ultimo, as he advized me in a letter of that date, written from abord
the jonke he goeth in called the _Roquan_. We have had much
northerly windes since their departure, soe I dowbt not but they will
have a spedie passage, which God grant them with a prosperouse voyage.
Upon som occation I have noted that yow may esteeme I love yow not, or
that I beare som secret grudge against yow, which here I doe protest
(before God) I doe not, but rather doe esteeme much better of yow
since your cominge hether then I did before. And soe shall yow find by
proofe, yf it lye in my power to do yow good; for I regard not, but
rather have quite put out of my memory, any wordes which have passed
betwixt us hereto[fore].
I wish yow could make dispache of your busynese to be here ag[ainst] 265
the Syam voyage, and then shall yow see what I will doe. And tru[lye]
I wold not wish yow to stay there upon small occations, but rather to
leave them with your host or some other good frend that is assured.
And in the meane tyme sell away what yow can; stand not upon price,
but turne what yow can into money and bringe it alonge with yow. I can
say no more nor geve yow no larger comition then I have doone. And
soe, with my hartie comendacons to your selfe, Sr. Andrea, and the
rest of our accoyntance, I comyt yow to God, restinge allwais your
lovinge frend,
RIC. COCKS.
To his lovinge frend, Mr. Richard Wickham,
deliver in Edow, Shrongo, or
else where. Per way of Osekey, inclozed
to Mr. Eaton.
[152] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. ii, no. 138.
-------------------
RICHARD COCKS TO RICHARD WICKHAM.[153]
Firando in Japan, the 12th of May, 1614.
Mr. Wickham,--
* * * * * *
Ed. Sayer arived heare yisternight from Faccatay, and brought me such
money he had receaved at Tushma, which God knoweth is but littell, he
not havinge sould one yard of English cloth nether all his pepper. He
left John Japan with his host at Faccatay, to see to the busynes in
his abcense. And this mornynge I have sent hym back againe, with order
that yf he see no hope of dispache of his comodeties within 8 or 10
daies, that then he shall retorne for Firando with the rest of his
cargezon.
I hope the Emperour have taken the ordinance, poulder, and such other
comodeties as were sent for hym. Only Capt. Adames hath writ me he
refused most parte of the broad cloth was sent, in respeck it was
moutheaten.
Mr. Nealson hath hym comended unto yow. He and I are soe busye about 266
our building that we have small pleasure, havinge above 100 men daylie
at worke; but I hope it will not last longe. On Sunday night last our
kitchin was set on fire, and soe burned our new gates and gate howse;
but was sowne quenched, God be praised for it. The lose will not be
above 8 or 10 _taies_. I daylie expect Capt. Adames to look out
about a jonck. Newes we have non but that many souldiers are sent out
of Firando, and, as it is said, goe for Arima, but for what intent I
know not.
George the Portingale retorned for Firando the 4th currant. His wife
was brought to bead of a boye the night before he came. Well fall (or
fare), an ould knocker. And soe, with harty comendacons to your selfe
with the rest of our frendes, I remeane
Your lovinge frend,
RIC. COCKS.
To his lovinge frend, Mr. Ric. Wickham,
English merchantt, deliver in Edo or
else where. Per Sr. Duzak Skidoyemon
Dono.
[153] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. ii, no. 143.
-------------------
RICHARD COCKS TO WILLIAM ADAMS.[154]
Firando in Japan, the 5th of June, 1614.
Capt. Adames,--My last unto yow was of the 12th ultimo, sent per Duzak
Skidoyemon Dono, Yasimon Donos brother in law; since which tyme your
letter, dated in Edo the 27th of Aprill, came to my handes in Firando
the 27th of May followinge.
I was right glad to heare of your good health, but sory to understand
of the longe taryinge of our goods. I pray God that the necklegence of
that dreamynge fello Jno. Phebe be not the occation. Once it is a
greate hinderance to the Company our broad cloth was not vented this 267
winter, soe many caveleros beinge at Court could not have wanted to
have carid all away. And I am afeard that Capt. Browers cloth he sent
hence the last of Aprill will com to serve the market at Edo before
ours; which yf it soe fall out, yow may easely gese what a skandall it
will be unto us, ours departinge hence soe many monethes before it. I
wold to God ours had gon overland all with yow and Mr. Wickham; but,
for me, I had no insight into tymes and seasons. I am enformed that
Toba, the place wheare our goods have layne windbownd soe longe, is
within 2 or 3 dayes jorney of Edo or Shrongo per land. I marvell Mr.
