The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 6.2.3

6.2.3

Or if this may not be convenient to enterprice, yet if you will giue him one good blow, which you haue power and reason to doe : whensoeuer you will send sixe good shipes togither for this Place, vnder colour of safe conduct of those to returne hence, and so to take theyr Course for the Sowthward, they may ride in the roade and enforme themselues dayly of the Comminge in of the Gallions for Goa, which ariue alsoe in September, and lade in December for lisbone (the Peons of Suratt may and will goe to Goa for 30s. and bringe weekly aduise when they beginn to lade, for they halfe lade within the barr, vnder the fort, and then come out to take in the rest, where they ryde vnfitted for any defence, halfe their men ashoare with frigatts to fill them), and then four of your shipes may way and bee with them in so many dayes, and take what they please, almost without shooting a shootte, lade themselues and fire them ; and one prosperous assault vpon them would more disharten them, bring them to better termes (when they sawe your resolution to prosequute them), giue you more reputation and good booty, then twenty repulses euer in your owne defence. It is a rule in warr : the offensiue is both the nobler and the safer part. They make this vse of your sparing them : that their King dares doe any affront to you, because the King of England is a tributarye ;