[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy) › [The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster) › 36 # The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 36: For your Priuat Directions. The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 36 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [36.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.1) — 8 parts - [36.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.2) — 6 parts - [36.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.3) — 3 parts ### For your Priuat Directions. ### [36.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.1.1) 1. You shall liue frugally, soberly like merchants without prodigall expences, the Country beeing Cheape ; and trauell with as few seruants as may stand with safety. 2. You shall not bringe vp a Custome of giuen presents to euery Gouernor, nor at Court flourish and braue yt ; for I giue it for a rule, you shall meete with a kinge affable and Curteous to strangers, not like our Mogol, but one that will eate vpon any man, greate and gett, and when hee hath left you empty will not know you. 3. The Chardge of your house and trauell I cannot limitt, though Commanded to doe soe ; but thinke that a houshould of fiue may honestly passe their ordinary chardge for 100 li. sterling per anno, keepinge two horses. In trauell it shalbe allway better to buy then hire your horses or wagons, if your seruants bee carefull. 4. You shall, of all other things, obserue this strictly : that the proceede of your goods, how much or little soeuer, may bee ready to bee shipt at your port the 10th of September. ### [36.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.1.2) 5. Yf you send by shipping, wheras I mentioned sendinge two merchants in my lettre, I hould it needlesse, only one to carrie these Commissions and Instructions, to bee deliuered to those whome I hope you shall find ready, it beinge just and reasonable that they who haue begune this negotiation should bee esteemed as most worthie and sufficient to continew it. But wheras ther are noe goods sent, I hould it fitt that two or 3 at most remayne to make this triall and to cleare the ould estate aduentured \[and?\] the proceed, and such as are found vselesse and vnfitt, to returne with the shipp to bee imployd in other seruice ; or, if they already in experience find it to bee no fitt place nor course of trade to be continewed, then it shalbe most expedient to reship all your goods and seruants at port, and if any remayning aboue with any parte vnsould, to direct or send one vp with these directions, to make once more a full ouerture, and to aduize ouerland, both to England and India, and, in case of noe hopes to proceed, to passe by Carrauan with his remayner in the finest goods to Agra. ### [36.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.1.3) 6. If it shall soe happen that Master Connock or any other hath either taken vpon him \[the\] title of Embassador or otherwise by any prodigality wasted the Companies stocke, not behaueinge himselfe as a merchant in sobriety or in religion and manneres as a good Christian, you shall then all joyntly togither dischardge him, or any such, from any more interest in the Companies seruice in persia \[and\] shipe him away, requiringe him or any other so offendinge to obey and submitt himselfe to yeild vp all such authoritie vsurped or giuen, in the name of his Maiestie my Souerainge lord, as hee will answere it at his vtmost perill; if not soe (which wee hope), to continew him in his place and reputation. In such case, by virtue of the King's authoritie giuen vnto mee his Ambassador, and vnto the cheefe Commander of the fleete, Captain Martin Prinne, and the Cape merchant, Master Thomas Kerridge, by the Committes of the Honourable Company of East India Merchants, wee doe ordeyne and nominate to the excecution of these instructions and to the manadging of the said Companys stocke and affayres, as Cheefe or Cape Merchant or Principall, Thomas Barker; and in case of any defaulte of him in death or otherwise, George Plea, and for his second, William Bell; whom wee require to excecute with all diligence these instructions, and all other to obey them in their place and qualety. God, whom I hope you will all only rely one, direct and blesse you. Tho. Roe. ### [36.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.1.4) I am not so in loue with myne owne opinion that I thinck it ought to bee a law. If you the Cheefe Commander \[and\] Master Kerridge, Cape merchant, with your Counsailes can add any thinge to these my suddeyne thoughts or in your judgementes find any fitt to bee altered (for god knowes I am no merchant, but follow common reason), I desire you to bee very free. It is the Companies seruice; I will consent vnto it..... neythere doe I thincke it fitt, choosinge sober and discreet men to negotiat any busines, so strictly to tye them to instructions as that they may not haue the vse and libertie of their owne reason and experience; for I well knowe no man can sitt in India and direct punctually busines in Persia, subiect to alterations and new accurents. Therefore that these in generall shall serue only as a rule, wherby to frame their course that shalbe imployed, which in extraordinarye occasion they may alter, vpon the perill of their honesty and discretion. Dated in Mandoa, 6 October, 1617. \[October\] 12. — According to promise, Asaph Chan carryed mee to the Prince, into his priuate roome, where I presented him with a small China Gold-chaine, in a China Cup. He vsed me indifferently. ### [36.