260 niSTORY OF INDIA. [Book II.
A.D. 1019. besouglit the king to inteifere in tiicir Ijchulf, und protect them against a violence
which, though unprovoked, had become intolerable. Formal ar- j^, ^^g impossible that matters could remain as they were ; but King Jamas,
rangomont _ ./ o
with ti>c in accordance with his usual policy, only temporized by engaging in a course
Dutch.
of intricate and protracted negotiation. Ultimately, a kind of understanding was arrived at, and an agreement, acquiesced in by all parties, was formally concluded at London on the 7th of July, 1619. The leading stipulations were, that all excesses on either side should be forgiven ; that the ships and property which had been seized should be mutually restored ; that each nation should have the free privilege of trade to the East, without any limitation as to the capital which might be employed ; that both companies should strive to diminish customs and other exactions, and regulate the market by purchasing at prices previously arranged by common agents; that, in sharing the purchases thus made, the pepper should be equally divided between the companies, but only a third of the finer spices should be apportioned to the English ; that the foi-ts actually built should remain with their present possessor.s, but that all future forts acquired in the Moluccas or elsewhere by the common industry or common force should be possessed and garrisoned jointly; and that attempts should be made at the common expense to establish trade in new places, and especially in China. In order to give effect to this treaty, which was to last for twenty The council years, a special machinery was obviously required. Accordingly, a "Council of
of defence.
Defence " was instituted. It consisted of eight members, four from each company; and to make the equality still more complete, the members of each company were to preside alternately. To this council large powers were committed. Twenty ships, furnished in equal portions by each company, were to be main- tained for war purposes, and not permitted, except under special circumstances, to be employed in the transport of merchandise. These ships, and more if necessary, were to be placed under the immediate authority of the council of defence, which was empowered to distribute them at different stations, and pro- vide for the maintenance of the sailors and soldiers employed, by handing over the proceeds of the dues and customs, particularly in the ]Ioluccas, to the treasurers of the companies. When the vessels employed sustained damage by storm or similar misfortune, the loss was to be borne by the company to which they belonged; but when they suffered in the common cause, as in war, a different rule was to be observed, and reparation was to be made at the common expense. To prevent the disputes which might thus arise, each ship, when placed on the station, was to be valued, in order that, at any futui-e time, the amount of deterioration produced during its emplo}Tnent on active service might be easily ascertained. All questions arising between the companies were to be settled by the council of defence, and in the event of their being equally divided, the sovereigns of the companies were to act as ai-bitrators.
Had this treaty been honestly and candidly acted upon, it would not only
