The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 17: To Master Lescke, Minister of Gods Woord at Suratt. (I. O. Records : O. C. No. 359.) Adsmere, April 27, 1616.
The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 17
- Language
- English
Contents
To Master Lescke, Minister of Gods Woord at Suratt. (I. O. Records : O. C. No. 359.) Adsmere, April 27, 1616.
17.1.1
Mr. Lescke, I should haue beene glad to haue heard some newes from the church, for of the world I haue dayly too much. Vnum necesse est. Though it was not my good happ to see you at my comming away, yet I left my well wishes, and shalbe glad to heare of you and from you. Much I cannot doe, but both your place (to which I euer owed reuerence), your sincere carriadge (to which I must testefye), command me to offer any thing in my powre, which you shall freely vse when you will make tryall. I know too well how slightly the ministery is regarded, but he that considers the saying of our sauiour : he that despiseth mee, despiseth him that sent mee, will know god takes the Injuryes offered to his delegates as done to him. I write not that I doubt any such measure toward you (your owne grauetye will withstand yt); but that I may lett you know my desire to carry straw to Gods building, and that I had rather wayte on the temple then in the courts of Princes. If you expect news from mee, I must freely say I neuer Imagined a Prince so famed would liue so meanly. All his wealth is no woonder. The Norose at which tyme all is exposed, is a poore may game. Religions infinite; lawes none. In this Confusion what can bee expected ?
17.1.2
I haue little els to say, but that which is most materiall for mee, that you will remember mee in your prayers. God hath dealt mercifully with mee, and (as I may say) hath visited and yet redeemed mee; for I haue had a long tyme of sicknes and am euery day relapsing, yet his mercy hath often raysd mee, His name be praysd euer. So, with the assurance of my good hart toward you, I committ you to the tuition of him who nether bruseth the broken reed nor quencheth the smoking flaxe. Your assured frend, Tho. Roe. April 27. — I aduised Asaph Chan what had passd concerning Zulpheckcarcon, who returned me that I should not abate one Pice. April 28. — I sent to Socarolla, who answered that Zulpheckcarcon had beene putt to sweare according to promise to the particulars vnconfessed and that hee had Craued 3 dayes to call all his people to account what had beene taken without his knowledge or not in his Memorie, which was granted ; and that the firmaen for the 700 Riall of Eight and the debts Confessed was ready, but to end togeather it was deteyned vntill the expiration of this tyme, when wee should haue satisfaction in all.
17.1.3
April 29. — I roade to visitt Asaph Chan in the Morning, but hee was asleepe. At night I went to the Durbar about my articles from the King, which were of most consequence. Asaph Chan, after many Complementes excusing his sluggishnes, desiered me to take no care for them : he would gett them signed, and send them : that he tooke so to hart our busines that I might rest secure, and that he needed no other remembrancer then his affection to mee. This ouermuch kindnes was suspitious to mee, but I seemed to beeleue it sincere. So I desired him to tell the king I had some wyne left, which, beginning to be hard, I durst not present, not knoweing how hee liked yt, but if it were agreable to his Majestie I would send it to the Guzell chan ; which he accepted, and I performed. April 30. — I sent to Socorolla, who answered hee would make a warrant for the payment of as much as was Confessed, which should bee ready on the Morowe. At night Etiman-Dowlett, father of Asaph Chan and Normall, sent me a basquett of Muske-Millons with this Complement that they came from the handes of the Queene his daughter, whose seruant was the bearer.
