The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 41: To THE East India Company. (I. O. Records : O. C, No. 610.) Amadavaz, 14 February, 1617-[18].
The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 41
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- English
Contents
To THE East India Company. (I. O. Records : O. C, No. 610.) Amadavaz, 14 February, 1617-[18].
41.1.1
My Honourable Frendes, Your lettres mentioned upon the Charles safely arriued at Swally Roade in September, 1616, and came to hand October following; were answered by the Globe dispeeded from the Coast the 7th of March after, to which I referr you; Coppies wherof I cannot now send (and by Godes Mercy ther is no cause) for I, beeing fully determined to returne, was vnprouided of them, or of any but my booke, and beeing in continuall trauell haue beene much streightened to send you these of Newer dates and soe more necessarie, hauing but one hand to assist mee, and that oftener weake then able. For the Passadges of your busines in Court or factories, as much as I was made acquaynted with, the one you shall receiue by a Journall, and the other you may collect out of transcripts of lettres directed to your seuerall factories by mee, all which are Punctually sent you, wherin you may see what wayes I held, and what my opinions were. In reading these, yf you compare the dates with those of your seruantes corresponding, you shall haue more light and Judge of all as if you were Present. I make noe question others send their owne, for soe I aduised tymely; and I could perswade you to appoynt one to view them togither, to collect the reasons and conclusions for your full enformation. You may in some clauses fynd mee sharp and censuring your aduises from home; but you will find my reasons iustifiable and my endes honest and vpright.
41.1.2
To the Particular of your last receiued by the James Royall by my Frend Captain Pring, and to all instructions sent therby, you shall receiue answere either in this or in some single Papers to that Purpose; and in all you shall see my Judgment of all your trades, for I haue dealt openly and freely, as well before you committed to mee any thing as since. As this bringeth a Coppy of yours [of] the former yeare, so I will runn along with yt in the Poyntes mooued. The little doubles that rose betweene mee and Captain Keeling soone vanished. I found him in all thinges a reasonable and discreet man, nor want of any performance on your Partes of any thing promised mee. Wee haue this yeare, for suffering the Insolencies of the Prince, made triall of Goga and searched all the Bay, but can fynd noe place fitt for your head residence but Suratt; soe that question is at an end, and wee must study to make the best of that Place.
41.1.3
To waft the Mogolles subiectes into the Red Sea will neuer giue your Men bread and water. They neither desier it nor will admitt it, except wee doe it of Curtesie; for they Pay their Cartasse notwithstanding, being Compounded with the Portugall, and they feare none but Pirattes, which is a New trade of a yeares standing; yet that feare will sooner make them not trade (for in all they are but slaues to the Lordes of the Portes, who Cutt vpon them) then giue vs the remayner of their Profitt for their safe Conduct, as in Master Steeles Proiects you will perceiue my triall, for hee had other endes.
41.1.4
The Motions of building a fort haue begott such Jealousies in these Moores that vpon bringing brick ashore to found a shippes bell, it rang to Court, our People disarmed in Suratt, and I am not yet cleare of liberties lost vpon yt, though I haue made the Prince ashamed at the weakenes of the suspition to confesse a handfull of men could take a Part of their Countrie by force. But it is true wee would bee lordes there, and haue Committed soe many Insolencies that I haue woondred at their Patience; yet wee complayne. The last yeare for another folly our People were restrayned in the Towne, and they sent from the shipes 200 Naked men ashore to take Suratt, who as brutishly bruted it in their March; yet ten Men would haue kept them from Passing the great Riuer. This yeare wee haue offered vpon Puntoes to force the Custome house and Twenty drawn their swoordes in yt. If these bee not iust causes of Jealousy, I am silent ; yet I patch it vp. The Commander now by his great Modesty and discretion hath both reformed many abuses, gayned you much good will, himselfe all mens loue and his owne Creditt. An honester man I suppose you cannot send, and that his Actions will approoue : one that studies your endes, is ready to ioyne with any, without insisting vpon disputes and tearmes.
41.1.5
To returne to a fort. Ther is noe Place to bee obteyned. They are weary of vs as it is; and indeed wee see wee haue empouerished the Portes, and wounded all their trades, soe that by much Perswasion of the Gouernors the Merchant goes to sea. Or, if ther were licence granted, ther is none fitt for your Shipping except one that lies out of all Commerce and hath more inconveniences in yt then this, which, when your goodes are ready by September, wilbe easie enough. And if you began to build and plant here, quarrell would arise, the enemie exasperated, who may now bee drawn to Composition, and all your proffittes eaten in Garrizons and dead payes. It is noe way to driue your trades by plantation. The Dutch haue spoyled the Moluccoes which they fought for, and spent more then they will yeild them, if quiett, in seauen yeares. Syndu you may freely goe too, lade and relade ; but it is inhabited by the Portugall, lies noe way well for your stock (except you scatter it) ; it ventes only your teeth and affordes good Cloth and many toyes. But if the sortes you haue seene serue your Markettes, you are nearer seated and may haue what quanteties you Please ; and for your teeth the marchant will fetch them at Suratt.