Wickham had not put yow in mynd to have convayed our goods overland at
first _costa que costa_; but now it is to late, I dowbt to our
everlastinge skandall; for yf we stay 7 yeares more in Japan, we shall
neaver have the lyke tyme to have vented our cloth as at this generall
assembly of the nobilletie.
Ould Foyne Same is very sick. It is thought he will not escape it, for
the phisitions have geven hym over. He tould me it was the Emperours
mynd that our cullers (or flagg) should be taken downe, because it had
a crose in it; and to this day it was not set up againe.
I perceave per Mr. Wickhams letter that Tome Same and Oyen Dono are
very ernest to have money before we can receave it, and that in place
of one thowsand _taies_ I promised to lend them they demand two
thowsand. In deed I said I was content to let them have more, yf we
could spare it; but I thinke we canot, and therfore they must pardon
us. God grant they will be as forward to repay it when it shall be
demanded.
I have byn much tormented with an agew, which, after, turned into
extreame ache in my boanes in all partes of my body, soe that I had
thought I should have lost the use of my lymbs and was become a very
crippell. But I praise God it is now somthinge aswaged, and I meane
(God willinge) 4 or 5 daies hence to goe to the hot bathes at Yshew, 268
an iland of Nobisanas, whither Sr. Yasimon Dono will accompany me. Our
howse is now in a good forwardnes, but hath cost caro. And soe, in
hast, I rest
Your ever lovinge frend,
RIC. COCKS.
To the worll. his frend, Capt. Willm.
Adames, deliver in Edo or else wheare.
[154] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. ii, no. 147.
-------------------
RICHARD COCKS TO RICHARD WICKHAM.[155]
Firando in Japan, 1614, July the 25th.
Mr. Wickham,--
* * * * * *
With greefe of mynd I write unto yow of the ill hap and death of our
frend Mr. Tempest Peacock in Cochinchina, where he arived in saffetie,
as the Duch did the lyke, and sould their goods to the kinge, whoe
gave order they should com to his cittie of Miaco to receave payment,
but forestald them and sett upon them in their retorne and kild all
that was in company, both Duch, English, and Japans their followers.
But, as it is reported, Walter Carwarden was left abord the jonck and
soe escaped; yet serche was made there for hym, and whether he be
alive or dead, God He knoweth, or what parte of our comodetie was left
abord the jonk, for out of dowbt Walter was not left there for
nothing. And amongst the rest they had a thousand _pezos_ in
rialls of 8, which I am assured was not ashore. Their cargezon did
amount to above seaven hundred twentie and eight pownd str., as it
cost first peny. It is thought that the Kynge of Cochinchina did this
in revenge of som injuries offered hym per the Duch certen yeares
past. God grant Walter may escape, and then I dowbt not but a good
parte of our goodes will be retorned.
Also there is reportes that Capt. Chongros jonck is cast away in 269
retornyng. And our host at Langasaque is retorned from the Phillipinas
and bringeth newes that aboove 20 seale of Hollanders are com thether
from the Moloucas, amongst whome are 2 or 3 saile of English ships;
but I canot beleeve that, except it be the _Pearle_ or such lyke.
Yf this be true, out of dowbt it goeth ill with the Spaniardes in the
Molucas. In my next I will advize yow more hereof.
At present we are about preparing a ship or jonck to make a voyage for
Syam. And seeinge it hath pleased God to take away Mr. Peacock, of
necessitie yow or my cuntreman Mr. Eaton must be emploied about that
voyage. And the shipp will be ready to departe som 4 monethes hence.
* * * * * *
Cornelius, Capt. Browers kinsman, is slaine with their _jurebasso_;
but Adrian, beinge sent to an other place, is thought to be escaped. I
shall not be quiet till I heare of Walter. God grant he be escaped.
And soe I rest allwayes
Your lovinge frend,
RIC. COCKS.
To his lovinge frend, Mr. Richard Wickham,
merchantt, deliver in Edo. Per
John Phebe.
[155] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. ii, no. 155.
-------------------
RICHARD COCKS TO THE E. I. COMPANY.[156]
Firando in Japan, the 25th November, 1614.
Right worshipfull,--
* * * * * *
Mr. Wm. Adames hath paid me twentie pownd str. your Wor. lent his wife
in England. He [paid] it presently after the _Clove_ was gon. I
find the man tractable and willing to doe your Wor. the best service
he may, and hath taken greate paines about the reparing our jonck 270
called the _Sea Adventure_, otherwaies she wold not have byn ready to
have made the Syam voyage this yeare. He ha[th a] great desire to find
out the norther passage for England from hence, and thinketh it an
easie matter to be donne in respect the Emperour of this place offreth
his assistance. Your Wor. shall find me as willing as any man it shall
please yow to employ in these partes to second hym.
