The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 15
The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 15
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Contents
15.1.1
Articles of Amitye, Commerce, and Entercourse, betweene the two most high and Mighty Kings, The great Mogull, King of India, and the King of Great Brittane, France, and Ireland, Concluded on by the said great Mogull on his part, and in the behalfe of the King of great Brittane by Sir Thomas Roe, knight, his Ambassador for that purpose authorised. 1 First, it is Concluded on both parts that ther shalbe a good and perfect loue, leauge, and peace to endure for euer betwixt the said mighty Princes, their subjects, and dominions. 2 Secondly, it is concluded and agreed vnto by the said high and Mighty King of India on his part, which by this writting he doth promise and to all the world declare. That the subjects of the most renowned King of Great Brittane shall come freely without any prohibition to any of the Ports or hauens in the Dominions of the said King of India, as well in Bengala and Syndu as in the lordship of Suratt, with their shipes and other vessells, and so arriued may quietly, safely, and peaceably land theyr goodes, and for their mony shall haue liberty to hire a Convenient house, wherein they may remayne, freely to sell, buy, or otherwise transport their goodes into the Mayne at their pleasure.
15.1.2
3 Theirdly, it is Concluded, that when any shipes of the said English shall arriue at any Port, the Gouernor of the Place or cheefe Cytty adjoyning shall publish 3 seuerall days this agreement, to the end that all men may freely sell at the shore any prouision of victualls and releefe and may alsoe goe aboord the shipes, trade and buy at their pleasurs, and may freely furnish the said english at the ordinary rates of the kings subjectes with boates, cartes, and other prouisions of Carriadge at their pleasurs without any prohibition, as well at the sea syde as at the rivers, in which the English haue lately susteyned great losse. 4 Fowerthly, it is agreed that the persons of English Merchants nor theyr seruants shall not be searched, nor dispightfully vsed, but that Comminge to the Alfandica they shall show what necessaryes they bring with them and what mony for expence, which shalbe free vnto them from any violence or force of the Gouernor or other Officers, and free of any Custome, soe that it exceed not 10 rialls of Eight in goodes or mony.
15.1.3
5 Fiftly, it is Agred that what presents soeuer are sent by the most Mighty King of great Brittayne, or the Company of Merchantes, vnto the said great King of India, or for any such vse, shall not be touched, opened, nor meddled with by the Gouernor or any officer what soeuer; but only beeing marked with their seale shalbe deliuered without delay to be sent to Court vnto the English Embassador or Agent there resident, that hee may according to directions deliuer them vnto the said Mighty King, wherin the English haue beene heretofore much wronged. 6 Sixtly, it is Concluded that the goodes of the said English Merchantes landed at any Port within the dominnions of the King of India shalbe dispeeded to their howse without lett or hinderance and shall not be stayed on any pretence aboue one day and Night in the Alfandica to take notice of the Number and markes, and soe shall be ther sealed and within 6 dayes after opened and rated at the house of the said Merchants by the officers of the said Custome, at reasonable prices and not exacted vpon as heretofore.
15.1.4
7 Seuenthly, it is agreed that no Gouernor nor any other officer shall presume to take by force any trifles from poore priuat men at their pleasures, but shall suffer them to make price of their owne, and soe paye for yt. Neyther shall the Gouernor, nor any other officer, by force and without the Consent of the Merchantes take into his house or Custody any of the goodes so landed, under pretence of seruinge the King, nor for his owne vse vntill such prises and dayes of payment be agreed on as shall giue content to both sides. 8 Eightly, it is concluded that for any goodes so landed and agreed for, having dischardged the duties of the Port, the said English shall haue free liberty to sell to any person, wherin the Gouernor shall not hinder them, nor force them to agree at his price ; or otherwise it shalbe lawful to Convoy and send them to any other their factory without any hinderance or other dutie required in any Place as they shall passe, the duty of the Port beeing dischardged, wherof the Iudg of the Alfandica shall giue certificatt.
