The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 26.1.2

26.1.2

The Shabas is in the feild at Salmas, a villadge indiffeirent to the wayes of Tauris or Gordgestan, attending the Turkes Generall, who, with a monstruous army (if it bee not increased by fame) is encamped at Argerome, irresolute which of those two attempts hee shall beginn, beeing not aboue five dayes from the one, and ten from the other. But these great Armies will dissolue of themselues, and I am of opinion ther wilbe noe great effect of them, the wynter approaching; and that they will treate a Peace, which the Turke will neuer embrace but with the opening of the trade and liberty of ancient Commerce; which, though the Persian yeild vnto, yet if the Spaniard accept his offers, the liberty giuen the Turke wilbe vselesse, for that the silkes shall come downe to Ormus, But I hope your Honors will prevent yt. God hath prouided you leysure. The King of Persia lately enquired anew after the English, for hee is indifferent what Christian hath the trade, so that the Grand-Signior loose yt. But his first offer to the Spaniard will take his turne, and after wee may have the leauings. Wee haue sent to Jasques a ship from our Port of Suratt with Cloth and English goods, to make the first offer of a residence, and to gett a kind of a possession. For wher it was free to refuse or accept vs, it wilbe nowe an iniurie to turne vs out, beeing come vpon assurance of his lettre receiued by mee.