Storia do Mogor 346.2
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 346.2
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346.2.1
Heer Phoosen then brought forward the difference of their positions; the Dutch in India were subordinate to Batavia, the Dutch Company, and the States General, while the French were in direct dependence on their monarch in Europe. The French retorted by saying they were as little empowered to treat as were the Dutch; but they would stretch a point, seeing a common advantage to the two nations by a truce in India. Phoosen proposed to defer an answer until his arrival at Negapatam and the receipt of sanction from Batavia. To this it was answered that his open commission and the Negapatam letters were full credentials for negotiating. It was then pointed out by him that his open commission included no more than the Choromandal coast. The other side remarked that Rykloff van Goens had not in his day interpreted his powers so scrupulously. The truce ought to extend from Vingorla on the west coast right round the coast and up it to a place within twelve miles of the Ganges. Phoosen pleaded the limited extent of his powers, and refused to entertain this offer. The French then varied the conditions, and offered a truce from Point de Galle along the east coast to a point within twelve miles of the Ganges. This was equally declined. Upon this refusal the French declared frankly that they must send Phoosen and the chief prisoners to Europe.
346.2.2
Yet the Dutch thought it wise to test the force of this threat by demanding as a condition precedent to any discussion that the prize Goude Vogel Phenix, with its crew and cargo intact, should be restored. This proposal acted on our opponents like a thunderbolt.' They were much astonished at such an incredible demand, and declined to listen to any further mention of it. They closed the interview by saying that all they could do was to submit the point for their sovereign's decision. The Dutch officials now found themselves in difficulty and perplexity. They knew their superiors would never ratify any such agreement, yet if they did not enter into it they would be deported to Europe. They requested leave to withdraw, and take some time for reflection. The points now discussed by them among themselves were four: First, had their company any forces in sight sufficient to attack the enemy and effect their release? This was decided in the negative; and as the monsoon was over, future arrivals could with difficulty be brought as far as the roadstead of Pondicherry. Secondly, a Dutch vessel, the Pappensburg, was daily expected from Japan, and would most assuredly be captured as the Goude Vogel Phenix had been. Thirdly, the presence of Commissary Phoosen on the Choromandal coast was absolutely necessary. Fourthly, the French possessed a fast ship, Le Petit Marchand, which could prevent all traffic by sea between the Dutch factories.
346.2.3
For all these reasons it was resolved to enter into the proposed agreement, which after all could only last a short time. It was choosing the lesser of two evils. If their Excellencies at Batavia refused to ratify it, it would fall to the ground of itself. There was a further stiff dispute over the exact terms, as the Dutch wished to strike out the condition making the truce extend to within twelve miles of the Ganges. Eight articles were drawn up, and were as follows: 1. A truce to be made between the two nations both by sea and land, commencing at Negapatam, and extending to Point Palmyras, and as far as 60 fathoms' depth out at sea. 2. Within those limits no injury should in any way be inflicted by the one nation upon the other. 3. The pattamars, or letter-carriers, and other expresses sent off by either party were to have free passage over either's territory so long as they remained no longer than required for the dispatch of business. 4. The Heer commissary, the ship's crew, and the servants taken in the Goude Vogel Phenix should be set at liberty. 5. Any French or Dutch ship taken thereafter within the agreed limits should be restored untouched with its crew, passengers, and cargo. 6. Fugitives from either side within the agreed limits should be extradited on demand, subject to the condition that no death penalty should be inflicted.
346.2.4
7. Governor Martin and Council undertook to furnish at the cost of the Compagnie Royale all the necessary vessels for the conveyance of the commissary and superior officers as far as [blank], the Negapatam envoys undertaking on their side to furnish safe conducts for the return voyage, protecting the ships from seizure by the English or Portuguese. An engagement was made to procure ratification. The French Council added a supplementary article, which [was] sent by the hand of Monsieur de la Prevostière, their secretary. This fixed the limits as from Point de Galle to within twelve miles of the Ganges. Phoosen flatly declined to [accept] this alteration. There was a discussion next day, and the original words were restored. The agreement was then [signed] on January 27, 1705. Finally, Phoosen pleads the force of circumstances, winding up his defence with the proverb, 'Nood breekt wet' ['Necessity has no law'].
346.2.5
On February 2, 1705, fifty of the men of the Goude Vogel Phœnix were embarked for Negapatam under command of a [French] officer. On the same day the head of Conimere Factory wrote to warn the commissary that the faujdār of Jinjī had [sent] out horsemen to intercept the party while on their way to Tegenapatam (Cuddalore). In consequence, Governor Martin at dinner-time offered them an escort. The party of Dutchmen left Pondicherry on February 3, 1705, towards evening, accompanied by an escort of twenty-four French soldiers under a captain. They spent the night in a house about a mile from the fort. Next day early [the 4th] they passed within half a mile of Alechivabe, where the native attack was expected. There they were received by a captain and forty-eight men sent them by Mr. Gabriel Roberts, governor of the English fort of St. David at Cuddalore. They were conducted to the Company's factory at Tegenapatam, reaching it about mid-day. Continuing their journey, they camped on the 9th at China [blank], and finally, next day (February 10, 1705), marched into Negapatam.]
346.2.6
The above-named commissary (Phoosen), having started from [Batavia], arrived at Hūglī to inspect the factories of the Dutch situated in the province of Bengal. Before his departure from that port on his journey to this coast [Choromandal] he gave a sumptuous banquet, at which were present all the English factors, the principal officers then in charge at that [Dutch] factory, and the captains of the vessels in port at the time. The banquet lasted eight days in high joy and festivity. During those days the cannon were fired over three thousand times. Among the many guests was Gart [Savt], an English captain, who the previous year, when on his return from China, had surrendered his ship to the French in the Straits of Malacca after a valorous defence. The commissary directed [36] his conversation to this gentleman, censuring him most severely, and calling him a coward and worthless fellow. He began to boast of how delighted he should be to come across some French ships in his voyage from Hugli to Negapatam. He would teach them how to fight. Only a few days had passed when the said captain (Gart) arrived at Madras, and while drinking cheerfully with some friends, the news came in of the commissary's capture. This increased the captain's joy, and he was consoled that Fate had avenged the insult he had received from the commissary, and he resumed his carouse by drinking to the honour of the event.
346.2.7
Being a friend of some of these [French] captains, I went to Pondicherry to pay them a visit and enjoy their company. After eight days they sailed. Two days after the departure of these French captains the marriage took place of the Lord Governor Martin's granddaughter to Monsieur Ardancour (Hardancourt), commissary [37] and second councillor. A grand banquet was given, followed by music and dancing, at which were also present the son of Governor Roberto (Gabriel Roberts) of the fortress of Tevenapatam (Fort St. David), also several Englishmen and Portuguese. patam, and a councillor called Mester Barlu (Mr. Berleu). When the festivities were ended, they returned to Tevanapatam, and I in their company, wishing to pay a visit to Governor Ruberto (Roberts), my old friend. This gentleman received me with great politeness, and after several healths were drunk we had music and dancing. In the midst of this joyous intercourse there reached me almost at midnight a mounted orderly bearing a letter, which recalled me with all urgency to Pondicherry. I was wanted at once to treat the Lord Governor Martin, who was seriously ill. Upon hearing this sad news I and the rest of the company were much pained, not merely at having to break up our feast, but equally at learning of the grave indisposition of an old and affectionate friend. At once I was given my leave to depart, on condition of paying another visit to Tevanapatam, which I promised to do.