15.1.5
9 Ninthly, it is agreed that what goodes soeuer the English shall buy in any part of the dominions of the said Mighty King of India shall passe safely and freely toward their Port without any enterruption or force or exaction of Convoyes, other then such as themselues shall thinck requisitt, or requiring any Custome or duty on the way vntill they arriue at their Port; wher it shalbe lawfull for them, paying the duties of the Port only, according to agreement, to ship theyr said goodes without the hinderance or delay of any whatsoeuer. 10 Tenthly, it is concluded that what goodes soeuer shalbe soe brought downe to any Port, shall not be agayne opened by the Officers of the Port, the English showeing a Certificat from the Gouernors and officers where the said goodes were bought, of the Numbers, qualeties, and Conditions of the said goodes. 11 Eleuenthly, it is concluded if any of the said English shall dye in any part of these dominions, ther shalbe no confiscation of any mony or goodes in his Custodye, but both those and all other debts shall remayne to the factors suruiving, and if all the said factors shall happen to dye, in any of their residences, The Officer of the Towne shall take notice vpon register of all such Monyes, goodes, bookes, bills, and Papers as shalbe found in their house; which beeing sealed vp shalbe deliuered to the English at their request. 12 Twelftly, it is agreed that no Custome be exacted for victualls during the abode of the shipes at any port.
15.1.6
13 Thertine, it is agreed that the seruants of the said English shall not be punished, beaten, nor Misused for doeing but their duties, whether they be English or Indians, wherby they haue not dared to speake when they haue beene Commanded. 14 Lastly, it is Concluded that in the breach of any of these Articles & conclusions by any Gouernor or Officer, and vpon any other Iust occasion, The most mighty King wilbe pleased to giue his seuerall firmanes for speedy Justice and redresse in all such Iniuryes; and vpon neglect therof, to giue condigne punishment to the offenders. And alsoe to Chop diuers Coppyes of this agreement, to be sent by the English Ambassador as well to the King of Great Brittaine for his full assurance of the Amitye and leauge concluded, as into diuers parts of the dominions of the said Mighty King of India to the end that all his officers may without excuse take notice of his Command.
15.1.7
It is farther agreed and concluded by the sayd Ambassador, on the behalfe of the most mighty King of Great Brittaine, that all the shippes and forces of the said English arriuing in any Port or Coast of the dominions of the said great Mogull shall suffer all Merchanntes to passe and repasse quietly with their shipes and goodes in Peace, except the enemyes of the said English, or any other that shall seeke to injure them; and that all the factors of the English residing in any Citty vpon the land shall behaue themselues peaceably and Ciuilly like Merchantes without offering wrong to any person what soeuer.
15.1.8
Secondly, it is agreed that they shall bring and furnish the said mighty King with all the rarietyes yearly that they can find and with any other goodes or furniture of warr which the said King shall reasonablie desire at indifferent Prices, and that they shall not conceale any rarietyes or goodes whatsoeuer (the presents only excepted) but shall make offer to the Gouernors of the Ports wher they ariue, for the vse of the said King, for which the Gouernor shall agree for the Price and pay for them to theyre Content. And if it shall happen that such Prices cannot be agreed vpon, that then the Gouernor shall not take them by force, but shall sett his Chop vpon them, and so deliuer them to the factors, to be transported to the Court, wher they shalbe showed the said King, and agreed for by the factors there resident. But if the said goodes appertaine to any priuat man, that is to depart with the said shipes, then the said Gouernor shall pay for them at the deliuery, or otherwise restore them to the owner.
15.2.1
Therdly, it is Concluded that the said English shall pay the Custome agreed on at the Porte, to say, 3 per Cento and ½ for goodes reasonably rated, and 2 per Cento for Rialls of eight; for which vpon Certifficate they shall pay no other Custome in any towne wher they shall passe their said goodes. Fowerthly, it is agreed that the said English shall in all things be ready to pleasure and assist the said mighty King and his subjectes against any Enemy to the Common Peace, as it becomes the subiects of Kings mutually in leauge and Confederacy one with another.
