MRP: 24th November 1663, Letter from Robert Ferrand and Mr. John Swift, Goa

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24th November 1663, Letter from Robert Ferrand and Mr. John Swift, Goa

Editorial history

25/12/11, CSG: Created page






Abstract & context


Robert Ferrand and John Swift wrote to Sir George Oxenden in a letter dated November 14th, 1663, which they sent to him from Goa.

This letter appears to be signed by Robert Ferrand and John Swift, and it is unclear whose voice is being expressed. The letter made reference to letters sent by Sir George Oxenden dated 10th October and 29th October [1663]. It refers to Sir George Oxenden’s promise "y:t you will endeavour to gett mee in y:e Comp:as service," which presumably refers to John Swift.

The writers had written to Sir George Oxenden in a letter dated 26th September and sent by XXXX bound directly for Surat, acknowledging recipt of Sir George Oxenden's letter of 14th August, which encouraged the writer to buy "20: pipes of Rack." The writer had done so, and had "borrowed y:e money of John de Prado."

Sir George Oxenden’s letter of 29th October had arrived on the Loyal Merchant, the same ship departing on 2nd November. Mr Taylor intended to put some of the Company’s goods ashore in Goa, in the charge of the writer, but "I being ill of á violent ffeaver (w:ch I had had 20: dayes before his Comeing) & not in a Condicon to Looke after any businesse hee Left M:r Bendish to Looke after it, who hath sould 30: halfe pcces of Cloth y:e most part at 9:xp:s p yard as marked."

The writers reported "I have Lost my ffeavo:r but have had á fflux on mee this 9: or 10: day:s w:ch hath given mee 50: & 60: stooles á night besides many in y:e day but now I thank God it is much abated, but I am very weake therefore desire you to Excuse my rude Lynes this is á very unhealthfull place."

It is possible that the letter was dictated by Mr. John Swift and written by Robert Fferrand. Certainly the mention of Sir George Oxenden’s commitment to try to get the writer service with the Company suggests that it was Sir George Swift’s brother-in-law, John Swift



Suggested links


See 19th February 1662/63, Letter from Robert Fferrand to Sir GO, Rajapore
See 10th December 1663, Letter from Robert Ferrand to Sir GO, Goa
See 25th March 1664, Letter from Robert fferrand to Sir GO, Goa

See Goa



To do


(1) Trancribe this letter



Transcription


This letter has not yet been transcribed



Notes

EEIC, 1655-1659


"[March 12, 1658] Conditions for the security to be given by the President to be drawn up. The names of John Bowie, Edward Doughty, Augustine Swallow, James Rich, Robert Ferrand, and - Fenwicke to be added to the list from which the President and Council are to choose in filling up vacancies. The brother of William Jesson, lately a factor at Agra, begs the Court's assistance in getting in his said brother's debts ; also that the latter's salary may be made up and paid to him in India, and that he may be allowed to send out goods to the value of 500/. to enable his brother to clear his debts ; he is promised help in the recovering of the debts and given permission to send out goods to the stated value, on condition that he notifies their nature and the ship in which they go, but is told that his brother's salary cannot be paid until he has cleared his debts and engagements in India."[1]



EEIC, 1660-1663

  1. 'A Court of Committees for the New General Stock, March 12, 1658' (Court Book, vol. xxiv, p. 87), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A Calendar of the Court Minutes of the East India Company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), pp. 240-241