Inventory 3226
Bengal · 1,212 pages · 228 segments · open at the Nationaal Archief ↗
English
...impossible to diminish it in any way under whatever pretext it may be. The demands of the French Company cannot be less than 30 to 40 thousand maunds; that of Holland raises hers to 60 thousand maunds; the Kingdom produces more than two hundred thousand maunds of it. It is still a rather great subjection to be obliged to procure this merchandise from the hands of the English, since we lose thereby the right we have to supply ourselves by purchasing it as we see fit in the manufactories. But on the footing things are today, it would be difficult to make another arrangement, for the reason that the English, having force in hand and disposing at their will of the nabob who is at their devotion, would always have a thousand means at hand to stir up chicanery against us and to interrupt our purchases without our being able to oppose their various plots and their underhand intrigues. Of Opium. From the monopoly of saltpetre I pass to that of opium. This article is of little importance to the English Company, which needs only the quantity required for its factory of Bencoolen on the coast of Sumatra, which does not exceed 200 chests; but the Dutch Company has always made it one of the principal branches of its trade in Bengal... ...agreed... we... that... profit... complain... satisfaction... of the... was... not... of... other... French... or... ...at a fixed price what we need for the loading of our European vessels, but they sell us none for the trade of India; that which we procure for this purpose, we have only from English private individuals who make a profit off us of 80 and 100 percent. The Dutch nation, as soon as this monopoly began to appear, protested against it and reclaimed its rights and privileges; not having been listened to, it was obliged to carry its complaints to England, where it could obtain no other satisfaction except that orders would be sent so that a certain quantity should be delivered to it from the warehouses of the English Company, and at the so-called cost price of this merchandise. But by this arrangement, it can never fulfill its demands; the Council of Calcutta always knows how to diminish them, so that one must regard this item as entirely lost for the other nations, who will find themselves entirely deprived of it as long as it pleases the English to allocate the entire portion to themselves. To remedy all these inconveniences, the two Companies, French and Dutch, must unite to obtain, by a treaty concluded with the Company of England, an annual quantity of saltpetre sufficient for the needs of their trade, both in India and in Europe, without it being possible... ...in Bengal, through the great outlet it finds for the consumption of the entire eastern coast and of all the islands that are under its domination. Today the English private trader has seized it entirely; it is the English chief of Patna and the other employees of that factory who have made themselves the masters of it, who set whatever price they see fit, and thus ransom the entire public through a monopoly as unjust as it is scandalous, since it turns only to the benefit of a few individuals to the detriment of the general public. The Dutch gentlemen of the factory of Patna, foreseeing last year all the difficulties they would have to combat and the risks there would be for them of causing their Company to lack opium if they persisted in using their rights and making their purchases by themselves, were obliged, in order to secure their operation, to yield to the hard necessity of placing themselves under the English yoke by consenting to purchase through them or through their agents the quantity that was demanded of them. And experience has proved that they had taken the prudent course, since Mr. Carvalho, chief of the French factory of Patna, who, having not at all favored this plan, wished to work according to the privileges of the nation which grant him the authority to trade in all liberty, found himself molested and harassed in the most revolting manner in the world. He had sent his own people with his funds to contract...
Dutch transcription
433. „ble d'en rien diminuer sous quel que pretorté quece puisse elre Les demander de la Compe. de france ne pervent etre moindre que de 30 a 40 mille mans celle de Hollande fais monter les siennes a 60 mille mans le Royaume en pro„ duit plus de deuxcent mille mans: c'estencore une su„ jettion asses grande que d'estre obligé de nous procurer cette marchandise de la maindes anglois puis que nous perdouse parla le droit que nous avons de nous en fournin nous mêmes en l'achettant Comme bon nous semble dans les manufactures mais sur le peed on sontaujourd hui le schoses, el seroit difficile de facre un autre arrangement par„ la raison que les anglois ayantla force en main, dispo„ senta leur gredu nabas qui esta leur de volion, ils auroien toujeurs mille moyjens en mainde nous suscitter de dicannes, et d'interrompré nos achapts sans que nous pussions nous opposera leurs diverses me neeset aleur intriguer souterraines. De Lophium. du monopole du salpetre je passe acelui de L'op hium. cet article est de peu d'importance pour la Compagnie angloise qui n'en a besoin que de la quantité quil luifout pour son comptoir de Bencole à la cote de sumatra ce qui n' xcede pas 200. coffres mais la Comp=e hollandoise enatou„ jours fait ane des principales brancher deson Commerce dans ge menz accor„ nous que bene¬ p s plain„ satis far„ guillin de la toit ne de re„ antres ent nem„ frans ou aun prix fixe cequil nous en faut pourlecha de nos vaisseaux d'Europe, mais ils ne nousen dent point pour le commerce de Oinde; celun q nous procurons pour cet objet, nousne Cavo de parnculiers anglois qui font hir nous u fice de 80. et 100. prco. la nation hollandoise en que ce monopole commencat aparoistre se rei contre, et reclamat ses droits et ses privilege n'aijant pase te ecoutéée, elle fnt obligéé de porter ter en angleterre ou elle ne pritobtenir d'auz tion, si non quil seroit en voyé des ordres pou en fut delivré une certaine quantité des maga compagnie angloise et an prix soit disant que cette marchandise: maisparcet arrangement peut jamais remplir ses demandez: que le con calcutta scait toujours diminuer, en sorte que t gardert cet objet comme entierement perdu, pour nations quis'en trouveront privéesen en tier du„ quil plaira aux anglois de sallouer toute la partie„ dier a tousces inconvenients, les deux compagi coises et hollandois es doivent se reunir pour obteni traitté passé avecla comp=e d'angleterre une quan salpetre ammelle suffisante pour les besoins de Er mercetant dans b'inde geven Europe. sans quil fu„ 64 433. „ble d'en rien diminuer sous quel que presoxté quece puisse etre Les demander de la compe. de france ne peuvent etre moendre que de 30 a 40 mille mans celle de hollande fais monter les siennes a 60 mille mans le Royaume en pro„ duit plus de deuxcent mille mans: c'estencore une su„ jettion asses grande que d'estre obligé de nous procurer cette marchandise de la maindes anglois puis que nous perdouse parla le droit que nous avons de nous en fournir nous mêmes en l'achettant Comme bon nous semble dans les manufactures mais sur le peed on sontaujourd hui le„ schoses, el seroit difficile de facre un autre arrangement par„ la raison que les anglois ayantla force en main, dispo„ senta leur gredu nabab qui esta leur de volion, ils auroiene toujeurs mille moijens en mainde nous suscitter de chicannes, et d'interrompré nos achapts sans que nous pussions nous opposera leurs diverses me neeset aleur intriguer souterraines. De Lophium. du monopole du salpetre je passe acelui de L'op hium. Cet article est de peu d'importance pour la Compagnie angloise qui n'en a besoin que de la quantité quil luifout pour son comptoir de Bencole à la cote de sumatra ce qui n'excede pas 200. coffres mais la Comp=e hollandoise enatou„ jours fait ane des principales brancher deson Commerce dans dans le Bengale par le grand de bouché quelle en trouve pour la Consommation de toute la cole de Lest et detoutes les is les qui sont sous sa domination. aujourdthui leparti¬ culier angloise s'en estemparé en entier, c'estle chefde Patna anglois et les autres employer de ce Comptoir qui s'en sont rendus les maitres, qui y mettent leprixquil jugent aproposet mettent ain si a rancontout le public par un monopole aussi injuste que criant puisquilne tourne quan benéfice de quelques particulier au detri ment du general M=r les Hollandois du Comptoirde Pat„ na prevoyant l'année derniere toutes les difficultes quils auroient acombattre, et les nisquer quil yuuroit a courir pour eux de faire manquer leur comp=e d'op hium, siels se butloien a user de leurs droits, eta faire leurs achapts par cux memes ont de obliger pour assurer leur operation de seplier a la dure necessité dese mettre sous le jouganglois en consentan d'achetter pareux on par leurs agents la quantité qui leur etoit de mandéé, et l'experience a prouve qu'ils avoient prisle parti prudent puis que Mr. Carvalhochef de la logi francoise de Patna qui n'ayant point gouté ceplan a voulutre vailler suivant les privileges de la nation qui lui don„ nent l'autorité de Commerce en toules liberté, sest trouve molesté et vexé de la maniere du monde la plus revollant il avoit en voyé ses propres gens avec ses fonds pour contrac ter
English
434. to buy their opium, and to procure the portion they needed, what happened? A multitude of disputes and chicaneries raised against them by the English; the gomastas of the latter, supported by the authority of their masters, beat ours; they came to attack them with armed force, pillaged and burned one of our factories, killed several of our servants, and our vakil was insulted and imprisoned in full Durbar. All these facts are attested, and the supporting documents were sent to the French Company. Until now we have obtained no satisfaction from it; only the English gomasta, recognized to be in the wrong, was punished with a few strokes of the rattan, and supposedly dismissed from his post; but we have nonetheless been wronged, as much by all the damages caused to us by the pillage and burning of the factory, as by the interruption of trade and the discredit that has reflected on our nation throughout the country. Here, then, is yet another well-proven monopoly, and another example of the oppression in which the nations find themselves enslaved by English despotism. To remedy this, it is important that the two Companies unite on this article as well as on the others, in order to obtain satisfaction; the plan of arrangement to follow would be that the purchases of this merchandise be made in common; as it is gathered, it would be deposited [illegible] in common warehouses, from which it would then be distributed, delivering to each nation the portion that had been agreed upon, and making lots that would be drawn by sort in order to obviate the inconveniences that might arise regarding the quality of the opium, being more or less good. Our private trade needs 750 chests of opium; the Dutch nation requests twelve hundred chests; the country supplies 13,500 chests of it. On Salt and Areca Nut These two branches are without question the most extensive with respect to private trade. The English, who recognized all their advantage, were not slow to seize them with the exclusive privilege, to the detriment of the native inhabitants of the country. Several private individuals who had devoted themselves to it privately had made immense fortunes there, until the council of Calcutta, coming to open its eyes to such an important object, thought it proper to form a society in which a share was granted to all the servants of the Company, proportioned to their rank both in the civil and in the military. A fund was then established into which all the capital necessary for this enterprise was paid; it was found to amount to 40 Lakhs, to which each contributed pro rata to the interest that his rank procured for him. 435. The work having thus advanced, all the salt pans were seized, and a prohibition was published on all sides to any merchants whatsoever against making salt for their own account and buying areca nuts; everything was retained for the account of this society, which from then on took the name of the Salt Committee. A fixed price for this merchandise was agreed upon with all the village chiefs, who were obliged to contract and to supply the entire quantity necessary to provision the whole Kingdom. From then on, each province was assessed to pay the price that was fixed according to the distance of the places and the risks of transport. One can well believe that in all these arrangements, the self-styled Committee did not neglect its interests in the least. Agents were established in all the different places, who were charged with the sale of the merchandise; these agents were invested with all the authority suitable for the success of the stakeholders, and abused it to monopolize the people and to vex them. To whom will they complain? The harm comes to them from the masters of the country. The English governor had three shares out of about sixty, the second had two, each councilor one, and the rest was divided among all the other employees and servants of the Company. Private merchants had nothing in it, but a kind of bank or agio had been established in which everyone was admitted by buying shares from the interested parties [illegible] the publication, that is to say, on the condition of not being able to transport the merchandise before the month of 9bre 1768. The English, excited by their jealousy, then caused to be addressed to the nations the parwana of the Nabob of which I have just spoken, without regard to the losses they were going to have to suffer on the advances that each private individual had made upon the public faith. Various representations having been sent to the English, they replied that they could not interfere in this affair, which depended entirely on the Nabob, and the latter likewise admitted naturally that this conduct on his part was dictated to him, and that he was obliged to obey. So that to this day nothing has yet been determined, and those who have advanced their money do not quite know how they will extricate themselves. What is most certain is that, cheaply, the English are seizing all the salt, under the name of native people attached to them; the Nabob sees it and dares say nothing; the natives of the country, who believe themselves free, are soon disabused. When they present themselves to carry on this trade, they are immediately chased away by the English emissaries who have force in hand, and everyone is obliged to yield, so that all this trade is now positively going to find itself in the hands of the council of Calcutta, only under assumed names. Things are now out in the open, and no one can be ignorant of it any longer. What can be done?
Dutch transcription
434. „ter son ophium, et s'en procurer la partie dontilavoit be„ sein, qu'en estilazrivé ? une foulle de disputer et de chi„ cannes que live ont suscitlé les anglois les gomastas de ceux cy soutenus de l'autorité de leurs maitres ontbatten les notres ils sont venu les attaquer a main armée, ont pillé et incendie une de nos loges, tues plusieurs de nos serviteurs, notre ouquil acté in sulté et Emprisonné en plain Dorbar, tous ces faits sont attenter et les pieces au soutient ont eté evoyee a la compe de france Jusquici nous nen ovons obtenu aucune satisfaction seulementlé Goumasta anglois reconnudans sontort acté punide quel qens coups de Rottin, et chassé soit disant de saplace, mais nous n'en avons pas moins eté lezes tant partous les dom mager que nous ont occasionné le pillage et l'incendie de la loge que par l'interruption du commerceet le dis credit qui ena rejailli sur notre nationdans tout les pais. voila done en corx un monopole bien prouré, et un autre exemple de l'oppression dans la quelle les na tions se trouvents asservees par le despotis me angloiso il est important pour y remedies que les deux Compe se joignent surcet article ainsi que surles autres, pour en obtenir satisfaction; leplan d'arrangement a suivre, se„ roit que les achapts de cette marchandise se fissent en com„ mun, a mesure quelle se rassembleroit, elle seroit de posee dans trouve tes leparti„ chef efde r epri privequil blic n Pat quils tes ir praen buttoient eux mêmer ala onsentan qui oie la logi voulutre don„ trouve volland contrac ter leur dans des magasens communs, d'ouensuitte l'on en feroit la repartition en delivrant achaque nation la portion dintilaura ete convenu, et en faisant des lots que l'on tireroit au sort af in d'obrier au xinconvenients qui pour roient survenir Eu Egardala qualité de L'op hium plus on moins bonne notre commerce particulier a besoin de 750. coffres d'ophium la nation hollandoise en de mande douze cent coffres le pais een fourni 13500. coffres Du Sel et de L'arreque ces deux branches sont sans contre dit les plusetendien par rapportan commerce particulier les anglois qui en ont connu tout l'avantage n'ontpartandé a sen Emparer ovee le privelege Exclusif, au prejudice des habitants naturel de pais plusieurs particuliers que sij etoient a donner privemont y avoient fait des fortunes immenser jus qua ce que le con„ seil de calcutta venanta ouvrir les yeuxsur een objetanssi important Jager apropos de fermerune societe dans En quelle on accordat une part ste tous les serviteurs dela Comp proportionné a leur rangtant dans le civil que dansle militaire. on Etablit en suitte une caisse dans laquelle furent verser tousles fonds necessaire a cette entreprise, ils se trouverent monter a 40. Lacquesdans lequels chacun contribuat au Prorato delin teret que lui procuroit son rang 435. rang l'ouvrage ainsi avance, l'on semparat de toutes= les saliner et deffense fut publice de tus cotesatous mar„ chands quelconques de faire du sel pour son compte et d'achetter de L'arreque, tous futretenu pour le compte de cette soceetté qui deslors prisle nom de committé dusel l'on convent d'in prix fixe pour cette marchandise avee tous les chefde village que lon obligeat a contracter et a four„ ner toute la quantité, necessaire pour a provisionner tout le Royaume. des lors l'ontapat chaque province a payer le prix qui fut arretté seivant la distance des lieux et les nisques du transport: l'on peut bien croire que dans tousces arrangements le prettendre committé rij negligeat point ses interets. Jl fut eta blidans tous les differents Endroits des agents qui farent charger du de bit de la marchan dise cesagents furents revetus de toute l'autorité convenable au succes des interesser, et en abuserent pour monopoliser les peuples et les veper„ aqui se plaindront ils; le mal leur vient des maitres du pais- le gouverneur anglois avoit trois part sur Environs li soixante, le second en avoit deux, chaque conseiller vue et le reste etoil divisé entre tousles autres Employés et serviteur de la Comp=e, les marchands particuliers ny avoient rien maisil se toit etabli une espece de banque oud agio dansla quelle chacan etoit admis en achettant des interresser len part in en feroit portion kon ts qui phium culier ladoise 13500. setendie en ont r ovee aterel de privement lecon„ bjetanssi En de la Comp dansle quelle pri, ils Schacun oitson g la publication, c'est adire aux conditions de ne pouvoir transporter la marchandise avant le mois de Jbre 1768 les anglois ex citer par leur jalousie firent pour lors addres ser auxnations le paravana du Nabobdontje viens de parler sans Egard aux pertes quelles alloient avoir a souffr ir sur les avances que chaque particulier avoit faitter sua la foy publique. differents representations ayant ete en voyéés auxanglois, ils repondirent quils ne pouvoientse mê ler de cette affaire qui dependoit entierement du Nabab, et ce„ lui cy egalement avouoit natarellement que cette conduitte de sapart lui etoit dictée, et quil etoit oblige d'obeir. en sorte que jus qua ce jour il mij encore rien de determiné, et ceux qui ontavance leur argent nescavent trop comment ils s'en tireronts ce quil ya de plus certain c'est qua bon comp„ te les anglois s'emparent de tout le sel, sous le nomde noirs que leur sont attachér, le nabable voit et n'ose niendire, les naturels du pais quise croyent libres. sont bien tot desabusés, Lorsquils se presentent pour faire ce commerce, ils sont sur lechampchasser parles Emissaires anglois qui ontla force en main et chacun est obligé de plier, en sorte que tout ce commerce vapositivement se trouver maintenant entre les mains du conseil de calcutta seulement sous de noms empreintes: les choses de jase sont a decorvert, et personne ne pent plus l'ignorer que pent faire
English
make the nabob; he is in a state of dependence, and has no better choice than to submit to the yoke. From this statement, it is easy to judge the extent of this monopoly, which is no less than 40 lakhs or 10 million per year. One should no longer be surprised after this if private individuals make such sudden fortunes, and if they have so much money to send to Europe. They object to the other nations that they have no right to complain about being forbidden these trade commodities, since at all times and before the war, the government had never permitted them to do so. That is true, but it is also a point upon which there have always been complaints on their part as an infringement of their privileges, which give them the right to exercise all branches of commerce in Bengal without exception. To be convinced of this, one has only to read the various parwanas of the nabobs; one will see in almost all of them that we are granted full freedom of trade in silks and silk goods, cloths, grains, provisions, and waghaira, a Persian term that corresponds to what we call in French et cetera. Does this et cetera not include everything? If the government opposed it, it is a violence that does not deprive us of our right, and we are justly entitled to demand today in Europe that it be put into effect. Moreover, a great distinction must be made between the way in which this prohibition takes place today, and that with which it was exercised at the time when the country was governed by its princes and by its laws. By means of presents, costly it is true, and intrigues on the part of the chiefs of the nation who knew how to secure friends on the prince's council, they obtained special permissions. The proof of this is that Mr. Courtin had obtained an unlimited one to carry on the salt trade from Dacca into the Kingdom of Assam with an exemption from all duties, by means of about fifty thousand rupees which he had known how to distribute opportunely to win support with the prince. But today there are no such expedients to employ against the English; they swallow up everything, and their jealousy does not allow them to grant the slightest small part of it to other nations. If, therefore, they wish private trade to flourish in their colonies, it is absolutely necessary that they work with the English Company or nation to obtain a general privilege for all branches of commerce whatsoever, against the customary duties that it is standard practice to pay to the customs of the Moorish government. This is an essential point from which one must not relent, if possible, and which tends directly to restore equality of trade between them and the English, as well as to re-establish their authority and their credit in the country. On the Surat cotton trade. This branch has at all times been open to all nations, which brought to Bengal whatever quality they deemed appropriate. Now that the English are masters of Surat, they have taken such complete possession of it that it is difficult to obtain any except through their channels. This is not yet the greatest evil resulting from it; the Council of Calcutta, whose funds are inexhaustible, has found means to turn this branch into a revolting monopoly, just as it has done with all the rest. But this one touches the English Company more closely, as well as all the other Companies, as will be proven by the detail that follows. Last year, the Council of Calcutta instructed all its agents in Surat and Bombay to secure for its account all the cotton in the quantity it deemed necessary for consumption and the cloth manufactures in Bengal, and had for this purpose sent all the necessary funds; thus its commission was soon fulfilled. From all sides, vessels were gathered for the transport of all the cotton that had been detained; it arrived safely in port. From that moment, they were concerned only with setting the price as high as possible for the mutual benefit of the parties concerned. Finally, they modestly agreed upon 24 rupees, and that it would not be sold for less. It should be noted that it costs no more than 10 or thereabouts in Surat, and that it has often been seen selling in Bengal at 12, 13, 15, and sometimes 20; it is only in years of crop failure, which rarely happen, that it has been pushed to the price at which it is fixed today by this society. In order to maintain it, they take care to buy all that arrives on other English vessels, which they do not have the authority to prevent from carrying it, so that the entire quantity is in the same hands and the price consequently cannot fall. It is a commodity of absolute necessity for the manufacture of cloth, and for which one is consequently always assured of finding a certain outlet. What is the result? It is that by buying it so dearly, the weavers, who often receive it only at second and third hand, are obliged to increase the price of their cloths in proportion to that of the cotton that goes into them; and this is one of the reasons that has made the goods of this year so expensive and of such poor quality, because the weaver economizes in proportion on the number of threads that should go into his piece. From this it is easy to conclude how harmful it is to all the Companies that this monopoly be tolerated, and how much it is in the interest even of the English Company to take proper measures to correct such abuses. I imagine that this is a point on which it will not be difficult to obtain satisfaction.
