me to com to hym, for that he had something to tell us from Oyen Dono,
themperours secretary. Soe we went to his howse, where we mett
Cacazemon Dono, Stroyemon Dono, and Jentero Donos secretary. And they
tould us that, tuching the priz goodes in the friggot, the Japons said
it was theirs, and not the Spaniardes or Portingales, but themperour
would not beleeve them, for that we had proved them tretors in
bringing padres into Japon, contrary to his comandement. Yet,
notwithstanding, Oyen Dono desired to have our and the Hollanders
_jurebassos_ with Stroyemon Dono, our _bongew_, to com in private to
hym to morrow, to shew unto hym the truth, what belonged to the
Spaniardes and Portingals and what to the Japons. Soe we agreed upon
it, and withall tould them we never ment to withould anything from the
Japons, and, for the fardells of silk and other matters which the
Japons fathered, there was ticketes in them which shewed to whome they
belonged, and their names written in Spanish and Portugez, all which
we made knowne unto them for their better remembrance to morow. Soe we
had kynd entertaynment and full promis to be dispached within a day or
two without faile, with many complementall wordes both from Cacazemon
Dono and the rest.
_March 13_ (_Ninguach 12_).--Our pilot of Sackay, which brought us
from Firando to Osacky, came to viset me, he coming from Sacky by sea
in a greate bark laden with salte, and was 2 months in the way; and he
sayeth that with the storme few daies past many barkes were cast away
coming in company with hym, and all the people lost, his bark not
escaping without greate danger; this being the 34th voyadg he hath
made from Sacky to this place.
The Hollanders and we sent our _jurebassos_ to Court to get our
dispach; but had nothing but fayre wordes as heretofore, only they
said that themperours Councell receved the King of Fingo this day and
feasted hym, which hindered our dispach, but to morow they would doe
it.
_March 14_ (_Ninguach 13_).--We sent our _jurebassos_ to Court to 250
procure our dispach. Soe they had answer that our dispach was granted,
and to morow themperour would send us his present, and then we might
departe when we would.
_March 15_ (_Ninguach 14_).--Capt. Camps and I apointed to morow to
goe to the nobles to take our leave and thank them for our dispach,
and soe to dispach our selves out of Edo.
Also this night, about 10 a clock, was an earthquake, but not of much
contynewance.
And about midnight was a fire in the towne, and much hurleburly.
_March 16_ (_Ninguach 15_).--Capt. Camps and I, with Mr. Osterwick,
went to Torazemon Dono to thank hym for the paines he had taken about
our busynes heare, and withall did deliver unto hym a writing
conserning the abuses offered unto us and our nation at Firando, in
keeping of our men presoners and sending them to Nangasaque to sell
them to our enemis, and make our howse a preson for the Japons,
against whome we had no plito. Unto which he answerd we had reason in
what we said, and that the King of Firando knew nothing thereof, and
therfore all should be amended to our content; and that the presoners
Japons were kept per ordenance of Gonrok Dono, and not per the King of
Firando.
And as Capt. Camps and I were about to goe to thank the nobles for our
dispach, word was brought us we might departe when we would, and leave
som one behind us to receve the present themperour ment to geve us,
for that as yet it was not ready; which truly is the greatest wrong or
indignety that eaver hitherto was offered to any Christians, and I
think is donne of purpose per meanes of the King of Firando, whose
mother is a papisticall Jesuist, and he and the rest of his bretheren
and sisters papisticall Christians. Soe that I think it is impossible 251
that we shall eaver have good entertaynment in his cuntrey. God send
me and the rest of our nation well out of it.
_March 17_ (_Ninguach 16_).--Capt. Camps and my selfe went to the
Emperours Councell to take our leave, viz: to Oyen Dono, Codgque Dono,
Otto Dono, Ita Canusque Dono, the 4 princepall councellors. And we
spoake to Oyen Dono and Ita Canusque Dono, whoe gave us very good
wordes, and said they were ashamed we staid here soe long and that we
had not themperours present delivered to us before we went from hence,
but, yf we tarid 2 or 3 daies longer, it would be ready, or delivered
in our abcense to whome we pleased to receave it, yf we went away
before. But Codgsque Dono and Otto Dono were not at home, but hadd
left order with their secretaries to answer as the former. Soe we went
from thence to the lodging of Gonrok Dono, and carid hym a present
from us and the Hollanders. And Itamia Canusque Dono sent me 2 silke
coates or _kerremons_, and the like to the Duch.
