[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) › 39 # The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 39: To Master Kerridge and assistants at Surat. (I. O. Records: O. C. No. 578.) Amadavaz, 18 December, 1617. The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 39 - **Language:** English ### To Master Kerridge and assistants at Surat. (I. O. Records: O. C. No. 578.) Amadavaz, 18 December, 1617. ### [39.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.1) Your lettres come soe quick vpon mee in this huddle of trouble and journy that I know not which or whit is answered; but rather double then omitt any thing necessarie. That of the 11th dicto by your expresse touchd in part, by which you vnderstand of my arriuall in Amaduaz. The Complaynts therin I cannot speedelie redresse, the King beeing turned to Cambaya and not expected here this 13 dayes, at which tyme I will soe lardgly enforme in all kinds as, if ther bee any honor or sence or Common vnderstanding, I shall procure amends or licence to depart. The Motion to leaue the bringing of Corrall or any comoditie that will sell is all one as to mooue the expulsion of vs; for if wee bee debarrd our trafique free, wee will not stay. My answere the last brought round: if they seeke our embarque wee will trade into the Red Sea in spight of them and vpon them. Vnlesse wee professe this, they will bee still cauilling. I Perceave, by some heare, a resolution in Captain Towerson to goe to the Sowthward; to which I neuer can nor will consent. . . . Hee is here arriued with many seruants, a trumpett, and more shew then I vse. . . . With him is arriued Captain Newse, of whose Comming the Commander aduised mee noething; thence I gather it was without his knowledge. Hee is very wellcome to mee, seeing hee is come; but I mannerly refused it to him, for reasons not expressed which were very Materiall. ### [39.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.2) I had professed to the King, to giue him the more feeling of our seruice and affection, that wee had taken the ships and their Company that offered to robb the Beagams junck. Our enemies replied to my face it was a tricke: that wee were all theeues: now wee could not doe it faierly, and therfore sett a Counterfeyt show vpon it. The King questioned how any English durst offer such an Iniurie and come soe bouldly, if not by Consent of his Maiestie; which when I had answered I deliuered on my Creditt that what wee had done was Bona fide and sincerly: that the Captains were made Prisoners in our ships, kept in Irons: and that I would soe send them to his Maiestie, who would make them an example of such bouldnes to dare to disturbe the Allies of his Crowne. Hee is knowne here by Merchants come vpon the same junck and in Companie with him, who I doubt not will betray him, and in him mee. With what face can I answere this if I bee questioned? To send him back is discurtesie, beeing admitted as Captain Towersons Companion; nor what to doe in it doe I Well knowe. I should bee much eased if you were more reserued in this kind belowe. Hee is very conformable to all reason; offers to returne; but it is knowne already, and I may haue the shame, you the losse, of that curtesie which before was thought wee had done them. Since, on the 16, arriued with mee safely your goods and Presents and all the Company (more then I wished); ### [39.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.3) and for Master Steeles reasons for them, they are veary carefull ones, wher there is noe Neede. I am sorry for all such Chardges, that wee can doe nothing without the vtmost of expence. They remayne with mee yet vnopened, by reason of the Kings absence; and I doubt not but to haue Peace with them and by them. With these are arriued Master Steeles Artificers, with whom I haue spoken and tould them my judgment. Hee is confident to doe somwhat woorthy his labor and answerable to his hopes; if I barely sayd noe, hee might lay his owne errors vpon mee. Therfore I haue consented hee shall haue a little Roome apart, keepe house with them, ouersee them, and sett them to woorke in Triall two Months. If hee can doe it, hee shall haue all the honor and due Prayse; if not, they shall returne and hee will vndergoe the shame. This will cost the Company some mony, against my will, but they that adventure must sometymes Pay for their crudulitie, and his owne reckonings shalbe apart. Secondly, hee tells mee hee hath brought vp some Merchaunts that sue for Passadge into the Red Sea and promise to drawe in many More; to which I harken most willingly, for ther shall neuer bee any good trade in Guzeratt for vs, nor any thing tye them by the Noses, but our Mingling with them in the Red Sea or eating them out of that trade and seruing them by necessitie of what they want. I knowe that their trade in the Red Sea without vs is more profitable for them, and in hope of that wee liue as wee doe. ### [39.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.4) But it is all Naught; wee must teach them by constraynt and Necessitie, and talke with them of leauing that trade when wee haue possessed it to our gaine and their want; then will they begg the Conditions which they Now will not harken after. In this employment I haue both interested Master Steele and designed him the Cheefe Merchant; for lesse then some Cheefe will not content him, and it cannot bee in this countrie to the Iniurie of any. I hope the Comander, you, and hee will finde some employment of a shipp that way. If it were myne owne busines I would goe spend tyme only for hopes, though I had noe helpe of the Guzeratts; and this I haue often declared. ### [39.