THE HUMBLE PETITION AND REMONSTRANCE OF RICHRD WYLDE, Merchant and Adventurer in the East-India Trade,  
Laying open the many wilful Neglects, Illmanged Actions and Improvident Courses, the Governors and Committees of the East-India Company, have heretofore, and still do practice in all their way of Trade to the East-Indies, to the exceeding great prejudice of the Adventurer and Nation in general.  
TOGETHER WITH A Narrative of the principal Wrongs and Injuries the Dutch have barbarously perpetrated upon the Persons, Ships and Goods of the Company in Amboyna, and other parts of INDIA;  
AS ALSO The manner of Trade the Portugals heretofore, and now the Dutch have, and do practise, to their exceeding great increase of Stock which our Company would never be persuaded to follow, in so full and ample manner as they ought to have done.  
Printed in the year 1654.   

TO HIS HIGHNESS, OLIVER, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereto belonging.  
The humble Petition of RICHARD WILD Merchant.  
Humbly showeth,  
THat whereas the Trade of the East-Indies was begum now 54. years past, and hath been continued ever since by a Company, and managed by Merchants, and other Citizens of London, for some years by Voyages, which discovering every day new Trades, proving profitable, both to the Adventurers, and Nation in general, gave encouragement to all degrees of People, to subscribe a large Joint Stock of above 1500 thousand pounds, which for some years prospered, until after discovery and setting a factory in Surrat, the trade of Silk of Persia came known to us, and proved of very great consequence, as to the expense of much broad cloth and other Manufactures of England, as also of many other of India, (whereof the Portingalls, had then the whole trade to themselves) which our Turkey Merchants envying more especially this of the silk of Persia, as fearing, that if the trade of India did thrive, and grow rich, it would bring all, or the greater part of the Silk of Persia, by way of India, became therefore adventurers in the same stock: And the better to strengthen their party, and get the managing of the whole action unto themselves by electing Aldermen, and other rich Merchant's Governors, Deputies, and committees of their own society, they carried all things to their own minds, even to the raining of four joint stocks and as many, or more voyages by their wilful neglects, improvident courses, and ill managed actions, As your Highness will perceive by the following Remonstrance, wherein I have not only represented the said Companies errors, but also shown your Highness how those might have been, & yet may be (if rightly manged made most rich, and profitable trades to this Nation, adding thereunto some of the most notorious wrongs, and injuries, the Dutch have perpetrated upon the persons, ships and goods of our people in India, to the loss of some Millions of pounds for many years past, and for ever hereafter, if your Highness does not take the same into most serious consieration, and make it a State Action, the best way of recovering from the Dutch, all, or at least one third part of the Mollucca Islands, as our Just due, or at least the third part of the Spices thereon, according to the Contract made in 1619. with satisfaction for their long detention of the said Spices from our Company; which Composition, if strongly pressed, (as it deserves) may be such as may give reasonable satisfaction to the Company, and a large proportion of Stock to prosecute all those rich Trades of India, Persia, Arabia, Mollucca Islands, Manillios, China, and Japon, to the great increase of Treasure to your Highness' Eachequer, and Stock of the Nation, or by laying it open and free for every subject of England, etc. that hath a mind to trade into 〈◊〉 parts, being regulated by Agents and Consuls, as your Highness shall please to appoint in every principal Port, as are the Turkey and Muscovia Merchauts, that so every man may be Master of his own Goods, both abroad and at home, and dispose of them at his own pleasure; and not to be tied to joint Stocks, as hitherto, which as they are the worst of Monopolies, so are they little better than Cheats to the Adventurers and Nation, whereof this is the greatest as will appear by the following Discourse.  
Your Pet therefore doth (in the behalf of the whole Nation) most humbly entreat your Highness to take the same into your grave & wise Consideration, That if upon due examination, the Trade be found profitable to the Nation, by making it a State Action, or laying it open and free for one seven year's experience, it may be supported in a full and plentiful way of trade; if otherwise it prove not such, it may be suppressed and quite given over.   


SIR,  
AS the trade of India, in former times, when we had Wars with the Portugals, did require a greater number of Shipping, then now that we have peace with them; so did those many, and great Shipping, require a fare larger stock to maintain their great charge and expense; who of necessity were forced to spend two, if not three years in that Country, which could not well be done, but by sufficient Stock, to be sent out upon them for trade between Port and Port, in India itself: whereunto the Court of Committees of our East India Company, would never be persuaded, nor yet to follow the same in so full and ample manner, as might be able to bear so great a charge; Notwithstanding the many and earnest advices and solicitations of their Servants, and Factors, both from Surrat, Bantam, Persia, 
Factor's solicitations for increase of Stock, for Trade from Port to Po●t, not relished.  Muslapatan, and Macassar, from whence all the best commodities for Trade were to be provided, and which did yield at least 2. 3. some 4. for one, within the compass of one Monsoon or six months' time, as by their own Accounts, and Letters, (if duly examined) will plainly appear.  
Now for as much as I have not the accounts of what passed 
Abstract of ●●x years disbursement in I●dia, what St●ck sent out, and what promised for the future.  in Surrat before, and since my being there, nor yet have seen those at Bantam; I cannot, nor will not, deliver any thing as from my own experience, but shall refer them to their own Accounts and Letters from those parts, which will sufficiently Prove, what I have asserted. Yet for the six years, and an half, I was in Surrat, I shall deliver a true abstract of Stock yearly sent thither, every year's charges and expenses, together with every years' returns from Surrat, whereby your Highness will plainly see, what wilful and improvident courses, those grave and wise men, that governed at the Helm of that action, did steer, to the great loss and hindrance of the General Adventurers, (though to their own private ends, enough advantageous) in the interim, not letting to make great shows of real intentions to follow that Trade, in a more full and ample manner than formerly; as by an Order and Command by their Letters, of the 16. of March, 1624. to provide Goods in Surrat, to the value of 141447 l. 10 s. 00 d. for yearly returns for England only; which with charges there, would have cost at least 160000 l. starling, the partiulars whereof, I forbear to insert here, to avoid your Highness' trouble, as not material unto the work in hand.  
To perform all which, they sent out the same year, but 36000l. in Goods and moneys, earnestly requiring by their said Letters, that all the said goods, might be provided every year for Annual returns for England, and which was performed most years at high Interest, of 13. and 14. per cent. whereof they had notice every year, both by Letters and Accounts, yet did they not send out sufficient Stock, to pay that great devouring debt, but let it continue 11. or 12. years unpaid, to the great hindrance of the General Adventurers, ignorant of their wilful intentions, as to the ruin of that second, and great joint Stock, by their ill-managing thereof; which, that it may most clearly appear to your Highness, I will give you the abstract of all disbursements in India, what the Company sent out every year, as also what returns they had thence, for the six years I was in India.  

In April 1624.    l. The Company sent out upon four Ships and two Pinnaces, in Goods and Moneys, 62000 l. as appears by that years account 
Sh. Tun. James 1000 jonah 800 Star 400 Eagle 300 Spy 40 Scout 30  2570   62000 Whereof was sent to Persia, in Money and Goods 6225  And to Mocha in in the Red Sea, in Goods 725  And to Bantam in Goods for Macasser, etc. 7768  And to Muslapatan by Exchange 126  And to Acheen, and thence to Bantam 5359  And for England upon the Star, besides what was sent upon the William and Blessing the same year, on former account 14050  Disbursed for Customs in and out in Surrat 7786  Bianca Charge Merchandise in all their Factories 5097  By Ships expenses for Provisions 5985  By House-expences, and House-rent in all the Factories 2945  By Factors Wages on the Shore 2230  The whole Disbursments in Surrat this year is 58296. 58296 And there remained for Investments for England the next year, but  3703  
Yet, did the Precedent and Counsel send home upon the James and Jonah, next year, Goods to the value of 80000 l. in India, though at high Interest, whereby may be observed the improvident way of Trade the Managers of that Action did run here at home, notwithstanding the second and great Joint Stock of sixteen hundred thousand pound then in being.  

In April 1625.    l. 