Dutch transcription
437 faire le nabab ie est dans la dependance, et na pos de„ meelleur parti a prendre que de subir le jong parcet exposé is il est facile de juger de letendue de ce monopole quinestpas de moins de 40. Lacques ou 10. millions parannéé l'onne doit plus etre surpris aprés cela se le particuliers fout des fortunes si subiter, et sies onttant d'argent a faire passer en Europe ils objectent aux autres nations quelle n'on¬ point a se plaindre quonleur dit interditces objets de commerce puisque de tout tempetavant la querre le gouver„ nement ne leur avoitjamais permis celaest vrai, mais aussi est ceun pointsur lequel yatonjours en des plainter de leur part comme une in fraction a leurs privileges qui leurdon nent le droit d'epercer toutes les branches de Commerce a Bengale sans exception. qu'on lise pour sen assurer, les differents paravana des nababes l'on y verradans presque tout que l'onnous accorde la liberté entiere du commerce des soye et soyeries, toilles, grains, denrées o gaera ter me persan qui revient ace que nous appellons en francois Et cetera: cet Et cetera ne comprendtil pas partie si le gouvernement syestappose cestune viclence quine nous tire pas notre droit, et nous sommer justement fonder ademan der aujourdhai en Europe quilsoit mis en viguer daibleurs l'ondoit faire une grande difference entre la maniere dont cette interetition a lieu au jourd hui, et celle avecer itre avec la quelle elle etoit exercée outempou le paisetoit regi= passes princes et parsesloix. moyenant des presents al verite contenx, et des intriques de la part deschefs de nation qui scavoientse menajer desamis au conseil du prince, ils obtenvient des permission particalieres la preuve, en est que Mr. Courtin en avoit obtenieune illimitu pour faire le commerce de sel de Dacca dans le Royaume dassenta veeume exemption de tous droits, moyenant en viron cinquante mille roupies quila voit scudistribuer apropos pour gagner des suffrages aupres du prince. mai aujourdhia il nya point de pareils de tours aemploger risavis des anglois, ils engloutissent tout, et leur jalouse ne leur permet par d'en accorder la moindre petite partie aus autres nations. si doncelles voulent florir dan leurs colonies le commerce particulier, elest de toute necessite quelles travaillent au pres de la comp„e ou de la nation an yloise pour quon leur accorde un privilege general pour toutes les branches de commerce quel conques, moyennant les droits accutumér et quil est dusage de payer aux douaner du Gouvernement maure cest un point essentie dont l'on ne doit passerelacher, sil est possible, et que tend directementa ramener l'egalité du commerce entre elle et les anglois, ainsi qua retablir dans le pais leur au„ torité et leur credit. Du 438. Du commerce de cotton de suratte cette branche a de tout temp eté libre a toutes les nations, qui en apposti cent a Bengale telle quasité quelles Jugcocent apropos, aujourdhui que les anglois sont le maitres ce suratte, ils s'en sont tellement em pares quil est difficle de se procure que parleur canal ce nest pas en core le plus grand mal qui en resulte; le conseil de calcutta dont les fonds sont ine„ puisables a troure moyen de convertir cette branche en un monopole revoltant: ainsi quil la fait sur tout le reste, mais celui cy touche de plus presla comp„ie an„ gloise auisi que toutes les autres comptes. comme il va etre prouve parle detail qui suit. Le conscil de calcutta a chargé O'année der neere tous ses agents a suratte et Bombay de retenir pour son compte tous les cottons dont la quantité quila ju g'ée„ necessaire pour la consommation et les fabriques de toilles a Bengale cla voit a cet effet fais passer tous les fonds necessaires, ainsisa commission a cte bien tot rem„ plie. de tous cottes Cona rassemblé des raisseaux pour le transport de tout le cotton quise trouvoit arreté, il est parvenua bon port, des lors l'onne sest plus occupe Be qua yfixer les prixle plus hant que l'ona pu pour c a vanlage reciprogue des interesse en fin l'onest convenu modestement de 24 roupies et que l'onne le vendroit was sal da cieres la illimitu oganme ant tribuer ce- mau ploger al pet flor ionan pour ennant raux tessentie tend e au„ cessit dam e louse en se pas a moins il fant noter qu'il n'en conte pasplus qui1o au en viron a suratte, et que souvent ou la vuse venelre a Bengale a 12 13. 15 A quelques fois 20, el ny a que dans les annees de manque de recolte qui arrivent rarement quil a cté pousse au prix ouil est fire anjourd hui parcette societé qui afin de le sonte„ me asoin d'achetter tout celei qui arrive tus d'antres vais„ seaux anglois aux quelsils nont pas lautorite dempecher d'en porter, en sorte que toute la partie se trouve dansla mê„ me mains et le prix par consequent ne peut en baisser, cestune marchan dise de toute necessité pour la fabrique destoiller et dont l'onest toujours par consequent assurés de trouver une deffaitte certaine quen resulle til': cest qu en l'achettant aussicher les tisserands a quiel ne parvient sou vent que de la seconde et la troisieine main vout obligés d'augmenter le prix de leur toilles en proportion de celui du collon qui yentre et c'estane desraisons quia rendu les marchandises de cette année si hauter et desi mau„ vaise qualité, parseque le tisserande pargne a proportion sur le nombre des fils qui de vroient entres canssa piece. de la il est facile de conclure combien il est mesible atoutes les Comp=ies quese monopole soit souffert, et arabien il est „ de l'avantage mêmne de la Comp=e anglois de prendre de Justes mesures pour carriger de pareils a bus. Junaginé que c'est un point sur lequel il ne serapas difficile d'obliner satisfaction elle a2a
English
16 anas. These are only worth 10 roupies, and the English force the bankers and others to take them at the rate of 14 roupies. She is too interested in it, as are the other nations. The quantity of cotton that this association has taken charge of this year in Calcutta is about one hundred thousand maunds, which consequently amounts to twenty-four lakhs, or 6 million at the price of 24 ropies per maund. It therefore follows that there are six lakhs that the cloth is forced to bear. It is clear that this is so much loss in the Company's trade, from which a very small number of individuals profit. What we advance here is in no way doubtful; it is a proven fact and in the most exact truth; we want no other witnesses to it than the entire public of Calcutta itself. On Gold Roupies. Although this article has only an indirect connection with the trade of the nations, it was nevertheless thought necessary to insert it here in order to reveal more and more to the public the tyrannical and unjust conduct of the English in all points of their administration. They decided to strike gold Roupies at their mint, to which they fixed the value of 14 sicca roupies, whereas they really have only that of twelve Roupies and eight anas. This is easy to prove by the assay. When they first appeared, all the merchants and bankers refused to receive them at this price, which caused them a loss. The English then made a regulation in Calcutta to which they forced everyone to submit, by which every white and black inhabitant is ordered to give currency to this coin at the rate that had been fixed for it, that is to say at 14 sicca roupies. The gold pieces of which mention is made in the text contain per piece: in gold 13 anas 54 1/100; in silver 1 ana 43 1/100; in copper 0 anas 61 7/100; total 16 anas. There are some that contain in gold only 13 anas; in silver 1 1/2 anas; in copper 1 1/2 anas. The order was passed and executed; but when they subsequently wished to give it the same force throughout the whole extent of the Kingdom, all the Bankers revolted. Then they acted toward them with force and violence; they were imprisoned and beaten; finally, when it was seen that all these mistreatments were not effective enough, they had the cruelty to punish by an example worthy of the barbarity of the earliest centuries: one of them was hanged at Moxudabad. Let one judge from this what is to be expected from an administration that governs itself by such principles. On the Private Trade of the Nations. The English, always restless and unable to disguise the envy that consumes them, have just dealt the private trade of the nations the most sensitive blow and the most capable of annihilating it in all its branches. Convinced inwardly that it was not suitable for them to have their name appear in this matter for fear of exposing themselves to the indignation and well-founded reproaches of the nations, who could not refrain from uniting to rise up against them, they had the hidden springs of which they composed the machine moved by the Nawab, who, at their solicitation, has just issued a prohibition addressed in the form of a letter to the Director of the French nation, by which every kind of trade is prohibited except that of the loading of vessels for Europe. A copy of this prohibition translated from Persian was sent to the Company of France. It states that in the future no Frenchman will have permission to trade in grain, butter, oil, wood, and even bamboo, nor any other branch. It is easy to see by this enumeration that the English spirit that dictated this letter took care to enter into this minute detail only to make the interdiction more complete, and to reduce the nations to nothing in spite of all their privileges. English policy, in order to make its pernicious system succeed, took care to attack only one nation at a time in this quarter. It is the French upon whom it struck first, for fear that if the blow fell at the same time on the Dutch, the two nations might unite to jointly defend their interests and oppose the dangerous aim of their adversaries. It is therefore prudent to prevent the storm before it breaks out, for there is no doubt that if the French are once stripped of their privileges, the Dutch will soon be attacked in their turn, and the two nations will incessantly find themselves reduced to the state of annihilation that is intended. They have, unfortunately, only too much reason to dread it. English power no longer knows any bounds; greed makes everything permissible to it, and all means are good provided they lead.
Dutch transcription
439 „ 16. anas. celle cy ne valent que 10. roupies et lesanglois forcent les ban„ quiers et autres ales prendre a raison de 14 roupies. elle yest tropinteres jee ainsi que levantres nations la quantité de cotton dont cette assodation s'est char géé cette annu a calcutta, est d'en veron cent mille manse, cequifait par consequent vingt quatre Lacques, ou 6. millions au prix de 24. ropies le man, els en suit donc quese font six lacques qua la toille est obligée de supporter, il est clair que cestantent de per„ te dans le commerce de comp:, dout profite untrespetit nombre de particuliers ceque nousavan couse ici na rien doukié, cest em fait prouve et dans la plus exacte verité, nous n'en voulons pas d'autre temoins que tout le public de calcutta même. Des Roupies Dor. Quoique cetarticle nait quun rapport in directave le com„ merce des pations, cependant l'onacru devoir l inserrer ici pour developpe de plus en plus au Public: ta conduit te lyrannique et injuste des anglois dan slous les point de leur administration. ils ont decidé de battre a leur monoye des Roupies dor anquelle ils ont fixé la valeur de 14 roupies sicca tandis quelles nont reellement ger Lelopies dont il est sauitmentez celle de douze Roupies et huit anas cest ce quil est facile de prouver portion dans le texte contiennent par lessay; an commencement quelles ont paru, tous les marchands et a piece. en or - - - - anas 13: 54 1/00. 53 Banquiers ontrefusé de les recevoir surce prix qui leurcans ont de bleatoutes en argent _ 1. 43. 1/100. 74 laperte lesangloise pour lors on fait an reglement a calcutta aquee il est „cuivre _ —: 61 7/00. 16 anas ies ontobliger tout lemonde deses onmettre, par lequelil est or„ de Justes Hijen a quine contienent donné achaque habitant Blancet noir de donner coursacetu cest en onqucanas 13:—:— atisfaction „ argent _ 1. ½. – monnoge surla taux qu'on lui avoit fixe cest a dire a 14. „ cuirre — 1. ½. — elle roupies qui10 an gale a 12 manque au prix te soute„ esvais„ d'empecher slamé„ baisser, lafabrique assuré cestquen rviert obliget celui renolu man, roupies sicor. l'ordre a passé, et a cté executé, mais lors qu' en suitte on a voulu lui donner la même vigeur danstoute L'Etendue du Royaume, tous les Banquiers se sont revol„ tes, alons Conaagi enver en parec force et riolence, ies onte té emprisonner battur, en fin corsque l'on a vuque tous ces man vaistraittements netoient pointasjes efficases, e ona cu la cruanté de sevir par un Exemple digne de la Barbarie des premiers siccles, un deuxcté pendu, a moxud da bad. que c'on juge de la ceque l'ondois attendie dune administration que se gouverne sur de pareils principa Du commerce particuliers des nations. Les ang lois toujours inquiets et ne pouvant aissi„ maler l'envie qui les rouge viennent de donner aucom merce particulier des nations le coup le plus sensible et leplus propes a l'aneanter dans toutes ses brancher persuader in tericurement quil ne leur couvenoit par de faire paroitre leur nom danscette, piece de peur de s'exposera l'enetignation et aux reprocher fonder des nations quine pour roientsempecher de se reuner pour selever contre eux, ies ont fait reunier les ressorts cacher dontils ont composé la machine, par le nabab qui a lair sollicitation vient de faire paroitre une deffense addressée en forme de Lettre au Directeur de la nation francoise par la quelle toute Espece de commerce est inter dit exep„ te 440 „te celuianchargement des v=amns pour Europe. Copie de Eet„ te de fense traduitte du persan a cté en vogéé a la Compe ne de france elle porte qu'a l'avener aucun francois n'aura permission de Commerces en grains, Beurre, puile, Bois et même baintoux ny toute autre branche il est facile devoir parcette emmeration quel 'esprit anglois quia dic té cette lettre na eu soin d'entres dans sedetail minutieur que pous rendre l'interdiction plus complotte, et reduine a rien les nations en de pit de tous leurs privileges la poli„ tique angloese pour faire renssirsons isteme pernicieux, a en soin de n'attoquer dans cette partie que une nation a la fois, c'est la francoise sur qui elle afrappé d'abord, de peur que sile coup pertoit en même temp sur les hollan„ it doise, les deux nations ne se reunissent pour deffendre conjointement leur interetsets opposer au but dan gereux de leur ad versaires il est elonc prudent de preveneer lvrage avant quil eclatte, carsil n'est pas douteux quese les francois sout une fois de pouiller de leur privilegesles hollandois seront bien tot attaques a leur tour, et les deux nations se¬ trouveront in cessamment reduitte aupied d'aneantis sement quel onse propose elles nont malheureusement quetrop sujet de Lapprehen der, la prussance angloise ne connoit plus de bornes, la cupidité lui renel tout per„ mis, et tous les moyens sont bont pourru quils condui„ en „sant lorsqu' stoute revol„ ontete tous ces cases la d ssi„ aucom ble cher par it de der pour cher. a ler e se exep„ 6 8 ƒ -
English
reaching the goal. The privileges of the nations are no longer respected there; every day the law of nations is violated there; finally, their only desire is to discourage them through all kinds of vexations and injustices in order to make them abandon a country where they are barely tolerated; it is indeed the way to drive them out of it by depriving them of trade, which is the sole motive that makes them remain there. The two Companies must feel well enough how important it is for them to unite on so essential a point; indeed, if they allow the private trade of India to be destroyed, that of Europe will soon suffer the same fate; they have too much connection with one another for us not to seek to sustain them equally; besides, what must be the goal of the Companies, is it not the aggrandizement of the State's trade, and does not the private individual make up a considerable part of it? Is it not that which sustains all the subjects who are spread throughout India, and without it who would be willing to attach themselves to a service which in itself could not suffice, and who are there, given the mediocrity of its emoluments; these reflections are too just, and the subject is too important not to induce the two Companies to unite to demand in England the maintenance and guarantee of all their privileges and their exemptions in this part of India, and if one arrives with the English Company at the equitable arrangement that must be made, it is of necessity that it be put in writing in the form of a treaty invested with all the authenticity and force that such a document must have. On Maritime Trade This branch, which should not be subject to any constraint and whose extent is more than sufficient to satisfy all nations, is nevertheless not exempt from vexation, tyranny, and monopoly; the English, who encompass nearly all of it through the immense number of their ships both in Bengal and at Madras and Bombay, push their jealousy to the point of suffering with impatience the few expeditions that other nations undertake; thus there is nothing they do not employ to thwart them and turn them to the loss of those who undertake them; voyages to Jedda, Mocha, Basra, and Surat are hardly practicable any longer except for them, through the measures they have taken to secure the freight of all the merchants of Bengal: the Council of Calcutta fits out ships for these different places and loads them almost entirely with freight; for this purpose they compel the merchants by force to give them their goods; if any of them refuses, his ruin is assured, disputes and chicanery are raised against him which inevitably lead to it; the Armenians obey them out of fear and no longer dare load anything on French or Dutch ships; when they wished to preserve this freedom, their trade was stopped until they were brought to the goal intended for them; the Council of Calcutta has become so despotic on this point that even private English vessels cannot obtain freight until those of the Council have received all that they need, and one has often seen the peons of the councillors in charge of this district run along the river bank, seize the bales of merchants found there, and have them transported aboard the Council's vessels, even though the freighter had instructions to give them to another; this unique conduct has aroused the general complaints of all the private English merchants, who have made all England resound with it through their private letters, and there is not one of them who is not ready to attest everything that we advance here in this regard. Where, then, is liberty now? Let one cite, on the contrary, a country where one is treated with more slavery and servitude; it is certainly not English laws that authorize these abuses, they are on the contrary the support of justice and the protection of the oppressed, but they have no force in India; the persons in office make new ones which they accommodate to their ambitious views and their interests; in short, it is cupidity that becomes the legislative power, and which, sustained by force and authority, commits all these abuses, these excesses, and these disorders of which we are so justly entitled to lodge complaints and demand justice. It is indeed principally to oppose the maritime trade of the nations in Bengal that the English have just compelled the Nawab to forbid them inland trade; they know perfectly well that it is on this that the other depends, and that if they can succeed in preventing us from it, it will henceforth become useless for us to have ships, since it would be impossible for us to procure the cargoes necessary for their loading; it follows that they achieve by this means the goal they propose, which is to cast us into complete dependence on them for everything, even the most necessary things for life, since when we have been deprived of the freedom to provide for them ourselves, we shall of absolute necessity be constrained to have recourse to them and to ask them, as a favor, to grant us the most indispensable things, paying for them at the price they deem proper to set, so that it is clear that our work and our labor will turn entirely to their profit, and that the nations
Dutch transcription
sant an but. les privileges des nations ny sont plus respec¬ tes chaque jourle droit desigens yest riole, en fin Conna en„ vice que de les de courager partoute sorte de vexations et d'in„ justicer pour leur faire a bandonner un pais ouil ne sont soufferte quarec peine cest bien le moyen de les en chasser que de les priver du commerce quest le seul motefqii les yfair demcurer. les deux comp=s doivent asser sentir com„ bien el leur est important de s'aner sur un pointaussies sentiel; en effet si elle laussent de truire le commerce par ticulier de E' Mde, bien tot celui d' Europe aur a le même sort; ils ont trop de connexion l'un aveel autre pour qu on nedoive par chercher a les soutenir egalement d'ailleurs queldoit etre le but des Comp:s e: nest ce pas l' aggrandis„ sement ducom merce de l'Etat, et le particulier n'enfais„ il pasune partie considerable ? n'estce pasleri quifait vivretous les sujets qui sont repandas dans les in des, et sans lui qui sont ceuxqui voudroient sattacher aan service qui parlei même nepourroit suffire, & cup qui ysont, ru la mediocrité dese emotuments cesre„ flexions sont trop justes, est la matiere en esttrop im¬ portance pour ne pas devoir en gager les deux comp=s ase reuner pour de mander en angletterie la manatention et la garentie de tour leurs privileges et deleurs Exemp„ tions danscette partie des indes, estsi l'on parvient avecla 441 avecla compie angloise a l'arrangement equit able qui doit etre prisilest de necessité quil soit passé par Ecrit en forme de traitté revetu de toute l' authenticité et la force queme„ panelle peece doit avoir. Du commerce Maritime cette Branche qui ne devroit etre sujette aacune géne et davit l'eten drce est plus que suffisante poar satisfaire „toute les nations, n'est cependant pasexempte de la vexation, de latyrannie et dumonopole les anglois qui l'embrassent presque en entier pasle nombre im„ mense de leurs vaux tant a Bengale qua Madras et Bombai, poussent lair jalvusie au point de souffrir impatiemment le peu d'armements queles autres na tions Entrepresement; aussi il ny arien quil ne mettent en vrage pour lestraverser, et les faire tourner a la perte de ceux qui les Entre prennent les voyages de Iedda„ moska, Bassora et suratte, ne sont pres que plus prati„ cables que poureux par les mesures qu'ils ont pris pour s'assurer le fret de tous les marchands du Bengale: le conseil de calcutta arme des raisseaux pour ces differen„ ter placer et leschargent presque en Entier afret, pour en ces effet ils obligent par force les marchands a leur don„ ner leurs marchandises, se quel quan deux les refuse sa perteest as sureé, on lui suscitte des affaires et des chicannes lus respec¬ onna en et din¬ ne sout nchasser ten com„ taussies ce par¬ mêie pour qu dailleurs randis„ nen fais„ guf des fait ¬ tion la les chicannes qui lui conduisent en dabit ablement les armeniens leur obeissent pascrainte et n'osent plias rien charger surles vaux francoise ou Hollandoise Lors„ quies ontvouln conserver cetteliberte onaar retteleur com„ merce, Iusqua aequies ayent eté amoner au but que l'on„ se proposit deux, le conseil de Calcutta sestrende se despoti„ que surce point, que les vaisseaux particulier anglois mêmes ne peuvent obtenir de fret Jusquace queceu x du conseil ayent recutout celui dont els ont besoin, et l'on a souvent ru les pions des conseillers changer de ce„ district courin surke bord de la riviere, en lever let Balles de marchands qui se trouvoient et lesfaire transporter a bord des vaisseaux au conseil quoique le fretteur ent instruction de les donner aunautre, cette condui te uniqué a excite les plainter generales de tout les marchands par„ ticulier anglois qui en ontfait retentir toute l'angle„ terre par leurs lettres particulieres, et il nij a pas un deux qui ne soit paet aattester tout te que nous avancoute ici acct egard. ou est done maintenant la liberté, que l'on cité au contraire un pais ou l'on soit traitte avec plus d'es„ clavage de servité; eene sont centainement point les loixan„ gloise qui autorisant cesabus, elles sont au contraire l'ap„ puy delajustice et la protection de l'opprimé, mais elles n'ont aucone force dans linde, les personnes en place en font 442. fout de nouvelles qu ils accomodentaleur vu er ambi„ tieuse et a leurs interets, en fincest la cupedité quiden„ vient la puissance legistative, et qui sontenue de la force et de l'autorité. commet tous ces a bus ces exceset ces desor„ dres dont nous sommes se justement fonder a parter des plainter et demander justice. Cest bien principalement pour sopposer au commerce maritime des nations a Bengale, que les anglois viennent de contraindre le nababa leur interdice le commerce de terre,; ies scavent parfaitement que c'est de celui ey que depend l'autre et que sils penvent parvener anous l'empeche des„ lorsil nous de viendra in utile d'avoir des vaux puis quil nous seroit impossible de nous procurer les cargaisons necessaires a leur chargement ils en suit de la quils par¬ vieunent parce moijen aubut quils se proposent, quiest de nous jetter dans leur entiere dependance pourtoutes leschoses mêmes les plus necessaires ala rie puis que lors quon nous aura ote la liberté de nousen pour voes par nous mêmes, nous ser ons de toute necessité contrainte 1 aavoir recours a eupetaleur demender comme une gra„ cede nous accorder les choce les plus in dispensables en les payant au prix quies jugeront apropos de les taper, en sorte quil est clair que notre travail et notre labeur cu tourneront entierementa leur profit, et que les nations se les plias uinique par„ s „ denx ici lon „ an„ en
English
