England in his ship. His last act on the coast was to
call at Anjengo, in order to obtain property she claimed there: but it is
probable that he also secured a cargo of pepper.

It is small wonder that, on his arrival in England, in July, 1724, the
wrath of the Directors was kindled against him, and an account of his
misbehaviour was forwarded to the Secretary of State. The naval
authorities called on the Directors to produce their witnesses for the
charge of trading with the pirates. The difficulty of doing so was obvious,
as the witnesses were all under Matthews' command; so the charge was
dropped, and the Directors sued him in the Court of Exchequer for
infringing their charter by private trading.

Meanwhile the naval authorities had their own account to settle with
Matthews; Captain Maine, of the _Shoreham_, having made various charges
against him. In the last week of December, 1724, he was brought to a
court-martial on board the _Sandwich_ in the Medway, and the finding of
the court was thus recorded:--

"The Court, having read the complaints of the Directors of the E.I. Co.
of several irregularities said to be committed by Captain Thomas
Matthews while Commander-in-Chief of a squadron of his Majesty's ships
sent to the East Indies, a Publication being made three several times,
if any Person or Persons were attending on behalf of the said
Directors, in order to prove the several matters therein contained,
and not any appearing, the Court proceeded on the complaints exhibited
by Captain Covil Maine, and having strictly examined into the several
particulars and matters therein contained and heard divers witnesses
upon oath, they are unanimously of opinion, that the said Captain
Matthews hath in all respects complied with his Instructions, except
that of receiving Merchandize on board before the late Act of
Parliament, Instituted an Act for the more effectual suppression of
Piracy, came to hand, but not afterwards; and it appearing to the
Court, that he had sent men irregularly to Merchant Ships, and finding
he falls under the 33rd Article of War, they have Resolved he be
Mulcted four Months' pay, and that the same be applied for the benefit
of the Chest of Chatham, and he is hereby mulcted accordingly."

Six weeks later, the Directors obtained a decree against him in the Court
of Exchequer, for L13,676 17_s_. 6_d_., which, according to Act of