The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 3.8
The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 3.8
- Language
- English
3.8.1
September 25. — I landed my Chests and prouitions, with directions to suffer them to be sealed, but not opened; and to deliuer them at my house and to prepare yt next day. This day came a handsome frigatt from Cambaya with a principall Seruant of the Gouernors aboord the Generall, and with Complements of Frendship and desire of trade to theyr towne as a head City. He gaue the Generall a Present of sweetmeates and some fewe stuffs in the Name of the Gouernor, and desiring to buy some varietyes or toyes for theyr Master, especially enquiring for English Swyne for the Mogull, in which beast hee takes infinite delight, having had two from one ship the last yeare; telling the Generall he should find the new Gouernor of Suratt a Clowne and a frend of our enemyes, but that if wee would make our residence at Cambaya we should receiue notable Content. The Generall tould them ther was an Embassador sent by the king of England, that was the next Morning to land, a man of qualetye: and vntill he sawe what reception he should fynd, and how theyr busines stood with the factory, with the Principalis wheroff he had not spoken, he could resolue nothing; but in other Complements gaue them Content. At this name of an Ambassador they laughd one vpon another; it beeing become ridiculous, so many hauing assumed that title, and not performed the offices; and though the Generall did endeauour to make them better vnderstand yt, they would not, and so did neuer offer to uisitt me.
3.8.2
Besides, when the Generall dealt with the Makadow of Swally (a frend to the English) that they must not esteeme me in the qualetye of my forerunners, with all the right he Could doe to honor his Majestie, yet he when he was ashore answered he could not tell, nor any else, but that I might be an Imposture as well as the rest; and this was dayley objected unto vs, euen from the Cheefe of Suratt. I mention these only to lett the Company vnderstand how meanly an Embassador was esteemed at my landing; how they subiected themselues to all searches and barbarous Customes, and became sutors to the Gouernors and great men, who, as appears by the discourse Following, sufficiently vnderstand the rights belonging to that qualetye ; and that therefore, if it seeme to any that shall heare of my first carriadge that I was eyther too stiff, to Punctuall, too high, or to Prodigall, lett them Consider I was to repayre a ruynd house and to make streight that which was crooked. If I had beene the first that euer landed vnder that title, I would haue done noe less ; and I best know that see yt, these men triumph ouer such as yeeld, and are humble enough when they are held vp. The Kings Honor was engaged more deepely then I did expect, and I was resolued eyther to rectifye all or lay my life and fortune both in the ground. September 26.
3.8.3
— A sine beeing made from land that the Suratts were come ready to receiue me, I landed, accompanyed with the Generall and the Captaines and the Principall Merchannts ; The Generall having first sent 100 shott by Captaine Harris to make me a Court of Guard, and the shippes in their best Equipage giuing me their ordinance as I passed ; with his trumpetts and Musique ahead my boate in the best manner he Could, which I only signify for acknowledgment vnto him. At my landing the cheefe officers of Suratt with about 30 Companions wer sitting vnder an open Tent vpon good Carpetts, in graue order. Comming almost to them and they not rising, I stayd and sent them woord I would not come farthur if they satte still ; whervpon they all rose; and I entered the tent and went streight vp and tooke my place in the middest of them, turning my face toward the Generall and the English, who stood right before vs. They by an enterpreter bade me welcome with a long Complement, which was payd in the same mettle.
3.8.4
And I added to yt that the Kings Majestie hauing receiued assurance from the great Mogull of the good affection borne to his Majestie and our Nation, and vnder Confidence of the sent by Captain Best, to receiue his Ambassador in the behalfe of the Merchants trading in his Dominions, had sent me with full commission as his Ambassador, as well to congratulate the happy frendship begunn betweene too soe Mighty Princes and their subiects, as also to assure a readines in the Kings Majestie on his part to Continew the same inviolably; and to propound vnto the great Mogull many other matters of great Consequence both for the mayntenance and securitye of the leauge already treated on, and for the Mutuall good of the Subiects of both the kings: That I did receiue yt as an assurance of the good affection of the Great Mogull and off his Commanders and ministers in these parts that they did soe much Honor the King my Master to meete me in so respectiue manner, and furnishe mee with horses to theyre towne, for which I gaue them thancks, and did not doubt that my Comming would proue beneficiall and acceptable to them: and that I was ready to take horse and accompany them to Suratt to repose my selfe vntill I could be prepared to aduance toward the Court. Then they begann a new tune, that I would be pleasd to be Content that all my Company might be searched, according to the Custome of the Cuntrye.
