British Beginnings in Andhradesa

British Beginnings in Andhradesa ¹

BY LANKA SUNDARAM, M.A., F .R.E.S.

MADHAVAYAPALEM

I

Metchlipatam,

March the 17th, 1699.

Rangarays Governor of Madapollam to the Consul with the Bill of Sale and Cowle for the Ground.

The ground which I have granted you. You write me you can’t build upon it. Yet these three months 'ts very well when 'ts expired you may begin to build your Factory and Walls and go on with your affairs as you think fit and desire you'll still continue your friendship.

II

Rangaray's Coule to the Consul for a washing Tanck and Ground belonging to it. March the 20, 1699.

I Rangaray's Governor of Maddapollom grant this Cowle to the Honorable John Pitt Esquire² Consul and President for affairs of The Honorable Company for their use for Washermen, Beaters, Peons and Coolies; and a Compound of Ground with a Tanck from Seid Cawn's House to the above said Tanck, upon which ground these people shall live in his service wholly without molestation; all which I grant the Consul Rent-free.

III

Rangaray's Bill of Sale for the Ground sold the Consul in Madapollam, March the 20th, 1699.

I Rangarays (son to Coldindee Ramrays Proprietor and Governor of the Country of Ellore) have sold to John PittEsquire Consul and President for affairs of the Honorable Company on their account a compound of ground from East to West 260 yards long, from north to south 148 and the Godown built by my Uncle Kanmunt Rass for 430 pagodas and the House built by the Old Company's Merchants (which they sold me) for 150 pagodas and the Ground it stands on, with its Compound for Pagodas 100. So the whole extends from the Dutch Factory Eastward, to the English Factory Westward, to the River South ward; the whole Cost amounts to 680 Pagodas which I have received and have allowed him a Sheet from East to West and an other fronting the factory Gate toward the Governor's House, and whosoever shall trouble or molest him for what I have sold him, I promise to be answerable for it to him; and by virtue of this Cowle grant him the privilege of building or what he thinks fit upon it.

IV

Metchlipatam,

September 19th, 1699.

Copy of a Cowle from Rangarays to the Consul.

You wrote to me for a Cowle to carry on the Company's affairs in Madapollam which I have granted. You may take my Cowle and come to Madapollam where you shall find all imaginable assistance in your Investments where you may employ whom you please for Merchants and Servants and find a satisfaction your hearts content.

V

A Cowle granted by Callidindeh Ramarauze to Mr. Humphrey Holcombe, United East India Company's Resident at Metchlipatam.

I hereby give the English permission to resettle at their old Factory at Madapollam there to trade in cloth and other commodities the product of this country and do grant them their Merchants and Servants free liberty to import and export all sorts of goods that they shall think proper to deal in custom free, and do allow them to build ships, Boats, or any other Vessels whatever that they may or shall have occasion for and assure them they shall not be hindered or troubled in their commerce as long as they are under my protection.

VI

A Cowle granted by Nabob Moobaurize Cawn Bahadur, Subah of Golconda to the United English East India Company for a settlement at Madapollam under the Government of Narsapore.

Having been told that the Honorable United English East India Company formerly had a Factory at Madapollam where they carried on a great trade but finding it decaying retired from thence; but being desirous to resettle there and having requested of me a Cowle for that purpose, do now grant them the following one, viz;

I hereby grant the English free liberty to purchase cloth and all other commodities Madopollam produceth and permit them to import or export all manner of goods, build Ships, Boats, or any other Vessels whatsoever without the least hindrance or molestation and do not require to them the customs paid by me according to Sallabat. In order to their living in tranquility at Madopollam, I have issued out my orders to all Phousdars, Jemindars, and other Officers under my jurisdiction not only to permit them to trade freely at Madapollam but have strictly commanded them not to impede or molest them in their traffic directly, or indirectly under pain of my displeasure provided, that if any disputed among the Merchants, or other Inhabitants, they are to be decided by my Deputies.

MASULIPATAM

I

Metchlipatam,

November 2nd, 1699.

The Nabob Fakier Ulla Cawn's Roka or Letter to Maumud Husseine Begue. Phouzdar of Metchlipatam.

That 'twas his Orders that the English Company's business should be aiding and assisting in it and encourage it to his power. That he should not trouble nor disturb them on account of customs; that they were preparing to request a Phirmaund if they did not succeed in't, 'twas time enough to consider of that hereafter that he had ordered a vest and Horse to be sent.

