Scattergood Papers 3
Mss Eur C387/3
JS is back to China summer 1720 (as the supercargo of the Bonita), part of his sixth trip.
Dealing in opium, f. 8: Letter from Chan Jamqua and Joas de Matos [sounds Portuguese? But Armenian according to Scattergood’s biography in Scattergood Papers 4] – says they received from Mr Scattergood, ‘ten chests of opium which we will sell as profitably as possible’.
Also these men receive a lot of ‘Madras stuffs’ from JS, which they invest in gold (ff. 9-10), at Malacca where they have called on the way to Canton
pp. 16-21 JS’s memorandum book when at Canton – almost rough notes on everything he’s doing. Not particularly clear where the people he is buying for are from, nor what market the goods he is buying are for.
Much uncertainty in India trade mentioned in many letters, (f.22 from George Torriano and Francis Hugonin) due to pirates apparently near Bombay.
Most of this volume at the moment seemingly to do with ‘country’ affairs (poor state of trade at Madras, piracy etc). Scattergood clearly does an awful lot of work (chasing up debts, settling accounts, freighting goods) for Company servants and other Europeans stationed all over the Indian Ocean world as the numerous letters in here attest.
Nice little example of JS’s diamond concerns on behalf of others: f. 32 letter from Joseph da Costa to both Scattergood and Harris (his fellow supercargoe): ‘When either of you come for England I desire that you may invest five thousand Pagodas in Diamonds from 4 to 20 Grains or from 7 to 8 Carrats which may be extraordinarily good and if they can come in your name under the Companys register without any risqué I shall be glad, for I had reather Pay 5 Per cent To the Company then rune the hazard of bringing them on shoar for there is so many Costome house officers to board every ship that it [is] very dangerous to venture, and as for what is Left, that may come by the next shipeing in the same sort of Diamonds and maner in Case it can be done, but if you think it dangerous to put them in the Company’s Register you may give them to the Captaine and agree with him to deliver them to me at my house and he to be at the risque of sesours being what officers [?] Addi 20 January 1720/1 The above Coppy of my Last I confirme, but in case what I desire can not be done or Diamonds are very dear, you’l please to remit the Money in Bills on the Company which you may take of the factory there, for as I am informed they allways give rate of nine shillings Per Pagoda, and it may come as if it was for your account being what offers.’
Fascinating letter from Sir Robert Nightingale, f. 34. Discusses the South Sea Bubble, it’s been the ruin of many etcetc, and says he is pleased Scattergood is in India as he avoided the worst of it. Presumably talking about the Company here: ‘We shall this year send 4 large ships for China Vizt.theMorrice, Captain Peacock, the Cadogan, Capt. Hill and one new Ship Captain Hudson and another New Ship, Captain Newsham Commander who is lately married to Mr.Woolleys [the EIC’s secretary] Younger Daughter… We shall not have any Great Sale this September by reason of the scarcity of Money Occassion’d by this Wicked South Sea Company. Yet we must send out a Number of ships to disappoint our Enemys.’ Dated London October 19th 1720.
f.37:
‘Mr Orme’sAccot.Currt.’ with Scattergood.Received from James Wilkinson.JS is buying China goods for him?
Dr
20 Setts China cups &c (44.-.- Tales), 20 Cups and Sawcers (1.2.- Tales) Cho. Cups 150 (4.2.- Tales), 6 cherong Tea Tables at 1.8.- (10.8.- Tales), 6 ditto smaller 1.7 (10.2.- Tales). Total: 70.4.-.
Cr
Taff. [taffeta?] 9 ps. of 45 co [covids?] long at 4.5.-, by Balance received 29.9.-.
