had therefore rather hear of their faults by their trusty Servants to correct them then to be ill spoken of behind their backs and for this reason these secret Monitors are alwaies near their Lords persons especially at Feasts and publique meetings observing their words and least actions These Lords though they have their particular names yet they are ordinarily called by that of their Government or residence further every man hath three names the children a childish when they are men a more manly and being become old get others suitable to the decays of nature and age The surnames are first pronounced for being their parents were before them they think it but reasonable that their names should likewise precede When one of these Lords die ten twenty or thirty of his Vassals kill themselves to bear him company many that do so oblige themselves to it during their Lords lives for having received some more then ordinary grace and favour from him and fancying themselves better beloved then their companions they think it a shame to survive their Benefactour and therefore in return of their thanks they usually add My Lord the number of your faithful Slaves is great but what have I done to merit this honour this Body which is indeed yours I offer you again and promise it shall not live longer then yours I will not survive so worthy a Patron For confirmation of this they drink a bowl of Wine together which is solemn for no covenants thus made are to be broken Those that thus binde themselves cut their own bellies and do it as followeth They assemble their nearest kindred and going to Church they celebrate the parting feast upon mats and carpets in the midst of the Plain where having well eat and drank they cut up their bellies so that the guts and entrails burst out and he that cuts himself highest as some do even to the throat is counted the bravest fellow and most esteemed If the Lord cause a wall to be built either for the King or himself his Servants often times beg they might have the honour to lie under out of a belief that what is founded upon a living mans flesh is subject to no misfortune This request being granted they go with joy unto the designed place and lying down there suffer the foundation stones to be laid upon them which with their weight immediately bruise and shiver them to pieces His Majesty hath several Castles strong and great whereof those of Osaua and Iedo are the most magnificent The Countries belonging to the Kings and great Lords are not much travelled by our Nation so that we have no knowledg of them only I am informed that they have mighty Towns and Castles None of these Cities are walled though their streets are regular every one and equally long the ends of them shut with Gates and guarded with Watchmen by night or times of danger The Country waies are marked at every miles end with stones or stakes being put up for that purpose In their Towns and Villages every street hath two Magistrates who take care for their precinct and must give an account for whatever happens in them and because none through clownishness or otherwise may approach the Lord Governour with disrespect they have Prolocutors appointed them by whose intervention all lesser matters are compassed the more difficult being reserved for the decision of the ordinary Judge Their manner of Justice THe Cities and Towns have no revenue at all each of them depending on their Lord neither have the Citizens Marchants Gentry or Commonalty any Tolls Excise or Contributions they pay likewise nothing except it be for the ground their houses stand upon which is the Lords and for that they give from forty shillings to two yearly according to the greatness of their houses Every house must finde a man upon occasion which happeneth three or four times a year though but for an hour and sometimes for half a day or so The King or Lord hath the whole product of the Land and Sea the Gentlemen and Souldiers live upon that portion their Lord assigns them out of the Country the Marchant subsists by his gaine the Citizens and Artificers by their trades and the Labourers by that portion which their Lord allows them out of the fruit of the earth What Crimes they punish most severely EVery individual from the Emperour to the meanest Gentleman hath the right of Justice over his Subjects and Servants His Majesty hath his ordinary Judges in all his Cities and Towns When a Gentleman or Souldier is condemned to die he is allowed the honour to kill himself by cutting up his belly with his own hands whereas the Citizen Marchant and meaner persons suffer by the common Executioner A Marchant how rich soever is not esteemed at all because they say He liveth by his lying making no conscience to cousen and deceive the People for his filthy lucre sake The Citizen and Artificer are likewise undervalued because they are but Servants to the Commonalty and forced to live by their labours and manufactures Neither are the Country People of more account because of the miserableness of their condition being subject to perpetual slavery and toyling But the Gentlemen and Souldiers who are numerous are honoured and feared and they do nothing being maintained and served by the Marchants by the Citizens and by the Country Labourers Every crime how small soever is punished with death especially theft although but to the value of a penny gaming and playing for money is no less hainous then murther and all other Delinquents which deserve the rigour of Justice with us in Europe undergo the same penalty here Every one suffers for his own faults except the matter be treasonable and then the Father Brothers and Sons must likewise suffer and their goods be confiscated and the Mothers Sisters and Daughters be given away and sold for slaves These confiscations are not due to the Emperour King or Lord in whose Territories they happen but are reserved under account for publick uses as building of Churches making of Bridges repairing of High-waies and the like It happened in my time that a proud fellow presented his service to a poor Gentleman demanding of him by reason of his address and parts more wages then he knew the Gentleman could give who vexed at the youths impertinencies and perceiving he jeered him replied with a composed countenance Friend you demand indeed much wages but being I think you will deserve it and that you are pleasing in my eyes I am content to receive you into my service Three daies after his Master sent him on an errand being returned he was accused for staying out so long so as no excuses would save his life being forced to pay for his insolency under this colourable pretence The Lord of Finando did lately cause three Gentlewomen of his Ladies attendants to be shut up in Chests spiked with nails on every side because one of them had had some
