REFLECTIONS On a Scandalous PAPER, ENTITULED THE ANSWER OF THE East-India-Company To Two Printed PAPERS of M R. SAMUEL WHITE: Together with the True CHARACTER of FRANCIS DAVENPORT THE SAID Company's Historyographer.
Detecting some of the Villanies he has been Guilty of in several parts of the WORLD; and proving the PAMPHLET now Publish'd by the foresaid Company in his Name to be a Malicious Forgery, under Attestations of sundry Credible Persons.
Humbly Presented to the Honourable The Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses in PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED.
By GEORGE WHITE.
LONDON, Printed in the Year, M.DC.LXXXIX.
SInce the Profligate Age we Live in do's daily produce new Prodigies of Villany, 'tis no very strange thing to see those Criminals who are Guilty of Murder, Rapine, and Ingratitude, have recourse to PERJURY for Protection: And therefore I was the less surpriz'd when at my return from discharging the last Offices of Kindness to my Deceased Brother, I perus'd a Paper, Entituled An Historical Abstract of Mr. Samuel White, his Management of Affairs, &c. by Francis Davenport: But that such an Infamous Forgery shou'd be brought forth by the Midwifry of the East-India-Company, and usher'd into the World by a Sheet which is pretended to be an Answer to my Brother's Complaints; and both these presented to the Honourable House of Commons, is such an Amazing Insolence, that no Mankind of a less Assurance than He who has Vested himself with Despotic Power, cou'd dare to be the Author of the One, or the Editor of the Other.
As to that little Matter in the Prologue, which is pointed directly against my Brother, by way of Introduction to the following Fictions, I will not waste any time in offering a word of Answer to it here, but leave his Just Cause secur'd by the Safe-guard of Truth, from the fiercest and most subtile Assaults can be made against it by all the Malice of Hell: And I enter upon the Engagement with this Condition, That if I do not make good Proof of every Article, as 'tis laid down in the State of his Case, when the Parliament shall please to grant me a Hearing; and if now, in the interim, I do not by a Cloud of unexceptionable Witnesses manifest to the World, That this Vile Wretch DAVENPORT, on whose Evidence the Company have so much Dependance, is one of the most Notorious Rogues in Nature, and so esteem'd by all Honest Men that ever had the unhappiness to have been Concern'd or Acquainted with him; and more particularly that he forg'd this Malicious Story to wreck his Revenge on my Brother for Chastizing him according to his Demerits: Wherein he was also Encourag'd by Elihu Yale at Madrass, in hopes that by thus Black'ning my Brother's Reputation, 'twould help to take off the force of his Evidence against the said Yale, for his Treacherous Dealings with the King of Siam in a parcel of Jewels: And Lastly, If I make it not appear that my Brother, who has been so Barbarously Abus'd and Injur'd, has not only never deserv'd Ill of the King, Nation, or Company, but contrarily, that he did always express himself both in Word and Deed a most Obedient Subject to the Government. That he was a True Lover of his Country, and did in his Station maintain and promote the Honour of it: And that he did not only always bear a due Respect to the East-India-Company, but particularly did with that extraordinary Zeal and Kindness give Relief to their Ship the Golden-Fleece in her Distress; and so was the Instrument of Preserving 190000 l. of their Estate, which could not but have extorted some grateful Acknowledgments from all Mankind, but those who upon assuming a Despotic-Power have divested themselves of Humanity. I say, If I make not out a full and plain Evidence of all these things, I will readily submit that the Remains of my Brother's Estate shall follow the Fate of the greater [Page 4]part, and be entirely Devour'd by the Company. As on the other side, If I do clear the Truth from all these Clouds wherewith the Agents of the Father of Lies have endeavour'd to obscure and smother it, I cannot doubt that all those concern'd in the Management of the Company's Affairs, who are but endu'd with the Grace of Common Honesty, will readily encline to make due Restitution of what has been so unjustly taken from him. And as for the Author, with those who enjoy their Places on condition that their Consciences are at his Command, I humbly depend on the Parliament to Convince them by such Arguments, as shall to the great Wisdom of the Honourable House seem most proper for the Occasion.
AS to the great shew the Author has made of his Parts and Principles in sundry Paragraphs of this that he calls The Company's Answer, tho' 'tis Foreign to my present Business, yet I cannot pass over such Incongruous Stuff without some brief Remarks: And I seriously protest it astonishes me to see to what Prodigious Extravagancies the success of some former bold Actions can Transport an Ambitious and Insulting Temper. For who could think, That a Subject of England shou'd dare to Abuse the Parliament as he has done, with such slight Sophistry as wou'd be Ridiculous amongst School-Boys, framing Disguises for his Evil Actions by most fallacious Arguments and Inferences; and where he cou'd not so serve the Turn, he imitates His Friend Davenport in Assertions that are most false, groundless, and scandalous.
These are such Affronts and Indignities to the Wisdom of the Nation, that speaks the AUTHOR to be an Old OFFENDER, who having pass'd with impunity through a long Course of Transgressions, is harden'd into a Conceipt, that he is above the reach of the Legislative-Power of the Kingdom: I shall now only give a hint of 'em in the following Cursory Notices.