41.1.6
Bengala hath noe Portes but such as the Portugalles Possesse, for smalle shipping. It will vent nothing of yours. The People are vnwilling in respect of the warr, as they suppose, like to ensue in their Seas ; and the Prince hath Crossed it, thincking wee desired to remooue thither wholy, and that, if wee stay in India, hee takes to bee an affront. But now I may obteyne one ship to come and goe vpon hope of Rubies from Aracan and Pegu ; but I knowe not what profitt you can make by any residence there, and I speak vpon searching the bottome of all the secrettes of India. If you will haue Patience to try one yeare, you shall see one thing effectually done is woorth twenty by fragmentes. You will find it is not many factories here that gettes you a penny. I will forecast your ease, and by godes grace, settle not only your priuiledges but your Profittes. This two yeare the Prince hath beene my enemie, and if I had yeilded, I must haue beene his slaue. This last I haue stood out to the last and aduentured the feircnes of his wrath. It hath succeeded better then I expected. Wee are soe reconciled that hee is now my effectuall mediator and will procure mee Content. Indeed, hee only can giue it. His father growes dull and suffers him to write all Commandes and to gouerne all his kingdomes. [Marginal note by Roe, — When I wrote this, I had woordes enough; but such delayes in effects that I am weary of flatteries as of ill usadge.]
41.1.7
You can neuer expect to trade here vpon Capitulations that shalbe permanent. Wee must serue the tyme. Some now I haue gotten, but by way of firmaens and Promise from the Kynge. All the Gouerment dependes vpon the present will, where appetite only gouerns the lordes of the kingdome. But their Justice is generallie good to strangers; they are not rigorous, except in scearching for thinges to please, and what trouble wee haue is for hope of them, and by our owne disorders. In both I haue propounded to you a New course, and will here Practise it. The Presentes last yeare were all seazed by the Prince in the way. I gott them realeased, but to spight mee hee sent them to the King. What I Chalenged of yours was returned; a good Part went for Persia. The remayner the King had in a base fashion, as my Journall will relate. The Fleminge is planted at Suratt, [and] hath obteyned a firmaen vpon as good tearmes almost as wee. I did my endeauour to Crosse him, but they come in vpon the same ground that wee began, and by which wee subsist, feare. And if I fynd not all performed with mee now promised, I shalbe as bould as to chasten them once agayne; els the Duch wilbe before hand and doe it first, and then hee wilbe the braue man. Assure you I will not leaue this Coast but vpon good tearmes.
41.2.1
What I haue done in reformation of particular wronges and recouering of debtes my journall will enforme; how my lardge demandes were reiected and my selfe tyed to obserue the Custome to make sute vpon New occasion. I haue done my endeauor, and though you will find many yet vnpayed, many yet vnreformed, notwithstanding it will appeare not my fault, for I neither spared labor nor meanes; and in many thinges the error hath beene our owne, by negligence or disorder. The substance is: I haue gotten many bribes restored, many debtes, many extortions, and Commandes to take noe more: that by little and little I shall ease all: now I am vpon best tearmes, and if the Court were settled would soone finish these my teadious labors. You shalbe sure of as much priuiledge as any stranger, and right when the subiect dares not plead his. The Troubles at Suratt depending vpon couetousnes of Curiosities to satisfie the Prince (for your grosse goodes passe with ease) I will reforme by yeilding him Content; but it is priuat men that make the broyle and then exclaime most, The aduise I gaue to procure a Place of securitie at the first face seemed good to mee, and I gaue it as I receiued it ; but you must excuse mee of recanting twenty thinges which I could not knowe but from others. Ther is none fit, nor to bee had.
41.2.2
The Bee sent to transport your goodes vp the riuer of Suratt, hath fully tried it and cannot performe it, for the many shiftes of sandes, without grounding, and then subiect to bee fiered. Wee must sticke to Swally Roade, and, if I can effect my purpose to prouide your ladinges ready, you shall not feele the other inconueniences. The renting your Customes I haue endeauoured, but as your seruantes in former yeares would neuer answere mee in the Poynt, soe these demand twise more then euer you payed ; supposing then wee would double our trades. ... A Peace with the Portugall here were the best seruice I could doe you. I made, as by enformation you know, an ouerture to the viceroy, which his Pride neuer answered. Since wee haue giuen them a knock or two, and at this instant I am vpon hopes of treatye. But, that you may vnderstand the true estate of this busines, you shall know the Passages. First, the attemptes made vpon your fleetes were not, as I collect, by expresse order from Spayne. The ould viceroy who came in Person, 1614, against Captain Dowton discontented the wisest of his councell and all the inhabitantes of Goa in yt ; his inprosperitie made his action the more hatefull and hee is now prisoner in the Castle, to bee returned to answere, I know not whither that hee did no more, or for doeing so much; but for that busines only. The New viceroy declares not himselfe, but prepares a fleete to supplant, as hee pretendes, the Dutch in Cormandell.
