The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 22: THE JOURNAL OF SIR THOMAS ROE DURING HIS EMBASSY TO INDIA (continued). (Brit. Mus.—Addl. MS. 6115.)
The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 22
- Language
- English
Contents
THE JOURNAL OF SIR THOMAS ROE DURING HIS EMBASSY TO INDIA (continued). (Brit. Mus.—Addl. MS. 6115.)
22.1.1
October 3. — I receiued lettres from Agra that Indico was risen to such rates that they resolued to buy none, but aduised to make ouer thejr monyes to Amadavaz. So by neclect of the season the goodes is vnbought, and before any aduise can be made to Amadavaz it wilbe later then the last yeare ; and so if any ship returned it must stay 5 mounthes for dispatch. These lettres I answered not, resoluing not to meddle further. The faulte is eyther in the Commissions that restrayns the Cheefes from vsing oportunitye, or in their want of Iudgment in apprehending yt. October 4. — I sent to Asaph Chan complements and to signifye my desire to visitt him ; for the Kings remooue was certayne, and meanes of carriadge so scarce and doubtfull that it was tyme for mee to prouide. The kings Iourny was a secrett; much of his goodes and woemen were dispatchd for Agra, but the Pretence was for Mandow near Brampore, but nothing certayne. By Judgment I gathered that the King would make a Countenance that way, as well to settle by his nearnes his sonne, Sultan Coronne, in the warrs of Decan (to whose Comminge Chan Channa and other Cheefes stood yet averse, and it was feared that some troubles would ensue), as alsoe to terrifye his enemyes and to force them to some agrement by his approach, which pretented a terrible prosecution of the warrs (which are made only by treachery, periury, and advantages, without one honorable blow on eyther syde) ;
22.1.2
But without any determination to stay (as I conceiued by many cercumstances), but that if on the way, eyther his sonne were quietly receiued, or some advantageous peace made, hee would make a turne and spend 6 Monthes in progresse, and settle eyther at Agra or Dely. This was the most probable opinion, which seeing it would bee a great chardge to follow, and yet necessity requiring it, beeing the season of our busines, by the shipes arriuall and the Merchants having great quantetyes of goodes on their handes, vnlike to sell on the way, and unsafe to stay at Adsmere after the kings remoouall, I resolued by Consultation with Asaph chan to determine of myselfe and to aduise the factorye. Hee answered mee it was the end of their lent and Mahomettes feast day or their Easter next day, after which solemnitye I should bee welcome. October 5. — The feast was kept shooting at a goulden ball on a Maypole ; but I stirrd not abroad. October 7. — I visited Asaph chan and propounded my attending the king. Hee promised mee Camells and Carriadge for my mony, and the Comoditye of his quarter, but no further ease. He Mooued my goeing with the Prince but I gaue him reasons of my refusall.
22.1.3
I acquaynted him of the goodes and great Chardge in the handes of our factors, desiering him to aduise mee how to dispose them, for that to remayne here was dangerous, to remooue with the king was an infinite incomoditie and Chardge : Next hee would fauour mee soe much as to lett me know his opinion of his Maiesties settling, and which way hee would take ; for then I could send before and build and prepare. Hee answered : for myselfe, it was fitt I should follow the king and I should haue such Comoditye as his seruants had, for my mony : but whither the king went, more then toward Mandoa : whither hee would stay ther, or goe forward or returne, and in what place hee would settle, or when, hee protested was shutt in the kings brest, and that hee could giue no answere nor aduise for our factors and goodes, other then to remooue to some place of retraict vntill the kings resolution were declared. So I prepared my selfe for the progresse, making prouision to goe in some reasonable fashion, beeing dayly in the worldes eye ; yet with such sparing as was fitt. For these remooue all like Princes, with seuerall shiftes of tents that goe before, compassed in with Pales of Pintadoes, which are ready euer two dayes for them. I would doe honestly and thriftely. For the factors I aduised them my opinion was they should with all speed, before Carriadge grew deere, send their goodes weekly to Agra, which may be done safely with little Chardge, and there to abide a resolution ;
22.1.4
for to wander with vs were very vnfitt and vnprofitable. The most probable place of the kings settling was there : that this Iourny was but a Circuit : if ther wanted any Cloth at Mandoa, Brampore was nere, which factory could furnish yt : if the king settled there they might come after at lesse Chardge, when prouision was made for them. This was my opinion and I was discharged. What they entend I knowe not ; for they so depend on aduise in all matters from their Cheefes in Suratt, who in these busines cannot ludge, or when they doe, too late, That my woordes were of no other then perswations. At night I went to the Guzelchan to the king to offer my attendance on his Maiestie in the lourny. Hee accepted of yt, but demanded how farr I would goe. I answered : to the worldes end, if his Maiestie did. Then hee demanded whither hee went. I replied : I knewe not ; whither so euer hee went I would wayt on him. He thancked mee and gaue Asaph chan order for mee, but what, I knowe not. Lastly hee asked if I went home this fleete and a New Ambassador in my place to Come. I answered : I thought not, for I Could not returne vntill I was eyther recald by my Master or dismissed by him ; and for any other I knew the king my Master hoped it would bee Needlesse to keepe one alway here, not doubting of the frendship and lustice of his Maiestie. These questions were somewhat extrauagant; but hee had beene very busy with his Cuppes, and suddenly fell asleepe.
22.1.5
October 8. — I receiued a lettre from Master Kerridge, of the date of the 24th September, 1616, by a Patmar of the Princes, that our shipes were seene on the Coast and that hee was ready to passe for Swally.