I tould Capt. Camps I ment to vizet Shongo Dono, the admirall, and
cary hym a present of 1/2 a _catty_ of campher and a _tay_ wight of
currall, all at my owne coste, in respect of the frenship which was
betwixt Capt. Adames and hym, and to wish hym to contynew his favour
to his child, now the father was dead. But Capt. Camps fell into
collerik terms, and tould me I could not goe to hym nor non else
without his consent. Unto which I replied I might doe with my owne
what I list, and that I did not put this to the companis acco. Unto
which he answerd that I now went about to procure his disgrace, and to
get all the thanke to my selfe, in respeckt of a present was geven hym
both this yeare as also the last, which had it not byn for thenglish,
they would have given him nothing. Unto which I replied I knew nothing
of that which passed the last yeare, and, for that which was donne
this yeare, he might have chosen whether he would have geven it or no. 252
Yet there is suffitient witnesse he said he was sory he had not geven
more in respect of our good entertaynment. But it seemed Capt. Camps
was angry, for he tould me he had put up more indigneties at my hands
then this, which, God is my witnesse, I know not whereby he speaketh
it, for he hath contynewally ensulted over me, and thrust hym selfe
still before me into presence of themperour and his Councell, saying
his place was before myne in respect the Duch was admerall at sea in
the Manillias voyage this yeare. Yet I suffered all this with
pasyence, and let hym take his course; but to be master of my owne and
geve it to whome I list, I think I offerd hym no injury.
Also Oyen Dono, themperours cheefe secretary, brought me 5 silk coates
or _kerremons_ of silk (as I make acco. the Hollanders had the like)
with many complementall wordes; and out of these 5 coates I gave 2 to
Mr. Osterwick, 1 to Robt. Jones and 1 to Jno. Collins at recept
therof.
Also we gave these presentes following in our house:--
5 _cattis_ white raw silk to Capt. Adams wyfe.
to Madelina Samma, her sister.
1 _catt._ white raw silk
1 pece redd silk say
1 _catty_ ditto silk to their ould mother.
1 pece red cheremis to Susana, Capt. Adams doughter.
1 halfe pece ruch crimson damask to Joseph his sonne.
1 pece ornary damask to Andreas their uncle.
1 pece ornary taffete to Maria their kinswoman.
1 pece ornary taffety to Josephs schole master.
1 pec. ditto to Yode Dono, their frend.
1 pec. red cheremy to Robt. and Jnos. hostis.
We left order with Torazemon Dono to rec. our present from themperour
both for us and Hollanders, as also our petition for themperour; and I
left my _goshon_ with Andreas to get a new one out and send it to me.
_March 18_ (_Ninguach 17_).--We departed this day from Edo towards 253
Miaco, and went to bed to Canengaua,[136] 7 leagues. But we overtook
Captain Camps 2 leagues from Edo, and he out went us 3 leagues without
biding us farewell.
We gave 300 _taies_ to our hostis, for diet in our lodging at Edo for
the tyme we staid there, besids other extraordnary which came to above
80 _taies_ more. Soe we wanted 50 _taies_ to cleare all matters, which
I promised to send them from Miaco, God permiting.
And Andrea, with Capt. Adams 2 children, and Jenquese Dono,
accompanied us out of Edo, and brought us a duble banket, with our
presents bord man. Soe we gave the bringers ij _ichebos_ to make a
feast, and to the servantes in our hostes howse i _coban_ and i
_ichebo_; as also one _ichebo_ to our host at Suningaua,[137] 2
leagues from Edo, being there called in by Capt. Camps, otherwais we
had pased alonge; yet he went from us afterward, as above said.
[136] Kanagawa.
[137] Shinagawa.