Ivvaysko and hath 70000. Ieckenda Bitâ—hiou Gouernor of the Emperors Castle Matsivmma in Bitchiou hath 60000. Matswia Fisennocamij Lord in Fisen dwells at Firando where the Shipps belonging to the Company have their Hauen and Traffick his income is 60000. Sengoock Fiwo Lord in Sinano lives at Ojonda and hath 60000. Catta Sewado Lord in Gyo dwells at Oets and hath 60000. Tosruwa Okion Lord in Dewano lives in the Lordshipp of Shimchiro and hath 60000. Matsendeyro Iwamij Lord in the Countrey of Farima dvvells at Bisongori and hath 60000. Matskonra Bungo Lord in Fisen dwells at Simabarra and hath 60000. Iescoun a Tonnomon Lord in Bongo dwells at Fita and hath 60000. Tsungaer Ietchin Lord in Ochio dvvells at Tsungaer a Sea towne and hath 60000. Ongasauwara Simano Lord in Farimer dwells at Sekays and hath 60000. Itho Chiury Lord in Fonga dvvells at Orasi and hath 50000. Fourta Fiâ—a Lord in Iwamy dvvells at Daysiro and hath 50000. Wakesacka Arbays Lord in Sinano and dvvells at Ino 50000. Touky Nangato Lord in Iohe dwells at Toba hath 50000. Arima Soymonoskie Lord in Niko dvvells at Acconda and hath 50000. Outa Fiwo Lord in Iamatta dvvells at Ouda and hath 50000. Matsendeyro Dâ—wâ—do Lord in the great Province of Ietsesen dvvells at Oune hath 50000. Minsnokuyte Foky Lord in Ietsengo lives at Ribatta and hath 50000. Innaba Mimbro Lord in Bonngo lives at Ousthero and hath 50000. Croda Caynokamij Lord in Chimano lives at Camro and hath 50000. Matsendeyro Sonodonno Lord in Isumij liveth at Kisnowadda and hath 50000. Tonda Sammon Lord in Sonnoâ—â—mmy dvvells at Amangasack and hath 50000. Stotsianangy Kemmotâ— Lord in Iâ—hie lives at Congon and hath 50000. Fondo Ichenocamy Lord in Micanwa lives at Ocha Sacka and hath 50000. Matsendeyro Iamayssiro Lord in Tamba dwells at Cassaiamma and hath 50000. Mory Caynocamij Lord in Ingal Iche dwells at Sowro Sada and hath 50000. Tonda Notanocamij Lord in Farima dwells at Fimens hath 50000. Akito Sionoske Lord in Fitayts dvvells at Chiâ—hindo and hath 50000. Assano Oenime Lord in Chions lives at Casseme and hath 50000. Neyto Cinocamij Lord in Chions lives at Akandate and hath 50000. Cattes Kibodo Lord in Ochio lives at Ayâ—s and hath 50000. Samma Daysiennocamij Lord in Ochio dwells at Sama and hath 50000. Fonda Iamatta Lord in Taysima lives at Isius and hath 50000. Ouckob Cangato Lord in Mino lives at Canno and hath 50000. Nayto Boysen Lord in Dewano lives in Iodata and hath 50000. Inawa Aways Lord in Tamba lives at Fucokuytscamma and hath 40000. Camij Asirick Lord in Iwamij lives at Mongamij and hath 40000. Cattaygiri Ismou Lord in Iammano dwells at Tatsta and hath 40000. Chonda Findanocami Lord in the Province of Ietsesen lives in Maroka and hath 40000. Itacaura Sauadonne Gouernour of the great Citie of trade Miako hath 40000. Matsendeyro Bougo Lord of the Countrey of Iwamy dwells at Nakasima hath 40000. Fonda Nayky Lord in Farima lives at Fimris hath 40000. Matsendeyro Tango Lord in Ochio lives at Suckey and hath 40000. Caenna Maury Isonmo Lord in Finda lives at Oumory and hath 40000. Ciongock Chiury Lord in Tango lives in Tannabe and hath 36000. Outta Giuwe Lord in Mino lives at Itsnoday and hath 30000. Matsendeyro Getsio Gouernour of the Castle Ionda in Iamaysiro hath 30000. Matsendeyro Ouckon Lord in Farima lives at Ako and hath 30000. Minsonoya Ichenokamy Lord in Kooskie lives in Chitiotayâ—â— and hath 30000. Immasacka Kaynokamij Lord in Bitchou lives at Naâ—se and hath 30000. Matsendeyro Iammatto Lord in Ietsesen lives at Catsiamma and hath 30000. Inno Fiveo Lord in Costie lives at Amma and hath 30000. Matsendeyro Tonnomon Lord in Mikaura lives at Iuffinda and hath 30000. Akisuckie Nangako Lord in Niko lives at Sumyno and hath 30000. Sauo Inaba Lord in Sinano lives at Soua and hath 30000. Foysimo Fongo Lord in Sinano lives at Tackaboyts and hath 30000. Sunganoma Owribe Lord in Totomij lives in Sese and hath 30000. Simaes Oemanoske Lord in Nicho lives in Sando Barra and hath 30000. Kinostag Iemmon Lord in Bongo lives at Fins and hath 30000. Sono Tsinsima Lord in Tsinsima hath 30000. Koyndo Fimano Lord in Tongo lives at Okada hath 30000. Fondo Fimoso Governor of Nissiwo lives at Mikauwa hath 30000. Gorick Serfnokamij Lord in Mikauwa lives at Fammats and hath 30000. Chinsio Swraga Lord in Fitayts dwells in Tsuytowra and hath 30000. Secuma Fisen Lord in Sinano lives at Iraiamma and hath 30000. Todo Toinsima Lord in Mino lives at Cannaiamma and hath 30000. Fonda Isumij Lord in Fitayts lives at Minangaura and hath 30000. Tongauwa Tosa Lord in Bitchion lives at Nikays and hath 30000. Matsendeyro Tosa Lord in the Province of Iessesen lives at Konomatra and hath 30000. Sugyfarra Foky Lord in Fitayts lives at Gungowry and hath 20000. Kynostay Kounay Lord in Bithion lives at Korousy and hath 20000. Matsendeyro Koysero Lord in Farima lives at Farima and hath 20000. Inasacka Tsonokamij Governor of the Emperors Castle Osacca hath 20000. Matsendeyro Kenmots Lord in Tamba lives at Cammeiomme and hath 20000. Mastey Sake Lord in Ochio lives at Sanboumats and hath 20000. Oumowra Mimbou Lord in Fisen lives at Daymats and hath 20000. Matsendeyro Isumij Lord in Mino lives at Iwamoura and hath 20000. Matsendeyro Chinocamy Lord in Tsonnotamy lives at Faynotory 20000. Minsuo Fayto Lord in Micauwa lives at Corea and hath 20000. Nito Tutewaky Lord in Chiono lives at Iway Fouwo and hath 20000. Ongusawary Wakasa Lord in Simosa lives at Sekyda and hath 20000. Fithicatta Cammon Lord in Chiono lives at Mawasa and