He Desired, Therefore, That I
Might Write A Few Lines To The Captains And Factors, Directing Them To
Use The Queen's Servant Kindly, And Allow Him To Buy For Her Some Toys,
Such As I Could Spare.
This I durst not deny, though I clearly saw the
greediness which was covered under this request; and I gave him a note,
as desired, making a condition that I should see a copy of the firmaun,
which was already sealed, and could not be seen without leave.
By all this you may see how easy it were to sell commodities here, by a
little good management. Last year we were not looked at; but now, that I
have translated the inventory of fine wares for the king, yet concealing
the pearls, every one is ready to run down to Surat, to make purchases.
Noormahal and Asaph Khan now study how to do me good offices; and many
of the great men are soliciting me for letters, that they may send down
their servants, so that if you had trebled the present consignment, it
might all have been bought up aboard ship, and have saved you the
customs, expence of carriage, and much spoil. I have therefore directed
the factory to sell to the servants of Noormahal and Asaph Khan,
whatsoever can be spared, so as to leave me a decent proportion for my
uses at court. By this, much trouble and charges will be saved, the
prince prevented from plunder and exactions, and our friends confirmed;
and yet I hope to have enough remaining to please the king and his son.
At the delivery of their presents, Asaph Khan has undertaken to procure
the phirmaunds for our trade at Bengal or any other port, and even to
procure us a general privilege for free trade and residence in every
part of the king's dominions.
On the 24th of October the king departed to a considerable distance from
Mundu,[215] and went from place to place among the mountains, leaving us
quite at a loss what way we should take, as no one knew his purpose. On
the 25th I had a warrant for ten camels at the king's rates of hire; and
on the 29th I removed to follow the king, being forced to quit Mundu,
which was now entirely deserted. The 31st I arrived at the king's tents,
but found he had gone with few company on a hunting party for ten days,
no person being allowed to follow without leave. The leskar or camp was
scattered about in many parts, suffering great inconveniences from bad
water, scarcity and consequent dearness of provisions, sickness, and all
sorts of calamities incident to so great a multitude; yet nothing can
prevent the king from following his pleasures. I here learnt that it was
quite uncertain whether the king proposed going to Agra or Guzerat; and,
though the latter was reported, the former was held to be more probable,
as his counsellors wished to be at rest. Yet, because the king was
expected to linger here about a month, I was advised and thought it best
to send for the goods and presents, and endeavour to conclude my
business, rather as defer it upon uncertainties. By this means, I hoped
to obtain some rest, which I much needed, as I was very weak, and not
likely to recover by daily travel, and the use of cold raw muddy water.
[Footnote 215: In the edition of Churchill, the king is said to have
removed twenty-four cosses from Mundu, while in the Pilgrims it is
called only four cosses. - E.]
Richard Steel and Jackson arrived on the 2d November, 1617, with the
pearls and other small matters, which they had brought privately on
shore according to my order, which I received and gave them acquittance
for. I had a conference with Mr Steel about his projects of water-works,
intended to advance the sale of lead, which I did not approve of,
because I knew the character of this people, and that this affair must
be begun at our expence, while after trial we should not enjoy the
profit, but the natives be taught.[216] Besides, it did not promise any
advantages for the sale of our commodity, as the lead would be trebled
in price by land-carriage, and could not be delivered at Agra so cheap
as other lead could be purchased there. Yet I was willing that he should
make a trial, by carrying his workmen to Ahmedabad, and meeting me
there; where, by the aid of Mukrob Khan, who only among these people is
a friend to new inventions, I would make offer to the king of their
inventions, and try what conditions might be procured; but, in my
opinion, it is all money and labour thrown away. The company must shut
their ears against these projectors, who have their own emoluments much
more in view than the profits of their masters. Many things look fair in
discourse, and in theory satisfy curious imaginations, which in practice
are found difficult and fanciful. It is no easy matter to alter the
established customs of this kingdom; where some drink only of rain
water, some only that of a holy river, and others only of such as is
brought at their own cost.
[Footnote 216: This project is no where explained, but might possibly be
intended for conveying water, by means of machinery and leaden pipes,
for the supply of some palace or city in India. - E.]
As for his second project, of inducing the caravans and merchants of
Lahore and Agra, who are in use to travel by Candahar into Persia, to
come by the river Indus and to go by sea in our ships to Jasques or the
Persian gulf it is a mere dream. Some men may approve of it in
conversation, but it will never be adopted in practice. The river Indus
is but indifferently navigable downwards, and its mouth is already
occupied by the Portuguese; while its navigation upwards, against the
stream, is very difficult.
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