or seven Years to give the Deyro which is the true Heir of the Kingdom and lives there a visit the preparations are making an whole year before the orders are given on what day and with what train every great Man shall go to the end that the ways may not be pestered with their numbers Half of the great Lords according to their turns set out some days before then follows his Maiesty with his Councellers who are followed some days after by the remaining Kings and Lords The concourse of people at such a time is incredible the whole City though containing above One hundred thousand Houses not being big enough to lodge them all so that tents and huts are raised round about the same for the Souldiers and common People The distance betwixt Jedo and Miako is reckoned to be one hundred twenty five Dutch miles At every two or three miles there is a City or open Town and the whole is divided into twenty and eight Gists or Lodgings whereof twenty are strong Castles there is in every quarter from the first to the last a train of Gentlemen Souldiers Horse Provisions and all necessaries befitting so great a Prince ordered there for his reception and entertainment Those that set out with him from Jedo stay in the first lodging those that were there remove with him to the second those of the second to the third and so to the last so that each train and their dependants follow his Majesty but half a day until all of them according to their instructions marching in order do at length arrive at Miako leaving the aforesaid Castles and Lodgings to their usual Governors and Guards In the return from Miako to Jedo the same method is observed all things being prepared as formerly without trouble or confusion This year 1636 there is an extraordinary great Edifice and Building at Niko four days journey from Jedo which is to be the Burial place of the Emperors Father in whose Temple the great Copper Crown which the East-India-Company gave his Majesty last year is hung up There is likewise in this territory of Niako a very great Castle with double moats and stone walls strong and sumptuous there are several Palaces in it as also a great number of Artificers as Painters Masons Statue-Cutters Gold Silver and Iron-Smiths Cloathiers and all sorts of Handy-Crafts-Men who have their tasks set them but are well paid This Castle which seemed to require three years for its building was finished in five moneths though it lies far in the Country and out of all ways being only made to receive his Majesty in his ceremonious visits of his Fathers Sepulchre His Majesties Treasure consists in Silver and Gold packd in Chests each weighing one thousand Teyls that is about fourscore ordinary pounds weight these are placed in the several Towers of his Castle together with other legacies with their writings which are kept for their Antiquity This vast Treasure increases dayly for the Revenue of two moneths is sufficient to defray the Emperors expences how great soever for one whole year This Emperors Father being the Son of Ongoschio who possessed himself of the Government after the late troubles died about the fiftieth year of his age in the year of our Saviour 1631 being sensible of his end he called his Son to him and amongst many other good counsels concluded to this purpose My Kingdom and all my Treasures are yours but vvhat I recommend to you I likevvise deliver you The old Lavvs and Chronicles of the Countrey our vvritten Sentences and VVisdom are inclosed in this Cabinet the principal Ievvels of my Crovvn are likevvise in it receive them all as they deserve for they are mine and vvere highly valued by your fore-Fathers The Jewels which were accounted inestimable are these following whereof he gave to his eldest Son Emperor of Japan A crooked Sable called Jeiuky Massamme Another Sable called Samoys Another less called Bungo Doyssero A Pot called Naraissiba A great t'Siapol called Stengo A Manuscript called Anckocky kindo To his Brother King of Ouvvay and Atstanomia A Picture called Darme to be vievved backvvards A Sable called Massamme To his second Brother King of Kinokouny A Sable called Jees Messamme A Picture of Frogs To his third Brother King of Mito A Sable called Sandamme A Manuscript called Seuche These six pieces bestowed on the three Brothers are but of little worth in comparison of the six other given the Emperor and yet they are valued at a thousand gold Oebans that is forty seven Teylens a piece The Silver and Gold which his Majesty gave to the Princes of his blood to several of his favorite Kings their Wives his companion Lords his Soldiers and Gentlemen amounted upon account to above Thirty Millions sterling The present Emperor being after his Fathers decease in full and peaceable possession of the Government had as then no lawful Wife being much given to Sodomy which moved the Deyro to send him two beautiful Ladies of his own kindred and every way accomplished with a desire that he would be pleased to chuse one of them that best pleased him for his Midia or Empress He did indeed consent to the Deyros request but followed his old way of living so that the young Lady being destitute of the conversation she might reasonably expect was extreamly afflicted although she durst not let it appear for fear of her Husband's displeasure At length her Foster-Mother a Lady of great credit both in respect of her age and in that she had bred up so great a Princess finding the Emperor one day in a good humor adventured though very submissively to speak to him in behalf of her Mistris which she did as followeth Hovv is it possible that your Majesties affections should be carried avvay vvith such unnatural pleasures and that so beautiful a Creature as your ovvn Handmaid vvho vvould rejoice you in bearing another like to your Self should be forgotten certainly she ought to be preferred The Tyrant though till now in his frolicks grew angry yet said nothing but rising up retired immediatly and sending for all the Overseers of his Buildings commanded them forthwith to begin and build him a Castle with high Walls Moats Bridges and strong Gates as also to adorn it within with all manner of necessary and sumptuous appertainments and Lodgings The work being finished with more then ordinary haste the beautiful Queen her Foster-Mother and all that train of young Ladies which she brought with her from Miako were put into it where she is kept without the sight of men and intirely forsaken of her Husband The Emperor 's own Foster-Mother who was likewise in great esteem and respect as his own Mother being much troubled at this action of his Majesty and seeing he had no Children neither was like to have any whilst he lived thus sent into the several Countries in his Dominions to search out the most charming beauties that could be found which done she disposes of them
had therefore rather hear of their faults by their trusty Servants to correct them then to be ill spoken of behind their backs and for this reason these secret Monitors are alwaies near their Lords persons especially at Feasts and publique meetings observing their words and least actions These Lords though they have their particular names yet they are ordinarily called by that of their Government or residence further every man hath three names the children a childish when they are men a more manly and being become old get others suitable to the decays of nature and age The surnames are first pronounced for being their parents were before them they think it but reasonable that their names should likewise precede When one of these Lords die ten twenty or thirty of his Vassals kill themselves to bear him company many that do so oblige themselves to it during their Lords lives for having received some more then ordinary grace and favour from him and fancying themselves better beloved then their companions they think it a shame to survive their Benefactour and therefore in return of their thanks they usually add My Lord the number of your faithful Slaves is great but what have I done to merit this honour this Body which is indeed yours I offer you again and promise it shall not live longer then yours I will not survive so worthy a Patron For confirmation of this they drink a bowl of Wine together which is solemn for no covenants thus made are to be broken Those that thus binde themselves cut their own bellies and do it as followeth They assemble their nearest kindred and going to Church they celebrate the parting feast upon mats and carpets in the midst of the Plain where having well eat and drank they cut up their bellies so that the