hath 20000. Iwaky Sirrosy Lord in Chiono lives at Iedowra and hath 20000. Rekongo Fiongo Lord in Dewano lives at Iwry and hath 20000. Takennacia Oenieme Lord in Boungo lives at Fouway and hath 20000. Moury Ickenocaney Lord in Boungo lives at Ounays and hath 20000. Wakebe Sackion Lord in Totomij lives at Oumiso and hath 20000. Isâ—ifoiâ— Insnocamy Lord in Totamy lives at Cosioys and hath in Revenue 20000. All these Sumes amount to 17794000. Here follow some lesser Lords whose Lordshipps and places for brevity are omitted as lesse considerable their names onely and Revenues being specified as follovveth Sangoro Saffioye 20000. Fory Minnasacka 20000. Quire Iamma SaÌ„mon 15000. Fossa Cawa Geruba 15000. Fackyna Deysen 15000. Matsendeyro Deysen 15000. Gottoways Lord of the Island Goto 15000. Catayngori Iwami 15000. Cussima Ierfingo 15000. Coubary Tomoty 15000. Tackamy mondo 15000. Miake Ietsingo 15000. Cackebe Sayngow 10000. Mynangaua Chynomoceamij 10000. Iaydsio Dewanocanij 10000. Coungay Inabae 10000. Sackan Oukon 15000. Condae Iwanij 15000. Nasno Ients 15000. Oudaurae Bisen 10000. Toiamma Gidwo 10000. Fira Ougae Giuâ—mon 10000. Oseki Iemmon 10000. Fayssien Gowas 10000. Outano Tango 10000. Fieno Owrabi 10000. Auby Ceynocams 10000. Otana Monsoys 10000. Majudda Iametta 10000. Taitsibanna Saoken 10000. Octana Caweyts 10000. Nimas Kybon 10000. Fory Arbays 10000.
with his wings spread of pure Gold This structure was very beautiful being adorned on all sides with carved Images its angles plaited with pure Gold and the roof of it intimating the Heaven with Sun Moon and Stars There were fifty Persons all Gentlemen belonging to the Emperours clothed with long white Robes and Wax Head-pieces that carried this ambulatory Pallace Forty Gentlemen antickly dressed although armed with Europian Head-pieces and Pikes gilded at the ends went before the Deyro and these were of his Life-guard One of his principal Lords did immediately follow him armed as the other bearing in his hand a Shield stuck full of Arrows then came forty great Quirosols all covered with fine white linnen and belonging to the aforesaid Guards These were again followed by thirteen great Wax Chests carried by the Palanquyn Porters And lastly the whole procession was closed with four hundred persons all in white vestments marching six in a ranke in very good order The Deyro and his Traine were no sooner past but the evening came on and an innumerable company of people of all sorts the Stages and Houses which had been filled with Spectators had disgorged their burthens in the Streets so that the multitude was so immensly great that very many disorders happened as cutting of purses stealing murthering and robbing each other very many were stifled in the crouds and such as but once fell were sure never to rise being troden to death The noise all night was so great as if the City had been in an uproar and the insolencies grew to that heighth that many persons of quality who could not get out of the throng or were retiring to their houses were set upon and very many of them spoiled and murthered among others the Lord of Firandos Secretary saw his Servant robbed and a rich Cabinet of his taken from him before his own face whilest he himselfe had much ado to defend himself from the violence of these assaulters We were forced with our Servants to quit our stage and put our selves into the crowd because of the night and the danger to continue where we were which we durst not do without running the hazzard of being murthered the preass was so great that we were borne up by the people most of our way being but seldom able to put a foot upon the ground yet at length by Gods great blessing we got all without any considerable loss safely to our lodgings The Deyro and his Wives were lodged three daies and three nights in the Emperors Palace being served by their Majesties and their Brothers and the greatest Princes of their Court every meale consisting of one hundred and forty services This feasting being done the young Emperour gave the Deyro these following presents Three thousand Boates of Silver each of four Tayls and three Marses Two rich Sables Two hundred Iapan Gowns Three hundred pieces of wrought Sattin Twenty picols of raw Silk One great piece of Calombacq Five great Silver pots full of Musk. And ten beautiful Horses with their accoutrements The old Emperour gave him Two hundred pieces of Gold each worth fifty four Silver ones One hundred Indian gowns richly wrought Two great Silver pots full of Musk. Five Catti Calombacq Two hundred pieces of red Silk Five Silver pots full of Amber Greece And five brave Horses with their accoutrements His Secretary had given him Three hundred Boats of Silver equal with the other in worth And twenty Indian Gowns A Description of the Government Might Religion Customes Traffick and other remarkable Affairs in the Kingdom of SIAM Written in the Yeare 1636. by Joost Schouten Directour of the East-India-Company in that Countrey SIAM is a famous and potent Kingdom scituate upon the continent of Asia eighteen degrees Northern Latitude where it bordereth upon the Countries of Pegu and Ava twelve degrees it extendeth it selfe Westward to the Bengasche sea of Martavan to seven degrees where it borders upon the Kingdoms of Pay tany and Queda Southward from the Bengasche to the Patanys Ocean this Coast turns Northward to thirteen degrees making with its bowing the Gulf of Siam thence the Coast runs again Southward to twelve degrees and leaving the Sea terminates Eastward upon the Desart of Cambodia and the Kingdoms of Iangonia Tangou and Langjang to eighteen degrees even to Ava and Pegu so that the form of this Land is like an halfe Moon and containeth in its circuit four hundred and fifty Dutch miles one Dutch mile makes six English This Country which is in many places mountainous woody and moorish especially towards the Sea although for the most part even and clay and is likewise full of all sorts of Beasts and Fowls and Rivers replenished with abundance of Fish hath where it bordereth upon the Benga and Siams Seas many Islands Bays Havens and Rivers most commodious for the receipt of