_Aprill 6._--The king sent Oyen Dono to entreate me to let hym have
one of my golden fyshes of China, I having geven hym and his brother 4
of same sort before, and now much against my will gave hym one other,
and sent it per Michell, our _jurebasso_, which it seemed he took 29
in good parte.
Sangero Samma sent to borrow our _foyfone_ to accompany the kyng
on the way, whoe is thought will departe towardes Edo to morrow. So I
lent yt hym with 15 ores.
News came to towne that the King of Umbras brother is dead (whoe is
uncle to King of Firando). So it is thought it will stay his voyag som
dayes.
I went and vizeted Capt. Speck, whoe was sick, and fownd hym looking
on the ruens of a hill or mountayne fallne downe against their howse;
the reason being the pulling downe of a ston wall made before to keep
it up, which being taken downe to buld it better, all the hill slipt
downe and fell upon a banketing howse and other buldinges, spoiling
them, etc.
_Aprill 7._--Cushcron Dono, our neighbour, bult and reared his new
howse this day; and I sent hym 2 _barsos singe_ and 2 fyshes for a
present, as he did to us at our buildinge, and each neighbour doth the
lyke according to Japon fation (or _nifon catange_).
_Aprill 8._--Cushcron Dono envited me with Mr. Nealson and Osterwick
to a colation, with all rest of neighbours that sent presentes, where
there wanted no drinking, Japons being well seene in that facultie.
_Aprill 9._--I wrot a letter to King of Firando, to have justice
against Cazanseque and Goresano. The cause I did it was for that I
sent formerly to hym about same matter, and spoake my selfe lykwais to
hym to same effect, and wrot a former letter last yeare to lyke
effect, but can get no remedy, only he answerd he would geve order to
Taccamon Dono to doe me right. Soe this day I sent Mr. Osterwick to
Taccamon Dono, to know his pleasure herein. His answer was, the king
had not spoaken to hym thereof, and without order from hym he would
not meddell therein. Which is the occation I have now wrot this
letter, and sent it per Mr. Osterwick, because the king is now ready 30
to take bark to goe for Edo, etc. The coppie of this letter I keepe by
me, in Japon languadg, written on the back side what it is, etc. The
king retorned me word he would geve such order as I should have
justice; but nothing but wordes have I fownd hitherto.
_Aprill 10._--Sugean Dono of Umbra envited the kyng to dyner this day,
and sent to borrow _bubes_, swetmeates, and other matters: a singular
uuse they have in Japon (_nifon cantange_). Also his yonger brother
sent to borrow 20 _tais_, for that he was to goe up with the king,
and, yf we had no money (as I had non to lend hym), then to trust hym
with the vallue in merchandiz. But I lyked not such mens payment,
having fownd it per experience, etc.
_Aprill 13._--I sent to Capt. Speck to have had 4 peeces lynen to make
me sherts of, and sent money to pay for it. But he retornd me answer,
it was all sould, when I knew to the contrary they had thousands of
peeces of that sort taken from Chinas lying by them. I had bought
before of same sort for 1 _tay_ 3 _mas_ peece, which made me 2 sherts.
The kinges brother, Tonoman Samma, sent to beg or buy an English hat.
Soe I sent him one which I had of Mr. Nealson.
_Aprill 14._--A yong man of Sakay, walking out at towns end of
Firando, met with a villen whoe cut his throte and took 3 _tais_ or 15
shillings str. of money which he had in his purce, and soe escaped.
Yet the man was fownd alive and soe brought into towne, I seeing hym
carid by all bloody. He said he had seene the man before which did it,
but knew not his name. Yt is thought he cannot live.
_Aprill 15._--The partie which had his throte cut yisterday is said to
have donne it hym selfe, because he had spent his masters money upon
whores, and soe wounded hym selfe (but not deadly) to make the world
beleeve theeves had taken it from hym.
