[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) › 58 # The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 58: Court Minutes of the East India Company. (I. O. Records.) The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 58 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [58.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58.1) — 8 parts - [58.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58.2) — 9 parts ### Court Minutes of the East India Company. (I. O. Records.) ### [58.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58.1.1) 25 September, 1619. — Sir Thomas Roe hauing bene with his Maiestie and giuen account of his Embassage, It was made knowne that he doth purpose likewise to come and giue satisfaction to this Court of his procedings and seruice perfourmed and will delyver vpp some Iornalls and accounts which he hath in his custodye. Sir Thomas Roe hauing taken a survey of all the seuerall dispositions of the Companies factors at Surat and those parts, with the bad and yell \[ill ?\] qualities of many of them, some of which he hath delyuered very sparingly, and remytted many wrongs comitted by them against him ther (as by the sequell he hath manifested in preferring some of them aboue their merit before others of better parts). It was found notwithstanding that some of them haue most baseley and iniuriouslye requited him by traducing him in their lettres and wrighting most bitterly and most inuectiuely against him; amongst which Iohn Browne and VVilliam Biddulph are noted to excede in the highest measure, putting vppon him as much as malice can possibly inuent, with all the spitefull disgrace that may be, most of the factors ther being ioyned in a confederacy amongst themselues, being ielous that any strange eye should obserue or looke into their accounts, being growne to great matters in estate, many of them being worth a thowsand pounds apeece (as is said), gayned by lending and exchanging the Companies monyes and by such other courses as they do practise. ### [58.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58.1.2) The Companie thought it necessary therfore to seeke to preuent those mischeifes in tyme and to consider of some perticlers of greatest consequence, take the examinations of as many as can be gotten, to be iustified viua voce, that if any falshood can be proued or base and disgracefull tearmes vsed by them of the Companie (as is enfourmed) they may be punisht and some seuere course put in execution against them without fauour, to the example of others ; appointing Master Ellam to drawe the heads of all those complaints into a booke that they may be the more readie to charge them with hereafter, and amongst other things to looke out Furslands lettre, who wrights they kepe a comonwealth amongst them selues; but for the persons themselues it was held fit and so resolud to gleane out the most culpable and to send for them home by degrees vntill all shall be weded thence, and to be carefull that they be not permitted to get those their estates out of the Companies hands vntill they may receiue satisfaction for their honest gaining of them. ### [58.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58.1.3) 28 September, 1619. — Sir Thomas Roe hauing brought home Sundrye papers and accounts with other consultations, which do concerne the Companie, himself and some other men. He was willing to leaue them, desiring only to haue them put into a Chest by themselues and kept apart without any others to be mingled amongst them, that, if occation be, they may be sene apart at any time. The motion was approved and ordered to be so put vpp, with notice taken of them, written vppon and numbered. 6 October, 1619. — Sir Thomas Roe, desiring to giue the Company satisfaction of his procedings since his goeing into the East Indies, first gaue to vnderstand in what a desperate case he found the factoryes at Surat, Amadauaz and elswher in the Mogores Countrye : proclamations out against them to prohibite them of all trade and to depart the land, which at his coming to Court he caused to be reuokt and procured fermaens to commaund their acceptaunce and frendly entertaynment, prouing against the Prince himself that those things had bene done without aucthoritye from the King and by wicked subornation to haue overthrowne the trade of the English ; Assuring the Company that now by a faire and gientle course held and good correspondencie and obseruation of the Gouernour in some reasonable sort they may haue as faire a passage of their buysines as can be expected or desired; ### [58.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58.1.4) Making it appeare what a profit may be hoped for and had by the trade into the Red sea, wher articles are confirmed with priuiledges for trade and fredome thereof and capitulations set downe with the Gouernour of Sinan and of Moha, that for any comodities which may be caryed thether (wherof he hath intelligence of the particlers vendible) ther may be raisd of the worst centum pro cento ; which comodityes to serue those parts may be furnisht to the valewe of 10,000li. for \[from?\] Surat without preiudice to the Prince his shippe, and 30,000li. worth from Dabul and the Ports therabouts ; At which place of Moha Captaine Shilling acknowledgd that he was most kindly vsed ther, affirming that ther is as much securitie ther for their goods as can be expected, which they dare not go about to infringe or attempt any thing to giue distast. And seing those of Surat cannot trade saufely thether without the Company of the English into the Red sea, wher it is said that Trade is for two Millions yearely, they wilbe glad of the companie of the English for many reasons delivered; which shippe of theirs retourning is of very great valewe, hauing 1000 of their people in her, wilbe as a pawne and assurance for the good vsage of our people at Surat. ### [58.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58.1.5) And this trade in tyme may be enlarged by the English as other comodityes may be gotten from sundry other places of the Indies, and wilbe the life of the Surat and Persia Trade to supply both those places with monye: which trade being brought to good perfection, he hopeth they wilbe carefull to preserue and contynue it notwithstanding any discouragment that may be obiected by the factors at Surat, who are vnwilling to haue that Trade prosper (as is collected by many circumstances). Lastly, he made knowne that he recouered all the extortions which had bene exacted by sundry vniust Gouernors that yeare and the yeare before and had left all matters in a good, setled and peaceable course, drawing out 21 Articles, most of which he procured the King to confirme and got sundry firmaens graunted for Friggots to be delyuered furnisht to the English for ther defence against the Portugalls (who, as was delyuered, were preparing an Armado against the English), Together with many other priuiledges which he thought as much in generall as he could expect or desire; And recouered all debts, leauing none in the Countrye but only one of a Banyan who was the kings prisoner; And yet for him he hath the kings promise to force him to pay the said debt or else to delyuer the partie dead or aliue vnto their hands. ### [58.