22.1.6
October 9. — In the morning I receiued from the Admirall or ludge of all Marine causes in Suratt a lettre signifying the arriuall of fower english shipes, and therin offering mee all his furtherance and assistance in our speedy and faire dispatch; but withall hee gaue mee aduise that wee wanted there a sufficient procurator to follow our busines, which I vnderstood to bee one of that Country, for I knew the brokar entertayned by ours was a foole and one that durst not open his mouth with such freedom as often our affayres required. But because his meaning was somwhat obscure, and might concerne a dislike of the Cheefe of the English, for that the woordes litterally imported that I should send downe a sober, discret, and graue man for a procurator in our busines to bee indifferent, which might alsoe (meaning a Mogull) on our behalfe [be ?] authorised by the king, I wrote to him to expound his entent and accordingly I would follow yt. Whervpon I was of opinion that no man was soe fitt as Jaddow, that remaynd here ; for the mayne of our busines for dispatch lying at Suratt, and finding it fitt to reduce the factoryes att Adsmere and Agra to one, the brokar there is by report both well knowne and sufficient in all but his honesty (wherin there is little Choyce) ; but I stayed the resolution for the Admiralls answere.
22.1.7
Vpon reading this lettre I went to the Prince to heare what Newes hee had receiued. He acquaynted me that 4 ships were arriued, but that hee was enformed they ment to trouble and stay the boates of the Country, which hee wished mee to looke too, for that I should answer yt. I replyed I knew it was a wrongfull enformation : I was a sufficient Pledg, prouided that all couenants and promises were kept toward vs, and that wee might trade peaceably without any violence or oppression : That perhapes some of our factors might in anger threaten (which I perceiue they had done, it agreeing with their aduise to stay the Princes shipes), but that I would take order to accomodate all to his Highnes content. He answered that on his part all should be performed to our satisfaction, but hee required my present lettre to the Commander of our fleete for good order and quiettnes on our parts, as well in the towne as at Sea ; which I promised. I sollicited Zulphercarcon for our mony with some sharpnes. Mirze Socorolla gaue his woord to pay it in ten dayes.
22.2.1
October 10. — Abdala chan, the great Gouernor of Amadavaz, beeing sent for to Court in disgrace for many insolencyes and neglectes of the kinges authoritye, and thought that hee would stand on his guard and refuse: yet the Prince Sultan Coronne, whose Ambition wrought on euery aduantage, desirous to oblige so great a man (beeing one of the Cheefe Captaynes in these kingdomes), preuayled with him on his woord to submitt. So that comming in Pilgrams clothes with 40 seruantes on foote about 60 mile in Counterfait humiliation, finished the rest in his Palanckee vntill hee arriued near the Court; but one dayes Iourny behynde hee had 2000 horse attending. This day hee was brought to the Jarruco (the Publique sitting of the king to see games, and to here Complayntes) Chayned by the feete, bare foote betweene two Noblemen. Hee Pulld his Turbant in his eyes, because hee would see noe man before hee had the happines to behould the kinges face. After reuerence made and some few questions, the king forgaue him, caused his Irons to bee loosed, and clothed in a New vest of Cloth of Gould, Turbant, and Girdle according to the Custome.
22.2.2
The Prince, who entended to build his honor on the warrs of Decan, which his elder brother had left with disgrace and the great Commander Chan Channa did not prosper in (which doubtlesse was a Practiser with the Decannins, from whom hee receiued Pension) caused his father to recall Chan Channa, who, refusing to come, desiered the king not to send Sultan Coronne to that warr, but one of his youngest sonns, about 15 years of age. This Coronne tooke to hart; but prosecuting his Purpose of the warr, promised to Abdela chan the command of the Army vnder him, by displacing Chan Channa. The king, fearing troubles, and knowing all the ambitions and factions of this Sonne, the discontent of his two elder, the Power of Chan Channa was desierous to accomodate all by accepting a Peace and confirming Chan Channa in the Gouerment he held, and closely to that end wrote a lettre of fauour and Purposed to send a vest according to the Ceremony of reconciliation to Chan Channa, But before hee dispatchd it, hee acquaynted a kinswoeman of his liueing in the Zereglia of his Purpose.
22.2.3
She, whether false to her frend (wrought by Sultan Coronne) or out of Greatnes of hart to see the Top of her famelye after soe many merittes stand on soe fickle termes, answered Playnly that shee did not beleeue Chan Channa would weare any thing sent from the king, knoweing his Maiestie hated him and had once or twice offered him Poyson, which hee Putting in his bosome insteed of his Mouth had made tryall off: Therfore shee was Confident hee would not dare to Putt on his body any thing that came from his Maiestie. The King offered to ware it himselfe before her for an hower, and that shee should write to testefye it; Shee replyed hee would trust neyther of them both with his life; but if hee might liue quietly in his Command would doe his Maiestie true seruice. Whervppon the king altered his Purpose and resolued to proceed in the sending Sultan Coronne, and to Countenance his reception would follow after with another Armie. Chan Channa, that discouered the storme, Practised with the Decans who were at his seruice to offer termes of Peace for a season (fynding noe other way to disolue this Cloude that hung ouer them both) vntill the king and Prince were departed and settled farther off. To this end Came two Embassadors this day from the Princes of Decan. They brought horses, barde, richly furnished for Presentes. At first the king refused to heare them, and their guift, but turned them ouer to his sonne with this answer : if hee would haue Peace or Warr, it was in his breast.
