THE Ship Quedabux belonging to the Nhabob Nurulakhon in Bengala , bound from Sirian , in the Kingdom of Pegu , towards Ballasore , William Morgan Pilot , ( I Francis Davenport being then a Passenger on board the said Ship ) was on Tuesday the 2d of March , 1685 / 6 , about three Leagues to the Southward of the Land Agoada , and in sight of point Negraes , Pyratically , and without Commission attacqu'd and seiz'd by one Captain Alexander Lessly , in a Ship call'd the Jerusalem , which Captain Coates had , ( about three months before ) as Pyratically taken from John d' Marcora , an Armenian Merchant at Madapollam ; Lessly being then attended with a small Sloop call'd the Malpot , and then both of them wearing the King of Syams Colours .

After this seizure of the Quedabux , Captain Lessly conveyed her into the Harbour of Mergen , where the two Ships Arriv'd the 13th of March , the Sloop being in the way thither , overset by a Gust of Wind , and five men lost with her , viz. three English and two Portugueze .

On the 14th of March , the Nocquedah and Pilot of the Quedabux , and several Passengers of us were permitted to go ashore at the Town of Mergen , and carried on our Landing ( with strong Guards ) directly before Mr. Samuel White , at his dwelling House : Here I found Mr. William How entertained into Mr. Samuel Whites particular service , as Steward and Cash-Keeper , who had also been carried in on Ship Mahmuddy , belonging to Meer Facqueer Deun of Metchlepatam , which had been by the said White , Shabander of the Port , Condemn'd as Prize , and dispatch'd to the Coast of Choromondel , on the roaving design , under the command of Captain Edward English .

Here I also was inform'd , that the Ship , which this day went over the Bar , and Anchor'd in seven fathom Water , belong'd to Hughly , and was Laden with twenty two Elephants bound thither , having a Portugueze Pilot . Upon this News Mounsieur Carroon , and I , addrest our selves to the Shabander , requesting his permission ( since the King of Syam had no Wars with either England or France , and that we were only Passengers in the Ship , now brought into that Port ) to depart that Port , with that presenting opportunity of the Hughly Ship : Our business calling us to Bengala , he at first freely consented , and being made sensible that the Jerusalems Sailers , and Souldiers , had imbezelled and spent all our Provisions on board the Prize , gave order to the Purveyor to supply us a new against the next morning .

The Shabander also pretended , that he would clear the Quedabux , and recruit her with Water and Plantain Trees , seeming highly to check Captain Lessly for his bringing her into Port , when he had no order for so doing ; but the Nocquedah alleadging , his Ship to be in want of repairs ; the Monsoon , and the long time the Elephants had been already on board ; whereas had she not been intercepted , she might in all probability have been ere then at her intended Port , and that therefore he could do no less , then in behalf of the Prince his Master , to protest against the said Lessly and his Abettors , for what Dammages might ensue on this interception of the Ship super Altum Mare . The Shabander , presently in a great rage , ordered her to be unladed , and all the Rubies and other Merchandize to be delivered into his own custody , turning the nine Elephants upon the Nocquedah , to be maintained at his charge , scoffingly telling him , that if he would not take the first offer of his Liberty , he should stay long enough , before he should have asecond made him , and be taught what it was to threaten a Protest , and at length forc'd the Nocquedah to sign a Paper in the Persian Language , signifying that the Ship was not detained by the said Shabander , but that being out of repair , and the Monsoon now far spent , the Nocquedah thought it not convenient to proceed for Bengala , until the Months of August or November : Thus was his Ship ordered to be unrigg'd , and laid by the Walls ; Mr. White not sparing to say publickly , on the Nocquedahs signing of the Paper , that the Nocquedahs next August or November , would not happen till latter Lammas .

Thus much for the Quedabux .

On Munday the 15th of March , my Chest being fetcht out of the Ship , and the Provisions ( according to Mr. Whites order ) being put into a Boat , which was to have carried us to the Hughly Ship over the Bar , Mounsieur Carroon and my self , went to take our leaves of the Shabander , who dismist us with a great deal of Courtesie ; telling us , that he had sent to the Pilot of the Ship , on which we were to proceed , our late Nocquedahs Certificate for Mr. John Tyler , the King of Syam's Agent in Bengala , to produce on any occasion of the Moors being dissatisfied at the Quedabuxes stay at Mergen , and desired , that we also would acquaint whoever enquired into it , that it was the Nocquedahs own choice , since he had been offered a speedy dispatch , if he would have proceeded .