15.2.2
Fynally, wheras the Portugalls haue. Contrary to the lawe of Nations, sought by seuerall assaults to Molest the quiett trade of the said English, and haue declared themselues theyre Enemies and to keepe in Subjection the Subjects of the said great King of India, Notwithstanding the said Mighty King of great Brittaine, beeing a Frend to Peace and Iustice, hath giuen Commission to his said Ambassador to Conclude and Comprehend the said Portugalles in the said Peace and frendshipe, to the end that trade and Commerce might be open and free to all Nations, to the great honor, security and proffitt of the said great King of India, and his subjects, wherof he the said Ambassador by his lettres to the viceroy of Goa hath made offer, and the said Embassador doth farther promise that if, by the means of the said great King or Prince, the said Viceroy (having showed good authoritye from the King of Portugall) will in the space of six Monthes enter into the said Peace and leauge, he wilbe reddy to accept therof ; and in Case of Refusall it shalbe lawfull for the said English on the seas as well to Chastice the stubbornes of an obstinat enemie to Peace, as alsoe to requite any robberyes made by them, in taking any of their shippes, boates, or goodes, without any offence to the said great King of India. To all which Articles and Conclusions all the foresaid Mighty Princes haue sett their Chopes and doe promise faythfull performance on all Partes on their Royall woordes.
15.2.3
March 27-31. — I attended Asaph Chans answere, but could not obteyne yt. The king was feasted at Asaph Chans house, Normall, the Prince and many attending. From the kings house to his were veluetts and silkes sowed and layd vnderfoote an english mile, but rouled vp as the king passed ; much talked of, but most ridiculously. They reported the feast and present cost 6 leeks of rupias, which is starling 60,000li. ; the particulars [blank in MS.] April 1. — The king went ahunting. At his returne he sent me two willd hogges by a gentellman : that they were kylld by his owne hand, and many fauorable complements ; which gladded mee, that his Maiestie I perceiued was not incensed against mee. April 3. — I receiued answer from Asaph chan that my demandes were vnreasonable and Could not be signed, without mention in what Clause or part. This I tooke but as a braue, knoweing the king had not seene them, or else to drawe a bribe, to which, eauen to base and sordidnes, he is most open. So I resolued to trye by faire meanes, and if there were noe remedie to appeale to the king for a more indifferent Iudge. April 4. — I sent Asaph Chan a lettre expostulating some vnkindnesses and the particulars which he misliked in the Articles : offering all tearmes of frendship, if I might haue yt on free Conditions. The Coppy is registred.
15.2.4
April 5. — I receiued answer that he had euer beene a frend to the English, and would so continew to mee if I would follow his councell: that Mocrebchan and others desired that wee should be banished, but that hee withstood yt; excusing himselfe for sending to mee to take another place, that hee knew not the Customes of England; of the articles not one woord. At night I receiued lettres from Suratt with the particulars soe long desired of the Gouernors publique and priuat abuses, which were soe intollerable that neuer any Christians endured the like from open enemyes. Though these came somwhat late, Zulphekcarcon beeing arriued at Court and with our goodes extorted by force made his Peace, much to my prejudice who had threatned him before his Comminge and now was silent for want of them, yet I resolued to prosecuute my course, but as warely as I could, taking occasion vpon Asaph Chans answere to pretend that I had forborne complayning for respect to the Prince and attended to doe nothing without his aduise, which by lettre I requird.
15.2.5
April 7.— I wrote to Asaph Chan about Zulphekcarcon and the abuses of Suratt, sending in Persian a generall complaynt of the personall Injuryes to the English and their goodes and with yt three particulars: one of the Companyes goodes taken by force from the factors, and of the robberies of priuat men, of his bribes and extortion; the second, of the goodes yet remayning in the Custome howse deteyned by the Iudg, with his extortions; the third, the numbers of presents giuen voluntarilye to procure his fauour, wherby it might appeare wee had not merited the least of his Tyrannyes. Asaph Chan read them all in the presence of my messenger and answered that if hee might receiue certayne knowledg whether the Custome were dischardged or not, that soe much might be deducted toward satisfaction; the rest, he should bee enforced to pay; and hee would procure the Princes order for Justice in the wrongs for example in tymes to Come, and alsoe giue us a dischardge for the goodes deteyned in the Alfandica with restitution of the bribes, and liberty to sell or transport at pleasure, with many promises of frendship to the English.