Canton Account book 1720, ff. 42-66: [Annoyingly, not clear what currency accounts are made up in, but I presume it must be Taels]
Has accounts with several China merchants: Pinke (obviously), but also ‘Tucksin’ (who Scattergood has paid for small sundry items, books, stockings, etc), ‘Cudgin’ (who received over 4000 Taels in cash for gold ‘last year’), ‘Cowlo’ (from whom he buys taffeties, pelongs, ribbon, blue cloth for his coat, grain, tobacco, stockings, several different kinds of tea, and gold), ‘Chounqua’ (JS receives silver, and a respondentia bond, for cash), ‘Byqua the Goldsmith’ (Scattergood pays cash for a candlestick, a trumpet, 2 ducks, some mother of pearl, 50 spoons & 50 forks, 2 gold boxes and 36 gold buttons amongst other trinkets), ‘Lolly’, ‘Phillis’, ‘Boqua the Birdman’.
There is more of interest in here; if necessary will look at again. Lots of transactions with European merchants for instance.
Nice little account of some presents he sent home, from his Aunt [she addresses him ‘nephew’, but I think she’s probably his sister in law] Elizabeth, f. 68:
‘I am sorry for the charge you have been at in sending presents of musling, for ther was a good peece you intended my sister and me but it never came ti our hands tho all other things came to light, which very much surprized me that it only should be lost. The gown you sent my sister came, but very much damaged and so was the fanns. The musling would have been of the greatest use to me because I wear nothing but plain now. I have received the two peeces of satin safe, the scarlet and the purple, for which I return you my thanks. I desire you will not give your self any further trouble or charge in sending me anything except you could surely and safly convey to me a peece of musling of that sort you sent your wife last, which is the hard twilled musling. I would have bought a peece of her but she does not care to part with any.’
Interesting: (f.73)
‘Capt. Tobin’s Receipt for my 5 chests Taff:’
Canton 15th November 1720. Receiv’d of Mr John Scattergood five Chests of Taffaties, each Chest containing One hundred Pieces, amounting to as per Invoice Two Thousand one hundred and fifty Tales, which I carry with me on the Prince Eugene bound for the Port of Ostend and there to dispose of them for Account of Said John Scattergood (the dangers of the Seas Excepted) deducting all Charges &c. as Customary the Neat Produce, I promise to Remitt by Bills of Exchange to Messrs.Fenwicke and Trenchfield in London, and have signed to three Receipts of this tennour and Date, One being accomplished, the other two to Stand Void. Witness my hand, James Tobin.
f. 74:
Turns out that Scattergood has also got some of Tobin’s goods: he asks that Scattergood will dispose of them to the best advantage and ‘in Case of any of the Ostend Ships that may Arrive here the Next Yeare will Take any Goods upon Freight, that you will please to Invest, the produce of the said Goods in what Comodity You shall think Convenient, ship them, on board, the ships from Ostend for my Account and Consigne them to my selfe or the Marquis del Campo Governor of Ostend in my Absence’. Canton 18 November 1720.
f. 75:
‘Capt. Tobins about the lacker man’: (18 November 1720)
‘I have contracted with Puon the Lackerd=ware Man for 50 large and 50 small boards being a Compleat quantity to Winscot a barge for Monsr. Le Barron de Cloots of Antwerp, of the above quantity I only received 10 Large and 10 small boards Time not permitting him to Compleate the rest which he promiseth to Compleat by the Next Years Shiping. Therefore I dissire your Care of them and in Case any Ostender should Arrive here by the Next yeare that you will please to desire the Super Cargoes or Comander to take them aboard on what Terms they shall Think Convenient and Consigne them to Monsr. Le Barron de Cloots of Antwerp, he is one of the Most Considerable in this Tread from Ostend to the East Indies and Consequently no Streanger to them; and thireComplyance herein will be oblidgeing to him. The Amount of the Whole boards is 200 Tale of which I have paid him in hand 50 Tale, and the other 150 Tale I dissire you pay him out of the money I lave in your hands, upond [sic] the delivery of the said Boards as beforementioned in which you will Add to the Many favors don to Sir Your Most Obliged Humble SarventJa: Tobin.’
