The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 18.3.5

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.