Inventory 3408
Surat · 574 pages · 219 segments · open at the Nationaal Archief ↗
English
Note Translation of an English missive written by Mr. Robbert Gambier, acting in the affairs of the Honorable English East India Company, together with the Council, to the Right Honorable Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman, esquire, Director on behalf of the Honorable Dutch East India Company, and the Council at Soeratta, the 7th of February 1773, and received here on the same date. Honorable Sir and Sirs, Whereas we have recently received the sentiments of our superiors on the several letters and papers passed between us concerning the matter in question between Your Honors and the Nabab, and the Nabab himself is very desirous to bring the matters in question to an end, we can no longer with any propriety request him to delay taking the necessary measures relating to his government. And therefore we hope that if Your Honors have any papers relevant to the matter or other proofs to produce, Your Honors will please cause the same to be made ready and sent to us without any further delay. As we do not doubt that Your Honors have gentlemen in your Factory who, although they may not be equal to Mr. Holmberg in the knowledge of the French and our language, are yet sufficiently skilled to be able to convey to us Your Honors' sentiments relating to the foregoing. We are with esteem, Below stood: My Lords Lower: Your Honors' very obedient servants Was signed: R. Gambier, J. Halsey, Thomas Day, C.s Bourchier, Geo. Perrot, D.l Crokatt, D.l Seton, W. James In the margin stood: Suratta, the 7th of February 1773 Still lower stood: For the translation, was signed: Corns van Citters Aarnzoon. The Worshipful John Martinus Bosman Esquire Director for affairs of the Noble Netherlands Company &ca Council, Surat. Worshipful Sir & Sirs, As we have lately received from our superiors their sentiments on the several letters and papers which have passed between us on the subjects in dispute between you and the Nabab, and the Nabab is himself extremely anxious for bringing the points in question to a conclusion, we can no longer with propriety request him to delay taking the necessary steps in support of his government, and therefore hope, if you have any material papers or other proofs to produce, that you will cause them to be prepared and sent to us without further delay, as we doubt not your having gentlemen in your Factory who, though they may not be equal to Mijnheer Holmberg in the knowledge of the French and our language, yet are sufficiently skilled to be able to convey to us your sentiments in the former. We are with esteem, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, Your most obedient servants, 7th February 1773 Was signed: R. Gambier, Jn Halsey, Thos Day, C.l Bourchier, George Perrott, Daniel Crokatt, D. Seton, W. James. Agrees. Translation of an English missive written by the Right Honorable Mr. William Andrew Price, esquire, Chief on behalf of the Honorable English East India Company and Governor of the Mogul's Castle and Fleet, together with the Council, to the Right Honorable Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman, Director on behalf of the Honorable Dutch Company, together with the Council, dated Soeratta, the 2nd of March 1773, and received here on the 4th ditto by the English Council members Seton and Dorrien. Honorable Sirs, We have received Your Honors' letter of the 24th ultimo, but are prevented by the indisposition of our Chief from answering it at present as fully as we intend. Nevertheless, in order to cause no delay on our part to Your Honors' affairs, we think it necessary to inform Your Honors that we can in no way see any reason from the contents of the aforementioned letter and papers to alter our sentiments which we expressed to Your Honors in our letter of the 29th of December. And therefore, in accordance with the orders of our superiors, until Your Honors, by the production of your Firmans, show us that Your Honors actually have claims or privileges, the enjoyment of which the Nawab refuses to grant to Your Honors, we cannot, however earnestly desirous we may be to serve and oblige Your Honors in everything within our power, decide to make any infringement upon the Nawab's authority or violate his lawful jurisdiction in order to support demands which, although urged, Your Honors nevertheless absolutely refuse to convince us that you are entitled to. And whereby, to our regret, we have only too much reason to say that the best case must take on a bad appearance, and by no means becoming to those who seek our mediation and protection. As soon as ever the health of our Chief permits him to apply himself to business, Your Honors shall have a full answer to your aforementioned letter. And in the meantime we have the honor to subscribe ourselves with very much esteem, Below stood: My Lords Lower: Your Honors' very obedient servants
Dutch transcription
Not Translaat Eng: Missive geschreeven door d' Heer Robbert Gambiek Waarneemende de zaaken, der Ed„l Eng: Oost Ind: Compagnie beneevens den Raad, Aan den Wel Ed: Agtb: Heer Martinus Joan Bosman schildknaap Directeur van weegens d' Ed: Holt„s oost Jn„ „dise Compagnie en den raed te Soeratta den 7„e februarij 1773: & alhier op denzelven datum ontfangen, Ed: Heer en Heeren!. Nademaal wij onlangs de gevol„ „lens van onse superieuren op de verschijde„ „ne tusschen ons verhandelde Brieven en Papieren aangaande de Zaak n qeces„ „tie tusschens UUEEd: &k den Nabab, ontfange„ hebben 214 N„o 1. door d' Heer Robbert Gambiek Waarneemende de zaaken, der Ed„le Eng: Oost Ind: Compagnie beneevens den Raad, Aan den WelEd: Agtb: Heer Martinus Joan Bosman schildknaap Directeur van weegens d' Ed. Holt„s oost Jn„ „dise Compagnie en den raed te Soeratta den 7„e februarij 1773: & alhier op denzelven datum ontfangen, Ed: Heer en Heeren!. Translaat Eng: Missive geschreeven Nademaal wij onlangs de gevoe„ „lens van onse superieuren op de verschijde„ „ne tusschen ons verhandelde Brieven en Papieren aangaande de Zaak en geces„ „tie tusschen, UUW Ed: k: den Nabal, ontfangen, hebben 214 215 hebben, en den navat selfs seer begeerig is, om de zaeken in quastie tot een Eijnde te brengen, zoo kunnen wij denselven niet langer met eenig regt Versoeken om de nodige naatzeegelen uit te stellen betrekking hebbende tot sijn Gouvernement En daarom hoopen wij dat indien UW Ed: eenige Papieren ter zaeke dienende of andere bewijsen te produceeren hebben, UEEd„s deselve in gereedheid gelieven te laten brengen, en ons toetesenden, son„ „der eenige verderen uitstel- Alzoo wij niet en twijffelen, of UWEd: hebben Heeren in derselver Factorij die alhoewel, met d' heer Holmberg in de kennisse van de Franse en onse Taale niet gelijk sijn genoegsaam kundig sijn om in staat te sijn ons UW Ed: gevoelens be„ „trekking hebbende tot de voorgaande meede te delen. Wij sijn met Agting. /:Onderstond:/ Mijne Heeren /:Lager: UEd: zeer gehoorsaeme Dienaren /:was geteekend/ R: Gambier, I. Haldeij. . . . . . . thomas Daij, C:s Bourchier, Geoi„ Perrot, D„l Crokatt, D„l Ceton, W: James /: in margine stond:/ Suratta den 7„e februarij 1773: /:nog lager /ond:/ Voor de Vertaling /:was geteekend:/ Corns van Citters Aarnzoon. /:onderstond:/ The Wo John Martinus Bosman E. ijn Director for affairs of Thie Noble Nenther land Compary &ca Council Surat. Wr. Sis &r. Sirs. Ns we have latelij neccevid from our superious theer sentiments en the several Letters en papiers which have passed between us on the subjects in Dispete between you en the Nabab en dhe Nabeil is hemself Extremelij anxious for bringing The points in question to a Conclusion, we can no langer with pro „priety requist him to delay taking the necessary stops in suppost of his Go „veseument, en therefore Hope, if you have any material papers on alher proofs, to produce that you will cause then to be prepared en send to us withoret further delay as We dubt not your having Gintlemer N„o 1. 216 Gourat gintletnen in your Factory, who though theij meeg not beequal to mijn Heer Holmbeng in the knowledge of the Fransch en oun lanquage yet are sufficiently shilled: to be able to Convoy to us your sentiments in The former. We are with E steem W: Sir en Sirs gourmost obid=t Servant J. Th. Febrij /was getekend:/ „2: Gambier, Jn Holsey x v: Thes Daij C:l Bourchier, Georg Perroto, Daniel Crokolt, D: Delon, W James. Accordeert 1773: Wij hebben UUWd Ed. brief van den 24: Ult„o ontfangen, dog worden door d'onpasselijk„ „heid van ons Opperhoofd belet om die Translaat Eng:s Missive geschreeven door den wel Ed: Agtb: Heer William Andreis Dric schildk. Chef van wegens d: E: Eng: O: J: C: en Gouverneur van Cmogols Casteel en Vloot beneevens den Raad Aan den wel Ed„e Agtb: Heer Martinus Joan Bosman Directeur van Wegens d' E: Holl: Compagnie benevens den Raad gedateerd Soeratta den 2„e Maart 1773: en alhier ontfangen den 4„ d„o door d' Eng: Raadsleeden Seton en Dorrien. H„l Heeren Heeren! tegens No 2. ƒ. 417 218 teegenswoordig soo volleedig te b'antwoorden als wij voorneemens sijn nogthand om van onsentweegen geen vertraging aen UEd Es. zaaken toetebrengen soo denken wij 't noodsaakelijk UEd: te bedeelen, dat wij in geenen deele, uit den inhoud van opgem: brieft Papieren eenige reeden sien konnen om onse gevoelens te veranderen die wij UW Ed=s in onde Brief van den 29„e xber: hebben uitgedrukt, en daerom overeenkomstig met d' ordres van onse superieuren tot dat UwEd: met 't overleg„ „gen van derselver Cermans ons Aan„ „toonen dat uwEd: weedentlijk praeten„ „tien of Voorregten hebben, welkers genob de Nawab UU Ed. Wijgert toetestaen kunnen wij hoe Ernstig Pok begeerig sijn om me UWEd: in alles wat in onse moegt is te dienen en te Verpligten, niet besluijten eenige inbreuk op '/ Naisabs Authoriteijt te maaken of sijne wettige Jurisdictie te Verkreuken, ten Einde Vorderingen te ondersteuren, de„ „welke schoon g'urgeert Uw Ed: nogthans volstrekt wijgeren ons 't' overtuigen dat se daartoe geregtigt sijn, En waar door tot ons leedweesen wij maar al te veel reeden hebben te seggen dat de beste saak een kwaade aanschouw moet krijgen en geensints betaamelijk aan de sodanige die om, onde medialien en bescherming smeeken soo dra als maar immers de gesondheid van ons opperhoofd 't toelaat sig aen beesigheeden te begeeven, sullen Ud Ed:s een volleedig antwoord hebben op derselver op gem: Brief, en intusschen hebben wij d'Eer ons met zeer veel ag„ „ting te onderschrijven /:onderd: 1 mijne Heeren /:Lager:/ uUE Ed: zeer gehoorsame Chaisals dienaren
English
Servants. Was signed: W: A: Price, R: Gambier, J:n Halsey, W:m Stratton, Perrot, P:r Day, C:s Bourchier, Geo: Crakatt, D:l Crokatt, D:l Seton, W:m James, and J:b Dorvien. In the margin: Surat 2 March 1773. Further down: For the translation, was signed: Corn:s v: Citters Aarn zoon. Martin John Bosman Esqr Director for affairs of The Noble Netherland Company &ca Council, Surat. Worthy Sir & Sirs. We have received your Letter of the 24th ultimo but are prevented by the Indisposition of the Chief replying to it at present so fully as intended. However, that no Delay on our part may happen to your affairs, We think it necessary, to acquaint you, that we cannot see from any thing Contained in the above mentioned Letter and papers, any Reason to alter our sentiments, as Expressed to you in our letter of The 29th December: and therefore, agreeable to orders from our Superiors, till you do by producing your phirmands satisfy us, that you really have a Claim to privileges which the Nabab refused to allow you the enjoyment of, We cannot think, Though earnestly desirous to do every thing in our power to serve and oblige you, of encroaching on the Nababs authority or Curbing his Legal Jurisdiction to support Claims, Which though insisted on, We are sorry to have too much reason to say, in terms which would prejudice even a Good Cause, and in no wise become those Who sue for our mediation and protection, you absolutely refuse to convince us, you have any real Right to. As soon as ever the health of the Chief will permit him to attend to business, you shall have our full answer to your prementioned Letter, and in The mean Time, we have the Honor to Subscribe ourselves with much Regard Gentlemen your most obedient Servants. W. A. Price, R: Gambier, J. Halsey, William Stratton, Th:s Day, C:s Bourchier, G. Perrot, D:o Crokatt, D. Seton, W. James, J. Dorvien, Surat 2. March 1773. Agreed. Translation of an English letter written by the Honorable William Andrew Price, Esquire, and Council to the Honorable Martinus Joan Bosman and the Council, dated the 11th of March, and received the 12th following by the Council members Bourchier and Crockatt. Honorable Sir and Gentlemen! We have been honored with Your Honors' letter of the 7th instant. We beg leave to assure Your Honors, Gentlemen, that it will give us particular satisfaction to render Your Honors every assistance in our power with respect to Your Honors' disputes with the Government, but we are necessitated to inform Your Honors that until such time as Your Honors shall have produced Your Honors' firmans, in accordance with what we informed in our last letter, to show us that Your Honors have a right to the privileges to which they appeal, we cannot take it upon ourselves to interfere with the Nabab on behalf of Your Honors, so much the more since Your Honors now declare not to need our mediation, and therefore all hindrances which Your Honors might meet with from the Nabab must certainly be attributed to Your Honors' stubborn refusal to satisfy us with regard to Your firmans. It grieves us to have to say with so much justice that we cannot regard the style of Your Honors' last letter otherwise than as very improper and insulting, and far from being expressed in those agreeable and polite terms which one factory owes to another. We are with respect. Underneath: Honorable Sir and Gentlemen. Further down: Your Honors' very humble Servants. Was signed: W: A: Price, [illegible], J: Halsey, W: Stratton, T: Day, C:s Bourchier, Geo: Perrot, Dan:l Crockat, D:l Seton, W: James, and Frederik Dorvien. In the margin: Surat the 11th of March 1773. Further down: for the translation, was signed: J: Goverts Junior. To Martin John Bosman Esqr, Director for all affairs of the noble Netherland Company and Council, Surat. Worthy Sir and Sirs, We have been favored with your Letter of the 7th Instant. We beg leave to assure you gentlemen that we are ever very desirous, and that it will give us particular Satisfaction to render you every assistance in our power, in your disputes with the Government, but are necessitated to acquaint you that until you do, agreeable to what we advised in our Last Letter, produce your phirmands, to show us you have a right to the privileges you claim, we cannot pretend to interfere with the Nabab in your behalf, more especially as you now declare you do not want our mediation, and therefore
Dutch transcription
219 Dienaaren /:Was geteekend:/ W: A: Price, R: Gambier, J:n Halseij, W„m Stratton Per rot P„r Daij, C:s Bourchier, Geo: Crakatt, D„l Crokatt, D„l Seton, W„m Jamas, en J„b Dorvien /:in margine:/ Curab 2 Mart 1773: /: nog Lager:/ Voor de Vertaaling /:Was geteekend:/ Corn:s v: Citters Aarn zoon„ M: W:t Martin John Bosman Directore for affairs of The Noble Esqr Netherland Companij &ca Council Sourat Wm Sir & Sirs. We have recid your Letter of the 24th ultimo but are prevented by the Indisposition of the Chieef deplying to it at present so fally ois intend. - Faweren, that no Delaij on ourpart may happen to your affairs. We thidck is necessare, to acquaint you, that we kan not sue from any thing Contained in the above men „tioned Letter en papers, any Reason to alter ouer sentiments, as Expressed to you in our letter of The 29. Decemb: en therefore, agreea„ „ble te orders from our Superious, till you do bij proceding yjour phirmands satisbijus, that you really have a Claim to priviledges Which N„o 2. at 219 Dienaaren /:Was geteekend:/ W: A: Pru R:s Gambier, J:n Halseij, W„m Stratto. Perroo P„s Daij, C:s Bourchier, Geo: Crakatt, D„k Crohatt, D„l Seton, W„m Jamas, en J„ Dorvien /:in margine:/ Curab 2½ 1773: /: nog Lager:/ Voor de vertaaling /: Was geteekend:/ Corn:s v: Citters Aarnz Wm. Sir & Sins. We have recid your Letter of the 24th ultimo but are prevented by the Indisposition of the Chief replying to it at present so fally ais entend. - Haweren, that no Delaij on our part may happen to your affains. We thidik it incessary to acquaint you, that we kan not su from any thing contained in the above men „tioned Letter en papers, any Reason to alter ouer sentiments, as Expressed to you in our letter of The 29. Decemb: en therefore, agreea„ „ble to orders from our Superions, till you do bij proceding vour phirmands satisfyues, that you really have a Claim to priviled ges Sourat M: W Martin John Bosman Directore for affairs of The Noble Esqr Netherland Companij Nca Council Which 90 N„o 2. at N„o„ 3/. which the Nabal refused to allow you she en joijement of - 118. eadinot think Tho barnestlg deserdus to do every thing in our power to serve en oblige yen, of encroaching en the Nababs authonitij on Carbing his Legal, Iuris dicti on to support Clains, Weich tho: inbesteden: /:We ave sorrij to have too much reason to Sac„ in termes whiel woudd prejudice even a Good Cause, en na wisi buouse those Whe sue for our midiation en protection:/ you absolute le„ refuse to convince us, you have any reale Right to as soon al ever the healft of the Chief will permit hem to attend to sp„ „seniss, you shall have our full answer to your prementionnid Litter, and in The meair Time, we have the Honor to Subscribe our selves with much Regard Gentelman ijour most obedient Servants. W. A. Price, R: Geem„ „bier „ J. Halsae, William Stratton, Th:s Daij C:s Bourchier, G. Perrot, D:o Crokatt, P. Petor, W James, T. Dorion, Surat 2. March 1773: Accordeerd. Wij zijn vereerd geworden met UEd Ed: missive van den 7„e deser Wij Verzoeken verlof Uwel Ed:s te Ver„ „zeekeren mijne Heeren dat het ons eene bijsondere satisfactie gee „ven zal UEd: alle behulpsaam„ „heid te bewijsen, die in ons vermo„ „gens, met betrekking tot UUEd: Translaat Engelsche missive gesz: door den H„ Heer William Andrs Price schildknaapen raad Aan den Wel Edelen Agtbaren Hee Martinus Joan Bosman en den Raad gedateerd den 11„e Maart, en ontfangen den 12„e daaraanvolgende door de Raadsleeden Bourcher en Crockat N„ Heer en Heeren! Verschillen 220 211 Verschillend met de Regeering, Maar zijn genoodzaakt UEd te bedeelen, dat tot tijd en wijle /: overeenkomstig met het geene wij in onse laatste Brief hebben be„ „deeld:/ UEd:s derselver Firmans zullen hebben gepreduceerd om ons te vertoonen dat UEEd:s een regt hebben tot de Privile„ „gie waarop zij zig beroepen wij niet op. ons kunnen neemen om ons met de Nabab te bemoeijen voor en van woegens UEd:s zoo veel te merr: alsoo Uw Ed:s thans Verklaren onde mediatie niet noodig te hebben en dierhalven alle Verhinderin„ „gen dewelke UEd„e mogten ontmoe„ „ten van de Nabab moeten gewisselijk aen UEd=s halstarrige wijgeringe om ons te voldoen ten opzigte Ulver firmans toegeweten werden. — Het doed ons leed met zoo veel regt te moeten zeggen, dat wij de stijl van UEd:s laatste brief niet kunnen Aanmerken dan als zeer onbeheorlijk en beledigend, en Verre van uitgedrukt te sijn in die aangenaame en beleefde bewooor„ „dingen als de Eene factorij aande andere ver„ „schuldigd is. Wij zijn met aigting /:onderstond:/ H„r Heer en Heeren /:Lager:/ UEd: zeer onderdanige Dienaren. /:was geteekend:/ W: A: Price . . . . . . . . . . J: Halseij, W: Chratton, I: Daij C:s Bourchier, Geo: Perrot, Dan„l Crockat, D„l Ceton, W: James, en fredrik Dorien /:In margine:/ Curate den 11„e maert 1773: /:noglager:/ voor de vertaling /:wdat get:/ J: Goverts Junior. Aenmerken Bosman Th W:r Martin John Esqr DDirectore for, all affeirs of the noble Netherland, Compong en Councel Surat. W. Sir en Pers We have bein favoned with a jour Letter of the 7. lhb Jnstant. We bey leave to assure you gentlemen that we are ever verij desirous, en that it will give us particulas Satisfaction to renderrjou everyj as „sistance in our power, in your disputes Widh the Gouvernment but are necessitated to acquaint you that untill you do, agreable to what wwe advised in our Last Letter, produce your phirmands, to shew us you have a right to the priviledges you claim we cannot pretend to interfere with the Nabab in your behalf more especiallij as you now de „Clare Gouddto not want our mediation, and therefore at N:o 2 212
English
To Mr. Martin John Bosman Esq., Director for all affairs of the noble Netherlands Company and Council Surat. Worthy Sir and Sirs We have been favored with your Letter of the 7th Instant. We beg leave to assure you Gentlemen that we are ever very desirous, and that it will give us particular Satisfaction to render you every as- sistance in our power, in your disputes with the Government, but are necessitated to acquaint you that until you do, agreeable to what we advised in our Last Letter, produce your farmans, to show us you have a right to the privileges you claim, we cannot pretend to interfere with the Nawab in your behalf, more especially as you now de- clare you do not want our mediation, and therefore No. 44. therefore any impediments you meet with from The Nawab must certainly be owing to your obstinate refusal to satisfy us in respect to your farmans. We are concer- ned to have so great justice to say that we cannot but consider the style of your last letter as very unbecoming and injuri- ous, and far from being expressed in the genteel and polite terms due from one Fac- tory to the other. We are with esteem, Worthy Sir and Sirs, Your most obedient Servants, W. A. Price, J. Halsey, William Stratton, Day, C. Bourchier, G. Perrot, Wm. Jensen Donjon. Surat, 11 March 1773. To the Right Honorable Mr. Director Martinus Joan Bosman and Council, by the Gentleman William Andrew Price, Esquire and Council, dated Surat the 22nd of March and received the 24th thereafter by the English Councilors, Stratton and Perrot. Translation of an English letter written: Honorable Sirs! We shall now fully answer Your Honors' letter of the 21st ultimo, as well as that of the 7th instant. The very proud, spiteful, and grossly dis- respectful terms with which both these letters are laden would fully justify us if we passed them over with a contemptuous silence and wished to have not the least to do with Your Honors until a proper apology was made for such gross affronts, both against our character and the power that we represent. But because this manner of acting, however justified in itself, might serve Your Honors as an insinuation that our silence proceeded from an incapacity to refute Your Honors' propositions, we shall presently waive the right to defend our greatly offended good nature, and once again consent to demonstrate to Your Honors the falsehood of Your Honors' propositions and representations, the injustice of Your Honors' demands and claims, and how singularly improper Your Honors' conduct is throughout. And we submit ourselves all the more willingly to this unpleasant task as it shall at least serve as an excellent example that gentle- ness, sincerity, and generosity govern our councils, while all Your Honors' thoughts and deeds seem to be entirely ruled by the influence of self-interest. In examining Your Honors' complaints, it was our duty to inspect them to their very foundation, and not to determine ourselves in a hasty manner upon some particular circumstances presented by Your Honors without tracing them back to the origin by which they were caused. A very accurate, complete, and truly impartial exami- nation we have made. And however little Your Honors, for your part, deserved such a courtesy, we nevertheless did it with a sincere wish that the outcome might turn out favorably for Your Honors' interests. That it has unfortunately not turned out so is the only reason why Your Honors now accuse us of having done nothing. All Your Honors' quarrels with the Nawab were carried on in a secret manner, without their being made known to us in a proper, formal, and public manner, until Your Honors' letter of the 11th of December communicated to us the long list of Your Honors' alleged grievances, of which we until that hour were completely ignorant, excep- ting the first undersigned, who, being requested to give us all the information relating thereto, indeed gave us a very full and detailed account thereof, which we have already told Your Honors was in no way consistent with yours, nor did it in any respect justify Your Honors' representations or complaints. A further full investigation was instituted on our part among all those who could give us any information regarding this, which confirmed the representations of our Chief; and upon all these being together properly considered and reflected upon, the sentiments were founded which we candid- ly expressed to Your Honors in our letter of the 29th of December, which has provoked from you such an un- seemly answer. In case Your Honors' pride did not allow you to regard us as Mediators and Protectors, then Your Honors, prompted by propriety and good manners, ought to have written to us as respectable Gentlemen. We can up to this moment see no reason to deviate from our sentiments, which are very
Dutch transcription
