The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 49: To Captain Martin Pring.

49

(I. O. Records : O. C, No. 628.) Baroch, March 10, 1617[-18].
Yt is now a month and more since I heard from you or Surratt ; soe that I was Confident the ships were dispeeded. The misery of these wrongs are insufferable, yf yt be the true Cause that your goods Could nott be despatched, which I by a former heard was donne vpon the arivall of Shaher-mull. I hope to finde a way out for my self and others. Steele will soon vanish and Come to nothing ; affliction must humble him.
I am sorry to heere the Ann hath no other Cargason then the refuse of India. I meddled nott in the Subservient parts of trade to apoint what other goods, butt expected the wisedom of the factors would have sent a tryall of other sorts. I Can make no other Collection but that they desire nott any great prosperity to yt. God will mend vs all and turne honest wayes to the best. I am Confident on the grounds that Surratt will never be a trade vnles the red Sea both Supply yt and awe the Guzeratts. This yeare I only sought the way and occasion ; but I know well by private provizions they are nott Ignorant what had been fitt, and yf yt fayle I shall well acquite my self. Those of Messolapatan I feare write at randon, or els there is great Change since their last
Your letter desires my resolucion for the Annes keeping Company to Dabull. Yf by advice or other former experiences the Iuncks of that porte be departed or that yt be dangerous to loose tyme for getting in, then you may direct hir right for hir Course ; butt yf nott, the Surprize of any goods there fitt for the red Sea would much advantage hir and be fittlier donn then att the roade at Mocha for interuption of quiett trade, which I ayme att. Butt yf yt soe fall out, yet I wish you to doe somewhat yf you may, and to send the Persians lettres as parte of payment. The noise of yt will doe good heare. I know in former yeares the ships of this Coast haue sett out later ; butt in that point I Cannott resolve, but must leave yt to them who know the voiadges. I am well pleased that Ioseph Saltbanck vndertakes the voyadge. Heynes stands nott vpon place, and the ould man loves me.
You are nott soe desirous to see me as I to Confer with you. Beleeve me, I am reddy to breake for want of an honnest free Conference and advice in the Companies buissines. But I am weary ; yt is Impossible, and I will not stay you an hower. God in heaven blesse you, and send me once among men ; for these are monsters. The trouble and falce hartednes of our owne I will trample on in tyme. You know nott these men nor, I hope, never shall. The god of heaven again and againe blesse you and all your fleet.
[P.S.] I wish nott that the Ann wayt vpon the princes ship outward though she goe nott to Dabull, butt loose her and leave her to her fortune, and that they know that their detention of our goods was the Cause and that we will nott doe them Courtesye for such vsadge. Yf we doe, they will yearely practice ytt.