_March 19_ (_Ninguach 18_).--We went to Oyesso (or Oiso) to dyner, 9
leagues, and to supper to Odora,[138] 4 leagues. And per the way we
overtook Stroyemon Dono, our _bongew_, whoe deliverd me xxviij _coban_
barrs of gould, as he did the like nomber to Capt. Camps, to employ
for Cacazemon Donos sonns best advantage when shiping cometh or
otherwais, the _coban_ vallued at 6 _ta._ 2 _m._ 5 _c._ per barr, is
175 _taies_; wherof I send back, per the servant of Cacazemon Dono, to
deliver to our hostis at Edo, Capt. Adames woaman, at rate abovesaid,
is 50 _taies_.
Capt. Camps had a letter in Japons how Cornelius died within 3 daies
after he arived from Osacky to Firando, and that the shipp departed to
Molucas.
[138] Odawara.
_March 20_ (_Ninguach 19_).--We went from Odoro to Facana Yama[139] to
dyner, hostes name Jembio Dono; and to soper to Nomads,[140] hostes 254
name Tozemon Dono, having made 4 leagues before dyner and 5-1/2 after.
[139] Hakone.
[140] Numadsu.
_March 21_ (_Ninguach 20_).--We went to dyner to Cambar,[141] 6
leagues, the hostes name Sayemon Dono; and to supper to Egery,[142]
4-1/2 leagues, to our ould hostes howse as we went up.
[141] Kambara.
[142] Ejiri.
_March 22_ (_Ninguach 21_).--We went to dyner to Ocaby,[143] 6
leagues; and to supper to Canayea,[144] past the greate river, 5
leagues.
[143] Okabe.
[144] Kanaya.
_March 23_ (_Ninguach 22_).--We went to dyner to Fucore,[145] 7
leagues, hostes name Facherozamon Dono; and to supper to
Hammamach,[146] 6 leagues.
And by the way we met with Quiemon Dono, our barkman, or _sinde_,[147]
of Sackay, whoe brought me 3 letters from Mr. Eaton, 2 of one date,
3th of January, and both coppis verbatum, and an other of the 10th of
February; wherein he writes me all the Japon presoners which were in
our howse are sett at liberty; and that the Hollanders sent our 6
English men ashore againe which weare abord their shipp, being compeld
by Japons. Soe they carid them all to Nangasaque, and Jno. Yoosen hath
them in his handes and will not deliver them unto us, allthough Mr.
Eaton sent Ric. Hudson and a _jurebasso_ with hym to demand them,
offering to pay all the charges he hath disbursed. But he answered
that he would not deliver them, although the King of Firando and
Governor of Nangasaque comanded hym, for that he had mad ready his
junck and ment to send them to the Holland factory at Jaccatra, except
we would buy his junck and pay hym 20,000 _taies_ he had disbursed in
provitions to send thither. But the world knoweth that Yoosen is not
worth 20,000 pence.
Also this day, as we passed over a river, a _bongew_ of the King of 255
Faccatais men did misuse our horsmen, after our horses weare entred
into the bark, and would have put them out per force, because we weare
strangers. Whereupon they went together by the eares, and much a doe
there was about it. Soe that the _bongew_ of Faccata sent word it was
donne without his consent, and therefore, yf we brought out the
parties which did it, were they 1, 2, 3, or 4, he would put them to
death in our sight. But our horsmen weare soe bent because the Faccata
men had misused them, they being themperours men, that nothing would
serve them but the death of the others; which I would not consent
unto, but wished them to defer the matter till we came to Miaco, and
then we would bring it to passe before the justis theare. And
Stroyemon Dono, the King of Firandos _bongew_, was of the same
opinion; yet our horsmen weare not content. But in the end they agreed
among themselves.
[145] Fakuroi.
[146] Hamamatsu.
[147] _Send[=o]_, a boatman.
_Marche 24_ (_Ninguach 23_).--This day we went to Aray[148] to dyner,
5 leagues; and to supper to Yoshenda,[149] 4 leagues. Heare our
_bongew_ and the Hollanders sliped from us and went to bed 5 leagues
ferther.
[148] Arai.
[149] Yoshida.
256
APPENDIX. 257
CORRESPONDENCE.
