The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 40.1

40.1

(I. O. Records: O. C. No. 608.) Amdavaz, February 4, 1617[-18]. 1. First, you shall bee instant with the Sha to take some Course with the Portugall to enforce him to consent to a free trade, that the Seaes and Ports may bee open; which may bee effected by forbidding all releefe to bee transported to Ormus from the Mayne or any other of his Dominion, or els by fortyfying some Port, if any sufficient for shipping, or some Road where may both Command the traders and they the sea betweene them. 2. You shall avow Connaught to haue beene a Messinger sent from the King, though not with absolute Power as Ambassador to treate and Conclude: but that if the Sha shall fullfill the desiers of the English, his Maiestie will send ample authoritie further to Contract with him: in the meane tyme that hee hath giuen mee full Power to Conclude in these Poynts following and to Confirme those treaties already begunn by Edward Connaught, to which you shall propound: 3. That his Maiestie bee Pleased to bartar yearly for some Certayne quantetie of silke, whatsoeuer hee please vnder 8,000 Bales, to bee bought of him at 6s. 6d. the Pound, to bee deliuered by his Merchants at Xiras; for which hee shall receiue pay: one third money; one third Cloth, Tynne, quicksiluer or any such English goods as hee shall require, at the Prises made by Edward Connaught, to say Cloth at 37 shahees the yard, the rest as you fynd the marketts; one other third in spices, sugars, gynger.