Hessen or Saxony but out of what Records we know not and Eusebius where ere he hath it calls Ashkenaz the Father or first Prince of the Gothes whil'st the Modern Jews make him the Planter of the Teutonick Nations or High-Dutch and the transplanted Seed of Riphat into more Northern Regions gave Denomination to the Riphean Mountains beyond Scythia which afterwards took in Paphlagonia From his third Son Togarma sprang the Togarmians who sat down on the North-side of Canaan beyond Cappadocia but it appears by the Chalde Paraphrase that Togarma peopled Germany and the Jews affirm that the Turcomany or Turks are also sprung from the Togarmians whereupon still the Turkish Emperor is by them call'd Togar But Magog Japhets second Son inhabited Coelesyria Mada and the Territory of Media Javan the third was Father to the Ionians who in process of time growing great with other conjoyn'd Nations call'd themselves Greeks their Countrey Grecia From these the Latines drew their original whereupon at first a great part of Italy was call'd Greece and still several Names of Italian Cities do undeniably shew the Extract of the Latines from the Greeks which the antient Writers affirm by making Javan to be the Bifronted Janus signifying Father both to the old Greeks and new Latines descended from him The Sons of Javan were four Elisha who Planted in the Islands of the Mediterranean Sea Tarshish from whom Tarsus in Cilicia bears the Name and Kittim a Place in Cyprus where between the two utmost Points Thronus and Dades in the Entrance formerly stood the City Kittim and still the Point Dades bears the Name of Cape Chiti Dedanim Javans youngest Son possess'd that part of Eperia where the City Dodona was renown'd famous for the Oracle of Jupiter Dodoneus presaging by tinckling Brass Instruments or Cymbals and also from the oraculous Oak it self which as they say spake from its hollow womb giving Responses From Japhets fifth Son sprang the Tubaleans afterwards call'd Syrians Others according to Josephus set themselves down in Spain so believ'd because the antient City Setubal in that Kingdom retains Tubals Name Meshechs Progeny steer'd their Coast towards Arabia The Antients differ in no thing more than settling the Habitations of Tiras Japhets youngest Son Josephus affirms him to be Father of the Thracians in whose Countrey Pliny and Mela delineate the River Atira Others transplant him to the European Sarmatia according to Ptolomy sprinkled with the Stream call'd Tyras and at present Nester Some make Tiras the Builder of Tyre in Phoenycia again some of the Duringians and others of Thurium a very antient City in the entrance of Tarentine The Progeny of Shâ—m Thus far Japhets Successors next Sems that is to say Elam Ashur Arphaxad Lud and Aram did overspread Armenia Persia India and the farther Eastern part of Asia But especially Elam is acknowledg'd to be the Father of the Elamites from whence the Persians proceeded extinguishing by their firm establishment of their sole Dominion the first Name of Elamites Ashur Founded within the built City Nineveh the Assyrian Power formerly the Heathen Histories bring these down from Ninus Concerning Arphaxad Moses saith thus Genes 10. And Arphaxad begat Salah and Salah begat Eber. And unto Eber were born two sons the name of one was Peleg for in his days was the earth divided and his brothers name was Joktan And Joktan begat Almodad and Sheleph and Hazarmaveth and Jerah and Hadoram and Uzal and Diklah and Obal and Abimael and Sheba and Ophir and Havilah and Jobah all these were the sons of Joktan And their dwelling was from Mesha as thou goest unto Shephar a mount of the east These are the sons of Shem after their families after their tongues in their lands after their nations Benedictus Arias Montanus ascribes particularly these Distributions to every one of the Children of Joktan that is to say to Almodad the People of Themeotes according to Ptolomy and Mela transplanted into the Asiatick Sarmatia to Sheleph the Selebians to Hazarmaveth the Sarmatians to Jarka the Arachosians to Hadora the Hircanians to Uzal the Oxiaenian Bactrians to Dikla the Scythians within the Mountains of Imaus to Obal the Obolites between the top of Caucasus and Paropanisus to Abimael the Imaenses where the renown'd Imaus hath very high Precipices to Sheba the famous Saces yet others think it more advisable to bring the Sabeans to Sheba bordering on the Persians Ophir call'd The Territory of Ophir whether Solomon every third year set forth a Fleet to fetch Gold from thence Yet after all the Distributions and Sprinklings of Mankind over the surface of the Earth much of it confirm'd by many Authors and also by sacred Writ our Modern Geographers and late Travellers hardly make out scarce two Parts of three of the Terrestrial Globe to be yet inhabited all the Antartick and most of the Artick Regions an unfrequented Desolation and Africa and Asia full of unpenetrated Desarts and inaccessible Mountains and many Isles Of which several were discover'd by the Antients and since by our Moderns not thought worthy the labour of Cultivation amongst which our Japan lay a long time Fallow till by a necessitous Calamity a few miserable Exiles being as they say banish'd from their Countrey were enforc'd to Plant there which from such poor beginnings and unwilling undertakers hath insensibly by degrees in few Ages shot up from nothing to be a most Potent and formidable Empire But before we proceed any farther in this our intended Design concerning a Description and Relation of Japan of which the Hollanders are most able to give the best account it seems not amiss raising our selves a little from our Seat to look round about and by an easie Prospect take a brief and general Survey not onely of the new Art of Navigation but also of those famous Navigators that boldly first adventur'd to unloose though thought unpossible before the Virgin Zone of this our Terraqueous Globe so not onely finding undiscover'd Parts of the East but also a new Western Indies abounding in Gold and Silver as the other in Silk and Spices besides giving us a farther account of a third Continent though yet unknown equivalent to either of the former The Compass by whom found The Loadstone or Magnet whose several Vertues and wonderful Operations being well known through many Ages yet that it was a Terrella or little Earth having Poles respecting the North or Southern Points of the Firmament having imaginary Meridians and Parallels being the greatest wonder and of most use was not found untill Flavius Melvius a Neopolitan discover'd it about two hundred years since to the great benefit of Mankind and perfection in Navigation before which without Compass or Chart the poor Seaman when stressed with Weather the Sun and Stars his onely Pilot Night and Day muffl'd in Clouds he crept along the Shore which was the constant practice or emboldned by the signs of fair Weather ventur'd farther into the Offin their
from thence went directly to the Emperors Court at Meaco These as we said before were the onely Addressers employ'd in an Embassy from thence into Europe or any other part of the World Since which time the Hollanders have Traded to Japan to their great benefit especially since the Portuguese upon the account of the Jesuits Conspiracy were prohibited to Traffick any longer in that Countrey which in brief was thus The Jesuits are banish'd from Japan because of a Plot. ¶ THe Jesuits having laid a Plot to deliver up the whole Empire of Japan to the King of Portugal and having well digested the same sent him inviting Letters promising that if he would send them eight stout Vessels well Mann'd they no sooner mould be arriv'd but that several Kings and many thousands of the People their Converts should be all at once ready to Declare for him which would so much overpower the Emperors remaining Party that if he then prov'd stubborn and would not yield they should be able to force him to his subjection But this being discover'd The Portuguese age banish'd from Japan the Portuguese were presently banish'd and excluded for ever from Japan in the Year 1641 the Jesuits and principal Confederates being all put to death suffering condign punishment So the Trade lay in a manner open to the Hollanders which they being almost solely employ'd in made so great an advantage thereof that they were able every three years to send Gratulatory Embassies with several rich Presents to the Emperor The Hollanders Staple at Firando The first Staple they settled in that Countrey was upon Firando a small Isle which on the East-side Coasts with Bongo by some call'd Cikoko on the North with Taquixima on the South faceth Goto both also wash'd by the Sea the West respecting the Main Ocean The Haven of Firando better accommodateth Japan Vessels than the Hollanders which being of greater Burthen draw more Water especially the Mouth of the Haven being narrow and their Ships large is very dangerous but within they lie safe being Land-lock'd round about which breaks off all force of Winds and Waves whatsoever and though it blow to the heighth of a Heuricane yet they Ride still in smooth Water De Logie op FIRANDO The Store-house of the East-India Company there The Store-house which was first order'd there for the Company consisted of four Low Rooms and five Upper Chambers for the Reception of their Goods besides Kitchen Larder and other Offices lying close by the Haven with a Key and Stairs to the Water but being built of Wood which in short time grew dry and rotten it could not preserve their Merchandise either from Fire foul Weather or Thieves Therefore in Anno 1641. they began to build one more large of Stone which the Emperor not rellishing supposing they might convert it into a Fort of Defiance The Netherlanders remove from Firando to Nangesaque commanded them to desist and at the same time remov'd them to Nangesaque A strange Idol Near Firando at an In-let of the Sea stands an Idol being nothing but a Chest of Wood about three Foot high standing like an Altar whether many Women when they suppose that they have Conceiv'd go in Pilgrimage and offering on their Knees Rice and other Presents with many Prayers imploring That what they go withal may be a Boy saying O give us a Boy and we will bear him though a big one But before the Hollanders left Firando they sent their Merchandise in small Vessels to Nangesaque where they had then a Factory and there found in the Year 1694. a Hollander call'd Melchior Sandwoord who Sailing with the Fleet from Mabu through the Straights of Magellan losing his Company had suffer'd Shipwrack on that Coast thirty Years before Thus the Hollanders being remov'd from Firando keep their Staple ever since at Nangesaque Netherland Ambassadors sent from Nangesaque to Jedo THe Ambassadors that were dispatch'd from Batavia to the Emperor of Japan June 28. Anno 1641. receiv'd peremptory Orders to Land only at their ple Nangesaque and to go from thence to the Imperial Court at Jedo The Chief in Commission for this Imployment was his Excellency the Lord Bloccovius who had joyn'd to him as an Assistant Andreas Frisius a great Merchant All things in readiness and rich Presents prepar'd they put to Sea their Fleet consisting of three Ships and one Ketch The Governor himself and several others conducted them aboard and weighing Anchor from them falling to Leeward lay that night before Batavia Description of Batavia This City of old call'd Calappa since Jacatra and now Batavia hath its last Denomination from the Batavians which were a People driven out of their own Countrey before the Birth of our Savior by their Neighbors the Hessens The Batavians from whence extracted What Tract or Land they formerly inhabited then known by the Name of Catti settled in the Lower Countreys as Germany between the two Hornes or the Arms of the Rhine which now happens to be the United Netherlands So that in Commemoration and to keep up the Honor and Antiquity of their ancient Name and first Original they call this their New City and Head of their East-Indian Government Batavia Description of Jacatra When first Cornelius Matcleif Anchor'd at this place Anno 1607. it was call'd Jacatra being a mean Village the Houses being all built after the Javan manner from the Foundation of Straw the Town having no other Fence-work but Ranges of Wooden Pales like our Parks Power of the King of Jacatra The Royal Palace it self was a great Huddle of Deformity consisting of many Rooms one within another the whole Materials that built it being nothing but complicated Reeds Bulrushes Pleated Sedges of which Work and Contrivance they were then proud But the King about that time had a Design to Fortifie this his pitiful Metropolis with a Stone-wall His Royal Navy consisted of four Galleys in which beneath his single Bank of Oars sat his Soldiers or Life-Guard which attended his Commands upon the Decks This Prince who drove there the onely Trade in Pepper though by his Subjects restrain'd not to dispose of more than 300 Bags Yearly a Commodity of which the Hollanders knew very well the Advantage struck a League of Amity with them annexing Articles of Traffique to which they both agreed which the King being of an inconstant and covetous Nature observ'd so little that he rais'd both the Prizes and Customs whenever he pleas'd So that the Hollanders conceiving themselves neither certain in their Trade nor safe in their Persons rais'd a Fort there for their better Security of Commerce and Defence English and Netherlanders fall at variance before Jacatra HEre also at the same time the English drove an equal Trade not inferior to the Hollanders who clashing in their Commerce striving to ingross the Commodities one from the other there arose an irreconcileable Difference between
THE EMBASSAYS TO THE EMPEROURS OF JAPAN Cum. prerelegien Remarkable Addresses BY WAY OF EMBASSY FROM THE East-India Company OF THE UNITED PROVINCES TO THE EMPEROR of JAPAN CONTAINING A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR SEVERAL Territories Cities Temples and Fortresses THEIR Religions Laws and Customs THEIR Prodigious VVealth and Gorgeous Habits THE Nature of their Soil Plants Beasts Hills Rivers and Fountains WITH The Character of the Ancient and Modern JAPANNERS Collected out of their several Writings and Journals BY ARNOLDVS MONTANVS English'd and Adorn'd with a Hundred several Sculptures By JOHN OGILBY Esq His Majesty's Cosmographer Geographick Printer and Master of the Revels in the Kingdom of IRELAND LONDON Printed by the Author and are to be had at his House in White Fryers M.DC.LXXI De LAND REYSE van OSACCA tot IEDO 〈◊〉 Groote Steeden 〈◊〉 Kleyne Steeden 〈◊〉 Casteelen 〈◊〉 Dorpen 〈◊〉 Vlecken 〈◊〉 Heerlyckheeden 〈◊〉 Toorene en tempels 〈◊〉 De Cyffers syn de 〈◊〉 Lâ—â—â—tâ— van de Brâ—â—â— De WATER REYSE van NANGASACQUI tot OSACCA De LAND Râ—YSE van OSACCA tot IEDO A MEMORABLE EMBASSY TO THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN The Earth and Sea constitute a round Globe FRom the round Shadow which darkens or eclipseth the Moon the different Rising and Setting of the Celestial Luminaries and the various Elevation of the Zenith or Vertical Point infallibly demonstrates That the Earth and Sea making one Body presents exactly the Figure of a Globe Which though the Surface of this mighty Ball be rough and gibbous many parts thereof swoln into Rocks and high Mountains others sunk into depressed Valleys yet make an even and smooth Circumference for the highest Tops and lowest Descents are nothing in comparison to the Magnitude of this vast Body but seem less than Warts on the Hand or small Furrows in a Plough'd Field Incircling this our Terrestrial Orb at an unmeasurable distance sparkle the innumerable Lights in the immense expansions of the Firmament The Description of Heaven and Earth About the Earth the Air spreading it self into three Regions dispenseth from the middle all sorts of Meteors with their several Effects upon us The lowest Storie variety of Birds and flying Fowls make their Receptacle the Sea and Rivers Fish inhabit but the Earth and Sea and all Creatures there residing the Creator left solely to the gubernation of Man under whose Command they remain so inverting the Authority of Power placed the Microcosmus over the Macrocosme the little World to Rule the great The distribution of the People upon the Earth But since the Fall of Adam his Generations persisting more and more increasing their enormous sins and louder-crying offences brought Gods just Judgment upon them who therefore destroy'd the Old World by an Inundation or general Deluge onely preserving eight Persons who descending from the Ark the Waters being ceased a new World began in which by degrees their numerous Progeny so multipli'd that they were forc'd to Plant fresh Colonies still more and more remote from the Foot of the Mountain where they first settled But nothing more help'd to the well and equal re-peopling of the desolated Universe than the confusion of Tongues which happen'd in the Worlds Infancy at Babel where all the Children of that Generation resolving to settle not minding farther Discoveries pitch'd upon the fertile Plains of Shinar Here must be say they the Center of our growing and intended Empire this our begun this our stupendious Work whose aspiring Tower looks down already upon the Clouds and hereafter threatens to scale the Skies shall be the mighty and all-commanding Head of our Imperial City which extended over these Plains we will inhabit and with our Lives and Fortunes guard and maintain But they in their vain Design and presumptuous Project were suddenly baffled by Divine Providence who in stead of setling scatter'd them over the face of the Earth for when they were at the busiest and in the heighth of their expectation labouring to finish this marvellous Structure thus the Almighty disappointed their whole endeavours all Tasks were suddenly thrown aside each mistaking not understanding one another in which confusion their onely comfort was to meet with any that spake with them the same Language These using one Tongue gathering in a Body stuck together and in several Companies fled to strange and unpeopl'd Regions where Planting they flourish'd and suddenly grew up to be several great Kingdoms Since call'd Europe Asia and Africa the then onely known Countrey So this their total rout and flying to all the Angles of the Universe proved for the better each by this means being sooner suppli'd so extending by degrees their fresh Colonies to the utmost and Maritime Coast Yet however one Party after this dissolution remaining still upon the Spot which though they utterly sleighted their begun Tower leaving it to ruine and decay yet went on chearfully with their chief City where Nimrod first taking the Title and supreme Authority upon him sat in his new erected Throne first Monarch of the Assyrian Empire Besides him many absolute Princes were thus in process of time establish'd in their several Dominions and the whole World seem'd to be once more totally replenish'd When the restless Nature of Man either unsatisfi'd with what he hath atchiev'd or spurr'd on by ambition or urgent necessity to enlarge their Bounds for their supernumerary Swarms gave the beginning to the Iron or turbulent Age War and Hostility raging every where in which those prevailing grew high and mighty those conquer'd low and humble continual vicissitudes and fluctuations of People Kingdoms subverted in Republicks and Common-wealths weary of such Government turn'd again into Monarchies The weakest Party put to all extremities and worst of exigencies by the pursuing Enemy were enforc'd all Land deni'd them venturing for refuge into the wide Ocean were soon swallow'd up some driven they knew not whither lighted on uninhabited Countreys there beginning new Plantations and perhaps by such Fugitives the new World never heard of by antiquity became of old to be peopled and by that means grown since to such vast Empires as our late Voyagers have discover'd Here it will not seem amiss to give you an account according as all Writers have it how this our Old World was peopled viz. Asia and Africa and who were the Fathers or chief Captains giving Denominations to the People and setling them in their several Plantations beginning with Holy Scripture The Offspring of Japhet Noah and his three Sons Japhet being the eldest his Offspring spread themselves over Asia and Europe Moses recounts these to be the Sons of Japhet Gomer Magog Madai Javan Tubal Meshech and Tiras Gomer as they say first settled his Colony along the Caspian Sea where Strabo and Pliny place the Cemerians the Sons of Gomer being Ashkenaz Riphat and Tagorma Planted other Colonies Ashkenaz laying the Foundation of the Kingdom of Media which others contradict supposing that he settled in the lesser Asia others the Countrey of
troubled and the Pilots seeing more Islands opening near the Mouth of the Bay of Nangesaque growing more diffident stood again to the Offin where they discover'd two Japan-Vessels Steering Southward and making towards them they were forc'd being over-power'd by the Gale then growing fresher and fresher to leave their Design of Intelligence But soon after they descry'd another Japan-Vessel to which drawing near and Hailing not understanding one another they lost that Labor also When early on the eighteenth day the Point of Nangesaque appear'd North-North-East about five Leagues and a half distant and the Island Goto North-North-West By which Position of the Course they knew they were in the right Channel which would lead them safely to the Harbor and by Night they reach'd the Point or Promontory of Nomoo which extends it self South-West along to the Bay of Arima Thus they wrought themselves up within four Leagues of Nomoo lying North and by East in thirty Degrees Northern-Latitude from thence plying Easterly onely with their Fore-Sail The next Morning they enter'd Come into the Bay of Nangesaque with all their Sails a-trip running up merrily to the Northern Shore into the Bosom of the Bay of Nangesaque behind the Summit of whose opposite Coast rises a Rock resembling a Steeple beyond which seven Leagues to the Southward stands Nangesaque passing which Sailing on to their Harbor they incounter'd many Isles and some Rocks which all opening seem'd courteously to entertain and give them a Passage So by Noon they Rode before Nangesaque having six Fathom and a half Water and a Clayie Ground where they found six more of their Friends Dutch Vessels Frisius his Entry into Nangesaque ¶ AT this time Derick Sneck was Consul there for their East-India Company where also was Philip Shillemans Governor of Tonking who as soon as the Fleet arriv'd went aboard to wait upon and conduct with all Ceremony of State Andreus Frisius being appointed by the Council at Batavia to succeed in the Place of the deceas'd Ambassador Bloccovius With the like Formality and Honorable Respect the Embalm'd Corps of Bloccovius was brought ashore and interr'd to the Wonder and Admiration of the Natives Derick Sneck Sails to Batavia ¶ THe first of October Derick Sneck went from Nangesaque to Batavia whose Place Antonius Brekhurst supply'd who was also added as Colleague to Andreus Frisius in his Address as Ambassador to Quaeme then Emperor of Japan Residing in his great City of Jedo concerning the Free-Trade and Commerce between the Hollanders and his Subjects According to the great Consequence of this Embassy an answerable Train and Equipage was prepar'd but being not well setled since their coming from Firando to Nangesaque their Store-houses were as yet out of order so that there was a confusion in the carrying on of their Procedure And though Nangesaque is a more Rich and Populous City and more resorted to than Firando yet that Island had better Conveniencies and fitter for the Hollander to Trade upon Description of the Castle Firando ¶ THis Countrey produces nothing worthy nor any thing to show but the Castle in which Firandano Brother to the Lord of the Island inhabits The Castle stands amidst a pleasant Mead to which they pass over a Bridge of blue Slate which leads unto the Base Court guarded on each side with a File of Musquetiers The Gate is cover'd with a double Penthouse one a good distance beneath the other The opposite Jaumes are adorn'd with the Emperors Arms and those of their Noble Family The Castle standing upon a Hill shews it self in Prospect at a great distance because its Tower or Spire being seven Stories tapering in a Pyramidical Form appears afar off Upon each side of the Castle open eight Doors by which on Steps cut out of the hard Rock climbing the steep Ascent they enter through several Doors to the Palace Below are four Arbours of Pleasure or Banquetting-houses standing on square Pillars built round with Galleries and a Cupiloe on the top This is all that Firando boasts But they were much troubled whilest they were preparing to go upon this Embassy being inform'd that never any had Audience from his Imperial Majesty if they did not open their way with rich and costly Presents before-hand It seems not here amiss to say something concerning the Description of the Countrey Customs and Character of the People from a good Author Johannes Petrus Maffeus ¶ THe Countrey Jon Peter Maffeus Historiar lib. 12. Description of Japan commonly call'd Japan says he is not one but three Islands whose Skirts or Margents are sprinkled round with many lesser The greatest and wealthiest stands divided into three and fifty Provinces or petty Kingdoms the chief City call'd Meaco gives its denomination to that Isle The second Island call'd Ximus divides it self into nine Principalities whose most eminent Cities are Vosuquim and Funaium The third Division or Isle is Xicocum Division and hath onely four Vice-gerents and famous for the City Tosa so that the three Isles of Japan number 66 Kingdoms all subordinate under one Emperor The whole Countrey extends in length almost 200 Leagues Bigness the breadth not answerable to the length for the broadest part not being above thirty Leagues and the smallest but ten its circumference is not yet well known and lying in a manner North and South extends it self from thirty two to eight and thirty degrees of Northern Latitude Borders The East looks towards Nova Hispania but at 150 Leagues distance The North Buts upon Seythia or Tartary and other unknown Countreys The West views China but far off for from Liampo a City standing on the most Eastern Point of China to Goto being the most Western Island of Japan where first the Ships arrive makes sixty Leagues and from Amaccen on the most Western Harbor of the East-side of China to the foremention'd Isle is 290 Leagues The South lies border'd with the wide washing Ocean at great distance unknown Territories whence they say a strange People were drove by foul weather on the Coast of Japan which setling there never return'd The Soil ¶ THis Climate for the most part is Snowy and cold and the Soil not very fruitful Rice which is their general Food and grows most plentiful there they Reap in September their Harvest for other sorts of Grain in many places is in May which they Bake not to make Bread of as in Europe but eat it soft being boyl'd to a Pap or Gruel They have several warm Springs or Baths which cure as they say many Distempers Strange Mountains in Japan ¶ THe Countrey appears more Hilly than Plain amongst which are two wonderfull Mountains one of which Vomiting continual Flames with terrible smoke and fragors a horrid Figure fancy'd by some to resemble the Devil appears standing amidst a Circle of Fire on the very top The other call'd Figenoiama reaches as some report several Miles Perpendicular above
