Chapter XII: Part 12

These 2 shipps, the _Sunne_ and _Gallias_, arived at Firando the 6th and 8th day of June, 1618. And the 8th day of August after heare arived an English shipp, called the _Attendance_, which the Hollanders sent hither from the Molucas, to our greater disgrace, but not an Englishman in her. So that, by generall consent, it was thought fitt I went to themperours court to complaine, thinking we might have hadd restetution, considering the lardge preveleges we have in Japon. But answer was made that for factes comitted in other places themperor would not meddell with it, but for anything donne in his owne dominions he would see us have right.

Soe the three forenamed shipps, _Sunne_, _Gallias_, and _Attendance_, were sett out againe, the _Sunne_ to carry their most best stuffes and silke, her full lading, to goe for Bantam; and the other two to goe for the Manillas, to meete an other Hollandes fleete, because they had certen news that 6 of the King of Spaines gallions were cast away per misfortune at Manillas, which was true, soe that the Spaniardes hadd no strength to com out against them. Soe they took 3 China junckes more, but noe greate wealth in them, only they found such good refreshing that it saved the lives of their hongerstarved men; otherwaies they hadd never lived to see Japon.

Soe now may it please your Wors. to understand this last yeare, I meane reckning before Christmas, here cam 7 seale of Hollanders for this cuntrey of Japon and to this towne of Firando, viz.:--

1. The _Bantam_, a shipp of 1000 tonns, wherin Adam Westerwood came. 304

2. The _New Moone_, a shipp of 7 or 800 tonns, vizadmerall.

3. The _Gallias_ before named, of above 300 tonns.

4. The _Attendance_, thenglish shipp before named.

5. The _Swan_, an other English shipp taken by them at Molucas.

And out of these shipps 3 Englishmen escaped ashore and came to thenglish howse to seeke releefe, telling us they were used more like dogges then men amongst the Hollanders. Their names are as followeth: John Moore, John Joones, Edward Curwin; these 3 men brought presoners in Hollandes shipps. The Hollanders demanded these 3 men to be retorned back unto them; unto whome I made answer, I would first see their comition how they durst presume to take our English shiping, men, and goodes, as they did. So then they went to the _Tono_ (or King) of Firando, and demanded that their English _kengos_ (which in Japons is sclaves) should be sent back unto them. Unto whome the _tono_ made answer that he took not the English to be sclaves to the Hollanders, we having such lardge preveleges in Japon as we hadd, and therefore willed them to goe to themperour and demand them of hym, and what he ordayned should be performed, etc.

Also their came a penisse from the Molucas, called the _Fox_, to bring newes of the fight betwixt thenglish fleete and the Hollanders att Jaccatra, and that these shipps should make hast to the Molucas with powder, shott, victuelles, and other provition, etc.

And last of all came an other greate shipp from Pattania, called the _Angell_, being the admerall of 3 shipps which came together and sent of purpose to take the _Samson_ and _Hownd_, two other English shipps, wherin Capt. Jno. Jourden, the presedent, came cheefe comander; they Hollanders coming upon them on a sudden as they road at an ancor in 305 the roade of Pattania, nott dowbting any such matter, where they took both the said shipps, after the death of Capt. Jourden and others. Out of which shipp _Angell_ Mr. Wm. Gourden and Michell Payne escaped ashore, by the assistance of Mr. Wm. Adames; otherwais they hadd byn sent captives (as the Duch terme it) to the Molucas. Mr. Gourden was master of the _Hownd_, and Michell Payne carpenter of the _Samson_. As also a Welchman, named Hugh Williams, escaped from them and came to the English howse the morrow after. By which 3 men, as also by an open letter which I receved from Mr. Adam Denton from Pattania in the Duch shipp _Angell_, we understand of the proceadinges of the Hollanders against our nation; the copie of which letter I send your Wors. here inclozed.

But to conclud the unruly dealinges of the Hollanders: when they saw they could not by any meanes gett back the Englishmen which escaped from them, allthough they laid secrett ambushes ashore to have taken them, which being reveled to me by som of their owne people, then they came to outbrave us in the streetes before our owne dores, urging us with vild speeches; soe that from words som of our people and they fell to blowes, where one of the Hollanders got a scram, which made the rest soe madd that they came on shore by multetudes, thinking by force to have entred into our howse and cutt all our throates, geveing 3 assaltes in one day. Yet the Japons took our partes, that they could doe us no harme, although there were v. or vj. C. of them against v. or vj. persons of us. And the next day morning after, when we thought nothing, a company of them entred our howse, armed with piks, swordes, and _cattans_, where they wounded John Coaker and an other, thinking they hadd kild one of them at least, as they made their bragges after. Soe that we weare constrayned to keepe in our howse a gard of Japons, night and day, armed, at meate, drink, and wages, to your Wors. greate 306 charge. Soe that the king of Firando comanded watch and ward to be kept in the streetes, that noe Hollanders might be suffered to passe by our dores. But then they went in swarmes by water, shaking their naked swords at us, calling us by a thousand filthie names; which coming to the knowledg of the _tono_, he sent for Capt. Jacob Speck, princepall (or cape merchant) of the Hollanders in Japon, and caused hym to geve a writing in Japons before witnesses, with his ferme at it, that from that tyme forward no Hollander should misuse an Englishman, nether in word nor deed, and then caused me, Richard Cocks, to geve an other to the same effect, with my ferme at it, before the same witnesses, that noe Englishman should doe the like to any Hollanders. Yet, before 3 or 4 daies were passed, the Hollanders began againe to misuse us; for that Edmond Sayer, being retorned of a voyage he hadd made for your Wors. affares to Cochinchina and arived at Nangasaque, sentt Richard King to Firando to advertis me thereof and to bring our _foyfone_ (or bark) with hym to carry the comodetis he hadd brought to Firando. But as the said Ric. King was going out in the said bark, accompanied with our _jurebasso_, the Hollanders armed out five or six barkes or shipp boates after them, full of men, with guns, pikes, swordes, and other weapons, and took hym presoner with the bark and carid hym to the Hollands howse, using hym very churlishly. The _tono_ being an eye witnesse and looker on when they did it, mooved hym soe much that he sent out certen boates full of souldiers after them, to have reskewed Ric. King; but they came to late, for the Hollanders hadd carried hym into their howse before they came. Soe the souldiers laid hand on Capt. Speck hym selfe and carid hym presoner to the _tonos_ howse, where he remeaned most parte of the day, till Richard King was sett free.

