Travels in India (Tavernier) 83: Frauds practised in Cottons.

83

Cottons are the goods which are always first made and the earliest delivered in the stores of Surat, because they are all spun in the Province of Gujarat. The frauds possible with them are in the weight and quality. The fraud in the weight can be effected in two ways, the first by putting it in a damp place, and by inserting in the middle of each skein some substance which increases the weight, the second in not weighing it truly when the broker receives it from the worker or from the merchant who delivers it.
The fraud in the quality is accomplished in but one way, which is by inserting in every maund three or four skeins of worse quality than that which is at the top, and in a large quantity that may amount to something considerable, for there is a variety of cotton thread which costs up to 100 écus the maund. As these two frauds are practised very often on the Dutch Company, this is the precaution they are obliged to adopt.
It is to weigh, in the presence of the Commander and his counsel, and to examine carefully, each maund, skein by skein, to see if there is any fraud in the weight or quality. When that is done the Vice-Commander and those who are appointed under him to make this examination are obliged to attach to each bale a statement of the weight and quality; and when the bale is opened in Holland, if there is anything wanting in either of these respects, those who have affixed the statement are obliged to pay the deficit.