MRP: 10th March 1665/66, Letter from James Master to Sir GO, Langden Abbey

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10th March 1665/66, Letter from James Master to Sir GO, Langden Abbey

BL, Add. MS. XX,XXX, ff. 17-22

Editorial history

28/05/11, CSG: Completed transcription
15/12/11, CSG: Created page




Abstract & context



Suggested links


See 6th April 1663, Letter from James Master to Sir GO, Canterbury
See 12th March 1665/66, Letter from James Master to Sir GO
See 25th March 1665/66, Letter from James Master to Sir GO, Langden Abbey

See profile of Langdon (Abbey)


To do


(1) Check transcription against primary manuscript at BL


Transcription


This transcription has been completed, but required checking

[BL, Add. MS. XX, XX, ff. 17-22]

[f.17]

Honn:ed S:r

We are suddainly, & unexpectedly allarmed w:th the newse of the East India shipps coming into the Downes, they make it seemes more haste than ordinarily I wish they have but as good speed as is usual I adventured unto yo:w a fe lynes[1] about Christmas last by the way of the Coast of Choromandell, for I know not whit:er shll prosper, either this or that or whether both shall come a like to yo:r hands So at neither time I thought it good to withhould to my hands & pen, which uncertainty occasions from the less benefitt to me by my former endeavours, so that to give yo:w full satisfaction though not

[f.18]

Much more in case my former missing reach yo:w) I am necessitated to recapitulate all that is materiall for yo:w knowledge in yo:wr law affaires, & truly I am somewhat y:t loss capable to give yo:w a Pfect & pticular understanding in them by reason, I have been not been at London since June last, the grand mortallity that hath visited London & the Suburbs did not onely drive the gentry & psons but Businesses & the Tearmes[2] from their ussual places Last Michaelmass terme was kept at Oxford[3] where the Court then was the Sickness declining towards the Spring, the last Tearme as for the laste dayes Cou:te was as much of it as was kept was held at Westminster hall but few psons or Bussinesses returninged w:thit, though yo:rs called my Aunt Dalyson[4] up as for yo:r trade more than yo:r Law, where she being Vissited w:th much Weakenes & Illness for the present, makes my taske y:e harder & yo:r intelligencce more Imperfect, & less acceptable than if it had dropt from her penn, but to make the best of what cannott be [XXXX], I shall beginne now w:th what is most necessary for yo:r knowledge, because it will be matter of yo:r practice, The Suite by my Aunt Dallyson against Love,[5] Britton[6] & for my Brother Christophers[7] sallary due for his voyadge on the King Ferdinando hath long hung in Court & are pressing for an hearing (having examined Sou:ll Buisnesses) they presented yo:w were á materiall witness for them & desired á Commission to India to go examine yo:w which is onely for delay & to keep off the hearing a yeare & á halfe or two yeares longer, however they Swearing that yo:w were á materiall Witness for them in their cause & that w:thout your Testimony, they could not go to hearing, though you as á Defendant had answered upon oath & confes’t the materiall Allegations of the Bill there is á Commission to be sent out by this Shipp to examne yo:w agiant my Aunt Dallyson, which must be concerning my Uncles pformance of his Trust & ffactoradge, I suppose upon Some recollection yo:w may call to mind all that affaire, how y:t my Uncle[8] did his best for his Employers in every pticular as Circumstances fell out, though many things did not Succeed well for the advantage of the Employers, which they would now Impute to the ill mannadgm:t of their ffactor & for theire losse take his Sallary, The pticuler Interrogations they will Send to yo:w [XX] ???cannnocolearne, however yo:w must not be shy to be examined by the Commissioners appointed, but at convenient time & place appointed may answer to the Interrogationies

[f.19]

Send which wee doubt not yo:w cann fully answer without impeaching my Uncle or your selfe, As for the transaction at China[9] yo:w know nothing of yo:r owne knowledge, but as my Uncle & others related when they came to Surratt, so yo:w can’t speake to that, but as to y:e time of y:e Shipps coming to Surratt w:ch was about 21:sth or 22.Th Janu:ry to late to returne unto England y:t yeare, & no [XXXX]ledge [Could be "curteledge"] ore goodes to be had of any considerable Vallue, or Quantity of the reason & grounds of the shippe making a Voyadge to Bussora & how that was more proffitable for the employers , than her stay in India yo:w know very well they prestend goodes could be had then at Surratt for England but we Say they were very Inconsiderable, & the merchants would give but little freight, the pticulers yo:w may call to mind & the danger of a winter Voyadge, Then the employing of M:r Taverner[10] homeward bound & discharging M:r Willmott[11] may be putt unto yo:w which they did alleadge as a great Breach of trust to which yo:w can best answer & whether &, wherefore my Uncle Christopher did order and desire you so to doo, for it seems as he gave all his papers to M:r Taverner to pfect y:e Acco:tt w:th yo:w in the Shipp, then how yo:w and he made up the Acco:tt as they say was out of yo:r heads, not out of Bookes or papers (made at y:e time of the contract) if there were any unfittness & inabillity in M:r Willmott in Body or mind, yo:w may mention that, &, allso y:e abillity & fittness of M:r Taverner to make up Acco:tts & that the Acco:tts yo:w and he made up were honest, fare & clearem & yo:w must speake to the ptisculers putt unto yo:w possitively, if yo:w cann, &, if they were of yo:w own knowledge & transaction, I remember yo:w was Something in this Case about the Sale of muske which M:r Willmott bought, & now Saies & sweares he had a great Bargaine of it & made great proffitt by it here, so that we Say & proove by others & I suppose yo:w know that it was offer’d M:r Wiche & he refused it & t’was accounted badd Musk & t’was sould at y:e Best present markett I thinke they preytend yo:w had or would have had á share in it for yo:r selfe or Bannians, I mention these pticulers that yo:w may be prepared & not Surprised by any Question putt to yo:w yo:w may thinke of other relating to that employement for we know not how or w:t they will examine yo:w nore are we assured they will execute the Commission there fore the delay will be as much as if they deem & it may be more, for they may endeavour to have another Commission if they execution of this do not pleasure or be ?retarded, & therefore yo:w must give

