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THE FOUNDERS OF FORT ST. GEORGE

(now known as Wandiwash, the scene of Coote's great victory over Lally), but he also established such friendly relations with the Naik's brother, Ayjapaneyik Naik, who resided at Punamallu — now known as Poonamallee — that the latter, as the vicegerent of Damarla, was induced to grant him a firman, authorizing the erection by the English of a fort at " our port of Madraspatam." Mr. Wilson thinks it is obvious from the wording that the document was drafted by Day himself. The firman, dated July 22, 1639, commenced as follows : —

Whereas Mr. Francis Day, Captain of the English at Armagon, upon great hopes by reason of our promises offten made unto him, hath repaired to our port of Madraspatam and had personall Con- ference with us in behalfe of the Company of that Nation, Con- cerning their trading in our territories and freindly Commerce with our subjects : wee, out of our spetiall Love and Favour to the English, doe grant unto the said Captain, or whomsoever shall bee deputed to Idgitate the affaires of that Company, by vertue of this firman, Power to direct and order the building of a Fort and Castle in or about Madraspatam, as they shall thinke most Convenient, the Charges whereof, untill fully and wholly finished, to bee defrayed by us, but then to bee repaied when the said English shall first make their enterance to take possession thereof. And, to make more full Expression of our affection to the English nation, wee doe Confirme unto the said Mr. Francis Day, or whatsoever other Substitutes or Agents for that Company, full power and authority to governe and dispose of the Government of Madraspatam for the terme and space of two yeares Next Insueing affter they shall be seated there and possesst of the said fortifica- tions ; and for the future by an equall Division to receive halfe the Custom and revenewes of that port.

The firman then proceeded to state that the English Company would be allowed to conduct an import and export trade free of customs duty ; that if goods were transported " up, into, or through my country " the Company shall pay half the duties charged to other merchants ; that the Company shall perpetually enjoy the privilege of mintage, free of " dewes or dutyes " ; and that the Naik would be responsible for payments made by the Company to " merchants, painters," — painters of chintz — " weavers, etc." There were a few other conditions that were also in favour of the Company.

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