven en denken, dat men Kinderen en onverstandige menschen niet beter konde stillen. Dit Vertoog, hoe Redelyk ook en hoe zeer de Heer Directeur het toestemde konde egter zijn Edele niet bewegen, ge„ „merkt de grote Consideratie dat zijne Eere en die van de Natie er in gewikkeld was, dog des anderen daags, of den 21:e wierd zijn Ed. niet alleen nader aangesogt van gem. Tjillebies, en andere grote kooplieden maar ook de gewese stads gouverneur de Heer Alina Waschan liet door een lijf dienaar, die den Heer Directeur bij zijn Wel Edele Hadde gesonden, op het instan„ „tigste versoeken, de saak af te maken die Heer het zijn Eedele ten dien Einde zeg¬ „gen, dat hij van den staat van 't geschil, en alles, wat daar omtrend gepasseerd was, gron¬ „dig geinformeert zijnde, betuijgen moeste dat de Heer Directeur gelijk, en ook wel ge„ „daan hadde, zijne partij staande te houden dat hij alles gedaan en geoffereerd hadden Wat een Redelyk man konde en Moeste te vreden stellen, dat de geheele stad te onvrede was, en murimureerde over het gedrag van Mr. Hosges 222 Hobges, en het onverstand, 't geen hij in dezen liet blijken, maar dat zijn Wel Edele na dat alles zijn Edele liet Versoeken, de Parthij ƒ te kiesen, die hij hem voorsloeg, namentlyk om aan de stijfhoofdigheid van den Heer Hotges voor ditmaal toe te geeven, en daar door het gemeen te bevrijden van een Vrese dat zig dit geschil, 't geen Wesendlijk in een niet naamwaardige zaak bestond tot nadeel van de stad, dies ingesetenen. en den Koophandel verder mogte uitbrei„ „den, Een oder kende den Heer Hodges en zijn Weerbarstig naturel, En de Heer Directeur geliefde hem Nabab zelve, die gouverneur van Souratta was geweest, en door toedoen der Engelschen van zooeen aan„ „zienelykheid gouvernement was ontbloodt tot een voorbeeld te neemen: hij was genood¬ „saakt zijn vyand in zynen zetel en den Heer Hodges na de Oogen te zien, de Heer Directeur wilde thans ook eens door een suuren appel bijten, en verzekerd zijn, dat zoo een besluit niet alleen hem niet in zijne Eere Krenken, maar zelfs tot eere strekken, en den dank en toejuiching van t' gemeen behalen zoude, zijn wel Edele: ^ van was het gedaan versoek der Kooplieden onder„ tel g te an odges onderrigt en voegde het zijne daar Nevens in verwagting dat het van zoodanig gewigt zoude zijn, dat de Heer Directeur, Ende„ „lijk zoude bewogen werden er aan te de„ „fereren, wat dat zijn Edele anders zoude moeten vervallen, in het denkbeeld, dat syn Edele zoo min als de Heer Hodges genegen was de zaak af te doen seffens ook een vertrouweling van den Presenten stads gouverneur, den Heer mier kotop aldien, met genoegsaam de selfde boodschap en dat eigenste versoek geko„ „men zijnde, zoo vermeende de Heer Di„ „recteur, niet wel te kunnen Weigeren, zig daar aan over te geeven, te meer alsd eene Regtvaardige saak, niets van hare Waarde verliesz, wanneer men alleen om Vrede en Rust te houden eenigzints aan de onver„ zettelykheid van een stijl oor toe geeft, die de overmagt in handen heeft, daar in tegen¬ „dele, als zijn Ed: dit nu Niet deed, het dan wel gebeuren konde, dat hij dan met den Hodges gelijk gesteld wierde, en den naam kreeg van even zoo styfhoofdig te zin in broullerijen met de Engelsche te zoeken Waar door men Eindelijk gelegendheid konde geeven, dat de gene die thans als verstandige Lieden
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people looked at the medal on the right side, afterwards they could turn it over like frightened people, which would be water on Mr Hodges his mill. Thus that same forenoon the Secretary Blaaukamer was sent once more to Mr Hodges to try everything again, and if nothing should help, to grant him his desire. Arriving at that gentleman's house, he was received very friendly indeed, but whatever he might present to Mr Hodges, nothing could help; it remained at the insult and satisfaction. It was fine to say that the Lord Director had after all offered everything that a reasonable man could demand, not only through commissioners, but also that His Honour had sent the Moedij to invite Mr Hodges to a personal meeting and even requested to speak to his confidant Nassarwan. Mr Hodges always knew how to bring something against it; the offered satisfaction, he had declared, were those that could not be accepted, and regarding the use of natives in this matter, that such seemed to him as an insult both to the Dutch and the English deputies, as if they were not suited to perform the business. Mr Hodges added a hundred protestations of friendship to it, and that he was sorry that this incident had happened so unfortunately, but this misfortune could not lighten the matter, and it could be made good no less than if it had occurred intentionally. The Secretary did not remain indebted to that gentleman with similar expressions of friendship, and said that just as His Honour declared that he could be satisfied with nothing less than something so striking, he would also please acknowledge that he demanded altogether too harsh things. He added that through his daily intercourse with the Lord Director, who did him the honour of trusting him perhaps too much, he could possibly judge better than anyone of his sentiments regarding Mr Hodges; that he was well assured that he would spare nothing to cultivate his friendship, but that His Honour might please consider for once how a piece of that nature could be accounted for to his masters, and he wanted to place himself once in the place of the Director. Mr Hodges began to laugh and said that if he were in that case, he would from the first moment not have hesitated to finish the matter without fear of bringing his masters' displeasure upon his neck, and he thought that our superiors as little as his would claim to have anyone in their service who did not commit an error, and consequently also not disapprove when he redressed it. It was something different if it had occurred intentionally, but of that Mr Hodges had already acquitted the Lord Director, and the reason why His Honour had fired only such a small salute might possibly find better acceptance elsewhere than with him. He wished, indeed, requested the Lord Director to proceed to his demand in order to see the friendship restored in the most powerful manner. The Secretary, seeming to accept these fine protestations for cash and behaving as if the settlement of the dispute mattered to him more than anyone, said he was glad to find Mr Hodges in so favourable a disposition, and that since he particularly knew how much the Lord Director also leaned towards good understanding, it seemed intolerable to him that that mutual harmony was interrupted by such a trifle. He therefore wanted to see if he could persuade the Lord Director to satisfy Mr Hodges, and to take the shortest route, he asked His Honour whether he would be fully consented if 21 shots were fired from our wharf as he passed, and whether he would answer the same with an equal number. Who would not think that a full-mouthed yes would follow this question, since it contained everything that Mr Hodges had demanded through Captain Glitsch and the English commissioners, surely everyone; but no, His Honour replied he would not have it understood that way, that