FOr so it came to passe that when all possible, faire and speedy meanes had beene used by Mr. Courtens Agents and Factors in East-India (as may ap­peare by their severall Messengers,) with Letters, and Protests directed and sent to Robert Bowen Master, Francis Day Agent, and their Accomplices at Madrassapatan by land, (and intentions and preparation of Ship Loyalty by Sea) to require and demand the Gold and Gunnes, Note that Cex had never any command of the Gold af­ter he brought it aboard at Madagascar, and upon de­mand delive­red it in charge to Bowen. which the said Bowen, had formerly aboard his Ship Endeavour taken in charge between Madagascar and Joanna Islands conditi­onally to assist Thomas Cox (late Master of a Ship called the Little-William) Tho. Hill his Purser, and the rest of their company in the transport thereof, according to their Orders and Consignments, and not otherwise.

And the said Cox, Hill, and Company arriving together with the said Bowen at Madrassapatan aforesaid, the second day of July, 1644. very diligently (as by oath and otherwise plainly appeares.) Demanded the foresaid Gold and Guns of the said Fr. Day. &c. having received it ashore from the said Bowen, whom the said Cox and Hill urged with his promises when he first took Charge thereof, in­somuch that within three or foure dayes after their foresaid arrival, the said Cox and Hill received a flat and positive deniall (as sundry wayes also appears) with threats & hard language from the said Day, and the rest, to this, or like effect, saying, Could not the said Cox, Hill, and Company, be contented to have their own lives for a prey, being now in [Page 2]their power, for have we not told you, that if we could not have had it by faire means, we would have had it by foule meanes, or by force; And will you still be so importunate, and impudent to demand that which you shall never have, were it as much more (neither could their necessity spare it as is evident by Hills Affidavit) therefore take warning, and let us heare no more of demanding, lest we give it you with a witnesse, viz. thrust you out of our Fort, and so peradventure you may be knockt in the head, or have your throat cut, for it would be no hard matter to overtake you, and then take what followes, but it shall never be put to that issue, seeing now your Gold, and you are inconsistent; For have we not told you sufficient to informe you better. that we have Power and Commissions from our Imployers in Eng­land, to have taken your Ship as well as your Gold, &c. wheresoever met at Sea, and not to assist you with a peece of bread to save you from perishing either by Sea, or Land, therefore take warning, advice and resolve upon some other way &c.

Then the said Cox and Hill, &c: apprehending plainly their pre­sent condition and strickt durance, being so proscribed and con­founded in themselves with their unexpected and severe, but downe-right dealing, and Hills [...]nce. insomuch that then the said Cox and Hill, &c. plainly perceived themselves (upon the matter) lame, numbe, and dumbe, and could not be suffered either to goe, write, or speake, to attaine, discover, or make themselves, and their present condition known to any of Mr. Courtens Factors or Factories in India or else­where, although Rabagg (being one thereof) and scituate in their direct, and not halfe way to Surrat, where the Companies Factors had speedy intelligence, and afterward newes thereof came from thence to Goa by accident.

Now the said Cox and Hill and Company (apprehending truly how they were insnared and inthrauled, Cox and Hils [...]yes opened and that all their endeavours by Sea, and Land were prevented, and their Gold coyned, and con­verted to the companies use by the said Day, and the rest) desisted further to proceed with the Junke or Hoye Master, with whom they had agreed for 40 li. Sterling, or 160. Rials of eight Spanish (as the said Hill related) to transport them to Acheen whither they were consigned (being a common and frequent passage thence with little, or no danger) also they ceased to solicite the English Freeman at Madrassapatan, to travell for Rabagg, Carwar, or Goa by Land, wherein (though easily he could and would) yet he durst not assist them, saying the displeasure of the said Day thereby, would be his [Page 3]utter undoing; as the said Hill in his Affidavit further affir­meth.

Then the said Cox and Hill, thought it not amisse (being past all hopes of receiving it) to get from the said Day, Cox and Hill consult. and his Counsellors some acknowledgement thereof, lest the said Day or Bouen, &c. should dispose or keep all, or any part of the same to their owne use, and not bring it to the Companies Account, as is usuall there in reprisals (whereunto this at present was not much different) and as perad­venture it was the yeare foregoing, being Anno 1643, with that 40000 li. or thereabouts said to be taken from Mamula Croe, King of Cannanore, and other Mallabar Merchants (that I verily be­leeve never did them hurt) and it is questionable whether one halfe thereof ever came to the Companies Cash, so might this, &c.