Description Japan contradicted First he plants Japan on the West side of China This is such a blind nay such a stupid Mistake that the like was never heard of For was there ever any Writer or Geographer that settled Japan West from China All agreeing neither can it be otherwise being an Isle but East from China that Empire being not onely the utmost Borders of Asia Eastward but of Europe also being one continu'd Main Continent Westward to Gads Pillars and the Atlantick Ocean Next admit it were as he affirms That Japan lay West from China yet out of what Chinese Haven did ever any Vessel reach any Port in Japan measuring but sixty Leagues Whereas it is notoriously known That the Distance betwixt these Empires is much greater And who can shew me in any Map or Journal of his Travels a City call'd Amiaco lying at such a distance from Japan as he gives without any proof or testimony Next which is very strange he says That Japan looks on no Countrey Southward but the Main Ocean or else Lands so far off that they are utterly unknown What then will become of all these Countreys as Tanaxima Lequeio Granda Formosa de Philippines Mindore Mindanao Borneo Celebes Molucco and other Realms besides many other Countreys which are cut off by the Ocean and lye far and near distant from thence and daily frequented and Navigated by Strangers insomuch that all Geographers mention the same Which belongs more especially to you who have publish'd instead of grave Experience your no want of Ignorance and utter Deficiency in that Science For what can be more absurd than this your Description of the Principal Islands Niphon Ximus and Xicocus dividing of them into sixty six Kingdoms and setling them all so handsomly with a perfect Mistake on the wrong side not consulting Francisco Cairon who being himself upon the Spot took an exact Survey of Japan which your Church-History makes truly manifest in several Pages Japan is much bigger the Italy Lastly Of all Comparisons this seems the most odious That Japan with all it circumjacent Isles is no larger than Italy For the same Cairon whom concerning other Matters you have for the most part copy'd out and trick'd up this your Japan-History with tells us in the beginning of his Description thereof That beyond Quanto a Territory lying up high in Japan from whence the Emperor raises his chiefest Revenue and keeps his Court in Jedo it is twenty seven days Journey before you come to the Province of Sunguar lying in the most Northerly part of Japan At this rate how can Italy be compar'd to Japan Sure Father Hazart you neither know the one nor the other For let any one take the Extent of Italy The Largeness of Italy which they reckon from the Alps and the City Aosta passing through Rome and Capua to Rhegio and the Promontory de Army he shall never make more than two hundred twenty five Leagues And though the breadth along the Alpine Mountains reacheth a hundred and forty Leagues yet taken generally it proves much less for betwixt Ancona and the Tyber gives the rate of the common breadth which is no more than thirty four Leagues How apt then seems this Comparison when several Writers Eye-witnesses tell you That Miaco lying almost in the middle of Japan is three hundred Leagues distant from Jesso bordering the said Isle ¶ NOw to what concerns the Extract or Original of the Japanners the general Opinion thereof we have already related which was That they not unlike the Batavians who by a Civil War were drove from Hessen to the Island between the Rhine and Wael Rebelling against their Emperor in China were Banish'd to the desolate Isles of Japan The Extract of the Japanners from China Some are of opinion that the Tartars have interment themselves with the Chineses From whence this opinion proceeds But Father Martinius contradicts this Opinion in his Chinese Atlas saying That the Japanners are not onely Extracted from the Chineses but also from the Tartars because they still retain some of both their Customs For they follow the Chinese Religion as also the same Apparel which at this day is worn in the Chinese Territory call'd Honan It is no wonder that this Territory could produce People enough to Plant Japan for it contains above eight great Cities and at least a hundred Populous Villages Moreover the Chinese Book of their Annual Accounts reckons that this Province can bring five Millions seven thousand two hundred and seventy Men into the Field But although the Japanners do so much resemble the Chineses in several of their Customs yet they also imitate the Tartars in many of their Fashions for they not only shave their Heads after their manner leaving but little Hair but they use also the Letters D and R which the Chinese Speech doth not acknowledge Martinius opinion concerning the Extract of the Japanners Martinius moreover relates That the Chinese Memorials make mention of Xio an Emperor who was deluded by a peculiar Person telling him That Japan produc'd an Herb which if the Emperor could get would make him Immortal for which he to be assur'd thereof sent several thither which never returning by degrees Planted our Japan A Catalogue of the great Persons and inestimable Revenues of Japan ¶ LAstly Concerning the Revenues that belong to this vast Empire it doth manifestly appear by the Sign'd Account of the In-comes of the Japan Princes and Kings taken by Francis Cairon The Revenues are reckon'd according to the Japan manner by Cockiens of which every one makes a French Crown The nearest to the Emperor which had the greatest Revenue in the time of Francis Cairon's Residence there was the King of Canga Getchiu and Natta call'd Cangona Tsiunangou living in the Castle of Langa Every Tun of Gold is 10000 l. His Yearly Revenue came seldom to less than a hundred and twenty Tun of Gold Surnango Daynongon King of the Territory of Surnga Toto and Micauwa inhabiting the Fort Faytsiu and Onwarino Daynaugou King of the Countreys of Owary and Mino Resident in the Fortress Mangay have each seventy thousand Pounds per Annum Sendayno Thiunangon King of Massanine and Ochio dwelling in the invincible Castle Senday hath Yearly above sixty four Tun of Gold 640000 l. Satsumanon Thiunangon King of Satsuma Ossina Fiungo and Luchio in the Fortress of Cangasima treasures Yearly sixty thousand Pound Sterling Kinocouny Dayanangon King of the Countreys of Kino and Iche commanding the Strong Hold of Wake Jamma hath Five hundred and fifty thousand Pound Sterling Yearly Near upon the like Sums have the Kings of Catto Fingonocamy of Fingo in the Fortress Koumamotte and Matsendeyro Jemnosco of Sunkicen in the Castle Foucasa and Matsendeyro Inocamy of Jetchesen keeping the Fortress of Oecde These petty Kings Catto Cibo of Osio Commanding the Fort Ais and Assaino Taysima of Bingo in the Burrough of Oky have each forty
between Meaco and Quano stands more Northerly into the Countrey the famous City Piongo which in the War that Nobanunga maintain'd after the Emperor Cubus's death was quite ruin'd For when Cavadonis Vocata Brother of the deceased Cubus who was the onely Person that was left alive of that Imperial Family escaping from his Enemies and flying to Vantandonus for Aid which he obtain'd was not onely nobly treated by him in his Castle but also endeavor'd by perswasions to stir up his neighboring Kings to take revenge on the Emperor's Murderers amongst whom Nobanunga King of Voari willingly embraced this opportunity to the end as he pretended to help Vocata to the Crown of his deceased Brother Cubus but contrary in a Civil War he embroil'd the whole Countrey for when Nobanunga had quell'd the Rebels and made Peace with their chief Commanders Mioxidoni and Diondoni he never so much as thought of establishing Vocata in the Throne but turn'd his victorious Army against other Japan Kings of which he brought thirty under his subjection as is said before and by these Conquests made himself Master of the whole Empire Amongst which fluctuating Commotions and Turmoils of an intestine War Piongo bore no small share for being taken by force it had not quite worn out the marks of Nobanunga's cruelties and soon after in the Year 1596. was totally ruin'd by a terrible Earthquake that more than half the City with Houses Temples and People were swallow'd up in the Earth and the remaining part thereof turn'd so topsie-turvie that it represented nothing but a heap of Ruins and Rubbish and miserable marks of Divine severity Terrible Earthquakes in Trugillo ¶ THese Earthquakes in Japan are very common as also in America and amongst other Places Trugillo a City in Peru Anno 1619. the fourth of February was exceedingly shaken by the like Trepidation a little before Noon the Ground began to move and in few Minutes ran the space of an hundred and sixty Leagues continuing very fiercely for fifteen Days all which time a dreadful Comet hung over their Heads which added if possible more terror to the Inhabitants expecting their utter destruction and the end of the World Two being struck with a consternation became dumb Besides those great numbers that were destroy'd and had scarce room to lie buried under the ruin'd Buildings it is worthy our observation how Peter Flores a Councellor Johannes Pontinus de Leon Secretary to the Peruan Bishop both Spaniards were struck with such a wonderful consternation that they became dumb and never spake after A strange accident Amongst others also happen'd another strange Accident which may serve as a fit pattern of Divine Justice A publick Notary coming over thither and being busied about drawing some Articles of Agreement by which a poor Man suffer'd much injury and great damage he having false Witnesses ready to Sign the same one there present discover'd the Cheat who falling out with the false Witnesses was by them drove out of the House and he no sooner being got in the Street but the House tumbled down killing him and his false Witnesses Great Earthquakes in Canada No less terrible was another late Earthquake in Canada The first of February Anno 1663. there arose a great noise and rumbling like Thunder in the Air whereupon soon after the Bells fell a Jangling as if they had Rung of themselves the Walls rent asunder great pieces of Timber and Stones fell on the Ground the Roofs of Houses and the Trees struck and fought one against another Near the Village call'd The Three Rivers two great Mountains with Woods were turn'd with the bottoms upwards Rocks and Mountains thrown into the River so making several Channels in the same and the Waters made new Inroads into the Countrey In other Places Hills were swallow'd up whole Woods remov'd and by Pauwels Village a Mountain was wash'd off by the Floods and became an Island and is still to be seen in the River But no Countrey in the World suffers so many Calamities and more almost total Ruines than this our Japan ¶ FRom Quano the Ambassadors took Shipping for between Quano and Mia the Ocean makes a great Bay so that none can travel by Land but with great Charges loss of Time and through bad Ways for which cause they hir'd sixteen Japan Vessels in which they Shipp'd their Goods Horses and Men so hoising Sail and having a small Gale of Wind it was Midnight before they reach'd Mia the Bay being about seven Leagues over Description of the City Mia ¶ THis City is very curiously built and adorn'd with many Temples and fortifi'd towards the Sea with a strong Castle Here the Hollanders stay'd a whole Night Narromi Siriomi and the stately City Occosacci ¶ THe Ambassadors parted from Mia the twenty fourth of January in the foremention'd Year 1646. travelling through the great Village Narromi and Siriomi to the stately City Occosacci full of curious Buildings and fortifi'd with a strong Castle which defends it from the sudden Onset of the Enemy To this City leads a Bridge of an hundred eighty eight Paces long over which the Hollanders carry'd their Goods Here they Din'd and in the Afternoon march'd on through Fintzara to Accasacci The Road thither is exceeding pleasant in some places of it divided by several Rivulets others with easie Ascents and delightful Valleys but each shaded with Trees The Retinue of the Lord of Bungien very strange About ten a Clock they reach'd the Village Ftagawa where they met with some of the Lord of Bungien's Soldiers who according to the Relation of the Interpreter came with a Commission from the Japan Emperor residing at Jedo to take possession of the Castle and Places belonging to Osacca The first Train was follow'd by the Lord himself who was carried in a Sedan after him follow'd his Ammunition and Houshold stuff guarded both by Foot and Horse which Rid on stately and well-train'd Steeds Arm'd with Bowes and Arrows Launces two Scymiters one short the other long with a Dagger and Helmets on their Heads and Wax-leather Boots The Foot as well as the Horse march'd very orderly and in good Martial Discipline not making the least noise nor any one Voice heard notwithstanding they were half an hour passing by in great Companies About eleven a Clock the Netherlanders descending a Hill entred the Village Siraski Siraski bordering the Sea being wash'd by the same on the right side and the left verg'd by a high Mountain cover'd with Trees Leaving Siraski they reach'd to Arei Arei where the Sea makes a Bay of a League and a half broad but is very shallow which put them to much trouble in carrying over their Goods because the Vessels oftentimes ran aground On the opposite side of this Bay lies on a Promontory Meisacca the Village Meisacca From hence Riding on in their Journey they went through several Villages along a Road on
when he girdled the Universe by Sailing round about it The Fleet set Sail from the Haven Nativitad under the Command of Michael Lopez de Legaspi who making his way through the South Sea discover'd those Islands which from Philip the Second are call'd Philippines where setling himself in the City Manilla he soon after built a great Church and three Cloysters the first for the Augustine Monks the second for the Franciscans and the third for the Dominicans The Spaniards possess'd these Islands quietly till a Fleet from China gave them disturbance and the first occcasion of War The Spaniards in Manilla are set upon by a Chinese Pyrate call'd Limahon One Limahon born in a City of China by name Trucheo a Person of mean Extract had a long while made the Seas dangerous for in a short time a great Company of Pyrates and Robbers joyn'd with him to the number of two thousand with which he Ransack'd and Pillag'd all the adjoyning Countrey Therefore the King of Cuytan rais'd all the Forces he could possible to take Limahon but he having notice of it retreated to a Sea-Port Town not having a sufficient Army to encounter the Vice-Roys Forces At the same time the Harbour lay full of Ships which his Men taking and setting Sail with them stood off to Sea making all Prize whatever he met with And being forty Sail all well Mann'd on a day he descry'd another Chinese Pyrate call'd Vintoquiam who had twenty Sail more than he yet Limahon resolv'd to set upon them and had such good Success that he conquer'd and made himself Master of fifty five Vessels more Vintoquiam himself hardly escaping with five Thus being encourag'd he resolv'd to set upon all Sea-Port Towns and Villages by which means all China was in an Uproar and in few days the Vice-Roy of Cuytan set out a hundred and thirty Vessels to Sea Mann'd with forty thousand Seamen Limahon having notice thereof made Sail toward the desolate Isle Touzuacotican to hide himself from the Navy Conducted by the Knight Omoncon Limahon's Actions Whilst he lay lurking there he seiz'd on two Ships richly laden and bound from Manilla to China The Prisoners which he took gave him information That there were not above seventy Spanish Soldiers in Manilla the rest being imploy'd to discover the adjacent Isles and how that the Countrey was fruitful and populous and the Inhabitants unprovided for War neither were they us'd to be disturb'd by it This News was very acceptable to him whereupon he steer'd his Course thither and Sailing beyond the Islands Illocos ran in sight of the New City Fernandina built by John de Salzedo and there fell upon a Spanish Galley freighted by Salzedo to fetch Provisions which he set on fire and without mercy put all the Men to the Sword Salzedo affrighted by so great a Fleet which steer'd directly towards Manilla immediately sent thither fifty four Spaniards to make resistance against the Enemy and to give them at Manilla notice of the Invasion to the end they might prepare all things in readiness against their coming But Limahon who was forc'd to Victual at the nearest Islands came after Salzedo whose Fleet was stor'd with all manner of Provisions arriv'd at Manilla in the Evening on the last of October Anno 1574. And had the Wind blown any thing hard that Night would have laid Manilla in Ashes and drown'd the Inhabitants in their own Blood For Limahon sent in the darkest part of the Night four hundred Men on Shore which he commanded to spare neither Fire nor Sword But the Sea going very hollow they could not possibly Land till next Morning at eight of the Clock About a League below the City they leap'd ashore and march'd up along a plain Field in good order with two hundred Musqueteers in the Front and as many Pike-men in the Rere towards the City Manilla The Countrey People discovering them brought the News to the Spaniards of which not one would believe it every one thinking it onely to be an Uproar made on purpose by the Natives Storms Manilla Mean time the Chineses came to the first House of the City in which the Field-Marshal Martin Goyty had his Residence which they fir'd and slew him with all his Family except his Wife which fled desparately wounded into the City By her every one might see how the Business was whereupon some Soldiers ran disorderly to encounter the Enemy but being all slain in a short time made the rest more wary who marching up very orderly against the Enemy forc'd them to retreat and at last drove them back to their Ships Limahon hearing this News weigh'd Anchor and Sail'd to the Haven Cabita two Leagues beyond Manilla At this time Guido de Labassares was Governor of the Philippines in the place of the Deceas'd Michael Lopez de Legaspy Labassares saw no likelihood to keep off so great an Enemy with Pallisadoes with which Manilla at that time was onely defended and to fly from thence would be too great a Reproach and Disgrace for the Spanish Nobles Therefore they thought it convenient to leave the City and on a Hill not far off with all speed to throw up a Platform The Spaniards raise Fortifications Two Days and Nights all those were imploy'd that were able to finish the Work ramming Poles into the Ground against which they nail'd Planks throwing Earth against them and Barrels with Sand. Four Iron Guns for so many they had in the City were planted on a Point of the New Fortification It so fortun'd that Limahon made some stay in the Haven Cabita whilst Salzedo brought fifty four Spaniards to Labassares Assistance Limahon burns Manilla The Fort was scarce finish'd and Salzedo enter'd with his Men when Limahon dropp'd Anchor at break of Day before the City Manilla and put six hundred Men on Shore which ran into the City and set the same on fire That done Storms their Fortification they march'd towards the new Fortification where they met with so stout Resistance that in short time two hundred of the Chineses were slain and as many wounded Is beaten off where on the contrary the Spaniards lost onely two Men an Ensign call'd Sancio Ortiz and another nam'd Francis de Leon. The Pyrates being thus roughly entertain'd durst adventure no more wherefore they Sail'd back to Cabita and from thence forty Leagues up the great Stream Pangasinan Goes to live near the River Pangasinan where he found a pleasant and fruitful Countrey and a convenient place to hide himself from the Chinese Forces So Sailing up a League into the Countrey he rais'd a Fort on a Promontory and forc'd the Inhabitants to pay him Tribute as their Prime Lord. From hence he sent Ships abroad continually which Cruising too and again about that Coast let not one Vessel scape they met with reporting That he had utterly routed the Spaniards from the Philippines These