But this matter was noe sowner overpast but our junck arived from 307 Syam, wherin Mr. Eaton came and advized me of their arivall on this coast, and to send them a boate or two to helpe to toe them in, which I did; and Ed. Sayer, Richard Kinge, and John Coaker went in them with our _jurebasso_. But, passing by the Hollandes shipps in this harbor, they bent a peece of ordinance against them, which took falce fire. Which they seeing, discharged 4 or 5 muskettes at them with langarell (or cheane) shott; but, by greate fortune, missed the Englishmen and kild a Japon. Which open injuries being offered against us in Japon (contrary to the preveleges geven us by the Emperour), yt was thought fitt (and agreed upon by a generall councell) that I should goe to the court of the Emperour of Japon, to make their doinges knowne unto his Matie. and to demand justice; which I did, with much labour and greate cost to your Wors. And order was geven by the Emperours comand and his previe councell to the _Tono_ or King of Firando to heare both parties and see justis performed. Yet, from that tyme till now, there is nothing donne, although I have divers tymes very instantly desired it of the kinge, whose best answer I eaver could gett was, that the Hollanders had kild no Englishman, but a Japonar, his owne vassale, which yf he were content to pardon, what hadd I to doe therwith?

And that which is worse, we being makinge cables for our junck in the streetes of Firando, the servantes of a gentelman called Semi Dono picked a quarrell against Ed. Sayer as he, Wm. Eaton, and Jno. Osterwick were looking on the workmen; and, without any reazon came out against them with clubbs and staves, and knockt downe Ed. Sayer, wounding hym very sore; and the rest escaped not free, but were shrodly beaten, and, hadd they not by good fortune gotten into a howse, they hadd kild them all. For the which abuse I went first to Semi Dono to complaine, but he would not vouchsaffe to speake to 308 me. Soe I complained to the kinge, thinking to have hadd justice; but, to the contrary, he sent me word that by councell he hadd banished two men of Semi Donos out of his dominions, which were the authors thereof, as he did the like by Edmond Sayer, telling me that, yf I did not forthwith send hym to Nangasaque, he would geve orders to kill hym the first tyme he went out of the dores into the street. Unto which I made answer, it was against the preveleges geven us by the Emperour, desiring hym to lett me pleade for my selfe, to show my greefes, or else lett the matter be brought before the Emperour. But the kinge would not heare me speak any ferther in this matter, but badd me stand to the danger, yf I sent hym not away. Yet still I pleaded that the Hollanders hadd donne much more, even to the killinge of Japons, and yet were not banished nor any thing said to them for it, nether for any other abuses offered against us; and Ed. Sayer nor no other Englishman hadd nether wounded nor hurt any Japon for this matter he was banished for, yet he hym selfe being wounded almost to death. But all would not serve, soe that I was constrayned to send Ed. Sayer to Nangasaque, and soe from thence to goe for Bantam or any other place where the English fleete is, to geve the precedent and cheefe comanders to understand thereof, etc.

For may it please your Wors. to understand that, having soe many Englishmen lying idly in the factory, with those which were heare before, and noe shipping to carry them away, as well to avoid charg of howse keepinge as also to geve your Wors. to understand how matters passe, it was ordayned per a general councell to buy a small _soma_ or vessell of som 50 tonns, to carry these men whose names follow (at their owne ernest request) to seek out the fleete in Java, Sumatra, or else wheare, to helpe to fight against the commune enemie, as they have procleamed them selves, I meane the Hollander, as also to 309 carry gunpowder, shott, beefe, pork, biskitt, tunnie fish, and other provition, soe much as conveniently the vessell can carry. The names of the Englishmen which goe are as followeth, viz:--Edmond Sayer, James Burges, Thomas Harod, Wm. Gorden, Robt. Hawley, Jno. Portes, Migell Payne, John Coaker, John Moore, John Joones, Ed. Curwine, Jno. Yonge, Hugh Williams, Peeter Griffine. Also there goe 9 Japon marrenars with them for their more strengthning, as also because their seals are of mattes, after the Japon fation, wherin they are more expert then our English men. And, for their better defence they carry 4 falcons, 2 of brasse and 2 of iron, with 2 long brasse bases, 2 fowlars or murtherers, 3 hargabush of crock, 5 English muskettes, and 8 Japon calivers, with good powder and shott suffitient, etc. The junck name is called the _Godspeed_, of the burthen of 50 tonns or upwardes, and cost us iiij C. xxx _tais_ first peny, being open behind as all _somas_ are, but we have made her now to steare shipp fation. God prosper her and send them a good voyage.

