The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 15.3.4

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.