The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 30: To William Robbins at Ispahan. (Addl. MS. 6115, f. 209.) Mandoe, August 21, 1617.
The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 30
- Language
- English
To William Robbins at Ispahan. (Addl. MS. 6115, f. 209.) Mandoe, August 21, 1617.
30.1
Both your mentioned lettrs I haue receiued by long Passadges; this last arriued the 20 Present, by which I vnderstand your honest and effectual care of the trust Committed you. .... I doubt not you haue long since receiued my lettrs by the Post of Mahomet Raza Baege, the Shaw-bas his Ambassador, dispeeded from Court the 10th of January, 1616, and since you are fully possessed of our intents to prosecute the Negotiation of Persia by the arriuall of our factors. I can yet proceed to no farther engagement then by way of aduise to wish you as a faythful englishman to deale Clearly with the Prince what wee seeke and what wee will performe. I feare, as this beginning was rash, it may receiue some disgrace, especially if any of our seruantes either Overlash in their woordes and Promises or in their titles. Therfore that you may truly know what you may safely deliuer; Edward Connock was sent from Suratt as a factor to beginn and make offer of the amety, vnprouided either of instructions, goodes or meanes fitt for such an enterprise. Therfore the Prince wilbe Pleasd not to judg vs by this attempt, which was rather to showe our affection then any proofe of our abilitye. Neyther will it bee euer embrased by the English vnlesse a Port bee seecured or Mart established, prises agreed on for such quantetyes of both sides as that neither be deceiued, wee in fitting and Putting off of our Comoditye, nor the Prince of vent for his.
30.2
Vpon these tearmes you may bee bould to say whatsoeuer hee desiers may bee accomplished; but a straggling, Peddling, vncertayne trade will neyther Profitt nor become so great Nations. My last is more lardge in this particular. Only I find in all your lettres you haue a beleefe that Sir Robert Sherley is a well wisher to his Countrie and an Enemie to the Portugall. I would perswade you out of this error. His actions showe little reason; he hath not only procured for them a Peace, but is engaged to procure for them the whole trafique, and to that end is he imployed. I doubt not the Sha-bas may haue a good affection to vs; but yet hee will deale like a King and Come fayre off from his first offer. It is not good to bee blind, nor by blinding others to hope to atteyne our endes; therfore I would not wish any Englishman to vndertake that the English will deale for all the Kinges goodes, except hee will exchang it for Cloth and our English Comodityes; then bee bould; the rest I knowe what wee are able to performe. Nor that wee will take Ormus and beate the Portugall out of those seas: these are vanityes. The Company entend a trade, not a warr, but in their owne defence, and that brauely and honestly. It were better for the Prince to ayme only at that free Commerce; so he should vnderstand the sweetnes of a trade and the difference of Nations. But I professe I know not vpon what tearmes any way to bee engaged, the Company not yet knowinge of the enterprise;
30.3
therfore I will farthar spare my opinion vntill I can doe yt vpon good grownd, and only advise you to assist this beginning with all force and yet with all moderation; to Cast off all hopes of Sir Robert Sherley advancing vs, and trust to ourselues and our owne honest wayes. Thus you shalbe sure to fynd a iust recompence to your desartes. I feare it wilbe my hard fortune this yeare to visitt you by order from his Maiestie, and to help to build vpon this foundation; for by this fleete I expect a resolution from England, and suppose I shall receiue full Commission to treat effectually. If it fall out so, you shall fynd a frend that will deserue well your Paynes. In the meane tyme, let no newe inventions putt you out of the way to show the King my lettrs and the last articles sent his Maiestie, wherof you have a Copy in English, and they were agreed vnto here by his Ambassador. I neede not send a transcript, for, if they miscarried, now they will arriue too late, for I shall almost bee in Persia as soone as this. If I Come not, I returne for England, and these affayres will no more Concerne mee. So, in expectation of farther newes from the true founteyne, I Committ you to God. [August] 25. — I aduised to Agra my proceeding in the Armenians businesse; backe to Surat and Brampoore of all occurrents.
30.4
This day Asaph Chan feasted Normahall [and ?] the Prince Sultan Corsoroone; as is reported, to make a firme alliance, and that he will bring away a Wife, by his Fathers importunitie. This will beget his full libertie, and our proud Masters ruine.