will find themselves established here not for their own benefit, but rather to make the fortunes of English private individuals. Is this not what is already happening today in the trade in textiles, which we shall deal with in this article? By the care and the measures they have taken to prevent us from procuring in the aurangs the textiles necessary for the loading of European vessels, they force us to purchase them from them for cash and at a price so high that one can hardly hope to recover their value in Europe. Otherwise, one must resolve to dispatch the vessels empty, whence the discredit and the ruin of the Companies. This is the detail into which we shall enter in the following article. Of the trade of European vessels. It is here that the importance of the subject requires all the most serious attention of the nations that are principally interested in it. In the grievances that we have just set forth, we have shown the infringements committed against the privileges granted to us; we have brought to light the violence, monopolies, and vexations that the English practice to our detriment in all branches of commerce. But in this article, it is the very nerve of the Companies that is attacked; it is their existence that they wish to annihilate. Our commerce has been halted, our goods are seized by open force, and weavers are forbidden to work for anyone other than the English. Punishments and torments are prepared over their heads should they disobey these tyrannical orders. If the lure of profit makes them overcome their fears, if they receive our money, or finally if they begin to work for us, English spies give notice of it; instantly, henchmen are sent to their homes, their cloth is cut from the loom, they themselves are ignominiously dragged from their houses, beaten with blows, and condemned to fines. In short, the most servile yoke has grown so heavy that almost the entire body of weavers has revolted; several have abandoned their trade and preferred to become laborers, and all the others have suspended their work for four months, which consequently reduced the manufacture of textiles this year to one third less than it is accustomed to be. Meanwhile, the English had advanced immense sums into the manufactories, both for their Company and for private accounts. They did not wish to fall behind, and trampling underfoot the law of nations, natural equity, and the justice they owe to everyone as masters of the country, in order to fill the void that their mistreatment of the weavers caused to their trade, they published orders by sound of trumpet that for three months no piece of cloth should be manufactured for anyone other than the English nation. The just and lively representations made on behalf of the nations to the Council of Calcutta, their bitter complaints that were brought there, had no effect. They were content to put us off with vague promises, to excuse the violence of which we accused them, and to disguise the truth with fabricated fictions or proven falsehoods. In the end, our commerce was ruined, and it borders upon the moment of its destruction. Out of more than twenty-five lakhs of Rupees that the Dutch advanced in the aurangs more than a year ago today, barely a quarter of the goods has returned to them; out of sixteen lakhs or so that the French distributed, truth to tell later and at different times, they have barely received one third. The Dutch, however, loaded three vessels, but that was with the goods they had in reserve in their warehouses from the preceding year, and everyone knows they are accustomed always to have one or two complete cargoes in advance; their fourth vessel was sent back empty. The French are dispatching three, but in what manner? By purchasing their cargoes for cash from the hands of English private individuals, who sell to them at whatever price they please, taking advantage of the necessity they know we are under to buy from them, despite the high prices and the defects in quality and assortment. There are no arguments that can destroy these facts; it is unfortunately only too well proven in the invoices and accounts sent to the French Company. The contract goods and those purchased for cash are entered there separately, and one may have recourse to them to make the comparison and to see in what manner their vessels were loaded, and how much they were vexed in the prices. What better could they do than to submit to the harshness of the circumstances? There was no middle ground; it was necessary to submit to it or resolve to send back the Company's vessels empty, which inevitably entailed the loss of its credit and its ruin, especially in the beginnings of its re-establishment. Behold the frightful picture we have to paint. The brushstrokes have nothing forced about them; it is truth that guides our pen, it is grief that wrests from us the groans we desire to make heard in Europe at our respective courts, so that, moved by our slavery and our humiliation, our masters may occupy themselves seriously with the means they believe most effective to rescue us from this tyrannical yoke and this boundless despotism to which we are subjected, and which must necessarily soon cause the extinction of commerce and consequently the exclusion of the nations from Bengal, if prompt remedies are not applied. If the English in this country had the intention of lending themselves to ways of conciliation and of not hampering the commerce to which the nations have an incontestable right, they would not have refused to lend an ear to the various proposals that have been made to them to give affairs a stable form and
Dutch transcription
se trouveront E tablies ici non pour leur propre avan ta, ge maisbien pour faire la fortune des particuliers angloise n'ést ce pasce qui arrive deja aujourdhui dansle commer„ ce destoilles dont nous allons traitter l'article, par les soins et les mesures qu'ils ont prix pour empecher de nons procurer dans les harams les toises necessaires pour le chargement des vaisseaux d' Europe ils nous contraignent a les achetter d'eux au comptant et aan prix sicher qua peine pentou esperes d'en trouver la valeur en Europe sanscela il fantse resondre aexpe„ dier les vau Pa vinde, de la le discredit et la ruinedes Comp=e cest le detail dans le quel nous allons entres. dans P'article suivant. Du commerce des van d' Europe. C'estici que l'importance des matieres requere toute c attention la plus serieuse les nations qui y sont principale, ment interesseer dans les griefs que nous venons dexposer nous avons pais voir les attanter que l‛on porte aux privileges quinous sont accorder, nous orons mis aujour les violences, les monopo„ les et les vexations que les anglois epercent anotre preju„ dice dans toute les branches de commerce, mais dans cet article cest le werf de comp=s qeuest attaque, cest leur exis„ tence que l'on vent aneanter, l'onarreté notre commerce, l' oneuleve a force ouvertenos marchandises, C'on deffand au tisserand 443. tisserand de trovailles pour d'autres que pour les anglois les chatiments et les supplices sont preparer sur latéte s'il contrevient a ces ordres tij oanniques, s'il appas du gain lui fait surmonter ses crainter, siel recoit notre argent, en fin sil commence etravailler pour nons, les Espions anglois en donnentaris, daus l' instant des satelites sont envoyjés chezlui, sa toille estcoupée surle metier eui même est arraché ignominieusement de sa maison frappe de coupe et condamnesa des amender en fin le joug leplus servile est appesantia un point que le corps de presque tous les fisserands sést revolte, plusieurs ontabandonné leur metier et ont mieuxaime se faire la boureur tous les autres ont suspen du leur onvrage pendant quatre mois, cequiareduit par consequent cette an„ néla fabrique des toiles aantiers moindre quelle na coutume d'étre cependant les anglois avoient avance des sommes einmen„ ser dons les manufactures tant pour leur compe. que pour le compteparticulier, ils n'ontpas vou lu rester del' arriere, et fou„ lantaux pieds le droit des nations, l'equité naturelle, et la justice quils doiventa tout le monde en qualité de maitres du pais, els ont pour remplir le vrude que leur mauvaistrait„ tements en versles Fisserands causoientaleur commerce, publie des ordresa son de trompe pour quil ne se fabrique pendant trois mois aucune piece de toille, pour autre que pour la nation angloise les justes et river representation qui ont eté faites de lapart des nations cui conscil de Calcutta leur leur plein ter ameres qui yont ete porter n'on point en d'effet, c'ons est contente de nous leurner pardes promesser vaguer, de discilper les violences dont nous les accasions et de de quiser la verité pardes fictions Controurees, oude men songor prouver„ en fin notre commorce sest trouvé ruine, et il touche au mo„ ment de sa destruction surplus de vingt cinglacques de Rou„ pies queles holland oisont arance dans les harams, el ga au„ jourdhui plus d'un ana peine leur enest il rentré en core un quart de marchandises, sur scize lacquesen veror que les fran„ cois ont distribuer ala verité plustand, et a defferentes forisils en onta peine reca antiers. les hollandois cependantont chargér trois vau x mais cest avec les marchandises quils avoient en reserve dan sleurs magasins de lannée precedente, et tout le monde secut quils ont coutume dy a voir toujoars anoudeux cargaisons completter a l'avance leur quatrieme van ac té renvoyé a vuide les francois en expedient trois mais de quelle maniere ' Cest en achettant leurs cargaisons an comptant des mais des particulierse anglois qui la leur vendent au prix quil leur plait profitant en cela de la necessité ou ils scavent que c'onest de la leur achetter, malgré la chereté et le deffant dans la qualité et lassertiment il nig apoint d'arguments qui puissant de truire & fais, el n'est malheurensement que trop„ proure dan sles factures et compte qui sont en voyéer a la comp= de france les marchandises de contract, etcelles achettur au comptant 444. comptant y sont porteer separement, et l'on peuty avoir recoars pour en faire la comparaison et pour voir de quelle maniere leur vaus se sont chargér, et combien elsont ete sexes dan s„ les puix. que pouvoient ils faire de mieux que dese soumettre à la dureté des cir constance il nia voir point de melien, il falloit en passer parla onse deter miner aren voyer a vinde les vaxs de la compe. ce qui entrenoit in failliblement la perte de son credit et saruine surtout dars des principes de petablissement. voil ale table au affreux que nous arons a peindre les coups de pinceau n'ontrien de force c'est la verité qui conduit notreplume, cest la dou leur qui nous arrao„ tre neles gemissements que nous desirons de faire entendie en Earo„ der pe dansnos cours respectives, afinque touchéde notreesela vage et de notre hamiliation, nos maitres soccupent serceusement des moyens quils croiront les plus efficacer pour nous retirer dece jougty nannique et de ce despotisme sans borner au quel nous sommes asse soiret qui doit necessairement avant pen causer l'extinction du commerce et par consequent l'exclusion des nationsa Bengale se lon ny apporte de prompte reimnedes. Siles anglois dans ce paiscy avoient le dessein de sepre„ teraur voier de consiliation et dene point generle commerce auquel les nations ontun droit in contestable ils n'eussent point refusé de pretter Loneille aux differen tes propositions qui c leur ont eté faittes pour donner aux affaires une forme stable et d'effet, la comp t 7
English
and capable of satisfying all the diverse interests. There had been question of an exact census of all the weavers, following which it was agreed to make a division among all the nations. It had indeed been mentioned between the French and Dutch gentlemen that one could grant half of the weavers to the English, but this was never settled with the English. By the arrangement proposed by the Dutch Director, and to which the Council of Chandernagor had acceded, the English were to have half in the division, and the other half was to be divided in equal shares between the two French and Dutch nations; this plan, which seemed as just and equitable as one can devise toward a nation that holds force in hand and governs the Kingdom of Bengal like a conquered country, was agreed to on the part of the English. Consequently, each nation appointed commissioners to proceed jointly with the proposed census. They set out all together and had already begun the work, from which the finest hopes were conceived as being destined to put a permanent end to all disputes and smooth away all present and future trade difficulties. But with what surprise did one not see, all of a sudden at that very moment, the English commissioners withdraw by order of their Council. One addressed the latter to obtain the key to this riddle; it justified this proceeding by the bad reasons that one can see detailed in the supporting documents of this memorial, which we annex below to serve to prove and establish the facts, and especially in the Journal of the French and Dutch commissioners, where one cannot see without being revolted the bad faith and subterfuges that the English used to break their promises and their engagements. This business having thus failed, matters fell back more than ever into disorder and confusion. On all sides trade was interrupted; the English seized it entirely for themselves alone, and cause us today this damage and these losses of which we complain with good reason. Their Company, if they are to be believed, made demands upon them for 120 Lacs; if this is true, it must be admitted that this is a plan formed to seize everything and leave nothing to the other nations, since this is all that the country can produce annually. It is true that private individuals, sensing the prejudice that such exorbitant demands could not fail to cause to their trade if they were fulfilled, reduced them by half. The English Company will receive only about 64 Lacs this year on eight vessels that are to be dispatched to it from Bengal for Europe, but this reduction has in no way turned to the advantage of the other companies; it is the English private individuals who have taken all the profit, since they alone had all the rest of the merchandise manufactured in order to sell it afterward to the nations. The Province of Patna, according to the information that has reached us, has supplied this year two hundred and fifty thousand pieces of cloth. The English Company received 70 thousand of them; the Dutch procured thirty thousand of them (the quantity we received from Patna consists only of 25800 pieces) by the arrangement they had made with the English chief, and of which we spoke in the article on opium. The French did not have a single piece of it; this same English chief did not allow it, in order to avenge his private quarrel against the French Chief, the details of which are sent to the French Company. There are thus one hundred thousand pieces of cloth that entered into the warehouses of the Dutch and English Companies; the other one hundred and fifty thousand were all purchased by the English private individuals, from whom the French were subsequently obliged to purchase them in part to compose their cargoes, and at the enormous price that one can see in the invoices. They acted in the same way in the manufactories named Chaiderconna, Kerpaye, Radanagor, Gatab, Narajil, Ranjibonpain, etc. All these manufactories produced this year fifty thousand pieces of diverse cloth. The English Company took twenty-five thousand of them; the various private individuals of Calcutta had 18300 of them. It follows from this calculation that there remain only 7 thousand pieces for the other nations. In order to leave no doubt as to what we say here regarding the quantity that the English private individuals have taken for their account from these aurangs, here is the note, name by name: 1200 Pieces by Rombador Mocoarja, gomasta of Mr. Bebeur 1700 Pieces by Nondiram Chatija, ditto of Mr. Skinner 1500 Pieces by Rogontchall, ditto of ditto Barwell 700 Pieces by Rogoudatt for Messrs. Whitte and Bolton 700 Pieces by Binondramboss, gomasta of Mr. Lochinton 1200 Pieces by Iocolgonde Boss for Mr. Alixander 500 Pieces by Iagrenat Boss for Mr. Droz 600 Pieces by Chichouramgoss for Mr. Wansittard 1500 Pieces by Doutramdost for Mr. Aldersen 1000 Pieces by Zicherchodij for Mr. Balho 300 Pieces by Naseram Sercar for Mr. Handell 500 Pieces by Ramchet for Mr. Woortt 2000 Pieces by Nidikechengopal for Mr. Lister 500 Pieces by Conjibiarij Borahol for Azirimol, gentoo merchant of Calcutta 100 Pieces by Bovanichoron Goupg for Mr. Grahem 1000 Pieces by Calichenker - - - - One has not been able to know exactly the names of these four gentlemen 100 Pieces by Rajaaam Mocourja - - 100 Pieces by Tanaram Dott - - -- 1000 Pieces by Ramkicker Gos - - - 1200 Pieces by Kicker Men Bon for Mr. Cartier 18300 Pieces for the account of the private individuals of Calcutta.
Dutch transcription
et Capable de satisfaire tous les diverse interets. il avoet eté question d'un denombrement exact de tous lestisserands, dont ou etoit convenu en suitte de faire le partage entre toutes les nations, les anglois Ila been ette fait men„ tionentre les messieurs francois et hollandois quon pourroit iedes la moitié des tisserands aux anglois, maiscelanajamais etté ageté avecles anglois par l'arrangement proposé par le Directeur hollandoisetanquel le conseil de chandernagor avoit accede devoienta voir moitie dansle partegje, et lautre moitie etoit a reparter par Egale portion entre les deux nations francoises et hollandoises; ce planqui parat aussijuste et Equitable que l'on penten former risa vis dune nation qui a la force en main, et qui gouverne le Royaume de Benga„ le comme un pais de conquettes, futagrée de la part des anglois en conse quence chaque nation nomma des commissaires pour proceder conjointement au denombrement que c'on proposoit ils se mirent en routte tous en semble et avoient deja commencé l'euvredont on conce voit les peus belles Espo„ rances commedevant mettre pour tonjours fina toutes lesdis¬ puteret applanir toutes les difficultes du commerce pre„ sentes et avenér, mais avecquelle surprise ne vil-on pas tout a cap dans ce même moment le commissaires anglois se retirer par ordre de leur conseil. on saddresse a celuicy vour avoir la Cles de cette Eiigmeil se justificat de a pro„ „cede 445. „cedé par les manraises raisons que l'on penta voir de tailleés dans les pieces Justificat iver de ce memoire que nous joignons a la suitte pour servira prouver et aconstater les faits, et surtout dans le Journaldes commissaires francois et hollandois ou lonne peut voir sans être nevolté la manraise foyet les subter fuger que les anglois ont emploijer pour manqueraleurs promesses eta leurs engagements. cette affaire ainsi manquée, les choses retomn berent plus d que jamais dans ledes ordre et la Confusion. de tous cotés le commerce fut enterrompu les anglois l'en rahirent en entier pour eux seuls, et nons cansent aujourd'hun ce dommage et cesperter dont nous nous plaignons a jastetitre leur Compe. sel on doit les en croize, leur a fait des demander pour 120 Lacques, si cela estrrai, il fant convenir que cest un plan formé de semparer de tout et de ne rienlaisser aux autres nations, puisque cest tout ce que le pais peut pro duire annuellement. il est vraique les particulier sentant le prejudice que des demander aussi ex norbitantes ne pourroient mangaer de faire a leur Commerce si elles etoient remplies, les ont reduitter a moitie la Compre angloise recevraseulement Environ 64 Ladques cette an„ née sar huit vaux qui doivent lui etre expedier de Ben„ gale pour Europe, maiscette reduction na nullement tour né al' aventage des autres comps, ce sont les particu„ „liers avons recude Patna ne pieces. „liers anglois qui ontretire tout le profit, pais quils ont fait fabriquer eux seuils tout le reste des marchandises pour le vendre en suitte aux nations. La Provina de Patna suivant les in formations qui nous en sont parvenues, a fourni cette anné deux cent an„ quante mille pieces detoilles la Comp=ie angloise ena recu ka: sla quantité que nous 70. mille, les hollandois sentson't procure /:a: t trente mille Consistent que 25800. par c'arrangement quils avoient faitaveele chef anglois, et dontnous avons parlé a l'articele de Lophium les francois n'enont paseu une seule piece, ce même thef anglois ne la pas permispour se venger de sa querelle particuliere contre le Chef françois dont le detailest en voyé a la Compte. de france voila donc cent mille pieces de toilles qui sont entrées dans les magasins de Comp=e hollandoises et angloises, les cent cinqua„ te autre melle ont toute eté achetteer par les particuliers anglois de qui les francois out ens uitte ete obligés de les acte„ ter en partie pour composer leurs cargaisons, et au prixen„ orme quel' on peut voir dans les factures. ies en ontagi de même dans les manu factures nom meeschai„ der conna, Kerpayje, Radanagor, Gatab, narajil, Ranjibonpain W=o Toutes ces manufactures ont produit cette année cinquante mille piece de toilles diverses la compe angloise en a retiré vingt cing mille les differents particulieres de calcutta en ont en 18300. ils en suit de ce compte quil n'en reste que ba 7. mille 446. 117 7. mille peeces pour les autres nations. pour ne laisser aucien don te surace que nous desonsici de la quantite que les particu„ liers anglois ont retire pour leur compte deses harams, en voici„ la notte nompar nom. 1200. P„s par Rombador mocoarja gomasta de M=r Bebeur 1700. „. „. nondiram chatija _:o „ — Skinner _:o „ _o Barwell 1500. „. „. Rogontchall 700. „. „. Rogoudatt pour M=rs Whitte, et Bolton. 700. „ . „. Binon dramboss gomasta de M=r Lochinton 1200. „. „ Iocolgonde boss: p. r M:r Alixander 500. „. „. Iagrenat boss. „. M:r Droz. 600. „. „. chichouramgoss„ M:r Wansittard. 1500. „. „. Doutramdost „. M:r Aldersen 1000. „. „. zicherchodij „. M:r Balho 300. „. „. naseram sercar „. M:r handell 500. „. „. Ramchet „. M:r woortt 2000. „. „. nidikechengopal „. M:r Lister 500. „. „. Conjibiarij Borahol pour azirimol marchand gentil de calcutta 100. „. „. Bovanichoron goupg pour M:r Grahem 1000. „. „. Calichenker - - - - l'on na pascavoir aujustele non de ce„ 100. „. „. Rajaaam mocourja - - quatre Messieurs 100. „. „. Tanaram dott - - -- 1000. „. „. Ramkicker gos - . 1200. „. „. kicker men bon p:r M=r cartier 18300. Pieces pour le compte des particuliers de calcutta apres ot pour an„ te
English
After all these proceedings, and all these proofs, how is it possible for the companies to maintain themselves in Bengal? We are no better treated in all the other places; the only difference is more or less. The article of silk must not be omitted here; it is of great enough consequence to make known how much difficulty this object has caused us. The English have made their purchases rise to more than 20 Lacs this year, both for themselves and for their company. The French were only able to procure 1200 mans, which amounts to an object of three Lacs, and the Dutch 213 mans against 196 mans of [illegible], and which together makes an object of about one Lac and a quarter. The winders are taken away by force to serve the English; even those who are attached to the service of the French and Dutch are not exempt from this violence. This is proven by all the correspondence, where one sees all the repeated complaints which they have so often and so uselessly brought to the Council of Calcutta to remedy these disorders. Finally, all the articles of trade, whether for Europe or for India, have absolutely fallen into the hands of the English, and we believe we have made sufficiently known with what harshness, what monopoly, and what injustice they exercise them to the detriment of the nations, which they certainly have no right to strip. It is upon this that we dare hope that they will be willing to unite mutually to obtain from it a suitable satisfaction, capable of restoring things to a just balance. Otherwise, we say it with sorrow, Bengal is lost to them, and they will be obliged to abandon this rich and fertile country to the English nation alone, which has no other aim than to exclude them from it in order to enjoy it alone and without competitors. There are two means to be employed to accommodate the nations in the piece-goods trade. The one would be to return to the division of the weavers as has been planned, half of which would be granted to the English nation, and the other half in equal portion between the French and Dutch nations. If by this plan all the other nations are excluded, one must propose only a legitimate division without extending to a limited quantity, comprehending also the Danish Company which is established in this country. The second means, in default of the other, would be to agree that each weaver would provide half of his work per month to the English, and the other half to the French and to the Dutch. The same observation on this article. We hardly see any other than one of these two ways capable of ending all the disputes and contentions which will not cease to arise, and always to the prejudice of the weaker party, who is obliged to bend before the stronger. Likewise for raw silk, the companies must make requests for the quantity they need annually for trade, whether for Europe or for India, and agree consequently with the English that they furnish them the number of winders necessary to wind the quantity that it will have been agreed to grant to each. There is needed per year at least 2000 mans for the French nation, and about as much for the Dutch nation. By this regulation one will succeed in making the nations live in harmony and a suitable union; otherwise, sooner or later, one must either renounce the country or maintain oneself there by violent means, which certainly is not to the advantage of the English nation, which, in the degree of power where it finds itself, has nothing more to desire nor to gain, but can lose everything in a revolution that would turn against it. Agrees with the original. Frc. Thott Clerk Translation of the Memorial written by Mr. Chevalier, Director on behalf of the Honorable French East India Company in Bengal and Council at Chandernagore, to the Honorable Directors of the said Company in France and to their Minister. Memorial on all the different grievances which the European nations settled in Bengal bring against the English nation with respect to trade. The purpose of this memorial is to bring before the eyes of all Europe, and principally the respective courts of the nation whom it concerns the most, the extravagant lust for domination to which the English nation abandons itself without hesitation, since its past successes have placed it in possession of the rich Kingdom of Bengal. Not content with an absolute rule, not content with gathering the revenues which annually amount to seventy-five millions, they nevertheless usurp the entire trade of India and Europe, retaining the same for themselves and hindering the other nations therein, in spite of the privileges granted to them since the beginning of their establishment by the Emperors of the Indostan Empire, and by all the Nawabs of Bengal who have succeeded one another until the present day. All these authentic documents which we bring forward to support our right are in existence.
