Table knives, swords, gilt armour, precious stones, cloth of gold, looking glasses, arras, pictures, wines (strong waters are unrequested now), dogs, ostrich plumes, silk stuffs (“but no blue, it is the colour of mourners”) and generally any rare knack to please the eye.... (p. 356).
LETTER TO MASTER SECRETARY WYNWODE, NOV. 30, 1616
“The trade is profitable and fit for England, but no way understood by the Company how to effect it at best advantage.... I assure your Honour it is not fit to keep an Ambassador in this Court. I have shuffled better out and escaped and avoided affronts and slavish customs clearer than ever any did. I am allowed rank above the Persian, but he outstrips me in rewards; his Master lies near us. But His Majesty commanded me to do nothing unworthy the honour of a Christian King, and no reward can humble me to any baseness” (p. 358).
EAST INDIA COMPANY COURT MINUTES
(Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1635-1659. Ed. E. B. Sainsbury: Oxford University Press, p. 183)
A COURT OF COMMITTEES, AUGUST 4, 1641
Nathaniel Hawes transfers to Robert Freeman 942l. 10s. adventure and profits in the Third Joint Stock, (subscribed in 1631) ‘the principal being divided.’
The Court, understanding that 438 bales of Legee silk, 50 bales of Ardas, and 39 of Mazandran were returned in the (E.I.C.s’ ship) Crispian, directs that each adventurer shall receive for his division five-sixths in Legee, and one-sixth in Ardas or Mazandran and desires three Committees to oversee the delivery of the said divisions.
Captain Stiles is desired to go aboard the Hopewell and give directions for all her lumber, guns and ordnance to be put ashore, all private trade to be sent up to the Custom House, and nothing more to be unladen until further order.
The Governor opines that as the year is passing, the generality should be called together about a new subscription for a Particular Voyage for this year; after some debate it is resolved to await the King’s recommendation upon the Company’s petition to Parliament for renewal of its charter. The Court decides to present Sir Harry Vane, who is and always has been ready to assist the Company on all occasions, with ‘fifty pieces.’