The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 24: TO THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.
The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 24
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Contents
TO THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.
24.1.1
{Addl. MS. 6115, f. 140.) 24 Nouember, 1616. My Honourable Friends, I receiued your lettre on the twelfth of October, 1616, from the Charles, safely arriued with foure ships at the barr of Suratt the six and twentieth of the former Month. Of what pasd at Sea I doubt not you will receiue ample relation; only a little difference in the report of our fleete and the Portugalls I will mention: that wee began the fight, and that no viceroy beeing sent this yeare, an ancient Souldier, Don Emanuell de Meneses, that had twice beene Generall of their Forces, was in the Admirall, who, beeing beaten, ran herselfe ashore on Angazatia, the greatest of the Islandes of Comora, wher hee gott aland with the suruiuars of his force and caused the ship to bee fiered, which but for respect of him had yeilded; that the Ilanders robbd them and sett them ashoare att Mosambique, and are nowe arriued at Goa. This tale hangs ill together; for that I know they first made fiue shot, and that it is impossible they could passe from Anguzesia to Mosambique in a Canoe, or that the inhabitants, hauing robbd them, durst carry them into their strength; or that all this could bee effected and newes of their arriuall come from Goa in so little tyme. So that my judgement is, they make their relation as neare ours as they can, with creditt, and are loth to confesse truth, that eyther all perished, or the Viceroy, which were the greatest losse and dishoner euer happened to them in India.
24.1.2
I shall not neede write you any long Discourse of your affaires, nor my opinion, for that in a Continued Journall I haue sett downe all Passages, and send you the Copyes of my lettres to your factoryes, wherin many Poynts are disputed and opened; from both which you may make best your owne Collection and judgment; for in them casually all your businese is handeled and discussed at full, and it may bee collected into such a Method as you may sitt at home and see it at once. But because some Poyntes in my last lettres I swalowed at my first Comming at others reports, which since I fynd vayne and friuolous, and others perhaps are yet vnresolued in my Generall discourse, I will runn ouer the Materiall Poyntes with breuitye. For I extreamly desier that you once vnderstood the Constitution of this trade, how to gouerne and settle it ; that by varietye of fond opinions you bee not councelled to vnnecessary Chardge, nor fall into grosse errors and damage. But first I desire you to receiue in Particular answer of your lettre that the vnkindnes conceiued betweene mee and Captain Keeling was not so far rooted that it was woorth your trouble or excuse. It is true I wrote to my Honorable frend somwhat that passd betweene vs. I did only dischardge my hart, without Purpose to haue it spread as a Complaynt ; his fauour to mee extended it beyond my meaning. Men cannot liue without some distast, especially wher fawners and flatterers seeke to endeare themselues by others disquiett.
24.1.3
Wee parted frends. It is lesse troublesome and easier to forgett discurtesyes then to lay them vp or dispute them. I was not borne to a life smooth and easy ; all my actions haue beene mingled with crosses and rubbes, that I might rather say I wrestled then walked toward my Graue. But God prouides euery man a Portion fitt for his Condition, and I am Content. I neuer doubted your performance with mee in mony nor any other contract ; I did averr soe much in that lettre and my answere to Captain Keeling. Nor will I Complayne of any Narrownes in my allowance. I made a Couenant ; I must abyde by it, and will endeauour to effect yt. I will acquaynt you in tyme with all Particulars of expence and referr myselfe to you. I know you ment not but that my labor should bee recompensd. My sincerity toward you in all Actions is without spott ; my Neglect of Priuat Gayne is without example, and my frugalitye beyond your expectation. I was neuer an ill husband of my Creditt nor any trust Committed to mee. My Patrimoniall vnthriftines only I feele and repent. I pray God I may so affect your desires as it may meritt what you giue. I will bragg of no industrie nor successe. Judge mee by my Actions, Not by the fauour of an Infidell King, with whom yet I stand on such outward showes of Creditt as Neuer any stranger did ; but want of language and an enterpreter that will deliuer mee truly is an extreame Prejudice.
