Misplaced Pages

Madagascar (disambiguation): Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 21:01, 23 September 2009 editCcacsmss (talk | contribs)7,222 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit Revision as of 09:18, 26 September 2009 edit undoCharles Dawson (talk | contribs)125 edits This is a part of Madagascar's history related to pirate activity that is relatively unknown because of Sweden's relative isolation.Next edit →
Line 43: Line 43:
] ]
] ]

THE SWEDISH "MADAGASCAR EXPEDITION"
The Swedish King Charles XII's outdrawn and costly wars had not only basically emptied the rich state coffers that his wise and thoughtful father Charles XI had left, but had also dragged the country down to a perilous condition of poverty and weakness. The result was that she could hardly defend her own frontiers against the intruders who now threatened from all directions, let alone retain her position as one of Europe's leading powers, such as she had held during the previous century. The threat of the complete devestation of the country's finances was already looming on the horizon during the king's lifetime and seriously curtailing his final efforts to carry out further heroic deeds. It was under these circumstances that the strange scheme that came later to be known in Sweden as the Madagascar Expedition took form under the codename ARGONAUTICA. It has to be considered as nothing more than vain clutching at straws, but a perplexed government looking for any way out of a desperate situation seems to have accepted the situation as a heaven-sent opportunity.
The pirate "kings" had gained not only enormous wealth but also a desire for respectability, and were bombastic enough to believe that they could purchase this from legal governments. Their attempts to interest Queen Anne's government failed, so in 1713 they put their schemes to Sweden, perhaps fired by what they had heard about her poor financial situation.
The first definite move that we can read of in official sources is dated 26 May 1714. This was when a secret despatch was read in council by Count Cronhielm containing the request from a group of 1400 of the Madagascar pirates to be taken under the protection of the King in exchange for certain services and payments. They wished to become Swedish citizens "since they had amassed enormous riches, become tired of their way of life and asked to be allowed to settle down in peace". They stated that they were prepared to pay in astronomical sums, the value of their spoils, to the Swedish state and hand over 25 vessels.
With the king still away on his latest military adventures, this time in Turkey, his ministers shelved any decision until the King's return. When he arrived back home, one of his first acts was to issue a privateering order in an effort to help reverse the losses he had suffered round his own coast at the hands of the Danish navy (at that time, Norway/Denmark was united under King Fredrik IV). A number of captains rallied to the flag in the hope of winning personal gain as well as glory for Sweden against Denmark. These privateering captains in their over-zealous actions attacked even neutral French and Dutch vessels. The constantly repeated and ignored complaints from these countries suggest that Sweden in her desperate situation was content to turn a blind eye to their depredations.
One of men who was later to become one of these privateers was a Liverpool-born mariner John Norcross "born in a field outside Liverpool". He was a Jacobite sympathiser who had been imprisoned in England after the abortive Mar rising of 1715, one of the first attempts to bring back the Stuart Pretender, but he had managed to escape through France and finally arrived in Sweden. He was later to become renowned for his daring escapes, not all of which however can be substantiated, although he.spent his last thirty years languishing in a Danish prison (and became famous for the length of his beard – illustration usually supplied).
Norcross seems also to have been an expert at making the right contacts; by 1716, through the influence of Count Hamilton, Commandant-General in Gothenburg, he had succeeded in obtaining service in the vessel LE TROMPEUR under the Swedish privateer captain Lars Gathe, previously lieutenant in the Dutch navy and recently raised to the Swedish nobility as Gathenhielm. The latter's exploits were popularly sung about in Sweden for many years afterwards.
A new order from King Karl XII of 15 January 1717 made Gathenhielm "commander of the squadron of privateers".
In the meantime, the Madagascar pirates had not been idle and sent an emissary, Jasper William Morgan, all the way from the Cape of Good Hope to Strömstad on the NW coast of Sweden to negotiate directly with the king. He was actually made a member of the nobility in 1721 - see "Matrikeln öfver ointroducerade Adelsmän i Riddarhus-Archivet"
In a letter patent dated at the Headquarters in Strömstad 24 June 1718 the king promised his protection to Morgan and his men. Morgan was at the same time created Swedish Governor of the Island of St. Marie, the pirate's stronghold off the Madagascar coast, and given the task to "set up our flags and standards on the Isle of Madagascar and there to establish a Colony".