guts and entrails burst out and he that cuts himself highest as some do even to the throat is counted the bravest fellow and most esteemed If the Lord cause a wall to be built either for the King or himself his Servants often times beg they might have the honour to lie under out of a belief that what is founded upon a living mans flesh is subject to no misfortune This request being granted they go with joy unto the designed place and lying down there suffer the foundation stones to be laid upon them which with their weight immediately bruise and shiver them to pieces His Majesty hath several Castles strong and great whereof those of Osaua and Iedo are the most magnificent The Countries belonging to the Kings and great Lords are not much travelled by our Nation so that we have no knowledg of them only I am informed that they have mighty Towns and Castles None of these Cities are walled though their streets are regular every one and equally long the ends of them shut with Gates and guarded with Watchmen by night or times of danger The Country waies are marked at every miles end with stones or stakes being put up for that purpose In their Towns and Villages every street hath two Magistrates who take care for their precinct and must give an account for whatever happens in them and because none through clownishness or otherwise may approach the Lord Governour with disrespect they have Prolocutors appointed them by whose intervention all lesser matters are compassed the more difficult being reserved for the decision of the ordinary Judge Their manner of Justice THe Cities and Towns have no revenue at all each of them depending on their Lord neither have the Citizens Marchants Gentry or Commonalty any Tolls Excise or Contributions they pay likewise nothing except it be for the ground their houses stand upon which is the Lords and for that they give from forty shillings to two yearly according to the greatness of their houses Every house must finde a man upon occasion which happeneth three or four times a year though but for an hour and sometimes for half a day or so The King or Lord hath the whole product of the Land and Sea the Gentlemen and Souldiers live upon that portion their Lord assigns them out of the Country the Marchant subsists by his gaine the Citizens and Artificers by their trades and the Labourers by that portion which their Lord allows them out of the fruit of the earth What Crimes they punish most severely EVery individual from the Emperour to the meanest Gentleman hath the right of Justice over his Subjects and Servants His Majesty hath his ordinary Judges in all his Cities and Towns When a Gentleman or Souldier is condemned to die he is allowed the honour to kill himself by cutting up his belly with his own hands whereas the Citizen Marchant and meaner persons suffer by the common Executioner A Marchant how rich soever is not esteemed at all because they say He liveth by his lying making no conscience to cousen and deceive the People for his filthy lucre sake The Citizen and Artificer are likewise undervalued because they are but Servants to the Commonalty and forced to live by their labours and manufactures Neither are the Country People of more account because of the miserableness of their condition being subject to perpetual slavery and toyling But the Gentlemen and Souldiers who are numerous are honoured and feared and they do nothing being maintained and served by the Marchants by the Citizens and by the Country Labourers Every crime how small soever is punished with death especially theft although but to the value of a penny gaming and playing for money is no less hainous then murther and all other Delinquents which deserve the rigour of Justice with us in Europe undergo the same penalty here Every one suffers for his own faults except the matter be treasonable and then the Father Brothers and Sons must likewise suffer and their goods be confiscated and the Mothers Sisters and Daughters be given away and sold for slaves These confiscations are not due to the Emperour King or Lord in whose Territories they happen but are reserved under account for publick uses as building of Churches making of Bridges repairing of High-waies and the like It happened in my time that a proud fellow presented his service to a poor Gentleman demanding of him by reason of his address and parts more wages then he knew the Gentleman could give who vexed at the youths impertinencies and perceiving he jeered him replied with a composed countenance Friend you demand indeed much wages but being I think you will deserve it and that you are pleasing in my eyes I am content to receive you into my service Three daies after his Master sent him on an errand being returned he was accused for staying out so long so as no excuses would save his life being forced to pay for his insolency under this colourable pretence The Lord of Finando did lately cause three Gentlewomen of his Ladies attendants to be shut up in Chests spiked with nails on every side because one of them had had some
him out of his distress and misfortune they will die nay suffer the worst of tortures rather then discover their complices although in evil thinking the breach of covenants inexpiable and the dishonour of not helping their neighbour and one that hath thrust him into misery worse then any death whatsoever What Traffick and with what Nations THe Trade of this Country which is but small in respect of the vastness of it and it abounds with all sorts of Merchandise is carried on by Strangers the principal whereof are the Chinesses who from the first peopling of this Empire to this day have been constant frequenters of their yearly Marts The Spaniards and Portugals have been acquainted with this People above an hundred years the English but of late who finding but little profit and great expences abandoned this Traffick again The Siammers and Camboiders used also to arrive with a ship or two though not now so often as formerly Lastly the Netherlander got footing there where they have seated themselves fast enough and traded these forty years The principal Commodities as well those which Strangers bring as such which are of the growth of the Country are all brought to the great City of Meaco which is the Staple of the whole Empire it is here that the Merchants and Factors from every part of the Land do assemble bringing with them such things as their several Provinces do produce which they sell or change for others which they stand in need of These Merchandises are carried sometimes two or three hundred miles to and fro over hills and dales all upon horses whereof they have an incredible number The Traffick consists of all sorts of wares as well for the pride as use of man Strangers bring yearly four or five thousand Picols of Silk each Picol weighing one hundred twenty five pounds weight besides a great quantity of wrought Silks two hundred thousand Harts-skins one hundred thousand Rochvellenskins a great abundance of Hemp Cloth Cotton and red Wool Carpets to sit upon Pewter Quick-silver and all sorts of Drugs Nutmegs Peper Musk Sugar Porcelan Camphier Borax Eliphants-Teets red Coral and all sorts of small Wares which the Chineses bring thither What domestick Trading and Navigation HEre are many very rich Merchants who drive great Trades these go themselves or have Factours at Meaco where they exchange their Commodities for Silver Gold or other Wares each according to his fancy and convenience The Japanners of old had great correspondencie with them of China whose Kings sent Ambassadors yearly to each other for entertaining their alliance and the negotiation of their Subjects it happened that the Japanners who were numerous in China did mutiny and in a tumult destroy a whole City plundering ravishing and spoyling all but the Chinesses getting into a body fell upon the Japanners again and put all they could meet with to the sword The King of China hearing of these discords was no less amazed then in a wonder that so few could do so much mischief and therefore resolved to banish the Japanners for ever out of his Kingdom in memory whereof he caused a great stone Pillar to be set up with the story of their exile in letters of Gold He likewise set out a Proclamation that none of his Subjects upon paine of death should saile any more to Japan which order was then more exactly observed then at present and yet they do not directly go thither for the Chinesses under a colour of other voyages do often slip into Japan The Emperour of Iapan doth not at all obstruct their traffick permitting them