41.2.3
The Jesuite here, who much affectes an agreement, wisely foreseeing they maynteyne it more by stubbernes then reason, hath often mooued lately to mee a Peace, and to that end hath written to his superiors in Goa, but receiued no direct answere. I haue demanded to show mee a Power that the viceroy hath authoritie to Conclude it, but in the Poynt could not bee satisfied ; but that the Merchant, the Coaster, the Inhabitant, and the discreeter sort, all desired, only the Glorious souldier withstood it. Since, the arriuall of his Maiesties lettre, which in one Clause mooued the Mogoll by his authoritie to enforce the Portugalles, or to secure his owne Coast that wee might haue safe and quiett recourse vnto yt, hath ministred occasion. It seemes the Portugall stood vpon a Punto that he would not offer vs that which hee once would not answere ; but by that motion (which I signified to the Jesuite to show our desiers were sincere to accord with Christians) I drew from him that hee supposed theirs were the like, but that a third Person wanted to mooue it ; but that was happelie by the lettre offered, that the Mogol would bee meadiator betweene both ; to which end, after the lettrs deliuerie, the Padree followed it to Asaph Chan, as a man of Peace, for the quiett of the seas and to avoyd effusion of blood. On our Parts it was declared by his Maiestie, on theirs no way but by the Jesuite ;
41.2.4
and therfore, before the king would mooue it to bee refused, it was demanded if the Jesuite would vndertake the kinges desiers should vpon reasonable tearmes take effect, which hee could not promise but by aduise from Goa. Soe it rested ; only betweene vs some speech vpon what tearmes and how farr wee intended this treaty ; generall in the Indyes was improbable to effect ; for a Couple of shippes vpon all this Coast it might bee granted. At first I stood vpon no restraynt, to come as wee listed ; but after promised that when I saw Power to treat I would agree vnto conditions reasonable and honorable. Returne of these are not Come, in the direct poynt ; but, the King beeing neare the sea, the Viceroy (which neuer before was done) sent an Ambassador toward the Court to congratulate in the Name of the King of Spayne. He yet stayes at Baltasare, the Confines of this Territorie below Suratt. The Jesuitt mooued his admittance, and the King replied : if hee come with Presentes fitt for his Master to send and mee to receiue, he is wellcome : if not, I shall not acknowledge him for the Person hee pretendes nor giue him honor. This answere was strange ; but, getting noe better, it was returned, and as yet wee know not whither hee will proceed or not.
41.2.5
By him, as the Jesuite subtilly tells mee (for hee sayes hee cannot averr it for truth, hauing not receiued it authentically), is come some authoritie to enter into communication of Peace, if the King motion it, and that it is one of his endes. I haue answered : I can acknowledge no Ambassador from a viceroy to treat on equall tearmes, and that I must see Power from Spayne. Att last, this is the truth : the viceroy is woone by the inhabitantes to consent to a treaty, but hath noe Power to conclude it ; but, as his Masters deputie generally, he hath authoritie to doe much at his discretion ; and if wee can agree vpon fitt tearmes, to make a Conditionall truce for three years, with reference to the Confirmation of our Masters in Europe ; and this is all wee can hope for. If hee come, wee may proceed ; if not, they shall not coosen mee ; I am wher I was. I haue to Master Secretarie and some of the Lordes againe mooued this Poynt ; but the effecting and full aggreation must come from Spayne. The Viceroyes will for their glorie hardly enforme their true estate ; but make the King bee-leue they can woork woonders, vntill they haue lost India. If it were fully questioned at home whither they make this warr by expresse command or by a generall pretence of I know not what title to all the world, I thinck it would soone bring it to issue, at least to a declaration ; for I am perswaded the King of Spayne hath not giuen expresse Commission for yt and will disauow yt.
41.2.6
I am sure, were I in Spayne, I could make it euident to any Cast Viceroy that perswades the warr, that hee abuseth his Master and that Pride only and folly began and Continues it. In conclusion of this : I know how fitt a Peace or truce were for you. If I can, vpon safe and Honorable tearmes, effect it, I shall thinck it of good Meritt toward you. If it bee still war, the force of India will not wrong vs (except from the Manillas), but putt you to many inconveniences ; if greater strength prepared in Lisboa, you must discouer and prouide accordingly. To enforce the Portugall to Consent I haue tried many wayes and find the best by Chastising their neighbowrs for their sakes ; but the roundest is, if the King wilbe insencible of his Honor, to suffer his subiectes to pay for leaue to trade in his owne seaes (which he seemes not to care for), then must wee in the Red Sea force them alsoe to giue vs as much; for the Portugall hath noe other right but as lordes of the Sea, which it is euident now he is not, and therfore the tribute due to vs. Then eyther wee shall haue all the trade and the Portugall loose his Contract (for the Merchant will giue ouer), or the Mogol wilbe enforced to see it is necessarie for him to bring vs to accord, that both may giue ouer that quarrell and leaue the seas free for all. This I haue often vrdged, but they haue Pawnes and presume wee will not beginn.
41.2.7
For my part, it should bee my first woorke if I durst hazard your trade, which I suppose I could restore to perfection in 6 monthes. But, to minister occasion, I haue Pressed to your factors the employment of a ship to Mocha in Company, though at first wee haue no ease by the Guzerattes; my reasons are at lardge in lettres. But their resolutions I cannot gett, and will doe nothing alone. The feare of vs already makes them requier my Passe; which though I haue giuen to one ship (to satisfie her owner, whom I could not refuse, beeing in tearmes of Peace), yet the demand shall giue vs title to more if wee bee tyed to former inconvenience. The second way is by riding with our fleete at Goa the tyme wee spend at Suratt; which Captain Pring was willing to doe, but by the disaster of the James and absence of the Bee hee was both weakened and tyme lost.
