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moral duties. It is observed by Sir William Jones, that " who- 

 ever travels in Asia, especially if he be conversant with the litera 

 ture of the countries through which he passes, must naturally remark 

 the superiority of European talents. The observation is as old 

 as Alexander; and though we cannot agree with the sage pre- 

 ceptor of that prince, that the Asiatics are born to be slaves, yet 

 the Athenian poet seems perfectly in the right when he represents 

 Europe as a sovereign princess, and Asia as her handmaid; but, 

 if the mistress be transcendently majestic, it cannot be denied that 

 the attendant has many beauties, and some advantages peculiar 

 to herself." 



I have already mentioned the establishment of the English 

 factory at Surat in 1615. The Company were soon afterwards 

 permitted to have factors at Ahmedabad, and other cities in Gu- 

 zerat, where they carried on a considerable trade. Sir Thomas 

 Roe, in the progress of his embassay from James the First to the 

 Emperor Shah Jehan, stayed some days at Brampore, where 

 Sultan Currum, the emperor's second son, was encamped with his 

 army. During that visit, Sir Thomas Roe, by his negociation with 

 Mahobet Caun, received a phirmaun, granting him permission to 

 establish a factory at Baroche, with several valuable immunities. 

 The words of Sir Thomas Roe will best describe his opinion of 

 these privileges; they also contain some curious particulars in that 

 early period of our oriental commerce. 



" On the two and twentieth of July 1616, I received letters 

 from Brain pore, in answer of those to Mahobet Caun; who at 

 first request granted my desire; making his phirmaun to Baroche 

 most effectual to receive our nation, and to give them them a house 