24.1.4
Concerning the ayding the Mogoll or waffing his subiects into the Redd Sea, it is now vselesse, yet I made offer of your affections ; but when they need not a curteyse, they reguard it as a dogg doth dry bread when his belly is full. The King hath peace with the Portugalls, and will neuer make a Constant warr, except first wee displant them. Then his greatnes will step in for a share of the benifitt, that dares not partake the Perill. When they haue Peace, they scorne our assistance, and speake as lowed as our Canon ; if warr oppresse them, they dare not putt out vnder any protection, nor will pay for yt. You must remooue from you all thought of any other then a trade at their Port ; wherin if you can defend your selues, leaue them to their fortune. You can neuer oblige them by any benifitt, and they will feare you sooner then loue you. Your residence you neede not doubt so long as you tame the Portugall. Therfore, avoyd all other Chardge as vnnessesary, that resists not him ; hee only can prejudice you. For a Fort, at my first arriuall I receiued it as very Necessarie ; but experience teaches mee wee are refusd it to our aduantage. If hee would offer mee ten, I would not accept one. First, wher the riuer is Comodious, the Cuntry is barren and vntraded ; the Passadges to parts better Planted so full of theeues that the Kings authoritye avayles not, and the strength of the hilles secures them in that life.
24.1.5
If it had beene fitt for trade, the Naturalles would haue Chosen it, for they feele the incomoditye of a barrd hauen; and it is argument enough of some secrett inconuenience, that they make not vse of it. But if it were safe without the walls, yet is it not an easy woorke to diuert trades and to drawe the resort of Merchantes from their accustomed Marts, especially for our Comoditye, which is bought by Parcelles, and cannot be called staple. Secondly, the Chardge is greater then the trade can beare ; for to maintayne a garison will eate the Profitt. It is not an hundred men can keepe it ; for the Portugall, if hee once see you vndertake that course, will sett his rest vpon it to supplant you. A warr and trafique are incompatible. By my consent, you shall no way engage your selues but at sea, wher you are like to gayne as often as to loose. It is the beggering of the Portugall, notwithstanding his many rich residences and territoryes, that hee keepes souldiers that spendes it ; yet his garrisons are meane. He neuer Profited by the Indyes, since hee defended them. Obserue this well. It hath beene also the error of the Dutch, who seeke Plantation heere by the Swoord. They turne a woonderfull stocke, they proule in all Places, they Posses some of the best; yet ther dead Payes consume all the gayne. Lett this bee receiued as a rule that if you will Profitt, seeke it at Sea, and in quiett trade ; for without controuersy it is an error to affect Garrisons and Land warrs in India.
24.1.6
If you made it only against the Naturalles, I would agree ; to make it for them, they are not woorth it, and you should be veary warie how you engage your reputation in yt. You cannot so easely make a faier retraict as an onsett ; one disaster would eyther discreditt you, or interest you in a warr of extreame Chardge and doubtful euent. Besides, an action so subiect to Chance as a warr is most vnfittly vndertaken, and with most hazard, when the remoetnes of Place for supply, succors and Councell subiectes to vnrecouerable losse ; for that wher is most vncertaynty, remidies should bee soe much the nearer to occur to all occasions. At sea you may take and leaue ; your Designes are not Published. The roade of Swally and the Port of Suratt are fittest for you in all the Mogolles territory. I haue weyed it well, and deliuer you that shall neuer bee disprooued. You neede no more; it is not Number of Ports, factoryes and residences that will profitt you ; they will encrease chardge, but not recompence it. The Conueniency of one respectiuely to your sales, and to the Comoditye of Investmentes, and the well employing of your seruants is all Needfull. A Port to secure your ships, and a fitt Place to vnlade, will not be found together. The Roade at Swally, during the season, is as safe as a Pond; Suratt, Cambaya, Barooch, and Amadauaz are better traded then all Indya, and seated Comodiously. The inconueniencyes are — the Portugall at sea, and the landing of goods.
24.1.7
To meete with which first, you must bring to Passe that your ladinges bee ready by the end of September at your Port — which may bee effected by a stock beforehand, or by taking vp mony for three monthes — and so you may dischardge and lade in one, and depart in excellent season for England; and the Enemy shall not haue tyme with force to offend you, who wilbe Newly arriued ; and if the Preparation be ancienter, wee can know yt. For the second, to land goods without danger of Frigattes, and to saue the Carriadge ouer land, you must send a Pinnace of 60 Tunne with ten Pieces, that drawes but seuen or eight foote water, to passe vp the riuer betwene Swally and Suratt ; and so your goods wilbe safe, and in your owne Command to the Custume-house-Key ; and it will a little awe the towne. Shee may proceed after according to your appoyntment.
