credit saye he is recovered and in resonabel good health. He hath
bestowed great presents upon the chefe nobylity whome he hath
despatched very honorably for theyr contery. Shimash Dono came
yesterday to Fuxame, and will be imbarked within this 4 daies at
furdest from Osacay. Frushma Tayo Dono came to Meaco 4 dayes since,
having leave to goe for his contery after 5 yeares attendance at the
court. He is much honored heare in these parts. Shongo Sama is
departed from Serongaue 23 dayes since for Eado, and it is said that
he will come and visit his douory in Meaco in June or July next.
During the Emperors sicknes he caused his chefe phesition to be cut in
peces for telling him, being asked by the Emperor why he could not 279
soner cure him, that in regard he was an ould man his medesen could
not worke so efectualy upon his body as apon a yong man. Wheareupon
without saying any more to him commanded Cogioodon to cause him to be
bound and cut in peces. Upon the which Ximas Dono sent him his
phesition, the China, who did him much good, as it is reported; which
maketh me thinck that the Emperor is living by reason Ximas Dono his
peopell doe report. You may be sure the China would not kepe any such
secret from his master Ximas Dono, yet nether Ximas Dono nor Tozo Dono
nor any nobel man since the going up hath sene the Emperor, nether of
his Counsell hath any this many dayes bene admited to his presents,
there being none but Cogi Dono, 2 weomen, and 2 phesitions sufered to
com in his sight, which maketh many to suspect that he is dead, as
they saye it is the maner to conceale the death of the Emperor a whole
yeare or more before it be knowne publik.
[160] India Office. _Miscellaneous Records_, T. c., no. 43.
-------------------
RICHARD COCKS TO THE E. I. COMPANY.[161]
Firando in Japon, le 1th January, 1616[7].
Right worshipfull,--
* * * * * *
May it please your Wors. to understand that, these 2 shipps [the
_Thomas_ and the _Advice_] being arived at Firando in Japon and Mr.
Jno. Baylie being very sick, wherof he shortly after died, it was
generally thought fit that I made a journey to the court of the new
Emperour Shungo Samme, to renew our privelegese (as the Hollanders
ment to do the lyke), in which voyage I was 4 monethes and 5 daies
before I retorned to Firando, and the Hollanders are not yet retorned.
Yet the 5th day after I arived at court our present was deliverd, and
had audience with many favorable wordes, but could not get my dispach
in above a month after; so that once I thought we should have lost 280
all our privelegese, for the Councell sent unto us I think above
twenty tymes to know whether the English nation were Christians or no.
I answerd we were, and that they knew that before by our Kinges
Maties. letter sent to the Emperour his father (and hym selfe),
wherein it apeared he was defender of the Christian faith. "But", said
they, "are not the Jesuists and fryres Christians two?" Unto which I
answerd they were, but not such as we were, for that all Jesuists and
fryres were banished out of England before I was borne, the English
nation not houlding with the pope nor his doctryne, whose followers
these padres (as they cald them) weare. Yt is strang to see how often
they sent to me about this matter, and in the end gave us waynyng that
we did not comunecate, confesse, nor baptiz with them, for then they
should hold us to be all of one sect. Unto which I replied that their
Honours needed not to stand in dowbt of any such matter, for that was
not the custom of our nation.
Soe, in the end, they gave me our new privelegese with the Emperours
ferme, telling me they were conformable to the former. So herewith I
departed, and, being 2 daies journey on my way, met an expres from Mr.
Wickham, wherin he wrot me from Miaco that the justice (per the
Emperours comand) had geven order that all strangers should be sent
downe to Firando or Langasaque, and forthwith departe and carry all
their merchandiz with them and not stay to sell any, so that he was
forced to keepe within howse, and our hostes durst sell nothing. Which
news from Mr. Wickham seemed very strang unto me. Whereupon I sought
one to read over our privelegise, which with much a do at last I fownd
a _boz_ (or pagon prist) which did it, and was that we were
restrayned to have our shiping to goe to no other place in Japon but
Firando, and there to make sales. Whereupon I retorned back againe to
the court, where I staid 18 or 20 daies more, still suing and puting 281
up suplecations to have our privelegese enlarged as before, aledging
that yf it were not soe, that my soveraigne lord King James would
think it to be our misbehaviours that cauced our privelegese to be
taken from us, they having so lately before byn geven us by his Matis.
father of famous memory, and that it stood me upon as much as my life
was worth to get it amended, otherwais I knew not how to shew my face
in England. Yet, for all this, I could get nothing but wordes.