to enter and leave his Countrey when they please Saying he will not reward evil for evil considering also that the reason of this prohibition on the other side came not through any fault of the Chinesses but by the disorders of his own People Since the Iapanners have been banished out of China they used to sail to Tayouan where the Chinesses brought them their Merchandises but that being discovered by the Court of China they were prohibited this Traffick likewise Many years after the Iapanners obtained leave to return to Tayouan as also to go to Touckien Cambodia and Sian which negotiation was again disturbed upon this consideration that the Emperour of Iapan would neither offend nor be offended by any Strangers which had already happened by the extortions of the Governours of Sian and Tayouan and therefore none of his Subjects should any more traffick or deal with Strangers out of their own Country Another reason was because he would have no Arms transported out of his Empire which could not be hindred by no way but this insomuch that two Chinesses Father and Son were both crucified at Finando for endeavouring to convey some away in private and five Iapanners who had sold them the said Arms without knowing their design were beheaded But the chief cause of this inhabition is least the Natives of this Country travelling into strange places might be converted to the Christian Religion and upon their returne infuse those forraigne principles into their Country-Men which they have endeavoured to suppress with so much blood and violence The Profits amounting thence NEither the Emperour nor his subordinate Kings or Lords do gain any thing at all by the Commerce of their Subjects the Merchants onely profit by it although the gaine be not extraordinary by reason of the greatness of the Country the charge of transport and the multitudes of people which must live by it Their correspondency with Strangers THe Iapanners hold no correspondency at all abroad having never yet sent their Ambassadours into any forraigne Countries except China which they have also long discontinued The King of Spain the Pope and the King of Siam have sent several extraordinary Ambassadours to this Court which were indeed honourably received and feasted though never any returns made again by this Prince The Commodities which Japan yeildeth THere is nothing necessary for the use of Man but this Country doth abundantly produce as Silver Gold Brass Iron Tin and Lead in great quantity also Cotton Hemp Silk Filoselle Harts-skins Wooden Manufactures Drugs and whatever can be required to feed and cloath its innumerable inhabitants Their Mint Measures and VVeights THe Iapanners have one Language one fashion in their Clothes one Mint and one Weight they have indeed besides their Gold and Silver Coins a sort of Copper Monies which they call Casies and is of differing value in many of the Kingdoms but his Majesty hath resolved to re-coin these Casies into one fashion to which end he hath ordered all the old ones to be called in and bought them of their owners at their full worth and price where with his Officers have been busied these four years They have three sorts of Gold coin the first and greatest weigheth six Royals and is worth forty six Tayles each Tayle being valued at fifty seven Stivers or Pennies the second sort is worth six Tayles and one half and the third
of people which I omit as superfluous The City of Iudica the Metropolis of the Kingdom and seat of the King and his chiefest Nobles is scituate upon the River Menam in a little round Island encompassed with a thick stone wall about six English miles round the Suburbs are on the other side of the River closely builded and full of Temples and Cloysters lying in a flat and fruitful Country The Streets of the walled Town are many of them large straight and regular with channels running through them although for the most part of small narrow Lanes Ditches and Creekes most confusedly placed the Citizens have an incredible number of small Boats or Prawes which come to their very doors especially at floods and high water The building of the Houses is according to the Indian fashion slight and covered with Tiles but the City is beautified with more then three hundred faire Temples and Cloysters all curiously builded and adorned with many gilded Towers Pyramids and Pictures without number The Kings Palace is seated upon the River resembling a little Town apart great and magnificent many of its Buildings and Towers being entirely gilded This royal and admirable City is perfectly well seated and populous to a wonder being frequented by all Nations and is likewise impregnable as not to be besieged but six moneths in a year by reason of the innundations of the River which covers the Countrey round with its overflowings The Soveraignity and Government of Siam is in the King a Prince of a Noble and ancient family who hath been in possession of this Kingdom and the neighbouring Provinces many hundred of years this Prince is absolute in his Dominions disposing of War and Peace Alliances Justice Pardons and Remissions c. at his pleasure He maketh Laws without any advise or consent of his Council or Lords his will being the rule he walks by unlesse his goodnesse descend sometimes to counsel with his Mandoryns them of his Council these sometimes deliberate upon his Majesties propositions and present their result to him by way of humble supplication which he confirms changes or rejects as he thinks good He disposes Soveraignity of all the Dignities and great Offices of his Kingdom without respect of persons noble or otherwise except some of the Antientest and greatest Families to such as have or may serve him well whom he againe deprives of their honours for small faults so that they are all his Slaves and Vassals which the Great ones esteem an honour and put in their titles The King thus soveraignly disposing of all things doth notwithstanding nothing without some appearance of reason and conformity to the Laws of the Kingdom which however antient he by his usurped prerogative and power doth interpret and bow to his Arbitrary will and pleasure His Majesties Court and Train is exceeding great and glorious He seldom shews himselfe to the People and very sparingly to his Grandees and Officers of the Kingdom which happens at certain appointed times and daies when he gives them Audience he is richly clothed and crowned sitting upon a golden Throne at whose feet his Gentlemen and Attendants reverently kneel accompanied with three hundred armed Souldiers of his Lifeguard All as well Strangers as Subjects who have audience of his Majesty whilest they are in his presence must continually kneele with folded hands and heads hanging down when they speak to him it must be in this humble posture loading him with titles and praises his Answers are esteemed Oracles and his commands unchangeable so that he lives happy in all imaginable worldly pleasures having many magnificent Houses up and down the Kingdom as also other places Tents and Pavilions He eateth highly but his drink is simple water or Coco all strong drinks being prohibited by the Clergy and the Laws and esteemed scandalous His Majesty goeth ordinarily by water with eight or ten very costly and fine Barges each with eighty or a hundred rowers he sits under a gilded Pavilion upon a Throne accompanied with his Courtiers and other Barges to the number of three or four hundred with his Train and Guards waiting upon him most of the great Ones follow the Court at such times each in his rich gilded Barge or Praw so that the whole train of them is twelve or fourteen hundred and sometimes more When he goes by land he is mounted upon a gilded seat and carried upon mens shoulders the train being ordinarily the same all marching in order and great silence no body is seen in his way or sight but upon their knees with folded hands and bowed heads and bodies this reverence better becoming a celestial Diety then an earthly Majesty Once every year about the moneth of October the King of Siam shews himself by water and land in state to his people going to the principal Temple of the Gods to offer there for the welfare of his Person and Kingdom the manner follows When he goes by land the procession is led by two hundred Elephants each attended vvith three armed men these are follovved by many Musitians vvith Gomnies Pipes and Drums and a thousand men richly armed and provided vvith Banners Then march the great Lords of the Kingdom on horse-back many of them vvearing Crovvns of Gold upon their heads and every one