1625. James & Jonab sent home with Goods, which cost in India above 80000 l. Saerl.  The Company sent out upon four Ships in Goods and Moneys 36000 l. but by accident there came to Surrat that year in Money and Goods from England, but  10500 And from Mocha in the Red Sea upon the Ship Ann's account  2613 From Bantam in Goods and rials of Eight  27448 Received in all for this years' Investments in Goods for England 
Ships Tuns Palsgrave 800 Dolphin 600 Lion 400 Falcon 250  2050.   40561 Whereof was sent to Bantam in Goods and Money 1792  And to Persia in Goods and Money 3445  Disbursed in Surrat, etc. for Customs in and out 5510  In Charge Merchandise in all the Factories 7998  In Ships expenses for Provisions 6318  In House expenses 2500 l. and Factors wages 1332 l in all, is 3832  In House-rent, and Kishme Castle 401 l. in Presents 633 l. in all 1034  Disbursed in Surrat this year 29929. 29929 And there remained for Investments for next year for England  10632   


In April 1626.  The Company sent out upon five Ships in Goods and Moneys from England 
Sh. Tu. William 800 Blessing 800 Discovery 600 Maurice 500 Christoph. 400  3150.   90710 And by the Palsgrave and Dolphin, who were beaten from their Port the last year by the Portugals, in Goods and Money, as appears  25486 In all for this years' Investments  116196 Sum carried over to the outward Marg.  116196 Sum brought over from the outward Margin  116196.  l.  Whereof was sent to Bantam and Muslapatan in Goods 19413  And to Persia in Goods and Moneys 39265  Disbursed in Surrat for Customs in and out 5817  In Charge Merchandise in sundry Factories 4152  By Factors wages on Shore 1350  By House-rent in all their Factories 265  By Ships expenses for Provisions 4876  By Present in all their Factories 698  Bianca House expenses in all their Factories 2256  Sums disbursed in Surrat is 78092. 78092 And there remained for investments for the next year  381●4  
This year 1626. the Dolphin was promised to be sent home, 
No ship sent home this year, though fairly promised. And Goods enough in a readiness for 1. Ships lading, and 8. Ships in Port. Sh. Tun. Pallgrave 800 William 800 Blessing 800 Dolphin 600 Discovery 600 Maurice 500 Christoph. 450 Falcon 250  4800.  there being at least ●600. Bales of Goods ready housed in Surrat and Raneale, besides Pepper, notwithstanding all which, there was sent home no Ship that year, to the great hindrance and disheartening of the General Adventurers, as appears by the Companies Letters of the 12. of March 1627. wherein they did heavily complain for want of Returns that year, by which it may be probably conjectured, there had some private order been given from some particular Committees, not to send any Indicoe home that year, else could it not possible be, that having eight great Ships in Ports, idle, and without employment, and so many Goods in a readiness, which lost one whole years return, to the no small prejudice of the Adventurers, there should be committed so great an oversight, and after so great and just complaints, not to be questioned for it at coming home, when myself, who succeeded him, upon receipt of those complaining Letters, endeavouring to salve up that error, and reincourage the Adventurers, did engage myself at Interest, for upwards of 120 thousand pounds, and sent and brought them home upon eight great Ships the two following years, Goods which cost in India upwards of 210 thousand pounds, was for the same cause, and no other, sent for home in a disgraceful manner, as I shall in its due place make known, to the admiration and wonderment of all the general Adventurers.  

In April 1627.    l. The Company sent out in six Ships for Surrat in Money and Goods 
Sh. Tun. Ma●y 1000 Hart 600 Star 400 Hopewell 250 refuge 150 Scout 30  2430.   64700 And from Bantam was sent in Goods  6541 In all  71241 Whereof was sent to Persia in Goods and Money 4077  And to Bantam in Goods 11889  And to Mocha in the Red Sea, in Goods 6094  Disbursed in Surrat for Customs in and out 4763  By Ships expenses for Provisions 5626  Bianca House expenses in all the Factories 3916  Bianca House rend in all the Factories 360  Bianca Charge Merchandise in all the Factories 10352  By Factors wages on the Shore 1350  Bianca Presents in all the Factories 2964  Disbursed in all 51391. 51391 And there remained for Investments for the next year  19850 January 1627. And the same year was sent home upon three Ships, Goods which cost 
Sh. Tun. Palsgrave 800 Dolphin 600 Discovery 600 William 800  2800   90569 And in April following, upon the Ship William, Goods which cost  71816 Scent home this year  162385 
In April 1628.    l. The Company sent out two Ships to Surrat in Goods and Moneys 
Sh. Tun. jona 800 Expodition 350  1150.   61345 And from Bantam was sent in Goods  7378 In all  68723 Whereof was sent for Persia in Goods and Moneys 6400  And to Mocha, in the Red Sea, in Goods 2800  Disbursed in Surrat for Costomeses in and out 6676  By Ships expenses for Provisions 3547  Bianca House expenses in all the Factories 1973  Bianca Charge Merchandise in all the Factories 3375  By Factors Wages on the Shore 1225  By House-rent in all the Factories 165  Bianca Presents in all the Factories to the Governors 910  Sum laid out 27071. 27071 And remained for Employment for the next year  41652 The same year in January 1628. on three Ships, and in April following, upon other three Ships, was sent for England Goods for 
Sh. T. Exchange 800 Blessing 800 Sta● 400 Hart 600 Expedition 350 Hopewell 250  3200   130000 
April 1629.    l. The Company sent out upon the Charles, in Goods and Moneys 
Sh. Tun. Charles 1000   61000 Disbursed in Surrat in Customs, etc. in and out 5400  By Ships expenses for Provisions 2500  Bianca House expenses in all the Factories 2000  Bianca Charge Merchandise in all the Factories 4500  By Factors Wages on the Shore 1250  By House-rent in all the Factories 150  Bianca Presents to the Governors and Merchants 900  Sum disbursed  16700 And there remained for Employments the next year  44300  
And the same year was brought for England, upon the Ships Charles and Jonah, Goods, which cost in India upwards 
Sh. Tun. ●●●rles 1000 ●●●●h 800  1800  of fourscore thousand pounds, in conclusion of the second and great joint Stock, by all which may be observed, that the greatest part of Returns sent home, was upon high interest in India, and which lay many years unpaid, to the exceeding prejudice of the Adventurers.  
Whereas, had they sent out 200000 l. every year in quick stock, as they have been often advised, and earnestly entreated by their Factors in India, that great interest had been saved, and the charge had increased nothing more than in Customs, and Charge Merchandise; but the profit, both abroad and at home would have been such, as would have born all losses, which have happened and befallen that action, by the improvident sending home their Ships late in the year, and an overplus of fair gain to have encouraged the general Adventurers in the pursuance of that brave and rich Trade, if rightly managed.  
Being now fall'n upon the unhappy losses this trade hath sustained, it will not be out of season, to let you know how improvidently they ordered the return of their Ships from India late in the year, occasioned chief for want of stock in the country, to provide Goods in the best season, that so their Ships might come thence in December at farthest, so would they bring a Summer season all the way, and at home also; whereas coming thence in April, as for the most part they have done heretofore, they bring with them a Winter season, about the Cape of good Hope and all the way, & upon our own Coast also, which hath occasioned the greatest losses by Sea, as woeful experience hath taught the general Adventurers: And truly, if your Highness shall rightly observe, the constant course of the Dutch, in sending away their Ships about the beginning of December, together with the long experience of 
The late coming of our ships ou● of India cause o● so many losses.  their Ships safe and seasonable arrival in Holland, and the Companies many losses, and hazardous adventures, they have run upon those Ships, which have come thence so late in the year; you cannot but conclude, those that managed that action, to have been, and still are, most wilfully improvident in their way of trade, as if they did not desire its prosperity and welfare: And no less careless were they in the overcharge of shipping, and unreasonable burden of unnecessary servants at home; notwithstanding the many and often complaints of the general Adventurers, even of late, when we had 
Unnecessary charge of Servants, abroad and at home, a very great hindrance to our small stock.  not in stock above a hundred four thousand pounds; our charge was as much here at home, and much more abroad, than when we had that great stock of 1600 thousand pounds, yet could they not prevail with that Court to lessen this heavy burden of unnecessary charge.   

In Anno 2627.  
We had on our hands in Surrat only, twelve great Ships, 
Twelve great ships in Su●rat with little or no stock to employ them.  with little or no stock wherewith to employ them, as may appear by the foregoing account, and their own Letters of the 12 of March 1627. when the same year we sent to Bantam Goods for 11889 l. which was scarce 100 tons of tonnage, upon eight of the greatest Ships, six whereof went from Bantam on a Wild-goose Chase about the Island of S. Laurence, in search of the portugals Carrackes, but never looked out for them, nor came near the place of their wont randevouze.  
All which Ships, with those sent out the year following, notwithstanding our small means then in the country (and I left by my Predecessor, forty six thousand pounds in debt at interest▪ were laden for England and Bantam, and thence home, with large Cargazones, as by the foregoing account and relation following; which, that your Highness may the better understand, I will give you some particular Clauses of the Companies own Letter of the 12 of March 1627. alluding to the not sending home of the Dolphin, according to promise, and their own acknowledgement of the great number of ships we had upon our hands, and little stock wherewith to lad them home.  
The Clause of the Companies Letters  
12 March 1627.  
The want of our expected returns from you this year, hath 
Bl●me fo● not sending home returns yearly, the life of trade.  much disheartened our Adventurers, and disenabled us from sending you such supplies, as we desired to do, for which omission of yours so directly against your writing to us in your Letter, and so contrary to our continual advice to you, we cannot choose but blame you much, seeing our advice in every of our Letters, for many years together, was that you would not fail to send us home returns yearly, in such season as you could; for the said Returns are the life of Trade, both in regard of heart and means; wherefore we must needs say again, that you did not well in the omission thereof, for you have thereby much disappointed our expectations, and seem very slightly to have regarded our advice.  
Another.  
