string of drid cuttell, and thanked hym for the paynes taken about the
tymber. I also towld hym I marveled at the presumptious speeches of
that Miguell the _tico_, who gave it out he would kill some Englishman,
I haveinge before payd hym all he could demand, to a _condrin_ of
sappon, before the kinges _bongews_; so that I wished hym to look
to that theefe and his companion, that they went not abroad to doe
mischeefe, but that they might be carid to Miaco to answer it with
their lives before Ingo Dono. At the which he seemed at first to be
mooved, yet after he said the king ment to goe up within 8 or 10 daies,
and that, yf I would send a man with them, he would cary them up in
bonds and deliver them to the justice, which I was contented withall.
So after, I sent to Takamon Dono, cheefe justice, to signefie as much
to hym; and he sent me word he thought it would be long before the king
went up, and that it was better I sent them up sowner. But I answerd
I had no such hast, nether was I willing to seek justice in an other
place, yf I could have it heare; and to same effect sent word to Oyen
Dono, the kinges governor.
_Aprill 22._--I thought good to note downe how the Kinge of Firando,
above a yeare past, sent me word he would geve me a howse rent free,
which Matinga dwelled in, it being a matter of some 10 shilling or 2
_taies_ per anno, but now goeth from his word and denieth it.
_Aprill 24._--I sent Mr. Osterwick to our _bongews_, which the Kyng of
Firando hath put abord our junck to see each marener have all belonged
to them, to have them put their handes to a writing of the delivery
thereof to their content; but they denid to doe it, yet by word of
mouth confessed it to be true. Thus are we used in Firando and can have
no justice, allthough we have all the right in the world.
_Aprill 25_ (first day _Singuach_).--Yt is thought fit Mr. Nealson goe
to Langasaque to complaine to the Emperours _bongew_ how we can have no
justice in Firando, and he carieth all our papers of processe against
the scrivano of the junck of the dead Capt. Giquan.
_Aprill 27._--Jno. Japon paid a _mas_ of plate to the gouldsmith for
me, for making me a Jemall gould ring.
We delivered 10 _picos_ copper to the fownders to cast bases or small
ordinance.
_Aprill 28._--Jor. Durois writes me that the Kyng of Umbra hath taken 2
padres presoners, both Japons, the one a Franciscan frire and the other
a jesuist.
_May 2._--This day is a feast in Japon, of their great profit or god,
Shaka, whoe, as they beleeve, died a month past and rose againe this
day, being the 8th of their month of Singuach. Whereupon they deck
all the eaves of their howses with greene bowes, in remembrance of
his rising from death to life. They also hold opinion that in the end
(but they know not when) that on this day he will apeare (or com) unto
them againe alive, much lyke to the Persians that look for the coming
of Mortus Ely,[240] and therfore attend his coming (as that day) with
great devotion and reverence yearly.
I understanding that the King of Firando was ready to departe to goe to
Edo, I went to vizet hym and carid a present to him, viz. 1¼ _tatta_
black cloth, 1¼ red or stamet bayes. He took it in good parte, and
wished me, when our shipps came, to send up no goodes to Osaky or
Miaco, untill the Emperour permitted. I answerd hym he needed not to
take care that I would offend in that point, for I looked so neare to
the Emperours order that I ment to have sent a man with him now to
Miaco, about the processe I had in hand, but staid till our shiping
came, because I would not in any sort infring the Emperours edict.
_May 3._--The king dyned at Shosque Dono his chamberlens howse, whoe
sent to me to desire to have a pie, a roset hen, and a duck, dressed
after our English fation, which was performed and sent to hym.
_May 4._--Semidone sent me word we would com to our English howse and
meete Capt. Speck, to examen the matter of those speeches geven out. I
retorned hym answer, yt needed not his Lordship took soe much paines
this fowle wether, but that we would com to hym; but he sent me word he
would com to me, which he performed, the Holland Capt. meeting hym. And
Semedone brought in his company Torazemon Dono and Soyemon Dono, and,
to conclud, denied all his former speeches, only he said the king took
it in ill parte I denied to sett my hand to a letter or writing that I
had sent goodes up to Tozayemon Dono of Sackay to sell for me, which I
tould hym I had reason to do, for that I sent up non but sould it in
Firando, yt being a matter against the Emperours edict to send up any
thing. They answered I had reason, yf I sould it heare, etc. Yt seemeth
Gorezano, our _jurebasso_, was a cheefe occation by means of his bad
tong, geveing out false reportes; which I will requite, yf I may.