22.2.4
The Prince, aduanced by this fauour and swelling with Pride, resolued (though, as I was enformed, the Conditions were very honorable and such as the king would haue accepted) to goe on the lourny, answering hee would treat of no Peace vntill hee were in the feeld with his Armie : Chan Channa should not so beguile him of the honor of finishing that warr. The ambitions of this young Prince are open, the Common talke of the People ; yet his father suffers all, but entendes him not the kingdome ; for Sultan Cursoronne, the Eldest brother, is both extreamly beloued and honored of all men, almost adored, and very lustly, for his most Noble Partes ;- and this the king knowes and loues, but thinckes his liberty would diminish his owne glory, and sees not that this sly youth doth more darken him by ambitious Practices then the other could by vertuous actions. Thus hee Nourisheth diuision and emulation betweene the brethren and Putteth such Power in the hand of the younger, supposing he can vndoe yt at his Pleasure, that the wisest foresee a rending and tearing of these kingdomes by diuision when the king shall pay the debt to Nature, and that all Partes wilbe torne and destroyed by a Ciuill warr. The history of this Countrye for the variety of subiect and the many Practises in the tyme of Ecbarsha, father of this king, by him then Prince, and these later troubles were not vnwoorthy Committing to writing ;
22.2.5
but because they are of so remote Partes many will despise them [and ?] because the People are esteemed barberouse few wil beleue them ; therfore I content my selfe with the Contemplation, but I could deliuer as many rare and Cunning Passadges of State, subtile euasions, Policyes, answers, and adages, as I beleeue for one age would not bee easely equald. Only one that passed lately I cannot omitt, to show wisdome and Patience in a father, fayth in a seruant, falshood in a brother, impudent bouldnes in a faction that dare attempt anything, when the highest Maiestie giues them liberty beyond eyther the law of their owne Condition or the limitts of Policye and reason. The Prince Sultan Coronne, Normahall the deare queene, Aunt to his wife, Asaph chan his father-in-law, brother to the Queene, and Etiman Dowlett, father to them both, beeing they that now gouerne all and dare attempt anything, resolued it was not possible for them to stand if the Prince Sultan Corsoronne liued, whom the nobilitye loued, and whose deliuery or life would Punish their ambitions in tyme ; therfore Practised how to bring him into their Power, that poyson might end him. Normahall attemptes the king with the false teares of womans bewitching flattery : that Sultan Corcoronne was not safe, nor his aspiring thoughtes deposed. The king heares, soothes yt, but would not vnderstand mor then shee deliuered playnly.
22.2.6
This fayling, they tooke oportunitye of the kinges beeing drunck, the Prince, Eteman Dowlett, and Asaph chan mooued the king that, for the safety of Sultan Corsoronne and his honor, it were fitter he were in the keeping of his brother, whose companyes would bee pleasing one to the other, and his safety more reguarded then in the handes of a Rashboote Gentile (to whome the king had committed him) : therfore they humbly desiered his Maiestie that he might be deliuered into the handes of his deare brother ; which the king granted, and so fell asleepe. They thought their owne greatnes such as, bringing the kings authority, no man durst refuse ; and beeing once in their possession they would dispute the redeliuery. So the same night Asaph chan in the name of the king, sent by the Prince, came with a Guard to demand and receiue Sultan Cursoronne at the hand of Anna rah, a Rajah rashboot to whom the king had entrusted him. He refuseth to deliuer his chardge, with this answere: that he was Sultan Coronns humble seruant, but that he had receiued the Prince his brother from the handes of the king and to no other would deliuer him ; that hee should haue Patience till the Morning, when hee would dischardge himselfe to his Maiestie, and leaue it to his pleasure to dispose off. This answere Coold all. In the Morning Anna rah came to the king and acquaynted him with the demand of the Prince, his refusall and answer ;
22.2.7
and added his Maiestie had giuen him Chardge of his sonne, and made him the commander of 4000 horse, with all which hee would dye at the Gate rather then deliuer his Prince to the handes of his enemyes : if his Maiestie required him, hee was ready to obey his will, but hee would prouide for his owne innocency. The king replyed : you haue done honestly, faythfully : you have answered discretly : Continew your Purpose and take noe knowledge of any Commandes : I will not seeme to know this, neyther doe you stirr farther : hould your fayth and lett vs see how farr they will prosecute yt. The Prince and the faction the Next day, finding the king silent, hoping he might forgett what passd in wyne, tooke no notice of the grant nor of the refusall ; but it fell (not without suspition) on both partes. This I insert to this end that you may beware scattering your goodes in diuers Partes and engaging your stock and seruantes farr into the Countrye ;
22.2.8
for the tyme will come when all in these kingdomes wilbe in combustion, and a few yeares warr will not decide the inueterate malice layd vp on all partes against a day of vengeance, wherin if Sultan Corsoronne preuayle in his right, this kingdome wilbe a sanctuary for Christians, whome he loues and honors, fauouring learning, valour, the discipline of warr, and abhorring all couetousnes and discerning the basse Customes of taking vsed by his ancestors and the Nobilitye : Yf the other Wynne wee shalbe the loosers, for hee is most earnest in his superstition, a hater of all Christians, Proud, Subtill, false, and barberously Tyranous.
22.3.1
Ther is dayly expected an Embassador from the Shabas, king of Persia. October 13. — The king was gone to hunt. I receiued from Agra that Indico was well fallen and that they would proceed to invest.