RICHARD COCKS TO THE E. I. COMPANY.[150]
Right worshipfull,--
* * * * * *
The 12th of June we came to an ancor in the haven of Firando, in
Japan, where the kinge of the place receaved us very kyndlie; Mr.
Adams not being theare, but had heard of our coming per meanes of a
letter sent from Sr. Thomas Smith, which caused hym to leave order
with his host to send a post to hym at our coming, which he did, and
our Generall wrot hym 3 severall letters, yet he arived not at Firando
till the 29th of July. And the 7th of August our Generall departed for
the Japan court, Mr. Adams accompanyinge hym. And it was the 6th
November before he did retorne for Firando, it provinge a tediouse
jorney. Yet he obtayned all priveleges that he did demand. God grant
the trade may prove as benefitiall as hetherto our succeadinges have
byn suckcesfull. The only crose hath byn the runinge away of 7 of our
marreners in the abcense of our Generall, viz. John Bowles,
Christopher Evans, Jno. Sars, Clement Lock, and Jno. Totty, Englishe
men, and Jasper Malconty, and one Jaques, Flemyngs; but Bowles and
Evans were the instigators of the rest. They stole away the skiffe and
went for Langasaque, and there took sanctuary in the papist churches,
and weare secretly convayed away for the Phillipinas per the 258
Jesuistes; but the skiffe we recovered againe.
The Flemynges had setled them selves heare 3 or 4 yeares before our
arivall, and have built them a howse in this place, which hath cost
them allready above 2500_l._ str.; and doe disperce them selves
abroade, som on way and som an other, to look out for trade, as we
must doe the lyke, for they are close and will let us understande
nothinge. They have som small entrance allready into Corea, per way of
an iland called Tushma, which standeth within sight of Corea and is
frend to the Emperor of Japan. But the chifest place which as yet they
have fownd out is from hence to Syam and Pattania, from whence they
bring silke, brasill wood, and deare skynns, which is all ready money
heare.
Mr. Adams is now entertayned into your Worships servis for a cupell of
yeares, untill news com of the _Cloves_ safe arivall in England,
he being now at libertie to com for his contrey when he will. He wold
not be entertayned under 100_l._ str. a yeare. The Flemynges did
what they could to have gotten hym from us, which made hym to stand
the more on his pointes. He aledged he was a pore man and that he had
spent 14 yeares allready to noe purpose, and now wold be loth to
retorne for his contrey a begger, gevinge the Worpll. Compa. humbly
thankes for his libertie, which he doth acknowledge came cheefely by
meanes of the coming of this ship with his Maties. letters of England.
Mr. Adams is of the opynion that, yf eaver the northeast or northwest
passages be fownd out, it must be from these partes, and offreth his
best services therein, the Emperour promisinge his best fortherance
with men or letters of recomendacions to all prinses, and hath
entrance allready into an iland called Yedzo, which is thought to be
rather som parte of the continent of Tartaria. Mr. Adams hath drawne
out the plot of Japan, with parte of that iland and Corea and other
bordering places, and sendeth it to your Worships per this conveance.
Yt is certen that the Hollanders had taken this discovery in hand 259
before now, but that they have soe many irons in the fyre allready
with their wars in the Molucas against the Spaniardes.
I am sory that I canot instantly write your Worships of much benefitt
to be made in these partes; yet I see both the Spaniard, Portingale,
and Duche look out very sharplie about matters of trade. And, yf they
doe good, I hope in tyme we shall doe the lyke, in havinge care and
usinge dilligence, for out of dowbte heare is greate store of silver
in these partes, and, could we gett any greate quantety of broad cloth
to vent, it wold prove a greate matter, allthough at low rates; but as
yet they are soe adicted to silks, that they doe not enter into
consideration of the benefitt of wearinge cloth. But tyme may altar
their myndes, and in the meane tyme we must seeke out other matters
benefitiall, as I have formerly said other men doe; and, for my owne
part, soe long as I stay in these partes (or else where) in your
Worps. service, I will use my best endevour.
* * * * * *
At Firando in Japan, the 30th November, 1613.
Your Worps. duringe lyfe at comand,
RIC. COCKS.
[150] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. i, no. 121.
