Not long after he again offended the King.  Which as it is reported was thus.  A Portugueze had been sent for to the City to be employed in the Kings Service; to which Service he had no Stomach at all, and was greatly afraid of, as he justly might be.  For the avoiding therefore of it he sends a Letter to this English Courtier, wherein he entreated him to use his interest to excuse him to the King.  The English man could not read the Letter being writ in the Portugueze Tongue, but gave it to another to read.  Which when he knew the contents of thought it not safe for him to meddle in that business, and so concealed the Letter.  The person to whom the English man had given it to read, some time after informed the King thereof.  Whereupon both the Portugueze that sent the Letter, and the English man to whom it was sent, and the Third Person that read it, because he informed no sooner, were all three at one time and in one place torn in pieces by Elephants.

[The King sends special order concerning their good usage.] After this Execution the King supposing that we might be either discontented in our selves, or discountenanced by the People of the Land, sent special order to all parts where we dwelt, that we should be of good cheer, and not be discouraged, neither abused by the Natives.

Thus jealous is the King of Letters, and allows none to come or go.  We have seen how dear it cost poor Henry Man.  Mr. William Vassal, another of the Persia-Merchant men, was therefore more wary of some Letters he had, and came off better.

[Mr. Vassals prudence upon the receit of Letters.] This man had received several Letters, and it was known abroad that he had.  Which he fearing lest the King should hear of, thought it most convenient and safe to go to the Court and present him himself; that so he might plead in his own Defence to the King.  Which he did.  He acknowledged to him that he had received Letters, and that they came to his hands a pretty while ago:  but withall pretended excuses and reasons to clear himself.  As first, that when he received them, he knew not that it was against the Law and manner of the Countrey; and when he did know, he took Council of a Portugueze Priest, (who was now dead) being old and as he thought well experienced in the Countrey.  But he advised him to defer a while the carrying them unto the King until a more convenient season.  After this he did attempt, he said to bring them unto the King, but could not be permitted to have entrance thro the Watches:  so that until now, he could not have opportunity to present them.

[The King bids him to read his Letters.] The King at the hearing hereof, seemed not to be displeased in the least, but bid him read them.  Which he did in the English Language, as they were writ; and the King sat very attentive as if he had understood every word.  After they were read, the King gave Vassal a Letter he had intercepted, sent to us from Sir Edward Winter, then Agent at Fort St. George; and