The M:r Martin John Bosman Esq: DDirectore for, all affairs of the noble Netherland, Compong en Councel Surat. W: Per en Sirs We have bein favored with ajour Letter of the 7. lb Jnstant. We bey leave to assure you Gentlemen that we are ever verij desirous, en that it will give us particalas Satisfaction to renderijou everij as „sistance in our power, in your disputes Widh the Gouvernment but are necessitated to acquaint you that untill you do agreable to what we advised in our Last Letter, produce your phirmands, to Thew us you have a right to the priviledges you claim we cannot pretend to interfere with the Nabab in your behalf more especiallij as you now de „Clare Gourlto not want our mediation, and therefore at N 222 N„o 44. therefore any Impediments you meet Wilt from The Nabab must Certainly be owing to yjour obstitate Refecal to Satisfy us in respect to yoter phirmands: We ave concer„ „ned to have sogreat Justice to say that We eannot but consider the stile of your last letter as very een becoming and injuri„ „ons, and far from being Expressed in the g'entell and polite tirms due from one Fac„ torij to the other: We ave With Esteem. W. Sir en Sias. Your most obedient Servants W. A. price. . . . . , I. Walseij, William Stiatton, Daij, C: Bourchier, G: sperrot Wm Jensen Donion Durat 11. march 1773: Ed„e Heeren Heeren! Wij zullen tchans volkomen beantroer¬ „den UEd: massive van den 21„e laetstleeden, zoo wel als die van den 7:e deser. De zeer trotse quitagtige en grotelijx mneer„ „biedige termes waarmeede dese beijde brieven beladen zijn, zouden ons volkomen regtv aer„ „digen, als wij dezelve met een veragtelijk Aan den Wel Ed„e Agtb„re Heer Directeur Martinus Joan Bosman en Raad, door de H„r Heer William Andress Pried Schildh:s en Raad gedateerd Soeratta den 22„e maart en ontfangen den 24„e daeraen volgende door de Engelsche Raadsloeden, Stratton en Translaat Engelsche missive geschreeven Stilswijgen Perrot 223 224 stilswijgen passeerden en niets het Minste met UEd: te doen willen hebben tot dat een behoorlijke verschooning gemaakt was wegens zulke groove affronten, zoowel tegens onsen Imborst, als de maet die loij repreesenteeren. – Maar om dat dese wijse van handelen Uwel Ed„s hoe regtmatig in zig zelven niet zoude kunnen strekken tot Een insinuatie dat onse steld wij goo„ „heid van onvermogen om uEd:s stellin„ „gen te wederleggen herkomstig id, soo Sullen wij tegenswoordig van 't regt om onse grootelijx beleedigde goedaardigheid te verdeedigen afdien en nog eens bewil„ „ligen om UW Ed: de valsheid van UEtsEd: stellingen en Voordragten d' onregtvaardigheid van UW Ed: Eidschen en Vorderingen, en hoe woonderlijk oneigen doorgaans UEEd: gedrag zijt, aantewijsen, En wij onderwerpen ons soo veel te lieven aen dibonaengenaam werk als sullende 't ten minsten dienen tot een Uitneemend, voorbeeld, dat zagt„ „zinnigheid, Opregtheid en Edelmoedigheid onsen raedslaagen bestuurt, terwijl al UWEd: gedagten en daaden ten Eene „maale door den invloed van Eigen belang schijnen Geregeert te worden. — Bij het ondersoeken van UEd: klagten was het onse pligt deselve op te specie en n tot in derselver grondslag, en Niet om op eene Verhaaste Wijse ons te de terminee„ „ren op Eenige bijsondere omstandigheeden door UEd:s voordragen zonder deselve tot den oorspronk waardoor zij veroorsaekt sijn geworden, na te gaan. - Een zeer oige„ volkomen, en waarlijk onpartijdig onder„ „soek hebben wij gedaan En hoe weinig UEd„s ook eonde zijde, een diergelijke beleefdheid verdienden, hebben wij het nogthendt gedaan met een opregte Wensch, dat Werk 225 De uitkomst gunstiglijk voor U Ed:s gedug tmog„ „te Uitvallen. - Dat het ongelutkiger wijse dus niet is uitgevallen, is de eenigste reeden „reedarom UEd: thans ons beschuldigen, dat wij en geen gedaan hebben. Alle UEd:o kratkelen met de Nabab wieuden op eens geheime rijse voortgeset, zonder dat ons de„ „selve wierden bekend gemaakt, op eene behoorlijke, formeele en Publicque wijse, tot dat UEd:e Brief van den 11„e December ons communiceerd de lange lijst van UEd„s gewaamde beswaarnissen, waarvan wij tot dat uur volkomen onkunding waren Uitge„ „nomen de Eerstondergeteekende, dewelke Versogt sijnde ons alle de Informa thien te geeven daar toe betretking hebbende, gaf hij ons inderdaad daarvan een zeer volko„ „men en breedvoerig detail hetwelk wij UEd: reeds gesegd hebben dat geen dints met het Uwl Overeenkomstig was, nog deed het zelve in eenige opsigten UEd: vertoonen of Klagten regtvaardigen. — Een verder volkomen onderdoek wierd van onse Zijde aangesteld BB. van alle de geene die ons hieromtrend eenige Onderrigtingen geeve Konden dewelke de voordragten van ons Opperhoofd bevestigden; En op alle dese te zamens behoorlijk Overwogen en bedagt zijn de gevoelens gegiondrest geweest, die wij UEd:s open„ „hartig hebben uitgedruk bij onse missive, van den 29„e xber:, dewelke ons zulk een onbe„ „taemelijk bescheid heeft tewege gebragt. — Jngevalle UEd:s hoogmoed deselve niet toege„ „laten hadden ons aantemerken als Middelaren en Beschermers, zoo moeten UEd„s aangespoord door betaamelijkheid en goede manierlijkheid ons als fatoenelijke Heeren NB: /: Gentlemen:/ hebben geschreven. Dwij kunnen tot dit Oogenblik geen reede„ zien, om van onse gevoelens ofte wijken die zelve Zeer
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The outcome turned out favorably for Your Honors' fears. That it did not turn out more unfortunately is the only reason why Your Honors now accuse us of having done nothing. All Your Honors' quarrels with the Nabab were pursued in a secret manner, without making them known to us in a proper, formal, and public manner, until Your Honors' letter of 11 December communicated the long list of Your Honors' alleged grievances, of which we were completely ignorant until that hour, except for the first undersigned, who, having been requested to give us all the information relating thereto, did indeed give us a very ample and detailed account thereof, which Your Honors have already been told was in no way consistent with yours, nor did it in any respect justify Your Honors' representations or complaints. A further complete investigation was instituted on our part among all those who could give us any information regarding this matter, which confirmed the statements of our Chief; and all these having been duly considered and reflected upon together, the sentiments were founded which we openly expressed to Your Honors in our missive of 29 December, which brought upon us such an improper answer. In case Your Honors' pride did not permit you to regard us as mediators and protectors, Your Honors, spurred by propriety and good manners, ought to have written to us as respectable gentlemen. We can up to this moment see no reason to depart from our sentiments which are very clearly expressed in our aforementioned missive, but rather more abundant material to adhere firmly to them. There are hardly any human actions but they can, by refined hair-splitting and Jesuitical cunning, be covered with a false luster. And thus Your Honors call the placing of a counter-guard on the house of the Persia merely a guard to protect the Company's property, and the known embezzlement of spices by the Persia merely the sweeping up of dust and heads of cloves, and the blatant insult of wishing to force upon the Nabab Your Honors' broker Mantchergie, who on numerous occasions has shown himself to be an open enemy both of this Nabab and of his father, and insisting that he should see the Nabab merely to pay his respects to His Excellency, is colored by Your Honors with the pretense as if the Nabab trampled upon Your Honors' privileges by refusing to grant an audience to your broker. The request made to Mr. Price in his public capacity, for in that quality alone could he fulfill Your Honors' request to procure Sabidas's return, Your Honors call a private request to a friend, by which it was not meant that it should have any public consequence. The granting of a cowl or letter of protection to Sabidas, which was certainly drawn up in strong terms, Your Honors say was merely a friendly letter; these are among the numerous examples of very artful distortions. How very unjustly do Your Honors also represent the matter of the return of Sabidas, asserting that he could not return under the protection of the town and Castle Governor, as it is strictly provided against in Your Honors' firmans: "That no one shall undertake to assist the debtors of the Company, and that the Governors shall not permit them to be protected by anyone." With what countenance can Your Honors presume to assert that the circumstance of the negotiated return of Sabidas, under full and extensive protection, has any relation to the clauses mentioned in Your Honors' firmans. This same Tapidas was completely beyond the reach of the Surat Government and could by no means be forced to return. In order to persuade him to return, it was necessary that he should be provided with protection from all parties. He feared Your Honors' power and resentment on account of his flight as much as anyone's, and to secure him against it, Mr. Price gave him his protection as Governor of the Castle, and procured for him that of the Nabab as Governor of the Town. For the latter was immediately necessary for him to be able to return to Surat with peace of mind. And when he had returned under these united safeguards, each protecting party had an indubitable and absolute right to see that he was not oppressed or detained, or that their protection granted in this manner was in any way insulted or violated. In spite of all Your Honors' cunning, Your Honors have nevertheless in a very conspicuous and ridiculous manner failed
Dutch transcription
225 De uitkomst gunstiglijk voor UEd:s gedug„ „te Uitvallen. - Dat het ongelutkiger wij= dus niet is uitgevallen, is de eenigstere „reedarom UEd: thaens ons beschuldigen, d. wij en geen gedaan hebben. Alle UEd:s krathelen met de Nabab wierden een geheime wijse voortgeset, zonder dat on „selve wierden bekend gemaakt, op een behoorlijke, formeele en Publicques ien tot dat UEd: Brief van den 11„e December communiceerd de lange lijst van UE gewaamde beswaarnissen, waarvan wij dat Uur volkomen onkunding waren7„ „nomen de Eerstondergeteekende, dewel„ Versogt sijnde ons alle de Informa thien geeven daar toe betretking hebbenden hij ons inderdaad daarvan een zeer U „men en breedvoerig detail het welk Ue„ UEd: reeds gesegd hebben dat geen dini het Uwe Overeenkomstig was, nog deed„ zelve in eenige opsigten UEd: Vertoonen of Klagten regtvaardigen. — Een verder volkomen onderdoek wierd van onse Zijde aangesteld BB. van alle de geene die ons hieromtrend eenige Onderrigtingen geeve Konden dewelke de voordragten van ons Opperhoofd bevestigden; En op alle dese te zamens behoorlijk Overwogen en bedagt zijn de gevoelens gegrond rest geweest, die wij UEd:s open„ „hartig hebben uitgedruk bij onse missive, van den 29„e xber:, dewelke ons zulk een onbe„ „taemelijk bescheid heeft tewege gebragt. — Jngevalle UEd:s hoogmoed deselve niet toege „laten hadden ons aantemerken als Middelaren en Beschermers, zoo moesten UEd„s aangespoord door betaamelijkheid en goede manierlijkheid ons als fatooenelijke Heeren N: /: Gentlemen:/ hebben geschreven. Dwij Kunnen tot dit Oogenblik geen reede„ zien, om van onse gevoelend ofte wijken die zelv Zeek 226 zeer klaarlijk uitgedrukt zijn in onse missive voormeld, maar wel meer overvloedige stoff= om daarbij te blijven vastgehegt. Daar is nauwlijx eenige menschelijke daden of deselve kunnen daar een ge„ „woogte hair kloverije en Jesuitie loosheid met eenen verkeerden glans werden bedekt En dus noemen UEd:s het Plaatsen van een tegenwagt op het huis, van de Persie, Eenlijk eene wagt om 'sComp:s Eeigendom te beschermen, en het bekende Ontvreem„ „dende specerijen door de Persie blootelijx het opvaagsel van stof en Kroontjes Van Nagulen, Ende uitschitterende versma„ „dinge, om den Nabab det Ed:s Makelaar Mantchergie te Willen opdringen die bij talrijke geleegentheeden zig betoond heeft een Openbaare vijand te zijn zoo wel van dese nabab als zijnen Vader, en daerop te staan dat hij den Nababzien zoude, Eenlijk om zijn Excellentie te pleegen, werd door UEd: gecoloveerd met het voorgeeven, als vertreeden de nabab UEd:s Voorregten met te weigeren aan derselver Makelaar gehoor te verleenen. — het gedaane aansoek aen M„r Price in zijn publiek Caracter, want in die qualiteit alleen kon hij uEd:s versoek om Sabidas weder te besorgen maer volboen„ „gen, noemens UEd:s Een Particulier ver„ „soek aan een Vriend, waer meede niet gemeend was dat zulx van Publicq gevolg roeden soude. - Het verleenen van een Banderer of Brief van bescherminge aan Sabidas, die zeekerlijk in raeke bewoordingen ingerigt was, zeggen UEd:s enelijk een Vriendelijke brief geweest te zijn Va vela talrijke Voorbeelden van seer listige Verdraaijingen. - Hoe zee, onregt„ „vaardig almede representeeren UEd:s niet de zaak vande terug komst van Tabidas, Eenlijk bewerende 227 Beweezdeh dat hij niet kon terug keshen onder de Bescherminge van de stads en Cas„ „teels Gouverneur, alzoo daartegens volstrekbelijk is voorsien bij UEd:s fermans, „Dat niemand onderneemen zal de schulde„ „naeren van de Compagnie te assisteeren, en „ dat de Gouverneurs niet gedogen zullen „ dat ze door iemand werden beschermt„ Met wat gelaat kunnen UEd:t zig Aenma„ „tigen te beweiren, dat de Omstandigheid van de genegotieerde terrug komst van Sabidas, onder volkomene en uitgebraide beschermingenige betrekking heeft tot de Claurulen vermeld in Uld:s Firmans. — Deze zelfde Tapidas was ten Eenemaal buiten het bereijk vande Curatsche Re „geeringe En kan door geene middelen gedwongen werden wederom te komen. Om hem te bewegen van te rugte kea„ „ren, wan het noodzakelijk dat hij van alle partijen met bescherminge toield Voorsien. - Hijvreesde voor U Ed:s magten belg zugt wegens zijne Vlugt, zoo veel als Voor iemand, en om hem daarvoor te bevijligen gaf hem M„r Price zijne bescherminge als Gouverneur van 't Casteel, en bezorg¬ „den hem die van de Nababals Gouvernu van de Clad. - Want de laatste was voor hem onmiddelijk noodwendig om in Soeratte met gerustheid te hunnen wederkomen. En wanneer hij onder dese vereenigde Cauwe Guardes terug gekeerd was had ieder be„ „schermende Partij een Ontwijfelbaer en volstrekt regt om te weken dat hij Niet verdrukt wierd of aengehouden, of dat hunne Protectie in deser Voegen verleend, Op eenigerhande wijse beschimpt of geschonden wierd. - Jn spijt van al heEds listigheid, hebben UEd:s egter op ine zeer Uitsteekende en bespottelijke weijse Van gehoord
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both the authority of Mr. Price as Castle Governor, and also that of the Nabob or the city Governor, by placing Sepoys with Tabidas under the pretext that this served him as a compliment and honor: Since he being protected in this manner, under whatever pretext it might be, Your Honors ought not to have presumed to have sent any Sepoys to him without previously obtained permission from the aforesaid Regents. Had Your Honors treated with Mr. Price concerning the unlimited return of Sabidas to Your Honors' Factory, and he having then been immediately delivered over to Your Honors' jurisdiction and the matter having been concluded in this manner, then, and only in such a case, would Your Honors' conduct have been lawful, and improper of the Nabob to interfere therewith. —What followed from this on the part of the Nabob /: not as Your Honors represent it, but as it truly occurred :/, we still think was natural and equitable. —Mr. Price assures that Your Honors made an apology to him in the capacity of Castle Governor, and we believe him, and likewise that in consequence thereof the Nabob had a right to a similar mark of respect since his authority was disregarded in the same manner. It grieves us to have to say, Gentlemen, that the Extracts with which Your Honors have provided us from your Firmans, even assuming they are Authentic, prove nothing, since they only order that Your Honors must be assisted in the gathering of your lawful debts by the Governments, and we have never heard that Your Honors have requested such assistance and that it was refused to Your Honors; but there is a great difference between this, and the employing of the privileged Sepoys of Your Honors' Honorable Company by an ill-famed Broker for the oppression of the city's subjects. The well-known Character of Your Honors' Broker Mantchargie for such practices as are complained of, and the abuse of the power with which he was provided by virtue of his station and Your Honors' Service, needs no further Explanation on our part. — Hitherto we have only mentioned the Nabob's complaints against him by way of Precaution, to the End that such of his conduct might not be permitted by Your Honors. And if there is any truth in the story of the Coppersmith, which we cannot help but think was made up for this occasion, had Your Honors made a proper complaint at the time the incident occurred, we would not have failed to redress it; but if Your Honors, on account of some secret and particular Reason best known to Your Honors yourselves, chose to bundle Your Honors' disputes together, keep them secret, and willfully Neglect to make all Necessary representations concerning them until it is practically too late to interfere therewith with any Propriety, then that is Your Honors' own fault. — And here we cannot fail to remark that had all Your Honors' supposed grievances been properly represented without childishness, and naturally through our /: Permit the word :/ Mediation, settled with the Nabob, they could never have climbed to the extraordinary height to which they have now been brought by dispute and harmful dissimulations. We shall now answer Your Honors' weighty fear. Mr. Spencer and his Council have certainly bound themselves to support Your Honors in all of your lawful Privileges through the mediation and influence of the English as possessors of the Castle, without knowing precisely what the same contained. Until our Honorable Masters became Masters of the Castle, the English in the city of Surat were nothing more than Your Honors, namely a body of privileged and incorporated Merchants, and could therefore never have had any right or interest to inform themselves of Your Honors' privileges. — They knew well that Your Honors were residing here under the direct territory of the city Government, and that Your Honors were entitled to no other privileges than those that were given to Your Honors by the obtained Firmans and grants from the Great Mogul; And consequently Mr. Spencer and his Council presupposed, since they could only hold it for certain that they and their successors would have to deal with Men of Honor and Reason, that whenever a privilege was cited to us by Your Honors, and the same was disputed by the Nabob or others, the Existence of such a right on the part of Your Honors could and must without any hesitation be sufficiently proven, by producing the firman or the grant in which it was described. — To wish to presuppose for a Moment that the contrary could ever have happened
Dutch transcription
228 gehoord zoo wel de magt van M„r Price als Casteels Gouverneur, als mede die van de Nabak of den stads Gouverneur, met het plaatsen van Cipaijs bij Tabidas onder voor„ „wendsel dat hem zulx als een Compli„ „ment en tot eere verstrekte: Vermits hij in deser voegen beschermd zijnde, onder welke pretext het ook wesen mogte, UEd„s zig niet moesten hebben onderstaan eenige Cipaijs bij hem gesonden te hebben zonder voor af erlangde toestemminge van voorschreeve Regenten. Hadden uEd„s met m„r Price gehandeld, van de ongelimiteerde terug komst van Sabidas haar UEd: Factorij, en hij als dan onmiddelijk uitgeleeverd zijnde aen U Ed: jurisdictie en in deser voegen de zaak af„ „gemaakt was alsdan, en maer in zoo„ een geval alleenig zoude UEd:se gedrag regt matig hebben geweest, en oneigen van de nabab om sig daermede te bemoeijen. —Wat van de zeijde des nababs hier uitge„ „volgd is, /: niet gelijk UE:s zulx voorstellen, maar zoo als woedentlijk is voorgevallen:/ den„ „ken wij nog, dat natuurlijk en billijk 2843. — M„r Price versekerd dat UEd:s hem in der hoedanigheid van Casteels Gouvern„ „neur een apologie hebben gemaakt, en wij geloven hem, zomeede dat ingevolgt vandien de nabal een regt hadden tot een diergelijke blijk van Eerbied dewijl tegeve zijn magt inselver voegen was middeen. Het doed ond leed te moeten zeggen mijne Heeren dat de Extracten waarmeede UEd:s ons Uit derselver Sirmand voorsien hebben ge„ „steld dat ze Authenticq zijn niets, bewijsen, nadien zij Eenlijk gelasten dat uEd„s moe„ „ten geholpen worden inde inpalminge Uloer ragtmatige schulden door de Ree„ „geeringen, En wij hebben Noort van gehoord 229 gehoord dat UEd„s om zulken bijstand hebben versogt en dat UEd„s die geweigerdis maar daer is een groot verschil tusschen dit, en het emploijeeren van de gepreviligeer „de Cipaijs UEder Ed:s Ed„e Comp„e door een heardugtige Makelaar tot Verdrukking vande stads Op„ „derdaenen. Het wel bekende Caracter van UEd: Ma„ „kelaar mantchargie voor dier gelijke bedrij„ „ven als waerover er geklaagdid en het mis„ „bruiken van de magt waarmeede hij Uit hoofde zijner stand plaats en U Ed„e Dienst werd voorsien behoefd van onse zijde geene verdere Uitlegging. — hogtheen hebben wij eenlijk 's Nababs klagten tegens hem gemeld, bij wege van Voorsorg ten Einde diergelijke sijner gedaentens door UEd:s niet Mogten werden toegestaen En Zoo er iets waar is in de historie van de Koperslager, 't welk wij Egter Niet kunnen nalaten te denken of het i8 voor deese gelegentheid opgeschikt, ingevalle UEd:s eene be„ „hoorlijke klagte hadden gedaan ten tijde het gewal gebeurd is, zouden wij niet hebben geblee„ „ven sijn ingebreeke zulx te herstellen maar zoo UEd:s wegens eenige geheims en bij„ „sondere Reeden best en in UEd:s zelve bekend verkieden UEd„s verschillen te zamen te schom„ „melen, deselve geheim houden en Willens Versuimen, die aangaande alle Nodige voor dragten te doen, tot dat het genoegsaam te laat is om sig met eenige Eigenschap daarmeede te bemoeijen, dan is zulx UEd:s eigen schuld. - En hier Mogen wij niet nalaaten aan te merken, dat hadden alle UEd: gewaande beswaarnissen behoor„ „lik voorgesteld geweest sonderselver kinds„ „hijd, en het spreekt van zelfs door onse. /: Permitteerd het woord:/ Middelaarschap, Met den Nabal uitgepluidt, zoo Zouden Ze Kunnen Hooit 230 nout tot de buiten, gewoone hoog te hebben kun„ „nen klimmen, waartoe zij nu doortui„ „stel en schadelijke bewimpelingen zijn gebragt. Wij zullen nu UEd„e magtige vrees g'aentwoo „den. M„r Pancer en zijn Raad hebben sig gewis„ „selijk verbonden om door de bemiddelingen invloed van de Engelschen als besitters van het Casteel UEd„se in allen derselver regs„ „matige Privelegien te onderschraagen Zonder preecies te weten wat deselve beheldenden Tot dat onse Hoog Edele, Betaals t leeren Meesters wierden van 't Casteel warende En„ „gelschen inde stad van soeraetta niet meer als UEd:s namentlijk eenstel geprevili„ „gieerde en ingelijfde Cooplieden, en konde dierhalven nimmer, eenig regt of belang gehad hebben om sig op UEd:s previligien te informeeren. - zij wis„ „ten wel dat UEd: hier inweden weeren onder het 113: Peegten gebied van de stads Regeereng, en dat UEd:s tot geene andere previlegien geregtigd waren dan die UUWEd. gegeeven Wierden, bij de Erlangde Tirmans vergun¬ „ningen van den Grooten Mogol; En ge¬ „volgelijk voor onderstelde, de Heer Spencer en zijnen Raad, vermits zij het niet als voor. zeeker Ronden houden, dat zij en hare navolgeren te doen zouden hebben met Mannan van Eer en Reeden, dat wanneer ont door UEd:s een voorragt wierd aangehaald, en het zelve door den Nabal of anderen betwist de Existen „tie van zulken regt bij UEd:s zoude en moeste zonder eenige haperingen voldoende kunnen bewesen werden, bij te voorschijn brengen van de firman of de vergunninge waar bij zulx be„ „schreeven was. - Om te willen vooronder„ „stallen voor een Oogenblik, dat het tee„ „gendeel Ooit zoude hebben kunnen en gebeuren
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happen. To wish to presuppose that a body of men could insist on privileges, and at the same time obstinately persist in refusing to produce them and thereby properly demonstrate that they were entitled to them, was far too great an absurdity, or a malicious suspicion, for it ever to have been able to lodge in the pure and sincere minds of Mr. Spencer and his Council; or else they would undoubtedly have insisted at an early stage upon being provided with authentic copies of the Firmans, in which they had undertaken to support Your Honors. But being thus addressed, we must take the liberty to say, that since the Castle has become that of our Highly Esteemed Masters, Your Honors seem to have attempted to play a cunning game, and under masked privileges, which in matters of little consequence have not been so closely investigated, Your Honors have heaped one unlawful encroachment upon the other. In the year 1762 Your Honors' steps were so rapid that the nabob even considered himself obliged suddenly to stop Your Honors in your course, and in consequence thereof Your Honors became entangled in difficulties from which our mediation, yes, solely our mediation, extricated Your Honors. My Lords, Your Honors now say with great sincerity that Your Honors' then presiding Chief, weighed down by the burden of years, was duped by our Chief. If Your Honors' Chief at that time was so easily swayed in his conduct, it seems nevertheless fair to presuppose that he complied sooner with his own Council who were always with him, than with our Chief who very seldom saw him and never had any special intercourse with him. Were all the members of Your Honors' numerous assembly at that time also old and pliable, and did they all share in the inclination of Your Honors' Chief to let himself be duped? The late Mr. Ruperti was at that time Your Honors' Secretary; we believe that he was at the same time the confidential secretary and factotum of Your Honors' Chief, and no one has doubted his abilities, nor those of Mr. de Jonge, then Your Honors' Fiscal. And besides, My Lords, Your Honors' present Chief, if not also other members of the same present Council, then had a seat at Your Honors' table; whom we respect too much to be able to think they had joined with their Chief in inclinations to be duped or misled. Your Honors certainly do not wish, now that your claims have climbed so high upon the tally, that whenever we should have to concern ourselves with your affairs, we should do so otherwise than as Possessors of the Castle. Nor do Your Honors wish to maintain that the possession of the Castle would not bring to us, as possessors thereof, its dignity, rank, power and authority, as to those who have previously held and kept it. Let the impartial world, of which Your Honors make such familiar use by appealing to it, judge of the nature of Your Honors' requests made to us in comparison with those which Your Honors undoubtedly will have made to the Sidie or the former Governors of the Castle; and subsequently conclude what the consequences would have been, in case Your Honors had had the audacity to use such caviling and insolent wording with a Mughal Governor as Your Honors have generally done to us, and with which your requests are as if studiously adorned. We shall take the liberty to say a few words more concerning the subject of Mediation and Protection. Anyone who interests himself for another to settle certain points of dispute with a third person in an amicable manner may rightly be said to be a mediator; and when finding that persuasion will not succeed, he then uses his power and authority to force the third person to desist from oppressions, and to settle the dispute according to reason or according to favor, he is then, and undoubtedly also deserves, the name of protector. Sound reason must grant these propositions, and judge thereby of the role that Your Honors require of us, that we shall act with the nabob on Your Honors' behalf, and reason will soon accustom Your Honors to appellations that presently seem so terrifying and unsavory to you. Your Honors' proposition that their disputes