17.1.4
May 1. — I sollicited Socorolla for the warrant for our debt, but insteed therof receiued that Zulpheckcarcon had not swoorne to all particulars demanded, beeing loath to venture perjurye, and therfore would on the Morowe send Hoja Nasson to my house to agree on euery poynt, and soe eyther pay mee ready mony at Adsmere or by bill of exchange at Suratt at my Choyce. May 3. — I receiued lettres from the factory of Amadavaz that because they had demanded the 500 rupies taken from them, by virtue of the kings command sent them, the Gouernor, Abdella chan, beeing returned from the Armie in Decan, sent the Cuttwall to take theyr howse perforce for one of his trayne. They resisted, and craued releefe. May 4. — I went to Asaph chan to acquaynt him with this affront and desiered his Councell, pretending I was unwilling to Complayne to the king and prouoke his indignation against a great man who had Contemned his Majesties firman that Commanded all sort of good vsage to our Nation, both because I would not on euery slight occasion trouble his Maiestie nor willingly draw on me the hate of the Nobilitye (who would all partake against a stranger) if I could by any faire way procure remedye and enjoy our libertyes with good liking.
17.1.5
He gaue me great thanckes and assured mee hee would see my redresse should be speedy and effectuall : that therfore hee desired mee to forbeare according to my proposition : that hee would Write on the Morrow to Abdella chan and to two other frendes he had there, who should be solicitors for the English ; and that if after that he Contineued to Iniure us, he would cause him to be sent for, and to answere yt to the king. With this I rested Content. About my articles he sayd they were in some places obscure : that he had Cleard them to the king and would procure them signed : that he was neuer lyar nor of a double hart : that I should find him so ready to doe my Nation any seruice, as our cause were his owne. Only hee sayd we brought not so curious toyes for the king as did the Portugall ; to which I answered fully, and to giue him proofe I desiered a Scrite in what sorts the king would most delight, which hee promised, naming for the present, Pictures in brasse, the Coullors layd in, especially a basson and ewre of such woork, some coulored french muff or Plush, some good cloth of gould and siluer, some sutes of Arras in great Imagery and fine, a saddle and feild Caparison, but aboue all an English horse ; and for our Cloth the finest sort, wherof the king would buy quantetyes.
17.1.6
I replyed that the Company could hardly venture upon Cloth of high price and the richest clothes of gould vnlesse they were sure of vent : for toyes they would furnish the king of guift, but mattres of great chardge theyr gaynes would not beare : but if he would sett downe the particulars and quantetyes and prices, and giue the kings Chop that they should be taken off and payd for, I would promise his desire should be satisfied fully ; which he sayd he would en forme the king. Hee drew the swoord I wore and with extraordinarie Commendations prouoked mee to say it was at his seruice. He answered hee was no man of Complement : that to take a swoord from soe good a frend was held vnluckye. I replyed the excuse was not strong enough against the affection with which it was offered : that with vs one frend gaue another a swoord when he was to vse yt He sayd small perswasions would serue from mee : that he would vse yt at my seruice ; and with more Complements then any Parisian tooke yt. He invited mee to dinner some dayes after (but naming none), where he promised to be merry and drinck wyne with me as a Curtesye. So I tooke leaue. About two howers after he sent his steward with 20 Musk-mellons for his first present. Doubtlesse they suppose our felicitye lyes in the palate, for all thateuer I receiued was eateable and drinckable — yet no aurum potabile.
17.1.7
May 5.— In the Morning Came a Mogull Merchant from Hoja Nassotl to desier a Peace, offering to bring Zulpheckcarcon to my howse and to make eauen the accounts and to pay the mony here or at Suratt. I replyed I was ready to forgiue some Injuries, but his abusing my Master would alway stand betweene vs vntill he made amendes : for the debts I desird him to dine with mee on the Morow, when I would be ready to make my demandes ; which hee promised. At night I sent to Asaph chan for the 3 promised lettres. Hee answered the Procurator of Abdela chan was newly arriued at Court, with whom he had beene so round that he doubted not of good satisfaction to the english : that he was to returne in few dayes : that it had beene his watch, which hindered him for performance of his promise, which hee would presently fullfill : desiring to send for them in the Morning. This day I receiued lettres from Agra complayning of theyr house; but they had it rent free and it was lardg, and I held it not fitt to trouble the king vnnecessarilye.