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.5) .... The supplyes for Agra wilbe lardger then your Monies, Master Fettiplace hauing assured me of 25,000 rupees Creditt, and if tymely will goe farther. Hee vrdgeth keeping Creditt soe pressiuely, and it is of such consequence to vs, that I haue sould the great Pearle for 12,000 rupees without abatement to bee payd 10,000 langertes in Agra; which mony I haue made vp. I knowe the Pearle somwhat better woorth, not much, neither could I euer procure it esteemed at that rate; but for our Present vse, and for some other very good reasons, I haue yeilded to Please in it Asaph-chan. Considering the Royall of Eight at Suratt and in England the Price equalls almost 1,400li. in that money at 4s. 6d., and is Paid clear in Agra without abatement of exchange with Shraff, which is profitt allsoe. It Paid noe custome, and cost in England, as Master Steele avowes, but 1,000li. This made mee yeild; els I would haue ventured to haue taken it back. . . . January 8, 1617-18. — There was some question about Presents. The Prince asking for them, I answered: They were readie, if hee pleased to receiue his. Then hee demanded: Why I brake his seales? I told him: It was dishonorable for me to bring a Kings gifts in bonds, and great discourtesie to set seales vpon them: I expected and attended his licence twentie daies, but seeing no hope, I was enforced to doe it. Some heate began; ### [39.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.6) at which appeared a Gentleman of the Kings, who was sent to obserue the passage, and to stickle, and told vs both the King commanded wee should come before him at a Garden, where he sate, a Course out of Towne, vpon the Riuer. So the Prince tooke his Palankee, and I a Coach, well attended by seruants both of father and son. When I came to the gates the Women were entring, and then no man can but the Prince ; who made within a bitter complaint against mee, that I had dared to cut his seales, and to take out what I list Asaph Chan was called for, who was my suretie, and the Prince laid it on him ; hee, as the custome is, denyed it, excused himselfe ; yet I had not accused him, but tooke it vpon me, as knowing my selfe better able to beare it, and that he would denie it. Then I was sent for to the water-side, where the King sate priuately, where I entered, with mee the Presents ; but the King was within amongst his Women. Asaph Chan chafed at mee for breaking his word ; told mee the Prince had shamed him. I replyed by Iaddow : You know I had your consent ; this man is witnesse. He denyed it to vs both. I replyed : Though I would not cast it vpon him, it was true, for I had witnesse. Iaddow would not returne the answere, but told me he might not tell him he lyed to his face. And this is vsuall ; if any command come from the King that he forgets, he that brought the message will disauow it. I bore vp as high as I could. The great men told me it was a great affront ; ### [39.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.7) no man durst doe such a thing. Others smiled. I answered : Not so great as the Prince had done me often. Thus we spent the day, and the King appeared not, but priuately stole away, leauing vs all sitting in expectance. At night word came the King was gone, and I offered to goe home ; but was so well attended, I could not but by force. In the way new messengers came to seeke mee, and I arriued backe at the Kings Court, not hauing eaten or drunke ; but the King was not come in, nor could I get loose of my attendants, but they vsed me very respectfully. ### [39.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.8) We sate an houre. Suddenly newes came to put out all lights, the King was come ; who entred on an open Waggon, with his Normahall, drawne by Bullocks, himselfe Carter, and no man neare. When hee and his Women were housed, the Prince came in a horse-backe; and entring in, called for me. I found them alone with two or three Capons ; and about mid-night the King set on it an angrie countenance: told mee I had broken my word : that he would trust me no more (the Prince had desired him to doe so). I answered as roundly : I held it fit to giue freely : I had done nothing of offence in my owne iudgement : if their customes were other, it was ignorance, and I must bee pardoned. Wee had many disputes. At last the Prince interposed, offered his friendship, and wee were all reconciled fully, and promises too large. Then I opened the Chests, gaue the King his Presents, the Prince his, and sent in that for Normahall. We were aboue two houres in viewing them. The Arras he tooke well, but said it was course, desired to haue a Sute of such as the sweet Bagge ; and wee concluded that in the morning I should come to the Prince, that he should be my Protector and Procurator. The goods (except Three things) more then Presents were there returned mee ; for those three the Prince told me he would pay, seeing his father tooke them. ### [39.