Therefore the said Cox and Hill resolved (or was by some ad­vised, or instructed) to supplicate and request the said Francis Day and his assistants, that they would be pleased to confesse and acknow­ledge that he, and they had the said Gold and Guns in their possessi­on, and that the East-India Company, their Imployers, Cox and Hils first request might bee answerable for the same to Mr. Courten in England, with English Interest according to forbearance, or to that effect, which would have been about 5 s. sterling, each Riall of eight here in England? But that request the said Day and Councel would not consent to, being (as they said) very unreasonable, and so it was indeed? for every Barbary Duccat is there worth about two Rials of eight Spanish, and every Riall of eight transmitted thence (by Booke, Nov. An. 1645. or otherwise) for England, is worth about 10 s. here, and so valued (as reported) in the said Companies pollicies of Insurance, but transmitted from Madrassapatan or Mesulapatan to Bantam, and so for England (the same course which the said Day then tooke) every Riall of eight Spanish, is worth 13 s. or 14 s. at least in England, Unreasonable-nesserests upon Dayes part, &c. and so every Barbary Duccat accordingly double, and that sometimes in lesse then twelve months, and without trouble; but in the course of Trade (free from disaster) as great or greater advantage might be expected. And it is very certaine, that the want thereof at Acheen (whither it was consigned) constrained Mr. Courtens Factors there to borrow great summes of money at 6: per cent. per month, Acheen interest which is 72. per cent. per an. (the common Interest of that Port) untill their stocke was much consumed, and their remaining goods and Jewels were (upon some difference) seized and sold either by the said Companies [Page 4]Factors there, or by themselves here, (as credibly reported) thus much for that unreasonable request which was at least 100 li. per cen. losse, as to Mr. Courten.

Another and last addresse or request to the said Day and Councell, was made by the said Cox and Hill, 6. July 1644. (but foure dayes after their arrivall at Madrassapatan) which argued in the said Cox and Hill abundance of care and diligence, as they had likewise for­merly exprest, and this Request was to this effect, or in these very words, viz.

Dayes &c. de­pravity.It is hereby easily apprehended what errors and absurdities are in­cident to men of covetous, cruell, and corrupt principles, and depraved consciences, and especially from this double, false, (I will not say forged) put; because wee know not how to secure, &c. Nor dis­pose, &c.

Cox and Hils sincerity.For they that had formerly exprest so much honesty, care, and in­dustry 500. Leagues in their Long-boat to attaine Madagascar, and nine Months patient attendance and vigilancy (in so dangerous a place) to secure the same, and their company of men being ten to one then (if they had in the least inclined to mutiny) and free from feare of any Nation whatsoever, and neare unto Mosambique, and sundry [Page 5]other Portugal Plantations upon the Coast of Soffala, where nei­ther English, Dutch, Moores, or Mallabars (save a few Arabbs) have any frequent commerce or correspondence, and whither they might have gone with little or no danger, and found good entertain­ment, &c. And now at Madrassapatan and Mesulapatan,' places very eminent for generall Commerce, and Civill Government, and where it is impossible to finde any refuge for such Malefactors, for to the Moores and Indians, Christians are now an abomination in point of domesticke entertainment, and cohabitation, as the Israelites of old were to the Egyptians, therefore they would not entertaine them (especially being altogether strangers, and not understanding their language.)

And as for the Dutch or Portugal (with whom having then either friendship, or free commerce) they neither could nor would in any wise protect them, therefore of necessity they must saile into the Moone to finde security, else no where. A Simile or Allusion. And this to me seems to run pat and parallel with that of the High Priest and Elders to the Watchmen-souldiers recorded in holy Writ, which was also a forged and false putt, put into their mouthes, viz. Say yee that while wee slept, his Disciples came by night and stole him away, and then let us alone with the Governour, &c. Even so this, the one as full of ridiculous falsities and absurdities, as the other, for circumstance, for both by Sea and Land there was variety either by safe custody or other conveyance thence, Mr. Courtens Factors having then a ship in continuall readinesse to attend the same, but all in vaine; And the said Hill in England did blush, and was ashamed thereof, Hils modesty and honesty. and ut­terly disclaimed it upon discourse, and so altogether omitted and waved it in his Affidavit as false and feigned, and doubtlesse Coxe would have done the same if either by word or writing he could bee brought to the Test. Thus much for the Circumstance, &c.