F. 87: Harris and Scattergood had some of Wm Phipps goods to dispose of in Canton, letter from him expressing thanks for doing so, 15 December 1720 from London.
f. 95:
Mr Torriano’s ‘Goods received of Mr Scattergood’:
Bamboo fans9694484.25.16
Ivory23558.27.-
Tea24 Catt.20.-.-
Pocket books Ivory2020.-.-
Japan Bowls33.-.-
Ditto44.-.-
Cups45}
Sawcers49}8.-.-
Large Black Dishes21.-.-
Dishes2}
Smaller for fruit7}9.-.-
Red and white dish11.-.-
Caudle Cup and dish11.-.-
No idea what currency this is in unfortunately but gives an idea of mix of goods. Account of Goods sold on the next page (f. 76). Appears to be in ‘Ps’ – Pagodas? Sold fans for 193.31.54 pagodas, tea for 18, 4 ivory fans for 1. Sundry other items sold collectively for 70.33.4 Ps.
f.99:
Scattergood to Captain VilleaumontGardin, Captain of the ship Count Thoulouse [evidence of networking with French EIC merchants?]:
‘The chest you have been so obliging to carry for my account qts. one thousand nine hundred and thirty four papers of China silk flowers. Each paper qts. twelve flowers, at a mace per Paper amounts too one hundred ninety three Tales and four mace, which please to dispose off at St. Malo, or where you think proper, to the best you can for my account.’ Asks him to invest some of the proceeds in Bordeaux wine to send to Madras, and remit the rest to Edward Fenwicke (his attorney) in London. Dated in Canton 1st January 1720.
Later letter says that he couldn’t comply as there was no good wine to be had, and because of the ‘ so great alterations’ in his company’s affairs. F. 110. Letter from E. Trenchfield to Scattergood.
f. 100:
‘Received of Mr. John Scattergood one shoe of Gold sealed as per mergent which I promise to deliver unto Mrs. Elizabeth Toriano in London.’ Josiah Thwaites, Canton January 3rd 1721.
f. 101:
Laurence Lane to Scattergood discussing his concern in Scattergood’s hands:
I beg you will please to send the Balance on my little adventure in Your hands home in Gold by any of our Europe Ships, the profits of Indian voyages being little better than Common Interest in England, I heartily wish all your undertakings may meet with the desired success and that in a little time wee may have a happy meeting in England.’ East India House, 3 January 1721.
ff. 112-115:
[Account of goods sent home from China by John Scattergood in ? January 1720/1]
Sir Robert Nightingale4 flower pottsPr Capt. Newton
Mr Chamberlane2 setts Dishes and plates Pr Ditto.
1 pott Tea Congho
1 pott Ditto Hublon Green
Per Capt. New: Brother Trenchfield1 pott Congo Tea
Sister Fenwick1 pottCongho
1 ditto Green & 1 ps silk
Mr Birkhead1 pottCongho }
1 pott Green }PrMr. Carter
Padre Lewis1 pott Tea Congho & 2 silk aprons
Fanns
Sister Fenwick1 pott Congo & 1 pott fine green
Sister Burniston6 fanns
Aunt6 fanns
Wife2 setts Cupps and Sawcers
2 ditto Dishes and plates
10 ps bed Damasks Pr via Lisbon
1 ps white ditto
Tea Congho and Green
Fanns
f. 113:
Per Captain Pennell [I] have sent Vizt
8 bottles of Cinnomentoilee to be sold for my Account
f. 114:
‘For my mother Elizabeth Trenchfield: 1 pott Bing Tea qt. 6 Catties, 1 ps. Nankin silk grave colour, per Capt. Pennell’
‘For my wife at Lincoln:
10 psNankin rolled Pelongs
12 ps. Ditto Paunches
6 fine Moories sheets
1 ps stitched Bengallsannoes
1 ps. Yellow and White striptTaffety
1 ps. Red Taffety 45 Covitts long
1 pottCongho Tea qt. 7 Catties
8 ps. Paunchee
1 ps. White poise flowerd per Mr. Dubois
1 pott Bing Tea qt. 6 Catties per ditto
1 apron per Mr Newnam
Sister Anne (per Mr Newnam)
1 ps white flowerd Damask
1 pottCOngho Tea qt. 7 Catties
Mr Lewis
1 ps. Purple Nankin silk cloth per Pugh
1 pottCongho Tea qt. 7 Catties per Dubois
2 aprons for his Daughters per Nr. Newnam
Daughter Betty
1 ps. Stript white and blewTaffety per Mr Talbot
1 Apron per Mr Newnam
f. 115
Captain SoulgardMr. Atkins and Mr.Sheiffeild a piece of poice each made up in a gown Mr.Mountney a box qt. 31 ps. Pelonge and 20 ps. Paunch directed for Mr Chamberline Captain Tobin 10 ps. Bed Damask Mr.Pomroy with Mr.Mountney 10 ps. Bed Damask Yellow each poiz. 60 Tale.
