He had merely told them in general terms that he had been at a charge of twenty-three thousand, of twenty-five thousand, of thirty thousand pounds, in the matter of the Charter; and the Court had, without calling on him for any detailed explanation, thanked him for his care, and ordered warrants for these great sums to be instantly made out.

It appeared that a few mutinous directors had murmured at this immense outlay, and had called for a detailed statement.

But the only answer which they had been able to extract from Cook was that there were some great persons whom it was necessary to gratify.
The committee also reported that they had lighted on an agreement by which the Company had covenanted to furnish a person named Colston with two hundred tons of saltpetre.

At the first glance, this transaction seemed merchantlike and fair.

But it was soon discovered that Colston was merely an agent for Seymour.