As we were putting off the shore in the Boat , the Shabander Mr. White sends order to stop her , and calls me to him , who ( when I came to him ) told me , that for some Reasons he had , he thought it not convenient , that I should go on that Ship to Bengala ; At which when he saw me much surprized , and disturbed , he presently told me , he intended nothing to my prejudice , but had a mind to do me a greater kindness , than I was aware of ; saying , that he would give me a good Employment in the King of Syams service , which I refusing to accept , alledging first , The unsuitableness of it to my own Inclinations , having never in my life serv'd any Heathen Prince ; nextly , The inconvenience of such an engagement of my self , which perhaps might debar me the priviledge of returning home , when I should have a mind to it : And lastly , The unhandsomeness of taking that , or any other Employ , until I had first appeared before my late Masters , and given them an account of the loss of their Ship , besides the dissatisfaction it would be to my Friends , to have me absent , after such a cross Adventure as I had lately met with : He then told me , that if I would serve him , he would order matters so to my advantage , that I should have no occasion to repent my stay on shore , this Monsoon . That he would give me fifteen Tales per Month , to assist him in his particular affairs , and that in the Month of August next , he would put me in Master , and Supra Cargoe of a Ship of his own , which he was resolved to send to the Bay , which would be abundantly more to my Benefit , than to go now a Passenger , when I must expect to lye a whole Monsoon at home out of Employ .

This fair offer prevailed with me to stay with him on shore until August next , he further adding , that for the ten Tales worth of provisions , which Captain Lessly and his men had imbezelled of mine , he would see me paid ; and as for what in lieu of it , he had already ordered into the Boat , the Purveyor should take it back again . So Mounsieur Carroon staying all this while in the Boat , I had only time , whilst my Chests , &c. were fetching ashore again , to write a few Lines to Mr. Ralph Harwarr , signifying the loss of the Ship Hopewell , and the occasion of my stay here .

On Tuesday the 16th . Instant , Mr. Samuel White the Shabander , committed to my care all his Books and Papers of Accompts , which then standing in a very confused posture , he desired me to peruse and digest them into the best and clearest method I could ; saying , that he would procure a Writer under me , for Transcribing them fair over after me , in a better hand then he perceived I could write ; and first to begin with the Kings Accompts , which referr'd to his oblique dis-burstments out of the Treasury , from January , 1684 / ● , for that he was ordered from Court , to remit them up to the Privy Council in July next , and therefore would have them made up to the first day of that Month , to which I gave my promise to apply my self with all possible diligence .

This day Arrived here from Syam , Mr. Tho . Yale , Mr. James Wheeler , and Mr. John Kiddal , with an order from the Lord Phaulkon , to be furnished with a Ship to carry them to Madrass . The first of these was pitcht upon , as a person most proper to accompany the Jewels , which the King of Syam threw back upon his Brother the Worshipful Elihu Yale , on pretence they had been over-valued , which was done at the instance of the said Lord Phaulkon , who was apprehensive that the Kings acceptance of them at such an over-rate , might give an opportunity to his Enemies at Court to supplant him in the Kings favour , by suggesting , that he had covertly Juggl'd with the said Yale , in thus abusing the King . The second ( for want of Copper at Syam , and on promise from the Lord Phaulkon , to be the next season supply'd , with the Amount of the Phenix's Cargoe in that specie ) took his passage this way for company sake , having also orders to move the President and Council in the Jewel Affair , in case Mr. Elihu Yale did not comply with expedition , in taking back the Jewels , and reimbursing their Amount , as he had charg'd them to the King . The third had found so great favour with the Lord Phaulkon , as to be credited for forty Cattees , for which he brought an order to the Shabander , to pay him in Tynn at the Kings price : But the Shabander himself having occasion for the Kings Tynn , paid Captain Kiddal in ready Cash , or at least charg'd it so in his Books , the said Kiddal being design'd from Madrass to the Bay , to fetch his Wife to Syam .

Upon this their Arrival at Mergen , the Dorothy's design for Atcheen was laid aside , and her Cargoe of Rice being sold to Mr Thomas Yale ( not without the disgust of Mr. Wheeler ) she was pitcht upon to carry them to Madrass .

On Wednesday the 17th . Captain John Coats arriv'd at Mergen , from the Coast of Chormondel , in a small Sloop call'd the Robin , which he had built at Madapollam , and brought with him about Forty Europeans , who were full with boastings of the great Exploits which Coats had done against the Subjects of the King of Golcondah , whom they in Bravado stil'd the Enemy , and particularly in taking a Fort at Madapollam , and firing of Metchlepatam : But notwithstanding all this , 't was easie enough to observe , that Coat's Reception by the Shabander , did not correspond with his expectation , though ( because of these Strangers ) the best side was put outermost on both hands .

On the 18th . arriv'd from the Coast of Chormondell a Ship call'd the Tokely , belonging to Mahomet Sadock of this Port , a Moor , and Son to the late Shabander ; her Lading consisted chiefly of Salt for Mr. White , and the Ship he immediately seiz'd to himself , for security and satisfaction of a Debt which the said Sadock ow'd him .