By reason of the great number of Ships, which we have there upon our exceeding great charge, as you well know, ten 
The general Adventurers disheartened for want of returns.  great Ships, and two Pinnaces, if Captain Hall ●s Fleet be safely there (as we hope they are) we have therefore thought good to furnish and send you but two ships for this voyage, namely, the Jonah of 800. tons, and the Expedition of 350. and howsoever, as we said before, the Adventurers are much disheartened for lack of returns from you this year; yet have we, with much difficulty, prevailed with them for a conclusion of this second joint Stock, and best advancement of the same, to send you a reasonable supply of Money and Goods, in these our two 
Express command to send home all their Ships.  Ships, whereby you may be the better provided, not only to lad home themselves, but all the rest of our Ships there also, for whom you have not sufficient stock there already, knowing that those you shall not lad home, will in one year eat out more than their own worth, in men's wages & victuals only besides the wearing out of themselves, their furniture, stores and provisions (as costly experience hath taught us) which duly recommended, you will acknowledge what damage we sustain, by keeping our ships there unreturned. wherefore we pray you, at any hand, to relade them all away with all expedition, that so we may have the whole returns of this our second joint Stock from thence, upon its own adventure, without any lag or remain (if possible) or as few as may be to be transported to our next joint stock, for erection whereof we have resolved presently after dispatch of these two ships, to send forth a Book amongst the Adventurers for a new Subscription, which we have hitherto deferred, until we might see what conclusion 
Promise of enlargement of stock not performed not really intended.  the King's Majesty will make for us with the Dutch which is now but newly in handling, as in a former clause is more largely expressed: upon our said next Account we shall God-willing enlarge our trade for Surrat, and furnish it more amply than ever heretofore we have done: In the mean time, fail not to relade home all our ships if it be possible for the Adventure of this present stock.  
By the former clause of the said Companies Letters your Highness may plainly see how much they did blame the Precedent 
Blame for not sending home the Dolphin according to promise. Which disheartneth Adventurers from sending out more stock.  then in being, for not sending the ship Dolphin home that year, according to promise: And by the second, how earnestly they desire speedy return of all their ships, That the Adventurers were so disheartened for want of Returns, (the life of trade) that they had with much difficulty prevailed with them to send out more Stock: That if their ships were kept out but one year longer they would eat out themselves in Victuals, and men's Wages, with sundry other expressions to this purpose.  
All which I conceiving had been really meant and intended, 
The Author engaged for above 120 thousand pounds at interest in India.  according to the tenor of their said Letters: And out of an earnest desire to revive that declining trade then gasping for breath of large supplies; And to reincourage the Adventurers to a new and large Subscription for another Stock did engage myself for upward of 120 thousand pounds in 
Notwithstanding which he did send home six ships with goods cost 130 thousand lib. in one year.  India (as I said before) at Interest, and in january 1628., sent them home three ships, and in April following other three ships, with Goods to the value of 130 thousand pounds in India: My Predecessor having the foregoing year, upon four ships sent and carried home Goods to the value of 170 thousand pounds in India; And upon the Maurice, Mary, 
His predecessor having sent home 170 thousand lib. upon four ships the year before. Charles 10004 l. Jonah 800   18004 l.  Falcon, and Christopher for Bantam, in Goods for 35 thousand pounds: And in April 1630, I followed myself with Goods upon the Charles, and jonah, which cost in India at least 80 thousand pounds.  
All their ships being thus returned in safety, and fully laden with rich Goods with which the Adventurers were again encouraged, above 600 thousand pounds clear gained little less than 100 thousand pounds saved in shipping, the lives 
Above 600 thousand li. gained 100 thousand li. saved in shipping and 2000 men's lives preserved.  of near 2000 land and seamen preserved, which else had perished; And the action raised from 45 & 50, to 112 1/2 per cent. according to their own valuation: I did expect not only thankful acknowledgement from the Court of Committees, as I had from the general Adventurers, but even a large Gratuity for this my good service: but so fare were those former from giving me any, either thanks, or reward, that presently upon the Arrival of those six ships, sent them from Surrat, in one year, they sent out another to supply my place, calling for me home, under colour of a Private Trader only, kept 500 li. from me for wages, 300 li. due to me by their Pursers' books, and 12 hundred and 50 pounds 
A fine of 2500 li. laid on me for doing too much good service.  paid into the third joint Stock, above ten years denied me allowance for supplying the prime Places of charge and command in India, to maintain the credit and reputation thereof, cost me at least 100 li. a year extraordinary for the four first years when I was Accountant; and 250 li. a year for three years from the time I was chosen Precedent, when as those that supplied the place of Accountant both before and since my time had 200 li. a year, and the place of Precedent 500 li. a year; and in the close of all, after two years' attendance, without laying to my charge any dishonest action, 
For which they told me I had done them better service if I sunk their ships in the sea, or fired them in ●dia.  They shamed not in a most injust and illegal way, themselves being both Judges and Parties in their own cause, to assume such arbitrary power as to lay a fine of 2500 li. upon me, which I refusing to pay, and pressing hard for a Reward for my good services done the generality of Adventurers; some of the great Committees let not to tell me divers times, in a public and full Court of Committees (what others had often done in private) That I had done them better service if I had sunk their ships in the Seas, or fired them in India, than I did by sending and bringing them home so richly laden, wherein had those dishonest Managers of that action suffered alone by those many ships and goods that have been sunk in the seas and fired in India, both before and since (and not fallen upon the general Adventurers) it had been but a just recompense for their ingratitude both to God and man.  
Here is a mystery beyond ordinary apprehension or common reason, not to be discerned but by those that have narrowly searched into their unjust ways, which that your Highness may the better understand I shall humbly desire your Highness to look back unto the end of Anno 1628., and beginning of 1629, when they had a very great parcel of Indigo come home upon the Palsgrave, Dolphin, Discovery, and William, of value above 200 thousand pounds; a parcel too big for any one, or a few to meddle with, yet must not be sold but in gross and altogether; upon this great parcel (as I have been informed, and that most truly) did some particular Grandes, rich Committees, Aldermen, etc. cast an eye of private interest, and the better to work their own ends, and discourage other men from meddling therewith, they did cunningly sell off some small parcels of Indigo formerly bought at under-rates, by this means beating down the price and delaying to put the other to sale for almost a whole year, until themselves were provided of moneys and a season fitting their own dishonest intentions, which could not be until they were assured the ships that went that year for India were gone clear from off our coast, having in their Letters by those ships given order unto their Precedent and Council in Surratt to buy no more Indigo except at 8, or 9 Rupies the Maund; a price not known in our time, nor yet many years before; which was as much as to say, Buy 
Orders sent into India to buy no more Indigo.  none at all; which they durst not plainly say, lest the rest of the Court, not privy to their deceitful design should discover it.  
The ships thus gone with this advice, which they believed 
A Court of Sales called in a most surrepritious way contrary to their own orders of Court.  would have been observed in India, (as it might have been, if timely given) they forthwith caused a Bill of Sale for this great parcel of Indigo to be set upon the Pillars in the Exchange at Eight day's warning (which if I be not misinformed) ought by their own orders of Court, to have been at Eight weeks, that so men might have had time to join together, agree and provide moneys, or security for so great and vast sums as that parcel would and did amount unto.  
This Day of Sales being come, few Buyers appeared, (but 
The Indigo sold at undervalue, at rebate for months, 40 more: which is 33 per cent. and 15 per cent. the impost of 6 d. per lib. is 48 per cent. gains, before it go out of the land.  those combined to outbid all offers) that durst adventure upon so great a parcel as that was, especially seeing a great and rich Alderman make the first offer (though low) and backed with divers other of his kindred, friends, and Copartners, whom they feared to displease; It was suddenly put to the Candle, (a fine Cheat, where a cunning Secretaty hath the art of Extinguishing) which was soon out; and the commodity his at a lower price than ever sold at before; And that at five, six months' day of payment, upon rebate at 10 li. per cent. for five, eight months paying in ready money, as they did, rebating for 40 months, which is 33 1/3 per cent. which with 6 d. upon every pound of Indigo for impost which they 
A most notorious abuse to the Adventurers.  received back after the rate of 10 groats a pound, which is 3 s. upon every 20 s. or 15 per cent. more, which together makes 48 3/1 per cent. a present and sure gain, before the commodity went out of the River, which if sold abroad, at the same price it cost here is a fair recompense for what they lost with the generality in the under rate they bought it at.  
Add hereunto the great weight and choice of the best of the Commodity given them by their own Servants: To preserve 
The dishonesty of their servants, in giving over weight to their Masters to preserve favour.  their favour, some of whom also shared with them in their good bargains; which great wrong and injury to the general Adventurers was beyond all honest and faithful dealing, whereunto both Masters and Servants are, or aught to be every year by oath obliged; The like abuse is too familiary practised in the sale of all other Commodities, themselves 
The same abuse in all other commodities.  being both Buyers and Sellers of the same, to the exceeding great prejudice of the Adventurers, who have entrusted them with the managing of their business in hopes of fair and just dealing.  
But to come more near to the mystery itself, which is, why the general Adventurers, should so much applaud my good service done for them by saving them 100 thousand pounds in shipping by preserving at least 2000 land and seaman's lives, which must have perished with their ships if sunk in the sea, or fired in India, by gaining them above 600 thousand pounds by the Goods, so sent, and brought home; all which raised the Action to 11 1/3. per cent. as I said before. And for the very same cause, and no other, that Court of Committees should wish all those Ships sunk in the Sea, or fired in India, to the utter ruin of that Trade, which they have endeavoured, and now brought almost to their desired ends, as I shall more fully discover, when I come to discourse of the Trade for the silk of Persia.  
