The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 18.1.9

18.1.9

They answered: hee deserued it, for his violence vsed to our Nation: but that which I tooke woorst was his slight and base woordes giuen of my King, my Lord and Master. He replyed: hee spake not ill of him, but, as was the Custome of this Countrye, hee only magnifyed his owne: for his hard vsage and discurtesyes to our Nation, hee sware he had expresse order from the Prince in 4 seuerall firmaens, not only to doe all hee did, but to turne vs out and suffer vs no trade. They answered they could neuer beleue yt, for that they were in presence when I demanded of the Prince if it were true (for that it was so published at Suratt) and hee forswoore it openly, giuing it vnder his hand and seale that it was a lye. He replyed with many oathes it was true, and to satisfye their incredulitye and to dischardge himselfe, he asked if they would beleue the firmaens : so hee sent for them, and caused one to bee read before our interpreter, wher the Prince gaue express order not to suffer our goodes to passe out of towne but to keepe them in the Custome howse, and ther to giue leaue to sell and when they had traded to Command all aboord and to depart, forbidding any longer residence, and that if anything came downe not traded for in towne hee should not suffer it to goe aboord ; with many other Clauses of vexation & wrong to be done vs. Now, sayd hee, you see my innocence, and that I executed my Commission with fauour.