* * * * * *

Truly to my hartes greefe I am eavery day more then other out of hope of any good to be donne in Japon, except trade may be procured into China, which I am not yet out of hope of. Although Capt. Whaw of Nangasaque be dead, whoe was a cheefe dealer hearin, yet his brother, Capt. Andrea Dittis of Firando, tells me it is concluded upon, and that he expects a kinsman of his to com out of China with the Emperours passe, promesing to goe hym selfe with me in person, when we have any shipping com to goe in; for in Japon shipping we cannot goe for China. This Andrea Dittis is now chosen capten and cheefe comander of all the Chinas in Japon, both at Nangasaque, Firando, and else wheare, and I trust in God will prove the author in soe happie a matter as to gett trade into China.

But of all the merchandiz we have this last yeare, before Christmas 310 came, from Syam, Cochinchina, and Tonkyn, as reed wood, lead, deare skins, and silke of severall prices, we cannot make sale of any thing; which maketh me to wonder, for the other yeare before was much greater quantety of all comodetis and yet sould dearer.

* * * * * *

Our lead, which never heretofore lesse then 6 _tais_, now worth 5 _tais_; but none dare buy it for feare of themperour. Soe I have set it at 5-1/2 _tais pico_. But themperours _bongew_ will not take it absolutely at that price, before he have made it knowne to themperours councell, he being now bond up to the court and called thither per themperour, as it is thought to put an other in his place, which God forbid; he being now ruch is better to be dealt withall, but, yf a new hongry fello com, he will gnawe to the very boanes, as others heretofore have fownd by experience, two or three haveing byn changed in my time. But that which cheefly spoileth the Japon trade is a company of ruch usurers whoe have gotten all the trade of Japon into their owne handes; soe that heretofore by theare meanes we lost our preveleges geven us per Ogosho Samma themperour, wherin he permitted us to trade into all partes of Japon not excepted, and now per this Emperour Shongo Samma we are pend up in Firando and Nangasaque only, all other places forbidden us. For they have soe charmed themperour and his councell, that it is in vayne to seeke for remedy. And these fellowes are nott content to have all at their owne disposing above, but they com downe to Firando and Nangasaque, where they joyne together in seting out of junckes for Syam, Cochinchina, Tonkin, Camboja, or any other place where they understand that good is to be donne, and soe furnish Japon with all sortes of comodeties which any other stranger can bring, and then stand upon their puntos, offering others what they list them selves, knowing no man will buy it but 311 them selves or such as they please to joyne in company with them, nether that any stranger can be suffered to transport it into any other parte of Japon. Which maketh me alltogether aweary of Japon.

* * * * * *

And for our English broad cloth, I canot find that any greate quantety will be vented in Japon. For they use it not in garmentes, except som fewe in an outward cloak or garment now of late. But the greatest use they put it to is for cases or coveringes for armours, pikes, _langenattes_, _cattans_, or sables, with muskettes or guns. And the best cullars are stametes or blackes, with reddes, for venting any quantetie. And the best tyme is against warrs, for then every noble man will have his armours and munition sett out in gallant sort. But clothes of above xxli. str. a whole clo. are too deare for Japon, for they doe not respect soe much the fynenesse of the cloth as they do the quantetie of the measure. And the cullers which are best after black and redd are sadd blewes, culler du roy, or mingled cullers neare unto that of culler due roy.

* * * * * *

So that, to conclude this tediouse and unprofitable discourse, I esteem our Japon trade alltogether unprofetable, yf wee procure not trade into China. But, yf it please God that your Wors. lay hould or determen to sett foote in the Molucas, then Japon must be your store howse, as it is the Hollanders. For from hence they make their provition in aboundance, viz. great ordinance both of brasse and iron, with powder and shott good cheape; beefe and pork, in greate quantetie; meale and bisquite, as much as they will; garvances, or small peaze or beanes, in abondance; and dried fish lyke a breame, called heare _tay_, in aboundance; tunnie fish salted, in greate quantetie; rack or aquavite, of any sort, in aboundance; rice, in what quantetie they will; with other sortes of Japon wine made of rise, 312 what they will; and pilchardes, in greate quantetie, either pickled or otherwais. And for provition of shiping, either tymber or plankes, with mastes, yardes, or what else to make a shipp, with good carpenters to work it, as also rozen or pitch enough, but no tarr. Also ther is hempe indifferent to make cables, and them which can resonably well work it. And for iron work, neales, and such lyke, there is noe want, and smiths that can make ancors of hamer work of 20 or 30 C. wight, yf need be; for such have byn made for carickes which came from Amacon to Nangasaque, etc.