22.3.2
At night the king returned, and sent mee a wild Pigg. I receiued aduise of the arriuall of 4 shipes safe at the Port of Swally with lettres from England: That they departed the Coast the 9 of March 1615 [1616] with 6 shipes, losing Company of the Rose about the N. Cape by weather: June the 12, 1616, the other 5 came safely to the bay of Saldania, wher the Lyon hoomward bound was ready for a wynd, her Commanders and People in health: staying [blank] dayes at the Roade without Newes of the small ship, they dispeeded the Swan to Bantam, for effecting the Busines, and sett saile for Suratt the 29 with fowre shipes, and Came to Anchor to their Port the 24th of September, 1616. In their Passadge (August 6) Neare the Islandes of Comora about 12° 50' they had sight of a Carrick, burthen 1500 Tunne, Manned with 600, beeing Admirall of the fleete sent for Goa, bearing the flagg. The globe fetchd her vp to wyndward, and after salutations of the sea, the Carrick Commanded her to leaward, and seconded it with 5 shott thorowgh her Hull, which she requited with 18 and soe fell off. The Admirall and English fleete Comming vp demanded satisfaction for the Iniurye, which was replyed too with scorne; soe began a fresh fight; in few shott the Commander, Benjamin Ioseph, was slayne and, the New established, they Continued yt. At the Euning shee rann herselfe ashore among the Rockes of Angazesia.
22.3.3
The fleete anchored short of her to attend the issue, and sent a boate to offer faier warrs, but about Midnight shee fired her selfe and burnd all the Next Morning; the English sending their boates could not approach, but beleeue that not one man was saued, by Circumstances very probable. The New Viceroy for Goa was in this ship, whose resolution was the death of all the others. October 14.
22.3.4
— I sent for the Iesuite and gaue him knowledge of what had happened, desiering him to aduise yt for Goa: and wheras I had written a lettre to the Viceroy, which his Pride Pleased not to answere, if hee, beeing a man of the Church and seeing how vnprosperously they had begunn a warr with vs, would yet admonish them to entertayne those Conditions of truce that were honorable for both Nations and send commissioners hither, I was ready to treate with them: in the Meane tyme to forbare on all Partes actes of hostilitye, and to draw and agree on some articles, with the reasons and pretentions on both sydes, to be Iudged off by our Masters, eyther for an open Warr or a full Peace, at the end of 3 years: but if this Course liked him, I required Honorable and faythfull dealing and expected to see good authoritye and to receiue and giue good securitye for Mutuall performance, for that I was not to be abused with the ould Coulors of a Spanish treaty: if hee refused once more these Christian offers, agreable to the Amytye of our most Royall Masters and their subiectes in the Partes of Europe, I then Professed his obstinacy and Pride enforced mee to declare him a breaker and disturber of the Comon Peace and so would pursue him and his Nation as an enemye. This Meditation [mediation?] the Padre most willingly undertooke, corresponding to his owne desiers and the Necessitie of their affayres.
22.3.5
For our busines (if it could with honor be obteyned) it were a matter of great ease, both in tyme, Chardge, and expence, that wee might with one shipp safely trade on this Coast. I hope not in the successe, but I would not the fayling were on my Part. Now was the oportunitye to offer with honor, when wee needed it least, and if euer to effect yt in their Necessity. I confesse it were the better consayle to pursue them faynting and to follow the victory, but I found here was no disposition in this Prince to break with them; if hee did, no faith nor constancy, but would make the Peace for his owne endes; and without such an ayd by land the woorke was too great for a Company, The euent of warr vncertayne, the end of our Nation Peaceable and quiett trade, in the calmes wherof trafique and Merchandice only or principally flourished. I went to the Prince with the Newes I had receiued; and because I had found his disposition was to draw my dependance on him, and that hee was ambitious of respect, I was indulgent toward him, and, hoping to take him in his owne Nettes, I propounded to him certayne offers which I pretended to receiue in Command from the King my Master to deliuer to his father, but for respect for his Highnes I addressd my selfe to him, both to acquaynt him with the Propositions, to desier his fauour, and to obteyne his Mediation to present mee to the King at Night. He demanded what was my desier.
22.3.6
I first deliuered him Certayne Complementes sent by my Soueraigne to the King: that his Maiestie, taking Notice of the fauour showed to our Nation, and that the Portugalles for our sakes robd and abused the subiectes of this kingdom, hee was bound in honor to enter into the quarrell and had Commanded mee to offer to his Maiestie the assistance of our fleete arriued, eyther for the Chastising of the Common enemy or for the safe Conducting of the shipes of his Dominion into the redd sea : and that, though now ther was a truce, yet I thought it my dutie to signifie to his Maiestie the affection and honorable care of my Master in beeing ready to performe all the offices of a good ally and frend. He answered that with the Portugall he had noe warr : to wefte ther fleete was Needlesse. I replyed wee had lately had a victory ouer a Carrick which I supposed would draw on desire of reuenge and that the Portugall would bee attempting, if but for our sakes, to doe injury to our frendes : that his Coast could not be quiett for our discentions : that therfore, though this instant his Highnes had noe Neede, yet if hee would bee Pleased to giue vs a Riuer and towne to fortefie in, for a retrayct for our shipping in foule weather, wee would alway keepe such a strength as should secure the Coast on all occasions. This was that I aymed at, and that I knew was ill Musique ;
22.3.7
but I receiued order, which I obeyed, though I can giue reasons that to be denyed yt is for our advantage in my Iudgment, as our busines standes, and is mistaken by those from whom I receiue directions ; and was sure of refusall. Hee answered with scorne that his father nor hee needed not our assistance : he ment not warr with the Portugall for our sakes, neyther would euer deliuer any fort to vs to receiue his owne at our Curtesye : if wee came as Merchantes wee were wellcome : wee had Suratt for our Port : wee weare seated in Amadavaz, Brampoore, Baroch, Adsmere, Agra, and Lahor, or any other Citty was free for vs to abyde, buy, and sell : in what could wee in reason demand more ? I replyed all those Places were inland, and at Suratt noe safety for our shippes. Hee returned quick that other Port would not bee giuen in that manner, Nor the Portugalls neuer requird yt. I thought to haue proceeded, but finding his sharpnes and Negligence, I ended. At Night I went to the king. I found Asaph chan ready to meete mee with smiles and embraces and Newes of our shipes. New hope of Presentes made al wayes easye. I desired him first to deliuer the Complementes of my Master in forme, as I did in the Morning to the Prince, with the same ouertures. The king with much more Curtesy receiued them, but begann with the presentes. I first mentioned our late fight and victory, which hee seemed to reioyce in, and to applaud the valor of our Nation, but fell off to: what hath the king sent mee?
