429
But James Lancaster, even in the first voyage (1601-2), First
established commercial relations with the King of Achin and En £ lish
0 voyages,
at Priaman in the island of Sumatra ; as well as with the 1601-6.
Moluccas , and at Bantam in Java , where he settled a 1 Houseof Trade’ in 1603. In 1604, the Company undertook theirsecond voyage, commanded by Sir Henry Middleton , whoextended their trade to Banda and Amboyna. The successof these voyages attracted a number of private merchants tothe business; and in 1606, James 1. granted a licence to SirEdward Michelborne and others to trade ‘ to Cathay , China,
Japan , Corea, and Cambaya.’ But Michelborne, on arrivingin the East, instead of exploring new sources of commercelike the East India Company , followed the pernicious exampleof the Portuguese , and plundered the native traders amongthe islands of the Indian Archipelago. He in this way secureda considerable booty, but brought disgrace on the Britishname, and seriously hindered the Company’s business atBantam .
In 1608, Captain D. Middleton, in command of the fifth Voyages ,voyage, was prevented by the Dutch from trading at Banda, l6 °8-n-but succeeded in obtaining a cargo at Pulo Way. In thisyear also, Captain Hawkins proceeded from Surat , as envoyfrom James 1. and the East India Company , to the courtof the Great Mughal. He was graciously received by theEmperor (Jahangir ), and remained three years at Agra . In1609, Captain Sharpay obtained the grant of free trade atAden, and a cargo of pepper at Priaman in Sumatra . In 1609,also, the Company constructed the dockyard at Deptford,which was the beginning, observes Sir William Monson, 1 ofthe increase of great ships in England.’ In 1611, Sir Henry Middleton , in command of the sixth voyage, arrived beforeCambay. He resolutely fought the Portuguese , who tried tobeat him off, and obtained important concessions from theNative Powers. In 1610-11, also, Captain Hippon , com-manding the seventh voyage, established agencies at Masuli-patam, and in Siam , at Patania or Patany on the Malay Peninsula , and at Pettipollee. We obtained leave to trade atSurat in 1612.
In 1615, the Company’s fleet, under Captain Best, was Swallyattacked off Swally, the port of Surat , at the mouth of theriver Tapti , by an overwhelming force of Portuguese. 1 But *the assailants were utterly defeated in four engagements, to
1 For this date and account of the engagement, see Bombay Gazetteer,
Surat and Broach, vol. ii. pp. 77, 78. (Bombay Government Press, 1877.)