It had already come to be widely known that anybody who was in trouble with the Company would find countenance and protection from Matthews.

He told the Portuguese officials that the Company's vessels were only traders, and therefore not entitled to a salute, gun for gun.

This matter of salutes was a very important one in Matthews' eyes.

Every trading ship, however small it might be, carried guns, and there was a great deal of saluting.

In acknowledging such salutes Matthews always responded with three or four less guns than were given him.