The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 16.2

16.2

for if euer the Portugall can giue vs one blowe, wee are lost here. For our second foundation of our residence in these parts, the venting of our owne Comodytye, though I haue no sckill in particular merchandize yet I vniversally discerne they will sooner and faster weaken vs here then the want of priuiledges, for I see no Comoditye that will proue staple and certaynly vendable, able to returne a ship yearly. Our Cloth will not off in many yeares; here I am perswaded twenty will not sell; the King is Glutted with the last, and no man reguardes it. Swoordes are woorse; lead and teeth, if they will vent, yet will they lade faster out then home. For one yeare gould or siluered veluettes, Grogrames, Chamletts and silk stuffes may serue vs, but constantly noething. So that my opinion is, breefly, seeing our state cannot beare the exportation of mony, except some new trade can be discouered from the East to serue this Kingdome, it must fall to ground by the weaknes of itts owne leggs. April 26. — I receiued intelligence that the Prince caused one of his seruants at the Durbar to aske the king why he mouthes and overthrowne their trade that way, besides the oppression and wrong done them (Cheefely For our cause) by the portingales, soe that of Feared euills they chose in appeareance the leaste, though it haue prooued otherwise, For since our Coming this porte is vndone, which in their greefs they spare not somtymes to tell vs ;