Whereupon I desyred to have the ould privelegese retorned and to
render back the new, with condition they would geve us 3 yeares
respite to write into England and have answer whether our Kinges
Matie. would be content our privelegese should be so shortned or no.
Yet they would not grant me that. And then I desird we might have
leave to sell such merchandiz as we had now at Miaco, Osakay, Sackay,
and Edo; otherwais I knew not what to do, in respect Firando was but a
fysher towne, haveing no marchantes dwelling in it, and that it was
tyme now to send back our shipps and junckes, and nothing yet sould.
Yet this I could not have granted nether. So that with much a doe in
the end they gave me leave, as I past, to sell my goodes to any one
would presently buy it, or else leave it to be sould with any Japon I
thought good to trust with it. Which restrant hath much hindered our
sales and put me to my shiftes, the rather for that the order of Japon
is that no stranger may sell any thing at arivall of their shipps till
it be knowne what the Emperour will take; so that it is allwais above
a month or 6 wickes before a post can run to and fro to have lycence.
And at my coming away Oyen Dono and Codsquin Dono, the Emperours
secretarys, tould me that they were sory they could not remedy this
matter of our privelegese at present, the reason being for that an
Emperours edict per act of parliament being soe lately set out could
not so sowne be recalled without scandalle, but the next yeare, yf 282
I renewed my sute, my demandes being so substantiated, they did verely
think it might be amended, in respect Firando was well knowne to be
but a fisher towne. So that I aledged the Emperour might as well take
away all our privelegese and banish us out of Japon as to shut us up
in such a corner as Firando, where no marchantes dwell. But I hope the
next yeare, when Generall Keeling cometh, it may be amended; otherwais
I feare me our Japon trade will not be worth the looking after.
And it is to be noted that at my retorne to Miaco, haveing donne such
busynes as I had theare, I would have left Richard Hudson, a boy, your
Wor. servant, to have learnd to write the Japans; but might not be
suffered to doe it, the Emperour haveing geven order to the contrary.
Soe we withdrew all our factors from Edo, Miaco, Osakay, and Sackay to
Firando.
The fathers which came in the shipp from Aguapulca brought a present
from the King of Spaine to the Emperour; but, after he had kept it
halfe a yeare, he retorned it back, not reserving any thing, but bad
them be gon.
And I had allmost forgotten to adviz your Wors. of a Spaniard, which
was at the Emperours court at Edo when I was theare. He went out of a
ship of theirs from Xaxma, where 2 greate shipps of theirs arived out
of New Spaine, bound, as they said, for the Phillippinas, but driven
into that place per contrary wynd, both shipps being full of
souldiers, with greate store of treasure, as it is said, above 5
millions of _pezos_. Soe they sent this man to kis the Emperours
hand; but he never might be suffered to com in his sight, allthough he
staid theare above a month; which vexed hym to see we had axcesse to
the Emperour and he could not. So that he gave it out that our shipps
and the Hollanders which were at Firando had taken and robbed all the
China juncks, which was the occation that very few or non came into 283
Japon this yeare. And som greate men in the court did not want to aske
me the question whether it were true or no, Mr. Wm. Adames being
present. Which we gave them to understand that, concernynge the
Englishe, it was most falce. And withall I enformed the two
secretaries, Oyen Dono and Codsquin Dono, that, yf they lookt out well
about these 2 Spanish shipps arived in Xaxma full of men and treasure,
they would fynd that they were sent of purpose by the King of Spaine,
haveing knowledg of the death of the ould Emperour, thinking som
papisticall tono might rise and rebell and so draw all the papistes to
flock to them and take part, by which meanes they might on a sudden
seaz upon som strong place and keepe it till more succors came, they
not wanting money nor men for thackomplishing such a strattagim. Which
speeches of myne wrought so far that the Emperour sent to stay them,
and, had not the greate shipp cut her cable in the howse so to escape,
she had byn arested, yet with her hast she left som of her men behind;
and the other shipp being of som 300 tons was cast away in a storme
and driven on shore, but all the people saved. So in this sort I crid
quittance with the Spaniardes for geveing out falce reportes of us,
yet since verely thought to be true which I reported of them.