_Aprill 16._--There were rymes cast abrode and song up and downe towne 31
against Matinga and other English mens women. Wherupon matters being
brong in question to put them all away, noe proofes could be fownd
against them, but a mater donne of spyte by their evell willers, all
the neighbours coming to speake in their behalves, affermyng all was
lies and that they would take such order that handes should be laid
upon such as were heard to sing it hereafter and punishment inflicted
upon the offenders. I imagen they were set on by the Hollanders, songs
haveing byn made against them to lyke effect before, but not against
us.
_Aprill 18._--This day most of the inhabitantes of Firando, marid men
and their wives, went a gossiping to Tabola, over to an other iland,
many boates being filled with them.
Geffrey the boy wanting 3 or 4 daies, we thought he had byn lost, yet
was fownd at a kinsmans house. Soe I sent hym hom, except his parents
would geve a writing he should serve the Company for terme of yeares.
_Aprill 19._--Kytskin Dono made me a bill in Japons languadge, wherin
he gave me Jeffrey the boy for to dispose of hym hereafter as I would
my selfe, to cary hym into England or otherwais. And Taffy Dono was
wittnes unto it, in presence of Jno. _jurebasso_, Mr. Nealson, and Mr.
Osterwick, and our Japon vintner whome we buy our wyne of.
_Aprill 21._--Jeffrey, the boy geven me the othe day, broke up a chist
of Co Jnos. and took out some thinges, and upon his examenation hath
confest he had stolne dyvers thinges before. Soe I determen to retorne
hym to them which gave hym to me.
_Aprill 23._--I sent both Jeffrey and the writing back to Kitskin
Dono, whoe gave hym me.
Mr. Nealson tould me this day that Mr. Osterwick reported to hym that
he thought I kept 1000 _tais_ in my handes of the Companies, to make 32
my private benefite thereof. Which being brought in question, he said
he thought the China Capt. owed me 1000 _taies_ more then I had put to
acco. To which I replied, it had byn better he had told me therof then
to speake such matters to others; but that, to burthen me with keeping
money of the Companies I took in ill part, and for the China Capt. I
esteemed hym such a man as would deale well with me and hym both.
_Aprill 24._--I brought the matter in question this day with the China
Capt. tuching the 1000 _taies_ that Jno. Osterwick spoke of, noted by
me yisterday, and som wordes were about a parcell of money delivered,
namely of 2000 _taies_, at one tyme, which in the end the China Capt.
said he thought Niquan his kinsman had receved. I stand in dowbt of
1000 _taies_ more, noted downe in my booke the 11th December, 1616,
but blotted out by my selfe this day to bring the rest to rightes. God
grant Jno. Osterwick deceave me not.
Capt. Speck sent a man with 3 peece China lynen, with complementall
wordes that they had non to sell, but sent them of his owne provition
he kept to make hym shertes. I retorned hym thankes per hym which
brought them, and bad hym tell Capt. Speck I would send hym money for
them, which I did sowne after. But he retorned the money and sent me
word he gave them as a present, wishing they were better.
The China Capt. tould me, betwixt hym and me, that Jno. Osterwick
reported (or tould to hym) this day that he was out of purce 500
_taies_, he knew not how, which he had paid out, he knew not how, not
having written it downe.
_Aprill 25._--I rec. a letter from Capt. Adames per way of Langasaque,
dated in Goto, le 28th of Marche last, in the rode (or haven) of
Narra, in which he wrot me of the extremety they passed in loosing of
their rudder.
_Aprill 26._--The China Capt. went to Langasaque with his doughter to 33
vizet his brother Whow, she never having byn there before, as also to
contract a marriadge betwixt her and the sonne of an other rich China
called Goquan.
Yt is now reported that the _Tono_ (or Kinge) of Firando will not goe
to Edo this yeare. Soe he hath geven leave to his hostes son of Osakay
to goe his way, whoe a long tyme hath staid to goe along with hym.