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.1.5) Asaph Chan perswaded him to alter his course towards vs, telling him hee gained yearely by vs a Lecke of Rupias at his Port : that it appeared we yearely encreased our trade, and it would in time bring profit : that if the hard measure were continued, we would quit both that and the Countrey, of which inconuenience would ensue : That we were his Subiects (such words he must vse) : if, for desire of toyes, he gaue vs discontent, we would practise to conceale all from him : but if hee gaue vs that libertie which was fit, wee would striue to bring all before him, for that I only studyed his content and fauour : for my particular, that he should receiue mee, when I came to visite him, with honour and according to my qualitie : it would encourage mee to doe him seruice, and content my Nation. Finally, hee moued him for a Firman for our present ease, and obtained it, promising all manner of content, and at instant gaue order to Asaph Chan, his Secretary, to draw it in euery point according to my owne desires, and to write a Letter to the Gouernour in recommendations of it : and that I should at all times haue any other Letter, when I called for it. It is easily seene with how base and vnworthy men I traffique. Asaph Chan, for a sordid hope only of buying some toyes, was so reconciled as to betray his sonne, and to me obsequious, euen to flattery ; for the ground of all this friendship was that he might buy the Gold taken in the prize, and some other knackes. ### [36.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.1.6) To which end he desired to send downe a seruant, which I could not deny without losing him I had so long laboured to get ; neither was it ill for vs, for his payment is good, and it will saue vs much charge and trouble to sell aboord, especially wine and luggish that spoiles in cariage ; and he obtained leaue vnder false colours, and wrote to the Gouernour in our behalfes, with all manner of kindnesse. There is a necessitie of his friendship : his word is law ; and therefore I durst not see his vnworthinesse ; and hope by this course to winne him, at least to make present good vse of him. Vpon this occasion I moued for a Firman for Bengala, which he promised, and would neuer before hearken to. And this effect of his greatnesse \[gratefulness?\] I found: that hee prosecuted our debters, as if his owne ; and, passing by the Cutwalls on his Elephant, called to command dispatch, which was an vnusuall fauour ; vpon which Groo was imprisoned, and Muckshu had two dayes libertie only to pay vs ; and I doubt not but to end that in ten dayes, the summe being foure and forty thousand Rupias and the debters most shifting false knaues in India. \[October\] 21. ### [36.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.1.7) — At this instant came in to me from Asaph Chan a seruant, in the name of Normahal : that shee had moued the Prince for another Firman that all our goods might bee in her protection, and that shee had obtained it, and was readie to send down her seruant with that, to see and take order for our good establishment : that shee would see that wee should not bee wronged : That Asaph Chan had done this for feare of the Princes violence, and because of his delayes : that now, hee was sure, that his sister had desired to bee our Protectresse, that the Prince would not meddle : that vpon his honour I should receiue all things consigned to mee : that shee had written such a command, and charged her seruant to assist our Factors, so that we should haue neuer more cause to complaine of Surat : Therefore hee desired of mee two or three words to the Captaine and Factors to vse him kindly, and let him buy for her some toyes, such as I would spare. This I durst not deny, though I saw the greedinesse ; and gaue him a note on condition to see the Copy of the Firman, which was sealed and I could not without leaue ; and so he was dispeeded. But you may by this iudge this place, how easie it were to raise a stocke. Last yeare, wee were not looked after. Now, because I translated the Cargazon of fine wares (yet concealed the Pearle) and gaue it to the King, euery one is ready to runne downe to buy ; Normahall and Asaph Chan studying to doe me good offices ; ### [36.1.