25 April 1652
" Well, all that is for later, for now: the beginning: transforming those ingots of 30 kg into " Cathay Ingots" of around 2 libras, and then : store a part in merchants guild, for now Luis and i have only contacted the Grey Anchors, but we w il need more considering all those we have, another part to the casa moeda, to directly get Cruzados. And all those ingots would miraclelously cleansed from any spaniards origin ! "
" To wash the silver origins...." it's that surveyed here ? We never encoutnered that in india.
" Of course not in india, there were more "work with" than "work for" remember ? "
" Ha! Are imitating Joao ? I almost believe it was him !!"
" hahahaha "
" so, we will charge some on the cart, to reach the forge where those ingots will miraculously become "Cathay ingots ! " there we will buy another cart for transportation : four men by carts with the ingots, the rest stay here to watch over the waiting ingots everyone is okay with that ?"
And so the operation "miracle for the silver" began !
______
15 may 1652.
Mestre domingos met with all the crew, and found them ... funny. Mestre antonio invited himself to the operation, and joao made him understand that from now on, he would work for the crew, until he reach the "work with crew"
Mestre Antonio didn't understand that formulaiotn at the begining, but discussing with the crew he began to dream of brazil, where no taxfarmer would agressivly go after the fruits of his hard labor. And began to accept the situation, more volontarily.
Probably, the incentive of 500 reals was not for nothing in that change of mindset.
Thus the whole team found themselves gathered, ready to leave with mestre domingos, 3 carts to transport the new ingots perfectly from Cathay.
Direction Lisbon.
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30 avril 1652
Joao looked at Mestre Antonio, after some "explanations"
Then asked him about the use of drillbit using wheel mechanics as for spinning in order to make it work, to make musket barrels.
"This technique is not widely used, because the drills are often not strong enough to pierce the metal of rifle barrels, and must be constantly repaired during the whole processing."
"Ha okay, that's not great, it doesn't matter if you don't have to manually use the drillbit, since the drillbit would slip away the same way, right?"
"Yes, that's right, but we also use another technique: we prepare a plate of the necessary thickness and then we use a mandrel around which we rotate the future rifle barrel."
"Okay, no wonder you all have so many disciples then: one of you heats the plate, you take care of neo-soldering the plate around the mandrel, another of your disciples removes the mandrel while the last one welds the two ends of the barrel, right?"
"No... we do it individually, but .... It could save a lot of time! " Mestre Antonio, began to realize the description of the rtavwork arrangements hypothesis that Joao told him about, and is thinking more and more about the implications of this idea, and ..
"So no... ha! Decidedly, I know nothing about metallurgy"
"I wouldn't say that... This organization you mentioned: it is possible to save a lot of production time, at least on the musket guns, I will study the other parts if it is possible to find an equivalent organization"
"Hehe! Ok if you want I'll invest in your forge, we'll share the gains!"
"Yes, certainly"
_____
15 juin 1652
And there was a miracle.
After many back and forth and redundant operations, at the casa de moeda partly and directly in the vaults of a few guilds, whose reputation, of which Joao and crew was unaware even of the existence, opened many doors among the merchant guilds to store the 6.5 tons of "pure cathay" silver in the end, far exceeding the initial estimates.
After exchange at the mint: about one ton was already transformed into cruzados, all expenses deducted 45000 cruzados.
All "legally" imported from Far Asia, recognized as such.
Official merchants, cleared of all potential suspicions, young merchants returning from the East Indies with lots of silver: all that is sounding like: "Rich overnight by going to indies, and back !! "
The initial order for "rubber" was increased to 20 tuns, and in any case no one had taken it yet.
Joao concentrated his efforts on four projects:
To find something to increase the chances of Portugal to kick the asses of the Spaniards,
The second: To discuss the legality about the company with people who are used to these legal procedures in order to establish the charte of the new company with the crew before starting to make acquisitions for the company.
To discuss with the church for the financing of the mission in Santa Catarina.
To have the boat of your dreams built to, ahem.... to engage in honest trade.
