Travels in India (Tavernier) 156.1.5

156.1.5

Whenever these poor people sold their statements of account thus, to reasonable persons, it was a convenience to them ; but most frequently they sold them to hotel keepers and publicans, from whom they did not obtain more than 40 or 50 per cent at the most. When the latter had thus purchased up to 2000 or 3000 écus, they placed the “statements” in the hands of a notary to resell them to the commanders who were returning to Holland, and who generally gave for them 85 or 90 per cent, contenting themselves with being thus able to conceal what they have taken from the Company, while they have been chiefs of the factories.