On Friday the 20th . The Dorothy ( Captain John Croply Commander ) was dispatcht to carry Mr. Yale , &c. with the Jewels to Madrass . The Shabander , Captain Coats , and my self accompanying them on board the Ship down the River , and Coats Sloop following the Ship to take us in when we parted from them .

On our return towards the Town in the Sloop , Mr. White began to tax Captain Coats , with his indiscreet management of Affairs at the Coast ; telling him , that he must prepare to go to Syam , and there give an Account to the King of what he had done , and particularly blam'd him for the Re-delivery of John d' Marcoraes Money , and bringing away an empty ship , and leaving Don Joseph d' Haeredia behind him upon the Coast , as well as surrendering the King of Golcondah's Ship : Coats pleaded the good Service he had done Mr. White , in revenging him on Ally Beague the Hobledar of Metchlepatam , by putting the Country into a Combustion , which he had done in observance to Mr. Whites private Orders to him ; contrary to the express command of the King their Master , and that instead of being blam'd , he expected the Shabander should according to his promise , skreen him from His Majesties displeasure , he having expos'd himself meerly to it for his sake , when they came on shore , they came to so high words , that Coats in a great passion openly slighted the Shabander , and the Lord Phaulkon , and privately ordering his Chyrurgeon to bring him an Ounce of Opium , pretended in sight of us to swallow a large Pill , which stepping into the next room he brought out in his hand , heaving the remaining Opium publickly out of the Window , after he had first shown it to Mr. White , and told him that his unhandsomness had made him take that Pill , which ( as he said ) was a parcel of the Opium , nor did he cease after this action extravagantly to rail against them both . Mr. White doubting he had desperately poysoned himself , seem'd mightily troubled at it , and sent for the Garrison Chirurgeons , ( both Frenchmen ) who both came and gave their opinions , that Captain Coats had not swallow'd any Poyson , though his own Chirurgeon affirm'd , that what he brought was Opium , which in observance of his command he had innocently done , not knowing what occasion this Captain design'd it for , however Mr. White for that time humor'd Captain Coats , by courting a Reconciliation , and pretending that he would engage Life for Life , that if Captain Coats would but go up to Syam , he would bring about so , as that all his proceedings should meet with his Majesties approbation , and he not want all the Favour and Honour he could desire . Coats now seem'd better satisfy'd , was prevail'd with to take ( as the Doctors call'd them ) needless Antidotes to expel the fancy'd Poyson , and next morning was well recover'd from a feigned Indisposition .

They are after this Nights Comical Feat , fast friends to all appearance , and harp no more on the Coast Exploits , only Captain Coats the next day begins to make up his private Accounts with Mr. White , concerning a parcel of Raw Silk , &c. which he had in his own name formerly consign'd from the Coast to Mr. White , and then prepares for his Journey to Syam , and delivers me all his Papers and Journal , relating to his Coast Expedition , to be registred for the Shabander , amongst which the most considerable , and likely to tend to his , or the Shabanders prejudice , was the protest which Mr. Freeman , Mr. Wales , &c. had made against him ; Mr. Mallet , and Don Joseph d' Haeredia , in hehalf of the Honourable East-India Company , for dammages sustained by his Hostile proceedings at Madapollam , and some Letters , which the Dutch Chief at Metchlepatam , Laurence Pit had sent him , wherein he also complained of great dammage , and threatned to remember it in a proper season , together with several Letters from Mr. Freeman , the final answer of which was , Coats Surrender of the King of Golcondahs own Ship , when at the same time , he detain'd the Ship of a Merchant stranger , who was no Subject to that King , with whom he pretended the King of Syam his Master to have War .

This accidental and strange difference between these two persons , made me somewhat curious in my enquiries and search into the reason , and first commencement of this , which by what I could collect from all the Letters and other Writings , which had past between Mr. ( alias Lord ) Phaulkon , Mr. White , and Mr. Coates was this .

Mr. White being in a Ship of the King of Syams at Metchlepatam , had received ( by the private instigation of Mr. Robert Freeman as he fancy'd ) some abuses , and sustain'd some loss by Ally Beague the Hobledar , to the amount 1200 Pagodoes , and afterwards his Ship Spellman being deny'd at the same Port a supply of Cables , was for want of them cast away upon the Coast , Mr. White being then arriv'd to the Shabandership of Tenassery , by the Interest of the Lord Phaulkon , sues for Letters of Reprizal from his Master the King : The Lord Phaulkon so represents matters to his Majesty , that he consents to make open War with the King of Golchondah , but first for fashion sake , resolves to demand satisfaction for several affronts , done by the Subjects of that King to his Imperial Crown and Dignity ; the Ribarr employ'd to demand redress at the Court of Golcondah failes in his Duty , or at least in their expectation ; Coates is thereupon ordered to begin the War , and is furnished with Copper , and other Goods to defray his necessary expence , and entertainment of all the Englishmen he could get into the service for that design , and is in March , 1681 / 5. dispatcht from Mergen to Madrass , counsign'd to Mr. Thomas I●att , and thence to go down to Metchlepatam .

