The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 22.4.2

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;