The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 18.3
The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 18.3
- Language
- English
18.3.1
June 29. — At night the king returned. June 30. — I went to visitt Abdala Hassan, from whom I had receiued a former kindness vnexpected, for that wee were mere strangers. This obseruance I was enforced too, partly by gratitude, but principally by necessitye. Obsequium amicos parit. I needed them, and to the Markett I could not goe (for all are to be sould) for want of guiftes. Yet hee is noe taker and I tooke knowledge of yt, to his Joy. Hee offered me much kindnes, eyther to speake to the king or deliuer any wrighting. I accepted of yt generally; but at first would not engage him into busines, beeing yet dependant on Asaph chan. He answered they were all one and that I could not keepe a better way.
18.3.2
I replyed I had not much to aske the king : my principall busines (which I had in command from his Maiestie my Souerayne) was the procuring better priuiledges for the Continuance of loue and Commerce betweene both Nations, which demandes had long remaynd in Asaph chans handes, to whom they were referrd : If I had answere of that, my busines after would passe with more ease, for that, if it pleasd the King to scale, confirme and publish those articles, I presumd no man would dare to infringe them, and that our Merchannts should trade securely, free from violence and Iniurye and then I should haue no cause to offend any by Complaynt, and should haue little els to doe but to wayt on the king and visitt my frendes: if his Maiestie vtterly refusd them and the Alliance and leauge of the king of England, I had noe more to doe but to returne vnto my Countrie: I had dischardged my dutie. Hee answered I should not feare but that the king would Continew a frend to his Maiestie and our Nation, and that noe reasonable demand would bee refused mee. I replyed I had expected long and saw fewe effects, and what had passed last yeare at Suratt and in many parts I was sensible off: but that for some respects I would not violently pursue Iust Complaynts. Hee said hee vnderstood mee: that the Prince was sorrie for what was past. Demanding if Zulpheckcarcon had payd his mony, I answered no: wee were agreed (to our losse), mony only wanted.
18.3.3
He said hee would that night acquaynt the Prince and procure present payment. Hee is Captaine of all the souldiers entertayned at Court, and Treasurer to all armyes. He entertayned me Courteously, with few Complements but much ciuilitye. Wee sate to see his souldiers shoote in bowes and Pieces. Most of them with a single bullett did hitt the Marke, beeing a hand-breadth in a Butt. Wee had some discourse of our vse of such weapons; and soe I departed. July 2. — I went to visitt the king and to moue him about our Articles, if oportunitye fauored. He only bowed him selfe at my Comming, and was possest with much busines, for that the Princes goeing for Decan was altered, at least deferrd. He had gott mony to pay his debts, and his warr was ended. July 5. — I sent to Asaph chan to know a resolution concerning my demandes, and upon what tearmes I stood with the Prince, for that I knew if he remaynd our enemye Suratt would bee no port for vs: that our shippes were ready in 3 monthes to arriue: that it concerned mee to know whertoo I should trust, for vnlesse I might haue our residence confirmed and those priuiledges granted which I had demanded, and eyther assurance of frendship or at least Justice from the Prince, I must take my leaue. He replyed hee would that night speake with the Prince, and in 4 dayes answer mee absolutely.
18.3.4
July 7. — He sent me woord that concerning my propositions for Priuiledges and the Kings Command for redresse in all our former Iniuryes, that that day or the morrow he would deliuer it to the seale : They were accorded too amply, and in few dayes I should haue them : that he had conferrd with the Prince, who was very willing to bee our frend, and if I would come to him I should be very wellcome, and whatsoeuer I could require reasonably at his handes should bee performed. July 9. — I went to visitt the Prince but sent before, who returned I should bee very welcome. He expected a present, but when none appeard, hee proceeded to busines ; and supposing I would iterat Zulpheckcarcons delayes openly, his Officer Socarolla came to mee and said for the Princes Part of the debt wee should haue a Chopp for Suratt whensoeuer I would send, and that Zulpheckcarcons remayner should bee payd ready mony by order from him. So that if the Merchannts will follow the getting it in (in which their is little done), they may be satisfied ; for my part is ended. I haue made agreement and deuided the debt, and procured order for payment, but cannot runn vp and downe to Banians and officers, in whose handes now it rests.
18.3.5
July 10. — I receiued aduise from Agra that not one Cobde of Cloth would sell but at veary lowe rates ; they lay the faulte on the last yeares sales ; for swoordes no man would looke on them, and Hydes not at the price they Cost in England. Concerning the debt of the Gouernors brother left by Master Young, they first sollicited it, but could not procure a penny; then they made vse of my lettre mentioned to the Gouernor, who sent presently to Command satisfaction. Master Shalbanck was imployed to him, beeing a daies lourney out of Towne. Ther hee pretendes Master Browne offered him abatement, or els that hee would retourne some Cloth. So that Master Shalbancke finished with him with the losse of about 90 rupies, for which hee excuses himselfe vpon Browne and vpon their Neede, that, having not sould one penny-woorth of goodes in 3 monthes, they had not mony lefte to pay horsemeat; for that before his Comming he had Command from mee for example sake not to doe yt. If I had the assistance of one honest sufficient man, that loued the Companyes profitt better then their owne ease or pleasure, or had had that authoritie ouer them which was requisite, or that it had not been published to them that I had none, I would haue Caused many things to haue had another face.
18.3.6
July 11. — I receiued from Amadavaz the long expected wyne; one runlett 3 quarters full, conteyning 6 gallons and one glase, the other runlett was leaked. It was sowred with long keeping; yet it came fittly for my new reconcilements, and will serue turne. July 12. — I sent to the Guzelchan one Case of Aligant. It was somewhat sower, yet soe much in request that it was receiued with good acceptance. I sent such excuse with it as was requisite. July 13. — In the Morning I sent Sultan Carronne 3 bottles of Aligant, and a lettre concerning the Portugalls, the differences betweene our trade and theirs, and to procure all the Customes in and out to farme for the Companyes vse. The Coppie is registred. The Prince Caused (as is the barbarous custome, all busines passing in publique) the lettre to bee twice read by his secretary, and often interrupted it with speech to him; in the end sent woord that at night, when hee Came downe, hee would read it himselfe, and consider yt, and that I should receiue answere from Merze Socoralla.