upon passing the Dutch wharf only a salute of 21 shots should be fired, but that after this had occurred and he had arrived in his garden, an express commission had to be sent to him, which announced to him that the salute fired just now had occurred in amendment of the error committed during the visit. Secretary Blaaukamer rejoined to this that if Mr Hodges pleased to enlarge the satisfaction each time with new additions, he saw no chance to bring an end to matters, that by such a manner of proceeding one seemed justified to infer that His Honour did not seek such very strongly, and thereby contradicted the protestations just made. Mr Hodges said that he very much desired the settlement of affairs, that what he now proposed also did not contradict this, that it was indeed true that he had previously made no mention of any commission, but that in his judgment such followed from it of itself, because otherwise he could not appropriate the salute to himself; for the Lord Director could at the same time arrange a feast in honour of the Prince of Orange and say that the cannon was fired on that occasion, that His Honour was also free at all times to have shots fired, and he, Mr Hodges, happening to pass the wharf by chance, could by no means attribute such to himself. This pretext, however far-fetched and however casual everything should have to
Dutch transcription
223 lieden de medaille aan de Regte zyde be„ „schouwen, naderhand als bevreesde menschen dezelve Konden omkeeren, t' geen Water op den Heer Hodges zijne Tholen zoude wesen Dus wierd dien zelfden voormiddag nog de Secretaris Blaaukamer by den Hr. Hodges gezonden om nogmaals alles te beproeven, en zoo niets mogte hebpen, hem zyne begeerte toe te staan, dezelve by dien Heer Koomende, wierd wel zeer vrien„ delijk ontfangen, maar wat hij den Heer Hodges mogte voorhouden, niets konde helpen het was en bleef by de belediging en Satisfactie, t' was goed zeggen; dat immers de Heer Directeur alles hadde aangebooden, wat een redelyk man konde vorderen, niet alleen door Gecommitteerdens maar ook dat zijn Edele den Moedij hadde gezonden om den Heer Hodges tot een mond„ gesprek te noodigen en zelfs verzogt om zijn vertrouwelyk Nassarwan te spreken De Heer Hodges Wist er altoos wat tegen in te brengen, de aangebode vol„ „doening hadde hij zig gedeclareerd waaren 3 die niet konde werden aangenoomen, en wat belongd het gebruyken van Inlanders in deze zaak, dat hem zulks voorkwam als 1 s syn genegen den zig ƒ naam k H lieden dige de ken gen die „ .. als eene belediging zoo wel voor de hollandse als Engelsche gedupecteerdens, even of die niet aan waren, om de zaak te verrigten de Heer Hodgesvoegde er hondert Protes¬ „tatien van vriendschap bij, en dat het hem leed was, dat dit voorval zoo ongelukkig was gebeurd, maar dit ongeluk konde de zaak Niet verligten, en t' konde niet min„ der vergoed werden, dan of het opsette¬ „lyk geschiet was, De Secretaris bleef dien Heer niet Schuldig met diergelyke betuygingen van vriendschap, en zeede dat gelijk zijn Ed: betuygde, dat hij met minder dan zoo Eclatant konde voldaen werden, hij ook geliefde te erkennen, dat hij ook al te harde Dingen vorderde hij voegde daar bij dat hij door de dage„ lykse verkeering, met den Heer Directeur die hem de Eere doed van hem te veel te vertrouwen mogelijk beter dan iemand van zyne Sentimenten, omtrend den Heer Hodges konde oordeelen. dat hij wel verse„ kert was dat hij niets ontzien zoude om zyne Vriendschap te Cultiveeren, maar dat zyn Ed: eens geliefde te bedenken, hoe een stuk van die Notirs bij zijne mees„ ters zoude te verantwoorden zyn, en hy wilde 224 wilde zig zelve eens in Plaats van den Directeur stellen De Heer Hodges begon te lachen en zeide, dat wanneer hij in dat geval was hij van t' Eerste ogenblek af niet zoude gehasiteerd hebben de zaak af te maken zonder Vrese van sijn s'Meesters ongenoe„ „gen. zig op den Hals te halen, en hy dagte dat zoo min onse Superieuren, als de zijne houden Pretendeeren omand in haren dienst te hebben, die niet een abuys beging, en by gevolge ook Niet misdiuden Wanneer hy ƒ t'Redresseerde, t' was wat anders als het opzettelyk geschiet was, maar daar van hadde de Heer Hodges, den Heer Di¬ „recteur Reeds vrij gekend, ende Reeden Waarom sijn Edele maar zoo een klein Salut hadde gedaan, konde mogelyk elders beter ingang vinden dan bij hem hij Wenste, Ja, Versogt den Heer Di¬ recteur om tot zynen Eisch over te gaan Om de vriendschap op het allerkragtigste hersteld te zien, De Secretaris deze fraije 'it betuigingen voor Contante Mundt Schynene Aen te Neemen, en zig gedragende, als of hem meer dan iemand aan de Assopiatie Van het Verschil gelegen Was, zeide Verheugt te dat wilde te zyn den Heer Hodges in zo een genegere dispositie te vinden, en dat dewijl hij bij son„ „der wist, hoe Keer de Heer Directeur, mede tot de goede Intelligentie vverhelde, het hem onverdragelijk scheen, dat die wederzijd„ „se overeenstemming, door zoo een beuseling wierd geinternumpeerd, Hij wilde daar on d zien of hij den Heer Directeur, konde o„ „verhalen, om den Heer Hodges te voldoen en om de Korste weg maar in te slaan, vrogg hij zijn Edele, of hij ten vollen zoude gecon¬ „senteerd zijn, wanneer er van onze werff 21: Schooten gedaan Wierden als hij Pos¬ seerde, en of hij dezelve met een gelijk getal zoude beantwoorden! Wie moest nu niet Denken dat op deze vrage, een volmondig Jae soude volgen, dewijlse alles behelsde wat den Heer Hodges door den Capitain Glitsch, en de Engelsche gecommitteerdens gevordert hadden, immers yder een: maar neen zijn Ed: Repliceerde het zo met zoo niet begrepen hebben. dat er bij het Passeren der Hollandse werff. alleen een Salut van 23: Schoten, zoude gedaan werden, maar dat hem na dat zulks geschied, en hij in zynen thuin gearriveert was een Expresse Commissie moesten werde gesonden, die hem 225 hem annonceerde dat het zoo Eeren Gedane Salut geschiet, was tot betering van het begane abuys by de Visite, De Secretaris Blaaukamer, diende hier op dat wanneer de Heer Hodges de voldoening telkens met nieuwe additien geliefde te vergroten, hij geen kans zag, om een Einde van zaken te bewer„ „ken, dat men door zo eene manier van handelen scheen te mogen opmaken, dat zyn Ed: zulks met zeer sterk zogt, en daar door de zoo even gedane Protestatien tegen sprak de Heer Hodges zeide, dat hy de afdoening van sa„ „ken zeer verlangde, dat ook het geen hy nu voorstelde zulks niet tegensprak, dat Wel waar was, dat hij bevorens van geene her Commissie, gewag hadde gemaakt, maar dat na zijn oordeel zulks van zelft er uit volgde dewyl hij zig anders het salut niet konde toeeygenen, want dat de Heer Directeur ter zelver tyd wel een Festyn ter eere van de Prins van Oranje konde aanregten, en zeggen dat bij die gelegendheid t' Canon, was gelost dat t' zijn Ed: ook vrijstond ten allen tyden is te laten Schieten, en hij /: M:r Hodges / by geval voorbij de Werf koomende zig geenzints zulks konde toereekenen dit voorwerdsel hoe verre gesogt en hoe Casueel alles zoude moeten Zijd¬ og g 1 tal dig de tain dens maar P ƒ N hij hem sse in maar
