Japan and the Japanese

144 JAPAN. A. D. 1C07 1618.
" I promise, likewise, that the persons whom I understand shall be left
here, shall now and at all times be held as recommended unto me, and in
all things to favor them, whereby your majesty shall find us as your friends
and neighbors.
" For other matters passed between me and your majesty's servants,
which would be too long here to repeat, I refer myself unto them." *
The Dutch were greatly indebted for their success to Foyne-
Sama, king of Firando, who interested himself greatly in the
establishment of a Dutch factory in his island. In fact, it had
been at his expense that the two Dutchmen, shipmates of Adams.
had some years before been sent to Patania upon their promise to
induce their countrymen to open a trade to Japan. In addition to
this outlay, 'which had amounted to fifteen hundred taels, he had
furnished the Dutch belonging to the two recently arrived vessels,
with a galley manned with fifty-six rowers, for their visit to court,
of which they had the use for two months ; and he had, besides,
accommodated them by purchasing all their pepper and silk, the
latter article at a considerable loss to himself.
Some time previous to the arrival of these Dutch ships, in the
autumn of 1G08, Don llodrigo de Vivero, the late governor of
Manilla, returning to New Spain in the galleon, the St. Francis, was
wrecked on the south-east coast of JS'ipon. At first it was not
known what land it was ; but a Japanese Catholic on board soon
recognized it. The crew, who had escaped to the shore, proceeded
to a neighboring village, the people of which evinced much com-
passion for them, the women even shedding tears. They gave
them clothing and food (consisting of rice, pulse and a little fish),
and sent word to the tono, or lord of the district, who issued
orders that they should be well treated, but not suffered to
remove.
They were soon visited by the tono, who came in great pomp,
preceded by three hundred men ; some bearing banners, others
armed with lances, matchlocks and halberts. He saluted Don
llodrigo with much politeness, by a motion of his head and hand,
* This letter is given by Purchas, vol. 5., p. 406. It has neither date nor
signature, nor does it appear who is responsible for the correctness of the
translation.