Page:History of India Vol 7.djvu/231

 SUBTERFUGES OF KING CHARLES 185 Charles had another chance given him. On Sir William Courten's death in 1636 his grant lapsed, and the king had only to enforce the three years' notice clause of the Company's charter in order to compel its despondent and wearied shareholders to a coalition. But his secret bonds forbade open methods, so he de- sired the Company not to trouble the dying man about the ships, and presently issued a new license to his son, William Courten, and his associates. The remaining years of freedom left to Charles form a record of subterfuges to conceal his real rela- tions to the rival companies. If the old Company ar- rested a servant of the new one for infringing its char- ter, the king did not defend him, but merely ordered his release. If the old Company by process of law stayed the interlopers' ships, his Majesty or the lords of his Council arranged to let them go. He was prodigal of good wishes to the directors, dangled wider priv- ileges before their eyes, and pressed on them the good offices of his government to compose the disputes which his own action had stirred up. But their attendance on the Privy Council only resulted in royal rebukes deliv- ered by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and reproaches from Lord Arundell. The Company was in no humour to be harangued by Howard, or to be lectured by Laud. His Majesty's request that if the Earl of Southampton, " who is a noble and brave gentleman, shail make any offer or proposition to the Company " (needless to say for the brave gentleman's own benefit), " that they shall be