* * * * * *

Also heretofore at severall tymes I have sent my acco. to Bantam, according to your Wor. order, with coppies thereof, to the precedent or cheefe in that place, the other to be sent for England. Yet, as I understand, they have detayned all at Bantam and sent non for England; and Mr. Balle per name hath wrott to some Englishmen in this place, whoe loved me not soe littell but they shewed me his letters, wherin he taxed my acco. to be erronios and alltogether falce and fetched about with a trick beyond rule, soe that he wondered they should jumpe soe neare in ballance, being soe notably falce. But yf Mr. Balle hadd byn soe good a frend unto me as he would make me to beleeve in som lynes of his letters (yet he never gave me roast meate but he did beate me with the spitt)--I beeseeke your Wors. to pardon me yf I be too forward of tonge herein--I say, yf Mr. Balle had ought me soe much good will, yt hadd byn a frendly parte to have amended that which hadd byn amiss, yf such were to be donne, and then to have sent the acco. forward, and not to keepe all back, saying it was falce or erronios.... My greefe is, I lie in a place of much losse and expence to your Wors. and no benefitt to my selfe, but losse of tyme in my ould adge, allthough God knoweth my care and paines is as much as yf 313 benefite did come thereby. Yet truly, yf the tyme or place, or other occation amend it not, I shall, as I came a pore man out of England, retorne a beggar home, yf your Wor. have noe consideration thereof, although your Wor. shall never find that I have byn a gamstar or riatouse person which have spent eather your Wor. or my owne goodes riatosly or out of order. I beseek your Wors. to pardon my overbould speeches hearin. But, yf it hadd pleased God that Generall Keeling or any other your Wors. apointed hadd com to Japon to have overseene the affares in this factory, it would have byn a greate comfort unto me and ridd me of a greate deale of care; for most an end for the space of two yeares Mr. Nealson hath byn very sick, and Mr. Jno. Osterwick littell lesse, and both of them at this instant soe extreame sick that I dowbt much of their recovery, which hath [byn] and is a hinderance to me in the proceadinges of acco. and writing out of coppies, they two being all the helpe I have hadd, others going abroad on voyages for your Wor. affares. God of his mercy send them their healthes, for they are soe weake that I esteeme they cannot write by this conveance nether to your Wors. nor noe other frendes.

And, whereas heretofore I wrott your Wors. that Shongo Samma, the Emperour that now is, had shortned our preveleges, that we should trade into noe other partes of Japon but only Nangasaque and Firando, and our shipping to goe only to Firando, now he hath permitted us to goe with our shipps for Nangasaque as well as Firando at our chose. And the harbor at Nangasaque is the best in all Japon, wheare there may 1,000 seale of shipps ride land lockt, and the greatest shipps or carickes in the world may goe in and out at pleasure and ride before the towne within a cables length of the shore in 7 or 8 fathom water at least, yt being a greate cittie and many ruch marchantes dwelling 314 in it, where, to the contrary, Firando is a fisher towne and a very small and badd harbor, wherin not above 8 or 10 shipps can ride at a tyme without greate danger to spoile one other in stormy weather; and that which is worst, noe shipping can enter in or out of that harbour, but they must have both tide and winde as also 8 or 10 penisses or barkes to toe them in and out, the currant runeth soe swift that otherwaies they canot escape runing ashore; where, to the contrary, there is no such mattar at Nangasaque, yt being one of the fairest and lardgest harbours that eaver I saw, wherinto a man may enter in and goe out with shiping at all tymes, the wind serving, without helpe of boate or penisse. And in Nangasaque there is noe king nor noble man, but only the Emperours _bongew_ (or governar) of the place; soe that we need not to geve presentes to more then one at any shipps entring. But at Firando there is the king hym selfe, with two of his brothers, and 3 or 4 of his uncles, besides many other noble men of his kindred; all which look for presentes, or else it is no living amongst them; and that which is more, they are allwaies borowing and buying, but sildom or neaver make payment, except it be the king hym selfe. So that it maketh me altogether aweary to live amongst them, we not being abell to geve and lend them as the Hollanders doe, whoe geve them other mens goods which they neaver paid for. Soe that they are accompted better then true men and better used then we, as apeareth by banishing Ed. Sayer without any occation, which it may be the _Tono_ of Firando may repent before it be long, and, as som say, wisheth allready it were undon; for I have written to Syam, Pattania, and Bantam, that yf they send any shipping for Japon hearafter, that my opinion is, and the rest of the Englishmen heare are the lyke, to send them for Nangasaque, where the governor offereth to lett us have a plott of ground or to take a house in any place of the cittie where we lyke best. So that now many tyme and often we have wished that your 315 Wor. howsing att Firando stood at Nangasaque, which heretofore was not thought fitt, because then a papist Portingale bushopp lived in the towne and ther was 10 or 12 parish churches, besids monestaries, all which are now pulld downe to the grownd this yeare, an end being made thereof; and the places where all such churches and monestaries weare, with the churchyords, are all turned into streetes, and all the dead mens boanes taken out of the grownd and cast forth for their frendes and parentes to bury them where they please. I doe not rejoyce herin, but wish all Japon were Christians; yet in the tyme of that bushopp heare were soe many prists and Jesuists with their partakers, that one could not passe the streetes without being by them called Lutranos and herejos, which now we are very quiet and non of them dare open his mouth to speake such a word.

And soe, beseeching the God of heaven to blesse and prosper your Wors. in all your proceadinges, I humbly take my leave, restinge

Your Wors. most humble servant at command,

RIC. COCKS.

To the Right Wor. the Governor, Depute
Committis, and Generalletie of the East
India Company of England deliver in
London. Per the way of Bantam in
the juncke _Godspeed_, whom God preserve.

[171] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. vii, no. 841.

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RICHARD COCKS TO THE CLOTHWORKERS' COMPANY.[172]

Nangasaque in Japon, the 10th of Marche, 1619[20].

