The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 23.1.7

23.1.7

Our Fleet arriuing this yeare 1616, in the way mett the Admirall Carricke of Lisbon, bound for Goa, about Molalia, an Island in twelue degrees North latitude, and, haling her after the Curtesy of the sea, was requited with disgracfull language, and fiue great shott. Which occasion apprehended, shee was fought with three dayes ; at last put ashore, and fired her selfe. Shee was of burthen fifteene hundred tuns, and by Pregnant Circumstances the expected Viceroy sent for Goa Perished in her ; not one man was perceiued to bee saued of 600 ; which is one of the greatest disgraces and losses that euer happened to the Portugall in these Parts — the reward of their owne Insolency. In this fight the Cheefe Commander of the English was slayne, and the New-declared maymed ; little other losse. Thus your Grace hath some touch of our affaires ; and I will fall vpon my purpose of the Church, with your fauour and Patience. Before the invndation of Temar the great, the ninth Ancestor of this King, these Cuntries were gouerned by diuers Petty Gentile Princes, not knoweing any religion, but woorshipped after their seuerall Idolatryes all sortes of Creaturs. The descendants of him brought in the knowledge of Mahomett, but imposed it vpon none by the law of Conquest, leauing consciences at liberty. So that these Naturalls, from the Circumcision (which came in with the Moores), called them Mogolls or cheefe of the Circumcised.