Ed. Sayer arived heare yisternight from Faccatay, and brought me such money he had receaved at Tushma, which God knoweth is but littell, he not havinge sould one yard of English cloth nether all his pepper. He left John Japan with his host at Faccatay, to see to the busynes in his abcense. And this mornynge I have sent hym back againe, with order that yf he see no hope of dispache of his comodeties within 8 or 10 daies, that then he shall retorne for Firando with the rest of his cargezon.
I hope the Emperour have taken the ordinance, poulder, and such other comodeties as were sent for hym. Only Capt. Adames hath writ me he refused most parte of the broad cloth was sent, in respeck it was moutheaten.
Mr. Nealson hath hym comended unto yow. He and I are soe busye about our building that we have small pleasure, havinge above 100 men daylie at worke; but I hope it will not last longe. On Sunday night last our kitchin was set on fire, and soe burned our new gates and gate howse; but was sowne quenched, God be praised for it. The lose will not be above 8 or 10 taies. I daylie expect Capt. Adames to look out about a jonck. Newes we have non but that many souldiers are sent out of Firando, and, as it is said, goe for Arima, but for what intent I know not.
George the Portingale retorned for Firando the 4th currant. His wife was brought to bead of a boye the night before he came. Well fall (or fare), an ould knocker. And soe, with harty comendacons to your selfe with the rest of our frendes, I remeane
Your lovinge frend,
Ric. Cocks.
To his lovinge frend, Mr. Ric. Wickham, English merchantt, deliver in Edo or else where. Per Sr. Duzak Skidoyemon Dono.
[153] India Office. Original Correspondence, vol. ii, no. 143.
Richard Cocks to William Adams.[154]