hearken to his Proposals Thus Columbus and his Cause lay seven years quite neglected but when these Princes had by their several happy Victories subdu'd their Enemies he then in the beginning of the Peace and first halcyon after so long a Storm renew'd his Business and mov'd the Court of Spain once more The King and Queen then though low and their Treasure exhausted with the late Wars yet began to listen to him and at last were so much perswaded that they took up seventeen thousand Duckets upon Interest with which they Rigg'd and Furnish'd him out three handsom Vessels With which Columbus well satisfi'd set Sail Septemb. 1. Anno 1492. Columbus set Sail 1492. first directing his Course to the Canary-Isles from thence stood full West with a Trading Wind into the great Ocean where he soon after met with no ordinary Storms or Huricanes Winds blowing from all the Points of the Compass which sadly ruffled and shatter'd his Vessels next falling which Block prov'd to him worse than Aesop's Stork into continual Calms for there his Men growing sick and weary with lying so long at Sea Mutiny'd and despairing ever to see Land nothing would satisfie them but a speedy return to save their Lives whilst their Provisions lasted He thus put to it was inforc'd to promise them that if they discry'd not Land in three days he would perform their desire So it happen'd that at the appointed time they saw Westward near the Horizon sprinkling Clouds by which sign he overjoy'd bidding them be of good comfort and told them they should soon see Land which accordingly they did and soon after came to Anchor on the Coast of Florida where Landing Discovers Florida taking some short refreshment help'd by the Natives he took a survey of the neighboring Countrey and the adjacent Isles and whilst he barter'd Trifles for Gold and other rich Commodities he took possession of the Countrey by raising of a Fort in his Royal Masters name in which leaving forty eight Spaniards Commanded by Diego Arana Returns home he departed thence Fraighted with great Riches and ten of the Indians Soon after arriving in Spain he was receiv'd with great joy giving a good account to their Majesties of their success with which they were so well pleased that they furnish'd him out again then he discover'd the great Isles Hispaniola Discovers Hispaniola and Cuba and also Nombea De Dios and Panama and Cuba and the bottom of the great Bay of Mexico Thus Christopher Columbus finish'd fourteen years in several Expeditions discovering the West-Indies Americus Vesputius set forth by the King of Portugal to make a farther Discovery of the West-Indies Mean while the fame of these his grand enterprises stir'd up invited many other Sea-Captains to raise their Reputation and better their Fortune in like manner amongst which Americus Vesputius a Florentine was employ'd by Emanuel King of Portugal who making larger Inspections along the Continent got the denomination of those vast Territories the West-Indies now call'd America though Christopher Columbus was the first Discoverer Henry the Fourth Son to the King of Portugal discovers new Countreys But before we go on any farther with the business of Spain we shall give you a brief account of the Portuguese who mean while or rather before took up the Art of Navigation and became Sea-men following their new Discoveries to the South and Oriental parts of the World Their first Undertaker being the young Prince Henry Duke of Visco second Son to Henry the first King of Portugal the eldest being Heir Apparent and well provided by Patrimony and due Right of Succession to the Crown of Portugal after his Fathers decease the younger Brother being of a high and magnanimous Spirit was ambitious if so it might be the enjoying of his Native Land Birth-right had deny'd him to raise his Fortunes at Sea which who knew but might prove equivolent to his Brothers Kingdom and also encourag'd to Study the Art of Navigation by several Learn'd Persons who assur'd him by clear and many demonstrations that there was much Land that might prove of great concern altogether yet unknown and especially in the South beyond Maretania which could not be penetrated by Land by reason of the vast and unpassable Desarts and excessive heat but finding those Coasts by Navigation they might make a deeper inspection of the whole African Continent His first Voyage was beyond Mount Atlas Resolv'd upon this he put in action what with mature judgement he had design'd and getting all things ready furnishing some Ships for that purpose set Sail in the Year 1410 and Steering on was the first that sunk Mount Atlas lofty Crown under the Horizon being till that time the Terminary or Ne plus ultra of all Southern Navigation discovering beyond the Mount threescore Leagues off the Coast of Africa and so return'd but with mean success But not altogether daunted ten years after having replenish'd his stock design'd for such Adventures he fitted out another Fleet under the Command of Johannes Gonsalvez a good and expert Sea-man who first ventur'd to loose sight of Land and Sail into the Main Ocean where he though encountering many Storms prodigious Tempests cross Tides and unbridled Currents yet bore up couragiously and fighting his way through all Weathers and other Incumbrances reaching four hundred and twenty Leagues beyond Atlas where weary and over-power'd at last by such grand Opposers viz. Winds and Tides contented himself with the honour of so great a Discovery return'd These names they gave them at the first Discovery Thus this Prince in forty Years Discovering the Maderas the Isle Porto Sancto Cape de Verd and the Coast of Guinee and having the honour of opening the Bosom of the Southern Sea and making the Portuguese Navigators being of a great age he died in 1463. Alphonso the fifth discovers the African Coast After his Decease the whole business of Navigation fell and the Sea lay Fallow unploughed by the Portuguese twenty years when Alphonso the fifth King of Portugal taking hold of so well begun and long neglected a business the second time revived the Art of Navigation though much against the present humor of the People strenuously went on First Sailing beyond Cape de Verd finding the Island of St. Catherine and settled a constant Trade which came to a good account with the Negro's in Guinee He dying John the second succeeding him went on with the Work and set out Jaques Canus Discovers Congo a good Sea-Captain who first discover'd Congo and Sailing up a River penetrated much of the In-land thereabouts When stirr'd up much by the rumor of Christopher Columbus's Expedition employ'd by the King of Castile the fame being spread over all Christendom ambitious to match what Spain could do in the West with his Southern Expedition being so well prepar'd already by their former Voyages with great Cost and Care A Voyage of Bartholomew Diazio he
two Merchants of Tunis one of them whom they call'd Monzaido being well experienced in the Spanish Tongue and hospitable took him to his own House and afterward proffer'd all service and kindness to the Admiral Gama himself discovering the Condition of the Countrey and Inclinations of the Inhabitants Whereupon Gama sent this Merchant with two others joyn'd in Commission as Envoys to their Emperor or Zamarin who besought from Gama that he would permit them safe Landing that so he might present him Letters from his Master the Great King of Portugal which contain'd Matters of great consequence for the general good especially desiring an everlasting League of Amity and Peace How Gama was entertain'd The Zamarin or Emperor at that time resided in Pandarana a small City two Leagues from Calicut where Gama's Ambassadors had Audience and their Request without any scruple or dilatory demurs presently granted them taking it a great kindness and honour that he had made his Address on such an amicable purpose The Emperor also out of meer kindness advis'd them to come to Anchors under Pandarana there being a safer Harbor to protect them against the sudden violence of the Weather and that also there he might the better being so near in Person establish the Overtures of the King his Master And presently after he lent his prime Pleasure-Boat call'd Catuales from Pandarana to fetch Gama in fitting State to his Royal Palace But Gama Gama goes to the Emperor but not without being very circumâ—p ct who by late woful experience was grown cautelous considering the worst of what might happen chose twelve of his stoutest Sea-men to attend him as a Guard and some of his own Boats to wait ashore for his return and left the charge of his Ship to his Brother with Instructions that if any mischance should befall him which might detain him there or otherwise that he should speedily hoise Sail and carry the whole Relation to his Master the King of Portugal At that time these Indians had neither Horses nor other Cattel to carry Men or Burthens so that Gama was convey'd to the Palace in a Sedan In the Way he was met by some of the Emperors Attendance all Cloth'd in fine Linnen who employ'd for that purpose march'd orderly before him to the Palace and then conducting him by the Hand through several Anti-Chambers and Rooms of State The description of the Zamarin's Palace at Calicut at every Door and Entry standing ten of the Emperors Guard He entred at last the Presence which was very large and stately the Floor cover'd with a rich and costly Stuff interwoven with Silk and Gold the Walls hung with more rich and curious Tapestry round about upon ascending Steps on several Thrones all Princes his Privy Council sat The Emperor or Zamarin himself clad in white Cotton embroider'd all over with Golden Roses ty'd up with handsom Knots rich with invaluable Oriental Pearl lay supinely at his ease leaning upon his Elbow on a most glorious Couch wearing a Hat which rather resembled a Turbant of Massie Gold deckt with inestimable Jewels sparkling like Stars a great part of his Arms and Legs were neatly Hoop'd about with weighty Golden Rings which being Buckl'd sat close his Toes and Fingers Were cover'd with Jemald-Rings and Armlets set with Diamonds Near him stood an Officer with a flat Plate cover'd with Betel an Herb which the Indian Princes continually chew whose Vertue keeps always a sweet Breath and better than drinking allays Thirst correcting Crudities freeing the Stomach from all Qualms and the Head from melancholy disaffecting Vapors The Zamarin being of a black and swarthy Complexion his Body tall and burley his Limbs large and brawny for his Arms and Legs were naked shew'd enough in Countenance and Person the Majesty of a King Gama's Discourse to the Zamarin Gama being commanded to sit by an Interpreter declared first the occasion of his Address to his Imperial Majesty that he was sent from his Royal Master the King of Portugal in his behalf with Salutations and to kiss his Hand who endeavor'd being a great Prince himself to make amicable Leagues and everlasting Friendship with all other Foreign Monarchs wheresoever and in the first place with him hearing of his Majesties many singular Vertues Magnificence and Fame spread to the utmost Confines of the Universe he also commanded a Fleet to be Rigg'd and set forth under his Conduct who now having spent much time passing through many dangers an unmeasurable Way toss'd with all Winds on a turbulent Sea at last being happily Landed at this long desired Port and having receiv'd the extraordinary honor and favor of this his publick Hearing and Address he in the King of Portugal's Name humbly proposes what he so much desires that is not onely an establishment of a well-grounded Peace and friendly Correspondency betwixt the Princes but also that his and your People might drive a constant Trade and Commerce which might equivolently redound to the good and profit of both Nations Thus saying with a submiss and comely Posture he deliver'd his Letters written in Arabick and Portuguese with several Presents which though not costly yet their Novelty was such that the Emperor was strangely taken with several of them growing to that kindness thereupon that he proffer'd him all Friendship The Zamarin shews Friendship to Gama promising him of his own accord whatever he desir'd and then being more inquisitive entertain'd himself by enquiring of his King what manner of Person and the like then of his Countrey what and where it was and how far distant desiring to know of his strange Adventures in his so long a Voyage thither To all these he gave him a brief and handsom account which no less pleasing the Emperor caress'd him with a sumptuous Banquet after their manner both Parties being extremely satisfi'd Gama departed The fame of this Negotiation was next day all the News through the City all sorts of People for the most part well approving of what they heard onely the Saracen Merchants who were many and there residing drove a great and profitable Trade from thence to other Parts they hearing of this were strangely surprised being much troubled lest the Portuguese should break in upon them and carry a great part or all of this their rich Traffick into their own Channel nay this would not onely be destructive to their Estates but also to their Religion which is very catching by this means introduced might prove fatal to many of their Souls The Saracen Merchants incense the Zamarin against Gama These upon a double score love of Profit and hate of Christianity to which they bore an inveterate malice the next morning the primest of them gather'd together and went to the Palace with a ready Speech prepared to draw an odium upon the Portuguese who having ready admittance their business by their looks and behavior appearing to be serious and of no small concern they humbly shew'd to
with three Forts rais'd on three Hills being the outmost Angles of the Town The first and chiefest St. Paulo stands fortifi'd with thirty Brass Guns each carrying Balls of 36 pounds weight and is the Court and Residence of the Governor The second call'd Nostra Signiora Dellapenna de Francia And the third Nostra Signiora de Guyle are the Priory of the Cleusenars These so soon as they descry any Ships in the Offin Steering thither from Japan Manillas or any other Coast they give notice by Ringing their Bells This City hath also four Redoubts or strong Bulwarks on the Land side and three Fronting the Sea The first of these call'd St. Jago de la Barra is so great that it seems a City it self where two Platforms with well Mounted Guns make the place impregnable under whose command the Channel lying all Vessels must pass entring the Harbor Over whose Captain or Commander being Commission'd by the King himself the Governor hath no Authority The second Bulwark Nostra Signiora del bon Pelta Guardes the South-West side of the Town close without the Gates stands a Powder-Mill from whence a Wall running in manner of a Cressant Invirons a Bay or standing Pool replenish'd with a Water to the Bulwark Francisco Between the two Bulwarks or Redoubts are many stately Edifices near which stand their Land-Marks The third Bulwark Francisco hath at its Foot a Platform on which is always ready Mounted a Culvering that carries a Bullet of 48 pound weight which when Discharg'd at random height reaches to the Point of the Island Cavean From this runs a Wall towards the Land to St. Johns Bulwark near the Gate Lazaro and from thence up Hill to the Jesuites Colledge adorn'd with large and handsome Buildings Within the City the Jesuites Dominicans Franciscans Augustines and Cleusenars have their several Cloysters to which the three first add no small Splendor The Bishop of this place is under Diocess and Jurisdiction of the Arch-bishop of Goa The Trade of Macaw This City Macaw drives a great Trade with Tonkyn Quinam Champa Cambodia Macasser Solos Timos Marillas and formerly also Japan to which place none dare set Sail without Commission from their Council Their Traffick none of the meanest being Gold Silver White Silks Cloth of Tishew Rubies Pearls Musk Quick-Silver Spiljauter Porcelin China-Roots and Rubarb the City within also abounding with all manner of Artificers A great Storm which drove the Fleet from Japan After the Fleet lost sight of Macaw on the fourth of September there happen'd a terrible Storm and violent Rain mix'd with dreadful Thunder and Lightning which foul Weather was sadly guess'd at by a strange Sight Sirius or the Dog-Star the greatest and brightest of all the fixed Stars whose Body appeard darting out fiery Beams resembling Claws like a Scorpion Three days they suffer'd under this vehement Tempest and driving still more to the Leeward they were forc'd to drop Anchor which coming home and the Storm rather increasing they were not able to weigh again but for present safety cut their Cables and carrying onely a fore Course they lost nine Leagues more of what they had formerly gain'd then attempting to put out their main Course that they might not lose any longer so much of their Way Peter Davenson a stout Sea-man and good Commander handling the Tackle was carried over-board Sail and all Upon this a Council being presently call'd to consult of what was best to be done in this exigency all their Lives lying at stake they resolv'd to lie upon a close Hale and bear what Sail they could if possible so to double the Point of Piscadores from thence to bring her to their intended Course if Wind and Weather permitted which by that time might prove more favorable but that Night it blew so hard that they could scarce carry their Sprit-Sail yet in the Morning growing calmer they put out their Mizne to keep them from Driving to the Southwards finding themselves in 22 Degrees Northern-Latitude but when they hop'd the violence of the Tempest had been spent at Noon it began afresh blowing from the East with greater violence than ever in which they lost their Sprit-Sail when despairing and quite out of hope of any possibility of preservation the Wind all the fore-part of the Night continuing the same fury then believing themselves at Deaths-door and ready to be swallow'd up it pleas'd Divine Providence in mercy to asswage the great violence of the Tempest and the Wind changing they lay more Eastward haling close aboard their main Tackle so got within a League of the Coast of China under which being high Land and shelter'd by the Spoon-Mountain which broke off the fury of the Weather they had smoother Water and at last being deliver'd from so great a danger came safe to Anchor at Formosa Description of the Island Formosa ¶ THe Formosan Isle formerly call'd by the China's Paccande extends it self in length from the South to the North and in breadth East and West being an hundred and thirty Leagues in Circuit the Prospect shews you much rising Ground and a Hilly Countrey which abounds with Deer great store of wild Goats Hairs Coneys Swine Tygers and the Luvasey whose Flesh hath a delightful and excellent rellish The Woods also have no want of Pheasants and Pigeons The Ground being fruitful produceth store of Sugar Ginger Cinamon Coco-Nuts and several other Necessaries fit for humane sustenance besides full of populous Villages They are Govern'd by several Lords not depending nor acknowledging any Superior so that each Town being a Republick they still have Wars and are at difference one with another Town against Town Village against Village insomuch that Peace never set foot in that Isle Of their many Villages the prime and of chiefest note are Sinkan Mandauw Soulang Backeloang Taffacan Tifulucan Teopan and Tefurang the last in a Valley near the High-lands where Fort Selandia stands formerly call'd Tyovan The Inhabitants of Tefurang are very salvage The Inhabitants of this Village are rude and salvage robust and almost of a Gigantick size Their Customs not black like the Caffers and count it no immodesty to go stark naked Their Women well built for stowage short and inclining to grossness wearing Apparel yet twice a day they strip themselves and are not asham'd to bathe and wash in publick These though a barbarous People are kind to the Netherlanders heartily entertaining them with their own though mean yet wholsome Fare Inhabitants of Soulang Soulang breeds a needy spiteful inhospitable and a bloody People Notwithstanding the fruitfulness of the Soil they commonly live in want being extreme lazy tilling no more than they suppose will supply their necessity which often falling short they are so hardly put to it that when they perceive Provision growing scant they live sparingly many days or else they might be utterly famish'd for in such exigencies they never help one another nay they are so
THis Spacious and Wealthy Isle by the Natives call'd Nippon and formerly by the Spaniards Argantana and in the Year of Christ Twelve hundred according to that Famous Author Paulus Venetus Chryse and Zipangry hath on the East-side California Its bordering Countreys and New-Granada but at a vast distance an Ocean of a thousand Leagues spreading betwixt Westward but far off it looks upon the Isle of Corca and Great China Hugh Linschot reckons the nearest Promontories or Head-lands stretching from China to Japan to be eighty Leagues distance The North opposes the Land of Jesso and the Straights of Anian and beyond all the Coast of America The South verges on the Philippines Mindanao Gilolo and the Molucco Isles And Latitude It extends from thirty to forty Degrees Northern-Latitude so that the longest day is fourteen Hours fifteen Minutes and the shortest nine Hours forty five Minutes Their highest Sun appears 15 Degrees at Noon short of the Zenith The Air differs not much from the Temperature of the Islands Sardinia Rhodes Cyprus Candia and Sicilia and like that of the main Land of Portugal and Spain and as moderate as Arabia Syria Persia and China Division of the same ¶ JApan is divided into five Provinces Jamaystero Jetsengo Jetsesen Quanto and Ochio besides the Isles Saykok and Chiccock Maffeus calls Saykok Ximum making that seven Provinces but Francis Cairon being an Eye-Witness deserves more to be credited He affirms That several Kings Govern there and also in Chiccock one King and three Vice-Roys That part of this Countrey that is call'd corruptly Japan boasts two Metropolitans Miaco and Jedo Maffeus also tells us That this hath fifty three Kingdoms amongst which he names Miaco and Amangutium saying Miaco consists of twenty three and Amangutium of thirty Kingdoms but of late all these petty Kingdoms are fallen into the Lap of one Sole Monarch or Emperor who keeps his Magnificent Court at Jedo But Japan also besides Saykok and Chiccock lies surrounded with several lesser Isles as Hiu Tacaxuma Iquicuchi Canga Firando Meacxima Oeno Cocyque Beroe Oqui Murgan Avans Mettogamma Meho Mianisinu Sando being full of Silver Mines Vulcans Isle and Vulcania often ejecting hideous Flames to the Sky lying to the West beyond the Straights of Diemon which washes the Isles Chiccock and Tacaxuma The Territory of Ochio ¶ OChio the North-East Territory of Japan borders on the vast Wildes of Jesso For the Inlet or Bay which divides them runs not up above forty Leagues there ending stopt by the Mountains of Ochio Description of the great Countrey Jesso ¶ THe Extent of Jesso being Mountainous and abounding with costly Furs is yet unknown although the Emperors of Japan were much concern'd taking great pains about the Discovery thereof to that purpose imploying several Persons at his own Cost and Charges who made search over Rocks and Mountains and almost inaccessible Places explor'd vast and wild Countreys very far but found no end though they diligently inquir'd of the People who being Salvages could give them no Account further than where they dwelt So after long Toyl and Trouble they were forc'd to return without any Effect of their Design as we said before The Jesuit Lodowick Frojus in his Letter of the eight and twentieth of February 1565. to the Indian Fathers writes thus concerning the Inhabitants of Jesso Against the Northermost Part of Japan about three hundred Leagues from Meaco is a very large Countrey full of Salvage People The Inhabitants of Jesso are horrible People which are Cloth'd in Skins of Wild Beasts Hairy all over their Bodies having exceeding great Beards and long Whiskers or Mustachioes which they turn up with Sticks made for that purpose when they drink They covet and are very desirous of Wine also Valiant in War and therefore much fear'd by the Japanners If by chance they receive any Hurts in an Encounter their onely Application is Salt Water with which they bathe and wash the Wound so drying it up On their Bosoms they wear Looking-Glasses which serve them as Shields or Breast-plates Their Swords they tye about their Heads in such a manner that the Hilt thereof hangs on their Shoulders They onely Worship the Moon Aquita a great City stands in the Territory of Genuaen bordering Jesso Hither the Natives come in great Numbers to Trade and also the Aquitans Travel to them but not in such Multitudes because they are oftentimes cut off and murder'd by the Inhabitants Error of the Geographers concerning Japan ¶ THe Maps of the World our Terrestrial Globe have till of late plac'd nothing beyond Aquita but the Ocean though long since confuted by Hugh Linschot proving upon the testimony of the Jesuit Frojus who deserves to be more credited as having resided a long time in Japan than some of our Geographers who set down by hear-say the Largeness and Extent of Japan without any Proofs or Testimony whereas it is made manifest That Japan extends it self much further than commonly drawn Moreover Francis Cairon Ambassador to the Emperor of Japan at Jedo witnesses That the Largeness of this Countrey is not known to the Inhabitants themselves Mistake of Maffeus and Cluverius Therefore Maffeus is much mistaken when he sets down the length of Japan to be two hundred Leagues and its greatest breadth but thirty And Cluverius in his Geography reckons the length to be an hundred and fifty Leagues and the breadth seventy Hazarts ignorance concerning the Description of Japan But none more errs in this than the Jesuit Cornelius Hazart in his History of the Island of Japan which that we may the better answer hear his own Words Japonien or as others call it Japan by the Inhabitants Nippon is a Territory lying in the farthest Point of the East being the outmost Borders of Asia which to prove he quotes Isaiah cap. 18. ver 2. For although to the West to the Frontiers of China Vide Isaiah is no more than fifty Leagues says he and to the City Amacoa two hundred ninety seven and on the South having so vast an Ocean no known Countrey being beyond Japan may certainly be call'd The Worlds End And standing divided into so many small Islands that a Geographer of our times calls it also A World of Isles the chiefest of which are Niphon Ximus and Xicocus consisting of sixty six several Kingdoms The Isle of Niphon reckons fifty three boasting also many stately Cities of which the Metropolis is Meaco The Island Ximus hath nine and several handsom Towns amongst which Usuquin Funai and Cangoxima The Isle Xicocus accounts no more than four Kingdoms Which being taken together Japonien is as big as all Italy Though this his Style be ridiculous yet his Ignorance and so strangely false Description is so much more that he ought rather to be pittied and laugh'd at as one distracted than to be answer'd but that we are bound in Conscience to undeceive his believing Readers Hazart's false