_May 5._--I entring into consideration of the small respect this King
of Firando hath of us, in comparison of that which he had at our first
entrance into Japon, and comparing on thing with an other what might
be thoccation, and in the end finding my consience cleare that I had
geven no occation thereof, I wrot a lardg letter unto hym, openyng the
discontent I had for these six months past, in respect of the kynde
usadg we had heretofore. The coppie of which letter I have kept both
in English and Japon tong, as I sent it to hym by Mr. Jno. Osterwick.
Which letter he receaved in good parte, and retorned me a frendly
answer that he held me to be his frend from the beginning and that my
hart was true unto hym, and so should his be to me and the rest of
thenglish nation, and that I should make no dowbt thereof; yet he,
being ready to goe up to themperour, could not geve me satisfaction in
all, which he would doe at his retorne, and in the mean tyme would take
order for Miguel the _tico_.
_May 6._--The King of Firando departed towardes themperours court this
day, about nowne; and I went out with a small bark and carid hym 2
barilles wyne and 30 loves bread, and praid God send hym a good voyage.
The Hollanders shot affe 7 chambers or peces of ordinance as he passed
by, but went not out to accompany hym as they were wont to doe.
There was 30 _cattis_ tyn sent to the founders, to melt in our
ordinance of copper. So we cast 2 basses, or small peeces, with
chambers this day.
_May 9._--There is speeches geven out that the Corean embassador is
howerly looked for at Ishew, with 500 attendantes following of hym. So
the King of Firando hath geven order for receving of hym and apointed
som 20 or more of the ruchest and hansomest men in the towne to
accompany Tonoman Samme his brother as his attendantes; but at their
owne charg, to prevent cost.
_May 11._--There was news came this day of a boate of Xaxma which came
from Langasaque and took in som 10 Japon passingers to carry them to
Firando, amongst whome was a yewth whoe had som 2000 _cattis_ tobacco,
which might be worth som 4000 _mas_. For which (as it is thought)
they sett on the passingers and slue 5 of them, but, being neare the
shore on the cost of Umbra, the rest escaped and raysed the cuntrey,
whoe took one of them presently; but the rest, being 6 or 7, escaped
into the woodes, which forthwith were besett rownd about by the kinges
comandement, so that they canot escape.
Yt is said their are many of these Xaxmas in their owne cuntrey up in
swarmes and keepe the woodes, doing much mischeefe and comiting many
murthers, and canot yet be suppressed. The begyners were souldiers
which were prest to goe helpe the Emperour against Fidaia Samme (or at
least made a shew they ment to doe soe); but they coming to late, he
haveing no neede of them, they were dismist without pay, which caused
them to doe as they doe.
_May 13._--I sent a letter to Jor. Durois, with a Spanish book called
Catholico reformado.
And the fownders had 30 _cattis_ tynne more, and cast us 2 more copper
bases, same mold as the former.
_May 20._--I went and viseted Taccamon Dono, the cheefe justice, and
carid hym a present of a barill of wyne and 2 fyshes, with 2 papers
rolls of _match_, containing in each paper 10 roles. He took it in good
parte, and promised me to be ready to favour our nation in all he could.
Gorezano, our quandum _jurebasso_, came to me and tould me that he
esteemed hym selfe worthy of the 36 _tais_ od money he owed upon
rest of accompt, in respect of the service he had donne us above at
Emperours court; and in fyne tould me, yf I ment to have any thing, I
might get it by law. Also he tould me that Shosque Dono reported unto
hym that the Emperour had comanded Safian Dono to cut his bellie; but I
canot beleev it to be true, for I sent to Shosque Dono to know whether
it were so or no, and he answerd such reportes were geven out, but he
knew not whether it were true or no.
The fownders had 14 _cattis_ tyn to cast chambers for the 4 fowlers,
but wanted stuff, so one rested imperfect.
_May 21._--Speeches are geven out that the _caboques_ or Japon
players (or whores), going from hence for Tushma to meete the Corean
ambassadors, were set on by the way by a boate of Xaxma theeves, and
kild all both men and women, for the money they had gotten at Firando.
Bongo Same sent me a hanche of wild boare for a present.
_May 22._--Jor. Durois advised me that the Kyng of Umbra had put two
padres to death, viz. one a jesuist and the other a Franceskan fryre.
Also that on of the murtherers was taken which kild the Japons in the
bark, but as yet will not confes whoe were his companions.
_May 26._--We tried our 4 fowlers this day and fownd all to be good,
only the brich of ij of the chambers of one of the bigger peeces were
broaken by meanes of the iron fid which was badly made.