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had to happen, still had to proceed, and whatever was brought against it could be of no avail; this was now the final step, and then everything would be settled and considered as not having occurred. The Lord Director, having already resolved to settle this dispute, and further urged thereto by the aforementioned Nabab and Merchants, did not wish to wrangle any longer with the headstrong and at the same time capricious Lord Hodges, and therefore decided not only to give him the required salute in passing by, but also at the same time to send two commissioners to him, to announce to him that this had been done for him as a supplement to the cannon shots which he claimed to have received too few of at his first visit. The Secretary therefore went again the next day, or the 22 of the same month, to the Lord Hodges, and told him in the name of the Lord Director that His Honour might please to judge the sincerity of the mutual expressions of friendship, that His Honour had repeatedly raised his demands during the same, and that the Lord Director, for the preservation of good understanding, stepped over all considerations and conceded more than could in fairness be demanded; that His Honour had therefore resolved to give him the required salute whenever he pleased to have it, and that the Lord Director requested him to choose the first opportunity for it, even if it were today, but that one must at the same time again present the difficulty which had been the principal cause that no more than 15 shots had been fired at the first salute, namely that they had no more cannon on the rampart, and that His Honour, being constantly fearful of accidents at the repetition of so few guns, requested the Lord Hodges to send him some artillerymen, or not to take it amiss that the missing shots were completed from a vessel lying before the yard. The Lord Hodges, having reflected upon this, appeared not to have much inclination to send his people, nor that it should be fired from the vessel, but proposed that it was indeed little trouble to bring some pieces from the vessel onto the rampart, but that he in any case left this to the Lord Director, although in his opinion it would look better to do as he had proposed; that in accordance with the agreement he would ride this afternoon to his garden, and in passing by inquire after the health of the Lord Director, and then await the salute as well as the deputation, which being accomplished, he would return thanks with an equal number of shots. Requesting only that the Lord Director would please to send him word whether it suited His Honour today or not. This matter being now thus far settled, the Lord Director deemed it, for reasons, not unserviceable to have the missing ordnance brought from the vessel onto the yard, as was done accordingly, appointing the Merchant and Fiscal M:r Gerbrand de Jonge and the Secretary Blaaukamer to go and see the Lord Hodges when he should have arrived in the garden, and to whom His Honour made known through a servant that the settlement could proceed today. In consequence thereof, the Lord Hodges rode towards the evening in full state to the garden, accompanied by his entire Council, and in passing by the Yard was greeted with 23 shots. Whereafter, when he had arrived in the garden, the said deputies went to tell him that the salute given had been fired for him as a supplement to the cannon shots which he claimed to have received too few of at his first visit, likewise at the same time inquiring whether His Honour was now satisfied; The Lord Hodges, having heard this, testified to being completely satisfied and to regarding the matter as not having occurred. He immediately had the flag, which had been struck since the sun in the meantime had set, hoisted again, and had 23 shots fired from the battery on the English Yard, while drinking a glass of friendship, which was followed by several more, showing himself as friendly as if nothing had happened, and assured that henceforth a close friendship would be mutually maintained. And with this, this affair came to an end to the general satisfaction of the inhabitants of Souratta. [in the margin:] Souratta the 1 March 1764. [was signed:] W=m Blaaukamer. To the Right Honourable Christian Lodewijk Senff: Director and Chief Administrator of this Directorate. Right Honourable Sir, The French Chief, Mr. de Briancourt, having paid his first visit to Your Right Honour on 16 January last, and having been saluted with 15 cannon shots upon his arrival and departure, without having made any criticism thereof, until M:r Hodges, having been greeted with a like number of shots upon a similar occasion on 7 February, had complained about it on the 9th of that month, and this matter was finally settled on the 22nd following, and notwithstanding having thought fit, three days thereafter or on 25 February, to address a letter to Your Right Honour concerning this, which declaration reads as follows: Translation of a French missive to the Right Honourable Christian Lodewijk Senff, Director and
Dutch transcription
moeten gebeuren, moeste nogtans doorgaan en wat er tegen wierd ingebragt, konde met baten, dit was nu het finaale, en dan zoude alles afgedaan en voor niet gepasseerd ge„ „rekent worden De Heer Directeur reets gedeter„ „mineert dit verschil af te doen, en nog na„ „der door de voormelde Nabab en Kooplieden daar toe aangespood, wilde met den Suijfhoof„ „digen en teffens wispelturigen Heer Hodges niet langer Harre warren, en besloot uit dien hoofde, hem niet alleen in t' voorbij Passeeren het gevorderde Salut te geeven maar ook teffens twee gecommitteerdens aan hem te zenden, om hem aan te kon„ „digen, Dat zulx voor hem gedaan was tot Supplement van de Canonschooten, die hij sustineerde bij zyne eerste visite te min ontfangen te hebben De Secretaris ging dierhalven des anderen daags, of den 22 der zelver maand, weder bij den Heer Hodges, en Zeide hem uit naam van den Heer Directeur, dat zijn Ed: geliefde te oordeelen, van de Opregtheid der Wederzydsche betuijgingen van Vriendschap, dat zijn Ed: by de zelve telkens van Eisch was opgeslagen, en dat de 226 Heer Directeur tot Conservatie van de goede intelligentie wel over alle Consideratien heen stapte en meer toestond, dan in billyk „heid te vorderen was, dat zijn Ed: zig dier„ „halven gedetermineert hadde, hem het gevorderde salut te geven, Wanneer hy dat geliefde te hebben, en dat de Heer Di„ „recteur hem versogt daar toe de eerste gelegendheid te verkiesen al was 't heden maar dat men teffens weder moeste voor„ „stellen, de swarigheid, die de voorname oor„ „zaak was geweest, dat bij t' eerste salut niet meer dan 15 Schoten gedaan waren namentlyk dat men geen Canon meer op de wal hadde, en dat zijn Ed: althoos bij de der herhaling van zoo wijnig geschut, bevreest zijnde, voor ongelukken, den Heer Hodges versogt hem, eenige Arthilleristen te Zen¬ „den, of niet qualyk te Neemen, dat de Mankerende Schoten van een voor de werf leggende storrij gecompleteerd wierden, De Heer Hodges, zig hier op bedagt hebbende scheen niet veel zin te hebben om zijn volk te zenden. nog ook dat er van het vaarthuig geschoten wierd, maar Proponeerde, dat het immers wijnig moeite was, om van de Horry eenige stukken op de wal te Brengen, dog dat de de dat hy in alle gevalle zulks aan den Heer