22.3.8
I answered: many tokens of his loue and affection: That my Master knew hee was lord of the best Part of Asia, the richest Prince of the East, that to send his Maiestie rich Presentes were to Cast Pearles into the sea, the mother and store house of them: that therfore his Maiestie thought yt vnnecessarie, but had Presented him with his loue, with many Curious toyes, which I hoped would giue him Content. Hee vrdged mee to some particulars, which I Named. Hee asked for french Muff or veluett. I answered my lettres were not arriued: some other was come which hee desiered. Hee enquired for dogges. I tould him some had their fortune in the fight, some dyed, two were preserued for him: at which hee reioyced; and Continued if I could procure him a horse of our Great size such as I had described (beeing a Rone or Dutch horse) hee would accept it better then a Crowne. I replyed: I would doe my indeauour for his Maiesties satisfaction, but I feared it could not bee effected. Hee answered : if I would procure on, hee would giue mee a leek of rupias. I desired his Maiesties lettre for the Comming of these presentes without search, and for the good vsadg of our People.
22.3.9
Hee replyed the Port was his sonns, but sent for him and Publiquely gaue expresse order for what soeuer I would requier and take on mee, that it should Not be searched nor pay Custome, but bee dispeeded with expedition safe to my handes, that I might distribute yt at my discretion : that hee should Command the good reception of our People, and finally that hee should giue mee Content in all my desiers. This generally extended not to the grant of a fort, for that clause Asaph chan refused to deliuer. This Chardge was very round and hearty in the king, and a grace to mee. The Prince called Asaph chan and mee, and there professed and promised before his father and all the Court to giue mee all reasonable Content. This is the strength of New Presentes.
22.4.1
October 15. — I dispatched for Suratt the generallity of this, and my aduises to the Commanders ; but because I lately sent downe a firmane sufficient, I would not retard our busines, but signifyed this grace and fauour and if any thing yet wanted that in few dayes they should receiue this New promised Command. The Prince sent mee woord, wittnessed by two lettres from the Iudg of the Alfandica that I brake Couenant with him : that our People came ashore and by force would passe the Custome house, without showeing any goodes to the Gouernor according to my Promise : that his officers for feare of his displeasure had suffered them : but required my order in yt. I knew the Complaynt was false and to excuse the knauery of the Iudg, who had wronged vs and fearing Complaynt began first : yet I aduised roundly to the Commander and Cape Merchant, as my lettres will declare. I receiued from Mesolapatan that Captain Keeling had taken 2 Portugall barkes and a ship, one on the Coast of Cochyn, laden with tynn, the other fraighted from Bengala, which hee Carried to Bantam; That Sir Robert Sheirly was dismissd with disgrace from Goa, and that hee was on his way overland to Mesolapatan to seeke Passadge—vnprobable and I beleeue vntrue. October 16. — I went to Afzul chan, the Princes Secretary, to giue him satisfaction in the Complaynt, and there opened to him the abuse and falshood, requiring his highnes lettres according to the kinges order.
22.4.2
He tould [me?] he would informe the Prince and draw vs a Command to our full Content; and that, seeing wee thought the Iudg of the Alfandica vniust, hee desiered mee to name any one in Suratt to sitt in the Custome house to doe vs right and hee should be ioyned in Commission for our behalfe. I replyed I knew none more vpright then Abram chan, the Gouernor of the Towne, whom hee promised should haue such order to meete with the Customer in the office on our Part to moderate the abuses of the other, and that all other our Contentmentes should bee giuen in Chardge to him; that at night, if I sent, I should fynd these ready. Ther, as a secrett to engage the Prince, I tould him of the vnicorns horne, which I would not name to the king that his Highnes might buy it for a rarety to bestow on his father. I told him of the rich estimation and qualetyes: that it was esteemed among the Jewells of Princes: but that I had no Power to giue it, beeing of great valew: that the Merchanntes made it a secrett and intended not to suffer it come out of the ship, but that for his Highnes Content, if hee Pleasd to buy it and would giue order for mony at Suratt, I would procure his officers should see yt. This I hoped would both sett an extreame appetite on the Prince to passe it at a high Price, and would insinuate an extraordinary desire in mee to doe him seruice;
22.4.3
and if hee reuealed it to the king, I would answere: because it was not in my Power to giue his Maiestie I was ashamed to name yt, but had mooued the Prince to buy it for his vse. For this I had many thanckes and Complements. His Secretary mooued by his Highnes order to procure for him two Gunners out of our fleete to serue him in this yeares warrs for good Pay, which Curtesy hee would take very kindly and requite yt. I promised to effect his desier, and doubted not to procure them of the Commander, seeing ordinary ones in that art will exell here. I pressd the Clearing of Zulpheckcarcons account ; though I knew not what it was, for Master Kirridge aduised satisfaction of 9000 mamoodies for which I sent bills, and that of the 8000 remayning he had receiued content for two Clothes and a halfe, but not how much nor what rested. Yet I vrdged the vse of our mony now to employ, and showed his bill : that what was mistaken, wee would bee answerable for ; which hee promised Master Biddolph this day or the morow.
