After this, he threw among those that stood below, two chargers of rupees, and among us who were round the throne two chargers of hollow almonds made of gold and silver mingled; but I would not scramble as did his great men, for I saw his son did not take any up.  He then distributed sashes and girdles of gold tissue to all the musicians and servants, and many others.  So drinking heartily himself, and commanding others to drink, he and his nobles became as jovial as could be, and of a thousand humours.  But the prince, Asaph Khan, two old men, the former king of Candahar, and I, refrained from drinking.  When the king was not able any longer to hold up his head, he lay down to sleep, and we all departed.  While going out, I moved Asaph Khan for the dispatch of our privileges, assuring him his majesty could give me no present so acceptable.  I said farther, that I had no doubt it lay in his power to dispatch me; but if he did not think proper to do so, or if any other hinderance was in my way, I should on the morrow again apply to the king.  He desired me not to do so, for the king loved me and had given orders for dispatching my business, which had been hindered by the preparations for this feast; but he would now send it to me with all speed, and do me all manner of service.

Seven months had now been vainly spent in soliciting the signing and sealing of the articles of amity and commerce, formerly detailed, and I had nothing but promises and delays, from day to day, and from week to week.  Therefore on the 3d September, the English fleet being hourly expected to arrive at Surat, I delivered to him a memorial, containing the articles I desired to have an order for, that they might be observed in the unloading of the ships.  These were, 1.  That the presents coming for the king and prince, should not be opened at the port, but sent up to court under the seals of the customhouse officers. 2.  That curiosities sent for presents to other persons, and for the merchants to sell, should also be sent to the court sealed, for the prince to make the first choice. 3.  That the gross merchandize should be landed, reasonably rated, and not detained at the customhouse, but that the merchants, on paying the customs, should have full liberty to sell or dispose of it as they pleased; and that the ships should be fully supplied with provisions, without paying any custom for the same.

On the 4th, Asaph Khan sent me back my articles, after so long attendance and so many false promises, some of them altered, and others struck out, together with a letter, saying there was no need of any articles, as an order from the prince to trade at Surat was quite sufficient, he being lord there, and that no grant of trade at Bengal or Sinde could ever be allowed.  Notwithstanding all this vexation, I durst not change my mode of proceeding, or wholly quit the prince and Asaph Khan.  I therefore drew up other articles, leaving out what seemed displeasing in the former,