The Emperour of Japan hath banished all Jesuistes, pristes, friers,
and nuns out of all his domynions, som being gon for the Phillippinas
and the rest for Amacou in China. Yt is thought wars will ensue in
Japan betwixt the Emperour and Fidaia Same, sonne to Ticus Same, the
deceased Emperour.
* * * * * *
We cannot per any meanes get trade as yet from Tushma into Corea,
nether have them of Tushma any other privelege but to enter into one
littell towne (or fortresse), and in paine of death not to goe without
the walles thereof to the landward; and yet the King of Tushma is no
subject to the Emperour of Japan. I am geven to understand that up in
the cuntrey of Corea they have greate citties and betwixt that and the
sea mightie boggs, soe that no man can travell on horseback nor very
hardlie on foote. But, for remedie against that, they have invented
greate waggons or carts which goe upon broad flat whiles under seale,
as shipps doe; soe that, observing monsons, they transport their
goodes to and fro in thease sealing waggons. They have damasks,
sattens, taffetes, and other silke stuffs made theare as well as in
China. It is said that Ticus Same, otherwaies called Quabicondono (the
deceased Emperour), did pretend to have convayed a greate armie in
thease sealing waggons, to have assealed the Emperour of China on a
sudden in his greate cittie of Paquin, where he is ordenarely
rezident; but he was prevented by a Corean noble man whoe poisoned 271
hym selfe to poison the Emperour and other greate men of Japan; which
is the occation that the Japans have lost all that which som 22 yeares
past they had gotten pocession of in Corea, etc.
RIC. COCKS.
[156] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. ii, no. 189.
-------------------
RALPH COPPINDALL TO ROBERT LARKIN AND ADAM DENTON.[157]
Firando in Japan, le 5th of December, 1615.
Loveing frendes,--Wishing your welfare, etc. After a tedious passage
and almost out of hope to obtaine my appointed porte (by reason of the
latenes of the monsoone), it pleased God (praysed be His name) to
bringe me, with men, shipp, and goodes, in safety unto Firando upon
the 4th September past, where I found Captaine Adames returned and his
juncke in trimminge a new. He putt not into China, as was reported,
but into the iland called Leque Grande, where he was indifferentlie
entreated, but could not be suffered to repayre his junck as he
desired, beinge forced onelie to stay for the monsone to bringe him
backe againe hither.
Upon the 11th September I departed from hence towardes the Emperours
court with a present (which every shipp or juncke that cometh hither
must of force performe), which with charges much surmounteth an
indifferent custome, espetially when a shipp cometh with a small
capitall, and sales soe base and slacke that nothinge is here to be
expected but losse, except a trade be procured into China, the raw
silkes of which cuntrey are alwaies here reddy mony and reasonable
profitt. Ether, I say, we must procure a peaceable trade in China, or
elles, as the Hollanders doe, to trade with them perforce. And, yf wee
sett foote in the Moluccoes, this place will be a fitt storehouse from
whence we may alwaies have men, munition, and victualles good store
and at reasonable rates; for which purpose principally the Hollanders 272
doe mentaine this factory.
The Portingalles are quite out of favour with the Emperor. They
attended 40 daies at the Emperors court to deliver theire present,
which at last was recd., but none of them admitted to his presence. It
is thought that they will com noe more hither with any greate shippes
from Amacon.
Certaine Jesuites came out of Nova Espania in embassage unto the
Emperor, with a letter and a present from the King of Spaine, which,
after a moneth or 6 weekes attendance, the Emperor recd., but none of
the embassadors admitted to his presence. All the answer to their
embassage was, to gett them foorth of this cuntry with speede, upon
paine of his displeasure.
His cuntry is now in peace, for that the old Emperor hath made an
absolute conquest, haveinge driven the young king quite out of this
cuntry and made away most of his principall partakers.
* * * * * *
Capt. Cock is of opinion that the ginghams, both white and browne,
which yow sent will prove a good commodity in the Kinge of Shashma his
cuntry, who is a kinge of certaine of the most westermost ilandes of
Japon, a man of greate power and hath conquered the ilandes called the
Leques, which not long since weare under the governement of China.
Leque Grande yeeldeth greate store of amber greece of the best sorte,
and will vent 1,000 or 15,000 (_sic_) ps. of course cloth, as
dutties and such like, per annum. At my being at the Emperor, I
procured his letters unto the King of Shashma, to graunt us as free
liberties of trade in the Leques and all other his dominions as we had
in any other parte of Japon; and in February Mr. Richard Wickham is to
goe thither, and (priviledges obtained accordinge to the Emperors
order) to remaine there.
