[Footnote 219:  This circumstance is perhaps explained in the sequel, as relating to the death of a person at Burhanpoor.—­E.]

[Footnote 220:  This is probably meant for the same public audience called, in other parts of the journal, the Gazul Khan.—­E.]

The 13th, the Dutch came to court, bringing a great present of China ware, saunders-wood, parrots, and cloves, but were not allowed to approach the third degree, or raised platform.  After some time, the prince asked me, who they were?  I answered, that they were Hollanders who resided at Surat.  He then enquired if they were our friends?  I answered, that they were of a nation which was dependent upon the king of England, but not welcome in all parts, and that I did not know their business.  He then said, since they were our friends, that I ought to call them up.  So I was obliged to call upon them, that they might deliver their presents, on which occasion they were placed beside our merchants, yet without any farther speech or conference.  Finally, every thing I asked was complied with, or at least promised, and I now wait for performance and money.  I am satisfied, that, without this contestation, I had never succeeded in our just demands; for I told the prince’s messenger, in the presence of all the English, that if he chose to use force against me or my goods, he certainly might, but it should cost blood, for I would set my chop upon his master’s ship, and send her to England.

On the 18th I received notice from Surat of the imprisonment of Spragge and Howard at Burhanpoor, where their house and goods were seized, and their lives in question, on the following account:—­The cutwall had been drinking at their house, and one of his men had died that night, on which they were accused of having poisoned him, and the cutwall, in excuse for having been at their house, pretended that he had gone to fetch away a man’s wife who was detained by Thomas Spragge.  What may be the truth of this affair I know not; but information has been sent to the king against them.  I went therefore to the prince, who had promised to undertake all our causes, but could not get speech of him, though I had likewise to complain of force having been used against a caravan of ours on the way, notwithstanding a phirmaund from the rajah of the country, on both of which subjects I shall present a petition at night to the king.  My trouble with this barbarous and unjust people is beyond all endurance.  When at the prince’s, I found the promised phirmaund drawn up indeed, but half of the agreed conditions were omitted, upon which I refused to accept it, and desired leave to depart, that I might treat with them in the sea.[221]

[Footnote 221:  This obscure expression seems to imply a threat of taking vengeance, or making reprisals at sea, for the oppressions of the Mogul government against the English trade.—­E.]