have of procuring trade into China, which hetherto our Honnourable Companie have with greate charges endeavoured to procure, and partelie uppon those hopes have contynewed theire factorie heare thus longe tyme at no smale expence, hopeinge of better profight then thefect hath prodused. And now, lastlie, the losse of one of our Honnourable Companies shipps in her voyadge from England, whoe was richlie laden with comodities of our cuntrie, such as, for the moste parte, have beine vendible heare in Japon; by which meanes wee reste alltogeather unprovided of goods to supplie this factorie, and theirfore not held requisite or entended longer to be contynewed, unless wee could see better hopes to profight. Yet, notwithstandinge, if the next yeare shall produce any better encouradgement, maye then returne againe. Uppon which hopes and good expectation wee entend not to sell or put off our howses and godonns; but, accordinge to our Genneralls order, to leave them to your Highnes, intreateinge they may be kepte for us and repocessed by us, if wee shall returne hither againe. Of which your Highnes shall have due advice everie yeare.
Wee have likewise written heareof unto the Lords of his Maties. Councell, a coppie whearof wee send your Highnes heare inclosed togeither with the princepall, which, if you finde requesite, maye please to cause to be delivered.
And thus, intreatinge to excuse the sendinge this messenger and not comeinge our selves in respect of our short tyme of staye and not being furnished with matterialls needfull to present his Maties. Councell of Japon, we humbly take our leaves, ever restinge
Your Highnes servants to comand,
Joseph Cockram.
Richard Cocks.
English Factory, Ferando in Japon, the 26th Julie, anno 1623.
[181] India Office. Original Correspondence, vol. x, no. 1115.
Coppie of a consultation or letters to the Lords of his Maties. Councell of Japon, sent by our jurobasso, Coe Juan, to the Emperours courte at Meacoe for the tyme beinge.[182]
Whearas, with the free consente and licence of his Matie. the Emperour of Japon and many favours of you, the Lords of his Majesties Councell, wee have thus longe contynewed our factorie heare in his Maties. domynions in Ferando without any molestation or injury offred by any of his Maties. subjects, wee are theirfore in all humble mannor bound to acknowledg and render all due obedient thanks for the same. And beinge now by our Gennerall and Councell of India called from hence, with order for a tyme to disolve this factorie and come all awaye for Batavia uppon the shipp now aryved and expreslie sent to that purpose, wee have thought fittinge hearof to acquainte your Honnours, that, as wee had firste admittance to settle a factorie heare and to remaine in his Majesties cuntry, soe likewise wee maye [have] the like favour now for our departure.