The 23d five Hollanders anchored in the outer road, four of which came last from the Mauritius, having been nineteen months on the voyage from Holland.  At that island they found that General Butt had been cast away with three ships, two being totally lost, the men and goods of the third being saved.  A fourth, which was in company, went home under jury-masts, along with a pinnace that came there by chance.  One of these ships that was at the Mauritius came away before the rest, and they found her driving up and down off the mouth of the straits, having lost 160 men, and having only eight remaining.  The 25th, by letters from Priaman, we had notice of the death of Mr Ozewicke and Samuel Negus.

Sec.2. Brief Observations by Mr Edward Dodsworth, who returned to England in the Hope.

The 16th October, 1614, while in the bay of Surat, Mr Aldworth and Mr Steel came on board, and next day Mr Aldworth was examined, according to the company’s commission and instructions,[135] concerning the behaviour of Paul Canning to the king, and the king’s conduct towards him.  To which he answered, That his behaviour was right, and the king’s entertainment of him satisfactory, till the Jesuits insinuated he was only a merchant, and not sent immediately by the king of England.  After this he was neglected, and died since.[136] Also, that he thought it fit that some one of our nation of good respect should remain at court, to procure redress of any wrongs that might be offered; to which function Mr Edwards was chosen to go to Agra, as the person most answerable to the company’s instructions, on which occasion some question was made, whether it would be proper he should proceed in the character of a merchant, according to the strict letter of the instructions, which Mr Aldworth conceived would procure him disrespect with the king; and, after some contest, some way was given to Mr Edwards in this affair, lest they should disagree in their proceedings, especially as it had been reported by some already, that he was a messenger from the king of Britain.

[Footnote 135:  This commission had six questions, of which I only insert what is fit for the public eye.—­Purch.]

[Footnote 136:  It has been said on a former occasion, that he died of poison, given, as was thought, by the jesuits.—­Purch.]

After much opposition to our desire of trade, there came a firmaun from the king on the 24th November, which, according to custom, the nabob met in state two miles from the city, attended by 600 horse.  Next day we were kindly entertained, and the nabob gave Mr Edwards 850 mahmoudies, thirty pieces of topseels, ten of fine calicoes, and other things.  The money being to bear the charges of carrying up the present to the king, who was not willing we should incur any expence on that account, and the stuffs as a gratification to those who carried them up.  To the merchants also he gave fifteen pieces of topseels, five to each, with his chop or licence for our departure, and promises of kind usage, all this being done in presence of those who brought the firmaun.  The 30th, Mr Edwards and we set out for Amadavar [Ahmedabad.]