Directeur Overliet, schoon het zyns bedin„ kens beter zoude staan te doen, gelyk hy voorgesteld hadde, dat ingevolge de Conventie heden namiddag na zynen thuyn zoude ryden en in 't Passeeren na de gezondheid van den Heer Directeur laten verneemen, en dan het Salut benevens de Commissie afwagten, dewelke verrigt zynde, zoude hij met gelyke schoten bedanken. Versoekende eenelyk dat de Heer Directeur hem maar bescheid geliefde te zenden, of Het zijn Edele heden gelegen kwam of Niet Deze zaak nu dus Verre vereffend zynde. oordeelde de Heer Directeur, om reden met ondienstig, om het manqueerende geschut van de Horrij op de werf te laten brengen gelyk illied geschiede, benoemende den koop„ „man en Fiscaal M:r Gerbrand de Jonge en den Secretaris Hlaaukamer, om den Heer Hodges te gaan zien, wanneer hij in de tuijn zoude zijn gekoomen, en aan wien zijn Edele door een Dienaar liet weeten, dat de afdoe„ „ning heden konde voortgang hebben In gevolge van dien reed de Heer Hodges tegen den avond in volle Statie na de thuyn, verseld van zijn geheelen Raad en en Wierd in t Passeeren van de Werff, met 23 Schoten begroet. Waar na toen hij in de thuijn was gekoomen, de genoemde gedepu„ „teerdens, hen gingen zeggen, dat het gedane Solut voor hem was geschiet tot supplement van de Canonschoten, die hij sustineerde bij sin eerste visite te min ontfangen te hebben, Item teffens afvragende, of zyn Edele nu voldaan was; De Heer Stodges dit hebbende aan¬ gehoort betuijgde volkomen voldaan te zyn en de zaak als niet gepasseerd. aan te merken Leet aanstonds de vlag die gestreken was mits de zon intussen was ondergegaan, weder heyssen, en van de Batterij op de engelsche Werff 23 Schoten doen, onder het drinken van een glas van Vriendschap, dat van nog eenige gevolgd wierd. tonende zig zo Vriende„ „lijk, als of er niets gepasseerd was, en verse„ kerde, dat men thans over en weder een Naauwe Vriendschap zoude onderhouden En hier mede haar deze Historij tot Algemeen Contantement van de inwoonders van Souratta een Eynde. /:onderstond:/ Souratta den 1 Maart 1764. /:was /getekend:/ W=m Blaaukamer. Accenderd De Vind Plgflang 227 200 en 2 228 Aan den Wel Edelen Agt„ baaren Heer, Christiaan Lodewijk Jenff: Directeur en Hoofd administrateur deezer Directie Wel Edele Agtbaare Heer. _ De Fransche Ch.f Mr. de Briancourt den 16 Januarij Jongstleeden de eerste visite by uw wel Edele agtb: afgelegt hebbende, en met 15 Canon schoten, bij desselfs komst. en vertrek gesalueerd zijnde, zonder daar op eenige Critique Gemaakt te hebben, tot M:r Hodges bij diergelike eene gelegendheid den 7 Febr:ij, met een dito getal van schooten begroet zynde, daar over den 9=e dier maand zig hadde beswaard, en deze zaak den 22:e daarvan volgende finaal was afgedaen en des niet te min goedgevonden hebbende, drie dagen daar na of den 25 febru: aan Uw wel Edele Agtb: daar over een schryven te addresseeren welke Verklaring aldus Luijd Translaat van een Fransche missive aan den Wel Edele Agtb: Heer, Christiaan Lode¬ „wijk Serff, Directeur en
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and Chief Ruler of this Directorate, from Mr. Anquetil de Briancourt, Chief of the French Nation, dated here in the French Lodge at Souratta the 25th of February 1764. Sir, Being assured of the purity of Your Honour's intentions with respect to the respective rights of the nations, I hope that Your Honour will not take amiss the small remonstrance which I have the honour to make to Your Honour today. Your Honour is not unaware that the flag of His Most Christian Majesty yields in nothing to that of His Britannic Majesty. When I had the honour to visit Your Honour, Your Honour had the flag of the King my Master saluted with 15 cannon shots, instead of twenty-one as is the customary practice. I did not take exception to this at that time, seeing that Your Honour then excused yourself in that regard by saying that Your Honour had no more pieces. Your Honour has since acted likewise with the English, but upon the representations of the latter, and after having maturely considered the matter, Your Honour acknowledged your mistake and made no difficulty in correcting this irregularity, since Your Honour thought fit yesterday to salute the flag of the King of England with twenty-one cannon shots, pursuant to the arrangements made in that respect between Your Honour and the English gentlemen. Your Honour, Sir, is far too well-bred and far too courteous not to grant what the honour of my nation now obliges me to demand of Your Honour, as soon as Your Honour has consented to the same for the English. If Your Honour were of a different opinion, it would seem to me to be grounded on nothing other than a slight esteem for the flag of the King of France. I am very far from believing such a thing, and I flatter myself that Your Honour will be willing to lend assistance to an expedient whereby my decorum will be preserved, and in which there will be nothing that could be disagreeable to Your Honour. On the contrary, this expedient, which I shall have the honour to communicate to Your Honour as soon as it pleases Your Honour, is of such a nature that Your Honour will perceive therein how little I demand concerning this mistake, in order to maintain the good understanding and especially the sincere friendship that exists in Souratta as well as elsewhere with so much harmony between Your Honour's nation and ours. I have the honour to be with respect, beneath stood: Sir, lower: Your Honour's most humble and most obedient servant, was signed: Anquetil De Briancourt, beneath stood: for the translation, was signed: O. H. Auperti. Thus Your Honourable Worship thought fit to commission me, the undersigned, to repair to the said Mr. de Briancourt, and to represent to His Honour on behalf of Your Honourable Worship how greatly Your Honourable Worship was surprised at the contents of his letter, seeing that he had been content for almost a whole month with the reason that Your Honourable Worship had given him orally on the very day he had visited Your Honourable Worship; that it was indeed true that Your Honourable Worship had complied somewhat with the demand of the English Chief, Mr. Hodges, but that this had only occurred at the unanimous request of all native rulers and principal merchants of the city, urging to yield in this matter to the obstinacy of Mr. Hodges; that consequently Mr. Briancourt could not make this case applicable to himself, and that Your Honourable Worship also hoped that he would not demand a public reply to his letter, as it contained certain expressions which, if they had to be answered properly, would notoriously break the friendship and possibly give occasion to all too great an estrangement. Pursuant thereto, I, the undersigned, went to the house of the said Mr. de Briancourt and presented to him all the above, which he heard with much friendliness, and to which he replied: That it was indeed true that on the 16th of January he had acquiesced in what Your Honourable Worship had told him regarding the 15 shots, and would still have been satisfied therewith had not greater honour been shown subsequently to the flag of Great Britain than to that of his King; that one could not deny that in all