The king issued a "pardons-patent", which cannot now be found in the official archives, but its authenticity seems not to be in doubt since it was read out on several subsequent occasions and appears in the relevant minutes when the matter was raised again. The king had offered "comfortable living quarters" in Sweden to the pirates, a proviso being that they should cease their activities. He was not prepared to accept the money they offered as a gift; they could however invest it in public funds and earn interest on this in the normal way. The pirates proposed that Sweden should retain the island of St. Marie with its "excellent harbour" which could be put to such good use by Swedish vessels trading to the East.
The pirates were to be given a monopoly in this trade together with certain privateering rights. Morgan was to be made Governor of St. Marie, the eventual aim on the part of Sweden being to bring the whole of Madagascar under Swedish control, for which the pirates were to be given assistance by the Swedish Navy. Five Swedish ministers were to travel to Madagascar, partly with the aim of ensuring that the pirates did not resort to their old profession, and also to evaluate the island's mining prospects and potential as an export market for Swedish goods. They met Morgan in France, who had left Gothenburg in a French warship. The equipping of the Madagascar Expedition was now to take place, but difficulties arose almost immediately. The war between Spain and France was making such demands on the latter country that it was not so easy to obtain the required supplies.
Morgan therefore decided to take half of his men to Spain, where it was considered the task would be easier to carry out. One of the ministers, who had travelled alone in a small vessel, was forced by a storm to return and heard the news of the king's death. The king had been killed by a stray bullet at Fredrikshald in Norway on 30 November 1718, some believe at the hands of one of his own men. The Queen, Charles’ sister, Ulrika Eleonora, expressed the wish that the scheme should be continued and confirmed this by a renewal of Morgan's patent.
Before the documents had arrived for him, Morgan had already left for Spain, and having become unsure that Sweden really would continue with the scheme, began new negotiations with the Spanish Court. He was however dissuaded by Klinckowström, who assured him that Sweden was not abandoning the scheme and they both returned to Paris where the documents were forthcoming.
The pirates were nevertheless somewhat uneasy over the change in tone in the relations between England and Sweden after Karl XII's death, and still felt that the agreement might possibly later be annulled.
Count Sparre wrote to the Queen to recount that "two Scots (sic), one Morgan" had requested a secret meeting with him. They claimed that they had two armed frigates in England and two in Spain, ready to leave in March 1719 "on behalf of Sweden", but Sparre was suspicious that their real intentions were to attempt a reinstatement of the Pretender. He spoke about his fears to K. and M. but they confirmed that the pirates had already left with the agreements in their possession. There was now an added complication: Görtz's position. In addition rumour had it that controller-director Law intended to arrange grants with the aim of transporting all three pirates to Mississippi to build colonies. A total of 18 ships was mentioned. Law was juggling with finances, much as Görtz,
The king had passed details of the pirates' proposed scheme to Görtz, who was at the time engaged in the struggle to bring the chaotic financial state of the country under control and Görtz jumped at the opportunity.
Involvement of Görtz. Kongl. Commissionen dated 19 Jan. 1719. His money scheme c.f. Paterson's (and Law's?) involvement in the Darien affair and South Sea Bubble - also Swedish involvement in trying to bring back the Pretender to the British throne. (Basil Williams: The Whig Supremacy) - Gyllenborg - General Wade's possible involvement (checking the post in Bath) - Baltic squadrons orders. Swedish reprisal for arrest of Gyllenborg - Jackson imprisoned. Breaking of diplomatic relations. Carteret July 1719 - Russians raiding the Swedish coasts. Treaty with Sweden. Unfortunately during 1720, England was unable to make its help effective because the light Russian raiding vessels were able to outmanœvre the heavy English men-of-war. (SU ang. engelska hjälpflottan 15.2.1720 - Sv.Riksdagsakter Ser. 2 1719-1723.
Despite all Sparre's attempts to scotch the plans, it was decided to go ahead. The financial experts sent a message to the king asking for firm backing: either two frigates or 1500 R:dr. (Råds Prot. 25 Maj 1721). A commission was set up and immediately two frigates were equipped in Karlskrona: JARRAMAS (see the King's sketches of her) and FORTUNA plus "ett mindre fartyg" (a smaller vessel, perhaps DOLPHIN, under the command of Ulrich). These were not ready before late autumn, when they sailed first for Göteborg and then for the Isle de Baste ouside Morlaix, Finisterre, where they were to join Morgan's fleet.