3.8.5
I replyed it was strange to me to heare any motion from them contrary to the promise of the Gouernor, whervpon only I sett my foote ashore: That I was the Ambassador of a Mightie and free Prince: that I would neuer dishonnor my Master so much, whose Person I bare, as to subiect myselfe to so much slauery : I would engage my Honor (which I esteemed as my life) that no follower of myne had the worth of a Pice of trade or Marchandice : and that in Europe and most Parts of Asia all Ambassadors and theyr traynes were so far priuiledged as not to be subiect to Common and barbarous vsage : that seeing I found so little assurance in that woord which had drawne me ashoare, I would retyre to the shipes, to attend the Mogulles pleasure : for that I could not answere it with my head to loose the right and freedome due to the Embassador of a Christian king. They answered it was also more then the Gouernor could avow to let them passe vnsearched : it was a great curtesy don to my person, and sufficient acknowledgment of me, all others pretending my place having neuer had so much honor: that it was absolutely the Custome of this Cuntrie, and they Could not breake it. I replyed : I had thought that they had vnderstood that free kyngs and theyre Ambassadors had beene aboue ordinary customes ; which since they would not take notice off, I would not perswade them to breake theyrs, and I was resolued I would not dishonor my selfe ;
3.8.6
but I would send to the Great Mogull and attend his Majesties answere : that I hoped they had come to entertayne and honor me, not to enslaue and entangle me with barbarous Customes. And so after much dispute I turnd about and departed to our boates. Then by the mediation of messengers they offered that I should choose to my self 5 persons, whom I would, that in honor of me should goe free ; and that they only would for a Cerimony sake lay theyr handes about the rest, not as to search but to embrace them. So I landed againe and repeating the offer by my interpreter, that I was content they should lay theyr handes vpon my seruants, not with intent to search but to embrace, calling to wittnes the Generall, what were my Conditions, they intend not to search but to embrace. They desired me not to take yt in ill part that they did not yeild in all my desire; that they would signifie to the great Mogull I would not yeild to that Custome they Claymed, and that they did it in Honor there, that they might send before to the officers of Suratt that all Ceremonyes were ended; because, if the Gouernor should insist vpon yt when I came to Suratt, it would be more dishonor to returne or suffer it publiquely, and that this would preuent farther question. Whervpon I called five of my Company to stand behynd me, expecting what they would doe to the rest. But seeing them stand still I asked if all were done, that wee might goe to horse. They answered they were ready.
3.8.7
Soe taking leaue of the Generall and all the rest. Accompanied with Master Boughton, Master Barkeley and four other Merchants, I tooke horse with all my followers; the Surattes keeping me Company. When I was about halfe way they sent to me that I would call three or four of the better sort to ryde with me, and that they would follow in order, and that after them my men might Come in ranke, pretending to enter the Towne in this fashion. I, doubting nothing, appoynted yt soe, and called three or four to me, and one of the Principall of them to ride with me, euery man obseruinge this order, and some distance betweene me and the Surattes, and betweene the Surattes and my seruants. They were about 50 horse and 200 foote, and all my Company were 23. On the Suddeyne, I being before, they stayd, and vnder pretence of drinck called my men, who wisely came, and beeing among them, they tooke houlde of their horses and offered by force to search them. Master Wallis breaking out came vp after me, and tould me this treachery; wheron I turnd my horse, and with all speed rode backe to them, I confess too angry. When I came vp, I layd my hand on my swoord, and my men breake throwgh and came about me. Then I asked what they entended by soe base treachery: I was free landed, and I would die soe, and if any of them durst touch any belonging to me, I bade him speake and shew himselfe. Then they desired me not to take yt in ill part: it was done in frendship.