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231 gebeuren. - Om te willen Vooronderstellen dat een stel Menschen op Previlegien Cole„ „de kunnen insisteeren, en te gelijker tijd halsterriglijk blijven weigeren deselve te voorschijn te brengen en daar door be¬ „hoorlijk aantetoonen dat zaer toe geregtigd waren, was eene al te groo„ „te ongerijmdheid, of boosaardig vermoe„ „den, dan dat deselve ooit zoud hebben Kunnen huisvesten inde Zuijvere en opregte gemoederen van den Heer Spencer en zijnen Raad; Of an„ „ders zouden zij ongetwijfeld al vroeg hebben g'insisteerd om voorsien te werden van Authenticque afschrijt „ten van de Firmans, waarin zij aangenomen hadden UEd:s te On„ „derschragen. - maar aldus aenga„ „sprooken, moeten wij de vrijheid nee„ „men te zeggen, dat zederd het Castaal geworden is, dat van onse hoog Agtbare Meesters schijnen UEd:s getragt te hebben een listig spel te speelen, en onder ge„ „masqueerde voorregten, dewelke in zae„ „ken van weinig gevolg niet zoo nauld„ „huriglijk zijn ondersogt geworden heb„ „ben u Ed:s de eene onregtmatige in„ „diang op den anderen gestapld. - Jn het Jaar 1762 waren Ud: schreeden zoo Cnel dat de nabal zig zelfs verpligt agte UEd: met eens te moeten sturten inder„ „zelver loopbaan, en ingevolge van dien wierden UEd:s in zwarigheeden verstrikt waaruit onse Bemiddeling Ja allen onze Bemiddeling, UEd:s hebben ontward mijne Heeren UEd:s waren nu zeekerlijk met groote opregtheid, dat UEd:s als dan Presideerend Opperhoofd, gedrukt door den Part der Jaren door onden Cheff gedupeerd wierd. - Bij aldien geworden Uld: 232 UEd„s Opperhoofd, te dier tyd zoo ligtelijk omk te zetten was in sijn gedrag, schijnd heb tog billijk te zijn te voorondersterten dat hij eerder zig schikte na zijn eigen Raad die altoos bij hem was, dan na ons Opperhoofd die hem zeer zelden zag„ en nimmer eenige bijsondere gemeen„ „schap met hem heeft gehad. — waren al de Leeden dan ook van UEd:s talrijke derga„ „dering des lijdes, oud en geboetkelijk en deel„ „den zij alle inde neiging van UEd:s Opperhoofd om zig te laten dupeeren. Den overleedenen heer Ruperti waed toenmaer UEd:s Secretaris - wij geloven dat hij te gelijk id geweest den geheimschrijver en Factotum van UEd:se Opperhoofd, en niemand heeft ont aen zijne bequaamheeden getwiff„ „feld, nog aen die van den Heer de Jonge als toen UEd:s Fiscaal, En buiten des Mijne Heeren UEd:s tegenwoordige opper„ „hoofd, zoo niet meede andere Leden van dor„ „selver preesenten Raad hadden des tijdes mede zitting aan UEd:s tafel; dewelke wij te veel respecteeren, dan dat wij zoude kunnen denken zij met haren opperhoofd zig ver„ „eenigd hadden in neijgingen om gedu„ „peerd of misleijd te hoorden. — UEd„o willen zekerlijk niet /: nu dezsel„ „ver Pretentien zoo hoog op de kerfstokge„ „klommen zijn:/ Waneer dat wij ons met derselver zaeken zouden bemoeijen Moeten, dan als Bezitterd van het Casteel. - Nog Willen UEd:s staande houden dat het bedit van het Casteel ons Niet als Besitters daer„ „van, desselfswaardigheid, Rang, magt en Authoriteijd zoude toebrengen als aen die het bevorens gehad en gehouden hebben, Laat aan de onpartijdige Waereld daer UEd„s zig zoo familiar van bedienden zig opberoepen, oordelea„ hoofd over 233 over de staat van UEd:s aan ons gedane Versoeken in vergelijking van die de„ „welke UEd:s ongetwijffeld zullen hebben gedaan aen den sidie of de vorige Gouver„ „neurs van het Casteel; en Vervolgens besluiten wat de gevolgen zouden hebben geweest, ingevalle UEd:s het hart hadden gehad diergelijke quitagtige en insolente bewoordingen te gebruiken bij een Mogolsch Gouverneur gelijk held„ in't algemeen aan ons gedaan hebben en waarmeede derselver verzoeken als Met studie zijn opgeschikt. — Wij zullen nog de vrijheid neemen eenige weijnige woorden meer te zeggen nopens het onderwerp van Middelaar„ „schap en Bescherminge. - Een iegelijk die voor een Ander zig interresseerd om op een vriendelijke wijse zeekere Poinc„ „ten in verschil te schikken met Een derde Persoon, mag met regt ge„ „zegd worden een middelaar te zijn; En wanneer vindende dat overreedinge niet wil laten, alsdan zijn magt en Authoriteijd gebruikt om de derde Persoon te dwingen van Verdruckkint„ „gen afte zien, en het verschilnade reden of na gunst aftemaken, als dan word, en verdiend hij ook onge¬ „twijffeld de naem van bescharmer. De gesonde Reden moet dese voorstellen toestaan, en oordeeld bij deselve daen over de rol die UEd:s ons vergen, dat wij met den nabab zullen ageren ten Uloen opsigte, ende redelijkheid zullen UEd:s wel heest gewennen aan benamingen die deselve thans zoo verschrikkelijk en smakelijk voorkomen. UEd:s stelling dat derselver ver„ Een „schillen
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...disputes with the Nabob never could have arisen, in case we had not resolved to protect the Nabob in an unlawful manner against Your Honours; upon the bare reading thereof, contains the greatest absurdity in itself. It needs not be pointed out to any reader of sound judgment. - But, Gentlemen, would Your Honours please show a little sincerity toward us, and tell us what Your Honours mean by taking private disputes as a reason to oppress Your Honours' Company. This is a malicious and obscure attack upon the character of every person in our assembly, and it behoves Your Honours to explain and maintain this in public, unless Your Honours intended to earn the appellation of treacherous assassins of reputation. So far from intending or wishing that Your Honours' Noble Dutch East India Company should in any way be injured by the interests of private persons, it has for a long time grieved us to the heart to observe that its affairs are so frequently entangled by the private interests of its own servants; for we can assure with confidence that we know of not a single occasion where Your Honours have had any disputes with the Nabob in which the Honourable Company was primarily or immediately concerned, but was always dragged into it by its own servants in order to give a colour to partial and self-interested transactions. - Let us cast an eye upon Your Honours' present disputes with the Nabob. - The negotiated return of Tabidas to Soratta was, if not entirely, at least principally a private affair of two or three private persons, and Your Honours' Honourable Company had no great interest in it. And this same matter was the cause of most of your future disputes with the Nabob. - It was entirely the origin of the supposed Gotkie threats of oppression and grievances of which Your Honours complain so loudly. - Botisaes' and Deanaet's claim upon Your Honours' Warehouse Keeper are certain private matters with which Your Honours' Company originally had nothing to do. - The intentional pulling down of the King's common highway, Your Honours' unlawful encroachment in the case of buildings and other respects, the purchasing at pleasure by Your Honours' servants of houses and lands, about all of which the Nabob is complaining so loudly, are certainly circumstances that relate solely to private persons, and for which the interests of Your Honours' Company ought not to be suspended, nor should it suffer thereby. - The affair, then, of the Persian who stole the spices, is the only one that could properly be said to be of a public nature; and it turns entirely upon Your Honours' firmans. Your Honours maintain that you possess a privilege and prerogative to punish your own servants, and that whenever anyone of the town's subjects becomes Your Honours' immediate servant, and consequently protected by Your Honours' Honourable Company, the same would thereby be discharged or freed from his obedience to the Nabob. - The Nabob denies this absolutely. - Express examples have been shown to prove the very contrary of Your Honours' assertion. And this being then so clearly, so absolutely, and so reasonably denied, what else could we do, in reason, according to our duty and sound judgment, but request to see that very firman which contained this very extraordinary privilege, since the production thereof would have decided the matter at once in Your Honours' favour? It is not only this, but with respect to many other of your present disputes, that the production of the said firmans will be necessary, because without them nothing can be determined. - How can Your Honours then, Gentlemen, if you have a clear right to the privileges upon which you insist, be so obstinate and so stubbornly blind to the true interest of your paymasters, as to refuse to let us see the firmans that contain this? - Is it also a ridiculous conceit of pride, or fancied equality, that thus leads Your Honours astray? - It may be so, and therefore, to show Your Honours that we are ready to show indulgence toward the weakness of human nature, and earnestly desiring to be of assistance to Your Honours, if Your Honours will only put it in our power to do so reasonably, we request Your Honours to devise a manner yourselves that may best suit your conception of your dignity and serve the business well, and most easily satisfy your Right Honourable consequence. We will for once make use of...
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234 „schillen met de nabab nimmer Cou„ „den hebben ontstaan, ingevalle wij niet ter rade waren geworden de na„ „bal tet beschermen op eene onregtmate„ „ge weise tegens UEd:; sluit op het bloota gedigt daarvan, de grootsta ongerijmdheid in zig. Het behoefd niet aengeweesen te worden aan eenigen leeser van ge„ „sond Oordeel. - Maar mijne Heeren zouden UEd„s wil voor ons een weinig opregtheid gebleeven aen te neemen, en ons zeggen, wat UEd„s verstaan, met het neemen van Particuliere Verschillen tot een Reden, om UEd: Comp„s te verdrukken. Dit is een belagend en duijster aanval; op het Caracter van ieder Persoon in onse vergadering, en het betaamd UEd„s Julx uit te leg„ „gen en staande te houden in 't pen„ „baar, ten Ware UEd: meende te Willen verdienen de benaminge van verraaden„ „lijke Moordenaers van Reputatie zoo verre van te beoogen of te wenschen dat UEd:e Edele Nederlandsche oost Jndische Compagnie eenigsints benadeeld zoude moeten werden door de belangens van bijsondere Personen; heeft het ons zederd langen van harten leed gedaan te moeten aanmerken dat haere zaken zoo dikwils verward raken door de bijsondere belangens van hare eigene Die„ „naeren, want wij kunnen met gerust„ „heid versekeren, dat wij geen eene Occasie weeten daar UEd„s met de Na„ „bal eenige Verschillen hebben gehad daar derselver Ed„s Comp„e voor af of On„ „middelijk meede gemoeit is geweest maar altijd door haare eigen Dienaten daarin gesteept ten einde een Couleur te geeven aen Partijdige, en eigen belangen Verdienen „lijke 235 „ke gedoentens. - Laat ondeen oogwerpen op de tegenswoordige Uler Ed:s verschillen miet de Nabab. -De genegotieerde te rug komst van Tabidas naer Soratta, wad zoo niet in 't geheel ten minsten voornamentlijk een bijsonde„ ^ affaire van twee of drie bijsondere „re Persoonen, en UEd:s Ed„e Comp„e hader geen groot belang in. En dese zelfde zaak was de Oorsaak vande meeste Uwer toekomende Verschillen met de Nabab. - Het was ten eenemaale den oorspronk van het gewaande Gotkie. Dreigementen van verdrukkinge en beswaarnissen daar UEd:s zoo luijd over Klagen. - Botisaes en Deanaets pretentie op U Ed:s Pakhuismeester, zijn zekere bijson„ „dere zaken daar u Ed:s Comp„e oorspronkelijk niet meede te doen hadden. - Het op zattelijk om verhaalen 'skonings gemaan weg. UEd:s onragtmatige Jndrang in Cas van gebouwen, en andere opsigten, Het inkopen na welgevallen door UEd:e Dienaren van huiden en Erven over welk alles de Nabab zoo luijdkeels is kleegende, zijn zeekerlijk om„ „standigheeden die eenlijk betrekking hebben op bijsondere Personen en waarvoor de belangens van UEd„s Comp„e niet behoorden gestaakt te werden of zij Iaar door lijden. — De zaak dan van de Persie, die de specerijen gestoolen heeft is de eenigste die men regtmatiger wijse zoude kunnen zeggen Van een Publicquen Aard te zijn; en de z draaijd in 't geheel op UEd:s fermans: UEd„e houden staende dat sij een voorregt en Pri¬ „veligie besitten om derselver eigene Dienarend te straffen, En dat Wanneer iemand van de stads Onderdanen UEd:s onmiddelijke Die„ „naren word, en bij gevolge geprotegeerd door UEd=s Ed„s Comp„se deselve, daardoor optslagen of bevrijd zouden werden van zijne gehoorsaemheid aende Nabab. - De Nabab ontkend dat absoluut. — inkopen Expresse 236 Exprasse voorbeelden zijn aengetoond, om Vlak het tegengestelde van UEd:s assertie te bewijsen. En het welk dan zoo duidelijk, zoo volstrekt, en zoo reedelijk ontkend wer„ „dende, wat konden wij dan na de reden„ volgens onse pligt, en een gesond oordeel anders doen als te versoeken om dieselfde Ferman te zien, die dit zeer buitengewoo„ „ne voorregt inhield, alsoo het vertonen daarvan de zaak met eens in UEd: voor„ „deel had beslist, het is niet alleenig dit, maar ten opsigte van veele andere Uoer tegenwoordige verschillen dat de Productie van derselver Fermans nodig zijn zal om dat zonder deselve niets koen werden gedetermineerd. - HoE kunnen UEd:s dan mijne Heeren zoo dezelve een klaar regt tot de Prevlle„ „gien hebben waarop te aandringen zoo eigenzinning en zoo halsterriglijk bland zijn voor het ware Interest Udader Betaalsheeren, om ons te weigeren de Pirmans te zien die zulx beheldd. — Is het ook een belachelijke inbeelding van hoog„ „moed, of gewaande gelijkstandigheid die„ UEd:s dus op den dool wegbrengt. - Het kan zoo zijn, en daarom, om UEd: te tonen dat wij bereidvaardig zijn inschitkelijk„ „heid te gebruiken, met de Zwakheid van de menschelijke natuur, en ernstig verlan„ „gende, om U Ed. s behulpsaam te zijn, als het UEd:s maar in ons magt willen stel„ „len om het redelijk te kunnen doen; zoo versoeken wij UEd:s om zelver een maniet te willen uitdrenkken, die het best dek„ „zolven bevatting van hunne waerdigheid en geed aande Aangelegendheid dienen kan, en het gemakkelijkst verzogten derselver Hoog Agtbare Consequentie Wij Willen voor een reijs gebruik makken blind. Van
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of your own expressions, and we wish to avoid subtleties as far as we can, and if possible abide by that. But since, after a serious and mature consideration of a question that Your Honours well know has been on the carpet for several years, our decision was founded upon the demand of no longer fighting in the dark for Your Honours, but to be convinced once and for all by Your Honours' Farmans whether Your Honours have an essential right to the privileges upon which you insist, and which decision has received the full confirmation of our superiors, we therefore cannot deviate from it. Do not try, Gentlemen, to amuse yourselves with the vain hope that we act of our own accord and that we keep our masters at Bombay in the dark regarding our dealings with respect to your affairs. Every paper and letter that Your Honours dispatch to us was sent in transcript to Their Honours. And for the sake of our superiors, we heartily wished that Your Honours' correspondence was not so rambling and vexatious. How can the thought dwell in Your Honours, Gentlemen, that we would keep our superiors in the dark and conceal from them any part of our correspondence; is this not indeed the custom in your service? Your Honours speak, Gentlemen, of various other chicanes and obstacles that were put in Your Honours' way, but mention no particulars. We are astonished at this, since Your Honours seem to be such great admirers of what you call sincerity and acting simply. Once and for all, we pray Your Honours, whenever you need our intervention, always to be simple, open, and timely in your requests, which will save much trouble for us and Your Honours yourselves; and we declare to Your Honours that we shall not undertake to decipher them, expecting therefore that if Your Honours have anything else to complain about, you will do so in clear and direct terms. We only desire that Your Honours will be convinced of the great difference there is between sincerity and the unrestrained outpouring of passion and abuse, and how great it is between a simple manner of acting and a lack of proper civility. It seems necessary to make yet another remark to Your Honours, namely that our obligation, as Governor of the Castle, between Your Honours and the Nabob is mutual. If we are bound to maintain Your Honours in your lawful rights and privileges, we are in the same manner obliged to defend and support the Nabob against all those who might undertake to disturb the peace and tranquility of his government. We have now fully answered, Gentlemen, Your Honours' letters and said everything that appeared necessary to us, and if the style of this letter should be unusually rough and severe, Your Honours have only yourselves to thank for it. We sincerely hope that Your Honours' forthcoming conduct and letters will enable us again to use the pleasant expressions of friendship and harmony; whereas heated as Your Honours have pleased to heat us, we cannot, consistently with our character and duty, interfere with the Nabob for and on behalf of Your Honours further than we have done. But if, through a more sensible conduct and a more reasonable compliance with our desire, Your Honours will enable us to assist you properly, Your Honours may then be assured that we shall with the greatest satisfaction do our best to remove all Your Honours' difficulties and render Your Honours all the service and pleasure that is in our power. It would be pleasant to us if Your Honours in the future would send us English translations alongside your letters instead of French, as has been customary. We have the honour, Gentlemen, Your Honours' very humble and obedient servants, signed, W: H: Rices, D: Gambier, J:n Halsey, W:m Gratton, J:s Paij, G: Berret, P:s Dorien. In the margin: Surat, the 22nd of March 1773. No 47 The W: Martin John Bosman Esq: Director for all affairs of the Noble Netherland Company and Council at Surat. Worshipful Sir and Sirs, We shall now fully reply to your letter of the 24th ultimo as well as that of the 7th instant. The very insolent, scurrilous and highly disrespectful terms both these letters are loaded with would amply justify us were we to pass them over in contemptuous silence, and absolutely refuse to have anything further to say to you, till a proper apology was made for such gross affronts, both to our own characters and the authority we represent; but lest this mode of proceeding, however just in itself, should furnish you with the insinuation that
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237 van en Uwer eigene uitdrutkingen, En wij willen Pointilles vermijden, zoo verre als wij kunnen, en zoo het mogelijk is daarbij blijven berusten. - Maah ver„ „mits na eene ernstige en rijpe Consid „ratie van een vraeg, die UEd: wel bekend is dat verscheide Jaeren op 't tapijt is geweest, ons besluijt gegrondvest is ge„ „roorden op den Eisch van niet lan„ „ger voor UEd„s in den donker te vegten maar eens voor al door UEd:e Fer¬ „mans Overtuigd werden, of UEd:e een wesentlijk regt hebben tot de Privele„ „gien waarop zij urgeeren, En wel„ „ke besluijt de volkomene bekragtiging Ruperieieren onder ## erlangd heeft; zoo kunnen wij daarvan niet afwijken. Tragt dog niet Mijne Heeren UEd:e zelver te Amuseeren met de ijdele hoop, dat wij uit onszelven ageren en dat wij onse Gebiederen te Bbaij: in den donker laten verblijven nopens onse handelin¬ „gen ten opsigte van Uwezaken. Jeder Papier en brief die UEd„s ons toeschikken werd in oschrijft aan haar Ed„s toegesonden En om de Willen van onse Eypenieuren Wenschten wij hartelijk dat UEd:s Corres„ „pondentie niet zoo wijdloopig en ver„ „drietig was. - hoe kunnen bij UEd:s mij na Heeren de gedagten huisvesten, dat wij onse superieuren in den donker houden en voor deselve enig gedeelte van onse Cor¬ „respondentie verbergen zouden immers 18 Julx niet de gewoonte in Uwen Dienst UEd:s spreeken mijne Heeren van Verscheide„ „ne andere Chipanes en Vverhinderingen die UE: in„ den toeg werden gelegd, maer Melden geene bijsonderbreeden. - Wij zijn daerover versteld, Vermits UEd:s zulke grote bewonderaars schijnen te zijn van het geen deselve noemen wy Oprigtheid 238 opregtheid en Eenvoudig te handelen. - Eens voor al wij bidden UEd:s wanneer zo onse bemoeijenisse nodig hebben, altoos Een vou„ „dig, publicq, en vroegtijdig te zijn, indersel„ „ver versoeken, het welk ons en UEd:s zelven veel moeite uitwinnen zal; En wij verkla„ „ren UEd:s, dat wij niet zullen onderstaen derselver te ontceijfferen, verwagtende dier„ „halven dat zoo UEd:s nog ergens anders over te klagen hebben, zij zulx in klare en di„ „recte termes doen willen. — Wij verlangen eenelijk dat UEd:s vertuijd willen zijn, van het groot verschil dater is tusschen opregtheid, en de tomelose Uitstor„ „ting van passie en ^ bejegeningen, en hoe groot tusschen eene eenvoudige handelon„ „ije, en gebrek aen betamelijke wellevendheid. Het schijnd noodzakelijk nog ene aanmer„ „king bij UEd:s te moeten maken, namentlijk dat Onse verpligtinge /: als Gouverneur van 't Casteel:/ tusschen UEd: en de nabab wedersijds is, Indien wij gehouden zijn UEd:s te hand„ „haven in derzelver regtmatege Regten en Puerilagien zoo zijn wij inselver. voegen ver¬ „pligt den nabab te verdedigen, en te ondersteu„ nen tegens alle de geene dewelke zouden mogen onderstaan te verstoren de. . . . - - en rust van zijne Regeeringe Wij hebben nu volkomen b'antwoord Mijne Heeren UEd:s brieven en alles gesegersab ons voorkwam noodzakelijk te zijn, en zoo de stijl van desen brief ongewoon ruew en straff mogte zijn, hebben UEd:s zig zelfs zulx eenlijk dank te wijlen. - Wij hopen opregtelijk dat UEd:s aenstaand gedrag en brieven ons in staat zal stellen om weder de aengename uitdrutkingen van vriendschap en Harmo „nie te gebruiken, Terwijl verhit, gelijk UEd:s Ons hebben gelieven te verhitten, wij niet bestaanbaer met onse Caracters en pligt. 2 239 No 47 pligt, ons kunnen bemoeijen met den nabses voor en van wegens UEd„s verder als wij hebben ge The W„ martin John Bosman Esq: Directore for all affairs of the Noble Netherland Companij daan maar indien door een gevoelijker gedrag„ ve Council en redelijker involging van ons verlangen, UEd„e ons in staat willen stellen om deselve met Eigenschap behulpsaam te kunnen zijn zoo kunnen UEd: versekerd zijn dat wij met de grootste satisfactie ons best sullen doen om alle UEd„e Zwarigheeden te versetten en UEd„s alle dienst en genoegen te bewijsen die in ons vermogen is. — Het zoude ons wel aengenaem zijn als UEd„s in het toekomende ons Eng: Vertalingen nevens derselver brieven insteede van fransche zenden wilde, gelijk gebruikelijk is geweest te sijn wij hebbende Eet /: onderst:/ A„r Heer en Heeren /:Lager/ UEd: zeer Ootmoedige en gehoorsame dienaeren /: geteekend/ W: H: Rices D: Gambier J:n Halseij W„m bratton J:s Paij, . . . . . . . . . . , G: Berret. . . . . . . . . . . . . : amen„ P„s Dorien /:in margine:/ Curatte de 22„e maart 1773. Wer shall now sullij replijto ijour Letter of the 24th ultime ad well as that of the 7th. Justant Thevery indolent, scurvilous and highly disredpectfull Terms, both these letters are loaded with; draid amplij justifijus were we to pass them over in contempleueed silence, and absolutelyj refurre to haveany thierg further to say to you, till a peoper Apology wad made for such gross affronts, both to over own Characters & the authori¬ ty we represent but least this mode of proceeding, homever judt in isself should furnish you with the Indinuation, that at Jurat W: Cirer sirs orcke 3o