Madagascar piracy seems to have reached its peak by the year 1721. Two big prizes were taken by the pirates in one day near the island of Bourbon: 1) a big Portuguese ship on board of which were the Count of Receira and the Archbishop of Goa and 2) a 30-gun ship. This brought about concerted action on the part of many involved nations. The pirates were at last pursued relentlessly to their Madagascar hideouts and forced to burn their own ships. (Rochon, L'Abbé, Voyage à Madagascar et aux Indes Orientales, Paris 1791).
The interested parties had arranged with Captain Galloway (stated to be a nephew of Morgan) to leave from the Thames with the vessel he had bought in London. Galloway was delayed in London due to suspicion of (Wachtmeister p.25) his being on Pretender's business, and threats were made to take over his crew for the Navy's requirements in the Baltic. He managed to defend himself when questioned by Carteret and was allowed to sail to Morlaix, where he met up with Morgan. News from Sweden was delayed, so they were unsure whether to continue. Galloway did however make for Cadiz in the largest vessel, while Morgan stayed behind at Morlaix in the other. Ulrich came in with the frigate JARRAMAS, but it was hindered by a strong SE wind from entering the roads. Without warning Morgan, he too set off for Cadiz, where he arrived in the October. A letter was sent to Morgan (25 days was the normal time for the post then between the two places). Morgan wrote that he would sail immediately, advising Ulrich to wait for him in Cadiz. Ulrich however decided to continue the voyage with Galloway and provisioned ready, with the intention of leaving on or about 11th February 1722. However, being short of funds, the supplies they were able to stow aboard were rather meagre.
At the beginning of February, the two ships were anchored in Cadiz roads awaiting suitable weather for leaving, when Morgan arrived. They now decided that further provisions were required and turned to the Swedish Consul in Cadiz. He was unable to help and Morgan offered to travel to Madrid where he claimed that he would be able to borrow money from a rich trading firm he knew. He undertook to return in 12 days time and did duly return, having accomplished the loan transaction. Ulrich retained 2500 R:dr (Ecus). Two days later, Ulrich imparted the news to Morgan that the season for rounding the Cape of Good Hope had already passed, that he was not prepared to jeopardise his ship and crew and that he had decided to return to Sweden. Morgan tried all means of persuasion; he was prepared himself to continue the voyage if he could have half of Ulrich's crew plus one Swedish officer and Swedish flags. Ulrich refused and returned (M.C. berättelse ang. Ulrich's Återkomst 18 juni 1722 uppläst i Rådet 29.10.1722.)
Colonel Seebach who had accompanied Ulrich out, decided to return to Sweden across country. In Paris he talked to the interested parties.
Ulrich's return back in Sweden empty-handed was to say the least not appreciated. The Madagascar Commission were adamant that the scheme should proceed and that Ulrich should be court-martialled (18 juni 1722 Rådet till HM: 26.6.1722 HM till Rådet : 20.11.1722). They ordered that the frigate JARRAMAS (M.C. till HMK ang freg. J's utrustande, 14.12.1722, uppläst och approberadt uti Rådet 17.12 1722.) ought immediately to return to Cadiz under new command, this time Captain Cronhjelm.
In the late autumn, news had arrived from Klinckowström that Morgan and the others were not in a position to continue and that he had consequently been seeking new backers. When he eventually found parties willing, they insisted on restricting crews to sixty men and one officer. They would pay the crown 60000 R:dr (Ecus) for hire and held the right to carry out trade to and from India. Klinckowström felt it safer to accompany the new expedition to keep a watch on developments. (Brev från K. till HM dat. Paris 20 Nov.1722).
The conditions in this and the subsequent contract one year later made with three (Coward, Saunders and Lane) English sea-captains are not very specific but it does seem that the entrepreneurs were groping towards forming a SWEDISH EAST INDIA CO in Göteborg. They eventually raised their offer to 500000 R:dr for the use of two frigates.
In the contract with three sea-captains described by Wachtmeister, Lane is described as an ex-Director of the English East India Co. Klinckowström wrote to the king on his giving hope to Morgan et al that they could expect a share in the SEI Co which was to be formed in Sweden (letter from Paris 11th Dec. 1723)
By now, people in Sweden were beginning to change their opinion. Because the pirates had been continuing their old practices, Sweden considered it had been swindled. Rumour had it that Klinckowström had made separate secret agreements with the pirates. (see also skrivelse from SU to HKM dat. 12 Oct. 1723) It was therefore agreed that no further contributions would be forthcoming from the Swedish crown, but that no restrictions would be put on private initiative either by Swedes or foreigners. (Rådsprotokollet 16 Dec. 1723). During the next few years, up to 1726, the whole question seems to have fallen into obscurity, perhaps due to the increasing resistance to the pirate activities.