HE says, The ground of the Company's Wars with Siam was not only Just but Cogent, and offers to prove it by a larger Narrative, which I am resolv'd to provoke him to produce to the Publick; for I tell him beforehand, that I have by me a full and true Account of that Wicked Thing, which was intended to have been Address'd to the Parliament by my Brother, and shall be very suddenly presented by me in his Name.
The next is a Fling at my Lord Phaulkon, and all that his Impotent Malice cou'd dictate to disparage and lessen him, is to say, He was a poor Fellow, and Steward's Mate of a small Ship, which I readily own to be true; and I doubt not but all Ingenious Men will the more esteem and honour him, who from so small a beginning, has meerly by his own Merits rais'd himself to be Lord-High-Steward of a great Kingdom; nor is he less Advanc'd in Opulency than Power and Dignity: For I'm sure if our Author's Estate (as Bulky as 'tis) were to be compar'd with what his Lordship is now possest of, 'twould look like a Little Child to a great Man.
'Tis a notable Slight of Hand our Author uses to cover over the Trayterous Presumption of his new-made-General, in ascribing to himself Despotic Power and Soveraign-Authority, by saying my Brother do's in his Case play with those Expressions: And 'tis well if he can be so easily brought off from that Charge, which my Counsel tells me is very little less than High Treason. But I must confess our Author is bound to use all his Art and Cunning [Page 5]to Extricate his Creature out of that Snare, because I believe 'twill be prov'd he led him into't; and I see he is still so full of the Humour, that he cannot forbear even in this Paper he presents to the Parliament; for here he has got a new Phrase for the Company's Servants, and calls them the Company's Subjects under the King, which is another bold Stroke; and indeed I cou'd wish he wou'd in time consider and refrain these Ambitious Exorbitancies, lest the True Sovereign Authority shou'd be at length provok'd to Convince him of his Error, as King Edward the Fourth did the Citizen that Liv'd at the Crown in Cheapside, for much such another Crime: And then alas! what wou'd become of Our East-India-Company, if he were so Tyed up from Managing their Affairs.
He next tells us, He believes the Company have in Seven or Eight Years past, done more for the Publick Good and Honour of the Nation, than all their Predecessors since Queen Elizabeth's time; and he gives One or Two Instances to prove it, which are worthy Examination.
The first is their Faithful Defence of the English Interest in the Case of Bantam, against Eminent Dutch Civilians; and he refers to the Arguments on that Occasion, that are extant in Print, which I have read; and if I may be so bold to give my Opinion of that little Book, I must say, That the AUTHOR has in the three or four first Lines, and some other places, discharg'd whole Volleys of Verbosity upon the Batavian's, but did no more Execution than the BOUNCE OF A CHILDISH POP-GUN: And the Truth is, that instead of Meriting by their Endeavours to defend, Our Company are much to be blam'd for their gross Neglects and Mismanagements, which gave the Dutch an opportunity to accomplish that Design.
Another Good Work he attributes to the Company, is what he calls the Reducing the Rebels at Bombay and St. Helena. As to the first of those Places I am a stranger to the Merits of the Cause; but at St. Helena the business was briefly and truly thus; Robert Holden the Deputy-Governor, had been order'd by SOME-BODY to begin the setting up a New Sovereignty there in the Name of the Company; telling the Inhabitants they were no more the King's, but the Company's Subjects, which they apprehending to be Dangerous and Treasonable Words, one of them complain'd of Him to Major Blackmore the Governor, who being in the same Interests, took part with Holden, and Imprisoned the Accuser; at which all the People there were much concern'd, and made Application to him to secure the said Holden, and set the other at Liberty, who was so causelesly Confin'd; whereto he gave Answer, by causing two great Guns to be fir'd, which kill'd Three and wounded Fourteen; and Three Months after he did by his Own Authority Judge, Condemn, and Hang Two more, sending an Account of his Proceedings to His Masters here, and ONE of them who had great Influences at Court, procur'd a Commission from the late King to Try several others by a Court-Marshal, whereby five more lost their Lives. AND ALL THIS FOR THE PUBLICK GOOD AND HONOUR OF THE NATION.
Another of our Company's Famous Actions, he reckons to be the Wars they have made with the Great Mogul and King of Siam; of the latter, whereof, I have promis'd an Account shall suddenly be made Publick; and will only here by the way, Charge the Author with a direct Falsity in affirming his Ingenious Capt. Andrews, had his Majesties Commission under the [Page 6]Great Seal of England, to War against that Prince. And as to the Violences they have acted on the Great Mogul's Subjects, I confess I cou'd never yet hear what pretences they have for't; but I know their Proceedings therein do more deserve to be term'd Fellonious than Hostile: For besides the vast Sums they were indebted to the Merchants at Surrat, when they left that place; they did also make use of another Stratagem to assist the Success of their intended Force by a Base Fraud: For their New-Made-General gave the foresaid Merchants Encouragement to Adventure their Ships and Estates to to Sea, on the Security of the Company's Passes, and afterwards took the opportunity to make Prize of those very Effects: Which was such a Breach of Faith, that a Barbarian wou'd blush at it. And because I may therefore suppose the Report of so Black an Action will not readily be Credited, I declare that I can, and will, if it be needful, produce a Gentleman of unquestion'd Credit to Testifie, That he had the Account of it from ONE that do's not only know as much of those Affairs as our AUTHOR can pretend to; but if I am not very much mistaken, is in all respects as like him as any thing can possibly be to its own Self: And when he told my Friend the Pleasant Story, He cou'd not but Applaud the Policy, and declare the great Satisfaction he had in the Success thereof, as he now in this Paper calls it GOD's WONDERFUL BLESSING TO THEIR JUST ARMS.