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.9) January 10. — I went to the Prince, was receiued with all fauour, had order for a Firman for the man murthered, a declaration of his reconcilement in publike, command to all his Officers to take knowledge, and to his chiefe Raie to be my Procurator, and to draw what Firmans so euer I desired. I presented Captaine Towerson and some English, whom hee vsed with grace ; and for a signe of this peace, gaue me a Cloth of siluer cloak, and promised to be the Protector of our Nation in all things. I told him of Master Steele and his Work-men. Hee desired me to bring a small Present to his father at night : hee would present them ; which I did. Hee kept his word, and spake for vs to him, who was willing enough. I presented Captaine Towerson to the King, who called for him vp ; and after a few questions rose. At the Gushel Choes, I presented Master Steele and his Work-men. The King sate in a Hat I gaue him all night, called for Master Paynter, and after much Discourse, gaue him ten pounds, and promised to entertayne the rest. ### [39.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.10) January 13. — The Dutch came to Court with a great Present of China ware, Sanders, Parrats and Cloaues ; but were not suffered to come neere the third degree. At last the Prince asked me who they were. I replyed : The Hollanders resident in Surat. Hee demanded if they were our friends. I replyed : They were a Nation depending on the King of England, but not welcome in all places : their businesse I knew not. He said : for being our friends, I should call them vp ; and so I was enforced to send for them to deliuer their Present. They were placed by our Merchants, without any speech or further conference. Finally I had all granted I desired. I attend the performance and money. And thus I conclude that without this contestation I had neuer gotten anything ; for I told the Princes Messenger, in the presence of all the English, that if he vsed force to me or my goods, he might doe his pleasure, but it should cost bloud: that I would set my Chop vpon his Masters ship, and send her for England. ### [39.11](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.11) January 18. — I receiued from Surat of the imprisonment of Spragge and Howard at Brampoore, their house and goods seized, their liues in question, for drinking with the Cutwall in their house: that one of the Cutwalls men dyed that night, vpon which they stand accused of Poyson: and the Cutwall to free himselfe of comming into the house, pretended that he came to fetch a mans wife away from Thomas Spragge. What the truth is I know not. Information is come to the King against them; and I went to the Prince (who vndertooke all my causes) but could not speake with him. With the same came complaint of a force vsed to the Caffila vpon the way, notwithstanding the Firman sent, by the Raia of the Countrey. In both which to night I will make petition to the King. My toyle with barbarous vniust people is beyond patience. At the Princes I found the Firman promised, drawne, but halfe the conditions agreed on left out; vpon which I refused it, and desired nothing but leaue to depart to treat with these in the Sea. ### [39.12](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.12) January 21. — A command to free the English and their goods, and that if the Moore came into their house to drinke, if they killed him with a Dagger, hee had his iust reward. The second to Raia Partapshaw, to repay vs all exactions whatsoeuer: not to take hereafter any dutie vpon the way towards his Port; and in case of failing, that he would deliuer his sonne into my hands. He further ordered the deliuery of the Firman for Surat, the Articles by mee demanded, and to pay vs all our debts of Surat, and to cut it off vpon his Mancipdaries, that had taken that, without delay. He called to account his old Customers, charged the new to vse vs as his friends, shewed as much fauour publikely as I could require. I mooued expedition. He replyed : To morrow by nine in the morning all should be deliuered into my hands. ### [39.13](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39.13) January 22. — I went my selfe to receiue them; and carryed the Merchants with some Pearle that the Prince had bin instant to see, pretended to be Master Towersons. But he had receiued some vncertaine information of Pearles to the value of twentie or thirtie thousand pound, which he hoped to draw from vs. When his Secretarie saw the small sorts, hee replyed : The Prince had Mands of these : if we brought no better commoditie, wee might be gone, he cared not for our custome. How basely false and couetous are those of Iewels, you may iudge. I vndertooke reply : that I had procured those from a Gentlewoman to satisfie them : if they liked them not, they could not be made better : it was inciuility to be angry with Merchants for their goodwill ; but told him I came for my Firmans, and expected them. I was answered : Wee had deceiued their hopes, and the Prince would deceiue ours : Firman I should haue none : I had asked leaue to depart : I might come and take leaue when I pleased. I answered : Nothing contented mee more, but that I would visit their vniustice in an indifferent place : that I would speake with the King, and depend no more on them, for I saw all was couetousnesse and vnworthinesse. So I rose and parted. But he recalled me to come to the King and Prince together the next day : I should haue content. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.39) · Pramāṇa