24.2.1
The Comodityes you sell passe best in that quarter. The goods you seeke beeing principally Indico and Cloth, no one Place is so fitt for both ; and the lesse inconueniences are to bee Chosen. Of this you shall gather more at lardge my opinion and reasons in my Iournall and discourses to your factors. Perhaps some of them will contradict it. But I am not deceiued, nor haue Priuate ends, to keepe factories to imploy and aduance frends. The Places and Number of seruants I haue deliuered my Judgment in, and Could manifest the Past errours, but not mend them. Syndu is possesd by the Portugall ; or, if it were free, were no fitter then Suratt, nor safer ; as it is, it wilbe more subiect to Perill. Your factors sent me foure or fiue Clauses out of your Commission, that concernd Persia, a fort, a Plantation in Bengala, all which they knew were not of vse ; with no other purpose, proposition, or resolution they will acquaynt me. They cannot abyde I should vnderstand or direct them. If they resolue of any thing in their opinion for your profitt, and send to mee, I will effect the Court part ; but you will find in my lettres and Journall how they vse mee, which doubtlesse at first was sowed by some Jealousy of yours, which will cost you dearly.
24.2.2
For the settling your trafique here, I doubt not to effect any reasonable desier. My Creditt is sufficient with the King, and your force will alway bynd him to Constancy. It will not neede so much helpe at Court as you suppose ; a little Countenance, and the discretion of your factors, will with easy Chardge returne you most profitt. But you must alter your stock. Lett not your seruants deceiue you ; cloth, lead, teath, quicksiluer are dead Comodityes, and will neuer driue this trade. You must succor yt by Change, and you will find my opinion discussed in lettres. I haue this yeare passd many difficultyes by the Peruersenes of Sultan Coronne, Lord of Suratt ; but by Gods direction I haue ouercome them. Articles of treaty on equall tearmes I cannot effect ; want of Presents disgraced mee. But yet by Peices I haue gotten as much as I desird at once. I haue recouered all bribes, extortions, debts made and taken before my tyme till this day ; or at least an Honorable composition. But when I deliuer the Next guiftes to the Mogoll, in the Princes absence, I will sett on anew for a formall contract. The Presentes sent are to few to follow examples ; they will scarce serue the first day. The rule is at euery arriuall of a fleete the Mogol, [and] the Prince during his signory in our Port, will expect a formall Present (and lettres from the King our sollicitor) from you, which neede not bee deare if well Chosen.
24.2.3
Your Agent must be furnished with a China shop to serue little turnes, for often giuing of trifles is the way of preferment. It cannot bee auoyded, and I haue beene scorned for my Pouerty in that kind. Particulars I haue sent of such as I suppose will please. At my deliuerie of the first sent by mee Contentment outwardly appeared, but I will acquaynt you with the Cabinettes opinion, by which you may Judg. Three exceptions were taken and disputed by the King and his Priuadoes. First, it was censured to name Presentes in a Kinges lettre to bee sent by a Principall man his Ambassador and such poore ones deliuered, meaner and fewer then when they came with lesse ostentation ; that if they had not beene named as from a Monarch it had beene lesse despiceable ; for such is the Pride that although the Coach for the forme and for a Modell gaue much Content, yet the matter was scornd, and it was neuer vsd vntill two other of rich stuff were made by it and that couered with Cloth of gould, harnes and furniture, and all the tynn Nayles headed with siluer or hatched, so that it was nine Monthes a repayring ; when I sawe it, I knew it not. Secondly, it was excepted against that his Majestie did write his Name before the Mogoll ; but it matters not for that dull Pride.
24.2.4
Thirdly, that his Maiestie in his lettre intimated that honor and profitt should arise to this Prince by the English or their trade, which hee so much despiseth to heare of that hee will willingly bee ridd of it and vs if he durst. The forgetting to send mee lettres diminisheth my Creditt, which is to bee maynteyned by all Ceremonyes ; and Sultan Coronne expected one as an Honor to him. . . .
