FROM THE EAST INDIAN CO. 65 



East ; and the word " Indian," of which " Eed Indian " is the 

 best known form, has been applied (so it is said) by discoverers 

 to almost every tribe from the Esquimaux to thePatagonians. 

 Of course one knows, but perhaps hardly realizes, that 

 when the East India Company started operations it did not own 

 a foot of land in India. It was really the task of making India 

 British that withdrew the operations of the East India Com- 

 pany from the vast area of the East India, with which it first 

 set out to trade, to the comparatively restricted area of British 

 India. 



[British Museum. Cotton. MS. Otho E. VIII, ff. 131- 

 240 (ink foliation.) 



N.B. The MS. was burned in the fire of 1731 — possibly about 

 three lines at the head of each leaf being consum- 

 ed — hence the recurring omissions in this trans- 

 cript.] 



ecting thereof, advised you to goe (?) 



you may from place to place for the thereof: 



Wee have since Notwithstanding [f] alien (3) into the considera- 

 tion of the great want wee shall contynuallie haue of your 

 presence in the places where most of our shippes are to be 

 laden and where you shall thinck it most convenient to settle 

 the place for our principall Rendeuowes which wee still 

 perswade our selues wilbee Jacatra whither all our shippes both 

 from England and elswhere should touch and take from you 

 their directions, to bee ymployed vnto such places as shall 

 seeme best vnto you, by advise you shall receaue frcm our 

 other ffactories adviseing them what , returnes you desire, 

 aswell for England as for other places and ffactories abroade 

 to whose commaund with the advise of your Counsel! both our 

 Captaines and ffactors shalbee subiect vnto ; both for staying, 



R. A. Soc, No. 54. 1909- 



*5 