17.2.1
May 6. — Came Hoyja Nasson to account for Zulpheckcarcons debt After some particulars read, for want of one to write on their sides, he desird that some English might early on the Morow come to his howse, wher should meete a scriuano and finish that busines, and that ready mony should be deliuered or bills to Suratt at choyse; to which I agreed, and dessigned Masters Bidolph and Fettiplace to attend yt. This day I dispatched for Amadavaz 3 lettres from Asaph chan, one to the Gouernor, Abdala chan, the other to his brother, Zudgar chan, the third to Abbal the Buxy, signifing both the kings pleasure for the good entreatment of the English and his owne desire and fauour on their part, perswading to suffer them abyde in their house and to vse theyr trade with freedome, for that otherwise Complaynts would be addressed to the king by the Ambassador, to whom his Maiestie had promised speedy Justice. I wrote alsoe to Abdala chan in fayre tearmes to procure him my frend, knowing the easeyest is the safest way: but withall letting him know I must performe my duty if he neglected his. The Coppy is registred. May 7. — Hoya Nasson could not Attend our account.
17.2.2
May 8. — They Mett and the Scriuane of Zulpheckcarcon was present. They Charged him by particulars, wherof some hee denied. The Conclusion was that Hoya Nassan would goe to him and showe him our demandes and perswade him to pay vs: if not, we should on the Morowe receiue a resolute answere. To day I receiued lettres from Amadavaz that the English were remoued out of their howse by the Gouernors order, but without force ; in which they were too hastie, for they wrote to me for redresse, which I sent within two dayes, and they would not attend an answere, to the great losse of the Company.
17.2.3
May 9. — Hoya Nassan returned this answere that Zulpheckcarcon had Confessed many particulars denied by his Scriuano, and the rest hee doubted not but hee would pay, for that hee desiered peace and Frendship with mee ; and that in two dayes it should be finished. At Noone the late Buxy of Suratt came to visitt me, one well fauoured by the Prince, with whome, knoweing the qualetye of our Iniuries, having beene an eye-wittnesse, I had some Conferance about Zulpheckcarcon, in whose behalfe hee spake to make agreement. I tould him in conclusion that I would be noe longer delayed : if in 2 dayes Zulpheckcarcon did not ingenuously confesse the Iniuries and debts, and giue me satisfaction, I would acquaynt the king not only with his villany toward vs but with the oppressions of his subjects, his robberies and all his Tiranney exersised in his Gouerment, and in particular of the forcing the house of the Gouernor of Gundiuee & taking all his goodes and drowening his Mother, keeping him in a dungion to preuent Complaynts. He promised mee his endeuour to end all in the prefixed tyme.
17.2.4
At night the king sent me a woeman slaue, seruant to Normall, who for some offence was putt away. I was loath to receiue her, it beeing Midnight, but the officers would take noe refusall, having Command to deliuer her to myselfe, that I was enforced to lett one come into my bedside with her ; and soe receiued her, a graue woeman of 40 years. I demanded her fault. The officer answered the king bad him assure me she was honest, only shee had offended the woeman. The particulars shee after tould me. For that night I was forced to lodge her in my dininge roome, and early in the Morninge I sent to Asaph Chan to giue the king thanckes, but that a woeman was vnfit for my house: that shee had some Frendes on whom I would bestowe her, if it might not bee displeasing to the king, shee having beene soe neare his Person.
17.2.5
This night I was encompassed with fier, it having begane on 3 sydes; one wherof was soe vehement that it Consumed many thousand howses. Wee were all at our doore ready to shift, for wee had beene forced to loose all our goodes. Ther were burnt in one house 14 woemen and some men, and many others otherwere. My house Master Edwardes builte all of strawe sides and tops, so that it neither kept out wynd, dust, nor rayne, to our infinite discomoditye, and wee were Nightly afrayed of our liues, the fiers being soe Common that to my remembrance no night did escape without some, and soe terrible in the wyndes that all the streets beeing of straw howses and many places Grasse, hay, Corne, and wood piles, that there hath beene no possibility to come neare, it licking up all eauen to the Townes end. It had beene thrice within a quoyts Cast of my house, but the wynd fauoured, or else we had lost all. Soe that, beeing Prest by the Merchannts, whose goodes were vtterly lost if the fier took vs, and for our securitie, having scarce had one night of rest, and finding by myne owne experiance I could build sufficient roomes of bricke and lome fier-free euery way for lesse mony the[n] Master Edwardes his steward spent in straw, I resolued to pull all downe, which I did in one day; and in ten after I had finished 7 good Roomes, wherby the English shall Now bee sufficiently howsed for 20 years, with some reparation by reason of the Violent raynes, and secure both in theyr goodes and Persons.