Mr Massey 12 ps. Paunces sealed as per Margent.Mr Godfrey 8 ps. Paunces and 12 fans
Captain Newton 10 ps. Red crimson in grain each 60 Tale
Per My Fazackerly
1 pottCongho tea
1 pott Green ditto
1 ps. Yellow poisee
1 ps. Red and White striptPoisee
f. 119:
Scattergood’s attorneys in London send him a letter expressing their concern at some of the people he’s been dealing with, esp. those connected with Ostend, due to their difficulties in getting some of his assets back after he’s remitted them to Europe. ‘Wherefore we much wonder you’l trust such people, and had not better make your remittances in England directly in gold by the Company’s ships, for depend upon it piece goods, your roundabout way, will never answer your Expectation, so we desire you’l concern us no more to have to doe with Ostenders.’ Fenwick and Trenchfield, London February 6th 1721.
ff. 157-159 – Scattergood’s London-based account – 1500 in a venture to China in the House of Austria (possibly an Ostend ship?).
f.162:
Ostend Anno 1721
Account Sale of 500 ps. Taffaties, 24 Ells long sold attpublick Sale in Ostend Comencing the 7th July 1721 being for account and risque of Mr John Scat[t]ergood – Viz
Totalf.12506.5 . –
Discount and Broakerage 2 pr Ct.250.2.6
f. 12256.2.6
Customs charges Merchandise &c.
5 pr Ct. 612.16.2
Freight one Tunn @400
Commission 5 pr Ct.612.16.2f.1625.12.4
f.10630.10.2
S.E. in Ostend 3d November 1721
[Signed] Ja Tobin
See also p. 175:
‘Accompt sale of 7 Chests Bohee and 3 Chests Congo tea sold for account of Mr. Scattergood.’ Total = 3870.16. After charges 3773.8. ‘The above goods are Charged in Account to you at 2896.13. Not sure what currency this is! James Tobin again.
JS and Harris had returned to Madras February 1721, but stayed there only briefly before Scattergood again went out to Canton, was there by the end of the summer 1721.
f. 164
At Canton 19th November 1721.
‘Receiv’d then of Mr. John Scattergood five Parcells Said to be Gold, containing Twenty five pieces marked Numbred and Sealed as per Margent, which I carry with me on the Good Shipp the Frances bound for the Port of London where on my arrivall I Promise to deliver the said five Parcells (all Dangers of the Seas &c. excepted) unto Messrs. Edward Fenwicke and ElihuTrenchfeild or to either of their Orders they paying me Two per Cent. fraight for the same, Signed to three Receipts of this Tennour and date, one being accomplished the others void’. Thomas Newsham.
f. 170:
The supercargoes continue to play a prominent role as agents for other merchants:
Letter from Francis Acton asking Scattergood and Harris to settle his account in Canton and remit any money home in Diamonds or Respondentia ‘as you should think most for my advantage’.
f. 176
Buys a 1/16 stake in the ship Lyell, currently in London, under command of Charles Small, for £550.
