We went also to the howses of Codgskin Dono and the rest, but could not com to speech of any, they, as it seemed to me, playing least in sight, which caused me to write 2 letters to Cawkesayemon Dono, secretary to Oyen Dono, willing hym to stand our frend to solicit his master for our dispach; which he answered me he both had donne and would doe, but verely thought we could have no dispach till after the hollidaies or feast, which begineth the 9th currant and lasteth 3 or 4 daies.
October 8.—We went to vizet the counsellars againe, to have our dispach in remembrance. And first to Oyen Dono, the secretary, whoe tould us that we should speake to Codgskin Dono, for that he could do nothing of hym selfe. Unto which I answerd that the rest did refer us to hym, and therefore I besought his Lordship to procure our dispach; for I stood in dowbt my long staying and want of sales of our goodes per meanes of this edict would be an occation I should not send away our 2 shipps and junck this yeare, which would be a borthen to hevie for us to beare or to answer to our employers. He said he would doe what he could and take councell with the rest what might be donne. So from thence we went to Codgskin Dono, whome the servantes tould us was in the house. Yet could I not come to speech of hym, but lost my errant with his cheefe men.
I forgot to note downe that Safian Dono was at the secretaries howse, siting in a darke corner, I being cald in and apointed to syt on the better hand of hym, not knowing whoe he was till Capt. Adames tould me, which then I went on the other side and craved pardon as not knowing hym. In fyne, every one complayneth that matters are worse then in the ould mans daies, and that this man doth nothing but change offecers and displace tonos, sending and changing one into an others contrey; so that much grudging is at it and all in law and plitos on with an other, so that what will com of it God knoweth, for, as the comon report is, no man dare speake to the Emperour of any matter they think is to his discontent, he is so furious, and no meanes but death or distruction. So that what will come of us or our sute I know not, for I tell them it were as good for the Emperour to banish us all out of Japon as to shut us up in Firando, it being a place of no sales.
October 9.—This day was a greate feaste of Japon called Sheco, being the 9th day of the 9th month. So we could do nothing this day about our busynes at Court. But all day after nowne yisterday Capt. Adames and our jurebasso staid wayting at Court gate to speake with the councellers, who still geve good words.
Jno. Yoosen sent me word his man was com from Miaco and that the Hollanders would be heare within a day or two.
And Cacozayemon Dono wrot me a letter that he had soliceted Oyen Dono his master about our affares, and that they were not unmindfull of it, but would shortly dispach us; only their busynes was much at present by meanes of the caveleros which came to vizet the new Emperour, as also for the sending away of the widdo of Fidaia Samme, doughter to the Emperour that now is, whoe is geven in second marriadg to a tono called ——[186], whoe fought very valiently in defence of the Emperour at the overthrow of Fidaia Samme.
Mrs. Adames and her 2 children arived heare yisterday from Orengaua. And I gave Shezeros child an ichebo and Mr. Eaton delivered an other to the tuerto[187] that plaid on the shamshin.[188]
October 10.—Late towardes night was an uprower in the cittie of Edo, for that a cavelero, called Deo Dono, gave it out that he would take the Emperours doughter as she went to morrow towardes her new husband, for that the ould Emperour in his life tyme had promised her to hym, in respect of his service donne at Osekay against Fidaia Samme. But the Emperour now would not concent theirunto, but sent hym word to cut his bellie, which he refuced to doe, in taking of his howse with 1000 men his followers, whoe all shaved them selves, with 50 women of his, lyke wais protesting to stand out till the death; whereupon the Emperour caused his howse to be beset with above 10000 men armed, and ofred to leave his land to his eldest sonne of som 19 years ould, yf his servantes would deliver up the master in quiet; which coming to the fathers knowledg, he kild the said sonne with his owne handes; yet after, his servantes kild their master and deliverd his head to the men without, upon condition to have their lives saved and the lands to remeane to the other sonne; which, as it is said, the Emperour hath condecended unto.[189]
October 11.—I went and vizeted the King of Firandos brother, and carid hym a present of 2 barills wyne and a dish of figges, which he tooke in good parte and offred to send to the Emperours councell to desire our dispach in his brothers name, which I thanked hym for.