vvaited upon by sixty eighty or an hundred men on foot Tvvo hundred Iapan Souldiers follovv these vvith bright Arms and rich Colours and much noise of Instruments then comes the Lifeguard vvith the King's Horses and Elephants richly adorned vvith pretious Stones and Gold furniture vvhich is follovved by many Servants loaden vvith fruits and presents for the Sacrifice accompanied vvith a svvet consort of Musick These are again follovved by many of the great Ones on foot vvith folded hands as also some Crovvned Grandees vvhereof one carrieth the gilded Standard and the other the Svvord of Justice his Majesty follovvs next in person in his royal Robes sitting upon an Elephant or else a gilded Throne carried upon mens shoulders and vvaited upon by many Lords and Courtiers the Prince or Heir of the Kingdom follovveth him and then in order the Kings Wives and Concubins seated upon Elephants in little enclosed Cabinets lastly the ordinary Courtiers follovv the vvhole provision consisting of fifteen or sixteen thousand persons having its rear brought up by six hundred armed men But if the King go by vvater then tvvo hundred Lords each in his Barge seated in a gilded Cabinet vvith eighty or ninety Rovvers lead the van these are follovved by ten extraordinary rich figured Pravvs or Barges the vvhich as also the Oars are all gilded each having ninety or an hundred Watermen The King is in the richest of them sitting like an Idol upon a golden Throne vvith his Lords in their humblest posture at his feet the royal Banner is borne by one of these Grandees at the head of the Barge in state The King's Brother follovveth next vvith his Train and after him his Majesties Wives and Concubins in
Ivvaysko and hath 70000. Ieckenda Bitâ—hiou Gouernor of the Emperors Castle Matsivmma in Bitchiou hath 60000. Matswia Fisennocamij Lord in Fisen dwells at Firando where the Shipps belonging to the Company have their Hauen and Traffick his income is 60000. Sengoock Fiwo Lord in Sinano lives at Ojonda and hath 60000. Catta Sewado Lord in Gyo dwells at Oets and hath 60000. Tosruwa Okion Lord in Dewano lives in the Lordshipp of Shimchiro and hath 60000. Matsendeyro Iwamij Lord in the Countrey of Farima dvvells at Bisongori and hath 60000. Matskonra Bungo Lord in Fisen dwells at Simabarra and hath 60000. Iescoun a Tonnomon Lord in Bongo dwells at Fita and hath 60000. Tsungaer Ietchin Lord in Ochio dvvells at Tsungaer a Sea towne and hath 60000. Ongasauwara Simano Lord in Farimer dwells at Sekays and hath 60000. Itho Chiury Lord in Fonga dvvells at Orasi and hath 50000. Fourta Fiâ—a Lord in Iwamy dvvells at Daysiro and hath 50000. Wakesacka Arbays Lord in Sinano and dvvells at Ino 50000. Touky Nangato Lord in Iohe dwells at Toba hath 50000. Arima Soymonoskie Lord in Niko dvvells at Acconda and hath 50000. Outa Fiwo Lord in Iamatta dvvells at Ouda and hath 50000. Matsendeyro Dâ—wâ—do Lord in the great Province of Ietsesen dvvells at Oune hath 50000. Minsnokuyte Foky Lord in Ietsengo lives at Ribatta and hath 50000. Innaba Mimbro Lord in Bonngo lives at Ousthero and hath 50000. Croda Caynokamij Lord in Chimano lives at Camro and hath 50000. Matsendeyro Sonodonno Lord in Isumij liveth at Kisnowadda and hath 50000. Tonda Sammon Lord in Sonnoâ—â—mmy dvvells at Amangasack and hath 50000. Stotsianangy Kemmotâ— Lord in Iâ—hie lives at Congon and hath 50000. Fondo Ichenocamy Lord in Micanwa lives at Ocha Sacka and hath 50000. Matsendeyro Iamayssiro Lord in Tamba dwells at Cassaiamma and hath 50000. Mory Caynocamij Lord in Ingal Iche dwells at Sowro Sada and hath 50000. Tonda Notanocamij Lord in Farima dwells at Fimens hath 50000. Akito Sionoske Lord in Fitayts dvvells at Chiâ—hindo and hath 50000. Assano Oenime Lord in Chions lives at Casseme and hath 50000. Neyto Cinocamij Lord in Chions lives at Akandate and hath 50000. Cattes Kibodo Lord in Ochio lives at Ayâ—s and hath 50000. Samma Daysiennocamij Lord in Ochio dwells at Sama and hath 50000. Fonda Iamatta Lord in Taysima lives at Isius and hath 50000. Ouckob Cangato Lord in Mino lives at Canno and hath 50000. Nayto Boysen Lord in Dewano lives in Iodata and hath 50000. Inawa Aways Lord in Tamba lives at Fucokuytscamma and hath 40000. Camij Asirick Lord in Iwamij lives at Mongamij and hath 40000. Cattaygiri Ismou Lord in Iammano dwells at Tatsta and hath 40000. Chonda Findanocami Lord in the Province of Ietsesen lives in Maroka and hath 40000. Itacaura Sauadonne Gouernour of the great Citie of trade Miako hath 40000. Matsendeyro Bougo Lord of the Countrey of Iwamy dwells at Nakasima hath 40000. Fonda Nayky Lord in Farima lives at Fimris hath 40000. Matsendeyro Tango Lord in Ochio lives at Suckey and hath 40000. Caenna Maury Isonmo Lord in Finda lives at Oumory and hath 40000. Ciongock Chiury Lord in Tango lives in Tannabe and hath 36000. Outta Giuwe Lord in Mino lives at Itsnoday and hath 30000. Matsendeyro Getsio Gouernour of the Castle Ionda in Iamaysiro hath 30000. Matsendeyro Ouckon Lord in Farima lives at Ako and hath 30000. Minsonoya Ichenokamy Lord in Kooskie lives in Chitiotayâ—â— and hath 30000. Immasacka Kaynokamij Lord in Bitchou lives at Naâ—se and hath 30000. Matsendeyro Iammatto Lord in Ietsesen lives at Catsiamma and hath 30000. Inno Fiveo Lord in Costie lives at Amma and hath 30000. Matsendeyro Tonnomon Lord in Mikaura lives at Iuffinda and hath 30000. Akisuckie Nangako Lord in Niko lives at Sumyno and hath 30000. Sauo Inaba Lord in Sinano lives at Soua and hath 30000. Foysimo Fongo Lord in Sinano lives at Tackaboyts and hath 30000. Sunganoma Owribe Lord in Totomij lives in Sese and hath 30000. Simaes Oemanoske Lord in Nicho lives in Sando Barra and hath 30000. Kinostag Iemmon Lord in Bongo lives at Fins and hath 30000. Sono Tsinsima Lord in Tsinsima hath 30000. Koyndo Fimano Lord in Tongo lives at Okada hath 30000. Fondo Fimoso Governor of Nissiwo lives at Mikauwa hath 30000. Gorick Serfnokamij Lord in Mikauwa lives at Fammats and hath 30000. Chinsio Swraga Lord in Fitayts dwells in Tsuytowra and hath 30000. Secuma Fisen Lord in Sinano lives at Iraiamma and hath 30000. Todo Toinsima Lord in Mino lives at Cannaiamma and hath 30000. Fonda Isumij Lord in Fitayts lives at Minangaura and hath 30000. Tongauwa Tosa Lord in Bitchion lives at Nikays and hath 30000. Matsendeyro Tosa Lord in the Province of Iessesen lives at Konomatra and hath 30000. Sugyfarra Foky Lord in Fitayts lives at Gungowry and hath 20000. Kynostay Kounay Lord in Bithion lives at Korousy and hath 20000. Matsendeyro Koysero Lord in Farima lives at Farima and hath 20000. Inasacka Tsonokamij Governor of the Emperors Castle Osacca hath 20000. Matsendeyro Kenmots Lord in Tamba lives at Cammeiomme and hath 20000. Mastey Sake Lord in Ochio lives at Sanboumats and hath 20000. Oumowra Mimbou Lord in Fisen lives at Daymats and hath 20000. Matsendeyro Isumij Lord in Mino lives at Iwamoura and hath 20000. Matsendeyro Chinocamy Lord in Tsonnotamy lives at Faynotory 20000. Minsuo Fayto Lord in Micauwa lives at Corea and hath 20000. Nito Tutewaky Lord in Chiono lives at Iway Fouwo and hath 20000. Ongusawary Wakasa Lord in Simosa lives at Sekyda and hath 20000. Fithicatta Cammon Lord in Chiono lives at Mawasa and hath 20000. Iwaky Sirrosy Lord in Chiono lives at Iedowra and hath 20000. Rekongo Fiongo Lord in Dewano lives at Iwry and hath 20000. Takennacia Oenieme Lord in Boungo lives at Fouway and hath 20000. Moury Ickenocaney Lord in Boungo lives at Ounays and hath 20000. Wakebe Sackion Lord in Totomij lives at Oumiso and hath 20000. Isâ—ifoiâ— Insnocamy Lord in Totamy lives at Cosioys and hath in Revenue 20000. All these Sumes amount to 17794000. Here follow some lesser Lords whose Lordshipps and places for brevity are omitted as lesse considerable their names onely and Revenues being specified as follovveth Sangoro Saffioye 20000. Fory Minnasacka 20000. Quire Iamma SaÌ„mon 15000. Fossa Cawa Geruba 15000. Fackyna Deysen 15000. Matsendeyro Deysen 15000. Gottoways Lord of the Island Goto 15000. Catayngori Iwami 15000. Cussima Ierfingo 15000. Coubary Tomoty 15000. Tackamy mondo 15000. Miake Ietsingo 15000. Cackebe Sayngow 10000. Mynangaua Chynomoceamij 10000. Iaydsio Dewanocanij 10000. Coungay Inabae 10000. Sackan Oukon 15000. Condae Iwanij 15000. Nasno Ients 15000. Oudaurae Bisen 10000. Toiamma Gidwo 10000. Fira Ougae Giuâ—mon 10000. Oseki Iemmon 10000. Fayssien Gowas 10000. Outano Tango 10000. Fieno Owrabi 10000. Auby Ceynocams 10000. Otana Monsoys 10000. Majudda Iametta 10000. Taitsibanna Saoken 10000. Octana Caweyts 10000. Nimas Kybon 10000. Fory Arbays 10000.
