Purchas his pilgrimes. part 1 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

The Commodities we now haue brought are these, viz. [ 20]

ELephants Teeth. Fine Peeces. Lead in Barres. Morses Teeth. Tinne in Barres. Some Rials of Plate.

The thirtieth of September, the Ambassadour had audience with the Gouernour of Diul con∣cerning all his businesse, vnto whom he shewed the King of Persians Firma, as also the King of Spaines Passe,* 1.1 thinking thereby to satisfie and resolue the iealous doubts of the Portugals Lied∣ger there, (who reported, vpon intelligence from Ormus, that Don Roberto Sherley was come forth of England with three shippes into the Indies of purpose to steale) but they peremptorily denyed credence to any Writing hee shewed them, saying, it was neither their Kings hand, nor Seale. For if it were, they could not be ignorant thereof, considering they knew it so well: and [ 30] further said, it was counterfeit. Whereat the Ambassadour was much moued to impatience, and replyed againe vnto them, saying, that it was meere folly to shew them any Kings hand or Seale: for they had no King, and therefore could not know it. And that they were a waste Nation on∣ly subdued, and brought vnder subiection perforce by the King of Spaine, and were seruile both to him and his subiects. Notwithstanding the Portugals were not danted, but stood stiffely in their former opinions: and said, that he had two ships more in the Indies. Then Arah Manewar∣dus spake in the Ambassadours behalfe, rebuking them sharply for such vnseemely contradicti∣ons of the Persian Ambassadour: and so concluded, absenting the Portugals out of the roome. Af∣terward the Ambassadour made a speech vnto the said Gouernour and assembly, concerning the admittance of vs into his Port, to trade (according to directions, giuen his Lordship from vs, [ 40] as aforesaid) which was very kindly imbraced of the Gouernour: with willingnesse to do there∣in what he might, all inconueniences vnderstood. For which purpose he willed the Ambassa∣dor to send for one or two Merchants from aboord, to conferre with him vpon the same. Where∣upon the Ambassadour wrote a Letter vnto vs, by two of his people, who came aboord our ship on the second of October 1613. in the morning: by which Letter we perceiued his Lord∣ships proceedings in our desired businesse with the Gouernour, with assurance for our safe going and returne: being in such good sort and fashion, that our hopes were great in establishing a trade there, if not a Factorie: especially to make sale of the small quantitie of goods which wee now brought.* 1.2 Wherefore Master Ioseph Salbancke, and my selfe, fitted our selues with the aduice of the Captaine and others in our ship, and went ashoare in one of the Countrey Boates the same [ 50] morning about eight of the clocke, our ship riding about foure or fiue miles from the riuers mouth, from whence we had fifteene miles to the Citie Diul, where the Ambassadour was, so that it was late in the euening the same day before we landed.

And in our way we met with a Portugall Frigat bound for Ormus, which I saw went to carrie newes of our ships being there: because none of their ships (which were daily expected) should come till we were gone. This Frigat came close by our shippe, and tooke view of her, and so de∣parted. Now when we were landed, there came three or foure Portugals vnto vs, demanding if we had brought any goods ashoare, and such like questions: to whom wee made no reply, ma∣king shew that we vnderstood them not, because we might vnderstand them for our aduantage, if occasion serued.* 1.3 Then there came another Portugall (who spake the Dutch Tongue very per∣fectly) [ 60] telling me many things concerning the people and Countrey, all tending to disgrace, in an idle and friuolous manner▪ thinking thereby to disswade vs from desiring Trade there. Not long after, the Officers of the Custome-house came and conducted vs vp to the Castle, where the Gouernour dwelt, who we thought would haue spoken with vs that night, but did not, because

it was so late: yet the Officers (being for the most part Banians, and spake good Portuguse) sear∣ched euery part about vs for money, not leauing so much as our shooes vnsearched. Which being done, and peceiuing vs to take it strangely, they prayed vs to be contented, for it was the order of that place. To which I answered, that although the Portugals might giue them cause to ordaine so ••ad a fashion, yet English Merchants did not, Meazle like, hide money in their shooes: but notwithstanding, we were therewith contented. Then the Gouernours Seruants came to vs, excusing it likewise, saying, that he was displeased thereat. And so they brought a great light, and directed vs from the Castle, vnto the house where Sir Robert Sh••rley, the Persian Ambassa∣dour did lodge: to whom wee found our selues very welcome, and lodged there all the time of [ 10] our abode in Diul, expence free. The Portugals seeing vs landed, and hearing that wee were to treate with the Gouernour about the setling of Trade there,* 1.4 did nothing all this time but (like enuious and lying Malignants) spread clamorous and scandalous speeches, in disgrace of our King, Nation, and Countrey: reporting that we were theeues, and not Merchandizers, but liued chief∣ly by robbing of other Nations on the Seas.

