The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 24.3
The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 24.3
- Language
- English
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.