August, 6 ditto
Having run along the coast of Ceylon, we fell before Negapatam, being 28 miles or leagues from our guessing [reckoning], so that in that place the map is very false, for the same had happened also to the Hollands ships; so that a man must take good heed , especially in the night time, for he would be ashore before he be aware. Neither found we the island to be so broad as it is in the map; the latitude we found to be a the great fault of Mr Molinecx [Matthew Mullineux], master of the Hector, who laid Punto de Galle at 4 degrees, whereas it is lying at 6 degrees. Towards the evening we passed hard by the road, and might see the town and the houses very plainly. There lay a great ship at roads with divers masulls [surf boats] and boats, but according to our commission we did not annoy them.
7 ditto
In the night we passed Tanagapatam [Tegnapatam/Fort S. David] where the Hollanders keep a factory; but having notice of the said place, as likewise we were informed afterwards, there is no great matters to do there, for the Hollanders are resolved to break up the said factory of cantoor [kantoor/factory/agency].
8 ditto
We met a masull coming from St. Thome [Madras] and being desirous to hear some news from the shore we manned our pinasse [pinnace], myself going in her. Coming towards them, they began to shoot, and though we showed them all tokens of friendship, yet would not they believe us, but shoot still at us, so that a muskett bullet flew over my head; whereupon I commanded to enter [attack] and use them in hostile manner, the which being done accordingly, they had enough to do to save their lives; but I brought them aboard, an, after consultation had, we did release them and all their goods; during which time we came before St. Thome, where road a navette with some masulls and tselitones. So passing the evening, we ankered in the night, having resolved to come in Paleacatte [Pulicat], being informed by some Portuguese that the Hollanders had a factory in Paleacatte, to see whether any good was to be had there for our voyage and Company.
9 ditto, Paleacatte
We came before Paleacatte at anker, passing over the (drought) shallow, not being in length above a muskett shot, having but 3 fathom water, which is very dangerous for great ships. Here came 2 boats aboard of us, the one being sent from the Sabander, the other from the Hollanders. Of these we understood all the particularities, praying the Sabanders men to do our commendations onto him, telling him that we were English merchants, desiring therefore to send us a caule [document guaranteeing a save conduct] or conduct to land some of our men and to make an agreement to trade there; which they promised us, and so went a land.
10 ditto
Came the Sabanders men aboard again, bringing a caull or conduct from the Sabander that we might come freely on shore. Whereupon it was resolved that I and Mr Browne should go ashore. Going ashore we were by the great roughness of the sea turned over altogether, so that we were in great distress, especially Mr Browne, in regard of his sickness; but God be praised no man was drowned, so that the greatest harm was in hurting of apparell and loss of weapons and such like. Coming ashore, the Sabander came to meet us and bring us into the town, bemoaning our mishap; and having received us very friendly, we went in a boat up the river towards the town, and after we had discoursed together of many things, he appointed us a house according to the fashion of the country, promising us to procure a letter from the King, [and] to write to the Gouvernesse Condamaa [Kondamma] of our arrival. Wherewithall we were well contented.
11 ditto
Mr Lucas [Antheunis] came on shore, and so we went together to the Sabander to conferre with him more at large; and having sit there a little while, there came John van Weesick, being President of the Hollanders on the coast of Choromandel; and having conferred a little together, he showed us a caul or sefeconduct from the King of Narsinga [Narasimha/Vijayanagar], Wencapati Raja [Venkatapati Raja], which he had granted to the Hollanders. Among other privileges this was one, that it should not be lawful to trade there for any that came out of Europe but such as brought a patent from His Excellencie Prince Mauritius [Prince Maurice of Nassau, Stadholder of the Netherlands], and, we not having the same, the above mentioned Van Wesick desired our departure; but we made him answer that we knew not of his caule or safeconduct, neither did it touch us; if the King had promised him, he might look to the performance; we came with commission from His Majestie of England, and we therefore would do what we could; he might look to that what he had to do; so that we came to high words, till the Sabander told us that we should not be offended, that he had news of the Gouvernesse that she would come to the town within 3 days, and what she in that case should judge both parties should rest contented withall, for it was not the Kings pleasure that any stranger should be forbidden his country, much less to us that were so mighty a nation; so that for that time nothing more could be done but to go home and expect the coming of the old Gouvernesse.