3.8.8
I called for a Case of Pistolls and, hanging them at my saddle, I replyed those were my Frendes, in them I would trust: that they had dealt treacherously with me, and soe I did esteeme them. They desiered me to goe on: that all was mistaken. I answered I would returne to the shipes but that they would basely suppose it to bee feare: therfore I would goe on to seeke Justice; but tould them they should not mingle with my trayne: I tooke them for enemyes to the King my Master, that soe sought my dishonor; but that eyther they or I would goe before and the other follow, for if any came among myne they should expect the entertaynment of one that was highly offended. It were much vanety to say in what a feare the best of them were, beeing so many; but the truth is not ashamed. So we rode on, in seuerall troupes, they before. On the way they stayd all in a shade, and called to me as I passed, but I did not looke towards them. Then they sent after, desiring me to eate a Plantine, which I refused, with answer; vntill I had satisfaction for the affront done my seruants, I would not receiue any thing as Curtesye. They replyed they had searched None, and did mean only to excecute the Ceremony agreed on at the Tent, without farther purpose of Injurye. So I tooke this for answere and left them at theyr refreshing, till I came to the water syde ouer against the Towne. But noe boates would Carrie me vntill they arriued.
3.8.9
At last they Came, and with many good woordes, did assure me they had no purpose to Injure mee; that they only entended to doe what I yeeilded too, there in priuat, that they might certifie all was finished, least the officers of the Custome howse (that knew no Ciuility) should stay me at the enterance of the Towne; and perswaded me to be yet Content withall. I answered I was euer equall with my woorde, and that though they had taught me to breake my woord, it was a lesson I scornd to learne: but I would bee a wittnes of theyr fashion, least they vnder Coulor of Ceremony did vse villany. Soe I entered a boate with the Officers and called five to mee, Master Boughton, my Chaplain, and three seruants, who Came in free. The rest stood to enter after this Ceremony of embracing. The first that Came they playnly, insteed of embracing, offered to feele his Pocketts without; whereat I rose and sayd I would not endure yt; and in extreame Cholar telling them it was a Custome to be vsd to rouges and theeues and not to free men: I was resolued not to returne to my Cuntry with shame; I would rather dye there with Honor. Whervpon they lett all of them Come to me without more woordes; and smiling desired me to be appeased, seeing I was satisfied in all. So soone as I was putt off they tempted me a New (knowing I could not now goe back): I must goe see the Gouernor, before I went to my house. I anwered I was weary and vnfitt for visitation.
3.8.10
They tould me it was the Custome and I could not refuse yt. Then I saw how euery way they besett me. I sayd playnly I would not nor could be Compelled: that in all their dealinges ther was new falshood, I was resolued: They could not but vnder trust haue cercumvented me: That I durst not answere visiting the Gouernor vntill he had visitted mee: that I doubted not he, beeing borne a Persian, vnderstood the right due vnto mee : if not, yet I would rather returne then loose it. In this dispute we arriued att the stayres to enter the Towne, whereas the Gouernors brother with many attendants to Conduct me to the Castle. But, after some few woordes betweene them, he bad me welcome, and desiered me to take my rest in my howse this night : that to morrow would be fitter for Ceremony. I gladly and shortly accepted yt, and tooke horse, the sackbotts of the Towne goeing before and many following me. I gott my house, resoluing it should be my Castle. But, Comming in, I found, contrary to all faith, that my necessaries sent before were kept at the Custome house, and would not be deliuered without search. Wherevpon I sent to the Gouernor that it was strange to me to receiue soe many discourtesyes after his woord past, but that I doubted not he would vpon better aduise giue me content the next day, it beeing to late at present : I only desired my bed and such provisions as I could not want. Which was granted, and a message withall that on the morrow I should receiue the rest without delay.
3.8.11
Soe I was satisfyed with hope, and ended a wearisome day.