The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 16.4

16.4

for this [silver] comes not out of England which is now sent, and wee are as well members of Europe as Citizens of England, which is but one lymne and if the whole growe poore wee beare our proportion. But the losse is more particular ; for if wee did not send mony this way, the Merchant, who often sould for mony, gott more by returning it in specie very often then by investing it ; and so it Came to the Kings mynt, which now cryes like a hungry belly against this trade." The factors replied (23rd July) with some spirit : " That the Commodities from hence vendinge for silver in other Countryes Can be no aunswer, vnder Correction of your better Iudgment we apprehend it otherwise. For silver which Comes not thither Cannot Com thence, and consequently the state hath neither benefitt or preiudyce ; but Commodities Carryed from hence and transported to Forrain partes geves Double Custom, the proceede wherof by reimployment bringeth Continuall proffitt both to the state and Commonwealth. Our being members of Europe as Citizens of England were a verry good reason to Consider our proportion of the generall poverty, if the members of Europe were also citizens of England ; who, seking their owne benefitt, waye not our Losse ; As the duche transport a pound to our shillinge, the Portingal little lesse, besydes the somes Convayed from many partes of Christendom into Turkay.