In the April following , comes from Court a Revocation of Coates's Commission , with strict Orders to forbid his breaking into a War with the King of Golcondah , or using any act of Hostility or molestation , towards any of his Subjects , with positive command to Mr. White , immediately to dispatch the best Sailer belonging to the Port with that Express , so that it might reach Coates at Madrass : Mr. White could not avoid sending it , but withal sends his own private Orders to Captain Coastes , to proceed according to his former Instructions , promising to stand between him and all danger , and reflecting highly upon the sickleness , and irresolution of the Syam Courtiers .

Coates having advice at Trincombarr of Ivatt's Death , flusht with money , and blown with Ambition , is prepar'd for any undertaking for his great Friend Mr. White ; and when Cropley brings him the Letters to Madrass , prefers Mr. Whites Orders to those of the King his master , and accordingly under pretence of going to look for Don Joseph , and having a leaky Vessel under him , puts into Madapollam , rebuilds his old Vessel , and builds two small ones more , and now having lived at an extravagant rate , and by his careless lavishness made all Sterling , as we say , He resolves to fetch it up again , by the seizure of an Armenians Ship , which had ( by report ) near 60000 Pagadoes in her bound to Madrass ; Now is the Country Alarm'd , and Coates inveigling Don Joseph d' Haeredia to side with him , open defiance is proclaim'd : Many of the poor Paddy Boats taken , Robb'd and destroy'd , a small inconsiderable Fort below Nassapore taken and sack't , and the Guns brought away , Metchlapatam skulkingly set on fire , the Companies Goods stop'd in the Countrey ( or alledg'd to be ) because all this was done by Englishmen , Mr. Freeman appears in behalf both of the Company , the Armenian , and himself , and at length makes an advantage of Coates weakness , according to the Mergen construction of the matter .

Whilst these things were thus carried at the Coast , Mr. White himself had an opportunity put into his hands , to break with the Moors , which he was resolved not to lose , not knowing how Coats might succeed in his designs ; and 't was thus . Cropley returning in the Dorothy from Coats , finds at Anchor under Ilha Ferro , a Ship belonging to the Nhabob Mahomet Aminkhon , Laden with Metchlepatam Goods , and waiting for fair Weather to put into Mergen , whither she was bound ; he coming in before her , tells the Shabander ; who immediately sends Croply out again , with orders to attacque , seize , and bring her into Port as a Prize : He follow'd his orders ; Mr. White gives notices of what he had done to the Lord Phaulkon , he construing it ( according to Mr. Whites plausible representation of the matter ) as an omen of future good success , commends the Act , and prevails with the King to approve it : Now no longer peace with Golcondah , another Gingerlee Ship being in Port , is detained and confiscated with her Cargoe . The Shabander advises the Court , that many Coast Ships frequented Pegu : The Lord Phaulkon encourages him to way-lay them all , and bring them into Mergen for Examination ; so that this year no less then seven Sail have been taken and Prized , and several others paid sawce for their being cleared , only the Henrietta Maria , with her Cargoe , belonging to Mr. Freeman , and his effects on broad the Momuddy escap't ; which was done for Reasons no less publick then politick .

Of the number of those taken was a Ship called the Sta Cruz , Burthen about 350 Tons , belonging to Joseph , Brother to John d' Marcora , who little deserved such usage , as not only being no Subject to the King of Golcondah , but being the Redeemer of many poor English Men , and others , at his vast charge , out of Captivity in Pegu . His Ship , without ever preadvising up to Court , was sent with her Cargoe to Atcheen ; Mr. White at one and the same time seizing all , and yet promising to interceed for the restitution of both Ship and Cargoe to him ; however he and his Son ( being by Mr. White detain'd behind , as pledges for the Ships return ; for Mr. White was fearful , least the men he had sent upon her should be either over-power'd , or over perswaded to let her escape at Atcheen ) did at length , with much importunity , obtain liberty to go in Person to Court , being full of hopes , that the Lord Phaulkon would be so just , as to take the Case into consideration , and move the King in his favour . This Nocquedah having been inform'd that I came out of England in the same Ship with Mr. Phaulkon , willing to leave no means unessay'd , desired me to write to him in his behalf , which I ( not daring to deny any thing , within the compass of my power , to one whom I owed my Redemption from Slavery ) accordingly writ , and gave him this following Letter to the Lord Phaulkon .