17 ditto
Came Conda Maa, the Gouvernesse, in Pleacatta [Pulicat], and, we being ready to go to her house, Captain Hippon, in regard of Mr Brownes sickness, being come on shore to the end that all might be done with good counsel, there came to us a recado [message] from the Gouvernesse as that now it was no fitting time to speak with the Gouvernesse, and that we should tarry at home till the next day, and then she would call us; which seemed very strange onto us, so that we began to suspect that the Hollanders were in our way, having understood the night before that they had corrupted the Gouvernesse to forbid us the trade there.
18 ditto
The next day drawing towards noon and no recado coming to us, neither from the Sabander nor the Gouvernesse, we sent to the Sabander to know the reason why we could not come to the speech of the Gouvernesse, seing others could speak with her. He sent us answer she had nothing to say to us, in regard that place was by patent of the King granted to the Hollanders, and that it was not in her power to break the same; but if we would go to the King ourselves she would be contented: which made us not a little amazed. Yet notwithstanding, consulting together what to answer to so sudden a denial, to go to the King ourselves we found not fitting, for besides the great charges, it would be 6 weeks or 2 months before we should come to the end of our embassage, and thereby hazard our voyage of our monson [season] for Bantam, and furthermore to loose our voyage to Petanie [Patani], especially seeing the Hollanders had 2 elephants a sailing, worth a great deal of money, which they made ready to send to the King. Wherefore, to loose neither longer time nor be at needless expenses, it was resolved to prosecute our voyage for Petapoli and Musilpatam, where we were acquainted, not doubting but there we should be welcome; and therefore sent answer to the Sabander to look well to it how he dealt with us, for that we were come on shore uppon his caul or safeconducte; and seeing they were not desirous of any merchants in their country, we would not tarry there against their wills, desiring leave to depart, sending him 3 yardes of cloath and a looking glass for a present. And shortly after that came his answer and leave to departe, the Sabander much excusing himself, only that he could not help it as being the doing of the Gouvernesse; but if we would take residence in ..., being a place situated between Paleacatte and St. Thome, he would procure that the same place should be given to us, with privilege that nobody should trade there but we. But we seeing the place not much frequented, and having no convenience to settle or place any factory there, as also that Musilpatan and Petapoli can furnish more apparel and other goods then the Company is able to employ or to vent [sell], we resolved to depart and to advertise the Company of all what had happened. And so we departed from Paleacatte, to the great grief of the common people, not once being able to come to the speech of that old whore, what means soever we used for it; but coming aboard in the evening, we set sail at night.
20 ditto
We arrived before Petaboli [Peddapalle]; whereas presently there came some aboard of us from the sangerims [rafts made on double canoes], with whom we sent a recado to the Gouvernour, desiring a caull or safeconducte, which he sent us. And so we went ashore the next day, whereas we were well received, and agreed about the custom or toll for 3 3/4 per cent, resolving that Mr Lucas with Mr Browne should stay in Petaboli and that I should depart with a ship for Musilpatam, in regard the ship had a better road there than at Petapoli; so that here was brought on shore a chest with 8000 ryalls [Reals], one (case) bale of clothes and 1/2 (case) bale of carseyes, and 188 piggs of lead, [resolving] that Mr Browne, being very sick and not being able to go ashore by reason of the great roughness and falling of the sea, should tarry a board, and being a little amended he should travel thether by land, ordering our matters in such a sort as that we set sail in the night the 21.
31 August
We came on the road of Musilpatam, where we found the ship of Hadsie Baba of Arracam [Arakan], and a pagell [paguel/pagueis, a local type of ship] going for Tenesserin [Tenasserim]. Here presently came aboard of mee Zalelchor Chan with a caull or conduct, upon which I, Mr Essington and Simon Judis [Ivens] went ashore, where we were well received and much visited of my old acquainted friends; and seeking presently to agree about the toll and custome, the Governor would not yield to it, saying he was sent for by the great Governor, Mir Sumela [Jumla], not knowing whether he or another should come back again, desiring us to have patience till then, which was very hard for me to endure. Hereupon I sent presently for Mr Lucas from Potapoli to consult together what were best to be done.
5 September
Came Mr Lucas from Petaboli, and having consulted together what we would do touching the toll or custom, we went to the Governor, Mir Sadardi, who, after long debating, would not grant us any abatement but that we should pay as other strangers did, which if 5 per cent of import and 5 per cent for export, besides the t siappa and dalelli [a local impost], which amounted to 6 in 7 per cent. Whereon we would not condiscend, but told him if he would not grant onto us as we had agreed at Petaboli, that then we would depart; by reason whereof he, fearing we would do as we sayed, did grant to our ship to pay no more then 4 per cent inwards and 4 per cent outwards, without naming any further charges; and taking a writing of the same, we began to bring some money on shore for a beginning for our business.