That which now troubled them was, first, the frustrating 
The arrival of 8. Ships in two years, with great store of Indigo, lost their hoped for gain.  of their own, expected gains, which they had made to themselves, in hopes of at least two year's time, for the sale of the said Indicoe, at their own prizes, having presently raised it to 50l. per cen. Profit, when unexpectedly, here arrived the same Summer six Ships, with a second great parcel of Indicoe which I had bought, and provided, before their said forbidding Letters came to my hands, and myself following 
Which caused such Inhumaviries fall from them, as to discover their evil intentions.  the next year, with a third great parcel brought down the piece again, to almost what they had bought theirs at, which was the cause he and they lost of their hoped for gains, and moved such inhumanities' to fall from them, fair and true expressions of their evil affection to those so rich Trades of India, etc.  
A second was, a crossing their design of buying all the 
And crossing their base design of buying of Adventures, a trick now again in practice.  Adventures of the Nobility, Gentry, Widows and Orphans, as they had bought of many, at half their value, as will plainly appear by their own accounts; proposing amongst themselves, to engross all Adventures, to the end, to make the whole Trade their own, and gain that composition, expected from the Dutch, wholly to themselves, an intention, as foul, as false, to the betrayed trust of the Adventurers.  
And it will be no hard matter to prove that some of the 
Order for no mork Pepper to be sent home, as was formerly given for Indigo, in prejudice of the Adventurers.  present Grandees, and ruling Gommittees, who having lately engrossed all the Pepper of two year's returns, at base and low prizes, did so order the business in India, that no more Pepper should be sent home the following year, as formerly they did upon the like occasions, forbidden any more Indigo to be bought, not regarding the great loss the general Adventurers did sustain by keeping a great Ships ladeing of Pepper in India, a whole year, which might have been sent home one year sooner; which Ship, and Pepper, was in great danger, to be surprised by the Dutch, for want of timely advice given their Factors of the breach of Peace, as if in heart they desired the Ship and Pepper might be taken by them, or perish at Sea. But God Almighty frustrated 
The Pepper Ships long detention in Plymouth, not without a mystery if well examinep.  their desires, and brought in the Ship to Plymoth in safety, where she lay some Months, with fair winds, rather wilfully detained by their underhand dealing, than for want of Convoy, which must be laid upon the Council of States failing in their promised supply; an old trick of that Court, to fling scandals upon the Supreme Power, in all their general meetings, as they did heretofore, when ever the Dutch's Wrongs and Injuries were in question, the Supreme Powers must bear the blame, when themselves never made other than slight addresses unto them, as more willing they should not be composed, until their own designs were perfected.  
Another heavy abuse to the general Adventures, was they neglect of Pressing the late King, and present Gouncil of State, for the lessening of the overgreat Impost laid upon Indigo, Pepper, and other India Commodities, which because in former times, when Indigo was worth 5s. and 7s. 
The Impost of Indicoe, and Pepper of so great profit to the Committees, that they do not desire its easement as they ought.  6d. a pound, and Pepper, 3s. 4d. a pound, there was laid upon Indigo 6d. and Pepper 2d. a pound Impost, and now Indigo being fallen one third part in price, and Pepper to 12d. a li. they are not able to bear it; the General Adventurers, at many meetings, have complained, as a neglect in the Governors, and Court of Committees, not ceally informing the Counnil of State of this over-charge; they have been made believe it is not their fault, having earnestly importuned the Council of State to lessen that great Impost on Pepper, etc. but could never prevail, when indeed they have been so far from pressing it, that they rather desire its continuance, as to them more beneficial, in the buying of these commodities. As for Example,  
Suppose there be in a Stock 100 thousand pounds (as there is little more in that now in being) and that a Committee man have 1000/. Stock, Adventure therein, which is one hundred part of the whole, and there is two Millions of pounds of Pepper come home this year, which at 12d. the pound makes one hundred thousand pounds, which at 2 d. the 
Therefore why the Committee desire not to have the Impost of Pepper taken off, is their own privote gain thereby.  pound impost is, 16666 l. 13 s. 4 d. upon the whole; the 100 part whereof, is, 166 l. 13 s. 4 d. which the said Committee-man loseth in the whole parcel with the General Adventurers; but this Committee-man buyeth this 100000 pounds worth of Pepper, and shipping it out again within 12 months, bath 2 d. for every pound of Pepper allowed him back for Impost, which is, 166666 l. 1 3 s. 4 d. so as here remains clear of gains, 16500 l. before the Commodity is gone out of the 
16500 l.  Land, without any advantage at all to the general Adventurers, who may not wonder if the Court of Committees desire not the taking off this great Impost, though sensilbe edough of their betrayed Trust, and breach of Oath, to manage all things in an upright way, and for the General good.  
But were all those that have the managing of that Action here at home, bound, both by Oath and Bond, from being 
If the Committee-men were bound from buying and selling the Companles Commodities, they would never eover to be Committees.  Buyers and Sellers of the Companies Commodities, neither directly for themselves, nor indirectly by other men for them, no Aldermen, nor great rich men, would trouble themselves to be Committee-men, as now they do; a course most injust and dishonest, to enrich themselves by the ruin of the Adventurers, which hath ever been, and will be so, until duly reform by the States, taking the Action into their own protection, or laying it open and free for every man, that is willing to trade into the remote parts of India, and be Masters of their own Goods, both abroad and at home, to dispose of them to their own best advantage; for Joint Stocks do now too plainly appear to be the worst of Monopolies, as this hath been the most hurtful? that ever was to this Nation.  
Nor is your Highness and State a little abused by this manner of returning of Impost upon all India Goods, that are transported within 12 Months, as accustomed, if not done by, and for the general adudenturers account, to which end I suppose it was granted as a thing just and equal with all other Merchants; but with this Company, the greater part (if not all) of the Commodities brought out of of India, are bought, and Ship out again by particular Committee-men, that, peradventure, have not above 3. or 400. l. adventure 
3 o 400 l.  in the whole Stock; What reason is there, that that man that hath but 300. l. adventure (perhaps none at all, but as a 
Perhaps none at all, but as a Freeman.  Freeman) shall buy for 10, 20, 30, 4000 l. or more, in any Commodity, and receive back the Impost of the whole, without any benefit at all to the general Stock, which first paid it, but so much real loss to the State; for, suppose a Committee-man of 300 l. adventure, buyeth a parcel of Pepper worth 10000 l. which he shippeth out within 12. months (according to the former evil Custom) whereby he hath 2 d. in the pound Impost returned, which comes to 1666 l. 13 s. 4 d. whereas his due is but 33 l. 65. 8. the Impost of 300. pounds worth of Pepper, whereby this Committee-man gains in one year, almost five times his whole adventure, and so proportionably, if he buy for 20. 30. 50. or 100 thousand pounds worth of Pepper, as some men have often bought, to the great enriching of themselves, without any advantage at all to the Company in general, and great loss to the State for these many years past, which may be, for the future, remedied. This being one prime reason, that so many Aldermen, and great rich men, become Committe-men, and are Buyers and Sellers of their own Commodities, at their own prices, and long time, with rebate for 8. months for every 6. months a notorious abuse to the general Adventurers, as I have said elsewhere, and may be worthy your Honours and States consideration, in prevention of future abuses in this kind. It is not so with the Merchant that tradeth into other parts, if he bring in a Commodity that finds not that vent for it here, as he can have elsewhere, shippeth out again all, or part, receives back the Impost he himself formerly paid, which is but just, but these Committee-men of the East-India Company receive back the Impost, not only of what concerns their own proportion of stock, but even what the whole body of Adventurers did formerly pay, and wherein they themselves had no real interest, an abuse worthy reformation for the future, as having been some years 40. or 50000l. loss, and more, to the State, as will appear upon the examination of their Accounts.  
By the foregoing discourse, your Highness may in part see 
The improvident way of trade which our Grandees have practised, appears in neglaect of trade from Port to Port, in India itself.  the improvident way of trade, those great and wise men did run, even when they had so large and plentiful means, as was that of the second and great Joint Stock: But when your Highness shall consider how wilfully negligent they have been of the trade between Port and Port, in India itself, you will, with admiration, wonder that such wise and understanding Merchants, as they were, should commit such gross errors; if not done on purpose to ruin the Action, which that your Highness may the better apprehend, and see the difference between the immediate trade from England to Surratt, and Muslapatan, and thence back again for England, and that of one or two years' employment between Surratt, or Muslapatan, and the Southern parts, as to Bantham, Acheen, Macassar, etc. and thence back again to Surrat, or Muslapatan, and so for England.  
Suppose there be twenty thousand pound in Rials of Eight, 
To the sending 20000 l. to Surrat, there to be invested in Goods for England, may yield here 23000 l.  and Goods sent to Surrat, or Muslapatan, which might yield there five or six thousand pounds profit, allowing 2000 l. to defray charges there, and there remains 23000 l. to be invested in Indigo and Calicoes, etc. which sent directly for England, might, according to accustomed computation, have yielded here three for one, or 69 thousand pounds, from which, allow 15 thousand pounds for freight, assurance, forbearance of their money, customs, and other charges, and there remains 34 thousand pounds clearly gained; a fair recompense, if no unhappy loss befall it: but if that 23000 l. 