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58.1.6) And last of all he caused a list to be red, which he had drawne, of the remaynders in the Countrye at his coming away, both mony in specie at the seuerall factoryes, what good debts and comodityes that would drawe in so much mony within the compase of such a tyme, and what of those things were appointed to make prouisions readie for the Lyon against the next yeare; Together with a note of the remaynders of all the generall goods in the Country, And what is ordered to be prouided for the Southwards, Persia and Moha. And hauing made this generall relation (which gaue very good content and satisfaction), The Company intended to meete at some speciall tymes with him to viewe all his notes and wrightings, sort them, endorse them, and put them to be kept in their seuerall places, wher they may be found hereafter vppon any occation to vse them. ### [58.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58.1.7) 18 October, 1619. — Sir Thomas Roe motioning to haue an end of matters by degrees betwixt the Company and him, desired to haue it first seene and knowne what seruice he hath perfourmed in setling some Trades and Factoryes at Moha \[in\] the Red Sea and in the Mogores dominions at Surat, Amadauaz and other parts, which may best be discernd by the consultations that haue bene had about those matters, which he desired might now be red. The Company were willing to lay by all other matters to heare the same, And entreated those Comittees that were formerly desired to confer with Sir Thomas Roe, to see his accompts, audyt and perfect them, And the said Comittees to sit with him at some conuenient tymes, heare his opinion of the estate of their affaires abroad, take notice of all his wrightings brought home, sort them and endorse them and put them in seuerall boxes according to former order, and whatsoever else may be necessarye and conuenyent to be vnderstood for the generall good of the Trade. ### [58.1.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58.1.8) Sundry Consultations being red out of a booke by Sir Thomas Roe held at Surat and elswher concerning many matters of seuerall natures and qualities. In one of them it did appeare what care he tooke to saue and preuent a great charge they formerly ranne into by sending vpp mony by Conuoye vnto Amadauaz, but caused retournes to be made therof by Bills, wherby much hazard and daunger shalbe preuented and great charge saued that formerly was wastfully expended ; As also how the Persian trade was to be supplyed, Together with many other matters of great consequence. ### [58.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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. ### [58.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58.3) At this point the passages in the Court Minutes relating to Roe's embassy come to an end. He still, however, maintained close relations with the Company. On November 19, 1619, they asked him whether he was willing to proceed to Bantam in supreme charge; Roe, however, while thanking them for the offer and professing his readiness to go "if the necessitye of their occasions did require it," desired "a breathing tyme" before going into a further exile. In December, 1619, he offered 400l. towards the proposed almshouse for persons maimed in the Company's service. On January 24, 1620, he suggested that a royal letter should be procured, acknowledging the Mogul's kind usage of the English, and thanking him for the presents he had sent; a draft which he had prepared was accordingly ordered to be engrossed for signature. The Court Minutes of 1620-21 are missing, and it is impossible, therefore, to discover whether his services were retained for that year; but apparently they were, for his allowance appears to have been continued. At the election of 1621 he was present, but was not proposed for election; and about this time, it would seem, his allowance was stopped. On August 3, 1621, he informed the Court that "some of the gennerallitie had reported grutchingly of the 1500 poundes that was giuen him att his returne, which he presumed he had deserued, if in nothing else, yet in the frugalitie of keeping their house; also there was giuen him (as he vnderstood it) 200 poundes per annum, but it seemes the Companie ment it not so." Counting on this he had invested in the current joint stock, and though he had paid in 800l., 300l. was still due, which, owing to the stoppage of his allowance, he was unable for the present to pay. He hoped, however, to be able to find the money by Christmas, and he begged them to impose no fine for the delay. This was agreed to; but a further request that the Company should purchase his share in the old joint stock was refused, as the "generality" had disapproved of some previous transactions of the same nature. Roe then asked that as, owing to "his intended imployment \[as ambassador to Constantinople\] and the encrease of his familie he shalbe driven also to larger lodgings, he should want three peeces of their vellvett embroydered hangings to add vnto five of the same kind which he had allready bought and three of their Persian Carpetts," they would either bestow them upon him or allow him to "take them vpp vppon Stock." The Court very willingly made him a present of the goods, "assuring him that howsoever the Companie was so vnhappy as to loose the imployment of so well a deseruing gentleman, yet their loues should follow him, and therefore desired the Continuaunce of his good affecion to the Company; which he freely promised and tooke verry thankefullie the Curtisie now donn him." Roe did not forget his promise, and both during his embassy at Constantinople and in after years, his advice and assistance were always at the service of the Company which had given him "his first public employment" by sending him to represent England at the Court of the Great Mogul. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.58) · Pramāṇa