41.3.1
I well know what losse, hazard, and inconvenience you runn by the stay of your fleetes. My last lettres to you and many to your seruantes to preuent it will fully declare my preuision in yt; but, as you will fynd, I had no Power; what I propounded was countermanded; I might not Meddle. But since you haue entrusted somwhat to mee, I dare promise you to prouide your ladinges ready by October; and soe you shall preuent the Portugall, who cannot bee fitt for an attempt two Monthes after. It was neuer beleeued I could effect that done. Wittnes the returne from Agra, treble almost to former yeares, prouided in a Month, Part by Creditt (which I haue kept, and therby entered you into more), part by bartar of 100 Clothes that lay by the wall 2 years, as the Motion did. The same Course I will take in tyme to Come, not to defer investmentes till our shippes arriuall and the Indicoes swept away At the arriuall of the next fleete ... if you wilbe before hand, goodes only must bee landed and returnes forborne one yeare ; so, by the Courses I will sett, you shall for euer bee before, and if you encrease by Jewelles your stocke to make mony, may easely relade for 3 or 4000 fardles of Indico, and Cloth to any fitt proportion. Amadavaz will fynd you lesse, by reason of the Dutch and the trade open to the Red Sea ; but, Creditt mee, at Agra you may euery yeare haue your whole Partido.
41.3.2
Ther is of ould store sufficient yet, and ther is made betweene that and Lahor at least 30000 fardles yearly, most wherof is carried away by land . . . . Biddolph followes the Court by reason of many debtes . . . Such a Course I haue taken that I hope to recouer all or most. The most desperat I haue secured, some Payd, and shall Cleare all the extortions of Suratt ; part of the mony is collected and I haue a firmaen for all. . . . What hath beene done in Persia you will fynd . . . . All I can say is it is not now to bee giuen ouer, though begunn vnperfectly. The King[s] honour, in whose Name it was sett afoote ; you haue goodes and your People engaged ; to the mayntenance of which I haue thought fitt to lett the ship dessigned for the Red Sea touch there to bring off your silkes and Maynteyne your Creditt, to supplie them and keepe life in the busines vntill by your better meanes and full tryall wee may proceed more roundly. What is Past I will not aggrauate, nor tread on the dead, whose vanetye and follies, wast, and irreligion I did too justly suspect. To the busines, your freedome and admittance is very faier; the next consideration is how you may securely vse this Trade by want of a Port and compasse it without export of great quanteties of monies ; for doubtles, if to bee done, it is the best trade of all India and will yeild you most certeyne Profitt.
41.3.3
For the safetye of your fleetes, I doubt the Sha will not fortefie for you, except you can satisfie his endes, to pass all his Comoditie and to furnish him with siluer. Ormus lies vpon aduantage. You must woorke your Peace at home with them, and then you cannot trade in these partes vpon ill Conditions. Toward this I will exasperatt the Sha to my uttmost against them that would hinder free trade. To surprise or take their seate by force is not easely done. I confesse that were an end of the question ; but it will cost a great Chardge, and such enterprises are vncerteyne; and after it would engage you into a warr. Therfore I can see no way sure but a Composition in Spayne, which to my Poore vnderstanding his Maiesties authoritie might effect. I knowe not by what pretence the King of Spayne can prohibitt you trade in a free Princes Countrie to which he hath no pretence. If this were effected you need not insist vpon a Contract with the Sha, but, having lycence, trade for as much as you could and by what meanes you could. But the meanes to furnish this trade will not arise from England, neyther by our Cloth nor any other comoditie. It is folly to deceiue you with hopes that will fayle. Of these some may yearly be vented by Contract with the Shaw, and some Tynne will sell well, quicksiluer and vermilion; but not to Compasse a tenth Part of that by you aymed at. By spices you may well assist your selues; they giue as good profitt as in England within 30 per Cent, as I am enformed.
41.3.4
China ware is in good request, and from India great profitt to bee made by Sugars, Cloth, Steele and other Comodities, by all which you may rayse a good Part of whatsoeuer you contract for, or, if you trade at libertie, toward your prouisions; the rest must bee supplied in Monie, To the furnishing wherof I must referr you to your owne meanes. One considerable thing is the distast of the Grand Signior, who doubtlesse will seeke to hynder the Passadge of the Persian Commerce by sea, hee reaping as much by Custome as the Sha by the Prime Comoditie. Master Steele is settled vpon water woorkes, rather for his owne ends then any profitt to you. I haue proposed to him his helpe in Persia; but hee hopes hee is settled and letts all other protects fall. Assure you I will doe my endeauor to settle you in this trade, if I may doe it vpon such grounds as I may haue Creditt by, and you profitt. If your factors agree to the little supplie I now mooue, with it I will send prouision for omissions and, if your fleete come next yeare Prouided, will proceed roundly and effectually according to our aduise. If wee see the danger and Chardge vnavoydeable and no meanes to enter into yt but by mony and that we cannot vent ours and Sowtherne goods to profitt and returne you a fitt Partido of silkes to beare your expence and hazard, then wee will tymely recall your seruants and aduise you by land with expedition.
41.3.5
If you proceede in these two trades fully you must furnish both with spices, for all wee can forecast will not rayse your stocke excepte only Jewells, if you can fitt them to profitt. In these Poynts of the Peace and other that may help you I haue beene lardge alsoe to Master Secreatarie Wynwood, and Playne according to my vnderstanding.