But invested in Goods for the Southwards, and then reinvested in Goods for Surrat again, and then for Engl. would have made here 216000 l.  in Surrat, had been invested in Commodities, fitting Macassar, Acheen, Janiby, and Bantham, would have yielded two for one, at least, clear of all charges, or 46 thousand pounds; which again re-invested in Cloves, Maces, Nutmegs, Lignum Allois, Turtle shells, Camphir, Benjamin, China roots, Pepper, and other Drugs, would have made in Surrat and Persia, at least two for one more, or 92000 l. from which allow 20000 l. for customs, etc. charges, and there had remained 72000 l. to be invested in Indigo, Calicoes, etc. for England, which at three for one, is here 216000 l. a large Recompense for one or two years stay longer in India; all which, as a real truth, will appear by their own Accounts, and the testimony of their Servants, that have been in those employments. This was the manner of trade used by the portugals and Dutch, to their exceeding great profit, as appeared to all the world; yet would our Court of Committees not be persuaded thereunto, until of late years, when Trade was overlaid by the Dutch, and Shame, and the urgent pressures▪ of 
The trade from Port to Port, is that which made the Portugal, & now the Dutch, to thrive.  Mr. Smithwick, and others, upon my information of the trade of India, began to look more narrowly into their improvident ways, and neglect of trade, did enforce them thereunto. Having thus far enlarged m discourse, on the want of stock in India, ill managing of that little sent out, with an overcharge of Shipping, without employment for them: I will proceed to that of Persia.  
I am now come to discourse of that, no less rich than profitable trade for Silk of Persia, wherein I must ingenuously 
The trade for Silk of Persia, cause of the loss of the Mollucca Islands, and all the best trades of India, China and Japon.  confess I was in a Labyrinth of admiration and wonderment, when I considered the many inconveniences and mischiefs, which the ruin of this trade hath brought upon that of the East Indies inparticular, and the Commonwealth in general: had it fallen alone, and perished upon its own ruins, it had been a most heavy loss to this Nation: but to be the means and the cause of the loss of all the Mollucca Islands, and with them the best of the trade of India, China and Japon, to the unspeakable prejudice of the Adventurers in the several Joint Stocks, is worthy due consideration.  
For the East India Action, strengthened with that great and powerful means, as was the second Joint Stock, was 
The second Joint Stock was able to have carried all the trade of India against Portugal and Dut. if rightly managed.  able (if wisely managed) to have carried all the best of the Mollucca Islands, and other trades in India, China, and Japon, in despite of all the force the Portugals or Dutch could have set in opposition, had it not met with many evil disposed people of their own Society, bound by Oath and public Trust to advance that Action, to the utmost of their power and best endeavours.  
Such were the Portugal Merchants, who, that they might have 
The Portugal Merchants enemies to our Company trading for India.  have the furnishing of England, with all sorts of Spices, Indigo, and other India Commodities, as heretofore did rather desire the Portugal might hold that Trade to themselves, as in former times.  
Such also were the Merchant Adventurers, who (besides 
So also were the Du●ch Merchants more interessed in the Dutch Action than in ours.  many of them more interest in the Dutch Action, than the English) rather desired the Dutch should enjoy the whole trade of India, than the English or Portugals, that so they might have Spices, and other India Commodities, wherein to make returns in a more profitable way, than by exchange, as they do, to loss.  
Yet were both these of little or no consideration (setting 
The Company unwilling to plant themselves in India, because the State would place Governors and Commanders therein, as in other Plantations.  apart that general dislike, that the State should have any power or command in their Plantations) in respect of the Turkey Merchants, who would that neither the Portugals, Dutch, nor English, might enjoy those so rich trades of India, etc. much less that of the Silk of Persia, that they only might supply England, and other parts, with all those  Commodities from Alexandria, especially with the Silk of Persia, from Aleppo, Smyrna, and other Ports of Turkey.  
Nor did these rest here only, for they seeing that if the 
Their fear of b●inging the S●lk of Pe●sis by way of Ind●a, was the only cause of the ●●ss of the trade of India.  trade of India did prosper, and go on in a thriving way, that Stock, in few years, would be able to bring all the Silk of Persia, by way of India; rather than which, the whole trade of India, with all thereunto belonging, must be lost, and that great Joint Stock consumed in a most improvident way of trade, as before related, that so they might (as they did) discourage and weary out all the Nobility, Geutry, Widows and Orphans, interessed therein, to sell off their Adventures at 
To which end they strengthen themselves with th● greater number of Committees of their company, h● better to overrule all at their pleasure.  half their value to themselves, as I said before.  
And the better to carry on this design, for ruining the trade of India, and Stock, they strengthen themselves with Governors, Deputies, and most of Committees of their own Society, of Turkey Merchants, that upon all occasions they might overrule all opposition, as they did that most noble and brave proposition of Sir Robert Shirley, for settling the staple of that rich Commodity of silk in England; A thing so much desired of the King of Persia, to divert the great Revenue, the Grand Senior (his mortal enemy) made by the Customs, etc. of the said Silk, in hopes whereof, and in consideration of the aid the English gave him against the Portugals, in surprising the Island, and City of Ormus, he granted to the Nation those many and great Privileges, such as the Nation enjoys in no part of the World besides: All 
The great privileges the K. of Persia granted the English almost lost to the Nation.  which they have so neglected, with that so commodious Contract made with the King of Persia, that in a manner, both Trade and Privileges are of little value or consideration at this day, in respect of what they might have been, if rightly managed.  
Be pleased here also to observe the most unjust and dishonest 
They oppose Sir R. Sherley's Propositions for settling the Staple of silk in England, in prejudice of the Company and Commonwealth.  carriage of their business, in opposition to the said Sir Robert Shirley, so notoriously contrary to the true interest of the East India Action, that nothing was, or could be proposed as more advantageous to the said Company, than was that of settling the Staple of the Silk of Persia in England, yet did that overruling power of Turkey Merchants, not only procure an Ambassador from Persia into England, but so prevailed with the late King to send another from hence with the said Sir Robert Shirley, into Persia, at the great and 
The charge whereof did properly belong to the Turkey Company, and not to that of East India.  vast charge of the East India Company, which did properly belong to the Turkey Company, whose interest it really was, and so far from prejudice to the East India Company, as nothing could be more advantageous to them, nor more honourable to the State and Commonwealth of England, than would that Staple of Silk have been, if rightly managed to its best advantage, as I shall make appear in my following discourse.  
Having in some measure shown your Highness the evil affection of several Committees in that Government, but especially of that of the Turkey Merchants; I will briefly lay down the manner of the said Companies complying with that Contract made with the said King of Persia, in the best of times, by the yearly Stock sent thither from England, during my abode in India, not at all, or very little, enlarged since, except one year, in Tin, acommodity of least expense, lay therefore many years before it was quite spent; Hereby any judicious man, may easily perceive their Good affection to that Trade, which done, I will show your Highness how commodious, rich, and profitable that Trade would have been to that company in particular, and yet may be to the whole Commonwealth in general, if rightly settled and managed to its best advantage, viz. 
Stock sent into Persia in six years of my time very little increased since.   Li. In Anno 1624. was sent to Persia, Stock, 6225 In Anno 1625. was sent in Money and Goods 3445 In Anno 16●6. in Goods and Moneys 39265 In Anno 1627. in Goods and Moneys 4077 In Anno 1628. in Goods and Moneys 6040. In Anno 1629. Nothing.  In six years was sent in Stock 59412.  
Here the Annual Investments for Persia from England, in six years, (one year excepted) was scarce sufficient to 
Scarce enough to maintain their Factor's expense on shore.  maintain the great charge and expense, in that high Port their Factors lived at, which considered, there will appear little Stock remaining to be invested in Silk: And this if your Highness please to observe, in the best of times, when Silk was worth from four Nobles to thirty Shillings a pound, at which prices, there had been gained at least three and a half for one, which would have advanced their stock very much beyond their desires; which, had our Company embraced in any reasonable manner, if not to the full, as they might have done with that great Stock then in being, two years' employment 
300000l. stock would have brought all the Silk of Persia into England every year.  of 300 thousand pounds in the manner, I shall by and by lay down, would so far have enlarged that Stock, as should not only have been able to bring all that Silk into England, have made this City the Staple of that Commodity for all Europe, but have carried all, or the greater part of the trade of India, China and Japon, to the exceeding great advance of this Action, and enriching of this Commonwealth and Nation, the wilful neglect and loss whereof, if duly weighed, may render the Managers of that Action extremely blamable, and worthy heavy reproofs from the higher Powers, unto whose Wisdom, and better Judgement, I will leave them,  
And proceed to the business itself, and show your Highness 
The Company blame-worthy for neglecting that so rich trade for Silk of Persia.  how that Trade might have been followed in a most brave and flourishing way, as heretofore, often intimated to some of the principal Actors themselves; but they had always deaf ears to all that was propounded unto them at any time, that had relation to that Trade for Silk of Persia, though themselves had the several Contracts made with the said King, on whom they laid the blame of not complying with them, at all the meetings of the Adventurers, at general Courts, when indeed the blame was their own, as may appear 
The Contract with the K. of Persia. 1622.  by their yearly supplies, sent out as before in the infancy of ●●at Trade, and best of times, and the Contract our people made with the said King; first in Anno 162●. and renewed again in 1627. as followeth, viz.   