Revision as of 09:18, 26 September 2009

Madagascar is an island nation located off the eastern coast of Africa.

Madagascar may also refer to:

In sport:

In entertainment:

In ships:

in television:

See also

Topics referred to by the same term Disambiguation iconThis disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Madagascar.
If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

THE SWEDISH "MADAGASCAR EXPEDITION"

The Swedish King Charles XII's outdrawn and costly wars had not only basically emptied the rich state coffers that his wise and thoughtful father Charles XI had left, but had also dragged the country down to a perilous condition of poverty and weakness. The result was that she could hardly defend her own frontiers against the intruders who now threatened from all directions, let alone retain her position as one of Europe's leading powers, such as she had held during the previous century. The threat of the complete devestation of the country's finances was already looming on the horizon during the king's lifetime and seriously curtailing his final efforts to carry out further heroic deeds. It was under these circumstances that the strange scheme that came later to be known in Sweden as the Madagascar Expedition took form under the codename ARGONAUTICA. It has to be considered as nothing more than vain clutching at straws, but a perplexed government looking for any way out of a desperate situation seems to have accepted the situation as a heaven-sent opportunity. The pirate "kings" had gained not only enormous wealth but also a desire for respectability, and were bombastic enough to believe that they could purchase this from legal governments. Their attempts to interest Queen Anne's government failed, so in 1713 they put their schemes to Sweden, perhaps fired by what they had heard about her poor financial situation. The first definite move that we can read of in official sources is dated 26 May 1714. This was when a secret despatch was read in council by Count Cronhielm containing the request from a group of 1400 of the Madagascar pirates to be taken under the protection of the King in exchange for certain services and payments. They wished to become Swedish citizens "since they had amassed enormous riches, become tired of their way of life and asked to be allowed to settle down in peace". They stated that they were prepared to pay in astronomical sums, the value of their spoils, to the Swedish state and hand over 25 vessels. With the king still away on his latest military adventures, this time in Turkey, his ministers shelved any decision until the King's return. When he arrived back home, one of his first acts was to issue a privateering order in an effort to help reverse the losses he had suffered round his own coast at the hands of the Danish navy (at that time, Norway/Denmark was united under King Fredrik IV). A number of captains rallied to the flag in the hope of winning personal gain as well as glory for Sweden against Denmark. These privateering captains in their over-zealous actions attacked even neutral French and Dutch vessels. The constantly repeated and ignored complaints from these countries suggest that Sweden in her desperate situation was content to turn a blind eye to their depredations. One of men who was later to become one of these privateers was a Liverpool-born mariner John Norcross "born in a field outside Liverpool". He was a Jacobite sympathiser who had been imprisoned in England after the abortive Mar rising of 1715, one of the first attempts to bring back the Stuart Pretender, but he had managed to escape through France and finally arrived in Sweden. He was later to become renowned for his daring escapes, not all of which however can be substantiated, although he.spent his last thirty years languishing in a Danish prison (and became famous for the length of his beard – illustration usually supplied). Norcross seems also to have been an expert at making the right contacts; by 1716, through the influence of Count Hamilton, Commandant-General in Gothenburg, he had succeeded in obtaining service in the vessel LE TROMPEUR under the Swedish privateer captain Lars Gathe, previously lieutenant in the Dutch navy and recently raised to the Swedish nobility as Gathenhielm. The latter's exploits were popularly sung about in Sweden for many years afterwards. A new order from King Karl XII of 15 January 1717 made Gathenhielm "commander of the squadron of privateers". In the meantime, the Madagascar pirates had not been idle and sent an emissary, Jasper William Morgan, all the way from the Cape of Good Hope to Strömstad on the NW coast of Sweden to negotiate directly with the king. He was actually made a member of the nobility in 1721 - see "Matrikeln öfver ointroducerade Adelsmän i Riddarhus-Archivet" In a letter patent dated at the Headquarters in Strömstad 24 June 1718 the king promised his protection to Morgan and his men. Morgan was at the same time created Swedish Governor of the Island of St. Marie, the pirate's stronghold off the Madagascar coast, and given the task to "set up our flags and standards on the Isle of Madagascar and there to establish a Colony". The king issued a "pardons-patent", which cannot now be found in the official archives, but its authenticity seems not to be in doubt since it was read out on several subsequent occasions and appears in the relevant minutes when the matter was raised again. The king had offered "comfortable living quarters" in Sweden to the pirates, a proviso being that they should cease their activities. He was not prepared to accept the money they offered as a gift; they could however invest it in public funds and earn interest on this in the normal way. The pirates proposed that Sweden should retain the island of St. Marie with its "excellent harbour" which could be put to such good use by Swedish vessels trading to the East. The pirates were to be given a monopoly in this trade together with certain privateering rights. Morgan was to be made Governor of St. Marie, the eventual aim on the part of Sweden being to bring the whole of Madagascar under Swedish control, for which the pirates were to be given assistance by the Swedish Navy. Five Swedish ministers were to travel to Madagascar, partly with the aim of ensuring that the pirates did not resort to their old profession, and also to evaluate the island's mining prospects and potential as an export market for Swedish goods. They met Morgan in France, who had left Gothenburg in a French warship. The equipping of the Madagascar Expedition was now to take place, but difficulties arose almost immediately. The war between Spain and France was making such demands on the latter country that it was not so easy to obtain the required supplies. Morgan therefore decided to take half of his men to Spain, where it was considered the task would be easier to carry out. One of the ministers, who had travelled alone in a small vessel, was forced by a storm to return and heard the news of the king's death. The king had been killed by a stray bullet at Fredrikshald in Norway on 30 November 1718, some believe at the hands of one of his own men. The Queen, Charles’ sister, Ulrika Eleonora, expressed the wish that the scheme should be continued and confirmed this by a renewal of Morgan's patent. Before the documents had arrived for him, Morgan had already left for Spain, and having become unsure that Sweden really would continue with the scheme, began new negotiations with the Spanish Court. He was however dissuaded by Klinckowström, who assured him that Sweden was not abandoning the scheme and they both returned to Paris where the documents were forthcoming. The pirates were nevertheless somewhat uneasy over the change in tone in the relations between England and Sweden after Karl XII's death, and still felt that the agreement might possibly later be annulled. Count Sparre wrote to the Queen to recount that "two Scots (sic), one Morgan" had requested a secret meeting with him. They claimed that they had two armed frigates in England and two in Spain, ready to leave in March 1719 "on behalf of Sweden", but Sparre was suspicious that their real intentions were to attempt a reinstatement of the Pretender. He spoke about his fears to K. and M. but they confirmed that the pirates had already left with the agreements in their possession. There was now an added complication: Görtz's position. In addition rumour had it that controller-director Law intended to arrange grants with the aim of transporting all three pirates to Mississippi to build colonies. A total of 18 ships was mentioned. Law was juggling with finances, much as Görtz, The king had passed details of the pirates' proposed scheme to Görtz, who was at the time engaged in the struggle to bring the chaotic financial state of the country under control and Görtz jumped at the opportunity. Involvement of Görtz. Kongl. Commissionen dated 19 Jan. 1719. His money scheme c.f. Paterson's (and Law's?) involvement in the Darien affair and South Sea Bubble - also Swedish involvement in trying to bring back the Pretender to the British throne. (Basil Williams: The Whig Supremacy) - Gyllenborg - General Wade's possible involvement (checking the post in Bath) - Baltic squadrons orders. Swedish reprisal for arrest of Gyllenborg - Jackson imprisoned. Breaking of diplomatic relations. Carteret July 1719 - Russians raiding the Swedish coasts. Treaty with Sweden. Unfortunately during 1720, England was unable to make its help effective because the light Russian raiding vessels were able to outmanœvre the heavy English men-of-war. (SU ang. engelska hjälpflottan 15.2.1720 - Sv.Riksdagsakter Ser. 2 1719-1723. Despite all Sparre's attempts to scotch the plans, it was decided to go ahead. The financial experts sent a message to the king asking for firm backing: either two frigates or 1500 R:dr. (Råds Prot. 25 Maj 1721). A commission was set up and immediately two frigates were equipped in Karlskrona: JARRAMAS (see the King's sketches of her) and FORTUNA plus "ett mindre fartyg" (a smaller vessel, perhaps DOLPHIN, under the command of Ulrich). These were not ready before late autumn, when they sailed first for Göteborg and then for the Isle de Baste ouside Morlaix, Finisterre, where they were to join Morgan's fleet. Madagascar piracy seems to have reached its peak by the year 1721. Two big prizes were taken by