22.4.4
Abdala-chan came to visitt the Prince, so brauely attended as I haue not seene the like. To the Gate his drumms and musique a horsback, about 20, made noyse enough, fifty Peons with white flagges carried before him, and 200 souldiers well mounted in Coates of Cloth of Gould, veluett, and rich silkes, which entered with him in ranck ; Next his Person 40 targiteers in like liueryes. He made humble reuerence, and presented a black Arabian horse with furniture studded with flowers of gould enameld and sett with small stones. The Prince according to Custome returnd a Turbant, a Coate, and a Gyrdle. October 17. — The Prince Pursuing his Purpose of finishing the Decan warrs by his owne Person, and vndertaking to giue answere to the Ambassadors, giues none, but deteynes them vntill his approach. But, beeing to depart, he nor his Party thought not themselues secure if Sultan Corsoronne remayned in the handes of Annarah: that in his absence the king might be reconciled, and by his liberty all the glory and hopes of their faction would vanish and the Iniury and ambition hardly bee Pardoned. They newly assayle the kinges constancy to deliuer vp his Sonne into the handes of Asaph chan, as his guardian vnder Sultan Coronne.
22.4.5
They Pretend that it will fright Chan Channa and the Decanns, when they shall heare that this Prince is soe fauoured, who nowe comes to make warr vpon them, that the king hath deliuered vp his eldest Sonne, in that as it were the whole kingdome and hope of succession and the Present Power therof. The King, who had yeeilded himself into the handes of a woman, could not defend his sonne from their Practises. Hee either sees not the ambition or trustes it too farr in Confidence of his owne Power, and consentes: soe that this day hee was deliuered vp, the souldiers of Anna-rah dischardged, and a supply of Asaph chans planted about him, with assistannce of 200 of the Princes horse. His sister and diuers weomen in the Seraglia mourne, refuse their meate, crye out of the kinges dotage and Crueltye, and professe that if hee dye ther will 100 of his kindred burne for him in memorye of the kinges bloudines to his woorthyest Sonne. The king giues fayre woordes, protesteth no intent of ill toward the Prince, and promiseth his deliuery and sendes Narmahall to appease these enraged ladyes, but they Curse, threaten, and refuse to see her. The Common People all murmer; they say the king hath not deliuered his sonnes but his owne life into the handes of an Ambitious Prince and a treacherous faction: that Corsoronne cannot Perish without scandall to the father or rcuenge from him: therfore hee must goe first and after him his sonne;
22.4.6
and so thorough their bloodes this youth must mount the Royall seate. New hopes are spread of his redeliuery, and soone alayed; euery man tells newes according to his feares or desires. But the Poore Prince remaynes in the Tygers Power, refuseth meate, and requires his father to take his life and not to lett it bee the triumph and delight of his enemyes. The whole Court is in a whisper; the Nobility sadd; the Multitude, like it selfe, full of tumor and Noyce, without head or foote; only it rages but bendes it selfe vpon noe direct end. The issue is very dangerous; Principally for vs, for among them it matters not who wynns. Though one haue right and much more honor, yet hee is still a moore, and cannot bee a better Prince then his father, who is soe good of disposition that he suffers ill men to gouerne, which is woorse then to bee ill; for wee were better beare Iniuryes of Princes then of their ministers. So that I may say of this tyme and the constitution of this state as Tacitus did of the Empire of Roome when it was contended for by Otho and Vitellius: Prope euersum orbem etiam cum de principatu inter bonos certaretur: vtrasque impias preces, vtraque detestanda vota, inter duos quorum bello solum id scires deteriorem fore qui vicisset.
22.4.7
And although the elder brother is not yet in Armes, nor so like (if he Preuayle) to Tyrannise, yet it is to bee feared, Rebus secundis eatiam egregios duces insolescere] I did aduise our little Common wealth to keepe close and neare togither, to attend the issue, to know no syde, to make few debtes, and to keepe as few residencyes as the necessitye of their affaires will suffer. October 18. — I Sollicited my New promised firmaen, but in these troubles and preperation of remooue I found slow dispatch.
22.5.1
October 19. — The Persian Ambassador Mahomett Roza Beag about noone came into the Towne with a great troup, which were Partly sent out by the king to meete him with 100 Eliphantes and musique, but no man of greater qualetye then the ordinary receiuer of all strangers. His owne trayne were about 50 horse, well fitted in Coates of Cloth of Gould, their bowes, quivers, and Targetes richly garnished, 40 shott, and some 200 ordinary Peons and attenders on bagage. He was carried to Rest in a roome within the kinges outward court till euening, when he came to the Darbar before the king, to which Ceremony I sent my Secretary to obserue the fashion. When hee approched, He made at the first rayle 3 Teselims and one Sizeda (which is Prostrating himselfe and knocking his head against the Ground) ; at the entrance in, the like ; and so presented the Shabas his lettre ; which the kinge took with a little motion of his body, asking only : How doth my brother? without title of Maiestie; and after some few woordes hee was Placed in the seauenth rannck against the rayle by the doore, below so many of the kinges seruantes on both sides, which in my Iudgment was a most inferiour Place for his masters Embassador, but that hee well deserued it for dooing that reuerence which his Predecessores refused, to the dishonor of his Prince and the Murmer of many of his Nation.
