The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 41.1.4

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.