Our AUTHOR has two or three very strenous Arguments to Insinuate, That 'tis indispensably requisite the Company shou'd have an Alsolute Power over the Lives and Estates of their Fellow-Subjects in the Indies. And first he says, For that they have so many Towns, Forts, and Garrisons; which many Towns (besides the little Island of Bombay) is no more than One, that I ever yet knew or heard of, and that is call'd Madrass, in the Kingdom of Golcondah, which yet is not altogether their own neither, for they pay an Annual Rent to the King of that Country for it.
Next he reckons the infinite Charge they are at, in sundry Particulars, and amongst them he mentions the Demorage of Ships, which by the way I must tell him wou'd be very inconsiderable, if our Trade were Prudently and Regularly Manag'd. But however, they have lately found out an Expedient to alleviate that Charge, by keeping the Ships so long abroad, that renders them incapable to return; and so both Freight and Demorage are discharg'd without paying a Farthing, as they have already done to three or four Ships; and several more that are now in India are much doubted to be in the same Condition; whereby a very great Injury and Injustice is done to the Nation in general, as well as to the particular Proprietors. But all this is easily wip'd off by an Ingenious Contrivance, as was lately done at the Arrival of the Modena, in putting a piece of News into the Gazette, and Dating it from the Downs, to tell us, THE WORMS DO VERY MUCH DESTROY SHIPPING IN THAT COUNTRY.
The last and most invincible Argument of this kind, I will lay down just as 'tis in the AUTHOR's PAPER, and try if I can frame it into a Sillogism.
[Page 7] ☞ The Company hope, all Gentlemen know, That the Governments of the Eastern Parts of the World, are meerly Despotical.
But the never sufficiently to be Admir'd and Belov'd Common and Statute Laws of this Kingdom, are Plants too Precious to be understood, or grow so far Eastward, or in any other Soil but that of our Blessed Native Country.
Ergo, 'Tis indispensably necessary our Company shou'd have a Despotic Power over the Lives and Estates of all their Fellow-Subjects, That Adventure themselves within the Territories of their Charter.
The Major and Minor are the Author's own Words; and the Conclusion is what I'm sure he drives at: And is not this fit Logick to be impos'd on the Wisdom of the PARLIAMENT.
As to those SPLENDID ENCOMIUMS wherewith our AUTHOR do's bespangle his NEW-MADE-GENERAL, I will only say thus much; First, That he was in the beginning as Poor a Fellow as ever my Lord Phaulkon was, and had so continu'd to this day, had not the great Charity of an Indulgent Ʋncle put him forward in the World: Then as to his GREAT PARTS and LITERATURE, I refer to his Papers in the Company's Register to Testifie in his behalf. And Lastly, As to the Great Esteem he enjoys among the People of India, I beg leave to give an Instance of it, as 'twas told me by a Friend came lately from Surrat, who try'd to imitate the Banyan's way of talking broken English, and expressing their Sentiments of the GENERAL and his late HEROIC ACTIONS: But I must first take Notice, That when the Company's Chief Factor at Surrat was call'd President, they Saluted him with the Stile of HONOURABLE; but since the GENERALSHIP, 'tis mounted to HIS EXCELLENCY, which is so uncouth a Word to the Banians, that they lose the two first Syllables in the Pronunciation, saying Only, LENCY: And thus, as near as I can Copy after my Friend, they speak their Opinions of the Difference 'twixt the past and present Demeanour of the English.
When Honor have here, English-man very Goodman have, buy Good, Pay Money; Banian put Life in English-man hand: Now this 'LENCY come, DEVIL thing come, buy Good, run away, no pay Money, then War make, take Ship, take Good, kill Man, DEVIL thing this 'LENCY, this 'LENCY, DEVIL thing have.
In this Extraordinary manner do the People there Celebrate the GENERAL's Praises, which the AUTHOR Interprets to us in plain English thus, He is a Person of KNOWN-SOBRIETY, WISDOM, TRUTH, and COURAGE, Esteem'd and Belov'd by People of all Nations in India; That have so much Ingenuity, to Acknowledge Vertue in an Enemy—
[Page 8] And here, after this Demonstration of that High Honour and Esteem the GENERAL enjoys, or deserves to enjoy amongst the Natives, I must also be just to him, in acknowledging, that he has likewise merited much more than all his Predecessors ever did from his own Country-men, as may be prov'd by a Thousand Instances like this One, wherewith I shall Conclude.
