The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 31.1.6

31.1.6

Concerning the rest of your fleete, you may keepe company on this Coast and take your hazard about Zeilan. If the King of Achin bee fickle and our factorie not flowrishing, hee must bee Chastised too, and this one way, by threatening him not to suffer the Guzerattes to supply him, whom yet you may not meddle with. From thence you may attend the Passadg of the Chineses and other traders in the Southeren streightes and Chandg with them at the best hand. If you stand so low as China or towards Mocaa itselfe, suerly all is Prise ; and this may either gett you a trade or at least serue the Present, and cannot leaue the whole in woorse estate then it is, for as good wee doe it as beare the envy for no profitt, for the Dutch practise it vnder our English Crosse. Japan I doubt you will not see ; or, if you doe, I feare you shall fynd cause enough to bidd you thinck nothing frye that abides in the nett. The Portugalles I neede not any way Mention ; their Iniuries and your owne Commission will guide you. Some will say this Course will in tyme ouerthrow all trade. I am of another opinion, considering the Nature of this People, that haue no sence of honor, but only Profitt. Wee shall in tyme teach them to know their superiors ; and if they will not giue vs trade, wee can yet choose whither they shall enioy it or no. Necessitye and feare will enforce them with whom no Curtesy nor reason can preuayle. Necessitye alsoe Pleades now for vs ;