Dutch transcription
„ta Apres tout ces proceder, et toutes ces preures comment est il possible que les comp=s puissent se sout en indans le Ben„ gale, nons ne sommes pas mienxtraitter dans tous les a cc tres Endroits il nij a de difference que de plus ou moins. C'artich de la soye nedoit pasetre icc obmis, l est d'asses grance conse„ quence pour faire connoitte combien de difficul te cet objet nous a cause. les anglois en ont fait monter leurs achapts aplus de 20. Lacques cette anné tant pour eu xque pour leur compie les francois n'ont pu seh procurer que 1200. mansce qui fait un objet de trois lacques et les hollandois 213. mana 1: aa: /ontre 196 mans de mog,„ /: a. a:/ et qui en semble faitun objet den veron dun Lak an quart les vereurs sont en lever de force pour servir lesanglois ceux même qui sont attacher au service des francois et hollandois ne sont pas exempts de cette veolence, céstce qui est prouve par toute les corres pondances oulor voit toutes les plainter repetéés quelles ont sisouvent et si inaitilement portées au conseil de calcutta pour remedier a ces des ondres. en fin tous les objets de commerce soit pour L'Earope soit pour linde sonta bjolument tomber entre les mains des anglois et nous croy ons avoir asses fait connoitre a vec quelle dure te quelle monopole, et quelle in justice ils les exercent andetriment des nations quils nont parcertaine„ ment droit d'en piever cest sur quoy nous asous esperes quel„ les voudront biense pinelre matuellement pour en obtenir une p 447. iouteles autresnation sainsi ment un partage Legitime tite bornee, ong comprendre aussi Etablie dans ce paiscy. sur cet article une satisfaction convenable et capable de nemettre les chosesdans une juste Balance autrement nous le ois ons avec douleur le Bengale est perdu pou relles, et elles seron t de obligées dabandonner cette riche et fertile contréé a la seule nation angloise qui na d'ante but que de lesen exelure pour en jouir seule et sans concurrents. 1:b:/ Ilyes deux moyens aemployer pour accorder les no„ V: 6: s parce projetonexcelue, tions dansle commerce des toilles l'an seroit d'en renir au quil faut proposer seules partage des uisserands ainsi quil acté projette, dont moitéé sans set endre aune quan, seroit accordéé a la nation angloise et l'aulre moitie par la comp: Danoise qui est Egale portionentre les nations francoise et Hollandoises. &c: / La mesme observation /:c:/ Le second moijen au deffant de l'autre, seroit de couvenir que chaque tisserand fourniroit moitie de sontra„ vail par mois auxangloise et l'autre noitié aux francois etaux hollandois. nous ne roy ons quere que lune de ces doux seules voier capables determenes tous les differents etles disputer qui ne cesseront de se lever et tonjours au prejudice du plus foible quiestobligé de plier de vant leplus fort. Egalement pour les soyesecruer, les comp=s doivent faire les demander dela quantité dontelles ont besoin annuelle„ ment pour le Commerce soit d'Europesoit de L'Inde. et con„ venir en conse quenci avec les anglois quils leur fournisont le nombre de vineurs necessaires pour verer la quanti té qu'on sera convenu d'accorder a chacune il en faut parannéé an te au moins 2000. man sala netion francoise et et en viron autanta la nation Hollandoise par cette police l'on reu sira àfaire virre les nations dans l'harmonie et l'una Couvenable, autrement tot outardil faat ou renoncer al pais, ou sij maintenir pardes voyes violentes, cequi nie certainement pas de l'avantage de la nation angloise qui dans le degre de puissance ouellese trouve na plud„ riena desirer nija gagnes, mais peuttous pardre dansiinu revolution qui tourner oit contre elle. Accordeert met het miuut frc. Thott JClerk ion 448. Translaat Memorie geschreeven door den Heer Cheralier Direc„ „teur wegens de Edele fransche Oost=Jndische Comp=e in Bengale en Raed te Chandernagoor dan den Edelen Heeren Bewindhebberen der gem: Comp=e in Vrankrijk en van haaren Ministre. Memorie over alle differente bezwaar„ „nissen die de Europische Natien in Bengalen gezeten tegens de Engelschen Natie, ten opzigte van den handel ten lasten brengen. Het doel„ „witt van deeze Memorie is, aan geheel Europa en Voornamentlijk aan de respective loren van de Natie die het het meeste aangaet, uw voor oogen te brengen; de buiten spoorige Heerschzugt waar aen de Engelsche Natie zig zonder zwaarigheid aan overgeeft, zeedert dat haare voorgaande voorspoeden haar in't bezit van het rijk Koningk rijk Bengale gesteld hebben, niet te vreeden met een volstrekte ge„ „bied, niet te vreeden met het inzamelen van de inkom„ „sten die 'sjaarlijks vijf en 'tzeeventig Milioenen be„ „draegen, zo overweldigen zij nogthans, de heele Han„ „del van Jndia, en Europa, dezelve zig aanhouden„ „de, en de andere Natie daar in belettende, in spijt der privelegien die haar vergund zijn, zed=t het begin van haare grondvesting, door de Reijzers van het Jndostaansche Rijk, en door alle Nawabs van Bengalen, die zig opgevolgt hebben tot heeden toe, alle deze authentike stukken die wij opperen, om ons recht te ondersteunen zijn in weezen
English
being, and to be found in all public charters, but today regarded as unnecessary titles and destroyed by antiquity. Justice has no place anymore, the law of nations is no longer respected, violence rules, one sees nothing but oppression, monopoly and extortion; in this detailed account I intend to proceed, bringing forth convincing proofs in support of the essential matters which I shall deem necessary to bring forward. 1st Grievance Before this late war elevated the English nation to the highest pinnacle of power throughout all India, all nations that had established Companies there enjoyed, on a roughly equal footing, the freedom of trade and the same privileges; each Company had the right to expand and increase its trade according to the vent of the merchandise, whether by export or import, being solely dependent on the government of the country, which seldom or never favored one nation above the others; having nothing to fear but some short-lived troubles, which could only disturb the course of trade for a time, but not destroy it; in the midst of the greatest disturbance and the greatest confusion, our privileges were nonetheless regarded as sacred, and if ever suspended, it was only to make some extortions, which being satisfied, did not hinder our returning into all our rights; today they seek to pull the tree up by the roots, it is not the branches that they trim, they seek to destroy and eradicate the whole plant, finally the English nation, acknowledging nothing more than unlawful possession, seeks to grant us nothing through ourselves, but to force us to have recourse to them for all the branches of trade. I shall begin with this following striking example, while others occur to me; it concerns saltpeter: from all times past, this has been one of the most extensive and principal branches of trade, free to all nations; everyone could obtain his necessary quantity for as much as he needed, whether for the trade of India or for Europe; today the English have made themselves entirely masters of it and supply us through their channel at a fixed price what we need of it for the cargo of our homeward-bound ships, but allow us nothing for the trade of India; that which we can procure for ourselves for that purpose, we obtain solely from private English individuals, who make a profit of 30 to 100 per cent upon us on it; at the time when this monopoly began to emerge, the Dutch nation immediately took offense at this matter and brought forward her rights and privileges against it, but not being listened to, was forced to send her complaints to England, from which she received no other satisfaction than that orders would be sent to supply her with a certain quantity from the warehouses of the English Company, ostensibly at the price that the merchandise cost them; but by this arrangement she can never fulfill her demand, the Council of Calcutta always knowing how to reduce the quantity, so that one must regard this branch as entirely lost for the other nations, who will be deprived of it from the moment that the English deem the entire quantity necessary for themselves; to remedy this difficulty, the French and Dutch Companies must unite to enter into a contract with the English Company to obtain a sufficient quantity of saltpeter to be delivered annually for the necessities of the trade in India and in Europe, provided they are prevented from reducing the demand under whatever pretext it may be; the demand of the French Company cannot be set lower than 30 to 4000 maunds, the demand of the Dutch Company amounts to 60,000 maunds; the country yields more than 200,000 maunds. It is nonetheless a great dependency to be forced to procure this merchandise for ourselves from the hands of the English, whilst we thereby lose the right that we have to supply our own needs in the manufacturing houses as it pleases us, but today it would be impossible to make any other arrangement, because the English, having the power in hand, govern the Nawab, who depends upon them, according to their pleasure; they would always find a thousand instruments to cavil against us and hinder our purchases, without our being able to stand against their various underhand attacks and secret means. Of the Opium.
Dutch transcription
weezen, en in alle publicque handresten te vinden, maer heeden aangemerkt als onnoodige tijtels en door de oudheid vernietigd. De rechtvaardigheid heeft geen plaetsmeer, het recht der volkeren word niet meer ontzien, het geweld heerscht, men ziet niet anders dan verdrukking, monopolium en afpersing, in dit omstandig Verhaal denk ik voort te treeden, de overtuigende bewijzen, voortbrengende tot steur der zaekelijkheeden, die ik nodig zal keuren te op„ „peren. 1=e Bezwaarnis bevoorens dat deze laetste oorlog de Engelsche Natie tot de hoogste topvan vermoogen door heel Jndia ver„ „left hadde, genietende alle Natien die'er Maat„ „schappijen opgerecht hadden op een Circa effene voet, de vrijheid van den Handel, en de zelfde prive„ „legien, ieder maetschappij had het recht haar Handel uit te breiden, en te vermeerderen, volgens het vertier van de koopmanschappen het zij doorr uit ofte aanvoer alleen afhangkelijk van de overigheid van het Land, die zelde of oort, eene Natie boven de anderen begun„ „stigende. niets te vreezen hebbende dan eenige on„ „duurzaame strubelingen, die maar voor eenige tijd het beloop van den Handelkonstooren, maar niet Vernietigen in't midde van de grootste ontroe„ „ring en de grootste verwarning, waaren onze pre„ „vilegien nogthans als heilig aangezien, en zoo al„ ontsteld, maar om eenige afpersingen te doen, dewelke voldaan zijnde niet en hinderde om weder in alle onze rechten te treeden, heeden zoekt men de boom aan de vortel uit te roeden, het zijn de takken niet die men afkort, men zoekt het heel gewas te vernietigen en uit te wortelen, eindelijk de Engelsche natie niet meer kennende dan oregt„ „matig 6 449. „matig: bezid, zoekt ons niets toete staan, door ons zelve maer ons te dwingen, om onze toevlugt na haar te neemen voor alle de takken van den Handel„ Ik zal beginnen met dit volgend raekend exempel, ondertusschen dat 'er andere mij bij vallen het is omtrend het talpeeter: van alle tijden herwaards is deeze een van de uitgebreidste en voornaamste takken van den Handel, aan alle Natien vrij ge„ „weest, een ieder kon zijn noodaekelijk quantum Verkrijgen, voor zo veel hij benoodigt was, het zij voor„ den handel van India als voor Europa, heeden hebben zig 'er de Engelschen in't geheel van meester gemaekt en leveren ons door haar cannaal tegen een vast ge„ „stelde prijs, het geene wij'er van benoodigt zijn, voor de Lading van onze Vaderlandsche scheepen, maer en toestaan ons niets voor den Handel van India, de geene die wij ons bezorgen kunnen tot dat oog„ „merk wij alleenig krijgen van de Engelsche par„ „ticulieren, die op ons 30 â 100 pC=to daar op winnen, in de tijd dat deze monopolium begon voor den dag te komen, hield zig voorts de Hollandsche Natie aen die zaak gebelgd, en bracht haaren rechten en privelegien en in tegen, maar daar niet na ge„ „hoord werdende, wierd genoodzaekt haare klachten naar Engeland te zouden, waar van geen andere satisfactie kreeg, als dat men ordres zoude zenden, om 'er haar een zeekere quantiteit van te leveren, uit de pakhuizen van de Engelsche Comp=e, kwansuis„ tegen de prijs dat haar die koopmanschap quam te staan, maar door deeze schikking kan zij nooit haaren Eisch voldoen, de Kalaatsche Raed de quantiteit altijd weetende te Verminderen, zoo aer de en zoo dat men deeze tak als heelemaal verlooren moet aanschouwen, voor de andere Natien die 'er van be„ „roofd zullen zijn, van het ogenblik af, dat de Engelsche zig de geheele quantiteit zullen benodigt oordeelen, om deeze zwaarigheid te verhelpen, moeten zig de franschen en Hollandsche Compagniën bij een Voegen, om een Contract aan te gaan met de Engel„ „sche Comp=e, ter verkrijging van een genoegzaeme quantiteit salpeeter Jaarlijx te leeveren voor de benodigtheeden van den Handel in Jndia en in Eu„ „ropa, mits bedwingende van den den Eisch te verminderen onder wat voorwendzel dat het zij, Den Eisch van de fransche Comp=e kan niet lager gesteld worden als 30 â 4000 m=n de Eisschen van de Hollandsche Comp=e reist de haare tot 60'000 m=n het Lant Levent uit meer dan 200'000 maons. Het is nogthans eene groote afhangkelijk„ „heid, genoodzaekt te weezen ons deeze koop„ „manschap te bezorgen uit de Handen van de Engelschen, terwijl wij daar door het recht Verliezen dat wij hebben, ons eigen als het ons behaagd, in de handwerk huizen te voorzien, maar heeden zoude het onmogelijk zijn, een ande„ „re schikking te maeken, door dat de Engelsche de kragt in handen hebbende, de Nawab die van haar afhangt, bestieren na haar goeddun„ „ken, zij zouden altijd duizend werktuigen vinden, om ons te knibbelen, en onze inkoopen te beletten, zonder dat wij in staet zouden zijn, om ons tegen haar verscheijde slinkse aanslaegen, en geheime werkmiddelen te stellen. van den Amfioen. Van 12
English
From the monopoly of saltpetre I proceed to that of opium. This article is of little importance to the English Company, which requires no more than 200 chests of it for its factory of Bencoolen on the coast of Sumatra. But it is one of the principal branches of trade of the Dutch Company in Bengal, owing to the large sale thereof on the East Coast and all the islands that are under its dominion. Today, the English private individuals have completely seized this as well. It is the English Chief at Patna and the other servants of that factory who have taken possession of it, who set a price upon it at their pleasure, and thus coerce the entire public through an unjust and crying monopoly. Since this serves solely to the advantage of English private individuals, to the detriment of all other nations, the Dutch gentlemen of the Patna factory, having foreseen last year all the difficulties to which they would be subjected and the danger they ran if they left the Company in want of opium, had they intended to use their rights and purchase this crop themselves, were forced, in order to fulfill the requisition, to submit to the hard necessity of bowing under the English yoke, by permitting the purchase by them or their agents of the quantity of opium they required. Experience shows that they took the most prudent course, since Mr. Carvalho, head of the French lodge at Patna, who wished to proceed according to the privileges and rights of his nation, was tormented and oppressed in the most unjust manner imaginable. He had sent his own people with money to order his required quantity of opium, but nothing came of it except a multitude of disputes and quarrels sought against him by the English. The gomastas of the latter, relying on the authority of their masters, beat and assaulted our people with armed force, plundered and set fire to one of our lodges, killed several of our servants, mistreated our wakil, and imprisoned him in the durbar. All these matters have been confirmed by witnesses, and the documents serving thereto were sent to the French Company; and to this day no other satisfaction has been obtained than that the gomasta of the English, being found in the wrong, was punished with some cane strokes and ostensibly dismissed from his post. But we remained no less injured, whether by the damages caused to us by the plundering and burning of our lodge, or by the disruption of trade and the discredit caused thereby to our nation throughout the entire country. Here again a clear monopoly is proven, and another example of the oppression under which the nations find themselves due to the absolute English dominion. In order to remedy it, it is important that the two Companies unite for this article, just as for the others, in order to obtain satisfaction. The system of that arrangement would be that this crop would be purchased jointly, and according to the progress of the harvest stored in common warehouses, and thereafter divided by delivering to each nation the quantity previously determined, and drawing lots to prevent disputes that might arise over the better or worse quality of the opium. Our private trade requires 750 chests of opium, the Dutch Company's requisition is 1200 chests, and the country produces 3500 chests. Of the Salt and the Areca These two branches are without doubt the most extensive with respect to private trade. The English, having seen great profit in them, have also taken this branch unto themselves with exclusive privileges, to the detriment of the native inhabitants of the country. Some private individuals, having carried on this trade clandestinely, had acquired great fortunes. But the Council of Calcutta, opening their eyes to so important an article, thought fit to establish a society, giving a share to all the political and military servants of their Company in proportion to their rank. A treasury was established for it, into which all the money serving for the execution of that enterprise was deposited. Everyone having given his share pro rata of the interest which his rank brought him, the sum amounted to forty lakh rupees. The business having progressed thus far, the salt pans were immediately seized, and a prohibition was proclaimed everywhere, preventing all merchants from making salt or purchasing areca for their own account. Everything was reserved for the account of that society, which from that time on assumed the name of the Salt Committee. A fixed price was set on that trade with all the headmen of those villages, who were forced into a contract to supply the required quantity for the use of the entire realm. Each province was assessed with a fixed price, which was set according to the distance of the place or the risks of transportation. It is easy to imagine that the so-called Committee did not let their profits slip through this arrangement.