Ships in India were not expensive given the costs of materials, which were directly available and sometimes ready for export to Europe, and of the workforce that was satisfied with little... significantly lower than those of Lisboa.
Maybe even 10 times the price, but there is no water leak that arrives unexpectedly, in short quality.
A three-masted one, a kind of large flute, mixed with the lines of brigantines.
A fast ship with a free tonnage of 250 to 300 tons.
Square sails, and others triangular, the armament, just the price of a cannon is three times its Indian value... for a few moments Joao had the idea that: rich, by the standards in India....
But.. ha! Joao thought aloud: I'm going straight to the construction site!
Under the clear sky of the dockyard, João entered the huge shipyard, his boots pounding on the wood of the dock.
A waiter asked him the purpose of his visit,
After specifying his motives, the waiter informed him that he was going to seek the architect
Joao waited in front of the main workshop. A rugged figure, dressed in a worn but impeccable jacket, came to meet him: Manuel Batista, one of the most respected ship traders in the region.
"Senhor João, welcome to our construction site," Manuel said, tilting his head slightly. He pointed to a table decorated with models and inventory parchments, sheltered by an awning.
"As you know, your recent activities have made you famous so far. It's for a new type of boat, doesn't it ? Let's sit down and discuss the details. »
João put down the outline of ideas he had drawn on the table, "Senhor Batista, I want to command a ship that will combine the capacity of a merchant flute with the agility of a brig, while borrowing from the elegant design of the brigantines. A three-masted ship, designed for trade but also ready to defend itself. »
Manuel nodded, a small smile showing his interest, as if a challenge was in front of him.
"It can be done, but this type of design requires careful consideration. What tonnage are you targeting, and what are your particular needs? »
João replied tit-for-tat: "A tonnage of 250 to 300 tons available when the 30 to 50 crew members are installed and fully armed.
I want ports for 10 guns: one forward, one aft, and two rows of four, one on each side of the deck. The bridge must also allow for efficient loading of goods, but this is a recurrence I suppose among the requests made to you. »
Manuel slipped a scroll and wrote down João's specifications as he thought.
"Such a ship requires robust wood: oak for the hull, pine for the masts. For the cannons, we will need adapted reinforcements. "
João stared at Manuel with a precise look, his hand resting firmly on the building plan spread out in front of them. His vision was clear, but he needed practical garanties before he could fully sign his commitment.
"Senhor Batista, let's be honest," João said in a calm but determined voice. "This project requires a precise evaluation. I need to know: how much will it cost to build such a ship, and how long will it take before it is ready to sail? »
Manuel leaned back slightly in his chair, thinking. The guy is do straightforward, but he had the experience to offer a solid answer.
"Let's see... He said, unrolling a long strip of parchment with material prices and labour costs.
"For the price, a three-masted ship of the size you describe, with a tonnage of 250 to 300, using quality oak and pine, not to mention the 10 gun ports you request... We are talking about an investment of about 70000 cruzados all included: construction, armament, and finishing. »
João nodded, sliding his fingers across the wood of the table. He expected it to be more expensive than in India, but now .... He got taken aback, thinking: rich, yes undeniably. But then you have to fill the cargoes, I thought I could get two ships of this kind for that price ...., quality, quality!
"Hmm, this sum will not be a problem"
Manuel continued, adjusting his gaze to the carpenters at work nearby.
"As for the construction time, with a dedicated team of our best craftsmen, I would say about 8 months, maybe 6, if we work without interruption. This includes the manufacture of the masts, the assembly of the hull and the final armament. »
João took a deep breath, assessing this information.
"Very good, Senhor Batista. How is your order book?, not to hide it from you: I think I cannot do without your skills for this ship. »
Manuel smiles, satisfied, and somewhat impressed by the young merchant's frankness.
"You won't be disappointed, Senhor João. The order book has just become available for a ship for you, within six months after the signing of the contract, the ship of your dreams will set sail and open roads that few dare to imagine. »
"Okay, thank you very much for having me sehnor batista, I'll be back in a few days with the advanced payment, I'll leave the contracts to you, thank you again"
After the farewell greetings
Manuel remained thoughtful, "So this kid demolished a Dutch base in Ceylon. hahaha, hard to believe, .. Anyway, all those who have been to India have confirmed it for those who know it. So hard to believe.... "
Definitely: this act of piracy has done more for the reputation of Joao and the crew than any other of their activities in India.