_Aprill 28._--There was a silver spoone lost at supper, and non in the
howse but our owne folkes. So som of them went to a wisszard to know
whoe had taken it. He wished them to look presently out for it, and
they should come to knowledg whoe had it, but, yf they let midnight
passe, it would never be knowne. Wherupon they made a privie serche,
and went about to heate a ston red hott, and take it in their hands,
it being dailie proved that those which are giltlesse goe free and the
giltie burne. Whereupon Bycho (the boy I gave Mr. Osterwick) willed
them to desist, and he would tell them where the spoone was, but carid
them to divers places, they not finding it; and in the end tould them
he had cast it into the sea, willing them to let it alone and say
nothing, and he would bring it back or pay for it, etc.
_Aprill 29._--I brought Bicho to disepline (or whiping cheare). Soe at
first he stoutly denied what he of hym selfe had formerly confessed;
but in the end he yilded, and said he had stolne it at supper tyme,
and delivered it to the servant of a Japon. Soe I sent to that mans
howse, but his servant was working at Hollandes howse, he sending for
hym and Bicho acknowledging he had receved it from his handes, we
being at supper, he being without, looking on a munkie or ape. But
that fello denid it, and his master used many thretning words, that he
would kill Bicho for sclandring of his servant. Yet the boy still
stood to his word that the said fello had it. Whereupon I sent Mr.
Osterwick, with our _jurebasso_, to Taccamon Dono, to seek justis 34
against that fello; but he was gon to the kinges howse before they
came.
_Aprill 30._--I sent Mr. Osterwick to Taccamon Dono, cheefe
justice, to demand restetution of the silver spoone of the recever,
although he denid the recept thereof, otherwais to proceed against hym
by order of justice. He retorned answer, he would do me justice.
_May 1._--Gonosco Dono envited us to dyner to morrow.
Mr. Nealson and Mr. Osterwick went to Tabola with their women to make
merry; but Nealson entred into humours at his retorne, being in potum.
_May 2._--I canot forget to note how Mr. Nealson roze this night,
three howers before day, and called me up to drink, etc., and fell
into termes with me because the neighbours went not out to meet hym
with a banket, laying the falt in me; and, not contented with that,
caused the porter to open the dore to let hym out, as though he went
to walk (as ordenarely he seemeth to doe). But I, wondering he went
out soe tymely, roze up to have geven hym councell to take heed how he
went out at such an hower, but fownd he was gon over the way to Mr.
Osterwickes lodging, to tell hym (in my hearing) that I used them as
slaves and not as merchantes, with stamping and swearing upon it, and
that it was not to be sufferd. I have much adoe with this man in his
drunken humours, he seeking (when he is most soberest) to set me at
odds with all men. God defend my just cause.
We were well entertayned at Gonosco Donos at dyner, and had much talk
about the Hollanders and English, being by hym urged thereunto, and,
as I think, set on by the King or _Tono_ of Firando. But, as it should
seeme, they esteemed much more of our nation then of the Hollanders,
esteeming them as theeves and we true men.
_May 3._--There is some murmering speeches geven out that these 35
sotherne _tonos_ (or kinges) draw back whoe should set forward first
to goe up to themperour, and he of Umbra sent this of Firando word
that he might exskews the matter in respect of his infermity (or
sicknesse), and the rather because no other is about to goe as yet,
except it were Frushma Tay, whose cuntrey is neare Cyaw (or Miaco).
This Frushma Tay is as greate a man as he of Xaxma, and of more
revenews, and loved and esteemed at Miaco more then any other prince
in Japon; and he only is gon to Miaco, and no ferther; and what will
ensue is uncerten. Yet out of dowbt, yf Miaco, that is to say Cyaw,
Osakay, and Sackay waver from themperour, and that Xaxma, Frushma Tay,
and the rest of sotherne lordes take part against hym, he will hardly
preveale. For out of dowbt all the northerne lordes are not sure, no
not his owne nephewes, etc.
