MRP: October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO
October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO
BL, Add. MS. XX, XXXX, f. 22
Editorial history
13/12/11, CSG: Created page
Abstract & context
Captain Robert Bowen wrote to Sir George Oxenden in a letter dated October 1667.
He had written twice before, in letters dated April 14th 1667 and October 3rd, 1667. The first of these previous letters had been sent from Padstow [Plaistow], and the second was from London.[1]
The purpose of this short letter was to chase up a parcel of seventy-four diamonds which Robert Bowen had left in Surat with Sir George. In the meantime Bowen had sold the diamonds to the London merchant Christopher Willoughby. Bowen ruefully acknowledged that he had sold them at a loss.
Christopher Willoughby had himself written to Sir George Oxenden in April 1667 to enquire about the diamonds.[2]
The letter of October 1667 appears to be a near copy of his letter of April 14th, 1667. It may have been sent as an insurance against the possible loss of the first letter, given the war with the Dutch, which made sea travel most uncertain.
Robert Bowen was on familiar terms with Sir George Oxenden, as were a number of mariners whose letters also survive. He signed off "your loving friend," and included news of Sir George's nephew, Charles Masters, who had returned from Surat in December 1665.
Suggested links
See 14th April 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO, Pladsto
See 3rd October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO, London
To do
(1) Check transcription against physical manuscript at BL
Transcription
This transcription has been completed, but required checking
[BL, Add. MS. XX, XXXX, f. 22]
[f.22]
S:r George Oxinden & Hon: ffreind
Sr
I was in good hopes by ye last suratt shipps to have recvd my small box of Dymonds left in yo:r worps hands contayning seventy 4 dimonds but I soppose it was yo:e love & Care to me y:t yo:w sent y:m not being the times were dangerous but now peece being concluded I doe desire they may be sent unto M:r Christopher Willoughby[3] unto whom I have sould y:m although to losse: therefore for ye future disposure of y:m pray observe his order not already present but remaine
Yo:r loving ffreind
Rob:t Bowen
Charles Masters[4] rememb his duty to yo Wors: & ye rest
of his relations
JO RB
Notes
- ↑ 14th April 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO, Pladsto; 3rd October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO, London
- ↑ April 1667, Letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir GO
- ↑ Christopher Willoughby, London Merchant. See letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir George Oxenden in which Willoughby discusses at length the missing diamonds: April 1667, Letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir GO
- ↑ Charles Masters returned from Surat in December 1665. His mother, Ann Masters wrote to her brother, Sir George Oxenden, on March 10th 1665/66, telling him of Charles' return. See 10th March 1665/66, Letter from Ann Master to Sir GO, London
