Firando in Japon, the 14th of November, 1622.
May it please your Wors. that the 9th of September last past there departed 5 Hollandes shipps from hence, greate and small, 4 of them for Isla de Piscadores with provition, and one directly for Jaccatra, which was the Trow. But, by means of extremety of wether, 4 of them retorned back to Firando the 19th of September, viz. the Bantam, the Trow, the Muoien, the Tortola: all in greate extremety, mastes cutt overbord, and much provition throwne into the sea. And the other penisse called the Santa Croix, wherein were above 30 men, retorned not back; soe they think she is cast away. As alsoe, in the same storme, the Hollanders had other 2 shipps cast away in the roade of Cochie at Firando, the one called the Moone, a shipp of 7 or 800 tonns, and the other, the Hownd, an English shipp in tymes past.
The xvijth of October the Palsgrove and Pepercorne put to sea on their pretended voyages, as I formerly nomenated, and 2 Duch shipps, the Trow and the Harlam, went out with them; and 3 other Holland shipps went from hence after them the xxvjth ditto, viz. the Bantam, Muoyen, and
Tortolla, to tuch all at Piscadores, to discharge tymber and plankes which they carry to fortefie themselves.
The Moone is now ready to put to sea to follow the Palsgrove to Jamby; and we dispach away the Bull to goe in company with her; but send nether money nor goodes in the Moone, nether sent we any in the Palsgrove, the precedent Mr. Fursland comanding the contrary in his letters from Jaccatra; but we sent a cargezon of money and merchandiz in the Bull, amonting to 70,342 ta. 8 m. 9 co., as yow may see per coppie of the invoiz.
The Elizabeth we will dispach away as sowne as we can recover in money, for we have sould all our silk and mantas, but noe money receved but that which goeth in the Bull; soe I dowbt I shall be constrayned to stay here till the next monson, to sett matters right. And Edmond Sayer and Ric. Hudson are at this instant ready to departe towardes Edo with our presentes for themperour and his Councell, as the Hollanders are the like, and our frendes geve us councell not to stay behind them. And Mr. Joseph Cockram goeth in the Bull for Jaccatra. Soe Mr. Jno. Osterwick and my selfe of necessety must stay heare to gett in monies to dispach away the Elizabeth, as I think Mr. Eaton must doe the like; for it is noe staying a shipp of such greate charges as she is any long tyme upon dowbtfull occations.
I know I need not to adviz of the unrulynesse of many of our marrenars and sealers, and som of them not of the meanest sort, whoe daylie lie ashore att tipling howses, wasting their goodes and geving bad insample to others to doe the like; soe that of force many carpentars and others have byn hired to doe the shipps busynes, whiles they did lie loyteringe. I need not to name them, but refer it to the cheefe comanders them selves.
I have delivered more monies of the deceased Capt. Wm. Adams unto the purcers of the Moone, Bull, and Elizabeth, to the some of one hundred powndes str., to pay two hundred
in England to his widdow Mrs. Mary Adams and her doughter in halves; as the other 100l. I sent in the Royall James was the like. And soe I leave your Wor. with your affares to the holy protection of thallmighty, resting allwais
Your Wors. humble servant at command,