Also may it please your Wors. that, at our being at themperours court,
the amerall of the sea was very ernest with Mr. Wm. Adames to have byn
pilot of a voyage they pretended to the northward to make conquest of
certen ilands, as he said, rich in gould; but Mr. Adames exskewced hym
selfe in that he was in your Wors. service and soe put hym afe. And as
I am enformed, they verely think that our pretence to discover to the
northward is to fynd out som such rich ilandes and not for any
passage. Yet I tould the admerall to the contrary, and tould hym that
my opinion was he might doe better to put it into the Emperours mynd
to make a conquest of the Manillias and drive those small crew of 284
Spaniardes from thence, it being so neare unto Japon; they haveing
conquered the Liqueas allready. He was not unwilling to listen
heareunto, and said he would comunecate the matter to the Emperour.
And out of dowbt yt would be an easy matter for the Emperour to doe
it, yf he take it in hand, and a good occation to set the Japons
heades awork, to put the remembrance of Ticus Samme and his sonne
Fidaia Samme, so lately slaine and disinhereted, out of their minds.
And tuching my former opinion of procuring trade into China, I am
still of the same mynd. And, had it not byn for the greate wars
betwixt the Tartars and them the last yeare, which cauced the Emperour
of China to goe into the northermost partes of his kyngdom to
withstand them, otherwais we had had news of entrance before now. Yet,
notwithstanding, the Chinas which have the matter in hand have sent an
expres about it againe, and caused two letters to be written in China
(as from me) with my ferme at them, with two others in English from me
to same effect, only for fation sake, because they might see my ferme
was all one, the one letter being directed: To the mighty and
powrefull Lord Fiokew, Secretary of Estate to the high and mightie
Prince, the Emperour of China, manifesting that I had geven two
hundred _tais_ to the bearer thereof, his Lo. servant, to buy hym
necessaries in the way, hoping to receve som good news shortly from
his Lo. of our entrance into China, with other complementall wordes,
as the Chinas wisht me put downe. And the other letter was directed:
To the greate and powrefull Lord Ticham Shafno, Councellor of Estate
to the high and mighty Prince, the Emperour of China, also making
relasion of ten greate bars Oban gould, amonting to 550 _tais_
Japon plate, deliverd to the said bearer to carry to hym as a toaken
or small remembrance of my good will, hoping to heare som good news
from hym, as in the other. But both the 10 bars gould and 200
_tais_ silver are sent from the China Capt. to them, yet put downe 285
in my name, as yf it came from me. In fine, these Chinas tell me that
undowbtedly it will take effect, and the sowner yf the Portingales be
sent from Macau this yeare, as they have adviz they shall. But,
howsoever, these men follow the matter hardly, and tell me that the
Emperour of China hath sent espies into all partes where the
Spaniardes, Portingales, Hollanders, and we do trade, in these partes
of the world, only to see our behaveours on towardes an other, as also
how we behave our selves towardes strangers, especially towardes
Chinas. And som have byn in this place and brought by our frendes to
the English howse, where I used them in the best sort I could, as I
have advized to Bantam, Pattania, and Syam to doe the lyke to all
Chinas.
* * * * * *
Also may it please your Worships to understand that, since my retorne
from the Japon cort, there came a mestisa Indian to me, which went to
Cochinchina from Japon in the same junck which Mr. Peacock and Walter
Carwarden went in, and sayeth the reportes are falce which are geven
out against Mr. Peacockes host, that he set upon hym in the way to
slay hym and the Duch, but rather that the matter hapned by meare
chance, his said host being in the boate with hym when it was
overthrowne, and escaped hardly ashore with swyming, being taken up
halfe dead and hardly recovered health in a moneth after; and that Mr.
Peacock carid 50 or 60 R. of 8 along with hym in his pocket, which was
the occation of his drownyng, as apeard som dayes after when his body
was fownd per Walter Carwarden (this mestisa accompanying hym) whoe
fownd the said R. 8 in his pocket, and after gave his body buriall.
And that Walter Carwarden staid in Cochinchina above a month after,
before he imbarked hym selfe to retorne for Japon, the monson being
past. So that, Mr. Peacock being dead and Walter Carwarden gon without
going up to the court to receave the monies which the kyng owed for 286
merchandiz bought, that the kyng took occation to write Safian Dono,
governor at Langasaque under the Emperour of Japon, to signefie unto
hym of the death of the one Englishman and departure of the other, so
that, yf an Englishman would com and receve the money he owed, he was
ready to pay it. But the junck which brought that letter for Safian
Dono was cast away, as well as that wherin Water Carwarden came, so
that we never heard news of them.