The third of October in the morning, the Gouernour sent the Ambassador word,* 1.5 that in the afternoone he would haue speach with vs. In the meane while, wee had intelligence that the Portugalls were labouring all they could with him, and others, to preuent our intertainement: both by offering him gratifications if he would refuse vs, and by threatning to be gone, if he did receiue vs, alledging as before, that they would not trade where theeues did trade. Neuerthelesse, [ 20] according to our expectations, the Gouernour sent for vs; and withall commanded foure great horses gallantly trapped, to be brought vnto the Embassadours house, for his Lordship, Sir Thomas Powell Master Salbancke, and my selfe; also a certaine company of his seruants,* 1.6 to conduct vs to the Castle: also all the Embassadours followers went with him, each of them carrying an Halbert on their shoulders.

Thus we rode through some part of the Citie, wherein the people in euery street came flock∣ing to see vs, they hauing of long time heard talke of Englishmen, but neuer had seene any before now: for we were the first that euer came into that part of the Countrey.* 1.7 When we came to the Castle, we were receiued very orderly, and directed through some spacious roomes, (where soul∣diours were standing on each side as we went in rankes, cloathed all in white linnen from head [ 30] to foot) vp to an high Turret, wherein the Gouernour, and some other were set: who at our en∣trance arose, and saluted vs, bidding vs kindly welcome. Then we all sate downe together round vpon the Carpets, which were spread vpon the floare according to their fashion. Then the Go∣uernour againe said, we were very welcome, and that he was glad to see Englishmen in those parts; and proceeded to further talke concerning our businesse, and told vs (whereas wee desired trade) the Portugals would not consent that we should driue any trade, or haue to doe where they were, threatning to be gone if he did entertaine vs. Notwithstanding, if he could be assured of a greater benefit to arise by our trade then by theirs, he would not care if they did forsake him: for hee did well affect our Nation. But in the meane time, he hauing farmed the customes of that Port from the King,* 1.8 vnto whom he stood bound for the payment of certaine summes of money yeer∣ly [ 40] for the same, whether it came in or not: it behooued him carefully, to be circumspect in orde∣ring those businesses, whereby to auoid the Kings Highnesse displeasure; which vnhappily might fall out to his vtter ouerthrow and vndoing.

And then he began to tell vs further, that the custome of the Portugalls trade, together with their meanes in letting out their ships to Guzerates and Banians, amounted vnto a Leck of Rupias yeerely, which is tenne thousand pound sterling. Then he demaunded of vs,* 1.9 what sorts of Com∣modities we had now brought, and the quantities of each; also what store of money? All which we answered him, a little more or lesse, and withall told him, that although now we brought but small quantities, yet wee could furnish that Port at our next returne, with any Commodities whatsoeuer the Portugalls did bring; and such a quantitie of each, as we should perceiue requisite [ 50] and fitting to be vented there. Of this he liked well, and asked in what time we could returne from our Countrey thither againe? We answered him, in about twenty two moneths. So hee concluded, saying, That in regard of our small stocke, the Portugals would both laugh at him, and vs, if we should be entertained now. Wherefore, he wished vs to deferre it vntill our next com∣ming, and in the meane time he would giue vs a writing vnder his hand and seale, thereby to as∣sure vs of entertainement at our next comming, conditionally, that we come prouided as afore∣said, and we to leaue him another writing, to assure him that our ship should not molest any of the King of Mogors ships, goods, nor subiects; which we agreed vnto: withall requesting him, that although hee would not receiue vs whereby to establish a trade now; yet that he would per∣mit vs to make sale of those goods we now had: which in no wise he would grant, for feare of [ 60] offending the Portugalls, alleadging as before. Then we desired him that wee might haue water, and other refre••hing for our money, and we would depart so soone as we could. For this he said, that so soone as we did send him our writing aforesaid, he would both send vs another, and giue order to his Officers for the same: but he would not haue the Portugalls to know thereof. So we seeing no remedie, demanded of him what sorts of commodties he would haue vs bring thither;

also what Commodities that countrey did affoord: who answered these, viz.

Broad cloath of diuers prices, and light colours, as Stammels, Reds, Greenes, and Sky-colours, and Aniles, Blewes, and Azures, &c. Elephants teeth, Iron, Tinne, Lead, Steele, Spices, Mony. These Commodities are to be carried for Sinde.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A Portugall Liedger in Diul His slander of the English.
• * 1.2

  Ioseph Salbancke and Walter Pay∣to••▪
• * 1.3

  Portugals slan∣derous policies
• * 1.4

  The malice of the Portugals.
• * 1.5

  October 3.
• * 1.6

  They goe to the Castle in honourable fashion.
• * 1.7

  Their enter∣tainement at the Castle.
• * 1.8

  This King is the Great Mo∣gol.
• * 1.9

  A Rupia is two shillings, or somewhat more, and a Leck is 100000.