The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 1.4.4

1.4.4

Farmáns, however favourable, were of little use ; they were partial in their application, being, in most cases, a definite order to some particular official ; and they were liable to be superseded at any moment by fresh commands in a contrary sense. What the ambassador desired was something of a more permanent nature — a solemn treaty between his royal master and the Great Mogul, securing definite privileges to the English merchants, and binding "the high and mighty king of India" to the due and faithful performance of its conditions. Such a treaty — intended, in fact, to be on a par with the "capitulations" obtained by the European nations in Turkey — Roe now drew up and presented for consideration. It provided for the free access of the English to all ports belonging to the Great Mogul, including those of Bengal and Sind, and the free passage of their goods without payment of any duty beyond the usual customs; they were to be allowed to buy and sell freely, to rent factories, to hire boats and carts, and to buy provisions at the usual rates ; while other articles were directed against the confiscation of the effects of deceased factors, the obnoxious claim to search the persons of the merchants on going ashore, the opening of presents intended for the king, delays in the custom-house, and other similar abuses.