Remonstrantie 6.2.1

6.2.1

Formerly the English maintained an ambassador at the Camp, an arrangement which was very expensive to their Company; but it has now been abandoned, because a factor who sells their goods at Court can also look after all their incidental business, and obtain farmans, or rescripts, from the King. Frequently one hears many of the great lords asking (though it may be through the suggestions of our English friends), if precious stones are known in our country, or if there are any skilled craftsmen there, who can make toff as [tuhfa, rarities], as there are in England, Venice, and other European lands. It is essential therefore, both for the profit of the Honourable Company, and to increase the reputation of our own nation, that we should make it clear that our little country is not merely on a level with England, but surpasses the whole world in skill; and in order to do this, we should send to Agra every year rarities to the value of 100,000 guilders, consisting of large pearls ; large and fine emeralds (old and new); sapphires, rubies, and balas-rubies of rich colour; and gold art-ware of kinds which can be described better verbally than in writing, for instance, an antique box or casket, with various ingenious locks, in which different articles can be secured (for it is considered here a sign of skill, that the inside of a thing should be different from the outside).