The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 41.5.1

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;