Dutch transcription
450. Van de monopolium van het salpeeter treede ik tot die van den amfioen, dit artikel is van weinig belang, voor de Engelsche Compagnie die 'er niet meer van benoodigt is, dan 200 kisten voor haar Comptoir van Benkoelen op de kust Van Sumatra. Maar het is een van de voornaemste takken van den Handel der Holland, „sche Maetschappij, in Bengalen door het groot Ver„ „tier van het zelve, op de Oost kust, en alle de Ei„ „landen, die onder haar gebied zijn, heeden hebben de Engelschen particulieren dit ook in't geheel aen„ „geslaagen, het zijn den Engelschen Opperhoofd tot Patna en de andere bediendens van dat Comptoir die 't ver„ „meesters hebben die een prijser op stellen na haar Goeddenken, en zo het geheel publiek dwingen door een onrechtvaardig en schreewend monopoliuna Dewijl dit alleenig strekt tot het voordeel van de En„ „gelsche particulieren, ten nadeele van alle andere Natien de Heeren Hollanders van 't Comptoir Patna, voorleeden Jaar Voorzien hebbende alle de moeitheeds die zij onderworpen zouden zijn, en het ge„ „vaar die zij liepen zo zij de Comp=e van Amfioen benodigd lieten, zo zij doelden haar rechten te gebruiken, en dit gewaszelfs in te koopen zijn genoodzaekt geweest om den Eisch, te voldoen, zig te onderwerpen aen de harde noodzaekelijkheid, van onder het Engelsche Juk te brigen; door het toestaan van het opkoopen door haar of haar agenten, de quantiteit van Amfioen die zij benodigt waaren, en de ondervinding wijst dat zij de voor„ „zigtigste partij genomen hebben, dewijl de Heer Charralho hoofd van de fransche Loge tot Patna, die na de privelegien en rechten van zijn Natie heeft te werk willen gaan, ge„ „quelt en Verdrukt is geworden, op de onbillijkste ma„ „nier, die uit te duiden is, hij had zijn eigen Volk met geld gezonden om voor zijn benodigde quantiteit afioen te besteell. maar er niets van geworden, dan een menigte twisten en krakeelen aan hem door door de Engelschen gezogt, de Gomastas van deeze, steum „de op het gezag hunner meesters, hebben de onze geslae„ „gen en aangerand, met gewaapende kragt, een van onze Logis geplundert en in de brand gestooken, verscheide van onze Dienaaren gedood, onze wakkiel misha„ „delt en in rolle Dharbar gerangen gezet, alle deze deeze zaekelijkheeden zijn door getuige bekragtigt, en de stukken daar toe dienende aan de fransche Comp„s toegezonden, en tot heeden toe geen andere satisfactie Verkreegen, dat dat de Gomasta van de Engelschen in't ongelijk gesteld zijnde, door eenigje rotting blaegen gekastijd, is geworden en kwansuis uit zijn plaets gezet. maar niet te minder beleedigt gebleeven het zij door de schaeden die ons veroorzaekt is door het plunderen en ver„ „branden, onzer Logie ofte door de stooring van den handel en door het discrediet aen onze Natie daar door veroor„ „zaakt in het heele land. daar is alweder eene klaere monopolium beweezen, en een ander exempel van de Verdrukking, waar onder zig de Natie bevinden door het volstrekt Engelsch gebied, het is van belang om het te verhelpen, dat de twee Maetschappijen zig bij een voegen, voor dit Articel gelijk als voor de andere, om 'er satisfactie van te krijgen het sistima van die schikking zou zijn, dat dit gewasch ingemeenschap zoude worden in„ „gekogt, en na maete van de inzaemeling in al ge„ „meene poakhuizen geborgen, en daarna de verdee„ „ling uitmaeken, door aan ieder Natie de quan„ „titeit Leverende, die bevoorens bepaald was, en Lot briefjes trekken om twisten te voorkomen, die over de beeter of slegter qualiteit van den Afioen„ zoude kennen voor'tspringen, onze particulie„ „re handel benodigt 750 kisten Amfioen, de Hol„ „landsche Maetschappijs Eisch is van 1200 kisten, het land leverd uit 3500 kisten. van het zouten Den Areek Deze twee takken zijn zonder twijffel, de meeste Uitge„ 451. uitgebreik ten opzigte van den particulieren handel, de Engelsche groot voordeel, 'er op gezien hebbende, heb„ „ben dezen tak ook naar zig genomen met uitslui„ „tend previlegien ter nadeele van de natuurlijke Jnwoonder van het Land, eenige particulieren deze handel ter sluik gedreven hebbende, waaren tot groot fortuin gekomen, maar de Kalkatsche Raed de oogen open doende, over zo een important artikel, rond goed een Cociteit op te richten, een portie gevende aan alle de politike en militaire bed„s van haar Comp=e na rato van haar rang. Daar van wierd een Cas opgerecht, waar alle de penningen, dienende tot uit voer van die onderneming, ingeborgen wierden, ieder een prorato van het interest dat zijn rang hem toebragt, zijn portie gegeven hebbende beliep de somma tot Veertig sak ropijen het werk dus verre gekomen zijnde, wieren de zoud pannen aanstonds vermeesterd, en over al het verbod uitgeroepen, belettende alle kooplui„ „den Voor haar reekening zout te maeken, ofte areek in te koopen, alles wierd opgehouden Voor de Reekening van die sociteit, die van die tijd af, de naem van zout Committie heeft aengenomen, men stelde een vaste prijs op dien handel, met alle de gebieders van die Dorpen, die men tot een Contraxt dwong om de benodigde quantiteit te leveren, ter gebruik, van het heele dijk, men belaste ieder provincie met een Vaste prijs, die gesteld wierd na de verheid van de plaets, ofte de risicos van de Vervoes, „ring, het is wel te denken dat de zogenoemde Comitté haare voordeele niet lieten slippen, door deze schikking. In s
English
In several places, agents were sent for the buyout of that trade. These agents were granted all power necessary for the successful outcome of the enterprise of those who had an interest in it, which they abused in order to monopolize and to burden the people, who could not complain since these were the orders of the masters of the country. The English Governor had three shares of the sixty, the second two, each Council member one, and the remainder was divided among the other servants of the Company. The private merchants had no share in it, but then a kind of bank or agio emerged, through which everyone was admitted, buying up the share of one of the society against an advance that was determined between the parties. By this means, this monopoly was unanimously approved by the English Nation in Bengal, and everyone who benefited from it found this one of the wisest arrangements of statecraft; nevertheless, being fearful that the Company would not approve it as well, and that, angered against all the errors to which this establishment was subject, it would certainly become aware of it and then send orders against that society, in order to prevent this fear, they thought fit to allow the Company ten percent on the total of the sale, which amounted to circa eight Lakh. By this bait, they thought they had sufficiently satisfied it, and indeed it seemed so, or at least no order came contrary to what had been done. The first year turned out according to the expectations of all those who had an interest in it; they received more than one hundred percent for distribution, all expenses paid. The second year it decreased; they had somewhat relieved the oppression of the people, and the profit amounted to only 80 percent. Yet the people groaned under the oppression, and the English private individuals who had no share in these great benefits wrote about it to their friends in England with all the freedom characteristic of the Nation. The complaints became general and came to the ears of Parliament; it was heard everywhere that the English Company had established the salt monopoly in Bengal. To avoid the consequences to which those rumors subjected it, they finally sent an order to their Council to abolish the Committee of Salt and Betel Nut, and to leave this branch of trade open to all inhabitants of the country. This could not be carried into effect immediately without causing a general ruin to the members of that society who had advanced their money. A resolution was also taken in the Council to maintain that society for another year. Pursuant to this, it was proclaimed throughout the entire kingdom that the trade in salt and betel nut would become free to all inhabitants of the country, beginning in the month of September 1763, but that no one would be permitted before that time to transport either one or the other from one place to another, since it was equitable that the Committee should first seek to ensure the sale of the entire quantity it still had on hand. The prohibition of the English Company prevented all Englishmen from trading in either of those articles; they brought it about with the Nawab that the same prohibition took place regarding the other French, Danish, and Dutch Nations, and immediately these received a parwana in that regard, but long after the English had caused it to be proclaimed that they were leaving this trade free, without stipulation or explanation as to whether that freedom pertained only to the native inhabitants of the country or also indeed to the other European Nations. Proceeding on this belief, everyone did their best to advance their money against the commencement of the aforementioned publication, with the condition of not transporting any of those merchandises before the month of October 1763. The English, aroused by envy, then served the aforementioned parwana of the Nawab upon the other Nations, without regard to the loss they would suffer through the moneys that each private individual had advanced upon the general belief. Several complaining representations having been sent to the English, they replied that they could not interfere in that matter, it depending solely upon the Nawab, and the latter plainly testified that this conduct was purely prescribed to him on his part, and that he was forced to be obedient, so that up to this day nothing has yet been decided, nor how those who have advanced money will come out of the affair. What is certain is that the English for now still keep the salt solely under the name of the Natives who are in their service. The Nawab knows it, but dares not speak; the Natives, who thought they were free, know better, for whenever they seek to carry on that trade, they are hastily driven away by the English subjects, who hold the power in hand, and they are forced to retreat, so that that trade will remain entirely with the Calcutta Council under the difference of disguised names; this is already known to the whole world, and unknown to no one. What can the Nawab do? He is dependent, and causes himself to bend under the yoke. From this representation, one can easily judge the magnitude of this monopoly, which amounts annually to 40 Lakh or 10 millions. Why should one be surprised at the rapid fortunes that
Dutch transcription
Inverscheidene plaetsen, wierden 'er agenten gestuurt tot den uitkoop van dien handel, dezen Agente wierd alle magt toegetaan, behoorlijk tot den goeden uitval, van de onderneming, der geenen die 'er belangin hadden, waar zij van misbruikte, om te monopoliseeren, en het volk te belasten, die niet klaegen kun„ „nen dewijl het de beveelen waaren, van de meesters Van het land; De Engelsche Gouverneur had drie parten van de Zestig, de tweede twee ieder Raeds„ „persoon een, en de reste was verdeelt tusschen de andere bed=s van de Comp„e, de particuliere koopluiden hadden 'er geen part in, maar dan kwam voor den dag een soort van bank of agio, waar door ieder een aangenomen wierd. inkopende de part van een van de sositeit, tegens een adi„ „rans die tusschen de partijen bepaeld was; door dit middel wierd dit monopolium een pae„ „rig Goedgekeurt, door de Engelsche Natie in Bengalen, en een ieder die 'er zijne voordeel bij had, rond deeze een van de wijste schikkingen van staet kunde, nogthans bevreest zijnde dat de Comp=e het zo goed niet zoude keuren, en dat gebelgd tegen alle de dwaelinge die deze stig„ „ting onderherig was, zekerlijk zoude gewaar worden en dan bevelen tegen die fociteit, zoude zouden, om deze dreeze voortekomen rond men goed de Comp=e op het totael van de Verkoop tien pC=to toetestaan, het welk circa agt Lak bedroeij, door dit Lokaas dogt men haar genoeg„ „zaam te vreeden gesteld te hebben, en in der daat„ scheen het zo, of ten minsten quam er geen ordre strij„ „dig tegen, het geene dat gedaan was Het eerste Jaar Cieluit na de verwagting van alle de geene die 'er belang bij hadde, zij kreegen meer 452. meer dan hondert pC=to ter uitdeeling alle onkosten betaeld, oe Het tweede Jaar verminderde, men hadde de Verdrukking van het volk wat verligt de winst bedroeg maar 80 pC=to echter zugten het volk onder de Verdrukking, en de Engel„ „sche particuliere die geen Deel in deeze groote voordeelen hadden schreeven 'en over na haare vrien„ „den in Engeland met alle de Vrijheid die de Natie„ eigen is, de klagten wierden algemeenen quamen ter oore van het parlement, men hoorde over al zeggen, dat de Engelsche Comp=e de zout pagt in Ben„ „gale had opgerecht, om de gevolgen die die gerugten haar onderherig maekten, te meiden, zonden zij met er laast een order aan haar Raed, om de Comitté van het zoud en den Areek te Vernietigen, en dezen tak van den handel aan alle inwoonders van het Land open te lae„ „ten, dit kon niet aanstonds ter uitwerk gebragt worden, zonder een algemeen Verval te oorzaak aan de Leeden van die sociteit, die haar geld vooruit„ „geschooten haden. Ook wierd 'er in de Raed een Resolu„ „tie genomen, om die sociteit nog een Jaar in stand= te houden, ingevolge van dien wierd door het heele rijk uitgeroepen dat den handel van het zout en den Areek vrij zoude worden aan alle Jnvonders van het Land te beginnen in de maend van 7br: 63. maer dat aan niemand voor die tijd toegestaan zoude worden het een of het andere te vervoeren van den eenen plaets tot den anderen, vermits het billijk was dat de Committé eerst zig zogt te verzeekeren van de Uitkoop van de heele quantiteit die zij nog op handen hadde het verbod van de Engel„ „sche Comp=s, belettede alle Engelschen om in de een of den andere van die articulen te handelen deze bewerkte bij de Nawab dat het zelfde verbod „plaats „kreeg omtrend de andere fransche Deenscheen Hol„ „landsche Natie en dadelijk kreegen deezen een perwan„ „nah ten dien opzigt, maar lange tijd na dat de En„ „gelschen hadden laeten iitroepen dat zij deze handel Vrijlieten vrijlieten, zonder bepadling ofte uitlegging, dat die Vrijheid alleen de Natuurlijke inwoonders van het Land aangong dan ook wel de andere Europeeze Natie„ op dit geloof te werk gaande, deet ieder zijn best om zijn geld voor uit te schieten tegens het aangaan van de publicatie Z. C. met de conditie van geen va„ die koopmanschappen te vervoeren voor de maend van Jbr: 63 de Engelsche door de nijd verwekt deden als dan de perwana van de Nawab te vooren gemeld dienen aan de andere Natien zonder aanzien van het Verlies dat zij hebben zouden, door de penningen die ieder particulier, voor uit„ „geschooten has, op het al gemeen geloof verscheidene klae„ „gende Vertoogen aan de Engelsche gezonden zijn, gaven zij tot antwoord, dat zij zig met die zaek niet konde bemoeij„ alleen van den Namab afhangende, en deeze betuigde naektelijk dat dit gedrag nacktelijk van zijn kant hem voorgesz: was, en dat hij genoodzaakt was gehoorzaam te wezen, zoo dat tot heede toe, 'er nog niets besloote is, en de geene die geld vooruitgeschootn hebben hoe dat zij met de zaek zullen uitkomen, wat zeeker is, is dat de Engelschen het zout voor eerst nog alleen aanhouden Onder de naam van de Jnlanders, die in haar dienst zijn, de Nawab weet het maar en durft niet spree„ „ken, de Jnlanders die vrij dogte te weezen, zijn beeter bewust, want wanneer zij die handel zoeke te drijven worden zij met den haast verjaagt, door de Engel„ „sche onderdaanen, die de kragt in handen hebben, en zij genoodzaekt te deinsen, zo dat die handel heelemaal aan de Kalkatsche Raed zal blijven met 't Verschil van gereinsde naemen, dit is al reeds de heele weereld bekend, en niemand onbewust. wat kan de Nubdoen, hij is afhankelijk, en doet hij zig onder het suk te buigen, door dit Vertoog, kan men ligt oordeele over de groote van dit monopolium die 'sjaars bedraagt 40 Lak ofte 10 millioenen. waar om zoude men Verwondert wezen over de spoedige fortuing die
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which the English private individuals make, and about the great amount of money that they remit to Europe. They object against the other Nations that they have no reason to complain about the prohibition of that trade, because at all times, and before the War, the government had never allowed them that trade. That is true, but they also always grieved over it, as being a violation of their privileges, which gave them the exclusive right to conduct all branches of trade in Bengal without exception. To be certain of this, one must read through all the various perwanas of the Nawab; one will find in almost all of them that full freedom of trade is granted to us, namely in silk, silk fabrics, linens, grains, foodstuffs, ogaera, a Persian word which corresponds with our et ceteras. What else does that et cetera signify than everything in general? Are not salt and the region also parts thereof? Even if the government opposed it, it is still only a violence that does not take away our right, and we are justly established in Europe to demand that this right may be restored to us. Secondly, we must make a great distinction between the manner in which that prohibition is imposed upon us today, and that time when the country was governed by its own rulers and laws. With gifts, which in truth were costly, and secret negotiations by the chiefs of the Nations with some members of the Council of the prince whom they had as friends, they could obtain private permissions. As proof, Mr Courtin had obtained an unlimited permission to carry on the trade in Dacca salt in the kingdom of Assem with exemption from all tolls, having obtained this by distributing 50000 rops on his passport among those who could secure the consent of the Prince for him. This finds no place among the English; they swallow everything, and their jealousy does not permit them to allow the smallest part to the other Nation. If we aim to make private trade flourish in their colonies, we must by all necessity address ourselves to the English Comp or Nation to obtain a general privilege for trade, of whatever name, provided that the tolls that are customary to pay to the Moorish Government are paid. One must stick to this objective if possible, as the only means to equalize the trade between the English and the other nations, and to restore our credit and power in the country. Concerning the Trade in Surat Kapok. This trade has at all times been open to all Nations, who imported as much of it into Bengal as they saw fit. But today, since the English are masters in Surat, they have so seized control of this crop that it is difficult to obtain it through another channel. This is not yet the greatest difficulty; through their inexhaustible treasures, the Council of Calcutta has found the means, in the most unfair manner, to create a monopoly on that crop, just as on all other merchandise. But this affects the English Comp more closely, as well as the other Companies. The following detailed account will serve as proof. Last year the Council of Calcutta ordered their Agents in Surat and Bombay to hold all the kapok for their account, to the extent that they thought the consumption for the manufacture of linens in Bengal would amount to. To achieve their objective, they had sent the necessary funds, whereby their commission was also quickly fulfilled. From all sides ships were prepared for transporting all the kapok that was held, which arrived safely. Then they were busy setting the highest price upon it that they could, to the general advantage of the buyers. The price was set without shame at 24 ropn, and that they would not deliver it for less. N:B: the purchase price at Surat is 10 ropn or thereabouts, and commonly the price in Bengal ran from 12 to 13, 15, or 20. Only in the years when the harvest was unfavorable did that crop reach the price that the society had now set upon it, and who do not fail to buy up that which other English ships, whom they could not prevent, still imported, so that the entire parcel remains in their hands, and thereby the price cannot decrease. This crop being necessary for the manufacture of linens, one is always assured of a steady trade. What results from this is that the weavers, who buy it so dearly, commonly from a second or third hand, are forced to raise the price of the linens in proportion to that of the kapok from which they are made, which is one of the reasons for the dearness and poor quality of the linens of this year. The weaver sought to economize in proportion to the quantity of threads that must go into the piece. From this one can determine how detrimental this monopoly is for all companies, and how urgent it is for the English Comp to abandon all these harmful errors. I imagine that we shall easily obtain satisfaction on this article, the English and other Nations being so much injured by it. The quantity that the society has seized this year is about 100000 mn, which amounts to 24 Lakh or 6 million at 24 ropn per maund. From this arise 6 Lakh that the linens must make good, and it is clear that this is so much loss to the Companies, to the advantage of a small number of private individuals. What we here today
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453. die de Engelsche particulieren maeken, en over het menig„ doe „te geld dat zij in Europa overmaeken, zij brengen en in, tegen de andere Natien dat zij niet te klagen hebben, d over het verbod van dien handeln dewijl dat van alle tijd, en bevoorens den Oorlog, de regeering haar nooit„ dien handel hadde toegestaan, dat is waar, maar Ook daar over altijd gedoleert, als zijnde een verbreeking van haare previlegien, die haar het uitsluitend recht gaf van alle takken van den handel zonder uitnee„ „ming, in bengaalen te drijven. voor dit zeeker te maeken moet men alle verscheidene perwanas van de Nawab nalezen, men zal meest in alle Vinden, dat ons de Heele vrijheid van de handel is toegestaan, te weeten in zijde, zyde stoffen, Linwaeten Graanen eetwaaren, Ogaera persiaensch woord het welke met onze et cateras over eenkomt, wat beduid die et egtere anders dan alles in 't generaal zijne het zout en den streek, 'er ook geen deelen van, al heeft de regeering en zig tegen gesteld, is het tog maar een geweld, die ons recht niet en weg neemt en wij zijn rechtvaardig, gevestigt in Europa te vergen, dat ons dat recht wedergelden moge ten anderen moeten wij een groot verschil maeke tusschen de manier, dat ons dat derbod hee„ „den opgelegt word, en tusschen die tijd dat het Land door haar eige gebiedersen wetten bestierd was, met schenkagien die in waarheid kostelijk waaren, en geheime onderhandelingen van de hoofden Van de Natien, met eenige van de Raed van den prins die zij tot vriendhadden, kosten zij particulier „re permissien verkrijgen. voor bewijs zo had m=r Courtin een onbepaalde permissien Verkreegen, om de Handel Van het Dhacesche zout, in het rijk van Assem te drijven met de bevrijding van alle tollen, dit Verkreegen hebbende, met op zijn pas 50000 rop=s uit te deelen, tusschen die geene die hem de toe„ „stemming van de Prinskonnen verwerven, merer dit ed lij men die om fortuing dit en vind geen plaets bij de Engelschen zij inzwelgen alles, en haar ieverzugt staat haar niet toe, het kleenste ge„ „deelte aan de andere Natie toe te laeten, zoo wij doelen om de particulieren Handel in haare Colonien, te doen floreeren moeten wij met alle noodzaekelijk„ „heid ons aen de Engelsche Comp=e ofte Natie richten tot verkrijging van een algemeene privilegie voor den handel hoe genaemt, mits voldoende de tollen die gewoonlijk zijn, aen de moorsche Regee, „ring te betaelen, bij dit oogmerk moet men, zo het mogelijk is blijven, als het eenig middel om den han„ „del om den handel tusschen de Engelschen en de andere natien gelijk te stellen, en ons Credit en magt in 't Land te herstellen; van den Handel van de Soeratsche Papok. Dezen handel heeft van allertijden vrij gestaan aan alle Natien, die 'er zo veel van in Bengaelen aenvoerden als zij goedkeurde, maar heeden dat de Engelsche in sourattenbaas zijn, hebben zij dit gewasch zo vermeestert dat het moeijelijk is, het door een ander Cannaal te krijgen, dit is nog niet de grootste zwaarigheid, door haar onuitputtelijke schatten, heeft de Raed van Kalkatta middel gevonden op de onbillijkste wijze, een monopolium van dat ge„ „was te maeken, gelijk als op alle andere koopman„ „schappen, maar dit gaat de Engelsche Comp=e nadertie als even ook de andere Maetschappijen. het volgende omstandig Verhaal zal tot bewijs dienen. Den Raad van kalkatten heeft voorleeden Iaar aen haere Agenten te souratta en Bombaij gelast, al de kapok Voor haar reekening aentehouden, voor zo verre als zij dogten dat het vertier voor het aenmaeken van Lijnwaaten in Bengale zoude beloopen om haar Oogmerk te bereiken, hadelen zijde nodige penningen gezonden, waar door Haar Commissie, ook schielijk voldaan is geworden, van alle kante wierden 'er scheepen bereid voor het vervoeren van alle het kapok dat: 454 dat aengehouden was, het welk behouden binnen quam doe was men beezig de hoogste prijs 'er op te stellen dat men kon tot algemeen Voordeel, van de inkoopers, de prijs wierd zonder schaemte op 24 rop=n gesteld, en dat men het niet minder zouden leveren, N:B: de inkoops prijs op sou„ „ratta s 10 rop=n of Circa, en dat gemeenlijk de prijs in ben„ „gaalen van 12 tot 13 „ 15. ofte 20 opliep, alleen in de Jaaren dat de inzaemeling tegenspoedig is geweest, heeft dat Gewas de prijs behaeld die de sociteit en nu opgesteld had, en die niet na laet het geene nog intekoopen, dat andere Engelsche scheepen, die zij niet beletten kennen, aan te voeren, zo dat de Heele partij, in haare standen blijft, en daar door de prijs niet verminderen kan, dit gewas nood„ „zaekelijk zijnde voor het aenmaeken van de Lijn„ „waaten, is men altoos zeeker van een vaste neering wat spruit daar uit dat de weevers die het zo duur inkoopen, gemeenlijk van een tweede ofte derde hand, ge„ „noodzaekt zijn de prijs van de Lijwaaten na propontie te verhoogen na die van het kapok, waar ze van aenge„ „maekt worden, het welk een van de reede is, van de duur„ „te en slegtheid van de Lijwaeten, van dit Iaar. De weever zoekende te spaaren, na proportie op de mee¬ „nigte van draeden, die in't stuk komen moeten. hier door kanmen uitmaeken, hoe nadeelig dat dit mo„ „nopolium, voor alle maetschappijen is, en hoe na de Engelsche Comp=e is, om alle deeze nadeelige dwaalingen te ontwennen, ik verbeelde mijn dat men van dit artikel, ligt satisfactie zullen krij„ „gen de Engelschen en andere Natien, 'en zoo veel door benadeelt zijnde. De quantiteit die die sociteit van dit Iaar bemagtigd heeft is lirca 100'000 m=n, het geen 24 Lak ofte 6 millioenen uitmaeken tegens 24 rop=n p=r maon, daar uit spruit 6 Lak die de Lijwaats goed moeten maeken, en het is klaar dat het zo veel nadeel van de Maetschappijen is, ten voordeel van een kleen getal, particulieren, wat wij hier voor den ½ dag
