The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 20.3

20.3

The last sort is Cloth, Quicksiluer, Marfill, and other marchandice, for which I desire your highnes Command that it may be landed and rated reasonably, and that it be not detayned in the Custome house to the great losse of the Merchantes, but satisfyeing your highnes customes may haue free liberty to sell and transport yt without trouble ; and that our people may not be misused but haue leaue to passe freely to their shipes and to buy fresh victualls without custome, wherin I desire your highnes will giue Command that the Country People may haue liberty to bring meate to sell at Swally, for that [after] a long voyadge there are many sick and weake. And lastly, that your highnes will giue Command to the Customer to pay for such goodes as hee hath agreed for the last yeare, wherin by his hard vsage the Merchantes haue susteyned great losse; and your highnes shall find both my selfe and all my Nation most ready to doe you all seruice. September 4. — I receiued my Articles back from Asaph chan, who tooke now att last many exceptions, and margined them with his Pen in most Insolent sort, scorning that any man should article att all; saying it was sufficient for mee to receiue a firmaen from the Prince, who was lord of Suratt, and for lycence to trade at any other Port, of Bengala or Syndu, it should neuer be granted; but in Conclusion pretended the length and forme to be such as would offend the king.