But now to the substance of the foresaid Rationall Request (as Day and the rest termes it) viz. An acknowledgement of possession, A pretended reference very unreasonable. and reference for satisfaction, &c. Now I suppose a positive deniall, or denials upon all and every demand or demands whatsoever, are by the Premises clearly confirmed, therefore I haste (as the said Day did) for England with Cox, and Hill in his company, but Cox dyed by the way, and Hill in England obscured himselfe, and Day very likely discovered the same to his honourable Imployers, whereof Mr. Cour­ten, or some for him (having notice of the passage) prosecutes that reference for satisfaction with the said East-India Company, and [Page 6]brought it likewise to a forced conclusion, A forced con­clusion. viz. they acknowledged the said Gold and Gunnes, and promised to pay the principal againe in India, Provided (as was credibly reported) Mr. Courten would procure an Order of Parliament for the transport of about 5000 li. in Rials of Eight Spanish, the better to inable their Factors in India to make payment thereof, Com. Order. which was drawne into an Order made by the Governour and Court of Committees for the East-India Company, and a Copy thereof sent Mr. Courten, who speedily pro­cured an Order of Parliament accordingly, and (to remove all ob­stacles, Parl. Order.) entred it into the Custome-house (as reported) but it either came too soone, or too late, or some pretence or other prevented, that nothing was effected, untill Attachments afterwards came thicke and threefold upon it, and then it was pretended they could not safely pay it to any, because they expected the Statute to issue continually, and then they would pay it to the Commissioners thereof willingly, be­cause they could best give them a firme discharge, but how the case is now between them, concernes me little, therefore with them I leave it; And will summe up the result of the Premises, which at best amounts but to this, viz.

Bowens taking the Men, Monies and Gunnes in charge aboard, and delivering them to Day &c. a shore, being both armed, with the Companies cruell and unreasonable Commissions (as themselves said) to justifie their wicked actions. Then Cox, Hill, &c. their frequent demands thereof to Day, &c. urging Bowen with his pro­mises, Bowen excuses himselfe, alleadging the power now ashore in Day &c. and Day plainly denies to restore or deliver the same to Cox, Hill, &c. but with rough and hard language (and other indirect dealing) so terrifies, proscribes, restraines, prevents, and over-awes them, that at length they are faine to beg and accept of a bare ac­knowledgement thereof from the said Day, &c. (rather then nothing) with a promise of reference for satisfaction in England from his Im­ployers (in a manner) what and wh [...]n they please; so Day forthwith coynes, and converts the Gold to the Companies use to pay their debts and interest there, and the like; and suddenly takes shipping and removes out of reach to Bantam, then for England, and dispo­ses so of the men, and their papers at pleasure, that but one of seven­teene (and he accidentally) ever yet appeared, that ever I heard of, and that one so appearing makes good all this (upon the matter) in his sparing Affidavit, and much more in his discourse: Thus far Day, Bowen, &c. at Madrassapatan in India, &c.

Then in England Mr. Courten (poore oppressed Gentleman) so­licites the Company for the same, they promise to pay the principall 5000 li. againe in India, but upon a very doubtfull condition, yet the same condition, Mr. Courten glad of any thing. Comp [...].sailer. was speedily and punctually performed on Mr. Courtens part, but the Company failed on their part, and made no satisfaction, and this about six or seven yeares agoe, and so rests ever since, and so will I a little while, having already followed the gold at the very heels, first from England to India, then from India to England againe, and not overtaken it: And now having rested my selfe a little, I will passe againe into India to know whats become of Ship Loyalty being in pursuit of Bowen to Persia, still to continue the said Demand, presenting you (in the interim) with the copy or substance of the forementioned Protest, with two Letters to the Pre­sident of Surrat ushering the same, which I most humbly referre to the perusall and ponder of every grave and judicious soule to con­sider, whose genuine dialect shall be their owne expounders, and are as followeth, viz.

Being againe arrived in India, Factors, &c. distressed. about January 1644. I found Mr. Courtens Factors and affaires in a very wofull, sad, distracted, and languishing condition (meerly occasioned as aforesaid) and all their Letters and Protests South-ward to Madrassapatan, &c. returned null, and void of all hopes of any receipt or satisfaction as formerly exprest. Likewise their forementioned Letters to the said Compa­nies President at Surrat North-wards, had no better successe: And then the foresaid Jo Farren Agent, and other Mr. Courtens Factors residing under the Portugals protection at Goa, for feare of the inraged Mallabars (as some of them alleadged) still threatning Carwar (Mr. Courtens chiefe Factory) and all his ships by sea, Mallabars fea­red. and Factories by land upon their borders, having a Fleet of Frigots about sixty saile in number (carrying about seventy or eighty men in each Frigot) coasting to and againe (as was credibly reported) for that very purpose; A Fleet of Frigots. So the foresaid Ship Loyalty (fitted for close fight) was continued to prosecute and pursue the said Robert Bowen (Master of the said Ship Endeavour) for Persia still to demand of him the foresaid Gold, Bowen still pursued. Guns, and Men, which he had formerly taken into his charge, but the said Bowen hastened thence to Surrat (as way after­wards reported) as Day formerly to Bantam, so both escaped her.