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texts of which mention is made amount to silver. - - - - there are those that only amount to in Gold - - anas 13 — Silver - - 1½ copper & c ½. The intrinsic value The English compel the men. bring to light, is not exaggerated, but the plain truth; we take no other witnesses than the Calcutta inhabitants themselves. of the Gold Rupees N: B: the rop= in which Although this Article only touches Trade indirectly, the gold - - . . . anas e it has meanwhile been thought proper to add it here, in order the more to convince the whole 1 43 1/10 1banus world how tyrannical and unjust the English are in their government; they have thought fit to strike Gold rupees in their mint, 1banas on which they have fixed the value of 14 sicca rupees, of these is only 10 rop=n mae whereas their intrinsic value is only No money-changer and others to 12 rop=s and 6 anas, which can easily be take them at 14 rop=s. proven by assay; in the beginning when this coin appeared, the money-changers refused to accept it at the fixed price because of the loss they suffered by it; the English, seeing this, made a regulation at Calcutta whereby all people were compelled to accept this new money at the fixed price of 14 rop=n sicca; the latter have this regulation passed and carried out, but when they wished to make it serve throughout the entire kingdom, all the money-changers showed themselves refractory; they were then treated with excessive force and violence; one was imprisoned, others were beaten, but nothing coming of all these abuses, they sought to compel it by an example that could only have taken place in the most barbarous ages: one of the money-changers was hanged in Muxadabad. From this one can judge what is to be expected from a government that proceeds on such principles. copper - - - - 261 1/100 Of the Private Trade in General: The English, being unable to remain at peace and unable to restrain their malicious envy, have dealt the death- blow to the private Trade of the other Nations, and used the most effective means to destroy it; being convinced that it was not proper to use their name in this piece of business, for fear of bringing upon themselves the wrath and just reproach of all Nations, who would not refrain from rising up against them, they have carried out their secret envy through the Nawab, who issued a prohibition, and submitted it by letter to the Director of the French Nation, whereby all manner of trade is prohibited, except that of the Cargo of the ships of the Fatherland; a translated Copy from the Persian has been sent to the directors of the East India Company of France. This prohibition consists in this: that in the future, no French subject shall be permitted to trade in grains, native Butter, oil, wood, and even bamboos, nor anything so-called; from this enumeration one can easily see the English disposition shining through, who drafted that letter, and who only involved themselves in these trifling particulars in order to execute the hindrance more completely, and to reduce the other Nations to nothing, in spite of their privileges; in order better to carry out their prejudicial system, English policy took care to assault only one Nation at a time; they have begun with the French out of fear that, by interfering with the Dutch at the same time, the two Nations would unite to defend their common interests, and to oppose the prejudicial design of their adversary; thus it is most prudent to break the cloud before it bursts, in the belief that, once the French Nation is deprived of its privileges, the Dutch would soon have their turn, and the English would achieve their aim by destroying the two Nations; there is only too much reason to guard oneself against this misfortune; English power no longer knows any bounds; immoderate greed makes them Honourable
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texti van vermeld word bedragen „ zilver. - - - - „ daar zijn 'er die maer bedrae„ „gen aan Goadt - - anas 13„ —„ „ Zilver - - - „ 1½ kooper & o ½. De wezentlijke naardij de Engelschen dwingen de „men. dag brengen, is niet bezwaart, maar de rechte waarheid wij neemen geen andere getuigen als de kalkatteese inwoonders zelfs. van de Goude Copijen N: B: de rop= waar in Schoon dat dit Artikel den Handel maar ter zijde den goud - - . . . anas„, e„ en aengaet, heeft men ondertusschen goedgevonden, het hier bij te voegen, om meer en meer de geheele wee„ 1„43 1/10 1banus„ reld te Overtuigen, hoe geweldaedig en onrechtvaar„ „dig dat de Engelschen in haar bestier zijn, zij hebben goedgevonden in haar muns Goude ropijen te slaen 1banas waar op zij de waardij van 14 ropiassie gesteld van deze is maar 10 rop=n mae hebben, dewijl haar wezentlijke waardij maar is No wisselaar sen anderen om 12 rop=s en danas, het welk men gemakkelijk door ze tegens 14 rop=s aen te nee„ de proef kan bewijzen in den aanrang dat deeze munt voor den dag quam, weigerde de wisse„ „laars ze tegens de gestelde prijs aan te neemen door het verlies dat zij er door leeden, de Engelschen dit te zien krijgende, mackten een reglement tot Kalkatta waar door alle menschen ge„ „dwongen wierden, dit nieuw geld voor de gestelde prijs van 14 rop=m sicca Coerste laets hebben dit reglement is door gegaan en volbragt, maar toe men het zelve door het heele koningrijk heeft willen laeten dienen, hebben zig alle de wisselaars wederspannig getoond, maar toen wierden zij behandelt met over krgt en geveld, men zette de eene gevangen d'andere wierden geslaagen maer uit alle deze mislandelin„ „gen niets spruitende, heeft men het zoeken te dwin„ „gen door een exempel, dat in de barbaarste eeuwg zoude plaets hebben kunnen, daar wierd een van de wisselaars in Moxudabaadh opgehangen. hier uit kannen Oordeelen, wat men te ver„ „wagten heeft van een regeering, die op zulke grond„ „reegelen te werk gaet. Van de Particuliere Handel in 't algemeen: De Engelsche niet in rust blijven kennende en haar af„ „gunstige nijd niet dwinge konnende, hebbende de genaede „ kooper - - - - 261 1/100 slag 455 slag gegeven aan de particuliere Handel van de andere Natien, en het bequaamste middel gebruikt, om het te Vernietigen, overtuigd zijnde, dat het niet betaemde haare naam te gebruiken in dit stukwerk, uit vrees van zig de gramschap, en billijk verwijt van alle Na„ „tien, zig op de hals te haalen, die zig niet weder houden zouden tegen haar opte staen, zo hebben zij haar geheime afgunst ten uitvoer laeten brengen, door de Nawab, die een verbod voor den dag gebragt heeft, en ingediend briefsgewijs aan den Directeur van de fransche Natie waar door alle zoort van handel verbooden is, behal„ „ven die der Lading van de Vaderlandsche scheeps, een overtaalde Copia uit Persiaensch is aan de bewindhebbere der Oost=Jndische Maetschappij frankrijk toegezonden. Dit verbot betael hier in: dat in toekomende, aan geen fransch onderdaan toegestaen zal worden, in graanen Inlandsche Booter, olij, hout, en zelfs bamboesen, nog iets zo genaemt te handelen, door deeze uittel„ „ling kan men Ligt de Engelsche inborst zien straalen, die die brief heeft opgesteld, en die alleen in die beuselachtige omstandigheeden zig zelve heeft inge„ „laeten, om de hindering volmaekter te uitreren, en de andere Natien tot niets te brengen, in spijt van haare privelegien, om haar nadeelig sistema beeter te uit„ „voeren, heeft de Engelsche staatkunde zong gedraagen, dan maar een Natie te gelijk aan te randen, zij leeft met de Fransche begonnen uit vrees dat gelijk aen de Hollanderstornende, de twee Natie zig Vereenigen zouden, om haare algemeene belangen te verweeren. en zig tegen het nadeelig Oogmerk, van haar tegen„ „partij aente kanten, zo is het het voorzigtigste, de wolk te breek, voor dat hij uitbarst, uit loofde dat de fransche Natie eens van haare previlegie beroofd zijnde de Hol¬ „landers schielijk haar beurt zouden krijgen, en de Engel„ „schen haar oogmerk bereiken, door het vernietigen van de twee Natien, daar is maar te veel reeden om zieh voor dit ongeluk te waaren, de Engelsche magt en kent geen paalen meer, de onmatige begeerlijkheid doet hen tEdele
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they resort to anything, and all means that achieve the objective are approved; the privileges of the nations are no longer respected; every day the law of nations is violated; finally, their sole aim, through injustices and oppressions, is to force the other nations to leave a country where they are tolerated with regret; the best means is without doubt to hinder their trade, which is the only motive why they settled in the country. The two Companies must themselves be convinced of the great interest they have in uniting on so important a matter, and indeed, if they permit private trade in India to be destroyed, they must quickly expect the same for the trade of Europe, due to their interconnectedness; one must endeavor to maintain them both equally; besides, what is the purpose of the Company, and of expanding the trade of the state; is private trade not the principal part thereof; by what means do all the subjects live who are scattered in India, and without trade, who would wish to be a servant of the Company, whose emoluments are so meager that one can barely live on them; these remarks are too just, and the content of too great an importance, for the two Companies not to join together to demand back from England the maintenance and preservation of their privileges, and the freedom of trade in this part of India; and if one were to succeed in making an equitable settlement with the English Company, it is necessary that it be drawn up in writing in the manner of a treaty, with all the authenticity that such a work requires. Of the Maritime Trade This trade, which should be subject to no impediments and the extent of which is more than enough to satisfy all nations, is nevertheless not free from oppression, violence, and monopoly. The English, who almost entirely occupy it by the innumerable count of their keels, whether in Bengal, Madras, or Bombay, carry their envy so far that they await with impatience the few shipping ventures undertaken by the other nations; nor do they let anything slip by to thwart them and cause them to turn out to the loss of the shipowners; the voyages to Jidda, Mocha, Basra, and Surat are no longer advisable because of the measures they have taken to secure for themselves the freight of all Bengali merchants; the Council of Calcutta equips ships which are kept exclusively for freight, and to that end they force the merchants to give their merchandise to them; if there is one who refuses, he is ruined, and harassed and targeted to that end until his downfall has resulted from it. The Armenians obey out of fear, and no longer dare to load anything onto the Dutch and French ships; when they wished to maintain their freedom, their trade was stopped until they submitted; the Calcutta Council has carried that absolutism so far that even private English ships may not accept freight until the ships of the Council are completely provided with it, and it has frequently happened that the peons of the Council, stationed along the river for that purpose, took away the private individuals' freight to load the ships of the Council with it, even though the freighter intended to favor another ship therewith; this extraordinary conduct has spurred all private English merchants to send their complaints to England by private letters, and not one of them will ever refuse to declare what we bring forward here as the truth; where is freedom evident from this; one cannot cite a country where slavery and servitude were carried further; the English laws are certainly not such, on the contrary their content is the pillar of justice, the asylum of the oppressed, but these are of no value in India; the persons who have the power in their hands draw up laws that better satisfy their domineering objectives; in a word, covetousness is their chosen law, which, being supported by supremacy and power, constitutes the cause of the
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hen tot alles overgaan, en alle de middelen, die het Oog„ „merk bereiken, zijn goedgekeurt, de privilegien der Na„ „tien werden niet meer ontzien, alle dagen word het recht der Volkeren beleedigt; eindelijk doelen zij op niet anders als door onrechtvaardigheeden en onderdrukkingen, de andere Natien te dwingen om een Land te verlaeten; waar zij met leetweezen in verdraagen worden, het beste middel is zon„ „der twijfel, van haar de Handel te beletten, zijnde de eenigste beweegreeden, waarom zij zig in't landen ge„ „zeten hebben. De twee Maetschappijen moeten zelfs over„ „tuigd weezen, van het groot belang dat zij hebben van zig over zo eene voornaeme zaek te Cereenigen, en in den daat zo zij toestaan, dat den particulieren handel in Jndien vernietigd werd, hebben ze schielijk het zelve te verwagten voor den handel van Europa door haar zamenhang, moet men trachten ze alle beij gelijk op te houden, daar bij wat is het oogmerk van de Maatschappij, en den handel van den staet Uit te breiden, is de particuliere handel, 'er niet het voornaemste deel van; door wat leven alle de Onderdaenen, die in Jndie versprijt zijn, en zonder den handel, wie zou Dienaar van de Comp=e willen weezen, wiens Emolumenten zo gering zijn dat men 'er pas van leven kan, deze aenmerkinge zijn te regtvaardig, en de inhout van te groot belang dat zig de twee maetschappijen niet bij een zouden voegen om aan Engeland de hantharing de onderhoud van haare prinlegien, en de vrijheid van den handel in dit gedeelte Van India te wederEisschen, en zo men te recht quam om met de Engelsche maetschappij eene rechtvaardige schikking te maeken zoo is het noodzaekelijk, dat het schriftelijk tractaats wijze word opgemaekt met al de authenticiteit dat zo een werk vereischt. van den Zee Handel deze handel die geen beletsels onderworpen moest zijn en de uitgestrektheid waar van meer als genoeg is, om alle Natien te voldoen, is tog niet bevreid van onderdruk„ „kinge gewelde monopolium. De Engelschen die het haast 456 haar Naltemaal bezetten door het onnoemelijk getal haaren kiele, 't zij in Bengalen Madras ofte Bombaij. brengen haar afgunst zo verre, dat zij met onge„ „duld beiden, de wijnige rederijen die de andere Natien ondernemen, ook Laeten zij niets slippen om ze te dwars „boomen en ze tot de schaede van de rheeders te doen uitvallen, de reizen naer tjeda, Mocha Bassora, en Souratten zijn niet meer raedzaem, door de maatregulen die zij genomen hebben, om zig van de vragt, van alle Bengael„ „sche koopluiden te verzeekenen, de Raed dan Kalkatte reed scheepen die alleenig, voor vragt gehouden worden, en ten dien einde dwingen ze de koopluiden, haare koopmansz:, aen haer te geven, zo 'er een is die het wijgert, word hij in de grond geboort, en daar toe gekwelt en gezogt tot dat zijn onder„ „gang, er uitgespruit is. De armeniers gehoorzaeme door Vrees, en durren niets meer op de Hollandsche en franschen scheepsladen; toen zij haare vrijheid wilde aanhouden, heeft men haare handel gestuit, tot dat zij zig onderworpen hebben, de Kalkatsche Raad heeft die volstrektheid zo verre ge„ „bragt, dat zelfs de Engelsche particuliere scheepen geen vragt mogen aanneemen tot dat de scheepen van de Raed hellemaal 'er mede derzien zijn, en dikwijls is het gebeurt, dat de pions van de Raed tot dien inzigt gesteld langs de rivier de particulieren haare Vragt uitgenomen hebben, om de scheepen van de raed er mede te laeden, schoon dat de bevragter van zints wes, een ander schip 'er mede te begunstigen, dit zeldzaam gedrag heeft alle particuliere Engelschen kooplieden aangespoort, haare klagten door particuliere brieven naer Engeland te Ver„ „zenden, en geen een van haar zal ooit weigeren, het geene wij hier inbrengen, voor de waarheid te verklaaren, waar blijkt de vrijheid hier uit, men kan geen Land aenhaalen waar de slavernij, en dienstbaarheid, verder gebragt werd, de En„ „gelsche wetten, zijn zeekerlijk zo niet, ter contrarie haar inhoudt is de steuw van de rechtvaardigheid, het azilum van de onderdrukte, maar deze zijn van geen waardijn, Jndia„ de persoonen die de macht in handen hebbe, stellen wetten op die haare Heerschrugtige Oogmerken beeter Voldoen, in een woord de begeerlijkheid is haar Verkoorne wet, die door het opper„ „weezen en macht, ondersteund zijnde, de oorzaek uitmaekt van de 6
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the complaints that we so justly put forward, and which urges us to obtain satisfaction for them. It is also primarily to attempt to destroy the maritime trade of the other Nations that the English recently forced the Nawab to respect their overland trade. They know very well that upon this the other depends, which, once impeded, will make it unnecessary to fit out ships, since it will be impossible to obtain cargo for those keels, whereby they will achieve their objective of making us entirely dependent on them even for the things necessary for subsistence. Since the freedom to provide for ourselves has been taken from us, they will necessarily be compelled to turn to them, and request their favor, to accommodate us with the most necessary provisions and goods, which we will have to pay them for at the price they please to set, so that our labor will redound solely to their advantage, and the other Nations settled here will serve not to advance their own fortune, but as tools for that of the English private individuals. This is now evident in the linen trade, which we shall now treat of, by the measures taken by them to prevent us from obtaining linen from the aurangs; for the lading of the return ships, they force us to buy the same from them, at prices that make us lose even the hope of getting the same value for it in Europe; and if not buying from them, to send the ships empty to the Fatherland, whereby the credit of the other Nations falls to nothing; this we shall further expand upon in the following article concerning the trade of the return ships. The importance of the matter we are now treating of requires the greatest attention of the Nation that has the most interest in the grievances we have put forward. We have clearly demonstrated how our privileges have been violated, as well as the outrages, monopolies, and oppressions inflicted upon us by the English, to our detriment in all branches of trade, but through this article, the very sinew of the Companies is attacked; they wish to destroy them entirely. Our trade is stopped, our goods are taken away by force, the weavers were forbidden to work for anyone other than the English, and if they violate this violent command, corporal punishments immediately follow. If out of greed for profit they let themselves be persuaded and accept our money to work for us, it was immediately reported by the English spies, and at that very moment guards were sent to them, who cut the linen from the looms, shamefully dragged the weavers out of their houses, and subsequently punished them with beatings and sentenced them to fines. Finally, they made the yoke so hard for them that the weavers came to a general revolt, many abandoned their craft and preferred to turn to agriculture, and all the others stayed away from their work for four months, from which it arises that this year the production of linens amounts to one third less than usual. Nevertheless, the English had advanced incalculable sums of money in the aurangs, whether for their Company or also for the account of private individuals; not wishing to fall short, and caring nothing for the law of nations, or for the natural justice that they owe to all men as masters of the land, they, in order to recover what their outrages inflicted upon the weavers would cause them to lose, have caused orders to be proclaimed that during the space of three months not a single piece of linen should be made except for the English Nation. The just representations and the bitter complaints that have been presented to the Council of Calcutta by the Nations have had no effect; they have only stalled us with idle promises, attempting to excuse the outrages with which we charge them, whether through fictitious pretexts or through known lies. Finally our trade
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de klagten die wij zo rechtvaardig voor den dag brengen, en ons aanspoort er satisfactie van te erlangen. Het is ook wel Voornamentlijk om te trachten de zee handel van de andere Na„ „tien te vernietigen, dat de Engelschen kortelings de Nawab gedwongen heeft, haar de Landhandel te Eerbieden, zij weeten heel wel dat van deezen, de andere Afhankelijk is, dewelke eens belet zijnde, het onnodig zal worden scheepen te reeden dewijl het onmogelijk zal weezen de Lodieje Laeding voor die kielen te bekomen, waar door zij hunne oogmerk zullen bereiken„ van ons ten eenemaal van haar afhankelijk te maeken voor de zaeken die zelfs, tot het levens bestaen nodig zijn, dewijl ons de vrijheid is afgenomen van ons zelfs te verzien zul„ „len zij noodwendig, gedwongen zijn, tot haar te keeren, en haer goedgunstigheid, te verzoeken, om ons te gerieven met de nood„ „wendigste hoop de nootwendigste zaeken die we haar betaelen zullen moeten tegens den prijs, dat zij believen zullen, en op te stellen, zo dat onze arbeid, alleene tot haar voordeel zal uitdraijen, en de andere Natien hier gezeten, zullen niet tot vor„ „dering van haar eigen fortuin, maar tot werktuig van die dan de Engelsche particulieren dienen, dit blijkt thans aan den Lijnwaat handel, waar over wij nu handelen zullen, door de maetregulen door haar genomen, ons te beletten van Lijnwaat uit de Arrengs te krijgen; tot de Laeding van de Patriasche scheepen, dwingen zij ons dezelve van haar te koops, tegens prijzen die ons zelfs de Hoop= dog verlieze, van 'er dezelfde waardij voor in Europa te krijgen; en zo niet van Haar koopende de scheeps Leedig naar het Vaderland te zenden, waar door het crediet van de andere Natien, tot niets vervalt, dit zullen wij uit volgende Articel verders, uitbreiden van den Handel den. Pariasche retoer scheepen. De gewigtigheid van de zaak, die wij nu handelen ver„ „eischt de grootste oplettenheid van de Natie die het meest belang hebbe, in de bezwaarnissen die wij voor den dag gebracht hebben, wij hebben klaer doen blijken hoe dat onze preveligien gekrenkt zijn, als ook de ge„ „weldenarije monopoliums, onderdrukkingen ons, door de Engelsche aengedaen, ter onzer nadeel in alle de takken van den handel, maar door dit Articel, word de. 457 de zenuw van de Maetschappijen aengerand men wil ze ten eenemaal vernietige, onzen handel word gestuit, on„ „ze waaren worden door overmagt weggenomen, de wee„ „vers werden verbooden, voor niemand te werk, dan voor is de Engelschen, en zo zij dit geweldig gebod overtreeden volgen en de Lijfstraffen er aanstonds op, zo zij door de winst zugt zig laets vinden, en zij ons geld aanneemen, om voor ons ge te werken, werd het aanstonds aangebragt, door de En„ „gelsche Verspieders, en op het ogenblik, wagtens bij haar gezonden, die het Lijnwaat van de weeftouwen afsneiden, de wevers uit haar luizen, schandelijk wegnee„ „men, en vervolgens met slaegen gestraft, en tot boetens, gevonnist werden, eindelijk heeft men haar het Jnk zo hard gemaekt, dat de weevers tot eene algemeene op„ „stand gekomen zijn, veele haar ambagt Verlieten, en zig liever tot den Landbouw begeren hebben, en alle de andere Vier maenden Lang van haar werk afgebleeven zijn, waar van uitspruit dat de dit Jaar, het aenmaeken Ian de Lijnwaaten, eene derde minder bedraegt, dan ge„ „woonlijk, dog niet te min hadden de Engelsche onnoe„ „melijke sommen Gelds in de Arrengs vooruit geschoo„ „ten het zij voor haar Comp=e als ook wel voor reeke„ „ning van de particulieren, niet te kort willende schieten, en zig niet stoorende aan het reecht der volkeren, of aan de natuurlijke rechtvaardigheid, die zij aen alle menschen schuldig zijn, als bezitters van het Land, hebben zij om het geene weder inte winnen dat haar geweldenarijen dan de weevers aengedaan haar zoude doen verliesen, ordres uit laeten roepen, dat er Geduurende de tijd van drie maenden, geen stuk Lijnwaat gemaekt zou worden, dan voor de En„ „gelsche Natie, de rechtvaardige Vertooningen en de bittere klagte. die aan den Raed van Kalkatte door den Natien Voorgehouden zijn, hebben van geen uit„ „werking geweest, zij hebben ons alleen met iedele beloften opgehouden, de geweldenarijen, waar wij ze van betigten, trachten te verontschuldigen, het zij door gewaande Voorstelsels, ofte door bekende Leugens, eindelijk is onzen handel ri
