The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 23.6.8

23.6.8

November 20. — I receiued from the Court a new warrant for my Carriadge, which procured mee 8 Camelles from the officer, but misserable ones, such as would not suffice mee ; so that I was compelld to dispatch my selfe away now, left all alone to buy for my supplement. November 22. — I remooued into my Tents. November 23 & 24. — I stayd for the Merchanntes ; and receiued in answere from Spahan that my lettres were dispeeded for Aleppo : that our Comming into Persia was expected, but on Conditions to fitt the Shabas, so that it might aduance his dessigne of diuerting his silkes from the way of Turkye : that the Generall of the Grand Signior lay with a mighty army at Argerome, six dayes march short of Tauris, vncertayne whether to assayle the Citty or to enter Gorgeston and Gilan, the Countryes of silkes, to wynn that by conquest which hee was prohibited by Commerce : to meete both attemptes the Shabas was encamped at Salmas, a village indifferently seated in the way: but if in two monthes the Armyes encounter not, winter approaching and the wantes that will attend such multitudes will dissolue them both without any honorable action; or if they meete, the Persian, though by report 180 thousand, will not aduenture battayle, but beeing light and able to march easely, without Cannon and baggage, will fall on and off on euery syde so on the Turkes army as hee will breake and waste him without hazard.