41.3.6
Of Master Steeles other proiects you will find the generall opinion in your seruants lettres and other discourses; for that of lead, which hee only followes, the king hath taken the woorkmen at dayes wages, but I see no hope (nor end of his) to vent your lead. You must beare the hazard for giuing soe easy Creditt. I must bee Playne. He came hither expecting to command vs all, euer mentioning his desarts and Creditt with you; but I haue a little humbled him. The great wages you gaue him made all your factors eager to return; who say they trauell here and a light-braynd man that goes home and fills your ears with fables shall returne in better estate then they for paynfull seruice. You must pardon mee for my directnes. He neither can nor intended to performe any of his great braggs. I can gett noe reason of him for any one [and?] was enforced to lett him trie which hee would. For that of freight into the Red Sea, wee haue all experience nothing wilbe giuen, nor shipt in ours if wee would aske nothing; if wee once compell them they will know vs. To that end I desire one of your shipps employed in Companie; they shall make better Conditions with them when they are abroad with them and in perill then wee can heare ashore wher they are safe; and this way I aduise to proceede.
41.3.7
To bring goodes by the Riuer of Indus to Lahor is an ould proiect but very hard to bee effected when we must wring it from the Portugal, who makes some Profitt, but not the tenth mentioned by Steele. If wee trade into Persia wee may effect yt, and it may ease Chardge; but to hope of profitt by the Conduct alone is absurd. The trade is not soe great as to find your Men rise; and yet if it must bee done by strength they will feare to aduenture with you. Ther is nothing but a Peace can settle all these. Ther is noe settled trade betweane Lahor and Syndu woorth the Mentioning; only a few Banians that shipp in frigotes for Ormus; whom it is hard to perswade to change their Customes, the woorst wherof they know. It is true ther Passe yearly 20000 Camells by Lahor from Agra and other Parts with spices, Indicoes, sugars and goods for Persia; but the most of these bring goods on Camells and sell and invest for returne, and will not bee drawen to the sea, except it were open and secure. I am perswaded, if you had the trade of Persia free and the Portugall frends, many would take that way; but this is a woorke of tyme; what may bee done in yt shall not bee omitted.
41.4.1
Master Steele will, I hope, fall into consideration. I daylie presse him; but he would bee deliuered of mee. I vrdgd him to agree for a woorke by great, that you might haue some returne of your Chardge; but he is yet only in woords. Hee will not once name the renting of his woorke, it beeing soe absurd. Noe Cast here will drinck of the water, but fetchd by his owne Cast; or, if they would, the Profitt should not bee allowed you. The King is desierous of all New arts, will entertayne the Artificers, and soone learne their sckill and cast them off. Howeuer, I will prouide hee shall not spend you more then hee shall earne. His wife I haue bound to Mistress Towerson at her sute. I was resolued to send her home; but shee hath one Child sucking and (as they say) forward of a Nother; it were vnfitt to send her home alone among Men. If her husband had returned, it had beene more convenient; yet hee would haue tould you hee would haue performed all. Now hee is kept to triall; and I belecue by the Next you may expect him, rich in Children and not vnprouided of other meanes, for hee brought in goods and Jewells aboue 400li., and tooke of Mochreb-chan 5000 rupees impresse vpon them, in hope of more, without my knowledge. Thus hee presumes he may trade freely: that his Creditt is greater with you then such trifles. Or, if hee had not stock, hee layed his owne Plott well;
41.4.2
for hee brought a Paynter, stole him aboord at the downes, [who] is bound to him for 7 years (a very good woorkeman both in lymming and oyle) to deuide profitts; him hee preferred to the king in his owne trade. Pretended to mee for an engineer in water woorkes. His smith makes clocks; of all hee shares the moyetie. I required to bynd them to you by Couenant, which hee could not refuse; but his Paynter would not, and when I offer to send him home, I dare not for the kings displeasure, to whom Steele by his toong to my face may wrong mee, and hath already practised it. But I shall defend myselfe and you, if God blesse mee. Captain Towerson and his wife find could reception here. Her frends are Poore and mean and weary of them. Hee came with hopes of great Diamonds, and they looke for guifts of him. I am sorie for him and his little vanetie. I haue vsed my best advice to perswade his returne. He sees his owne abuse, and yet hath not Power to recall yt. Hee thought to bee esteemed here a great man ; God send him to returne as hee came ; which, if I would consent, hee might in estate better, for his Purpose was, it seemes, to invest here in Indicoes for about 1000 li. ; pretends your licence and his Meritt to bee such as you will deny him nothing. I shall gett an ill name by refusing such easye requests. I woonder why you should grant him this fauour and bynd all our hands : and you could not but foresee his ends was trade, or, if he say true, you allow yt.