Right worll. Ser and Serrs,--

May it please yow to understand that, since my arivall in Japon in these eastarne partes of the world, I wrot yow an other letter by a Dutch chirurgion, called Mr. Abraham Blancard, advising your Wors. 316 of my long voyadge into these partes, passing by Cape Bona Speranza, the Redd Sea, Bantam in Java major, the Molucas, and soe to the eastwardes of the Phillipinas into these kingdoms of Japon, wheare now I have remeaned allmost the space of vij yeares. Of the which I thought good to adviz your Wors. of the just occation of my abcense, to the entent I fall into noe broake for the neclecting thereof, as I know others have donne. I also wrot your Wors. from Bayon in France to same effect, many yeares past, by a Duchman of Middebrogh, called James Vrolick. Which former letters I make no dowbt came unto your Wors. handes, etc.

Allso, may it please yow to understand that we are much molested in these partes of the world with the unruly Hollanders, whoe have procleamed open warrs against our English nation both by sea and land, and to take our shipps and goods and kill our persons as their mortall enemies, wheresoever they find us. And, for better proof thereof, they broght two English shipps this yeare into Japon, out of which 3 Englishmen escaped and came to our English howse for releefe. The shipps names taken weare, viz. the _Swan_ and the _Attendance_.

They took also two other English shipps this yeare, riding at an ancor in the roade of Pattania, not dowbting any such matter, three Hollandes shipps coming upon them on the sudden. In which hurly burly Capt. John Jourden, our precedent of the Indies, lost his life, with many others. One of which 3 shipps (which took them) came this yeare to Firando in Japon, out of whome escaped other 3 Englishmen and came to the English howse for releefe, as the former did; by whome we understood the shipps taken weare the _Samson_ and the _Hownde_; the Hollanders at Firando takeing their escape in such dudgin that they demanded their captives (as it pleased them to call them) to be deliverd back againe unto them. Unto whome I answered that I would first see their comition, how they durst presume to take our shipping, 317 goods, and persons, as they did. Unto which they replied nothing, but went to the _Tono_ (or King) of Firando, demanding of hym that their English slaves (as they termed them) might be retorned back unto them. Unto whome he answerd he took not Englishmen to be slaves to them, but, yf they pretended any such matter, they might goe to the Emperour, and what he ordayned should be performed. Soe they, seeing their expectations frustrated, ment to have entred our English howse and cut all our throates; which they wanted but littell to have effected, geving 3 assalts against us in one day, they being 100 of them to 1 Englishman; yet God preserved us from them, the Japoneses, our neighbours, taking our partes. Soe that then their generall or cheefe comander, called Adam Westarwood, sett my life at sale, promesing 50 rialles of 8 to any one would kill me, and 30 of the like for the life of each other English merchant, with many other stratagems they used against us too long to be repeated. Yet God hitherto hath defended us from them all. Of the which I thought good to advertis your Wors., knowing well that many of yow are of this Right Honble. and Right Worll. Sosietie or Companie which trade into the East Indies, of which I my selfe am a pore and unworthie member, as I am the like of the Merchantes Adventurars and made free of the ould Hance.

And soe, with my humble dutie remembred, with desire and my prayer unto Allmightie God to blesse and prosper your Wors. in all your proceadinges, I leave yow to the holy tuition of thallmightie.

By an unworthie membar of your Right. Worll. Sosietie,

RIC. COCKS, Clothworker.

[172] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. vii, no. 839.

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RICHARD COCKS TO THE E. I. COMPANY.[173] 318

Firando in Japon, the 13th of December, 1620.

Right Worll. Ser and Sers,--

After my humble dutie remembred. May it please yow to understand that my last letter was dated in Nangasaque the 10th of Marche, 1619, sent per a small junck or vessell called the _Godspeed_ to seek out our English fleete at Bantam or else wheare; but, meeting with stormy wether and contrary windes at sea, lost their voyadge, having their seales blowen from the yardes, and lost all their cables and ancors but one, and with much ado in the end retorned to this port of Firando. The said letters I send againe by this conveance; unto the which I refer me.

Also may it please your Wor. to understand that this yeare are arived in Japon these shipps following, viz.:--

The _James Royall_ came the first, and brought news of the peace made betwixt the two Companies. God be praised for it; and God grant the Duch may as fermly follow the orders prescribed as I make no dowbt the English will doe, and then their will noe occation of discontent be offered hereafter. The cheefe comander in the _James_ is Capt. Martyn Pring.

The _Moone_ came next; Capt. Robt. Addames, comander and admerall.

The _Palsgreve_; Charles Clevenger, capt.

The _Elizabeth_; Edmond Lennis, capt.

The _Bull_; Mr. John Munden, master or capt.

The _Unicorne_ and English _Hope_ have lost their monson, soe we know not what is becom of them, except they retorned back to Pattania or Jaccatra; which God grant.

And there are arived heare for the Hollanders this yeare:--

all Holland shipps. 319
The _New Bantam_; Jno. Johnson, comander, and vizadmerall
to Capt. Adams.
The _Trowe_; Capt. Lefevre, comander.
The _Harlam_; Wm. Jonson, master.
The Duch _Hope_; Henrock Valche, capt.
The _Indraught_, a merchant shipp.
both English shipps.
The _Swan_; Mr. Howdane, comander
The _Expedition_, cast away in Firando.

And the Hollanders want a shipp called the _St. Michell_, a French shipp, which should have come hether this yeare but hath lost her monson.

The _James Royall_ and the _Moone_ weare both sheathed heare this yeare, and the _Bull_ all masted, and the rest repared to content; and all the shiping disposed of as followeth, viz.:--

The _James Royall_ fall laden with provition for us and Duch for Jaccatra, and soe from thence pretended to goe for England.

The _Indraught_ for the Molucos, laden with provition for the Hollanders.