_May 4._--A brute was geven out the _Tono_ (or King) of this place
Firando would set forward towardes themperours court, and all the
boates ready to accompany hym. But it proved but a falce allarom, as
divers other tymes hath byn the lyke; only to make a shew he is a
going, for out of dowbt themperour is not without spies in this and
all other places.
_May 5._--I sent our _jurebasso_ to Taccamon Dono, and Bicho the boy
with hym to certefye that he delivered the spoone to that other
felloe; but still Taccamon Dono puts me affe with the kinges going
out, yet that in the end he will doe me justice.
Before nowne the King of Firando went out on his voyage towardes
Miaco, or to themperours Court. The Hollanders shot affe 5 peeces
ordinance at their howse, as the boates passed by; but one recoyled
and strouck up earth and stoanes, and hurt a Hollander very sore which
gave fire. There were many barkes went out to accompany hym out of the
harbor, and amongst the rest both us and the Hollanders. I carid hym 36
2 pottell glasse bottelles of very good strong annis water, stilled by
my selfe heare, and the Hollanders carid a stick or peece of _ginco
callamback_ (or lignum allois) which I think could not be a _li_. He
seemed to be merry, and drunk to us both, with many others.
_May 9._--Taccamon Dono and rest of nobles retorned from accompanying
the king onward on his journey to Miaco; and soe I sent our
_jurebasso_ againe to hym, to procead in justice about the stolne
silver spoone. He retorned answer that he was content I should
proceade to my owne content (or as I would), only their triall was by
fire, so that, yf he I burthened proved to have it, it was to my
honor, otherwais, yf I accused hym wrongfully, the contrary. Soe he
wished me to be well advised before I proceaded therein.
_May 10._--The China Capt. retorned from Langasaque and brought word
how the junck wherin Capt. Adams went is retorned back to Langasaque
(as all the rest which went out are the lyke), and that our junck _Sea
Adventure_ is at Liqueas and lost her voyag for Syam. Also that the
juncke of Billang Ruis (which should have gon for Phillipinas and went
out a month before Capt. Adames) hath also lost her voyag and retorned
back, haveing in 3 stormes (or tuffons) cast most part of her lading
overboard, to lighten her.
I rec. 2 letters from Langasaque, viz. 1 from Gota Shoyamon Dono, the
mint man, and 1 from Shoyemon Dono, master _caboques_.
_May 11._--This mornyng calme raynie wether, but after, a stiff gale,
northerly, all fore nowne, but after vered southerly. Much rayne all
day and like per night following, with lightnyng and thunder; and in
the evenyng, towardes night, was a mighty cracking or rustlyng in the
aire or fermament, as though it had byn the flying of a thunderboult, 37
and yet no lightning nor thonder at that tyme. I took notis of it as a
fearfull thing, and many spoake of it afterwardes.
_May 13._--The China Capt. sent me 3 China golden fyshes, and his
doughter a peec. silk borall, or taffety mad borall fation.
_May 14._--Capt. Adames, with Ed. Sayer and Robt. Hawley, arived this
day from Langasaque, the junck having lost her voyag for Cochinchina.
So Ed. Sayer brought back the goodes and monies sent in that voyag.
_May 15._--I rec. the letter Ed. Sayer wrot me from Langasaque, dated
the 7th present, with 3 coppis letters in it, one written from Liqueas
to me, and other 2 to Mr. Eaton, whoe is in an other iland of same
Liqueas, and hath lost his voyag or monson, yet, as it seemed, ment to
stay theare till begining next monson and then procead on her voyag.
But he advized Mr. Eaton his opinion to lade her with wheate and
retorne to Japon, which course I formerly advised hym to take yf he
lost his monson. God grant he take it.
_May 17._--This day the King Firandos bark retorned from Miaco, which
carid up his horse, and they report that the Emperour hath sent downe
order to Miaco that all the _tonos_ of Japon shall stay theare, and
not goe forward to Edo. Soe it is thought the Emperour is dead, or
else he standeth in fear that the northerne _tonos_, or kinges, meane
to joyne with them of the south and rize against hym. Once it is
thought somthing will happen.
