The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 19.6.7

19.6.7

Thus professing himselfe my father and I his Sonne, with Complements I tooke my leaue. August 14. — I receiued lettres from Suratt, beeing nothing but a bundell of contradictions to whatsoeuer motion I made in my opinion for the advancement of the Companys affayres, wherin I saw they tooke more pleasure to Argue then to execute, and to showe their witt and authoritye then to yeild to anything not of their owne propounding, their reasons beeing a mist of errors; with which they sent a formall resolution of Councell to abyde the Iniuryes and not to dissolue the factorye, presupposing neyther restitution of extortions, reparation of wronges, Payment of debt, nor confirmation of priuiledges. Contrary to their owne motions seuerally made, which beegatt the question, which they now interpreted they intended that the Princes shipps should be taken, and I att Court; but that indiscret motion I could not tast. With these I receiued a confirmation of the Hollanders arriuall, with their opinions to haue me procure their disgrace (wherby I was sure they would seeke revenge, and the blame and hazard lye on vs) or els to consent that the expected Generall should beate them out, contrary to that profession I euer made in Comparison of the Portugall that wee sought open and free trade without purpose to wrong any. What was fitt to be done I had not neglected before this aduise, and found no reason to alter it. Want of Power saued mee much labour, but disadvantaged much our busines.