_May 28._--The Chinas rowed for wagers this day in boates with
paddelles, som 8 or 9 on a side, seting up a ma[r]k in the sea, and the
boate which came first at it got. This they doe upon duble occation;
the Chinas houlding on origenall and the Japons an other. This feast
begyneth the first of this month of Gonguach, and endeth 5th day, which
is to morow, which is the cheefe day both with China and Japon. And
this day in the mornyng they decked all the eaves of their howses with
green flagges (or segges) mingled with an other green herbe, which they
keepe all the yeare after, drying the said herbe, and make littell
mattches to burne their bodies, legges, or armes, or any parte wherein
they feele payne, which they doe in place of letting blood. I say,
wheare we use to lett blood upon occation to sick persons, they use to
burne them with this herbe, and esteeme that consecrated this day the
best.
And now tuching this feast of Piro (or Pilo), the Chinas hold the
origenall as followeth, viz.:--
They have it by record (or writing), as they say, that many ages past
a king of China propownded a question to his sages (or wise men),
comanding them to tell hym the truth, what thing only they esteemed the
best and most necessary upon the earth for the sustenance of mans lyfe.
And their were two only that stood in contention about the matter: the
one saying that salt was the best; and the other, suger. So the kyng
comanded to bring hym both of the on and other and made a tast of both;
and fynding the salt so unsavery in his mouth, comanded that wyse man,
which spook in praise thereof, to be cast into the say. But thereupon
grew such extreme fowle wether for a long tyme afterward, that they had
no meanes to mak salt, so that non was to be had to seazon or dres the
kinges meate. By which meanes he fownd then by experience that salt was
better then suger, and was sory he had soe unadvisedly put the other to
death. And on day, as he sat at dyner, in greate care for want of salt,
there was som fell downe upon the table, and he knew not from whence
it came. This miracle (they say) hapned the first day of Gonguach, soe
that presently the king comanded a seremony to be used upon the sea, in
memory of that man which was drownd, whose name was Piro (or Pilo), as
aforsaid. So that, as they row, at every strok of paddell they geve,
they name Pilo, they being answerd (all in one) with stroke of drum and
bras bason. So that, ever since that tyme, they never wanted salt, and
contynewally every yeare, at this tyme, use that seremony.
But they Japons howld it to be an other way, yet both agree in
the name of the man. The Japons say he was a wise man and a great
estronomer, and dwelled in an iland seperated from China, about the
cost of Camboja, and that by his learnyng he understood before hand
that the iland where he dwelt should sink into the sea, and tould they
inhabetantes thereof, willing them to make provision of boates and
shiping (in tyme) to carry them away. But they laughed hym to scorne.
Yet neverthelesse he made provition for hym selfe in tyme, and soe
escaped and came to land in another place, all the rest perishing when
the iland sunck.
_May 29._--This day was their feast of Gonguach Guench or 5th day of
5th month.
_June 3._--Word came that a bark of the China Capt. was cast away, I
dowbting it was she he went in for Langasaque; but it proved to be a
wood bark of his overladen and sunk, but no people lost.
_June 4._--Tozayemon Dono advized me that Safian Dono is at Edo and
in favor, Gonrok Dono his kinsman gon for governor to Langasaque, and
Chubio Dono his brother at bathes, all in favor, and that themperor
will be at Miaco next month.
_June 6._--It is said two more padres or papist pristes are put to
death in Umbra; and, because the people carid away the blood in
handkerchefes and clowtes of the other two executed before, he caused
these 2 to be cast into the sea, with stones tied about their necks.
_June 7._--Towardes night a man of Goto brought word how there were iij
shipps arived neare to Goto and there com to an anker; but he knew not
what they were. And about midnight Capt. Speck sent me word that the[y]
were ij greate shipps of theares com from Molucas and had taken a junck
on the cost of Manillias and brought her as prize to Japon. Also that
they had 10 greate shipps at Manillias to look out in those partes, etc.
_June 8._--The 2 Holland ships and prize came into the roade at Cochy.
It is said they have taken and spoiled all the junckes which went this
yeare for the Manillias. They confes 14 or 15 sayle, but thought to
be much more, and have burned the Spanish shipp of Don Jno. de Silva
and others, but not knowne wether they had the treasure or no. It is
esteemed their booty is greate. They say they have another junk prize
which they lost company of at sea, haveing 7 Hollander men in her and
rest Chinas above 30 or 40. So they dowbt the Chinas have kild them.
Also reportes are geven out they have taken China junkes on this cost.
In fine, yt is thought they will have trowble about taking Chinas.