great and small Vessels I shall not particularize all only mention the chief River as the most frequented Haven of the whole Kingdom This River called by the name of Menam or the Mother of Waters is great wide and very long its course being not known unto them It passeth from the North Southward very swiftly through the Land of Ava and Pegu and several Provinces of Siam until that it discharge it self by three mouthes into the Sea of Siam it partaketh of the nature of those famous Rivers Ganges and Nilus flowing once a year so high that it covereth most part of the Countrey making it incredibly fruitful and destroying by this innundation which continueth four or five moneths all obnoxious vermin and creatures The greatest mouth of this River is that which lies most Eastward thirteen degrees and a half Northern latitude and in the middle of the inlet there is a great flat or sand a mile long that crosses the entry of the River five or six foot deep at low water but at heighth is fifteen or sixteen and in the Winter moneths when the the floods are great there is ordinarily seventeen or eighteen foot and more great Ships that go deep are forced to anker at four five or six fathoms water without this banck the ground being clay and good but those that pass this flat at high water enter the River without any more danger of runing on ground till they come to the Town of Banckock six Dutch miles upwards then the River grows narrower and more shallow Ships drawing eleven or twelve foot water being scarceable to mount to the City of India where they are sometimes forced to stay till the moneths of September October and November for water to return The Country is generally well peopled especially the lower part of it being full of Villages and Towns the principal whereof are Iudica Picelouck Sourckelouk Capheng Soutcethay Kephinpet Conseywan Pytsyay Pitsidi Lydure Tenou Mormelon Martenayo Lygor Bordelong Tannassary Banckock Pypry Rapry Mergy and several other all which are governments and heads of Provinces besides these there are many Cities and Burroughs full
wherein the Imperial Citie and Pallace of Iedo are scituated 27 daies North-East wards before they could reach the utmost point of the land of Sungaer bordering upon the Sea being come thither they passed over an Istmus of thirty three English miles broad leading into the CouÌ„try of Iezzo abounding in skins furrs of price This territorie is very great mountainous but litle inhabited The Iappaners attempted its discovery severall times but in vaine for though they entred to fro far into the Countrey yet they could never find its end nor any certainty coÌ„cerning it their provisions ordinarily failing them which inforced their fruitlesse returnes The discoverers reports of these were soe imperfect that his Majestie dispaired of any further Satisfaction the countrey being presented as desolate and unpassable though in some place inhabited with a people all over hairy wearing their Beards long like the Chinesses brutish though otherwise well shaped To consider therefore the uncertianty whether this Countrey be an Island or no wee may observe that the passage betvveene Sungaer and Iezzo is no running water but an Inlet or long Istmus of the Sea it selfe 120 English Miles long extending it selfe betvvixt Iezzo and Iapan where it bounds upon vast mountaines and deserts about the Province of Ochio so that that way being vvholly unpassable by land travellers are forced to ferry over the aforesaid Isthmus from Sungaer to Iezzo in Barkes and such shipping as they have The tvvo great Islands of Chirkock and Saykock are governed by Kings and Lords that share vvith them in the Magistracie Chirkock hath one King and three Lords Saykock being the bigger of the tvvo hath more Governours but both are accounted Provinces of this great Empire though least in extent of those whereof it is composed How many Provinces it contaynes THat great Territory which we call Iapan the inhabitants Nippon borders upon those afore mentioned Islands and strecheth to the unknovvne Countrey of Iezzo is divided into five Provinces to wit Iam Aystero Ietsengo Ietsesen Quanto Ochio the which with the Islands of Saykock Chirkock make seaven in all whose Dominions Cities and Castles are subdivided under severall Kings and Lords as the follovving specification of the Revenue of the vvhole land aboundantly shevveth An Extract of the Sealed accompts and specification of the Revenue Excepting the Emperours of the Kings Princes Dukes and Lords of Japan together vvith the names of their Countreys and Castles according to the Japans accompt in Cockyens each Cockyen being ten Carolus Guilders vvich is some Tvventy Shillings Sterling CAngano Tsiunangon King of Canga Geâ—tichu Natta hath his Residence in the Castle of Canga his Revenues amounts to 1190000. â—â—rngano Daynangon King of Surngo Toto and Mitaunca dwells in the Castle Faytâ—iâ—s hath in Revenue 700000 Ouvvarino Daynangou King of Ovvary and Mimo dwells in the Castle of Mangay and hath 700000 Sendaino Thiunangon King of Massamne and Ochio lives in the invinsible Castle of Senday and hath 640000 Satsumanon Thiunangon King of Satsumae Ossimus Fiungo and Quchio lives in Kaâ—gasima and hath 600000 Rinocaouny Daynangon King of Kimo and Ishe lives in the Castle of Wake Iamma and hath 550000 Catto Fingonocamy King of Tingo lives in the Castle of Koumamâ—tte and hath 554000 Matsendeyro Iemenofiâ— King of Tsunkisâ—n and Faccatia dwells in Foucosa and hath 510000 Matsendayro Ionocany King of the Great Province of Ietchesen lives at Ocede and hath 511100 Calto S. Kibo King of Osio dwells in the Castle of Aâ—s and hath in Revenue 430000 Assaino Taysima King of Bingo dwells in the Castle of Oky and hath 420000 Matsendeyro Nangato King of Soua dwells in the Castle of Fangy and hath 370000 Mittono Thionangon King of Fitaytâ— dwells in the Castle of Mit. and hath 360000 Nahissima Simano King of Thisien dwells in the Castle of Logtois and hath 360000 Matsendeyro Sentairo King of Ianabasoky dwells in the Castle of Tackaham hath 360000 Tâ—do Isumy King of Ianga Iche dwells in the Castle of Son hath 320000 Matsendeyro