15.2.6
April 8. — Master Bidolph returned with my answer that I knew not whether the Customes were payd or not, but that I did desire he might answere and satisfie here for the goodes taken by him perforce: that howeuer ther remayned in the Alfandica sufficient to dischardge the kinges dues, which we prayd warrant to receiue vpon satisfaction. He answered it was all reason and that on the morow he would enforme the Prince and cause the mony extorted to be restored, the debts payd, and a Command sent to Suratt for the release and liberty of the goodes, the customes beeing dischardged; and if the Prince refused he would assist mee in seeking Justice of the king. April 10. — I sent to Asaph Chan, who answered he had deliuered my seuerall papers to the Prince, who had sent them to Zulphekcarcon that hee might peruse them, and whatsoeuer was due should be payd. He was also new writting the Articles by me demanded with his owne hand, saying some woordes were not well placed by my translator: that he would mend them and procure it signed. This night came the second Caphila from Suratt with Cloth, sent by a Dutchman new tooke vp and a boye that was stewardes mate in the lyon; who had beene 62 dayes on the way, to the preiudice of sale, great expence, and losse of the Company to employ so ignorant and carelesse fellowes. I receiued by this Cafala 3 cases of bottles of Alegant (the Cases ould and woorth Nothing), and aduise from Master Kerridge of all busines at Suratt.
15.2.7
April 11-13. — The king went to Hafaz Gemall a hunting, and I could not follow for a flux that hung on mee. Late at night the king returned. April 14. — I went to the Durbar and presented the king one Case of Allegant, which hee tooke very gladly. This was the first tyme I saw Asaph Chan after the vnkindnes taken at the Guzel Chan, who to preuent any woordes vsed mee with more curtesy then vsuall and tould mee the Articles were ready for the seale, and all other my demandes should bee fulfilld. This day your Cape Merchannt at Adsmere dispatched a supply of Cloth and factors to Agra; which I urged a month sooner, but could not preuayle, though the yeare were farr spent. April 16. — I went to visitt the Prince Sultan Caronne; for though Asaph Chan had vndertaken the busines, yet I feard hee was slow and perhapes the Prince did expect so much obseruance from mee as to speake to him in myne owne Cause. So I tooke some powrfull wyne and in the strength therof desired Justice against Zulphekcarcon, offering my four papers of seuerall accusations. The Prince seemed at first discontent and answered only: his debts should be payd out of the Custome due when hee had Confessd them.
15.2.8
I replyed that was not all I desiered nor enough in that Poynt: for first, I knew him so false he would neuer confesse them if that would avoyd it, next I expected restitution of bribes, a warrant to deliuer the goodes deteyned in Custome house, liberty to transport at our pleasure, a declaration that the Gouernor had belyed the king and the Prince in Publishing our banishment, and a conformation [confirmation?] of our residence, with Justice for all personall Injuries to the example of future tymes ; which if it were refused mee here, I would appeale to the king without abusing my selfe with farther hopes. Only I desiered the Prince to doe me this fauour, to receiue the Papers and to read them himselfe, for our injuries were of soe high a Nature and soe vnsupportable that I did assure myselfe of speedy redresse from a Prince of honor, when he rightly understood them, which I knew yet were deliuered to him with all fauour for my aduersary. He sayd that Zulpheckcon should be sent for to answer to the particulars. But some replyed yt would be to late, his house beeing farr off ; wherat I seeing the Buxy of Suratt in presence, an honest man and a frend to vs, I tould the Prince, for the wronges and forces vsed to vs, his seruant the Buxy [was?] present, who could giue both testemony for mee and satisfaction ;
15.2.9
who speaking as far as he durst, the Prince sent for his secretary and bad him take my papers, read them diligently and examine Zulphecarcon, and make warrant that what bribes, extortions, debts, eyther he or the Iudge of the Alfandica had taken (against whom the Complaynt was Ioyntly) should be deducted out of the Custome ; if it sufficed not, the remayner should be here payd : that our goodes should be deliuered and our abode confirmed, with protection from wrong. In a woord I had an open promise for effectual satisfaction in all my desiers, except only some exemplary Iustice vpon his person ; which when I urged, the secretary answered that the Iudg of the Alfandica should be dischardged of his place for his corruption towards vs, and that the warrante was passed the seale for his appearance, for that the Prince had beene enformed by Asaph Chan of as much as I could say; and for my assurance in what he had there Commanded he desiered me to take his woord it should bee effected to my full Content in euery poynt with all expedition: that he was sorry and ashamed of the injustice wee had endured, and that hee would euer doe his endeuour for our Content. This is hee that almost only will neuer receiue guifte nor present. When I could obteyne noe more I was well Content with this, it beeing the best Morning that euer wee had in India.
