The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 36.2
The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 36.2
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- English
36.2.1
[October] 24. — The King departed Mandoa foure Course and, wandering in the hills, left vs irresolute what way to take, no man knowing his purpose. [October] 26. — I got a warrant for ten Camels at the Kings price. [October] 29. — I remoued after: forced away by the desolations of the place. [October] 31.— I arriued at the Kings Tents, but found him gone with few company for ten dayes a hunting, no man to follow without leaue; the Leskar diuided and scattered into many parts; ill water, deare prouisions, sicknesse and all sorts of calamitie accompanying so infinite a multitude; yet nothing remooues him from following this monstrous appetite. Heere I vnderstood the Kings purpose was vncertaine, whether for Agra or Guzerat; the latter giuen out; the former more probable, because his Councell desired to be at rest; but that, howeuer, for the dispatch of my businesse, seeing hee would linger heere about a moneth, I was aduised, and thought it as fit to send for the goods and Presents as to deferre it vpon vncertainties; being that dispatched, I had hope of some quiet in this course. I wore out my body, being very weake, and not like to recouer vpon daily trauell in the fields, with cold raw muddie water. November 2. — Arriued Richard Steele and Master Iackson, with the Pearle and some other small matters stollen ashoare, according to my order, which I receiued and gaue quittance for.
36.2.2
With him I had conference about his proiects, which because I would not rashly reiect them, as he had set them afoot, after hauing made him see his fancies and vnderstand the qualitie of these people, how for the water-worke, if to bee effected, it must bee begunne at our charge, and after triall, we shall not enioy the profit, but the Naturalls taught and our people reiected; neither our commoditie vented by it, for that the Lead will treble his price by portage ouer-land, and cannot bee deliuered at Agra so cheape as found there: yet I was content hee should make triall for satisfaction by carrying his work-men to Amadauas, to meete mee there, where by assistance of Mocrib Chan, who only is a friend to new inuentions, I would make offer to the King of their industry and make proofe what conditions may be obtained; but in my iudgement it is all money and labour cast away. The Company must shut their eares against these proiectors, who haue their owne employments more in their ends then their Masters profits. Many things hold well in discourse, and in the theorique satisfie curious imaginations, but in practise and execution are found difficult and ayrie; especially to alter the constant receiued customes of Kingdomes, where some drinke only raine-water, some of a holy Riuer, some none but what is fetched by their owne cost.
36.2.3
His second of reducing the Caffilaes and Merchants of Lahor and Agra by the Riuer Indus, that vsed to passe by Candahor into Persia, to transport by sea in our shipping for Iasques or the Gulph, is a meere dreame; some man in conference may wish it, but none euer practise it. The Riuer is indifferently nauigable downe; but the mouth is the residence of the Portugalls; returnes backe against the streame very difficult. Finally, wee must warrant their goods, which a Fleet will not doe; neither did the Portugall euer lade or noise [sic] such goods, but only for those of Sindie and Tatta, that traded by their owne Iunckes, they gaue a Cartas or Passe to secure them from their Frigats, and traded with them, for which they payed a small matter, and that onely which came to the purses of the Grand of Diu, Damon and Ormus. Or if all other difficulties were taken away, yet will the Lahornes neuer bee drawne downe, being that Caffila consists most of returning Persians and Armenians that knew the passage from Iasques almost as bad as from Candahor; and for that little on the Confines of Sinde not worth mentioning. Notwithstanding, for his better satisfaction, I was content hee should by experience learne his owne errours, so it were not at the Companies charge; but I suppose hee will let it fall, not knowing at which end to beginne.
36.2.4
A third proiect for to ioyne the Trade of the Red Sea with this, I recommended to him, for that it was alreadie in vse, and the perill for the Guzurats very apparant; therefore I doubted not some Merchants might be drawne to lade in our ships at freight; whereby wee should make our selues necessary friends to these people, supply our owne defects, saue export of monies, and finally, for this yeare employ one ship of the olde account that should returne in September and receiue the proceed of the remaynes of this ioynt stocke, which will be sufficient to re-lade a great ship; otherwise to transport it ouer will be extreame losse. This I opened and vrged the consequence, shewed which way to effect it, and commended by him to the Commander, the Cape Merchant, and your Factors with all earnestnesse, as by my Letters appeares. The consequence I will make euident in your profit, if they follow it. For were the goods and estate all my owne, if I could not procure somewhat towards charge by freight from the Guzurats, yet hauing so many emptie vessels for so small a stocke, and two fallen into your hands of men of warre, I had rather goe emptie, and for company with them, then to omit that. There are many chances in that Sea and in the way; her returne onely of our owne remaynes shall requite all forbearance, and be readie in time, for employed she must be if we intend to send the rest vpon this account, for that here is no harbourage.
36.2.5
At his arriuall, I found him high in his conceits, hauing somewhat forgotten me; Master Kerridge and him at warres, which I endeauoured to temper on all parts; but for his Wife I dealt with him cleerely: she could not stay with our safety, nor his Masters content: that he had ruined his fortunes, if by amends hee repayred it not : that shee should not trauell nor liue on the Companies Purse (I know the charge of women) : that if he were content to liue himselfe like a Merchant, as others did, frugally, and to be ordered for the Companies seruice, and to send home his Wife, he was welcome : otherwise, I must take a course with both against my nature. Hauing to this perswaded him, I likewise practised the discouragement of Captaine Towerson about his Wife (you know not the danger, the trouble, the inconuenience of granting these liberties). To effect this, I perswaded Abraham, his Father in Law here, to hold fast : I wrote to them the gripings of this Court, the small hope or [of?] reliefe from his alliance, who expected great matters from him. Finally, I perswaded his returne quietly. To further this, I wrote to your chiefe Factor that such things as hee had brought and were vendible should bee brought to your vse by Bill of exchange, to such profit for him as both might saue ; and this inconuenience you bring on your selues by liberties vnreasonable. But to take tye [anye?] of his trash to lye vpon your hands, vpon any condition I did prohibit.
36.2.6
I find by your Letter your strict command in priuate Trade, as well for your owne Seruants as others ; whereby I collect you meane not that he shall haue that libertie hee expects, for he is furnished for aboue one thousand pound sterling, first penny here, and Steele at least two hundred pound, which he presumes, sending home his Wife, his credit and merit is so good towards you, that you will admit in this case to be rid of such cattell. I will not buy, but order that it be marked and consigned to you, that you may measure your owne hand. You discourage all your olde Seruants. Some may doe all things for faire words, some nothing for good actions. I could instance some gone home two yeares since that onely employed their owne stocke, did no other businesse, and liue now at home in pleasure; others that raise their fortune vpon your monies, from Port to Port, and returne rich and vnquestioned. Last yeare a Mariner had sixe and twentie Churles of Indico: others many Fardles: a third seuen thousand Mamudes first pennie, in Baroach Bastaes, chosen apart (for hee inuested your Monies, and it is probable hee chose not the worst for himselfe): a fourth, aboue one hundred and fiftie pound, first pennie. These I mention, not for spight, but to moue you to equalitie; neither by their example these may escape, for they swallow you vp; but that an indifferent restraint be executed vpon all.