Japan and the Japanese

BUTCH INTERCOURSE COMMENCES. 143
out their instructions for opening a commercial intercourse with
Japan. They were very kindly received at Firando, whence they
5ont a deputation to the emperor's court, witii presents, in the name
of the Stadtholder, and were successful in obtaining leave to estab-
lish a factory at Firando, for the supply of which with goods the
Dutch were to send a ship or two yearly.
The lied Lion, arriving
in the Texel, July, 1610, carried back the following letter :
THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN TO THE KING OF HOLLAND.
" I, emperor and king of Japan, wish to the king of Holland [prince of
Orange] who hath sent from so far countries to visit me, greeting.
" I rejoice greatly in your writing and sending unto me, and wish that our
countries were nearer the one to the other, whereby we might continue and
increase the friendship begun betwixt us, through your presence, whom I
in respect I am unknown unto your majesty, and
imagine in earnest to see ;
that your love towards me is manifested through your liberality in honoring
me with four presents, whereof, though I had no need, yet, coming in your
name, I received them in great worth, and hold them in good esteem.
"And further, whereas the Hollanders, your majesty's subjects, desire to
trade with their shipping in my country (which is of little value and small),
and to traffic with my subjects, and desire to have their abiding near unto
my court, whereby in person I might help and assist them, which cannot be
as now, through the inconvenience of the country ; yet, notwithstanding, I
will not neglect, as already I have been, to be careful of them, and to give
in charge to all my governors and subjects that, in what places and havens, in
what port soever they shall arrive, they shall show them all favor and friendships
to their persons, ships and merchandise ; wherein your majesty or your
subjects need not to doubt or fear aught to the contrary. For they may
come as freely as if they came into your majesty's own havens and countries,
and so may remain in my country to trade. And the friendship begun be-
tween rne and my subjects with you shall never be impaired on my behalf,
but augmented and increased.
" I am partly ashamed that your majesty (whose name and renown through
your valorous deeds is spread through the whole world) should cause your
subjects to come from so far countries into a country so unfitting as this is, to
\isit me, and to oft'er unto me such friendships as I have not deserved. But
considering that your affection hath been the cause thereof, I could not but
friendly entertain your subjects, and yield to their requests, whereof this
eha-H serve for a testimony ; that they in all places, countries and islands,
under mine obedience, may trade, and traffic, and build houses serviceable
and needful for their trade and merchandises, where they may trade without
any hindrance at their pleasure, as well in time to come as for the present,
eo that no man shall do them any wrong. And I will maintain and defend
them as mine own subjects.