22.5.2
It is said hee had order from the Sophy to giue content, and therby it is gathered his message is for some ayde in mony agaynst the Turke, in which kind he often findes liberall succour, though it bee pretended hee Comes only to treat a peace for the Decanns, whose protection the Shabas taketh to hart, envyeing the encrease of this Empire. The King according to Custome gaue him a handsom turbant, a vest of gould, and a girdle, for which againe hee made 3 Tesselims and one Sizeda or ground curtesye. Hee brought for Presentes 3 tymes 9 horses of Persia and Arabia, this beeing a Ceremonius Number among them, 9 mules very fayre and lardg, 7 Camells laden with veluett, two Sutes of Europe Arras (which I suppose was Venetian hanginges of veluett with gould, and not Arras), two Chestes of Persian hanginges, on Cabinett rich, 40 Muskettes, 5 Clockes, one Camell laden with Persian Cloth of gould, 8 Carpettes of silke, 2 Rubyes ballast, 21 Cammelles of wyne of the Grape, 14 Camelles of distilld sweet waters, 7 of rose waters, 7 daggers sett with stones, 5 swoordes sett with stones, 7 Venetian looking glasses, but these soe faire, so rich that I was ashamed of the relation. These Presentes were not deliuered now, only a bill of them. His owne furniture was rich, leading nine spare horses trapped in Gould and siluer ; about his Turbant was wreathed a Chayne of Pearles, rubies, and Turqueses, and three Pipes of gould answerable for three spriges of feathers.
22.5.3
Yet I caused diligence [diligent ?] obseruance to be made of his reception and compared it with myne owne, and fynd he had in nothing more grace, in many thinges not so much ; in ranck far inferiour to that alowed mee, except only his meeting without the Towne, which by reason of my sicknes was omitted to be demanded. Neyther did the king receiue the Shabas his lettre with such respect as my Masters, whom hee called the King of England his brother, the Persian barely brother, without addition (which was an obseruation of the Iesuites, that vnderstood the language). October 20. — I receiued a lettre according to promise, written in the Princes name Commanding the Gouernor of Suratt and others to sitt with the Iudg of the Alfandica in our behalfe, repeating the Complaynt made by mee and by the Iudg against vs, and giuing order so to dispose of the busines that wee might receiue no more discontent, and in that matter full and effectuall ; but concerning the presents, which hee so much desiered to haue choyce in, only these woordes : and for all Presentes sett too your seale and send them to Court — without naming to which Court (which was now seperating) not [nor ?] to whom, but leauing it doubtfull.
22.5.4
I suspected it was not right, whervpon I sent back the lettre to the Secretary with answere that I doubted not his Highnes meaning was faire, according to the order of the king, but, to avoyd all occasion of euasion or error in those who sought all aduantage of Construction to wrong vs, I desiered him in few woordes to explayne it for future quiett, expressing the termes that the Presents are to be sent vnopened to the handes of the Ambassador at the Court. Hee vnderwrote the lettre, but with such Cunning that it might bee Construed both wayes like the ould Oracles : Concerning Presentes doe as they will, but lett the Prince loose nothing : if wrong bee offered, doe not suffer yt. Our sollicitor returned it : that it was very well and to my Content. Yet I misdoubted fraud, and sent for a translator, who found the sence so intricat and doubtfull I could scarse vnderstand the riddle. I only discouered the Cunning was to bring them into the Princes handes, as it were by error on the way, who would eyther carrie all to himselfe or send some part to the king in my Name. This abuse iustly enraged mee, both against some of our owne and my linguist that receiued it soe slightly without reading, and stirrd mee to putt it to triall ; whervpon I returned yt : that it was now more obscure then before and woorse for the correction ; that if this were all the fruictes of the kinges gracious grant, I should bee compelld to moue it anew.
22.5.5
The Secretarye replyed he durst not transgresse his order, but desired mee to meete him in the Morning at the Princes. October 21. — I went to the Prince and opened my desire to haue that Clause expounded, at which his Highnes stucke a little and I perceiued the Purpose to be as hollow as I imagined. Hee demanded then how hee should haue his Presents or see such toyes as came vp, and mooued mee to goe with him. I replyed I could not doe soe vntill I had deliuered my Masters Message and tokens to the King, but, that finished, I would my selfe attend his Highnes with his Presentes, and all such raretyes as came to my handes should bee sent after him. Hee pressd mee to passe my woord, and so I obteyned order for the firmaen to my Content. His Highnes, looking on a Whyte feather in my hatt, demanded if I would giue it him. I replyed I would not offer that I had worne, but, if he Pleasd to Command it, that or anything in my Power was to serue him and I was highly honored in his acceptance. Hee asked if I had any more. I answered : three or fower of other Coulors. He replyed if I would giue them all, for that hee was to show his horses and seruantes to the king within two dayes and that hee wanted some, beeing very rare in these Parts. I promised to bring all I had on the Morow, that his Highnes might take his Pleasure.
22.5.6
Abdala chan, in a Galant Equipage both of his Person and attendantes in apparell strange and antique, but in these partes a la soldado. Presented the Prince with a white horse, the saddle and furniture of gould enameld, a beast of delicate shape, life, and Couradge ; who returned him a swoord Playne with a belt of leather. Ther were brought before him many others, the hiltes of siluer. Chapes sett with small stones, and targettes couered with gould velvetts, some Paynted and bossed with gould and silver, which hee gaue to his seruantes against this muster, many saddles and furniture of gould, rich sett with stones, of his owne were showed for spare horses, his bootes embrodered, & all other ingredientes of brauery. I confesse the expence is woonderfull, and the riches dayly scene invaluable. This night Passd it is reported 6 of the Princes seruantes came to Murther Sultan Cursoronne, but were refused the key by the Porter ; that the Queene mother is gone to the king with an ouerture of all the Practice. The truth is vncertayne and it is dangerous to aske. At euening I went to the Durbar to visitt the king, wher I mett the Persian Embassador with the first muster of his Presentes. Hee appeared rather a Iester or Iugler then a Person of any grauety, running vp and downe, and acting all his woordes like a mimick Player. Now indeed the Atashckannoe was become a right stage.