17.2.6
May 10. — Asaph chan sent me woord that, by reason the woeman sent by the king had beene neare the king and queene and putt away in Cholar, he wished mee not to giue her libertie before he had spoken with the king; giuing me thanckes for my respect towardes his Maiestie in sending before I deliuered her. May 12. — I receiued answer that hee would send a Banian for her, and keepe her vntill the king might forgiue or dispose her; for I was in trouble with her, but had placed her in a seruantes house that was Married. This night Hoya Nassan sent woord I should know a resolution concerning the debts of Zulpheckcarcon on the Morrowe. This day I dispatched an advise to Suratt. May 13. — I receiued answer that hee had labored in the busines and had drawne him to agree to pay 17 thousand Mamodoes, which was all hee could doe, and desiered mee to accept it. It was 2900 lesse then the bill sent of the publique and priuat debt, but in consideration some things were ouerrated, both on the Companyes behalfe as alsoe of priuat mens, and that the losse was not very great, euery man beeing to beare a part, I sent Master Bidolph to see. If [in] this offer the 750 rialles acknowledged by the Prince and the bribe of the Iudge of the Alfandica were not comprehended, but that those should be payd apart, then I gaue him order to make a finall end, knoweing it better to loose somewhat then wholy to draw the Princes indignation toward vs, who much desiered an end of this question;
17.2.7
but withall I bad him make tryall to aduance as much more as could be gotten without open warr. He returned with answere that all was Comprehended in this offer, and that I must giue a generall acquittance for any further demand, for that hee had taken on him to satisfie the Royalles of eight and to Cleare all questions, and that if I would not accept of this I should seek remedie ; if I showed papers he had papers to answer them (Thus Confident he bare himselfe on the Prince) ; and that hee did offer to pay what wee could proue, which was not halfe, beeing taken on the way, in the boate and in the Towne without any order. At Euening I sent the Princes secretarie woord of this answer: that I was resolued to Complayne to the king : and that, having attended soe long for respect only of the Prince, I hoped hee would not be displeased. He answered hee would acquaynt the Prince what I said : for his owne parte he would no longer diswade mee from seekin Justice. I sent alsoe to Asaph chan to the same effect, and to lett him know that he should not bee seene in the busines to displease the Prince, but that I would deliuer my Complaynt in writing my selfe : I only desiered his fauorable good woord to the king in our behalfe. He gaue me many thancks for this respect toward him, but hee entreated mee for his sake to forbeare a few dayes : that hee would speake with the Prince and Zulpheckcarcon and procure an end.
17.2.8
Hee desiered I would not stand for 2 or 3 thousand Mamodoes for the Princes sake and his : that other wayes it should not bee lost : that he spake this for loue, knoweing the Princes affection to Zulpheckarcon and his vnreaconsilable disposition : that wee should neuer haue quiett at Suratt whilest hee was lord therof, without daylie Complaynts to the king, which would much prejudice vs to sett the father against the sonne, and giue great aduantage to our enemyes. He sent a seruant for my woeman and I was very glad to returne my present.