24.2.5
First, Concerning Persia. . . . What my Judgment is you will find by my relations and lettres ; how your factors haue proceeded I hope they will aduise. I sent a Fatmar, whom they kept a Month without answer now in the heate of busines, because they would resolue the settling a factory at Jasques without my knowledge. I know they vnderstand not the Place, nor haue any ground for what they did ; and, besides the neglect of mee, I feare haue sent a dead vnvendible stock. I shalbe most glad if I bee in an errour ; but I know, if I err, it is vpon better foundation then they can prosper in. If it had beene fitt to settle in that Place, if once they had acquaynted mee with the Purpose, I would haue geuen them lardge aduise and much assistance from the Persian Ambassador resident at Court, who offered mee his Councell ; but now, as they beginn against my Consent, they may proceede without my assistance. ... Sir Robert Shirly by Contrary wyndes lost his Passadge for Lisbon last yeare and remaynes at Goa for the Present returne of the fleete. His negotiation continewes full of hope to bring the Spaniard in to joyne with the Portugall. I haue sent transcripes of my opinion which I first apprehended, and am Constant to yt ; and God hath prevented him one yeare and giuen you leasure for the future.
24.2.6
Next, I hould it woorthy your Consideration to resolue somwhat for your safety and quiett in the road with the Portugall. Ther are but two wayes, a Peace or a compulsion. The first I haue anew vndertaken by the Mediation of a Jesuite, who foresees their ruine ; but I despayre of any successe, both that the viceroy wantes authoritie or is to Proud to vse yt. The Next is force, which is allway to disaduantage when you only defend. My opinion is that you give order to all your fleetes to make Price of them, and that, as you Nowe ride at Swally roade to protect one ship, that you would send that guard next yeare to ride before Goa to braue them or burne them, at least to stop them that they durst not Putt to sea in December. So you shall enforce them to loose their seasons ; one or two returnes hindered would vndoe them. On my woord they are weake in India and able to doe your fleete no harme but by supplyes from Lisbon, which aduertisement you must harken after and accordingly accommodate your strength. You will add much reputation to your Cause, and force them to that which their Pride will neuer suffer them to see they want more then you, which is, a quiett trade. My third Proposition is for your trafique into the redd sea. It is more important then all other proiectes.
24.2.7
My Councell is that one of your smallest shipes, with the fittest English goodes and such other as this Country yeildes, yearly goe in Company of the Guzerattes and trade for them selues for mony, which is taken in abundance, and returne in September with them, to supply this Place. The Profitt exceedes all the trades of Indya and will driue this alone. The danger is rather a Jealousy then substanciall. When the turckes betrayed Sir Henry Middleton, our factoryes and Courses in these Partes were vnknowne to them, and doubtlesse wee, beeing strangers in that sea, were mistrusted for Pirattes. Experience of vs hath made them know better, and in Company of the Guzerattes, for their sake (whom they cannot spare) wee should bee admitted. The King would write to the Admirall to entertayne our consortship, and they would be glad of it, and it were one of the best securityes of our frendship. The Dutch haue Practised it this yeare to great aduantage and wer well receiued. Our owne warines might secure vs. They must ride six monthes for wyndes, tyme enough to send all the goodes ashore by parcelles, and neuer to trust aboue one or two factors and little comoditye at once. They will not declare their treachery for trifles ; and I doubt not you might procure the Grand Signiors Command to meete them. If I haue any judgement ther is not any matter for your profitt of such importance. Port Pequnua in Bengala you are misinformed in. Ther is no mart nor resort of Merchauntes.
24.2.8
It is traded by the Portugalles from Pegu with rubyes, topasses and Saphiers ; and returnes Cloth, which is fyne, but you may bee furnished nearer hand. But if your factors require it I will send a firmaen, I would long since haue done yt, but was discouraged by the Consultation at Suratt.