Lonuey King of Bissen dwells at Ossaiamma hath 310000 Inno Cammon the bravest of the Princes King of Totomy dwells in Savaiamma hath 300000. Fosso Covva Ietchin King of Boytes lives at Cokera and hath 300000. Oyesungi Daynsio King of Iotsengo dwells in the Castle of Gunisauvva and hath 300000. Matsendeyro Denrio King of the Province of Ietsengo lives at Formando and hath 300000. Matsendeyro Auvva Duke of Auvva dwells in the Castle Incts and hath 250000. Matsendeyro Ietchigonacamâ—â— Duke of the land of Conge dwells at Takato and hath 250000. Matsendeyro Tsiusio Duke of Ioo dwells at Mats Iamma and hath 250000. Ariama Grimba Duke of Tsirkingo dwells at Courme hath 240000. Morimo Imasack Prince of Imasaka dwells at Tsiamma and hath 200000. Tory Inganocanij Prince of Sevvano dwells at Iummengatta hath 200000. Matsendeyro Tosa Prince of Tosnacorij dwells at Tocosiamma hath 200000. Satake Okion Prince of Wano dwells at Akita and hath 200000. Matsendevro Simo Sautamy Prince of Simosa dwells at Tatebays and hath 200000. Forriwo Iamaissiro Prince of Insâ—â—o dwells at Masdaytâ— and hath 200000. Ikouma Ikinocanij Prince of Sanike dwells at Couham and hath 180000. Forivvo Iamassiro Prince of Insimo dwells at Masdayts and hath 180000. Fonda Kayokamij Knight and Lord of Faryma dwells in Tayeno and hath 150000. Sackey Counay Knight Lord of the great Province of Wano dwells at Fakfio hath 150000. Tara sanvva Simado Knight and Lord of Fisen dwells in Lataâ—s and hath 120000. Kiongock vvakasa Knight and Lord of Wakasa dwells in Osamma and hath 120000. Fory Tango Knight and Lord of â—etchesen dwells at Kavvantisma and hath 120000. Minsio Fiongo Knight and Lord in Bingo dwells at Fâ—uâ—ke Iamma hath 120000. Sackopharra Eskibon Knight and Lord of Kooske dwells in the Castle of Tattays hath 120000. Matsendeyrâ— Tavvayts Governor of the Emperors Castle in Quana hath 110000. Oeckendyero Imysacka Knight and Lord of Simotske dwells in Oâ—tsnomio and hath 110000. Sannada Iut Knight and Lord of Sinano dwells at Koske and hath 110000. Taysibanna Finda Knight and Lord of Sickingo dwells in Imangonvva and hath 110000. Ongasaura Oucken Knight and Lord of Farima dwells at Kays and hath 100000. Indatiji Voutumij Knight and Lord of Gyo dwells in Itasima and hath 100000. Nambon Sinano Knight and Lord in the great Province of Ochio dwells at Mortiamma and hath 100000. Niwa Groysemon Knight and Lord in the great Province of Ochio dwells at Sirakovva and hath 100000. Abeno Bitchion Gouernor of the Emperors Castle Ivvatsuky in the Countrey of Moysays hath 80000. Kiongock Oenieme Knight and Lord of Tanga dwells in Tanabe and hath 70000. Makino Surnga Lord in Ietchingo dwells at Wangerecka and hath 70000. Nackangonvva Nysien Lord in Bongâ— lives in the Citie of Nangoun and hath 70000. Matsendayrâ— Comba Lord in Sinano dwells in Matsmoâ—â— hath 70000. Nayâ—â—o Samma Lord in Fitayts dwells in the Citie of
and chief Ministers of State these come dayly to Court and dispatch all Publick Affairs by his Majesties directions and are as likewise the other minor Senators highly respected and honored by the subordinate Kings and Lords The chief of these have two hundred thousand pounds a year the middle half so much and the lesser thirty twenty and ten thousand pounds per An. Their Authority and Power is confined to the Emperor's Pleasure none of them upon pain of Banishment or worse daring to advise a second time after Answer once received from the Prince His Majesty chuses these his Councellors out of those Gentlemen that have served well and long having been bred up in the Court with him and had the address to please him most All the Affairs of the Kingdom pass these mens hands but they are very circumspect in observing his Majesties eye and pleasure before they adventure to propose advice or answer and all to continue in his good grace and favour nay they are fo fearfully slavish that they approve of whatever the Prince proposes and though the ruine of a Province depended upon it will not seem to have sentiments differing from his The quality of his Princes and Lords and their might THe Revenues of the commanding Lords as appears by their specifications are very great and yet they have by reason of their vast expences enough to do with their moneys First they are obliged though never so far distant from Court to reside six moneths every year in the City of Jedo to wait upon the Emperor Those of the North and East come one half year which being expired they are relieved by them of the South and West who depart with his Majesties leave after much Ceremony Feasting and receiving of Presents back to their several Countries Thus they take their turns at Court which is infinite expensive by reason of their numerous trains some of them travelling to and fro with one two three four five and six thousand men The Lord of Firando where our East-India-Company hath a Lodge being but one of the least among them travels with three hundred Men Gentlemen and others and hath in his two Houses at Iedo above a thousand Persons Men and Women Thus each Lord lives according to his Means and Dignity rather profuse then sparing so that the City swarms with Men and Attendance which makes the Markets high and very dear Their sumptuous Buildings their gorgeous Cloathing of their Servants especially their Women and their Attendants their Feasts their Presents and other extraordinary Expences of that proud and pompous Court do sufficiently keep under these great Men for their Charges surmount their Revenues and they are found most commonly to be much behinde hand Besides all this his Majesties orders the making of several publick Buildings as High-Ways Channels Castles and the like all which are divided amongst the aforesaid Lords then at Court each his share which they cause to be made without respect of expence to the envy of each other with all speed and industry imaginable The chief Lords when they build new Palaces for themselves do besides the ordinary Gates and Doors cause another great and sumptuous Port to be made beautified with Statues and wrought all with hard Wax or Indian Lack and richly guilt This Entry being