The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 58.2
The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 58.2
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58.2.1
Sir Thomas Roe made knowne that Pursers formerly receyuing mony from the Factors on shore did neuer delyuer any accompts of the disbursing therof, wherby ther was opportunitye to deceiue the Company of great somes, which abuse he caused to be reformed. Appointing the Pursers to delyuer vpp accompt of such somes receyued, how and vppon what the same was disburst, and the remaynder at each Port delyuered vpp with the account vnto the said factors. And finding Steeles account to be extraordinarye (as he conceyued), he excepted directly against some of his demaunds and referd his whole accompt vnto the Consideration of the Company here to be altered and approued as they shall see cause, Together with some other questions concerning him, as appereth by that consultation ; which things Master Ellam was appointed to take notice of.
58.2.2
In a consultation held the 11th of January, 1618[-19], It was resolud to haue my Lord Embassador go downe to Swalley to conclude with the Maryners for the Prize goods taken ; wher he finding some difference in the Inuoyces of the Prizes goods, made a praizure of the goods, which he sent vnto the Company, and knowes how much difference ther is from the Bills of lading taken in the Prizes, which he hath in the originall In that consultation; [February 1, 1619] Sir Thomas Roe lymiting to ech factorie how many horses and seruants were fit to be kept, therby to abbridge the extraordinary expence and charge of the great number of vnnecessary seruants that had formerly bene kept, allowing the factors a competent number to attend them when their occations drawe them abroad.
58.2.3
20 October, 1619.—Sir Thomas Roe reading some other Consultations held in the Indies about the buysines of Mocha, with directions and enstructions to the Merchant employed thether, as also to the Master of the Lion to make further search vnto prester Johns Countrye, Together with some other enstructions to William Biddulph how to cary himself at the Court, and other passages of great consequence for other places, seriouslye considered of and iudiciouslye set downe and directed for the Companies good in the future charge of the buysines. The Company approued of them as necessarye and fitting and therfore were of opinion and resolud to haue them confirmed by wrighting vnto their factors, which will ad reputation vnto Sir Thomas Roe, as he hath deserued. Vppon reading of the last Court, wherin the buysines concerning Sir Thomas Roe were referd to certaine Comittees, By reason of some exceptions taken the consideration of his gratification was wholie left vnto this Court to be thought vppon and determynd as they should thinke fit and conclude, to take away all exceptions abroad.
58.2.4
22 October, 1619.—Master Tirrye the Preacher hauing brought home 121 peeces of Callicoes, for which he now had his mony for readie fraight [? fraight readie] according to the appointment of the Comittees, He desired fauour for the same. Sir Thomas Roe comended him much for his sober, honest and ciuill life ther and that theis Callicoes were his whole meanes he hath. The Company, hearing so good reports giuen of him and being willing to encourage men of his fashion in weldoing, were contented to pas ouer this fault, and to remit the said fraight vnto him, giuing him leaue to take them away, he hauing aunswered the Custome. And wheras he had disbursed a matter of 14li. in Bookes more then the mony he receyued for ymprest, which 14li. is also charged vppon his account, and that he gaue away most of those bookes vnto the factors in the Countrie, as Sir Thomas Roe affirmed. The Company were therfore pleased to remyt the said 14li., And ordered to haue his accompt freed from the same. 8 November, 1619. — Certaine deuisions hauing bene in the first Joint Stocke, wherin Sir Thomas Roe was an Aduenturer 800 ll., Two of his diuidents hauing bene left in the Companies handes by reason of his absence in their seruice, It was ordered vppon his motion to haue interest allowed for them from the tyme the warrant[s] were sealed. 12 November, 1619.