The _Swan_, said to doe the like for Jaccatra or Bantam.

The _Expedition_, cast away in this port at an ancor in a greate storme and not to be recovered.

All bound for the Manillas.
English shipps.
The _Moone_
The _Palsgreve_
The _Elizabeth_
The _Bull_
Holland shipps.
The _New Bantam_
The _Trowe_
The _Harlam_
The Duch _Hope_

* * * * * *

I doe verely think the furnishing and setting out these 5 shipps afore named will stand your Wors. in above ten thousand poundes starling; but I canot justly tell it. Nether dare any man buy the lead but 320 themperour only; and his councell sett the price from tyme to tyme as they please. Soe this yeare, per generall consent, there weare 4 men sent up to themperours cort with presentes. They departed from hence the last of August, and as yet are not retorned:

for thenglish,
Capt. Charles Cleavenger
Mr. Joseph Cockram
for the Hollanders,
Capt. Lafebre
Matias van der Brook

whome, as we understand per their letters, are frendly entertayned both of themperour and his councell, but stay longer for a dispach then they thought of, by reason of the taking of a friggat which came from Manillias, wherin weare both Portingals, Spaniardes, and Japons, and amongst the rest ij semenary pristes (or Jesuists), people defended not to com into Japon, which maketh the better for us. Yet we know not whether themperour will let us have it for good prize or noe, till our men retorne from Edo, of the which I will certefie your Wor. per my next.

I did make full accompt to have retorned for England this yeare, but that Mr. Thomas Brockedon and Mr. Augusten Spalding, presedentes at Bantam, wrot me the want of merchantes in the factory as also to send along in these shipps, willing me to furnish their want out of this factory, which, God willing, I will, and wish I might have byn one of them my selfe. But I hope the next yeare som new supplies may be sent for this factory, to thentent I may now retorne for my cuntrey, I having now served your Wors. a prentishipp of ten yeares since I departed out of England; and I know there hath not wanted som to geve bad reportes of me to your Wors., but I hope to cleare my selfe before your Wors., yf God spare my life.

* * * * * *

Also may it please your Wors. to understand that Mr. Wm. Nealson 321 departed out of this life in Marche last, being wasted away with a consumption, and before divers witnesses gave me all he had both in these partes and else wheare, as I have it under their handes to shew; and yf God had called me to His mercy before Mr. Nealson, then had he had as much of myne.

And our good frend Capt. Wm. Adames, whoe was soe longe before us in Japon, departed out of this world the xvjth of May last, and made Mr. Wm. Eaton and my selfe his overseers, geveing the one halfe of his estate to his wife and childe in England and the other halfe to a sonne and a doughter he hath in Japon. The coppie of his will with an other of his inventory (or acco. of his estate) I send to his wife and doughter per Capt. Marten Pring, their good frend well knowne to them long tyme past. And I have delivered one hundred poundes starling to divers of the _James Royalls_ company, enterd into the purcers book, to pay two for one in England, is two hundred poundes strling, to Mrs. Adames and her doughter. For yt was not his mind his wife should have all, in regard she might marry an other husband and carry all from his childe, but rather that it should be equally parted betwixt them. Of the which I thought good to adviz your Wors. And the rest of his debtes and estate being gotten in, I will ether bring or send it per first occation offerd and that may be most for their profett, according as the deceased put his trust in me and his other frend, Mr. Eaton.

I know not what else to write your Wors., only, as yet, there is noe order com out of China to let us have trade, for that the Hollanders men of warr have shut up their trade that few dare look out. And, besids, the Cheenas them selves robb on an other at sea, thinking to lay all the falt on the Dutch and English; but som have byn intersepted in som provinces of Japon and paid dearly for it. And other China shipping, being sett out of Nangasaque by their owne 322 cuntremen to goe for Isla Formosa (called by them Tacca Sanga) to trade for silke, are run away for China with all the money and left their cuntremen in Japon in the lurch.

And for all other matters I refer my selfe to the relation of my worll. frend Capt. Martine Pring, the bringer hereof; and soe leave your Wors. with your affares to the holy protection of thallmightie, resting allwais

Your Wors. most humble servant at command,

RIC. COCKS.

[173] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. vii, no. 911.

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RICHARD COCKS TO THE E. I. COMPANY.[174]

Firando in Japon, the 14th of December, 1620.

Right worll. Ser and Serrs,--

* * * * * *

I canot but be sorofull for the losse of such a man as Capt. Wm. Adames was, he having byn in such favour with two Emperours of Japon as never was any Christian in these partes of the worlde, and might freely have entred and had speech with themperours, when many Japon kinges stood without and could not be permitted. And this Emperour hath conformed the lordshipp to his sonne which thother Emperour gave to the father.

* * * * * *

Yt is strang to see the changes of merchandizing soe altered since our first arivall in Japon; for heretofore yearly white raw silk was sould at 500, 400, and 300 _taies_ the _pico._ at least, and now it is fallne to 130, yea som have sould for 105 _taies_ the _pico._ this yeare, which 3 yeares past was worth 300 _tais pico._ The reason is, a company of ruch men have got all the trade of Japon into their handes. Soe they agree all together and will not buy but at what price they 323 think good them selves; and is not to be remedied.

And it is geven out that themperour will defend that noe more lead shall com into Japon till this greate quantety brought by us and the Hollanders be spent. For the Hollanders brought in their shipping this yeare 4000 _pico_. Eng. lead and 1000 _pico_. from Syam in their junck. Soe that the Hollanders have 5000 _pico_. lead com this yeare; but a great part of it is small barrs, such as is com in our shiping this yeare, and I think taken out of our English shipping which they took heretofore.