6 ditto
We did assemble the Council, showing onto them what caul we had got of the Governor for our ship, as also that in regard of the knavery, deceit and change of the Governors, who are but little or nothing at all to be trusted, which is very dangerous for ships that might come after, especially for such persons as never have been there before, to whom the knaveries and inconstancies of the Governors is unknown, which might tend to the great hindrance of the Company; to the preventing whereof we did move the Council, if so they thought it good, to give a present to the great Governor, Mir Sumela, at the general charges of the Company, he being a person of very great credit with the King and one that dothe farm out all the Kings lands and domains and take account of the same, pay the soldiers and had other great offices besides, for to obtain of him a confirmation of our foresaid caule for all ships that should come hereafter with a patent of his Majesty and commission from the Company in London, that no greater charges should be laid on them then us, in regard we were all subjects to one King and servants to one master, we no douting but to obtain the same. The which being heard and well considered by the Council, they thought it very fit and convenient, resolving to put it in practise, the sooner the better, as more at large appeareth by their resolution herein taken.
7 ditto
About 9 of the clock at night deceased Mr Robt. Browne aboard of the ship, having been sick the space of 6 weeks. The next day in the morning he was buried on shore, and, for a remembrance to such as may come after, we erected a tomb for him. We have a great loss of him, but yet we must take patience, seeing it is Gods will and pleasure, who grant him a happy and joyful resurrection, and us all when we shall follow. Amen. He was the first that we lost in this voyage; he died very godly, and made a large will. But besides his will he hat had 1765 reals, whereof he made no mention in his will, but requested us to take the said money into our hands and to employ it to his greatest profit, upon certain conditions, for our provision. But being contrary to the Commission, we found ourselves aggrieved therein, and would not accept of it; but according to his will, we contented everyone, deducting the charges of his burial, putting up the rest and giving it in custody of Capt. Hippon, that coming at Bantam it might be used according to the occasion of the time. The cause that we would not give the money to the company of the ship, who were very desirous thereof, was that, the money being in their hands, the market and prices of the callicoe lawns would be spoiled for us, being, without that, hard enough for us to prevent.
10 ditto
We dispatched the great Lingua [chief interpreter] with the ordered presents for Condapeli, according to the resolution formerly taken.
15 ditto
Departed the Governors, Sabander and most all persons of any office towards Condapoli, to the great Governor Mir Sumela.
27 ditto
We got a letter from the foresaid Lingua, putting us in good hope for the obtaining of that which he was sent for.
4 October
Returned the Governor Mir Sadardi, the Sabander and Lingua, having effected nothing, to our great admiration [surprise]. How be it, he gave us good reason and contentment, the principal occasion being that this Governor had a new farmed the country for 3 years next ensuing; and he, understanding what we required of the great Governor, had obtained so much as a denial, hoping to get some profit from such ships as might come hereafter, or else at least thinking to make such ships beholding to him for the abatement of the custom, or else that it shall be in his power to do as shall seem good onto him. But yet we are well assured that before he will suffer any ship to depart he will give abatement in the custom, so that the next ships that come, if they stand stifly in it, shall have leave to trade to their contentment. How be it, we are hardly sorry that our good intent hath had no better success.
Besides this, no matters of importance happened to us, but we put our trade in practice with good success, selling our goods to reasonable profit, as appeared by the books thereof kept more at large, till the 30 December, when it was resolved that the ship should depart for Petaboli, to hasten forward the weavers there for the delivery of their goods, as also the painters at Musilpatam to make an end of the painted lawnes which were in their hands. And this day the ship departed, having in her 68 packes of lawnes, the rest of the capital to be employed with all possible speed for to be ready to go for Bantam by the first of February.
[1612] 20 January
Deceased Cotobaxa [Muhammad Quli Qutbshah], King of Baddaga [vadagar] or Lollongana [Tellengana/Telingana], being likewise King of Musilpatam, (in regard whereof) whereby it was thought a great tumult would have been; but it was prevented by the wisdom of Mir Masunim, who presently elected Mahumad Unim Cotobaxa [Muhammad-i Amin], being son to the brother of the deceased King who left no children behind him, to the kingdom, being a young man of great hope of about 21 years, to the great joy of the common people, who did hope for a better government then had been in his uncles time, who had put all in the hands of the Persians, but this shewethe himself wholly to the contrary, and an enemy to Mir Sumela, the fountain of all tyranny. What will come of it time will show; in the meantime we were in no small perplexity, fearing the worst, I having in Musilpatam very near ready 40 packs, which, notwithstanding, I got licensed [for export] with little labour, and were sent in two boats for Petapoli, where they arrived in safety.
