The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 16.5

16.5

And more particularly, the monyes sent this waye, if the trade were not, would be transported into Turky in greater somes to procure the Commodities of this place. Besides which, we intreat your Consideration that all the silver landed heer this yeere amounteth not to aboue 4000 li. sterlinge, wheras the goodes retomed vpon the vsed so good Countenance to the English that for their cause the Portugalls were barred the Port of Suratt, who brought more proffitt to the king, as many Ballaces, Pearles, and Iewelles, wheras the English came only to seeke proffitt with Cloth, Swoordes, and kniues of little estimation. The king answered only : it was true, but who could mend yt? Hereby the Princes good affection was manifest, and I had faire warning to be watchfull and to study to preserue ourselues in the kinges grace, in which only wee were safe ; but I resolued to take notice of this Lyon amounteth to fower tyrries the som, the rest is proceede of Commodities ; the Costom wherof will bringe more profitt to the Kinges Coffers then the want of a farr greater quantetye of silver to be Coyned in his mint ; wherby you maye be pleased to perceave the Crye in this respect is without Cause." Roe, in a further letter of the 20th August (MS., f. 114), rejoined with some asperity that he "doubted not but that the king may gayne in Customes wher the Common wealth doth loose, that england might profitt by Europes detriment.