Back, Joao explained the price of the boat.
Everyone, much like him, is used to ships of lesser quality and at prices, even a brigantine, would not have cost a tenth of that price.
Then the question arrived:
"You didn't order a galleon did you?"
"Hehe, no... a big brigantine, as I told you.... But here: it's not us who cut the wood, it's not us who do anything for the boat in fact, so it adds to the costs."
" wow .. 70,000 cruzados! We could have bought a manor house and land to the north, away from port."
"Undeniably, and after the reception of the boat ?"
"After? We hire more crew, and set sail to Brazil. We buy a cargo of sugar and resell it here."
"And how much will this round trip bring us?"
"Hmm... If the prices are still the same: 60,000 cruzados for 300 barrels of sugar in Sao Paulo or Salvador do Bahia, and the selling price here?"
"300,000 at the current price." Launched Pietro surprised at the difference
"So 70000 for the boat, rounding up, 30 cruzados per sailor, you need about 40 from what I understand from your boat, so " Diogo kind of put himself in calculator mode," plus the 60k to buy the sugar, plus the equipment. ouch.... approximately: we doubled our 5 tons of silver in a single round trip?
"Not counting taxes... but we covered the price of the boat, by the way what do you want to call it?" said Joao.
Discussions continued without reaching a result.
For a few days, the crew worked in all directions to transfer three tons of "pure cathay" ingot to the mint.
Which, after fees and taxes, made an account of 111215 cruzados.
Already 4 tons of use. Only 2.5 tones left in stock.
Shortly afterwards, there was a short visit to the notary to formalize the charter of the new company
Charter of the Company "Horizontes do Brasil"
Article 1: Foundation and Objectives The company is founded by a consortium of merchants and private investors with the aim of promoting international trade and the development of economic infrastructure.
Article 2: Organization and Governance
The management of the company is entrusted to a board of directors composed of the main investors. A director or "governor general" is appointed to oversee the day-to-day operations and represent the company.
Article 3: Activities and Scope of Action
1.Creation, acquisition and management of production workshops for the processing of goods (textiles, sugar, spices, forges, etc.).
2.Organization of commercial fleets for the transport of goods between the colonies and the metropolis.
Collaboration with other private or public companies to share resources and benefits.
Article 4: Financing
1.The necessary capital is raised by the sale of units or shares to investors.
2.The profits are redistributed in the form of dividends proportional to the initial investment. ( 11 initial investors )
Article 5: Independence and Flexibility
1.The company acted autonomously, without a monopoly granted by the Crown, but respected the laws of the kingdom and the colonies.
2.It can enter into contracts with local authorities or other private companies to secure business opportunities.
Article 6: Workforce and Infrastructure
The company employs local employees and develops infrastructure such as warehouses, ports and workshops.
2.Working conditions and wages are determined by the local market and the needs of the company.
Thus began the Horizon company. 11 Young men before a notary and a delegate of the Chamber of Commerce.
_____
In a mansion in Lisbon, at the same time
"No, but do you realize? Tons of silver, without even consulting us!!"
"yes without even consulting us! More than that, they are kids !! let alone their gang leader barely 20 years old, what a shame ! "
"Hehehehe, hahahahahaahaaa!!! a somber laugh erupts from a third man at this table, "Did you find out about those 'kids'?"
"What is there to know? They did good business in Cathay and they broke the monopoly, that's all there is to know."
No, there's more to know: these "kids", as you say, come from India. Maybe they went to Macau, but that's it. They had a small fleet and came back with spices, the most respectful of the regulations. They should have arrived in 1651. But they didn't arrive.
For the record, they demolished a Dutch establishment in Lanka, for having been "upset" by the so-called Dutch. But that's not the most interesting part: they disappeared for about 18 months.