thousand Pound Sterling Yearly The Kings Matsendeyro Nangato of Sova living in the Castle of Fangy and Mittons Thiunango of Fitayts in the Fort Mit and Nabissima Sinano of Fisien commanding the Castle Logioys and Matsendeyro Sindairo of Inabafoky in the Fortress Tackaham receive Annually Three hundred and ten thousand Pound Sterling Near upon the like Revenue hath Todo Ishumi King of Ingu Iche his Royal Fort or Palace being call'd Sou and Matsendeyro Lonuey of Bisen commanding the Castle Ossajamma and Inno Caimon of Totomy inhabiting the Strong-Hold Sawajamma and Tosso Cauwa Jetchin King of Boyses in his Royal Seat Cokera and Ojesungu Dainsio King of the great Territory of Jatsengo Governing and Residing in the Fortress Gunysauwa and Matseddeyro Denico and also the Lady Jetsengo Queen of Formando and there Residing Revenues of the Japan Dukes Next The Secondary Princes or Dukes as we may stile them are Mansendeyro Auwa Commander of the Countrey Auwa dwelling in Incts and Matsendeyro Jutchigonocamy Duke of Conge the Seat of his Government being Tacato and Matsendeyro Tsiusio Prince or Duke of Joo Residing in his well-fortified Citadel Mats Jamma Each of these supplies his Exchequer with Fifty three Tun of Gold Yearly Arjama Grimba Duke of Tsickingo Commanding the Castle Courme falls short of their Revenues ten Tun of Gold Revenues of the Japan Earls Their Third Degree of Princes which we may call Earls are to be distinguish'd by their Name thus Morino Imasack Earl of Imasacka his principal Fort being Tsiamma next Tory Inganocam Governor of Sewano dwelling in Jammangatta then Matsendeyro Tosa Prince of Tosnacory Residing in his Strong-Hold Tocosiamma and Satake Okiou Governor of Wano keeping his Court in the Fortress Akita as also Matsendeyro Simosaucamy Lord of Simosa dwelling in the Castle Tattebays have each of them Yearly twenty Tun of Gold But these two Lords such as we may term Barons Foriwo Jamaissiro and Ikouno Jokonocamy one Governing Inomo and the other Sanike are well pleas'd with each sharing yearly Eighteen thousand pound Sterling But these though of lesser Dignity as Fonda Kaynokamy of Faryma and Sackay Counay Ruling in the great Territory Wano receive each of them Annually Fifteen Tun of Gold Their Knights Revenues Those which at our Rates we may look upon as no more than Knights are Tarasauwa Simedo commanding Fisen Kiongock Wakasa Ruler of Wakasa Forii Tango in the Countrey Jetchesen Menfio Fiongo in Bingo and Sackosbarra Eskibou Governor of Kooske receive every one yearly Twelve Tun of Gold Mansendeyro Tawayts Commander of the Imperial Fort Quana and Oeckendeyro Imasacka Ruler of Simotske inhabiting in the Fort Oetsnomico and Sanada In s Governor of Sinano residing in the Castle Koske and Taytfibanna Finda in the Countrey Sickingo dwelling in the Strong-Hold Imangouwa being all Knights Every one of these boasts no less Means than Ten thousand Pound a Year And also the Knights Ongasaura Ouckon of Firima Indatiu Vontomiu of Gio and Nambou Sinano of the great Territory Ochio and Niwa Groseymon likewise of Ochio receive a thousand Pound less than the former Abeno Bitchiou Governor of the Imperial Castle Watsuky in the mighty Countrey Mousayes hath for his Yearly Revenue Eighty thousand Pound Sterling The Knights Kiongock Oenieme of Tanga dwelling in the Fort Tanabe and Makino Surnga in the far-spreading Countrey Jethingo Nackangauwa Nisien in Bongo Matsendeyro Camba in Sinano Nayto Samma in Fitayts These have yearly Seventy thousand Pound The Lords Itho Chiutry of Fongo commanding the Castle Orasy and Fourta Fiwo of the Countrey Iwamy ruling the Fort Daysiro Wakisacka Arbays of Sinano residing in the Fortress Ino Touky Nangato in Johe Toba Arima Seymonoske of Nuko Outa Fiwo of Jamatta Matsendeyro Dewado of Jetsesen Inaba Minbou of Bongo Croda Caynocamy of Chinano Matsendeyro Sovodonno of Isumy Tonda Sammon of Socinnocammu Stotfianangu Kemmets of Ichie Fonda Ichenocamy of Micauwa Matsendeyro Jamayssiro of Tamba Mori Caynocamy of Inga Johe Tonda Notanocamio of Farima Ahito Sionoske of Fitaits Assano Oenime of Chione Neyto Cinocamy of Chione Catto's Kibodo of Ochio Sama Daysiennocaniu also of Ochio and Commander of the Castle Sama Fonda Jamatta of Taysima Ouckob Cangato of Mino and Neyto Boysen of Dewano All these Lords have for their yearly Revenue five Tun of Gold apiece The Habit of the Japan Lords ¶ THe Habits of these Lords are very Rich They wear short Coats with wide Sleeves curiously stitch'd with Silver and Gold Under their upper Garment they wear a Silk Wastcoat ty'd close about them with a Girdle in which they put their Scymiters Their Breeches are so exceeding wide and long that they tread upon them as they go for they hang down over their Heels Upon the bottom of their Wastcoats a little above the Waste-band of their Breeches they have Pourtray'd their Coat of Arms. Revenues of their meaner Lords Moreover these following Lords Inawa Aways of Tamba Camy Dyrik of Iwamy Cattayngiri Ismou of Jamatta Chonda Findanocamy of Jetsesen have yearly forty thousand Pound Sterling a Man And Itacoura Sovodonne Governor for the Emperor of the mighty City Meaco receives above the foremention'd Forty thousand Pound four Tun of Gold yearly from the Countreys of Jamaisico The like Revenue the Lords Matsendeyro Bongo of the Countrey Iwamy Fondo Nayky of Firima Matsendeyro Tango of the great Countrey Ochio Canna Mauris Isoumo of Finda and Ciongok Chiury of Tango receive annually The following Lords as Outta Giwe of Mino Matsendeyro Ouckon of Farima Minsonoja Ichenocawy of Kooske Immasacka Kaynocamy of Bitchiou Matsendeyro Jammatto of Jetsesen Inno Fiwo of Costie Matsendeyro Tonnomon of Mikauwa Akisuckis Nangako of Nicko Savo Inaba of Sinano Foyssimo Fongo likewise of Sinano Sunganoma Ouribe of Totowy Simaes Oemanoska of Nicko Kinostay Jemon of Bongo Sono Kussima Governor of the Island Siussima Koyndo Fimano of Tonga Fonda Fimosa Commander of the Imperial Fort Nissiwo in the Countrey Micauwa Gorik Sersnocamy also of Mikauwa Chinsio Suraga of Fitayts Secuma Fisen of Sinano Todo Toiusima of Mino Fonda Isumy of Fitayts Tongauwa Tosa of Bitchiou and Mansendeyro Tosa of Jetsesen All these receive yearly three Tun of God apiece Revenues of other Lords Lastly the Lords Sugifarra Foky of Fitayts Kinostay Counay of Bitchiou Matsendeyro Koysero of Farima Inasacka Tsonnocamy Matsendeyro Kenmots of Tamba Masteysacke of Ochio Omoura Minbou of Fisen Matsendeyro Isumi of Mino Matsendeyro Chinocamy of Tsounocoumy Minsus Faito of Micauwa Nyto Tatewaky of Chiono Ongasawary Wakasa of Simosa Fichicatta Cammon of Chiono Iwaky Sirrosy likewise of Chiono Rikongo Fiongo of Dewano Takanacca Oenieme of Boungo Mourii Ichenocamii and Boungo Wakebe Sackion of Totomy And Isifoys Insnocamy Commanding Oungoury Kourosie Farima Oscca Cammejomme Sanbonmats Daymats Iwamoura Faynctory Coria Iwayffowo Sekyada Mawaffa Jedowra Jurii Founay Ounaus Oumiso Cosiois Receive each of them Twenty thousand Pound Sterling of Yearly Revenue Revenues of their lowest
bare Ground cross-Legg'd then they call upon their Master their black god the Devil with distracted mutterings thundring loud Charms and horrible Imprecations That he would be graciously pleas'd to enter and possess the Child that from thence as from an Oracle they might have a Response to their Question Whereupon soon after as they relate the Youth suddenly begins to froth and foam at the Mouth rowling and gogling his Eyes skrewing his Neck and Body into hideous Postures like Convulsion-fits then by these signs knowing the Boy to be possess'd he asks where the Goods missing are Whether lost or stoln Which way they went and Where to be found Whereupon the Boy answers directly giving them an account what became of them and how they shall be recover'd The Priests call'd Janambuxi are sent for to the Sick Besides these Janambuxi there are another sort of Mountain-Priests which haunt and frequent solitary Villages and Towns whose Office is to visit the Sick when they are sent for by whose Bed-sides they sit Night and Day muttering strange Words and Incantations which none there understands and the harder because all Expressions belonging to Religion have a distinct Dialect by it self and in Writing a more difficult Character than any other Hendrick Hagenaer a Hollander says That he hath himself seen several of these Jammaboos wearing a long Cord with white Bobs like Buttons about their Necks rolling their Eyes and distorting their Faces in a wonderful manner A Strange Accident that hapned to a Jammaboos During the said Hagenaer's Residence there it hapned that a Sick Person sent for one of these Jammaboos who according to their manner spent a considerable time in muttering or reading to himself and whilst he was thus earnest in his Devotion he and those that were there present seeing no Mouth open This is a common trick of those that can speak in their Bellies nor any Lips stir heard a Voyce saying Why do you molest me I brought not this Sickness upon the Diseased I am but a Minister that am sent from your Enemy with this Distemper First appease and satisfie him and I have done and shall trouble him no more The strange Language us'd in the Japan Religion from whence extracted That which is said concerning the Jammaboos using a peculiar Dialect in Matters of Religion to the end they may not be understood by the Common sort of People it is certainly believ'd That they have borrow'd the same from the ancient Celtian Druydes who brought this Practice first from the Gothes a People inhabiting Ascania being Swedland Norway and Schoonen who long before under their Commander Taunasis to mend their colder Quarters broke into Aegypt where they slew the King of that Countrey Vesofis after that running over a great part of Asia and fought several Battels with the Persian Monarchs Xerxes Cyrus and Darius not fearing to ingage Alexander the Great so making their way by the Sword to India and China Thus these Druydes their Northern Priests grew familiar with the Indian Brachmans and they with the Japan Bonzies Laertius vit a Phil. Studying each others Doctrine Diogenes Laertius relates That the Indian Gymnosophists and Druydes always taught in obscure and mysterious Dialects admonishing their People in the first place to honor the Gods to do nothing that is base and wicked and to contemn their Life being call'd to Service of their King and Countrey Pomp Mel. In Geogr. Pomponius Mela says That the Druydes instruct and teach their Disciples their whole Doctrines in private divulging onely to the Common People the Immortality of the Soul which Science they are bound by an Oath to keep secret Seldinius tells in what Words they Swear which are these I charge you by the Circle of the Sacred Sun the unconstant Motions of the Moon and by the Power and Influence of all other Celestial Luminaries That you never make known to the Vulgar what I shall inform you withal nor ever forget your Master nor the Benefits you have receiv'd from him And in so doing the Gods will not onely defend you but grant also what-ever you shall desire But those that break this Sacred Oath the Gods will cast them out of their Possession and in stead of Blessings will overwhelm them with all sorts of Miseries and Misfortunes and an unhappy end Xaverius affirms this saying That a Brachman Youth and he being alone together told him That his Master before he would instruct them in his Doctrine made them take the foremention'd Oath binding them never to discover those things which he should teach them Moreover concerning the Druydes manner of Instructing their Youth Caesar relates thus Cas Bell. Gall 7. They learn them says he divers Verses which they keep in memory some spending twenty Years in the right understanding and expression thereof judging it not lawful to write them down but thus to be preserv'd by Tradition He says also That they use a Greek Character Description of the Harbore-Bonzi ¶ THe Japanners that belong to the Groves or Forest-Priests also range all over the Countrey in great Companies These Itinerary Ministers they call Harbore-Bonzi which ran after the Netherland-Ambassadors craving Alms But for the most part they reside in Woods and dark Recesses under Ground by which they are so overgrown and look so strangely shabby with Clotted and Elf-lock'd Hair hanging down over their Shoulders matted and unkemb'd Beards that Strangers are often afrighted at the sight Their Caps being round are made of pleited Rushes on the top they wear a Tuft of a Black Horses Taylor Mane about their Middle a Girdle stuff'd with Cotton Their upper Coat also of Cotton with short Sleeves The under Garment or Vest of Deer-skins a Bag hanging by ten Strings at their Girdle In their Left-hand they carry a large Staff lopp'd from the Setang a Tree bearing Fruit like our Medlars Their Shoes they fasten by tying them round about their Ancles with Leather-Thongs the Soles have four Nails driven in them with such broad Heads that when many walk together they make a noise like a Troop of Horse At the thirtieth Year of their Age they begin to Study Necromancy Gengues or Soothsayers ¶ THe Ambassadors also met with another sort of Juggling Wizards or Fortune-tellers call'd Gengues who pretend to discover Thieves and Stoln Goods These People dwell in small Huts on the tops of Hills They are scarce to be distinguish'd from one another by their Faces being so much Weather-beaten never hiding them from the heat of the Sun Cold Hall Rain or Wind but going continually bare Marriage is permitted amongst them provided they take one of their own Sect and Family of the Gengues Furthermore What is written concerning these Conjurers by Father Lodowick Frojus in his Letter from Meaco dated February 26. Anno 1565. I shall here recite but leave the Reader to his choice of believing or rejecting it The Gengues says he have a Horn
the cleansing of the Graves of his Deceas'd Friends and Relations A dangerous way for the Netherland-Ambassadors ¶ THe Ambassadors Frisius and Brookhurst parting from the Village Faccone soon after encounter'd with a steep and craggy Mountain where getting to the top they ran exceeding great hazard in descending the same the Path not being above two Foot broad and full of Stones having a steep Hill rising on one side and a Precepice on the other that a weak-brain'd Person was not able to look down without danger of being taken with a Dizziness for one of the Ambassadors Train looking upon the Descent was taken suddenly with a Vertigo and so dropp'd over the Pummel of his Saddle that he fell from his Horse where he had miserably perish'd but that holding fast by the Reyns his Horse dragg'd him up where he soon after recover'd They enter the City Oudauro and in the Evening they reach'd Oudauro a stately City one side thereof being adorn'd with a sumptuous Palace surrounded with Stone Walls having also many Spires which are seen at a great distance The Japanners residing here relate An Earthquake in Oudauro That a few Years before a terrible Earthquake had shaken the Countrey exceedingly all thereabouts besides what damage the People sustain'd by the loss of their Houses Steeples and Churches also swallowing up a strong Castle the Ground gaping very terribly so devouring the Fort and the Hill whereon it was rais'd which stood in the same place where the new Castle is now built It is no wonder in Japan for whole Cities or Countreys to be swallow'd up or turn'd topsie-turvey A Japan City swallow'd up and shuffled into Ruins and Rubbish At the Foot of the Mountain Faccone stood formerly a famous City which in few Hours both Men Beasts and Buildings was swallow'd up together in one destruction in place whereof onely a great and almost fathomless Lake appear'd by which the Netherland-Ambassadors pass'd The Opinion of the Japanners concerning Earthquakes Concerning the Reason of these Earthquakes or from whence they proceed the Japanners themselves are of several Opinions Most of them hold and affirm That a great Sea-monster or Leviathan beats the Shore with his Tail every blow of which shakes the Neighboring Countreys The Ancient Greek and Latin Philosophers differ also much concerning the Reason of Earthquakes which are the most terrible of all Humane Afflictions Concerning which hear Plato and Seneca in their own Words the first in his Athenian Antiquities Plato in Timeo A terrible Earthquake hapned which a Day and a Night mov'd the Ground towards a Brook which is now call'd the Mediterranean Sea in which were all your Ancestors swallow'd up Sonec Nat. Quest and also a whole Isle then call'd Atlantis Seneca saith You see whole Countreys remov'd out of their Places Main Continents divided into scatter'd Isles So the Sea also parted Calpe from Abile Barbary from Spain and likewise Sicily from Italy As we hold England from France Ireland â—â—om Wales In our time several whole Countreys and Fields have been so shuffled that the Boundaries and Situations were never found again This happens says he by Winds inclos'd in the Bowels of the Earth which pen'd up like a Cholick striving for vent rumbling up and down in getting passage it not onely shakes but tears up the Superficies They say of old That Ossa and Olympus were but one Mountain but since divided as now they stand by an Earthquake Moreover Pliny tells us Plin. Lib. 1. cap. 91 92. That the steep Mountain Cybotus with the City Curite and also the famous Cities Supylum and Tantalis in Magnesia Galanis and Gamales in Phenicia the Mountain Phegium in the Moors Countrey the Cities Pyrha and Antissa in the Lake Meotis Elice and Bura in the Corinthian Bay were all drown'd and swallow'd in like manner Pausanius relates That Elice and Bura sunk thirty seven Years before the Birth of Alexander the Great The Reasons of Earthquakes are adjug'd to be several Also of the Cause of Earthquakes the Variety and several Manners of its Aguish Fits Writers differ much Democritus tells us That abundance of Rain soaking through the Crannies and Porous parts of the Earth swelling its Belly like a Dropsie rises and recoyls towards the Superficies to disembogue it self but wanting vent beats seeking a Passage against the upper Ground which causes that Trepidation Thales held That the Earth being a floating Ball danc'd upon the then more troubled Waters the cause of its Shaking But the more Modern Opinion which seems most likely is That these Shakings of the Earth arise from a Sulphureous and Nitrous Matter which either by Fermentation or some other Accident taking Fire in the Bowels of the Earth blows up like the springing of a Mine which sudden Bounce in like manner shakes all Parts about it and opens the way that in a Train it explodes other like Combustible Matter And after as many times it happens it makes Breaches whence Flashes of Fire breaking forth tear the Surface of the Earth The right opinion of Aristotle concerning Earthquakes The most Learned agree That these Tremblings rather arise from imprison'd Winds in the vast Caverns of the Earth whose former Passages being stopp'd by accidental falls of Earth and Internal Ruins seek a Vent else-where Or whether it be that the Winds descending nearer the Center finding no way back or whether the thirsty Earth being in Nature dry sucks up abundance of Moysture which either by Subterranean Heat or the piercing Warmth of the Sun-beams are rarified into more stirring Vapors which wanting room for its Activity breaks through the very Adamantine Dungeons of the Earth which violent Ruptures shake the Superficies being also torn and rent in like manner Thus holds Aristotle also demonstrating the same with several Philosophical Arguments saying and proving by Experience That the greatest Earthquakes happen always in serene and calm Weather which falls out in September and March when commonly the Air is most turbulent these Meteors seeming to have left the middle Region of the Air and got into the middle Bowels of the Earth Which he makes more apparent saying That the Earthquakes never cease till the Winds break forth through the erupted Earth again And that those Countreys that have most Excrescencies being more Mountainous and nearest the Sea are oftner troubled with this dire and sad Infliction whereas the Champaign and Inland Countreys scarce ever hear of a Terrene Trepidation The differences of Earthquakes Some Philosophers reckon up three sorts of Earthquakes others seven The first is That the Earth tosseth like a Boat upon the Sea which subverting quite overthrows so many fair Buildings The second seems like a Knocking or great strokes under the Ground which makes the Superficies recoyl and fall inclos'd Vapors then seeking a Passage The third a Ripping and Renting of the Earth into yawning Graves in which are swallow'd up