* * * * * *
Thus for present I committ yow and your affaires unto the protection 273
of the Almighty.
Your loveinge frend to commaund,
RAPHE COPPINDALL.
Yow are to note that the people of this cuntry doe not buy our sortes
of India cloth soe much for necessity as for the new and strange
fashions and painteinges thereof, being a people desireinge change;
for they have greate store of silkes and linnen stuffes made here
better and cheaper then we can afford our India cloth. Soe that we
must strive to procure strange sortes of cloth with strange
painteinges every yeare; but such cloth as hath any redd painteinge
will not sell here. The Hollanders sell English broade cloth for 7 and
8 _tayes_ the _tattamy_, which is 2-1/3 yardes at the leaste. The
devell hawle some of them for theire paines.
To his very loveinge frendes, Mr. Robert
Larkin and Mr. Adam Denton, English
merchantes, deliver in Patania.
Per Capt. Adams, per way of Syam,
whom God preserve.
[157] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. iii, no. 317.
-------------------
RICHARD COCKS TO [JOHN GOURNEY].[158]
Firando in Japon, le 6th of December, 1615.
Worshipfull,--
* * * * * *
As I advised in my last the Emperor did very gratiously accept of the
present Capt. Coppendall carid up unto hym, as Capt. Adames can better
enforme yow whoe was an eye witnesse, the Emperour offring to geve us
anything that might be for the benefit or good of our nation,
esteeming us above all other Christian nations whatsoever.
And, as I advised yow, the Hollanders took a Portingale junck on 274
this cost and brought her into Firando. And the Emperour hath
alowed it for good prize, both men and goods, and that either we or
they may take them or Spaniardes at sea and make good purchesse
thereof, except they have the Emperours passe.
Also yow may understand how a shipp arived at Quanto in Japon this
yeare, which came out of New Spaine and brought good quantety of broad
cloth, kersies, perpetuanos, and raz de Millan, which they offer at a
loe rate; but I thinke it is the last that ever will be brought from
thence, for it is said the Spaniardes made proclemation with 8 drums
at Aguapulca and other partes that, upon payne of death, their should
neaver any more Japons com nor trade into New Spayne, and that both
they and all other strangers of what nation soever should forthwith
avoid out of all partes of New Spaine. But in requitall hereof the
Emperour of Japon hath made proclemation, in payne of death, that
neaver hereafter any Japon shall trade or goe into New Spaine, and
comanded the fryres or padres which came in this shipp should avoid
out of his dominions; for the truth is, he is noe frend nether to
Spaniardes nor Portingalles.
* * * * * *
Your loving frend at comand,
RIC. COCKS.
[158] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. iii, no. 319.
-------------------
RICHARD COCKS TO THE E. I. COMPANY.[159]
Firando in Japon, the 25th February, 1615[6].
Right worshipfull,--
* * * * * *
I know not whether it be come to your W[orp. to understand the]
conclusion of these greate wars in Japon [wherin Fidaia] Samme, the
son of Ticus Samme, lost [his life, with the] slaughter of above 275
100,000 men which took his [parte. Some] report he was burned in his
castell, it being fired; others think he escaped and is in Shashma or
the Liqueas. His mother cut her owne belly, and his littell childe was
executed by comand from the Emperour, as also all others were the lyke
which were knowne to take parte with hym. And Osakay and Sackay, two
greate citties, burned to the grownd, not soe much as one howse being
saved; your Worps. loosing goodes which were burned to the vallu of
155 _ta._ 5 _ma._ 8 _condr._, as apeareth per acco. sent to Capt. Jno.
Jourden, your Wor. agent at Bantam.
* * * * * *
[And may it plea]se your Worps. to understand that the last yeare [it
was agreed for a certe]n Italion marrener to goe in our junck for Syam
[whose name is] Damian Marina, and an other Castalliano called Jno.
[de Lievana] went with hym. Which coming to the knowledg of the
Portingales and Spaniardes at Langasaque, that they had served the
English, they laid handes on them and carid them presoners abord the
great shipp of Amacan. The which being made knowen unto me, I wrot a
letter to the capitan major of the ship, willing hym to set them at
liberty, for that they were not under his comand nor jurisdiction, but
under the English; and to the lyke effect I wrot an other letter to
Gonrocq Dono, cheefe governor at Langasaque for the Emperour; but had
a scornfull answer from the Portingale, and nothing but words from the
Japon. Whereupon I got a letter testimoniall from the King of Firando
to the Emperour, how these 2 men were entertayned into service of the
English; and Mr. Wm. Adams being above with Capt. Ralph Coppendalle to
carry a [present to] the Emperour, gave hym to understand of this
matter, [and he gave] his command forthwith that the 2 men should be
[set at liberty] and all their goodes restored to them. Which was
[accordingly accomp]lished to the greate harts greefe both of [the 276
Spaniardes and Port]ingale, they haveing condemned them both [to
death] and sent pristes to confesse them and exhibited [articles]
against them to Gonrock Dono, as against traitors [to their owne]
cuntry and frendes to the English and Hollanders their enemies. Which
processe the capt. major deliverd both in Japons and Portugese with
his ferme at it; but that in Portugese Gonrocq Dono sent to the King
of Firando, and he gave it unto me, which here inclozed I send unto
your Wor., together with his letter written to me, in which is
manifested that they hould both English and Duch for their enemies.
