Capt. Speck came late to the English howse, and Sr. Matias with hym, and desired my company to goe and see a peece of ordinance cast; which I did, but marveled at their workmanship. For they carid the mettell in ladells above 20 yardes from the place where the mould stood, and soe put it in, ladelfull after ladell, and yet made as formall ordinance as we doe in Christendom, both of brasse and iron. Capt. Speck tould me nether workmanship nor stuffe did not stand hym in halfe the price it cost them in Christendom.
Capt. Speck tould me he receaved a barks lading of copper this day from Sackay, and that his barke departed from thence 3 daies after Mr. Eaton was departed from thence. God send hym hither in saffety.
And we bought 22 bags rise of Zazabra Dono for 4 gantes a masse, and delivered 12 bagges of them to our ship carpenters upon accompt. They beging to work upon our junk to morrow. God be their good speed, etc.
August 7.—Gonosco Dono came to the English howse, and amongst other talk tould me that the King had sent hym word to burne all the tobaco, and to suffer non to be drunk in his government, it being the Emperours pleasure it should be so; and the like order geven thorowghout all Japon. And that he, for to begyn, had burned 4 piculls or C. wight this day, and cost him 20 taies pico; and had geven orders to all others to doe the like, and to pluck up all which was planted. It is strange to see how these Japons, men, women, and children, are besotted in drinking that herb; and not ten yeares since it was in use first.
August 8.—The China Capt., Andrea Dittis, retorned from Goto, for that the bongew would not let hym enter into that place, he haveing staid 4 daies a weating, and so retorned. Also they of Goto staid 3 somos, or small junkes, theare of his, which were bound for Firando, and would not let them passe, but send out boates to bring in by force all such junks as passe within sight. And for shark oyle, ther was but 25 littill jarrs, all which was taken per Gonrock Dono and sent to Langasaque for his proper use.
And he adviseth me that 4 juncks are arived at Langasaque from Chanchew, which, with this ship from Amacau, will cause all matters to be sould cheape.
The China Capt. of a junck at Goto sent me a peece white damaske, present.
We had newes this day that the Portingales of Amacau have taken the bark Jaccatra, and meane to set out 2 men of war every yeare to take all English and Duch that trade from Syam, Bantam, and Pattania for these partes.
But, within 2 howres after, the bark Jaccatra arived on the cost of Firando, and brought in a Portingall junck which came from Champa, wherin both Chinas and Japons are marreners. She took her on this cost 3 daies past, at an iland called Sta. Clare. Her lading is black wood, I think ebony. It is thought the Portingales will complaine to the Emperour, because the Hollanders take them within his dominions.
August 9.—Cushcron Dono lent us 50 taies in great plate for a few daies, which 50 taies Mr. Nealson receaved to lay out in necessaris for the juncke.