A Contract with the King of Persia.  
That what quantity of English Goods the English should import his Dominions, accompanied with one fourth part treasure, the said King was to take them at the prices following, viz.  
Broad Cloth about 11 l. price, of 36. yards long, at 
Renewed in 1627. the poises of English Cloth, as also of Silk.  38. Shahees, the Coved or English yard, which is 12 s. 8 d. the yard, the Shahee being 4 d. English.  
Broad Perpetuanies of 23. yards long, at 15. Shahees, or 5 s. the yard.  
Devon-shire Kerseys of 30. yards long, at 18. Shahees, or 6 s. English the yard.  
Tin at 70. Shahees the Maundshaw of 8 l. English, and in lieu thereof, the said K. was to deliver Silk at 48. Tomans the load, every Toman is 3 l. 6 s. 8 d. English, and every load contains 72. Maundshaws, of 8 l. English, so as 72. Maundshaws of 8 l. makes 576 l. of 16 ounces, or 384 l. of 24. ounces; and 48. Tomans, of 3 l. 6 s. 8 d. makes 160 l. sterling, so as to buy 1000 load of Silk at 160 l. per load, three fourth part Goods, and one fourth part Treasure, I have estimated thus, 
English goods to be sent into Persia, with one fourth part Treasure, for 100 thousand pound, to buy 1000 load of Silk.   li. s. d. 3000. Broad-Cloaths, about 11 l. price, and 36. yards long, amounts to 33000. 00. 00. 3000. Kerseys of 13. yards long, at 40 sh. a piece 6000. 00. 00. 3000. Perpetuanies of 23. yards long, at 3 l. a piece 9000. 00. 00. 2000 Quintals' of Tin, at 5 l. the hundred of 112 l. 10000 00. 00. 168000. Rials of Eight, at 4 s 4 d. per rial 36400. 00. 00. The whole Cargazone of Goods and Money to be sent out is 94400. 00. 00. Whereunto add for Customs, and other Charges at home 5600. 00. 00. In all amounts to 100000. 00 00  
All which delivered into the Kings Warehouse, at the prizes agreed on, viz.  li. s. d. 3000. Broad-Cloaths of 36. Coveds long, at 38. Shahees per Coved, or yard, and the Shahee at 4 d. Eng. amounts to 68400. 00. 00. 3000. Kerseys of 13. yards, or Coveds long, at 18. Sh●hees per Coved 11700. 00. 00. 3000. Perpetuanies of 23. yards long, at 15. Shahees, per Coved 17250. 00. 00. 2000 quintals of Tin, of 112 l. is 224000 l. or 28000. Mand. shawes of 8 l. English, or 70. Shahees or Groats per Maund, amounts to 32666. 13. 4. 168000. Rials of Eeight, at 5 s. per Ryall, amounts to 42000. 00. 00. Goods and Moneys to be delivered into the Kings Warehouse 172016. 13. 04. In return whereof the King was to deliver 1000 load of Silk, of 72. Maundshaws, at 48. Tomans, or 160 l. starling, per load of Silk, is 160000. 00. 00. And there will remain towards Charges there 12016. 13. 04. Besides Freight and Customs to and from Persia, which may be 4983. 06. 08. In all towards charges there in the Country 17000. 00. 00. Which 1000 load or 2000 great bales of silk, weighing here 384l. at 20 s. a pound, a moderate price, maketh 
284000 l. gained towards Freight, etc. in 2 ● year's, and after in 13 Months forever, if Stocks sent out, and trade continued.  384000. 00. 00. From which deduct 100000 l. Goods and Monies sent out 100000. 00. 00. And there had been gained by the Adventurers the sum of 284000. 00. 00.  
A fair recompense towards Freight, Custom and other Charges here at home, upon so rich and staple a Commodity, and all this to be performed in 27. or 28. Months, for the first voyage, and afterwards in 12. or 13. Months at most, sending out stock every year.   

But if the stock be at any time hereafter, able to send out, or otherwise to furnish this trade of Persia, with English goods, Spices & other India Commodities, to the value of 300. thousand pounds every year, with one quarter part Money, as I said before, it will bring 3000. load, or 6000 great bales of silk, which is the proportion conceived to be brought them every 
Commodities out of Persia, neglected by the Company.  year into Turkey, and would make here (besides Grogeran, yarn, gaul's, Anniseeds, Carpets, Goat Skins. ready dressed in Colours, and other Commodities which our Company would never look after) at least ten hundred thousand pounds' starling, at 20sh. a pound, a moderate price, from which deduct 300. thousand pound to be first sent out, and there will remain 700. thousand pound gains towards Freight, etc. Charges at home. And so every year after the two first years, and a quarter, or thereabouts. And by this means have made England the Staple and Magazine of all Europe, for that Commodity, which was the real intention of the King of Persia, and the brave and noble design of Mr. Robert Shirley; however shamefully opposed by our East India Company, utterly against the true interest of that Action, and to the extreme prejudice of the Adventurers in particular, and the whole Nation in general: A State-Action 
A State-action the most hohourable and profitable way of trade.  will be therefore the best, most honourable, profitable, and safe way of trade for this Commonwealth, and not by Joint Stocks governed as hitherto, neither yet by an open and free trade, as is that of Turkey, especially if governed by Turkey Merchants (as this hath been) utter enemies to this trade for Silk of Persia, and consequently to the whole trade of India, etc.  
It may be here objcted, that the trade of India, Persia, etc. if followed with a full stock, would carry out a great deal of treasure, and impoverish the Land of money: against which our State did wisely provide heretofore, by obliging the said Company, to bring in as much (if not more) than they did yearly transport, which, for some years, was duly observed, and may again, by this means, bring in greater quantities by the proceed of Silk only; besides, what other India Commodities do produce from Spain, France, Italy, and other parts, from whence all the Treasure, which else would come for England, is now carried for Turkey to buy Silk of Persia, which if brought directly from thence, by way of India, would not only furnish the great expense of the Manufacture of Silk in this Land, but be a means to draw all that treasure (which is now carried into Turkey by other Nations, to buy Silk of Persia) into our own Country, to the great enriching thereof, especially in the increase of Treasure in your Highness' Exchequer, beyond any means whatsoever. If your Highness can obtain from the King of Persia to renew the Contract for all his Silk, as formerly.  
For, all that Silk the Merchant bringeth now from Turkey, is bought with ready money, at 14 s. the pound, or more, 
Silk of Persia bought in Turkey with ready Money, which else would have been brought home.  whereas it doth not cost in Persia, 8 s. at most, ready money; our Cloth, and other Commodities, are sold in Persia for above 100 l. per 100 profit, Tin almost three for one; in Persia we pay no Customs, which are ten in the hundred inwards, and as much outwards, never had Avenues or Mulcts laid on the Nation, whereas in Turkey, our Cloth, and other Commodities, seldom, or never, yield 30. per 
Our Ships make as short a Voyage for Pe●sis, as do others from Scandarroon, after the first Voyage.  100 profit; pay heavy and great customs in and out, and have many Avenues put upon them every-yeare, in one place or other; our Ships also may make their Voyage in as short a time as usually from Scandaroon ', after the first two years and a quarter, with much less danger of Pirates or other accidents, whereunto the other are incident.  
But had our Company (as I said before) when they had 
Spices sent into India and Persia would have yielded 8. or 10. for one, profit.  one third part of the Spices, sent a reasonable proportion into several parts of India and Persia every year, it would have yielded there eight, ten, and more, for one, which would have raised the stock to such a value, as would have brought a large proportion of Silk from Persia, which again would have yielded two one half for one, at the rate of 20 s. the pound, an indifferent and moderate price, and a very fair recompense for one year's time spent in India: but our Company, governed by Turkey Merchants, would never be persuaded to follow that trade from Port to Port in India, though never so profitable, fearing that their Stock 
Unto which our Company would never harken, nor hear of trade from Port to Port in India.  would grow so rich and powerful, as to be able to bring all, or the greatest part of the silk of Persia, by way of India, to their particular prejudice, whereby it too plainly appears that private interest is the ruin of all public Actions.  
Here falls in an Objection, which one of the prime managers of that trade, not long since, made to me, when in discourse I complained of the Companies neglect of that trade for silk of Persia, of so great profit and consequence, as I did 
Object: why the Dutch do not buy silck of Persi●, in return of spices and other Commodities.  then make appear to him, though he would not seem to apprehend it; answered me, if that trade were so profitable as you say, why do not the Dutch fall into it, who carry not only English Cloth, as we do, but even Spices, and other India Commodities also, yet do not invest the proceed thereof in Silk, which, if it did yield so much profit as you say, they would not have so long neglected it.  