amongst them Hannibal himself being wounded in the Thigh with a Pike was forc'd to Retreat and the Army rested till their General was cur'd who then mustering his Forces afresh Besieg'd the City closer than before Strange destruction of Saguntus a hundred and fifty thousand being daily in Arms against whom the Saguntines were forc'd to keep Watch on all Corners The Enemies Battering-Engines had by this time made Breaches in the Walls in several Places three Towers undermin'd also turn'd topsie-turvey So that the City lay in a manner open and undefended and the Soldiers which fill'd the Breaches were naked and without shelter having neither Battlements nor Breast-works against which Hannibal drew up his whole Army Hope spurr'd on the Assailants and Desparation kept the Defendants in their Stations so the Storm was very fierce long and well maintaind Hannibal if his Men did their parts not doubting but to carry the City made a fierce Assault the Saguntines making good their Breaches with Throngs of Soldiers match'd with equal Valour the Carthaginians in so close a Body that the Enemies Arrows never mist a Mark. The Saguntines answer'd them with thrown Javelins Strange Darts carrying Wild-fire which were so terrible and did such Execution that Hannibal was forc'd to Retreat Thus both Parties being tired there hapned a short Cessation Onely the Saguntines labour'd day and night to make up the Breaches of their ruin'd Walls Soon after Hannibal giving the Plunder of the City to the Soldiers made a more fierce and general Assault Saguntus is divided in the middle But the Saguntines having divided the Town rais'd a new Wall with the old Houses Here they made fresh Resistance against the Enemy it being then eight Months that they had suffer'd so great a Siege In the interim their Wants began daily to increase and their Hopes of being Reliev'd by the Romans vanish'd the Enemies never ceasing from Storm For though Hannibal went with a part of his Army against the Oretans and Carpetans which he much fear'd yet Maharbal Hamilcar's Son went on so fiercely that none could observe the Generals absence pulling down the new Wall in three several Places and setting upon them with such fury that he made himself Master of some of their Fortifications The Business seeming thus to be finish'd the Besieg'd besought that they might Treat with Hannibal concerning Peace But the disturb'd General was too much incens'd to give ear thereto yet by the Entreaties of the Spaniard Alorcus they obtain'd so much at last that Hannibal would permit the Saguntines to depart and inhabit in such Countreys as he should appoint for them but that they should leave all their Gold Silver and other Treasures behind With these Proposals of Agreement Alorcus went over the Walls into the City at whose coming all the Council gather'd Thither the People also repair'd from all Corners to hear the News The chiefest of the Council without giving any Answer upon the propos'd Articles departed and went away bringing their greatest Treasures into the Market-place where setting Fire on them they also stabb'd themselves The Saguntines burn themselves and their City and fell in the Flames This occasion'd a sudden Alteration which was agitated by a great Cry from the Fortification for a Tower having been storm'd and shaken a long time fell to the Ground which making a great Gap in the Walls a whole Band of Africans seeing the Guards fled to the Market-place throng'd in Of which Hannibal having sudden notice immediately enter'd the City without any resistance with several thousand Men But the Citizens in like manner as Xibatadono in a moment set Fire on all their Houses chusing rather to be burnt with their Wives and Children than to be slain by Hannibal's Sword Thus Toquixiro having Conquer'd Xibatadono's Castle he return'd to Meaco where he not only chang'd his first Name Toquixiro but also his second Faxiba which Nobunanga had given him calling himself Cambacundono that is Supreme Lord of Japan and after that Anno 1504. took upon him the Name of Taicosama that is Mighty Emperor Policy of Taicosama ¶ BUt though he had thus brought under his absolute Subjection the whole Island yet he warily consider'd how to prevent future Inconveniences and what might happen to his prejudice under his new Acquirements For several of his Substitute Kings being of Ancient Royal Blood would not easily submit themselves to an Emperor of so mean an Extract and that if any of them should but once appear against him it might shake his new-laid Foundation and the whole Fabrick of his Government the rest of the Princes being ready to follow their Examples which might suddenly cause a general Defection and so his utter Ruine To prevent all which he had need to be very circumspect Whereupon after serious consideration Taicosama thought no way convenienter than to employ these Princes and busie them where they might spend their Time and show their Valour in some Foreign Countrey Which Design to effect the neighboring Corea gave him a fit Opportunity Description of Corea ¶ THis Countrey is divided into eight Territories namely Kinki Hoanchai Kyangyven Civenlo Kingxan Changoing Kaokiuli and Pingan On the North it joyns to Niuche in Tartary the South respects the Island Fungma the West is wash'd by the Stream Galo and the remaining part the Ocean borders The Chineses call it Chaosie It s Length extends to two hundred and seventy German Miles and its Breadth thirty The Province Kinke is adorn'd with the Metropolis Pingjang The whole Countrey is exceeding Populous The Towns very many most of them built square after the Chinese manner whose Fashions Language Letters Religion and Government the Coreans follow which is no wonder because the Chinese Emperor Hoavus subdu'd them two hundred Years before The Transmigration of the Soul into all manner of Bodies Their Religion is firmly believ'd amongst them Their dead Corps are laid in Coffins curiously adorn'd and not buried before the third Year after their Death Strange customs but to keep in the ill scent which might get through the crevices they glue the Coffins close up with Lime or Clay call'd Cie The Chineses account them barbarous because they give their Women so much liberty suffering them walk in the Streets or come in the company of men when they please and also because their Marriages are perform'd without the liking of any of their Friends and Relations the choice thereof being onely left to the Bride and Bridegroom The Soyl of this Countrey being very fruitful produces Rice and Tares twice a year no place affords better Paper and Cie by some call'd Sandaracha than this Isle This Sandaracha is much us'd by the Chineses and Japanners for they Plaister all their Walls with that Lime Great wars in this half Island ¶ MOreover Corea hath oftentimes been destroy'd and ruin'd and lately in the Year twenty seven it suffer'd extremely both by the hands of
never saw but soon after hearing thereof sent a second Embassy over The Chief in Commission was Peter Gonsalves his assistance four Franciscan Monks Bartholomew Ruiz Francisco de Sancto Michael Peter Baptista and Gonzales Garcia Anno 1593. they had their Audience before Taicosoma presenting him with Gifts of great value which pleas'd the Emperor so well that his former jealousies being quite blown over The Franciscans built a Church in Japan he granted the Friers leave to build a Church and Cloyster near Meaco provided that they should not meddle with his Subjects nor perswade them neither in private or publick concerning matters of Religion all which they promis'd and in a years time rais'd a Church Consecrating it to the Virgin Mary of Portiuncula but however notwithstanding all this they busied themselves clandestinely and often in publick to raise Proselites which Doctrine spread every where in short time amongst the Japanners who imbrac'd Christianity with such eagerness and came flocking to them in such multitudes that these four were not able to perform their Functions at the Ceremony belonging to their Conversion and Baptism for which cause they sent for assistance to the Manilla's from whence soon after came the Franciscans Augustin Rodrigo Marcello Ribadeneyra and Hieronimo de Jesu with Letters and Gifts from the Governor of the Philipines to Taicosama to whom the Presents were very acceptable but the Letters unpleasing seeing they answer'd him not to what he had written Franciscans build Cloysters in Japan Peter Baptista was the chief of the Friers which so spread their Religion that they built another Cloyster calling it Bethlehem in Osacca Moreover they obtain'd liberty of the Governor of Meaco to build a third Cloyster at Nangesaque under pretence of two sick Brothers Peter Baptista and Hieronimo de Jesu which could not agree with the Air about Osacca so that for their health-sake they were necessitated to remove These two went and resided in a Chappel Dedicated to Lazarus standing near Meaco between two Alms-houses which were govern'd by the two Brothers of Mercy Thither a great number of people flock'd daily from the City to see them perform Mass and hear their Disputations A Japan Nobleman erects an Order of the Virgin Mary ¶ AMongst whom came a Noble Person call'd Didacus Gonnoi who soon after imbracing the Roman Religion was a great Promoter of it in the Territory near the City Macava insomuch that he Indow'd a Brotherhood with Means and built a Colledge Dedicating the Society to the Holy Virgin who also invited the Heathens to the hearing of the Gospel Why Taicosania permitted the Friers to be in Japan Taicosama seem'd to wink at this nestling of the Monks sent from the Philipines to Japan because those Islands brought him in yearly a great Revenue and amongst other Rarities which came from thence were certain Pots or Cruises call'd Boioni which might be had there at a mean Price but by the Japanners valu'd above Gold because no Vessels whatsoever preserves their Liquor mixt with the Powder Chia better than these Cruises This Drink the Noblest men in the Countrey make with their own hands in a peculiar place of their Houses built for that purpose Trades in Cruises Taicosama sent two Persons to the Philipines to buy up all these Pots being certain to make vast profit thereof But these his Factors found in the City Manilla several Japan Christians which bought up all those Vessels with intention to dispose of them again in Japan Taicosama being inform'd thereof took all those Traders and seiz'd upon all their Cruises which he could light on and forbad them upon pain of death not to bring any more thereof into his Dominions so they escaping narrowly with their lives were again released Promotes his Brothers Sons to high dignities ¶ BUt before Taicosama began the Wars with the Coreans he Promoted his Brothers Sons having no Children of his own to high Dignities and Honor the eldest whom he alotted to be his Successor he Crown'd King over five Kingdoms the second over three lying near Meaco and to the youngest he gave two preserving fifteen for himself with the Supreme Command over all The remaining Provinces and Territories were divided amongst his Courtiers Generals and nearest Friends with Proviso's to pay an Annual Tribute to the Emperor But those Princes which were not removed were oppress'd by Taxes that they were scarce able to rebel living continually in fear on one time or other to loose life and all His intention about the common War And indeed it was so design'd for he had no other intention to make Wars with the Coreans but that those Kings which he sent thither might be ruin'd there or at least so much Work to do that they should not disturb him in his Dominions or if they should in any time Conquer Corea then he would give them the Conquer'd Territories in exchange for those in Japan that so he might be absolute Governor over his own Empire at home Pretends to give over his authority And that none might suspect this his Design he pretended that he would no longer Administer but give over his Imperial Authority to his eldest Nephew of twenty five years of age Whereupon he nominated him the Quabacondono which name is onely given to those that are Heir-apparent But this was but dissembled for though he Nominated him yet he no ways intended nor did part with his Authority But the Kings and Princes which he imploy'd for Corea never scented in the least that he had laid this Plot for their destruction and the enjoying of their Estates pretending nothing but the care of theirs and the publick good so that they went chearfully abroad with an Army of sixty thousand men Japan Forces goes to Corea and soon after follow'd a hundred and forty thousand more which Forces Landing in Corea in a short time carrying all before them made themselves Masters of the Metropolis Pingjang and most part of the Island yet oft they met with repulses and great obstructions for the Chinese Auxiliaries Chineses assist the Coreans which still came fresh and fresh maintaining a doubtful War six years and drove them at last towards their Landing-place Beat the Japanners from Corea where they were sorely gall'd by twelve well man'd Fortresses that oft Sally'd out upon them so that they were forc'd to make a dishonorable Peace the relinquishing of all their Conquest in Corea Thus ended the War which exhausted Taicosama's Treasure and spent him a hundred thousand men amongst which his second Nephew whose youngest brother dy'd before Quabacondono commits great outrages in Japan The eldest made Quabacondono was yet living he being witty and quick of apprehension yet was most inhumanely cruel for his greatest delight was Butchering of Men in a humane Shambles which he had thus contriv'd himself in a place near his Palace in the middle of an open Court inclos'd with
so to be After their departure Spex took some Wax-Work along with him which in his Journey thither he had bespoke and went on to Fissima where Segerszoon and John Cousins were arrived with their Goods Here meeting one another They meet again they went all aboard of a Bark in which they Sail'd to the Suburbs of Osacca where the Wind blew so hard against them that they were forc'd to Land not being able to get further They travel to Saccai to observe trade In the mean time they went on to the City Saccai famous for Trade being three Leagues from Osacca to enquire out the manner of their Dealing and very happily met there with Melchior Zantfoort who suffering Shipwrack on that Coast staid in this City where he had narrowly observ'd all their Customs of which he inform'd Spex who gave them such satisfaction that they no way repented their Journey thither They come to Firando Thence from Cussima the Suburb of Osacca they went on their way and on the nineteenth of September Anno sixteen hundred and eleven they came to an Anchor before Firando where they were honorably entertain'd by old Foyesamma and the young Governor Donnesumi and after the reading of the Letters deliver'd written by the Council in Surunga and Jedo and especially the Emperors the two Waiters were immediately Commanded from the Netherland Ship call'd The Brake then lying in the Harbor The Governor of the Countrey of Firando is the cause of the Trade of the Netherlanders in Japan Foyesamma obliged the East-india Company exceedingly in this Embassy for he not onely provided Spex and Segerzoon with a Gentleman to recommend them at Court but also Anno 1603. fitted out a Jonk at his own Cost and Charge to carry Quackernaek and Melchior Zantroort who lost their Ships on the Japan Shore to Patane there to declare the benefit of the Japan Trade to the Netherlanders This Voyage cost Foyesamma about two thousand Pieces of Eight Afterwards Anno 1609. when the first Ships being the Red Lyon with Arrows and the Griffin that came from Batavia to Firando he furnish'd the chief Merchants which sought for a free Trade by the Emperor with a Galley of fifty six Oars which was out two Moneths and return'd so sadly Weather-beaten that she was soon after broke up Mean while the foremention'd Ships left great store of Pepper at Firando which Foyesamma bought in at the dearest Rate because Saphedonne the Emperor's Governor in Nangesaque should not ingross the Pepper-Trade to himself so that no other Merchant durst proffer any Price for it but Foyesamma losing above twelve hundred Pound thereof the Charges and Damage which he suffer'd for or by the East-India Company was very great Neither were his Losses repair'd though he receiv'd the year before out of ten Chinese Jonks above four thousand weight of Pepper in Presents Presents made to the Governor of Firando The Netherland Council at Firando taking this into consideration that Foyesamma might not be discourag'd for his great Favors and his noble Undertaking they thought it fit to present him with some rich Presents though their small Cargo could scarce allow of the same yet they were as bountiful as they could and gave the old and young Governor and his Unckle such Gifts that they were all kindly received And this was the second Embassy which the Netherlanders sent to Daifusama the Emperor of Japan Why Daifusama promoted the Foreign Trade Daifusama first call'd Ongoschio and at last Goyssio Samma was exceedingly pleas'd with such foreign Courtesies He also endeavor'd by means of the Outlandish Trade to enrich and employ his Subjects and therefore all Strangers were protected by the Emperor and secur'd from all Affronts yet not long after a bloody Persecution of the Christians began in his Empire Persecutes the Roman Christians The Jesuit Cornelius Hazart mentions several Martyrs as Johannes Gorosaimon Simon Giffioje Magdalena Agnes Melchior Bujandono Damianus Leo Xiquigemo Michael and Martha besides several Children which were either beheaded burnt or Nail'd on Crosses Moreover as to what is related concerning Fayaxinda his Wife Martha Daughter Magdalena and his young Son Jacob besides Adrian Tacafaxi Joanna Leo Canyemon and Paulus Danyemon I leave to the pleasure of the Reader to believe Father Hazart relates their Martyrdom thus Hazarts Relation of some Martyrs ¶ HAlf a Mile from Arima stands a House in a Valley built on eight Pillars cover'd with Straw and the Walls of Wood. On the seventeenth of October Anno 1613. they were led out of the City at which time it was present death to be a Christian and yet twenty thousand Christians came together and divided themselves into several Companies carrying lighted Torches and wore red Caps walking six and six in a row in the same manner as they go in Procession in Rome and Antwerp strowing the Paths which they pass'd with Coral and Bays to the honor of all the Saints The Martyrs went forth from amongst the Company into the foremention'd House where every one embrac'd a Wooden Pillar but whilst the Executioner was tying them fast one after another to the Posts Leo Canyenon none knew how got upon the top of the House and call'd from thence with a loud voyce saying Brothers this day appears the power of Faith in Jesus Christ whilst we gladly endure the Flames which can scarce devour our Bodies but we shall be rais'd out of the Ashes to be preserv'd at the day of Judgment from everlasting Fire in a most blessed Life Brothers be constant to the Law of God and account him above your lives and fortunes Thus having finish'd his Discourse he descended and suffer'd himself to be ty'd to the eighth Pillar When they were all bound the Jesuits Commander Gasper shew'd them the Picture of Jesus ty'd to a Post and miserably Whipp'd in the Synagogue and calling upon them said Look how much you resemble our Saviour when he suffer'd under Pontius Pilate This is he for whose love you die who exprest his affections before-hand when he dy'd for you to live in him that arose alive from death He will crown you in Heaven with glorious Crowns The Executioners staid for the finishing of Gasper's Speech then setting the Stakes about the Straw-house on fire the Martyrs standing about three Foot from it that so they might roast by degrees Mean while the Strings with which Magdalen Fayaxinda's Daughter was made fast being burnt she fled not from the Fire but went and took many glowing Coals placing them on her Head like a Crown The Cord of Jacob's young Son was also burnt and he ran to his Mother Martha who bid him call upon Jesus Maria. Thus much in short of what Hazart relates with many Circumstances of Words and Deeds describ'd at large Daifusama persecutes the Roman Christians But it is very well known that Daifusama did persecute the Christians very severely and by strict Edicts commanded all his
so satisfied for Queen Elizabeth took such a liking to Forbisher's Design that she gave him a Vessel of three hundred and sixty Tuns with two Ketches and stor'd them with six Months Provision The twenty sixth of May Anno 1577. Forbisher set Sail from Harwich On one of the Islands of Orkney he went ashore but found all the Inhabitants fled from their Huts in the middle of which they had their Hearths without Chimneys On one side were the Peoples Lodgings on the other a place for their Cattel and in a Corner lay some dried Fish and a few Oats After having Sail'd six days since they left the Haven of the Orkneys he met for a whole Month with several great Trees which without doubt had by extraordinary Floods been wash'd up and so carried into the Ocean This was the less dangerous because he had continual day-light At last Forbisher Landed on the North of America The Northern Americans are very wild in sixty eight Degrees where he found a Gigantick People with long Hair who endeavor'd subtilly to murder him they being exceeding Salvage Their Clothes made of Wild-Beasts Skins of which the Tail hangs between their Legs Their Tents made of Whalebone are cover'd with Hides and the Entrance faces the South They use Bowes Arrows Slings and two sorts of Skiffs whereof the biggest carrying seventeen Men is made of several pieces of Wood joyn'd together and on both sides cover'd with Leather The little ones are also cover'd with Leather and not unlike a Weavers Shuttle in the middle of which is a Hole for one Man to sit who ties the upper Covering of the Boat about his Middle and with one Oar makes exceeding swift way through the Water The Soil is very barren of any kind of Fruit or Grain only it feeds abundance of Deer Hares Wolves Sea-Bears and Hogs not unlike a Wolf The raw Flesh of these Beasts serves the Inhabitants for Food It seems that this Countrey is exceedingly troubled with Earthquakes for in many places were seen pieces of Hills and in other places whole Mountains that were strangely rent from one another The fourth of August Forbisher returning came safe on the seventeenth of September into Milford-Haven and brought besides his Ballast of glittering Stones a Salvage Man his Wife and Child who signified so much to them that the Mans Name was Calichoe the Womans Egnoge and the Child 's Nutive yet though notwithstanding they were fed according to their Custom with raw Flesh they liv'd not long after being brought from their Countrey Besides Forbisher Arthur Petreus and Charles Jackman discover'd some Coast higher Davises Voyage belonging to Nova Zembla And John Davies Sailing North-West to sixty one Degrees entred a Channel which to this day bears denomination from him but it is not known how far it extends After that Hudson's Hudson ran into an Inlet or Bay beyond Davises Straights and found a great Sea in the Heart of the North-America Thomas Button Steering after Hudson Button's also directed his Course Westerly and discover'd a great Inland Sea in the Heart of the North America lying in fifty seven Degrees Thomas Jacobson's King Charles the First also fitted out two Sail under the Command of Thomas Jacobson Anno 1631. and Sailing into Hudson's Straights he Steer'd Southerly to fifty Degrees but there stopping return'd with no other Success than calling that vast and barren Countrey of America lying between Hudson's Straights and Button's Inland Sea New Britain All these besides Peter Jackman have sought for the Straights of Anian Sailing Westerly through the Northern America William Barenson'â— But William Barrenson thought to find the Passage behind Russia and Tartary and so through Anian to reach the Empire of Japan which that way is judg'd to be but twelve hundred thirty five Leagues from Holland On the fourth of June 1594. he set Sail with four Ships and got through marvellous great Flakes of Ice to the height of eighty seven Degrees where they saw several Bears either swimming towards their Ship or running over the Sholes of Ice They found also very many and large Sea-Calves Sea-Calves what Creatures being Amphibious Creatures living both in the Water and on the Land They have a Mouth like an Ox out of which stick two Tusks each half a Yard long which are accounted as good as Ivory Their Skins of so great a hardness that no Sword Pike Battel-Ax or other Weapon whatsoever can pierce it nor kill them unless hit in the Temples of the Head The time began to expire when William Barrenson Steer'd his Course through the Waygates by him call'd the Straights of Nassaw Sailing close by the Promontories and Capes of Nova Zembla when he discover'd a Cross plac'd on a high Point where Landing he found several Mens Footsteps and six Sacks of Rye-Meal A Musquet-shot further stood another Cross by three Houses built after the manner of the Norwegians In these they saw only some Tubs of Salt Meat The fifteenth of August the three Ships which had Sail'd more Easterly came to their Admiral Barrenson having been much cumber'd and troubled by the Ice but since gotten through the Straights of the Waygates and Sail'd sixty Leagues into the Tartarian Sea which was very salt full of Whales and the Bottom not to be reach'd by our Line And although this was all they did in that Expedition yet they hop'd for a good Event Hemskerk's Voyage The States of the United Netherlands taking the Business in hand fitted out the Year after the first Voyage seven Sail under the Conduct of William Barenson and Jacob Hemskerk In seven Weeks time they got into the Waygates where fifty four Men went ashore and travelling two Leagues up into the Countrey found a Track of Foot-steps of several Men Hedges loaden with Train-Oyl and Furs and a Hill whereon were plac'd several hairy Images before which lay Ashes and the Bones of burnt Deer which without doubt had been kill'd there for Offerings After that Hemskerk receiv'd certain Informations bâ—â—â— Skiff from Pitzore loaden with Sea-Calves Teeth Train-Oyl and Geese being to load in the Russia Ships which Sail through the Waygates and Tartarian Sea by the River Oby to the City Ugloita in Tartary where they Winter The Pitzoreans signified moreover That the Waygates would be froze about ten Weeks after that time At last nine of the Sea-men that went up into the Countrey met with twenty Samoyedes going five and five together They being ask'd concerning the Scituation and State of Nova Zembla inform'd them That beyond a Promontory lying about five days Journey from thence towards the North-East was a great Sea which spread it self towards the South-East several hundred Leagues So without making any further Discovery the Fleet return'd home after a Voyage of four Months and sixteen Days Thus having had no better Success for two several Expeditions the States of the United Netherlands prepar'd a third Fleet promising great Rewards
