Mss Eur F638

A contract between Captain Harry Gough (1681-1751) and his father Sir Henry Gough(1649-1724) dated July 10th 1704 in connection with the financing of a 36 month voyage by the vessel Arabella sailing to the East Indies under the auspices of the East India Company. Harry Gough, fifth son of Sir Henry Gough of Perry Hall, sailed to China in 1692; commanded the ship Arabella of the East India Company in 1704; captain of the ship Streatham in 1707; Director of the East India Company 1731- 51; MP for the borough of Bramber, 1734-51.

Transcript:

“Noverint universi pp sontes me Harry Gough de London Nauta soneri et firmiter obligari Henrico Gough do Perry Hall in Cond Staffordid Mid in Fecundis Septuaginta et Septern libris bond et legtis monet Anglo solvent vid Henrico Gough aut suo careto Attornd Executor administrator vel assign suis Ad qua quid solicicon bene et fidelite faciund Obligometier et Executor et administrator meos firmtor pp sontes Sigillo meo Sigillat dat Decieno die July Anno Dom 1704 Anno RR Anne Anglo de Tertio.The Condition of this Obligation is such that if the good Shipp Vessell called the Arabella of the burthen of One hundred Forty Five tonnes or thereabouts now in the river of Thames whereof the above bound Harry Gough is Comander do and shall with all convenient speed proceed and sail from and out of the said river of Thames on a voyage to any ports or places in the East Indies within the limitts of the Charter of the English Company trading to those parts and from thence return back into the said river of Thames At or before the End or Expiration of Thirty Six Calendary months to be accounted from the date above written and that without Deviation - the Casualties and Dangers of the Sea, Fire, Enemies and Men of Warr accepted – And if the above said Harry Gough, his Executors, administrators or assignees do and shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the above named Sir Henry Gough his Executors, administrators or assignees the full sum of One hundred Eighty Eight pounds Ten Schill of lawful money of England within Thirty days after the first and next return and arrival of the said Vessell from the said Voyage into the river of Thames Or at the End or Expiration of Thirty Six Calendary Months to be accounted from the date above written as aforesaid which of the said Times shall first happen Together with Two pounds Eighteen Shillings and sixpence of like money per month and so proportionately for a greater or lesser time than a month for all such time and so many months as shall be elapsed and run out of the said Thirty Six months over and above Twenty months to be accounted from the Date above written at the time of Payment aforesaid Or if in the said Voyage and within the said Thirty Six months an utter loss of the said Vessell by Fire Enemies or men of Warr or any other inevitable Casualties shall unavoidably happen Then this Obligation to be void or else to stand in full force and ever true.Stampt with a double stamp and afterwards sealed and delivered in the presence of John SidwellJames Laming [Signed with remnants of seal] Harry Gough”