Mergen 24. March 1684 / 5. My Lord ,

THe Signal Obligations I lye under to this Bearer , the Redeemer of my self , and many other Poor Men out of Captivity , call for all the Evidences of my Gratitude , that any Opportunity can put into my Hands ; so that though long absence , and diversity of Fortunes may have drawn a Curtain betwixt Your Lordship and my self , and put me by all pretence to any Interest with You , from a former Friendship or Acquaintance in any matter that might immediately concern my self ; yet in this particular Instance , when my best of Friends require it , I hope I may become Your successfull Humble Petitioner ; That You would vouchsafe him all the favour You can in his present Affair , and then I am sure he will find all the favour he desires , which is the restitution of his Ship and Estate , taken from him under pretence of His Majesties Authority ; and though I do not pretend to a Spirit of Prophesie , yet I dare be confident to affirm , that Your Lordship , in doing that just and generous act will find more satisfaction , and reap more true Honour then can be expected from the Ruine of so well deserving an Honest Man , as is Joseph d' Marcora , whose Condition I humbly recommend to Your Gracious Consideration .

Your Lordships most Humble Servant , Francis Davenport .

APRIL , 1686.

The beginning of this Month Arrived the Delight , Robert Mellish Master , from Madrass , with a Cargoe of Cloth , to the amount of six thousand Pagodoes and upwards , in Joynt-stock , between Mr. Thomas Lucas and Mr. Samuel White , the two Owners of the said Ship , in equal proportion , she is sent up with her Lading to Tenassery , for the conveniency of Repacking it into Bales , fit for Transport to Syam , whither it was to be sent , committed to the care of Mr. Francis Heath for Sale .

The 9th of this Month also Arrived the Agent from Bengala , Mr. John Thredder Cape Merchant , her Cargoe consisting of Butter , Oyl , Salt , Dammer , Cloth and Raw Silk , in Partnership , between Mr. John Tyler , Mr. Fitz Needham and himself ; a part of her and the Cargoe , was by them offered to Sale to the Lord Phaulkon and Mr. White , which latter did at first accept of an eighth at the Price proposed , but in a few days , on second thoughts , recanting ; he also wrote up to Syam , disswading the former from being concern'd ; however he took off all the Butter , Oyl , Salt and Dammer , which were on good Demand , at a very low Price , not permiting him to sell it to any of the Merchants , who would have given a far greater rate , and left him at liberty to prceed for Syam with his Raw Silk and Cloth , fairly promising that ( in consideration of the hard measure Mr. Thredder complained of , in not being permitted to sell his Butter , &c. to the best advantage ) he would in absence furnish the Skipper , John Bunt , with Carpenters Timber Plank , or whatsoever else he should want for the fitting his Ship .

About the middle of this Month we went up to Tenassery , where the Delights Cargoe was examined and repackt , and to it was added a quantity of Metchlepatam Goods , to the amount of fourty Cattees , being a parcel of Mahomet Aminkhons Cargoe , which Mr. White found a knack to make clear gains to himself , in disposing at the same time another quantity of the said Cargoe to the amount ( as he forc'd the Merchant to take them off ) of two hundred Cattees , which very parcel of the said Cargoe he had newly received express order from Syam to remit to Clong : Nay there those Goods being much wanted , and on great demands there ; but because by that means he would have lost the opportunity of a snack out of them , he thinks best to pretend the Kings stock of Cash then in his hands to be low , and the Garrison and Port charges being to be defray'd before the close of his Books , he adventured the breach of order , and exposed them to Sale as aforesaid .

Captain Coates took his journey hence for Syam the 22th of this Month , and the day before his departure , perceiving him to be very melancholly , I askt him what made him so , whereupon taking me into a private Room , he produc'd a Paper , which he bad me read ; and I found it to be Mr. Whites forementioned order to him , encouraging him ( notwithstanding the Kings prohibition ) to make War upon Golcondah , by doing what mischief he could at Metchlepatam , or any Ships belonging to that Port , or any part of that Kings Dominions , and assuring him , that he would not only bear him out , but make it redound to his great advantage and honour at the Court of Syam . When I had read it Captain Coats asked me , whether Mr. Whites demeanour to him , since his Arrival at Mergen , had corresponded with those splendid Promises he had made him in that Paper , and whether 't was reasonable that he should be turn'd over to Syam , to give an account of his proceedings at the Coast ; when Mr. White was the only person that put him Action , and for whose sake alone he had thus embroil'd himself ? To which I reply'd , my opinion was , that the exhausting so much of the Kings stock by his twelve months stay at the Coast , without any advantage , was the main reason that made Mr. White loth to pass his Accounts ; but that however , Mr. White being very sensible that those orders may at any time be produc'd against him , there was no question but he would use his utmost endeavours to obviate all the blame that the Lord Phaulkon could transfer upon Captain Coats , except in the case of his surrender of John d' Marcordes Treasure , and the King of Golcondahs Ship , and buying of the Danesburg without order ; to all which Captain Coats replyed , he could readily answer and justifie , and that nothing troubled him , but that his first commencement of the breach at the Coast , being point blank contrary to the King of Syams express pleasure , he should now appear to prefer the private Revenge and Interest of his Friend , before his Duty to his great Master , and that he saw no way to save himself , but by letting the King understand the truth of the matter , which could not but be of hazardous consequence to Mr. White , Coats being only at first Commissionated to follow such Instructions from time to time , as he should receive from the Shabander , which Commission also he now shew'd me , together with the revocation , and strict prohibition to molest or disturb , or use any hostile action towards any of the Subjects of the King of Golcondah , but to return with all possible speed through the streights of Malacca to Syam , with all the English men he could possibly procure , and bring Don Joseph in his Company , the King resolving to War upon Cambodia ; to which I had little to say , only advised Mr. Coats to be of good Courage , and yet very cautious how he prejudiced his old and experienced Friend , telling him , I doubted not , but on his Arrival at Syam , his own ingenuity would suggest to him the most suitable and safe methods of proceeding .