in such manner that his Majesty insensibly had the sight of them all among the rest there was a slight maid an Armorers Daughter who did so far please him and gain upon his affections that he lay with her The great Ladies of the Court seeing an Artificers Girl preferred before them all mad with jealousie and rage resolved to strangle her Childe in its birth which they cruelly performed but have hitherto kept the knowledg of so black a deed from the Emperor fearing his just indignation and revenge The Japan Chronicles write that this great Kingdom hath until this hundred years been still governed by an Hereditary Prince which they call Deyro who was in such reverence with the people that never any tumults or civil broils were raised against his Person or Authority He was esteemed so Sacred that to oppose him was judged no less criminal then to fight against the Gods both being inexpiable When any difference arose betwixt his subject-Kings so that they armed each against other there was a Generalissimo appointed to mediate their quarrels and punish if need were the offending or transgressing Prince For the Deyros themselves were esteemed so holy that they never trod upon the ground neither was the Sun or Moon ever suffered to shine upon them nothing of their Body was diminished or paired off their hair beard and nails being suffered to grow at length When they did eat their meat was still dressed in new pots and served up in new dishes They have twelve married Wives apiece who are severally honored and brought with various ceremonies to this height and state When the Deyro goes abroad he is followed with these twelve Women each in her Coach adorned with her Arms and Titles these have their Houses and Trains apart all in the Deyro's Palace built in rows six on a side very magnificent and beautified as the Coaches with their Names Arms and Titles The Concubines dwell likewise by themselves Supper is provided every evening in every one of these twelve Houses with voices and instruments though none knows who shall be honored with the Deyro's company Where the Deyro enters the banqueting and provision of the other eleven Houses is immediatly brought thither the other eleven Wives following with their Ladies and Musick to divert and make merry with her whom the Deyro thinks at present worthy of his conversation They have their Comedies likewise and such other pastimes as befit so splendid an entertainment When the Deyro is blessed with a Son the hoped Successor of that Empire a Nurse is chosen for him out of eighty of the loveliest Women of the Country young and Noble Wives to Persons of great quality and birth These Women are honored and received by the Deyro's twelve Wives and all his Women as also those nine principal Lords who are of his blood and kindred and next the inheritance in case he have no issue male with extraordinary ceremonies and feasting The following day forty are chosen out of the fourscore the which the number decreasing are entertained more honorably then before the day being spent in usual and pompous diversions the recited forty retain the Titles and Dignities of Foster-Mothers but are dismissed from further attendance though not without gifts and rich presents Ten are again chosen out of the remaining forty out of these ten three and lastly out of these three one in all which elections the honors ceremonies and presents are successively heightned Three days after the last chosen Nurse is again highly entertained which being done the milk is pressed out of her brests into the Childes mouth which all this while is held by one of the noblest Ladies of the Court which ceremony done the Nurse is as then esteemed worthy to take that Childe into her custody being it hath tasted of her milk and substance The Ceremonies and Feasts of their Weddings Childe-bearings and those other which they celebrate yearly are performed with much state and modest pomp and are at this day in use by the Deyro who wants nothing save that the Land is governed by another the reason and history whereof we will briefly declare The Office of Chief General was formerly the first in the whole Kingdom which ordinarily was conferred upon the Deyro's second Son but having then another Son which for the Mothers sake he was willing to advance he divided this great charge betwixt them with command that they should govern each his three years by turn This took for some time until one of them having tasted the sweetness of ruling was loath to quit so splendid an employment he therefore leagues with the great Lords of the Country and settles his power so fast during his Commission that neither the commands and entreaties of his Father nor the violence of his offended Brother were able to remove him Yet this being a business of so ill and so great consequence and like to embroil the Kingdom in disorders the Deyro resolved to chastise his rebellious Son which by the assistance of his Kings and the valour of his former General he did And this was the beginning and the first intestine war that ever happened against the Deyro's State and Authority The aforesaid General being for his good service continued in his command ordered his business so well that after his Majesties death he made himself Lord of his inheritance usurping the Government of the Kingdom wholly into his hands leaving yet the Deyra's Court in its former state and greatness his Successor to his Revenue and commanding he should be used in all things with the same respect and ceremony as before These proceedings produced another War another General being chosen who having overthrown the former usurped to himself what he had condemned in his Predecessor the Soveraignity of the whole Land which occasioned a third intestine War more cruel and more destroying then the other two For now the Kings and Governors of Provinces began to set up each for himself so that the Countrey was well nigh ruined Town being against Town and City against City by these dissenting Grandees During these troubles it fell out that a bold active Fellow formerly a private Souldier thinking it best fishing in troubled waters resolved to put in for a share Having therefore got together forty or fifty Companions as desperate as himself he in a little time what with his good fortune and good conduct grew very numerous and considerable and having taken several Castles and Towns drove likewise all that stood him out of the field so that in less then three years he became absolute and Soveraign Lord of the whole Kingdom He as the other Usurpers left the Deyro in quiet possession of all he formerly enjoyed except the Government which he held himself and was afterwards by the said Deyro unable to vindicate his own right acknowledged and crowned Emperor of Japan with unimaginable pomp and magnificence This Emperor whose name was Taycko being no less prudent then brave fearing
and chief Ministers of State these come dayly to Court and dispatch all Publick Affairs by his Majesties directions and are as likewise the other minor Senators highly respected and honored by the subordinate Kings and Lords The chief of these have two hundred thousand pounds a year the middle half so much and the lesser thirty twenty and ten thousand pounds per An. Their Authority and Power is confined to the Emperor's Pleasure none of them upon pain of Banishment or worse daring to advise a second time after Answer once received from the Prince His Majesty chuses these his Councellors out of those Gentlemen that have served well and long having been bred up in the Court with him and had the address to please him most All the Affairs of the Kingdom pass these mens hands but they are very circumspect in observing his Majesties eye and pleasure before they adventure to propose advice or answer and all to continue in his good grace and favour nay they are fo fearfully slavish that they approve of whatever the Prince proposes and though the ruine of a Province depended upon it will not seem to have sentiments differing from his The quality of his Princes and Lords and their might THe Revenues of the commanding Lords as appears by their specifications are very great and yet they have by reason of their vast expences enough to do with their moneys First they are obliged though never so far distant from Court to reside six moneths every year in the City of Jedo to wait upon the Emperor Those of the North and East come one half year which being expired they are relieved by them of the South and West who depart with his Majesties leave after much Ceremony Feasting and receiving of Presents back to their several Countries Thus they take their turns at Court which is infinite expensive by reason of their numerous trains some of them travelling to and fro with one two three four five and six thousand men The Lord of Firando where our