The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c27.169

Language: English

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16. The lucky adventurers started without any delay to build their factory at Pulicat. When two years later the English Captain Hippon sailed up the eastern Coast of India, looking for a place to establish a factory as well, the Dutch were firmly settled at Pulicat. It is worth while to quote Hippon's words to the East India Company. His ship had met a Portuguese boat of St. Thome with two Portuguese merchants from that town, who informed the Englishmen "that the Dutch had settled a factory in Pellacata (Pulicat), where-upon", continues the English account, "we resolved to make for that place, to see if anything might be done at the place aforesaid for the profit of the Company although neither of us had ever been at this place. In the evening, passing by St. Thome we did see 13 on 14 aseletows, or small barques, riding in the road; about some two leagues (further) we came unto an anchor because we would be sure not to pass by Pellacata. The next morning we setting sail, and in the afternoon we came into the road of Pellacata, and there then came 2 boats aboard, the one sent from the Hollanders with a Dutchman therein, from whom we did learn some particulars concerning the country there about, the other boat was sent from the Shabunder to bid us welcome, and then we gave them to understand that we were English and not Dutch.

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And for the first we desired to have a cowl of the Shabunder to send persons aland, for to make a contract with him, and to have further conference together, all which they promised us we should have, and so they departed from the ship. The next day in the morning being the 10th ditto so came again aboard us the people of Shabunder, bringing with them a cowl, according as we desired, whereupon we resolved to send our skiff aland, with Mr. Peter Floris and Mr. Robt. Brown for to speak with the Shabunder, and to learn out what might be done there for the Company’s behoof, and then on our first entrance, we were in present danger, and were not able, by any means, to avoid it, for being in the breach of the bar our skiff was turned upside down, and we (by the great mercy of God) were all preserved so that nothing was lost save only of some particular as some apparel and rapiers and such like......and so having had this misfortune we came aland, where the Shabunder attended our coming upon the strand, who was very sorrowful for our mischance, showing unto us all the friendship that he could. And so we embarked and went up the river towards the town where he had provided us of a house, which was but a poor one, but yet it was so good as that place did afford. In the evening we sent a boat aboard with news of all that was passed by us, and withal that Mr.

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Lucas Antheunis and Thomas Essington should come aland for to consider together what was best to be done in this business, and further we found that the Hollanders did bear a hard hand against us, for to hinder us from trading in this place. The day following after that Mr. Lucas Atheunis and Thomas Essington were come aland, then we went unto the Shabunder for to speak with him and when we were set then came thither Jan Van Wesick (John Van Wersick), who is President of the Dutch Company upon the coast of Coromandel, and after some compliments used by both sides, he showed us a cowl of the king, wherein, under other articles there was one which made mention that he did forbid all nations which should come out of Europe without (permission) of the Dutch Company of East India ¹ (unfortunately there are here some gaps which make the account unintelligible); whereupon we fell into some hard words one with the other. At last the Shabunder came between us and gave both parties contentment and referred us until the coming of Conda Ma who is governess of this place ². And this Conda Maa was gone into the country, and would return again within 3 or 4 days, and in the meantime we must have patience. The 15th ditto the aforesaid governess came into the town and also that Mr.

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Brown was fallen very sick again, so that we have expressly sent for Captain Hippon, that he should come aland, for to have his opinion upon all occasions that might happen, that nothing might be overslipped which might redound unto the benefit of the Company. After that the governess was come into the town we had prepared a very good present for to have presented her withal; then she refused to give us audience, and sent us word that she had nothing to say unto us, also that this place was given unto the Hollanders by the mere gift of the King, and if we would go unto the King, to desire some other place, she was thereunto very well contented. Which message made us much amazed, yet notwithstanding we did use our best endeavours to come to have speech with her, but could not be effected, whereupon we fell into counsel with ourselves whether it was best to go unto the King, who was but 50 leagues from thence and to see what with him might be procured in these affairs; and after that we had well debated the matter between us, and considering that we had not people sufficient to settle a Factory, and having not time enough, fearing lest we should lose our monsoon, and that we should be at great charges in going to visit the King, so that we have resolved to depart from hence,......(here again there are several words torn away).

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If the Company are resolved to enlarge their trade, we cannot find that this place will be so available that it will be worth any extraordinary charges seeing that at Masulpatam (Masulipatam) and at Pettapoly (Petapoli) will be sufficient to bring us more cloths that your Worships shall possibly find vent for, and so far that your Worships will be desirous to have this place or any other place near about it, then it will be needful that your Worship should procure letters from his Majesty, and with a fair present unto the King of Narsinga, Vencapati Rajah (Venkatapati Raya), and then to see if you can procure any sea town for a place of residence, which will not be done without great trouble and extraordinary charges, your Worships may do herein as you shall think good. We do not think good with the ship called the Globeto proceed further here in considering that Muselpatam and Pettapoly is more than sufficient for us to finish our pretended voyage, the which serve your Worships for advice" 1. It is very interesting to see the difficulties the British merchants met with on their first attempt to establish factories in a country which was subdued by them after two centuries.