This month also arrived Don Joseph d' Haeredia , in a new ship of his own , called the Sancta Rosa , Burthen about four hundred Tons , from the Coast ; with a parcel of French and Portugueze Souldiers , whom he had encouraged to come over into the King of Syams service , and forty five Prisoners taken by Coats and him out of the Paddy Boats , &c. which they plunder'd or destroyed on the Coast . Many dayes had not past before Mr. White and the Don fell at variance ; though the latter managed matters so subtilly , by a seeming condescension , that it broke not into open flame , be yielding to surrender his Account at Syam , which the Shabander refused to accept , or examine here , which yet the Don thought but reasonable he should have done . The Case was thus :

Captain Coats's Vessel , with which he went from Mergen the last year , being too small to carry all the effects , assign'd by the King for his Coast Expedition ; Don Joseph makes voluntary offer of his old Ship to serve the King on that occasion , and carry the remaining part of the Goods after Coats to Madrass ; Mr. White accepts the motion , and Lades on him in March , 1684 / 5 , the remaining quantity of Copper , Tynn , and Tutenage , with a parcel of Elephants , and dispatches him for that Port ; he meeting with contrary Winds , puts in to Metchlepatam , and the most of his Elephants being dead by the way , the rest he Lands there , of which ( after a great charge in keeping them ) only two were sold ; the others also dying before he could meet with a Market for them , Ally Beague , by a Wile , gets into his clutches Goods , to the amount of three thousand Pagodoes , and detains them as the King of Syams ; Mr. Freeman , with some difficulty , recovers from the Don to the amount of two thousand two hundred eighty nine Pagodoes for Mr. Lucas , on account of Captain Coats , who had also shipt Goods on him for his own account : The Dons old Ship proves unserviceable , he removes her to Madapollam , and sets a new one upon the Stocks , designing her ( as Lessly reported ) for the Persia Trade , in Mr. Freemans employ : Coats in the mean time Arrives there , puts him by that design , and draws him into the intriegue , to joyn with him in the projected disturbance , himself had resolved , pursuant to Mr. Whites aforesaid orders , to break out into . The Government jealous of their designs , attempted to interrupt their Building of their Vessels . The Don entertains several Souldiers as the King of Syams servants ; they then both stand upon their Guards , and with much difficulty at length , get their Vessels into the Water , only Captain Coats , in a bravado , burnt his old Vessel upon the Stocks , having then thrown away ( as per his account ) thirty Cattees in the rebuilding her ; the Factory for shewing them no other then ordinary Civility is embroiled and hazarded ; the Companies Interest suffers ; and at length Don Joseph , having by the great expence of maintaining so many Souldiers and Lascars , and the supplies he had afforded Captain Coats , with what Ally Beague detained from him , drain'd his Purse of all the Kings Cash , and was the proceed of what he carried with him ; highly opposed Captain Coats in the surrender of the King of Golcondahs Ship to Mr. Freeman , expecting by detaining her , to bring Ally Beague to a complyance and redelivery of what he had sequestred from him : But in the end , Coats over-ruling him , the Ship is delivered back ; Coats leaves the Coast , and not long after , Don Joseph leaves Metchlepatam Road , being threatned by a Dutch man that Rode there , goes down to Corrango to water , and there meets with opposition ; thence he sails to Vizagapatam , there gets some recruit , and so comes to Mergen , where Mr. White not willing to pass such Account as he thought would not prove satisfactory at Court ; and having an Eye upon the Dons Ship , if possible to hook her to himself , referr'd him thither : The Don at first refused it , alleadging that being employed by the Shabander , he was to give his accounts to the Shabander , and to no person else ; but at length , upon Mr. Whites large promises of appearing in his behalf to the Lord Phaulkon , so effectually , that the Don might be assured of not only a currant acceptance of his Account , but great and Honourable Rewards for the good service he had done his Majesty , and an advantagious Employment for his new Ship the next year ; he not only consented , but chearfully resolved to make his personal appearance at Court . Thus on the 29th of the Month , away marches the Don , big with expectation of no small matters .