East-India-Company hath a Lodge being but one of the least among them travels with three hundred Men Gentlemen and others and hath in his two Houses at Iedo above a thousand Persons Men and Women Thus each Lord lives according to his Means and Dignity rather profuse then sparing so that the City swarms with Men and Attendance which makes the Markets high and very dear Their sumptuous Buildings their gorgeous Cloathing of their Servants especially their Women and their Attendants their Feasts their Presents and other extraordinary Expences of that proud and pompous Court do sufficiently keep under these great Men for their Charges surmount their Revenues and they are found most commonly to be much behinde hand Besides all this his Majesties orders the making of several publick Buildings as High-Ways Channels Castles and the like all which are divided amongst the aforesaid Lords then at Court each his share which they cause to be made without respect of expence to the envy of each other with all speed and industry imaginable The chief Lords when they build new Palaces for themselves do besides the ordinary Gates and Doors cause another great and sumptuous Port to be made beautified with Statues and wrought all with hard Wax or Indian Lack and richly guilt This Entry being finished it is covered all over with Plancks to keep the Sun and Rain from it and continueth so inclosed and shut up until such time as the Emperour honours that House with his presence After his Majesty hath passed and re-passed through the said Gate it is wholly shut up and never opened more no man being afterwards found worthy to go in or out at that Door which hath been graced with the Princes entry His Majesty doth go but once to feast in one House all the preparations for his entertainment being made ready long before with great care and cost every thing being adorned with his Arms and afterwards never used more but preserved with great devotion in remembrance that the Emperour did vouchsafe to eat in that House His Majesty is always invited three years before hand in which time the preparations fit for so royal a Guest are making After the Emperour hath been there one day the Princes of his blood his Councellors and the Kings and great Lords are treated with incredible magnificence three whole Moneths together Briefly the building of such a Palace and the treating of so great a Prince is sufficient to make a rich King poor and yet these ruinning profusions are not to be avoided When his Majesty goes a Hern-hunting and hath taken some of those Birds being of great esteem in those Countries he sometimes bestows one of them upon one Favorite or other which Present costs the Receiver at least a half years Revenue for the Gift is so highly valued having been taken by the Emperor's Hawks and given with his own hands that the whole City seems to partake of the joy it being abundantly testified by Feasting and Presents The Lord of Satsuma had lately the honour to entertain the Emperour in his new Palace but with better fortune then any of his greatest Princes for his Majesty was so well pleased with his treatment that he made him a Present of Beans as he pleased to tearm it for his Horses worth threescore thousand Pounds a year The Emperor disposes of the marriages of his great Lords who entertain their Wives which are ordered them by him with extraordinary carresings they receive and lodge them in their best Palaces and allow them ten twenty c. to a hundred and more Gentle women and Maid-Servants according to their abilities to wait upon them when they go abroad to visit their Friends which is allowed but once a year Their Women follow them in shut Pallacquins forty or fifty in number each of them with two Chamber-Maids on each side of their Pallacquins one These Pallacquins are very richly made wrought with Lack and inlaid with Gold carried some nine foot from each other in good order with great modesty The Wife that is given by the Emperor is the Mother of those Children which succeed in their Father's honors but if she prove Childeless or have no Heir male the Kingdom or Government is ordinarily bestowed upon a Stranger to that Race and Family Every Lord may have as many Concubines as he pleases or can maintain whereby Children indeed are multiplied though none inherit but those that are legitimate These Lords enjoy all the pleasures they can imagine in the fruition of their Women Houses Gardens Ponds Walks Musick Plays and the like They suffer no Men to come into their Wives Houses upon any pretence whatsoever unless it be some few who are next of blood and that but very seldom these are kept close and careful and all their Women young and old great and of lower condition must thus spend their time without any manner of conversation with men the least suspition is punisht with death it
conversation with a certain Gentleman who was likewise condemned to die and his belly cut up and that the other two knowing of their companions practices had not discovered them Who ever findes his Wife in a lockt or shut chamber with another man may lawfully kill them both the which though very rarely hath indeed happened If the Husband be absent then his Father Brother Son or next of kin nay a Servant may do it so that Adultery is seldom or never heard of amongst them A certain Gentleman being jealous of his Wife pretended a journey from home but returning unexpectedly back found another Man with his Wife in the chamber transported with jealousie and revenge he instantly kills the amased Gallant and binding his Wife to a ladder let her stand there thus chained all night Next morning he sent to invite all his and her kindred Men and Women to dinner which however contrary to their customs each sex feasting and eating alwaies apart was through his importunity assented unto The Women who sat in a chamber by themselves ignorant of what had happened enquired often for the Lady of the house to which her Husband made answer that she was busie in ordering their entertainment she would wait upon them immediatly The Guests being all sat Men and Women together and dinner half done the Husband went and cut off the privities of his slain Rival and putting them into a covered Box of Lack or Wax deckt with flowers unbound his Wife and clothing her in a winding sheet with her hair loose and hanging over her shoulders gave it her she not knowing what was in it adding Go and carry it to our Friends at dinner and try whether for their sakes I may not pardon you also The poor Woman half dead and distracted with fear did as her Husband commanded her and entering in this dreadful posture fell on her knees before the company and opened the Box at sight whereof she sunk down in a swound and being close followed by her Husband had her head immediatly struck off by him at which horrid sight the afrighted Guests ran all out of the house Those faults which are accounted criminal amongst them are the breaking of the Emperours commands and orders Peculation or robbing his Majesties Revenues false coyning burning of houses rapes and the ill governing of those in Authority he that is guilty of any of these crimes is punished in his person and posterity if it be a Woman that hath offended she suffers alone nor shall she die for anothers sin only be given away or sold Their punishments are rosting burning crucifying both waies drawing with four Bulls and boyling in Oyl and Water A man who was to deliver Wood and Stone to his Majesties Factours had corrupted some Souldiers and others appointed for the service this being discovered the Overseers were ordered to cut up their bellies but the Marchant was crucified with his heels upward This man being a man of parts was in good esteem with the Councellors and great ones at Court and however it be that it is not lawful to intercede for a criminal yet the aforesaid Grandees out of pity and affection to the Delinquent having consulted together adventured to supplicate his Majesty in his behalf whereupon they received this following answer I have understood your desires with wonder but that which troubles me most is that the unreasonableness of the demands obliges me to suspect your judgements shall not the evil doer die whence then proceedeth this your request or are your hearts likewise corrupted with gifts and gold change your purposes and let justice have her course and then if any amongst you desire riches let them go to my Treasure and satisfie themselves go I give you full liberty to do it This reply did so startle the Petitioners that they retired not daring to make any further instance or speak one word more They have a peculiar method in punishing of crimes which I will also relate It happened as it did in my time that a Gentleman appointed Governour of a Lordship near the imperial City of Jedo had forced his Tributaries