Broad cloth, kersies, and perpetuanos I think will prove the best comodetie for Japon, and redds and stamettes and blacks best cullers, and, yf they sell not at an instant, yet tyme will vent all. Som other mingled cullers, as cullor du roy or such lyke, will not doe amis; but noe more yello nor straw culler, for that proveth the worst culler of all.

* * * * * *

And tuching that which I wrot your Wors. in my last letters sent from Nangasaque in the junck _Godspeed_, how that a nobellmans men of this place (called Semi Dono) fell a quarreling with Mr. Edmond Sayer and others, whereupon the King of Firando banished both them and Mr. Sayer, yet now all is revoked per the kinges order and Mr. Sayer cleared and the others recalled. And soe I leave your Wors. with your affares to the holy protection of thallmightie, resting alwais

Your Wors. most humble servant at comande,

RIC. COCKS.

To the Right Worll. the Governour, Deputie
Comitties, and generallty of the
East India Company deliver in London.
By Capt. Martyn Pring in the
_Royall James_, whome God preserve.

[174] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. vii, no. 911.

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RICHARD COCKS TO THE E. I. COMPANY.[175] 324

Firando in Japon, the 20th of January, 1620[1].

Right worll. Ser and Serrs,--

* * * * * *

I am now enformed by a messenger we sent into China that the ould Emperour hath resigned the government unto one of his sonns; and that the new Emperour hath granted our nation trade into China for two shipps a yeare, and the place apointed near to Fuckchew, and that ther wanted but the fermes of ij vizroys of ij provinces to conferme it; and that the _goshon_ or passport will be sent us the next moonson, and had byn heare before now, had it not byn letted per the wars of Tartaria. Thus much our China frendes tell me, and I hope it will prove true.

* * * * * *

Your Wors. humble servant at command,

RIC. COCKS.

[175] India Office. _Original Correspondence_, vol. vii, no. 924.

-------------------

RICHARD COCKS TO THE E. I. COMPANY.[176]

Firando in Japon, the 30th of September, 1621.

Right worll. Ser and Sers,--

* * * * * *

The 29th of June last our whole fleete of 9 shipps, English and Duch, arived in saffetie from the Manillias, very few of the men being dead, and have taken and pillaged 5 junckes, the Duch using much crueltie in killing many Chinas after they hadd rendered them selves, and many more had [byn] kild yf the English had not prevented them.

* * * * * *

The Duch did abuse our men in the Manillias, and, had it not byn prevented by som, they had gon together by the eares, to the 325 endangering or losse of the whole fleete, as I make acco. others will write at lardg to your Wors. therof. And now this yeare, per order of the Councell of Defence from Jaccatra, the same fleet proceadeth againe on the like voyage, the Hollanders being admerall this yeare, as the English were the last; only the Hollanders send away the shipp _Swan_ and put an other shipp called the _Muyon_ in her place, and the English joyne the shipp _Pepercorne_ to the fleet, to make them up x seale in all, and have determened that within these xv daies the _Pepercorne_ and _Muyon_ shall departe from hence, to lie upon the coast of China in a certen hight, to keepe back the China junckes which we are enformed will departe for the Manillias with the first of the monson, which yf they doe, of necessitie our 2 shipps will meete with them. And the rest of the fleete, being 8 seale, will follow after, and are to departe from hence the 1th of December, new stile.

* * * * * *

Also may it please your Wors. to understand that, by meanes of the governor of Nangasaque, Gonrok Dono, whoe taketh the Spaniardes and Portingals partes against us, with all the merchantes of that place, Miaco, and Edo, geving the Emperour to understand that both we and the Hollanders are pirates and theevs and live upon nothing but the spoile of the Chinas and others, which is the utter overthrow of the trade in Japon, noe one daring to com hither for feare of us. By which reportes themperour and his councell are much moved against us, as the King of Firando doth tell us, whoe is newly retorned from the Emperours court, where he hath married the Emperours kinswoaman, which hath brought hym into greate creddit, and he is the only stay now which we have in Japon. And by his order the Hollandes capt., Leonard Camps, and my selfe are apointed to goe to Edo with the presentes to themperour and his councell, to procure redresse, yf we may, and prevent our enemies 326 proceadinges. For the Emperour hath sent downe order that we shall carry out noe Japons to man our shiping, nether make nor carry out any ordinance, gunpowder, shott, guns, pikes, _langanattes_, _cattans_, nor any other warlike munition. And it was reported we should carry out nether rise, bred, nor wine, nor flesh; but that is not yet donne. But the other is procleamed, and waiters apointed to look out night and day that noe forbidden matters be convaid abord our shipps. Soe that, yf we get noe redresse for these matters, it is noe abiding for us in Japon, and better to know it at first then last what we may trust unto.

