MRP: 30th March 1663, Letter from Thomas Rastell to Sir GO, London
Contents
30th March 1663, Letter from Thomas Rastell to Sir GO, London
BL, MS. XX, XXXX, f. 68
Editorial history
02/06/09, CSG: Completed transcription
14/12/11, CSG: Created page & posted transcription to wiki
Abstract & context
Thomas Rastell was a former President of the English East India Company at Surat (XXX-XXX), under whom George Oxenden had served. In this letter from Rastell to Sir George Oxenden, Rastell refers to Charles Smeaton ("Mr. Smeaton"). Charles, the son of Charles Smeaton senior, had been employed as a factor together with Gerald Aungier, Charles Proby, Thomas Stiles, Streynsham Master, Charles Bendish, Richard Hardres, and Henry Oxenden.[1]
and others, at the start of the 1660s.
Suggested links
To do
(1) Check transcription against physical manuscript at BL
Transcription
This transcription has been completed, but requires checking
[BL, MS. XX, XXXX, f. 68]
I pray S:r pardon y:e trouble I give you of these lines &, y:e further trouble I begg from you of a few words in answer, it is to know if Girden [Firdon?] Brok:e [OR Broke:s] hath satisffied either to yo:e selfe or to M:r Smeaton, theare (sic) for mee y:d m:a 1329: w:ch was left w:th him by M:r Rob:t Duke a:o 1659: to bee retourned to mee by y:e shipp you came home in y:t yeare w:ch I hope hee hath done w:th interest by y:d goods meanes w:ch you will have used; If not I pray S:r lett M:r Smeaton have all y:e Countenance & assistance you can give him for recovery of it, of w:ch I no way doubt & if any Capasity I can any way serve you heere I shall take it for a great favour to receave yo:r Commands, y:t I may have opportunity to show my readinesse to take any occasion to doo you service soo wishing you all prosperous success in all yo:r affaires, I kisse yo:r hand & rest
London 30:th March 1663
S:r
Yo:r most affectionate
Humble servant
Thomas Rastell
Notes
"The following men are entertained as factors: Gerald Aungeir (sic), Charles Proby, John Nicholas,Robert Elowes, William Jones, Hannibal Allen, John Budly, Charles Smeaton, and Thomas Stiles."[2]
"... Charles Smeaton, Senior, and John Pory in 1,ooo/. for Charles Smeaton, Junior…"[3]
"The following secuirties are accepted:….[I have ommitted text] …John Pory and Hednry Hampson for Charles Smeaton"[4]
"…Aungier, Scrivener, Mathew Gray, Randolph Taylor, Thomas Rolt, Francis Cobb, Robert Barbor, Charles James, Charles Smeaton, Robert Sainthill, Streynsham Master, Ralph Lambton, Valentine Nurse, Thomas Hoskins, Richard Taylor, Richard Hardres, Richard Francis, Henry Oxenden, Charles Bendish, John Petit, Henry...."[5]
"…at Karwar (Robert Master, Philip Giffard, and Caesar Chamberlain), at Porakad (John Harrington and Alexander Grigby), and at Calicut (Charles Smeaton and Robert Barbor"[6]
"and towards the end of 1666 Smeaton and Barbor, the two merchants at Calicut, finding it impossible to satisfy the demands of the Zamorin for further loans of money, had fled secretly to Tanur, a place on the sea-coast twenty miles to the southwards, where the local chief..."[7]
"…Smeaton was to be sent to Surat as “altogether unfit"[8]
“Charles Smeaton, an “able accomptant”, was sent down to keep the books and succeed Giffard (sic) as his “Second” in Council [The Bombay Council, second to Aungier], but died within two months of his appointment"[9]
Possible primary sources
PROB 11/309 Laud 108–162 Will of Charles Smeaton, Mercer of London 09 August 1662