finished it is covered all over with Plancks to keep the Sun and Rain from it and continueth so inclosed and shut up until such time as the Emperour honours that House with his presence After his Majesty hath passed and re-passed through the said Gate it is wholly shut up and never opened more no man being afterwards found worthy to go in or out at that Door which hath been graced with the Princes entry His Majesty doth go but once to feast in one House all the preparations for his entertainment being made ready long before with great care and cost every thing being adorned with his Arms and afterwards never used more but preserved with great devotion in remembrance that the Emperour did vouchsafe to eat in that House His Majesty is always invited three years before hand in which time the preparations fit for so royal a Guest are making After the Emperour hath been there one day the Princes of his blood his Councellors and the Kings and great Lords are treated with incredible magnificence three whole Moneths together Briefly the building of such a Palace and the treating of so great a Prince is sufficient to make a rich King poor and yet these ruinning profusions are not to be avoided When his Majesty goes a Hern-hunting and hath taken some of those Birds being of great esteem in those Countries he sometimes bestows one of them upon one Favorite or other which Present costs the Receiver at least a half years Revenue for the Gift is so highly valued having been taken by the Emperor's Hawks and given with his own hands that the whole City seems to partake of the joy it being abundantly testified by Feasting and Presents The Lord of Satsuma had lately the honour to entertain the Emperour in his new Palace but with better fortune then any of his greatest Princes for his Majesty was so well pleased with his treatment that he made him a Present of Beans as he pleased to tearm it for his Horses worth threescore thousand Pounds a year The Emperor disposes of the marriages of his great Lords who entertain their Wives which are ordered them by him with extraordinary carresings they receive and lodge them in their best Palaces and allow them ten twenty c. to a hundred and more Gentle women and Maid-Servants according to their abilities to wait upon them when they go abroad to visit their Friends which is allowed but once a year Their Women follow them in shut Pallacquins forty or fifty in number each of them with two Chamber-Maids on each side of their Pallacquins one These Pallacquins are very richly made wrought with Lack and inlaid with Gold carried some nine foot from each other in good order with great modesty The Wife that is given by the Emperor is the Mother of those Children which succeed in their Father's honors but if she prove Childeless or have no Heir male the Kingdom or Government is ordinarily bestowed upon a Stranger to that Race and Family Every Lord may have as many Concubines as he pleases or can maintain whereby Children indeed are multiplied though none inherit but those that are legitimate These Lords enjoy all the pleasures they can imagine in the fruition of their Women Houses Gardens Ponds Walks Musick Plays and the like They suffer no Men to come into their Wives Houses upon any pretence whatsoever unless it be some few who are next of blood and that but very seldom these are kept close and careful and all their Women young and old great and of lower condition must thus spend their time without any manner of conversation with men the least suspition is punisht with death it
of people which I omit as superfluous The City of Iudica the Metropolis of the Kingdom and seat of the King and his chiefest Nobles is scituate upon the River Menam in a little round Island encompassed with a thick stone wall about six English miles round the Suburbs are on the other side of the River closely builded and full of Temples and Cloysters lying in a flat and fruitful Country The Streets of the walled Town are many of them large straight and regular with channels running through them although for the most part of small narrow Lanes Ditches and Creekes most confusedly placed the Citizens have an incredible number of small Boats or Prawes which come to their very doors especially at floods and high water The building of the Houses is according to the Indian fashion slight and covered with Tiles but the City is beautified with more then three hundred faire Temples and Cloysters all curiously builded and adorned with many gilded Towers Pyramids and Pictures without number The Kings Palace is seated upon the River resembling a little Town apart great and magnificent many of its Buildings and Towers being entirely gilded This royal and admirable City is perfectly well seated and populous to a wonder being frequented by all Nations and is likewise impregnable as not to be besieged but six moneths in a year by reason of the innundations of the River which covers the Countrey round with its overflowings The Soveraignity and Government of Siam is in the King a Prince of a Noble and ancient family who hath been in possession of this Kingdom and the neighbouring Provinces many hundred of years this Prince is absolute in his Dominions disposing of War and Peace Alliances Justice Pardons and Remissions c. at his pleasure He maketh Laws without any advise or consent of his Council or Lords his will being the rule he walks by unlesse his goodnesse descend sometimes to counsel with his Mandoryns them of his Council these sometimes deliberate upon his Majesties propositions and present their result to him by way of humble supplication which he confirms changes or rejects as he thinks good He disposes Soveraignity of all the Dignities and great Offices of his Kingdom without respect of persons noble or otherwise except some of the Antientest and greatest Families to such as have or may serve him well whom he againe deprives of their honours for small faults so that they are all his Slaves and Vassals which the Great ones esteem an honour and put in their titles The King thus soveraignly disposing of all things doth notwithstanding nothing without some appearance of reason and