to pay more then they were obliged to by their ordinary Tax and Contributions with which surplus he had Lorded it for some time but this Exaction continuing the Inhabitants supplicated his Majesty for relief whereupon the Gentleman together with his whole race were ordered to cut up their bellies The said Governour had a Brother in the service of the King of Fingo two hundred and forty Dutch miles Westward from Jedo an Uncle at Satsuma twenty miles further a Son in the service of King Kinocoumy another Son in the service of the King of Massamme an hundred and ten miles Eastward a third Son with the Governour of the Imperial Castle of Inquano with two Brothers more that were Souldiers in his Majesties Guards at Jedo his youngest Son was upon extraordinary sollicitations bestowed upon a Marchants Daughter who was an only Child and very rich All these Persons however East and West distant from each other died in one day and on the same hour for Posts were sent to all places where these unhappy men did live with orders to the Governours that they should cause them upon the eighth day of the eighth Moneth the day limited for their execution when the Sun was in the South to cut up their bellies according to the usual manner which was exactly performed The aforesaid Marchant well known to our Society dwelt at Osaua but died for grief and his Daughter unwilling to survive her Husband would if she had not been prevented have killed her self yet she could not be hindred to destroy that life which was but loathsome to her after so dear a loss for she abstained wholly from eating and expired concluding this fatal Tragedy with her own the eleventh day after The People of this Nation especially the Women die with strange constancy and assurance without any the least emotion of sorrow or weakness Lyes are likewise punished with death especially if told to Magistrates or Lords neither will any Master pardon that crime in his Servant These aforesaid manners of putting to death belong to the Gentry the Souldiers Marchants Citizens and Peasants but the Kings and transgressing Lords are otherwise punished There is a little Island three miles in compass and distant forty two miles from Jedo called Faitsnichina so still and environed with rocks and precipices that no ships of burthen can approach it it was at first attempted in very calm weather by certain desperate fellows who climbing up those rocks made a shift to get on the tops of them and having pulled up with ropes materials and necessary instruments for their purpose fastned beams and strong posts in the rocks in such wise that by the help of pullies and ropes and strong hanging nets they can winde the boats up some fathoms out of the water and so secure them against the tossing of the Sea whose least agitation
with his wings spread of pure Gold This structure was very beautiful being adorned on all sides with carved Images its angles plaited with pure Gold and the roof of it intimating the Heaven with Sun Moon and Stars There were fifty Persons all Gentlemen belonging to the Emperours clothed with long white Robes and Wax Head-pieces that carried this ambulatory Pallace Forty Gentlemen antickly dressed although armed with Europian Head-pieces and Pikes gilded at the ends went before the Deyro and these were of his Life-guard One of his principal Lords did immediately follow him armed as the other bearing in his hand a Shield stuck full of Arrows then came forty great Quirosols all covered with fine white linnen and belonging to the aforesaid Guards These were again followed by thirteen great Wax Chests carried by the Palanquyn Porters And lastly the whole procession was closed with four hundred persons all in white vestments marching six in a ranke in very good order The Deyro and his Traine were no sooner past but the evening came on and an innumerable company of people of all sorts the Stages and Houses which had been filled with Spectators had disgorged their burthens in the Streets so that the multitude was so immensly great that very many disorders happened as cutting of purses stealing murthering and robbing each other very many were stifled in the crouds and such as but once fell were sure never to rise being troden to death The noise all night was so great as if the City had been in an uproar and the insolencies grew to that heighth that many persons of quality who could not get out of the throng or were retiring to their houses were set upon and very many of them spoiled and murthered among others the Lord of Firandos Secretary saw his Servant robbed and a rich Cabinet of his taken from him before his own face whilest he himselfe had much ado to defend himself from the violence of these assaulters We were forced with our Servants to quit our stage and put our selves into the crowd because of the night and the danger to continue where we were which we durst not do without running the hazzard of being murthered the preass was so great that we were borne up by the people most of our way being but seldom able to put a foot upon the ground yet at length by Gods great blessing we got all without any considerable loss safely to our lodgings The Deyro and his Wives were lodged three daies and three nights in the Emperors Palace being served by their Majesties and their Brothers and the greatest Princes of their Court every meale consisting of one hundred and forty services This feasting being done the young Emperour gave the Deyro these following presents Three thousand Boates of Silver each of four Tayls and three Marses Two rich Sables Two hundred Iapan Gowns Three hundred pieces of wrought Sattin Twenty picols of raw Silk One great piece of Calombacq Five great Silver pots full of Musk. And ten beautiful Horses with their accoutrements The old Emperour gave him Two hundred pieces of Gold each worth fifty four Silver ones One hundred Indian gowns richly wrought Two great Silver pots full of Musk. Five Catti Calombacq Two hundred pieces of red Silk Five Silver pots full of Amber Greece And five brave Horses with their accoutrements His Secretary had given him Three hundred Boats of Silver equal with the other in worth And twenty Indian Gowns A Description of the Government Might Religion Customes Traffick and other remarkable Affairs in the Kingdom of SIAM Written in the Yeare 1636. by Joost Schouten Directour of the East-India-Company in that Countrey SIAM is a famous and potent Kingdom scituate upon the continent of Asia eighteen degrees Northern Latitude where it bordereth upon the Countries of Pegu and Ava twelve degrees it extendeth it selfe Westward to the Bengasche sea of Martavan to seven degrees where it borders upon the Kingdoms of Pay tany and Queda Southward from the Bengasche to the Patanys Ocean this Coast turns Northward to thirteen degrees making with its bowing the Gulf of Siam thence the Coast runs again Southward to twelve degrees and leaving the Sea terminates Eastward upon the Desart of Cambodia and the Kingdoms of Iangonia Tangou and Langjang to eighteen degrees even to Ava and Pegu so that the form of this Land is like an halfe Moon and containeth in its circuit four hundred and fifty Dutch miles one Dutch mile makes six English This Country which is in many places mountainous woody and moorish especially towards the Sea although for the most part even and clay and is likewise full of all sorts of Beasts and Fowls and Rivers replenished with abundance of Fish hath where it bordereth upon the Benga and Siams Seas many Islands Bays Havens and Rivers most commodious for the receipt of great and small Vessels I shall not particularize all only mention the chief River as the most frequented Haven of the whole Kingdom This River called by the name of Menam or the Mother of Waters is great wide and very long its course being not known unto them It passeth from the North Southward very swiftly through the Land of Ava and Pegu and several Provinces of Siam until that it discharge it self by three mouthes into the Sea of Siam it partaketh of the nature of those famous Rivers Ganges and Nilus flowing once a year so high that it covereth most part of the Countrey making it incredibly fruitful and destroying by this innundation which continueth four or five moneths all obnoxious vermin and creatures The greatest mouth of this River is that which lies most Eastward thirteen degrees and a half Northern latitude and in the middle of the inlet there is a great flat or sand a mile long that crosses the entry of the River five or six foot deep at low water but at heighth is fifteen or sixteen and in the Winter moneths when the the floods are great there is ordinarily seventeen or eighteen foot and more great Ships that go deep are forced to anker at four five or six fathoms water without this banck the ground being clay and good but those that pass this flat at high water enter the River without any more danger of runing on ground till they come to the Town of Banckock six Dutch miles upwards then the River grows narrower and more shallow Ships drawing eleven or twelve foot water being scarceable to mount to the City of India where they are sometimes forced to stay till the moneths of September October and November for water to return The Country is generally well peopled especially the lower part of it being full of Villages and Towns the principal whereof are Iudica Picelouck Sourckelouk Capheng Soutcethay Kephinpet Conseywan Pytsyay Pitsidi Lydure Tenou Mormelon Martenayo Lygor Bordelong Tannassary Banckock Pypry Rapry Mergy and several other all which are governments and heads of Provinces besides these there are many Cities and Burroughs full