Unto this I have in Answer two Reasons: First, that the Dutch made much more benefit by the Treasure they carried 
Answered, that they make more profit of treasure they carry thence for China than they carry silk for Holland. Again, some of our Committees had made a private Contract with the Dutch, not to being the silk of Persia into Europe. To which end it may be supposed, they neglected the receipt of their Customs in Persia.  freely out of Persia into the Mollucca Islands, and China, to buy Spices, and Silk, and other Commodities for Japon, than the silk of Persia would have made at home in Holland; which he granted for good: A second reason was, that I had heard some Dutch in India (as I believe he had done the like) say that their Company had agreed with some of our Grandees, that if they, the said Dutch Company would forbear the bringing of silk from Persia into Europe, that might hinder their trade for it into Turkey, they would underhand let fall all their complaints of the Amboyna Massacre, and other wrongs offered our people in India, or at least so slightly prosecute the same, as it should never come to any issue, as it hath not until some few weeks past: unto this he very angrily replied (for it went to the quick;) these are but suggestions of those that have been in India, and would feign possess the Generality of Adventurers, of greater matters than can be expected, and so in passion break off our discourse, though in his own Conscience he knew it to be aparent truth.  
Here also your Highness may be pleased to observe, that 
The Dutch falling into the trade of Persia, troubled our Company more than the loss of the Spice-trade.  in the same Month of Feb. and year 1622. when our people aided the King of Persia in the taking of Ormus from the Portugals, the Dutch executed their so inhuman butchery on our people in Amboyna, and the year following fell upon the trade of Persia, where they had never been before; which later did more trouble the overruling Grandees of our Company, than the loss of all the Spice-trade; yea, and of that of all India, which they have now brought by a long and lingering Consumption, even to its last gasp, and must suddenly expire, if your Highness do not take it into your own protection, and make it a State-action, by giving it new breath of life, and by Stock and Countenance revive 
Which now languish for want of stock to keep up the Action.  its decaying spirits, now out of all hopes of recovery by Joint Stocks of Adventurers; so much disheartened by the wilful Neglects and wrongful abuses, improvident Courses of the former Managers of their Estates, that none but Madmen or Fools will put themselves upon the like again, unless 
None but madmen or foo●es will venture upon Joint St●ocks any more.  better regulated in its government, or laid open and free for all men that have a mind to trade into those parts.  
Much more I could say, as to the evil managing of that action, to the great hindrance of the particular Adventurers, and the whole Nation in general; As also their great neglects 
The trade of China and Japon neglected, have been very profitable to the Portugal and Dutch ever since.  of those rich trades of China and japon, such they have been heretofore to the portugals, and now to the Dutch, as one jacob Mathews, a Dutchman, a few years since, upon his going for Holland, and thence Commander of a Fleet for India, did tell me in discourse about the trade of China and Japon, that their Ships did bring thence every year 70 or 80 tons of Gold, which according to their computation, is 7. or 800 thousand pounds Sterl. a year: I have also heard some Dutch (some years since in India) say, that they did then send to Japon every year ten or twelve thousand Broad-cloaths; if so many so long since, surely at this time many more: All which hath been long since intimated to our Company, as most profitable trades (if rightly followed) yet would they never hearken thereunto, or any thing that tended to the advance of that Stock, lest growing rich, should fall upon the trade of Silk; by which means they not only kept that Commodity to themselves, but cunningly traded 
But our Comp. would trade for no more than themselves could take off in supply of their trade into, the Levant Seas, and else where.  into India for no more than themselves could take off in supply of their own trades into the Levant Seas and other places, at long time, and wrongfully rebates to the great hindrance of the Adventurers, so as if they lost a hundred pound a year a man, with the Adventurers in the general Stock, they gained thousands by buying their own Commodities (as I said before.)  
And when I call to mind the often boastings of Peter 
The Dutch suspected to have over-bribed the Committee below,  Vanderbrook, Commander of the Dutch in Surrat, that their Company had chains of Gold that would reach from Amsterdam to London; I rather believe they have over-bribed the Managers of that Action here below, than those Lords above, so much complained of to the Generality; had they had a mind to improve that trade to its best advantage, they had stock enough (besides the justness of their Cause) to have vied stakes with the Dutch, especially here at home, 
Which hind ed their Complaints above.  where they could find means sufficient to maintain an Arbitrary power, to abuse and wrong their servants, or any man that laboured the good of that Action; so also could they find means to bribe, and keep Mr. Smithwick from a fair Hearing when he complained of their dishonest Proceed: in these cases, and the like, they spared not the general purse; But to deal with the Dutch, in a business of so great concernment, they were over-sparing, as glad they had so good an excuse, as to fling the blame upon the King 
On whom they fling all the blame in general Courts.  and Lords of his privy Council, in all general Courts, which, together with their servants private trade in India, was always the burden of their complaints to the general Adventurers (when as some of themselves had greater Adventures in private, than in the general Stock;) with such false suggestions as these did they abuse the honest minded Adventurers, who simply believed them to be as honest, as rich, until woeful experience told them the contrary.  
For can it be imagined, that so grave and wise men as they were in their own way should (like little children from whom 
They wilfully lose one third part of the Spices, which they might have kept.  if you take one of their play-games will fling all the rest away) altogether decline that agreement of 1622. with the Dutch to have one third part of the Spice, upon the Mollucca Islands, paying 1/3 part of the charge and cost, because the said Dutch had overreached them in the contract, and over-bribed them at Court, that they had not the satisfaction they required, or but easily pursued, or was that a sufficient reason because the late Kings and Lords (for some reason of State then moving thereunto) did not presently repair them for the many injuries and great losses they had sustained, that therefore they should abandon that agreement for Spices, which had they continued as they ought in Policy or common reason to have done, this company had not only prospered and flourished themselves, but had so hindered the Duchess designs, as they had never risen to that height of insolency they are now at.  
Add hereunto the long sufferance of the Duchess injurious proceed which hath made them so insolent and peremptory in India, that they dared before these times give Laws to our people in those Seas, yea, and exact Duties and Customs in our passage through the straits of Mollucca, never yet paid by the English to any Nation; in requital whereof, your Highness may as well exact a Toll or custom of all the Dutch-ships that pass through the Narrow Seas, to pay a certain custom for their ships, and goods, with much more of equity and right, and but justly pay them in their own kind, who spare us in nothing, whereunto they can pretend any the least show of custom, how unjust soever.  
But before I pass any further, be pleased to observe the wilful weakness (or rather neglect) of our Company, when 
The Companies wilful neglect of the Spice-trade into India, itself made manifest.  they had the one third of all the Spices of the Mollucca Islands (as I said before) notwithstanding they had been many, and oftentimes solicited by their servants in Surrat and Muslapatan, to send a large proportion of those spices into those Northern parts of India, Persia, etc. where they would have yielded as much money, or more, than in England, which again reinvested in Indicoe and other Commodities, would, after one year's forbearance in India, have yielded here at least three for one, and have excused the sending out 100 thousand pounds a year, sometimes in treasure; yet they would never be persuaded thereunto, as appears by the following estimate.  

I sold of these Commodities at the said prices myself in Surrat, in An. 1627.  100 thousand pounds of Maces at 8 d. per pound amounts to 3333. 06. 08 100 thousand pounds of Nutmegs at 4 d. per pound is 1666. 13. 04 100 thousand pounds of Cloves at 9 d. per pound amounts to 3750. 00. 00 300 thousand pounds of Spices bought in the Molluccaes' amounts to 8750. 00. 00 Which 300 thousand pounds of Spices, if sold in India, would have yielded 100 thousand pounds of Maces at 6 s. the l. 30000. 00. 00. 100 thousand pounds of Nutm. at 5 s. the l. 25000. 00. 00 100 thousand pounds of Cloves at 7 s. the l. 35000. 00. 00 300 thousand pounds of Spices sold in India for 90000. 00. 00  
Which 90 thousand pound, reinvested in Indigo, Calicoes, etc. would have made in England at least three for one, which is 270 thousand pounds, from which take 8750 l. their first price in the Mollucca Islands, there remains 261250 l gains towards Charge, Fraight, Custom, and one year's forbearance etc. in India.  
A fair recompense, if wisely apprehended, yet would our Company never put the same in practice, which to some men may seem a strange mystery. But when your Highness shall consider, that that Court of Committees are the sole buyers and sellers of the Companies Commodities at their own prices, and long time on rebate, and the benefit they make of the Impost they receive back at home, besides their gain abroad, will soon judge them to have been more intentive on their own private profit, than the general good of the Adventures, though bound by oath and conscience to act for the good of their trusties.  
For the managers of this action, being Aldermen and rich men overruling all at their own pleasure, and to their own ends, being both Buyers and Sellers of their own Commodities, did so combine together, as to have all these Spices brought home, that so they might buy them up at their own 
The Committees engross all those Spices to their own private ends.  prizes, and long time of payment of five six Months, to rebate at five eight months, to supply their own trades, into the Levant Seas and elsewhere, by which Rebates and Imposts received back, they gained 48 one third, per 100 at least, before ever the Commodities went out of England, besides what they gained abroad.  