The man marked a brief pause before continuing :
The Spaniards didn't mention it, but they didn't find the silver that got stolen from them in Seville: and there we have guys who had disappeared, who reappear with: ho! what a surprising coincidence! the amount of silver from the Spanish colonies stolen from Seville: question: these guys, considering the war with Holland and the war with Spain: What did they do for Portugal ?
Second question: do you know that they still paid the taxes on the silver? And even the costs of cruzados minting, I find there as god at work with them. In addition, I had the opportunity to discuss with their leader about the financing of a mission on the island of Santa Catarina by Jesuits in order to prepare the ground for the establishment of a colony later. Do you think it's worth getting into a conflict with them for a few unfortunate tons of silver ?
Perhaps you want Holland to take our colonies from us? Or return to the Spanish nobility? "
A long silence began around the table.
Broken by a sudden question: "And are all those stories confirmed?"
"Multiple sources with regard to the attack on the Dutch establishment, and for the money.... the speculation that I have made, many of us have made, as to the destination of part of this money: directly to Manuel Batista's shipyard. A new type of ship on top of that."
"For those speculations: who else?"
"The Spaniards, but they can't do anything in Lisboa, not to mention that.... We're not going to give any gifts to the Spaniards for such a small gain do we ?."
"If it's true, it would even deserve royal recognition," concluded an old man with a noble appearance.
______
Once the charter has been established and the festivities are mandatory
Joao visited the shipyard with 30,000 cruzados for the advance.
And so began the construction of the unnamed boat for the moment.
_____
14 juillet 1652
Another visit to mestre domingos.
This visit was different from the previous ones, in that it is a commercial visit, all the more official.
10 barrels of rubber arrived. One barrel to carry out experiments and nine barrels to make storm capes.
Luis carried out the operation from the beginning to the end of the experiments.
Joao played spectator with a few others from the crew.
"So we're going to do this thing..., by the way can you write down the recipe on a piece of paper?"
"Ha! Already thinking about going to the competition? " said the maester laughing.
A big ball. A big ball that bounces a little.
Joao looked doubtful about this ball. Among the crew, first they examined the ball from all angles, very round the angles....
Before going out with it to do stuff.. with a ball....
After that Luis started asking for more difficult stuff:
First a cape. Easy to make, at least relatively, mestre domingos did not find it easy to do and he took several hours to make the "capes" in all about twenty capes. The thickness varies according to the capes, but basically all are waterproof.
There was also the attempt to make a coat with sleeves directly installed on a leather support for the mold, but there are problems of consistency that would probably require the intervention of a tailor, or at least a spinner to arrange them.
There was also a pair of rubber boots, but there was a different amount of sulphur in the mixture to obtain different hardness of the cooled material and probably the intervention of a shoemaker in order to achieve something of .... value.
After this afternoon of work Joao and Luis each got a copy of the basic recipe and some variations, probably in the special lanage of the blacksmiths, because if they didn't know the process beforehand, they wouldn't have understood anything that was written on the notes.
Joao paid 500 cruzados to mestre domingos to make some balloons, thinking that if it amused the crew, then there was the possibility of selling it, and for now turning two barrels entirely into a cape, with some specifications, and a barrel to make small bags to hold powder and shrapnel, in preparation for a visit to the Royal Arsenal for evaluation.
This payment might seem impressive, but it is a way for Joao to pay the sums owed in relation to their agreement regarding the silver ingots.
On his way out, Luis took the capes that he thought he could sell with an excellent capital gain. Which reminds Joao that they will have to keep an account book for "Horizondos do Brazil".
The crew was playing with the ball, they pass to each other with their feet and hands, it seems to have organized two teams, for a goal that Luis and Joao can't determine.
At that moment, Tiago yelled "hey look at that" he rushed at full speed towards the ball and shot it with all his strength, in the small alley the ball bounced off the walls with "tap taps" at each impact before stopping 20 meters further by bouncing a little before stopping.
"And this thing doesn't break! It doesn't hurt your feet like when you shoot with these leather balls, and most of all: it bounces!! Hahahaha!! "