_June 9._--I went abord the ij Holland shipps to Cochy, and carid each
of them a barell of wyne, a hogg, and 10 loves bread. I thought to
have fownd Capt. Speck abord, but he was gon ashore; and the King of
Firando had set a bark to watch that nothing was brought ashore. So
it is thought the Hollanders will not let their shipps nor priz junk
enter into Firando, for it is said they have robbed above 40 junkes,
and are both full laden with silk and stuffes of silk, and the priz 200
_picolles_ silk abord her.
_June 10._--The Holland marreners came ashore unknowne to the master,
and brought taffetes, sattens, damasks, muscods, and such lyke, geving
away and selling matters good cheape. The master and capt. of both
Holland shipps came ashore and went with Capt. Speck to vizet the
kinges brother, and from thence came all to thenglish howse. Capt.
Speck tould me that the kinges brother had warned them not to sell
anything till they heard answer from themperour, but might land what
they would. So this day they loaded 4 or 5 barkes with raw silk and
sent it ashore.
_June 11._--The China Capt. took a boate and went to see the junk that
the Hollanders took, wherat Capt. Speck was much offended and would
not let hym goe abord. Yet he spok to the Chinas, whoe tould hym they
shewed great cruelty to them, and were not content to take shipp and
goodes but cast them overbord, for of 270 persons that were abord
that junck they had left but 30; and, when they had taken all that
they liked out of other junkes, they sunk them with the rest, people
and all. Soe he hath taken councell with the Chinas to send up to the
Emperour to make complaint; and in the meane tyme hath sent for Gonrok
Dono, to Langasaque, to com hether.
_June 12._--I wrot 3 letters to Tozayemon Dono of Sackay, Cuimon Dono
of Osaky, and Magozemon Dono of Miaco, advising them of the arivall of
the ij Holland shipps with their priz, and delivered them to Soyemon
Dono to send up in the kinges bark which now they send up about
Hollanders matter, per which conveance the Chinas send to have remedy
against the Hollanders.
These Chinas in the junck will not be perswaded but that they are
Englishmen which took them. The reason, the Hollanders in all their
theevish proceadinges geve it out they are English.
_June 13._--Capt. Speck receved a letter that their other junk the[y]
lost in the way was arived in Xaxma. The Hollanders sett out orders
abord their shipps that the mareners should sell nothing to the
Englishmen.
_June 14._--I receved a letter from Alvaro Munos, which Capt. Speck
opened before it came to my handes, of the which I wrot hym a letter
that I took it in ill parte.
_June 17._--I sent Henry Shank iij _tais_ small plate upon a bundell
silk in pawne, to pay (as he saith) for stuffes he hath bought of
Hollanders. This Shank I fynd to be a busye, humerous pot companion.
Mr. Totton, being envited by some of the Hollanders to goe abord to
make merry, took a bark and thought to have donne it; but, being ready
to goe abord, Ushenusque Dono comanded the Japons which carid hym to
retorne back, except he brought a ticket from the Hollanders. Whereupon
they would not be perswaded by any meanes to set them abord. So at his
retorne we thought to have provided hym an English ging to row hym
abord; but the tide was past, that they could not, and so it rested
till the morow mornyng.
Harry Shank is a quarrellsom, drunken fello, and not many dais past
entertayned a wench, although I perswaded hym to the contrary, and
after threw her out at a windoe in an upper loft and put her away in
bad sort. Yet this day he got a dagger in his pocket, and went to her
fathers howse, using hym with bad tearmes to provok hym to com out, and
then wounded hym in 3 places; so that all the street was in an upror.
_June 18._--This mornyng Mr. Totton went abord the Hollanders, rowed in
our owne boate all by Englishmen, to see whether the Hollanders would
forbid hym entrance; and withall I wrot a letter to Ushenusque Dono,
or such _bongew_ as was theare, to geve hym to understand I took the
Hollanders no kinges in Japon that I should seek a passe from them,
willing hym withall to take heed how he medled in matters which tuched
our previleges, as he would answer to the contrary before the Emperour
and the King of Firando, his master, my preveleges alowing me free
passag both by sea and land, to doe my busenes without disturbance of
Japon or any other in Firando or Langasaque.
Mr. Totton was frendly entertayned abord by Capt. Speck and the rest
of Hollanders, and tould hym that it were the Japons that forbad our
coming abord and not he, and that I had good occation to be angry, yf
he should set out any order to forbid thenglish to com abord. And for
my letter which was opened, he made many protestations it was against
his will, he, being busy and the letter brought unto hym, opened it
unawares.
