EARLY HISTORY; MADRAS 95
desires to be sett at liberty, that he may goe to ye Camp and discharge himself from those Engagements, and Wee should verry readily Consent to his Proposall, where there any reason to believe that he could doe it, or had anny security, yt he would not when att liberty proceed in his Government, the Notion of which seem's to have possessed his brain, that he appears to us to be distemper'd. Its resolved therefore that he bee for ye present detained in close Confinement in ye Fort, till there shall appeare reason for his releasment or for sending him for England, for which the Samuell is not a fitting Shipp."
Cons., Monday, 23rd Apprill, 1694. Doct Blackwall having sent severall Papers, and complaining of the severity of a long confinement was sent for and an offer made him of releasement vpon condition he gave good security, that he would not depart from the limits of this place, and in case of his departure to make good what Damages may accrew thereby unto the Rt Hon ble Company and time was given him to consider of said offer." (1
"Cons. Thursday, 14th June, 1694. Its resolved as the best expedient to secure the Rt Hon ble Company from damage by Doctor Blackwall's late rash undertakeing and engagements to the Moors that he be sent for England by the first shipp, unless he shall rather choose to goe and live att Bombay, and the Generall approve thereof, and ye Secretary is ordered to acquaint him therewith, and that his answer is expected on Monday next."
"Cons. Thursday, 5th July, 1694. Doct' Blackwall haveing requested a generall leave for his friends to visit him, order is given to the Lewtt of the guard that they permitt his friends to visit him, but not to stay after six a clock att night and this liberty continue soe long as the Gover¹ finds he uses it with discretion."
"Cons., Friday, 24th Aug., 1694. Doct Blackwall being comitted to the custody of ye Lewtt of ye Guard by order of Consult the 9th of Feb. 1693/94, upon his application to ye Court of Admiralty obtained a writ of habeas corpus wch ye Levtt of ye Guard produc'd to ye Presidt, Its therevpon ordered yt Doct" Blackwall be taken from ye Custody of the Levtt of ye Guard and delivered into ye Custody of ye Martiall."
"Cons., Monday, 29th Oct., 1694. Doct¹ Blackwall desireing liberty for the Doors to be open from morning till night the Martiall declareing he do's not thinke it safe, and haveing appeared formorley that he had tam- pered wth some of ye Centinells in order to his exscape, It is thought fitt to be left to ye discretion of ye Martiall he being answerable for his forth- comeing."
"Cons., Friday, 25th Jan., 1694/95. The Judge reports that vpon ye heareing of the Information exhibited by ye Attorney Generall in behalf of the Rt Honble Compa against Richard Benoni Ebeneazer Blacwall in the Court of Admiralty, the Court have decreed that he be sent for England by ye first shipp, said degree is confirmed, and it is resolved that an order be given ye Capt of ye Princess to recieve him aboard."
