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.