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our silence proceeded from incapacity to refute your arguments, we will, for the present, waive the right of vindicating our highly abused good nature, and condescend once more to point out to you, the falsehood of your assertions and representations, injustice of your claims and pretentions, and strange impropriety of your conduct throughout. And we the rather submit to this ungrateful task, as it will at least afford a striking instance that moderation, candour and generosity rule our deliberations while all your thoughts and actions seem to be wholly influenced by self-interest. In our inquiry into your complaints it was our duty to search them to their very foundations, and not to rashly determine on some particular circumstances, as set forth by you, without tracing these to the causes which produced them; a very proper, full and truly impartial inquiry we did make, and however little you deserved such kindness on our part, made it with a sincere wish, that the result might prove favourable to your cause. That it unluckily did not so, is the sole reason of your now accusing us with not having made any. All your conversations with the Nabob were carried on in a clandestine manner without our being acquainted with them, in the proper, formal and public way till your letter of the 11th December communicated to us the long list of that hour. We were all quite unacquainted except the first subscriber, who being desired to give us all the information he could relative thereto, did indeed give us a very full and ample detail, which, we have already told you, no wise corresponded with yours, or in any respect justified your remonstrances and complaints. A further very full inquiry on our part, from all others who could give us any information followed: which confirmed the representations of our chief, and on all these jointly weighed and maturely considered, were founded the sentiments we candidly expressed to you in our letter of the 29th December, which drew on us such an indecent return. If your pride would not permit you to consider us as mediators and protectors, decency and good manners might have taught you to address us as gentlemen. From the sentiments so clearly expressed in our above-mentioned letter, we, to this moment cannot see any reason to recede, but rather abundant cause to remain fixed in them. There is hardly any human action but what laboured sophistry and Jesuitical cunning may throw a false gloss over. And this you call counter-chowkeying the Parsee's house, merely putting a guard of sepoys to defend your Company's property. A notorious theft of spices you term the sweeping up of a few broken cloves, and the glaring insult of obtruding on the Nabob your broker Muncher, who has in numerous instances proved himself his and his father's avowed enemy, and insisting merely to vex the Nabob, that he should see him, you varnish over with the pretence that the Nabob by denying your broker's audience tramples on your privileges. The applying to Mr Price in his public capacity could he execute your desire, to procure Tapidass's return—you form a private application to a friend which was not meant to have any public consequences. The granting of a cowl or letter of protection to Tapidass; couched 'tis true in very ancient forms, you call the writing him a merely friendly letter: with numerous instances of very artful perversion. How very unjustly too do you represent the affair of Tapidass's return, and assert that he could not return under the protection of the town and castle governor, as it is positively provided by your Phirmands, that no one shall undertake to assist the debtors of the Company, and that the governors shall not suffer any one to protect them. With what face can you pretend to assert, that the circumstance of Tapidass's negotiated return, under full and ample protection, has anything to do with these pretended clauses in your Phirmands? This same Tapidass was entirely out of the reach of the Surat government and could not by any means be compelled to return. To induce him to come back, it was absolutely necessary that he should be satisfied of protection from all quarters, and particularly dreaded your power and resentment of his flight, as much as he did anything, and to secure him from us, Mr Price gave him his protection as Governor of the Castle, and procured him that of the Nabob as Governor of the Town, for the latter was immediately necessary for him to come into Surat with safety. And when he returned under these joint safeguards, every protecting party had an undoubted and absolute right to watch that he was not oppressed or detained, or their protection so given, any wise infringed or insulted; and in spite of all your subtlety in pretending a compliment and honour by sending your sepoys, you undoubtedly did in the most glaring and ridiculous manner insult both the authority of Mr Price as Governor of the Castle and the Nabob as Governor of the Town, by presuming to take him away on his return, under
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240 our Silence proceeded frem incapacity to re¬ „fuite your arguments, we will, for the predent, wave the right of rindicatingour highly abused good nature, and condescend onse more to point out to you, the falscheed of your assertions and representations, injustice of your claims and pretentions, and strange unpropriety of your Conduct throughout. – And We the rather Submit to this ungratefull Tasth, as it will at least afford a striking Instance that mode¬ ration, Candor and Generosity rule our deliberations whele all your thoughts and actions sum to be wholly influanced by Self interest. In our enquiry into your complaints it was our duty to fearch them to their veryfoundations, & not to rashly deter¬ „mine on some particular Circumstan ced, afset forth bij you, without traeing these to the causes which prodicced them, averij proper full & truly impartial Inquiry ve did make, and however little you deserved such kindness on our part, made it with a sincere With, that the redult might prove favorable to your caude. That it un¬ luckely dad notso, is the sole Reason of your now accrising us with not haring made any all yout convensions with the halob were carnied on in d clandestine mannen withorat our being acquainted with them, in the proper, formall & publick waij til lijvien Letter of the 11th December communicated to ut the long list of that hoer, we were all quite unacquaented except the firdt subscribt, who beeng dedired to geve uis all the Information he could relative thereto, ded indeed Give us a verijfull and ample detail, which, we have alreadij toldijou, no wide corresponded with ijours, these 9of 241 or in any raspect justified yournemont trances & Complaints a further verijfull Enquiry on our part, from all others who could give ud any Information fol lowed: which con¬ firmed the representations of our chief, and on all theses jointly weighed and encesurelij considered, were founde d tre sante¬ ments we cande Hly expressed to you inour Letter of the 29th December, which draan on ud such an indicent Return-Ifijour pride woud not permet you to considerres as mediators &: protectors, den eeneijt good mannerd might have tought youa ddre ud as Gentlemen. From the Sentiments soclearly expeessed in our abore mentioned Letter, We, Ao this moment cannot see any reason to reside, but rather abundand cauve to remainfixed in them There is hardly any human Action but what labored ophistry and Jesuite al cunning may throed afalse gloss over. – Ano thied ij our Call counterchouwkeying the Parvies Houde, =menly putting a Guardef sapaijs to defend your Companijs property a notorious theft of spices you term. – the sweeping upafon broken Clores, and the glazing insult of obtreeding on the Nabob your Broker Muncher, who has in numerous In¬ stances provest himself, but his and his fathers avourd Enemy, and insisting menly to ver the Nabob, that he should Suchim, you rasnish over With the Raden ce that the nabol by denying your Bro„ „kers Audunce tramples on your Pirviledgn The applijing to Mr Drce in his publick Cxpacity could he execute Your desire, to procure Tapidass return- You fam a private application to afriend which was not me¬ ans to have any publick Consequences The granting of a Band: or Letter of potection Maij 40. 242 to Tapidass; couched tis true inveryenseond Foumd' Youcall tho writing hemamenli friendly Letter: WC Rx: Numerous instances of very aitfull perversion Houvery unjustly too do ijou repeedent the affair of Sapidass Return, and assert that he could not return under the Protection of the town and Caslle Governor, avitis positively pro„ „vided bij your Phirmands, that no one shall undertake to assist the Destors of the Company, and that the Governors shall not suffer anij one to protext them. With what fares, ean you peetend to assert, that the Circumstance of Tapidass negoteated return, under full and ample Protec¬ tion, has any thing to do with thase pre¬ „tende d' Clauses in Gour Phirmands Thit sume Tapidass was en tirely out of the Reach of the furat Government and could, not bij any meand be compelled to return, Jo induce him to come back, it was abso¬ lutelij necessarij that he should be satisfie of protec¬ „tion from all Quarters and patiedste dreadedijock Power andresentement of his flight, as much as he did angethe, and to secure him from es, Mr Price gave him his Protection as Governor, of the Castle, and procured him that of the nabobas Go¬ „verinor of the Town, for the latter was inme „diatelij necedjarij for hem te come into surat With safetij And when he returne dunder these joint sase Guards, eveeij protecting Partij, had an undoubted and absolute Right to mateh that he was not oppressedor, detained, or their protection so given, any wise infringed or in dulted & in spite of all your subtilitij in pretendinga Compliment and honor bij, sendine gijouer seepaijs, you undoullidlij did in the most glasing andrediculous manners, in sull both the Au¬ „thortij of Mr Luce as Governorof the Castle and the Nabol ad Governor of the Town, bij presuining return, under
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243 under any pretext whatsoever to put, without this previous consent, any sepoys on Tapiadass while so protected. Had you negotiated with Mr. Price for Tapiadass's unreserved return to your factory, and his being immediately delivered up to your jurisdiction, and had so settled the affair, in such case, and such case alone, your behaviour would have been right and the Nabob's interference improper. What redounded on the part of the Nabob, not as you represent, but as it really happened, we still think was natural and just. Mr. Price asserts that you did make to him, as Governor of the Castle, an apology, and we believe him, and consequently we here think the Nabob had a right to a similar mark of respect, as his authority had been equally offended against. We are sorry to say, gentlemen, that the extracts you have furnished us with from your phirmaunds, admitting them to be authentic, prove nothing, as they only direct you shall be assisted in the recovery of your just debts by the government, and we never heard of your having applied for such assistance and been refused it; but there is a wide difference betwixt this, and an imperious broker of yours employing the privileged sepoys of your noble Company to distress the town subjects. Your broker Muncher's well-known character for such practices as complained of, and abuse of the power his station in your service furnishes him with, needs no comment from us. However, we only mentioned the Nabob's complaints against him by way of caution, that such proceedings in him might not by you be allowed of; and if there is anything in the story of the coppersmith, which we cannot but think wears too much the appearance of being dressed up for the occasion, had you made a proper complaint at the time it happened, 244 happened, we should not have failed to procure your redress; but if you, for any secret and particular motives best known to yourselves, keep them a secret, and wilfully neglect to make proper representations till it is almost too late to interfere with any propriety, the fault lies with yourselves. And we here cannot avoid observing that had all your present pretended grievances been in their infancy properly represented and of course discussed with the Nabob through our—allow us the term—mediation, they never could have risen to the extraordinary height which delay and pernicious subtleties have brought them to. We will now answer your mighty question. Mr. Spencer and his Council certainly did engage, without precisely knowing what they were, to support you by the mediation and influence of the English, as possessors of the Castle, in all your just privileges. Till our Honourable Employers became masters of the Castle, the English in the town of Surat were but, as yourselves, a set of privileged and incorporated merchants, and therefore could never have had any right or concern to enquire into your privileges. They knew well that you existed here under the jurisdiction of the town government, and that you were entitled to no privileges but what your phirmaunds and grants from the Great Mogul gave you, and of course Mr. Spencer and his Council supposed, as they could not but take it for granted, that they and their successors would have to do with men of honour and reason, that whenever a privilege was claimed by you and controverted by the Nabob or others, the existence of its right in you could and would be, without hesitation, satisfactorily proved by the production of the phirmaunds, 245 phirmaunds or grant which contained it. To suppose for an instant that the contrary could ever happen—to suppose that a set of men would insist on privileges, and at the same time obstinately refuse to produce proper proofs of their having any right to them—was too great an absurdity or malicious suspicion ever to enter into the candid and unsuspicious breasts of Mr. Spencer and his Council, or else without doubt they would early have insisted on being furnished with authentic copies of the phirmaunds they engaged to support you in. But being called on, we must take the liberty of saying that since the Castle became our Honourable Masters', you seem to have endeavoured to play an artful game, and under masked privileges, which in cases of little consequence were not too strictly enquired into, to build encroachment on encroachment. In the year 1762 your strides were so large and rapid that the Nabob thought himself obliged to stop you short in your courses, and in consequence you were involved in difficulties which our mediation—mediation, gentlemen—alone extricated you from. You now, with great candour doubtless, pretend your then presiding Chief, oppressed with the weight of years, was made the dupe of ours. If your Chief at that time was so easily influenced in his conduct, it seems reasonable to suppose that he would rather be influenced by his own Council, who were always near him, than by our Chief, who saw him very rarely and never had any particular intercourse with him. Were all the members too of your numerous Council at that time old and infirm, and sharers with your Chief in his propensity to being duped? The deceased Mr. Ruperti was then in
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243 under anij pretext what saver to pet, withoud this preveous Condent Anij Crepaijs on Tapidag while so protected stad you negotiated with Mr. Price for Papiass 's inreser verdreturn to your Factory, and hidbeeng immediatelij delivered upto Yjour Jurisdiction and he so settled the affair, in such Case, and such Case alone, ijour behaviour woud have been right and the nabobs interference impropet Whatred umbted on the part of the Nabol, not as you represent, but as it really happened We stall think was natural and just Mr. Price asserts that you did maket him as Governor of the Castle an Apology and We be, liave him, and condequently, and We bl „ne here think the nabob had A„d righ tto a fimi¬ bar mark of respect, as hid Authority had been equally offendedagainst. Weare Corrij to Saij Gentlement, that the exhract You have feernishod us With from your pherment admitting them to be authentick, provenotheng, as they only direct you shall be assidted in the reco¬ „verij of ijour jest Debts bij the Goevernment, and We never heard of your having applied for sich assistance, and been refused it but there is a wide difference betwixt this, and an imprious broken of yours emploijing: the privele dged see¬ paijs of your noble Company to e' istress se town Subjects Your broker Muncher wellknaen Character for such practiced, as complained of, and abuse of the Power his station In your service furnishes him with, needs nocom¬ ment from us - however we only mentioned the Nabobs Compaints against him bij way of erection, that such proceedings in Hem, might not bij you be allowedof; and if there id anij thing in the stoy, of the Copper Smith, which, we cannot, but think, wears too much the Appe¬ xeance of being dre peduss for the occasion had yar made a proper Complaint at the Timie it admissing happened, 244 happened, we should not have failed to procure Your redress; but if your for any secret and „particular motives, best Known to your dispu„ „ted, and keap them a secret, and will fullyneg¬ „lect to make poper representations tillits almost toe late to interfere with any proprie tij, the fault laijs with your own silves, and We here cannot avoid abserving that had all your present pretended Graviances been in their Jnfanrij, properlyne presented &ro of course descussed with the nabol thro our allow us the Term- mediation, they never could have reden to the extraordi¬ „nairij Leight which Delaij, and pernicio„ „ces- Suttiat have brought thenibo Werwill now answer your mighti question, M„r Spencevand his Council certain„ „ly did en gage wit hout premetelyknowing what they were, to support you bij the madia¬ „tion andin flicence of the Englist, ad poses so„ „res of the Castle in all youer just priveledged Tillour Honba Emploijers, became madters of the Castle, the English in the Town of Curat, were but, as yourselves, a set of priveledged and incorporated mertchants; and the forecould neverhave had any right or concernto en¬ „quive Sorto Your Priviledges- Theyknew well that you existed here under the sixesdec¬ „tion of the Town Government, and that you were entitled to no priveledged but what your Phirmands and Grants from the Great Mogoll gave you, and of course Mrs. spencer and hid Council Seeppoled as they could not but take it for granted that they and theirsue cessors Would have to do With man of Honor and reason, that whenever a Priviledge was claimed bij you and centroversed bij the nabob or others, the evistence of it sright in you, coud & woud be, without heditation satisfactorily proved bij the production of the „res: Phirmand 245 Shirinands, or Grant, which contained it To supposie for an instant that the contrarij could ever happen – to suppose tha ta set of men would insist en priveledges, andar the same time obstinatelij refuse to peoduce pro¬ per peroofs of their having anij right to thim was too great an absurditijor ma„ „licious suspicion ever to enter into the Canded and unsuspecions Breats of Mr. spencer and his Council, or else without doubd theij woud earlij have insisted on beeng furnis hed with Autentik Copies of the Phirmands theij engaged to support You in - Butthe is calledon, we must take the Liberty of saijing, that since the Castle became our Anble Masters, You Ceem to have en de avourod to play cin artfeil Game And Under mas„ ked Priveledgis which, in cases of little Conse¬ „quences were mot 100 stricktly en quiredents, to „beuild Engroachment on encroachment: In the year 1762 Yjour strides were so large and resped that the nabol thought Stimslef obliged to stop Your short in you Cursas, and in const „quence Goutwere involved in difficeattact Which out mediation-mediation Gent„ „lemen alone extricated you from- you Now- With great Candor doubtless - peetemd Your then presinading Chief, oppressed with the Weight of Years was made the dupen fours. - If your Chief at thattime was Jo datiley inflamid in his Conductit eems readonnable to suppose, that he woerl deather be influind bij his own Council who were alwaijs near him, than by our Chrief who faw him very rarely and never had any parti„ „cular Jntercourse with him: - Werdall the members too of your Niemescons Council at that Time old and Infirm, and sharses with your: Chief in his Propensitij to beeng dusped. the deciaded Mr. Ruperti wast then Jn
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246 ...than our ideal and besides, Gentlemen, your present Chief, if not other members also of your present Council, had at that very juncture seats at your Board, for whom we had too much respect, for whom we have to think, they joined your Chief in being so easily duped and imposed upon. You will not, high flying as your pretensions now are, surely pretend that we have any other business to interfere in your affairs than as possessors of the Castle. Nor will you advance that the possession of the Castle does not give to its present possessors, every dignity, rank, power, and authority that its former ones held and enjoyed. Let then the impartial world, you are so very free with in your appeals to, judge of the state of your applications to us, by what it was doubtless always to the Sidi and former Governors of the rest, and determine what would have been the consequences of your daring to use to a Mogul Governor such scurrilous and insolent expressions as your applications in general to us are so studiously ornamented with. We will take leave to say a few words more on the subject of mediation and protection. Whoever interferes in behalf of another to adjust, in an amicable manner, certain points in dispute with a third person, may be justly said to be a mediator; and if, when he finds persuasion will not avail, he uses his authority and power to compel the third person to desist from oppression and settle the dispute on the footing of reason or favor to the person whose cause he espoused, he doubtless becomes and deserves the appellation of protector. Common sense must assent to these propositions and by them judge of the part you call despotism and act with the Nabob towards you, and reason will soon reconcile you to the titles which now seem so terribly disgusting. 247 Your assertion that your disputes with the Nabob could never have arisen if we had not been induced to protect the Nabob in an unjust manner against you, carries the highest absurdity in the very face of it. It need not be pointed out to any readers of common understanding. But, Gentlemen, will you be pleased at once to adopt a little candor and to tell us, what you mean by our having taken private disputes as a reason for oppressing your Company. This is an insidious and dark attack on the character of every individual of our Board, and it behooves you to explain and support it openly unless you mean to merit the appellation of assassins of reputation. So very far from intending or wishing that your Noble Netherland Company should be prejudiced at all by the concerns of individuals, we have long been most heartily sorry to observe that their affairs are so frequently embroiled by the private concerns of their own servants; for we can with safety assert, that we do not know any one occasion where you have had a dispute with the Nabob that your Noble Company have been primarily and immediately concerned, but always dragged in by their own servants to give a color to partial and interested proceedings. Let us have an eye to your present disputes with the Nabob. Tapidoss's negotiation to Surat was, if not solely, at least principally a private affair of two or three individuals, in which your Noble Company had no great concern. And this wrong affair was the source of most of your future disagreements with the Nabob. It gave entire rise to the pretended charkey, threats of oppression and grievances you so loudly complain of. Botasaw's and Peanaut's demands on your warehouse keeper are certainly quite private concerns with which your Noble Company had originally nothing to do. 248 Your willfully breaking down the King's high road, your encroachments in buildings and other respects, your servants purchasing of pleasure ground and houses, of all which the Nabob so loudly complains, surely are circumstances which relate only to individuals and for which the interest of your employers should not be staked or suffer. The affair then of the Parsee who stole the spices is the only one which can justly be said to be of a public nature, and this hinges entirely on your Phirmands. You assert that you possess a right and privilege to punish your own servants, and that any of the town subjects becoming your immediate servants and consequently protected by your Noble Company are freed from their allegiance to the Nabob. The Nabob absolutely denies this. Instances in point have been produced to prove the very reverse of your assertion. Which being so most plainly, most positively, and most rationally denied, what could we in reason, in duty, even in common sense do, but desire to see that very Phirmand which contained this very extraordinary privilege, as the producing it would at once settle the affair in your favor. But it is not only this, but many other circumstances as to your present disputes which cannot be determined but by the production of your Phirmands. How can you then, Gentlemen, if you really do possess a clear right to the privileges you claim, be so very perverse and so obstinately blind to the true interest of your employers, as to deny to satisfy us by showing the Phirmand which contains them? Can it be a ridiculous chimera of pride and conceived equality that leads you thus astray?
