The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 31.1.5

31.1.5

First, I will propose to you the red sea. Though your stock bee not great, the returne may, beeing reimployed here, and so one ship may bee occupied and fitted; and you shall haue in your way these chances: the Dabull shippes, or of the Samorin, or any other where wee trade not. Beleeue me, Sir, to chasten any of these People makes not only them but any their Neighbors the better. If it bee doubted how the Mochars will take it or how admitt your trade, I answere to the last : very willingly, in Company of the Guzerattes. Necessitie will enforce them to giue you Content, least you molest others by whom they profitt ; and ther is noe great doubt, for the Dutch had trade last yeare and good vsage in our Names, and vpon that made this second attempt which is miscarried this yeare, as if oportunitye envited vs to that in our owne Persons which others did in our shadowes. Besides, the Treachery vsed to Sir Henry Middleton was the first apperance and notice of any of our forces in that Seas ; they tooke vs for Piratts, which now they better vnderstand, and dare not offend vs, because they know wee can bee revenged, if but by keeping others from trading with them. For the former, to deale with any others that may bee safe Prise, it may bee done after trade at the seas Mouth. It wilbe long before it bee knowne, and, when it is, it matters not ; the suffering the Guzurattes to come Peaceably is fauour enough, because they are the mayne traders on that Coast.