17.3.1
May 15. — I sent Asaph chan an antidote for poyson, giuing thancks for his free dealing and fauour, and, that he should see what power eyther the Prince or himselfe had to Command mee, I would venture beyound my authoritye to giue away that which was non of myne owne, and that, if hee pleased to spend one hower to hear vs both, he should be Iudg and decide the difference. He replyed he would not meddle in that kinde, the Prince beeing in a sorte a party, for he had most of the goodes; but he assured me he had dealt the night before very effectually with the Prince and that hee had not receiued any other then a Generall answere: that the Next day, if he could procure it, hee would send me a resolution: if I hard not from him in 4 dayes then I should vnderstand he could doe noe good; and bad me make readye a petition in the name of the Merchannts to the king, and hee would giue mee all my [his ?] assistance. May 16. — I dispatched a lettre to the Gouernor of Agra concerning a debt oweing by his brother, to see if with faire woordes I could procure it, hauing soe many of that kinde that would Cloye the king, and this some tymes proues the best and is ever the easiest way. This Eueninnge the king went to Pocara, 4 Course off Adsmere, a village of the Bannians where they resort for devotion, full of their Pagodes and other gentilitiall impietyes. When they haue any solemnitye he vseth to visitt it for sport. May 21. — The King returned from Pocara.
17.3.2
May 22. — I went to the Durbar to visitt the king and to desier his authoritie to haue one Jones, a youth that was runn away from me to an Italian and protected himselfe vnder the name of the king to the infamy of our Nation. The king gaue order for his deliuerie; but the Prince, who euer wayted oportunitye to disgrace our Nation, for the Cause of his fauoritte Zulpheckcarcon (with whom I was newly broken off from conference and had sent the Prince woord I would noe longer forbeare openinge my Cause to the king), mooued the king in priuatt to send for the youth first; which at the Guselcann he did. And the Prince giuing him countenance, he rayled to my face with most virulent malice, desiering the king to saue his life; so the king resolued not to deliuer him to mee but to send him prisoner to Suratt. But the Prince to braue mee begged him for his seruant, the fellow having quite renownced his Countrie. The king gaue him to the Prince, notwithstanding any reasons I could alleadge. Soe the Prince presently gaue him 150 rupies and the pay of two horse and forbad mee to meddle with him.
17.3.3
May 23. — At Night my man came and fell at my feete, asking pardon for his lyeing and madnes, and offered to submitt himselfe in any kind. I tould him I would not now keepe him prisoner : he was the Princes seruant : but that before I could giue him any answere he should make me publique satisfaction as farr as he was able. This day I receiued lettres from one Lucas at Mesolapatan concerning Merchauntes affaires, which I understood not and deliuered them to Bidolph to be sent to Suratt. May 24. — Jones made meanes to come to the Guzelchan and there asked pardon of the king for his lyes, denieing euery woord he had spoken to haue beene done to protect him selfe from mee, whom he had offended ; desiering the king to send for mee that hee might there aske my pardon. The king was well pleased ; But the Prince fell into a great rage.
17.3.4
May 25. — I went to the Guzellcan where after many protestations of the king that hee neuer beleeued him : that hee was a villayne : yet hee could doe noe lesse but protect him, hauing cast him selfe into his Mercy, the youth was sent for, who on his knees asked me forgiuenes and on his oath swore to the king that he had in euery particular belied mee, which hee professed to doe voluntarie for that hee neuer durst returne to his Countrie. The king Chid him a little and tould me, he nor any good man euer beleued him. But the Prince grew so angry that moevinge him with many questions to stand to his first woordes, which hee refusing was bid begone ; and the Prince, publiquely Calling for him againe, bad him most basely returne him the 150 Rupies deliuered him, for that hee gaue it to mayntayne him against mee, which seeing he went from, he would haue his mony, which the fellow promised ; but he would haue it presently and so sent an vnder-treasurer with him to the house wher he was lodged, for into myne I would not suffer him to Come.
