The Hollanders have sent greate store of monies and provition to their fortefication at Piscadores, thinking to get trade with the Chinas by one meanes or other; which I am perswaded will not fall out to their exspectation, except they take the China junckes which trade to Isla Fermosa, called by them Taccasanga, which is within sight of the Piscadores. And the Emperour of Japon hath geven out his passe or goshon to the Chinas to trade to Taccasanga, and soe from thence into Japon; soe, yf they be medled withall, their is noe staying in Japon for them which take them. For the 10th ultimo Edmond Sayer, with Ric. Hudson and 2 Hollanders, went from hence towardes Edo with presentes to themperour and his Councell; and we have adviz from them of their arivall at Miaco, and that all men speake ill of them and cry out against them. Soe God knoweth whether our presentes will be receved or noe; but we deliver ours apart and doe mentayne we have nothing to doe with them in their plantation at Piscadores. Of which I thought good to adviz your Wors.
Silk at present is not worth soe much as it was at the arivall of our fleete, yet we have made away most of ours which rested, the presentes being geven out, and trusted it out till the next monson; as the Hollanders have donne the like.
And our frend Andrea Dittis, the China Capt., still mentayneth that our nation may have trade into China, yf they will, but not the Hollanders; which God grant may once take effect.
I have not what else to adviz your Wors. of, matters standing as they doe; but hope the next monson to com towardes England, God sparinge me liffe and health, and
soe leave your Wors. with your affares to the holy protection of thallmighty, resting
Your Wors. most humble servant at comand,
Ric. Cocks.
To the Right Honored Knight, Sr. Thomas Smith, Governour of the East India Company, and to the Right Worll. the Committies, deliver in London. Per the shipp Elizabeth, whome God preserve. Sent per way of Jaccatra.
[179] India Office. Original Correspondence, vol. ix, no. 1093.