Many other matters they write me, as of the duble mariadg betwixt the princese of France and Spaine; and that the King of Spaine hath marid the Duke of Savoies daughter;[96] and that the said Duk was generall in an armado per sea aginst the Turke, where the Christians tooke 150 of the Turks gallis; and that the King of France hath made 12 new gallions and sent them to the sucker of his father in law, the King of Spaine, with such forcese, that they and the Archduke have taken 20 seale of Holland shipps which were prepared to goe for the East Indies, and also have taken 3 citties or townes from the Hollanders; but I esteeme this a fable, for this Holland ship now com for Firando came out of Holland but 14 moneths past.
Many other matters they wrot of, which is overlong to set downe, namely, that the Kinge of Spain was sending an embassador to the Emperour of Japon with a greate present, in respect of his favour to Christians. So it seemeth he did littell know how he hath formerly banished all Christians out of his dominions: I meane all fryres, monkes, jesuists, and pristes.
August 13.—I sent Mr. Nealson with our jurebassos to Taccamon Dono, to desire his Lordship that Goresonas wife might be forthcoming at the kinges retorne to Firando, to answer to what her husband would aleadg against her, for that her proceadinges were a dishonor both to hym and me; which he retorned me word was true, and that yf she had byn a man, as she was a woman, he would have taken an other course then that he had donne, for that in some sort women have more privelege then men.
And sowne after, Taccaman Donos man wrot a letter to Gorisan to com and speake with hym, which he did, and was per his masters order, whoe tould Goresano that he had better considered of the matter, and that, yf he would, he would make his wife retorne againe to hym, whether she would or no; or else, yf I would, he would cause her nose to be cut ofe and banish her out of the cuntrey. This new change is per reason that, yf this matter of his wife be brought in question before the king, the other of the sea bongew must be the lyke, which would be nothing to the lyking of Zanzabar and his rase, etc.
And after nowne the capten and masters of the 2 Duch shipps came to the English howse and brought me a present of 2 baricas of Spanish wine, 3 Hollands cheeses, 2 small potts of butter, and a bundell of stockfish.
And about midnight Mr. Eaton arived at Firando from Miaco, and, as he tells me, hath lent 100 bars of gould to the King of Firando, to be paid againe at 3 months; which is such a greefe unto me in respect of the presant use we have of money, that I know not what to doe. I did littell think Mr. Eaton would have served me so, I haveing written hym expresly to the contrary. Mr. Eaton sayeth the common report is that Fidaia Samme is yet living, with 5 or 6 other principall men, and thought to be in Shashma.
Mr. Eaton brought me 5 letters as followeth, viz., 1 from King of Firando, with 2 catabras, from Miaco; 1 from Ushenusque Dono, our bongew, from Miaco; 1 from our host of Osekey, Yasozama Amanoia Dono; 1 from Gilbert Cunings wife, from Edo; 1 from Andrea, Capt. Adams brother in law, from Edo. Mr. Eaton tills me how this Andrea and Mickmoy, our host, dealed Judasly with hym at Edo.
August 14.—Sugian Dono sent me a present of new rise, nifon catange.
August 15.—I receaved of Mr. Wm. Eaton, for goodes sould for my owne accompt in Japan, plate barse, fyve hundred threescore and nyne taies, one mas, and five condrines; and in plate barse, for acco. of the Woll Company, one thousand two hundred and fiftie taies; and in Priaman gould, po. ten taies, I say ten taies wight Priaman gould, and is the rest of a greater som delivered unto hym at his going up to Osekey heretofore. And I gave hym a peece ashculler grogren of my owne, cost me 11½ tais, as also a paire of blew stockinges, cost me 3 taies. Jno. Yossen retorned from Langasaque, and sent me a present of grapes.