17.3.5
May 26. — I sent to Asaph chan, the tyme being expiered about Zulpheckcarcon, having promised to doe noething without him, which promise necessitie vrged me too, for that I am tyed to this inconvenience, that my linguist may neuer speake to the king but only to Asaph chan, who is appoynted sollicitor for our Nation, soe that I can doe nothing without him, neyther will he euer deliuer but what hee pleaseth. I sent him woord my Petition was ready : I only attended his answere. He returned mee that I should forbeare yet a few dayes : that hee would see mee payd or pay it himselfe. I urdged a day, which hee would not sett ; for, said he, if I misse one, you will count me a promise-breaker ; but that I should take his woord hee would see the mony satisfied. May 27. — I went to the Durbar, wher the king vsed me with extraordinary fauour; but the first woord hee asked when any english shippes would come. I answered: about fower Monthes. Then he demanded what presents they would bring. I named Arras and Pictures in brasse. He asked for dogges. I tould him I doubted not but hee should bee furnished alsoe this fleete. So he seemed Content. I also sent to Asaph chan in the Morning about the debt, but hee answered hee would not meddle farther in yt: the Prince he would not loose for vs. So at the durbar I expostulated with him about this answere: that I only depended on him: and now Contrarie to his promise to be rejected I thought it very vniust.
17.3.6
I desiered him to deale playnly, for I knew I was able to deliuer the king my Complayntes at any tyme in writing without him, which I was resolued to doe: wherin I would lett the king know both our wrongs and how little meanes wee had to seeke redresse by reason no man would speake for vs: which when I had done I must referr it to his Maiesties Iustice, and I was dischardged of my dutie to my Master. He answered that I was willfull and impatient: that he could not loose the Prince: that I was a stranger and knew not the Pace of this Court nor the king soe well as hee: that if I would vse him I must follow his Councell, which if I would doe hee was ready to assist mee: if I thought my owne wayes better, then hee would no way meddle. Soe I tould him I had alway depended on his aduise and deferred my Complaynt for his sake 4 Monthes: that I had sent the Prince woord I would Complayne was not without his Consent, having prefixed me a tyme when I should be free to doe soe, which was expired. So we agreed that I should come to his house within a day or two and ther Conclude what was to bee done in this business, promising to perfect all my demandes if I would haue Patience. Thus I was enforced to seeme Content, because I had noe way to seeke remedie; for presents I had none, and the king neuer takes any request to hart except it Come accompanyed, and will in playne tearmes demand yt;
17.3.7
which advantage the Prince takes, vrdging the Portugalles bringing of Iewelles, ballestes, and Pearles, with much disgrace to our English comodytye. May 28. — Ther Came diuers Portugalles Merchannts from Goa with many rarietyes to sell the king and with rich Presents from the Vizeroy of Goa. This is yearly theyr Custome at this season to bring goodes, and so to goe for Agra and invest in Indico. While these presents are fresh the English are lesse respected.
17.3.8
May 29. — The Portugalles went before the king with a present, and a Ballas Ruby to sell that weighed, as was reported, 13 tole, 2 tole and a half beeing an ounce. They demanded 5 leckes of rupies, but the king offered but one. Asaph chan is also theyr sollicitor, to whom they gaue a present of stones. They had diuers Rubies, ballaces, emrallds, and Iewelles sett to sell; which so much contented the king and his great men that we were for a tyme eclipsed. The Prince and the Iesuite fell out about presenting them, which the Prince desiered, but it was promised before to Asaph chan. Concerning the Portugalles Creditt here I euer made my Judgment by report, but now experience showes me the difference made betweene vs and them; for they were sought after by euery body, wheras they seeme to buy our Comodityes for Almes. Besides, their Neighborhood and advantage to hinder that trade into the red sea, is euer more ready then ours to doe harme, because they are settled. So that only for a little feare we were entertayned, but for our trade or any thing wee bring, not att all respected.