_May 18._--Mr. Nealson went to the bath at Ishew to recover his
health, being much out of temper.
Comissioners, or rather survears, came to Firando this day, sent with
order from themperour to survay all the cuntrey at their pleasure.
What is their entent is not well knowne, yt not having byn donne in
these partes heretofore.
_May 21._--This day was the feast of the resorection of the greate 38
profet of Japon, or rather a god, as they take hym, for som hould no
other god but he. They deck all the forefront or eves of their howses
betymes in the mornyng with greene bowes, in remembrance of his
resurrection.[8]
We sent 1 _tay_ small plate, with a barell of wyne and a bondell sea
weed, to the _boz_, our landlord, for a years rent of a garden hired
at present of hym.
[8] Marginal note: "Feast of Shacka".
_May 24._--The gunfownders did borow all our copper, to deliver as
much same sort within 3 months, and left on fardell for a sample.
_May 25._--We set men to bale out water and make cleane our small
junck, to bring her agrownd and calfret or mend her, to serve to carin
our shiping, as the Hollanders doe the lyke with an ould junck of
theires.
The China Capt. being sick of the headache extremly, I gave hym a glas
bottell roze vinegar I brought with me out of England.
_May 26._--Cushcron Dono, our neighbour, haveing made his new howse,
envited his kindred and other neighbours Japons to heate his howse (as
they terme it), where they drunk themselves drunk for company, with
howling and singing after a strang manner, yet ordenary in Japon.
I paid vii-1/2 _mas_ small plate to Matinga for covering or shingling
the howse.
I receved a letter from Mr. Nealson from bath at Ishew, dated 4 daies
past, wherin he writes to have Robt. Hawley, the chirurgion, to com to
hym to let hym blood and purg hym.
_May 27._--News is now com to towne that themperour will retire hym
selfe into the ould howse his father kept at Edo, and that his sonn (a
littell boy of 10 or 12 yeares ould) shall remeane in the cheefe
fortresse with the councell to adminester justice. Which reportes doe
conferme men in opinion that themperour is dead.
_June 1._--We had this day 6 ship carpenters and 13 laborers about 39
tyying our littell juncke to serve to caryn shiping.
Mr. Osterwick is falne sick on a sudden with much paine in head and
boanes.
_June 2._--This day was 9 carpenters, 7 cawkers, and 18 laborers about
junck; and laborers wrought all night to have stuffe in the mornyng
for carpenters.
_June 3._--This day 10 carpenters, 7 cowkers, and 20 laborers for
junck.
Capt. Speck came to English howse to vizet me, and is much affeard of
the junck which went owt this yeare, in respect the others are retornd
and lost their voyage. He tould me he howrly expected shiping from the
Molucos.
_June 4._--I rec. a letter from Jor. Durons, dated in Langasaque, le
12th of this month, new stile, wherin he wrot me how Feze Dono had
accused Twan Dono for murthering 17 or 18 Japons without law or
justice, and amongst rest a famely, because the parents would not
consent to let hym have their doughter, and the maid her selfe passed
the same way. But the councell tould Feze Dono they would have hym to
take in hand matters of leeveing and not dead people. Soe then he
apeached Twan and his children as Christians and maintayners of
Jesuistes and fryres whoe were enemies to the state, and hath cauced
18 or 20 to be taken. So that it is thought greate persecution will
ensue at Langasaque.
_June 5._--Robt. Hawley went to Ishew to Mr. Nealson to geve hym
phisick and let hym blood, as he required. And I wrot Mr. Nealson a
letter, and sent hym a barell of skarbeare and 10 loves bread and a
barell Japon wyne for their provition.
We had news towardes night that there was 2 shipps without, and in the
end said to be Hollanders. Soe Capt. Speck sent out a boate to see.