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246 ther our fdeal and beside, Gentlemen, Your present Chief if not other Mambres 4o0 of, your prasent Council, had atthat oerij functiive Siats at your Board, for whom we hard 1oo muchrespect, for whan we haar to think, they joined your Chief in being to eadily duped & imposed upon. Gou will not high Coring as Your peetentions now dre, surely pretend that We have anij other Berdiniss to Interfere In Yourstf, fairs then as possessores of the Castle Nor will you advance that the possession of the Castle doed not give to its presents posses, „sors, every dignity, Ranke, Power, and Authoriteij that its former oned held and Enjoyed Let then the impartial Woold, You are soverij free with In Your Appears to, jaidge of the state of Youar Appligeats bord to les, bij, what it was doubtless alwaijs to the Judie and foomer Governors of the sest And determine what would have been the Consequiences of your daring, to Uide to a hugoll Governor sach Currilous and insolent Ex„ „pressions ad Gour Applications Jngenoraas to us, are sostudious by ornamented With He will take leave to say a few Words more on the subject of Mediation and Protection Whoever interferes in behalf of another to adjust, in an amicable mannen certain Points in Displite with athird Perdon, May be justly said to be a mediator; and if, when the finds persuasion will not awail, he Udes his Authoritij & power to Compel the third Person to desidt from op pression and settle the Dispute on the fetting of Rason our favor to the Person whose cause be expouded, hedoubbless becomed and de ver¬ ves, the appellation of Protector Common sende meest assent to these Proposition and by them judge of the Part you call depontisbe And acte 247 act with the Nabob towards You, and readon will soon reconsile You to the Titles which now sum so ternibly disqunsting. Your assention that your disputes with thenabob could never have Arisen if we had not been induced to proteet the nabobin anthanjacst Manner against Usourcassus the highest absurdity in the Veryfaw of it H need trot bepainted out to anry Readers of common Understanding - Bul, Gentlamen will Usou be pleased at onee to adopt at little Candor Nto tell Us, what you mean bij our haringtaken private Disputes Alsa Radon for oppressing Your Company. This isan insi¬ „dirous &dark Attack on the Character geverij Individual of our Board, and it behored Youto explain and support is openly een less youe mean to mezit the Appellation of Assasins of Ra„ „putation so very fas from intending or withing that Your Noble Natherland companij should be prajordiced at all by the Concernd of indivi¬ „duals, Welhoeve long been most heartelij sorvijso observet that their affairesare so frequent lyem¬ broiled bij the privacte Concerns of their own Cervant for we can withesafety assert, that Wedo not Know anij one Occasion where yout have had a Dispecte with the nabol that Your noble Compa¬ ny have been premavily and immediately concerned, but alwaijs dragged Jn by theer ocot. servants to give a Colour to parteal and interrested proceedings Let us hare an Eije to Your Predent disputes with the Nabob- Tapi¬ „doss negtiatedratiorn to Curat waere if not solelij„ a least principallij a prevate affair of two or three r Individicials, Win it Your Nobla Company had no great Confirm. And thes rong, Affairs was te successe of most of Your fucture disagrements with te nabib- It gave intire Rises to the pietende d Charkey- Shreats of oppresseon & Greviances You toloudly Compainos Botasaws an Peanaut Demands on Should Your 16 248 Yjouw Mare houde Keeper are certainly quite pri„ vate Concerns with which Your noble Companij had originally nothing to do Youverll fully breaking down the Kings high Road- Your incrouachements In buildings and other Rrespects Your servant piar Cleesing of pleadure Ground and Housed- of al which the Nabob Jo Loudly Complains - surely are Circumstances Which relate only to Individuals and for which the Interest of Your Employers shaid not be Staked or Suffer – The Affair then of the Pardie who stoll the spices is the onlyj one Whichean justly be said to be of a Publick nature, and this hinges entirely on Your Phirmands You afsert that you possess a right & privilenge, to punish Your own servants, and that lanij of the Town subjects becoming Your imme¬ diate servants and consequantly protested bij Your noble Company arefreed from their Al legiance to the nabol Tha RidbalBolutlij denies this Jnstances in pant hare been produced to preve the veij revende of Yjoun asser, „tion- Which beeng so most plaanlij, most positively, Amostrationalij de nied, what coruld we in reason in dutij, even in common¬ serrse do, buit desire to seeltha Verij Pherman d which contained this vorij extra ordinarijs, prive„ „leedge asthe producing it worekd at oncesetlen the Affair in djourfavor, - But ik is notonlij this but manij other Cercumstances as to your present despietes which aan not be determaned but bij the production of Yjour Phiomands, How can Youthen Gentlemen, if You reallij, do posses a clear Right to the preeledges. Gouclaim, beso verij perverse and so obtinatelij blind tor the true Interest of djoiar Emploijer, adto denij to Satuslij us bij shewing the Phierman of which Contain them Can it be a re diculoux himera of Fride and Coonceod Equalitijthablaads Gouthus A' straij. denies 1.
English
It may be so, and therefore, to show you that we are ready to make great allowances for the frailty of human nature, and are not declining to assist you if you will but put it in our power to do it rationally, we desire you to conceive any method that will but suit your own notions of dignity and fancied importance and easily let down your august consequence. We will for once make use of an expression of your own, and we will waive punctilios as far as we can, and if possible acquiesce in it; but as on the most serious and mature consideration of a question that you well know had been in agitation for years, was founded our determination to insist on no longer fighting your battles in the dark, but being once for all, to avoid every future dispute, convinced by your phirmaund of the privileges you have a real right to; and this determination having received the full sanction of our superiors, we cannot deviate from it. Do not, Gentlemen, amuse yourselves with a vain hope of our acting from ourselves and keeping our superiors at Bombay in the dark as to our proceedings in respect to your affairs. Every paper and letter you forward us, we send copies of, and for the sake of our superiors, we heartily wish that your correspondence was not so prolix and tedious. From whence, Gentlemen, could you harbour the thought of our keeping our superiors in the dark and concealing any part of our correspondence with you? Surely such is not the custom in your service. You talk, Gentlemen, of many other chicanes and impediments thrown in your way, but give us no particulars. We wonder at this, as you seem to be so great admirers of what you style sincerity and plain dealing. Once for all, we entreat you, when you want our interference, to be always plain, public, and clear in your applications, which will save us and yourselves much trouble; and we declare to you that we shall not attempt to decipher any of your innuendos, and therefore expect that if you have anything further to complain of, you will do it in plain and direct terms. We only wish you to be sensible that there is a wide difference between sincerity and the unbridled expression of passion in low, abusive language, and great difference between plain dealing and the want of decency and good manners. It seems necessary to make one further remark to you, which is, that our duty as governors of the castle between you and the Nabob is reciprocal: if we are bound to maintain you in your just rights and privileges, we are equally bound to defend the Nabob and to support him against all who may attempt to disturb the peace and justice of his government. We have now, Gentlemen, fully answered your letters and said everything that occurs to us to be necessary; and if the style of this letter is unusually hard and severe, you have yourselves solely to thank for it. We sincerely hope that your future conduct and letters will enable us to resume again the kinder expressions of friendship and good harmony. While treated in the manner you are pleased to treat us, and denied the sight of your phirmaund, we cannot, consistent with our characters or duty, interfere with the Nabob in your behalf further than we have done; but if by a more suitable behaviour and compliance with our desires, you will enable us to assist you with propriety, you may rest assured that we shall, with the greatest satisfaction, exert ourselves to remove all your difficulties and to do you every service and pleasure in our power. No. 3. It will be much more agreeable to us if you will in future send us English translations with your letters instead of French, as has been usual. We have the honour to be, etc., Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants, W: A: Price, R: Gambier, J. Hallett, W. Stratton, T. Day, G. Perrott, W. James, [illegible] Dorrien. Surat, 22nd March 1774. Honourable Sir and Sirs! In reply to your Honour's esteemed letter of the 29th ultimo, we must beg leave to refer your Honours to our previous letters, from which your Honours will perceive upon what conditions alone it is in our power to interfere with the Nabob concerning your Honours' interests. And since it has pleased your Honours, Gentlemen, Translation of English dispatch written by the Honourable William Andrew Price, Esq., and Council, to the Right Honourable Martinus Joan Bosman, Director and Commander-in-Chief of this Direction, and the Council, dated Surat, 1st April, and received on the 3rd following: absolutely to refuse mediation, we cannot think otherwise than that your Honours have thereby annulled our obligation as guarantors, therefore notifying your Honours that until such time as your Honours conduct yourselves reputably by requesting us in a proper manner, we cannot in the least interfere with the Nabob to your Honours' advantage. We are with esteem, (was signed below) Honourable Sir and Sirs, (lower) your Honours' very humble and obedient servants, (signed) W: A: Price, R:s Gambier, I:r Hallett, W: Stratton, C: Bourchier, G: Perrott, D: Crokatt, D: Seton, W: James, and F:k Dorrien, (in margin) Surat, the 1st April 1773, (yet lower) for the translation, (was signed) J: Govert junior, W: Siven Sias. In reply to your favour of the 28th ultimo, we must beg leave to refer you to our former letters, by which you will perceive on what terms only it is in our power to interfere with the Nabob in your concerns. And as you Gentlemen have been pleased absolutely to refuse to accept of our mediation, we cannot but be of opinion you have thereby cancelled the obligation we are under as guarantees, and therefore must acquaint you that until you behave in character by applying to us in a proper manner, we cannot interfere in the least with the Nabob in your behalf. We are with esteem, to Martin John Bosman, Esq., Director for affairs of the Noble Netherlands Company, and Council at Surat. No. No. 5.
Dutch transcription
249 Is maij le do, and there fore to show you that we are rexdij to make Great Allowances for the frailtij of human Nature, ande wr nadtlijde d ik „ing to afsist Yjou if you will but pect it in our pouer todoit nationally„ we desize Gout tocensee„ „ve anij met hod that will but. suit Your own notions of Dignitij and fancied Importance and casuil let door ajour August Condequence We will for once make use of an Expression of your orw and we will grave Puntilior as fapas we can and if possible acquiex in it but as on the most serious and mature Consideration of a question that you well know hadbeen en agitation for Jears, was founded our Determination to indiston no longen pighting Jouia Batthes Jn the dank, Occt being oncs for all, to avoode vrij Jutuha Dispu¬ „lad conrineed bij Yjour Phirmand) of the Bwrled, „ged you heeve a real right to and this Detar„ „mination har received thisfull faction of ouk semperiors, ik, We een not dericate feawel. Do not Gentlemen, a mude your selves with avaen hope of our acting from our selves & keeping our Caperial at Bbay: in the Dart, asto our proceedings in respect to your affairen „ Everij papek and Letter youforward us We send Copies of and for the sake of our superiors we heartelij wish that your Correspondance was not sor prolexand tedious - Fromahanea Gentlemen, could you harbouw be thought of derr keeping our surperiors in the Dark and concealing anij part of our Corns pon¬ dance with you surely such is not the Crestom in Gour service Youtalk, Gentlemen, of manij other Chicanas and Impediments thoun in Youz waijbut gave us no particulars. We wonder at this as Gout seem tobe so graat admirers of, what you stik -sincerilij and slaan dealing. Once for all we intreat you whem you 1Our want 250 want our Jntoeser en ce tobe alwaijs slaen, publick, Nearelyfn your applications, which will savelees, and yoeardelves muchtreille; and we declare to you that we shall not attempt to de cijphed any of Yjour Innoendas and thorefore expect that if You have any Whinck further to emplain of you will de if in plain anddirect term: We onlijwedeh Yoc h befinsible that there is a wide dif¬ ference be tween Cinceritey and theun¬ On dl id Explusion of parsion Inlow aliese ander graat, between plaindealing and the evant of decenceij and good man nes: Ite seems necepsaeij to mak onefuertharnk, „mark to you, which is, that our duty as Gouvernors of the Cadblabetween You and te nabob is reciprocal, if we are bound to Mexentair Gord in Goujuesb reight and praveledged, we are equallij bound to defent the nabob and to Crapport Aem against all who maij attempl: to de Wurb te Zede„ And icis of his Goreenmont We have now Gentlemen, fully and wered ijbeck Letterd and faide vaijthing that accurs taaste be Nessarij and if the stile of this Letter is unudually hardt and sivere dou have Yourselve solelij to thank for it. We fince relij hope that yous fecture Condirct n and Letters willenable usto rese agaire the kinder peessions of Fricaischap and good Hlarmonij. – Whale treated in the mann nen you are pleaned to treatus, and de¬ neid the sigt of Your Phirmanf, We cannob, consistent with our Caracteis or Dirty, interfere in with the nabib In your behalf further than we have done; brat if by à more Cuitalla behave over &. - - - - - Complaance withour Desires, your wil en able us taadfistyon with propristij, Yoe Moy radt assured that We shall with the Greates & satisfaction excct our selves to remoste all you d iffe¬ „culties and te do Gou every servics &: plaasiche in ourhover. en No3. 251 Is will be much more agrealle to us if you will in fietrar Send us English Translated with your Letters Jndlead of Fransch, as had be eniesual: Wehave the Honorto be Wte Ser & sirs. Your most obligant Humble Serv:t W: A: Price, R: Gambier, J Haldey, W JMatton, T. Daij, - - , G Zerrot „ „ W: James, Borien Curab 22=t march 1774. E„l Heer en Heeren! In antwoord op UEd: g'Eerde vand 29„e laetsb leeden; moeten wij verlof versoeken u Ed:s over te wijsen tot onse voorgaende brieven waarbij UEd s zullen ontwaeren, op welke voorwaarden allenig het in onse moegt is, ons met den Nabab te bemoeijen, omtrend UEd:s belangens. En vermits het UEd: behaagd heeft mijne Heeren Translaat Engelsche Missive gesz: door den A„r Heer William Andreid Price Schildknaepen raed, aen den Wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer Martinus Joan Bosman Directeur en Hoofd Gebieder deser Directie benevens den Raad, ged:t Suratte d : April en ontfangen den 3„e daaraan volgende absolueeb 252 absoluut inde middelaarschap te weijgeren, zoo kunnen wij niet anders denken of UEd:s hebben daarbij onse verpligtinge als Guarandeurs vernietigd, makende uld: dierhalven bekend, dat tot tijd en wijle UEd:s zig neputabel gedragen, met ons ppen behoorlijke wijse te versoeken, kunnen wij ons niet in het minste met den Nabab in UEd: voordeele bemoeijen. wij zijn met agtinge /:onderstond:/ A„r Heer en Heeren /:Lager:/ UEd:s zeer Ootmoedige en gehoorsae„ „me Dienaren /:Geteekend:/ W: A: Price, R:s Gambier, I:r Haldeij, W: Chratton, C: Bourchier, G: Perrott, D: Crotkas, D: seton W: James, en F:k Dorien /:in margine:/ Soeratte d1„e April 1773. /: nog Lager: / voor de ver„ „taeling. /: was Geleekend:/ J: Govert junior W: Siren Sias. In repliy to your favour of the 28. thitellime N We must beg leave to uefer you to our former tettens by which you will, perceive, on what terms onle, it is in our power te interfere with the Nabab, Jn your concernis: - And as you Gentlemen have been pleased absolutelen to refuse to accept of our mediation, We ean „not but be of opinien, you have theule, aen„ „cellid the obligation we are under as Gaur„ nantees, and Therefore must acquaint you that antell zon behave in Character, bij opplying te ies in a proper manner We eannot interfere in The least with the Nabab in your behalf We are Withesteen U W:o Martin Iohn Bosman Elij. Directore for affairs of The Noble Netherland Company en Council ab Surat No No 5.
English
Worthy Sir and Sirs, Your most obedient humble servants, W:t A. Price, Robert Gambier, J. Halsey, William Stratton, C. Bourchier, George Perrott, D. Crokatt, D. Seton, W=m James, J: Dorrien. Surat, 1 April 1773. Translation of an English letter written by the Honorable Mr. William Andrews Price, Chief, and Council, to the Right Honorable Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman, Director and Commander-in-Chief of this Direction, as well as the Council, dated 15 April, and received here on the following 16th, a quarter of an hour after noon, through the English council members Seton and James. Honorable Sir and Sirs! We have the pleasure to inform you that the Right Honorable President and Council at Bombay, having in consequence of our representations taken into consideration the great inconveniences that would arise for your Noble Company in case the ship now at the roadstead should depart empty for Batavia, and being willing to render you every service that is in their power, have been pleased to direct that, provided you will consent to the very equitable measure of submitting your differences with Deanat to the most impartial arbitration, we would then intercede for you with the Nabob to remove all impediments under which your trade presently lies, insofar as to enable you to dispatch the said ship now lying at the roadstead, in the hope that you may be induced by this indulgence to settle all other differences with the Nabob. We shall therefore, notwithstanding what we have previously written to you, when you signify to us your immediate compliance with this equitable measure, and provided you give us the strongest assurances of wishing to put this into execution immediately, employ our good offices with the Nabob for the aforementioned purpose. However, we must declare to you that our intervention with him solely concerns this single point of enabling you to dispatch your ship in obedient compliance with the orders of our superiors; our sentiments otherwise remain in all respects continuing as you were previously informed. Since it has pleased the Right Honorable President and Council to permit you to maintain a lodge in Brootchia, and Mr. Sluijsken having produced to them a translation of some Firmans of the Mogul whereby such privileges were granted to you, and having bound himself to show the originals to us here, we have, in accordance with their orders, to request you to be pleased to produce all such documents as give you any right to this privilege. We are with respect, was undersigned, Honorable Sir and Sirs, lower, Your Honors' most humble and obedient servants, signed, W: A: Price, R: Gambier, I: Halsey, W=m Stratton, P:r Day, Ch: Bourchier, G: Perrot, D:s Crokatt, D: Seton, W=m James, J:s Dorrien. In the margin, Surat, the 15th of April 1773. Still lower, For the translation, was signed, Goverts Junior
Dutch transcription
A Wm. Sir & Sers. Your most obedient heemble servants. W:t A. Price, Robert Gambier, J. Halseij William Soratton C. Bourchies, Georg Perrost, D. Crokatt, D Petor, W=m James, F: Dorion. Sourat 1. April 1773: Translaat Engelsche Messive gesz: door den A„ Heer William Andrews Drice Schildkp: en Raad, aen den wel Ed: Agtbaaren Heer Martinus Joan Bosman Directeur en Hoofd Gebieder deser directie Benevens Den Raad, gedateerd den 15„e April, en alhier ont„ „fangen den 16:e daar aanvelgen„ „de quartier voor een Uur na de middag door de Engelsche Raadsleeder Setor en James d„e Heer en Heeren! 255 Wij hebben het genoegen UEd: te bedee „len dat door den Wel Ed„e Agtb„r Heer en President en Raad te Bombaij ingevolge onder vertoog„ in aanmerking gekomen zijnde, de groote ongemakken die er zoude voor UEd:l Ed: Comp:e ingevalle het schip nu tek Rheede 254 Rheede sijnde, leeg na Batavia quam te vertrekken, en bereid zijnde UEd: alle dienst te bewijsen die in haer Ed:s veh„ „mogen is. hebben haar Ed:s goedgevonden te gelasten, dat mitsuud:s willen toestem„ „men in de zeer billijke maartragulen, van UEd„ verschillen met Deanaet te onderwerpen aan een aller onpartij„ „digste Arbitragie, wij als dan voor UEd: bij den nabab zouden intercederen, om alle Verhinderingen weg te neemen, waeronder UEd:s handel thans legd, in zoo verre als om UEd:s in staat te stellen van deselve schip thans ter rheede zijnde, te Kunnen De „pecheeren, in hope dat UEd:s door dese toegevendheid aangezet werden meugen om alle andere verschillen met den Nabab ter vereffenen. Wij zullen dierhalven niet tegen„ „staande wat wij UEd:s bevorens geschreeven hebben, wanneer UEd:s ons derselver on„ „middelijke involging deser billijke maet„ „regulen beduiden, en dat UEd:s ons de sterkste versekeringen geven van zuli terstond ten Uitvoer te willen brengen onse goede diensten aenwende bij de nabab ten Eende voorschreeven. Maer wij moeten UEd:s Verklaeren, dat onse tusschenkomste bij hem alleenig aen„ „gaet dit en kelde Point van UEd:s instaet te stellen tot het versenden van hun schip te ge„ „hoorsaame opvolginge vande ordres oonder superieuren; onse gevoelens blijven overigen in allen opsigten Continueeren gelijk UEd„se bevoorens is bedeeld. Nadien het den Wel Ed: Agtb: Heer Praesident en Raad behaagt heeft UEd:s te per„ „mitteeren van een Logie in Brootchia te mogen aenhouden, en d' heer sluijsken aan deselve geproduceerd hebbende hebben translatie 55 255 N„o 6: Translatie van eenige Firmans van den mogol waarbij UE„s diergelijke voorregten vergund wierd en zig verbonden hebbende, om de Orig:e Aan ons alhier te vertoonen, zoo hebben wij overeenkomstig met haer Ed:s te verseekeren om alle de zodanige te willen produceeren die UEd:s tot dit Privilegie eenig regt geeven Wij zijn met Agting /:onderstond:/ A„r Heer en Heeren /:Lager:/ UE Ed:s zeer Ootmoedige en gehoorsaame Dienaren /:getekend/ W: A: Price, R: Gambier I: Halseij, W=m Stratton, P„r Daij, Ch: Bourchier, G: Perrot, D„s Crokath, D: Ceton, W„m James, J„s Dorien, /:in Margine:/ Coeratte den 15„e April 1773. /:nog lager:/ Voor de Vertaling /: was getekend/ Goverts Junior We have the pleasure to acquaint you that the Double the president and Council af Bombay, having in Consequence of ous representations, Considered the qreat inconve„ „nance which wocile arise to your noble Companij, from thier schip now at the bar „returning emplij to Batavia and being willing te rendervan ever, Service in thier power have been pleased to direct that provided you consent to the very equi„ „table measuxe of Submitting your disputegn With Deanat to The most impartial arbitration, that we then intereese wilk the Nabab to remove the impedement W:m Siven Sias. Ihe W:o Martin John Bosman Wijk Directorie for affaires of the Noble Nes herland Compary en Counscil. at Surat Your N„o 6: Translatie van eenige Firmans van de Mogol waarbij UEd„s diergelijke voorreg vergund wierd en zig verbonden hebben om de Orig:e Aan ons alhier te vertoon zoo hebben wij overeenkomstig met he Ed:s te verseekeren om alle de zodani te willen produceeren die UEd:s tot d Privilegie eenig regt geeven Wij zij met Agting /:onderstond:/ A„t Heer e. Heeren /:Lager:s/ UE Ed:se Zeer Atmoe„ en gehoorsaame Dienaren /:getek W: A: Price, R: Gambier, I: Halseij, Stratton, P„r Daij, Ch: Bourchier, G: Per D„l Crokats, D: Seton, W„m Jamas, I„s Toor /:in Margine:/ Coeratte de 15„ April 177. /:Nog Lager:/ Voor de Vertaling :was getek. Goverts Junior We have the pleasure to acquaint you that the Houble the president and Council af Bombay, having in Consequence of ous representations, Considered the qreat inconve„ „nance which wocile arise to your noble Companij, from thier schip now at the bar deturning emplij to Batavia and being willing te rendervan ever, Service in thier power have been pleased to direct that provided you consent to the very equi„ „table measuke of Submitting your dispete With: Deanat to The most impartial arbitration, that we then intereese wilk the Nabab to remove the impedement W: Siven Sias. Ih W Martin John Bosman Wyjk Directore for affaires of the Noble Nesherland Compary en Counscil. af Surat Your 9o
English
255 No 6: Translation of some firmans of the Mughal, whereby Your Honours were granted such privileges, and having engaged to show the originals to us here, we have, in accordance with their directions, to request Your Honours to produce all those that give Your Honours any right to this privilege. We are with esteem. Below stood: Worthy Sirs, Gentlemen. Lower: Your Honours' very affectionate and obedient servants. Signed: W. A. Price, R. Gambier, J. Halsey, W. Stratton, Ph. Day, Ch. Bourchier, G. Perrott, D. Crokatt, D. Seton, Wm. James, Js. Vorion. In the margin: Surat, the 15th April 1773. Still lower: For the translation, was signed: Goverts Junior. We have the pleasure to acquaint you that the Honourable the President and Council of Bombay, having in consequence of our representations considered the great inconvenience which would arise to your noble Company from their ship now at the bar returning empty to Batavia, and being willing to render you every service in their power, have been pleased to direct that, provided you consent to the very equitable measure of submitting your dispute with Deanat to the most impartial arbitration, we then intercede with the Nabob to remove the impediment W. Seven Stars. The Worshipful Martin John Bosman, Esq., Director for affairs of the Noble Netherlands Company, and Council at Surat. 256 your trade now lays under, so far as to enable you to dispatch your vessel now at the bar. In hopes you will be induced from this indulgence to accommodate all other matters with the Nabob, we shall therefore, notwithstanding what we before wrote you, on your signifying to us your immediate compliance with this equitable measure and giving us the strongest assurances that you will directly carry it into execution, use our good offices with the Nabob for the above purpose. But we must declare to you that our interference with him concerns only this single point of enabling you to dispatch your vessel, in obedience to our superiors' orders, our sentiments in every other respect continuing the same as before expressed to you. The Honourable the President and Council having been pleased to permit of your continuing to have a factory at Broach, and Mr. Sluysken having produced to them translations of some firmans from the Mughal granting to you such privilege, the originals of which he has engaged should be shown to us here, we have, conformable to their directions, to request you will produce all that may give you such a right to this privilege. We are with esteem, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants: Wm. A. Price, R. Gambier, J. Halsey, Wm. Stratton, Phis. Day, C. Bourchier, G. Perrott, D. Crokatt, D. Seton, Wm. James, Fredk. Dorion. Surat, 15 April 1773. Translation of an English letter written by the Right Honourable Bombay Governor William Hornby and Council, addressed to the Right Honourable Martinus Joan Bosman and Council, dated Bombay the 31st March 1773, and received the 18th April following per the Commissioner, the Honourable Sluysken. Gentlemen! We have attended to the representations that were submitted to us by Mr. Sluysken, whom Your Honours informed us that you had dispatched hither with full power to present to us everything that Your Honours deemed necessary should be presented to us concerning the factory 257 No 7: of 258 of Your Honours' Noble Company in Broach, as Your Honours requested of us by their letter dated the 13th January, adding that everything this gentleman might transact should be held valid. In consequence of his representations, and the assurance he has given us that Your Honours were earnestly requesting that we would permit them to maintain a factory in our town of Broach, and as we are always very desirous to embrace every opportunity, compatible with our power, to benefit Your Honours' honourable masters or Your Honours, my Lords, we have therefore decided to grant Your Honours the permission which Your Honours so much desire, to maintain a factory of Your Honours' Company there. Since we have thus granted Your Honours permission to maintain a factory in Broach, we shall give notice thereof to our Most Noble Masters, their decision on this point being conclusive, and their orders, whatever they may be, must, upon maintain on the same terms as Your Honours held it under the late Nabob. For these reasons, we have revoked the orders we previously gave to our Chief and Council at Surat concerning this subject, trusting at the same time that the conduct of the gentlemen whom Your Honours may appoint to reside there may be such as to cause no umbrage to those to whom the government of the town is entrusted. receipt, be obeyed. Below stood: We are with esteem. Lower: Gentlemen, Your Honours' very obedient servants. Signed: Wm. Hornby, Dl. Draper, [illegible], J. Watson, B. Fletcher, [illegible], W. Chaud, Rs. Gordon. In the margin: Bombay Castle, 31 March 1773. Still lower stood: For the translation, was signed: J. Goverts Junior. Gentlemen, We have attended to the representations that have been made to us by Mr. Sluysken, whom you acquainted us you had deputed hither with full power to lay before us what you judged necessary we should be informed of, respecting the factory of your Noble Company in Broach; as you desired us in your letter dated the 13th January to esteem everything perfectly valid which that gentleman might transact. In consequence of his representations, Surat. The Worshipful Martin John Bosman, Esq., Director for the affairs of the noble Netherlands Company, &c., Council at Surat. 259 No 7.
