The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 19.1.3

19.1.3

And that your highnes may better perceiue what profitt doth arise by our trade at Suratt, and that hereafter we may not bee vexed by officers at the Alfandica, wherby we shalbe enforced to trouble your highnes with daylie Complaynts, wee are desierous to rent our Customes of your highnes, both in and out, and will yearly pay your highnes at one payment 12,000 Rupies for our sayd Customes, So that your highnes wilbe pleased to dischardge vs of all other duties and troubles; which I suppose is a farr greater summe then euer your officers made you any account. And in all mattres wherin your Highnes shall Command, you shall fynd our Nation most ready to obey you, and myselfe in particular will not omitt all occasion to doe you seruice, wherin I doubt not I could some wayes giue your highnes content, if I had oportunitye to speake with you. Your Highnes Noble Nature will excuse my bouldnes, and that I wayte not on you myselfe, for that for want of language I could not so well expresse my desires, as by writing. The great Creator of Heauen and earth blesse you and multiply on your head all felicitye and Honor. To doe you seruice, Tho. Roe the English Ambassador. At night I went to the Durbarr to visitt the king. So soone as I came in hee sent Asaph chan to mee: that hee heard I had in my house an excellent Paynter, and desiered hee might see some of his worke.