to those that could open a Passage for Ships to sail to Japan by the North at which Amsterdam seem'd much concern'd though nothing had been effected in it Whereupon they set out two Ships the biggest of which was Commanded by Hemskerk His second Expedition and William Barrenson Chief Pylot and the other by Cornelison Riip Both of them Sail'd through vast Seas of Ice to eighty Degrees where they discover'd a Grassy Countrey full of Cartel whereas Nova Zemla which lieth seven Degrees more Southerly hath neither Grass nor any Cattel unless Foxes and Bears They found in a Bay of this Green Countrey two Islands and on them divers Egs of Sea-Fowl Till the eight and twentieth of June they Sail'd backwards and forwards along this Coast to see if they could find any Way that led through but the Ice increas'd at last so upon them that they were forc'd to return Hemskerk and Riip also could not agree to go any further At last they concluded That each of them should Sail where he pleas'd Riip endeavor'd in eighty Degrees to find a way into the Tartarian Sea but being forc'd to leave his Design return'd to Holland with no other Success Hemskerk on the contrary inspected all the Coasts of Nova Zembla so getting to the Island Orange lying before Nova Zemla at the utmost Northern Point where he was hemm'd in by the Ice which according to their Plummet was twenty Fathom thick under the Water and twelve above The Ship driving against these Mountains of Ice receiv'd a great Leak in her Prow September began by this time to come on apace at which time the Sun begins to hide it self there for three Months The Place desolate and unhabitable the Cold insupportable Firing scarce no Houses nor Provisions to be found any where so that they had all expected Death had not some of the Seamen travell'd up two Leagues Southerly into the Countrey where they found a sweet River full of Trees and Planks driving in it Is very remarkable which serv'd them for a Hut which they built not without great danger of Bears and exceeding trouble by reason of the extraordinary Cold not having finish'd it before the latter end of October After that they were miserably tormented within by the Smoke and without by Bears North-East Winds and Mountains of Snow betwixt which they were forc'd to pass to carry their Firing into the Hut Thus they spent their time till May which drawing near an end and also their Provisions growing scant they prepar'd their Boats and though grown weak by their Wants and Sufferings yet they stood out to the Offin In these Boats they pass'd through the wide Ocean and when the Waves went too high they hawl'd them on the Ice where they were assaulted by the Bears In this their Voyage home William Barrenson died and several others twelve Men only escaping with Life through a thousand dangers coming at last to Kilduin from whence they Sail'd to Amsterdam The Straights of Anian not mention'd in the Japan Map So that all the Voyages which have been made to Sail to the East-Indies by a Westerly Course through the Northern America or Easterly along the Coast of the Samoyedes and Tartary through the Straights of Anian have been of no effect And if the Map shewn by the Apostate Japan Priest Syovan be right then all Voyages to the East-Indies if Sail'd Northerly would be in vain because no passage is found therein between Catay and America from the Northern Ocean which the Samoyedes call Marmare to the South Sea In the same Map Jesso was made to border on America and Tartary lay to the In-land and separated from those Coasts Wherefore Syovan ask'd the Dutch Prisoners How they could have saild to Tartary since it lay so far Southward from the Sea And on the North though it be wash'd by the Sea yet they could not put in there because there is no Channel runs between Tartary and the South-Sea Hugo Grotius his mistake concerning the Inhabitants of America By this plainly appears the Mistake of the Learned Hugo Grotius who saith That America was Peopled out of Norway over Yseland Friezland Greenland and Estotiland through vast and Icy Seas For if there be no Water-passage betwixt America and Cataya then the Peopling of America may more probably be from Cataya than from Norway Without all doubt one People or Nation have driven another from their Countreys the Weaker still giving place to the Stronger The Passages of Ancient Times manifest this sufficiently It cannot be denied that the spreading of Mankind over the Earth after the Flood must be sought for on the Armenian Mountain Ararat which the Turks call Agri Dagh and the Armenians Messis Saur on which Noah's Ark landed Armenia it self borders on the North with Colchis Iberia and Albania on the West with Cappadocia on the South with Mesopotamia and the East is wash'd by the Caspian Sea The Generations of Mankind increasing and multiplying sought in all places for newer and greater Habitations Those which sprang up in the North-East took Tartary and Catay into possession from whence they spread themselves further over America And that this hapned many Ages ago may appear by those Europeans that discover'd America for they found this Countrey and all the Islands which lie scatter'd up and down in great numbers so exceeding Populous that they might well stand in competition for the Number of Inhabitants with Europe or any other part of the World but are so different in their Language and Customs that the one hath not the least resemblance with the other whereby it may partly appear that as they remov'd their Stations presently after the Confusion of Tongues that hapned in the Valleys of Shinar the Passage from Catay to America about the North is very easie whereas that from Norway thither is much farther and more troublesom between Flakes of Ice and under a Cold Heaven For no where America borders on Asia but near the Straights of Anian if such a Channel were found but more probably on the Territory of Catay However the first Plantations of People belong originally to Asia Forbisher found the Northern Americans to be broad Fac'd with long and black Hair Camosie Noses woolly Beards and of a swarthy Complexion Their Religion worshipping the Sun which they call'd Hyout By all which they seem to be rather of a Tartarian Extract than from Norway Syovan's Arguments to the Hollanders concerning their Voyage to Tartary These Reasons perswaded Syovan that it was impossible for the Hollander to Trade by Shipping into Tartary because the most Southerly part of that Countrey lay a great distance from the South-Sea and the North was not to be Sail'd to out of the South-Sea because the Straights of Anian was not mention'd in the Japan Map Whereupon Captain Schaep replied That Tartary Schaep's Answer concerning the Tartarian Trade so call'd from the mighty River Tartar is wash'd on the North
by the unnavigable Ocean Mamare the West border'd by Muscovy the South jutting against the Caspian Sea Bactriana India and China the East borders America and is divided into five several Territories which are these viz. The Wild Tartary whose Inhabitants keep no constant Place of Residence removing daily according as the Pasture for their Horses Cows and other Cattel lasts yet although they range thus up and down without Law they have their own Inclosures beyond the Limits of which they may not go These Parks or Forests are call'd Zarolhia Casane Nagaia Schibanoka Casakka Astoacan Baskirda and Tumen all being under the Emperor of Russia besides Tumen the Tartarian Province Zagatai is very famous for the Inhabitants call'd Kircasii and the Cities Sakasba Bichend and Samarcande the native Countrey of Tamerlane The Province Turchestan hath the Cities Taskent Cotam Cascar and Jarkem The fourth Province call'd Cataia under the great Cham's Jurisdiction is divided into seven Territories viz. Tendue Camul Engimul Caindu Thebet and Carazan where the Men in stead of the Women when deliver'd of a Child keep their Beds two and forty days the seventh Territory is Tangud where Printing was us'd a thousand years ago The Tartarian River Polisange Moreover Captain Schaep signifi'd to Siovan That the River Polisange came flowing out of the Tartarian Territory Cataie into the South-Sea The Banks of this River Polisange whose original is a hundred Leagues from the Sea where it disembogues are adorn'd with the famous Trading Cities Quinsen in which Paulus Venetus saith are twelve thousand Bridges under which great Ships may pass with all their Sails spread Jangio Brema and Cambaly whither the chief President of the East-India Company in Batavia had sent the Ship Castrecom and the Ketch Breskens to discover that River and all the other Cities but he being separated from the Ship Castrecom whom he fear'd was lost he found himself necessitated to put in for some other Part and leave off that Design At last Captain Schaep told him That since he understood not the Portuguese Tongue and much less the Japan he would give a full Relation of all his Adventures to the Emperor 's Privy Council so soon as the two Dutch Interpreters came from Firando to Jedo Upon which Answer Kitsbioie Phatsiosaimon and Siovan departed from the Hollanders Hollanders advise amongst themselves Mean while the Hollanders concluded with one accord to declare to the Council that which they had oftentimes said before viz. That since the eleventh of June when they came for fresh Water into the Haven of Namboe and put out again they stood direct into the Sea plying it up by a Wind two hundred Leagues to Weather the South-Point of Japan that so they might attain to forty Degrees Northern-Latitude and at last being toss'd and driven up and down by a Southern Storm they were necessitated a second time to put in for Namboe Furthermore they found it convenient not to declare their intentions of going to the Gold and Silver Islands Whilst the Holland Prisoners tarried in the Dutch Inn in Jedo they were visited by some Japan Nobles amongst which also Phoechychemon Isicauwa and Joaiemon who comforted them asking them if they were entertain'd with good Meat Drink and Clothes against the Cold of the Night Phoechychemon fetch'd a Paper full of Itsibos which is a sort of Japan Gold-Coyn giving it to Captain Schaep and withall promis'd him more if he desir'd it then giving him a Roll of the Mens Names belonging to his Ship which he had requir'd of him between Namboe and Jedo he desir'd him to Transcribe two fair Copies of it which he promis'd to keep in memory of the Hollanders Captain Schaep taking the Scroll assur'd him to prepare the Copies according to his desire against his next coming The two Dutch Interpreters arrive at Jedo On the last of September in the Evening the two Dutch Interpreters came from Firando to Jedo and immediately visited the imprison'd Hollanders the eldest of them was call'd Tosaimon and the youngest Maniekebe both seeming to bear an affection to the Hollanders advising them how to carry themselves before the Council viz. That they must answer quick and short upon any Question that was ask'd them in which the Japan Lords are us'd to take great delight They also told them that they were not to Lodge in their Inn as they had been misinform'd but that they should be Entertain'd in Tonnosamma's House Lord of Firando The Hollanders are Examin'd before the Council concerning their Voyage to Tartary The next day their long-expected Examination began before Sicungodonne in this manner The Interpreters Tosaimon and Maniekebe propos'd the following Questions by order of Sicungodonne to Captain Schaep the Merchant Bylevelt and Jacob de Paw When and with how many Sail did you come from Batavia and since from Ternata Whether did you design your Voyage How came your Ship so far to the North Why did you stand to and again before the East-Coast of Japan and why dropp'd ye Anchor in the Haven of Namboe Their Answer To which they answer'd We set Sail from Batavia on the third of February Anno 1643. and steer'd our Course for Ternata with two Ships call'd Castrecom and Breskens the fourth of April we weighed Anchor from Ternata to Sail to Taiovan and from thence to Tartary that there we might discover a Place for Trade according as we had been inform'd But Sailing on with this intention were driven by a great Storm that happen'd in the Night on an unknown Coast after which we lost the Ship Castrecom judging that she may be split against the Rocks yet we sought for it along the Japan Coast though we had little hopes of finding it mean while we suffer'd under a great inconvenience by reason of the scarcity of our Provisions because the Ship Castrecom carry'd six Tun of Rice for our Pink to be put aboard of us when our need should require it therefore because she could not be found we were forc'd not to proceed in our Journey for Tartary and according as Wind and Weather would permit to Sail to Taiovan Nangesaque or Batavia so soon as we were furnish'd with fresh Water which we had great want of on the East-Coast of Japan and therefore stood directly thither The tenth of June we entred into the Mouth of the Haven Namboe where we came to Anchor and were courteously receiv'd by the Inhabitants and instantly furnish'd with what Water we requir'd so that on the next day we stood again to Sea and steer'd directly Easterly that we might first Weather the South-East Point of Japan at last we laid it over due West but by Southern Storms and contrary Currents were so driven towards the Japan Shore that we fell a whole Degree to the Northward from our intended Course having then according to Calculation Sail'd about two hundred Leagues from Namboe Thus toss'd by Tempests and the Vessel requiring necessary repair and
same as the Castilian and Portugal What is his Name Who did ever see him Where hath he convers'd Whereby do you believe your God to be the True God Difference of Religion ¶ IT plainly appears by the Religion of the Japanners that they embrace the Errors of the most foolish Heathens Rom. 1.23 changing the Glory of the uncorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible Man This foul Doctrine was embrac'd by the Anthropomorphites in Christendom about the time of Arius and the Nicene Council The first Teacher was Audius deriv'd from Mesopotamia a Man who liv'd a very lend Life yet in short time got many on his side and remaining a little while by the Church at last forsook it and rais'd a new Opinion which much puzzl'd the Ancient Fathers and chiefly they were contradicted by Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria Fâ—rb Inst Theol. 1.36 and Epiphanius at Salamina but Epiphanius disputed so indifferently that he gave no satisfaction to the Learned And indeed against this foolish and fleshly Opinion of God the Learnedst Heathens have disputed Lact. de Irac c. 11. Lactantius relates of the ancient Philosopher Pythagoras That he believ'd God to be a Spirit without a Body Plato affirms That God is the greatest Good above all things in Nature he himself being full of all Perfection In Somis Scip. wanting nothing And Macrobius saith Plato when he would speak of God durst not say what he is concluding That he cannot be known of Man what he is For God is call'd Suprema Ratio Ens Entium and is also the first Original of all things Here is added the Relation of the great Orator Cicero De Nat. Deor. in these Words In his Book of the Laws saith Plato I can better say what God is not than what he is Do you ask me what or how God is I will use Simonides for my Interpreter of whom when the Tyrant Hiero ask'd the same Question he desir'd one day to think upon it and on that day asking him again he requir'd two days so still increasing the number of the days Hiero wondering at it ask'd why he did so Because said he the longer I study the more difficult I find it to resolve Seneca also writes thus to Lucilius God is close by he is in you So say I O Lucilius a Holy Spirit is within us Ad Luciâ— that takes an account of all our good and bad Actions This Spirit according as it is treated by us so it deals with us but none is a good Man without God The opinion of the learnedst Heathens concerning God The Learnedst of Heathens acknowledg'd in God the greatest Perfection which consisted in three things To the first belong'd his Eternity which can be measur'd by no Time being a Life without End So that the Heathens observ'd by the Light of Nature how it was with God to see to that which he was not before or not to see after that which he was once Secondly They ascrib'd to God a Freedom against all Power because he hath an irresistible Power which is as Mighty and Omnipotent as God himself Disown God to be a substance Lastly They believ'd that his Godly Nature suffer'd no Connexion to or with himself for where there is such a Connexion there must needs be something equal or alike to connect but in God is no want of any such connected Assimilation for if there were then the Cause of such Want must precede the Connexion and consequently be before God but God is the First Causer of all things And on these grounds they could find that God was not Substantial and Frail much less consisted of Soul and Body Which if the Learn'd Anaxagoras Master of the famous Socrates had not understood he would not have call'd God a Spirit and said That all things proceeded from the Power of an Everlasting Spirit The contrary opinion of the Japanners But the Japanners go not so high notwithstanding the inexpressible Goodness of God and their own Consciences should lead them to an Everlasting Being yet they ask foolishly for a visible God that converses with Men on the Earth Byleveld's Answer ¶ BUt to return to our Story Byleveld gave Sicungodonne this Answer The Castilians and Portuguese acknowledge a Trinity as well as the Hollanders but they represent him in the shape of an Old a Young Man and a Dove which the Hollanders hold to be abominable For they acknowledge God to be an endless Spiritual Being of whom none may or can make any Likeness neither by Images or Imaginations of the Heart Moreover God hath given himself divers Names in the Greek and Hebrew Tongues but the Hollanders call him God the Father Son and Holy Ghost And because he is an Incomprehensible Spirit he can be seen by none from whence it always proceeds that a Man can no way see his own nor anothers Soul Yet the Invisible God is Visible in the Works of his Creation Preservation and Governing of all things Also Gods Son took upon him the Nature of Man in a Woman when he was born in Bethlehem travell'd through Palestine did great Miracles there and at last not far from Jerusalem died a cursed Death on the Cross to redeem and save those from everlasting Damnation that believ'd in him all which is written down in two Books the first written by the Prophets in the Hebrew Tongue the other by the Apostles in the Greek These Prophets and Apostles were great Saints to whom God gave the Spirit of real Truth And these Books were translated out of their Original Tongues into Dutch by Persons experienc'd both in Greek and Hebrew Sicungodonne ask'd further Sicungodonne's other Questions Do your Feasts agree with the Portuguese and Castilians How are they call'd Do the Hollanders keep Fast-days Are they not taught by Priests and Ministers as the Spaniards What are those Priests Have they a yearly Income out of the Countreys Revenue Do they meddle with any State-Affairs Is the Prince of Orange under any Bodies Jurisdiction or Governs he Holland alone Captain Schaep answer'd Schaep's Reply The Hollanders said he keep the first Day of the Week like the Spaniards on which every one rests from their Labor and goes to Church to hear Divine Service Only on some extrordinary Occasion Fast and Prayer-days are order'd to be kept that the Inhabitants may humbly beg of God for his merciful Assistance Besides at such an accident they abstain not from Meat and Drink but take it and give Thanks to God for it Distinction of Diet is never observ'd by them Moreover the Holland Teachers are call'd Ministers which are Men that from their Infancy have been brought up to learn the Latin Greek and Hebrew Tongues and in Publick Churches Preach to the People out of the foremention'd Books which every one may peruse that thereby it may appear if their Doctrine agree with them They are paid but of the
things in good condition on the Island Disma ¶ BUt not long after there arose no small Inconveniences occasion'd by three Reasons The Hollanders are at variance with the Japanners about the Chineses and a Fly-boat First The Japanners that liv'd in Nangesaque took a great dislike against the Hollanders on this occasion Frederick Coyet Governor in Formosa sent a Ship call'd the Red Fox under the Command of a Merchant nam'd Daniel Six to Tamsuy and Quelang for Coals and Buff-Skins which Ship sailing again from Quelang to Tayovan was by a Westerly Wind and strong Current drove to the Northward so that they could neither reach Quelang nor Tayovan but were a long time toss'd up and down in the Bay of Arima till at last their Provisions beginning to grow very scant the Captain was forc'd to make a Vertue of Necessity and ply it up to Nangesaque The arrival of this Ship out of the Season occasion'd strange Thoughts in Quienmonsamma Governor of Nangesaque who was not satisfi'd with his making strict inquiry after Six his Voyage though he was to answer and give an account When he set Sail from Tayovan When he arriv'd at Tamsuy and Quelang What Trade he drove in those Places How far distant Tamsuy and Quelang lay asunder At what time and from whom the Hollanders took Quelang With how many Soldiers the Garrison was Mann'd What Profit the Adjacent Countrey brought What People inhabited it White or Sallow Valiant or Cowardly These Questions ask'd by Quienmonsamma and answer'd by Six were written down and sent to Jedo After which no farther Inquiry was made about it but Six had free liberty as others to sell his Coals and Buff-Skins Second Reason of the Japanners dislike To this first hapned a second Occasion thus A Chinese Jonk sailing from Cambodia to Japan met near Tayovan with the Ketch Domburg from Batavia who took several Pounds of Wax out of the Jonk which the Men belonging to it reported at Nangesaque to the great disgrace of the Hollanders that it was done by force and that they were Pyrats So that it little avail'd what the Hollanders said for their Defence That Hans Parys and Poynts the Commander and Merchant of the Ship Domburg were secur'd in Prison by Peter Coyet to suffer condign Punishment after Examination of the Crime The third The third Reason being the chiefest was occasion'd thus The Pink Breukelen took not long after a Chinese Jonk betwixt the Islands Aur and Candor and put in the Ship Urk eleven Chinese Prisoners three Pieces of Scarlet Cloth eight Hangers sixteen Barrels of Tin and besides some Trifles four small Brass Guns Urk being by a strong Current driven past Tayo fell upon the Japan Coast before Satsuma there Cruising to and again till at last the Lord of that place sent a small Japan Vessel with a Pennon call'd Faisena which conducted the Ship Urk to Nangesaque where dropping Anchor the Governor caus'd the Chinese Prisoners Japanners deal strangely with the Ship Vrk. and also seven and twenty as well Commanders as Seamen to be fetch'd from aboard and brought ashore which he deliver'd into Wagenaer's Hands The common Japanners are against the Hollanders he being bound for them all Mean while the Common People mutinying threw Stones against the Doors and Windows of the House in which the Hollanders were crying There lies the Hollanders thieving Ship which comes vaporing here with her stoln Goods The same Design had the Red Fox but because it did not take she under a pretence brought Coals hither to sell Moreover they told what a cruel Death those Pyrats deserv'd But the Governor quieting them sent the Interpreters to and again with Questions written down to the twenty seven Hollanders whose Answers on every Particular being also set down were sent to Jedo Then the Chinese Goods which they had taken were also fetch'd from aboard at which the People in Nangesaque cried Fie Dutch Pyrats What Death is cruel enough for such Offendor And though the Chineses gave Wagenaer a Receipt that they had receiv'd satisfaction for all the Goods which Urk had taken out of Breukelen yet they came again some days after and complain'd that they wanted more Goods Against which it avail'd not that Wagenaer shew'd them their Receipt Wherefore the Magistrates of Nangesaque gave order That the Ship Urk should be search'd a second time for the Goods which the Chineses requir'd Chineses fetch their Goods out of the Ship Vik The eighteenth of October they went to work The Chinese Interpreter Kioube and also the Netherland Interpreters going aboard the Ship Urk caus'd Packs and Chests to be open'd in the presence of the Merchant Meindert Janson Mestecker They search'd all things very narrowly till at last they found in the Sea-mens Chests six and twenty little Bales of Cotton two Bales of Tee two fine Mats a Copper Bason four Chinese Coats two pair of Breeches as many Stockins a Girdle a Silk Cushion a Hair Net for the Head and a red Silk Sute The Searchers as Trophies of their Victory went ashore with the foremention'd Goods where thousands of Japanners and Chineses waited for their return they holding them aloft carried them amongst a great Crowd of People to the Governors who a considerable time look'd upon them and at last gave them again to the Chineses Wagenaer's Excuse is not taken Wagenaer endeavor'd in vain to excuse the Deed by telling them of the innocency of the Indian Consul at Batavia who severely punish'd Pyracy But the Magistrates took not this his Testimony thinking that if it had hapned only once it might have been excus'd but since so many Complaints of the robb'd Jonks were brought in daily it could not be otherwise but that the Holland Ships had order at Batavia for the performing such Pyracy or at least the Indian Consul wink'd at it But Wagenaer afterwards bringing this News to Batavia the Consul look'd upon it to be nothing else but the insufferable peevish disposition of the Japanners which appear'd sufficiently Japanners set the Chineses against the Hollanders because Saujoe the Owner of the Jonk made not so much ado as they which were no ways concern'd with it and the more because the Jonk was not coming to Japan but going to China And since the Chineses found such Interceders of the Japanners they thought themselves incourag'd by them to bring all manner of false Complaints against the Hollanders Wagenaers Proposal concerning the Japanners severity Wagenaer also propos'd to them That by a Letter he would inform the Magistrates of Japan that the Hollanders would rather part from them in Friendship and remove their Staple from thence than endure the Complaints of the Chineses who every time they came had Audience granted them for the false Reports and Tales they told of them Or else to prevent farther trouble it would be convenient to give strict order to all Ships That they should