'Tis the Case of Captain Valentine Pines, whose Ship and Goods his EXCELLENCY did by his DESPOTIC POWER Seize and make Prize of, to amount of about 3000 l. and since the Captain has made a hard shift to get home on a Portugueze Ship; The Committee of the East-India-Company, have upon Mature and Consciencious Deliberation thought it convenient to restore to him 1300 l. in Money, and promise to repay the rest in FAVOURS. From whence I infer they are Conscious to themselves, that their GENERAL did in that Affair lay aside his SOBRIETY, WISDOM, and TRUTH, and was Acted by a Spirit of Base Revenge and Malice, which put him upon that most Ʋnjust and Illegal Seizure.
I have thus run over that Scandalous and Impertinent Paper, and I shall now only add, That I am well aware who HE is, that under the Name of the East-India-Company Contends with me: As to his Original, if he was not altogether A very Poor Fellow, yet he was but at best a Very Ordinary Man, tho' he has since receiv'd all his Portion of Good Things in this Life, which has Stimulated his Ambition to that Extravagant Height, that he seems to look downward on the rest of Mankind; nay, he has dar'd to assume a Sovereignty over his Fellow-Subjects, whose Lives and Estates he has Destroy'd, and Dispos'd of at his Pleasure; and raises his Own Family on the BLOOD and RUIN of his Neighbours. But tho' my Enemy be in all respects thus Formidable, yet I cannot fear; because I have God, and the King, and the Laws, and all Honest Men of the Nation on my side: And under the Support and Assistance of these Ally's, I have Adventur'd to Engage with this GREAT GOLIAH.
The True CHARACTER OF
FRANCIS DAVENPORT THE EAST-INDIA
Company's Historyographer.
Detecting some of the
Villanies he has been Guilty of in several parts of the WORLD; and proving the
PAMPHLET now Publish'd by the foresaid Company in his Name to be a
Malicious Forgery, under Attestations of sundry Credible Persons,
Viz.
The Deposition of John Casey Marriner.
JOHN CASEY Marriner, now Living in Ratcliff maketh Oath, That he was formerly acquainted with FRANCIS DAVENPORT at Boston in New-England, who was there employ'd by one Peter Lee his Kinsman, as Master of a Ketch bound for Falmouth-Harbour on the Island of Antego; where this Deponent has heard they arriv'd, and dispos'd of the major-part of their Cargo, and were bound from thence for St. John's Harbour on the said Island: But FRANCIS DAVENPORT did designedly miss the said Port, and went to the Island of Mevis, at which time the aforesaid Owner, Mr. Peter Lee, being much indispos'd in his Health, went Ashore; and FRANCIS DAVENPORT took the opportunity of his Absence, to perswade the Men to Arrest the Vessel for their Wages; while at the same time he pretended to the said Owner (who was by his Sickness confin'd to his Bed) That he was much concern'd for that unworthy Action of the Marriners, and would manage the Cause in his behalf against them, if he pleas'd to confide in his Endeavours; which the said Owner accordingly did, and left the Matter entirely to him; wherein he so acted, that the said Vessel was presently condemn'd, and Sold by the said DAVENPORT, who in two or three days Sail'd for England, without the knowledge of his Kinsman the Owner; who when he understood how treacherously he had been dealt with by him, was very much griev'd and dyed soon after.
This Deponent doth further Affirm, That the foresaid FRANCIS DAVENPORT, was to his knowledge Marry'd at Boston in New-England, where his Wife now is, or lately was Living: And the said Deponent has heard by several credible Persons, that the said DAVENPORT did some Years since Marry another Wife at Bengall, in the East-Indie's; and that he has committed several perfidious Actions in those Parts, and is accounted by all that know him, a very Treacherous Cheating VILLAIN.
The Deposition of George Tash, of London Merchant.
GEORGE TASH maketh Oath, That he Arrived at Tonqueen in the Ship Formosa, Anno 1678. when he found FRANCIS DAVENPORT in the Factory, who had been (as he was inform'd) sometime before taken fom his Employment of Quarter-Master on board the Ship Eagle, to make a Crane for the King of Tonqueen, which he performed very Ingeniously, and the Chief and Factors being inclined to do him a kindness, prefer'd him to be Gunner of the foresaid Ship Formosa, whereon he proceeded to Bantam, being intrusted with Adventures by all the English in the Factory save one; and had the like Credit given him also by some of the Natives upon his Obligations to return to them by the first Conveyance, and render punctual Satisfaction to the Proprietors. But instead of an honest complyance with his Engagements, he finding at his Arrival at Bantam, the Ship Johannah in readiness to return for Europe (as this Deponent was inform'd by Letters from thence) took his Passage on her for England, and so put a cheat upon them all, except Mr. Thomas James, the Chief, who had cautiously provided to have his Correspondent demand his Money at the said Port of Bantam, as this Deponent also had done, but unhappily entrusted him with his Pacquet, which (as this Deponent believes) he broke open; for he did treacherously conceal his Letter that gave those Directions. And this Deponent further saith, That Captain Dyke, Commander of the Formosa, at his return to Tonqueen aforesaid, the next Season, with this bad News of the said FRANCIS DAVENPORT, told this Deponent and the rest of the Factors, That he had been as troublesome to him, as knavish to them, in making continual Embroils and Disturbances amongst the Ships Company: And afterwards, before this Deponent left Tonqueen, they had an Account that he was return'd again to India, and had been at Bengall and Siam, where he was also notorious for his Villanous Practices: Nor did this Deponent ever hear his Name mention'd, without an Infamous Character.
