THE ENGLISH APPEAR IN THE EAST. 44.9 



favor of the King of. Acliin, and make commercial 

 treaties with him. 



Here the English first appeared, in 1602, under 

 Sii' James Lancaster, who commanded a squadi'on of 

 fom* ships, and was furnished with a letter fi-om 

 Queen Elizabeth* to the king, who had been a 

 fisherman, and had only obtained the throne by- 

 murdering the prince who would have lavtrfully in- 



* Queen Elizabeth's letter is as follows : " We for them " (the East 

 India Company) " do promise, that in no time hereafter you shall have 

 cause to repent thereof, hut rather to rejoice much, for their dealing 

 shall be true and their conversation sure, and we hope that they will 

 give such good proof thereof that this beginning shall be a perpetual 

 confirmation of love betwixt our subjects in both parts, by carrying 

 from us such things and merchandise as you have need of there. So 

 that your highness shall be very well served, and better contented, than 

 you have heretofore been with the Portugals and Spaniards, our ene- 

 mies, who only and none else of these regions have frequented those 

 your and the other kingdoms of the East, not suflFering that the other 

 natives should do it, pretending themselves to be monarchs and absolute 

 lords of all those kingdoms and provinces, as their own conquest and 

 inheritance, as appears by their lofty titles in their writings. The con- 

 trary whereof hath very lately appeared unto us. That your highness, 

 and your royal family, fathers and grandfathers, have, by the grace of 

 God, and their valor, known, not only to defend your own kingdoms, 

 but also to give war unto the Portugals in the land which they possess, 

 as namely : in Malacca, in the year of human redemption, 1575, under 

 the conduct of your valliant Captain Ragamacota {Rajah makuta) with 

 their great loss and the perpetual honor of your highness' crown and 

 kingdom. And now, if your highness shall be pleased to accept unto 

 your favor and grace and under your royal protection and defence, these 

 our subjects, that they may freely do their business now and continue 

 yearly hereafter, this bearer, who goeth chief of the fleet of four ships, 

 hath order, with your highness' license, to leave certain factors with a 

 settled house or factory in your kingdom, until the going thither of another 

 fleet, wliich shall go thither on the return of this — wliich left factors 

 shall learn the language and customs of your subjects, whereby the bet- 

 tor and more lovingly to converse witli tlicm." 

 29 