_June 19._--This mornyng fayre wether, wynd northerly but rack
easterly, and sowne after rayne most parte of the day, with much wynd
as abovesaid, and in the night proved a tuffon, or extreme storm of
wynd and rayne, blowing downe or uncovering howses and sincking boates,
and amongst the rest our _foyfone_.
Also in the affter nowne our host Cuemon Dono of Osaky arived heare
at Firando and brought me a present of ij _catabras_, one of silk and
thother lynen, with ij littell packetes fyne rise, and a wyre frame for
a _sequanseky_[241] or cupp. Yt is said the King of Xaxma hath sufferd
the Chinas to land all ther goodes out of the junk the Hollanders
took, not medling with the one partie nor the other. And the Chinas
make a purse amongst them all of 5000 _tais_ to send in a present to
themperour to have redresse against the Hollanders.
This night the tuffon (or storme) drove the 2 Holland shipps agrownd
with the junk they took prize, and, as it is said, are all 3 bildged
and all the merchandiz wett that is in them. Many men speak diversly
of the matter, but most say playnly it is a ponishment of God upon the
Hollanders for wrongfully taking of other mens goodes. Howsoever the
losse will be infynet, all being wet, and now must land that perfnerce
which they thought should never com ashore in Japon.
_June 20._--I sent Mr. Osterwick to Capt. Speck to tell hym I was sory
for the misfortune happened, offring them any help we could. He desired
to have our _foy fone_, which was sunk this night, to helpe them; which
we sowne cleared and made her ready with 14 ores to row and one of our
_jurebassos_, and so sent her to them.
_June 21._--I wrot a letter complementall to Gonroq Dono, that I was
glad of his arivall at Langasaque, as also tuching my processe against
the scrivano of Giquans junk, with other matters, as apereth per
coppie, in the Japon tong. And I wrot an other to Capt. Whow, the China
Capt. at Langasaque, and sent hym all the papers of my processe against
the said scrivano.
And in thaftar nowne Gonrok Donos man came to our English howse, and
tould me he was sent per his master to accompany certen Spaniardes and
Portingales, to signefie to the _Tono_ of Firando that he should not
suffer the Hollanders to let any of their shiping go it (_sic_) to lay
waite for thamakan shipp, as they gave it out they would doe, as also
to comand the Hollandes Capt. in themperours name that he should se it
performed. Yet, as it falls out, they needed not to have taken soe much
paines, for God had prevented their desines and brought their shiping
on grownd, and bildged and broaken her to peeces which should have gon
out. Also the China Capt. tould me that the King of Xaxma had secretly
geven leave to the Chinas that were in the Hollandes junk of priz, put
into that place, that perforce they might discharg their goodes against
the Hollanders wills, which were but few, and then pursue law against
them at themperours Court; which they have donne. And this mornyng the
China Capt. sent one of his servantes to the _bongews_ which saw the
unlading of the goodes out of the China junk, to know wheare the goodes
were put, either into the Hollande howse or the kinges gedong. But he
retorned answer he knew not where they were put. In fine, it is thought
the Hollanders will fall into greate trowble about these busynesses,
and som in this place into danger for permiting matters to passe as
they doe.
The Spaniardes and Portingale come to towne were Alvaro Munos, Lues
Martin, and one Farnandes.
_June 22._--The Hollanders gott one of there shipps called the
_Flushing_ aflote, and hath not much hurte, as they say, besides the
cuting overbord of the mast.
_June 24._--The Hollanders men remeaned ashore, day and night,
notwithstanding the danger their shipping and goodes were falne into
per meanes of this tuffon past. So Albartus, Leonard, and Jacob Swager,
accompanid with Japons, went to ferret them out of their whorehouses.
And som they took, and others escaped into the woodes, after whome they
sent Japons to hunt them out, geveing them five _mas_ or halfe a crowne
str. for each one they brought, which was not long a doing, they being
carid along the streetes with their handes bownd behind them and garded
to the Duch howse lyke theeves; and surly I esteemed them worse, that
would leave their shipps in such danger, som of them never going abord
since the shipps came into harbor.
Our host Cuemon Dono of Osaky came and vizeted me and brought me a
present of a _barso_ of Mywarey wyne.
_June 25._--The Hollanders sought for a caffro which had stolne thinges
from abord, and fownd hym and carid hym abord in bandes. Also there
were souldiers which were unruly ashore and would not keepe quarter
abord, nether cared for mareners, master, nor other, till their
lieutenant soldier came to look them out and carid them abord in bandes.