22.5.7
Hee deliuered the Presentes with his owne handes, which the king [with] smiles and Cherfull Countenance and many woordes of Contentment receiued. His toong was a great aduantage to deliuer his owne busines, which hee did with so much flattery and obsequiousnes that it Pleased as much as his guift : euer calling his Maiestie King and Commander of the world, forgetting his owne M^ter had a share in yt ; and on euery little occasion of good acceptation hee made his Tezelims. When all was deliuered for that day hee prostrated himselfe on the ground, and knocked with his head as if hee would enter in. The guiftes were : a fayre quiver for bow and arrowes, delicatly embrothered ; all sorts of Europian fruictes artificiall in dishes ; many other foulding Purses and knackes of leather, wrought with needlewoork in coloured silkes ; shooes embrodered and stichd ; Great Glasses inlayd in frames ; one square Peice of Veluett embrodered high with gould in Panes, betweene which were Italian Pictures wrought in the stuff, which hee sayd was the king and queene of Venice (which, as I suppose, was the hanginges called Arras) of these six were giuen, one only showed ; many other tricanado of small valew ; after, the 3 Nines of horses and Mules, which were faire ones; the horses eyther had lost their flesh or bewty, for except one or two I Judged them vnfitt for to be sent or taken by Princes.
22.5.8
So he returned with many antique trickes to his Place, far inferior to that allowed mee, which was alone and aboue all subjectes (which at first Asaph chan would haue Putt mee by, but I maynteyned it as my due). This is but the first act of his Presenting. The Play will not bee finished in ten dayes.
22.6.1
At night I sent to the Princes secretary for my promised writing; but his Highnes was loath to lett the Presentes passe without ransacking and had changed his mynd, refusing to seale the lettre. October 22. — I went early to the Secretary to know the reason of this inconstancy and the Princes resolution. He answered I could not haue the letter sealed vnlesse I would consent to haue all opened in the Alfandica, Pretending that the Merchanntes would pass vp Jewelles and Pearles to sell vnder that Coulor. I assured him on my woord they were dearer in England then here: that wee brought none: that I would not countenance any thing vnder that Coulor to abuse the Prince and dishoner my selfe: that I scorned to saue Petty Customes basely: that I gaue among the Princes Porters dayly more. I vrdged the kinges command, his Masters Promise; but no reason, no importunitye would preuayle against this gredy desier of Presentes, though in yt hee robbd his father. What will not youth and insolency attempt when it knowes no limitts, when it is aduanced beyond the Capacitye and law of reason?
22.6.2
I replied as peremptorily that I was as resolute not to bee abused: that I would keepe these aboord the shippes vntill his Maiestie sent for them, and in future tyme I would take order that my Master should send no more guiftes to be so vnciuilly entreated: that it was a busines in which my Honor was interessed, and for no Complacency I would not yeild to be riffled with my consent : that these injuryes were so grose that I doubted not the king would haue sence of them : in the meane tyme I would preuent their greedy purpose of oppression. So I rose to depart. Hee importuned mee to goe with him to the Prince and moue it once more. I replyed I had the kings order and his Masters woord before his Majestie, since his owne Command, and all this beeing retracted, I could expect no more but delay and Iniurye: that I would seeke to the king and no further. But hee pressd mee so far as I yeelded ; and at my comming I deliuered him two Plumes, and two birdes of Paradice. Hee accepted them easely, and my busines beeing mooued and my resolution made knowne not to consent to open nor to send them vp but by the handes of my seruants, att last he yeilded and gaue Command to the Secretary to dispatch mee.
22.6.3
At Night I went to the Durbar to obserue the Ambassador of Persia. I found him standing in his ranncke and often remooued and sett lower as great men came in. The king once spake to him, and he danced to the tune therof, but gaue noe present ; only the king Commanded hee should be feasted by the Nobles. The tyme was spent in seeing saddles and furniture for the remooue, of which his Maiestie gaue some to his followers, it beeing dayly expected to rise ; the kinges tentes were out 4 days since. I sent to the Secretarye for my firmaen but hee delayd yt with excuses. October 23. — I sollicited the grant ; but the Persian dined with him. October 24. — The king remooued to Hauaz Gemall, and called the Persian Ambassador, wher at night hee eate and drancke before the king with the Nobilities in the same fashion that I did the birthday; the difference only was the king gaue him for expence 20,000 rupias, for which hee made innumerable Teselims and Sizedaes, not rising from the ground in good space, which extremely pleased the king and was base but profitable Idolatrye. The Prince attending his father, I could gett noe dispatch in my busines. These Presents yet were not digested; all delayes, all fraudes practised to possesse them first. The Condition of this People, my sufferinges and trauell will appeare, I doubt not to the ease of my successors, how to deale with them.
22.6.4
I receiued lettres from Agra, aduertising all the factory were disposed away. I aduised my opinion it was to no vse to follow the Court: that it were better to abyde togither vntill wee saw where wee should settle: otherwise the chardge would bee infinite. So much I propounded to ours here, but know not their resolution. October 25. — The king returned at Euening, hauing beene ouer night farr gone in wyne. Some by Chance or malice spake of the Merry night Past, and that many of the Nobilitye dranck wyne, which none may doe but by leaue. The king, forgetting his order, demanded who gaue it. It was answered: the Buxy; for no man dares say it was the king, when hee would only doubt yt. The Custome is that when the king drinckes, which is alone, sometyme hee will command that the Nobilitye shall drinck after, which if they doe not, is an offence too; and so euery man that takes a cup of wyne of the officer his name is written and he makes Teselem, though perhapes the kings eyes are mistye. The king, not remembring his owne Command, called the Buxy and demanded if hee gaue the order. He replyed: no (falsly, for hee receiued it and by name called such as did drinck with the Ambassador);
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