_June 6._--Early in the mornyng the domene (or prist) of the Holland 40
shipp _Son_ came to vizet me, and tould me how our ship _Adviz_
departed from them the second day after they went from hence, or
rather they sayled from her, and since they know not what is becom of
her. The domene tould me they sent the small ship _Gallias_ to
Cochinchina, where they had not staid 3 daies but there entred 6 China
junckes, all which they took and brought them away; and that it is not
a month past that this shipp took 4 China junckes more.
Soe I sent Ed. Sayer to Capt. Speck to use complement of their ships
safe retorne; and he exskewsed hym selfe he had not sent me word
thereof before. He tould Ed. Sayer how they had not medled with any
junck which was bound for Cochinchina, only they had taken 16 junckes
which were bound for the Manillas; and were on the cost of
Phillippinas, where they burned a Spanish ship, all the people being
gon ashore.
Also they say the _Gallias_ was in the rode of Amacau, where they rode
at an ancor serten daies, and the Chinas came abord of them with
provition and silk stocking and other matters, using them kyndly.
I went out to meete the Holland shipp _Sonn_ at Cochy, and carid Capt.
Barkhowt 1 _barso_ wyne, 1 of skarbeare, a hogg, and 5 hense; but he
was on the way, and entred the same tide into the harbor of Firando
without casting ancor. He used much speeches to me of his
proceadinges, and that he had taken Chinas twise, I meane them which
the _Gallias_ had taken before, and after tould me they were of them
they had taken at Manillas the yeare past. Once it is certen they have
taken 6 junckes which were bound from China to Cochinchina, and yet
deny it, saying now it is vj wickes since they saw the _Gallias_, and
that they had put 40,000 _tais_ plate into her to goe to Cochinchina
to trade, and what they have donne since they know not. So yt is easie
to be seene by the wordes the domene tould me all is falce.
Mr. Nealson and Robt. Hawley retornd from Ishew. 41
_June 7._--Yt is serten that the Hollanders have taken more riches
this yeare from the Chinas then they did the last, and each marrener
hath his cabben full of silk stuffes and musk.
_June 8._--Towardes night the Duch shipp _Gallias_ arived at the rode
of Cochy in Firando. But, as they say, it is allmost a month past that
they left company of 3 junckes they brought in company with them, per
meanes of stormy wether, they haveng put 7 or 8 Hollanders into each
of them, which they now think the Chinas have cut throtes of and carid
the junckes away. They report the wether was soe extreme when they
took those junckes (and others) that they could not discharg the
goodes out of them, because the sea went soe hie, only brought them
along with them, expecting calme wether, but lost them, as afforsaid.
They say that, having taken most parte of goodes out of 1 junck, and
seeing her reddy to sink, they put 900 Chinas in to her, and bad them
shift for them selves, etc.
Capt. Adames did also retorne this day per land because the sea went
hie.
All these people begin to murmor against the Hollanders for taking all
junckes they meete, whether they trade into Japon or no, and doe all
under the name of English. Soe God knoweth what will com of it.
A quarter master of Duch ship _Son_ gave me 6 muskcods.
_June 9._--The Hollanders were in councell to have sent back the ship
_Gallias_ to have looked out for the 3 juncks which they put their men
into. Yet in the end they were of an other mynd, in respect it is
above xx daies they lost sight of them, etc.
_June 10._--The _Gallyasse_ came into the harbor at Firando, and I
sent out our _foyfone_ to helpe to tow her in.
Cornelius Scott, pilot of the _Son_, gave me a littell gold ring with
a garnett ston set in it.
_June 12._--Many Chinas and Japons came from Langasaque to Firando 42
with R. of 8, to buy stuffes of Duch marreners, and wanted not store
of falce R. of 8. Jno. Yossen bought good store of stuffes of them for
reddy money at deare rates, as their damasks, grograns, and sattens
ordenaris, at 5 _tas_ peec.
_June 14._--I gave Mr. Nelsons woman the out side of a _keremon_,
silk, for that shee made me halfe a dozen shertes and would take no
payment.