The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 5.2
The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 5.2
- Language
- English
5.2.1
October 24. — The Gouernor beeing gone a hunting gaue order for my dispatch, but nothing was effected. The cause of this change was the goeing of some boates to Baroch, beeing afrayd to loose our trade, wherby he betrayd his lyes of Command for our departure. October 25. — I laded my goodes, thincking the order was sufficient, but ther came some presently from the Custome house and would new search them, which I was angry at & would not suffer. Whervpon they beate one of the wagoners at my dore and would have Carried the Cheefe to be whiped, but I tooke him into my house and gaue him protection, and bad them be gone; but they offering by force to search my Chests that were laded, I showed them a swoord in a Nother mans hand that stood by, and tould them they abused vs enough at the Custome house: if they presumed yt here, I would recompence yt. Wherat they departed and wrote to the Gouernor that I drew a swoord and beate them; and tooke this occasion not to execute the Gouernors Command for my dispatch. Withall I sent speedely to the Generall, desiering him that one ship might ryde out, as if wee meant to seeke other trade, a thinge which only awed them, and tooke good effect. For the Gouernor returning at Night, I sent him woord howe I was abused by the officers of the Custome house, and he in theyr reports made that I drew a swoord.
5.2.2
He sent presently Abram Chan, the Cheefe man in the Towne and our frend, to tell me he had punished them for lying and misdemeanor toward me, and was sorry I did not beate them in earnest: that on the morow Abram Chan should come and dispatch me with his passe and lettre to the Prince and that he would present me with a horse and furniture. I thanked him, desiering expedition and no other present. Abram Chan tould me hee neuer durst visitt me before, nor meddle in my busines, the Gouernor beeing soe vnconstant; but now he had leaue, and gaue me his woord it should be effected. Thus I stood delayed in hope and doubt. Within an Hower came a lettre from the king, which was receiued with great solemnytye. The Contents I could not learne; but by the effect it was in our behalfe and some Checke to the Gouernor. For hee speedily, though it was late, sent for Master Bangham and before speech with him made Abram chan deale with him to appease me and all the english, protesting we should haue all good vsage, and gaue leaue to goe and carry our goodes vp or anywher without stopp. He was very sadd, which is a signe that the lettre was some reprehension ; for otherwise the Custome is, vpon the receipt of any thing from the king, to drincke and be veary frolicke. As yet we had not one woord from Master Edwardes, havinge beene in the Roads 6 weakes.
5.2.3
At night was a proclamation made, giuing leaue for boates to carry ouer the lead and teeth, which had now layne in the sunne a month at the water syde, and were cleft and spoyld ; which was next day performed. October 26. — I expected all day but could not procure anything; nor any answere nor leaue to loade my Chestes. October 27. — Abram chan came with a multitude of officers, and brought the Gouernors scale and sealed the kings presents, counted my Chests and gaue a warrant to carry them ; and withall brought such things as the Gouernor had left to my house, of which I tooke some ; and promised whatsoeuer was in the Gouernors handes should be deliuered the Next day. I answered : I could not accept of these, to haue the other deteyned. He sayd all should be brought, except two basens which the Gouernor had sent the Prince. I replyed they were taken from mee, and I would demand them at Court, and giue as I sawe fitt. He desired me to be Content with soe smalle a matter. The Gouernor sent me a horse to giue mee, entreating to speake well of him to the king. I answered : for his horse, I would not receiue him, but caused the bringer to returne yt : that [if?] I found my selfe yet at last well dealt with, and liberty for the Merchants to transport their goodes freely, I would make such report of him as became a frend : but otherwise I would doe my dutie to my Master and the seruice to my Countrymen for which I was imployed. Abram chan importuned me to accept of the horse.
5.2.4
I answered : the Gouernor would take yt as an ingagement to speake well of him, and ingratitude in the Contrary : that I came not to be brybed, neyther would I leaue any tye on mee, that it should not bee free, if any lettre of Complaynt came after mee, to doe my nation right against his Injuryes : and that therfore ther was no other way to deale with me but by vsinge the Merchants well, both in theyr bodyes and goodes. And so, receiuinge many promises, They and theyr horse returned. October 28. — I laded most of my prouisions, expecting the rest from the Gouernor ; but nothing came nor any answere. October 29. — I sent my Carts before, expecting those things deteyned ; but with so small hope that I resolued to goe without them. Within an hower came Abram chan with most of the things taken by the Gouernor, and a warrant for my departure. When I demanded the remaynder he desiered to be excused : that hee knew not when hee tooke them but that they were the Merchannts and offered to paye for them : but hee had sent them to Prince, beeing some 7 or 8 basons, french and other sorts. I answered : I would challendge them at Court, and Complayne of the Violence. October 30. — Many messages past about leaue for Cloth and swoordes to goe vp with mee, but none Could be obteyned; so I prepared to be gone. As I was ready, came a lettre or firmaen from the Mogull to me, staying, according to the Custome, without the towne to be mett by vs. I sent the Merchants, who brought it to me;
5.2.5
beeing procured by Master Edwardes, with his lettre; it Conteyned a Command to all Gouernors of Prouinces or townes to attend me with sufficient guard and not to meddle with any thing was myne; and in all things very fauorable except chardges, which was left vnmentioned. When I had read yt, beeing ready to goe to horse, hearing the Gouernor and all the Towne were assembled in an open space I rode that way, and showed the Gouernor my lettre, wherat he was very blancke, desiring my frendship, and offered me anything I would demand. I answered it was now too late: I only came to lett him see the king had a better estimation of Ambassadors and theyre qualetye then he, that had so ransacked mee: but I did not desire his ruyne: if he would yet giue content to the Merchanntes, I would make the best of soe ill vsage. He bad aske anything. I demanded leaue for twelue Carts to goe vp with goodes at their pleasure; which hee refused. Then I tould him I saw he would doe nothing of curtesye: It was but losse of a little tyme: I would procure it in dispight of him: desiring to know his reason why contrarye to his woord he kept our people and goodes prisoners. He gaue none, but sayd for my sake fiue Carts should haue leaue. Though I scorned this answere, yet since it was some helpe toward dispatch I seemed Content. He demanded if I were frendes. I sayd vntill I heard New Complaynts, which I expected howerly, I was;
5.2.6
and that I required his Chop for the 5 Carts presently, for I would stay for them the Morrow at my tents. He promised, and I departed foure Course from Suratt to Cumaria, expecting the Merchannts. At my goeing I had no guard from him, hauing before hyred such guard as by councell of all your factors, and such other necessary men as was requisite (hauing fine sicke men in my trayne and few perfect) to Bramport, where I hope for some ease of my great Chardge. Yet I will proue I haue in no thing taken so many nor so much as the factors thought requisite. At my goeing I was perswaded to giue in the Custome house, because I had all theyr assistance and paynes in these broyles with the Gouernor, and to others that had broked in my affayres, and to the Gouernors vnder seruants as Porters, wayters and Peons.