Dutch transcription
255 N„o 6: Translatie van eenige Firmans van d. mogol waarbij UEd„s diergelijke Voorren vergund wierd en zig verbonden hebbe„ om de Orig:e Aan ons alhier te vertoo„ zoo hebben wij overeenkomstig met h Ed:s te verseekeren om alle de zodan te willen produceeren die UEd:s tot Privilegie eenig regt geeven Wij zij met Agting /:onderstond:/ A„r Heer Heeren /:Lager:/ UEd Ed:s zeer Atmo: en gehoorsaame Dienaren /:gete„ W: A: Price, R: Gambier, I: Halsey, Stratton, P„r Daij, Ch: Bourchier, G: Pe„ D„s Crokatt, D: Seton, W„m Jamas, I„s Vor /:in Margine:/ Coeratte den 15„n April 17. /:Nog Lager:/ Voor de Vertaling /: was gete„ Goverts Junior We have the pleasure to acquaint you that the Houble the president and Council af Bombay, having in Consequence of our representations, Considered the qreat inconve„ „nance which wocile arise to your noble Companij, from thier schip now at the bar returning emplij to Batavia and being willing te rendervan ever, Service in thier power have been pleased to direct that provided you consent to the very equi„ „table measuke of Submitting your dispute r With: Deanat to The most impartial arbitration that we then intereese wilk the Nabab to remove the impedement W: Siven Sias. The W: Martin John Bosman Wog Directorie for affaires of The Noble Nesherland Compary en Counscil. at Surat Your 256 your trade now lays inder so far as to en able youte dispatch your vessel nowat the bar Jn Hopes you will be induced from this ondulgence, to accomnmodate allther matters with Nabab, we shall there fore notwithstanding what we before wrote you on your Signifaing to us yeur immediate Compliance with this equitable measure and giving us the Hrongest assurances that you will directlij eauay it into Execution use our good offices With dhe Nabab for the above purpose. But we must de Clave to you that our interferense with him Concerns onbij this Single point of en abling zon do dis patch jjour vessel, in obedience to our superions ordres — dur sentiments in everij other respect Continuing the same as before Expressed to you. The Huble the president en Conncel having bein pleased do permit of youa Continuing to have a Factory at Broach en M.:r Sluijsker having preduced te them treauslate of some phirmands from the mogull granting to you such priviledge, the Originals of wich he hes engaged. - schould be Theun to us here, we have Comformable to thier directions, to request you will produce all that may give you such a right to this priviledge. We ave With Esteem.n W: Soa en Pers. your most obid:t Haimble Serv:t W=m A. price, h: Gambier, V:r Valseij, W=m Stratton, Thin:s Daij, C. Bourchier, G: per„ „kott, D. Crokatt, 2. Titon, W=m James, Fred:k Dorion Sourat 15. April 1773:— froms Translaat Engelsche missive Geschreeven door Den Wel Ed Groot Agtbaren Heer Bombaijs Gouverneur Willem Horndij en Raad gedateerd Aan den WelEd: Agtb=re Heer Martinus Joan Bosman en Raad gedateerd Bombaij d 31„e Maart 1773: en ontfan„ „gen de 18„e April daeraen volgen„ „de per den Commissiant Den E Sluijsken Mijne Heeren! wij hebben gelet op de vertogen, die aen ons sijn voorgedragen door mijn Heer Sluijskens, die UEd:s ons bedeeld hebben, dat zoo naer derwaarts hadden afgesonden met vol„ „komene magt om ons alles voortestellen, wat UEd„s noodsaakelijk agten dat ons zoude werden voorgesteld nopens de Logie N„o 7: 257 van 258 van UEd: Ede Compagnie in Brootchia, gelijk uEE„o ons versogt hebben bij derselver missive gedateert den 13„e Ianuarij met bijvoeging van alles van waarde te zullen houden wat dien Heer quam te verrigten. Ingevolge van sijne vertogen, ende verseekering die hij aan ons gegeeven heeft, dat UEd:s instantig versoekende waren dat wij dezelve permitteeren wilden om een Logie in onse staa van Brootchia te meugen aanhouden, en dewijl, wij altoos zeer verlangende zijn van ieder gelegendheid te omhelsen, en met ons vermogen bestaanbaar om UEd:s Betaeld= Heeren of UEd:o Mijne Heeren te bevoordeelen soo hebben wij dierhalven beslooten om UEd:o de Per„ „missie te vergunnen waerna uEd: zoo zeer verlangen om een Logie van UEd:s Compagnie aldaar te meugen Nadien wij UE Ed„e dus permissie vergund hebben om een Logie in Brootchia te meu„ „gen aanhouden zullen wij onse Hoog Edele Betaals-Heeren daarvan Ren„ „nis geeven moetende haere afdoek„ „ning nopens dit Point beslissend zijn, en hare beveelen wat ze ook maerim¬ „mers weeven meugen, moeten op den aanhouden op deselve termed zoo als UEd:s zulx bij de gewesene nabab hebben gehad. wij hebben om dese reeden de ordres terrug ge„ „roepen die wij bevoorens gegeeven hebben aan onse Opperhoofd en Raad te soeratta no„ „pens dit onderwerp om te selver tijd daer„ „op verlatende dat het gedrag van de Heeren die UEd: mogen aanstellen aldaar te Resideeren sodanig wesen mag als om geene ombragio te veroorsaaken aen de geene wiende Regeeringe der stadis toever„ „trouwwd. — Aanhouden Ontfangst Ontfangst Gehoorsaamt werden /:onderstond/ Wij zijn met Agting /:Lager:/ Mijne Heeren UEd:s zeer gehoorsaame Dienaren /:geteekend: Wm „ Hornbeij, D„l Draper, - - - . puth stakhoup„ J: Watson, B„ Fletcher. . . . . . , W: Chaud, R:s Gordon /: Jn margine:/ Bombaij Casteele ƒ 31 maart 1773: /: nog Lager stond:/ voor de vertaling /: was getaakend:/ J: Goverts Junior. Gentlemen. We have attended to the Representations that have been made to des bij mijn Heer sluijsken whom you acquainted as, you had beputed hether with full power to laij before us what you Judged neces„ „sary dve shoud be informed of, respecting the Factory of yous Noble Company in Broach; as you desired ues in your Letter dated the 13. January te esteene everything perfectly verled which that Gentleman might transact. In Consequence of his Representations Surat. The W:m Martin John Bosman Esqr Directorie for the affairs of the noble Netherland Company & a. Council and N o 7. 259 at.
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and of the assurances he has given us, that you earnestly request we will permit you to continue to hold a factory in our town of Broach; and because we are always very desirous of embracing every opportunity that consistently may be in our power, to benefit your employers or you gentlemen, we have therefore resolved to grant you the permission you so much desire, of continuing a factory for your noble Company there, upon the same terms as you held it in the time of the late Nabab; and we have therefore revoked the orders we formerly gave to our Chief and Council at Surat upon this subject, but we at the same time do rely that the conduct of those gentlemen whom you may appoint to reside there will be such as to give no umbrage to those who are entrusted with the government of the town. As we have thus granted you permission to continue a factory at Broach, we shall advise our Honorable Employers thereof; their determination upon this point must be final, and their orders, whatever they may be, when received must be obeyed. We are with esteem, Gentlemen, your most obedient servants, Wm. Hornby, D:l Draper, Nathaniel Stackhouse, Jn. Watson, B. Fletcher, Wm. Shaw, Robert Garden. Bombay Castle, 31 March 1773. HVD: Translation of an English letter written by the Honorable Mr. Wm. Hy. Price, English Chief, and Council, to the Honorable Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman, Director and Commander-in-Chief of this Directorate, and Council, dated Surat the 26th of April 1773, and received on the 28th thereafter by the English council members Day and Perrott. Honorable Sir and Gentlemen, We have been honored with Your Honors' letter of the 19th of this month. It is pleasing to us to observe that Your Honors have acknowledged the propriety of submitting your disputes with Deanat to the most impartial arbitration, and have to that end proceeded to these equitable measures, by which means we have had the pleasure of being able to employ our good offices on your behalf with the Nabab, whom we do not fail to inform Your Honors has, at our particular request, consented to remove all impediments placed upon Your Honors' trade, so far as to be able to dispatch the Honorable Company's ship lying in these roads. And we cannot now fail, gentlemen, to give expression to our hope that Your Honors, through this indulgence, will be led to settle all other points of dispute with the Nabab in a becoming and proper manner. That the arbiters in these disputes with Deanat, chosen to mutual satisfaction, are Europeans, we are content with, and the more quickly it is decided, the better. The Chief, being obliged for reasons of health to continue residing out in the country, Your Honors will please produce the original firmans regarding Brootchia to Mr. Stratton and such gentlemen as he may summon to his assistance to examine the same. We are with esteem, Below stood: Honorable Sir and Gentlemen, Lower: Your Honors' very obedient and humble servants, Was signed: W: A: Price, W: Stratton, I: Day, G: Perrott, D: Crokatt, D: Seton, W: James, and P: Dorien. In the margin: Surat, the 26th of April 1773. Still lower: For the translation, signed: J: Goverts Junior. To the Worshipful Martin John Bosman Esqr., Director for affairs of the Noble Netherlands Company, etc., and Council. Worshipful Sir and Sirs, We have been favored with your letter of the 19th instant. We are glad to observe that you have seen the propriety of submitting your disputes with Deanat to the most impartial arbitration and have in consequence come into this equitable measure, by which means it has afforded us the pleasure of using our good offices with the Nabab in your behalf, who, we have now the satisfaction to acquaint you, has at our particular request consented to remove all the impediments laid on your trade so far as to enable you to dispatch the vessel of your noble Company lying at this bar. And we cannot but express our hopes, Gentlemen, that this indulgence will cause you to settle the other points in dispute with the Nabab in a suitable and proper manner. The arbitrators of this dispute with Deanat being Europeans chosen to mutual satisfaction, we think very equitable and proper; we accordingly acquiesce therein, and the sooner it is terminated the better. The Chief being obliged to stay in the country for the benefit of his health, you will please to produce the original phirmaunds respecting Broach to Mr. Stratton and such gentlemen as he may call to assist him in examining them. We are with esteem, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, Your most obedient humble servants, Wm. A. Price, W. Stratton, T. Day, G. Perrott, D. Crokatt, D. Seton, Wm. James, P. Dorrien. Surat, 26th April 1773. No. 9 Translation of an English letter dated Bombay the 18th of May 1773, written by Mr. John Hunter to the Honorable Director and Council of the Noble Dutch East India Company at Surat, and received here on the 22nd of May by a returning patamar. Honorable Gentlemen, The cause of Your Honors' request made to me causes me extreme sorrow, all the more since I would have to carry the news of the loss of Your Honors' Honorable Company's ship to Batavia. It would be extremely pleasing to me if I could comply with Your Honors' request, but it is impossible for me, as I directly
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260 and of the assurances he has Given us, that you carnestly request toe will permit yon to continue to hold a Factori en our town of Broach and because we ave always very desirous of embrasing even, opportunitig that Consistentlen mai be in our power, to benefet jour Employers or you Gentlemen; we have therefore re solved to Grant you the permission you so much desire, of Continuing a Factory for your noble Company there, upon the same terms as youhe Cd it in the time of the Late Nabab, and we have therefore recooked the ordres we fermeulij gave, to our Chief and Council as Surat, upon this subject, but we at the same time to relij that the Condict of those Gentlemer Whoo you may appoint to reside there Will be such as to give no umbiage te those who are entrusted with the Government of the Town As we have thas Guanted you permission to Continue à Factorij at Broach we shall advise our Honble Employers thereof; thier de termination upon this point must be fincel, and their ordres what ever they may be, when received must be obeyed. Weave With &Hteem: Dentlemen. 2our most obedient ser„ „vants, W=m Wornbij, D:l Draper, -. - , Nathaniel Hackhouse, Jn Watson) B. Fletcher, - - . - . W=m Shaw, Robert Garden. Bombaij Castle 31. March 1773 d be - HVD: Translaat Engelsche missive geschreeven door den Agtb Heer W=m Hs Price Engelsch Opperhoofd en Raed, aen den Agtbaeren Heer Martinus Ioan Bosman Directeur en Hoofd Gebieder deser Directie en Raad, geda„ „teerd soeratte den 26„e April 1773: en Ontfangen op d' 23„e daeraen Per d'Eng: Raadsleeden Daij en H„l Heer en Heeren Wij hebben ons vereerd gevonden met UEE: Letteren van den 19„e deeses. 'T is ons aangenaem te ontwaren dat UEdE: de eigenschap om derselver geschillen mel Deanaet aen de Onpartijdigste arbitragie te onderwerpen, hebben er kent en zijn ten dien einde overgegaan tot dese regtvaardige Perott. — 261 262 ragtvaardige maatraegulen, door welk middel wij't genoegen hebben gehadon onde goede dienste ten Uwen belangen bij den nabab te hebben kunnen in, het werk stellen, dewelke wij niet vermeeek hebben Uwel Ed: te bedeelen dat op ons bijsonde Versoek toegestaan heeft om alle verhinde „ringen aen UwE:s handel toegebragt wer te neemen in soo verregt ter deser Rheeds leggende 's E Comp: schip te kunnen roeg„ „senden. - En wij kunnen nu niet na„ „laaten mijne Heeren onden hoopteken „nen te geven dat UEd: door deede toege„ „ventheid zullen gebragt gebragt werden om alle andere geschilpoineten met den nabab op een betamelijke en be„ „hoorlijke wijse te verevenen. Dat d' goede mannen in dese geschillen met Deanaet tot wederdijds genoegen verkoo„ „sen in Europeersen sijn, daermeede noemen„ Wij sijn met Agting /:onderstond:/ A„s Heer en Heeren /:Lager:/ UW E: seer Gehoorsaame en Ootmoedige dienaren /:Was Geteekend:/ W: A: Riee. . . . . . . . W: Stratton, I: Daij. . . . . . . . , G: Perrot, D: Crokatt, D: Ceton, W: James en P: Dorien /:Jn margine:/ Coeratte den 26:' April 1773. /: hog lager:/ voor de Vertaeling /: geteekend:/ J: Goverts Junior. Het opperhoofd, gesondheids halven ge„ „noodzaakt sijnde buiten op 't Land te blijven woonen, gelieven UEd: de Origineele Firmans omtrend Brootchia te producee„ „ren aan de Heer Stratton en sulke steeren als hij tot sijn bijstand om denselve te ondersoeken bij zig heema„ mogte. Wij genoegen en hoe schielijker beslist. hoe beeter. Wij The Worshipfelt Martin John Bosman Esgr Directorie for affairs of The Noble Netherland Comparij &ca Couricel Wm: Sir: en Sins We have been farvoned wich epour Litter of the 19th Instant. We ave glad to observe that you have seen the proprietij of submitting your Disputes With deariat to the most in partial arlitration and have in Consequence Come into this equitable in measure, bij which means it has afforded ed as the pleasure of using our Good offices Ces With the Nabab in your behalf, who, we have now the satisfaction to acquaint yon, has at out particular request Consen„ „ted to remove all the impediments laid on your trade so far asto enable Soekat. N„o 8. 263 you you to dispatch the Vassel of your noble Company laijing at this Bar: - And we cannet but Express our hopes Gentlemen that this indulgenee will cause you to settle the other points in dispute with the nabab in a suitable and proper manner. the arbitratois of this Dispete with Deanat being buropeans Chosen to mutual satis „faction we think very equitable and proper; we accordingly requiesce there in and the sooner it is terminated the better. The Chief being obliged to Stay in The Country for the benefit of his health you will please to produce The origi„ „nal phirmands respecting Broach to M:r Stratton and Such Gentlemen as he may Call to assist him in Exa „mining them. Weave with Esteem: W:o Sir en Sirs. Yeur most Obedient Hamble servants Wm A. Price, .. , W. Schatton, T. Dag. - . .. 9. perrot, D. Crokott, D: Petoi, W=m James, L1. Dorion: Surat 21=te April 1773. Humble 264 N„o9 Translaat Engelsche missive gedateerd Bombaij den 18„' maij 1773. geschreeven door den Heere John Hunter Aan den Agtbare h Heer Directeur en raad van de Edele Nederlandsche Oost Indische Compagnij te Coeratte en alhier ontfangend /: 22„e Maijp„r een retourneerende Agtbaare Heeren Heeren! Patmar De oorsaak van Uwel Ed: versoek aen mij gedaen doet mij ten Uitersten reed te meer daar ik de tijding van 't verlies van Uwel Ed: E: Comp:s schipte Batavia souide moeten brengen. - Het soude mij ten Uitersten aangenaam sijn, konde ik aen Uwel Ed:s versoek voldoen, maar het is mij ondoenlijk, dewijl ik direct 265
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must head directly for China and have under my care the property of other people, regarding which I could not account for myself if I were to risk it or delay its delivery; but if I can be of service to Your Honours by carrying anything for you to Malacca, from where I should think that in the season I shall arrive there, Your Honours' dispatches for Batavia could be quickly forwarded. Your Honours may be assured of my utmost care for everything you deem fit to charge me with. I have the honour to be, very respectfully, below stood: Honourable Sir and Gentlemen, lower: Your Honours' most humble servant, was signed: John Hunter, in the margin: Bombay, the 18th of May 1773, still lower: For the translation, signed: J: Goverts Junior. I am extremely sorry for the occasions of your application to me to convey for you the advice of the loss of your Honourable Company's ship to Batavia. I should be exceedingly happy could I comply with your request, but that is impossible, as I am bound to China direct, and shall have under my care the property of other merchants, which I cannot take upon me either to risk the safety or delay the delivery of; but if it will be of use to you my carrying anything for you to Malacca, from whence I imagine at the season when I shall arrive there, your dispatches may easily be expedited to Batavia, you may depend upon, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, The Worshipful the Director and Council for the Noble Dutch East India Company at Surat No 9. my utmost care of whatever you think fit to place in my charge; I have the honour to be, very respectfully, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, Your most obedient servant, John Hunter, Bombay, 18 May 1773. No 10: translation Translation of an English letter written by the First Member and President of the English nation, Mr. Robert Gambier, and Council to the Right Honourable Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman, Esquire, and Council, dated Surat the 19th of June 1773 and received on the 21st ditto by the Commissioners James and Dorien. Right Honourable Gentlemen! In consequence of Your Honours' engagement with our superiors to have the demands made on Your Honours by Deanat, a merchant under our Honourable Company's protection, equitably settled by the verdict of arbitrators, we received their orders to use our influence with the Nabob to remove all impediments in Your Honours' business until the departure of Your Honours' ship, which we accordingly did, and the progress of all your affairs was permitted without any hindrance; but as much time has elapsed since the loss of Your Honours' ship, and nothing has come of the appointment of the arbitrators who were to settle Your Honours' dispute with Deanat, we are under the necessity of calling upon Your Honours for the fulfillment of this matter, and therefore request hereby that Your Honours, without any further delay, will please appoint arbitrators on your side, as we shall do on that of our merchant Deanat. We are, with true respect, below stood: Right Honourable Sir and Gentlemen, lower: Your Honours' most obedient and humble servants, was signed: P:r Halsey, W:m Stratton, J: Day, [illegible], G: Perrott, D:k Crokatt, D:k Seton, W:m Tameren, F: Dorren, in the margin: Surat, the 19th of June 1773, still lower: For the translation, was signed: J: Goverts, Junior, R:s Gambier, was signed: To the Worshipful Martin John Bosman, Esq., Director for affairs of the Noble Netherlands Company, and Council, Surat. No 10. Worshipful Sir and Sirs, In consequence of your engagement with our superiors to have the demands made on you by Deanat, a merchant under our Honourable Company's protection, equitably settled by arbitration, we had their orders to use our influence with the Nabob for the removal of all impediments in your business as to the dispatch of your ship, which we accordingly did, and all your affairs were allowed to go on without any hindrance; but as since the loss of your vessel much time has elapsed, nothing has
