The 29th, A Soma, Or Junk, Belonging To The Dutch, Arrived At
Nangasaki From Siam, Laden With Brazil Wood And Skins Of All Kinds.
On
their arrival, they were said to be Englishmen, as, before our coming,
the Dutch used generally to pass
By the name of English, our nation
being long known by report in Japan, but much scandalised by the
Portuguese jesuits, who represent us as pirates and rovers on the sea.
In consequence of this report, the Japanese have a song, which they call
English Crofonio, shewing how the English take the Spanish and
Portuguese ships, which, while singing, they act likewise with catans,
and so scare their children, as the French used to do theirs with the
name of Lord Talbot.
The 1st July two of our company happened to quarrel, and had nearly gone
out to the field to fight, which had greatly endangered us all, as it is
the law here, that whoever draws a weapon in anger, although no harm be
done, is presently cut in pieces; and if they do even but small hurt,
not only they are so executed themselves, but all their relations are
put to death. The 2d, I went ashore to keep house at Firando, my
household consisting of twenty-six persons. At our first coming, we
found that the Dutch sold broad-cloths of L15 or 16 a-cloth, for forty
dollars, or L8 sterling the mat, which is a measure of two yards
and a quarter.
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