The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 12: TO THE KING OF PERSIA.

12

(Addl. MS. 6115, f. 84.) 14 Feb. 1615 [-16].
Most magnificent and Highly descended Emperor,
The respect your Maiestie hath mutually borne and receiued from the King of England my Royall Master, whose Ambassador I vnwoorthely am to the Great King of India, hath encouraged me to send your Highnes these my poore aduises, not presuming to councell your Maiestie, but, in Honor of your most Royall vertues, not to be wanting to doe you any seruice.
I receiued lately your most Gratious Command to your Gouernor of Jasques to entertayne the trafique of our nation with frendship and amitye, for which in the name of my Master I render condigne thanckes. But with the same I fynd your Maiestie hath sent into Spayne to offer and contract for all your silkes and Comodytyes, with Instructions to giue leaue to fortefye, wheras your Maiestie had otherwise nobly purposed (as fame reported) to free your Gulph of Siauery and to keepe it open for all Nations (a resolution woorthy of your Greatnes) ; which if it be- soe, then, notwithstanding your Maiesties Command, wee must eyther aske leaue of the Spaniard (which wee scorne) or else force our way by Armes, which will hynder the speedy vent of your silkes, seeing all trades only flourish by Peace. Therfore, if your Maiestie tye your selfe to the Portugall or Spaniard, it wilbe both as prejudiciall to your estate in future tyme as was the way of Turky, and far more dishonorable, for that hee will neuer thancke your Maiestie for that which hee thinkes necessitye or his owne witt procured, and, when he is in possession, he will vse it with such insolency as will not beseeme a Monarque to endure. Besides, if your Maiestie be perswaded you can make vse of him for a tyme and, when you are returned victorious ouer the Turke, you can turne him out at pleasure, your Maiestie may fynd the woorke more difficult then now you consider ; the fortifications of Europe, where the sea is open and too frend, are not easely rased.
But if your Maiestie were pleased to Clear your Coast and the sea of that bondage it hath beene long in and be lord of your owne, erecting a free mart in some conuenient port vnder the Command of your ordinance, publishing to all Nations they should trade securely, and thither send all the silkes and comodytyes of your seueral kingdomes, your Maiestie should effect with Honor the dessigne of weakening your enemy the Turke, and be engaged to none, but all the world would seeke you, and your subjects should passe theyr goodes for mony or any other comodytye that eyther Europe or the East doth affoord. There would bee the English, Spanish, French, Venetian, and all that had meanes of shipping, envying one another and only raysing the Price, to your Maiesties profitt.
This I haue thought fitt to offer to your Maiesties Consideration, my respect commanding me to tell you that single councelles haue single force ; which I submitt to your Maiesties Judgment, hoping your Maiestie will so restrayne your Conditions with the Spaniard that your fauour to vs become not vselesse, and we enforced to trade with them by the bullett, as they haue vnprosperously giuen vs cause. Praying to the Creator of Heauen and earth to giue you victory on your Enemyes and renown in your life and Posterytye,
To doe your Maiestie seruice, Tho. Roe, Ambassador for his Maiestie of England.