The Deposition of Winifred Blemair, of Ratcliff.
WINIFRED BLEMAIR, Widow, maketh Oath, That in, or about the Year 1681. Capt. Thomas Jowls, and Francis Davenport, coming from Sea, took up their Lodgings in the House of Winifred Blemair, near Ratcliff-Cross; and some Weeks afterwards there was put into the Gazette an Advertisement signifying, That One Mr. Davenport, a Gentleman residing in the Country, did thereby Declare, That he being grown Ancient, and having no Issue of his own, was intended to settle his Estate of two Hundred Pounds per Annum, on a Nephew of his, Nam'd Francis Davenport, whom he was therefore very desirous to hear of. Whereupon the foresaid DAVENPORT did affirm, That he was the Man, and on that occasion requested the said Capt. Jowls to lend him Money to provide himself with Cloaths, and bear his Expences down to his said Uncle's House; which Capt. Jowls accordingly did supply him with, to the Amount of about 23 l.. After which he absented himself from the House for about the space of a Month, and [Page 11]then return'd again; saying, His Uncle wou'd be in London in two or three Days, when he invited the said Capt. Jowls to accompany him to the City, to Visit his said Uncle as he pretended; but as they pass'd through Cheapside he took an opportunity to leave the Captain, who never saw, nor heard of him afterwards, nor did ever receive any Satisfaction for the foresaid Money he lent him, solely in confidence of the Truth of what was put into the Gazette, which prov'd to be a meer Forgery contriv'd by DAVENPORT to defraud the Captain, as by further enquiry into the Matter he afterwards understood. And this Deponent do's further affirm, That she has been inform'd the said DAVENPORT did soon after he with-drew himself, as aforesaid, make a Voyage to the East-Indie's, were she hears he now resides, and continues such Evil Practises, as he us'd here in England.
The Deposition of Sir William Hedges Knight, and Mr. Robert Dowglass of London Merchants.
THese are to Certisie all whom it may concern, That in time of our Residence in the Bay of Bengall in India, FRANCIS DAVENPORT did serve the Company in their Sloops in the River Ganges; where he was much complain'd of by all his Fellow-Servants, for a Person of a very Turbulent Spirit, making continual Disturbances among 'em, and was therefore Remov'd from one Vessel to another, till at length he deserted the Service, and was Entertain'd by one Davies an Interloper that then Resided there, who Employ'd him as Pilot of a small Vessel, which through great Carelesness or Ignorance, he soon after cast away in the Mouth of the River; and at the return of himself and the People that belong'd to her to the Town of Hughly, he was by some of the Company Accus'd to have taken an opportunity, after that disaster befel the Vessel, to Murther the Supra-Cargo John Naylor, and possess himself of his Money, of which VILLANY there were many Circumstances, which gave strong Inducements to believe he was Guilty: But the Proof not being full and positive, he was no further Prosecuted for it.
We do also declare, That he Marryed in Bengall to a Native of that Place, and there was those that did positively affirm he had another Wife in New-England; and by some that came from the South-Seas we had likewise Intelligence of his Fraudulent Actions in those parts: So that he was lookt upon by us all to be a most Profligate Scandalous Person; nor do we remember that we ever met with any Man that had a better Opinion of him.
Altho' there can need no further Confirmation of what these Two Gentlemen have Depos'd; yet I must not omit to intimate, That William Johnson Esq a Member of the Honourable House of Commons, and Mr. Edward Littleton, a Merchant of known Worth and Credit in this City, who were both Contemporaries in Bengall, with the Deponents can give the same Evidence, and have been pleas'd to promise me, They will readily do it if it be requisite.
The Deposition of Mr. Francis Heath of London Merchant.
FRANCIS HEATH of London Merchant maketh Oath, That he was well Acquainted with Mr. Samuel White in the time that he Serv'd the King of Siam as Shawbander of Tenassary and Mergen, having been Employ'd by him as Supra-Cargo of several of his Ships, and so continued from about the beginning September 1684. to November 1686. In which time he made several Voyages to Fort St. George, and was always kindly received by the Governor and the Honourable Company's Servants, having free Liberty to Negotiate his Affairs in the said Mr. White's Name: And this Deponent further saith, That he also knew FRANCIS DAVENPORT, who was a Servant to the said Mr. White, and kept by him to Assist him in the multitude of Bufiness that was upon him, for that he was very quick at his Pen; but he further Affirms, That the said DAVENPORT had the General Character of being a Dishonest and Faithless Fellow; as to his knowledge Mr. White was warn'd of by several of his Friends, and particularly by my Lord Phaulkon, in the hearing of this Deponent; but that he neuertheless kept him for the necessity of his Affairs, being very careful all the while this Deponent was there, not to intrust him with any Matter which might give him opportunity to wrong him, as he also believes he never afterwards did: But this Deponent finds that the said DAVENPORT has fram'd a large History of Mr. White's Actions, and presented it, the Governor and Council of Fort St. George, which this Deponent has lately perus'd, and do's declare, That many things therein contain'd, are to his knowledge direct Lies and Forgeries; and he verily believes the whole thing was design'd by the said DAVENPORT in Revenge of the Punishments he understands Mr. White inflicted on the said DAVENPORT for his Rogueries after this Deponent came from thence.