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direct na Chinasteevenen moet en onder mijn opsigt den eigendom van andere Menschen hebbe en waromtrend ik mij niet soude verantwoorden kunnen, desel „verridikeerende of de uitleevering uitstellen „de maar indien ik Uwel Ed:s van dienst kan sijn met iets voor deselve nae Mallaca meede te voeren, van waer ik zoude denken dat in het saiboen dat ik aldaar aenlanden sal, Uwel Ed: Depechis voor Batavia spoedig souden kunne werden versonden. _=o UwelEd:s kunnen verzeekerd zijn van mijn uiterste sorge voor alles wat deselve nodigag „ten om mij op te dragen. — Jk hebde Eer te sijn seer Eerbiediglijk /onderstond: A„t Hed en Heeren /:Lager:/ uw Ed:s seer Ootmoedigedia „naer /:was geteekend:/ Iohn Hunter /: Jn margine:/ Bombaij den 18„e Maij 173/: noglager:/ Voor d' vertaling /:geteekend:/ J: Goverts Junior. fam Extramely sorny for The occasions of your &t application to me to convoy for you the adviseed of the Losf of your Houble Companys schip te Batavia. – Ishould be exceeding ly happy Could s comply will gour Request, but that is impossible, as I um bound to China direct, and shall have ander my care the property of other merchants which Jeannot take upon me, either to risque the safity or delay the delivery of but if it Will be of use to you my earrijng any thing for you to Mallaca from whence Timagine at The feason whin I shall arrive thire, your dispatches may casily be Expredited to Batavia, you maij depend uponen Wonshipfell Sir en Sias. The Woushipfull the Directore and Council for the Noble n Dutch East Jndia Companij af Sourat No 9. Io 266 11 my N8„o 10: vertaaling my at most care of whatever you think fit lo place in mij Charge; I have the Honer to bevery respectfullig Wouship full sir en Sirs. Gous most obedient servant. John Munter Bombaig 18. maij 1773: Translaat Engelsche missive geschreeven door 't Eerste Lid en President den Engelsche natie de Heer Robbert Gambier en Raad Aan den Agtbaren Heer Martinus Joan Bosman schildknaapen Raad gedateerd Soeratte de 19„en Junij 1773. en Ontf: de 21e. ditto door de Heeren Gecomm: James en Dorien Agtbaere Heeren Heeren! In gevolge van Uwel Ed:s verbinten iss met ons superieueren om de door Deanaet een Coopman onder onde Edele Comp„s Protectie aen UWelEd:s gedane Eischen billijklijk door uitspraak van goede mannen te vereve„ „nen; Hebben wij haere beveelen om onder invloed bij den nababte gebruijken ten Einde alle debelseken in Uw Ed:s besigheeden tot 267 268 tot t vertrek van UW Ed:s schip te beneemen ontfangen, 't welke wij gelijk vormelijk ge„ „daan, en den Voortgang aller ettverzaken is zonder eenig hinder toegestaan; Dog dewijl sederd 't Verlies van Uw Ed:s schip een geruimen tijd afgeloopen, en er niets van de aanstelling der goede mannen welke UW Ed„s verschil met Deanaet zouden Verwenk soot gekomen is; zijn wij in de noodsae„ „kelijkheid van op UWdE. wegens de volbrenging deezer zaake te roe„ „pen, en versoeken, dus bij desen dat UWE: sonder eenig verder Uitstel Arbitres ten Uloen zijde, gelijk wij van die van onsen Koopman Deanael doen zullen gelieven te benoemen. Wij zijn met ware Agting /:onderst:o/ Agtb: Heer en Heeren /:Lager:/ UWelEd seer gehoorsame en Ootmoedige Dianceeren /:Was Geteekend:/ P„:r Halseij, W„m Stratton, I: Daij, . . . . . , G: Perrett: D„k Crokatt, D„k Seton, W„m Tameren F: Dorren, /:in margine:/ Soeratte den 19„e Junij 1773. /:nog lager:/ Voord Vertaeling /:was get:/ J: Geverts, Junior R:s Gambieh /:was geteekend:/ Bosman Esqr Directore for affairs of The Noble Netherland Company en Council. Me Wr Marten John Surat No 10. 269 W: Ter en Sirs Jn consessequence of gour Engagement wrin oar en derio, s do hure eemands made on you by Deanat a marchant ander our honble Companis protecti on se equitably sestled by arbitration, we had Thier ordres to use our Sirtuence with the Nabab for the Removal of all Impediments in your business as to the dispatch of your schip, wich we accor „dinglij did, and all your affairs were al„ „lowed to go: on without any hindrance but as the since the loss of your ves„ „sell, much time has clapsed, nothing has To tot een Bosman Esqr. Directore for affairs of The Noble Netherland Company en Council. Me Wr Marten Joh Surat N„o 10. 269 W. Sir en Pers. In consessequence of your Engagement 161„ over Supotio s do hare Eemands made en you by Deanat a marchant ander our honble Companis protection Ci equitably sestled by arbitration, we had Thier ordres to use our Intuence with the Nabab for the Removal of all Impediments in your business as to the dispatch of your schip, wich we accor „dinglij did, and all your affairs were al „lowed to go. en without any hindrance but as the since the loss of your ves „sell, much time has elapsed, nothing an has To 2 tot Mhe W:r Marten John Bosman Esqr. Directore for affairs of The Noble Netherland Company en Council. Durat. N„o 10. 269 W: Sir en Pers. Jn consesequenice of your Engagement wen van de gereopes do have she manes made on you by Deanat a marchant under our honble Companis protection ame equitably settled by arbitration, we had Thier ordres to use our Sirtuence with the Nabab for the Removal of all Impediments in your business as to the dispatch of your schip, wich we accor „dinglij did, and all your affairs were al„s „lowed to go. on without any hindrance but as the since the loss of your ves „sell, much time has elapsed, nothing has To 21 tot een
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has been yet done as to the appointment of the arbitrators who are to settle your dispute with Deanat. We are under a necessity of calling upon you to proceed in this business and therefore by this letter request you will without any further delay cause arbitrators to be nominated on your side of the question, as we shall on that of our merchant Deanat. We are with great esteem, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants, A. Gambier, J. Halsey, Wm Stratton, I. Day, G. Perrott, Daniel Crockatt, D. Seton, Wm James, T. Dorrien. Surat 19th June 1773. We have received your Worships' favor of the 23rd instant, and have now the pleasure to acquaint you that Translation 270 Translation of an English letter, dated Surat the 27th June 1773, and written by Mr. Robert Gambier, First and Presiding Member, along with the further Members of the English Council, to the Honorable Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman, Director on behalf of the Noble Dutch East India Company and Council: Received the 28th June following by the English deputies Messrs. Stratton and Perrott. Honorable Sir and Sirs! Deanat on his part has chosen Messrs. Perrott and Crockatt as arbitrators, to which these gentlemen have consented; being ready to act as is proper. We are with esteem, Honorable Sir and Sirs, your Worships' most obedient humble servants. Signed: R. Gambier, J. Halsey, Wm Stratton, Thos. Day, G. Perrott, Dl. Crockatt, Dl. Seton, Wm. James, and F. Dorrien. In the margin: Surat the 27th June 1773. Further below: For the translation, Signed: J. Goverts Junior. We have received your favor of the 23rd instant, and now do ourselves the pleasure to acquaint you that Deanat on his part has chosen Messrs. Perrott and Crockatt as arbitrators and those gentlemen have consented and are ready to act as such. We are with esteem, Worshipful Sir and Sirs, your most obedient humble servants, Rt. Gambier, J. Halsey, Wm. Stratton, T. Day, G. Perrott, Dl. Crockatt, D. Seton, Wm. James, T. Dorrien. Surat 27th June 1773. To the Worshipful Martin John Bosman Esq., Director for affairs of the Noble Netherland Company and Council, Surat. No. 11. 271 No. 12. Translation of an English letter dated Surat the 10th July 1773, and written by Mr. Robert Gambier, in charge of the affairs of the Honorable English East India Company together with the Council here, to the Honorable Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman, Esquire, Director on behalf of the Noble Dutch East India Company and the Council at Surat. Received the 13th July by the English Council Members Halsey and Day. Honorable Sir and Sirs! Having received our superiors' determination on your request made to us in your letter of the 21st May, to be permitted to begin the work mentioned, 272 we have now the pleasure to acquaint your Worships that provided the Nawab has no essential objection against it, their Honors are willing to acquiesce in your Worships doing so. We are with esteem, Honorable Sir and Sirs, your Worships' most obedient humble servants. Signed: R. Gambier, Jn. Halsey, T. Day, Dl. Crockatt, Wm. James. In the margin: Surat the 10th July 1773. Further below: For the translation, Signed: J. Goverts Junior. Having received our superiors' determination on your application to us for permission to carry on the work mentioned in your letter of the 21st May, we have the pleasure to acquaint you that provided the Nabob has no essential objection, they shall acquiesce in your doing it. We have the honor to be with great esteem, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants: Robert Gambier, Jn. Halsey, T. Day, Dl. Crockatt, Wm. James. Surat 10th July 1773. To the Worshipful Martin John Bosman Esqr., Director for affairs of the Noble Netherland Company and Council, Surat. No. 1. 273 Goverts Junior. Outgoing Letters to the foreign Nations from the 4th April up to and including the 13th December 1774. Outgoing Letters to the foreign Nations from the 4th April up to and including the 13th December 1774. Outgoing Letters to the foreign Nations from the 4th April up to and including the 13th December 1774. Outgoing Letters to the foreign Nations from the 4th April up to and including the 13th December 1774. Outgoing Letters to the foreign Nations from the 4th April up to and including the 13th December 1774. Outgoing Letters to the foreign Nations from the 4th April up to and including the 13th December 1774. To the Right Honorable Mr. Willem Andries Price, Chief on behalf of the Noble English Company and Governor of the Mughal's Castle and Fleet, together with the Council at Surat. Right Honorable Sir and Sirs. After the misfortune that befell the Company's ship Walcheren here on the 1st May 1773, one of its lost anchors was retrieved by an officer of your Honorable Company. Our Director therefore had a request made first to Mr. Price, and after that, when Mr. Gambier was at the head of your Worships' assembly here, also to his Honor. And having received for answer from your Honors that the said anchor would be restored when the finder and retriever was satisfied for his trouble and incurred expenses, we have caused to be paid to the retriever, Lieutenant Bond, 200 Rupees for it, as per his accompanying receipt in copy. Wherefore 274
Dutch transcription
has been yet done as to The appointe¬ ment of The arbitrators who are to settle your Dispute wille Deanat. We ave under a necessiety of Calling upon gou to proceed in this Business en therefore by this Letter Request you will without any fur hier delay cause Arbitrators te be nominated on your side of The question, as Wed shall on that of our martchant Deanak. We are wich great bsteem. W:o sir en sirs. pourmost obedient hble Servants. . . . . . - - - - A. Gambier J:n Halseij W=m Stratton, I. Dai x. . . . . G. Perrott, Daniel Crokott, D. Jetors, W=m James, T. Dorion. Jurat 19=ten Janie 1773: wij hebben ontfangen Uw welEd„s g'eerde van den 23„e hugus, en hebben thans het Vermaak UE: te bedeelen, dat s Vertaaling 270 Translaat Engelsche missive, gedateerd Soaatta d:' 27„e Iunij 1773. en geschreeven door den Heere Robbert Gambier Eerste en presideerende Lid benevens de Verdere Leeden van den Engelschen Raad, Aan den Agtbaaren Heere Martinus Joan Bosman Directeur van wegens de Edele Nederlandsche d:' S: Comp„e en Raad: Ontfangen den 28„e Janu daaraan p„r de Engelsche Gecommittsd de Heeren Strattor en Perrott. Agtb„r Heer en Heeren! Deandel Deanaet ter sijner zijde de Heeren Per„ „rot en Crokatt als Goede mannen ge„ „koosen heeft, waarin dese Heeren hebben Bewilligd; zijnde bereid te hande¬ „len zoo als 't behoord. - Wij zijn met Agting /:onderstond:/ Agtb„r Heer en Heeren /:Laeger:/ Uwel Ed: seer Gehoorsae„ „me Onderd„o Dienaeren. /: Was Geteekd:/ . . . ., H: Gambier, I: Halseij, W=m Stratton, Th:s Daij. . . . . . . . , G: Perrott, D„l Crokatt, D„l Ceton, W„m James, en F„b Dooren /:Jn margine:/ Coeratte den 27„' Iunij 1773: /:Nog lager:/ Voor de vertaaling /: Was Geteekend:/ J: Goverts Junior. We have received your favos of The 23th. jnstant, en now de our silves The pleasure to acquaint yvee that Deanat an his part has Chosen messrs. Perrott and Crokalt as as bis„ „rators and Those Gentlemen have consented en ave ready to act as such. We ave Wilt Etteem. W. o Ler en Sirs. yous most obed=s hamble servant. R:t Gambier, J. Halseij, W=m Strattoro 5. Dag, G. perrot, D:l Crokatt, D. Petors, W:m James, T: Dorion, Puras 27.:t Jue 1773: sirs Per: The W:r Marten John Bosman Esq. Directore for affaiues of the Noble Netherland Compary en Conticil. Surat. So 6 N„o 11. 271 No: 121. Translaat Engelsche missive gedateerd Coeratte den 10„e Iulij 1773: en geschreeven door d' heere Robert Gambier Waarneemende de zaaken der E:e Eng: Otst: Ind: Compagnie be„ „nevens den Raad alhier Aen den Agtbaeren Heere Martinus Joan Bosman Schildknaap, Directeur van weegens de Ed: Hollandsche Oost Indische Maatschappije en den Raad te sacratte ontfangen den 13„e Julij p„r Eng: Raadsleeden Habeij en Ed„le Heer en Heeren! Hebbende Ontfangen onder superie„ uuren besluit op Ulver aan ons gedane ^ om 't woerk Versoek ^ in Uwe Missive van den 21„en Meij Vermeld. Saij 272 Vermeld te morgen beginnen. - Hebben wi thans het vermaak uEE: te bedeelen dat mits de nawal geene wesentlijkes tegen„ „werping daarteegen heeft. - Haar E:s wel willen berusten dat U UE: zulks doer meugen. /:onderstond:/ Wij zijn met Ag„ „ting /:lager:/ A„t Heer en Heeren /: nog lager:/ UwEd:s seer gehoorsaeme nedrige Dienaaren /:Was Geteekend:/. . . . . . . . . . . H: Gambier, I„n Halseij,. . . . . . , : Daij, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D„l Crockatt, W„m James /:in margine:/ Soeratta &10„e Julij 1773/: nog lager:/ voor de Vertaaling /:was geteekend:/ J:s Goverts Junor. /. Dlaving, received our supperious. Detes„ „mination on your application to as for permission to envoy on the work mentioned in your Letter of The 24. may We have the pleasure to acquaint you that provided the Nabab hat no esfential objection, they shall acquiesce en npour doing it. We have the honor to be With great e steem Gentlemen your most obed:t hub le serveents: Robert Gambier, Jnttalseij I. Day L. L. D. Crokolt, W=m James Surat 10. July 1773. Seenaer Siven Sirs Surak The W:r Martin John Bosman Esqr Director for affairs of The Noble Netherland Company en Corncil N„o 1 275 af Conert Junior Afgaande Brieven aan de vreemde Natien Seedert den 4:e April tot en met den 13e. December 1774. Afgaande Brieven aan de vreemde Natien seedert den 4:e April dat en met den 13e. December 1774. Afgaande Brieven aan de vreemde Natien Seedert den 4:e April tot en met den 13:e December 1774. Afgaande Brieven aan de vreemde Natien seedert den 4:e April tat en met den 13:' December 1774. Afgaande Brieven aan de vreemde Natien Seedert den 4:e April tot en met den 13e. December 1774. Afgaande Brieven aan de vreemde Natien Seedert den 4e: April tot en met den 13:e December 1774. Aan Den Wel Edelen Agtbaaren Heer Willem Andries Price Cheff„ van wegens de Edele Engelse Compagnie en gouverneur van 's Mogols Casteel en vloot Wel Edele Agtbaare Heer en Heeren. Nae het ongeluk 's Comp:s schip Walcheren alhier overgekomen den 1. Meij 1773. is eene van desselfs verlorene ankers, bij een officier van uwel Ed: Edele Compagnie opgevist, onsen Directeur heeft daarom eerst bij den Heere price en na dies wanneer Den Heer Gambier sig hier aen het Hoofd van uwel Ed. vergadering vond ook aen sijn wel Ed: laeten versoeken en van haer wel Edele ten antwoord be„ „komen hebbende dat gedagte anker soude worden gerestitueerd, wanneer den vinded en opvisser voor zijne moeiten en gedragene ongelden te vreeden gesteld wierd, hebben wij aen den opvisser den Lieutenant Bond daar voor doen betaelen 200: Rop:s volg:s in Copia sijn bijgaande Quitantie Benevens den Raad alwaeromme Souratta. 274
English
275 To the Honorable Sir Wherefore, Gentlemen, we very obligingly request Your Honor to allow the aforementioned anchor belonging to our Company to be released, in accordance with the constant custom observed between the two nations throughout the whole of the Indies. We have the honor to be with great respect. below stood: Honorable Right Honorable Sir and Gentlemen. lower: Your Honorable Right Honorable and Your Honors' humble Servants. signed: M. J. Bosman, A. J. Sluijsken, J. van der Sleijden, C. Weijdeman, F. B. Zimmerman, Cornelis van Citters Aarnoutsz., A. C. de Vassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bouquet and E. N. Wiarda. in the margin: Surat the The disputes that have existed between the Bania merchant Deanaat and the Honorable Dutch Company, as well as the warehouse master Holmberg, having now been settled and concluded amicably by the parties, we have the pleasure of informing Your Honor thereof, with the request that Your Honor will now release and allow to go wherever he sees fit Fabitas Nagerdas, who had previously fled and had returned during the course of these proceedings under the protection of the Castle Governor and has remained there since. To the Honorable Sir and Gentlemen. Together with The Council. Robert Gambier, Esquire, presiding at the head of the Council for the management of the affairs of the Honorable English East India Company, as well as Governor of the Mogul's Castle and fleet. Sir and Gentlemen. Wherewith we have the honor to be. below stood: Honorable Sir and Gentlemen. lower: Your Honors' humble Servants. signed: M. J. Bosman, A. J. Sluijsken, J. van der Sleijden, C. Weijdeman, F. B. Zimmerman, Cornelis van Citters Aarnoutsz., A. C. de Vassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bouquet and E. N. Wiarda. in the margin: Surat, the 4th of April, Anno 1774. To Mr. Robert Gambier, Esquire, President at the head of the Council for the management of the affairs of the Noble English East India Company, and Governor of the Castle and of the Mogul's fleet, and his Council. At Surat. Sir, The disputes that have existed between the Bania Merchant Deanaat and the Noble Dutch Company, as well as our warehouse master Holmberg, being now terminated and concluded amicably by the parties, we have the pleasure of giving you notice thereof, with the instance that it may please you now to discharge Fabitas Nagerdas, formerly fled and since the course of these proceedings returned and remaining under the protection of the Governor of the Castle, and to let him go wherever he sees fit. With which we have the honor to be, Sir and Gentlemen, Your very humble servants. The 4th of April 1774. 276 Translation. We have the pleasure to congratulate Mr. Jervis on his happy arrival here and his assumption of the administration, which Your Honors communicated to us in your esteemed letter of the 29th of April, with sincere assurance that, just as we perceive with satisfaction from Your Honors' said letter the happy disposition of the said Gentleman toward the promotion of good harmony, we desire nothing more ardently than that To the Honorable Right Honorable Sir and Gentlemen. Together with The Council. Surat. Benjamin Jervis, Esquire, Chief on behalf of the Honorable English Company and Governor of the Mogul's Castle and fleet. To the Honorable Right Honorable Sir 277 that which presently in Surat especially between
Dutch transcription
275 Aan Den Wel Edelen Heer Alwaeromme Mijne Heeren, wij uwel Ed: seer gedienstig versoeken, om het gedagte anker behoorende aen onse Compagnie te laeten afgeeven, volgens de Constante gewoonte onder de twee Nalier door de geheele Indiën gebruikelik: Wij hebben d' Eer met veel agting te sijn. /:onderstond:/ Wel Edele Agtbaaren Heer en weeren. /lager:/ uwel Edele Agtbaare en uwel= „Edelens onderdeenige Dienaeren /was getekend/ M. J. Bosman. A: J: Sluijsken, J: van der sleijden, C. Weijdeman, F. B. Zimmerman Corn:s van Citters aannzoon, A. C. de Vassij„ W. L: Sontag, J. J. Bouquet en E. N. Wiaado /:in margine:/ souratta den De gesubsisteerd hebbende, verschillen tusschen den benjaans Koopman Deanaat en d' E. Nederlandse Compagnie, mitsgaders den pakhuijsmeesten Wolmberg thans door partijen in der minne zijnde verevend en afgedaen, hebben wij het plaisier uw wel Ed: daar van kennisse te geeven, met versoek dat uw wel Ed: als nu den bevoorens gevlugten en 't zedert den loop deezer procedure onder de bescherming van den Casteels Gouverneur te rug gekoomenen en zeedert verbleevenen Fabitas Nagerdas te ontslaen en te Wel Edele Heer en Heeren. Benevens Den Raad. Robert Gambier Schildknaep presideerende aen het Hoofd van den Raad tot de manniance der Laaken van de Edele Engelsche Oost Jndische Compagnie, mitsgad:s Gouverneur van 's Mogols Casteel en vloot - - laeten Monsieur et Messieurs. laaten gaan werwaarts hij zal goed„ „vinden Waarmede wij d'Eer hebben te zijn. /:onderstond:/ Wel Edele Heer en Heeren /lager:/ uw wel Ed:s onderdaenige Dienaaren /was getekend:/ M. J. Bolman, I. J: Hluijsken, J: van der Sleijden, C: Heijdeman, F. B: Zimmerman, Corn:s van Cetters aarn zoon„ R. C. de vassij W. L. Lontag, J. J. Bocquet en E. N. Wiarde /:in margine:/ Souratta den 4. April A:o 1774: Robbert Gambier Excuijer. President a la Têti du Conseil pour la maneance des affaires, de la Noble Comp„e angloise des. jndes es' Gouvorneur du Chateau, et de Laflotte du mogol„ Jon Conseil. A Monsieur Suratte. Les Differents quiont sul sister ente le Marihand Bauian Deanaet et Canoble Comp„e des paijs= =bas, de même que notre guarde Magazin Holm„ „berg, etant outuellement terminis, ex finis. a L'amiable par les parties, nous nous faisons le plaisir de vous en donner Councissame, aver in„ „Hame qu'il vous plaise maintenant de Mhar„ „gerleci devant enfui et du depuis le cours de cette procedure sousla protection du Gouverneur du Chatean retourné et uui reste, Fabitas nager„ „das, et te laiper aller ou boului semblera c'estaves quoi nous avons thonneur Detri. Monsieur. et Messieurs! vos tres humbles serviteurs. de 4: Avril. 276 Tradintion. 1774: ro Wij hebben het vermaak om den Heere servis met zijn gelukkig arrivement alhier en de aanvaerdiging van het be„ „stier het welke uw welEd:s ons bij derselver g'agte missive van den 29: April hebben gecommuniceert, te congratuleeren, met sincere betuijging dat gelijkerwijs wij uijt uwel Ed: Geseide missive, met vergenoeging ontwaeren, de gelukkige dispositie van gedagten Heer tot het doet toeneemen der Goede Harmonie, Wij niets vieriger verlangen, als dat Wel Edele Agtbare Heer en Heeren. Benevens Den Raad. souratta. Benjamin Servis schild knaap cheff van weegens de Edele Engelsche Compagnie en Gouverneur van Smogols Casteel en vloot Aan Den Wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer 277 die, welke er thans in Couratte bijsonder tusschen 277 Wij hebben het vermaak om den Heere servis met zijn gelukkig arrivement alhier en de aanvaerdiging van het be„ „stier het welke uw welEd:s ons bij derselver g'agte missive van den 29: April hebben gecommuniceert, te congratuleeren, met sincere betuijging dat gelijkerwijs wij uijt uwel Ed: Geseide missive, met vergenoeging ontwaeren, de gelukkige dispositie van gedagten Heer tot het doet toeneemen der Goede Harmonie, Wij niets vieriger verlangen, als dat Wel Edele Agtbare Heer en Heeren. Benevens Den Raad souratta. Benjamin Servis schildknaap cheff van weegens de Edele Engelsche Compagnie en Gouverneur van Smogols Casteel en vloot Aan den Wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer 1 die, welke er thans in Couratte bijsonder tusschen Wij hebben het vermaak om den Heere servis met zijn gelukkig arrivement alhier en de aanvaerdiging van het be„ „stier het welke uw welEd:s ons bij derselver g'agte missive van den 29: April hebben gecommuniceert, te conquatuleeren, met sincere betuijging dat gelijkerwijs wij uijt uwel Ed: geseide missive, met vergenoeging ontwaeren, de gelukkige dispositie van gedagten Heer tot het doet toeneemen der Goede Harmonie, Wij niets vieriger verlangen, als dat Wel Edele Agtbiare Heer en Heerens. Benevens Den Raad. souratta. Benjamin Servis schildknaap cheff van weegens de Edele Engelsche Compagnie en Gouverneur van Smogols Casteel en vloot Aan Den Wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer 277 die, welke er thans in Couratte bijsonder tusschen