17.4.1
May 31. — I went to Asaph chan to visitt him, but hee was sick of a feuer, or rather of the Portugalles, from whom he daylie expected new guifts, and entertayned them with all kindnes. So I resolued to write, which the Next day I did. The Coppy is regestred. June 1. — I sent my lettre, but withall I had receiued aduise that the king gaue order I should not Come at Court. So that with my lettre I sent to knowe the truth and reason. Asaph chan read my lettre and made this answer: that it was true the king had soe Commanded: the Cause was for Certaine woordes I gaue the Prince when I was with the king about Iones my runnaway: therfore the Prince had intreated of the king to giue me no more audience: But that if I would accept of the 17,000 Mamodies offered by Zulpheckcarcon and Clear all demandes of the Prince and him, he would bring me to the king and I should haue all right and fauour due vnto me; for to presse the Prince for mony hee could not, for that hee had not to pay his souldiers, beeing now ready to goe for the warrs of Decan; with whom Zulpheckcarcon went, and when hee was gone it would bee hard to gett any thing, and therfore hee Councelled me to accept of this offer and make peace on all parts. This Motion was somewhat strange; but I saw what was the purpose by the offer of Peace;
17.4.2
not any thing I had sayd to the Prince, but that I tould Asaph chan I could deliuer my Complaynts without him at the Durbar if hee forsooke vs, which the Prince preuented by hindering my Comming. And now was all way shutt up to write or speak to the king; only Abdalasan offered me his Frendship, which I yet reserued, with due respect. I considered what pretence could be taken from any woordes spoken to the Prince, which were only these, of which I will neuer repent: I tould the Prince I was a kinges Ambassador, and that I thought it stood not with his honor to protect a villayne against mee, considering what I was the king his father had my Masters lettre to testefye: but that that was not all the discurtesy I and my Nation receiued from him. Then hee Chardged me that I drew my swoord on a seruant of his into whose hands he had deliuered my man within the Court; which the king demanded of me if it were true. I answered: noe. He said his sonne tould him soe. I replyed: notwithstanding, I would Mayntayne the Contrarie and for noe mans woord would forsake truth: that I was bredd in a Ciuill Court, and knewe better what became me. So the Man was called and some others that reported it, and it was prooued a lye; wherat the Prince was both ashamed and extreame Angerye. This beeing all that passed, my innocence made me Confident;
17.4.3
for though Asaph chan to fright me sent me woord of this Complaynt of the Prince some few dayes Past, wishing me to take Care: we were but a few and might be soone subject to mischeefe; to which I answered the accusation was false, and that for any force I was resolued I could not loose my blood in a better Cause. These, I say, Considered, and the Case now standing on so desperate tearmes, I sent this answere: That I gaue him thanckes for his offer to bring me to the king, but that I was not so desierous as to doe that beseemed me not: if his Maiestie did Command vs out of the Countrie, wee were ready to goe: yet to showe how willing I was to Content the Prince, though I had naught to doe with the Merchanntes mony nor awthority to Compound to their losse, yet seeing hee pretended the Prince wanted mony, if he would giue me his firmaen to deduct the 750 royalls of 8 receiued in mony out of the Custome this yeare if it were not all payd, or, if it were, out of the next Customes if goodes came a shoore, or ells to pay yt in Suratt at 4 Monthes end, I would accept of Zulpheckcarcons offer and make an end of this busines with the losse of 2,900 Mamodies which was more then I Could answere : if the Prince would not doe this, I must doe my best to acquaint the king both with our wronges and the true Cause of Complaynt against mee, wherby his Majestie refused mee audience, only to hinder me in seeking Iustice : and soe departe the Cuntrye.
17.4.4
June 3. — I receiued answere that hee would Moue the Prince to pay that money: if Zulpheckcarcon had Confessed 17,000 Mamodies of his owne debt, it should bee performed : he desiered me to haue Patience : that he would make the Prince and mee frendes, and that the king should send for mee with more honor than euer, if I would end this controuersy. June 4. — I returned answer that I would be sent for before I would Come, neyther would I euer come upon ill Conditions to loose our mony : that I expected if I Came some declaration from the king of better respect, for the worlds satisfaction ; to accord with the Prince I was ready, and if he could accuse mee of any disrespect toward him, I would make such amendes as was fitt for vs both : if not, I hoped his highnes would not expect I should giue away the Companyes Monny for good lookes : The world was wyde enough : we gott not soe much by this trade as that wee would buy it with too much Injurye : The Mogull had promised the King of England that his sonne should be our protector, which I doubted not but hee would bee vpon better experience; but that I would attend his answere some few dayes, and accordingly eyther resolue of longer residence or prepare to retyre myselfe and my Nation toward our Port to seeke better entertaynment. June 5. — The Princes Child dyed, wherat the king tooke great greefe, so that he Came not abroad, neyther the Prince nor any other great man. Soe that noe busines could be proceeded in.