The most material Passages this Deponent observes in the said pretended History, are, First to Insinuate that the said Mr. White acted several things that were inconsistent with his Duty to His Majesty, and prejudicial to the Honourable Company, which are base and scandalous Calumnies, from which this Deponent holds himself oblig'd in Justice to vindicate him. And he Affirms, That in all the Conversation he ever had with the said Mr. White, he never heard one Word come from him, that did mis-become a most Loyal and Obedient Subject. And for a further proof thereof, this Deponent Declares, That he has now by him a true Copy of a Remonstrance, which the said Mr. White did Present to my Lord Phaulkon, in Septemb. 86. wherein he expresses all possible Duty and Observance to the King's Majesty, and Respect to the Honourable Company. And whereas he was then apprehensive that the said Honourable Company might take it amiss, that the King of Siam's War with Gulcondah, was manag'd chiefly by English-men, and thereupon procure His Majesties Command for re-calling all his Subjects: He do's therefore positively Declare, That in such case neither himself, nor any other English-man would dare at his Peril, to oppose or refuse, but must discharge themselves of their present Trust under the King of Siam, and be punctual in paying Obedience to their Native Sovereign. And in the same Paper he offers to my Lord's Consideration, that great care be taken in the management of the War, so as the least disgust may not be given to the Honourable Company, nor any Injury accrue to them thereby. And whereas DAVENPORT do's endeavour to make Mr. White the [Page 13]Author of the said War, not only without, but against the King of Siam's Command; I declare, that the contrary is apparently manifest in the first Paragraph of the said Remonstrance; and fully to convince all Impartial Men, that the foresaid DAVENPORT has (without any regard to Truth) design'd in that Paper he calls his History, maliciously to Traduce and Asperse Mr. White; I affirm, That the foresaid Remonstrance in my hands, is Attested by the said DAVENPORT, to be a true Copy of the Original deliver'd to my Lord Phaulkon.
As to the Relation DAVENPORT makes of sundry Passages, when Mr. White went up to Siam, this Deponent declares, That to his knowledge several things therein are falsely and maliciously Misrepresented; for tho' tis true, that the Council which were joyn'd with Mr. White in the Management of the King's Affairs in Mergen, had made sundry Complaints which occasion'd his being sent for up, yet upon the Examination thereof, he was not only clear'd, but it appearing that the Complaints were more grounded on the Revenge of those from whom he had with some Severity exacted the King's Dues, than on any real Misdemeanors in himself; they were by the King's Positive Command Fin'd, and Corporal Punishment Inflicted on several of them in presence of this Deponent, and one of the Principal of them was Sentenc'd, and had Suffer'd Death had not Mr. White Charitably interpos'd and obtain'd his Pardon; and to manifest that Mr. White's Credit and Esteem in the Court of Siam, was rather augmented than lessen'd by this Matter; this Deponent further declares, That after the said Mr. White had excus'd himself from continuing in the City (tho' Invited to it by very great Emoluments and Honours) he did afterwards return to his former Employment at Mergen with greater Respect, and a much larger Commission than he had before. This Deponent also thinks himself oblig'd to do right to Mr. Samuel White (who he hears is after all his Troubles and heavy Losses lately deceased at Bath:) Not only in Vindicating him from the Aspersions endeavour'd to be cast upon him by DAVENPORT, but also to tell the Truth of what he knows of the considerable Good Services he did to the Honourable Company, when Capt. Cook came to the Port of Mergen in the Golden Fleece in great Distress, this Deponent arriving there at the same time, and Affirms, That the said Mr. White did not only give said Capt. Cook the Assistance of his Slaves to help the unlading of his Ship without the least Consideration for their Labour; but did also at his own Charge fit up several Ware-houses for the Receiving and Securing his Goods ashore, and suppli'd him with all things necessary at the cheapest Rates, for the refitting his Ship, doing every thing with that Chearfulness and Forwardness, as it 't had been his own Concern.
As to the latter part of DAVENPORT's History, wherein he pretends to give an Account of the Passages at Mergen, after Capt Weltden's Arrival there, endeavouring to impute the Deaths of those Englishmen that were Massacr'd, to Mr. White, this Deponent affirms, That he do's verily believe that the whole thing is entirely False and Forged, and that the Massacre of all those Men was really and truly occasion'd by Capt. Welden's Indirect and Imprudent Acting, to which he was instigated by the Wicked Counsel of the said DAVENPORT, as has been more at large related in the Paper presented to the Honourable House of Commons, which this Deponent do's believe is a True Account thereof, and was taken out of a Diary kept by Mr. White of all those Transactions, as this Deponent saw and read, when he was with him at Kingsale in Ireland, in October last.