41.4.3
You may assure yourselues it makes all your seruants grudge ; and till I see vnder writing it was your Pleasure I will not bee ouercome with Pretended desarts that I know not. Mistress Hudson claymes the like for her proportion, about 120 li. I am the same to man and woeman. Lastly, when they sawe my resolution, they intended to the Sowthward and soe make 5 returnes for one. But I vnderstood your prohibition to be generally I knowe what Iniurie that Course would doe you, and haue alsoe denyed yt. Now hee is resolued to stay, perhaps till I am gone, to find an easier man. Hee may be deceiued. I offered him to returne this yeare and, to ease vs of his woemen, liberty to invest his stock in Cloth and other goods, Indico excepted, provided to bee consigned to you ; but hee hath better hopes, and I assure you I feare hee will spend most of his stock and ease mee of refusing him vnreasonable demands. By suffering such aduenturers you putt mee to much inconvenience, discontent your seruants, and hazard more then you consider ; euerie man is for himselfe, and I the Common enemie. He hath many ends neuer to you propounded ; but bee assured I will looke to him. You neede not doubt any displeasure hee can rayse you by her kindred, nor hope of any assistance. They fence one vpon another and are both weary. The mony Mentioned of Captain Hawkings is fallen by misenformation from 2000 rupees to 200 ; not worth recalling, ells I had beene dooing before your dischardge came.
41.4.4
What I haue employed for you of myne, I will account when I come home, and not aske mony out of your stock. I desier euery way to lett you know I ayme at Creditt, not at mony. The Presents you sent are in their kynds some good, others ordinarie. Noe man can tell what to aduise for ; they change euery yeare their fancy .... Your shipps haue made all things Common ; kniues bought at 10 rupees offered for 6 Mamoodies ; and yearly ther Comes as many toyes of all kyndes as yours, which sould in hast by Marriners or others bound to the Sowthward hath made all Cheape and Common. They imitate euery thing wee bring, and embroder now as well as wee. What my opinion changeth too for goods and presents is in a Paper seuerall, but noe man can aduise certeynly except vpon Jewells. These People will Couett any thing; when they see it, disgrace it, and not come to halfe the Price. Yet you shall finde sould of these many at two for one, some at 50 per Cent, some at 3 and 4, and halfe shalbe putt to profitt. Many things alsoe, as gloues, will giue nothing nor bee accepted as guift, but as Patterns to Picke out woorke.
41.4.5
The tokens you sent mee I receiue most gratfully; but all beeing not for my vse, I take only two feathers and one hatt and band, a swoord and hangers, and lace for bands. The rest yet lye by mee, that may serue your turne; if not, I will weare them for your sake, or sell them and put to your account. Your loue to mee is sufficient present. I dare nor perswade you to send any quantetie of such ware as these; the kinds in its owne Place I haue mentioned. Ammell is fallen in Price, yet it will giue good profitt; but it must bee good. Ther is noe salle till the Court bee settled. About this quantetie yearly will passe at most, for the Portugall now ouerlayes it.
41.4.6
I was fully resolued to returne by this fleete, as you may perceiue by many Passadges; but your earnest desier prevayles aboue myne owne occasions. Sir Thomas Smyth had power to send mee out, and hath lost noe part of his interest in mee. I doubt not his Maiesties lettre too mee was procured by you, wherin I find his gratious acceptation aboue my Meritt, which bindeth mee to endeauour aboue my abilitie. I must acknowledge the fauour you did mee in relations to his Maiestie. That is the reward I labor for and expect; and you shall finde I will not fayle you in my uttmost endeauours. When my experience was Raw I wrote you many things by report, and I am not ashamed to recant; but the end shall judge of mee and my endes. The Next yeare I shall take your offer to returne in one of your shipps and to Command her. If wee agree not here, I shalbe busie with her; but will not doe it but for that end which no fayre way can procure. Ther was neuer fayerer woords and lesse fayth among the Cretans then in these People.
41.4.7
What the value of Pearle and other Pedreria is I haue specified in a Tariff here inclosed. Those you sent, except the great, of which I haue giuen reason, are yet vnsould and will neuer giue the mony you rate them att; you must either buy Cheaper or Invoyce your goods right, that your seruants may know what to doe. I know these are ouer valewed. But to the Poynt. At the Rates by mee giuen, if they hould weight and bewtie, I giue you assurance you may sell for 50000li. yearly ready Mony, and for as much more in any sort of stones by mee specifyed; and this way only rayse a stock, and your free recourse bee desiered by the King and Prince and great men; and if they are pleased, the Crie of a Million of subiects would not bee heard.
41.5.1
.... I haue this yeare beene in the woods. By my returne I will bring you an exact survey of all the trafiques of India, and bee by you to answare any misinformation. Ther is no Complaynt by the Mogolls subiects that wee buy not their Comoditie, but Contrarie, that wee buy so much that their owne Merchants want for the Red Sea. I knowe it true. Wee haue raysd the Price of all wee deale in, and now wee feare the Dutch will make it woorse. .... I haue only two Poynts to touch. That these Seas beginn to bee full of Rouers, for whose faults wee may bee engaged. Sir Robert Rich and one Phillope Barnardoe sett out two shipps to take Piratts, which is growne a Common Pretence of beeing Piratts. They missed their entrance into the Red sea (which was their dessigne), and came for India, gaue Chase to the Queene Mothers Juncke, and, but that God sent in our Fleete, had taken and rifled her. If they had prospered in their ends, either at Mocha or here, your goods and our Persons had answered it. I ordered the seisure of the shipps, Prises, and goods, and converted them to your vse; and must now tell you if you bee not round in some Course with these men you will haue the seas full and your trade in India is vtterly lost and our liues exposed to Pledge in the hands of Moores. I am loath to lie in Irons for any mans faults but myne owne. I loue Sir Robert Rich well, and you may bee pleased to doe him any Curtesie in restitution, because hee was abused;
41.5.2
but I must say, if you giue way, you giue encouradgement. I had rather make him any Present in loue then restore any thing in right. For Barnardo, I doubt not you wilbe sencible of his Plott, and call him into question. Hee getts the Duke of Sauoyes Commission, but the faces are all English. Jhons, the Captain of the Lyon was a Proiector. The Mootams enveigled Sir Robert Rich and after Mutined, tore his Commission, disarmed his Captain, and are breefly villaynes woorthey to feede in the Marshalsy one yeare. Such an example would deter others; els you giue them both title and hart. The Captaine of the Francis, Master Newse, sett out by Sir Robert Rich, I will Commend to your fauour as an honest discreet gentleman, who neaver consented to your Iniurie, but was forced by his disordered Gyng; the rest I leaue you to deale with as in your Judgement you shall find requisite. But if you suffer Rouers in these seas, ther must bee noe traders. It is hard to prooue to these People the difference of Merchants and Piratts, if all of a Nation; or, if you could prooue it, I am vnwilling to lye for a Pawne vntill Certificatt came out of Europe.