58.2.5
— Master Deputie made knowne that Sir Thomas Roe his accounts hauing bene vewed and perused by those Audytors that were appointed according to order, all are finisht and ended (excepting only 150 Mamuthars lost by Henry Garret in disbursing the monyes, which being so smale a matter was not thought fit to be stood vppon), And that the accounts of all such monyes that came to Sir Thomas Roe his hands and all his expenses, both ordinarye and extraordinary, are cast vpp. And do find great good husbandrie vsed in his expence of housekeping, which Cometh to about 250 or 260 ll. a yeare, one yeare with another, wherof he caused the account to be kept of euerye perticler. And hath cleared himself in the Countrye, owing nothing to the Companies account, nor ever borowed 10 ll. of them, although he lyued 6 months vppon his owne meanes (the Cash being left destitute of meanes at Master Edwards departure) And paid his seruants their whole wages in the Country, although he were allowed but half therof ther from the Company, And for other allowances tooke not half so much in the Countrye, as by Couenant he might. But made payment ther for some monyes which he borrowed here, which was the better accepted because it was remembred by some that if he would haue traded in the Countrye with the monye he had ther he might haue gayned a great matter;
58.2.6
And hauing duelie weighed his carriage and behauiour from the begining till this present, they esteemed him a very worthie gentleman that hath husbanded things exceedinglye well and very moderate in his expenses And one that by his modestie, honestie and integritie hath giuen good satisfaction ; And taking to consideration what gratification to bestowe vppon him, Some motiond to referre it to be concluded by some fewe in priuate, least others abroad may make him a president ; But, his merits speaking for him, it was thought they could be no president to any others, because none shall meryt euery day as he hath, whose example to the factours in the Countrye will aduauntage the Company much by his frugalitie. And comparing him with other Embassadors in other Countryes who haue great allowances, his good husbandrie will appear the more ; And therfore in the iudgment of some, if 2000li. should be giuen him for a gratification, it will not arise to 1000li. a yeare, one yeare with another, during the tyme of his seruice with all his charges and expences annexed ; And knowing much in him which may giue the Company content. It was wisht not to giue him distast, And resolud to make an end now (without putting of tyll another tyme, as some wisht). And the question being put to thre somes, 1000, 1500 and 2000li., ther was giuen him by erection of hands the some of 1500li. as a gratification for his seruice perfourmed;
58.2.7
wherin they had no regard to the future tyme, but heareing of his readynes to giue his assistance at any meetings hereafter, they supposed his future seruice might deserue according to the tyme. And he presenting himself. Master Gouernor made knowne the Companies mynd who, acknowledging his honestie and frugalitye and comending his care, desired him to accept of the foresaid some of 1500li., which they held too little, compared with his deserts, but ther smale retournes pleaded partlye their excuse. Sir Thomas Roe made knowne that he tooke in good part whatsoeuer is giuen ; In the meane time purposed to thinke therof And at next Court purposeth to come and giue his thanks. 15 November, 1619. — A lettre was red, written by Sir Thomas Roe, of thanks for the gratification which they had bestowed vppon him, wherin he laydopen himself in his former courses what he aymed at, the good of the Company and his owne reputation ; who, hauing habilitye to perfourme further seruice for their good, is willing to dedicate himself wholie theirs, expecting onlye that, if they will make him one of their bodie, they affourd him meanes wherby to mantayne himself amongst them without thinking of any other course ; And delyuered in a note of certaine monyes in his possession in the Indies, as 250li. of Master Boughtons & 13li. of Hempsalls, which he might haue made his aduantage of, but paid them vnto the Companies account. And paid 100li.
58.2.8
in the Indies which he might haue answered here, Forbore to borowe any of the Companies monyes, as he might according to couenant. And paid his seruants 50li. and 60li. per annum in India more then he receyued, yet had lycense to repay himself but did not, Gaue certaine guifts to the King, Prince and Lords of his owne goods, which cost him in England 152li. 3s. 2d., and were not put to account. Refusing certaine guifts to the preiudice of the Company, and recouered certaine debts to their great aduauntage to the value of 3000li.; By all which they considered his faire cariage in their buysines, which appereth the better, compared with others that haue made other vse of their tyme by priuate trade. Wheruppon some delyuered that what hath bene alreadie done was well done and he well deserued it, in regard of his honestie and faire carriage. And supposing his experience and meanes here haue enhabled him to do the Company good seruice, either at Court vppon occation or by his aduise in drawing their lettres and Comissions, and that ther is a kynd of necessitye to vse his helpe about the new trades. It was thought fit to haue him accepted as a Comittee amongst the rest and so to reward him accordinglye by giuing him a present yearelye allowance to bynd his presence and aduise amongst them, which wilbe an honour and reputation vnto him and right to the Company.
58.2.9
And thervppon was remembred the good office he hath done since his retourne, that some about the King hauing latelye prest to ruyne that buysines of my Lord of Warwicks, he tooke it wholie vppon himself and tould the Lords that it was his owne act and he is readie to make aunswer for it and iustifie the same, which gaue a tast what further vse ther may be of his courage and seruice. And thinking of a competent some that may be fitting to giue him for this yeare ensuing, they concluded by erection of hands of 200li. vntill the election, which all supposed he will well deserue by his sufficiencye for his paines and aduise in the yeare ensuing, which may be a president for the tyme following, as they shall fynd the good herof as the Company shall haue occation to vse him and his leisure giue him leaue to attend the buysines. It appearing by his note that he gaue away certayne presents which cost him here in England 152 li. 3s. 2d., They ordered to haue so much mony aunswered vnto him for the same, as was formerly resolud at last Court, And bestowed vppon him the 100 li. which was layd out in plate for him at his goeing, that his mony disbursed for those guifts may not retourne barely vnto him againe.