-------------------
RICHARD COCKS TO RICHARD WICKHAM.[151]
January the , 1613[4], Firando in Japan.
Mr. Wickham,--It being generally agreed upon (with your owne consent)
that yow make a voyage for Edow, Sherongo, and those partes of Japan,
with such a cargezon of goods and merchandiz as I should think
fyttinge, beinge assisted with Capt. Adams, for the better dispaching
your busynes with the Emperour, with whome yow know he hath good 260
entrance and no other employments for hym at present; yet, those
matters of the Emperour being past, I pray yow detayne hym not theare,
but will hym to make as much speede as he can back for Firando, where
there will be necessary use of hym.
And being arived in those partes, my opynion is that yow take up your
lodginge in the best merchantes howse in the towne, where yow may have
a gadonge fyrefree, to prevent the danger therof, which is not
unknowne unto yow this cuntrey is much subject unto. And to live under
the roofe of a naturall Japan is better then to be in the howse of any
stranger, be he Duch, Spaniard, Portingall, or of any other nation
whatsoever. And the better mans howse yow lye at, the more creditt it
will be for yow, and the more securetie yow will live in what occation
soeaver happen. I my selfe speake this per experience, as havinge made
proofe thereof. And have an espetiall care not to trust any man with
the Companies goods without makinge ready payment, for I am informed
these cuntrey people are not to be trusted, nether will any marchant
of accompt seeke to bye upon creddit. And for others, they are to be
refused.
And in my opynion it will be your best course to make choise of som
one man in those partes, to assiste yow in makinge choise and
receavinge of your moneyes, a thinge much to be regarded in these
partes per meanes of the greate deceate is used therein. And no dowbt
yow may procure such a one for a small matter. And make much of
frends, when yow have them, and use these cuntrey people kyndly both
in word and deede, for fayre wordes will doe much and as soone are
spoaken as fowle, and allwais good will com thereof; for these cuntrey
people are not to be used nether with bad wordes nor blowes, no not
soe much as servantes entertayned for necessary uses; but rather put
them away, yf they be not to your lykinge, and make choise of others.
And to use any speeches to perswade yow from gamnynge I thinke it is 261
needlese; for I hold yow no gamster. Yet, notwithstandinge, the
admonition of a frend is not to be rejected. And, to say the truth,
many inconvenyences happen and fall out per meanes of gamnynge,
although it be but to passe away the tyme for trifles; and therefore
it is not amisse to forsweare gamnynge.
Yt is good to use both Duche, Spaniardes, and Portingalls kyndly, as
also all other strangers; and learne from them what yow can, but make
them not partakers of your secretes or pretenses.
And for sales or dispach of your comodeties, I know yow will use your
best endevour for our employers benefits; and therefore I will sett
yow no stynted rate or price, but wishe yow to sell away as tyme shall
serve at all prises, to turne all into ready money, before any other
shipinge com out of England, that it may not be said we lye still and
doe nothinge but eate and drink without takinge care for any thinge. I
hope yow will not let the Duch goe beyonde yow in this poynt.
Yow know that as yet we have not sould our English cloth under eight
_taies_ the English yard, and cloth of Cambaia under fowre for one
profitt; but stand yow not upon that matter, but sell away both the
one and other as yow can, as also gunpolder, allthough it be under
twentie _taies_ the barell, which is loe price. Yet yow must consider
it is a dangerouse comodetie to be kept, and therfore make dispach.
Once use your best endevour both for that and the rest, as afforsaid,
etc.
And for the two parcelles of comodeties left in the custody of
Andreas, alias Gendoque Dono, of Uringo, and Quedoquea Stibio Dono,
att Edow and Shrongo, yow are to take acco. of it beinge parte of your
cargezon.
And yf Tome Same, the yonge Kynge of Firando, com unto yow with a note
or remembrance of my hand, to lend hym one thousand _tais_ or more, as
Capt. Adams will advize yow, I pray yow take in my note and let hym 262
have the money, in gevinge yow a bill of his hand to repay it me heare
againe in Firando at demand; which Capt. Adams tells me I need not to
stand in dowbt of, for that the Duch have doone the lyke heretofore
and have receaved good payment. But this must be doone when yow have
receaved money of the Emperour.
