The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 41.2.2

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.