conformity to the Laws of the Kingdom which however antient he by his usurped prerogative and power doth interpret and bow to his Arbitrary will and pleasure His Majesties Court and Train is exceeding great and glorious He seldom shews himselfe to the People and very sparingly to his Grandees and Officers of the Kingdom which happens at certain appointed times and daies when he gives them Audience he is richly clothed and crowned sitting upon a golden Throne at whose feet his Gentlemen and Attendants reverently kneel accompanied with three hundred armed Souldiers of his Lifeguard All as well Strangers as Subjects who have audience of his Majesty whilest they are in his presence must continually kneele with folded hands and heads hanging down when they speak to him it must be in this humble posture loading him with titles and praises his Answers are esteemed Oracles and his commands unchangeable so that he lives happy in all imaginable worldly pleasures having many magnificent Houses up and down the Kingdom as also other places Tents and Pavilions He eateth highly but his drink is simple water or Coco all strong drinks being prohibited by the Clergy and the Laws and esteemed scandalous His Majesty goeth ordinarily by water with eight or ten very costly and fine Barges each with eighty or a hundred rowers he sits under a gilded Pavilion upon a Throne accompanied with his Courtiers and other Barges to the number of three or four hundred with his Train and Guards waiting upon him most of the great Ones follow the Court at such times each in his rich gilded Barge or Praw so that the whole train of them is twelve or fourteen hundred and sometimes more When he goes by land he is mounted upon a gilded seat and carried upon mens shoulders the train being ordinarily the same all marching in order and great silence no body is seen in his way or sight but upon their knees with folded hands and bowed heads and bodies this reverence better becoming a celestial Diety then an earthly Majesty Once every year about the moneth of October the King of Siam shews himself by water and land in state to his people going to the principal Temple of the Gods to offer there for the welfare of his Person and Kingdom the manner follows When he goes by land the procession is led by two hundred Elephants each attended vvith three armed men these are follovved by many Musitians vvith Gomnies Pipes and Drums and a thousand men richly armed and provided vvith Banners Then march the great Lords of the Kingdom on horse-back many of them vvearing Crovvns of Gold upon their heads and every one vvaited upon by sixty eighty or an hundred men on foot Tvvo hundred Iapan Souldiers follovv these vvith bright Arms and rich Colours and much noise of Instruments then comes the Lifeguard vvith the King's Horses and Elephants richly adorned vvith pretious Stones and Gold furniture vvhich is follovved by many Servants loaden vvith fruits and presents for the Sacrifice accompanied vvith a svvet consort of Musick These are again follovved by many of the great Ones on foot vvith folded hands as also some Crovvned Grandees vvhereof one carrieth the gilded Standard and the other the Svvord of Justice his Majesty follovvs next in person in his royal Robes sitting upon an Elephant or else a gilded Throne carried upon mens shoulders and vvaited upon by many Lords and Courtiers the Prince or Heir of the Kingdom follovveth him and then in order the Kings Wives and Concubins seated upon Elephants in little enclosed Cabinets lastly the ordinary Courtiers follovv the vvhole provision consisting of fifteen or sixteen thousand persons having its rear brought up by six hundred armed men But if the King go by vvater then tvvo hundred Lords each in his Barge seated in a gilded Cabinet vvith eighty or ninety Rovvers lead the van these are follovved by ten extraordinary rich figured Pravvs or Barges the vvhich as also the Oars are all gilded each having ninety or an hundred Watermen The King is in the richest of them sitting like an Idol upon a golden Throne vvith his Lords in their humblest posture at his feet the royal Banner is borne by one of these Grandees at the head of the Barge in state The King's Brother follovveth next vvith his Train and after him his Majesties Wives and Concubins in
fear of shame or punishment A man may keep as many Concubins as he pleases besides his Wife though they are in some subordinacy to her whose Children onely inherit the other being contented with small portions for their subsistence Great mens goods are divided after their deaths into three parts one part for the King the second for the Priests and their Funerals and the third for their Children The common People have other Customs the Bridgroom buyeth his Bride for a sum of monies of her Father or Friends whereupon the marriage is made and concluded with a little feasting but they may divorce like the great Ones at pleasure and marry again with the same liberty The Children deal their deceased parents goods equally except some little advantages for the eldest Son They have many other Customs in marriage and succession too long and tedious to write As for their Children they send them to school at five or six years old where they are taught to write and read and rendered fit for Trades and other employments some are continued in their studies by the Priests their Masters until they are called to Offices and advancements in the State and then they cast off the yellow frock others continue there out of hopes of being one day Heads of Temples and Schools or sharing in the Priesthood The Siammers who live in Towns and populous places are either Courtiers Officers Merchants Watermen Fishermen Tradesmen or Artificers each one containing himself in his vocation The Country people brew till plant and bring up fwarms of Cattel as Horses Kine Swine Deer and domestick Fowl as Geefe Peacocks Ducks Hens Pigeons and other tame creatures insomuch that provision is very cheap notwithstanding the abundance of at which is sent into the neighbouring Provinces for their supply and use They have Brick Lime Wood and all materials for building of Churches