The boate wherein Mr. Peacock and the Hollanders were in was overset,
or rather steamed, by another bigger boate runing against them on a
sudden in turnyng at a corner, the other coming on a sudden upon them
from behind a point of land, being under seale and haveing the currant
with her; so that they had no meanes to avoid them, but were presently
sunck downe and, the currant being swift, very few were saved, his
host, a Japon, being one.
I did what I could at my being at Edo to have procured the Emperours
letter to the Kyng of Cochinchina in our behalfe, to have had
restetution of such marchandiz he had bought, in respect we lived in
Japon under his protection and that our goodes went in a Japon junck
under his chape or pase; yet, doe what I could, he denid his letter,
saying he would not medell in other mens matters, nether be behoulden
to the King of Cochinchina for it. But now, coming to knowledg of
these matters and seeing Capt. Adames to have bought a junck, going
hym selfe for pilot in her, I have written to Safian Dono to let us
have his letter of favour to the King of Cochinchina, to send som
small adventure with hym. And Edmond Sayer is very desirous to goe
along with Mr. Wm. Adames; but as yet the adventure is not determined
upon. God send it good suckcesse.
* * * * * *
I receved a box by the _Adviz_ with a certen roote in it, which came 287
from Cape Bona Speranza; but it proveth here worth nothing, it being
dried that no substance remeaneth in it. Herewithall I send your Wors.
som of it, with an other peece of that which is good and cometh out of
Corea. It is heare worth the wight in silver, but very littell to be
had in comune mens handes, for that all is taken up for the Emperour
by the Kyng of Tushma, whome only hath lycense to trade with the
Coreans, and all the tribute he payeth to the Emperour is of this
rowte. Yt is helde heare for the most pretious thing for phisick that
is in the world, and (as they thinke) is suffitient to put lyfe into
any man, yf he can but draw breath; yet must be used in measure, or
else it is hurtfull.
* * * * * *
The China captens which labour to get us entrance into China doe tell
me that your Wors. canot send a more pretiouser thing to present the
Emperour of China withall then a tree of currall, ether white or red.
They say the Portingales of Macau gave a white corrall tree to the
Emperour of China many yeares past, which he doth esteem one of the
ruchest jewells he hath. Also they say that earelings or jewelles to
hang in hattes, that are greate pearls and of an orient culler, are
esteemed much in China. And som very greate looking glasses and fyne
Semian chowters and white baftas are good for presentes, with som guns
well damasked, but not soe hevie as these are which ordenarely are
sent; and som dagges or pistalls, som short and others more longer.
The three peeces currall your Wors. sent for a triall were disposed of
as followeth, viz. 1 branch containing 1 _ta._ 1 _ma._ 5 _co._, and 1
branch containing 9 _ma._ 2 _co._, both geven the Emperour in his
present; 1 branch containing 1 _ta._ 2 _co._, sould for ten _tais_ two
_mas_ plate. But yf much com it will not sell at that rate. The biger
the peces or branches are, and of a red culler well polished, are most
in esteem; for they make buttens or knots of them to hange their 288
purces at.
* * * * * *
I know not what else to write, but that my greatest sorrow is I lye in
a place which hitherto hath byn chargable and not benefitiall to your
Wors., by reasons of the presentes contynewally geven, it being the
fation of the contrey, or else there is noe staying for us yf we doe
not as other strangers doe. And were it not for the hope of trade into
China, or for procuring som benefit from Syam, Pattania, and (it may
be) from Cochinchina trade, it were noe staying in Japon. Yet it is
certen here is silver enough, and may be carried out at pleasure; but
then must we bring them comodeties to ther lyking, as the Chinas,
Portingales, and Spaniardes doe, which is raw silke and silke stuffs,
with Syam sapon and skins; and that is allwais ready money, as price
goeth, littell more or lesse.
* * * * * *
And soe I take my leave, commiting your Wors. with your affares to the
holy protection of the Allmighty, resting allwais
Your Worps. most humble at command,
RIC. COCKS.
[161] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. iii, no. 342.
-------------------
RICHARD COCKS TO THE E. I. COMPANY.[162]
Firando in Japon, le 16th of January, 1616[7].
Right worll. Ser and Sers,--
* * * * * *
As tuching the discovery to be made from hence to the northward, to
seeke for passage into England, there was noe mention thereof made in
our former previleges, that the Emperour offered (or promised) to
assist us therein, nether would they now put in any such matter. So
that, to say the truth, yf we goe about to take such a matter in 289
hand, I know not well whether the Japons will assist us or no. Yet
know I nothing to the contrary but they will. The coppie of our
previlegese (as we have them now) I send yow here inclozed, I geting
them translated my selfe by a learned _boz_, haveing two _juribassos_
with Capt. Adames to assist me at doeing thereof.