It was heretofore observed, that so soon as the Muscovy 
The Muscovy trade and stock ruined by the Turkey Merchants, being Governors thereof.  Company (which had raised (in Queen Elizabeth's time) a great joint Stock, began to look into the trade for Silk of Persia, brought out of the Caspian Sea, and down the River Volga; the Turkey Merchants cunningly made themselves chief rulers of that Company, and so handled the business, that in a few years, they not only wrought a stop of that trade of Silk, by the River Volga, but even the ruin of the whole Stock, by their improvident way of trade, and overgreat and unnecessary charges, both abroad and at home, yet hath that trade, since the dissolution of that joint Stock, been followed by particular men, managing their own Estates, thrived and prospered, before the late difference between the two States; and so may this trade of India, etc. if laid open, and free for particular men, to trade upon their own Stocks, managed by Agents or Consuls (as is that of the Turks and Muscovie trade) prove very profitable and rich to this Commonwealth, unless it shall seem good to your Highness to make it a State action, as that which is most likely to be most honourable, profitable, and advantageous to this Nation, and Commonwealth, being rightly managed, by a new and better way of Regulation, and Government, than heretofore hath been practised at home.  
But to leave the resetling of these trades to the wisdom of your Highness and Council of State, I shall humbly present 
The Committees work the ruin of India trade on purpose to buy off dishertned people's adventures at half their value.  unto your Highness some other dishonest proceed, of those Grandees, and managers of this action; who of purpose to undervalue the same, and dishearten the Nobility, Gentry, Widows and Orphans, and other Adventurers, not able to ride out of their Stocks any longer, so much, as to sell of their Adventures, as they did some hundreds of thousand pounds, at 45. and 50. per cent. loss to themselves; and to this end, they employ Mr. Thomas Smithwick, and others then Brokers upon the Exchange; But the said Smithwicke, understanding their designs and purposes, did serve himself and friends also by buying many Adventures of the Nobility, Gentry, etc. in hopes that being now become Adventurers, they might become also Committees, and have an eye over the managing of that action in a better and more profitable way, than heretofore, and which indeed he did labour with much earnestness and complaints, both to the late King, and Lords of his privy Council, but all in vain, for they having the General purse, at command, and a Lord Keeper fitting their own humour, spared not as I said freely to bribe at Court, to stifle, and suppress all complaints, and in the end, so ordered the business, as he, and others were ruined and undone in the pursuit thereof.  
Besides this design of buying up of Adventures at under values, a most unjust and dishonest course, and breach of Oach and trust, they had a farther intention, which was, that 
And gain the Composition with the Dutch, to themselves, a most dishonest breach of trust.  having by this means, got all, or the greater part of the Stock into a few of their own, and confederates hands; they would then press his Majesty and Lords, in a more earnest and importunate way then heretofore, to conclude the difference with the Dutch, and so gain that composition also to their own advantage; all which will appear by their own accounts and papers, if duly examined.  
As to the trades of China and Japon, I can say little to the particular Commodities either carried thither, or brought 
China and Japon have been to the Protugals, and Dutch very rich Trades.  thence, more than in the General. I am ascertained the portugals heretofore, and the Dutch now have, and do make extraordinary profit, first between India, and China, but especially between China and Japon, and thence back to China, and thence again into India; and if the Dutch themselves do not vainly boast, they do carry many thousands of Broad-cloaths into China and Japon: it is likely we also might have made use of those so rich trades, had the managers of that Action heretofore been willing to advance that trade to its best of profit.  
All which, notwithstanding those so rich trades of India, etc. are no way to be esteemed the worst, because the managers thereof have not, made them so profitable to this Commonwealth, as they have been to the Portugal heretofore, and are now to the Dutch, and may yet be unto us, if well regulated under a State-protection hereafter, as the other have been, and are to this day.  
Having thus presented to your Highness, the evil affection, wilful miscarriages, and improvident courses, to the ruining, if not utter suppressing of these so rich and profitable trades of India, Persia, Arabia, China and Japon, practised by that Court of Committees, who have had the managing thereof these many yeaers; I shall humbly leave these to your Highness' and Council of States better judgements, for the future regulating thereof, in a more profitable way than hitherto, either by making it a State-action, as the best, and 
The best way to make the Trade of India profitable to this Nation, is, to make it State-action.  most assured way of benefit and honour to the Nation, or by laying it open and free for all men, that have a mind and means to prosecute those Trades, being regulated, and ordered, as are the Turkey and Muscovy Trades, wherein every man is Master of his own goods, both abroad and at home, and hath the ordering and managing thereof at his pleasure, and not tied up to the many inconveniences of Joint Stocks, and the dishonest ends of some particular overruling Committees, whose private Interest, and surreptitious ways of Buying and Selling their own goods, to themselves, break through all Oaths and breach of Trust, even to the ruin of the Adventurers stock, though to their own particular profit enough advantageous; experience having told us, that joint Stocks (as I said before) are but the worst of Monopolies, and mere Cheats, both to the State, and Adventurers, and of all others, this of the East Indies the greatest.  
But if your Highness can renew the former Contracts made with the King of Persia, 1622. and 1627. and enlarge that Trade, to the bringing all, or the greater part of the Silk of Persia, by way of India, and compel the Dutch to pay the one half of their Customs to your Highness, I dare be bold, as will many others that have been in India, to 
Spice Islands, and the Contract renewed with the King of Persia, for Silk, will make a rich trade.  lay down a course and way of Trade, that one Million of Stock and Shipping, to be sent out in three years, shall return its first principal, with one million of pounds advance, before the end of two years & a half, or three at most, & then every year after, one million of pounds, all charges borne; which Trade alone, in few years will increase your Highness' Exchequer, and the Stock of the Nation, to such a large proportion, as will enable it to carry all Trades, and what else before them, in despite of all opposition.  
I could say much more, in aggravation of the many and horrid injuries the Nation have received from the Dutch, but much more of the heavy losses, and wrongful abuses, which some of that Court of Committees have occasioned; who overruling the more honest party by multiplicity of voices, and carrying all things to their own ends, as professed enemies to that Trade of India, which so long as managed by such, shall never thrive, nor be worthy the name of an 
A joint stock by Turkey Merchants managed, never thrive.  East India Trade; such as the portugals heretofore, and now the Dutch make of it, witness the large returns these latter have made thence every year, of value at least 11. or 1200. thousand pounds, besides their large Stock remaining in India, and their many and rich Plantations they have there, to be valued at many Millions of pounds, all which they have obtained by the managers of our Stocks wilful neglect, as much unwilling our State should have any insight, command, or interest in any of their Plantations; as not willing the action itself should thrive, and grow rich, for the reasons laid down in my foregoing discourse, which I hope will satisfy your Highness and Council of State, as to the reality of the things therein proposed, together with the necessity of making it a State action, which will be the best, most safe, and profitablest way, for the honour and welfare of the Nation, being strengthened by your Highness' Countenance and protection, will put such terror into all people, both fare and near, as they will not dare to molest, or trouble our just and lawful proceed, much less offer any real wrong or injuries to the Nation as heretofore. When protection was wanting to the Company, against the barbarous inhumanity of our false friends; as for the Portugal, a declared enemy, we were able to right ourselves on all occasions, had our Company sought to plant themselves on the Molucca and Banda Islands, as they ought to have done in the first place, as did the Dutch, and then to have beaten their way for Trade, into the North parts of India. The main (if not wilful) error of our Company, in the Infancy of that Trade, so had we been Masters of all those forementioned rich Trades, to the great advancement of this Commonwealth, and Nation, which now may seem irrevocably lost, to the great shame and dishonour of this Commonwealth.  
To conclude, those rich Trades of India, Persia, Arabia, China, and Japon, did never appear in their true lustre and splendour, so much as in the time the Portugals had the sole Command of those trades in their own hands, before either we or the Dutch had made any discovery thereof, when they had every year (if no Ships miscarried) at least two Millions of pounds returned home on register, which paid customs to the King at high rates, besides Pearls, Diamonds, and other precious stones of great value, which came unregistered, and paid no Customs. Of all which, the Dutch have endeavoured to make themselves Masters, and had accomplished, had not the English interposed a peddling trade (for other I cannot call it) whom they durst not totally oppress and beat out of those Seas, however laboured by all the means they could invent, and the more upon our Companies neglect of Trade, which gave them the advantage of making them so rich, and powerful, as to dare to contest with your Highness and State here at home, in hopes to have swallowed up the whole Nation in a Conquest, and so have made themselves the absolutest Commanders by Sea, that ever yet the world knew; and so have brought into subjection, not only the East and West Indies, but even all other Trades throughout the whole world; but being beaten into better behaviour by your Highness' power by Sea, it is hoped your Highness may in time work the same for our Nation, being vigilant and careful, to keep those people under hatches, that they rise not again to be able to hinder your Highness' proceed to that purpose; the true interest of this Nation being at this time to increase its Trade, the only means of making a Nation rich, and powerful, and able to give Law; by Sea to all the world, as being so well seated, and fortified by Nature in the Seas, that having a commanding Navy as your Highness hath, and may have, able to suppress all other neighbouring Nations forces by Sea, before they grow over-powerfull, and able to give another encounter to yours, by combining together to its ruin. By other means (except from Heaven) it is impossible the world can offend us, as not able to bring an Army into our Land, but by wooden Horses, which are, and must be our chiefest care to maintain in their full forces; and able, if not to destroy all others, yet to defend the Nation itself in safety.   
FINIS.