History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c83.s8.27

v5.c83.s8.27

During his captivity, Annesley with tireless activity sent off petitions to the Surat governor, to the agents and friends of the English in Aurangzib's camp, and to the Emperor himself and his ministers, —asserting the innocence of the Company's servants and demanding their release. Sir John Gayer, the governor of Bombay, was equally active; he wrote to Itimad Khan and to the Emperor, strongly protesting against the arrest of his countrymen and appealing for justice. "We are merchants and not pirates," he repeated, and he reminded the Mughal Government of its long and friendly protection of the English traders ever since the days of Jahangir.*