they had Cruised to and again before Tayovan till the tenth of June but because they could do no good to the Fort Zelandia and their Provisions also growing very scarce they judg'd it convenient to Sail to Japan and in their way to touch at Quelang not onely to refresh themselves but fetch all the East-India Companies Concerns from thence they lying bare to Coxenga whose Forces were daily expected there for which reason Graveland Anchoring there the thirteenth of June loaded all whatever he could in seven days time Moreover he took in a hundred and seventy Men The Inhabitants of Quelang remove with three married Dutch Women eleven Quelangois Children and eight and twenty Slaves of both Sexes The Women and Children were Landed on Disma because of the disorder in the Ship Graveland The Relation of the Condition of Formosa translated into Japan and sent to Jedo Furthermore Indiik deliver'd this Relation translated into the Japan Tongue to the Governor or Nangesaque That Coxenga had above nine years ago design'd with the Tayovans and Chineses that inhabited Formosa to betray and take the Fort Zelandia from the Hollanders but the Plot being discover'd the Traytors were all executed And the Chineses also sent under the Conduct of one Fayet to Storm Zelandia had little better Success for the Besieg'd sallied out so fortunately that few of them were left to carry the News of their Adventure to Coxenga Fayet himself was also found slain amongst the rest Other meaner Soldiers being taken and carried Prisoners into the Castle consess'd that they were employ'd in Coxenga's Service who notwithstanding this Repulse gave not over from prosecuting his Design of which Coyet being inform'd was very vigilant and the more because a great Chinese Trader call'd Pinequa being not onely much in the East-India Companies Debt but also several Merchants in Tayovan ran away privately which was not onely prejudicial but dangerous because they knew the whole Estate and Condition of Formosa so that it very much troubled Coyet who well knew that he would relate the whole Condition of the Fort Zelandia to Coxenga Also he might easily guess that Coxenga who had for several years had a Design upon Formosa would take hold of such an opportunity to accomplish his desire The Jealousie grew the greater when News came from all Parts that Coxenga Listed great numbers of Men and prepar'd a great Fleet to Conquer Formosa Coyet observ'd all things very narrowly and sent a Letter with a Chinese Jonk to Coxenga in which he desir'd That he would please to send him word to what end he made such mighty Preparations for War and against whom he design'd them To which Coxenga acting the Politician cunningly answer'd That Coyet ought not onely not to believe those that brought him such News but to keep them Prisoners and make them confess the Truth by Tortures And the better to cloke his Intentions he now and then sent twenty or thirty Chinese Jonks with Merchandize to Tayovan Yet notwithstanding all this Coyet still suspected him writing all things particularly to the Council at Batavia who with all speed sent twelve Men of War to his assistance which about the middle of September Anchor'd before Zelandia three of which Coyet sent to Coxenga to observe all his Transactions and have an answer of every Particular These Coxenga entertain'd exceeding courteously protesting to them That he had a very great kindness for the East-India Company of which Coyet might certainly assure himself By these fair Carriages deluded he now believing all things which had been reported false sent the Fleet to another Place onely two great Ships and as many small ones which he sent to fetch in the Lading for the great ones staid behind Coxenga had no sooner receiv'd the News of the Men of Wars departure from Zelandia but he sent with all speed three hundred Jonks Mann'd with four thousand Men to Formosa and Sailing in the Night through the Lakjemonian Straights Landed many of his Men in the Morning on Formosa which immediately stopp'd up the Inland Channel and lay between the Fort Zelandia and Formosa Whereupon Coyet sent three hundred Soldiers to prevent their Landing but they quickly found themselves surrounded so that they were forc'd to fight to the last Man and purchase their Deaths dearly from the Chineses But they having fresh Supplies Storm'd the Castle Provincia standing on Secam opposite to Formosa which being but weak was not able to resist long against such a Powerful Enemy The fifth of May they robb'd and burnt the Town before Zelandia which being guarded by eleven hundred Men some of them fired upon them from two Platforms on each were Planted twelve Demiculverins Of the four Ships that remain'd before Tayovan the greatest call'd the Hector was with a hundred Men blown up The Ketch Mary hoised all her Sails and went directly for Batavia The other two being the Graveland the Vink Sail'd to Quelang to carry the News of the War thither from whence returning to Zelandia they Cruis'd up and down along that Coast but at last stood for Nangesaque Moreover Loenius related That Coxenga had not conquer'd the Fort Zelandia when he came from thence and also that Cojet had sent the Vessel call'd Immenhorn under the Command of Jacob Sas to Torrissima to fetch the remaining Goods of the Ship call'd the Harp which had suffer'd Shipwrack on that Coast but Sas found them not the Goods being sent before in small Vessels to Satsuma where the Lord of the Countrey keeps his Court. The Governor of Nangesaque immediately sent this Relation written in the Japan Language to the Emperor at Jedo but whilst it was on its way thither a Jonk richly loaden from whose Yards and Masts wav'd several blue Pennons and Flags came to an Anchor before Disma The Captain thereof a Chinese being commanded to appear before the Governor related That Coxenga was in Tayovan and was Master of all Formosa and that a hundred and forty of the Besieg'd sallying out of Zelandia were so beaten by him that onely seven of them escap'd with lise and that he had also burnt three Holland Ships and drove two from the Coast likewise how eleven days after his departure from Anhay new Forces would be sent to Tayovan to supply Coxenga's Army there Indiik desires leave to take the Chinese Jonks Hereupon Indiik entreated of the Governor Ficojemondonne in a Letter That since Coxenga had dealt so treacherously with the East-India Company and set upon them unawares that he would please to grant him leave to seize upon all the Jonks he could meet with at Sea or elsewhere belonging to Coxenga Upon which But is aeny'd Ficojemondonne sent this Answer That he durst not take upon him to grant so weighty a Concern but that he must write about it to Jedo and expect an Answer from the Emperors Court but he could not think that the Emperor would any ways grant that
after the Storm blowing afresh they were not able to carry out the least Sail till the Gusts were more favorable mean while the Ship being so miserably toss'd sprung a Leak so that they could scarce keep her free with Pumping sometimes a Sea beat over her in such a manner that the Water could scarce find ways to run out again seeming as if it would sink immediately With these inconveniences came far greater for towards the Evening a Sea wash'd away one of the Galleries and soon after another the Head so loosning the Boltsprit yet they had not been in such great danger had not the Ship rowl'd so extremely and the Seas follow'd one another so suddenly they judg'd it convenient to hale up their Mizin and Sail before the Wind the second Watch they discover'd Land but the Ship in the dark was got within Musquet-shot of the Shore before they could see it the steep Shore suffer'd the Ship to run against a Rock which with three blows broke it into a thousand pieces and of sixty four Men escap'd onely thirty six most of which were miserably wounded by the sharp Rocks those that lay in their Cabbins being tir'd with watching died all amongst those that were sav'd was the Captain Reinier Egbertson of Amsterdam From the Wreck they sav'd one Barrel of Flower one Barrel of Salt-Beef some Pork and a Rundlet of Tent which prov'd very happily for the wounded Moreover they gather'd up as many Pieces of the Ship as would make them a Booth to defend them from the Weather for they knew not in what Countrey they were how call'd or whether inhabited or not because the Skie being Clouded for several days they could take no observation On the second day after they suffer'd Shipwrack they saw a Man whom they beckning to come to them ran away soon after came three other of which one carry'd a Musquet the other two Bows and Arrows which also fled from them but one of the Sea-men running after them unarm'd got some Fire which they wanted extremely Against the Evening their Tent or Booth was surrounded with above a hundred Men wearing Hats made of Horse-hair The next day came a small Army being about two thousand Foot and Horse while the Hollanders were making of a bigger Tent. The Commander of them fetch'd the Book-keeper Henry Haemel with the Pilot Quartermaster Strange usage by the Coreans of thirty six Shiâ—wracked Hollanders and a Boy out of the Booth which were all four thrown down on the Earth before the General at which the whole Army made a kind of strange noise The Hollanders that remain'd in the Tent believ'd certainly that their Companions were put to a miserable death but they us'd them not so cruelly for the Coreans onely put an Iron Chain about their Necks to which a great Bell was made fast under their Chin. Then some of the Officers went into the Booth and had a great deal of Discourse which the Hollanders understood not but they signifi'd to them that they intended to go to Japan but suffering Shipwrack they were come ashore there to save themselves The Chineses look'd upon those Goods which they had sav'd and finding onely a little Meal Salt-Beef and Pork they brought some Rice boyl'd in Water which was a great refreshment Not long continu'd their joy that they were not in a barren Countrey for whilst they were eating a great many of the Soldiers came running towards their Tent every one holding a Rope in his hand which made the Hollanders think that they should be bound and kill'd but this fear soon vanish'd when the Coreans ran with all speed towards the Wreck every one laboring to hale the Wood ashore which burning they carry'd the Iron away In the interim the Pilot taking an observation found that it was Quelpaerds-Island where they had lost their Ship and were in thirty three Degrees and thirty two Minutes Latitude Moreover the Coreans still busied themselves in haling ashore the Pieces of the Wreck and burning it for the Iron and lastly they set the whole Wreck on Fire which might have cost them dear for two Brass-Guns deeply loaden went off but it so hapned that the Muzzles of them lay towards the Sea this Blow struck such a fear amongst them that every one fled and coming to the Hollanders desir'd to know of them if it would do the like again but they informing that there were no more Guns that were Charged in the Ship they went on with their work Moreover the Hollanders visited the Governor of Quelpaerds-Isle and presented him with a Bottle of Tent which pleas'd him so well that he became very kind to them sending them boyl'd Rice twice a day and bid them come and see the punishment which would be inflicted on those that had robb'd the wreck'd Vessel The Iron they had stole was tied to their Backs and they themselves laid upon the Ground receiv'd several Drubbings on the Balls of their Feet with a Stick about a Fathom long and as thick as an ordinary Boy 's Arm so beating them unmercifully Their Journey through Quelpaerds-Island After this was over the Hollanders had order to be gone with all their things so travelling with a Guard of Foot and Horse they went that day four Leagues and Lodg'd in a small Town call'd Tadjunch in an old Store-house from thence they went to the City Moggan where the Governor of Quelpaerds keeps his Court here on a great Market place three thousand Armed Men were drawn up in Battel aray The Governor caus'd Henry Hamell with the Pilot and Quartermaster to come to him and ask'd them where they were going at which Hamel cry'd several times Japan and Nangesaque at which the Governor nodding his Head seem'd to understand it The remaining Hollanders were also carry'd four and four to the Governor Examin'd and Lodg'd in a House in which as they afterwards understood the Kings Uncle had a long time been kept Prisoner and at last died there because he endeavor'd to depose his Nephew Every day they had their allowance of boyl'd Rice wheaten Flower and another strange Food which they could not eat wherefore they liv'd most upon Rice The Governor a Man aged about seventy years and of a noble Aspect signifi'd to them that he would Write to the King to know what should be done with them but it would be a considerable time before he could have an Answer for the Place where the King kept his Court was thirteen Leagues over-Sea and above twenty Leagues from Moggan But whilst they waited for it the Hollanders had fresh Meat allow'd them and also leave for six at a time to walk abroad by turns The Governor oftentimes invited them to his Palace bidding them write their Names and cur'd those that were wounded at their Landing and also prepar'd several noble Dinners for them In which kind Hospitality-the Heathens far exceed very many Christians Strange adventure of a Hollander But
amongst several strange Adventures that is most remarkable which hapned to the Book-keeper Hamel Pilot and Chirurgeon These as formerly carry'd before the Governor found a Man sitting by him with a red Beard and being ask'd if they knew not such a Man they answer'd That he seem'd to be a Hollander at which the Governor fell a laughing at last the red-Bearded Man discovering himself ask'd them in the Dutch Tongue what People they were and whether they were going at which the Hollanders were allamaz'd but Hamel answering said That they Sail'd from Amsterdam to Batavia and from Batavia to Japan but since they left Formosa they were overtaken by a mighty Storm which drove the Sperwer Frigat already torn and shatter'd against the Rocks of the Island Quelpaerds Hamel also ask'd him what he was and although he had almost forgot his Native Tongue yet he told him That he was born in a Village call'd De Riip in Holland and nam'd John Johnson Welterre and that Anno 1626. he Sail'd in a Ship from Amsterdam to the East-Indies afterwards by order of the Indian Councel in Batavia Sail'd in the Ouwerkerk Ketch to Japan but by contrary Winds forc'd upon the Coast of Corea fresh Water began to grow very scant wherefore said he I was commanded with my Countreyman Derick Gerritson and an Amsterdammer call'd John Peterson Verbaest to go ashore to see if we could find any fresh Water no sooner had we set foot ashore but we were all three surrounded and carry'd up into the Countrey to the King's Court where ever since we have had Meat Drink and Clothing but could never obtain leave to go with some Vessel or other to Japan and though he had for several years entreated leave of the Court to depart yet they had always one Answer which was That the King did not give leave to any Strangers to go out of his Kingdom which Sentence all Hollanders or what else soever they be are sure to undergo Moreover said he my two Companions died seventeen years ago at the time when the Tartars invaded Corea All which Discourse being Interpreted to the Governor was written down and sent to the Court. Mean while the time came in which the old Governor was to give place to the new for every three years they observe change of Government amongst the Coreans The old Lord had a very great inclination for the Hollanders for before he went away he provided them against the next Winter giving every one a Coat a pair of Buskins and Stockings He also return'd them the Books which he had taken from them and gave them good store of Train-Oyl to burn in their Lamps at Night promising them also at last that he would use all the means possible at Court to obtain leave for their going to Japan But the new Governor prov'd quite another Man for he carry'd himself very strange to the Hollanders and since the departure of the first Lord in the beginning of January Anno 1654. they wanted Provisions being ty'd to very small allowance which made their imprisonment very insufferable wherefore since they had yet liberty to go out by sixes at a time they searched daily if they could not find any Vessels lying near the Shore with which they might in the Night make their Escape Remarkable passage of five Hollanders The last of April six Prisoners endeavor'd in the Night to get over the Wall but discover'd by the Barking of the Dogs which wakened the Watchmen their Design took no effect After which time the Pilot and five more resolv'd on the like Escape These going out upon a Day which fell to their turn found some distance from the City Moggan hard by a small Village a little Vessel with all Necessaries thereto belonging where going aboard they hal'd it over a Bank in sight of the Villagers which at first were amazed to see them but afterwards observing that the Hollanders were in earnest they put off to Sea gave notice thereof to the Owner who with a Gun charged came running after them in the Water whilst they were busie setting up the Mast and Sail but not being acquainted with the Corean Vessels both Mast and Sail fell over-board yet they got it up again and put all things in their right place when placing the Mast it broke out so that it fell all again into the Sea by which means they lost all hopes of escaping driving more and more to the Shore and exactly towards a Barque full of Armed Coreans which they boarding the five Hollanders leap'd over into the same for the sixth could not get in by this their leaping the Arm'd Barque shipp'd so much Water that they had enough to do to keep her from sinking but when Landed they carry'd the five Hollanders to the Governor who caus'd them all to be loaden with Fetters hung a Board about their Necks on which he nail'd one of their Hands and stripping them laid them on the Ground upon their Bellies so tying them fast to four Posts sent for the remaining Hollanders thither to see them thus laid the Governor caus'd the Interpreter Weltevree to ask them If they had agreed upon their Escape without the knowledge of their Companions or if they knew of their Design How they durst venture to go in so small a Vessel without Water Bread or any other sustenance through so vast an Ocean to Japan The fetter'd Hollanders answer'd That their Companions had not the least knowledge of their Design Moreover they would rather run all hazards whatsoever for their liberty nay rather die than undergo so many miseries and at last be starv'd to death which they had no sooner said when an Executioner standing in the middle of them with a Stick a Fathom long a Finger thick and round on the top gave every one twenty five blows on their bare Buttocks that none of them in five Weeks were able to stir out of their Cabbins Hollanders carry'd to Corea and their chief Adventures But whilst they lay in that misery Orders came from the Corean Court that the Hollanders divided into four Jonks should be sent fetter'd from Quelpaerds-Island to Corea upon which the Governor began his Cruelties afresh linking both their Feet and one hand together fearing else they might conquer and carry away one of the Jonks which indeed would have been hazardous if they had gone aboard unbound and the more because the Coreans are generally Sea-sick Two days they were toss'd up and down at Sea and not getting the least Ground because of contrary Winds they return'd to Moggan where the Hollanders were put into their old Prison ¶ THis Quelpaerds-Island reckons fifteen Leagues in its Circumference hath on the North-side a convenient Harbor for Ships and lies opposite from the South Promontory of Corea thirteen Leagues the Passage to which is very dangerous because the Water is full of blind Rocks and no anchorage to be found betwixt that and Quelpaerds Haven so that those