The Deposition of Mr. Robert Harbin of London Merchant.
THese are to certifie all whom it may concern, That about the Month of June, Anno 1686. Mr. Samuel White, who then Serv'd the King of Siam as his Shawbander of Tenassary and Mergen, came up to the City Judicah, where I then Resided, and brought with him FRANCIS DAVENPORT whom he had sometime before taken into his Service, which was very much wonder'd at by several persons there, who had formerly had some knowledge of the said Davenport, and did in my hearing, caution Mr. White to be careful of him, for that he had prov'd a most false and treacherous Villain to those who had been so unfortunate to confide in him.
And whereas there is a Book lately published in the said Davenport's name, charging Mr. White with many irregular and unjustifiable actions; I declare, That I do really believe the said Davenport has in that very thing prov'd himself deserving that ill character Mr. White had before receiv'd of him, in endeavouring by most malicious misrepresentations to abuse and injure him: And particularly, as to what he endeavours to insinuate to the said Mr. White's prejudice, concerning the occasion of his being summon'd up to Court, and of what pass'd in that Affair, I declare, that great part of what he alledges, is false and scandalous, and I affirm, that Mr. White did so effectually clear himself from all matters objected against him, that rais'd him higher in the King's good Opinion, and he afterwards return'd to his Charge with more credit and reputation then he enjoy'd before; and to my certain knowledge, he continued in very great esteem wirh the King of Siam, and his Chief Minister, till I left the Place, which was but few Moneths before that fatal disaster happen'd at Mergen.
The Deposition of Mr. Thomas Dennet of London
THOMAS DENNET maketh Oath, That he went to Mergen in the Curtana, Anthony Weltden Commander, at which place he first saw Francis Davenport, who, as he understood, had sometime before been put out of Mr. Sam. White's Service for some fraudulent Actions he had been found guilty of, for which he heard Mr. White had publickly whip'd him, and imprison'd him, and he had a general ill Character amongst all the English at that place.
This Deponent doth also affirm, That at the Curtana's arrival there, Mr. White did receive the Commander and all the People with very friendly kindness, and supply'd his Ship with abundance of Provisions, and as he understood from those that were ashore at the publishing of His Majesties Proclamation for recalling all his Subjects, the said Mr. White and all under him, did readily and chearfully express their obedience thereto, and every thing seem'd to look very well till the foresaid Davenport did slily insinuate himself into a private intimacy with Captain Weltden, telling him many false storys, and by his evil advice prevail'd with him to seize Mr. White's Ship the Resolution, and to break up the Piles that were for the defence of the Port, which did so incense the Inhabitants, that they took the opportunity to assault the English on the Shore, and kill'd near sixty of them, Mr. White and Captain Weltden very narrowly escaping, at which time this Deponent was on board the Curtana, and took notice, that the aforesaid Davenport, as soon as he heard the sad news, did earnestly perswade the Ships Company to cut the Cables and make haste away, as they accordingly did, and went as far as the Tide would permit them, when they were forc'd to come to an Anchor, and in this Interim Mr. White and sent the said Captain were got aboard the Resolution, about two Leagues distant, and sent the said Ships Boat for the Doctor to dress the Captains wouhds, with order for them to bring the Curtana nearer the Resolution, [Page 15]but the said Davenport instigated the Men to take no notice of the Captains Commands, but to proceed without any delays, and he wou'd carry them to a place where they might be provided with Victuals and all things else that they wanted; and having got one of the Mates and Boatswain to join with him, they had wrought upon most of the Ships Company, and did endeavour to follow the said Davenports advice, in running away without the Commander, which they had certainly done, if the Wind had not prevented, and gave the Captain time to overtake them in the Resolutions Long-Boat, and when the Captain was got aboard, being by all these sad effects, sensible how he had been betray'd by the Treachery and Villany of Davenport, he express'd his just Anger against him, and wou'd no more suffer him to come into his company, whereupon the said Davenport set himself closely to writing, as this Deponent observ'd, and do's verily believe, he then employ'd himself in framing that false Account has been lately publish'd, in hopes thereby to hide his own Villany, and throw the Guilt thereof on Mr. White and Captain Weltden.
The Deposition of William Smith Master, and Hugh Wilkinson Mariner, on Board the Ship Resolution.