Europe His Most Christian Majesty held precedence over all kings, and that His Majesty's rights in India were the same, so that he, Mr. De Briancourt, without detracting from his master's honour and thereby incurring grave accountability, could not permit, as far as lay within his power, that more honour should be shown to the English flag than to the French; that the matter here did not depend on the greater or lesser rank of the persons who carried the flag, but on the flag itself, which was the King's flag everywhere it flew, and that the salute was fired not for the person who carried it on the Sovereign's behalf, but for the Sovereign himself; that regarding the expedient of which he had made mention in his letter, it would be very easy to find one, seeing that he did not intend to pitch matters so high as Mr. Hodges, and that he had expected from Your Honourable Worship's friendship that one would be proposed to him: that for example, when going to the French garden he passed by the Wharf, he would send a servant to inquire after Your Honourable Worship's health, whereupon Your Honourable Worship could render him the same honour as had been shown to Mr. Hodges, without his however claiming a special delegation in that regard, and that it could also take place in a less striking
Dutch transcription
en Hoofd Gebieder, deezer Directie van den Heer Anque¬ „til, de Briancourt, chef der Fransche Natie, alhier gedateerd in de fransche Logie te Souratta den 25e: February 1764. Mijn Heer Verzekert zynde van de zuyverheid van uw wel Ed:s intentie ten opsigte van de Respective Regten der Natien, hope ik dat uw Wel Ed, het klyne Vertoog, t' welke ik de Eere hebbe uw Ed Ed: heden te doen, niet Qualijk zal duijden UwElEd: is niet onbekent, dat de vlag van zyne aller Christelijke Majesteijdt, aan die van zyne groot-Brittannische Majesteyd, in niets wykt, toen ik de Eere hebbe gehad, Uw. welEd: te bezoeken, heeft UwelEd: de vlag van Koning mijnen Meester, met 15: Canonschoten doen begroeten, in steede van Een en twintig zoo als doorgaans het gebruik is, Ik hebbe my te dier tijd daar over niet geformaliseerd, aange„ „sien UwelEd: zig toen dien aangaande Excu„ „seerde, met te zeggen, dat UwEEEd, niet meer stukken hadde, UwelEd, heeft 't zeedert eever eens gehandeld met de Engelsche, maar op de vertogen deezer Laatste, en na selve de zaak ryselyk 229 Rypelijk Overwoogen te hebben, heeft UwelEd: desselfs mislag erkend. en geene swarigheijd ge„ „maakt deze inregulariteyd te verbeteren, ver„ „mits uw welEd: gisteren heeft goedgevonden de vlagge van den Koning van Engeland, met een en twintig Canonschooten te begroeten, ingevol„ „ge de schikkingen, ten dien opzigte tusschen UwelEd: en de Heeren Engelsche genoomen Uw wel Edele, Mijn Heer weet al te wel te leeven en is al te heusch, om niet toe te staan t' geene de Eere van mijne Natie, mij thans nood„ zaakt van Uw welEd: te Eisschen, zoo dra uw wel Ed: t' zelve aan de Engelsche heeft bewilligd Indien uw wel Ed van andere gedagten ware zouden dezelve mij toeschynen, op niet anders te kunnen gegrond zijn, als op een kleijn Agting Voor de Vlag van den Kooning Van Vrankrijk, Ik ben zeer verre van zulks te gelooven, en ik vleije mij dat uwwwelEd: wel sal willen de stand leenen, tot een Middel waar door myn Decorum, zal bewaard blijven en waar in Niets zal steeken, dat uwwelEd: kan naargenaam zijn, In tegendeel dit middel, t' welke ik de Eere zal hebben UwwwelEd te Communiceeren, zoo dra het UwwelEd zal aard gelieven, is van zoodanig een raad, dat uuwel Ed: daar int sal bespeuren, hoe wijnig ik aangaen„ „de a de elijk f Aangaande dezen Misslag Eische, om de goede verstandhouding, en voor al de opregte vriendschap te onderhouden, die te souratta zoo wel als elders, met zoo veel eens gezindheid tussen uw welEdele Natie, en de onze bestaat Ik hebbe de Eere met Respect te zijn /:onder„ „stond:/ Mijn Heer /:Lager:/ UwwelEd:s zeer ootmoedige en zeer gehoorsamen Dienaar /:was getekend:/ Anquetil De Briancourt /:onderstond :/ voor de vertaling /:was getekend:/ O: H: Auperti zoo vond uw wel Edele Agtb: goed mij my onder getekenden te Committeeren, om bij gem: Mr: de Briancourt te vervoegen; en zijn Ed: van wegens Uw. welEdeles agtb: te vertoonen hoe zeer uw wel Edele Agtb: over den inhoud van desselfs schrijven; verwondert was, nade„ „maal hij zig bijna een geheele Maard lang hadde te vreede gehouden, met de Reden, die uw wel Edele agtb: hem dienzelven dag, dat hy bij uw wel Edele agtb: was geweest, daar van mondelyk hadde gegeven, dat het wel waar was, dat uw wel Edele Agtb: zig eenigsints na de Pretentie van den Engelschen Chef. Mr. Hodges, hadde gevoegt, Maar dat zulx alleen geschid was, op t' eenparig Versoek van alle inlandsche Regenten, en voornaamste Kooplieden der 230 der Stad om dog in dit stuk aan de styfhoofdig„ „heid van M=s Hodges, te willen toegeven, dat bij gevolg M:r Briancourt, dit geval op zig zelven niet applicabel, konde Maken, en dat uw welEdele Agtb: ook hoopte, dat hy geen pr„ „blicq antwoord, op zijn Brief Pretendeeren zoude, also daar bij eenige uitdrukkingen ver„ „vat stonden die als ze na behoren moesten be„ antwoord werden. Notoir de Vriendschap breken en mogelijk tot al te grote verwijdering aan„ „leijding zoude geeven Ingevolge van dien hebbe ik ondergete„ „kende, mij ten huise van Welm: M:r de Bri„ „ancourt begeeven, en hem al het bovenstaande voorgedragen. t' welk hij met veel Vriendelyke „heid aanhoorde, en daar op antwoorde: Dat het wel waar was; dat hij den 16e: Januarij bij het gene Uw welEdele Agtb: hem aangaan„ de de 15 Schooten gezegd hadde, hadde geacquieesceerd, en daar mede als nog zoude genoegen Neemen, ten ware aan de vlag van Groot Brittanien naderhand meerder Eere bewesen was, als aan die van zijnen Koning, Dat men niet konde ontkennen, dat in Gantsch Europa zijne aller Christelijke Majesteydt den Rang hadde voor alle koningen, en dat zijn Majes¬ „terds Regten in India dezelve waren, zulks hy lieden der H hij M:r De Briancourt; zonder aan zynes mees„ „ters Eere te kort doen, en daar door in een dope verantwoording te geraken, niet mogte gedagen zoo veel in hem was, dat aan de Engelsche vlag „ aan meer Eere wierd bewesen als de Fransche— dat het hier niet aankwam op de meerdere of mindere qualiteijd der gene die de vlag voer¬ „den, maar op de vlag zelve, die s' Konings vlag was Over al daar zij waaijde, en dat het salut gedaan wierd niet voor de Persoon die de„ „zelve van 5 souvereins wegen voerde. Maar voor den Souverlijn zelve, Dat aangaande met middel daar van hij bij zynen Brief hadde ge¬ „wag gemaakt, het zeer gemakkelyk zoude zyn er een uit te vinden, nademaal hy de sna„ ren zoo hoog niet meende te spannen als M:r Hodges, en dat hij van UwwelEdele Agtb: Vrindschap hadde verwagt, dat er hem een zoude voorgeslagen worden: Das bij voorbeeld, wanneer hij na den Franschen tuyn gaande voorby de Werff Passeerde, door het zenden van een lijfdie„ „naar na Uw wel Edele Agtb: gezondheid zoude laten verneemen, als wanneer uw wel Edele Agtb: hem dezelfde Eere konde aandoen, als Aan Mr. Hodges was bewesen, zonder dat hy egter eene Expresse bezending dien aangaande Presenteerde, dat het ook op eene minder eclatan„ te
English