24.3.1
You haue beene wrongd in here maynteyning needlesse factoryes, by making New wages and entertayning seruantes vnfitt and superfluous. . . . You were much wrongd in the Hopes returne. If I bee not misinformd, Priuat mens goodes were shippd, and your owne sent about by Bantam for want of stowage. For Indico I haue scarrd all men, professing you haue made a Persian law irreuocable that whatsoeuer is sent is forfeyted. ... I can find many faultes, but you giue mee Power to mend non; so that I might liue at rest. The dusturia in all bought goodes (besides the brokars fee), which is due to the buyer, is a great matter. The first is in Indico, two Ceare to a Mand; the second is so many Pice vpon a rupy when the account is Cast vp; a third in some Places at Payment is one vpon a hundred. Which of these or what you receiue I know not; it is woorth your enquirye. It will make in a few years two rich men. . . . Now I may a little speeke concerning my selfe. First, for expence I send you a yeares account, wherin I haue traueld, kept you two howses (sometyme seuen and eight of your seruantes, their horses and Peons, euer four of them), built and repayrd; so reasonable that if you compare it with others I shall not neede to bragg of yt. Two thinges I am sure of: the example did displease some;
24.3.2
and that the stewardship is honestly carried, weekly examined by mee, and euery Parcell by my order, and that you are not deceiued of one Pice, Next that, paying my mens wages all here (else they could not liue) out of my allowance, and the desier to appeare handsome and Honorable abroad, with liberalityes not brought to your account, make mee soe bare that you neede not feare my trading nor growing rich. The Kinges bountyes are rather Markes of honor then of Profitt. I haue supplyed a yeare in presentes of myne owne stock and aske not to deminish yours a Penny in Indya. All your other seruantes part not with a knife but at four for one ready Mony. ... I shall not returne richer by 500l. for my stay, but in my honest deseart to you; which I will bring vnder good Certificatt and trust to you for recompence. I will settle your trade here secure with the King, and reduce it to order if I may be heard. When I haue soe done I must plead against my selfe that an Ambassador liues not in fitt honor. I could sooner dye then be subiect trouble like to Ensue by our dissention with the Portugall in those seas, yet it will occasion mee to fall lower to some fitt Port which the King may assigne, if hee will grant any; but I am dayly answered for the Comoditye wee bring wee hau too many already.'' (Same to same, June 6th, 1617 : Ibid., f. 197.) to the slauerye the Persian is content with. A meaner Agent would among these proud Moores better effect your busines.
24.3.3
My qualety often for Ceremonyes eyther begettes you enemyes or suffers vnwoorthely. The King hath often demanded an Ambassador from Spayne but could neuer obteyne it, for two reasons: first, because they would not giue Presentes vnwoorthy their kinges greatnes; Next, they knew his reception should not answere his qualety. I haue moderated it according to my discretion, but with a swolne hart. Halfe my Chardg shall corrupt all this Court to bee your slaues; and I assure you I can doe you better seruice at home; and so desire you to bid mee wellcome whensoeuer I come. I will not leaue your busines vnsettled; nor willingly loose tyme to no purpose. I desier you will examine my actions and accept my endeavours, and beleeue my hart is sincere to doe you seruice. Postscript. — The best way to doe your busines in this Court is to find some Mogol that you may enterteyne for 1000 rupees by the yeare as your solicitor at Court. Hee must bee authorised by the King, and then hee will better serue you then ten Ambassadors. Vnder him you must allowe 500 rupees for another at your Port to follow the Gouernor and Customers and to aduertise his Cheefe at Court. These two will effect all.
24.3.4
Concerning Priuat trade, my opinion is you absolutly prohibit yt and execute forfeyture, for your busines wilbe the better done. All your loss is not in the goodes brought home. I see here the inconveniences you thinck not off. I know this is harsh to all men, and seemes hard; Men professe they come not out for bare wages. You shall take away the Plea if you resolue to giue very good to mens Content; then you know what you part from. But you must make good Choyce of your seruantes and use fewer. . . . . I have drancke water this 11 Monthes, and Nothing els. Rack I cannot endure, and your strong waters I would not meddle with. I hoped you would haue sent mee a Peice of wyne; but now it is to late to wish. Trye a Cup or two of my liquor in a Morning next your hartes and then you will remember mee. But I hope you will send for me home by the Next expected fleete, the Chardge being more then my employment can Merritt, and therfore I begg none now; though I could haue beene Pleasd that your seruantes aboord, that make very Merrie, had afforded mee some. When I was aboord the lyon it was an Errand from Surat to Come to drinck; but I am farr from the well.
24.3.5
November 25. — Six Course. Hither Came Master Crowther from the Carauan despeeded from Agra, of whom I receiued that the Plauge was violent, and that the last bills were made vp to be payd at 45 days sight, so that they were enforced for dispatch to giue so many Jangiers for their owne mony: That by the last of Nouember the goodes was like to passe by Adsmere. Which made me resolue to stay to speake with some of them, and to send my lettres and Papers for England with more safetye.