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trade run into the ground, and stands to be utterly destroyed. Of over twenty-five lakhs that the Dutch nation has already spent in the Aurangs for the year, it has barely received a fourth of the linens; and of a later expenditure made by the French nation at various times, which amounts to about sixteen lakhs, that nation has barely received a third of the linens. The Dutch were indeed able to send off the cargo for three ships, but it was from what they had kept over in their warehouses from the previous year, and it is known to the whole world that it is their custom at all times to keep one or two cargoes in reserve; the fourth ship of that nation was sent empty. The French are sending three ships, but in what manner: the cargoes were purchased for ready cash from the English private individuals at whatever price pleased them, who seek their profit in the necessity which they know the others are under to buy it from them, notwithstanding the dearness and poor quality of the goods. This cannot be denied; it appears all too clearly in the invoices and accounts sent to the French Company. The contracted linens and those bought for cash are each separately entered in the books, which can be inspected, and thereby one may judge in what manner their ships are loaded, and how they are wronged in the price. There was no other choice than to submit to these hard circumstances and to supply oneself in that manner, or to send the ships to Europe without cargo, which without doubt would cause the loss of the Company's credit, and perhaps even its total destruction, especially having been established so recently. Such is the dreadful picture that we must bring to light; we have represented nothing too strongly; truth has guided our pen, and grief makes us heave the sighs which we so wish to reach our respective superiors in Europe, agreed to let the English enjoy half of the weavers, but never expressed themselves directly on that matter with the latter nation, to let them arrive, so that our masters, taking pity on our servitude and oppression, might employ the right means to seek to deliver us from that tyrannical yoke and from that absolutism under which we suffer, and which without doubt will shortly cause the disappearance of our trade and thereby the exclusion of the nations in Bengal, unless powerful measures for a speedy recovery are promptly devised. If the English in that country were inclined to agree to a settlement and not to obstruct the trade to which the nations have a right, they would not have refused to listen to the various proposals that were made to them, to give the matters altogether such a form that everyone would find their benefit therein. There had been talk of taking a strict census of all the weavers, in order subsequently to distribute them among the various nations, as had indeed been discussed with the French. Through this arrangement proposed by the Dutch Director, and to which the Council of Chandernagore had given its consent, the English would have half of the weavers, and the other half would be distributed in equal portions to the Dutch and French nations. This arrangement, which seemed as just and equitable as could be proposed to a nation that holds power in its hands and that governs the realm of Bengal as a conquered land, was approved by the English, whereupon each nation appointed commissioners who together would carry out the aforementioned distribution. These undertook the journey and had already set their hands to the work, from which it was so hoped that all present and future disputes and obstacles would be cleared away; but what astonishment was caused by the sudden departure of the English commissioners by order of their Council, who, when addressed
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handel in de grond geboord, en staet ten eenemael ver„ „nietigd te worden. van over de thijfentwintig Lakken. die de Hollandsche Natie in de Harrengs, al over het Jaar besteed heeft, heeft zij vast een Vierde van de Lijwaaten gekregen, en van een Laeter besteeding van de fransche Natie op Per„ „scheidene tijden gedaan en die omtrend sestien Lakken bedraegt heeft die Natie 'er pas een derde van Lijnwaa„ „ten van ingekreegen, de Hollanders hebben dog de Laading voor drie scheepen verkonden maar het was van het geen zij van het voorleeden Iaar in haere Pakhuizen overge„ „houden hadden, en het is de heele weereld bekent, dat haar ge„ „bruik is ter aller teiden een of twee Carguasoenen voor uitte houden, het vierde schip van die Natie is leeg ver„ „zonden, de franschen verzenden drie scheepen maar op wat wijze de Carguasoenen werden ingekogt voor Contanten Penningen, van de Engelsche particulieren tegen de prijs dat, het die behaagt, die haar voordeel zoeken, in de noodzaekelijkheid dat zij weeten dat zij zijn, om het van haar te kopen, niet tegenstaende de duurte en slegtheid van de waar. Dit kan men niet tegenspreeken, het blijkt maar te klaar in de fac„ „tuuren en de reekeningen die aen de fransche Maat„ „schappij verzonden werden, de besteede Lijnwaaten, en die voor Contanten ingekogt zijn, zijn ieder bij„ „zonder in de boeken opgedraegen, die men zien kan, en daar door oordeelen, op wat weize haar scheepen gelaeden worden, en hoe dat ze in de prijs beledigd worden, daar was niets anders op, dan zig aen die harde gevallen te onderwerpen, en zig op die manier te verzien ofte de scheepen zonder lading na Europa verzenden, het welk zonder twijffel het Verlies van het Crediet van de Maetschappij, zoude veroorzaeken, en ook wel haar heele Vernitiging, voor al zo kortelings eerst opgerecht zijnde, zo is de eisselijke afbeelding die wij Voor de dag moeten brengen, wij hebben niets te sterk ingebragt, de waaragtigheid heeft onze pen geleid, en de smerte doet ons de zuchten uitbree„ „ken, die wij zo wenschen in Europa aen onze respectiven horen te d d over 458 afgesprooken de helft van de weevers aen de Engelsche te laeten genieten, maar nooit Direct zig met die Laetstgem: Natie daar over uitgelaaten. te laeten toekomen, op dat onze meesters mede dogen krij„ „gende, met onze slavernij en onderdrukking de rechten middelen plegen zoude om ons van die Frannische Juk, en van die Volstrektheid, waar onder wij leiden, ons zoeken te verlossen, en die zonder twijffel kortelings de Eerdwijning van onzen handel zal veroorzaeken en daar door de uitsluiting van de Natien in Bengalen, zo men niet schielijk kragtige middelen tot een spoedige herstelling, beraemt, zo de Engelsche in dat Land van meening waaren, zig tot een bevrediging te laeten vin„ „den en de handel waartoe de Natien regt toe hebben niet te beletten, zouden zijn niet geweigert hebben te luisteren na de Verscheidene Voorslaegen die haar gedaan zijn, om de zaeken in't geheel zo een forma te geven, dat ieder een 'er zijn voordeel in zou vin„ „den, men had gesprooken van een stipte op„ „neem te doen, van alle de weevers, om vervolg=s men had wel met de franschen die onder de Verscheidene natien uijttedeelen. Door deeze schikking door den Hollandsche Directeur opgedraegen, en waar toe de 's sjandernaggersche Raed zijn toestemming gegeven had zoude de Engelschen, de helft van de weevers hebben, en de andere helft, met egua„ „le portien, aen de Hollandsche en fransche Natie„ uitgedeeldt werden, deze schikking die zo rechtraar„ „dig en billijk scheen, als men aan een Natie die de magt in handen heeft kon voordraagen, en die het rijk van Bengale bestierd als een overwonne Landt wierd van de Engelschen goedgekeurt waar op ieder Natie Commissarissen benoemde die gezament¬ „lijk de voorgemelde uitdeeling zoude ten uitvoer bren„ „gen, deze namen de reis aen, en hadden alreeds de handen den een werk geslaegen, waar uit men zo te hoopen had, dat Alle tegenwoordige, en toekomende twisten, en hinderpaele, uit de weg zouden gelegt worden, maar wat een verwondering oorzaekte niet het eensklaps vertrek van de Engelsche Com„ „missarissen door bevel van haar Raed. Die aenge„ „sprooken
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was spoken, to explain that riddle, who excused themselves for this conduct by the common reasons that will be found at the end of this report in the evidentiary documents, which serve to substantiate the facts, and especially in the Journal of the Dutch and French Commissioners, in which one can see, not without vexation, the faithlessness and the pretexts that the English have used in order not to fulfill their promises and engagement. This matter having thus ended, everything fell more than ever into confusion and dispute; trade was obstructed from all sides; the English overwhelmed it entirely and today cause us those disadvantages and damages about which we so justly complain. According to reports, the demand of their Company amounts to 120 Lakhs; if it is true, one must agree that they have undertaken to make themselves masters of the whole and to leave nothing to the other Nations, since the country cannot yield more than that sum annually. It is true that the private individuals, feeling the disadvantage that such demands would cause to their trade if they were fulfilled, have reduced them by half; the English Company will this year obtain only circa 64 Lakhs, on eight ships that must be dispatched from Bengal to Europe, but this reduction has in no way turned to the advantage of the other companies. The English private individuals have enjoyed the benefit of it, since they alone had the remainder manufactured for themselves in order subsequently to sell it to the other Nations. According to the reports we have received from the province of Patna, 250000 pieces of linen were supposed to be produced this year, of which the English Company received seventy thousand pieces, and the Dutch amounts to only 25800 pieces (the quantity that we, the Dutch Nation, obtained was 30000 pieces procured from Patna through an arrangement with the English chief, of which mention is made in the article on the Opium). The French did not receive a single piece of goods, being prevented by that same English chief to avenge himself over a private dispute with the French chief, the circumstances of which have been sent to the French Company. There have thus entered into the English and Dutch warehouses 100000 pieces; the other one hundred and fifty thousand pieces were all bought up by the English private individuals, from whom the French were forced to buy them back to complete their cargo, at the improper price that is stated in the invoices. They proceeded in the same manner in the workshops at Chandrakona, Kirpai, Radhanagar, Ghatal, Narajil, Ransibonpur, etc. These Aurangs have yielded this year 50000 diverse pieces of linen, of which the English Company obtained 25000 and various private individuals of Calcutta 18300 pieces. By this calculation, only 6 to 7000 pieces remain for the other Nations. In order not to cause the least doubt concerning the quantity that we list here as obtained by the English private individuals from those Aurangs, they are reported here name by name: 1200 pieces to Rombador Mokoerja, Gomasta of Mr. Beder 1700 pieces to Nanderam Sjatija, Gomasta of Mr. Skinner 1500 pieces to Roegoe 't sjal, Gomasta of Mr. Barwell 700 pieces to Rogon dat, Gomasta of Mr. White and Bolton 5100 pieces carried forward 5100 pieces brought forward 700 pieces to Binondrambos, Gomasta of Mr. Lushington 1200 pieces to Tokulkond for Mr. Alexander 500 pieces to Iaggernatbos for Mr. Dros 600 pieces to Sjisjouram Goos for Mr. Vansittart 1500 pieces to Doetram Dat for Mr. Aldersey 1000 pieces to Hicher Sjoudro for Mr. Batho 300 pieces to Nasiram Tercaer for Mr. Handel 500 pieces to Ramsjet for Mr. Woditt 2000 pieces to Nedisser Goopaal for Mr. Listen 500 pieces to Lonsi Biani boraal for Afirimol, Gentile merchant at Calcutta 1000 pieces to Boranigoron Gopi for Mr. Graham 1000 pieces to Kalies Jenker 100 pieces to Rajaram Mokoersja (one has not well been able to find out the names of these four gentlemen) 100 pieces to Janariam Dett 1000 pieces to Kam kisser Goos 1200 pieces to Kissermenbon for Mr. Cartier 18300 pieces for the account of the private individuals of Calcutta. After all these proofs and manner of dealing, how is it possible that the companies can exist in Bengal? We are treated no better in other places; the difference is only of more or less. The article of the silk must not be omitted here; it is of importance to bring to light how many difficulties this subject has caused us. The English have this year claimed for more than 20 Lakhs for themselves and for their Company. The French were only able to procure 1200 maunds, which amounts to about three Lakhs, and the Dutch 213, besides 196 maunds of Mochta, which together makes about one Lakh and a half. The winders are seized by force; even those in the service of the Dutch and French are not exempt [illegible]
Dutch transcription
„sprooken wierdt, tot uitleg van dien Raedsel, die /:a:/de van zig verschoonden van dit gedrag, door de gemeene bedr reeden, die men aen het einde van dit bericht in de bewijsstukken zal vinden, die tot het waarmaeken. van de zaekelijkheeden dient, en vooral in't Journael van de Hollandsche en Fransche Commissarissen, waar in men niet zonder ergernissen, kan zien, de trouw„ „loosheid, en de uitvlugten, die de Engelsche, ge„ „bruikt hebben, om niet aen haere beloften, en ver„ „bintenis te voldoen, deze zaek zo ten einde ge„ „raekt zijnde, verviel alles meerder dan ooit in Verwarring, en twist, den handel wierdt van alle kanten gestuit, de Engelschen overweldigden het in't geheel, en brengen ons heeden die nadeel en schaeden toe, waar over wij zo rechtvaardiglijk klaegen, na het zeggen beloopt den Eisch van haare Comp: tot 120 Lakke, zo het waar is moet men toestemmen dat zij ondernoomen hebben zig van het geheel meester te maeken, en niets aen de andere Natie over te laeten, dewijl het Land voor 'sjaarlijx, niet meer van die somma kan opbrengen, het is waar dat de particulieren, het nadeel voelende, dat zulke Eis„ „schen aen haar handel zouden toebrengen, zoo men ze voldeedze tot de helft vermindert hebben, de En„ „gelsche Maetschappij zal dit Iaar maar voor Circa 64. Lakke krijgen, op agt scheeps, die van Ben„ „gale naer Europa moeten verzonden worden, maar deze vermindering heeft in geenen deele tot het Voordeel van de andere maetschappijen gekeert de Engelsche particuliere hebben het voordeel 'er van genooten, dewijl zij alleen het restant, voor haer hebben laeten aenmaeken, om het vervolgens aen de andere Natie te Verkoops; na de berichten die wij van de provintie van Pattena gekreegen hebben, zoude dit Jaar 250000 p=s Lijwaet opge„ hebben waar van de Engelsche Comp=e Zeventig Duizend stukken, heeft gekreegen, en de Holland„ „sche 459 bedraegt maer 25800 p=s :a:/ de quantiteit die wij Hollandsche Natie zig (:a:/ 30000 stukken bezorgt van Pattena gekreegen hebben door een schikking met het Engelsch opperhoofd, waer van in't artikel van den Amfioeij gemeld word, de franschen hebben geen stuk goed gekreegen, daar in 'totr die zelfde Engelsche opperhoofd belet om zig te wreeken over een particuliere twist met het fransche opper„ „hoofd, waar van de omstandigheeden, aen de fran„ „sche Comp=e Verzonden zijn daar zijn dan 100'000 stukken in de Engelschen en Hollandsche pakhui„ „zen binnen gekomen, de honderd en vijftig andere Duizend stukken, zijn alle door de Engelsche parti„ „culieren opgekogt, van wien de franschen zijn ge„ „dwongen geweest ze weder te koopen, om haer Lading te volmaeken, tegens de onbehoorlijke prijs die in de factuuren bekent staet, zij hebben op de zelf„ „de wijs te werk gegaen in de handwerkhuizen, te Sjenderkona, kirpajen Raddanegger Gatal, Narajil. Ransibonpoer &a Deeze Harrengs hebben dit Iaar 50'000 diverse stuk„ „ken Lijwaet opgebragt waar van de Engelsche Comp=e 25000 en verscheidene particulieren van kalkatta 18300 stukken bekomen hebben, door deze reek: blijft 'er maar 6 a 7000 stukken over voor de andere Natie, om niet de minste twijfel te ver„ „oorzaeken, omtrend de quantiteit, die wij hier op „noemen door de Engelsche particulieren uit die Harrings gekreegen, worden zij hier naem bij naem gemeld 1200 p=s den Rombador Mokoerja Gomastha van Mbm. Beder aan Nanderam Sjatija Gomasta van 1700 „ H„k 'S Zinner. aan Roegoe 't sjal Gomasta van A=r Bar„ 1500 „ „wel. 700 „ aan Rogon= dat Gomasta van H„r White en Bolton vn 5100 p=s Transporteere ne 141 5100 ps p„r transport. 700 „ aen Binondrambos Gomastab van M=r Laslington. 1200 „ aan Tokulkond voor M„r Alexander 500 „ aan Iaggernatbos voor A=n Dros. 600 „ „ Sjisjouram Goos voor A= van Sittart 1500 „ „ Doetram Dat voor H=r Alderseij 1000 „ „ Hicher Sjoudro voor M„r Batho. 300 „ „ Nasiram Tercaer voor M=r Handel 500 „ „ Ramsjet voor M„r Woditt Nedisser Goopaal voor M=r Listen. 2000 „ „ Lonsi Biani boraal voor afirimol, Ien„ 500 „ „ „tiefsche Koopman tot Kalkatta. 1000 „ „ Boranigoron Gopi voor M=r Graham.. 1000„ „ kalies Jenker - - men heeft niet wel 100 „ „ Rajaram Mokoersja agter de naemen van deze vier heeren 100 „ „ Janariam Dett 1000 „ „ aan kam kisser Goos) komen konnen. 1200„ aan kissermenbon voor M=r Cartier 18300 p=s voor de reek: van de particulieren van kalkatte. Naar alle deze bewijze en manier van handele hoe is het mogelijk dat de maetschappije, in bengalen bestaen kunnen, wij worden niet beter op andere plaetse gehandelt, het onderscheid is maar van meer tot minder, het artikel van de zijde moet hier niet agter gelaeten worden het is van belang voor den dag te brengen, hoe veel moeyelijkheeden, dat dit Voorwerp ons aengebragt heeft, de Engelschen hebben dit Iaar voor meer dan 20 Lak opgedag„ Voor haar en voor haar Maetschappij. De franschen hebben zig maar 1200 mans kunnen bezorgen, het geen omtrend drie Lak bedraegt en de Hollanders 213/:a: a:/ behalven 196 m=n Mochta, het geene te zamen omtrend een zak en een half uitmaekt, de haspe„ „laars worden met geweld opgevat, zelfs die in dienst van de Hollanders en franschen zijn niet bevrijd wer Zig „i D die „res
English
460 to maintain the quantity, or whether the rest is also to be included in it. regarding this article. exempt from the same, as is proven by all the correspondence in which one can see the manifold complaints that have so frequently been made to the Council of Calcutta regarding these irregularities. Finally, all objects of trade, whether in Europe or in India, are in the hands of the English, and we believe we have given clear evidence of the violence, monopoly, and injustice with which they conduct trade to the detriment of Nations which they have no right to obstruct. We therefore hope that these will unite to obtain a just satisfaction, and thereby be in a position to hold the scales somewhat more evenly; and if not, we must say with sorrow that Bengal is lost to them, and that they will be forced to abandon that rich and fertile Country to the English Nation, who contemplate no other design than the exclusion of others in order to enjoy it solely and without opposition. 6: by this arrangement all other Nations are excluded, so that one should only propose a lawful distribution without specifying any particular one, including the Danish Company which is also situated in this country. E: There are two means to be used to bring the nations into harmony in the trade of Linens. The first is the distribution of the Weavers, as according to the previous arrangement, whereof one half would go to the English Nation, and the other half in equal portions to the Dutch and French Nations. c: The second means, in default of the other, would be to agree that each weaver should deliver one half of his monthly work to the English Nation, and the other half to the French and Dutch Nations. We see no other alternative than to employ one of these two means, in order to prevent all disputes and discords, which will always arise to the detriment of the weakest, who is forced to yield to the strongest. Likewise with respect to raw silk, the companies must yearly make their demands Examined: make their demands for the trade of Europe and India, and consequently agree with the English that a number of winders shall be supplied to them according to the size of the demand that shall be granted to them. The French Nation requires at least 2000 of them annually, and approximately as many for the Dutch. By this rule the Nations will be brought to a lawful and proper concord, or sooner or later they must leave the country, or maintain themselves by forceful means, which certainly would not be to the advantage of the English Nation, who, having arrived at such a degree of superior power, have nothing more to desire or obtain, but everything to lose in an upheaval that would turn against them. signed below: for the translation: signed: Louis de Caumaise. Agrees: Fr: Thof G. Herklots. Cs Verspijck Separate bundle concerning the disputes with foreign nations, or the letters exchanged with the same. 461 3. — No. 1 copy of letters and their translations from the Lord Governor and Council at Calcutta to the Lord Director and Council at Hoogly dated 12, 15, and 25 January, 3 March, 7 and 27 June, 26 August, 28 September, and 8 and 10 October of this year. 2 outgoing letters from the Lord Director and Council at Hoogly to the Lord Governor and Council at Calcutta, dates 16 and 20 January, 10 February, 7 March, 16 May, 20 June, 19 and 20 September, 1, 8, 12, and 19 October 1768; and translations of the received letters from the French ministry to the Lord Director and Council at Hoogly, dated 19 January, 1 April, 16 and 30 May, 15 and 30 June, item 8 July of this year. Register of such papers as relate to the disputes with the foreign nations since 11 January until 19 October 1768. No. 4 No. 4 copy of outgoing letters to the Lords Director and Council at Chandernagore, dates 23 January, 6 April, 14 May, 8 and 20 June, 4 and 21 July 1768. 5 outgoing letters from the Lord Director Vernet to the Lord Governor at Calcutta of 18 and 24 February, 26 March, 7 May, 28 September, etc. 6 Copies and translations of the incoming letters from the Lord Governor Verelst to the Lord Director here, dates 19 and 27 February, 10 May, and the . . . September 1768. Hoogly in Bengal, 8 November 1768. 6 462 To the Honble George Louis Vernet Esqr Director and Council at Houghly We have received your letters of the 30th ultimo and 4th instant, and have applied to the Mayor's Court for particulars regarding the attachment of the goods, which you mention in the former. With respect to the latter advising us of Mr. Stewart's conduct, we are not able to reply to it now, as the depositions enclosed therein are so very voluminous we have not as yet been able to get them translated. Having procured a larger quantity of Saltpetre than we expected this Season we find ourselves enabled to furnish you with a further supply of that article and therefore request you will inform us how much more you have occasion for and whether it will be agreeable to you to receive it down here, as our final dispatch is now on its way from Patna. We are, signed below, Honble Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants, signed: H Verelst, John Cartier, Richd Becher, W Aldersey, Charles Floyer, aside: Fort William 11 January 1768. Signed: Simeon Droz, Secretary. To the same as before We have been favored with your letters of the 16th and 20th instant. It is not in our power to comply fully with your request for saltpetre. As soon as our Fleet of that article, which is now on its way down, reaches Calcutta, we will spare you 10000 maunds and advise you when it is ready for delivery. We are sorry to observe that you imagine a partiality, Honble Sir and Sirs, 22
Dutch transcription
