He Being Ready To Go On Shore,
Desired To Have Me Along With Him In His Boat, Which I Complied With,
And He Was Saluted With Three Guns At His Departure, Which, As I Learnt
Afterwards, Was Much Esteemed By Both Brothers.
When ashore, he insisted
to accompany me to our factory, much against my inclination, as I was
again forced to give him a collation in Mr Adamses chamber, after which
he and his companions went away seemingly satisfied.
Late at night, old
king Foyne sent a man to me to enquire the particulars of the presents I
had given to both brothers, all of which he set down in writing, but I
could never know the reason of this. I forgot to mention that Bon-diu,
just before going aboard our ship, went to bathe in a new warm-bath at
the Dutch factory. The 9th Bon-diu sent one of his men to give me thanks
for the kind entertainment he had on board, and sent me by the messenger
two barrels of Miaco wine. Soon after, his brother sent me a similar
message and present. They were both very earnest to have a
perspective-glass, wherefore I sent them an old one belonging to Mr
Eaton; but it was soon after returned with thanks, as not suiting them.
On the 10th, two sons of another governor of Nangasaki who dwells in the
town, came to see our house, both of them being Christians. After
shewing them our commodities, I gave them a collation, accompanied with
music, Mr Hownsell and the carpenter happening both by chance to be at
the factory. While we were at table, old king Foyne came in upon us
quite unexpectedly, and sat down to partake. I then desired our
jurebasso to request the speedy sending back of our runaways, which they
all promised, provided they should be pardoned, as I had formerly
promised, and which promise I now renewed. Old Foyne desired that I
would send him next day a piece of English beef; and another of pork,
sodden with onions. I accordingly sent our jurebasso next day with the
beef and pork, together with a bottle of wine, and six loaves of white
bread, all of which he very kindly accepted. He had at table with him
his grandson the young king, Nabison, his brother, and Semidono, his
kinsman.
On the 12th I went to visit both kings, and found the old one asleep,
but spoke with his governor, after which I went to the young king, who
received me.[32] He gave me thanks for the kind entertainment I had
given the strangers, which he said his grandfather and he took in as
good part as if done to themselves. Towards night, Foyne sent to say
that he understood the strangers, who were now departed, had taken away
various commodities from me, paying only as they thought good
themselves, and not the prices I required. I answered, that they had
certainly done so, but I knew not whether it were the custom of the
country, being given to understand that they were in use to do so at
Nangasaki both with the Chinese and Portuguese, and that in reality what
they had taken from me was not worth the speaking of. I was answered,
that although this was done at Nangasaki with the Chinese, who were
forbidden to trade at Japan, they had not authority to do so with those
strangers who had the privilege of trade, more especially here at
Firando, where these people had no authority. I sent back my humble
thanks to the king for the care he used to see justice done both to
strangers and natives, saying, I would wait upon his highness myself to
inform him of the whole truth. Captain Brower sent me word that they had
taken various commodities from him, paying him just as they pleased; he
also sent an empty bottle, desiring to have it filled with Spanish wine,
as he had invited certain strangers, and had none of his own.
[Footnote 32: It was now a great festival among the pagans, which began
on this day, said to be like the Lent of the papists. - Purch.]
I heard three or four guns or chambers discharged on the 13th, which I
supposed had been done at the Dutch house, in honour of the king; but I
afterwards learnt that they were shot by a Chinese junk which was
passing for Nangasaki. Shortly after, the old king sent for me to come
to dinner at the Dutch house, and to bring Mr Eaton with me, and a
bottle of wine.[33] Mr Eaton had taken medicine, and could not go out,
but I went. We had an excellent dinner, the dishes being dressed partly
in the Japanese fashion, and partly according to the Dutch way, but no
great drinking. The old king sat at one table, accompanied by his eldest
son and two brothers of the young king, as the young king had sent to
say he was not well. At the other table there sat, first, Nabesone,
the old king's brother, then myself, next me Semidono, then the old
king's governor, and below him Zanzebar's father-in-law, and various
other Japanese gentlemen on the other side of the table. Captain Brower
did not sit down, but carved at table, all his own people attending and
serving on their knees. Captain Brower even gave drink to every one of
his guests with his own hands, and upon his knees, which seemed very
strange to me. When they had dined, Foyne and all his nobles went away,
and Captain Brower accompanied me to our house. I asked him why he
served these people on his knees, when he told me it was the custom of
the country, even the king serving his guests on his knees when he made
a feast, to do them the more honour. Before night the old king came to
the English house, and visited all its apartments.
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