the pirates in one day near the island of Bourbon: 1) a big Portuguese ship on board of which were the Count of Receira and the Archbishop of Goa and 2) a 30-gun ship. This brought about concerted action on the part of many involved nations. The pirates were at last pursued relentlessly to their Madagascar hideouts and forced to burn their own ships. (Rochon, L'Abbé, Voyage à Madagascar et aux Indes Orientales, Paris 1791). The interested parties had arranged with Captain Galloway (stated to be a nephew of Morgan) to leave from the Thames with the vessel he had bought in London. Galloway was delayed in London due to suspicion of (Wachtmeister p.25) his being on Pretender's business, and threats were made to take over his crew for the Navy's requirements in the Baltic. He managed to defend himself when questioned by Carteret and was allowed to sail to Morlaix, where he met up with Morgan. News from Sweden was delayed, so they were unsure whether to continue. Galloway did however make for Cadiz in the largest vessel, while Morgan stayed behind at Morlaix in the other. Ulrich came in with the frigate JARRAMAS, but it was hindered by a strong SE wind from entering the roads. Without warning Morgan, he too set off for Cadiz, where he arrived in the October. A letter was sent to Morgan (25 days was the normal time for the post then between the two places). Morgan wrote that he would sail immediately, advising Ulrich to wait for him in Cadiz. Ulrich however decided to continue the voyage with Galloway and provisioned ready, with the intention of leaving on or about 11th February 1722. However, being short of funds, the supplies they were able to stow aboard were rather meagre. At the beginning of February, the two ships were anchored in Cadiz roads awaiting suitable weather for leaving, when Morgan arrived. They now decided that further provisions were required and turned to the Swedish Consul in Cadiz. He was unable to help and Morgan offered to travel to Madrid where he claimed that he would be able to borrow money from a rich trading firm he knew. He undertook to return in 12 days time and did duly return, having accomplished the loan transaction. Ulrich retained 2500 R:dr (Ecus). Two days later, Ulrich imparted the news to Morgan that the season for rounding the Cape of Good Hope had already passed, that he was not prepared to jeopardise his ship and crew and that he had decided to return to Sweden. Morgan tried all means of persuasion; he was prepared himself to continue the voyage if he could have half of Ulrich's crew plus one Swedish officer and Swedish flags. Ulrich refused and returned (M.C. berättelse ang. Ulrich's Återkomst 18 juni 1722 uppläst i Rådet 29.10.1722.) Colonel Seebach who had accompanied Ulrich out, decided to return to Sweden across country. In Paris he talked to the interested parties. Ulrich's return back in Sweden empty-handed was to say the least not appreciated. The Madagascar Commission were adamant that the scheme should proceed and that Ulrich should be court-martialled (18 juni 1722 Rådet till HM: 26.6.1722 HM till Rådet : 20.11.1722). They ordered that the frigate JARRAMAS (M.C. till HMK ang freg. J's utrustande, 14.12.1722, uppläst och approberadt uti Rådet 17.12 1722.) ought immediately to return to Cadiz under new command, this time Captain Cronhjelm. In the late autumn, news had arrived from Klinckowström that Morgan and the others were not in a position to continue and that he had consequently been seeking new backers. When he eventually found parties willing, they insisted on restricting crews to sixty men and one officer. They would pay the crown 60000 R:dr (Ecus) for hire and held the right to carry out trade to and from India. Klinckowström felt it safer to accompany the new expedition to keep a watch on developments. (Brev från K. till HM dat. Paris 20 Nov.1722). The conditions in this and the subsequent contract one year later made with three (Coward, Saunders and Lane) English sea-captains are not very specific but it does seem that the entrepreneurs were groping towards forming a SWEDISH EAST INDIA CO in Göteborg. They eventually raised their offer to 500000 R:dr for the use of two frigates. In the contract with three sea-captains described by Wachtmeister, Lane is described as an ex-Director of the English East India Co. Klinckowström wrote to the king on his giving hope to Morgan et al that they could expect a share in the SEI Co which was to be formed in Sweden (letter from Paris 11th Dec. 1723) By now, people in Sweden were beginning to change their opinion. Because the pirates had been continuing their old practices, Sweden considered it had been swindled. Rumour had it that Klinckowström had made separate secret agreements with the pirates. (see also skrivelse from SU to HKM dat. 12 Oct. 1723) It was therefore agreed that no further contributions would be forthcoming from the Swedish crown, but that no restrictions would be put on private initiative either by Swedes or foreigners. (Rådsprotokollet 16 Dec. 1723). During the next few years, up to 1726, the whole question seems to have fallen into obscurity, perhaps due to the increasing resistance to the pirate activities.

Category: