of them which trymbd her, and had lyke to have set the east parte of
the towne on fyre, had I not sent 12 men with bucketes at first, which
staid the fury of the fyre and quenched the fyre being entred into a
thatched howse of office.
_Febrary 26_ (_1 Ninguach_).--Mr. Nealson going a walking, per chance
fownd an alter of the ancient god Priapus (or the lecheros god) ...
whereunto women goe on pilgremadge ... as well women that are with
child, to have speedy deliverance, as also them which are barren, to be
frutefull.... I remember, when I was in France, and passing thorow the
landes betwixt the citties of Bourdeaulx and Bayon, I had knowledg of
an imag and altar, whereon stood a pickture ... which, as I remembor,
they called St. Puchin, to which all baron women went on pilgremage,
to the entent to prove frutefull, and to that entent scraped affe a
littell ... and put it into wyne and drunck it, per which meanes they
verely beleeved they should be frutefull.
_Marche 1_ (4th of _Ninguach_).--A Byskan called Antony desird to have
a man of his to goe in our _foyfone_ for Langasaque, which I promysed
hym; but, as I was enformed after, it was Appollenaria, the fryre,
which thought to have gon in her, but would not com in sight because I
should not see hym.
_Marche 2._--I receved 3 letters this day, viz.:--
1 from Safian Dono, in answer of myne I wrot hym, with a letter to King
of Cochinchina in our behalfe, to send with Capt. Adames.
1 other from his secretary, in answer of an other I wrot hym, and how
his master had performed all I requested, he soliceting hym thereunto.
In fine both very frendly letters.
1 from our host Tozayemon Dono, that the boates our goodes went up in
came so late that he could make no seales, and therefore, yf he brought
money along with hym, it must be borowed, and that he was ready to com
for Firando.
_Marche 3._--Gorezano, our quandum _jurebasso_, came with our hostes
man and shewed me a letter, wherin a frend of his wrote hym that the
Duch host at Miaco was put into prison for letting Albartus lye so long
in his howse, contrary to the Emperours edict. This knave did seeme to
rejoyce thereat.
Capt. Speck arived from Xaxma this day towardes night, and had many
guns, or chambers, shot afe at his landing.
_Marche 5._--We reared our pigion howse this day.
And towards night our host Tozayemon Dono of Sackay arived heare, but
(as he tells me) hath not brought a peny of money, as not haveing
sould any of our goodes. But I think he maketh use of it to send for
Cochinchina, and I dowbt not without councell of Capt. Adames.
_Marche 6._--I sent Ed. Sayer with a _jurebasso_ to Oyen Dono, to
desyre hym to speake to the king to helpe us with som money, in respect
we have such neede. He sent me answer he made accompt the king would
be heare to night, and that at his coming he would enform hym thereof,
saying I had greate reason in my demand.
_Marche 7._--The King of Firando arived from Ishew in the after nowne.
So I went out in a boate and met hym, as many of Firando did the lyke;
and the Hollanders shot affe 9 chambers or bases as he passed by, but
went not out to meete hym, for that Capt. Speck and Albartus were gon
to Langasaque the day before. I carid a banketing box with preserved
nutmeg, conserve of roses, a box of marmelad, and a marchpaine,[238]
with 2 bottelles Spa. wyne, and a barill _morofack_, but went not
abord the kinges bark, he not calling, but sent it home after hym, the
_jurebasso_ remeanyng theare an hower or 2, as others did the lyke, and
were put affe for recept till the morrow after.
_Marche 8._--Bongo Samas man came to me and tould me, as it were in
secret, that he heard his master say that the king his nephew was
offended against me, but he knew not well the occation, except it were
for that I went not to vizet hym at Ishew, or else for bringing Capt.
Adames junck ashore without asking leave. To the first I answerd that I
could not think the king looked for homadg from me as from his vassals,
and that my busynes was such as I could not goe, and therfore had wrot
hym a letter to same effect, signefying of my gladnes to heare that he
fownd the bathes to his content. And for the junck it was none of myne,
but belonged to Capt. Adames, whome asked leave before he dockt her.
In fyne, this kyng is a symple man and led per bad councell, and so I
think it will prove in the end. I am of opinion that Goresano, our late
_jurebasso_, is a whitston to egg hym on against us.
_Marche 9._--I went and vizeted the kyng, and carid hym 2 barilles
wyne, 12 wood pigions, and 5 roles bread; and Capt. Adames carid hym 2
barilles and certen stickes dryd fysh. And, amongst other matters, I
desird leave to have laid handes one the scrivano of the junck which
Mr. Saris came in from Syam, he being now com to towne as I understand.
The kyng willed me to know the howse where he lodged, and that he would
cause order geven to stay hym; which I did lear[n]e out and sent hym
word thereof. And Capt. Adames desired the kynges letter of favor to
the King of Cochinchina; which he promised hym.
_Marche 11._--The scrivano of the junck Ed. Sayer came in from Syam
sent me word he was contented to deliver all matters into my handes,
with the billes and writinges of Giquan the dead capt.; but, as it is
said, he hath opened the dead mans chistes (6 in number), and taken out
what his [he?] list, and now would deliver the emptie chistes to me.
So I sent hym word he should deliver an accompt of all to Capt. Andrea
Dittis in this place, or to Capt. Whaw, his brother, at Langasaque,
and I would take an acco. at their handes. This scrivano made sute to
Yasimon Dono to take up this matter, and he would geve hym the half of
the 140 _picols_ wood in sute.
_Marche 12._--I wrot 2 letters to Taccamon Dono and Semi Dono, and
sent each of them a paper containing the truth of my plito with the
scrivano. Taccamon Dono was within, but would not speake with Mr.
Nealson, whome I sent, nor receve my letter nor petition, but sent them
back per our _jurebasso_.
_Marche 13._--I went to Taccamon Dono in company of Capten Adames, and
carid hym a barill wyne and 2 fyshes, _nifon catange_, and delivered
hym my letter and paper consernyng my procese against the purcer, which
he took in good parte, promising me justice when he had heard what the
other cold aledg against me, but sent home the barill wyne and fyshes
after me, for that no present was to be accepted when men came to crave
justice.
_Marche 14._--A comon _caboque_ or Japon play was sent out and alowed
for 7 daies space, at 2 _condrins_ each one that entered, etc.
The King of Firando set a tax upon all his vassales, to make hym
amongst them 3000 _taies_ in money, and to take ryse of hym at a deare
rate in paymt., to make money to carry his charges up for Edo. And,
amongst the rest, certen were taxed at a hier rate then the rest,
because they provided us tymber, bisquite, and other matters at a lower
rate then the king liked of, not asking hym leave. This is thought
to be donne per the councell of Semi Done, whome is very much hated
therefore of the comune people.
_Marche 15._--I had answer from Syen Dono, the governour, that the king
could helpe us now with no money, for that he was put to his shiftes to
provid money to goe to Edo. The Hollanders were answered as we were.
The China Capt., Andrea Dittis, tould me in secret that the King of
Firando had sent a ruch _cattan_ for a present to his brother Whow, to
make accoyntance, to the entent to borow money, and that his brother
had promised to lend hym 2000 _taies_; so that at instant the king sent
for 300 _taies_, he wanting 150 of that som willed me to borow so much
of Tozayemon Dono for 10 or 15 daies, to pay intrest.
_Marche 17._--Mr. Nealson being ill at ease went to the bath at Ichew,
and Jno. Cook with hym. God send them their healths.
_Marche 18._--Taccamon Dono sent word to Yasimon Dono, that the
scrivano of the junck Ed. Sayer came in had put up a petition against
hym for delivering the 140 _picos_ sappon into my handes, before the
matter was ended by justice. So I gave a writing under my hand to save
hym harmles, both against the justis and scrivano, whatsoever they
would demand of hym tuching that matter. And after came an other hu and
cry (as the proverb is) that the justice would not let Yasimon Dono goe
on the voyag, except I delivered the 140 _piculls_ wood into his handes
till the matter was ended per justice.
Whereupon I went to the king, in company of Capt. Adames, and with much
ado carid the said Yasimon Dono along with us to make complaint to the
king. But, when we came theare, he would not per any meanes the king
should know of the matter, whereby we perceved he was consorted with
the said scrivano to parte stakes with hym.
_Marche 19._--Capt. Adames went out with his junck to Cochi, and soe to
put to sea, and shot affe 3 chambers as he passed per the Duch howse,
and they answered with the lyke and, when he was past, shot affe a pece
ordinance with shott.
Capt. Adames host Yasimon Dono plaid the gemeny with hym to day,
sending one to hym to tell hym he must com to the king, but after
proved to be to the 10 of the streete, about wood staid from the _tico_
of our junck he came in from Syam; but he answered them he had nothing
to doe in the matter, refering them to me.
The Capt. China sent a bar plate to Capt. Adames and an other to
Yasimon Dono his host, for a present at their farewell. Soe after nowne
the junck put to sea towardes Cochinchina. God send them a prosperous
voyage.
I delivered a memoriall to Ed. Sayer with a cargezon goodes, viz.:--
_ta. m. co._
Broad cloth, amonting to Japon plate 0278 3 7½
Bayes, amonting to same plate 0144 7 0
Cambaia cloth, to 0052 8 0
Russia hides, 48 0144 0 0
Gad stille, 120 _cattis_ Japon wight, cost str.
in England 0007 9 0-10/17
Fowling peces, 20:9 damasked and 11 chast, cost 0095 6 0
Ellophans teeth, 30, containing 1130 _cattis_,
cost in Eng. 0488 2 8-19/102
Copper _goces_, 21 _picull_, at 6_ta._ 5_m._
5_co._ _pico_ 0137 5 5
Table bookes, severall sortes 0011 6 0
Looking glasses, 8, cost 0025 6 0
Knyves, 2 sortes, cost four dozen 0007 8 5
Amber beades, 12 _cattis_, 2 sortes 0118 6 2
Diaper, 9 peces; Holland cloth, 14 peces;
Sleze land, 18 peces, cost 0097 8 8
Armors, 2, with 1 head pez, cost 0006 0 0
Galepotes; 1 chist, No. 8; divers sortes, cost 0009 1 2½
Gales,[239] 1 sack, containing 1 _picull_, cost 0015 7 3½
Rise for victuling, 8 sackes, cost 0006 6 6⅔
Money, 150 Rs. of 8, amontes to 120 0 0 }
With 084:9:1½ _condrin_ plate bars, is 084 9 1½} 0208 0 9½
With 003:1:8 charges copper 003 1 8 }
-------------------
Som totall cargezon to Syam amontes unto 1856 3 8-2295/5202
-------------------
Also I delivered a memoriall to Capt. Adames, as apereth per coppie in
book cargesons, with that to Ed. Sayer.
Unagense Dono sent me a quarter of wild boare for a present.
_Marche 22._--Capt. Adames, fynding contrary wyndes at sea, retorned
this night past to Cochi in Firando, from whence he wrot me a letter
per Mr. Sayer of what past, namely, that after I departed from hym the
19th currant, being under seale, Yasimon Dono espied a bark coming
after them with a cloth seale, desiring him to stay for her, which
he did, coming to an ancor. In which boate came 2 of Yasimon Donos
brother in lawes, with littel Anthony, _alius_ Sifian Dono, who at the
first entry abord laid hold on Capt. Adames armes and, before he was
aware, wrong hym in such extreme sort that he put hym to much payne;
and another of his followers laid hold on the busom of Jno. Pheby his
boteswaine, one secondyng hym with his arme out of his _keremon_ as
though he would have cut hym; and on of Yasimon Donos brother in lawes
laid hand on the hinder part of the haire of Mr. Sayer--all passing in
as violent sort as might be; which moved Capt. Adames to fetch out the
Emperours passe, kissing it and houlding it up over his head, meanyng
to protest and take witnesse of the violence they offered hym. But his
merchantes perswaded hym to the contrary; and soe the asselants gott
them on a sudden downe in to Yasimon Donos cabben, and sowne after
packed ashore, not speaking to Capt. Adames.
So I sent Mr. Osterwick abord with a letter to Capt. Adames, with a
barrill wyne and 6 hense, advizing hym that, yf he pleased, I would
bring the matter in question before the king, yf he please.
_Marche 23._--Mr. Osterwick retorned from Capt. Adames, who set seale
this mornyng betymes. God speed them well. He tells me that Capt.
Adames desired me not to bring the matter of his abuse offerd per
Antony and his crew in question till his retorne; only I might geve
out som speeches, that it might come to the kinges eares, yf I could
conveniently do it.
_Marche 24._--I sent Mr. Osterwick to the rendadors (or mint men) with
two barill of _morofack_ and 2 fyshes, _nifon catange_, to tell them
that the purcer of Capt. Adames junck tould me that they sent to me to
know what plate or money we sent in the same junck, which I gave them
notis of, assuring them that we sent out no _fibuck_, but observed the
Emperours edict; but, when we had occation to melt money, I would send
for them, etc. So, presently after, they came to the English howse,
haveing first sent back the present, aleadging their master had warned
them not to receve any present. Soe I made them colation, and so they
departed.
Also I went to Taccamon Dono, and carid hym the coppies of the 2 billes
for 27 _cattis_ plate, delivered Giquan the China capt. to buy sappon,
for which the scrivano was bound to deliver me 922 _picos_ in Japon,
whereof I wanted 212 _picos_.
It seemed to me that Taccamon Dono took the parte of the scrivano over
much, wishing me to geve hym the halfe of the 140 _picos_ sapon I had
in my power, and that he should deliver me all the writinges and goodes
which belonged to the dead Capt. Giquan. Unto which I answered I was to
demand 115 _picos_ more, which he had delivered to marenars in Xaxma
without any order to show for it and per force contrary to Mr. Sayers
will. In fine, he willed me to talke with the China Capt. about the
matter that all might be delivered into my handes, and I to geve hym a
quitance for all, that the Chinas should not molest hym hereafter. So
it seemeth to me this mans fist is greased.
_Marche 26._--Capt. Speck retorned from Langasaque, and I sent Mr.
Osterwick to vizet hym and bid hym welcom hom. He tould Mr. Osterwick
he had spent both tyme and money as well at Langasaque as at Shashma,
and yet could get no justice, which, as it should seeme, mooves his
patience, as also the slow payment of this _tono_ of Firando, which he
fyndeth as well as we, etc.
Here is flying reportes geven out that wars are like to ensue in Japon;
but what will com of it God he knoweth; only I dowbt the projectes or
secret insynewations of the fryres, jesuistes, and pristes, whoe have
over free entrance to this _tono_ of Firando, and not unlyke they may
have the lyke to others more greater then he. God grant all may fall
out for the best. Amen.
They tell of a yong man that is much sought after for being on Fidaia
Sammas part, but still escapeth per papistes secret conveances.
_Marche 27._--Soyamon Dono sent for our _jurebasso_ to speak with
hym, who fownd Semi Dono with hym, and they sent me word that, yf any
timbers were lost, I should pay for them, and that the king merit to
desire of themperour, at his going up, to have the Hollanders and us
to goe to som other place, for that he was awery of us and of our
proceadinges.
_Marche 28._--I went and vizeted Capt. Speck and tould hym what
Semidone sent me word of, that the King of Firando would demand of
the Emperour to have us sent out of Firando to dwell elsewhere. To
the which Capt. Speck answerd that it might be we might be the first
demanders for that matter, telling me he thought it was best he and I
went together to Semidone, to know whereupon he sent such word.
I wrot 2 letters to Neyemon Dono and his partner, with one for Mrs.
Adames, all for Edo; and another both in Spanish and Japons to Tome
Dono, _jurebasso_ to Massamone Samme, to adviz hym we shall have
occation to use hym at our going next to Edo in August next, to be
_jurebasso_ to the Emperour.