II

Madapollam,

October the 11th, 1700.

Meedee Cawn Begue Nabob's letter to Meer Salla Governor of Metchlipatam: received from Siccacull.

The Honorable John Pitt, Esquire, Consul &c has wrote to me for my Phirwonna and to write to you to forward their business. For that reason I write this Order you to assist them according to the former custom of the English Nation.

III

Copy of Meer Salla &c Officers of Metchlipatam Cowle given to the Honorable John Pitt Esq. Consul &c April the 17, 1699.

Where-as the Honorable John Pitt Esquire, Consul for the English Nation on this Coast, has given notice to the Government that an ambassador from the King of England ³ &c is set out from thence designing to land at this Port or Surat to proceed either place for the camp of the presence of the Great Mogul to procure a Phirmaund for carrying on their business; upon which notification We order, that they import and export Goods of all sorts Bullion, Gold, Silver &c Stores Shipping and ammunition for the same and all sorts of Grain and Provision to and from any port in Ships, Sloops, or Boats of any nature whatsoever and farther; they may trade by or sell in this country what, when and how they please, or do anything else at pleasure according to Sallabad or the former custom and do give them leave and free liberty to transact according to the same as well for their Merchants, Factors, Servants and all others belonging to the English in Metchlipatam or any other place under that Government; and as for themselves they may carry on their affairs live and prosper; and we further order, that they be not molested or hindered in the same; and we shall and will protect and assist them to our power and they may rely upon't and proceed in their business till the Phirmaund arrives.

IV

Metchlipatam,

November 28th, 1699.

Translate of the Request and Cowle given by the Government of Surat to Mr. Newse, etc.

Mr. Benjamin Newse and Mr. Clud Broose New Company's Merchants Salam to the Great Governor the 2th of November of 1699 on the 3d day of the Jamada Hassane and 43d Juluse or Year of the Throne by the grace we arrived safe in Surat Port and about a month before us the Montague one of our Ships was dispatched for India whom we expect every day to arrive here, and upon her the Consul; after we came they intended to send another ship which will be here in a little time an ambassador with five ships and from thence to the King. The Ships are to look out for rogues. Meer Sauheb Salamut we hope you'll give us a Phirwonna that will please us that we may bring our goods ashore and trade till the ambassador brings a Phirmaund and Hassaball Hoockum from the King.

V

Metchlipatam,

November the 2nd, 1699.

Fakier Ulla Cawn Nabob to the Consul from Siccacull.

Courageous and Honorable Senior Consul Governor of the English Company now residing at Metchlipatam, I congratulate their arrival and wish you prosperity. In the year 1111 you sent Haggee Soliman Begue to me and I am made acquainted with and sensible of your affairs and for your sake and satisfaction have dispatched my Roka to Maumud Hussein Begue now Fouzdar of the place about your business and given him leave to Tachereife ⁴ you and for what you desired you must not suspect or apprehend any trouble but believe and be assured all will go well. The Second Day of Samal dea Ovall.

VI

Metchlipatam,

October the 11th, 1700.

Noboob Mede Cawn Begue to the Consul from Siccacull.

The two letters you wrote me I received; one intimating your affairs and another concerning Narsinga Raw. I have perused them and observe the contents and accordingly have granted you two Phirmaunds; one to Narsingraw and the other to Marsall the form as customary so you may follow your affairs with discretion. You must consider the Emperor's interest by a plentiful Trade and number of Europe ships that he may be assured of your honorable design for the good of his country which will add to your reputation and gain an honorable esteem for your masters.

VII

Madapollam,

October 11^th, 1700.

Nabob Meede Cawn's Letter to Narsingaraw, Governor of Rajahmahindrum Country. From Siccaculle.

Lately the Consul wrote me a Letter which I received; they have sent for cloth, Red wood &c from Reddeminehim and those parts and has sent to me a Phirwona which I grant him; you must observe and strictly examine whether the English in the time of Mustapha Cooly Cawn (who is dead) paid any custom or Duties for any manner of commodities; if so you must act according to the old custom, otherwise not.

PETTAPOLE

Metchlipatam,

September 28th, 1699.

Goondapa, Governor of Peetepolee; his Cowle given to the Consul.