Then in Febr. 1644. the said John Farren, Destruction apprehended and expected. and Councel appre­hending nothing but a constant damage, and inevitable destruction thereupon to follow (being thus prevented of their supplies from England (and of sending foure or five Ships lading home that yeare upon Mr. Courtens proper account) were thereby constrained to sell off two or three hundred Tuns of lading (prepared for England) at great losse, and to consume their stockes of English Cloath, and other Commodities in their severall Factories to maintaine them­selves and ships in idlenesse and demourage, and pay contracted Customes, and dead freights, with little or no profit at all from any im­ployment. And in this distresse, Mr. Courtens said Agent, John Farren and Councel (when all their hopes and endeavours failed) before sufficient witnesses, The occasion of the Protest. drew the foregoing Protest, and by the first convenient coveyance of their owne, viz. in October following, sent the same for England in the ship Tho. and John, William Farre Master with two or three Copies thereof, sealed and wit­nessed, which were all upon arrivall, about the 28. of May, 1646. delivered Mr. Courten, or his vertuous, honourable, and distressed [Page 15]Lady, and one of the said sealed Copies shortly after, upon one of their Court dayes was sent to the said East-India Company, and Court of Committees, then sitting (as was credibly affirmed) and another of the said Copies afterwards (upon this, and other occasions) was read and pleaded by Councell, learned in the Law about March 1646,/1647. at the Barre of the House of Lords in the presence of the aforesaid East-India Governour, Deputy, and many other of the Committees and Adventurers of the said East-India Company, ac­cording to the appeale and purport thereof, but came to no con­clusion. Ship Loyalties demourage.

So that it came to passe afterwards in India, that the said ship Loyalty after ten or twelve months demourage at three hundred pound per month, returned againe from Persia for India, and so upon dead freight for England, insomuch that the very charge and damage of that one ship onely, imployed as aforesaid, in the pursuit, and prosecution of the demanding of the said men, Gold and Guns, amounted to above three thousand pound, besides five hundred pound, or thereabouts in charges for provisions, Charge of de­manding 3600 li. &c. and other necessary supplies from Mr. Courtens Factories in India, and besides an hun­dred and thirty, or a hundred a forty pound charges for demanding by Land, so that the full charge of demanding the same by Sea and Land, amounts to above three thousand six hundred pounds, as by particulars in Print my also plainly appear.

And (as I am credibly informed) the owners of that one onely ship Loyalty) (by vertue of their Charter part) makes good an ac­count or demand (for dead freight and other damages) of full twelve thousand pound to the Commissioners appointed for Mr. Courtens estate. And having then six or seven ships more in India (some bigger, some lesser) and all, or most of them (save the Great-William) either sold, or lost in the Country, or returned empty (as to Mr. Courten, Above 50000 l. damage. chiefly by reason of the premises) the whole damage and losse whereof in two or three yeares, must needs amount to much above fifty thousand pounds, Above 100000 l. damage. and in lesse then five or six yeares to much above a hundred thousand pounds, besides the utter losse, ruine and destruction of Trade, Factories, and Plantations, thereby razing the very foundations thereof, as well that of Madagascar (the greatest of all knowne Islands) as there st, which began (though somewhat unadvisedly seated) to poise and sway the ballance of petty Kings there, upon any occasion of difference, being invited to their assistance, [Page 16]which for want of supplies and entercourse of shipping (prevented as aforesaid) likewise perished in the same generall destruction, as in a former Treatise, Entituled, Strange Newes from the Indies, may more fully and plainly appear.

And this generall destruction was sealed and confirmed irrecove­rably▪ (as to Mr. Courten) upon return of his reputed seven sixteenths in Partner-ship of the foresaid ship Great-William to Ligorne, the principall, and proceed, whereof was estimated by some well-knowing men, at neare fifteene thousand pounds, which proved but five thousand pounds, and that left in the foresaid Companies Factors hands, at Ligorne, aforesaid, and the same so disposed, and ordered there, that Mr. Courten could have no power thereof in any con­venient time, which wholly prevented all hopes of recruit.

Thus have you the plaine truth of the strange and various passages concerning the foresaid five thousand pounds, briefly and impartially communicated, with the sad issues and events thereof, all, or most from sight and experience, which cannot de­ceive.

This short Narrative is wholly lamentable (almost incredible) to consider (in the serious apprehension of some) that such grave, rich, civill, religious seeming wise men, should be so very cruell, and unreasonable, or rather so exceedingly injurious and unnaturall to their brethren, and friends in particular, and to this Nation or Land of their Nativity in generall. If this Commonwealth pleased to take cognizance thereof;