The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 5.1.7

5.1.7

October 23. — I sent two Merchants to the Gouernor to demand those things which he deteyned. He answered I might be gone to night if I would, but I should haue nothing, bidding them tend their owne busines : that they had but 15 dayes to staye. At night the Generall writte me woord of the misfortune at Adsmere, which hee receiued from Amadauaz by way of Apologye in the excuse of one Mitford, that had stabbd Master Edwardes at a Consultation for some woordes vsed ; which the Generall very rightly conceiued a great offence and dispatchd lettres to Adsmere. But I, not knowing the Contents, but weighing the offence to be of a high Nature, dishonorable to his Maiestie, whose Ambassador Edwardes pretended to be, and prejudiciall to the busines now in hand on fickle tearmes, I thought it fitt that to avoyde the scandall some part of Justice and reparation should beginn where the offence was most scandalous, and therfore wrote to Master Edwardes to cause him to be layd in Irons in his house vntill I came vp; purposing after examination to send him publiquely bound as Prisoner to the fleete, with the true Coppy of the Cause on both parts. For if authoritye haue abused itselfe, though it be free from reuenge by those that are subordinat, yet it must answere to a higher authoritye, or all bandes of Gouerment are dissolued.