manner could take place when your Right Honorable, going to Zorgvliet while he should be in the French garden, his Honor would send to your Right Honorable to ask whether your Right Honorable would not take it amiss that his Honor came there to drink a cup of tea, at which time, upon his reception, the 25 shots from the vessels could be fired, and in both cases answered from the French garden with an equal number; that his Honor left it to your Right Honorable to accept one of these means or to propose such other as yourself should deem proper, as he would gladly lend a hand to all proposals, provided only that the main point were satisfied. Having returned with this answer and having duly reported on everything, your Right Honorable let the matter rest there, in the expectation that Mr. Briancourt, upon further consideration of his demand, would naturally understand the unreasonableness implied therein and on that account would desist from it. However, when your Right Honorable shortly afterwards sent to ask whether it would be convenient to pay a return visit, and he positively, though in friendly terms, declined until the aforesaid dispute should be settled, your Right Honorable sent me anew to him in order to bring him, if possible, to a different view. But this was absolutely impossible, although I assured him in the name of your Right Honorable that your Right Honorable would not make the slightest objection to it, even if he did not wish to fire a single shot upon paying the return visit. Nevertheless, at the conclusion of the conference, he let slip this declaration, namely: "Does Mr. Senff not remember then that I am a Frenchman, and for no reason whatsoever, even when requested, am capable of committing such an impoliteness? But I am sorry that none of my proposals has been accepted or another acceptable one made; however, to show how greatly I esteem the friendship of Mr. Senff, I will make yet another, which has since occurred to me, consisting in this: that my wife and eldest daughter, who are currently unwell, being a little better, I shall go to the garden and inform Mr. Senff thereof, whereupon the same will have the goodness, on such a day as pleases him, to send a European to me with a message which I will pretend not to understand, and answer aloud thereto that since I cannot understand what Mr. Senff means by it, I will come to him myself to hear what the matter is; and being then received with the proper salute, it will be answered by my artillery, and the matter thus settled to mutual satisfaction." And since your Right Honorable, after taking the advice of the Council, considered that this last proposal could very easily be accepted, and thereby clear the dispute with Mr. Briancourt out of the way, as he would then make two visits and at the latter be saluted with only 21 shots, which would also immediately be answered from the French garden with an equal number, I proceeded thither again to give his Honor notice of this resolution, which will certainly be complied with shortly, and thus this matter will be brought to an end. I have the honor to call myself with all due respect, Right Honorable Sir, your Right Honorable's very humble, very obedient servant, signed: J. Swijndrecht signed: P: Hk Ruperti. In the margin: Souratta the 27th of April Anno 1764. Examined. Agreed. J. P. Eyndhoven, Dr. Clercq For the Company. Extract from the Resolutions taken in the Council of Policy at Souratta on Monday the 26th of March Anno 1764. After this, the Director made known to the meeting that, wishing to make a start with the necessary repairs to the buildings on the wharf, he had repeatedly had permission requested for this through a native servant according to custom, and at first also obtained it; but when he had had to come back rather frequently, the overseer of the buildings on behalf of the Castle had informed him "that he did not dare take so much upon himself, but that one must address the English Chief, Mr. Hodges, in person regarding this." That his Honor had thereupon spoken to that gentleman about it and requested him to please send a knowledgeable man who could inspect everything that needed to be repaired; that this had also been done, and everything had been shown to him by his Honor in person; but that his Honor, having received no answer to this after the lapse of two months, sent anew to Mr. Hodges and then received this reply from him: "That he had indeed already received his orders from Bombay, but that he could not, however, declare himself concerning this before the request regarding the repairs was submitted in writing." And although this latter consisted of an innovation, his Honor nevertheless considered that one ought to proceed to it, for which a letter had also already been prepared, which, being read, was found to be of the following content: [Blank] And since the collective members find nothing to object to therein, and are of the opinion, along with the Director, that it is best to adapt to the times and concede as much as possible, it was resolved to dispatch the letter without the slightest alteration and have it delivered by two Council members. Agreed, N: Holmberg Secretary Examined. wiardi
Dutch transcription
231 „te wyse konde geschieden, wanneer uw wel Edele Agtb: naar Zorgiry gaande, als hij in de fran„ „sche tuijn zoude weesen; zijn Ed: bij uw wel o zoude zanden, om te vragen of uwEd Agtb: Edele Agtb ^ niet qualyk geliefde te neemen dat zyn Ed: aldaar een Kopje Thee quam drin„ „ken, als wanneer bij zijne Receptee de 25 Schoten. van de vaarthuygen konde gedaan, en in beide gevallen van den Franschen tuijn, met een gelyk getal zouden beantwoord werden, dat zijn Ed: aan uw wel Edele Agtb: overliet, een van deze middelen te Accepteeren, of zoodanig ander voor te slaan, als zelve soude goedvinden alsoo hij tot alle Propositien gaarne de hand zoude leenen, mits alleenlyk aan het Hoofd Poinct, wierde voldaan- met dit antwoord gereverteerd zijnde en van alles behoorlyk Rapport gedaan hebben¬ „de, liet uw wel Ed Agtb: de zaak daar bij berusten, in verwagting, dat M:r Briancourt bij nadere overweeging, van synen Eisch van zelfs wel de onbillykheid, die daar in opgeslo„ „ten Legt, begrijpen, en uit dien hoofde daar van af zien zoude Dog wanneer uw welEd: Agtb: kort naderhand belet liet wagen, om een Contra vi„ site af te leggen, en hij zulks Positief, dog in vriendelyke termen van de hand wies, tot het : clatan. het voormeldste verschil zoude afgedaan zijn zoo zond uw wel Ed agtb: mij op 't Nieuw bij hem, om hem des mogelyk in een ander concept te brengen maar zulks was voorstrekt ommo„ „gelijk: schoon ik ut uw wel Ed: Agtb: naam verzekerde, dat uw wel Ed: agtb: geen deminste Aanmerking daar op maken soude, al was t' ook, dat hij bij het doen van de Contra vichte geen enkelde schoot wilde doen, Egter liet hy zig tot slot van de Conferentie deeze Decla„ „ratie ontvallen te weeten de Heer Serff hes„ „innert zig dan niet dat ik een Franschman „ben, en om geenerleij reeden, zelfs met des ver„ „„sogt zijnde Capabel ben zulk eene Impoli„ „rtesse te begaan, maar het doet mij leed, dat „geene van mijne Propositien is aangenoomen „ of een andere aanneemelijke gedaan, om egter te „toonen hoe groot ik de vriendschap