The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 8: TO THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.

8

(I. O. Records: O. C., No. 335.) Adsmere, 25 January, 1615 [-16].
.... By the 10th of January I recouered so much strength as to sitt on a horse; and, having demanded leaue, presented myself to the King .... After many Complements, I vsd some woordes to him, deliuering his Majesties lettre and showing my Commission, the Coppy wherof (I meane the lettre) I then alsoe deliuered in Persian; after that, your presents .... He sitting in his state could not well descerne the Coach, but sent many to see yt, and Caused the Musitian to play on the Virginalls there, which gaue him good Content. .... At night, hee having stayd the Coachman and Musitian, he came downe into a Court, gott into the Coach, into euery Corner, and causd it to be drawne about by them. Then he sent to me, though 10 a clock at night, for a seruant to tye on his scarfe and swoorde the english fashion, in which he tooke so great pryde that he marched vp and downe, draweing yt and flourishing, and since hath neuer beene scene without yt. So that in conclusion he accepted your presents well ; but after the English were come away he asked the Iesuyte whether the King of England were a great Kyng that sent presents of so small valewe, and that he looked for some Iewells. To this purpose was I often felt by some, before I sawe him, whither I had brought Iewells or no. But raretyes please as well, and if you were furnished yearly from Francford, wher are all knacks and new deuises, 100 li. would goe farther then 500 li. layd out in England, and here better acceptable Ther is nothing more welcome here, nor euer saw I man soe enamord of drincke as both the King and Prince are of redd wyne, wherof the Gouernor of Suratt sent vp some pottle. Euer since, the Kyng hath sollicited for more. I thinck 4 or 5 handsome cases of that wyne wilbe more welcome than the richest Iewell in Cheapesyde. Pictures, lardge, on cloth, the frames in peeces ; but they must be good, and for varyetye some story, with many faces, for single to the life hath beene more vsuall. If the Queene must be presented (which I will not aduise too, and doe purpose, as well out of necessytye as Judgment, to breake this Custome of daylye bribing) fine needle woorke toyes, fayre bone lace, cuttworke, and some handsome wrought wastcote, sweetbagges or Cabinetts, wilbe most Convenient .... I would add any faire China Bedsteeds, or cabinetes or truncks of Japan are here rich presentes. Lately the King of Bisampore sent his Ambassador with 36 Elephantes, two with all their chaines of wrought beaten gould, 2 of siluer, the rest Brasse, and 40 rich furnished horses, with Iewells to the valew of 10 leeks of rupies ; yet withall he sent China ware and one figure of christall, which the King accepted more then that masse of wealth.
This place is either made, or of itselfe vnfitt for an ambassador. I speak against myself, but I will enforme truth ;
For though they vnderstand the qualetye, yet they haue much adoe to vnderstand the priuiledges which that qualetye with vs doth require, the rather because they haue euer beene sought too humbly and they expect as much of mee