Part 23

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.

_Aprill 21._--I went to Semidone and carid hym a _barso_ of wyne and 4 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.