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21: HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
Jehaiigire expressed his satisfiiction with the <i^anantry of the
f]nglish, ami presented him with a finnan, directed to the
Governor of Snrat and Canibay, allowing the English to trade
in his dominions. From this circumstance, it may be gathered
that the East India Company achieved their first victory and
gained their earliest privileges in Western India, through the
skill of their naval officers and the valour of their seamen.
In 1015 the Local Marine force appears to have consisted of
ten grabs and galivats, and, from this time, may be dated the
permanent establishment of the Service. On the 18th of
September in this year, a stpiadron of four of the (Company's
ships, under the command of that experienced seaman. Captain
Keeling, arrived at Surat, having on board Sir Tliomas Roe,*
appointed Anjbassador from King James to the Great Mogul,
Avho was then holding his court at Ajmere. Sir Thomas was
successful in obtaining the dismissal of the Governor of Surat,
whose conduct had been arbitrary towards the English ; and
also a treaty, ratified by Jehangire, conceding the privileges
already granted to Mr. Edwardes, by which the Company
could establish factories in any part of the Empire, specifying
Bengal, Scinde, and Surat. Sir Thomas Roe's advice to the
Company shows him to be a man of sound sense and sagacity.
He says :— " At my first arrival, I understood a fort was very
iiecessar}^ ; but experience teaches me we are refused it to our
advantage. If the Emperor were to oifer me ten, I would not
accept of one." His reasons for this opinion are, " firstly, that
it be prejudicial to their trade; and secondly, the charge is
greater than the trade can bear, for to maintain a garrison will
eat all your profit— war and traffic are incompatible. By my
consent you shall never engage yourselves but at sea, where
you are like to gain as often as to lose." After instancing the
Portuguese and Dutch, who " are beggared by keeping of
—
soldiers," he continues " Let this be received as a rule, that
if you will profit, seek it at sea and in quiet trade ; for, with-
out controversies, it is an error to affect garrisons and land
wars in India." The factors at Surat, being desirous of open-
ing a trade with Persia, sent agents to the court of Shah
Abbas, though contrary to Sir Thomas Roe's advice, who said
that as the Portuguese were in possession of the ground, it
would cost the Company more to protect themselves than they
could hope to gain by the speculation. At this time, Surat
and Bantam continued to be the chief seats of the Company's
factories ; but, although agents were sent to Amboyna, Banda,
and other islands, they were unable to establish a factory,
* This embassy was sent iu compliance with the wishes of the Company, wlio
agreed to defray tlie expenses. Tlie four sliips forming the squadron were the
' Expedition,' ' Dragon,' ' Lion,' and ' Peppercorn.' The fleet was commanded
by Captain Keehng, and the account of the voyage was written by Captain Peyiou
of tlie ' Expedition.'