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.1.8) many great men desiring a letter to send their seruants downe ; so that, if you had treble this stocke, it would be bought vp aboord, and saue you custome and carriage and spoile. For which purpose out of this I haue ordered your Factory to sell to the seruants of Normahall and her brother whatsoeuer may bee spared, so that I may bee fitted at Court in any proportion. Thus I shall saue trouble and you charge ; the Prince preuented, and our friends confirmed, and yet I hope sufficient for to please the King and his Sonne ; at the deliuery of which Asaph Chan hath vndertaken the Firman for Bengala, or any Port, and a generall command and grant of free Priuiledges in all his Dominions. ### [36.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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. ### [36.3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.3.1) For the effecting of all these purposes, the sending home the woman and the prosecution of the Red Sea, I sent backe Richard Steele with orders to Surat, hauing altered my purpose of the goods and Presents from the Leskar, it beeing declared that the King will for Guzurat, where I haue appointed Richard Steele, after hauing dispatched other matters, to meete, with them and his Ingeniers. I also sent my aduice and directions to Captaine Pring, to take an Inuentorie of all the Monies and goods in the two men of Warre: to make it ouer to your stocke and land it: to sell or dispose of the ships, as his occasion shall require (the monies, if sold, to be put to stocke): to grant passage to some of the Chiefes, to entertaine the rest and to referre it to you at home, whom \[how ?\] you will deale with the Owners that set them out. My opinion is peremptory that their surprize is iust and iustifiable, all their goods forfeited ; if you will restore anything, at your courtesie ; but with the more rigour you deale with these, the better example you will leaue for such barbarous Piracies ; for, if this course be practised, take your leaue of all Trade about Surat and the Red Sea, and let the Company of Turkie stand cleere of the Grand Signors reuenge, and we heere must expect cold Irons. ### [36.3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.3.2) \[November\] 6. — I went to Asaph Chans, hauing receiued his Passe ; vnto whom I shewed the Pearle according to promise. Though the sorts fit not the Countrey (iust as I was informed hereafter), yet their performance with him gaue him such content that I am confident I may vse Pharaohs words : The Land is before you, dwell where you will, you and your Seruants. For the price wee talked not, but he vowed such \[much ?\] secrecie ; and for my sake, who haue shewed this confidence in him, hee will giue more then their worth, and not returne one, and pay readie mony, of which hee professeth not to want, and to lend mee what I want. His Sister I haue promised to visit, whom hee hath made our protectresse ; and briefly whatsoeuer contentment words can bring I receiue, and some good effects. When the Presents arriue, assure you I will not be liberall to your losse ; little shall serue. Asaph Chan admonisheth mee himselfe : so they came with somewhat to induce them, as well accepted, bought as giuen ; experience of others makes mee to approue of this doctrine. Finishing these complements with him in his Bed-chamber, he rose to Dinner, hauing inuited me and my people ; but he and his friends dined without, appointing mee a messe with him apart, for they eate not willingly with vs; where I had good cheere and well attended; the reuersion for my seruants. ### [36.3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36.3.3) After dinner, I moued Groos debt, told him the delayes. Hee answered: I should not open my lips: he had vndertaken it: that Groo by his meanes was finishing accounts with a Ieweller: that hee had ordered, as money was paid, it should rest in the Cutwalls hand for vs; which I found true, and the Cutwall promised to finish it in three dayes, desiring mee to send no more to Asaph Chan. I cannot omit a basenesse or fauour, according as you will interprete it. The King, when his Prisons are full of condemned men, some he commands to be executed, some he sends to his Vmraes to redeeme at a price. This he esteemes as a courtesie, to giue meanes to exercise charitie, but he takes the money, and so sels the vertue. About a moneth before our remoue, he sent to mee to buy three Abassines (for fortie Rupias a man) whom they suppose all Christians. I answered: I could not buy men as Slaues, as others did, and so had profit for their money; but in charity I would giue twenty Rupias a piece to saue their liues, and giue them libertie. The King tooke my answere well, and bade them to be sent me. They expected money, and I was not hastie; hearing no more of it, I hoped it had beene forgotten; but his words are written Decrees. This night the Officers, seeing I sent not, deliuered the Prisoners into my Procuradors power, and tooke his Screete for sixtie Rupias, which at my returne I payed, and freed the Slaues. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.36) · Pramāṇa