[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy) › [The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster) › 45 # The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 45: To Captain Martin Pring. The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 45 - **Language:** English ### To Captain Martin Pring. ### [45.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.45.1) (I. O. Records : O. C., No. 613.) February 14 \[1617-18\]. .... By way of prouision I haue sent instructions for the voyadge into the Red Sea, to which Master Kerridge must add his for Marchandizing affayres and deliuer you goods to beginn our trade. The mayne obiection is that there is noe great foundation to beare Chardge; to which I answere wee haue many dead Comodities wee must seeke to put off, and may either sell them by frendship or teach a trade by force. With whomsoeuer the ship meetes of the allies of the Portugalls, which are the Decannines or Samoring, they are to vs as enemies. If shee should meete with no booty, yet I suppose they shall not bee denyed trafieque at Mocha, wher certeynly will bee juncks, both of Diue and Dabull and of other Southern Ports, with which (if the Mochers will not accept of our goods) they should \[trade?\] for Indicoes and other Comodities fitting England or Suratt. The returne of a smalle stock from thence will pay the expence of the ship, towards which Master Kerridge sayth hee can procure freight for 15 or 16,000 Mamoodies, which I would accept off as a beginning. Hee doubts it will hynder, the stay at Dabull, but I see noe reason, if wee sett so much the sooner out then vsually the Iuncks doe for the same voyadge off this Coast. Goeing into the Bay of Iasques is more doubtfull; of that I cannot Iudge, but referr it to your consideration if one ship may doe all, or any two, of which I thinck Iasques and the Red Sea of most consequence. ### [45.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.45.2) ... A second obiection is that the Grand Signior will embargue our English in his Dominions for our Molesting his trades; to which I say wee goe to offer Peace, to secure his seaes, and not to disturbe any but our enemies that deny vs trade, and by our vsadge many may bee encouraged to augment \[adventure?\] that way who are now afrayd of Rouers and ouerlayd with tribute or the exactions of the Portugalls. In the Red Sea itselfe shall wee best make the Guzeratts vnderstand their danger and the benefitt of our offer; ther they will bee spoken with at leysure, wher now wee seeke to them at their houses. Nature is easier to deale with when it is a little afrayde. Or, if wee are soe lealous of our frends at Constantinople, how can wee proceede in Persia, the stealing away of which trade will more sharpen the Turk then the rifle of a lunck or two of Rascalls that hee takes noe Notice off ? ... . I once mooued you to keepe Close the Sowth shoare for the Chances of the Malaccoas ships and others that in March come in to Goa. Now I aduise you to bee warie, for the Vizeroy, as wee heare, prepares a fleete to goe about the Cape for the Coast of Cormandell and wilbe ready this Month. If you bee alone it is not good to tempt them. ### [45.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.45.3) Concerning the luncks of Diu, I vnderstand that Mochrebchan and some Mogolls freight from thence. Wee cannot take notice of on mans from anothers that Mingle with our enemies. I would not spare any of that Port vpon the best Pretence. Our warienes wilbe to keepe the lunck it selfe ; to putt a Merchant and Purser vpon it vntill returne to Suratt. If it bee prooued Mogolls goods and that the King stirr in yt, I know this People ; restitution alway makes Peace, and wee shall haue the advantage of some good condition for restitution, and make them feare to freight in the Portugalls and rather offer them selues to vs. Vntill wee show our selues a little rough and busye they will not bee sencible. The woemen are almost arriued at Court, but I hope I shall depart this towne before, the King goeing out suddenly, which makes mee now take my leaue. I am in your debt for your loue aboue all your other kindnesses, which now you close vp with New I assure you honestly I haue loued you 7 yeares for the good disposition and woorth I found in you. If it were any way in my Power I would make it manifest. My woord or report in England you Neede not; yet perhaps not soe well knowne to all as to the Companie. Whatsoeuer I can add to giue you right, either to them or any higher, assure you I will not fayle ; or, if I did, it is your fault not too lett mee know which way. But I am gladd both of your assurance and Modesty. Wee liue in a Barberous unfaythfull place ; ### [45.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.45.4) you in the sea with more securitie and Constancye. Pray for vs, that God wilbe Pleased to keepe vs, that among heathens wee may bee as light in darknes ; at least that wee shame not the light. I will hope to liue to see you safe returned, and for your happy voyadge, health, aboue all temperall Comforts, wealth and good successe according to your owne desiers, and a ioyfull arriuall into your Countrie. All the blessings that attended Iacob, when hee went out with a staff and returned with troopes of seruants and heards of Cattell, accompanie you, that in the seas you may find Machinym and at your returne Bethel. .... Since the finishing this former came your lettre of the 4th January, by which I perceaue that which I doubted, that it was impossible to supply Iasques; and soe that vnfortunate busines must lye in its wounds vntill better occasion. I haue sent a declaration and Instructions of my intents into the Red Sea, which is as much Commission as I can giue; if Master Kerridge can add to yt any enformation, wee are all for one end. For the ship or ships I referr it to you, and am very well assured of Captain Shillings sufficiency. For Merchants I know not how Master Rastall can bee spared nor with what qualeties the fleete is Prouided. I haue sent my seruant Haynes for one because by offten discourse hee knowes my entents. I hope hee will prooue diligent and honest ### [45.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.45.5) .... In assurance of right I rest quiett, as farr as Master Steele, the woemen and the indiscretion of Master Goulding will suffer mee. I woonder to see him here and shall as soone resend him. I must labor to mend all. I gaue consent for the best to Mistress Steele, but neuer for the minister. Now her husband discouers himselfe; but one of vs must breake in this busines. I expect noe more to heare from you, for the King is entering into the woods. The God of heauen blesse you and all your Company, and send mee once more to liue among men of honesty. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.45](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.45) · Pramāṇa