26 ditto
My business being almost done and cleared, thinking only to go Reckon with the Governor about his custom, but coming thether I found another crowe to pull; for having sold to him some cloath and lead, bespeaking for them some sorts of lawnes with him, whereof the most part was delivered onto me, some few only excepted, which I thought to shorten him in the custom, he would hear of no reconing, saying he had bargained or contracted with me for the sum of 4000 pagodas [gold coin in Golconda], which I should first take of him and then he would recken with me. Upon which false speechs I could not tell almost what to answer, as being the greatest lie that ever were spoken of me in my presence. At last I asked him how, where, when, by whom, in whose presence, what broker, what sorts of lawnes, at what price and other circumstances I had contracted and agreed with him, where his or my writing of any such contract was to be seen, or who were witnesses to such a contract. But all these weighty reasons were not sufficient to bring this villain to any reason, but answered that, seeing I had not kept promise with him, he would also break his, thinking to recken the custom at 12 per cent, which we had agreed at 4 percent, all his reasons being that he was a Mir and said he was born of Muhammad posterity, and that his words were of more strength then mine, being a Christian. In this difference we were, I seeing no means how to come to an end with such a knave, for all my money was employed, and in Petaboli were but about 500 Reals, which could stand but in little steede; thus not knowing at last how to come to an end, some means or other must be used, the time not suffering to write to Golconda to the new King, and seeing I had no means to end with friendship, I resolved to begin with enmity, and caused all my goods, being 10 packs of lawnes, my chest and other luggage, to be brought at the custom house, and so went to the Governor, telling him that my intent was to leave all the aforesaid goods with him in his custody till the next year, hoping as then to ask account of him for them and the interest according to the time; and in regard that at present I had no time to write to the Company for to complain of his villain, I took all the Moslems to witness of what had passed, for in future time to certify and affirm the King and his Council of my innocence; and if any unquyetnesse did follow, to ascribe the same onto him and not to us, not owing one penny to any body nor having wronged any one, but any body doing to us to the contrary, we had wherewith to revenge us. But notwithstanding all these threatnings he set little by them. The Moores [Moslems], doing their best to take up the matter, at last brought it so far that I should take of him a percell of poupenys, which were naughty [worthless], and yet would sell them very dear, whereonto I could not condiscend, till at the very last, when I saw there was no other remedy, taking the same, as God know, much against my will, as not being worth half the money. The knave having had his will, all things went smoothly before the wind, and we reconed together; but when it came to paying, I had enough to scrape and gather out of all corners for to pay him. Being contented, he showed me the best countenance he could possibly, and so we parted in good friendship as it seemed.
On day Primo February
We departed from Musilpatam overland for Petapoli, whereas likewise was a little brabbling [contention], but all went of well.
7 ditto
Having embarked ourselves without having made any penny in bade dettes, or leaving any remnants behind us on shore, having gained so much by our merchandises as to clear all charges of gifts, customs and otherwise, besides [apart from] the employing of 644 R 8, so that we were wholy to our own wishing, having yet a good monsoon to perform our voyage, our estate is at this present in very good being, thanks be to Almighty God, who henceforthe prosper the same to the glory of His Holy Name and our comforts.Amen.
Before our departure from Petaboli we had news of the arrival of the ship called der Goes in Musilpatam, coming from Bantam, which had taken 2 or 3 small pryses, so that it seemed there is warres again, but in regards of the shortness of the time we could learn but little news.
In the month of October we had news by the way of Dabul [a port on the west coast of India], where 2 ships of Mocha were arrived, saying that in June last there had been 4 English ships at Mocha, who living at first in good friendship, at last brabblings arose, so that the English went away much discontented; some say that at [on] both sides some have been slain, and although it be diversly reported, yet I do confidently believe that some such thing there is, and that it must be Sir Henry Middleton; and so much the rather, because that even now at our departure there came flying news that 2 ships should be in Suratta, but are not assured of it, for at our arrival we dispatched letters overland to the English residing at Surat, but have not heared anything back again. This is all worth the noting that we have learned during our aboard upon those coasts.