The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 19.2.8

19.2.8

I replied the Cause was Publique: for many Iniuries offered our Nation, and for yet deferring any honest satisfaction. Hee replied with protestation that hee was my Frend: that what hee had done was by Commandement; poynting to the Prince confidently and Carelessly, Ther, saith hee, is hee that did it: but for his owne affection he swoore hee would doe mee any seruice, and that I should not refuse to bee his Frend: that hee would feast mee, and make any recompence, for that was not his owne faulte. I replyed that as long as the busines stood vnfinished I could not accept nor embrace his Frendship: hee had daylie promised to seale the agreement, and made the Merchanntes attend in vayne, which I tooke in great scorne. He answered if that were all betweene vs, that I should send this day: it should bee signed and the mony paied: that hee Cared not for such trifles: to doe me seruice hee would doe a thousand tymes more, soe that I would bee reconciled. I answered: when I saw his performance I would readilye embrace him, and both visitt him and invitte him to mee: and that if his harte were answerable to his professions, hee should for amendes of past wronges mooue the Prince to a better opinion of our Nation, and procure for us such Priuiledges as hee in his owne experience best knew were necessary for vs: this performed and our reckonings evened, I was very ready to exchange any curtesy with him.