Here also before our return to Mergen , the Shabander ordered the bringing into him of all the Rents , Penalties , &c. which had been by the under Officers of the Clong , Collected this Year ; so that his stock was once more considerably recruited to the amount of 506 Cattees , and leaving Mr. Heath to proceed the next day with the Delights Cargoe , the Metchlepatam Goods , and twelve Pattararaes of Ophium consign'd to Mr. White , from Dr. Ralph Harwar : We this Evening left Tenassery to return to Mergen .

Now it may be worth while to Note what is meant by Penalties , and the Methods of Imposing them .

THE Shabander is never without his Emissaries and Spies , brib'd for that end , in every Family of Note in the Province ; and when any of them that are worth the fleecing , have committed any little pilfering tricks in their respective Employments , upon notice given to him , he presently aggravates the Crime to the Lord Phaulkon , who leaves it to the Shabander , to try and punish the fault at his own discretion , which in such Cases seldom fails of commanding a total Confiscation of the Delinquents Estate , and sometimes they are told into the bargain , that it is a great favour in him , that besides , or contrary to the Kings Order , he forbears the ransacking of all the Parties Relations , though brancht out into several distinct Families ; that is to say , Fathers , Mothers , Brothers , Sisters , Uncles , Aunts , &c. and by this course he strikes so great an awe into them , that none of them have the courage to enquire into any thing that he does , or presume to make their Complaints to Court , being fearful that his Interest there would crush them to pieces , Stock and Branch .

MAY , Anno 1686.

The height of business being now over , Mr. White dedicated this Month to his divertisement and recreation , and begun with a design to sound round all the Islands near this Port , and take notice of all the Channels leading to it , for which end he took me with him in the Sloop Robin , being attended by the small Sloop called the Mary , both which Captain Coats had built at Madapollam ; but when we came out to the Westward of the Islands , we soon found the Year was too far spent for such an undertaking . The Weather not permitting our stay abroad , he then resolved to stand in again amongst the Islands , and take the pleasure of Fishing , dispatching a Pinnace to Mergen to fetch down the Fishermen and their Nets : When five or six dayes had past with this pleasant divertisement , an unlookt for and unwelcome summons for Mr. White , immediately to repair to the Court at Levo , dampt all our Jollity ; now was it become but good manners to conform our selves to his more reserved and melancholly deportment , and Regis ad Exemplum , nothing but silence among us . To Mergen we return , where he begins to frame an Apology for his non-complyance with the Summons , alleadging not only his indisposition and want of Health , but the prejudice that would accrue to his Majesties Affairs , if he was forc'd by so sudden a removal to leave them in that unsetled posture they yet were in ; but two days afterwards , before he had dispatcht that Letter , comes another Pursuivant to call him up , and in two days more a third , with an Express , to hasten him up by night or day . Upon which , a Letter is dispatcht to my Lord Phaulkon , of a quite different Tenor , to what was at first prepared , signifying his willingness to come up to Court to take new measures for the business of the ensuing Year , which the present state of Affairs rendred necessary ; and nothing but his late being abroad to survey the Frontiers had kept him so long from moving his Honour for liberty to come and kiss his Hand ; now all preparation is made for our Journey , the Souldiers and Seamen all paid off , and ( which was a trick I had never heard of before ) because Mr. White would not appear to be in the Kings Debt , he invented a Muster Role of so many mens names ( who for ought any man knows never were in rerum Natura ) as swept out of the Kings stock 135 Cattees , as clearly as if they had been lain on a Drum-head in the face of a Regiment , and because it might be as troublesome to him to have any of the Kings Stores , as well as Cash in his hands , he resolves to make a Ballance of the Clongs Account , by reparting all the remains ( the amount whereof per Invoice was 276 Cattees ) into separate charges , as already disbursed and distributed upon all the Kings Ships , and accordingly the Kings Godowns were clean swept , and the Shabanders fill'd : Thus was I ordered to close the Kings Books in Duplicates , from January 1684 / 5 to the 1st of July next , he making the Kings stock at Mergen vanish in a moment : His publick Table now broke off : His Goods and Houshold Utensils all Inventoried ; and the keeping of his House recommended to Mr. Hows care , with private Letters and Instructions left for all the Commanders of Ships belonging to the Port , that might be expected to arrive , during his absence . Now also is the difference and fewd , which for four Months together ( because the man had a mind to have shared stakes with Mr. White in the Prize profits ) had been maintained between himself and Mr. Burneby , with great animosity on Mr. Whites part totally ( at least seemingly ) laid aside , and Mr. Burneby much courted by him , and pitcht upon to act as his Attorney , to receive and open all his Letters , and take into his possession at present his Plate , Jewels , and a small Box with Rubies ; and hereafter whatsoever Goods should be Imported , either for his proper Account , or on Consignment , only what Gold was expected from Atcheen , by Mr. Triggs , being the process of the Success her Cargoe , and the Sancta Cruz ( which belong'd to the Armenian ) was to be paid into Mr. Mellish , he passing his receipt for the same to Tho . Triggs for Account of Mr. White ; to him also Mr. White now delivered a parcel of Gold , to answer part of the Delights Cargoe , designing , however squares might go with himself , that Mr. Lucas should be no sufferer .