_Marche 31._--Harry Shank retorned from Langasaque, and brought 3 vyne
trees with 14 other frute trees, dyvers sortes, with some garden seeds,
and a little franincense to perfume the piginhowse.
I sent Mr. Osterwick to Semidone to tell hym the price I ment to geve
for the tymber; but he entred into a passionate humor. He is a proud,
beggerly, presumptious fello.
_Aprill 2._--We bought 2 frute trees, 1 oreng and the other peares, for
4 _mas_.
Ther was a junck of China, which went out of Langasaque and bound for
Cagallon in the Phillippinas, put back to Firando in the roade of Cochi
per meanes of bad weather at sea.
_Aprill 3._--I paid the gouldsmith 1½ _mas_ for making me a silver
instrument for my salvatory.
Capt. Speck sent Jacob Suager to vizet me. But I take it to be
underhand, to know whether I would have acepted of his offer to have
byn umper in the price of my tymber; but I said nothing to hym, nether
did he speake of it to me.
A China shewmaker died on a sudden, being well not halfe an hower
before.
_Aprill 4._--Thomas the cook, lefte to attend on Mr. Totton, being a
harebreand felloe, threw a kitchen knyfe at Balle, the kynges dogg,
which we kept in the English howse, and stuck hym to the hart that he
fell downe dead presently. He hath beaten many of our Japon servantes,
and had lyke to have kild one of our neighbors servantes the other
day. He ys not the man I took hym for, and wrot the Worll. Company in
his behalfe more then he deserveth. Yf this had hapned in the tyme of
Foyne Samme, who esteemed this dogg much, yt might have cost us all our
lives. I sent our _jurebasso_ to exskewse the matter to the kyng, who
sent me word he esteemed that the English man did it not of purpose,
and therefore willed me not to punish hym, for the deede being donne
could not be undon, etc.
_Aprill 6._--There is news geven out that an embassador from Corea is
to goe to the Emperour and is expected shortly to passe by Ishew.
_Aprill 7._--I sent our _jurebasso_ to Semidone to tell hym that, in
respect he took the matter in hand, I was content to geve 50 _tais_
more in the whole for the tymber, that is, whereas I offred but 270
_taies_ before, I will make it up 320 _taies_ to geve the king content,
etc. And he retorned me answer that I did offer well, and cowncelled me
to goe to the king. I think the Hollanders play the jemenis, and goe
underhand to buy the tymber when it is at the lowest.
_Aprill 8._--I went to the king to tell hym bow his _bungews_ would
force me to take tymber at the price they pleased, I not haveing bought
any of them, nether they bringing it in tyme to serve our shiping,
as also that I could have no end of the procese with the theevish
scrivano, although I had papers to show for what I asked. But the king
sufferd me to stand, without attending, an howre, and in the end would
not tarry to here me speake, but bad me confer with his _bongews_. Soe
I went from thence to Oyen Dono and tould hym what past. He gave me
councell to make an end of that matter of the tymber at what price I
could bring them to, for have it I must; but for that of the scrivano,
he thought the king would see me have my right.
The China Capt., Andrea Dittis, envited the king to dyner, with most
of the nobles; yf a king and nobles a man may call them, I fynding no
noblenes amongst them.
_Aprill 10._--Mr. Nealsons boy Larrance ran away, because he did beate
hym, which to say the truth be doth over much; yet the boy is the best
boy in the howse. But after, he was brought back by his parentes and
left with his master.
There came 2 or 3 Chinas to see our English howse, men of esteeme, and
one of them a doctor of phisick, unto whome I geve kynd entertaynment.
And one of them sent me a box of comfets afterwards for a present,
thanking me for their good entertaynment.
_Aprill 11._--Tonomon Samme, the kinges eldest brother, arived this
day after dyner at Firando from the Emperours court. The Hollanders
discharged 3 chambers at his passing by. And sowne after I went and
viseted hym, and carid a present of 2 barilles wyne and 3 cases _mach_,
containing 10 in each case; which he took in good parte. I fownd hym
accompanid with Semidone, Sangero Samme, and all the rest of the
caveleros in towne.
_Aprill 13._--The China Capt. came and tould me he had receved a letter
from his brother Whaw, from Langasaque, how themperour of Japon had
sent out a bark, well manned with above 100 men, for the cost of China,
wherin went 30 gentellmen with a letter and present of worth for the
Emperour of China, as 10 rich _cattans_ garnished with hiltes and other
necessares of gould, with many pikes after same sort, and 2000 _taies_
in bars of silver, so that they canot tell what to judg of the matter;
only they think the Emperour of China will accept of nothing which
cometh from them, the hatred betwixt them is soe greate.
We dyned at Holland howse, Mr. Nealson, Mr. Osterwick and my selfe,
where we had greate cheare, both first, second, and therd course, and
had no want of Spanish wyne, with drinking of healths to the Kinges
Matie. and Queene of England, with the Grave Mouris and States.
_Aprill 15._--Towardes night the Kyng of Goto sent two of his cheefe
men to me with a present, he being newly retorned from the Emperours
court, viz. 2 barrilles wyne, 14 legges of pouldren venison, 10
great salt fyshes, 3 hand guns or calivers of Japon; offring me much
frendship, yf our shiping chanced to put into any of his portes, as
also to furnish them with tymber or any other matter they stood in need
of, at as loe a rate as we could have it in any other parte of Japon.
_Aprill 16._--Towardes night word came on a sudden that the King of
Xaxma passed by and ment not to com to an ancor. Soe I provided a
present and went out to meete hym. The King of Firando went out to meet
hym and sent out his brother before, whoe met with us in the way and
willed me to stay till the king his brother had been abord, and then
deliver our present; which I ment to have donne, whether he had spoaken
or no, and soe I tould hym. Yt seemeth he hath noe greate good will
to the King of Firando, for he had but a word or 2 with hym, and so
let hym departe, but kept me in talke allmost an hower, asking me many
questions and offring me any frendship his cuntry did afford or that we
stood in need of.
Capt. Speck went not to vizet hym, whatsoever the occation was; whereat
som exceptions were taken, and, as we retorned, on of the barkes of
Xaxma made signes to me to come abord, thinking we had byn Hollanders,
and, seeing we were not, sent a letter by me to deliver to Capt. Speck,
which at my coming ashore I sent unto hym.
_Aprill 17._--Ike Dono came to me this mornyng, as he went to the
kyng, and tould me the King of Xaxma axcepted my present in good sort
and spake much good of our nation. He also tould me that the other 2
did expect to have had something, so, per his councell, we cut out 2
vestes, black cloth, and 2 whole peeces chint bramport and sent to them.
_Aprill 18._--I paid the gouldsmith for seting me a burning glas in a
silver frame 1½ _mas_, and the frame waid 3 _mas_ 8 _condrins_.
Semidone sent me a bill to set my hand unto, to pay the king 450
_taies_ for the tymber we bought of hym. I receved a letter from
Cacamon Dono, secretary to Oyen Dono, the Emperours secretary at Edo: a
frendly letter.
_Aprill 19._--The king banished Sangero Samme, his uncle by a Corean
woman, out of Firando, to live in a village in this island, 5 leagues
from Firando. This Sangero was Sonne to Foyne Samme in his ould adge by
a Corean woman, and at his death he left hym 800 _gocos_ of rise per
anno. But he was no sowner dead, but the kyng, his nephew, shortned hym
to 250 _gocos_ per anno, and now hath taken occation to confine hym in
this sort, because he dispiseth his wife, a noble woman of Crates, and
goeth after other women ... geveing them greate presentes, bringing hym
selfe into debt. This is the common report.
A _boz_ of Crates came to see the English howse, and envited hymselfe
to our _fro_ with other _bozes_ of Firando.
_Aprill 20._ Easterday.--One of Towans sonns, of Langasaque, came
secretly to see the English howse, but I was enformed per one of our
servantes whoe he was, and soe gave hym the best entertaynment I could.
This Towan is held to be the richest man in Japon, and com up of base
parentage by his subtill and craftie wyt.
We had the Hollanders to dynner and our nighbours to supper.