41.5.3
The second is the Dutch. They wrong you in all Parts and grow to insuffrable insolencies. If wee fall foule here, the Common enemie will laugh and reape the fruict of our Contention. There must a Course bee taken at home, which, by his Maiesties displeasure signified, were not difficult, if he knew how they traduce his Name and Royall authoritie, robb in English Coulors to scandall his subiects, and vse vs woorse then any braue enemie would or any other but vnthanckfull drunckards that wee haue releeued from Cheese and Cabbage, or rather from a Chayne with bread and water. You must speedelye looke to this Maggat; els wee talke of the Portugall, but these will eate a woorme in your sides. I Neede not Counsell you which way; only aduise you neuer to joyne stock to profitt and losse, for their garrisons, Chardges, losses by Negligence will engage you to beare Part of their follyes for no Profitt. But your accord must bee by a stint at those parts common to you both, and agreement to what Ports you may resort without offence one to the other. If they keepe you out of the Moluccoes by force, I would beat them from Surat to requite it. In both these I haue beene lardge to Master Secretary and some of the Lords, that they may haue feeling of the Iniuries and bee assistant to you. This second february arriued with mee the footmen sent from Spahan by Edward Connaught with lettres of 8 Monthes date, directed to Master Kerridge and to noe other. I opened them.
41.5.4
In generall I fynd no more then the Coppies that came by the Bee; some Particulars by which I discouer more of their triumvirat faction and Priuatt plotts then matter of busines. In one I find a New character, which giueth mee some suspition; but I will vnderstand it before I accuse. In others I and you will find that ther was a resolution taken to conceale all the proceedures in Persia from mee; and the better to enter Creditt with you, the lettres I sent the King of Persia in february 1615 and January 1616, with diuers aduises to you, both reasons and obiections, the full declaration of our entents in pursuing this trade, all directed for deliuerie or Conveyance to William Robbynns, Connaught gott into his Power, opened, and suppressed them; and, not supposing I sent Coppies other wayes, out of myne makes his use and writes you these lettres of his propositions to the King. You may compare them Poynt to Poynt, the Phrase not altered. Reading them I knew myne owne, and, though not woorth the Challendging, yet you may see how these New Ambassadors and Agents Packd against mee. All coppies fitt for you, which I doubted others would Conceale, I send you; all which might informe, or did concerne, the factories I dispeeded the same Night, that no pretence of delay might hynder my present desiers for a little supply thither; wher if a trade may bee settled with securitie and Compassed with your fitt meanes, I shalbe gladder then all they who would haue kept mee in ignorance.
41.5.5
I can spare them the Creditt of yt that want yt; and my Manner of Prosecution shall giue both account of my affection to yt and your good and of my judgement in the Possibilitie and Profitt. Since the finishing of the former intent of supply for Persia I receiued full answere from the shipps that it was impossible to bee performed vntill the next Change of Monzone, and hereby wee are enforced to leaue it in imperfection. By your next fleete I doubt not wee shall vnderstand the resolution of our hopes and bee furnished to releeue the wants, and either to settle it or recall it. In the interim I will send to your factors such direction as is requisite, and to the Sha excuse of our fayling: that yet wee know not nor were agreed vpon the quanteties of goods nor Prises on both Parts. I receiued to day Newes from Ormus of a reuolt of all the Mahometans subiect to the Portugalls for the stealing an Aharon out of their Moschee; which the Sha takes alsoe for a breach of Peace, it beeing one of the Articles that the Moores should not bee offended nor Iniured in Poynt of their religion. Yf it bee not suddenly appeased, it may occasion the Sha to take the fort into his hands ; which by a little help might bee effected, and for him easy by our assistance ; without joyning, very difficult for either of vs. The New Pretended Spanish Ambassador is refused audience, beeing come as far as Cambaya, within 2 dayes of Court ; Principally because his Presents were not of great valew.
