History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP. 1] FIRST NATIVE IN ENGLAND. 13

authorities there, Naorozji Rastamji, the youngest of the brothers, sailed for Europe in the man-of-war Salisbury, mm the hope of obtaining it in London. Naorozji reached England in April 1723, and was received most kindly by the Court of Directors. English sense of justice at last prevailed, and all claims in dispute between Rastam’s family and the English factory were referred by mutual consent to the arbitration of Messrs. Matthew Decker, Josias Wordsworth, Edward Harrison, and John Heathcote, who awarded to the heirs of Rastam Rs.546,790, to be paid in three instalments. ‘The first instalment of Rs.170,000 was paid on the Ist of February 1724, and the second and third, each of Rs.188,395, on the Ist of February 1725 and lst of February 1726 respectively." After this settlement of the dispute Naorozji Rastamji was presented by the Court of Directors with a dress of honour before he returned to Bombay. He was thus not only the first Parsi but the first native of India who went to England, and he came back to his native land deeply impressed with a sense of English justice. A despatch was sent by

1 The original award, which is written on parchment, is in the

possession of Mr. Kaikhosru Rastamji Dadabhai Sethna, one of the descendants of Rastam Manak.

2 Lonpon the 19th August 1724, Our Presipent anp Councit or Bompay—We the Court of Directors of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies send this to acquaint you that by the King George