The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 14.1.4

14.1.4

but I knew the purpose of the Portugall and the Instrument of this deuice, and that the Prince was abused and sawe not the disadvantage. First, if they had liberty to trade, they would use yt only to hynder ours; secondly, they would lye with 100 frigatts, vnder colour of this Peace, and take the first advantage to fier or assault our fleete, which is not to be avoyded, if they obteyne this liberty to mingle amonge vs; lastly, though the Prince explaynd him selfe in woordes that he ment we should not molest them except they begann the quarrell and in our owne defence, yet when a mischeefe had beefallen vs too late, of whom should wee haue sought satisfaction? The Prince had not undertaken; the Viceroy had not signed any instrument of Peace; only an Italian poore Iesuite had enformed the Prince the Portugall would be quiett—a braue securitye. Besides the folly and dishonnor, to appeare so eager of a peace, as if wee feard them, as to take it on any weake base or rather on no conditions. These considerations enforced me to refuse and send it backe: desiering to haue that clause strooke out, or else the fraud was euident, and I would neuer accept of yt. A day was demanded to giue answer.