with Turn'd Cups the Coachman holding a Pike with a Gilded Star at the end of it in his left Hand and in his right four Reins which came thorow as many Holes of the Axel-Tree he sate with his Legs under him on a square Seat cover'd with Flower'd Silk behind the Coach also sate three Musicians on each side went several Servants with Fans The four Horses which drew the Coach were led by four Persons of Quality the Governor looking out sometimes between the Curtains all those that saw him fell down with their Faces flat on the Ground just behind the Coach came a Guard of Souldiers half of them carrying Pikes and the other half Musquets which were follow'd by a Merchant richly Cloth'd his Horses Head whereon he Was Mounted adorn'd with a stately Plume of Feathers some distance after him a Sedan or rather a Throne was carry'd by fourteen Gentlemen seven going on each side carry'd a long Pole to which the Sedan was made fast on their Shoulders this Throne having an ascent of five steps on a Square each corner supported by a curious Turn'd Post about every one of which Silk Curtains were ty'd the Covering also of Silk was adorn'd with Fringe In this Sedan two of the Magistrates of Meaco were carry'd then follow'd several other ordinary Sedans with Noblemen and last of all Rode divers Troops of Horse The Holland Ambassador receiv'd in this State Rode towards the City Description of Meaco ¶ The first Gate of the City Meaco hath three Entrances whereof the middlemost is the biggest built between a Free-Stone-Wall the inner Gate is one Story high from whose Roof Stream'd a Flag with the Citie-Arms Miaco by the Japanners also call'd Cabucoma and Cocquay contain'd formerly in its Circumference one and twenty Miles but is since by the Civil Wars become above a third part less yet at this day it reckons above eighty thousand Families divided into the upper and lower City the lower spreads it self to Fissima and is so costly built that one Edifice seems to be above a Mile long In the upper Miaco the Dayro with his Cungies that is Counsellors keeps a stately Court himself looks like a Savage being never Shav'd nor his Nails par'd besides five Eminent Colledges in the City there are five Free-Schools more about Miaco viz. Coja Wegru Franzon Homi and Bandu every one of which hath above three thousand five hundred Scholars which are there taught the Arts of Rhetorick Oratory Histonography Astronomy Poetry and Arithmetick Strange Tree Here grow Palm Trees of whose Juyce the Japanners make an excellent Drink the Root digg'd up and dry'd in the Sun then Planted again in a short time will grow to be another Tree Not far from Miaco the Mountain Frenojamma riseth with its spiring top towards the Clouds Peter Davity tells us of a very strange Mountain seen in the Kingdom Jetchu which Flames continually In the Meacomean Lake is a Fish not unlike a Poor-Jack which the Japanners dry and send to all parts of the Countrey Pet. Davity in his Description of Asia The foresaid Davity relates also That the French King Lewis the thirteenth had tasted of them Strange Graves in Japan Moreover here as in most places of Japan are several Tombs or Graves rais'd of Free-Stone about two Foot high in which being hollow the Friends to the Deceas'd often times lay Water and raw Rice which the poor People or Birds fetch from thence They also strow the Graves with Flowers and Boughs of Trees Taicosama's Court ¶ VEry admirable is the Palace which Taicosama built in Miaco in which hang a thousand Pieces of Tapistry Embroyder'd with Gold just before the Palace is a spacious open Court in the middle of which stands a Theatre where they Act both Tragedies and Comedies on every side thereof stand four Turrets each four Stories high The Houses and Apartments are for the most part built of Wood yet handsome to behold They seldom Build of Stone because the Earthquakes are so frequent in Japan and though often times whole Villages nay Cities are burnt down yet they all Build again of Timber Wood in Japan wherewith the Woods furnish them plentifully for they not onely produce ordinary Timber but also White Wood not unlike that of which in Europe we make Virginals besides all manner of Fruit-Trees and tall Cedars whose lofty Crowns seem to salute the Skies The Cedars are us'd most for Pillars and Masts The Japanners have strange Orders when a Fire happens in the Night for the Street in which the Fire is must help themselves for none else will come near to assist them by which means many times the Fire gets such a head that the Flame consumes all before it IN Meaco as in most other places of Japan they drive a great Trade in far better order than in any part of Europe for it is no small help or benefit that all the Japan Lordships Dukedoms and Provinces have one Measure both for wet and dry Goods Their Measure call'd Ichin Japan Measure is six Rhyneland Feet long divided into six greater and sixty lesser parts of else every Foot into ten Inches From this Ichin they make their Ell call'd Issiack which is exactly the sixth part of the Ichin but the Issiack hath also ten great and sixty lesser parts the tenths are call'd Isson ten Issons make an Itsiebou and six Itsiebous one Ichin which Measure all Shop-keepers use and is so exact that it differs not a Hairs breadth Their Streets and Miles All the Streets in Japan as well in the Cities as in the Countrey Villages are of an equal length viz. sixty Jekjens or Ichins that is thirty Rhyneland Rods sixty Streets make a Japan Mile or a thousand eight hundred Rods. In the High-ways at every Miles end are little round Hillocks thrown up by Men employ'd for that purpose on which they plant four high Trees which are great Guides and Helps to Travellers Japan Weight Moreover the Japan Weight is full as exact as their Measure which consist of Fiaekin being a hundred and twenty five Dutch Pounds one Fiaekin makes a hundred Cattys one Catty sixteen Taile one Taile ten Maes one Maes ten Coudryn one Coudryn ten Rinnen Japan Coyn very strange The same order they observe with their Coyn. The Mint-Master coyns no Money either of Copper Silver or Gold but every Merchant goes to the Farmers of the Metal-Mines of whom he buyes the gross Silver and Gold as cheap as he can then makes it of an exact weight according to the Emperors Order then he delivers the Pieces to the Emperors Officers of the Mint which meet on certain days to weigh the Money which is brought in to them whether it be full weight and if it wants but half a Grain they cut it in the middle and so return it to the Owner Those that are weight the Officers mark with their Stamp which done it must be
set forth Bartholomew Diazio who Coasting Africa reach'd at last the great Southern Point which indeed was the Work if he had understood it and made right use thereof but there being disanimated by mutinous Mariners and stress of Weather giving a bad Epithet to the great Point calling it Cabo Buyig or Cabo Boyie because there he was stopt and soon after forc'd to return yet his wiser Master understanding it better Cape of Good Hope why so call'd nam'd it Cabo de Bona Esperanca that is The Cape of Good Hope A strange Voyage of a Franciscan Monk But whilst Diazio Rid before the great Southern Cape a Franciscan Monk call'd Anthonio his intimate Friend incited by a strange curiosity Landed there and ventur'd alone to seek his Fortune in so vast and unknown a World I tell this Story though not so pertinent because of the wonder that one Man should be so hardy to venture his single Person to travel through Countreys so full of Heat Drought and Desarts and Peopled with such as he could neither understand nor they him but thus he went not onely through all Africa but a great part of Asia reaching to Jerusalem there paying his Devotion he return'd to Lisbon giving the King an account of his miraculous adventures Upon this the King bethought himself of a less chargeable way than Rigging a Fleet which could onely discover the Coast to which end he employ'd Pedro de Cavillano and Alphonso Payva both skilful in the Arabick A wonderful Journey of two Portuguese as private Pilgrims to make Inspections of those Countreys which were yet to them unknown They first came to Naples then touched at Rhodes after visited Egypt and saw Grand Cair from thence to Jerusalem here paying due Tears to the holy Sepulchre they parted travelling several Ways Payva for Ethiopia where he died and Cavillano to Ormus so to Calicut in India Here he receiv'd Messages from the King his Master not to return till he was able to give him a good account of Africa Thus commanded he ventur'd into Ethiopia where the King of that Countrey became his great admirer much taken with his Person and Parts inviting him to dwell in his own Court and offering him if he would Marry a Lady of great Fortune and Noble Extract From the Emperors Palace he made means to send a Letter to the King of Portugal in which he inform'd him at large both of the Asiatick and African Countreys and amongst the rest described the City of Calicut and gave a Character of the Inhabitants who he said were of a swarthy and of an Olevaster Complexion scarce knowing ought of humanity or civil address unaffable irreligious and ignorant of all Moral Vertue they are proud of going naked from the Middle upwards onely above their Elbows they wear Armlets of Pearl and a Simiter in a Belt hangs thwart their Shoulders and about their Middle they wear Skirts or long Bases of Purple-Silk richly embroider'd with Gold Here the Female Sex are allow'd Polygamy one Woman may Marry as many Husbands as she pleases and those which enjoy the greatest number are esteem'd there the most Noble so there is no priority to their Children by Birth none knowing well their own Father but either they are all Co-heirs or else her Sisters Children Inherit That the Natives of Ethiopia were all Blacks and a kind of Christians but mix'd with an allay of Judaism and Mahumetan and how the Emperor maintain'd a great standing-Army to defend his Dignity and Territories which were very vast Emanuel King of Portugal is earnest to make farther Discoveries of Africa and India Soon after this Information King John died in the Year 1495. Emanuel succeeding him and willing to go on with the Work of Discoveries advised with his Peerage what was best to be done in so high a Concern His Council consisting more of private than publick Spirits who aim at Grandeurs and the general good first looking upon the difficulty danger and great Charge then considering as to the Honor and Profit they had gotten enough by the Discoveries in Africa already and it were meer madness to take upon them more than they were able to perform for sending fresh Ships and new Colonies to Plant remoter Countreys would weaken the Kingdom and disable their Navy neither would these new-found Lands turn to any other account more than to maintain those that settled there these and the like they alledged The publick-spirited Party which were and are commonly the fewest in all great Consultations convinced them in all their Arguments saying That they had no cause to complain of the Honor and Profit which the Nation had already gotten in their first Discoveries but that it should rather encourage them to proceed The King's Treasure being better suppli'd and the whole Nation much employ'd and more enrich'd by this their foreign Trade and should they neglect what they had so happily begun and undertaken they would not onely lose their Expence and Pains but the whole Affair would in time by degrees moulder away to nothing And if we should wave such honorable Enterprises as these who would attempt discourag'd by our example any Business that had the least face of difficulty or danger Thus the business being highly debated the King hearkned onely to those of his Council who advis'd according to his judgment and inclination and with all diligence speedily set forth four Ships well appointed with Soldiers Sea-men and all other Necessaries making Vasco de Gama their Admiral adding his Brother Paulo and Nicolao Celio for his assistance who set Sail on the tenth of June Anno 1497 follow'd with great sorrow cries and tears of the Adventurers Wives Children and their nearest Relations being possess'd with a prejudice that the Voyage was so long and dangerous that they should never see them again Having weigh'd Anchor first they directed their Course to the Fortunate Isles from thence to the Hesperides and having clear'd Cape de Verd they steer'd more Easterly till he lost all sight of Land and lay engag'd in the wide and open Sea three Moneths together when in ten Degrees of Southern Latitude Land appear'd towards which he made with all possible speed and soon anchor'd in the Mouth of a pleasant River where Landing he found some of the Natives whose Hair was short and curl'd and they of a swarthy Complexion were naked who never knowing what belong'd to Commerce nor having seen any Strangers before they made but small Traffick with them onely trucking Spikes and several sorts of Nails for Cattel and Fruit. Gama call'd this Place St. Hellens Bay and the River falling in it St. James River SEFALE From hence having refresh'd themselves they Sail'd on but making little way being ruffl'd often with foul Weather hollow Seas and a contrary Current still running Westward yet at last they reach'd the Confines of Zanguebar which he so call'd from the Name of that Saint and soon after cast Anchor
before Sofala the chief City of that Countrey They come to Sofala where he found the Inhabitants more civiliz'd who thought themselves very gay in Copper Hoops or Rings which they wore as Bracelets and Armlets and proud of Daggers with Cotton Hilts using a Language altogether unknown but one of the Towns-men spake Arabick by whom they understood that a white People in Vessels like theirs had traffick'd with them formerly Vasco de Gama had ten Convicts or condemn'd Persons in his Fleet sent by the King who sav'd their lives to be put ashore where the Admiral thought fit there to wander and seek their Fortunes and if they liv'd to make Observations of the Countrey and learn the Language which hereafter might come to some account two of these he turn'd ashore leaving them there for that purpose Mean while staying a Moneth at Sofala a great Sickness happen'd in the Fleet from the alteration of Diet which before was scarce and salt now fresh and plentiful of which many died To Mosambique The next start he made was to Mosambique a rich City famous for Trade and Commerce situated in a small Isle under fifteen Degrees of Southern Latitude Here the Merchants and Citizens went all in Sattin embroider'd with Gold and wear great Turbants of fine Linnen Simiters hanging across their Shoulders and in their left Hand a Buckler who being thus Habited came in small Boats aboard the Admiral who civilly and kindly treated them where Discoursing they told him That their King was call'd Abraham and was the sole Monarch of Mosambique but under him his Xeque or Lieutenant Govern'd the City That he was call'd Zocacia Gama soon after conversing and being amongst them got so much in theirs and the Deputies favor that he obtain'd two Pilots who undertook to carry his Fleet safe to the East-Indies which kindness of theirs arose from a mistake supposing them to be Western Saracens but afterwards understanding that they were Christians all this sweetning and good will turn'd to rancor and hatred the Pilots first repenting abhorring to do any thing for Unbelievers leapt over-board and so swimming to Shore deserted the whole business The Portuguese being troubled at this high affront conceiving their relinquishing of them was influenc'd from the Town it self brought all their Guns to bear upon them Fires at the City which discharging they hurt and slew several of the Inhabitants insomuch that Zacocia was forc'd to call a Council who there resolv'd to send him another Pilot which had also private instruction in stead of carrying them to their designed Port to betray and deliver them up to the King of Quiloa making them believe that they were Abyssine Christians who would kindly receive and furnish them with all sorts of Provisions This treachery they willingly undertook out of malice and detestation they bore to Christianity Thence weighing Anchor Gama hasted with a fair Gale to the Port of Quiloa suspecting nothing to his utter ruine which was there decreed as before mention'd when Providence being now ready to enter the Mouth of the Harbor sent a terrible Storm but indeed a friendly one which in spite of all his endeavors Tacking to get in drove him at last back into the Offin and so much to the Leeward that by his treacherous Pilots advice and they willing to save their lives steer'd his Coast to Mombaza a City or rather a Fortress being built on a Rock impregnable almost Moated round about by the Sea Here Gama having no sooner dropt his Anchors but the Inhabitants delighting in Novelty came flocking in great Companies aboard who entertain'd them with all civility whilst the Pilots not forgetting their treacherous Design inveigl'd the Inhabitants having the advantage of the Tongue first telling them that they were Christians and that they would do God and their Countrey good Service besides their own private benefit being able to over-power them to seize their Ships and sacrifice those unbelieving Dogs Thus concluding they inform'd one another going from Ship to Ship as if upon curiosity and pleasure resolving to put in action what they had thus concluded when the Decks were more fill'd with the Inhabitants This matter was the easier to perform because one of his Ships he had burnt already being not able to Man her losing so many in their last great Sickness But Gama not liking his Anchorage being too much within and too near some Rocks if he by stress of Weather should chance to drive suddenly upon better consideration gave order to weigh and to Anchor as he suppos'd in a fitter place to Ride in and to moore his Vessels A Plot against Gama discover'd and by what means Now the Saracen Pilots seeing an unexpected hurry amongst the Sailers busie to and again about their Tackle bending to Sea-wards thought their Plot discover'd and that they were carrying them clear away leapt suddenly over-board muttering they were betray'd the rest of the Natives taking the Alarm as soon follow'd them Diving under Water like a Flock of Sea-Fowl not appearing till they were out of Musquet-shot rejoycing they had so escaped But this Rout was not so sudden nor were they all so ready in making of their escape but that he took thirteen Prisoners and also carry'd away with him two of their Vessels that lay near him Gama takes two Vessels amongst which he found an expert and honest Pilot who first truly inform'd him that the City Melinde was not far distant from thence being almost under the Equinox and that their King was an affable Prince receiving all Strangers with great civility The Admiral Gama being thus encourag'd and believing the Pilots report follow'd his directions Steering streight on for Melinde where they found though a Saracen his Relation to be true The Melindian King having withdrawn himself being old from all publick Address and Business sent a handsom Present as a token of Amity and true Friendship by the young Prince his Son and soon after provided him an excellent Pilot who conducted his Fleet in twenty days safely to Calicut in the East-Indies Description of Calicut The City Calicut lies on the Coast of Malabar and though it boasts no Haven or any safe Harbor and yearly much troubl'd especially in the latter end of May with foul Weather and overgrown Seas raging with sudden and often violent Heuricanes yet by its great Commerce and Trade is a famous rich and well peopled Seat It happen'd that the Portuguese arriv'd there in the midst of this their turbulent Winter getting within two Leagues of the City and soon after there being a short intermission of Rain and Tempest the Inhabitants being able came aboard in nimble Skiffs for that purpose and Gama hoisting out his Pinnace went ashore with some chosen Men carrying another of the foremention'd condemn'd Persons along with him who being turn'd loose to seek his Fortune and distinctly habited from the rest the People flock'd about him amongst which happen'd to be
the Clouds and middle Region of the Air. ¶ THis Countrey abounds in Mines Mines from whence the Inhabitants gather their greatest Riches whose special care invites foreign Merchants to Trade and Barter with them Trees A wonderfull Tree in Japan ¶ THeir Trees or Plants which they set either for use or pleasure resemble ours unless their Palms which are of a tender and strange quality contrary to all Plants whatsoever for they endure no manner of moisture for if the least wet touch the Roots they fade and wither immediately being destructive to them as Poyson which to save and cure they dig up and dry the taken up Roots in the Sun then set it in a new Hole fill'd with dry Sand where being so Transplanted it soon recovers and reflourisheth in full verdure those Boughs or Branches that are cut or torn off with Winds or any other accident they Nail on which grows to the Body as well as if Graffed or Inoculated Cedars in Japan very great Several places abound with Cedar some of them so tall and large that the Carpenters use their Limbs or Branches for main Timber in their stateliest Buildings and Shipwrights make Masts of them Japanners live on Venison ¶ THe Japanners neither breed nor keep Sheep Swine Geese nor Poultry nor eat scarce any other flesh but Venison the Desarts are full of wilde Cattel and untamed Steeds of a good race The Woods are full of Wolves Bores Stags and Conies Beasts and Fishes there Amongst their several sorts of Fowl they want not Pheasants Ducks wild Pigeons Turtle-Doves Quails and Partridges Here they have also abundance of Fish amongst which the Eells and what they call Voom they most esteem Butter they know not nor the use of Sweet Oil but what they spend is prest out of Whales which are often driven ashore upon their Coast The meaner sort of People use neither Tallow nor Wax but carry up and down to light them Branches of Pine Trees in stead of Candles and Torches Their shape and strength ¶ THey are something tall of Stature and well Set and easily endure Watching and other hardships signs of a strong Constitution From twelve to sixty years of Age they are liable to Musters Impresses and Martial Affairs They suffer their Beards to grow something long Difference in Hair and use several fashions in Shaving their Heads Youths keep onely their Foreheads bare the Rusticks and common sort imploy the Razor but on half their Heads the Nobles leave onely a Tuft or Lock of Hair near the Nape of their Necks which if any touch they look upon as a high affront and a great dishonor The Japanners are a strong People They much exercise their patience in all manner of sufferings and are so inur'd by Custom that Hunger Cold Heat and Thirst Watching and Travel are their Play-Fellows for as soon as born though the weather happen to be extream cold and pinching they carry out the Infants and wash them in the Running Streams where whilest they are cleansing they let them paddle in the Water to save themselves from sinking So soon as Wean'd their first Lesson is the Art of Hunting kept from their Mothers and all Female Relations their Schools of Learning wherein they commence in Hardiness are wild and unfrequented places believing that nothing makes them more tender and effeminate than to be near Women Their manner of sleeping and eating ¶ THe Floors of their Houses are Matted all over very curiously and that they may tread the softer stuft like a Quilt which indeed are rather their Couches or Beds where laying themselves down under their head in stead of a Down-Pillow a Log or Stone whereon they well and quietly Repose These Mattings are their Tables also on which sitting cross Legg'd they take their Repast Are very politick Yet in their Diet they are no less curious or dainty than the Chineses and like them use two Sticks one in each hand with which they take up their Hash'd Service needing neither Knives nor Forks which they handle so dexterously and these Tools are so fitted for their purpose that they never let any thing fall nor foul their Fingers entering their Dining-Room for the more cleanliness they pull off their Shooes The meaner sort especially those that live poorly near the Coast fare hard eating onely Rice Fish and Sallets but the Inlanders Feast daily and feed plentifully like the Chineses Rich Feasts In stead of Table-Clothes and Napkins their Dishes are serv'd up on little Boards or Tablets being either Pine or Cedar curiously Painted after their manner with various colours Their prepar'd Dishes are heap'd up with variety of Meat like our Bisks or Olapotreeds trick'd up with Leaf-Gold the edges stuck about with Cyprus Branches But when they Treat Noblemen they gild the Bills Feet and Leggs all over with Gold They entertain their Friends and Strangers Chearfully with hearty Welcome During their time of Eating and Drinking they haâ—e several Customs which they perform with strange and Mimick Gestures the whole Nation every where punctually observing the like The Blood of the Grape is altogether unknown to them but in stead thereof they make their Wine of Rice but above all they are most delighted with Water heated mixt with the Powder of Chia Their Drink is made after a peculiar manner In nothing they are more curious and diligent than in making this Compound which the Grandees themselves pride to prepare when they entertain their Friends for which purpose to make this their special Liquor they have peculiar places in their Houses where in a kind of Furnace over a gentle Fire it stands infusing from whence when they are visited by Strangers lifting up the lid they take it up in Dishes and present it hot trowling the Cup about one to another The Japan Treasures wherein they consul Their several Vessels which they use in this Preparation are a kind of Limbeck or Furnace Tunnel Stone Cruses Spoons and Pots in which they keep both the Herb and Powder of Chia Their last Complement which they are most proud of is to shew them their Wealth boasting their accumulated Treasure But their foremention'd Drink the Japanners esteem and value more than we our Precious Stones and Inestimable Jewels They also set a strange Rate upon Sword-Hilts especially when made by some peculiar Masters Their Houses and Cloysters Most of them dwell in Houses of clinch'd Wood cover'd with slit Plankings because of the frequent Earthquakes which happen there so with falling they suffer not much harm and are soon repair'd some dwell in Edifices built of Stone no less Costly than Artificial Their Temples also are most Magnificent with stately Cloysters and Inclosures where their men and women are aparted The Japanners Tongue is very strange ¶ THe Japanners have one Tongue or Language in common yet it is so various in Pronounciation that it seems to be of