* * * * * *

And, as I understand by Capt. Robt. Adames, admerall the last yeare of the fleete of defence, that in the last voyage the yeare past to the Manillas the Hollanders did much abuse our English men, and Wm. Johnson vizadmerall was cheefe occation therof. Soe that they had like to have gon together by the eares in the Manillias, to the totall distraction of both fleetes, the enemie being so neare, yet by the discretion of som it was pacefied; as I make acco. Capt. Adames hath advized your Wors. at large, he being now apointed vizadmerall, much against his will, by the Councell of Defence at Jaccatra, he dowbting that yf the last yeare, when he was admerall, they feared not to doe soe, that, now themselves are admerall, they will doe worse. And herinclozed I send your Wors. a copie of a letter which I receved from Molucas in a shipp of the Hollanders, sent from Mr. Wm. Nicolles, agent, wherin your Wors. may see the proceadinges of the Hollanders in those partes, as I make acco. he hath advized therof hym selfe. Truly their proceadinges every wheare are allmost intolerable, and they are generally hated thorowout all the Indies, and we much the worse thought of now we are joyned with them.

Yt is very certen that with little danger our fleet of defence may 327 take and sack Amacon in China, which is inhabeted by Portingales. For the towne is not fortefied with walls; nether will the King of China suffer them to doe it, nor to make any fortifecations, nor mount noe ordinance upon any plotforme; and 3/4 partes of the inhabetantes are Chinas. And we are credably enformed that, these 2 last yeares, when they did see but 2 or 3 of our shipp within sight of the place, they weare all ready to run out of the towne, as I have advized the Precedent and Councell of Defence at Jaccatra; and, had but 2 small shipps, as the _Bull_ and _Pepercorne_, entred this yeare, they might easely have burnt and taken 17 seale of galliotas which weare at an ancor, amongst which weare the 6 galliotas which came into Japon, being then full laden; and, had they taken this fleet, the Portingales hadd byn utterly undon, as they them selves confesse, and, that towne being taken, all the Portingalles trade in these partes of the world is quite spoiled, both for Manillias, Malacca, Goa, and else wheare. And the King of China would gladly be ridd of their neighbourhood, as our frendes which procure our entry for trade into China tell me, and doe say that he wished that we could drive them from thence. But this yeare there is 3 kings of China dead, the father and his two sonns, the wives of the two bretheren procuring the poisoning of them both. Soe that now a yong man of 14 or 15 yeares ould is com to be king, being the sonne of one of the deceased brothers; which is a stay unto our proceadinges to get trade into China, for that new petision must be made, and our joyning with the Hollanders to take China juncks is ill thought of. But the barbarousnesse of the Hollanders at Manillias the last yeare is much; for, after they had taken the China junkes and that the pore men had rendred them selves, the Hollandars did cut many of them in peeces and cast many others into the sea; wherof our men saved and took many of them up into our shipps; and much more 328 distrucktion had byn made of them, had not Capt. Adames, the admerall, prevented it.

* * * * * *

Notwithstanding the previleges which we and the Hollanders have from themperours of Japon, that the Japons shall not execute any justice upon our people, yet this yeare the justis of this place (but it was in the abcense of the king) did cut offe the heades of ij Hollanders which, being drunke, did brable with the Japons and drue out their knives, as their custam is, and gave a skram or 2 to som Japons, one being a souldier, yet kild noe man; and yet the Hollanders were haled out into the filds and their heads cut offe and sent home to the Hollands howse, which they refuced to receve, desiring them to leave them with the bodies, which they did, and soe left them in the filds to be eaten by crowes and dogges; which they had byn, had not som Englishmen buried them.

And as som of our men goe along the streetes, the Japons kindly call them in and geve them wine and whores till they be drunk, and then stripp them of all they have (som of them stark naked) and soe turne them out of dores. And som they keepe presoners, forging debtes upon them, which som of our men sweare they owe not; yet it is noe beleeving of all, for som of our men are bad enough; yet out of dowbt the abuse is greate and never seene till the last yeare and this. For the king hath (by our procurement) from the first made an edect that the Japons should not trust our men without paying money for what they tooke; for it is an ordenary course for som of our men to leave the shipps and lie ashore in secret a wick, a fortnight, yea a month som of them, and in the end cause their hostes to keepe them presoners, telling us it is by force, yet confesse the debt som of 5, others of 10, 20, and 30 _taies_ per man which they owe, desiring it may be paid and put upon their wages. Which course of theirs I withstand in all I may, and make many set free without payment, which they murmur at as a 329 disgrance and discredett to them, swearing, woundes and blood, your Wors. are indebted to them in farr greater somms and yet they cannot be masters of their owne; soe that the trowble I have with them heare is much. Nether can ther comanders curb them, they rise in such greate multetudes, as for example I advised your Wors. the last yeare, and laid violent handes on the admerall, Capt. Adames; and this yeare the _Bulls_ company and most parte of the _Moones_ mutened, and all the rest promised them to doe the like, but were prevented, for that som of these weare taken and punished, which caused the others to feare.

* * * * * *

And for the shipp called the English _Hope_ (for the Hollanders have one of the same name) is ether cast away or else the company have revolted and run away with the shipp and kild the master or else carid hym away with them perforce, for every on thinketh that the master, Mr. Carnaby, would never consent thereunto; but they suspect one Thorneton and the chirurgion, with other mutenose persons in her, for that this Thornton hath a brother which they say is a piratt and entertayned per the Duke of Florence. Soe they imagin, after they have made what purchase they may, that they will direct their course thither with the shipp. This is the opinion of the cheefe in our fleete.

* * * * * *

Your Wors. most humble servant at comand,

RIC. COCKS.

To the Honorble. Sr. Thomas Smith,
Knight, Governor of the East India
Company, and to the Right Worll.
the Comittys deliver in London. Per
way of Jaccatra, in shipp _Swan_.

[176] _Ibid._, vol. viii, no. 995.

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RICHARD COCKS TO THE E. I. COMPANY.[177] 330