[f. 20]

No Obstruction to it in the least, which weill doo uo:r Bussiness to yo:r owne mind I suppose this is enough for this Bussiness, they may endeavoure to wound yo:w in this, so yo:w must not make yo:rs, yo:r ffactor or Agent in that trade, but my Uncle Christopher & that you agreed w:th him & he had the goods at y:e Currant price, & he had the Sole mannadgm:t of the Shipp goodes & trade & you did nothing but as a ffreind & The Bill of excha: ?Qye Dormant, there is a Bill in Chancery for the discovery of the Severall Shares & proportions & present á Suite in Lacu S:r Martin Noell,[12] late Deceased & his Lady too, hath rcvd [?] M:r Temms[13] proportion, according to the rate of 5:LL 6:p Doll:r the Vallue allowed yo:w in the King Ferdinan:o Suits, which yo:r good honest Brothers Pearse & Bretton refuse & stand upon higher tearmes, than yo:w looke of them & so it lyes, M:rs Nokes death hath most presented us in y:e Suite against the Smirna Merch:ts Adventurers, it was a great trouble & charge to find out & lerne all the living Adventurers, & The Execut:rs & Administrators of the Deceas:d w:th process, which yet was done & wee have most of their Answers, & M:rs Noke dying we must be forced to doo the same againe by a Bill of Revier if wee proceed in it, but having [XXXXXX] [Could be "recvd"] your Sallary clearly & wholly besides the 600:ll charged in yo:r Booke to have recvd & other reckonings, Acco:ttss betwixt yo:w, yo:w may be no great Looser &, if y:e gaine will countervaile the Charge we shall beginne againe w:th them thow (For the Burnt Shipp[14] that hangs too, upon the returne of the Commission from India, they putt in a [XX]oss Bill against yo:w my Aunt Dallyson and M:r Atkins Executor to M:rs Noke[15]) upon many feigned pretences & allegations, my Aunt pleaded she was but yo:r Attorney here and ought not to answer before yo:w had, M:r Atkins hath putt in an answer to which they tooke exceptions, but proceed not in them, an Answer was sent yo:w out the last yeare to Sweare & to returne, I do much doubt that Bussiness because we have no possitive certain proofs of the goodes, theire Vallue, the loss and the buying them very good upon acco:ll of the Lre sent, but there is time enough & we shall doo as well as we cann, if yo:w can make no better proofe, many of the Smirna Merch:t adventurers exhibited á Bill against the Comi:tee yo:w and some others (y:e Joyned not w:th them as Comp:ts) A Plea Demur & Answer was sent yo:w out the last yeare, which we expect to be returned this yeare, so much fore y:e Grand Suite & troubles at London, I writt yo:w

[f.21]