15.3.1
April 18. — Aganor the Cutwall of Agra inuited him selfe to breakfaste. He is one of our best frendes, very rich, and defendes our Nation from all Injuryes in Agra. I sent to Socorola, the Princes secretary, to sollicite the firmaen, Hee answered he had drawn yt according to my desire in euery clause, only it could not be sealed vntill the debts demanded by vs weere agreed vnto by Zulpheckcarcon, who was then gone with Sultan Caronne to Hafaz Geamal; but that two dayes after, if I would send any to meete Zulpheckcarcon or his Buxy, the debts should bee accorded and all dispatched. April 19. — Mirza, my Neighbour and brother-in-law to the king, came to visitt mee and stayd dynner, but would not eate. He beggd euery thing, but I pleasd him with a feather, 3 or 4 Paper picturs, and an ould pare of spurrs. April 20. — I sent according to appoyntment to meete Zulpheckcarcon at Sacarollaes, but neyther hee nor any from him would appeare. Soe he desiered those deputed by mee to come agayne on the Morow and he would take order they should not loose more labour. April 21. — They returned and Zulpheckcarcons steward mett them at the secretaryes, who tooke great paynes to accord the accountes, and with all indifferency and Iustice assisted them in theyr demandes ; but no conclusion could be made, the steward almost absolutly denying euery particular, and for some few confessed would not consent to the price demanded.
15.3.2
So that concerning the debts it was resolued to write to Suratt to examine witnesses & to make proofe, and vpon certifficat wee should here be payd. But this Course seemed to mee tedious and delatorye ; so that I resolued of another way, receiuing at present a firman for the goodes deteyned in the Custome house, and wheras Zulpheckcarcon had devulged that a firmaen was granted for our banishment it was playnly declared a lye, and Command giuen to entertayne and vse the English with all fauour, authorising not only their residence but transport and free trade at their pleasures. Concerning other particular Injuries complayned off long before, for which I was offered a firmaen very effectuall, but for a Clause concerning the Portugalles I had refused it ; it was now new drawen, that article left out, and offered mee, beeing more lardge and ample in many poyntes for our redresse ; which I alsoe thanckfullie accepted, resoluing to take what I could, and after to seeke remedy for the rest ; but with that was sent the 3 Articles signed by me long before, requiring a fourth that for all armes, as swoordes, pieces, and such, [they ?] should remayne in the Custome house and be sould there, with some other friuolous motions, which I rejecting absolutly, It was deliuered without yt, and the former articles alsoe forgotten to be remanded.
15.3.3
For my demand of Justice against the parsonall wrongs offered to our Nation, I was answered that Zulpheckcarcon did recriminat and Complaine as much against theyr extreame drunckennes, ryott, quarreling and drawing their swoordes in the Alfandica against the kings officers, and that therfore I was to sett one against other and seeke to mend both in tyme to Come: or, if I would not, that then the Prince would expect that Iustice were likwise done vpon such as had offended. I knew to my shame this accusation true and so demurrd of my resolution to prosecute against his person, beeing a fauoritt of the Princes, vntill I had satisfaction in my other demandes; It being free for mee to renew it at my best advantage. Now I had many sutes a foote and durst not venture to haue all my desiers at once or none.
15.3.4
April 23. — I sent to Sacarolla this proposition: to giue me another firmaen, directed to Abram Chan, to examine our account at Suratt, wher, if any proofe could be made, the wittnesses were; and for as much as should be made manifest, to giue warrant to be deducted out of the Custome; for first to send downe to examine wittnesses, to expect answer, and after to attend payment, when in the meane tyme we were forced to cleare the Custome, or suffer our goodes to lye & take lesse, I thought vnreasonable. He answered he had labored for vs, and had drawen him to Confesse most part, to the summe of 14 or 15,000 Mamoodies; so that he was resolued he had all the rest, and therfore would putt him to sweare to euery particular by the Princes head, which was as much as could be done in the case of any Subject, and when he had answered wee should receiue a firmaen for all togither. Further he sayd that 700 and odd ryalls of 8 specifyed in our bill to rest in the Custome house was sent to the Prince in specie, for which we should haue warrant. April 25. — Seeing this could not be effected with expedition I sent downe the two firmaens receiued to Suratt, with advise how I would proceede in the busines, giuing warning to arme themselues with what proofe could be made against that which Zulpheckcarcon should here forsweare.