The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 30.2

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;