And that which is worse, we being makinge cables for our junck in the streetes of Firando, the servantes of a gentelman called Semi Dono picked a quarrell against Ed. Sayer as he, Wm. Eaton, and Jno. Osterwick were looking on the workmen; and, without any reazon came out against them with clubbs and staves, and knockt downe Ed. Sayer, wounding hym very sore; and the rest escaped not free, but were shrodly beaten, and, hadd they not by good fortune gotten into a howse, they hadd kild them all. For the which abuse I went first to Semi Dono to
complaine, but he would not vouchsaffe to speake to me. Soe I complained to the kinge, thinking to have hadd justice; but, to the contrary, he sent me word that by councell he hadd banished two men of Semi Donos out of his dominions, which were the authors thereof, as he did the like by Edmond Sayer, telling me that, yf I did not forthwith send hym to Nangasaque, he would geve orders to kill hym the first tyme he went out of the dores into the street. Unto which I made answer, it was against the preveleges geven us by the Emperour, desiring hym to lett me pleade for my selfe, to show my greefes, or else lett the matter be brought before the Emperour. But the kinge would not heare me speak any ferther in this matter, but badd me stand to the danger, yf I sent hym not away. Yet still I pleaded that the Hollanders hadd donne much more, even to the killinge of Japons, and yet were not banished nor any thing said to them for it, nether for any other abuses offered against us; and Ed. Sayer nor no other Englishman hadd nether wounded nor hurt any Japon for this matter he was banished for, yet he hym selfe being wounded almost to death. But all would not serve, soe that I was constrayned to send Ed. Sayer to Nangasaque, and soe from thence to goe for Bantam or any other place where the English fleete is, to geve the precedent and cheefe comanders to understand thereof, etc.
For may it please your Wors. to understand that, having soe many Englishmen lying idly in the factory, with those which were heare before, and noe shipping to carry them away, as well to avoid charg of howse keepinge as also to geve your Wors. to understand how matters passe, it was ordayned per a general councell to buy a small soma or vessell of som 50 tonns, to carry these men whose names follow (at their owne ernest request) to seek out the fleete in Java, Sumatra, or else wheare, to helpe to fight against the commune enemie, as they have procleamed
them selves, I meane the Hollander, as also to carry gunpowder, shott, beefe, pork, biskitt, tunnie fish, and other provition, soe much as conveniently the vessell can carry. The names of the Englishmen which goe are as followeth, viz:—Edmond Sayer, James Burges, Thomas Harod, Wm. Gorden, Robt. Hawley, Jno. Portes, Migell Payne, John Coaker, John Moore, John Joones, Ed. Curwine, Jno. Yonge, Hugh Williams, Peeter Griffine. Also there goe 9 Japon marrenars with them for their more strengthning, as also because their seals are of mattes, after the Japon fation, wherin they are more expert then our English men. And, for their better defence they carry 4 falcons, 2 of brasse and 2 of iron, with 2 long brasse bases, 2 fowlars or murtherers, 3 hargabush of crock, 5 English muskettes, and 8 Japon calivers, with good powder and shott suffitient, etc. The junck name is called the Godspeed, of the burthen of 50 tonns or upwardes, and cost us iiij C. xxx tais first peny, being open behind as all somas are, but we have made her now to steare shipp fation. God prosper her and send them a good voyage.
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Truly to my hartes greefe I am eavery day more then other out of hope of any good to be donne in Japon, except trade may be procured into China, which I am not yet out of hope of. Although Capt. Whaw of Nangasaque be dead, whoe was a cheefe dealer hearin, yet his brother, Capt. Andrea Dittis of Firando, tells me it is concluded upon, and that he expects a kinsman of his to com out of China with the Emperours passe, promesing to goe hym selfe with me in person, when we have any shipping com to goe in; for in Japon shipping we cannot goe for China. This Andrea Dittis is now chosen capten and cheefe comander of all the Chinas in Japon, both at Nangasaque, Firando, and else wheare, and I trust in God will prove the author in soe happie a matter as to gett trade into China.
But of all the merchandiz we have this last yeare, before Christmas came, from Syam, Cochinchina, and Tonkyn, as reed wood, lead, deare skins, and silke of severall prices, we cannot make sale of any thing; which maketh me to wonder, for the other yeare before was much greater quantety of all comodetis and yet sould dearer.
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Our lead, which never heretofore lesse then 6 tais, now worth 5 tais; but none dare buy it for feare of themperour. Soe I have set it at 5½ tais pico. But themperours bongew will not take it absolutely at that price, before he have made it knowne to themperours councell, he being now bond up to the court and called thither per themperour, as it is thought to put an other in his place, which God forbid; he being now ruch is better to be dealt withall, but, yf a new hongry fello com, he will gnawe to the very boanes, as others heretofore have fownd by experience, two or three haveing byn changed in my time. But that which cheefly spoileth the Japon trade is a company of ruch usurers whoe have gotten all the trade of Japon into their owne handes; soe that heretofore by theare meanes we lost our preveleges geven us per Ogosho Samma themperour, wherin he permitted us to trade into all partes of Japon not excepted, and now per this Emperour Shongo Samma we are pend up in Firando and Nangasaque only, all other places forbidden us. For they have soe charmed themperour and his councell, that it is in vayne to seeke for remedy. And these fellowes are nott content to have all at their owne disposing above, but they com downe to Firando and Nangasaque, where they joyne together in seting out of junckes for Syam, Cochinchina, Tonkin, Camboja, or any other place where they understand that good is to be donne, and soe furnish Japon with all sortes of comodeties which any other stranger can bring, and then stand upon their puntos, offering others what they
list them selves, knowing no man will buy it but them selves or such as they please to joyne in company with them, nether that any stranger can be suffered to transport it into any other parte of Japon. Which maketh me alltogether aweary of Japon.