41.5.6
But the King, shaming to insist vpon soe base a reason, vsed for a full deniall a later Pretence, that hee was no right Embassador; having of mee demanded by Asaph-chan if I would avow him for one, to which I replyed if I saw his Masters lettres I was bound ; if not, I should not acknowledge him but as a messinger. The King demanded of the Iesuite if he had lettres, who replying truth: none from Spayne, and, to avoyd the affront, professed alsoe that hee came but from Damon, a Citty of the Portugalls, but soe suddenly as the New Vizeroy could neither prepare a fitt Present nor lettres : that his Comming was to congratulate in the Vizeroy and Cytties Name his approach into these Parts; at which hee had his full dismission, but with good tearmes : that if hee came to see him, hee should bee wellcome ; but if the Vizeroy would send him or any other with Presents and authoritie in the Name of the King of Portugall, hee would receiue him with Honor. The Iesuite is somwhat troubled ; and the Embassador, who came on in great Brauerie, takes himselfe scorned. They pretend to mee that another shall returne with ampler lettres and full Power to treat with mee, which Asaph-chan from the King gaue in Chardge. For my Part, I am not sorry for any distast begunn, and thinck not that the Portugall will stoope so farr as to send a Nother nor Presents vpon such a demand and affront ; neyther that if any come that hee shall bring authoritie to make you a secure Peace. The issue I attend.
41.6.1
Master Steele hath Now fully deliuered himselfe and his woorkemen into the Kings Power, and them into his Pay; hath had speech of the like for himselfe ; and it is all our opinion hee will vpon that sett vp his rest. In woords he protested Not ; but hee hath gotten his wife vp with Mistris Towerson, as her seruant, and vowed to mee shee should liue in her house, to which end I tooke a Couenant from them. But the first day hee brake it, carried her to a house of his owne, where hee liues with Coach, Palinke, 7 horses, and ten seruants ; and, beeing stayed in my house as Prisoner, to search into his entents, he confessed hee said anything formerly and consented to the Couenants to deceiue mee and to gett his wife into his owne Power. The excuse of all is affection. [Marginal note by Roe. — Now he followes the Court with as great expence as I and as many seruants.] Send them home by force I cannot, or is now too late, vntill the King bee satisfied in his expectation of great Promises from Richard Steele. Neyther will hee proceed vpon the woorke of Agra (which was my Condition), but follow the Leskar to make Picturs, clocks, coaches and such deuices, by which hee hopes to creepe into great preferments. I assure you I write of his Courses very modestly. Wee are not yet wise enough to see any hopes nor any entents of his to effect a woork out of which you may make any aduantage. He hath professed the woorkemen are his seruants : that he spent 500 li. to bring them for the King.
41.6.2
They haue not language to denye it, nor will to follow him ; but now they are engaged, hauing receiued horses and Mony ; and when I mooue their true employment, it is replyed they are in the Kings Pay, and must obey his Pleasurs, they and their guide. [Marginal note by Roe. — When he was my toong to the King, he would deliuer his owne tales and not a woord what I commanded.] The Next difference is that hee will alsoe carry vp his woman, which I refuse, requiring her stay with her Mistris, according to yours and my intent. If hee consent, I shall giue him some employment and allowance from you ; if not, that hee will runne in all contrarie, then hee giues mee such assurance of that all men suspect, that I shall neither trust him with your goods nor pay him any wages vntill I haue meanes to send him home ; which will soone bee, if hee continew his expence and attend the bounties of this King. You see I desier noe weomens company, but labour to leaue such incumberances behynd. Beleeue mee the scandall already is not easely wyped off. Your securitie shalbe at the woorst you shall loose no more by him ; I will looke to your estate. The King is anew gone into the woods, toward Mando as reported, but wee are not certeyne. I am entering into the miserie and Chardge of following. What conclusion I shall haue I cannot presage. Hee is good to mee ; his sonne latly better, who is absolute King.
41.6.3
Hee hath granted mee a few Priuiledges, and reconfirmed our trade and liberties at Suratt, but will heare of noe more Ports ; his firmaen also for recouerie of Customes taken on the way and for your goods and seruants at Brampoore that were seized by the justice. He hath ordered all your debts in Cerkar and promised execution of the Kings sentence against other our debtors, which if wee could settle, in a Month I should doubtlesse finish. I was not consenting to the Making, yet will not leaue them alone that did mee. I am soe weary of the wayes of this Court, which are gouerned by no rule, that I must open to you my full resolution. If this Norose I can finish my desiers of vniuersall Priuiledges that shalbe of Power in all Parts of his Dominion, and recouer our debts, I shall desier to retyre and rest mee vntill the arriuall of your fleete; for the Next raynes, if I lye in the feilds or in an open house, will finish my trauells. If not, I will take my leaue, and bee ready at Suratt to meete with the ship I expect from the Red Sea, who shall both Pay mee all that is due and make those conditions bee offered which now I seeke with despayre. Assure you, I knowe these People are best treated with the swoord in one hand and Caducean in the other.
41.6.4
If I haue erred in my judgment you will easely fynd one man cannot see all. My affection to doe you right and honest seruice shall excuse many escapes. But in Generall I desier you to preserue in your opinion this thought of mee: that whatsoeuer I conceiue good for you I will Practice: neither feare nor Paynes shall diuert mee: and that when I shall be present to giue you reason of any thing I haue written, Noe man shalbe soe impudent as to contradict it: and for my life, it will not bee ashamed of any search and enquirie. The issue of all yours and our endeauours I committ to Gods blessing, who is able to Make rich and Poore, and to convert the successes of all to his Glorie. Your honest frend to doe you seruice, Tho. Roe.