Scattergood’s Account Current with Tobin, December 5th 1721. Makes some profit on his tea here.
Dr1721 Aug 23 – To goods of the Cargo bought at Sale 10 Chests Bohee & Congo tea
f. 2899.12
Decbr 5 – To Mr.ElihuTrenchfield Account made good this Balance
22074.6
Flem. Ex. F 24973.18 / Cr
1721 July 25 – By stock intrested in Ship Prince Eugene and Cargo 10 Shares
f. 10000
Decbr 5 – By ditto Ship Prince Eugene & Cargo produced 57 Per mill
570
By Tea your Account the Opposite 10 chests net proceed as per Acct.
3773.8
By P.F. WoolartsAccot. 500 ps. China Taffatys produced
10630.10
Flem. Ex. F 24973.18
f. 182:
Letter from Trenchfield, 11 December 1721:
‘Your Adventure by Messrs.Penicote and Cocks will I believe at last answer pretty well when all Accounts are adjusted. I beleive in your last Account you was advis’d of our having received four hundred pounds. The other day receiv’d four hundred more and expect a further Sum in a few days to be paid us. The reason of this delay is that some part of the Adventure was sold to one Vandermersh, a Merchant in Holland, who fail’d thro’ the misfortune of his Correspondence in England. His Creditors thro’ the hopes of his being able to retrieve himself, granted him time to adjust his affairs without declaring him a Bankrupt. You must expect to be a Sufferer in this Affair, tho hope to no great Amount.’
This letter also tells of the safe arrival of all the goods he sent back home on various ships/with various supercargos earlier (see above). Tobin safely arrived back but made an indifferent voyage (although still 15%). Sale of Taffatys amounted to 10630 stivers. Captain Pennell safely arrive and Trenchfield has received everything. Mr Wilkinson safely arrived and Scattergood’s goods are in the warehouse. Dubois safely arrived, Trenchfield has damasks and tea. Mr Talbot and Captain Newton the same.
Also details he has concerned Scattergood in some other ventures: 500 pounds at 35 Pr Cent Respondentia with Mr.Horsmonden, on ship Macclesfield, and five hundred on the Stanhope with Captain Pitt at the same premium.
Read in China September 1722
ff. 190-206: Scattergood’s Malacca accounts.
f. 211:
Letter from Trenchfield to JS January 1722. Trenchfield struggling to sort out some of Scattergood’s accounts, the first with peter Jackson (dispute over what commission % Scattergood had allowed him) and one with Messrs.Penicote and Cocks. Complaining that they are struggling to settle accounts with Penicote and Cocks, Ostend Captains. Hopes, he says, it will persuade Scattergood from having nothing more to do with them.
JS’s correspondence with one Captain Harry makes clear that JS has sent some of his China goods to be sent ashore at Karwar, inc. 55 tubs Camphire, 50 bundles allum, 5 chests Green tea, 2 tubs sugar candy. ff. 216-17.
f. 218.
Chan Janqua (Chinese merchant presumably?) has a concern (4000 pagodas) in ship Jerusalem, suing Scttergood as agent.
f. 226:
JS continues to be well-connected with prominent merchants at Surat(John Hope, Jeremiah Bonnel) and Bombay (William Phipps). Disposes of most of his cargo for this China voyage (his seventh) at Bombay in 1722. Writes to his brother in March (25th) 1722 from Bombay: ‘I write this short letter per via Mocha (not knowing if it may have good fortune to reach your hands) to let you know that I am at Bombay where I have disposed of all my Cargoe, and am in good health and hope to make an indeferent good voyage. From hence designe to goe to Callicut to load pepper and from thence to Madrass where, according as I receive letters from my friends in Europe, I shall either come home a passenger from Madrass or goe to China and from thence proceed foe England, for I am heartily tir’d of india and have not my health so well as I could wish.‘