Forts Houses Ships Prawes Jonks and other vessels in great quantities The divers Towns of this Countrey have their several Trafficks and Commerce in the chief City the trading is very good and free in its course the principal commodities are Choromandes and Sura vestments all manner of China wares Jewels Gold Benjamin Gumlack Wax Sappang Agerwood Tin and Lead c. as also vast numbers of Harts-skins one hundred and fifty thousand of these creatures being caught yearly in this Countrey and fold with much profit to the Japanners They drive a great trade with all eating provisions especially Rice many thousand Tuns being transported yearly by forraigners This City by reason of its great traffick is frequented by several Nations as the Indians the more Western Asiaticks European Moors and Christian Merchants The King himself is also a Merchant and hath his own Ships and Factours trading to Choromandel and China being for that cause more favoured and priviledged then any other Prince he likewise trafficks to Pegu Ava Jongoma Langs-jang and other places besides his negotiations at home all which bring him incredible profit and no small disturbance to private Merchants all which do certainly manifest the great trade that is carried on in this Countrey The Monies currant is of very fine silver of a round figure and impressed with the Kings picture the kindes are a Ticlas a Mase and a Fong worth thirty pence seven pence half penny and four pence English or near upon They reckon ordinarily by Cattys each being twenty Tayls or forty eight Royals of eight and it is with this and no other coyn that they handle and trade with save that there is a lesser called Schulpkens or little Sheels wherof eight or nine thousand go to a Fong being brought out of Manilha Borneo and Lequeo very useful for poor people Before the coming of the Netherlanders into the Indiaes the Portugals had great correspondence and amity with this Kingdom being in such esteem and honour by the King that the Embassadours sent from their Vice-Roys Governours and Bishops of Malacca in India were not only well received by his Majesty but richly presented by him and many of the residing Portugals in this Country advanced to great Offices and preferments they had not only the free exercise of their Religion but their chief Priest had also a monethly pension allowed him for his more splendid subsistence thus they prospered here for many years until the Dutch Company got footing amongst them and gained upon them from time to time by taking their Ships and interrupting their trade with Santhome and Nevagatain insomuch that they are at present very low and out of credit occasioned more particularly by their taking of a Dutch Yacht by a Spanish Gally in the River of Siam which the King took so highly that he revenged it with his Arms which produced a war between him and Manilha and however the Portugals seemed unconcerned in this quarrel yet they wholly lost their credit at Court insomuch that the Bishop of Malaccas Vicar their chief Resident there is debarred of his usual access to his Majesty and his Ministers whereas in former times they were esteemed the onely and chief Merchants of the whole Kingdom This breach and difference between these two Nations was fomented by the Dutch and increased by several acts of hostility on the Portugals side who took many of his Majesties Ships and Vassals at Sea in revenge whereof the Portugal Vessels were seized on in India and all the present Portugals natives clapt up in prison who were after two years restraint upon a fictitious embassie restored to their liberty but this practice coming to light occasioned the seisure of a Castilian and a Portugal Vessel in the Havens of Ligoor and Tanaslary the men whereof were not released till after a two years restraint but then indeed returned with his Majesties Letters to the Governours of Manilha and Malacca with invitations of their former peace and traffick where it is probable they may return but questionable whether they shall ever recover their former credit and authority It is more then thirty years since the Netherlanders came first to Siam and were admitted of by his Majesty so that the Company have judged it necessary for the cherishing their traffick and alliance with so mighty a Prince to settle there to which end they builded a house or lodge of wood in the City of India where they trade in in land commodities and selling of clothes as also buying of Harts-skins Sappang c. which are sent yearly to Japan the Company indeed hath not profited much by reason of several misfortunes by this traffick but they have gained more reputation then any Europians besides by the great friendship and correspondence which is betwixt them and the King and also have had the benefit of transporting great quantities of all sorts of provisions in Batamia which friendship notwithstanding the several successions of the Princes disturbing the Companies Cantore and Servants is yet sufficiently conserved and continued and ought in my opinion to be cherished as absolutely necessary for the good and welfare of our Company as also in regard of the Kings civil usage of us and his aversion to the Spaniards our common enemy finally our factory established there in the year 1633. and trading during my four years direction are so much corrected and increased that the Company hath remarkably gained by them with probability with good mannagement of more signal advantages To which end the General and Councel of India caused in Anno 1634. a stone lodge with fit pack-houses pleasant apartements and a commodious landing place to be builded on the borders of the River Menam being one of the convenientest and best scituated of any that is unfortified in all the Indiaes And thus much we found good to discover of the customes and manners of the Kingdom of Siam being my observations during my eight years residence in the chief City of the Country I have followed the exact rules of truth according to my best knowledge and diligence in this short relation remitting the curious to the more large and more particular discourses of better and more exact judgements FINIS