Things being thus setled at Mergen , on the 20th of May we began our Journey ; at Tenassery we met a fourth Messenger , and thence proceeded in all hast to Jelinga ; there he , Captain Lessly and my self , took our speediest way by Land ; they two with Doolies , my self , with an Elephant , leaving Mr. John Turner , his Writer , and Mr. Ware , with several of his black servants , to come after us with the Baggage and Carts .

At Peranne we met with two other Bragos Pintados , or Pursuivants , to hasten him up to Court , wheresoever they should meet with him : This hurrying of those Messengers at the heels one of another , gave Mr. White no small jealousie , that all was not well ; however there was now no remedy , but go he must ; so here we immediately take Boat , and go by Sea to Syam River , Mr. White ( now wishing himself no Shabander ) in the interim composed himself to recollect , and ordered me to Pen down what he could conceive might have slipt him , that would be likely to prove matter of offence to the King , or the Lord Phaulkon ; the heaviest charges , and those which he ordered me to write for his own review , saying , that he expected no worse , were , I. His dispatch of the Sancta Cruz with her Lading to Atcheen , after her seizure upon his own head , without waiting an Order from Court , for either her seizure or dispatch . II . His dismission of Arnold Baroons and Nelcons Ships , who both had in them Subjects and Goods of the King of Pegues , without advising up to Court . III . His forcing from the Merchants , ( for he thought , he said , they would call it so ) on the two aforesaid Ships for their dismission , to the amount of five thousand and odd Pagodoes , of which he had never advised the truth to Court , nor brought it into the Treasury ; he only hinting to his Lordship , that the said Ships belonged to , and the said Merchants , were inhabitants of Madrass , and therefore in respect to the amicable Correspondence , which hitherto had been preserved unviolated , between the Honourable English Company , and the Crown of Syam , he had after strict Examination clear'd them ; and they at their departure freely made him a small Present , which for its inconsiderableness , he hop't might pass as a perquisite to his Office . IV . His Sale of Mahomet Aminkhons remaining part of the Cargoe , contrary to order , it being expresly sent for up to Syam . V. His engrossing all Goods Imported into his own hands , by which means , not only all other Merchants , but even the King himself had been forc't to take of him , and at his price . VI . His neglect in Fortifying the Town of Mergen , which he had represented up to Court , to be rendered impregnally Fortified by his own great pains , and at the Kings vast charge , which he said he was jealous , or the Country people , or the Moors , ( his mortal enemies ) might have given a truer account of , than he had done . VII . His detaining to his own use a parcel of choice Rubies , taken out of the Pegu Ships , to the amount of 130 Cattees , of which his own Oconta being privy to the act , he was jealous that information might have been given by him . VIII . His dispatch of the Sloop Phaulkon in March last to Atcheen , without orders from Court , which he said , might perhaps prove as hard to answer , as the dispatch of the Sancta Cruz thither , whose motion the former was sent to attend , and Convoy her back to Mergen ; and if neither of them should return safe back , he lay liable to a double Lash : That is , to satisfie the King and the Armenian . IX . His detaining of the proceed of the Derrea Dowlets Cargoe , her last Voyage to Atcheen , contrary to the Kings Orders , on pretence that he wanted it , to defray the charges of the Port and Shipping . X. His detaining likewise part of the proceed of the Nonkalays Cargoe . XI . His difference with Mr. Burneby , which had grown to that height , that the Country people , he doubted , took great notice of it , and his acting all the preceding year on his own head , both in issuing out Orders , Instructions and Dispatches to the Commanders of the Kings Ships , and condemning or clearing what , and whomsoever he thought best , without either advising with the Oyea and Coromocon , or permitting Mr. Burneby to be privy to any thing he did in the Kings Affairs , or so much as Communicating to him those Letters , which always came Generally directed to them joyntly from Court . XII . And Lastly , ( which he said he accounted the deepest and most unanswerable charge they could lay against him , and he was afraid Coats had produced them ) his Orders to Captain Coats , for commencing a War with Metchlepatam , flatly contrary to the Kings express Command .

Thus was the remaining part of our passage spent by him in forming fit Answers for what he had recollected , as most likely to be alleadged against him , and being from hence forward more then ordinarily dejected in his Spirits ; the day before we got up to the City , he was taken with a strong Feaver .