460 „titeit te houden, ofte ook de„ „rest is, er in te begrijpen. dit artikel. de Zelfde aen bevrijd, dit word beweezen door alle de Correspondentie waar in men zien kan, de menigvuldige klagten die zo dikwijls tot de Kalkatsche Raed gedaen zijn omtrend die ongeregeltheden eindelijk zijn alle voor„ „werpen van den Handel het zij in Europa of in India in de handen van de Engelsche en wij denken klaaere blijken gegeven te hebben met wat voor een geweld, mond„ „polium, en onbillijkheid dat zij den handel, drijven tot nadeel van Natien, die zij geen recht hebben te beletten. Daar op hoopen wij dat deeze zig bij zamen zullen stellen, om een rechtvaardige satis„ „factie te verkrijgen, en daar door in staet weezen, de schaal wat regter te houden, en zoo niet, moeten wij met Leedzeggjen, dat Bengalen voor haar verlooren is, en genoodzaekt zullen zijn dat rijk en vrugt„ „baar Landt te verlaaten, aen de Engelsche Natie die geen ander Oogmerk beraemt, dan de uit„ „sluiting van andere om het alleenig en zouden tegenstreevens te genieten. /6:/ door deze schikking /:E: Daar zijn twee middelen te gebruiken om de natie werden alle andere Natie uit„ in den Handel, van de Lijwaaten eenste doen wor„ „geslooten, zo dat men maer alleen een wettige uitdee„ den, heteen is de uitdeel der Weerens, als na voorige „ling moet voorslag zonder schikking, waar van een helft aen de Engelsche Natie zigden een bepaelde, quam, en de andere helft met gelijke portie aen de Hollandens Deensche Maetschappij en Fransche Natie zoude toegestaen worden. die ook in dit landt ge„ /:c:/ het tweede middel bij Gebrek van de andere zouden zijn, over een te komen, dat ieder weever van zijn Maendelijx werk, een helft aen de Engelsche Na„ „tie, en de andere helft aen de franche Natien en merking omtrend hollandsche zoude leeveren. Wij zien 'er niets anders op, als een van deze twee middelen, in gebruik te stellen, tot voorko„ „ming van alle twisten en oneenigheeden, die zie altoos zullen opdoen tot nadeel van de zwakste die gedwongen is voor de sterkste te burgen als ook ten opzigte van de ruwe zijden moeten sjaarlijx de maetschappijen, haare Eissen Coll: Eisschen doen, voor den handel van Europa en India en gevolgelijk met de Engelsche over eenkomen, dat haar een getal haspelaars zal geleverd worden na de groote van den Eisch die haar toegestaen zal worden, de fransche Natie is 'er Jaarlijx ten minste 2o0d benodigt, en circa ook zo veel aen„ de Hollanders, door deze regel zal men de Natie tot een wettige en behoorlijke eendragt doen ko„ „men, ofte vroeg of laet het land verlaeten moe„ tve, ofte zig, en door kragtige middelen in te bevestige, wat zekerlijk het voordeel van de Engelsche Natie niet zoude wezen, die tot zo een graed van Overmagt gekomen zijnde, niets meer te wenschen offte erlangen heeft, maar alles te verliesen in een omkeering die Haar zoude tegen Vallen. /:ond=t / door het Translaet /:get=t/ Louis de Caumaise. Accordeert fr: Thof G„ Herklots. Cs Verspijck Aparte bondel rakende de Differenten met de vreemde natien, ofte de net dezelve gewisselde brieven. 461 „ 3. — N=o 1 copia missive en derzelver taansla ten van den Heer Gou„ veneur en raed te kalkatte aen den Heere Directeur en Raed te Hoegli gedatd 12. 15 en 25 January 3 moet 7 27 Iuni, 26 augs 28 7=ts 810 october deeser jaers. 2 _o afgegoene brieve van de Heer Directeur en Raed te Hoegli ag de Heere gou verneure Raed te Kalaatde is datis 16e 20 Januarii 10 febr: 7maert, 16 wei 20 Jucii 1920 7=t 1. 8. 12 e 19 8tb 1168 en translaten der ontfan gene brieven van het fran„ sche miniterie aen den Heere Directeur en raed te Hoegli gedatd. 19 January 1 april 16 830 mei. 15e 30 Juni item 8 Juli deesers Jaers. Register van zodanige papieren als relatie hebben tot de verschillen met de vreemde natij zeedert 11 Januarij tot den 193 octob. 1768 No. 4 No 4 copia afgegaene brieve aan de Heeren Directeure raed te sendernegger de dater 23 January, 6 april 14 mei 8 en 20 Iuni, 4 en 21 Juli 1768 „ 5 _o afgegaene brieve van de Heer Direteur Vernet op de Heer gouveneur te Kal„ katie van 18 en 24 febr: 26 maren 7 meis 28 7=te a:c „ 6 Copian en translaten der aengekomene brieven van de Heer gouverneur Verelstaen de Heer Directeur alhier de datis 19 en 27 febr: 10 mei br e den. . . 7=r 1768 Hoegei in bengale en 8 9b 1768 Suurrelibzaret Dents 6 462 To the Honble George Leuris Vernet Esqr Director et Council at Hougley We have rec'd your letters of the 30 ult. & 4 instant, & have applied to the mayons count, for particulars regarding the attachament of the goods, which you mention in the former, with re„ spect to the latter advising us of Mr. Stewards con¬ duet, we are not able to reply to it now, as the depositions enclosed therein, are so very voluminous we have not as get been able to get them translated. Having procured a langer quantity of Salppetre than we expected this Leason we find ourselves en¬ abled to furnish you with a further supply of that article and therefore request, you will inform ushow mach mone you have occasion for & whetheri it will be agreeable to you to receive it down here as pur final dispatch is now en its way from patna. We are (onderst/ Honble sir et sirs Cleger your, most obedient hemble servants /getekend:/ A Verelst Johnlantier. Richd Becker w Aldersey Charles Floger, / ter zyde / Ton& williano 11 January 1768 Ed / getd/ simeen doon Lec=r Aan als vooren We have been favoned with your letters of the 16 & 20 instant It is not in our power to complij fully with gour request for salpetre, as soon as our Fleet of that article, which is now en its way down reaches Calcutta, we will spare you 10000 maunds and advise you when it is ready for delivery. we are sorry to observe, that you imagine a partia„ Honble Sir et Sias litij 22
English
462 To the Honorable George Lodewijk Vernet Esqr. Director and Council at Hooghly Honorable Sir and Sirs We have received your letters of the 30th ultimo and 4th instant, and have applied to the Mayor's Court for particulars regarding the attachment of the goods, which you mention in the former; with respect to the latter advising us of Mr. Stewart's conduct, we are not able to reply to it now, as the depositions enclosed therein are so very voluminous we have not as yet been able to get them translated. Having procured a larger quantity of Saltpetre than we expected this season, we find ourselves enabled to furnish you with a further supply of that article and therefore request you will inform us how much more you have occasion for and whether it will be agreeable to you to receive it down here, as our final dispatch is now on its way from Patna. We are, Honorable Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants, signed: H. Verelst, John Cartier, Richard Becher, William Aldersey, Charles Floyer. In the margin: Fort William, 11 January 1768. Collated, signed: Simeon Droz, Secretary. To the same as above We have been favored with your letters of the 16th and 20th instant. It is not in our power to comply fully with your request for Saltpetre; as soon as our fleet of that article, which is now on its way down, reaches Calcutta, we will spare you 10,000 maunds and advise you when it is ready for delivery. We are sorry to observe that you imagine a partiality is shown to the French in procuring their investment. Be assured it is our intention to render to the agents of each nation all the assistance we can; at present your complaint is very general and therefore out of our power to redress, unless you will point out the particular persons who have injured you, which when you please to do, you will find us willing and ready to do you all the justice in our power. In reply to your letter regarding Mirza Abdul Kasim, we beg leave to enclose you the accompanying copy of a letter on the subject from the Register of the Mayor's Court. We are, Honorable Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants, signed: H. Verelst, John Cartier, Richard Becher, Charles Floyer. In the margin: Fort William, the 25th of January 1768. Collated, signed: Simeon Droz, Secretary. To the same as above We have received your letter of the 10th instant, wherein you request that we will direct the Dalals at Dacca to provide a quantity of Dacca cloths for your investment. We have only to assure you in reply that we have never forbidden them to provide cloths for you, nor do we think ourselves in any way authorized to force them to take your money for that purpose. The proper address to induce them to transact your business rests with you, not us. We are, Honorable Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants, signed: H. Verelst, John Cartier, Richard Becher, James Alexander, Claud Russell, William Aldersey, Charles 463 Floyer. In the margin: Fort William, the 15th of January 1768. Collated, Simeon Droz, Secretary. To the same as above The fleet of Saltpetre which we expected being arrived from Patna, we beg leave to request that you will commission proper persons to receive as soon as possible the ten thousand maunds of that article which we agreed to supply you with. We are, Honorable Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants, signed: H. Verelst, John Cartier, Richard Becher, James Alexander, Claud Russell, William Aldersey, Charles Floyer. In the margin: Fort William, 3rd March 1768. Collated, Simeon Droz, Secretary. To the same as above We have been favored with your letters of the 16th of May and 20th instant, and have referred the several papers contained in the former to the Committee of Accounts; as soon as they have carefully examined into the several particulars therein contained, your letters will be fully replied to. We will endeavor to procure all the satisfaction possible for the murder and robbery which you say have been committed on one of your gomastah's vakils in the Burdwan district. We have been for some time past in the greatest distress for Chunam to carry on our public works and from which we are not yet relieved; it is therefore out of our power to assist you in that article without an evident prejudice to the affairs of our Company. Our President Mr. Verelst has assured us that he does not recollect to have ever received any application from Mr. Vernet for Chunam. We are, Honorable Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants, signed: H. Verelst, Richard Smith, Richard Becher, James Alexander, Claud Russell, William Aldersey, Charles Floyer. In the margin: Fort William, the 27th of June 1768. Collated, Simeon Droz, Secretary. In the letter we had the honor to write to you on the 27th of June last relative to the murder and robbery you informed us had been committed upon one of your people in the Burdwan districts, we then acquainted you that we had given orders for the strictest examination to be made into this affair. Our Resident there has in consequence of our directions applied to the Rajah and requested that every means might be used to discover the perpetrators of this atrocious action, but without effect, as it appears that the deed was committed at a place contiguous to the districts of Amirabad dependent on Hooghly and those of Chuttepoor dependent on Murshidabad, which being under the authority of the Nabob's Government and of course out of the Rajah's jurisdiction, he could not possibly extend his enquiries so far as to discover which of these three districts the persons belonged to who may have committed this crime. In order, however, that every possible means may be taken to discover the murderers and to give you every satisfaction in consequence of your application to us, we have written to our Resident at the Durbar to desire he will request of the government To the same as above at
Dutch transcription
462 To the Honble George Leuris Vernet Esqr. Director et Council at Hougley Honble sir et Sias We have rev'd your letters of the 30 ult. & 4th instant, & have applied to the mayons count, for particulars regarding the attachement of the goods, which you mention in the former, with re„ spect to the latter advising us of Mr. Stewards con„ duet, we are not able to reply to it now, as the depositions enclosed therein, are so very voluminous we have not as get been able to get them translated. Having procured a laager quantity of Salppetre than we expected this Leason we find ourselves en„ abled to furnish you with a further supply of that article and therefore request, you will inform us how mach mone you have occasion for & whether it will be agreeable to you to receive it down here as pur final dispatch is now en its way from, patna. We are (enderst/ Honble sir et sirs Cleger your, most obedient hemble servants /getekend:/ A Verelst Schnlantier. Richd Becker w Aldersey Charles Floger /ter zyde / Tons William 11 January 1768 Ede / get:d/ simeen doon Lec=r Aan als vooren We have been favoned with your letters of the 16 & 20 instant It is not in our power to complij fully with gour request for salpetre, as soon as our Fleet of that article, which is now en its way down reaches Calcutta, we will spare you 10000 maunds and advise you when it is ready for delivery. we are sorry to observe, that you imagine a partia„ litij lity is shewn to the French in procuring their investment. Be assured it is our intentions to render to the agents of each nation all the assi sistance we con, at present your complaint is very general and the alfore out of our power to redress, unless you will point out the parti¬ cular persons who have injured you, which when you please to do, you will find us wil„ ling and ready to do you all the Justice in our power. In reply to your letter regarding shirza Abdul kassim, we begleave enelose gouste accompanging Copy of a letter on the subject from the register of the magons court. we are /onderstond/ Honble sia ex sias /lager / your most obedient humble servants /getekend/ A Verelst Jchn lartier Rich Becker Charler Floijer ter zijde/ Fort William the 25 Jan: 1768 Ed get: Simeon Drojxec=t Aan als vooren we have received your letter of the 10 instans wherein you request that we will direct the Delolls at Dacia to provide a quantity of Dacea Cloths for your investmest. We have only to assure you in reply, that we have never forbid them to provide Clorks for you¬ non do we think ourselves any ways autho„ vized to force them to take your money for that purpose. The proper address to induce them to transact your business rests with you, notus. we are (onderst:/ Honble sir et sirs (lager/ your most obedient heimble serwants (get/ A Verelst. John Cartier Rich Beeker sa Alexander Cland Uissel Wm. Aldercq, Charler 463 Chooler Hloger /ter zyde / Fort William the 15 Jan 1768. Erd Sameon Droz Lecr Aan als vooren The Fleet of Salspetre which we expected being arrived fron Patra we begleave to request that you will commission proper Persons to recei ve as soon asporsible the ten thousand maunds of that article which we agreed to supply you with weare /:ondertond/ Houble Sirgsiar /lager/ gous mort obedient humble Lerwants (:getend/ A Verelsz John Cartier Riehd Becker. Sa Alexander, Claud Russel W=m Aldersey Charler Foger / ter zyde/ Fort William 3e marck 1768. Eed Simeon Droy secr Aan de vooren we have been favored with your Letters of the 16 May ard 20 Instant and have referaed the several papers contained in the former to the com„ mittee of aucreings, as soon as they have carefully examined into the several particulars therein con„ tained your letters will be fully replied to we will en deavor to procure all the satisfac„ tion possible for the murder and robberij which jou say have been committeden one of yous gemastak Uakeels in the Berdwan district we have been for some time past in the geca test distaess for Chinann to caroy en our publiek works and from which we are not yet relieved, it is therefore out of our power to affist you in that an„ ticle without an evident prejudice to the affairs of our Company our President sr Verelst has assured us, that hedoer not recolled to have ever received any application from Mr Vernet fer Chunam we are /onderst/ Houble sin et sins /lager /gour mort most obedient humble servants /get:/ H Verelst. Richard Smit Riehd Beeker Ja Alexander Claud Russel Wm Aldersey Charler Floger (ter zyde Font William the 27 Juni 1768 Ex. Limeon Fror sc=t In the letter we had the honor to write you the 27 June last relative to the munder and robbery you informed us had been committed uponsone of your People in the Burdwan districts. We them acquainted you we had gi„ ven ordres for the strictest examination to be made into this affair Our Resident there has in consequence of our directions applied to the Rajah & requested every means might be used to diseover the per„ petrators of this atrocious action, but without effect, as it appears that the fact was com„ mitted at a place contiguous to the disticts of aumixabad dependant en Hougkleg et thove of Chuttepoer dependant en Mhoorste dabad, wich being un der the authority of te Nabobs Government and of course out of the Rajahs perisdiction, He could not possibley extend his enquiries so far as to disiover which of these three districts the Persons belonged to, who may have committed this crime. Morder however that every possible means may be taken to discover the mun„ derens and to give you every satisfaction. In consequence of your application tous, we have written to aur Resident at the Duabin to desire he will request of the governeent Aen als vooren at
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464. at Moorshedabad to give an order for all persons in their districts to be seized, who are suspected of being concerned in this affair. Upon this occasion, gentlemen, we must beg leave to remark to you, that on the enquiry into this complaint it appeared, that the guard sent with their treasure was not sufficient to escort it, and that two more dispatches of treasure from your settlement, have since passed as insufficiently guarded, as the one in question; the Rajah therefore desires that you would in future augment your escorts on those occasions, which will most probably prevent any accidents, as you must be sensible how unjust it would be that a Province should be made chargeable with a loss which might so easily have been prevented by only taking this proper precaution. We are (below) Honble sir et sirs (lower) your most obedient humble servants (signed) H Verelst. John Cartier. Richard Smith. Richd Becher. Claud Russel. Charles Floyer. (in margin) Fort William 26 august 1768 Exd. James Privin sub secr. To the same as before We have been favored with your letter of the 20 instant. As you seem to have mistaken the light in which our application to the government in your behalf has been made, we beg leave to inform you that it was only a request to the ministers for their interposition in the affair you represented to us, & not an order as you express it, nor indeed gentlemen can it be supposed, that we should presume to send orders to persons totally independent of any authority of ours & to whom we as well as yourselves owe the obedience that is due to that authority. We some time ago directed our Chief & council at Patna to deliver over to you whenever you applied for it the proportion of saltpetre, we acquainted you in our letter of the 7e June had been allotted for your use, & it will be accordingly delivered to you as soon as you please. We are (below) Honble Sir et sirs (lower) your most obedient humble servants (signed) H: Verelst. Richd Becher. Charles Floyer. Fra Charlton (in margin) Fort William 28 7=br 1768. To the same as before Inclosed we transmit you a Bill for ten thousand maunds of saltpetre delivered to you in May last, the amount of which we request may be paid to Mr Herbert Harris the Gentleman, who has the honor to present this address. We are (below) Honble sir et sirs (lower) your most obed humble servants (signed) H. Verelst. Richd Becher. Js Alexander. Charles Floyer. Fra Charlton. (in margin) Fort William the 7 octobr 1768. Exd Edw: Baber Secr. To the same as before We have had the pleasure to receive your letters of the 1st and 8th instant. The complaints you have preferred to us are at present under the examination of the committee of Aurungs, and you may be assured gentlemen, of obtaining the most ample redress should 465 Examined should any of our gomashtahs be found upon enquiry to have been guilty of any oppressions to your servants or interruptions to your trade. We beg leave to inform you that the quantity of saltpetre, we have allotted to you is 23000 maunds. We are (below) Honble sir et Sirs (lower) your most obedient humble servants (signed) H Verelst. Richd Becher. Js Alexander. Charles Floyer. Fra Charlton (in margin) Fort William 10 octobr 1768 Exd James Irwin sub secr. G. H: Henklots J. v. Thott HCL Agrees 466 To the Honorable Lord George Louis Vernet Director and the Council at Hooghly Honorable Sir, Sirs We have received Your Honors' letters of the 30th ultimo and 4th instant, and have requested the Mayor's Court to notify us of the particulars concerning the seizure of the goods mentioned in your former; with respect to the latter, informing us of the conduct of Mr. Steward, we are not in a position to answer at present, because the depositions sent therewith are so very extensive that they have not yet been able to be translated. Having received a more ample quantity of saltpetre than we expected this year, we find ourselves able to supply Your Honors with a further quantity of that article, and therefore request you to inform us how much more Your Honors have occasion for, and whether it will suit the same to receive it here, since our last shipment is already on its way from Patna. We are (below) Honorable Sir and Sirs (lower) Your Honors' very obedient and humble servants (was signed) H Verelst. John Cartier. Richd Becher. Wm. Aldersey. Charles Floyer. (in margin) Fort William the 11 January 1768 (below /examined / signed) Simeon Droz secretary. For the translation (signed) Gregs Henklots. To the same as before We are honored with Your Honors' letters of the 16th and 20th of this month. It is not in our power to grant Your Honors' request for saltpetre entirely; as soon as our fleet with that article, which is currently on its way down, shall be in Calcutta, we shall relinquish 10000 maunds to Your Honors and inform you when they will be ready to be delivered. We are sorry to learn that Your Honors imagine we showed partiality to the French by providing their procurement; be assured it is our intention to show all assistance to the agents of every nation that we can; for the present your complaint is very
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464. at Moorshe d'abad to give au order for al Persons in their districts to be seized, who are suspected of being concerned in this affair upon this occasion, gentlemen, we must beg leave to remark to you, that on the enquiry into this complaint it appeared, that the quard sent with thir tresacal was not suffi„ cient to escort it, and that two more dispat„ „ches of treasure from your settlement, have since passed as insufficiently guarded, as the one in question, the Raiah therefore desires that you would in fature augment your esconts on those occasions, which will most probablee present any accidents as you meest be sensible hou unjust it would be that a Province should bemade chargeable with a loss which might so easily have been prevented by only taking this proper precaution. We are (onderstond) Honble sia et sirs /lager / your most obedient humble servants /:getekend/ H Verelst. John Cartier. Richard Smith. Richd Beeker. Claud Russel. Charler Floyer. /:te zijde/ Fort William 26 august 1768 Exd. James Privin sub secr. Aan als vooren We have been favored with your letter of the 20 instant. As you seem to have mistacien the light in which our application to the government in gou behalf has been made. we begleave to inform you that it was only a request to the ministers for their interposition in the affair you represented to us, & not au onder as you express it. nor in deed gentlemen can e can it be supposed, that we should presume te send orders te persons tot alle in dependou of any autority of ours & to whom we as well as yourselver owe the obedience that is due to that authority we some time ago directed our Chief & cound at Patua to deliver over to you whenever you applied for it the propertion of sulfpetre, we acquainted you in our letter of the 7e June had been allotted for your use, & it will be according ly delivered to you as so on as you please. We are (onderstond/ Hoble Sir et sins /lage / your most, obedient humble ter vants /getekend/ A: Verelst. Richd Becker Charles Floger. Tra Charlton /ter zyde / Fork William 28 7=br 1768. Aan als vooren Inclosed we transmit you a Bill for ten thou= sand maunds of Lalt petre delivered to you in May last the amount of which we request may be paid to Mr Herbert Harris the Gentlemen, who has the honor to present this address. we are /onderstond/ Henble sir et sirs /lager ( youa most obed humble, sevants /getekend/ A. Verelst Richd Becker sa Alexander Charles Foyer, Fra Chor ten. /ter zyde/ Font William the 7 octobr 1768. Exc Edw: Baber Lecr. Aan als vooren We have had the pleasure to receive your letters of the 1st and 8th instant. The complaints you have preferred to us are at present under the examination of the committee of Aureings, and you may be assured gentlemen, of obtaining the most ample reduefs should 465 Nagezien should any of our geneactaks be found upon enquiry to have been quilty of any expressions to your sevants en inter auptions to your trade We begleave to inform you that the quanti ty of salfpetre, we have allotted to you is 23000 maunds, we are (ondertond / Amble sir et Sias /lager /you most, obedient humble servants /:getekend/ A Verelst. Richd Becker. Ià Alexander Chaaler Hloger. Fra Chaalten (ter zyde / Fort William & 10 octobr 1168 Ex James Privin sub scte. G„ H: terklots f v Thott HCl Accordeert 466 Aan den Edelen Heer George Louis Vernet Directeur en de Raed te Hougli Edele Heer Heeren wy hebben ontfangen uwEdelens brieven van den 30 laestleeden en 4 deser, en aen de Mayors Court verzogt ons de byzonderheeden te melden nopens het in berlagneemen der goederen by uwe eerste vermeld, met opzigt tot de laate, ons bedeelende het ge; te drag van dheer Steward, zyn wy niet in staat tans te antwoorden, dewijl de verklaringen daerby gezonden zo zeer uitgebreid zyn, dat dezelve als nog niet hebben konnen overgezet worden le ruimer quantiteit sulpeter ent, fangen hebbende dan wy dit jaer ver„ wagteden, winden w' ons in staat uEde lem met een nader ondertand van dat artivel te voorsien, en verzoeken dierhalven ons te willen bedeelen voor hoe veel meerder UEdelen gele, genheid hebben en of het deselve zal convenieeren hetzelve hier te ontfan„ gen, dewijl owe laeste aflading rects van Patria onder weger wij wyzen /:ondertond:/ Ede Gdeelen Heer en Heeren /lager/ uw Edelen zeer gehoorame en onderdanige Die naeren (:wos getekent/ A Verelst. John Cartie. Richd Becker Wm. Alderseg. Charles Hoger /ter zyde/ Took William den 11 Januarij 1768 (daer ender /nager: / getekend/ Simeon Droz secret=s voor het translaat /get:/ Grege Henklots. Aan als vooren wy zyn vereest met uwEdelens brieven van den 16e en 20e deeser Het is niet in ons vermogen uldelen ver„ zoek om salpecter geheelijk toetestaen, zo dra onse vloot niet dat artikel welke tans in zijn affcise ir te kalkatte zal wesen zullen wy 10000maand aen uwEdelens afstaen en dezelve bedeelen, wanneer zy in gereedheid zullen wesen om gelevert te worden. Het doet ons leed te verneemen, dat uEde lem zig fbeelden wij eenzidigheid bezooren aen de franschen door hunnen insaam te besorgen; zyt verzeekert het ons voornee men is aen de agenten van ieder natig alle hulp te bewysen, die wy konnen voor het tegenwoordige is uwe klagte zeer