* * * * * *
Your Wors. most humble at command,
RIC. COCKS.
[162] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. iv, no. 433.
-------------------
_Coppie of the articles (or previleges) granted to the English
nation by_ SHONGO SAMME, _Emperour of Japon_.[163]
Be yt knowne unto all men that the English nation throughout all
Japon, in what part thereof soever they arive with their shipping,
shall, with all convenyent speed they can, retyre to the towne (and
port) of Firando, there to make sale of their marchandiz, defending
all other places and partes whatsoever in Japon not to receave any of
their goodes nor merchandiz ashore, but at Firando only.
2. But yf it fortune through contrary wyndes (or bad wether) their
shiping arive in any other port in Japon, that they shalbe frendly
used in paying for what they take (or buy), without exacting any
ancoradge, custom, or other extraordenary matters whatsoever.
3. That yf the Emperour needeth any thing their shiping bringeth, that
it shall be reserved for hym in paying the worth therof.
4. That noe man force (or constraine) thenglish to buy nor sell with
them, nether thenglish the like with the Japons, but that both parties
deale the one with the other in frendly sort.
5. That yf any of the English nation chance to die in any part of 290
Japon, that the good, monies, and marchandiz, or whatsoever else is
found to be in his custody at the hower of his death shall be helde to
be or belong to hym (or them) unto whome the capt. or cape merchant of
thenglish nation sayeth it belongeth unto.
6. That yf there be any difference or controvercy (be it of life and
death or otherwais) amongst the English abord their shipps or aland,
yt shall be at the disposing of the capt. or cape merchant to make an
end thereof, without that any other justice in Japon shall tuch them
or meddell in the matter.
7. The conclusion is, to comand all _tonos_ (or kinges),
governors, and other offecers in Japon whatsoever to se the premesies
afforsaid accomplished.
[163] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. iv, no. 379A.
-------------------
RICHARD COCKS TO WILLIAM NEALSON AND JOHN OSTERWICK.[164]
Fushamy in Japon, le 12th of September, 1617.
Loving frendes,--
My last unto yow was of the 10th present from Miaco, advising yow of
my arivall theare. And yistarday we came from thence to this place of
Fushamy, to which place Capt. Adames came to us.
The Coreans have byn royally receaved in all places wheare they came,
by comandment from themperour. And, as we entred into Miaco, they took
us to be Coreans, and therefore in greate hast, as we passed, strawed
the streetes with sand and gravill, multetudes of people thrunging in
to see us.
I stand in greate hope we shall get our priveleges enlarged as before,
and all thinges to content. But I canot write yow the truth thereof
till I know how it will passe. Only this encuradgement I have from 291
Oyen Donos secretary, whoe heareth how matters are lyke to passe. Yf
themperour enlarge our privelegese, I will forthwith send for our
comodetis, as silk, wood, skins, cloth, quicksilver, etc.
The Hollandars setting their Syam lead at 6-1/2, the Emperour hath
refuced it and will not meddell with it, but take all ours. The
Hollandars have made a greate complaint against the _Tono_ of
Firando of their bad usage donne by the mouth of Jno. Yoossen, seting
hym at nought, not soe much as going to vizet hym. And, as it seemeth,
he stood in dowbt we would have don the like; yet, upon good
considerations, I have thought fit to proceead in an other fation, not
dowbting but I shall have better justis at Firando then heretofore.
Keepe all these matters to your selfe, and, when I heare more, I will
adviz yow from tyme to tyme and retorne with as much speed as possibly
I may; and soe in hast comyt yow to God, resting
Your loving frend,
RIC. COCKS.
This day we delivered our present to themperour, which was well
accepted of with a cherefull countenance.
Yt is said that to morrow the _dyrie_ ys to geve the title to
themperour which he soe much desyreth.
[164] British Museum. _Cotton Charter_, iii, 13, f. 14.
-------------------
RICHARD COCKS TO WILLIAM NEALSON AND JOHN OSTERWICK.[165]
Fushamy in Japon, le 27th of September, 1617.
Loving frendes,--
Many letters have I written since my departure from Firando, but never
receved any from yow, but them two which yow wrot me 2 daies after I
departed from thence of arivall of _Sea Adventure_ at Tushma. Soe
that, the wynd having byn good ever since, I marvell I have not 292
heard from yow.