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June 6-8. — The king remooued to the Princes house, for that the child died in his, and Came not abroad; but gaue leaue for diuers to visitt him. It was reported he would keep in at the Princes 8 dayes, at Etemon Doulatt 8 dayes, at Hafaz Gemal 8, at Pocora 8, and then returne to his Custome.
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June 9. — Mochrebchan sent a Banian to my house with this Message: that the night before he had watched with the king, and tooke occasione to aske why the English Embassador Came not to visitt him. He answered hee knewe not. Wherat hee replyed hee hard I was much discontent. The king demanded the reason: that hee had euer vsed mee with more respect than any stranger, and neuer giuen me any Cause. To which hee answered that it was reported in the Towne and tould the Ambassador that his Maiestie had giuen order that hee should not Come at Court nor haue any more audience; to which the king replyed it was veary falce: he neuer gaue such order, nor knew not of any such, nor any occasion: that if I would Come to him I should be as wellcome as euer, and no man should dare to stay or forbidd mee. Soe hee demanded of the king if his Maiestie were pleased he should send me this Message, which hee Commanded him to doe. This was strange to mee, that any body should presume to forbidd me entrance without the kings knowledge, though I well sawe by Asaph chan it was Zulpheckcarcons busines that Putt this trick vpon mee by the Princes order and Asaph chans conniuence in the kings name. But withall I feard some trick in this or mistaking in the Message, for that I neuer made meanes to Mochrebchan, but had rather refused it ; neyther did I suppose him for many reasons our frend. So I resolued the Next Morning to send Master Bidolph to him to vnderstand more certaintye. June 10.
17.4.7
— Master Bidolp went to Mochrebchan with Complements of thanckes for soe vndeserued a fauour ; but that I well vnderstood not the Banian, but desiered to bee enformed from him of this passage. He began all the discourse, adding many good woordes that hee spake of mee : that I came from myne owne Country to see his Maiestie, and that it was very vniust without Cause to refuse me admittance to his Maiesties presence ; wherat he said the king was very angry and Calld Asaph chan, demanding if hee had giuen such order, who protested no, that hee neuer heard of yt (yet it was hee that sent mee woord it was true). So his Maiestie gaue mee order (sayd hee) to bring the Embassador to him, whensoeuer he desird to come, and to send woord that I had beene abused, for he neuer had any thought to refuse seeing mee. So that whensoeuer I would visitt the king (which hee perswaded me to, for his Maiestie would take it kindly, though hee came not out), if I would send to his house he would goe and bring mee to him, and no man should dare to stopp mee. When I was fully resolued of the truth, I yet stayed from accepting this offer ; for beeing vpon new termes of frendship with the Prince and Asaph chan, and pretending only to rely on him, I feard, if I tooke another way, they would become more virulent enemyes than euer; and this kindnes of Mochrebchans was but a flash, or if it Continued he had not power to effect all my busines.
17.4.8
It was Asaph chan whom I must wholy recouer, and that faction, or stand on fickle tearmes. So I resolued to trie him fully and Clearly before I forsooke him; that I might Iustly say he left me first, and in my greatest necessitye. This day Zulpheckcarcon, beeing by when this passd publiquely betweene the king and Mochrebchan concerning mee, and, as I suppose, seeing now that I could not be kept from the king with any trick, and fearing this would exasperate me to take vp the first oportunitie of Complaynt, came to Abrams the dutchman and offered frendship, sayeing the account was finished and that hee was ready to pay the 17,000 Mamodies offered for himselfe and his followers: and that the 750 Royalles of 8 were the Princes debt, which hee would Pay: so that he knew no Cause why we should not be freendes. I requested the Merchantes to goe speake with him, and that, if hee were Constant to this offer, I would accept it and finish all broyles vntill I had gotten better footing.