|
[1613.]
[Oct. 8.] |
656. “The translation of the Emperor of Japan's privileges, granted in the name of the right honoured Sir Thos. Smythe, governor of the East India Compay, for the use of the 8 th voyage.” Licence to the King of England's subjects, Sir Thos. Smythe, governor, and the Company of East India merchants for ever, freely to enter the ports or empire of Japan, and to abide, buy, sell, and barter, according to their own manner, with all nations, customs free. Not only to assist all ships in danger, but to return what shall be saved to the captain, merchant, or their assigns; permission to build in any part of the empire, and at departure to make free sale of their houses. The goods of any deceased to be at the disposal of the Cape merchant, at whose discretion all offences shall be punished, “and our laws to take no hold either of their persons or goods.” Commodities bought by the emperor's subjects to be paid for, without delay, or return of the wares. No arrest to be allowed of merchandise meet for the emperor's service, but immediate payment to be made at such prices as the Cape merchant can sell them for. To be furnished with men or victuals at need, upon payment; permission to go in discovery for Yeadzo (Yedo) or any other part of the empire, without the emperor's further pass. “From our Castle of Sorongo [Surunga], this first day of the 9th month, and in the 18th year of our Day [Daïri] according to our computation. Sealed with our broad seal Minna Mottono Yei Ye Yeas [Minnamotto-no-Yeye-yasou]. [One page. O. C., Vol. I., No. 115. Printed in "Mem[...]ials of the Empire of Japan,” for the Hakluyt Society, pp. 153–[...], and also in fac-simile.] |
| Oct. 10 |
657. Sir John Digby to Sir Dudley Carleton at Venice. Two caracks safely arrived at Lisbon from the East Indies “very extraordinarily richly laden.” At St. Helena they had a fight with Hollanders and took an Englishman prisoner who returned from the East Indies in an English ship, the Pearl. Incloses relation of what passed on the journey and of the fight betwixt the Portugals and Hollanders. Wanting. [Extract from Correspondence, Spain.] |
Oct. 27.
London. |
658. John Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton. Four English ships richly laden long missing, come from the East Indies since Michaelmas. Of three Hollanders that came with them one was blown up by mischance at St. Helena, another was cast away at the Texel, and the third is not yet heard of, so that they account their loss no less than 500,000l [Extract from Domestic, Jac. I., Vol. LXXIV., No. 89. Cal., p. 203.] |
Oct. 28.
Surat. |
659. Wm. Biddulph to the East India Company. Letters have been written by Anthony Starkey overland by Aleppo and by the Red Sea. Since the general's departure on 18th January last but little has been done. The hot months, February, March, April, May, and the wet months June, July, August, and September unfit for commerce. Commodities already sold. Sickness of [Thos.] Aldworthe, he is now gone to Amadabaz [Ahmedabad] and Cambaya to provide commodities fitting for the general's return, and Nich. Withington with him, who is entertained in the Company's service for seven years, by consent of a council aboard. Great quantity of tobacco to be had at 12d. per pound, all charges clear; hopes it will prove a good commodity. Death of Paul Canninge of the flux at Agra on 27th May, also of his kinsman Launcelot Canninge, and Richard Temple. Thos. Keridge sent to Agra to succeed Canninge. Influence of the Jesuits with the King of Agra; their speeches against England and the English ; they feed the king daily with presents and strange toys so that what they desire is granted. Some proper man of account should be sent to reside with the King at Agra. Seizure by the Portugals of a Guzerat ship, which had the Portugals' pass, and was worth 70,000l. or 80,000l.; they carried away 700 persons, the men for slaves, the women and children for Christians. The Portugals will use all the means they possibly can to root the English out of Surat, “the one place for venting our country's commodities that is in all the Indies.” Thos. Aldworthe the principal cause of “our settling here,” for the general would have been gone three or four times. Coral a chief commodity for sale. Requests an increase of wages, having but 40 ryals a year. [Two pages. Indorsed, "Rd. per Mr. Floris, Sept. 1615." O. C., Vol. I., No. 116. |
Oct. 30.
Madrid. |
660. Sir John Digby to the King. Concerning the North-west passage to the East Indies, the Spaniards always conceived that it would never prove matter of any consequence, but they are very glad now to be freed of this care, and that the Spanish Ambassador be thanked for his vigilancy therein. [Extract from Correspondence, Spain.] |
