The East India Company Of Holland, The Elder Sister Of That Of England,
Now A Nonentity, Though Once The Most
Extensive and most flourishing
commercial establishment that ever existed, long ago published, or
permitted to be published, a very extensive
Series of voyages of
commerce and discovery, called Voyages which contributed to establish
the East India Company of the United Netherlands. It were, perhaps,
worthy of the Royal Merchants who constitute the English East India
Company, now the unrivalled possessors of the entire trade and
sovereignty of all India and its innumerable islands, to publish or
patronize a similar monument of its early exertions, difficulties, and
ultimate success. - E.
SECTION I.
First Voyage of the English East India Company, in 1601, under the
Command of Captain James Lancaster.[85]
INTRODUCTION.
From the historiographer of the company[86] we learn, that the period of
this voyage being estimated for twenty months, the charges of provisions
were calculated at L6,600 4:10: and the investment, exclusive of
bullion, at L4,545; consisting of iron and tin, wrought and unwrought,
lead, 80 pieces of broad cloth of all colours, 80 pieces of Devonshire
kersies, and 100 pieces of Norwich stuffs, with smaller articles,
intended as presents for the officers at the ports where it was meant to
open their trade. Captain John Davis, who appears to have gone as chief
pilot, was to have L100 as wages for the voyage, with L200 on credit for
an adventure; and, as an incitement to activity and zeal, if the profit
of the voyage yielded two for one, he was to receive a gratuity of
L500; if three for one, L1000; if four for one, L1500; and if five
for one, L2000.[87] Thirty-six factors or supercargoes were directed to
be employed for the voyage: Three of the first class, who seem to
have been denominated cape merchants, were to have each L100 for
equipment, and L200 for an adventure; four factors of the second
class at L50 each for equipment, and L100 for an adventure; four of
the third class, with L30 each for equipment, and L50 for adventure;
and four of the fourth class, with L20 each for equipment, and L40
for adventure.[88] They were to give security for their fidelity, and to
abstain from private trade; the first class under penalties of L500
the second of 500 marks, the third at L200 and the fourth of L100
each.[89] These only exhaust fifteen of the thirty-six, and we are
unable to account for the remaining twenty-one ordered to be nominated.
[Footnote 85: Purch. Pilgr. I. 147. Astl. I. 262.]
[Footnote 86: Ann. of the H.E.I. Co. I. 129.]
[Footnote 87: Id. I. 130.]
[Footnote 88: Ann. of the H.E.I. Co. I. 131.]
[Footnote 89: Id. I. 133.]
In the Annals of the Company,[90] we are told that the funds provided
for this first voyage amounted to L68,373, of which L39,771 were
expended in the purchase and equipment of the ships, L28,742 being
embarked in bullion, and L6,860 in goods.
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