van mijn „ Heer Serff Estimeere, zal ik er nog eene andere „doen, die mij 't zeedert is te binnen geschoten „ bestaande hier in, dat mijne vrouw, en oudste Dogtertje, die thans niet wel zyn, een wijnig beter zijnde, ik naar den thuijn zal gaan, en zulks „mijn Heer Serff laten weeten, als wanneer dezel„ „ve de goedheid zal hebben, op zodanig eenen dag „als het hem belieft, een Europeesch bij mij te „zenden met een boodschap, die ik zal veirsen niet 232 „niet te kunnen verstaan, en daar op Overluid „antwoorden, dat alsoo ik niet kan begrijpen „wat de Heer Senff daar, meede meent, ik zelve by „hem zal koomen, om te hooren wat de zaak „ is, en als dan met het behoorlyk salut ontfangen „wordende zal het door mijn geschut beant„ „woord worden, en de zaak dus tot wederzijds „genoegen afgedaan zijn. 6d En dewyl uw wel Ed: Agtb: na t' advijs van den Raad ingenoomen te hebben, Vermeende dit Laatste voorstel, zeer gemakkelyk te kunnen accepteeren, en daar door het Verschil met Mr Briancourt uit den weg Ruijmen. also hij dan Twee visites zoude doen, en bij de laatste maar met 21: schooten gesalueerd, en die ook ter stond weder uijt de Fransche Tuyn, met een gelyk getal beantwoord werden, zoo heb ik mij we¬ „der derwaards vervoegd, om zyn E: van deeze Resolutie kennis te geeven, waar aan ook zeekerlijk binnen korten voldaan, en dus deze saak daar meede ge eijndigt zal weesen Ik hebbe de Eere my met alle verschuldigt ontsag te noemen /:onderstond:/ Wel Edele Agtbare Heer. /:lager:/ uw wel Ed: agtb: zeer ootmoedigen, zeer gehoorzame Dienaar /:was geteekend:/ te dere ten beter 2 ze„ dag vaersen niet J Swijndrecht /:was geteekend:/ P: H=k Ruperti. /:in marginen Souratta den 27. e April A=o 1764. Nagesien Accordeerdt. J Dr P Ey Clercq gine 233 Voor de Comp Extract uit de Resolutien genomen in Rade van Politie te Souratta op Maandag den 26 Maart a. o 1764. Hierna maakte de Heer Di¬ recteur aan de vergaadering bekent, dat hij met de nodige verhelpingen aan de gebouwen op de werf een begin willende maken, telkens daar toe volgens onder gewoonte, door een Inlandsche bediende per¬ „missie hadde laten vragen en in't eerst ook verkregen, dog wanneer hij wat dikwils wederom hadde moeten komen, dat hem toen de opsiender der Gebouwen van Wegers „t Casteel hadden laten weten „dat hy zo veel niet op zig dunt de nemen maar dat men zig dier We¬ „gens aan 't Engels opperhoofd den „ Heer Hodges zelfs moeste addres „seeren„ Dat zyn Ed hier op dien Heer daer over hadde onderhouden en E 2 15 en versoeken laten, een kundig man te willen zenden, die alles wat en gemaakt moeste werden, zelfs be= sigtigen konden, Dat dit ook geschied en hem door zyn Ed zelfs in persoon alles aangeweesen was; Dog dat zyn Ed: na Verloop van twee maanden daar op geen antwoord erlangt heb¬ bende, op 't nieuw bij Den Heer Hod¬ ges gezonden, en toen van hem dit bescheyd gekregen hadde „ Dat hy „wel bereeds zyne ordres van Bombay „ontfangen hadde, maar dat hy zig „egter dien aangaande niet declaree- ren konde, voor het versoek wegens „de verhelpingen schriftelyk voorge „dragen was„ En schoon dit laatste „ in eene nieuwigheid bestond, dat zyn Ed Egter vermeende, dat men daer toe zoude dienen over te gaan, en waar toe ook bereeds een briefje en gereedheid was gebragt, het welk gelesen zinde van den volgenden Inhoud word bevonden Ins. En 234 En dewijl de gezamentlijke Leeden daar aan niets weten uijt te setten, en met den Heer Directeur van ge¬ voelen zyn, dat het best is zig in den tyt te schrikken, en zo veel toe te geven, als mogelyk is, zowerd geresolveert, het briefje zonder de minste verandering afgaan, en door twee Raads leeden bestellen te laten. Accordeert, N: Holmberg P: Secret:s agezien wiardi
English
235 For the Company. Extract from the Resolutions taken in the Council of Policy at Souratta. Monday the 9th of April Anno 1764. Hereafter was resumed a translation of an English missive dated the 30th of March last, received from Mr. Hodges and Council in answer to ours of the 26th preceding, of the following content: Insert. The Lord Director testified in that respect that he, having read therein that while all other repairs to the buildings on the wharf were indeed permitted, that of the powder magazine alone was positively refused, on the 4th current had conferred further on that matter with Mr. Hodges through two commissioners, and had caused to be presented to him not only the necessity of such a storehouse, but also the unreasonableness implied in the refusal, since we had always had a powder magazine here on the wharf, and even in the lodge, and that for that reason we would be compelled to protest against His Honour; but that that gentleman had given in answer thereto: That he was fully convinced that we needed powder for the defense of the vessels and for salute shots, consequently also a suitable place to store the same securely, and that for that reason he was very sorry to see himself so strictly restricted in this matter by rigid orders from Bombay; but that if we could see fit to make a further representation in writing concerning this, he would then gladly write about it once more to Bombay, and annex thereto a second report from Captain Nieson, whom he would send again to inspect anew the condition of the powder magazine; and since this statement appeared very reasonable, His Honour had therefore already drafted a further letter on that subject, which being read and approved, 236 it is resolved to send it off in that manner, and to insert this for consideration: Insert. Agrees. A: Wamberg Secretary Checked. v Bosse 237 For the Company. L: S Saturday the 28th of April Anno 1764. The Lord Director also presented another report, drawn up by the pro interim cashier Ruperti, concerning what occurred on that same subject with the chief of the French, Mr. Briancourt, and for which reason it was deemed fit likewise to give it place here. Agrees. N:s Hoemberg, First Clerk Extract from the Resolutions taken in the Council of Policy at Souratta. Insert. Checked. Bosse. 238 Saturday the 28th of April Anno 1764. On the 10th current, the Lord Director paid his return visit to Mr. Hodges, and thus completed the public ceremony therewith; but since that gentleman felt offended because at his first visit to welcome the Lord Director only 15 cannon shots were fired, and some disputes occurred concerning that, His Honour produced a separate report thereof drawn up by Secretary Blaaukamer, which was inserted here for consideration: Insert. W:s Ooo ender, First Clerk Extract from the Resolutions taken in the Council of Policy at Souratta. Agrees. Checked. A Wiardi 239 Copy. Draft Protest instituted by the Lord Director against the English Chief here, Mr. Thomas Hodges and Council; annexed to an Extract of the Resolution taken in the Council of Policy at Souratta, dated the 19th of June Anno 1764. Pro Patria f - 1 240 To the Right Honourable Thomas Hodges, Chief concerning the affairs of the British nation, and Council, representing the Honourable English East India Company, Governor of the Mogol's Castle and Fleet at Souratta. Right Honourable Sir and Sirs! Yesterday, around 11 o'clock at noon, I, the undersigned Director, received word that the former equipage master