formerly removed before shipp was upon a carin, yet that he did see 4 or 5 bales brought in by others at sea and stowed theare. Soe hereupon we staid the serch.
October 31 (Conguach 27).—We went abord the shipp Palsgrove to dyner, where all the Duch were envited likwaies.
And Capt. Camps came to thenglish house, where we agreed to sett forward towardes themperours Court on Munday mornyng, yf the king of this place did not stay us perforce, which a long time he hath perswaded us unto.
November 1 (Conguach 28).—We dyned this day at China Capt., where we had good entertaynment, both sea men and merchantes, with the dansing beares.
And towardes night we had news that 3 of our howses at Cochie were burned, being sett on fire by a retchlesse fello that did seeth the kettell to neare the howse walle. All the howsing was quite burned to the grownd, with som 9 barilles of tunny fish and 9 or 10 muskittes and 20 swordes; but our seales and other matters of worth were saved by the industry of our men with the helpe of the Hollanders and som Japons. Yt is said most parte of the fish which was thought to be burned was stole away per Japons, as also som 6 muskettes and som swordes.
November 2 (Conguach 29).—I went to Cochie to see what hurt the fire had donne, and fownd it as I before discribed, only many of our truck plankes, with bordes and other tymbers, were much burned or scubered, but quenched in good tyme.
And the king sent to me to know my answer whether I would pay the debtes our marrenars owed, that were per the Japons taken presoners. Unto which I answerd, no, for that they had trusted them contrary to his Highnesse proclemation to trust non but such as broght money; and besides they taxed our men to owe them 10 tymes more then was due unto them, beating them and striking them
naked, and per force taking all the money from other men which owed them nothing; of the which I ment to demand justis from his Highnesse, and that our men might be sett free, for that the Emperour would suffer us to carry noe Japons in our shiping, and therefore no reason to keepe our men per force, which they might do yf they pleased, but I would never consent to pay a peny of that the Japons demanded. Unto which they answerd that the king would not keepe our men.
November 3 (Conguach 30).—I sent the caboques 4 tais small plate for fannos at China Capt. howse.
I wrot a peticion this day to the king, making knowne the taking our men presoners with other abuses offerd to our nation, requiring our men to be sett at libertie.