fear of shame or punishment A man may keep as many Concubins as he pleases besides his Wife though they are in some subordinacy to her whose Children onely inherit the other being contented with small portions for their subsistence Great mens goods are divided after their deaths into three parts one part for the King the second for the Priests and their Funerals and the third for their Children The common People have other Customs the Bridgroom buyeth his Bride for a sum of monies of her Father or Friends whereupon the marriage is made and concluded with a little feasting but they may divorce like the great Ones at pleasure and marry again with the same liberty The Children deal their deceased parents goods equally except some little advantages for the eldest Son They have many other Customs in marriage and succession too long and tedious to write As for their Children they send them to school at five or six years old where they are taught to write and read and rendered fit for Trades and other employments some are continued in their studies by the Priests their Masters until they are called to Offices and advancements in the State and then they cast off the yellow frock others continue there out of hopes of being one day Heads of Temples and Schools or sharing in the Priesthood The Siammers who live in Towns and populous places are either Courtiers Officers Merchants Watermen Fishermen Tradesmen or Artificers each one containing himself in his vocation The Country people brew till plant and bring up fwarms of Cattel as Horses Kine Swine Deer and domestick Fowl as Geefe Peacocks Ducks Hens Pigeons and other tame creatures insomuch that provision is very cheap notwithstanding the abundance of at which is sent into the neighbouring Provinces for their supply and use They have Brick Lime Wood and all materials for building of Churches Forts Houses Ships Prawes Jonks and other vessels in great quantities The divers Towns of this Countrey have their several Trafficks and Commerce in the chief City the trading is very good and free in its course the principal commodities are Choromandes and Sura vestments all manner of China wares Jewels Gold Benjamin Gumlack Wax Sappang Agerwood Tin and Lead c. as also vast numbers of Harts-skins one hundred and fifty thousand of these creatures being caught yearly in this Countrey and fold with much profit to the Japanners They drive a great trade with all eating provisions especially Rice many thousand Tuns being transported yearly by forraigners This City by reason of its great traffick is frequented by several Nations as the Indians the more Western Asiaticks European Moors and Christian Merchants The King himself is also a Merchant and hath his own Ships and Factours trading to Choromandel and China being for that cause more favoured and priviledged then any other Prince he likewise trafficks to Pegu Ava Jongoma Langs-jang and other places besides his negotiations at home all which bring him incredible profit and no small disturbance to private Merchants all which do certainly manifest the great trade that is carried on in this Countrey The Monies currant is of very fine silver of a round figure and impressed with the Kings picture the kindes are a Ticlas a Mase and a Fong worth thirty pence seven pence half penny and four pence English or near upon They reckon ordinarily by Cattys each being twenty Tayls or forty eight Royals of eight and it is with this and no other coyn that they handle and trade with save that there is a lesser called Schulpkens or little Sheels wherof eight or nine thousand go to a Fong being brought out of Manilha Borneo and Lequeo very useful for poor people Before the coming of the Netherlanders into the Indiaes the Portugals had great correspondence and amity with this Kingdom being in such esteem and honour by the King that the Embassadours sent from their Vice-Roys Governours and Bishops of Malacca in India were not only well received by his Majesty but richly presented by him and many of the residing Portugals in this Country advanced to great Offices and preferments they had not only the free exercise of their Religion but their chief Priest had also a monethly pension allowed him for his more splendid subsistence thus they prospered here for many years until the Dutch Company got footing amongst them and gained upon them from time to time by taking their Ships and interrupting their trade with Santhome and Nevagatain insomuch that they are at present very low and out of credit occasioned more particularly by their taking of a Dutch Yacht by a Spanish Gally in the River of Siam which the King took so highly that he revenged it with his Arms which produced a war between him and Manilha and however the Portugals seemed unconcerned in this quarrel yet they wholly lost their credit at Court insomuch that the Bishop of Malaccas Vicar their chief Resident there is debarred of his usual access to his Majesty and his Ministers whereas in former times they were esteemed the onely and chief Merchants of the whole Kingdom This breach and difference between these two Nations was fomented by the Dutch and increased by several acts of hostility on the Portugals side who took many of his Majesties Ships and Vassals at Sea in revenge whereof the Portugal Vessels were seized on in India and all the present Portugals natives clapt up in prison who were after two years restraint upon a fictitious embassie restored to their liberty but this practice coming to light occasioned the seisure of a Castilian and a Portugal Vessel in the Havens of Ligoor and Tanaslary the men whereof were not released till after a two years restraint but then indeed returned with his Majesties Letters to the Governours of Manilha and Malacca with invitations of their former peace and traffick where it is probable they may return but questionable whether they shall ever recover their former credit and authority It is more then thirty years since the Netherlanders came first to Siam and were admitted of by his Majesty so that the Company have judged it necessary for the cherishing their traffick and alliance with so mighty a Prince to settle there to which end they builded a house or lodge of wood in the City of India where they trade in in land commodities and selling of clothes as also buying of Harts-skins Sappang c. which are sent yearly to Japan the Company indeed hath not profited much by reason of several misfortunes by this traffick but they have gained more reputation then any Europians besides by the great friendship and correspondence which is betwixt them and the King and also have had the benefit of transporting great quantities of all sorts of provisions in Batamia which friendship notwithstanding the several successions of the Princes disturbing the Companies Cantore and Servants is yet sufficiently conserved and continued and ought in my opinion to be cherished as absolutely necessary for the good and welfare of our Company as also in regard of the Kings civil usage of us and his aversion to the Spaniards our common enemy finally our factory established there in the year 1633. and trading during my four years direction are so much corrected and increased that the Company hath remarkably gained by them with probability with good mannagement of more signal advantages To which end the General and Councel of India caused in Anno 1634. a stone lodge with fit pack-houses pleasant apartements and a commodious landing place to be builded on the borders of the River Menam being one of the convenientest and best scituated of any that is unfortified in all the Indiaes And thus much we found good to discover of the customes and manners of the Kingdom of Siam being my observations during my eight years residence in the chief City of the Country I have followed the exact rules of truth according to my best knowledge and diligence in this short relation remitting the curious to the more large and more particular discourses of better and more exact judgements FINIS