Formerly of á Small Countrey Controversy, betwixt y:e Uffington [could be Effington] Boyces,. & yo:r Tenant the old mann is Since Dead, & my Aunt being at Dean the last Summer we promised a Map of S:r Thomas Engham[16] of the Bounds of yo:r lands according to which by the Consent of my Aunt, M:r Boyce[17] markes were sett downe & now Bounds twixt, by which yo:w have gaind about halfe an Acre of Land at Severall places, which is not of so much Concearne as that peace & quietness , we hope will follow, & that each knowes his owne & all Suits are ceased It is now time to thanke yo:w for your kind Letter I recvd by the Shipp London I am gladd yo:w are Satisfied not onely w:th my endeavours, but w:th the equallity & Justice of the Law, the rules of which are good, though Sometimes the administration is not So, which yo:r exposition [XX] cannott cause yo:w top say, though yo:r adversaries, have used all the tricks & Devises imaginable (except those that were honest to keepe yo:w from yo:r owne, & have made yo:w pay deare for it, & are still upon Delatory evasions & [XX]kes, So that I have hopes of Seeong yo:w here before I am like to see an end of all yo:r Suits & troubles, When I goe to London I shall enquire of M:r Papillon concerning y:e Bills of exch:a & what yo:w Say of them Because yo:w Seemd pleased w:th any newse y:t comes from England if it be but of yo:r houses I shall finish the Story of Sheremaine which being no ordinary one may be worth your reading & behold a wonderfull strange thing, poore Shoremain was billed in y:e Service ag:st the Dutch, about Michalmas last (w:th ffleet being cone in having taken Severall Dutch prizes, & two rich East India shipps among them the Dutch ffleet came upon y:e Coast & lay ag:st Deale on the otherside of the Goodwin, Sometimes were against Dover sometimes against Thanet, this allarmed the Countrey the trained Bands , horse & foot were up & Shoremaine was á Trooper in S:r Thomas Engham’s troops being at Deale upon á W Cister & giveing a Volley of shott, the Cap:t houlding fourth his Pistoll not w:th intention to discharge it as he saith, it went off & downe fell Shoremaine (being in y:e first ranke w:th the mann upon his backe, & upon Search three bulletts went into his head neare his eare, it was well he mist the mann & this fell Spittfire in the field hono:bly S:r Thomas promises great recompense too S:r Henry[18] but when it will come I know not, I wish S:r Henry doe ever know, we have had two Plagues this yeeare warre & pestilence, y:e latter of which hath destroyed neere an 100000 psons since this time twelve months, we hope that is ceasing, the warre continues not onely w:th the Dutch but is begunn w:th the ffrench, who have taken the Dutches’s pse ag:sy us Duke of Albermarle, & Prince Robert, goo Genneralls at Sea for this Summer

[f. 22]

Expedition upon some miscarriadge will mannadgm:t remained to be the last Summer, I hope yo:w will not make more hast home than good speed the Sooner the better So yo:w cann w:th Safety w:re is worth Some Stay, which I doo not Speak to him my Selfe more time to better my Condition ( I mean Double it) before your returne, though theire be little to be said unto yo:w of it at psent, it is sometimes Soone done when once begunn, & pray, do not thinke me too Cautious & fainthearted to enter into y:t Hon:ble estate when I know my :is , she shall know yo:r good Inclynations for her & the present of youre good intentions will supply all my defects, that way & be á Suffitient encouradgm:t for her to beleave she shall be very fine which yo:w know is no Small mater [or motion] to the Femail sex, S:r Who th:r ne Single, or wedded yo:w may assure yo:r Self of all the Service of my Abillities in Witness whereof , I here do sett my hand Signe mySelfe

S:r
Yo:r really affection:te Nephew
& Observant Servant
James Master

Langden Abby March 10:th 1665/6



Notes



Possible primary sources


Wallis, Patrick, 'Plagues, Morality and the Place of Medicine in Early Modern England', English Historical Review (February 2006) CXXI (490): 1-24. doi: 10.1093/ehr/cej001
  1. ↑ The letter he refers to does not appear in Sir George Oxenden's letter books
  2. ↑ Law terms
  3. ↑ The court of Chancery and the court of XXXX met at Oxford during the Michaelmas term of 1665, which ran from XXXX to XXXX
  4. ↑ Elizabeth Dallison, James Master's aunt and an elder sister of Sir George Oxenden. It is testimony to Elizabeth's stubborn pursuit of her brother's legal and commercial interests that she attended the court at Westminster, when many merchants and lawyers were still keeping to the country for fear of the contagion
  5. ↑ William Love, London merchant
  6. ↑ Thomas Breton, London merchant
  7. ↑ Christopher Oxenden, merchant, and younger brother of Sir George Oxenden. Died in Surat, 1659
  8. ↑ Christopher Oxenden, Sir George Oxenden's deceased younger brother
  9. ↑ The King Fernandez had been at Macao
  10. ↑ Francis Taverner, London merchant, resident in the parish of St. Andrew Undershaft at his death (b. ?, d. ca. 1662). Born ?Hexton, Hertfordshire, son of ?Richard Tavernor (alias Taverner). See Francis Taverner will
  11. ↑ Robert Wilmott. See Robert Wilmott will
  12. ↑ Sir Martin Noell and Lady Elizabeth Noell died within a few days of each other from the plague in late September/early October 1665. See Martin Noel will and Dame Elizabeth Noell will
  13. ↑ Nathaniel Temms, a major subscriber to the SVJS. He was a close commercial colleague of Martin Noell, but died in 1658
  14. ↑ The Smirna Merchant, following its return to London in 1658, was chartered again for the East Indies. On this latter voyage it was destroyed by fire at XXXX. See XXXX
  15. ↑ Jane Noke, the widow of William Noke, Sir George Oxenden's fellow factor in Surat, employed by the SVJS
  16. ↑ Sir Thomas Engham, a Kent neighbour of the Oxendens at Deane. His house in Goodnestone was listed as having 20 hearths in the 1662 hearth tax returns (Hearth tax)
  17. ↑ Mr. Boyce was XXXX. See Missing faces
  18. ↑ Sir Henry Oxenden

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