And, havinge any overplus of that money lyinge by yow or that is
receaved for any other comodetie, use your best endevour to send it to
me per first sure conveance (which I think will be per Capt. Adams),
that it may not be dead, but be emploied to the Companies use as
occation shall be offred.
And for your dyet or such as shall be with yow, I will not prescribe
yow any rate, because I am unaccoynted with the place; but leave that
to your owne discretion, not dowbtinge but yow will use frugallitie,
etc.
And because yow are to goe overland from Osekey to Shrongo in company
of Capt. Adams about the Emperours busynes, and that it is fytt som
one of trust goe in the bark with the rest of the goods per sea for
that place, I have thought good to send Jno. Phebie with it, a man
well knowne to Capt. Adams, whome yow may entertayne theare as the
Companies servant under yow, yf yow fynde hym capeable or that it be
fytinge.
And forget not to write me per all conveances what yow doe, and learne
out what yow can tuchinge trade into any place we yet know not of.
And, God willing, yow shall not want to heare from me soe often as I
fynd fit conveance. And it is good yow write contynewally to Mr. Eaton
for Osekey, as I have willed hym to doe the lyke to yow; for soe may
we from tyme to tyme understand of each others proceadings, and I be
ready to supplie your wantes with such comodeties as lye by me, yf in
case yow can sell them yow have theare.
And for a _jurebasso_, yf he which promised yow com from Langasaque, 263
yow shall have hym with yow, otherwais yow must get one at Edow or
Shrongo; and in the meane tyme Capt. Adams hath promised me that
Andreas shall helpe yow, and tells me that yow canot want to fynd one
there to your content.
I know not what else to advize yow of for present, but, yf any thinge
com to my remembrance heareafter, yow shall understand thereof per
first. And soe the Lord send yow a prosperouse voyage and safely to
retorne. Amen.
Your lovinge frend,
RIC. COCKS.
Mr. Wickham,--I pray yow have a due care to geve Capt. Adams content:
which yow may easelie doe, yf yow use hym with kynde speeches and fall
not into termes with hym upon any argument. I am perswaded I could
live with hym 7 yeares before any exstraordenary speeches should
happen betwixt us. And the necessary use we have of hym is as well
knowne to yow as me. I hope a word will suffice for that matter.
RIC. COCKS.
[151] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. i, no. 127.
-------------------
RICHARD COCKS TO RICHARD WICKHAM.[152]
Firando in Japan, the 1th Aprill, 1614.
Mr. Wickham,--By George the Portingall (whoe departed from hence the
9th ultimo) I wrot yow severall letters, advisinge for the present;
since which time I have recd. 2 letters from Mr. Eaton of the 1th and
13th ultimo, wherin he hath adviseth me he hath sould all his white
baftas at sixteene _mas_ the peece, and certen mattes broad cloth
at fyfteene _taies_ the matt. I wish all the rest were gon at
same or lyke rate, both that I have here and others else where. He
sayeth that som of his comodeties they will not look at, namely, 264
selas, blew byrams, and candequis maweey. Once doe what yow can to
sell away, allthough somthinge under cento per cento, for it is better
to have money by us then comodeties, whatsoever shall happen; for here
are many reportes geven out of trubles lyke to ensue in Japan. But
kepe that to your selfe, and learne out what yow can and advize me
thereof per first sure conveance.
I make acco. Capt. Adams will be com away before this com to your
handes, otherwaies geve hym counsell to take heed of one Pedro Guzano,
a papist Christian, whoe is his hoste at Miaco; for a lyinge fryre (or
Jesuist) tould Mr. Peacock at Langasaque that Capt. Adams was dead in
the howse of the said Guzano, which now I know is a lye per letters I
receved from Mr. Eaton, for the said fryre rep[orted] he was dead
before the date thereof. Once I wold wish Capt. Adams to looke to hym
selfe, for these villanose papisticall rable at Langasaque doe geve it
out behinde his back that he is a Lutrano and one that they make
accompt hath incensed the Emperoure against them. I wish Capt. Adams
at his being here to looke to hym selfe and take heed of them. And soe
would I wish yow to do the lyke.