English
Sir, between the two factories may continually increase, and that we shall eagerly embrace all occasions that may contribute to that end, while we remain with respect. Underneath stood: Right Honorable Sir and Gentlemen. Lower: Your Right Honorable's most obedient servants. Was signed: M. J: Bolman, A. J: Sluijsker, J. van der sleijden, C. Heijdeman, I. B: Zimmerman, Corn:s van Citterl aarn zoon, A. C. de Vassij, W. D. Dontag, J. J. Boequiet and E. W: Wiardi. In margin: Souratta, the 3: Maij A:o 1774. We have the pleasure of congratulating Mr. Jervis on his happy arrival and his accession to the head of affairs of your Noble Company, of which you informed us by your honored letter of the 29. of last month; with the assurance that, in view of the happy disposition toward the enlargement of the good harmony which we observe with satisfaction through your said letter, Sir and Gentlemen. And his Council Suratte. Benjamin Jervis Esq:r Chief for the affairs of the Noble English Company and Governor of the Castle and of the fleet of the Mogol. Translation in the 278 78 279 Souratte. in the first, undersigned, we desire nothing more ardently than the uninterrupted increase of that which now subsists in Suratte, principally between the two factories, and that we shall eagerly embrace all occasions that may contribute to that end, while we remain with esteem. Underneath stood: Sir and Gentlemen. Lower: Your most obedient servants. Right Honorable Sir and Gentlemen. We have received Your Honor's letter of yesterday. When a certain M:r Jan Chambres came to us a few days ago requesting to come under the protection of the Dutch state, we could not nor were we permitted to refuse it to him, pursuant to the power that the Republic of the United Netherlands shares with all sovereign states, and which Your Honor and the servants of the English Company likewise exercise in the Indies. The Council! To The Right Honorable Sir Robert Gambier, Esquire. presiding at the head of the Council for the affairs of the Honorable English Company, as well as Governor of the Mogol's Castle and fleet. Along with We did not judge it necessary, upon granting 279 in the first, undersigned, we desire nothing more ardently than the uninterrupted increase of that which now subsists in Suratte, principally between the two factories, and that we shall eagerly embrace all occasions that may contribute to that end, while we remain with esteem. Underneath stood: Sir and Gentlemen. Lower: Your most obedient servants. To The Right Honorable Sir Robert Gambier, Esquire. presiding at the head of the Council for the affairs of the Honorable English Company, as well as Governor of the Mogol's Castle and fleet. Right Honorable Sir and Gentlemen! We have received Your Honor's letter of yesterday. When a certain M:r Jan Chambres came to us a few days ago requesting to come under the protection of the Dutch state, we could not nor were we permitted to refuse it to him, pursuant to the power that the Republic of the United Netherlands shares with all sovereign states, and which Your Honor and the servants of the English Company likewise exercise in the Indies. The Council! Souratte. Along with 10 granting We did not judge it necessary, upon 279 in the first, undersigned, we desire nothing more ardently than the uninterrupted increase of that which now subsists in Suratte, principally between the two factories, and that we shall eagerly embrace all occasions that may contribute to that end, while we remain with esteem. Underneath stood: Sir and Gentlemen. Lower: Your most obedient servants. Souratte. To The Right Honorable Sir Robert Gambier, Esquire. presiding at the head of the Council for the affairs of the Honorable English Company, as well as Governor of the Mogol's Castle and fleet. Right Honorable Sir and Gentlemen. We have received Your Honor's letter of yesterday. When a certain M:r Jan Chambres came to us a few days ago requesting to come under the protection of the Dutch state, we could not nor were we permitted to refuse it to him, pursuant to the power that the Republic of the United Netherlands shares with all sovereign states, and which Your Honor and the servants of the English Company likewise exercise in the Indies. The Council! Along with We did not judge it necessary, upon granting 279 in the first, undersigned, we desire nothing more ardently than the uninterrupted increase of that which now subsists in Suratte, principally between the two factories, and that we shall eagerly embrace all occasions that may contribute to that end, while we remain with esteem. Underneath stood: Sir and Gentlemen. Lower: Your most obedient servants. Souratte. To The Right Honorable Sir Robert Gambier, Esquire. presiding at the head of the Council for the affairs of the Honorable English Company, as well as Governor of the Mogol's Castle and fleet. Right Honorable Sir and Gentlemen. We have received Your Honor's letter of yesterday. When a certain M:r Jan Chambres came to us a few days ago requesting to come under the protection of the Dutch state, we could not nor were we permitted to refuse it to him, pursuant to the power that the Republic of the United Netherlands shares with all sovereign states, and which Your Honor and the servants of the English Company likewise exercise in the Indies. The Council. Along with We did not judge it necessary, upon granting
Dutch transcription
Monsieur tusschen de Twee factorien subsisteerd, bij aanhoudentheijd accresseeren mag„ en dat wij met emprassement alle gelegentheeden welke tot dat oogmerk kunnen mede werken embrasseeren zullen, Terwijl wij met agting zijn. /:onderstond:/ Wel Edele Agtbaare Heer en weeren. /:lager:/ uw wel Edele Agtb:s zeer gehoorsaeme Dienaaren /was getekend:/ M. J: Bolman, A. J: Sluijsker, J. van der sleijden, C. Heijdeman, I. B: Zimmerman, Corn:s van Citterl aarn zoon„ A. C. de Vassij, W. D. Dontag, J. J. Boequiet en E. W: Wiardi /:in margine:/ Souratta. den 3: Maij A:o 1774:— Nous avous le plaisir de Congratuler monsieur seriis sur son heureuse arrivee in et son avenement a La tete des affaires de votre Noble Compagnie dont vous nous aves fait part, par votre honiore e lettre die 29. du mais passé; avec Jimeriassurance qu enveramhe de L'heureuse disposition â L'awrois jement de La bonne harmonie quavec satisfaition nous appoue vons par votre ditte missive Monsieur et Messieurs. L son Conseil Suratte. - Benjamin Servis Esq:r Schef pour Iles affaires de La Noble Compagnie Angloise et Gouverneur du Chateau, et de La flotte du mogol Traduction dansle 278 78 279 Souratte. dansle premier ij sous jigne, nous nie de „sirons riende plus ardemment que L'augment ation sans introumtion de celle que Jub „siste maintenant â suratte principaalmens entre les deus facturies et qu'avee ein „pressement nous embrasserons toutes Les occasions que poivoront Concouir à ce cut trandisque nous de meurons avecestinde /:onderstond:/ Monsieur et Mossieurs. /:lager/ vos Trelobeissants— serviteurs Wel Edele Heer en Heeren. Wij hebben ontfangen UEd: missive van gisteren. Wanneer sekeren M:r Jan Chambres voor eenige daegen bij ons kwato versoeken om te mogen komen onder de bescherminge van den Nederlandsen staat, hebben wij die aen denselven niet kunnen off mogen weigeren, agtervolgens het vermogen dat de Republijcq der vereenigde Nederlan„ „den gelijk heeft met alle souvereine stae„ „ten, en het welkerselven uwel Ed: en de dienaaren der Engelsche Maatschappige in de Jndien Excerceeren. Den Raad! Den Wel Edelen Heer Aan Robert Gambier schildknaep. praesideerende aan het hoofd van den Raad voor de affaires van de Edele Engelsche Compagnie, mitsgaders Gouverneur van het Mogols Casteel en vlood. Benevens Wij oordeelden dat niet nodig om bij het verleenen 279 dansle premier ij sous jigne, nous die „sirons riende plus ardemment que L'ange ation sans introumtion de celle qui „siste maintenant â suratte principaaln entre les deus facturies et quavee en „pressement nous embrasserons toute Les occasions que poivoront Concour a ce cut traudisque nous de meuror avec estinde /:onderstond:/ Monsieur Mossieurs. /:lager / vos Tresobeissants serviteurs Aan Den Wel Edelen Heer Robert Gambier schildknaep. praesideerende aan het hoofd van den Raad voor de affaires van de Edele Engelsche Compagnie, mitsgaders Goreverneur van het Mogals Casteel en vlood. Wel Edele Heer en Heeren! Wij hebben ontfangen uEd: missive van gisteren. Wanneer sekeren M:r Jan Chambres voor eenige daegen bij ons kwam versoeken om te mogen komen onder de bescherminge van den Nederlandsen staat, hebben wij die aen denselver niet kunnen off mogen weigeren, agtervolgens het vermogen dat de Republijcq der vereenigde Nederlan„ „den gelijk heeft met alle souvereine stae„ „ten, en het welkerselven uwel Ed: en de dienaaren der Engelsche Maatschappije in de Jndien Excerceeren. Den Raad! Souratte. Benevens 10 verleenen Wij oordeelden dat niet nodig om bij het 279 dansle premier ij sous jigne, nous die „sirons riende plus ardemment que L'augi ation sans introumtion de celle qui „siste maintenant â suratte principaaln entre les deus facturies et quavee en „pressement nous embrasserons toute Les occasions que poivoront Concous à ce cut trandisque nous de meuror avec estinde /:onderstond:/ Monsieur Mossieurs. /:lager/ vos Trelobeissants serviteurs Souratte. Aan Den Wel Edelen Heer Robert Gambier schildknaep. praesideerende aan het hoofd van den Raad voor de affaires van de Edele Engelsche Compagnie, mitsgaders Gereverneur van het Mogals Casteel en vlood. Wel Edele Heer en Heeren. Wij hebben ontfangen UEd: missive van gisteren. Wanneer sekeren M:r Jan Chambres voor eenige daegen bij ons kwate versoekent om te mogen komen onder de bescherminge van den Nederlandsen staat, hebben wij die aen denselver niet kunnen off mogen weigeren, agtervolgens het vermogen dat de Republijcq der vereenigde Nederlan„ „den gelijk heeft met alle souvereine stae„ „ten, en het welkerselven uwel Ed: en de dienaaren der Engelsche Maatschappije in de Jndieno Excerceeren. Den Raad! Benevens Wij oordeelden dat niet nodig om bij het verleenen 279 dansle premier ij sous jigne, nous die „sirons riende plus ardemment que L'augs: ation sans introumtion de celle qué „siste maintenant â suratte principaals entre les deus facturies et quavee et „pressement nous embrasserons toute Les occasions que poivoront Concous à ce cut trandisque nous de meuror avec estinde /:onderstond:/ Monsieur Mossieurs. /:lager / vos Tresobeissants serviteurs Souratte. Aan Den Wel Edelen Heer Robert Gambier schildknaep. praesideerende aan het Hoofd van den Raad voor de affaires van de Edele Engelsche Compagnie, mitsgaders Gouverneur van het Mogals Casteel en vlood. Wel Edele Heer en Heeren. Wij hebben ontfangen UEd: missive van gisteren. Wanneer sekeren M:r Jan Chambres voor eenige daegen bij ons kwam versoeken om te mogen komen onder de bescherminge van den Nederlandsen staat, hebben wij die aen denselvers niet kunnen off mogen weigeren, agtervolgens het vermogen dat de Republijcq der vereenigde Nederlan„ „den gelijk heeft met alle souvereine stae„ „ten, en het welkerselven uwel Ed: en de dienaaren der Engelsche Maatschappige in de Jndien Excerceeren. Den Raad. Benevens Wij oordeelden dat niet nodig om bij het verleenen
English
granting protection to this gentleman, to inquire into his service, as well as the reasons which induced him to make this application, since he appeared to be a European by birth who, in addition, exhibited to the first undersigned a commission from the President and Council of Bombaij dated 8 March 1769, whereby he was appointed on behalf of the Noble English Company as Captain of one of the infantry companies of the said Company here for the preservation and defense of His Majesty's Castle and Island of Bombaij, as well as all establishments or factories subordinate thereto, demonstrating that he was never in the service of the Mughal, just as he also declared never to have resided in the Castle, much less that he had taken his retreat from there, but rather from his own rented dwelling in this city. However, now being informed by Your Honors' letter that this Chambers was supposedly employed for the defense of the Castle, on which grounds Your Honors wish to maintain that we would be incompetent to grant protection, we do not wish to deny that possession of the Castle gives Your Honors a large share in the governance of this city, but we can by no means admit how this taking of possession could bring about that the servants and military of the English Company, whom Your Honor the President and Council of Bompaij see fit to send to the Surat Castle to perform their service, should cease to be subjects of His Majesty the King of England. While it is at the same time well known that no military man can be said to change sovereigns because he is placed by his superiors in this or another garrison for a short time, all soldiers always remain subject to their true sovereign, even if they are lent to other powers for a time, without us needing to examine our firmans in this matter, for besides the fact that they would decide nothing in a purely national dispute, namely whether we are authorized to give the protection of the State of the United Netherlands to an English subject serving as a soldier in Souratta, the last firman dates from the year 1729, when the Mughal certainly did not yet imagine that the Noble English Company would make itself master of Surat by force of arms 30 years later. But, Gentlemen, whatever this dispute which Your Honors now maintain according to your interests may be, and however much we are assured that the impartial world will justify our position, we value the good harmony that currently exists far too much not to declare that if Your Honors had informed us beforehand that he had fled, and had requested us not to protect him, we would not have granted any protection; although shortly thereafter he again absented himself from our compound, and thus being unable to comply with Your Honors' request, we declare that we are with respect. Below stood: Right Honorable Sir and Gentlemen! Servants. Was signed: M. J. Bolman, A. J. Sluijsken, J. van der Sleijden, C. Heijdemaus, F. B. Zimmerman, C. van Citters Aarnzoon, B. C. de Vassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocquet, and E. N. Wiardo. In the margin: Souratta, 24 August 1774. Lower: Your Honors' very obedient servants. To Mr. Translation Robert Gambier, Esquire, President at the head of the Council for the affairs of the Noble English Company, and Governor of the Castle and of the fleet of the Mughal, and to his Council, Surate. Sir, and Gentlemen, We have received yours of yesterday. When a certain Mr. John Chambers came to solicit us a few days ago that he might be permitted to come under the protection of the States of the Netherlands, we could not and dared not refuse it to him, according to the authority of equality with all sovereign states possessed by the Republic of the United Provinces, and that which you yourselves, Gentlemen, and the employees of the English Company exercise in the Indies. In granting him protection, we did not deem it in any way necessary to inquire into his service, nor into the reasons which induced him to make this application, as he appeared to be an English-born man who exhibited
Dutch transcription
280 verleenen van protextie aen deesen Heer ons te enquireren op sijnen dienst, mitsgad=s de redenen welke hem tot deese instantie deeden overgaan, alzoo hij gebleek te zijn een Gebooren Europees die daar benevens aan den Eerst Getekenden vertoonden eene Commissie van den Heere president en raad van Bombaij gedateerd den 8: maart 1769: waarbij hij namens de Edele Engelse Maatschappije wierd aan„ „gesteld tot Capitain van een der Compagnies Jnfanterije van gem: Maatschappije hiender tot behoed en defensie van sijn Majesteijts Casteel en Eijland van Bombaij, mits „gaders alle Etablissementen of Factorijen daar onder gesubordineert ten geblijke dat hij nimmer is geweest in den dienst van den mogol, gelijk hij ook verklaerde nimmer in het Casteel te hebben gehabiteerd veel min dat hij daar uijt maar wel uijt sijn eijgen„ in deese stad geheurde wooning sijne retaaste soude genomen hebben.— Dan nu uit uwel Ed: brieff g'informeert sijnde dat deesen Chambres soude sijn Ge „emploijeerd tot de depensie van 't Casteel uijt welkers woofde uEd: willen sustineeren dat wij onbevoegd souden weesen tot het verleenen der protectie, soo willen wij niet ontkennen dat de besitting van het Casteel vEd: een groot deel geeft in dezelve bestieringe deeser stad, maar kunnen geensints avorceeren hoedanig dat deese in besit nee„ „ming soude kunnen occasioneeren, dat de Dienaaren en militairen van de Engelsche Compagnie welke uwel Ed. Heer praesident en Raad van Bompaij Goedvinden tot het praesteeren van hunnen dienst nae 't souratse Casteel te senden, souden ophouden te zijn de onderdaenen van zijne majesteijt van koning van Engeland. — Terwijl het tevens bekent is dat Geenig militaire kan worden gesegd van souvereins te veranderen, om dat hij door zijne superi= „euren en dit off wel een ander Guarnisoen voor een korte tijd geplaatst word, sae blijven tog altoos alle krijgslieden aen waaren sou= „verein onderworpen, al worden sij selfs aen andere Mogendheeden voor eenen tijd geleend, sonder dat wij nodig hebben in deesen onse fhirmans nae te sien, want ongerekent dat ze niets souden decideeren in een puir: nationaal verschil te weeten off wij vermogen te geeven de bescherminge dat van van den staat der vereenigde Nederlanden aen een Engelsche onderdaen te souratta militeerende, zoo is de laatste Hirman van het Jaar 1729, wanneer den mogol sekerlik: nog niet heeft vermeend dat de Edele En„ „gelsche Compagnie zig 30: Jaeren Later door de Wapenen meester van het sourats maaken soude. Dog Mijn Heeren hoedanig dit ver„ „schil welke vEd: thans maintineeren agtervolgens derselver belangens ook sijn moge, en hoe zeer wij ook versekerd sijn dat de onpartijdige waereld onse sustenue sal billijken, soo beminnen wij de Goede Harmonie die thans plaats heeft al te seer om niet te betuijgen, dat wij desen man, bij aldier uwel Ed. ons bevorens hadden laeten informeere ins dat hij gevlugd was, en van ons hadden laeten versoekere om hem niet te pro= „tegeeren, geene bescherminge souden heb„ „ben verleend; schoon hij sig ook kort daar nae wederom van onsen werff g'ab= „senteerd heeft, En dus buijten staat gesteld zijnde om aan UEd: instantie te voldoen, betuijgen wij dat wij met agting sijn. /:onderstond:/ Wel Edele Heer en Heeren! Dienaaren /:was getekend:/ M. J. Bolman, A. J. Sluijsken, J. van der sleijden; C. Heij„ „demais, F. B. Zimmerman, C. van Citters aarnzoon, B. C. de vassij, W: L: sontag, J. J: Bocquet en E. N. Wiardo /:in maagine/ Souratta den 24. Aug:s A:o 1774:— /:laeger:/ uwel Edelens zeer Gehoorsaame Dienaaren 1 281 A Monsieur Translatien 282 Robbert Gambier E meijer, president a la tet du Conseil des affaires de la noble Compagnie angloise, et Gouverneur de Chateau et de La flotte du Mogol. Ason Vonseil Surate. Monsieur, et Messieurs Nous avons recu la votre de hier Lorsque certain M„r Jan chambres vint den nous soluiter il ij à quelque Jour qu'illus Ge put permis de venir sousla protaction des Erats des paijs-bas= nous avons pu mi osé La lui refuser, selon Llrotithorité que- la republique des provinces Unies possede d'egalité avertous les erats, souverain et ce Pes quexierse vous mêmes Messecurs et les Emploijes de La Comp„e angloise dedans les judes-nous ne jugames nullement neresjaire de nous enquour, en lui accordant protaction, in de son non plus que des rai„ „sons qui L'induisoient à cets instance, Comme il parus être né anglois quiexhibo en