WILLIAM SMITH Master of the Ship Resolution, and Hugh Wilkison Mariner on board the said Ship, make Oath, That they did both serve the King of Siam, under the command and direction of Mr. Samuel White, Shawbander of Tenassary and Mergen, And they declare and affirm, That the said Mr. White did so behave himself in that employment, that he was generally well-belov'd both by the Pepple of the Country and the Europeans of several Nations that were in the said Service; and whereas there is a Book lately Printed in the name of Francis Davenport, called, An History of Mr. White's Actions, These Deponents declare, That they have read over the said Book, in which they find many things, that to their certain knowledge are false and scandalous Lies, as they will more particularly evidence, if it be required: Nor do they know that the said Mr. White was guilty of any one lieve, that the said Davenport (who was by all at that place, and where-ever else these Deponents have heard of his Name, accounted a very treacherous Person) did frame those falsities of Revenge and Malice to the said Mr. White, who sometime before had publickly whip'd and imprison'd the said Davenport, upon discovery of a fraudulent contrivance of his to have cheated him of a considerable sum of Mony.
The Deposition of Phillip Gamon Purser of the Ship Resolution.
PHILLIP GAMON maketh Oath, That he was a servant to the King of Siam, under the Command of Mr. Samuel White, Shabander of Tenassary and Mergen, and that he there knew Francis Davenport a servant to the said Mr. White, which said Davenport was a Person of a very bad Reputation, amongst all men on that place; and this Deponent is well assur'd, that Mr. White was not unacquainted therewith, but however, he kept him because he was ingenious at his Pen, and so very useful in the multitude of business that Mr. White had in that great Employment, till about the end of March 87. when he was detected in a villainous cheat he wou'd have put upon Mr. White, (as this Deponent was inform'd, and verily believes) for which and some other misdemeanours he was publickly whip'd and imprison'd, and remain'd [Page 16]under confinement till few days before the Curtana's Arrival, when he repair'd on board the said Ship, and having by degrees insinuated himself into an intimacy with Captain Weltden, he did daily labour to scandalize and misrepresent the said Mr. White, and create jealousies concerning him, which he did at length so far effect, that the said Captain was wrought upon to break his word with the Natives, and commit some Hostilities on the Port, as the said Captain did, to this Deponents knowledge, with much seeming reluctancy, afterwards confess, and this Deponent do's verily believe, that those rash and imprudent actions to which the said Captain was instigated by Davenport, did provoke the Siamers to that bloody Assault wherein so many of His Majesties Subjects lost their Lives: And whereas there is a Book lately Printed in the said Davenport's Name, wherein he endeavours to make Mr. White the occasion of that Bloudshed, and accuses him of many other high Crimes and Misdemeanors, this Deponent do's declare, that many things therein contain'd, are to his knowledge false and forged: Nor do's he know or believe Mr. White was guilty of any of those things wherewith he charges him; but that he fram'd those Papers in Revenge and Malice against Mr. White without any regard to Truth.
AND now I hope I have fully perform'd what I undertook, in proving by a Cloud of unexceptionable Witnesses, that this DAVENPORT is one of the MOST NOTORIOUS ROGUES in Nature. I have trac'd him through several parts of the World, and find him the same MATCHLESS VILLAIN in all Climates: Nor have I made it less apparent, That Revenge and Malice dictated all those Forgeries wherewith he has endeavour'd to asperse and traduce my Brother.
And now after all, I make this offer to the EDITOR of his History, That if he can disprove any of the Testimonies I have produc'd; Or bring one single valuable Evidence, who will on good experience affirm, that DAVENPORT deserves a better Character, I will still give up the Cause: But if neither of these be accepted, nor the thing retracted, I must then say that the EDITOR as well as the HISTORIAN is quite past Shame: And I'm sure, I may conjoyn the Abettor ELIHU YALE with them, because I well know he is at the bottom of this Black Business; for when he perceiv'd he cou'd not by all his Stratagems, trappan my Brother into his power, he order'd the Curtana Frigat out in search of him under the Command of Frasier, one of his Counsellors, with Commission to bring him in dead or alive; but that also proving fruitless by my Brothers being proceeded on his Voyage to Europe, he had then no other way but to abett and forward DAVENPORTS FORGERIES for the Reasons I have before mentioned; And tho I can prove by a sober ingenious Gentleman, Mr. George Petty, that DAVENPORT was at that time and place esteem'd, (as every where else) a most INFAMOUS FELLOW, Yet for his encouragement in this matter, he was permitted to attach and recover from Mr. Tho. Lucas, my Brothers Correspondent, about 100 l. on no other evidence than his single Oath, that my Brother was so much his Debtor.
THus have DAVENPORT, HIS ABETTOR, and HIS EDITOR conspir'd against the Life, Credit and Estate of my Brother; And tho God has so pleas'd, that they have contributed to the shortning of his days; yet I doubt not but I shall rescue his Reputation from All their Calumnies.
And as to his Estate which has been so barbarously Destroy'd and rifled by the East-India Company: I assure the EDITOR, that tho he pleases himself, in saying, he fears not what the House of Commons can do, because they are no Court of Judicature, and hopes at last to tire me out by a tedious and expensive Law-suit: Yet I will renew my humble Supplications to Our Honourable Representatives, confiding, that so deplorable a Case will move them to interpose for our Relief: Nor will I doubt, that they who have asserted our Rights, and defended our Liberties against Him who was of late the greatest Man in the Kingdoms▪ can want Power to Govern and Correct A DISOBEDIENT, STUBBORN, and UNGRACIOUS CHILD.