The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 36.2.3

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.