But that which vexeth them the most is that the Hollanders tooke a
Portingale junck on the cost of Japon laden with ebony wood, the
greatest parte, with tynne and serten bars of gould and much conservs.
Which junck with all that was in it, men and all, the Emperour aloweth
for good prize; and is [to] be thought that Mr. Wm. Adames was a
cheefe occation to move the Emperour thereunto, he first asking Mr.
Adames wherefore [there was] such hatred betwixt the Spaniardes and
Hollanders, for [that it w]as tould hym their princese and governors
were [frendes in all] other partes of the world, and that it seemed
strange [to hym that they] should be enemies heare. Unto which Mr.
Adames answerd that it was true they [had been] frendes of late yeares
per meanes of the Kinge [of England] and other potentates; but yet,
notwithstanding, [the Kinge of] Spaine did think hym selfe to have
more right [in these] partes of the world then any other Christian
prince, by [reason] of the footing he had gotten in the Phillippinas
and in other partes of the Indies, and therefor per force ment to
keepe all other nations from trading into these partes. Unto which the
Emperour replied and said, the Spaniard had no reason, and therefore,
seeing it was a differance or dispute amongst us which were all
strangers, he would not make nor meddell in the matter, but leave 277
it to their princes to decide at home. "But," said he, "what is the
occation they take men as well as goods?" "Because (said Mr. Adames)
the Spaniardes take the Hollanders and have 150 or 200 of them
presoners in the Phillipi[nas, for] which occation the Hollanders doe
use the lyke [towards] their people, man for man and goodes for
goodes." [Unto which] the Emperour answerd that they had [reason].
* * * * * *
[Mr. Adames tould me that the] Emperour gave hym councell not [to
seale in Japon] joncks on noe voyage, but rather stay in [Japon, and
that] yf the stipend he had geven hym were not [enough] he would geve
hym more. But he answerd his [word was] passed, and therefore, yf he
performed not his w[ord, it would] be a dishonor unto hym. Yet truly,
at his retorne to Firando, I offred to have quit hym of his promis and
to have sent hym to Edo to be neare the Emperour upon all occations.
Yet would he not be perswaded thereunto. But the Emperour esteemeth
hym much, and he may goe and speake with hym at all tymes, when kyngs
and princes are kept out.
Mr. Adames tould me his tyme of serveing your Wor. 2 yeares at one
hundred powndes or 400 _tais_ per anno. was out before he went
towardes Syam; yet would he receave no pay till his retorne, willing
me to certifie your Wor. that he thought 100_l._ very littell,
and would be loth to engage hym selfe any more at that rate, [and]
willed me to desyre your Wor. to let his wife have [30 or 40 powndes]
str. to supplie her wantes of her selfe and childe, y[f there were
any] need, and he would see it repaid heare againe.
* * * * * *
[And may it pleas]e your Wor. to understand that the Emperour [hath
commanded] all the _tonos_ (or kinges) of Japon to com to his
[court and] bring their wives (or queenes) with them, for [to remaine
the]are the space of 7 yeares. He will no [char]ges of sonns, 278
doughters, or kynred, but they them selves and their queenes with
them, and each one to keepe howse by hym selfe and have a servant of
the Emperour allwaies neare them to understand what passeth. He
aledgeth it is for their goods he doth it, to keepe Japon in quiet,
which otherwais would still be in broyles. Soe now all the kinges and
queenes of Japon are bound prentis to the Emperour for 7 yeares, and
this _Tono_ of Firando departed from hence towardes the court 12 daies
past, he being a bachelar, the Emperour haveing promised hym to geve
hym his brothers doughter to wife.
* * * * * *
Your Worshipps most humble at command,
RIC. COCKS.
[159] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. iii, no. 342.
-------------------
RICHARD WICKHAM TO RICHARD COCKS.[160]
(_Extract._)
Meaco, le 22th May, 1616.