These articles of privilege were as follow: -
Privileges granted by OGOSHOSAMA, Emperor of Japan, to the Governor and
Company of the London East India Company.[19]
[Footnote 19: This copy Captain Saris brought home and gave
me - Purch.]
1. We give free licence to the subjects of the king of Great Britain,
viz. To Sir Thomas Smith, governor, and the Company of the East Indian
Merchants Adventurers, for ever, safely to come into any of the ports of
our empire of Japan, with their ships and merchandize, without any
hinderance to them or their goods; and to abide, buy, sell, and barter,
according to their own manner, with all nations; to remain here as long
as they think good, and to depart at their pleasure.
2. We grant to them freedom from custom for all such goods as they have
brought now, or may hereafter bring into our empire, or may export from
thence to any foreign part. And we authorise all ships that may
hereafter arrive from England, to proceed immediately to sell their
commodities, without any farther coming or sending to our court.