Matthijs Klinckaert had requested protection from Mr. Hodges, and had received two native peons as a safeguard for his person. And as it was simultaneously made known to me that his effects and furniture were still in the same house of the Dutch Company in which he had thus far resided with my consent, I immediately sent the sequester with two members of justice thither under a native guard of eight peons with a corporal, in order to properly seal and seize those goods. I also sent at the same time two commissioners to request Mr. Hodges to be pleased to have those two natives removed from the house, since I indeed had to accept that His Honour had granted protection to the person who had come to him, but that such could not apply to his left-behind goods, which were still under the Dutch flag, on the territory and in a house of the Honourable Company. Mr. Hodges sent me in answer: That he had granted protection to the person and goods alike, and as proof thereof had also sent two peons; that he was therefore surprised that I nevertheless could have seen fit to send a guard thither and have those goods sealed; but that he was willing to believe that I had done that by mistake, and that he hoped I would redress this error. At twelve o'clock the court messenger came, with about 50 armed natives, which latter, however, remained standing before the gate of the wharf, to tell me in the name of Mr. Hodges, as if in friendship: that I should not refuse to cease the sealing of the goods and to withdraw the guard from the house, or else it would give cause to great estrangement. Adding thereto at the same time, as if of his own accord, that there were already
Dutch transcription
235 dor de Compt: Extract uit de Resolutien ge„ „nomen in Rade van Politie te Souratta Maandag den 9 April A„o 1764. Hier na Resumeert men, Een trans„ „laat engelsche Missive van den 30:' maart Iongstleeden, op de onze van den 26 bevoorens van den Heer Hodgesen raad in antwoord ont„ „fangen, van den volgenden Inhoud Ins: De Heer Directeur betuijgde te dien opzigte dat hij daar bij gelesen heb„ „bende, hoe alle andere Verhelpingen, aan de gebouwen op de Werff: wel toegestoon waaren, dog die van de Kruijd kelder Alleen en Positif ontzegt was, den 4e Courant, daar over den Heer hodges door twee gecommitteerdens, nader hade Onderhouden, en hem voorstellen laten niet alleen de Noodzakelykheid van dier gelyken bergplaats, Maar ook de onbillykheid, die in de Weygering opge Op. Sloten „slooten lag, also men althoos hier op de Werff, en zelfs in de Logie, een kruyd- „kelder gehad hadde, en dat men uit dien hoofde genoodsaakt zoude weesen, tegens zijn Ed: te Pootesteeren, dog dat die heer daar op tot antwoord hadde gegeeven Dat hy volkoomen Overtuygd Was, dat wy „ tot defensie van de vaarthuygen, en tot „Solut schooten kruid nodig hadden, bij „ gevolg ook een bekwame slaats, om het „ zelve secuir te bergen, en dat het hem „ uit dien hoofde, zeer leed deed, zig in dit „ stuk door strikte ordres van bombaij. „ zoo naau bepaald te zien, Maar als „ wij goedvinden konden, dien aangaande „ schriftelijk, een nader vertoogte doen „ dat hy dan gaarne nog eens daar over „ na bombaij wilde schrijven, en daar nevens „ voegen een tweede berigt, Van Capitain „ Nieson, dien hy nader zenden zoude „ om de gesteldheid van de kruyd kelder op 't' Nieuw te bezigtigen, Een dewyl dit zeggen zeer billyk scheen, dat zyn lb, daarom bereeds, een naades briefje Over dat onderwerp, in concept gebragt hadde, het welk geleesen en goedge„ „keurt 236 „keurd zijnde, men verstaat, in dervoegen te laten, in lyven te Laten afgaan, en deze tot speculatie Ins: Accordeerd 0 A: Wamberg :Secret:s Nagezien v Bosse 233 Voorde Comp: L: S op Saturdag den 28' April A:o 1764. Ook vertoonde de Heer Directeur een anders berigt door den Pro Jnterim cassier Ruperti, op gemaakt weegens het geen over dat zelfde onderwerp „ met den chaff der Franschen M. r Briancourt is voorgevallen, en waar er¬ om men goed vond in deesen ins ge- lyks plaats te geeven. Accordeert. N:s Hoemberg P„r Cerers Extract uit de Resolutien genomen in Rade van Politie te Souratta Ins. Nagezaen Bosse. 238 Saturdag den 28 April A o 1764 Den 10„e Courant heeft de Heer Dira= „teur zijne Contra Vilite afgelegd, bij den Heer Hodges; en dus daar mede het publicque Ceremo= g „nieet volbragt, dog dewijl die Heer zig beleedigt heeft gevonden, om dat bij zijne eerste visite., lm den Heer Directeur te verwelkomen, maar 15 Conen Schooten Gedaan Waren, en daar Over eenige Disputen zijn voorgevallen, zoo pro= „duceerde sijn Ed: daar van een Appat berigt, door den Secretaris Blaaukamer, opgemaakt het welk tot speculatie deezen in gelijfd. Werd: Ins W:s Ooo ender Gg pesent:s Extract uijt de Resolutie ge= „nomen in Raade van Politie 't Souratta Accordeert. Op Nagezien Ch AWiardi 239 Copia Concept„ Protest door den Heer Directeur ingesteld tegens het Engelsch Opperhoofd alhier D' Heer Thomas Hodgesen Raad; annex Een Extract Resolutie genomen in Rade van Politie te Souratta in dato 19:e Juny Ao 1764 Pro Patria „ ƒ - 1 240 Aan den A Heer Thomas Hodges opperhoofd wegens de zaken der Britsche natie en Raad Representeerende de E. Engelsche oostjndische Comp: Gouverneur van s' Mogols Casteel en Vlool Souratta te A„r. Heer en Heeren! Gisteren, omtrent 11. uur des middags kreeg ik, de ondergeteekende Directeur, tijding dat de ouder Equipagie op ziender Matthis Klinckaert Protectie van den Heer Hodges verzogt, en tot saure guarde¬ Voor zyne Persoon Twee Inlandsche Peons gekregen hadde. En dewyl mi teffens be¬ kend gemaakt wierd, dat zyne Effecten en Meubilen zig nog bevonden in het zelfde Huys van de nederlandsche Comp. waar in hij met mijne toestemming tot nog toe zijn verblijf gehouden hadde, zo zond ik ten eersten Den sequester met Twee Leeden van Justitie derwaards onder eene jnlandsche wagt van Agt Pions met Een Corporaal, om die goederen behoor¬ lyk te verzegulen en in beslag te neemen ook zond ik t effens Twee Gecommitteer¬ dens, om Den Heer Hodges te versoeken, die Twee Inlanders van 't huys te willen laten wegnemen, alzo ik my wel moeste laten laten wel ween gevallen dat zyn Ed: Protectie gegeeven hadde aan de Persoon, die by hem gekomen was, maar dat zulks geen plaats konde hebben omtrent desselfs nagelatene goederen, die zig nog onder de nederlandsche vlag, op het territoir en in een huys van De E Comp. bevonden. De Heer Hooges liet mi antwoorden Dat hy aan Persoon en goederen te gelyk protectie gegeeven, en tot een blyk van dien Twee Pions meede gesonden hadde; Dat hy dierhalven verwondert was, dat ik des niet tegenstaande hadde kunnen goedvinden, Eene wagt derwaards te zenden, en die goederen te laten verze- gulen; Dog dat hij wel vertrouwen Wilde dat ik dat by mistasting hadde gedaan en dat hij hoopte dat ik dit abuys re¬ dresseeren zoude. Om Twaalf uur quam De Hoffgan¬ ger, met omtrent 50. gewapende Inlan dens welke laatste, egter voor de Poort van de Werf staan bleven mij uyt naam van den Heer Hodges, als in Vriendschap zeggen: Dat ik niet weigeren mogte de Verzegeling der goederen te staaken en de wagt uijt het huys te nemen, of dat het anders tot groote verwydering aanleyding zoude geeven. Jeffens als uijt zig zelfs daar bij voegende dat er bereeds