Yt is said that to morrow the dyrie ys to geve the title to themperour which he soe much desyreth.
[164] British Museum. Cotton Charter, iii, 13, f. 14.
Richard Cocks to William Nealson and John Osterwick.[165]
Fushamy in Japon, le 27th of September, 1617.
Loving frendes,—
Many letters have I written since my departure from Firando, but never receved any from yow, but them two which yow wrot me 2 daies after I departed from thence of arivall of Sea Adventure at Tushma. Soe that, the wynd
having byn good ever since, I marvell I have not heard from yow.
We have donne what we can both by word of mouth as also with supplecation (or writing) to have had our previlegese enlarged, and the rather by meanes of the Kinges Maties. letter sent themperour. But in the end are forced to content us with them as they were, that is, only for Firando and Langasaque. And because I was ernest to have had it otherwais, the councell took the matter in snuffe, esteeming it a presumption in me to aske lardger previlegese then all other strangers had. So then I desird they would write a letter to the Kinges Matie. of England, for my discharge, to show thoccation wherefore they did it. But that they denid to doe, telling me that we might content our selves with such composition as other men had, or, yf we did not lyke it, might retorne to our cuntrey yf we pleased. So now I stay only to get out our two goshons for Syam and Cochinchina, and to get a dispach from themperour, which will be 3 or 4 daies before I think it will be ended. And then will I goe for Miaco to se yf we can doe any good for sales. And then will I for Osakay and Sackay and look out for the like, to se if I can procure plate to bring downe with me; otherwais it will be late to send it per the shipp. I think it will be 15 or 20 daies hence before I shall be ready to set from Osakay towardes Firando. So that, in the meane tyme, use your best endevour to make sales of such merchandiz as are belo; and stand not upon small matters to make ready money.
Yt were good, yf yow can, to receve the lead money in melted or somo plate, donne by a rendador, with themperours stampe upon it, for then will it passe in saffetie. Or yt were better yf yow could get it molten into bars lyke tyn bars, but of halfe the length, and of the just goodnes with rialles of eight; for soe am I advised from Bantam.