You have desired from me a Cowle to forward your Company's affairs in Petipole and Deourum Parr or Devorum Pock; so, according to their Phirwonna you get from above and as you proceed in Metchllpatam I have granted you a Cowle for landing or shipping your goods and assisting your affairs as shall concern these places so desire you'll send your shipping in these parts for the promoting of Trade where you shall find every thing answerable to your expectation.

VELAGAPUDI AND DEVARAMPOKA

I

Metchlipatam,

July the 22nd, 1700.

Meer Sallas, Fouzdar of Metchlipatam, his Cowle for renting Deourum Parr or Devorum Pock and Yallaga Poonde.

I, Meer Salla, give this Cowle to the Honorable John Pitt, Esquire, Counsel &c for three years for the renting of Deourum Parr or Devorum Poch and Yallega Poondee belonging to the Government of Petepolee for the time, his to pay 1110 Pagodas; he must manure the ground and encourage the people for the good of the places that the Inhabitants may live happy and easy under him; he's to pay Deurum Parr 200 Pagodas, the River Custom Pagodas 50, Yallaga Poondee Pagodas 120; all which amounts to 370 Pagodas a year and every 4 months is to pay 123 Pagodas 12 fanams till the time's expired, so may manage his affairs according as he pleases from the 44 year of the King's Reign till the 46th is expired. Dated July 5th 1700.

II

Metchlipatam,

December the 2nd, 1700.

Perseram, Phouzdar Pettepolee, His Cowle for Deourum Parr and Yellaga Poondee gave the Consul.

I, Perseram, give this Cowle to the Honorable John Pitt Esquire Consul &c for three years for the renting Deorum Parr or Devorurum Poch and Yallaga Poondee belonging to the Government of Pettapolee, for the time he's to pay Pagodas 1110; he must manure the ground, and encourage the people for the good of the place that the inhabitants may live happy and easy under him; he's to pay for Deourum Parr or Devorum Pock Pagodas 200, the River Custom 50, Yellaga Poondee Pagodas 120; all which amounts to 370 Pagodas a year and every four months is to pay Pagodas 123 and 12 fanams till the time's expired so may manage his affairs as he pleases from the forty-four year of the King's Reign till the 46 is expired. Dated 9th day of July 1700.

Mullapara's. Proprie for

Pearum Rass. Do.

Chundera Secaur.

Narran Chunno.

Memorandums.

Metchlipatam.

Ameene Gundapa granted the Consul a Cowl for the Rent of Deouram Parr or Devorum Pock which we have still by us, but the Government being changed and he removed, we got a fresh Cowl of the same purport from Perseram, his successor, in the Month of December as in course you'll find which is the reason we have not entered Gundapa's Cowle.

PROHIBITION OF THE TRADE OF THE NEW E.I.C.

Metchlipatam,

December 23rd, '99.

A Phirwonna General given by Fakeir Ulla Cawn, Nabob, to the Old Company prohibiting all others but those own'd.

Translate of a Cowle given Mr. Holcomb, Chief of Vizagapatam &c. westward as far as Munagala, North as far as pallow, being eighty leagues along shore to enjoy a free Trade; and whatever English Shipping shall arrive in any of your Ports, and are not acknowledged by him as such and have not his permission shall not have any liberty to trade but liable to a seizure. I accordingly have given this Cowle this 2d day of Suffer.

SPECIMEN RECEIPTS

I

Metchlipatam,

March the 20, 1699.

Moyante Naso's Receipt (Srof to Rangaray's) for Pagodas 680 paid him on account Ground &c granted the Company at Madapollam.

Received of the Honorable John Pitt, Esquire, Consul and President for affairs, on the account of Rangarays the sum of 680 Pagodas being for Ground bought of him in Madapollam. I say received this 20 day of March 1699.

II

Madapollam,

June 12th, 1700.

Rangarays Receipt for Pagodas 320 received in full of Pagodas 1000 for his Cowle and Ground &c Privileges given the English Company trading to the East Indies; the said 320

Pagodas being a present for the Grant of the said privileges more than the 680 pagodas.

1 Continued from the last issue.

2 Cousin of Thomas Pitt, Governor of Fort St. George from 1698 to 1709.

3 The Reference is to the arrival of Sir William Norris as the ambassador of the New English East India Company established by charter on the 5th of September 1698.

4 Honour and offer presents.